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In this study, trivalent neodymium-doped silicate-based 13–93 bioactive glass scaffolds were prepared by the robocasting method using sol-gel-derived bioactive glass powders for tissue engineering applications. Sintered scaffolds were coated by borate-based 13-93B3 bioactive glass-containing polylactide-co-glycolide solution. The produced composite scaffolds' mechanical, morphological, and structural characteristics were thoroughly examined, as their in vitro bioactivity in cell culture media and simulated body fluid. Furthermore, the scaffolds' amoxicillin adsorption and release behavior was examined over time. The outcomes demonstrated that it was feasible to effectively create periodic, mesh-like-patterned robocast glass scaffolds utilizing Nd3+-doped sol-gel-derived bioactive glass powders. The scaffolds' compressive strengths ranged from 10.02 MPa to 18.6 MPa, with the PLGA-coated scaffolds exhibiting the highest strength values. All of the scaffolds that were submerged in simulated body fluid for 28 days showed hydroxyapatite formation. The presence of borate glass on the surface of the silicate-based glass scaffolds improved the hydroxyapatite formation ability. The quantity of drug adsorption for all types of scaffolds was measured to be between 4 and 9% whereas the cumulative drug release was in the range of 58 to 96%. Borate glass particle-containing PLGA coating enhanced the drug delivery behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chlorination mechanism of neodymium oxide for the production of anhydrous neodymium chloride was analyzed based on the reaction temperature and reaction ratio of ammonium chloride, considering the suppression of the generation of NdOCl, an intermediate product of the reaction process. The results were obtained by distinguishing the shape of the produced NdCl3 (powder and bulk) and the setup of the chlorination equipment, reflecting its sensitivity to moisture and oxygen. The powdered form of NdCl3 produced at 400 °C and under argon gas flow was identified as NdCl3·6(H2O), while the bulk form of NdCl3 produced by melting at 760 °C after a chlorination process consisted of anhydrous NdCl3 and NdCl3∙n(H2O). The powdered NdCl3 produced in an argon gas environment with a controlled level of oxygen (below 16.05 ppm) and moisture (below 0.01 ppm) content was identified as single-phase anhydrous NdCl3 and showed the highest chlorination conversion rate of 98.65%. The addition of overstoichiometric ratios of NH4Cl in the chlorination process decreased the total amount of impurities (N, H, and O) in the NdCl3 product and increased the conversion rate of NdCl3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin chloride of 1M concentration was used as the precursor, and neodymium chloride was used as a dopant (with different doping ratios) to create pure and neodymium (Nd) doped tin oxide (SnO2) thin films with varied doping ratios (1, 3 and 5) wt%. Using UV-visible absorbance and XRD patterns, it was possible to analyze the impact of Nd doping ratio on the optical and structural characteristics of the produced thin films. All samples have a polycrystalline structure that is identical to the conventional SnO2 peaks, according to XRD measurements. As the doping ratio rises, the crystallinity falls. At doping ratio of 5wt%, a new phase emerged for Nd2O3. According to optical characteristics, the transmittance rises with doping ratio, from 4.13% to 35.76% at 550 nm. The optical band gap increases from 3.60 to 4.20eV with an increase in Nd content from 0 to 5%, and the energy gap was a direct transition. I-V properties for all samples are examined in dark and light conditions. Photocurrent and dark current increases with increasing doping ratio. The produced films have shown increase in photoconductivity gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The realization of single-photon generation is important for implementing various quantum information technologies. The use of rare-earth ions in an optical fiber is a promising single-photon generation method due to its ability to operate at room temperature as well as the low cost involved. Neodymium ions are especially interesting because the ions are one of the most commercially affordable rare-earth materials in the current industry. The neodymium ion also has the advantage of having a rich energy level structure, which offers several possible wavelengths for emitted single photons from visible to near-telecommunication wavelengths. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrated single-photon generation using an isolated single neodymium ion in tapered silica fiber at room temperature. Our results have significant implications as a platform for low-cost wavelength-selectable single-photon sources and photonic quantum applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the eco-friendly neodymium tartrate (NdTar) inhibitor for mild steel in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. Design/methodology/approach: The mild steel 1010 coupon was considered for the current study. Weight loss and the electrochemical methods were used to evaluate the inhibitory effects of neodymium chloride (NdCl3) and NdTar on mild steel in NaCl solution. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements were carried out to study the morphology and composition of the film, nature of deposits and corrosion products formed in test media on the corroded steel, with the objective of further analyzing the observed behavior of the two inhibitors. Findings: Of the two, NdTar performs better than NdCl3 because it shields mild steel surfaces for longer. According to the results, when NdCl3 is present in a corrosive solution, the protective film only comprises Nd/Fe oxide/hydroxide/carbonate. However, when neodymium is coupled with the tartrate group (an organic group) and then added to the NaCl solution, the inhibitor film comprises both bimetallic complexes (Fe-Tar-Nd) and metal oxide/hydroxide/carbonate, which results in a more compact film and has higher inhibition efficiency. Originality/value: This study evaluated the combined effects of inorganic and organic inhibitors with those of an inorganic inhibitor used alone for mild steel in NaCl solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exchange reaction of equimolar amounts of the potassium radical anion salt of diazabutadiene [DADMe•−K(THF)n] (1) (DADMe = DippNC(Me)C(Me)NDipp; Dipp = = 2,6-Pri2C6H3) with anhydrous ScCl3 and NdCl3 afforded the dichloride complexes [DippN=C(Me)C(=CH2)NDipp]LnCl2(THF)2 (Ln = Sc (3), Nd (4)) in 75% and 71% yields, respectively. In these complexes, the DADMe ligand exists in the monoanionic amido-imino form. The reaction of [DADMe∸K(THF)n] with ScCl3 is accompanied by the formation of the minor unstable complex [DippNC(Me)=C(Me)NDipp]∸ScCl2(THF)2(2, ∼3% yield) containing the diazabutadiene radical anion ligand. All attempts to alkylate dichloride complexes 3 and 4 with two equivalents of LiCH2SiMe3 (or LiCH2C6H4-o-NMe2) resulted in the transfer of the amido-imino ligand to the Li+ cation giving the complex [{DippN=C(Me)C(=CH2)NDipp}Li]2 (5) in 36–38% yield. Complex 5 forms a dimeric structure through coordination of lithium ions by two nitrogen atoms (amide and imine N atoms) of one DAD ligand and the µ2-imine nitrogen atom of another ligand. Chloride complexes 3 and 4 involved in the two- and three-component catalytic systems (3 or 4)−[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] (1: 1) and (3 or 4)−AlBui3−[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] (1: 10: 1) initiate the oligomerization of isoprene (IP) at room temperature and provide the 25–100% conversion of monomer to oligomer ([IP]/[Ln] = 1000). The synthesized oligomer samples have predominantly a trans-1,4 structure (up to 75.6%) and a low number-average molecular weight (Mn = 0.45−1.24•103; Mw/Mn = 1.13–8.99). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the optical properties of multiple neodymium-doped gadolinium compounds as a means to examine their eligibility as optical probes for fluorescence imaging. GdVO 4 , GdPO 4 , GdAlO 3 , Gd 2 SiO 5 and Gd 3 Ga 5 O 12 (GGG) samples were synthesized through solid-state reactions with varying neodymium doping levels to compare their optical properties in great detail. The optimal doping concentration was generally found to be approximately 2%. Furthermore, the luminescence lifetime, which is a valuable parameter for time-gated imaging, was determined to range from 276 down to 14 µs for the highest doping concentrations, resulting from energy transfer and migration assisted decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Materials Protection (0351-9465) is the property of Engineers Society for Corrosion Republic of Serbia, Belgrade and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this present study, composites of chitosan‐graft‐poly(N‐tertiary butylacrylamide) (CH‐graft‐poly(N‑tert‑BAAm)) copolymer, with Neodymium (Nd), an important rare earth element, were prepared by precipitation technique. Nd was successfully incorporated into the polymer of different weight percentages (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) without any degradation. The effect of neodymium additives on the structural, morphological, and antibacterial activities against gram‐positive bacteria and gram‐negative bacteria of the polymer was analyzed using various instrument techniques. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results together with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) studies confirmed the morphology of Nd‐doped CH‐graft‐poly(N‑tert‑BAAm) composites without any other impurities. The antibacterial effect of Nd was studied by adding it to the copolymer in a weight ratio of 0.5%–2%. The antibacterial effect of neodymium concentration on four different strains of bacteria was investigated: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (DSM 50071) (P. aeruginosa), Bacillus subtilis (DSM 1971) (B. subtilis), and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC 25923) (S. aureus). The antibacterial activities of the obtained composites were determined using the Agar Well Diffusion Assay Method. Experimental results show that Nd binds well to CH‐graft‐poly(N‑tert‑BAAm). Activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, and S. aureus subsp. aureus creates a potential for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of neodymium and its compounds in various samples is very important, and the application of varied instrumental techniques for this purpose has hence been reported. Accordingly, different electrochemical electrodes have been developed for the analysis of Nd3+ over varied concentration ranges in different matrices. This text tends to offer an overview of these potentiometric instruments with a focus on the structure of the ionophores, as well as the nature and amount of the components used to develop the sensing parts of these electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports the results of the study on the synthesis of new heterometallic complexes of Co(II) and Nd(III) with succinic acid in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline or pyridine. The following hetero- and monocomplexes were synthesized: [Co(C4H4O4)-2Py]-2H2O and [Co(C4H4O4)- Phen].2H2О; [Nd,(C4H4O4)3]5H2О and [Nd(C4H4O4)3 2Phen]2H2O; [Co2Nd2(C4H4O4)54Py]4H2O and [Co2Nd2(C4H4O4)52Phen]4H2O (Phen - phenanthroline, and Py - pyridine). The study of their composition, structure, thermal properties and determination of the ability of he-terocomplexcs to form complex oxides was carried out. The complexes were characterized by a number of physicochemical methods: elemental analysis, IR- and diffuse reflection spectroscopies, X-ray powder diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Based on the analysis of diffuse reflection spectra and IR spectra ofhcterocomplexcs, it was shown that succinic add and 1,10-phenanthroline are bidentatcly bound to metal atoms. The metals arc connected by succinic acid, forming a chain. Oxide powders were obtained during thermolysis of hc-tcrocomplcxcs up to 00°C. The-composition of the synthesized hcteromctallic compounds was controlled by X-ray powder diffraction. It was shown that a complex oxide of NdCoO3 (cubic crystal system), without impurities, was formed, when the heterocomplex of phenanthroline [Co2Nd2(C4H4O4)3-2 Phen]-411,0 was heated to 800°C. When heating the heterocomplex of pyridine [Co2Nd2(C4H4O4)5-4Py]-4H2O, in addition to the complex oxide-NdCoO3, oxides Nd2O3 (hexagonal crystal system), Nd2O3 (cubic crystal system) and Co3O4 oxide-(cubic crystal system) were forme-d. The he-terocomplex [Co2Nd2(C4H4O4)5-2Phcn]-4H2O can be used as a precursor for the synthesis of cobaltate of neodymium with lower energy costs than in solid-phase synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Random copolymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with L -lactide (LA) under mild conditions is a challenging task in polymer synthesis. Two amino-bridged bis(phenolate) neodymium complexes were synthesized and employed as efficient initiators for the copolymerization of TMC and L -LA under mild conditions to give random copolymers. NMR monitoring experiments of the chain microstructure versus polymerization time confirmed that a TMC/LA random copolymer was generated by a random copolymerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neodymium-doped phosphates, (Nd1-xGdx)0.33Zr2(PO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), were synthesized by co-precipitation. (Nd1-xGdx)0.33Zr2(PO4)3 was obtained as a single-phase and was confirmed to be a NASICON-type structure consisting of a three-dimensional network of PO4 tetrahedra sharing corners with ZrO6 octahedra. The particle size of the (Nd1-xGdx)0.33Zr2(PO4)3 samples was in the nanoscale, which is suitable for in vivo optical imaging. The (Nd1-xGdx)0.33Zr2(PO4)3 samples showed characteristic luminescence corresponding to the f – f transitions of Nd3+. The highest emission intensity at 1072 nm with excitation at 824 nm was observed for (Nd0.75Gd0.25)0.33Zr2(PO4)3, which was 4.5 times higher than that of Nd0.33Zr2(PO4)3. The near-infrared (NIR) emission intensity of this nanophosphor was significantly higher than that of indocyanine green, which is actually used as an in vivo optical probe reagent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, dysprosium-aluminosilicate (DAS) and neodymium-aluminosilicate (NAS) glasses with high softening temperature were used as fillers to join alumina ceramics. The similarities and differences in the interfacial microstructure and flexural strength of the joints were investigated. Results showed that the glass fillers both could infiltrate into alumina ceramics during the joining process. However, excessive infiltration at high joining temperatures led to the formation of pore defects in the brazing seam. An interfacial reaction layer composed of Dy 3 Al 5 O 12 was formed at the DAS glass/alumina interface. In