Plasma-electrochemical synthesis of europium doped cerium oxide nanoparticles

doi:10.1007/s11705-019-1810-7

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2019, Vol. 13

Issue (3) : 501-510 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-019-1810-7

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Plasma-electrochemical synthesis of europium doped cerium oxide nanoparticles

Liangliang Lin¹(

), Xintong Ma², Sirui Li²(

), Marly Wouters², Volker Hessel³

¹. School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
². Micro Flow Chemistry and Process Technology, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Department, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, the Netherlands
³. School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia

Download: PDF(1162 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

In the present study, a plasma-electrochemical method was demonstrated for the synthesis of europium doped ceria nanoparticles. Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O and Eu(NO₃)₃·5H₂O were used as the starting materials and being dissolved in the distilled water as the electrolyte solution. The plasma-liquid interaction process was in-situ investigated by an optical emission spectroscopy, and the obtained products were characterized by complementary analytical methods. Results showed that crystalline cubic CeO₂:Eu³⁺ nanoparticles were successfully obtained, with a particle size in the range from 30 to 60 nm. The crystal structure didn’t change during the calcination at a temperature from 400°C to 1000°C, with the average crystallite size being estimated to be 52 nm at 1000°C. Eu³⁺ ions were shown to be effectively and uniformly doped into the CeO₂ lattices. As a result, the obtained nanophosphors emit apparent red color under the UV irradiation, which can be easily observed by naked eye. The photoluminescence spectrum further proves the downshift behavior of the obtained products, where characteristic ⁵D₀→⁷F_1,2,3 transitions of Eu³⁺ ions had been detected. Due to the simple, flexible and environmental friendly process, this plasma-electrochemical method should have great potential for the synthesis of a series of nanophosphors, especially for bio-application purpose.

Keywords plasma-electrochemical method europium doped ceria rare earth nanoparticles photoluminescence

Corresponding Author(s): Liangliang Lin,Sirui Li

Just Accepted Date: 20 March 2019 Online First Date: 05 May 2019 Issue Date: 22 August 2019

Cite this article:

Liangliang Lin,Xintong Ma,Sirui Li, et al. Plasma-electrochemical synthesis of europium doped cerium oxide nanoparticles[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(3): 501-510.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-019-1810-7
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2019/V13/I3/501

Fig.1 The schematic diagram of the microplasma reactor used in this study

Fig.2 The images of the electrolyte solution treated by plasma for (a) 0 h, (b) 1 h, (c) 2 h, (d) 3 h and (e) 4 h

Fig.3 Emission spectra of pure argon plasma as well as argon plasma interacting with the electrolyte solution

Fig.4 (a) Element mapping area, (b) Ce, (c) O, (d) Eu and (e) EDX spectrum of the obtained samples

Fig.5 (a) XRD patterns of CeO₂:Eu³⁺ (2 mol%?10 mol%) annealed at 1000°C; (b) XRD patterns of CeO₂:Eu³⁺ annealed at different temperatures

Fig.6 (a,b) Representative TEM images, (c) HRTEM image and (d) SAED image of 10% Eu-doped CeO₂ nanoparticles obtained at 1000°C

Fig.7 Raman spectra of CeO₂ nanoparticles with and without Eu³⁺ doping

Fig.8 (a) Full XPS spectra of CeO₂ nanoparticles with and without Eu³⁺ doping; (b) XPS spectrum of Ce3d; (c) XPS spectrum of Eu3d; (d) XPS spectrum and the associated spectral decomposition of O1s

Fig.9 Representative photoluminescent emission spectra (a) CeO₂ and (b) CeO₂:4%Eu under UV excitation. Inset shows a typical photograph of the obtained nanophosphors under the UV irradiation of 360 nm

Tab.1 Summary of main parameters for the synthesis of CeO₂:Eu nanoparticles by various methods

