Induction of bonelike apatite on carbon-carbon composite by sodium silicate

Bonelike apatite was deposited onto carbon-carbon composite (CCC) from simulated body fluid (SBF) after the composite was pretreated with 2 M sodium silicate solution, while no apatite was deposited on the non-pretreated composite. The porosity of carbon-carbon composite made it carry more silicate ions. The silicate oligomers originating from silicate ions were assumed to be responsible for the nucleation of bonelike apatite, and the pH increase of the simulated body fluid due to hydration of silicate ions accelerated the deposition of bonelike apatite on the composite substrate.