Structural, electronic and optical properties of BaRE(GeO)(GeO) (RE = Tm, Yb, Lu) compounds and BaYb(GeO)(GeO):Tm and BaLu(GeO)(GeO):Yb,Tm phosphors: potential applications in temperature sensing.

A new series of BaRE(GeO)(GeO) (RE = Tm, Yb, Lu) germanates and activated phases BaYb(GeO)(GeO):Tm and BaLu(GeO)(GeO):12Yb,Tm have been prepared using a solid-state reaction. An XRPD study has revealed that the compounds crystallize in the monoclinic system (space group 2/, = 2). The crystal lattice consists of zigzag chains of edge-sharing distorted REO octahedra, bowed trigermanate [GeO] units, [GeO] groups, and eight-coordinated Ba atoms.

Thermal Treatment Impact on the Mechanical Properties of MgSiO(OH) Nanoscrolls.

A group of phyllosilicate nanoscrolls conjoins several hydrosilicate layered compounds with a size mismatch between octahedral and tetrahedral sheets. Among them, synthetic MgSiO(OH) chrysotile nanoscrolls (obtained via the hydrothermal method) possess high thermal stability and mechanical properties, making them prospective composite materials fillers. However, accurate determination of these nano-objects with Young's modulus remains challenging.

Nanotubes from the Misfit Layered Compound (SmS)TaS: Atomic Structure, Charge Transfer, and Electrical Properties.

Misfit layered compounds (MLCs) MX-TX, where M, T = metal atoms and X = S, Se, or Te, and their nanotubes are of significant interest due to their rich chemistry and unique quasi-1D structure. In particular, LnX-TX (Ln = rare-earth atom) constitute a relatively large family of MLCs, from which nanotubes have been synthesized. The properties of MLCs can be tuned by the chemical and structural interplay between LnX and TX sublayers and alloying of each of the Ln, T, and X elements.

W Doping in NiP as a Platform to Enhance Overall Electrochemical Water Splitting.

Bifunctional electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen generation from water splitting must overcome both the sluggish water dissociation step of the alkaline hydrogen evolution half-reaction (HER) and the kinetic barrier of the anodic oxygen evolution half-reaction (OER). Nickel phosphides are a promising catalysts family and are known to develop a thin active layer of oxidized Ni in an alkaline medium. Here, NiP was recognized as a suitable platform for the electrochemical production of γ-NiOOH─a particularly active phase─because of its matching crystallographic structure.