Luminescence Properties of Tb^3＋ -Doped LuAG Films Prepared by Pechini Sol-Gel Method

Lu3Al5O12（LuAG） thin films with different Tb^3＋ concentration were prepared on carefully cleaned （111 ） silicon wafer by a Peehini process and dip-coating technique. Heat treatment was performed in the temperature range from 800 to 1100 ℃. The crystal structure was analyzed by XRD. The results show that LuAG film starts to crystallize at about 900 ℃, and the particle size increases with the sintering temperature. Excitation and emission spectra of Tb^3＋ doped LuAG films were measured. The effects of heat-treatment temperature and doping concentration of Th3 ＋ on the luminescent properties were also investigated. For a comparison study, Th^3＋-doped LuAG powders were also prepared by the same sol-gel method.     

Green up-conversion luminescence in Yb^3＋-Pr^3＋ co-doped BaRE2ZnO5（RE=Y,Gd）

Yb3＋and Pr3＋co-doped BaRE2 ZnO5（RE=Y,Gd） up-conversion（UC） phosphors were successfully synthesized by a modified sol-gel method.The processing parameters and optimal concentration of Pr3＋and Yb3＋were determined.The structures and luminescent properties of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD） and photoluminescence spectra（PL）.With the excitation of 980 nm laser diode,UC spectra showed five prominent emission bands centered at 484,514,546,656 and 670 nm,which were attributed to the1I6 →3H4,3P1 →3H4,3P0 →3H5,3P0 →3F2 and3P0 →3F3 transitions of Pr3＋,respectively.In the light of the pump power dependence,the possible UC mechanism in Yb3＋and Pr3＋co-doped BaRE2 ZnO5（RE=Y,Gd） was proposed and discussed.     

Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of Novel Red Long-Lasting Phosphor Ca2Zn4Ti15O36：Pr^3＋

A novel red long-lasting phosphor Ca2Zn4Ti15O36:Pr were synthesized by solid state reaction and by sol-gel method. It is a new type of Pr^3 -doped titanate red long lasting phosphor. It is difficult to make pure Ca2Zn4Ti15O36 crystalline by solid state reaction and it must be sintered at 1200℃ for 96 h.The analysis results of thermogravimetric curve and Xray powder diffraction revealed that Ca2Zn4Ti15O36 canbe formed by sintering precursor at 700℃ for 12 h,     

Synthesis and Spectral Properties of Nd^3＋： Gd3Ga5O12 Nanopowder for Transparent Laser Ceramics

Nd^3＋： Gd3Ga5O12（Nd ： GGG） nanopowder for transparent laser ceramics was synthesized using sol-gel method. XRD, SEM, and fluorescence spectrum were used to study the properties of Nd^3＋ ：Gd3Ga5O12 nanopowder. XRD patterns of samples show that it has a cubic structure. Meanwhile, pure Nd：GGG crystals were obtained at 1000 ℃ for 12 h. SEM photographs show that dispersed, uniform, ball-like Nd：GGG nanopowder is obtained. Both XRD and SEM results show that the crystallization degree and the grain size increase with the increase in calcining temperature. Analysis of fluorescence spectrum shows that fluorescence emission occurs at 1062.7 nm, which is the result of Nd^3＋ （^4F3/2→^4I11/2） transition. Homogenous Nd ： GGG nanopewder with a small grain size synthesized using the sol-gel method is favorable for sintering the transparent ceramic, which proves that the nanopewder obtained is suitable as a precursor for preparing GGG transparent ceramics.     

Preparation of Perovskite-Type Oxides La1-x Srx Fe1-y Coy O3 Using EDTA Sol-Gel Method

Two series of perovskite-type oxides with composition La1-xSrxFeO3 (x≤0.8)and La1-xSrxFe1-yCoyO3( x = 0.2；y = 0.2, 0.4 ) powder productions were synthesized by EDTA complexing sol-gel method. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, BET method (N2 adsorption)and laser granularity analysis for different synthesis conditions to obtain the optimum conditions for the preparation process. Single-phased, uniform perovskite-type oxides with small particle size were obtained by EDTA sol-gel process with high stability and repeatability,and the process temperature is much lower than that of solid state reaction method.     

