Reduction of Eu to Eu in MAl2Si2O8 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) in air condition

In general, the reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in solids needs an annealing process in a reducing atmosphere. In this paper, it is of great interest and importance to find that the reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ can be realized in a series of alkaline-earth metal aluminum silicates MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) just in air condition. The Eu²⁺-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) powder samples were prepared in air atmosphere by Pechini-type sol-gel process. It was found that the strong band emissions of 4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷ from Eu²⁺ were observed at 417, 404 and 373 nm in air-annealed CaAl₂Si₂O₈, SrAl₂Si₂O₈ and BaAl₂Si₂O₈, respectively, under ultraviolet excitation although the Eu³⁺ precursors were employed. In addition, under low-voltage electron beam excitation, Eu²⁺-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ also shows strong blue or ultraviolet emission corresponding to 4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷ transition. The reduction mechanism from Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in these compounds has been discussed in detail.     

Electronic structure and photocatalytic properties of ABi2Ta2O9 (A=Ca, Sr, Ba)

A new series of layered perovskite photocatalysts, ABi₂Ta₂O₉ (A=Ca, Sr, Ba), were synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction method and the crystal structures were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the structure of ABi₂Ta₂O₉ (A=Ca, Sr) is orthorhombic, while that of BaBi₂Ta₂O₉ is tetragonal. First-principles calculations of the electronic band structures and density of states (DOS) revealed that the conduction bands of these photocatalysts are mainly attributable to the Ta 5d+Bi 6p+O 2p orbitals, while their valence bands are composed of hybridization with O 2p+Ta 5d+Bi 6s orbitals. Photocatalytic activities for water splitting were investigated under UV light irradiation and indicated that these photocatalysts are highly active even without co-catalysts. The formation rate of H₂ evolution from an aqueous methanol solution is about 2.26 mmol h^-1 for the photocatalyst SrBi₂Ta₂O₉, which is much higher than that of CaBi₂Ta₂O₉ and BaBi₂Ta₂O₉. The photocatalytic properties are discussed in close connection with the crystal structure and the electronic structure in details.     

Synthesis, structures and photocatalytic activities of microcrystalline ABi2Nb2O9 (A=Sr, Ba) powders

Microcrystalline ABi₂Nb₂O₉ (A=Sr, Ba) photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by a citrate complex method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction technique, BET surface area analysis, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The results indicated that single-phase orthorhombic SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ could be obtained after being calcined above 650 °C, while BaBi₂Nb₂O₉ was tetragonal. Based on the diffuse reflectance spectra, the band gaps of the obtained samples were calculated to be around 3.34-3.54 eV. For the photocatalytic redox reaction of methyl orange under UV-light irradiation, SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than that of BaBi₂Nb₂O₉. The effects of the crystallinities, BET surface areas and crystal structures of the samples on the photocatalytic activities were discussed in detail.     

Synthesis, structure and physical properties of Ru ferrites: BaMRu5O11 (M=Li and Cu) and BaM′2Ru4O11 (M′=Mn, Fe and Co)

The synthesis, structure, and physical properties of five R-type Ru ferrites with chemical formula BaMRu₅O₁₁ (M=Li and Cu) and BaM′₂Ru₄O₁₁ (M′=Mn, Fe and Co) are reported. All the ferrites crystallize in space group P6₃/mmc and consist of layers of edge sharing octahedra interconnected by pairs of face sharing octahedra and isolated trigonal bipyramids. For M=Li and Cu, the ferrites are paramagnetic metals with the M atoms found on the trigonal bipyramid sites exclusively. For M′=Mn, Fe and Co, the ferrites are soft ferromagnetic metals. For M′=Mn, the Mn atoms are mixed randomly with Ru atoms on different sites. The magnetic structure for BaMn₂Ru₄O₁₁ is reported.     

