Speciation of activators in electroluminescent thin films: an EXAFS study of cerium and terbium doped strontium sulfide

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) was used to determine the local structure of the luminescent centers in Tb³⁺ and Ce³⁺ -doped strontium sulfide thin films deposited by Atomic Layer Epitaxy (ALE). The rare earths were observed to enter mainly the substitutional sites but at the same time a part of the atoms form RES clusters (RE = rare earth). The presence of both substitutional sites and RES clusters has been observed for the first time in this study for rare earths in II–VI compounds. Received: 9 February 1998 / Revised: 22 May 1998 / Accepted: 29 May 1998     

Gravimetric determination of thorium and zirconium

Summary Thorium and zirconium can be quantitatively precipitated by quinaldinic acid atph 2.7 and 3, respectively. As the precipitates are of nonstoichiometric composition they are to be ignited to oxides. By this reagent thorium can be quantitatively separated from arsenic (As³⁺), mercury (Hg²⁺), rare earths, manganese, magnesium and alkaline earths and zirconium from all the aforesaid ions excepting rare earths which contaminate to a slight extent.     

Thermodynamic metal-ligand stability constants of rare earths with N-p-chlorophenyl-m-substituted benzohydroxamic acids

The thermodynamic metal ligand stability constants of rare earths, La³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Bu³⁺, Gd³⁺ and Tb³⁺, with N-p-chlorophenyl-m-substituted benzohydroxamic acids in dioxan-water (60–70%) media at 25° C, have been determined by the potentiometric method. The effect of basicity of the ligand, central metal ion and the order of stability constants are discussed. The order of stability constants of rare earths with the hydroxamic acids is La<Pr<Nd<Sm<Eu<Gd>Tb.     

Clustering of rare earths in GeAs sulfide glass

Clustering of rare-earth dopants in GeAs sulfide glasses was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy of Pr-doped glasses and by EPR measurements of Gd-doped samples. The linewidth of the g  2 resonance of Gd³⁺, as well as the relative intensity of emission from the ¹D₂ level of Pr³⁺, was used as a relative measure of rare-earth clustering. Rare earths were found to have low solubility in uncodoped GeAs sulfide glasses, which also displayed poor fluorescence efficiency due to severe clustering. Codoping such glasses with Ga greatly enhanced rare-earth solubility and dispersal, particularly for Ga:rare earth ratios ≥ 10:1, as evidenced by the narrower EPR resonances and more intense luminescence of Gd- and Pr-doped glasses, respectively. In, P and Sn were also observed to ‘decluster’ rare earths, although less efficiently than Ga, whereas codoping with I was found to have no effect on clustering. These phenomena are explained by a structural model in which (1) rare-earth dopants and codopants are spatially associated and (2) rare-earth dispersal is accomplished by a statistical distribution of codopants in tetrahedral network sites.     

Double Double Cation Order in the High‐Pressure Perovskites MnRMnSbO6

Cation ordering in ABO₃ perovskites adds to their chemical variety and can lead to properties such as ferrimagnetism and magnetoresistance in Sr₂FeMoO₆. Through high‐pressure and high‐temperature synthesis, a new type of “double double perovskite” structure has been discovered in the family MnRMnSbO₆ (R=La, Pr, Nd, Sm). This tetragonal structure has a 1:1 order of cations on both A and B sites, with A‐site Mn²⁺ and R³⁺ cations ordered in columns and Mn²⁺ and Sb⁵⁺ having rock salt order on the B sites. The MnRMnSbO₆ double double perovskites are ferrimagnetic at low temperatures with additional spin‐reorientation transitions. The ordering direction of ferrimagnetic Mn spins in MnNdMnSbO₆ changes from parallel to [001] below T_C=76 K to perpendicular below the reorientation transition at 42 K at which Nd moments also order. Smaller rare earths lead to conventional monoclinic double perovskites (MnR)MnSbO₆ for Eu and Gd.     

Energy transfer phenomena in lead sulphate

It is shown that lead sulphate, PbSO₄, shows Pb²⁺ emission with a large Stokes shift. Energy transfer has been observed from the Pb²⁺ ions to several luminescent centres, viz., tungstate, molybdate, vanadate and rare earths. No transfer occurs to the Pr³⁺ ion.     

Determination of trace amounts of Eu3+ and Yb3+ ions at Nafion-coated thin mercury film electrodes

The use of Nafion-coated thin mercury film electrodes (NCTMFE) for determining trace amounts of Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions was examined. Ion-exchange preconcentration of submicromolar levels of the two rare earths was achieved efficiently at a rotating NCTMFE, while the use of “classical” Nafion-coated glassy carbon electrodes is restricted to the determination of Eu³⁺ alone. Differential-pulse voltammetry was used to quantify the accumulated ions. The influence of variables such as rotation rate, preconcentration time and scan parameters was assessed. A preconcentration -voltammetry-regeneration scheme suitable for multiple analysis with the same modified electrode was developed. Calibration graphs with a linearity range extending up to 2 μM and detection limits of 0.03 and 0.08 μM for Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺, respectively, were obtained. For Yb³⁺, the detection limit can be lowered to 0.02 μM by electrocatalytic amplification of the signals achieved by operating in the presence of ammonium nitrate as supporting electrolyte. However, in this instance a more restricted linearity range is observed. The effect of competing incorporation caused by the presence in solution of an excess of La³⁺ is also discussed, together with the competition between Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺ when one of the two is present in large excess over the other.     

Rare earth element complexation by fluoride ions in aqueous solution

Rare earth fluoride stability constants for Ce, Eu, Gd, Tb and Yb at 25°C have been determined by examining the influence of fluoride ions on the distribution of rare earths between tributyl phosphate (TBP) and 0.68M NaClO₄. Our results indicate that rare earth mono and difluoro complexation constants show a steady increase as a function of atomic number from La to Tb but remain relatively constant after Dy. This behavior is similar to that which has been observed for dicarboxylic acids. Stepwise stability constant ratios, K₂/K₁, obtained in our work (where K₁=[MF²⁺][M³⁺]^–1[F^–]^–1 and K₂=[MF ₂ ⁺ ]^–1[MF²⁺]^–1[F^–]^–1) indicated that, for all rare earths, K₂/K₁=0.09±0.03.     

Solvent extraction of trivalent lanthanide Pr(III), Ho(III) and Er(III) with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine

Extraction of Pr(III), Ho(III) and Er(III) has been studied in the pH range of 1–10 with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine (BPHA) in benzene. The separation was found to be quantitative in borate media from pH 7 to 10, at an ionic strength of 0.1M (H⁺, BO₃ ^3–). The stoichiometric composition of the complexes under the optimal conditions of shaking time, pH and reagent concentration was formulated using slope analysis and found to be M(BPHA)₃, where M=Pr(III), Ho(III) and Er(III). The effect of various masking agents shows that citrate, ascorbate, EDTA, oxalate, fluoride and phosphate form stable complexes with these rare earths as compared to BPHA. The decontamination factors for different cations with respect to these rare earths under the optimum conditions have been evaluated.     

Stability Constants of Rare Earths with Violuric Acids

The metal ligand stability constants of violuric acid [H₂VA], N-methyl violuric acid [H₂MVA], N-phenyl violuric acid [H₂PVA] and N-(o-m-p) tolyl violuric acids [N-H₂(o-m-p)TVA] with La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Dy(III), and Ho(III) have been determined potentiometrically in 50 Vol% ethanol water media at 25°C and at an ionic strength of 0.1 M NaClO₄. The stability of the complexes follow the order of basicities of ligands and also the electron affinities of rare earths as measured by their overall ionisation potential. The order of stabilities of rare earths with violuric acids is, La³⁺ < Ce³⁺ < Pr³⁺ < Nd³⁺ < Sm³⁺ < Gd³⁺ < Eu³⁺ < Dy³⁺ < Ho³⁺.     

Defect clusters in wustite,Fe1−xO

A quantum chemical approach based on predominantly covalent “normalized ion energies” has been developed for estimating structures and energies for defect clusters in quenched nonstoichiometric wustite (Fe_1?xO). Small defect clusters of zinc blende structure show special stability over other clusters considered. Of these, either a 13:5 or a 16:7 defect cluster (13 or 16 Fe³⁺ vacancies and 5 or 7 tetrahedral Fe³⁺ interstitials) have the proper structure and composition to account for the observed P′ and P″ phases in wustite.     

