Cryogenic luminescence studies of Eu3+ in LiEuCl4

The luminescence associated with the Eu³⁺ ion in LiEuCl₄ has been studied at cryogenic temperatures under conditions of high resolution. Emission was observed to originate from both the ⁵D₀ and ⁵D₁ excited states, and transitions to the ${}^7\text{F}{}_0\text{,}{}^7\text{F}{}_1\text{,}{}^7\text{F}{}_2\text{,}{}^7\text{F}{}_3$, and ⁷F₄ ground levels were observed. The fine structure observed within these emission bands was found to be consistent with the existence of an effective D₄ site symmetry for the emitting Eu³⁺ species, even though the europium polyhedron was found to be that of a bisdisphenoid.     

Energy transfer between Gd3+ and Sm3+ the effect of Gd3+ on quenching of Sm3+ and intensity parameters of Sm3+ in borate glasses

Intensity parameters of Sm³⁺ in borate glasses were obtained by fitting the oscillator strengths to the Judd-Ofelt formula and a study of energy transfer from gadolinium to samarium was performed. An increase of samarium fluorescence originating from the ${}^4\text{G}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level was observed in the presence of gadolinium, in the concentration range of 0.1–3 wt% samarium with gadolinium constant at 3 wt%. The intensity of samarium fluorescence on excitation at 273 nm increased by one order of magnitude in the presence of gadolinium. From the excitation spectrum of the double-doped glasses (Gd + Sm), it was deduced that energy absorbed by gadolinium is transferred from ${}^6\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ gadolinium levels to the ${}^4\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and ${}^4\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ samarium levels.The mechanism of this energy transfer was obtained by plotting the energy transfer probabilities as a function of samarium concentration. A linear dependence of $\text{η}{}_0\text{η}$ (η intensity of gadolinium in the presence of samarium) versus square of concentration of Sm + Gd is obtained. From this it is concluded that the transfer is of electric-multipolar type, mainly dipole-dipole. A small increase (about 10%) of fluorescence of samarium in the presence of gadolinium excited at levels where no energy transfer can take place is attributed to the fact that the quenching of samarium occurring by the cross relaxation $\text{(}{}^4\text{G}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{→}{}^6\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{) (}{}^6\text{H}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{→}{}^6\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$ is suppressed by the presence of gadolinium as seen from concentration dependence of samarium doped glasses compared to double-doped glasses.     

Low-temperature luminescence of Eu3+ in K2EuCl5

The luminescence associated with the Eu³⁺ ion in K₂EuCl₅ has been studied at cryogenic temperatures under conditions of high resolution. Emission was observed to originate from both the ⁵D₀ and ⁵D₁ excited states, and transitions to the ${}^7\text{F}{}_0\text{,}{}^7\text{F}{}_1\text{,}{}^7\text{F}{}_2\text{,}{}^7\text{F}{}_3$, and ⁷F₄ ground levels were observed. The fine structure observed within these emission bands was found to be consistent with the existence of an effective C₄ site symmetry for the emitting Eu(III) species, even though the crystal structure does not indicate the presence of a true or pseudo C₄ axis.     

Spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ ion in TbAlO3 single crystals

Growth of terbium aluminate single crystals and investigation of Nd³⁺ ion spectroscopic properties in them are described. Detailed investigation of absorption and luminescence spectra of Nd³⁺ ions in TbAlO₃ at T = 77 and 300°K permits obtainment of a complete diagram of the Stark components energy. The spectral-structural regularities of Nd³⁺ ions in orthoaluminate monocrystals are analyzed. The dependence on interionic distance of the position of the center of gravity of the ground terms of Nd³⁺ ion along with the nephelauxetic shift of ${}^4\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ term of Nd³⁺ ion is investigated.     

Nd3+, Eu3+, and Gd3+ ions as local probes in the NaxSr3−2xLnx(PO4)2 and KCaLn(PO4)2 rare earth phosphates

Use of Nd³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Gd³⁺ as local structural probes allows the determination of the rare earth positions in the Na_xSr_3?2xLn_x(PO₄)₂ (Ln = La to Tb) and KCaLn(PO₄)₂ phases (Ln = rare earth). Moreover, a common feature of both series is a particularly high splitting of the excitation ${}^6\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and ${}^6\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ levels of the Gd³⁺ ions.     

