PMo or PW heteropoly acids supported on MCM-41 silica nanoparticles: Characterisation and FT-IR study of the adsorption of 2-butanol

Mesoporous silica, prepared in basic conditions, has been loaded (20% weight) with 12-molybdophosphoric (PMo) or 12-tungstophosphoric (PW) acid and calcined at different temperatures ranging between 250 and 550 °C. The samples have been characterised by N₂ adsorption-desorption at −196 °C, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), UV-visible diffuse reflectance, Raman spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The acidity and catalytic activity have been, respectively, examined by monitoring the adsorption of pyridine and 2-butanol by FT-IR spectroscopy. The results indicate that PW and PMo acids are highly dispersed on mesoporous silica MCM-41 spherical nanoparticles. While PMo retains its Keggin structure up to 550 °C, PW decomposes at this temperature into crystalline WO₃ and phosphorous oxides. In both cases, the morphology, hexagonal symmetry and long-range order observed for the support are preserved with calcination up to 450 °C. The Brönsted-type acid sites found in all samples, whose surface concentration decreases as the calcination temperature increases, are responsible for the selective formation of cis-butene detected upon adsorption of 2-butanol. The sample containing PW calcined at 450 °C also shows selectivity to methyl ethyl ketone.     

Structural and conductivity changes during the pyrolysis of polyaniline base

Polyaniline base has been exposed to various temperatures between 100 °C and 1000 °C for 2 h in air. The mass loss has increased with increasing temperature. FTIR and Raman spectroscopies show the gradual destruction of the PANI structure, the possible formation of intermediate oxime and nitrile groups, and the final conversion to graphitic material. The elemental analysis confirmed the dehydrogenation while the content of nitrogen was nearly constant even after treatment at 800 °C. The conductivity of PANI base, 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹, increased to ∼10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ after treatment at 1000 °C; most of the products, however, were non-conducting. Another series of experiments involved the polyaniline base heated at 500 °C for 1-8 h. The studies were performed in connection with the potential flame-retardant application of polyaniline.     

Synthesis of nanospherical Fe3BO6 anode material for lithium-ion battery by the rheological phase reaction method

This paper developed a novel method, the rheological phase reaction method, to synthesize nanospherical Fe₃BO₆. The sizes and morphologies of products vary with the calcination temperatures. Spherical particles with a uniform size about 40 nm in a monodisperse state were obtained at 800 °C, while the spherical particles with a larger size of 100-500 nm were obtained at 900 °C. The electrochemical properties of these Fe₃BO₆ nanospheres were investigated. Sample synthesized at 800 °C delivers a high reversible capacity above 500 mAh g⁻¹. Sample synthesized at 900 °C possesses relatively good cycleability with a capacity retaining of 376 mAh g⁻¹ after 10 cycles. The measurement of electrochemical impedance spectra for the first time indicated that smaller Fe₃BO₆ nanoparticles intend to give higher impedance of solid-electrolyte interface layer and lower charge-transfer impedance after the first discharge. Additionally, it can be speculated that the increase of resistance charge-transfer is the possible reason for the capacity fading during cycling.     

X-ray, Raman and FTIRS studies of the microstructural evolution of zirconia particles caused by the thermal treatment

Genesis of the structure of zirconia particles prepared by precipitation of amorphous hydrated zirconia by ammonia from the ZrO(NO₃)₂ solution followed by a mild hydrothermal treatment (HTT) of precipitate, washing and calcination under air up to 1000 °C has been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and FTIRS. As revealed by FTIRS of lattice modes, the local structure of amorphous zirconia subjected to HTT is close to that in m-ZrO₂. This helps to obtain nearly single-phase monoclinic nanozirconia (particle size 5-15 nm) already after a mild calcination at 500 °C. Stability of this phase with nanoparticles sizes below the critical value determined by thermodynamic constraints is due to its excessive hydroxylation demonstrated by FTIRS. Dehydroxilation and sintering of these nanoparticles at higher (600-650 °C) temperatures of calcination leads to reappearance of the (111) “cubic” reflection in XRD patterns. Modeling of XRD patterns revealed that this phenomenon could be explained by polysynthetic (001) twinning earlier observed by HRTEM.     

