Synthesis of hydroxyapatite via mechanochemical treatment

Hydroxyapatite powder was synthesized with calcium pyrophosphate (Ca2P2O7) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) through solid-state reaction. The two powders were mixed in acetone and water, respectively, and the single phase of hydroxyapatite was observed to occur only in the powder milled in water, without the additional supply of water vapor during heat-treatment at 1100 degrees C for 1 h. The results were explained in terms of the mechanochemical reaction that could supply enough amount of hydroxyl group to the starting powders to form a single phase of hydroxyapatite. Practical implication of the results is that the powder of high crystalline hydroxyapatite can be obtained by the simple milling in water and subsequent heat-treatment.