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.