Abstract:
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.
