Preparation and characterization of Eu3+-doped fluorapatite nanoparticles by a hydrothermal method

In this study, luminescent Eu3+-doped fluorapatite (Eu3+:FA) was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal process by using Na2EDTA/citric acid (CA) as the chelating agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence spectra (PL) were utilized to characterize the obtained nanoparticles. The results showed that Eu3+ ions entered the FA lattice and occupied Ca2+ sites, which resulted in a decrease in the values of the lattice parameters. The as-prepared luminescent samples exhibit sphere-like aggregates that are constructed of small nanospheres and that are well dispersed with a good size distribution. Upon excitation by UV radiation, the Eu3+:FA samples demonstrate the characteristic 5D0–7F1–2 emission lines of Eu3+. Finally, the influence of Na2EDTA/CA on the morphology of Eu3+:FA nanopowder was also discussed.