Preparation and characterization of ZnO particles embedded in organic–inorganic planar waveguide by sol–gel route

Hybrid organic–inorganic waveguides based on ZnO-(3-glycidoxypropil)trimethoxisilane (GPTS) have been fabricated by sol–gel route. A transparent sol of ZnO was added to the GPTS host and the resulting sol was deposited on silica substrates by spin coating technique. Waveguides with different molar composition (100?x)GPTS?xZnO (x = 10, 20, 30) were investigated by different diagnostic techniques. Morphological measurements were carried out by means of an AFM apparatus, and a roughness of few nanometers was estimated for all the waveguides. Optical properties such as refractive index, thickness, number of propagating modes and attenuation coefficient were measured at 632.8, 543.5, 1319 and 1542 nm by the prism coupling technique as a function of the ZnO content. Photoluminescence measurements, upon excitation at 325 nm, showed a large luminescence band in the region between 350 and 600 nm with a main peak centered at about 380 nm, due to the presence of ZnO nanoparticles.     

The Eγ′ center as a probe of structural properties of nanometer-sized silica particles

A Q-band electron spin resonance (ESR) study is reported of E′ type point defects observed in ～7 nm-sized fumed silica nanoparticles following 10-eV irradiation to photodissociate H from passivated defects. In a comparative study with bulk silica (suprasil), the E′ center is used as an atomic probe to get more in depth information on the network structure of the nm-sized particles. The nanoparticles were brought into contact with ‘bulk’ Si/SiO₂ entities at an elevated temperature in vacuum (T_an = 1105 °C), i.e., the presence of an Si/SiO₂ interface. As a result of this post manufacture treatment, the E′ density increased drastically (>order of magnitude), enabling us to resolve hyperfine (hf) structure of the E′ centers located in the core region of the nanoparticles. Two doublet structures are observed, one each assigned to O₂Si–H entities and the primary ²⁹Si hf structure of the E′ centers. Analysis of these hf spectra reveals interesting information on the network structure of the core region of the nanoparticles: (1) Fumed silica is found to contain relatively less hydrogen than suprasil. (2) An increased ²⁹Si hf splitting (439 ± 2 G) is observed compared to bulk silica (418 ± 2 G), indicating that the E′ centers located in the core of the nanoparticles exhibit on average a slightly more pyramidal defect structure, and moreover, providing evidence that the fumed silica particles are densified compared to standard bulk silica, possibly originating from the presence of more low-membered rings (n < 5) in the nm-sized silica network.     

The effect of composition and temperature on the amount and type of nanoferrite particles inserted in Fe2O3–ZnO–MgO–SiO2 glass–ceramics

Glass–ceramics with the composition 2Fe₂O₃.1ZnO.1MgO.96SiO₂ [4ZnMgFe] and 2Fe₂O₃.2ZnO.3MgO.93SiO₂ [7ZnMgFe] (mol%) were prepared using the sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron diffraction (ED) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS) were used to investigate the glass–ceramics structure. The samples contain ferrite nanoparticles embedded in a glass matrix. However, zinc ferrite nanoparticles seems to be the preferential crystalline phase formed. The amount of ferrite particles depends on treatment temperature and sample composition. The Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements show that ferrite nanoparticles can exhibit a ferrimagnetic behaviour combined with superparamagnetism.     

Solvothermal synthesis of micron-sized spherical particles in TiO2–ZrO2 binary system

We prepared TiO₂–ZrO₂ binary oxide particles with various Ti/(Zr+Ti) mole ratios (x) from the solutions containing Ti(OC₃H₇ⁱ)₄, Zr(OC₃H₇ⁿ)₄ and acetylacetone (acac). The spherical particles of 1–5 μm in diameter were obtained via solvothermal treatment at 150 °C. The spheres were anatase at x=1 and amorphous at x=0–0.8. The spheres were thought to be formed through the moderate hydrolysis and nucleation provided by the chelation of the alkoxides by acac. Crystalline TiO₂–ZrO₂ particles were obtained by the heat treatment of the as-precipitated spheres, and the crystalline phase changed with the Ti/(Zr+Ti) mole ratios. Pure ZrO₂ and TiO₂, ZrO₂ doped with Ti⁴⁺, TiO₂ doped with Zr⁴⁺ and ZrTiO₄ phases were produced, and the spherical shape remained after the heat treatment at 500–750 °C.     

