PREPARATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF CARBOXYL FUNCTIONALISED MULTIWALL CARBON NANOTUBES-HYDROXYAPATITE COMPOSITES

The preparation and properties of multiwall -COOH functionalised carbon nanotube (fMWCNT)/hydroxyapatite and silica-substituted hydroxyapatite composites were studied. The products were compared using different synthesis methods (mechanical stirring with surfactant, mechanical mixing or coprecipitation) and the one with the highest homogeneity was established. The optimal fMWCNT content of the composites was also determined by analysing the specific surface area and the particle size. The specific characteristics of the composites were defined by crystallinity, thermal stability, morphology and in-vitro behaviour studies, in order to correlate the preparation parameters for possible applications.