Synthesis, crystal structure and optical investigation of the new phosphates: Na7Mg13Ln(PO4)12 (Ln=La, Eu)

Two new isostructural rare earth phosphates Na₇Mg₁₃Ln(PO₄)₁₂ (Ln=La, Eu) have been synthesized and investigated by X-ray diffraction and optical measurements. They crystallize in the orthorhombic system with the Cmc2₁ space group (Z=4). The crystal structure exhibits a new type of framework built up from LnO₈ (Ln=La, Eu), MO₆ (M=0.5Mg+0.5Na) and MgO_x (x=5, 6) polyhedra and PO₄ tetrahedra linked by common corner, edge or face. It can be described in terms of [Mg₄MP₄O₂₂]_∞ layers stacked along the a direction. These layers are interconnected by [Mg₄LnP₄O₃₆]_∞ undulating chains spreading along the b direction. This framework delimits 6 distinct cavities occupied by Na⁺ cations. The results of the optical study of Na₇Mg₁₃La_1−xEu_x(PO₄)₁₂ (x=0, 0.02, 0.1, 1) reveal the presence of two different Eu³⁺ ion environments whereas the X-ray study predicts the existence of only one Eu site. This difference can be explained by the possible presence of the europium element in the sodium sites with small occupancies which cannot be detected by the X-ray structural determination.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of the high-brightness Eu-doped M2Gd4(MoO4)7 (M=Li, Na) red phosphors

A series of red-emitting phosphors Eu³⁺-doped M₂Gd₄(MoO₄)₇ (M=Li, Na) have been successfully synthesized at 850 °C by solid state reaction. The excitation spectra of the two phosphors reveal two strong excitation bands at 396 nm and 466 nm, respectively, which match well with the two popular emissions from near-UV and blue light-emitting diode chips. The intensity of the emission from ⁵D₀ to ⁷F₂ of M₂(Gd_1−xEu_x)₄(MoO₄)₇ phosphors with the optimal compositions of x=0.85 for Li or x=0.70 for Na is about five times higher than that of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺. The quantum efficiencies of the entitled phosphors excited under 396 nm and 466 nm are also investigated and compared with commercial phosphors Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺ and Y₃A₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺. The experimental results indicate that the Eu³⁺-doped M₂Gd₄(MoO₄)₇ (M=Li, Na) phosphors are promising red-emitting phosphors pumped by near-UV and blue light.     

Solid-state synthesis, characterization and luminescent properties of Eu-doped gadolinium tungstate and molybdate phosphors: Gd(2−x)MO6:Eux (M=W, Mo)

Red phosphors gadolinium tungstate and molybdate with the formula Gd_(2−x)MO₆:Eu_x³⁺ (M=Mo, W) were successfully synthesized by the solid-state reaction at 900 and 1300 °C for 4 h, respectively. The products were characterized by an X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), TG-DSC, FT-IR, PL, UV-vis and SEM. Room-temperature photoluminescence indicated that the as-prepared Gd_(2−x)MO₆:Eu_x³⁺ (M=Mo, W) had a strong red emission, which is due to the characteristic transitions of Eu³⁺ (⁵D₀→⁷F_J, J=0, 1, 2, 3, 4) for these phosphors. Meanwhile, the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ is in the dominant position. The emission quantum efficiency of Eu³⁺ in the Gd_(2−x)MO₆:Eu_x³⁺ (M=Mo, W) system has been investigated. The XRD results indicate that both Gd₂WO₆ and Gd₂MoO₆ belong to the monoclinic system with space group C2/c [A. Bril, G. Blasse, J. Chem. Phys. 45 (1966) 2350-2356] and I2/a [A. Bril, G. Blasse, J. Chem. Phys. 45 (1966) 2350-2356], respectively. SEM images indicate that the shape of Gd_1.96WO₆:Eu_0.04³⁺ is aggregated small particles with a mean diameter of about 300 nm, and the shape of Gd_1.96MoO₆:Eu_0.04³⁺ is block-like structures.     

