Modeling and Validation of Nanoparticle Formation in Wet Chemical Synthesis of Nanohydroxyapatite

The wet chemical synthesis of Nano-Hydroxyapatite HAP [Ca10(PO
4
)
6
(OH)
2
] derived from precursors Ca(OH)
2
and H
3
PO
4
was experimented using a kinetic model derived based on the classical nucleation theory. The model gives a mathematical formulation for the nucleation rate in terms of the process variables of the wet chemical synthesis namely supersaturation, temperature, and interfacial tension. Only the effect of supersaturation for nano formation was studied in the experimental work of this study. The different supersaturations for five different samples were initiated by changing the precursor concentrations keeping the Ca/P molar ratio at 1.6 to 1.7 in the solution being mixed. Finally, the model was statistically and experimentally validated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and data obtained by laser particle analyzer. This model can be potentially used to synthesize Nano-Hydroxyapatite particles in a quantitative manner changing the supersaturation of the wet medium by precursor concentrations.