Optical and IR study of CdS nanoparticles dispersed in a new confined p-phenylenevinylene

In the present study we have synthesized CdS semiconducting quantum dots by reverse micelle method using dodecanthiol (C₁₂H₂₆S) as the capping agent. The synthetic medium consists of a quaternary water/Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/buta-1-ol/hexane microemulsion. The size of the particles was controlled by changing the molar ratio W=[H₂O]/[SdS], where [H₂O] and [SdS] are the molar concentrations in hexane of water and SdS respectively. The CdS nanoparticles were embedded in a new PPV derivate named Fluorinated Bisphenol A P-phenylenevinylene (BPAF-PPV). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed a strong interaction of thiol groups with CdS nanoparticles. Blue shift of the optical absorption onset is observed due to quantum size effect. The band gap and particle sizes of the nanoparticles were deduced from optical absorption spectra and the use of an effective mass approximation (EMA) model. Photoluminescence spectroscopy evidenced a charge transfer process via the interface between BPAF-PPV/CdS nanoparticles.     

Broadband,site selective and time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopic studies of finely size-modulated Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphors synthesized by a complex based precursor solution method

Undoped and Eu³⁺-doped cubic yttria (Y₂O₃) nanophosphors of good crystallinity, with selective particle sizes ranging between 6 and 37 nm and showing narrow size distributions, have been synthesized by a complex-based precursor solution method. The systematic size tuning has been evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman scattering measurements. Furthermore, size-modulated properties of Eu³⁺ ions have been correlated with the local structure of Eu³⁺ ion in different sized Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors by means of steady-state and time-resolved site-selective laser spectroscopies. Time-resolved site-selective excitation measurements performed in the ⁷F₀ → ⁵D₀ peaks of the Eu³⁺ ions at C₂ sites have allowed us to conclude that Eu³⁺ ions close to the nanocrystal surface experience a larger crystal field than those in the nanocrystal core. Under the site-selective excitation in the ⁷F₀ → ⁵D₀ peaks, energy transfer between the sites has also been observed.     

Continuous photoluminescence, time resolved photoluminescence and optically detected magnetic resonance measurements of PbI2 nanometer-sized particles, embedded in SiO2 films

The nanometer sized particles of PbI₂ were embedded in SiO₂ films. X-ray diffraction and the TEM pictures showed the preservation of the bulk layered structure and symmetry. The PL spectrum of the nano-particles exhibited a pronounced blue shift of the exciton band due to quantum size effect. The Lead Iodide represents an exceptionally small exciton Bohr radius (a_B = 19 Å) and a special case in which m_e m_h. The prepared samples contained particles with mean radii, a, in the range a_B < a < 3a_B. Within this limit (with m_e m_h), the experimental results suggest that the electron is localized nearly at the center of the particle, enabling the hole to move around it. Thus, the size confinement permits the creation of an acceptor-like exciton. The PL spectrum revealed additional states, associated with stoichiometric defects either at the interior or surface sites of the nano-particles. These defects act either as donor or acceptor states. The dynamics of the various recombination processes has been investigated by measuring the time resolved PL spectra. The results show a multiexponential behavior of the various recombination emission bands, indicating the occurrence of trapping and detrapping processes. Analysis of these results suggests that the existence of surface states give rise to these complex radiative decay processes. The correlation between donor-acceptor recombination emission bands in the aforementioned samples and lattice imperfections was examined, utilizing optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectroscopy. The results identified the following imperfection sites: an acceptor site associated with an isotropic Lead vacancy defect, [V⁻]_pb²⁺ and a donor site, associated with an anisotropic Iodine vacancy, [V⁰]_Iodine.     

UV-laser-light-controlled photoluminescence of metal oxide nanoparticles in different gas atmospheres: BaTiO3, SrTiO3 and HfO2

The photoluminescence (PL) enhancement has been studied at room temperature using various specimen atmospheres (O₂ gas, CO₂ gas, CO₂–H₂ mixture gas, Ar–H₂ mixture gas and vacuum) under 325 nm laser light irradiation on various metal oxides. Of them, the results obtained for BaTiO₃ nanocrystals, SrTiO₃ ones and HfO₂ powder crystal are given in the present paper. Their PL were considerably increased in intensity by irradiation of 325 nm laser light in CO₂ gas and CO₂–H₂ mixture gas. The cause of the PL intensity enhancements is discussed in the light of the exciton theory, the defect chemistry and the photocatalytic theory. The results may be applied for the utilization of greenhouse gas (CO₂) and the optical sensor for CO₂ gas.