A novel process for the fabrication of nanoporous apatites from Moroccan phosphate rock

Naturally-abundant Moroccan phosphate (Bengurir ores) was used as a source for calcium and phosphorus precursors for the synthesis of nanoporous apatites, following a dissolution–precipitation method. The influence of temperature, ripening time and solvent nature on the crystal growth of apatite was investigated. For all products, poorly crystalline apatite phases were obtained after drying, exhibiting a mesoporous structure with specific surface area up to 150 m2 g−1. These materials could be converted into a pure crystalline hydroxyapatite phase after treatment at 800 °C. This simple, eco-friendly and cheap procedure may be useful for the future development of sorbents for water treatment.