Impact of structural features on pigment properties of α-Fe2O3 haematite

Various α-Fe₂O₃ haematite samples were synthesized by precipitation routes (under standard or hydrothermal conditions) followed by thermal treatments under air. The trigonal distortion (C_3v point group) of the Fe³⁺ octahedral sites, which depends on the synthesis route and thermal treatment, was investigated by X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy and visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy. The correlation between diffuse reflectance spectra and structural features of the haematite samples is reported and discussed herein. The slight increase of the average distortion of the Fe³⁺ octahedral sites, which depends on the annealing temperature of the precipitated sample, directly linked to the crystallite size, contrasts with the larger reduction of the sites distortion for the compound prepared by hydrothermal route due to the occurrence of hydroxyl groups substituted for O²⁻ anions as well as Fe³⁺ cationic vacancies. On a local point of view, as shown by Mössbauer spectroscopy, the Fe³⁺ octahedral sites distortion decreases from the centre towards the surface of the grains. Then the smaller the grain size, the lower the average site distortion. Finally, the reduction of the octahedral distortion was directly correlated to the two FeO charge transfer bands in the visible range and the colour of as-prepared haematites.     

Effects of surfactants on morphology in synthesis of α-Mn2O3 nanostructures

Cubic and chain-like structure of α-Mn₂O₃ with a high surface area was prepared by air oxidation of manganese chloride through sol process by adding hexamine and mercaptosuccinic acid as wetting agent, respectively. The as-synthesized products were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The possible formation mechanism of α-Mn₂O₃ cubic and chain-like nanostructures has been proposed and discussed.     

Selective oxidation of methanol on V2O5 and V2O5?MoO3 supported on montrmorillonite

Methanol oxidation on V₂O₅ and V₂O₅–MoO₃ catalysts supported on montmorillonite has been studied in the temperature range of 250–500°C. The V₂O₅–MoO₃ containing sample shows higher selectivity towards formaldehyde formation than the V₂O₅ catalyst.     

Influence of γ-radiation on the reactivity of montmorillonite towards H2O2

Compacted and water saturated bentonite will be used as an engineered barrier in deep geological repositories for radioactive waste in many countries. Due to the high dose rate of ionizing radiation outside the canisters holding the nuclear waste, radiolysis of the interlayer and pore water in the compacted bentonite is unavoidable. Upon reaction with the oxidizing and reducing species formed by water radiolysis (OH^•, e⁻_(aq), H^•, H₂O₂, H₂, HO₂^•, H₃O⁺), the overall redox properties in the bentonite barrier may change. In this study the influence of γ-radiation on the structural Fe(II)/Fe_Tot ratio in montmorillonite and its reactivity towards hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was investigated in parallel experiments. The results show that under anoxic conditions the structural Fe(II)/Fe_Tot ratio of dispersed Montmorillonite increased from ≤3 to 25-30% after γ-doses comparable to repository conditions. Furthermore, a strong correlation between the structural Fe(II)/Fe_Tot ratio and the H₂O₂ decomposition rate in montmorillonite dispersions was found. This correlation was further verified in experiments with consecutive H₂O₂ additions, since the structural Fe(II)/Fe_Tot ratio was seen to decrease concordantly. This work shows that the structural iron in montmorillonite could be a sink for one of the major oxidants formed upon water radiolysis in the bentonite barrier, H₂O₂.     

Effect of oxygen non-stoichiometry on the structural and magnetotransport properties of LaMn0.85Cr0.15O3+δ

Thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), d.c. magnetization, high-temperature susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements were performed for LaMn_0.85Cr_0.15O_3+δ perovskites with accurate control of the oxygen content (0?δ?0.11). For 0?δ<0.09, three orthorhombic structures (Pnma) are found: for 0?δ<0.045, the O′ phase (b/√2<c<a), for 0.045?δ<0.06, the O″ (b/√2<a<c) and for 0.06?δ<0.09, the O^? (a<b/√2<c). For 0.09?δ?0.11, a rhombohedral symmetry coexists with O^? in a biphasic field. Magnetic measurements revealed the ferromagnetic interactions (FM) character of the Mn³⁺-O-Cr³⁺ interaction, but also the intricate magnetic phase diagram due to the presence of multiple interactions (Mn^3+,4+-O-Mn^3+,4+, Cr³⁺-O-Mn³⁺, etc.). The comparison of the results for LaMn_0.85Cr_0.15O_3+δ with those of LaMn_0.9Cr_0.1O_3+δ allows discuss the role of Cr³⁺ on the structural, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of the LaMn_1−xCr_xO_3+δ perovskites.     

