Mina Medić

Enhanced photoredox chemistry in surface-modified Mg2TiO4 nano-powders with bidentate benzene derivatives

Magnesium-orthotitanate (Mg2TiO4) nano-powder was synthesized using a Pechini-type polymerized complex route. Microstructural characterization involving transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms indicated that well-crystallized Mg2TiO4 nanoparticles are small in size (about 10 nm) with large specific surface area (72 m2 g−1). The surface modification of Mg2TiO4 nano-powders with 5-amino salicylic acid and catechol induced a significant shift of absorption to the visible spectral region due to charge transfer complex formation. It should be emphasized that tunable optical properties of Mg2TiO4 nano-powders have never been reported in the literature. Degradation reactions of an organic dye (crystal violet) were used to test the photocatalytic ability of pristine and surface-modified Mg2TiO4 nano-powders under illumination in different spectral regions. Excitation with UV light indicated, for the first time, photocatalytic ability of Mg2TiO4. Also, improved photocatalytic performance of surface-modified Mg2TiO4 nano-powders was found in comparison to unmodified ones.

Analysis of Eu3

Eu3+ doped Mg2TiO4 (2 at% of Eu) nanoparticles which are 5 to 10 nm in diameter are prepared by Pechini-type polymerized complex route followed with the calcination in the temperature range from 400°C to 700°C. Emission spectra display characteristic ( , 1, 2, 3, and 4) spin forbidden f-f electronic transitions of the Eu3+ ions with the most pronounced emission coming from transition and with the emission decays varying between 0.57 and 0.87 ms for samples prepared at different temperatures. Judd-Ofelt theoretical analysis of the emission spectra of Eu3+ ions was performed, which allowed calculating radiative and nonradiative emission probabilities, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, and the quantum efficiency of the Eu3+ emission in the Mg2TiO4 nanoparticles. The analyses showed the existence of high asymmetry around the metal ion sites. Also, the largest quantum efficiency of emission of 58.5% is found in nanoparticles prepared at 600°C.