Preparation and Photocatalytic Behaviors of Nanoporous Polyoxotungstate-Anatase TiO2 Composites

Nanoporous anatase TiO2 crystalline particles coupled with Keggin or Wells-Dawson unit, H3PW12O40/TiO2 or H6P2W18O62/TiO2, were prepared at a low temperature （200℃ ） using sol-gel method combined with hydrothermal treatment at programmed temperature. The as-prepared composites have uniform anatase phase, and they exhibit both micrand mesoporosities with pore sizes of 0.6 and 4.0 nm, respectively, and their average size is lower than 10 nm. Photocatalytic tests show the composites exhibit relatively higher photocatalytic activities to decompose the organocholorine pesticide hexachlorobenzene（HCB） than anatase TiO2, the starting polyoxotungstates, and EuEOa/TiO2 prepared by using sol-gel method, and this was attributed to （ 1 ） the synergistic effect of photoactive anatase TiO2 with the polyoxotungstate, and （2） the fascinating physical and chemical properties of the porous materials.     

Sol-Gel Preparation and Luminescence Properties of BaMgAl10O17 ： Eu^2＋ Phosphors

The synthesis of BaMgAl10O17： Eu^2＋ （BAM） phosphors using the sol-gel method and their luminescence properties were reported. The blue-light emitting BAM was synthesized using citric acid and ethylene glycol as chelating materials. Emission of blue-light was obtained from these phosphors. The luminescent intensity increases as the temperature of heat treatment is increased, This study investigated the effects of the molar ratio of ethylene glycol to citric acid （Ф value）, with respect to the phase formation and luminescence properties of BAM. The variation of the Фvalue resulted in the change of the sol-gel reaction mechanism and the microstructures of the resultant powders. An increase in Фvalue leads to an increase in the rate of BAM phase formation. The photoluminescent intensity of the prepared phosphors increases with heating temperatures because of enhanced crystallization.     

Enhancement of luminescence and afterglow in Ca0.8Zn0.2TiO3:Pr3+ by Nb5+ substitution for Ti4+

Nb5+ doped Ca0.8Zn0.2TiO3:Pr3+ red long afterglow phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction methods. X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectroscopy and thermally stimulated spectrometry were used to investigate the effects of Nb5+ content on the crystal characteristics and luminescent properties of Ca0.8Zn0.2Ti1-xNbxO3:Pr3+ phosphors. The results showed that the addition of a small quantity of Nb5+ had negligible effect on the crystal characteristics of Ca0.8Zn0.2Ti1-xNbxO3:Pr3+, but it could change the trapping parameters (the depth of trap, frequency factors and the concentration of trapped charges at t=0) of Ca0.8Zn0.2Ti1-xNbxO3:Pr3+ phosphors, and then led to the enhance-ment of red fluorescence and phosphorescence at 612 nm originating from 1D2→3H4 transition of Pr3+. Both of the red fluorescence intensity and afterglow time reached the largest values in the sample of Ca0.8Zn0.2Ti1-xNbxO3:Pr3+ with x=0.05. The afterglow time of Ca0.8Zn0.2Ti0.95Nb0.05O3:Pr3+ phosphors lasted for over 24 min (≥1 mcd/m2) when the excited source was cut off.     

Luminescent properties and energy transfer of color-tunable Sr3Y2（SiO3）6：Ce3＋,Tb3＋ phosphors

Phosphors with controlled emission spectra are of great interest due to their application for white light emitting diodes.Herein, a new class of Sr3Y2（SiO3）6：Ce3＋,Tb3＋ phosphors were synthesized by a facile sol-gel combustion method. The phase structure,morphology, and luminescence properties of the phosphors were characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra,respectively. The results on luminescence properties indicated that co-doped Ce3＋ ions served as UV-light sensitizers with excitation energy partially transferred to Tb3＋ ions, leading to green emission from Tb3＋. Particularly, the corresponding emitting colors of the phosphors could be well-tuned from deep blue（0.16, 0.05） to green region（0.25, 0.45） by adjusting the molar ratio of Ce3＋/Tb3＋.     

