Optical properties of water-soluble Co:ZnS semiconductor nanocrystals synthesized by a hydrothermal process

Water-soluble ZnS:Co²⁺ nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized by a low temperature hydrothermal process using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as capping agent and the influence of doping on the optical properties of ZnS:Co²⁺ NCs was investigated. It was found that the ZnS:Co²⁺ NCs are highly crystalline and show zinc blende structure with an average particle size of about 7 nm. The lattice constant of the ZnS:Co²⁺ NCs decreases slightly by the introduction of Co²⁺. The Co dopants were well doped into the ZnS:Co²⁺ NCs, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and the ⁴A₂(F) → ⁴T₁(P) transition of Co²⁺ was detected from the UV-vis absorption spectra. The absorption edge of the ZnS:Co²⁺ NCs is blue-shifted as compared with that of bulk ZnS, indicating the quantum confinement effect. The PL intensity of the NCs shows the maximum value when the Fe-doping concentration is 0.5 at.%.     

Preparation, structure analysis and photoluminescence properties of MgGa2O4:Mn

In this work the photoluminescence and excitation spectra at room temperature of the spinel-type MgGa₂O₄ with 0.5% and 10.0% of Mn²⁺ have been studied. The polycrystalline samples were synthesized by standard solid-state reaction methods at high temperature. The photoluminescence spectra exhibit green and red emissions for both samples, attributed to ⁴T₁(⁴G) → ⁶A₁(⁶S) transition of Mn²⁺ ion in tetrahedral and octahedral sites of oxygen, respectively. The excitation spectra exhibit features unambiguously assigned to d–d transitions of Mn²⁺ in those kinds of sites. From the excitation spectra and Tanabe–Sugano matrices the crystal field Dq and Racah B parameters were obtained.     

Study of electrical and optical properties of Mn doped ZnS clusters

A simple, easy approach to the synthesis of manganese Mn doped zinc sulphide (ZnS) clusters is reported. The synthesis of Mn–ZnS clusters involved mixing and drying of zinc acetate, sodium sulphide and acrylic acid in appropriate ratio and adding Mn at proper conditions. These clusters were trapped in polyacrylic acid (PAA) to form PAA capping to provide stability. The clusters were characterized using high resolution SEM for morphological investigation; XRD for its crystalline nature; photoluminescence (PL) for optical characterization and electrical conductivity measurement. Clusters of Mn–ZnS were formed of the size ~ 10 nm.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of new NaAlSiO4:Eu phosphors for near-UV white LED applications

A new NaAlSiO₄:0.1Eu²⁺ phosphors were synthesized at different temperatures using a liquid phase precursor (LPP) technique. The XRD patterns indicate the presence of hexagonal nepheline phase for all the samples. The synthesized phosphors can be excited efficiently in the broad near-UV region. The PL emission spectra showed a broad emission peak at around 551 nm corresponding to 5d → 4f transition of Eu²⁺ ions. The synthesized phosphors showed better thermal stability when compared with the standard YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Yb doped Ba5(PO4)3Cl phosphor for white light-emitting diodes

Yb²⁺ ion doped Ba₅(PO₄)₃Cl phosphor was synthesized by solid state reaction. Four distinct absorption bands were observed in the Ultraviolet (UV) light region due to the electronic transitions of Yb²⁺ ion from ¹S₀ ground state to ²F_5/2(t_2g), ²F_5/2(e_g), ²F_7/2(t_2g), and ²F_7/2(e_g) excited states. The main emission wavelength of the phosphor was around 630 nm. The optimized Yb²⁺ ion concentration was 0.2 mol% (λ_exc. = 400 nm). The calculated critical distance was about 8.729 Å and the concentration quenching was observed above 0.2 mol% due to the electric dipole–dipole interaction.     