contrast, no interfacial reaction was observed between the NAS glass and alumina ceramic. Slower cooling rate promoted the crystallization of Dy 2 Si 2 O 7 and Al 2 O 3 in the Al 2 O 3 /DAS/Al 2 O 3 joints, and only Nd 2 Si 2 O 7 in the Al 2 O 3 /NAS/Al 2 O 3 joints. The flexural strength at room temperature of both joints first increased and then decreased with the increased of joining temperature, and showed a declined tendency with the decrease in cooling rate. The flexural strength at 900 °C of Al 2 O 3 /DAS/Al 2 O 3 joints reached 245 MPa, which is higher than that of Al 2 O 3 /NAS/Al 2 O 3 joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrometallurgy of China is the property of Hydrometallurgy of China Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Display omitted] Phosphorus (P) control has been recognized as an imperative task to mitigate water eutrophication and settle the imminent shortage of P resources. Despite intensive effort put into this matter, it is still generally challenging for the current methods to remove and even potentially recover phosphorus (as phosphate) from complicated water matrices. To this end, we proposed a novel nanocomposite via coupling polystyrene anion exchanger (PsAX) with hydrated neodymium oxide (HNdO) nanoparticle for selective removal of phosphate. The developed nanocomposite, i.e., HNdO-PsAX, exhibited quite stable and efficient phosphate adsorption over a wide pH range of 3.0–10.0 with the maximum adsorption capacity as 85.4 mg P/g. It also showed satisfied anti-interference against various competing substances; notably, HNdO-PsAX obviously outperformed Phoslock, a commercial lanthanum-based adsorbent exclusively for phosphate sequestration, particularly under the interference of bicarbonate and humic acid, which were admitted as the paralyzing factors for Phoslock. The superior affinity of HNdO-PsAX towards phosphate, driven by the specific Nd-P inner-sphere complexation as evidenced by XPS, FT-IR, and the lattice evolution of HNdO nanoparticle, renders the nanocomposite eminently suitable for sequestrating trace phosphate. Fixed-bed treatment validated that HNdO-PsAX was capable of treating ∼11,800 bed volume of a simulated wastewater (from 2.0 to below 0.5 mg P/L), approximately 12 times higher than that of the previously reported Fe-based nanocomposite (HFO-PsAX, ∼ 900 BV); also, a satisfactory outcome in treating authentic municipal wastewater by HNdO-PsAX and the feasibility of regenerating the exhausted one by a binary NaOH-NaCl solution were recognized. This work provides a new potion of enhanced phosphorous control for surface water and wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that new benzo[cd]indole-based heptamethinecyanines (HMCs) have an ultrashort lifetime τ of the photoexcited state and a high intensity of light absorption in the generation range of practically important neodymium lasers. The electronic structure and types of electronic transitions in HMCs are analyzed by the DFT and TD-DFT methods. The influence of vibronic and intermolecular interactions on τ is considered. The advantages of HMCs for passive mode locking of lasers over known dyes with ultrashort τ are demonstrated. The advantages of HMCs to implement passive mode locking of lasers over known dyes with ultrashort τ are demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of neodymium oxide-supported cobalt catalysts with cobalt content ranging from 10 to 50 wt.% was obtained through the recurrent deposition-precipitation method. The effect of active phase, i.e., metallic cobalt, content on structural parameters, morphology, crystal structure, surface state, composition and activity of the catalysts was determined after detailed physicochemical measurements were performed using ICP-AES, N2 physisorption, XRPD, TEM, HRTEM, STEM-EDX, H2-TPD and XPS methods. The results indicate that the catalyst activity strongly depends on the active phase content due to the changes in average cobalt particle size. With the increase of the cobalt content, the productivity per catalyst mass increases, while TOF maintains a constant value. The TOF is below average only for the catalyst with the lowest cobalt content, i.e., when the average Co particle size is below 20 nm. This is due to the predominance of strong hydrogen binding sites on the surface, leading to hydrogen poisoning which prevents nitrogen adsorption, thus inhibiting the rate-determining step of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life begins with a switch in genetic control from the maternal to the embryonic genome during zygotic genome activation (ZGA). Despite its importance, the essential regulators of ZGA remain largely unknown in mammals. On the basis of de novo motif searches, we identified the orphan nuclear receptor Nr5a2 as a key activator of major ZGA in mouse two-cell embryos. Nr5a2 is required for progression beyond the two-cell stage. It binds to its motif within SINE B1/Alu retrotransposable elements found in cis-regulatory regions of ZGA genes. Chemical inhibition suggests that 72% of ZGA genes are regulated by Nr5a2 and potentially other orphan nuclear receptors. Nr5a2 promotes chromatin accessibility during ZGA and binds nucleosomal DNA in vitro. We conclude that Nr5a2 is an essential pioneer factor that regulates ZGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth activated powders are widely regarded as promising candidates for optical thermometry due to their unique photoluminescence characteristics. The paper presents the structural and luminescent properties of crystalline powders of gadolinium and yttrium oxides (Gd1−xYx)2O3, doped with Nd3+ ions, synthesized by the liquid polymer-salt method. The addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone increases the homogeneity of the mixture and ensures high adhesion of the resulting powders. Scanning electron microscopy shows that powders are μm-sized aggregates, which consist of particles with several tens of nanometers in size. A smooth shift of the diffraction peaks of the powders occurs when Gd is replaced by Y without additional peaks. The successive decrease in the lattice constant of the powders from 10.816 to 10.607 Å confirms the existence of continuous solid solutions in the system. The Stark sublevels of the 4F3/2 → 4I9/2 fluorescent band are shifted to 4 nm when Gd is replaced by Y since the strength of the local field has a stronger effect on the inner F-shell of Nd ions in the case of Y. For thermometry, we chose the ratio of the fluorescence intensities between the Stark sublevels 4F3/2(2) → 4I9/2(2) and 4F3/2(1) → 4I9/2(2). The best obtained sensitivity is 0.22% °C−1 for Nd-doped GdYO3 powder in the range of 10–70 °C. This value of temperature sensitivity, together with radiation and excitation lying in the biological window, opens the possibility of using Nd3+-doped (Gd1−xYx)2O3 powders for real-time thermal probing of under tissue luminescence with sub-degree resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Template assisted synthesis of two new Neodymium based MOFs are reported. • The versatility of using templates as structure directing tools in MOF synthesis is demonstrated. • Template governed architectural changes in the MOFs is presented in depth in the perspective of crystal engineering. • The change in structure is corroborated by magnetic study of both the compounds. • Magnetic measurements reveal varying antiferromagnetic behaviour for both the compounds. • Studies also revealed that the magnetic exchange interaction