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Intramolecular deactivation processes in complexes of salicylic acid or glycolic acid with Eu(III)
(2010)
The complexation of Eu(III) by 2-hydroxy benzoic acid (2HB) or glycolic acid (GL) was investigated using steady- state and time-resolved laser spectroscopy. Experiments were carried out in H2O as well as in D2O in the temperature range of View the MathML source. The Eu(III) luminescence spectra and luminescence decay times were evaluated with respect to the temperature dependence of (i) the luminescence decay time ;, (ii) the energy of the View the MathML source transition, (iii) the width of the View the MathML source transition, and (iv) the asymmetry ratio calculated from the luminescence intensities of the View the MathML source and View the MathML source transition, respectively. The differences in ligand-related luminescence quenching are discussed. Based on the temperature dependence of the luminescence decay times an activation energy for the ligand-specific non-radiative deactivation in Eu(III)-2HB or Eu(III)-GL complexes was determined. It is stressed that ligand-specific quenching processes (other than OH quenching induced by water molecules) need to be determined and considered in detail, in order to extract speciation- relevant information from luminescence data (e.g., estimation of the number of water molecules nH2O in the first coordination sphere of Eu(III)). In case of 2HB, conclusions drawn from the evaluation of the Eu(III) luminescence are compared with results of a X-ray structure analysis.
By varying reaction parameters for the syntheses of the hydrogen-bonded metal-imidazolate frameworks (HIF) HIF-1 and HIF-2 (featuring 14 Zn and 14 Co atoms, respectively) to increase their yields and crystallinity, we found that HIF-1 is generated in two different frameworks, named as HIF-1a and HIF-1b. HIF-1b is isostructural to HIF-2. We determined the gas sorption and magnetic properties of HIF-2. In comparison to HIF-1a (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 471m(2) g(-1)), HIF-2 possesses overall very low gas sorption uptake capacities [BET(CO2) surface area=85m(2) g(-1)]. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement of HIF-2 showed antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the cobalt(II) high-spin centres at lower temperature. Theoretical analysis by density functional theory confirmed this finding. The UV/Vis-reflection spectra of HIF-1 (mixture of HIF-1a and b), HIF-2 and HIF-3 (with 14 Cd atoms) were measured and showed a characteristic absorption band centered at 340nm, which was indicative for differences in the imidazolate framework.
Characterization of interactions between antigens and antibodies is of utmost importance both for fundamental understanding of the binding and for development of advanced clinical diagnostics. Here, fluorescence line-narrowing (FLN) spectroscopy was used to study physicochemical interactions between 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3OH-BaP, as antigen) and a variety of solvent matrices (as model systems) or anti-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon antibodies (anti-PAH). We focused the studies on the specific physicochemical interactions between 3OH-BaP and different, previously obtained, monoclonal and recombinant anti-PAH antibodies. Control experiments performed with non-binding monoclonal antibodies and bovine serum albumin (BSA) indicated that nonspecific interactions did not affect the FLN spectrum of 3OH-BaP. The spectral positions and relative intensities of the bands in the FLN spectra are highly dependent on the molecular environment of the 3OH-BaP. The FLN bands correlate with different vibrational modes of 3OH-BaP which are affected by interactions with the molecular environment (pi-pi interactions, H-bonding, or van-der-Waals forces). Although the analyte (3OH-BaP) was the same for all the antibodies investigated, different binding interactions could be identified from the FLN spectra on the basis of structural flexibility and conformational multiplicity of the antibodies' paratopes.