Acid and redox properties of mixed oxides prepared by calcination of chromate-containing layered double hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with Mg and Al in the layers and carbonate, nitrate or chloride in the interlayer, or with Zn and Al in the layers and chloride in the interlayer, have been prepared by coprecipitation, and have been used as precursors to prepare chromate-containing LDHs. All these systems, as well as those obtained upon their calcination up to 800 °C, have been characterised by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and vis-UV spectroscopies, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C for surface texture and porosity assessment, and FT-IR monitoring of pyridine adsorption for surface acidity determination. The results obtained show that the crystallinity of the chromate-containing LDH depends on the precursor used. The layered structure of the Mg, Al systems is stabilised up to 400 °C upon incorporation of chromate; however, the Zn,Al-chromate samples collapse between 200 and 300 °C, with simultaneous formation of ZnO. Calcination of the samples above 400 °C gives rise to a reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), as concluded from vis-UV spectroscopic studies. The TPR profiles show that chromate in ZnAl hydrotalcite is more easily reduced than that incorporated in the magnesium ones. Moderately strong surface Lewis acid sites exist in all samples calcined below 500 °C.     

Polycarbonate membrane assisted growth of pyramidal SnO2 particles

We demonstrate here the utility of polycarbonate membrane in preparing oxide particles of unusual shape and properties. Unlike the usual formation of nanowires or tubes using alumina templates, here, pyramidal shaped SnO₂ particles with a preferred orientation along the (2 1 1) direction have been prepared using polycarbonate membranes. Simple impregnation of SnO₂ sol into a polycarbonate membrane by sonication followed by calcination at 800 °C resulted in the formation of pyramidal shaped SnO₂ particles. Compared to the alumina membrane the recovery of the particles from polycarbonate membrane is very simple. The sensor fabricated using such particles without any catalyst addition exhibited 64% sensitivity towards 500 ppm butane at 500 °C with a recovery time of 27 s. This method could be used as a simple technique to prepare oxide particles of different size and shape for diverse applications.     

Mechanism for the formation of tin oxide nanoparticles and nanowires inside the mesopores of SBA-15

The formation of polycrystalline tin oxide nanoparticles (NP) and nanowires was investigated using nanocasting approach included solid-liquid strategy for insertion of SnCl₂ precursor and SBA-15 silica as a hard template. HR-TEM and XRD revealed that during the thermal treatment in air 5 nm tin oxide NP with well defined Cassiterite structure were formed inside the SBA-15 matrix mesopores at 250 °C. After air calcination at 700 °C the NP assembled inside the SBA-15 mesopores as polycrystalline nanorods with different orientation of atomic layers in jointed nanocrystals. It was found that the structure silanols of silica matrix play a vital role in creating the tin oxide NP at low temperature. The pure tin chloride heated in air at 250 °C did not react with oxygen to yield tin oxide. Tin oxide NP were also formed during the thermal treatment of the tin chloride loaded SBA-15 in helium atmosphere at 250 °C. Hence, it is well evident that silanols present in the silica matrix not only increase the wetting of tin chloride over the surface of SBA-15 favoring its penetration to the matrix pores, but also react with hydrated tin chloride according to the proposed scheme to give tin oxide inside the mesopores. It was confirmed by XRD, N₂-adsorption, TGA-DSC and FTIR spectra. This phenomenon was further corroborated by detecting the inhibition of SnO₂ NP formation at 250 °C after inserting the tin precursor to SBA-15 with reduced silanols concentration partially grafted with tin chloride.     

Syntheses of TiO2(B) nanowires and TiO2 anatase nanowires by hydrothermal and post-heat treatments

TiO₂(B) nanowires and TiO₂ anatase nanowires were synthesized by the hydrothermal processing in 10 M NaOH aq. at 150 °C followed by the post-heat treatment at 300-800 °C. As-synthesized Na-free titanate nanowires (prepared by the hydrothermal treatment and repeated ion exchanging by HCl (aq.) were transformed into TiO₂(B) structure with maintaining 1-D morphology at 300-500 °C, and further transformed into anatase structure at 600-800 °C with keeping 1-D shape. At 900 °C, they transformed into rod-shaped rutile grains. Microstructure of these 1-D TiO₂ nanomaterials is reported.     

