Highly Dispersed X/SiO(2) and C/X/SiO(2) (X=Alumina, Titania, Alumina/Titania) in the Gas and Liquid Media

Fumed oxides, such as silica, alumina, titania, and mixed X/silicas (X=Al₂O₃ (AS), TiO₂ (TS), CVD-TiO₂, Al₂O₃/TiO₂ (AST)), pristine or covered by carbon deposits formed due to pyrolysis of cyclohexene, were studied using nitrogen adsorption–desorption, photon correlation spectroscopy particle sizing, and electrophoresis. A significant influence of the nature of surface-active sites and structural features of oxides (individual silica, mixed fumed, or prepared using chemical vapor deposition (CVD)) on the pyrolysis of cyclohexene is observed with respect to the pore size distributions due to differences between primary particles in aggregates and on their outer surfaces in the filling of channels by pyrocarbon, resulting also in a decrease in fractal dimension. Structural characteristics and dependences of the particle size distribution and electrokinetic potential of X/SiO₂ and C/X/SiO₂ on the pH of aqueous suspensions suggest that the carbon deposit covers mainly acidic sites at the X/SiO₂ interfaces and X phase patches possessing catalytic activity in pyrolysis, as the negative charge of particles is reduced by pyrocarbon grafting.     

Preparation of spherical,mixed SiO2/TiO2 particles by the sol technique

Preparation of silica, titania and mixed silica/titania particles has been studied. The region for formation of monodisperse SiO₂ particles in the phase diagram tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)-ethanol-H₂O was studied as a function of NH₃ concentration at room temperature. Titania particles could be prepared at lowered temperatures and concentration of ammonia up to 0.01 M. The size of SiO₂ particles was 0.03–1 m whereas TiO₂ particles were size range 0.5–0.8 m. Mixed SiO₂/TiO₂ particles were prepared from prehydrolyzed TEOS/EtOH solutions by adding tetraethyl orthotitanate (TEOT). This was accomplished at 3°C and slightly alkaline solutions. The final particle size of the mixed particles was about 0.3 m.     

Surface electric and titration behaviour of fumed oxides

Adsorption of Pb(II), Sr(II), and Cs(I) on fumed silica, alumina, titania, silica/titania (ST), silica/alumina (SA), and alumina/silica/titania (AST) reveals that mixed oxides containing titania have a greater adsorptive capability in respect to metal cations than individual and SA oxides. Pyrocarbon deposits on fumed oxides enhance the adsorption of metal ions. Calculations of electrophoretic potential (ζ) with consideration for the porosity of aggregates of primary particles of AST show a significant influence of surface alumina (at pH<8) and titania and silica (at pH>8) on the ζ values. The effective diameter of particles (D_ef) of fumed oxides in aqueous media depends on pH for AST stronger than for ST (between isoelectric points (IEPs) of titania and alumina). A significant difference in the pH values of IEP and point of zero charge is observed for AST samples. A pyrocarbon influence on the ζ potential depends on the type of oxide matrix, since ζ increases for certain samples but for others it decreases. These changes depend nonlinearly on pH as well as the secondary particle size distributions (SPSDs) and D_ef.     

Sol–Gel Processed Functional Nanosized TiO2 and SiO2-Based Films for Photocatalysts and Other Applications

Titania and silica-based porous coatings have been produced via sol–gel route in the presence of pore-creating agents PEG and viscous solvent -terpineol, or template agents CTAB, as well as triblock copolimer Pluronic P123. Porous titania films were characterised by HR TEM, UV-Vis, XRD, ellipsometry, ARS methods. The dispersion of the refractive index, the porosity (32–39%) and the thickness of the samples were estimated by integrating sphere transmission and reflection spectra with 3D angular resolved light scattering. The catalytic activity of mesoporous TiO₂ and TiO₂/ZrO₂ as well as SiO₂-benzophenone films in the process of Cr^VI to Cr^III and Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ photoreduction have been studied.     

