The reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ in BaMgSiO4 : Eu prepared in air and the luminescence of BaMgSiO4 : Eu2+ phosphor

The reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ in air has been observed in a silicate matrix for the first time in BaMgSiO4:Eu prepared by high-temperature solid-state reaction. Emission and excitation spectra were employed to detect the presence of Eu2+ ions in the compound and this reduction was explained by a charge compensation model proposed previously. In BaMgSiO4 : Eu2+, Eu2+ ions occupy three different lattice sites by substitution for Ba2+ ions. Eu2+ ions on Ba(1) and Ba(2) sites gave emissions at about 500 nm while that on Ba(3) site showed an emission band at 398 nm. All the emissions of Eu2+ ions in BaMgSiO4 : Eu2+ were not quenched at room temperature.

Preparation and characterization of luminescent cubic MCM-48 impregnated with an Eu3+ beta-diketonate complex

We report on the preparation of luminescent silica mesoporous molecular sieves (MCM-48) activated by the europium complex Eu(DBM)(3) . 2H(2)O (where DBM = dibenzoylmethane), using a simple wet impregnation method. Different concentrations of Eu(DBM)(3) . 2H(2)O were introduced into the MCM-48 cubic structure, and the resulting samples were washed with ethanol for different times. UV-Vis absorption measurements and thermogravimetric analysis were used to estimate the amount of Eu complex that has been incorporated within the pores of the MCM-48 host. The various samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance (DR) and fluorescence measurements. The results reveal that Eu complexes have been successfully introduced into the pores of MCM-48 without disrupting the structure. All the impregnated MCM-48 materials show the typical red luminescence of Eu3+ when excited with a UV lamp. Shifts of the absorption maxima were observed in the DR and fluorescence excitation spectra and will be discussed in relation with guest-host interactions between the organic complex and the silica matrix. The decay profiles of the europium luminescence in the different samples were also measured and discussed.

Langmuir-Blodgett films based on europium-substituted heteropolytungstate and their luminescence properties

Several new hybrid organic-inorganic Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films containing europium-substituted hetero-polytungstate Eu (XW11O39)(2)''(-) (X=Ge, Si, B) were successfully obtained using LB technique. When the heteropolytungstate anions are dissolved in the subphase, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide compression isotherms have been modified, which shows that the polyanions interact with the monolayer. Y-type LB films were obtained from the systems. Low-angle X-ray has shown that these LB films have well-defined lamella. The LB films were characterized by luminescence spectra and the characteristic luminescence behavior for europium-substituted heteropolytungstate complexes and their LB films were discussed. The results of excitation spectra indicate that the energy could be effectively transferred from ligands to the Eu3+ ions in the LB films and the luminescence efficiency could be greatly increased. The results of luminescence spectra indicate that the formations of hybrid organic-inorganic LB films have a great effect on the luminescence of europium-substituted heteropolytungstate. The lifetime shortening was observed in LB films.

VUV-UV excited luminescent properties of calcium borophosphate doped with rare earth ions

The VUV-UV spectra of rare earth ions activated calcium borophosphate, CaBPO5:RE (RE = Ce3+, sm(3+), Eu2+, Eu3+, Tb3+ and Dy3+) were determined. The bands at about 155 nm in the VUV excitation spectra are attributed to the host lattice absorptions. The bands at 166 and 190 nm for the sample CaBPO5:Sm have been considered as related to the f-d transition and the charge transfer band (CTB) of Sm3+ ions, and the band at 169 nm for the sample CaBPO5:Dy is assumed to be connected with the f-d transition of the Dy3+ ions in CaBPO5. The partial reduction of Eu3+ CaBPO5:Eu prepared by high temperature solid state reaction in air is confirmed by the VUV-UV spectra.

UV-VUV excited luminescence of SrBPO5 : Sm phosphor prepared in air

The high-resolution luminescent spectrum of divalent samarium excited by 355 nm UV light at 77 K, the VUV excitation spectra, the VUV excited emission spectra and EXAFS at Sm-L-3 edge were reported for samarium doped strontium borophosphate, SrBPO5:Sm prepared by solid state reaction in air at high temperature. The high-resolution luminescent spectrum showed that the divalent samarium ions occupied the C-2upsilon lattice sites. The VUV excitation spectra indicated that the sample exhibited absorption bands with the maxima at 129 and 148 nm, respectively. The performance of EXAFS at Sm-L3 absorption edge suggested that the samarium ions were nine-coordinated and the mean distances of bond Sm-O were 2.38 Angstrom.

Vacuum ultraviolet optical properties of (La,Gd)PO4 : RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb)

Vacuum ultraviolet excitation spectra of phosphors (La,Gd)PO4:RE3+ (RE = Eu or Tb) and X-ray photoelectron spectra of LaPO4 and GdPO4 are investigated. The vacuum ultraviolet excitation intensity of (La,Gd)PO4:RE3+ is enhanced with the increasing of Gd3+ content, which implies that Gd3+ plays an intermediate role in energy transfer from host absorption band to RE3+. When Gd3+ is doped into LaPO4:Eu, charge transfer band (CT band) begins to shift to higher energy region and the overlap degree of CT band and the host absorption band gets greater with more Gd3+ doped into LaPO4. These results suggest that the dopant (Gd3+) gives an important influence on energy transfer efficiency. The top of LaPO4 valance band is formed by the 2p level of O2-, whereas that of GdPO4 valance band is formed by the 2p level of O2- and the 4f level of Gd3+, showing the differences in band structures between LaPO4 and GdPO4.

XAFS at Eu-L-3 edge and UV-VUV excited luminescence of europium doped strontium borophosphate prepared in air

The local structure and the valences of europium in SrBPO5:Eu prepared in air were checked by means of XAFS at Eu-L-3 edge. From the EXAFS results, it was discovered that the doped europium atoms were nine-coordinated by oxygen atoms and the distances of bond Eu-O were 2.42 Angstrom in the host. From the XANES data, it was found that the divalent and trivalent europium coexisted in the matrix. The emission spectra excited by VUV or UV exhibited a prominent broad band due to the 4f(6)5d-4f(7) transition of Eu2+ ions, which indicated that the trivalent europium ions were reduced in air in the matrix at high temperature by the defects [V-Sr]" formed by aliovalent substitution between Sr2+ and Eu3+ ions. The VUV excitation spectra in 100-200 nm range showed that the matrix had absorption bands with the maxima at about 130 and 150 nm, respectively.

Hydrothermal synthesis and spectral properties of the Eu doped KZnF3

The polycrystals of KZnF3 : Eu have been synthesized by hydrothermal method at 220 degreesC, The product was characterized by XRD, XPS and SEM. The emission and excitation spectra of europium ion were measured. The existence of Eu2+ ion was confirmed by ESR and spectroscopy. The sites were possibly occupied by Eu2+ ions, charge compensation in this crystal were also discussed.

Optical spectroscopy properties and charge compensation of BaLiF3 doped with Ce3+

The excitation and emission spectra of the BaLiF3:Ce3+ phosphors synthesized through solid state reaction have been measured. By investigating the properties of the excitation spectra we point out that the variation in the excitation spectra with the amount of CeF3 dopant results from the different patterns of charge compensation in the matrices. The vacancies of Li+ ions are the favorable charge compensation pattern at low concentration of CeF3 doped, but interstitial F- ions are the major charge compensation pattern when the concentration of CeF3 doped goes beyond a certain value. (C) 2000 Academic Press

Mild hydrothermal synthesis and optical properties of the complex fluoride KMgF3 doped with Eu

KMgF3 doped with Eu was synthesized by mild hydrothermal method at 240 degreesC for the first time. The excitation and emission spectra of the KMgF3 : Eu2+ phosphor were measured. Comparing with the sample synthesized through solid state reaction, the variation in the excitation spectra at 360 nm resulted from the existences of V-K color centers; the low emission intensity was due to Eu2+ having transferred part energy to V-K color centers.

