Nano-size Hydroxyapatite Powders Preparation by Wet-Chemical Precipitation Route

In this study, wet-chemical process was performed to prepare nano-size hydroxyapatite (HA) powders (≈10 nm) by varying concentration (low, medium and high) of the starting solutions in order to increase the amount of as-dried HA powders with different process conditions. Particle sizes and density were analyzed and differential thermal analysis was used to determine the glass transition (Tg) and the onset crystallization (Tc) temperatures. XRD and SEM were performed to identify phases and microstructure. The wet-chemical precipitation using low concentration of starting solution under reflux environment could be the optimize process to induce the formation of hydroxyapatite rather than tricalcium phosphate even though obtaining a smaller amount of as-dried powders compared to using high concentration. In addition, the density at 4.05 g/cm and specific surface area at 89.58 m/g as well as a uniform grain size morphology with a small size distribution can be achieved by using this route.