Surface properties of porous hydroxyapatite derived from natural phosphate

Porous hydroxyapatite c-HAp was prepared using a one-step process involving dissolution/precipitation of natural phosphate. This process provides a simple and flexible route to prepare porous apatite. The structure of c-HAp was investigated by combining XRD, solid-state NMR and N-2 adsorption measurements. The nanoporous c-HAp with the largest BET surface area of 150 m(2) g(-1), exhibited much mesopores and the small micropores simultaneously. In order to investigate the surface properties of this novel material, the adsorption of fluoride, lead was evaluated. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.