One-step synthesis of CePO₄ nanoparticle-decorated cerium-doped ultralong flexible hydroxyapatite nanofibers

The doping of cerium (Ce) into hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals has been shown to impart antibacterial properties. In this study, ultralong flexible Ce-substituted HA (Ce-HA) nanofibers decorated by CePO₄ nanoparticles are synthesized using a solvothermal method. The obtained products predominantly consist of nanofibers, while the number of CePO₄ nanoparticles attached to the nanofiber surfaces gradually increase and partially agglomerate as the Ce molar fraction (0-8 at%) increases. The Ce ions are doped into the HA lattice in mixed valences of Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺, which significantly increases grain size and crystallinity of Ce-HA nanofibers. Furthermore, the effect of Ce³⁺ doping on formation mechanism of the samples is discussed. © 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry.