Formation of dicalcium phosphate dehydrate coating on carbon fibers with in-situ grown graphene nanosheet interlayer

A dicalcium phosphate dehydrate (DCPD) coating was successfully fabricated on carbon fiber with in-situ grown graphene (IGN) interlayer. The obtained coating was analyzed using XRD, SEM, XPS, Raman, TEM and Thermo-gravimetric analysis(TGA). The in-vitro bioactivity of the obtained coating was investigated by simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion test. The results showed that the IGN interlayer grew homogenously on the carbon fiber with a wavy shape. The IGN interlayer was 40–90 nm in length and less than 10 nm in thickness. The DCPD exhibited a flake shape with a size of 10–50 nm. The IGN could bond with the DCPD tightly and form a uniform distribution within the DCPD coating. TGA test revealed that the carbon fiber with IGN interlayer was more effective for DCPD attachment and deposition than pure carbon fiber. The SBF tests showed that the DCPD coating could induce the formation of a cloud shaped apatite layer. The DCPD coated carbon fiber with IGN interlayer would be possible for potential application in tissue engineering.