Reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ in Xerogels Prepared from (3-Aminopropyl)Trimethoxysilane

Silica gels doped with Cu²⁺ ions were prepared from the (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APTMOS)/tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) systems. Sols showed a broad absorption peak at 640 nm, suggesting 3–5 coordination of the aminopropyl groups to Cu²⁺. For gels prepared from APTMOS and dried at room temperature, the 640 nm peak decreased and a red-shifted absorption appeared below 400 nm within a few months. The luminescence spectra of the xerogels showed emission bands at 430–470 and 510 nm. The former and latter bands are ascribed to Cu⁺ monomer and dimer emissions, respectively. These results indicate that Cu²⁺ ions are reduced to Cu⁺. When xerogels were prepared from APTMOS/TEOS = 1 (vol/vol), the color of xerogels was blue with an absorption peak at around 670 nm, indicating no reduction of Cu²⁺ ions.     

Fabrication and photoluminescence properties of Ag0 and Ag0–Er3+ containing plasmonic glass nanocomposites in the K2O–ZnO–SiO2 system

Here, we report the preparation of nano silver (Ag) and nano Ag-erbium (Ag–Er) co-embedded potassium–zinc-silicate based monolithic glass nanocomposites by a controlled heat-treatment process of precursor glasses. The nanocomposites were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter, dilatometer, UV–Visible absorption spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer and transmission electron microscope and spectroflurimeter. A strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band is observed around 430 nm in all the heat-treated glass nanocomposite samples due to the formation of Ag⁰ nanoparticles (NP). The Ag-glass nanocomposite samples display nearly 2-fold enhanced photoluminescence (PL) at 470 nm upon excitation at 290 nm until the size of the NP increases to the value equals to the mean free path of conduction electrons inside the particles. On contrary to this, the photoluminescence spectra of Er³⁺ ions exhibit a gradual decrease of NIR emission at 1540 nm due to ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition under excitation at 523 nm in the heat-treated glass nanocomposites which happened due to excitation energy transfer of Er³⁺ ions to the Ag NP, acting as ‘plasmonics diluents’ for Er³⁺ ions. These nanocomposites have huge potential for various nanophotonic applications.     

Catalytic resonance scattering spectral method for the determination of trace amounts of Se

A new catalytic kinetic method has been proposed for the determination of Se from 8.0x10(-9) to 8.0x10(-8) M, using the fact that Se(IV) can catalyze the slow reaction between KClO(3) and phenylhydrazine sulfate (PH) in 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) solution at 100 degrees C. The reduction product of ClO(3)(-), Cl(-), reacts with Ag(+) to form (AgCl)(n) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles exhibit a maximum resonance scattering spectral peak at 470 nm. The intensity of resonance scattering light at 470 nm is linear with respect to the Se concentration, using the fixed-reaction time procedure. The factors influencing the determination of Se were examined. This catalytic resonance scattering spectral method has been applied to the analysis of Se in real samples, with satisfactory results.     

Accurate quantification and transformation of arsenic compounds during wet ashing with nitric acid and microwave assisted heating

Arsenous acid, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), methylarsonic acid (MA), arsenic acid, arsenobetaine bromide (AB), trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), arsenocholine iodide (AC), and tetramethylarsonium iodide (TETRA) were heated in a microwave autoclave with nitric acid to 100-300 degrees C. The arsenic compounds in the digests were separated with anion- and cation-exchange chromatography and determined with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer as arsenic-specific detector. Arsenous acid was completely oxidized to arsenic acid at 100 degrees C. For a complete oxidation of MA and DMA to arsenic acid temperatures > 220 degrees C and > 280 degrees C were necessary. AB decomposed to arsenic acid via TMAO. Complete conversion was only obtained after heating the sample for 90 min to 300 degrees C. For a complete conversion of TMAO similar harsh conditions were necessary. AC was already substantially degraded to TMAO, TETRA and two unknown compounds at 100 degrees C. The unknown arsenic compounds were found only in the digests up to 160 degrees C. Quantitative conversion of AC to arsenic acid went also via TMAO. At temperatures above 220 degrees C TETRA started to convert to TMAO, which then was further converted to arsenic acid. To investigate whether the results obtained for the arsenic standards are transferable to real samples, the certified reference material DORM-2 was also heated in nitric acid with variable digestion temperatures and times. For an almost complete conversion of the AB present in DORM-2 90 min at 300 degrees C were necessary. Total organic carbon (TOC) was less < 0.2% when DORM-2 was heated at temperatures > or = 260 degrees C for 60 min. UV photo-oxidation of DORM-2 was investigated as an alternative sample decomposition. Only 6% of AB was converted to arsenic acid when DORM-2 was irradiated for 2 h at 1000 W. In contrast to microwave heating substantial amounts of MA were observed as degradation product.     

