Citrate-Gel Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of α-Zn_3(PO_4)_2 Doped with Eu^(3+)

By using inorganic salts as raw materials and citric acid as complexing agent, α-Zn 3(PO 4) 2 and Eu 3+ doped α-Zn 3(PO 4) 2 phosphor powders were prepared by a citrate-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), TG-DTA, FT-IR and luminescence excitation and emission spectra were used to characterize the resulting products. The results of XRD reveal that the powders begin to crystallize at 500 ℃ and pure α-Zn 3(PO 4) 2 phase is obtained at 800 ℃. And the results of XRD reveal that Eu 3+ exists as EuPO 4 in the powder. In the phosphor powders, the Eu 3+ shows its characteristic red-orange (592 nm, 5D 0- 7F 1) emission and has no quenching concentration.

Synthesis and Characterization of Y_ (0.9-x)Gd_xEu_(0.1)BO_3 Phosphors by Spray Drying Process

Y 0.9-xGd xEu 0.1BO 3 phosphors were synthesized by spray drying (SD) method, and the results were compared with those by conventional solid state (SS) and citrate gel (CG) methods. The PL intensity of phosphors increases with the increase of x value in Y 0.9-xGd xEu 0.1BO 3 (prepared by SD) due to an energy migration process like Gd 3+-(Gd 3+) n-Eu 3+ occurred in the material. Compared with the latter two methods, the phosphor particles prepared by spray drying method have a better morphology, such as homogeneous size (about 1～3 μm) with spherical shape and smooth surface. Furthermore, the spray drying-derived phosphors have higher photoluminescence (PL) intensity than those by citrate gel method, but still a little lower than those by the solid state method.

Preparation of mesoporous titania particles using ionic liquid dissolving starch as templates

A mesoporous titania photocatalyst was prepared via calcining the solution of ionic liquid （1-methyl-3-butyl imidazolium bromide, [BMIM]Br） containing tetrabutyl titanate （TBT） and starch. The microstructure of the prepared mesoporous titania was characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm. The results indicate that the resulting mesoporous titania has a grain size of about 13.9 nm, a special surface area of 106 m2/g, and a pore volume of 0.22 cm3/g, and the pore size can be adjusted by the concentration of starch in ionic liquid. The photocatalytic activity of mesoporous titania in the degradation of methyl orange solution was determined. The effect of the specific surface area of mesoporous titania on the photocatalytic activity was also studied. The prepared mesoporous titania exhibits a high catalytic activity.

Recent advances in the research of inorganic nanotubes and fullerene-like nanoparticles

This minireview outlines the main scientific directions in tile research of inorganic nanotubes （1NT） and fullerene-like （IF） nanoparticles from layered compounds, in recent years. In particular, this review describes to some detail the progress in the synthesis of new nanotubes, including those from misfit compounds; core-shell and the successful efforts to scale-up the synthesis of WS2 multiwalt nanotubes. The high-temperature catalytic growth of nanotubes, via solar ablation is discussed as well. Furthermore, the doping of the 1F-MoS2 nanoparticles and its influence on the physiochemical properties of the nanoparticles, including their interesting tribological properties are briefly discussed. Finally, the numerous applications of these nanoparticles as superior solid lubricants and for reinforcing variety of polymers are discussed in brief.