Papers by Author: Hirotaka Fujimori

Abstract: The citrate gel method, similar to the polymerized complex method, was used to synthesize homogenous tetragonal zirconia at 800oC and 1000oC. Nanocrystalline tetragonal single phase has been fully stabilized with 3, 7, 10 mol% CaO and 10, 15 mol% MgO at 800oC, respectively. In addition, the XRD analysis showed the absence of monoclinic phase after addition of 7 and 10 mol% CaO into zirconia-based solid solutions, which have been fully stabilized both 800oC and 1000oC. The crystallite sizes of the t-ZrO2 with 3, 7 and 10 mol% CaO at 1000oC were 32, 28 and 29nm, respectively. For ZrO2- x mol% MgO (x=3, 10, 15) solid solution, the crystallite sizes of samples at 800oC were less than 29nm, however it was increased up to 69nm at 1000oC. The prepared gel and subsequent heat-treated powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to get detail information regarding to differentiation of polymorphs of zirconia as well as formation of powders.

Abstract: Sr2Ta2O7, a layered perovskite compound, has been reported to possess most excellent photocatalytic properties among the layered perovskite materials. Recently, we have successfully demonstrated that Ba5Ta4O15 that was prepared under Ta rich atmosphere has high photocatalytic performance as well as Sr2Ta2O7. In this study, several amount of Ba was doped into Sr2Ta2O7, and the photocatalyst samples with a mol ratio of Sr: Ba: Ta = (1-x): x: 1 were prepared by the polymerized complex method
to investigate the effect of Ba substitution for the Sr site on photocatalytic activity. The maximum photocatalytic performance was obtained for x = 0.2 near the solid solubility limit, which is three times as high as that of undoped Sr2Ta2O7 and is in the highest level in a series of tantalum photocatalysts reported so far. The increase of photocatalytic activity would be caused by crystal distortion due to doping of Ba ion.

Abstract: Nd-Fe-B type powder was sintered using spark plasma sintering method. Fabricated compact sintered at the temperature of 700 °C, is found to be a composite magnet with Nd-Fe-Co-B and α-Fe. The compact sintered at 700 °C shows slightly low coercivity and large remanent magnetization comparing to the compact sintered at 600 °C due to the formation of α-Fe phase, resulting in the large maximum energy product. Maximum energy product tends to decrease with decreasing thickness of sintered compacts below 0.5 mm in thickness.

Abstract: Porous sheets of hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO)4(OH)2; HA) with about 50 µm to 1 mm in thickness and porous HA granules of about 50 µm to 1 mm in size with tailored crystal surface were prepared by the hydrothermal vapor exposure method at the temperatures above 105 °C under saturated vapor pressure of pure water. Porous HA sheets with about 75 % porosity prepared at 120 °C were composed of rod-shaped crystals of about 30 µm in length. Porous HA granules prepared at 160 °C were also composed of rod-shaped crystals of about 20 µm in length with the mean aspect ratio of 30. These crystals were elongated along the c-axis. Rod-shaped HA crystals were locked together to make micro-pores of about 0.1 µm in size. Both of materials were nonstoichiometric HA with calcium deficient composition. These materials must have the advantage of adsorptive activity, because they had large specific crystal surface and much micro-pores.

Abstract: We have cultured mesenchymal cells (MSC) on various types of ceramic disks and used these tissue-engineered ceramics for hard tissue regeneration. In this approach, observation of cultured cell morphology is important even if culture substrata are calcium phosphate ceramics, which usually show bioactive nature. However, due to the opaque nature of the ceramics, cells observation is very difficult. Here, we demonstrate light microscopic observation of rat MSC cultured on transparent β-tricalcium phosphate ceramics (β-TCP). The culture was performed in osteogenic medium. Thus, the cell differentiated into bone-forming osteoblasts, which fabricated a mineralized matrix on the ceramic disks. Microscopic observation revealed that the cascade of osteogenic differentiation after attachment/proliferation of MSC on the ceramic disks was similar to that on a culture grade polystyrene dish. These results confirmed the excellent property of β-TCP for MSC culture leading to hard tissue regeneration.

Abstract: Porous plates of hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2; HA) with about 0.5 to 5 mm in thickness and porous HA granules of about 40 µm to 1 mm in size with tailored crystal surface were prepared by the hydrothermal vapor exposure method at the temperatures above 105 °C under saturated vapor pressure of pure water. Porous HA plates with about 75 % porosity prepared at 120 °C were composed of rod-shaped crystals of about 20 µm in length. Porous HA granules prepared at 160 °C were also composed of rod-shaped crystals of about 20 µm in length with the mean aspect ratio of 30. These crystals were elongated along the c-axis. Rod-shaped HA crystals were locked together to make micro-pores of about 0.1 to 0.5 µm in size. Both of materials were nonstoichiometric HA with calcium deficient composition. These materials must have the advantage of adsorptive activity, because they had large specific crystal surface and much micro-pores.