Structural study of Yb3+, Eu3+ and Pr3+ doped Ca9Lu(PO4)7

The whitlockite-like crystal structure of Ca9Lu(PO4)7 when doped with several ions (Yb3+, Eu3+ and Pr3+) at different concentrations (1 mol.%, 5 mol.% and 10 mol.%) was studied, by means of synchrotron X-ray diffraction. In particular for Eu3+ and Pr3+, the presence of the dopant ion significantly changed the occupation factors (OF's) of the Ca2+ and Lu3+ cations and gave rise to a distortion of the metal-oxygen polyhedra. The observed structural features clearly showed significant impact of the dopant ion on the crystal structure of the host.

Graphical AbstractXRD pattern (black crosses), Rietveld refinement (red solid line) and line of residuals (lower black line) of Ca9Lu(PO4)7 doped with 1 mol.% (top) and 10 mol.% (bottom) of Yb3+Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide