Growth and comparison of physicochemical properties of pure,Ca and Sr doped NH4Sb3F10 single crystals for electro optic applications

Single crystals of pure, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ doped NH₄Sb₃F₁₀ are grown by slow evaporation technique. The effect of dopants on the growth and physicochemical properties also have been investigated and reported for the first time. The grown crystals are characterized with the aid of single crystal X-ray diffractometry to confirm the crystal structure. EDAX studies are done to confirm the presence of dopants in the crystal lattice. The vibrational frequencies of various group ligands in the crystals have been derived from the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum. From the optical absorption spectrum the band gap energy was calculated and it was found to be 5.76, 6.29 and 6.35 eV for pure, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ doped NH₄Sb₃F₁₀ crystals respectively. Thermal stability of the sample has been analysed using TG-DTA analysis. The activation energy of pure, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ doped NH₄Sb₃F₁₀ crystals were calculated from the dc conductivity measurements and it is found to be 0.2728, 0.2816 and 0.3622 eV Experimental results shows improved physicochemical properties when the dopant is added to the pure material.     

Effect of Ca and Sr alkaline earth ions on luminescence properties of BaAl12O19:Eu nanophosphor

Nanosized barium aluminate materials was doped by divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺) and Eu²⁺ having nominal compositions Ba_1−xMxAl₁₂O₁₉:Eu (M=Ca and Sr) (x=0.1-0.5), were synthesized by the combustion method. These phosphors were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and photoluminescence measurement. The photoluminescence characterization showed the presence of Eu ion in divalent form which gave emission bands peaking at 444 nm for the 320 nm excitation (solid-state lighting excitation), while for 254 nm it gave the same emission wavelength of low intensity (1.5 times) compared to 320 nm excitation. It was also observed that alkaline earth metal (Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺) dopants increase the intensity of Eu²⁺ ion in BaAl₁₂O₁₉ lattice, thus this phosphor may be useful for solid-state lighting.     

Growth of BaxSr1−xSO4 nano-steps on barite (0 0 1) face

Crystal growth has been promoted in the fluid cell of an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) by passing Ba-Sr-SO₄ aqueous solutions over barite (0 0 1) cleavage surfaces. Steps advance in structural continuity with the original barite (0 0 1) surfaces and two-dimensional nucleation occurs preferentially on the newly-formed terraces. The terraces are, on average, 7.5% lower than pure barite terraces. Since the ionic radius of Sr²⁺ is smaller that the ionic radius of Ba²⁺, the reduction of terrace height is consistent with an extensive incorporation of Sr²⁺ into the barite structure. Therefore, it can be considered that the newly-formed terraces have compositions corresponding to terms of the Ba_xSr_1−xSO₄ solid solution. A non-linear dependence of step rate on [SrSO₄] concentration in the solution (and therefore on supersaturation) has been found. The growth behaviour has been discussed by considering both the physicochemical properties of the Ba_xSr_1−xSO₄ solid solution-aqueous solution (SS-AS) system and a kinetic-based step growth model.     

Adsorption of formaldehyde on the Fe site of clean and M (Ca, Sr and Ba) doped LaFeO3 (0 1 0) surface

The adsorption of formaldehyde (H₂CO) on the Fe site of clean and M²⁺ (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺) doped LaFeO₃ (0 1 0) surface have been investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) method. Calculation results show that the oxygen atom of the H₂CO molecule prefers to be adsorbed on the Fe site of the clean LaFeO₃ (0 1 0) surface. The adsorption of H₂CO could change the electronic properties of the LaFeO₃, indicating that the LaFeO₃ could be used as gas sensing material to detect the H₂CO gas. The analysis results of the DOS suggest that the bonding mechanism between the H₂CO molecule and the Fe site is mainly from the interaction between the Fe 3d and H₂CO 2p orbital. Comparing with the binding energy and the net charge-transfer, we find that the M²⁺ (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺) doping cannot improve the sensitivity of the LaFeO₃ to the H₂CO gas.     

Microscopic stability mechanisms of a charge-ordered phase of La1.5Sr0.5NiO4

Using a pairwise potential approximation and a shell model, computer simulation is performed of a charge-ordered crystal phase of La_1.5Sr_0.5NiO₄, in which Ni²⁺ and Ni³⁺ ions are arranged in staggered rows in perovskite layers. This phase is found to be stable, and, in the process of its formation, the contribution to the lowering of the total crystal energy from the charge rearrangement is smaller than that from the relaxation of the crystal structure (the structure of NiO₂ layers, first of all) caused by this rearrangement. The decrease in the total energy is due to the long-range Coulomb interaction, predominantly the attraction between Ni³⁺ and oxygen ions in NiO₂ layers.     

