Gamma ray interactions with MoO3-doped lead phosphate glasses

The UV–Visible, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of undoped lead phosphate and MoO₃-doped glassy samples have been investigated. The UV–VIS absorption spectra were re-measured after successive gamma irradiation. Before irradiation, undoped sample exhibited strong ultraviolet absorption, which was attributed to co-absorption due to trace iron impurities (mainly Fe³⁺ ions) and lead Pb²⁺ ions. With the introduction of MoO₃ in progressive amounts, extra visible bands were recorded at about 400–440, 540, 750 and 870?nm. These bands are most likely correlated with the presence of Mo³⁺, Mo⁴⁺ and Mo⁵⁺ ions in the host glass. In the undoped specimen, gamma irradiation produced UV absorption bands that increased slightly with irradiation but no visible bands were recorded. Samples containing high MoO₃ content showed some resistance to irradiation with no bands in the visible region being observed. FTIR absorption spectra of the undoped and MoO₃-doped samples revealed the formation of metaphosphate and pyrophosphate structural units. Highly MoO₃-doped samples exhibited additional bands due to molybdate groups. Raman and ESR spectra were in agreement with UV–VIS and IR data, indicating the presence of molybdenum ions in lead phosphate glass, as Mo³⁺, Mo⁴⁺ and Mo⁶⁺ with different ratios. However, such glassy systems favor the trivalent species.     

Investigation of photochromic cluster systems based on molybdenum oxides by ESR spectroscopy

The electron-spin resonance (ESR) spectra of cluster polyoxometalate systems—a finely dispersed powder of the (NH₄)₆[Mo₇O₂₄]-citrie acid complex, molybdic acid, and molybdenum(VI) oxide—are investigated. The initial samples are colored under exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (photochromic effect) and thermal annealing. The ESR signal (g _⊥ = 1.94, g _‖ = 1.92) which is observed for the (NH₄)₆[Mo₇O₂₄]-citric acid photocolored samples corresponds to an electron of the molybdenum atom. This is in agreement with the data derived from the electronic spectrum. In addition, the (NH₄)₆[Mo₇O₂₄]-citric acid colored system exhibits an ESR signal (g=2.02) which corresponds to a hole at the organic ligand. This confirms the previously advanced model of intramolecular electron transfer under UV irradiation. The thermally colored molybdic acid has a similar ESR spectrum (g=1.88, 1.92, 1.93, and 1.98). For the other samples, the ESR signal is not observed. It is demonstrated that an unpaired electron of molybdenum atoms is substantially delocalized over all metal atoms in the cluster.     

Structural and electronic properties of the LiNiPO4 orthophosphate

Microcrystalline LiNiPO₄ powders have been prepared by solid-state reaction using various precursors. Characterization of the structure and morphology of powders was performed using XRD, SEM, HRTEM, Raman, and FTIR. The electronic properties of materials were investigated by SQUID and ESR. The LiNiPO₄ material adopts the olivine-like structure (Pnma S.G.). Analysis of the Raman and FTIR spectra figures out, with the aid of a molecular vibration model, the bonding between NiO₆ octahedral and (PO₄)^3? tetrahedral groups. The electronic configuration and the local cationic arrangement are confirmed by magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance spectroscopy.     

Effect of the thermal and hydrothermal treatment on textural properties of Zr-MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve

Zr-containing mesoporous molecular sieves were synthesized by hydrothermal method using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide as a template and sodium silicate and zirconium sulfate as raw materials. The structure and morphology of the synthesized samples were characterized via various physicochemical methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (²⁹Si MAS-NMR) techniques, thermal gravimetric-differential scanning calorimeter (TG-DSC) and N₂ physical adsorption, respectively. The effect of the different initial ZrO₂:SiO₂ molar ratio, the different thermal treatment temperature and the different hydrothermal treatment time on textural property was investigated. The experimental results reveal that the as synthesized samples possess a typical mesoporous structure of MCM-41. On the other hand, the specific surface area and pore volume of the synthesized Zr-MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve decrease with the increase of the amount of zirconium incorporated in the starting material, the rise of thermal treatment temperature and the prolonging of hydrothermal treatment time, the mesoporous ordering becomes poor. Also, when the molar ratio of ZrO₂:SiO₂ in the starting material is 0.1, the mesoporous structure of the Zr-MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve still retains after calcination at 750 °C for 3 h or hydrothermal treatment at 100 °C for 6 d, and have specific surface areas of 423.9 and 563.9 m²/g, respectively.     

