The non-isothermal kinetics of hydroxyapatite formation in kaolin - natural phosphate mixtures

In this work, the activation energy of hydroxyapatite formation in different composites under non-isothermal conditions was determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA). Seven compositions were prepared and studied while varying the percentage of the kaolin from 20 to 80 wt.% at 10% increments. The DTA conducted at heating rates of 10, 20 and 30 K min−1 showed an exothermic peak in all composites in the region 700°C–750°C associated with hydroxyapatite formation. The activation energies measured from non-isothermal treatments for seven compositions (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 mass% of kaolin) were 194, 178, 178, 209, 162, 146 and 121 kJ mol−1, respectively.