Preparation and Characterization of Antibacterial Zn~(2+)-Exchanged Montmorillonites

Zn-montmorillonites(Zn-MMTs) as antibacterial compounds were prepared by an ion-exchange reaction. The reaction time, initial pH value and molar ratios of CEC influencing zinc content in Zn-MMTs were investigated, and Zn-MMTs were characterized by means of EDX, XRD, XPS, and SEM. The results of bacterial growth tests were confirmed by determination of the minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The experimental results show that the zinc is confirmed as bivalent zinc state, the d001 basal spacing of Zn-MMTs is enlarged with the enhancement of the zinc content, and the particles of Zn-MMTs are formed with irregular shape. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of Zn-MMTs increases with increasing the zinc content, and Zn-MMT-3 containing 6.76 mass% of zinc exhibits optimum antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.     

Frequency up-conversion luminescence properties and mechanism of Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped oxyfluorogermanate glasses

Oxyfluoride glasses were developed with composition 60GeO 2 ·10AlF 3 ·25BaF 2 ·(1.95-x)GdF 3 · 3YbF 3 ·0.05TmF 3 ·xErF 3 (x=0.02,0.05,0.08,0.11,0.14,0.17)in mole percent.Intense blue(476 nm),green(524 and 546 nm)and red(658 nm)emissions which identified from the 1G 4 →3H 6 transition of Tm3+and the(2H 11/2 ,4S 3/2 )→4I 15/2 ,4F 9/2 →4I 15/2 transitions of Er3+,respectively,were simultaneously observed under 980 nm excitation at room temperature.The results show that multicolor luminescence including white l...     

Sensitization and intra-molecular energy transfer of Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> by Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Eu-Tb binuclear complexes/PMMA

A series of Eu0.5Tb0.5(TTA)3Phen/PMMA (TTA=thenoyltrifluoroacetone,Phen=phenanthroline) and Eu0.5Tb0.5(TTA)3Dipy/PMMA (Dipy=2,2’-dipyridyl) were prepared by in-situ polymerization.The structures of the composites were characterized by IR spectra and electron spectrum.Photoluminescence properties were investigated by UV-Vis spectra and fluorescence spectra.Meanwhile,the energy transfer models were set up.The results indicated that polymer parts were attached with the rare-earth molecular parts in the composi...     

Preparation of Functionalized Graphene Nano-platelets and Use for Adsorption of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> from Solution

Functionalized graphene nano-platelets (FGN) were obtained via treating graphene nanoplatelets (GN) with HNO₃, and served as adsorbent for the removal of Pb²⁺ from solutions. We investigated the FGN adsorption capacity for Pb²⁺ at different initial concentrations, varying pH, contact time and temperature. The characterization results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TG/DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method indicated that FGN layers were thin and possess large specific area with oxygen-containing functional groups grafted onto their surface. Meanwhile, the determined equilibrium adsorption capacity of FGN for Pb²⁺ was 57.765 mg/g and adsorption isotherms well confirmed to Langmuir isotherms models. The results reveals that the FGN has better effect of water treatment.     

Synthesis of M (M=Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>/Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript>)-doped FeS<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanospheres with Enhanced Visible-light-induced Photocatalytic Activity

Nano-spherical Co²⁺-doped FeS₂ was synthesized through a simple solvothermal method. The products were investigated using XRD, FE-SEM, BET, ICP, EDS, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results indicated that Co²⁺ ion could change the particle nucleation process and inhibited the particle growth of FeS₂. In addition, when the content of doped Co²⁺ was 15%, the degradation efficiency of methylene blue (MB) achieved 60.72% after 210 min irradiation, which increased by 52.01% than that of the undoped FeS₂. Moreover, comparison experiments also demonstrated that the M (M=Co²⁺, Co²⁺/Ni²⁺)-doped FeS₂ photocatalytic activity efficiency sequence was Co²⁺ > Ni²⁺>Co²⁺/Ni²⁺. This is ascribed to the fact that the Co²⁺ doping could induce the absorption edge shifting into the visible-light region and increased the surface area of the samples. The effect mechanisms of M-doping on the band gap and the photocatalytic activity of FeS₂ were also discussed.     

