The Phase Relations in the System In2O3–TiO2–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C

The phase relations in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C are determined by a classical quenching method. In this system, there are four pseudobinary compounds, In₂TiO₅, MgTi₂O₅ (pseudobrookite type), MgTiO₃ (ilmenite type), and Mg₂TiO₄ (spinel type) at 1100°C. At 1350°C, in addition to these compounds there exist a spinel-type solid solution Mg_2−xIn_2xTi_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and a compound In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ with lattice constants a=5.9236(7) Å, b=3.3862(4) Å, c=6.3609(7) Å, β=108.15(1)°, and q=0.369, which is isostructural with the monoclinic In₃Ti₂FeO₁₀ in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO. The relation between the lattice constants of the spinel phase and the composition nearly satisfies Vegard's law. In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ extends a solid solution range to In₂₀Ti₁₇Mg₃O₆₇ with lattice constants of a=5.9230(5) Å, b=3.3823(3) Å, c=6.3698(6) Å, β=108.10(5)°, and q=0.360. The distributions of constituent cations in the solid solutions are discussed in terms of their ionic radius and site preference effect.     

Energetics of copper diphosphates – Cu2P2O7 and Cu3(P2O6OH)2

Differential scanning calorimetry and high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry are used to study enthalpy of phase transition and enthalpies of formation of Cu₂P₂O₇ and Cu₃(P₂O₆OH)₂. α-Cu₂P₂O₇ is reversibly transformed to β-Cu₂P₂O₇ at 338–363 K with an enthalpy of phase transition of 0.15 ± 0.03 kJ mol⁻¹. Enthalpies of formation from oxides of α-Cu₂P₂O₇ and Cu₃(P₂O₆OH)₂ are −279.0 ± 1.4 kJ mol⁻¹ and −538.8 ± 2.7 kJ mol⁻¹, and their standard enthalpies of formation (enthalpy of formation from elements) are −2096.1 ± 4.3 kJ mol⁻¹ and −4302.7 ± 6.7 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The presence of hydrogen in diphosphate groups changes the geometry of Cu(II) and decreases acid–base interaction between oxide components in Cu₃(P₂O₆OH)₂, thus decreasing its thermodynamic stability.     

High performance protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) with Ba0.5Sr0.5Zn0.2Fe0.8O3−δ perovskite cathode

Protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) based on proton-conducting electrolytes have attracted much attention because of many advantages, such as low activation energy and high energy efficiency. BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3−δ (BZCY7) electrolyte based PCMFCs with stable Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Zn_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ (BSZF) perovskite cathode were investigated. Using thin membrane BZCY7 electrolyte (about 15 μm in thickness) synthesized by a modified Pechini method on NiO-BZCY7 anode support, PCMFCs were assembled and tested by selecting stable BSZF perovskite cathode. An open-circuit potential of 1.015 V, a maximum power density of 486 mW cm⁻², and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.08 Ω cm² was achieved at 700 °C. The results have indicated that BZCY7 proton-conducting electrolyte with BSZF cathode is a promising material system for the next generation solid oxide fuel cells.     

Synthesis and characterization of Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites

Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ nanocomposites based on fumed silica A-300 (S_BET = 337 m²/g) with iron oxide deposits at different content were synthesized using Fe(III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)₃) dissolved in isopropyl alcohol or carbon tetrachloride for impregnation of the nanosilica powder at different amounts of Fe(acac)₃ then oxidized in air at 400–900 °C. Samples with Fe(acac)₃ adsorbed onto nanosilica and samples with Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ including 6–17 wt% of Fe₂O₃ were investigated using XRD, XPS, TG/DTA, TPD MS, FTIR, AFM, nitrogen adsorption, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry methods. The structural characteristics and phase composition of Fe₂O₃ deposits depend on reaction conditions, solvent type, content of grafted iron oxide, and post-reaction treatments. The iron oxide deposits on A-300 (impregnated by the Fe(acac)₃ solution in isopropanol) treated at 500–600 °C include several phases characterized by different nanoparticle size distributions; however, in the case of impregnation of A-300 by the Fe(acac)₃ solution in carbon tetrachloride only α-Fe₂O₃ phase is formed in addition to amorphous Fe₂O₃. The Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ materials remain loose (similar to the A-300 matrix) at the bulk density of 0.12–0.15 g/cm³ and S_BET = 265–310 m²/g.     

