Phase evolution, phase transition, raman spectra, infrared spectra, and microwave dielectric properties of low temperature firing (K(0.5x)Bi(1-0.5x))(Mo(x)V(1-x))O4 ceramics with scheelite related structure

In the present work, the (K(0.5x)Bi(1-0.5x))(Mo(x)V(1-x))O(4) ceramics (0≤x ≤ 1.00) were prepared via the solid state reaction method and sintered at temperatures below 830 °C. At room temperature, the BiVO(4) scheelite monoclinic solid solution was formed in ceramic samples with x < 0.10. When x lies between 0.1-0.19, a BiVO(4) scheelite tetragonal phase was formed. The phase transition from scheelite monoclinic to scheelite tetragonal phase is a continuous, second order ferroelastic transition. High temperature X-ray diffraction results showed that this phase transition can also be induced at high temperatures about 62 °C for x = 0.09 sample, and has a monoclinic phase at room temperature. Two scheelite tetragonal phases, one being a BiVO(4) type and the other phase is a (K,Bi)(1/2)MoO(4) type, coexist in the compositional range 0.19 < x < 0.82. A pure (K,Bi)(1/2)MoO(4) tetragonal type solid solution can be obtained in the range 0.82 ≤ x ≤ 0.85. Between 0.88 ≤ x ≤ 1.0, a (K,Bi)(1/2)MoO(4) monoclinic solid solution region was observed. Excellent microwave dielectric performance with a relative dielectric permittivity around 78 and Qf value above 7800 GHz were achieved in ceramic samples near the ferroelastic phase boundary (at x = 0.09 and 0.10).     

Solvent-driven room-temperature synthesis of nanoparticles BiPO4:Eu3+

In this work, a novel solvent-driven room-temperature synthesis of BiPO(4):Eu(3+) nanoparticles was presented. By virtue of 11 solvents with different properties and function groups, phase structure and composition of BiPO(4):Eu(3+) can be systematically tailored. Hexagonal phase (HP) of BiPO(4):Eu(3+) was obtained in water and hydrophobic organic solvents such as arenes and cyclohexane, while low-temperature monoclinic phase (LTMP) was prepared in hydrophilic alcohols. In other solvents (i.e., hydrophilic ethers, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids), a mixture of HP and LTMP was formed, in which the relative content of LTMP gradually increased following the above solvent sequence. It is also found that particle sizes of BiPO(4):Eu(3+) nanoparticles were closely related to the phase structure: HP exhibited a comparatively larger particle size. The phase evolution processes for both polymorphs with varying solvents were investigated in details. Photoluminescence (PL) properties were sensitive to the phase structure and compositions of the final products. With increasing the phase content of LTMP, the lifetimes and quantum yields both increased. The methodology reported here is fundamentally important, which may give a novel insight into the polymorph-controlled synthesis for further optimized materials performance.     

磷酸铋纳米棒的可控合成及其光催化性能

采用水热法合成了形貌可控的磷酸铋纳米棒光催化剂,并以亚甲基蓝(MB)为探针研究了其光催化活性.利用粉末X射线衍射(XRD),透射电镜(TEM)和紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-VisDRS)对产物进行了表征.研究发现甘油含量、水热时间、水热温度及前驱体浓度会影响磷酸铋纳米棒的形貌及结构.甘油含量和前驱体浓度主要影响产物形貌.随着甘油含量的增加,产物的长径比先增大后减小.前驱体浓度越低,所得BiPO4纳米棒的尺寸越小,长径比越大.水热时间短时,产物结晶度差,且为六方相,时间延长后转化为单斜相.水热温度过低或过高均不利于完美晶体的形成,160°C时产物的结晶度最高.实验结果表明:BiPO4纳米棒在紫外光下具有良好的光催化性能,其光催化活性受长径比和尺寸大小影响的总体趋势是长径比越大,尺寸越小,其光催化活性越强.结晶度对BiPO4的光催化性能影响较大,结晶度越高,其光催化活性越好.单斜相BiPO4的光催化活性较六方相的强.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of a unique columnar phase in the Bi2O3–TeO2–V2O5 System

A new columnar phase Bi(11.65)Te(1.35)V(5)O(34-δ) (δ ～ 1.3) containing VO(4) tetrahedra has been identified for the first time in the Bi(2)O(3)-TeO(2)-V(2)O(5) system. The phase formation and the extent of substitution of Te(4+) for Bi(3+) ions in order to stabilize V(5+) in this composition have been confirmed by the single crystal analysis, combined with the powder X-ray diffraction of the solid state synthesized bulk crystalline samples. The oxide crystallizes in a monoclinic crystal system, space group P2/c, with unit cell parameters a = 11.4616(7) ?, b = 5.7131(3) ?, c = 23.5090(18) ?, β = 101.071° (6) (Z = 2). The structure retains the basic features of the columnar oxides with the presence of [Bi(10.65)Te(1.35)O(14)](n)(9.35n+) columns along the (010) direction, surrounded by (VO(4)) tetrahedra placed in the planes parallel to (100) and (001), with an isolated bismuth atom in between the columns. The composition with a limited Te(4+) substitution, Bi(11.65)Te(1.35)V(5)O(34-δ) (δ ～ 1.3), exists with a surprisingly high oxygen deficiency as compared to the stoichiometrically known columnar oxides such as Bi(13)Mo(4)VO(34), Bi(12)Te(1)Mo(3)V(2)O(34), and Bi(11)Te(2)Mo(2)V(3)O(34). The structure of this interesting member of the columnar family of oxides based on the single crystal X-ray diffraction and the Raman spectroscopic studies indicates the possibility of the distribution of the oxygen vacancies among the VO(4) tetrahedral units. Further confirmation for the formation of vanadium stabilized columnar structures has been provided by the successful preparation of Bi(11.65)Te(1.35)V(4)CrO(34-δ) (δ ～ 0.83) and Bi(11.65)Te(1.35)V(4)WO(34-δ) (δ ～ 0.83) phases. Preliminary investigation of the photocatalytic efficiencies of the oxides Bi(11.65)Te(1.35)V(5)O(34-δ), Bi(11.65)Te(1.35)V(4)CrO(34-δ), and Bi(11.65)Te(1.35)V(4)WO(34-δ) revealed moderate photocatalytic activities for the decomposition of the dyes such as Rhodamine B under UV-vis light irradiation.     

Disappearance and recovery of luminescence in Bi3+, Eu3+ codoped YPO4 nanoparticles due to the presence of water molecules up to 800 °C

YPO(4) nanoparticles codoped with Eu(3+) (5 at. %) and Bi(3+) (2-10 at. %) have been synthesized by a simple coprecipitation method using a polyethylene glycol-glycerol mixture, which acts as capping agent. It has been found that the incorporation of Bi(3+) ions into the YPO(4):Eu(3+) lattice induces a phase transformation from tetragonal to hexagonal, and also a significant decrease in Eu(3+) luminescence intensity was observed. This is related to the association of the water molecules in the hexagonal phase of YPO(4) in which the nonradiative process from the surrounding water molecules around Eu(3+) is dominating over the radiative process. On annealing above 800 °C, luminescence intensity recovers due to significant removal of water. 900 °C annealed Bi(3+) codoped YPO(4):Eu(3+) shows enhanced luminescence (2-3 times) as compared to that of YPO(4):Eu(3+). When sample was prepared in D(2)O (instead of H(2)O), 4-fold enhancement in luminescence was observed, suggesting the extent of reduction of multiphonon relaxation in D(2)O. This study illustrates the stability of water molecules even at a very high temperature up to 800 °C in Eu(3+) and Bi(3+) codoped YPO(4) nanoparticles.     

激光促进锂铋磷酸盐表面异丁烷选择氧化反应

用共沉淀法制备了5％Li3PO4•BiPO4固体材料.运用XRD、IR、TPD和LSSR技术研究了其晶体结构、表面构造、化学吸附特性和激光促进异丁烷选择氧化表面反应性能.结果表明,复合盐的主体晶相为简单单斜晶型的BiPO4,Li3PO4以分子分散态掺杂主体相中;其表面存在Lewis碱位P=O和P－O－Bi键中的O2－及Lewis酸位Bi3＋和Li＋;异丁烷的两个甲基中的H分别吸附在两个相邻的Lewis碱位P=O上,形成双位分子吸附态;在常压和200℃下,用一定频率的激光激发P=O键1000次,异丁烷的转化率为11.3％,甲基丙烯酸的选择性为72％.根据实验结果,探讨了激光促进异丁烷选择氧化为MAA的表面反应机理.     

Lanthanide-ion-assisted structural collapse of layered GaOOH lattice

GaOOH nanorods were prepared by hydrolysis of Ga(NO(3))(3)·xH(2)O by urea at ~100 °C in the presence of different amounts of lanthanide ions like Eu(3+), Tb(3+), and Dy(3+). On the basis of X-ray diffraction and vibrational studies, it is confirmed that layered structure of GaOOH collapses even when very small amounts of lanthanide ions (1 atom % and more) are present in the reaction medium during the synthesis of GaOOH nanorods. The incorporation of lanthanide ions at the interlayer spacing of the GaOOH lattice, followed by its reaction with OH groups that connect the layers containing edge-shared GaO(6) in GaOOH, is the reason for the collapse of the layered structure and associated amorphization. This leads to the formation of finely mixed hydroxides of lanthanide and gallium ions. These results are further confirmed by steady-state luminescence and excited-state lifetime measurements carried out on the samples. The morphology of the nanorods is maintained upon heat treatment at high temperatures like 500 and 900 °C, and during this process, the finely mixed lanthanide and gallium hydroxides facilitate diffusion of lanthanide ions into the Ga(2)O(3) lattice, as revealed by the existence of strong energy transfer with an efficiency of more than 90% between the host and lanthanide ions.     

Lanthanide-tungstobismuthate clusters based on [BiW9O33]9- building units: synthesis, crystal structures, luminescent and magnetic properties

The reaction of Na(12)[Bi(2)W(22)O(74)(OH)(2)]·44H(2)O, Na(9)[BiW(9)O(33)]·16H(2)O, lanthanide chloride and Na(2)CO(3) in aqueous solution at a pH value of about 7.0 resulted in the three unprecedented giant lanthanide-tungstobismuthate clusters Na(x)H(22-x)[(BiW(9)O(33))(4)(WO(3)){Bi(6)(μ(3)-O)(4)(μ(2)-OH)(3)}(Ln(3)(H(2)O)(6)CO(3))]·nH(2)O {Ln = Pr(3+) (1), Nd(3+) (2), La(3+) (3), x = 22 (1), 22 (2), 20 (3), n = 95 (1), 91 (2), 73 (3)}. These three complexes represent the first examples of lanthanide ions encapsulated in polyoxotungstobismuthates and the largest polytungstobismuthates so far. Furthermore, a [{Bi(6)(μ(3)-O)(4)(μ(2)-OH)(3)}](7+) polyoxo cation was incorporated into the structure of these compounds. All complexes are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectra, electronic spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis. Magnetic investigation revealed that the progressive depopulation of excited Stark sublevels of the lanthanide ions at low temperature and the weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the neighboring metal centres are responsible for the magnetic properties of 1 and 2. The original synthesis strategy in this work may open a gateway to assembly of large lanthanide-tungstobismuthates clusters and novel multifunctional solid materials in aqueous solution under mild conditions.     

新型杯[4]芳烃衍生物的合成及其对镧系金属离子的识别研究

超分子化学是与材料化学、信息科学和生命科学等学科紧密相关的一门交叉学科, 近年来得到了人们越来越多的关注. 分子识别是超分子化学的核心研究内容之一, 也是生命体系中普遍存在的现象. 目前分子识别的主体化合物有3代: 冠醚、 环糊精和杯芳烃. 杯芳烃因具有空腔大小可调、构象可变换、易于化学修饰和既是离子受体又是分子受体等特点, 而成为近年来的研究热点.     