Determination of hydroxyls density in the silica-mesostructured cellular foams by thermogravimetry

Thermogravimetry was applied to determine the surface hydroxyls coverage in the mesostructured cellular foams (MCFs) calcined at different temperatures and then rehydroxylated by contacting with water vapor or liquid. The TG measurements were performed by heating MCFs in air stream using a three-step temperature program: (i) at rate of 5 °C min⁻¹ from 25 to 200 °C; (ii) held at 200 °C for 30 min; and (iii) heating at rate of 10 °C min⁻¹ up to 1100 °C. The hydroxyls content was calculated from weight loss during third step. The hydroxyls density appeared to depend strongly on the calcination temperature and the subsequent contact with water vapor. When MCFs were exposed for a short period (ca. 1 min) to moist air the hydroxyls content increased rapidly, more in the samples calcined at 300 °C than 500 °C, to attain surface densities of 4.75 and 1.6 OH nm⁻², respectively. The 2-h contact with water vapor resulted in slower further increase of hydroxyls densities, to values of 5.45 and 2.9 OH nm⁻², for samples calcined at 300 and 500 °C, but longer contacts had no significant effect. A similar trend was also observed when sample was treated with liquid water.     

Highly carbonized polyaniline micro- and nanotubes

We have obtained unique highly carbonized polyaniline micro- and nanotubes as a new, thermally stable nanomaterial for nanosensors and nanodevices with a wide range of possible applications, comparable to carbon nanotubes. Polyaniline nanostructures are easy to prepare and handle in wet conditions, including controlled growth. Temperature-induced transformations of polyaniline micro- and nanotubes into highly carbonized analogues have been observed at and above 800 °C, while the temperature was elevated slowly from 20 °C up to 1100 °C. Carbonized products have the same morphology (micro- and nanotubes), but a lower spin density than the starting material (e.g. 10¹⁴ g⁻¹ for the sample heated at and above 800 °C, and 10¹⁹ g⁻¹ before heating). Simultaneously, the electrical conductivity changes from 7.4 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm for the starting material to 4.8 × 10⁻⁹ S/cm, 1.3 × 10⁻¹¹ S/cm and finally 2.4 × 10⁻⁶ S/cm for samples obtained at room temperature, 250 °C, 500 °C and 800 °C, respectively. Chemical transformations and unique molecular structures formed are discussed. Applications in nanotechnology, including sensors and electronic nanodevices, are expected in the light of experiments already performed.     

Thermal stability of solid and aqueous solutions of humic acid

The effects of temperature on the stability of a soil humic acid were studied in the present work. Solid samples of Gohy-573 humic acid (HA) and dissolved ones in aqueous solution (pH 6.0, 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaClO₄) were investigated in order to understand the impact of temperature on the chemical properties of the material. The methods applied to solid samples in the present investigation were thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), temperature-programmed desorption coupled with mass spectrometry (TPD-MS), and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transformed spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS). Humic acid samples were studied in the 25-800 °C range, with focus on thermal/chemical processes up to 250 °C. The reversibility of the changes observed was investigated by cyclic changes to specified temperature ranges (40-110 °C). All measurements were conducted under inert-gas atmosphere in order to avoid samples combustion at increased temperatures. Aqueous solutions were analyzed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy after storage at temperatures up to 95 °C, and storage times up to 1 week. For temperatures below 100 °C experiments on solid and aqueous samples have shown results which were consistent to each other. The amount of water desorbed is temperature dependent and up to 70 °C this process was totally reversible. Above 70 °C an irreversible loss of water was also observed, which according to UV-vis spectroscopy corresponds to water produced by condensation leading to more condensed polyaromatic structures. The water released up to 110 °C was about 7 wt% of the total mass of the dried humic acid, where less than 50% corresponded to reversibly adsorbed water. At higher temperatures (>110 °C), gradual decomposition resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide (110-240 °C), and carbon monoxide (140-240 °C) takes place. Hence, thermal treatment of Gohy-573 humic acid above 70 °C results in irreversible structural changes, that could affect chemical properties (e.g., complex formation) of the material.     

Bio-oil production from Onopordum acanthium L. by slow pyrolysis

In this study, the usability of the plant thistle, Onopordum acanthium L., belonging to the family Asteraceae (Compositae), in liquid fuel production has been investigated. The experiments were performed in a fixed-bed Heinze pyrolysis reactor to investigate the effects of heating rate, pyrolysis temperature and sepiolite percentage on the pyrolysis product yields and chemical compositions. Experiments were carried out in a static atmosphere with a heating rate of 7 °C/min and 40 °C/min, pyrolysis temperature of 350, 400, 500, 550 and 700 °C and particle size of 0.6 < D_p < 0.85 mm. Catalyst experiments were conducted in a static atmosphere with a heating rate of 40 °C/min, pyrolysis temperature of 550 °C and particle size of 0.6 < D_p < 0.85 mm. Bio-oil yield increased from 18.5% to 27.3% with the presence of 10% of sepiolite catalyst at pyrolysis temperature of 550 °C, with a heating rate of 40 °C/min, and particle size of 0.6 < D_p < 0.85 mm. It means that the yield of bio-oil was increased at around 48.0% after the catalyst added. Chromatographic and spectroscopic studies on the bio-oil showed that the oil obtained from O. acanthium L. could be used as a renewable fuels and chemical feedstock.     

