Investigation on structural,photoluminescence and magnetic behavior of Mn–ZnO nanoparticles via solvothermal route

Mn doped ZnO (Zn: Mn) nanopowder is successfully synthesized using the solvothermal route with concentration (X = 2%–8%) and annealing at 450 °C. The resulting material is investigated using various techniques. XRD studies confirm the structure of hexagonal wurtzite and good crystallinity in nature. From FESEM analysis confirms the formation of nanoparticles and allows for evaluation of the particle size of the sample. UV–Vis studies are used to determine absorbance wavelength and energy bandgap values. PL and EPR spectra confirm of the existence of zinc vacancy defects and g values are calculated. Interestingly, magnetic measurements revealed that the low concentration exhibited superparamagnetic behavior, while the high concentration showed a soft ferromagnetic structure using VSM.     

Synthesis of ultraviolet luminescent turbostratic boron nitride powders via a novel low-temperature, low-cost, and high-yield chemical route

A novel chemical route has been established for the synthesis of ultraviolet luminescent turbostratic boron nitride (t-BN) powders, by the reaction of NH₄BF₄ with NaNH₂ at 320 °C for 10 h, and the yield is as high as 90%. The synthesized brown-yellow samples were characterized by XRD, XPS, FT-IR, SAED, and HRTEM, which matched with t-BN. The electronic and optical properties of the product were investigated by PL and UV absorption. UV spectra revealed that the product has two obvious band gaps (∼5.8 and 4.6 eV) and PL spectra showed that it has an ultraviolet emission at 337 nm (). SEM image indicated that the particle size of the synthesized t-BN is mainly in the range of 1-10 μm. The renascent BF₃ and Na₃N intermediates are believed to be responsible for the growth of t-BN under mild conditions.     

Investigation of structural,optical and photoluminescence properties of non-essential amino acid capped zinc sulfide nanoparticles for optoelectronic applications

The objective of the study is to synthesize Zinc Sulphide nanoparticles (ZnS) with different amino acid capping agents in aqueous solution by a simple and cost effective facile chemical co precipitation method and analyze their optoelectronic features. Bio compatibility with less toxic amino acids such as l-Glutamic acid, l-Alanine and l-Asparagine were used as capping agents. These amino acids are from Non-essential amino acid group and its capping behavior suitable for semiconducting nanoparticles like ZnS. The role of non essential amino acids were to stabilize the nanoparticle against agglomeration and also to provide chemical passivation that leads to a significant influence on the improved structural, optical and photoluminescence properties of ZnS nanoparticles. The detailed structural analysis of Zinc Sulphide nano particles revealed by X-ray diffraction method (XRD). From this analysis observed the formation of Cubic ZnS nanoparticles with an average crystallite size in the range of 2.08–2.22 nm.The morphology of the nano particles studied by Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Particle size examined by Dynamic Light scattering studies (DLS) and which revealed that particle size ranges are below 50 nm. The functional groups of nanoparticles were identified by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) studies. Photoluminescence studies attributed that the considerable emission bands. The UV–Vis analysis disclosed the optical band gap range from 3.77 eV to 3.95 eV.     

ZnCo2O4纳米粒子的可见光催化性能

研究了共沉淀分解法制备的ZnCo₂O₄纳米粒子的光学和可见光催化性能,并对其晶体结构和微观结构用X射线衍射、热重/差热分析、透射电镜和高分辨透射电镜等手段进行了表征.结果表明,制备的纳米粒子为纯相的ZnCO₂O₄,平均粒径约为10-20 nm.紫外-可见吸收光谱估计出ZnCo₂O₄纳米粒子的能带隙为3.39和2.09 eV.可见光（λ>420 nm）照射下,纳米粒子表现出降解亚甲基蓝溶液的光催化活性.ZnCo₂O₄纳米粒子的光催化活性可以归结为紫外和可见光下纳米粒子吸收光子（能量大于能带隙）的能力,以及它们的纳米尺寸,基于实验结果,本文提出了ZnCO₂O₄可能的能带结构.     

