Spectral hole-burning and magnetic circular dichroism of matrix-isolated copper phthalocyanine

Persistent spectral hole-burning in the Q-band region is reported for a concentrated (≈ 2 × 10⁻² mol l⁻¹) matrix of copper phthalocyanine in solid Ar at 1.6 K. Hole-burning occurs with a quantum efficiency of ≈ 10⁻⁶ and can be reversed by annealing at ≈ 28 K. Vibrational side holes allow determination of excited-state frequencies. A hole-burning mechanism involving triplet-state charge separation followed by rapid electron back-transfer is proposed. Temperature dependence of the MCD and the difference between MCD spectra taken before and after irradiation indicate that the excited state is split by crystal-field and spin-orbit interactions.     

Layer-by-layer assembled Fe3O4@C@CdTe core/shell microspheres as separable luminescent probe for sensitive sensing of Cu2+ ions

A novel multifunctional microsphere with a fluorescent CdTe quantum dots (QDs) shell and a magnetic core (Fe(3)O(4)) has been successfully developed and prepared by a combination of the hydrothermal method and layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. The resulting fluorescent Fe(3)O(4)@C@CdTe core/shell microspheres are utilized as a chemosensor for ultrasensitive Cu(2+) ion detection. The fluorescence of the obtained chemosensor could be quenched effectively by Cu(2+) ions. The quenching mechanism was studied and the results showed the existence of both static and dynamic quenching processes. However, static quenching is the more prominent of the two. The modified Stern-Volmer equation showed a good linear response (R(2) = 0.9957) in the range 1-10 μM with a quenching constant (K(sv)) of 4.9 × 10(4) M(-1). Most importantly, magnetic measurements showed that the Fe(3)O(4)@C@CdTe core/shell microspheres were superparamagnetic and they could be separated and collected easily using a commercial magnet in 10 s. These results obtained not only provide a way to solve the embarrassments in practical sensing applications of QDs, but also enable the fabrication of other multifunctional nanostructure-based hybrid nanomaterials.     

Mixed valence in YBaFe(2)O(5)

YBaFe(2)O(5) has been synthesized by heating a nanoscale citrate precursor in a carefully controlled reducing environment. Successful synthesis of a single-phase sample can only be achieved in a narrow window of oxygen partial pressures and temperatures. YBaFe(2)O(5) adopts an oxygen-deficient perovskite-type structure, which contains double layers of corner sharing FeO(5) square pyramids separated by Y(3+) ions. At T(N) congruent with 430 K, tetragonal (P4/mmm) and paramagnetic YBaFe(2)O(5) orders antiferromagnetically (AFM) experiencing a slight orthorhombic distortion (Pmmm). Around this temperature, it can be characterized as a class-III mixed valence (MV) compound, where all iron atoms exist as equivalent MV Fe(2.5+) ions. The magnetic structure is characterized by AFM Fe-O-Fe superexchange coupling within the double layers and a ferromagnetic Fe-Fe direct-exchange coupling between neighboring double layers. Upon cooling below approximately 335 K, a premonitory charge ordering (2Fe(2.5+) --> Fe(2.5+delta) + Fe(2.5)(-delta)) into a class-II MV phase takes place. This transition is detected by differential scanning calorimetry, but powder diffraction techniques fail to detect any volume change or a long-range structural order. At approximately 308 K, a complete charge ordering (2Fe(2.5+) --> Fe(2+) + Fe(3+)) into a class-I MV compound takes place. This charge localization triggers a number of changes in the crystal, magnetic, and electronic structure of YBaFe(2)O(5). The magnetic structure rearranges to a G-type AFM structure, where both the Fe-O-Fe superexchange and the Fe-Fe direct-exchange couplings are antiferromagnetic. The crystal structure rearranges (Pmma) to accommodate alternating chains of Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) running along b and an unexpectedly large cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion about the high-spin Fe(2+) ions. This order of charges does not fulfill the Anderson condition, and it rather corresponds to an ordering of doubly occupied Fe(2+) d(xz) orbitals. Comparisons with YBaMn(2)O(5) and YBaCo(2)O(5) are made to highlight the impact of changing the d-electron count.     

A new ion sensor based on fiber optics

A fluorimetric ion sensor based on fiber optics has been developed that employs Rhodamine 6G hydrophobically and electrostatically "trapped" on a Nafion film. The sensor is based on the measurement of quenching or enhancement of the Rhodamine 6G fluorescence by various ions. It was found that ions such as Co(2+), Cr(3+), Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+) and NH(+)(4) rapidly quench the Rhodamine 6G fluorescence at an initial rate that depends on the concentration of the ion. This quenching is then readily reversed by the addition of "reverser" ions such as H(+), Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+) and Mg(2+). Again, the initial rate for the attainment of the original fluorescence was found to depend on the concentration of the reverser ion. Therefore, by monitoring the quenching directly the concentration of quencher ions can be determined. In addition, by loading the film with quencher and monitoring the initial rate of return towards the original baseline signal, it is possible to determine non-quenching ions.     

EPR, optical, infrared and Raman spectral studies of Actinolite mineral

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), optical, infrared and Raman spectral studies have been performed on a natural Actinolite mineral. The room temperature EPR spectrum reveals the presence of Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) ions giving rise to two resonance signals at g = 2.0 and 4.3, respectively. The resonance signal at g = 2.0 exhibits a six line hyperfine structure characteristic of Mn(2+) ions. EPR spectra have been studied at different temperatures from 123 to 433 K. The number of spins (N) participating in the resonance at g = 2.0 has been calculated at different temperatures. A linear relationship is observed between log N and 1/T in accordance with Boltzmann law and the activation energy was calculated. The paramagnetic susceptibility (chi) has been calculated at different temperatures and is found to be increasing with decreasing temperature as expected from Curie's law. From the graph of 1/chi versus T, the Curie constant and Curie temperature have been evaluated. The optical absorption spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) ions. The crystal field parameter Dq and the Racah parameters B and C have been evaluated from the optical absorption spectrum. The infrared spectral studies reveal the formation of Fe(3+)--OH complexes due to the presence of higher amount of iron in this mineral. The Raman spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of Si--O--Si stretching and Mg?OH translation modes.     

Terbium hybrid particles with spherical shape as luminescent probe for detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+ in water

A novel green emissive terbium inorganic-polymeric hybrid particle was designed and this material could detect cations in water. Polyvinyl alcohol as an amphiphilic surfactant rendered the powders dispersible in water with regular round shape (10-20 μm). Interestingly, we noticed that not only Cu(2+) (detection limit 10(-4)M) but also Fe(3+) (detection limit 10(-4) M) can give rise to emission quenching to this target material in comparison with K(+), Na(+), Fe(2+), Mn(2+), Pd(2+), Cd(2+) and Co(2+) (10(-3) mol L(-1)). We regarded that the coordination interactions between ligand and metal ions resulted in these quenching processes. Additionally, it was found that the sensing material can be repeatedly used at least 5 cycles. More importantly, this novel material demonstrated higher thermal-stability in aqueous media than pure silica hybrid material.     

Spectral Property and Thermal Quenching Behavior of Tb3+-Doped YAG∶Ce Phosphor

A series of YAG:Ce,Tb phosphors were synthesized by vacuum sintering method.Moreover,their spectral properties,thermal quenching behaviors and color rendering properties were investigated systematically.The photoluminescence emission spectra of YAG:Ce,Tb show a great red shift compared with that of YAG:Ce.Direct energy transfer from Tb~(3+) to Ce~(3+) ions is verified based on the analysis of different photoluminescence spectra.The quenching temperature for Tb~(3+)-doped YAG:Ce phosphors is about 490 K.The thermal activation energy is estimated to be 0.18 and 0.291 eV for Tb~(3+)-doped YAG:Ce and YAG:Ce phosphors,respectively.The smaller activation energy for Tb~(3+)-doped YAG:Ce means a more rapid nonradiative transition from 5d to 4f state,thus resulting in the lower quenching temperature.In addition,white LEDs with improved color rendering properties are achieved by using modified YAG:Ce,Tb phosphors.     

Selective sensors for Zn2+ cations based on new green fluorescent poly(amidoamine) dendrimers peripherally modified with 1,8-naphthalimides

The paper reports on the spectral photophysical characteristics of two new fluorescent PAMAM dendrimers of zero and second generation decoreted with 1,8-naphthalimide units, designed for ionic detection. The dendrimers were studied by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Their ability to detect ions has been evaluated in acetonitrile by monitoring the quenching of the fluoresence intensity. Different ions have been tested: Zn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+) and Fe(3+) for the purpose. The results have shown clearly that only Zn(2+) could be efficiently detected using the dendrimer of second generation. In addition, it has been shown that for both dendrimers in a acetonitrile-water solution, the fluoresence intensity is pH dependant, hence could find application as a detector of harmful pH changes in the environment.     

