Energy transfer and tunable luminescence properties of Eu3+ in TbBO3 microspheres via a facile hydrothermal process

Tb(1-x)BO3:xEu(3+) (x = 0-1) microsphere phosphors have been successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal process directly without further sintering treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), photoluminescence (PL), low-voltage cathodoluminescence (CL), and time-resolved emission spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the samples.

Polyol-Mediated Synthesis of PbS Crystals: Shape Evolution and Growth Mechanism

An interesting shape evolution of. PbS crystals, that is, from cubes to (truncated) octahedra and finally to stable star-shaped multipods with six arms along the < 100 > directions is first realized via a facile polyol-mediated reaction between lead acetate and sulfur powder in the absence of surfactants. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques were employed to characterize the samples. We elucidate the important parameters (including reaction temperature and sulfur sources) responsible for the shape-controlled synthesis of PbS crystals.

Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Single Crystalline Bi2S3 with Various Morphologies

Single crystalline Bi2S3 With various morphologies (wires, rods, and flowers) has been successfully prepared via a simple polyol solution process and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The morphologies of Bi2S3 crystals are highly dependent on the experimental parameters, including the reaction temperature, reactant ratio, sulfur source, and additive. The adjustment of these parameters can lead to an obvious shape evolution of products, and the growth mechanism has been proposed.

Synthesis and luminescent properties of Lu3Ga5O12 : RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb, and Pr) nanocrystalline phosphors via sol-gel process

Lu3Ga5O12:Eu3+, Lu3Ga5O12:Tb3+, and Lu3Ga5O12:Pr3+ phosphors were prepared through a Pechini-type sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), photoluminescence, and cathodoluminescence spectra were utilized to characterize the synthesized phosphors. The XRD results reveal that the sample begins to crystallize at 800 degrees C and fully crystallined pure Lu3Ga5O12 phase can be obtained at 1000 degrees C. The FESEM image indicates that the phosphor sample is composed of aggregated rice grainlike particles with sizes around 80-120 nm.

Nanostructured CaWO4, CaWO4 : Eu3+ and CaWO4 : Tb3+ particles: Sonochemical synthesis and luminescent properties

Nanostructured CaWO4, CaWO4:Eu3+, and CaWO4:Tb3+ phosphor particles were synthesized via a facile sonochemical route. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, low voltage cathodoluminescence spectra, and photoluminescence lifetimes were used to characterize the as-obtained samples. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that the samples are well crystallized with the scheelite structure of CaWO4.

Single mode and multimodes lasing emission from MEH-PPV doped polystyrene thin films with surface ripples formed by vapour-induced phase separation

We report single mode and multimodes lasing emission from conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) doped polystyrene ( PS) thin films with surface ripples. Surface ripples were formed by water vapour-induced phase separation. A single mode lasing emission at 606 nm with a line-width of less than 0.4 nm was obtained. The laser threshold was as low as 3.5 mu J pulse(-1). The side mode suppression ratio was 5.76 dB. The periodic changes of the refraction index in the MEH-PPV : PS blending film due to the phase separation should be attributed to the lasing actions.

Synthesis, characterization and mechanism of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide bilayer-encapsulated gold nanosheets and nanocrystals

Single-crystal Au nanosheets and fcc gold nanocrystals of uniform size were synthesized by a novel and simple route. The results of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the formation of the single-crystal structure of gold nanosheets and fcc nanocrystals. Energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) showed absorbance of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) molecules onto the surface of gold nanostructures.

STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION AND COMPOSITION CHANGE IN THE SURFACE REGION OF POLYPROPYLENE/CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES ANNEALED AT HIGH TEMPERATURES

A model experiment was done to clear the formation mechanism of protective layers during combustion of polypropylene (PP)/organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites. The investigation was focused on the effects of annealing temperature on the structural changes and protective layer formation. The decomposition of OMMT and degradation of PP/OMMT nanocomposites were characterized by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The structural evolution and composition change in the surface region of PP/OMMT nanocomposites during heating were monitored by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ATR-FTIR and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).

Synthesis of Titania in Ethanol/Acetic Acid Mixture Solvents: Phase and Morphology Variations

The phase and morphology variations of titania prepared in ethanol/acetic acid mixture solvents have been systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction results and microscopy observations reveal that pure anatase aggregates consisted of small nanoparticles, pure rutile microspheres comprised of nanofibers, and their mixtures could be obtained by varying ratios of ethanol to acetic acid under solvothermal conditions. The contents of anatase and rutile in the mixed phases also vary with the ratios of ethanol to acetic acid. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy results show that the two phases are separated from each other in final products and form aggregates with morphologies resembling to their pure phase products obtained under favorable conditions. The as-produced rutile nanofibers, either in pure phase or in mixed phases, tend to grow into hollow microspheres.

Hydroxyapatite Nano- and Microcrystals with Multiform Morphologies: Controllable Synthesis and Luminescence Properties

Hydroxyapatite (Ca-5(PO4)(3)OH) nano- and microcrystals with multiform morphologies (separated nanowires, nanorods, microspheres, microflowers, and microsheets) have been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, kinetic decay, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) were used to characterize the samples. The experimental results indicate that the obtained Ca-5(PO4)(3)OH samples show an intense and bright blue emission under long-wavelength UV light excitation. This blue emission might result from the CO2 center dot- radical impurities in the crystal lattice.

Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of LaAlO3:RE3+ (RE = Tm, Tb) Nanocrystalline Phosphors via a Sol-Gel Process

LaAlO3:Tm3+ and LaAlO3:Tb3+ 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. The XRD results reveal that the fully crystalline pure LaAlO3 Phase can be obtained at 800 degrees C. The FE-SEM image indicates that the phosphor samples are composed of aggregated spherical particles with sizes ranging from 40 to 80 nm. Under the excitation of ultraviolet light (230 nm) and low-voltage electron beams (1-3 kV), the LaAlO3:Tm3+ and LaAlO3:Tb3+ phosphors show the characteristic emissions of Tb3+ (D-1(2)-> H-3(6,4),F-3(4) transitions) and Tm3+ (D-5(3,4)-> F-7(6,5,4,3) transitions) respectively. The CL of the LaAlO3:Tm3+ phosphors have high color purity and comparable intensity to the Y2SiO5:Ce3+ commercial product, and the CL colors of Tb3+-doped LaAlO3 phosphors can be tuned from blue to green by changing the doping concentration of Tb3+ to some extent.

Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Spheres for Drug Targeting and Controlled Release

Magnetically functionalized mesoporous silica spheres with different size (average diameter, A.D.) from 150 nm to 2 mu m and pore size distribution were synthesized by generating magnetic FexOy nanoparticles onto the mesoporous silica hosts using the sol-gel method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), N-2 adsorption/desorption results show that these composites conserved regular sphere morphology and ordered mesoporous structure after the formation of FexOy nanoparticles. XRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed that the FexOy generated in these mesoporous silica hosts is mainly composed of gamma-Fe2O3. Magnetic measurements reveal that these composites with different gamma-Fe2O3 loading amounts possess super-paramagnetic properties at 300 K, and the saturation magnetization increases with increasing Fe ratio loaded.

Structural and Bluish-White Luminescent Properties of Li+-Doped BPO4 as a Potential Environmentally Friendly Phosphor Material

Many efforts have been devoted to exploring novel luminescent materials that not contain expensive or toxic elements, or do not need a mercury vapor plasma source. In this paper, BPO4 and Li+-doped BPO4 powder samples were prepared by the Pechini-type sol-gel (PSG) process. The structure and optical properties of the resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, kinetic decay, and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), respectively. It was found that PSG -derived Li+-doped BPO4 annealed at 960 degrees C exhibited bright bluish-white emission centered at 416 nm. The luminescence decay curves analysis indicates that each sample has two kinds of lifetimes (5.9 ns and 0.529 ms) and two types of kinetic decay behaviors which can be fitted into a single-exponential function and a double-exponential function, respectively.

Preparation and Luminescence Properties of Gd2MoO6:Eu3+ Nanofibers and Nanobelts by Electrospinning

Gd2MoO6:Eu3+ nanofibers and nanobelts have been prepared by a combination method of the sol-gel process and electrospinning. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and low voltage cathodoluminescence as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the resulting samples. The results of XRD and FTIR indicate that the Gd2MoO6:Eu3+ samples have crystallized at 600 degrees C with the monoclinic (alpha) structure. The SEM and TEM results indicate that the as-formed precursor fibers and belts are uniform and that the as-prepared nanofibers and nanobelts consist of nanoparticles. Gd2MoO6:Eu3+ phosphors show their strong characteristic emission under UV excitation (353 nm) and low voltage electron-beam excitation (3 kV), making the materials have potential applications in fluorescent lamps and field-emission displays.

Tunable Photoluminescence and Cathodoluminescence Properties of Eu3+-Doped LaInO3 Nanocrystalline Phosphors

LaInO3:Eu3+ phosphors were prepared by a Pechini sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), diffuse reflectance, photoluminescence, cathodoluminescence spectra, as well as lifetimes were utilized to characterize the synthesized phosphors. XRD results reveal that the sample begins to crystallize at 600 degrees C and pure LaInO3 phase can be obtained at 800 degrees C. The crystallinity increases upon raising the annealing temperature. The FE-SEM images indicate that LaInO3:Eu3+ phosphors are composed of fine and spherical grains around 40-80 nm in size. Under the excitation of UV light and low-voltage electron-beams, LaInO3:Eu3+ phosphors show the characteristic emissions of the Eu3+ (D-5(J)-F-7(J) J,J(')=0,1,2,3 transitions). The luminescence colors can be tuned from yellowish warm white to red by changing the doping concentration of Eu3+ to some extent. The corresponding luminescence mechanisms have been proposed.