Microencapsulation of a functional dye and its UV crosslinking controlled releasing behavior

A new family of microcapsules containing photopolymerizable tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA) was synthesized by using interfacial polymerization. The release behavior of encapsulated dye could be controlled easily by changing the crosslink density of network formed from TPGDA. The chemical structure and properties of microcapsules were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscope, wide angle X‐ray diffraction and UV‐visible spectrophotometer. The results demonstrate that the higher agitation rate results in a smaller particle size with a narrow size distribution. When core/shell ratio is low, the surface of the microcapsules becomes smooth. Additionally, it was found that UV radiation time is most effective factor to change the C?C double bond conversion ratio. After microcapsules were synthesized, the release speed could be changed according to requirement by exposing them to UV light for minutes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3630–3639, 2009     

Effects of Cobalt Doping on the Microstructure and Optical Properties of ZnAl2O4 Nanoparticles

Co-doped ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method. The samples were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, EDX, FT-IR, XPS, PL, and UV–Vis, and the effects of cobalt doping on the microstructure and optical property of the samples were studied. The experimental results showed that Co-doped ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized by this method are single phase with cubic crystal structure, no other impurity phases were observed. Furthermore, with increasing the Co²⁺ concentration, the average crystallite size of the Co-doped samples became smaller. The absorption bands in FT-IR spectra are broadened in the low frequency region, the PL spectra had the red-shift and the UV–Vis peaks intensity gradually enhanced.

     

Synthesis and optical properties of π-conjugated polymers and oligomers bearing hexaphenylbenzene and tetraphenyl ethene units

π-Conjugated polymers (CPs) and oligomers (COs) bearing hexaphenylbenzene (HPB) and tetraphenyl ethene (TPE) units were synthesized by Sonogashira and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions. The optical properties of the CPs and COs were investigated by UV–vis, photoluminescence (PL), and fluorescence lifetime (τ) measurements. The PL intensities of the solutions of the CPs and COs synthesized by Sonogashira coupling were reduced upon addition of poor solvent like water, which is attributed to aggregation-caused quenching. In contrast, the CP and COs bearing the TPE unit synthesized by Suzuki–Miyaura coupling exhibited aggregation-induced emission enhancement in solution. This difference in fluorescence behavior is discussed herein in terms of the molecular sizes, conformations in solution, and τ values of the CPs and COs.     

Coordination mechanism,characterization, and photoluminescence properties of spinel ZnAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles prepared by a modified polyacrylamide gel route

Single-phase ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles with the spinel structure were successfully synthesized using a modified polyacrylamide gel method according to the atomic ratio of Zn to Al = 1: 1.8. The as-prepared samples were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. XRD patterns show that the pure phase of ZnAl₂O₄ is obtained after heating the xerogel at 900°C for 5 h in air. The SEM images reveal that the ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles have a narrow particle size distribution and the average particle size is around 45 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra demonstrate the single phase ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles have an emission peak located at 469 nm when excited by 350 nm light. The phase structure, coordination mechanism, and luminescence properties have been discussed on the basis of the experimental results.     

Influence of pH on nanosized Mn–Zn ferrite synthesized by sol–gel auto combustion process

Sol–gel auto combustion process was employed to synthesize nanosized Mn–Zn ferrite at different pH values (<1, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10). Although self propagating combustion behavior of gel was noted at pH 5 but more effective combustion was observed at pH 6. The smoldering effect was observed in gel prepared at pH 7, 8 and 10, whereas pH < 1 showed localized burning. Thermogravimetric (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were done to investigate the effect of pH on the combustion behavior, particle size and the formation of desired magnetic (spinel) phase. From TG curves of burnt powders, activation energy of ignition reaction at each pH value was calculated. The results showed that fuel to oxidant ratio and the amount of gel residuals decided the value of activation energy required to further purify the burnt powders. Calcination parameters (time and temperature in air) of powders P1 and P6 synthesized at pH < 1 and pH 6 were also determined. B–H loop results showed that calcined powder C6 was more ferromagnetic than C1 due to fully developed spinel phase and larger particle size.     

