Preparation and characterization of hydroxyapatite/liposome core–shell nanocomposites

Hydroxyapatite (HAP)/liposome core–shell nanocomposites have been prepared at room temperature. The liposome shells and the precipitate cores ranged in diameter mainly from 80 to 140 nm and from 40 to 120 nm, respectively. Rod-like whiskers ranging in length mainly from 10 to 30 nm were obtained after separating the precipitates from the liposomes. In contrast, the whiskers synthesized without liposomes ranged in length mainly from 70 to 140 nm. The precipitates synthesized both with and without liposomes were poorly crystalline, and had a similar chemical composition to the natural HAP.