Studies on the persistent luminescence of Eu2+ and Dy3+-doped SrAl2O4 phosphors: a review

This review includes research papers on different methods of preparation of Eu²⁺ and Dy³⁺-doped SrAl₂O₄ phosphors and papers reporting luminescence studies of the materials. The methods of preparation were compared and it was concluded that solid state reaction is the best method. Papers on characterization of these phosphors by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are also discussed. The review ends with a few important conclusions.     

Paper Chromatographic Separations of Metal Ions on Collidinium Tungstoarsenate Papers

Abstract

A systematic study of the chromatography of metal ions on collidinium tungstoarsenate papers has been performed using seven different mixed solvent systems. R_f values of 30 metal ions have been determined by ascending technique and are discussed. The study demonstrates that specific extraction of both Sn(ii) and Sn(iv) is possible in 0.1 mol dm^?3 HNO₃ in 80% (v/v) 1-propanol and their mutual separation can be carried out in solvent system 1 mol dm^?3 HCl in 33% (v/v) 1-propanol. In addition some binary and ternary separation of metal ions have also been achieved on these papers. For a comparison R_f values on plain papers have also been determined in all the solvent systems.     

Chromatographic behaviour of metal ions on tin(IV) and titanium(IV) antimonate papers

Summary The chromatographic behaviour of 49 metal ions has been studied on papers impregnated with Sn(IV) and Ti(IV) antimonates in aqueous HNO₃ and mixed solvent systems containing dimethyl sulphoxide. Numerous separations have been achieved and the Alberti equation, for Sn(IV) and Ti(IV) antimonate papers, in the modified form: –nloga K⁺=R_M + constant (a K⁺=activity of K⁺), has been verified. The effect of the concentration of impregnating reagents on these papers has been determined and compared with other papers. The effect of pH on R_f, R_i, log R_f and R_M values of metal ions has also been examined in aqueous systems.     

Fabrication of flexible graphene oxide paper-like adsorbent doped with magnetite nanoparticles for removal of dyes

Organic dyes are used in many industries, e.g., textile, cosmetics and food. Hence, contamination of organic dyes to water sources is a critical issue. To reduce water pollution by organic dyes, we propose a paper-like adsorbent with a practical and economical production procedure. Subsequently, a flexible adsorbent was produced using a one-step approach by vacuum filtration of graphene oxide (GO) and iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄-NPs) containing dispersion through a membrane and quoted as GO/Fe₃O₄ paper. For comparison, GO paper was also prepared using the same procedure. Both papers were characterized using UV–VIS absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron diffraction X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. At the steady-state conditions, GO/Fe₃O₄ and GO papers were performed as adsorbent for cationic dyes of methylene blue, neutral red, and anionic dyes of methyl orange and fluorescein. In general, the removal efficiency of GO/Fe₃O₄ paper was higher than that of GO paper for adsorption of all dyes and this adsorbent revealed satisfactory adsorption properties for cationic dyes when compared to anionic dyes.

     

Ternary chlorides of the trivalent late lanthanides

A comprehensive review on phase diagrams, crystal structures and thermodynamic properties of ternary chlorides formed in the systems ACl/LnCl₃ (A=Na, K, Rb, Cs) is presented. It continues an earlier review with the same contents on the lanthanides from La to Gd [1]. In both papers the author's own studies, published since 1985, together with original papers from other scientists are treated. With the three larger cations compounds of the composition A₃LnCl₆, A₂LnCl₅, ALn₂Cl₇ and beginning with holmium Cs₃Ln₂Cl₉ are formed. With sodium the compounds Na₃Ln₅Cl₁₈ (Ln=La to Sm) and NaLnCl₄ (Ln=Eu to Lu) also exist. The stability of a ternary chloride in a system ACl/LnCl₃ is given by the 'free enthalpy of synreaction', the formation of a compound from its neighbour compounds in its system. This must be negative. A surprising result is that the highest – melting compounds in the systems, A₃LnCl₆, are formed from ACl and A₂LnCl₅ with a loss of lattice energy, U. They exist as high-temperature compounds due to a sufficiently high gain in entropy at temperatures where the entropy term TΔS compensates the endothermic ΔH.     