Alloyed Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S nanocrystals with highly narrow luminescence spectral width

High-quality alloyed Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S nanocrystals have been synthesized at high temperature by the reaction of a mixture of CdO- and ZnO-oleic acid complexes with sulfur in the noncoordinating solvent octadecene system. A series of monodisperse wurtzite Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S (x = 0.10, 0.25, 0.36, 0.53) nanocrystals were obtained with corresponding particle radii of 4.0, 3.2, 2.9, and 2.4 nm, respectively. With the increase of the Zn content, their photoluminescence (PL) spectra blue-shift systematically across the visible spectrum from 474 to 391 nm, indicating the formation of the alloyed nanocrystals. The alloy structure is also supported by the characteristic X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of these nanoalloys with different Zn mole fractions, in which their diffraction peaks systematically shift to larger angles as the Zn content increases. The lattice parameter c measured from XRD patterns decreases linearly with the increase of Zn content. This trend is consistent with Vegard's law, which further confirms the formation of homogeneous nanoalloys. These monodisperse wurtzite Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S nanoalloys possess superior optical properties with PL quantum yields of 25-50%, especially the extremely narrow room-temperature emission spectral width (full width at half-maximum, fwhm) of 14-18 nm. The obtained narrow spectral width stems from the uniform size and shape distribution, the high composition homogeneity, and the relatively large particle radius, which is close to or somewhat larger than the exciton Bohr radius. The process by which the initial structure with random spatial composition fluctuations turns into an alloy (solid solution) with homogeneous composition is clearly demonstrated by the temporal evolution of the PL spectra during the annealing progress.     

Magnetically active Ag–Zn nanoferrites synthesized by solution combustion route: physical chemical studies and density functional theory analysis

Nanoparticles with mixed compositions, particularly spinel ferrites with magnetic activity, have arisen as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia. For such applications, it is desirable to possess specific particle size and physicochemical properties, i.e., magnetic response, porosity, crystallinity, and so on. It is well known that controlling specific variables in the synthetic process has a dramatic effect on final product properties and behavior. Amid preparation techniques reported in the literature, low-temperature solution combustion method has shown the ability to control and direct synthesis simply and efficiently. We are presenting a study about controlling and tuning the magnetic properties and the effect of particle size modified in Ag–Zn nanoferrites with different amounts of Co and Ni as doping metals. Different combinations of Co and Ni within Ag–Zn (Ag_0.25Zn_0.5-xM_xFe_2.25O₄) nanoferrites have been synthesized using the low-temperature solution combustion technique, and this method proved to be efficient and reliable for developing homogenous, fine structured materials. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the atomic structure of prepared nanoferrites is pure and cubic, whereas electron microscopy confirmed a semispherical and monodisperse morphology with particle diameter around 20 nm. The magnetic behavior of bred materials has been explained by analyzing magnetic factors such as saturation magnetization, coercivity, and retentivity, and all experimental findings are matched with theoretical density functional theory (DFT) studies to understand the effect of each material within A and B sites in ferrite crystal cell. The observed magnetic properties highlight the superparamagnetic behavior and the effect of doping metals which is an asset in developing new materials for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. DFT modeling was achieved in an attempt to understand the effect of metal substitution in cubic ferrite cells.     

Microwave assisted novel MoBi2S5 nanoflowers: Synthesis,characterization, photoelectrochemical performance

In the present article, we have studied the effect of post annealing treatment on microstructural, optical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of MoBi₂S₅ thin films synthesized by microwave assisted technique. The synthesized thin films are vacuum annealed for 4 h at 473 K temperature. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometer techniques were used for characterization of the as deposited and annealed MoBi₂S₅ thin films. The XRD patterns confirm the synthesized and annealed thin films have nanocrystalline nature with rhombohedral-orthorhombic crystal structure. SEM micrographs indicate that, nanoflowers exhibit sharper end after annealing. The optical absorption study illustrates that the optical band gap energy has been decrease from 2.0 eV to 1.75 eV with annealing. Finally, applicability of synthesized thin films has been checked for PEC property. The J-V curves revealed that synthesized thin film photoanodes are suitable for PEC cell application. As well, used simple, economical method has great potential for synthesis of various thin film materials.     

Electroluminescence and Photoluminescence of Conjugated Polymer Films Prepared by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Naphthalene

Polymer light-emitting devices were fabricated utilizing plasma polymerized thin films as emissive layers. These conjugated polymer films were prepared by RF plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition using naphthalene as monomer. The effect of different applied powers on the chemical structure and optical properties of the conjugated polymers was investigated. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies confirmed that a conjugated polymer film with a 3-D cross-linked network was developed. By increasing the power, products tended to form as highly cross-linked polymer films. The fabricated devices showed broadband Electroluminescence (EL) emission peaks with center at 535–550 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of plasma polymers showed different excimeric emissions, resulted from crosslinked architecture. As the plasma power increased, the optical properties showed two different domains; up to 200 W, EL, PL and UV–Vis spectra red-shifted and broadened significantly. At higher powers, a reverse behavior was observed. Also, the relation between the film structure and plasma species was investigated using optical emission spectroscopy.     

