Unexpected nanoscale CeO structural transformations induced by ecologically relevant phosphate species.

In the present study, the dissolution and microstructural transformation of CeO nanoparticles (NPs) in a phosphate-containing milieu were investigated. The dissolution behaviour of 2 nm and 5 nm CeO NPs in phosphate buffer solutions was found to differ markedly from that observed in 0.01 M NaClO.

The first example of polymeric lanthanide -trifluoroacetates in chemical solution deposition of up-converting NaGdF:Yb,Er,Nd thin films.

A series of lanthanide -trifluoroacetates {(detaH)[La(tfa)](CHCN)(HO)} and (detaH)[Ln(tfa)] (Ln = Pr-Eu), mixed-ligand complexes [La(tfa)(CHCN)(HO)], [Gd(tfa)(deta)](PrOH) and [Yb(tfa)(deta)](tfa), as well as detaH(tfa) were isolated and characterized. All lanthanide -trifluoroacetates contain two types of 1D anionic chains [Ln(tfa)] and cavities occupied by detaH cations and solvating HO and CHCN molecules. The thermal behavior of (detaH)[Ln(tfa)] in air is investigated by TGA, VT-PXRD and total X-ray scattering with PDF analysis, and the formation of metal fluorides occurs upon heating to 300 °C.

Three-Dimensional Photonic Crystals Based on Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide.

Photonic crystals (PCs) consisting of a periodic arrangement of holes in dielectric media have found success in light manipulation and sensing. Among them, three-dimensional (3D) PCs are in high demand due to their unique properties originating from multiple photonic band gaps (PBGs) and even full ones. Here, 3D PCs based on porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) were fabricated for the first time.

Exploring van der Waals materials with high anisotropy: geometrical and optical approaches.

The emergence of van der Waals (vdW) materials resulted in the discovery of their high optical, mechanical, and electronic anisotropic properties, immediately enabling countless novel phenomena and applications. Such success inspired an intensive search for the highest possible anisotropic properties among vdW materials. Furthermore, the identification of the most promising among the huge family of vdW materials is a challenging quest requiring innovative approaches.

Tuning the Cerium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Formation by Template Effect and Precursor Selection.

The novel metal-organic framework [(CH)NH][Ce(bdc)(DMF)]·2HO (, Hbdc-terephthalic acid, DMF-,-dimethylformamide) was synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. has 3D connectivity of type with a dinuclear fragment connected with eight neighbors, while three types of guest species are residing in its pores: water, DMF, and dimethylammonium cations. Dimethylamine was demonstrated to have a decisive templating effect on the formation of , as its deliberate addition to the solvothermal reaction allows the reproducible synthesis of the new framework.