Thermal decomposition of metal nitrates

The paper presents a study regarding the preparation of 40 %M^IIFe₂O₄/60 %SiO₂ nanocomposites (M = Ni, Zn, Cu) by thermal decomposition of metal nitrates—poly(vinyl alcohol)–tetraethyl orthosilicate gels. Thermal analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy have evidenced that a redox reaction takes place between PVA and NO ₃ ^? ions in the pores of the formed hybrid gels. The result of this redox reaction is the formation of carboxylate-type coordination compounds that have the role of a precursor of the ferrite nanoparticles. By thermal decomposition of these precursors inside the silica matrix, the corresponding MFe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites are obtained starting with 600 °C, as resulting from XRD analysis. Elemental maps of the corresponding involved elements M (Ni, Zn, Cu), Fe, and Si have confirmed the homogenous distribution of the ferrite nanoparticles within the silica matrix. TEM images have shown that the nanocomposites were obtained as fine nanoparticles, with diameter up to 20 nm. All nanocomposites 40 %M^IIFe₂O₄/60 %SiO₂ obtained at 1000 °C presented magnetic properties characteristic to this type of nanocomposite.     

Silica matrices for embedding of magnetic nanoparticles

This paper presents a study regarding the formation of hybrid gels starting from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 1,3-propanediol (PD) and their thermal evolution to mesoporous silica matrices. The possibility of obtaining homogenously dispersed cobalt ferrite inside the silica matrix starting from (TEOS–PVA–PD–Metal Nitrates) gels was also studied. The formation of the hybrid gels TEOS/PVA/PD with different compositions was studied by FT-IR spectrometry and thermal analysis, in order to evidence the interaction between the diol with the organic and the inorganic polymers. Both thermal analysis and FT-IR spectrometry have evidenced the formation of physical and chemical interaction between polyols and the siloxane network. Elemental mapping performed by SEM-EDX technique evidenced the formation of homogenous hybrids both in the presence of the absence of 1,3-propanediol. SEM images of the powders obtained by annealing the hybrid xerogels at 600 °C have evidenced the formation of mesoporous silica. By thermal treatment of the (TEOS–PVA–PD–Metal Nitrates) gels, 30%CoFe₂O₄/70%SiO₂ (mass percent) nanocomposites uniformly dispersed in silica matrix with characteristic magnetic properties, have been successfully synthesized.     

Thermal behavior of Co<Subscript>x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3−x</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposites obtained by a modified sol–gel method

The thermal behavior of Co_xFe_3?xO₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites obtained by direct synthesis starting from nonahydrate ferric nitrate and hexahydrate cobalt nitrate in different ratios with and without the addition of 1,4-butanediol was studied. For the synthesis of Co_xFe_3?xO₄ (x = 0.5–2.5) dispersed in the silica matrix a wide Co/Fe molar ratio was used. The decomposition processes, formation of crystalline phases, gases evolvement and mass changes during gels annealing at different temperatures were assessed by thermal analysis. The absence of succinate precursor and a low mass loss were observed in the case of the gel obtained in the absence of 1,4-butanediol. In case of gels obtained using a stoichiometric ratio of Co/Fe, no clear delimitation between Co and Fe succinates was observed, while for samples with a Fe or Co excess, the formation of the two succinates was observed. The evolution of the crystalline phase after annealing (673, 973 and 1273 K) investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry revealed that in samples with Fe excess, stoichiometric Fe/Co ratio or low Co excess, the cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) was obtained as a single phase, while in samples with higher cobalt excess, olivine (Co₂SiO₄) as a main phase, cobalt oxide and CoFe₂O₄ as secondary phases were obtained after annealing at 1273 K. The SEM images confirmed the nanoparticles embedding in the silica matrix, while the TEM and X-ray diffraction data showed that the obtained nanoparticles’ size was below 10 nm in most samples.     

