Catalytic properties of Pt/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts in the aqueous-phase reforming of ethylene glycol: Effect of the alumina support

The influence of the alumina support on the catalytic activity of Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts in aqueous phase reforming of ethylene glycol to hydrogen was studied. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of γ-, δ-, and α-alumina with H₂PtCl₆. The highest rate of hydrogen production (452 μmol min⁻¹ g⁻¹) obtained with the Pt/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst can be related to the highest extent of dispersion of Pt on α-Al₂O₃. XPS, TEM-EDX and TPR-H₂ measurements showed the absence of chloride-containing surface complexes in the Pt/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst. However, chloride-containing entities were found on the surface of Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ and Pr/δ-Al₂O₃ catalysts. When chloride ions are removed chlorinated Pt species facilitate the sintering of Pt crystallites and in this way affect the extent of Pt dispersion. Moreover, depending upon the particular crystalline form, alumina atoms have different coordination and alumina surfaces contain varying amounts of OH groups of different nature which affect the interaction between Pt and the support.     

State of manganese ions in the structure of corundum synthesized in supercritical water fluid

The kinetics and formation mechanism of doped corundum (α-Al₂O₃) from hydrargillite (γ-Al(OH)₃) in supercritical water fluid (SCWF) in the presence of manganese ions are studied. It was ascertained that due to the reversible dehydroxylation in an aqueous medium, solid-phase transformation of hydrargillite into boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and then into corundum occurs with the formation of well-faceted corundum micro-crystals that are uniformly doped with manganese. It was found that when Mn²⁺ or MnO₄⁻ ions are introduced into the reaction medium, Mn⁵⁺, Mn⁴⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn²⁺ ions are observed in the synthesized corundum. Meanwhile, the manganese ions form a complex defect in the corundum structure, which comprises oxygen vacancies and hydroxyl groups. The defects in corundum that emerge upon doping with manganese in SCWF are different from those in corundum doped during high-temperature synthesis.     

Infrared absorption spectra of Er3+-doped Al2O3 nanopowders by the sol-gel method

The Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the sol-gel method, using the aluminium isopropoxide [Al(OC₃H₇)₃]-derived γ-AlOOH sols with addition of the erbium nitrate [Er(NO₃)₃·5H₂O]. The five phases of γ-(Al,Er)₂O₃, θ-(Al,Er)₂O₃, α-(Al,Er)₂O₃, ErAlO₃, and Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄ were detected with the 0–20 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the different sintering temperature of 600–1200°C. The average grain size was increased from about 5 to 62 nm for phase transformation of undoped γ-Al₂O₃→α-Al₂O₃ at the sintering temperature from 600 to 1200°C. At the same sintering temperature, average grain size was decreased with increase of the Er³⁺ doping concentration. Infrared absorption spectra of γ-Al₂O₃ and θ-Al₂O₃ nanopowders showed the two broad bands of 830–870 and 550–600 cm⁻¹, the three broad bands of 830–870, 750–760, and 550–600 cm⁻¹, respectively. The infrared absorption spectra for the α-Al₂O₃ nanopowder showed three characteristic bands, 640, 602, and 453 cm⁻¹. The two characteristic bands of 669 and 418 cm⁻¹ for Er₂O₃ clusters were observed for the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders when Er³⁺ doping concentration was increased up to 2 mol%. The 796, 788, 725, 692, 688, 669, 586, 509, 459, and 418 cm⁻¹ are the characteristic bands of Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄ phase.     

Preparation of bimetallic CoO-MoO3/γ-Al2O3 and NiO-MoO3/γ-Al2O3 hydrodesulfurization catalysts by deposition of Co, Ni and Mo onto α-AlOOH during paste processing

CoO-MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ and NiO-MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by the reaction of α-boehmite (α-AlOOH) with MoO₃ in an aqueous paste, followed by the reaction of the MoO₃/α-AlOOH catalyst with Co(OH)₂·CoCO₃ or 2NiCO₃·3Ni(OH)₂·4H₂O in an aqueous paste, and by subsequent drying and/or calcination. The deposited MoO₃ functioned as a thermal stabilizer inhibiting the sintering of the Al₂O₃ phase during calcination. The deposited Co and Ni were efficient activity promoters in benzothiophene hydrodesulfurization.     