Enhanced photoluminescence of CaTiO3:Pr phosphor films deposited on SiO2 buffered Si substrates

CaTiO₃:Pr³⁺ films have been prepared by pulsed-laser deposition method on SiO₂-buffered Si substrates, and their microstructure and photoluminescence properties have been compared with those of the films deposited directly on bare Si substrates. The SiO₂ buffer layers were prepared using thermal oxidization and HF-etching. Photoluminescence intensities of CaTiO₃:Pr³⁺ films on the SiO₂-buffered Si substrates are significantly higher (up to 800%) than those of the films on bare Si substrates, which is attributed to the low refractive index and low light absorption of the SiO₂ buffer layer. This study reveals that the presence of the buffer layer is effective in improving the red emission brightness of CaTiO₃:Pr³⁺ films without sacrificing the surface roughness.     

High color rendering index white LED based on nano-YAG:Ce3+ phosphor hybrid with CdSe/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell quantum dots

To improve the poor color rendering index (CRI) of YAG:Ce-based white light-emitting diode (LED) due to the lack of red spectral component, core/shell/shell CdSe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized and blended into nano-YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphors. Prominent spectral evolution has been achieved by increasing the content of QDs. A white LED combining a blue LED with the blends of nano-YAG phosphors and orange- and red-emission QDs with a weight ratio of 1:1:1 was obtained. This kind of white LED showed excellent white light with luminescent efficiency, color coordinates, CRI and correlated color temperature (CCT) of 82.5?lm/W, (0.3264, 0.3255), 91 and 4580?K, respectively.     

Radioluminescence and photoluminescence of hafnia-based Eu-doped phosphors

Crystal structures of hafnia are discussed and it is shown that addition of about 7 at.% of Lu to the HfO₂ host lattice enforces the mixed composition to crystallize in cubic structure even at room temperature. Without Lu HfO₂ crystallizes in monoclinic structure. Luminescence and luminescence excitation spectra of Hf_0.93Lu_0.07O_1.965 are presented and discussed for powders prepared at different temperatures (600–1000 °C) and with different content of Eu. It is shown that decay of the 595.4 nm luminescence is longer (2.5 ms) than the 610 nm (1.6 ms). Radioluminescence efficiency of the cubic Hf_0.93Lu_0.07O_1.965 is low and does not exceed 10% of the commercial Gd₂O₂S:Eu.     

Rapid synthesis of pure and narrowly distributed Eu doped ZnO nanoparticles by solution combustion method

Pure ZnO:Eu³⁺ nanoparticles (~ 50 nm) were prepared by a solution combustion method. ZnO and Eu₂O₃ were used as starting materials and dissolved in nitric acid. Citric acid was used as a fuel. The reaction mixture was heated at 350 °C resulting into a rapid exothermic reaction yielding pure nanopowders. The atomic weight concentration of Eu³⁺ doped in ZnO was 20%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the particle size and morphology. The nanopowders were characterized for phase composition using X-ray diffractrometry (XRD). Particle size distribution (PSD) analysis of ZnO: Eu³⁺ showed particle sizes ranging from 30 to 80 nm.The photoluminescence emission spectra of ZnO:Eu³⁺ nanostructures showed a strong band emission around 618 nm when excited with 515 nm wavelength.     

The role of the annealing temperature on the optical and structural properties of Eu doped GaN/AlN QD

Self assembled molecular beam epitaxy grown GaN quantum dots stacked with AlN spacers were implanted with Eu ions. The as-implanted samples were further submitted to thermal annealing treatments in nitrogen, between 1000 °C and 1200 °C. Eu³⁺ luminescence was observed in all samples with the most intense emission assigned to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition in the red spectral region. The preferential excitation paths of Eu³⁺ luminescence is explored using photoluminescence excitation measurements which allow us to identify the feeding mechanisms for the Eu³⁺ ions inside the GaN quantum dots and AlN host. Optically active Eu centres in both GaN QD and AlN layers could be identified. For low implantation fluence the Eu centres inside GaN QD are dominant while for high fluences the emission arises from Eu in the AlN layers. The annealing temperature, on the other hand, does not cause any change in the local environment of the Eu-ions.     

