Preparation of anatase nanocrystals deposited on hydroxyapatite by hydrothermal treatment

TiO₂-deposited hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of nearly neutral suspension of HAp powders in 10 vol.% of TAS-FINE™ (Titanium amine complex) solutions at 120 or 180 °C. Resultant products were characterized by XRD, SEM–EDX, Vis-Raman and TEM. SEM and TEM observation showed that small rodlike TiO₂, identified as anatase crystals of 100–150 nm in length, were deposited on HAp plates/crystals. The anatase crystals seem to be formed by heterogeneous nucleation on the surfaces of HAp crystals. A higher temperature and a longer reaction period promoted the cystallization of anatase TiO₂.