Lanthanide doped fluorosilicate glass-ceramics:A review on experimental and theoretical progresses

Significant developments have been made in the past few decades for lanthanide(Ln)ions doped fluorosilicate glass-ceramics(Flusi-GCs).As novel generation of luminescence materials with a wide range of applications,Flusi-GCs as a single host combine the advantages of glass and ceramics/crystals as well as fluorides and silicates.In this review,the chemical design principles and experimental procedures of Flusi-GCs are summarized in detail.Flusi-GCs are categorized as those containing PbxCd_(1-x)F_(2),RF_(3)(R=Y,La,Gd),MF_(2)(M=Ca,Sr,Ba),xMF_(2)-yRF_(3)(R=Y,La-Lu),mAF-nRF_(3)(A=Li,Na,K),KTF_(3)(T=Zn,Mn)and K2 SiF6 nanocrystals(NCs).Theoretical breakthroughs mainly by molecular dynamic(MD)simulation have been recapitulated as efficient routes for composition-design,nano-crystallization-prediction,and performance-optimization of Flusi-GCs containing target fluoride NCs.Essential research progresses pertaining photonic applications have been made in random lasers,communication amplifiers,optical fibers,spectral converters,white light-emitting-diodes(WLEDs),and thermal sensors.In the end,we propose three future research directions for Flusi-GCs.

Flotation separation of feldspar from quartz using sodium fluosilicate as a selective depressant

The physical and chemical properties of feldspar and quartz are highly similar,thus they cannot be easily separated effectively.In this work,the flotation separation of feldspar from quartz using sodium fluosilicate(Na_(2)SiF_(6);SF)as a selective depressant was investigated.Moreover,the influence mechanism of SF on the selective flotation separation of feldspar and quartz was investigated via flotation tests,chemical analysis of flotation solution,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and contact angle analysis.The results of the flotation tests show that feld spar and quartz without SF treatment have good floatability.After SF treatment,feldspar still has good floatability,whereas quartz has significantly reduced floatability.Flotation solution chemical analysis shows that the functional group plays an important role in depressing the quartz is[SiF_(6)]^(2-).FTIR,XPS and contact angle analysis results show that[SiF_(6)]^(2-)is adsorbed only on the surface of quartz.Thus,a thin hydrophilic SiOF layer is generated on the surface,which interferes with the adsorption of the collector on the surface of the quartz.This phenomenon leads to a significant reduction in quartz's floatability.Therefore,SF has a good ability to separate feldspar from quartz by flotation.