H NMR Dynamic study of thermal Z/E isomerization of 5-substituted 2-alkylidene-4-oxothiazolidine derivatives: Barriers to rotation about CC bond

The rotational barriers between the configurational isomers of two structurally related push–pull 4-oxothiazolidines, differing in the number of exocyclic CC bonds, have been determined by dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium mixture of (5-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)-1-phenylethanone (1a) in CDCl₃ at room temperature to 333 K consists of the E- and Z-isomers which are separated by an energy barrier ΔG^# 98.5 kJ/mol (at 298 K). The variable-temperature ¹H NMR data for the isomerization of ethyl (5-ethoxycarbonylmethylidene-4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)ethanoate (2b) in DMSO-d₆, possessing the two exocyclic CC bonds at the C(2)- and C(5)-positions, indicate that the rotational barrier ΔG^# separating the (2E,5Z)-2b and (2Z,5Z)-2b isomers is 100.2 kJ/mol (at 298 K). In a polar solvent-dependent equilibrium the major (2Z,5Z)-form (>90%) is stabilized by the intermolecular resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding and strong 1,5-type S · · · O interactions within the SCCCO entity. The ¹³C NMR Δδ_C(2)C(2′) values, ranging from 58 to 69 ppm in 1a–d and 49-58 ppm in 2a–d, correlate with the degree of the push-pull character of the exocyclic C(2)C(2′) bond, which increases with the electron withdrawing ability of the substituents at the vinylic C(2′) position in the following order: COPh COEt > CONHPh > CONHCH₂CH₂Ph. The decrease of the Δδ_C(2)C(2′) values in 2a–d has been discussed for the first time in terms of an estimation of the electron donor capacity of the S fragment on the polarization of the CC bonds.     

Ultradeep Hydrodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) Derivatives over Mo-Sulfide Catalysts Supported on TiO2-Coated Alumina Composite

The present paper reviews in detail the different studies now being conducted by our research team concerning the ultradeep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) derivatives over Mo/TiO₂ and Mo/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts. First, a detailed characterization of Mo/TiO₂ (P-25 Degussa, 50 m²/g) catalysts prepared by equilibrium adsorption technique shows that Mo- species are highly and uniformly dispersed on the surface of titania up to 6.6 wt% MoO₃ loading. Above this value, some aggregation of Mo occurs, leading to the formation of bulk MoO₃. Below 6.6 wt% MoO₃ loading, the Raman spectroscopy data of the calcined samples show that the supported Mo-species possess a highly distorted octahedral MoO₆ structure. TiO₂–Al₂O₃ composites were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using TiCl₄ as a precursor. Using several characterization techniques, we demonstrated that the support composite presents a high dispersion of TiO₂ over -Al₂O₃ without forming precipitates up to ca. 11 wt% loading. Moreover, the textural properties of the composite support are comparable to those of alumina. Under the present sulfidation conditions (673 K, 5%H₂S/95%H₂), Mo-species supported on TiO₂ are better sulfided than on alumina, as demonstrated using XPS. This can be attributed to the relatively lower interaction between Mo-species and titania. The state of sulfide species supported on the composite support can be considered as a transition state between TiO₂ and Al₂O₃. However, at relatively higher TiO₂ loadings (ca. 11 wt%), Mo/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibit sulfidability similar to that of Mo/TiO₂. The HDS tests conducted in both the laboratory and in industry show that sulfide catalysts supported on TiO₂–Al₂O₃ (ca. 11 wt% TiO₂) are more active than those supported on TiO₂ or Al₂O₃.     

Thermooxidative stability of polymethyl methacrylate containing nanoparticles of silica/titania and silica/zirconia

The influence of silica/titania and silica/zirconia nanoparticles on thermooxidative degradation of PMMA was studied by non-isothermal thermogravimetry. Kinetic parameters describing the length of the oxidation induction periods were obtained from the treatment of the dependence of oxidation onset temperature on heating rate. Using these parameters, the protection factors of nanoparticles have been calculated. It was found that SiO₂/TiO₂ nanoparticles increase the thermooxidation stability of PMMA where the stabilizing effect, expressed as the protection factor, depends on temperature only slightly. The stabilizing effect of SiO₂/ZrO₂ is much stronger than that of SiO₂/TiO₂ and decreases with increasing temperature.     

Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Au-Doped TiO2/SiO2 Mixed Oxide Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Process

The systematic modifications of silica matrix as a function of modified Ti-alkoxide contents (Au nanocrystals doped TiO₂/SiO₂ mixed oxide thin films) have been investigated by the sol-gel process. A structural analysis on the various steps of the hydrolysis-condensation process as well as solid powder is determined by IR, UV-Visible, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. ²⁹Si MAS spectra are characterized by broad lines for the three types of sites. Different distributions (Q ², Q ³, and Q ⁴ units) observed in the TiO₂/SiO₂ (1 : 3) sample. Proper control of the process condition, modifying the Ti alkoxide as a less reactive precursor, improves the increase the amount of Ti–O–Si bonding in the silica network of TiO₂/SiO₂ mixed oxide matrices and the distribution of metal oxides. This method can be used for the preparation of homogeneous metal and metal-metal alloy nanocrystals deposition from mixed oxide thin films.     

Preparation, characterization, and infrared emissivity property of optically active polyurethane/TiO2/SiO2 multilayered microspheres

Optically active polyurethane/titania/silica (LPU/TiO₂/SiO₂) multilayered core–shell composite microspheres were prepared by the combination of titania deposition on the surface of silica spheres and subsequent polymer grafting. LPU/TiO₂/SiO₂ was characterized by FT-IR, UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM and TEM, and the infrared emissivity value (8–14 μm) was investigated in addition. The results indicated that titania and polyurethane had been successfully coated onto the surfaces of silica microspheres. LPU/TiO₂/SiO₂ exhibited clearly multilayered core–shell construction. The infrared emissivity values reduced along with the increase of covering layers thus proved that the interfacial interactions had direct influence on the infrared emissivity. Besides, LPU/TiO₂/SiO₂ multilayered microspheres based on the optically active polyurethane took advantages of the orderly secondary structure and strengthened interfacial synergistic actions. Consequently, it possessed the lowest infrared emissivity value.     

Characterization of Titania/Silica Gel by Means of Low-Pressure Nitrogen Adsorption

Adsorbents synthesized by grafting of titania onto mesoporous silica gel surfaces at different temperatures were studied by means of nitrogen adsorption–desorption and water desorption. The pore size distribution f(R_p) of titania/silica gel depends on the titania concentration (C_TiO2) and the temperature of titania synthesis. Nonuniformity of TiO₂ phase is maximal at a low C_TiO2 value (3.2 wt.% anatase deposited at 473 K), and two peaks of the fractal dimension distribution f(D) are observed at such a concentration of titania, but at larger C_TiO2 values, only one f(D) peak is seen. More ordered filling of pores and adsorption sites by nitrogen, reflecting in the shape of adsorption energy distributions f(E) at different pressures of adsorbate, is observed for adsorbent with titania (rutile+anatase) grafted on silica gel at a higher temperature (673 K).     

Fabrication of mesoporous SiO2–C–Fe3O4/γ–Fe2O3 and SiO2–C–Fe magnetic composites

A synthetic method for the fabrication of silica-based mesoporous magnetic (Fe or iron oxide spinel) nanocomposites with enhanced adsorption and magnetic capabilities is presented. The successful in situ synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles is a consequence of the incorporation of a small amount of carbon into the pores of the silica, this step being essential for the generation of relatively large iron oxide magnetic nanocrystals (10 ± 3 nm) and for the formation of iron nanoparticles. These composites combine good magnetic properties (superparamagnetic behaviour in the case of SiO₂–C–Fe₃O₄/γ–Fe₂O₃ samples) with a large and accessible porosity made up of wide mesopores (>9 nm). In the present work, we have demonstrated the usefulness of this kind of composite for the adsorption of a globular protein (hemoglobin). The results obtained show that a significant amount of hemoglobin can be immobilized within the pores of these materials (up to 180 mg g⁻¹ for some of the samples). Moreover, we have proved that the composite loaded with hemoglobin can be easily manipulated by means of an external magnetic field.     

