Thermal analysis applied in the crystallization study of SrSnO3

SrSnO₃ was synthesized by the polymeric precursor method with elimination of carbon in oxygen atmosphere at 250 °C for 24 h. The powder precursors were characterized by TG/DTA and high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD). After calcination at 500, 600 and 700 °C for 2 h, samples were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns for samples calcined at 900, 1,000 and 1,100 °C. During thermal treatment of the powder precursor ester combustion was followed by carbonate decomposition and perovskite crystallization. No phase transition was observed as usually presented in literature for SrSnO₃ that had only a rearrangement of SnO₆ polyhedra.     

Synthesis of Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> ceramic scintillators by the polymeric precursor method

Bismuth germanate ceramic powders were synthesized for the first time by the polymeric precursor method (Pechini’s method). Differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric techniques were used to study the decomposition of the resin precursor, which indicated a suitable calcination temperature at 600 °C. It was observed that the mass loss occurs in two main stages that are associated with two exothermic reactions. The crystalline phases of the powders were inspected by the X-ray diffraction technique after thermal treatment between 300 and 600 °C. Single phase Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ ceramic bodies were obtained after sintering at 840 °C for 10 h. The sintered ceramics presented a luminescence band emission centred at around 530 nm when excited with X-rays and UV radiation.     

Preparation and characterization of Li0.25Sr0.5(MoO4):Eu 0.253+ red-emitting phosphors for white LEDs by organic gel-thermal decomposition process

Li_0.25Sr_0.5(MoO₄):Eu_0.25³⁺ red-emitting phosphors were prepared by the organic gel-thermal decomposition process with metal salts and citric acid as starting reagents. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescent spectroscopy were used to characterize the as-prepared phosphors. The Li_0.25Sr_0.5(MoO₄):Eu_0.25³⁺ phase consisting of nanosized crystallites is formed at 400 °C and the nanosized crystallites with a tetragonal-dipyramid morphology increase with the calcination temperature and time. During the early period at 650 °C, the microstructure of the Li_0.25Sr_0.5(MoO₄):Eu_0.25³⁺ crystallites are unstable and the re-crystallization for some particles takes place with a particle morphological modification. The optimized calcination conditions for the Li_0.25Sr_0.5(MoO₄):Eu_0.25³⁺ phosphors are 650 °C for 13 h. The Li_0.25Sr_0.5(MoO₄):Eu_0.25³⁺ phosphors with particle sizes about 0.5 to 2.0 μm obtained under the optimized conditions can be excited by the ultraviolet light 395 nm and blue light 466 nm, which are well met with the requirements for the current commercial near-UV and blue LEDs, and exhibit a high emission performance.     

Fabrication and photoelectrochemical properties of porous ZnWO4 film

Porous ZnWO₄ films have been fabricated on Indium-tin oxide (ITO) glass and its photoelectrochemical properties and high photocatalytic activities towards degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) has been investigated. Using amorphous heteronuclear complex as precursor and with the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG, molecular weight=400), the porous ZnWO₄ films have been achieved at the temperature of 500 °C via dip-coating method. It is composed of approximately 70 nm-sized particles and exhibits substantial porosity. The textures and porosity of ZnWO₄ films are dependent on preparation factors, such as the ratio of precursor/PEG and the annealing conditions. The formation mechanism of porous ZnWO₄ films was proposed. The porous ZnWO₄ films exhibited high photocatalytic activities towards degrading RhB. The top of valence band and the bottom of the conduction band was estimated to be −0.56 and 3.45 eV (vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)), respectively.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of nanocomposite Ni1?xCoxFe2O4–BaTiO3 fibers by organic gel-thermal decomposition process

Nanocomposites of ferrite and ferroelectric phases are attractive functional ceramic materials. In this work, the nanocomposite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄–BaTiO₃(x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) fibers with fine diameters of 3 ~ 7 μm and high aspect ratios were synthesized by the organic gel-thermal decomposition process from the raw materials of citric acid and metal salts. The structure, thermal decomposition process and morphologies of the gel precursors and the resultant fibers derived from thermal decomposition of the gel precursors were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of the nanocomposite fibers were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer. The nanocomposite fibers of ferrite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and perovskite BaTiO₃ are formed at the calcination temperature of 900 °C for 2 h. The average grain sizes of Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and BaTiO₃ in the nanocomposite fibers increase from about 15 nm to approximately 67 nm with the increasing calcination temperatures from 900 to 1,180 °C. The saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄–BaTiO₃(x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) fibers increases with the increase of grain sizes of Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and Co content, while the coercivity reaches a maximum value at the single-domain size of about 65 nm of Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ obtained at the calcination temperature of 1,100 °C.     