Heat-Induced Precipitation and Light-Induced Dissolution of Metal (Ag & Au) Nanoparticles in Hybrid Film

Metal nanoparticle-doped materials have attracted much attention because of their enhanced third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility. In their application, (1) controllable precipitation and (2) stability against photo-irradiation are essential concerns. Silver or gold nanoparticle-doped films were made from hybrid sol containing metal ions with their stabilizer on silica glass substrates by the sol-gel dip-coating technique and their heat-induced precipitation and photo-stability were investigated. The heat-induced precipitation up to 1000°C was remarkably different in Ag and Au nanoparticles. After 120–500°C heating, Ag nanoparticles with a wide range of radii were formed in the hybrid films. Above 500°C, organic groups were completely evacuated and at 800°C, mono-dispersed Ag nanoparticles with radii of 2–4 nm were precipitated in the resultant film. On the other hand, Au nanoparticles of 10 nm average radius precipitated at 120°C and showed no drastic change in subsequent heating up to 1000°C. Since Ag nanoparticle-doped film showed the photosensitive change, their photostability was investigated by irradiating them under Xenon lamp light. The 800°C-heating sample showed no decrease in the plasma absorption band at around 420 nm wavelength after 20 h light irradiation, but the band intensities in the 120–500°C-heating films decreased noticeably.     

Combined NRA,channeling-RBS and FTIR ellipsometry analyses for the determination of the interface and bonding state of thin SiOx and SiNxOy layers

The molecular ions O(+)(2) and NO(+) are im- planted at room temperature into single-crystal silicon with an energy of E=6 keV/atom at fluences ranging from 2.5x10(16) to 3.5x10(17) at/cm(2). The samples are processed by electron beam rapid thermal annealing at 1100 ( degrees )C for 15 s. The depth distributions of the implanted specimens ((18)O) are determined by nuclear reaction analyses using the reaction (18)O(p,alpha)(15)N. Channeling-RBS measurements are performed to obtain the interface structure between the implanted layer and the single-crystal Si substrate. The chemical bonding state of as-implanted and implanted-annealed specimens is observed by FTIR ellipsometry measurements.     

退火温度对PLD法制备ZnO:Eu3+,Li+薄膜结构和发光性质的影响

采用脉冲激光沉积(PLD)法在Si(111)衬底上制备了Eu3+,Li+共掺杂的ZnO薄膜,分别在450,500,550和600℃条件下进行退火,退火气氛为真空。利用X射线衍射(XRD)仪和荧光分光光度计研究了退火温度对薄膜结构和光致发光(PL)的影响。研究结果表明,Eu3+,Li+共掺杂的ZnO薄膜具有c轴择优取向,Eu3+,Li+没有单独形成结晶的氧化物,均以离子形式掺入ZnO晶格中。PL谱中有较宽的ZnO基质缺陷发光,ZnO基质与稀土Eu3+之间存在能量传递,但没有有效的能量传递。随着退火温度的增加,薄膜发光先增强后减弱,退火温度为550℃时发光最强。当用395 nm的激发光激发样品时,仅观察到稀土Eu3+在594 nm附近的特征发光峰,但发光强度随退火温度变化不明显。     

Tunable photoluminescent and cathodoluminescent properties of ZnO and ZnO:Zn phosphors

ZnO and ZnO:Zn powder phosphors were prepared by the polyol-method followed by annealing in air and reducing gas, respectively. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra, respectively. The results indicate that all samples are in agreement with the hexagonal structure of the ZnO phase and the particle sizes are in the range of 1-2 microm. The PL and CL spectra of ZnO powders annealed at 950 degrees C in air consist of a weak ultraviolet emission band (approximately 390 nm) and a broad emission band centered at about 527 nm, exhibiting yellow emission color to the naked eyes. When the sample was reduced at the temperatures from 500 to 1050 degrees C, the yellow emission decreased gradually and disappeared completely at 800 degrees C, whereas the ultraviolet emission band became the strongest. Above this temperature, the green emission ( approximately 500 nm) appeared and increased with increasing of reducing temperatures. According to the EPR results and spectral analysis, the yellow and green emissions may arise from the transitions of photogenerated electron close to the conduction band to the deeply trapped hole in the single negatively charged interstitial oxygen ion (Oi(-)) and the single ionized oxygen vacancy (V.O) centers, respectively.     

Redoxable nanosheet crystallites of MnO2 derived via delamination of a layered manganese oxide

This paper reports on the swelling and exfoliation behavior of a layered protonic manganese oxide, H(0.13)MnO(2).0.7H(2)O, in a solution of tetrabutylammonium (TBA) hydroxide and the formation and characterizations of unilamellar two-dimensional crystallites of MnO(2). At low doses of TBA ions, layered manganese oxide was observed to undergo normal intercalation, yielding a TBA intercalated phase with a gallery height of 1.25 nm. With a large excess of TBA ions, osmotic swelling occurred, giving rise to a very large intersheet separation of 3.5-7 nm. In an intermediate TBA concentration range, the sample exhibited a broad X-ray diffraction profile with superimposed diffraction features due to intercalation and osmotic swelling. The component responsible for the broad profile was isolated by centrifuging the mixture twice at different speeds, and the recovered colloid was identified as a pile of MnO(2) nanosheets, corresponding to the individual host layer of the precursor layered manganese oxide. Observations by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed high two-dimensional anisotropy with a lateral dimension of submicrometers and a thickness of approximately 0.8 nm. The nanosheet exhibited broad optical absorption with a peak at 374 nm (epsilon = 1.13 x 10(4) mol(-1) dm(3) cm(-1)). The restacking process of the colloidal MnO(2) nanosheets was followed by aging the colloid at a relative humidity of 95%. The broad diffraction pattern due to the exfoliated sheets weakened with time and eventually resolved into two sharp distinct profiles attributable to a TBA intercalation compound with an intersheet spacing of 1.72 nm and an osmotically swollen hydrate with >10 nm at a very early stage. As drying progressed, the former phase became more abundant without a change in interlayer distance, while the degree of swelling of the latter phase gradually decreased to 2.7 nm that remained unchanged on further aging. Subsequent drying at a lower humidity collapsed the 2.7 nm phase. The resulting single 1.72 nm phase was dehydrated by heating at 150 degrees C to produce a phase with a contracted interlayer spacing of 1.3 nm.     

Resonance scattering spectral analysis of chlorides based on the formation of (AgCl)n(Ag)s nanoparticle

A novel resonance scattering spectral method has been proposed for the determination of trace amounts of chlorides in the range of 2 x 10(-7)-8 x 10(-6) mol/l. It was based on the photochemical reaction system of AgNO3-NaCl-sodium oxalic to form the (AgCl)nucleus (n)(Ag)shell (s) nanoparticle. There is a strongest resonance scattering peak at 470 nm and a maximum absorption peak at 425 nm. The concentration of chlorides is proportional to the intensity of resonance scattering at 470 nm. The nonlinear resonance scattering peaks of the nanoparticle system have been also considered, according to the theory of the interaction between the surface electron of nanoparticle and the incidence photon.     

Infrared Femtosecond Laser Preionization in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry of Silver Surface

An alternative secondary ion mass spectrometry utilizing laser preionization is introduced. The native Ag sample surface is first irradiated with laser pulse (100 fs duration, 10(10)-10(11) W/cm(2) intensity, 1240 nm wavelength) and subsequently bombarded with primary ions (Bi(3)(+), 10 ns duration, 25 keV energy). Multiple correlation patterns are observed in the mass spectra, confirming the mutual laser-secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) interplay in the preionization mechanism. The Ag(+), C(3)H(5)(+), C(3)H(5)O(3)(+), and AgOH(+), C(4)H(5)O(4)(+) are observed with the shallow and steep increasing of intensities at 1.3?×?10(11) W/cm(2) and 1.5?×?10(11) W/cm(2), respectively. Two ionization mechanisms are identified, the ion sputtering regime for intensities of less than 1.4?×?10(11) W/cm(2) and the multiphoton ionization at higher intensities. The Ag saturation intensity obtained from fitting is 2.4?×?10(13) W/cm(2), close to the one reported for postionization. The proposed preionization approach might eliminate the need for high peak power/high intensity laser source and, moreover, the experiment geometry ensures that large areas of the sample are affected by the laser beam.     

