A novel low temperature sol–gel synthesis process for thermally stable nano crystalline hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite is a class of calcium phosphate-based bioceramic, frequently used as a bone graft substitute due to its chemical and structural similarity with natural bone mineral. In the present investigation, a novel method is developed to synthesize pure, stable, stoichiometric nano crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA: Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) at room temperature via alcohol based sol–gel route using Ca(NO3)2.4H2O and NH4H2PO4 as calcium and phosphorous precursors, respectively. We have developed a novel method for the synthesis of nanometer sized HA particles (HAp) without using any catalyst and was synthesized without any grinding process during the gel formation. Polycrystalline HAp synthesized by this new technique is characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM and TEM.

TEM micrograph and SAED of the dried HAp synthesized after using 24 h aging time.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Nano-HAp was synthesized with using a novel sol–gel method.
► Gel formation was obtained without using any catalyst.
► Nano-HAp was synthesized without any need of grinding process.
► Nano-Hap was synthesized as pure, thermally stable, needle like hexagonal crystals.