Chemical conversion of a solid body of the composite gypsum/polyhydroxybutyrate in hydroxyapatite/polyhydroxybutyrate

Abstract The transformation of the gypsum into hydroxyapatite allows added value to this raw material, because the ceramic obtained has a high commercial value in relation to gypsum, while the polymer adds biocompatibility and bioactivity properties to the biocomposite. Thus, hydroxyapatite/polyhydroxybutyrate composites were prepared from the gypsum/polyhydroxybutyrate, using a 10% mass ratio of the polymer. The material was obtained by means of a chemical conversion carried out in a solution of ammonium hydrogen phosphate (0.5 mol.L-1) and alkaline medium (ammonium hydroxide 6.0 mol.L-1) for pH control. The reaction occurred at 100 °C at different test times. Analyzes of infrared spectroscopy showed functional groups characteristic of hydroxyapatite after 36 h of reaction; in addition, the biomaterial was identified as the major phase in X-ray diffraction patterns. Scanning electron microscopy of the materials before and after conversion showed a clear change in their morphologies, indicating the success of the synthesis.