Agata Szczeszak

Revision of structural properties of GdBO3 nanopowders doped with Eu3+ ions through spectroscopic studies.

Monoclinic Gd(1-x)Eu(x)BO(3) nanopowders were successfully synthesized using a modified Pechini method. The crystal structure of the prepared materials was revised and confirmed using several techniques such as: IR, XRD, TEM, Raman spectroscopy and EDX analysis. The obtained material was comprised of particles, consisting of parts with the average size 350 nm. The luminescence properties of the prepared phosphors with different concentrations of Eu(3+) ions were characterized by excitation and emission spectra and its kinetic decay. The Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ω(2), Ω(4)), quantum efficiency, η, and chromaticity coordinates were also calculated.

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structural and Spectroscopic Properties of the New Triclinic Form of GdBO3:Eu3+ Nanocrystals

Triclinic Gd1-xEuxBO3 nanophosphors have been prepared by a hydrothermal method without using additional coreagents and prior precipitation of precursor (in situ). The formation of the borate nanorods and their crystal structure was refined on the basis of X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) and well confirmed using various techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The new triclinic crystal structure (space group P1) for the GdBO3 nanocrystals and detailed structure parameters were determined with the help of the Rietveld analysis. The spectroscopic characteristics of the synthesized nanomaterials with different concentrations of Eu(3+) ions were defined with the use of luminescence excitation spectra as well as emission spectra and decay kinetics. The Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ω2, Ω4) and quantum efficiency, η, were also calculated for the more detailed analysis of Eu(3+) spectra in the GdBO3 host.

Structural, Spectroscopic, and Magnetic Properties of Eu3+-Doped GdVO4 Nanocrystals Synthesized by a Hydrothermal Method

New interesting aspects of the spectroscopic properties, magnetism, and method of synthesis of gadolinium orthovanadates doped with Eu(3+) ions are discussed. Gd(1-x)Eu(x)VO4 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.2) bifunctional luminescent materials with complex magnetic properties were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Products were formed in situ without previous precipitation. The crystal structures and morphologies of the obtained nanomaterials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Crystallographic data were analyzed using Rietveld refinement. The products obtained were nanocrystalline with average grain sizes of 70-80 nm. The qualitative and quantitative elemental composition as well as mapping of the nanocrystals was proved using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The spectroscopic properties of red-emitting nanophosphors were characterized by their excitation and emission spectra and luminescence decays. Magnetic measurements were performed by means of vibrating sample magnetometry. GdVO4 and Gd0.8Eu0.2VO4 exhibited paramagnetic behavior with a weak influence of antiferromagnetic couplings between rare-earth ions. In the substituted sample, an additional magnetic contribution connected with the population of low-lying excited states of europium was observed.

Spectroscopic properties of Eu3+ doped YBO3 nanophosphors synthesized by modified co-precipitation method

Abstract Y1-xEuxBO3 nanophosphors were synthesized by a modified co-precipitation method. The structure of the obtained nanocrystals was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average crystallite size was calculated from the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the diffraction peaks by the Scherrer equation. The average particles size was 25±10 nm. The spectroscopic properties of the Y1-xEuxBO3 nanoborates were characterized by excitation and emission spectra under UV and VUV excitation. In order to improve colour purity, the chromaticity coordinates were also calculated.

Spectroscopic, structural and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of luminescent, lanthanide doped core@shell nanomaterials GdVO4:Eu3+5%@SiO2@NH2

The luminescent GdVO4:Eu(3+)5%@SiO2@NH2 core@shell nanomaterials were obtained via co-precipitation method, followed by hydrolysis and co-condensation of silane derivatives: tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Their effect on human erythrocytes sedimentation and on proliferation of human lung microvascular endothelial cells was examined and discussed. The luminescent nanoparticles were synthesized in the presence of polyacrylic acid or glycerin in order to minimalize the agglomeration and excessive growth of nanostructures. Surface coating with amine functionalized silica shell improved their biocompatibility, facilitated further organic conjugation and protected the internal core. Magnetic measurements revealed an enhanced T1-relaxivity for the synthesized GdVO4:Eu(3+)5% nanostructures. Structure, morphology and average grain size of the obtained nanomaterials were determined by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis. The qualitative elemental composition of the nanomaterials was established using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The spectroscopic characteristic of red emitting core@shell nanophosphors was completed by measuring luminescence spectra and decays. The emission spectra revealed characteristic bands of Eu(3+) ions related to the transitions (5)D0-(7)F0,1,2,3,4 and (5)D1-(7)F1. The luminescence lifetimes consisted of two components, associated with the presence of Eu(3+) ions located at the surface of the crystallites and in the bulk.

Synthesis, structural and spectroscopic studies on GdBO3:Yb3+/Tb3+@SiO2 core-shell nanostructures

Abstract The presented study concerned up-converting core/shell type nanomaterials based on lanthanide(III) ions, Ln(III), doped orthoborates. The system studied composed of the GdBO3 doped with Yb3+/Tb3+ luminescent core ensured an effective cooperative sensitization up-conversion, resulting in a bright green luminescence. The silica coating process was performed by a modified Stober method, which resulted in the formation of core-shell nanostructures, making them suitable for bioapplications. The nanophosphors and nanocomposites were obtained by various methods, such as co-precipitation in the presence of Triton X-100 and micelle synthesis with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as organic modifiers/surfactants. The synthesized nanomaterials were characterized with the use of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared light absorption with Fourier transform FT-IR spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), up-conversion emission spectra under IR light, as well as excitation spectra, emission spectra and fluorescence lifetimes under UV light, and their photophysical properties were compared.