Dy3+ emission in M5(PO4)3F (M = Ca, Ba) phosphor

Ultrafine M₅(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺ (M = Ca, Ba) phosphors were prepared via combustion process using metal nitrates as precursors. The formation of crystalline phosphate was confirmed by X-ray diffraction pattern. The PL excitation spectra show the excitation peaks observed at 250 to 400 nm due to f → f transition of Dy³⁺ ion, which are useful for solid-state lighting purpose (mercury free excitation). The PL emission of Dy³⁺ ion by 348 nm excitation gave an emission at 489 nm (blue), 582 nm (yellow) and 675 nm (red). All the characteristics of BYR emissions like BGR indicate that Dy doped Ca₅(PO₄)₃F and Ba₅(PO₄)₃F phosphors are good candidates that can be applied in solid-state lighting phosphor (mercury free excited lamp phosphor) and white light LED.      

A comparative study on structural,morphological and luminescence characteristics of Zn3(VO4)2 phosphor prepared via hydrothermal and citrate-gel combustion routes

Comparison of structural, morphological and spectroscopic properties of zinc vanadate Zn₃(VO₄)₂ phosphor synthesized via two different methods, viz. citrate-gel combustion and hydrothermal reaction, is presented. Highly crystalline and pure phase micro-rods are achieved by citrate-gel combustion route. The hydrothermal reaction products exhibit ribbon like structures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic investigation reveals the presence of multiple oxidation states of vanadium in the hydrothermally synthesized phosphor. Luminescence properties have also been compared and the effect of divalent cationic substitution (Ca, Mg) is presented.     

Active and Recyclable Gold Metal Nanoparticles Catalyst Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Mesoporous Carbon for Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde to Cinnamyl Alcohol

Several supported gold metal catalysts with different Au nanoparticles sizes were prepared and evaluated for the chemoselective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde (CA) to cinnamyl alcohol (CAL). To investigate the structure-activity relationship, stability of catalyst, heterogeneity and recyclability, the structural characteristics of materials and Au catalysts (fresh and spent catalysts) were studied by employing variety of physico-chemical techniques. The interrelationship among Au nanoparticles size (nm) with turnover frequency (h⁻¹) of Au catalysts has also been explored. Among the various Au catalysts tested, nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (NMC) supported Au catalyst having homogeneously dispersed (78.8%) Au nanoparticles (1.6 nm) synthesized by sol-immobilization method (Au-NMC-SI) demonstrated improved catalytic activity affording 78% CAL selectivity and 94.2% CA conversion without using any promoter. Moreover, Au-NMC-SI catalyst exhibited good recyclability and stability. The catalyst synthesis approach described in this investigation opens up a novel strategy for the design of highly efficient metal nano-catalysts supported on NMC materials.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence study of rare earth activated phosphor Na2La2B2O7

The photoluminescence properties in UV and N-UV excitable range for the phosphors of Na₂La₂B₂O₇: RE (RE=Eu, Tb, Ce, Sm, Gd) are investigated. The solution combustion synthesis technique was employed for the synthesis of the phosphors Na₂La₂B₂O₇: RE. The photoluminescence measurements of the phosphors were carried out on a HITACHI F7000 Fluorescence Spectrophotometer. The PL and PL excitation (PLE) spectra indicate that the main emission wavelength of Na₂La₂B₂O₇: Eu are 591 and 615 nm, Na₂La₂B₂O₇: Ce shows dominating emission peak at 387 nm and Na₂La₂B₂O₇: Tb displays green emission at 493, 544, 593 and 620 nm at 254 nm excitation, while Na₂La₂B₂O₇: Sm shows the main emission peak wavelengths 566 and 604 nm at 405 nm excitation and Na₂La₂B₂O₇: Gd shows dominating emission peak at 312 nm at 274 nm excitation. These phosphors may provide a new kind of luminescent materials under ultraviolet and near ultraviolet excitation for various applications.