X-ray structure and temperature dependent luminescent properties of two bimetallic europium complexes

The structural, luminescent and temperature dependent luminescent properties of two homodinuclear europium complexes bridged by 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpm) are reported. β-Diketonate ligands 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butanedione (tfa) and 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione (tta) are used as capping ligands resulting in complexes of the form [Eu(tfa)₃]₂bpm (1) and [Eu(tta)₃]₂bpm (2). All Eu^III ions are eight coordinate with six O atoms from the β-diketones and two N atoms from the polyazine bridging ligand. Excitation of the β-diketonate ligands tfa or tta at ca. 340 nm in toluene solutions results in the characteristic Eu^III emission in the visible region of the spectrum. The emission intensity and lifetime associated with the Eu^III centers decrease as the temperature of the solution is increased. Lifetime measurements are fit to a monoexponential while the temperature dependent lifetime data is fit to an Arrhenius-type equation. Evaluation of the data in comparison to data obtained from the monometallic Eu^III analogs reveal very similar photoluminescent properties. This suggests little electronic communication between Eu^III ions via the polyazine bpm bridging ligand.     

Time-dependent density functional theory study on optical properties of GaN doped with alkaline-earth atom

The absorption and the emission spectra of GaN and (Ga,AE)N (AE = Be, Mg, Ca) were calculated by using TDDFT method with cluster model. The calculation results show that Ga₂₆N₂₆H₅₀ cluster only has very weak absorption but has some emission bands in visible region. The band-to-band emission appears around 3.56 eV. If alkaline-earth atoms (Be, Mg and Ca) are doped into GaN, the blue emission band around 3.0 eV appears. Thereinto, Ga₂₅Ca₁N₂₆H₅₀ cluster shows a weaker yellow emission band and a stronger blue one (2.92 eV), which make (Ga,Ca)N material a promising candidate to emit blue light.     

Spectral and temporal luminescent properties of Eu(III) in humic substance solutions from different origins

Although a high heterogeneity of composition is awaited for humic substances, their complexation properties do not seem to greatly depend on their origins. The information on the difference in the structure of these complexes is scarce. To participate in the filling of this lack, a study of the spectral and temporal evolution of the Eu(III) luminescence implied in humic substance (HS) complexes is presented. Seven different extracts, namely Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA) and humic acid (SRHA), and Leonardite HA (LHA) from the International Humic Substances Society (USA), humic acid from Gorleben (GohyHA), and from the Kleiner Kranichsee bog (KFA, KHA) from Germany, and purified commercial Aldrich HA (PAHA), were made to contact with Eu(III). Eu(III)-HS time-resolved luminescence properties were compared with aqueous Eu³⁺ at pH 5. Using an excitation wavelength of 394 nm, the typical bi-exponential luminescence decay for Eu(III)-HS complexes is common to all the samples. The components τ₁ and τ₂ are in the same order of magnitude for all the samples, i.e., 40 ≤ τ₁ (μs) ≤ 60, and 145 ≤ τ₂ (μs) ≤ 190, but significantly different. It is shown that different spectra are obtained from the different groups of samples. Terrestrial extract on the one hand, i.e. LHA/GohyHA, plus PAHA, and purely aquatic extracts on the other hand, i.e., SRFA/SRHA/KFA/KHA, induce inner coherent luminescent properties of Eu(III) within each group. The ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition exhibits the most striking differences. A slight blue shift is observed compared to aqueous Eu³⁺ (λ_max = 615.4 nm), and the humic samples share almost the same λ_max ≈ 614.5 nm. The main differences between the samples reside in a shoulder around λ ≈ 612.5 nm, modelled by a mixed Gaussian–Lorentzian band around λ ≈ 612 nm. SRFA shows the most intense shoulder with an intensity ratio of I_612.5/I_614.7 = 1.1, KFA/KHA/SRHA share almost the same ratio I_612.5/I_614.7 = 1.2–1.3, whilst the LHA/GohyHA/PAHA group has a I_612.5/I_614.5 = 1.5–1.6. This shows that for the two groups of complexes, despite comparable complexing properties, slightly different symmetries are awaited.     

