Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Nano-Perlite Reinforced NanoHydroxyapatite

Abstract

This study presents the hydrothermal synthesis of nano-perlite reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite biocomposites for biomedical applications. Nano-perlite, produced from raw perlite via SPEX milling, was incorporated into hydroxyapatite at 1–4 wt.% ratios. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate were dispersed with nano-perlite in aqueous media and subjected to hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C for 10 h. The synthesized composites were characterized using SEM, EDS, zeta potential analysis, XRD, and FTIR. The results demonstrated that 2–3 wt.% nano-perlite promoted the formation of bioactive phases such as calcium silicate and calcium phosphate. Increasing perlite content enhanced the intensities of Si–O–Si, Ca–P, OH?, and PO?³? vibrational bands, indicating structural modification and improved functional group development. The findings highlight nano-perlite as an effective reinforcing and phase-modifying agent, offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional bioactive materials for next-generation biomaterial applications.