Study of the Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of Rare Earth Luminescent Materials

Rare earth luminescent materials have attracted significant attention due to their wide-ranging applications in the field of optoelectronics. This study aims to delve into the electronic structure and optical properties of rare earth luminescent materials, with the goal of uncovering their importance in luminescence mechanisms and applications. Through theoretical calculations and experimental methods, we conducted in-depth analyses on materials composed of various rare earth elements. Regarding electronic structure, we utilized computational techniques such as density functional theory to investigate the band structure, valence state distribution, and electronic density of states of rare earth luminescent materials. The results indicate that the electronic structural differences among different rare earth elements notably influence their luminescence performance, providing crucial clues for explaining the luminescence mechanism. In terms of optical properties, we systematically examined the material’s optical behaviors through fluorescence spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy, and other experimental approaches. We found that rare earth luminescent materials exhibit distinct absorption and emission characteristics at different wavelengths, closely related to the transition processes of their electronic energy levels. Furthermore, we studied the influence of varying doping concentrations and impurities on the material’s optical properties. Experimental outcomes reveal that appropriate doping can effectively regulate the emission intensity and wavelength, offering greater possibilities for material applications. In summary, this study comprehensively analyzed the electronic structure and optical properties of rare earth luminescent materials, providing deep insights into understanding their luminescence mechanisms and potential value in optoelectronic applications. In the future, these research findings will serve as crucial references for the technological advancement in fields such as LEDs, lasers, and bioimaging.

AB_(2)-type rare earth-based compounds with C-15 structure:Looking for reversible hydrogen storage materials

AB_(2)-type(A=rare earth,B=transition metal)intermetallic compounds with C15 structure can easily absorb large amount of hydrogen,showing their potential use as hydrogen storage materials.The crucial problem hindering their application is hydrogen induced amorphization(HIA),which leads to the irreversible hydrogen sorption process.The stability of the AB_2 Laves phase compounds,the structural properties,the hydrogenation properties and the controlling factors of HIA are discussed in this review.Comparing with other factors,the atomic radii ratio r_A/r_B is the most important one influencing the HIA.Multi-element substitution is an efficient way to suppress or limit HIA and may enable AB_2 compounds to be suitable for hydrogen storage.

Rare Earth Elements Geochemistry of Laowan Gold Deposit in Henan Province: Trace to Source of Ore-Forming Materials

The compositions of REE in quartz and pyrite from the main stage of the Laowan gold deposit in Henan Province and that in quartz from Laowan granite were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass-spectrometry （ICP-MS） to trace the source of ore-forming materials. Meanwhile, the REE compositions of the deposit ore, granite and metamorphic wall rock were also considered for comparative studies in detail. The range of ∑REE of quartz and pyrite from the deposit ores is 4.18 × 10^-6- 30.91 × 10^-6, the average of ∑REE is 13.39 × 10^-6, and the average of ∑REE of quartz in the Laowan granite is 6.68 × 10^-6. There is no distinct difference of REE parameters between the deposit ore quartz and granite quartz. The quartz in gold deposit has the same REE particular parameters as quartzes from Laowan granite, such as δEu, δCe, （La/Yb）N and （La/Sm）N, partition degree of LREE to HREE, especially, the chondrite-normalized REE patterns, but no similarity to those from metamorphic wall rock, which shows that ore-forming hydrothermal fluid is mainly the fluid coming from the Laowan granite magma, rather than metamorphic fluid. Meanwhile, comparison studies on REE features between minerals from the deposit ores and related geological bodies in the deposit show that REE characteristics of minerals can serve as an indicator of ore-forming fluid properties and sources, while the REE characteristics of the bulk samples （such as deposit ores, granites and wall rocks） can not trace the source of the ore-forming materials exactly.

Influence of Doping Rare Earth on Performance of Lithium Manganese Oxide Spinels as Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Some rare earth doping spinel LiMn_(2-x)RE_xO_4 (RE=La, Ce, Nd) cathode materials for lithium ion batteries were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. The structure characteristics of these produced samples were investigated by XRD, SEM, and particle size distribution analysis. According to the microstructure and charge-discharge testing, the effect of doping rare earth on stabilizing the spinel structure was analyzed. Through a series of doping experiments, it is shown that when the doping content x within the range of 0.01～0.02 the cycle performance of the materials is greatly improved. The discharge capacity of the sample LiMn_(1.98)La_(0.02)O_4, LiMn_(1.98)Ce_(0.02)O_4 and LiMn_(1.98)Nd_(0.02)O_4 remain 119.1, 114.2 and 117.5 mAh·g^(-1) after 50 cycles.

