Structural, Optical and Luminescence Properties of ZnO Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Spin-Coating Method： Effect of Precursor Concentration

Transparent zinc oxide（ZnO） thin films are fabricated by a simple sol-gel spin-coating technique on glass substrates with different solution concentrations（0.3-1.2 M） using zinc acetate dehydrate [Zn（CH_3COO）_2·2H_2O] as precursor and isopropanol and monoethanolamine（MEA） as solvent and stabilizer, respectively. The molar ratio of zinc acetate dehydrate to MEA is 1.0. X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy are employed to investigate the effect of solution concentration on the structural and optical properties of the ZnO thin films. The obtained results of all thin films are discussed in detail and are compared with other experimental data.

Comparative structural and electrochemical properties of mixed P2/O′3-layered sodium nickel manganese oxide prepared by sol-gel and electrospinning methods:Effect of Na-excess content

The effect of Na-excess content in the precursor on the structural and electrochemical performances of sodium nickel manganese oxide(NNMO)prepared by sol-gel and electrospinning methods is investigated in this paper.X-ray diffraction results of the prepared NNMO without adding Na-excess content indicate sodium loss,while the mixed phase of P2/O′3-type layered NNMO presented after adding Na-excess content.Compared with the sol-gel method,the secondary phase of NiO is more suppressed by using the electrospinning method,which is further confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope images.N_(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms show no remarkably difference in specific surface areas between different preparation methods and Na-excess contents.The analysis of X-ray absorption near edge structure indicates that the oxidation states of Ni and Mn are+2 and+4,respectively.For the electrochemical properties,superior electrochemical performance is observed in the NNMO electrode with a low Na-excess content of 5wt%.The highest specific capacitance is 36.07 F·g^(-1)at0.1 A·g^(-1)in the NNMO electrode prepared by using the sol-gel method.By contrast,the NNMO electrode prepared using the electrospinning method with decreased Na-excess content shows excellent cycling stability of 100%after charge-discharge measurements for 300 cycles.Therefore,controlling the Na excess in the precursor together with the preparation method is important for improving the electrochemical performance of Na-based electrode materials in supercapacitors.

Preparation of Se-based solar cell using spin-coating method in ambient condition

A new hybrid organic-inorganic structure of FTO/TiO2/Se/HTL/Au based selenium solar cell has been fabricated through a low-cost spin-coating process in air. In this process, selenium is completely dissolved in hydrazine, to fk）rm a homogeneous precursor solution. After spin-coating the precursor solution on the TiO2 substrates, following by sintering at 200 ℃ for 5rain, a uniform selenium film with crystalline grains is formed. The selenium based solar cell exhibits an efficiency of 1.23% under AM1.5 illumination （100 mW.cm-2）, short-circuit current density of 8 mA.cm 2, open-circuit voltage of 0.55 V, and fill factor of 0.37. Moreover, the device shows a stable ability with almost the same performance alter 60 days.

Photocatalytic Activity of Nanosized ZnWO_4 Prepared by the Sol-gel Method

Nanosized ZnWO4 photocatalysts were successfully synthesized via the sol-gel process in a temperature range of 450-800℃. The grain size, crystal size, and crystallinity of ZnWO4 particles increased with the increase of calcina- tion temperature and prolonging calcination time. The photocatalytic activity was measured for the degradation of an aqueous Rhodamine-B（RhB） solution and gaseous formaldehyde（FAD）. With the increase of calcination temperature and time, the activities increased to a maximum and then decreased. ZnWO4 photocatalyst prepared at 550℃ for I0 h showed the highest activity, which is similar to the photocatalytic activity of P25TiO2 for the degradation of gase-ous FAD. High crystallinity, large surface area, and good dispersion are responsible for the high photocatalytic per- formance of the prepared ZnWO4.

Preparation and properties of nanocrystal SmBO_3 by nitrate-citrate sol-gel combustion method

Nanocrystal SmBO3 powders were synthesized by nitrate-citrate sol-gel combustion method. The phase evolution, morphologies and absorbency of the synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Field emission scanning electronic microscope （FESEM）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FFIR） and UV-3101PC spectrophotometer （UVPC）, respectively. XRD and FESEM results showed that pure SmBO3 phase was obtained at 750 ℃, with an average original particle size of about 100 nm. FTIR showed that there were apparently concentrated absorbent peaks between 500 and 1400 cm^-1. Moreover, the reflectivity of the powders apparently decreased at the wavelength between 1.05 and 1.15 μm. Therefore, SmBO3 might be a kind of absorbent material for infrared laser.

