Lattice parameter and luminescence properties of europium activated yttrium oxide

Samples of yttrium oxide doped with trivalent europium have been prepared by ceramic techniques, under different synthesis conditions; barium chloride (BaCl₂) and sodium tetraborate (Na₂B₄O₇) were tested as flux. The improvement of luminescence properties in dependence on substitution of Eu³⁺ for Y³⁺ in the host lattice, under electron and UV excitations is demonstrated. The lattice parameter as a quantitative assessment of activator incorporation degree is proposed. The obtained results are discussed with respect to the employed processing method.     

Estimation effective de la perte de positivité dans la régularisation des courants

Let (X,ω) be a compact complex Hermitian manifold, and let T?γ be a d-closed (1,1) almost positive current on X. A variant of Demailly's regularization-of-currents theorem states that T is the weak limit of a sequence of (1,1)-currents T_m with analytic singularities of coefficient 1/m, lying in the same cohomology class as T, whose Lelong numbers converge to those of T, and with a loss of positivity decaying to zero. We prove that if the (1,1)-form γ is assumed to be closed and C^∞, the regularizing currents T_m can be chosen such that $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{m}}\text{?γ?}\text{C}\text{m}$ for a constant C>0 independent of m. To cite this article: D. Popovici, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 338 (2004).     

Effects of UV photon irradiation on SiOx (0 < x < 2) structural properties

Thin films of a-SiO_x (0 < x < 2) were prepared by reactive r.f. magnetron sputtering from a polycrystalline-silicon target in an Ar/O₂ gas mixture. The oxygen partial pressure in the deposition chamber was varied so as to obtain films with different values of x. The plasma was monitored, during depositions, by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) system. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements and infra-red (IR) spectroscopy were used to study the compositional and structural properties of the deposited layers.Structural modifications of SiO_x thin films have been induced by UV photons’ bombardment (wavelength of 248 nm) using a pulsed laser. IR spectroscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the structural changes as a function of x value and incident energy. SiO_x phase separation by spinodal decomposition was revealed. The IR peak position shifted towards high wavenumber values when the laser energy is increased. Values corresponding to the SiO₂ material (only Si⁴⁺) have been found for laser irradiated samples, independently on the original x value. The phase separation process has a threshold energy that is in agreement with theoretical values calculated for the dissociation energy of the investigated material.For high values of the laser energy, crystalline silicon embedded in oxygen-rich silicon oxide was revealed by Raman spectroscopy.     

Host-guest chemistry of the chromium-wheel complex [Cr8F8(tBuCO2)16]: prediction of inclusion capabilities by using an electrostatic potential distribution determined by modeling synchrotron X-ray structure factors at 16 K

The structure and detailed electron density distribution (EDD) of the large octanuclear chromium-wheel host complex [Cr8F8(tBuCO2)16] (1) has been determined from synchrotron X-ray structure factors collected at 16(5) K. The complex has a central cavity with a minimum entry distance between carbon atoms of the pivalate methyl groups (pivalic acid = tBuCO2H) of 4.027(4) A on one side of the molecule and 7.273(4) A on the other. The screened side of the molecule can be "opened" by rotation of methyl groups to create a strained host structure, which is compensated for by improved host-guest and host-solvent interaction. The EDD of the 272-atom complex (1144 e-) was determined by multipole modeling based on the experimental structure factors. 3d orbital populations on the Cr atoms and topological analysis of the EDD show that the covalent part of the metal-ligand interactions consists mainly of sigma donation from the ligands, but that overall the interactions are predominantly electrostatic. The electrostatic potential (EP) has been calculated from the experimental EDD. Knowledge of the geometry of the naked complex 1 as well as the EP in the central cavity of this molecule allows us to deduce which characteristic properties guest molecules must have to be accepted into the void. To probe these predictions, a series of complexes of 1 with different guest inclusions were synthesized (2 = 1 + N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF), 3 = 1 + N,N'-dimethylacetamide (DMA), 4 = 1 + DMA + DMF, 5 = 1 + 2CH3CN), and their structures were examined by using X-ray diffraction data measured at 120(1) K. Results of these studies indicate that in the crystalline state, the optimal guest molecule should be linear and possess a permanent dipole. Attempts to crystallize the host complex with cations incorporated into the cavity were fruitless, although electrospray ionization mass spectrometry showed that a [1 + potassium]+ entity pre-exists in solution and can be transferred intact into the gas phase.     

Correlation between Small-Angle X-ray Scattering spectra and apparent diffusion coefficients in the study of structure and interaction of sodium taurodeoxycholate micelles

Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements were carried out on aqueous micellar solutions of the ionic biological detergent sodium taurodeoxycholate (NaTDC). Apparent diffusion coefficients (D(app)) and SAXS spectra of NaTDC 0.1 M solutions at different ionic strengths (0.1-0.3 M NaCl) were reported. A comparative analysis of SAXS spectra and D(app) data was performed to infer information on particle structure and interaction potential. Uniform particles with a spherical, an oblate, and a prolate symmetry were used to model the micelles in the data interpretation. A hard-core interaction shell of suitable thickness and a screened Coulomb potential of the electric double layer (EDL potential) were alternatively used to represent the long-range repulsive tail of the interaction potential. The Percus Yevick and the Rescaled Mean Spherical Approximation were applied. To compare the data of the two techniques, for each sample, a D(app) was calculated from the SAXS best-fitting geometrical parameters and interparticle structure factor of the micelles. Hence, a fitting procedure involving both the scattering and D(app) data was performed. The interpretation of SAXS spectra does not allow the discrimination between the oblate and the prolate symmetries of the aggregates. On the other hand, the comparison of calculated and experimental D(app) values indicates that the prolate ellipsoid is better suited to represent the micelle shape. Moreover, the agreement between calculated and experimental D(app) values is sensitively better at the lowest NaCl concentration when the EDL potential is used. A rodlike micellar growth and a progressive screening of the electrostatic interactions is testified by the trends of best-fitting parameters as a function of the added electrolyte.     

