Kinetics of isobutylene oxidation on a Mo-Sb-Te-O (1 : 0.6 : 0.06) catalyst

Kinetics of isobutylene oxidation over a Mo-Sb-Te-O catalyst is studied in a flow-circulation system with the Korneichuk differential reactor. The reaction orders of methacrolein, acetic acid, acetone, and CO₂ formation, as well as the order of the overall reaction of isobutylene oxidation into methacrolein, with respect to oxygen and isobutylene are determined at 613–703 K and oxygen concentrations of (0.33–13.05) x 10⁻³ mol/1 and isobutylene (3.2–121.9) × 10⁻⁴ mol/1. The activation energies of these reactions are determined.     

Determination of Active Metal in Ultradispersed Iron Powders and TG Study of Their Oxidation

Two oxidation stages of electrolytic ultradispersed iron powder at the temperature range of 90–450°C have been stated. The contribution of increasing mass and evolving heat at the first oxidation stage due to changing Fe⁰ into Fe₂O₃ in the total oxidation effect is predominant. The thermal method of active metal determination in electrolytic iron powders has been developed. The coarse-grained reduced iron powder was not oxidized completely just to 900°C because of local sintering of big iron particles as a result of evolving heat at oxidation of high-dispersed iron particles. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Carbon supported electrocatalysts prepared by the sol–gel method and their utilization for the oxidation of methanol in acid media

One of the key objectives in fuel-cell technology is to improve the performance of the anode catalyst for the alcohol oxidation and reduce Pt loading. Here, we show the use of six different electrocatalysts synthesized by the sol–gel method on carbon powder to promote the oxidation of methanol in acid media. The catalysts Pt–PbO _x and Pt–(RuO₂–PbO _x ) with 10% of catalyst load exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity toward the methanol oxidation reaction as compared to Pt–(RuO₂)/C and Pt/C electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that the electrocatalysts Pt–PbO _x /C and Pt–(RuO₂–PbO _x )/C started the oxidation process at extremely low potentials and that they represent a good novelty to oxidize methanol. Furthermore, quasi-stationary polarization experiments and cronoamperometry studies showed the good performance of the Pt–PbO _x , Pt–(RuO₂–PbO _x )/C and Pt–(RuO₂–IrO₂)/C catalysts during the oxidation process. Thus, the addition of metallic Pt and PbO _x onto high-area carbon powder, by the sol–gel route, constitutes an interesting way to prepare anodes with high catalytic activity for further applications in direct methanol fuel cell systems.     

Formation of borosilicate glasses from silicon alkoxides and metaborate esters in dry non-aqueous solvents

The reaction of metaborate esters (RO)₃B₃O₃ [R = Me, Et, ClCH₂CH₂–, Cl₃CCH₂–, ClCH₂CH₂CH₂–, (ClCH₂)₂CH–] with Si(OR)₄ (R = Me, Et), either neat or in dry propan-2-one or dry THF at room temperature, led to gels which when dried and heated in air for 20 mins at 600°C afforded borosilicate glasses in high ceramic yields. The dried gels and glasses were characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, IR, and powder XRD, and solid-state MAS ²⁹Si and ¹¹B NMR. The gelling reaction was investigated by solution ¹¹B and ²⁹Si NMR. These NMR studies indicated B–O–Si reaction intermediates and a mechanism involving alkoxy exchange and various condensation/elimination reactions of the borosilicate esters have been proposed.     

A novel low temperature synthesis technique of sol–gel derived nanocrystalline alumina abrasive

The effect of ball milling process, co-doped seed and two step sintering technique on the properties of sol–gel derived alumina abrasive sintered at low temperature was investigated. The results showed that ball milling time with 10 h can be effective in enhancing the activity of the precursor and the microstructural uniformity of sintered alumina abrasive. A small amount of Al₂O₃–(NH₄)₃AlF₆ co-doped seed addition had potential synergistic effects for reducing α-Al₂O₃ phase transformation temperature and improving the mechanical property of alumina abrasive. A remarkable suppression of grain growth was achieved by controlling sintering temperature with two-step sintering method. Therefore, by using ball milling process, co-doping α-Al₂O₃–(NH₄)₃AlF₆ seed and two-step sintering technique, the sol–gel derived uniform nanocrystalline alumina abrasive is easily achieved at low temperature. Nanocrystalline alumina abrasive prepared at these conditions exhibited excellent mechanical properties and wear resistance compared to fused corundum abrasive and those sol–gel derived corundum abrasive with conventional sintering methods.     

