Photoinduced interactions between colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles and calf thymus-DNA

The interaction of colloidal TiO₂ nanoparticles with calf thymus-DNA was studied by using absorption, FT-IR, steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The apparent association constant has been deduced (K_app = 2.85 × 10³ M⁻¹) from the absorption spectral changes of the DNA-colloidal TiO₂ nanoparticles using the Benesi–Hildebrand equation. Addition of colloidal TiO₂ nanoparticles quenched the fluorescence of EtBr–DNA. The number of binding sites (n = 0.97) and the apparent binding constant (K = 6.68 × 10³ M⁻¹) were calculated from relevant fluorescence quenching data. The quenching, through a static mechanism, was confirmed by time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Ultra-low expansion glass from gels

Pyrolysis of mixed titanium and silicon metal halides produces a commercial glass (7.4% TiO₂) with ultra-low thermal expansion that is essentially zero over the temperature range of 0 to 300°C. A colloidal particulate gel process involving potassium silicate, titania sol and formamide gel reagent was found to produce glass compositions with similar low expansion behavior. Due to the strongly basic nature of the precursor solutions, special titania sols had to be prepared that were stable in these alkali silicate solutions. The preferred TiO₂ sols were those containing quaternary ammonium stabilizing counter-ions. These sols served not only as the source of homogeneously distributed titania, but they may also serve as nucleating species that contribute to particle growth and pore size control of the gel network. The large pore (0.3 µm) TiO₂/SiO₂ gel structures were easily dealkalized, dried and sintered to uncracked glass shapes. Plates up to 9.5 cm×6.6 cm× 0.5 cm thick and some intricate cast shapes were produced and their glass properties evaluated.     

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.     

Solvothermal synthesis and luminescent properties of monodisperse LaPO4:Ln (Ln=Eu, Ce, Tb) particles

Monodisperse rare-earth ion (Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺) doped LaPO₄ particles with oval morphology were successfully prepared through a facile solvothermal process without further heat treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and the kinetic decays were performed to characterize these samples. The XRD results reveal that all the doped samples are well crystalline at 180 °C and assigned to the monoclinic monazite-type structure of the LaPO₄ phase. It has been shown that all the as-synthesized samples show perfectly oval morphology with narrow size distribution. The possible growth mechanism of the LaPO₄:Ln has been investigated as well. Upon excitation by ultraviolet radiation, the LaPO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors show the characteristic ⁵D₀−⁷F_1-4 emission lines of Eu³⁺, while the LaPO₄:Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ phosphors demonstrate the characteristic ⁵D₄−⁷F_3-6 emission lines of Tb³⁺.     

Defect microstructures of TiO2 rutile due to Zr dissolution and expulsion

Defect microstructure of Zr-dissolved TiO₂ polycrystals, homogenized as rutile structure at 1600 °C and then aged at 900 °C for 2-200 h in air, was characterized by analytical electron microscopy. Diffuse diffractions occurred at 1/2(211) as a result of Zr⁴⁺ substitution for Ti⁴⁺ with volume/charge compensating defect clusters. Upon annealing at 900 °C, plate-like Guinier and Preston (G.P.) zone appeared with the plate surface parallel to (100) and (010) and in association with dislocations. Commensurate superstructures with apparent triple {101} and {111} periodicity also occurred as metastable intermediates, which are presumably the precursor of the equilibrium ZrTi₂O₆ precipitate.     

Mixed conductivity, structural and microstructural characterization of titania-doped yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline/titania-doped yttria stabilized zirconia composite anode matrices

Taking advantage of the fact that TiO₂ additions to 8YSZ cause not only the formation of a titania-doped YSZ solid solution but also a titania-doped YTZP solid solution, composite materials based on both solutions were prepared by solid state reaction. In particular, additions of 15 mol% of TiO₂ give rise to composite materials constituted by 0.51 mol fraction titania-doped yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline and 0.49 mol fraction titania-doped yttria stabilized zirconia (0.51TiYTZP/0.49TiYSZ). Furthermore, Y₂(Ti_1−yZr_y)₂O₇ pyrochlore is present as an impurity phase with y close to 1, according to FT-Raman results. Lower and higher additions of titania than that of 15 mol%, i.e., x=0, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 30 mol% were considered to study the evolution of 8YSZ phase as a function of the TiO₂ content. Furthermore, zirconium titanate phase (ZrTiO₄) is detected when the titania content is equal or higher than 20 mol% and this phase admits Y₂O₃ in solid solution according to FE-SEM-EDX.The 0.51TiYTZP/0.49TiYSZ duplex material was selected in this study to establish the mechanism of its electronic conduction under low oxygen partial pressures. In the pO₂ range from 0.21 to 10^−7.5 atm. the conductivity is predominantly ionic and constant over the range and its value is 0.01 S/cm. The ionic plus electronic conductivity is 0.02 S/cm at 1000 °C and 10^−12.3 atm. Furthermore, the onset of electronic conductivity under reducing conditions exhibits a −1/4 pO₂ dependence. Therefore, it is concluded that the n-type electronic conduction in the duplex material can be due to a small polaron-hopping between Ti³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺.     