（Zn, Ca） Solid-Solution Behavior and Its Effect on Luminescence Properties in Ca1-x Znx TiO3 ： 0.002Pr^3＋ Phosphors

Nominal composition of Ca1-xZnxTiO3 ： 0. 002Pr^3 ＋ （x = 0. 000 - 0. 200） phosphors were prepared by conventional solid reaction route. XRD and PL measurements were used to investigate the solid-solution structure and luminescence properties of Zn-doped Ca1-xZnxTiO3：0.002Pr^3＋ phosphors. The effect of solid-solution structure formed by substitution between Ca^2 ＋ and Zn^2＋ ions on the luminescent properties was analyzed. The results reveal that, with the increase of Zn substitution content below 0.010, lattice parameters and the intensity of excitation peak at both 260 and 330 nm as well as the corresponding 610 nm emission intensity are monotonously decreased quickly in a similar tendency. Also, the evolution of luminescence intensity and crystal cell parameters against Zn doping concentration are in good agreement. Above results are closely related with the structure change within Ca1- xZnxTiO3：0.002Pr^3＋ solid-solution phase formed by the Zn ions substitution for the Ca sites. Present study reveals that the solid-solution structure formed by substitution between Ca^2＋ and Zn^2＋ ions has significant effect on the luminescence properties of single phase Ca1-xZnxTiO3：0.002Pr^3＋ phosphors.     

Preparation and Characterization of Red Luminescent Ca0.8Zn0.2TiO3: Pr3+, Na+ Nanophosphor

Nanophosphor with the nominal composition of Ca0.8Zn0.2TiO3∶Pr3 , Na (CZTOPN) was synthesized at relatively low temperature by the sol-gel method. Metal ions were dispersed by citric acid in ethylene glycol solvent and then react with Ti(OC4H9)4 to form sol and gel. The decomposition process of the precursor, and crystallization and particle size of CZTOPN were examined by thermal analysis (TG-DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scan election microscopy (SEM). Results of TG-DSC and XRD reveal that the composition of Ca0.8Zn0.2TiO3∶Pr3 , Na changes with the sintering temperature. SEM data indicate that the diameter of particles is under 50 nm even if the sintering temperature increases to 1000 ℃. In contrast to a solid state reaction, the excitation spectra of samples synthesized by the sol-gel method shift blue about 10 nm and the emission intensity at 617 nm increases significantly.     

Luminescent properties of Ca2SiO4：Eu^3＋ red phosphor for trichromatic white light emitting diodes

The luminescent properties of Eu^3＋doped Ca2SiO4 red phosphors synthesized by the flux fusion reaction method were investigated. It was found that the excitation spectrum included two regions： the weak excitation band below 325 nm and strong narrow peaks above 325 nm. The main peak of the excitation band was located at 400 nm. The peaks located at 290 nm were assigned to the combination of the charge transfer transition of O-Eu, peaks above 325 nm （325, 385, 400, 470, 511, and 539 nm） were assigned to the f-f transitions of Eu^3＋. The emission spectrum was dominated by the red peak located at 612 nm due to the electric dipole transition of ^5D0-^7F2. In addition, the effects of the Eu^3＋ content and charge compensators of Li^＋, Na^＋, K^＋, and Cl^- ions on the emission intensity were investigated. The experiment results suggested that the strongest emission was obtained when the concentration of the Eu^3＋ ions was 0.3 mol^-1, and Li^＋ ions gave the best improvement to enhance the emission intensity. Ca2SiO4：Eu^3＋, Li^＋ was thus suitable for low-cost trichromatic white light emitting diodes （WLED） based on UV InGaN chip.     

