Kinetics of luminescence of CsI single crystals scavenged by Y3+

CsI single crystals were grown from the melt scavenged by Y³⁺ (YCl₃) addition in 6.7·10⁻⁴–6.7·10⁻³ mol·kg⁻¹ range. The addition of the scavenger amounts comparable with the total concentration of the oxygen‐containing admixtures in molten CsI results in complete destruction of the latter. Because of this, the intensity of the band with a maximum at 2.8 eV in radioluminescence spectra caused by the oxygen‐containing admixtures (anion vacancies) considerably decreases, and the fraction of the slow 2μs‐component corresponding to these admixtures becomes lower than 0.01 (0.007). The addition of larger quantities of YCl₃ leads to the appearance of a wide band with a maximum at 2.8 eV caused by cation vacancies, and the intensity of the slow 2μs‐component increases to 0.02. The maximum ratio of two faster components with the decay constants equal to 7 and 30 ns reaches 0.65:0.33 at Y³⁺ concentration in CsI melt equal to 6.7·10^‐3 mol·kg^‐1, the effective luminescence time of fastest components is ca 14 ns. The dependence of the ‘Fast/Total ratio’ on Y³⁺ concentration passes through its maximum (0.81) corresponding to the equivalence of Y³⁺ and O²⁻ concentrations in the growth CsI melt.     

Optical and structural properties of lead iodide thin films prepared by vacuum evaporation method

Thermally processed lead iodide (PbI₂) thin films were prepared by the vacuum evaporation method in a constant ambient. Measured thickness of the film was verified analytically from the optical transmittance data in a wavelength range between 300 and 1600 nm. From the Tauc relation for the non‐direct inter band transition, the optical band gap of the film was found to be 2.58 eV for film thickness 300 nm. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed that PbI₂ films are polycrystalline, having hexagonal structure. The low fluctuation in Urbach energy indicates that the grain size is quite small. The present findings are in agreement with the other results. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A Dihomooxacalix[4]arene-gold nanohybrid based colorimetric sensor for sensitive and selective detection of iodide

Bidentate ureido-dihomooxacalix[4]arene based supramolecular hosts (n-propyl 1 and tert-butyl 2) were processed into organic nanoparticles via a bottom up approach in which a single step of re-precipitation was employed. These organic nanoparticles were then coupled with gold nanoparticles on the surface, resulting in an organic – inorganic hybrid framework (n-propyl H1 and tert-butyl H2). Photophysical studies of the organic nanoparticles and of the hybrid material were performed. The size and morphology were determined by TEM and DLS analysis. Moreover, the prepared hybrid frameworks were screened against various anions using UV-Visible absorption and fluorescence spectrophotometry. H1 exhibited ratiometric response towards iodide ion in aqueous medium, and colour change of the solution from pink to light blue was observed. This hybrid material selectively and sensitively detected iodide ion with detection limit of 8.3 nM and with almost no interference from other anions. H1 sensor ability was also tested with artificial and real urine samples. H2 showed different responses and no selectivity to any anion.     

Enhanced Property of Thin Cuprous Oxide Film Prepared through Green Synthetic Route

Thin cuprous oxide films have been prepared by chemical vapor deposition (pulsed spray evaporation-chemical vapor deposition) method without post-treatment. The synthesis ofcuprous oxide was produced by applying a water strategy effect. Then, the effect of water on the morphology, topology, structure, optical properties and surface composition of the obtained films has been comprehensively investigated. The results reveal that a pure phase of Cu₂O was obtained. The introduction of a small quantity of water in the liquid feedstock lowers the band gap energy from 2.16 eV to 2.04 eV. This finding was mainly related to the decrease of crystallite size due to the effect of water. The topology analyses, by using atomic force microscope, also revealed that surface roughness decreases with water addition, namely more uniform covered surface. Moreover, theoretical calculations based on density functional theory method were performed to understand the adsorption and reaction behaviors of water and ethanol on the Cu₂O thin film surface. Formation mechanism of the Cu₂O thin film was also suggested and discussed.     

Radioluminescence and thermoluminescence properties of X-ray-irradiated pure CsI

The 25–280 K radioluminescence (RL) and thermoluminescence (TL) spectra in a nominally pure CsI have been studied. Strong emissions at 250–400 nm consist of two bands at 305 and 340 nm associated with the V_K+e and H+F-type self-trapped excitons (STEs), respectively. There are some weak extrinsic signals in RL. The temperature dependence and the response of the two main bands to the X-ray tube voltage have been studied. It has been found that the dominant TL signals are associated with contamination of the sample, though the trapping levels are still characterised by the host lattice. A temperature shift between the intrinsic and extrinsic TL peaks has been observed in the thermal emissions at 55 and 82 K.     

