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We report the results of measurements of thermal conductivity coefficient dependence on temperature of single crystals of SrIr4In2Ge4 and EuIr4In2Ge4. The measurements were carried out over the temperature range of ∼5–300 K. The EuIr4In2Ge4 crystal, unlike its strontium analog SrIr4In2Ge4, shows an amazing anisotropy: At low temperatures, it displays significantly smaller thermal conductivity in the ab plane than in the direction of c axis, while at the high ones the thermal conductivity in the direction perpendicular to the c axis increases well above that of in the c axis. The observed phenomena may be a result of the interaction of phonons with 1D chains of short-range ordered magnetic moment of europium atoms and the exchange energy between the chains in the paramagnetic phase of EuIr4In2Ge4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition-metal and rare-earth borides are of considerable interest due to their electronic, mechanical, and magnetic properties as well as their structural stability under extreme conditions. Here, we report on a series of high-pressure Raman and x-ray diffraction experiments on the cubic rare-earth hexaboride EuB6 to an ultrahigh pressure of 187 GPa in a diamond anvil cell. In EuB6, divalent europium ions occupy the corners of the cubic structure, which encloses a rigid boron-bonded cage. So far, no structural phase transitions have been reported, while the nanoindentation studies indicate amorphization in nanoscale shear bands during plastic deformation. Our x-ray diffraction studies have revealed that the ambient cubic phase of EuB6 shows broadening and splitting of diffraction peaks starting at 72 GPa and the broadening continuing to 187 GPa. The high-pressure phase is recovered on decompression, and the Raman spectroscopy of the recovered sample from 187 GPa shows a downward frequency shift and broadening of T2g, Eg, and A1g modes of boron octahedron. The density functional theory simulations of EuB6 at 100 GPa have identified five possible lowest energy crystal structures. The experimental x-ray diffraction data at high pressures is compared with the theoretical predictions and the role of structural distortions induced by shear stresses is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intermetallic compounds Eu4PdMg and Ca4PdMg form a complete solid solution Eu4–xCa x PdMg. Further phase analytical studies showed that Eu4PdMg does not allow substitution with strontium. The polycrystalline Eu4–xCa x PdMg samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The structure of Eu2.233(6)Ca1.767PdMg was refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data: Gd4RhIn type, F 4 ‾ 3m, a = 1,475.42(10) pm, wR2 = 0.0476, 674 F2 values, 23 variables. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements show a drastic decrease of the Curie temperature with increasing calcium substitution. 151Eu Mössbauer spectra of Eu4PdMg and Eu2Ca2PdMg confirm the divalent ground state of europium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five novel lanthanide(III) coordination polymers, namely, europium(III), samarium(III), terbium(III), dysprosium(III) and gadolinium(III), with an enaminone derivative – 2-{[(4-methylphenyl)amino]methylene}-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione (L), were obtained by two different synthesis methods. The composition and structure were investigated using IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis as well as powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. According to single-crystal XRD analysis data, the ligand exhibits bidentate bridging coordination mode, forming a polymer layered structure with the common formula [LnL2(NO3)3]n. All obtained compounds were isomorphous to each other. Upon investigating the photoluminescent properties, the quantum yield of the ligand was found to be 74%, but complex formation significantly decreased the quantum yield, such as for the europium complex, the quantum yield was only 7.6%. In the case of ligand, the kinetic curve was described by a biexponential function with luminescence lifetimes of 3.2 ns and 1.1 ns. For complexes, luminescence lifetime appeared in the millisecond region; it equalled 1.20 ms for the europium(III) complex and 0.52 ms for the terbium(III) complex. Triplet state energy was determined by both DFT calculations as well as registration of phosphorescence for the gadolinium(III) complex. The highest color purity was found to be achieved at 95.58% in the case of the europium(III) complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli-responsive luminescent materials can be used to design anti-counterfeit barcodes because even small changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature or the molecules present, can lead to changes in the fluorescence behavior of the materials, enabling dynamic information encoding. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for the design of stimuli-responsive barcodes, as their modular structure allows fine tuning of the fluorescence, which in turn can be switched in response to external stimuli. In this work, we present a humidity-responsive fluorescent barcode prototype based on europium- and cobalt-modified MOF-808, which exhibits fluorescence switching in response to changes in relative humidity. The combination of cobalt and europium cations in the same material, along with the coordination ligands on the cobalt cations, are crucial for the functionality of this barcode. By selectively suppressing the fluorescence of europium through the absorption of cobalt complexes in the same energy range, the initial fluorescence intensity of the material can be adjusted. The additional coordination of water molecules to the cobalt centers leads to the formation of cobalt complexes with higher ligand field splitting energy, resulting in a stepwise reactivation of the emission of the europium cations. This can be readily accomplished by exposing the material to different relative humidities. As a result, the barcode provides a higher level of security, as its decoding must be performed under controlled atmospheric conditions, and it is user-friendly since no harmful chemicals are required during the reading process. Additionally, the initial state must be restored before each decoding by heating, as the fluorescence changes dynamically according to the environmental conditions. These characteristics of the material underline the anti-counterfeiting capabilities of the barcode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single artificial opal films, grown by the method of vertically moving meniscus and characterized by the reflection spectroscopy technique, have been impregnated with the Eu(CH3COO)3·xH2O salt. The influence of glycerol, embedded additionally in opal pores to reduce the dielectric contrast, on the europium (III) emission spectrum has been investigated. The effect of local heating of the emitting substance in opal pores under laser excitation is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a kind of antibiotic, tetracycline (TC) might remain in animal blood and milk products during use, which poses a risk to humans after consumption. Therefore, a ratiometric fluorescence probe was proposed for the detection of TC, which was based on an Eu3+ functionalized hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF). Since there are a large number of N and O atoms in the skeleton of HOF, more Eu3+ could be loaded onto HOF by forming coordinate bonds, while preserving the fluorescence of luminol monomer in HOF. In the presence of TC, the fluorescence of luminol monomer was attenuated at 425 nm due to inner filter effect (IFE), while TC selectively enhanced the fluorescence peak at 617 nm of Eu3+ under the influence of antenna effect (AE). This highly sensitive probe could detect TC in the range of 0.1–60 μM and had a low limit of detection of 8.51 nM. Besides, the HOF@Eu probe was able to detect TC in actual samples (milk and tap water) with good recoveries (95.09%-111.51%) and precision (R < 4.78%), indicating this probe has great application potential for the detection of TC in food. The lanthanide metal-modified hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF@Eu) ratiometric fluorescence probe was constructed for detection of tetracycline (TC). In the present of TC, the fluorescence emission of HOF-Eu at 425 nm was gradually quenched via inner filter effect (IFE). Meanwhile, the fluorescence emission at 617 nm of Eu3+ could be dramatically enhanced due to the replacement of coordinated H2O by TC and antenna effect (AE). By observing the ratio of emission peaks at 617 nm and 425 nm (F617/F425) and color changes, the TC content could be sensitively detected by ratiometric fluorescenc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microwave‐assisted methodology is now extended and fine‐tuned for the synthesis of mixed‐ligand europium complexes with an average reaction time of 12 min. Overall, 14 different complexes were synthesized to improve luminescence using our previously proposed strategy to boost luminescence through ligand diversification, specifically by applying it to quaternary europium complexes with at least one DBM (1,3‐diphenylpropane‐1,3‐dionate) ligand. DBM is a strong absorbant of UV radiation that can dissipate energy through nonradiative channels; thus, it is a useful molecular scaffold for sunblockers and cosmetics. Accordingly, the following luminescent tetrakis and quaternary complexes were prepared: K[Eu(DBM)4], K[Eu(β)4], K[Eu(DBM)3(β)], K[Eu(DBM)2(β)2], K[Eu(DBM)2(β)(β’)], and the fully mixed complex K[Eu(DBM)(BTFA)(TTA)(HFAC)], where β can be either BTFA (4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1‐phenylbutane‐1,3‐dionate), TTA (4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1‐(2‐thienyl)butane‐1,3‐dionate), or HFAC (1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoropentane‐2,4‐dionate). For all the complexes, luminescence experiments were performed in chloroform and acetone solutions. Our findings confirm that mixed‐ligand complexes exhibit superior quantum efficiencies compared to the average of their homoleptic counterparts. The presence of DBM in the complexes tends to dramatically increase the nonradiative decay rates of the solutions. Finally, we present formulae that provide a detailed understanding of the distinctive roles of each ligand and their relevant interactions in luminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed‐valence europium ions‐activated phosphors have distinct advantages in color modulation, dynamic anti‐counterfeiting, and optical sensors. Nevertheless, it is still a challenge to obtain mixed‐valence europium ions in single compounds by facile self‐reduction. Herein, the crystal structure of a 3D hexagonal network formed by SiO4/AlO4 tetrahedra is demonstrated to play a significant role in the spontaneous reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ based on SrAl2Si2O8, Sr2SiO4, SrAl2O4 hosts. The crystal field theory and Judd‐Ofelt theory provide a deeper understanding of Eu2+ and Eu3+ luminescence behavior, namely, the low energy spectra of Eu2+ are more easily observed in crystal structure with high polarizability and octahedral coordination, whereas the spectra properties of Eu3+ are affected by the symmetry of local environment and crystal rigidity. For SrAl2Si2O8: 0.02Eu2+/Eu3+, multi‐mode thermometry is explored in terms of the luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) of Eu2+/Eu3+, luminescence intensity (LI) and full‐width at half maximum (FWHM) of Eu2+ with maximal relative sensitivity reaching 3.83% K−1. This study presents the first exploration of optical manometry based on the LIR mode of Eu2+/Eu3+ with excellent sensitivity (Sr = 18.13% GPa−1). This work not only provides a novel strategy for the design of mixed‐valence ions‐activated materials but also constructs promising optical thermometry, and manometry candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation and characterization of two novel europium–azobenzene complexes that demonstrate the effectiveness of this ligand for stabilizing reactive, redox-active metals are reported. With the family of rare earth metals receiving attention due to their potential as catalysts, critical components in electronic devices, and, more recently, in biomedical applications, a detailed understanding of factors contributing to their coordination chemistry is of great importance for customizing their stability and reactivity. This study introduces azobenzene as an effective nonprotic ligand system that provides novel insights into rare earth metal coordination preferences, including factors contributing to the coordinative saturation of the large, divalent europium centers. The two compounds demonstrate the impact of the solvent donors (tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dimethoxyethane (DME)) on the overall coordination chemistry of the target compounds. Apart from the side-on coordination of the doubly-reduced azobenzene and the anticipated N-N bond elongation due to decreased bond order, the two compounds demonstrate the propensity of the europium centers towards limited metal-π interactions. The target compounds are available by direct metallation in a straightforward manner with good yields and purity. The compounds demonstrate the utility of the azobenzene ligands, which may function as singly- or doubly-reduced entities in conjunction with redox-active metals. An initial exploration into the computational modeling of these and similar complexes for subsequent property prediction and optimization is performed through a methodological survey of structure reproduction using density functional theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically examines the reduction mechanisms and energy transfer processes between trivalent europium ions (Eu3+) and divalent europium ions (Eu2+) in materials synthesized in an air atmosphere. It also encompasses various materials and conditions, including a critical analysis of the reduction mechanism and energy transfer between Eu3+ and Eu2+ in Eu-doped materials. Specific investigations include exploring the reduction process in BaMgSiO4:Eu, focusing on factors influencing the reaction. The article also covers low-temperature self-reduction, addressing conditions and mechanisms such as the charge compensation model and laser-induced reduction. Additionally, it explores the influence of charge compensation on luminescent properties, emphasizing enhancements in red emission. Investigations into the role of oxygen vacancies in the reduction of Eu3+ and their implications on material properties are presented. This article further digs into abnormal reduction processes and the formation of defect centers in Eu3+-doped pollucite, proposing a substitution defect model for the self-reduction of europium ions in silicate Ba(Eu)MgSiO4 phosphors. Unusual reduction phenomena, such as reduction via boiling water in Yb2Si2O7:Eu3+ phosphors, and reductions in various glass systems, including porous glass, ZnO–B2O3–P2O5 glasses, aluminoborosilicate glasses, europium-doped Li2B4O7 glass, and aluminosilicate oxyfluoride glass (AOG), are also thoroughly examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate temperature measurement is critical across various scientific and industrial applications, necessitating advancements in thermometry techniques. This study explores luminescence thermometry, specifically utilizing machine learning methodologies to enhance temperature sensitivity and accuracy. We investigate the performance of principal component analysis (PCA) on the Eu3+-doped Y2Mo3O12 luminescent probe, contrasting it with the traditional luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) method. By employing PCA to analyze the full emission spectra collected at varying temperatures, we achieve an average accuracy (ΔT) of 0.9 K and a resolution (δT) of 1.0 K, significantly outperforming the LIR method, which yielded an average accuracy of 2.3 K and a resolution of 2.9 K. Our findings demonstrate that while the LIR method offers a maximum sensitivity (Sr) of 5‰ K⁻1 at 472 K, PCA's systematic approach enhances the reliability of temperature measurements, marking a crucial advancement in luminescence thermometry. This innovative approach not only enriches the dataset analysis but also sets a new standard for temperature measurement precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widely present in Japan's deep subterranean formations, pre-Neogene sedimentary rocks offer an option for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) deep geological disposal due to their favorable properties. However, their barrier properties necessitate further investigation. This research examines the characteristics of pre-Neogene sedimentary rocks, focusing on two rock types: the melange type with a distinct block-in-matrix structure and the sandstone-dominant coherent type. Their ability and mechanism to sorb Cs+ and Eu3+ are assessed, and the differences between the two types are compared. The influence of inorganic carbon in groundwater and the role of clay minerals, such as illite, in the sorption of these metal ions, are highlighted. This investigation lays the groundwork for future studies on migration behaviors of radionuclides, essential for ensuring the long-term safety of HLW geological disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of helical nanotubes based on chiral coordination polymers (CPs) is an intriguing but challenging task, which is important for the development of functional materials that combine macroscopic chirality with tube‐related properties. Here, we selected a chiral europium phosphonate system, e. g., Eu(NO3)3/R‐,S‐pempH2, and carried out a systematic work. By controlling the hydrothermal reaction conditions such as the pH value of the reaction mixture, the molar ratio and concentration of the reactants, we obtained block‐like crystals of R/S‐1 b, rod‐like crystals of R/S‐3 r, hollow superhelices of R/S‐2 hh, and solid superhelices of R/S‐4 sh. In the latter two cases, the chirality has been successfully transferred and amplificated from the molecular level to the macroscopic level. Interestingly, compounds R/S‐2 hh and R/S‐4 sh have the same chemical composition of Eu(R/S‐pempH)3⋅2H2O and show identical PXRD patterns, thus can be considered as the same material except for different morphologies. We further investigated their circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties and found that the hollow superhelix of R/S‐2 hh had a larger dissymmetry factor than the solid superhelix of R/S‐4 sh. This study not only provides the first example of hollow superhelices of chiral CPs, but also offers the possibility of modulating the chiroptical properties of CPs through morphological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of Eu doping (0.5, 1 and 2 mol.%) and annealing in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere on the structure and optical properties of SnO2 nanoparticles were investigated in relation to electronic structure. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed single-phase tetragonal rutile structure for both synthesized and annealed Eu-doped SnO2 samples, except for the annealed sample with 2 mol.% Eu. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) emphasized that europium incorporated into the SnO2 host lattice with an oxidation state of 3+, which was accompanied by the formation of oxygen vacancies under cation substitution of tetravalent Sn. Moreover, XPS spectra showed the O/Sn ratio, which has been reduced under annealing for creating additional oxygen vacancies. The pulse cathodoluminescence (PCL) demonstrated the concentration dependence of Eu site symmetry. Combination of XRD, XPS and PCL revealed that Eu doping and following annealing induce strongly disordering of the SnO2 crystal lattice. Our findings provide new insight into the interaction of rare-earth metals (Eu) with host SnO2 matrix and new evidence for the importance of oxygen vacancies for optical and electronic structure formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of Majorana fermion bound states has been studied in several environments. In this paper, we discuss the current-voltage characteristics of a Majorana fermion state as a function of the voltage, temperature, and magnetic field and compare the results to experiment. Based on the agreement and identified parameters, we calculate the noise as possible proof of the emergence of Majorana fermions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have witnessed a meteoric rise in device performance. However, maintaining photostability, particularly under thermal stress, remains a challenge due to defect formation in the perovskite layer. This study introduces europium (III) trifluoromethanesulfonate [Eu(OTF)3] as a multifunctional additive in two‐step processed perovskite films, significantly improving the performance and high‐temperature photostability of n‐i‐p PSCs. Density function theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the OTF− anion strongly coordinates with Pb2+, effectively inhibiting iodine vacancy defect formation. The addition of Eu(OTF)3 promotes perovskite grain growth to ≈2 µm and enhances film crystallinity. PSCs with a structure of ITO/SnO2/perovskite/PDCBT/NiOx/Au achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.8%. Under 85 ± 5 °C and 1 sun illumination at an open circuit in ambient air, the PSCs with Eu(OTF)3 retain 82% of their initial PCE after aging for 1500 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric derivatives of poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone containing different amounts of linker carboxylate ligands (partially hydrolyzed poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone with 5 mol% COOH groups and copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone with other monomers) were synthesized. The following copolymers were obtained: N-vinylpyrrolidone/crotonic acid and N-vinylpyrrolidone/N-vinylamidoanthanoic acid (containing 16 and 50 mol% COOH-groups). Metal-polymer complexes (MPC) with varying europium content were prepared through the interaction of the obtained polymers with equimolar amounts of hydroxocomplex Eu(Phen)2(OH)3 (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). The polymers and MPC were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence; their cytotoxicity toward living cells was estimated. All the obtained MPC exhibited photoluminescence with higher intensity than that of the reference complex Eu(Phen)2Br3. The dependence of luminescence intensity on the content of metallocenters in MPC was demonstrated. The relative quantum yield of luminescence was found to decrease with increasing europium content in MPC. It was shown that none of the polymers under investigation exhibited cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the presence of the polymeric anion in MPC contributed to a sharp decrease in the toxicity of metallocenter [Eu(Phen)2]3+solv. The MPC based on the N-vinylpyrrolidone/N-vinylamidoanthanoic acid