Preparation of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles by reverse microemulsion

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by reverse microemulsion (aqueous solution/mixed TX-100 and Tween 80/mixed n-butanol and n-hexanol/cyclohexane) at room temperature. In comparison with HAP particles, prepared by conventional direct precipitation method, the reverse microemulsion route led to a significant improvement in the particle size and the degree of particle agglomeration. The effect of different hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) values on the particle size was also discussed.