The obtaining of NiCr2O4 nanoparticles by unconventional synthesis methods

This paper presents a study regarding the obtaining of NiCr₂O₄ by two new unconventional synthesis methods: (i) the first method is based on the formation of Cr(III) and Ni(II) carboxylate-type precursors in the redox reaction between the nitrate ion and 1,3-propanediol. The thermal decomposition of these complex combinations, at ~300 °C, leads to an oxide mixture of Cr₂O_3+x and NiO, with advanced homogeneity, small particles and high reactivity. On heating this mixture at 500 °C, Cr₂O₃ reacts with NiO to form NiCr₂O₄, which was evidenced by FT-IR and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis; (ii) the second method starts from a mechanical mixture of (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇ and Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. On heating this mixture, a violent decomposition at 240 °C with formation of an oxides mixture (Cr₂O₃ + CrO₃) and NiO takes place. On thermal treatment up to 500 °C, an intermediary phase NiCrO₄ is formed, which by decomposition at ~700 °C leads to NiCr₂O₄, evidenced by FT-IR and XRD analysis. NiCr₂O₄ is formed, in both cases, starting with a temperature higher than 400 °C, when the non-stoichiometric chromium oxide (Cr₂O_3+x ) loses the oxygen excess and turns to stoichiometric chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃), which further reacts with NiO.     

Preparation of CuFe2O4/SiO2 nanocomposite starting from Cu(II)–Fe(III) carboxylates embedded in hybrid silica gels

Nanocomposites of the type 30 % CuFe₂O₄/70 % SiO₂ were synthesized using the modified sol–gel method starting from tetraethylorthosilicate, metal nitrates (Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O) and the diol: 1,3-propane diol. The obtained hybrid gel, which contains within the pores, the metal nitrates and diol, was thermally treated at 140 °C, when the redox reaction between metal nitrates and 1,3-propane diol takes place forming Cu(II)–Fe(III) carboxylate compounds of malonate type. The thermal decomposition of the carboxylates within the gels pores, at ~300 °C, leads to simple or mixed metal oxides, uniformly distributed within the amorphous silica matrix. The spinel system CuFe₂O₄/SiO₂ was obtained starting with 700 °C. The evolution of the spinel phase with the annealing temperature was investigated and resulted that at 1,000 °C, the matrix crystallizes into cristobalite and quartz. The formation of bulk CuFe₂O₄, starting from the same type of Cu(II)–Fe(III) carboxylate compounds was also investigated. A comparison between the thermal evolution of bulk CuFe₂O₄ and CuFe₂O₄/SiO₂ starting from Cu(II)–Fe(III) carboxylate compounds was made. The magnetic behavior of the ferrite nanocrystallites depending on the annealing temperature was also investigated.     

Comparative study of the synthesis of CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> in silica through the polymerized complex route of the sol–gel method

In this work the synthesis of CoFe₂O₄-SiO₂ and NiFe₂O₄-SiO₂ nanocomposites was studied via the sol–gel method, using the polymerized complex route. The polymerized precursors obtained by the reaction of citric acid, ethylene glycol, tetraethylorthosilicate, ferric nitrate, and cobalt nitrate or nickel chloride were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. NMR and IR spectra of the precursors, without and with metallic ions, show the formation of polymeric chains with ester and ether groups and complexes of metal-polymeric precursor. The nanocomposites were obtained by the thermal decomposition of the organic fraction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD patterns show the formation of CoFe₂O₄ and NiFe₂O₄ in an amorphous silica matrix above 400 °C in both cases. When the calcination temperature was 800 °C the particle size of the crystalline phases, calculated using the Scherrer equation, reached ∼35 nm for the two oxides. VSM plots show the ferrimagnetic behavior that is expected for this type of magnetic material; the magnetization at 12.5 KOe of the CoFe₂O₄-SiO₂ and NiFe₂O₄-SiO₂ compounds was 29.5 and 17.4 emu/g, respectively, for samples treated at 800 °C.     

New synthesis method for M(II) chromites/silica nanocomposites by thermal decomposition of some precursors formed inside the silica gels

In this article, we present a new method for the obtaining of ZnCr₂O₄ and MgCr₂O₄ embedded in silica matrix. This method consists in the formation of Cr(III), Zn(II) and Cr(III), Mg(II) hydroxycarboxylate/carboxylate compounds, during the redox reaction between the nitrate ion and diol (1,3-propanediol), uniformly dispersed in the pores of hybrid gels. The thermal decomposition of these precursors leads to a mixture of corresponding metal oxides. The gels were synthesized starting from mixtures of Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with tetraethyl orthosilicate and 1,3-propanediol for final compositions 50% ZnCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂ and 50% MgCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂. The obtained gels have been thermally treated at 140?°C, when the redox reaction nitrates-diol took place with formation of the precursors within the xerogels pores. The thermal decomposition of all precursors took place up to 300?°C, with formation of oxides mixtures (Cr₂O_3?+?x and ZnO) and (Cr₂O_3?+?x and MgO), respectively. At 400?°C, Cr₂O_3?+?x turn to Cr₂O₃ which reacts with ZnO forming ZnCr₂O₄/SiO₂. Starting with 400?°C, Cr₂O₃ reacts with MgO to an intermediary phase MgCrO₄, which decomposes with the formation of MgCr₂O₄/SiO₂. The formation of the precursors inside the silica matrix and the evolution of the crystalline phases were studied by thermal analysis, FT-IR spectrometry, XRD, and TEM.     