High temperature enthalpy and heat capacity of GaN

The heat capacity and the heat content of gallium nitride were measured by calvet calorimetry (320-570 K) and by drop calorimetry (670-1270 K), respectively. The temperature dependence of the heat capacity in the form C_pm=49.552+5.440×10⁻³T−2.190×10⁶T⁻²+2.460×10⁸T⁻³ was derived by the least squares method. Furthermore, thermodynamic functions calculated on the basis of our experimental results and literature data on the molar entropy and the heat of formation of GaN are given.     

Thickness measurement of semiconductor thin films by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence benchtop instrumentation: Application to GaN epilayers grown by molecular beam epitaxy

The importance of thin films in modern high technology products, such as semiconductors, requires fast and non-destructive analysis. A methodology to determine the thickness of single layers with benchtop energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) instrumentation is described and tested following analytical validation criteria. The experimental work was carried out on gallium nitride thin films epitaxially grown on sapphire substrate. The results of samples with layers in the range from 400 to 1000 nm exhibit a good correlation with the layer thickness determined by optical reflectance. Spectral data obtained using thin layered samples indicate the possibility to precisely evaluate layer thickness from 5 nm, with a low relative standard deviation (RSD < 2%) of the results. In view of the limits of optical reflectance for very thin layer determination, EDXRF analysis offers the potential for the thickness determination of such kind of samples.     

Synthesis and characterization of processable polyborate precursors

Polyborates have been formed by disproportionation and polycondensation of trimethoxyboroxine and also of trimethoxyboroxine and boric acid. The crtiical role of stoichiometry in the formation of polyborates without requiring incorporation of a metal counter ion is revealed. The emphasis is on integration of this chemistry with fabrication processes. Incorporation of an appropriate linear organic polymer is shown to yield the required rheological and thermal characteristics in this regard. These polyborates are inferred to be suitable as precursors for boron nitride in geometrical forms that can be processed as supported structures. However, they are also determined to be unsuitable as precursors for boron nitride fibers, oriented or isotropic, primarily due to their low glass transition temperature.     

Preparation, structure and photoluminescence properties of Eu and Ce-doped SrYSi4N7

Undoped and Eu²⁺ or Ce³⁺-doped SrYSi₄N₇ were synthesized by solid-state reaction method at 1400-1660 °C under nitrogen/hydrogen atmosphere. The crystal structure was refined from the X-ray powder diffraction data by the Rietveld method. SrYSi₄N₇ and EuYSi₄N₇, being isotypic with the family of compounds MYbSi₄N₇ (M=Sr, Eu, Ba) and BaYSi₄N_7, crystallize with the hexagonal symmetry: space group P6₃mc (No. 186), Z=2, a=6.0160 (1) Å, c=9.7894 (1) Å, V=306.83(3) Å³; and a=6.0123 (1) Å, c=9.7869 (1) Å, V=306.37(1) Å³, respectively. Photoluminescence properties have been studied for Sr_1−xEu_xYSi₄N₇ (x=0-1) and SrY_1−xCe_xSi₄N₇ (x=0-0.03) at room temperature. Eu²⁺-doped SrYSi₄N₇ shows a broad yellow emission band peaking around 548-570 nm, while Ce³⁺-doped SrYSi₄N₇ exhibits a blue emission band with a maximum at about 450 nm. SrYSi₄N₇:Eu²⁺ can be very well excited by 390 nm radiation, which makes this material attractive as conversion phosphor for LED lighting applications.     

Pt2Mo3N and PdPtMo3N: new interstitial nitrides prepared from freeze-dried precursors

The molybdenum bimetallic and trimetallic nitrides Pt₂Mo₃N and PdPtMo₃N have been synthesized by ammonolysis of the stoichiometric amorphous precursor, obtained by freeze drying of aqueous solutions of the appropriate metal salts. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetry analysis under an oxygen atmosphere. Pt₂Mo₃N and PdPtMo₃N crystallize in the cubic space group P4₁32 (213), with lattice parameters of a=6.83586(4) and 6.82542(3) Å, respectively, and form with the unusual filled β-manganese structure. These compounds are stable under air up to 580 K, the oxidation being complete at 910 K.     