Investigation and Analytical Application of the β-Type Chelate of Lanthanoids With Chlorophosphonazo III

Abstract

The color-reaction of chlorophosphonazo III (CPA III) with lanthanide ions has been studied. It is found that under optimum conditions a light and heavy rare earth binuclear chelate with CPA III, of which the ratio of the metals to CPA III is 1:1:3, can be formed and used for determination of trace amounts of light rare earths in the presence of heavy rare earths. The molar absorptivity maximum of the chelate is 5x10⁵ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1.     

Magnetic Field Directed Rare‐Earth Separations

The separation of rare‐earth ions from one another is challenging due to their chemical and physical similarities. Nearly all rare‐earth separations rely upon small changes in ionic radii to direct speciation or reactivity. Herein, we show that the intrinsic magnetic properties of the rare‐earth ions impact the separations of light/heavy and selected heavy/heavy binary mixtures. Using TriNOx^3? ([{(2‐^tBuNO)C₆H₄CH₂}₃N]^3?) rare‐earth complexes, we efficiently and selectively crystallized heavy rare earths (Tb–Yb) from a mixture with light rare earths (La and Nd) in the presence of an external Fe₁₄Nd₂B magnet, concomitant with the introduction of a concentration gradient (decrease in temperature). The optimal separation was observed for an equimolar mixture of La:Dy, which gave an enrichment factor of EF_La:Dy=297±31 for the solid fraction, compared to EF_La:Dy=159±22 in the absence of the field, and achieving a 99.7 % pure Dy sample in one step. These results indicate that the application of a magnetic field can improve performance in a molecular separation system for paramagnetic rare‐earth cations.     

Pd Loaded NiCo Hydroxides for Biomass Electrooxidation: Understanding the Synergistic Effect of Proton Deintercalation and Adsorption Kinetics

The key issue in the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction (HMFOR) is to understand the synergistic mechanism involving the protons deintercalation of catalyst and the adsorption of the substrate. In this study, a Pd/NiCo catalyst was fabricated by modifying Pd clusters onto a Co-doped Ni(OH)₂ support, in which the introduction of Co induced lattice distortion and optimized the energy band structure of Ni sites, while the Pd clusters with an average size of 1.96 nm exhibited electronic interactions with NiCo support, resulting in electron transfer from Pd to Ni sites. The resulting Pd/NiCo exhibited low onset potential of 1.32 V and achieved a current density of 50 mA/cm² at only 1.38 V. Compared to unmodified Ni(OH)₂, the Pd/NiCo achieved an 8.3-fold increase in peak current density. DFT calculations and in situ XAFS revealed that the Co sites affected the conformation and band structure of neighboring Ni sites through CoO₆ octahedral distortion, reducing the proton deintercalation potential of Pd/NiCo and promoting the production of Ni³⁺−O active species accordingly. The involvement of Pd decreased the electronic transfer impedance, and thereby accelerated Ni³⁺−O formation. Moreover, the Pd clusters enhanced the adsorption of HMF through orbital hybridization, kinetically promoting the contact and reaction of HMF with Ni³⁺−O.     

A new type of charge compensating mechanism in Ca5(PO4)3F:Eu phosphor

The X-ray powder diffraction, reflectance, photoluminescence, photoluminescence excitation and ESR spectra of Ca₅(PO₄)₃F:Eu³⁺ phosphor have been studied. Three distinct variants of calcium substitutional Eu³⁺-sites have been observed in this host and the charge compensating species related to each of these sites has been identified. It is noted that the host related trace impurities those have prospects of acting as charge compensator, and the reaction environment that exists during the preparation of the material, greatly influence the preferential substitution of different Ca²⁺-sites by the Eu³⁺ ions. It is also noted that the charge compensating species in a suitable case, takes part in the photophysical process of luminescence of the Eu³⁺.     

Study on the cocolouration effect in the β-complex formation reactions of rare earths with p-chloro-chlorophosphonazo (CPApC)

Terbium- and yttrium-group rare earths form β-complexes with CPApC in acidic medium.The sensitivities for determination of these rare earths by this reaction depend on their ionic radii.Cerium- or terbium-group rare earth in the presence of yttrium-group element produces the cocolourationeffect which remarkably sensitizes the reaction. Yb-CPApC-Eu complex has a molar composition of1:4:2 and gives a molar absorptivity of 2. 02 ×10~5 L·mol~(-1)·cm~(-1) at 746 nm for Eu. It is found thatthe closer the lengths of ionic radii of the rare earths are, the greater will be the cocolouration effect.     