Investigation on double perovskite Ba4Ca2Ta2O11

The structure, conductivity and water uptake of the oxygen-deficient perovskite-type compound Ba₄Ca₂Ta₂O₁₁ have been investigated. Ba₄Ca₂Ta₂O₁₁ crystallizes in the cryolite structure (cubic, Fm3m SG) with a = 8.4508(2) Å, under dry air. The compound can be partially hydrated up to a maximum water content of approximately 0.52 mol H₂O per mol Ba₄Ca₂Ta₂O₁₁. In moist air, the structure symmetry becomes monoclinic (C2/m) and the temperature dependence of total conductivity shows a different behavior because of changes in transport mechanism. Three regions can be observed as a function of temperature. For the low temperature range 200–400 °C, the protonic conduction is prevailing with an activation energy E_A = 0.85 eV. In the intermediate temperature range (400–600 °C), O²⁻ anionic and protonic conductions are mixed with an activation energy E_A = 0.45 eV and in the third region, for temperatures above 600 °C, O²⁻conduction is prevailing with an activation energy E_A = 0.85 eV.     

Kinetics of adsorption of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mandelated dehydrogenase on magnetic Fe3O4–chitosan nanoparticles

The adsorption of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mandelated dehydrogenase (SCMD) protein on the surface-modified magnetic nanoparticles coated with chitosan was studied in a batch adsorption system. Functionalization of surface-modified magnetic particles was performed by the covalent binding of chitosan onto the surface of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Characterization of these particles was carried out using FTIR spectra, transmission electron micrography (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Magnetic measurement revealed that the magnetic Fe₃O₄–chitosan nanoparticles were superparamagnetic and the saturation magnetization was about 37.3 emu g⁻¹. The adsorption capacities and rates of SCMD protein onto the magnetic Fe₃O₄–chitosan nanoparticles were evaluated. The adsorption capacity was influenced by pH, and it reached a maximum value around pH 8.0. The adsorption capacity increased with the increase in temperature. The adsorption isothermal data could be well interpreted by the Freundlich isotherm model. The kinetic experimental data properly correlated with the first-order kinetic model, which indicated that the reaction is the adsorption control step. The apparent adsorption activation energy was 27.62 kJ mol⁻¹ and the first-order constant for SCMD protein was 0.01254 min⁻¹ at 293 K.     

Properties of the perovskites, SrMn1−xFexO3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3)

The SrMn_1−xFe_xO_3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3) phases have been prepared and are shown by powder X-ray and neutron (for x=1/2) diffraction to adopt an ideal cubic perovskite structure with a disordered distribution of transition-metal cations over the six-coordinate B-site. Due to synthesis in air, the phases are oxygen deficient and formally contain both Fe³⁺ and Fe⁴⁺. Magnetic susceptibility data show an antiferromagnetic transition at 180 and 140 K for x=1/3 and 1/2, respectively and a spin-glass transition at 5, 25, 45 K for x=1/3, 1/2 and 2/3, respectively. The magnetic properties are explained in terms of super-exchange interactions between Mn⁴⁺, Fe^(4+δ)+ and Fe⁽³⁺⁾⁺. The XAS results for the Mn-sites in these compounds indicate small Mn-valence changes, however, the Mn-pre-edge spectra indicate increased localization of the Mn-e_g orbitals with Fe substitution. The Mössbauer results show the distinct two-site Fe⁽³⁺⁾+/Fe^(4+δ)+ disproportionation in the Mn- substituted materials with strong covalency effects at both sites. This disproportionation is a very concrete reflection of a localization of the Fe-d states due to the Mn-substitution.     

