Oxidation of propane over ammonium-transition metal mixed keggin phosphomolybdate salts

Mixed ammonium-transition metal salts with formula of (NH4)xMyHzPMo12O40 (M = Ni2+, Co2+ or Fe 3+) denoted as MPMo12 have been investigated for the oxidation of propane, with molecular oxygen, at temperature range between 380℃ and 420℃ after in-situ pre-treatment performed at two heating rate of 5 or 9℃/min. They were characterized by BET method, XRD, UV-Vis and IR techniques. The catalysts were found to be active in the propane oxidation and selective to propene or acrolein, in particular for samples pre-t...     

Preparation and characterization of spherical V2O3 nanopowder

V₂O₃ nanopowder with spherical particles was prepared by reducing pyrolysis of the precursor, (NH₄)₅[(VO)₆(CO₃)₄(OH)₉]·10H₂O, in H₂ atmosphere. The thermolysis process of the precursor in a H₂ flow was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The results indicate that pure V₂O₃ forms at 620°C and crystallizes at 730°C. The effects of various reductive pyrolysis conditions on compositions of V₂O₃ products were studied. Scanning electron micrographs show that the particles of the V₂O₃ powder obtained at 650°C for 1 h are spherical about 30 nm in size with more homogeneous distribution. Experiments show that nanopowder has larger adsorption capacity to gases and is more easily reoxidized by air at room temperature than micropowder. Differential scanning calorimetry experiment indicates that the temperature of phase transition of nano-V₂O₃ powder is −119.5°C on cooling or −99.2°C on heating. The transition heats are −12.55 J g⁻¹ on cooling and 11.42 J g⁻¹ on heating, respectively.     

The oxidation mechanisms of Cu54Ni45Mn1 (Constantan) tapes: Kinetic analysis

The kinetic parameters, namely the triplet activation energy E_A, model function f(α) or g(α) and pre-exponential factor A of the oxidation of Constantan tapes in 1 atm of oxygen have been determined from both isothermal and non-isothermal thermogravimetry. For isothermal experiments, with temperatures ranging from 650 °C to 900 °C, the results from direct conversion of the weight increase as a function of the time and curve fitting, are compared with the isoconversion method. For the non-isothermal experiments, with heating rates from 1 °C/min to 20 °C/min, comparison is made between the Friedman differential method and the integral methods of Kissinger, Ozawa and Li and Tang. All methods give apparent activation energies with relative standard deviations as low as 3%. The results converge to the identification of three stages in the oxidation behaviour. A parabolic law for reaction extents α below 15% with E_A = 246 ± 7 kJ mol⁻¹, ln A = 14.3, is followed by two linear stages with E_A = 244 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹ and ln A = 15.3 for 0.18 < α < 0.35 and E_A = 228 ± 15 kJ mol⁻¹, ln A ≈ 13 for α > 45%, respectively.     

Voltammetric studies on the α-tocopherol anion and α-tocopheroxyl (Vitamin E) radical in acetonitrile

The α-tocopheroxyl radical was generated voltammetrically by one-electron oxidation of the α-tocopherol anion (E ^r_1/2=−0.73 V versus Ag|Ag⁺) that was prepared by reacting α-tocopherol with Et₄NOH in acetonitrile (with Bu₄NPF₆ as the supporting electrolyte). Cyclic voltammograms recorded at variable scan rates (0.05–10 V s⁻¹), temperatures (−20 to 20°C) and concentrations (0.5–10 mM) were modelled using digital simulation techniques to determine the rate of bimolecular self-reaction of α-tocopheroxyl radicals. The k values were calculated to be 3×10³ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 20°C, 2×10³ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 0°C and 1.2×10³ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at −20°C. In situ electrochemical-EPR experiments performed at a channel electrode confirmed the existence of the α-tocopheroxyl radical.     