Influence of atmosphere on photoluminescence properties of Eu-doped ZnO nanocrystals

We have fabricated Eu³⁺-doped ZnO (ZnO:Eu) nanocrystals (NCs) by a reverse micelle method, and have studied their photoluminescence (PL) properties in vacuum, nitrogen gas, and oxygen gas atmospheres. The ZnO:Eu NCs exhibit the exciton, defect and Eu³⁺ PL under the inter-band photoexcitation of the ZnO host NCs. The intensity ratio among the three PL peaks is sensitive to the atmosphere for the PL measurements. We discuss the influence of the surrounding gas atmosphere to the PL properties.     

Factors for determining photoluminescence properties of YBO3:Ce phosphor prepared by hydrothermal method

YBO₃:Ce³⁺ blue-emitting phosphors were prepared from boric acid and nitrates of yttrium and cerium(III) by hydrothermal method. An excess amount of boric acid, prolonged aging, high temperature, and a high pH value promote the formation of crystalline YBO₃. The higher crystallinity results in the higher photoluminescence (PL) intensity corresponding to the 5d-4f transition of Ce³⁺ under the irradiation of near-UV light. The PL intensity also depends on the pH value of precursor suspension and the nominal Ce³⁺ concentration, where the sample prepared at pH = 8 and Ce/(Y + Ce) = 0.25-0.5 at% shows the maximum PL intensity. In addition, the hydrothermally prepared sample shows the characteristic photobleaching behavior under the continuous irradiation of near-UV light. These results suggest that the crystallinity of the host YBO₃ crystal and the homogeneity of substituted Ce³⁺ ions play significant roles in the PL properties.     

Dependence of optical and structural properties of ZnS and MgF2 multilayers as a function of the number of layers

In this paper, optical and structural properties of ZnS and MgF₂ multilayers grown by thermal evaporation are studied. Effects of annealing at different temperatures on samples with different number of layers are investigated. The maximum of reflection is shifted to different wavelengths, depending on the number of layers of the annealed samples. Using X-ray diffraction analysis, structural properties have been studied, and grain size and microstrain have been obtained by the Scherrer-Wilson formula, with grain sizes ranging from 10 nm to 22 nm for MgF₂ and from 0.9 nm to 210 nm for ZnS, and microstrain values from 2.5 × 10^− 3 to 3 × 10^− 3 for MgF₂, and from 1.2 × 10^− 3 to 2.6 × 10^− 3 for ZnS. Competition between crystallite size and microstrain is observed.     

The blue-light emission enhancement mechanism of Eu in Eu, Dy: SiO2 matrix

A Eu, Dy co-doped SiO₂ matrix xerogel with blue emission was prepared by the sol–gel method. Strong blue emission located between 425 nm and 525 nm with a peak at 486 nm is observed under UV laser excitation at room temperature, which is related to a 4f → 5d energy transition of Eu²⁺. Such techniques as FT-IR and TGA–DSC were used to measure the microstructure of the luminescent materials. The influence of Dy³⁺ ions on the luminescent property of Eu²⁺ was investigated. The emission intensity of Eu, Dy-codoped samples is stronger than that of Eu doped samples. The emission enhancement mechanism relating to Eu²⁺ is attributed to an energy transfer involving Dy³⁺ → Eu²⁺. Using energy transition theory, we speculate that the mechanism may be one of the resonance transfers via multi-polar interactions, and present a possible energy transfer model. The Eu²⁺ blue emission intensity reaches the maximum when the Dy³⁺ concentration is 0.1 mol%. When the concentration of Dy³⁺ is 0.3 mol%, a fluorescence quenching appears which might be related to the overlap part of Eu²⁺ excitation and emission levels, and also suggests the existence of Eu²⁺ → Eu²⁺ energy transfer.     