Effect of temperature on the performance of proton batteries based on chitosan–NH4NO3–EC membrane

Membranes of chitosan-based proton conductor polymer electrolyte were prepared by dissolving chitosan powder, ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) salt and ethylene carbonate (EC) plasticizer in acetic acid solution. The temperature dependence of the chitosan-based membrane system was found to obey the Arrhenius relationship. The sample with the highest conductance, 18 wt.% CA + 12 wt.% NH₄NO₃ + 70 wt.% EC (CA40N70E), also possesses the lowest activation energy. From linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) results, the membrane is electrochemically stable at a potential of 1.6–1.8 V and a temperature of 298–353 K. The cells were fabricated using zinc powder (Zn) + zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) + acetylene black (AB) + polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)|CA40N70E|manganese (IV) oxide (MnO₂) + AB + PTFE. The open circuit voltages of the cells are decreases as temperature increases, the same trend as that obtained by LSV. The cell performance is excellent at 333 K, with discharge capacity of 42.7 mAh, internal resistance of 16.8 Ω, maximum power density of 14.6 mW cm⁻² and a short-circuit current density of 31.0 mA cm⁻². However, at temperatures above 333 K, decomposition of the membrane degraded the electrochemical properties of the cells.     

Influence of CO2 on Oxygen Surface Exchange Kinetics of Mixed-Conducting Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3?δ Oxide

The poisoning effect of CO₂ on the oxygen surface exchange kinetics of BSCF (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ) is investigated with a novel pulse isotopic exchange technique. The surface exchange rate of BSCF severely decreases after in situ exposure to CO₂, which is ascribed to carbonate formation on the material surface. The detrimental effect of CO₂ starts at a low temperature of 375 ^oC and concentration as low as 1%, and becomes more pronounced at higher temperatures. Degradation of the surface exchange kinetics is associated with a rapid loss of oxygen permeation performance of BSCF in CO₂.     

Electrophysical properties of materials based on BaGdCo2O5 + δ

The phase composition, linear thermal expansion coefficient, electroconductivity (in the temperature interval 600–900°C and partial pressures of oxygen 10⁻⁵–0.21 atm) of solid-oxide materials based on gadolinium-barium cobaltite doped with 3d-elements BaGdCo_{2 − x} Me _x O_{5 + δ}, Me = Cu, Fe; x = 0.0, 0.2, …, 2.0 were investigated. The homogeneity regions of samples were established by means of X-ray phase analysis. It was shown that the linear thermal expansion coefficient of cobaltite decreases with an increase in the copper or iron concentration. It was established that the electroconductivity of BaGdCo_{2 − x} Me _x O_{5 + δ} decreases with an increase in x. We concluded that upon a decrease in p(O₂), the electroconductivity of samples first decreases and then reaches a horizontal plateau.     

Influence of electrospraying parameters on the microstructure of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2F0.8O3−δ films for SOFCs

Ceramics can play a remarkable role in the engineering of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) capable of meeting the ambitious targets of reduced cost and improved lifetime. While mixed ionic-electronic conductors such as La_xSr_1−xCo_yFe_1−yO_3−δ are being used as volumic cathodes to increase the catalytic performance of these components, adequate microstructures are also an important requirement for optimal performance, particularly at lower operating temperatures. This work is devoted to the fabrication of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ films on Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2−δ substrates by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) and to the characterization of the microstructural dependence on the deposition conditions. A wide variety of microstructures ranging from dense to porous, with particular features such as reticulation and micro-porosity, were obtained by varying the ESD deposition parameters: nozzle-to-substrate distance (15, 30, 43, 45, and 58 mm), solution flow rate (0.34 and 1.5 mL/h), and substrate temperature (300, 350, 400 and 450 °C). The correlation between deposition parameters and resulting microstructures was systematically studied and put into evidence.     

The effect of phase composition on the transport properties of composites La0.8Sr0.2Fe0.7Ni0.3O3 ? δ-Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95

Full conductivity, diffusion and oxygen exchange processes in composites (100 − x)La_0.8Sr_0.2Fe_0.7Ni_0.3O_{3 − δ}−xCe_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (x is the volume fraction, 0 ≤ x ≤ 71.1%) at 700°C over the oxygen partial pressure range from 0.2 to 3 × 10⁻³ atm are studied by the electrical conductivity relaxation method. The composites’ conductivity was shown to decrease monotonically with the increasing of Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 fraction, while the oxygen chemical diffusion coefficient increased. The oxygen exchange constant is higher for the composites than for the individual phases of La_0.8Sr_0.2Fe_0.7Ni_0.3O_{3 − δ} and Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95. Possible reason of the dependence of the parameters D _chem and k _chem on the temperature, oxygen pressure, and the composite composition is the effect of the interface on the oxygen transfer processes. Most effective oxygen transfer occurs in the composites whose composition approaches La_0.8Sr_0.2Fe_0.7Ni_0.3O_{3 − δ}-Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (x = 71%).     

Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde on Ir/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts. Influence of the Surface Acidity

The oxidation of methane has been studied in a flow system as a function of the chemical composition of zeolite catalyst using nitrous oxide as oxidant. It is concluded that methanol is a primary oxidation product which may undergo further oxidation to formaldehyde and to carbon oxides. However, it may also undergo conversion over the acidic catalyst to higher hydrocarbons. Reaction with nitrous oxide resulted in the production of carbon oxides, methanol, formaldehyde, C₂ - C₄ , C₅ - C₇ nonaromatics, and aromatics. The effect of Fe₂ O₃ and Al₂ O₃ , with or without, over HZSM5 on products was studied.     

Theoretical Study of Adsorption and Dehydrogenation of C2H4 on Cu(410)?

Adsorption and dehydrogenation of ethylene on Cu(410) surface are investigated with firstprinciples calculations and micro-kinetics analysis. Ethylene dehydrogenation is found to start from the most stable π-bonded state instead of the previously proposed di-σ-bonded state. Our vibrational frequencies calculations verify the π-bonded adsorption at step sites at low coverage and low surface temperature and di-σ-bonded ethylene on C-C dimer (C₂H₄-CC) is proposed to be the species contributing to the vibrational peaks experimentally observed at high coverage at 193 K. The presence of C₂H₄-CC indicates that the dehydrogenation of ethylene on Cu(410) can proceed at temperature as low as 193 K.     

Influence of preparation on the structure and co conversion of γ-Bi2MoO6 catalysts

The effect of treatment conditions during preparation and activation of γ-Bi₂MoO₆ catalysts was investigated. Catalytic evaluation shows that CO conversion is much higher for catalysts obtained under vapor controlled evaporation conditions (CE) than for standard evaporation catalysts (SE). Characterization results show that preparation under SE conditions induces segregation of Bi₂O₃ on the surface of Bi₂MoO₆ catalysts decreasing their catalytic activity. Catalysts treatment under hydrogen reactivates the catalytic properties of SE samples.     

Hydroisomerization of benzene-containing gasoline fractions on a Pt/SO 42? -ZrO2-Al2O3 catalyst: I. Effect of chemical composition on the phase state and texture characteristics of SO 42? -ZrO2-Al2O3 supports

A series of SO₄²⁻-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ oxide supports containing from 18.8 to 89.1 wt % alumina was prepared by mixing sulfated zirconia hydrate (weight ratio ZrO₂: H₂SO₄ = 9 : 1) and pseudoboehmite followed by calcination at 650°C. For the subsequent use of the supports to optimize the acid and hydrogenating properties of bifunctional hydroisomerization catalysts of the Pt/SO₄²⁻-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ type, the formation of these catalysts in the course of thermal treatment and their texture characteristics and phase composition were studied. It was found by chemical and thermogravimetric analysis that the addition of pseudoboehmite to sulfated zirconia hydrate resulted in a decrease in sulfur losses in the course of support production from 55.0 to 2.0% with respect to its nominal amount. As the alumina content was increased from 18.8 to 89.1 wt %, the specific surface area and the pore volume of the support increased nonadditively with respect to mechanical mixtures of sulfated zirconia and γ-alumina (from 155 to 197 m²/g and from 0.24 to 0.52 cm³/g, respectively); in this case, a maximum deviation was 18–21%. The experimental results can be explained by chemical interactions between the initial components of the supports. The results of thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction analysis suggest that the reaction products are sulfated alumina and a sulfated ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ solid solution.     