Periodic alignment of sol–gel derived,monodisperse phenylsilsesquioxane particles on a pregrooved substrate

Preparation and alignment of monodisperse inorganic–organic hybrid particles have become one of the most attractive research topics in recent years. In this study, phenylsilsesquioxane (PhSiO_3/2) particles were synthesized from phenyltriethoxysilane (PhSi(OEt)₃), ethanol (EtOH), hydrochloric acid for hydrolysis and ammonia water for polycondensation via sol–gel process. Spherical PhSiO_3/2 particles of 0.1–5.0 μm in diameter were obtained by varying the composition of the sols. The particle size distribution decreased with increasing the amounts of catalyst-containing H₂O and EtOH, and increasing the concentrations of catalysts. Monodisperse particles obtained were aligned on a pregrooved glass substrate using an ascending liquid flow and an attractive capillary force between the particles.     

Gel growth of α and γ glycine and their characterization

The microbial free single crystals of α and γ glycine were grown from gel at room temperature in a new chemical route. These crystals showed a superior quality than the solution grown crystals. The metastable α-form and the stable γ-form of glycine were crystallized in silica gel by solubility reduction method. The form of crystallization is confirmed by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses. The crystals of α and γ glycine were found to crystallize in monoclinic and hexagonal crystal systems, respectively. For analyzing the functional group and thermal stability of α and γ glycine crystals, spectroscopic and thermal analyses have been carried out. The dielectric studies were performed to find the dielectric constant of the grown crystals and the results are discussed. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal was measured by Kurtz’s powder method using Nd:YAG laser and it was found to be 2.68 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals.     

Synthesis and crystal and molecular structure of newN-substituted γ-hydroxybutyramides

TheN-(2-phenylethyl)amide of-(1, 1-ethylenedioxy)-ethyl--hydroxybutyric acid (II) and theN-(p-methoxybenzyl)amide of-(1, 1-ethylenedioxy)-ethyl--hydroxybutyric acid (III) have been synthesized and the crystal structure ofIII has been solved. CompoundIII, C₁₆H₂₃O₅N, crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP2₁/c witha=12.572(2),b=11.149(2),c=12.317(2) Å and=106.53(1)°. The structure was solved by direct methods, and refined by full-matrix least squares to giveR=0.040 (R _w =0.047) for 2004 intensities. The dioxolane ring has a deformed half-chair conformation.     

Synthesis of spinacine and spinacine derivatives: crystal and molecular structures of Nπ-hydroxymethyl spinacine and Nα-methyl spinaceamine

The natural amino acid L-Spinacine (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid) has been synthesized following a new pathway which gives a chemically and optically pure product with an excellent yield. The crystal structures of a synthetic intermediate, N^π-hydroxymethyl-spinacine, and a spinacine derivative, N^α-methyl-spinaceamine, have been investigated through X-ray diffraction: Spi(πMeOH)·H₂O, monoclinicP2 _i,a=8.571(1),b=6.682(1),c=8.588(1) Å, and β=94.67(1)^o. Spm(αMe)·2HCl·H₂O, triclinicP l,a=7.492(4),b=10.799(3),c=7.040(2) Å, α=91.88(2), β=98.36(3) and γ=73.34(3)^o. Spi(πMeOH) crystallizes with a water molecule and displays a zwitterionic character. The carboxylate group is in equatorial position and forms a short electrostatic interaction of 2.618(2) Å between one of its oxygens and the protonated nitrogen of the tetrahydropyridine ring. The crystal packing is assured by strong O?H???O, O?H???N, N?H???N intermolecular hydrogen bonds and C?H???O close contacts. The biprotonated compounds Spm(αMe) crystallizes with two Cl^? anions and a water molecule. The positive charge on the imidazole ring is delocalized on the conjugated moiety N=C?N. The crystal is built up by clusters formed by two biprotonated Spm(αMe) molecules, four Cl^? anions and two water molecules linked together by hydrogen bonds.     

Molecular and crystal structures of the products of crystallization of (N′-furfurylidene)isonicotinoylhydrazide from aqueous solutions of hydrochloric and acetic acids

Crystals of (N′-furfurylidene)isonicotinoylhydrazide (I), which have been isolated from a water-methanol solution of hydrochloric acid (Ia) and an aqueous solution (～50%) of acetic acid (Ib), are studied by X-ray diffraction. In Ia, the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring is protonated. In the crystal, the intermolecular C=O?HN(Py) hydrogen bonds link the I · H⁺ cations into chains which are bound through centrosymmetric NH?W?Cl^??W′?H′N′ bridges. In molecule Ib, no protonation occurs; however, its pyridine N atom is blocked by the hydroxyl H atom of a solvate molecule of acetic acid. Crystals Ib have a layered structure. The crystallization water molecule is involved in the formation of three intermolecular hydrogen bonds, namely, those with the H atom of the amide group and the carbonyl O atoms of molecule I and an acetic acid molecule of the neighboring layer.     

