A NEW METHOD FOR SYNTHESIS OF FORSTERITE NANOMATERIALS FOR BIOIMPLANTS

Abstract

Nanocrystalline forsterite (Mg2SiO4) was synthesized by the precipitation method using Mg(NO3)2∙6H2O, C8H20O4Si (TEOS) and sodium hydroxide as pH regulator as starting materials. The thermal behaviour of the mixture was investigated by a MOM derivatograh. According to DTA results the initial crystallization temperature of the forsterite is about 800oC. The powder calcined at 900oC was characterized by X ray diffraction (XRD). The forsterite was noticed as the main crystalline phase besides of small amounts of periclase (MgO). Polycrystalline forsterite with uniform sized particles and spherical shape is evidenced by electronic microscopy (TEM, SEM). Grain size of forsterite powder according to Counter Coulter-type laser granulometer results is in the range of 10 - 42 nm.

Keywords

• Magnesium silicates
• Biomaterial
• Precipitation method
• Particle size
• Thermal analysis