Quasi-particle excitations and phonon broadening effects in the O ls spectra of Ln(OH)3 (Ln = La,Nd, Sm and Gd)

The O ls photoelectron spectra of Ln(OH)₃ (Ln = La, Nd, Sm and Gd) can be approximated by the convolution of a core hole spectral density function and a response function which is related to the phonon broadening and instrumental broadening effects. A non-linear least-squares analysis on the convolution integral indicates that the lifetime of the O ls (in the energy domain) is strongly broadened by the phonon excitations. The FWHM (full width at half maximum) of the phonon excitations range from 1.3 to 2.6 eV.     

High pressure effect on structural and mechanical properties of some LnO (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) compounds

The structural and mechanical properties of LnO (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) compounds have been investigated using a modified interionic potential theory, which includes the effect of Coulomb screening. We predicted a structural phase transition from NaCl (B₁)- to CsCl (B₂)-type structure and elastic properties in LnO compounds at very high pressure. The anomalous properties of these compounds have been correlated in terms of the hybridisation of f-electrons of the rare earth ion with conduction band and strong mixing of f-states of lanthanides with the p-orbital of neighbouring chalcogen ion. For EuO, the calculated transition pressure, bulk modulus and lattice parameter are close to the experimental data. The nature of bonds between the ions is predicted by simulating the ion-ion (Ln-Ln and Ln-O) distances at high pressure. The second order elastic constants along with shear modulus and Young's modulus, elastic anisotropy and Poisson's ratio are also presented for these oxides.     

均苯三甲酸铽掺杂(钇、钆)配合物的合成及荧光性质

以均苯三甲酸(H₃BTC)为配体,用水热法合成了系列稀土掺杂发光配合物,通过元素分析,EDTA滴定,红外光谱等确定了其组成为Tb_(1-x)Ln_xBTC·0.5H₂O(Ln=Y,Gd,x=0,0.1,0.3,0.5,0.7,0.9)。研究了配合物的荧光性质。该类配合物均能发出Tb3+的特征荧光,并且不发光的Y3+和Gd3+的掺入使配合物的荧光强度得到了增强,这可能是由于分子内能量传递的结果。Tb3+受到敏化作用而使荧光增强,但发射峰的位置基本上没有发生变化。在Tb3+的4个发射峰中5D₄→7F₅(544nm)处的发射峰强度最强,并在此条件下确定了掺杂离子的最佳掺入量,当Tb3+∶Y3+=0.5∶0.5, Tb3+∶Gd3+=0.3∶0.7时Tb_(1-x)Ln_xBTC·0.5H₂O(Ln=Y,Gd)的荧光强度最强。同时发现在最佳掺入量条件下Gd3+对Tb3+的敏化程度大于Y3+对Tb3+的敏化程度。     

Luminescence and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Borates LnGa3(BO3)4 (Ln = Nd,Sm, Tb,Er, Dy,or Ho)

Optics and Spectroscopy - Luminescence spectra of single crystals of rare-earth gallium borates LnGa3(BO3)4 (Ln = Nd, Sm, Tb, Er, Dy, or Ho) at room (300 K) and cryogenic (10 K)...     

Synthesis, Characterization and DNA-binding Properties of Ln(III) Complexes with 6-Ethoxy Chromone-3-Carbaldehyde Benzoyl Hydrazone

A novel 6-ethoxy chromone-3-carbaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone (L) and its Ln(III) complexes, [Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4)], have been synthesized and characterized. The fluorescence properties of the Eu(III) and Sm(III) complexes in solid state and Eu(III) complex in different solutions (DMF, DMSO, methanol and acetonitrile) were investigated. At the same time, the DNA-binding properties of the two complexes are investigated using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurement. All the experimental evidences indicate that the two complexes can bind to CT-DNA via an intercalation mechanism. Furthermore, antioxidant activity tests in vitro showed that the complexes have significant antioxidative activity against hydroxyl free radicals from the Fenton reaction.     