Optical and EPR study of BaY2F8 single crystals doped with Yb

Optical and electron paramagnetic resonance study have been carried out on BaY₂F₈ single crystals doped with Yb ions at 0.5 and 10 mol%. The crystals have been obtained using the Czochralski method modified for fluoride crystal growth. Optical transmission measurements in the range of 190-3200 nm and photoluminescence measurements were carried out at room temperature. Absorption spectra of BaY₂F₈ single crystals doped with Yb due to the ²F_7/2→²F_5/2 transitions have been observed in the 930-980 nm range. To analyze the possible presence of Yb²⁺ ions in the investigated crystals, irradiation with γ-quanta with a dose of 10⁵ Gy have been performed. The observed photoluminescence bands show usual emission in IR and other one in VIS, being an effect of cooperative emission of Yb³⁺ ions and energy up-conversion transitions of photons from IR to UV-vis(visible) due to hoping process between energy levels of paired Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺, where Er³⁺ ions are unintentional dopants. The EPR spectra of BaY₂F₈:Yb 10 mol% consist of many overlapping lines. They have been analyzed in terms of spin monomers, pairs, and clusters. The angular dependence of the resonance lines positions have been studied also to find the location of coupled ytterbium ions in the crystal structure.     

Influence of physicochemical-electronic properties of transition metal ion doped polycrystalline titania on the photocatalytic degradation of Indigo Carmine and 4-nitrophenol under UV/solar light

To understand the role of dopant inside TiO₂ matrix, anatase TiO₂ was doped with transition metal ions like Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ru³⁺ and Os³⁺ having unique half filled electronic configuration and their photocatalytic activity was probed in the degradation of Indigo Carmine (IC) and 4-nitrophenol (NP) under UV/solar light. For comparison, TiO₂ was also doped with V⁵⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ metal ions having d⁰, d⁸ and d¹⁰ electronic configuration respectively. Irrespective of excitation source UV/solar light and nature of the organic pollutant, photocatalytic activities of doped photocatalysts followed the order: Mn²⁺-TiO₂ > Fe³⁺-TiO₂ > Ru³⁺-TiO₂ ≥ Os³⁺-TiO₂ > Zn²⁺-TiO₂ > V⁵⁺-TiO₂ > Ni²⁺-TiO₂ at an optimum concentration of dopant. Based on the experimental results obtained, it is proposed that the existence of dopant with half filled electronic configuration in TiO₂ matrix which is known to enhance the photocatalytic activity is not universal! Rather it is a complex function of several physicochemical-electronic properties of doped titania. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Mn²⁺ (0.06 at.%)-TiO₂ was attributed to the combined factors of high positive reduction potential of Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ pairs, synergistic effects in the mixed polymorphs of anatase and rutile, smaller crystallite size with high intimate contact between two phases and favorable surface structure of the photocatalyst. Despite the intense research devoted to transition metal ion doped TiO₂, it is rather difficult to make unifying conclusion which is highlighted in this study.     

Luminescence properties of Tm co-doped Sr2Si5N8:Eu red phosphor

The Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺ phosphors, both undoped and doped with Tm³⁺, were synthesized by high temperature solid-state method. The XRD pattern shows that only Sr₂Si₅N₈ phase is formed whatever Tm³⁺ was doped or not. The peak positions of both phosphors are centered at 612 nm which is assigned to the 4f⁶5d→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺. It implies that the crystal field, which affects the 5d electron states of Eu²⁺, is not changed dramatically after the phosphor is doped with Tm³⁺. The afterglow time is about 10 min after Tm³⁺ ion is introduced into the phosphor. The concentration of Tm³⁺ has little influence on the afterglow time of the phosphor. The depths of trap energy level of the two phosphors were calculated based on the TL spectra. The depths of Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺ and Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, Tm³⁺ are 1.75 and 1.01 eV, respectively.     

Microstructure and electrical properties of Mn-doped barium strontium titanate thin films prepared on copper foils

Ba_0.7−xSr_0.3Mn_xTiO₃ (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05) thin films have been prepared on copper foils using sol-gel method. The films were processed in an atmosphere with low oxygen pressure so that the substrate oxidation is avoided and the formation of the perovskite phase is allowed. XRD and SEM results showed that Mn doping enhanced the crystallization of the perovskite phase in the films. The Mn substitution prevents the reduction of Ti⁴⁺ to Ti³⁺, which is supported by XPS analysis. The Ba_0.7−xSr_0.3Mn_xTiO₃ film with x = 0.025 (BSMT25) exhibits preferred dielectric behavior and a lower leakage current density among the three thin films. The dielectric constant and loss of the BSMT25 film are 1213.5 and 0.065 at 1 MHz and around zero field, which are mostly desired for embedded capacitor applications. The mechanism of Mn doping on improving the electrical properties of barium strontium titanate (BST) thin films was investigated.     

Synthesis and luminous characteristics of Ba2MgSi2−xAlxO7: 0.1Eu, 0.1Mn phosphor for WLED

The shift of the emission band to longer wavelength (yellow-orange) of the Ba₂MgSi_2−xAl_xO₇: 0.1Eu²⁺ phosphor under the 350-450 nm excitation range has been achieved by adding the codoping element (Mn²⁺) in the host. The single-host silicate phosphor for WLED, Ba₂MgSi_2−xAl_xO₇: 0.1Eu²⁺, 0.1Mn²⁺ was prepared by high-temperature solid-state reaction. It was found experimentally that, its three-color emission peaks are situated at 623, 501 and 438 nm, respectively, under excitation of 350-450 nm irradiation. The emission peaks at 438 and 501 nm originate from the transition 5d to 4f of Eu²⁺ ions that occupy the two Ba²⁺ sites in the crystal of Ba₂MgSi_2−x Al_xO₇, while the 623 nm emission is attributed to the energy transfer from Eu²⁺ ions to Mn²⁺ ions. The white light can be obtained by mixing the three emission colors of blue (438 nm), green (501 nm) and red (623 nm) in the single host. When the concentrations of the Al³⁺, Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions were 0.4, 0.1 and 0.1 mol, respectively, the sample presented intense white emission. The addition of Al ion to the host leads to a substantial change of intensity ratio between blue and green emissions. White light could be obtained by combining this phosphor with 405 nm light-emitting diodes. The near-ultraviolet GaN-based Ba₂MgSi_1.7 Al_0.3O₇: 0.1Eu²⁺, 0.1Mn²⁺ LED achieves good color rendering of over 85.     

Luminescent properties of stabled hexagonal phase Sr1−xBaxAl2O4:Eu (x=0.37-0.70)

Stabled hexagonal phase Sr_1−xBa_xAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ (x=0.37-0.70) was prepared by solid-state method. Result revealed that the structure behavior of the SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ calcined at 1350 °C in a reducing atmosphere for 5 h strongly depended on the Ba²⁺ concentration. With increasing Ba²⁺ concentration, a characteristic hexagonal phase can be observed. When 37-70% of the strontium is replaced by barium, the structure of the prepared sample is pure hexagonal. Photoluminescence and excitation spectra of the samples with different x and doped with 2% Eu²⁺ were investigated. Changes in the emission spectra were observed in the two different phases. The green emission at 505 nm from Eu²⁺ was found to be quite strong in the hexagonal phase. The intensity and peak position of the green luminescence from Eu²⁺ changed with increasing content of Ba²⁺. The strongest green emission was obtained from Sr_0.61Ba_0.37Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺. The decay characteristics of Sr_1−xBa_xAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ (x=0.37-0.70) showed that the life times also varied with the value of x. Furthermore, the emission colors and decay times varying with x could be ascribed to the variation of crystal lattice.     

Eu3+-site occupation in CaTiO3 perovskite material at low temperature

In order to clarify the site occupancy of rare-earth ions in rare-earth doped perovskite materials, the un-doped pure CaTiO₃ and Eu³⁺-doped CaTiO₃ samples with a series of Ca/Ti ratio were synthesized via high-temperature solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) powder patterns confirm that the crystal structure keeps invariant at various Ca/Ti ratios. Measurement results of unit-cell parameters and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicate that Eu³⁺ ions enter into the Ca²⁺ site. The high-resolution photoluminescence spectra of Eu³⁺ ions at 20 K in all samples did not witness a significant change under the excitation at different wavelength, implying that Eu³⁺ ions occupy only one type of site. Considering the small spectral splitting range of ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition and the large intensity ratio of ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂/⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁, it can be concluded that Eu³⁺ occupies Ca²⁺ site with larger coordinate numbers rather than Ti⁴⁺ site.     

