Abstract
Effect of Ca/P mole ratio on the precipitates and powder properties of hydroxyapatite was investigated. Powder and precipitates of hydroxyapatite were synthesized by the reaction of Ca(NO3)2.4H2O and (NH4)2 HPO4 solutions at room temperature. The pH value and compositions (Ca/P mole ratio) in starting solutions were 11 and 1.64-1.79(or 1.85), respectively. Rodlike hydroxyapatite precipitates were agglomerated together. The average agglomerated particle size was ranged from 2-8${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. Among compositions, the minimum agglomerated particle size was shown at the Ca/P mole ratio 1.75. CO2 was contained in hydroxyapatite powders and these ultrafine powders had poor crystallinity. The specific surface area and specific total pore volume of hydroxyapatite powders were 104-137$m^2$/g and 0.396-0.467cc/g, respectively. When the Ca/P mole ratio was 1.75, these values were the maximum. And water content increased with the Ca/P mole ratio(Ca/P mole ratio>1.67). In most cases, hydroxyapaite was stable to 130$0^{\circ}C$. However, in the case of Ca/P mole ratio 1.64, hydroxyapatite was changed to $\alpha$-whitlockite at 120$0^{\circ}C$.