Controlled processing of (Gd,Ln)2O3:Eu (Ln = Y,Lu) red phosphor particles and compositional effects on photoluminescence

Synthesis of (Gd_0.95−xLn_xEu_0.05)₂O₃ (Ln = Y and Lu, x = 0–0.95) powders via ammonium hydrogen carbonate (AHC) precipitation has been systematically studied. The best synthesis parameters are found to be an AHC/total cation molar ratio of 4.5 and an ageing time of 3 h. The effects of Y³⁺ and Lu³⁺ substitution for Gd³⁺, on the nucleation kinetics of the precursors and structural features and optical properties of the oxides, have been investigated. The results show that (i) different nucleation kinetics exist in the Gd–Y–Eu and Gd–Lu–Eu ternary systems, which lead to various morphologies and particle sizes of the precipitated precursors. The (Gd,Y)₂O₃:Eu precursors display spherical particle morphologies and the particle sizes increase along with more Y³⁺ addition. The (Gd,Lu)₂O₃:Eu precursors, on the other hand, are hollow spheres and the particle sizes increase with increasing Lu³⁺ incorporation, (ii) the resultant oxide powders are ultrafine, narrow in size distribution, well dispersed and rounded in particle shape, (iii) lattice parameters of the two kinds of oxide solid solutions linearly decrease at a higher Y³⁺ or Lu³⁺ content. Their theoretical densities linearly decrease with increasing Y³⁺ incorporation, but increase along with more Lu³⁺ addition and (iv) the two kinds of phosphors exhibit typical red emissions at ∼613 nm and their charge-transfer bands blue shift at a higher Y³⁺ or Lu³⁺ content. Photoluminescence/photoluminescence excitation intensities and external quantum efficiency are found to decrease with increasing value of x, and the fluorescence lifetime mainly depends on the specific surface areas of the powders.     

Fabrication of Dense ZrO2/CNT Composites: Influence of Bead-Milling Treatment

Highly concentrated zirconia-carbon nanotube (CNT) water suspensions were prepared using an advanced milling technique. The bead-milling operation parameters were optimized for this system and used to prepare zirconia-stabilized water-based suspensions with different CNT contents. The effects of different milling conditions were studied. The particle dispersion was evaluated by SEM observations on dried suspension. Green’s density and SEM observations of compacts were used to follow the colloidal dispersability of the composites. Materials of tetragonal zirconia and CNTs were prepared with a high concentration of CNTs (1, 5, and 10 wt pct CNT). The homogeneous dispersion and distribution of the fibers in the bulk material after slip casting of the suspension were examined. The samples were sintered using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1473 K (1200 °C) and finally, fully dense materials were obtained. The mechanical properties were evaluated using the Vickers indentation technique.     

HCl emission during co-pyrolysis of demolition wood with a small amount of PVC film and the effect of wood constituents on HCl emission reduction

In this study, HCl emission during the co-pyrolysis of demolition wood and a small amount of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film (the Cl content of which ranged from 0.5% to 6% by weight) in an N₂ atmosphere at elevated temperatures of up to 600 °C was measured using a laboratory-scale cylindrical batch reactor. In the pyrolysis experiments, HCl emission was reduced by the presence of wood. The effect of the primary constituents of wood (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) on HCl emission was investigated by not only measuring HCl emission and Cl distribution to various phases during the co-pyrolysis of each constituent with PVC film but also by conducting thermogravimetric analysis of the constituents. This investigation first revealed that hemicellulose significantly reduced HCl emission by fixing most of the Cl molecules in a sample into pyrolyzed residue.     

Application of microbial genes to recalcitrant biomass utilization and environmental conservation

Recent papers concerning the application of microbial genes to recalcitrant biomass utilization and environmental conservation are reviewed. Microbial genes have been integrated and expressed in plants and microorganisms. When cellulose-degrading enzyme genes are expressed in rice plants, the transgenic plants exhibit swollen cell walls which increases the digestibility of rice straw in the rumen. When genes encoding aromatic compound-degrading enzymes are expressed in plants, it is expected that aromatic compounds contaminating soil would be degraded during the growth of the transgenic plants. The former transgenic plants are utilized as feed and the latter for phytoremediation. Dockerin and cohesin interactions occurring in the cellulase complex, cellulosome, are applied to the construction of artificial enzyme complexes and protein purification by expressing the genes in transformed bacteria and/or silkworms, respectively. In the case of the forced expression of bacterial genes encoding chitinase and/or hydrogenase in the wild-type bacteria, chitin degradation and hydrogen gas production in the transformed bacteria occur at much higher rates than in the wild type.     

