Synthesis and luminescence properties of YVO4:Eu nanocrystals grown in nanoporous glass

We report on a feasible method to synthesize luminescence nanocrystals in porous glass in this paper. Well dispersed YVO₄:Eu nanocrystals were proved being grown in nanoporous glass by XRD, micro-Raman spectra and HRTEM equipped with EDS. The YVO₄:Eu³⁺ nanocrystal grown in porous glass herein shows very different luminescence properties compared with single Eu-doped sample. By this method, intense red emission from high silica glass due to energy transfers VO₄³⁻ → Eu³⁺ was obtained. The results show that the reduction from Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in porous glass impregnated with Eu³⁺ ions was avoided effectively.     

The UV and VUV luminescence properties of the phosphor Mg2GeO4:Tb

A novel green phosphor Mg₂GeO₄:Tb³⁺ with pure phase was prepared by the solid state reaction. The luminescence properties were investigated in detail. The diffusion reflection spectra of the undoped and Tb³⁺ doped Mg₂GeO₄ phosphors were recorded, the result reveals that there is an absorption band superposition of the host material and Tb³⁺ ion. The study on the excitation and diffusion spectra shows that there is an effective energy transfer from the host material to Tb³⁺ ion. Under 277 and 172 nm excitation, the phosphor presents predominant green emission at 543 and 547 nm respectively. The excitation intensity at 172 nm is about 1.8 times of that at 272 nm. The promising luminescence properties make it a candidate for application in Plasma Display Panel.     

Synthesis of Ni nanoparticles by reduction of NiCl2 ionic clusters in the confined space of AOT reversed micelles

Stable Nickel nanoparticles have been synthesized by a novel synthetic route based on the reduction of NiCl₂ ionic clusters in the confined space of reversed micelles. The reaction was carried out by adding anhydrous NaBH₄/ethanol solution to a solution of NiCl₂ ionic clusters nanoencapsulated in bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reversed micelles in the presence of n-dodecylmercaptane as capping agent. As highlighted by FT-IR, an extraction with water eliminates surfactant and side products leaving lipophilic Nickel nanoparticles to be dispersed in the organic solvent. UV-Vis investigation ascertained the formation of stable metal Nickel nanoparticles exhibiting novel optical properties.     

Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and optical property of Co3O4 nanorods

Single crystalline Co₃O₄ nanorods have been successfully synthesized through thermal decomposition of the precursor, which was obtained by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal route. The obtained sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results confirm that the resulting oxide was pure single-crystalline Co₃O₄ nanorods. The optical property test indicates that the absorption peak of the nanorods shifts towards short wavelength. And the blue shift phenomenon might be ascribed to the quantum effect.     

Preparation and characterization of sol-gel derived Er-Yb codoped SiO2/TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles

The Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ codoped silica/titania core-shell nanoparticles were prepared by hydrolysis of titanium alkoxide precursors in the presence of lanthanide ions via sol-gel method. The structure of the particles was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of the silica core is about 50 nm. The thickness of the titania shell is about 4 nm. A typical doping density of Er³⁺ in the titania shell is 4.51 at.%, and the one of Yb³⁺ is 12.20 at.%. The UV-vis-NIR absorption spectra and the photoluminescence spectra were also investigated.     

Controlled synthesis and characterization of 10 nm thick Al2O3 nanowires

α-Al₂O₃ nanowires, with diameter around 10 nm, were synthesized in bulk quantity by heating the mixture of pure aluminum and graphite powders at 900 °C. Scarcity of oxygen is regarded as the reason for the growth of the small diameter α-Al₂O₃ nanowires at relatively low temperature. The product was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence. The Oxygen vacancies in the nanowires lead to the strong photoluminescence in the wavelength range of 400-700 nm with its peak at 527 nm.     

NIR to VIS frequency upconversion luminescence properties of Er-doped YPO4 phosphors

Different concentrations of Er³⁺-doped YPO₄:Er powder phosphors have been synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction method and are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FESEM), and upconversion emission measurements. An intense red emission band and a weak green emission band are observed under NIR excitation at 975 nm in case of samples with high dopant concentration while no upconversion emission was observed at lower Er³⁺ ion concentrations. The possible mechanisms involved in the upconversion process have been discussed in comparison to results with similar reported works.     

Flame spray synthesis of Lu2O3 nanoparticles

We have used a Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) technique to synthesize lutetium oxide (Lu₂O₃) nanoparticles from lutetium nitrate. Optical quality transparent ceramics were prepared via hot pressing of the Lu₂O₃ nanoparticles formed using the FSP technique. We present data demonstrating that the FSP system can be used to control the material phase of the nanoparticles by changing the O₂ dispersion gas flow rate. Different O₂ dispersion gas flow rates affect the particle residence time in the flame resulting in the formation of different nanoparticulate phases. Our work has led to the synthesis of a metastable phase of Lu₂O₃ which has never been reported using the FSP technique. Significantly, the presence of the metastable phase enables the ceramic powders to be hot pressed at lower temperatures resulting in smaller grain sizes, resulting in excellent optical quality Lu₂O₃ windows.     

