Site Occupancy Research Articles

A lactate-dependent shift of glycolysis mediates synaptic and cognitive processes in male mice

Astrocytes control brain activity via both metabolic processes and gliotransmission, but the physiological links between these functions are scantly known. Here we show that endogenous activation of astrocyte type-1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptors determines a shift of glycolysis towards the lactate-dependent production of d-serine, thereby gating synaptic and cognitive functions in male mice. Mutant mice lacking the CB1 receptor gene in astrocytes (GFAP-CB1-KO) are impaired in novel object recognition (NOR) memory. This phenotype is rescued by the gliotransmitter d-serine, by its precursor l-serine, and also by lactate and 3,5-DHBA, an agonist of the lactate receptor HCAR1. Such lactate-dependent effect is abolished when the astrocyte-specific phosphorylated-pathway (PP), which diverts glycolysis towards l-serine synthesis, is blocked. Consistently, lactate and 3,5-DHBA promoted the co-agonist binding site occupancy of CA1 post-synaptic NMDA receptors in hippocampal slices in a PP-dependent manner. Thus, a tight cross-talk between astrocytic energy metabolism and gliotransmission determines synaptic and cognitive processes.

Novel interplay between agonist and calcium binding sites modulates drug potentiation of α7 acetylcholine receptor.

Drug modulation of the α7 acetylcholine receptor has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for neurological, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders. α7 is a homo-pentamer containing topographically distinct sites for agonists, calcium, and drug modulators with each type of site present in five copies. However, functional relationships between agonist, calcium, and drugmodulator sites remain poorly understood. To investigate these relationships, we manipulated the number of agonist binding sites, and monitored potentiation of ACh-elicited single-channel currents through α7 receptors by PNU-120596 (PNU) both in the presence and absence of calcium. When ACh is present alone, it elicits brief, sub-millisecond channel openings, however when ACh is present with PNU it elicits long clusters of potentiated openings. In receptors harboring five agonist binding sites, PNU potentiates regardless of the presence or absence of calcium, whereas in receptors harboring one agonist binding site, PNU potentiates in the presence but not the absence of calcium. By varying the numbers of agonist and calcium binding sites we show that PNU potentiation of α7 depends on a balance between agonist occupancy of the orthosteric sites and calcium occupancy of the allosteric sites. The findings suggest that in the local cellular environment, fluctuations in the concentrations of neurotransmitter and calcium mayalter this balance and modulate the ability of PNU to potentiate α7.

Insights into enhanced thermoelectric performance of the n-type Mg3Sb2-based materials by amphoteric Al doping

Doping has the potential to alter the levels of anharmonicity in compounds by attenuating bonding strength. In this study, we explore the efficacy of amphoteric Al doping for stimulating anharmonicity in n-type Mg3.25AlxSb1.48Bi0.48Te0.04 to attain enhanced phonon scattering and thermoelectric performance. First-principles calculations and experimental data reveal the occupation of both Sb and Mg2 sites by amphoteric Al atoms in the anionic framework of Mg3.25AlxSb1.48Bi0.48Te0.04. A marginal variation in both carrier concentration and mobility sustains the high power factor without affecting the Seebeck coefficient, implying amphoteric doping induced charge compensation. While phonon velocity, Grüneisen parameter, and crystal orbital Hamilton population calculations results indicate that phonon softening and bond weakening are realized via Al doping, leading to an enhanced lattice anharmonicity and a reduced lattice thermal conductivity. A remarkable enhancement ∼16% in the peak figure of merit ZTpeak and the average ZTavg, was attained for the x = 0.015 sample, when compared with the un-doped sample. Hence, the amphoteric doping can serve as an effective means to optimize ZT values by decoupling the intertwined thermoelectric transport properties.

Diisobutyl-ammonium tri-phenyl(2-thiolato-acetato-κ2 O,S)stannate(IV).

Crystals of the title salt, (C8H20N)[Sn(C6H5)3(C2H2O2S)], comprise diisobutyl-ammonium cations and mercapto-acetato-tri-phenyl-stannate(IV) anions. The bidentate binding mode of the mercapto-acetate ligand gives rise to a five-coordinated, ionic tri-phenyl-tin complex with a distorted cis-trigonal-bipyramidal geometry around the tin atom. In the crystal, charge-assisted ammonium-N-H⋯O(carboxyl-ate) hydrogen-bonding connects two cations and two anions into a four-ion aggregate. Two positions were resolved for one of the phenyl rings with the major component having a site occupancy factor of 0.60 (3).

