Synthesis of terbium doped calcium phosphate nanocrystalline powders by citric acid sol–gel combustion method

Abstract

Terbium doped calcium phosphate (Tb-doped CaP) nanocrystalline powders were synthesized by the citric acid sol–gel combustion method. The phase composition, morphology and luminescent property of Tb-doped CaP nanocrystalline powders were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectrophotometer and fluorescence microscopy. At 700 °C, Tb-doped CaP nanocrystalline powders are composed of HAP (main phase) and β-TCP (minor phase) with Tb doping content of 0.5–4%. SEM and TEM observations show that the 4% Tb-doped CaP nanocrystalline powders are about 50–150 nm spherical particles. The 4% Tb-doped CaP nanocrystalline powders exhibit the strongest emission at 548 nm (λexcitation = 240 nm) and show strong green fluorescence under fluorescence microscopy.