Suppression of the exaggerated growth of barium ferrite nanoparticles from solution using a partial substitution of Sc<Superscript>3+</Superscript> for Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

The effect of the substitution of Sc³⁺ for Fe³⁺ in barium ferrite on the size of the resulting nanoparticles was studied. These nanoparticles, with the nominal compositions BaFe₁₂O₁₉ and BaFe_11.5Sc_0.5O₁₉, were synthesized hydrothermally at 90–240 °C or by coprecipitation under reflux at 140 °C. The precursors were obtained using (co)precipitation at room temperature. The sizes and morphologies of the precursors and nanoparticles were inspected with transmission electron microscopy, while their structures were confirmed with a combination of X-ray powder and electron diffraction. The samples’ compositions were analyzed with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The evolution of the particle size and its distribution with the synthesis temperature and time were studied in pure and Sc-substituted barium ferrite and correlated with the evolution of the magnetic properties. The Sc substitution in the barium ferrite results in the formation of magnetic nanoparticles with applicable magnetic properties and in a significant reduction of the exaggerated particle growth. This was explained on the basis of the reaction kinetics.     

<Superscript>27</Superscript>Al NMR Study of the Structure and Dynamics of Natrolite

The temperature dependences of nuclear magnetic resonance and magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of ²⁷Al nuclei in natrolite (Na₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀· 2H₂O) have been studied. The influence of water molecules and sodium ions mobility on the shape of the ²⁷Al NMR spectrum and framework dynamics have been discussed The temperature dependences of the spin–lattice relaxation times T₁ of ²⁷Al nuclei in natrolite have also been studied. It has been shown that the spin–lattice relaxation of the ²⁷Al is governed by the electric quadrupole interaction with the crystal electric field gradients modulated by translational motion of H₂O molecules in the natrolite pores. The dipolar interactions with paramagnetic impurities become significant as a relaxation mechanism of the ²⁷Al nuclei only at low temperatures (<270 K).     

Synthesis and Optical Properties of Novel Red-Emitting PbNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>: Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Phosphors

Undoped and PbNb₂O_6:Eu³⁺ (1.0 ≤ x ≤ 6.0 mol%) phosphors were synthesized at 1100 °C for 3.5 h by the conventional solid state reaction method. Synthesized PbNb₂O₆:Eu³⁺ phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Photoluminescence (PL) analyses. The PL spectra showed series of excitation peaks between 350 and 430 nm due to the 4f–4f transitions of Eu³⁺. For 395.0 nm excitation, emission spectra of Eu³⁺ doped samples were observed at 591 nm (orange) and 614 nm (red) due to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ transitions and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transitions, respectively. PL analysis results also showed that the emission intensity increased by increasing Eu³⁺ ion content. No concentration quenching effect was observed. The CIE chromaticity color coordinates (x,y) of the PbNb₂O₆:Eu³⁺ phosphors were found to be in the red region of the chromaticity diagram.     

Red,Yellow, Blue and Green Emission from Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Bi<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Doped Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>nano-Phosphors

Rare earth elements (RE = Eu³⁺& Dy³⁺)and Bi³⁺ doped Y₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized by urea hydrolysis method in ethylene glycol, which acts as reaction medium as well as a capping agent, at a low temperature of 140 °C,followed by calcination of the obtained product. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images reveals that ovoid shaped Y₂O₃ nanoparticles of around 22–24 nm size range were obtained in this method. The respective RE and Bi³⁺ doped Y₂O₃ precursor nanoparticles when heated at 600 and 750 °C, retains the same shape as that of the as-synthesized Y₂O₃ precursor samples. From EDAX spectra, the incorporation of RE ions into the host has been studied. XRD pattern reveals the crystalline nature of the heated nanoparticles and indicate the absence of any impurity phase other than cubic Y₂O₃.However, the as-synthesized nanoparticles were highly amorphous without the presence of any sharp XRD peaks. Photoluminescence study suggests that the synthesized samples could be used as red (Eu³⁺), yellow (Dy³⁺), blue and green (Bi³⁺)emitting phosphors.     

Microstructural and Radioluminescence Characteristics of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Doped Columbite-Type SrNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> Phosphor

Undoped and different concentration Nd³⁺ doped SrNb₂O₆ powders with columbite structure were synthesized by molten salt process using a mixture of strontium nitrate and niobium (V) oxide and NaCl-KCl salt mixture as a flux under relatively low calcining temperature. X-ray diffraction analysis results indicated that SrNb₂O₆ phases found to be orthorhombic columbite single phase for undoped, 0.5 and 3 mol% Nd³⁺ doping concentrations. Phase composition of the powders was examined by SEM-EDS analyses. Radioluminescence properties of Nd³⁺ doped samples from UV to near-IR spectral region were studied. The emissions increased with the doping concentration of up to 3 mol%, and then decreased due to concentration quenching effect. There is a sharp emission peak around 880 nm associated with ⁴F_5/2 → ⁴I_9/2 transition in the Nd³⁺ ion between 300 and 1100 nm. The broad emission band intensity was observed from 400 to 650 nm where the peak intensities increased by increasing Nd³⁺ doping concentration. All the measurements were taken under the room temperature.     

Microwave-sintered Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Sm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, and Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> triple-doped ceria electrolyte material for IT-SOFC applications

The Pr³⁺, Sm³⁺, and Gd³⁺ triple-doped ceria Ce_0.76Pr_0.08Sm_0.08Gd_0.08O_2-δ material as solid electrolyte for IT-SOFC has been successfully synthesized by sol–gel auto-combustion route. The effect of microwave sintering (1300 °C for 15, 30, and 60 min, named as PSG-MS15, PSG-MS30, and PSG-MS60, respectively) on structural, electrical, and thermal properties of prepared electrolyte material has been studied. Powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Raman analysis revealed the single phase, microstructure, elemental confirmation, and structural oxygen vacancy formation of all the samples. Impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed the highest total ionic conductivity, i.e., 3.47 × 10^?2 S cm^?1 at 600 °C with minimum activation energy of 0.69 eV, in PSG-MS30 sample when compared to PSG-MS15 and PSG-MS60. The thermal expansion measurements have been carried out for PSG-MS30 specimen. The highest total ionic conductivity with minimum activation energy and moderate thermal expansion coefficient of PSG-MS30 sample makes the possibility of its use as solid electrolyte in IT-SOFC applications.     

The upconversion luminescence and magnetism in Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocrystals for potential bimodal imaging

Biocompatible upconversion nanoparticles with multifunctional properties can serve as potential nanoprobes for multimodal imaging. Herein, we report an upconversion nanocrystal based on lanthanum fluoride which is developed to address the imaging modalities, upconversion luminescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Lanthanide ions (Yb³⁺ and Ho³⁺) doped LaF₃ nanocrystals (LaF₃ Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺) are fabricated through a rapid microwave-assisted synthesis. The hexagonal phase LaF₃ nanocrystals exhibit nearly spherical morphology with average diameter of 9.8 nm. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis estimated the doping concentration of Yb³⁺ and Ho³⁺ as 3.99 and 0.41%, respectively. The nanocrystals show upconversion luminescence when irradiated with near-infrared (NIR) photons of wavelength 980 nm. The emission spectrum consists of bands centred at 542, 645 and 658 nm. The stronger green emission at 542 nm and the weak red emissions at 645 and 658 nm are assigned to ⁵S₂ → ⁵I₈ and ⁵F₅ → ⁵I₈ transitions of Ho³⁺, respectively. The pump power dependence of luminescence intensity confirmed the two-photon upconversion process. The nanocrystals exhibit paramagnetism due to the presence of lanthanide ion dopant Ho³⁺ and the magnetization is 19.81 emu/g at room temperature. The nanocrystals exhibit a longitudinal relaxivity (r ₁) of 0.12 s^?1 mM^?1 and transverse relaxivity (r ₂) of 28.18 s^?1 mM^?1, which makes the system suitable for developing T2 MRI contrast agents based on holmium. The LaF₃ Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ nanocrystals are surface modified by PEGylation to improve biocompatibility and enhance further functionalisation. The PEGylated nanocrystals are found to be non-toxic up to 50 μg/mL for 48 h of incubation, which is confirmed by the MTT assay as well as morphological studies in HeLa cells. The upconversion luminescence and magnetism together with biocompatibility enables the adaptability of the present system as a nanoprobe for potential bimodal imaging.     

EPR Study of Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>:Nd<Superscript>143</Superscript> Isotopically Pure Impurity Crystals

The Sc₂SiO₅ single crystals doped with 0.001 at.% of the ¹⁴³Nd³⁺ ion were studied by continuous-wave and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance methods. The g-tensors and hyperfine structure tensors for two magnetically non-equivalent Nd ions were obtained. The spin–spin and spin–lattice relaxation times were measured at 9.82 GHz in the temperature range from 4 to 10 K. It was established that three relaxation processes contribute to the spin–lattice relaxation processes. There are one-phonon spin–phonon interaction, two-phonon Raman interaction and two-phonon Orbach–Aminov relaxation processes. It was established that spin–spin relaxation time is of the same magnitude for neodymium ion doped in Sc₂SiO₅ and in Y₂SiO₅.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of LiMnPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-C(sp<Superscript>2</Superscript>) hybrids,conductive channels,and enhanced dielectric permittivity: a modulated ionic conductor

A nanohybrid C-LiMnPO₄ is important to tailor its electrochemical properties useful for Li⁺-ion batteries and photo-catalysis. In this article, we report a simple in situ C-LiMnPO₄ synthesis, wherein the LiMnPO₄ grows from a supersaturated solution LiOH·H₂O, MnSO₄·H₂O, and H₃PO₄ in water at 200 °C in an autoclave in a hydrothermal reaction and bonds in situ to nascent carbon of a surface layer on a surface reaction with a long chain hydrocarbon used during the reaction. A phase pure C-LiMnPO₄ is formed in a shape of nanorods (Pnma orthorhombic crystal structure), with 100–150 nm diameters, 150–800 nm lengths, and 2–3 nm thickness of a co-bonded C-sp² surface layer. The LiMnPO₄ rigidly co-bonds to C-sp² via O^2? in the PO₄ ^3? polygons in a joint surface layer that a single molecular bonding extends well up to 600 °C, with a due mass loss on an extended heating in air. The sample contains fine pores with an average 3.0 nm diameter and a 9.0 m²/g surface area. At room temperature, it develops a huge dielectric permittivity ε _r~1.9 × 10⁵ near 1 Hz frequencies, which on raising the frequency decays progressively to a fairly steady ε _r~1.5 × 10³ at ≥1 kHz. Bare LiMnPO₄ is a low dielectric phase, ε _r < 10. A non-Debye type of dielectric relaxation is shown in the modulus plots. As frequency approaches to 10⁵ Hz, nearly three orders of larger ac conductivity, 2.5 × 10^?5 Scm^?1 at 10⁶ Hz, develop over a carbon-free LiMnPO₄ value useful for the applications.     

Growth and optical properties of Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:KLu(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser crystal: a candidate for red emission laser

A Pr³⁺:KLu(WO₄)₂ crystal with dimension of 30 × 30 × 15 mm³ was grown in the K₂W₂O₇ flux. A slice was cut from the crystal, and the polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra were measured at room temperature. Based on the J-O theory, the oscillator intensity parameters Ω _t (t = 2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probabilities and branch ratios were estimated and good results had been obtained. Furthermore, the crystal has a relatively large emission cross-section in the region of 615–630 nm with the highest value of 14.5 × 10^?20 cm², which indicates that the crystal is good for the application in red emission laser. The emission decay time for ¹D₂ and ³P₀ multiplets was discussed. By adapting the I-H model to fit the emission decay curves, the lifetime for ¹D₂ at 607 nm and ³P₀ at 615 nm are 19.72 μs and 8.95 μs, respectively. Then the corresponding fluorescence quantum efficiencies of the two multiplets reach 83.7 % and 87.9 %, respectively. All the studies illustrate that this crystal is potential in red emission laser application.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of P2-Na<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The pure phase P2-Na_2/3Ni_1/3Mn_2/3O₂ was synthesized by a solid reaction process. The optimum calcination temperature was 850 °C. The as-prepared product delivered a capacity of 158 mAh g^?1 in the voltage range of 2–4.5 V, and there was a phase transition from P2 to O2 at about 4.2 V in the charge process. The P2 phase exhibited excellent intercalation behavior of Na ions. The reversible capacity is about 88.5 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C in the voltage range of 2–4 V at room temperature. At an elevated temperature of 55 °C, it could remain as an excellent capacity retention at low current rates. The P2-Na_2/3Ni_1/3Mn_2/3O₂ is a potential cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.     

Structural Phase Transition of Perovskite-Type N(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>CdBr<Subscript>3</Subscript> Studied by MAS NMR and Static NMR

The structural geometry change in the perovskite-type N(CH₃)₄CdBr₃ single crystal near the phase transition temperature of T _C = 390 K was investigated using magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. For ¹H and ¹³C nuclei, the temperature dependences of their chemical shift, spectral intensity, and spin–lattice relaxation time (T _1ρ) in the rotating frame were obtained and analyzed. While the chemical shift and T _1ρ of ¹H showed change near T _C, those of ¹³C did not. In addition, the ¹¹³Cd spin–lattice relaxation time T ₁ in the laboratory frame near T _C show no evidence of anomalous change near the phase transition temperature, which coincides with the measured changes in the ¹H T _1ρ. The driving force for this phase transition was connected to the ¹H in the CH₃ groups.     

Nanoparticles size effects in thermoluminescence of oxyfluoride glass-ceramics containing Sm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocrystals

Oxyfluoride glass-ceramic in the system SiO₂–Al₂O₃–CaF₂–SmF₃ containing Sm³⁺-doped CaF₂ nanocrystals in the range from 15 to 150 nm size were produced by using the controlled ceramization of the precursor glass. The incorporation of the Sm³⁺-dopant ion in the glass ceramic creates new electron-trapping centers and thermoluminescence (TL) method has been used in order to trace their evolution during glass ceramization. The 370 °C TL peak observed in precursor glass has been assigned to the recombination of the electrons released from the Sm²⁺-traps in the amorphous glass network. In the glass-ceramic sample containing nanocrystals with about 15 nm size the new weak TL peaks at 270, 290, and 310 °C were attributed to the recombination of the electrons released from the Sm²⁺-traps located mainly at the surface of the CaF₂ nanocrystals. In the glass-ceramic sample containing nanocrystals with about 150 nm size, the new TL peaks at 232, 270, and 302 °C size have been assigned to the recombination of the electrons released from the Sm²⁺-traps located inside the CaF₂ nanocrystals.     

<Superscript>29</Superscript>Si, <Superscript>27</Superscript>Al, <Superscript>1</Superscript>H and <Superscript>23</Superscript>Na MAS NMR Study of the Bonding Character in Aluminosilicate Inorganic Polymers

²⁹Si, ²⁷Al, ¹H and ²³Na solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been used to relate nominal composition, bonding character and compressive strength properties in aluminosilicate inorganic polymers (AIPs). The ²⁹Si chemical shift varies systematically with Si-to-Al ratio, indicating that the immediate structural environment of Si is altering with nominal composition. Fast ¹H MAS and ²⁹Si T _SiH/T _1ρ relaxation measurements demonstrated that occluded pore H₂O mobility within the disordered cavities is slow in comparison with H₂O mobility characteristics observed within the ordered channel structures of zeolites. The ²⁷Al MAS NMR data show that the Al coordination remains predominantly 4-coordinate. In comparison with the ²⁹Si MAS data, the corresponding ²⁷Al MAS line shapes are relatively narrow, suggesting that the AlO₄ tetrahedral geometry is largely unperturbed and the dominant source of structural disorder is propagated by large distributions of Si–O bond angles and bond lengths. Corresponding ²³Na MAS and multiple-quantum MAS NMR data indicate that Na speciation is dominated by distributions of hydration states; however, more highly resolved ²³Na resonances observed in some preparations supported the existence of short-range order. New structural elements are proposed to account for the existence of these Na resonances and an improved model for the structure of AIPs has also been proposed. Authors' address: John V. Hanna, NMR Facility, Institute of Materials and Engineering Science, Lucas Heights Research Laboratories, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Private Mail Bag 1, Menai, NSW 2234, Australia     

Nuclear magnetic relaxation of <Superscript>3</Superscript>He in contact with an aerogel above the Fermi temperature

The spin kinetics of ³He in an aerogel has been studied above the Fermi temperature. The magnetic relaxation times T ₁ and T ₂ of adsorbed, gaseous, and liquid ³He in a 95% silica aerogel at a temperature of 1.5 K have been determined as functions of frequency by means of pulse nuclear magnetic resonance. It has been found that the time T ₁ is linear in frequency in all three cases, whereas T ₂ is independent of frequency. To explain the observed behavior of the longitudinal relaxation rate, a theoretical model of relaxation in the adsorbed layer of ³He taking into account the filamentary structure of the aerogel is proposed.     

Adsorption kinetics,isotherms, and thermodynamic studies for the adsorption of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> metal ions from aqueous medium using Ti(IV) iodovanadate cation exchanger

In the current study, Ti(IV) iodovanadate cation exchanger (TIV) was synthesized and applied for the removal of Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ metal ions from the aqueous medium. The adsorption studies were performed by the batch techniques and adsorption parameters viz. contact time, pH, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature were also investigated. The optimum adsorption of Pb²⁺ (95 %) and Hg²⁺ (65 %) were observed at pH 6. The pseudo-second order equation represented the adsorption kinetics with high correlation coefficient. Langmuir model showed the best fitting to the isotherm equilibrium data, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 18.8 mg g^?1 for Pb²⁺ and 17.2 mg g^?1 for Hg²⁺. Furthermore, thermodynamic factors, i.e., ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS, indicated that adsorption of Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ onto TIV were spontaneous, endothermic, and feasible in the temperature range of 293–323 K.     

