Microstructure and improvement in corrosion resistance of HAP and PVA/HAP

Abstract Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mixed with hydroxyapatite (HAP) has great potential for application as biomaterial. PVA/HAP powder was synthesized by sol–gel technique and was compressed to make pellets. These samples were examined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical analysis (ECA) techniques. Compound formation of HAP and PVA were studied using XRD and microstructure was investigated by FESEM and AFM. Characteristics properties of the HAP and PVA/HAP composite are compared. Corrosion resistance of PVA/HAP in Ringer solution is better than HAP. Interesting microstructure features are correlated with the corrosion resistance. As the corrosion resistance is related with biocompatibility, the present work can be useful for the hard tissue implant.