Intrinsic fluorescence quenching of humic substances (HS) and the sensitization of Ln(3+) luminescence (Ln3+ Tb3+, Eu3+) in HS complexes were investigated. Both measurements yielded complementary information on the complexation of metals by HS. Large differences between fulvic acids(FA)and humic acids (HA) were found. From time-resolved luminescence measurements it is concluded that a combination of energy transfer and energy back transfer between HS and Ln(3+) is responsible for the observed luminescence decay characteristics. In the case of Eu3+, an additional participation of charge-transfer states is suggested. A new concept for the evaluation of the sensitized luminescence decays of Ln(3+) was adapted
Rapid Synthesis of Sub-10nm Hexagonal NaYF4-Based Upconverting Nanoparticles using Therminol((R))66
(2018)
We report a simple one-pot method for the rapid preparation of sub-10nm pure hexagonal (-phase) NaYF4-based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). Using Therminol((R))66 as a co-solvent, monodisperse UCNPs could be obtained in unusually short reaction times. By varying the reaction time and reaction temperature, it was possible to control precisely the particle size and crystalline phase of the UCNPs. The upconversion (UC) luminescence properties of the nanocrystals were tuned by varying the concentrations of the dopants (Nd3+ and Yb3+ sensitizer ions and Er3+ activator ions). The size and phase-purity of the as-synthesized core and core-shell nanocrystals were assessed by using complementary transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and small-angle X-ray scattering studies. In-depth photophysical evaluation of the UCNPs was pursued by using steady-state and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. An enhancement in the UC intensity was observed if the nanocrystals, doped with optimized concentrations of lanthanide sensitizer/activator ions, were further coated with an inert/active shell. This was attributed to the suppression of surface-related luminescence quenching effects.
The luminescence of Lanthanide(Ill) complexes with different model ligands was studied under direct as well as sensitized excitation conditions. The research was performed in the context of studies dealing with deep-underground storages for high-level nuclear waste. Here, Lanthanide(III) ions served as natural analogues for Actinide(III) ions and the low-molecular weight organic ligands are present in clay minerals and furthermore, they were employed as proxies for building blocks of humic substances, which are important complexing molecules in the natural environment, e.g., in the far field of a repository site. Time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy was applied for a detailed characterization of Eu(III), Tb(III), Sm(III) and.Dy(III) complexes in aqueous solutions. Based on the observed luminescence the ligands were tentatively divided into two groups (A, B). The luminescence of Lanthanide(III) complexes of group A was mainly influenced by an energy transfer to OH-vibrations. Lanthanide(Ill) complexes of group B showed ligand-related luminescence quenching, which was further investigated. To gain more information on the underlying quenching processes of group A and B ligands, measurements at different temperatures (77 K <= T <= 353 K) were performed and activation energies were determined based on an Arrhenius analysis. Moreover, the influence of the ionic strength between 0 M <= 1 <= 4 M on the Lanthanide(III) luminescence was monitored for different complexes, in order to evaluate the influence of specific conditions encountered in host rocks foreseen as potential repository sites.
9,10-substituted anthracenes are known for their useful optical properties like fluorescence, which makes them frequently used probes in sensing applications. In this article, we investigate the fundamental photophysical properties of three pyridyl-substituted variants. The nitrogen atoms in the pyridinium six-membered rings are located in the ortho-, meta-, and para-positions in relation to the anthracene core. Absorption, fluorescence, and transient absorption measurements were carried out and were complemented by theoretical calculations. We monitored the photophysics of the anthracene derivatives in chloroform and water investigating the protonated as well as their nonprotonated forms. We found that the optical properties of the nonprotonated forms are strongly determined by the anthracene chromophore, with only small differences to other 9,10-substituted anthracenes, for example diphenyl anthracene. In contrast, protonation leads to a strong decrease in fluorescence intensity and lifetime. Transient absorption measurements and theoretical calculations revealed the formation of a charge-transfer state in the protonated chromophores, where electron density is shifted from the anthracene moiety toward the protonated pyridyl substituents. While the para- and ortho-derivatives' charge transfer is still moderately fluorescent, the meta-derivative is affected much stronger and shows nearly no fluorescence. This nitrogen-atom-position-dependent sensitivity to hydronium activity makes a combination of these fluorophores very attractive for pH-sensing applications covering a broadened pH range.
Formation of a Eu(III) borate solid species from a weak Eu(III) borate complex in aqueous solution
(2014)
In the presence of polyborates (detected by 11B-NMR) the formation of a weak Eu(III) borate complex (lg β11 ∼ 2, estimated) was observed by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). This complex is a precursor for the formation of a solid Eu(III) borate species. The formation of this solid in solution was investigated by TRLFS as a function of the total boron concentration: the lower the total boron concentration, the slower is the solid formation. The solid Eu(III) borate was characterized by IR spectroscopy, powder XRD and solid-state TRLFS. The determination of the europium to boron ratio portends the existence of pentaborate units in the amorphous solid.