governed the zero-field energy gap to different extent. This study demonstrates synthesis of two novel lanthanide-based metal-organic frameworks, namely [{NdIII(5 N 3 -H 2 isa) 2 (H 2 O) 2 }(H 2 O) 2 }] ∞ (1) and [{NdIII(5 N 3 -H 2 isa) 2 (H 2 O) 2 }(H 2 O)(1,2-PE)}] ∞ (2), synthesized via solvothermal methods using 5-azidoisophthalic acid (5 N 3 -H 2 isa) and NdCl 3. Both compounds were extensively characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as other physicochemical techniques such as IR, TGA, PXRD, and elemental analysis. Structural differences were observed in both compounds depending on the nature of the template molecule used. Compound 1 exhibits an infinite 2D architecture with lattice-occluded water molecules within the 2D layers. In contrast, compound 2 , where 1-(-2-pyridyl)-2-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (1,2-PE) was used as the template, shows replacement of interstitial water molecules by the template molecule, resulting in significant changes in overall pore topology which is further corroborated by BET analysis. These structural variations were further supported by magnetic behaviour analyses, indicating an antiferromagnetic behaviour for both compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-step demagnetization behavior was observed before the coercive field of a sintered Nd-Fe-B magnet with a large specific surface (S/V). The squareness factor of the demagnetization curve and the energy product decreased with the increase in the S/V, while the remanence and the coercivity were relatively independent of the S/V. The magneto-optical Kerr effect was used to study the magnetic properties of the magnet surface. The surface magnetization switched freely, while the bulk magnetization remained unchanged under a low cyclic magnetic field. Micromagnetic simulations revealed that the anti-demagnetization abilities of grains at the polar surface perpendicular to the c-axis were larger than those at the lateral surface parallel to the c-axis. The different anti-demagnetization abilities of the surface grains induced the initial two-step demagnetization behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare-earth titanates form very fragile liquids that can be made into glasses with useful optical properties. We investigate the atomic structure of 83TiO2-17Nd2O3 glass using pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of X-ray and neutron diffraction with double isotope substitutions for both Ti and Nd. Six total structure factors are analyzed (5 neutron + 1 X-ray) to obtain complementary sensitivities to O and Ti/Nd scattering, and an empirical potential structure refinement (EPSR) provides a structural model consistent with the experimental measurements. Glass density is estimated as 4.72(13) g cm−3, consistent with direct measurements. The EPSR model indicates nearest neighbor interactions for Ti-O at r ¯ TiO = 1.984(11) Å with coordination of n TiO = 5.72(6) and for Nd-O at r ¯ NdO = 2.598(22) Å with coordination of n NdO = 7.70(26), in reasonable agreement with neutron first order difference functions for Ti and Nd. The titanate glass network comprises a mixture of distorted Ti-O5 and Ti-O6 polyhedra connected via 71% corner-sharing and 23% edge-sharing. The O-Ti coordination environments include 15% nonbridging O-Ti1, 51% bridging O-Ti2, and 32% tricluster O-Ti3. This structure is highly unusual for oxide glasses melt-quenched at ambient pressure, as it consists of Ti-Ox predominantly in octahedral (with nearly no tetrahedral) coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a variety of physicochemical characterization techniques, we have determined the composition and chemical formula of lanthanum and neodymium compounds with phthalic acid, synthesized for the first time. The compounds have been shown to have similar chemical formulas: La2(L)3·7H2O and Nd2(L)3·6H2O. We have examined the thermal destruction of the synthesized compounds. The proposed schematic structure of the La complex consists of zigzag 2D polymer layers, which are cross-linked by water molecules to form a 3D structure—a supramolecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified Kondorsky model of the magnetization reversal processes based on the mechanism of domain-wall movement delay is described, which takes the magnetostatic interaction between grains into account. The angular dependences of the coercive force in Nd–Fe–B permanent magnets are estimated based on the Stoner–Wohlfarth and Kondorsky models, as well as on a modified Kondorsky model. The results demonstrate that the proposed model better describes the angular dependences of the coercive force in the magnets under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work primarily focuses on enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of polycrystalline silicon solar cells by using a single-layer and a double-layered antireflection coating deposited through the electrospraying technique. The usage of titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide as antireflection coating materials has shown a significant increase in the optical and electrical properties of solar cells under open and controlled light sources. The sample with TiO2 as a base layer and SiO2 as the top layer (sample B-IV) exhibited a maximum PCE of 18.90% in direct sunlight and 21.19% in a neodymium setup with cell temperatures of 40°C and 52.1°C, respectively. Sample B-IV has also shown the lowest resistivity of 3.1 × 10−3 Ω·cm among the coated samples. Also, an increase of 11.6% light transmittance and a reduction of 9.6% light reflectance were exerted by sample B-IV. The results obtained from different analysis proves that TiO2/SiO2 was an appropriate antireflection coating material for enhancing the PCE of the polycrystalline silicon solar cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, photocatalysis was employed to degrade a wastewater pollutant (AB-29 dye) under visible light irradiation. For this purpose, nitrogen (N)- and neodymium (Nd)-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared using the simple hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed an anatase phase structure of the Nd-N/TiO2 photocatalyst, whereas properties including the surface morphology, chemical states/electronics structure and optical structure were determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–visible (UV–vis.) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. Photocatalytic testing of the prepared nanomaterials was performed to remove acid blue-29 (AB-29) dye under visible-light exposure. The prepared Nd-N/TiO2 nanoparticles demonstrated a superior photocatalytic activity and the decolorization efficiency was about 92% after visible-light illumination for 1 h and 20 min, while N/TiO2, Nd/TiO2 and TiO2 only showed a 67%, 43% and 31% decolorization efficiency, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Nd-N/TiO2 photocatalyst was due to a decrease in the electron/hole's recombination and the increased absorption of TiO2 in the visible range. The reusability results showed that the average photocatalytic activity decrease for all the samples was only about 16% after five consecutive cycles, indicating a good stability of the prepared nanomaterials. Moreover, the radical scavenging activity of the prepared nanomaterials was evaluated using the DPPH method. The novel Nd-N/TiO2 exhibited a higher antioxidant activity compared to all the other samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the doping effect of