Preparation and Characterization of Nanostructure Akermanite Powder by Mechanical Activation Method

Objective(s): So far, extensive research has been conducted on the preparation and characterization of nano ceramics based on Ca-Si by sol- gel method and bioactivity was evaluated, but, a few researches have paid attention to the preparation of materials by mechanical activation (MA). The aim of this study was the preparation of akermanite nano powder by mechanical activation method and bioactivity evaluation. Methods: Akermanite was prepared by MA method and subsequent heat treatment. Samples were mixed of calcium oxide (CaO), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and magnesium oxide (MgO) with molar ratio of 2:2:1, respectively. These were milled for 6 h, 8 h, and 10 h with ball-to- powder ratio 10:1 and rotation speed of 300 rpm. After synthesis, the samples were pressed under 25 MPa and heated at 1100 ºC for 3 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectrum (EDX-mapping) analysis were performed to characterize three kinds of powder. Bioactivity evaluation of the akermanite ceramics was investigated by being immersed in the simulated body fluid (SBF). Results: According to XRD pattern, the sample which was milled for 10 h at heat treatment at 1100 ºC only indicated the pure akermanite phase. The crystalline size of nano powder indicated that with ball milling time increase, the sizes of crystalline were decreased. Also, SEM images showed that, apatite nucleation happened and it grew on the sample surface. Conclusions: In the present investigation, the nanostructure akermanite powder can be prepared by mechanical activation (MA).