Low temperature preparation of ceria solid solutions doubly doped with rare-earth and alkali-earth and their properties as solid oxide fuel cells

A series of solid electrolytes, (Ce(0.8)Ln(0.2))(1 - x)MxO2 - delta(Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, M:Alkali-earth), were prepared by amorphous citrate gel method. XRD patterns indicate that a pure fluorite phase is formed at 800 degreesC. The electrical conductivity and the AC impedance spectra were measured. XPS spectra show that the oxygen vacancies increase owing to the MO doping, which results in the increase of the oxygen ionic transport number and conductivity. The performance of ceria-based solid electrolyte is improved. The effects of rare-earth and alkali-earth ions on the electricity were discussed. The open-circuit voltages and maximum power density of planar solid oxide fuel cell using (Ce0.8Sm0.2)(1 - 0.05)Ca0.05O2 - delta as electrolyte are 0.86 V and 33 mW . cm(-2), respectively.

Preparation, photo and electroluminescence properties of novel rare earth aromatic carboxylates

Novel soluble rare earth aromatic carboxylates were prepared. The triplet energy level of organic ligand was measured. The photoluminescence properties of the Tb3+ and EU3+ aromatic carboxylates and lifetimes were investigated, which indicated that these rare earth complexes have high quantum efficiency. Because of their excellent solubility, polymer-doping rare earth carboxylates were fabricated as thin Films by spin-coating method and their luminescence properties were studied. Some rare earth organic light-emitting diodes were successfully fabricated which performed high pure color. The maximum luminance of the device of ITO/PVK/PVK :Th (AS)(3)Phen: PBD/PBD/Al is 32 cd(.)m(-2) at 28 V.

The preparation of phenolic resin/montmorillonite nanocomposites by suspension condensation polymerization and their morphology

Phenolic resin/clay nanocomposites were prepared using a suspension condensation polymerization method that was suitable to both novolac and resole. Natural montmorillonite and two kinds of organic modified montmorillonite were adopted to investigate the effect of modification on the final morphology of the nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) observations showed that clay platelets were easier to be exfoliated or intercalated in novolac than in resole because novolac usually has a linear structure. The modifier with a phenyl ring was more compatible with novolac (or resole) than the aliphatic type modifier. The influence of curing on the morphology was studied as well. An exfoliation-adsorption and in situ condensation mechanism was proposed on the formation of the nanocomposites.

Preparation of CeO2 nanopartides hydrosol

CeO2 nanoparticles hydrosol was synthesized by colloidal chemical method. The optimum experiment conditions for the preparation of CeO2 nanoparticles hydrosol were discussed. The effects of pH values, the reactant concentration and temperature on peptization process were studied. TEM photos showed that the CeO2 nanoparticles were spherical in shape and the size was about 3nm. Particle size distribution was in narrow range, and no agglomerates were observed. ED images indicated that the CeO2 nanoparticles were polycrystalline structure, and some of CeO2 were monocrystal particles.

Preparation and nonlinear optical properties of ultrathin composite films containing both a polyoxometalate anion and a binuclear phthalocyanine

An ultrathin composite film containing both polyoxometalate anion [PMo12O40](3-) ( PMo12) and a planar binuclear phthalocyanine, bi-CoPc, has been prepared by the electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly method. UV-vis measurements revealed regular film growth with each four-layer {PMo12/bi-CoPc/PSS/PAH} adsorption. The lm structure was characterized by small-angle X-ray reflectivity measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and AFM images. The nanothick film shows a third-order nonlinear optical response of chi((3)) = 4.21 x 10(-12) esu. Experimental investigations also indicate that the combination of polyoxometalate anions [PMo12O40](3-) with the phthalocyanine bi-CoPc in multilayer films can enhance the third-order NLO susceptibility and modify the third-order NLO absorption of bi-CoPc.

Preparation, characterization and luminescence properties of ultrathin films containing polyoxometalates

Ultrathin multilayer films of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and a polyoxotungstoeuropate cluster K-13[Eu(SiW11O39)(2)] (Eu(SiW11)(2)) have been prepared by the layer-by-layer self-assembly method. The Eu(SiW11)(2)/PAH multilayer films have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectra and atomic force microscopy (AFM). UV-Vis measurements reveal regular film growth with each Eu(SiW11)(2) adsorption. The photoluminescent behavior of the film at room temperature was to show the characteristic Eu3+ emission pattern of D-5(o) --> F-7(J). The occurrence of photoluminescent activity confirms the potential for creating luminescent multilayers with polyoxometalates.

Preparation of Pt nanoparticles assembled in multilayer films

PtCl62- anions were assembled on a glassy carbon electrode with [tetrakis(N-methylpyridyl)porphyrinato]cobalt cations through layer-by-layer method. then electrochemically reduced to yield zero valent Pt nanoparticles. Regular growth and surface morphology of the multilayer films were characterized by UV/vis. XPS and AFM.

Preparation and characterization of novel luminescent sol-gel films containing a RE3+ carboxylic acid complex

RE3+ (Eu3+, Tb3+) complexes with carboxylic acid (salicylic acid and benzoic acid) were introduced into the sol, which was prepared by the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). A sol-gel luminescent thin film (SG-LTF) was then prepared by dispersing the sol onto a silica substrate by a spin coating method. Multi-layer luminescent thin films were prepared by repeating the same process. The luminescent spectra, fluorescence lifetime and thermal stability of the SG-LTFs were investigated. For the reason of comparison polyvinylbutyral (PVB) was added into a N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution in which the comparative RE3+ carboxylic acid complexes were previously dissolved to form the DMF/PVB solution and the PVB luminescent thin film (PVB-LTF) was prepared. The results show that a broad excitation band indicates the formation of RE complexes in the solid SG-LTFs. RE ions, which are restrained in the silica matrix, present longer lifetimes and higher thermal stability than that in the PVB-LTF containing the corresponding pure complexes. The different doping concentration of RE (III) complexes in the SG-LTFs and the different change of the emission intensities with the heat treatment temperature in the sol-gel thin film and the sol-gel bulk gel were also discussed in this paper.

Preparation of the HIPS/MA graft copolymer and its compatibilization in PA6/HIPS blends

The graft copolymer of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) grafted with malice anhydride (MA) (HIPS-g-MA) was prepared with melt mixing in the presence of a free-radical initiator. The grafting reaction was confirmed by IR analyses and the amount of MA grafted on HIPS was evaluated by a titration method. 1-5 wt% of MA can be grafted on HIPS. HIPS-g-MA is miscible with HIPS. Its anhydride group can react with the PA6 during melt mixing the two components. The compatibility of HIPS-g-MA in the HIPS/PA6 blends was evident. Evidence of reactions in the blends was confirmed in the morphology and mechanical properties of the blends. A significant reduction in domain size was observed because of the compatibilization of HIPS-g-MA in the blends of HIPS and PA6. The tensile mechanical properties of the prepared blends were investigated and the fracture surfaces of the blends were examined by means of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The improved adhesion in a 16%HIPS/75%PA6 blend with 9%HIPS-g-MA copolymer was detected. The morphology of fibrillar ligaments formed by PA6 connecting HIPS particles was observed.

Improved size control of large palladium nanoparticles by a seeding growth method

A new approach to the preparation of large palladium nanoparticles with diameters between 25 and 100 nm is presented. In this approach PdCl42- ions are reduced on the surface of performed 12-nm-diameter gold "seeds'' by the introduction of ascorbic acid. The resultant particles exhibit improved monodispersity relative to previous work. Interestingly, these nanoparticles possess Au-Pd core-shell structures. The method can be scaled up to produce 50-110 mg of large palladium nanoparticles.

Sol-gel preparation and luminescence properties of nano-structured hybrid materials incorporated with europium complexes

Microporous silica gel has been prepared by the sol-gel method utilizing the hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). The gel has been doped with the luminescent ternary europium complex Eu(TTA)(3)(.)phen: where HTTA=1-(2-thenoyl)-3,3,3-trifluoracetone and phen=1,10-phenanthroline. By contrast to the weak f-f electron absorption bands of Eu3+, the complex organic ligand exhibits intense near ultraviolet absorption. Energy transfer from the ligand to Eu3+ enables the production of efficient, sharp visible luminescence from this material. Utilizing the polymerization of methyl methacrylate, the inorganic/polymer hybrid material containing Eu(TTA)(3)(.)phen has also been obtained. SEM micrographs show uniformly dispersed particles in the nanometre range. The characteristic luminescence spectral features of europium ions are present in the emission spectra of the hybrid material doped with Eu(TTA)(3)(.)phen.

Preparation and luminescence properties of ormosil material doped with Eu(TTA)(3)phen complex

The europium complex, Eu(TTA)(3)phen (TTA = thenoyltrifluoroacetone, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) was successfully doped into organically modified silicate (ormosil) matrix-SiO2/(VTMOS+PMMA) (VTMOS = vinyltrimethoxysilane, PMMA = polymethylmethacrylate) via sol-gel process, and the luminescence properties of the resultant ormosil composite phosphors [ormosil: Eu(TTA)(3)phen were investigated compared with those of the pure Eu(TTA)(3)phen complex powder. The ormosil composite materials incorporated with Eu(TTA)(3)phen show the characteristic red emission of Eu3+ ion. The Eu3+ possesses fewer emission lines and longer lifetime in the hybrid phosphor than in the pure Eu(TTA)(3)phen complex. This has been explained from the viewpoint of the surrounding environment where the Eu3+ ion lies. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparation and luminescence properties of sol-gel hybrid materials incorporated with europium complexes

Microporous silica gel has been prepared by the sol-gel method utilizing the hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). The gel has been doped with the luminescent ternary europium complex Eu(TTA)(3). phen: where HTTA = 1-(2-thenoyl)-3,3,3-trifluoracetone and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline. By contrast to the weak f-f electron absorption bands of Eu3+, the complex organic ligand exhibits intense near ultraviolet absorption. Energy transfer from the ligand to Eu3+ enables the production of efficient, sharp visible luminescence from this material. Utilizing the polymerization of methyl methacrylate or ethyl methacrylate, the inorganic/polymer hybrid materials containing Eu(TTA)(3). phen have also been obtained. SEM micrographs show uniformly dispersed particles in the nanometre range. The characteristic luminescence spectral features of europium ions are present in the emission spectra of the hybrid material doped with Eu(TTA)3 phen. (C) 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Preparation and characterization of luminescent thin films doped with rare earth (Tb3+, Eu3+) complexes derived from a sol-gel process

Sol-gel derived luminescent thin films doped with rare earth (RE) complexes were prepared using an in-situ synthesis method with a two-step hydrolysis process and the luminescence spectra were measured. Fluorescence Lifetime and thermal stability were investigated. The results show that a broad excitation band indicates the formation of RE complexes in the solid thin films. RE ions, which are restrained in a silica matrix, present longer lifetime and higher thermal stability than that in DMF/PVB films containing the corresponding pure complexes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparation of borates doped with divalent rare earth ions (RE2+) in air and spectroscopy of divalent rare earth ions (RE2+ = Sm, Eu, Tm, Yb)

The spectroscopic feature of divalent Sm2+, Eu2+, Tm2+ and Yb2+ is discussed in this paper. Especially the spectroscopic properties of some berates containing tetrahedral BO4 group such as SrB4O7, SrB6O10 and BaB8O13 doped with these divalent ions are reported. When the divalent alkaline earth ion in these berates is replaced partially by the above trivalent rare earth ion, the charge carried in the produced defects can be used as reductant to reduce the doped rare earth ion into divalent state at high temperature even in air. Therefore, a convenient and safe method is provided to prepared phosphors doped with these divalent rare earths.