Preparation and photocatalytic activity of La^3＋ and Eu^3＋ co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles： photo-assisted degradation of methylene blue

Rare earth ions La³⁺ and Eu³⁺ co-doped TiO₂ photocatalyst (La-Eu/TiO₂) was prepared by sol-gel method, and characterized by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area and porosity (BET and BJH), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activity of the La-Eu/TiO₂ was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. The catalyst had a relatively uniform particle diameter distribution in the range of 40–60 nm. When calcining at 600°C, the XRD patterns of La-Eu/TiO₂ indicated the anatase phase, while the XPS patterns showed the Ti⁴⁺, La³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions existence. The DRS spectra showed red shift in the band-gap transition. The experimental results of MB degradation demonstrated that the photocatalytic activity of La-Eu/TiO₂ was significantly enhanced due to better separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.     

Preparation, spectral characteristics and photocatalytic activity of Eu~(3+)-doped WO_3 nanoparticles

Eu3+-WO3 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by the modified method of Pechini. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Results showed that the Eu3+-WO3 nanoparticles, which had an average external diameter of 10-25 nm, were composed of the different shapes of puncheon and catenary after being pretreated by pH, pressure vessal, and surfactant. Moreover, ...     

Preparation,characterization of Y~(3+)-doped TiO_2 nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activities for methyl orange degradation

A series of pure and Y3+-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with high photocatalytic activities were prepared by a sol-gel method using tetra-n-butyl titanate as precursor.The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy(DRS).The results indicated that yttrium doping could effectively reduce the crystalline size,inhibit the anatase-to-rutile phase transformation and surppress the recombination of the photogenerated electron-h...     

Humidity sensing properties of La~(3+)/Ce~(3+)-doped TiO_2-20 wt.% SnO_2 thin films derived from sol-gel method

The humidity sensing properties of La3+/Ce3+-doped TiO2-20 wt.%SnO2 thin films were studied.Sol-gel method was employed to prepare the films on alumina substrates.By constructing a humidity-impedance measuring system,the sensing behaviors were inspected for the films sintered at different temperatures.Experimental results showed that,0.5 wt.% of La2O3 or Ce2O3 doped films sintered at 500 °C for 2 h had the best humidity sensing properties,the impedance decreasing from 109 ? to below 104 ? in the humidity range of 15-95 RH%.Moreover,Ce3+-doping had better humidity sensing properties than La3+-doping.The doping mechanism was discussed in terms of phase composition,granularity of crystalline and segregation of rare earth ions at grain boundaries.     

Preparation and characterization of visible-light-driven europium doped mesoporous titania photocatalyst

Pure and different content europium(Eu) doped mesoporous titania were prepared by template method using Eu(NO3)3.6H2O andTi(OC4H9)4 as precursors and Pluronic P123 as template and characterized with X-ray diffraction(XRD),N2 adsorption-desorption measurements,and ultraviolet-visible diffuse absorption spectra.Their photocatalytic activities were studied by photodegradation phenol in water under visible light irradiation.The results showed that Eu doping restrained the growth of grain size and extended the p...     

Novel phosphors of Eu~(3+), Tb~(3+) or Tm~(3+) activated LaBGeO_5

Rare earth borogermanates as a group of stable compounds provided various potential properties important for modern sciences. Among the properties of interests, luminescence was manifested due to the variability of rare earth elements and the compounds constituted an important group of potential candidate. In this work, novel phosphors of Eu3+, Tb3+ or Tm3+ doped LaBGeO5 with the stillwellite type structure were synthesized by the solid state reaction method. Their X-ray and UV excitation luminescent proper...     

Effects of La^3＋ Non-Uniformly Doping in TiO2 Films on Photocatalytic Activities

TiO2 thin films non-uniformly doped by La^3＋ were prepared by sol-gel method. The comparison of thin film activities, which was characterized by photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, shows that doping modes have great activities. The non-uniformly effects on photocatalytic doped TiO2 films resuh in good photocatalytic activities with an optimal concentration; about 0. 5% （ atom fraction ）. UV-Vis transmittance spectra indicate that the absorption edges of these TiO2 thin films shift to ward longer wave- lengths remarkably, and electrochemical behavior also reveales that e^- -h^＋ pairs are prone to formation and separation under UV irradiation. The mechanism of photocatalytic activities are enhanced by La^3＋ non-uniformly doping was discussed on the analogy of the theory of “window effect” of solar cell heterojunction.     

Luminescence investigation of Eu~(3+)-Bi~(3+) co-doped CaMoO_4 phosphor

A series of Eu3+-Bi3+ co-doped CaMoO4 red phosphors were synthesized via the solid-sate reaction method. The crystal structures of the obtained samples were identified by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The photoluminescence property was investigated, and the results showed that the intensity of excitation spectra and emission spectra could be changed with different doping ratios of Bi3+/Eu3+. The proposed explanation of these changes was from the energy transfer between Bi3+ and Eu3+ and the unbalanced cha...     

