Synthesis and thermal stability of selenium-doped hydroxyapatite with different substitutions

Selenium (Se) plays a specific role in human health, especially for its anti-tumor effect. Incorporation of selenium into biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HAP) may endow the materials with novel characteristics. In the current work, a series of selenium-doped hydroxyapatite (Se-HAP) nanoparticles with different Se/P ratios were synthesized by a modified chemical precipitation. It was revealed that the powders with/without heat-treatment were nano-sized needle-like HAP while the heat-treated samples have high crystallinity. The addition of selenium decreases the crystallinity of the synthesized apatite, and also takes a negative effect on the thermal stability of the as-prepared powders. The Se-HAP nanoparticles with Se/P molar ratio not more than 5% sintered at 900°C can achieve good crystallinity and thermal stability.