Effect of hydrolysis ratio on structural,optical and electrical properties of SnO2 nanoparticles synthesized by polyol method

Using the polyol method and a thermal post-treatment, nanoporous tin dioxide (SnO₂) were prepared at different hydrolysis ratio (h = n (H₂O)/n (Sn)). The influence of the hydrolysis ratio on the structural, textural, optical and electrical properties of SnO₂ nanopowders was investigated by employing a set of various techniques including Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Nitrogen Sorption Porosimetry and Impedance Spectroscopy. FTIR and EDX studies revealed that SnO₂ species were obtained. Nanocrystallites of cassiterite, i.e. rutile-like tetragonal SnO₂ structure, were formed after annealing in air at 700 °C and the average crystallite size increased from 12.8 to 29.1 when the hydrolysis ratio rose from 17 to 24. Moreover, TEM, SEM, and N₂ sorption porosimetry investigations indicated that the sample prepared for h = 17 was composed of an aggregated network of almost spherical nanoparticles, the morphology and sizes of which changed with the increase in the hydrolysis ratio to h = 24 and the mesoporosity of which was found to be linked to the interparticle space. Moreover, this increase in mean nanoparticle size was accompanied by a decrease in the band gap value from 3.4 eV (h = 17) to 3.16 eV (h = 24). Finally, bulk conductivity dependence with temperature was found to follow an Arrhenius law for samples annealed at 700 °C with an activation energy of 0.65 eV for h = 17, 0.69 eV for h = 20 and 0.71 eV for h = 24 that is typical of SnO₂ nanopowders.     

Excited state absorption cross sections of I13/2 of Er in ZBLAN

Optical transition intensity parameters of Er³⁺ in ZBLAN were carefully calculated, and the obtained results were compared with those reported by others. The emission cross sections of ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2 and ⁴I_11/2 → ⁴I_13/2 transitions were confirmed according to the Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg (FL) formula. The excited state absorption cross sections for ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴S_3/2 and ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_11/2 transitions were derived by using the reciprocity relationship in the framework of McCumber theory. The laser gain properties of ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2 and ⁴I_11/2 → ⁴I_13/2 transitions were discussed.     

Template-free fabrication of SnO2 hollow spheres with photoluminescence from Sni

SnO₂ hollow spheres with interstitial Sn²⁺ defect were fabricated by the hydrothermal method without any surfactant or polymer, whose shell is constructed by two layers of tetragonal prism nanorod arrays. The growth mechanism of the hollow spheres was investigated and attributed to the nucleation and arrangement of SnO₂ tetragonal prism nanorods on the surface of the hydrothermal reaction formed NO bubbles in the aqueous solution. After illumination by 275 nm wavelength light, narrow peak emissions centered at about 587-626 nm have been found in the photoluminescence spectrum, which have been ascribed to the interstitial Sn²⁺ defect in the SnO₂ hollow spheres.     

Preparation of chitosan–sodium alginate microcapsules containing ZnS nanoparticles and its effect on the drug release

Chitosan–sodium alginate microcapsules were prepared in the presence of ZnS nanoparticles via the W/O/W emulsification solvent-evaporation method. Microscopy showed that the microsphere was about 150 nm and by the absorption spectra, ZnS nanoparticles incorporated was 4 nm. Aspirin was chosen to investigate the effect of microcapsules on the drug release. It reveals that comparing with the microsphere without nanoparticles, the release speed of microsphere containing ZnS nanoparticles is significantly decreased from complete release at 10 h to 50% release by 50 h. The data of release kinetics for the microcapsules can be well fitted by the classic Higuchi model.     

Effect of annealing on the structural and optical properties of non-coated and silica-coated ZnS:Mn nanoparticles

The Mn²⁺-doped ZnS nanoparticles stabilized by sodium citrate were synthesized through a simple chemical route. Using the ZnS:Mn nanoparticles as seeds, the silica-coated ZnS:Mn nanocomposites were formed in isopropanol by the controlled hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate. The photoluminescence spectra confirmed that the Mn²⁺ ions were incorporated into the ZnS nanoparticles. The annealing effect on the structural and optical properties of these particles was studied over a range of 100–400 °C. The results of X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence showed that the silica shell not only improved the thermal stability but also resisted the lattice-deformation and oxidation of the particles. The thermal analysis further confirmed that the non-coated ZnS:Mn nanoparticles were unstable beyond 200 °C.