Fabrication and luminescent properties of the core-shell structured YNbO4 : Eu3+/Tb3+@SiO2 spherical particles

The core-shell structured YNbO4:Eu3+/Tb3+@SiO2 particles were realized by coating the YNbO4:Etr(3+)/Tb3+ phosphors onto the surface of spherical silica via a sol-gel process. The obtained materials were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FT-IR), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra.

Amphiphilic Core-Shell Nanocarriers Based On Hyperbranched Poly(ester amide)-star-PCL: Synthesis, Characterization, and Potential as Efficient Phase Transfer Agent

Amphiphilic biodegradable star-shaped polymer was conveniently prepared by the Sn(Oct)(2)-catalyzed ring opening polymerization of c-caprolactone (CL) with hyperbranched poly(ester amide) (PEA) as a macroinitiator. Various monomer/initiator ratios were employed to vary the length of the PCL arms. H-1 NMR and FTIR characterizations showed the successful synthesis of star polymer with high initiation efficiency. SEC analysis using triple detectors, RI, light scattering, and viscosity confirmed the controlled manner of polymerization and the star architecture.

Synthesis of magnetite core-shell nanoparticles by surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide

Fe3O4-polylactide (PLA) core-shell nanoparticles were perpared by surface functionalization of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and subsequent surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide. PLA was directly connected onto the magnetic nanoparticles surface through a chemical linkage. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra directly provided evidence of the PLA on the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy images (TEM) showed that the magnetic nanoparticles were coated by PLA with a 3-nm-thick shell.

Multilayered core-shell structure of the dispersed phase in high-impact polypropylene

The multiphase morphology of high impact polypropylene (hiPP), which is a reactor blend of polypropylene (PP) with ethylene-propylene copolymer, was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy techniques in conjunction with an analysis of the hiPP composition and chain structure based on solvent fractionation, C-13-NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements.

Novel Hybrid Electrocatalyst with Enhanced Performance in Alkaline Media: Hollow Au/Pd Core/Shell Nanostructures with a Raspberry Surface

In this paper, a hollow Au/Pd core/shell nanostructure with a raspberry surface was developed for methanol, ethanol, and formic acid oxidation in alkaline media. The results showed that it possessed better electrocatalyst performance than hollow Au nanospheres or Pd nanoparticles. The nanostructure was fabricated via a two-step method. Hollow Au nanospheres were first synthesized by a galvanic replacement reaction, and then they were coated with a layer of Pd grains. Several characterizations such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the prepared nanostructures.

Molecular Nanocluster with a [Sn4Ga4Zn2Se20](8-) T3 Supertetrahedral Core

A multinary molecular nanocluster, in which a T3 supertetrahedral [Sn4Ga4Zn2Se20](8-) core was neutralized and covalently terminated by four [(TEPA)Mn](2+) (TEPA = tetraethylenepentamine) metal complexes, was synthesized and characterized. The cluster is assembled into, through hydrogen bonding and van de Waals forces, a superlattice that is chemically stable and free of strong covalent coupling. The four different cations were distributed within the cluster in such a manner that both the local charge balance and global charge compensation by the metal complex could be satisfied.

Ordered magnetic core-manganese oxide shell nanostructures and their application in water treatment

In this paper, we have reported a facile method for the synthesis of ordered magnetic core-manganese oxide shell nanostructures. The process included two steps. First, manganese ferrite nanoparticles were obtained through a solvothermal method. Then, the manganese ferrite nanoparticles were mixed directly with KMnO4 solution without any additional modified procedures of the magnetic cores. It has been found that Mn element in the core can react with KMnO4 to form manganese oxide which acts as a seed for the in-situ growth of manganese oxide shells. This is significant for the controllable fabrication of symmetrical ordered manganese oxide shell structures. The shell thickness can be easily controlled through the reaction time. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy have been employed to characterize the products at different reaction time.

Fabrication of Iron Oxide Core/Gold Shell Submicrometer Spheres with Nanoscale Surface Roughness for Efficient Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

A method to synthesize Fe3O4 core/Au shell submicrometer structures with very rough surfaces on the nanoscale is reported. The Fe3O4 particles were first modified with uniform polymers through the layer-by-layer technique and then adsorbed a lot of gold nanoseeds for further Au shell formation. The shell was composed of a large number of irregular nanoscale An particles arranged randomly, and there were well-defined boundaries between these Au nanoparticles. The Fe3O4 core/Au shell particles showed strong plasmon resonance absorption in the near-infrared range, and can be separated quickly from solution by an external magnet.

A magnetic, luminescent and mesoporous core-shell structured composite material as drug carrier

In this paper, hydrothermal synthesized Fe3O4 microspheres have been encapsulated with nonporous silica and a further layer of ordered mesoporous silica through a simple sol-gel process. The surface of the outer silica shell was further functionalized by the deposition of YVO4:Eu3+ phosphors, realizing a sandwich structured material with mesoporous, magnetic and luminescent properties. The multifunctional system was used as drug carrier to investigate the storage and release properties using ibuprofen (IBU) as model drug by the surface modification. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N-2 adsorption/desorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) were used to characterized the samples.

Preparation and characterization of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)/polyvinylamine core-shell microgels

In this paper, well-defined temperature- and pH-sensitive core-shell microgels were synthesized by graft copolymerization in the absence of surfactant and stabilizer. The microgel particles consisted of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm)) core crosslinked with N, N'-methylene-bisacrylamide (MBA) and polyvinylamine (PVAm) shell. The effect of MBA content and NIPAm/PVAm ratio on microgel size was investigated. SEM showed that the microgels were spherical and had narrow particle-size distribution. TEM images of the microgels clearly displayed well-defined core-shell morphologies. Zeta-potential measurement further elucidated that the microgels possessed positively charged PVAm molecules on the microgel surface. Turbidity measurement and H-1-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments indicated that the VPTT of microgels was the same as the LCST of PNIPAm.

Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse spherical SiO2@RE2O3 (RE = rare earth elements) and SiO2@Gd2O3:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Er, Ho) particles with core-shell structure

Spherical SiO2 particles have been coated with rare earth oxide layers by a Pechini sol-gel process, leading to the formation of core-shell structured SiO2@RE2O3 (RE = rare earth elements) and SiO2@Gd2O3:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Er, Ho) particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), and cathodoluminescence spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting SiO2@RE2O3 (RE = rare earth elements) and SiO2@Gd2O3:Ln(3+) (Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Sm3+, Er3+, Ho3+) samples. The obtained core-shell phosphors have perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size ca. 380 nm), smooth surface and non-agglomeration. The thickness of shells could be easily controlled by changing the number of deposition cycles (40 nm for two deposition cycles).

LaF3, CeF3, CeF3 : Tb3+, and CeF3 : Tb3+@LaF3 (core-shell) nanoplates: Hydrothermal synthesis and luminescence properties

LaF3. CeF3, CeF3:Tb3+, and CeF3:Tb3+ @LaF3 (core-shell) 2D nanoplates have been successfully synthesized by a facile and effective hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The experimental results indicate that the organic additive, trisodium citrate (Cit(3-)), as a shape modifier has the dynamic effect by adjusting the growth rate of different crystal facets, resulting in forming the anisotropic geometries of the final products. The possible formation mechanisms for different products have been presented. The CeF3, CeF3:Tb3+, and CeF3:Tb3+ @LaF3 (core/shell) nanoplates show characteristic emission of Ce3+ (5d-4f) and Tb3+ (f-f), 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.

Nanoreactor of Fe3O4@SiO2 Core-Shell Structure with Nanochannels for Efficient Catalysis

We introduced a new nanoreactor system consisting of nanochannel-filled Fe3O4 core and SiO2 shell. Different morphologies of Fe3O4@SiO2 Core-shell nanostructures could be obtained through simple HCI etching of the magnetic cores. The outer silica shells were permeable and the Fe3O4 cores were accessible to the reactants. Therefore, the present nanoreactor system was applied to catalyze the reduction of H2O2, and it showed outstanding catalytic activity compared with bare Fe3O4 or Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles.

Core Crosslinking of Biodegradable Block Copolymer Micelles Based on Poly(ester carbonate)

A biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer, PEG-b-P(LA-co-MAC), was used to prepare spherical micelles consisting of a hydrophobic P(LA-co-MAC) core and a hydrophilic PEG shell. To improve their stability, the micelles were crosslinked by radical polymerization of the double bonds in the hydrophobic blocks. The crosslinked micelles had similar sizes and a narrow size distribution compared to their uncrosslinked precursor. The improved stability of the crosslinked micelles was confirmed by measurements of the CMC and a thermodynamic investigation. These micelles can internalize into Hela cells in vitro as demonstrated by inverted fluorescence microscopy and CLSM. These stabilized nanoscale micelles have potential use in biomedical applications such as drug delivery and disease diagnosis.