The non-centrosymmetric borate oxides, MBi2B2O7 (M=Ca, Sr)

Two novel noncentrosymmetric borates oxides, MBi₂B₂O₇ or MBi₂O(BO₃)₂ (MCa, Sr), have been synthesized by solid-state reactions in air at temperatures in the 600-700 °C range. Their crystal structures have been determined ab initio and refined using powder neutron diffraction data. CaBi₂B₂O₇ crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pna2₁ space group with a=8.9371(5) Å, b=5.4771(3) Å, c=12.5912(7) Å, Z=4, R_wp=0.118, χ²=2.30. SrBi₂B₂O₇ crystallizes in the hexagonal P6₃ space group with a=9.1404(4) Å, c=13.0808(6) Å, Z=6, R_wp=0.115, χ²=4.15. Large displacement parameters suggest the presence of disorder in SrBi₂B₂O₇ as also revealed by diffuse 2×a superstructure reflections in electron diffraction patterns. Both structures are built of identical (001) neutral layers of corner-sharing BO₃ triangles and MO₆ trigonal prisms forming six-membered rings in which Bi₂O groups are located. Adjacent layers are stacked in a staggered configuration and connected through weak Bi-O bonds. A moderate efficiency for second harmonic generation (SHG) has been measured for a powder sample of CaBi₂B₂O₇ (d_eff=2d_eff(KDP)).     

Single-Crystal Growth and Classification of EuAlF5 and Solid Solutions M(II)1−xEuxAlF5 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) within the Structural Family of Tetragonal M(II)M(III)F5 Compounds

The compound EuAlF₅, as well as the solid solutions Ca_0.19(1)Eu_0.81(1)AlF₅, Sr_0.15(1)Eu_0.85(1)AlF₅, Sr_0.55(1)Eu_0.45(1)AlF₅, Sr_0.77(1)Eu_0.23(1)AlF₅, and Ba_0.62(1)Eu_0.38(1)AlF₅, crystallize in colorless tetragonal columns. These have been prepared by solid state reactions at 900°C, starting from mixtures of the binary fluorides. According to Vegard's rule the solid solution Sr_1−xEu_xAlF₅ shows a linear dependence of the crystal volume on the molar ratio Eu/Sr. All crystal structures have been refined from single-crystal diffractometer data. EuAlF₅ and the M_1−xEu_xAlF₅ (M=Ca, Sr) compounds obtained are isotypic with β-SrAlF₅. They crystallize in a superstructure in space group I4₁/a (no. 88) with 64 formula units and lattice parameters a≈19.9 Å, c≈14.3 Å. The structure is characterized by chains of trans-corner-sharing [AlF_4/2F_2/1] and branched [AlF_5/1F_1/2] octahedra forming a channel structure. Inside the channels isolated ordered dimeric units [AlF_4/1F_2/2]₂ are located. The divalent metal atoms show coordination numbers 8 and 9; they connect the [AlF₆] octahedra into a three-dimensional structure. Ba_0.62(1)Eu_0.38(1)AlF₅ is isotypic with the corresponding Sr compound Ba_0.43(1)Sr_0.57(1)AlF₅, and it crystallizes with 16 formula units and lattice parameters a=14.3860(7) Å, c=7.2778(3) Å in space group I4/m (no. 87). The network structure is identical with that of EuAlF₅. Instead of the dimeric units, infinite chains [AlF_4/1F_2/2]_∞ of trans-corner-sharing [AlF₆] octahedra extending along the c- axis are located inside the channels. The bridging fluorine atoms of this chain show large anisotropic displacement parameters, but no superstructure reflections have been observed for this compound.     

Preparation and photoluminescence properties of RE:Na3La9O3(BO3)8 (RE=Er, Yb) crystals

Using Na₂CO₃-H₃BO₃-NaF as fluxes, transparent RE:Na₃La₉O₃(BO₃)₈ (abbr. RE:NLBO, RE=Er, Yb) crystals have been grown by the top seed solution growth (TSSG) method. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows that the RE:NLBO crystals have the same structure with NLBO. The element contents were determined by molar to be 0.64% Er³⁺ in Er:NLBO, 2.70% Yb³⁺ in Yb:NLBO, respectively. The polarized absorption spectra of RE:NLBO have been measured at room temperature and show that both Er:NLBO and Yb:NLBO have a strong absorption bands near 980 nm with wide FWHM (Full Wave at Half Maximum) (21 nm for Er:NLBO and 25 nm for Yb:NLBO). Fluorescence spectra have been recorded. Yb:NLBO has the emission peaks at 985 nm, 1028 nm and 1079 nm and the emission peak of Er:NLBO is at 1536 nm. Spectral parameters have been calculated by the Judd-Ofelt theory for Er:NLBO and the reciprocity method for Yb:NLBO, respectively. The calculated values show that Er:NLBO is a candidate of 1.55 μm laser crystals and Yb:NLBO is a candidate for self-frequency doubling crystal.     

Electronic properties and rare-earth ions photoluminescence behaviors in borosilicate: SrB2Si2O8

Undoped and RE ions doped SrB₂Si₂O₈ were successfully synthesized. After the application of UV and VUV spectroscopy measurements, we made a novel discovery that the emission of SrB₂Si₂O₈:Eu prepared in air can be switched between red and blue by the different excitations. The information is that quite a part of Eu³⁺ was spontaneously reduced to Eu²⁺ in air. The PL properties of Eu²⁺ in VUV and Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in UV-VUV region in SrB₂Si₂O₈ were evaluated for the first time. The excitation mechanisms of the O²⁻-Eu³⁺ CT, Ce³⁺f-d and Tb³⁺f-d transitions in UV region as well as the Eu³⁺f-d, O²⁻-Ce³⁺ CT, O²⁻-Tb³⁺ CT transitions and the host lattice absorption in VUV region were established. In addition, first principles calculation within the LDA of the DFT was applied to calculate the electronic structure and linear optical properties of SrB₂Si₂O₈ and the results were compared with the experimental data.     

Synthesis, vacuum ultraviolet and near ultraviolet-excited luminescent properties of GdCaAl3O7: RE (RE=Eu, Tb)

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and photoluminescent (PL) properties of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ion-doped aluminate phosphors, GdCaAl₃O₇:Eu³⁺ and GdCaAl₃O₇:Tb³⁺ have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that the phosphor GdCaAl₃O₇ forms without impurity phase at 900 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images show that the particle size of the phosphor is less than 3 μm. Upon excitation with VUV irradiation, the phosphors show a strong emission at around 619 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, and at around 545 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺. The results reveal that both GdCaAl₃O₇:RE³⁺ (RE=Eu, Tb) are potential candidates as red and green phosphors, respectively, for use in plasma display panel (PDP).     

A structure, conductivity and dielectric properties investigation of A3CoNb2O9 (A=Ca, Sr, Ba) triple perovskites

The room temperature structures as well as the temperature-dependent conductivity and dielectric properties of the A₃CoNb₂O₉ (A=Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺) triple perovskites have been carefully investigated. A constrained modulation wave approach to Rietveld structure refinement is used to determine their room temperature crystal structures. Correlations between these crystal structures and their physical properties are found. All three compounds undergo insulator to semiconductor phase transitions as a function of increasing temperature. The hexagonal Ba₃CoNb₂O₉ compound acts as an insulator at room temperature, while the monoclinic Ca₃CoNb₂O₉ compound is already a semiconductor at room temperature. The measured dielectric frequency characteristics of the A=Ba compound are excellent.     

Crystal structure of BaMg2Si2O7 and Eu luminescence

Crystal structure of BaMg₂Si₂O₇ was determined and refined by a combined powder X-ray and neutron Rietveld method (monoclinic, C2/c, no. 15, Z=8, a=7.24553(8) Å, b=12.71376(14) Å, c=13.74813(15) Å, β=90.2107(8)°, V=1266.44(2) Å³; R_p/R_wp=3.38%/4.77%). The structure contains a single crystallographic type of Ba atom coordinated to eight O atoms with C₁ (1) site symmetry. Under 325-nm excitation Ba_0.98Eu_0.02Mg₂Si₂O₇ exhibits an asymmetric emission band around 402 nm. The asymmetric shape of the emission band is likely associated with a small electron-phonon coupling in BaMg₂Si₂O₇. The integrated intensity of the emission band was observed to remain constant over the temperature range 4.2-300 K.     