Grain Size and Photocatalytic Activity of Nanometer TiO_2 Thin Films Prepared by the Sol-gel Method

Transparent anatase TiO2 nanometer thin films with photocatalytic activity were prepared via the sol-gel method on soda-lime glass. The thickness , crystalline phase, grain size, surface hydroxyl amount and so on were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) , X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy ( TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-visible spectrophotometer ( UV-VIS). The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 thin films was evaluated for the photocatalytic decolorization of aqueous methyl orange . The effects of film thickness on the crystalline phase, grain size, transmittance and photocatalytic activity of nanometer Ti02 thin films were discussed.

Luminescence properties of red-emitting Ca_2Al_2SiO_7:Eu^(3+) nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel method

A series of red-emitting Ca2_xA12SiOT：xEu^3＋ （x = 1 mol.%-10 tool.%） phosphors were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The effects of annealing temperature and doping concentration on the crystal structure and luminescence properties of Ca2A12SiO7：Eu^3＋ phosphors were investigated. X-ray diffraction （XRD） profiles showed that all peaks could be attributed to the tetragonal Ca2A12SiO7 phase when the sample was annealed at 1000℃. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） micrographs indicate that the phosphors have an irregularly rounded mor- phology with particles of about 200 nm. Excitation spectra showed that the strong broad band at around 258 nm and weak sharp lines in 350-490 nm were attributed to the charge transfer band of Eu^3＋-O^2- and f-f transitions within the 4f^6 configuration of Eu^3＋ ions, respectively. Emission spectra implied that the red luminescence could be attributed to the transitions from the ^5D0 excited level to the 7Fj （J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4） levels of Eu3＋ions with the main electric dipole transition ^5D0→^7F2 （618 and 620 nm）, and Eu^3＋ ions prefer to occupy a lower symmetry site in the crystal lattice. Moreover, the photoluminescence （PL） intensity was strongly dependent on both the sintering temperature and doping concentration, and the highest PL intensity was observed at an Eu^3＋ concentration x = 7 mol.% after annealing at ll00℃. The obtained Ca2A12SiO7：Eu^＋3＋ phosphor may have potential application for the red lamp phosphor.

Synthesis of Long Afterglow Photoluminescent Materials Sr_2MgSi_2O_7∶Eu^(2+), Dy^(3+) by Sol-Gel Method

Long afterglow photoluminescent materials Sr2MgSi2O7 doped with Eu2+, Dy3+ were prepared by sol-gel method. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The excitation spectrum, emission spectrum and long decay curve were measured and analyzed. XRD pattern indicates that phosphor is with Sr2MgSi2O7 crystal structure. The wide range of excitation wavelength indicates that luminescent material can be excited by light from ultraviolet ray to visible light. The main peak of emission spectrum is located at 466 nm. Sample excited by visible light can emit bright blue light, and the afterglow time lasts more than 8 h.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline SrAl_2O_4∶Eu, Dy Long Afterglow Phosphors by Sol-Gel Method

Eu 2+, Dy 3+ co-doped nanocrystalline strontium aluminate phosphor powders with brightness and long afterglow were synthesized by the sol-gel method at 1200 ℃ for 2 h. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of XRD show that the single crystalline phase is α-SrAl_2O_4. According to the observation of SEM, the particles of the samples are needle-like. Compared with the samples synthesized by solid state reaction, the grain size of the sol-gel method is to nanometer grade. A clear blue shift occurs in the excitation and emission spectra. The blue shift in nanocrystalline SrAl_2O_4∶Eu, Dy phosphor can be attributed to the quantum-size-effect of the luminescent particles.