TGA–FTIR study of a lead zirconate titanate gel made from a triol-based sol–gel system

A Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ precursor gel made from a sol prepared using 1,1,1,-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane, lead acetate and zirconium and titanium propoxides, stabilised with acetylacetone, was analysed using TGA–FTIR analysis. Decomposition under nitrogen (N₂) gave rise to evolved gas absorbance peaks at 215 °C, 279 °C, 300 °C and 386 °C, but organic vapours continued to be evolved, along with CO₂ and CO until 950 °C. The final TGA step in N₂ is thought to relate to decomposition of an intermediate carbonate phase and the final elimination of residues of triol or acetylacetonate species which form part of the polymeric gel structure. By contrast, heating in air promoted oxidative pyrolysis of the final organic groups at ≤450 °C. In air, an intermediate carbonate phase was decomposed by heating at 550 °C, allowing Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ to be produced some 400 °C below the equivalent N₂ decomposition temperature.     

Polyol-mediated synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticle and its electrochemical properties

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nanoparticles were precipitated from ethylene glycol solution of titanium tetra isopropoxide (Ti(O-iPr)₄) and Li₂O₂ by refluxing at 197 °C for 12 h. The obtained particles were filtered and dried at 100 °C for 12 h, and the dried powder samples were heated at 320, 500 and 800 °C for 3 h. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the obtained samples exhibited a good fit with the spinel phase. The field emission-SEM images of the dried powder sample and the samples heated at 320, 500 and 800 °C for 3 h showed a uniform spherical morphology with a particle size of 5, 8, 10 and 400 nm, respectively. According to the results of electrochemical testing, the dried powder sample and the samples heated at 320, 500, and 800 °C for 3 h showed initial capacities of 200, 310, 320, and 260 mA h/g, respectively, at a current density of 0.05 mA/cm². Nanosized (6–8 nm) particles with good crystallinity were obtained by controlling the synthesis conditions. The sample heated at 500 °C for 3 h exhibited a high capacity and an excellent rate capability over 60 cycles.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of precursors of neodymium oxide nanoparticles

The nanometric precursors of neodymium oxide of various morphologies were prepared via a hydrothermal reaction route. The precursors and their thermal evolution to neodymium oxide phase were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM), thermal analysis (TG, DTA, EGA-MS), FTIR and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that the reaction conditions (temperature, pressure) played a key role for the product formation of desired morphology and structure. At mild conditions (140 °C) precursor with unusual fibrous morphology and Nd(OH)_2.45(Ac)_0.550.45H₂O stoichiometry was obtained. Upon heating this phase transformed, via intermediate cubic oxide, into trigonal Nd₂O₃ at 800 °C. Nd(OH)₃ hydroxide obtained at severe conditions (180 °C) transformed upon heating into cubic Nd₂O₃ phase at about 500 °C and this phase was stabilised even at 800 °C. The fibrous precursors appeared to be a convenient material for preparation of homogeneous thin coatings on planar substrates is shown.     

Atomization Characteristic of Chromium on a Molybdenum Tube Atomizer by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Determination of Chromium in Biological Materials

Atomization characteristics of chromium have been studied by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a molybdenum tube atomizer. The appearance temperature (T_app) of chromium nitrate was 1300°C. TheT_appwas independent of the heating rate of atomizer, but the temperature at the peak of the Cr AA signal increased with the heating rate. A sensitive absorption chromium signal was obtained in pure argon purge gas. The chromium signal decreased as the ratio of hydrogen in the purge gas increased. The optimal gas flow rate was Ar 480 ml min⁻¹+ H₂20 ml min⁻¹because of the avoidance of oxidation of the atomizer. The absolute characteristic mass (the mass of element giving 0.0044 abs.) of chromium by the atomizer was 0.35 pg and the detection limit was 23 pg ml⁻¹(3S/N). The interferences caused by large amounts of interferents were evaluated. The addition of thiourea served to eliminate the severe interferences. The accuracies of the recommended method were considered almost satisfactory for the determination of chromium in biological materials, compared with the certified values of NIST materials. The recovery of spiked chromium in biological materials was in the range from 93.5 to 102%.     