Structure,spectral properties and interconversions of bis-niobocenes and their dianions. The crystal and molecular structure of [(η5-C5H4SiMe2OSiMe2-η5 : η1-C5H3)2Nb2H2] [Na(OEt2)2]2

Electron-acceptor properties of bis-niobocenes (η⁵-C₅H₄Y)(H)$\text{Nb(η}{}^5\text{: η}{}^1\text{-C}{}_5\text{H}{}_3\text{X)}{}_2\text{N}$b(H)(η⁵-C₅H₄Y) with X  Y  H and XY  SiMe₂OSiMe₂have been investigated. Bis-niobocenes are shown to readily add two electrons forming stable salts of the corresponding dianions [(η⁵-C₅H₄Y)(H)Nb(η⁵ : η¹- C₅H₃X)₂Nb(H)(η⁵-C₅H₄Y)]^2-. The surplus electrons can be removed to give quantitative regeneration of initial neutral bis-niobocenes. The crystal and molecular structure of the title compound has been determined; R  0.044, interatomic distance are Nb…Nb 3.93, NbH 1.62, average NbC(π) 2.36, NbC(σ) 2.31 Å, other distances correspond to the usually observed values. Unlike the neutral bis-niobocenes, there is no direct metalmetal bond in the dianionic structures. This conclusion is supported by electronic spectra of neutral and dianionic species.     

Zur Kinetik der Spinellbildung von β-Ga2O3 mit zweiwertigen Oxiden II. Tracerdiffusion von 63Ni2+ und 67Ga3+ im Nickel-Gallium-Spinell

The self-diffusion coefficients of ⁶³Ni²⁺ and ⁶⁷Ga³⁺ have been measured in nickel-gallium spinels of the general formula $\text{Ni}{}_{\mathrm{1?y}}\text{Ga}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>2+</mtext><mtext>2y</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{O}{}_4$ between 1653 and 1838 K using the restactivity method. Thin radioactive oxide layers are produced on inactive sample surfaces by sedimentation from aqueous solution. The sample composition corresponds to the solubility limit of NiO, respectively, β-Ga₂O₃ in the spinel lattice.It has been concluded that diffusion of Ni²⁺-and Ga³⁺-ions occurs via vacant cation sites.The values obtained for the two cations, which are in the same order of magnitude, are used to calculate the rational reaction constants for NiGa₂O₄ formation after Schmalzried.There is a satisfying agreement between these reaction constants and those values determined by thickness measurement of spinel reaction layers; the agreement between values of activation energy is very good.It is suggested that NiGa₂O₄ formation proceeds after the Wagner mechanism of counterdiffusion of cations.     

Interactions magnétiques dans des groupements binucléaires [Fe2O7]8− au sein de Na8Fe2O7

The magnetic interaction in the structural units [Fe₂O₇]^8?, built of two corner-sharing FeO₄ tetrahedra, in Na₈Fe₂O₇ ($\text{Na}{}_2\text{O}\text{Fe}{}_2\text{O}{}_3\text{=}\text{4}\text{1}$) has been studied by magnetic susceptibility measurements (4.2–500 K). An exchange integral $\text{J}\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>B</mtext>}}$ of ?37 K is obtained by comparison of the experimental values and the calculated ones using a Heisenberg-Dirac-Van Vleck-type Hamiltonian ? = $\text{?2J}\text{S}\text{?}{}_1\text{S}\text{?}{}_2$. The hypothesis of magnetically isolated [Fe₂O₇]^8? groups is corroborated by Mössbauer spectroscopy between 1.5 and 77 K. The susceptibility measurements of the solid solutions Na₈Fe_2?xM_xO₇ (M = Al, Ga; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 for Al; 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 for Ga) leads to the same conclusion of the existence of isolated Fe³⁺Fe³⁺ pairs in Na₈Fe₂O₇. The type of substitution of Fe by Al or Ga is determined; homonuclear Fe³⁺Fe³⁺ and M³⁺M³⁺ pairs and heteronuclear Fe³⁺M³⁺ pairs are formed.     