Synthesis, thermal stability and magnetic properties of the Lu1−xLaxMn2O5 solid solution

Polycrystalline samples of the Lu_1−xLa_xMn₂O₅ solid solution system were synthesized under moderate conditions for compositions with x up to 0.815. Due to the large difference in ionic size between Lu³⁺ and La³⁺, significant changes in lattice parameters and severe lattice strains are present in the solid solution. This in turn leads to the composition dependent thermal stability and magnetic properties. It is found that the solid solution samples with x≤0.487 decompose at a single well defined temperature, while those with x≥0.634 decompose over a temperature range with the formation of intermediate phases. For the samples with x≤0.487, the primary magnetic transition occurs below 40 K, similar to LuMn₂O₅ and other individual RMn₂O₅ (R=Bi, Y, and rare earth) compounds. In contrast, a magnetic phase with a 200 K onset transition temperature is dominant in the samples with x≥0.634.     

Fluoroalkylsilane Modification of Sol–Gel SiO2-TiO2 Coatings

Sol–gel chemistry of SiO_{2(1 – x)}TiO_2(x) involving the partial pre-hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and subsequent reaction with titanium isopropoxide has been used to produce materials of high area and variable absorption edge in the UV-visible spectrum. As x increases so the total surface area of these phases unexpectedly passed through a maximum, but the UV-vis cut off moved to greater wavelength. On the other hand, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measured O_1s binding energies and temperatures of maximum rates of reduction (T_max) that were intermediate between those of pure SiO₂ and TiO₂. Both suggested that SiO_{2(1 – x)}TiO_2(x) samples were an intimate mixture of Si^{4 +} and Ti^{4 +} in the sol–gel matrix. Perfluoroalkylsilane (PFAS) was strongly adsorbed on this sol–gel coating making it strongly hydrophobic. This mode of modification was better than PFAS incorporation at the start of the sol–gel synthesis. Such sol–gel chemistry might in the future be optimised for water-repelling surfaces.     

镁热还原气相法白炭黑制备纳米硅及其电化学性能

以气相法白炭黑(FS)为Si前驱体,通过镁热还原工艺和对获得的NPs-Si进行SiOx和C复合包覆,制备出NPs-Si@SiOx@C纳米复合结构,将其用作锂电池负极进行电化学性能测试。研究结果表明:镁热还原过程分两步进行,即SiO_2与Mg先生成Mg2Si中间相,Mg2Si继续与SiO_2反应生成Si的反应路径;根据此规律镁热还原气相法白炭黑的Si转化率达87.9%。电化学性能测试中NPs-Si@SiOx@C负极在2.0 A·g-1的电流密度下有1 300 mAh·g-1的容量平台,1 000次循环后的放电比容量为964.2mAh·g-1,容量保持率达75%。     

Thermal Behaviour of Titania Based Materials: Mathematical modeling of emanation thermal analysis results

Emanation thermal analysis (ETA) was used in the characterization of microstructure changes during heating ofprecursors for the titania based materials: hydrous titania, TiO₂nH₂O (n=0.58) and hydrous titania containing 10% ruthenia,(TiO₂)_0.9(RuO₂)_0.1nH₂O (n=1.5). The precursors were heated at the constant rate 6 K min^–1 in argon flow in the range 20–1000°C. ETA results were compared with the theoretical curves simulating the temperature dependences of radon release rate, E(T). Two mathematical models were used in the simulation. The models considered either subsequent or simultaneous solid state processes (i.e. dehydration, crystallization orphase transition, resp.) during thermal treatment of titania based materials. A good agreement was found between experimental and the simulated ETA curves. The results of ETA were confirmed by XRD patterns of intermediate products of thermal treatment of the precursors.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

CVD-Titania on Mesoporous Silica Gels

Different amounts of CVD-titania ( from 2.3 to 19.2 wt%) with amorphous and crystalline (anatase) phases were synthesized on silica gels (Kieselgel 40, 60, and 100) and characterized by means of XRD, IR, DTG, and adsorption methods. The amounts of titania depend strongly on the pore size distribution of the support, as the narrower the pores, the lower the deposit concentration due to diminution of the accessibility of narrower pores and deceleration of titania grafting in them. A portion of CVD-titania filling matrix pores is rather amorphous than that forming on the outer (external) surfaces of silica gel grains, as anatase crystallites have the average size of 70 nm for KG 40/TiO₂ ( = 6.5 wt% including 26% of anatase and 74% of amorphous titania), 21 nm (KG 60/TiO₂ at = 11 wt%, 16% anatase) and 16 nm (KG 100/TiO₂ at = 19.2 wt%, 29% anatase), which are larger than the average pore size of the silica gels. The crystallite size decreases with increasing average pore diameter.     