Kinetics of the production of chain-end groups and methanol from the depolymerization of cellulose during the ageing of paper/oil systems. Part 2: Thermally-upgraded insulating papers

In order to go further in demonstrating that methanol can be used as a universal cellulose degradation indicator in power transformers, the ageing study of standard wood kraft specimens in oil in the range of 60–130 °C (Gilbert et al. in Cellulose 16:327–338, 2009) has been extended to thermally-upgraded (TU) papers. The kinetic model that best tracks the ageing patterns was shown to be a function that can accelerate or decelerate the pseudo-zero kinetics by the adjustment of a free parameter. The results showed a non-negligible contribution of 1,4-β-glycosidic bond breaking in the crystalline regions suggesting that the degradation at this level is not necessary occurring through a quantum mode mechanism. The results also showed a significant error in the determination of the rate constants when obtained from isotherms of varying degree of depolymerization. In the case of TU papers, provided that there is a sufficient amount of stabilizers in the fibrous structure, not only could the self-catalyzing nature of the cellulose ageing process as well as the effect of an external supply of catalysts be lost but the chain-breaking could decrease to nearly zero for an undetermined period well before reaching the levelling-off degree of polymerization. The initial rate constants (k _1o) for the depolymerization and methanol formation of these papers were found to be very near those of standard cellulose (giving about the same activation energy), which indicates that they are obtained from the ageing patterns well before the retardant action has fully taken place. The life extension of TU papers is achieved by a reduction with time of the frequency at which the bonds are ruptured. Moreover, the production of methanol and chain-end groups showed about the same value for the frequency factor, which introduces the possibility that the rate of production of CH₃OH from chopped chains is much higher than the rate of depolymerization, so that the latter becomes the rate determining step of the overall reaction. On the other hand, the apparent yield of CH₃OH molecules per scission is seen to increase substantially with the amount of stabilizers (from ~0.4 to 0.8 and to 1.4 for a paper containing 0 to 1.15 and to 3.9% (w/w) N₂) and to a lesser extent, with the moisture in the specimens. However, these variations could either be attributed to a modification of the CH₃OH paper/oil partitioning by the stabilizers and moisture in fibrous structure. Finally, pre-aged systems (130 °C for 168 h) conditioned at 20 °C for variable lengths of time provided further evidence that O₂ is not necessarily involved in CH₃OH production.     

Thermal properties of cyanatocopper(II) complexes with pyridine,bipyridine and phenanthroline

The thermal properties of cyanatocopper complexes with pyridine, bipyridine and phenanthroline are described in this paper. It was found that the thermal stabilities of the complexes were found to increase in the order pybipy2(NCS)₂ (L=pyridine and its methyl derivates) which are composed of the liberation of ligandsL and redox reactions of thiocyanate ligands with the central Cu(II) atom [1, 2]. The decomposition temperature of thiocyanate ligands depends on the properties of the ligandsL present in the coordination sphere. An analogous course of thermal decomposition was also observed for [Cu(bipy)₂(NCX)](NCX) (X=S or Se) [3]. For the phenanthroline complexes [Cu(phen)₂(NCX)₂] (X=S or Se) the thermal stability was found to increase significantly (by about 140C) and the decomposition stoichiometry was also changed [3].The present paper contains the results of thermoanalytical studies on bipyridine and phenanthroline cyanatocopper complexes, and a comparison of the thermal properties of pyridine cyanato and isothiocyanatocopper complexes.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,spectral and electrochemical characterization,DNA binding and free radical scavenging studies of ferrocene-based thioureas

