Hydroxylapatite nanoparticles: fabrication methods and medical applications

Abstract

Hydroxylapatite (or hydroxyapatite, HAp) exhibits excellent biocompatibility with various kinds of cells and tissues, making it an ideal candidate for tissue engineering, orthopedic and dental applications. Nanosized materials offer improved performances compared with conventional materials due to their large surface-to-volume ratios. This review summarizes existing knowledge and recent progress in fabrication methods of nanosized (or nanostructured) HAp particles, as well as their recent applications in medical and dental fields. In section 1, we provide a brief overview of HAp and nanoparticles. In section 2, fabrication methods of HAp nanoparticles are described based on the particle formation mechanisms. Recent applications of HAp nanoparticles are summarized in section 3. The future perspectives in this active research area are given in section 4.

Keywords: coating; composite; hydroxyapatite; medical device; nanoparticle.

Figure 1

SEM images of HAp calcined (a) without additives and (b, c) with anti-sintering agents for (a, b) spherical and (c) rod-shaped nanoparticles.

Figure 2

Photograph (left), optical microscopy image (center), and schematic (right) of oil droplets stabilized by adsorption of spherical HAp nanoparticles in an aqueous medium.

Figure 3

SEM images of HAp-nanocrystal-coated polymer substrates: (a) low- and (b) high-density coatings.

Figure 4

SEM images of HAp/PLLA microspheres prepared by evaporation of CH₂Cl₂ from a HAp-nanoparticle-stabilized emulsion.