The present article sets forth the results of experimental investigations of solid phase interactions in chiral systems of the following types: (1) systems composed of enantiomers of one amino acid, the representative examples being L-threonine—D-threonine and L-phenylglycine—D-phenylglycine; (2) systems composed of diastereomers of one amino acid, the representative examples being L-threonine—L-allo-threonine and D-threonine—L-allo-threonine; and (3) systems composed of left enantiomers of different amino acids exemplified by the following pairs: L-valine—L-isoleucine, L-valine—L-leucine, L-leucine—L-isoleucine, L-alanine—L-serine, and L-aspartic acid—L-glutamic acid. The limits of solid solutions in the above systems are analyzed and possibility of formation of equimolar and non-equimolar discrete compounds is considered. Thermal deformations of crystal structures of the components involved, as well as thermal deformations of several solid solutions formed are investigated and the figures of thermal expansion coefficients (CTE) are plotted. Systematization of organic compounds formed in the binary chiral systems is proposed. The availability of the investigation is closely connected to an important part the amino acids play in both natural processes and technological applications.

We report the development of a group of luminescent fibre-optic temperature sensors that use Ce3+-, Dy3+-, and Yb3+- doped yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) nanophosphors as thermosensitive materials. The nanophosphors have been prepared in the form of powders with a crystallite size from 19 to 27 nm by a polymer – salt method and exhibit bright luminescence at 550 (YAG : Ce3+), 400, 480 (YAG : Dy3+), and 1030 nm (YAG : Yb3+). The sensor design includes a silica capillary, partially filled with a nanophosphor, and two large-aperture multimode optical fibres located in the capillary, which deliver excitation light and receive and transmit the photoluminescence signal. The photoluminescence signal amplitude of all the sensors decreases exponentially with increasing temperature, pointing to characteristic thermal quenching of photoluminescence and adequate operation of the devices up to 500 °C. The highest temperature sensitivity among the fibre-optic sensors is offered by the YAG : Ce3+ nanophosphor-based devices.

Photoactive ZnO–SnO 2 –Ag(AgCl) nanomaterials capable of generating chemically active single oxygen under action of UV and blue light are synthesized using a polymer–salt method. The structure and properties of these materials are studied by optical and luminescence spectroscopy, as well as by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy analyses. It is found that the structure of the ZnO–SnO 2 –Ag(AgCl) materials consists of hexagonal ZnO crystals with a wurtzite structure, tetragonal SnO 2 nanocrystals with a rutile structure, and Ag and AgCl crystals. The materials consist mainly of nanoparticles 50–60 nm is size. They are characterized by the ability to generate chemically active singlet oxygen and have antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. An increase in the concentration of silver in the materials enhances their antibacterial properties.

Experimental results of polymer-salt synthesis of Yb:YAG nanopowders and analysis of their structure and luminescent properties are presented. Infrared absorption spectra of synthesized materials are presented. The results of XRD analysis show that Yb:YAG nanocrystals with sizes of 18-35 nm form at a temperature of 900-1100 °С. The study on photoluminescence spectra and decay curves shows that properties of synthesized powders are close to properties of macroscopic materials produced by traditional high-temperature methods.

Photoactive ZnO-SnO2-Ag(AgCl) nanomaterials have been prepared by polymer-salt method. Prepared materials able to generate singlet oxygen under UV and blue light irradiation. Materials structure and properties have been studied by optical and luminescence spectroscopy, XRD and SEM analysis. It was found that the structure of ZnO-SnO2-Ag(AgCl) materials consists of hexagonal ZnO, tetragonal SnO2, Ag and AgCl crystals having size 50÷60 nm. Obtained materials able to generate chemically active singlet oxygen under UV irradiation and have high bactericidal properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The increase of Ag content enhances the bactericidal properties of prepared materials.

Nanopowders of ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet are synthesized by the polymer–salt method and their crystal structure and spectral-luminescent properties are studied experimentally. The IR spectroscopy data of the materials synthesized are presented. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet nanocrystals 18–35 nm in size are formed at 900–1100°С. Study of the spectra and luminescence decay kinetics showed that the properties of the synthesized nanocrystals are close to the characteristics of macroscopic materials synthesized by traditional high-temperature methods.