A general strategy for the synthesis of upconversion rare earth fluoride nanocrystals via a novel OA/ionic liquid two-phase system

Herein we report a general strategy to synthesize highly uniform and monodisperse rare earth fluoride nanocrystals through a novel OA/ionic liquid two-phase system, while water-soluble hexagonal NaREF(4) nanocrystals are obtained by adding n-octanol.     

NMR parameters in alkali, alkaline earth and rare earth fluorides from first principle calculations

(19)F isotropic chemical shifts for alkali, alkaline earth and rare earth of column 3 basic fluorides are measured and the corresponding isotropic chemical shieldings are calculated using the GIPAW method. When using the PBE exchange-correlation functional for the treatment of the cationic localized empty orbitals of Ca(2+), Sc(3+) (3d) and La(3+) (4f), a correction is needed to accurately calculate (19)F chemical shieldings. We show that the correlation between experimental isotropic chemical shifts and calculated isotropic chemical shieldings established for the studied compounds allows us to predict (19)F NMR spectra of crystalline compounds with a relatively good accuracy. In addition, we experimentally determine the quadrupolar parameters of (25)Mg in MgF(2) and calculate the electric field gradients of (25)Mg in MgF(2) and (139)La in LaF(3) using both PAW and LAPW methods. The orientation of the EFG components in the crystallographic frame, provided by DFT calculations, is analysed in terms of electron densities. It is shown that consideration of the quadrupolar charge deformation is essential for the analysis of slightly distorted environments or highly irregular polyhedra.     

Blue,green,red upconversion luminescence and optical characteristics of rare earth doped rare earth oxide and oxysulfide

The cold isostatic press pretreatment process was adopted to prepare fine rare earth oxysulfide up-conversion phosphors with spherical shape, narrow size distribution and high luminescence efficiency. The upconversion optical characteristics and brightness of the blue (Y2O2SYb,Tm), green (Y2O2S: Yb,Er), red (Y2O3Yb,Er) emitter were also investigated, and a novel method was successfully developed for the brightness measurement of upconversion luminescence (UPL). It is shown that a white color can be obtained by the appropriate mixture of these primary blue, green and red emissions components. The Er3 ions exhibit different upconversion mechanism in Y2O2S and Y2O3 host materials. The rare earth oxysulfide is an efficient upconversion matrix. The UPL brightness of Y2O2S: Yb,Er is 6.5 times higher than that of Y2O3: Yb,Er, and Y2O2S: Yb,Er shows UPL brightness of 1100 cd/m2 under 5.56 W/cm2 power density using a 980 nm laser diode.     

The determination of fluorine in rare earth fluorides by high temperature hydrolysis

The technique of pyrohydrolysis has been applied to the determination of fluorine in the fluorides of scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanons. These fluorides have been divided into two classes according to their rate of hydrolysis. Lutetium, ytterbium, cerium(III), scandium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, and thulium florides can be hydrolyzed in 30 min or less. Yttrium, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, and europium fluorides require from 45 to 150 min for complete hydrolysis. Accelerators, such as uranium oxide (U₃O₈), chromium(III) oxide, and a mixture of these oxides have been used successfully to reduce the tune required for quantitative hydrolysis of the fluorides in the latter group. The use of the correct accelerator reduces the hydrolysis time to 30 min or less for all these fluorides except lanthanum, praseodymium and neodymium.     

Facile synthesis and up-conversion properties of monodisperse rare earth fluoride nanocrystals

Monodisperse rare earth (RE) fluoride colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) including REF(3) (RE = La, Pr, Nd), NaREF(4) (RE = Sm-Ho, Y) and Na(5)RE(9)F(32) (RE = Er, Yb, Lu) have been successfully synthesized by a facile one-step method using oleic acid as surfactant and 1-octadecene as solvent. The phase, morphology, size, and photoluminescence properties of as-synthesized NCs were well investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results reveal that the as-synthesized NCs consist of monodisperse colloidal NCs with narrow size distribution, which can easily disperse in non-polar cyclohexane solvent. The as-prepared NCs exhibit a rich variety of morphologies and different crystal phases (hexagonal or cubic), which may be related to the inherent natures of different rare earth ions. The possible formation mechanism of NCs with diverse architectures has been presented. In addition, representative Yb/Er, Yb/Tm, or Yb/Ho co-doped NaGdF(4) and Na(5)Lu(9)F(32) NCs exhibit intensive multicolor up-conversion (UC) luminescence under a single 980 nm NIR excitation, displaying potential applications in bioimaging and therapy. Moreover, transparent and UC fluorescent NCs-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites with regular dimensions were also prepared by an in situ polymerization route.     

