Synthetic calcium phosphates (CaPs) have been used in orthopedics and dentistry due to their excellent biocompatibility. Most commonly used synthetic CaPs are bioactive hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca_(10)(PO_4)_6(OH)_2) and bioresorbable tricalcium phosphate (TCP. Ca_3(PO_4)_2). These nanoscale inorganic ceramics can be synthesized using surfactant self assembly or by simple precipitation method. To synthesize nanoscale CaPs, Ca(NO_3)_2. 4H_2O and H_3PO_4 were used as Ca and P precursors in the aqueous phase, cyclohexane as the oil phase and an ether based surfactant in order to achieve a stable microemulsion. CaP nanoparticles were characterized using BET surface area analyzer, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Synthesized CaP nanopowders showed an average particle size between 20 and 50 nm. BET specific average surface area > 100 m~2/gm, with different morphology and aspect ratio. Synthesized TCP nanoparticles showed a higher bovine serum albumin (BSA) loading capacity as compared to commercial TCP particles. However, a slower release rate of BSA was observed from synthesized TCP nanoparticles in buffer solution at pH 7.4. Results suggest that protein loading and release behavior of synthesized CaPs can be controlled by tailoring particle size and surface area.
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