Dependence of nitrogen doping on TiO2 precursor annealed under NH3 flow

N-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts were prepared by annealing two different precursors, P25 and a TiO₂ xerogel powder under NH₃/Ar flow at 500, 550, and 600 °C. The xerogel powder prepared by peptizing Ti(OH)₄ with HNO₃ was composed of nanoparticles and had large specific surface area. During the annealing process, the xerogel powder underwent increase in crystallinity, grain growth and phase transformation, whereas P25 did not show obvious changes. Compared with the N-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts from P25, the N-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts from the xerogel powder possessed higher concentrations of the substitutional nitrogen and exhibited more obvious absorption in the visible light region. The N-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts from the xerogel powder exhibited obvious visible-light activities for photodegrading methylene blue and the sample prepared at 500 °C achieved the best performance with a rate constant (k) about 0.44 h⁻¹, whereas those from P25 did not exhibit improved visible-light activities.     

Study of the decomposition of aqueous citratoperoxo-Ti(IV)-gel precursors for titania by means of TGA-MS and FTIR

An aqueous solution-gel route is developed for the preparation of TiO₂. In this report, we study an aqueous citratoperoxo-Ti(IV)-precursor at pH 2.0, which is compatible with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and therefore can be applied for the preparation of a thick mesoporous TiO₂ film.With regard to deposition of films, it is important to gain insight in the behaviour of the precursor during thermal treatment. Therefore, the thermal decomposition mechanism of a citratoperoxo-Ti(IV)-gel and a PVA modified citratoperoxo-Ti(IV)-gel is studied. Weight losses and evolved gasses are characterized by TGA-MS (5 °C min⁻¹), while gel structure and changes in the solid upon heating are studied by means of FTIR. For both gels, decomposition in dry air can be divided into five regions. After drying of the samples in the first region (∼100 °C), decomposition of the organic matter not coordinated to the metal ions occurs (∼200 °C). The third region (∼310 °C) involves the decomposition of citrato ligands. Finally, the residual organic matter is combusted in the last two regions. Only in dry air it is possible to fully remove the organic matrix in both gels at temperatures below 600 °C.It is also proven that the citratoperoxo-Ti(IV)-complexes, seen at pH 7.0, exist in the precursor gel already at pH 2.0.     

La0.6Sr1.4MnO4 layered perovskite anode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

La_0.6Sr_1.4MnO₄ (LSMO₄) layered perovskite with K₂NiF₄ structure was prepared and evaluated as anode material for La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.83Mg_0.17O_3 − δ (LSGM) electrolyte supported intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). X-ray diffraction results show that LSMO₄ is redox stability. Thermal expansion coefficient of LSMO₄ is close to that of LSGM electrolyte. By adopting LSMO₄ as anode and La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.8Fe_0.2O₃ (LSCF) as cathode, maxium power densities of 146.6, 110.9 mW cm^− 2 with H₂ fuel at 850, 800 °C and 47.3 mW cm^− 2 with CH₄ fuel at 800 °C were obtained, respectively. Further, the cell demonstrated a reasonably stable performance under 180 mA cm^− 2 for over 40 h with H₂ fuel at 800 °C.     

Photocatalytic cleavage of C-F bond in pentafluorobenzoic acid with titanium dioxide-P25

The photocatalytic C-F bond cleavage in pentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA) with TiO₂-P25 using UV-C light has been investigated under different conditions. Complete cleavage of C-F is observed with TiO₂-P25 under UV-C light irradiation. Oxidants such as IO₄⁻, BrO₃⁻, S₂O₈²⁻, H₂O₂ and ClO₃⁻ ions enhance the defluoridation of PFBA. The order of their activities is IO₄⁻ > H₂O₂ > S₂O₈²⁻ ≈ BrO₃⁻ > ClO₃⁻. C-F cleavage is also influenced by the addition of inorganic anions and metal ions. The defluoridation intermediates were analyzed by GC-MS technique.     

New solid-state synthesis routine and mechanism for LiFePO4 using LiF as lithium precursor

Li₂CO₃ and LiOH·H₂O are widely used as Li-precursors to prepare LiFePO₄ in solid-phase reactions. However, impurities are often found in the final product unless the sintering temperature is increased to 800 °C. Here, we report that lithium fluoride (LiF) can also be used as Li-precursor for solid-phase synthesis of LiFePO₄ and very pure olivine phase was obtained even with sintering at a relatively low temperature (600 °C). Consequently, the product has smaller particle size (about 500 nm), which is beneficial for Li-extraction/insertion in view of kinetics. As for cathode material for Li-ion batteries, LiFePO₄ obtained from LiF shows high Li-storage capacity of 151 mAh g⁻¹ at small current density of 10 mA g⁻¹ (1/15 C) and maintains capacity of 54.8 mAh g⁻¹ at 1500 mA g⁻¹ (10 C). The solid-state reaction mechanisms using LiF and Li₂CO₃ precursors are compared based on XRD and TG-DSC.     

