Influence of Ethylene Glycol on the Formation of Calcium Phosphate Nanocrystals

A synthesis route of using calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 with ethylene glycol solvent and orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) as reagents is described. Three ratios of ethylene glycol to distilled water 1:0, 1:1 and 0:1 are used as diluting media for Ca(OH)2. Crystals of different morphology and composition are formed under weak alkaline circumstance at pH 7.0-8.0. Acicular calcium phosphate nanocrystals are prepared in pure ethylene glycol while rod-like calcium phosphate nanocrystals form in pure distilled water. The nanograde size of the former is smaller than that of the latter. Calcium-deficient apatite (CDAP) is obtained with a Ca/P molar ratio of 1.66. Therefore, it was deduced that the usage of ethylene glycol solvent could influence the formation of calcium phosphate crystal lattice.