Sulphate determination after its reduction to hydrogen sulphide and volatile separation by molecular absorption spectrometry

A rapid spectrophotometric method for sulphate determination in a discontinuous mode is described. The method is based on sulphate reduction to hydrogen sulphide followed by its volatilization and absorption in an alkaline solution. The reduction is obtained when a sulphate sample is heated to 287 degrees C for 15 min, with a mixture of Fe(o)/KI and phosphoric acid. The resulting gas is swept by nitrogen flow into a 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution and the absorbance of the sulphide ions is measured directly at 230 nm. The proposed method enabled us to determine 50-700 mug of total sulphate with a relative standard deviation of the order of 5%. The method has been applied for the determination of sulphates in liquid (mineral waters) and solid (gypsiferous soils) samples.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co2+: MgAl2O4 nanocrystal

Nanocrystalline Co²⁺-doped magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl₂O₄) has been synthesized for the first time from aqueous solution of metal nitrates containing citric acid as chelating agent by a sol-gel method. The gel was heat-treated at temperatures ranging from 710°C to 1000°C. The heated powder samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), infrared (IR) and absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the homogeneous nanocrystalline Co²⁺: MgAl₂O₄ could be obtained at the low temperature of 710°C. The optimal temperature is about 900°C and the average size of the powder grains is 50 nm or so. In the absorption spectrum, a broad absorption band from 1200 nm to 1600 nm was found, which indicated the existence of Co²⁺ in the tetrahedral sites because of the ⁴A₂(⁴F) → ⁴T(⁴F) transition of Co²⁺.     

Temperature effect on the synthesis of Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles

Pt-Au bimetallic nanoparticles have been synthesized by the polyol method and stabilized with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), modifying the temperature of synthesis. Interesting structure changes were observed in the nanoparticles as the temperature was varied. At lower temperatures no bimetallic nanoparticles were detected, but as the temperature increased bimetallic nanoparticles started to appear, commonly obtaining core-shell nanoparticles, always covered by the polymer. This originates the modification of the optical response of the system in the UV-visible region. An absorption peak centered at 520 nm at low temperatures was observed (100-110 degrees C); at higher temperatures (130-170 degrees C) there were non detectable absorption peaks, and finally at the two highest temperatures (180-190 degrees C) the reappearance of an absorption feature centered at 510 nm was noticed. These UV-visible results indirectly imply the composition of the surface of the particle. The structure of the particles has been determined using transmission electron microscopy and high-angle annular dark field (HAADF), the latter being a powerful technique to determine the structural composition of the particles and allowing a direct correlation of the optical response with their structural composition. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) studies were also performed on the samples and their results support the idea of a Pt(core)-Au(shell) structure with the elements segregated from each other. The combination of these experimental techniques with calculated UV-vis absorption spectra allowed, in a reliable way, the elucidation of the nanoparticles structure and elemental distribution.     

Surface Area Study of High Area Cobalt Aluminate Particles Prepared by the Sol-Gel Method

Cobalt aluminate particles were prepared by the sol-gel method, starting from aluminum sec-butoxide and cobalt salts with a Co:Al ratio of 1:3. Samples with the same composition were also prepared by the citrate-gel method from cobalt and aluminum nitrates and citric acid. The particles were calcined to temperatures between 400 and 1000°C, for the formation of the mixed oxide having spinel structure. The surface properties of the different samples (BET surface area and pore size distribution) were measured. The highest BET surface area obtained (about 339 m²/g) corresponds to a sample prepared by cobalt acetate and aluminum sec-butoxide, calcined at 400°C. The surface area of the sample is reduced progressively as the sample is calcined to higher temperatures (to about 65 m²/g at 1000°C). Narrow pore size distributions were observed with average pore radius ranging from 17–20 Å, for samples heated to 400°C, to about 55–65 Å, for samples heated to 1000°C. The different surface areas and porosities obtained for particles prepared by different methods, different precursors or calcination temperatures, are discussed.     