Study of chemical processes in the modification of epoxide polymers by aluminum oxide

The processes occurring during the modification of epoxy polymers by various polymorphic aluminum oxide modifications (γ-AlO(OH), γ-Al₂O₃, α-Al₂O₃) with epoxy groups were studied by the methods of IR Fourier spectroscopy, chemical analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) by an example of a model compound (phenyl glycidyl ether). Two types of interactions were revealed: a direct chemical reaction of phenyl glycidyl ether with the surface hydroxy groups of alyminum oxide, and phenyl glycidyl ether homopolymerization. By processing by graphical method the data of chemical analysis on the diminishing in amount of epoxy groups in the course of the polycondensation reaction the value of activation energy 106–110 kJ mol⁻¹ of the process of phenyl glycidyl ether interaction with aluminum γ-oxide was determined.     

Deposition of NiO onto MoO3/γ-Al2O3 extrudates by slurry impregnation method

NiO-MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by the reaction of γ-Al₂O₃ extrudates with an aqueous slurry of MoO₃, followed by the reaction of the MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst with an aqueous slurry of NiO, Ni(OH)₂, NiCO₃·2Ni(OH)₂·xH₂O, or 2NiCO₃·3Ni(OH)₂·4H₂O and by subsequent drying. The NiO deposition was examined with electron probe microanalysis. The deposited Ni efficiently increased the activity in benzothiophene hydrodesulfurization.     

Thermal analysis in the synthesis and crystal formation of oxides

Vapour phase treatment at elevated temperatures with an activating agent is an effective method of synthesis and purposeful modification of amorphous and fine-grained crystalline substances. In the systems amorphous silica-quartz and amorphous Al(OH)₃ -crystalline-Al₂O₃ different forms of bound water are of prime importance. DTA, TG, DSC, NMR¹H,²⁹Si,²⁷Al, IR spectroscopy, electron- and optical microscopy methods have been used. The interaction of water molecules with the base skeleton and with hydroxide groups on the surface and in the bulk of the silica is of primary significance for modification of the silica structure. The proportion of different forms of the bound water determines the integral evaporation enthalpy of water. Various properties of silica are determined by weak bound water in the surface layer of the material. In the sequence Al(OH)₃ —-Al₂O₃ the structure transformation is observed according to the following scheme:-Al(OH)₃ —-AlOOH- -Al₂O₃, which takes place during the vapour phase treatment with activator.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Dampfphasenbehandlung bei höheren Temperaturen mit einem Aktivierungsmittel ist eine effektive Methode zur Synthese und zielgerichteten Modifizierung von amorphen und feinkörnigen kristallinen Substanzen. In den Systemen amorphes Siliziumdioxid-Quarz sowie amorphes Al(OH)₃-kristallines-Al₂O₃ hat verschiedenartig gebundenes Wasser eine primäre Bedeutung. Bei den Untersuchungen kamen DTA, TG, DSC,¹H-,²⁹Si-,²⁷Al-NMR, IR-Spektroskopie sowie Elektronen- und optische Mikroskopie zur Anwendung. Die Wechselwirkung von Wassermolekülen mit dem Grundgerüst und mit Hydroxidgruppen an der Oberfläche und im Innern von Silika ist für die Modifizierung der Silikastruktur von primärer Bedeutung. Der Anteil der verschiedenartig gebundenen Wasserformen bestimmt die vollständige Verdampfungsenthalpie des Wassers. Die verschiedenen Eigenschaften von Silika werden durch schwach gebundenes Wasser in der Oberflächenschicht der Substanz bestimmt. Die Umwandlung Al(OH)₃ —-Al₂O₃ durchläuft folgendes Schema:-Al(OH)₃--AlOOH--Al₂O₃, nach dem der Vorgang bei der Gasphasenbehandlung mit Aktivator abläuft.