Upconversion NaYF4:Yb:Er nanoparticles co-doped with Gd3+ and Nd3+ for thermometry on the nanoscale
(2015)
In the present work, the upconversion luminescence properties of oleic acid capped NaYF4:Gd3+:Yb3+:Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) with pure β crystal phase and Nd3+ ions as an additional sensitizer were studied in the temperature range of 288 K < T < 328 K. The results of this study showed that the complex interplay of different mechanisms and effects, causing the special temperature behavior of the UCNP can be developed into thermometry on the nanoscale, e.g. to be applied in biological systems on a cellular level. The performance was improved by the use of Nd3+ as an additional dopant utilizing the cascade sensitization mechanism in tri-doped UCNP.
In order to obtain information on the number and symmetry of the different Eu3+ complexes formed with several hydroxybenzoic acids, ultra-low temperature luminescence measurements at 4.7 K were carried out. Hydroxybenzoic acids were used as simple model compounds for metal binding structures in humic substances (HS). Information on the complexes was extracted from high-resolution total luminescence spectra (TLS), which were obtained by scanning through the D-5(0) <-- F-7(0) transition of Eu(III) with a pulsed dye laser and measuring the emission in the wavelength range of the D- 5(0) --> F-7(0) and D-5(0) --> F-7(0) transitions simultaneously. By extracting the crystal field strength parameter N- v(B-2q) from the TLS, it was found that N-v(B-2q) was not directly correlated with the excitation energy. Further, the symmetry of the individual complexes formed was extracted from the experimental data. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
To determine whether Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements can provide quantitative distance information in single-molecule fluorescence experiments on polypeptides, we measured FRET efficiency distributions for donor and acceptor dyes attached to the ends of freely diffusing polyproline molecules of various lengths. The observed mean FRET efficiencies agree with those determined from ensemble lifetime measurements but differ considerably from the values expected from Forster theory, with polyproline treated as a rigid rod. At donor-acceptor distances much less than the Forster radius R-o, the observed efficiencies are lower than predicted, whereas at distances comparable to and greater than R-0, they are much higher. Two possible contributions to the former are incomplete orientational averaging during the donor lifetime and, because of the large size of the dyes, breakdown of the point-dipole approximation assumed in Forster theory. End-to-end distance distributions and correlation times obtained from Langevin molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the differences for the longer polyproline peptides can be explained by chain bending, which considerably shortens the donor-acceptor distances
A series of terbium- and europium-exchanged microporous-mesoporous zeolite Socony Mobil Five (MFI)-type materials such as Zeotile-1 and Zeogrid with varying Si/Al ratios was investigated using FTIR, PXRD, adsorption- desorption isotherms of N-2 at 77 K and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. Silylation of the lanthanides-exchanged Zeotile-1 and Zeogrid with hexadecyl trimethoxysilanes via post-synthesis grafting was also studied. The results showed that the lanthanide's photoluminescence spectra and decays were modified due to silylation. The different silylation effects in Zeotile-1 and Zeogrid were correlated with the textural properties of the investigated materials. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Deuteration effects on the vibronic structure of the emission and excitation spectra of triangular [ 4] phenylene (D-3h [4]phenylene) were studied using laser-excited Shpol'skii spectroscopy (LESS) in an octane matrix at 4.2 K. For correct assignment of the vibrational modes, the experimental results were compared with calculated frequencies (B3LYP/6-31G*). CH vibrations were identified by their characteristic isotopic shifts in the spectra of deuterated triangular [4]phenylenes. Two CC stretching modes, at 100 cm(-1) and 1176 cm(-1), suitable as probes for bond strength changes in the excited state, were identified. The isotope effect on the internal conversion rates of triangular [4] phenylene was evaluated from measurements of temperature dependent lifetime. Isotope dependency and the magnitude of the internal conversion rates indicate that internal conversion in triangular [4] phenylene is most likely induced by CH vibrations. The results obtained by LESS and lifetime measurements were compared with PM3 PECI calculations of the excited state structure. The theoretical results and the relation between ground and excited state vibration energies of the 1176 cm(-1) probe vibration indicate a reduction of bond alternation of the central cyclohexatriene ring in the excited state