Preparation and characterization of mesoporous TiO2-CeO2 nanopowders respond to visible wavelength

Mesoporous TiO₂-CeO₂ nanopowders responding to visible wavelength were synthesized by using a surfactant assisted sol-gel technique. They were obtained using metal alkoxide precursors modified with acetylacetone (ACA) and laurylamine hydrochloride (LAHC) as surfactant. The samples were characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption isotherm, SEM, TEM, and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), respectively. The 95 mol% TiO₂-5 mol% CeO₂ system yielded single anatase phase, however, further addition of the CeO₂ formed cubic CeO₂ structure while anatase TiO₂ decreased. Additions of 5 and 10 mol% CeO₂ increased the surface area, but those of 25, 50, and 75 mol% CeO₂ did not affect it very much. By using this mixed metal oxides system, TiO₂ can be modified to respond to the visible wavelength. The mixed metal oxides had catalytic activity (evaluating the formation rate of I₃⁻) about 2-3 times higher than pure CeO₂, while nanosize anatase type TiO₂ materials had no catalytic activity under visible light. The catalytic activity was almost proportional to the specific surface area. The formation rate of I₃⁻ was much improved by changing the calcination temperature and calcination period. Highest catalytic activity in this study was obtained for the 50 mol% TiO₂-50 mol% CeO₂ nanopowders calcined at 250 °C for 24 h.     

Macroporous ordered titanium dioxide (TiO2) inverse opal as a new label-free immunosensor

Photonic crystal sensing materials have been validated that they are very sensitive to refractive index changes. Herein, three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) (>50 nm) TiO₂ inverse opal film has been fabricated by the self-assembly technique. Based on the TiO₂ inverse opal film, the optical spectrometer was established for label-free immunosensor. The sensing performance of the 3DOM TiO₂ was investigated using human IgG/goat anti-human IgG couple, which showed that the sensitivity of 3DOM TiO₂ inverse opal film could reach to 1 μg mL⁻¹ (equivalent to 1.5 pg mm⁻²) of protein concentration detection limit. The 3DOM TiO₂ inverse opal has a large internal surface area, low fluorescence background and unique optical properties. These characteristics indicated the feasibility of 3DOM TiO₂ inverse opal in label-free immunoassay.     

Improvement of Er emissions in oxyfluoride glass ceramic nano-composite by thermal treatment

In order to improve the 1.53 μm emission of Er³⁺-doped oxyfluoride glass ceramic containing CaF₂ nano-crystals, series of samples with same Er³⁺ doping lever thermal treated under different conditions were prepared. The UV-VIR-NIR absorption spectra, near-infrared and up-conversion emission spectra, and ⁴I_13/2 decay curves were measured. Based on Judd-Ofelt theory, the radiative transition probability, fluorescence branching ratio and radiative decay time of various metastable transitions of precursor glass and glass ceramics were evaluated. With the increasing of heating temperature, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameter Ω₂ monotonously decreased from 4.39×10⁻²⁰ to 2.72×10⁻²⁰ cm²; the emission lifetime and quantum efficiency significantly increased from 5.9 to 8.0 ms and 70% to 98%, respectively. The wavelength dependence of gain cross-sections of oxyfluoride glass and glass ceramics were computed to be relatively flat in the range of 1530-1565 nm for population inversion from 0.7 to 1.0.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of TbF3 containing oxide fluoride glasses

New glasses containing TbF₃ have been prepared in a TbF₃-BaF₂-AlF₃-GeO₂ system. Their respective densities, refractive indexes, and glass transition temperatures are (5.42-6.07) × 10³ kg m⁻³, 1.72-1.73, and 605.1-675.2 °C. Their magnetic susceptibilities are proportional to the contents of TbF₃ in glasses obtained in this study. The values agree with the calculated values. The Curie constant of the 40TbF₃-20BaF₂-10AlF₃-20GeO₂ glass is 5.13 K emu mol⁻¹; its effective magnetic susceptibility is 9.96μ_B. The atomic percentage of Tb³⁺ in the 40TbF₃-20BaF₂-10AlF₃-20GeO₂ glass is 11%, which is comparable to that of the oxide glass, which is reported as the material for Faraday components.     

Kinetic analysis of the thermal stability of lithium silicates (Li4SiO4 and Li2SiO3)

The kinetics describing the thermal decomposition of Li₄SiO₄ and Li₂SiO₃ have been analysed. While Li₄SiO₄ decomposed on Li₂SiO₃ by lithium sublimation, Li₂SiO₃ was highly stable at the temperatures studied. Li₄SiO₄ began to decompose between 900 and 1000 °C. However, at 1100 °C or higher temperatures, Li₄SiO₄ melted, and the kinetic data of its decomposition varied. The activation energy of both processes was estimated according to the Arrhenius kinetic theory. The energy values obtained were −408 and −250 kJ mol⁻¹ for the solid and liquid phases, respectively. At the same time, the Li₄SiO₄ decomposition process was described mathematically as a function of a diffusion-controlled reaction into a spherical system. The activation energy for this process was estimated to be −331 kJ mol⁻¹. On the other hand, Li₂SiO₃ was not decomposed at high temperatures, but it presented a very high preferential orientation after the heat treatments.     

A sensitive and highly stable electrochemical impedance immunosensor based on the formation of silica gel-ionic liquid biocompatible film on the glassy carbon electrode for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in bee pollen

The paper describes a sensitive and highly stable label-free electrochemical impedance immunosensor for the determination of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), which is based on the formation of silica gel-ionic liquid biocompatible film on the glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical performances of the sensor were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using a Fe(CN)₆^3−/4− phosphate buffer solution as base solution for test. As new ionic liquid, 1-amyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, offers a very biocompatible microenvironment for AFB₁ antibody, the sensor exhibits good repeatability (RSD = 1.2%), sensitive electrochemical impedance response to AFB₁ in the range of 0.1-10 ng ml⁻¹ and lowers the detection limit of AFB₁ (0.01 ng ml⁻¹)_. The electron-transfer resistance change of the sensor after and before incubation with AFB₁ of 2.0 ng ml⁻¹ can retain 95% over a 180-day storage period at 4 °C. The results present a remarkable improvement of sensitivity (2-fold) and long-term stability (190-fold) when compared to classical silica gel sensor. Moreover, proposed sensor has a high selectivity to AFB₁ alone with no significant response to AFB₂, AFG₁, AFG₂ and AFM₁ as single substrates, it has been successfully applied to the determination of trace AFB₁ in bee pollen samples with a spiked recovery in the range of 96.0-102.5%.     

Detection of nicotine based on molecularly imprinted TiO2-modified electrodes

Amperometric detection of nicotine (NIC) was carried out on a titanium dioxide (TiO₂)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-modified electrode by a molecular imprinting technique. In order to improve the conductivity of the substrate, PEDOT was coated onto the sintered electrode by in situ electrochemical polymerization of the monomer. The sensing potential of the NIC-imprinted TiO₂ electrode (ITO/TiO₂[NIC]/PEDOT) in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution (pH 7.4) containing 0.1 M KCl was determined to be 0.88 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/saturated KCl). The linear detection range for NIC oxidation on the so-called ITO/TiO₂[NIC]/PEDOT electrode was 0-5 mM, with a sensitivity and limit of detection of 31.35 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² and 4.9 μM, respectively. When comparing with the performance of the non-imprinted one, the sensitivity ratio was about 1.24. The sensitivity enhancement was attributed to the increase in the electroactive area of the imprinted electrode. The at-rest stability of the ITO/TiO₂[NIC]/PEDOT electrode was tested over a period of 3 days. The current response remained about 85% of its initial value at the end of 2 days. The ITO/TiO₂[NIC]/PEDOT electrode showed reasonably good selectivity in distinguishing NIC from its major interferent, (−)-cotinine (COT). Moreover, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was employed to elucidate the surface morphology of the imprinted and non-imprinted electrodes using Fe(CN)₆³⁻/Fe(CN)₆⁴⁻ as a redox probe on a platinum tip. The imprinted electrode was further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).     

A one-pot synthetic approach to prepare palladium nanoparticles embedded hierarchically porous TiO2 hollow spheres for hydrogen peroxide sensing

A simple one-step method to fabricate hierarchically porous TiO₂/Pd composite hollow spheres without any template was developed by using solvothermal treatment. Pd nanoparticles (2-5 nm) were well dispersed in the mesopores of the TiO₂ hollow spheres via in-situ reduction. In our experiment, polyvinylpyrrolidone played an important role in the synthetic process as the reducing agent and the connective material between TiO₂ and Pd nanoparticles. HF species generated from solvothermal reaction leaded to the formation of TiO₂ hollow spheres and Ostwald ripening was another main factor that affected the size and structure of the hollow spheres. The as-prepared TiO₂/Pd composite hollow spheres exhibited high electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H₂O₂. The sensitivity was about 226.72 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² with a detection limit of 3.81 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. These results made the hierarchically porous TiO₂/Pd composite a promising platform for fabricating new nonenzymic biosensors.