Approach for quality deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystals a substitution strategy of channel species in zeolite.

Exploring the connections between the ion substitution of a material, its crystal structure, and its performance in applications is a regular task in synthetic chemistry. However, there still remain major challenges in the substitution of polyanionic groups for single ions. Herein, a strategy of channel species substitution of single anions by polyanionic groups in a zeotype rigid framework to design a new deep-ultraviolet nonlinear zincophosphate, {[LiNa(SiF)]Cs}[(ZnPO)], and tune physicochemical properties was proposed.

Tetraphenylene-based semiconductive metal-organic framework crystals for direct X-ray detection and imaging.

MOFs have good potential for X-ray detection, but direct X-ray detection in single crystal form is rarely reported. In this work, we successfully synthesized Pb-TCPE, and the single crystal achieves a low detection limit and high detection sensitivity of 4812.6 μC Gy cm, which exhibits great potential for X-ray detection and imaging.

Layered Chalcogenide Scintillators Enabled by Reversible Hydrous-Induced Phase Transformation for High-Resolution X-ray Imaging.

Scintillation materials have been widely used in various fields, such as medical diagnosis and industrial detection. Chalcogenides have the potential to become a new generation of high-performance scintillation materials due to their high effective atomic number and good resistance to radiation damage. However, research on their application in radiation detection is currently very scarce.

Methylammonium-Based Quasi-Two-Dimensional Perovskite Single Crystals for Highly Sensitive X-ray Detection and Imaging.

The strategy of introducing large organic cations into three-dimensional perovskites could reduce the dimensionality of perovskites to form quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) perovskites, resulting in increased stability and reduced detection limits due to less ion migration. Herein, a quasi-2D perovskite single crystal (BDA)(MA)PbBr (BDA = NHCHNH, MA = CHNH) with a layered structure was grown by the temperature-cooling solution method. The X-ray detector based on the (BDA)(MA)PbBr single crystal has a sensitivity as high as 1984 μC Gy cm at 55.

Strategy for a Rational Design of Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Materials from Zeolites.

Deep-ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials play a crucial role in cutting-edge laser technology. In order to solve the serious layered growth tendency of the sole commercial DUV NLO crystal KBeBOF (KBBF), developing alternative systems of compounds with bulk crystal habits has become an urgent task for practical applications. Herein, a novel strategy was developed by applying non-centrosymmetric (NCS) cancrinite (CAN)-type zincophosphates {Na(OH)(HO)}Cs[ZnPO] with bulk-crystal habits as the prototype to design new DUV NLO crystals.

Two Noncentrosymmetric Bismuth Phosphates: Rational Design Synthesis and Optical Properties.

Developing strategies to rational design noncentrosymmetric structure still attract much interest for their applications in nonlinear optical and piezoelectric materials. Two noncentrosymmetric (NCS) alkaline earth metal bismuth phosphates have been successfully achieved via partial replacement of Bi with Ca or Sr ions. BiCa(HPO) (designated as CaBiPO) and BiSr(HPO) (designated as SrBiPO), together with their solid solution Bi(SrCa)(HPO) (0 < ≤ 0.

Wide-Bandgap Rare-Earth Iodate Single Crystals for Superior X-Ray Detection and Imaging.

Semiconductor-based X-ray detectors with low detectable thresholds become critical in medical radiography applications. However, their performance is generally limited by intrinsic defects or unresolved issues of materials, and developing a novel scintillation semiconductor for low-dose X-ray detection is a highly urgent objective. Herein, a high-quality rare-earth iodate Tm(IO ) single crystal grown through low-cost solution processing is reported with a wide bandgap of 4.

Environmental regulation effect on green total factor productivity in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

As a typical watershed ecological economy in China, the Yangtze River Economic Belt has two equally important objectives, namely ecological protection and economic development. Improving green total factor productivity is an essential approach to achieve these two objectives and promote sustainable growth in this area as well as the whole country. Therefore, this study explores the impact of environmental regulation on green total factor productivity with a panel data of 108 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt between 2003 and 2019.

5d → 4f transition of a lanthanide-activated MGaS (M = Ca, Sr) semiconductor for mechanical-to-light energy conversion mediated by structural distortion.

Materials exhibiting mechanoluminescence (ML) are a class of smart materials capable of mechanical-to-light energy conversion. Thus, ML materials have been widely used in various electronic applications such as smart sensors, security systems, human-machine interfaces, and energy harvesting systems. Herein, we report a centrosymmetric ML semiconductor host material family MGaS (M = Ca, Sr), which features in-layered structures constructed with unique distorted bi-tetrahedral [GaSS] lattice units.

Integration of negative, zero and positive linear thermal expansion makes borate optical crystals light transmission temperature-independent.

Negative and zero thermal expansion (NTE and ZTE) materials are widely adopted to eliminate the harmful effect from the "heat expansion and cool contraction" effect and frequently embrace novel fundamental physicochemical mechanisms. To date, the manipulation of NTE and ZTE materials has mainly been realized by chemical component regulation. Here, we propose another method by making use of the anisotropy of thermal expansion in noncubic single crystals, with maximal tunability from the integration of linear NTE, ZTE and positive thermal expansion (PTE).

Terbium doped LiLuF nanocrystal scintillator-based flexible composite film for high resolution X-ray imaging.

Radiographic screens are widely used in high energy physics, national defense, aviation, radiodynamic therapy and medical imaging due to their scintillation materials that can transform high-energy particles or rays into ultraviolet (UV) visible light or other signals. In recent years, lanthanide doped fluoride nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted much attention due to their excellent optical properties and stability. In this work, multiple lanthanide-doped LiLuF nanocrystal scintillation materials were synthesized by thermal decomposition.

Isotypic lanthanide-organic frameworks and scintillating films with colour-tunable X-ray radioluminescence for imaging applications.

Lanthanide-organic frameworks (LnOFs) have been brought into focus due to their unique structure-function relevance, and have shown good application prospects in many fields. According to the characteristics of scintillating materials, we synthesized two isomorphic LnOFs with the lanthanides terbium and europium as emission centers: Tb(bmb)·HO (LnOF-1) and Eu(bmb)·HO (LnOF-2). Tb and Eu were used as X-ray absorption centers, and large conjugated organic ligands were used as energy transfer bridges, which can effectively convert X-rays into visible light.

Cerium Doping Double Perovskite Scintillator for Sensitive X-ray Detection and Imaging.

Scintillators are widely used for nondestructive testing, nuclear medicine imaging, space exploration and security inspection. Recently, lead halide perovskite scintillation crystals have been brought into focus due to their effective atomic number, fast scintillation decay time, strong luminous efficiency, and tunable band gap. However, their application is limited by lead toxicity.

Polymer Composites Entrapped Ce-Doped LiYF Microcrystals for High-Sensitivity X-ray Scintillation and Imaging.

Scintillators are widely used for radiation detection. The ability of converting ionizing radiation into visible photons is critical for application in X-ray security, computed tomography, and nuclear cameras. Conventional scintillators involve a high-temperature preparation and pose challenges for device integration and processability.

Rational Design and Synthesis of a Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Fluorinated Orthophosphate: BaZn(PO)F.

Rational design and tailored synthesis of noncentrosymmetric compounds with nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, especially in the deep-ultraviolet (deep-UV) region, remains a great challenge. Herein, we report on the development of a modified fluoro-solvo-hydrothermal method with two additive reagents (trimethylamine and NaF solution) as the solvents, using BaFe(PO)(OH) ( P222) as the prototype, for the rational design and tailored synthesis of the first deep-UV fluorinated orthophosphate, BaZn(PO)F. It crystallizes in the polar space group Pna2 and exhibits transparency down to deep-UV region (<190 nm) with SHG effect at 0.

Zero Linear Compressibility in Nondense Borates with a "Lu-Ban Stool"-Like Structure.

Discovering materials that exhibit zero linear compressibility (ZLC) behavior under hydrostatic pressure is extremely difficult. To date, only a handful of ZLC materials have been found, and almost all of them are ultrahard materials with densified structures. Here, to explore ZLC in nondense materials, a structural model analogous to the structure of the "Lu-Ban stool," a product of traditional Chinese woodworking invented 2500 years ago, is proposed.

Structural diversities induced by cation sizes in a series of fluorogermanophosphates: A[GeF(HPO)] (A = Na, K, Rb, NH, and Cs).

Germanophosphates, in comparison with other metal phosphates, have been less studied but potentially exhibit more diverse structural chemistry with wide applications. Herein we applied a hydro-/solvo-fluorothermal route to make use of both the "tailor effect" of fluoride for the formation of low dimensional anionic clusters and the presence of alkali cations of different sizes to align the anionic clusters to control the overall crystal symmetries of germanophosphates. The synergetic effects of fluoride and alkali cations led to structural changes from chain-like structures to layered structures in a series of five novel fluorogermanophosphates: A[GeF(HPO)] (A = Na, K, Rb, NH, and Cs, denoted as Na, K, Rb, NH4, and Cs).

Near-Zero Thermal Expansion and High Ultraviolet Transparency in a Borate Crystal of Zn B O.

Intrinsic isotropic near-zero thermal expansion is discovered in borate crystal Zn B O with high transparency in the ultraviolet region. First-principles calculations demonstrate that the very low thermal expansion originates mainly from the invariability of the solid [B O ] truncated octahedra that are fixed by the [Zn O ] clusters in the ZBO structure.

2-(4-Pyridinio)benzimidazolium tetra-chloridopalladium(II).

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, (C(12)H(11)N(3))[PdCl(4)], consists of a 2-(4-pyridinio)benzimidazolium cation and two half [PdCl(4)](2-) anions, which are located on inversion centres. The cations lie in sheets parallel to (1). The cations and anions are connected by N-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯Cl contacts.