Sol-Gel Co-Electrospun LiNiO2 Hollow Nanofibers

Using a coaxial capillary spinneret electrospinning technique combined with the sol-gel method, the nickelic xerogel hollow nanofibers first were prepared and the polycrystalline LiNiO₂ hollow nanofibers were obtained after sintering. The obtained hollow nanofibers were about 500 nm to 4 µm in outer diameter, and were made up of 20 ～ 30 nm nanocrystals. The xerogel hollow nanofibers and those calcined at different temperatures were characterized by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, x-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Silver Nanoparticles Filling in TiO2 Hollow Nanofibers by Coaxial Electrospinning

This study investigated the coaxial electrospinning process of silver filling in TiO₂ ultrafine hollow fibers using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) sol/titanium n-butyloxide (Ti(OC₄H₉)₄) and PVP sol/silver nanoparticles as pore-directing agents. The bicomponent fibers were heat treated at 200 °C and calcined at 600 °C. Silver particles having diameters of 5 to 40 nm were deposited on the inner surface of the long hollow TiO₂ nanofibers (outer diameter of 150.300 nm) with mesoporous walls (thickness of 10.20 nm). The morphological structure of the filled ultrafine hollow fibers has been studied by means of infrared (IR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The diameters and wall thicknesses of the hollow fibers could be tuned by adjusting the electrospinning parameters. Compared with other nanostructured TiO₂ materials, such as mesoporous Ag-TiO₂ blending fibers, TiO₂ hollow nanofibers, TiO₂ nanofibers, and TiO₂ powders, the silver filled TiO₂ hollow fibers exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of methylene blue.     

Structural characterization and photocatalytic activity of hollow binary ZrO2/TiO2 oxide fibers

The formation of hollow binary ZrO₂/TiO₂ oxide fibers using mixed precursor solutions was achieved by activated carbon fibers templating technique combined with solvothermal process. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The binary oxide system shows the anatase-type TiO₂ and tetragonal phase of ZrO₂, and the introduction of ZrO₂ notably inhibits the growth of TiO₂ nanocrystallites. Although calcined at 575 °C, all hollow ZrO₂/TiO₂ fibers exhibit higher surface areas (>113 m²/g) than pure TiO₂ hollow fibers. The Pyridine adsorption on ZrO₂/TiO₂ sample indicates the presence of stronger surface acid sites. Such properties bring about that the binary oxide system possesses higher efficiency and durable activity stability for photodegradation of gaseous ethylene and trichloromethane than P25 TiO₂. In addition, the macroscopic felt form for the resulting materials is more beneficial for practical applications than traditional catalysts forms.     

Preparation of electrospun heterostructured hollow SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/CuO nanofibers and their enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance

Heterostructured SnO₂/CuO nanofibers with a hollow morphology were successfully fabricated by a one-step electrospinning method. The electrospun nanofibers were transformed into hollow nanostructures in the presence of camphene after a calcination process, and the obtained samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectra (PL), and photodegradation measurements. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed a rough and hollow structure for the obtained nanofibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) identified the molecular composition and chemical interactions of the nanofibers. Photoluminescent (PL) measurements indicated that a recombination of the photoinduced electrons and holes was further inhibited due to the hollow nanostructure. Furthermore, the photodegradation of methylene blue suggested that the heterostructured SnO₂/CuO hollow nanofibers possessed higher charge separation and photodegradation abilities than those of the other samples under visible light irradiation. This work can be potentially applied to the fabrication of other inorganic oxide photocatalysts with enhanced photodegradation activity in the field of environmental remediation.     

Preparation of CuO/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Hollow Spheres for Catalytic Oxidation of Phenol

Porous CuO/SiO₂ hollow microspheres were synthesized via an impregnation method using pure SiO₂ hollow microspheres as the supporter, and Cu species as the functional material. The hollow microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, temperature-programmed reduction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The catalytic activities of the CuO/SiO₂ hollow microspheres were investigated via the removal of the total chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the oxidation of phenol solution with air as an oxidant. The influence of various reaction parameters such as the reaction temperature, the partial pressure of O₂, and the initial pH of the solution were studied in detail. The coordination, dispersion and aggregation degree of copper species on porous materials play an important role for the COD removal of the phenol aqueous solution.     

Thermal oxide synthesis and characterization of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanorods and Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanowires

Fe₃O₄ nanorods and Fe₂O₃ nanowires have been synthesized through a simple thermal oxide reaction of Fe with C₂H₂O₄ solution at 200–600°C for 1 h in the air. The morphology and structure of Fe₃O₄ nanorods and Fe₂O₃ nanowires were detected with powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The influence of temperature on the morphology development was experimentally investigated. The results show that the polycrystals Fe₃O₄ nanorods with cubic structure and the average diameter of 0.5–0.8 μm grow after reaction at 200–500°C for 1 h in the air. When the temperature was 600°C, the samples completely became Fe₂O₃ nanowires with hexagonal structure. It was found that C₂H₂O₄ molecules had a significant effect on the formation of Fe₃O₄ nanorods. A possible mechanism was also proposed to account for the growth of these Fe₃O₄ nanorods. Supported by the Fund of Weinan Teacher’s University (Grant No. 08YKZ008), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20573072) and the Doctoral Fund of Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 20060718010)     

LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiCoO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite cathode materials obtained by mechanical activation

New composite cathode materials xLiMn₂O₄/(1 ? x) LiCoO₂(x = 0.7, 0.6, 0.5 и 0.4) were obtained by mechanical activation. According to scanning electron microscopy data, the process was accompanied by pronounced dispersion and fine mixing of the initial components. In the course of the preparation and electrochemical cycling of the composites, LiMn₂O₄ and LiCoO₂ partially reacted, leading to the replacement of manganese with cobalt in the structure of spinel, which was detected by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cyclic chronopotentiometry. The specific discharge capacity of composites was ～100 mAh/g.     

Preparation of novel visible-light-driven In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–CaIn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> composite photocatalyst by sol–gel method

Novel visible-light-activated In₂O₃–CaIn₂O₄ photocatalysts were developed in this paper through a sol–gel method. The photocatalytic activities of In₂O₃–CaIn₂O₄ composite photocatalysts were investigated based on the decomposition of methyl orange under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results revealed that the In₂O₃–CaIn₂O₄ composite samples with different In₂O₃ and CaIn₂O₄ content can be obtained by controlling the synthesis temperature, and the composite photocatalysts extended the light absorption spectrum toward the visible region. The photocatalytic tests indicated that the composite samples demonstrated high visible-light activity for decomposition of methyl orange. The significant enhancement in the In₂O₃–CaIn₂O₄ photo-activity under visible light irradiation can be ascribed to the efficient separation of photo-generated carriers in the In₂O₃ and CaIn₂O₄ coupling semiconductors.     

Facile preparation and electrochemical properties of large-scale Li<Subscript>1+<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>V<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> nanobelts

Large-scale Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts were successfully fabricated using filter paper as deposition substrate through a simple surface sol–gel method. The nanobelts were as long as tens of micrometers with widths of 0.4–1.0 μm and thickness of 50–100 nm. The nanobelts were characterized by X-ray diffration (XRD), Fourier infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation mechanism of the nanobelts was investigated, showing that the morphology of the nanobelts is mainly determined by the calcination temperature. Electrochemical properties of the Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts were characterized by charge–discharge experiments, and the results demonstrate that the Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts exhibit a high discharge capacity (278 mAh g⁻¹) and excellent cycling stability.     

溶剂热方法合成Cu2ZnSnS4空心球

以氯化亚铜,硝酸锌,氯化锡和硫脲作为反应前驱体,聚乙二醇作为模板,利用溶剂热方法合成Cu₂ZnSnS₄中空球。其中,聚乙二醇对于产物的最终形成起到关键作用。文章讨论了Cu₂ZnSnS₄中空球的生长机制,并通过X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱、场发射电子显微镜(FESEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线能量色散谱(EDX)、X射线光电子谱(XPS)、选区电子衍射谱(SAED)和紫外-可见光分光光度计(UV-Vis)等技术对样品的微结构以及光学性质进行了表征和分析。结果显示Cu₂ZnSnS₄中空球为四方晶体,尺寸为600 nm。其禁带宽度为1.52 eV,适用于制作光伏器件。     

溶剂热方法合成Cu2ZnSnS4空心球

以氯化亚铜,硝酸锌,氯化锡和硫脲作为反应前驱体,聚乙二醇作为模板,利用溶剂热方法合成Cu₂ZnSnS₄中空球。其中,聚乙二醇对于产物的最终形成起到关键作用。文章讨论了Cu₂ZnSnS₄中空球的生长机制,并通过X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱、场发射电子显微镜(FESEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线能量色散谱(EDX)、X射线光电子谱(XPS)、选区电子衍射谱(SAED)和紫外-可见光分光光度计(UV-Vis)等技术对样品的微结构以及光学性质进行了表征和分析。结果显示Cu₂ZnSnS₄中空球为四方晶体,尺寸为600 nm。其禁带宽度为1.52 eV,适用于制作光伏器件。     

