α'_H -Dicalcium silicate bone cement doped with tricalcium phosphate: Characterization, bioactivity and biocompatibility

The influence of phosphorus doping on the properties of α' _H -dicalcium silicate (C₂S) bone cement was analyzed, in addition to bioactivity and biocompatibility. All the cements were composed of a solid solution of TCP in C₂S (α'_H} α H ′ -C₂S_ss) as the only phase present. The compressive strength ranged from 3.8-16.3 MPa. Final setting times ranged from 10 to 50 min and were lower for cements with lower L/P content. Calcium silicate hydrate was the principal phase formed during the hydration process of the cements. The cement exhibited a moderate degradation and could induce carbonated hydroxyapatite formation on its surface and into the pores. The cell attachment test showed that the α'_H -Ca₂SiO₄ solid solution supported human adipose stem cells adhesion and spreading, and the cells established close contacts with the cement after 24 h of culture. The novel α'_H -C₂S_ss cements might be suitable for potential applications in the biomedical field, preferentially as materials for bone/dental repair.