Designing of luminescent GdPO4:Eu@LaPO4@SiO2 core/shell nanorods: Synthesis,structural and luminescence properties

GdPO₄:Eu³⁺ (core) and GdPO₄:Eu@LaPO₄ (core/shell) nanorods (NRs) were successfully prepared by urea based co-precipitation process at ambient conditions which was followed by coating with amorphous silica shell via the sol-gel chemical route. The role of surface coating on the crystal structure, crystallinity, morphology, solubility, surface chemistry and luminescence properties were well investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), UV-Vis, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD pattern revealed highly purified, well-crystalline, single phase-hexagonal-rhabdophane structure of GdPO₄ crystal. The TEM micrographs exhibited highly crystalline and narrow size distributed rod-shaped GdPO₄:Eu³⁺ nanostructures with average width 14–16 nm and typical length 190–220 nm. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic infrared absorption bands of amorphous silica. High absorbance in a visible region of silica modified core/shell/Si NRs in aqueous environment suggests the high solubility along with colloidal stability. The photoluminescence properties were remarkably enhanced after growth of undoped LaPO₄ layers due to the reduction of nonradiative transition rate. The advantages of presented high emission intensity and high solubility of core/shell and core/shell/Si NRs indicated the potential applications in monitoring biological events.     

Integrated X-ray crystallography, optical and computational methods in studies of structure and luminescence of new synthesized complexes of lanthanides with ligands derived from 2,6-diformylpyridine

The reaction of 2,6-diformylpyridine-bis(benzoylhydrazone) [dfpbbh] and 2,6-diformylpyridine-bis(4-phenylsemicarbazone) [dfpbpsc] with lanthanides salts yielded the new chelates complexes [Eu(dfpbpsc-H⁺)₂]NO₃ (1), [Dy(fbhmp)₂][Dy(dfpbbh-2H⁺)₂]·2EtOH·2H₂O (fbhmp = 2-formylbenzoylhydrazone-6-methoxide-pyridine; Ph = phenyl; Py = pyridine; Et = ethyl) and [Er₂(dfpbbh-2H⁺)₂(μ-NO₃)(H₂O)₂(OH)]·H₂O.X-ray diffraction analysis was employed for the structural characterization of the three chelate complexes. In the case of complex 1, optical, synthetic and computational methods were also exploited for ground state structure determinations and triplet energy level of the ligand and HOMO-LUMO calculations, as well as for a detailed study of its luminescence properties.     

Synthesis of inorganic polymers as glass precursors and for other uses: Pre-ceramic block or graft copolymers as potential precursors to composite materials

Pre-ceramic block or graft copolymers may offer entrée into nanocomposite ceramics provided the two homopolymers are immiscible and one can carefully control the size of the blocks or grafts. We are exploring the possibility of making copolymers from methylsilsesquioxane, ? [MeSi(O)_1.5]_x? , (SiO), a precursor to ‘black glass’ and the polysilazane, ? [MeHSiNH]_x? , (SiMe), a precursor to silicon carbide nitride. Our initial effors have been directed towards delineating the chemical transformations that SiO, prepared by room-temperature catalytic redistribution of ? [MeHSiO]_x? using Cp₂ TiMe₂ as the catalyst (0.1 wt %), undergoes as it is heated to 900 °C in nitrogen. We find that, although Cp₂ TiMe₂ will not catalyze the redistribution of SiMe at room temperature, in the presence of even small amounts of ? [MeHSiO]_x? it is an active catalyst precursor and a copolymer can be formed. Spectra and chemical composition studies on the pyrolysis products of the copolymers and SiO are described.     

