Fabrication of double-cladding Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped Bi2O3–GeO2–Ga2O3–BaF2 glass fiber and its performance in a 2.0-μm laser

A novel double-cladding Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺ co-doped Bi₂O₃–GeO₂–Ga₂O₃–BaF₂ glass fiber, which can be applied to a 2.0-μm infrared laser, was fabricated by a rod-tube drawing method. The thermal properties of the glass were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. It showed good thermal stability and matching thermal expansion coefficient for fiber drawing when T_x−T_g > 193°C and the maximum difference of the thermal expansion coefficient is 3.55 × 10⁻⁶/°C or less. The 2.0-μm luminescence characteristics were studied using the central wavelength of 808 nm pump light excitation. The results show that when the concentration ratio of Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺ reaches 0.5 mol%:1.0 mol%, the maximum fluorescence intensity was obtained in the core glass, the emission cross section reached 10.09 × 10⁻²¹ cm², and the maximum phonon energy was 751 cm⁻¹. In this paper, a continuous laser output with a maximum power of 0.986 W and a wavelength of 2030 nm was obtained using an erbium-doped fiber laser as a pump source in a 0.5 m long Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺ co-doped glass fiber. In short, the results show that Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺ co-doped 36Bi₂O₃–30GeO₂–15Ga₂O₃–10BaF₂–9Na₂O glass fiber has excellent laser properties, and it is an ideal mid-infrared fiber material for a 2.0-μm fiber laser with excellent characteristics     

A novel Nd3+-doped MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-based transparent glass-ceramics: Toward excellent fluorescence properties

Generally, glass-ceramics have superior properties compared to their parent glasses. Here, we prepared a novel Nd³⁺-doped MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-based transparent glass-ceramics with excellent fluorescence properties. The effects of Nd₂O₃ content on the structure and properties of glass-ceramics were studied, aiming to provide a key guidance for preparing this transparent glass-ceramics. The results revealed that the glass stability increased originally and then decreased with increasing Nd₂O₃ content, so did the variation of wavenumbers in infrared spectra. And these glass-ceramics are mainly composed of cordierite with residual glassy phase. The three phenomenological intensity parameters (Ω_2,4,6) and radiative properties were estimated by Judd-Ofelt theory, and the values of Ω₂ first decreased and then increased with increasing Nd₂O₃ content. Three main emission peaks ascribed to the transitions from ⁴F_3/2 to ⁴I_9/2, ⁴I_11/2, ⁴I_13/2 at 898, 1057, 1330  nm were observed, respectively. The branching ratios for ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 transition increased as the Nd₂O₃ content raised, and the fluorescence lifetimes of the ⁴F_3/2 level were found to increase first and then decrease with Nd₂O₃ content (from 181 to 726 μs). The excellent fluorescence properties indicate that this novel glass-ceramics can be used as a potential solid-state optical functional material for 1.06 μm laser emission.     

A novel pale-yellow Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor with site-selected excitation and small thermal quenching

A novel pale-yellow Ba₂ZnGe₂O₇:Bi³⁺ phosphor with site-selected excitation and small thermal quenching was synthesized by conventional solid-state sintering. The crystal structure and luminescence properties have been investigated in detail for the first time using XRD patterns, photoluminescence spectra, diffuse reflection spectra, decay curves, and temperature-dependent emission spectra. The results reveal that the excitation spectrum of Ba₂ZnGe₂O₇:Bi³⁺ phosphor locates in the near-ultraviolet region of 300-400 nm, and its emission shows an obvious site-selective excitation phenomenon since Bi³⁺ ions occupy two different crystallographic sites in the Ba₂ZnGe₂O₇ host. When excited under 360 nm, the phosphors show a pale-yellow emission in the range of 400-700 nm with the maximum peaking at 520 nm, while when excited under 316 nm, the phosphors show a blue emission in the range of 400-700 nm with the maximum peaking at 480 nm. In addition, the emission of Ba₂ZnGe₂O₇:Bi³⁺ can also be easily controlled by changing the Bi³⁺ concentration. The Ba₂ZnGe₂O₇:Bi³⁺ phosphor has small thermal quenching, and its emission intensity only decreases by 2% at 200°C. The results indicate that this novel pale-yellow Ba₂ZnGe₂O₇:Bi³⁺ phosphor could be conducive to the development of white light-emitting diodes.     

