I have been able to produce phosphate apatite from a very complex wastewater source without the addition of chemicals. After treatment, the elemental analysis using both SEM-EDX and TEM showed that the mineral obtained has a Ca:P ratio up to 1.44, carbon was also detected but no metals were found. After reading some of the literature I concluded that this material is most likely to be carbonated calcium-deficient HAP. Further characterization using FTIR is currently needed alongside with calcination treatment. Biomaterials is really not my area so I am open to advice on how to best analyse and characterize this mineral. What should I be looking at to see if this material has similar properties to that of standard HAP? Is the FTIR the best way forward in this case?
I suggest to analyze the sample by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD); likely it will be possible to identify your phase or, at least to which phase it is closer,
I suggest to analyze the sample by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD); likely it will be possible to identify your phase or, at least to which phase it is closer,
You can go for XRD for Phase analysis and peak matching can be done using a suitable software, it would give a more clear view about your material synthesized.
As what I read TEM can do that. I ever done SEM/EDS to determine the Ca/P however the results were not as good as what I thought. I found from a paper they use
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrome-try (ICP-AES) to determine the Ca/P. I am also curious how this thing works.
By the way, what type of medium u are using to absorb the heavy metal? U might need to cut it into half(cross section) and run for SEM+ EDS
From my previous research in HAP .. normally the material has to be confirmed it phase with XRD. HAP quite crystalline. To ensure your Ca content may require ICP and compare with pure HAP. Then analyse it strength with Universal Testing Machine - compression test for preliminary stage. HAP has lower strength compare to bone. Then you may require in-vitro n in-vivo characterization if you want to produce alternative bone implant. All the best.
XRF analysis can give you the content in your sample in weight percentage.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Physical Sciences
- Materials Science
- Materials
- Nanomaterials