Synthesis,characterization and mesomorphic behaviour of lanthanide (III) 4-alkoxybenzoates

The lanthanide (III) 4-alkoxybenzoates [Ln(C_nH_2n?+?1OC₆H₄CO₂)₃, Ln?=?La (III), Pr (III), Nd (III), Eu (III), Gd (III), Tb (III) and Dy (III) and n?=?6, 8, 10, 12 and 16] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and IR and electronic spectroscopy. Hot-stage polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry have been used to investigate the mesomorphic behaviour. The chain length influences the structure and hence the thermal behaviour of these compounds. All the lanthanide complexes except decyloxy derivatives exhibit smectic A mesophase. The decyloxy-containing complexes are non-mesomorphic. The differential scanning calorimeter traces do not display the exothermic peak for all the compounds except for the hexadecyloxy derivatives, which exhibit enantiotropic smectic A phase. The influence of the lanthanide ions on the phase transition has also been clearly demonstrated.     

LnCu_3(OH)_6Cl_3(Ln = Gd,Tb, Dy): Heavy lanthanides on spin-1/2 kagome magnets

The spin-1/2 kagome antiferromagnets are key prototype materials for studying frustrated magnetism. Three isostructural kagome antiferromagnets LnCu_3(OH)_6Cl_3(Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy) have been successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method. LnCu_3(OH)_6Cl_3 adopts space group P■m1 and features the layered Cu-kagome lattice with lanthanide Ln~(3+) cations sitting at the center of the hexagons. Although heavy lanthanides(Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy) in LnCu_3(OH)_6Cl_3 provide a large effective magnetic moment and ferromagnetic-like spin correlations compared to light-lanthanides(Nd, Sm, Eu)analogues, Cu-kagome holds an antiferromagnetically ordered state at around 17K like YCu_3(OH)_6Cl_3.     

Effects of Sm substitution on ferroelectric domains and conductivity in bismuth ferrite ceramics

The large piezoelectric coefficient and multiferroicity of bismuth ferrite (BFO) make it an attractive candidate for lead-free ferroelectric devices. However, large leakage currents have limited broader applications. Rare-earth substitutions in BFO have been shown to improve ferroelectric and magnetic properties. In this work, we employed piezoresponse and conductive atomic force microscopy to study ferroelectric domains in Bi_1-xSm_xFeO₃ (x = 0–0.150) grown by the co-precipitation method. The combined piezoresponse and conductivity measurements can directly visualize the local ferroelectric domains under different sample bias. At Sm mol% > 7.5, Sm-substitution effectively lowers defect-generated conductivity. At Sm mol% < 7.5, conductivity increases due to conductive domain walls inside sample grains. The surfaces of these conductive samples exhibit a p-type rectifying behavior while the bulk is n-type. Our work details how the local piezoelectric properties and transport behaviors of BFO ceramics change as a function of Sm-substitution.     

Ln(Ⅲ)-Ni(Ⅱ)与双水杨醛缩乙二胺席夫碱异核配合物的合成与波谱

合成了双水杨醛缩乙二胺席夫碱(SALEN)与镍的配合物Ni₃(SALEN)₂(NO₃)₆·H₂O及镧系镍的异核配合物Ln₂Ni₃(SALEN)₆(NO₃)₁₂·H₂O(Ln=La,Nd,Sm,Gd,Yb,Y).以紫外、红外光谱、磁化率,特别是¹H NMR及EPR波谱等方法研究了它们在组成、结构和配位等方面的异同.Gd-Ni-SALEN配合物的EPR谱表明其在低温THF中呈"单峰效应".文中讨论了配合物在不同溶剂中峰宽的相对关系、配合物晶体场强度及Gd³⁺周围局部对称性问题.     

LnAlO3中Ce3+,Tb3+,Dy3+的发光及Ce-Tb,Ce-Dy的敏化发光(Ln=La,Gd,Y)

本文采用BaF2作为助熔剂和抑制剂经固相反应合成了一系列以LnAlO3(Ln=La,Gd,Y)为基质的磷光体,系统地研究了LnAlO3中Ce3+,Tb3+,Dy3+的发光及Ce-Tb,Ce-Dy的敏化发光,发现随Ln的不同,LnAlO3作为基质对激活剂的发光性质的影响也不同,本文得到一些规律性结果,并作了讨论。     

Improved properties & fatigue resistant behaviour OF Ba(Zr0.15Ti0.85)O3 ferroelectric ceramics

The microstructure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of Zr doped BaTiO₃ ceramics sintered at optimum temperature, are investigated. High energy ball milling technique is adopted to realize nano-sized powders of Ba(Zr_0.15Ti_0.85)O₃ ceramics. Increased boundary mobility of fine powders aided to obtain a relative density of >98.8% of theoretical density corresponding to ceramics under study. Internal stresses in these ceramics are found to be relieved by grain-boundary sliding. The Ba(Zr_0.15Ti_0.85)O₃ ceramics synthesized at relatively low sintering temperatures exhibit remarkable, enhanced dielectric properties viz. improved polarization, high unipolar strain values comparable to Zr doped BaTiO₃ single crystals of same composition, at relatively lower electric fields and also exhibit better fatigue tolerant properties. The underlying mechanisms responsible for superior dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties are discussed.     