divalent cation Cd2+ at Nd-site of intermediate bandwidth manganite system NdMnO3 through the temperature- and magnetic field-dependent magnetization measurements. The parent compound shows paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition at 56 K, whereas Cd doped samples show the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition with fluctuating TC. During this transition, Nd1-xCdxMnO3 (x=0.1 and 0.2) samples exhibit first order nature, whereas Nd1-xCdxMnO3 (x=0.3 and 0.4) samples exhibit second order nature. It confirms a crossover from first order transition to second order transition while x=0.2 to x=0.3. By having first order transition, x=0.2 sample exhibits high magnetic entropy change of 3.62 J kg-1 K-1 for the magnetic field change of 5 T out of all compositions. By having second order transitions, x=0.4 sample exhibits a high relative cooling power of 319.71 J kg-1 for the magnetic field change of 5 T out of all the compositions. The critical behavior of second order transition of x=0.3 and 0.4 samples has been analyzed using Arrott and Kouvel-Fisher plots. The estimated critical exponents of these samples are nearly matched with the mean free model, which can be explained by the existence of dipole-dipole interaction by the Cd doping which strengthens long range ferromagnetic interactions between the spins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the stable magnetic structure of ordered Nd6Fe14-xGax (x=0, 1) alloys, which appears in the grain-boundary phase of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets, using first-principles techniques. Slight Ga doping (x=1) was shown to contribute to the stabilization of an anti-ferromagnetic (AF) state, whereas the non-doped case (x=0) was revealed to favor the ferromagnetic state rather than the AF state with a slight energy difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nd2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 nanoparticles were prepared by calcining the precursor materials that are novel mixed ligand complexes: [Nd(BDC)(ADMPY)(OAc)].H2O, [Cr(BDC)(ADM PY)Cl].H2O, and [V(BDC)(ADMPY)Cl].H2O, where BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid and ADMPY = 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl pyrimidine. The generated compounds were examined through several techniques such as elemental analysis (C.H.N), UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermal analysis (thermogravimetric, differential thermogravimetry, and differential thermal analysis), FT-IR spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The TEM micrographs showed that neodymium oxide nanoparticles assumed agglomerated platelet-like particles, with particle sizes around 30.16 nm, while chromium oxide NPs showed solid block material with compact density and fewer pores with nearly spherical shape and 56.12 nm size. The vanadium oxide NPs were an agglomeration of small spherical nanoparticles of 28.4 nm size. The antimicrobial properties of the samples were assessed using two strains of Gram-positive bacteria, two strains of Gram-negative bacteria, and one strain of yeast. The antimicrobial results demonstrated that a large spectrum of activity characterizes the tested compounds because they are active on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, especially on Gram-positive strains. The antioxidant activity of prepared compounds was assessed by scavenging free radicals of DPPH. Metal oxide NPs also showed promising results as antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of combustion assisted low-temperature neodymium substituted Ni–Zn–Fe (NZF) nanoparticles were synthesized to unravel the impact on functional behavior of NZF due to the presence of larger Nd ions. The nanopowders were structurally evaluated with X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy measurements without further heat treatment. X-ray diffraction clearly evident the monophasic nature of all the samples and solubility of Nd ions in the spinel unit cell. The average crystallite size from Scherrer and Williamson–Hall method are found below 30 and 20 nm for all the samples, respectively. A distinct shift was observed in most intense peak (3 1 1) suggesting the adjustment among interionic distances to accommodate larger ions. The microstructure, morphology was evaluated from SEM measurements. Magnetic measurements at room temperature show a dramatic change in magnetization, improvement in soft-magnetic nature with low coercivity behavior with Nd substitution. The variation of resistance with respect to humidity conditions suggested that these materials are potentially suitable for resistive humidity sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modified phenylethynyl terminated polyimides (PIs) were successfully prepared by using neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) via high-speed stirring and ultrasonic dispersion methods. In addition, the structure and properties of the Nd2O3-modified imide oligomers as well as the thermo-oxidative stability of the modified polyimides (PI/Nd2O3 hybrid) and its modification mechanism were investigated in detail. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicated that the 5% decomposition temperature (Td5%) of the PI/Nd2O3 hybrids improved from 557 °C to 575 °C, which was also verified by the TGA-IR tests. Meanwhile, the weight loss rate of the PI/Nd2O3 hybrids significantly decreased by 28% to 31% compared to that of pure PI under isothermal aging at 350 °C for 450 h when the added content of Nd2O3 was between 0.4 wt% and 1 wt%, showing outstanding thermo-oxidative stability. Moreover, the mechanism of the enhanced thermo-oxidative stability for the modified PIs was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-nanoparticles have created a new era of rapid, harmless and nontoxic drugs for various biomedical applications. The nanoparticles (NPs) of rare earth metal oxides attract researcher's attention due to their excellent chemical and physical properties that exhibit potential activity against disease causing pathogens. Couroupita guianensis (C. guianensis) abul is a medicinal plant whose leaves are effectively used for the synthesis of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) NPs. The 1-butyl 3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIM BF4) ionic liquid is used as a stabilizing agent to get better the morphology and biological properties of Nd2O3 NPs. 1-Butene, 4,4-diethoxy-2-methyl is the main compound in C. guianensis abul leaves extract was confirmed by GCMS analysis. The structure of synthesized Nd2O3 (without ionic liquid) and Nd2O3-IL (with ionic liquid) NPs is identified by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The vibrations of the different functional groups were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. In UV–Vis spectra, the optical absorption was identified to be 210 and 221nm of Nd2O3 and Nd2O3-IL samples and the PL spectrum provides blue and green emission peaks at 386 and 554 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and DLS spectra illustrate the electronic configuration and particle size of the synthesized Nd2O3-IL NPs. The morphology, surface nature and lattice spacing were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The purity and weight percentage of the compound presented can be identified by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The biomedical properties such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities were investigated. Finally, the overall