title: Synthesis and characterization of nano-biomaterials with potential osteological applications.
abstract: The manufacture of high-surface area, un-agglomerated nano-sized (1-100 nm) bioceramic particles are of interest for many applications including injectable/controlled setting bone cements, high strength porous/non-porous synthetic bone grafts, and the reinforcing phase in nano-composites that attempt to mimic the complex structure and superior mechanical properties of bone. In the present study, we report on the manufacture of nano-particle hydroxyapatite powders by several wet chemical methods, which incorporate a freeze-drying step. In particular, it was found that the emulsion-based syntheses yielded powders with high surface areas and small primary particle sizes. Freeze drying rather than oven drying of powders prepared by conventional wet chemical synthesis yielded a nano-sized powder with a comparatively higher surface area of 113 m(2)/g. All powders were calcined in air in a furnace at 900 degrees C to investigate the effects of synthesis method on phase purity and surface area. The materials were characterized by a range of analytical methods including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy employing the photo acoustic (PAS-FTIR) sampling technique, BET surface area analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and the particles were examined using a transmission electron microscope (TEM).
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials, Department of Materials, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Darr
authors.forename: Z B
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Luklinska
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rehman