Single-bubble sonoluminescence of aqueous solutions of lanthanide chlorides and models of the sonochemistry of nonvolatile metal salts

The single-bubble sonoluminescence of d-f (Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺) and f-f (Tb³⁺) ions is detected in aqueous solutions of LnCl₃. It has been shown that the luminescence of these ions is sonophotoluminescence, i.e., the reemission of the absorbed short-wavelength part of the radiation spectrum of a blackbody, which appears in a bubble levitating in the field of a standing ultrasonic wave, in the bulk of the solution. In view of the revealed inefficiency of reemission in GdCl₃, the single-bubble sonoluminescence of Gd³⁺ has not been observed. The results indicate the low probability of the penetration of nonvolatile metal ions into the bubble in the hot shell model, which would be valid in single-bubble sonolysis and thereby confirm the validity of the injected droplet model, which explains the penetration to the bubble, electronic excitation, and luminescence of f-f ions Gd³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in multibubble sonolysis with an intensity much higher than the yield of their sonophotoluminescence.     

Water-Soluble Ln<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Doped LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanoparticles: Retention of Strong Luminescence and Potential as Biolabels

The use of optically robust, luminescent lanthanide-based particles is becoming an area of interest for biolabel-related chemistry, due to their long lifetimes and range of non-overlapping absorption and emission lines from the visible to the near-infrared. We report the synthesis and optical properties of water-soluble, luminescent Ln³⁺-doped nanoparticles (NPs) coordinated with a hydrophilic (RO)PO₃²⁻ ligand that facilitates the stabilization of the NPs in aqueous conditions, and that regulates particle growth to the nanometer range. The use of lanthanide ions as dopants, in particular Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions, yields optically robust particles with narrow emission lines in the visible (591 nm) and in the near-infrared (1530 nm), respectively. Luminescent lifetimes range from the microsecond to the millisecond for Er³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions, respectively, and the NPs are not expected to be susceptible to photo-bleaching due to the fact that the emissions arise from intra-4f transitions of the lanthanide ions.     

Luminescence of Tb3+ and Gd3+ ions in sonolysis under the conditions of a single bubble moving in aqueous solutions of TbCl3 and GdCl3

Luminescence bands of Tb³⁺ and Gd³⁺ ions are detected during sonolysis in the regime of a moving single bubble in aqueous solutions of TbCl₃ and GdCl₃ salts with concentration 1–2 mol/L. Saturation with argon, low temperatures of solutions (?5°C), and a high concentration of salts are the factors facilitating sonoluminescence of the metal. Comparison with the characteristics of sonoluminescence of lanthanide ions studied earlier in the regimes of multibubble and single-bubble sonolysis with a stationary bubble shows that the electron excitation of metal ions in the given case is associated with translational displacements of the bubble. Our results confirm the validity of the sonochemical model of microdroplet injection, which explains the penetration of nonvolatile salts into cavitation bubbles as a result of their deformation during intense movements.     

Charge transfer transitions in the transition metal oxides ABO4:Ln and APO4:ln (A=La, Gd, Y, Lu, Sc; B=V, Nb, Ta; Ln=lanthanide)

We have compiled and analyzed optical and structural properties of lanthanide doped non-metal oxides of the form APO₄:Ln³⁺ with A a rare earth and of transition metal oxides with formula ABO₄:Ln³⁺ with B a transition metal. The main objective is to understand better the interrelationships between the band gap energy, the O²⁻→Ln³⁺ charge transfer energy, and the Ln³⁺→B⁵⁺ inter-valence charge transfer energy. Various models exist for each of these three types of electron transitions in inorganic compounds that appear highly related to each other. When properly interpreted, these optically excited transitions provide the locations of the lanthanide electron donating and electron accepting states relative to the conduction band and the valence band of the hosting compound. These locations in turn determine the luminescent properties and charge carrier trapping properties of that host. Hence, understanding the relationship between the different types of charge transfer processes and its implication for lanthanide level location in the band gap is of technological interest.     