Synergistic effects on iodine release in potassium iodide solution by combination of ultrasound and visible light irradiations

Iodine release in potassium iodide solution has been investigated under the irradiations of ultrasound and visible light respectively and simultaneously. We have observed that the amount of iodine liberated under the combined irradiation of ultrasound and visible light is larger than the sum of that under the respective irradiations of ultrasound and visible light, indicating a synergistic effect of ultrasound and visible light irradiations. Based on the investigation of the reaction kinetics of iodine liberated, we have ascribed the synergistic effect to the perfect stirring of the photochemical reactor induced by the applying simultaneous ultrasound. The ideal stirring can result in the homogenization of the primary light effect in the whole reaction medium, which induces the acceleration of the photochemical reaction. On behavior of our knowledge, there are few reports on the investigations of utilizing the combination of ultrasonic energy and light energy to accelerate the reaction yield and rate as well as the kinetics of the reaction.     

两种烷基碘化物分子C—I键解离的从头计算

分别采用多组态自洽场方法和二阶多组态准简并微扰论方法,计算了烷基碘化物分子CF₃I和C₂H₂F₃I沿C—I键的绝热势能曲线和垂直激发能. 结果发现,这两种分子的低激发态均为排斥态;基态的解离能分别为2.473eV和2.835eV,其中前者与实验结果符合较好. 关键词： 烷基碘化物分子 解离能 势能曲线     

Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of Cu2HgI4 nanostructures photocatalyst with enhanced visible light photocatalytic ability

These days, an important concern in water contamination is the remaining dyes from various sources (for instance, dye and dye intermediates industries, pulp and paper industries, textile industries, craft bleaching industries, tannery, and pharmaceutical industries, etc.), and a broad range of persistent organic contamination has been entered to the wastewater treatment systems or natural water supplies. Indeed, it is extremely hazardous and toxic to the living organism. Therefore, it is necessary to remove these organic pollutants before releasing them into the environment. Photocatalysis is a quickly growing technology for sewage procedures. For this purpose, Cu₂HgI₄ nanostructures were prepared via facile, and cost-effective sonochemical method. The effect of varied circumstances, such as various surfactants, sonication power, and sonication time was considered on the crystallinity, structure, shape, and particle size of products. Cu₂HgI₄ possesses a suitable bandgap (2.2 eV) in the visible area. The photocatalytic performance of the Cu₂HgI₄ was surveyed for the elimination of various organic dyes under visible radiation and exposed that this compound could degrade and remove methyl orange about 94.2% in an acidic medium after 160 min under visible light. Besides, the result showed that various parameters, including, pH, dye concentration, types of dyes, catalyst dosages, and time of irradiation affected the photocatalytic efficiency.     

Reduction of N,N‐Dimethylcarboxamides to Aldehydes by Sodium Hydride–Iodide Composite

A new and concise protocol for selective reduction of N,N‐dimethylamides into aldehydes was established using sodium hydride (NaH) in the presence of sodium iodide (NaI) under mild reaction conditions. The present protocol with the NaH‐NaI composite allows for reduction of not only aromatic and heteroaromatic but also aliphatic N,N‐dimethylamides with wide substituent compatibility. Retention of α‐chirality in the reduction of α‐enantioriched amides was accomplished. Use of sodium deuteride (NaD) offers a new step‐economical alternative to prepare deuterated aldehydes with high deuterium incorporation rate. The NaH‐NaI composite exhibits unique chemoselectivity for reduction of N,N‐dimethylamides over ketones.     

The synthesis and crystal structure of a new coordination polymeric adduct containing mercury iodide

A new organic-inorganic hybrid adduct, [HgI₂(dps)] _n (dps=4,4′-dipyridylsulfide), has been synthesized by the reaction of HgI₂ with dps in THF at room temperature. The structure characterization was performed by means of IR, elemental analyses and single crystal X-ray analysis. It crystallizes in space group P2(1)/c with a=5.5522(1) ?, b=12.127(2) ?, c=21.508(4) ?, β=91.84(3)°. The structure consists of distorted tetrahedral Hg(II) centers bridged by dps ligands to form one-dimensional linear chains with C–H···I interaction. Comparison of transition metal assemblies with dps showed that the dimensionality and structure of self-assembled supramolecule depend on the coordination preferences of metal ions, the geometry, bulk, and rigidity of ligands, the number and size of anions, and the supramolecular weak interactions.Supplementary material Crystallographic data for the structure reported in this article has been deposited in the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center, CCDC No. 285579 for compound 1. The information may be obtained free of charge from the Director, CCDC, 12 Union Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EZ, UK (fax: +44-1223-336033; e-mail: deposit@ccdc.cam.ac.uk or http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk).