Porous Hydroxyapatite

A novel attempt is made to convert the calcium carbonate skeleton of widely available garden snail shell to hydroxyapatite based bioceramics. The different characterization techniques were adopted both for calcined snail shell and HAP synthesized like X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermal Analysis (DTA/TGA), Fourier Transform Infra red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The development and control of porosity is an important parameter in the implant in order to make material light as well as to facilitate rapid vascularization. Naphthalene being volatile in nature, it escapes at low temperature leaving macropores in the material. The Bulk density, apparent porosity was also studied with respect to increase in temperature, time and concentration of naphthalene. The synthesized powder was soaked in synthetic body fluid (SBF) medium for various periods of time in order to evaluate its bioactivity. High bioactivity of prepared HAP powder due to the formation of apatite on its surface was observed. The material proved to be non-toxic and compatible.