Excitation and Emission Spectra of Cs2NaLnCl6 Crystals Using Synchrotron Radiation

ABSTRACT

The visible emission and vacuum ultraviolet excitation spectra of the series Cs₂NaLnCl₆ (Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Er, Yb) and Cs₂NaYCl₆:Ln³⁺ (Ln = Sm, Er) have been recorded using synchrotron radiation at room temperature, and in some cases at 10 K. The excitation spectra comprise features associated with charge transfer, excitation from the valence to conduction band, and impurity bands. No d–f emissions were observed for these Ln³⁺ ions, so that the emission bands comprise intraconfigurational 4f ^N –4f ^N transitions and impurity bands, whose natures are discussed. Theoretical simulations of the f–d absorption spectra have been included. The comparison with data from the synchrotron at Desy enables a comprehensive account of the ground (or vibrationally excited ground for Ln²⁺) states of the Ln³⁺ 4f ^N , Ln³⁺ 4f ^N?15d, and Ln²⁺ 4f ^N+1 configurations relative to the valence and conduction bands of Cs₂NaLnCl₆, for which the band gaps are between 6.6 and 8.1 eV.     

Optical spectroscopy of lanthanides doped in wide band-gap semiconductor nanocrystals

Currently, tripositive lanthanide (Ln³⁺) ions doped wide band-gap semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have been the focus of research interest due to their distinct optical properties and potential applications in optical devices and luminescent biolabels. Because of the low absorptions of parity-forbidden 4f-4f transitions for Ln³⁺, it is highly anticipated that the luminescence of Ln³⁺ ions embedded in wide band-gap NC lattices can be sensitized efficiently via exciton recombination in the host. For this purpose, the successful incorporation of Ln³⁺ into the lattices of semiconductor NCs is of utmost importance, which still remains intractable via conventional wet chemical methods. Here, the most recent progress in the optical spectroscopy of Ln³⁺ ions doped wide band-gap semiconductor NCs is discussed. Much attention was focused on the optical properties including electronic structures, luminescence dynamics, energy transfer as well as the up-conversion emissions of Ln³⁺ ions in ZnO, TiO₂, SnO₂ and In₂O₃ NCs that were synthesized in our laboratory using wet chemical methods.     

On the magnetism of Ln<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> (Ln = lanthanide)

The magnetic and thermodynamic properties of the complete Ln_2/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ series were investigated. Here Ln stands for the lanthanides La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb. All the samples investigated crystallize in the space group Im[`3]Im\bar{3} with lattice constants that follow the lanthanide contraction. The lattice constant of the Ce compound reveals the presence of Ce⁴⁺ leading to the composition Ce_1/2Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂. From magnetic susceptibility and electron-spin resonance experiments it can be concluded that the copper ions always carry a spin S = 1/2 and order antiferromagnetically close to 25 K. The Curie-Weiss temperatures can approximately be calculated assuming a two-sublattice model corresponding to the copper and lanthanide ions, respectively. It seems that the magnetic moments of the heavy rare earths are weakly coupled to the copper spins, while for the light lanthanides no such coupling was found. The 4f moments remain paramagnetic down to the lowest temperatures, with the exception of the Tm compound, which indicates enhanced Van-Vleck magnetism due to a non-magnetic singlet ground state of the crystal-field split 4f manifold. From specific-heat measurements we accurately determined the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature and obtained information on the crystal-field states of the rare-earth ions.     

New perovskite oxides LaBa<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>CoO<Subscript>5 + δ</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> = Fe,Cu): Synthesis,structure, and properties

The electrical resistivity ρ and the thermopower S of ceramic materials LnBaCuFeO_{5 + δ} (Ln= La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd-Lu) are measured in air at temperatures in the range from 300 to 1100 K. All the studied ferrocuprates are p-type semiconductors. The electrical resistivity ρ and the thermopower S of these compounds increase with a decrease in the radius of the Ln ³⁺ cation (with an increase in the number of 4f electrons n in Ln ³⁺). The nonmonotonic behavior of the dependences ρ=f(n) and S=f(n) indicates that the electrical properties of the layered ferrocuprates LnBaCuFeO_{5 + δ} depend on the electronic configuration of the Ln ³⁺ cation. The power factors P calculated for the LnBaCuFeO_{5 + δ} ceramic materials from the experimental values of ρ and S increase with increasing temperature and, at T = 1000 K, reach the maximum values P = 102.0 and 54.1 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² for Ln = Pr(4f ²) and Sm(4f ⁵), respectively, and become close to each other and equal to 30–35 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² for Ln = Gd(4f ⁷), Dy(4f ⁹), and Ho(4f ¹⁰).     