Non-isothermal kinetic of oxidation of tungsten carbide

Tungsten carbide, WC, has shown dissimilar thermal behavior when it is heated on changeable heating rate and flow of oxidant atmosphere. The oxidation of WC to WO₃ tends to be in a single and slow kinetic step on slow heating rate and/or low flux of air. Kinetic parameters, on non-isothermal condition, could be evaluated to the oxidation of WC to heating rate below 15°C min⁻¹ or low flow of air (10 mL min⁻¹). The reaction is governed by nucleation and growth at 5 to 10°C min⁻¹ then the tendency is to be autocatalytic, JMA and SB, respectively.     

GaN taper rods: Solid-phase synthesis, crystal defects, and optical properties

Wurtzite GaN taper rods assembled from highly oriented nanoparticles were synthesized using NaNH₂ and the as-synthesized GaOOH prismatic rods as reactants at 600 °C for 5 h. The lengths of the GaN taper rods are in the range of 4–6 μm and the diameters are about 0.5–1.5 μm. It was found that a slow heating rate (1 °C min⁻¹) was beneficial to keeping the one-dimensional (1D) skeleton of GaN, otherwise only GaN nanoparticles were obtained with a quick heating rate (10 °C min⁻¹). Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations revealed that the GaN taper rods assembled from highly oriented nanoparticles and there were crystal defects in the GaN structure. The GaN taper rods displayed luminescence emission in the blue-violet region, which may be related to crystal defects.     

Crystal Structure and Thermal Decomposition of 5-Aminotetrazole Trinitrophloroglucinolate

5-Aminotetrazole trinitrophloroglucinolate ((ATZ)TNPG) was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and it belonged to orthorhombic system and Pbca space group with a=0.6624(2) nm, b=1.7933(4) nm, c=2.3117(5) nm, V=2.7458(9) nm³, Z=4, and D_c=1.849 g·cm⁻³. The molecular formula was confirmed to be (ATZ)TNPG·2H₂O. 5-Aminotetrazole cation (ATZ⁺) and trinitrophloroglucinol anion (TNPG⁻) were linked into 2-D layers along b-axis and c-axis by hydrogen bonds. Then the layers were linked along a-axis by hydrogen bonds between the water molecules belonging to different layers. The thermal decomposition mechanism of the compound was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry-thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy techniques. Under nitrogen atmosphere with a heating rate of 10 °C·min⁻¹, the compound experienced one endothermic process with peak temperature of 76 °C and one exothermal process with peak temperature of 203 °C. The former was confirmed to be a dehydrate process. The latter was the decomposition of TNPG⁻ and ATZ⁺ in the compound. The exothermic enthalpy change of this process was −212.10 kJ·mol⁻¹. The kinetic parameter calculation from Kissinger's method were, E=132.1 kJ·mol⁻¹, ln(A/s⁻¹)=12.54 with r=0.9990, and the calculation results from Ozawa-Doyle's method were, E=133.1 kJ·mol⁻¹ with r=0.9992.     

The Characteristics of Green Calcium Oxide Derived from Aquatic Materials

Thermogravimetric Analysis of three aquatic materials, i.e. cuttlebone, mussel shell and oyster shell, and other physicochemical characteristics were investigated. The highest decomposition rates of aquatic materials under two surrounding gases, i.e. oxygen and nitrogen, exhibited no significant difference for cuttlebone (3.6×10^-5-4.8×10^-5 mg s^-1 mg_initial^-1 at heating rate 5 °C/min and 11.8 ×10^-5 -12.5×10^-5 mg s^-1 mg_initial^-1 at heating rate 15 °C/min) and mussel shell (3.4×10^-5- 5.2×10^-5 mg s^-1 mg_initial^-1 at heating rate 5 °C/min and 11.9×10^-5 – 12.4×10^-5 mg s^-1 mg_initial^-1 at heating rate 15 °C/min), while oyster shell provided the higher decomposition rate under nitrogen surrounding gas (7.6×10^-4 mg s^-1 mg_initial^-1 at heat rate 5 °C/min and 21.53×10^-4 mg s^-1 mg_initial^-1 at heating rate 15 °C/min). This is probably because of the difference in their starting crystalline structures, i.e. aragonite (cuttlebone and mussel shell) and calcite (oyster shell). The cubic calcium oxides were prepared by calcination of three aquatic materials under oxygen and nitrogen surrounding gases at 5 °C/min ramping to 850 °C for 2 hours. All resulting calcium oxides obtained from oxygen atmosphere provided only cubic crystalline phases and the adsorption-desorption isotherms (IUPAC Type III), whereas the calcinations under nitrogen surrounding gas gave a presence of calcium hydroxide crystalline or hydroxyl- contaminate existing with cubic calcium oxide that influences on the strength and the number of carbon dioxide adsorption sites. The specific surface area of all resulting calcium oxides ranged from 0.1 – 1.5 m²/g and the average pore diameter was found in the range of 40-60 nm. The the number of basic sites belonging to CaO derived from Oyster shell or Cuttlebone were improved while firing under oxygen atmosphere. The suitable firing condition is at the low heating rate to develop porous materials.     

Preparation and characterization of calcium hydroxyapatite and balloon-like calcium phosphate particles from forced hydrolysis of Ca(OH)2–triphosphate solution

Calcium phosphate particles were prepared by aging a solution of dissolved Ca(OH)₂ and sodium triphosphate (sodium tripolyphosphate, Natpp: Na₅P₃O₁₀) at 100–150 °C for 18 h in a Teflon-lined screw-capped Pyrex test tube. Large spherical and/or small aggregated spherical particles were precipitated with an extremely fast rate of reaction under 100 °C. The large spherical particles were amorphous and the small aggregated ones were α-CaNa₂P₂O₇^.4H₂O. The former amorphous ones crystallized to β-Ca₂P₂O₇ after being calcined above 600 °C. Calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, Hap), with rod-like and ellipsoidal or spherical aggregated shapes, was successfully produced using polyphosphates as a source of orthophosphate ions. Time resolved TEM measurement revealed that the crystallization of Hap particles takes place on the surface of tiny amorphous particles precipitated before aging. The tiny particles played the role of nuclei for Hap crystallization. The aging temperature drastically varied the particle shape under conditions for producing uniform amorphous spherical particles; solid spherical particles were produced with an aging temperature of up to 120 °C, whilst transparent balloon-like hollow spheres were precipitated at 125 °C. Finally, fully transparent balloon-like hollow spheres were produced with mere trace amounts of small rod-like particles after aging the solution above 127 °C. The time resolved TEM observation and ICP-AES measurements revealed that the balloon-like hollow spheres were produced by dissolving the interior of solid spherical particles after reinforcing their shell by the adsorption of unhydrolyzed tpp and/or pyrophosphate (pp) ions, which are the hydrolysis product of tpp. The balloon-like hollow spheres of calcium phosphate may have the potential use as drug delivery vehicles and have biocompatibility advantages.     

Development of silicon nitride fiber from Si-containing polymer by radiation curing and its application

A silicon nitride fiber (Si₃N₄) was synthesized from polycarbosilane (PCS) fiber by radiation application. PCS fibers were cured by electron beam (EB) irradiation in a helium gas atmosphere prior to the pyrolysis. The cured PCS fiber was converted to Si₃N₄ ceramic fiber with flexibility by nitridation in ammonia gas at a high temperature of 500–1000°C. The obtained Si₃N₄ fibre showed a high heat resistance up to 1300°C, a high tensile strength of 2 GPa and excellent electrical resistivity of 10¹³ Ω cm. The ceramic fiber was fabricated to cloth and applied for electric wire insulator. The wire cable is flexible and can be applied at a high temperature atmosphere of around 1000°C.     

Cobalt–silicon mixed oxide nanocomposites by modified sol–gel method

Cobalt–silicon mixed oxide materials (Co/Si=0.111, 0.250 and 0.428) were synthesised starting from Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Si(OC₂H₅)₄ using a modified sol–gel method. Structural, textural and surface chemical properties were investigated by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analyses (TG/DTA), XRD, UV–vis, FT-IR spectroscopy and N₂ adsorption at −196 °C. The nature of cobalt species and their interactions with the siloxane matrix were strongly depending on both the cobalt loading and the heat treatment. All dried gels were amorphous and contained Co²⁺ ions forming both tetrahedral and octahedral complexes with the siloxane matrix. After treatment at 400 °C, the sample with lowest Co content appeared amorphous and contained only Co²⁺ tetrahedral complexes, while at higher cobalt loading Co₃O₄ was present as the only crystalline phase, besides Co²⁺ ions strongly interacting with siloxane matrix. At 850 °C, in all samples crystalline Co₂SiO₄ was formed and was the only crystallising phase for the nanocomposite with the lowest cobalt content. All materials retained high surface areas also after treatments at 600 °C and exhibited surface Lewis acidity, due to cationic sites. The presence of cobalt affected the textural properties of the siloxane matrix decreasing microporosity and increasing mesoporosity.     

