Synthesis of Up-Conversion CaTiO3: Er3+ Films on Titanium by Anodization and Hydrothermal Method for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The present study investigates the effects of Er3+ doping content on the microstructure and up-conversion emission properties of CaTiO3: Er3+ phosphors as a potential material in biomedical applications. The CaTiO3: x%Er3+ (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0%) films were synthesized on Ti substrates by a hydrothermal reaction at 200 °C for 24 h. The SEM image showed the formation of cubic nanorod CaTiO3: Er3+ films with a mean edge size value of (1–5) μm. When excited with 980 nm light, the CaTiO3: Er3+ films emitted a strong green band and a weak red band of Er3+ ions located at 543, 661, and 740 nm. The CaTiO3: Er3+ film exhibited excellent surface hydrophilicity with a contact angle of ~zero and good biocompatibility against baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. CaTiO3: Er3+ films emerge as promising materials for different applications in the biomedical field.