Ca3(PO4)2
tricalcium phosphate · TCP, calcium phosphate tribasic
Tricalcium phosphate is a calcium-based compound frequently used in medical and dental fields due to its high biocompatibility.
About tricalcium phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate is a calcium-based material that plays a critical role in various biological and industrial processes. Its structural diversity is highlighted by the multiple known phases, allowing it to be tailored for specific chemical and physical requirements in material science research. As a metallic-character compound, it exhibits unique electronic properties that distinguish it from typical insulating phosphate minerals. This material is highly valued for its role in synthetic bone substitutes and dental materials, where its chemical composition closely mimics the mineral component of natural vertebrate bone. Its ability to integrate with biological systems makes it a cornerstone of modern regenerative medicine and orthopedic engineering.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for tricalcium phosphate, aggregated across 1 database.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Reported Structures
Lowest-energy structures reported for Ca3(PO4)2, ranked by energy above hull.
| Space GroupSymmetry classification of the crystal arrangement. The number is the international space-group index. | Crystal SystemBroad lattice family, such as cubic, tetragonal, monoclinic, or triclinic, derived from unit-cell symmetry. | Band Gap (eV)Electronic gap calculated for this specific reported structure, measured in electronvolts. | E above hull (eV/atom)Thermodynamic distance from the convex hull for this structure, normalized per atom. Lower is generally more stable. | E/atom (eV)Computed total energy normalized per atom. Use energy above hull, not this value alone, when comparing stability. | Density (g/cm³)Mass per relaxed crystal volume, reported in grams per cubic centimeter. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-3m (No. 166) | Trigonal | — | — | — | 3.36 |
| R-3m (No. 166) | Trigonal | — | — | — | 3.57 |
| R-3m (No. 166) | Trigonal | — | — | — | 3.42 |
| C2 (No. 5) | Monoclinic | — | — | — | 2.84 |
| C2 (No. 5) | Monoclinic | — | — | — | 3.00 |
| C2 (No. 5) | Monoclinic | — | — | — | 2.89 |
Synthesis Routes
Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting Ca3(PO4)2.
Applications
Where tricalcium phosphate is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about tricalcium phosphate, answered from cross-validated data.
What is Ca3(PO4)2?
Tricalcium phosphate is a calcium-based compound frequently used in medical and dental fields due to its high biocompatibility.
What is Ca3(PO4)2 used for?
What is the band gap of Ca3(PO4)2?
Is Ca3(PO4)2 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
What is the crystal structure of Ca3(PO4)2?
What is the density of Ca3(PO4)2?
How many polymorphs of Ca3(PO4)2 are known?
How is Ca3(PO4)2 synthesized?
What elements does Ca3(PO4)2 contain?
Where does the data for Ca3(PO4)2 come from?
How It Compares
As a standalone material in this context, tricalcium phosphate serves as a primary reference point for calcium-based phosphate chemistry. Unlike many other phosphates that act as insulators, this compound occupies a unique position due to its distinct electronic character, marking it as a versatile candidate for specialized applications where conventional dielectric phosphates may not be suitable.
Data sources & attribution
- mpaloe — Data from mpaloe.
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