Thermal behavior of Co(II) and Ni(II) hydroxycarboxylate complexes obtained by two original synthesis methods

This paper presents a facile and rapid synthesis route of metallic Ni and Co nanocrystallites at ~150 °C in the mixture composed of the corresponding metal nitrates and 1,3-propanediol, as reducing agent. The metal oxides NiO, CoO, Co₃O₄ nanocrystallites were, also, successfully synthesized by thermal decomposition at 300 °C of the hydroxycarboxylate coordination products, obtained in the redox reaction between 1,3-propanediol and Ni(II) and Co(II) nitrates. The formation of the Ni(II) and Co(II) hydroxycarboxylate complexes depends on the diol which generates the carboxylate anion, the transition metal and the process parameters. Ni(II) and Co(II) nanocomposites were also synthesized by thermal decomposition of the complex combinations formed within the pores of the hybrid silica gels. One of the purposes of the present study was to investigate the phase constitution of the composites obtained in similar synthesis conditions, from Ni(II) and Co(II) complex combinations embedded in silica gels. These gels were submitted to various thermal treatments and the changes occurring during these treatments were described by X-ray diffraction. Thermal analysis is an excellent tool for the study of the processes implied in the formation and decomposition of the Co(II) and Ni(II) carboxylate complexes. X-ray diffraction evidenced the nanometer sized metal and/or metal oxide phases.     

Studies regarding the formation from metal nitrates and diol of NiM 2 III O4 spinels, inside a silica matrix

The present study deals with preparation and characterization of spinel mixed oxide systems NiM ₂ ^III O₄, where M^III?=?Fe^III, Cr^III. In order to obtain 50% NiFe₂O₄/50% SiO₂ and 50% NiCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂ nanocomposite, we have used a versatile route based on the thermal decomposition inside the SiO₂ matrix, of some particular precursors, coordination compounds of the involved M^II and M^III cations with dicarboxylate ligands. The ligands form in the redox reaction between metal nitrates mixture and 1,3-propanediol at the heating around 140?°C of the gels (tetraethylorthosilicate?Cmetal nitrates?C1,3-propanediol?Cwater). The as-obtained precursors, embedded in silica gels, have been characterized by FT-IR spectrometry and thermal analysis. Both precursors thermally decompose up to 350?°C leading to the formation of the corresponding metal oxides inside the silica matrix. X-ray diffraction of the annealed powders have evidenced the formation of NiFe₂O₄ starting with 600?°C, and NiCr₂O₄ starting with 400?°C. This behavior can be explained by the fact that, by thermal decomposition of the Fe(III) carboxylate at 300?°C, the spinelic phase ??-Fe₂O₃ is formed, which interacts with the NiO, forming the ferrite nuclei. By thermal decomposition of chromium carboxylate, a nonstoichiometric chromium oxide (Cr₂O_3+x ) is formed. In the range 380?C400?°C, Cr₂O_3+x turns into Cr₂O₃ which immediately interacts with NiO leading to the formation of nickel chromites nuclei inside the pores of silica matrix. Both spinels have been obtained as nanocrystalites homogenously dispersed as resulted from XRD and TEM data.     

