Abstract
This work demonstrates bulk-type up-conversion biomaterials which could be used as a bone repair material with the ability to monitor bone mineralization. Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Ca-Si-Ti (CST3: TiO2 content is 30 mol%) bulk biomaterials were prepared via containerless processing technique in an aerodynamic levitation furnace and with subsequently heat treatment. The up-conversion fluorescence property was influenced by Yb3+ doping concentration, heat-treatment and mineralization in simulated body fluid (SBF). Optimum emission intensities were obtained for the sample with 20 mol% of Yb3+ doping concentration and heat treatment at 937 °C for 2 h. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) deposition was observed on the surface of the samples after soaking in SBF for 14 days, and the up-conversion fluorescence intensity of the samples decreased with the increase of soaking time. This indicates that Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped CST3 materials are bioactive, in which the HAP mineralization in bone repair could be monitored by measuring the intensity change of up-conversion fluorescence.
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