Effect of surface charge on the colloidal stability and in vitro uptake of carboxymethyl dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles

An easy and novel routine are reported for the preparation of metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with controlled morphology, using Na⁺–magadiite swelled with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTA⁺–magadiite) and a layered aluminophosphate with kanemite-type structure modified with n-dodecylammonium and n-butylammonium (but,dod-AlPO-kan) as hosts. For the preparation of the metallic AgNPs (Ag⁰) in the interlamellar space, the CTA⁺–magadiite and but,dod-AlPO-kan hosts were dispersed in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution with different AgNO₃ concentrations. DMF acts as reducing agent of Ag⁺ ions leading to nanoparticles with disk-like morphology of magadiite silicate; these were characterized by TEM and UV–Vis spectroscopy. On the other hand, the AgNPs are intercalated in but,dod-AlPO-kan showing spherical-like morphology. The UV–Vis spectra of the nanocomposites based on Ag⁰ and magadiite silicate show bands at 565 nm that can be attributed to Ag⁰ nanodisks. The Ag-but,dod-AlPO-kan-based nanocomposites present a band at 422 nm attributed to the surface plasmon resonance of Ag⁰ nanospheres. The results of transmission electron microscopy agree very well with XRD and UV–Vis analysis, indicating the formation of AgNPs with different morphologies using the two kinds of lamellar materials. The magadiite host has an important role in the synthesis of Ag nanodisks, because it controls the growth of nanoparticles inside the interlayer region with disk-like morphology due the high interlayer interactions of the silicate, leading to the growth of nanoparticles in only two directions (xy plane). On the other hand, when but,dod-AlPO-kan is used a sphere-like morphology is preferred due the best accommodation of AgNPs between the layers of aluminophosphate host.     

Dielectronic recombination rate for the Be-sequence

The dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficient α^DR is explicitly calculated for the Mo, Fe, Ar, and Ox target ions of the Be-sequence with four electrons, in the isolated resonance approximation. This work extends the previous study of the Mo³⁸⁺ ions at 1.4, 2.8, and 5.6 keV electron temperatures. Both Δn≠0 and Δn = 0 transitions are considered in detail. The Δn≠0 contribution still dominates, but the Δn = 0 effect becomes quite large for heavy ions. An explicit LS coupling scheme is employed throughout for the dominant transitions calculated here, and contributions from many other intermediate states and cascade transitions are included by comparing the dominant contribution with the more complete Mo³⁸⁺ case and proportionately scaling their effect. Nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock wave functions are used in the evaluation of the Auger and radiative amplitudes, and the continuum wave functions are calculated using the Hartree-Fock direct potential and explicit nonlocal exchange potential. The scaling property of α^DR and its breakdown are examined, and an improved form of the phenomenological formula is proposed.     

Synthesis and characterization of ionic liquid-functionalized alumino-silicate MCM-41 hybrid mesoporous materials

Ionic liquid-functionalized alumino-silicate MCM-41 hybrid mesoporous materials have been synthesized with two-step approach, by means of in situ skeleton doping with aluminium and post surface grafting with N-methylimidazole ionic liquid groups. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), N₂ adsorption-desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, ²⁷Al and ¹³C MAS NMR spectra and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of NH₃. The results indicated that the bifunctionalized MCM-41 possessed ordered mesostructure. Aluminium was efficiently introduced into the framework of the mesostructure, generating Lewis and Brönsted acid sites. N-methylimidazole ionic liquid groups were covalently grafted onto the surface of mesoporous materials. The as-synthesized bifunctional MCM-41 showed good catalytic performance in the coupling reaction of CO₂ and propylene oxide.     