Synthesis,characterization, luminescence properties and antioxidant activity of Ln(III) complexes with a new aryl amide bridging ligand

A novel Aryl amide ligand H₂L and its eight complexes, [LnH₂L(NO₃)₂·H₂O]NO₃ [Ln=Sm(III), Er(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), La(III), Gd(III), Nd(III), and Pr(III)], are presented. The ligand and complexes were synthesized and characterized based on elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR, UV–VIS., and TGA studies. The conductivity data show a 1:1 electrolytic nature with a general formula [LnH₂L(NO₃)₂·2H₂O]NO₃ The IR spectra reveal coordination of the ligand through the azomethine nitrogen and the phenolic hydroxyl of the ligand to the lanthanide ion. The coordinated nitrate ions behave in a bidentate fashion. The thermal decomposition studies indicate the presence of two water molecules in the inner coordination sphere. Under the excitation at 319 nm, the luminescence emission properties for Sm, Tb, and Dy complexes are observed. These observations show that the ligand favors energy transfers to the emitting energy level of these lanthanide ions. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the ligand and its Ln(III) complexes was determined by DPPH radical scavenging method, which indicates that the Ln(III) complexes exhibit more effective antioxidant activity than the ligand alone.     

(Sr,Mn)TiO3: a magnetoelectric multiglass

By close analogy with multiferroic materials with coexisting long-range electric and magnetic orders a "multiglass" scenario of two different glassy states is observed in Sr(0.98)Mn(0.02)TiO(3) ceramics. Sr-site substituted Mn2+ ions are at the origin of both a polar and a spin glass with glass temperatures T(g) approximately equal to 38 K and < or =34 K, respectively. The structural freezing triggers that of the spins, and both glassy systems show individual memory effects. Thanks to strong spin-phonon interaction within the incipient ferroelectric host crystal SrTiO3, large higher order magnetoelectric coupling occurs between both glass systems.     

Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and surface morphology of amorphous As2Se3 films modified with complex compounds Ln(THD)3 (Ln=Eu,Tb, Er,Yb)

In this work we report the results on study of amorphous As₂Se₃ films modified with rare-earth dipivaloylmethanates Ln(THD)₃ (Ln=Eu, Tb, Er, Yb) using different diagnostic techniques. The rare-earth, oxygen and carbon concentrations have been determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and nuclear reaction analysis. The films have smooth surfaces with typical roughness the sizes of which have been changed with chemical modification. According to the results on nuclear microanalysis and IR spectroscopy the assumptions about the local environment of the rare-earth ions in amorphous matrix can be suggested.     

Luminescence properties of Y2O3:Bi3+, Ln3+ (Ln=Sm,Eu, Dy,Er, Ho) and the sensitization of Ln3+ by Bi3+

The spectroscopic characterization of yttria, singly and doubly doped with Ln³⁺ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Dy, Er, Ho) and Bi³⁺ ions, is performed through excitation spectra, emission spectra and decay time measurements. The obtained spectroscopic data clearly indicate that energy transfer takes place from Bi³⁺ to Ln³⁺ ions. The energy transfer efficiency of Bi³⁺→Ln³⁺ and quantum efficiency of Ln³⁺ were calculated. Upon excitation of 370 nm (Bi³⁺ excitation band), the quantum efficiency of Ln³⁺ varies from ～4% to ～44%. The energy transfer efficiency increases continuously with increasing Ln³⁺ concentrations, whereas the variation of the quantum efficiency of Ln³⁺ is complicated. The quantum efficiency of Ln³⁺ is discussed in terms of electron transfer and cross relaxation.     

