Neutron diffraction comparison of bone derived and synthetic hydroxyapatite

This paper reports neutron diffraction data and its analysis of bone derived hydroxyapatite and synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp). FTIR spectroscopy showed a number of changes in the bone derived hydroxyapatite as a function of temperature, and that firing at 600°C provides an increased crystallinity without decomposition of the HAp. The neutron diffraction data has elucidated the crystal structure of both materials, and enabled the positions of the hydrogen atoms to be accurately determined, and the lattice parameters to be compared. The only noticeable difference was a slight reduction in the lattice parameter a, and an increase in c in the bone derived HAp material. This can be attributed to the residual carbonate phase. The data also shows the improvement of crystallinity of the bovine bone during the heat treatment process