Rare-earth (RE) nanolaminates 
Mo4RE4Al7C3
 featuring ferromagnetism and mixed-valence states

Many studies have linked reactive oxygen species (ROS) to various diseases. Biomedical research has therefore sought a way to control and regulate ROS produced in biological systems. In recent years, cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria, CNPs) have been pursued due to their ability to act as regenerative ROS scavengers. In particular, they are shown to have either superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase mimetic (CAT) potential depending on the ratio of Ce3+/Ce4+ valence states. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that SOD mimetic activity can be diminished by the presence of phosphate, which can be a problem given that many biological systems operate in a phosphate-rich environment. Herein, we report a CNP formulation with both SOD and catalase mimetic activity that is preserved in a phosphate-rich media. Characterization demonstrated a highly dispersed, stable solution of uniform-sized, spherical-elliptical shaped CNP of 12 ± 2 nm, as determined through dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy. Mixed valence states of Ce ions were observed via UV/Visible spectroscopy and XPS (Ce3+/Ce4+ > 1) (Ce3+∼ 62%). X-ray diffraction and XPS confirmed the presence of oxygen-deficient cerium oxide (CeO2-x) particles. Finally, the CNP demonstrated very good biocompatibility and efficient reduction of hydrogen peroxide under in-vitro conditions.

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A novel and potentially scalable CVD-based route towards SnO2:Mo thin films as transparent conducting oxides

Journal of Materials Science ◽

10.1007/s10853-021-06269-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tianlei Ma ◽

Marek Nikiel ◽

Andrew G. Thomas ◽

Mohamed Missous ◽

David J. Lewis

Keyword(s):

Thin Films ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Mixed Valence ◽

Chemical Vapour ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Conducting Oxides ◽

Valence States ◽

3 Omega ◽

First Time

AbstractIn this report, we prepared transparent and conducting undoped and molybdenum-doped tin oxide (Mo–SnO2) thin films by aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD). The relationship between the precursor concentration in the feed and in the resulting films was studied by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, suggesting that the efficiency of doping is quantitative and that this method could potentially impart exquisite control over dopant levels. All SnO2 films were in tetragonal structure as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterisation indicated for the first time that Mo ions were in mixed valence states of Mo(VI) and Mo(V) on the surface. Incorporation of Mo6+ resulted in the lowest resistivity of $$7.3 \times 10^{{ - 3}} \Omega \,{\text{cm}}$$ 7.3 × 10 - 3 Ω cm , compared to pure SnO2 films with resistivities of $$4.3\left( 0 \right) \times 10^{{ - 2}} \Omega \,{\text{cm}}$$ 4.3 0 × 10 - 2 Ω cm . Meanwhile, a high transmittance of 83% in the visible light range was also acquired. This work presents a comprehensive investigation into impact of Mo doping on SnO2 films synthesised by AACVD for the first time and establishes the potential for scalable deposition of SnO2:Mo thin films in TCO manufacturing. Graphical abstract

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Correction: Effects of mixed-valence states of Eu-doped FAPbI3 perovskite crystals studied by first-principles calculation

Materials Advances ◽

10.1039/d1ma90036f ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (8) ◽

pp. 2759-2759

Author(s):

Atsushi Suzuki ◽

Takeo Oku

Keyword(s):

First Principles ◽

Mixed Valence ◽

First Principles Calculation ◽

Valence States

Correction for ‘Effects of mixed-valence states of Eu-doped FAPbI3 perovskite crystals studied by first-principles calculation’ by Atsushi Suzuki et al., Mater. Adv., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/D0MA00994F.

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The Valance Determination of Cerium Ions in α-SiAlON by Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy Analysis

Microscopy and Microanalysis ◽

10.1017/s1431927608089265 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 14 (S3) ◽

pp. 19-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

H. Yurdakul ◽

S. Turan

Keyword(s):

Rare Earth ◽

Ionic Radius ◽

High Hardness ◽

Engineering Properties ◽

Secondary Phases ◽

Sintering Additive ◽

Valence States ◽

Domain Boundaries ◽

Spark Plasma

SiAlON ceramics have found applications in many different areas due to their excellent engineering properties such as high hardness, fracture toughness, good thermal shock and oxidation resistance. SiAlON exist mainly in two different polymorphs: a (MxSi12-(m+n)Al(m+n)OnN16-n; M: metal and rare earth cations, x≈0,35 and n≤1,35) and β (β-Si6-zAlzOzN8-z; 0≤z≤4). In general, stable alpha and beta phases separately as well as in combination of α and β are obtained by incorporation of metal and rare earth cations as sintering additives. The metal cations such as Li, Mg, Ca, Y, and most lanthanide cations with the exception of La, Ce, Pr and Eu are able to stabilise α-SiAlON structure. Ekstrom et al. 1991 found that cerium can not occupy interstitial sites in α-SiAlON structure due to the fact that ionic radius of Ce3+ (0.103 nm) is too large, whereas ionic radius of Ce4+ (0.080 nm) is too small to stabilise α-SiAlON structure. After this work, several studies carried out to incorporate cerium cations into α-SiAlON structure. It was shown that cerium cation alone can be incorporated into α-SiAlON if the samples are either fast cooled after sintering, or when the samples are spark plasma sintered. On the other hand, cerium can also be incorporated into the α-SiAlON structure when it is used as a sintering additive together with a smaller α-SiAlON stabiliser cation such as Yb or Ca. Similar results were observed in other multi-cation doped SiAlONS that non α-SiAlON stabiliser cations like Sr2+ (0.112 nm) and La3+ (0.106 nm) are able to stabilise α-SiAlON when used together with α-SiAlON stabiliser cations such as Ca or Yb. Although it was shown that cerium existed in mixed valance state at domain boundaries in Ce-doped and spark plasma sintered α-SiAlON, there is no work on the valance determination of cerium in sintered α-SiAlON which has no domain boundaries. Therefore, in this study; it was aimed to incorporate cerium into α-SiAlON structure by combining with Yb3+ and the determination of possible cerium valence states (Ce3+/Ce4+) in both α-SiAlON grains and secondary phases.

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