Mechanism of halide conversion process of colloidal AgCl microcrystals by Br ions : I. Observation of the dynamic changes in shape, structure, and composition

The mechanism of the halide conversion process in suspension of AgCl microcrystals by bromide ions was studied by electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and electron-beam diffractometry. The typical conversion process after the introduction of Br⁻ was found to consist of more than three distinctive steps. The first step was an almost instantaneous reaction within a few seconds for a surface conversion without apparent morphological change of the original particles. The second step was a very rapid epitaxial growth process of virtually pure AgBr crystals on every corner and partly on the edges of the AgCl cubic microcrystals with dissolution of their own {100} faces, which was finished in about 1 min at 25°C. The third step was a much slower process of about 2 h at 25°C (ca. 5 min at 45°C) for the formation of an AgCl_0.5Br_0.5 solid solution developing from the joints of AgBr guest and AgCl host by simultaneous dissolution of the guests and the hosts. After the complete dissolution of the AgBr guests, a further recrystallization process that formed a solid solution richer in chloride content followed. Finally, the conversion virtually stopped midway to yield double-structured particles of Ag(Cl, Br) shell/AgCl core. However, when the initial molar ratio of [Br⁻]₀/[AgCl]₀ was so high as to exceed unity, the original AgCl particles were totally decomposed into about eightfold AgBr particles in number. In this case the steps later than the second one were missing. Also, it was suggested from the subsidiary study on open systems, where bromide ions were added continuously, that the kinetics was basically controlled by the deposition rate of the solute of the AgBr component of the growing parts, though it was switched to being limited by the dissolution rate of the host AgCl crystals when their open surface area for dissolution was extremely diminished.     

Kinetics of the Formation of Goethite in the Presence of Sulfates and Chlorides of Monovalent Cations

The synthesis of goethite by oxidation of Fe²⁺in presence of metallic iron was undertaken in an aqueous medium containing indifferent salts such as Na₂SO₄, (NH₄)₂SO₄, NaCl, and NH₄Cl. Temperature and bubbling air rate were maintained, respectively, at 70°C and 1 L/min. The influence of anions and cations on the kinetics of each step of the process has been followed distinctly, the iron dissolution rate has been determined by the variation of the medium acidity, and the precipitation of goethite has been determined by gravimetric measurements. With respect to Cl⁻, the SO₄²⁻anion decreases the rate of the two reactions. NH₄⁺acts as an inhibitor when it is present at low concentrations and as an accelerator for higher concentrations; the limit corresponding to the change of NH₄⁺behavior depends on the nature of the counter ion. The reaction product is composed of pure goethite in the presence of sulfate salts, whereas a mixture of goethite and lepidocrocite, respectively, 60–70 and 40–30%, was observed in the presence of chloride salts.     

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.     

Chemical reaction in chromatographic columns : Dehydrogenation of ethane over cadmium-exchanged zeolite 4A

Pulsed-flow techniques were used to detect considerable differences in the heats of adsorption of ethane and ethylene on various cadmium-exchanged zeolites 4A at temperatures up to 500°C. Higher values (about 10.0 kcal/mole) were observed for ethylene than for ethane (5.0 kcal/mole) at 300–400°C. Experimental verification is provided pertaining to the dehydrogenation of ethane in a gas chromatographic reactor. By appropriate choice of the reaction conditions, conversions up to 80% per pass could easily be obtained at temperatures (400–500°C) at which the thermodynamic equilibrium for a diluted ethane stream (Pc⁺₂ = 0.01-0.1 P_tot.) would not permit more than 25%.