Time-resolved photoluminescence analysis of distribution and migration of terbium ions in zeolites X
(2004)
The photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of terbium-exchanged zeolites X was investigated upon laser excitation at 355 nm. The results evidenced the presence of at least two terbium main environments with PL lifetimes varying between 391-411 and 753-770 mus. The two-site nature of terbium distribution in zeolites X permitted a quantitative analysis of the migration process of terbium ions inside the pores and cavities upon dehydration in air at 200 degreesC. Besides the increase of the PL lifetimes with about 30% and 80% compared to those of the hydrated zeolite, a fraction of almost 30% of terbium ions was estimated to migrate from the supercages to the neighboring sodalites or hexagonal prisms. Our results evidenced for the first time the capability of time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy in quantitatively tracking for the intrazeolitic migration of lanthanides. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Immobilisierung bzw. Mobilisierung und Transport von Schadstoffen in der Umwelt, besonders in den Kompartimenten Boden und Wasser, sind von fundamentaler Bedeutung für unser (Über)Leben auf der Erde. Einer der Hauptreaktionspartner für organische und anorganische Schadstoffe (Xenobiotika) in der Umwelt sind Huminstoffe (HS). HS sind Abbauprodukte pflanzlichen und tierischen Gewebes, die durch eine Kombination von chemischen und biologischen Ab- und Umbauprozessen entstehen. Bedingt durch ihre Genese stellen HS außerordentlich heterogene Stoffsysteme dar, die eine Palette von verschiedenartigen Wechselwirkungen mit Schadstoffen zeigen. Die Untersuchung der fundamentalen Wechselwirkungsmechanismen stellt ebenso wie deren quantitative Beschreibung höchste Anforderungen an die Untersuchungsmethoden. Zur qualitativen und quantitativen Charakterisierung der Wechselwirkungen zwischen HS und Xenobiotika werden demnach analytische Methoden benötigt, die bei der Untersuchung von extrem heterogenen Systemen aussagekräftige Daten zu liefern vermögen. Besonders spektroskopische Verfahren, wie z.B. lumineszenz-basierte Verfahren, besitzen neben der hervorragenden Selektivität und Sensitivität, auch eine Multidimensionalität (bei der Lumineszenz sind es die Beobachtungsgrößen Intensität IF, Anregungswellenlänge lex, Emissionswellenlänge lem und Fluoreszenzabklingzeit tF), die es gestattet, auch heterogene Systeme wie HS direkt zu untersuchen. Zur Charakterisierung können sowohl die intrinsischen Fluoreszenzeigenschaften der HS als auch die von speziell eingeführten Lumineszenzsonden verwendet werden. In beiden Fällen werden die zu Grunde liegenden fundamentalen Konzepte der Wechselwirkungen von HS mit Xenobiotika untersucht und charakterisiert. Für die intrinsische Fluoreszenz der HS konnte gezeigt werden, dass neben molekularen Strukturen besonders die Verknüpfung der Fluorophore im Gesamt-HS-Molekül von Bedeutung ist. Konformative Freiheit und die Nachbarschaft zu als Energieakzeptor fungierenden HS-eigenen Gruppen sind wichtige Komponenten für die Charakteristik der HS-Fluoreszenz. Die Löschung der intrinsischen Fluoreszenz durch Metallkomplexierung ist demnach auch das Resultat der veränderten konformativen Freiheit der HS durch die gebundenen Metallionen. Es zeigte sich, dass abhängig vom Metallion sowohl Löschung als auch Verstärkung der intrinsischen HS-Fluoreszenz beobachtet werden kann. Als extrinsische Lumineszenzsonden mit wohl-charakterisierten photophysikalischen Eigenschaften wurden polyzyklische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe und Lanthanoid-Ionen eingesetzt. Durch Untersuchungen bei sehr niedrigen Temperaturen (10 K) konnte erstmals die Mikroumgebung von an HS gebundenen hydrophoben Xenobiotika untersucht werden. Im Vergleich mit Raumtemperaturexperimenten konnte gezeigt werden, dass hydrophobe Xenobiotika an HS-gebunden in einer Mikroumgebung, die in ihrer Polarität analog zu kurzkettigen Alkoholen ist, vorliegen. Für den Fall der Metallkomplexierung wurden Energietransferprozesse zwischen HS und Lanthanoidionen bzw. zwischen verschiedenen, gebundenen Lanthanoidionen untersucht. Basierend auf diesen Messungen können Aussagen über die beteiligten elektronischen Zustände der HS einerseits und Entfernungen von Metallbindungsstellen in HS selbst angeben werden. Es ist dabei zu beachten, dass die Experimente in Lösung bei realen Konzentrationen durchgeführt wurden. Aus Messung der Energietransferraten können direkte Aussagen über Konformationsänderungen bzw. Aggregationsprozesse von HS abgeleitet werden.