copolymer exhibited no cytotoxicity within the entire investigated concentration range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel multicomponent glasses with nominal compositions of (50−x)MoO3:xWO3:25La2O3:25B2O3, x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 mol% doped with 3 mol % Eu2O3 were prepared using a conventional melt-quenching method. Their structure, thermal behavior and luminescent properties were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The optical properties of the glasses were investigated by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and a determination of the refractive index. Physical parameters such as density, molar volume, oxygen molar volume and oxygen packing density were determined. The glasses are characterized by a high glass transition temperature. Raman analysis revealed that the glass structure is built up mainly from tetrahedral (MoO4)2− and (WO4)2− units providing Raman bands of around 317 cm−1, 341–352 cm−1, 832–820 cm−1 and 928–935 cm−1. At the same time, with the replacement of MoO3 with WO3 some fraction of WO6 octahedra are produced, the number of which increases with the increasing WO3 content. A strong red emission from the 5D0 level of Eu3+ ions was registered under near-UV (397 nm) excitation using the 7F0 → 5L6 transition of Eu3+. Photoluminescence (PL) emission gradually increases with increasing WO3 content, evidencing that WO3 is a more appropriate component than MoO3. The integrated fluorescence intensity ratio R (5D0 → 7F2/5D0 → 7F1) was calculated to estimate the degree of asymmetry around the active ion, suggesting a location of Eu3+ in non-centrosymmetric sites. All findings suggest that the investigated glasses are potential candidates for red light-emitting phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides information on the synthesis and properties of polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources. It discusses the use of tin(II) chloride for PLA synthesis and the addition of additives to alter its properties. The article also explores the environmental impact and sustainability of bioplastics, highlighting the need for comprehensive life cycle assessments and improved recycling infrastructure. It suggests that a focus on energy aspects and global recycling may be more promising than solely relying on bioplastics. [Extracted from the article]

Knowledge of the geochemical behavior of europium is important for the safe disposal of radioactive wastes. Complexing inorganic anions are ubiquitous in repository environments and can affect europium adsorption behaviors significantly. This work comprehensively studied the Eu(III) adsorption on rutile in the presence of complexing inorganic anions. Our results indicated that sulfate and carbonate had a negligible impact on Eu(III) adsorption, while phosphate could strongly enhance the adsorption. The spectral results suggested that phosphate would enhance Eu(III) adsorption by forming a phosphate-bridged complex on rutile surface under acidic conditions, while promoting adsorption by surface precipitation under alkaline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermochromic polymers with tunable thermochromism, high stretchability and mechanical strength are of interests for optical information storage and encryption. In this work, we demonstrate a new design of thermo-fluorochromic carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) elastomer cross-linked by Eu3+-COOH dynamic coordination with deprotonated imidazole (DPIm) as the ancillary ligand. The presence of DPIm not only improves the mechanical strength and stretchability, but also dramatically intensifies the fluorescence emission and lifetime of the Eu-containing elastomer. The elastomer behaves reversible thermo-fluorochromism with easily tunable transition temperature and emission intensity by the simple change of the deprotonation degree of imidazole. The facile tunable thermo-fluorochromism, exceptional mechanical strength, and high stretchability (up to about 5000%) enable the Eu-containing XNBR elastomer with potential applications in soft electronics where optical information storage and encryption are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Our objectives were to develop and evaluate an integrated system consisting of a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) and an electronic portable imaging device for determination of pregnancy status of cows based on plasma concentrations of pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB). Experiment 1 was conducted to test the performance of the LFIA for PSPB (PSPB-LFIA), whereas experiment 2 was conducted to evaluate the performance of the integrated system, including both the LFIA and imaging device. The PSPB-LFIA strips were made of nitrocellulose membrane with polystreptavidin, anti-mouse antibody, europium anti-PSPB conjugates, and biotin PSPB. After adding buffer and plasma in a 96-well plate, strips were dipped to initiate flow and were read in a fluorescence microscope to estimate PSPB concentrations based on the test-to-control line signal (T/C ratio). The T/C ratio of standards was linearly associated with PSPB (R2 = 0.99 in both experiments) concentrations. To test the ability to identify pregnant cows of the PSPB-LFIA only or the integrated system, plasma samples were collected and transrectal ultrasonography (TUS) was conducted 29 to 35 d after AI in lactating Holstein cows (experiment 1: n = 83; experiment 2: n = 205). A cow was considered pregnant (Preg) if concentrations of PSPB in plasma obtained by ELISA were ≥2 ng/mL or if an embryo was visible by TUS. In experiment 1, the accuracy of the PSPB-LFIA compared with ELISA was 92.7% (91.2% sensitivity [Se]; 96.1% specificity [Sp]; 98.1% positive predictive value [PPV]; 83.3% negative predictive value [NPV]) and compared with TUS was 90.4% (100% Se; 78.9% Sp; 84.9% PPV; 100% NPV). The agreement between LFIA and ELISA (kappa = 0.84; 95% CI 0.71–0.96) or LFIA and TUS (kappa = 0.80; 95% CI 0.67–0.93) as methods to classify cows as Preg or nonpregnant (Non-Preg) was high. In experiment 2, the accuracy of the PSPB-LFIA compared with ELISA was 96.1% (93.8% Se; 100% Sp; 100% PPV; 90.5% NPV) and compared with TUS was 92.2% (99.0% Se; 84.7% Sp; 87.6% PPV; 98.8% NPV). The agreement between LFIA and ELISA (kappa = 0.92; 95% CI 0.86–0.97) or LFIA and TUS (kappa = 0.84; 95% CI 0.77–0.92) as methods to classify cows as Preg or Non-Preg was high. We conclude that a system integrating a fluorescence-based LFIA and an optical reader was effective for classifying cows as pregnant or not pregnant based on estimations of plasma concentrations of PSPB. This novel system serves as a platform for further development of on-farm pregnancy testing tools based on measurement of biomarkers of pregnancy in bodily fluids of cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REE) of the host rocks (Fe-siliceous rocks) and manganese ores of the Nchwaning Mine (Hotazel Formation, Kalahari manganese field) were studied. An important feature of manganese ores and host rocks (Fe-silicites) is the presence of negative and positive cerium (Ce/Ce*) and europium (Eu/Eu*) anomalies. This testifies to the complex and long history of the formation of manganese ores. Initial metal-bearing (Mn, Fe) sediments of a shallow-water basin with a negative cerium anomaly (Ce/Ce*) were enriched in europium (positive Eu/Eu*) at different stages of lithogenesis both during sedimentation (underwater discharge of hydrothermal fluids), and subsequent processes of hydrothermal transformation of the ore-bearing strata. The source of manganese could be basaltic andesites of the underlying Ongeluk Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using