Phase Equilibria in the System YPO4–K3PO4–KMgPO4

The phase equilibria in the part of the ternary system YPO₄–K₃PO₄–Mg₃(PO₄)₂ over the composition range YPO₄–K₃PO₄–KMgPO₄ were examined and determined by differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and microscopic analysis in reflected light. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Reactions Invariantes Induisant La Densification Des Varistances ZnO

The electrical properties of ZnO varistors are induced by a sintering step. The phenomena occurring during this thermal treatment have been studied through model systems whose nature and composition are well defined. The pure BiSbO₄ and Bi₃ Zn₂ Sb₃ O₁₄ phases have been synthetised by Direct Oxidation of a Precursory Alloy (DOPA) and characterized using XRD method. Each one of these phases can react with zinc monoxide through an invariant isobaric reaction in the ZnO–Bi₂ O₃ –Sb₂ O₃ system: – at 998°C 17/3<ZnO>+2/3<Bi₃ Zn₂ Sb₃ O₁₄ > arrow <Zn₇ Sb₂ O₁₂ > + ((Bi₂ O₃ )) – at 1058°C 7<ZnO>+2<BiSbO₄ > arrow <Zn₇ Sb₂ O₁₂ >+((Bi₂ O₃ )) These thermodynamic considerations can explain the thermal domain of the sintering reaction described in the literature. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Two-Temperature Two-Dimensional Non Chemical Equilibrium Modeling of Ar–CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript> Induction Thermal Plasmas at Atmospheric Pressure

Here the authors developed a two-dimensional two-temperature chemical non-equilibrium (2T-NCE) model of Ar–CO₂–H₂ inductively coupled thermal plasmas (ICTP) around atmospheric pressure (760 torr). Assuming 22 different particles in this model and by solving mass conservation equations for each particle, considering diffusion, convection and net production terms resulting from 198 chemical reactions, chemical non-equilibrium effects were taken into account. Species density of each particle or simply particle composition was also derived from the mass conservation equation of each one taking the non chemical equilibrium effect into account. Transport and thermodynamic properties of Ar–CO₂–H₂ thermal plasmas were self-consistently calculated using the first order approximation of the Chapman–Enskog method at each iteration point implementing the local particle composition and temperature. Calculations at reduced pressure (500 and 300 torr) were also done to investigate the effect of pressure on non-equilibrium condition. Results obtained by the present model were compared with results from one temperature chemical equilibrium (1T-CE) model, one-temperature chemically non equilibrium (1T-NCE) model and finally with 2T-NCE model of Ar–N₂–H₂ plasmas. Investigation shows that consideration of non-chemical equilibrium causes the plasma volume radially wider than CE model due to particle diffusion. At low pressure with same input power, presence of diffusion is relatively stronger than at high pressure. Comparison of present reactive model with non-reactive Ar–N₂–H₂ plasmas shows that maximum temperature reaches higher in reactive C–H–O molecular system than non-reactive plasmas due to extra contribution of reaction heat.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of β-Alanine by <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-bromophthalimide in the presence of Ru(III) chloride as homogenous catalyst in acidic medium

The kinetics of Ru(III) chloride-catalyzed oxidation of β-Alanine (NH₃ ⁺CH₂CH₂COOH, β-Ala) by N–bromophthalimide (NBP) in aqueous perchloric acid medium was studied at 35 °C. The rate law followed a first-order and zero-order dependence with respect to [NBP] and [β-Ala], respectively. The reaction followed first-order kinetics with respect to [Ru(III)] chloride at a range of low concentrations while the order changed from first- to zero-order at high concentration of [Ru(III)] chloride; demonstrating the catalytic effect for the oxidation of β-Ala by NBP. The rate decreased with increase in acidity. Chloride ions positively influenced the rate of the reaction. Neither phthalimide (NHP) nor Hg(II) influenced the reaction rate. Ionic strength (I) and dielectric constant (D) of the medium had no significant effect on the rate. Activation parameters of the reactions were determined by studying the reaction at different temperatures (30–50 °C). The colorimetric, FTIR, and GC-MS techniques were used to identify methyl cyanide (CH₃CN) and CO₂ as products of the reaction. In the reaction, approximately 2.3 moles of NBP oxidized one mole of β-Ala. A reaction scheme of the oxidation of β-Ala by NBP in the presence of Ru(III) chloride was found to be in consistent with the rate law and the reaction stoichiometry.     

Synthesis of the perovskite ceramic Li3xLa2/3–xTiO3 by a chemical solution route using a triblock copolymer surfactant

The synthesis of the perovskite Li_3xLa_2/3–x□_1/3–2xTiO₃ by a chemical solution route, using a triblock copolymer surfactant, PEO_n–PPO_m–PEO_n, is described. This titanate is a non-hygroscopic fast lithium conductor and therefore is a good candidate for electrochemical applications. It is generally prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction (SSR) method. However this synthesis method does not allow the preparation of nanopowders or the formation of thin films. For these special purposes, synthesis by a chemical solution route, with the formation of a polymeric precursor during synthesis, has been investigated. By using the above-mentioned non-ionic surfactant, the preparation of nanopowders of complex oxides can be done. Furthermore, this way of synthesis leads to the formation of an intermediate polymeric precursor which can be easily spread on substrates to obtain films. We show that the formation of a pure phase of the perovskite Li_3xLa_2/3–x□_1/3–2xTiO₃ is highly dependent on the synthesis conditions, namely the presence of water in the solvent, the EO/metal ratio, the Li⁺ content in the precursor and the calcination temperature. The influence of these parameters on the microstructure of the oxide is studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and granulometry. A powder of Li_3xLa_2/3–x□_1/3–2xTiO₃ (x = 0.10), with an average particles size of 200 nm, has been obtained. The ionic conductivity of this oxide is the same as the one obtained with oxide prepared by SSR (a bulk conductivity of 1.4 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 37 °C). The ceramic obtained from this powder after sintering at 1,150 °C shows a good pH response. This material can then be used as a sensitive membrane in a potentiometric pH sensor. The presence of hydrophobic PPO groups in the polymer precursor allowed preparing films of Li_3xLa_2/3–x□_1/3–2xTiO₃ with a good adherence on Pt substrate. This kind of synthesis is then very promising to prepare micro pH sensors.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of pyridoxine (vitamin B<Subscript>6</Subscript>) on aluminum electrode modified by metallic palladium particles/iron (III) hexacyanoferrate (II) film

The electrocatalytic activity of a Prussian blue (PB) film on the aluminum electrode by taking advantage of the metallic palladium characteristic as an electron-transfer bridge (PB/Pd–Al) for electrooxidation of 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-bis (hydroxyl–methyl) pyridine (pyridoxine) is described. The catalytic activity of PB was explored in terms of Fe^III [Fe^III (CN)₆]/Fe^III [Fe^II (CN)₆]¹⁻ system. The best mediated oxidation of pyridoxine (PN) on the PB/Pd–Al-modified electrode was achieved in 0.5 M KNO₃ + 0.2 M potassium acetate of pH 6 at scan rate of 20 mV s⁻¹. The mechanism and kinetics of the catalytic oxidation reaction of PN were monitored by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results were explained using the theory of electrocatalytic reactions at chemically modified electrodes. The charge transfer-rate limiting reaction step is found to be a one-electron abstraction, whereas a two-electron charge transfer reaction is the overall oxidation reaction of PN by forming pyridoxal. The value of α, k, and D are 0.5, 1.2 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹, and 1.4 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹, respectively. Further examination of the modified electrodes shows that the modifying layers (PB) on the Pd–Al substrate have reproducible behavior and a high level of stability after posing it in the electrolyte or Pyridoxine solutions for a long time.     