Synthesis and upconversion luminescence properties of Yb/Er codoped BaGd2(MoO4)4 powder

Synthesis and upconversion luminescence properties of the new BaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphor were reported in this paper. The phosphor powder was obtained by the traditional high temperature solid-state method, and its phase structure was characterized by the XRD pattern. Based on the upconversion luminescence properties studies, it is found that, under 980 nm semiconductor laser excitation, BaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphor exhibits intense green upconversion luminescence, which is ascribed to ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺. While the observed much weaker red emission is due to the non-radiative relaxation process of ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴F_9/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition originating from the same Er³⁺. The concentration quenching effects for both Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ were found, and the optimum doping concentrations of 0.5 mol% Yb³⁺ and 0.08 mol% Er³⁺ in the new BaGd₂(MoO₄)₄ Gd³⁺ host were established.     

Catalytic-free growth of ZnGa2O4 nanowires on amorphous carbon layers

Zinc gallate (ZnGa₂O₄) nanowires were directly grown on the amorphous carbon-coated silicon substrates using a facile chemical vapor deposition method without any metal catalysts. The growth mechanism can be attributed to a self-organization vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process. The amorphous carbon layer plays an important role in the nucleation and growth process of the ZnGa₂O₄ nanowires. The photoluminescence (PL) of the nanowires shows a broad, strong green emission band centered at 532 nm and a weak UV emission band at 381 nm, which can be attributed to a large amount of ionized oxygen vacancies and the combination of Ga³⁺ ions with free electrons in coordinated oxygen vacancies, respectively.     

Photoluminescence properties of MgAl2O4:Dy powder phosphor

Trivalent dysprosium (Dy³⁺) activated magnesium alluminate phosphors were synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting phosphors. The results show that the obtained MgAl₂O₄:Dy³⁺ phosphors have good crystallinity, spherical morphology with sizes ranged from 120 to 140 nm and strong blue emission under an excitation of 258 nm. The emission spectrum of this phosphor consists of two emission bands: blue band and yellow band, and the emission intensity of the former is stronger than that of the later. Luminescence quenching is explained and the corresponding luminescence mechanisms have been proposed.     

Polyol-mediated synthesis of water-soluble LaF3:Yb,Er upconversion fluorescent nanocrystals

Well-crystallized LaF₃:Yb,Er nanoparticles were prepared by the polyol method and three kinds of polyols (glycol, diethylene glycol and glycerol) were chosen as the reaction medium respectively. All of the obtained LaF₃:Yb,Er nanoparticles have roughly spherical shapes, and the average sizes of these nanoparticles ranged from 5 to 7 nm. These nanoparticles could be well dispersed in water or ethanol to form colloidal solutions. When these nanoparticles were excited by the 980 nm laser, several upconversion emissions were observed.     

Influence of additional Eu coactivator on the luminescence properties of Tb3Al5O12:Ce, Eu

The luminescence properties of doubly activated terbium aluminium garnet samples were investigated in the present study. Commercial Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (TAG:Ce) shows the typical Ce³⁺ ion luminescence of the allowed Ce³⁺ d–f transition. Eu³⁺ co-doping, however, reveals interesting results. In TAG:Ce, Eu, both Ce³⁺ and Eu³⁺ luminescence was measured at different Ce and Eu activator concentrations. The Ce³⁺ ion can be used as a sensitizer in the TAG lattice that transfers its energy directly or via the Tb sublattice to the activator Eu³⁺. The energy-level diagram was proposed to explain the luminescence mechanism. Application of TAG:Ce, Eu with improved chromaticity coordinates CIE (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage) and color rendering index (CRI) in light emitting diodes (LEDs) is demonstrated.     

Raman optical properties of Cu(OH)2 nanowires

We have for the first time investigated Raman optical properties of polycrystalline Cu(OH)₂ nanowires with an average diameter of ca. 9 nm and lengths of up to hundreds of micrometers that were synthesized by a simple surfactant-free solution-phase route at ambient temperature. The result indicated that the Raman peak of the as-prepared polycrystalline Cu(OH)₂ nanowires was obviously broadened, and red-shifted 16 cm^− 1 compared with that of bulk Cu(OH)₂ crystals. Based on the microstructure analysis and phonon confinement model of a crystal, we have proposed a rational explanation for the red-shift and broadening of Raman peak.     