Abstract

Thioureas are important building blocks in medicinal chemistry; ferrocenes as highly hydrophobic moieties induce very interesting qualities in medicinal compounds. In this article, we have synthesized four ferrocene incorporated N,N′-disubstituted benzoyl thioureas (3a–3d) with general formula C₅H₅-Fe-C₅H₄C₆H₄Cl-NH-CS-NH-CO-C₆H₄(H/CH₃). Molecular structures of these compounds were characterized in solid and solution phases. In solution molecular structures were established by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and cyclic voltammetry. In the solid state their structures were characterized by elemental analyses and FTIR spectroscopy. Two of the compounds (3a and 3d) had also been structurally determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrochemical characterization showed a reversible process with one electron transfer from Fe(II) to Fe(III). The single crystal analysis showed strong intermolecular non-covalent interactions in these compounds. Molecular structures of these compounds were also studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculation . DFT studies showed good correlation between calculated parameters and experimental results of solution phase and solid state characterizations. Compounds 3a–3d were evaluated for DNA interaction and antioxidant activity. These compounds interact with DNA via electrostatic forces and liberate significant binding constants and energies. Antioxidant potential –CSNH and –CONH groups induce same level of free radical scavenging ability in these compounds.     

Cation chromatography on stannic tungstate papers: Quantitative separation of vanadium from iron,titanium, zirconium and thorium

Summary A systematic study of the chromatography of metal ions on stannic tungstate papers has been performed using acetone-HNO₃–H₂O systems. The effect of mole fractions of acetone, HNO₃ and H₂O on the R_f values of the metal ions has been discussed in detail and a relationship between R_f and mole fraction (X) of the solvent has been obtained as R_f=mX+C. The usefulness of the study has been demonstrated by the specific extraction of titanium and thorium in HNO₃H₂O (12) and HNO₃:acetone:H₂O (161) systems. In addition, some binary and ternary separations of metal ions have also been achieved on these papers.     

Introducing lanthanide metal–organic framework and perovskite onto pulp fibers for fluorescent anti-counterfeiting and encryption

The research of anti-counterfeiting and encryption has always been a subject of universal concern all over the world. Herein, lanthanide metal–organic framework (Eu-MOF) and CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ (MAPbBr₃) perovskite were introduced onto pulp fibers (PFs) to prepare fluorescent anti-counterfeiting and encryption papers. Eu-MOF@PFs paper emitted red fluorescence at 254 nm UV excitation. The optimum preparation conditions of Eu-MOF@PFs were 2.5 mmol of Eu(NO₃)₃, 4 h of reaction time and room temperature. When MABr ink was written on Pb/Eu-MOF@PFs paper, the green fluorescent handwriting and red fluorescent paper were observed under 365 nm and 254 nm UV excitation, respectively. The appropriate addition amount of lead nitrate was 0.6 mmol. Pb/Eu-MOF@PFs paper was immersed in MABr solution to prepare MAPbBr₃@Pb/Eu-MOF@PFs paper. Under 254 nm and 365 nm UV irradiations, MAPbBr₃@Pb/Eu-MOF@PFs paper emitted red-green double fluorescence and the quantum yields of which were 3.11% and 2.48%, respectively. The crystal structure of MAPbBr₃ was easily destroyed by polar solution, which realized on/off switching of the luminescence signal for multistage information encryption. The above paper-based fluorescence materials were potential for advanced anti-counterfeiting and encryption applications.

     

Preparation, characterization and the standard enthalpy of formation of La0.95MnO3+δ and Sm0.95MnO3+δ

Among the perovskites, the rare earth manganites find application in several electrochemical devices because of their enhanced thermodynamic stability. In this paper, we present the results obtained on the preparation and characterization of La_0.95MnO_3+δ and Sm_0.95MnO_3+δ which were prepared by the solid state and sol–gel methods. XRD characterization of the manganites indicated that the crystal structure depends on the method of preparation and heat treatments. The ratio of Mn³⁺ to Mn⁴⁺ in these samples also depended on the method of preparation and heat treatments, as indicated by thermogravimetric (TG) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) studies in Ar + 5% H₂ atmosphere. The standard molar enthalpy of formation, which is a measure of the thermodynamic stability of these compounds were determined using an isoperibol calorimeter.     

