A red-emitting Ca8MgLa(PO4)7:Ce3+,Mn2+ phosphor for UV-based white LEDs application

Ca(8)MgLa(PO(4))(7):Ce(3+),Mn(2+) phosphors have been prepared by a conventional solid state reaction under a weak reductive atmosphere. The crystal structure and photoluminescent properties were investigated. It was found that the red emission at 640nm originated from the (4)T(1)((4)G)→(6)A(1)((6)S) transition of Mn(2+) increases dramatically by a factor of 6.4 with the optimum Ce(3+) co-doping. The energy transfer from Ce(3+) to Mn(2+) was proposed to be resonance-type via an electric dipole-dipole mechanism and the energy transfer efficiency was also calculated by the relative emission intensity. With the broadband ultraviolet (UV) absorption of Ce(3+) and the suitable color coordinates, Ca(8)MgLa(PO(4))(7):Ce(3+),Mn(2+) phosphors might be a promising candidate as red phosphors in the field of UV-based white light-emitting diodes.     

Solvent directed morphologies and enhanced luminescent properties of BaWO4:Tm3+,Dy3+ for white light emitting diodes

A series of Tm³⁺ and Dy³⁺ codoped BaWO₄ phosphors with tunable shapes were controllably synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. The effects of ratio of ethylene glycol (EG) and water on the morphologies of BaWO₄ structures are systematically studied. It was discovered that the reason for these morphological changes is based on the reaction speed of the kinetic control, which relates to the strong chelating abilities of ethylene glycol. And when the solvent is pure ethylene glycol, the peanut-like BaWO₄:Dy³⁺ has the strongest emission intensity. Moreover, the emission color of the phosphors varied from blue (0.232, 0.180) to white (0.268, 0.250) by controlling Dy³⁺ ions content with a fixed Tm³⁺ concentration. The energy transfer mechanism was investigated in detail. With increasing the doped concentration of Dy³⁺ ions, the energy transfer efficiency of BaWO₄:0.005Tm³⁺,yDy³⁺ increased gradually and reached as high as 63% when the Dy³⁺ doped concentration is 0.03. The critical distance R_C calculated by the spectral overlap method is about 19.93 Å, and it is in good agreement with that obtained using the concentration quenching method (19.70 Å), indicating that the electric dipole-dipole interaction is the main energy transfer mechanism for BaWO₄:Tm³⁺,Dy³⁺ phosphors.     

Effects of Sm Co-doping on Luminescent Properties of Sr4Al14O25:M (M=Mn4+, Cr3+) Phosphors

The Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:M and doped Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:M+Sm³⁺ (M=Mn⁴⁺, Cr³⁺) phosphors were syn-thesized by a solid-state reaction method and their luminescent properties were investi-gated. The results showed that the co-doping of Sm ions did not change the positions of excitation band and emission band but signi cantly improved the luminescent properties of Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Cr³⁺ phosphors; whereas, the emission intensity of Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Mn⁴⁺ was re-dueced remarkably when Sm ions were co-doped. In addtion, a radiative-form energy transfer from Sm³⁺ to Cr³⁺ was observed for the first time in the Cr, Sm co-doped Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅ phos-phors. The results indicated that Sm ions could signi cantly improve the emission intensity of Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Cr³⁺, making the Sm³⁺co-doped Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Cr³⁺ phosphor a promising can-didate for the applications in display and solid state lightening.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Eu2O3/Ta2O5 mixed oxides on degradation of rhodamine B and 4-nitrophenol

Europium oxide/tantalum pentoxide (Eu₂O₃/Ta₂O₅) mixed oxides with different Eu₂O₃ dopings were prepared by a single-step sol–gel process via hydrolysis of tantalum pentachloride in the presence of europium nitrate. The products were in the amorphous and orthorhombic phase structures, respectively, based on the different calcination temperatures (200 and 500 °C). Composition, morphology, phase structure, Eu₂O₃-doping mode in the Ta₂O₅ matrix and optical absorption property of the products were characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis/DRS). The UV-light photocatalytic activity of the products was evaluated by degradation of aqueous rhodamine B (RB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of as-prepared Eu₂O₃/Ta₂O₅ was higher than that of pure Ta₂O₅ regardless of their phase structures. Among the tested samples, Eu₂O₃/Ta₂O₅ with 0.49% Eu loading obtained with 200 °C exhibited the highest activity to degradation of the above two model molecules. The reasons of this enhanced photocatalytic activity were discussed.     

Development of mullite and mullite/Al2O3 precursor sols for electrophoretic deposition of oxidation protection coatings

Mullite and mullite/Al₂O₃ precursor sols have been developed for the deposition of oxidation barrier coatings on carbon fibre reinforced composites using a combination of sol–gel synthesis and electrophoresis.The sols were synthesised by controlled hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS (tetraethoxysilane) and Al(OBu^s)₃ (aluminium tri-sec-butylate). The main objective was the definition of synthesis conditions which yield sols suitable for the electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Measurements of the Electrokinetic Sonic Amplitude were used to investigate the electrokinetic properties of the sols in the as-prepared state and depending on the later addition of H₂O. ²⁹Si CP/MAS NMR spectra of dried precursor samples were recorded to study the homogeneity of Al/Si mixture. The progress of crystallisation with increasing temperature of heat treatment was examined by XRD. Oxidation protection coatings on C/C–SiC composites were prepared by EPD.Whereas a low H₂O to TEOS ratio during the sol synthesis was advantageous for a low mullite formation temperature, a high H₂O to TEOS ratio was necessary to enable the EPD. The synthesis of a sol with a low H₂O to TEOS ratio in the first step and the later modification of this sol by the addition of water was a successful method to combine the required electrokinetic properties and mullitisation temperatures below 1200 °C.     

Ovalbumin mediated synthesis of Mn3O4

By using Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺ salts, and freshly extracted ovalbumin, Mn₃O₄ nanocrystals have been synthesized successfully. The X-ray diffraction results indicated that the synthesized nanoparticles have only the spinel structure without the presence of any other phase impurities. As the ovalbumin–water mixture was highly basic, the process did not require any use of base to increase the pH where hydrolysis took place. A gel formed where water soluble ovalbumin proteins served as a perfect matrix for entrapment of metal ions (Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺). Upon heat treatment, the dried gel precursor decomposed into nanocrystalline Mn₃O₄. The discrepancy between the crystallite size from XRD and particle size SEM analysis reveals polycrystalline nature of the synthesized particles with this route. EPR analysis of Mn₃O₄ shows a narrow and symmetric line indicating the absence of hyperfine splitting.     

Vacuum Ultraviolet Excited Photoluminescence Properties of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ Phosphor

As an Hg-free lamp using phosphor, the Bi^3＋ and EH^3＋ co-doped Y2O2S phosphors were prepared and their luminescence properties under vacuum ultraviolet（VUV） excitation were investigated. The VUV photoluminescent intensity of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋ was weak, however, considerably stronger red emission at 626 nm with good color purity was observed in Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ systems. Investigation on the photoluminescence reveals that the strong VUV luminescence of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ at 147 nm is mainly because the Bi^3＋ acts as a medium and effectively performs the energy transfer process： Y^3＋-O^2-→Bi^3＋→Eu^3＋, while the intense emission band at 172 nm is attributed to the absorption of the characteristic ^1So-^1P1 transition of Bi^3＋ and the direct energy transfer from Bi^3＋ to Eu^3＋. The Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ shows excellent VUV optical properties compared with the commercial （Y,Gd）BO3：Eu^3＋. Thus, the Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ can be a potential red VUV-excited candidate applied in Hg-free lamps for backlight of liquid crystal display.     

Photoluminescence and energy transfer in Tb/Mn co-doped ZnAl2O4 glass ceramics

We report on Tb³⁺ as efficient sensitizer for red photoemission from Mn²⁺-centers in ZnO-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-Si₂O-Na₂O-SrO glasses and corresponding gahnite glass ceramics. In comparison to singly or co-doped glasses, the glass ceramics exhibit significantly increased emission intensity. Structural considerations, ESR, and dynamic luminescence spectroscopy indicate partial incorporation of Mn²⁺ as well as Tb³⁺ into the crystalline phase, the former on octahedral Zn²⁺-sites. Interionic distance and charge transfer probability between both species depend on crystallization conditions. This enables control of the energy transfer process and, hence, tunability of the color of photoemission by simultaneous emission from Tb³⁺ and Mn²⁺ centers. Concentration quenching in Mn²⁺-singly doped materials was found at a critical dopant concentration of about 1.0 mol%. The energy transfer process was studied in detail by dynamic as well as static luminescence spectroscopy. Spectroscopic results suggest the application of the studied materials as single or dual-mode emitting phosphor for luminescent lighting.     

