Solution combustion derived nanocrystalline Zn2SiO4:Mn phosphors: A spectroscopic view

Deep red emission from rare-earth-free calcium aluminozincate phosphor with the substitution of Cr3+ ion

Chromium-doped calcium aluminozincate phosphor with a distinct amount of chromium was prepared via the sol-gel technique. The phase analysis and morphological study along with optical properties were conducted on the prepared material. The room temperature luminescent traits of the sample were studied in detail under 540 nm excitation wavelength. The deep red emission was confirmed from the CIE coordinates calculated using emission data. The decay curves were recorded to calculate the lifetime values for the aforementioned powder samples. The temperature-dependent luminescent characteristics were also investigated to identify the activation energy and thermal stability. The quantum yield was also calculated using luminescence spectra and found to be relatively good for the present phosphor. All of the investigated studies specified above signify that the synthesized phosphor is well suited as a red emitter in lighting and display devices.

Barium molybdate white emitting phosphor synthesized at room temperature by co-precipitation

Crystalline BaMoO₄:Dy³⁺ and BaMoO₄:Sm³⁺ phosphors were synthesized by co-precipitation at room temperature. The main peak (112) phase and tetragonal structure were confirmed using X-ray diffraction analysis. The lattice constant and Raman signal on d₍₁₁₂₎ were changed by the rare earth doping. A strong absorption wavelength appeared in the UV region, and BaMoO₄:Dy³⁺ excited with UV wavelength showed a yellow spectrum. BaMoO₄:Sm³⁺ showed a reddish orange spectrum. BaMoO₄:[Sm³⁺]/[Dy³⁺] was synthesized for use as a white light phosphor, and the change in the emission characteristics of yellow, white, and reddish orange could be observed depending on the doping concentration of Sm³⁺ ions. The synthesized phosphor powder and PDMS polymer were mixed to form a flexible composite, and when applied on a UV-LED chip, the same color as the powder was realized, suggesting its use as an LED color filter.

Crystalline BaMoO₄:Dy³⁺ and BaMoO₄:Sm³⁺ phosphors were synthesized by co-precipitation at room temperature.

Luminescence Properties of Tetrahedral Coordinated Mn2+; Genthelvite and Willemite Examples

The cause of the split of 4A4E(4G) Mn2+ excited level measured on minerals spectra is discussed. It is our view that ∆E = |4E(4G) − 4A(4G)| should be considered an important spectroscopic parameter. Among the possible reasons for the energy levels splitting taken under consideration, such as the covalent bond theory, the geometric deformation of the coordination polyhedron and the lattice site’s symmetry, the first one was found to be inappropriate. Two studied willemite samples showed that the impurities occur in one of the two available lattice sites differently in both crystals. Moreover, it was revealed that the calculated crystal field Dq parameter can indicate which of the two non-equivalent lattice sites positions in the willemite crystal structure was occupied by Mn2+. The above conclusions were confirmed by X-ray structure measurements. Significant differences were also noted in the Raman spectra of these willemites.

Multifunctional magnetic nanostructured hardystonite scaffold for hyperthermia, drug delivery and tissue engineering applications

Hyperthermia and local drug delivery have been proposed as potential therapeutic approaches for killing cancer cells. The development of bioactive materials such as Hardystonite (HT) with magnetic and drug delivery properties can potentially meet this target. This new class of magnetic bioceramic can replace the widely used magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, whose long-term biocompatibility is not clear. Magnetic HT can be potentially employed to develop new ceramic scaffolds for bone surgery and anticancer therapies. With this in mind, a synthesis procedure was developed to prepare multifunctional bioactive scaffold for tissue engineering, hyperthermia and drug delivery applications. To this end, iron (Fe³⁺)-containing HT scaffolds were prepared. The effect of Fe on biological, magnetic and drug delivery properties of HT scaffolds were investigated. The results showed that obtained Fe-HT is bioactive and magnetic with no magnetite or maghemite as secondary phases. The Fe-HT scaffolds obtained also possessed high specific surface areas and demonstrated sustained drug delivery. These results potentially open new aspects for biomaterials aimed at regeneration of large-bone defects caused by malignant bone tumors through a combination of hyperthermia, local drug delivery and osteoconductivity.

Structural and optical properties of erbium-doped willemite-based glass-ceramics

Willemite-based glass-ceramic was prepared from waste material using a conventional melt and quenching method. The crystalline willemite-based glass-ceramic was doped with Er2O3 (1-5 wt.%) followed by sintering at different temperatures (500°C-1100°C). Density and linear shrinkage were increased with the increase of the sintering temperature. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) confirmed an optimum optical absorption for sample doped with 3 wt.% of Er2O3 and sintered at 900°C. Photoluminescence measurements further confirmed 3 wt.% of Er2O3 as the optimum percentage of dopant. Results suggested that the obtained glass-ceramic could be a promising material for use as fiber amplifiers.

Ion beam induced amorphization and bond breaking in Zn2SiO4:Eu3+ nanocrystalline phosphor

This paper reports on the ionoluminescence (IL) of Zn(2)SiO(4):Eu(3+) nanophosphors bombarded with 100 MeV Si(7+) ions with fluences in the range (3.91-21.48)×10(12) ions cm(-2). The prominent IL emission peaks recorded at 580, 590, 612, 650 and 705 nm are attributed to the luminescence centers activated by Eu(3+) ions. It is observed that IL intensity decreases and saturates with increase of Si(7+) ion fluence. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) studies confirm surface/bulk amorphization for a fluence of (3.91-21.48)×10(13) ions cm(-2). These results show degradation of SiO (2ν(3)) bonds present on the surface of the sample and/or due to lattice disorder produced by dense electronic excitation under heavy ion irradiation. These results are discussed in detail.

Theoretical study of local structure for Ni2+ ions at tetragonal sites in K2ZnF4:Ni2+ system

A theoretical method for studying the local lattice structure of Ni2+ ions in (NiF6)(4-) coordination complex is presented. Using the ligand-field model, the formulas relating the microscopic spin Hamiltonian parameters with the crystal structure parameters are derived. Based on the theoretical formulas, the 45 x 45 complete energy matrices for d8 (d2) configuration ions in a tetragonal ligand-field are constructed. By diagonalizing the complete energy matrices, the local distortion structure parameters (R perpendicular and R || ) of Ni2+ ions in K2ZnF4:Ni2+ system have been investigated. The theoretical results are accorded well with the experimental values. Moreover, to understand the detailed physical and chemical properties of the fluoroperovskite crystals, the theoretical values of the g factor of K2ZnF4:Ni2+ system at 78 and 290 K are reported first.