Investigations on the influence of magnesium ion in the surfactant assisted hydrothermaly synthesized nanoscale hydroxyapatite

Nanorods of magnesium substituted hydroxyapatite [Ca10-xMgx(PO4)6(OH)2,x= 0-1.0] were successfully synthesized through cationic surfactant assisted hydrothermal method. Characterization through analytical techniques provides evidences on the influence of Mg2+doping on the phase assemblage, crystallite size, morphology and specific surface area of the resultant powders. The replacement of the higher sized Ca2+by the smaller sized Mg2+ at the apatite lattice induce shrinkage and strain and as a consequence enhances the solubility and in vitro biomineralisation activity upon immersion studies in simulated body fluid (SBF). The structural changes induced by the progressive Mg2+ substitutions thus assist to tailor the optimal concentration for appropriate in vitro biological activity for bone grafts and tissue engineering applications.