Fluorinated hydroxyapatite (FHA; fluorhydroxyapatite) powder was synthesized through a pH-cycling method by varying the sodium fluoride [NaF] concentration in a hydroxyapatite suspension as a modified wet-chemical process. The powder sample was characterized by the commonly used bulk techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), F-selective electrode, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and EDTA titration analyses. SEM was used to estimate the particles size of the powder and observe the morphology and agglomeration state of the powder. The functional groups presented in the synthesized powder were ascertained by FTIR investigations. AAS and EDTA titration techniques were employed for calculation of the Ca/P molar ratio. F-selective electrode analysis also was used to measure the fluorine (F) content in the crystalline network of the synthesized powder. Finally, the FHA and other phases according to processing parameters were observed by XRD analysis.

Keywords: Synthesis, fluorhydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite, nanocrystalline, fluorine.