Strength of hollow hydroxyapatite microspheres prepared by a glass conversion process.

Hollow hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres (diameter = 100-800 microm) were prepared by reacting solid Li(2)O-CaO-B(2)O(3) glass spheres in 0.25 M K(2)HPO(4) solution at 37 degrees C. The influence of subsequent heating on the microstructure, surface area, and compressive strength of the HA microspheres was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, the BET method, and nano-mechanical testing.