Cerium-Containing Hydroxyapatites with Luminescent Properties

Powders of cerium-containing hydroxyapatites (Ce–HA) with an estimated cerium concentration of up to 0.5 mol % have been synthesized. The phase formation and luminescent properties of the compounds after heat treatment in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres have been investigated. It has been shown that a high HA luminescence intensity can be achieved by preventing the cerium(III) → cerium(IV) transition in a reducing atmosphere at 900–1200°C, as well as by cosubstitution of Ce3+ and Li+ ions for Ca2+ ions to compensate for the excess charge of the additive. The dependence of the luminescence intensity of materials on the heat treatment temperature and cerium concentration is shown.