Diffusion of point defects participating in solid-phase chemical reactions (trap diffusion): Demonstration for the Ti3+ → Ti4+ transition in corundum

A problem of trap diffusion, that is diffusion of point defects in crystals participating in a solid-phase chemical reaction with motionless impurity ions, is solved. Time dependences of the reaction-front displacement, X_f, and its steepness, $\text{(}\text{?C}\text{?X}\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{f}}$ are determined analytically for N₀ ? C₀ and numerically for all relations of N₀ and C₀$\text{x}{}_{\mathrm{f}}{}^2\text{=2}\text{N}{}_0\text{C}{}_0\text{Dt; (}\text{ac}\text{ax}\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{f}}\text{=0.3C}{}_0{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{g}\text{D}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2></mtext>}}$where C₀ and N₀ are the initial concentration of impurity and the eqilibrium defect concentration, respectively, D is a diffusion coefficient, and g is a chemical reaction constant. Dependence of X_f vs C₀ and t is confirmed for oxygen annealing of corundum crystals doped with titanium which, reacting with the point defects, changes its valency. The data are obtained for dependence of displacement X_f upon partial oxygen pressure and thermotreatment temperature as well as upon the sign of the constant electric field applied to the sample. From these data we conclude that the reaction of titanium impurity, changing from the three-valent to the tetravalent state at the activation energy of 80 ± 8.5 kcal/mole is due to anisotropic diffusion of charged aluminum vacancy and holes in the valence band. The diffusion coefficient for that process at 1500°C is estimated to be larger than 10^?5 cm²/sec. Using the trap-diffusion features, the concentration of optical centers of the 0.315-μm absorption band in ruby is also estimated.     

Tracer diffusion coefficient of oxide ions in LaCoO3 single crystal

The tracer diffusion coefficient, $\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$, of oxide ions in LaCoO₃ single crystal was determined over the temperature range of 700–1000°C by a gas-solid isotopic exchange technique using ¹⁸O tracer. For the determination, two methods, the gas phase analysis and the depth profile measurement, were employed. Under an oxygen pressure of 34 Torr, the temperature dependence of $\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$ in LaCoO₃ was expressed by

$\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{cm}{}^2\text{·}\text{sec}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{) = 3.63 × 10}{}^4\text{exp}\text{?}\text{(74 ± 5)}\text{kcal}\text{·}\text{mole}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{RT}$

$\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$ at 950°C was found to be proportional to P^?0.35_O2. The diffusion of oxide ions occurs through a vacancy mechanism. The activation energy for the migration of oxide ion vacancies was estimated as 18 kcal · mole^?1.     

Application de la RPE à la localisation des substitutions isomorphiques dans les micas: Localisation du Fe3+ dans les muscovites et les phlogopites

Electron spin resonance spectra attributed to four Fe³⁺ centers designated O_a, O_b, T_a, T_b have been observed in crystals of muscovite and phlogopite. The results are discussed using the spin Hamiltonian

with g_e ～ 2.002. The angular variation of the resonance lines is used to determine the ESR axes of the four different sites. Two species are octahedrally coordinated (O_a and O_b) and are assigned to two different surroundings of Fe³⁺ in the octahedral sheet. The remaining two species (T_a and T_b) may be assigned to the tetrahedral FeO₄. The T_a sites have a symmetry axis lying along one of the FeO bonds. The symmetry axis is created by an excess of negative charge on the oxygen bound to the neighboring tetrahedral substitution. Rhombic symmetry of the T_b sites is due to the presence of fluorine anions substituting some hydroxyl ions. One of the ESR axes is directed toward the fluorine ion.     

