Ultrafast synthesis and characterization of carbonated hydroxyapatite nanopowders via sonochemistry-assisted microwave process

Herein, carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHAp) nanopowders were synthesized via sonochemistry-assisted microwave process. The influences of microwave and ultrasonic irradiation on the crystallinity, morphology, yield, Ca/P molar ratio, specific surface area and dispersibility were investigated and compared with the conventional precipitation method. The results showed that sonochemistry-assisted microwave process significantly increased the synthetic efficiency. The well-crystallized nanopowders could be obtained at high yield of 98.8% in ultra-short-period of 5 min. In addition, the crystallization process was promoted with the increase of ultrasonic and microwave power and the reaction time during the sonochemistry-assisted microwave process. The sonochemistry assistance also remarkably increased the specific surface area and dispersibility of the as-obtained products. These results suggest that the sonochemistry-assisted microwave process is an effective approach to synthesize CHAp with high efficiency.

► We synthesized hydroxyapatite via sonochemistry-assisted microwave process. ► Simultaneous irradiation of microwave and ultrasound was used. ► Nanosized hydroxyapatite with high yield was obtained in ultra-short-period of 5 min. ► The increase of microwave and ultrasonic power promoted the crystallization process. ► The specific surface area and dispersibility were increased.