Y/Eu co-doped TiO2:synthesis and photocatalytic activities under UV-light

Y and Eu co-doped nano-TiO2 photocatalysts were successfully prepared via a sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry(UV-vis), photoluminescence(PL) and Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) spectra. Experimental results indicated that Y and Eu doping inhibited the growth of crystalline size and the transformation from anatase to rutile phase and had the function of reducing particle reunion. At the same time, co-doping could also enhance the absorption in visible region and then narrowed the band gap. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue(MB) under ultraviolet(UV) light irradiation, which showed much enhanced photocatalytic activities over un-doped TiO2. The degradation rate of 1.5% Y/Eu-TiO2 of methylene blue was 86%, which was about 5 times of that of un-doped TiO2, and the possible reasons for the improvement of photocatalytic activities were analyzed. In this experiment, the dopant amount of rare earth was 1.5% and the ratio of Y:Eu was 2:3 for the maximum photocatalytic degradation, and the sample calcined at 500 oC showed the best reactivity. For the best samples above, the removal rate of phenol under visble light was 53% whthin 2 h.     

Preparation, Characterization and Photo-Catalytic Behavior of Y_2O_3/TiO_2 Composite Semiconductor Nanopowder

ＴｉＯ2 ｐｈｏｔｏ ｃａｔａｌｙｓｉｓｈａｓｂｅｅｎａｆｏｃｕｓｏｆｎｕｍｅｒｏｕｓｉｎｖｅｓｔｉｇａｔｉｏｎｓｉｎｒｅｃｅｎｔｙｅａｒｓ ,ｐａｒ ｔｉｃｕｌａｒｌｙｏｗｉｎｇｔｏｉｔｓａｐｐｌｉｃａｔｉｏｎｆｏｒｔｈｅｃｏｍ ｐｌｅｔｅｍｉｎｅｒａｌｉｚａｔｉｏｎｏｆｕｎｄｅｓｉｒａｂｌｅｏｒｇａｎｉｃｃｏｎ ｔａｍｉｎａｎｔｓｔｏＣＯ2 ,Ｈ2 Ｏａｎｄｉｎｏｒｇａｎｉｃｃｏｎ ｓｔｉｔｕｅｎｔ[1] .Ｈｏｗｅｖｅｒ,ｐｈｏｔｏ ｏｘｉｄａｔｉｏｎｉｓａｌｍｏｓｔｎｏｔｉｎｄｕｓｔｒｉａｌｌｙａｐｐｌｉｅ…     

La~(3+) -doped SrBi_2Ta_2O_9 thin films for FRAM synthesized by sol-gel method

This paper discusses the possibility of synthesis of SBTL sol-gel films for use as active layers for non-volatile memory(FRAM). La-doped SrBi2Ta2O9 thin films were synthesized by sol-gel method on Pt/TiO2/BPSG/SiO2/Si substrates. The structural features of the surface(AFM), crystallization behavior(XRD) during the heating and ferroelectric properties of synthesized films were discussed. It was shown that an optimum surface structure and a high share of perovskite phase of SBTL-films were compared to SBT-films(Theating=800 oC). Achieved ferroelectric parameters suggested the possibility of using synthesized SBTL sol-gel films in non-volatile memory devices.     

Preparation and Photocatalytic Property of Er_2O_3/TiO_2 Complex Photocatalyst

Preparation and Photocatalytic Property of Er_2O_3/TiO_2 Complex Photocatalyst     

Photoluminescence of Eu~(2+)-activated Na_(1-x)Al_(1-x)Si_(1+x)O_4 upon UV excitation

A convenient high temperature solid-state reaction method was developed to fabricate Na1-xAl1-xSi1+xO4:Eu2+ phosphors.The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),photoluminescence(PL),and photoluminescence excitation(PLE).The luminescence of Na1-xAl1-xSi1+xO4:Eu2+ phosphors were characterized by the two corresponding emission centers at 535 and 440 nm.The excitation spectrum extended from 250 to 400 nm.A white light was observed by naked eye upon ultraviolet excitation.The relative...     

Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange by polyoxometalates supported on yttrium-doped TiO_2

A series of novel photocatalysts, H3PW12O40-Y-TiO2 nanocomposites with different H3PW12O40 loading levels (10%-40%) were prepared by impregnation method. And the Y-TiO2 support, doped with yttrium, was synthesized via sol-gel technique. The prepared catalysts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The processes allowed obtaining Keggin structure and crystallized anatase with large BET surface area as well as uniform distribution. The effects of H3PW12O40 loadings, catalyst dose, initial pH and concentration of dye solution on the degradation kinetics of methyl orange under UV light (λ≥365 nm) were discussed. Kinetics studies showed that the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange fitted the apparent first-order reaction. Methyl orange was totally degraded in 21 min under optimum conditions: 20% loading, 0.03 g dose and pH 1.0. The catalyst was stable and easily to be separated from reaction system for recovery.     