The effect of OH~- groups on the spectroscopic properties of erbium-doped tellurite glasses

With the rapid development of computer networks and other data-transmitting ser-vices, the demand for the increase of transmission capacity of the long distance trans-mission system is urgent. However, the conventional SiO2-based EDFA is limited for its small bandwidth. The Er3+-doped tellurite glass exhibits a larger stimulated-emission cross section and a broader emission bandwidth at the third communication window (1.55 μm) than that of silicate, phosphate, and germanate glasses, which c…     

Combustion synthesis and luminescent properties of CaO: Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, M<Superscript>+</Superscript> (M=Li,Na, K) phosphor

Li⁺, Na⁺, or K⁺ co-doped CaO: Eu³⁺ phosphors were prepared by the combustion synthesis method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation (PL-PLE) spectra. The experimental results show that, upon excitation with 250 nm xenon light, the emission spectrum of the CaO: Eu³⁺ consists of 4f-4f emission transitions from the ⁵ D ₀ excited level to the ⁷ F _J (J=1, 2, 3) levels with the mainly electric dipole transition ⁵ D ₀→⁷ F ₂ of Eu³⁺, indicating that the Eu³⁺ occupies a low symmetry. The charge-transfer band (CTB) shows somewhat red shift with the decreasing ionic radii of co-doped alkali metal ions. The PL and PLE intensities are significantly enhanced, especially the strongest intensity of luminescent is CaO: Eu³⁺, Li⁺ phosphor, when alkali metal ions are incorporated. The strongest peak of emission is slightly shifted from 614 to 593 nm, indicating that the Eu³⁺ ion locates in a symmetric position (O _h ) when alkali metal ions are incorporated.     

Preparation of TiO2 Thin Film and Its Antibacterial Activity

TiO2 nanometer thin films with photocatalytic antibacterial activity were prepared by the sol-gel method on fused quartz and soda lime glass precoated with a SiO2 layer. The thin films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ( XPS ), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X- ray diffraction ( XRD ). The results show that sodium and calcium diffusion into nascent TiO2 film is effectively retarded by the SiO2 layer precoated on the soda lime glass, The antibacterial activity of the films was determined. The crystalline of TiO2 nanometer thin film has important effects on the antibacterial activity of the film.     

Disruption of bacterial cells by photocatalysis of montmorillonite supported titanium dioxide

The photo-induced antibacterial capacity of montmorillonite supported titanium dioxide (TiO₂/Mmt for short) was evaluated by using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as modal organisms. The bactericidal activity of TiO₂/Mmt was examined by cell viability assay under different illumination modes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and total organic carbon/Total nitrogen (TOC/TN) analyses were employed to investigate the mechanism of the photocatalytic bactericidal process qualitatively and quantitatively. The kinetic data show that TiO₂/Mmt has excellent antibacterial performance, and about 99% of both bacteria cells are inactivated within 75 min illumination. The AFM images demonstrate that the bacterial cells are irreversibly decomposed and some cell components are dissolved. Therefore, the content and phase of carbon and nitrogen in the solution are changed after photocatalytic reaction. Funded by the National “973” Program of MOST of China (No. 2004CB619204), and the Scientific and Technological Research Key Project, Ministry of Education of China (No. 02052), the National High Tech. “863” Program of China (No. 2007AA06Z100), and the Scientific and Technological Research Key Project (No. 2007AA06Z123 )     

Microstructures and fatigue-free properties of the La<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doped Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> thin films prepared by modified sol-gel technique

Ferroelectric Bi_3.25La_0.75Ti₃O₁₂ (BLT) and Bi_3.15Nd_0.85Ti₃O₁₂ (BNT) thin films were fabricated on Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/Si (100) substrates by a modified sol-gel technique. X-ray diffraction indicated that these films were of single phase with random polycrystalline orientations. The surface morphologies of the films were observed by scanning electron microscope, showing uniform, dense films with grain size of 50–100 nm. Well-saturated hysteresis loops of the films were obtained in metal-ferroelectric-metal type capacitors with Cu top electrodes at an applied voltage of 400 kV/cm, giving the remanent polarization (2P _r) and coercive field (2E _c) values of the films of 25.1 μC/cm² and 203 kV/cm for BLT, and 44.2 μC/cm² and 296 kV/cm for BNT, respectively. Moreover, these capacitors did not show fatigue behaviors after up to 1.75×10¹⁰ switching cycles at the test frequency of 1 MHz, suggesting a fatigue-free character. The influences of the La³⁺ and Nd³⁺ doping on the properties of the films were comparatively discussed. Supported by the National Key Basic Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB932305) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, China (Grant No. 2004ABA082)     

Vacuum degree effects on betavoltaics irradiated by <Superscript>63</Superscript>Ni with differently apparent activity densities

