Monitoring of hydroxyapatite conversion by luminescence intensity of Eu 3+ ions during mineralization of Eu 3+ -doped β-Ca 2 SiO 4

•β-Ca2SiO4:Eu3+ powders were prepared by sol–gel process.•Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 formed when β-Ca2SiO4 was immersed in phosphate solution.•Eu3+ was used as a luminescence probe to monitor the process of mineralization.•The technique may be used for biomaterials to monitor the in vivo mineralization.