Luminescence properties of transparent hybrid thin film covalently linked with lanthanide complexes

Novel hybrid thin films covalently doped with Eu3+ (Tb3+) have been prepared via direct routes involving co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane and phen-Si in the presence of Eu3+ (Tb3+) by spin-casting and their luminescence properties have been investigated in detail. Lanthanide ions can be sensitized by anchored phenanthroline in hybrid thin films. Excitation at the ligand absorption wavelength (272 nm) resulted in the strong emission of the lanthanide ions i.e. Eu3+ D-5(0)-F-7(J) (J=0, 1, 2, 3, 4) emission lines and Tb3+ D-5(4)-F-7(J) (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) due to the energy transfer from the ligands to the lanthanide ions.

Mesostructured thin film with covalently grafted europium complex

A mesostructured transparent thin film containing europium complexes was prepared and investigated. The mesostructure of the film was confirmed by XRD and the luminescence spectra reveal that Eu3+ has a similar environment in both amorphous and mesostructured films.

A novel terbium (III) beta-diketonate complex as thin film for optical device application

A novel terbium complex, Tb(acac)(3)AAP (acac: acetylacetone, AAP: 4-amino-antipyrine), was synthesized and its luminescent properties were studied. When it was used as an emitting center, triple-layer-type device with a structure of glass substrate/ITO (indium-tin oxide)/TPD (N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis(3-methylphenyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine)./Tb(acac)(3)AAP/PBD (2-(4-biphenyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole) or Alq(3) (tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum)/Al (aluminum) exhibited bright characteristic emission of terbium ion upon applying d.c. voltage. The maximum luminance of the device is 56 cd/m(2) at 19 V and the maximum luminance efficiency is 0.357 lm/W.

A transparent thin film with hexagonal mesostructure containing rhodamine 6G

A transparent thin film was prepared by depositing the sol-get mixture for the synthesis of MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve doped with rhodamine 6G (R6G) dye on glass substrates. The film of silica-surfactant-R6G materials, which was identified to possess hexagonally ordered mesostructure, was composed of nanocrystallites about 35 nm in diameter and 1-10 mum in thickness. Cleanness of the substrates, concentration of the sol-gel mixture and rate of evaporation of the solvent were the key factors affecting transparency and homogeneity of the film. Moreover, optical change and lack in dye aggregation were observed to the R6G-functionalized MCM-41 thin film in contrast with that in ethanol solution.

Green electroluminescence generated from the thin film based on a soluble lanthanide complex

Electroluminescent (EL) devices based on a soluble complex Tb(MDP)(3) [Tris-(monododecyl phthalate)Terbium] doped with poly (N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK), (2-(4-biphenyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole) (PBD) were fabricated. The device structures of ITO/PVK/PVK:PBD:Tb(MDp)(2)/Aiq(3)/Al and ITO/PVK:PBD:Tb(MDP)(3)/Alq(3)/Al were employed. The Tb(MDP), as emissive layer was spin-coated. The EL cell exhibited characteristic emission of terbium ion. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Effect of end substitution on optical properties and molecular orientation of distyrylbenzene derivatives in thin film

Three distyrylbenzene (DSB) derivatives were vacuum-evaporated on a (001) surface of KBr. DSB derivative molecules formed nuclei by interaction between the electron donative methoxyl group and Br- ion of the substrate crystal and oriented their longitudinal axis obliquely to the substrate surface. The peak shift between the emission peaks of solution and film decreased depending on the number of substituent. This phenomenon was originated to reduction of molecular interaction between neighboring molecules by steric hindrance of end substituents. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Photosensitization of TiO2 nanoparticulate thin film electrodes by CdS nanoparticles

Surface photovoltage spectra (SPS) measurements of TiO2 show that a large surface state density is present on the TiO2 nanoparticles and these surface states can be efficiently decreased by sensitization using US nanoparticles as well as by suitable heat treatment. The photoelectrochemical behavior of the bare TiO2 thin film indicates that the mechanism of photoelectron transport is controlled by the trapping/detrapping properties of surface states within the thin films, The slow photocurrent response upon the illumination can be explained by the trap saturation effect. For a TiO2 nanoparticulate thin film sensitized using US nanoparticles, the slow photocurrent response disappears and the steady-state photocurrent increases drastically, which suggests that photosensitization can decrease the effect of surface states on photocurrent response.

Amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide based on sol-gel/hydrogel composite thin film

A reagentless amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor was developed. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized in a novel sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid matrix that is composed of silica sol and a grafting copolymer of poly(vinyl alcohol) with 4-vinylpyridine (PVA-g-PVP). Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) was employed as a mediator and could lower the operating potential to -50 mV (versus Ag/AgCl). The sensor achieved 95% of the steady-state current in 15 s. Linear calibration for hydrogen peroxide was up to 1.3 mM with the detection limit of 2.5 x 10(-7)M. The enzyme electrode retained about 94% of its initial activity after 30 days of storage in a dry state at 4 degreesC.

Direct measurement of plowing friction and wear of a polymer thin film using the atomic force microscope

Nanometer-scale plowing friction and wear of a polycarbonate thin film were directly measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM) with nanoscratching capabilities. During the nanoscratch tests, lateral forces caused discrepancies between the maximum forces for the initial loadings prior to the scratch and the unloading after the scratch. In the case of a nanoscratch test performed parallel to the cantilever probe axis, the plowing friction added another component to the moment acting at the cantilevered end compared to the case of nanoindentation, resulting in an increased deflection of the cantilever. Using free-body diagrams for the cases of nanoindentation and nanoscratch testing, the AFM force curves were analyzed to determine the plowing friction during nanoscratch testing. From the results of this analysis, the plowing friction was found to be proportional to the applied contact force, and the coefficient of plowing friction was measured to be 0.56 +/- 0.02. Also, by the combination of nanoscratch and nanoindentation testing, the energetic wear rate of the polycarbonate thin film was measured to be 0.94 +/- 0.05 mm(3)/(N m).

Preparation and optical characterization of an organoeuropium-doped sol-gel transparent luminescence thin film

Binary and ternary europium complexes with dibenzplymethane (DBM) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were synthesized and doped into a sol-gel luminescence thin film and polyvinylbutyral (PVB) film. The luminescent spectra and lifetime of the films were measured. The final results showed that Eu(III) characteristic emission bands were observed in the spectra of all the doped films. Longer lifetimes and a higher photo-stability were observed in SiO2:Eu(III) complex luminescent thin films than in PVB:Eu(III) complex films that contained a corresponding amount of pure complexes. Heat-stability tests showed that SiO2:Eu(III) complex thin films still showed certain fluorescence after heat-treatment at a temperature of 130 degreesC, while little fluorescence could be observed in PVB:Eu(III) complex films under a UV lamp. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural studies of excimer laser-induced percolative phase transition on polyimide thin film surfaces

The behavior of electrical conductivity for excimer laser irradiated polyimide films in the vicinity of the critical number of laser shots was described by three-dimensional percolative phase transition model. It is: found that electrical conductivity changed more rapidly than that predicted by the percolation model. Thus, the change in microstructure with increasing number of laser shots was analyzed by FT-IR Raman spectrometry and laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry. It is demonstrated that not only the number but also the average size of graphite particles on the irradiated polyimide film surfaces increased with increasing number of laser shots. These results were helpful to better understand the critical change in electrical conductivity on the irradiated polyimide film surfaces. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Study on the interface structure: Diamond thin film epitaxy on (001) silicon substrate

An interesting interface structure between diamond film and silicon substrate has been observed. That is, according to the deformation of the diamond film crystal sturcture, a strictly 3:2 matching of the two lattices across the interface is obtained. This result clearly indicates that misfit dislocations at the interface and "epitaxial tilting" are not the only two ways to overcome the 1.5% residual misfit.

Sol-gel thin-film immobilized soybean peroxidase biosensor for the amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide in acid medium

An acid-stable soybean-peroxidase biosensor was devel oped by immobilizing the enzyme in a sol-gel thin film. Methylene blue was used as a mediator because of its high electron-transfer efficiency. The sol-gel thin film and enzyme membrane were characterized by FT-IR, and the effects of pH, operating potential, and temperature were explored for optimum analytical performance by using the amperometric method. The H2O2 sensor exhibited a fast response (5 s), high sensitivity (27.5 mu A/mM), as well as good thermostability and long-term stability. In addition, the performance of the biosensor was investigated using flow-injection analysis (FIA).

ELECTROCATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF MIXED-VALENCE MOLYBDENUM OXIDE THIN-FILM MODIFIED MICROELECTRODES

A compact blue conducting mixed-valence Mo (VI,V) oxide film was grown on the surface of a carbon fibre (CF) microelectrode by cycling the potential between +0.20 and similar to 0.70 V SCE in freshly prepared Na2MoO4 solution in H2SO4 (pH 2). The thicknes

ELECTROCATALYTIC OXIDATION AND FLOW-INJECTION DETERMINATION OF REDUCED NICOTINAMIDE COENZYME AT A GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE MODIFIED BY A POLYMER THIN-FILM

G chemically modified electrode (CME) was prepared by electrochemical copolymerization of pyrrole and Methylene Blue. The resulting CME exhibits effective electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide coenzymes (NADH and NADPH),