Fabrication and characterization of hydroxyapatite microspheres obtained by ultrasonic atomization method

Abstract

Two kinds of hydroxyapatite microspheres were prepared using an ultrasonic atomization method. The surface morphology, phase composition, size distribution and specific surface area were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and laser diffraction particle size analysis, respectively. The results indicate that the hydroxyapatite microspheres are composed of nanosized crystals and have porous surface morphology. The specific surface areas are different before sintering, and have a slight difference after sintering. The size distribution of the microspheres added with Lopon 885 is narrow and the average size is smaller than those fabricated without the addition of Lopon 885. Besides, the impurity phase, tetracalcium phosphate, appeared during ultrasonic atomizing procedure, and can be completely removed after sintering at 650vH for 1 h.