Template synthesis and characterisation of MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves containing various transition metal elements—TME (Cu,Fe, Nb,V, Mo)

A series of metallosilicates (transition metal elements—TME) MCM-41 (TME=Fe, Cu, Nb, V, Mo) mesoporous molecular sieves with variable Si/TME ratios have been synthesized and characterised by low temperature N₂ adsorption/desorption, XRD, XPS, H₂-TPR, FTIR combined with NO+NO₂ adsorption, diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy, and ESR study. All the materials exhibit hexagonal arrangement of uniform mesopores (with exception of CuMCM-41). Defect holes amid the nanochanels besides well-ordered mesopores characterise mainly Fe-containing materials, in which the highest TME loading was reached. Similar but smaller defects take place in NbMCM-41. The amount of TME included into MCM-41 structure under the preparation conditions used in this work changes in the order: Fe>Nb>Cu≫V≫Mo. This sequence is not related to the oxidation state of metals which was estimated in calcined materials as Fe³⁺, Nb⁵⁺, Cu²⁺, V⁵⁺, Mo⁶⁺. It does not also correlate with cation sizes in a simple way. The possibility of forming tetrahedral coordination seems to limit the TME incorporation into the MCM-41 skeleton if free metal cations are used in the gel (Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Nb⁵⁺). Al in the gel makes the isomorphously substitution of silicon by copper easier, but part of Cu occupies extra framework cationic positions in the final material.     

Neutron-transmutation doping of GaAs — as studied by ESR

Neutron (n⁰) transmutation doping of GaAs has been monitored by electron spin resonance (ESR). Strong evidence was obtained that, apart from fast neutron impact, As_Ga antisite defects are also created by the γ- and β-emissions following thermal n⁰-capture. The As_Ga defects, forming deep midgap states, anneal out at 500°C.     

Hyperfine structure of ESR spectra as a probe for heisenberg exchange couplings in nitroxide triradicals serving as building blocks for molecule-based ferrimagnets

A study on electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic determination of exchange interactions in organic oligoradicals is given. When the intramolecular exchange couplingJ between, unpaired electron spins in nitroxide-based oligoradicals falls within the order of 10 Oe (1 mK or 10^?3 cm^?1 forg=2), which is on the same order as the hyperfine couplingA of magnetic nuclei such as nitrogen atoms of nitroxide radicals, the magnitude ofJ can be determined from the hyperfine splitting pattern of ESR spectra in solutions. This range of the exchange couplingJ is not detectable in conventional magnetic susceptibility measurements. We demonstrate an application of hyperfine ESR spectroscopy as a probe for the exchange coupling to a series of organic oligoradicals, which the authors have recently developed as building blocks for molecule-based magnetic materials.     

Absorption,luminescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance of molybdenum ions in CdWO4

A single crystal of cadmium tungstate (CdWO₄) containing approximately 200 ppm of molybdenum was grown by the Czochralski method and then characterized in a series of optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL), photoluminescence excitation (PLE), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments. The Mo⁶⁺ ions substitute for W⁶⁺ ions and serve as recombination sites for electrons and holes when the crystal is exposed to ionizing radiation. A charge-transfer absorption band for the Mo⁶⁺ ions was observed near 320 nm at 10 K. The PL experiments, performed at low temperature with 325 nm excitation, showed a Mo-associated emission peaking near 680 nm. A direct correlation of the 680 nm emission and the 320 nm absorption band was established by the PLE data. When these doped CdWO₄ crystals are exposed at low temperature either to light that is near or above the band gap or to X-rays, the Mo⁶⁺ ions can trap an electron and form stable Mo⁵⁺ ions. The EPR spectrum of the Mo⁵⁺ ions was observed at temperatures near 15 K, and a complete set of parameters describing the g matrix was obtained from an angular dependence study.     

The instant-direct-templating synthesis of phenyl-functionalized HOM-type mesoporous silica materials

Two kinds of novel phenyl-functionalized mesoporous silica materials have fabricated for the first time by an instant-direct-templating method using poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) and tetraethyl orthosilicate as surfactant template and precursor, respectively. Samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, N₂ adsorption-desorption, scanning electron micrography and transmission electron micrography. The results show that phenyl groups are attached covalently to the pore wall of mesoporous materials after modification. The functionalized materials still preserve a desirable ordered hexagonal P6mm and cubic Ia3d mesophase structure, respectively, have high specific surface area, large pore volume and narrow pore size distribution.     

Induced crystallization and the physical properties of PbO–Sb2O3–As2O3: MoO3 glass system

PbO–Sb₂O₃–As₂O₃ glasses mixed with different concentrations of MoO₃ (ranging from 0 to 1.0 mol%) were crystallized. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and differential thermal analysis techniques. The X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopic studies have revealed the presence of Pb₅Sb₂O₈, PbSb₂O₆, SbAsO₄, Sb₂MoO₆, Sb₄Mo₁₀O₃₁, As₄Mo₃O₁₅, Pb₅Sb₄O₁₁ crystalline phases in these samples. The differential thermal analysis indicated that the surface crystallization prevails over the bulk crystallization as the concentration of the crystallizing agent is increased. The infrared (IR) spectral studies exhibit bands due to MoO₄ structural units in addition to the conventional bands due to various antimonate and arsenate structural groups. The studies on PbO–Sb₂O₃–As₂O₃: MoO₃ glass-ceramics with respect to various physical properties viz., dielectric properties over a range of frequency and temperature, optical absorption, electron spin resonance (ESR) and magnetic susceptibility at room temperature have also been reported. The optical absorption, ESR and magnetic susceptibility studies indicated that the molybdenum ions exist in Mo⁵⁺ state in addition to Mo⁶⁺ state in these samples. The redox ratio found to increase as the concentration of the MoO₃ is increased. The variations observed in all these properties with the concentration of the crystallizing agent have been analyzed in the light of different oxidation states and environment of molybdenum ions in the glass ceramic network.     

Synthesis of multi-wall carbon nanotubes by the pyrolysis of ethanol on Fe/MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves

Ordered hexagonal arrangement MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves were synthesized by the traditional hydrothermal method, and Fe-loaded MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves (Fe/MCM-41) were prepared by the wet impregnation method. Their mesoporous structures were testified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the N₂ physical adsorption technique. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method via the pyrolysis of ethanol at atmospheric pressure using Fe/MCM-41 as a catalytic template. The effect of different reaction temperatures ranging from 600 to 800 ^°C on the formation of CNTs was investigated. The resulting carbon materials were characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with an internal diameter of ca. 7.7 nm and an external diameter of ca. 16.9 nm were successfully obtained by the pyrolysis of ethanol at 800 ^°C utilizing Fe/MCM-41 as a catalytic template.     

Theoretical study of small Mo clusters and molecular nitrogen adsorption on Mo clusters

This paper studies the small molybdenum clusters of Mo_n (n=2--8) and their adsorption of N₂ molecule by using the density functional theory (DFT) with the generalized gradient approximation. The optimized structures of Mo_n clusters show the onset of a structural transition from a close-packed structure towards a body-centred cubic structure occurred at n=7. An analysis of adsorption energies suggests that the Mo₂ is of high inertness and Mo₆ cluster is of high activity against the adsorption of N₂. Calculated results indicate that the N₂ molecule prefers end-on mode by forming a linear or quasi-linear structure Mo--N--N, and the adsorption of nitrogen on molybdenum clusters is molecular adsorption with slightly elongated N--N bond. The electron density of highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and the partial density of states of representative cluster are also used to characterize the adsorption properties of N₂ on the sized Mo_n clusters.     

