Fluorapatite surface composition in aqueous solution deduced from potentiometric, electrokinetic, and solubility measurements, and spectroscopic observations

The surface chemistry of fluorapatite in aqueous solution was investigated using electrokinetic techniques, potentiometric titrations, solubility measurements, and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy. All methods indicate the formation of Ca/F depleted, P enriched altered layer via exchange reactions between H⁺ and Ca²⁺, and OH⁻ and F⁻ at the fluorapatite (FAP) surface. Observations suggest that this leached layer has a di-calcium phosphate (CaHPO₄) composition and that it controls the apparent solubility of FAP. Electrokinetic measurements yield an iso-electric point value of 1 ± 0.5 consistent with a negatively charged FAP surface at pH > 1. In contrast, surface titrations give an apparent pH of point of zero charge of ∼7.7, consistent with a positively charged surface at pH < 7.7. These differences are shown to stem from proton consumption by both proton exchange and dissolution reactions at the FAP surface. After taking account for these effects, FAP surface charge is shown to be negative to at least pH 4 by surface titration analysis.