First-principles calculation on the electronic structure and optical properties of Eu2+ doped γ-AlON phosphor

The crystal structure, electronic structure, and optical properties of Eu-doped γ-AlON at various Eu concentrations were obtained from density functional theory. Based on the calculated results, the luminescence properties and mechanism of Eu-doped γ-AlON are discussed. The calculated results demonstrate that AlON:Eu²⁺ phosphor exhibits a direct band gap, which is advantageous for luminescence. The absorption spectrum of AlON:Eu²⁺ phosphor has a single intense broad absorption band from 275 to 425 nm with a peak at 355 nm, which is consistent with corresponding experimental excitation spectra. The existence of Eu?N bonds enhanced the local covalence of Eu²⁺, hence the optical stability of AlON:Eu²⁺ phosphor.     

Influence of Al3+ doping for V5+ on the structural,optical, thermal and electrical properties of V2-xAlxO5-δ (x=0–0.20) ceramics

This paper reports an investigation on the structure-properties correlation of trivalent metal oxide (Al₂O₃)-doped V₂O₅ ceramics synthesized by the melt-quench technique. XRD patterns confirmed a single orthorhombic V₂O₅ phase formation with increasing strain on the doping of Al₂O₃ in place of V₂O₅ in the samples estimated by Williamson-Hall analysis. FTIR and Raman investigations revealed a structural change as [VO₅] polyhedra converts into [VO₄] polyhedra on the doping of Al₂O₃ into V₂O₅. The optical band gap was found in a wide semiconductor range as confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy analysis. The thermal and conductivity behavior of the prepared samples were studied using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and impedance analyzer, respectively. All the prepared ceramics exhibit good DC conductivity (0.22–0.36 Sm^-1) at 400 ?C. These materials can be considered for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC)/battery applications due to their good conductivity and good thermal stability.     

Efficient hydrogen evolution by liquid phase plasma irradiation over Sn doped ZnO/CNTs photocatalyst

In this study, the liquid phase plasma (LPP) was irradiated over pure zinc oxide (ZnO), strontium (Sn) doped ZnO, and Sn doped ZnO/CNTs photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from pure water and from aqueous solution of water-methanol. The possible relationship between hydrogen evolution and optical emissions from LPP for activation of ZnO based photocatalysts was revealed. The role of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a support material for improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution was also investigated in this study. The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water mixed methanol under LPP irradiation was compared with pure water splitting. The photolysis produced negligible amount of hydrogen due to minimal photodecomposition of water molecules under LPP irradiation. The plasma born reactive species also played crucial role in photolysis. However, the hydrogen evolution rate increased significantly in the presence of ZnO photocatalyst. Further improvement in hydrogen evolution rate was noticed on Sn doping of ZnO and compositing with CNTs. The highest hydrogen evolution rate of 11.46 mmh⁻¹g⁻¹ from water mixed methanol was achieved with Sn doped ZnO/CNTs photocatalyst. This hydrogen evolution rate from water-methanol solution was 9 times higher than from the splitting of pure water. This hydrogen evolution rate is attributed to excessive production of hydroxyl radicals, red shift in optical band gap of Sn doped ZnO/CNTs photocatalyst, slow electron-hole recombination and fast decomposition of methanol as sacrificial reagent.     

An efficient nano-adsorbent via surfactants/dual surfactants assisted ultrasonic co-precipitation method for sono-removal of monoazo and diazo anionic dyes

To preserve the environment for civilization, we should remove the pollutants like toxic dyes by friendly and cost efficacious method. In this study, the effect of surfactants or mixed surfactants on physicochemical, optical and adsorption properties of ternary mixed oxide CeO₂-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ (CZA) are investigated. The ternary mixed oxide CZA was prepared by surfactants or mixed surfactants assisted ultrasonic co-precipitation method. The physicochemical and optical properties are estimated by different techniques like XRD, TEM, EDX, FTIR, S_BET and UV–Vis/DR. The CZA_T and CZA_C have hybrid shapes and high surface area. The adsorption properties of ternary mixed oxides adsorbents were characterized by sono-removing anionic dyes such as Congo red (CR) and Remazol red RB-133 (RR). The different factors like contact time, different dye concentrations and temperatures also studied. The kinetics and isotherms applications showed that, the adsorption process was followed pseudo second order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm model. Also, the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic process through the thermodynamic study. Finally, the results showed that the ternary mixed oxide nano-adsorbent (CeO₂-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃₎ is promising and functional materials for anionic dye sweep from wastewater.     