Li2O-Na2O-B2O3-SiO2烧结助剂对BaAl2Si2O8陶瓷结构与介电性能的影响

采用传统固相反应工艺,按化学计量比合成BaO-Al_2O3-SiO_2(BAS)-x%(w/w) Li_2O-Na_2O-B_2O3-SiO_2(LNBS)(x=0,1,2,3,4)陶瓷。研究不同LNBS烧结助剂添加量对BAS系微波介质陶瓷的结构和介电性能的影响。通过Clausius-Mossotti公式计算讨论了BAS理论与实验介电常数(εr)的差异。研究结果表明:LNBS烧结助剂中Li+进入钡长石Al3+位或单四元环(S4R)间隙,并产生了O_2-空位或Ba2+空位,从而促进BAS六方相向单斜相的转变。添加适量的LNBS烧结助剂后,BAS陶瓷的烧结温度从1 400℃降低到1 325℃,同时BAS陶瓷样品密度、品质因数(Qf)值以及频率温度系数(τf)得到改善。当x=1,烧结温度为1 325℃时,可获得综合性能相对较好的BAS陶瓷,其介电性能:Qf=35 199 GHz,εr=6.37,τf=-1.613×10-5℃-1。     

Line patterning of (Sr,Ba)Nb2O6 crystals in borate glasses by transition metal atom heat processing

Some NiO-doped Bi₂O₃,La₂O₃-SrO-BaO-Nb₂O₅-B₂O₃ glasses giving the formation of strontium barium niobate Sr_0.5Ba_0.5Nb₂O₆ (SBN) crystals with a tetragonal tungsten-bronze structure through conventional crystallization in an electric furnace have been developed, and SBN crystal lines have been patterned on the glass surface by heat-assisted (250-300 °C) laser irradiation and scanning of continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser (wavelength: 1064 nm). The surface morphology and the quality of SBN crystal lines are examined from measurements of confocal scanning laser micrographs and polarized micro-Raman scattering spectra. The surface morphology of SBN crystal lines changes from periodic bump structures to homogeneous structures, depending on laser scanning conditions. It is suggested that the line patterned at the laser irradiation condition of laser power P=1 W and of laser scanning speed S=1 μm/s in 2NiO-4La₂O₃-16SrO-16BaO-32Nb₂O₅-30B₂O₃ glass has a possibility of the orientation of SBN crystals along the laser scanning direction. The present study demonstrates that the transition metal atom heat processing (i.e., a combination of cw Nd:YAG laser and Ni²⁺ ions) is a novel technique for spatially selected crystallization of SBN crystals in glass.     

Microstructural features and domain formation in (Ba,Sr)2TiSi2O8 fresnoites

The formation and co-existence of crystallographically modulated and non-modulated regions in (Ba,Sr)₂TiSi₂O₈ fresnoites is reviewed, particularly the dependence on local composition. It is shown that perturbations of the average fresnoite structure, determined from appreciable single crystals, are in some cases better described as nanometric domain intergrowths where departures from ideal stoichiometry are characteristics of incommensuration, while modulation is absent from volumes that are less perturbed chemically. Evidence for this differentiation is obtained from selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images. The domains are readily distinguished by their unique contrast in bright field electron micrographs. Fourier reconstructions of HRTEM images collected from areas with darker contrast show that modulation can change within relatively small volumes. Nearby areas with lighter contrast were found by SAED to be free of structural disorder and incommensurate reflections.     

Dielectric properties of some MM′O4 and MTiM′O6 (M=Cr, Fe, Ga; M′=Nb, Ta, Sb) rutile-type oxides

We describe an investigation of the structure and dielectric properties of MM′O₄ and MTiM′O₆ rutile-type oxides for M=Cr, Fe, Ga and M′=Nb, Ta and Sb. All the oxides adopt a disordered rutile structure (P4₂/mnm) at ambient temperature. A partial ordered trirutile-type structure is confirmed for FeTaO₄ from the low temperature (17 K) neutron diffraction studies. While both the MM′O₄ oxides (CrTaO₄ and FeTaO₄) investigated show a normal dielectric property MTiM′O₆ oxides for M=Fe, Cr and M′=Nb/Ta/Sb display a distinct relaxor/relaxor-like response. Significantly the corresponding gallium analogs, GaTiNbO₆ and GaTiTaO₆, do not show a relaxor response at T<500 K.     

