Enhancement on the structural,functional, optical and morphological properties of temperature treated silver sulfide nanostructures

The Silver Sulfide (Ag₂S) nanostructures were synthesized via the facile co-precipitation method. Thorough study and analysis were carried out to reveal and compare the structural, optical, functional, and morphological characteristics of as-synthesized samples annealed at various temperatures. The XRD analysis characterized the structural properties of Ag₂S nanoparticles, which unveiled the excellent crystallinity and monoclinic structure. The as-synthesized samples show an average crystallite size of 52 nm–41.7 nm. The modes of vibration and peak position of metal sulfides in Ag₂S nanoparticles were investigated through the FTIR technique. The optical attributes of prepared samples were scrutinized using UV–Vis analysis, which portrays the cut-off wavelength in the range of 1192–1223 nm for non-annealed and annealed Ag₂S nanoparticles, alongside the optical band gap is about 0.86 eV–0.96 eV. This work elucidates a novel approach to synthesis and scrutinises the characteristics of Ag₂S nanoparticles by subjecting them to distinct annealing temperatures precisely, as-prepared, 200 °C and 400 °C.     

Structural,morphological, optical and third order nonlinear optical response of spin-coated NiO thin films: An effect of N doping

The present work deals with the deposition of NiO and Nitrogen (N)-doped NiO thin films by sol-gel spin coating technique. Structural, morphological, linear and non-linear optical characteristics of undoped and N-doped (1–15 wt%) NiO films were studied. From XRD measurements, it is evident that single phase nano crystalline NiO is formed for all doping concentrations. Surface morphology study shows that higher concentration of N doped NiO thin films were of high quality and EDX mapping confirmed the doping of Nitrogen in films. The Raman spectra of the studied films were analyzed over the range of 1400-200 cm⁻¹. The optical studies confirm that as doping increases, transparency of the film decreases (except at 10% N doping) and the band gap narrows. Nonlinear parameters such as refractive index and susceptibilities also depend on N dopant concentration. Z-scan studies viz., absorption index, nonlinear refractive index were carried out on undoped and N doped NiO samples and the results were matched with theoretical calculated values.     

Thermal, optical and spectroscopic characterizations of borate laser crystals

The Yb-content Li₆Ln(BO₃)₃ (Ln: Gd, Y) solid solution has been investigated. Crystal growth has been successful for several compositions. A 22% molar content of ytterbium ions was determined by chemical analysis (ICP). Physical properties relevant to laser operation like mechanical hardness, thermal expansion and thermal conductivity were measured on single crystals. Optical measurements, including refractive index and low temperature spectroscopy, were also performed. Finally, the effect of the Y/Gd ratio is discussed.     

Synthesis of silyl-functionalized oligothiophene-based polymers with bright blue light-emission and high refractive index

In this paper, we report the synthesis of partially conjugated polymers with a silyl-group-substituted oligothiophene and a short alkyl chain in the main chain by hydrosilylation polymerization and describe their optical properties such as luminescence and refractive index. The obtained polymers are found to have good solubility and processability. Moreover, the high steric hindrance of the silyl-group can inhibit the π-π interaction and intermolecular aggregation of the polymers. Hence, the emission of the obtained polymers was similar to that of the corresponding silyl-group-substituted oligothiophene. The polymers exhibit intense light blue fluorescence under UV irradiation and a high refractive index in the visible light region.     

Photo-induced optical changes in amorphous GaS thin films

The optical absorption behavior has been studied for annealed and illuminated thermally evaporated amorphous GaS thin films. It is observed that photo- and thermally induced effects result in an increase of the optical band gap and the slope parameter of the Tauc plots for these films. The thermally and photo-induced bleaching are ascribed to the suppression of the density of dangling and homo-polar bonds in these films and/or the relaxation process of the disordered state to another relatively high ordered one.     

Novel oxygen sensitive complexes for optical oxygen sensing

Novel optical sensing films for oxygen based on highly luminescent iridium (III) and ruthenium (II) complexes have been developed. These demonstrate excellent long-term photostability (several months) when incorporated into polystyrene membranes. The influence of different plasticizers on the specific luminescence quantum yield, the Stern-Volmer constant, the reversibility and the response time were evaluated. Additionally the sensing films can be sterilized by chemical cleaning and gamma-ray irradiation.     

Electrical resistivity, optical and magnetic properties of the layered oxyselenide SmCuOSe

The electrical and magnetic properties of the tetragonal phase SmCuOSe are reported as a function of the temperature. The optical properties were studied by means of diffuse reflectance spectrum in the UV-Vis range. The electrical resistivity measurements as well as diffuse reflectance spectrum show that SmCuOSe is a semiconductor with an optical band gap (E_g) of 2.6 eV. In this phase, Cu is at its monovalent oxidation state and, as such, it does not contribute to the total magnetic moment, whereas Sm is in its 3+ oxidation state, with a large VanVleck contribution due to the admixture of the fundamental state with higher energy levels.     

Microstructure,dielectric properties and optical band gap control on the photoluminescence behavior of Ba[Zr<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>]O<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films

Ba[Zr_0.25Ti_0.75]O₃ (BZT) thin films were synthesized by the complex polymerization method and heat treated at 400 °C for different times and at 700 °C for 2 h. These thin films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectroscopy, electrical and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. FEG-SEM and AFM micrographs showed that the microstructure and thickness of BZT thin films can be influenced by the processing times. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss of BZT thin films heat treated at 700 °C were approximately 148 and 0.08 at 1 MHz, respectively. UV–vis absorption spectra suggested the presence of intermediary energy levels (shallow and deep holes) within the band gap of BZT thin films. PL behavior was explained through the optical band gap values associated to the visible light emission components.     

Cd(II) and Cu(II) coordination polymers based on a multidentate N-donor ligand: syntheses,crystal structures,optical band gaps,and photoluminescence

Four Cd(II)- and Cu(II)-containing coordination polymers (CPs) based on a multidentate N-donor ligand and varied dicarboxylate anions, [Cd(3,3′-tmbpt)(p-bdc)]·2.5H₂O (1), [Cd(3,3′-tmbpt)(m-bdc)]·2H₂O (2), [Cu(3,3′-tmbpt)(m-bdc)]·H₂O (3), and [Cu(3,3′-tmbpt)(p-bdc)]·2H₂O (4), where 3,3′-tmbpt = 1 ? ((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, p-H₂bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, and m-H₂bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, have been prepared hydrothermally. The structures of the compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by infrared spectra and elemental analyses. Compound 1 exhibits a 3-D twofold interpenetrating framework with a 6⁵·8 CdSO₄ topology. Compound 2 is a 2-D layer containing meso-helical chains with a 4⁴·6² sql topology. Compound 3 shows a 1-D → 3-D interdigitated architecture while 4 displays a 2-D → 3-D interdigitated architecture. The structural differences of the compounds indicate that the dicarboxylate anions and the central metal ions play important roles in the resulting structures of CPs. Optical band gaps and solid-state photoluminescent properties have also been studied.     

Thermo-induced structural transformation with synergistic optical and magnetic changes in ytterbium and erbium complexes

Dinuclear ytterbium and erbium based bifunction complexes Ln₂L₂(depma₂)Cl₂ (1-Ln, Ln = Yb and Er, H₂L = N¹,N³-bis(salicylideneimino)diethylenetriamine, depma₂ = dimerized 9-diethyl-phosphonomethylanthracene) are reported. They undergo thermo-induced consecutive phase transitions, first the dissociation of depma₂ ligand forming LnL(depma)Cl (2-Ln) and then the release of chloroethane forming LnL(epma) (3-Ln, epma = 9-ethylphosphonomethylanthrancene). The structural transformations are accompanied with synergetic switch of the luminescence in visible and NIR regions and also magnetic dynamics.     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of metal-free sulfonamide-vitamin C adduct to improve the optical properties of PVA polymer

Improving optical properties is an important topic in the field of polymer science. In this research, a novel, metal-free, and inexpensive vitamin C sulfonamide adduct has been developed to enhance the optical behaviors of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Initially, the vitamin C adduct has been fabricated through atom economic reaction and then characterized using several spectroscopic techniques, including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT-135, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Accordingly, a dramatic chemical alteration in ascorbic acid structure has been confirmed and led to enhancing chemical interactions with the host polymer. The ascorbic acid adduct has been doped into PVA to prepare a flexible film of polymer composites with potential optical behaviors. The identity of composite film has specified from FTIR, XRD, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The XRD pattern of the hybrid polymer has revealed a remarkable boost in its amorphous structure compared to the PVA host. The FTIR data of both matrix PVA and its composites reveal the potent chemical interactions of functional groups within the hybrid PVA. The main optical information of synthesized hybrid film was obtained from the UV–vis spectra. The refractive index (n) and dielectric loss (ε_i) values are elevated notably, whereas the optical band gap energy (E_g) declined from 6.3 to 3.6 eV. The direct electronic transition between the valence band (VB) and conduction band (CB) was determined by implementing Tauc’s model. These preliminary results suggest that the fabricated flexible composite will have an excellent opportunity to use in the manufacturing optical devices.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic and luminescent properties of unique 1D p-ferrocenylbenzoate-bridged lanthanide complexes

Treatments of p-ferrocenylbenzoate [p-NaOOCH₄C₆Fc, Fc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)] with Ln(NO₃)₃·nH₂O afford seven p-ferrocenylbenzoate lanthanide complexes {[Ln(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n [Ln=Ce (1), Pr (2), Sm (3), Eu (4), Gd (5), Tb (6) and Dy (7)]. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the isomorphous complexes {[Ce(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n (1) and {[Pr(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n (2) form a unique 1D double-bridged infinite chain structure bridged by μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc groups. Each Ln(III) ion adopts a dodecahedron coordination environment with eight coordinated oxygen atoms from two terminal monodentate coordinated FcC₆H₄COO⁻ units, two terminal monodentate coordinated H₂O molecules and four μ₂-⁻OOCH₄C₆Fc units. The luminescent spectra reveal that only 4 and 6 exhibit characteristic emissions of lanthanide ions, Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions, respectively. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 5 and 7 suggest that a ferromagnetic coupling between spin carriers may exist in 5.     

Two Isostructural Layered Lanthanide(III) Complexes: Syntheses,Structures, Magnetic and Luminescent Properties

Two N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)pyridine N-oxide-carbohydrazide (H₃L)-based coordination complexes with the formula [Ln₂(DMF)₂(OAc)₂(HL)₂]_n (Ln = Dy for 1 and Eu for 2 ) were solvothermally synthesized. Crystal structures, thermal stabilities, magnetic and luminescent properties of the two complexes were fully investigated. Both complexes are isomorphic two-dimensional layers with centrosymmetric {Ln₂} subunits extended by doubly deprotonated HL^2– connectors. Complex 1 with highly anisotropic Dy^III spin exhibits slightly frequency-dependent magnetic relaxations under zero dc field with an effective energy barrier of ca. 6.84 K. Eu^III-based complex 2 displays only one weak fluorescent emission around 532 nm with the absence of characteristic emission of Eu^III ion. These results provide helpful hints of the hydrazide Schiff-functionalized organic ligands on the function modulations of the resulting Ln complexes.     

Contradictory ageing behaviour and optical property of iodine doped and H2SO4 doped pulsed DC plasma polymerized aniline thin films

Polymerization of aniline in the presence of H₂SO₄ and iodine vapour is carried out using pulsed DC glow discharge plasma. The as prepared iodine doped plasma polymerized aniline films are found to be highly crystalline due to some crystal structure formed by the iodine incorporated into the film and the ex-situ H₂SO₄ doped films are found to be amorphous. However, the structure of the iodine doped films transforms to amorphous one while that of the ex-situ H₂SO₄ doped films transforms to crystalline one due to the effect of ageing. The optical band gap of the samples decreases depending upon the level of doping and annealing, having minimum optical band gap for iodine doped plasma polymerized aniline. Due to ageing, the optical property of the H₂SO₄ doped film is found to become superior while for iodine doped films a negligible change of the optical property has been noticed even after six months of ageing.     

