TSL, OSL and ESR studies in ZnAl2O4:Tb phosphor

ZnAl₂O₄:Tb phosphor was prepared by combustion synthesis. ZnAl₂O₄:Tb exhibits three thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) peaks around 150, 275 and 350 °C. ZnAl₂O₄:Tb exhibits optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) when stimulated with 470 nm light.Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to identify defect centres responsible for TSL peaks observed in ZnAl₂O₄:Tb. Two defect centres are identified in irradiated ZnAl₂O₄:Tb phosphor and these centres are assigned to V and F⁺ centres. V centre appears to correlate with the 150 °C TSL peak, while F⁺ centre could not be associated with the observed TSL peaks.     

First-principles study of the structural,mechanical and electronic properties of ZnX2O4（X=Al,Cr and Ga）

This paper performs first-principles calculations to study the structural,mechanical and electronic properties of the spinels ZnAl2O4 ,ZnGa2O4 and ZnCr2O4 ,using density functional theory with the plane-wave pseudopotential method. Our calculations are in good agreement with previous theoretical calculations and the available experimental data. The studies in this paper focus on the evolution of the mechanical properties of ZnAl2O4 ,ZnGa2O4 and ZnCr2O4 under hydrostatic pressure. The results show that the cubic phases of ZnAl2O4 ,ZnGa2O4 and ZnCr2O4 become unstable at about 50 GPa,40 GPa and 25 GPa,respectively. From analysis of the band structure of the three compounds at equilibrium volume,it obtains a direct band gap of 4.35 eV for ZnAl2O4 and 0.89 eV for ZnCr2O4 ,while ZnGa2O4 has an indirect band gap of 2.73 eV.     

Resonance paramagnetique electronique du manganese divalent dans ZnAl2O4

The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of a single crystal of ZnAl₂O₄ (spinel structure) doped with manganese displays a fine structure characteristic of a purely cubic crystal field. Contrary to MgAl₂O₄: Mn²⁺, where the degree of inversion is sizable, ZnAl₂O₄ therefore is a normal spinel.     

Characterization of the metallic phase in nanocrystalline ZnAl2O4-supported Pt catalysts

In this study several complementary methods as XRD, HRTEM, O₂ and H₂ adsorption, as well as H₂-O₂ titration were used for characterization of the metallic phase in 0.5-3.0 wt.% Pt/ZnAl₂O₄ catalysts. Three nanocrystalline ZnAl₂O₄ spinels used as a supports were prepared by the solvothermal and co-precipitation method. It was found that irrespective of the preparation method they form very good support materials with a high capacity to achieve high platinum dispersion. O₂ and H₂ chemisorption data showed metal dispersion up to 90% and good correspondence with HRTEM results was observed. The H₂-O₂ titration method may be applied for determination of Pt dispersion only in the high-loaded Pt/ZnAl₂O₄ catalysts. The catalytic performances of Pt supported on the prepared spinels were evaluated in the propane total oxidation reaction.     

Synthesis of ZnAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> complex substrates and growth of GaN films

With the solid phase reaction between pulsed-laser-deposited (PLD) ZnO film and α-Al₂O₃ substrate, ZnAl₂O₄/α-Al₂O₃ complex substrates were synthesized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra show that as the reaction proceeds, ZnAl₂O₄ changes from the initial (111)-oriented single crystal to poly-crystal, and then to inadequate (111) orientation. Corresponding scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicate that the surface morphology of ZnAl₂O₄ transforms from uniform islands to stick structures, and then to bulgy-line structures. In addition, XRD spectra present that ZnAl₂O₄ prepared at low temperature is unstable at the environment of higher temperature. On the as-obtained ZnAl₂O₄/α-Al₂O₃ substrates, GaN films were grown without any nitride buffer using light-radiation heating low-pressure MOCVD (LRH-LP-MOCVD). XRD spectra indicate that GaN film on this kind of complex substrate changes fromc-axis single crystal to poly-crystal as ZnAl₂O₄ layer is thickened. For the single crystal GaN, its full width at half maximum (FWHM) of X-ray rocking curve is 0.4°. Results indicate that islands on thin ZnAl₂O₄ layer can promote nucleation at initial stage of GaN growth, which leads to the (0001)-oriented GaN film.     