Ba3LaNa(PO4)3F:Tm3+, Dy3+: A tunable blue-white color emitting phosphor via energy transfer for UV white LEDs

A series of Tm^3+/Dy^3+co-doped Ba3 LaNa(PO4)3 F(BLNPF) phosphors were synthesized successfully via a high-temperature solid-reaction,and luminescence properties were investigated.Upon near violet excitation,BLNPF:Tm^3+,Dy^3+ phosphors exhibit Tm^3+:^1D2-^3 F4 and Dy^3+:^4 F(9/2)-^6 HJ(J=15/2,13/2,11/2)transitions with diffe rent luminescence intensity.The emitting color of the obtained products was found to shift from blue to white as a result of efficient energy transfer(ET) from Tm^3+to Dy^3+ions.According to photoluminescence emission intensity,the positive effect of activator on ET efficiency was calculated and the maximum ET efficiency was found around 72.6% with Dy^3+ concentration was 0.04.By means of Dexter's theoretical model,furthermore,dipole-dipole interaction was confirmed as the mechanism of energy transfer from Tm^3+ to Dy^3+ ions.The results suggested that BLNPF:Tm^3+,Dy^3+ phosphor might be a promising single-phased white-light-emitting phosphor for UV white-light LED.     

Hydrogenation of arenes, alkenes and alkynes catalyzed by a sol–gel entrapped mixture of [Rh(cod)Cl]2 and Na[HRu3(CO)11]

A sol–gel entrapped 1:3 mixture of [Rh(cod)Cl]₂ and Na[HRu₃(CO)₁₁] catalyzes the hydrogenation of various unsaturated substrates by two distinguishable mechanisms. Under 13.8 bar H₂ and 20 °C methylated arenes react rapidly to give cycloalkane derivatives. XRD and TEM studies showed that under these conditions the hydrogenation proceeds without the generation of free metal particles. The hydrogenation of non-methylated arenes, as well as that of alkenes and alkynes, require a temperature of 80–120 °C at which the entrapped complexes form metallic nano-particles of 3–5 nm. Chloroarenes are also hydrodechlorinated at 120 °C, but require a hydrogen pressure of ≥25 bar. At both temperature ranges the catalysts are reusable at least four times. The high efficiency of the hydrogenation process at 20 °C is rationalized by a synergistic effect between the two different metal atoms of the combined catalyst. This may be related to a remote control model through a hydrogen spillover mechanism.     

Synthesis of SiO2/Y2O3:Eu core-shell materials and hollow spheres

The SiO₂/Y₂O₃:Eu core-shell materials and hollow spheres were first synthesized by a template-mediated method. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that the broadened diffraction peaks result from nanocrystals of Y₂O₃:Eu shells and hollow spheres. X-ray photoelectron spectra showed that the Y₂O₃:Eu shells are linked with silica cores by Si-O-Y chemical bond. SEM and TEM observations showed that the size of SiO₂/Y₂O₃:Eu core-shell structure is in the range of 140-180 nm, and the thickness of Y₂O₃:Eu hollow spherical shell is about 20-40 nm. The photoluminescence spectra of SiO₂/Y₂O₃:Eu core-shell materials and Y₂O₃:Eu hollow spheres have better red luminescent properties, and the broadened emission bands came from the size effects of nanocrystals composed of Y₂O₃:Eu shell.     

A novel blue-emitting phosphor LiSrPO4:Eu for white LEDs

A novel blue-emitting phosphor, LiSrPO₄:Eu²⁺, was prepared by the solid-state reaction and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of LiSrPO₄:Eu²⁺. Photoluminescence (PL) results showed that the phosphor can be efficiently excited by UV-visible light from 250 to 440 nm, and exhibited bright blue emission. The effects of the doped-Eu²⁺ concentration in LiSrPO₄:Eu²⁺ on the PL were investigated in detail. The results showed that the relative PL intensity increases with Eu²⁺-concentration increasing until a maximum intensity is reached, and then it decreases due to concentration quenching and a red-shift appears, which are explained satisfactorily with the luminescent theory. Upon excited with 396 nm light, the present synthesized phosphor has higher emission intensity than that from the commercial blue phosphor, BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺. Bright blue light-emitting diodes were fabricated by the combination of the synthesized LiSrPO₄:Eu²⁺ with ∼397 nm emitting InGaN-based chips.     