Radiationless Energy Transfer Between Rare-Earth Ions in Solutions and its Application to the Investigation of Complexation Processes

Radiationless energy transfer between rare-earth ions (Ln³⁺) in solutions has some features: 1) the electronic transitions in Ln³⁺ complexes causing the luminescence of energy donor and the absorption of energy acceptors are forbidden by Laporte's rule and are weakly intensive. Therefore the critical radius (R_o) of energy transfer between the rare-earth ions for dipole-dipole mechanism is close to that for exchange-resonant mechanism. This fact presents difficulties for unequivocal interpretation of the energy transfer mechanism. 2) The plus-three lanthanide ions exist in solution as a set of complexes with different number of charged ligands in the inner coordination sphere and hence with different total charge of complexes.     

Determination of hadronic partial widths for scalar-isoscalar resonances f0(980), f0(1300), f0(1500), f0(1750) and the broad state f0(1530 ?250+90 )

Recently [see V.V. Anisovich et al., Yad. Fiz. 63, 1489 (2000)], the K-matrix solutions for the wave IJ ^PC=00⁺⁺ were obtained in the mass region 450–1900 MeV, where four resonances f ₀(980), f ₀(1300), f ₀(1500), f ₀(1750) and the broad state f ₀(1530 ₋₂₅₀ ⁺⁹⁰ ) are located. Based on these solutions, partial widths are determined for scalar-isoscalar states decaying into the channels ππ, KK ηη, ηη′, ππππ and corresponding decay couplings. From Yadernaya Fizika, Vol. 65, No. 8, 2002, pp. 1583–1590. Original English Text Copyright ? 2002 by Anisovich, Nikonov, Sarantsev. This article was submitted by the authors in English.     

Characterization of free radicals generated from the reaction of Fe3+/Fe2+ withtert-butyl hydroperoxide and the effect of lanthanide ions

The inhibitory effects of lanthanide ions on the generation of free radicals from the reaction of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ withtert-butyl hydroperoxide (^tBuOOH) were investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) utilizing 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trap. Peroxyl, alkoxyl, and carbon-centered free radicals generated from Fe³⁺-^tBuOOH system were successfully trapped by DMPO, whereas peroxyl radicals were not trapped in Fe²⁺-^tBuOOH system. Peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals are initial radical species generated from Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ systems, respectively. The carbon-centered radicals (^⋅CH₃) might be attributed to β-scission reaction of these alkoxyl radicals. The ESR signals of DMPO adducts of these radicals were quenched in the presence of lanthanides (Ln³⁺ or [Ln(cit)₂]³⁻), in concentration-dependent fashion. Moreover, the quenching effect of Ln³⁺ is closely related to the time the Ln³⁺ was added into the free-radical-triggered systems. The results reveal that there might be various mechanisms responsible for inhibiting generation and transformation of the free radicals. If Ln³⁺ and iron react with peroxide simultaneously, the complex formation of Ln³⁺ with^tBuOOH will be the main mechanism of the competitive inhibitory effect of Ln³⁺. Whereas if Ln³⁺ is added after iron, the inhibitory effect on the ESR signal of DMPO adducts might be interpreted preferentially by the coordination and magnetic dipole-dipole interaction between Ln³⁺ and DMPO adducts.     

Laser spectroscopy of rare earth ions in lead borate glasses and transparent glass-ceramics

Rare earth doped lead borate glasses and transparent glass-ceramics have been studied using optical spectroscopy. Based on the absorption, emission and its decay and the Judd-Ofelt calculations, several radiative and laser parameters for Ln ³⁺ (Ln = Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Er, Tm) were evaluated. The large values of luminescence lifetime, quantum efficiency of excited state and room temperature peak stimulated emission cross-section suggest efficient laser transitions of Ln ³⁺ ions in lead borate glasses. The obtained results indicate that lead borate glasses and glass-ceramics containing Ln ³⁺ ions are promising host matrices for solid-state laser applications.     

Influence of the Type of a Ligand on the Intensity of Luminescence of Ln3+ Ions in Aqueous Solutions

The luminescence characteristics of hydrated Ln³⁺ ions and their complexes with some acidic ligands have been investigated. The possibility of determining the stability of the complexes of lanthanides in solutions from the intensity of luminescence bands is shown. The influence of the characteristic features of the f-electron shell of Ln³⁺ on the formation of the spectrochemical series is discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of new LnxSb2−xSe3 (Ln: Yb, Er) nanoflowers and their physical properties