Low temperature synthesis of Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite using a modified sol–gel method

The paper presents a study on the preparation of Co₂SiO₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites by a new modified sol–gel method. We have prepared gels starting from tetraethylorthosilicate (Si(OC₂H₅)₄), cobalt nitrate Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and some diols: ethylene glycol (C₂H₆O₂), 1,2propanediol (C₃H₈O₂) and 1,3propanediol (C₃H₈O₂), for a final composition: 30% CoO/70% SiO₂. During the heating of the gels at 140 °C, a redox reaction takes place between NO₃ ⁻ ions and diol with formation of some carboxylate anions. These carboxylate anions react with the Co(II) ions to form coordination compounds embedded in silica matrix, as evidenced by FT-IR spectrometry and thermal analysis. These Co(II) coordinative compounds thermally decompose in the range 250–300 °C to the corresponding oxides: CoO and/or Co₃O₄ inside the matrices pores. When CoO results, it reacts with SiO₂ at low temperature leading to Co₂SiO₄, which crystallizes at 700 °C. XRD patterns of the samples annealed at temperatures lower than 700 °C were characteristic to amorphous phases. The samples annealed at temperatures ≥700 °C, contain Co₂SiO₄ (olivine) as unique crystalline phase inside the amorphous silica matrix, according to XRD patterns. As evidenced by TEM images, Co₂SiO₄ nanoparticles are homogenously dispersed inside the silica matrix.     

New Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of NiFe2O4/SiO2 and Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/SiO2 Nanocomposites Using Tetraglycolatosilane as Precursor

In this work the new synthesis and magnetic properties of NiFe₂O₄/SiO₂ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites using a water‐soluble silica precursor, tetraglycolatosilane (THEOS), by the sol‐gel method were reported. Nanocomposite were obtained by the thermal decomposition of the organic part at different annealing temperatures varying from 400 to 900 °C. Studies carried out using XRD, FT‐IR, TEM, STA (TG‐DTG‐DTA) and VSM techniques. XRD patterns show that NiFe₂O₄ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ have been formed in an amorphous silica matrix at annealing temperatures above 600 and 400 °C, respectively. It is found that when the annealing temperature is up to 900 °C NiFe₂O₄/SiO₂ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄/SiO₂ samples show almost superparamagnetic behavior with a magnetization 4.66 emu/g and ferromagnetic behavior with a magnetization 10.11 emu/g, respectively. The magnetization and coercivity values of nanocomposites using THEOS were considerably less than previous reports using TEOS. THEOS as a silica matrix network provides an ideal nucleation environment to disperse ferrite nanoparticles and thus to confine them to aggregate and coarsen. By using THEOS over the currently used TEOS and TMOS, organic solvents are not needed due to the entire solubility of THEOS in water. Synthesized nanocomposites with adjustable particle sizes and controllable magnetic properties make the applicability of ferrites even more versatile.     

Preparation of CuCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanopowders using two different chromium sources

CuCr₂O₄ spinel powders were synthesized starting from different chromium sources, namely (i) chromium oxide (α-Cr₂O₃) and (ii) ammonium dichromate ((NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇). The copper source was a Cu(II) carboxylate-type complex. The Cu(II) carboxylate complex was obtained by the redox reaction between Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3-propanediol (1,3PG) at 130 °C. In the first case (i), we have started from a mixture of α-Cr₂O₃, Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3PG that upon heating formed the copper malonate complex, which decomposed around 220 °C forming an oxide mixture (CuO + α-Cr₂O₃). In the second case (ii), (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇, Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3PG were homogenously mixed. Heating this mixture at 130 °C resulted, in situ, in the Cu(II) complex. On controlled temperature increase, the violent decomposition of (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇ took place at 180 °C along with the decomposition of the Cu(II) complex, leading to an amorphous oxide mixture of Cr₂O_3+x and CuO. By annealing the samples in the temperature range 400–1000 °C, the spinel phase (CuCr₂O₄) was obtained in both cases: (i) at 800 °C and (ii) at 600 °C as a result of the interactions between the precursors used, when the oxide system was amorphous and highly reactive. The presence of CuCr₂O₄ was highlighted by XRD and FTIR analyses.     