Magnetism of Metallic Molecular Crystals with Rare-Earth Complex Anions

Novel molecular metal salts comprising an organic donor 2,5-bis(1, 3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6- tetrathiapentalene (BDT-TTP) and lanthanide nitrato complex anions [M(NO₃)_y]^−(y−3) were synthesized as the composition (BDT-TTP)_x[M(NO₃)_y]. Attempts on X-ray crystal structure analyses gave rise to a detection of two polymorphs. One of the polymorph, which had a composition of (BDT-TTP)₅[M(NO₃)₅] for M= Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd, was analyzed in detail. Five crystallographically independent BDT-TTP molecules were stacked face-to-face to form a pentad, which was jointed one after another by crystallographic inversion centers into a one-dimensional column. The calculated overlap integrals of the highest occupied molecular orbitals revealed that not only intracolumnar orbital overlaps but also transverse intermolecular interactions were important in the electronic band formation. Consequently, the system has two-dimensional Fermi surfaces that explain the stable metallic states. Magnetic measurements on the four salts, with M= Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd, showed Curie paramagnetic moments on rare-earth ions which were superimposed on the Pauli paramagnetism of metallic π electrons. Especially, the magnetic susceptibility of the isolated Eu³⁺ ion was written using Curie term and extremely large Van Vleck term.     

Study of the cation distributions in Eu doped Sr2Y8(SiO4)6O2 by X-ray diffraction and photoluminescent spectra

The crystal structure and photoluminescent properties of europium doped silicate Sr₂Y₈(SiO₄)₆O₂:Eu³⁺ are reported. The Sr₂Y_8−xEu_x(SiO₄)₆O₂ compounds have typical apatite crystal structures with the P6₃/m space group. The distributions of Eu³⁺ between the two crystallographic sites 4f and 6h in the apatite structure are investigated by the powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement. Results show that Eu³⁺ ions only occupy the 4f sites when the Eu doping concentration is low (x=0-0.5 in Sr₂Y_8−xEu_x(SiO₄)₆O₂). However, in higher concentrations, Eu³⁺ ions begin to enter the 6h sites as well. The distributions of the Eu³⁺ are also reflected in photoluminescent spectra. The CIE coordinates for Sr₂Y₆Eu₂(SiO₄)₆O₂ are (0.63, 0.37), which is close to the pure red color.     

Les phases SrLnMnO4 (Ln = La,Nd, Sm,Gd), BaLnMnO4 (Ln = La,Nd) et M1+xLa1−xMnO4 (M = Sr,Ba)

The phases SrLnMnO₄ (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Gd), BaLnMnO₄ (Ln = La, Nd) and the solid solutions M_1+xLa_1?xMnO₄ (M = Sr: 0 ? x ? 1; M = Ba: 0 ? x ? 0.50) have a K₂NiF₄-type structure. The $\text{c}\text{a}$ ratio of the unit cell is related to the electronic configuration of the Mn³⁺ ions.     

Magnetic properties and Eu Mössbauer effects of mixed valence europium copper sulfide, Eu2CuS3

Ternary europium copper sulfide Eu₂CuS₃ have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and specific heat measurements. In this compound, Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions occupy two crystallographically independent sites. The ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectra indicate that the Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions exist in the molar ratio of 1:1, and the Debye temperatures of Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ are 180 and 220 K, respectively. In its magnetic susceptibility, the divergence between the zero-field cooled and field cooled susceptibilities appears below 3.4 K. The specific heat has a λ-type anomaly at the same temperature. From the field dependence of magnetization at 1.8 K, the Eu²⁺ ion was found to be in the ferromagnetic state with the saturation magnetization M_S=6.7 μ_B.     

Multiband orange-red photoluminescence of Eu ions in new “114” LnBaZn3GaO7 and LnBaZn3AlO7 oxides

A new series of gallozincates LnBaZn₃GaO₇ (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Y) and new aluminozincates LnBaZn₃AlO₇ (Ln=Y, Eu, Dy) have been synthesized. Their structure refinements show that these phases belong to the “114” series, with hexagonal P6₃mc space group previously described for SmBaZn₃AlO₇. The photoluminescence study of these oxides shows that the Eu³⁺ activated LnBaZn₃MO₇ oxides with Ln=Y, La, Gd; and M=Al, Ga exhibit strong magnetic and electric dipole transitions (multiband emission) which is of interest for white light production. These results also confirm that the site occupied by Eu³⁺ is not strictly centrosymmetric. The electric dipole transition intensity is the highest in GdBaZn₃MO₇ [M=Al, Ga]: 0.05Eu³⁺ as compared with other Eu³⁺ activated compositions. This is due to the layer distortion around GdO₆ octahedra when compared with YO₆ and LaO₆ octahedra.     