Synthesis, composition, and structure of sillenite-type solid solutions in the Bi2O3-SiO2-MnO2 system

Individual compounds and solid solutions are obtained under hydrothermal conditions in the Bi(2)O(3)-SiO(2)-MnO(2) system in the form of faceted crystals and epitaxial films on the Bi(24)Si(2)O(40) substrate. The crystals have the shape of a cube (for the molar ratio of the starting components Na(2)SiO(3)·9H(2)O:Mn(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O > 1), a tetrahedron (for Na(2)SiO(3)·9H(2)O:Mn(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O < 1), or a tetrahedron-cube combination (for Na(2)SiO(3)·9H(2)O:Mn(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O = 1). Crystal-chemical analysis based on the data of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectra, and the results of calculation of the local balance by the bond-valence method reveals formation of the Bi(24)(Si(4+),Mn(4+))(2)O(40) phases, which probably include Mn(5+) ions (epitaxial films), as well as the Bi(24)(Si(4+),Bi(3+),Mn(4+))(2)O(40) and Bi(24)(Si(4+),Mn(4+))(2)O(40) phases in the (1 - x)Bi(3+)(24)Si(4+)(2)O(40) - x(Bi(3+)(24)Mn(4+)(2)O(40)) system and the Bi(24)(Bi(3+),Mn(4+))(2)O(40) phase in the (1 - x)Bi(3+)(24)Bi(3+)(2)(O(39)?(1)) - x(Bi(3+)(24)Mn(4+)(2)O(40)) system. Precision X-ray diffraction studies of single crystals of the Bi(24)(Bi,Si,Mn)(2)O(40) general composition show that these sillenites crystallize in space group P23 and not I23 as the Bi(24)Si(2)O(40) phase. The dissymmetrization of sillenite phases is observed for the first time. It is explained by a kinetic (growth) phase transition of the order-disorder type due to population of a crystallographic site by atoms with different crystal-chemical properties and quasi-equilibrium conditions of crystal growth in the course of a hydrothermal synthesis below 400 °C at unequal molar amounts of the starting components in the batch.     

NASICON类固溶体的形成和稳定

用固相反应法合成了NASICON固溶体Na~1~+~2Zr~2~-~xM~x(PO~4)~3(M=Y、Yb或In)。测定了晶胞参数随着取代量x的变化, 并从结构和结晶化学的角度进行解释。用三价离子Y^3^+、Yb^3^+、In^3^+或二价离子Mg^2^+作为结晶化学稳定剂取代Na~3Zr~2Si~2PO~1~2中的Zr^4^+离子能生成固溶体, 并把NASICON的高温三方相(空间群R3c)稳定在室温, 阻止了在150℃左右时单斜三方的相转变。总结了高温相稳定在低温的条件。     

HfO2:X (X = Eu(3+), Ce(3+), Y(3+)) sol gel powders for ultradense scintillating materials

Hafnium dioxide (HfO 2) presents a high crystalline density which makes it attractive for host lattice activated by rare earths for applications as scintillating materials. HfO 2 powders doped with Eu (3+) or Ce (3+) luminescent ions are prepared by sol gel process. The annealing temperature and the concentration of doping ions are optimized to provide the powder presenting the best scintillation yield. The powders are crystallized in monoclinic phase whatever annealing temperature above 800 degrees C. The emission spectra are characterized by a white broadband between 400 and 600 nm. After optimization, the most efficient composition, namely HfO 2:2.5% Eu 1% Y (molar percent) exhibits a scintillation yield about 31,000 photons/MeV, which is about 3.8 times that of the standard Bi 3Ge 5O 12 (BGO) commercial powder.     

A novel strategy for controllable emissions from Eu3+ or Sm3+ ions co-doped SrY2O4:Tb3+ phosphors