The phase transition behaviors of Li1−xMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 during lithium extraction studied by in situ X-ray absorption and diffraction techniques

How the structural changes take place in LiMn_yFe_1−yPO₄-type cathode materials during lithium extraction/insertion is an important issue, especially on if they go through the single-phase reaction (i.e., solid solution reaction) or the two-phase reaction regions. Here we report the studies on the phase transition behaviors of a carbon coated Li_1−xMn_0.5Fe_0.5PO₄ (CLi₁₋xMn_0.5Fe0_.5PO₄, 0.0  x  1.0) sample during the first charge using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The combination of in situ XAS and XRD results clearly identify two two-phase coexistence regions at two voltage plateaus of 3.6 (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) and 4.2 V (Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺) and a narrow intermediate region which proceeds via single-phase reaction in between two two-phase regions. In addition, simultaneous redox reactions of Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ in the narrow single-phase region are reported and discussed for the first time.     

Polyol-mediated synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticle and its electrochemical properties

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nanoparticles were precipitated from ethylene glycol solution of titanium tetra isopropoxide (Ti(O-iPr)₄) and Li₂O₂ by refluxing at 197 °C for 12 h. The obtained particles were filtered and dried at 100 °C for 12 h, and the dried powder samples were heated at 320, 500 and 800 °C for 3 h. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the obtained samples exhibited a good fit with the spinel phase. The field emission-SEM images of the dried powder sample and the samples heated at 320, 500 and 800 °C for 3 h showed a uniform spherical morphology with a particle size of 5, 8, 10 and 400 nm, respectively. According to the results of electrochemical testing, the dried powder sample and the samples heated at 320, 500, and 800 °C for 3 h showed initial capacities of 200, 310, 320, and 260 mA h/g, respectively, at a current density of 0.05 mA/cm². Nanosized (6–8 nm) particles with good crystallinity were obtained by controlling the synthesis conditions. The sample heated at 500 °C for 3 h exhibited a high capacity and an excellent rate capability over 60 cycles.     

Synthesis, structure and electrical properties of Cu3.21Ti1.16Nb2.63O12 and the CuOx-TiO2-Nb2O5 pseudoternary phase diagram

Subsolidus phase relations in the CuO_x-TiO₂-Nb₂O₅ system were determined at 935 °C. The phase diagram contains one new phase, Cu_3.21Ti_1.16Nb_2.63O₁₂ (CTNO) and one rutile-structured solid solution series, Ti_1−3xCu_xNb_2xO₂: 0<x<0.2335 (35). The crystal structure of CTNO is similar to that of CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) with square planar Cu²⁺ but with A site vacancies and a disordered mixture of Cu⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ on the octahedral sites. It is a modest semiconductor with relative permittivity ∼63 and displays non-Arrhenius conductivity behavior that is essentially temperature-independent at the lowest temperatures.     

A novel anode supported BaCe0.4Zr0.3Sn0.1Y0.2O3−δ electrolyte membrane for proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells

A novel BaCe_0.4Zr_0.3 Sn_0.1Y_0.2O_3−δ (BSY) electrolyte membrane with thickness of 20 μm was fabricated on NiO-based anode substrate via a one-step all-solid-state method followed by a co-sintering at 1450 °C for 5 h. Chemical stability test demonstrated that BSY electrolyte showed adequate chemical stability against CO₂ and H₂O at intermediate temperature. Besides, the doping of Sn also enhanced the conductivity in humidified hydrogen. With Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_3−σ cathode and hydrogen fuel, the fuel cell generated maximum output of 320, 185 and 105 mW cm⁻² at 700, 650 and 600 °C, respectively. The interfacial resistance of the fuel cell was studied under open circuit conditions and the short-term cell performance also confirmed the stability of BSY electrolyte membrane.     

Preparation and characterization of lithium ion-conducting glass-ceramics in the Li1 + xCrxGe2 − x(PO4)3 system

Li₂O–Cr₂O₃–GeO₂–P₂O₅ based glasses were synthesized by a conventional melt-quenching method and successfully converted into glass-ceramics through heat treatment. Experimental results of DTA, XRD, ac impedance techniques and FESEM indicated that Li_1.4Cr_0.4Ge_1.6(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramics treated at 900 °C for 12 h in the Li_1 + xCr_xGe_2 − x(PO₄)₃ (x = 0–0.8) system exhibited the best glass stability against crystallization and the highest ambient conductivity value of 6.81 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm with an activation energy as low as 26.9 kJ/mol. In addition, the Li_1.4Cr_0.4Ge_1.6(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramics displayed good chemical stability against lithium metal at room temperature. The good thermal and chemical stability, excellent conducting property, easy preparation and low cost make it promising to be used as solid-state electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries.     

