Abstract
•FHA nanorod bundles have been synthesized via a controlled thermal process.•FHA samples have a length of ca. 3 μm, and a diameter of about 100 nm.•FHA exhibit a sustained and controlled release profile.
In this study, oriented assemblies of trace fluorine substituted calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (FHA) nanorod bundles have been synthesized via a controlled thermal process. The FHA was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and crystal model. The results show that the as-prepared FHA samples are nanorod bundles with a length of about 3 μm, and a diameter of about 100 nm. After the encapsulation of model drug Doxorubicin (DOX), a sustained and controlled release profile was achieved. The special structures of the oriented assemblies of FHA nanorod bundles may have potential application in orthopaedic applications.