Synthesis of a novel silica/apatite mesoporous nanocomposite

A novel mesoporous MCM-41/hydroxyapatite material is developed based on the co-precipitation of hydroxyapatite and silica. Mesoporosity is induced by the use of surfactant templating. Two ways of synthesis route are examined. One of the synthesis procedures leads to the formation of the hydroxyapatite covered by amorphous silica; while the other one results in obtaining the sample characterized by a high specific surface area (in comparison with pure hydroxyapatite) and narrow, uniform mesopores. In both samples the existence of hydroxyapatite was confirmed using the XRD method. The structural parameters, as well as silica and hydroxyapatite coexistence, promise potential biological applications of the coprecipitated nanocomposite.