Characteristics of Bioceramic Hydroxyapatite Based on Sand Lobster Shells (<i>Panulirus homarus</i>) as Sources of Calcium with Optimal Calcination Temperature

Abstract

In this work, bioceramic hydroxyapatite (HAp) was synthesized based on sand lobster shells (Panulirs homarus) as a source of calcium using the precipitation method. Sand lobster shell powder was calcinated with temperature variations of 600, 800, and 1000 °C for 6 hours. The effect of calcination temperature on sand lobster shell powder was characterized to determine the optimal temperature for the synthesis of HAp. Based on the XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) characterization, the highest calcium content (Ca) was 93% at a calcination temperature of 1000 oC. This result was supported by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrum that increasing the calcination temperature will reduce the intensity of carbonate ion (CO32-). These results showed that 1000 °C was the best calcination temperature on sand lobster shells to synthesize HAp. The characterization result of HAp using EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray) revealed that the molar ratio of Ca/P was 1.73. The FTIR and XRD (X-Ray Diffractometer) spectral pattern indicate that HAp had been successfully synthesized with minor-TCP, which is also a calcium phosphate with high biocompatibility.