Amine-induced growth of an In2O3 shell on colloidal InP nanocrystals

A simple and rapid method for the growth of an In2O3 shell on colloidal InP nanocrystals is described, increasing their fluorescence efficiency by one order of magnitude.     

Phase transformation of colloidal In2O3 nanocrystals driven by the interface nucleation mechanism: a kinetic study

The kinetics of phase transformation of colloidal In(2)O(3) nanocrystals (NCs) during their synthesis in solution was explored by a combination of structural and spectroscopic methods, including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Erofeyev-Kholmogorov (JMAEK) and the interface nucleation models were used to analyze the isothermal kinetic data for the phase transformation of NCs in the temperature range of 210-260 °C. The results show that NCs are initially stabilized in the metastable corundum (rh-In(2)O(3)) phase. The phase transformation occurs via nucleation of cubic bixbyite (bcc-In(2)O(3)) phase at the interface between contacting rh-In(2)O(3) NCs, and propagates rapidly throughout the NC volume. The activation energy of the phase transformation was determined from the Arrhenius expression to be 152 ± 60 kJ/mol. The interface nucleation rate is maximal at the beginning of the phase transformation process, and decreases over the course of the reaction due to a decrease in the concentration of rh-In(2)O(3) NCs in the reaction mixture. In situ high-temperature XRD patterns collected during nonisothermal treatment of In(2)O(3) NCs reveal that phase transformation of smaller NCs occurs at a faster rate and lower temperature, which is associated with their higher packing density and contact formation probability. Because NC surfaces and interfaces play a key role in phase transformation, their control through the synthesis conditions and reaction kinetics is an effective route to manipulate NC structure and properties.     

The thermostability and reactivity of GaP nanocrystals in oxygen: from GaP nanocrystals to Ga2O3 nanocrystals

The thermostability and reactivity of GaP nanocrystals in O(2) were investigated using the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis techniques. alpha-Ga(2)O(3) nanoparticles, nano-hollow-particles, or nanorods and nanotubes can be separately obtained from the oxidation of nanocrystalline GaP at 400 degrees C for 30 min in dry O(2) atmosphere via manipulating different heating rates. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) analysis showed that the products were all alpha-Ga(2)O(3) but with different morphologies when different heating rates were applied. The formation mechanisms of the different morphological alpha-Ga(2)O(3) nanocrystals were discussed.     

In situ infrared spectroscopic studies on the mechanism of the selective catalytic reduction of NO by C3H8 over Ga2O3/Al2O3: high efficiency of the reducing agent

The partial oxidation of propane and the mechanism of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by propane over Ga2O3/Al2O3 in excess of O2 have been investigated using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. An optimized Ga2O3/Al2O3 catalyst shows high activity and efficiency of the reducing agent propane (100% conversion of NO at 623 K, GHSV: 10,000 h(-1)). One molecule of propane converts more than 4 NO molecules to N2. The reaction starts with the partial oxidation of C3H8 by O2 and carboxylates (acetate, formate) are formed on the catalyst surface above 573 K. This oxidation represents the rate-determining step of the SCR reaction. These surface carboxylates represent a dominating intermediate and (easily) react with (adsorbed) NO forming nitrogen-containing organic species. The latter are proposed to react with NO to form N2. Total oxidation of propane was enhanced at temperatures above 773 K leading to decreased reductant efficiency. Surface nitrite and nitrate species can also be observed, but they were found to be spectators only. This could be concluded from the electron balance (conversion of propane relative to NO) and from the relative rates of the single reaction steps. On the basis of these investigations and stoichiometric calculations, a conclusive reaction mechanism is proposed.     

Formation of heterodimer nanocrystals: UO2/In2O3 and FePt/In2O3

This Article reports a mechanistic study on the formation of colloidal UO(2)/In(2)O(3) and FePt/In(2)O(3) heterodimer nanocrystals. These dimer nanocrystals were synthesized via the growth of In(2)O(3) as the epitaxial material onto the seed nanocrystals of UO(2) or FePt. The resulting dimer nanocrystals were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM). The results from XRD and HRTEM clearly show that lattice strains exist in both of these dimer nanocrystals. Interestingly, the lattice of In(2)O(3) expands in UO(2)/In(2)O(3) dimers, whereas FePt/In(2)O(3) dimers exhibit compressed In(2)O(3) lattices. Using HRTEM and nanocrystal structure simulations, we have identified the crystallographic orientation of the attachment of the two segments in these two types of dimers. An unconventional Miller index was introduced to describe the crystallographic orientation of these heterodimer nanocrystals. On the basis of the results herein as well as those from other researchers, we propose an empirical law for the determination of the crystallographic attachment orientation in heterodimers: instead of growth on the facet of the seed nanocrystals where lattice mismatch is minimized, the growth of an epitaxial material often chooses the crystal facets where the first atomic monolayer of this material has the strongest affinity for the seed nanocrystals.     

Self-assembly and hierarchical organization of Ga2O3/In2O3 nanostructures

We report on the realization of novel 3-D hierarchical heterostructures with 6-and 4-fold symmetries by a transport and condensation technique. It was found that the major core nanowires or nanobelts are single-crystalline In2O3, and the secondary nanorods are single-crystalline monoclinic beta-Ga2O3 and grow either perpendicular on or slanted to all the facets of the core In2O3 nanobelts. Depending on the diameter of the core In2O3 nanostructures, the secondary Ga2O3 nanorods grow either as a single row or multiple rows. The one-step growth of the unique Ga2O3/In2O3 heteronanostructures is a spontaneous and self-organized process. The simultaneous control of nanocrystal size and shape together with the possibility of growing heterostructures on certain nanocrystal facets opens up novel routes to the synthesis of more sophisticated heterostructures as building blocks for opto- and nanoelectronics.     

Phase formation in the System Ga2S3–Eu2O3

The diagram of state of Ga₂S₃? Eu₂ O₃ system has been investigated by the methods of differential thermal, high-temperature differential thermal, X-ray phase shift, microstructural and thermodynamic analyses, measurement of microhardness and density of the samples. It has been established that the system is eutectic, the solubility at 295 K on the part of Gas₂S₃ reaches 7 mole-% of Eu₂O₃ and Ga₂S₃ · Eu₂ O₃ was found.     

Effect of surface melting on the formation and growth of nanocrystals in the Bi2O3-Fe2O3 system

Formation of nanocrystals in the Bi₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ system prepared by the co-precipitation of bismuth and iron hydroxides has been studied. The temperature of onset of the BiFeO₃ and Bi₂Fe₄O₉ nanocrystals formation is correlated with the melting point of the non-autonomous phases. The optimal temperature of BiFeO₃ and Bi₂Fe₄O₉ nanoparticles synthesis is 460–520 and 500–550°C, respectively.     

In situ 1H NMR study on the trioctylphosphine oxide capping of colloidal InP nanocrystals.

We used trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) capped colloidal InP nanocrystals (Q-InP|TOPO) to explore the potential of solution 1H NMR spectroscopy in studying in situ the capping and capping exchange of sterically stabilized colloidal nanocrystals. The spectrum of Q-InP|TOPO shows resonances of free TOPO, superimposed on broadened spectral features. The latter were assigned to TOPO adsorbed at Q-InP by means of pulsed field gradient diffusion NMR and 1H-13C HSQC spectroscopy. The diffusion coefficient of Q-InP|TOPO nanocrystals was inferred from the decay of the adsorbed TOPO NMR signal. The corresponding hydrodynamic diameter correlates well with the diameter of Q-InP. By using the resolved methyl resonance of adsorbed TOPO, the packing density of TOPO at the InP surface can be estimated. Spectral hole burning was used to demonstrate explicitly that the adsorbed TOPO resonances are heterogeneously broadened. Exchange of the TOPO capping by pyridine was demonstrated by the disappearance of the resonances for adsorbed TOPO and the appearance of pyridine resonances in the 1H NMR spectrum. These results show that solution NMR spectroscopy should be considered a powerful technique for the in situ study of the capping of sterically stabilized colloidal nanocrystals.     

A spectroscopic analysis of blue and ultraviolet upconverted emissions from Gd3Ga5O12:Tm3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals

The spectroscopic behavior of gadolinium gallium garnet (Gd3Ga5O12, GGG) nanocrystals codoped with 1% each of Tm3+ and Yb3+ prepared via a solution combustion synthesis procedure was investigated. Initial excitation of the codoped nanocrystals with 465.8 nm (into the 1G4 state) showed a dominant blue-green emission ascribed to the 1G4-3H6 transition as well as red and NIR emissions from the 1G4-3F4 and 1G4-3H5/3H4-3H6 transitions, respectively. Excitation at this wavelength (465.8 nm) showed the existence of a Tm3+ --> Yb3+ energy transfer process evidenced by the presence of the 2F5/2-2F7/2 Yb3+ emission in the NIR emission spectrum. The decay time constants proved that the transfer of energy occurred via the 3H4 state. Following excitation of the Yb3+ ion with 980 nm, intense upconverted emission was observed. Emissions in the UV (1D2-3H6), blue (1D2-3F4), blue-green (1G4-3H6), red (1G4-3F4), and NIR (1G4-3H5/3H4-3H6) were observed and were the direct result of subsequent transfers of energy from the Yb3+ ion to the Tm3+ ion. Power dependence studies showed a deviation from expected values for the number of photons involved in the upconversion thus indicating a saturation of the upconversion process. An energy transfer efficiency of 0.576 was determined experimentally.     