Investigation of near-infrared-to-ultraviolet upconversion luminescence of Tm doped NaYF4 phosphors by Yb codoping

2 mol% Tm³⁺ doped NaYF₄ phosphors with 0–98 mol% Yb³⁺ codoping were synthesized by sol–gel method. The phase transition from the mixture of hexagonal and cubic phases to single cubic phase of Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺:NaYF₄ phosphors was investigated with increasing of Yb³⁺ concentration. Near-infrared, red, blue, violet and ultraviolet upconversion emissions of Tm³⁺ were observed from the Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺:NaYF₄ phosphors under 976 nm laser diode excitation, with the strongest near-infrared to ultraviolet emissions at 20 mol% Yb³⁺ codoping. The violet and blue emissions for the ¹D₂ → ³F₄ and ¹G₄ → ³H₆ transitions of Tm³⁺ can be tuned by varying Yb³⁺ codoping concentration, which was elucidated using steady-state equations. The intensity ratio of red emissions for the ³F₂ → ³H₆ and ³F₃→³H₆ transitions of Tm³⁺ was strongly related to the Yb³⁺ codoping concentration and temperature, implying a potential application of Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺:NaYF₄ phosphors for optical temperature sensing.     

Facile synthesis and optical band gap calculation of Mn3O4 nanoparticles

Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by a simple solid state decomposition method. Four manganese benzoic acid complexes were synthesized through semi-solid phase reaction method as precursors for the preparation of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles. The calcination temperature of the precursors was determined from thermal gravimetrical analyses (TGA). The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM, STM and HRTEM. The obtained particle size is in the range 39–90 nm. HRTEM indicated the formation of spherical nanoparticles. The optical absorption measurements for the obtained nanoparticles showed that the fundamental absorption edge obeys Tauc's relation for the allowed direct transition. It was found that, the optical band gap (E_g) increases with the decrease of the particle size of the Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles.     

Structural and optical properties of Al-doped SnO2 nanowires

We report a facile thermal evaporation method for the syntheses of Al-doped SnO₂ nanowires using Al-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles as precursors. High-density, single-crystalline Al-doped SnO₂ nanowires were directly grown on the 6H-SiC substrates without any catalyst. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the Al dopants are incorporated into the rutile SnO₂ nanowires. The X-ray photoelectron spectra confirm the SnO₂ nanowires doped with 5 at.% Al. The photoluminescence spectra of the Al-doped SnO₂ nanowires exhibit that the large blue shift of the emission band can be observed in the Al-doped SnO₂ nanowires compared with undoped nanowires. The distortion of the crystal lattices caused by incorporation of Al atoms at the interstitials should be responsible for the large blue shift of the emission band.     

Synthesis and spectral analysis of Yb/Tm/Ho-doped Na0.5Gd0.5WO4 phosphor to achieve white upconversion luminescence

Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺/Ho³⁺-doped Na_0.5Gd_0.5WO₄ phosphors were synthesized by the high-temperature solid-state method. Bright white luminescence upon 980 nm near-infrared excitation can be observed for the sample at the optimum chemical composition of Na_0.5Gd_0.5WO₄:10%Yb³⁺/1%Tm³⁺/0.4%Ho³⁺, which is produced via an upconversion (UC) process by tuning the dopant ions concentration. The measured white light consists of the blue, green, and red UC emissions which correspond to the transitions ¹G₄ → ³H₆ of Tm³⁺, ⁵F₄(⁵S₂) → ⁵I₈, and ⁵F₅ → ⁵I₈ of Ho³⁺ ions, respectively. The calculated color coordinates display that white light can be achieved in a wide range of dopant concentrations. The UC mechanisms were also proposed based on their spectral and pumping power dependence analyses.     

Low temperature synthesis and optical properties of CaTiO3 nanoparticles from Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and TiO2 nanocrystals

Choosing low-melting-point Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and high-reactive-activity TiO₂ nanocrystals as the raw materials, a simple and cost-effective route was developed for the synthesis of CaTiO₃ nanoparticles at 600 °C, which is much lower than that (about 1350 °C) used in the conventional solid state reaction methods. X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of orthorhombic phase CaTiO₃ nanoparticles with oxygen-deficiency at the surface. UV-vis absorption spectrum of the as-obtained CaTiO₃ nanoparticles displayed an absorption peak centered at around 325 nm (3.8 eV), together with a tail at lower energy side. Room temperature photoluminescence spectrum of the as-obtained CaTiO₃ nanoparticles upon laser excitation at 325 nm demonstrated a strong and broad visible light emission ranging from about 527 to 568 nm, which may be originated from the surface states and defect levels.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of PbWO4 uniform hierarchical microspheres

In this work, hierarchical PbWO₄ spheres assembled by nanorods were successfully synthesized through a tri-potassium citrate assisted hydrothermal process. The samples were studied by powder X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), field scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that citrate played a key role on the morphology of PbWO₄ products. By adjusting concentration of citrate, PbWO₄ octahedrons, hierarchical spheres, hierarchical ellipses could be obtained. Based on time-dependent experiments, we found the growth of the hierarchical spheres followed a self-assembly process. The most interesting part was that the hierarchical spheres/ellipses showed a blue emission peak at 440 nm, which differs from the typical green one at 500 nm as reported.