1	J T Dahle, Y Arai. Environmental geochemistry of cerium: Applications and toxicology of cerium oxide nanoparticles. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2015, 12(2): 1253–1278 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120201253
2	A Younis, D Chu, S Li. Cerium oxide nanostructures and their applications. Functionalized Nanomaterials, InTech, 2016, 1064–1324
3	K Nikolaou. Emissions reduction of high and low polluting new technology vehicles equipped with a CeO2 catalytic System. Science of the Total Environment, 1999, 235(1-3): 71–76 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(99)00191-6
4	T J Brunner, P Wick, P Manser, P Spohn, R Grass, L K Limbach, A Bruinink, W J Stark. In vitro cytotoxicity of oxide nanoparticles: Comparison to asbestos, silica, and the effect of particle solubility. Environmental Science & Technology, 2006, 40(14): 4374–4381 https://doi.org/10.1021/es052069i
5	I Celardo, J Z Pedersen, E Traversa, L Ghibelli. Pharmacological potential of cerium oxide nanoparticles. Nanoscale, 2011, 3(4): 1411–1420 https://doi.org/10.1039/c0nr00875c
6	G Vimal, K P Mani, P R Biju, C Joseph, N V Unnikrishnan, M A Ittyachen. Structural studies and luminescence properties of CeO2:Eu3+ nanophosphors synthesized by oxalate precursor method. Applied Nanoscience, 2015, 5(7): 837–846 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-014-0375-5
7	A Kumar, S Babu, A S Karakoti, A Schulte, S Seal. Luminescence properties of europium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles: role of vacancy and oxidation states. Langmuir, 2009, 25(18): 10998–11007 https://doi.org/10.1021/la901298q
8	L Lin, Q Wang. Microplasma: A new generation of technology for functional nanomaterial synthesis. Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing, 2015, 35(6): 925–962 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-015-9640-y
9	Z Wang, Y Zhang, E C Neyts, X Cao, X Zhang, B W L Jang, C J Liu. Catalyst preparation with plasmas: How does it work? ACS Catalysis, 2018, 8(3): 2093–2110 https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.7b03723
10	Q Chen, J S Li, Y F Li. A review of plasma–liquid interactions for nanomaterial synthesis. Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics, 2015, 48(42): 424005 https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/48/42/424005
11	D Mariotti, J Patel, V Svrcek, P Maguire. Plasma-liquid interactions at atmospheric pressure for nanomaterials synthesis and surface engineering. Plasma Processes and Polymers, 2012, 9(11-12): 1074–1085 https://doi.org/10.1002/ppap.201200007
12	P J Bruggeman, M J Kushner, B R Locke, J G E Gardeniers, W G Graham, D B Graves, R C H M Hofman-Caris, D Maric, J P Reid, E Ceriani, et al.. Plasma-liquid interactions: A review and roadmap. Plasma Sources Science & Technology, 2016, 25(5): 53002 https://doi.org/10.1088/0963-0252/25/5/053002
13	L Lin, S A Starostin, S Li, S A Khan, V Hessel. Synthesis of yttrium oxide nanoparticles via a facile microplasma-assisted process. Chemical Engineering Science, 2018, 178: 157–166 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2017.12.041
14	L Lin, S A Starostin, Q Wang, V Hessel. An atmospheric pressure microplasma process for continuous synthesis of titanium nitride nanoparticles. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2017, 321: 447–457 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.03.128
15	H Lee, S H Park, S C Jung, J J Yun, S J Kim, D H Kim. Preparation of nonaggregated silver nanoparticles by the liquid phase plasma reduction method. Journal of Materials Research, 2013, 28(8): 1105–1110 https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2013.59
16	C Hu, Z Zhang, H Liu, P Gao, Z L Wang. Direct synthesis and structure characterization of ultrafine CeO2 nanoparticles. Nanotechnology, 2006, 17(24): 5983–5987 https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/17/24/013
17	S Shi, M Hossu, R Hall, W Chen. Solution combustion synthesis, photoluminescence and X-ray luminescence of Eu-doped nanoceria CeO2:Eu. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 2012, 22(44): 23461–23467 https://doi.org/10.1039/c2jm34950g
18	L Lin, S Li, V Hessel, S A Starostin, R Lavrijsen, W Zhang. Synthesis of Ni nanoparticles with controllable magnetic properties by atmospheric pressure microplasma assisted process. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2018, 64(5): 1540–1549 https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.16054
19	B Ye, J L Miao, J L Li, Z C Zhao, Z Chang, C A Serra. Fabrication of size-controlled CeO2 microparticles by a microfluidic sol-gel process as an analog preparation of ceramic nuclear fuel particles. Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 2013, 50(8): 774–780 https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2013.796897
20	Y X Li, W F Chen, X Z Zhou, Z Y Gu, C M Chen. Synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles by mechanochemical processing and the inhibiting action of NaCl on particle agglomeration. Materials Letters, 2005, 59(1): 48–52 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2004.05.089
21	C Schilling, A Hofmann, C Hess, M V Ganduglia-Pirovano. Raman spectra of polycrystalline CeO2: A density functional theory study. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2017, 121(38): 20834–20849 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b06643
22	K Zhang, A K Pradhan, G B Loutts, U N Roy, Y Cui, A Burger. Enhanced luminescence and size effects of Y2O3:Eu3+ nanoparticles and ceramics revealed by x-rays and raman scattering. Journal of the Optical Society of America. B, Optical Physics, 2004, 21(10): 1804–1808 https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.21.001804
23	J Roh, S H Hwang, J Jang. Dual-functional CeO2:Eu3+ nanocrystals for performance-enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2014, 6(22): 19825–19832 https://doi.org/10.1021/am505194k
24	M Václavů, I Matolínová, J Mysliveček, R Fiala, V Matolín. Anode material for hydrogen polymer membrane fuel cell: Pt-CeO2 RF-sputtered thin films. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 2009, 156(8): B938 https://doi.org/10.1149/1.3147255
25	S Rajendran, M M Khan, F Gracia, J Qin, V K Gupta, S Arumainathan. Ce3+-ion-induced visible-light photocatalytic degradation and electrochemical activity of ZnO/CeO2 nanocomposite. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6(1): 31641 https://doi.org/10.1038/srep31641
26	G Yuan, M Li, M Yu, C Tian, G Wang, H Fu. In situ synthesis, enhanced luminescence and application in dye sensitized solar cells of Y2O3/Y2O2S:Eu3+ nanocomposites by reduction of Y2O3:Eu3+. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6(1): 37133 https://doi.org/10.1038/srep37133
27	S Kumar, A Kumar. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of rGO-CeO2 nanocomposites driven by sunlight. Materials Science & Engineering B. Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology, 2017, 223: 98–108 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2017.06.006
28	C W Sun, H Li, H R Zhang, Z X Wang, L Q Chen. Controlled synthesis of CeO2 nanorods by a solvothermal method. Nanotechnology, 2005, 16(9): 1454–1463 https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/16/9/006
29	J Zhang, C Ke, H Wu, J Yu, J Wang, Y Wang. Solubility limits, crystal structure and lattice thermal expansion of Ln2O3 (Ln= Sm, Eu, Gd) doped CeO2. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2017, 718: 85–91 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.05.073
30	B H Min, J C Lee, K Y Jung, D S Kim, B K Choi, W J Kang. An aerosol synthesized CeO2:Eu3+/Na+ red nanophosphor with enhanced photoluminescence. RSC Advances, 2016, 6(84): 81203–81210 https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA16551F
31	D Avram, C Rotaru, B Cojocaru, M Sanchez-Dominiguez, M Florea, C Tiseanu. Heavily impregnated ceria nanoparticles with europium oxide: spectroscopic evidences for homogenous solid solutions and intrinsic structure of Eu3+-oxygen environments. Journal of Materials Science, 2014, 49(5): 2117–2126 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-013-7904-6
32	L Li, H K Yang, B K Moon, Z Fu, C Guo, J H Jeong, S S Yi, K Jang, H S Lee. Photoluminescence properties of CeO2:Eu3+ nanoparticles synthesized by a sol-gel method. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2009, 113(2): 610–617 https://doi.org/10.1021/jp808688w
33	A V Thorat, T Ghoshal, P Carolan, J D Holmes, M A Morris. Defect chemistry and vacancy concentration of luminescent europium doped ceria nanoparticles by the solvothermal method. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2014, 118(20): 10700–10710 https://doi.org/10.1021/jp410213n

[1]	Yonghyun Kim, Huiwen Liu, Yi Liu, Boa Jin, Hao Zhang, Wenjing Tian, Chan Im. Long-lasting photoluminescence quantum yield of cesium lead halide perovskite-type quantum dots[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(1): 187-197.
[2]	ZHANG Gaojie, WU Jinming, LIU Shaoguang, YAN Mi. Fabrication of titania thin film with composite nanostructure and its ability to photodegrade rhodamine B in water[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2008, 2(1): 44-48.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed