Synthesis and characterization of Eu3+/Dy3+ codoped composite phosphors SrAl2Si2O8/SrAlSi1/2O7/2 via a one-pot nitrate-gel process

Composite phosphors SrAl₂Si₂O₈/SrAlSi_1/2O_7/2 codoped with Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺ were synthesized via a simple one-pot nitrate-gel process. The thermal decomposition process of the precursor is investigated by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The as-prepared Eu³⁺/Dy³⁺ codoped SrAl₂Si₂O₈/SrAlSi_1/2O_7/2 phosphors could yield blue (436 nm), bluegreen (486 nm), yellow (583 nm), and red (617 nm) lights under near-UV 380 nm excitation from a composite matrix produced by spontaneous phase separation during heat treatment of the precursor. Moreover, the effects of Dy³⁺ doping concentration on the structures, defect features, and luminescence properties of the composite phosphors were examined in detail.     

A New Mode of Energy Transfer between Mn2+ and Eu2+ in Nitride‐Based Phosphor SrAlSi4N7 with Tunable Light and Excellent Thermal Stability

In this work, reciprocal energy transfer between Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions in nitride SrAlSi₄N₇ has been found and investigated in detail. In contrast to Mn²⁺‐ and Eu²⁺‐activated oxide‐based phosphors, the red light centered at 608 nm is ascribed to 4f–5d transitions of Eu²⁺ ions and Mn²⁺‐activated SrAlSi₄N₇ emits a cyan light peaking at 500 nm. Additionally, the special broad excitation band of SrAlSi₄N₇:Mn²⁺ centered at 362 nm has been covered by that of Eu²⁺ ions ranging from 300 to 550 nm. The overlap of the energy level of Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions creates the conditions for reciprocal energy transfer between Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions. A series of SrAlSi₄N₇:0.002 Mn²⁺,xEu²⁺ (0≤x≤005) with tunable light emission have been synthesized and the decay curves of samples prove the reciprocal occurrence of the energy transfer between Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions. This mode of energy transfer not only prevents the loss of energy, but also improves the thermal stability, and the intensity of SrAlSi₄N₇:Mn²⁺,Eu²⁺ at 150 °C is still beyond 92 % of the initial intensity. The results provide a new mode of energy transfer, which is expected to reduce the drawbacks existing in energy transfer.     

Mechanistic Insight into Energy-Transfer Dynamics and Color Tunability of Na4CaSi3O9:Tb3+,Eu3+ for Warm White LEDs

In this work, a latent energy-transfer process in traditional Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-doped phosphors is proposed and a new class of Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-doped Na₄CaSi₃O₉ (NCSO) phosphors is presented which is enabled by luminescence decay dynamics that optimize the electron-transfer energy process. Relative to other Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-doped phosphors, the as-synthesized Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-doped NCSO phosphors show improved large-scale tunable emission color from green to red upon UV excitation, controlled by the Tb³⁺/Eu³⁺ doping ratio. Detailed spectroscopic measurements in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)/UV/Vis region were used to determine the Eu³⁺–O²⁻ charge-transfer energy, 4f–5d transition energies, and the energies of 4f excited multiplets of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ with different 4f^N electronic configurations. The Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺ energy-transfer pathway in the co-doped sample was systematically investigated, by employing luminescence decay dynamics analysis to elucidate the relevant energy-transfer mechanism in combination with the appropriate model simulation. To demonstrate their application potential, a prototype white-light-emitting diode (WLED) device was successfully fabricated by using the yellow luminescence NCSO:0.03Tb³⁺, 0.05Eu³⁺ phosphor with high thermal stability and a BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor in combination with a near-UV chip. These findings open up a new avenue to realize and develop multifunctional high-performance phosphors by manipulating the energy-transfer process for practical applications.     

Improved water resistance of SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor directly achieved in a water-containing medium

In this paper, a heterogeneous precipitation method utilizing urea hydrolysis was adopted to coat a SiO₂ layer on the surface of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ long persistence phosphors. To avoid phosphor hydrolysis in a water-containing coating medium, the hydrolysis and polymerization reactions of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were concerned and carried out. The crystal phases, surface morphologies, hydrolysis stability and water resistance on afterglow properties of coated phosphors were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrum analysis, transmission electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrum results confirmed that a continuous, uniform and compact SiO₂ coating layer was successfully obtained on the phosphors surface. A theoretical coating amount of 5% or higher was found to be good for hydrolysis stability. Photoluminescence results revealed the coated phosphors showed much better water resistance on afterglow properties than the uncoated phosphor. We also discussed and proposed the hydrolysis restriction mechanism of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ in the water-containing coating medium.     

Photoluminescence properties and application of yellow Ca0.65Si10Al2O0.7N15.3:xEu2+ phosphors for white LEDs

A series of yellow-emitting oxynitride Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:xEu²⁺ phosphors with α-sialon structure were synthesized. The phase composition and crystal structure were identified by X-ray diffraction and the Rietveld refinement. The excitation and emission spectra, reflectance spectra and thermal stability were investigated in detail, respectively. Results show that Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:0.12Eu²⁺ phosphors can be efficiently excited by UV-Vis light in the broad range of 290–450 nm and exhibit broad emission spectra peaking at 550–575 nm. The concentration quenching mechanism are discussed in detail and determined to be the dipole-dipole interaction. When the temperature increased to 150 °C, the emission intensity of Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:0.12Eu²⁺ phosphor is 88.46% of the initial value at room temperature. White LED was fabricated with N-UV LED chip combined with blue Ca₃Si₂O₄N₂:Ce³⁺ and yellow Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:Eu²⁺ phosphors. The color rendering index and correlated color temperature of this white LED were measured to 78.94 and 6728.12 K, respectively. All above results demonstrate that the as-prepared Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:xEu²⁺ may serve as a potential yellow phosphor for N-UV w-LEDs.     

Eu,Dy co-doped SrAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> phosphors prepared by sol–gel-combustion processing

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ powders were synthesized by sol–gel–combustion process using metal nitrates as the source of metal ions and citric acid as a chelating agent of metal ions. The amounts of citric acid in mole were two times those of the metal ions. By tracing the formation process of the sol–gel, it is found that decreasing the amount of NO₃ ⁻ in the solution is necessary for the formation of transparent sol and gel, and the dropping of ethanol into the precursor solution can decrease the amount of NO₃ ⁻ in the solution. By combusting citrate sol at 600 °C, followed by heating the resultant combustion ash at 1,100–1,300 °C in a weak reductive atmosphere containing active carbon, SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors can prepared. X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometer were used to investigate the formation process and luminescent properties of the as-synthesized SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺. The results reveal that the SrAl₂O₄ crystallizes completely when the combustion ash was sintered at 1,200–1,300 °C. The excitation and emission spectra indicate that excitation broadband mainly lies in a visible range and the phosphors emit strong light at 510 nm under the excitation of 348 nm. The afterglow of phosphors lasts for over 10 h when the excited source is cut off.     

SrSi2O2N2∶Eu2+荧光粉的制备及性能研究

以SrCO3,Si3N4,Eu2O3为原料,在N2气氛下,采用自还原高温固相法制备了SrSi2O2N2:Eu2+荧光粉。研究了该荧光粉的物相结构、发光性能和晶体形貌,同时对比在不同气氛下合成的荧光粉。结果表明,在N2气氛与N2/H2气氛下分别合成的SrSi2O2N2:Eu2+荧光粉物相结构和光谱特性基本一致。显示出合成了主晶相SrSi2O2N2,但还含有少量未知的中间项。Eu2+浓度的变化不影响激发状态,而发射光谱的波长在Eu2+浓度为1mol%-20mol%之间,从530 nm的绿光红移至550 nm的黄绿光区域。同时,激发光谱覆盖的范围宽,均能有效的被UV或蓝光激发,这意味着该类荧光粉在白光LED方面有可能得到广泛的应用。     

