Abstract
In the present study, silver-doped antibacterial hydroxyapatites were successfully prepared by the sol-gel method. For the starting solution, the molar ratio of $Ca(NO_3)_2{\cdot}4H_2O, P(OC_2H_5)_3,\;C_2H_5OH,\;and\;H_O$ was set to 0.075:0.045:20:0.135; $AgNO_3$ was added to a ratio of Ag to total cation concentration of $0.5-12 mol\%$. The prepared sol was dried at $100^{\circ}C$ for 48h and heat-treated at $1000^{\circ}C$ for 2h to obtain particles in the 200-500nm size range. The product from the synthesis of silver-doped hydroxyapatite was investigated through X-ray diffraction experiments and scanning electron microscopy. The product showed high antibacterial properties, with a disinfection ratio of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) over $99.9^{\circ}C$ as calculated from an antimicrobial effects evaluation by the shake flask method.