Synthesis and characterization of calcium precursor for hydroxyapatite synthesis from blood clam shell (Anadara antiquata) using planetary ball mill process

Calcium precursor for synthesizing of hydroxyapatite can be obtained from natural material like A. antiquata (blood clamshell). Calcium synthesis was carried out through ball mill and calcinations process with high purity residues. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for characterization. Analysis for blood clam shell powders revealed a reduction of average size from 217μm to 76μm and size of powder crystal is 29,2nm. This powders contained calcium element about 49,67% as the effectiveness of calcination and ball mill process. In morphology, powders have fine needles-like shape but still in agglomerate that can be reduced with extended ball mill process. This powders had a reduction of weight powders from 35,5% to 17,7% and dominated Ca(OH)₂ that could be used as calcium precursor in synthesishydroxyapatite. (paper)