Optical properties of Eu{sup 2+}/Eu{sup 3+} mixed valence, silicon nitride based materials
- Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven (Netherlands)
- Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft (Netherlands)
Eu{sub 2}SiN{sub 3}, a mixed valence europium nitridosilicate, has been prepared via solid-state reaction synthesis and its oxidation behavior and optical properties have been determined. Furthermore, the stability of several isostructural compounds of the type M{sup 2+}L{sup 3+}SiN{sub 3} has been predicted by using the density functional theory calculations, and verified by the actual synthesis of CaLaSiN{sub 3}, CaEuSiN{sub 3} and EuLaSiN{sub 3}. The band gap of CaLaSiN{sub 3} was found around 3.2 eV giving the material its yellow color. Eu{sub 2}SiN{sub 3} on the other hand is black due to a combination of the 4f–5d absorption band of Eu{sup 2+} and the charge transfer band of Eu{sup 3+}. Thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopic study of Eu{sub 2}SiN{sub 3} revealed that oxidation of this compound in dry air takes place via a nitrogen retention complex. - Graphical abstract: Energy level scheme of Eu{sub 2}SiN{sub 3} showing the occupied N{sup 3−} 2p band (blue rectangle), unoccupied Eu{sup 2+} 5d band (white rectangle), occupied Eu{sup 2+} 4f ground states (filled red circles) and unoccupied Eu{sup 2+} ground states (open red circles). - Highlights: • Density functional theory calculations on the stability of M{sup 2+}L{sup 3+}SiN{sub 3} compounds. • Solid-state reaction synthesis of Eu{sub 2}SiN{sub 3}, CaLaSiN{sub 3}, EuLaSiN{sub 3} and CaEuSiN{sub 3}. • Determination of the Eu{sup 2+} 4f–5d and Eu{sup 3+} CT transitions in M{sup 2+}L{sup 3+}SiN{sub 3} compounds. • Oxidation of Eu{sub 2}SiN{sub 3} in dry air takes place via a nitrogen retention complex.
- OSTI ID:
- 22334210
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 213; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Role of Eu{sup 2+} on the blue‐green photoluminescence of In{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Eu{sup 2+} nanocrystals
Preparation and spectroscopic properties of rare-earth (RE) (RE = Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Tm)-activated K{sub 2}LnZr(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} (Ln = Y, La, Gd and Lu) phosphate in vacuum ultraviolet region