Work

Electrical properties of fish bone–derived hydroxyapatite nanomaterials modified with niobium pentoxide

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The development of bioactive nanomaterials for bone regeneration is gaining increasing attention due to the limitations of conventional grafting methods. In this work, a sustainable route was employed to synthesize hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanomaterials from tilapia fish bones via calcination and high-energy milling. To enhance their mechanical and electrical performance, HAp was composited with varying contents (0–90 vol.%) of niobium pentoxide (Nb 2 O 5 ), forming biphasic nanocomposites without the emergence of secondary crystalline phases, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Morphological analysis via SEM and dynamic light scattering revealed submicron particle sizes, with a reduction trend associated with increasing Nb 2 O 5 content. Mechanical testing showed a significant improvement in Vickers hardness, reaching a maximum of ∼3.7 GPa at intermediate compositions. Electrical impedance spectroscopy revealed a composition-dependent transition from HAp to Nb 2 O 5 -dominated conduction, associated with enhanced charge transport mechanisms, including small-polaron hopping, interfacial polarization, and oxygen vacancy mobility. The results demonstrate that the bio-derived HAp–Nb 2 O 5 nanocomposites possess improved multifunctional properties, highlighting their potential relevance for electroactive scaffolds and load-bearing orthopedic implant coatings.

Source: Ceramics International