Synthesis of metastable hexagonal In2O3 nanocrystals by a precursor-dehydration route under ambient pressure

Single-crystalline metastable In₂O₃ nanocrystals with size in the range of 5–30 nm were, for the first time, synthesized by a precursor-dehydration route at 490°C under ambient pressure. The precursor was prepared by a hydrolysis solvothermal reaction using InCl₃·4H₂O as starting materials and ethylenediamine as solvent in the range of 180–230°C. It was found that the precursor had significant effect on the phase composition and phase structure of In₂O₃. Optical properties of the metastable In₂O₃ nanocrystals were investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of single-crystalline In2O3 nanocrystals via solution dispersion

In this paper, In2O3 nanocrystals were prepared by solution dispersion from bulk indium. In2O3 nanocrystals with an average diameter of 30 nm have a single-crystalline phase and appear as a square or rhombohedral shape, and little spherical particles are also present. In addition, these nanocrystals show strong ultraviolet-blue emission.     

Study of quasi-monodisperse In2O3 nanocrystals: synthesis and optical determination

In this communication, we report a successful synthesis of quasi-monodisperse In2O3 nanocrystals with high crystallinity in a high-temperature organic solution. The average size of nanocrystals can be tuned using a dynamic injection technique. TEM and XRD investigations indicate that each nanocrystal is a single crystal. The optical determination implies that the photoluminescence behavior of these In2O3 nanocrystals is different from that of the bulk, probably due to the combination of weak quantum-confinement-effects and the nature of high crystallinity in nanocrystals.     

反相微乳液中憎水性纳米金的原位还原法合成

利用十八胺(C18NH2)/正丁醇/正庚烷/HAuCl4(aq)W/O型微乳液体系,在常温的碱促进条件下由正丁醇原位还原氯金酸合成了具有高度单分散的憎水性金纳米粒子。由C18NH2稳定的金纳米颗粒运用紫外可见光谱(UV-vis)、透射电镜(TEM)和X射线衍射(XRD)等分别进行了表征和分析,并探讨了微乳液体系各组分对形成金纳米粒子形貌、尺寸和单分散性的影响。结果显示,随十八胺/氯金酸摩尔比的增加,金粒子的尺寸逐渐减小而单分散性逐渐提高。在正丁醇原位慢还原氯金酸的过程中,实验所选W/O型微乳液模板和表面活性剂十八胺分子对憎水性金纳米粒子的形貌和尺寸仍具有良好的控制作用。     

Low-temperature anomalies of two-photon absorption in In2O3 nanocrystals incorporated into PMMA matrixes

By using a method of two-photon absorption, it has been observed that monodisperse In2O3 nanocrystals (NCs) with sizes equal to approximately 14-24 nm show significant increase of two-photon absorption at low temperatures. When T = 40 K, the two-photon absorption coefficients for low-sized samples drastically increase, whereas such enhancement for the samples with averaged sizes above approximately 24 nm is not significant. The nondiagonal tensor components give one-order-less two-photon absorption values. A principal role in the observed dependences is played by interface nanolayers, demonstrating substantial contribution of nanoconfined effects. This phenomenon could only be observed in highly monodisperse NCs. Increase of the size distribution substantially suppresses the two-photon absorption observed. For the relatively large nanocrystals, the effects are comparable with those of the bulklike crystals. At the same time, the drastic increase at low temperatures may indicate a substantial role of the phonon subsystem.     

Sensor properties of the nanostructured In2O3-CeO2 system in detection of reducing gases

The sensor properties of nanostructured In₂O₃-CeO₂ composite films with different compositions in hydrogen and carbon monoxide detection in air in the temperature range 280–500°C were studied. The temperature curves of the sensor effect S have a shape typical for metal oxide sensors with maxima S _max at definite temperatures Tmax. The maxima characterize the sensor properties of the films and increased considerably when small amounts of CeO₂ were added to In₂O₃. The highest sensitivity was found in composite films with 3–10 wt % CeO₂. When the composite was further enriched with ceric oxide, the sensitivity decreased; at 40 wt % CeO₂ it was considerably lower than that of pure In₂O₃. The introduction of CeO₂ in In₂O₃ also caused a shift of Tmax toward lower temperatures. The mechanism of the sensitivity of the In₂O₃-CeO₂ composite was considered; it includes the promotion of sensor reactions by small CeO₂ nanoclusters lying on the surface of In₂O₃ crystals and an electron transfer from In₂O₃ to CeO₂.     