Influence of Composite Phosphate Inorganic Antibacterial Materials Containing Rare Earth on Activated Water Property of Ceramics

Antibacterial ceramic was prepared by doping enamel slurry with composite phosphate inorganic antibacterial materials containing rare earth (inorganic antibacterial additives), and then the mechanisms for activating water and improving seed germinative property were tested by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the method of testing oxygen dissolved in activated water. Results show that the half peak width of (()^(17)O-NMR) for tap water activated by the antibacterial ceramic drops from 115.36 to 99.15 Hz, and oxygen concentrations of activated water increase by 20%, germinate rate of horsebean and earthnut seeds increases by 12.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Therefore antibacterial ceramic doped enamel slurry with inorganic antibacterial additives containing rare earth can reduce the volume of clusters of water molecules, improve activation of tap water, and promote plant seeds germinate.

Far Infrared Radiation Property of Rare Earth Mneral Composite Materials

Rare earth mineral composite materials were prepared using rare earths and natural far-infrared mineral materials . The influences of rare earth additive content and heat treatment temperature on the far infrared radiance were studied. The results show that the far infrared radiance of rare earth mineral composite materials is 0.93 when the rare earth additive content is 6% and heat treatment temperature is 750℃.

Preparation and Characterization of Rare Earth Composite Materials Radiating Far Infrared for Activating Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Rare earth composite materials radiating far-infrared rays were prepared according to far infrared absorption spectrum of main component in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The composite materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transformed infrared spectra(FTIR). The results show that after the composite materials were calcined at 873 K for 4 h, FTIR spectra of rare earth composite materials display two new peaks at 1336 and 2926 cm-1 available for activating LPG.

Research on toughening mechanisms of alumina matrix ceramic composite materials improved by rare earth additive

Mixed rare earth elements were incorporated into alumina ceramic materials. Hot-pressing was used to fabricate alumina matrix composites in nitrogen atmosphere protection. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were tested. It was indicated that the bending strength and fracture toughness of alumina matrix ceramic composites sintered at 1550 ℃ and 28 MPa for 30 min were improved evidently. Besides mixed rare earth elements acting as a toughening phase, AlTiC master alloys were also added in as sintering assistants, which could prompt the formation of transient liquid phase, and thus nitrides of rare earth elements were produced. All of the above were beneficial for improving the mechanical properties of alumina matrix ceramic composites.

Photo-Catalyzed Rare Earth Materials with Ability to Translate Free Radicals into Negative Ions

Materials with function of producing negative ions effection,containing valency-variable rare earth elements and semiconductor oxide,were fabricated.Free radicals produced by the materials were tested.The result shows that the materials can produce quite a few free radicals as·O^-_2 no matter whether they are under illumination of ultraviolet radiation or under visible light radiation,or under no light radiation, demonstrating semiconductor oxide can be catalysed under the visible light radiation.At the same time the result shows there is direct relation between the number of free radicals and of the negative ion produced by the materials,which meant that during photo-catalyzed and redox process of valency-variable rare earth elements free radicals translate into negative ions. A circular model is presented involving circulating change of valency-variable rare earth elements and water and oxygen absorbed on the surface of materials under the condition of photocatalysis.

Effect of Rare Earths on Microstructure and Properties of TiC-based Cermet/Cu Alloy Composite Wear Resistant Materials

The effect of rare earth (RE) oxide on the microstructure and properties of TiC based cermet/Cu alloy composite hardfacing materials was investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), impact test and wear test. The mechanism of RE oxide for improving the phase structure and the impact toughness was also discussed. The experimental results indicate that the microstructure of the matrix can be refined, and the micro-porous defects can be eliminated by adding RE oxide into the composite materials. The polycrystalline and amorphous phase structure is formed at the interface of cermet and matrix metal. The formed structure enhances the conjoint strength of interface. The frictional wear resistance can be improved obviously, although the microhardness of the matrix metal can not be effectively increased by adding RE oxide.

