Mechanical and photocatalytic properties of hydroxyapatite/titania nanocomposites prepared by combined high gravity and hydrothermal process

Hydroxyapatite/titania nanocomposites of different ratios have been successfully synthesized by combined high gravity and hydrothermal methods. SEM and TEM observations showed that small spheres of TiO2, identified as anatase crystals of 10–15 nm, were deposited on HAp rod-like crystals. EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of Ca, P, Ti and O. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the presence of hydroxyapatite and anatase phase. More number of anatase peaks appeared in the XRD patterns with higher colloidal concentration of TiO2 in the HAp/TiO2 compound. Mechanical stability of the HAp/TiO2 nanocomposites was determined by reinforcing them with high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) and the tensile strength of the samples was analyzed. Photocatalytic activity of the HAp/TiO2 particles was examined by decomposition of methyl orange (MO). The results showed that photocatalytic properties of HAp/TiO2 composites are more effective than that of individual HAp and TiO2 which implied that the HAp improved the photocatalytic activity of well known photocatalyst TiO2.