Postdoctoral position in rare earth spectroscopy at University of São Paulo Full-time NEW

Post-doc position at the Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Applications (LNA-IFUSP): FAPESP Scholarship – 24 months. (Prof. Danilo Mustafa)

Spectroscopy approach to monitoring the absorption and release of molecules intercalated in LDHs

Trivalent rare earth ions (RE³⁺) are widely used as activators in luminescent materials. Their 4f electronic levels are shielded from crystal field by the most external, completely filled 5s² and 5p⁶ orbitals, which makes their energy levels almost independent of the matrix they are inserted. However, the relative intensities of their 4f-4f transitions are highly sensitive to the symmetry and chemical environment of the first coordination sphere. This sensitivity allows RE³⁺ions to act spectroscopic probes for detecting local structural and chemical changes in the host material during chemical processes and reactions. In fact, one of the first uses of the luminescent properties of RE³⁺ cations were to probe complex formation in aqueous medium. In these systems, variations in the solvation sphere and ligand coordination can be monitored in situ through the photoluminescence behavior RE³⁺ ions under direct excitation. This project aims to explore these properties in Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) intercalated with various organic molecules, combining synthesis, luminescence spectroscopy, and in situ characterization to investigate formation mechanisms and molecule-host interactions.

Topics:

I – Application of the Judd-Ofelt theory to interpret the spectroscopic behavior of rare earth ions in various environments.

II – Synthesis of LDHs with different intercalated molecules to investigate the structural

evolution during material formation.

III – Ex situ and in situ measurements to monitor the adsorption and release of intercalated molecules on selected samples. These measurements can also be applied during the synthesis of the LDHs to obtain more evidence on its formation process.

Expected skills:

I – PhD in Physics or Chemistry.

II – Experience in sample preparation (chemical methods), basic characterizations (X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, CHN, etc.).

III – English writing skills. One of the responsibilities of the researcher will be to help preparing manuscripts and scientific proposals.

Tagged as: Physics