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.