Fabrication and characterization of fluoridated hydroxyapatite nanopowders via mechanical alloying

The aim of this work was preparation and characterization of fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) nanopowders with different degrees of fluoridation via mechanical alloying (MA) method. FHA nanopowders with a chemical composition of Ca10(PO4)6OH2−xFx (where x values were selected equal to 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) were synthesized using a mixture of appropriate amounts of calcium hydroxide, phosphorous pentoxide, and calcium fluoride powders by 6 h of mechanical alloying at 300 rpm, using eight balls with a diameter of 20 mm, and the ball-to-powder weight ratio equal to 35:1. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and ICP-OES analysis techniques were utilized in order to evaluate phase composition, agglomerates size distribution, morphology and particle size, functional groups, and purity of synthesized FHA nanopowders. The FTIR result combined with the X-ray diffraction indicated that single phase of homogeneous FHA with the carbonate peaks in the FTIR spectrum could be prepared after 6 h MA. TEM photomicrograph revealed that obtained powder after 6 h of MA was composed of FHA nanoparticles (35–65 nm). The results of ICP-OES analysis illustrated that synthesized nanopowder could fulfill the requirement of ASTM F1185-88 to be used as a biomaterial.