Crystal growth,structure and optical properties of Pr^(3+)-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia single crystals

The development of blue semiconductor light-emitting diodes(LEDs)has produced potential applications for Prdoped materials that can absorb blue light,especially crystals,and we now report structure and optical properties for high-quality Pr-doped single crystals of yttria-stabilized zirconia(YSZ)grown by the optical floating zone(FZ)method.X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Raman spectroscopy showed that all of the single crystal samples were in the cubic phase,whereas the corresponding ceramic samples contained a mixture of monoclinic and cubic phases.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR)spectroscopy showed that Pr was present as the Pr^(3+)ion in ceramic rods and single crystals after heating to high temperatures.The absorption and photoluminescence excitation(PLE)spectra of the Pr-doped YSZ crystals measured at room temperature showed strong absorption of blue light,while their photoluminescence(PL)spectra showed five emission peaks at 565 nm,588 nm,614 nm,638 nm,and 716 nm under450 nm excitation.The optimum luminescence properties were obtained with the crystal prepared using 0.15 mol%Pr_(6)O_(11),and those with higher concentrations showed evidence of quenching of the luminescence properties.In addition,the color purity of Pr-doped YSZ single crystal reached 98.9%in the orange–red region.

Quality aspects of coffees and teas: Application of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to the elucidation of free radical and other processes.

Coffees and teas are beverages that are both exceptionally rich in antioxidant molecules, and are also both associated with beneficial health effects. Thus although the quality characteristics of these beverages are conventionally assessed on the basis of their sensory properties, their antioxidant contents represent an additional and increasingly valued attribute of quality based on their contributions to healthy diets. Both beverages are prepared by hot water extraction of a pure plant-derived product, and thus their compositions can potentially change quite rapidly as a result of oxidation in contact with air. Oxidative processes often proceed via free radical intermediates, and sometimes also result in the formation of stable radical end-products;thus EPR spectroscopy is a convenient technique for investigating some of the various free radical reactions that occur in these beverages. This paper reviews progress that has been made in elucidating free radical processes that occur during the preparation and storage of coffees and teas, and the results are discussed in terms of quality criteria of the beverages.

White light luminescence in Dy/Tm co-doped yttria stabilized zirconia single crystals

A series of high quality Dy_(2)O_(3) and Tm_(2)O_(3)co-doped yttria stabilized zirconia(YSZ) single crystals was synthesized.These crystals have a single cubic structure,and exhibit the characteristic of Dy^(3+)(blue and yellow emissions) and Tm^(3+)(blue emission) under excitation with NUV light.Impo rtantly,the hue can be varied between blue and white by modifying the Tm^(3+)/Dy^(3+)ratio.The photoluminescence and decay curves are consistent with the existence of resonance-type energy transfer from Tm^(3+)to Dy^(3+)ions via an electric multipole interaction mechanism.Maximum luminescence intensity is observed in YSZ doped with 0.50 mol% Tm_(2)O_(3) and 0.75 mol% Dy_(2)O_(3),and this sample has CIE coordinates(x = 0.33,y = 0.33) in accordance with those for white chromaticity.Thus,the outstanding luminescence properties of these single crystals suggest potential applications in white light emission devices.

Utilization of waste straw and husks from rice production:A review

As a staple food for much of the world,rice production is widespread.However,it also results in the generation of large quantities of non-food biomass,primarily in the form of straw and husks.Although they have been little utilized and much rice straw is still simply burned,these ligno-cellulosic materials potentially have considerable values.This review considers the composition of rice straw and husks,the various processes involved in the production of valuable products,and a range of uses to which they can be put.These include agricultural amendments,energy production,environmental adsorbents,construction materials,and various speciality products.