Liquid–Solid–Solution Synthesis of Biomedical Hydroxyapatite Nanorods

Uniform hydroxyapatite nanorods with controllable sizes, aspect ratios (from 8–10 to above 100:1), and surface properties (hydrophobic or hydrophilic) have been successfully prepared by systematically tuning the interfaces between surfactants and the central atoms of hydroxyapatite using liquid–solid–solution synthesis. Hydroxyapatite nanorods like those shown in the figure may be useful in the development of organic–inorganic artificial bone.