Side-hole to anti-hole conversion in time-resolved transient spectral hole-burning of emerald: ground state level versus excited state population storage in low magnetic fields

Time-resolved transient spectral hole-burning experiments in zero field and in low magnetic fields B( parallelc) are reported for the chromium(III) R(1)-line, 2A((2)E)<-- 2A((4)A(2)) of Chatham lab created emerald, Be(3)Al(2)Si(6)O(18)ratio Cr(III)(0.0017% per weight), in the temperature range of 3 to 12 K. In low magnetic fields and temperatures >5 K conversion of side-holes to anti-holes is observed with progressing time. Anti-holes are due to the population stored in ground state levels. The dynamics of the hole pattern can be well modelled by a set of coupled differential equations for the levels of the (4)A(2) and (2)E multiplets. The measurements allow the simultaneous determination of g-factors and spin-lattice relaxation rates in the excited state and the ground state. At 6 K the relaxation times between the split +/-1/2 2A((2)E) excited state levels and +/-3/2 2A((4)A(2)) levels of the ground state are about 0.16 ms and 9 ms, respectively. From the temperature dependence it follows that the spin-lattice relaxation rates are dominated by Orbach processes in the experimental temperature range.     

Coordination numbers of hydrated divalent transition metal ions investigated with IRPD spectroscopy

Hydration of the divalent transition metal ions, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, with 5-8 water molecules attached was investigated using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and photodissociation kinetics. At 215 K, spectral intensities in both the bonded-OH and free-OH stretch regions indicate that the average coordination number (CN) of Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), and Ni(2+) is ~6, and these CN values are greater than those of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+). Ni has the highest CN, with no evidence for any population of structures with a water molecule in a second solvation shell for the hexa-hydrate at temperatures up to 331 K. Mn(2+), Fe(2+), and Co(2+) have similar CN at low temperature, but spectra of Mn(2+)(H(2)O)(6) indicate a second population of structures with a water molecule in a second solvent shell, i.e., a CN < 6, that increases in abundance at higher temperature (305 K). The propensity for these ions to undergo charge separation reactions at small cluster size roughly correlates with the ordering of the hydrolysis constants of these ions in aqueous solution and is consistent with the ordering of average CN values established from the infrared spectra of these ions.     

Selective sensing of Fe3+ based on fluorescence quenching by 2,6-bis(benzoxazolyl)pyridine with beta-cyclodextrin in neutral aqueous solution

A selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor (BBOZP-CD) for Fe(3+) was composed of water-soluble beta-cyclodextrins and 2,6-bis(benzoxazolyl)pyridine which was synthesized through the reaction of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and o-aminophenol catalyzed by polyphosphoric acid under microwave irradiation. The chemosensor BBOZP-CD for metal ions were carefully investigated by fluorescent quenching in present of metal ions. The result showed BBOZP-CD chemosensor was remarkable fluorescence quenching and a highly selectivity and sensitivity for Fe(3+) in neutral aqueous solution, and the other common metal ions did not notably disturb the detection of Fe(3+). Additionally, the effect of pH to the chemosensor for Fe(3+) was also studied. The result indicated the respond signals of BBOZP-CD to Fe(3+) was stable and hardly influenced while the pH value was greater than 3.6.     

Dansyl-anthracene dyads for ratiometric fluorescence recognition of Cu2+

Dansyl-anthracene dyads 1 and 2 in CH(3)CN-H(2)O (7:3) selectively recognize Cu(2+) ions amongst alkali, alkaline earth and other heavy metal ions using both absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. In absorbance, the addition of Cu(2+) to the solution of dyads 1 or 2 results in appearance of broad absorption band from 200 nm to 725 nm for dyad 1 and from 200 nm to 520 nm for dyad 2. This is associated with color change from colorless to blue (for 1) and fluorescent green (for 2). This bathochromic shift of the spectrum could be assigned to internal charge transfer from sulfonamide nitrogen to anthracene moiety. In fluorescence, under similar conditions dyads 1 and 2 on addition of Cu(2+) selectively quench fluorescence due to dansyl moiety between 520-570 nm (for 1)/555-650 nm (for 2) with simultaneous fluorescence enhancement at 470 nm and 505 nm for dyads 1 and 2, respectively. Hence these dyads provide opportunity for ratiometric analysis of 1-50 μM Cu(2+). The other metal ions viz. Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Hg(2+), Ag(+), Pb(2+), Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+) do not interfere in the estimation of Cu(2+) except Cr(3+) in case of dyad 1. The coordination of dimethylamino group of dansyl unit with Cu(2+) causes quenching of fluorescence due to dansyl moiety between 520-600 nm and also restricts the photoinduced electron transfer from dimethylamino to anthracene moiety to release fluorescence between 450-510 nm. This simultaneous quenching and release of fluorescence respectively due to dansyl and anthracene moieties emulates into Cu(2+) induced ratiometric change.     