Preparation and lithium doping of gallium oxynitride by ammonia nitridation via a citrate precursor route

Gallium oxynitride, isostructural to hexagonal gallium nitride (h-GaN), was obtained by ammonia nitridation of a precursor prepared from the addition of citric acid to an aqueous solution of gallium nitrate. Gallium oxynitride produced at 750 °C had a small amount of gallium vacancies, and was formulated as (Ga_0.89□_0.11) (N_0.66O_0.34) where the symbol □ stands for gallium vacancy. Both the gallium vacancies and oxygen substituted for nitrogen were randomly distributed within the structure. The amount of vacancies decreased with nitridation temperatures in the range of 750-850 °C. Approximately, 10 at% Li⁺ was doped into the gallium oxynitride, using a similar preparation with the additional presence of lithium nitrate, resulted in the random substitution of Ga³⁺ in an atomic ratio of Li/Ga<1 at 750 °C. Oxygen was codoped with lithium and substituted nitrogen in the wurtzite-type crystal lattice. These substitutions reduced the electrical conductivity in the gallium oxynitride semiconductor. A new oxynitride, Li₂Ga₃NO₄, was also obtained with Li₂CN₂ impurity using similar preparations from a mixture of Li/Ga?1. The crystal structure was isostructural with h-GaN, and was refined as P6₃mc with a=0.31674(1) nm, and c=0.50854(2) nm. The Ga and Li occupancies at the 2b site were refined to be 0.6085 and 0.3915, respectively, assuming that the other 2b site was randomly occupied with 1/5O and 4/5N. When the new compound was washed for over 1 min for the removal of Li₂CN₂ impurities, it was decomposed to a mixture of α-GaOOH and α-LiGaO₂. The as-prepared product with Li/Ga=1 showed the highest intensity in yellow luminescence among the products under excitation at 254 nm.     

含铕荧光两亲接枝共聚物的制备及胶束化行为

以丙烯酸(AA)、 苯甲酸(BA)和邻菲啰啉(Phen)为配体, Eu³⁺为中心离子, 制备了可聚合荧光配合物单体, 并以此单体为功能单体, 聚乙二醇单甲醚甲基丙烯酸酯(MPEGMA)和甲基丙烯酸六氟丁酯(HFMA)为共聚单体, 通过溶液聚合制备出含铕两亲荧光接枝共聚物P-[HFMA-co-Eu(AA)(BA)₂Phen]g-PEG. 利用红外光谱(FTIR)和核磁共振波谱(¹H NMR和¹⁹F NMR)对共聚物的结构进行表征; 采用表面张力法测定共聚物的临界胶束浓度(cmc)为0.20 g/L; 通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)和动态光散射仪(DLS)观察胶束的形貌及其胶束化行为, 发现该共聚物可以形成大小均一的球形胶束, 且随着共聚物浓度的提高, 胶束粒径相应增大; 在溶液浓度达到临界胶束浓度时, 溶液荧光出现强度突变.     

Synthesis and characterization of La2Mo2O9 obtained from freeze-dried precursors

La₂Mo₂O₉ ceramics have been prepared from freeze-dried precursors and their properties compared to those of lantanum molybdate obtained by conventional solid state (SS) reaction. All materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis (TGA/DTA/DSC and dilatometry) to characterize the phase formation and phase transition. When the freeze-dried method was applied, the synthesis temperature required to obtain dense samples was much lower than that for powders obtained by SS reaction. The morphology and structure of the oxide particle are significantly dependent on the synthesis method. The grain size is smaller, whereas the density of sintered pellets is higher for the freeze-dried precursor powder when compared with the SS reaction method. Impedance spectroscopy was used to measure the electrical conductivity of La₂Mo₂O₉ from 548 to 1123 K, in air, and to characterize the blocking effects of grain boundaries.     