Survival Probability, Particle Imbalance, and Their Relationship in Quadratic Models.

We argue that the dynamics of particle imbalance in quadratic fermionic models is, for the majority of initial many-body product states in the site occupation basis, virtually indistinguishable from the dynamics of survival probabilities of single-particle states. We then generalize our statement to a similar relationship between the non-equal time and space density correlation functions in many-body states, and the transition probabilities of single-particle states at nonzero distances. Finally, we study the equal-time connected density-density correlation functions in many-body states, which exhibit certain qualitative analogies with the survival and transition probabilities of single-particle states. Our results are numerically tested for two paradigmatic models of single-particle localization: the 3D Anderson model and the 1D Aubry-André model. This work gives an affirmative answer to the question of whether it is possible to measure features of single-particle survival and transition probabilities by the dynamics of observables in many-body states.

Beyond Cation Disorder: Site Symmetry‐Tuned Optoelectronic Properties of the Ternary Nitride Photoabsorber ZrTaN3

AbstractTernary nitrides are rapidly emerging as promising compounds for optoelectronic and energy conversion applications, yet comparatively little of this vast composition space has been explored. Furthermore, the crystal structures of these compounds can exhibit a significant amount of disorder, the consequences of which are not yet well understood. Here, the deposition of bixbyite‐type ZrTaN3 thin films is demonstrated by reactive magnetron co‐sputtering and observed semiconducting character, with a strong optical absorption onset at 1.8 eV and significant photoactivity, with prospective application as functional photoanodes. It is found that Wyckoff‐site occupancy of cations is a critical factor in determining these beneficial optoelectronic properties. First‐principles calculations show that cation disorder leads to minor deviations in the total energy but modulates the bandgap by 0.5 eV, changing orbital hybridization of valence and conduction band states. In addition to demonstrating that ZrTaN3 is a promising visible light‐absorbing semiconductor and active photoanode material, the findings provide important insights regarding the role of cation ordering on the electronic structure of ternary semiconductors. In particular, it is shown that not only cation order, but also the cationic Wyckoff site occupancy has a substantial impact on key optoelectronic properties, which can guide future design and synthesis of advanced semiconductors.

Archaeological landscapes and long-term settlements in the Perputxent valley (eastern Iberia): Exploring land use strategies and sustainability in a Mediterranean mountain area

In this paper, we present the long-term occupation of the Perputxent Valley with the purpose of exploring the factors that could explain the long-lasting and trans-cultural occupation of resilient sites and landscapes for nearly two millennia. The first part describes the archaeological research carried out based on remote sensing and intensive coverage survey methods and geoarchaeological analysis. The characterisation of the intensive agricultural uses has been studied from the geochemical analysis of the soil and sedimentary record. The objective is to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental processes and the possible evidence of the agricultural practices. This research has identified the residential spaces, the sites and the agrarian land-uses, especially intensive farmlands. The second part analyses the evidence of this long-term settlements in the context of the archaeological, ethnographic and historical record of the region. Understanding these practices of agriculture and land-use can contribute to understandings of what makes societies sustainable.

LacdiNAc to LacNAc: remodelling of bovine α-lactalbumin N-glycosylation during the transition from colostrum to mature milk.

α -Lactalbumin, an abundant protein present in the milk of most mammals, is associated with biological, nutritional and technological functionality. Its sequence presents N-glycosylation motifs, the occupancy of which is species-specific, ranging from no to full occupancy. Here, we investigated the N-glycosylation of bovine α-lactalbumin in colostrum and milk sampled from four individual cows, each at 9 time points starting from the day of calving up to 28.0 d post-partum. Using a glycopeptide-centric mass spectrometry-based glycoproteomics approach, we identified N-glycosylation at both Asn residues found in the canonical Asn-Xxx-Ser/Thr motif, i.e. Asn45 and Asn74 of the secreted protein. We found similar glycan profiles in all four cows, with partial site occupancies, averaging at 35% and 4% for Asn45 and Asn74, respectively. No substantial changes in occupancy occurred over lactation at either site. Fucosylation, sialylation, primarily with N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), and a high ratio of N,N'-diacetyllactosamine (LacdiNAc)/N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) motifs were characteristic features of the identified N-glycans. While no substantial changes occurred in site occupancy at either site during lactation, the glycoproteoform (i.e. glycosylated form of the protein) profile revealed dynamic changes; the maturation of the α-lactalbumin glycoproteoform repertoire from colostrum to mature milk was marked by substantial increases in neutral glycans and the number of LacNAc motifs per glycan, at the expense of LacdiNAc motifs. While the implications of α-lactalbumin N-glycosylation on functionality are still unclear, we speculate that N-glycosylation at Asn74 results in a structurally and functionally different protein, due to competition with the formation of its two intra-molecular disulphide bridges.