synchrotron radiation, a comparative VUV excitation study of YAG ceramics doped with Eu3+ and Cr3+ ions under VUV excitation (10.5–3.7 eV) at 9 K was conducted in this work. Both ceramics exhibit distinct excitation peaks in the VUV region, indicating high-energy transitions related to the internal electronic levels of the dopants and interband transitions within the YAG matrix. For YAG:Eu, the main excitation peaks at 6–7 eV correspond to transitions within the 4f-shell of Eu3+ and Eu3+-O2− charge transfer states, showing weak dependence on the crystal field and high energy conversion efficiency. In contrast, YAG:Cr shows broad excitation bands due to transitions between levels influenced by strong crystal field interactions, resulting in lower luminescence efficiency. The study highlights the importance of crystal structure and dopant interactions in determining the spectral characteristics of YAG-based ceramics, offering potential for their application in advanced optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials capable of simultaneously achieving both mechanoluminescence (ML) and luminescent mechanochromism (L‐MC) hold great promise in smart stimuli‐responsive applications. However, single‐phase and single‐doped inorganic ML materials with pronounced L‐MC behavior are exceptionally rare because of their single luminescent center. This study investigates a unique L‐MC phenomenon in a series of novel triboelectrification‐induced ML materials, Sr5(PO4)3X:Eu3+ (X = F, Cl, Br). These materials exhibit the in situ ionic valence state transition and excitation behaviors of the Eu3+‐Eu2+ ion pair by utilizing the inherent properties of triboelectrification and cause significant differences in the emission spectra during the photoluminescence and ML process. The redox reactions of Eu ions in the ML process are influenced by the synergistic action of the Eu3+‐Eu2+ redox shuttle (suitable redox potential), triboelectrification (driving force), and Sr ion vacancies (catalysts). Hence, this study presents direct experimental evidence for the underlying mechanism of ML and advances the development and applications of triboelectrification‐induced ML materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five hydrated halogenides of divalent europium, EuCl2·2H2O (tagged as Cl2), EuCl2·6H2O (Cl6), EuBr2·H2O (Br1), EuBr2·6H2O (Br6) and EuI2·6H2O (I6), were studied herein. The crystals are all isomorphous with analogous compounds of Sr. In Cl2, the metal cation is surrounded by 4 Cl− anions and 4 water molecules; in Br1, it is surrounded by 7 Br− anions and 2 water molecules; and in Cl6, Br6 and I6, it is surrounded by 9 water molecules, with infinite [Eu(H2O)6] 2∞+∞ chains being formed. Spectroscopic properties of Cl2, Br1, Br6 and I6 were studied. Cl2 and Br1 are bright luminophores, whereas Br6 and I6 are weak emitters at room temperature. In the latter two compounds, long-wave emissions at about 550 nm were observed and theoretical calculations indicated that this was due to 6,7s → 4f transitions. Additionally, 4f → 4f transitions were observed in the excitation spectra of Br6 and I6 recorded at 77 K. Experimental charge density analysis was performed for Cl6, and the results show that Eu–O bonds in the [Eu(H2O)6] 2∞+∞ polymeric aqua cation are more ionic than those in [Gd(H2O)9]3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report a "Fight Aggregation with Aggregation" (FAA) approach for redirection of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) aggregation using a europium(III) complex (EuL3) that can undergo H-aggregation in aqueous solution under physiological conditions. The H-aggregates of EuL3 may serve as scaffolds that can facilitate the accumulation of Aβ to form non-fibrillar co-assemblies. As a result, the Aβ aggregation-induced cytotoxicity was inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "antenna effect" is one of the most important energy transfer modes in lanthanide light-emitting polymers. In this study, novel luminescent nanostructured coordination polymers (Eu–PCP) were synthesized in one step using Eu3+ as the central metal ion and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) as the organic ligand. The unique "antenna effect" observed between Eu3+ and TCPP leads to a substantial improvement in the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission efficiency. Eu–PCP exhibits good cathodic ECL characteristics. Additionally, Au@SnS2 nanosheets exhibit favorable electrical conductivity, biocompatibility, and a significant specific surface area. This makes them a suitable choice as substrate materials for the modification of electrode surfaces and capturing antigens. Being well known, the development of sensitive and rapid methods to detect chloramphenicol is essential for food safety. Based on this, we report a novel competitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay to achieve ultra-sensitive and highly specific detection of chloramphenicol. The linear range was 0.0002–500 ng mL−1 and the detection limit was 0.09 pg mL−1. Apart from that, the experimental results proved that it provided a new analytical tool for the detection of antibiotic residues in food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex oxides Eu2MeO6 (Me–Mo, W), Eu2W2O9 were obtained by a solid‐phase reaction between binary oxides. The thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms of the reaction processes were established using a variety of physical‐chemical methods. All compounds obtained in this work crystallize in the low‐symmetry monoclinic system, forming complex framework structures, which determine a set of very valuable physical‐chemical properties. Comparison of experimental Kubelka‐Munk functions and DFT‐ calculated absorption spectra shows adequate agreement and reveals the origin of the fundamental absorption. In addition, the deficiency in DFT calculations in the part of mutual contribution of CTBs of Mo−O and W−O, from one side, and Eu−O contributions, from the other side, is reported. Calculations of absorption spectra are shown to be superior to band structure analysis in the determination of optical band gaps. Additionally, luminescent properties of Eu2MeO6 and Eu2W2O9 compounds were investigated. These studies provide a better understanding of the electronic and optical properties of the compounds Eu2MeO6 and Eu2W2O9, along with their potential applications in various areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of circularly polarized (CP) light with chiral matter at different scales opens several possibilities of light manipulation in photonic and electronic devices. Here it is shown that in a multilayer architecture, it is possible to take advantage of the polarization‐selective reflection of the nematic arrangement of cellulose nanocrystals and the strong intrinsic CP luminescence (CPL) of the various bands of chiral Eu complexes. In this way, both the intrinsic CPL and total emission of the complex are modified depending on the enantiomer applied and on the detection geometry. This concept may apply for polarization control in electronic and photonic devices and polarized optical cavities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europium-hydroxyapatite (Eu-HA) nanocomposite was developed via continuous hydrothermal synthesis. Eu+3 ions partially replaced the Ca+2 ions within hydroxyapatite molecular structure. High quality Eu-HA nanorods of 20 nm width and 6 μm lengths were verified via TEM micrographs. Eu-HA maintained the crystalline structure of HA with minimum change; material studio software confirmed the partial replacement of Ca+2 by Eu+3. XPS analysis demonstrated Eu+3 content of 6.91 atom %. Ca/P ratio