Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a versatile technique for the characterization of materials belonging to the carbon family. Based on the interaction of the IR radiation with matter this technique may be used for the identification and characterization of chemical structures. Most important features of this method are: non-destructive, real-time measurement and relatively easy to use. Carbon basis for all living systems has found numerous industrial applications from carbon coatings (i.e. amorphous and nanocrystalline carbon films: diamond-like carbon (DLC) films) to nanostructured materials (fullerenes, nanotubes, graphene) and carbon materials at nanoscale or carbon dots (CDots). In this paper, we present the FTIR vibrational spectroscopy for the characterization of diamond, amorphous carbon, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerene and carbon quantum dots (CQDs), without claiming to cover entire field.

Worldwide commercial interest in the production of cerium doped yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG:Ce) phosphors is reflected in the widespread use of white light emitting devices. Despite of the fact that YAG:Ce is considered a “cool phosphor” it is the most important in white LED technology. This article reviews the developed techniques for producing phosphors with superior photoluminescence efficiency, including solid-state reaction, sol-gel and (co)precipitation methods. Also, by co-doping with rare earth elements, a red/blue shift is reached in the spectrum. The characteristics of YAG:Ce phosphors are investigated because the properties of the phosphors are strongly influenced by the synthesis routes and the sintering temperature treatment. After the phase analysis, morphology and emission studies of the phosphors there may be seen the conditions when the transition from the amorphous phase to the crystalline phase appears, when luminescent properties are influenced by the crystalline form, purity, average size of the particles, co-doping and so on.

In the current study, ZnO nanoparticles were obtained using a chemical process employing zinc acetate as the precursor, followed by thermal processing in air. To prevent agglomeration and increase the stability of ZnO nanoparticles, two unsaturated acids (e.g., elaidic acid and linoleic acid) and two saturated acids (e.g., stearic acid and lauric acid) were selected as capping agents. ZnO nanoparticles were investigated before and after surface modification with different fatty acids. Structural and morphological analyses of the samples were performed using FTIR and RAMAN spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM microscopy, and wetting capacity. Characterization studies revealed that the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles present well-defined crystalline structures, with crystallite sizes varying between 26 and 28 nm, and the average particle size was in the range of 10–55 nm (depending on the type of fatty acids used). The goniometric analysis followed the wetting capacity of the sample surface. The study results reveal that the capping agents have a considerable impact on the surface modification of the nanoparticles by increasing the contact angle. By producing nanoparticles with hydrophobic behavior, there is the possibility of opening up future research for their use in various applications across many industrial fields.