For many current betavoltaics, beta sources and PN junction energy conversion units are separated. The air gap between the two parts could stop part of decay beta particles, which results in inefficient performance of the betavoltaic. By employing ⁶³Ni with an apparent emission activity density of 7.26×10⁷ and 1.81×10⁸ Bq cm^?2, betavoltaic performance levels were calculated at a vacuum degree range of 1×10⁵ to 1×10^?1 Pa and measured at 1.0×10⁵ and 1.0×10⁴ Pa, respectively. Results show that betavoltaic performance levels improve significantly as the vacuum degree increases. The maximum output power (P _max) exhibits the largest change, followed by short-circuit current (I _sc), open-circuit voltage (V _oc), and fill factor. The vacuum degree effects on I _sc, V _oc, and P _max of the betavoltaic with low apparent activity density ⁶³Ni are more significant than those of the betavoltaic with high apparent activity density ⁶³Ni. Moreover, the improved efficiencies of the measured performances are larger than the calculated efficiencies because of the low ratio of I _sc and reverse saturation current (I ₀). The values of I ₀, ideality factor, and shunt resistance were estimated to modify the equivalent circuit model. The calculation results based on this model are closer to the measurement results. The results of this research can provide a theoretical foundation and experimental reference for the study of vacuum degree effects on betavoltaics of the same kind.     

Chlorofluorocarbons and<Superscript>3</Superscript>H/<Superscript>3</Superscript>He in groundwater

Based on the CFC concentration, the fraction of young groundwater in a mixture with old groundwater can be defined if the age of the young component is known. The authors argued that the ratio of [³He_t]/[³H_t] in a young water is independent of its mixing with old waters. Hence, the³H?³He can be used to determine age of the young groundwater, though mixing with old groundwater may occur. CFC concentrations are susceptible to change by mixing of young and old water. The combination of CFCs and tritium/helium can provide confidential apparent age of the young groundwater and fraction of the young water in the mixture with old groundwater.     

Synthesis of polyaniline-Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposites and their conductivity and magnetic properties

By using inorganic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles of different content as nucleation sites, PAn-Fe₃O₄ nanorods were successfully synthesized through a simple, conventional, and inexpensive one-step in-situ polymerization method. The TEM images revealed the size and morphology of the resultant nanocomposite. The EDS pattern confirmed the existence of Fe₃O₄ in the composite. The FT-IR spectral analysis confirmed the formation of PAn encapsulated Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite. With the content of Fe₃O₄ increasing, the conductivity of the nanocomposites gradually decreases, meanwhile, the saturation magnetization increases and reveals a super paramagnetic behavior. With controllable electrical, magnetic, and electromagnetic properties, the well-prepared nanocomposites may have the potential applications in chemical sensors, catalysis, microwave absorbing, and electro-magneto-rheological fluids, etc.     

Influence of dioxin reduction on chemical composition of sintering exhaust gas with adding urea

With the addition of urea as an inhibitor, four groups of reducing dioxin emission experiments in sintering pot were conducted. The results show that, adding 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.5% (mass fraction) urea, the emission concentrations of dioxin are 0.287, 0.258 and 0.217 ng-TEQ/m³, respectively. The dioxin emission rates drop substantially compared to 0.777 ng-TEQ/m³ free of urea. With an increase of the urea content, the concentration of SO₂ emission reduces sharply. (NH₄)₂SO₄, formed by the reaction of SO₂ and NH₃, goes into the dust and part of NH3 is released before reaction with the emission of exhaust gas. The NO _x emission presents an increasing trend because the reaction of NH₃ and O₂ at high temperature produces NO _x . Based on the consideration of factors such as the effect of reducing dioxin emission, and the chemical composition of exhaust gas, 0.05% is the optimum adding content of urea.     

Fluorescence detection for H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>-</Superscript> based on carbon dots/Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript> composite

A novel fluorescent probe for H₂PO₄ ^- was designed and fabricated based on the carbon dots/Fe³⁺ composite. The carbon dots were synthesized by an established one-pot hydrothermal method and characterized by transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, UV-Vis absorption spectrometer and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The carbon dots/Fe³⁺ composite was obtained by aqueous mixing of carbon dots and FeCl₃, and its fluorescence property was characterized by fluorescence spectrophotometer. The fluorescence of carbon dots was quenched by aqueous Fe³⁺ cations, resulting in the low fluorescence intensity of the carbon dots/Fe³⁺ composite. On the other hand, H₂PO₄ ^- reduced the concentration of Fe³⁺ by chemical reaction and enhanced the fluorescence of the carbon dots/Fe³⁺ composite. The Stern-Volmer equation was introduced to describe the relation between the relative fluorescence intensity of the carbon dots/Fe³⁺ composite and the concentration of H₂PO₄ ^-, and a fine linearity (R ²=0.997) was found in the range of H₂PO₄ ^- concentration of 0.4-12 mM.     

