Synthesis and characterization of magnetite/hydroxyapatite tubes using natural template for biomedical applications

Inorganic nanotubes have attracted much attention during the last few decades for its potential applications in the field of regenerative medicine and controlled drug delivery. In the present work, we have designed and synthesized magnetite hydroxyapatite micro and nanotubes. The first step is the formation of magnetite (Fe3O4) tubes on natural template followed by hydroxyapatite (HAp) bioceramic coated on the Fe3O4 tubes. HAp improves the biocompatibility and stability of the prepared tubes. Sintering at 900 (a similar to) C improves the crystalline stability of nanotubes and removes the natural template. X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption-desorption studies (BET), thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, optical micrographs, field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope studies were carried out to confirm the structural and morphological analysis of prepared magnetic tubular structure.