Preparation of F-Doped Hydroxyapatite via Wet-Chemical Precipitation Technique Combined with pH-Cycling

Abstract

F-doped hydroxyapatite (FHAp, Ca10(PO4)6OH2-xF2x) was synthesized by two step technology – wet-chemical precipitation and pH-cycling. Obtained powders were dried and calcined for further characterization. FHAp were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-VIS spectrophotometry. FT-IR analysis approved fluoride incorporation into HAp structure, confirmed by OH...F bonding at 3546 and 745 cm-1. SEM microphotographs showed, that as-synthesized FHAp precipitates consist of needle-like crystallites. UV-VIS spectroscopy results were used for the determination of actual F- substitution level. After evaluation of results it was concluded, that fluoride substitution level in FHAp structure reached only x≤0.6. To perform higher substitution level, the technological parameters of the process need to be optimized.