The use of a catalyst support for the design of nanoscale heterogeneous catalysts based on cerium oxide offers vast possibilities for future catalyst development, particularly with regard to an increased focus on the use of renewable biogas and an emerging hydrogen economy. In this study, zirconia-supported ceria catalysts were synthesized, activated by using different thermochemical treatments, and characterized by way of temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), oxygen storage capacity, Xray diffraction, electron microscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy using Eu3+ as a spectroscopic probe. Through reduction-oxidation pretreatment routines, reactive pyrochlore structures were created at temperatures as low as 600 degrees C and identified through TPR and electron microscopy experiments. A structural relationship and alignment of the crystal planes is revealed in high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments through the digital diffraction patterns. Low-temperature pretreatment induces the formation of reactive pyrochlore domains under retention of the surface area of the catalyst system, and no further morphological changes are detected. Furthermore, the formation of pyrochlore domains achieved through severe reduction and mild reoxidation (SRMO) treatments is reversible. Over multiple alternating SRMO and severe reduction and severe reoxidation (SRSO) treatments, europium spectroscopy and TPR results indicate that pyrochlore structures are recreated over consecutive treatments, whenever the mild oxidation step at 500 degrees C is the last treatment (SRMO, SRMO-SRSO-SRMO, etc.).
Despite the wide range of industrial applications for ceria-zirconia mixed oxides (CexZr1-xO2), the complex correlation between their atomic structure and catalytic performance is still under debate. Catalytically interesting CexZr1-xO2 nanomaterials can form homogeneous solid solutions and, depending on the composition, show phase separation under the formation of small domains. The characterization of homogeneity and atomic structure of these materials remains a major challenge. High-resolution emission spectroscopy recorded under cryogenic conditions using Eu3+ as a structural probe in doped CeZrO2 nanoparticles offers an effective way to identify the different atomic environments of the Eu3+ dopants and, subsequently, to monitor structural parameters of the ceria-zirconia mixed oxides. It is found that, in stoichiometric CeZrO2:Eu3+, phase separation occurs at elevated temperatures beginning with the gradual formation of (pseudo)cubic crystallites in the amorphous materials at 500 degrees C and a sudden phase separation into tetragonal, zirconia-rich and cubic, ceria-rich domains over 900 degrees C. The presented technique allows us to easily monitor subtle changes even in amorphous, high surface area samples, yielding structural information not accessible by conventional techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman. Moreover, in reference experiments investigating the reducibility of largely unordered Ce0.2Zr0.8O2:Eu3+, the main reduction peak in temperature-programmed reduction measurements appeared at exceptionally low temperatures below 200 degrees C, thus suggesting the outstanding potential of this oxide to activate catalytic oxidation reactions. This effect was found to be dependent on the amount of Eu3+ dopant introduced into the CeZrO2 matrix as well as to be connected to the atomic structure of the catalyst material.