Subsolidus phase equilibria and properties in the system Bi2O3:Mn2O3±x:Nb2O5

Subsolidus phase relations have been determined for the Bi-Mn-Nb-O system in air (750-900 °C). Phases containing Mn²⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn⁴⁺ were all observed. Ternary compound formation was limited to pyrochlore (A₂B₂O₆O′), which formed a substantial solid solution region at Bi-deficient stoichiometries (relative to Bi₂(Mn,Nb)₂O₇) suggesting that ≈14-30% of the A-sites are occupied by Mn (likely Mn²⁺). X-ray powder diffraction data confirmed that all Bi-Mn-Nb-O pyrochlores form with structural displacements, as found for the analogous pyrochlores with Mn replaced by Zn, Fe, or Co. A structural refinement of the pyrochlore 0.4000:0.3000:0.3000 Bi₂O₃:Mn₂O_3±x:Nb₂O₅ using neutron powder diffraction data is reported with the A and O′ atoms displaced (0.36 and 0.33 Å, respectively) from ideal positions to 96g sites, and with Mn²⁺ on A-sites and Mn³⁺ on B-sites (Bi_1.6Mn²⁺_0.4(Mn³⁺_0.8Nb_1.2)O₇, (?227), a=10.478(1) Å); evidence of A or O′ vacancies was not found. The displacive disorder is crystallographically analogous to that reported for Bi_1.5Zn_0.92Nb_1.5O_6.92, which has a similar concentration of small B-type ions on the A-sites. EELS spectra for this pyrochlore were consistent with an Mn oxidation between 2+ and 3+. Bi-Mn-Nb-O pyrochlores exhibited overall paramagnetic behavior with negative Curie-Weiss temperature intercepts, slight superparamagnetic effects, and depressed observed moments compared to high-spin, spin-only values. At 300 K and 1 MHz the relative dielectric permittivity of Bi_1.600Mn_1.200Nb_1.200O₇ was ≈128 with tan δ=0.05; however, at lower frequencies the sample was conductive which is consistent with the presence of mixed-valent Mn. Low-temperature dielectric relaxation such as that observed for Bi_1.5Zn_0.92Nb_1.5O_6.92 and other bismuth-based pyrochlores was not observed. Bi-Mn-Nb-O pyrochlores were readily obtained as single crystals and also as textured thin films using pulsed laser deposition.     

Solvothermal synthesis and luminescence properties of monodisperse Gd2O3:Eu and Gd2O3:Eu@SiO2 nanospheres

A series of uniform, monodispersed Gd(OH)³:Eu³⁺ nanospheres less than 100 nm were successfully synthesized with iron ions as catalyst and DMF as solvent under the solvothermal condition. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were performed as co-surfactant during this facile procedure should be changed as A series of uniform, monodisperse Gd(OH)³:Eu³⁺ nanospheres less than 100 nm in diameter were successfully synthesized with solvothermal method. Iron ion was used as catalyst and Dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent, Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were performed as surfactants. Further calcination process was applied to prepare Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanoshpheres during this facile procedure.     

Kinetics of Mn2O3 digestion in H2SO4 solutions

The kinetics of Mn₂O₃ digestion in various H₂SO₄ solutions (0.5-2.0 M) and at various temperatures (ambient to 80 °C) to form solid γ-MnO₂ and soluble Mn(II) have been examined using X-ray diffraction. Using a modified first-order Avrami expression to describe digestion kinetics, rate constants in the range 0.02-0.98 h⁻¹ were found for Mn₂O₃ disappearance, and 0.03-0.42 h⁻¹ for γ-MnO₂ formation, with higher H₂SO₄ concentrations and temperatures leading to faster conversion rates. Also, for a particular set of experimental conditions, the rate of γ-MnO₂ formation was always slower than Mn₂O₃ disappearance. This was interpreted in terms of the solubility and stability of the soluble Mn(III) intermediated formed during the digestion. Activation energies for Mn₂O₃ dissolution and γ-MnO₂ formation were also determined.     

Observation par r.p.e. de l'effet d'un traitement thermique en atmosphère réductrice sur l'état d'oxydation du manganèse dans les solutions solides (La2O3)1−x(CeO2)x

Manganese-doped (～200 ppm) single-crystal (La₂O₃)_1?x(CeO₂)_x samples, with x = 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30 were investigated by ESR before and after annealing at 500°C for 5 hr in a hydrogen atmosphere. Spectra obtained before annealing showed that the valence state of manganese depended upon the amount of CeO₂ in the solid solutions. After annealing the valence changes Mn⁴⁺ → Mn³⁺ and Mn³⁺ → Mn²⁺ were evident.     

Structure and magnetic properties of RE2Cu2Cd

The ternary intermetallic compounds RE₂Cu₂Cd (RE=Y, Sm, Gd-Tm, Lu) were synthesized by induction-melting of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The structure of Gd₂Cu₂Cd was refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data: Mo₂FeB₂ type, space group P4/mbm, a=756.2(3), c=380.2(3) pm, wR2=0.0455, 321 F² values, 12 variables. The structures are 1:1 intergrowth variants of slightly distorted CsCl and AlB₂ related slabs of compositions RECd and RECu₂. The copper and cadmium atoms build up two-dimensional [Cu₂Cd] networks (257 pm Cu-Cu and 301 pm Cu-Cd in Gd₂Cu₂Cd) which are bonded to the rare earth atoms via short RE-Cu contacts (290 pm in Gd₂Cu₂Cd). Temperature dependent susceptibility measurements of RE₂Cu₂Cd with RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, and Tm show experimental magnetic moments which are close to the free RE³⁺ ion values. The four compounds show ferromagnetic ordering at T_C=116.7(2), 86.2(3), 48.4(1), and 14.5(1) K, respectively, as confirmed by heat capacity measurements. Dy₂Cu₂Cd shows a spin reorientation at T_N=16.9(1) K.     

Synthesis and solid state studies on Mb2Sb2O7 and (Mn1−xCdx)2Sb2O7 pyrochlores

Pyrochlore oxides of the type Mn₂Sb₂O₇ and (Mn_1?xCd_x)₂Sb₂O₇ have been synthesized by high-temperature solid state reactions and characterized by X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. X-Ray diffraction studies showed that the compound Mn₂Sb₂O₇ has a rhombohedrally distorted pyrochlore structure. In the solid solutions (Mn_1?xCd_x)₂Sb₂O₇, the phases with x ≥ 0.6 are cubic. Magnetic and ¹²¹Sb Mössbauer studies indicate that all the Mn and Sb are present in the +2 and +5 state occupying A and B sites, respectively, in the pyrochlore structure. Electrical measurements indicate that the compounds are insulators or semiconductors exhibiting p-type behavior. The stoichiometry and probable cause of the rhombohedral distortion in Mn₂Sb₂O₇ and solid solutions are discussed.     

Identification of charge transfer (CT) transition in (Gd,Y)BO3:Eu phosphor under 100-300 nm

A broad excitation band in an excitation spectrum of (Gd,Y)BO₃:Eu was observed in the VUV region. It could be considered that this band was composed of two bands at about 160 and 166 nm. The preceding band was assigned to the BO₃ group absorption. The later one at about 166 nm could be assigned to the charge transfer (CT) transition of Gd³⁺-O²⁻. Such an assignment was deduced from the result that broadbands at around 170 nm for GdAlO₃:Eu, and at 183 nm for Gd₂SiO₅:Eu are due to the CT transition of Gd³⁺-O²⁻; this was also identified by CaZr (BO₃)₂:Eu. Since there are no Gd³⁺ ions in it; a weak band in the VUV region in the excitation spectrum of Ca_0.95ZrEu_0.05(BO₃)₂ was observed. The excitation spectra were overlapped between the CT transition of Gd³⁺-O²⁻ and BO₃ group absorption, and it caused the emission of Eu³⁺ effectively in the trivalent europium-doped (Gd,Y)BO₃ host lattice under 147 nm excitation. Intense broad excitation bands were observed at about 155 nm for YBO₃:Eu and at about 153 nm for YAlO₃:Eu; it could be attributed to the CT transition between Y³⁺ and O²⁻. As a result, under the xenon discharge (147 nm) excitation, the intense emission of Eu³⁺ in GdBO₃ was found to be more convenient just because of the partial substitution of Y³⁺ for Gd³⁺.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of the high-brightness Eu-doped M2Gd4(MoO4)7 (M=Li, Na) red phosphors