Electron microscopy of V2O5 microcrystals in the V2O5-NH3-H2O colloid system

Summary The formation of V₂O₅ fibrous microcrystals in the V₂O₅-NH₃-H₂O system has been investigated by electron microscopy. The morphology of these microcrystals is dependent on the concentration of the particular components in the colloidal system and on the time of aging. In some colloid systems the orientation of V₂O₅ fibrous crystals with their long axes parallel to one another is also possible. The microcrystal growth in these systems can be attributed to very effective conditions for the recrystallization of vanadium pentoxide crystals in equilibrium with ammonium vanadate in solution.With 3 figures     

Fast and simple radiochemical method for the separation of uranium,thorium and lanthanum

The concept of using paper chromatography on papers impregnated with liquid anion or cation exchangers is extended to the separation of trace elements through filtration on filter papers loaded with suitable extractant. The uptake of uranium, thorium and lanthanum from HCl and HNO₃ media of different molarities by a filter paper treated with tri-octyl amine (TOA) is investigated. The effect of the different parameters on the uptake of the studied elements is experimented. A simple and fast radiochemical procedure is developed for the separation of La, Th and U from each other.     

Comparative Study of the Support Role on the Activity of Copper Species for Nitric Oxide Reduction

In this work three different supports (γ-Al₂O₃, ZSM-5, and SAPO-34) of varying degree of acid sites and textural properties were used to evaluate the influence of support specifics in the Cu/supported nanocatalysts on NO conversion. The nanocatalysts were prepared by homogeneous deposition precipitation (HDP) method and characterized by N₂ pore size distribution, TEM, H₂-TPR for investigation the reducibility of the copper species and acidity measurement by NH₃ adsorption. The Cu/ZSM-5 and Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts were more active for NO conversion than Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. The characterization and conversion differences in the copper supported on different types of support indicated that these differences arise from the differences in surface area, pore size distribution, and acidity of the supports. The higher SCR-DeNO activity of Cu/ZSM-5 and Cu/SAPO-34 nano-catalysts can be explained by higher surface area and acidity of ZSM-5 and SAPO-34 supports. These catalysts also have larger amount of reducible Cu species compared to Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ which correlates with the structure of the support used. Considering these findings, the NO conversion ability of Cu/supported catalysts has been correlated with support structure and acidity.     

Ternary Chlorides of the Trivalent Early Lanthanides. Phase diagrams,crystal structures and thermodynamic properties

A comprehensive review on phase diagrams, crystal structures and thermodynamics of ternary chlorides formed in systems ACl/LnCl₃ (A=Cs, Rb, K, Na; Ln=La−Gd) is presented. The review summarizes the author’s own studies, published since 1985, and original papers of other scientists. With the larger alkali metal ions compounds such as A₃LnCl₆, A₂LnCl₅ and ALn₂Cl₇were obtained. With sodium additional compounds NaLnCl₄ and Na₃Ln₅Cl₁₈ were obtained. The crystal structures are discussed with the concept of ionic radii, which determine the coordination numbers of Ln³⁺ and A⁺ cations against Cl⁻ anions. The formation enthalpies of the compounds from ACl and LnCl₃ were determined by solution calorimetry. Gibbs’ free energies and entropies for these reactions were obtained by e.m.f. measurements vs. temperature. The stability of a ternary chloride in a systemACl−LnCl₃ is given by the ‘free enthalpy of synproportionation’, that is, the formation of a compound from its neighbour compounds in the system. This ΔG ⁰ _syn must be negative. A surprising result is, that the highest-melting compounds in the systems, A₃LnCl₆, are formed from ACl+A₂LnCl₅ by a loss in lattice energy. They exist as high-temperature compounds due to sufficiently high gain in entropy at temperatures whereTΔS>ΔH. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A density functional theory study of alkyl group migration in RMn(CO)5 complexes

The kinetics of alkyl group migration in RMn(CO)₅ complexes ( R=CH₃, C₂H₅ and C₃H₇) were studied. Isomers of CH₃Mn(CO)₅ with an agostic structure, an η¹ structure, and an η² structure were found to be local minima on the system's potential energy surface. Transition states for the inter-conversion of these species were also located. The activation free energy for this migration reaction was compared with experimental data and provides insights into the important steps in the overall reaction mechanism.     

