Structural and luminescent properties of new Ce3+ doped calcium borophosphate with apatite structure

The compounds 10CaO.(6-x)PO2.5.xBO(1.5).tH(2)O (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5) doped with 1% Ce3+ ions have been synthesized and investigated for the first time. They have been prepared by a solid state reaction under reducing atmosphere. X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy show that these three compounds have an apatite structure. The environments of boron. phosphorus and hydrogen were investigated by MAS (magic angle spinning) NMR experiments and discussed in comparison with non-doped compounds. Steady state and laser induced excitation and emission spectra of Ce3+ doped borohydroxyapatites were measured either at room temperature or at 77 K showing that borate groups enhance the emission intensity and induce a shift of the emission bands to higher wavelengths. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.