Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of nanostructured hydroxyapatite powder

Nanocrystalline powders of hydroxyapatite (HAP) were prepared from Ca(NO3)(2).4H(2)O and P2O5 using a simple sol-gel approach. The resultant gel precursors obtained based on the concentration of the starting solutions were either transparent or translucent. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) result combined with the X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates the presence of amorphous hydroxyapatite (HAP) in the as-dried gel precursor. X-ray patterns collected on the powder after heat-treatment at 900 degreesC for 12 h in air exhibits single phase of HAP Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the powder obtained after heat-treatment at 900 degreesC is composed of nanocrystalline (50-150 nm) HAP particles. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.