The Crystal Structure of Apatite and Copper-Doped Apatite

Abstract

The recent claim of superconductivity above room temperature in Pb10−xCux(PO4)6O, where 0.9 < x < 1 (referred to as LK-99), has generated significant interest. In this study, we first investigated the detailed crystal structures of four natural apatite by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) combined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurement. Secondly, pilot experiments of doping copper (Cu) atoms into the apatite lattice were carried out by high-temperature mixed pure copper and natural apatite powders. Finally, copper-doped lead apatite has been synthesized via a three-step solid-state reaction method, and its crystal structure has been determined using SXRD, SEM/EDX, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Abstract of "The Crystal Structure of Apatite and Copper-Doped Apatite" by Yibo Liu, Changzeng Fan, Bing Zhang et al., https://doi.org/10.70322/gct.2025.10005, used under its Creative Commons Attribution license (CC-BY); markup removed, otherwise unmodified.