Trivalent rare-earth (RE) ions (Eu(3+), Tb(3+) and Sm(3+)) activated multicolor emitting SrY(2)O(4) phosphors were synthesized by a sol-gel process. The structural and morphological studies were performed by the measurements of X-ray diffraction profiles and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The pure phase of SrY(2)O(4) appeared after annealing at 1300 °C and the doping of RE ions did not show any effect on the structural properties. From the SEM images, the closely packed particles were observed due to the roughness of each particle tip. The photoluminescence (PL) analysis of individual RE ions activated SrY(2)O(4) phosphors exhibits excellent emission properties in their respective regions. The Eu(3+) co-activated SrY(2)O(4):Tb(3+) phosphor creates different emissions by controlling the energy transfer from Tb(3+) to Eu(3+) ions. Based on the excitation wavelengths, multiple (green, orange and white) emissions were obtained by Sm(3+) ions co-activated with SrY(2)O(4):Tb(3+) phosphors. The decay measurements were carried out for analyzing the energy transfer efficiency and the possible ways of energy transfer from donor to acceptor. The cathodoluminescence properties of these phosphors show similar behavior as PL properties except the energy transfer process. The obtained results indicated that the energy transfer process was quite opposite to the PL properties. The calculated CIE chromaticity coordinates of RE ions activated SrY(2)O(4) phosphors confirmed the red, green, orange and white emissions.     

Order and disorder effects in nano-ZrO(2) investigated by micro-Raman and spectrally and temporarily resolved photoluminescence

Pure and europium (Eu(3+)) doped ZrO(2) synthesized by an oil-in-water microemulsion reaction method were investigated by in situ and ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), ex situ Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. Based on the Raman spectra excited at three different wavelengths i.e. 488, 514 and 633 nm and measured in the spectral range of 150-4000 cm(-1) the correlation between the phonon spectra of ZrO(2) and luminescence of europium is clearly evidenced. The PL investigations span a variety of steady-state and time resolved measurements recorded either after direct excitation of the Eu(3+) f-f transitions or indirect excitation into UV charge-transfer bands. After annealing at 500 °C, the overall Eu(3+) emission is dominated by Eu(3+) located in tetragonal symmetry lattice sites with a crystal-field splitting of the (5)D(0)-(7)F(1) emission of 20 cm(-1). Annealing of ZrO(2) at 1000 °C leads to a superposition of Eu(3+) emissions from tetragonal and monoclinic lattice sites with monoclinic crystal-field splitting of 200 cm(-1) for the (5)D(0)-(7)F(1) transition. At all temperatures, a non-negligible amorphous/disordered content is also measured and determined to be of monoclinic nature. It was found that the evolutions with calcination temperature of the average PL lifetimes corresponding to europium emission in the tetragonal and monoclinic sites and the monoclinic phase content of the Eu(3+) doped ZrO(2) samples follow a similar trend. By use of specific excitation conditions, the distribution of europium on the amorphous/disordered surface or ordered/crystalline sites can be identified and related to the phase content of zirconia. The role of zirconia host as a sensitizer for the europium PL is also discussed in both tetragonal and monoclinic phases.     

Luminescence and microstructures of Eu(3+)-doped Ca9LiGd(2/3)(PO4)7

A red-emitting phosphor, Eu(3+)-doped Ca(9)LiGd(2/3)(PO(4))(7), was synthesized by the conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the pure crystalline phase of Whitlockite-type structure. The excitation spectra of Eu(3+) doped Ca(9)LiGd(2/3)(PO(4))(7) were measured in the VUV and UV region indicating an efficient energy transfer process from the host and Gd(3+) to Eu(3+) ions. Upon excitation with VUV and UV radiation, the phosphor showed strong red emission around 611 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole (5)D(0)→(7)F(2) transition of Eu(3+) ions. The VUV- and UV-excited luminescence spectra of Ca(9)LiGd(2/3)(PO(4))(7):Eu(3+) together with the dependence of the integrated emission intensities on the doping levels were investigated. The Eu(3+) ions were investigated by a tunable laser as an excitation source. The excitation spectra of (7)F(0)→(5)D(0) transitions suggest that there are two families of inequivalent sites for Eu(3+) in this host. The concentration quenching and crystallographic site-occupancy of Eu(3+) ions in Ca(9)LiGd(2/3)(PO(4))(7) host were discussed on the basis of the site selective excitation and emission spectra, the luminescence decay and its crystal structure.     