Influence of Mn-doping on the chemical shielding tensors of Ga and N in the armchair GaN nanotubes: A DFT study

The chemical shielding (CS) tensors of Gallium-71 and nitrogen-15 are computed for the first time in order to investigate the influence of Mn-doping on the electronic properties of the (5, 5) Gallium nitride nanotube (GaNNT). A GaNNT consisting of 40 Ga and 40 N atoms and having a 1.2 nm length was considered. One portal of the nanotube was capped by ten hydrogen atoms and other-end was kept open. Additionally, two other forms of this model of Mn-doped GaNNT were considered where a Mn-atom was substituted for a Ga atom either in the first or in the second layer. The calculations reveal that in both models of Mn-doped GaNNTs, the N atoms that are directly connected to the Mn atom have the smallest isotropic chemical shielding among other N atoms. These calculations were performed at the level of the density functional theory (DFT) using GAUSSIAN 03 package. The basis sets for Ga and N atoms were chosen to be 6-31G (d) and those for Mn atom were chosen to be LanL2DZ.     

Preparation and pyrolysis of a blended precursor possessing Ti?N and Al?N bonds

The preparation and pyrolysis of a blended precursor possessing Ti? N and Al? N bonds were investigated. The precursor was prepared by mixing (HAlN ⁱPr) _n, whose main compo‐nent was a cage‐type compound, and an aminolysis product of Ti(NMe₂)₄ with MeHNCH₂CH₂NHMe with a molar ratio of Ti:Al = 2:1. IR analysis of the products pyrolyzed under NH₃–N₂ indicated that a large proportion of the organic groups in the precursor were removed by an amine‐exchange reaction during the pyrolysis under NH₃; thus, the products contained only a small amount of carbon. On the contrary, a considerable amount of carbon was present in the product pyrolyzed under Ar. Composites consisting of AlN and an NaCl‐type compound were obtained after pyrolysis of the precursor under both NH₃–N₂ and Ar. The composition of the NaCl‐type compound depended significantly on the pyrolysis atmosphere. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photochromic bipyridyl metal complexes: Photoregulation of the nonlinear optical and/or luminescent properties

The combination of transition metals and ligands featuring photochromic units is receiving much attention and opens up new perspectives for the design of metal-based photoswitchable molecules. This account summarizes some of our recent works made in the area of photochromic organometallic and coordination compounds, which have been used for the photomodulation of the quadratic non-linear optical (NLO) properties, as well as of the photoregulation of the emission properties of the resulting systems. For this purpose, we have designed new chromophores combining dithienylethene (DTE)-based bipyridine ligands with different metallic fragments (Re^I, Fe^II, Ru^II, Ir^III, Cu^I, Zn^II), giving rise to multi-photochromic metal complexes containing from two to six DTE units, and studied the photocontrol of both NLO and luminescence properties.     

Highly efficient and selective turn-off quenching of ligand-sensitized luminescence from europium imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline complex by fluoride ion

A smart fluoride sensitive luminescence probe based on 1:2 complex of europium(III) with 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline was prepared. The emission of europium ions via photosensitization of the ligand was completely quenched by addition of 2 equiv. of fluoride ions in DMSO. Spectroscopic analyses proved that the imidazolyl NH of the ligand was hydrogen-bonded with additive fluoride to form the 1:1 complex, leading to suppression of the photosensitization.     

掺Tb-硅基发光材料制备过程中结构及发光性能

采用溶胶-凝胶技术 ,制备了不同退火温度下掺 Tb3＋的 SiO2玻璃 ,掺 Tb3＋的凝胶玻璃在 448,544,585,620 nm显示 Tb3＋的 5D4- 7FJ(J=3,4,5,6)的特征发光光谱 .通过不同退火温度下样品的激发光谱、发射光谱、红外光谱、远红外光谱及差热-热重谱研究了掺 Tb3＋的硅基材料由凝胶向玻璃转变过程中的结构变化及对 Tb3＋发光性能的影响 .结果显示 ,在 50～ 100℃退火温度下 ,凝胶大部分吸附水分子被除去 ,在 150～ 500℃退火温度区 ,是凝胶向玻璃转变的主要结构变化区 ,并且其发光强度也明显增加 ,到 800℃时趋于稳定 .这些现象得出一个结论 ,Tb3＋的发光跃迁被 O－ H基强烈猝灭而随退火温度的升高而加强 .