UV radiation: a promising tool in the synthesis of multicomponent nano-oxides

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2014-11, Vol.16 (11), p.1-7, Article 2686
• Main Authors: Čuba, Václav, Procházková, Lenka, Bárta, Jan, Vondrášková, Apolena, Pavelková, Tereza, Mihóková, Eva, Jarý, Vítězslav, Nikl, Martin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Cadmium; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chlorides; Composite Nanoparticles; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electron states and collective excitations in thin films, multilayers, quantum wells, mesoscopic and nanoscale systems; Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures; Exact sciences and technology; Formates; Inorganic Chemistry; Ions; Irradiation; Lasers; Lutetium; Magnesium; Materials Science; Mercury; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures; Optics; Photochemicals; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Precursors; Radiation effects on specific materials; Research Paper; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Synthesis; Ultraviolet radiation
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-014-2686-6

Photochemical synthesis of selected multicomponent compounds, namely cadmium or magnesium zinc oxides doped with Ga 3+ ions—Zn 1− x Cd x (Mg x )O:Ga—and lutetium aluminum garnets Lu 3 Al 5 O 12 (LuAG) doped with Pr 3+ or Eu 3+ ions (LuAG:Pr(Eu)), was successfully performed. The synthesis is based on photo-induced precipitation of solid precursors from aqueous solutions containing formate anion and soluble metal salts (nitrates or chlorides). Low pressure mercury lamps were used for the irradiation of solutions. Solid precursors were subsequently separated from aqueous phase and calcined to obtain the final products. Prepared materials feature high chemical purity, good crystallinity, and nano-dimensions in the range of 10–100 nm. Due to the high level of interaction among individual components in photo-precipitated precursors, no additional oxide phases were observed after calcination apart from the desired solid phase. Moreover, highly intensive radioluminescence or shift of excitonic luminescence has been observed, depending on type and composition of prepared materials. Results indicate that prepared nanomaterials may be prospectively utilized as highly efficient nanoscintillators for preparation of optical ceramics or band-gap engineered nanophosphors.