Preparation, characterization and luminescent properties of MCM-41 type materials impregnated with rare earth complex

Hybrid materials incorporating Eu-(TTA)(3). 2H(2)O (7hereafter designated as Eu-TTA, with TTA: thenoyltrifluoroacetone) in unmodified or modified MCM-41 by 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) were prepared by impregnation method. The obtained materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and luminescence spectra. All the hybrid samples exhibited the characteristic emission bands of EU3+ under UV light excitation at room temperature, and the excitation spectra showed significant blue-shifts compared to the pure rare-earth complex. Although the red emission intensity in the modified hybrid was almost the half of the red emission intensity in the pure Eu-TTA complex at room temperature, the hybrid showed a much higher thermal stability due to the shielding character of the MCM-41 host.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of ternary europium complexes in titania matrix in the presence of dimethylformamide by a sol-gel process

In-situ synthesis of ternary europium complex with thenoyltrifluoacetone (TTA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in titania matrix in the presence of dimethylformamide (DMF) by a sol-gel process was described, which was confirmed by the luminescence excitation spectra and infrared spectra. The titania gel that contains europium complex exhibits Eu3+ characteristic emission bands and presents a longer fluorescence lifetime than the pure complexes dissolved in ethanol solution. The concentration effect on the luminescence intensity was also investigated.

Preparation and luminescence properties of terbium-Sal complex in-situ synthesized in silica matrix by a two-step sol-gel process

In-situ synthesis of terbium complex with salicylic acid (Sal) in silica matrix was made by a two-step sol-gel process. The terbium complex with salicylic acid was formed in sol-gel derived silica gel, and confirmed by the luminescence excitation spectra and infrared(IR) spectra. As compared to the pure terbium complex powder, the silica gel containing terbium complex exhibits its characteristic emission and presents a longer fluorescence lifetime than that for the pure complex. The luminescence properties of the complex containing;silica gel were investigated and compared with that of both terbium doped the silica gel and thp pure complex powder. The reasons leading to the above results were also discussed.

Luminescence characteristics of europium and terbium complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline in-situ synthesized in a silica matrix by a two-step sol-gel process

In-situ synthesis of europium and terbium complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in silica matrix by a two-step sol-gel process has been proposed. The formation of europium and terbium complexes with phen in sol-gel derived silica gel were confirmed by the luminescence excitation spectra. The silica gels that contain in-situ synthesized europium and terbium complex exhibit the characteristic emission bands of the rare earth ions. Furthermore. the rare earth ions present longer fluorescence lifetimes than the comparable pure complex powder and the complexes dissolved in ethanol solutions. The luminescence properties of the silica gels codoped with europium (or terbium) and phen were also investigated with respect to the gels doped with europium (or terbium). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Luminescence properties of rare-earth (Eu3+ and Tb3+) complexes with paraaminobenzoic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline incorporated into a silica matrix by sol-gel method

Ternary complexes of europium and terbium with paraaminobenzoic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline (Eu(p-ABA)(3). phen . 2H(2)O and Tb(p-ABA)(3). phen . 2H(2)O, where p-HABA = paraaminobenzoic acid and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were introduced into a silica matrix by sol-gel method. The luminescence behavior of the complexes in silica gels was studied in comparison with the. corresponding solid-state complexes by means of emission, excitation spectra, and Lifetimes. Within the range of effective dopant concentrations, the luminescence intensities of rare-earth complexes in silica gel increase with the increasing of their dopant concentration. The lifetimes of rare-earth ions (Eu3+ and-Tb3+) in silica gel doped with europium and terbium complexes become longer than those in pure complexes. Very small amounts of rare-earth complexes doped in silica gel matrix can exhibit excellent luminescence properties, (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.