Pyroelectric surface charge in hydroxyapatite ceramics

Abstract

Surface charge of pyroelectric nature is measured in poled hydroxyapatite ceramics. The average pyroelectric constant can range from 0.1 to 40 nC cm−2 K−1 at temperatures of 300–500 °C, while at 27–60 °C the value ranges from 15 to 64 nC cm−2 K−1. The higher temperature values are comparable to conventional pyroelectric ceramics such as LiTaO3 or PZT. The lower temperature values are four orders higher than those observed in bone and tendon.