Facile Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Highly Uniform MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Dy, and Sm) Composite Microspheres

Uniform MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Dy, and Sm) composite microspheres have been prepared via a simple and economical wet-chemical route at ambient pressure and low temperature. Monodisperse micrometer-sized melamine formaldehyde (MF) colloidal particles were first fabricated by a condensation process of melamine with formaldehyde. Subsequently, well-dispersed YVO4 nanoparticles were successfully grown onto the MF microspheres to form core-shell structured composite particles in aqueous Solution. The as-obtained composite microspheres with perfect spherical shape are uniform in size and distribution, and the thickness and roughness of the YVO4 shells on MF cores could be tuned by varying the reaction temperature. The MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) composite phosphors show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as light phosphor powders and advanced flat panel displays.

Facile synthesis of platinum nanoelectrocatalyst with urchinlike morphology

A very simple and effective wet chemical route to direct synthesis of well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles with urchinlike morphology is proposed, which was carried out by simply mixing H2PtCl6 aqueous solution and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) with the initial molar ratios of 1:3.5 kept constant at 30 degrees C for 3 days in the presence of formic acid. As-prepared urchinlike Pt nanostructures showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of dioxygen and oxidation of methanol and could be used as a promising nanoelectrocatalyst.

A facile synthesis and characterization of monodisperse spherical pigment particles with a core/shell structnre

In this paper, a facile sol-gel process for producing monodisperse, spherical, and nonaggregated pigment particles with a core/shell structure is reported. Spherical silica particles (245 and 385 nm in diameter) and Cr2O3, alpha-Fe2O3, ZnCo2O4, CuFeCrO4, MgFe2O4, and CoAl2O4 pigments are selected as cores and shells, respectively. The obtained core/shell-structured pigment samples, denoted as SiO2@Cr2O3 (green), SiO2@alpha-Fe2O3 (red), SiO2@MgFe2O4 (brown), SiO2@ZnCo2O4 (dark green), SiO2@CoAl2O4 (blue), and SiO2@CuFeCrO4 (black), are well characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-vis diffuse reflection, as well as by investigating the magnetic properties. The results of XRD and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) demonstrate that the pigment shells crystallize well on the surface Of SiO2 Particles. The thickness of the pigment shell can be tuned by the number of coatings, to some extent. These pigment particles can be well dispersed in some solvents (such as glycol) to form relatively more stable suspensions than the commercial products.

Remarkable changes in the optical properties of CeO2 nanocrystals induced by lanthanide ions doping

Highly uniform and well-dispersed CeO2 and CeO2:Eu3+ (Sm3+, Tb3+) nanocrystals were prepared by a nonhydrolytic solution route and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), UV/vis absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, respectively. The result of XRD indicates that the CeO2 nanocrystals are well crystallized with a cubic structure. The TEM images illustrate that the average size of CeO2 nanocrystals is about 3.5 nm in diameter. The absorption spectrum of CeO2:Eu3+ nanocrystals exhibits red-shifting with respect to that of the undoped CeO2 nanocrystals. Under the excitation of 440 nm (or 426 nm) light, the colloidal solution of the undoped CeO2 nanocrystals shows a very weak emission band with a maximum at 501 nm, which is remarkably enhanced by doping additional lanthanide ions (Eu3+, Tb3+, Sm3+) in the CeO2 nanocrystals. The emission band is not due to the characteristic emission of the lanthanide ions but might arise from the oxygen vacancy which is introduced in the fluorite lattice of the CeO2 nanocrystals to compensate the effective negative charge associated with the trivalent ions.

Synthesis and characterization of high-quality ZnS, ZnS : Mn2+, and ZnS : Mn2+/ZnS (core/shell) luminescent nanocrystals

High-quality ZnS, ZnS:Mn2+, and ZnS:Mn2+/ZnS (core/shell) nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized via a high-boiling solvent process and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The monodisperse ZnS NCs (size = 8 nm), which self-assembled into several micrometer-sized domains, were achieved by adopting poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in the reaction process (without using a size-selection process). The obtained ZnS:Mn2+ and ZnS:Mn2+/ZnS core/shell NCs are highly crystalline and quasimonodisperse with an average particle size of 6.1 and 8.4 nm, respectively. All of the as-formed NCs can be well dispersed in hexane to form stable and clear colloidal solutions, which show strong visible emission (blue for ZnS and red-orange for ZnS:Mn2+ and ZnS:Mn2+/ZnS) under UV excitation. The growth of a ZnS shell on ZnS:Mn2+ NCs, that is, the formation of ZnS:Mn2+/ZnS core/shell NCs, resulted in a 30% enhancement in the PL intensity with respect to that of bare ZnS:Mn2+ NCs due to the elimination of the surface defects.

Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse spherical core-shell structured SiO2@Y3Al5O12 : Ce3+/Tb3+ phosphors for field emission displays

Nanocrystalline Y3Al5O12: Ce3+/Tb3+ ( average crystalline size 30 nm) phosphor layers were coated on non-aggregated, monodisperse and spherical SiO2 particles by the sol-gel method, resulting in the formation of core-shell structured SiO2@Y3Al5O12:Ce3+/Tb3+ particles. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, cathodoluminescence spectra, as well as lifetimes were utilized to characterize the core-shell structured SiO2@Y3Al5O12: Ce3+/Tb3+ phosphor particles. The obtained core-shell structured phosphors consist of well-dispersed submicron spherical particles with a narrow size distribution. The thickness of the Y3Al5O12:Ce3+/Tb3+ shells on the SiO2 cores ( average size about 500 nm, crystalline size about 30 nm) could be easily tailored by varying the number of deposition cycles (100 nm for four deposition cycles). Under the excitation of ultraviolet and low-voltage electron beams (1-3 kV), the core-shell SiO2@Y3Al5O12:Ce3+/ Tb3+ particles show strong yellow-green and green emission corresponding to the 5d-4f emission of Ce3+ and D-5(4)-F-7(J) ( J = 6, 5, 4, 3) emission of Tb3+, respectively.

Preparation and evaluation of a proton exchange membrane based on oxidation and water stable sulfonated polyimides

A series of novel oxidation and water stable sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) were synthesized from 4,4'-binaphthyl-1,1',8,8'-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), and wholly aromatic diamine 2,2'-bis(3-sulfobenzoyl) benzidine (2,2'-BSBB) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. These polyimides could be cast into flexible and tough membranes from m-cresol solutions. The copolymer membranes exhibited excellent oxidative stability and mechanical properties due to their fully aromatic structure extending through the backbone and pendant groups. Moreover, all BTDA-based SPI membranes exhibited much better water stability than those based on the conventional 1,4,5,8-naphthalenecarboxylic dianhydride. The improved water stability of BTDA-based polyimides was attributed to its unique binaphthalimide structure. The SPI membranes with ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 1.36-1.90 mequiv g(-1) had proton conductivity in the range of 0.41 x 10(-1) to 1. 12 x 10(-1) S cm(-1) at 20 degrees C. The membrane with IEC value of 1.90 mequiv g(-1) displayed reasonably higher proton conductivity than Nafion((R)) 117 (0.9 x 10(-1) S cm(-1)) under the same test condition and the high conductivity of 0.184 S cm(-1) was obtained at 80 degrees C. Microscopic analyses revealed that well-dispersed hydrophilic domains contribute to better proton conducting properties. These results showed that the synthesized materials might have the potential to be applied as the proton exchange membranes for PEMFCs.

One-step synthesis of palladium/SBA-15 nanocomposites and its catalytic application

Well-dispersed palladium nanoparticles in mesoporous SBA- 15 SiO2 were prepared in a facile one-step approach during sol-gel route under reductive atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that as-synthesized nanocomposites basically remain ordered two-dimensional hexagonal mesostructure while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study exhibits a well dispersion of palladium nanoparticles within the mesoporous SBA-15 channels. The size of Pd nanoparticles is approximately in the range of 5-10nm. However, the resulting nanocomposites exhibit a highly catalytic activity and reused ability at least after five recycles without ligand in air for both the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions.

Studies on syntheses and properties of novel CeO2/Polyimide nanocomposite films from Ce(Phen)(3) complex

A series of cerium dioxide (CeO2,)/polyimide (PI) nanocomposites were successfully prepared from Ce(Phen)(3) and polyamic acid (PAA) via the solution direct-dispersing method, followed by a step thermal imidization process. TGA and XPS studies showed that the cerium complex decomposed to form CeO2, during the thermal imidization process at 300 degrees C. SEM observation showed that the formed CeO2, as nalloparticles was well dispersed in polyimide matrix with a size of about 50-100 nm for samples with different contents of CeO2. Thermal analysis indicated that the introduction of CeO2, decreased the thermal stability of nanocomposite films due to the decomposition of Ce(Phen)(3) in the imidization process, while the glass transition temperature (T-g) increased obviously. especially nanocomposite films with high loading of CeO2 exhibited a trend of disappearance off, DMTA and static tensile measurements showed that the storage modulus of nanocomposite films increased, while the elongation at break decreased with increasing CeO2 content.

Synthesis, characterization, and self-assembly of protein lysozyme monolayer-stabilized gold nanoparticles

Lysozyme monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) which are hydrophilic and biocompatible and show excellent colloidal stability at low temperature, ca. 4 degrees C, were synthesized in aqueous medium by chemical reduction of HAuCl4 with NaBH4 in the presence of a familiar small enzyme, lysozyme. UV-vis spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of the as prepared nanoparticles revealed the formation of well-dispersed An NPs of ca. 2 nm diameter. Moreover, the color change of the An NP solution as well as UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM measurements have also demonstrated the occurrence of Ostwald ripening of the nanoparticles at low temperature. Further characterization with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and dynamic light scattering indicated the formation of a monolayer of lysozyme molecules on the particle surface. FTIR data also indicated the intactness of the protein molecules coated on An NPs. All the characterization results showed that the monodisperse An NPs are well-coated directly with lysozyme. Driven by the dipole-dipole attraction, the protein-stabilized Au NPs self-assembled into network structures and nanowires upon aging under ambient temperature.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Gd2O3 : Eu3+ phosphors

Gd2O3: EU3+ phosphors were prepared by urea homogeneous precipitation with different surfactant and sol-gel method. XRD patterns show that all the obtained samples are in cubic Gd2O3, and the results of FTIR and fluorescent spectra conformed that OP is a good surfactant for preparing the Gd2O3: Eu3+ phosphors. The SEM photographs show that the particles prepared by urea homogeneous precipitation method are all spherical and well-dispersed, and grain morphology can be controlled by different surfactant. XRD and SEM indicate that the particle sizes prepared by sol-gel method are in the range of 5 similar to 30 nm, and the grain sizes increase with increasing of heated temperatures. Luminescence spectra indication that the main emission peaks of all samples are at 610 nm, the intensities are different from samples prepared with different surfactant and the luminescence intensities increase with increasing of annealed temperatures.

The influence of core-shell structured modifiers on the toughness of poly (vinyl chloride)

The core-shell structured grafted copolymer particles of polybutadiene grafted polymethyl methacrylate (PB-g-PMMA, MB) were prepared by emulsion polymerization. The MB particles were used to modify poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) by melt blending. The mechanical properties of the PVC blends were investigated. The micro-morphology of the PVC blends was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the samples with the best impact strength could be obtained when the core-shell weight ratio of PB to PMMA is lower than 93:7, the mechanical properties correlated well with SEM morphologies, the addition of modifier with the ratio core to shell of 93:7 could reduce the domain size of the dispersed phase. Furthermore, the compatibility and properties of the blends were greatly enhanced and improved. The modifier particles could be well dispersed in the PVC matrix.

Facile synthesis and photoluminescent properties of redispersible CeF3, CeF3 : Tb3+, and CeF3 : Tb3+/LaF3 (core/shell) nanoparticles

CeF3, CeF3:Tb3+, and CeF3:Tb3+/LaF3 (core/shell) nanoparticles were prepared by the polyol method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), UV-vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and lifetimes. The results of XRD indicate that the obtained CeF3, CeF3:Tb3+, and CeF3:Tb3+/LaF3 (core/shell) nanoparticles crystallized well at 200 degrees C in diethylene glycol (DEG) with a hexagonal structure. The TEM images illustrate that the CeF3 and CeF3:Tb3+ nanoparticles are spherical with a mean diameter of 7 nm. The growth of the LaF3 shell around the CeF3:Tb3+ core nanoparticles resulted in an increase of the average size (11 nm) of the nanopaticles as well as in a broadening of their size distribution. These nanocrystals can be well-dispersed in ethanol to form clear colloidal solutions. The colloidal solutions of CeF3 and CeF3:Tb3+ show the characteristic emission of Ce3+ 5d-4f (320 nm) and Tb3+ D-5(4)-F-7(J) (J = 6-3, with D-5(4)-F-7(5) green emission at 542 nm as the strongest one) transitions, respectively. The emission intensity and lifetime of the CeF3:Tb3+/LaF3 (core/shell) nanoparticles increased with respect to those of CeF3:Tb3+ core particles.

Monodisperse spherical core-shell structured SiO2-CaTiO3 : Pr3+ phosphors for field emission displays

Nanocrystalline CaTiO3:Pr3+ phosphor layers were coated on nonaggregated, monodisperse, and spherical SiO2 particles by the sol-gel method, resulting in the formation of core-shell structured SiO2-CaTiO3:Pr3+ particles. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, cathodoluminescence spectra, as well as lifetimes were utilized to characterize the core-shell structured SiO2-CaTiO3:Pr3+ phosphor particles. The obtained core-shell structured phosphors consist of well dispersed submicron spherical particles with a narrow size distribution. The thickness of the CaTiO3:Pr3+ shell could be easily controlled by changing the number of deposition cycles (about 70 nm for four deposition cycles). The core-shell SiO2-CaTiO3:Pr3+ particles show a strong red emission corresponding to D-1(2)-H-3(4) (612 nm) of Pr3+ under the excitation of ultraviolet (326 nm) and low voltage electron beams (1-5 kV). These particles may be used in field emission displays.

Rapid synthesis of cubic Pt nanoparticies and their use for the preparation of Pt nanoagglomerates

We report the synthesis of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-stabilized cubic Pt nanoparticles by NaBH4 reduction of H2PtCl6 in aqueous CTAB solution. These Pt nanoparticles (average size of 7 nm) were well dispersed in aqueous solution and stable at least for 2 months. Addition of a trace amount of AgNO3 can alter the morphology of these Pt nanoparticles. More interestingly, the as-prepared uniform Pt nanoparticles were further developed into bigger Pt nanoagglomerates (similar to 20 to 47 nm) by a seed-mediate growth process. Dentritic and spherical Pt nanoagglomerates can be synthesized by altering the incubation time and their size can be tuned by controlling the amount of the seeds added.