Effects of Ni-ion doping on electrochemical characteristics of spinel LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> powders prepared by a spray-drying method

Spinel LiMn_2−x Ni _x O₄ compounds doped with a range of Ni (x=0–0.06) were synthesized by a spray-drying method. The structure and morphology characteristics of the powders were studied in detail by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The XRD data reveal that all the samples have well-defined spinel structure, but, with the increase in Ni content, the doped lithium manganese spinels have smaller lattice constant. The undoped and doped spinel LiMn₂O₄ particles are fine, narrowly distributed, and well crystallized. The electrochemical characteristics of the samples are measured in the coin-type cells in a potential range of 3.2–4.35 V vs Li/Li⁺. All cyclic voltammogram curves exhibit two pairs of redox reaction peaks, but, among them, there are some differences about the peak split. With the increase in the Ni content, the specific capacities of the samples decrease slightly, but their cyclic ability increases.     

Microstructure and properties of sol-gel derived Pb(Zr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films on GaN/sapphire for nanoelectromechanical systems

Highly (111) oriented, phase-pure perovskite Pb(Zr_0.3Ti_0.7)O₃ (or PZT 30/70) thin films were deposited on single-crystal, (0001) wurtzite GaN/sapphire substrates using the sol-gel process and rapid thermal annealing. The phase, crystallinity, and stoichiometry of annealed PZT films were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. The atomic force microscopy revealed a smooth PZT surface (rms roughness ∼1.5 nm) with striations and undulations possibly influenced by the nature of the underlying GaN surface. The cross-sectional field-emission scanning electron microscopic images indicated a sharper PZT/GaN interface compared to that of sol-gel derived PZT on (111) Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/(100) Si substrates. The capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics for PZT in the Pt/PZT/GaN (metal-ferroelectric-semiconductor or MFS) configuration were evaluated as a function of annealing temperature and applied voltage. The observed C-V hysteresis stemmed from trapped charge at defect sites within PZT. Also, the lower capacitance density (C/A = 0.35 μF/cm², where A is the area of an electrode) and remnant polarization (P _r ∼ 4 μC/cm²) for PZT in the MFS configuration, compared to the values for PZT in the MFM configuration (Pt/PZT/Pt), were attributed to the high depolarization field within PZT.     

Ammonia gas sensor based on a spinel semiconductor,Co<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanomaterial

Thick film of nanocrystalline Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄ was obtained by sol–gel citrate method for gas sensing application. The synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. The XRD pattern shows spinel type structure of Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄. XRD of Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄ revels formation of solid solution with average grain size of about 30 nm. From gas sensing properties it observed that nickel doping improves the sensor response and selectivity towards ammonia gas and very low response to LPG, CO, and H₂S at 280 °C. Furthermore, incorporation of Pd improves the sensor response and stability of ammonia gas and reduced the operating temperature upto 210 °C. The sensor is a promising candidate for practical detector of ammonia.     

前驱体法制备Mn_2O_3空心橄榄形结构及形貌演化

利用苹果酸还原高锰酸钾以水热合成方法制备了具有橄榄形貌的纳米结构MnCO3前驱体,通过600℃焙烧MnCO3前驱体得到橄榄形Mn2O3.以扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、热重-差热分析(TG-DTA)等方法对产物的形貌和结构进行了表征.考察了MnCO3前驱体微观形貌随水热反应时间的演变:当水热反应时间为2h时得到具有橄榄形形貌的MnCO3前驱体,空心结构的壁比较厚;当水热反应时间延长到6h时得到的MnCO3前驱体仍然具有橄榄形形貌,壁变薄;当反应时间延长到24h时得到的MnCO3前驱体仍然具有橄榄形形貌,并且壁非常薄.我们推测在Ostwald熟化机理作用下,空心橄榄形MnCO3前驱体随着反应时间的延长其壁逐渐由160nm演化为30nm.     