Nanostructures and magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) fabricated by electrospinning

This paper describes the fabrication of cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanostructures (in the form of nanofibers and nanoparticles) by the electrospinning method using a solution that contained poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and cheap Co and Fe nitrates as metal sources. The as-spun and calcined CoFe₂O₄/PVP composite samples were characterized by TG-DTA, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, SEM and TEM, respectively. After calcination of the as-spun CoFe₂O₄/PVP composite nanofibers (fiber size of 320±48 nm in diameter) at 500, 600, and 800°C in air for 3 h with different heating rates of 5 or 20°C/min, either NiFe₂O₄ nanofibers of ∼10−200 nm in diameter or nanoparticles with particle sizes of ∼50−400 nm having a well-developed spinel structure were successfully obtained. The crystal structure and morphology of the nanofibers were influenced by the calcination temperature and heating rate. A faster heating rate allowed for a rapid removal of the PVP matrix and resulted in a complete change from fibrous structure to particle in the calcined CoFe₂O₄/PVP composite nanofibers. Room temperature magnetization results showed a ferromagnetic behavior of the calcined CoFe₂O₄/PVP composite nanofibers, having their hysteresis loops in the field range of ± 4500 and 3000 Oe for the samples calcined respectively with heating rates of 5 and 20°C/min. The values of the specific magnetization (M _s) at 10 kOe, remnant magnetization (M _r), M _r/M _s ratio, and coercive forces (H _c) are obtained from hysteresis loops. It was found that the values of M _s, M _r, M _r/M _s, and H _c depended strongly on morphology of the CoFe₂O₄ nanostructures.     

SrBi2Ta2O9/Bi4Ti3O12复合铁电薄膜的制备与特性研究

采用溶胶凝胶工艺在p-Si衬底上制备了SrBi₂Ta₂O₉/Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂复合铁电薄膜. 研究了SrBi₂Ta₂O₉/Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂复合薄膜的微观结构与生长行为、铁电性能和疲劳特性. 研究表明: Si衬底Bi₄Ti< 关键词： 2Ta₂O₉')" href="#">SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ 4Ti₃O₁₂')" href="#">Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ 复合铁电薄膜 溶胶凝胶工艺     

Surface properties, textural features and catalytic performance for NO + CO abatement of spinels MAl2O4 (M = Mg, Co and Zn) developed by reverse and bicontinuous microemulsion method

Three typical spinels of general formula MAl₂O₄ (M = Mg, Co and Zn) have been successfully prepared via a microemulsion method both in the reverse and bicontinuous state. The final solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction followed by Rietveld analysis, N₂ adsorption-desorption porosimetry and SEM. Pore connectivity (c) was also calculated with Seaton's method. The analysis of all these properties shown that spinels prepared via reverse microemulsion route have better surface and textural properties than bicontinuous ones. The spinels were tested for NO + CO reaction and reverse spinels shown better catalytic activity than bicontinuous ones while the full sequence of catalytic activity is: ZnAl₂O₄-r > ZnAl₂O₄-b > MgAl₂O₄-r > MgAl₂O₄-b > CoAl₂O₄-r > CoAl₂O₄-b. The Rietveld analysis helped us to give an explanation about the catalytic activity and shown that the configuration of inverse spinel phase is the critical factor for the catalytic behavior of final solids. The reactants NO and CO react in a 2:1 ratio at low temperature but they convert in a 1:1 ratio at high temperatures. From the kinetic analysis the heats of NO adsorption are estimated and are in full agreement with the results of catalytic activity.     

Effects of RE2O3 (RE = Tm, Sc, Yb) addition on the superconducting properties of ErBa2Cu3Oy

We investigated the effects of added Tm₂O₃, Sc₂O₃, and Yb₂O₃ on the superconducting properties of sintered Er123 samples. Tm₂O₃ addition caused the least T_c degradation, exhibiting a T_c above 90 K even for 17 vol% addition. Samples with added Sc₂O₃ maintained a T_c at above 90 K up to an addition of 7.2 vol%, while Yb₂O₃-containing samples showed a monotonic decrease in T_c with increased vol% of added Yb₂O₃. Tm₂O₃-containing samples exhibited a slight increase in J_c(0.1 T)/J_c(0) and had constant J_c values even for 17 vol% addition. XRD and SEM results indicate that the Tm₂O₃ is very stable in the superconducting matrix.     

Luminescence characterization and electron beam induced chemical changes on the surface of ZnAl2O4:Mn nanocrystalline phosphor

Luminescence characteristics and surface chemical changes of nanocrystalline Mn²⁺ doped ZnAl₂O₄ powder phosphors are presented. Stable green cathodoluminescence (CL) or photoluminescence (PL) with a maximum at ∼512 nm was observed when the powders were irradiated with a beam of high energy electrons or a monochromatic xenon lamp at room temperature. This green emission can be attributed to the ⁴T₁ → ⁶A₁ transitions of the Mn²⁺ ion. Deconvoluted CL spectra resulted in two additional emission peaks at 539 and 573 nm that may be attributed to vibronic sideband and Mn⁴⁺ emission, respectively. The luminescence decay of the Mn²⁺ 512 nm emission under 457 nm excitation is single exponential with a lifetime of 5.20 ± 0.11 ms. Chemical changes on the surface of the ZnAl₂O₄:Mn²⁺ phosphor during prolonged electron beam exposure were monitored using Auger electron spectroscopy. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to determine the chemical composition of the possible compounds formed on the surface as a result of the prolonged electron beam exposure. The XPS data suggest that the thermodynamically stable Al₂O₃ layer was formed on the surface and is possibly contributing to the CL stability of ZnAl₂O₄:Mn phosphor.     

Intrinsic Josephson junctions in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystals

We report on thec-axis superconducting energy gap parameter Δ _c (T) of intrinsic Josephson tunnel junctions inBi ₂ Sr ₂ CaCu ₂ O _8+δ (Bi2212) single crystals. Δ _c (4.2K)≈10−13 meV, which is approximately a factor of two smaller than reported in the majority of tunneling experiments. Δ _c (T) deviates strongly from the BCS temperature dependence. These observations may be explained by a multilayer model of Bi2212 which assumes that theBi−O layers are superconducting due to the proximity effects. The Josephson tunneling then takes place between adjacentBi−O layers while there is a strong proximity coupling betweenBi−O andCu−O layers. The work is supported by Swedish Supercon-ductivity Consortium and NUTEK, and, in part, by Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant #95-02-04307     

Temperature dependence of the critical current in YBa2Cu3O7−δ and Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8 Josephson junctions

We have studied the stationary Josephson effect on YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (T_c=90 K) and Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂ O₈ (T_c=80 Kand 87 Kfortwosamplesofdifferentorigin) ceramic based junctions. The temperature dependence of the critical current near T_c has been found as I_c≈(T_c-T) for the Y-Ba-Cu-O samples indicating that they should be classified as S-N-I-N-S type junctions. The I-V curves of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu samples show the typical behaviour of S-I-S structures. Using Ambegaokar-Baratoff's theory for Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈, the temperature dependence of the superconducting state gap Δ(T) was calculated and it was evaluated that 1.452Δ(0)/k_BT_c3.5.     

Effect of ZnAl2O4 coating on the compressive behaviors of aluminum borate whiskers-reinforced aluminum composites at elevated temperatures

Aluminum borate whiskers (ABOw) with or without ZnAl₂O₄ coating reinforced pure aluminum composites (ABOw/Al, ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al) were fabricated by squeeze casting. The effects of ZnAl₂O₄ coating on the compressive behaviors, microstructures, and matrix textures of the composites were investigated at different temperatures and strain rates. The results indicate that the maximum compressive flow stress of the composites almost linearly decreases with the increase in temperature. The maximum compressive flow stress of ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al composite is higher than that of ABOw/Al composite at the same temperature when the strain rate is larger, however, it is reversed when the strain rate is smaller. It is more serious for the fracture of whiskers in ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al composite than that in ABOw/Al composite at the high compressive strain rate. However, the average length of whiskers in ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al composite is larger than that in ABOw/Al composite at the low compressive strain rate. The strong matrix texture in ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al composite appears at the high compressive strain rate, however, it is observed in ABOw/Al composite at the low compressive strain rate.     

Vortex Excitations Above Tc in the Cuprate Superconductor Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 as Revealed by ESR

Using electron spin resonance (ESR) technique we have obtained data evidencing the existence of magnetic vortices in high-temperature superconductors at temperatures above the critical one T _c. We have studied magnetic excitations in Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ single crystals above T _c with the method of surface spin decoration. The surface layer of diphenylpicrylhydrazyl was used as a sensitive probe of magnetic field distortions. The temperature dependence of the ESR signal parameters has indicated that far above T _c the magnetic flux of a sample is affected by the superconducting order parameter fluctuations while close to T _c its changes are due to vortex-type excitations.     

