Electrospinning Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of One-Dimensional Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ Microtibers and Microbelts

One-dimensional Mn2+-doped Zn2SiO4 rnicrobelts and microfibers were prepared by a simple and cost-effective electrospinning process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL), and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The XRD and DTA results show that the Zn2SiO4 phase begins to crystallize at 800 degrees C and crystallizes completely around 1000 degrees C. SEM results indicate that the as-prepared microbelts/fibers are smooth, whose diameters decrease with increasing the annealing temperature. The average diameter of the Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ microfibers annealed at 1000 degrees C is 0.32 mu m, and their lengths reach up to several millimeters. The average width and thickness of the Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ microbelts fired at 1000 degrees C are around 0.48 and 0.24 mu m, respectively.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of monodisperse spherical Y2O3 : Eu3+@SiO2 particles with core-shell structure

Y2O3: Eu3+ phosphor layers were deposited on monodisperse SiO2 particles with different sizes ( 300, 500, 900, and 1200 nm) via a sol-gel process, resulting in the formation of Y2O3: Eu3+@SiO2 core-shell particles. X-ray diffraction ( XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy ( TEM), time-resolved photoluminescence ( PL) spectra, and lifetimes were employed to characterize the Y2O3: Eu3+@SiO2 core-shell samples. The results of XRD indicated that the Y2O3: Eu3+ layers began to crystallize on the silica surfaces at 600 degrees C and the crystallinity increased with the elevation of annealing temperature until 900 degrees C. The obtained core-shell particles have perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution and non-agglomeration. The thickness of the shells could be easily controlled by changing the number of deposition cycles ( 60 nm for three deposition cycles). Under the excitation of ultraviolet ( 250 nm), the Eu3+ ion mainly shows its characteristic red ( 611 nm, D-5(0)-F-7(2)) emissions in the core-shell particles from Y2O3: Eu3+ shells.

Polyaniline/Pt Hybrid Nanofibers: High-Efficiency Nanoelectrocatalysts for Electrochemical Devices

A simple and facile procedure to synthesize a novel hybrid nanoelectrocatalyst based on polyaniline (PANI) nanofiber-supported supra-high density Pt nanoparticles (NPs) or Pt/Pd hybrid NPs without prior PANI nanofiber functionalization at room temperature is demonstrated. This represents a new type of ID hybrid nanoelectrocatalyst with several important benefits. First, the procedure is very simple and can be performed at room temperature using commercially available reagents without the need for templates and surfactants. Second, ultra-high density small "bare" Pt NPs or Pt/Pd hybrid NPs are grown directly onto the surface of the PANI nanofiber, without using any additional linker. Most importantly, the present PANI nanofiber-supported supra-high density Pt NPs or Pt/Pd hybrid NPs can be used as a signal enhancement element for constructing electrochemical devices with high performance.

Carbon Nanotube/Silica Coaxial Nanocable as a Three-Dimensional Support for Loading Diverse Ultra-High-Density Metal Nanostructures: Facile Preparation and Use as Enhanced Materials for Electrochemical Devices and SERS

In this paper, we have reported a very simple strategy (combined sonication with sol-gel techniques) for synthesizing well-defined silica-coated carbon nanotube (CNT) coaxial nanocable without prior CNT functionalization. After functionalization with NH2 group, the CNT/silica coaxial nanocable has been employed as a three-dimensional support for loading ultra-high-density metal or hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) such as gold NPs, Au/Pt hybrid NPs, Pt hollow NPs, and Au/Ag core/shell NPs. Most importantly, it is found that the ultra-high-density Au/Pt NPs supported on coaxial nanocables (UASCN) could be used as enhanced materials for constructing electrochemical devices with high performance. Four model probe molecules (O-2, CH3OH, H2O2, and NH2NH2) have been investigated on UASCN-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). It was observed that the present UASCN exhibited high electrocatalytic activity toward diverse molecules and was a promising electrocatalyst for constructing electrochemical devices with high performance. For instance, the detection limit for H2O2 with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was found to be 0.3 mu M, which was lower than certain enzyme-based biosensors.

Nanocrystalline LaAlO3:Sm3+ as a Promising Yellow Phosphor for Field Emission Displays

Nanocyrstalline LaAlO3:Sm3+ phosphors were prepared through a Pechini-type sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), photoluminescence, and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra were utilized to characterize the synthesized phosphors. XRD results reveal that the sample begins to crystallize at 600 degrees C, and pure LaAlO3 phase can be obtained at 700 degrees C. FE-SEM images indicate that the Sm3+-doped LaAlO3 phosphors are composed of aggregated spherical particles with sizes ranging from 40 to 80 nm. Under the excitation of UV light (245 nm) and low-voltage electron beams (1-3 kV), the Sm3+-doped LaAlO3 phosphors show the characteristic emissions of the Sm3+ ((4)G(5/2)-H-6(5/2), H-6(7/2), H-6(9/2) transitions) with a yellow color. The CL intensity (brightness) of the Sm3+-doped LaAlO3 phosphor is higher than that of the commercial product [Zn(Cd)S:Ag+] (yellow) to some extent.

Particle Size-Dependent Charge Ordering and Magnetic Properties in Pr0.55Ca0.45MnO3

A series of Pr0.55Ca0.45MnO3 compounds with average particle size ranging from 2000 to 30 nm have been synthesized by the sol-gel method and their charge ordering (CO) and magnetic properties are investigated. It is observed that with particle size decreasing, the CO transition is gradually suppressed and finally disappears upon particle size down to 35 nm, while the ferromagnetism (FM) emerges and exhibits a nonmonotonous variation with a maximum at 45 nm samples. The FM components in all samples never reach long-range ordering but rather only show short-range clusters. A new explanation considering the coupling between lattice, charge, and spin in the system is raised to understand the suppression of the CO state, Both the competition between the CO/AFM and FM states and the core-shell model are employed to explain the variation of the FM phase. These results may provide a deeper insight into the physics of particle size effect on the charge ordering manganite.

Preparation and electrical properties of new oxide ion conductors Ce6-xDyxMoO15-delta (0.0 <= x <= 1.8)

Ce6-xDyxMoO15-delta (0.0 <= x <= 1.8) were synthesized by modified sol-gel method. Structural and electrical properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The XRD patterns showed that the materials were single phase with a cubic fluorite structure. Impedance spectroscopy measurement in the temperature range between 350 degrees C and 800 degrees C indicated a sharp increase in conductivity for the system containing small amount of Dy2O3. The Ce5.6Dy0.4MoO15-delta detected to be the best conducting phase with the highest conductivity (sigma(t) = 8.93 x 10(-3) S cm(-1)) is higher than that of Ce5.6Sm0.4MoO15-delta (sigma(t) = 2.93 x 10(-3) S cm(-1)) at 800 degrees C, and the corresponding activation energy of Ce5.6Dy0.4MoO15-delta (0.994 eV) is lower than that of Ce5.6Sm0.4MoO15-delta (1.002 eV).

Preparation and Electrical Properties of New Oxide Ion Conductors Ce6-xGdxMoO15-delta (0.0 <= x <= 1.8)

A series of oxide ion conductors Ce6-xGdxMoO15-delta (0.0 <= x <= 1.8) have been prepared by the sol-gel method. Their properties were characterized by differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and AC impedance spectroscopy. The XRD patterns showed that the materials were single phase with a cubic fluorite structure. The conductivity of Ce6-xGdxMoO15-delta increases as x increases and reaches the maximum at x = 0.15. The conductivity of Ce4.5Gd1.5MoO15-delta is sigma(t) = 3.6 x 10(-3) S/cm at 700 degrees C, which is higher than that of Ce4.5/6Gd1.5/6O2-delta (sigma(t) = 2.6 x 10(-3) S/cm), and the corresponding activation energy of Ce4.5Gd1.5MoO15-delta (0.92 eV) is lower than that of Ce4.5/6Gd1.5/6O2-delta (1.18 eV).