Effect of precursor sol pH on microstructural, optical and photocatalytic properties of vacuum annealed zinc tin oxide thin films on glass

Dip coated vacuum annealed zinc tin oxide thin films on soda lime silica glass have been deposited from the precursor sols containing zinc acetate dihydrate and tin (IV) chloride pentahydrate (Zn:Sn = 67:33, atomic ratio in percentage) in 2-methoxy ethanol by varying sol pH (0.85–5.5). Crystallinity, morphology, optical and photocatalytic properties of the films strongly depend on sol pH. Measurement of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction confirms the presence of hexagonal nano ZnO in the films derived from the sols of pH < 5.5. Film crystallinity deteriorates on increasing sol pH and the film deposited from the sol of pH 5.5 shows XRD amorphous but the selected area diffraction pattern and HRTEM image evidence the presence of nano Zn₂SnO₄ (size, 5–6 nm). Direct band gap energy of films increases on increasing sol pH. To visualize the film surface microstructure, FESEM study has been done and a rod-like surface feature is revealed in the film deposited from the sol of pH 2.85. A dependence of precursor sol pH on the photocatalytic activity of films towards degradation of Rhodamine 6G dye under UV (254 nm) irradiation is found and the highest decomposition rate constant, ‘k’ value is obtained from the film prepared from the sol of pH 5.5. The presence of zinc deficient nano Zn₂SnO₄ in the film may consider for generating the highest ‘k’ value. We also measure gelling time, viscosity of sols as well as UV and FTIR studies on the films and propose chemical reactions.     

An Effective Asphalt UV Blocking Material Based on Host‐Guest Schiff Base/Layered Double Hydroxides

The development of asphalt‐based UV blocking materials is important to extend the alphalt lifespan in road construction. In this work, we put forward that the fabrication of host‐guest system can be an effective way to obtain UV blocking materials. Firstly, a new anionic Schiff base, N ,N' ‐bis(salicylidine)‐4,4'‐diaminostilbene‐2,2'‐disulfonic acid (SDSD ), has been synthesized, which was intercalated into Zn‐Al‐LDH by anion‐exchange method. FT‐IR and XRD illustrate the layered organic–inorganic composite, Zn‐Al‐SDSD‐LDH , has been successfully synthesized with high crystallinity. Laser particle size analyzer, SEM and TEM show that particle size distributions of Zn‐Al‐SDSD‐LDH is in the range 100–500 nm. UV –vis absorption spectra show that Zn‐Al‐SDSD‐LDH has better UV absorption than the pristine Zn‐Al‐LDH and SDSD . Furthermore, the mixture of asphalt and 3 wt% Zn‐Al‐SDSD‐LDH presents enhanced UV blocking property relative to the pristine asphalt after irradiating by UV spray accelerated weathering test. Therefore, this work not only develops a new type of host‐guest Zn‐Al‐SDSD‐ LDH , but also confirms it can be an effective asphalt UV blocking material for practical application.     

Studies on optical absorption and photoluminescence of thioglycerol-stabilized CdS quantum dots

Nanoparticles of CdS were prepared at 303 K by aqueous precipitation method using CdSO4 and (NH4)2S in presence of the stabilizing agent thioglycerol. Adjustment of the thioglycerol (T) to ammonium sulphide (A) ratio (T:A) from 1:25 to 1:3.3 was done during synthesis and nanoparticles of different size were obtained. The prepared colloids were characterized by UV-vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopic studies. Prominent first and second excitonic transitions are observed in the UV-vis spectrum of the colloid prepared with a T:A ratio of 1:3.3. Particle size analysis was done using XRD, high resolution TEM and dynamic light scattering and found to be approximately 3 nm. UV-vis and PL spectral features also agree with this particle size in colloid with T:A of 1:3.3. The band gap of CdS quantum dots has increased from the bulk value 2.4-2.9 eV. PL spectra show quantum size effect and the peak is shifted from 628 to 556 nm when the ratio of T:A was changed from 1:25 to 1:3.3. Doping of CdS with Zn2+ and Cu2+ is found to enhance the PL intensity. PL band shows blue-shift and red-shift on doping with Zn2+ and Cu2+, respectively. UV and PL spectral features of the CdS/Au hybrid nanoparticles obtained by a physical mixing of CdS and Au nanoclusters in various volume ratios is also discussed. Au red-shifts and rapidly quenches the PL of CdS. An additional low energy band approximately 650 nm is observed in the UV visible spectrum of the hybrid nanoparticles.     