Substitutional disorder in Sr2−yEuyB2−2xSi2+3xAl2−xN8+x (x≃ 0.12, y≃ 0.10)

A novel nitride, Sr_2−yEu_yB_2−2xSi_2+3xAl_2−xN_8+x (x≃ 0.12, y≃ 0.10) (distrontium europium diboron disilicon dialuminium octanitride), with the space group P2c, was synthesized from Sr₃N₂, EuN, Si₃N₄, AlN and BN under nitrogen gas pressure. The structure consists of a host framework with Sr/Eu atoms accommodated in the cavities. The host framework is constructed by the linkage of MN₄ tetrahedra (M = Si, Al) and BN₃ triangles, and contains substitutional disorder described by the alternative occupation of B₂ or Si₂N on the (0, 0, z) axis. The B₂:Si₂N ratio contained in an entire crystal is about 9:1.     

Research on Molecular Structure and Electronic Properties of Ln3+ (Ce3+, Tb3+, Pr3+)/Li+ and Eu2+ Co-Doped Sr2Si5N8 via DFT Calculation

We use density functional theory (DFT) to study the molecular structure and electronic band structure of Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺ doped with trivalent lanthanides (Ln³⁺ = Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺, Pr³⁺). Li⁺ was used as a charge compensator for the charge imbalance caused by the partial replacement of Sr²⁺ by Ln³⁺. The doping of Ln lanthanide atom causes the structure of Sr₂Si₅N₈ lattice to shrink due to the smaller atomic radius of Ln³⁺ and Li⁺ compared to Sr²⁺. The doped structure’s formation energy indicates that the formation energy of Li⁺, which is used to compensate for the charge imbalance, is the lowest when the Sr2 site is doped. Thus, a suitable Li⁺ doping site for double-doped lanthanide ions can be provided. In Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, the doped Ce³⁺ can occupy partly the site of Sr₁²⁺ ([SrN₈]), while Eu²⁺ accounts for Sr₁²⁺ and Sr₂²⁺ ([SrN₁₀]). When the Pr³⁺ ion is selected as the dopant in Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, Pr³⁺ and Eu²⁺ would replace Sr₂²⁺ simultaneously. In this theoretical model, the replacement of Sr²⁺ by Tb³⁺ cannot exist reasonably. For the electronic structure, the energy level of Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺/Li⁺ doped with Ce³⁺ and Pr³⁺ appears at the bottom of the conduction band or in the forbidden band, which reduces the energy bandgap of Sr₂Si₅N₈. We use DFT+U to adjust the lanthanide ion 4f energy level. The adjusted 4f-CBM of Ce_Sr1Li_Sr1-Sr₂Si₅N₈ is from 2.42 to 2.85 eV. The energy range of 4f-CBM in Pr_Sr1Li_Sr1-Sr₂Si₅N₈ is 2.75–2.99 eV and its peak is 2.90 eV; the addition of Ce³⁺ in Eu_Sr1Ce_Sr1Li_Sr1 made the 4f energy level of Eu²⁺ blue shift. The addition of Pr³⁺ in Eu_Sr2Pr_Sr2Li_Sr1 makes part of the Eu²⁺ 4f energy level blue shift. Eu²⁺ 4f energy level in Eu_Sr2Ce_Sr1Li_Sr1 is not in the forbidden band, so Eu²⁺ is not used as the emission center.     

Sol–gel preparation and photocatalytic performance of TiO2/SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ toward the oxidation of gaseous benzene

It has been found that the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ toward the decomposition of gaseous benzene can be greatly enhanced by loading TiO₂ on the surface of SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ using sol–gel technology. The prepared photocatalyst was characterized by BET, XRD, and XPS analyses. XRD results reveal that the peaks of titania in either rutile or anatase form are not detected by XRD in the 2θ region from 20° to 50°. The binding energy values of Ti 2p of pure TiO₂ are 458.90 and 464.60 eV, while for TiO₂/SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, the binding energy values of Ti 2p are 458.50 and 464.20 eV. The results indicate that the optimum loading of TiO₂ is 1 wt% and TiO₂/SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ (1 wt%) demonstrates 1.4 times the photocatalytic activity of that of pure TiO₂, but the underlying mechanism of SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ in the photocatalytic reaction remains to be unraveled.     