Diatomics-in-molecules potential energy surfaces for the collision-induced dissociation of excited Li2(1Πu) by helium atoms

The 1 ¹A″, 2 ¹A″, 3 ¹A′, 4 ¹A′, and 5 ¹A′ potential energy surfaces (PES) relevant to the collision-induced dissociation (CID) process $\text{Li}{}_2\text{(}{}^1\text{Π}{}_{\mathrm{u}}\text{) +}\text{He}\text{(}{}^1\text{S}{}_{\mathrm{g}}\text{) →}\text{Li}\text{(}{}^2\text{S}{}_{\mathrm{g}}\text{) +}\text{Li}\text{(}{}^2\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{u}}\text{) +}\text{He}\text{(}{}^1\text{S}{}_{\mathrm{g}}\text{)}$ are approximated by three diatomics-in-molecules models differing from each other in the source of diatomic input. The semi-empirical model, the most realistic of the three, shows the CID to depend critically on the position of avoided crossings on the PES and on the magnitude of the non-adiabatic coupling, which is estimated numerically. The ¹A″ calculations support a qualitative two-step mechanism recently proposed by Poppe and Whitton. The ¹A′ surfaces exhibit a degree of complexity which precludes a simple picture of the CID process. The results suggest that only a quantum scattering treatment or perhaps a very detailed surface-hopping trajectory calculation will be adequate for the interpretation of the experimental observations on this reaction, and the estimation of the cross sections.     

Peroxo salts as initiators of vinyl polymerization—2. Kinetics of polymerization of acrylic acid and sodium-acrylate by peroxodisulphate in aqueous solution—effect of pH and Ag+ catalysis

Results on the rate of polymerization of acrylic acid by S₂O^2?₈ ion in alkaline and acid conditions are presented. R_p depended upon $\text{[S}{}_2\text{O}{}^{\mathrm{2?}}{}_8\text{]}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{[monomer]}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ both in acid and alkaline solutions. The influence of ionic strength, the effect of pH on R_p and the catalytic effect of Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ on the system have been discussed. Suitable mechanisms are proposed.     

Nonstoichiometry and defect structure of the perovskite-type oxides La1−xSrxFeO3−°

In order to elucidate the defect structure of the perovskite-type oxide solid solution La_1?xSr_xFeO_3?δ (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.4, and 0.6), the nonstoichiometry, δ, was measured as a function of oxygen partial pressure, P_O2, at temperatures up to 1200°C by means of the thermogravimetric method. Below 200°C and in an atmosphere of P_O2 ≥ 0.13 atm, δ in La_1?xSr_xFeO_3?δ was found to be close to 0. With decreasing log P_O2, δ increased and asymptotically reached $\text{x}\text{2}$. The value corresponding to $\text{δ =}\text{x}\text{2}$ was about ?10 at 1000°C. With further decrease in log P_O2, δ slightly increased. For LaFeO_3?δ, the observed δ values were as small as <0.015. It was found that the relation between δ and log P_O2 is interpreted on the basis of the defect equilibrium among Sr′_La (or V?_La for the case of LaFeO_3?δ), V^··_O, Fe′_Fe, and Fe^·_Fe. Calculations were made for the equilibrium constants K_ox of the reaction

$\text{1}\text{2}\text{O}{}_2\text{(g) + V}{}^{\mathrm{··}}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{+ 2Fe}{}^{\mathrm{x}}{}_{\mathrm{Fe}}\text{= O}{}^{\mathrm{x}}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{+ 2Fe}{}^{\mathrm{·}}{}_{\mathrm{Fe}}$

and K_i for the reaction

$\text{2Fe}{}^{\mathrm{x}}{}_{\mathrm{Fe}}\text{= Fe}{}^{\mathrm{\prime }}{}_{\mathrm{Fe}}\text{+ Fe}{}^{\mathrm{·}}{}_{\mathrm{Fe·}}$

Using these constants, the defect concentrations were calculated as functions of P_O2, temperature, and composition x. The present results are discussed with respect to previously reported results of conductivity measurements.     

Luminescent properties of Nd3+ in the NaxNdxM(1−2x)Ga2S4 thiogallates (M = Ca,Sr,Ba; x ≤ 0.5): A family of materials characterized by weak self-quenching and efficient band excitation

As a consequence of the weak phonon energies and the low crystal field, several excited states of Nd³⁺ are emitters in the Na_xNd_xM_1?2xGa₂G₄ thiogallates (x ≤ 0.5 for M = Ca or Sr and ≤0.2 for M = Ba). The infrared ${}^4\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ emission is little affected by concentration quenching. NaNdGa₄S₈ is the first efficient stoichiometric sulfide so far reported. Unlike other sulfides previously investigated, the neodymium thiogallates show an intense excitation band, ascribed to electron transfer from the valence band to states constituted essentially by neodymium orbitals.     

