Reasons for the line broadening in the epr spectra of copper ions in Li2-2x Zn2+x (MoO4)3 lithium-zinc molybdate crystals

An EPR study of Li_2?2x Zn_2+x (MoO₄)₃ crystals activated by copper ions shows that they occupy the M2 site, one of the three possible sites of both lithium and zinc. In the EPR spectra of Cu²⁺ copper a broadening of HFS lines and a nonequidistant splitting between them, which are unusual for the orientation H‖g _zz , A _zz , are observed. In this work possible reasons for such a broadening of HFS lines from copper ions are analyzed: a distortion of the oxygen octahedron due to the introduction of copper ions, second order perturbation theory corrections, superposition of HFS from ⁶³Cu and ⁶⁵Cu isotopes, and the effect of the charge redistribution in the oxygen octahedron because the cation vacancy providing charge compensation can be located at different distances from the copper ion. It is shown that the first three reasons do not explain the features observed in the EPR spectra. In the case of cation vacancies located in the M3 site and remote at different distances from the copper ion, the charge redistribution in the oxygen octahedron of copper should occur along with the dispersion of HFS parameters and the g-factor. The studies performed in X and Q bands confirm this assumption. The width of HFS lines from copper ions in the EPR spectra measured in the Q band is three times more compared to that measured in the X band.     

Cyanide Complexes Based on {Mo6I8}4+ and {W6I8}4+ Cluster Cores

Compounds based on new cyanide cluster anions [{Mo₆I₈}(CN)₆]^2–, trans-[{Mo₆I₈}(CN)₄(MeO)₂]^2– and trans-[{W₆I₈}(CN)₂(MeO)₄]²⁻ were synthesized using mechanochemical or solvothermal synthesis. The crystal and electronic structures as well as spectroscopic properties of the anions were investigated. It was found that the new compounds exhibit red luminescence upon excitation by UV light in the solid state and solutions, as other cluster complexes based on {Mo₆I₈}⁴⁺ and {W₆I₈}⁴⁺ cores do. The compounds can be recrystallized from aqueous methanol solutions; besides this, it was shown using NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy that anions did not undergo hydrolysis in the solutions for a long time. These facts indicate that hydrolytic stabilization of {Mo₆I₈} and {W₆I₈} cluster cores can be achieved by coordination of cyanide ligands.     

Impurity and radiation defects in LiB<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> crystals. The nature of centers in LiB<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> crystals,which are responsible for coloration during the long-term operation of optical elements

An attempt is made to explain the causes of coloration of LiB₃O₅ crystals after their long-term operation as laser elements. By EPR and optical spectroscopy the impurity and radiation centers are studied in as-grown LiB₃O₅ crystals and in the crystals whose color appeared after the long-term operation as laser elements. In a number of as-grown crystals a copper impurity is detected. EPR spectral parameters and the structural positions of Cu²⁺ ions are found. Defect formation features in electron irradiated as-grown LiB₃O₅ crystals and in the most colored regions of crystals of spent laser elements are analyzed. It is shown that in both growth crystals and crystals after long-term operation as laser elements the same set of radiation defects is observed: oxygen O^– in the interstitial position, an O^– hole center in the crystal structure, and the B²⁺ electron center due to the removal of an oxygen atom near the lithium vacancy. The only distinction is that the concentration of these radiation defects in crystals long used as laser elements is higher than that in growth ones by an order of magnitude. The results obtained enable the conclusion that the cause of coloration of LiB₃O₅ crystals is photo-induced diffusion of lithium atoms and their capture by cation vacancies in the dark part of the crystal, which provides the formation and accumulation of lithium vacancies in the region where the laser beam passes.     

Influence of the temperature and cation nature on the EPR spectra of salts with the [Ni<Superscript>III</Superscript>(η<Superscript>5</Superscript>-1,2-B<Subscript>9</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>11</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]- anion

The influence of specific features of the structure and nature of the cations (Ph₄P⁺, H(Phen)⁺, Cs⁺, and (CH₃)₄N⁺) on the ERP spectra of the nickel ions in salts with the dicarbollylnickelate anion [Ni(B₉C₂H₁₁)₂]⁻ is studied. It is shown that the change in the cation type in these compounds results in the electron density redistribution, which affects the change in the main and average values of the g factor. The g _av value increases over that observed in frozen solutions upon the localization of the positive charge of the cation on one atom and in the absence of the screening effect of the solvent and large functional groups of the cation. The exception is the compound (Ph₄P⁺)NiCb₂⁻ (Cb is B₉C₂H₁₁) with solvated CCl₄ molecules. For all compounds studied, the temperature dependence of the linewidths in the EPR spectra is described by the equation ΔH = αT + βT⁷ with different α and β values and is defined by the temperature dependence of the relaxation process caused by the Raman interaction.     

Structure and properties of Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals activated with copper and chromium ions

Based on the corrected phase diagrams proper growth conditions for Li2Zn2(MoO₄)₃ crystals are selected. Large crystals (up to 100 mm), both impurity-free and activated by transition metal ions (Cu, Cr), are grown by the low-gradient Czochralski method. By the EPR method the charge state and structural position of copper and chromium ions are determined. The performed studies of luminescent properties show that for impurity-free crystals luminescence with λ = 388 nm with a two-exponential luminescence decay with τ₁ = 2 ns and τ₂ = 6 ns is observed at room temperature. At 77 K for both impurity-free crystals and those activated with transition metal ions luminescence with λ = 560 nm and the luminescence lifetime τ = 100 ns is observed, the intensity of luminescence with λ = 560 nm depending on the nature and concentration of transition metal ions. Cation vacancies responsible for the charge compensation of impurity transition metal ions are assumed to be also responsible for low-temperature luminescence.     

