Crystal Chemistry and Photoluminescent Aspects of Bright Orange Light Emitting Sm3+- Activated Ba2BiV3O11 Nanomaterials for Advanced Illuminating Applications.

In the present system, Sm3+ activated Ba2BiV3O11 nanomaterial series radiating orange-red light was developed via an efficient approach of solution combustion method. The structural examinations using XRD analysis indicate that the sample is crystallized into the monoclinic phase with the P21/a (14) space group. The elemental composition and morphological conduct were studied via energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. Also, the formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photoluminescent (PL) examinations reveal the orange-red emission from the developed nanocrystals via documenting the emission spectra, which reveals the peak at 606 nm due to the 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 transition. Further, the decay time, non-radiative rates, quantum efficiency, and band gap of the optimal sample were computed as 1.3263 ms, 219.5 s- 1, 70.88%, and 3.41 eV respectively. Finally, the chromatic parameters including color - coordinates (0.5565, 0.4426), 1975 K color correlated temperature (CCT), and color purity (85.58%) reflected their excellent luminous performance. The above-mentioned outcomes endorsed the relevancy of the developed nanomaterials as a propitious agent in the engineering of advanced illuminating optoelectronic appliances.

Crystal Phase Refinement and Optical Features of Highly Efficient Green Light Radiating Ca9Y(VO4)7: Er3+ Nanophosphors for Emerging Solid-state Lighting Applications.

Ca9Y(VO4)7 phosphor activated with Er3+ ions have been developed by the urea-aided solution combustion technique. XRD profiles assisted with Rietveld refinement executed over-developed Er3+-activated Ca9Y(VO4)7 powder, revealed a trigonal phase with the R3c space group. The electron microscope techniques namely TEM and SEM characterize the size and surface-linked qualities of the developed nanopowder, respectively. The uniform distribution of various elements in the nanocrystalline sample is authenticated by an energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) system. The Eg (band gap) value of 3.64 eV for Ca9Y0.9Er0.1(VO4)7 and 3.74 eV for Ca9Y(VO4)7 has been estimated. Upon 382 nm excitation, Er3+: Ca9Y(VO4)7 phosphor gives rise to the bright green emission owing to the 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transition. The concentration quenching after 10 mol% composition of trivalent erbium ions is attributed to dipole-dipole interlinkages in accordance with Dexter's theory. The radiative lifetime (1.1083 ms), non-radiative rates (0.2079 ms- 1), quantum efficiency (79%), along with colorimetric parameters i.e. CIE x (= 0.2577), y (= 0.4566), and CCT quantities offer Ca9Y0.9Er0.1(VO4)7 as a proficient green radiating nanomaterial for RGB phosphors in solid-state applications.

Combustion Synthesis and Study of Double Charge Transfer in Highly Efficient Cool White-emitting Dy3+ Activated Vanadate-based Nanophosphor for Advanced Solid-state Lighting.

A series of Ca9Gd(VO4)7: Dy3+ (x = 0.01-0.20) nanophosphor crystals emitting a cool white light were synthesized by solution combustion methodology. The X-ray diffraction patterns were analyzed and processed using Rietveld refinement. The fabricated nanophosphor was found to crystallize in a trigonal crystal lattice with space group R3c(161). The morphological behavior of the prepared nanophosphor was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photoluminescence properties of the nanophosphor correspond to cool white emission upon near-ultraviolet (NUV) excitation at 327 nm due to 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 (bluish) and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 (yellowish) radiative relaxations at 487 nm and 576 nm respectively. Also, there is a strong occurrence of double charge transfer from O2- ions to Dy3+ and V5+ ions with the latter being stronger due to the high positive charge of V5+ ions. Color coordinates (x = 0.2878, y = 0.3259) are consistent with white emission. Auzel's model was implemented to examine the non-radiative relaxation (113.5 ms-1), radiative lifetime (1.4856 ms), and quantum efficiency (83.13%) values. The crystalline and optical behavior of the synthesized cool white emitting nanophosphor facilitates its use in near-UV-based WLEDs and other advanced solid-state lighting.

Screening of biologically important Zn2+ by a chemosensor with fluorescent turn on-off mechanism.

Reported herein the synthesis, characterization and biologically important zinc ion binding propensity of a weakly fluorescent chemosensor, 4-methyl-2,6-bis((E)-(2-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (1). 1H NMR spectroscopic titration experiment reveals the binding knack of 1 to the essential Zn2+. The photo-physical studies of 1 exhibit an enhancement in the fluorescence by several folds upon binding with the zinc ions attributed to PET-off process, with a binding constant value of 5.22×103M-1. 1 exhibits an excellent detection range for Zn2+ with lower detection limit value of 2.31×10-8M. The selectivity of 1 was studied with various mono and divalent metal cations and it was observed that most cations either quenches the fluorescence or remains unchanged except for Cd2+, which shows a slight enhancement in fluorescence intensity of 1. The ratiometric displacement of Cd2+ ions by Zn2+ ions shows an excellent selectivity towards in-situ detection of Zn2+ ions. Photo-physical studies also support the reversible binding of 1 to Zn2+ ions having on and off mechanism in presence of EDTA. Such recognition of the biologically important zinc ions finds potential application in live cell imaging.

Appraisal of salinity and fluoride in a semi-arid region of India using statistical and multivariate techniques.

Various physico-chemical parameters, including fluoride (F(-)), were analyzed to understand the hydro-geochemistry of an aquifer in a semi-arid region of India. Furthermore, the quality of the shallow and deep aquifer (using tube well and hand pumps) was also investigated for their best ecological use including drinking, domestic, agricultural and other activities. Different multivariate techniques were applied to understand the groundwater chemistry of the aquifer. Findings of the correlation matrix were strengthened by the factor analysis, and this shows that salinity is mainly caused by magnesium salts as compared to calcium salts in the aquifer. The problem of salinization seems mainly compounded by the contamination of the shallow aquifers by the recharging water. High factor loading of total alkalinity and bicarbonates indicates that total alkalinity was mainly due to carbonates and bicarbonates of sodium. The concentration of F(-) was found more in the deep aquifer than the shallow aquifer. Further, only a few groundwater samples lie below the permissible limit of F(-), and this indicates a risk of dental caries in the populace of the study area. The present study indicates that regular monitoring of groundwater is an important step to avoid human health risks and to assess its quality for various ecological purposes.