Crystal structure of Eu-doped M3MgSi2O8 (M: Ba, Sr, Ca) compounds and their emission properties

Emission properties of Eu²⁺-doped M₃MgSi₂O₈ (M: Ba, Sr, Ca) are discussed in terms of the crystal structure. When Ba²⁺ ions account for over one third of M²⁺ ions, M₃MgSi₂O₈ crystallizes in glaserite-type trigonal structure, while Ba-free compounds crystallize in merwinite-type monoclinic structure. Under UV excitation, the Eu²⁺-doped glaserite-type compounds exhibit an intense blue emission assigned to 5d-4f electron transition at about 435 nm, regardless of the molar ratio of Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions. By contrast, the Eu²⁺-doped merwinite-type compounds show an emission color sensitive to the ratio. A detailed analysis of the emission spectra reveals that the emission chromaticity for the Eu²⁺-doped M₃MgSi₂O₈ is composed of two emission peaks reflecting two different sites accommodating M²⁺ ion.     

Y2O3:Eu纳米晶的硝基取代苯甲酸配合物固相热解制备和性能

以苯甲酸、邻硝基苯甲酸、间硝基苯甲酸、对硝基苯甲酸、3,5 二硝基苯甲酸等为配体制备了Y3+、Eu3+二元配合物,配合物中Y3+与Eu3+的摩尔比为9：1.利用这些配合物的爆炸式热分解特性通过固相热解反应制备了一系列Y2O3:Eu纳米晶.透射电镜观察,可以看出所得纳米晶呈球形,粒度介于40～60 nm,X射线衍射分析表明实验所得纳米晶属立方晶系,粒径与电镜观察所得结果基本一致；Eu3+的引入并不影响Y2O3的晶相组成；配体类型对纳米晶的结构没有显著影响,不过相对于硝基取代苯甲酸配合物,苯甲酸配合物热解所得Y2O3∶Eu纳米晶团聚严重；退火温度显著影响纳米晶粒度,退火温度高,纳米晶粒度大,反之亦然.荧光光谱测定表明所有Y2O3∶Eu纳米晶具有相似的发光行为,其中以苯甲酸配合物分解所得Y2O3:Eu纳米晶发光性能最为优越.     

Characterization and evaluation of Fe2O3/Al2O3 oxygen carrier prepared by sol–gel combustion synthesis

The sol-gel combustion synthesis (SGCS) for oxygen carrier (OC) to be used in chemical looping combustion (CLC) was first designed and experimented in this work, which is a new method of OC synthesis by combining sol-gel technique and solution combustion synthesis. Cheap hydrated metal nitrates and urea were adopted as precursors to prepare Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ OC at the molar ratio to unity (Fe1Al1), which was characterized through various means, including Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffractor (XRD), and N₂ isothermal adsorption/desorption method. FTIR analysis on the chemical structure of the dried gel of Fe1Al1 indicated that urea was partly hydrolyzed and the hydrated basic carbonate was formed by the combination of groups such as (Fe(_1−yAl_y)_1−xO_1−3x, CO₃²⁻ and -OH-. By analyzing the staged products during SGCS, calcination was found as a necessary step to produce Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ OC with separate phases of α-Fe₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃. Through TGA-DTA, the decomposition of the dried gel was found to undergo five stages. The analysis of the evolved gases from the gel decomposition using FTIR partially confirmed the staged decomposition and assisted a better understanding of the mechanism of SGCS. XRD identification further substantiated the necessity of calcination to synthesize Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ OC with separate phases of α-Fe₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃, though it was not necessary for the synthesis of single phase α-Fe₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃. Structural characterization performed on N₂ adsorption analyzer displayed that the pore shape of Fe1Al1 particles was heterogeneous. Finally, H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) of Fe1Al1 products in TGA indicated that the reduction reaction of Fe1Al1 OC after calcination was a single step reaction from α-Fe₂O₃ to Fe, and calcination benefited to improve the transfer rate of the lattice oxygen from the OC to fuel H₂. Furthermore, four times of reduction and oxidization (redox) reaction by alternating with H₂ and air demonstrated the synthesized OC had good reactivity and sintering-resistance, much suitable to be used in the realistic CLC. Overall, the SGCS method was found superior to other existent methods to prepare Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ OC for CLC application.     

Photon cascade luminescence in CaAl12O19:Pr, Cr

In this report, the Cr³⁺ ion was chosen as a co-dopant to modify the unpractical photon cascade emission properties of Pr³⁺-doped CaAl₁₂O₁₉ phosphors, which emit one near-UV photon from the ¹S₀ state followed by visible photons from the ³P₀ state, into phosphors that emits two visible photons through energy transfer. The photon cascade emission process via energy transfer and the transfer mechanisms were systemically investigated by luminescence spectra and dynamics using synchrotron radiation as one of the excitation sources. The internal visible quantum efficiency of CaAl₁₂O₁₉:Pr, Cr was estimated and compared with CaAl₁₂O₁₉:Pr and the drawback to obtain the visible quantum efficiency higher than unit for CaAl₁₂O₁₉:Pr, Cr as a practical VUV phosphor was also discussed.     