     

Preparation of polycrystalline Ti-Al-O films by magnetron sputtering ion plating: constitution, structure and morphology

Ti-Al-O layers were deposited on Si-<100> wafers at 500 °C by means of reactive magnetron sputtering ion plating (R-MSIP). An Al-target was sputtered in rf-mode and a Ti-target in dc-mode simultaneously by an oxygen/argon plasma. The influence of the Al- and Ti-sputter powers on composition, structure, and morphology of the Ti-Al-O layers and the binding states of the components were investigated. The analysis with EPMA, XPS, AES and TEM yielded the following results: Ti-Al-O coatings with different Ti, Al, and O contents in the range of TiO₂ to Al₂O₃ were grown. TEM structure analysis revealed: the pure TiO₂ film consisted of the tetragonal phases rutile and anatase; the two structures were found in the titanium-rich Ti-Al-O film, too, but with significant smaller lattice constants. The aluminium-rich Ti-Al-O film displayed the same cubic structure of γ-Al₂O₃ as determined for the pure Al₂O₃ film, but the lattice constant is significant lower. Evaluation of the TEM pattern of the film with a Ti/Al ratio of 0.8 indicates a hexagonal structure with lattice constants similar to those of κ′-Al₂O₃. All films are nanocrystalline and not textured. Received: 24 June 1996 / Revised: 27 December 1996 / Accepted: 4 January 1997     

Desorption Behaviour of HF,HCFC-133a and HFC-134a on a Catalyst Supported on γ-AlF3

The desorption behaviour (desorption temperature and extent of desorption) of HF,HCFC-133a (CF₃CH₂Cl) and HFC-134a (CF₃CH₂F) on γ-AlF₃ or catalyst supported on γ-AlF₃ was studied using an adsorption apparatus and TG, DTA and DSC methods. On the basis of the results a reaction mechanism was proposed for the preparation of HFC-134a. The γ-AlF₃ employed for preparing the catalyst was expected to be stable below 550°C based on the crystalline phase transition temperature of γ-AlF₃. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation of Cr2O3-Al2O3 Solid Solutions by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering

 (Al,Cr)₂O₃ layers were deposited on cemented carbide insert tips at a substrate temperature of 500 °C by means of reactive magnetron sputtering. An Al target was sputtered in RF mode and a Cr target in DC mode simultaneously in an oxygen/argon plasma. The influence of the Al and Cr sputter power and of the oxygen partial pressure on composition and structure of the (Al,Cr)₂O₃ layers as well as on the binding states of their components were investigated. Special attention was paid to the interpretation of the O ls and O-KLL fine structure and peak shifts. For the binary phases γ-Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃, a good agreement with literature values was observed in each case. In case of the ternary phases a continuous shift of the energetic position of the O1s peak, the O-KL₂₃L₂₃ transition and the modified Auger parameter α ′ of oxygen between the two binary phases γ-Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ could be detected, indicating a wide range of solid solubility between Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃. As revealed by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, the crystallinity of the ternary phases is less pronounced as compared to the binaries and increases with increasing oxygen flow rate.     

Sorption behavior of γ-irradiated α-Al2O3

Irradiation of α-Al₂O₃ (Corundum) was carried out in contact with acidic media and with different doses (100-to-2500 kGy) and dose-rates (0.9, 2.6 and 6.1 kGy·h⁻¹) of γ-rays. Simultaneously parallel experiments were carried out using the same procedure, but preheated at 150°C for two days and then irradiated without acidic media. The solid thus obtained was used to determine the effect of γ-irradiation on the sorption capacities of microamounts of fission products from strongly alkaline aqueous solutions of uranium. The results revealed that the effect of γ-irradiation of α-Al₂O₃ and the acidic media in which it is immersed, is associated with a stable matrix resistant to significant changes in the composition of the surface layer; whilst it seems that the effect of γ-irradiation of preheated α-Al₂O₃, is connected with changes of surface-OH groups strongly affected by heat treatment and irradiation dose.     

Probing the surface acidity of modified γ-alumina with1H and15N high-resolution solid state NMR spectroscopy

¹H MAS NMR and¹⁵N NMR studies of adsorbed N₂ and N₂O molecules were used to characterize Br?nsted and Lewis acidic sites of unmodified γ-Al₂O₃ and γ-Al₂O₃ modified with NaOH. Changes in the concentrations of surface hydroxyls with the increase in the number of more “basic” OH groups for NaOH/γ-Al₂O₃ have been found by¹H MAS NMR experiments. Two different types of Lewis acidic sites in γ-Al₂O₃ have been revealed using¹⁵N NMR studies. The strongest sites are poisoned even at small NaOH concentrations (ca. 0.05 wt.%). Not only the number of electron-accepting sites but also their strength are supposed to decrease for modified γ-alumina.     

Hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone over Pd/Zro2-γ-Al2O3 catalyst

A ZrO₂-γ-Al₂O₃ supported Pd catalyst was prepared and characterized by XRD, XPS, H₂-TPR and TEM techniques. The catalytic activity was evaluated in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone. Comparing with Pd/γ-Al₂O₃, it showed high catalytic activity.     

Racemization of chiral amino alcohols III: Effect of Mg or Ca addition on the activity and stability of the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst

The racemization of R-(-)-2-amino-1-butanol in a reaction using Co/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts and catalysts modified by Mg or Ca was investigated in this paper. Complete racemization was achieved with a yield of over 83% at using the Mg modified Co/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst under optimized reaction conditions of 170°C and 2.5 MPa of H₂. The catalysts were thoroughly characterized by XRD, XPS, TPR, SEM and TEM. The addition of Mg and Ca may be advantageous for dispersing and stabilizing the active species of the Co/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, protecting from sintering, significantly improving its catalytic activity and stability.     

Interaction of a Co<Subscript>6</Subscript> cluster with oxides of different nature: a quantum chemical study

Density functional theory was applied to investigate the interaction of Co₆ nanoparticle with various oxide supports including γ-Al₂O₃, silicalite, and zeolite HZSM-5. The introduction of cobalt into silicalite leads to insignificant stabilization of the metal cluster and induction of a small positive charge. The interaction of the Co₆ particle with the acid zeolite or alumina is accompanied by transfer of either a proton from the Br?nsted acid site or hydrogen atoms from terminal OH groups to the surface of the metal cluster with the formation of a hydride-like complex cation. Geometric parameters and energy characteristics of adsorption complexes of carbon monoxide molecule with Co₆ particles on different supports were calculated. For isolated particle on silicalite, “linear” adsorption is predicted. According to calculations, one can expect “angular” adsorption in the case of the acid zeolite and “two-point” adsorption (precursor of active surface carbon) in the system Co₆/γ-Al₂O₃.     

Preparation,characterization and thermal decomposition of phenylenediammonium sulfate salts Part. XVI

Polyaniline/α-Al₂O₃ (PANI/α-Al₂O₃) composites were synthesized by in situ polymerization through ammonium persulfate ((NH₄)₂S₂O₈, APS) oxidized aniline using HCl as dopant. XRD and FTIR were used to characterize the PANI/α-Al₂O₃ composites. The thermal stabilities and glass transition temperature (T _g) of PANI/α-Al₂O₃ composites were tested using thermogravimetric (TG) method and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) technique. The results of TG showed that the thermal stability of PANI/α-Al₂O₃ composite increased and then decreased with the increase in α-Al₂O₃ content. The derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) curves showed one step degradation of PANI when the α-Al₂O₃ content was lower than 52.5 mass%, and exhibited two steps degradation when the α-Al₂O₃ content was higher than 63.6 mass%. The MDSC curves showed that the T _g of PANI/α-Al₂O₃ composites increased and then decreased with the augment of α-Al₂O₃ for the interaction between PANI chains and the surface of α-Al₂O₃.     

XPS and XAES of polyethylenes aided by line shape analysis: The effect of electron irradiation

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray induced Auger electron spectroscopy (XAES) have been used to investigate different polyethylene surfaces, i.e. low density polyethylene (PELD), high density polyethylene (PEHD) and polyethylene of ultra high molecular weight (PEUHMW). The ratio of Csp²/sp³ was evaluated from (i) fitting of XPS C 1s spectra, (ii) the width of XAES C KLL spectra (parameter D) and (iii) line shape analysis by the pattern recognition (PR) method using the fuzzy k-nearest neighbors (fkNN) rule. The proposed approaches investigate: (i) the differences between various polyethylene surfaces, (ii) their surface changes and degradation due to electron irradiation under various doses and (iii) their stability under electron beam irradiation.The results of proposed approaches, i.e. C 1s fitting, C KLL width evaluation and PR line shape analysis applied to C 1s and C KLL transitions, are qualitatively consistent. The unirradiated polyethylenes indicate nearly Csp³ hybridizations. Under an electron dose a rapid decrease of Csp³ is observed, starting at a dose of 100 Cm⁻². The quantitative differences observed between results obtained from analyses using the C KLL and C 1s spectra, can be explained with a smaller average information depth of C KLL transition. However, quantitative discrepancies between results of various approaches using the same electron transition, i.e. C KLL or C 1s, are smaller. The surface degradation due to X-ray irradiation was negligible in comparison to electron beam irradiation. The PR method was efficient in identifying the polyethylene surfaces under various electron doses. The largest stability under an electron beam is exhibited by the PEUHMW.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of Al2−x Cr x O3 powders obtained by polymeric precursor method