An efficient and biocompatible fluorescence resonance energy transfer system based on lanthanide-doped nanoparticles

This work demonstrates an efficient and bio-friendly fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system based on lanthanide-doped inorganic nanoparticles. A facile aqueous route was used to synthesize the CePO(4):Tb nanorods with homogeneous colloidal dispersion, which emits a bright green light with a high quantum yield (～0.36) and a long fluorescence lifetime (～3.50 ms) upon UV excitation. Upon treatment of CePO(4):Tb with aqueous Rhodamine B (RhB), an efficient FRET occurs from the Tb(3+) to the RhB molecules, giving rise to well resolved and ratiometric emissions of donors and acceptors, respectively, with an energy transfer efficiency of up to 0.85. When incubated with HeLa cells at 37?°C, the CePO(4):Tb treated with RhB shows bright intracellular luminescence, indicating that it can be successfully internalized inside the cells and the FRET remains in the living cells. Moreover, the cytotoxic measurements demonstrate good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity of our present FRET system. The advantages presented above including high quantum yield of donors, high energy transfer efficiency, ratiometric fluorescent emission and good biocompatibility, indicate the high potential of the CePO(4):Tb/RhB FRET system for monitoring biological events.     

Influence of microstructure on the thermophysical properties of sintered SiC ceramics

The specific heat, thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of porous SiC ceramics sintered using two kinds of SiC powders (fine and coarse) have been investigated for sintering temperatures in the range 1700–2000 °C. Sintered SiC has a porous structure with approximately 30–40 vol.% porosity. Thermal diffusivity was measured by the laser flash method. The thermal diffusivities and thermal conductivities of sintered SiC ceramics increased with increasing sintering temperature. The specific heat decreased slightly with increasing sintering temperature. The thermal diffusivities and thermal conductivities of SiC sintered from coarse powder were higher than those of SiC sintered from fine powder. The thermal conductivity of samples increased markedly with increasing grain size.     

Influence of shape and size on the alignment of multi-wall carbon nanotubes under magnetic fields

The influence of the shape and size of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the alignment of multi-wall CNTs was investigated. A CNT suspension with polyethylenimine (PEI) added as a dispersant showed stable dispersion. Stable CNT dispersion had a relatively high zeta potential value compared with poor dispersion. In addition, a strong magnetic field of 12 T was applied to the CNT suspension to investigate the alignment behavior of the CNTs. Good alignment of the CNTs according to the direction of the magnetic field was obtained. The degree of alignment depended on the shape and size of the CNTs, with the thick, straight CNTs showing better alignment than the thin, curved CNTs.     

Mixed alkali effect in elastic properties of glasses in the ZrF4-BaF2- AlF3-RF system (RF = LiF-NaF,NaF-KF)

The elastic properties, such as Poisson's ratios, shear modulus, Young's modulus and bulk modulus, have been determined with glasses of the compositions 48ZrF₄ · 24BaF₂ · 8AlF₃ · 20RF, where RF is the LiF-NaF or NaF-KF pair, and 42ZrF₄ · 21BaFe₂· 7AIF₃ · 30RF, where RF is the LiF-NaF pair, by measuring sound wave velocities. Non-linear variations, i.e. mixed alkali elects, were found in the sound velocities, shear modulus, Young's modulus and bulk modulus. The mixed alkali effect in the present systems is attributed to the strengthening of the glass structure and not to the mere compaction of the glass structure. The thermal expansion coefficient becomes higher when the two alkalis are mixed contrary to expectation from the change of the elastic moduli, indicating that the structural elements controlling the elastic moduli re different from those affecting the thermal expansion.