Synthesis and Electrical Properties of New Solid State Electrolyte Materials Ce6-xHoxMoO15-delta(0.0 <= x <= 1.2)

Ce6-xHoxMoO15-delta(0.0 <= x <= 1.2) was synthesized by modified sol-gel method and characterized by differential X-ray diffraction(XRD), Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) methods. The oxide ionic conductivity of the samples was investigated by AC impedance spectroscopy. It shows that all the samples are single phase with a cubic fluorite structure. The solid solution Ce6-xHoxMoO15-delta(x=0.6) was detected to be the best conducting phase with the highest conductivity(sigma(t)=1.05x10(-2) S/cm) at 800 degrees C and the lowest activation energy(E-a=1.09 eV). These properties suggest that this kind of material has a potential application in intermediate-low temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

Preparation of one-dimensional CoFe2O4 nanostructures and their magnetic properties

Cobalt ferrite one-dimensional nanostructures (nanoribbons and nanofibers) were prepared by electrospinning combined with sol-gel technology. The nanoribbons and nanofibers were formed through assembling magnetic nanoparticles with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as the structure-directing template. Nanoribbons and nanofibers were obtained after calcining the precursor nanoribbons at different temperatures. Successive Ostwald ripening processes occur during the formation of CoFe2O4 nanoribbons and nanofibers. The sizes of nanoparticles varied with calcination temperatures, which leads to different one-dimensional structures and variable magnetic properties. These novel magnetic one-dimensional structures can potentially be used in nanoelectronic devices, magnetic sensors, and flexible magnets.

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.

Different microstructures of ss-NaYF4 fabricated by hydrothermal process: Effects of pH values and fluoride sources

beta-NaYF4 microcrystals with a variety of morphologies, such as microrod, hexagonal microprism, and octadecahedron, have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to characterize the samples. The intrinsic structural feature of beta-NaYF4 seeds and two important external factors, namely, the pH values in the initial reaction solution and fluoride sources, are responsible for shape determination of beta-NaYF4 microcrystals. It is found that the organic additive trisodium citrate (Cit(3-)) as a shape modifier has the dynamic effect by adjusting the growth rate of different facets under different experimental conditions, resulting in the formation of the anisotropic geometries of various beta-NaYF4 microcrystals. The possible formation mechanisms for products with various architectures have been presented. A systematic study on the photoluminescence of Tb3+-doped beta-NaYF4 samples with rod, prism, and octadecahedral shapes has shown that the optical properties of these phosphors are strongly dependent on their morphologies and sizes.

Nanocrystalline LaGaO3 : Tm3+ as an efficient blue phosphor for field emission displays with high color purity

Nanocrystalline Tm3+-doped LaGaO3 phosphors were prepared through a Pechini-type sol-gel process [M. P. Pechini, U.S. Patent No. 3,330,697 (11 July 1967)]. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra were utilized to characterize the synthesized phosphors. Under the excitation of ultraviolet light and low voltage electron beams (0.5-3 kV), the Tm3+-doped LaGaO3 phosphors show the characteristic emissions from the LaGaO3 host lattice and the Tm3+ (D-1(2), (1)G(4)-F-3(4), and H-3(6) transitions), respectively. The blue CL of the Tm3+-doped LaGaO3 phosphors, with a dominant wavelength of 458 nm, had better Commission International I'Eclairage chromaticity coordinates (0.1552, 0.0630) and higher emission intensity than the commercial product (Y2SiO5:Ce3+).

White light emission from Eu3+ in CaIn2O4 host lattices

CaIn2O4:xEu(3+) (x=0.5%,1.0%,1.5%) phosphors were prepared by the Pechini sol-gel process [U.S. Patent No. 3,330,697 (1967)] and characterized by x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence spectra as well as lifetimes. Under the excitation of 397 nm ultraviolet light and low voltage electron beams, these phosphors show the emission lines of Eu3+ corresponding to D-5(0,1,2,3)-F-7(J) (J=0,1,2,3,4) transitions from 400 to 700 nm (whole visible spectral region) with comparable intensity, resulting in a white light emission with a quantum efficiency near 10%. The luminescence mechanism for Eu3+ in CaIn2O4 has been elucidated.

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.