Effects of synthesis temperature on the chemically precipitated nano-hydroxyapatite

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is the main inorganic component of natural bone. In this study, nano- hydroxyapatite has been synthesized through chemical precipitation process at different synthesis temperature. Acetic acid was used as a dispersant in the synthesis process. The synthesized HA were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The SEM result showed that the synthesized HA particles were flake shaped when synthesized at 80 °C, whereas, somewhat nano-rod shaped when synthesized at room temperature. In terms of particle size, at 80 °C it was 55-68 nm and at room temperature the size was found out to be 23-32 nm indicating that low synthesis temperature produced smaller particles. From EDX, it was found that for both of the samples, the Ca/P ratio is around 1.6. The FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of HA.