was found to be 1.405 and 0.118 for virgin HA and Eu-HA respectively; this was ascribed to the partial replacement of Ca+2 with Eu +3. The EDAX mapping verified the uniform dispersion of Eu ions within Eu-HA structure. Eu-HA nanocomposite was uniformly distributed in silica sol-gel matrix; subsequently it was applied on AZ31 magnesium alloy. The corrosion performance of Eu-HA sol-gel coating nanocomposite (Eu–S) was evaluated using different electrochemical techniques including Potentiodynamic Polarization (PDP), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscope (EIS), and Electrochemical Noise (EN) in aerated 0.1 M NaCl solution. Corrosion protection was assessed to that of neat silica sol-gel coating (NSG). Pitting was detected over the whole NSG coated sample, after few hours of immersion in the corrosive solution. EuS coated AZ31 withstand up to 144 h without any sign of corrosion or delamination. EIS analysis with PDP parameters suggested the formation of protective layer; that is responsible for the corrosion resistance. Europium has unique ability to form a protective oxide layer acting as a barrier layer that could prevent the penetration of corrosive electrolyte to the underlying metal substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of Re(CO)5Br with deprotonated 1H‐(5‐(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine)pyrid‐2‐yl)tetrazole yields a triangular assembly formed by tricarbonyl Re(I) vertices. Photophysical measurements reveal blue‐green emission with a maximum at 520 nm, 32 % quantum yield, and 2430 ns long‐lived excited state decay lifetime in deaerated dichloromethane solution. Coordination of lanthanoid ions to the terpyridine units red‐shifts the emission to 570 nm and also reveals efficient (90 %) and fast sensitisation of both Eu(III) and Yb(III) at room temperature, with a similar rate constant kET on the order of 107 s−1. Efficient sensitisation of Eu(III) from Re(I) is unprecedented, especially when considering the close proximity in energy between the donor and acceptor excited states. On the other hand, comparative measurements at 77 K reveal that energy transfer to Yb(III) is two orders of magnitude slower than that to Eu(III). A two‐step mechanism of sensitisation is therefore proposed, whereby the rate‐determining step is a thermally activated energy transfer step between the Re(I) centre and the terpyridine functionality, followed by rapid energy transfer to the respective Ln(III) excited states. At 77 K, the direct Re(I) to Eu(III) energy transfer seems to proceed via a ligand‐mediated superexchange Dexter‐type mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent hydrogel as an advanced material has been used for anti‐counterfeiting, probe detection, and optical devices. A facile strategy to prepare fluorescent hydrogel is developed by carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with Europium(III) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The hydrogel forms a physical cross‐linking network under mild reaction conditions without using volatile organic chemicals. The addition of CMC‐Eu(III) improves the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. At 15% CMC‐Eu(III), the hydrogel reaches its maximum tensile and compressive stress, which are 47.25 ± 10.35 and 10.14 ± 1.90 kPa, respectively. Meanwhile, the hydrogels exhibit a 5D0→7F2 characteristic emission peak assigned to Eu3+, which emits stable red fluorescence under 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light. When this hydrogel is applied to paper, the paper showed hidden fluorescent dots under UV light. This additive also enhances the mechanical properties of the paper, which reveals the multifunctionality of this fluorescent hydrogel for anti‐counterfeiting and reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of Eu3+-doped molybdates, Y2−xEuxMo3O12 (x = 0.04; 0.16; 0.2; 0.4; 0.8; 1; 1.6; 2), was synthesized using a solid-state technique and their properties studied as a function of Eu3+ concentration. X-ray diffraction showed that the replacement of Y3+ with larger Eu3+ resulted in a transformation from orthorhombic (low doping concentrations) through tetragonal (high doping concentrations), reaching monoclinic structure for full replacement in Eu2Mo3O12. The intensity of typical Eu3+ red emission slightly increases in the orthorhombic structure then rises significantly with dopant concentration and has the highest value for the tetragonal Y2Mo3O12:80mol% Eu3+. Further, the complete substitution of Y3+ with Eu3+ in the case of monoclinic Eu2Mo3O12 leads to decreased emission intensity. Lifetime follows a similar trend; it is lower in the orthorhombic structure, reaching slightly higher values for the tetragonal structure and showing a strong decrease for monoclinic Eu2Mo3O12. Temperature-sensing properties of the sample with the highest red Eu3+ emission, Y2Mo3O12:80mol% Eu3+, were analyzed by the luminescence intensity ratio method. For the first time, the peak-sharpening algorithm was employed to separate overlapping peaks in luminescence thermometry, in contrast to the peak deconvolution method. The Sr (relative sensitivity) value of 2.8 % K−1 was obtained at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The barrier effect of calcium silicate hydrate (C – S – H), which is secondarily formed around a repository owing to the utilization of cementitious materials, was explored. Eu was employed as a chemical analog of Am (a key radionuclide in high-level radioactive wastes), and its interaction with C – S – H was analyzed via synthesis experiments. For the experiments, calcium oxide, fumed silica, and a Eu solution were mixed to interact Eu with C – S – H that had not undergone drying. Fluorescence Raman spectroscopies were performed to analyze the coexistence of Eu with C – S – H. The results indicated that Eu was mostly undissolved in the liquid phase and that it was incorporated into the C – S – H structure rather than precipitated as its hydroxide species even at the pH conditions for Eu hydrolysis. Additionally, the C – S – H formation at 50°C, as well as its incorporation of Eu, were accelerated compared to 25°C. The findings indicated the possibility of immobilizing Eu and Am by C – S – H formed in the underground environment even under groundwater conditions in which Eu and Am form mobile colloids via the hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature dependence of the heat capacity of Y2Ti2O7 and Eu2Ti2O7 with a pyrochlore structure in the temperature range of 7–1800 K has been studied. The existence of a small shallow anomaly of the heat capacity of europium titanate in the range of 10–60 K was confirmed. The thermodynamic properties (entropy, enthalpy change, and reduced Gibbs energy) were calculated. Based on the results of calculation of the Gibbs energy of formation of the titanates from oxides it was concluded that both titanates are thermodynamically stable in the high temperature region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical metals such as rare earths are essential for important industrial applications and for producing high-tech materials. Currently, the development of alternative and non-conventional biomaterials has gained significant interest. This work investigated the use of crosslinked sericin-alginate-based natural polymeric particles for the removal of rare earths from water. Affinity tests showed that sericin-alginate/polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether had the highest potential for capturing europium (0.258 mmol/g and 94.33%) and erbium (0.259 mmol/g and 94.55%). Next, erbium was selected based on the affinity with sericin-alginate/polyethylene glycol diglycidyl to investigate the effect