Characterization of calcium phosphate bioceramic from Paphia undulata shells

This study aim to synthesize bioceramic from Paphia undulata shell by using dry technique in order to proposed new bioceramic for human bone repair application. The clam shells obtained from the fisherman of Kuala Perlis coast were turned into a fine powder using an agate mortar. Since the clam shells contain high percentage of calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate powder turned to calcium oxide (CaO) by a calcinations process and the calcined powder then mix with water to form calcium hydroxide. The crystalline phases of the mixtures were greatly dependent on the mixing ratio (wt %) of the calcium hydroxide to phosphoric acid. In a wide mixing ratio range of 1:1.1-1:1.3 wt%, hydroxyapatite were synthesized and palletized. All samples were sintered to determine most suitable sintering temperature to fabricate bioceramics for bone substitute materials. The composition of the samples had been analyzed by using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) spectroscopy. In addition, the mechanical properties of samples were characterized using compression test. The result obtained show hydroxyapatite was successfully produced with mixing ratio Ca/P is 1:1.2 wt% at 750°C sintering temperature.