Synthesis of calcium phosphate minerals from biowaste clam shells using microwave heating

Abstract

Calcium phosphate minerals are biologically important because of their application in the fields of orthopaedics and dentistry. Herein we have tried to synthesize calcium phosphate minerals from biowaste clam shells. A simple microwave method was used to synthesize a mixture of calcium phosphate minerals such as hydroxyapatite, tri-calcium phosphate, and monetite. The microwave induces vibration of the dipole ions in the reagent. The heating and rearrangement of ions and atoms occurs during the process. The phases obtained in the final powder were ascertained by X-ray diffraction; the morphology of each sample was checked using a scanning electron microscope. We were able to obtain a mixture of calcium phosphate minerals using the microwave method; the calcined powder showed a brick like morphology, which is different from the rod shape morphology of the hydroxyapatite obtained using the hydrothermal process.