Preparation and upconversion luminescence of Y2SiO5:Yb3+, Ho3+ nanophosphors

X1 type monoclinic Y2SiO5:Yb3+, Ho3+ nanophosphors with fixed (varied) Ho3+ and varied (fixed) Yb3+ concentrations were synthesized by sol-gel method. The nanophosphors presented lacunaris shape with an average size of about 47 nm measured by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Up-conversion emissions have been observed at 550 nm corresponding to (5F4, 5S2)-5I8 transition and 661 nm due to 5F5-5I8 transition of Ho3+ upon 980 nm excitation at room temperature. The results indicate that both green and red luminescences are based on the two-photon process through the energy transfer from Yb3+. However, the intensity of green emission is weaker than that of the red, because the 5I7 level of Ho3+ can be effectively populated. The integrated upconversion emission intensity on the Yb3+ and Ho3+ concentrations were also studied.     

An unconventional route to high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells via embedding graphitic thin films into TiO2 nanoparticle photoanode

Graphitic thin films embedded with highly dispersed titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) nanoparticles were incorporated for the first time into the conventional dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), resulting in a remarkably improved cell efficiency due to its superior electron conductivity. Massively ordered arrays of TiO(2) dots embedded in carbon matrix were fabricated via UV-stabilization of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) films containing TiO(2) precursors followed by direct carbonization. For dye-sensitized TiO(2) based solar cells containing carbon/TiO(2) thin layers at both sides of pristine TiO(2) layer, an increase of 62.3% [corrected] in overall power conversion efficiency was achieved compared with neat TiO(2)-based DSSCs. Such a remarkably improved cell efficiency was ascribed to the superior electron conductivity and extended electron lifetime elucidated by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy.     

Improvement in performances of dye-sensitized solar cell with SiO2-coated TiO2 photoelectrode

The pure TiO2 and the nano-porous SiO2-coated TiO2 (STO) films were deposited on the FTO substrates by spray technique for the application of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). XRD pattern shows the pure TiO2 and STO films exhibits the same structure. We found that there is no much difference in dye absorption between the STO and the pure TiO2 films. The electrochemical impedance spectra reveal that insulating nature of the porous SiO2 increases surface resistance of the TiO2 film and supresses back transfer of the photogenerated electrons to the electrolyte. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) reveal that the surface morphology and the existence of SiO2 layer on the surface of the TiO2 films, respectively. The photoelectrochemical results show that the short-circuit photocurrent (J(SC)) increased from 16.73 mA cm(-2) to 18.31 mA cm(-2) and the open-circuit voltage (V(OC)) value changed from 0.71 V to 0.74 V for the STO films. The efficiency of cell has been greatly improved from 8.25 to 9.3%.     

Surface modified TiO2 nanostructure with 3D urchin-like morphology for dye-sensitized solar cell application

Three-dimensional (3D) urchin-like rutile TiO2 powders were synthesized by a mild hydrothermal method without any templates. An individual urchin-like TiO2 powder consists of self-assembled nanorods with a length of about 150 nm and width of about 10 nm. Additionally, the urchin-like TiO2 nanopowders were coated with an ultra-thin ZnO layer in order to modify the surface properties of the nanopowders, and the ZnO layer was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The ZnO-modified TiO2 was used as a photoelectrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and the solar cell performances were investigated. In comparison with bare TiO2, ZnO-modified TiO2 improved the photovoltaic performances, i.e., energy conversion efficiency, open circuit voltage, and short circuit current were increased. The higher DSSC performance of ZnO-modified TiO2 was attributed to its higher dye loading and lower charge recombination rate.     

Polymer electrolytes based on grafted inorganic nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cells

Inorganic nanoparticles such as TiO2 and SiO2 were grafted with poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (POEM) and blended with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (MPII) and iodine (I2) to prepare polymer electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The effects of the grafted nanoparticles on the coordination interactions and structures of electrolytes were investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The energy conversion efficiencies were obtained as 3.3 and 2.9% for TiO2 and SiO2 based electrolytes, respectively. Good interfacial contact between the electrolyte and the electrodes was also confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM).     

Pt/Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> composite nanotubes: Enhanced photoluminescence and application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Y(OH)3:Eu3+ nanotubes were synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method,and then,Pt particles were grown on the surface of the nanotubes using a combination of vacuum extraction and annealing.The resulting Pt/Y2O3∶Eu3+ composite nanotubes not only exhibited enhanced red luminescence under 255-or 468-nm excitation but could also be used to improve the efficiency of dyesensitized solar cells,resulting in an efficiency of 8.33％,which represents a significant enhancement of 11.96％ compared with a solar cell without the composite nanotubes.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated that the interfacial resistance of the TiO2-dye|I3-/I-electrolyte interface of the TiO2-Pt/Y2O3:Eu3+ composite cell was much smaller than that of a pure TiO2 cell.In addition,the TiO2-Pt/Y2O3:Eu3+ composite cell exhibited a shorter electron transport time and longer electron recombination time than the pure TiO2 cell.     

Preparation of nanorod-like anatase TiO2 nanocrystals and their photovoltaic properties

Anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with the high specific surface area were prepared by the hydrothermal treatment of anatase TiO2 sols at the temperature of 150 degrees C and above. When TiO2 sols with a lower content of TiO2 and at a relatively high pH value were hydrothermal treated, the dispersible and nanorod-like TiO2 nanocrystals were formed via the oriented attachment. The nanorod-like TiO2 nanocrystals with an aspect ratio of larger than 5 and a mean diameter of less than 7 nm were obtained in the absence of organic compounds. The as-prepared TiO2 nanocrystals were characterized with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and BET surface area techniques. The TiO2 nanostructures were deposited on the FTO conductive glass as the anodic electrode for the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and assembled into solar cells. The derived solar cells showed a conversion efficiency of 6.12% under 1 sun illumination of simulated sunlight and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of more than 60% at the wavelength of 550 nm. The DSSCs from the anatase nanorods has a higher open circuit voltage compared to the spherical nanocrystals.     

In-situ sol-gel synthesis of nanophosphors M2Y8(SiO4)6O2:Eu3+(M = Ca, Sr) derived from novel crosslinking reagents as silicon sources

M2Y8(SiO4)6O2:Eu3+(M = Ca, Sr) nanophosphors were synthesized using sol-gel technology by adopting eight different kinds of silicon sources of novel crosslinging reagents. X-ray diffraction and scanning electronic microscopy show that these materials have sizes of 20-80 nm with different configurations due to the diversity of the silicate sources. Some nanophosphors present the regular microstructure despite high temperature thermolysis. In addition, all these nanophosphors exhibit strong emission at 618 nm.     

Nanostructured CaWO4, CaWO4:Eu3+ and CaWO4:Tb3+ particles: sonochemical synthesis and luminescent properties

Nanostructured CaWO4, CaWO4:Eu3+, and CaWO4:Tb3+ phosphor particles were synthesized via a facile sonochemical route. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, low voltage cathodoluminescence spectra, and photoluminescence lifetimes were used to characterize the as-obtained samples. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that the samples are well crystallized with the scheelite structure of CaWO4. The transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy images illustrate that the powders consist of spherical particles with sizes from 120 to 160 nm, which are the aggregates of even smaller nanoparticles ranging from 10 to 20 nm. Under UV light or electron beam excitation, the CaWO4 powder exhibited a blue emission band with a maximum at 430 nm originating from the WO4/2- groups, while the CaWO4:Eu3+ powder showed red emission dominated by 613 nm ascribed to the 5D0 --> 7F2 of Eu3+, and the CaWO4:Tb3+ powders showed emission at 544 nm, ascribed to the 5D4 --> 7F5 transition of Tb3+. The PL excitation and emission spectra suggest that the energy is transferred from WO4/2- to Eu3+ CaWO4:Eu3+ and to Tb3+ in CaWO4:Tb3+. Moreover, the energy transfer from WO4/2- to Tb3+ in CaWO4:Tb3+ is more efficient than that from WO4/2- to EU3+ in CaWO4:Eu3+. This novel and efficient pathway could open new opportunities for further investigating the novel properties of tungstate materials.     

Controllable morphology and high photoluminescence of (Y, Gd)(V, P) O4:Eu3+ nanophosphors synthesized by two-step reactions

Multi-ion doped YVO(4):Eu(3+) nanophosphors with high photoluminescence intensity were successfully prepared by a two-step reaction process for the first time, including YVO(4):Eu(3+) seeds synthesized by hydrothermal reaction and co-doping P(5+) and Gd(3+) in a sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy were adopted to detect the structure, grain size, morphology and optical properties of the nanophosphors, respectively. Owning to the template-induced effect of the seeds, the morphology and size of the nanophosphors could be controlled by adjusting the molar ratios between the seeds and doping ions. The size of these nanophosphors increased as P(5+) and Gd(3+) co-doped. However, most of the samples kept approximately spherical morphology and narrow size distribution. The composition-optimized (Y, Gd)(V, P)O(4):Eu(3+) nanophosphors with spherical morphology in the 80-100 nm range exhibit better red emission and superior color saturation under vacuum ultraviolet excitation compared with that of the commercial phosphor (Y, Gd)BO(3):Eu(3+).     

Enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells based on MgO-coated TiO(2) electrodes by reactive DC magnetron sputtering

A surface modification method was carried out by reactive DC magnetron sputtering to fabricate TiO(2) electrodes coated with insulating MgO for dye-sensitized solar cells. The MgO-coated TiO(2) electrode had been characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-vis spectrophotometer, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The study results revealed that the TiO(2) modification increases dye adsorption, decreases trap states and suppresses interfacial recombination. The effects of sputtering MgO for different times on the performance of DSSCs were investigated. It indicated that sputtering MgO for 3?min on TiO(2) increases all cell parameters, resulting in increasing efficiency from 6.45% to?7.57%.     

Nanostructured CaWO4, CaWO4 : Pb2+ and CaWO4 : Tb3+ particles: polyol-mediated synthesis and luminescent properties

Nano-submicrostructured CaWO4, CaWO4 : Pb2+ and CaWO4 : Tb3+ particles were prepared by polyol method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), photoluminescence (PL), cathodo-luminescence (CL) spectra and PL lifetimes. The results of XRD indicate that the as-prepared samples are well crystallized with the scheelite structure of CaWO4. The FE-SEM images illustrate that CaWO4 and CaWO4 : Pb2+ and CaWO4 : Tb3+ powders are composed of spherical particles with sizes around 260, 290, and 190 nm respectively, which are the aggregates of smaller nanoparticles around 10-20 nm. Under the UV light or electron beam excitation, the CaWO4 powders exhibits a blue emission band with a maximum at about 440 nm. When the CaWO4 particles are doped with Pb2+, the intensity of luminescence is enhanced to some extent and the luminescence band maximum is red shifted to 460 nm. Tb(3+)-doped CaWO4 particles show the characteristic emission of Tb3+ 5D4-7FJ (J = 6 - 3) transitions due to an energy transfer from WO4(2-) groups to Tb3+.     

Preparation and properties of a carbon nanotube-based nanocomposite photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells

This study fabricates dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO(2)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite photoanodes obtained by the modified acid-catalyzed sol-gel procedure. Results show that incorporating MWCNTs into a TiO(2)-based electrode efficiently improves the physicochemical properties of the solar cell. The results of dye adsorption and cell performance measurements indicate that introducing MWCNTs would improve the roughness factor (from?834 to?1267) of the electrode and the charge recombination of electron/hole (e(-)/h(+)) pairs. These significant changes could lead to higher adsorbed dye quantities, photocurrent and DSSC cell performance. Nevertheless, a higher loading of MWCNTs causes light-harvesting competition that affects the light adsorption of the dye-sensitizer, and consequently reduces the cell efficiency. This study suggests an optimum MWCNT loading in the electrode of 0.3?wt%, and proposes a sol-gel synthesis procedure as a promising method of preparing the TiO(2)-based nanocomposite.     

Fabrication of SiO2@ZrO2@Y2O3:Eu3+ core-multi-shell structured phosphor

ZrO2 interface was designed to block the reaction between SiO2 and Y2O3 in SiO2@Y2O3:Eu coreshell structure phosphor. SiO2@ZrO2@Y2O3:Eu core-multi-shell phosphors were successfully synthesized by combing an LBL method with a Sol-gel process. Based on electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and spectroscopy experiments, compelling evidence for the formation of the Y2O3:Eu outer shell on ZrO2 were presented. The presence of ZrO2 layer on SiO2 core can block the reaction of SiO2 core and Y2O3 shell effectively. By this kind of structure, the reaction temperature of the SiO2 core and Y2O3 shell in the SiO2@Y2O3:Eu core-shell structure phosphor can be increased about 200-300 degrees C and the luminescent intensity of this structure phosphor can be improved obviously. Under the excitation of ultraviolet (254 nm), the Eu3+ ion mainly shows its characteristic red (611 nm, 5D0-7F2) emissions in the core-multi-shell particles from Y2O3:Eu3+ shells. The emission intensity of Eu3+ ions can be tuned by the annealing temperatures, the number of coating times, and the thickness of ZrO2 interface, respectively.     

