Effect of rare-earth oxide (Eu2O3) on the physical, mechanical, acoustic and radiation shielding properties of the CaO-Gd2O3-SiO2-B2O3 glasses

In this study, we examined the effectiveness of europium-doped calcium gadolinium silicoborate glasses for determining their physical, mechanical, acoustic and radiation shielding properties with compositions of 25Gd2O3-10CaO-10SiO2-xEu2O3 -(55-x) B2O3 (where, x is 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mol%). These glasses were theoretically analyzed using the Geant4 toolkit and Phy-X PSD software to calculate their performance for x-ray energies ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 MeV. The physical, acoustic and mechanical properties were determined using the Makishima-Mackenzie (MM) model. As the content of Eu2O3 increases, the density of the glasses also increases. As the amount of Eu2O3 increases, the mechanical properties decrease. This means that certain mechanical properties of the material may be negatively affected, resulting in a decreased ability to maintain structural integrity and resist deformation when exposed to radiation. The elastic modulus reflects the material's stiffness or rigidity, and a lower value indicates that the material is more prone to deformation when subjected to mechanical stress. Bulk and Young's moduli show a decreasing trend from 255.49 to 253.10 GPa and 368.20 to 366.50 GPa with increasing Eu+3 concentration in the glass samples. The LAC values of EuGd4 glass is much smaller when compared to the other glasses. The presence of gadolinium and europium compounds in the glass increases its ability to absorb radiation due to the elements of high atomic numbers. This is because the higher effective atomic number (Zeff) of these compounds enhances the glass of shielding capabilities against neutron and gamma rays, resulting in improved radiation protection.

High-concentration Er3+ ion singly doped GaTaO4 single crystal for promising all-solid-state green laser and solid-state lighting applications

A Er:GdTaO4 single crystal was grown by Cz method. The results indicate that the crystal is promising for diode pumped green lasers and probably useful for solid-state lighting.

In Situ Biosynthesis of a Metal Nanoparticle Encapsulated in Alginate Gel for Imageable Drug-Delivery System

Development of drug-delivery systems that allow simultaneous in vivo imaging has gained much interest. We report a novel strategy to encapsulate metal nanoparticles (NPs) within alginate gel for in vivo imaging. The cell lysate of recombinant Escherichia coli strain, expressing Arabidopsis thaliana phytochelatin synthase and Pseudomonas putida metallothionein genes, was encapsulated within the alginate gel. Incubation of alginate gel with metal ion precursors followed by UV irradiation resulted in the synthesis of high concentrations of metal NPs, such as Au, Ag, CdSe, and EuSe NPs, within the gel. The alginate gel with metal NPs was used as a drug-delivery system by further co-encapsulating doxorubicin and rifampicin, the release of which was made to be pH-dependent. This system can be conveniently and safely used for in vitro and in vivo bioimaging, enabled by the metal NPs formed within the gel matrix without using toxic reducing reagents or surfactants.

K2Pb(H2C3N3O3)4(H2O)4: a potential UV nonlinear optical material with large birefringence

K₂Pb(H₂C₃N₃O₃)₄(H₂O)₄ (I) features a 2D [K₂PbO₈(H₂O)₄]^12- anionic layer and reveals a moderate SHG signal of approximately 2.6 × KDP.

Ultra-broad absorption band of a Dy3+-doped Gd3Sc2Al3O12 garnet crystal at around 450 nm: a potential crystal for InGaN LD-pumped all-solid-state yellow lasers

The 2 at% Dy3+ doped Gd3Sc2Al3O12 single crystal is potential for InGaN LD-pumped all-solid-state yellow lasers application with an ultra-broad absorption band (FWHM = 31 nm) at 447 nm.

Geo-inspired crystallization engineering: multifunctional materials design and fabrication at nanoscale and beyond

Crystallization engineering aims to design and develop solutions for the optimum conversion of natural resources for use by humans, by using crystallization. Crystallization is a cross-scale process, from atoms, ions and molecules in microscale to bulk crystals in macroscale. Fabricating nanomaterials with desired performances is an open issue with multiscale challenges during crystallization. For innovation in crystallization engineering, geology may provide various sources of inspiration such as structures, compositions and formation conditions, if mineral materials can be regarded as novel artificial materials. This review shows us some geo-inspirations that enable people to create and engineer novel materials with satisfactory performance.

Ce(OH)3 as a novel negative electrode material for supercapacitors

Novel electrode materials with desired specific capacitances are needed for supercapacitors. Rare-earth (RE)-based materials are fascinating in the field of catalysis and energy. Herein, a series of hydroxides including La, Ce, Pr and Nd was synthesized via in situ precipitation. Interestingly, only Ce(OH)₃ showed a redox peak in both positive and negative ranges. The other RE hydroxides exhibited a redox peak only in the positive range. Therefore, in order to certify that Ce(OH)₃ can be used as a negative electrode, symmetrical supercapacitors consisting of Ce(OH)₃ as both positive and negative electrodes were assembled, and showed a voltage window of 1.3 V. Moreover, asymmetrical supercapacitors were successfully fabricated, in which the positive electrode was composed of La(OH)₃, Pr(OH)₃ or Nd(OH)₃. These results may pave the way to novel negative electrode materials.