Al₂O₃ and Al_2−x Cr _x O₃ (x = 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04) powders have been synthesized by the polymeric precursors method. A study of the structural evolution of crystalline phases corresponding to the obtained powders was accomplished through X-Ray Diffraction and UV-vis spectroscopy (reflectance spectra and CIEL^*a^*b^* color data). The obtained results allow to identify the γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ phase transition. The single-phase α-Al₂O₃ powder was obtained after heat treatment at 1050 °C for 2 h. The results show that the green to red color transition and ruby luminescence lines observed for the powders of Al_2−x Cr _x O₃ are related to the γ to α-Al₂O₃ phase transition and the temperature and time range for such transition depends on the chromium content.     

Preparation of γ-Alumina Membranes From Sulphuric Electrolyte Anodic Alumina and Its Transition to α-Alumina

Gamma-alumina membrane was prepared from anodic (amorphous) alumina (AA) obtained in a sulphuric acid electrolyte. The transformation scheme, i.e., the crystallization to form metastable alumina polymorphs and the final transition to α-Al₂O₃ with heating was studied by TG-DTA and X-ray diffraction (XRD) using fixed time (FT) method. When heating at a constant rate, the crystallization occurred at 900°C or higher and the final formation of α-Al₂O₃ occurred at 1250°C or higher, which temperatures were higher than the case of using anodic (amorphous) alumina prepared from oxalic acid electrolyte. Relative content of S of the products was obtained by transmission electron microscope (TEM)-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The proposed thermal change of anodic alumina membrane prepared from sulphuric acid is as follows: 1. At temperatures lower than ca 910°C: Formation of a quasi-crystalline phase or a polycrystalline phase (γ-, δ- and θ-Al₂O₃); 2. 910–960°C: Progressive crystallization by the migration of S toward the surface within the amorphous or the quasi-crystalline phase, forming S-rich region near the surface; 3. 960°C: Change of membrane morphology and the quasi-crystalline phase due to the rapid discharge of gaseous SO₂; 4. 960–1240°C: Crystallization of γ-Al₂O₃ accompanying δ-Al₂O₃; and 5. 1240°C: Transition from γ-Al₂O₃ (+tr. δ-Al₂O₃) into the stable α-Al₂O₃. The amorphization which occurs by the exothermic and the subsequent endothermic reaction suggests the incorporation of SO₃ groups in the quasi-crystalline structure. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Crystallization of Anodic Alumina Membranes Studied by Simultaneous TG-DTA/FTIR

The thermal change of anodic alumina (AA), particularly the exothermic peak followed by the endothermic peak at ca 950°C was studied in detail by mainly using simultaneous TG-DTA/FTIR. The gradual loss of mass up to ca 910°C is attributed to dehydration. When heated at a constant rate by using TG-DTA, an exothermic peak with subsequent endothermic peak is observed at ca 950°C, but the exothermic peak becomes less distinct with decreasing heating rate. It has been found that gaseous SO₂ accompanying a small amount of CO₂ is mainly discharged at this stage. The reaction in this stage can be considered roughly in two schemes. The first scheme can be said collectively as crystallization, in which the migration of S or C trapped inside the crystal lattice of the polycrystalline phase (γ-, δ-, and θ-Al₂O₃, which presumably accompanies a large amount of amorphous or disordered phase) occurs. In the second scheme, the initial polycrystalline (+amorphous) phase crystallizes into a quasi-crystallineγ-Al₂O₃-like metastable phase after amorphization. Conclusively,after the distinct exo- and endothermic reactions, the amorphous phase crystallizes intoγ-Al₂O₃, presumably accompanying small amount of δ-Al₂O₃. It is also found that, when maintained isothermally, the metastable phases undergo transformation into the stable α-Al₂O₃ at 912°C. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.