Rod-like titanium doped hydroxyapatite (Ti-doped HA) nanopowder was synthesized using Ca(NO3)(2)center dot 4H(2)O, (NH4)(2)HPO4 and tetraethylorthotitanate as precursor materials via a combination of chemical co-precipitation and microwave techniques route. The effect of the content of titanium in Ti-doped HA (0.2-2.4 wt.%) on sintering behavior, crystal size, shape and morphology was investigated. The results suggested that the addition of titanium to HA structure did restrain HA decomposition and thermal reaction between HA and titanium, which resulted in improved thermal stability of HA at high sintering temperature. The grain size of sintered Ti-doped HA, which was much smaller than that of pure HA. 0.8 wt.% addition of titanium to HA, was optimum for producing nanometer-sized rod-like Ti-doped HA crystal with improved thermal stability.

Keywords: Hydroxyapatite; Titanium; Rod; Nanoparticles; Microwave