Synthesis and characterization of (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxy-silane (APTMS) functionalized Gd2O3:Eu(3+) red phosphor with enhanced quantum yield.

We report the surface modification of nanocrystalline Gd2O3:Eu(3+) phosphor by (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS). The nanoparticles were first coated with silica using the Stöber process, and then annealed at 650 °C for 2 h. Afterwards, APTMS was functionalized onto the silica layer to obtain Gd2O3:Eu(3+) nanoparticles bearing amine groups on the surface. The effect of silica coating, and the subsequent annealing process on the crystallization of the nanophosphor were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) confirmed the presence of a silica layer of ∼45 nm thickness. X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of silica and the amine groups. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis demonstrated an increased emission after functionalization of nanoparticles. Absolute quantum yield (QY) measurements revealed an 18% enhancement in QY in functionalized nanoparticles compared with unmodified nanoparticles, which is of great importance for their biomedical applications.

A new red-emitting La(1-x)Pr(x)Sr2AlO5 phosphor powder prepared by combustion synthesis.

New red luminescent powders of La(1-x)Pr(x)Sr2AlO5 (x = 0.01 at.) were prepared by the combustion synthesis method. Microstructural properties were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The La(1-x)Pr(x)Sr2AlO5 X-ray diffraction pattern revealed a tetragonal phase. Morphology of the grains showed nanobars with sizes of approximately 550 nm in length. Photoluminescence, cathodoluminescence and diffuse reflectance were analyzed in detail. Photoluminescence revealed two narrow emission peaks located at lambda(em1) = 497 nm (green) and lambda(em2) = 620 nm and a single maximum excitation peak of lambda(ex) = 287 nm. The cathodoluminescence spectrum confirmed the peaks detected by photoluminescence analysis. The absorbance spectrum showed broad absorption with a maximum around lambda = 280 nm, which agrees with the maximum excitation peak detected by photoluminescence.

Nano and micro reoriented domains and their relation with the crystal structure in the New Fe1.5Zn1.5B7O13Cl boracite.

New iron-zinc chlorine single crystals of Fe1.5Zn1.5B7O13Cl boracite were grown by chemical transport reactions in closed quartz ampoules, at a temperature of 1173 K. The crystal structure was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) using the Rietveld refinement method and belongs to the trigonal/rombohedral system with space group R3c (No. 161). The cell parameters were a = 8.5726(1) angstroms, c = 21.0116(4) angstroms, V = 1337.26(3) angstroms3 and Z = 6. The refinement successfully proceeded and ended with sound merit figure values chi2 = 2.25, R(B) = 6.12%. Chemical analysis was performed with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Ferroelectric nano and micro reoriented domains were found in this material using polarizing optical microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The examination by TEM showed that in the trigonal/rombohedral system of Fe1.5Zn1.5B7O13Cl nanodomain structures exist. Thin (50-100 nm) mostly planar domains parallel to (100) were frequently observed in Fe1.5Zn1.5B7O13Cl boracite.

EDC and sulfo-NHS functionalized on PVC-g-PEGMA for streptokinase immobilization.

In this work, streptokinase (SK) coenzyme was coupled onto functionalized graft copolymer poly(vinyl chloride)-g-poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate (PEGMA) using the water soluble carbodiimide 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl carbodiimide hydrochloride) and sulfo-N-Hydroxysulfo succinimide. Different graft values of PEGMA copolymers were prepared via preirradiation method in air by using ultraviolet light. SK was coupled onto graft copolymer and the enzyme activity was determined before and after immobilization. Surface morphology, grafting, and enzymatic activity were studied by using infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Results revealed that graft value of 0.15 provide optimum conditions to retain original SK activity, the enzyme distribution was 2.8 µg cm-2 of copolymer surface and kinetic parameters, K m and V max were 0.14 µM and 29.8 µM min-1, respectively.