Synthesis and gas sensitivities of SnO2 nanorods and hollow microspheres

SnO₂ urchin-like structures composed of nanorods with diameters of 10-15 nm and lengths of 50-70 nm have been hydrothermally synthesized via a H₂O₂-assisted route without any surfactant, using SnCl₂ as raw material. With the addition of methenamine (HMT), SnO₂ hollow microspheres with diameters of 2-3 μm and shell thickness of 60-140 nm were also prepared. The as-obtained products were examined using diverse techniques including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), high-resolution TEM and photoluminescence spectra. The gas sensitivity experiments have demonstrated that the as-synthesized SnO₂ materials exhibit good sensitivity to alcohol vapors, which may offer potential applications in gas sensors.     

Chromium(III) Hydroxide Solubility in the Aqueous K+-H+-OH?-CO2-HCO 3? -CO 32? -H2O System: A?Thermodynamic Model

Chromium(III)-carbonate reactions are expected to be important in managing high-level radioactive wastes. Extensive studies on the solubility of amorphous Cr(III) hydroxide solid in a wide range of pH (3–13) at two different fixed partial pressures of CO₂(g) (0.003 or 0.03 atm.), and as functions of K₂CO₃ concentrations (0.01 to 5.8 mol⋅kg⁻¹) in the presence of 0.01 mol⋅dm⁻³ KOH and KHCO₃ concentrations (0.001 to 0.826 mol⋅kg⁻¹) at room temperature (22±2 °C) were carried out to obtain reliable thermodynamic data for important Cr(III)-carbonate reactions. A combination of techniques (XRD, XANES, EXAFS, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, thermodynamic analyses of solubility data, and quantum mechanical calculations) was used to characterize the solid and aqueous species. The Pitzer ion-interaction approach was used to interpret the solubility data. Only two aqueous species [Cr(OH)(CO₃)₂²⁻ and Cr(OH)₄CO₃³⁻] are required to explain Cr(III)-carbonate reactions in a wide range of pH, CO₂(g) partial pressures, and bicarbonate and carbonate concentrations. Calculations based on density functional theory support the existence of these species. The log ₁₀ K° values of reactions involving these species [{Cr(OH)₃(am) + 2CO₂(g)⇌Cr(OH)(CO₃)₂²⁻+2H⁺} and {Cr(OH)₃(am) + OH⁻+CO₃²⁻ ⇌Cr(OH)₄CO₃³⁻}] were found to be −(19.07±0.41) and −(4.19±0.19), respectively. No other data on any Cr(III)-carbonato complexes are available for comparisons.     

Preparation of thin SnO2 layers by inorganic sol-gel process

SnO₂ sols were prepared in the following way: (1) precipitation of metastannic acid with aqueous ammonia from aqueous solutions of SnCl₄, (2) washing the precipitates with NH₄NO₃ solution and water, (3) peptization of precipitates in water, sometimes with an addition of HNO₃, at elevated temperature using mechanical stirring. In those sols, sometimes diluted with water or ethanol, substrates (glass or silica derived wafers) were dipped and withdrawn at various rates. Gel coatings were converted into crystalline SnO₂ by thermal treatment at 600°C. Coatings with thickness between 300–2000 Å were prepared.     

Enhanced gas sensing by assembling Pd nanoparticles onto the surface of SnO2 nanowires

SnO₂ nanowires with an average 0.6 μm in length and about 25 nm in diameter were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The sensors were fabricated using SnO₂ nanowires assembled with Pd nanocrystals. The sensing properties of the sensors such as selectivity, response-recovery time and stability were tested at 290 °C. After assembling Pd nanocrystals onto the surface of SnO₂ nanowires, the gas sensing properties of the sensors toward H₂S were improved. The sensors based on Pd nanoparticle@SnO₂ nanowires exhibit high stability owing to stable single crystal structure. The mechanism of promoting sensing properties with Pd nanoparticles is discussed.     