Influence of bio-clogging on permeability characteristics of soil

It is necessary to enhance the barrier performance of cutoff walls in order to improve the contamination control level, especially for reconstruction or expansion of existing landfill sites. This paper presents a comprehensive laboratory investigation on the synergistic effects of microorganisms and fibers on the hydraulic conductivity of silty sand to evaluate the applicability to the field condition as an alterative barrier material. Inside the soil, the added carbon fibers not only provided good biocompatibility, but also formed spatial three-dimensional network between soil particles to improve the bacterial adhesion that eventually caused 2–3 orders of magnitude decrease in soil permeability. The resistance of the biofilm to extreme conditions was tested by permeation with solutions of different salinity and pH values, and by subjecting specimens to various hydraulic gradients and soil conditions. Despite the microbial growth inhibition occurred at these conditions, however, biofilm can largely remain intact and continue to reduce k, which due to the gradual adaptation of microorganisms to the extreme environment and the gradual recovery of their activity. Results of these tests demonstrate that biofilm treatment may be a feasible technology for creating waste containment barriers in soil.     

Petahertz communication: Harmonizing optical spectra for wireless communications

With the rapid deployment of Next-Generation Networks (NGN), the research community has initiated discussions on an entirely new suite of optical enabling techniques. To pave the way for the development of future wireless networks, this article aims to unify the existing infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet subbands while also exploring the potential of the Petahertz (PHz) band to support extremely bandwidth-thirsty telepresence style applications. Our focus is on the emerging Petahertz Communication (PetaCom) framework, scenario-dependent propagation channels, modulation schemes, system performance, multiple access techniques, and networking. We conclude with a range of PetaCom challenges and open research issues.     

Highly sensitive and wide-range flexible sensor based on hybrid BaWO4@CS nanocomposite

Flexible photoelectronic devices are in demand right now. In this work, a new family of biopolymer-based photodetectors is described. Chitosan (CS) was utilized as a safe, biodegradable host biopolymer, and nanostructured barium tungstate (BaWO₄) particles were used as the nanofiller of the biopolymer matrix to prepare flexible optical sensors. The co-precipitation process was used to produce the filler powders, which were then dried at room temperature without using any surfactants or hazardous solvents. The fabricated sensor showed high flexibility and sensitivity to UV/proton/alpha and laser irradiation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), XPS, FTIR, EDX-map analysis also confirmed the successful synthesis, related chemical binding, and elements in the nanocomposite structure. According to the TEM images, the average particle size of synthesized BaWO₄ NPs was obtained at about 110 nm. A considerable luminescence emission was observed in the constructed sensor's blue/green and ultraviolet spectral regions under various excitation sources. The developed sensor was nontoxic to the cells and provided soft, thin, antibacterial activity, flexible, and comfortable contact with skin, and promising ionizing ray detection applications in flexible optical sensors.     

Enhanced upconversion luminescence and optical temperature sensing performance in Er3+ doped BaBi2Nb2O9 ferroelectric ceramic

A series of BaBi_2-xNb₂Er_xO₉ ceramic compositions with different Er³⁺ concentration (x = 0.0–8 mol %) is synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The upconversion (UC) light emission under 980 nm excitation with different pump powers and luminescence-based temperature sensing ability of BaBi_2-xNb₂Er_xO₉ composition have been examined. The formation of a Bi-layered perovskite phase of BaBi₂Nb₂O₉ is confirmed having an orthorhombic geometry and Fmmm space group. Shifts in the Raman modes indicate reduced interaction of Bi³⁺ ions with NbO₆ octahedron leading to relaxation of structural distortion with increasing Er³⁺ content. The maximum value for remnant polarization and coercive field of doped BaBi_2-xNb₂Er_xO₉ ceramic for (x = 0.08) Erbium concentration comes out to be 2.9524 μC/cm² and 49.8980 kV/cm. For an optimum content of x = 0.04, two strong UC green emission bands were observed at 549 nm via ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition and 527 nm via ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions, and a weak red emission appears at 657 nm attributed to the ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition. Pump power dependence suggests that UC emission is a two-photon mechanism for red and green emission bands. Temperature sensing evaluated by the change in the fluorescence intensity ratio (I₅₂₇/I₅₄₉) indicates the highest sensitivity to be 0.00996 K^?1 at 483 K for an optimum concentration of Er³⁺ at x = 0.04 in BaBi_2-xNb₂Er_xO₉ composition and is useful for non-contact optical thermometry.     

Determination of optical and structural properties of lithium silicate ceramics with different ratios of Sm doped

In this study, the synthesis and luminescence characterization of Samarium (Sm³⁺) doped lithium metasilicate (Li₂SiO₃) phosphor ceramic were investigated. It was presented and discussed the results obtained on the luminescence and other optical studies such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical absorption and luminescence properties of Li₂SiO₃:Sm³⁺ phosphor ceramic. The Li₂SiO₃ compound was shown a characteristic phase in XRD. The doping in the lithium compound was not having a significant effect on the basic crystal structure of the material. The maximum photoluminescence (PL) emission for Sm³⁺ doped Li₂SiO₃ was observed at 554, 583, 641, 725 nm and bore resemblance to the visible region of the spectrum. The glow curves of all synthesized materials have a complex peak structure after being irradiated with a ⁹⁰Sr–⁹⁰Y beta source. In addition, the peak between 400 and 600 nm was seen in the radioluminescence (RL) spectrum because of a wide peak thought to be caused by silicate.