Separation of heavier rare earths from neutron irradiated uranium targets

A radiochemical method is described for the separation of heavier rare earths from the fission of uranium. The method is particularly suitable for the separation of low yield (10⁻⁵%–10⁻⁷%), highly asymmetric rare earth fission products viz.^179,177Lu,¹⁷⁵Yb,¹⁷³Tm,^172,171Er,¹⁶⁷Ho and^161,160Tb in the neutron induced fission of natural and depleted uranium targets. Additional separation steps have been incorporated for decontamination from²³⁹Np (an activation product) and^93-90Y (a high fission-yield product) which show similar chemical behaviour to rare earths. Separation of individual rare earths is achieved by a cation exchange method performed at 80°C by elution with α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-HIBA).     

Study on the selective leaching of low-grade phosphate ore for beneficiation of phosphorus and rare earths using citric acid as leaching agent

In the study the organic/inorganic chemical leaching and enrichment technology were used for selective extraction of the dolomite which co-existed in the Zhijin low-grade phosphate ore for beneficiation phosphorous and rare earths (RE) by using citric acid as leaching agent. The effects of acid concentration, reaction time, reaction temperature, liquid/solid ratio, and particle size on P₂O₅ and rare earths grade and the recovery ratio of them were investigated. The results show that under the optimized experimental conditions (acid concentration 9%, reaction time 240 min, reaction temperature 40°C, liquid/solid ratio 50: 1, and ore particle size 0.18–0.125 mm) the P₂O₅ grade can be increased from 15.47 to 34.82%, and P₂O₅ recovery rate comes up to 88.02%. The rare earths are mainly enriched in the leaching residues. Meanwhile, the recovery rate of rare earths is 72.08%. ΣREO grade can be increased from 978.06 × 10^–4 to 1998 × 10^–4%. In addition, the reaction kinetics of the chemical reaction between citric acid and dolomite are also discussed, the results show that the leaching process is controlled by chemical reaction. The activation energy for leaching was found to be 36.6337 KJ mol^–1 and k₀ was 3.67×104 s^–1, and the rate of the leaching based on the chemical reaction-controlled process could be expressed as 1–(1–a)^1/3 = 3.67 × 10⁴e^–36.63/RTt. Compare to the conventional process, the method provided in this study not only has advantages including higher phosphate concentration and rare earth grade, and higher recovery rate, but also using less amount of chemicals. Meanwhile, the citric acid can be recycled, avoiding discharge wastewater.     

Sur de nouveaux borates mixtes des métaux de transition isotypes de la warwickite

The isomorphism of borates CaLn³⁺BO₄ where Ln³⁺ stands for a small rare earth cation of Y³⁺, with the mineral warwickite (Fe,Mg)₃Ti(BO₄)₂ is demonstrated. The octahedral sites of the warwickite structure seem thus to accommodate rather large cations, like trivalent Y³⁺ or Dy³⁺ and bivalent Ca²⁺. The synthesis of several new transition-metal borates with this structure is reported. From a survey of all the warwickite-type compounds one comes to the conclusion that the structure is only stable when the size of the divalent cation M²⁺ is larger than that one of the trivalent M³⁺.     

Direct Visualization of Substitutional Li Doping in Supported Pt Nanoparticles and Their Ultra-selective Catalytic Hydrogenation Performance

It has only recently been established that doping light elements (lithium, boron, and carbon) into supported transition metals can fill interstitial sites, which can be observed by the expanded unit cell. As an example, interstitial lithium (^intLi) can block H filling octahedral interstices of palladium metal lattice, which improves partial hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes under hydrogen. In contrast, herein, we report ^intLi is not found in the case of Pt/C. Instead, we observe for the first time a direct ‘substitution’ of Pt with substitutional lithium (^subLi) in alternating atomic columns using scanning transmission electron microscopy-annular dark field (STEM-ADF). This ordered substitutional doping results in a contraction of the unit cell as shown by high-quality synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD). The electron donation of d-band of Pt without higher orbital hybridizations by ^subLi offers an alternative way for ultra-selectivity in catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds by suppressing the facile CO bond breakage that would form alcohols.