Enhancement of photoluminescence intensity of sintered CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ red phosphor-bismuthate glass composites

Wavelength converters in white light-emitting diodes are usually made by sintering of phosphor-glass powder compacts. An issue is that the sintering process usually results in the reduction of phosphor amount. In the present study, composites containing CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ red phosphor and Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃-ZnO-Sb₂O₅ glass were fabricated by sintering method. Influences of CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ phosphor content (10 vol%–30 vol%) and sintering temperature (410–430°C) on the residual amount of the phosphor phase and the resulting luminescence intensity of the composites were investigated. The change of CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ content due to sintering was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The interdiffusion between the CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ and glass matrix was examine by scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. This paper focuses on the change of luminescence intensity after sintering. It was found that although the content of phosphor CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ reduces after sintering; the luminescent intensity of the composites anomalously increases. The optimum luminescence intensity is 14% higher than that of the as-mixed, unfired powder. It is proposed that the incorporation of Bi³⁺ ions from the glass matrix into the phosphor CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ during sintering improves the luminescence ability of the phosphor particles.     

Influences of Bi0.75Y0.25O1.5 addition on the microstructure and ionic conductivity of Ce0.8Y0.2O1.9 ceramics

A second phase of Y₂O₃-stabilized Bi₂O₃ (Bi_0.75Y_0.25O_1.5,YSB) is introduced into Y₂O₃-doped CeO₂ (Ce_0.8Y_0.2O_1.9,YDC) as a sintering additive and the composite ceramics of YDC-xYSB (x = 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 wt%) are prepared through sintering at 1100°C for 6 h in air atmosphere. The YDC-xYSB ceramics are composed of both YDC and YSB with cubic fluorite structure, and no other impurity phases are detected in XRD patterns. The relative density of YDC-xYSB rises firstly for x ≤5 wt%, and then it declines with YSB addition from 5 to 40 wt%. The average grain size of YDC decreases from 270 nm to 85.7 nm with YSB addition from 0 to 40 wt%. The YSB phase segregates at the grain boundaries of YDC based on the TEM analysis result. The ionic conductivity of YDC-xYSB (x ≥5 wt%) is lower than that of YDC in the test temperature of 200°C–500°C, while it gradually exceeds that of YDC in 500°C–750°C. At 750°C, the conductivity of YDC-30%YSB (6.22 × 10⁻² S/cm) is 1.35 times higher than that of YDC (4.6 × 10⁻² S/cm). The YSB addition can improve the ionic conductivity of YDC in 500°C–750°C and decrease its sintering temperature.     

Fabrication of high-efficiency Yb:Y2O3 laser ceramics without photodarkening

High-efficiency Yb:Y₂O₃ laser ceramics were fabricated using the vacuum-sintering plus hot isostatic pressing (HIP) without sintering additives. High-purity well-dispersed nanocrystalline Yb:Y₂O₃ powder was synthesized using a modified co-precipitation method in-house. The green bodies were first vacuum sintered at a temperature as low as 1430°C and then HIPed at 1450°C. Finally, the samples were air annealed at 800°C for 10 h. Although no sintering aids were used, full density of the samples with excellent optical homogeneity and an inline transmission of 80% at 400 nm could be obtained. Moreover, photodarkening phenomenon was not detected in the ceramics. Preliminary laser experiment with the fabricated ceramics in a two-mirror cavity has demonstrated 32 W continuous-wave (CW) output at ∼1077 nm with an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 58.2%. To the best of our knowledge, this is so far the highest CW output power and optical-to-optical conversion efficiency achieved with the Yb³⁺-doped sesquioxide ceramics in a simple two-mirror cavity.     

