Exploration and examination of the structural, optical, thermal, and functional attributes of a hydroxyapatite and cobalt ferrite nanocomposite for biomedical utilization

Hydroxyapatite (Hap) is a cornerstone material in biomedical fields, crucial for bone tissue repair and replacement in the human body. However, its mechanical strength falls short compared to that of natural bone, necessitating enhancements. Addressing this challenge, cobalt ferrite emerges as a promising reinforcing agent for Hap, boasting excellent biocompatibility. Diffraction was employed to assess the crystallinity and phase purity of hydroxyapatite, cobalt ferrite, and the composite. The results indicated a crystallite size of 13.51 nm for hydroxyapatite, 9.62 nm for cobalt ferrite, and 76.4 nm for the hydroxyapatite/cobalt ferrite composite. Further characterization through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups in the synthesized materials. FTIR analysis validated the successful synthesis of hydroxyapatite, cobalt ferrite, and their composite. Specifically, FTIR spectra exhibited oxygen functional groups such as –OH, –CO, C=O, and C–OH in hydroxyapatite, while cobalt ferrite exhibited CO2, Fe–O, and Co–O groups. Ultraviolet analysis was conducted to determine the bandgap energies, revealing values of 3.51 eV for cobalt ferrite and 5.47 eV for hydroxyapatite. This comprehensive characterization underscores the potential of the Hap/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite in bone tissue engineering.