Two unexpected effects concerning perturbations of the B3Π0u+ state of molecular iodine

We present in this paper two new effects observed in the state of molecular iodine: a very high diamagnetic correction in the vibrational level υ′ = 62 and an important orientation of the optically excited molecules due to predissociation. Both effects can be interpreted by taking into consideration the perturbation of the B state by other electronic states.     

Standard enthalpies of formation of uranium compounds I. β-UO3 and γ-UO3

The standard enthalpy of formation of γ-UO₃ has been critically assessed; the value ?(292.5 ± 0.2) kcal_th mol^?1 is suggested.The enthalpies of solution of β-UO₃ and γ-UO₃ in 3 M H₂SO₄ have been measured and used to derive:

$\text{ΔH}{}_{\mathrm{f}}{}^{\mathrm{°}}\text{(β?}\text{UO}{}_3\text{, 298.15}\text{K}\text{) = ?(291.6 ± 0.2)}\text{kcal}{}_{\mathrm{th}}\text{mol}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$

     

Energy transfer between managanese(II) and erbium(III) in various fluoride glasses

The fluorescence spectra and lifetimes of fluoride glasses of molar composition 36PbF₂, 24MnF₂ (or ZnF₂), 35GaF₃, 5 (or 7) Al(PO₃)₃, doped by ErF₃ were investigated. The emission of Mn(II) in absence of Er(III) consists of a broad band centered around 630 nm and an integrated lifetime of 1.4 msec. In the presence of Er(III) the intensity and lifetimes are decreased as a result of energy transfer to the ${}^4\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level of Er(III). The fluorescence of Er(III) arising from ${}^4\text{S}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ at 543 nm has an integrated lifetime of 0.06 ms in the absence of Mn(II) and is decreased to 0.01 ms in the presence of Mn(II) as a result of energy transfer to Mn(II). The 666-nm luminescence of Er(III) due to ${}^4\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ emission under excitation at 370 nm (${}^4\text{G}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$) is about 20 times weaker than the 543-nm emission when Mn(II) is absent. However, in the presence of Mn(II) this emission becomes 5 times stronger than the 543-nm emission. This intensified emission has a non-exponential time dependence. The longer component corresponds to the transfer of stored energy in Mn(II) to Er(III) while the short-lived component is probably due to cascading down Er(III) → Mn(II) → Er(III) through states above the Stokes threshold of Mn(II). This interpretation is backed up by weaker 543-nm emission and stronger 630-nm broad-band emission when the mixed system is excited in one of the upper excited states, of Mn(II) at 395 nm, or of Er(III).     

Synthèse et caractérisation d'une série de titanates pérowskites isotypes de [CaCu3](Mn4)O12

A series of titanates which have perovskite-like arrangements and are isostructural with [CaCu₃](Mn₄)O₁₂ have been synthesized. The total charge of the A sites can be modified (1) by substituting the Ca²⁺ cations with monovalent ones and the tetravalent manganese cations of the B sites by a mixture of (Ti⁴⁺ + M⁵⁺) in which M = Ta, Nb, Sb, or (2) by substituting the Ca²⁺ cations by a combination of cations plus vacancies. In this case, if the total charge of the A sites is 2, one obtains compounds such as $\text{[}\text{Th}{}^{\mathrm{4+}}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{□}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{Cu}{}_3\text{](Ti}{}_4\text{)O}{}_{12}$ and $\text{[T}{}^{\mathrm{3+}}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>2</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{□}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{Cu}{}_3\text{](Ti}{}_4\text{O}{}_{12}\text{(T =}\text{rare earth}\text{)}$; on the contrary, if the charge is less than 2, then one has to compensate it by changing that of the B sites. This leads to compounds such as [□Cu₃](Ti₂M₂)O₁₂ (M = Ta, Nb, Sb).