On the role of pure oxide materials for primary calibration and validation in inorganic bulk analysis

Summary Basic requirements are summarised for the application of primary pure compounds in inorganic bulk analysis, including those for quality assurance. Conditions for the minimum assay of the pure compound as compared to the repeatability of method and sample preparation are assessed as well as purity and assay requirements of pure analytes for sample matching with different calibration modes. The assessment of assays of pure Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, CaCO₃, Al₂O₃, MgO and Mn₃O₄ are given as examples. Suggestions are made for an universal system for the production and certification of pure compounds for use as primary references in inorganic bulk analysis.     

Propane combustion over supported Pd catalysts

We prepared Pd catalysts supported on various metal oxides, viz. γ-Al₂O₃, α-Al₂O₃, SiO₂–Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CeO₂ and TiO₂ by an incipient wetness method and applied them to propane combustion. Several techniques: N₂ physisorption, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), CO chemisorption, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) were employed to characterize the catalysts. Pd/SiO₂–Al₂O₃ showed the least catalytic activity at high temperatures among Pd catalysts supported on irreducible metal oxides, viz. SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂–Al₂O₃. Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ was much superior for this reaction to Pd/α-Al₂O₃. The Pd catalyst supported on reducible metal oxides (CeO₂ and TiO₂) with a less specific surface area showed the higher catalytic activity compared with that supported on reducible metal oxides with a higher specific surface area, even though the former had a less Pd dispersion than the latter. In the case of Pd/SiO₂–Al₂O₃, the initially reduced Pd catalyst was superior to the fully oxidized one. The oxidation of metallic Pd occurred in the presence of O₂ with increasing reaction temperature, which resulted in the change in the catalytic activity.     

Towards Microwave Absorbing Metal-Oxide Nanocomposites: The Problem of Metal/Matrix Reaction

Thermostable microwave absorbing materials are of considerable interest for the applications with the tailored radar cross-section. Nanocomposites metal (Co, Fe)-dielectric (Al₂O₃, Al₂O₃2SiO₂, 3Al₂O₃2SiO₂) prepared by sol-gel route have been studied by electron microscopy and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The relationships between the micro/meso porosity, the composition and the state of the matrix precursor and the metal particle size are discussed with emphasis on the oxidation of nanoparticles. The size are discussed with emphasis on the oxidation of nanoparticles. Fe-based nanocomposites are obtained only using microporous host matrices. The interfacial reaction between iron nitrate solution precursor and host matrix promotes the formation of -(Fe_1-XAl₉)₂O₃ phase. The metal content is maximized by the use of highly concentrate iron solution and/or mixing with cobalt nitrate, in which case alloying particles are obtained.     

Densification mechanisms of alumina,aluminosilicates and aluminoborosilicates gels,glasses and ceramics

The thermal evolution of gels, glasses and ceramics of various more or less refractory compositions (Al₂O₃, 3Al₂O₃2SiO₂, 7Al₂O₃3SiO₂, Al₂O₃2SiO₂, Al₂O₃2SiO₂0.7B₂O₃, Al₂O₃2SiO₂2B₂O₃, Al₂O₃2SiO₂6B₂ O₃) have been studied by dilatometry, DTA, and helium density measurements. Comparison is made for materials prepared by rapid (powder) or by very slow gelation (optically clear monoliths). The influence of atmosphere sintering (air, H₂, vacuum) is reported. Densification and kinetic laws are discussed.Also at LASIR, CNRS, 2 rue Henry Dunant, 94320 Thiais, France.     