Magnetic behavior and structural feature of quasi-one-dimensional BaCu2V2O8 crystal

Magnetic properties of BaCu₂V₂O₈ single crystals obtained by the spontaneous nucleation method using V₂O₅ as a self-flux are investigated. Singlet ground states with spin gaps of 215 and 223 K are observed along the directions parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis of the crystal, respectively, being in good agreement with powder sample measurements. Reinvestigation of the crystal structure reveals that the whole structural framework of BaCu₂V₂O₈ crystal can be described as an assembly of alternating chains, which are built by edge-sharing pairs of CuO₄ square-plaquettes and VO₄ tetrahedra along the c-axis. The magnetic nature of BaCu₂V₂O₈ is well understood based on this structural interpretation.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of barium-modified Aurivillius-type Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15

In this study, monophasic Ba_x(Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_1−xBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ (x=0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12) ceramics fabricated from the powders synthesized via the solid-state reaction route exhibited relaxor behavior. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the barium-modified Na_0.5Bi_4.5Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics have a pure four-layer Aurivillius phase structure. Dielectric properties and phase transitions were studied and are explained in terms of lattice response of these ceramics. A shift in ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition (T_c) to lower temperatures and a corresponding increase in permittivity peak with increasing concentration of Ba²⁺ are also observed. The decrease of orthorhombicity in the lattice structure by the larger Ba²⁺ ion incorporation, indicating an approach of a and b parameters, results in lower Curie temperature. The piezoelectric activity of Na_0.5Bi_4.5Ti₄O₁₅ (NBT) ceramics was significantly improved by the modification of barium. The Curie temperature T_c and piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ for the composition with x=0.12 were found to be 635 °C and 21 pC/N, respectively. The relationship of polarization with lattice response is discussed.     

Synthesis of urchin-like Co3O4 hierarchical micro/nanostructures and their photocatalytic activity

Urchin-like Co₃O₄ hierarchical micro/nanostructures have been successfully synthesized by calcining urchin-like precursor CoCO₃, which are prepared by a facile hydrothermal route. The particle size of the urchin-like Co₃O₄ could be easily controlled by altering the calcination temperature. The morphology and structure of the as-prepared urchin-like products were characterized by XRD, FESEM and TEM. Photocatalytic measurement demonstrates that these urchin-like Co₃O₄ micro/nanostructures show good photocatalytic effect and their degradation efficiency is strongly dependent on their particle size. Furthermore, a plausible reaction mechanism is also proposed to illustrate the photocatalytic processes of Co₃O₄.     

Luminescence properties of Ce and Tb co-activated ZnAl2O4 phosphor

In this study, a solution combustion method was used to prepare green emitting Ce³⁺–Tb³⁺ co-activated ZnAl₂O₄ phosphor. The samples were annealed at 700 °C in air or hydrogen atmosphere to improve their crystallinity and optical properties. X-ray diffraction study confirmed that both as-prepared and post-preparation annealed samples crystallized in the well known cubic spinel structure of ZnAl₂O₄. An agglomeration of irregular platelet-like particles whose surfaces were encrusted with smaller spheroidal particles was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fluorescence data collected from the annealed samples with different concentrations of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ show the enhanced green emission at 543 nm associated with ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transitions of Tb³⁺. The enhancement was attributed to energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺. Possible mechanism of energy transfer via a down conversion process is discussed. Furthermore, cathodoluminescence (CL) intensity degradation of this phosphor was also investigated and the degradation data suggest that the material was chemically stable and the CL intensity was also stable after 10 h of irradiation by a beam of high energy electrons.     

三角对称下3d3离子2E态g因子性质研究

采用完全对角化方法,以尖晶石结构的ZnAl₂Ｏ₄:Cr^3＋,ZnGa₂Ｏ₄:Cr^3＋和MgAl₂Ｏ₄:Cr^3＋系列晶体为例,联系晶格局域结构,对三角对称下3d³离子²E态g因子性质进行了研究.研究中考虑了包括自旋与自旋相互作用、自旋与另一轨 关键词： 2E态g因子')" href="#">²E态g因子 3离子')" href="#">3d³离子 尖晶石结构 磁相互作用     

Vortex states in mesoscopic single crystals Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ in high magnetic fields

The c-axis resistivity measurements were performed in the vicinity of the ab-plane in order to investigate the interaction between Josephson vortices and pancake vortices in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ mesoscopic single crystals. It was found that the angular dependence of the c-axis resistivity drastically changes in high magnetic field regime. The vortex lock-in transition becomes considerably broad in high magnetic fields, while the angular dependence of resistance exhibits the sharp lock-in features in low magnetic field region.