ESR and luminescence of ZnWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals activated by gadolinium ions

The crystals of zinc tungstate (ZTO) are a radiation-hardened matrix and are widely used as scintillators for high energy radiation. Therefore, it is interesting to study the possibility of introducing gadolinium ions into this structure to obtain the lasing properties. In order to activate ZTO crystals by gadolinium ions, 0.5 mol.% of Gd₂O₃ is added to the load. High-quality large crystals of ZTO are produced. The spectra of optical transmission, luminescence excitation, and luminescence are measured at room temperature. It is shown that the introduction of gadolinium ions does not result in a shift of the main luminescence band of the ZTO crystals. The analysis of the ESR spectra and their modeling enables the calculation of spin-Hamiltonian parameters. It is shown that the observed spectrum depends on the state of Gd³⁺ ions with S = 7/2 and is well described by the spin-Hamiltonian parameters g _x = 1.9835, g _y = 1.9685, g _z = 1.9688 and D = 644.88 Gs, E = 161.49 Gs. Directions of the principal values of the D tensor are determined; they reflect a strong distortion of the nearest-neighbor oxygen environment.     

A Zn(II)-Based Sql Type 2D Coordination Polymer as a Highly Sensitive and Selective Turn-On Fluorescent Probe for Al3+

A luminescent coordination polymer with the overall formula {[Zn(tr₂btd)(bpdc)]∙DMF}_n (where tr₂btd = 4,7-di(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole; bpdc = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate) was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. Luminescent properties of the obtained compound were studied in detail both in the solid state and as a suspension in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA). It was found that {[Zn(tr₂btd)(bpdc)]∙DMF}_n exhibits bright turquoise luminescence with excellent quantum efficiency and demonstrates turn-on fluorescence enhancement effect upon soaking in DMA Al³⁺ solution. Fluorescence titration experiments were carried out and the detection limit for Al³⁺ ions was calculated to be 120 nM, which is among the lowest reported values for similar materials. Moreover, compound demonstrated excellent selectivity and reusability, and the mechanism of the response is discussed. These results indicate that {[Zn(tr₂btd)(bpdc)]∙DMF}_n is a promising probe for sensitive fluorescent Al³⁺ detection.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Luminescence of Cadmium(II) and Silver(I) Coordination Polymers Based on 1,3-Bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)adamantane

Coordination polymers with a new rigid ligand 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)adamantane (L) were prepared by its reaction with cadmium(II) or silver(I) nitrates. Crystal structure of the coordination polymers was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Silver formed two-dimensional coordination polymer [Ag(L)NO₃]_n, in which metal ions are linked by 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)adamantane ligands, coordinated by nitrogen atoms at positions 2 and 4 of 1,2,4-triazole rings. Layers of the coordination polymer consist of rare 18- and 30-membered {Ag₂L₂} and {Ag₄L₄} metallocycles. Cadmium(II) nitrate formed two kinds of one-dimensional coordination polymers depending on the metal-to-ligand ratio used in the synthesis. Coordination polymer [Cd(L)₂(NO₃)₂]_n was obtained in case of a 1:2 M:L ratio, while for M:L = 2:1 product {[Cd(L)(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)]·0.5CH₃OH}_n was isolated. All coordination polymers demonstrated ligand-centered emission near 450 nm upon excitation at 370 nm.     

Size effects in photoexcitation of triplet states of ammonium tetraphenylborate

This paper reports on the results of complex investigations of photoexcited states of ammonium tetraphenylborate, which are characterized by self-sensitized luminescence. It has been established that the excitation by UV light at 77 K leads to the formation of stable triplet states due to the capture of electrons on electron traps. The EPR and luminescence excitation spectra exhibit the formation of a set of triplet states with different distances between electrons and holes. The performed investigations give grounds to affirm that, in bulk samples, cations in the structure of ammonium tetraphenylborate are electron traps. When the size of the ammonium tetraphenylborate sample is changed to 6 and 3 nm, the capture of excited electrons on sorbed oxygen molecules becomes dominant. In this case, the appearance of the spectrum of O₂⁻ anion radicals has been detected by the EPR method. The proposed interpretation of the observed effects has been confirmed by the thermoluminescence data on the recombination of electron-hole pairs, which correlate with a change in the intensity of the EPR spectra during annealing.     

Triplet exciton states in ammonium tetraphenylborate crystals

In the study of spontaneous exciting luminescence of polycrystalline BPh₄NH₄ structures, it was shown that observed luminescence is caused by triplet exciton states which are stable at low temperatures under dark conditions. Triplet excitons are formed when an electron is transferred from the anionic part of complexes to cations of neighboring complexes. The ATPB crystal structure makes it possible to switch ∼2% of complexes from states with S = 0 to the state with S = 1, i.e., to provide high density of data recording. Information is read when luminescence is excited and is erased when a structure is heated to room temperatures. Switching of ATPB states from S = 0 to S = 1 by light should be of interest for spintronics.