Roles of Eu^2＋, Dy^3＋ Ions in Persistent Luminescence of Strontium Aluminates Phosphors

The polycrystalline Eu^2＋ and Dy ^3＋ co-doped strontium aluminates SrAl2O4： Eu^2＋, Dy^3＋ with different compositions were prepared by solid state reactions. The UV-excited photoluminescence, persistent luminescence and thermo-luminescence were studied and compared. Results show that the doped Eu^2＋ ion in SrAl2O4： Eu^2＋, Dy^3＋ phosphors works as not only the UV-excited luminescent center but also the persistent luminescent center. The doped Dy^3＋ ion can hardly yield any luminescence under UV-excitation, but effectively enhance the persistent luminescence and thermo-luminescence of SrAl2O4： Eu^2＋. Dy^3＋ co-doping can help form electron traps with appropriate depth due to its suitable electro-negativity, and increase the density and depth of electron traps. Based on above observations, a persistent luminescence mechanism, electron transfer model, is proposed and illustrated.     

Preparation and Performance of Si<Superscript>4+</Superscript>-doping Rod-shaped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Powder by Nonhydrolytic Sol-gel Method

Titania (TiO₂) nanorod powder was prepared by nonhydrolytic sol-gel method using titanic chloride (TiCl₄) as titanium source, methylene dichloride (CH₂Cl₂) as solvent, absolute ethyl alcohol (CH₃CH₂OH) as oxygen donor. The effects of Si⁴⁺ doping on the TiO₂ nanocrystalline phase transformation temperature were systematically researched. The results showed that when the molar ratio of Ti⁴⁺ to Si⁴⁺ is 1 to1.3, TiO₂ prepared by calcination at 1100 °C for 1 hour exhibits rod shape and has good photocatalytic activity. Doping of Si⁴⁺ makes glass phase core-shell structure forming on the surface of anatase crystal particles, which can inhibit crystal phase transformation and raise the transformation temperature, making TiO₂ stable in anatase phase at 1200 °C.     

Phase transition and photoluminescence properties of Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped ZnMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> red phosphors

Eu³⁺-doped ZnMoO₄ with different doping concentrations were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The effects of Eu³⁺ doping on the phase structure and photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnMoO₄ were investigated. The result showed that the introduction of Eu3+ could lead to phase transition of ZnMoO₄. With the increase of Eu³⁺ doping amount, β-ZnMoO₄ was transformed to α phase gradually, which led to different photoluminescence performances. The optimized doping concentration of Eu³⁺ was 6 mol% for the highest emission intensity at 615 nm. Its CIE chromaticity coordinates were (0.667, 0.331), which were very close to the values of standard chromaticity (0.67, 0.33) for National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) system. Therefore, Eu³⁺-doped ZnMoO₄ is considered to be a promising red-emitting phosphor for white LED applications.     

Transmission properties of a new glass ceramic and doped with Co2+ as saturable absorber for 1.54 µm Er glass short pulse laser

The preparation and characteristics of a new transparent glass ceramic were described. Crystal phase particles with nanometer size were successfully precipitated in glass matrix, which was confirmed to be one of indium aluminum zinc oxide compounds (InxAlyZnzO). The presence of aluminum (Al) and indium (In) impurities in the zinc oxides (ZnO) crystal lattice leads to some changes of the carrier concentration in the material and then promote the sharply changes of transmission spectra in IR range wavelength. And subsequently, the IR cut-off edge blue shifted from 5.5 μm in base glass to 3 μm in transparent glass ceramic sample. Furthermore, passive Q switched 1.54 μm Er glass laser pulses with pulse energy of 10 mJ and pulse width of 800 ns were successfully obtained by using the cobalt doped transparent glass ceramic as a saturable absorber.     

Interaction of rare earth ions in Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>MgSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>: Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript> material

To discuss the function of Eu and Dy and their interaction in Sr₂MgSi₂O₇: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ long afterglow material, the Eu and Dy single doped and their co-doped Sr₂MgSi₂O₇: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ were prepared. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), decay curves, photoluminescence (PL), and thermoluminescence (TL). The results indicate that Sr₂MgSi₂O₇: Eu has afterglow properties, and the doping of Eu ion in Sr₂MgSi₂O₇: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ can lower the depth of traps. Eu ion can not only serve as luminescence center, but also produce traps in the matrix, meanwhile, it also exerts certain influences on the traps produced by Dy in Sr₂MgSi₂O₇: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺. The Dy ion can not act as luminescence center but relates to the change of the traps in the Sr₂MgSi₂O₇ matrix.