Photoluminescence properties of a novel phosphor, Na3La9O3(BO3)8:RE(RE=Eu,Tb)

The new oxyborate phosphors, Na₃La₉O₃(BO₃)₈:Eu³⁺ (NLBO:Eu) and Na₃La₉O₃(BO₃)₈:Tb³⁺ (NLBO:Tb) were prepared by solid-state reactions. The photoluminescence characteristics under UV excitation were investigated. The dominated emission of Eu³⁺ corresponding to the electric dipole transition ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ is located at 613 nm and bright green luminescence of NLBO:Tb attributed to the transition ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ is centered at 544 nm. The concentration dependence of the emission intensity showed that the optimum doping concentration of Eu and Tb is 30% and 10%, respectively.     

XRD and Si MAS-NMR spectroscopy across the β-Lu2Si2O7-β-Y2Si2O7 solid solution

Samples in the system Lu_2−xY_xSi₂O₇ (0?x?2) have been synthesized following the sol-gel method and calcined to 1300 °C, a temperature at which the β-polymorph is known to be the stable phase for the end-members Lu₂Si₂O₇ and Y₂Si₂O₇. The XRD patterns of all the compositions studied are compatible with the structure of the β-polymorph. Unit cell parameters are calculated as a function of composition from XRD patterns. They show a linear change with increasing Y content, which indicates a solid solubility of β-Y₂Si₂O₇ in β-Lu₂Si₂O₇ at 1300 °C. ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra of the different members of the system agree with the XRD results, showing a linear decrease of the ²⁹Si chemical shift with increasing Y content. Finally, a correlation reported in the literature to predict ²⁹Si chemical shifts in silicates is applied here to obtain the theoretical variation in ²⁹Si chemical shift values in the system Lu₂Si₂O₇-Y₂Si₂O₇ and the results compare favorably with the values obtained experimentally.     

Structural arrangements of the ternary metal boride carbide compounds MB2C4 (M=Mg, Ca, La and Ce) from first-principles theory

The structural arrangements of the ternary metal borocarbides MB₂C₄ (M=Mg, Ca; La and Ce) are investigated using density-functional theory (DFT) calculations within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Results indicate that these compounds adopt a layered structure consisting of graphite-like B₂C₄ layers alternating with metal sheets. Within the hexagonal layers, the coloring with the -C-C-C-B-C-B- sequence is energetically more stable than that with the -C-C-C-C-B-B- one. The electronic structures of these compounds, mainly determined by the B₂C₄ sheets, can be rationalized with the simple valence electron distribution M²⁺[B₂C₄]²⁻xe⁻, with the metals essentially acting as two-electron donors with respect to the boron-carbon network, the other x electrons remaining in the relatively narrow d and/or f bands of the metals. Accordingly, MB₂C₄ are narrow band-gap semiconductors (ΔE≈0.2-0.4 eV) with M=Mg and Ca. On the other hand, with M=La and Ce, the compounds are conducting with a relatively high density of states at the Fermi level predominantly metal in character with substantial B/Cπ* antibonding state admixture.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of rare earth ruthenates, Ln5Ru2O12 (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm-Tb)

Single crystals of Ln₅Ru₂O₁₂ (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm-Tb) were grown out of either NaOH or KOH fluxes in sealed silver tubes. The crystals of all the phases were observed to be twinned as confirmed by TEM studies. The series crystallize in the C2/m monoclinic system with lattice parameters, a=12.4049(4)-12.7621(6) Å, b=5.8414(2)-5.9488(3) Å, c=7.3489(2)-7.6424(4) Å, β=107.425(3)-107.432(2)° and Z=2. The crystal structure is isotypic with the defect/disorder model of Ln₅Re₂O₁₂ (Ln = Y, Gd) and consists of one dimensional edge shared RuO₆ octahedral chains separated by a two dimensional LnO_x polyhedral framework. Magnetic measurements indicate paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic behavior for Ln=Nd, Sm-Gd and Ln=Tb, respectively.