Detailed study of surface and interface properties of μc-Si films

The properties of surfaces and interfaces of microcrystalline films deposited by radio-frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) were studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The effect of the low-power reactive ion etching (RIE) on the properties of the films was investigated. The surface properties could be effectively improved using RIE to eliminate of the top porous part of the films, without deterioration of bulk layer properties. Ellipsometric measurements from both film and substrate sides were used for the study of the interface properties of the various samples deposited on fused silica substrates. We show that the crystalline fraction that determined from modeling of ellipsometric spectra measured from the film side could be overestimated.     

Optical and dielectric properties of an isothiocyanato liquid crystal compound and comparison of its behavior with that of a homologous member

The properties of an isothiocyanato liquid crystal compound (code name S1) has been studied with a view to compare its behavior with that of another member of its homologous series (code name S5). Optical properties, such as refractive index, polarisability, and their anisotropies, have been evaluated with varying temperature and the orientational order experimentally determined from the study of polarisability anisotropy and compared with theoretically computed values. Dielectric studies have been conducted to determine not only the dielectric anisotropy but also the effective molecular dipole moment and its temperature dependence. The temperature variation of the angle of inclination (β) of molecular dipole moment with the director direction has also been determined and compared with that of S5. In order to determine the nature of molecular association in the mesophase, the molecular correlation factor (g) has been estimated from the measurements of dipole moments of compound in solution and compared with the values obtained for S5.     

Structural and magnetic properties of ZnO and Zn1−xMnxO nanocrystals

Chemical precipitation of metal-ions from aqueous solution has been successfully used to produce Zn_1?xMn_xO nanocrystals, in the form of nano-powder. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements reveal that the as-prepared samples are single-phase materials and their lattice constant changes with the variation of Mn-concentration, which indicates the incorporation of Mn²⁺ into the hosting ZnO. These findings are corroborated by the observation of the well defined six hyperfine lines of Mn²⁺ ion in the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the samples with a low Mn-concentration, and of a broad EPR line, which manifests the onset of Mn–Mn exchange interaction, in the samples with an elevated value of x.     

Synthesis,characterization, and mesomorphic investigation of vinyl ester-substituted chalcones and effect of lateral ‒NO2 and ‒OCH3 group

A novel homologous series of α-4-(4′-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy) phenyl β-2″-nitro, 3″–4″ di methoxy benzoyl ethylenes, H_2n+1CnO?C₆H₄?CH?CH?COO?C₆H₄?CO?CH?CH?C₆H₂(NO₂) (OCH₃)₂ (n = 1–8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) has been synthesized. All these compounds have been characterized by suitable spectroscopic techniques. C₁ homologue is nonmesogenic, while C₂ homologue shows enantiotropic nematogenic property and the rest of the homologous (C₃?C₁₈) displayed enantiotropically smectogenic plus nematogenic phase. Phase transition temperatures and textures of the LC phase were determined by an optical polarizing microscopy (POM) equipped with a heating stage. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis.     

The effects of annealing and rate of deposition on the electrical,optical and structural properties of amorphous GeSi alloy films

The electrical, optical and structural properties of rf-sputtered amorphous GeSi alloy films have been investigated as functions of the rate of deposition between 90 and 360 Å min^?1, and various annealing conditions. The stabilization evidenced in the electrical conductivity, optical absorption and density of these films deposited at higher rates and/or annealing temperatures may be explained in terms of the reduction of imperfections in the as-deposited films.     

A new chemical strategy: Mineralizer-free synthesis of iron zircon ultrafine particles by an epoxide assisted sol–gel route

Ultrafine iron zircon particles were prepared by a sol–gel route using propylene oxide as a gelation agent. The unique chemistry of this method produces highly homogeneous gel intermediate, resulting in the substantial lowering of heat treatment temperature to 1000 °C without using of mineralizer. This calcination temperature is lower than that in solid-state chemistry and other sol–gel routes, leading to the minimizing of the particles aggregation and growth. The non-mineralizer synthesis process guarantees the preparation of pure phase and high quality iron zircon with ultrafine particle size. This epoxide assisted sol–gel route shows great potential as a general procedure for the large scale production of ultrafine particles of zircon based pigments.     

Influence of γ irradiation on the optical and mechanical properties of langasite

The optical (transmission and circular dichroism) spectra and mechanical (Vickers microhardness and fracture toughness K _1c ) properties of langasite La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ crystals have been studied after γ irradiation and exposure for a month. It is shown that, as a result of irradiation crystals become more transparent in the range 310–640 nm, nonstructural defects with the energies of excited states in the range 2.06–4.13 eV decay and new structural defects with the excited-state energies in the range 4.14–5.00 eV are formed. Irradiation does not lead to a change in microhardness, while the coefficient K _1c increases from 0.32 to 0.36 MPa m^1/2.     