Photocatalytic activity enhancement in doped titanium dioxide by crystal defects

Visible light sensitive Fe(3+) and Ce(4+) co-doped nano TiO(2) photocatalyst has been prepared by a modified aqueous sol-gel method and the activity has been measured in terms of degradation of MB dye. Both dopants shifted the absorption profile of TiO(2) to the visible region and improved activity. Fe(3+) ions trapped the charge carriers due to the stable electronic configuration and improved their separation. Ce(4+) ions, which were mainly located at the grain boundaries, cause dislocations by bending the valence and conduction bands of TiO(2) and prevent the recombination of photoexcited electrons and holes. The co-doped TiO(2) compositions exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure titania and commercially available Degussa P25 under visible light by utilising the individual and synergistic contributions of Fe(3+) and Ce(4+) dopants, respectively.     

Incorporation of triazole into a quinoline-rhodamine conjugate imparts iron(iii) selective complexation permitting detection at nanomolar levels

Two new rhodamine based probes 1 and 2 for the detection of Fe(3+) were synthesized and their selectivity towards Fe(3+) ions in the presence of other competitive metal ions tested. The probe 1 formed a coloured complex with Fe(3+) as well as Cu(2+) ions and revealed the lack of adequate number of coordination sites for selective complexation with Fe(3+). Incorporation of a triazole unit to the chelating moiety of 1 resulted in the probe 2, that displayed Fe(3+) selective complex formation even in the presence of other competitive metal ions like Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Cu(2+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Pb(2+). The observed limit of detection of Fe(3+) ions (5 × 10(-8) M) confirmed the very high sensitivity of 2. The excellent stability of 2 in physiological pH conditions, non-interference of amino acids, blood serum and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the detection process, and the remarkable selectivity for Fe(3+) ions permitted the use of 2 in the imaging of live fibroblast cells treated with Fe(3+) ions.     

Pentanuclear complexes with unusual structural topologies from the initial use of two aliphatic amino-alcohol ligands in Fe chemistry

Five novel pentanuclear Fe(3+) clusters with the aliphatic amino-alcohol ligands 3-amino-1-propanol (Hap) and 2-(hydroxymethyl)piperidine (Hhmpip) [Fe(5)(μ(3)-Ο)(2)(L)(4)(O(2)CR)(7)] [L = ap(-), R = Ph (1); L = ap(-), R = C(CH(3))(3) (2); L = hmpip(-), R = Ph (3); L = hmpip(-), R = C(CH(3))(3) (4)] and [Fe(5)(μ(4)-Ο)(μ(3)-Ο)(O(2)CC(CH(3))(3))(8)(ap)(2)Cl(HO(2)CC(CH(3))(3))] (5) are reported. Compounds 1-4 were prepared from reactions of preformed trinuclear Fe(3+) clusters with the ligands in a molar ratio 1 : 5 in MeCN (1, 3, 4) or DMF (2), whereas compound 5 was prepared from the reaction of FeCl(3) with Hap in the presence of HO(2)CC(CH(3))(3) in a molar ratio 1 : 3 : 2 in MeCN. To the best of our knowledge, 1-5 are the first examples of Fe(3+) complexes with the ligands Hap and Hhmpip. The structures of 1-4 are composed of a quasi-planar [Fe(5)(μ(3)-O)(2)](11+) core which consists of two vertex-sharing [Fe(3)(μ(3)-O)](7+) triangles. The structure of 5 is based on the [Fe(5)(μ(4)-O)(μ(3)-O)](11+) core, in which the five Fe(3+) ions adopt a monocapped trigonal pyramidal topology. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements on powdered microcrystalline samples of 1 and 5 revealed the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions which led to an S = 5/2 ground state. M?ssbauer spectroscopy studies on powdered microcrystalline samples of 1 and 5 confirmed that all iron ions of both complexes are in the Fe(3+) (S = 5/2) state. The variation of the ligand environment in the various iron sites was reflected in their different quadruple splitting parameters. At T < 50 K the M?ssbauer spectra indicated the onset of spin relaxation effects in the time scale of the technique (10(-7)-10(-8) s).     

Spectral Hole-Burning in Femtosecond Laser-Irradiated Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Doped Aluminosilicate Glasses

We studied the persistent spectral hole-burning (PSHB) of the Eu³⁺-doped Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glasses, prepared by a sol–gel process, exposed to femtosecond laser pulses. The spectral holes were burned in the excitation spectra of the ⁷F₀⁵D₀ transition of Eu³⁺ ion. The depth and width of the burned holes were 15% and 2.5 cm^–1 fwhm at 7 K, respectively. The burned hole is stable up to room temperature. Fluorescence line narrowing spectra showed that Eu³⁺ ions were located in two different sites.     

