Synthesis and characterization of multi-lamellar mesostructured hydroxyapatites using a series of fatty acids

A family of lamellar mesostructured hydroxyapatites are synthesized using five terminal linear aliphatic carboxylic acids (capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid with the general formula of C_n−1H_2n−1CO₂H, n = 10, 12, 14, 16, 18). The study of X-ray diffraction shows that the hydroxyapatite samples exhibit similar multi-lamellar mesostructure and their interlamellar spacing is proportional to the carbon numbers of carboxylic acids. The transmission electron microscopic images on the products prove the parallel aligned configuration. Fourier transform infrared spectra displays the characteristic components of hydroxyapatite in as-prepared samples. Thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis (C, H), and inductively coupled plasma analysis were further used to confirm the organic and inorganic composition of the products.