Synthesis and characterization of luminescent Cu2+–doped fluorapatite nanocrystals as potential broad–spectrum antimicrobial agents

Abstract

Nanomaterials based on metal–doped fluorapatite (FAP) have attracted considerable interest as potential next–generation antimicrobial agents. In this study, Cu2+–doped FAP nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized by a neutralization method at room temperature. Their structural, optical, antimicrobial, and hemcompatible properties have been investigated. XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and N2 adsorption–desorption studies indicate the formation of single–phase FAP mesoporous nanopowders, composed of rod–like particles. TEM images confirmed the formation of nanorodes with a length of 60 nm and a width of about 18 nm. Rietveld analysis shows that the Cu2+ ions preferentially substitute Ca2 (6 h) sites in the hexagonal fluorapatite crystal structure. Fluorescence spectroscopy accompanied by MCR–ALS method confirms substitution of Cu2+ ions in FAP crystal lattice with extracting additional d–d band transition at green color from FAP broadband self–activated luminescence in violet–blue color. Antimicrobial studies conducted on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Micrococcus lysodeikticus showed that FAP nanopowder with the highest Cu2+ content have strong bacteriostatic action on Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strain in mediums containing nutrition matters. In addition, this sample in comparison to pure FAP achieved a high percentage of relative reduction of bacterial population for all three species, being >90% in most cases. Fungistatic action is noticed too, throwgh the slowing down mycelium growth of fungus Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium roqueforti and reduction of sporulation of Aspergillus niger species. Cu2+–doped FAP nanocrystals shows a synergistic antimicrobial effect with Cu2+ and F− ions. Concerning the potential biomedical applications, the hemolysis ratios of the Cu2+–doped FAP samples were below 5%. The obtained results pointed out the possible use of the synthesized nanocrystals as broad–spectrum antimicrobial agents for various biomedical and health care preparations.