Controlled Nanocrystalline Precipitation Of Hydroxyapatite On The Surface Of Microfibrillated Cellulose Fibers

In this study hydroxyapatite nanocrystals were synthesized on the surface of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) fibers by using a wet chemical precipitation technique. MFC was prepared from bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) of aspen. KOH was used for pH regulation during apatite synthesis at 60 °C. Samples were dried under supercritical CO2 and analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Measurements of surface area and surface charge, x-ray diffractometry and chemical analyses were performed. It was found that about 11 wt % of apatite is optimal dose for complete covering of the surface of MFC fibers. Synthesized apatite had Ca/P ratio of 1.6, which is (XRD) close to that of the stoichiometric ratio of hydroxyapatite.