Solder scavenging from hole-and-cap food cans in the Western Australian goldfields: Identifying site modification processes

Site modification via large and dense can dumps dating from the gold rushes of the 1880s and later in the Western Australian goldfields may profoundly affect the archaeological interpretation of these sites. A can dump has been examined in the abandoned campground of Muslim cameleers that dated from the 1892 gold rush to after the First World War. Here, can dumps comprising hundreds of cans, stacked up and in mutual contact and without other artefacts such as bottles, were not all the unmodified remains of meals and camps of transient people. This work presents a geochemical technique applied to soil samples around these dumps, showing high levels of tin and lead contamination, inconsistent with the underlying geology and similar to the composition of the solder used to seal the cans. This is consistent with the written reminiscences of a family supplementing its income by scavenging solder from hole-and-cap food cans over the period 1894–1909. This process of site modification by solder scavenging must be considered before food-can distribution patterns can be interpreted in terms of primary site occupation.

A single phased full color emitting pyrochlore type phosphor La2Y0.66Sn0.66Sb0.66O7: Bi3+, Eu3+ for white light emitting diode applications (WLEDs)

The phosphor converted white light emitting diodes (pc-WLEDs) are advancing rapidly in replacing the conventional fluorescent and incandescent light sources. However, the current technology of pc-WLEDs limits their large scale indoor lighting applications due to their high correlated color temperature (CCT) and poor color rendering index (CRI). In this work, a single phased full color emitting phosphor in the pyrochlore oxide system, La2Y0.66Sn0.66Sb0.66O7: Bi3+, Eu3+ has been developed by the high temperature ceramic route. The developed phosphors are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, luminescence and lifetime measurements. Upon near UV excitation wavelength, the singly doped phosphor, La2Y0.66Sn0.66Sb0.66O7: Bi3+ show intense blue green light in the wavelength region 400–600 nm due to the characteristic transitions (3P1 → 1S0) of Bi3+. The emission spectral analysis suggests that there exist two luminescence centers of Bi3+ due to occupation of different crystallographic sites in the pyrochlore lattice of La2Y0.66Sn0.66Sb0.66O7. The deficit of red component in the emission spectra is overcome by the Eu3+ co-doping in the system, La2Y0.66Sn0.66Sb0.66O7: Bi3+, Eu3+ which results in the full color emission covering the visible spectral range up to 700 nm with broad peaks along with sharp narrow characteristic peaks of Eu3+. The full color emission of the La2Y0.66Sn0.66Sb0.66O7: 0.04Bi3+, yEu3+ phosphors can be tuned by adjusting the suitable Eu3+ dopant concentration and using appropriate energy transfer from Bi3+ to Eu3+. The full color emitting phosphor, La2Y0.66Sn0.66Sb0.66O7:0.04Bi3+, 0.06Eu3+ can be realized with the color coordinates (0.30, 0.36), and correlated color temperature (4383K). All these results demonstrate that La2Y0.66Sn0.66Sb0.66O7:xBi3+, yEu3+ are potential single phased full color emitting phosphors for the development of pc-WLEDs.

Structure of ZnxFe3−xO4 nanoparticles studied by neutron diffraction and its relation with their response in magnetic hyperthermia experiments

The mixed zinc-ferrite spinel magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with the general formula ZnxFe3−xO4 are among the most extensively studied families of Fe oxides due to their interesting and diverse chemical, electronic, and magnetic properties. These systems offer the possibility of surface functionalization and possess high biocompatibility, making them highly attractive for applications in biomedicine, such as magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH). The efficiency of the MFH process relies on the magnetic, structural and morphological properties of the MNPs. The substitution with the Zn ion and the cationic distribution, as well as the synthesis process employed, have a direct impact on the final properties of these oxides. Therefore, it is essential to have tools that enable a comprehensive characterization of the system to assess its performance in MFH. In this study, we have synthesized four ZnxFe3−xO4 MNP systems using three different methods: two by thermal decomposition at high temperatures, one by co-precipitation, and another by co-precipitation followed by ball milling. We analyze the effect of these various synthesis processes on the magnetic and crystallographic properties, aiming to correlate them with the response of each system in MFH. Neutron diffraction data are employed to determine the cation site occupation and to investigate the correlation with the synthesis method. MFH measurements were conducted in media of diverse viscosities, revealing different values of specific loss power, thus demonstrating a clear dependence on the synthesis process and Zn content.