Towards a receptor-free immobilization and SERS detection of urinary tract infections causative pathogens

Based on molecular-specific surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy we were able to discriminate between rough and smooth strains of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis bacteria. For this purpose, bacteria have been immobilized through electrostatic forces by inducing a positive charge on the glass slide. This way, SERS spectra on bacterial biomass and also on single bacteria could be recorded in less than 2 h, by using concentrated silver nanoparticles as SERS-active substrate. Single-bacterium SERS spectral fingerprints showed to be sensitive to the presence of the O-antigen at strain level and to the microorganisms growth phase. By using principal component analysis (PCA) on the SERS spectra recorded from E. coli and P. mirabilis, these two uropathogens could be fairly discriminated.     

Three-dimensional molecular mapping of a multiple emulsion by means of CARS microscopy

Multiple emulsions consisting of water droplets dispersed in an oil phase containing emulsifier which is emulsified in an outer water phase (W/O/W) are of great interest in pharmacology for developing new drugs, in the nutrition sciences for designing functional food, and in biology as model systems for cell organelles such as liposomes. In the food industry multiple emulsions with high sugar content in the aqueous phase can be used for the production of sweets, because the high sugar content prevents deterioration. However, for these emulsions the refractive indexes of oil and aqueous phase are very similar. This seriously impedes the analysis of these emulsions, e.g., for process monitoring, because microscopic techniques based on transmission or reflection do not provide sufficient contrast. We have characterized the inner dispersed phase of concentrated W/O/W emulsions with the same refractive index of the three phases by micro Raman spectroscopy and investigated the composition and molecular distribution in water-oil-water emulsions by means of three-dimensional laser scanning CARS (coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering) microscopy. CARS microscopy has been used to study water droplets dispersed in oil droplets at different Raman resonances to visualize different molecular species. Water droplets with a diameter of about 700 nm could clearly be visualized. The advantages of CARS microscopy for studying this particular system are emphasized by comparing this microscopic technique with conventional confocal reflection and transmission microscopies.     

Nitrogen‐Rich Compounds of the Lanthanoids: The 5,5′‐Azobis[1H‐tetrazol‐1‐ides] of some Yttric Earths (Tb,Dy, Ho,Er, Tm,Yb, and Lu)

A set of N‐rich salts, 3 – 9 , of the heavy lanthanoids (terbium, 3 ; dysprosium, 4 ; holmium 5 ; erbium, 6 ; thulium, 7 ; ytterbium, 8 ; lutetium, 9 ) based on the energetic 5,5′‐azobis[1H‐tetrazole] (H₂ZT) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, vibrational (IR and Raman) spectroscopy, and X‐ray structure determination. The synthesis of the lanthanoid salts 3 – 9 was performed by crystallization from concentrated aqueous solutions of disodium 5,5′‐azobis[1H‐tetrazol‐1‐ide] dihydrate (Na₂ZT?2 H₂O; 1 ) and the respective Ln(NO₃)₃?5 H₂O and yielded large rhombic crystals of the type [Ln(H₂O)₈]₂(ZT)₃?6 H₂O in ca. 70% of the theoretical yield. The compounds 3 – 9 are isostructural (triclinic space group P ) to the previously published yttrium salt 2 ; they show, however, a clear lanthanoid contraction of several crystallographic parameters, e.g., the cell volume or the Ln? O bond lengths of the Ln³⁺ ions and the coordinating H₂O molecules. The lanthanoid contraction influences the strengths of the H‐bonds, which can be observed as a red shift by 4 cm^?1 in the characteristic IR band, in particular from 3595 cm^?1 ( 3 ) to 3599 cm^?1 ( 9 ). In good agreement with previous works, 2 – 9 are purely salt‐like compounds without a coordinative bond between the tetrazolide anion and the Ln³⁺ cation.     

Investigation of thermal stability, spectral, magnetic, and antimicrobial behavior for new complexes of Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) with a bismacrocyclic ligand

Novel complexes of type M₂LCl₄·nH₂O (M: Ni, n = 4; M: Cu, n = 2.5 and M: Zn, n = 1.5; L: ligand resulted from 1,3-phenylenediamine, 3,6-diazaoctane-1,8-diamine, and formaldehyde one-pot condensation) were synthesized and characterized. The ligand was also isolated and characterized. The complexes features have been assigned from microanalytical, electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, IR, UV–vis, ¹H NMR, and EPR spectra as well as magnetic data at room temperature. Simultaneous thermogravimetric/dynamic scanning calorimetry/evolved gas analysis measurements were performed to evidence the nature of the gaseous products formed in each step. Processes as water elimination, fragmentation, and oxidative degradation of the organic ligand as well as chloride elimination were observed during the thermal decomposition. The final product of decomposition was metal(II) oxide except for copper complex where CuCl remained also in the oxide network. The complexes exhibited an improved antibacterial activity in comparison with the ligand concerning both planktonic as well as biofilm-embedded cells.