Laser synthesis of iron nanoparticle for Fe doped hydroxyapatite coatings

Thin films of iron doped hydroxyapatite have been prepared by nanosecond Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD). The composite target used for the deposition has been obtained by mixing commercial hydroxyapatite powder with iron-based nanoparticles produced by femtosecond laser ablation in liquid (LAL) (4% of iron nanoparticles). In fact, LAL technique allows to obtain metallic nanostructures without any toxic chemicals and reagents, with a green approach that is crucial for application in biological and medical technologies. Films have been prepared with substrate temperature growing from room temperature (RT) to 500 °C. The effect of deposition temperature on morphology, composition and structural properties of coatings has been investigated. Films deposited at higher temperature result dense and crystalline, they present microscale and nanoscale structures, an average surface roughness of 0.3 μm and magnetic properties suitable for biomedical applications.