Synthesis, characterization, of Fluorohydroxyapatite nanopowders by sol-gel processing

In this work, sol-gel processing was used to synthesize the fluorohydroxyapatite (nano-FHA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2−xFx) nanopowders. The advantages of the sol-gel method over other methods are precise control of composition, low processing temperature, and better homogeneity. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, phosphorous pentoxide and Tetrabuthylammonium fluoride were used, respectively, as P, Ca, and F precursors with a Ca:P ratio of 1.67. The FHA powders were calcined at temperatures of 600ºC. The characterization and structural features of the synthesized powders were evaluated using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The thermal stability of FHA powders was studied through diffraction thermal analysis (DTA) and the optimized calcination temperature was found 600ºC, we used thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) experiment in three heating rate 7, 10, 15 (ºC) on minute. The in vitro behavior of powder was investigated with mouse fibroblast cells.