Nanostructured hydroxyapatite for biomedical applications: From powder to bioceramic

Abstract

In this study, a wet chemical method was used to synthesize nanostructured hydroxyapatite for biomedical applications. Diammonium hydrogen phosphate and calcium nitrate 4-hydrate were used as starting materials with a sodium hydroxide solution as an agent for pH adjustment. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) titration analysis were used to characterize the synthesized powders. Having been uniaxially pressed, the powders formed a disk-like shape. The sinterability and electrical properties of the samples were examined, and the three-point bending test allowed for the measurement of their mechanical properties. Sedimentation analysis was used to analyze the slurry ability of hydroxyapatite. As in-vitro biological properties of the samples, biocompatibility and cytotoxicity were assessed using osteoblast-like cells and the L929 cell line, respectively. Solubility was assessed by employing a simulated body fluid.