Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite to be used as a bio-material

Abstract

Ceramics are a versatile group of materials that are abundant in type. Some ceramics that have been tested in vivo do not cause increased activity in the immune system when dissolved in body fluid or in contact with tissues. Such ceramics, mainly oxides, are termed bio-ceramics. Bio-ceramics have the advantage of being compatible with the human body environment. As reported by Erdem and Ahin (2006), these bio-ceramics include calcium phosphates, Bio-glasss, A-W glass-ceramic and other bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics with hydroxyapatite being the prominent family member, Bioceramics are generally used to repair or replace skeletal hard tissues. Narupom M (2008) states that Hydroxyapatite [HA] is a bioactive, biocompatible calcium phosphate based ceramic material that possesses a structural and chemical composition similar to the mineral component of human bone tissue. There are several methods of preparing HA crystals reported in the literature, including wet chemical precipitation by Narupom M, (2008), solid-state reaction and hydrothermal methods by Chun-Wei Chenn et al (2004) etc. According to Guzm'an V'azquez, et al (2005), wet-chemical precipitation route is the most prominent route owing to its ease in experiment operations, low working temperature, yield of hydroxyapatite and low cost equipment requirement C. Therefore in the present study, wet chemical precipitation technique was used with analytical grade Ca(OH)2 powder and H3PO4 acid as starting materials. A.Binnazhazar yoruc and Yeliz koca, (2009) and some other authors concluded that the shape, size and specific surface area of the HA particles obtained by this method are very sensitive to the dropping rate, reaction temperature, pH value, stirring speed, method of stirring, reflux temperature, ageing time, etc. The purpose of this study is to produce high quality and purified hydroxyapatite for artificial bone application.