Apatite and method for producing the same, and apatite base material

Abstract

The present invention relates to apatite that includes metal atoms having a photocatalytic function and other metal atoms, and the metal atoms having a photocatalytic function include metal atoms that absorb energy corresponding to light energy of visible light. By applying the apatite as a base material of various products to be arranged indoors, the photocatalytic function can be exhibited indoors as well.

1 . Apatite comprising metal atoms having a photocatalytic function and other metal atoms, wherein 
 the metal atoms having a photocatalytic function comprise metal atoms that absorb energy corresponding to light energy of visible light.    
     
     
         2 . The apatite according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal atoms that absorb visible light are atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, and Ni.  
     
     
         3 . The apatite according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of the metal atoms that absorb visible light is not less than 0.5 mol % and not more than 2 mol % with respect to the whole metal atoms contained in the apatite.  
     
     
         4 . The apatite according to  claim 1 , wherein the other metal atoms are atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Ca, Al, La, Mg, Sr, Ba, Pb, Cd, Eu, Y, Ce, Na and K.  
     
     
         5 . The apatite according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal atoms having a photocatalytic function further contain metal atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and W as metal atoms that absorb UV light.  
     
     
         6 . The apatite according to  claim 1 , wherein the apatite is fired at a temperature of not lower than 500° C. and not higher than 700° C.  
     
     
         7 . A method for producing apatite, the method comprises steps of: 
 preparing a solution containing metal atoms that absorb visible light at a concentration of not less than 1×10 −6  mol/dm 3  and not more than 1×10 −2  mol/dm 3 , and dipping apatite in the solution.    
     
     
         8 . The method for producing apatite according to  claim 7 , further comprising steps: of drying the apatite dipped in the solution; and subsequently firing the apatite at a temperature of not lower than 500° C. and not higher than 700° C.  
     
     
         9 . The method for producing apatite according to  claim 7 , wherein the metal atoms that absorb visible light are atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, and Ni.  
     
     
         10 . The method for producing apatite according to  claim 7 , wherein the apatite contains metal atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Ca, Al, La, Mg, Sr, Ba, Pb, Cd, Eu, Y, Ce, Na and K.  
     
     
         11 . The method for producing apatite according to  claim 10 , wherein the apatite further contains metal atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and W as metal atoms that absorb UV light.  
     
     
         12 . A method for producing apatite, the method comprises steps of: 
 preparing an apatite material solution containing metal atoms that absorb visible light and other metal atoms where the content of the metal atoms that absorb visible light is not less than 0.5 mol % and not more than 3 mol % with respect to the whole metal atoms contained in the solution, and    coprecipitating components contained in the apatite material solution so as to deposit the apatite.    
     
     
         13 . The method for producing apatite according to  claim 12 , further comprising steps of: drying the deposited apatite; and subsequently firing the apatite at a temperature of not lower than 500° C. and not higher than 700° C.  
     
     
         14 . The method for producing apatite according to  claim 12 , wherein the metal atoms that absorb visible light are atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, Cu, Fe and Ni.  
     
     
         15 . The method for producing apatite according to  claim 12 , wherein the other metal atoms are atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Ca, Al, La, Mg, Sr, Ba, Pb, Cd, Eu, Y, Ce, Na and K.  
     
     
         16 . The method for producing apatite according to  claim 15 , wherein the other metal atoms further contains metal atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and W as metal atoms that absorb UV light.  
     
     
         17 . An apatite base material comprising apatite comprising metal atoms that absorb visible light and other metal atoms, wherein 
 the metal atoms that absorb visible light are atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, Cu, Fe and Ni and    the other metal atoms are atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Ca, Al, La, Mg, Sr, Ba, Pb, Cd, Eu, Y, Ce, Na and K.    
     
     
         18 . The apatite base material according to  claim 17 , wherein the other metal atoms further contains metal atoms of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and W as metal atoms that absorb UV light.  
     
     
         19 . The apatite base material according to  claim 17 , wherein the base material is selected from the group consisting of paper, synthetic paper, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, leather, lumber, glass, metal, ceramics, plastics, and printing ink.  
     
     
         20 . The apatite base material according to  claim 17 , wherein the apatite is fired at a temperature of not lower than 500° C. and not higher than 700° C.