Synthesis of hydroxyapatite on thioglycolic acid-capped reduced graphene oxide/silver nanoparticles: Effect of reaction condition in normal or pathological simulated body fluid

• Hydroxyapatite has been synthesised by the nucleation in simulated body fluid.
• Hydroxyapatite was coated on reduced graphene oxide/silver nanoparticles.
• Pathological simulated body fluid restrain the growth of the hydroxyapatite.

Herein hydroxyapatite (HA) has been synthesised by the nucleation on the surfaces of reduced graphene oxide/silver nanoparticles (rGO/AgNPs) in the normal or pathological simulated body fluid. XRD analysis indicated that HA, which formation initiated through Ca2+-adsorption upon complexation with –COO− groups of thioglycolic acid on AgNPs in the pathological simulated body fluid, has lower degree of crystallinity. TEM analysis showed that the pathological simulated body fluid restrain the growth of the HA. The research results could be useful for bone tissue engineering and the pathological study may open an avenue to the exploration of factors affecting bone growth.