Application of beam irradiation in preparation of visible light responsive TiO2 films

TiO₂ films were prepared by sol-gel method. In order to improve the utilization of light, the technologies of implantation of transition metal ions (V⁺ and Cr⁺) and electron beam irradiation to deposit noble metal particles (Ag and Pt) were used. A red shift was found in the spectrum of modified TiO₂ films. The photocatalytic experiments showed that the photocatalytic ability under visible light irradiation could be improved dramatically by both the implantation of transition metal and the electron beam irradiation. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2007, 28(1): 39–44 [译自: 催化学报]     

Poly(vinyl chloride) composite emulsion resins modified by polyurethane

An ionomer-type of polyurethane (PU) emulsion was prepared from toluene diisocyanate (TDI), polypropylene glycol (PPG) and dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) following a self-emulsification process. The modified poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) emulsion resin was obtained by in situ emulsion copolymerization using the PU as seeds in an autoclave. The effects of PU molecular weight on the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the PU/PVC materials were investigated. The composite latex particles and composite materials were determined and characterized using a laser particle size analyzer, transmission electron microscopy or scanning electron microscopy. The study results showed that the PU/PVC hybrid emulsion particles possess a core/shell structure. When the general mechanical properties of the composite materials increase, the thermal stabilities decrease a little. The tough fractures on the surface of the PU/PVC composite sample following impact are quite obvious. __________ Translated from Journal of Hebei Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 31(2): 228–232 [译自: 河北师范大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Study on catalyst carrier nano-α-alumina with high specific surface area

A nano-alumina with high specific area was prepared using a homogeneous precipitation method with titanium dioxide and barium oxide as modifying additives. Results showed that 5 wt% TiO₂ or BaO added in the alumina gels can decrease the particle size and increase the specific area, but excessive TiO₂ or BaO could deteriorate the properties of α-Al₂O₃. __________ Translated from Journal of Shandong University of Technology (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 27(3): 23–26 [译自: 山东理工大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Preparation and characterization of hexagonal close-packed Ni nanoparticles

Hexagonal close-packed Ni nanoparticles were synthesized using a heat-treating technique with the precursors prepared by the sol-gel method. The synthesis condition, structure, and morphology of the samples were characterized and analysed by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results indicate that the hexagonal close packed Ni nanoparticles were synthesized at a heat-treating temperature of 300°C. The cell constants are calculated at a = 0.2652 nm and c = 0.4334 nm. The average grain size of the hexagonal close-packed Ni particles evaluated by Scherrer equation is about 12 nm. The phase transformation from a hexagonal close-packed Ni to a face-centered cubic Ni structure occurred when the heat-treating temperature was increased. __________ Translated from Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities, 2007, 28(7): 1232–1234 [译自: 高等学校化学学报]     

Nb-Doped PZT Material by Sol-Gel Combustion

Nanocrystalline niobium doped lead zirconate titanate powders (PZTN) were prepared by a citrate-nitrate sol-gel combustion technique. The technique involves three steps: preparation of stable and homogeneous sol, formation of gel, combustion of gel. The sol was prepared by mixing stable solutions of Zr-oxynitrate, Pb-citrate, Nb- and Ti-peroxo-citrate precursors. The heat induced auto ignition leads to the decomposition of precursors and formation of pure perovskite phase after soaking at 400^∘C for 4 h. The particles were found to be irregular aggregates of nanosized primary particles (crystallite size about 30 nm). Different milling treatments were performed in order to improve the sinterability. Ball milled (100 h with PEG) powders were sintered at 1100^∘C for 2 h in air showing 97% relative density at a densification T 100^∘C lower than following the conventional mixed oxide route. The stoichiometry of the system was determined at each stage of the process and no fluctuation was detected.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue on Fe3+-doped TiO2 nanoparticles under visible light irradiation

