Luminescence of samarium doped hydroxyapatite containing strontium: Effects of doping concentration

Abstract

A series of samarium (Sm) doped hydroxyapatites containing strontium (Sr) with controllable and adjustable luminescence were designed and prepared via chemical hydrolysis co-precipitation method. The effects of doping concentration of Sm on the structure, composition, photoluminescence (PL), energy transfer, substitute site, fluoresce lifetime and luminescence color of samples were investigated. It is shown that the introduction of Sr ions induces the structure and composition change for Sm doped samples. The typical transitions of Sm3+ at 564, 601, 648 and 707 nm due to 4G5/2→6HJ/2 (J = 5, 7, 9 and 11) transition under the excitation of 404 nm were detected. The PL intensity is affected by the Sr/Ca ratio and Sm concentration, and the optimal concentration of Sm is 0.8 mol% when Sr/Ca ratio equals 7/3. The non-radiative transitions and energy transfer of Sm ions are the main reason for the quenching, and the interactions among ions are ascribed to dipole–dipole type by theoretical calculation. Besides, the ratio of PL intensity between 601 and 648 nm (rO/R = I601nm/I648nm) indicates the symmetry and substitution process of Sm ions to Ca/Sr ions. The fluorescence lifetime (τ) decreases with the concentration of Sm increasing, which is the result of the decrease of distance and the enhanced interaction between Sm ions. The CIE chromaticity coordinates and luminescence color of samples are in the orange-red region and have close relation with the concentration of Sm. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity evaluation and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) observation of samples via cells indicate the good biocompatibility and safe use of this kind of bio-based luminescent materials for their potential efficient fluorescence labeling and detection.