Particle size evaluation of nano carbonate apatite synthesized using bead mill with two milling time variations

Carbonate apatite (CO3Ap) is a biomaterial mainly used as bone graft. Commonly used carbonate apatite is now microsized, although the application of nanoparticle materials is already widely used. Nanoparticle fabrication can be done through milling process using bead mill. The aim of this study is to evaluate particle size of nano carbonate apatite fabricated using bead mill. Vaterite and DCPA powder with the ratio of 40:60 were mixed with 0.2 mol/L Na3PO4 liquid using L/P ratio 0.6. Carbonate apatite samples divided into two groups, one for 12-hour milling and the other one for 24-hour milling. Particle size before milled is 1,759.1 nm. This study showed that nano carbonate apatite particle can be synthesized using bead mill and produced 406.8 nm-sized particle after 12-hour milling and 329.0 nm-sized particle after 24-hour milling. Milling time variations can vary carbonate apatite particle size. Based on zeta potential analysis, particles after 12-hour milling have value of average zeta potential of -0.4 mV and categorized as strong agglomeration and precipitation while particles after 24-hour milling have value of average zeta potential of 51.2 mV and categorized as fairly good stability. The size reduction of CO3Ap can be done using bead mill with the optimal milling time of 24 hours resulting in smaller particle size and better stability to prevent agglomeration.