LB技术制备SnO2-TiO2无机交替纳米薄膜

采用LB技术将SnO₂纳米粒子和TiO₂纳米粒子组装进花生酸的交替多层膜，通过热处理除去膜中的有机成分后，采用红外光谱、紫外可见光谱、X-光电子能谱、低角X-射线衍射、原子力显微镜以及扫描电子显微镜等手段对处理后的膜进行了形貌、组成和结构表征，表明制得的是SnO₂纳米粒子-TiO₂纳米粒子无机-无机交替的均匀的纳米薄膜。     

A study on methanol steam reforming to CO2 and H2 over the La2CuO4 nanofiber catalyst

The La₂CuO₄ crystal nanofibers were prepared by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as templates under mild hydrothermal conditions. The steam reforming of methanol (SRM) to CO₂ and H₂ over such nanofiber catalysts was studied. At the low temperature of 150 °C and steam/methanol=1.3, methanol was completely (100%, 13.8 g/h g catalyst) converted to hydrogen and CO₂ without the generation of CO. Within the 60 h catalyst lifespan test, methanol conversion was maintained at 98.6% (13.6 g/h g catalyst) and with 100% CO₂ selectivity. In the meantime, for distinguishing the advantage of nanoscale catalyst, the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder was prepared and tested for the SRM reaction for comparison. Compared with the La₂CuO₄ nanofiber, the bulk powder La₂CuO₄ showed worse catalytic activity for the SRM reaction. The 100% conversion of methanol was achieved at the temperature of 400 °C, with the products being H₂ and CO₂ together with CO. The catalytic activity in terms of methanol conversion dropped to 88.7% (12.2 g/h g catalyst) in 60 h. The reduction temperature for nanofiber La₂CuO₄ was much lower than that for the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder. The nanofibers were of higher specific surface area (105.0 m²/g), metal copper area and copper dispersion. The in situ FTIR and EPR experiments were employed to study the catalysts and catalytic process. In the nanofiber catalyst, there were oxygen vacancies. H₂-reduction resulted in the generation of trapped electrons [e] on the vacancy sites. Over the nanofiber catalyst, the intermediate H₂CO/HCO was stable and was reformed to CO₂ and H₂ by steam rather than being decomposed directly to CO and H₂. Over the bulk counterpart, apart from the direct decomposition of H₂CO/HCO to CO and H₂, the intermediate H₂COO might go through two decomposition ways: H₂COO=CO+H₂O and H₂COO=CO₂+H₂.     

离子交换-双氧水氧化法制备纳米CeO2晶体

以99.995% Ce(NO₃)₃和强碱性阴离子交换树脂为原料，采用离子交换-双氧水氧化法合成制备出纳米CeO₂晶体。并就离子交换反应中的Ce³⁺浓度、树脂加入速度和离子交换温度及H₂O₂加入速度等条件对CeO₂粒径的影响进行了探讨，得出了离子交换-双氧水氧化法制备纳米CeO₂晶体的最佳工艺条件。FTIR、TEM分析表明，离子交换法无需对合成的Ce(OH)₃溶胶进行洗涤即可去除NO₃^-、CO₃^2-等阴离子杂质，并用H₂O₂将该溶胶氧化，经真空干燥可制得粒径分布均匀，平均晶粒尺寸约3 nm，高纯度的CeO₂粉体。     

General Route to Synthesize Monodisperse Oxide (Hydroxide) Nanoparticles

Mono-dispersed oxide and hydroxide nanoparticles have been synthesized through the solvothermal process in alcohol-water mixtures. The products were characterized by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Plate-like nanoparticles are obtained for Bi₂O_2.33, Fe₂O₃, and Cd(OH)₂, and spherical nanoparticles are obtained for SnO₂. The growth mechanism for the mono-dispersed nanoparticles has been preliminarily discussed.     

