Preparation and characterization of strontium hydroxyapatite Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2·10H2O suitable for orthopedic applications

• Strontium hydroxyapatite decahydrate has been prepared.
• The synthesis is easily carried out at room temperature.
• We study morphology and structural characteristics of the compound.
• Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2·10H2O shows low crystallinity.
• The properties make the compound suitable for orthopedic applications.

A hydrated form of strontium hydroxyapatite Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2·10H2O was prepared. The synthesis was carried out at room temperature using a stoichiometric mixture of di-ammoniumhydrogenphosphate and strontium hydroxide octahydrate. The product was characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM and mass spectroscopy. The X-ray pattern is that of low crystalline strontium hydroxyapatite Sr10(PO4)6(OH)2. It is suggested that 10 mol H2O which cannot be removed without heating do not belong to the coordinated shell of the compound, but are retained in the structure channels. The presence of this loosely bonded water, together with its low crystalline structural organization make the compound suitable for the preparation of biodegradable orthopedic implants.