Synthesis and characterization of niobium-doped fish scale-derived hydroxyapatite by physical ultrasound interference

Abstract Fish scales of the Arapaima gigas (pirarucu) species were heat-treated to obtain natural hydroxyapatite (HAp), and it was doped with niobium (Nb) by physical ultrasound interference to confirm an effective route to the production of Nb-doped HAp powders. The effect of ultrasound application on doping was investigated. The structure of the powders was elucidated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). XRD results of Nb-doped HAp powders were compared with undoped natural hydroxyapatite and ICSD-26204 st...