Synthesis and Characterization of Lead Sulfide Nanoparticles in Zirconia-Silica-Urethane Thin Films Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process

PbS nanocrystals (NCs) ranging between 4–8 nm were incorporated into Zirconium-Silica-Urethane (ZSUR) matrix obtained by the sol-gel method. The sizes of the particles were controlled by temperature treatment and by concentration of PbS in ZSUR matrix. The sizes of PbS NCs were determined by TEM measurements. The quantum size effect could also be extracted from optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra. The new matrix allows incorporation of up to 40% PbS forming a characteristic structure of dendrite by reacting lead acetate with ammonium thiocyanate in sol-gel matrix. The sol precursors of the matrix for Zirconium-Silica-Urethane contained zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) matrix solution, tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), 3-glycid oxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GLYMO) and polyethylene urethane silane (PEUS) synthesized separately. The ZrO₂ matrix solution was obtained from zirconium n-tetrapropoxide in propanol and acetic acid was used as a chelating agent to stabilize the zirconium oxide precursor.     

Optical characteristics and intensity parameters of Sm3+ in GeO2, ternary germanate,and borate glasses

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of Sm3+ were measured in GeO₂, ternary germanate, and borate glasses. From these the intensity parameters were calculated by use of the Judd-Ofelt formula.Visible emission and decay times from the⁴G_5/2 level and its relative quantum efficiencies were measured The quantum efficiencies (QE) of the fluorescence in ternary germanate was higher by a factor of 20 than in GeO₂, The small QE in GeO₂, is explained by cross-relaxation between neighboring Sm³⁺ ions. The later process in hindered by the change in glass structure in the presence of modifier ions. A similar effect is observed in other glasses such as borate, where the addition of modifiers increases the QE of fluorescence.     

Energy transfer from UO22+ to Sm3+ in phosphate glass

Energy transfer from UO₂²⁺ to Sm³⁺ is described. The transfer efficiencies are calculated from the decrease of donor luminescence and lifetimes and from the increase of the acceptor fluorescence. It is shown that the transfer is nonradiative. The energy transfer efficiencies are greater when the donor is excited at higher energy levels due to stronger overlap between electronic levels of donor UO₂²⁺ and acceptor Sm³⁺. From the comparison of energy transfer efficiencies from UO₂²⁺ to Sm³⁺ and Eu³⁺ it is deduced that the overlap between excitation levels of donor and acceptor is a sufficient condition for the transfer.     

Energy transfer between Bi3+ and Nd3+ in germanate glass

Energy transfer from Bi³⁺ to Nd³⁺ is reported in germanate glass. It was found that the excitation range and intensities of the ⁴F_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} → ⁴I_{$\text{9}\text{2}$}, ⁴I_{$\text{11}\text{2}$} emissions are increased several fold when excited through ¹S₀ → ³P₁ absorption of Bi³⁺. It is shown that the energy transfer is nonradiative. The energy transfer probability and efficiency were calculated from the Bi³⁺ fluorescence decay rates and intensities. The Bi³⁺ → Nd³⁺ energy transfer may be utilized in Nd³⁺ glass laser.     

Energy transfer between Tm3+ and Er3+ in borate and phosphate glasses

A study of the energy transfer process between thulium and erbium is presented. From our measurements of fluorescence emissions and decay times the energy transfer efficiencies and probabilities were calculated. In this work the energy transfer which occurs between the upper levels in the UV and VIS regions of the two ions was especially studied. In the Tm-Er system, a mutual migration of energy occurs. The energy transfer from thulium to erbium is a multichannel process in which the energy is transferred from all the metastable levels of thulium to the matching energy levels of erbium. In addition, backtransfer of energy from erbium to thulium occurs by crossrelaxation of respective erbium transitions. The efficiency of energy transfer from thulium to erbium is independent of the levels between which the transfer occurs, but is dependent on the matrix. It is concluded that the energy is transferred via the phonons of the host glass.     

The microdetermination of chloride,sulphate, phosphate and nitrite by reflectance spectrometry

Quantitative spot tests with a reflectance spectrometer have been developed for chloride (10–320 p.p.m.), sulphate (10–120 p.p.m.), phosphate (2–30 and 10–180 p.p.m.) and nitrite (1–35 and 10–100 p.p.m.). There are few interferences with these tests, and their effects can be overcome by standard techniques except for the interference from phosphate when it is present in the sulphate test, in large concentrations.     

Nd3+ and Yb3+ germanate and tellurite glasses for fluorescent solar energy collectors

The features of fluorescent glass solar collectors are discussed. Combination of Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ in high refractive index glasses is suggested as concentration material. Energy absorbed by Nd³⁺ is transferred with high efficiency to Yb³⁺ emitting at 970 nm. The self-absorption of Nd³⁺ is eliminated and long-wavelength emission at 1.06 μm decreased as a result of energy transfer.     

Absorption and fluorescence of Ho3+ IN La2S3·3Ga2S3

Absorption bands of Ho³⁺ in vitreous La₂S₃·3Ga₂S₃ in the range 500 to 2000 nm were assigned. Excitation spectra reveal additional levels ⁵G₆ and ⁵F₃ obscured by the intrinsic absorption of the glass. The Ho³⁺ emission in chalcogenide glasses is more intense than in oxide glasses due to smaller non radiative relaxation as predicted by the theory of multiphonon relaxation.     

Luminescence and nonradiative relaxation of Pb2+, Sn2+, Sb3+, and Bi3+ in oxide glasses

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of Sn²⁺ and Sb³⁺ in borax, phosphate, and germanate glasses were measured in the temperature range 87–295°K. Fluorescence decay times of these ions in borax glass at 87°K was a single exponent with τ ≈ 6–11 μsec. At 293°K, two decay times were resolved in the range of 50–2000 nsec. The nonexponential behavior is interpreted by the repopulation of the ³P₁ level from the ³P₀ level. The temperature dependence of fluorescence and the low values of quantum efficiencies of fluorescence are explained by means of the configurational coordinate diagram model.