Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous materials containing the bioceramic hydroxyapatite as well as other calcium phosphate and carbonate phases have been synthesizedusing close-packed poly(methyl methacrylate) latex spheres (256-375 nm diameter) astemplates. The interstitial spaces of the colloidal crystal were penetrated by a water/alcoholcosolvent solution of calcium nitrate and phosphoric acid. Calcination in the range 475-1000
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C removed the polymer and promoted crystallization of calcium phosphate phases inthe pore walls. The materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IRspectroscopy, and SEM. The best combination of composition and three-dimensional orderwas found in a crystalline hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate templated with 375-nmspheres and calcined at 700
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C. An in vitro antibiotic drug release application was testedusing this product.