Advances in Rare Earth Application to Semiconductor Materials and Devices

The development of rare earths (RE) applications to semiconductor materials and devices is reviewed. The recent advances in RE doped silicon light emitting diodes (LED) and display materials are described. The various technologies of incorporating RE into semiconductor materials and devices are presented. The RE high dielectric materials, RE silicides and the phase transition of RE materials are also discussed. Finally, the paper describes the prospects of the RE application to semiconductor industry.

Research progress in rare earths and their composites based electrode materials for supercapacitors

Supercapacitor is an imminent potential energy storage system,and acts as a booster to the batteries and fuel cells to provide necessary power density.In the last decade,carbon and carbonaceous materials,conducting polymers and transition metal oxide/hydroxide based electrode materials have been made to show a remarkable electrochemical performance.Rare-earth materials have attracted significant research attention as an electrode material for supercapacitor applications based on their physicochemical properties.In this review,rare earth metals,rare earth metal oxides/hydroxides,rare-earth metal chalcogenides,rare-earth metal/carbon composites and rare-earth metal/metal oxide composites based electrode materials are discussed for supercapacitors.We also discuss the energy chemistry of rare-earth metal-based materials.Besides the factors that affect the performance of the electrode materials,their evaluation methods and supercapacitor performances are discussed in details.Finally,the future outlook in rare-earth-based electrode materials is revealed towards its current developments for supercapacitor applications.

Enhanced Photoactivity of Layered Nanocomposite Materials Containing Rare Earths,Titanium Dioxide and Clay

The nanocomposite materials containing rare earths, titanium dioxide and clay (RE/TiO2/Clay) were characterized and tested for the photocatalytic decomposition of formaldehyde. The results show that nanocomposite materials prepared by doping appropriate rare earth elements have better photocatalytic properties than that prepared by doping excessive rare earth elements. The photocatalytic mechanism of composite materials was studied by integrating the theory of pho-tocatalysis with experiment results. Because the site of photocatalytic reaction was limited in the interspace of clay, photocatalytic reaction occurred by two steps: firstly, organic molecules dispersed into the interlayers of clay; secondly, organic molecules and photocatalyst of RE/TiO2 occurred photocatalytic reaction, resulting in forming carbon dioxide.

Effect of Rare Earth Composite Ceramic Materials on Oil Combustion of Oil-Burning Boiler

The rare earth composite ceramic materials were prepared using rare earths and far infrared natural mineral. The effects of the as-prepared ceramic materials on the oil consumption and air pollutants emissions of oil-burning boiler were investigated. The results show that the composite ceramic materials can radiate higher intensity of far infrared. The molecular movement is strengthened and the chemical bonds of the molecules are easily ruptured when the diesel oil is dealt with the composite materials. The oil-saving rate of the RBS·VH-1 .5 boiler dealt with the rare earth composite ceramic materials is 3.49%, and the reducing rates of CO and NO in the exhaust gas are 25.4% and 9.7%, respectively.

Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Wear Resistance of Ceramic Tool Materials

Through the addition of Y, Sm and Ce in Al2O3/(W, Ti)C ceramic matrix, it was found that the amount and kind of the added rare earth elements have some different influences on the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composite. Under the present experimental conditions, the flank wear curves of the selected ceramic tool materials when machining the hardened tool steel obeyed the wear law well. But wear resistance of different ceramic materials varied with each other. Wear resistance of rare earth ceramic tool materials was higher than that of the corresponding materials without rare earth. Wear modes of the developed Al2O3/(W, Ti)C series rare earth ceramic tool materials were mainly flank wear and accompanied with slight crater wear.

Preparation, Characterization and Luminescent Properties of MCM-41 Type Materials Impregnated with Rare Earth Complex

Hybrid materials incorporating Eu-(TTA)(3). 2H(2)O (7hereafter designated as Eu-TTA, with TTA: thenoyltrifluoroacetone) in unmodified or modified MCM-41 by 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) were prepared by impregnation method. The obtained materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and luminescence spectra. All the hybrid samples exhibited the characteristic emission bands of EU3+ under UV light excitation at room temperature, and the excitation spectra showed significant blue-shifts compared to the pure rare-earth complex. Although the red emission intensity in the modified hybrid was almost the half of the red emission intensity in the pure Eu-TTA complex at room temperature, the hybrid showed a much higher thermal stability due to the shielding character of the MCM-41 host.

