LAUSR

This work aimed to integrate the ionic substitution feature of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAps) on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) surfaces. HAp-coated PLA microparticles were prepared through the Pickering emulsion route. HAps with adequate surface charge and aggregate size were prepared in a 0.1-M salt dispersion in order to induce oil-water interfacial adsorption of HAps in a Pickering emulsion. A batch sorption process was conducted to evaluate the potential of HAp-coated PLA microparticles to be loaded with copper ions. The concentration of Cu2+ in the supernatant phase was measured by atomic adsorption spectroscopy and their adsorption capacity was determined. The copper ion (Cu2+) adsorption capacity of the microparticles increased with (a) the quantity of HAps adsorbed (consistently increased with HAp solid content) and (b) higher initial Cu2+ concentration of the doping medium. In conclusion, HAp-coated PLA microparticles with the ion doping feature were successfully prepared through the Pickering emulsion route.