Multi‐instrument characterization of the surfaces and materials in microfabricated,carbon nanotube‐templated thin layer chromatography plates. An analogy to ‘The Blind Men and the Elephant’

We apply a suite of analytical tools to characterize materials created in the production of microfabricated thin layer chromatography plates. Techniques used include X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), valence band spectroscopy, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) in both positive and negative ion modes, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and helium ion microscopy. Materials characterized include: the Si(100) substrate with native oxide: Si/SiO₂, alumina (35 nm) deposited as a diffusion barrier on the Si/SiO₂: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃, iron (6 nm) thermally evaporated on the Al₂O₃: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe, the iron film annealed in H₂ to make Fe catalyst nanoparticles: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe(NP), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown from the Fe nanoparticles: Si/SiO₂/Al₂O₃/Fe(NP)/CNT. The Fe films and nanoparticles appear in an oxidized state. Some of the analyses of the CNTs/CNT forests appear to be unique: (i) the CNT forest appears to exhibit an interesting ‘channeling’ phenomenon by RBS, (ii) we observe an odd–even effect in the SIMS spectra of C_n^‐ species for n = 1 – 6, with the n ≥ 6 ions showing a steady decrease in intensity, and (iii) valence band characterization of CNTs using X‐radiation is reported. Initial analysis of the CNT forest by XPS shows that it is 100 at.% carbon. After one year, only ca. 0.25 at.% oxygen is observed. The information obtained from the combination of the different analytical tools provides a more complete understanding of our materials than a single technique, which is analogous to the story of ‘The Blind Men and the Elephant’. The raw XPS and ToF‐SIMS spectra from this study will be submitted to Surface Science Spectra for archiving. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3-Amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole-functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite as a green and efficient catalyst for synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives

A core–shell Fe₃O₄@silica magnetic nanocomposite functionalized with 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/PTS/AMTA) was prepared using Fe₃O₄ with silica layer, and its surface was modified with 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole. The novel synthesized magnetite nanocomposite was characterized using various techniques. The catalytic activity of Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/PTS/AMTA was demonstrated in the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives under solvent-free conditions. Some of the bis(indolyl)methane derivatives were synthesized through one-pot, three-component reaction of 1 mol of various benzaldehydes or ketones with 2 mol of indole in the presence of Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/PTS/AMTA in good to excellent isolated yields. In addition, the catalyst could be recovered and used for several reaction runs without loss of catalytic activity. The stability of recycled catalyst was investigated. This method has some advantages including experimental simplicity, good to excellent yields, solvent-free conditions and stability and reusability of the catalyst.     

Experimental investigation of the formation of double phosphates in the LaPO4–NaF system

In the course of segregation smelting of rare-earth and rare metal raw materials with a fluxing agent (NaF), two immiscible melts form, one of which is a silicate melt and the other is a phosphate–salt melt. The silicate melt is enriched with Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and Nb₂O₅, and the phosphate–salt melt is dominated by P₂O₅, TR₂O₃, Sc₂O₃, and Y₂O₃, and also with Ca, Sr, and Ba oxides. Chemical reactions between lanthanum orthophosphate and sodium fluoride in the LaPO₄–NaF system were studied for developing a technology for processing the phosphate–salt (rare-earth metal) melt. It was found that a metathesis reaction gives double phosphate Na₃La[PO₄]₂ and binary fluoride NaLaF₄. The products of crystallization of melts in the LaPO₄–NaF system decompose in weak mineral acids unlike those in conventional technology for processing monazite raw material.     

Carbonic Anhydrase Immobilized on Encapsulated Magnetic Nanoparticles for CO2 Sequestration

Bovine carbonic anhydrase (BCA) was covalently immobilized onto OAPS (octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane)‐functionalized Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles by using glutaraldehyde as a spacer. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were coated with SiO₂, onto which was grafted OAPS, and the product was characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and magnetometer analysis. The enzymatic activities of the free and Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/OAPS‐conjugated BCA (Fe? CA) were investigated by hydrolyzing p‐nitrophenylacetate (p‐NPA), and hydration and sequestration of CO₂ to CaCO₃. The CO₂ conversion efficiency and reusability of the Fe? CA were studied before and after washing the recovered Fe? CA by applying a magnetic field and quantifying the unreacted Ca²⁺ ions by using ion chromatography. After 30 cycles, the Fe? CA displayed strong activity, and the CO₂ capture efficiency was 26‐fold higher than that of the free enzyme. Storage stability studies suggested that Fe? CA retained nearly 82 % of its activity after 30 days. Nucleation of the precipitated CaCO₃ was monitored by using polarized light microscopy, which revealed the formation of two phases, calcite and valerite, at pH 10 upon addition of serine. The magnetic nanobiocatalyst was shown to be an excellent reusable catalyst for the sequestration of CO_2.     