A series of red-emitting phosphors Eu³⁺-doped M₂Gd₄(MoO₄)₇ (M=Li, Na) have been successfully synthesized at 850 °C by solid state reaction. The excitation spectra of the two phosphors reveal two strong excitation bands at 396 nm and 466 nm, respectively, which match well with the two popular emissions from near-UV and blue light-emitting diode chips. The intensity of the emission from ⁵D₀ to ⁷F₂ of M₂(Gd_1−xEu_x)₄(MoO₄)₇ phosphors with the optimal compositions of x=0.85 for Li or x=0.70 for Na is about five times higher than that of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺. The quantum efficiencies of the entitled phosphors excited under 396 nm and 466 nm are also investigated and compared with commercial phosphors Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺ and Y₃A₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺. The experimental results indicate that the Eu³⁺-doped M₂Gd₄(MoO₄)₇ (M=Li, Na) phosphors are promising red-emitting phosphors pumped by near-UV and blue light.     

Neutron diffraction studies of Gd2Zr2O7 pyrochlore

The structure of Gd₂Zr₂O₇ pyrochlore over the temperature range 4-300 K has been refined from powder neutron diffraction data. The sample was enriched in ¹⁶⁰Gd to avoid the high neutron absorption of naturally occurring Gd. The diffraction pattern showed well resolved superlattice reflections indicative of the pyrochlore structure and no evidence is found for anion-disorder from the structural refinements.     

High-pressure synthesis, crystal structure, and structural relationship of the first ytterbium fluoride borate Yb5(BO3)2F9

Yb₅(BO₃)₂F₉ was synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus at 7.5 GPa and 1100 °C, representing the first known ytterbium fluoride borate. The compound exhibits isolated BO₃-groups next to ytterbium cations and fluoride anions, showing a structure closely related to the other known rare-earth fluoride borates RE₃(BO₃)₂F₃ (RE=Sm, Eu, Gd) and Gd₂(BO₃)F₃. Monoclinic Yb₅(BO₃)₂F₉ crystallizes in space group C2/c with the lattice parameters a=2028.2(4) pm, b=602.5(2) pm, c=820.4(2) pm, and β=100.63(3)° (Z=4). Three different ytterbium cations can be identified in the crystal structure, each coordinated by nine fluoride and oxygen anions. None of the five crystallographically independent fluoride ions is coordinated by boron atoms, solely by trigonally-planar arranged ytterbium cations. In close proximity to the above mentioned compounds RE₃(BO₃)₂F₃ (RE=Sm, Eu, Gd) and Gd₂(BO₃)F₃, Yb₅(BO₃)₂F₉ can be described via alternating layers with the formal compositions “YbBO₃” and “YbF₃” in the bc-plane.     

Ce4+替代Pu4+的模拟固化体(Gd1-xCex)2Zr2O7+x的合成及结构演变

Gd₂Zr₂O₇中Gd具有很大的中子吸收截面, 其烧绿石结构-缺陷萤石结构的转变能较低, 使其成为理想的核废料固化基材. 使用硝酸盐为原料, 添加少量NaF作助熔剂, 在较低温度下(和传统高温固相反应相比), 合成了烧绿石型Gd₂Zr₂O₇. 以Ce⁴⁺模拟Pu⁴⁺, 研究了Gd₂Zr₂O₇对锕系核素的固化, 并合成了系列模拟固化体(Gd_1-xCe_x)₂Zr₂O_7+x (0≤x≤0.6). 采用粉末X射线衍射(XRD)对系列样品进行了表征. 结果表明: 随着x值的增大,样品从烧绿石结构向缺陷萤石结构转变, 且晶胞大小基本保持恒定, 但当x=0.6时, 衍射峰明显宽化, 晶格畸变比较严重, 晶格稳定性降低. 当x=1时, 即用Ce⁴⁺完全取代Gd³⁺进行合成, 不能得到Ce₂Zr₂O₈, 产物发生了相分离, 为四方结构的(Zr_0.88Ce_0.12)O₂和萤石结构的(Ce_0.75Zr_0.25)O₂的混合物. 模拟固化体的浸出率测试表明: 当x≤0.2时, 各元素浸出率均很低, 但当x≥0.4时, 各元素的浸出率明显升高, 说明以Gd₂Zr₂O₇作为固化Pu⁴⁺的基材, Pu⁴⁺掺入量不宜高于40%.     

