Search

The present study investigated the dose-dependent effect of inositol on the thermally induced crystallization and phase evolution of amorphous calcium phosphate. It has been demonstrated that the crystallization of amorphous calcium phosphate was postponed by the introduction of inositol. The initial crystallize phase under 600 °C and thermodynamic equilibrium between α/β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) under higher temperatures were altered in a content-dependent manner. Smaller amounts of inositol could promote the formation of α-TCP-like hydroxyapatite and expand the annealing temperature range to obtain pure α-TCP, while larger amounts would exhibit the opposite effect and promote the formation of β-TCP. This discovery could be used to guide the production of α/β-TCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yolk–shell structured Bi2SiO5:Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion nanophosphors have been successfully synthesized via a simple template-assisted route, in which the reaction of Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped bismuth precursor nanospheres with the silica capping layer in situ is ingeniously designed and controlled. The phase transition and morphology evolution are investigated in detail by X-ray powder diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy to propose the formation mechanism of the yolk–shell nanostructure. The yielded Bi2SiO5:Yb3+,Er3+ nanophosphors can emit bright green upconversion luminescence under the excitation of a 980 nm laser diode, which enables them to be promising emitters for optoelectronic devices. The potential of the Bi2SiO5:Yb3+,Er3+ nanophosphors as an optical nanothermometer is also demonstrated. The proposed facile synthetic route, unique yolk–shell nanostructure and good upconversion luminescence performance lead the way to access these lanthanide-doped Bi2SiO5 nanophosphors for applications in biotechnology and optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]