Photoluminescence study of Eu₂O₃ doped hydroxyapatite co-doped with Yb₂O₃

Full text: The Hydroxyapatite (HAP) [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂] is one of the most used bioceramics in orthopedic and dental implants, so show similarities with the bone tissue, good biocompatibility and bioaffinity. It has a well-defined crystal structure, a HAP ions enables substitutions in its crystal lattice, covering most of the elements of the periodic table. Calcium ions have similarity with Rare Earth (RE³⁺) ions [Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺] and its elements have luminescent features. In this study, the objective was to synthesize Europium oxide (Eu₂O₃) doped Hydroxyapatite co-doped with ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃) and characterize their luminescent characteristics. The HAP, Eu₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃ were milled in stoichiometric quantities in a planetary mill. The methods in solid state were synthesis and calcination. The samples were characterized by X – Ray Diffraction (XRD), Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL) and Raman Spectroscopy. The XRD identified the phase of PAH and crystalline diffraction peaks in all samples. It perceives that there were no the emergence of new diffraction peaks with the insertion of ions Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺. The Rietveld refinement showed consistent results in the literature and reinforces the idea of RE³⁺ ions in the HAP matrix. The Raman spectra showed the characteristic bands of HAP as well as the identification of its vibrational modes. The PL showed fluorescence emission signal at all doped samples. The emission intensity varied according to the amount of concentration of RE³⁺ ions inserted into the matrix of HAP. Finally, he results indicate that the inclusion of other ions have not altered the matrix HAP characteristics and ions caused a fluorescence effects in HAP. (author)