Crystal Structure and Luminescence of the [Eu(Phen)2(NO3)3] Complex. The Role of the Ion-Coactivator

The [Eu(Phen)₂(NO₃)₃] complex was synthesized via reaction of europium nitrate with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystals are monoclinic: a= 11.168(1), b= 17.976(2), c= 13.053(1) Å, = 100.577(2)°, space group C2/c, Z= 4, (calcd) = 1.801 g/cm³. The central europium atom coordinates (on a two-fold axis) six oxygen atoms of three nitrate groups with distances of 2.499(2), 2.502(2), and 2.542(2) Å and four nitrogen atoms of two phenanthroline molecules with distances of 2.542(2) and 2.593(2) Å. The influence of ion-coactivators on the luminescence of Eu³⁺in the [Eu _x M_{1 - x} (Phen)₂(NO₃)₃] complexes (M = Y, La, Nd, and Lu) is discussed.     

Magnetic phase transformation induced by electrochemical lithium intercalation in Li1 + x EuTiO4 and Li2 + 2x Eu2Ti3O10 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) compounds

Ion exchange of Li for Na in the layered compounds NaEuTiO₄ and Na₂Eu₂Ti₃O₁₀ transforms the (NaO)₂ rock-salt layers into Li₂O₂ antifluorite layers. Li can be inserted reversibly into the Li₂O₂ layers to reduce the Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺, not the Ti(IV) to Ti(III). An internal electric field perpendicular to the layers is reduced by Li insertion; this field induces a ferroic displacement of the Ti(IV) toward the alkali-ion layers that is eliminated as the internal electric field vanishes in Li_2?+?2x Eu₂Ti₃O₁₀ with x?≈?1. The spins of the (EuO)₂ and the (EuTiO₃)₂ bilayers of Li_1?+?x EuTiO₄ and Li_2?+?2x Eu₂Ti₃O₁₀ with x?≈?1 order at low temperature into ferromagnetic Eu–Eu chains that form a 2D ferromagnetic spiral spin configuration in zero magnetic field. The M-H curve shows zero coercivity and zero remanence, but the M of a polycrystalline sample rises to 4 μ_B/Eu in an H?=?1 T and approaches saturation above 5 μ_B/Eu in 5 T.     

Ca3(P x V1 − x O4)2: Eu3+ nanophosphor synthesis, controlled microstructure, and photoluminescence

In this paper, Eu³⁺-doped Ca₃(P _x V_{1 ? x} O₄)₂ (x = 0.1, 0.4, 0.7) nanophosphors were synthesized in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). The products present interesting and regular morphologies under the mild conditions. For Ca₃(P _x V_{1 ? x} O₄)₂: Eu³⁺, they have the similar phase and their morphologies vary with the content ratio of P to V. Furthermore, the luminescence behavior of Eu³⁺ has been investigated in this one kinds of matrices. In Ca₃(P _x V_{1 ? x} O₄)₂: Eu³⁺, the ⁵ D ₀-⁷ F ₂ emissions of Eu³⁺ were the strongest, indicating that the Eu³⁺ site is without inversion symmetry, the host compositions with different molar ratio of P to V have; great influence on the luminescent performance. Among those products, The value of I ₆₁₅/I ₅₉₃ for Eu³⁺ in Ca₃(P_0.7V_0.3O₄)₂ host lattice is the biggest. The substitution of PO ₄ ^3? for VO ₄ ^3? increase the ratio of surface Eu cations as well as the value of I ₆₁₅/I ₅₉₃ of Eu³⁺.     

Eu luminescence in La5Si2BO13 with apatite related structure and magnetic studies in Ln5Si2BO13 (Ln=Gd, Dy)

Eu³⁺ photoluminescence is studied in La₅Si₂BO₁₃ with apatite related structure. La_5−xEu_xSi₂BO₁₃ [x=0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 2.0] compositions are synthesized. The emission results shows that Eu³⁺ ions occupy two different cationic sites viz., La(1) and La(2). The increase in the intensity of ⁵D₀-⁷F₀ line with increasing Eu³⁺ content shows the preferential occupancy of Eu³⁺ in La(2) site due to the existence of short La(2)-O(4) (free oxide ion) bond. The observation of antiferromagnetic interactions in Gd and Dy analogues supports the structural features elucidates from photoluminescence studies.     