biocompatible studies reveal that the ionic liquid assisted Nd2O3 NPs can be considered as a potential drug for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of undoped barium oxide (BaO) and neodymium (Nd)-doped BaO nanoparticles (NPs) was carried out through the co-precipitation technique. The synthesis of cubic structure BaO NPs was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystallite sizes calculated from X-rays diffractometric (XRD) results for undoped BaO and Nd-doped BaO were 10.50 nm and 10.04 nm, respectively. The morphological study and percent composition of synthesized NPs were investigated using a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the decomposition of precursor to BaO after annealing at ~ 500 °C. The band gap energy calculated for undoped BaO was 3.7 eV. The substitution of Nd to BaO decreased this value to 3.4 eV. The activation energy calculated for the doped BaO and undoped BaO was 16.5 kJ/mol and 22.5 kJ/mol, respectively. The Nd-doped BaO degraded about 96.4% dye, while the undoped BaO NPs degraded about 86.6% dye within 120 min. The synthesized BaO NPs were used as novel catalysts for the photodegradation of malachite green (MG) dye by varying irradiation time, catalyst dose, pH, temperatures and dye initial concentration. The maximum degradation efficiency was achieved at pH 4, catalyst dose 10 mg, dye initial concentration 50 ppm, and at a temperature of 50 °C. The dye degradation was also studied using the recovered catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Binary metal oxide (ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3) nanorods prepared via wet chemical method. • ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3 - NRs /PEDOT:PSS/GCE is fabricated for an ultra-sensitive detection of para -NP. • Newly fabricated ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3 - NRs /PEDOT:PSS/GCE as working electrode. • Sensor exhibited lowest detection limit (0.0141 pM) and highest sensitivity (0.67 μAμM-1cm−2) • Electrocatalytic degradation of para -NP by Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) • Sensor presents good recovery in spike samples analysis. In this approach, a wet chemical method was employed to synthesize the nanorods (NRs) of Zirconium oxide − Neodymium Oxide (ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3) in an aqueous solution. Comprehensive characterizations encompassing ultraviolet/visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV/vis DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), alongside field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), were applied for optical, elemental, morphological, and structural analyses of resultant material. To fabricate a highly selective and ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensor for para -Nitrophenol (para -NP) in the presence of other interfering toxic chemicals, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a thin layer of ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3 NRs. Poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) served as an adhesive conducting binder in this modification process. Subsequently, we introduced a novel electrochemical approach for the first time for the detection of para -NP by making use of newly developed ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3 - NRs /PEDOT:PSS/GCE as selective para -NP electrochemical sensor in an aqueous medium. This innovative electrochemical approach exhibited remarkable electrochemical responses, featuring high sensitivity and long-term stability when applied to para -NP detection. The calibration curve demonstrated linearity across broad linear dynamic range (LDR) spanning para -NP concentrations from 0.1 pM to 0.1 mM. Key analytical parameters, including limit of detection (LOD) at signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 3, limit of quantification (LOQ), and sensitivity, were determined to be 0.0141 pM, 0.047 pM, and 0.67 μAμM-1cm−2, respectively, based also on the gradient of calibration plot. This sensor holds significant promise for real sample analysis aimed at preserving the natural environment. So, this study introduces a novel and well-structured approach to the development of a highly sensitive para -NP sensor utilizing ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3 - NRs /PEDOT:PSS/GCE, employing a reliable electrochemical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neodymium and samarium based nanocomposites with efficient photocatalytic activity were synthesized and their structural and morphology were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. The SEM results of synthesized nanocomposites depict the flaked morphology of graphitic carbon nitride with interlinked stacked structure of metallic framework. UV-visible spectral studies revealed that the absorption edge has been shifted to longer wavelength in samarium and neodymium based samples which results in the decreased band gap of g-C3N4 being used as main precursor. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts was assessed by studying the degradation of Rhodamine B and Congo red dyes under visible light. The obtained results depict that Fe2O3/g-C3N4/CNTs/Sm2O3 nanocomposite is more efficient with 86.1% degradation efficiency and 80.2% for Rhodamine B and Congo red as compared to Fe2O3/g-C3N4/CNTs/Nd2O3. Present studies revealed that superoxide ions and holes play significant role in the degradation of dye effluents. Further, the possible mechanism of the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants using samarium based nanocomposites is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Praseodymium‐neodymium‐oxide powder was prepared using a simple citric acid‐assisted ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The rare‐earth oxide transformation process and temperature were clarified using the characterisation results. The results show that a sufficient mass ratio of citric acid can promote the decomposition of chlorine oxides produced during calcination. This favourable change is attributed to the unique composition and morphology of the precursors. Furthermore, the residual chlorine content and migration behaviour in the praseodymium‐neodymium‐oxide powder were studied and discussed. This study provides the necessary theoretical and experimental basis for the application of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technology for rare‐earth oxide production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present report, synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nano particles (NPs) in pure form, 1 wt% of neodymium (Nd)-doped and 1 wt% of neodymium (Nd) and samarium (Sm) co-doped ZnO NPs in doped form by using simple co-precipitation method (samples namely PZ as pure, NZ as Nd-doped ZnO and NSZ as Nd–Sm co-doped ZnO NPs). Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of all the synthesized samples expose the hexagonal crystal structure of ZnO NPs without any impurity. The various functional groups presented in the synthesized samples were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy studies. From Ultraviolet (UV)–Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), the band gap was found to be 2.81 eV, 2.90 eV and 3.10 eV respectively for pure, Nd-doped and Nd–Sm co-doped ZnO NPs. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum displays the broad emission at 393 nm and 450 nm for all the synthesized samples. The agglomeration of flower-like morphology of pure ZnO NPs, flake-like structure of Nd-doped and rod-like morphology of Nd–Sm co-doped ZnO NPs were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The surface chemical composition of samples was carried out with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples for dye degradation of acid orange 7 (AO-7) and acid red 13 (AR-13) was studied under UV light. The result revealed that, the Nd–Sm co-doped ZnO NPs found to have efficient degradation candidate materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal condensation of 3-(2-Furyl)acrolein with 2-Amino-6-ethoxybenzothiazole generated a new Schiff base, (1E,2E)-N-(6-ethoxybenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-imine (L), with general formula of C16H14N2O2S. Also, a series of lanthanide complexes of gadolinium, samarium, and neodymium (La–Lc) were synthesized utilizing acetonitrile as the solvent and triethylamine as a buffer and catalyst. Based on elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, and FTIR analysis, all of the Bis-(1E,2E)-N-(6-ethoxybenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-iminetri-nitratolanthanide(III) complexes with the general formula [LnL2(NO3)3]·H2O are solids with a 2:1 molar ratio (ligand: metal). Based on conductivity estimates, they are nonelectrolytes and monoatomic paramagnetic according to the magnetic moment measurements, and one mole of lattice water was found after thermal gravimetric measurements and FTIR analysis. Therefore, the lanthanide complexes show a ten-coordination structure with a deformed bicapped square antiprismatic. The Schiff base and its complexes were screened for their antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. Their antimicrobial and antifungal activities were strong, and they also produced good antioxidant and antitumor effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New neodymium (1a) and samarium (1 b) complexes with the general formula [LnIII(NO3)3(H2O)3L]·L (1) were synthesized based on the previously reported ligand L (L = (1E,2E)-3-(furan-2-yl)-N-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-imine) which were investigated by X-ray analysis. Through X-ray studies, it was shown that the Schiff base L coordinates to LnIII via κN-bonding of one of the triazole ring nitrogen atoms as a monodentate ligand, three κ2OO′-bonded nitrate ions and three κO-bonded water molecules completing the coordination sphere around the LnIII ion, resulting in a tenfold-coordinated LnNO9 unit in a distorted bicapped square antiprismatic geometry. The mononuclear complex units [Ln(NO3)3(H2O)3·L] are linked to the L molecule through intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions to form a 2 D polymeric supramolecular architecture. The complexes are neutral and paramagnetic mononuclear complexes, as determined by conductivity and magnetic investigations at room temperature, as well as findings from FT-IR and UV–vis spectroscopy. Finally, thermogravimetric measurements confirm the presence of three water molecules in the coordination sphere. In the visible region, the spectrum of the complex shows typical parity forbidden narrow 4f–4f absorptions originating from the 4I9/2 ground state to the various excited states of NdIII. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic properties of a polyfluorene derivative, {Poly[9,9'‐dihexylfluorene‐2,7‐yl)‐3,8‐(1,10‐phenanthroline)]} and its complexes with neodymium ions are explored and discussed in the light of the macromolecular configuration and photophysical properties. The pristine noncomplexed material is a diamagnetic material, and the introduction of Nd atoms in the polymer leads to a paramagnetic behavior over the entire temperature range. The prominent role of the morphology is demonstrated by comparison of two forms, with different ligands to the metal: one with bulky β‐diketone groups and another with small chorine as ligands. The large groups hinder interchain interaction, whereas the smaller salt forms favored interchain π‐stacking, providing a better interaction of the magnetic field with the polymer backbone, resulting in enhanced magnetic properties. The form with the β‐diketone groups exhibits a paramagnetic behavior whereas the one in the salt form presents ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. This contribution brings solid confirmation to the importance of interchain interaction in the magnetic properties of conjugated polymers, opening a new way to the obtainment of magnetic conjugated polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized hydrothermally and doped with 4% Neodymium (Nd). The produced NPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. With the addition of 4% Nd, the bandgap reduced from 3.20 to 3.00 eV which confirmed successful doping with Nd which also evident from FTIR study. The XRD study showed hexagonal structure of the synthesized material, while SEM study confirmed that Nd-doped ZnO (Nd–ZnO) NPs are well dispersed as compare to ZnO. TGA study revealed that synthesized NPs were much stable to temperature and only 11.3% and 7.2% the total loss occurred during heating range (40–600 °C) in case of ZnO and Nd–ZnO NPs, respectively. The PL intensity of the visible peaks of ZnO reduced after doping with Nd. The degradation of Acid yellow-3 over both the catalysts followed first-order kinetics. The activation energy calculated for the photodegradation reaction was 43.8 and 33.7 kJ/mol using pure ZnO and Nd–ZnO NPs, respectively. About 91% and 80% dye was degraded at the time interval of 160 min using Nd–ZnO and ZnO NPs, respectively. High percent degradation of dye was found at low concentration (10 ppm) and at optimal dosage (0.035 g) of the catalyst. The rate of Acid yellow-3 dye degradation was found to increase with increase in temperature (up to 50 °C) and pH(8) of the medium. The recyclability study showed that both pure ZnO and Nd–ZnO NPs could be reused for the degradation of the given dye. With the addition of H2O2 up to 5 µL, the rate of reaction increased clearly indicating the effect of OH· generation during photocatalysis. When compared with Nd–ZnO NPs at low concentrations, ZnO NPs at higher concentrations were found to be less hazardous. Both the NPs showed best antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus. The hemolytic study indicated that at low concentration, pure ZnO was non-hemolytic as compared to Nd–ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in bonding between trivalent lanthanides and actinides is critical for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel. The ability to tune bonding and the coordination environment in these trivalent systems is a key factor in identifying a solution for separating lanthanides and actinides. Coordination of 4,4′−bipyridine (4,4′−bpy) and trimethylsilylcyclopentadienide (Cp′) to americium introduces unexpectedly ionic Am−N bonding character and unique spectroscopic properties. Here we report the structural characterization of (Cp′3Am)2(μ − 4,4′−bpy) and its lanthanide analogue, (Cp′3Nd)2(μ − 4,4′−bpy), by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Spectroscopic techniques in both solid and solution phase are performed in conjunction with theoretical calculations to probe the effects the unique coordination environment has on the electronic structure. The coordination environment has a great impact on the electronic structure, bonding and properties of metal complexes. Here the authors report a dinuclear organometallic americium complex that displays unexpectedly ionic Am−N