Effect of Sr concentration on microstructure and magnetic properties of (Ba1−xSrx)(Ti0.3Fe0.7)O3 ceramics

Fe-doped (Ba_1−xSr_x)TiO₃ ceramics were prepared by solid-state reaction, and ferromagnetism was realized at room temperature. The microstructure and magnetism were modified by the Sr concentration control (0≤x≤75 at%) at a fixed Fe concentration, and the relevant magnetic exchange mechanism was discussed. All the samples are shown to have a single perovskite structure. When increasing the Sr concentration, the phase structure is transformed from a hexagonal perovskite into a cubic perovskite, with a monotonic decrease in lattice parameters induced by ionic size effect. The room-temperature ferromagnetism is expected to originate from the super-exchange interactions between Fe³⁺ on pentahedral and octahedral Ti sites mediated by the O²⁻ ions. The increase in Sr addition modifies two main influencing factors in magnetic properties: the ratio of pentahedral to octahedral Fe³⁺ and the concentration of oxygen vacancies, leading to a gradually enhanced saturation magnetization. The highest value, obtained for Fe-doped (Ba_0.25Sr_0.75)TiO₃, is an order of magnitude higher than that of the Fe-doped BaTiO₃ system with similar Fe concentration and preparation conditions, which may indicate (Ba_1−xSr_x)TiO₃ as a more suitable matrix material for multiferroic research.     

Photoluminescence of Eu single doped and Eu/Dy codoped Sr2Al2SiO7 phosphors with long persistence

This paper reports the preparation of long persistent Sr₂Al₂SiO₇:Eu²⁺ and Sr₂Al₂SiO₇:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors and the comparison of their photoluminescent properties. The silicate phosphors prepared by solid-state reaction routine showed a broad blue emission peaking at 484 nm when activated by UV illumination. Such a bluish-green emission can be attributed to the intrinsic 4f-5d transitions of Eu²⁺. After the UV source was switched off, long persistent phosphorescence could be observed by naked eyes for both samples in darkness. Afterglow measurements revealed that Eu/Dy codoped phosphor possesses better afterglow properties than the Eu single doped one, since the maximum lifetime (τ_max=99 s) of the photons calculated from the decay profile is much larger than that of the Eu single doped phosphor (τ_max=82 s). TSL results suggested that the difference in afterglow properties was caused by the difference in the electron traps within the crystal lattice. For Eu/Dy codoped phosphor, the doping of Dy ions produced electron traps with trap depth of 0.52 eV, which is suitable and therefore leads to good persistence. However, in the case of Eu single doped phosphor, the trap depth is 0.88 eV, which is really too deep an energy barrier to overcome, and therefore a poor persistence was observed in the experiment.     

Effects of Zn impurities on the electronic properties of Pr doped CaTiO3

Microcosmic investigations of weak red-emitting materials are crucial for their further development and application. In this work, we have focused on the band structures and electronic properties of Pr mono- and (Zn, Pr) co-doped CaTiO₃ using density functional theory. Zn substitution for Ca or Ti tends to form clusters energetically with Pr substituting for Ca in CaTiO₃. In Pr mono-doped CaTiO₃, the O_2p→Ti_3d transition in CaTiO₃ host corresponds to the centered 330 nm excitation spectra. The gap states above the valence band of ∼1.30 eV and ∼2.06 eV are hybridized by Pr_4f, O_2p and Ti_3d orbitals. They are mainly due to Pr_4f orbitals in CaTiO₃:Pr. The former gap level is related to red emission at 614 nm due to ¹D₂→³H₄ transition of Pr³⁺ activator. The latter is related to the excitation spectra centered at 380 nm due to the low-lying Pr-to-mental intervalence charge transfer transitions (Pr³⁺-O²⁻-Ti⁴⁺?Pr⁴⁺-O²⁻-Ti³⁺). The band structures of (Zn, Pr) co-doped CaTiO₃ keep the similar gap levels to those in Pr mono-doped CaTiO₃. The incorporation of Zn brings out the two stronger localized gap states, which are hybridized by Pr_4f, O_2p and Ti_3d orbitals, in comparison with those in Pr mono-doped CaTiO₃. Therefore, when Zn impurities are added into Pr doped CaTiO₃, the present calculations visualize the two enhanced levels and the distorted structures around Pr.     

New aspects on the dielectric properties of the alkali halides with divalent impurities

Dielectric losses were measured in the following crystals NaCl+ (Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺), KCl + (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, ²⁺, Pb²⁺) and KBr + (Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) in the frequency region 5–500 kHz. It was found that when the divalent cation impurity has an electronic configuration similar to the inert gases (1) no observable deviation from simple Debye theory exists (2) the activation energy Φ increases linearly with the ionic radius of the impurity.The above observations (1) and (2) do not hold when the divalent cation impurity has d-electrons in the outer subshell.     