Luminescence properties of YAl3（BO3）4 phosphors doped with Eu^3＋ ions

YAl3 （BO3）4： Eu^3＋ phosphors were prepared by the conventional solid state reaction. The phase structure and morphology were investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscope （SEM）. Doping YAl3（BO3）4： Eu^3＋ phosphors with concentration of Eu^3＋ ions of 0, 2, 5, 8 and 10 mol% were studied and their luminescent properties at room temperature were discussed. The excitation spectrum of Y0.95Eu0.05Al3（BO3）4 was composed of a broad band centered at about 252 nm and a group of lines in the longer wavelength region. In the emission spectra, the peak wavelength was about 614 nm under a 252 nm UV excitation. The optimal doping concentration of Eu^3＋ ions in YAl3（BO3）4： Eu^3＋ phosphors was 8 mol%.     

Catalytic combustion of toluene over Pd-based monolithic catalysts with a novel washcoat Ce0.8Zr0.15La0.05Oδ

Two novel washcoats Ce_0.8Zr_0.15La_0.05O_δ and Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂ was prepared by an impregnation method, which acted as a host for the active Pd component to prepare Pd/Ce_0.8Zr_0.15La_0.05O_δ/substrate and Pd/Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂/substrate monolithic catalysts for toluene combustion. The washcoats was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Brunauner-Emmett-Teller (BET), and H₂-temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR). The result indicated that both the washcoats had strong vibration-shock resistance according to ultrasonic test. Doping La³⁺ into CeO₂-ZrO₂ solid solution could generate more oxygen vacancies, and could inhibit the sinter of CeO₂-ZrO₂ solid solution when calcined at high temperatures (800, 900 and 1000 °C). The washcoat Ce_0.8Zr_0.15La_0.05O_δ had much better redox properties. The reductive temperature of Ce⁴⁺ species shifted to low temperature by 60 °C when the washcoats calcined at high temperatures (800, 900 and 1000 °C). The Pd/Ce_0.8Zr_0.15La_0.05O_δ/substrate monolithic catalyst calcination at 500 °C had the best catalytic activity and the 95% toluene conversion at a temperature as low as 190 °C. When calcined at low temperature (500 and 700 °C), the catalytic activity has little improvement, however, when calcined at high temperature, the catalytic activity of Pd/Ce_0.8Zr_0.15La_0.05O_δ/substrate monolithic catalysts had significant improvement. As catalyst washcoat, the Ce_0.8Zr_0.15La_0.05O_δ had better thermal stability than the washcoat Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂, the developed Pd/Ce_0.8Zr_0.15La_0.05O_δ/substrate monolithic catalyst in this work was promising for eliminating Volatile organic compounds.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ca0.9Mg0.1TiO3:Pr3+,Ag+ phosphor

Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3:Pr~(3+),Ag~+ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction technique. The crystalline phase and luminescence performances of Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3:Pr~(3+),Ag~+ were observed by X-ray powder diffractometer(XRD), transmission electron microscope(TEM), photoluminescence spectrometer and brightness meter, respectively. The addition of Ag~+ can diminish in the crystal particle sizes of Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3:Pr~(3+). Because Ag+ can reduce the concentration of the undesirable defects in the phosphor, luminescence intensity of Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3:Pr~(3+),Ag~+ is 2.3 times as high as that of Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3:Pr~(3+)at the same preparation condition. The effect of Ag+ on the persistent afterglow properties is to deepen the energy storage traps and enhance the energy transfer efficiency from Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3 to Pr~(3+). The persistent afterglow properties of Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3:Pr~(3+),Ag~+ are better than those of Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3:Pr~(3+) at the same preparation condition. In conclusion,Ca_(0.9)Mg_(0.1)TiO_3:Pr~(3+),Ag~+ phosphor with molar ratio of Ag~+to Pr~(3+) 3:1 obtained at 900 ℃ for 4 h exhibits the optimal photoluminescence performances.     