Efficient tunable visible and near-infrared emission in Sb^(3+)/Sm^(3+)-codoped Cs_(2)NaLuCl_6 for near-infrared light-emitting diode,triple-mode fluorescence anti-counterfeiting and information encryption

Rare earth ions(RE^(3+))-doped double perovskites have attracted tremendous attention for its fascinating optical properties.Nevertheless,RE^(3+)generally exhibits poor photoluminescence quantum yield(PLQY)for their parity-forbidden 4f-4f transition and the low doping concentration.Herein,we reported Sb^(3+)/Sm^(3+)-codoped rare earth-based double perovskite Cs_(2)Na Lu Cl_(6)that enables efficient visible and nearinfrared(NIR)emission,which stems from self-trapped exciton(STE)and Sm^(3+),respectively.Benefit from up to 72.89%energy transfer efficiency from STE to Sm^(3+)and high doping concentrations due to similar ionic activity between Sm^(3+)and Lu^(3+),thus eruptive PLQY of 74.58%in the visible light region and 23.12%in the NIR light region can be obtained.Moreover,Sb^(3+)/Sm^(3+)-codoped Cs_(2)Na Lu Cl_(6)exhibits tunable emission characteristic in the visible light region under different excitation wavelengths,which can change from blue emission(254 nm excitation)to white emission(365 nm excitation).More particularly,only the NIR emission can be captured by the NIR camera when a 700 nm cutoff filter is added.The excellent stability and unique optical properties of Sb^(3+)/Sm^(3+)-codoped Cs_(2)Na Lu Cl_(6)enable us to demonstrate its applications in NIR light-emitting diode,triple-mode fluorescence anti-counterfeiting and information encryption.These findings provide new inspiration for the application of rare earth-based double perovskite in optoelectronic devices.

Preparation and Effect of Rare Earth Composite Ceramic Materials on Reducing Exhaust Emissions

Rare earth composite ceramic materials (RE/CM) were prepared by the method of firing the mixtures of the rare earth elements, polar crystal mineral materials and clays. The effects of processing method on the reducing exhaust emissions were studied. The results show that after dealt with the ceramic balls, the surface tension of gasoline, and the CO concentration among exhaust emissions during combustion, decrease by 2.7% and 11.5%, respectively; however the temperature of the inner flue increases by 4.8%.

Synthesis, Characterization of A Novel Polymeric Reaction Monomer for Preparing Highly Fluorescent Rare Earth Polymer Materials

A novel polymeric reaction monomer (NPRM) for preparing highly fluorescent rare earth polymer materials was synthesized via interface and coordinating reaction. The composition and structure of the NPRM and intermediate product (ligand) were characterized through the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), carbon-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (13CNMR), Mass spectra (MS), and element analysis data. The results showed that the composition and structure of NPRM agreed with that of anticipated product. The NPRM was composed of two important sections. Section 1 was able to provide excellent fluorescent properties for final rare earth polymer material through the effect energy transfer between ligand and rare earth ion; Section 2 would endow with the NPRM excellent polymeric active and form highly fluorescent rare earth polymer material. Fluorescent properties of the NPRM were also researched via a CARY ECLIPSE fluorescent spectrometer. The results showed that the NPRM possessed excellent luminescent properties. The corresponding emission peaks based on the 5D0→7F1(601.6 nm), 5D0→7F2(625.0 nm), 5D0→7F3(660.5 nm) and 5D0→7F4(706.3 nm) transitions for Eu3+ were observed. The strongest emission peak was at 625 nm, which belonged to 5D0→7F2 transition.

Effects of Rare Earths on Properties and Microstructure of Automotive Friction Materials

Rare earth compounds as modifiers used widely in modern friction materials can enhance the interfacial binding of constituents of materials and improve the comprehensive properties of materials evidently. However, there are still few reports on application of rare earth in automotive friction materials. In order to study the effect mechanism of rare earths in friction materials, a rare earth compound was selected as additive and the effects of materials doped with or without rare earth on friction and wear properties of materials were studied. The microstructure and worn surface morphology were observed by scanning electron microscopy and the macro performance was discussed. Worn surface element constitution of materials was analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Effect mechanism of rare earths on friction and wear behaviors of friction materials were discussed. The results show that doping rare earths in friction materials can stabilize friction coefficient, lower the wear rate of materials and increase the impact strength of materials. The flexibility and fracture resistance of materials is greatly improved. Worn surface of materials doped with rare earth is compact and the surface adhesion is greatly enhanced.