Synthesis of hexagonal barium ferrite nanoparticle by sol-gel method

M-type Ba hexaferrites were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method. Several synthesizing factors, such as pH value, citric acid/metal ion ratio, and dispersion agent were mainly discussed. Fine and pure powders of BaFe12O19 were optimally synthesized under the conditions of the pH value is 7 and citric acid/metal ion ratio is 3. The X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that no impurity is observed in the synthesized powders after presintered at 450 ℃ and calcinated at 1100 ℃. SEM observations indicate that the size of the synthesized BaFe12O19 powders is small and uniform distribution. It can also be learned from SEM that the co-synthesizing sol-gel method can be in favor of the formation of finer particles.

Fabrication and characterization of highly ordered Ni_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)Fe_2O_4 nanowire/tube arrays by sol-gel template method

Highly ordered nanowire/tube arrays of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4were fabricated by the sol-gel method in the pores of anodic alumina membrane （AAM）. Whether nanowires or nanotubes were fabricated depends on immersion time. The immersion time was 15- 40 s for nanotubes and over 60 s for nanowires. The topography and crystalline structure of the nanowire arrays were characterized by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. It was found that the length and diameter of the Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanowires are related to the thickness of the AAM and the diameter of the pores. The results indicated that the Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanowires are uniform and parallel to each other.

Surface and Texture Properties of Tb-Doped Ceria-Zirconia Solid Solution Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

The three-way catalysts （TWCs） promoters Ce0.6Zr0.4- x TbxO2-y were prepared by sol-gel method. BET surface areas analysis indicated that an increase of the dopant Tb content from x = 0.05 to x = 0.15 favors an increase of surface area from 66.8 to 80.4 m^2· g^-1 compared with the undoped sample Ce0 .6oZr0.40O2 65.1 m^2·g^- 1 after calcination at 650℃. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） observation indicated that the doped samples have a higher thermal stability. The XRD and Raman spectra confirmed that the Ce0.6Zr0.4-xTbxO2-y cubic solid solution is formed. XPS analysis revealed that Ce and Tb mainly existed in the form of Ce^4＋ and Tb^3 ＋ , and Zr existed in the form of Zr^4＋ on the surface of the samples. The doped samples were homogenous in composition ; the introduction of Tb into the CeO2-ZrO2 promoters resuited in the formation of a solid solution, and the concentration of surface lattice oxygen was increased.

Progress in Research on Nanometer Al_2O_3 Fabricated by Sol-Gel Method

Nanometer Al_2O_3 is one of new types of functional materials with broad application and development prospects in the future. The basic principle and ways of nanometer Al_2O_3 fabricated using sol-gel technique were introduced, and the factors affecting nanometer Al_2O_3 fabricated using sol-gel method were analyzed. The progress in research on nanometer Al_2O_3 and the application fields of nanometer Al_2O_3 were reviewed. The existing problems and the problems prospect for nanometer Al_2O_3 were pointed out.

Preparation and optical characteristics of ZnO films by chelating sol-gel method

The effect of different annealing temperatures on the structure, morphology,and optical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by the chelating sol-gel method was investigated.Zinc-oxide thin films were coated on quartz glass substrates by dip coating. Zinc nitrate, absoluteethanol, and citric acid were used as precursor, solvent, and chelating agent, respectively. Theresults show that ZnO films derived from zinc-citrate have lower crystallization temperature (below400℃), and that the crystal structure is wurtzite. The films, treated over 500℃, consist ofnano-particles and show to be porous at 600℃. The particle size of the film increases with theincrease of the annealing temperature. The largest particle size is 60 nm at 600℃. The opticaltransmittances related to the annealing temperatures become 90% higher in the visible range. Thefilm shows a starting absorption at 380 nm, and the optical band-gap of the thin film (fired at500℃) is 3.25 eV and close to the intrinsic band-gap of ZnO (3.2 eV).

Preparation of Perovskite-Type Oxides La_(1-x)Sr_xFe_(1-y)Co_yO_3 Using EDTA Sol-Gel Method

Two series of perovskite-type oxides with composition (La_(1-x))Sr_xFeO_3(x≤0.8)and La_(1-x)Sr_xFe_(1-y)Co_yO_3(x=0.2; y=0.2, 0.4)powder productions were synthesized by EDTA complexing sol-gel method. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, BET method(N_2 adsorption)and laser granularity analysis for different synthesis conditions to obtain the optimum conditions for the preparation process. Single-phased, uniform perovskite-type oxides with small particle size were obtained by EDTA sol-gel process with high stability and repeatability, and the process temperature is much lower than that of solid state reaction method.

Electrochemical performance of Al-substituted Li_3V_2(PO_4)_3 cathode materials synthesized by sol-gel method

The effect of Al-substitution on the electrochemical performances of Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode materials was studied.Samples with stoichiometric proportion of Li3AlxV2-x(PO4)3(x=0,0.05,0.10)were prepared by adding Al(NO3)3 in the raw materials of Li3V2(PO4)3.The XRD analysis shows that the Al-substituted Li3V2(PO4)3 has the same monoclinic structure as the un-substituted Li3V2(PO4)3.The SEM images show that Al-substituted Li3V2(PO4)3 has regular and uniform particles.The electrochemical measurements show that Al-substitution can improve the rate capability of cathode materials.The Li3Al0.05V1.95(PO4)3 sample shows the best high-rate performance.The discharge capacity at 1C rate is 119 mA·h/g with 30th capacity retention rate about 92.97%.The electrode reaction reversibility and electronic conductivity are enhanced,and the charge transfer resistance decreases through Al-substitution.The improved electrochemical performances of Al-substituted Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode materials offer some favorable properties for their commercial application.

Synthesis and Structure Transformation of Orthorhombic LiMnO2 Cathode Materials by Sol-gel Method

Orthorhombic LiMnO2 cathode materials were synthesized successfully at lower temperature by sol-gel method. When LiMnO2 precursor prepared by sol-gel method was fired in air, the product was a mixture of spinel structure LiMn2O4 and rock-salt structure Li2MnO3, whereas in argon single-phase orthorhombic LiMnO2 could obtain at the range of 750℃ to 920℃. The substitution of Mn by Zn2+ or Co3+ in LiMnO2 led to the structure of LiMnO2 transiting to Qα-LiFeO2. The results of electrochemical cycles indicated that the discharged capacity of orthorhombic-LiMnO2 was smaller at the initial stages, then gradually increased with the increasing of cycle number, finally the capacity stabilized to certain value after about 10th cycles. This phenomenon reveals that there is an activation process for orthorhombic LiMnO2 cathode materials during electrochemical cycles, which is a phase transition process from orthorhombic LiMnO2 to tetragonal spinel Li2Mn2O4. The capacity of orthorhombic LiMnO2 synthesized at lower temperature is larger than that synthesized at high temperature.

The structural and magnetic properties of barium ferrite powders prepared by the sol-gel method

In this paper, M-type hexagonal barium ferrite powders are synthesized using the sol-gel method. A dried precursor heated in air is analyzed in the temperature range from 50 to 1200 ℃ using thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of the additives and the cacinating temperature on the magnetic properties are investigated, and the results show that single-phase barium ferrite powders can be formed. After heat-treating at 950 ℃ for 4h with 3 wt% additive, the coercivity and saturation magnetization are found to be 440 Oe and 57.9 emu/g, respectively.

Preparation of Ultrafine Tungsten Powder by Sol-Gel Method

Sol-gel method was employed for the preparation of nanoscale tungsten powder. The effects of different preparation conditions on particle size were discussed and the optimum preparation condition was found. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scan electron microscopy and so on. The results show that the intermediate is monoclinic WO3, its particle shape is approximately spherical, and the particle size distribution is narrow. The average particle size is about 60 nm. After deoxidization, WO3 turns into cubic tungsten powder with small particle size （average particle size about 120 nm） and narrow size distribution.

Preparation of Nanometer-structured TiO_2 Thin Films by Sol-Gel Method

The transparent anatase TiO 2 nanometer thin films were prepared by the sol-gel method on soda-lime glass.X-ray diffraction,thermal analysis and UV-visible spectrophotometer were used to analyze the formation of the phases.Only increasing the heat-treatment time,the average grain size has no obvious change.The mechanism of grain growth in TiO 2 thin film is probably as follows:the grain of coating will become grain core later;TiO 2 sol constantly deposited on the surface of TiO 2 grain and formed membrane with increasing of coating cycle times;TiO 2 grain in the film grow steadily.