Intercalation of paracetamol into the hydrotalcite-like host

Hydrotalcite-like compounds are often used as host structures for intercalation of various anionic species. The product intercalated with the nonionic, water-soluble pharmaceuticals paracetamol, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide, was prepared by rehydration of the Mg-Al mixed oxide obtained by calcination of hydrotalcite-like precursor at 500 °C. The successful intercalation of paracetamol molecules into the interlayer space was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy measurements. Molecular simulations showed that the phenolic hydroxyl groups of paracetamol interact with hydroxide sheets of the host via the hydroxyl groups of the positively charged sites of Al-containing octahedra; the interlayer water molecules are located mostly near the hydroxide sheets. The arrangement of paracetamol molecules in the interlayer is rather disordered and interactions between neighboring molecules cause their tilting towards the hydroxide sheets. Dissolution tests in various media showed slower release of paracetamol intercalated in the hydrotalcite-like host in comparison with tablets containing the powdered pharmaceuticals.     

Low-temperature synthesis of K2NbO3F powders by an alternative approach of solid-state reaction

K₂NbO₃F powders were directly synthesized by an alternative solid-state method at low temperature. Stoichiometric ammonium niobium oxalate, K₂C₂O₄ and KF were mixed with small amounts of water and then dried at room temperature. X-ray diffraction results show that layered perovskite K₂NbO₃F powders can be obtained by calcining the mixture in temperature range from 550 to 700 °C for 3 h. The elemental composition, powder morphology and particle size of calcination products were analyzed by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The SEM images suggest that the particles of the powders obtained at 550 °C are irregular platelets with a diameter of 0.5-1 μm and a thickness of 100-200 nm. The platelets are 3-5 μm in diameter and 1-2 μm in thickness when the calcination temperature reaches 700 °C. K₂NbO₃F decomposes to K₅(NbO₃)₄F and KF when the temperature reaches 800 °C.     

Thermal decomposition of the vivianite arsenates—implications for soil remediation

The presence of arsenate compounds in soils and mineral dump leachates is common. One potential method for the removal of the arsenates from soils is through thermal treatment. High-resolution thermogravimetric analysis has been used to follow this thermal decomposition of selected vivianite arsenates. This decomposition occurs as a series of steps. The first two steps involve dehydration with 6 mol of water lost in the first step and two in the second. The third major weight loss step occurs in the 750-800 °C temperature range with de-arsenation. The application of infrared emission spectroscopy confirms the loss of water by around 250 °C and the loss of arsenic as arsenic pentoxide is observed by the loss of AsO stretching bands at around 826 cm⁻¹. Thermal activation of arsenic contaminated soils may provide a method of decontamination.     

Fabrication of TiN nanorods by electrospinning and their electrochemical properties

TiN nanorods were synthesized using electrospinning technique followed by thermolysis in different atmospheres. A dimethyl formamide-ethanol solution of poly-(vinyl pyrrolidone) and Ti (IV)-isopropoxide was used as the electrospinning precursor solution and as-spun nanofibers were calcined at 500 °C in air to generate TiO₂ nanofibers. Subsequently, a conversion from TiO₂ nanofibers to TiN nanorods was employed by the nitridation treatment at 600∼1400 °C in ammonia atmosphere. A typical characteristic of the final products was that the pristine nanofibers were cut into nanorods. The conversion from TiO₂ to TiN was realized when the nitridation temperature was above 800 °C. As-prepared nanorods were composed of TiN nano-crystallites and the average crystallite size gradually increased with the increase of the nitridation temperature. Electrochemical properties of TiN nanorods showed strong dependence on the nitridation temperature. The maximum value of the specific capacitance was obtained from the TiN nanorods prepared at 800 °C.     