Superb thermal stability purple-blue phosphor through synergistic effect of emission compensation and nonradiative transition restriction of Eu2+

Phosphors with outstanding luminescence thermal stability are desirable for high-power phosphor-converted light-emitting diode (pc-LED) lightings. High structural rigidity and large bandgap of phosphor hosts are helpful to suppress nonradiative relaxation of optical centers and realize excellent thermal stability. Unfortunately, few host materials simultaneously possess aforementioned structural features. Herein, we confirm that Sr₃(PO₄)₂ (SPO) phosphate possesses high structural rigidity (Debye temperature, Θ_D = 559 K) and large bandgap (E_g = 8.313 eV) by density functional theory calculations. As expected, Eu²⁺-doped SPO purple-blue phosphors show extraordinary thermal stability. At 150/300 °C, SPO:5%Eu²⁺ presents emission loss of only 4%/8% and a predicated ultrahigh thermal quenching temperature of 973 °C. The most strikingly discoveries here are that thermal-induced emission compensation appears within two distinct Eu²⁺ sites of SPO host. The outstanding thermal stability, on one hand, is attributed to rigid structure and large bandgap of host that inhibits nonradiative relaxation of Eu²⁺ and on the other hand, the emission self-compensation of Eu²⁺. Benefiting from synergistic effect of emission compensation and nonradiative transition restriction of Eu²⁺, as-prepared SPO:5%Eu²⁺ purple-blue phosphor not only presents superior thermal stability but also high internal quantum efficiency of 95.1% and excellent hydrolysis resistant. Some advanced applications are explored including white LED lighting and wide-color-gamut display. Our work provides in-deep insights into structure-property relationships of thermally stable phosphors.     

La7O6(BO3)(PO4)2:Eu3+/Tb3+荧光材料的制备及其光致发光性能

采用优化的高温固相方法制备了稀土离子Eu³⁺和Tb³⁺掺杂的La₇O₆（BO₃）（PO₄）₂系荧光材料,并对其物相行为、晶体结构、光致发光性能和热稳定性进行了详细研究。结果表明,La₇O₆（BO₃）（PO₄）₂：Eu³⁺材料在紫外光激发下能够发射出红光,发射光谱中最强发射峰位于616 nm处,为⁵D₀→⁷F₂特征能级跃迁,Eu³⁺的最优掺杂浓度为0.08,对应的CIE坐标为（0.610 2,0.382 3）;La₇O₆（BO₃）（PO₄）₂：Tb³⁺材料在紫外光激发下能够发射出绿光,发射光谱中最强发射峰位于544 nm处,对应Tb³⁺的⁵D₄→⁷F₅能级跃迁,Tb³⁺离子的最优掺杂浓度为0.15,对应的CIE坐标为（0.317 7,0.535 2）。此外,对2种材料的变温光谱分析发现Eu³⁺和Tb³⁺掺杂的La₇O₆（BO₃）（PO₄）₂荧光材料均具有良好的热稳定性。     

Studies on the persistent luminescence of Eu2+ and Dy3+-doped SrAl2O4 phosphors: a review

This review includes research papers on different methods of preparation of Eu²⁺ and Dy³⁺-doped SrAl₂O₄ phosphors and papers reporting luminescence studies of the materials. The methods of preparation were compared and it was concluded that solid state reaction is the best method. Papers on characterization of these phosphors by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are also discussed. The review ends with a few important conclusions.     