Subsolidus phase relations in the systems CeO2RE2O3 (RE2O3 = C-type rare earth sesquioxide)

The systems CeO₂RE₂O₃ (RE₂O₃ = C-type rare earth sesquioxide) were studied to: (1) investigate the claims of several workers for the existence of a complete solid solution series between CeO₂ and RE₂O₃ and (2) to characterize the weak C-type X-ray diffraction peaks reported by others from samples in the single-phase fluorite solid solution region. It is shown that a complete solid solution series does not exist, and an explanation for the observations of others reporting such is tendered. It is also shown that the observation of C-type reflections in the supposed single-phase fluorite field can be attributed to the partial reduction of Ce⁴⁺ to Ce³⁺ at the firing temperature, resulting in the movement of the bulk composition into a two-phase field of the CeO₂RE₂O₃Ce₂O₃ phase diagram, rather than the formation of a domain structure due to ordering.     

Stabilization of over-stoichiometric Mn in layered Na2/3MnO2

Sodium manganates with nominal composition Na_2/3MnO₂ were prepared by solid state reaction between Na₂CO₃ and MnCO₃ at 1000 °C. The composition and structure of Na_xMnO₂ were controlled by the rate of cooling from the temperature of preparation. This is a consequence of the capability of Na_2/3MnO₂ to accommodate over‐stoichiometric Mn⁴⁺ ions up to 12.5%. Structural characterization was carried out by XRD powder diffractions, TEM analysis and Raman spectroscopy. The composition and oxidation state of manganese were determined by chemical analysis and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The manganese distribution in the layers was analysed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. By quenching from 1000 °C, the orthorhombic distorted modification is stabilized. A phase separation into orthorhombic and hexagonal modifications takes place when Na_2/3MnO₂ is slow cooled. The structure changes are concomitant with an increase in the oxidation state of Mn. The over‐stoichiometric Mn⁴⁺ ions are accommodated in the hexagonal modification by creation of vacancies in the MnO₂‐layers.     

Luminescence of Mn2+ in SrGa12O19, LaMgGa11O19, and BaGa12O19

Lattice parameters are given of SrGa₁₂O₁₉, BaGa₁₂O₁₉, and LaMgGa₁₁O₁₉, three new gallates with the magnetoplumbite structure. The luminescence of the compounds without and with activation by Mn²⁺ is reported. The quantum efficiencies of the Mn²⁺ phosphors are between 15% (BaGa₁₂O₁₉:Mn) and 70% ({Sr_1?xLa_x}Ga_12?xMg_xO₁₉:Mn). The emission strongly resembles that of Mn²⁺ in MgGa₂O₄. The fine structure of the Mn²⁺ emission band at 77°K is due to phonon coupling.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Magnetism, and Optical Properties of Gd3[SiON3]O—An Oxonitridosilicate Oxide with Noncondensed SiON3 Tetrahedra

The novel oxonitridosilicate oxide (sion oxide) Gd₃[SiON₃]O was obtained by the reaction of gadolinium metal with its carbonate oxide and silicon diimide in a radiofrequency (r.f.) furnace at a temperature of 1400°C. The crystal structure of Gd₃[SiON₃]O (I4/mcm, a=649.1(2) pm, c=1078.8(6) pm, Z=4, R₁=0.0411, wR₂=0.0769, 405 F² values, 19 parameters, 123 K) is isotypic with that of Ba₃[SiO₄]O and Cs₃[CoCl₄]Cl. It can be derived from the perovskite structure type by a hierarchical substitution: Ti⁴⁺→O^2-, O^2-→Gd³⁺, Ca²⁺→[SiON₃]^7- resulting in the formation of large [OGd₆]¹⁶⁺ octahedra, which are twisted by ξ=16.47(1)° around [001]. The low-temperature single-crystal data investigation led to a crystallographic splitting of the central O atom which could not be resolved at room temperature. The UV-Vis absorption spectra in reflection geometry of the yellow title compound revealed two overlaying broad bands, one peaking at almost the same wavelength as observed in gadolinium oxide (340 nm) and a second red-shifted band at approximately 400 nm indicating a strong influence of nitrogen on the ligand field splitting of the 5d states of Gd³⁺. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of Gd₃[SiON₃]O show Curie-Weiss behavior from 2 to 300 K with an experimental magnetic moment of 7.68(5) μ_B/Gd, indicating trivalent gadolinium. There is no evidence for magnetic ordering down to 2 K. According to the paramagnetic Curie temperature of −7(1) K, the exchange between the gadolinium magnetic moments is supposed to be only weak. The vibrational spectroscopic data (IR and Raman) are reported.     

