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International audience; A novel sensing system was designed for pH measurements based on the enhanced and quenched photoluminescence (PL) and UV–Vis absorption of the diluted water solutions of F-, O-, and N-containing carbon nanoparticles (FON-CNPs). These FON-CNPs were solvothermally synthesized, dissolved, ultra-filtrated, and separated by thin-layer chromatography. The total fluorine content in them was found to be 1.2–1.5 mmol per gram. Their TGA showed a total weight loss of 52.7% because of the thermal decomposition and detachment of the surface groups and the partial burning of the functionalized shell on the carbon core at temperatures below 1200 °C. TEM and Raman data confirmed the presence of graphitic structures in the carbon core. From the results of ATR FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopies, we showed that a carbon shell incorporates different functional groups covering the carbon core. The surface groups of the carbon shell include carboxyl, phenolic, and carbonyl groups. Heterocyclic N-containing and amino groups and trifluoromethyl groups supporting the hydrophobicity were also found. We suggested the possible reasons for the pH responses obtained with the sensing system considering them dependent on the de-protonation of functional groups with pH change.

In this paper we present critical analysis of different points of view on interpretation of the photoluminescence (PL) decay kinetics in lead halide perovskites prepared in the form of well passivated nanocrystals (PNCs) or thin polycrystalline layers. In addition to the literature data, our own measurements are also considered. For PNCs, a strong dependence of the PL lifetimes on the type of passivating ligand was observed with a consistently high PL quantum yield. It is shown that such ligand effects, as well as a decrease in the PL lifetime with decreasing temperature, are well qualitatively explained by the phenomenological model of thermally activated delayed luminescence, in which the extension of the PL decay time with temperature occurs due to the participation of shallow non-quenching traps. In the case of thin perovskite layers, we conclude that the PL kinetics under sufficiently low excitation intensity is determined by the excitation quenching on the layer surfaces. We demonstrate that a large variety of possible PL decay kinetics for thin polycrystalline perovskite films can be modelled by means of one-dimensional diffusion equation with use of the diffusion coefficient D and surface recombination velocity S as parameters and conclude that long-lived PL kinetics are formed in case of low D and/or S values.

Wafers of silicon and compound semiconductors are nanostructured by using electrochemical or chemical etching (stain etching) in etching cell with electrolyte kept by capillary forces. Atomic force microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and Raman scattering methods reveale nanoporous and nanocrystalline structure of the treated surfaces. The formed porous semiconductors demonstrate efficient photoluminescence, which is controlled by etching parameters, i.e. current density, electrolyte content, etc. These results indicate good prospects of the employed capillary-cell method for preparing nanostructured porous materials with desired structure and optical properties.

Wafers of crystalline silicon (c-Si) and compound semiconductors (GaP, GaAs) were nanostructured by using the electrochemical etching in specially designed cells with two or more electrodes spaced at 100–500 μm distances, which allowed keeping the electrolyte due to capillary forces. Investigations by means of atomic force microscopy and optical spectroscopy revealed nanoporous and nanocrystalline structure of the prepared samples. The employed capillary-force-assisted method is promising for preparation of thin layers of nanostructured semiconductors with desired optical properties having advantages of cost saving, quickness and flexibility in the electrical contact arrangements versus conventional electrochemical etching methods.