Preparation, spectral characteristics and photocatalytic activity of Eu-doped WO3 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, structural transformation matrix contained different crystals of anorthic and orthorhombic structure. The photocatalytic activities of the nanoparticles were evaluated by photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine B. Eu³⁺-WO₃ nanoparticles were more efficient than WO₃ and TiO₂ on sunlight use ratio. Photocatalysis experiments indicated that the Eu³⁺-WO₃ nanoparticles exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity.     

Photoluminescent properties of Ca2Gd8（SiO4）6O2： Dy^3＋ phosphor films prepared by sol-gel process

There are growing interests on phosphor thin films owing to their potential application in high-resolution devices such as cathode ray tubes and flat panel display devices. The solution-based sol-gel method is one of the most important techniques for the synthesis of various functional coating films. Compounds with the apatite structure are very suitable host lattices for various luminescent ions. Ca2RE8（SiO4）6O2 （ RE=Y, Gd, La ） is a kind of ternary rare-earth-metal silicate with oxyapatite structure, which has been used as host material for the luminescence of various rare earth and mercury-like ions. In this article, Ca2Gd8（SiO4）6O2：Dy^3＋phosphor films were dip-coated on quartz glass substrates through the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction （XRD）, atomic force microscopy （AFM）, photoluminescence （PL） spectra, as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting films. AFM study revealed that the phosphor films consisted of homogeneous particles. The Dy^3＋ showed its characteristic emission in crystalline phosphor films, i.e., ^4F9/2-^6H15/2 and ^4F9/2-^6H13/2.     

Up-conversion luminescence of Er~（3＋）-doped and Yb~（3＋）/Er~（3＋） co-doped 12CaO·7Al_2O_3 poly-crystals

The optical properties of Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped 12CaO·7Al2O3 (C12A7) poly-crystals, synthesized by high temperature solid state method, were investigated in detail. For Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped C12A7 poly-crystals, two main emission bands centered around 530/550 nm (green) and 660 nm (red) were observed under 980 nm diode laser excitation via an up-conversion process. The intensity of green up-conversion emission had a strong increase in Er3+ (1.0 mol.%, 1.5 mol.%, 3.0 mol.%), and the intensity ratio of red to green up-conversion emission had an increase in Yb3+ (1.0 mol.%, 2.0 mol.%, 10. 0 mol.%)/Er3+ (fixed at 1.0 mol.%). This detailed study of the up-conversion processes allowed us to identify the dominant up-conversion mechanisms in Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped C12A7 poly-crystals.     

Precipitation of sodium silicofluoride (Na2SiF6) and cryolite (Na3AlF6) from HF/HCl leach liquors of alumino-silicates

The HF + HCl leach liquor generated from the dissolution of silica, alumina and silicate gangue minerals in a low-grade molybdenite concentrate contains H₂SiF₆ and H₃AlF₆. Studies were conducted to recover the two valuable fluorides as Na₂SiF₆ and Na₃AlF₆ (synthetic cryolite) by precipitation with Na₂CO₃ from the leach liquor. An initial investigation was carried out to determine the precipitation conditions for Na₂SiF₆ and Na₃AlF₆ from their individual acid solutions. Subsequently, the conditions were determined for the selective precipitation of the two fluorides from a synthetic mixed acid solution similar to the leach liquor. When the acid solution was neutralized with 3 mol/L Na₂CO₃, Na₂SiF₆ precipitated first at pH 1.35 whilst Na₃AlF₆ required an increase in pH above 2.2 before it precipitated. Maximum recovery of the two fluorides was best achieved at about 50 °C. A similar trend was observed for the precipitation of Na₂SiF₆ and Na₃AlF₆ from the leach liquor of molybdenite upgrading. Phases of precipitated fluorides were identified by XRD and surface morphology by SEM. The purity of the Na₂SiF₆ precipitate was 99.5% whereas Na₃AlF₆ was contaminated with Na₃FeF₆.