Synthesis of the complex fluoride LiBaF3 and optical spectroscopy properties of LiBaF3:M(M=Eu,Ce) through a solvothermal process

The complex fluoride LiBaF₃ and LiBaF₃:M(M=Eu, Ce) is solvothermally synthesized at 180°C and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. In the solvothermal process, the solvents, molar ratios of initial mixtures and reaction temperature play important roles in the formation of products. The excitation and emission spectra of the LiBaF₃:M(M=Eu,Ce) have been measured by fluorescence spectrophotometer. In the LiBaF₃:Eu emission spectra, there is one sharp line emission located at 360 nm arising from f→f transition of Eu²⁺ in the host lattice, and typical doublet 5d-4f emission of Ce³⁺ in LiBaF₃ powder is shown.     

Multiple magnetic phase transitions,dilute Fe hyperfine fields and europium valence instabilities in RMn2Si2-xGex,R=rare earth

Mössbauer studies of dilute⁵⁷Fe and¹⁵¹Eu in RMn₂Si_2-xGe_x (R=La, Sm, Eu and Gd) at temperatures 4.2 K to 480 K have been performed. The diamagnetic iron and europium reveal the magnetic order of the Mn and rare earth sublattices through transferred hyperfine interactions. The⁵⁷Fe studies show that in LaMn₂Si₂, LaMn₂Ge₂, and SmMn₂Ge₂ the Mn is magnetically ordered above the known Curie temperatures, and the compounds are antiferromagnets up to T_N=470 K, 415 K and 385 K respectively. Studies of¹⁵¹Eu in R_1-xEu_xMn₂Si₂, (R=La, Gd) display Eu subspectra corresponding to Eu²⁺, Eu³⁺ and intermediate valant Eu. All display large magnetic hyperfine fields.     

Eu luminescence—a structural probe in BiCa4(PO4)3O, an apatite related phosphate

Eu³⁺ luminescence is studied in apatite-related phosphate BiCa₄(PO₄)₃O. Compositions of the formula Bi_1−xEu_xCa₄(PO₄)₃O [x=0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0] are synthesized and they are isostructural with parent BiCa₄(PO₄)₃O. Room temperature photoluminescence shows the various transitions ⁵D₀→⁷F_J(=0,1,2) of Eu³⁺. The emission results of compositions with different Eu³⁺ content show the difference in site occupancy of Eu³⁺ in Bi_1−xEu_xCa₄(PO₄)₃O. The intense ⁵D₀-⁷F₀ line at 574 nm for higher Eu³⁺ content is attributed to the presence of strongly covalent Eu-O bond that is possible by substituting Bi³⁺ in the Ca(2) site. This shows the preferential occupancy of Bi³⁺ in Ca(2) site and this has been attributed to the 6s² lone pair electrons of Bi³⁺. This is further confirmed by comparing the emission results with La_0.95Eu_0.05Ca₄(PO₄)₃O.     

Gamma-ray induced decomposition of double nitrates of lanthanides with univalent and divalent cations

Double nitrates of Na and K having the composition 2M^INO₃·Ln^III(NO₃)₃·2H₂O(Ln^III=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb and Dy) and of Ni and Cu with the composition 3M^II(NO₃)₂·2Ln^III(NO₃)₃·24H₂O (Ln^III=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb and Dy) have been prepared and their -radiolytic decomposition studied up to 500 kGy. G(NO ₂ ^– ) values of K double nitrates at 230 kGy follow the order Dy³⁺>Pr³⁺=Nd³⁺=Sm³⁺>Tb³⁺>Eu³⁺> Gd³⁺·G(NO ₂ ³⁺ ) for NI double nitrates are higher than those of Cu double nitrates. Variation of G(NO ₂ ^– ) with cationic radii and the number of f electrons in lanthanide ion show a minimum at Eu. Thermal decomposition studies of double nitrates were also carried out.     