White light-emitting diodes using blue and yellow-orange-emitting phosphors

A blue-emitting phosphor, BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ (BAM) and a yellow-orange phosphor, Ba²⁺-codoped Sr₃SiO₅:Eu²⁺ were prepared by the solid-state reaction. Excitation and emission spectra results showed that BAM and Ba²⁺-codoped Sr₃SiO₅:Eu²⁺ can be efficiently excited by near-ultraviolet (n-UV)-visible light from 250 to 440 nm. The effects of the doped-Eu²⁺ concentration in BAM and Ba²⁺-codoped Sr₃SiO₅:Eu²⁺ on the photoluminescence were investigated in detail. White light-emitting diodes (LED) was obtained by combining n-UV LED chip (GaN-based 380 nm emitting) with BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:0.09Eu²⁺ and 0.1Ba²⁺-codoped Sr₃SiO₅: 0.2Eu²⁺ phosphors with the characteristic of color-rendering index of 86, CIE chromaticity coordinates (x,y) of (0.3216,0.3096), and color temperature T_c of 5700 K. As the current increases, the relative intensity simultaneously increases. The CIE chromaticity coordinates (x,y) of the white LED tends to decrease. The correlated color temperature T_c increases from 4100 to 7500 K and the color-rendering index R_a increases from 82 to 87 simultaneously.     

Phase transition of Ta2NiO6 with the trirutile-type structure under high pressure and high temperature

High-pressure phase transition of Ta₂NiO₆ with the trirutile-type structure was investigated from the viewpoint of crystal chemistry. A new quenchable high-pressure phase was found in the pressure range higher than 7 GPa and 900°C. The high-pressure phase has an orthorhombic cell (a=4.797(1) Å, b=5.153(2) Å and c=14.85(1) Å and space group; Abm2), and it is more dense by 9.6% than the trirutile-structured phase. Infrared spectra of the trirutile-type phase and the high-pressure phase show that Ni²⁺ ions in the high-pressure phase are still in octahedral sites. The crystal structure of the high-pressure phase is considered as a cation-ordering trifluorite-type structure, which can be stabilized by a crystal field effect of Ni²⁺ ions.     

Photoluminescence study in Ce activated M6B5AlO15 (M = Sr,Ca, Ba) and mixed host aluminoborate phosphors

In this paper we report the modified solid state synthesis of Ce³⁺ activated Sr₆B₅AlO₁₅, Ca₆B₅AlO₁₅ Ba₆B₅AlO₁₅ and mixed host aluminoborate phosphors. The prepared phosphors were characterized by photoluminescence technique. The PL excitation spectra showed the excitation peaks ranging from 300 to 400 nm and emission spectra are observed in UV-blue region of spectrum and it varied for different hosts. This kind of emission is due to 4f⁶5d → 4f⁷ transition of Ce³⁺ ion. Further PLE and PL emission spectra for various compositions Ca₅Sr₁B₅AlO₁₅, Ca₄Sr₂B₅AlO₁₅, Ca₃Sr₃B₅AlO₁₅, Ca₂Sr₄B₅AlO₁₅, CaSr₅B₅AlO₁₅ are also taken which shows Ce³⁺ emission at 428 nm, 425 nm, 432 nm, 427 nm, 438 nm respectively. The calculated ²F_J (J = 7/2, 5/2) energy gap of Ce³⁺ in all hosts have been calculated and obtained values for Sr₆B₅AlO₁₅, Ba₆B₅AlO₁₅ phosphors are 1888 cm⁻¹ and 1330 cm⁻¹ respectively. PL emission spectra of mixed host aluminoborates have shown slight variations in positions of emission peaks.     

White light-emitting Mg0.1Sr1.9SiO4:Eu phosphors

Divalent europium-activated strontium orthosilicate Sr₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ and Mg_0.1Sr_1.9SiO₄:Eu²⁺ phosphors were synthesized through the solid-state reaction technique. Their luminescent properties under ultraviolet excitation were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that these phosphors are of α′-Sr₂SiO₄ phase with a trace of β-Sr₂SiO₄. Doping of Eu²⁺ ion into the crystal lattice results in the lattice constant being expended, while Mg²⁺ makes the lattice constant shrinking. A solid solution with the same crystal structure is formed when Eu²⁺ or Mg²⁺ substitutes part of Sr²⁺ ions and occupies the same lattice sites. The Sr₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ phosphors show two emission spectra peaked at 535 and 473 nm originated from the 5d-4f transition of Eu²⁺ ion doped in two different Sr²⁺ sites in the host lattice. By substitution of 0.1 mol of Sr²⁺ with Mg²⁺, these two emission bands are tuned to be in the blue and yellow region (459 and 564 nm for Mg_0.1Sr_1.88SiO₄:Eu_0.02), respectively. The tuning effect is discussed. With a combination of the blue and yellow emission bands the phosphors show white color, indicating that these phosphors may become promising phosphor candidates for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs).