Sol-gel synthesis and photoluminescent properties of LaPO4 : A (A = Eu3+, Ce3+, Tb3+) nanocrystalline thin films

Rare-earth ion (Eu3+, Tb3+, Ce3+)- doped LaPO4 nanocrystalline thin films and their patterning were fabricated by a Pechini sol-gel process combined with soft lithography on silicon and silica glass substrates. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microcopy (SEM), optical microscopy, absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting films. The results of XRD indicate that the films begin to crystallize at 700 degreesC and the crystallinity increases with increasing annealing temperature. The morphology of the thin film depends on the annealing temperature and the number of coating layers. The 1000 degreesC annealed single layer film is transparent to the naked eye, uniform and crack-free with a thickness of about 200 nm and an average grain size of 100 nm. Patterned thin films with different strip widths ( 5 - 50 mm) were obtained by micromolding in capillaries ( soft lithography). The doped rare earth ions show their characteristic emission in the nanocrystalline LaPO4 films, i.e., Eu3+ D-5(0)-F-7(J) (J = 1, 2, 3, 4), Tb3+ D-5(3,4) - F-7(J) ( J = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2) and Ce3+ 5d-4f transition emissions, respectively. Both the lifetimes and the PL intensities of Eu3+ and Tb3+ increase with increasing annealing temperature, and the optimum concentrations for them were determined to be 5 mol% and 16 mol% of La3+ in LaPO4 thin films, respectively. An energy transfer phenomenon from Ce3+ to Tb3+ has been observed in LaPO4 nanocrystalline thin films, and the energy transfer efficiency depends on the doping concentration of Tb3+ if the concentration of Ce3+ is fixed.

The reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ in BaMgSiO4 : Eu prepared in air and the luminescence of BaMgSiO4 : Eu2+ phosphor

The reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ in air has been observed in a silicate matrix for the first time in BaMgSiO4:Eu prepared by high-temperature solid-state reaction. Emission and excitation spectra were employed to detect the presence of Eu2+ ions in the compound and this reduction was explained by a charge compensation model proposed previously. In BaMgSiO4 : Eu2+, Eu2+ ions occupy three different lattice sites by substitution for Ba2+ ions. Eu2+ ions on Ba(1) and Ba(2) sites gave emissions at about 500 nm while that on Ba(3) site showed an emission band at 398 nm. All the emissions of Eu2+ ions in BaMgSiO4 : Eu2+ were not quenched at room temperature.

Lanthanide complex/polymer composite optical resin with intense narrow band emission, high transparency and good mechanical performance

Novel composite resins possessing good luminescent properties have been synthesized through a free radical copolymerization of styrene, alpha-methylacrylic acid and the binary or ternary complexes of lanthanide ions (Eu3+ and Tb3+). These polymer-based composite resins not only possess good transparency and mechanical performance but also exhibit an intense narrow band emission of lanthanide complexes under UV excitation. We characterized the molecular structure, physical and mechanical performance, and luminescent properties of the composite resins. Spectra investigations indicate that alpha-methyl-acrylic acid act as both solubilizer and ligand. Photoluminescence measurements indicate that the lanthanide complexes show superior emission lines and higher intensities in the resin matrix than in the corresponding pure complex powders, which can be attributed to the restriction of molecular motion of complexes by the polymer chain networks and the exclusion of water molecules from the complex. We also found that the luminescence intensity decreased with increasing content of alpha-methylacrylic acid in the copolymer system. The lifetime of the lanthanide complexes also lengthened when they were incorporated in the polymer matrix. In addition, we found that the relationships between emission intensity and Tb (Eu) content exhibit some extent of concentration quenching.

A hydroxyphenyloxadiazole lithium complex as a highly efficient blue emitter and interface material in organic light-emitting diodes

We synthesized a hydroxyphenyloxadiazole lithium complex (LiOXD) as a blue light-emitting and electron injection/transport material to be used in double-layer organic electroluminescent devices. Devices with the concise configuration of ITO/TPD/LiOXD/Al showed bright blue EL emission centered at 468 nm with a maximum luminance of 2900 cd m(-2). A current efficiency of 3.9 cd A(-1) and power efficiency of 1.1 lm W-1 were obtained. LiOXD was also examined as an interface material. The efficiency of an ITO/NPB/Alq(3)/Al device increased considerably when LiOXD was inserted between Alq(3) and aluminium. The improvement of the device characteristics with LiOXD approached that observed with the dielectric LiF salt.

Characterization of organic-inorganic multilayer films by cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray diffraction and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

We have employed several techniques, including cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis spectrometry, small-angle X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, to characterize the formation processes and interfacial features of ultrathin multilayer films of silicotungstate and a cationic redox polymer on cysteamine-coated Au electrodes self-assembled monolayers. All of these techniques confirm that the multilayer films are built up stepwise as well as uniformly in a layer-by-layer fashion. In particular, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is successfully used to monitor the multilayer deposition processes. It has been proved that the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is a very useful technique in characterization of multilayer films because it provides valuable information about the interfacial impedance features.

Synthesis, properties and structural characterization of an intermolecular photosensitive complex: (HGly-Gly)(3)PMo12O40 center dot 4H(2)O

The first heteropoly acid-dipeptide complex, (HGly-Gly)(3)PMo12O40.4H(2)O, was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV, H-1 NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray crystallographic study showed that the crystal structure was constructed from N-H...O and O-H...O hydrogen bonds among the (HGly-Gly)(+), H2O and PMo12O403- units. This structure represents a model interaction between polyoxometalates and proteins. The complex has photosensitivity under irradiation by sunlight. The fluorescent activity of this compound is also reported.

Photoluminescent organic-inorganic composite films layer-by-layer self-assembled from the rare-earth-containing polyoxometalate Na-9[EuW10O36] and poly(allylamine hydrochloride)

Photoluminescent organic-inorganic composite films incorporating the rare-earth-containing polyoxometalate Na-9[EuW10O36] (EW) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) have been prepared by the layer-by-layer self-assembly method. UV-vis spectroscopy and ellipsometry were used to follow the fabrication process of the EW/PAH composite films. The experimental results show that the deposition process is linear and highly reproducible from layer to layer. An average EW/PAH bilayer thickness of ca. 2.1 nm was determined by ellipsometry. In addition, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images of the EW/PAH composite films indicate that the film surface is relatively uniform and smooth. The photoluminescent properties of these films were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Design, synthesis and characterization of novel nitrogen-and sulfur-containing polymers with well-defined conjugated length

A series of novel nitrogen- and sulfur-containing conjugated polymers with well-defined conjugation length have been synthesized via an acid-induced self-polycondensation of functional monomers with methylsulfinyl groups. Synthesized polymers exhibit good solubility in common solvents, such as CHCl3, THF, DMF, DMSO, and NMP. With increased numbers of aminophenyl groups, these polymers have shown similar electrical properties to polyaniline (PAn), and these are demonstrated by UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements on the polymers. The conductivity of preliminarily protonic-doped poly[phenylene sulfide-alt-tetrakis(aniline)] (PPSTEA) is up to 10(-1) S cm(-1).

An organic-inorganic hybrid ultrathin film: preparation and characterization of copper phthalocyanine derivative-ferric oxide nanoparticles

A nanoparticulate ferric oxide-copper tris(2,4-di-tert-amylphenoxy)-8-quinolinolylphthalocyanine hybrid ultrathin film was constructed from alternate layers by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The composition, morphology and structure of the film were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, small-angle X-ray diffraction, visible spectroscopy and polarized UV-Vis spectroscopy. All the above analyses suggest that the thin film is a kind of one-dimensional superlattice, composed of organic and inorganic components. The XPS data reveal that the nanoparticulate ferric oxide exists as an alpha-Fe2O3 phase in the films. Gas-sensing measurements show that the hybrid LB film has very fast response-recovery characteristics towards 2 ppm C2H5OH vapor.

Sol-gel deposition and luminescent properties of oxyapatite Ca-2(Y,Gd)(8)(SiO4)(6)O-2 phosphor films doped with rare earth and lead ions

Rare-earth and lead ions (Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Pb2+) doped Ca2Y8 (SiO4)(6)O-2 and Ca2Gd8(SiO4)(6)O-2 thin films have been dip- coated on silicon and quartz glass substrates through the sol- gel route. X- Ray diffraction (XRD), TG- DTA, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), FT- IR and luminescence excitation and emission spectra as well as luminescence decays were used to characterize the resulting films. The results of XRD reveal that these films remain amorphous below 700 degreesC, begin to crystallize at 800 degreesC and crystallize completely around 1000 degreesC with an oxyapatite structure. The grain structure of the film can be seen clearly from SEM and AFM micrographs, where particles with various shapes and average size of 250 nm can be resolved. Eu3+ and Tb3+ show their characteristic red (D-5(0)-F-7(2)) and green (D-5(4) - F-7(5)) emission in the films with a quenching concentration of 10 and 6 mol% (of Y3+), respectively. The lifetime and emission intensity of Eu3+ increase with the temperature treatment from 700 to 1100 degreesC, while those of Tb3+ show a maximum at 800 degreesC. Energy transfer phenomena have been observed by activating the oxyapatite film host- lattice Ca2Gd8(SiO4)(6)O-2 with Tb3+ (Dy3+). In addition, Pb2+ can sensitize the Gd3+ sublattice in Ca2Gd8(SiO4)(6)O-2.

Cardo polyarylethersulfones and polyaryletherketones bearing alkyl substituents on the phenylene unit

A series of cardo polyaryletherketones and polyaryletersulfones containing alkyl substituents of a different kind, number and volume were synthesized from bis(4-nitrophenyl)ketone or bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone with various alkyl substituted phenolphthaleins by polycondensation using K2CO3 as catalyst. Their chemical and aggregation structures were confirmed by FT-IR, H-1-NMR and WAXD. The resulting polymers were soluble in a variety of common polar solvents and, transparent, colorless, and tough films could be easily cast from 1,1,2-trichluoroethane solution. Their tensile strength, elongation at break and tensile modulis were in the range of 70.5 similar to 97.1MPa, 4.49%similar to7.81%, and 1.69 similar to2.27GPa, respectively. The prepared polymers had reasonably high glass transition temperatures at 207 to 269 degreesC, and showed fairly good thermal stability with 5% thermal decomposition loss above 410 degreesC.

Preparation, characterization and photophysical properties of layered zirconium bis(monohydrogenphosphate) intercalated with rare earth complexes

Two kinds of rare earth (RE) complexes were intercalated into zirconium bis(monohydrogenphosphate) (alpha -ZrP) by exchanging the RE complexes into the p-methyoxyaniline (PMA) preintercalated compound Zr(O3POH)(2). 2PMA (alpha -ZrP . 2PMA). Powder X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that Eu(DBM)(3)phen (DBM: dibenzoylmethane, phen: 1,10-phenanthroline) and Tb(AA)(3)phen (AA: acetylacetone) intercalated into alpha -ZrP . 2PMA. This was confirmed by the UV-visible spectra of both the RE complexes and the assemblies. At the same time, the assemblies have better luminescent properties, and the fluorescent lifetimes of RE3+ in the excited state in the assemblies are much longer than those in the complexes. The stabilities of the assemblies under UV radiation are much better than those of the RE complexes.

High-pressure and-temperature synthesis and characterization of mixed valence perovskite oxides LaTi1-xMgxO3

Perovskite oxides LaTi1-xMgxO3 (x = 0.25, 0.5) were synthesized using high-pressure and-temperature method. LaTi0.75Mg0.25O3 is a new compound. This new synthesis route has some advantages. XRD analysis showed that the x = 0.25 sample belongs to cubic perovskite-type structure and the a = 0.5 sample belongs to orthorhombic perovskite-type structure. EPR measurement indicated that Ti ions were in mixed valence state of +3 and +4. IR measurement indicated that the vibration frequency and width of BO6 octahedron stretching vibration absorption band decreases with the increasing of x. The valence state of Ti ions can be altered by high-pressure and-temperature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Preparation and luminescence properties of lanthanide complexes and their silica-based composites

Binary complexes of europium and terbium with N-propyl-4-carboxyphthalimide (NP) were prepared and characterized. The luminescence behaviors of the lanthanide complexes as well as their doped silica-based composites were investigated by fluorescence spectra. The results indicated that the lanthanide complexes showed fewer emission lines and slightly lower intensities in silica matrix than that of corresponding pure complexes. The lifetimes of the lanthanide complexes became longer when they were incorporated in silica matrix. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Soluble and colorless polyimides from alicyclic diamines

A series of novel polyimides was synthesized from alicyclic diamines and various aromatic dianhydrides by one-step polymerization in m-cresol without a catalyst. The polymerization was conducted for 4 hours with refluxing, which was enough to obtain the polymers with high molecular weight. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polyimides were in the range of 0.30 similar to 1.29 dL/g. The prepared polyimides showed excellent thermal stabilities and good solubility. All the polymers were readily soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, tetrachloroethane (TCE), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), etc and the glass transition temperatures were observed at 199 to 311 degrees C. UV-visible spectra were obtained to measure the transparency of polymer films. All the polymers showed high transmission above 90% in the wavelength of 400 similar to 700 nm.