Structure and photophysical properties of a dimeric Zn(II) complex based on 8-hydroxyquinoline group containing 2,6-dichlorobenzene unit

A novel 2-substituted-8-hydroxyquinoline ligand (E)-2-[2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)ethenyl]-8-hydroxyquinoline (HL) was synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Using solvothermal method, a dimeric complex (ZnL₂)₂ (1) was fabricated by self-assembly of Zn(II) ions with ligand HL. X-ray structural analysis shows that 1 exhibits a binuclear core, which is bridged by two 8-hydroxyquinoline rings. The supramolecular structure of 1 features a lamellar solid constructed by aromatic stacking interactions, Cl?Cl interactions and nonclassical C–H?Cl hydrogen bonds derived from 2,6-dichlorophenyl group of the ligand HL. The aggregation behavior of zinc salts and HL in solutions was investigated with a variety of techniques, including ¹H NMR, UV–vis, and photoluminescence (PL). In addition, we also studied the photophysical properties of compound 1 by UV–vis and PL. The experimental results show that the complex 1 emits yellow luminescence in the solid state.     

Synthesis,structure and properties of an imidazolate bridged copper,zinc binuclear complex

A new imidazolate bridged Cu~(2+),Zn~(2+)binuclear complex[(dtma) CulmZn (dtma)]ClO_4·2.5H_2O taken as active site model for Cu,Zn-SOD has been synthesized and its crystal structuredetermined.All the bond lengths, bond angles and the distance between Cu and Zn atoms in Cu-Im-Zn core of the model complex are close to those in Cu,Zn-SOD.ESR parameters of the modelcomplex as a function of pH show that the imidazolate bridge is stable in pH range 10—12,and isbroken on Zn side at pH～9.With decreasing pH,the imidazole is released at pH～4 and the dtmaligand dissociates from the Cu containing fragment at pH～2.4.     

3D rod-like copper oxide with nanowire hierarchical structure: Ultrasound assisted synthesis from Cu2(OH)3NO3 precursor,optical properties and formation mechanism

3-dimensional (3D) rod-like CuO with nanowire hierarchical structure has been synthesized successfully by a facile ultrasound assisted method combined with thermal conversion, using rouaite Cu₂(OH)₃NO₃ as the precursor. The product was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM and FT-IR spectrum. Its optical properties were studied by means of UV–Vis diffuse reflectance absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. Series of control experiments have been performed to explore influencing factors to the product morphologies and a possible formation mechanism has been proposed. The results show that each CuO rod assembled by tens of nanowires is 200–300 nm in diameter and about 1000 nm in length. Each nanowire contains many interconnected nanoparticles with sizes of about 15 nm. Particularly, ultrasound processing was found beneficial to the formation of the 3D rod-like CuO with nanowire hierarchical structure.     

Effect of Deposition Temperature on Structural and Optical Properties of Chemically Sprayed ZnS Thin Films

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) thin films have been successfully deposited via spray pyrolysis using an aqueous solution of thiourea and zinc acetate onto glass substrate. The effect of varying substrate temperature (150, 200,250 and 300 °C) on structure and optical properties is presented. The films have been characterized by X- ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis-NIR spectrometry, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). All the deposited ZnS films exhibit a cubic structure, while crystallinity and morphology are found to depend on spray temperature. PL analysis indicates the presence of violet and green emissions arising from Zn and S vacancies. The value of bandgap of ZnS films is found to decrease slightly with increasing substrate temperature; varying in the range 3.52–3.25 eV, most probably associated with the formation of Zn(S,O) solid solution.