SILICA–HYDROXYAPATITE NANOMETRIC COMPOSITES GROWN AT BOILING WATER TEMPERATURE

Abstract

Silica–hydroxyapatite composites have been produced with a novel method. Particle size can be selected by the pH of the solution as well as crystallite morphology which also depends on pH. An ion reservoir is built by means of the complex solution Ca/EDTA (ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid). The formation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) at low temperatures (boiling water) and in short periods of time (around 4 h) is achieved. It is thought that the production of silica promotes the nucleation of hydroxyapatite.