Crystal growth of hydroxyapatite microplates synthesised by Sol-Gel method

Hydroxyapatite microplates were synthesised by the Sol-Gel method using a mixture of calcium nitrate and potassium phosphate. The reaction took place at room temperature for 48 h, 300, 400, 500 and 600 degrees C calcination temperatures were made in order to study the effect of this temperature on the growth and morphology of the nanostructures. Crystalline composition, functional groups and surface morphology were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Hydroxyapatite microplates with average dimensions of 40 mu m X 13 mu m was obtained, the morphology of the surface is well defined in the form of a plate composed of a large number of small nanofibers. According to the studies by XRD, preferential orientations in the directions (200) and (002) were observed which is attributed to the conditions of synthesis.