Fe(3+) ions in alkali lead tetraborate glasses--an electron paramagnetic resonance and optical study

Glass systems of composition 90R(2)B(4)O(7)+9PbO+1Fe(2)O(3) (R=Li, Na and K) and 90Li(2)B(4)O(7)+(10-x)PbO+xFe(2)O(3) (x=0.5, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 mol %) have been investigated by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption techniques. The EPR spectra exhibit three resonance signals at g approximately 6.0, 4.2 and 2.0. The resonances at g approximately 6.0 and 4.2 are attributed to Fe(3+) ions in rhombic and axial symmetry sites, respectively. The g approximately 2.0 resonance signal is due to two or more Fe(3+) ions coupled together with dipolar interaction. The EPR spectra of 1 mol % of Fe(2)O(3) doped in lithium lead tetraborate glass samples have been studied at different temperatures (123-433 K). The intensity of g approximately 4.2 resonance signal decreases and the intensity of g approximately 2.0 resonance signal increases with the increase of temperature. The line widths are found to be independent of temperature. The EPR spectra exhibit a marked concentration dependence on iron content. A decrease in intensity for the resonance signal at g approximately 4.2 with increase in iron content for more than 4 mol % has been observed in lithium lead tetraborate glass samples and this has been attributed to the formation of Fe(3+) ion clusters in the glass samples. The paramagnetic susceptibility (chi) is calculated from the EPR data at various temperatures and the Curie constant (C) has been evaluated from 1/chi versus T graph. The optical absorption spectrum of Fe(3+) ions in lithium lead tetraborate glasses exhibits three bands characteristic of Fe(3+) ions in an octahedral symmetry. The crystal field parameter D(q) and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameters B and C have also been evaluated. The value of interelectronic repulsion parameter B (825 cm(-1)) obtained in the present work suggests that the bonding is moderately covalent.     

Multiple transient spectral holes in the R1-line of NaMgAl(oxalate)(3).9H2O:Cr(III). Probing excited and ground state g-factors in an external magnetic field of 15 mT

The gz-factors of the 4A2 ground state and the 2E excited state of chromium(III) doped into NaMgAl(oxalate)(3).9H2O are accurately determined at 2.5 K by the observation of multiple transient spectral holes in the R1-line (2E<--4A2 transition) in minute magnetic fields of approximately 15 mT.     

Theoretical study on electronic and spin structures of [Fe2S2](2+,+) cluster: reference interaction site model self-consistent field (RISM-SCF) and multireference second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MRMP) approach

Electronic structures of [Fe(2)S(2)(SCH(3))(4)](2-,3-) in DMSO solution are calculated using reference interaction site model complete active space self-consistent field (RISM-CASSCF)/multireference second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory (MRMP) method. For the reduced state, we obtain both the low-spin Fe(3+)Fe(2+) localized and high-spin Fe(2.5+)Fe(2.5+) delocalized forms, which are very close in energy. The spin interaction constants obtained from the energies of states with various spin multiplicities are in good agreement with the available experimental estimates both for the oxidized and for the reduced states. The dynamic electron correlation effect is found to be important in estimating the spin interaction between the Fe ions. The redox potentials are calculated to be 2.87 and 2.78 eV for the localized and delocalized reduced states, respectively, which are close to the experimental values. We devise a simple model for calculating the free energy curves of the reduction process based on the RISM-SCF theory. The activation barrier height is calculated to be 7.4 kcal/mol at the equilibrium geometry of oxidized state, indicating that the reduction reaction will occur efficiently in DMSO solvent. The effect of solvent fluctuation on the free energy profiles is discussed on the basis of the present calculations.     

Single-crystal nanowires of platinum can be synthesized by controlling the reaction rate of a polyol process

Platinum nanowires of approximately 100 nm in length and approximately 5 nm in diameter have been synthesized by reducing H(2)PtCl(6) with ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and a trace amount of Fe(3+) or Fe(2+). The wires were generated at the final stage of the synthesis, which involved the formation of several intermediate species. The Fe(3+) or Fe(2+) ions had dual functions in the synthesis: they induced aggregation of Pt nanoparticles into larger structures that served as the nucleation sites, and they greatly reduced the reaction rate and supersaturation level to induce anisotropic growth. The reaction mechanism was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis spectral analysis. The Pt nanowires could be readily separated from the surfaces of the agglomerates by sonication and obtained as pure samples by centrifugation.