of dose/pH, biosorption kinetics, isothermal equilibrium, desorption/reuse, and selectivity. The effect of dose and pH showed that 8.0 g/L (95.91%) and pH 5.0 (97.53%) were more efficient in capturing erbium. The biosorption kinetics showed that the equilibration time was reached within 210 min. The PSO and EMTR models effectively represented the kinetics data. The isothermal equilibrium revealed that the maximum uptake capacity for erbium was 0.641 mmol/g. The isothermal curves better fit the Dubinin-Radushkevich (55 °C) and Langmuir (25 and 40 °C) models. Thermodynamic quantitates indicated that erbium uptake was spontaneous, governed by entropic changes, and endothermic. The recovery of Er3+ was greater than 98% and the reuse of the eluent in the cycles enriched the Er3+ load 10-times (1.0 to 9.91 mmol/L). The beads also showed better performance for capturing Er3+ and Eu3+ with other coexisting ions. Characterization analyzes revealed the ion exchange mechanism between Ca2+/Er3+ prevailed in the Er3+ removal. Thus, the results pointed out that crosslinked sericin-alginate can be used as an alternative and promising biosorbent to remove and recover rare earths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature dependent mechanical, thermo-physical and nonlinear ultrasonic properties of europium monopnictides EuX (X: N, P, As and Sb) were studied in this exploration. The 2nd and 3rd order elastic constants (SOECs and TOECs) of EuX were computed with the help of Coulomb and Born-Mayer potential applying two fundamental indicators i.e., the nearest neighbour distance and the hardness parameter in the temperature span 100-300K. Further the SOECs are applied to enumerate the mechanical variables such as elastic moduli, Zener anisotropic ratio, Poisson's ratio and Pugh's index using Voigt-Reuss-Hill (VRH) approach at T=300K. The results derived from elastic and mechanical properties confirm the mechanical stability and brittle nature of EuX. The acoustical velocities have been enumerated using the SOECs and density of EuX along <100>, <110> and <111> directions at T=300K. All above physical parameters have been utilized to compute the direction dependent Grüneisen parameter and Debye characteristic temperature of EuX at T=300K. The achieved values of this exploration are discussed and equated with materials of similar characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinylidene difluoride trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) has received widespread application in flexible electronics and biomedical devices but is limited in its sensing modalities to piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity. The addition of optically or magnetically active nanoparticles could provide additional sensing modalities in the same element, which could drive miniaturization of such sensors. Europium barium titanate (EBTO) is one such optically active nanoparticle that could add functionality to such a nanocomposite. In this work, multifunctional nanocomposites of PVDF-TrFE and EBTO are successfully synthesized and characterized for their material and electronic properties. The nanocomposite in this work is the first known multifunctional nanocomposite with PVDF-TrFE and a fluorescent nanoparticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, organic light-emitting LEDs based on Eu3+ coordination compounds with β-diketones and acetic and butyric acids were created and studied. At the moment, an active search is underway for new materials to create optoelectronic devices with high luminescent characteristics. One of these characteristics is high color purity and it can be achieved through the use of materials with narrow-band luminescence, for example, compounds based on Eu3+ ions. Complexes based on Eu3+ with 1,1,1-trifluoro4-phenyl-2,4-butanedione and acetic Eu(Cl)(Btfa)(CH3COO) (compound 1), butyric Eu(Btfa)2(CH3(CH2)3COO) (compound 2) acids were synthesized. The LEDs of the synthesized compounds were manufactured using a combined technique including the method of centrifugation and the method of thermal spraying in vacuum. The characteristics of the LEDs were measured by optical spectroscopy. To study the optical properties of the complexes, the powder was placed between two quartz substrates. Photoluminescence spectra were recorded using a SDL-1 spectrometer, an LED with a wavelength of 365 nm and a photoelectronic multiplier operating in linear mode. Electroluminescence spectra were obtained using the Ocean Optics Maya 2000 PRO spectrometer. A linear structure characteristic of Eu3+ ions was observed in the photoluminescence spectrum of the studied complexes. In the electroluminescence spectrum, radiation characteristic of Eu3+ ions is also observed, in addition to it, an additional wide band with a maximum at a wavelength of 390 nm and a half-height width of 61 nm is observed in the short-wavelength region. The operating voltage of the LED was 10 V. A characteristic “cold” white glow was observed for the studied LEDs. In the spectra of photos- and electroluminescence the following main transitions were found for the studied complexes: 5D0 → 7F0 (maxima at wavelengths λ1 = λ2 = 580 nm for compounds 1 and 2), 5D0 → 7F1 (split band, with maxima at wavelengths λ1 = 587 nm, λ2 = 593 nm, λ3 = 600 nm for the compound 1 and λ1 = 592 nm, λ2 = 599 nm for compound 2), 5D0 → 7F2 (split band, with maxima at wavelengths λ1 = 614 nm, λ2 = 619 nm, λ3 = 623 nm for compound 1 and λ1 = 614 nm, λ2 = 618 nm, λ3 = 620 nm for junction 2), 5D0 → 7F3 (split band, with maxima at wavelengths λ1 = 648 nm, λ2 = 652 nm, λ3 = 655 nm for junction 1 and λ1 = 652 nm, λ2 = 655 nm for compound 2). The wide band observed in the electroluminescence spectrum arises due to the contribution of the hole transport layer, due to the through flow of charge carriers through the active radiating layer, which leads to recombination in the PVK OLED layer. An analysis of the volt-ampere characteristics of the manufactured devices showed that they are characterized by two main conduction modes: the first corresponds to a limitation of the current by a spatial charge (0–7 V), the second is a limitation due to the processes of capture of charge carriers (7–23 V). The results of this work can be used in the production of industrial lighting.

While Eu2+ → Eu3+ energy transfer is well known, in this study the energy transfer from Eu3+ to Eu2+ is reported for the first time. The predominant condition for Eu3+ → Eu2+ energy transfer is a Eu2+ 4f55d band at lower energy than the position of the Eu3+ 4f6[5D0] level, which is fulfilled in Eu‐doped CaO. X‐ray powder diffraction, Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy and optical absorption measurements are employed to determine the Eu3+ and Eu2+ concentrations in the prepared CaO:1at.%Eu samples. Synthesis in an H2/N2 atmosphere and addition of graphite powder as a reducing agent to the starting mixture are found to result in respective Eu3+ and Eu2+ concentrations of 0.6–0.7% and 0.3–0.4%. For this sample, the Eu3+ → Eu2+ energy transfer efficiency is estimated to be high (> 90%). This is explained by the high oscillator strength of the 4f7 → 4f65d excitation transition of the Eu2+ ion to which energy is transferred. As the Eu2+ 4f55d band lies below the Eu3+ 4f6[5D0] level, Eu3+ does not act as a killer center for the near‐infrared (NIR) Eu2+ emission at about 720 nm. Therefore, a full reduction of Eu3+ is not required to attain a high quantum efficiency. Implications of the demonstrated Eu3+ → Eu2+ energy transfer for application of long wavelength Eu2+ phosphors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large dissymmetry factor of the circularly polarized luminescence (gCPL) was observed in ligand and coordination tuned chiral tetrakis europium (Eu(III)) complexes with ammonium cations. The gCPL value was estimated to be −1.54, which is the largest among chiral luminescent molecules. Through photophysical measurements, single crystal X‐ray structural analyses and quantum chemical calculations, changes in the geometric and electronic structures were observed for a series of chiral tetrakis Eu(III) complexes which enhanced the gCPL value. The emission quantum yield and photosensitized energy transfer efficiencies of chiral Eu(III) complexes with ammonium cations were also larger than those of chiral Eu(III) complex with Cs+. Based on the systematic modifications and analyses for chiral tetrakis Eu(III) complex, effect of the ammonium cation on enhanced CPL brightness is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The successful adoption and widespread implementation of innovative acid mine drainage treatment and resource recovery methods hinge on their capacity to demonstrate enhanced performance, economic viability, and environmental sustainability compared to conventional approaches. Here, an evaluation of the efficacy of chromium-based metal–organic frameworks and amine-grafted SBA15 materials in adsorbing europium (Eu) from actual mining wastewater was conducted. The adsorbents underwent comprehensive characterization and examination for their affinity for Eu. Cr-MIL-PMIDA and SBA15-NH-PMIDA had a highest Langmuir adsorption capacity of 69 mg/g and 86 mg/g, respectively, for an optimum level of pH 4.8. Preferential adsorption tests followed using real AMD collected at a disused mine in the north of Norway. A comparative study utilizing pH-adjusted real AMD revealed that Cr-MIL-PMIDA (88%) exhibited slightly higher selectivity towards Eu compared to SBA15-NH-PMIDA (81%) in real mining wastewater. While Cr-MIL-PMIDA displays excellent properties for the selective recovery of REEs, practical challenges related to production costs and potential susceptibility to chromium leaching make it less appealing for widespread applications. A cost–benefit analysis was then undertaken to quantify the advantages of employing SBA15-NH-PMIDA material. The study disclosed that 193.2 g of EuCl3 with 99% purity can be recovered by treating 1000 m3 of AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of mixed-carboxylate EuCd compounds with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and anions of benzoic H(Bz), pentabenzoic H(Pfb), 3,5-dinitrobenzoic H(3,5-Nbz), and 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzoic H(Dtbbz) acids is synthesized: [Eu2Cd2(phen)2(Рfb)5,4(Bz)4,6]·2MeCN (I), [Eu2(H2O)2Cd2(phen)2(3,5-Nbz)4,1(Bz)5,9] (II), and [EuCd2(EtOH)4(Dtbbz)6(Pfb)] (III). The variation of combinations of aromatic anions makes it possible to reveal the influence of diverse factors on the compositions and structures of new compounds. In the case of benzoate‒pentafluorobenzoate compound I and 3,5-dinitrobenzoate‒benzoate compound II, the aromatic substituents of the anions have nonintegral populations and occupy close positions in the structure of the complex. The combination of the more bulky 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzoate and pentafluorobenzoate anions in compound III results in the formation of a compound with integral populations of the positions of the anions. The synthesized compounds are characterized by XRD, IR spectroscopy, and C,H,N elemental analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method has been developed for fabricating cholesteric liquid crystal polymer composite containing a luminescent europium complex. It involves creating porous cholesteric polymer networks, introducing the europium complex into the pores and encapsulating it through the UV-induced polymerisation of a nematic diacrylate. The resulting composite exhibits bright red luminescence upon excitation by UV light which is strongly circularly polarised. Such materials have potential applications in display technologies, counterfeit protection and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New 5-[4(3)-R-phenyl]-2,2′-bipyridines bearing the 1,1,7,7-tetrakis(tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7-triazaheptane (DTTA) moiety at the C(6) position (R = Cl, Br, CF3) and their water-soluble EuIII complexes were synthesized. The photophysical properties of the synthesized complexes were investigated. More efficient sensitization of Eu3+ cation luminescence was demonstrated for a number of halogen-containing ligands. Some chelates exhibited moderate cell-staining ability. The synthesized compounds did not show significant photodynamic activity, which may be due to the inhibition of the in situ generation of reactive oxygen species via the supposed interaction with the methylene moiety of DTTA-appended 2,2′-bipyridine ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solvothermal synthesis of LnCl3.nH2O with terephthalic acid (benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, H2BDC) produced metal–organic frameworks (LnBDC), [Ln2(BDC)3(H2O)4]∞, where Ln = Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy. The materials obtained were characterized by a number of physico-chemical techniques. The influence of the ionic radius of the lanthanides on the microstructural characteristics of the Ln-MOFs was evaluated by performing Rietveld refinement. The MOFs obtained were tested as fluorescent sensors for numerous cations and anions in water. The highly luminescent EuBDC and TbBDC demonstrated multi-responsive luminescence sensing functions to detect Ag(I), Fe(III), Cr(III), and Cr(VI), which are essential for their environmental applications. By applying the non-linear Stern–Volmer equation, the fluorescent quenching mechanism was determined. The stability of the obtained materials in water in a wide pH range (acidity pH = 4 and alkalinity pH = 9 solutions) was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New heterometallic antenna terephthalate MOFs, namely, (EuxM1−x)2bdc3·4H2O (M = Y, La, Gd) (x = 0.001–1), were synthesized by a one-step method from aqueous solutions. The resulting compounds are isomorphic to each other; the crystalline phase corresponds to Ln2bdc3∙4H2O. Upon 300 nm excitation to the singlet excited state of terephthalate ions, all compounds exhibit a bright red emission corresponding to the of 5D0–7FJ (J = 0–4) f-f transitions of Eu3+ ions. The Eu(III) concentration dependence of the photophysical properties was carefully studied. We revealed that Gd-doping results in photoluminescence enhancement due to the heavy atom effect. To quantitatively compare the antenna effect among different compounds, we proposed the new approach, where the quantum yield of the 5D0 formation is used to characterize the efficiency of energy transfer from the ligand antenna to the Eu3+ emitter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the crystallization behavior of 50ZnO:47B2O3:3Nb2O3:0.5Eu2O3 (G-0 h) glass has been investigated in detail by DSC, XRD and TEM analysis. The luminescent properties of the resulting glass-ceramics were also investigated. By XRD and TEM analysis, crystallization of several crystalline phases has been proved (α-Zn3B2O6, β-Zn3B2O6 and ZnNb2O6). By calculating crystal parameters, it was found that europium ions are successfully incorporated in the β-Zn3B2O6. Photo-luminescent spectra showed increased emission in the resulting glass-ceramic samples compared to the parent glass sample due to higher asymmetry of Eu3+ ions in the obtained crystalline phases. It was established that the optimum emission intensity is registered for glass-ceramic samples obtained after 25 h heat treatment of the parent glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]