Superconducting properties of the oxygen vacancy phase of LnBa2Cu3Ox with Ln=Nd,Sm, Eu,Gd, Dy,Ho, Er,Tm and Yb

The temperature dependence of the resistivity for quickly quenched LnBa₂Cu_x ceramics, with with Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb, has been investigated. It is shown that for the materials LnBa₂Cu₃O_x, with Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm, the oxygen vacancy phase with T_c=60 K exists, although for the materials with Ln=Nd and Yb the existence of the T_c=60 K phase is not clear. The onset T_c of the T_c=60 K phase changes slightly depending on Ln involved in LnBa₂Cu₃O_x, Analysis of these data includes the determination of the lattice constants of the materials quenched at different temperatures.     

Photoluminescence properties of red-emitting phosphors Ln3BWO9:Eu3+ (Ln=Y,La, Gd)

Undoped and Eu³⁺ activated Ln₃BWO₉ (Ln=Y, La, Gd) were prepared by the Pechini method and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. All the samples have the hexagonal phase after heat treatment in the range of 850–1000 °C. The Eu³⁺ doped samples emit high-purity red light with peak maximum at about 617 nm under excitation of UV light (～285 nm) at room temperature. When the doping concentration of Eu³⁺ is about 20–30%, luminescence intensity reaches the maximum. Luminescence decay curves indicate that Ln₃BWO₉:Eu³⁺ exhibits a fast decay time of about 0.5 ms. A possible luminescence mechanism has also been proposed. It is worth noting that both the absorption of host lattice and the charge transfer (CT) transition of Eu³⁺ are of great importance to the promising luminescent performance of Ln₃BWO₉:Eu³⁺.     

Preparation of photoluminescent PMMA doped with tris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate lanthanide complexes

The neutral homoleptic Ln(III) complex Ln(Tp)₃ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb; Tp=hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) were used as dopants for the preparation of novel photoluminescent poly(methyl methacrylate) glasses indicated as Ln(Tp)₃@PMMA. The doped polymers containing samarium, europium and terbium derivatives showed emission associated to f–f transitions in the visible range upon excitation with UV light, while a NIR emission was obtained from Yb(Tp)₃@PMMA. The maximum incident wavelength able to induce emissions from the Ln(Tp)₃-doped polymers depends upon the choice of the lanthanide ion. No meaningful antenna-effect was instead observed using dysprosium as metal centre.     

Synthesis and superconducting properties of the infinite-layer compounds Sr1−xLnxCuO2(Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Gd)

Infinite-layer-type superconductors Sr_1−xLn_xCuO₂ are synthesized under high pressure of 3 GPa for Ln=Sm, Gd as well as for Ln=La, Nd. Their chemical and superconducting properties are systematically studied as functions of doping concentration and the kind of lanthanide ion. As a result, it is demonstrated that the variation of these properties with doping concentration is similar for all the examined Ln³⁺ ions. The solubility limit lies at x ≈ 0.10. CuO₂ sheets are expanded with increasing x, while their spacing decreases. The T_c onset determined by magnetic measurements remains constant for any doping concentration; only the Meissner fraction increases with increasing x.     

Magnetic and transport properties of Ln1–xSrxCoO3 perovskite materials (Ln= La, Nd, Gd) prepared by low-temperature synthetic routes

We have used three soft-chemistry methods for the efficient preparation of Ln_1−xSr_xCoO₃ samples, adapting the combustion and the liquid-mix methods for the synthesis of the Ln = La and Gd compounds, respectively, and the preparation of Nd_1−xSr_xCoO₃ by the nitrate decomposition method. We report the magnetic and electrical properties of these relatively small particle-size materials, specially in the case of the Ln = La and Ln = Nd series (d≈0.2 μm and 0.5 μm, respectively), and we compare them to those displayed by the corresponding compounds prepared at higher temperatures. The compounds here obtained are ferromagnetic for x≥0.15 when Ln = La and for x≥0.20 when Ln = Nd and Gd. Their resistivity decreases as the doping degree increases. And, very interestingly, for compositions 0.20<x≤0.45, when Ln = La, and for x=0.40, when Ln = Nd, they show M-I transitions as the temperature rises. These are very sensitive to the application of electrical current and its polarity and the presence of magnetic fields, displaying peculiar behaviors. Paper presented at the 5th Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Benalmádena, Spain, Sept. 13–20, 1998.