Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Crystalline Bi-Functional Mn-Doped Zn2SiO4 Nanostructures by Low-Cost Sol-Gel Process.

Herein, we demonstrate a process for the synthesis of a highly crystalline bi-functional manganese (Mn)-doped zinc silicate (Zn2SiO4) nanostructures using a low-cost sol-gel route followed by solid state reaction method. Structural and morphological characterizations of Mn-doped Zn2SiO4 with variable doping concentration of 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt% were investigated by using X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) techniques. HR-TEM-assisted elemental mapping of the as-grown sample was conducted to confirm the presence of Mn in Zn2SiO4. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicated that the Mn-doped Zn2SiO4 nanostructures exhibited strong green emission at 521 nm under 259 nm excitation wavelengths. It was observed that PL intensity increased with the increase of Mn-doping concentration in Zn2SiO4 nanostructures, with no change in emission peak position. Furthermore, magnetism in doped Zn2SiO4 nanostructures was probed by static DC magnetization measurement. The observed photoluminescence and magnetic properties in Mn-doped Zn2SiO4 nanostructures are discussed in terms of structural defect/lattice strain caused by Mn doping and the Jahn-Teller effect. These bi-functional properties of as-synthesized Zn2SiO4 nanostructures provide a new platform for their potential applications towards magneto-optical and spintronic and devices areas.

Highly Luminescent Dual Mode Polymeric Nanofiber-Based Flexible Mat for White Security Paper and Encrypted Nanotaggant Applications.

Increasing counterfeiting of important data, currency, stamp papers, branded products etc., has become a major security threat which could lead to serious damage to the global economy. Consequences of such damage are compelling for researchers to develop new high-end security features to address full-proof solutions. Herein, we report a dual mode flexible highly luminescent white security paper and nanotaggants composed of nanophosphors incorporated in polymer matrix to form a nanofiber-based mat for anti-counterfeiting applications. The dual mode nanofibers are fabricated by electrospinning technique by admixing the composite of NaYF4 :Eu3+ @NaYF4 :Yb3+ , Er3+ nanophosphors in the polyvinyl alcohol solution. This flexible polymer mat derived from nanofibers appears white in daylight, while emitting strong red (NaYF4 :Eu3+ ) and green (NaYF4 :Yb3+ , Er3+ ) colors at excitation wavelengths of 254 nm and 980 nm, respectively. These luminescent nanofibers can also be encrypted as a new class of nanotaggants to protect confidential documents. These obtained results suggest that highly luminescent dual mode polymeric nanofiber-based flexible white security paper and nanotaggants could offer next-generation high-end unique security features against counterfeiting.

A novel electroluminescent device based on a reduced graphene oxide wrapped phosphor (ZnS:Cu,Al) and hexagonal-boron nitride for high-performance luminescence.

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has recently emerged as a very promising family of exotic carbon material with augmented performance in electronic and optoelectronic devices. Herein, we report an efficient and novel inorganic electroluminescent device geometry, where a new phosphor composite, reduced graphene oxide wrapped ZnS:Cu,Al, acts as an active emitting layer and an exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as a dielectric layer. The roles of rGO in the active layer as a conductive support and local electric field enhancing agent are attributed to its wrinkles being unraveled compared with other carbon exotic nano-forms such as carbon nanotubes, graphite, charcoal and activated carbon, which significantly improves the brightness of the device (∼50 cd m-2 for 0.50 wt% rGO/ZnS:Cu,Al at 10 kHz and 110 V with an external quantum efficiency of ∼6.3% ± 0.1% and current efficiency of ∼0.81 ± 0.09 cd A-1). This new and facile strategy to construct the luminescent devices could be a paradigm shift towards cost effective, highly stable in air (for several days) and energy efficient next generation display devices.