Hydroxyapatite (HA), beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and dicalcium phosphate (DCP) whiskers with high aspect ratio and good crystallinity were successfully prepared by hydrolysis of urea in acid solutions at 90oC for 96 h. The precipitated whiskers were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. The lengths and aspect ratios of whiskers could be controlled by the precipitation agent, urea, with a proper incubation time. Results revealed good morphology and crystallinity of the precipitated whiskers without any impurities. TEM indicated single crystal diffraction patterns of HA and β-TCP were clearly identified. The high aspect ratio of whiskers could be potentially used as the scaffold in tissue engineering or filler in composite biomaterials to enhance mechanical properties.

Keywords: Whisker; Hydroxyapatite (HA), Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), Dicalcium phosphate (DCP).