ESR and reflectance spectra of manganese in polycrystalline TiO2 (rutile)

The ESR and reflectance spectra of polycrystalline TiO₂ containing manganese oxide (up to 8% atomic ratio) have been investigated. The results show that there is only a limited solubility of substitutional Mn⁴⁺ in TiO₂. The manganese ions are isolated, since the solubility limit prevents clustering of Mn⁴⁺ in TiO₂ matrix. Manganese in excess (with respect to the solubility value) is present as MnTiO₃. The electronic spectrum of Mn⁴⁺ in the rutile lattice is discussed on the basis of the behavior of isoelectronic Cr³⁺ in solid solution in TiO₂.     

原位红外光谱法研究Gd3+掺杂TiO2光催化降解乙烯性能

随着环境污染的日益严重,寻求环境友好、节能、高效的污染治理技术已成为各国科学研究者致力的目标。以TiO2半导体为主的多相光催化氧化技术因与传统污染处理技术相比具有许多优点而倍受青睐,但是,目前以TiO2为基础的光催化技术还存在量子效率低、太阳能利用率低等技术难题[1,2     

Synthesis, crystal structure and bioactivity of a novel 18-metallacrown-6 [Mn6(H2O)6 (anshz)6] · 10DMF

A novel macrocyclic hexanuclear manganese(III) 18-metallacrown-6 compound, [Mn₆(H₂O)₆ (anshz)₆] · 10DMF, has been prepared using a trianionic pentadentate ligand N-acetyl-5-nitrosalicylhydrazide (anshz³⁻) and characterized by X-ray diffraction (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). The crystal structure contains a neutral 18-membered metallacrown ring consisting of six Mn(III) and six anshz³⁻ ligands. The 18-membered metallacrown ring is formed by the succession of six structural moieties of the type [Mn(III)NN]. Due to the meridional coordination of the ligand to the Mn³⁺ ion, the ligand enforces the stereochemistry of the Mn³⁺ ions as a propeller configuration with alternating Δ/Λ forms. The disc-shaped hexanuclear ring shows at its largest diameter about 7.14 Å at entrance, about 9.76 Å at the center of the cavity, respectively. Antibacterial screening data showed that the manganese metallacrown has strong antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of rare-earth-doped CeO2–CaF2 solid solutions via chemical solution routes

CeO₂–CaF₂ solid solutions were synthesized by a chemical solution method starting from metal acetates, trifluoroacetic acid as a fluorine source, and anhydrous ethanol as a solvent. Precursor gels, which were obtained by drying the resultant ethanolic solution at 110 °C, were heat-treated at a temperature in the range 400–1000 °C in air to obtain powdery products. Elemental analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that heating products actually contained cerium, calcium, oxygen, and fluorine. According to X-ray diffraction analysis, possible reaction pathways under high-temperature treatments were considered as initial formation of fluorides (CeF₃ and CaF₂), subsequent oxidation of Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺ in air, and final conversion to fluorite-type Ce–Ca–O–F solid solutions. Doping of Eu³⁺ or Sm³⁺ ions in the solid solutions led to occurrence of their characteristic photoluminescence due to intra-configurational f–f electronic transitions. Photo-excitation was achieved by irradiation with near ultraviolet light mainly through charge transfer from O²⁻ to Ce⁴⁺ in the solid solutions and subsequent energy transfer to the doped ions. Spectral structures of photoluminescence suggested the occupation of Eu³⁺ or Sm³⁺ in Ce⁴⁺ sites with inversion symmetry in the solid solutions.