Method to control the optical properties: Band gap energy of mixed halide Organolead perovskites

In this work, we studied the effect of varying the volume of mixed halide perovskites on the structural, morphological and optical properties of deposited thin films. A two-step process of spin coating and dipping technique was employed so as to enhance deposition of the films. The samples were subjected to heat treatment after each deposition cycle in order to increase the crystalinity and grain size of the films. The band gap, refractive index, dielectric constant and optical conductivity of the mixed halide perovskites were calculated. The single term Wemple DiDomenico oscillator formulae were applied in determining the expression of the parameter n below the optical band gap in relation to the energy.A significant observation in this study was that the band gap of mixed halide perovskites was extremely lowered compared to the high band energy of its halide perovskite, which reveals the band gap alteration effect of mixed halide perovskites. The refractive index and dielectric constant of the halide and mixed halide perovkites showed results in the wavelength range of 300–600 nm, which is significant for photovoltaic materials.     

Design,synthesis, characterization,photophysical and pH chemosensor studies of novel 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines

For the application in organic electronics as well as pH meters, a series of novel 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines have been synthesized by the reaction of substituted aromatic aldehydes and substituted 3-acetylcoumarin with ammonium acetate. The structures of all the new compounds were characterized by IR, NMR, and GC–MS analysis. The important photo physical prerequisites for organoelectronic such as optical absorption and thermal stability were determined for the synthesized molecules. Optical properties were studied by UV–visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Optical band gaps of the 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines were found to be around 3.01–3.06?eV as calculated from their onset absorption edge. The pH-dependent changes in the fluorescence intensity suggest that 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines are useful applicants in intracellular pH meters.     

Synthesis,Structures, Luminescent and Magnetic Properties of Heterometallic 5p‐4f Compounds with Ethylenediaminetetra­acetate

A series of heterometallic Ln^III–Sb^III edta‐containing compounds with the formulas [Sb₂(edta)₂Ln]NO₃ · nH₂O [edta = ethylenediaminetetraacetate; Ln = Eu, n = 7 ( 1 ); Gd, n = 7.5 ( 2 ) and Tb, n = 8 ( 3 )] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses (EA), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXDP), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Their fluorescence and magnetic properties were also studied. The thermal analysis demonstrates the compounds formation of the antimony, lanthanide ions, and edta^4– ligands. FT‐IR spectra reveal that the antimony and lanthanide ions are connected through the carboxylate bridges. The studies of luminescence properties show that compounds 1 and 3 exhibit typical luminescence in the visible region. Furthermore, magnetic properties reveal compounds 2 and 3 have weak ferromagnetic behavior.     

Desolvation-Induced Highly Symmetrical Terbium(III) Single-Molecule Magnet Exhibiting Luminescent Self-Monitoring of Temperature

A conjunction of Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behavior and luminescence thermometry is an emerging research line aiming at contactless read-out of temperature in future SMM-based devices. The shared working range between slow magnetic relaxation and the thermometric response is typically narrow or absent. We report Tb^III-based emissive SMMs formed in a cyanido-bridged framework whose properties are governed by the reversible structural transformation from [Tb^III(H₂O)₂][Co^III(CN)₆] ⋅ 2.7H₂O ( 1 ) to its dehydrated phase, Tb^III[Co^III(CN)₆] ( 2 ). The 8-coordinated complexes in 1 show the moderate SMM effect but it is enhanced for trigonal-prismatic Tb^III complexes in 2 , showing the SMM features up to 42 K. They are governed by the combination of QTM, Raman, and Orbach relaxation with the energy barrier of 594(18) cm⁻¹ (854(26) K), one of the highest among the Tb^III-based molecular nanomagnets. Both systems exhibit emission related to the f–f electronic transitions, with the temperature variations resulting in the optical thermometry below 100 K. The dehydration leads to a wide temperature overlap between the SMM behavior and thermometry, from 6 K to 42 K. These functionalities are further enriched after the magnetic dilution. The role of post-synthetic formation of high-symmetry Tb^III complexes in achieving the SMM effect and hot-bands-based optical thermometry is discussed.