Precipitation and Growth Mechanism of Diverse Sr5(PO4)3F Particles

Strontium fluorapatite particles with tunable morphologies and geometries were successfully synthesized via a precipitation system by adjusting the pH value and temperature. Several analysis techniques were used to investigate and characterize the particles. The surface energy was calculated using first-principle calculations based on density functional theory. Capsule-like nanosized primary grains with axial growth directions parallel to the c -axis were synthesized at higher pH values, resulting from the difference in surface energy for the different planes of the Sr 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F lattice. Bundle-like clusters were obtained at a pH value of ~7, which was attributed to a combination of the difference in surface energy and the phenomenon of heterogeneous nucleation occurring at low degrees of supersaturation. The study determined the approaches necessary to manufacture Sr 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F powders with specific characteristics for different applications.