Microwave-assisted hydrothermal rapid synthesis of amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles and hydroxyapatite microspheres using cytidine 5′-triphosphate disodium salt as a phosphate source

Calcium phosphates are important biomaterials for biomedical applications. Herein, we report microwave-assisted hydrothermal rapid synthesis of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles and hydroxyapatite (HAP) microspheres using cytidine 5'-triphosphate disodium salt as a phosphate source. This synthesis method does not need any surfactant and is very rapid (1 min at 150 degrees C). The pH value has a significant effect on the morphology and crystallinity of the product. Aggregated ACP nanoparticles, hierarchically nanostructured solid HAP micro-Spheres and hollow HAP microspheres are obtained at pH 7.0, 5.0 and 4.3, respectively. The as-prepared products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FFIR) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.