Luminescence of SiO2-BaF2:Tb3+, Eu3+ Nano-Glass-Ceramics Made from Sol-Gel Method at Low Temperature

Environmental applications and risks of engineered nanomaterials in removing petroleum oil in soil

Oil-contaminated soil posed serious threats to the ecosystems and human health. The unique and tunable properties of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) enable new technologies for removing and repairing oil-contaminated soil. However, few studies systematically examined the linkage between the change of physicochemical properties and the removal efficiency and environmental functions (e.g., potential risk) of ENMs, which is vital for understanding the ENMs environmental sustainability and utilization as a safety product. Thus, this review briefly summarized the environmental applications of ENMs to removing petroleum oil from complex soil systems: Theoretical and practical fundamentals (e.g., excellent physicochemical properties, environmental stability, controlled release, and recycling technologies), and various ENMs (e.g., iron-based, carbon-based, and metal oxides nanomaterials) remediation case studies. Afterward, this review highlights the removing mechanism (e.g., adsorption, photocatalysis, oxidation/reduction, biodegradation) and the impact factor (e.g., nanomaterials species, natural organic matter, and soil matrix) of ENMs during the remediation process in soil ecosystems. Both positive and negative effects of ENMs on terrestrial organisms have been identified, which are mainly derived from their diverse physicochemical properties. In linking nanotechnology applications for repairing oil-contaminated soil back to the physical and chemical properties of ENMs, this critical review aims to raise the research attention on using ENMs as a fundamental guide or even tool to advance soil treatment technologies.

Exploring Gd3+-activated calcium-based host materials for phototherapy lamps: A comprehensive review

Apart from the use of sun therapy for the cure of many skin diseases and disorders of bygone days, nowadays artificial light sources of a narrowband (NB) ultraviolet-B (UV-B) have effectively revolutionized the treatment of such skin diseases. The crucial role of gadolinium (Gd3+) ions in calcium-based hosts lies in their narrowband emission spectrum, specifically at 311-315 nm, attributed to the 6P7/2 to 8S7/2 transition. Calcium-based materials, known for their chemical stability, facilitate Gd3+ embedding, enabling UV activation and express emission in the narrowband range. This emission spectrum is well-suited for skin treatments, aligning with the action spectrum of various skin diseases. Gd3+ activated host materials in fluorescent lamps are considered prime sources of NB-UVB emissions. Calcium-based host materials are proving to be popular environments for embedding of dopants for such emissions. Calcium-based phosphor materials are leading the research in phototherapy applications due to their strong UV-B emissions, especially when activated by Gd3+ ions. Applications of phosphor host materials of this nature are generally chemically and thermally stable, have a low synthesis temperature and which produce enhanced NB-UVB emissions specifically suited for phototherapy lamps. This paper is a review of calcium -based phosphor host materials in Gd3+ activated materials or through energy transfers from sensitized dopant ions for enhanced NB-UVB emissions that is pertinent for treatments of many skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema, and many other skin conditions.

Polymerizable Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Polymer Electrolyte for Advanced Dendrite-Free, High-Rate, and Long-Life Li Metal Batteries

The recently developed advanced electrolytes possess many crucial qualities, including robust stability, Li dendrite-free, and comparable interface compatibility, for the manufacturing of Li metal batteries with a high energy density. In this study, lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide, acrylamide, and succinonitrile were first used to design a polymerizable monomer. Then, it went through in situ thermal polymerization to attain a new solid polymer electrolyte [named poly(PDES)]. The synthesized poly(PDES) electrolyte achieved higher ionic conductivity (∼1.89 × 10-3 S cm-1), oxidation potential (∼5.10 V versus Li+/Li), and a larger lithium-ion transfer number (∼0.63). Moreover, poly(PDES) was nonflammable and could effectively inhibit the formation of Li dendrites. As a result, the assembled batteries using the poly(PDES) electrolyte for both Li||LiFePO4 and Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 exhibited excellent interface compatibility and electrochemical performances. This poly(PDES) electrolyte has promising potential for broad application in lithium-metal batteries with elevated energy density and safety performance in the near future.

Synthesis and Investigation of Novel Optical Active SiO2 Glasses with Entrapped YAG:Ce Synthesized via Sol-Gel Method

We present a crack-free optically active SiO₂ glass-composite material containing YAG:Ce synthesized via a modified sol-gel technique. A glass-composite material consisting of yttrium aluminum garnet doped with Ce³⁺ (YAG:Ce) was entrapped into a SiO₂ xerogel. This composite material was prepared using a sol-gel technique with modified gelation and a drying process to obtain crack-free optically active SiO₂ glass. The concentration of the YAG:Ce was from 0.5 to 2.0 wt%. All synthesized samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, confirming their exceptional quality and structural integrity. The luminescence properties of the obtained materials were studied. Overall, the prepared samples' excellent structural and optical quality makes them great candidates for further investigation, or even potential practical application. Furthermore, boron-doped YAG:Ce glass was synthesized for the first time.

Room-Temperature Synthesis of Highly-Efficient Eu3+-Activated KGd2F7 Red-Emitting Nanoparticles for White Light-Emitting Diode

Luminescent materials with high thermal stability and quantum efficiency are extensively desired for indoor illumination. In this research, a series of Eu³⁺-activated KGd₂F₇ red-emitting nanoparticles were prepared at room temperature and their phase structure, morphology, luminescence properties, as well as thermal stability, have been studied in detail. Excited by 393 nm, the resultant nanoparticles emitted bright red emissions and its optimal status was realized when the Eu³⁺ content was 30 mol%, in which the concentration quenching mechanism was triggered by electric dipole-dipole interaction. Through theoretical analysis via the Judd-Ofelt theory, one knows that Eu³⁺ situates at the high symmetry sites in as-prepared nanoparticles. Moreover, the internal and extra quantum efficiencies of designed nanoparticles were dependent on Eu³⁺ content. Furthermore, the studied nanoparticles also had splendid thermal stability and the corresponding activation energy was 0.18 eV. Additionally, via employing the designed nanoparticles as red-emitting constituents, a warm white light-emitting diode (white-LED), which exhibits low correlated color temperature (4456 K), proper luminous efficiency (17.2 lm/W) and high color rendering index (88.3), was developed. Our findings illustrate that Eu³⁺-activated KGd₂F₇ nanoparticles with bright red emissions are able to be used to promote the performance of white-LED.