Investigation of catalytic activity of ZnAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and ZnMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles in the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

A new powder metallurgy technique was developed in order to increase the reinforcement proportion of aluminum with two different fractions of Al₂O₃. Aluminum powders were mixed with 20 % vol of alumina particles as primarily reinforcement, and additional alumina was produced in situ as a result of reaction between Al and additional 7.5 % vol of Fe₂O₃ powder. The three grades of powders were milled and hot-pressed into small preforms, and differential scanning analysis (DSC) was performed to determine the kinetics of microstructural transformations produced on heating. DSC curves were mathematically processed to separate the superposing effects of thermal reactions. Transformation points on resulting theoretical curves evidenced two distinct exothermal reaction peaks close to the melting point of aluminum that were correlated with formation of Fe–Al compounds and oxidation of aluminum. Microstructural investigations by means of SEM-EDX and XRD suggested that these exothermal reactions produced complete decomposition of iron (III) oxide and formation of Fe–Al compounds during sintering at 700 °C, and therefore, heating at higher temperatures would not be necessary. These results, along with calculation of activation energies, based on Kissinger’s method, could be used to optimize the fabrication of Al-Al₂O₃ composites by means of reactive sintering at moderate temperatures.     

Kinetics, substrate selectivity, and mechanisms of alkane and alkylbenzene reactions with peroxynitrous acid in the gas phase and solution

Specific features of the kinetics of alkane and alkylbenzene oxidation with HOONO formed in the H₂O₂-NaNO₂ system (pH 4.27) are quantitatively explained assuming the simultaneous occurrence of reactions in the gas and liquid phases. A model of the kinetic distribution method is developed and verified that accounts for the equilibrium distribution of a substrate and a reagent between phases and their interaction in both phases. Relative rate constants for the oxidation ofn-alkanes (C₃-C₈), isobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, benzene, and alkylbenzenes are measured over a wide range of the volume ratios of the gas and liquid phases (λ = V_g/V₁). Relative rate constants for the oxidation of alkanes in the gas phase and alkylbenzenes in gas and solution were determined. Similarity in substrate selectivities and kinetic isotope effects of the gasphase reactions of alkanes and arenes with peroxynitrous acid and^•OH radicals suggest that hydroxyl radical or the ˙OH...NO₂ radical pair is an active species in the gas phase. In solution, alkylbenzenes react nonselectively with HOONO, as well as with ˙OH radicals. In contrast to the liquid-phase oxidation of arenes, the liquidphase oxidation of all alkanes under study insignificantly contribute (5–15%) to the overall rate of the substrate consumption.     

On the kinetics of catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide by alkenes in oxidizing atmosphere

A kinetic model is presented which considers the catalytic reduction of NO to N₂ by hydrocarbons in oxidizing atmosphere (NO−HC−O₂) as the sum of two simultaneous competitive reactions: the red-ox reaction between NO and hydrocarbon (NO−HC) and the hydrocarbon oxidation (O₂−HC). The model is developed for alkenes employed as reductants and noble metal catalysts. The ratio of the kinetic constants of the two reactions can be considered as a selectivity index in evaluating the ability of a catalyst to favor the desired NO reduction with respect to the undesired O₂−HC oxidation.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of ferrocyanide by N-bromosuccinimide in aqueous acidic solution

The kinetics of oxidation of ferrocyanide by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) has been studied spectrophotometrically in aqueous acidic medium over temperature range 20–35 °C, pH = 2.8–4.3, and ionic strength = 0.10–0.50 mol dm⁻³ over a range of [Fe²⁺] and [NBS]. The reaction exhibited first order dependence on both reactants and increased with increasing pH, [NBS], and [Fe²⁺]. The rate of oxidation obeys the rate law: d[Fe³⁺]/dt = [Fe(CN)₆]^4–[HNBS⁺]/(k ₂ + k ₃/[H⁺]). An outer-sphere mechanism has been proposed for the oxidation pathway of both protonated and deprotonated ferrocyanide species. Addition of both succinimide and mercuric acetate to the reaction mixture has no effect on the reaction rate under the experimental conditions. Mercuric acetate was added to the reaction mixture to act as scavenger for any bromide formed to ensure that the oxidation is entirely due to NBS oxidation.     

Experimental investigation and kinetic modeling of the negative temperature coefficient of the reaction rate in rich propane—oxygen mixtures

The phenomenon of the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of the reaction rate of the oxidation of rich propane—oxygen mixtures was experimentally studied. The NTC phenomenon is qualitatively described by a simple kinetic model containing a minimum set of reactions related to the oxidation of the starting hydrocarbon, propane, and the propyl C₃H₇ ^. radical formed. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2120–2124, December, 1997.     

DFT studies of the phosphinidene derivative HPNaF and its insertion reaction with R–H(R=F,OH, NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)

The formations of the phosphinidene derivative HPNaF and its insertion reactions with R–H (R=F, OH, NH₂, CH₃) have been systematically investigated employing the density functional theory (DFT), such as the B3LYP and MPW1PW91 methods. A comparison with the results of MP2 calculations shows that MPW1PW91 underestimates the barrier heights for the four reactions considered. Similarly, the same is also true for the B3LYP method depending on the selected reactions, but by much less than MPW1PW91, where the barrier heights of the four reactions are 25.2, 85.7, 119.0, and 142.4 kJ/mol at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory, respectively. All the mechanisms of the four reactions are identical to each other, i.e., an intermediate has been located during the insertion reaction. Then, the intermediate could dissociate to substituted phosphinidane(H₂RP) and NaF with a barrier corresponding to their respective dissociation energies. Correspondingly, the reaction energies for the four reactions are −92.2, −68.1, −57.2, and −44.3 kJ/mol at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory, respectively, where both the B3LYP and MPW1PW91 methods underestimate the reaction energies compared with the MP2 results. The linear correlations between the calculated barrier heights and the reaction energies have also been observed. As a result, the relative reactivity among the four insertion reactions should be as follows: H–F > H–OH > H–NH₂ > H–CH₃.     

Modeling and optimization of densification of nanocrystalline Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powder prepared by a sol–gel method using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was successfully applied to the optimization and modeling of densification of nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ powder prepared by sol–gel method. The effects of three operating variables, sintering temperature, calcination temperature and milling time on the densification of nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ were systematically evaluated. A quadratic model for densification was proposed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the proposed quadratic model could be used to navigate the design space. The simulated values obtained from the statistical model were in conformity with the experimental results within an average error of ±1.5%. The optimum operating conditions for densification were found to be 1,579 °C of sintering temperature, 909 °C of calcination temperature and 117 min of milling time. The obtained density under the optimum conditions determined by RSM was 98.5%. The results confirmed that RSM based on central composite design was an accurate and reliable method to optimize the densification conditions of nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ powder.     

Electrochemical behavior of nanocrystalline diamond thin films grown in electrical arc plasma

Nitrogenated nanocrystalline diamond films with controlled electrical conductivity are grown in electrical arc plasma in CH₄/H₂/Ar/N₂ gas mixtures and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and spectroscopic measurements. Their electrochemical properties are studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Transfer coefficients of reactions in the [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− redox system are determined. The electrochemical behavior of the material is controlled by its nitrogenation (3–20% N₂ in the reaction gas mixture). The nitrogenated nanocrystalline diamond has higher differential capacitance in indifferent electrolyte (1 M KCl) solution than not nitrogenated one; the nitrogenation also increases the reversibility of reactions in the [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− redox system. By and large, with nitrogenation of diamond, its electrochemical behavior changes from the one characteristic of a “poor conductor” to that characteristic of metallike conductor. In this respect the nanocrystalline diamond electrodes grown in the electrical arc plasma are similar to those grown in microwave plasma.     

Structural characterisation and thermo-physical properties of glasses in the Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–K<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

This article aims to shed some light on the structure and thermo-physical properties of lithium disilicate glasses in the system Li₂O–SiO₂–Al₂O₃–K₂O. A glass with nominal composition 23Li₂O–77SiO₂ (mol%) (labelled as L₂₃S₇₇) and glasses containing Al₂O₃ and K₂O with SiO₂/Li₂O molar ratios (3.13–4.88) were produced by conventional melt-quenching technique in bulk and frit forms. The glass-ceramics (GCs) were obtained from nucleation and crystallisation of monolithic bulk glasses as well as via sintering and crystallisation of glass powder compacts. The structure of glasses as investigated by magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) depict the role of Al₂O₃ as glass network former with four-fold coordination, i.e., Al(IV) species while silicon exists predominantly as a mixture of Q ³ and Q ⁴ (Si) structural units. The qualitative as well as quantitative crystalline phase evolution in glasses was followed by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) adjoined with Rietveld-reference intensity ratio (R.I.R.) method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The possible correlation amongst structural features of glasses, phase composition and thermo-physical properties of GCs has been discussed.