Magnesium cations as templates for the self-assembly of supramolecular luminescent {Mg@[B18φ34-35]}-clusters

Solvothermal reaction of magnesium nitrate and boron oxide in N,N-dimethylformamide produced a number of particularly complex supramolecular magnesium borates. Five topologically different types of negatively charged {Mg@[B18φ34-35]}-clusters, φ = O, OH, were observed with the magnesium cation as a core and octadecaborate anions as shells. The clusters assemble via common borate polyhedra forming 1D chains, a 2D mesoporous layer, and 3D mesoporous frameworks with an effective channel width of up to 16 Å. Topological analysis of the clusters in combination with the modular crystallography approach indicates that numerous new functional materials can be obtained by varying their assembly mode. At least one compound containing such clusters exhibits a very strong luminescence.

Bright UV-C Phosphors with Excellent Thermal Stability-Y1-xScxPO4 Solid Solutions

The structural and luminescence properties of undoped Y_1-xSc_xPO₄ solid solutions have been studied. An intense thermally stable emission with fast decay (τ_1/e ~ 10^-7 s) and a band position varying from 5.21 to 5.94 eV depending on the Sc/Y ratio is detected and ascribed to the 2p O-3d Sc self-trapped excitons. The quantum yield of the UV-C emission, also depending on the Sc/Y ratio, reaches 34% for the solid solution with x = 0.5 at 300 K. It is shown by a combined analysis of theoretical and experimental data that the formation of Sc clusters occurs in the solid solutions studied. The clusters facilitate the creation of energy wells at the conduction band bottom, which enables deep localization of electronic excitations and the creation of luminescence centers characterized by high quantum yield and thermal stability of the UV-C emission.

Polymorphism, polytypism and modular aspect of compounds with the general formula A 2 M 3(TO4)4 (A = Na, Rb, Cs, Ca; M = Mg, Mn, Fe3+, Cu2+; T = S6+, P5+): order–disorder, topological description and DFT calculations

The crystal structure of Na2Mn3(SO4)4 [unit-cell parameters a = 14.8307 (18), b = 9.9107 (18), c = 8.6845 (12) Å, space group Cmc21] displays order–disorder (OD) character and can be described using the OD groupoid family, more precisely a family of OD structures built up by two types of non-polar layers, with layer symmetry P(m)c21 (L 2n+1 type) and P(b)cm (L 2n type) (category IV). A new hypothetical MDO2 polytype has been proposed and the geometry optimization demonstrates its reasonability as another possible stable polytype. Compounds Na2Mn3–x Mg x (SO4)4 with the unit-cell parameters a ∼ 29.2–29.7 Å, b ∼ 9.5–9.9 Å, c ∼ 8.7 Å and space group Pbca can be described in terms of modularity as a sequence of A, S 1 and S 2 modules:…|AS 1 AS 2 AS 1 AS 2|… or (AS 1 AS 2), together with MDO1 (AS 1 AS 1) and MDO2 (AS 2 AS 2). The crystal structures of itelmenite, NaCaFe3+ 3(PO4)4, and Ca2MgFe3+ 2(PO4)4 are crystal-chemical isotypic to Na2Mn3–x Mg x (SO4)4 and should be considered as (A*S 1 A*S 2) derivatives of the (AS 1 AS 2)-type structure.

Synthesis of Ce-doped Mn3Gd7-xCex(SiO4)6O1.5 for the enhanced catalytic ozonation of tetracycline

A novel cerium doped compounds Mn₃Gd_7–xCe_x(SiO₄)₆O_1.5 with an apatite structure was found and used to achieve high-efficiency degradation of tetracycline in aqueous solution. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, EDS and other techniques. The characteristic results indicated that the catalytic activity of the compound was improved due to the introduction of Ce in the structure, because Ce³⁺ which was stably present in the apatite structure can serve as an active site for the reaction, and in addition, there was a high presence between Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ on the surface of the catalyst. The redox potential and high oxygen storage capacity were also beneficial for the catalytic reaction. The results of free radical capture indicated that both superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals participated in the catalytic oxidation process and played an important role in the reaction. The decomposition of tetracycline followed the pseudo second-order reaction kinetics. In addition, the catalyst exhibited long-term stability and low metal leaching during the reaction, which indicated that the novel cerium-doped apatite structure material could be a promising wastewater treatment material.

Influence of lithium and magnesium on the real structure and dielectric properties of Ca9Y(VO4)7 single crystals

The real crystal structure was oxyaminated by complex methods; the influence of impurity and point defects is shown.