A new strategy for fabrication Fe2O3/SiO2 composite coatings on the Ti substrate

We report here on the synthesis of homogenous, well-adherent composite film of Fe₂O₃/SiO₂, up to 7 μm thick, on the titanium substrate by anodic treatment optimized for an aqueous suspension of K₂O·SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ powder under galvanostatic conditions. The end products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray powder diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, concluding that the formation of composite coating at the SiO₂ to Fe₂O₃ ratio of approximately 1:1 proceeds just after formation of a thin TiO₂ layer with Fe₂O₃ particle inclusions without transformations via an electrophoresis deposition of negatively charged Fe₂O₃ species enveloped by silica ions.     

The effect of the nature of the support on catalytic properties of ruthenium supported catalysts in partial oxidation of methane to syn-gas

The effect of the carrier on catalytic properties of ruthenium supported catalysts in partial oxidation of methane (POM) was investigated. A variety of supports differed in texture and reducibility (Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, Cr₂O₃, CeO₂ and Fe₂O₃) were used. The catalyst activity is governed by ruthenium phase formation (RuO₂ → Ru⁰), and it depends on redox properties of the support as well as support-ruthenium phase interaction. The activity of Ru supported catalysts decreases in the order Al₂O₃ ≈ SiO₂ > Cr₂O₃ > TiO₂ > CeO₂ > Fe₂O₃. No significant effects of the specific surface area and porosity of catalysts on the methane conversion and selectivity of CO formation were found. The selectivity of CO₂ formation (total oxidation of CH₄) under conditions of POM (a ratio of CH₄/O₂ = 2) is associated with the contribution of reducible support oxides into the catalytic performance.     

ChemInform Abstract: Structure,Atomistic Simulations,and Phase Transition of Stoichiometric Yeelimite.

Ca₄[Al₆O₁₂]SO₄ (yeelimite) is prepared by solid state reaction of CaCO₃, Al₂O₃, and CaSO₄ (1300 °C, 4 h, slow cooling).     

Effect of the nuclearity of perhydrocarbyl Fe(II) complexes on the grafting on oxide supports

Grafting of mono- and dinuclear Fe(II) complexes on oxide supports such as silica {SiO_2-(700)}, silica–alumina {SiO₂–Al₂O_3-(500)} or alumina {Al₂O_3-(500)} yields the corresponding mono- and dinuclear surface complexes according to mass balance analysis and IR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of well-defined poly(methyl methacrylate)/CaCO3/SiO2 three-component composite particles via reverse atom transfer radical polymerization

The attempt to prepare structurally well-defined polymer/inorganic composite particles, i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/CaCO₃/SiO₂ three-component composite particles, via reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), using 2-2′-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile as initiator and Cu(II) bromide as catalyst was reported. CaCO₃/SiO₂ two-component composite particles were first obtained through sol–gel method, and their morphology and surface element information were determined by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The results indicate that the CaCO₃ was encapsulated by the obtained SiO₂. After being modified by silane coupling agent, the CaCO₃/SiO₂ composite particles copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) under standard reverse ATRP conditions to produce PMMA/CaCO₃/SiO₂ three-component composite particles. In the case concerned, first-order kinetic plots and linear increase of molecular weight (Mn) vs conversion and narrow molecular weight distribution for the graft polymer samples were observed. Furthermore, the gel permeation chromatography results illustrated that both the free PMMA chains from the solvent and the graft PMMA chains from the surface of CaCO₃/SiO₂ two-component composite particles were growing at the same rate. Characterizations of the PMMA-grafted CaCO₃/SiO₂ composite particles were done by Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the surface of the modified inorganic particles was grafted by the MMA and that the grafting percentage was about 8.7%.     

