Abstract:
This paper reports neutron diffraction data and its analysis that characterise a biocompatible
hydroxyapatite composite material. The neutron data has elucidated the crystal structure, and
enabled the positions of the hydrogen atoms to be determined. The data also shows the
improvement of crystallinity during the heat treatment process. An extension of the work involved
looking at a hydroxyapatite - carbon nanotube composite material, and neutron diffraction has
shown that the retention of the carbon nanotubes in the composite material has been successful. The
nanotubes have had no affect on the hydroxyapatite structure.
