Synthesis of ultrafine hydroxyapatite particles by a spray dry method

A technique was developed to synthesize hydroxyapatite (HA) with a nanocrystalline structure. The method involved the initial preparation of an aqueous solution using inorganic water-soluble compounds. A precursor powder mixture was subsequently formed via atomization by spray drying the aqueous solution. Calcination of the spray-dried precursor powder resulted in the formation of a nanocrystalline structure. Structural and morphological characterizations of the synthesized material were conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Particle size distribution was analyzed using X-ray peak broadening and TEM techniques. The thermal stability of the powder was also characterized and was compared with that of powders made using conventional precipitation methods.