Synthesis of nanosized TiO2/SiO2 particles using microwave processes and their photocatalytic activity on the decomposition of orange II

The nanosized titania and TiO₂/SiO₂ particles were prepared by the microwave-hydrothermal method. The effect of physical properties TTIP/TEOS ratio and calcination temperature has been investigated. The major phase of the pure TiO₂ particle is of the anatase structure, and a rutile peak was observed above 800°C. In TiO₂/SiO₂ particles, however, no significant rutile phase was observed, although the calcination temperature was 900°C. No peaks for the silica crystal phase were observed at either silica/titania ratio. The crystallite size of TiO₂/SiO₂ particles decreases as compared to pure TiO₂ at high calcination temperatures. The TiO₂/SiO₂ particles show higher activity on the photocatalytic decomposition of orange II as compared to pure TiO₂ particles.     

Solvent effect on the blue shifted weakly H-bound F3 CH…FCD3 complex

Solvent effect on the ν^c frequency of CH stretching vibration of the blue shifted F₃CH…FCD₃ complex has been studied in liquefied N₂, CO, Ar, Kr and Xe. In the case of Xe, the spectroscopic measurements have also been extended to the solid state. It was found that the ν^c position of the complex in the solutions studied lowers with respect to the value in the gas phase. In liquid Xe, characterized by the largest permittivity, this effect reaches its maximum value of −14.5 cm⁻¹. The ν^c frequency begins to grow again just below the freezing point of Xe, where a noticeable (15%) increase of the density of Xe occurs. The experimental results obtained for the liquid phase have been analyzed in the framework of the Onsager-like reaction field model and Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) implemented into a standard Gaussian 98 Program.     

Nucleation of Titania Nanocrystals in Silica Titania Waveguides

SiO_{2(1 – x)}-TiO_2(x) monomode waveguides at 632.8 nm, with x in the range 0.07–0.2 and thickness of about 0.4 m, were deposited on silica substrates by a dip-coating technique. Nucleation of TiO₂ nanocrystals and the growth of their size by thermal annealing up to 1300°C were studied by waveguided Raman scattering in the SiO_2(0.8)-TiO_2(0.2) composition. In the low frequency region (5–50 cm^–1) of the VV and HV polarized Raman spectra the symmetric and quadrupolar acoustic vibrations are observed. The mean size of the titania particles are obtained from the frequencies of the Raman peaks. The results are compared with those obtained from the measure of the linewidths in the X-ray diffraction spectra. Nanocrystals with a mean size in the range 4–20 nm are obtained by thermal annealing in a corresponding range of 700–1300°C.     

Preparation and characterization of SiO2/TiO2 composite microspheres with microporous SiO2 core/mesoporous TiO2 shell

SiO₂/TiO₂ composite microspheres with microporous SiO₂ core/mesoporous TiO₂ shell structures were prepared by hydrolysis of titanium tetrabutylorthotitanate (TTBT) in the presence of microporous silica microspheres using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as a surface esterification agent and porous template, and then dried and calcined at different temperatures. The as-prepared products were characterized with differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric (DTA/TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption. The results showed that composite particles were about 1.8 μm in diameter, and had a spherical morphology and a narrow size distribution. Uniform mesoporous titania coatings on the surfaces of microporous silica microspheres could be obtained by adjusting the HPC concentration to an optimal concentration of about 3.2 mmol L⁻¹. The anatase and rutile phase in the SiO₂/TiO₂ composite microspheres began to form at 700 and 900 °C, respectively. At 700 °C, the specific surface area and pore volume of the SiO₂/TiO₂ composite microspheres were 552 and 0.652 mL g⁻¹, respectively. However, at 900 °C, the specific surface area and pore volume significantly decreased due to the phase transformation from anatase to rutile.