Systematization of the effective ionic charges in the oxides,oxide fluorides,and fluorides of the rare earth metals

Conclusion We can compare the values obtained above and in [9] for the effective ionic charges e^* for all three types of REM compound examined: fluorides, oxides, and oxide fluorides.In spite of the difference in composition, all these substances can be divided into two groups by separating the cubic (or pseudo-isotropic) crystals and the anisotropic compounds. The average values of the effective charges for each of the structural groups are given in Table 7, which also gives in parentheses the values of the ionic character of the bond, calculated according to Pauling's scheme with allowance for only the nearest homogeneous coordination sphere (for example, for CN=5 instead of 11 for the hexagonal LnF₃, etc.).It can be seen from the Table that the effective charges increase on going from the oxides to the fluorides of the REM, as expected in view of the fact that the electronegativity of fluorine is greater than that of oxygen. In all cases, the increase in the values of e^*, noted above, is observed on going from the anisotropic to the cubic crystals of these compounds. This last feature can be attributed to a decrease in the immediate coordination sphere around the REM atoms with change in the structure of the crystal; in this case the coordination sphere is understood to consist of the nearest ligands. Calculation of the degree of ionic character by the EN method with allowance for only the atoms situated at the shortest distances shows much better agreement with experiment than the classical calculation using the formal CN [8].All-Union Scientific-Research Institute for Physicotechnical and Radiotechnical Measurements. Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 541–547, May–June, 1973.     

Distribution characteristics of rare earth elements in plants from a rare earth ore area

The contents of eight rare earth elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb and Lu) in various plant species taken from a rare earth ore area were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. For a given plant, the REE patterns in root, leaf and host soil are different from each other. The REE distribution characteristics in roots of various species are very similar and resemble those in the surface water. The results of this study suggest that there is no significant fractionation between the REEs during their uptake by the plant roots from soil solution. However, the variation of the relative abundance of individual REE occurs in the process of transportation and deposition of REEs in plants.     

Quantitative determination of F:O ratios in rare earth oxide fluorides by energy dispersive X-ray analysis

The F:O ratio in homogeneous and inhomogeneous rare earth oxide fluoride systems of compositions RO_1+xF_1–2x with –0.1x0.1 can be determined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis with an accuracy of ±0.5% if an appropriate background modelling procedure is applied and if the EDX signals of the light elements are free of overlap from the accompanying rare earth element. The latter condition holds true for R=Tb–Lu and it is shown that the calibration of the method with well-defined samples of YbO_1+xF_1–2x can be transferred with only a moderate loss of accuracy to the determination of oxygen and fluorine in DyOF and ErOF. Increasing signal overlap in case of GdOF, EuOF, SmOF and especially PrOF necessitates the choice of different channels for background modelling, and the accuracy of the method is hence decreasing to ±4% for these systems.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of rare earth picrate complexes with a new biphenylamide

The new ligand N-benzyl-2-{2'-[(benzyl-ethyl-carbamoyl)-methoxy]-biphenyl-2-yloxy}-N-ethyl-acetamide (L) and its complexes of rare earth picrates were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis spectra and conductivity measurements. The fluorescence properties of the europium complex in solid state and in CHCl(3), ethyl acetate, acetone, acetonitrile and DMF were investigated. Under the excitation, the europium complex exhibited characteristic emissions of europium. The lowest triplet state energy level of the ligand indicates that the triplet state energy level of the ligand matches better to the resonance level of Eu(III) than Tb(III) ion.     

Thallium alloys of the rare earth: Sm?TI Phase diagram and molar volumes of the rare earth thallides

The Sm? Tl system has been studied by differential thermal, metallographic and X-ray analyses. The following intermediate phases were observed: Sm₂Tl (decomposes at 1030 ± 10°C); Sm₅Tl₃ (decomposes at 1060 ± 10°C); SmTl (melting point, 1220 ± 20°C); Sm₃Tl₅ (decomposes at 940 ± 10°C); SmTl₃ (melting point, 870 ± 5°C). Three eutectics occur: β-Sm—Sm₂Tl (840 ± 10°C, 18.0 ± 0.5 at % Tl); Sm₃Tl₅—SmTl₃ (860 ± 5°C, 72.0 ± 0.5 at % Tl); SmTl₃—β-Tl (～303°C, greater than 99.5 at % Tl); there is an eutectoidal reaction at 760 ± 10°C and 10 ± 1 at % Tl (decomposition of β-Sm phase). Following crystal structures have been determined or confirmed: Sm₂Tl hexagonal hP6—Ni₂In-type, Sm₅Tl₃ tetragonal tI32—W₅Si₃-type, SmTl cubic cI2—W or cP2—CsCl-type, SmTl tetragonal tP4—AuCu I-type, Sm₃Tl₅ orthorhombic oC32—Pu₃Pd₅ like-type, SmTl₃ cubic cP4—AuCu₃-type. The characteristics of the phase diagram and the molar volumes of the Sm? Tl compounds are compared with those of other RE? Tl alloys and briefly discussed.     

