Influence of wet chemical processing conditions on structure and properties of magnetic hydroxyapatite nanocomposites

Nanostructured composites containing iron oxide and hydroxyapatite (m-HA) were prepared by two wet chemical methods (single-step and double-step process) having different order of magnetite and HA precipitations. The phase composition, crystal size and lattice constants of the prepared composites were determined by XRD, the functional groups by FTIR and the structure, morphology and elemental composition by TEM. The magnetic susceptibility values and the colour indexes of each composite were also determined. Biocompatibility testing was performed in simulated body fluid. The results show that the composites produced by different (single-step and double-step) co-precipitating methods show different chemical and phase composition, average particle size, and therefore different superparamagnetic properties and bioactivities, with possibilities for different applications.