In situ growth of Co3O4 nano-dodecahedeons on In2O3 hexagonal prisms for toluene catalytic combustion

In this paper, in situ growth of Co₃O₄ nano-dodecahedra on In₂O₃ hexagonal prisms were synthesized via pyrolysis of ZIF-67/MIL-68. Interestingly, the amount of Co₃O₄ dodecahedra on In₂O₃ hexagonal prisms was regularly regulated and controlled. In detail, four Co₃O₄/In₂O₃ catalysts with various Co/In molar ratio were prepared, including Co₄In₁ (Co/In molar ratio was 4:1), Co₂In₁ (Co/In molar ratio was 2:1), Co₁In₁ (Co/In molar ratio was 1:1), Co_0.5In₁ (Co/In molar ratio was 0.5:1). The catalytic performance of Co₃O₄/In₂O₃ catalysts was systematically investigated for toluene combustion. It could be noted that the Co₂In₁ sample exhibited the superior catalytic performance, and the temperatures for 90% toluene conversion (T₉₀) was 182 °C. Furthermore, the toluene conversion of Co₂In₁ sample had no significant decrease at 178 °C for 15 h, indicating that it presented superior stability for toluene oxidation reaction. Through various characterizations, it was verified that the Co/In molar ratio of Co₃O₄/In₂O₃ catalyst could obviously alter the surface atomic ratio of Co³⁺/(Co³⁺ + Co²⁺), BET surface area, the number of surface adsorbed oxygen, the interaction between In₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ of CoInO_x catalysts and so on. The lots of surface adsorbed oxygen, strong interaction between In₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ would promote the catalytic oxidation of toluene. Especially, we discovered that the catalytic activity of Co₃O₄/In₂O₃ was obviously improved with the increase of Co³⁺/(Co³⁺ + Co²⁺) surface atomic ratio.     

Gallium‐Indium Ordering in the Complex [Ni2Ga3In] Network of GdNi2Ga3In

Polycrystalline samples of the isotypic quaternary compounds RENi₂Ga₃In (RE = Y, Gd – Tm) were obtained by arc‐melting of the elements. Crystals of the gadolinium compound were found by slow cooling of an arc‐melted button of the initial composition “GdNiGa₃In”. All samples were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction. The structure of GdNi₂Ga_2.89In_1.11 was refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer data: new type, Pnma, a = 2426.38(7), b = 418.17(2), c = 927.27(3) pm, wR₂ = 0.0430, 1610 F² values and 88 variables. Two of the six crystallographically independent gallium sites show a small degree of Ga/In mixing. The nickel atoms show tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination by gadolinium, gallium, and indium. Together, the nickel, gallium, and indium atoms build up a complex three‐dimensional [Ni₂Ga₃In]^δ– network, which leaves cages for the gadolinium atoms. The indium atoms form zigzag chains with In–In distances of 337 pm. The crystal chemical similarities of the polyhedral packing in the GdNi₂Ga₃In and La₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ structures are discussed.     

Ga2O3-La2O3-Yb2O3-Er2O3(HO2O3)体系光谱性质的研究

根据稀土离子能级的特点,对Ga2O3-La2O3-Yb2O3-Er2O3(HO2O3)体系的光谱性质进行了探讨,发现它们有二类发光性质:Stokes发光和反Stokes发光,研究了发光强度和发射波长与掺杂离子的依赖关系,观察到由能量的共振转移引起的荧光浓度猝灭现象,并取得了最大发光强度时的掺杂离子浓度和一些规律性结果.     

Synthesis and characterisation of Gd2O3 nanocrystals functionalised by organic acids

Nanocrystals of Gd2O3 have been prepared by various methods, using, e.g., trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), diethylene glycol (DEG) or glycine. The crystalline particles were of sizes 5 to 15 nm. Different carboxylic acids, e.g., oleic acid or citric acid, were adsorbed onto the surface of the particles made with DEG. IR measurements show that the molecules coordinate to the Gd2O3 surface via the carboxylate group in a bidentate or bridging manner. The organic-acid/particle complexes were characterised by XRPD, TEM, FTIR, Raman, and XPS.