New Ln_xSb_2−xSe₃ (Ln: Yb³⁺, Er³) based nanomaterials were synthesized by a co-reduction method. Powder XRD patterns indicate that the Ln_xSb_2−xSe₃crystals (Ln=Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, x=0.00-0.12) are isostructural with Sb₂Se₃. The cell parameters b and c decrease for Ln=Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ upon increasing the dopant content (x), while a increases. SEM images show that doping of the lanthanide ions in the lattice of Sb₂Se₃ generally results in nanoflowers. UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopy reveals mainly electronic transitions of the Ln³⁺ ions in case of Yb³⁺ doped nanomaterials. Emission spectra of doped materials, in addition to the characteristic red emission peaks of Sb₂Se₃, show additional emission bands centered at 955 nm, originating from the ²F_7/2→²F_5/2 transition (f-f transitions) of the Yb³⁺ ions. DSC curves indicate that Sb₂Se₃ has the highest thermal stability. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of doped-Sb₂Se₃ with Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ was studied.     

Luminescence of europium and ytterbium ions in strontium hexaborate

We have studied the luminescent properties of Eu^2+/3+ and Yb²⁺ ions in strontium hexaborate SrB₆O₁₀ for excitation in the 120–400 nm region. The luminescence spectra of Ln²⁺ ions in SrB₆O₁₀ consist of overlapping bands in the 370–520 nm region, due to 5d → 4f transitions at several nonequivalent centers. In the excitation spectra, besides the bands associated with 4f → 5d transitions in the Ln²⁺ ions, we also observe a band in the 135–160 nm region due to the transitions O(2p) → B(2s,2p) within the borate anions. The luminescence of the Eu³⁺ ions is excited most efficiently in the region of the Eu³⁺ charge transfer band (λ_max = 226 nm). The results obtained are compared with data for Ln in other strontium borates. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 73, No. 6, pp. 770–774, November–December, 2006.     

Trapping mechanism in the afterglow process of the rare-earth activated Y2O2S phosphors

Phosphorescence properties are investigated in Y₂O₂S phosphors doped with rare-earth (lanthanoid, Ln) ions. Luminescence afterglow with a decay time of several ten milliseconds is observed at room temperature in the phosphors activated by Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, Ho, Tm, Er, and Yb. The depths (thermal activation energies) of the traps causing the afterglow are measured with the transient luminescence method.It is concluded that the excited electron and the hole in the conduction and valence bands are trapped separately in the states (impurity levels) located in the vicinity of the Ln³⁺ ion. The trapping depths of the level range from 0.3 to 1.1 eV and are dependent on the electron affinity of the Ln³⁺ ion estimated from the energy difference between the 4fⁿ⁺¹ and the 4fⁿ configurations in the 4f shell of the ion.     

Rare Earth Centered Hybrid Materials: Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Covalently Bonded with La<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Y<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Through Sulfonamide Bridge and Luminescence Enhancement

The organic ligand 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) is grafted by (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) to achieve functionalized sulfonamide bridge (SSA-Si) which can both coordinate to Ln³⁺ to form luminescent center and link inorganic Si-O network through hydrolysis and condensation reaction with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Thus the organic–inorganic hybrid is obtained with sol-gel method. The organic polymer poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) acts as another precursor is prepared through the direct addition polymerization of MMA monomer in the presence of the initiator BPO (benzoyl peroxide). The two kinds of precursors are coordinated to the Ln³⁺ simultaneously to form organic–inorganic-polymeric hybrids which contain both inorganic Si-O-Si net and organic periodic C–C chains. In these complicated compounds we intercalate different ratios of Tb³⁺ and inert lanthanide ion (La³⁺, Gd³⁺, Y³⁺) and find that the introduction of the inert lanthanide ions can enhance the luminescence intensity. This enhancement phenomenon is called co-luminescence effect which is studied by emission spectra in this paper.     

Optical spectra of triply-charged rare-earth ions in polycrystalline corundum

Solid samples of polycrystalline corundum α-Al₂O₃ activated by triply-charged rare-earth ions RE³⁺ (R=Eu³⁺, Er³⁺, Pr³⁺) were synthesized by the sol-gel technology. Characteristic narrow-line optical absorption and luminescence spectra produced by intraconfigurational 4f-4f transitions in RE³⁺ ions have been measured. RE³⁺ ions have been established to form one dominant type of optical centers in the corundum matrix, and the energy diagram of Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ Stark levels in corundum has been determined. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 1442–1449 (August 1998)     

Rotational analysis of the (f0, e0)-X21 transition of the antimony monofluoride molecule

A rotational analysis is performed on the 0-0 band of the so called C₂ band system of antimony monofluoride. The results show that the band actually consits of two transitions designated as the f0⁺-X₂1 and e0⁻-X₂1 transitions.