Morphology and particle size analysis of hydroxyapatite micro- and nano-particles

Hydroxyapatite particles were prepared by co-precipitation of calcium and phosphate solutions in the presence or absence of an emulsifier followed by physical treatments. The morphology of the particles was examined by SEM and particle size distribution was determined by Zetasizer nano-series. The particle size was also determined by SEM and TEM. The particle size distribution and morphology of the particles were found to be dependent on the chemicals used and the conditions and methods of physical treatment. Micro- hydroxyapatite and nano-particles in the size range of 60 nm – 300 µm have been prepared. Under careful controlled conditions with the use of co-precipitation of solution mixtures of calcium chloride, phosphoric acid and an emulsifier followed by physical treatments using autoclave, sonication and calcination, rod-shape hydroxyapatite nanoparticles of dimension of (68 × 24) ± 5 nm were obtained.