Microstructure–conductivity relationship in Gd- and Sm-doped ceria-based electrolytes prepared by the acrylamide sol–gel-related method

We have prepared pure electrolytes of Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 (CGO) and Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 (CSO), useful for SOFCs, by a sol–gel-related technique like the acrylamide method. This method consists of preparing a solution from the single oxides followed by gelation. Then, the combustion or decomposition of the organic molecules is initiated, producing nanometric calcined powders of the above-mentioned compounds. Thermal treatments were optimized in order to obtain good electrochemical properties of the electrolytes. We have observed that the synthesis temperature to obtain the pure phase is lower for the sol–gel samples than for the pellets prepared by solid-state reaction, and the final density is higher. The microstructure and composition of the powders were characterized by TEM, SEM, and EDX analysis. The electrical properties of the electrolytes were measured by impedance spectroscopy at different temperatures and oxygen partial pressures.Presented at the OSSEP Workshop Ionic and Mixed Conductors: Methods and Processes, Aveiro, Portugal, 10–12 April 2003     

Sensitive Determination of Carbohydrates by Fluorimetric Method with Ce(IV) and Sodium Triphosphate

A new simple and sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of carbohydrates is described. The method is based on the reaction between carbohydrates and Ce(IV) in the presence of sulfuric acid. All the reductive carbohydrates can be detected indirectly by the fluorescence of Ce(III) produced. The addition of sodium triphate enhances the sensitivity of the method by more than 10-folds. Under optimum conditions, an excellent linear relationship was obtained between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of carbohydrates. The limits of detection lie in the range of 9.3 x 10(-10) - 1.3 x 10(-9) mol/L. As compared to the normal fluorimetric method, the proposed method is faster and more sensitive.     

近化学计量比Ce∶Mn∶LiNbO3晶体光折变性能研究

在LiNbO3中掺进0.015mass%MnCO3和 0.1mass%CeO2,以Czchralski法生长Li/Nb比为1.38的近化学计量比Ce∶Mn∶LiNbO3(Ce∶Mn∶SLN)晶体和Li/Nb比为0.946的同成分Ce∶Mn∶LiNbO3(Ce∶Mn∶CLN)晶体.测试了晶体的红外光谱和紫外可见吸收光谱,讨论了Ce∶Mn∶SLN晶体OH－吸收峰和吸收边移动机理.利用二波耦合光路测试了晶体的指数增益系数,Ce∶Mn∶SLN晶体指数增益系数Γ达到27 cm2－.同时,研究了Ce∶Mn∶SLN指数增益系数提高的机理.     

Degradation of Y2SiO5:Ce phosphor powders

The degradation of the cathodoluminescence (CL) intensity of cerium-doped yttrium silicate (Y₂SiO₅:Ce) phosphor powders was investigated for possible application in low voltage field emission displays (FEDs). Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and CL spectroscopy were used to monitor changes in the surface chemical composition and luminous efficiency of commercially available Y₂SiO₅:Ce phosphor powders. The degradation of the CL intensity for the powders is consistent with a well-known electron-stimulated surface chemical reaction (ESSCR) model. It was shown with XPS and CL that the electron stimulated reaction led to the formation of a luminescent silicon dioxide (SiO₂) layer on the surface of the Y₂SiO₅:Ce phosphor powder. XPS also indicated that the Ce concentration in the surface layer increased during the degradation process and the formation of CeO₂ and CeH₃ were also part of the degradation process. The CL intensity first decreased until about 300 C cm⁻² and then increased due to an extra peak arising at a wavelength of 650 nm.     

Characterization of Standard Reference Material 2942, Ce-ion-doped glass, spectral correction standard for UV fluorescence

Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2942 is a cuvette-shaped, Ce-ion-doped glass, recommended for use for relative spectral correction of emission from 320 to 430 nm and day-to-day performance verification of steady-state fluorescence spectrometers. Properties of this standard that influence its effective use or contribute to the uncertainty in its certified emission spectrum were explored here. These properties include its photostability, absorbance, dissolution rate in water, anisotropy and temperature coefficient of fluorescence intensity. The expanded uncertainties in the certified spectrum are about 9% around the peak maximum at 330 nm, using an excitation wavelength of 310 nm. The SRM also exhibits a strong resistance to photodegradation, with no measurable decrease in fluorescence intensity even after 25 h of irradiation with UV light>280 nm from a Xe lamp.     

