  The fabrication of polylactic acid (PLA)-carbonated hydroxyapatite (cHAP)
composite material from synthesised phase pure nano-cHAP and melted PLA by
mechanical mixing at 220-235{\deg}C has been developed in this study.
Topographical structuring of PLA-cHAP composite surfaces was performed by
direct laser writing (DLW). Microstructured surfaces and the apatite
distribution within the composite and formed grooves were evaluated by optical
and scanning electron microscopies. The influence of the dopant concentration
as well as the laser power and translation velocity on the composite surface
morphology is discussed. The synthesis of carbonated hydroxyapatite (cHAP)
nanocrystalline powders via wet chemistry approach from calcium acetate and
diammonium hydrogen phosphate precursors together with crosslinking and
complexing agents of polyethylene glycol, poly(vinyl alcohol) and
triethanolamine is also reported. Thermal decomposition of the gels and
formation of nanocrystalline cHAP were evaluated by thermal analysis, mass
spectrometry and dilatometry measurements. The effect of organic additives on
the formation and morphological features of cHAP was investigated. The phase
purity and crystallinity of the carbonated apatite powders were evaluated by
X-ray diffraction analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy.
