Compositional variations in apatites with respect to preferential ionic extraction.
Detection of ionic losses from the apatitic structure (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) by high-resolution electron microscopy was investigated theoretically. Linear image analysis showed the need for an objective aperture of at least 3.7 nm-1 to visualize four different coordinates (CaII, OH-, P and mid-point between CaII-P bond). High-resolution image analysis and plotting of OH- column intensity against specimen thickness showed an inverse proportionality between composition and OH- image intensities for very thin specimens (less than 2 nm). Image intensity variation would be detectable experimentally, but the preparation of such thin specimens by ultramicrotomy is impossible.
Cuisinier
F J
FJ
Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, INSERM U157, Strasbourg, France.
Glaisher
R W
RW
Voegel
J C
JC
Hutchison
J L
JL
Brès
E F
EF
Frank
R M
RM
D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D017886:Durapatite; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000737:chemistry*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012984:Software; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D001031:Apatites; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D017886:Durapatite