Conductivity studies of dense yttrium-doped BaZrO3 sintered at 1325 °C

High-temperature proton conductors have wide applications in the areas of fuel cells, electrolysis and hydrogen separation. Barium zirconate-based materials are of interest due to their good stability and high protonic conductivity. The reported conductivity of these ceramic materials is generally less than 10⁻² S/cm, even at high temperatures. This is not high enough for an electrolyte-supported device to achieve an ASR of less than 0.2 Ω cm² therefore thin film electrolytes are required for successful application. As BaZrO₃-based materials have to be sintered at temperatures as high as 1700 °C, this makes it difficult to find a suitable supporting electrode which will not undergo significant chemical reaction with the BaZrO₃-based electrolyte during fabrication of the required electrode supported electrolyte. In this paper, proton-conducting BaZr_0.8Y_0.2O_2.9 was successfully sintered at 1325 °C with a relative density of 96% via addition of 1 wt% ZnO. Fabrication of electrochemical cells using proton-conducting BaZr_0.8Y_0.2O_2.9 as the electrolyte thus becomes possible. The formula of the 1 wt% ZnO added sample is Ba_0.97Zr_0.77Y_0.19Zn_0.04O_3−δ which exhibits a tetragonal structure with space group P4/mbm (127); a=5.9787(1) Å, c=4.2345(1) Å, V=151.36(1) Å³. It was found that a solid solution was formed for a limited range of Zn doping. Conductivity has been studied as a function of atmosphere (air, dry and wet 5% H₂/Ar) with the changes in bulk and grain boundary on changing atmosphere being monitored as a function of time. The total conductivity of Ba_0.97Zr_0.77Y_0.19Zn_0.04O_3–δ is 1.0×10⁻³ S/cm above 600 °C therefore it may be used as a proton-conducting thin film electrolyte for efficient electrochemical devices at such temperatures. The grain boundary resistance is insignificant at high temperature for the well-sintered sample.     

Chitosan–iron oxide nanobiocomposite based immunosensor for ochratoxin-A

The rabbit immunoglobulin antibodies (IgGs) have been immobilized onto nanobiocomposite film of chitosan (CH)–iron oxide (Fe₃O₄₎ nanoparticles prepared onto indium–tin oxide (ITO) electrode for detection of ochratoxin-A (OTA). Excellent film forming ability and availability of –NH₂ group in CH and affinity of surface charged Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for oxygen support the immobilization of IgGs. Differential pulse voltammettry (DPV) studies indicate that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles provide increased electroactive surface area for loading of IgGs and improved electron transport between IgGs and electrode. IgGs/CH–Fe₃O₄ nanobiocomposite/ITO immunoelectrode exhibits improved characteristics such as low detection limit (0.5 ng dL⁻¹), fast response time (18 s) and high sensitivity (36 μA/ng dL⁻¹ cm⁻²) with respect to IgGs/CH/ITO immunoelectrode.     

Partial Oxidation of Methane to Synthesis Gas over Hexaaluminates LaMAl11O19-δ Catalysts

A series of M-substituted hexaaluminates LaMAl11O19-δ （M=Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cu） were prepared and characterized by XRD, XPS, TPR and TGA techniques, respectively. They exhibited different reducibility and catalytic activity for partial oxidation of methane （POM） to synthesis gas. Among the LaMAl11019-δ samples, LaNiAl11O19-δ showed the best catalytic activity for the topic reaction and selectivity for synthesis gas at 780 ℃ for 2 h. The conversion of CH4 was over 99.2%, and the product selectivity for both CO and H2 was above 90.3%.     

Preparation and hydrogen permeation of SrCe0.95Y0.05O3−δ asymmetrical membranes

Asymmetrical thin membranes of SrCe_0.95Y_0.05O_3−δ (SCY) were prepared by a conventional and cost-effective dry pressing method. The substrate consisted of SCY, NiO and soluble starch (SS), and the top layer was the SCY. NiO was used as a pore former and soluble starch was used to control the shrinkage of the substrate to match that of the top layer. Crack-free asymmetrical thin membranes with thicknesses of about 50 μm and grain sizes of 5–10 μm were successfully pressed on to the substrates. Hydrogen permeation fluxes (J_H2) of these thin membranes were measured under different operating conditions. At 950 °C, J_H2 of the 50 μm SCY asymmetrical membrane towards a mixture of 80% H₂/He was as high as 7.6 × 10⁻⁸ mol/cm² s, which was about 7 times higher than that of the symmetrical membranes with a thickness of about 620 μm. The hydrogen permeation properties of SCY asymmetrical membranes were investigated and activation energies for hydrogen permeation fluxes were calculated. The slope of the relationship between the hydrogen permeation fluxes and the thickness of the membranes was −0.72, indicating that permeation in SCY asymmetric membranes was controlled by both bulk diffusion and surface reaction in the range investigated.     

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.     

Raman scattering investigations on lanthanum-doped Bi4Ti3O12-SrBi4Ti4O15 intergrowth ferroelectrics

The ferroelectric ceramics of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂, SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅, and lanthanum-doped Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂-SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ were synthesized, and their Raman spectra were investigated. La-doping resulted in the enlargement of remnant polarization of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂-SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅. The structure of the Bi₂O₂ layers and TiO₆ octahedra of the intergrowth was found to be different from those of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ and SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅. La³⁺ ions exhibit pronounced selectivity for the occupation of A site as La content is lower than 0.50, and tend to be incorporated into Bi₂O₂ layers when the La content is higher than 0.50. Lanthanum substitution brings about the structural phase transition in Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂-SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅. The variation of ferroelectric property may be attributed to combined contribution from the decreasing of the oxygen vacancies, the relaxation of the lattice distortion, the destroying of the insulation and the space charge compensation effects of the Bi₂O₂ slabs.     

Synthèse et stabilité sous irradiation électronique d'une céramique Ba1,16Al2,32Ti5,68O16 de structure hollandite envisagée pour le confinement de césium radioactif

Synthesis and stability under electron irradiation of a hollandite structure-type Ba_1.16Al_2.32Ti_5.68O₁₆ ceramic envisaged for radioactive cesium immobilization. Hollandite structure-type Ba_xCs_y(M,Ti)₈O₁₆ (x + y < 2, M trivalent cation) ceramics are currently envisaged as a specific waste form for radioactive cesium immobilization. In order to simulate the effect of cesium β decay on this kind of matrix, the structural modifications and the paramagnetic point defects induced by external electron irradiations near room temperature in a simplified Ba_1.16Al_2.32Ti_5.68O₁₆ hollandite composition were studied mainly by EPR and NMR. Modifications of Al³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ ions' environment were observed and are due to both the formation of oxygen vacancies and to barium ions displacement. Electron (Ti³⁺) and hole (O₂⁻) centres were observed. The stability of these centres was good at room temperature but thermal treatments performed between 50 and 850 °C generated new paramagnetic defects originating from previous defects. These new defects correspond to titanyl-type Ti³⁺ ions located on grain surface and to oxygen aggregates in their bulk.     

High-pressure preparation, crystal structure, and properties of the new rare-earth oxoborate β-Dy2B4O9

In this work we report about a new rare-earth oxoborate β-Dy₂B₄O₉ synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions from Dy₂O₃ and boron oxide B₂O₃ in a B₂O₃/Na₂O₂ flux with a walker-type multianvil apparatus at 8 GPa and 1000°C. Single crystal X-ray structure determination of β-Dy₂B₄O₉ revealed: , a=616.2(1) pm, b=642.8(1) pm, c=748.5(1) pm, α=102.54(1)°, β=97.08(1)°, γ=102.45(1)°, Z=2, R1=0.0151, wR₂=0.0475 (all data). The compound exhibits a new structure type which is built up from bands of linked BO₃- (Δ) and tetrahedral BO₄-groups (□). The Dy³⁺-cations are positioned in the voids between the bands. According to the conception of fundamental building blocks β-Dy₂B₄O₉ can be classified with the notation 2Δ6□:Δ3□=4□=3□Δ. Furthermore we report about temperature-resolved in situ powder diffraction measurements and IR-spectroscopic investigations on β-Dy₂B₄O₉.