Temperature-dependent segregation of Pr3+ impurity ions in Y2SiO5:Pr3+ and YPO4:Pr3+ nanocrystals

Stationary and time-resolved spectroscopic methods are used to show that the impurity ions in Y₂SiO₅:Pr³⁺ and YPO₄:Pr³⁺ nanocrystals are distributed nonuniformly. This nonuniform distribution is found to be caused by the temperature-dependent segregation of Pr³⁺ ions near the surface of a nanocrystal. The motion of the activator ions from the bulk of a nanocrystal to the near-surface layer is traced when the activator concentration and the heat-treatment parameters are varied over wide ranges, and the main parameters of this effect (impurity redistribution intensity and time, diffusion coefficient) are estimated.     

Microporous and mesoporous carbon nanostructures with the inverse opal lattice

The conditions for porous structure formation in carbon nanostructures with the inverse opal lattice have been studied. The characteristics of the porous structure have been determined by means of the gas adsorption-desorption. The morphology and structure of samples have been examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.     

On Reasons for Anomalies of Properties in a Series of Mixed K2CoxNi1–x(SO4)2 · 6H2O Crystals

The microhardness and thermal stability of mixed K₂Co_xNi_1–x(SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O crystals have been studied for the {110} and {001} growth sectors. Maxima of the onset temperature of dehydration have been found at x ≈ 0.1 and x ≈ 0.9. The structure of the {110} and {001} growth sectors has been studied. The observed changes in the properties have been attributed to the degree of imperfection of crystals depending on their sectoral inhomogeneity.

     

Synthesis of α -SiC nanocrystals by carbothermal reduction of spherical nanoparticles of amorphous silicon dioxide

The method for carbothermal reduction of spherical particles of amorphous silicon dioxide is developed, and hexagonal α-SiC polytype nanocrystals are synthesized. The prepared samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The silicon carbide nanocrystals prepared have sizes in the range 5–50 nm depending on the diameter of initial silicon dioxide particles. A detailed analysis of the positions of the lines in the Raman spectra, their broadening, and shift makes it possible to reliably establish that the samples under investigation predominantly contain the 6H and 4H silicon carbide polytypes and insignificant amounts of the 2H and 3C phases. The 15R and 21R polytypes in the samples are absent. It is noted that the samples are characterized by a substantial size effect: the luminescence intensity of small silicon carbide nanocrystals is more than three times higher than that of large SiC nanocrystals.     

Magnetization Distribution in Particles with Configuration Anisotropy,Prepared via Microsphere Lithography

Technical Physics - The arrays of permalloy particles with shape anisotropy, prepared via microsphere lithography, have been characterized using atomic force microscopy and magnetic force...     

Porous structure of synthetic opals

Some adsorption, structural, and annihilation characteristics of synthetic opals are measured. An analysis of these characteristics makes it possible to conclude that the total porosity in opals comprises macropores, which are in essence the voids between structure-forming spheres, and nanopores connected to the substructure of the spheres. The systems of macropores and nanopores are separated by narrow channels that collapse upon the thermal treatment of opals. The sizes of primary a-SiO₂ particles and nanopores, which correspond to the voids between these particles, are estimated.