Characteristics of Bioceramic Hydroxyapatite Based on Sand Lobster Shells (Panulirus homarus) as Sources of Calcium with Optimal Calcination Temperature

In this work, bioceramic hydroxyapatite (HAp) was synthesized based on sand lobster shells (Panulirs homarus) as a source of calcium using the precipitation method. Sand lobster shell powder was calcinated with temperature variations of 600, 800, and 1000 ºC for 6 hours. The effect of calcination temperature on sand lobster shell powder was characterized to determine the optimal temperature for the synthesis of HAp. Based on the XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) characterization, the highest calcium content (Ca) was 93% at a calcination temperature of 1000 ºC. This result was supported by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrum that increasing the calcination temperature will reduce the intensity of carbonate ion (CO32-). These results showed that 1000 ºC was the best calcination temperature on sand lobster shells to synthesize HAp. The characterization result of Hap using EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray) revealed that the molar ratio of Ca/P was 1.73. The FTIR and XRD (X-Ray Diffractometer) spectral pattern indicate that HAp had been successfully synthesized with minor ββ-TCP, which is also a calcium phosphate with high biocompatibility.