Structural properties of defective (CH3NH3)2Cu(Cl1-xBrx)4 compounds

The crystal structures of (CH3NH3)2Cu(Cl1-xBrx)4 compounds have been investigated by means of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and pair distribution function analysis at room temperature. As a result, new insights are gained about the structural properties of these compounds, suggesting a monoclinic symmetry (space group No. 14: P21/c - C_{2h}^{5}) induced by the co-operative orbital ordering produced by the Jahn-Teller distortion characterizing the 3d9 Cu2+ ion. In contrast to previous studies, a significant amount of vacancies is found at halogen positions, a feature that can be likely ascribed to the synthesis technique adopted in the present study. Br atoms preferentially occupy axial positions, likely on account of reduced steric hindrance at these sites

Thermal analysis of MgFe-Cl Layered doubled hydroxide (LDH) directly synthetized and produced \u201cvia memory effect\u201d

Layered doubled hydroxides (LDHs) are known to be an interesting class of 2D layered materials, with a wide range of possible composition and a flexible structure suitable for topochemical reactions. Thus, LDHs have been applying in different fields, such as catalysis, energy storage and all the applications in which a high exchange capability (of both cations and anions) is required. For remediation purpose, a MgFe-Cl LDH [(Mg0.662+Fe0.333+(OH)2]0.33+(Cl0.33-)0.33- (MFC in the following) could be a promising candidate to capture the toxic CrO42 12 from water, in exchange with the Cl 12 in an efficient way. The synthesis of this compound might seem simple, consisting of a coprecipitation reaction, and actually, it is strongly affected by the environmental carbon dioxide able to replace the Cl 12 with the more stable CO32 12. To avoid this problem, LDHs could be also prepared with a rehydration of their calcinated oxide (memory effect). In this work were prepared two samples of MFC: one via coprecipitation (MFC-1 in the following) and one via \u201cmemory effect\u201d (MFC-mem in the following). Both the compounds were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry (DTA-TG) coupled with evolved gas analysis. The results demonstrated that the synthesis of pure MFC is very difficult, and only a minimum contamination of carbon dioxide led to the formation of the carbonate LDH in a massive way. It was also demonstrated that Mg-Fe LDHs in the presence of carbonate could catalyse the formation of the formic acid (HCOOH) at low temperature (< 300 \ub0C)

Switching on near-infrared light in lanthanide-doped CsPbCl3perovskite nanocrystals

The accessible emission spectral range of lead halide perovskite (LHP) CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals (NCs) has remained so far limited to wavelengths below 1 \u3bcm, corresponding to the emission line of Yb3+, whereas the direct sensitization of other near-infrared (NIR) emitting lanthanide ions is unviable. Herein, we present a general strategy to enable intense NIR emission from Er3+ at 3c1.5 \u3bcm, Ho3+ at 3c1.0 \u3bcm and Nd3+ at 3c1.06 \u3bcm through a Mn2+-mediated energy-transfer pathway. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence studies show that energy-transfer efficiencies of about 39%, 35% and 70% from Mn2+ to Er3+, Ho3+ and Nd3+ are obtained, leading to photoluminescence quantum yields of 3c0.8%, 3c0.7% and 3c3%, respectively. This work provides guidance on constructing energy-transfer pathways in semiconductors and opens new perspectives for the development of lanthanide-functionalized LHPs as promising materials for optoelectronic devices operating in the NIR region. This journal i