Evaluation of cation influence on the formation of M(II)Cr2O4 during the thermal decomposition of mixed carboxylate type precursors

This paper reports an investigation regarding the influence of the cation M(II) (M = Zn, Ni, Mg) on the formation of MCr₂O₄ by thermal decomposition of the corresponding M(II),Cr(III)-carboxylates (precursors) obtained by redox reaction between the corresponding metal nitrates and 1,3-propanediol. The decomposition products at different temperatures have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Thus, we have evidenced that by thermal decomposition of the studied precursors in the range 250–300 °C, different amorphous oxidic phases mixtures form depending on the nature of metalic cation: (Cr₂O_3+x + ZnO) (Cr₂O_3+x + Ni/NiO) and (Cr₂O_3+x+MgO). In case of M = Zn, around 400 °C when the transition Cr₂O_3+x to Cr₂O₃ takes place, zinc chromite nuclei form by the interaction ZnO with Cr₂O₃. In case of M = Ni, due to the partial reduction of Ni(II) at Ni(0) during the thermal decomposition of the precursor the formation of nickel chromite by the reaction NiO + Cr₂O₃ is shifted toward 500 °C, when Ni is oxidized at NiO. The thermal evolution of the mixture (MgO + CrO₃) is different due to the formation as intermediary phase of MgCrO₄, which decomposes to MgCr₂O₄ around 560 °C. In order to investigate the chromites formation mechanism, we have studied the mechanical mixtures of single oxides obtained from the corresponding carboxylates. These mixtures (MO + Cr₂O₃) have been annealed at 400, 500, and 600 °C to study the evolution of the crystalline phases. It results in the prepared mixture behaving different from the mixtures obtained by thermal decomposition of the binary M(II),Cr(III)-carboxylates, recommending our synthesis method for obtaining binary oxides.     

Sol–gel combustion synthesis and characterization of nanostructure copper chromite spinel

Nanocomposite copper chromite spinel was fabricated by sol–gel process using copper nitrate trihydrate, chromium nitrate nonahydrate, ethylene glycol, diethyl ether, and citric acid. The thermoanalytical measurements (TG–DTG), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis were used to characterize the structural and the chemical features of the nanocomposites. TG–DTG results showed that the major mass loss for copper(II) nitrate, chromium(III) nitrate as precursors occur at 258 and 140 °C, respectively. The major mass loss for dried gel of copper chromite occurs at 310 °C. XRD data revealed the formation of pure copper chromite after thermal decomposition at 1,000 °C for 2 h. The observation of XRD patterns reveals the presence of single-phase tetragonal spinel CuCr₂O₄. FESEM analysis of calcined composite was found to be in the range of 20–30 nm.     

Application of response surface methodology for optimization of the stability of asphaltene particles in crude oil by TiO2/SiO2 nanofluids under static and dynamic conditions

In this work, the onset of asphaltene flocculation for an Iranian crude oil by titration of samples with heptane in the presence and absence of the TiO₂/SiO₂ nanofluids was obtained by Near-IR spectroscopy. Nanoparticles and nanocomposites were characterized by BET, FESEM, EDX, XRD, and XRF analysis. Modeling and optimization of inhibition of asphaltene flocculation process by TiO₂/SiO₂ nanofluids were conducted by response surface methodology (RSM). Under optimum conditions (nanocomposite composition = 0.04 wt% (80%TiO₂:20%SiO₂), salinity = 4.01 wt%, and pH = 3.42), the onset point increased. For nanofluids stability analysis, the optimum nanofluid was compared with the two other nanofluids (SiO₂ and TiO₂) by visual observation method. The results indicated that high stability and surface area of the 80%TiO₂ nanocomposites increase asphaltene adsorption on the particles surface that subsequently increases the onset point. In addition, the optimum nanofluid performance on the carbonate rocks was evaluated by contact angle and core flooding experiments. The 80% TiO₂ nanofluid changed the wettability of carbonate rocks from strongly oil-wet to strongly water-wet condition and also decreased the residual oil saturation and enhanced the oil recovery with an increase in the recovery factor of about 15%.     

Co3O4/SiO2 nanocomposites for supercapacitor application

In this study, Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized by citrate–gel method by utilizing SiO₂ matrix for Co₃O₄ embedment. Spectroscopy analyses confirm the formation of high crystalline Co₃O₄ nanoparticles; meanwhile, microscopy findings reveal that the Co₃O₄ nanoparticles are embedded in SiO₂ matrix. Electrochemical properties of the Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 5 M KOH electrolyte. The findings show that the charge storage of Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites is mainly due to the reversible redox reaction (pseudocapacitance). The highest specific capacitance of 1,143 F g ^?1 could be achieved at a scan rate of 2.5 mV s^?1 in the potential region between 0 and 0.6 V. Furthermore, high-capacitance retention (>92 %) after 900 continuous charge–discharge tests reveals the excellent stability of the nanocomposites. It is worth noting from the EIS measurements that the nanocomposites have low ESR value of 0.33 Ω. The results manifest that Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites are the promising electrode material for supercapacitor application.     