Effective optimization of atomic decoration in giant and superstructurally ordered crystals with machine learning.

Crystals with complicated geometry are often observed with mixed chemical occupancy among Wyckoff sites, presenting a unique challenge for accurate atomic modeling. Similar systems possessing exact occupancy on all the sites can exhibit superstructural ordering, dramatically inflating the unit cell size. In this work, a crystal graph convolutional neural network (CGCNN) is used to predict optimal atomic decorations on fixed crystalline geometries. This is achieved with a site permutation search (SPS) optimization algorithm based on Monte Carlo moves combined with simulated annealing and basin-hopping techniques. Our approach relies on the evidence that, for a given chemical composition, a CGCNN estimates the correct energetic ordering of different atomic decorations, as predicted by electronic structure calculations. This provides a suitable energy landscape that can be optimized according to site occupation, allowing the prediction of chemical decoration in crystals exhibiting mixed or disordered occupancy, or superstructural ordering. Verification of the procedure is carried out on several known compounds, including the superstructurally ordered clathrate compound Rb8Ga27Sb16 and vacancy-ordered perovskite Cs2SnI6, neither of which was previously seen during the neural network training. In addition, the critical temperature of an order-disorder phase transition in solid solution CuZn is probed with our SPS routines by sampling site configuration trajectories in the canonical ensemble. This strategy provides an accurate method for determining favorable decoration in complex crystals and analyzing site occupation at unprecedented speed and scale.

Occupation distribution analysis of Co in La-Co substituted M-type hexaferrite and its significant effect on magnetic properties

In recent years, La-Co co-substituted M-type strontium hexaferrite (La-Co SrM) has gained significant attention due to its improved permanent magnet performance and elevated operating temperature. However, the occupation of Co ions within the lattice of La-Co SrM has sparked considerable debate over the past two decades. To address this, neutron powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were employed in this study to analyze Co occupancy in La-Co SrM single crystal and polycrystalline samples. Results consistently reveal a preference for most Co ions to occupy the spin-down tetrahedral 4f1 site, which enhances the net magnetic moment and uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. Differences in Co ion distribution between single crystals (octahedral 12k and 2a sites) and polycrystalline powders (bipyramidal 2b sites) are attributed to sample preparation conditions, often overlooked in previous discussions. Therefore, precise regulation of Co occupancy, particularly maximizing the occupation of the 4f1 site, proves pivotal in enhancing magnetic properties.

Elemental distribution and site occupancy in a Co-Ni-Al-Ti-Ta-W superalloy

γ'-precipitate strengthened cobalt-based superalloys show promise for higher temperature-capability over nickel-based superalloys due to higher melting temperatures. This study investigates a multicomponent CoNi-based superalloy with composition of 54Co-30Ni-9Al-1Ta-4Ti-2-W (at.%) in terms of elemental partitioning and site occupancy. Atom probe tomography (APT) reveals preferential partitioning of Ni, Al, Ti, Ta and W to the γ'-precipitate and Co to the γ-matrix. Aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) along the [001] zone axis of γ'-precipitate with L12 structure indicate that Co, Ni substitute at A-sites, whereas Al, Ti, Ta, W prefer the B-sites. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further confirm the results of partitioning behaviors and site preferences. Clarifying elemental partitioning and site occupancy provides valuable insights into alloy design principles for advanced CoNi-based superalloys.