Synthesis of the Fe3O4@SiO2@SiO2-Tb(PABA)3 luminomagnetic microspheres

In this paper, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a luminomagnetic microspheres with core-shell structures (denoted as Fe3O4@ SiO2 @SiO2-Tb(PABA)3). The luminomagnetic microspheres were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and photoluminescence spectrophotometer (PL). The SEM observation shows that the microsphere consists of the magnetic core with about 400 nm in average diameter and silica shell doped with terbium complex with an average thickness of about 90 nm. It has a saturation magnetization of 15.8 emu/g and a negligible coercivity at room temperature and exhibits strong green emission peak from 5D4 --> 7F5 transition of Tb3+ ions. The luminomagnetic microspheres with good magnetic response and fluorescence probe property as well as water-dispersibility would have potential medical applications, such as time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA), fluorescent imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).     

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on ZnO nanoflowers and TiO2 nanoparticles composite photoanodes

ZnO nanoflowers were synthesized by low temperature solution-phase method. ZnO nanoflowers/TiO₂ nanoparticles composite photoanodes with various mass ratios were prepared on transparent conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by doctor-blade technique. The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled. The morphology characteristics of ZnO nanoflowers and ZnO/TiO₂ composite photoanodes have been analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the ZnO nanoflowers/TiO₂ nanoparticles mass ratio on the performance of DSSCs was systematically investigated by I–V characteristics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results show that the conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell with a ZnO/TiO₂ mass ratio of 25:75 was increased by about 35 % compared to that of pure TiO₂-based solar cell. Addition of ZnO nanoflowers can enhance the light harvesting and improve electron transport.     

Y2O3∶Eu$1纳米晶的尺寸调控与发光性能研究

以尿素为沉淀剂,柠檬酸为表面活性剂,通过水热法得到了非晶态的水合硝酸氧钇前驱体,进一步烧结处理后生成了立方相Y2 O3纳米晶．利用X－射线衍射（ XRD）、扫描电镜（ SEM）、透射电镜（ TEM）、红外光谱（ FTIR）和荧光光谱（ PL）分别对所得样品的相结构、形貌粒度、表面结构以及发光性能进行研究．结果表明：当烧结温度从600℃升高到900℃,Y2 O3∶Eu3＋纳米颗粒的结晶性增强,并实现了粒径调控,由13．0 nm增加至27．9 nm．随着Y2 O3∶Eu3＋纳米颗粒尺寸的增加,比表面积减小会导致发光离子附近的表面晶格缺陷降低,同时纳米晶表面吸附水、硝酸根以及柠檬酸根等杂质离子逐渐被去除,减少了荧光猝灭中心,从而有利于增强荧光发射强度以及延长荧光寿命．     

Charge recombination reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells by means of an electron beam-deposited TiO2 buffer layer between conductive glass and photoelectrode

A thin anatase titanium dioxide compact film was deposited by electron beam evaporation as buffer layer between the conductive transparent electrode and the porous TiO₂-based photoelectrode in dye-sensitized solar cells. The effect of such a buffer layer on the back transfer reaction of electrons to tri-iodide ions in liquid electrolyte-based cells has been studied by means of both electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and open circuit photovoltage decay analysis. The influence of the thickness has been also investigated and an increment in overall quantum conversion efficiency η as high as + 31% with respect to the standard cell - fabricated onto an uncoated conductive glass - has been revealed in the case of a 120 nm thick buffer layer.     

二氧化钛基纳米材料及其在清洁能源技术中的研究进展

二氧化钛纳米材料是当前纳米科技的研究热点,其在太阳能光催化分解水制氢、二氧化碳的光催化还原、染料敏化太阳能电池等清洁能源技术方面均显示了重大的应用前景.本文主要综述了近年来二氧化钛基纳米材料的研究趋势、存在的主要问题,以及这些材料在上述清洁能源利用中的最新进展.对备受关注的非金属掺杂、高能面暴露的二氧化钛、染料敏化太阳能电池阳极致密层等热点问题进行了评述和展望.     

Enhancing the photoelectric conversion of dye-sensitized solar cell via nitrogen-doped nanocrystalline titania electrode

A high efficient dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) was fabricated using nitrogen-doped nanocrystalline titania(TiO2) photoanode. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), zeta potentials, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and elemental analysis experiments were employed to characterize the nitrogen-doped nanocrystalline TiO2 photoanode. An obvious enhancement of the optical absorption in the range of 380-550 nm was observed for nitrogen-doped TiO2, which was attributed to both the substitutional N and the chemisorbed N2 molecules. A conversion efficiency of 9.04% was obtained on the DSC based on nitrogen-doped TiO2 photoanode annealed in a flow of NH3 at 550 degrees C, with an increase of 15.6% improvement in comparison with pure TiO2 (7.82%). The mechanism for the enhanced photovoltaic performance was discussed.