Rapid synthesis, characterization, and studies of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Seventy percent of bone is made up of the mineral hydroxyapatite, which is (HAp) [Ca₁₀ (PO₄)₆ (OH)₂] an inorganic compound. The crystal size of HAp in natural bone is in nano-range. The fundamental elements of hydroxyapatite are primarily calcium and phosphorus, with a stoichiometries calcium and phosphate ratio of 1.667. Hydroxide ions are eliminated at elevated temperatures in this chemical synthesis method.

Although numerous approaches investigated ways of making these nanocrystals, controlling the size, shape and crystallinity and many parameters affect the size and shapeof such materials and this still needs further research. Synthetic ceramic based on calcium phosphates particularly in the composition of tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite has extensively been studied and clinically used. The biomaterials research field focuses on the synthesis of these materials for three decades to applications in orthopedics and dentistry.