Microwave-assisted synthesis of nanorod hydroxyapatite from eggshells

Abstract

Nanorod hydroxyapatite (HA) was synthesised from eggshells by using a microwave-assisted technique. With eggshells and phosphoric acid as precursors, the reaction was carried out in a microwave with an irradiation power of 800 W for 45 minutes. The effects of Ca/P molar ratios and the power of microwaves were investigated. The obtained hydroxyapatite was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The nanorod-like HA samples were 20-40 nm in diameter and 130-180 nm in length.

Keywords

• eggshell
• hydroxyapatite
• microwave-assisted synthesis
• nanorod