Thermal decomposition of some metal-organic precursors

In this paper we present a study on the synthesis of Fe(III) oxide, by thermal decomposition of some complex combinations of Fe(III) with carboxylate type ligands, obtained in the redox reaction between some polyols (ethylene glycol (EG), 1,2-propane diol (1,2PG), 1,3-propane diol (1,3PG) and glycerol (GL)) and NO₃ ^– ions (from ferric nitrate). Fe₂O₃ was obtained by thermal decomposition of the synthesized metal-organic precursors at low temperatures. γ-Fe₂O₃ was obtained as nanoparticles at 300°C, while at higher temperatures α-Fe₂O₃ starts to crystallize and becomes single phase at ~500°C. The formation of the metal-organic precursors and their thermal decomposition were studied by thermal analysis and FTIR spectroscopy.     

UO2, NpO2 and PuO2 preparation in aqueous nitrate solutions in the presence of hydrazine hydrate

It was established that heating to 90 °C of nitrate solutions of U, Np and Pu in the presence of hydrazine hydrate results in the formation of hydrated dioxides of these elements. On ignition under inert or reducing conditions in the temperature range of 280–800 °C hydrated uranium dioxide transmogrify into crystalline UO₂. On ignition in air atmosphere UO₂·nH₂O turns into UO₃ at 440 °C and into U₃O₈ at 570–800 °C. It was shown that thermolysis of the solution containing a mixture of uranium, neptunium and plutonium nitrates at 90 °C in the presence of hydrazine hydrate allows one to prepare hydrated dioxides (U, Np, Pu)O₂·nH₂O which on heating to ~300 °C transmogrify into crystalline product of UO₂, NpO₂ and PuO₂ solid solution. The technique of preparation of solid solutions of U and Pu dioxides is very promising as simple and effective method of production of MOX-fuel for.     

A magnetic CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite fabricated by the sol-gel method for electrocatalytic oxidation and determination of L-cysteine

Magnetic CoFe₂O₄/SiO₂ spinel-type nanocomposites have been fabricated by a sol-gel method in the presence of various acids. Their structural, morphological and magnetic properties were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, VSM and EDX which revealed that they are formed in the presence of all precursors. TEM analysis indicates homogeneous and porous spherical morphology with nanosize grains 10–20 nm in diameter in the presence of salicylic acid. Electrochemical sensor application of nanocrystalline CoFe₂O₄/SiO₂ synthesized by salicylic acid for determination of L-cysteine was investigated using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). DPV indicates that the sensor shows remarkable sensitivity for the determination of L-Cys. The response of a glassy carbon electrode modified with CoFe₂O₄/SiO₂ is linear in the 0.02–425 μM L-Cys concentration range, with a 0.20 μM detection limit (at an S/N ratio of 3). The electrode produces a negligible current response for tryptophan, glutamic acid and citric acid at the working potential applied (+0.748 V vs Ag/AgCl). The electrode is reliable, simple, rapidly prepared, precise, and the method does not require extensive sample treatment.

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Graphical abstract A CoFe₂O₄/SiO₂ magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized by a sol-gel auto combustion method in the presence of various acids as precursors. A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor was fabricated for determination of trace amount of L-cysteine using a glassy carbon electrode modified with the nanocomposite.

     

Polyaniline/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite inhibits the growth of Candida albicans 077 by ROS production

In recent years, polyaniline/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposites have gained attention because of their wide utilization in optoelectronics and biomedical studies. However, very limited research has been carried out on the anticandidal activity of polyaniline/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite against Candida spp. Thus, the study was designed to investigate the anticandidal potential of PANI/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite against Candida albicans 077. PANI/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite (denoted as “cfPNCs”) was synthesized by polymerization of aniline in the presence of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The structural and thermal properties of the synthesized PANI/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite were investigated. It was noteworthy that PANI/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite showed promising anticandidal activity in a dose-dependent manner. Results also showed that the protection of histidine (a ROS quencher) against ROS clearly suggested the implication of ROS in anticandidal activity of PANI/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite. It is encouraging to conclude that PANI/CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite bears the potential of their applications in biomedicine, especially nanotherapy for diseases caused by C. albicans.