High temperature NMR approach of mixtures of rare earth and alkali fluorides: An insight into the local structure

In situ high temperature nuclear magnetic resonance in molten fluoride mixtures gives some structural picture of the complexes existing in the melt, i.e. of their nature and relative proportion. Thanks to the development of a laser heating system associated with a close crucible in boron nitride, we can describe experimentally the evolution of these complexes from the anions and the cations point of view. By ¹⁹F NMR, we have shown the existence of three kinds of fluorine atoms depending on the composition: free fluorine like in pure LiF (non-bonded), bridging fluorine in melts rich in LnF₃ in addition with terminal fluorine singly bonded to one rare earth. Data obtained by NMR spectroscopy are also combined with EXAFS measurements, again thanks to a specific development of the sample holder adapted with molten fluorides and high temperature. This study is a part of our systematic investigation of the different Alk-LnF₃ systems by NMR and EXAFS spectroscopy.     

Fluorescence intermittency of silicon nanocrystals and other quantum dots: a unified two-dimensional diffusion-controlled reaction model

We present a unified model involving two-dimensional diffusion-controlled reactions of both slow and fast reaction coordinates to elucidate the dynamic origin of fluorescence intermittency observed not just in quantum dots but also in organic chromphores and biomolecules. This improved model also solves the puzzling behavior of Si nanocrystals which display an unusually large m (exceeding 2) for the power-law decay of t(-m) and provides remedies for the deficiencies in existing models.     

Synthesis and infrared and luminescence spectra of rare earth complexes with a new hexapodal ligand

Solid complexes of rare earth nitrates and picrates with a new hexapodal ligand, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexa{[(2'-benzylamino-formyl)phenoxyl]methyl}-benzene (L) have been prepared. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and molar conductivity. At the same time, the luminescence properties of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) nitrates and picrates complexes in solid state were also investigated. Under the excitation of UV light, these complexes exhibited characteristic emission of europium and terbium ions. The influence of the counter anion on the luminescent intensity was also discussed.     

Synthesis and infrared and fluorescent spectra of rare earth complexes with a new amide ligand

Solid complexes of rare earth nitrates and picrates with a new amide ligand, 1,6-bis[(2'-benzylaminoformyl)phenoxyl]hexane (L) have been prepared. These complexes are characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis spectra and IR spectra. The fluorescent and luminescent properties of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) nitrates and picrates complexes in solid state are also investigated. Under the excitation of UV light, these complexes except Tb(III) picrate complex exhibit characteristic emission of europium and terbium ions. The influence of the counter anion on the fluorescent intensity is also discussed.     

Dopant-induced phase transition: a new strategy of synthesizing hexagonal upconversion NaYF4 at low temperature

A new strategy of synthesizing hexagonal upconversion NaYF(4) at low temperature (down to 130 °C) based on Ti(4+) doping-induced cubic-to-hexagonal phase transition in a liquid-solid-solution reaction system is offered.     

Synthesis and infrared and fluorescent properties of rare earth complexes with a new aryl amide podand

Solid complexes of rare earth nitrates and picrates with a new aryl amide podand, 1,4-bis{[(2'-benzylamino-formyl)phenoxyl]methyl}-naphthaline (L) were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and molar conductivity measurements. At the same time, the fluorescent properties of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) nitrates and picrates complexes in solid state were also investigated. Under the excitation, these complexes exhibited characteristic emissions of europium and terbium ions. The counter anion factor influencing the fluorescent intensity was also discussed.     

Heats of the tetragonal-cubic transformation in rare earth dicarbides and mixed rare earth dicarbide solid solutions

Solid solutions of two different rare earth dicarbides have been prepared and the relation between their compositions and heats of the tetragonal to cubic transformation in them has been discussed.Pure rare earth dicarbides showed a heat of transformation of about 4 kcal/mole while the heat for solid solution changed with its composition, in the case of La_0·47Gd_0·53C_2′ was as low as 0·8 kcal/mole. Furthermore, some solid solutions, for instance La_0·31Dy_0·69C_2′, transformed from b.c.t. to f.c.c. without showing any heat.     

Luminescence of vanadium and rare earth ions in alkaline earth sulfates

The luminescence of samples MeSO₄V, RE (Me = Mg, Ca, Ba) depends strongly on the nature of the Me ions. The amount of association of the V⁵⁺ and RE³⁺ ions can be estimated from the measured quantum efficiencies.