Core-shell-type systems containing zinc and europium oxides for use in optical devices

• Grant number: 14/01893-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ana Maria Pires
• Grantee: Alessandro Bruno Silva Garcia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Materials in nanoscale when encapsulated with metals, inorganic solids, or biomolecules produce nanocomposites with specific properties, being usually designated " core/shell " or as core@shell which have potential applications in catalysis, in industry, in the biomedical field, and others. ZnO is a semiconductor material and has been extensively studied due to its numerous applications, high natural abundance, low cost, and high chemical and thermal stability. Eu2O3, on the other hand, presents very specific optical properties due to the presence of the Eu(III) ion, which belongs to the lanthanide series, also known as rare-earth ions when including scandium and yttrium. Thus, in order to produce and study materials with applicability in optical devices, the goal of this project is the preparation of systems containing core-shell type zinc oxides (core)and europium(III)(shell), ZnO@Eu2O3, by using a methodology established previously by the research group based on Pechini Method, and the variation of the percentage of Eu2O3 and number of layers in order to minimize or eliminate the effects of concentration quenching. As secondary objectives, we have the prospect to switch core and shell structure, i.e., coating Eu2O3 with ZnO, and the analysis of their properties compared to the original design system. Finally, as a perspective, it is also possible to investigate the synthesis and analysis of systems containing different strategy ions. (AU)