Crystal and molecular structure of 1,1′-ferrocene-dicarbaldehyde

The crystal and molecular structure of 1,1-ferrocene-dicarbaldehyde 1 is reported. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 5.876(1), b = 11.349(1), c = 29.460(3) Å, = 95.067(2)°, V = 1956.9(3) ų, and D _c = 1.64 g/cm³, for Z = 8. The complex crystallizes such that two molecules are located in the asymmetric unit in which the complexes display different degrees of twisting of the cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings and formyl substituents about the Cp—Fe—Cp and Cp—COH axes, respectively. The molecule self-assembles in the solid state to form a 2D layered structure held together by - interactions and C—H···O hydrogen bonds.     

Syntheses,Structures and Optical Properties of a Series of Lanthanide Complexes with Chelidamic Acid and 4,4′-Bipyridyl

Abstract  

The title complexes, (C₁₀H₈N₂)·[Y(C₇H₃NO₅)(C₇H₄NO₅)·2H₂O]·3H₂O (1), (C₁₀H₈N₂)·[Er(C₇H₃NO₅)(C₇H₄NO₅)·2H₂O]·3H₂O (2), (C₁₀H₈N₂)·[La(C₇H₃NO₅)(C₇H₄NO₅)·2H₂O]·4.5H₂O (3), (C₁₀H₈N₂)·[Sm(C₇H₃NO₅)(C₇H₄NO₅)·2H₂O]·4.75H₂O (4), (C₁₀H₈N₂)·[Pr(C₇H₃NO₅)(C₇H₄NO₅)·2H₂O]·4.75H₂O (5) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The crystal structures of 1–2 reveal that they are isomorphous, among which the metal atoms are all eight-coordinate with a distorted dodecahedron coordination geometry. The structures of 3–5 are isomorphic, among which the metal atoms are all nine-coordinate with distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination geometries by two chelidamic acid ligands. Complexes 1–5 are formed into 3D networks by H-bonds. The optical properties of 1–5 were investigated in terms of fluorescent spectra, which all exhibit strong luminescence.     

UV–visible and infrared absorption spectra of transition metals-doped lead phosphate glasses and the effect of gamma irradiation

Undoped and transition metals (TM 3d)-doped lead phosphate glasses were prepared. Ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra were measured in the range 200–1100 nm before and after successive gamma irradiation. Experimental results indicate that the undoped lead phosphate glass reveals before irradiation strong and broad ultraviolet absorption which is related to the co-sharing of absorption due to both trace iron impurities and lead ions (Pb²⁺). In the TM-doped glasses, characteristic absorption bands are obtained in both the UV and/or visible regions due to each respective TM ion in addition to that observed by the base undoped UV absorption. Gamma irradiation produces with the undoped glass a prominent induced ultraviolet broad band centered at about 300 nm originating mostly from the contribution of trace iron impurities and the visible spectra reveal markedly high shielding behavior towards successive gamma irradiation, due to the presence of both high content of heavy Pb²⁺ ions and the sharing of phosphate as a partner. With TM-doped samples, the observed induced bands are virtually varying and related to the type of the sharing TM ions. Infrared absorption spectra reveal in the undoped and TM-doped glasses characteristic structural phosphate groups mainly consisting of metaphosphate and pyrophosphate units. Transition metals are assumed to cause depolymerization of the phosphate glass network with different ratios but the changes in IR spectral data are limited due to the low doping level. Gamma irradiation of the samples is assumed to cause changes in the bond angles or bond lengths of the structural phosphate units within network as evident in the variation of the intensities of the IR bands.     

Molecular and crystal structure ofβ-isosparteine monoperchlorate

The crystal structure; determined by X rays, and the¹³C-NMR spectra of-isosparteine perchlorate are presented. The quinolizidine moieties are present in acis ring-juncture; all piperidine rings are in a chair conformation. The two nitrogen atoms are linked by a hydrogen bond of 2.704(5) Å. The proton at N(16) is also involved in a weak hydrogen bond with the O(2) of the perchlorate anion. The two quinolizidine moieties-protonated and unprotonated-differ only slightly in conformation; the protonation caused small but significant changes in the length of the bonds about the nitrogen atoms. The title compound was obtained by chemical transformations of 17-oxosparteine and protonation with an equimolar amount of HClO₄ in methanol.¹³C-NMR spectra in DMSO-²H₆ revealed the presence of the symmetricalcis-cis bis-quinolizidine structure of the salt in solution.