Solubility of some phenolic compounds in aqueous alkali metal nitrate solutions from (293.15 to 318.15) K

This paper is continuation of the study concerning the solubility-temperature dependence data for some phenolic compounds (PhC), contained in olive mill wastewater (OMWW), in two nitrate salts (KNO₃ and NaNO₃) aqueous solutions. The solubilities of PhC were determined in the temperature ranging from (293.15 to 318.15) K. It has been observed that the solubility, in aqueous nitrate solutions, increases with increasing temperature. Results showed that alkali metal nitrate has a salting-out effect on the solubility of PhC. The effect of the anion of the electrolyte on the solubility of PhC is observed by comparing these results with values reported in the previous papers for the effect of LiCl, NaCl and KCl. For each cation, the solubilites of the phenolic compounds are higher with nitrate anion than with chloride anion. Results were interpreted in terms of the salt hydration shells and the ability of the solute to form hydrogen-bond with water. The solubility data were accurately correlated by a semi empirical equation. The standard molar Gibbs free energies of transfer of PhC (Δ_trG^°) from pure water to aqueous solutions of the nitrate salts have been calculated from the solubility data. The decrease in solubility is correlated to the positive Δ_trG^° value which is mainly of enthalpic origin.     

Zinc Silicate as a New Adsorbent for Paper Chromatographic Separation of Phenols

Abstract

A new adsorbent zinc silicate has been used for the paper chromatographic separations of different phenols. R_F values have been determined and compared with those obtained on plain papers. A new term R_i has been calculated for various phenols. The dependance of R_i and R_F on various factors have also been studied and discussed.     

Molar extinction coefficients in aqueous solutions of some amino acids

Mass attenuation coefficients of amino acids viz. glycine (C₂H₅NO₂), l-Serine (C₃H₇NO₃), l-Theronine (C₄H₉NO₃), l-Proline (C₅H₉NO₂), l-Valine (C₅H₁₁NO₂) and l-Phenylalanine (C₉H₁₁NO₂) in aqueous solutions have been determined at 81, 356, 511, 662, 1173 and 1332 keV by the gamma-ray transmission method in a narrow beam good geometry setup. Precisely measured densities of these solutions were used for the determination of these coefficients which varied systematically with the corresponding changes in the concentrations (g/cm³) of the solutions. Molar extinction coefficients of amino acids were then obtained at these energies and were found to be in good agreement with the theoretical results. In addition, total interaction cross sections of amino acids in aqueous solutions were also calculated.     

Preparation of nanosheet Fe-ZSM-5 catalysts, and effect of Fe content on acidity, water, and sulfur resistance in the selective catalytic reduction of NO x by ammonia

Direct synthesis of nanosheet Fe-ZSM-5 catalysts and their use for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO _x by ammonia were studied. XRD, BET, SEM, EPR, and NH₃-TPD were used to understand the properties of catalysts with different iron loading. XRD confirmed the presence of the ZSM-5 crystal phase, and there was no Fe₂O₃ phase on the surface of the crystals. SEM showed the Fe-ZSM-5 catalysts comprised microspheres made up of nanosheets. EPR indicated that the iron was present as isolated Fe³⁺and FeO _x oligomers uniformly dispersed throughout the crystals. NH₃-TPD indicated that Fe-ZSM-5 (20,1:1) had maximum acid sites and density at approximately 250 and 450 °C, respectively. Fe-ZSM-5 (20,1:1) had the highest activity in the SCR reaction with NH₃. It was also confirmed that Fe-ZSM-5 (20,1:1) had excellent resistance to SO₂ and H₂O under the SCR reaction conditions. The effects of water vapor and SO₂, iron loading, and the Si/(Fe + Al) ratio were also investigated for these catalysts.