Effect of inclining strain on the crystal lattice along an extended series of lanthanide hydroxysulfates Ln(OH)SO4 (Ln = Pr-Yb, except Pm)

A series of trivalent lanthanide hydroxysulfates, Ln(OH)SO(4), (Ln = Pr through Yb, except radioactive Pm) has been synthesized via hydrothermal methods from Ln(2)(SO(4))(3)·8H(2)O by reaction with aqueous NaOH at 170 °C in Teflon lined Parr steel autoclaves, and were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. Two types of arrangements were found in the solid state. The lighter (Ln = Pr-Nd, Sm-Gd) and heavier lanthanide(III) hydroxysulfates (Tb-Yb) are each isostructural. Both structure types exhibit the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, but the unit cell content is doubled with two crystallographically distinct LnO(8) polyhedra for the heavier lanthanide compounds. The lighter complexes maintain the coordination number 9, forming a three-dimensional extended lattice. The heavier counterparts exhibit the coordination number 8, and arrange as infinite columns of two crystallographically different LnO(8) polyhedra, while extending along the "c" axis. These columns of LnO(8) polyhedra are surrounded and separated by six columns of sulfate ions, also elongating in the "c" direction. The rigid sulfate entities seem to obstruct the closing in of the lighter LnO(9) polyhedra, and show an inclining degree of torsion into the "ac" layers. The crystal lattice of the lighter 4f complexes can sufficiently withstand the tension buildup, caused by the decreasing Ln(3+) radius, up to Gd(OH)SO(4). The energy profile of this structural arrangement then seems to exceed levels at which this structure type is favorable. The lattice arrangement of the heavier Ln-analogues seems to offer a lower energy profile. This appears to be the preferred arrangement for the heavier lanthanide hydroxysulfates, whose crystal lattice exhibits more flexibility, as the coordination sphere of these analogues is less crowded. The IR absorbance frequencies of the hydroxide ligands correlate as a function of the Ln(3+) ionic radius. This corresponds well with the X-ray single crystal analysis data.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterodinuclear Ln(3+)-Fe3+ and Ln(3+)-Co3+ complexes,bridged by cyanide ligand (Ln3+ = lanthanide ions). Nature of the magnetic interaction in the Ln(3+)-Fe3+ complexes

The reaction of Ln(NO3)3.aq with K3[Fe(CN)6] or K3[Co(CN)6] in N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF) led to 25 heterodinuclear [Ln(DMF)4(H2O)3(mu-CN)Fe(CN)5].nH2O and [Ln(DMF)4(H2O)3(mu-CN)Co(CN)5].nH2O complexes (with Ln = all the lanthanide(III) ions, except promethium and lutetium). Five complexes (Pr(3+)-Fe3+), (Tm(3+)-Fe3+), (Ce(3+)-Co3+), (Sm(3+)-Co3+), and (Yb(3+)-Co3+) have been structurally characterized; they crystallize in the equivalent monoclinic space groups P21/c or P21/n. Structural studies of these two families show that they are isomorphous. This relationship in conjunction with the diamagnetism of the Co3+ allows an approximation to the nature of coupling between the iron(III) and the lanthanide(III) ions in the [Ln(DMF)4(H2O)3(mu-CN)Fe(CN)5].nH2O complexes. The Ln(3+)-Fe3+ interaction is antiferromagnetic for Ln = Ce, Nd, Gd, and Dy and ferromagnetic for Ln = Tb, Ho, and Tm. For Ln = Pr, Eu, Er, Sm, and Yb, there is no sign of any significant interaction. The isotropic nature of Gd3+ helps to evaluate the value of the exchange interaction.     

Optical spectroscopy study of organic-phase lanthanide complexes in the TALSPEAK separations process

Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy have been applied to characterize the coordination environment of lipophilic complexes of Eu(3+) with bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and (2-ethylhexyl)phosphonic acid mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (HEH[EHP]) in 1,4-diisopropylbenzene (DIPB). The primary focus is on understanding the role of lactate (HL) in lanthanide partitioning into DIPB solutions of HDEHP or HEH[EHP] as it is employed in the TALSPEAK solvent extraction process for lanthanide separations from trivalent actinides. The broader purpose of this study is to characterize the changes that can occur in the coordination environment of lanthanide ions as metal-ion concentrations increase in nonpolar media. The optical spectroscopy studies reported here complement an earlier investigation of similar solutions using NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Emission spectra of Eu(3+) complexes with HDEHP/HEH[EHP] demonstrate that, as long as the Eu(3+) concentration is maintained well below saturation of the organic extractant solution, the Eu(3+) coordination environment remains constant as both [HL](org) and [H(2)O](org) are increased. If the total organic-phase lanthanide concentration is increased (by extraction of moderate amounts of La(3+)), the (5)D(0) → (7)F(1) transition singlet splits into a doublet with a notable increase in the intensity of both (5)D(0) → (7)F(1) and (5)D(0) → (7)F(2) electronic transitions. The increased multiplicity in the emission spectra indicates that Eu(3+) ions are present in multiple coordination environments. The increased emission intensity of the 614 nm band implies an overall reduction in symmetry of the extracted Eu(3+) complex in the presence of macroscopic La(3+). Although [H(2)O](org) increases to above 1 M at high [HL](tot), this water is not associated with the Eu(3+) metal center. IR spectroscopy results confirm a direct Ln(3+)-lactate interaction at high concentrations of lanthanide and lactate in the extractant phase. At low organic-phase lanthanide concentrations, the predominant complex is almost certainly the well-known Ln(DEHP·HDEHP)(3). As lanthanide concentrations in the organic phase increase, mixed-ligand complexes with the general stoichiometry Ln(L)(n)(DEHP)(3-n) or Ln(L)(n)(DEHP·HDEHP)(3-n) become the dominant species.     

Luminescence switching behavior through redox reaction in Ce3+ co-doped LaPO4:Tb3+ nanorods: re-dispersible and polymer film

Re-dispersible Tb(3+) doped LaPO(4) nanorods have been prepared using ethylene glycol (EG) as a capping agent as well as reaction medium at a relatively low temperature of 150 °C. The X-ray diffraction study reveals that all the doped samples are well crystalline with a monoclinic structure of the LaPO(4) phase. The luminescence intensity of (5)D(4)→(7)F(5) transition at 543 nm (green) is more prominent than that of (5)D(4)→(7)F(6) transition at 487 nm (blue) for all the samples. This is related to the polarizing effect from [PO(4)](3-) to the Tb(3+) site. Concentration dependent luminescence study shows that the luminescence intensity of Tb(3+) increases up to 10 at.% and decreases above this. This is due to the concentration quenching effect arising from cross relaxation among Tb(3+)-Tb(3+) ions. The results show that nanoparticles prepared in EG medium gives an enhanced luminescence compared to that prepared in water. This is attributed to the multiphonon relaxation effect from O-H groups surrounding over nanoparticles as well as the extent of increase of agglomeration among particles for samples prepared in water. Significant enhancement in the emission of Tb(3+) is also observed when Ce(3+) is used as the sensitizer in LaPO(4):Tb(3+)nanorods. The optimum concentration of Ce(3+) for maximum luminescence is found to be 7 at.% in Ce(3+) sensitized LaPO(4):Tb(3+) (5 at.%). Based on the energy transfer process from Ce(3+) to Tb(3+), the luminescence of Tb(3+) can be switched OFF and ON by performing oxidation and reduction of Ce(3+)?Ce(4+) using KMnO(4) and ascorbic acid, respectively. The samples are re-dispersible in water, methanol and can be incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films. They show a dark green emission under ultraviolet radiation.     

Geometric and electronic structure of lanthanide orthophosphate nanoparticles determined with X-rays

The evolution of the geometric and electronic structures within the entire series of lanthanide orthophosphate nanoparticles ( approximately 2- approximately 5 nm) has been determined experimentally with X-ray diffraction and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. In particular, the interplay between electronic structure, crystal morphology, and crystal phase has been systematically studied. A missing local order in the crystal structure accompanied by multiple ion sites in the nanoparticles was revealed to be due to the small crystal size and large surface contribution. All lanthanide ions were found to be in "3+" configuration and accommodated in three different crystallization states: the larger lanthanide ions (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) in the monoclinic phase, the smaller ones (Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) in the tetragonal phase, and the intermediate lanthanide ions (Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) in a "mixed phase" between monoclinic and tetragonal phases.