Mono- and Mixed Metal Complexes of Eu3+, Gd3+, and Tb3+ with a Diketone,Bearing Pyrazole Moiety and CHF2-Group: Structure,Color Tuning,and Kinetics of Energy Transfer between Lanthanide Ions

Three novel lanthanide complexes with the ligand 4,4-difluoro-1-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)butane-1,3-dione (HL), namely [LnL₃(H₂O)₂], Ln = Eu, Gd and Tb, were synthesized, and, according to single-crystal X-ray diffraction, are isostructural. The photoluminescent properties of these compounds, as well as of three series of mixed metal complexes [Eu_xTb_1-xL₃(H₂O)₂] (Eu_xTb_1-xL₃), [EuxGd_1-xL₃(H₂O)₂] (Eu_xGd_1-xL₃), and [Gd_xTb_1-xL₃(H₂O)₂] (Gd_xTb_1-xL₃), were studied. The Eu_xTb_1-xL₃ complexes exhibit the simultaneous emission of both Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions, and the luminescence color rapidly changes from green to red upon introducing even a small fraction of Eu³⁺. A detailed analysis of the luminescence decay made it possible to determine the observed radiative lifetimes of Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ and estimate the rate of excitation energy transfer between these ions. For this task, a simple approximation function was proposed. The values of the energy transfer rates determined independently from the luminescence decays of terbium(III) and europium(III) ions show a good correlation.     

A study of the solid solutions (EuO)1−x(LnN)x (where Ln = Nd,Eu, Gd) by europium-151 Mössbauer spectroscopy

The magnitude of the magnetic hyperfine field at Eu^II in the cubic solid solutions (EuO)_1?x(LnN)_x (where Ln = Nd, Eu, Gd) has been determined at 4.2°K by ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy. The resultant effective hyperfine field is found to be almost independent of composition because of a number of compensating effects.     

The thermodynamic properties of rare-earth metal binuclear acetates and pivalates

The temperature dependence of the heat capacities of binuclear acetates M₂(η¹,η²-OOCCH₃)₂(η²-OOCCH₃)₄(H₂O)₄ · xH₂O (M = La(1), Sm(2), Eu(3), and Tm(4)) (113?330 K); pivalates M₂(μ₂-OOCCMe₃)₄(OOCCMe₃)₂(HOOCCMe₃)₄·HOOCCMe₃ (M=La(5), Sm(6), and Eu(7)) (113?320 K); and intermediate products of their thermal decomposition M₂(OOCCH₃)₆(113–330 K) and M₂(OOCCMe₃)₆ (113–500 K) and enthalpy changes at particular decomposition stages were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The composition of the solid phase formed in decomposition was determined experimentally. The complete set of thermodynamic data was obtained, including C _p (T), S°(298), Δ_f H°(298), and Δ_f G°(298), for binuclear lanthanide acetates and pivalates specified above. The composition of the gas phase formed in decomposition was determined, which allowed us to suggest a resultant scheme of the thermal destruction of pivalates. The reliability of this scheme was demonstrated.     

Preparation, structure and photoluminescence properties of Eu and Ce-doped SrYSi4N7

Undoped and Eu²⁺ or Ce³⁺-doped SrYSi₄N₇ were synthesized by solid-state reaction method at 1400-1660 °C under nitrogen/hydrogen atmosphere. The crystal structure was refined from the X-ray powder diffraction data by the Rietveld method. SrYSi₄N₇ and EuYSi₄N₇, being isotypic with the family of compounds MYbSi₄N₇ (M=Sr, Eu, Ba) and BaYSi₄N_7, crystallize with the hexagonal symmetry: space group P6₃mc (No. 186), Z=2, a=6.0160 (1) Å, c=9.7894 (1) Å, V=306.83(3) Å³; and a=6.0123 (1) Å, c=9.7869 (1) Å, V=306.37(1) Å³, respectively. Photoluminescence properties have been studied for Sr_1−xEu_xYSi₄N₇ (x=0-1) and SrY_1−xCe_xSi₄N₇ (x=0-0.03) at room temperature. Eu²⁺-doped SrYSi₄N₇ shows a broad yellow emission band peaking around 548-570 nm, while Ce³⁺-doped SrYSi₄N₇ exhibits a blue emission band with a maximum at about 450 nm. SrYSi₄N₇:Eu²⁺ can be very well excited by 390 nm radiation, which makes this material attractive as conversion phosphor for LED lighting applications.