Fe³⁺-doped TiO₂ composite nanoparticles with different doping amounts were successfully synthesized using sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultravioletvisible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was used as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of Fe³⁺/TiO₂ nanoparticles under visible light irradiation. The influence of doping amount of Fe³⁺ (ω: 0.00%–3.00%) on photocatalytic activities of TiO₂ was investigated. Results show that the size of Fe³⁺/TiO₂ particles decreases with the increase of the amount of Fe³⁺ and their absorption spectra are broaden and absorption intensities are also increased. Doping Fe³⁺ can control the conversion of TiO₂ from anatase to rutile. The doping amount of Fe³⁺ remarkably affects the activity of the catalyst, and the optimum efficiency occurs at about the doping amount of 0.3%. The appropriate doping of Fe³⁺ can markedly increase the catalytic activity of TiO₂ under visible light irradiation. __________ Translated from Journal of Northwest Normal University (Natural Science), 2006, 42(6): 55–56 [译自: 西北师范大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Preparation of porcine hemoglobin microcapsules of chitosan-sodium alginate

Using an emulsification-gelation method, chitosan-sodium alginate-porcine hemoglobin microcapsules were prepared. Results show that these microcapsules have better forms and small granules with 1 μm size of the mean particle size. They possess a relatively narrow and normal Gaussian distribution. The loading efficiency of porcine hemoglobin (pHb) in microcapsules is more than 90%. The pHb released from microcapsules is extended for more than one month. Chitosan-sodium alginate-hemoglobin microcapsules are expected to become an artificial oxygen-carrying therapeutic agent with sustained release for intravenous injection. Translated from Journal of Hainan University (Natural Science) 2006, 24(3): 239–242 [译自 海南大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

Synthesis and properties of oil-soluble butyl crystal violet lactone

A novel compound of butyl crystal violet lactone (BCVL) has been prepared by oxidizing leuco butyl crystal violet lactone (LBCVL), which was obtained by the mixture of N,N-dibutylaniline, p-(dibutylamino) benzaldehyde and methyl-m-(dibutylamino) benzoate. The structure of BCVL was characterized by ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), and mass spectrometry (MS). The color of BCVL can change reversibly in some acid or alkali solvents. The result of the dissolution experiment showed that solubility of BCVL in organic solvent was improved compared with crystal violet lactone (CVL). Translated from Journal of Fudan University (Natural Science), 2006, 45(3): 375–379 [译自: 复旦学报(自然科学版)]     

Synthesis of ZnS hollow nanospheres with holes using different amine templates

ZnS hollow nanospheres with holes were prepared by reacting ZnSO₄ with H₂S, the sulfide source formed in the reaction of CS₂ with ethylenediamine, 1,3-propylenediamine, butylamine or 2-(2-aminoethylamino) ethanol, which also acted as a template agent, at 50°C under agitation. The shape, particle size of about 100–850 nm and hole size of about 150–600 nm of ZnS hollow nanospheres with holes were shown by SEM and TEM images. These ZnS nanospheres with β cubic ZnS phase and composed of 2–5 nm nanocrystals were characterized by XRD and HRTEM. The blue shift of maximum absorption in UV-vis displayed the effect of quantum size. The two amino groups of amine templates reacted favorably with Zn²⁺ to form uniform and relatively smooth ZnS nanospheres with holes, while hydroxyethyl played a disadvantageous role. A reasonable mechanism of hole formation by H₂S rushing out is suggested. __________ Translated from Journal of Jinan University (Natural Science), 2007, 28(1): 92–95 [译自: 暨南大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Kinetics of thermal decomposition of CeO2 nanocrystalline precursor prepared by precipitation method

The thermal decomposition of CeO₂ nanocrystalline precursor prepared by chemical precipitation method was investigated using thermo-gravimetric/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). In particular, the differential thermal analysis curves for the decomposition of CeO₂ nanocrystalline precursor were measured at different heating rates in air by a thermal analyzer (NETZSCH STA 449C, Germany). The kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition of CeO₂ nanocrystalline precursor were calculated using the Kissinger method and the Coats-Redfern method. Results show that the apparent active energy E of the reaction is 105.51 kJ/mol, the frequency factor lnA is 3.602 and the reaction order n is 2. This thermal decomposition process can be described by the anti-Jander equation and a three-dimensional diffusion mechanism. Tanslated from Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology), 2007, 38(3): 428–432 [译自: 中南大学学报(自然科学版]     

Characterization and preparation of nanocrystalline MgCuZn ferrite powders synthesized by sol–gel auto-combustion method