Luminescent Property of Eu~(3 ) Doped in TiO_2-SiO_2 Sol

Luminescent Property of Eu~(3 ) Doped in TiO_2-SiO_2 Sol     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Gd~(3+) doped TiO_2 and Gd_2O_3 modified TiO_2 prepared via ball milling method

Gd~(3+)/TiO_2 and Gd_2O_3/TiO_2 nanoparticles were prepared by ball milling method.The effects of Gd~(3+)ion and Gd_2O_3 on the structure and optical property of TiO_2 were studied by XRD and UV-vis DRS.Specific surface area was determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET)method.The morphology and elemental composition were characterized by SEM-EDS.XPS was used to determine the surface compositions and chemical character of elements.The sample sizes and microstructures were observed by TEM.The photocatalytic activities of TiO_2 nanoparticles modified with rare earth metal gadolinium(Gd~(3+)ion or Gd_2O_3)were evaluated by degradation of methylene blue(MB)under UV light.Experimental results indicate that 2,5 mol%Gd~(3+)/TiO_2 shows the best photocatalytic activity compared with Gd_2O_3/TiO_2 and pure TiO_2.The existence of gadolinium can exhibit the aggregation and induce lattice distortion of TiO_2 obtained from XRD,SEM and TEM results.The band gap energy of 2.5 mol%Gd~(3+)/TiO_2 decreases to3.07 eV and it leads to visible light absorption response which can be seen from UV-vis absorption spectra.The surface area of 2.5 mol%Gd~(3+)/TiO_2 equals to 85.8 m~2/g and average crystal size is 21.1 nm.EDS and XPS analyses reveal that gadolinium can be introduced either into TiO_2 lattice or adsorbed on the surface of TiO_2.The content of surface OH groups in 2.5 mol%Gd~(3+)/TiO_2 is 50,88%(1.55 times higher than that of pure TiO_2)and the content of lattice oxygen decreases to 11.26%.The MB(25 mg/L)degradation reaction rate constants of 2,5 mol%Gd~(3+)/TiO_2,0.5 mol%Gd_2O_3/TiO_2 and pure TiO_2 were0.0713,0.0588 and 0.0263 min~(-1),respectively.The degradation rates of rhodamine B(30 mg/L)in 60 min are 97,9%,90.1%and 84.6%for 2,5 mol%Gd~(3+)/TiO_2,0.5 mol%Gd_2O_3/TiO_2 and pure TiO_2,respectively.     

Sol-gel synthesis and photoluminescence properties of BaSO_4/Y_2O_3:Eu~(3+) core-shell submicrospheres

Europium-doped nanocrystalline Y2O3 phosphor layers were coated on the surface of preformed submicron BaSO4 spheres via the sol-gel process.The obtained BaSO4/Y2O3:Eu3+ core-shell phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS) and photoluminescence spectra.The results showed that the obtained BaSO4/Y2O3:Eu3+ core-shell phosphors consisted of well-dispersed submicron spherical particles with na...     

Influence of dispersant on Y_2O_3:Eu~(3+) powders synthesized by combustion method

Y2O3:Eu3+ powders were synthesized by combustion method and the influence of dispersant was investigated.XRD analysis indicated that the particle size increased with a small amount of dispersant firstly and then decreased with a further increase of dispersant.The morphologies of the powders were studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM).SEM images revealed that an appropriate amount of dispersant could reduce the agglomeration significantly.Due ...     

Humidity sensing properties of La^3＋ and K^＋ co-doped Ti0.9Sn0.1O2 thin films

The humidity sensing properties of La3+ and K+ co-doped Ti0.9Sn0.1O2 thin films were investigated. The humidity sensitive thin films were prepared by sol-gel method on alumina substrates. The sensing behaviors of thin films were inspected at different sintering temperatures by constructing a humidity-impedance measuring system. It was found that the addition of rare earth ion La3+ and alkali ion K+ was beneficial for improving the humidity sensitive properties of the samples and La0.003K0.5Ti0.9Sn0.1O2 sintered at 500 ℃ for 4 h showed the best humidity sensing properties. The impedance of this thin film decreased from 109 to 104 Ω with excellent linearity in the humidity range of 11%-95%. Narrow hysteresis loop, prominent stability and high sensitivity were obtained. The effects of dopant con-tent and doping mechanism on humidity sensitivity were also discussed in terms of segregation of rare earth ions at grain boundaries and granularity of crystalline and influence of K+ on the decrease in the intrinsic resistance of the materials, and increase in the number of wa-ter adsorption sites.     

Luminescence properties of a new yellow long-lasting phosphorescence phosphor NaAlSiO_4:Eu~(2+),Ho~(3+)

A new aluminosilicate long-lasting phosphor with composition of NaAlSiO4:Eu2+,Ho3+ was synthesized and investigated. Under UV light excitation, the phosphor emitted yellow light corresponding to the characteristic emission of Eu2+ due to 5d-4f transition. Bright yellow phosphorescence sustaining for more than 30 min was observed after ceasing the excitation. The phosphorescence intensity decay obeyed a t–1 decay law, indicating a tunneling electron-hole recombination process in the phosphor. Four peaks appeared in the thermoluminescence curve and the ones at 322 and 370 K were thought to account for the long lasting phosphorescence at room temperature. The Ho3+ ion incorporated into the phosphor did not give any light but dramatically increased the intensities of both photoluminescence and phosphorescence via promoting defect levels in the phosphor.