Crystal structure and energy band and optical properties of phosphate Sr3P4O13

A single crystal of the compound Sr₃P₄O₁₃ has been found and the crystal structure has been characterized by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in triclinic system and belongs to space group . It builds up from SrO₇ polyhedra and P₄O₁₃⁻⁶ anions and has a layered structure, and the Sr atoms are located in the interlayer space. The absorption and luminescence spectrum of Sr₃P₄O₁₃ microcrystals have been measured. The calculated results of crystal energy band structure by the DFT show that the solid state of Sr₃P₄O₁₃ is an isolator with direct band gap. The calculated total and partial density of states indicate that the top valence bands are contributions from P 3p and O 2p states and low conduction bands mostly originate from Sr atomic states. The calculated optical response functions expect that the Sr₃P₄O₁₃ is a low refractive index, and it is possible that the Sr₃P₄O₁₃ is used to make transparent material between the UV and FR light zone.     

Preparation and electrical properties of new oxide ion conductors Ce6−xDyxMoO15−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.8)

Ce_6−xDy_xMoO_15−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.8) were synthesized by modified sol–gel method. Structural and electrical properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The XRD patterns showed that the materials were single phase with a cubic fluorite structure. Impedance spectroscopy measurement in the temperature range between 350 °C and 800 °C indicated a sharp increase in conductivity for the system containing small amount of Dy₂O₃. The Ce_5.6Dy_0.4MoO_15−δ detected to be the best conducting phase with the highest conductivity (σ_t = 8.93 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) is higher than that of Ce_5.6Sm_0.4MoO_15−δ (σ_t = 2.93 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) at 800 °C, and the corresponding activation energy of Ce_5.6Dy_0.4MoO_15−δ (0.994 eV) is lower than that of Ce_5.6Sm_0.4MoO_15−δ (1.002 eV).     

Synthesis, crystal structures and luminescence properties of the Eu-doped yttrium oxotellurates(IV) Y2Te4O11 and Y2Te5O13

Y₂Te₄O₁₁:Eu³⁺ and Y₂Te₅O₁₃:Eu³⁺ single crystals in sub-millimeter scale were synthesized from the binary oxides (Y₂O₃, Eu₂O₃ and TeO₂) using CsCl as fluxing agent. Crystallographic structures of the undoped yttrium oxotellurates(IV) Y₂Te₄O₁₁ and Y₂Te₅O₁₃ have been determined and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. In Y₂Te₄O₁₁, a layered structure is present where the reticulated sheets consisting of edge-sharing [YO₈]¹³⁻ polyhedra are interconnected by the oxotellurate(IV) units, whereas in Y₂Te₅O₁₃ only double chains of condensed yttrium-oxygen polyhedra with coordination numbers of 7 and 8 are left, now linked in two crystallographic directions by the oxotellurate(IV) entities. The Eu³⁺ luminescence spectra and the decay time from different energy levels of the doped compounds were investigated and all detected emission levels were identified. Luminescence properties of the Eu³⁺ cations have been interpreted in consideration of the now accessible detailed crystallographic data of the yttrium compounds, providing the possibility to examine the influence of the local symmetry of the oxygen coordination spheres.     

Ce3+,Tb3+,Eu3+共掺杂Sr2MgSi2O7体系的白色发光和能量传递机理

通过正交试验,采用高温固相法制备了Sr2-x-y-zMgSi2O7∶xCe3+,yTb3+,zEu3+系列样品.使用X射线衍射仪和荧光光谱仪表征了样品的物相和发光性质,并讨论了Ce3+-Tb3+-Eu3+共掺杂Sr2MgSi2O7体系中的能量传递过程.实验结果表明,在327 nm波长激发下,所合成荧光粉的发射峰主要位于387 nm(蓝紫)、542nm(绿)和611 nm(红)处;分别以387,542和611 nm为监控波长,所得激发光谱显示荧光粉在327 nm处有最好的激发.在327 nm光激发下,系列样品发光进入白光区.最优化的荧光粉为Sr1.91MgSi2O7∶0.01Ce3+,0.05Tb3+,0.03Eu3+,其色坐标为(0.337,0.313),是一种潜在的发光二极管(LED)用白色荧光粉.