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.

Sol-gel deposition of calcium silicate red-emitting luminescent films doped with Eu3+

Eu3+-activated calcium silicate (CaO-SiO2:Eu3+) luminescent films were prepared by the sol-gel method. The structural evolution of the film was studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the luminescence properties of the phosphor films were investigated as a function of heat treatment temperature. The XRD study indicates that a kilchoanite phase forms in the film sintered at 800 degreesC, which is different from that in gel powder treated under the same conditions. The SEM results show that the film thickness decreases and the particles in the film become smaller with increasing heat treatment temperature. The CaO-SiO2:Eu film shows the characteristic emission of Eu3+ under UV excitation, with the Eu3+ D-5(0)-->F-7(2) band (616 nm) being the most prominent. A large difference in the Eu3+ lifetime is observed between the film samples treated at 500 and 700 degreesC (or above). Concentration quenching occurs when the Eu3+ doping concentration is above 6 mol% of Ca2+ in the film.

Vibronic transitions and site substitution of Eu2+ and codoped ions in KMgF3 : Eu-X (X=Ce, Cr, Gd, Cu) system

The high-resolution emission spectra of KMgF3 : Eu and KMgF3 : Eu-X(X = Ce, Cr, Gd, Cu) single crystals were measured at 300 and 77 K. The vibronic side bands of Eu2+ were characterized and an assignment of the normal mode frequencies to particular vibrations has been made. The correlation between the vibronic frequencies of Eu2+ and the site substitution of other co-dopcd ions was first found. The relationship between vibronic intensity of Eu2+ and other doped ions concentration showed that Cr3+, Gd3+ ions competed K+ sites with Eu2+ ions. Ce3+ and Eu3+ occurred the electron transference. The introduction of Cu+ made for Eu2+ substuting for K+ sites.

A comparative study on the electroluminescence properties of some terbium beta-diketonate complexes

By comparing the phosphorescence spectra of Gd(acac)(3) (acac=acetylacetone), Gd(TFacac)3 (TFacac=1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetone), the effects of fluorine replacement of hydrogen on the triplet state energy of the ligands were revealed. Fluorine can lower the triplet state energy of Hacac and make it more suitable for energy transfer towards the D-5(4) state of terbium. Organic electroluminescent devices (OELDs) with the corresponding trivalent terbium complexes as emissive layers were fabricated. Triple-layer-type devices with a structure of glass substrate/ITO (indium tin oxide)/PVK [poly(N-vinylcarbazole)]/PVK : Tb complex: PBD [2-(4-biphenyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole]/PBD/Al exhibit bright green luminescence upon applying a dc voltage. The luminance of a device with Tb(TFacac)(3)phen (1,10-phenanthroline) and Tb( TFacac) 3 as emissive layer is higher than that of the corresponding devices with Tb(acac)(3)(phen) and Tb(acac)(3) as emissive layers. The EL device with Tb(TFacac)(3)(phen) as emitter exhibits characteristic emission of Tb3+ ions with a maximum luminance of 58 cd m(-2) at 25 V.

Gaseous dipeptide complexes with metal ions by electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) and tandem mass spectrometry have been used to investigate the gas-phase interactions of five metal ions and seven dipeptides. For silver ion, two complexes ([M+Ag](+) and [2M+Ag](+)) were obtained as well as the one complex ([2M+Met-H](+)) for transition-metal ions. Upon collision activation, there is an obvious difference in MS/MS data between metal ion complex and the protonated molecule. The fragment pathway of each complex is related to the structures of dipeptide and the nature of metal ion which suggest that there are several interaction between the metal ions and dipeptides in gas phase.

Infrared spectra and VUV excitation properties of BaLnB(9)O(16): Re (Ln = La, Gd; Re = Eu, Tb)

The infrared spectra of BaLnB(9)O(16):Re, along with the VUV excitation spectra, have been measured. The spectra were tentatively interpreted in terms of the data on absorptions of the borate groups and band structure. It was observed that there are absorption due to BO3 and BO4 groups, indicating that there are BO3 and BO4 groups in BaLnB(9)O(16). It is found that absorption of the borate groups is located in the range from 120 to 170 mn. This result reveals that there is an energy transfer from host to the rare earth ions. It also observed that the energy of charge transfer band, the host absorption, the total crystal field splitting of d-levels of Tb3+ increase with the decrease in the Ln(3+) radius. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Novel, covalently bonded hybrid materials of europium (terbium) complexes with silica

New kinds of hybrid materials containing covalently bonded Eu3+ (Tb3+) bipyridine complexes in a silica network have been prepared and their luminescence properties reported.

Study of energy transfer between rare earth ions in CaS host by photoluminescence spectra

When CaS:Sm3+, Eu2+ is excited at 476.5 nm (Ar+), the emission spectra taken at room temperature and at 77 K are different, indicating that there are two competitive energy transfer processes-Sm3+ --> Eu2+ and Eu2+ --> Sm3+ with phonon participation. So, the luminescence intensity of Sm3+ increases first, and then decreases as the concentration of Eu2+ is increasing. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Studies on the transport of lanthanides ions through the membrane of human erythrocyte in vitro by ICP-MS

A method was developed for the determination of lanthanum in the cytoplasm of human erythrocytes after they were incubated in lanthanum nitrate or citrate solutions. The lanthanum concentration in the cytoplasm of incubated erythrocytes is much higher than that in normal erythrocytes. It is suggested lanthanum can transport through the membrane of erythrocyte in vitro. Solutions containing chelator are unsuitable to be washing buffer in the investigation.

Scanning electrochemical microscopy study of electron transfer across the water/1,2-dichloroethane interface induced by common ions

In this work, we report the reverse electron transfer reaction between TCNQ in 1, 2-dichloroethane (DCE) and ferrocyanide in water. This process is a thermodynamic unfavorable reaction and the reverse electron transfer reaction can only be obtained by scanning electrochemical microscopy(SECM) in the presence of suitable potential-determining ions, which govern the interfacial potential difference. In our case, the potential determining ions are tetrabutylammonium ion(TBA(+)) and tetraphenylarsonium ion (TPAs+). The effects of the concentrations of TBA(+) and TPAs+ in two phases and other parameters have been studied in detail. The apparent heterogeneous rate constants(k(i)) were obtained under different values of K-p(K-p=c(i)(w)/c(i)(o)) for both cases by fitting the SECM approach curves with theoretical ones and the results showed that they were controlled by the interfacial potential differences. The relationship between apparent heterogeneous rate constants and the interfacial potential differences obeys Butler-Volmer theory.

Fragmentation reactions of adduct ions [M+CH3CO](+) of isomeric phenylenediamines

The dissociation routes of the adduct ions [M+CH3CO](+) formed by ion-molecule reaction of isomeric phenylenediamines with acetyl ion from acetone under chemical ionization condition were investigated by using collision-induced dissociation (CID) technique performed at ion kinetic energies of 40eV. The adduct ions are intermediate ion-neutral complexes.

Effect of metal ions on Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) electrochemiluminescence

Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was chosen for the investigation of the effect of metal ions on Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Metal ions that are preferentially bound to the oxygen atoms (MIO) have no effect on the intensity of ECL except for Al3+ and Y3+, whereas metal ions that are preferentially bound to the nitrogen atoms (MIN) preclude the oxidation of EDTA and decrease the ECL intensity.

Photophysical properties of rare earth complexes with 3,4-furandicarboxylic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline

Synthesis, IR spectra, UV-vis spectra and photophysical properties of Gd3+, Eu3+, Tb3+ complexes with 3,4-furandicarboxylic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline are reported. Intramolecular energy transfer process for these complexes is discussed in detail. It is found that the intramolecular energy transfer efficiency depends on the relative positions between the resonance energy levels of the central rare earth ions and the lowest triplet state energies of ligands.

The change of Eu3+-surroundings in the system Al2O3-B2O3 containing Eu3+ ions

The change of Eu3+-surroundings with the Al/B ratio varying from 4.5 to 2 and Eu/(Al + B) = 0.02, was investigated through X-ray diffraction, infrared spectra, excitation and emission spectra, and phonon sideband. The results show coexistence of the crystal phase Al18B4O33 and the amorphous phase and Eu3+ ions of the samples with the Al/B ratio from 3 to 2 are incorporated into the amorphous phase. It was also found that electron-phonon coupling strength decreases with the Al/B ratio from 3 to 2, non-radiative decay rate decreases, resulting in an increase of the Eu3+-emission intensity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Studies on the interaction of rare earth ions with BSA

Studies on the bounding character of rare earth ions with borine serum albumin(BSA) are significant for understanding the state of rare earth ions in body and their effects on the structure and function of protein. The fluorescence spectrum and pH potentiometry showed consistent results of apparent complexion constant of Tb-2 . BSA. The equilibrium dialysis showed that there are two specific binding sites and more than six non-specific binding sites of RE ions onto BSA molecule with the conditional stable constants lg K-1 = 5. 157 and lgK(2) = 3. 435. Na-23 NMR studies revealed that the BSA peptide chain bound to RE ions was expanded and the mobility of its molecular backbone was increased.