Frabicating hydroxyapatite nanorods using a biomacromolecule template

Rod-like hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles with various aspect ratios are synthesized by means of low-temperature hydrothermal method in the presence of a N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) propyl]chitosan chloride (HTCC) template. The synthesized HAps were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The results reveal that HAps are rod-like monocrystals, where the size and morphology can be tailored by varying synthesis conditions, such as pH, hydrothermal synthesis temperature and the ratio of PO43− to the quaternary ammonium in HTCC. The mechanism of HTCC template on HAp nanorod preparation is analyzed.

Research highlights▶ In this study, we use biomacromolecule (HTCC) as a template to prepare the hydroxyapatite (HAp) with rod-like morphology. ▶ We find that the size and morphology of these HAp nanorods are able to be tailored by pH, hydrothermal synthesis temperature and the ratio of quaternary ammonium in HTCC to PO43-. ▶ We prove that HTCC can be completely removed after HAp crystal formation.