Effect of pH and ammonia concentration on the shape and size of fluorapatite nanoparticles obtained by chemical reaction

Nanoparticles of fluorapatite (FAp Nps) were prepared by one step chemical reaction in aqueous solutions. The pH of the system was kept constant at 6 and 8. The FAp Nps were characterized with Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The Ca/P calculated from EDAX analysis was 1.69. The results of XRD analysis and FTIR showed the presence of FAp phases. The DRX results confirm the formation of FAp with a hexagonal structure. TEM images show semispherical and elongated nanoparticles with mean diameter of 3.78 nm, 8.63 nm and 10.46 nm, when the pH and ammonia concentrations is varied. Ammonia concentration and pH influence the morphology and size of the FAp Nps.