A novel red emitting phosphor Ca2SnO4: Eu

A novel red emitting phosphor, Eu³⁺-doped Ca₂SnO₄, was prepared by the solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of Ca₂SnO₄: Eu³⁺. Field-emission scanning electron-microscopy (FE-SEM) observation indicated a narrow size-distribution of about 500 nm for the particles with spherical shape. Photoluminescence measurements indicated that the phosphor exhibits bright red emission at about 615 nm under UV excitation. The excellent luminescence properties make it possible as a good candidate for plasma display panels (PDP) application. Splitting of the ⁵D₀-⁷F_J transitions of Ca₂SnO₄: Eu³⁺ suggests that the Eu³⁺ ions occupied two nonequivalent sites in the crystallite. The luminescence lifetime measurement showed a bi-exponential decay, providing other evidence for the existence of two different environments for Eu³⁺ ions.     

SnO2TiO2 复合半导体纳米薄膜的研究进展

本文概述了SnO₂TiO₂ 复合半导体纳米薄膜的发展历史和研究现状,对比分析了“混合”、“核壳”和“叠层”3 种复合薄膜的结构和性能特点,着重论述了叠层结构的SnO₂ /TiO₂复合薄膜的光电化学和光催化特性。结合作者的研究工作,探讨了SnO₂ /TiO₂双层复合薄膜上下层厚度对其光催化活性的影响,指出复合薄膜光催化活性的提高可归因于电子从TiO₂ 向SnO₂ 的迁移。最后对SnO₂ /TiO₂复合薄膜的局限性和发展潜势做一简要分析,强调了该复合薄膜本身的应用特点。     

Rapid Synthesis of Nanocrystalline TiO2/SnO2 Binary Oxides and Their Photoinduced Decomposition of Methyl Orange

A rapid and simple method, the so-called stearic acid method (SAM) was developed to prepare nanostructured TiO₂/SnO₂ binary oxides by combustion of stearic acid precursors. The preparative process was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). During the preparative process, metal precursors were dispersed in stearic acid at molecular level. Microstructure of the samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET specific surface area measurement and the results were compared with those obtained by conventional sol-gel method. The photocatalytic decomposition of methyl orange was used as a model system to determine the relative influences of the preparation method and the concentration of SnO₂ on the photocatalytic activities. It was found that preparative methods affected the crystalline structure of TiO₂/SnO₂ powders and the anatase phase of TiO₂ was stabilized by the addition of SnO₂ in SAM. The samples prepared by SAM showed better dispersity, larger specific surface area and the TiO₂/SnO₂ (r=0.15, SAM) catalyst showed higher photocatalytic activity than Degussa P25.     

Chromium(III) Hydroxide Solubility in The Aqueous Na+-OH?-H2PO?4-HPO2?4-PO3?4-H2O System: A Thermodynamic Model

Chromium(III)-phosphate reactions are expected to be important in managing high-level radioactive wastes stored in tanks at many DOE sites. Extensive studies on the solubility of amorphous Cr(III) solids in a wide range of pH (2.8–14) and phosphate concentrations (10^–4 to 1.0 m) at room temperature (22±2)°C were carried out to obtain reliable thermodynamic data for important Cr(III)-phosphate reactions. A combination of techniques (XRD, XANES, EXAFS, Raman spectroscopy, total chemical composition, and thermodynamic analyses of solubility data) was used to characterize solid and aqueous species. Contrary to the data recently reported in the literature,⁽¹⁾ only a limited number of aqueous species [Cr(OH)₃H₂PO^–₄, Cr(OH)₃(H₂PO₄)^2–₂), and Cr(OH)₃HPO^2–₄] with up to about four orders of magnitude lower values for the formation constants of these species are required to explain Cr(III)-phosphate reactions in a wide range of pH and phosphate concentrations. The log K^o values of reactions involving these species [Cr(OH)₃(aq)+H₂PO^–₄⇌Cr(OH)₃H₂PO^–₄; Cr(OH)₃(aq)+2H₂PO^–₄⇌Cr(OH)₃(H₂PO₄)^2–₂; Cr(OH)₃(aq)+HPO^2–₄⇌Cr(OH)₃HPO^2–₄] were found to be 2.78±0.3, 3.48±0.3, and 1.97±0.3, respectively.     

Effects of oxygen vacancy on the magnetic properties of Cr-doped SnO2: Density functional investigation

Magnetic properties of Cr-doped SnO₂ and the effects of oxygen vacancy (V_O) on the magnetic properties are examined to understand the origin of ferromagnetism in Cr-doped SnO₂ and explain the observed discrepant phenomena. Cr-doped SnO₂ shows a p-d hopping ferromagnetic interaction that decreases gradually with the increase in Cr-Cr distance. In Cr-doped SnO₂ with V_O, ferromagnetic interaction is obviously weakened. Exchange constants indicate that the ferromagnetic exchange interaction in Cr-doped SnO₂ is similar to that in Co-doped SnO₂, while it is similar to that in Fe-doped SnO₂ and/or undoped SnO₂ with tin vacancy (V_Sn) in the presence of V_O.     

白钨酸研究——Ⅶ.K3W2Cl9的制备及反应

用粉状白钨酸作原针,在一般条件下制备K₃W₂Cl₉,产率达53%,证明白钨酸是比黄钨酸优越的钨化学试剂。研究了K₃W₂Cl₉经离子又换转化为酸的形态后与Ndz₂(C0₃)₃的反应。得到了新的化合物NdW₂Cl₉,提出了一条新的制备溶解度大的各种金属离子与W₂Cl₉^3-的化合物的途径。 对K₃W₂Cl₉和NdW₂Cl₉进行了紫外可见尤谱和X针线粉末衍射的测定。     

Preparation and characterization of spherical V2O3 nanopowder

V₂O₃ nanopowder with spherical particles was prepared by reducing pyrolysis of the precursor, (NH₄)₅[(VO)₆(CO₃)₄(OH)₉]·10H₂O, in H₂ atmosphere. The thermolysis process of the precursor in a H₂ flow was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The results indicate that pure V₂O₃ forms at 620°C and crystallizes at 730°C. The effects of various reductive pyrolysis conditions on compositions of V₂O₃ products were studied. Scanning electron micrographs show that the particles of the V₂O₃ powder obtained at 650°C for 1 h are spherical about 30 nm in size with more homogeneous distribution. Experiments show that nanopowder has larger adsorption capacity to gases and is more easily reoxidized by air at room temperature than micropowder. Differential scanning calorimetry experiment indicates that the temperature of phase transition of nano-V₂O₃ powder is −119.5°C on cooling or −99.2°C on heating. The transition heats are −12.55 J g⁻¹ on cooling and 11.42 J g⁻¹ on heating, respectively.     

Surfactant-assisted hydrothermal crystallization of nanostructured lithium metasilicate (Li2SiO3) hollow spheres: II—Textural analysis and CO2-H2O sorption evaluation

In a previous work, the synthesis and structural-microstructural characterization of different nanocrystalline lithium metasilicate (Li₂SiO₃) samples were performed. Then, in this work, initially, a textural analysis was performed over the same samples. Li₂SiO₃ samples prepared with a non-ionic surfactant (TRITON X-114) presented the best textural properties. Therefore, this sample was selected to evaluate its water vapor (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) sorption properties. Sorption experiments were performed at low temperatures (30-80 °C) in presence of water vapor using N₂ or CO₂ as carrier gases. Results clearly evidenced that CO₂ sorption on these materials is highly improved by H₂O vapor, and of course, textural properties enhanced the H₂O-CO₂ sorption efficiency, in comparison with the solid-state reference sample.     

Thermodynamic study of alcohol on SnO2 (100)-based gas nano-sensor

Alcohol dehydrogenation and condensation reactions are involved in chain growth pathways of SnO₂. These pathways lead to the formation of acetaldehyde and other products with high selectivity. It is recognised that together with the atmospheric oxygen, the presence of humidity greatly influences gas detection. Accordingly, it is important to understand the role of alcohol vapours in the sensing mechanism. Interaction between alcohol molecules and SnO₂ is investigated using MNDO method by semi-empirical calculations. We study the structural, total energy, thermodynamic properties of absorption of CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH on SnO₂ at 298?K. When exposed to ethanol, the SnO₂-based sensors showed oxidation products consisting of acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and CH₄?+?CO. All the geometry optimisation structures were carried out using the Gaussian program package. Density functional theory optimised intermediates and transient states. The results show a sensitivity enhancement in resistance and capacitance when ethanol is near the surface, so converted into different products.     

Dry Potassium-Based Sorbents for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Capture

Dry potassium-based sorbents were prepared by impregnation with potassium carbonate on supports such as activated carbon (AC), TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, CaO, SiO₂ and various zeolites. The CO₂ capture capacity and regeneration property of various sorbents were measured in the presence of H₂O in a fixed bed reactor, during multiple cycles at various temperature conditions (CO₂ absorption at 50–100 °C and regeneration at 130–400 °C). The KAlI30, KCaI30, and KMgI30 sorbents formed new structures such as KAl(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, K₂Ca(CO₃)₂, K₂Mg(CO₃)₂, and K₂Mg(CO₃)₂·4(H₂O), which did not completely convert to the original K₂CO₃ phase at temperatures below 200 °C, during the CO₂ absorption process in the presence of 9 vol.% H₂O. In the case of KACI30, KTiI30, and KZrI30, only a KHCO₃ crystal structure was formed during CO₂ absorption. The formation of active species, K₂CO₃·1.5H₂O, by the pretreatment with water vapor and the formation of the KHCO₃ crystal structure after CO₂ absorption are important factors for absorption and regeneration, respectively, even at low temperatures (130–150 °C). In particular, the KTiI30 sorbent showed excellent characteristics with respect to CO₂ absorption and regeneration in that it satisfies the requirements of a large amount of CO₂ absorption (87 mg CO₂/g sorbent) without the pretreatment with water vapor, unlike KACI30, and a fast and complete regeneration at a low temperature condition (1 atm, 150 °C). In addition, the higher total CO₂ capture capacity of KMgI30 (178.6 mg CO₂/g sorbent) than that of the theoretical value (95 mg CO₂/g sorbent) was explained through the contribution of the absorption ability of MgO support. In this review, we introduce the CO₂ capture capacities and regeneration properties of several potassium-based sorbents, the changes in the physical properties of the sorbents before/after CO₂ absorption, and the role of water vapor and its effects on CO₂ absorption.     

Direct synthesis of porous/hollow magnesium carbonate hydroxide spindly nanorods and their application in water treatment

Spindly Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·4H₂O nanorods with porous and hollow nanostructures were synthesized in a water-in-oil reverse microemulsion system of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/water/cyclohexane/n-pentanol. These nanorods were characterized by a number of physical techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Comparison experiments showed that fundamental experimental parameters, such as the molar ratio of H₂O to CTAB and the concentration of reactants, were important in the morphological control of Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·4H₂O nanostructures. The potential applications of the as-synthesized Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·4H₂O nanorods in water treatment were also investigated.     

Kinetics of low temperature CO oxidation over Pt/SnO2 catalyst

In a CO−O₂ stoichiometric mixture, the kinetic parameters, reaction order, rate constant and activation energy of CO oxidation over a Pt/SnO₂ catalyst have been measured using a fixed bed flow reactor near 0°C. The results show that it is a first-order reaction. The activation energy of CO oxidation over Pt/SnO₂ prepared with SnO₂ calcined at 300°C was approximately 21 kJ/mol. The activation energy of CO oxidation over Pt/SnO₂ changed slowly with SnO₂ calcination temperature above 400°C, and reached approximately 45 kJ/mol.