Single-crystalline Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets with rectangular shape and exposed {0 0 1} facets were successfully synthesized via a sol–gel hydrothermal process for the first time. Their average side lengths were around 100 and 150 nm, respectively, and thickness ∼20 nm. As a result, the Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets reached as high as 79.2% of photodegradation efficiency of Rhodamine B (6 ppm of initial contentration) under 90 min of sunlight irradiation, which was ∼3 times that of conventionally calcined Bi4Ti3O12. The synthesized nanosheet catalyst also exhibited high reusability for the photodegradation reaction due to the chemical stability of its single crystalline structure. Moreover, photodegradation efficiency of the Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets increased as decreasing Rhodamine B concentrations in the range of 6–20 ppm or pH values in the range of 3.1–11.2. Addition of 0.1 M SO42− to reaction solution increased almost 6% of photodegradation efficiency of Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets under 90 min of illumination. These results demonstrate the superiority of the novel synthetsis technique for preparing bismuth titanate photocatalyst. The much-enhanced photocatalytic performance of Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets is attributed to their increased active surface sites, efficient separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers and greatly suppressed recombination rate of e−/h+ pairs, arising from their large specific surface area, small particle size, single crystallinity, and specific exposed facets.

Enhanced photocatalytic performance over Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets with controllable size and exposed {0 0 1} facets for Rhodamine B degradation

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO, CuO and a mixed Zn and Cu oxide

Europium enabled luminescent nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Photoluminescent properties of Ln2O3:Eu3+ (Ln = Y, Lu and Gd) prepared by hydrothermal process and sol–gel method

Ultrafine Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphors were prepared by a modified solution combustion method. The as-prepared samples with sizes of 17.6–80 nm (nanophosphors) and 300 nm (submicron phosphors) were characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The emission spectra of the samples are unchanged in comparison with that of standard material. The excitation spectra show a redshift in the charge-transfer-state band and a blueshift in the host gap band. In relation to commercial sample, the relative luminescence intensities of nano- and submicron phosphors are increased sufficiently to 64.4% and 93.6%, respectively. Higher quenching concentration of the activator Eu3+ ion was observed in the nanophosphor than that in the phosphor synthesized by solid state reaction.

Preparation, characterization, and optical properties of nano- and submicron-sized Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphors

Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of Eu+++/Y2O3 nanophosphors by an alkoxide precursor

In this study, we report on the synthesis of nanopowders of ferroelectric Bi 3.5 Nd 0.5 Ti 3 O 12 ceramic at temperatures below 500°C via a simple chemical method using citric acid as a solvent. The calcined powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Heating the as-dried powders in air first leads to crystallization of the Bi 2 Ti 2 O 7 phase at ∼310°C, followed by crystallization of the perovskite Nd-doped B(Ti 3 O 12 phase at ∼ 490°C as suggested by the peaks in the DSC analysis and confirmed by the evolution of phases in XRD patterns of the powders calcined at various temperatures. TEM of particles calcined at 550°C for 1 h in air showed an average particle size of 50-60 nm. The temperature dependence of capacitance of nanopowders calcined at 700°C for 1 h in air showed a Curie temperature of ∼ 615°C evincing a ferroelectric transition.

Novel Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Ferroelectric Neodymium‐Doped Bismuth Titanate Nanoparticles

Chloroform- and Water-Soluble Sol-Gel Derived Eu +++ /Y 2 O 3 (Red) and Tb +++ /Y 2 O 3 (Green) Nanophosphors: Synthesis, Characterization, and Surface Modification

Mukesh Kumar Roy

Papers

Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of Eu+++/Y2O3 nanophosphors by an alkoxide precursor

Novel Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Ferroelectric Neodymium‐Doped Bismuth Titanate Nanoparticles

Chloroform- and Water-Soluble Sol-Gel Derived Eu +++ /Y 2 O 3 (Red) and Tb +++ /Y 2 O 3 (Green) Nanophosphors: Synthesis, Characterization, and Surface Modification