Synthesis and Characterization of Hydroxyapatite Powder from Natural Bovine Bone

Hydroxyapatite was synthesized from bovine cortical bone by thermal decomposition method. The chemically cleaned bone was heated to 160 °C for 48 hour to remove moisture and any organic contents followed by decomposition in muffle furnace at 850 °C for 6 hours. The so-obtained white powder was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), SEM and EDX method. The FT-IR results proved the existence of hydroxyl (OH-) and phosphate (PO4-3) groups in the powder. XRD analysis was in support to the FT-IR spectrum, however, an additional phase of tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) was also observed as an impurity, SEM shows the surface morphology & EDX gives the Calcium (Ca) to Phosphorous (P) ratio. Key Words: Hydroxyapatite; Thermal Decomposition, Calcination