bonding, but enhanced covalency in the Am−C bonds compared to its neodymium analogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermally synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were doped with varying concentration (1-4%) of neodymium. Nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Band gap tuning was observed with the addition of the dopant. With the addition of 4% Nd the band gap reduced to 3.00eV. The XRD study showed hexagonal structure of the synthesized material while SEM study revealed that the doping substantially affect he morphology of the nanoparticles. FTIR study showed the successful doping of the nanoparticles with Nd. The catalytic activity of the synthesized nanomaterials was evaluated while applying them for the degradation of Coomassie violet R200 dye under sun light and UV radiation. Effect of various parameters's like time, concentration, dosage rate and pH was also studied on the photodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of strain on the metal-insulator transition (MIT) of the epitaxial NdNiO3 film on the c-axis oriented LaAlO3 single crystal, grown by pulsed laser deposition, has been investigated. Swift heavy ion irradiation was used to vary the strain state of the deposited film. X-ray diffraction confirmed a systematic fluence dependent rise in the in-plane compressive strain, while maintaining the epitaxy of the film. This in-plane compressive strain has been found to reduce the MIT temperature, which finally disappeared for the highest fluence of the irradiation. This is also corroborated with the Raman spectroscopy measurements which suggest that the ion irradiation induced stress is responsible for the suppression of the metal-insulator transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A heterometallic copper‐neodymium complex CuNd2(CCl3COO)8 ⋅ 6MeCN (1) was synthesized from an aqueous‐organic salt system and structurally characterized by single crystal X‐Ray diffraction analysis. Thermal stability of 1 was studied. The crystal of 1 is tetragonal, with the space group I4, a=11.5904(3), c=23.9195(8) Å, V=3213.3(2) Å3, Z=8. Two crystallographically unsymmetrical Nd atoms and one Cu atom are bridged by trichloroacetic ligands into one‐dimensional molecular chains. According to our experimental data on magnetic properties of 1, the compound could be classified as paramagnet at observed temperature range 2–300 K. In addition, the structure of the obtained Nd (III) trichloroacetate Nd(CCl3COO)3(H2O)2 ⋅ 2H2O (2) was determined. The structural data of 1 and 2 were compared to the one for known rare‐earth trichloroacetates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of rare earth biphenolate complexes of the general form [Ln(mbmp)(mbmpH)(thf)3] (Ln = Y (1), Nd (2), Gd (3), Dy (4), Er (5), Tm (6) and Lu (7)) have been synthesised by redox transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) from the free rare earth metal, Hg(C6F5)2 and 2,2′-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol) (mbmpH2). The rare earth metal is six coordinate with one chelating biphenolate mbmp2− ligand and one unidentate monophenolate mbmpH− ligand. The yttrium complex, when crystallised from hot toluene or deuterated benzene, loses a coordinated thf and exhibits coordination through all three phenolate oxygen atoms, as well as the oxygen of the phenol, yielding two solvates [Y(mbmp)(mbmpH)(thf)2]·nsolv (solv = PhMe, n = 1 (8a) or C6D6, n = 2 (8b)). Of these rare earth complexes, the yttrium derivative (1) yielded the heterobimetallic complex [AlMe2Y(mbmp)2(thf)2] (9) when treated with trimethylaluminium, whereas all other complexes produced the transmetallation product [AlMe(mbmp)(thf)] (11). The dinuclear dysprosium complex [Dy2(mbmp)3(thf)3] (10) was isolated alongside 11 from the reaction of 4 with trimethylaluminium, suggesting trimethylaluminium instigates a redistribution reaction. The ROP activity of the mononuclear neodymium, dysprosium, lutetium, and aluminium complexes towards rac-lactide in toluene at 70 °C was found to be poor compared to rare earth complexes of monodentate aryloxides, but increased with increased rare earth ion size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stannides CePd2Sn3, REPd2Sn4 (RE=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm), Pr2Pd4Sn7 and RE3Pd6Sn10 (RE=Ce, Pr) were synthesized from the elements by arc‐melting and subsequent annealing in muffle or induction furnaces. The praseodymium, neodymium and samarium compounds are reported for the first time. The structures of PrPd2Sn4 and Pr2Pd4Sn7 were refined from single crystal X‐ray diffractometer data. The common structural building units of these stannides are condensed Pd@Sn5 square pyramids and Pd@Sn6 octahedra. The RE2Pd4Sn7 and RE3Pd6Sn10 structures are intergrowth variants of CePd2Sn3 and CePd2Sn4 related slabs. PrPd2Sn4, NdPd2Sn4 and Pr3Pd6Sn10 show Curie‐Weiss behavior with experimental magnetic moments close to the free‐ion values. Antiferromagetric ordering is detected at Néel temperatures of 8.2(1) K (PrPd2Sn4), 10.3(1) K (NdPd2Sn4) and 6.7(1) K (Pr3Pd6Sn10). The three stannides show metamagnetic transitions at low external field strengths. The stannides CePd2Sn3, REPd2Sn4 (RE=Ce, Pr, Nd) and RE3Pd6Sn10 (RE=Ce, Pr) were further characterized via their 119Sn Mössbauer spectra which reflect the different tin substructures: (i) cis‐Sn4 units, (ii) Sn2 pairs and (iii) square grids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new eight-coordinated Nd(III) mononuclear complexes with the formulae [Nd(ntfa)3(EtOH)2] (1), [Nd(ntfa)3(phen)] (2), [Nd(ntfa)3(bipy)] (3), [Nd(ntfa)3(5,5′-Me2bipy)] (4) and [Nd(ntfa)3(4,4′-Mt2bipy)] (5), where ntfa = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)butane-1,3-dionate, phen = phenanthroline, bipy = 2,2′-dipyridine, 5,5′-Me2bipy = 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-dipyridine, and 4,4′-Mt2bipy = 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-dipyridine, were synthesized and structurally characterized. Magnetic measurements were carried out on complexes 2–5. Dynamic magnetic studies revealed single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior for complexes 2, 4 and 5 with anisotropy energy barriers and preexponential factors of Ueff = 18 cm−1, τ0 = 2.2 × 10−7 s; Ueff = 31 cm−1, τ0 = 1.0 × 10−9 s and Ueff = 19 cm−1, τ0 = 8.7 × 10−8 s, respectively. The ancillary chelating bipyridyl ligands in complexes 2–5 greatly enhance the solid state luminescence emission in the visible and NIR regions through efficient energy transfer from the ligands to the central Nd3+ ion. This study highlights the bifunctionality of the Nd(III) complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, single-phase orthoferrite NdFeO3 crystals with the space group of Pbnm were successful prepared via mild hydrothermal method. The NdFeO3 crystal performs a weak antiferromagnetic behavior by magnetic measurement. The Dzyaloshinskii Moriya interaction in NdFeO3 crystal causes an additional canting of the antiferromagnetically ordered spins which induce the ferroelectricity. The saturation electric polarization result is 0.0163 μC/cm2 with coercive field of 6.68 kV/cm, and the Curie temperature is 430 K. So we present the direct experimental evidences that the NdFeO3 sample simultaneously exists the ferroelectricity and weak antiferromagnetic at room temperature. This work can develop a route to obtain more species of multiferroic compounds with perovskite structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]