SOLID-STATE SYNTHESIS OF HYDROXYAPATITE FROM BLACK SEA RAPANA VENOSA SHELLS

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a major non-organic component of bones and is widely used as orthopaedic and dental material. It is widely used in biological materials due to the apatite-like structure of enamel, dentin, and bones. Black Sea Rapana venosa shells may be used as natural raw material for solid-state synthesis of hydroxyapatite. Huge amounts of rapana shells fall on the shores of the Black Sea and lead to environmental pollution. The wide availability and low cost of rapana shells, as well as the fact that they contain mainly calcium carbonate, make them a low-cost raw material for the solid-state synthesis of hydroxyapatite. In this paper a solid-state synthesis of hydroxyapatite from the Black Sea Rapana venosa shells and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O is discussed. The raw materials previously were calcined at high temperature of 1000°C to increase their reactivity and formation of a good crystal structure. Then they were homogenized at a 1 to 1 weight ratio in ball mill. Samples with dimensions of 3 x 0.5 cm were pressed at a pressure of 50 MPa on a hydraulic press and then fired at 1180°C with 2 hours hold at maximum temperature. Synthesized hydrоxyapatite was confirmed by XRD and FTIR spectroscopy analyses.