Well ordered-microstructure bioceramics

It is a great challenge to endow the bioceramics with the bone-matched mechanical performances. Here, capturing inspiration from well ordered-microstructures in the high-performance natural composites, we propose a universal biomineralization-assembly-sintering approach for the fabrication of well ordered-microstructure meta-hydroxyapatite. Owing to the well ordered-microstructure and a new metal ions-related interface toughening mechanism, this well ordered-microstructure hydroxyapatite exhibits remarkable mechanical performances, which are far beyond those of existing hydroxyapatite-based bioceramic and totally matched with the human cortical bone. Furthermore, the ordered microstructure plays a significant role in modulating the cell fates and finally stimulating bone defects regeneration in vivo. This work not only provides a strategy for the fabrication of well ordered-microstructure bioceramic but also broadens the horizons for the interface toughening mechanism of composites and microstructure design of biomaterials for bone regeneration.