Preparation and characterization of fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite.

Simple chemical and thermal treatments were applied to prepare fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite (FPHA). Morphology of FPHA was observed using SEM. Physiochemical characteristics, namely crystalline phase, chemical composition, functional groups, and binding energy of fluorine were investigated using XRD, EDX, FTIR, and XPS respectively. Concentration of free fluoride ion released from FPHA in HCl solution (pH 3.0-4.0) was detected using a fluoride ion concentration meter. SEM, XPS, XRD, and FTIR results confirmed the fluorination of porcine hydroxyapatite (PHA). Significant crystal morphological difference was observed between PHA and FPHA. Concentration of free fluoride ion released from FPHA increased with rising concentration of immersion solution and length of immersion period. Fluoride was successfully incorporated into PHA by chemical and thermal processes in this study. Fluoride incorporation rate into PHA was a strong function of the fluorine concentration in the immersion solution.