Nanocrystalline Mg–Cu–Zn ferrite powders were successfully synthesized through nitrate–citrate gel auto-combustion method. Characterization of the nitrate–citrate gel, as-burnt powder and calcined powders at different calcination conditions were investigated by using XRD, DTA/TG, IR spectra, EDX, VSM, SEM and TEM techniques. IR spectra and DTA/TGA studies revealed that the combustion process is an oxidation–reduction reaction in which the NO₃ ⁻ ion is oxidant and the carboxyl group is reductant. The results of XRD show that the decomposition of the gel indicated a gradual transition from an amorphous material to a crystalline phase. In addition, increasing the calcination temperature resulted in increasing the crystallite size of Mg–Cu–Zn ferrite powders. VSM measurement also indicated that the maximum saturation magnetization (64.1 emu/g) appears for sample calcined at 800 °C while there is not much further increase in M _s at higher calcination temperature. The value of coercivity field (H _c) presents a maximum value of 182.7 Oe at calcination temperature 700 °C. TEM micrograph of the sample calcined at 800 °C showed spherical nanocrystalline ferrite powders with mean size of 36 nm. The toroidal sample sintered at 900 °C for 4 h presents the initial permeability (μ _i) of 405 at 1 MHz and electrical resistivity (ρ) of 1.02 × 10⁸ Ω cm.     

Preparation of mesoporous aluminophosphate using poly(amido amine) as template

Mesoporous aluminophosphate was prepared by using G4.0 poly(amido amine)dendrimer as a template and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N₂ adsorption/desorption methods. Results show that the title compound exhibits a typical mesoporous structure with the average pore size from 5 to 8 nm. The formation mechanism of the nanoporous structure using dendrimer as a template was also discussed. __________ Translated from Journal of Fujian Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 23(2): 67–70 [译自: 福建师范大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

Electrochemical studies of reaction of ciprofloxcin and DNA

The electrochemical behavior of ciprofloxacin (CFX) and its interaction with the natural calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) is studied by using pulse difference voltammetry on a carbon electrode. CFX shows a well-defined oxidative peak at + 0.88 V. As a result of reaction with ctDNA,the oxidative peak of CFX decreased markedly. According to the electrochemical equation deduced in this paper, the binding constant of 1.36 × 10⁵ (mol/L)⁻¹ and the binding size of 1.94 (base pairs) of CFX with ctDNA were obtained by nonlinear fit analysis of the electrochemical data. The mechanism of the interaction was explored. __________ Translated from Journal of Zhejiang University (Science Edition), 2007, 34(3): 330–334 [译自: 浙江大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Study on eruption of heat for Escherichia coli B aroused by lanthanum nitrate and its mechanism

Biological effect of rare-earth lanthanum nitrate on the growth of Escherichia coli B was studied using the calorimetric method. There were exceptional changes on the growth thermogenic curves for high concentrations of lanthanum nitrate. For example, the peak high, the total quantity of heat (Q) of cultures and the growth rate constants (k) are evidently increased when compared with normal E. coli B cultures. When the concentration of lanthanum nitrate was at 300 mg/L and 500 mg/L, and Q of the cultures reached 3.89 and 2.54 times of normal cultures, respectively. The survivability of cells and the biomass of the cultures were measured using biological methods and the results show that the growth and multiplication of cells were inhibited and that the biomass decreased at high concentration of lanthanum nitrate. These revealed that the inhibiting cells discharged more quantity of heat than the normal growing cells. We named this phenomenon as “eruption of heat”. It was suggested that the mechanism for the eruption of heat was that La³⁺ ion damages the outer cell membrane and increases its permeability and the proton-electron potential energy across the cell membrane was reduced or couldn’t even be initiated. Energy could not be translated into ATP effectively in the course of oxidative phosphorylation resulting in heat release. So, the growth of the cells was inhibited due to scarceness of energy ATP. __________ Translated from Acta Chimica Sinica, 2007, 65(10): 917–922 [译自: 化学学报]     

Preparation and characterization of ZrWMoO<Subscript>8</Subscript> powders with different morphologies