Effect of Fe-modified α-Al2O3 on the properties of Pd/α-Al2O3 catalysts in selective acetylene hydrogenation

The use of nanocrystalline Fe-modified α-Al₂O₃ prepared by sol–gel and solvothermal method as supports for Pd catalysts resulted in an improved catalyst performance in selective acetylene hydrogenation. Moreover, the amount of coke deposits was reduced due to lower acidity of the Fe-modified α-Al₂O₃ supports.     

Influence of Sn and Sn/Mg doping on structural features and visible absorption properties of α-Fe2O3 hematite

Pure, Sn-doped and Mg/Sn co-doped α-Fe₂O₃ hematite samples were synthesized by precipitation process. Fe₂O₃ is the most popular red mineral pigment which is used largely in traditional ceramics, tar and concrete. The compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning transmission electronic microscopy (energy dispersive X-ray cartography), Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic investigations versus temperature and visible-NIR spectroscopy. Both ⁵⁷Fe and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer analyses combined with rietveld XRD refinements are the ideal techniques to characterize tin-iron oxides. Hence, thanks to these techniques it was shown how the synthesis temperature influences directly the grain size and the dopants concentration limit which can be incorporated into the host hematite matrix. The stabilization of these tetravalent and divalent dopants into the hematite framework leads to reduce the crystal growth and to limit the (AF) ordering due to the formation of cationic vacancies. The study of the Morin magnetic transition emphasizes this demonstration. In a second part, the influence of the dopants incorporation on the material color was investigated in order to show which key parameters allow improving the red color saturation of iron oxides. In order to improve the red color of the hematites, it was shown that the introduction of cationic vacancies—limiting the octahedral distortion thanks to the interruption of the dissymmetric metal-metal orbital coupling—is the key point. Vacancies are created by Sn⁴⁺, doping for an increase of the introduced Sn⁴⁺ concentration; it acts to the detriment of the color saturation.     

Effects of charging rates on LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2(NMC622)/graphite Li-ion cells

Enabling fast charging capability of lithium-ion battery is of great importance to widespread adoption of electric vehicles.Increasing the charging rates from state-of-the-art 2 C(30 min)to 6 C(10 min)requires deep understanding on the cell aging mechanism.In this study,400 mAh pouch cells are cycled at 1 C,4 C and 6 C charging rates with 1 C discharging rate.Capacity fading,cathode structural changes,Li inventory loss,electrolyte composition changes and Li plating on graphite electrodes are thoroughly studied by various characterization techniques.The rapid capacity fading in cells at 6 C charging rate is mainly due to Li inventory loss from cathode structure and metallic Li plating on graphite electrode at higher charging rate.Post-mortem analysis also revealed changes in electrolyte such as increased salt molarity and transesterification during fast charging.     

Ba3Fe2WO9−δ: Effect of oxygen non-stoichiometry on structural and magnetic properties

The magnetic and structural properties of oxygen-deficient perovskites with composition Ba₃Fe₂WO_9−δ (BFWO) have been systematically studied for two different oxygen contents corresponding to δ=0.00 and 0.55 in the chemical formula in order to determine and correlate their chemical composition, structural and magnetic properties. The evolution of nuclear and magnetic structures with temperature has been investigated by neutron powder diffraction. It was shown that at room temperature the stoichiometric compound (δ=0.00) adopts a hexagonal 6H-perovskite structure (space group P6₃/mmc). This phase, when heated at high temperature under a stream of Ar gas, transforms to an oxygen-deficient phase δ=0.55), which is an ordered cubic perovskite structure (space group Fm-3m). The crystallographic and magnetic properties of the obtained phases are compared, and it is clear that the magnetic properties are significantly affected by oxygen non-stoichiometry. These changes of magnetic properties for such a slight decrease in oxygen content are interpreted as a result of structural transformations. Together with the experimental results based on neutron powder diffraction data a discussion of some aspects of the structural transformation () is presented.     

The effect of preparation method on the defect structure and luminescence properties of γ-Al2O3

1. Download high-res image (183KB)
2. Download full-size image