REDUCTION OF NO BY CO OVER NiWO4, NiO, AND WO3 CATALYSTS

We present a comparative study of NiWO₄, NiO, and WO₃ catalysts for simultaneous conversion of NO and CO. Samples were synthesized by reacting ammonium metatungstate and/or nickel nitrate at high temperature (773 K to 903 K) under an oxygen stream. Catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, surface area measurements, energy dispersive spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The catalytic reduction of NO by CO took place in the temperature range (523 to 973) K under highly reductive conditions (NO:CO= 1:5) over NiWO₄NiO, and WO₃, respectively. The 100 % NO conversion at GHSV of 11460 h^-1 was achieved at 773 K over NiWO₄ and at 848 K over NiO. The WO₃ was deactivated at 898 K. However, in the range (523 to 723) K NiO was more active than NiWO₄ and WO₃ catalysts.     

Interaction of nickel hydroxocarbonate,ammonium paramolybdate,and ammonium metatungstate under mechanical activation

The interaction of nickel hydroxocarbonate, ammonium paramolybdate, and ammonium metatungstate (Ni: Mo: W = 3: 1: 1) is reported. Under mechanical activation conditions, nickel hydroxocarbonate particles undergo comminution and ammonium paramolybdate and ammonium metatungstate particles soften and aggregate. It is demonstrated by DTA, X-ray diffraction, and IR spectroscopy that heat treatment of the mechanically activated mixture at 400–450°C yields the salts NiMoO₄ and NiWO₄.     

Following the crystallisation of Bi2Mo2O9 catalyst by combined XRD/QuEXAFS

The formation ofβ-phase Bi₂Mo₂O₉ catalyst from a precursor precipitate has been studied using thein situ combined XRD/QuEXAFS technique and DSC during calcination. Accordingly the precursor was observed to undergo a number of changes in both the molybdenum (VI) coordination and long-range ordering during this heating. Initially the two other forms of bismuth molybdate (α-andγ-phases) were observed to form from the poorly crystalline precursor at about 230°C, however, theβ-phase eventually crystallised after prolonged heating at 560°C. Dedicated to Professor C N R Rao on his 70th birthday     

A facile and efficient method for synthesis of xanthone derivatives catalyzed by HBF4/SiO2 under solvent-free conditions

Abstract  

HBF₄/SiO₂ was used as an efficient, green, and inexpensive catalytic system for synthesis of 12-aryl or 12-alkyl-8,9,10,12-tetrahydro-11H-benzo[a]xanthen-11-one derivatives via a one-pot three-component reaction of aldehydes, 2-naphthol, and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. The reactions proceeded rapidly at 80 °C under solvent-free conditions and the desired products were obtained in good to excellent yields.     

Preparation and characterization of Bi0.75Er0.25O1.5 and Bi0.75Er0.125Y0.125O1.5 nanocrystalline ceramics by SPS

Nanopowders of Bi_0.75Er_0.25O_1.5 and Bi_0.75Er_0.125Y_0.125O_1.5 were prepared by a reverse titration chemical coprecipitation method under controlled pH conditions. After calcination at 500 °C for 3 h, powders with grain size in the order of 10 nm were obtained. In order to keep the nanosize of grains, these powders were densified by spark plasma sintering. Samples with relative density higher than 96% were prepared in only 10 min up to 500 °C with an average grain size of 15 and 11 nm for Bi_0.75Er_0.25O_1.5 and Bi_0.75Er_0.125Y_0.125O_1.5, respectively. Impedance spectroscopy revealed slightly higher conductivity for the Bi_0.75Er_0.125Y_0.125O_1.5 composition compared to Bi_0.75Er_0.25O_1.5 nanoceramic, but performances remained lower than the corresponding Bi_0.75Er_0.25O_1.5 microcrystalline sample. However, mechanical properties of both nanocrystalline ceramics are improved when compared to microcrystalline samples.     

Isothermal differential scanning calorimetry on an exothermic phenomenon during thermal decomposition of hydromagnesite 4 MgCO3 · Mg(OH)2 · 4 H2O

An exothermic phenomenon and a simultaneous rapid evolution of a small amount of carbon dioxide at ?500°C during thermal decomposition of hydromagnesite 4 MgCO₃ · Mg(OH)₂ · 4 H₂O was studied by isothermal DSCTG in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. It was quantitatively confirmed that the exothermic phenomenon was due to crystallization of MgCO₃ from the amorphous phase and that the evolution of carbon dioxide was due to decomposition of the MgCO₃ by the heat of crystallization (?3.4 kcal mole^?1.     

SrSnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Nd obtained by the polymeric precursor method

In this work, the synthesis of Nd-doped SrSnO₃ by the polymeric precursor method, with calcination between 250 and 700 °C is reported. The powder precursors were characterized by TG/DTA and high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD). After heat treatment, the material was characterized by XRD and infrared spectroscopy. Ester and carbonate amounts were strictly related to Nd-doping. According to XRD patterns, the orthorhombic perovskite was obtained at 700 °C for SrSnO₃ and SrSn_0.99Nd_0.01O₃. For Sr_0.99Nd_0.01SnO₃, the kinetics displayed an important hole in the crystallization process, as no peak was observed in HTXRD up to 700 °C, while a XRD patterns showed a crystalline material after calcination at 250 °C.     