ZrWMoO₈ powders with different morphologies were obtained using ammonium tungstate, molybdate tungstate and zirconium tungstate as the starting materials by dehydrating the precursor ZrWMoO₇(OH)₂(H₂O)₂. The precursor was studied by thermo-gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). The influence of the gelling agents (HCl, HClO₄, HNO₃, H₂SO₄ and H₃PO₄) on the crystallization process and crystal morphology of the products prepared was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF). Results showed that the morphology of the ZrWMoO₈ particles can be simply adjusted by changing the gelling agents, and the thermal expansion coefficients of cubic ZrWMoO₈ prepared in HCl solution are −3.84 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ from 100°C to 700°C. __________ Translated from Chemical Journal of Chinese University, 2007, 28(3): 397–401 [译自: 高等学校化学学报]     

Effect of pH on the formation and combustion process of sol-gel auto-combustion derived NiZn ferrite/SiO2 composites

A nitrate-citrate-silica gel was prepared from metallic nitrates, citric acid, and silica powder by sol-gel process, and it was further used to synthesize Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄/5wt% SiO₂ nanocomposites by auto-combustion. The effect of pH on the formation of NiZn ferrite/SiO₂ and thermal properties of gel precursors was studied by XRD, IR, EPR, TGA and DTA techniques. The results revealed that the ratio of the citrate ion to the nitrate ion is directly related to the pH of the solution. The pH in the starting solution affects the combustion process, and then determines the particle size of the as-synthesized powder. The EPR parameters (peak-to-peak linewidth, g factor, and spin number) increased with increasing pH, whereas the spin-spin relaxation time (T₂) decreased. The thermal stability and enthalpy of the decomposition process in air decreased with increasing pH, whereas the enthalpy in nitrogen increased. Moreover, the activation energy (E_a) of thermo-oxidative degradation of the gel precursor at pH 3 was much lower than the gel precursor at pH 5 and 7, and that increased with increasing pH.     

Synthesis and characterization of 5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil

A new synthetic method for 5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil (Bromacil) using 2-bromobutane and urea as starting materials is described. The synthesis involved condensation, cyclization and bromination with a total yield of 60%. The structure of Bromacil was determined by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. __________ Translated from Journal of Shandong University (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 42(7): 9–12 [译自: 山东大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Synthesis of silica adsorbent and its selective separation for flavone

One kind of built-in silica adsorbent, which has high adsorption selectivity to rutin, was synthesized using molecular imprinting technology by the following steps: synthesis of precursor from the reaction between water soluble rutin (as template molecule) and the functional monomer chloropropyltriethoxysilane, co-hydrolysis of the precursor and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), sol-gel aging process, and removal of template molecules. The results of adsorption experiment show that this adsorbent has a high adsorption capacity for rutin, and good adsorption selectivity towards rutin even under the interference of a flavone with a similar structure. TEM photos suggest that nanocaves corresponding to rutin were formed inside the adsorbent while FTIR spectra indicate that new bond was generated during the recognition process. __________ Translated from Journal of Tianjin University, 2007, 40(4): 411–415 [译自: 天津大学学报]     

Hydrothermal preparation of nanostructured MnO2 and morphological and crystalline evolution

Manganese dioxides with various morphologies were prepared using a common hydrothermalmethod without any templates or additives. The evolution of the morphology was accompanied by the gradual conversion of the polymorphic forms from γ-type to β-type. Meanwhile, MnO₂ microspheres, urchin-like nanostructures and nanowires were successfully synthesized. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The evolution process can be explained by the Ostwald Ripening mechanism. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Chinese Universities 28(7): 1223–1226 [译自: 高等学校化学学报]     

Microwave synthesis and photoluminescent properties of Sr2CeO4/Ln3+ (Ln = Er, Ho, Tm)

Sr₂CeO₄/Ln³⁺ (Ln = Er, Ho, Tm) phosphors were synthesized with the microwave radiation method for the first time. The luminescent properties of the samples were investigated and the up-conversion luminescence of Er³⁺, Ho³⁺ and Tm³⁺ doped Sr₂CeO₄ phosphors was observed. The spectra indicate that the energy transfer takes place from the triplet excited state of MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) state for Sr₂CeO₄ (sensitizer) to the rare earth ions (activator). __________ Translated from Journal of Hebei Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 31(2): 212–216 [译自: 河北师范大学学报 (自然科学版)]