空气中合成固溶体荧光粉Ba2(Zn, Mg)Si2O7:Ce3+,Eu2+,Eu3+及其发光特性

采用高温固相法在空气中合成了Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇:0.03Eu,yCe³⁺系列荧光粉。分别采用X-射线衍射和荧光光谱对所合成荧光粉的物相和发光性质进行了表征。在紫外光330~360 nm激发下,固溶体荧光粉Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇:0.03Eu的发射光谱在350~725 nm范围内呈现多谱峰发射,360和500 nm处有强的宽带发射属于Eu²⁺离子的4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷跃迁,590~725 nm红光区窄带谱源于Eu³⁺的⁵D₀-⁷F_J (J=1,2,3,4)跃迁,这表明,在空气气氛中,部分Eu³⁺在Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇基质中被还原成了Eu²⁺;当x=0.1时,荧光粉Ba_1.97Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.03Eu的绿色发光最强,表明Eu³⁺被还原成Eu²⁺离子的程度最大。当共掺入Ce³⁺离子后,形成Ba_1.97-yZn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.03Eu,yCe³⁺荧光粉体系,其发光随着Ce³⁺离子浓度的增大由蓝绿区经白光区到达橙红区;发现名义组成为Ba_1.96Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.01Ce³⁺,0.03Eu的荧光粉的色坐标为(0.323,0.311),接近理想白光,是一种有潜在应用价值的白光荧光粉。讨论了稀土离子在Ba₂Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇基质中的能量传递与发光机理。     

Investigation of Luminescence Properties of Eu3+, Dy3+ and Gd3+ Doped MgAl2Si2O8 Red‐emitting Phosphors

Rare‐earth‐doped aluminosilicates of alkaline earth MgAl₂Si₂O₈: Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺ and MgAl₂Si₂O₈: Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺ were synthesized by the solid state reaction method at 1300 ^oC. The phosphors were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), thermoluminescence (TL) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X‐ray powder diffraction studies show that the phosphors were crystallized in the triclinic crystal system. The phosphors show characteristic broad band phosphorescence of Eu³⁺. This broad band phosphorescence has red emission bands in the range of 580–705 nm corresponding to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_j (j:0,2,3,4) transitions of Eu³⁺.     

Structural Evolution and Effect of the Neighboring Cation on the Photoluminescence of Sr(LiAl3)1−x(SiMg3)xN4:Eu2+ Phosphors

In this study, a series of Sr(LiAl₃)_1?x(SiMg₃)_xN₄:Eu²⁺ (SLA‐SSM) phosphors were synthesized by a solid‐solution process. The emission peak maxima of SLA‐SSM range from 615 nm to 680 nm, which indicates structural differences in these materials. ⁷Li solid‐state NMR spectroscopy was utilized to distinguish between the Li(1)N₄ and Li(2)N₄ tetrahedra in SLA‐SSM. Differences in the coordination environments of the two Sr sites were found which explain the unexpected luminescent properties. Three discernible morphologies were detected by scanning electron microscopy. Temperature‐dependent photoluminescence and decay times were used to understand the diverse environments of europium ions in the two strontium sites Sr1 and Sr2, which also support the NMR analysis. Moreover, X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure studies reveal that the Eu²⁺ concentration in SLA‐SSM is much higher than that in in SrLiAl₃N₄:Eu²⁺ and SrSiMg₃N₄:Eu²⁺ phosphors. Finally, an overall mechanism was proposed to explain the how the change in photoluminescence is controlled by the size of the coordinated cation.     

Ultra‐Narrow‐Band Blue‐Emitting Oxoberyllates AELi2[Be4O6]:Eu2+ (AE=Sr,Ba) Paving the Way to Efficient RGB pc‐LEDs

Highly efficient phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diodes (pc‐LEDs) are popular in lighting and high‐tech electronics applications. The main goals of present LED research are increasing light quality, preserving color point stability and reducing energy consumption. For those purposes excellent phosphors in all spectral regions are required. Here, we report on ultra‐narrow band blue emitting oxoberyllates AELi₂[Be₄O₆]:Eu²⁺ (AE=Sr,Ba) exhibiting a rigid covalent network isotypic to the nitridoalumosilicate BaLi₂[(Al₂Si₂)N₆]:Eu²⁺. The oxoberyllates’ extremely small Stokes shift and unprecedented ultra‐narrow band blue emission with fwhm ≈25 nm (≈1200 cm^?1) at λ_em=454–456 nm result from its rigid, highly condensed tetrahedra network. AELi₂[Be₄O₆]:Eu²⁺ allows for using short‐wavelength blue LEDs (λ_em<440 nm) for efficient excitation of the ultra‐narrow band blue phosphor, for application in violet pumped white RGB phosphor LEDs with improved color point stability, excellent color rendering, and high energy efficiency.     

Reduction of Eu to Eu in MAl2Si2O8 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) in air condition

In general, the reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in solids needs an annealing process in a reducing atmosphere. In this paper, it is of great interest and importance to find that the reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ can be realized in a series of alkaline-earth metal aluminum silicates MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) just in air condition. The Eu²⁺-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) powder samples were prepared in air atmosphere by Pechini-type sol-gel process. It was found that the strong band emissions of 4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷ from Eu²⁺ were observed at 417, 404 and 373 nm in air-annealed CaAl₂Si₂O₈, SrAl₂Si₂O₈ and BaAl₂Si₂O₈, respectively, under ultraviolet excitation although the Eu³⁺ precursors were employed. In addition, under low-voltage electron beam excitation, Eu²⁺-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ also shows strong blue or ultraviolet emission corresponding to 4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷ transition. The reduction mechanism from Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in these compounds has been discussed in detail.     

The Binary Silicides Eu5Si3 and Yb3Si5 – Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Chemical Bonding

The binary silicides Eu₅Si₃ and Yb₃Si₅ were prepared from the elements in sealed tantalum tubes and their crystal structures were determined from single crystal X-ray data: I4/mcm, a = 791.88(7) pm, c = 1532.2(2) pm, Z = 4, wR2 = 0.0545, 600 F² values, 16 variables for Eu₅Si₃ (Cr₅B₃-type) and P62m, a = 650.8(2) pm, c = 409.2(1) pm, Z = 1, wR2 = 0.0427, 375 F² values, 12 variables for Yb₃Si₅ (Th₃Pd₅ type). The new silicide Eu₅Si₃ contains isolated silicon atoms and silicon pairs with a Si–Si distance of 242.4 pm. This silicide may be described as a Zintl phase with the formula [5 Eu²⁺]¹⁰⁺[Si]^4–[Si₂]^6–. The silicon atoms in Yb₃Si₅ form a two-dimensional planar network with two-connected and three-connected silicon atoms. According to the Zintl-Klemm concept the formula of homogeneous mixed-valent Yb₃Si₅ may to a first approximation be written as [3 Yb]⁸⁺[2 Si^–]^2–[3 Si^2–]^6–. Magnetic susceptibility investigations of Eu₅Si₃ show Curie-Weiss behaviour above 100 K with a magnetic moment of 7.85(5) μ_B which is close to the free ion value of 7.94 μ_B for Eu²⁺. Chemical bonding in Eu₅Si₃ and Yb₃Si₅ was investigated by semi-empirical band structure calculations using an extended Hückel hamiltonian. The strongest bonding interactions are found for the Si–Si contacts followed by Eu–Si and Yb–Si, respectively. The main bonding characteristics in Eu₅Si₃ are antibonding Si1₂-π* and bonding Eu–Si1 states at the Fermi level. The same holds true for the silicon polyanion in Yb₃Si₅.     

Glucose Biosensor Based on Silicon Nitride Nanoparticles

For the first time silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) nanoparticles was used for preparation electrochemical biosensor. GOx immobilized on the Si₃N₄ nanoparticles exhibits facile and direct electrochemistry. The surface coverage and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) of immobilized GOx were 6.3×10^?13 mol cm^?2 and 47.4±0.3 s^?1. The sensitivity, linear concentration range and detection limit of the biosensor for glucose detection were 38.57 µA mM^?1 cm^?2, 25 µM to 8 mM and 6.5 µM, respectively. This biosensor also exhibits good stability, reproducibility and long life time. These indicate Si₃N₄ nanoparticles is good candidate material for construction of third generation biosensor and bioelectronics devices.