Mineralization and optical properties of Eu3+-doped tricalcium silicate soaked in dilute K2HPO4 aqueous solution

• Published in: Optical materials 2018-11, Vol.85, p.32-40
• Main Authors: Dai, Ruiqi, Tong, Chao, Zhu, Yangguang, Xu, Chuanyan, Yang, Lei, Li, Yadong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Eu doping; Mineralization; Optical properties; Tricalcium silicate
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2018.08.013

Eu3+-doped tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5) was synthesized by two-step precipitation and combinated calcination method. The samples were investigated before and after soaking in dilute K2HPO4 aqueous solution for different times using X-ray diffraction method (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray energy-dispersive spectra (EDS). The optical properties of as-prepared and mineralized samples were evaluated using luminescence spectroscopy respectively. The results showed that, with prolonged soaking time, Eu3+-doped tricalcium silicate gradually transformed into hydroxyapatite and showed good bioactivity. Meanwhile, the luminescence intensity of Eu3+ ion gradually decreased; the intensity ratio between electric dipole transition (5D0→7F2) and magnetic dipole transition (5D0→7F1) increased; the emitting color of mineralized samples under UV-lamp and its CIE coordinates changed from orange-red to deep-violet. These phenomena revealed that the mineralization of Eu3+-doped Ca3SiO5 can be monitored through the evolution of optical properties with prolonged soaking time. •The Eu3+-doped tricalcium silicate was first synthesized by two-step precipitation and combinated calcination method.•The structural refinement was confirmed by using the GSAS (general structure analysis system) program.•The optical properties of as-prepared Eu3+-doped tricalcium silicate and its mineralized products were investigated.•The evolution of optical properties in mineralization process was applied to monitor the degradation of Ca3SiO5.