Copper(II), zinc(II) and copper(II)/zinc(II)‐containing carbonate‐substituted hydroxyapatite: synthesis, characterization and thermal behaviour

Abstract

A new approach for the preparation of nanoscale copper‐ and zinc‐containing sodium‐ and carbonate‐substituted apatites is presented. The thermal transformations of the samples in the temperature range 80–1000 °C were determined by temperature‐programmed desorption mass spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The chemical and phase compositions of the copper‐ and zinc‐containing sodium‐ and carbonate‐substituted apatites were studied by atomic absorption spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, respectively. The degree and nature of the carbonate substitution were determined by elemental analysis (C, H, N) and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed nanoparticles (about 10–20 nm in diameter) with a stability to aggregation under processes by microwave radiation. Samples annealed at 700 °C were crystalline and had an apatite structure.