Ytterbium triflate hydrate catalyzed Michael addition and cyclocondensation of α,β-unsaturated ketones with active methylene compounds

Catalyzed by ytterbium（III） triflate hydrate [Yb（OTf）3.xH20], the Michael addition and cyclocondensation of α,β-unsaturated ketones with active methylene compounds to afford the 1,4-adducts and benzo[b]pyran derivatives, respectively were studied.     

Enhanced ferroelectric properties of Ce-substituted BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films prepared by sol–gel process

Ce-substituted BiFeO₃ film (BCFO film) have been prepared by sol–gel process on F doped SnO₂ (FTO)/glass substrates. The effects of Ce substitution on the structural and electrical properties have been reported. X-ray diffraction data confirmed the R3c structure with the elimination of all secondary phases. We observed an increase in the remnant polarization (Pr) with Ce substitution and obtained a maximum value of ∼84 μC/cm² in 5% Ce-substituted film. The dielectric constant of the films was increased from 280 to about 420 for the BiFeO₃ film and 5% Ce-substituted BCFO film, respectively and the films showed excellent dielectric loss behavior. Moreover, the leakage current was substantially reduced by the Ce substitution.     

Preparation and third-order nonlinear optical properties of self-organized complex oxide Ce:BaTiO3 quantum dots

Pulsed laser ablation epitaxial Strancky-Krastanow growth of self-organized complex oxide Ce:BaTiO3 quantum dots on MgO(100) substrates is demonstrated.Atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction are used to observe the structure and the growth process of the self-organized complex oxide quantum dots.The average dimension,height,and the density of self-organized complex oxide Ce:BaTiO3 quantum dots are given.The nonlinear refractive indexes of the wetting layer and the self-organized ordered quantum dots are determined by the single beam Z-scan method.The mechanisms of the nonlinear effect enhancement for these low-dimensional structure are discussed.     

Site symmetry and crystal field splittings of Ce 3+ in LiLuF 4 and LiSr 0.8 Ca 0.2 AlF 6

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Ce 3+ in LiLuF 4 (LLF) and LiSr 0.8 Ca 0.2 AlF 6 (LSCAF) observed at low temperatures (<20 v K) show that the Ce 3+ centers have tetragonal and pseudo-trigonal symmetry with ( g , g )=(2.751, 1.467) and (2.14, 0.80), respectively. The EPR lines of Ce 3+ in LSCAF are inhomogeneously broadened by different Ce 3+ configurations which correspond to the random occupation of the second nearest neighbor cation sites by Ca 2+ and Sr 2+ and/or charge compensators. These EPR results indicate that the Ce 3+ centers in LLF and LSCAF are associated with substitution of Ce 3+ for Lu 3+ with eight-fold coordination and Sr 2+ /Ca 2+ with six-fold coordination, respectively. Fourier transform infrared absorption has been used to measure transitions between the 2 F 5/2 ground state and the 2 F 7/2 multiplet of Ce 3+ in LLF at 10 v K. The optical absorption and luminescence of Ce 3+ :LLF and Ce 3+ :LSCAF in the UV range are strongly polarized. The energy levels and polarization dependence of the optical transitions can be accounted for in terms of the crystal field potential experienced by the Ce 3+ ions under the action of the different point group symmetries.     

Structural and upconversion fluorescence properties of Er/Yb-codoped oxychloride lead-germanium-bismuth glass

Structural and infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence properties of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped oxychloride lead-germanium-bismuth glass have been studied. The Raman spectrum investigation indicates that PbCl₂ plays an important role in the formation of glass network, and has an important influence on the upconversion luminescence owing to lower phonon energy. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546, and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2, respectively, were observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546, and 657 nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs under 975 nm excitation.