CaTiO3 nanoparticles as functional additives for the BaTiO3-based X8R type dielectric ceramics

This research investigates the potential of Calcium titanate (CaTiO3 or CT) nanoparticles as functional additives to enhance the dielectric properties of Barium titanate (BaTiO3 or BT)-based ceramic dielectrics. To address the need for high-temperature stability in MLCC (multilayer ceramic capacitor) applications, especially within the automotive and aerospace sectors, we have explored BT-based complex perovskite solid solutions comprising various cation substitutions, including Ca2+ and Yb3+, into barium titanate (BT) as a method to suppress the dielectric property anomaly near the Curie temperature effectively. The focus is on the impact of the application of CT nanoparticles as additive materials on phase formation, microstructure development, and dielectric behavior of the resulting ceramics to align with the Extended 'Temperature Coefficient of Capacitance (TCC)' criteria defined by the EIA X8R specification. When the hydrothermally synthesized CT nanopowder was applied in the Ca-doped BT ceramics fabrications as source material of the Ca dopants, it was beneficial to achieve both temperature stability and high dielectric constant. The CT nanoparticles are believed to play multiple roles during the solid-state reaction with BT and rare earth dopant (Yb). Since the Yb3+ ions can be more easily dissolved into the CT lattice than BT with their amphoteric character, the CT nanoparticles in the BT-CT-Yb2O3 mixture can act as an intermediary, dissolving the Yb3+ first in its A- or B-site before the final solid-solution formation with the BT. The sequential substitutions of the Yb3+ and Ca2+ into BT via CT nanoparticles could affect the site occupancy of Ca2+ in the BT lattice, which is very important in determining the dielectric properties of the Ca-doped BT processed in reducing atmospheres. Through a comprehensive experimental approach, including phase composition analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microstructural examination using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), this work reveals the significance of synthetic methodology and dopant incorporation strategy on achieving a desired core-shell microstructure and improved dielectric performance. This research underscores the efficacy of CT nanoparticles as a promising route towards the development of BT-based dielectric ceramics with superior temperature stability, offering valuable insights for the advancement of MLCC technology to cater to high-temperature applications.

New ion radii for oxides and oxysalts, fluorides, chlorides and nitrides.

Ion radii are derived here from the characteristic (grand mean) bond lengths for (i) 135 ions bonded to oxygen in 459 configurations (on the basis of coordination number) using 177 143 bond lengths extracted from 30 805 ordered coordination polyhedra from 9210 crystal structures; and (ii) 76 ions bonded to nitrogen in 137 configurations using 4048 bond lengths extracted from 875 ordered coordination polyhedra from 434 crystal structures. There are two broad categories of use for ion radii: (1) those methods which use the relative sizes of cation and anion radii to predict local atomic arrangements; (2) those methods which compare the radii of different cations (or the radii of different anions) to predict local atomic arrangements. There is much uncertainty with regard to the relative sizes of cations and anions, giving rise to the common failure of type (1) methods, e.g. Pauling's first rule which purports to relate the coordination adopted by cations to the radius ratio of the constituent cation and anion. Conversely, type (2) methods, which involve comparing the sizes of different cations with each other (or different anions with each other), can give very accurate predictions of site occupancies, physical properties etc. Methods belonging to type (2) can equally well use the characteristic bond lengths themselves (from which the radii are derived) in place of radii to develop correlations and predict crystal properties. Extensive quantum-mechanical calculations of electron density in crystals in the literature indicate that the radii of both cations and anions are quite variable with local arrangement, suggesting significant problems with any use of ion radii. However, the dichotomy between the experimentally derived ion radii and the quantum-mechanical calculations of electron density in crystals is removed by the recognition that ion radii are proxy variables for characteristic bond lengths in type (2) relations.

Settling the argument: The contribution of use-wear studies to understanding artefact scatters in Neolithic Britain

Our understanding of the Neolithic of southern Britain has been largely based on the interpretation of monumental landscapes such as those around Stonehenge and Avebury. The remains of domestic structures dating to the Neolithic are rare, and when found, are often associated with small assemblages of material culture. The most common forms of settlement evidence are unstratified artefact scatters, which have little evidence of associated structural remains. As a result, our understanding of Neolithic settlement is poor. We have limited knowledge of what craft and subsistence activities were associated with them, and we do not know how quotidian practices were organised at a settlement or landscape level.Taking the West Kennet Avenue Occupation Site as an example, this paper will show how use-wear analysis can be combined with a detailed technological analysis to reveal details of the character and temporality of a Neolithic settlement. The use-wear analysis will focus on the assemblage of microdenticulates from the site. It further explores the character and potential contact material related to Polish 23, the distinctive use-polish that occurs on these tools, and shows how the combination of spatial analysis and use-wear analysis can separate different episodes of occupation in a scatter of unstratified artefacts. The results provide crucial insight into the history of settlement in the Avebury landscape and shed further light on the character of use of microdenticulates, supporting the argument that they were used for processing plant fibres for the production of textiles.

Cyan to orange color tunable emitting of Ca2GdHf2Al3O12: Ce3+, Mn2+ phosphors via energy transfer

Recently, the realization of spectrum-tunable single-phase phosphors has become the focus of phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) research. Herein, a novel color-tunable Ca2GdHf2Al3O12 (CGHAO): Ce3+, Mn2+ single-phase phosphor was prepared. A thorough investigation was conducted into the crystal structure, site occupancy, morphology, luminescent characteristics, energy transfer (ET) process, and thermal quenching. These phosphors show broadband excitation between 200 and 460 nm matching commercially available near-ultraviolet LED chips (380–420 nm). The ratio of dopant ion concentration can be varied to achieve cyan-to-orange chromaticity adjustment due to the Ce3+ → Mn2+ effective ET. By confirming that the ET mechanism is controlled by dipole-quadrupole interaction with 42.64 % efficiency. In particular, under excitation at 405 nm, the optimal sample CGHAO: 5%Ce3+, 15%Mn2+ emits bright yellow light with an IQE of 84.35 %, and has good thermal (Ea = 0.271 eV) and chromatic stability (ΔE = 1.35 × 10−2 at 473K). Based on these findings, color-tunable CGHAO: Ce3+, Mn2+ phosphor could be considered potential candidates for pc-LEDs device applications.

MLL-AF9 regulates transcriptional initiation in mixed lineage leukemic cells

Mixed lineage leukemia-fusion proteins (MLL-FPs) are believed to maintain gene activation and induce MLL through aberrantly stimulating transcriptional elongation, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we show that both MLL1 and AF9, one of the major fusion partners of MLL1, mainly occupy promoters and distal intergenic regions, exhibiting chromatin occupancy patterns resembling that of RNA polymerase II in HEL, a human erythroleukemia cell line without MLL1 rearrangement. MLL1 and AF9 only coregulate over a dozen genes despite of their co-occupancy on thousands of genes. They do not interact with each other, and their chromatin occupancy is also independent of each other. Moreover, AF9 deficiency in HEL cells decreases global TBP occupancy while decreases CDK9 occupancy on a small number of genes, suggesting an accessory role of AF9 in CDK9 recruitment and a possible major role in transcriptional initiation via initiation factor recruitment. Importantly, MLL1 and MLL-AF9 occupy promoters and distal intergenic regions, exhibiting identical chromatin occupancy patterns in MLL cells, and MLL-AF9 deficiency decreased occupancy of TBP and TFIIE on major target genes of MLL-AF9 in iMA9, a murine acute myeloid leukemia cell line inducibly expressing MLL-AF9, suggesting that it can also regulate initiation. These results suggest that there is no difference between MLL1 and MLL-AF9 with respect to location and size of occupancy sites, contrary to what people have believed, and that MLL-AF9 may also regulate transcriptional initiation in addition to widely believed elongation.

Luminescence spectra and site-occupation of Eu3+ centres in lithium antimonate LiSbO3 lattice

It is a challenge to accurately determine the exact location of the rare earth ion (RE) in the lattice when there are significant differences in radius, electronegativity and valence between the lattice cation and the corresponding RE activator in a host material. This study presents the findings on the luminescence and site occupancy of Eu3+ emission centers in the lithium antimonate LiSbO3 lattice. The phase-formation, structures, elemental composition, band transition characteristics, luminescence properties, and lifetimes of the Eu3+-doped phosphors were investigated. Eu3+-doped LiSbO3 exhibits a typical 5D0→7F2 red luminescence transition at 613 nm. Site-selective excitation, luminescence, and decay properties at the 7F0→5D0 transition wavelength were measured using a tunable pulsed narrow-band dye laser. Two Eu3+ luminescence centers in LiSbO3 were identified across the temperature range from 10 K to 300 K. The doping of RE(Eu3+) in LiSbO3 consistently occupies two crystallographic positions of Li+ and Sb5+. Furthermore, the probability of RE(Eu3+) ions preferentially occupying the Li+ (M) sites is notably high. The decay curves and luminescence lifetimes of the two Eu3+ centers were determined. Drawing from the experimental data, we discuss the potential defects induced by Eu3+ doping in LiSbO3 and the mechanism of charge compensation. These results could be instrumental in the advancement of new RE-activated luminescent materials or serve as a reference for investigating the specific positioning of RE ions within a phosphor lattice.