Ultralight Magnetic Nanofibrous GdPO4 Aerogel

Anisotropic aerogels are promising bulk materials with a porous 3D structure, best known for their large surface area, low density, and extremely low thermal conductivity. Herein, we report the synthesis and some properties of ultralight magnetic nanofibrous GdPO₄ aerogels. Our proposed GdPO₄ aerogel synthesis route is eco-friendly and does not require any harsh precursors or conditions. The most common route for magnetic aerogel preparation is the introduction of magnetic nanoparticles into the structure during the synthesis procedure. However, the nanofibrous GdPO₄ aerogel reported in this work is magnetic by itself already and no additives are required. The hydrogel used for nanofibrous GdPO₄ aerogel preparation was synthesized via a hydrothermal route. The hydrogel was freeze-dried and heat-treated to induce a phase transformation from the nonmagnetic trigonal to magnetic monoclinic phase. Density of the obtained magnetic nanofibrous monoclinic GdPO₄ aerogel is only ca. 8 mg/cm³.

Challenges and perspectives of NASICON-type solid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries

NASICON-type (lithium super ionic conductor) solid electrolyte is of great interest because of its high ionic conductivity, wide potential window, and good chemical stability. In this paper, the key problems and challenges of NASICON-type solid electrolyte are described from the aspects of ionic conductivity, electrode interface, and electrochemical stability. Firstly, the migration mechanism of lithium ion is analyzed from the three-dimensional structure of NASICON-type solid electrolyte, and progress in the research of conductivity and stability is summarized. Then, the effective methods to reduce interface impedance and improve the cycle stability of all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) with NASICON-type solid electrolyte are introduced. Finally, solutions to improve the conductivity of electrolytes and deal with electrode/electrolyte interface problems are summarized, and the development prospects of ASSLBs are discussed.

Electronegativity principles in metal oxides based supercapacitors

To meet growing demands for energy consumptions in modern society, it is necessary to develop different energy sources. Renewable energy such as wind and solar sources are intermittent, therefore, energy storage devices become more and more important to store energy for use when no wind or no light. Supercapacitors play a key role in energy storage, mainly due to their high power density and long cycling life. However, supercapacitors are facing the obstacle of low energy density, one of the most intensive approaches is to rationally design new electrode materials. In this review, we focus on metal oxides-based materials and present an electronegativity criterion for the design and appropriate selection of new electrode chemical compositions. Metal elements with proper electronegativity scale have the potential to transfer electron for energy storage. Suitable positive and negative electrodes matching can enhance many properties of supercapacitors, which may overcome many related obstacles. Furthermore, electronegativity scale may also help people to find novel metal oxides based supercapacitors.

Toward materials-by-design: achieving functional materials with physical and chemical effects

Advances in renewable and sustainable energy technologies critically depend on our ability to rationally design and process target materials with optimized performances. Advanced material design and discovery are ideally involved in material prediction, synthesis and characterization. Control of material crystallization enables the rational design and discovery of novel functional inorganic materials in multi-scale. Material processing can be adjusted by various physical fields and chemical effects at different energy states. Material microstructure, architecture and functionality can thus be modified by multiple design methodologies. In this review, we show typical examples using physical and chemical methods to shape inorganic functional materials and evaluate their specific applications in Na-air batteries, Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors. Furthermore, this review also provides insight into the understanding of synthesis-structure relationship of inorganic functional materials.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a new mixed alkali and alkaline-earth metal borate Rb9Ba24(BO3)19

Rb₉Ba₂₄(BO₃)₁₉ features an intricate 3D Ba–O framework with three types of infinite channels where the Rb⁺ cations and isolated BO₃ units are located.

Nd doped CaYAl3O7: exploration and laser performance of a novel disordered laser crystal

A novel disordered structure crystal has drawn intense interest as a promising ultrafast laser crystal host for its broad absorption and emission bands.

The growth behavior of columnar grains in a TiAl alloy during directional induction heat treatments

In the process of DHT, the curving grain boundary will move towards curvature center of grain under the action of interface tension.

Hydroisocyanurates X2Y(H2C3N3O3)4·4H2O (X = K, Cs; Y = Zn, Cd) with large birefringence stemming from π-conjugated (H2C3N3O3)− anions

A series of new hydroisocyanurates X₂Y(H₂C₃N₃O₃)₄·4H₂O (X = K, Cs; Y = Zn, Cd) with large birefringence resulting from the π-conjugated (H₂C₃N₃O₃)⁻ unit have been obtained.

Lanthanide-Oligomeric Brush Films: From Luminescence Properties to Structure Resolution

Lanthanide (Ln) based luminescent materials are experiencing an increasing interest in their applications in several fields. In this study, we report a series of new lanthanide-oligomeric brush films, supported on quartz substrates and prepared using a layer-by-layer method (LbL). Oligomeric brush films are composed of small oligomers from our previously reported coordination polymers [x-EuL] and [x-TbL] (with x = 1, 3, and 5 generations of Ln complexes), which are grown perpendicularly from a carboxylate self-assembled monolayer. Oligomers composed of our previously described helical lanthanide complex LnL (Ln: Eu and Tb) as a luminescent moiety and benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate acid (bdc) used as a linker. Mixed films having the fifth-generation Ln complexes composed of equimolar mixture of Eu and Tb ions were prepared. Oligomeric brush films are highly transparent and exhibited a colored emission under UV irradiation. Pure Ln (Eu or Tb) films showed a strong luminescence from the Ln ions. Their luminescent properties depended on the number of lanthanide layers in the films composed of the first to third generations of lanthanide complexes. Then, the increase of the complex layers induced no difference in the luminescent properties. An energy transfer from Tb to Eu ions in the mixed films indicated a short distance between lanthanide ions of a fifth layer. The structural analysis together with the observed luminescent properties and some previous studies allowed to clarify the disposition of the oligomers in the films.