Fabrication and Comparative Study of Synthetic and Eggshell Waste Derived Hydroxyapatite-Based Composites for Biomedical Applications
Hydroxyapatite is widely used as a bioceramic material in orthopedic and dental field because of its exceptional biocompatibility and bioactivity. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) doped with several mineral ions has been frequently reported to further enhance its bioactive nature. Several studies indicate that biological waste materials can serve as calcium sources for hydroxyapatite synthesis, with eggshells being one such promising source. In the present work, two types of hydroxyapatite were synthesized: pure hydroxyapatite and 5% magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite (based on weight percentage). Laboratory-grade calcium hydroxide was used for synthetic HAp, while eggshell powder was employed for eggshell-derived HAp. The activity of the developed materials in biological environment was assessed using in vitro methods. Porous ceramic blocks were fabricated by compacting the powders using a hydraulic press and sintering them at 950°C. Powder samples calcined at 800°C were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess the lattice parameters and functional groups identification was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify. Apparent porosity was determined using Archimedes’ principle, confirming the presence of pores in the pellets. Hemolysis studies demonstrated that the synthesized materials are hemocompatible. Simulated body fluid (SBF) studies confirmed the appearance of apatite layer on the sintered pellets, establishing the bioactive and interactive nature of the developed materials.