Improvement of thermal and spectroscopic behavior of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped tellurite glass for lasing materials

Tellurite glasses (TeO₂–ZnO–Nb₂O₅) mono-doped Er³⁺ and co-doped Er³⁺/Ce³⁺ have been prepared using the melt-quenching technique. To evaluate the effect of Ce³⁺ on the structural, thermal stability of glass hosts and fluorescence properties of Er³⁺, X-ray diffraction patterns, Ftir spectra, differential scanning calorimeter curves, absorption spectra, fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, up-conversion emission spectra of glass samples were measured and investigated. Using Judd–Ofelt theory, we calculated intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆), spontaneous emission probabilities, the radiative lifetime, luminescence branching factors and the quantum yield of luminescence for ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition. The co-doping with Ce³⁺ was effective on the suppression of up-conversion emission of Er³⁺ owing to the phonon-assisted energy transfer: Er³⁺:⁴I_11/2 + Ce³⁺:²F_5/2 → Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 + Ce³⁺:²F_7/2 which contributed the effective enhancement of 1.53 µm fluorescence emission. The change in optical properties with the addition of Ce³⁺ ions have been discussed and compared with other glasses. Using the Mc Cumber method for the ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition, absorption cross-section, calculated emission cross-section, and gain cross-section values support that TZNEr1Ce1 glass is a potential material for developing broad-band and high-gain erbium-doped fiber amplifiers applied for 1.53 µm.     

Effect of sintering temperature of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Lu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> phosphors on light emission and properties of crystal structure for white-light-emitting diodes

The effect of the sintering temperature of Ce³⁺-doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ (Ce-LuAG) phosphors on the emission and properties of the crystal structure was studied. A cathodoluminescence peak at 317 nm, which was assigned to lattice defects, was exhibited in addition to emission peaks at 508 and 540 nm for the Ce-LuAG phosphors. The intensities of the 317 nm emission peak for the phosphors with mean particle diameters of 5.0 and 10.0 µm formed at a low sintering temperature of 1430 °C were higher than those for the phosphors with mean particle diameters of 18.0 and 20.5 µm formed at a high sintering temperature of 1550 °C. In contrast, the electroluminescence spectra for fabricated white-light-emitting diodes (LEDs) using the phosphors revealed that the intensity of the peak at 540 nm was strong for the mean particle diameters of 18.0 and 20.5 µm. The intensity of the 540 nm peak, which is attributed to the 4f→5d transition of the Ce³⁺ activator, showed a dependence on the sintering temperature. The relationship between the optical properties and the lattice defects is discussed.     

Influence of Bi<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions on low temperature D.C. conductivity of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiCuO<Subscript>4</Subscript> glasses

Sodium silicate glasses doped with CuO and mixed with different contents of Bi₂O₃ (ranging from 4 to 16 mol%) were prepared. D.C. conductivity studies over a range of temperature from 225 to 325 K have been carried out. The conductivity is observed to decrease linearly with increase of Bi₂O₃ concentration. The results are analyzed using optical absorption, ESR, and IR spectral data. The spectroscopic studies have indicated that there is a gradual reduction divalent copper ions to monovalent ions with increase of Bi₂O₃ concentration. These studies have also indicated that such Cu⁺ ions participate in the glasses network forming and increase the polymerization of the glass network. The analysis of the results of D.C. conductivity indicated that in temperature region T > θ _D/2, the small polaron hoping model is valid, and the conduction is predicted to be adiabatic type. The analysis of the results has further revealed that there is a gradual change over of conduction mechanism from ionic to electronic with increase of Bi₂O₃ concentration. The low temperature part of D.C. conductivity is explained using variable range hopping (VRH) model.     

Structural and Near-Infrared Properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Activated Lu<Subscript>3</Subscript>NbO<Subscript>7</Subscript> Phosphor

Undoped and Nd³⁺ doped lutetium niobate phases have been prepared by a conventional solid state reaction method using lutetium acetate and niobium oxide at 1250 °C for 6 h. X-ray diffraction patterns of the 6 mol% Lu₃NbO₇ sample exhibited a cubic fluorite single phase. Phase structure exhibited interesting crystallization behaviour depending on increasing Nd³⁺ concentration which led to a Lu₃NbO₇ single phase formation during the heat treatment process. SEM investigations were also in agreement with the XRD results. Morphologies of Nd³⁺ doped lutetium niobate powders exhibited oval like shapes and grain sizes varied between 0.3 and 5 μm. Near-infrared luminescence properties of Nd³⁺ doped Lu₃NbO₇ were also studied. 1.06 μm laser transition characteristics of Nd³⁺ doped lutetium niobate have been observed. Concentration quenching phenomenon was not detected depending on increasing Nd³⁺ doping concentrations at room temperature.