Cost‐efficient magnetic nanoporous carbon derived from citrus peel for the selective adsorption of seven insecticides

A magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent that consisted of citrus peel‐derived nanoporous carbon and silica‐coated Fe₃O₄ microspheres (C/SiO₂@Fe₃O₄) was successfully fabricated by co‐precipitation. As a modifier for magnetic microspheres, citrus peel‐derived nanoporous carbon was not only economical and renewable for its raw material, but exerted enormous nanosized pore structure, which could directly influence the type of adsorbed analytes. The C/SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ also possessed the advantages of Fe₃O₄ microspheres like superparamagnetism, which could be easily separated magnetically after adsorption. Integrating the superior of biomass‐derived nanoporous carbon and Fe₃O₄ microspheres, the as‐prepared C/SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ showed high extraction efficiency for target analytes. The obtained material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, which demonstrated that C/SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ was successfully synthesized. Under the optimal conditions, the adsorbent was selected for the selective adsorption of seven insecticides before gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection, and good linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 2–200 μg/kg with the correlation coefficient ranging from 0.9952 to 0.9997. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.03–0.39 μg/kg. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the enrichment and detection of seven insecticides in real vegetable samples.     

Preparation of superhydrophobic PET fabric from Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hybrid: geometrical approach to create high contact angle surface from low contact angle materials

In this work we prepare high contact Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET) fabric surface from low contact angle materials. Superhydrophobic PET fabric is prepared by coating the fabric with hybrid Al₂O₃–SiO₂ sol. In this case, the high contact angle Al₂O₃–SiO₂ hybrid is created from low contact angle Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ precursors. PET treated with hybrid Al₂O₃–SiO₂ exhibit Water Contact Angle (WCA) as 150°, while PET treated with individual Al₂O₃ sol or SiO₂ sol exhibits lower WCA, (Al₂O₃ WCA = 137°; SiO₂ WCA = 141°). FESEM and AFM investigations show that the hybrid Al₂O₃–SiO₂ sol and individual Al₂O₃ or SiO₂ sol imparted different roughness geometry on the PET fabric surface. We observe surface structure of fish fin-like, particle-like and hybrid fin-particle for treated PET fabric with; Al₂O₃, SiO₂ and hybrid Al₂O₃–SiO₂ sol, under FESEM and AFM observations.AFM observations show the evolution of roughness (Ra) dimension of different surface structures with the order of: SiO₂ < Al₂O₃ < Al₂O₃–SiO₂ (Ra = 31, 63 and 273 nm). We believe that the disparity of the surface geometries lead into different surface WCA. FTIR spectra of Hybrid Al₂O₃–SiO₂ shows additional peak at 902, 850, 557, and 408 cm⁻¹ which can be ascribed to the hybridization structure.     

Highly Selective Aldol Condensation Using Amine-functionalized SiO2-Al2O3 Mixed-oxide under Solvent-free Condition

A series of amine catalysts supported on mesoporous molecular sieves SiO₂/Al₂O₃ with trimethoxysilylpropylamine [(CH₃O)₃Si(CH₂)₃NH₂] loading varying from 3 mmol to 6 mmol were synthesized by impregnation method. The aldol condensation of various aromatic aldehydes and 1‐heptanal was used to test the acid‐base cooperativity of amine‐functionalized SiO₂/Al₂O₃. The effects of solvent, reaction temperature, benzaldehyde to 1‐heptanal molar ratio, different supports (SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂‐Al₂O₃), catalyst amount and recyclability of the catalyst were investigated. Sample containing 5 mmol amine loaded showed highest benzaldehyde conversion (100%) and selectivity (97%) for jasminaldehyde.     

不同硅铝比Al-ITQ-13分子筛的甲醇制丙烯反应催化性能

采用晶种法直接合成了硅铝比(SiO_2/Al_2O_3物质的量比)为137、224和309的三种Al-ITQ-13分子筛,并采用粉末X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、N_2吸附-脱附、固体核磁共振(MAS NMR)和NH_3-程序升温脱附(NH_3-TPD)等分析方法对不同硅铝比分子筛进行了表征,并在固定床微型反应评价装置上,考察了硅铝比对甲醇转化制丙烯反应性能的影响。结果表明,不同硅铝比Al-ITQ-13分子筛呈现出相似的织构性质,酸量及酸强度随着硅铝比的升高逐渐下降。硅铝比对甲醇转化反应的产物分布存在较大的影响;随着硅铝比的升高,氢转移反应和芳构化反应活性降低,使得乙烯选择性下降,而丙烯和丁烯的选择性升高。硅铝比由137提高到309,丙烯的选择性(质量分数)由46.04%增加到55.52%,而丙烯/乙烯比由3.39提高到6.57。     

