One-pot synthesis of hierarchical fluorapatite hollow microparticles

Hierarchical fluorapatite (FHAp) microparticles with hollow interiors were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method using Na2EDTA/citric acid (CA) as additive. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the resultant hollow FHAp microparticles with uniform shape and size are hierarchically constructed by many small FHAp crystallites building units. Time-dependent experimental results indicated that Ostwald ripening process could be used to explain the formation mechanism for the hollow FHAp microparticles.