Synthesis, liquid – Liquid extraction and deposition of hydroxyapatite nanorod composites

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanorods were prepared by a wet chemical precipitation method. Lauryl gallate (LG) and hexadecylphosphonic acid (HDPA) showed strong adsorption on HA and allowed for the transfer of the synthesized HA nanorods from the aqueous to n-butanol phase at the interface of the two immiscible liquids. The extracted non-agglomerated HA particles were used for the fabrication of composite HA-polymer films. In this approach, the problems related to particle agglomeration during the drying stage were avoided. The analysis of the adsorption mechanisms indicated that LG and HDPA are promising extractors for agglomerate free processing of nanomaterials in the liquid-liquid extraction method.