High photostrictive efficiency of Mg3V2O8 ceramics under visible light illumination

The materials showing significant photostrictive effect under visible light are of great interest for the development of advanced micro-optomechanical systems (MOMS). Till date, ferroelectrics have remained the most widely investigated materials for photostriction, but due to wide bandgap their efficiency remains poor in visible light. Herein, magnesium orthovandate (Mg₃V₂O₈) ceramics, showing a bandgap of 2.43 eV, is demonstrated for significant photostrictive efficiency (η) under visible light. In the illumination of laser  655 nm, it shows η = 1.5 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/W, the highest efficiency ever reported for any ceramic under visible light, and under laser405 nm, shows η = 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/W, the efficiency higher than most of the reported materials in similar illumination conditions. The in situ X-ray diffraction patterns collected under external laser illumination in conjunction with power dependent Raman spectroscopy indicates that the photostriction of Mg₃V₂O₈ ceramics is attributed to light induced distortion of its VO₄ tetrahedrons and MgO₆ octahedrons. Whilst, comparative analysis of Raman modes identified experimentally and modes calculated by density functional theory reveals that the light-triggered electron–phonon resonating interactions and light-induced phase transition are the most likely origin of large polyhedral distortions and hence higher value of η at specific light intensity of lasers 655 and 405 nm, respectively. These results show considerable advantage of Mg₃V₂O₈ ceramics for MOMS and other light-driven applications.     

Controlled synthesis of Bi2O3–YSZ composite powders and their sintering behavior for high-performance electrolytes

Bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) is a promising additive to decrease the sintering temperature of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cell application. However, Bi₂O₃ tends to grow into large column bars (>50 µm) in a chemical coprecipitation method, which dramatically limits the mixing uniformity of Bi₂O₃ and YSZ, even much worse than that of mechanical mixing. In this study, the reaction temperature was increased from room temperature to 90°C to increase the number of nucleation during the violate reaction between Bi³⁺ solution and YSZ suspension in NaOH. On this basis, the violence of the reaction was further moderated by adding half of NaOH first, then YSZ powders and the other half of an NaOH solution. The size of Bi₂O₃ was further decreased to sub-micrometer and Bi₂O₃ was homogeneously mixed with YSZ particles, even when its addition amount was as large as 20 mol%. These composite powders effectively promoted the sintering behavior of YSZ. The sintering temperature of YSZ was decreased to 900 and 1000°C with 10 and 5 mol% Bi₂O₃ doping, respectively. Increasing the doping ratio induced severe volatilization of Bi₂O₃ and pore formation. Raising the sintering temperature (no more than 1200°C) enhanced the doping effect of Bi₂O₃ into the YSZ lattice but induced instability in the YSZ crystal structure.     

Effects of CoO and Bi2O3 single/dual sintering aids doping on structure and properties of Ce0.8Nd0.2O1.9

Nd_0.2Ce_0.8O_3-δ (NDC) is one of the most common solid electrolyte materials used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). However, the densification temperature of NDC electrolyte is above 1400 °C. In this work, Bi₂O₃ and CoO sintering aids were individually or synergistically added to Nd_0.2Ce_0.8O_3-δ (NDC) electrolytes through the sol-gel method to lower its sintering temperature. Effects of Bi₂O₃-CoO dual sintering aid on the sintering behavior, phase composition, microstructure, and electrochemical properties of NDC electrolyte were all investigated. The data revealed that Bi₂O₃-CoO dual-sintering aid doped-NDC (labeled as NDC-CB) possessed high density and superior conductivity at low temperatures, better than that of Bi₂O₃ or CoO single sintering aid. NDC electrolyte doped with Bi₂O₃-CoO dual-sintering aid achieved highest relative density of 95.3% at 1100 °C and total conductivity of 5.765 × 10^-2 S cm^-1 at 800 °C. Furthermore, NDC-CB displayed excellent physical and chemical compatibility with La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (LSCF) cathode and NiO-NDC anode. Oxygen reduction reaction at LSCF/NDC-CB interface was improved by about 40% when compared to NDC. In sum, Bi₂O₃-CoO looks promising as dual-sintering additive for lowing sintering temperature and increasing electrical conductivity of NDC. Therefore, NDC-CB might be potential electrolyte for future intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs).     

Synthesis of glass–ceramics in the CaO–MgO–SiO2 system with B2O3, P2O5, Na2O and CaF2 additives

Glass–ceramics based on the CaO–MgO–SiO₂ system with limited amount of additives (B₂O₃, P₂O₅, Na₂O and CaF₂) were prepared. All the investigated compositions were melted at 1400 °C for 1 h and quenched in air or water to obtain transparent bulk or frit glass, respectively. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the main constituents of the glass network are the silicates Q¹ and Q² units. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed liquid–liquid phase separation and that the glasses are prone to surface crystallization. Glass–ceramics were produced via sintering and crystallization of glass-powder compacts made of milled glass-frit (mean particle size 11–15 μm). Densification started at 620–625 °C and was almost complete at 700 °C. Crystallization occurred at temperatures >700 °C. Highly dense and crystalline materials, predominantly composed of diopisde and wollastonite together with small amounts of akermanite and residual glassy phase, were obtained after heat treatment at 750 °C and 800 °C. The glass–ceramics prepared at 800 °C exhibited bending strength of 116–141 MPa, Vickers microhardness of 4.53–4.65 GPa and thermal expansion coefficient (100–500 °C) of 9.4–10.8 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹.     

Photoluminescent and electrical properties of novel Nd3+ doped ZnV2O6 and Zn2V2O7

Nd³⁺ doped ZnV₂O₆ and Zn₂V₂O₇ samples were synthetized by using melt-quenching method. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that both samples are polycrystalline. The crystallinity was also verified by Raman scattering, from which the different vibrational modes of ZnV₂O₆ and Zn₂V₂O₇ were detected. Electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis shows that the Nd³⁺ incorporation into the ZnV₂O₆ and Zn₂V₂O₇ hosts is around 0.9±0.1 and 0.2±0.1 at%, respectively. The micrographs obtained by Scanning Electron Microscopy, reveal that the Nd³⁺ doped ZnV₂O₆ sample is predominantly composed by micro-rods, whereas the Nd³⁺ doped Zn₂V₂O₇ one is only composed by irregular blocks. The band gap energies (E_g) were calculated from the diffuse reflectance spectra by the Kubelka–Munk equation; E_g values resulted to be 2.24 and 2.86 eV for the Nd³⁺ doped ZnV₂O₆ and Zn₂V₂O₇ samples, respectively. By means of two points dark conductivity measurements, conductivity values in the 10⁻⁴–10⁻⁶ and 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁸(Ω cm)⁻¹range for the Nd³⁺ doped ZnV₂O₆ and Zn₂V₂O₇ samples were measured, respectively. The conductivity as a function of the temperature indicated a semiconductor behavior. The photoluminescence spectra upon Ar⁺ laser excitation at 488 nm, exhibited the Nd³⁺ characteristics emissions. For instance, the Nd³⁺ doped ZnV₂O₆ sample displayed the Nd^{3+ 4}F_5/2→⁴I_9/2 and ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 emissions; while the Nd³⁺ doped Zn₂V₂O₇ one showed the Nd³⁺ characteristic emissions associated with the ⁴G_7/2, ⁴F_9/2, ⁴F_5/2 and ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 transitions. The lifetimes were 80 and 130 µs for the Nd³⁺ doped ZnV₂O₆ and Zn₂V₂O₇ samples, respectively. All these results suggest a successful synthesis of Nd³⁺ doped zinc vanadate compounds by the melt-quenching technique.     

The effect of Sb2O3 on the properties of micro-arc oxidation coatings on magnesium alloys

Coatings incorporated with Sb₂O₃ were obtained on AZ31B magnesium alloy during micro-arc oxidation (MAO) by adding Sb₂O₃ (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 g/L) into the electrolyte. The voltage of MAO process, microstructure, element distribution, thickness, phase analysis, microhardness, adhesion, and corrosion behavior of the coatings were, respectively, investigated. The results showed that the addition of different concentrations of Sb₂O₃ caused the voltage variation, which resulted in the changes in microstructure, element distribution, and phase composition of coatings, and further led to the improvement of coatings properties. It was found that the addition of Sb₂O₃ could effectively decrease the breakdown voltage, and made the voltage of micro-arc oxidation stage change. Moreover, the presence of Sb₂O₃ influenced surface morphologies of the coatings. Additionally, with the increase in Sb₂O₃, the microhardness of coatings was 155.2, 199.78, 277.34, 267.53, and 127.93 HV, respectively; these were higher than substrate (68.5 HV). Moreover, the addition of Sb₂O₃ effectively improved adhesion. As the Sb₂O₃ increased, the corrosion rate was 2.19 × 10⁻⁴, 9.09 × 10⁻⁵, 4.10 × 10⁻⁵, 2.52 × 10⁻⁴, and 2.96 × 10⁻⁴ mm/a, respectively, and the corrosion resistance increased first and then decreased with the increase in Sb₂O₃. In sum, the optimal Sb₂O₃ concentration was 4 g/L.     

Effect of SiC whiskers on the anti-oxidation properties of Yb2Si2O7/mullite/SiC tri-layer environmental barrier coating for CMCs

The mullite and ytterbium disilicate (β-Yb₂Si₂O₇) powders as starting materials for the Yb₂Si₂O₇/mullite/SiC tri-layer coating are synthesized by a sol–gel method. The effect of SiC whiskers on the anti-oxidation properties of Yb₂Si₂O₇/mullite/SiC tri-layer coating for C/SiC composites in the air environment is deeply studied. Results show that the formation temperature and complete transition temperature of mullite were 800–1000 and 1300°C, respectively. Yb₂SiO₅, α-Yb₂Si₂O₇, and β-Yb₂Si₂O₇ were gradually formed between 800 and 1000°C, and Yb₂SiO₅ and α-Yb₂Si₂O₇ were completely transformed into β-Yb₂Si₂O₇ at a temperature above 1200°C. The weight loss of Yb₂Si₂O₇/(SiC_w–mullite)/SiC tri-layer coating coated specimens was 0.15 × 10⁻³ g cm⁻² after 200 h oxidation at 1400°C, which is lower than that of Yb₂Si₂O₇/mullite/SiC tri-layer coating (2.84 × 10⁻³ g cm⁻²). The SiC whiskers in mullite middle coating can not only alleviate the coefficient of thermal expansion difference between mullite middle coating and β-Yb₂Si₂O₇ outer coating, but also improve the self-healing performance of the mullite middle coating owing to the self-healing aluminosilicate glass phase formed by the reaction between SiO₂ (oxidation of SiC whiskers) and mullite particles.     

Preparation of Al2O3@CaCO3 aggregates and its effects on the thermal shock resistance of Al2O3-MgO castables

Al₂O₃@CaCO₃ aggregates were prepared by impregnating corundum aggregates (particle sizes with 3-1 and 5-3 mm) in precursor solutions (Calcium hydrogen citrate, CaHC₆H₅O₇) followed by heat treatment at 430°C. The phase composition and microstructure of the coatings were characterized via X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope, respectively. The novel aggregates were used in Al₂O₃-MgO castables. The effects of the Al₂O₃@CaCO₃ aggregates on the physical properties and thermal shock resistance (TSR) of castables were investigated. The results show that uniform CaCO₃ coating of aggregates (C15) with thickness about 10 µm can be attained when the concentration of Ca²⁺ in solution was 0.15 mol L⁻¹. There was a strong bonding between the aggregates and coating that was constituted by particles with size about 0.2 µm. Both improving physical and TSR properties of the castables are related with the unique layer structure, calcium hexaluminate (CA₆) layer in-situ formed at the aggregate-matrix interface, of added Al₂O₃@CaCO₃ aggregates. There is a mass of multi-deflection of cracks along with the CA₆ layer which consumes more fracture surface energy. The castables with C15 exhibit optimal TSR and the residual strength ratio after the thermal shock test is 29.5%, which is 12.8% higher than the castables with corundum aggregates.     

Self-crystallized Ba2LaF7:Nd3+/Eu3+ glass ceramics for optical thermometry

Eu³⁺/Nd³⁺-codoped Ba₂LaF₇ transparent bulk glass ceramics were successfully fabricated by glass self-crystallization. The structure and morphology of the sample were investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, and selected area electron diffraction. The fluorescence intensity ratios of Nd³⁺ emission at 800 nm to the Eu³⁺ emission at 699 nm (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₄) were measured under 578.3 nm laser excitation in a wide temperature range from 290 to 740 K. A relatively good temperature sensing performance was obtained with a maximum relative sensitivity of 1.02% K⁻¹ at 420 K. Both the emission peaks for temperature sensing were located in the optical window of biological tissue, which is favorable for biomedical applications. The results indicate that Ba₂LaF₇:Nd³⁺/Eu³⁺ glass ceramics have a potential application as temperature probes.     

Improvement on thermophysical and mechanincal properties of LaMgAl11O19 magnetoplumbite by Nd2O3 and Sc2O3 co-doping

LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉-type magnetoplumbite holds great promise to be used above 1300 °C as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), but its practical application has been restricted because of inferior thermophysical properties. Herein, we focus on optimizing the thermophysical properties of LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉ by simultaneously substituting La³⁺ and Al³⁺ ions with Nd³⁺ and Sc³⁺ ions, respectively. Results show that the effects of co-substitution on reducing thermal conductivity are pronounced. The thermal conductivities of La_1-xNd_xMgAl_11-xSc_xO₁₉ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) ceramics decrease progressively with dopant concentration and a lowest thermal conductivity of 2.04 W/(m·K) is achieved with x = 0.3 at 1000 °C, which is a value superior to pure LMA and even lower than YSZ. The mechanisms behind the lowered thermal conductivity are investigated. Increase of the thermal expansion coefficient is also realized (8.53 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for pure LMA, 9.07 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for x = 0.3, 1300 °C). Most importantly, Nd³⁺ and Sc³⁺ combination doping indeed facilitates mechanical properties of La_1-xNd_xMgAl_11-xSc_xO₁₉ solid solutions as well. It should be noted that Sc³⁺ doping at Al³⁺ site plays more effective role in improving thermal properties than Nd³⁺ does at La³⁺ site. This work provides a path to simultaneously integrate low thermal conductivity, good phase stability, moderate thermal expansion behavior and excellent mechanical properties on LMA for the next generation TBCs.     

Electrophoretic co-deposition of Bi2O3–multiwalled carbon nanotubes coating as supercapacitor electrode

Nafion is suggested as an efficient assistant in preparing supercapacitor by employing nanoparticles. In this work, using a bi-additive of 0.10-mM NaOH + 0.10 g L⁻¹ Nafion, Nafion-assisted electrophoretic co-deposition of Bi₂O₃–multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coating is successfully realized in ethanol solvent. The capacitance performances of the electrophoretic coatings in 6.0-M KOH electrolyte are investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge techniques. Comparing with Bi₂O₃ coating prepared with electrophoretic deposition (EPD) by employing other additive (such as polyethyleneimine), the Bi₂O₃ coating prepared by Nafion-assisted EPD shows a better capacitance performance. Benefiting from the improvement in coating conductivity caused by MWCNTs, with a small additional amount of 4.0 wt.%, the Bi₂O₃–MWCNTs coating exhibits an amazing 164% increase of mass-specific capacitance (473 F g⁻¹ at the current density of 1.0 A g⁻¹) in comparison with pure Bi₂O₃ coating (179 F g⁻¹ at the current density of 1.0 A g⁻¹). The cyclic stability test exhibits excellent capacitance retention of 88.7% over 3000 cycles at a constant current density of 10.0 A g⁻¹. This work combines the advantages of MWCNTs, Nafion, and EPD to provide a facile route for preparing Bi₂O₃-based coating as a high-performance supercapacitor electrode.     

Characterization of Bi2O3 thin films for doping photoluminescent Er3+ ions

Undoped and Er³⁺-doped Bi₂O₃ thin films were sputter-deposited on Si(100) substrates. Sufficiently oxidized Bi₂O₃ films with refractive indices between 2.17?2.23 were obtained at a wavelength of 633 nm; these values are comparable to those of bulk Bi₂O₃ crystals. While the film composition was stable for deposition temperatures between room temperature (RT) and 450 °C, the refractive index steeply decreased above 450 °C and reached 1.4 at 600 °C. The lowering of the optical transmittance spectra indicated aggregation of metallic Bi and darkening of the film. All films exhibited X-ray diffraction patterns of α-Bi₂O₃. The direct and indirect bandgap energies derived from the Tauc plots were 3.4–3.7 eV and 1.9–2.5 eV, respectively, depending on the O₂ flow rate and deposition temperature. Upon excitation of Er³⁺-doped Bi₂O₃ films at 532 nm, Er³⁺ emissions peaking at 1537 and 1541 nm appeared, and the photoluminescence spectra included fine structures reflecting crystal-field splitting. Resonant excitation of Er³⁺ 4f levels and indirect excitation via the defect levels of Bi₂O₃ followed by energy transfer to Er³⁺ contributed to the emission. The films deposited at RT with Er concentrations of 2 at.% had the emission intensity of Er³⁺, but concentration quenching strongly suppressed the Er³⁺ emission because the doped Er³⁺ ions stayed inside the Bi₂O₃ crystals. At deposition temperatures above 400 °C, the concentration quenching was mitigated possibly because out-diffusion of Er³⁺ ions reduced the effective number of Er³⁺ ions in the Bi₂O₃ crystalline domains.     

White luminescence of bismuth and samarium codoped Y2O3 phosphors

In this work Sm³⁺ (0–2.0 at%) and Bi³⁺ (0–2.0 at%) doped Y₂O₃ luminescent powders were prepared by a sol–gel method from yttrium acetylacetonate, samarium and bismuth nitrates as metal sources. The as prepared powders (chemical composition is close to stoichiometric Y₂O₃) present the cubic structure from 700 °C, and at 900 °C are characterized by the presence of rounded particles with heterogeneous size of 42.9 nm. Luminescent effect of ions of Sm³⁺ and Bi³⁺ into Y₂O₃ host as was studied on heat treated powders from 800 to 1100 °C. The combination of the red luminescence from the Sm³⁺ ions and the bluish from Bi³⁺, makes the synthesized phosphors candidates to be used in fabrication of phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (LEDs).     

Micro/nanostructured Bi2Mn4O10 with hierarchical spindle morphology as a highly efficient anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Mullite-type compound Bi₂Mn₄O₁₀ has shown the feasibility as anodes of next lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein micro/nano-Bi₂Mn₄O₁₀ with hierarchical spindle-like architectures has been successfully synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal method without any no surfactant or template. A time-dependent experiment is carried out to observe the morphology evolution, suggesting a nucleation–aggregation/growth–dissolution–recrystallization process. As anode of LIBs, the as-prepared spindle-shaped micro/nano Bi₂Mn₄O₁₀ harvests a significantly high initial discharge capacity of 1022 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 C, an excellent cyclability performance (563.8 mA h g⁻¹ after 400 cycles), a better high-rate capability (100 mA h g⁻¹ at 10 C), quick diffusion kinetics (1.8 × 10⁻¹² cm² s⁻¹), and low active energy (19.5 kJ mol⁻¹), which are significantly superior to that of its bulk counterparts and the previous reports. The encouraging lithium storage performance largely stems from the synergistic effect of the unique spindle-shaped micro/nanostructure.