Structure and photochromic properties of molybdenumphosphoric acid/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite films

TiO₂ sol-gel composite films with dropping molybdenumphosphoric acid (PMoA) have been prepared by sol-gel method. The structure and constitute of composite thin films were studied with Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, respectively. The photochromic behavior and mechanism of composite thin films were investigated with ultraviolet-visible spectra (UV-vis) and electron spin resonance (ESR). FT-IR results showed that the Keggin geometry of PMoA was still preserved inside PMoA/TiO₂ composite thin films, and a charge transfer bridge was built at the interface of PMoA and TiO₂ through the Mo-O-Ti bond. Surface topography of the composite film showed obvious changes before/after adding PMoA, and the surface topography of composite films showed obvious changes before/after irradiating as well. Composite thin film had reversible photochromic properties. Irradiated with UV light, transparent films changed from colorless to blue and they can bleach completely with ambient air in the dark. ESR results showed that TiO₂ were excitated by UV light to produce electrons, which deoxidized PMoA to produce heteropolyblues. The photochromic process of PMoA/TiO₂ system was carried through electron transfer mechanism.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> submicron-belts synthesized by a sol–gel H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> route

One-dimensional (1D) submicron-belts of V₂O₅ have been prepared by a sol–gel route using V₂O_5, H₂O₂ and aniline as starting materials. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the samples. Electrochemical behaviors as cathode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries were investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement and cyclic voltammeter. The results showed that the synthesized V₂O₅ appeared to be submicron-belts and orthorhombic structure. The V₂O₅ submicron-belts exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 346 mAh/g and stayed 240 mAh/g after 20 cycles at 0.1 C discharge rate in the potential region 1.8–4.0 V.     

Molecular structure of NiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>C<Subscript>16</Subscript>H<Subscript>14</Subscript> from gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical data

Gas-phase electron diffractometry was used to study the molecular structure of N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylaldiminato)nickel(II), NiO₂N₂C₁₆H₁₄, [hereinafter Ni(salen)] at 583(5) K. The molecule has C ₂ symmetry with a practically planar structure of the NiN₂O₂ coordination unit and with internuclear distances r _α (Ni-O) = 1.882(21) Å and r _α (Ni-N) = 1.889(22) Å. The results of B3LYP/CEP-31G molecular structure calculations are in good agreement with experimental data, whereas the RHF/CEP-31G method significantly overestimates the Ni-N internuclear distance and gives worse results for other structural parameters. According to 3LYP/CEP-31G calculations, the ¹ A low-spin state is 28 kJ/mole lower in energy than the ³ B high-spin state.     

Synthesis,characterization and lithium-intercalation properties of rod-like CaMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocrystals

Rod-like CaMoO₄ nanocrystals were synthesized via a template-based rheological phase reaction route as a novel method. The physical characterization was carried out by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and elected-area electron diffraction (SAED). A structure-directed role of hexamethylene tetramine (HMTA) was observed during the formation of CaMoO₄ nanocrystals. The electrochemical performance of CaMoO₄ as anode for lithium ion batteries has also been investigated by galvanostatic cycling and AC impedance spectroscopy. CaMoO₄/Li cell can deliver superior capacity than theoretical value in the initial cycle, and the much improved capacity was attributed to the contribution of oxygen besides the reduction of molybdenum during lithium insertion. Furthermore, a charge capacity of 276 and 438 mAh/g was retained after 50 cycles in the range of 0.01–2.50 V vs Li at a current density of 100 and 200 mA/g, respectively. The particle size and morphological properties were found to play an important role in fast lithium insertion/extraction performance and cycling stability at high rate.     

Sol-gel preparation and spectroscopic study of the pyrophanite MnTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles

The nanosized xerogel of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and manganese oxides (MnO₂, Mn₂O₃, Mn₃O₄) was prepared by the sol-gel method using manganese chloride (MnCl₂·4H₂O) and titanium isopropoxide (Ti(O-iPr)₄) as precursors in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/ ethanol/H₂O/HCl micelle solutions, following the calcinations of the produced powders at difference temperatures. The nanostructure and phase composition of these nanoparticles were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The spectroscopic characterizations of these nanoparticles were also done with UV-Vis spectroscopy and laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS). XRD patterns show that the pyrophanite MnTiO₃ phase was formed at the calcinations temperature of 900°C. The TEM images show that the nanoparticles are almost spherical or slight ellipose and the sizes are 50 nm on average. The UV-Vis spectra show that the nanosized MnTiO₃ have significant absorption bands in the visible region. There are new absorption peaks of MnTiO₃ nanoparticles in LRS compared with the pure TiO₂ powder.