Characterization of coal fly ash components by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

The high sensitivity of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the detection of most of the fly ash components enables the analysis of these residues produced during the combustion of coal. Fly ash consists of oxides (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO…) and unburnt carbon which is the major determinant of combustion efficiency in coal fired boilers. For example, an excessive amount of residual carbon dispersed in the fly ash means a significant loss of energy (Styszko et al., 2004 [1]). Standard methods employed for the analysis of fly ash make not possible a control of boiler in real time. LIBS technique can significantly reduce the time of analysis, in some cases even an online detection can be performed. For this reason, some studies have been addressed in order to demonstrate the capability of the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique for the detection of carbon content in high pressure conditions typical of thermal power plants (Noda et al., 2002 [2]) and for the monitoring of unburnt carbon for the boiler control in real time (Kurihara et al., 2003[3]).In particular, the content of unburnt carbon is a valuable indicator for the control of fly ash quality and for the boiler combustion. Depending on this unburnt carbon content, fly ash can be disposed as an industrial waste or as a raw material for the production of concrete in the construction sector. In this study, analyses were performed on specimens of various forms of preparation. Pressed pellets were prepared with two different binders. Presented results concern the nature and amount of the binder used to pelletize the powder, and the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy parameters and procedure required to draw calibration curves of elements from the fly ash. Analysis “on tape” was performed in order to establish the experimental conditions for the future “online analysis”.     

Quantitative analysis of elements (C, N, O, Al, Si and Fe) in polyamide with wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

A wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) spectrometry combined with calibration curve method was established for simultaneously analyzing low-Z elements (C,N,O) and Al,Si,Fe in polyamide.To investigate the origin of plastic material causing deposition and blocking in instrument engines and pipelines,polyamide 6 (PA 6,an engineering plastic) was chosen as the study object on account of its common use in industry.The sample preparation with pressed powder disk has been developed for determination of six elements in PA 6.Pure Cu metal was used as the matrix and PA 6 was regarded as standard sample for C,N,O elements.PA 6 particles were firstly smashed to uniform powder in liquid nitrogen,and then mixed with inorganic standard powders (Fe2O3,Al2O3,SiO2,and Na 2 SiO 3).The mixture was ground to obtain homogeneous calibration materials for WD-XRF analysis.The quantitative property of the calibration curve method for each element was reliable.The limits of detection (S/N≤3) of C,N,O,Al,Si and Fe using WD-XRF were 249,120,101,6.2,3.3,and 1.8 μg/g,respectively.To confirm the accuracy of the proposed WD-XRF calibration curve method,inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) detection for Al,Si,Fe and elemental analyzer (EA) analysis for C,N,O were utilized.A good correlation of the WD-XRF results with the measurements of ICP-OES and EA was observed.     

Effects on the Thermal Properties and Bioactivity of Substitution of CaO by M2O3 (M=La, Y, Al) in Wollastonite Glass

The effects on the thermal properties and bioactivity of the substitution of CaO by La₂O₃, Y₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ in a glass of composition CaO·SiO₂ were studied and compared. The trivalent metal oxides were all effective in raising the glass transformation and softening temperatures when they replaced CaO in the glass of composition CaO·SiO₂. The experimental results suggest that Al₂O₃ plays the role of a glass-former, while La₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ behave as glass-modifiers. The tendency to devitrify appears to be the lower, the farther the glass composition is from those of the crystalline phases, owing to the need for diffusion over longer distances, the greater the composition difference. The substitution with the trivalent metal oxides is detrimental to the bioactivity, which is preserved only in the event of very small degrees of substitution. The most negative role appears to be played by Al₂O₃. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.