<![CDATA[Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a major component of bone and tooth tissues used to repair and rebuild malfunctioning bone. Hydroxyapatite synthesis widely utilizes materials that have a high calcium content. In this study, limestone was used as an economical calcium precursor. Gelatin was added in situ during the sol-gel process to improve biomechanical properties such as porosity and reduce the particle size. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of in situ gelatin addition at different concentrations (30%, 40% and 50%) and pH variations (10, 11 and 12) during the sol–gel synthesis of limestone-based hydroxyapatite, focusing on its influence on porosity, particle size, and Ca/P ratio to evaluate its potential for biomedical applications. Highest yield was obtained when the hydroxyapatite was prepared using 30% gelatin concentration with pH 12. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the characteristic functional groups of hydroxyapatites, namely phosphate (PO₄³⁻), carbonate (CO₃²⁻), and hydroxyl (OH⁻). SEM-EDX analysis revealed granular and irregular crystal morphology with particle size below 600 nm, while image analysis of SEM-EDX micrographs using ImageJ estimated the highest apparent porosity of 60.73% at pH 10. These results indicate that the in situ addition of gelatin during the sol-gel process successfully produced hydroxyapatite with biomechanical properties suitable for implant applications, especially in teeth, with optimal porosity and adequate particle size to support cell growth.]]>
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