Thermo-Raman spectroscopy in situ monitoring study of solid-state synthesis of NiO-Al2O3 nanoparticles and its characterization

Hyphenation of thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and thermo-Raman spectrophotometer for in situ monitoring of solid-state reaction in oxygen atmosphere forming NiO-Al₂O₃ catalyst nanoparticles is investigated. In situ thermo-Raman spectra in the range from 200 to 1400 cm⁻¹ were recorded at every degree interval from 25 to 800 °C. Thermo-Raman spectroscopic studies reveal that, although the onset of formation is around 600 °C, the bulk NiAl₂O₄ forms at temperatures above 800 °C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the reaction mixtures were recorded at regular temperature intervals of 100 °C, in the temperature range from 400 to 1000 °C, which could provide information on structural and morphological evolution of NiO-Al₂O₃. Slow controlled heating of the sample enabled better control over morphology and particle size distribution (∼20-30 nm diameter). The observed results were supported by complementary characterizations using TGA, XRD, SEM, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis.     

A chemical route for the synthesis of cubic bismuth zinc niobate pyrochlore nanopowders

Cubic bismuth zinc niobate pyrochlore (base composition (Bi_1.5Zn_0.5)(Zn_0.5Nb_1.5)O₇) powders were successfully prepared by a chemical method. The formation mechanism of the pyrochlore phase was investigated by TG-DSC, FT-IR, Raman, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The optical bandgap for the powders treated at temperatures ranging from 500 to 700 °C is 3.0-3.1 eV, indicating low crystallization temperature for the pyrochlore phase. No detectable intermediary phases as BiNbO₄ or a pseudo-orthorhombic pyrochlore were observed at any time and the cubic-BZN phase was already formed after thermal treatment at temperatures as low as 500 °C. The phase formation study reveals that a well-crystallized single-phased nanopowder is obtained after calcination at 700 °C, indicating that the chemical synthesis conferred a higher chemical homogeneity and reactivity on the powder, modifying the crystallization mechanism.     

Structural and thermal investigation of gadolinium gallium mixed oxides obtained by coprecipitation: Observation of a new metastable phase

Polycrystalline gadolinium gallium mixed oxides were prepared by coprecipitation and annealing at various temperatures below 1000 °C. The oxide materials appear to be X-ray amorphous after a heat treatment at 500 °C for 30 h, but after 30 h at 800 and 900 °C a major, unreported, hexagonal phase, isostructural with TAlO₃ compounds (where T=Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) appears to crystallize. On the other hand, a highly energetic mechanical treatment of the amorphous powder previously annealed at 500 °C changes considerably the shape and position of exothermal events occurring in the range from 700 up to 900 °C. Subsequent annealing at 900 °C of the mechanically treated powder gives rise to the complete formation of the Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ garnet structure at the expense of the hexagonal phase and of the minor Gd₄Ga₂O₉ oxide phase. However, a 7.0 wt% contamination is found to be due to tetragonal zirconia coming from vials and balls colliding media. The garnet phase may have strong deviations from the nominal stoichiometry of the garnet, as suggested by the refined lattice parameter obtained from the powder diffraction patterns and by the remarkable absence of intensity relative to the (220) Bragg peak position.     

Adsorption of carbon dioxide and nitrogen on zeolite rho prepared by hydrothermal synthesis using 18-crown-6 ether

Zeolite rho was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis using an 18-crown-6 ether (18C6) as a structure-directing agent, and the effects of the calcination temperature for removal of 18C6 on the physicochemical properties and CO₂-adsorption properties were investigated. CO₂ adsorption on zeolite rho calcined at 150 °C was lower than that on samples calcined at temperatures above 300 °C. For samples calcined above 300 °C, CO₂ adsorption increased with increasing calcination temperature up to 400 °C. It is thought that the pore volume for adsorption of CO₂ increased as a result of 18C6 removal, resulting in increasing CO₂ adsorption. A decrease in CO₂ adsorption for calcination from 400 °C to 500 °C was observed. The particle size of zeolite rho increased with increasing 18C6 molar ratio. Particle sizes of 1.0-2.1 μm and 1.4-2.6 μm were found by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light-scattering, respectively. The particle size is controlled in these regions by adjusting the 18C6 molar ratio. XRD showed that zeolite rho samples with 18C6 molar ratios of 0.25-1.5 had high crystallinity. The adsorbed amount of CO₂ is almost constant, at 3.4 mmol-CO₂ g⁻¹, regardless of the 18C6 molar ratio. However, CO₂ selectivity, which is the CO₂/N₂ adsorption ratio, decreased. The amount of CO₂ adsorbed on zeolite rho is lower than that on zeolite NaX, but higher than that on SAPO-34. The CO₂/N₂ adsorption ratio for zeolite rho was higher than those for SAPO-34 and zeolite NaX.