Preparation, characterization, and luminescence properties of novel hybrid material containing europium(III) complex covalently bonded to MCM-41

In this paper, a novel luminescent organic-inorganic hybrid material containing covalently bonded ternary europium complex in mesoporous silica MCM-41 has been successfully prepared by co-condensation of tetrethoxysilane (TEOS) and the modified ligand 2-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phen-3-(triethoxysilyl)propylcarbamate (PIP-Si) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant as template. PIP-Si containing 1,10-phenanthroline covalently grafted to 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate is used not only as a precursor but also as the second ligand for Eu(TTA)₃·2H₂O (TTA: 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetate) complex to prepare a novel functionalized mesoporous material. The resulted mesoporous composite materials, which demonstrate strong characteristic emission lines of Eu³⁺⁵D₀-⁷F_J (J=0, 1, 2, 3, 4), were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), small-angle X-ray diffraction, excited-state decay analysis. Emission intensity of the Eu(III) complex covalently linked to MCM-41 (Eu-MCM-41) increases with the increasing irradiation time, demonstrating better photostability compared with both pure Eu(III) complex and physically incorporated sample.     

Layer by layer growth of silver chloride nanoparticle within the pore channels of SBA-15/SO3H mesoporous silica (AgClNP/SBA-15/SO3K): Synthesis,characterization and antibacterial properties

The growth of silver chloride nanoparticles within the pore channels of functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous was achieved by sequential dipping steps in alternating bath of potassium chloride and silver nitrate under ultrasound irradiation at pH=9. The effects of sequential dipping steps in growth of the AgCl nanoparticles have been studied. The growth and formation of AgCl nanoparticles inside the sulfonated SBA-15 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antibacterial activity of the synthesized materials was investigated against Escherichia coli (E.coli) using the conventional diffusion-disc method. The materials showed high antibacterial activity.     

Spectroscopic and dielectric studies on PbO–MoO3–B2O3 glasses incorporating small concentrations of TiO2

This paper deals with the investigation of a variety of physical properties including dielectric constant (over a wide range of frequency and temperature), optical absorption, luminescence, electron spin resonance (ESR) and infrared spectra of a TiO₂-doped lead molybdenum borate glass system. The composition chosen for the study is 30PbO–4MoO₃–(66–x)B₂O₃:xTiO₂ (with x ranging from 0.2 to 2.0). Quantitative analysis of the results of this study shows that, when the content of TiO₂ is around 0.8 mol%, the titanium ions exist predominantly in the tetravalent state and occupy substitutional positions in the glass network. A substantial increase in the insulating strength of these glasses on TiO₂ doping has also been observed. When the concentration of TiO₂ is increased beyond 0.8 mol%, it is observed that titanium ions exist primarily in the Ti³⁺ state and molybdenum ions in the Mo⁵⁺ state; analysis of the results further suggests that both of these ions participate in the depolymerization of the glass network.     

Structural and electrochemical properties of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 material prepared by a two-step synthesis via oxalate precursor

LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ (LNMCO) powders were formed by a two-step synthesis including preparation of an oxalate precursor by ??chimie douce?? followed by a solid-state reaction with lithium hydroxide. The product was characterized by TG-DTA, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR), and SQUID magnetometry. XRD data revealed well-crystallized layered LNMCO with ??-NaFeO₂-type structure (R-3?m space group). Morphology studied by SEM and TEM shows submicronic particles of 400?C800?nm with a tendency to agglomerate. The local structure investigated by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman), ESR, and SQUID measurements confirms the well-crystallized lattice with a cation disorder of 2.6% Ni²⁺ ions in Li(3b) sites. Electrochemical tests were carried out in the potential range 2.5?C4.5?V vs. lithium metal on samples heated at 900?°C for 12?h. Initial discharge capacity is 154 mAh/g at C/5, while a capacity of 82 mAh/g is still delivered at 10 C by the two-step synthesized LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ as cathode material.     

ESR parameters of a series of La@C n isomers

A systematic characterization of a series of La@C _n by temperature-dependent electron spin resonance (ESR) in solution was performed. The anisotropic ESR parameters of theg-factor, the hyperfine coupling tensor, and nuclear quadrupole interaction were determined by a quantitative analysis of the linewidth on the basis of the hydrodynamics in solution. As a result, it was found that the electronic structure of all La@C _n was stabilized by an intramolecular charge transfer and can be described as La³⁺@C _n ^3? . An interesting feature of the spin dynamics beyond the hydrodynamics in solution was deduced for La@C₈₀-I and La@C₈₄-II.