Control synthesis and self-assembly of calcium apatite at low temperatures

As members in the calcium apatite family, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), anhydrous dicalcium phosphate (DCPA), and hydroxyapatite (HAp) play important roles in many fields. Herein, by tuning the amount of oleic acid, octadecylamine, acetic acid and reaction conditions, hierarchically structured DCPD or DCPA nanoflowers, DCPD nanosheets, DCPA nanobelts or nanowires and HAp nanorods have been selectively synthesized via a simple, mild solution process. The phase conversion and morphological evolution of the three compounds were discussed in detail. The as-prepared samples were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope and Transmission Electron Microscope. Cytotoxicity assay showed that samples own good biocompatibility.