(AgBr)_核·(Ag)_壳纳米粒子的制备及其共振散射光谱研究

以 (AgBr) m 团簇作晶种 ,在柠檬酸钠存在条件下 ,(AgBr) m 团簇表面结合的Ag+被光化学还原而获得土红色的液相 (AgBr) 核·(Ag) 壳 纳米粒子 .研究了 (AgBr) 核·(Ag) 壳 纳米粒子的光谱特性 ,在 51 2nm处有最强共振散射峰 ,在41 0nm处产生一个吸收峰 .结果表明 ,(AgBr) 核·(Ag) 壳 纳米粒子的形成是导致51 2nm共振光散射的根本原因 .     

Theoretic and Experimental Studies on Titania Nanotube Doped with Ag Metal Ions

The electronic state density and energy bands of Ag-doped anatase TiO2 are studied by WIEN2k software package based on DFT. The calculation results show that the band-gap of anatase titania became bigger after doping with Ag metal ions. The band-gap transfers from 2.04 to 2.5 eV, but a new energy band appears among the forbidden band after the Ag atom substitution. The interband width of Ag-TiO2 is 0.17 eV, which is located at –0.07 eV; more excitation and jump routes are opened for the electrons. The lowest excitation energy can achieve 1.2 eV, which may allow the photons with lower energy (at longer wavelength, such as visible light) to be absorbed. Ag ions are implanted into the titania nanotube sample by MEVVA (Metal Vapor Vacuum Arc) implanter. The photo-electrochemical response and photo-degradation experiment of titania nanotube samples implanted with Ag ions are tested under UV and visible light; the results indicated that the performance of implanted titania naotubes is enhanced both under UV and visible light; it is worth mentioning that the photocurrent density can reach 0.145 mA/cm2 under visible light, which is 181 times higher than those of pure TiNT, and the k value of degradation methyl orange can obtain 0.30 h-1, which is 71 times higher than that of pure TiNT. All the experimental results are consistent well with the theoretic ones.     

Thermal behavior analysis of kaolinite–dimethylsulfoxide intercalation complex

The thermal behavior of kaolinite?Cdimethylsulfoxide intercalation complex was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic analysis. The samples gradually heated up to different temperatures were studied by XRD and FT-IR. The kaolinite?Cdimethylsulfoxide intercalation complex is stable below 130?°C. With the rise in the temperature, the relative intensity of the 1.124-nm peak gradually decreased and disappeared at 200?°C, however, the intensity of the 0.714?nm peak increased in the XRD patterns. In the infrared spectra, the appearance of methyl bands at 3018, 2934, 1428, and 1318?cm^?1 indicates the presence of intercalated dimethylsulfoxide, the intensities of these bands decreased with the temperature rising and remained until around 175?°C, which agree with the XRD and TG?CDSC data.     

Modification of diamond single crystals by chromium ion implantation with sacrificial layers

Single-crystal diamond surfaces were implanted with chromium ions. Ion energies chosen were 120 and 180 keV. Ion doses of 1x10(17) cm(-2) were applied at a substrate temperature of 750 degrees C. Reduced lattice damage could be obtained by deposition of a titanium sacrificial layer with a thickness of 10 and 50 nm before implantation. Depth profiles of the elemental binding states were taken by photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of the sacrificial layer thickness on diamond lattice damage was investigated by infrared spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of discrete and dispersible MoS2 nanocrystals

MoS2 nanoparticles of size <5 nm have been synthesized via the reaction of Mo(CO)6 with elemental sulfur in trioctylphosphine oxide and 1-octadecene at temperatures from 270 to 330 degrees C. The MoS2 nanoparticles are discrete and dispersible in a variety of nonpolar organic solvents, including toluene, chloroform, and pyridine. The size of the particles can be effectively tuned by varying the temperature, yielding nearly monodisperse samples (<10% standard deviation) as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, larger (20-50 nm) onion- and tube-shaped MoS2 nanoparticles can be obtained by decreasing the amount of the coordinating solvent (trioctylphosphine oxide) relative to 1-octadecene. As-prepared samples are poorly crystalline, showing only weak contrast in the TEM and an absence of the first-order (00 l) reflection in powder X-ray diffraction that is indicative of regular MoS2 stacking. Samples heated in situ in the TEM are observed to develop contrast and lattice fringes as the temperature is raised to 550 degrees C. Ex-situ heated samples show the appearance of the first order (00l) reflection at temperatures >870 degrees C.