Evaluation of CO2 adsorption capacity of solid sorbents

The CO₂ adsorption capacity of the low-cost solid sorbents of waste tire char (TC) and chicken waste char (CW) was compared with commercial active carbon (AC) and 5 ? zeolite (ZA) using thermogravimetric analysis (TG), pressurized TG, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The sorbents were degassed in a TG up to 150 °C to release all gases on the surface of the sample, then cooled down to the designed temperature for adsorption. TG results indicated that the CO₂ adsorption capacity of TC was higher than that of CW, but lower than those of AC and ZA. The maximum adsorption rate of TC at 50 °C was 0.61% min⁻¹, lower than that of AC, but higher than that of CW, 0.44% min⁻¹. The maximum adsorption rate of ZA at 50 °C was 3.1% min⁻¹. When the pressure was over 4 bar, the adsorption rate of ZA was lower than that of TC and AC. At 30 bar, the total CO₂ uptake of TC was 20 wt%, higher than that of CW and ZA but lower than that of AC. The temperature, nitrogen concentration, and water content also influenced the CO₂ adsorption capacity of sorbents to some extent. DSC results showed that adsorption was an exothermic process. The heat of CO₂ adsorption per mole of CO₂ of TC at 50 °C was 24 kJ mol⁻¹ while the ZA had the largest heat of adsorption at 38 kJ mol⁻¹. Comparing the characteristics of TC and CW, TC may be a promising sorbent for removal of CO₂.     

Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Preparation, Characterization and Photocatalytic Properties of a Chrysanthemum-Shaped ZnWO4 Photocatalyst

A novel chrysanthemum-shaped monocline ZnWO₄ photocatalyst was synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method with Na₂WO₄·2H₂O and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O as raw materials at different reaction temperatures. The prepared ZnWO₄ photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy, Photoluminescence spectrum (PL) and UV–Vis absorption spectrum (UV–Vis). The photocatalytic property of the prepared chrysanthemum-shaped monocline ZnWO₄ photocatalyst was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution. The effects of reaction temperature on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of RhB were investigated. The results indicated that the chrysanthemum-shaped monocline ZnWO₄ photocatalyst is prepared by foliated powders with the sizes of about 30 nm and 500 nm respectively at 160 and 220 °C. The PL relative intensity of prepared ZnWO₄ photocatalyst is apparently intensifying with increasing temperature. The photocatalytic property decreases with the increasing recombination probability of the excited electrons and holes. The chrysanthemum-shaped monocline ZnWO₄ photocatalyst prepared at 160 °C possesses the best photocatalytic property, and the degradation efficiency of RhB at 180 min UV-light irradiation is achieved 75 %. The ZnWO₄ has good reusability property on degradation of RhB and the degradation rate is still higher than 65 % after three cycles.     

Salt flux crystal growth of the titanyl arsenate NaTiO[AsO4]

Abstract  

The titanyl arsenate NaTiO[AsO₄] was synthesized in the form of colourless lath-shaped crystals from arsenic and titanium dioxide in a NaCl/KCl flux at 850 °C. NaTiO[AsO₄] crystallizes with the monoclinic low-temperature form LT-CaTiO[SiO₄], space group P2₁/c. The structure was refined from single crystal diffractometer data: a = 6.7170(9), b = 8.7707(12), c = 7.2447(10) ?, β = 114.77(1)°, wR2 = 0.0559, 789 F ² values, and 74 variables. NaTiO[AsO₄] is characterized by a topology common to a wide range of oxide structures of stoichiometry AMOXO₄. It consists of parallel chains of trans-corner-sharing TiO₆ octahedra, cross-linked by isolated AsO₄ tetrahedra.     

A facile synthesis of NaNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders by decomposition of ammonium niobium oxalate with sodium salt at low temperature

A facile synthesis of NaNbO₃ powders was performed by solid-state reaction at low temperature. Stoichiometric ammonium niobium oxalate and Na₂CO₃ were mixed in water and then calcined at different temperatures for various times after drying. A combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was used to characterize the product and precursor compound. The XRD patterns show that single-phase NaNbO₃ powders with high crystallinity can be synthesized at 425 °C for 15 min. The particle size from XRD data is found to be about 40 nm for NaNbO₃ powders calcined at 500 °C for 3 h, which is in good agreement with SEM data. The SEM photograph shows that NaNbO₃ powders are cuboid-like and well crystallized when calcination at 800 °C for 3 h. The product compositions prepared using other sodium reactants, such as HCOONa and NaNO₃, are also discussed.     

Vanadium- and molybdenum-containing compositions prepared by mechanochemical and following thermal treatments of V2O5/(NH4)2Mo2O7 (V/Mo = 0.7/0.3)

X-ray powder diffraction, DTA, FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), nitrogen adsorption, and mercury porometry were used to characterize samples prepared as a result of mechanochemical treatment (MCT) of a V₂O₅/(NH₄)₂Mo₂O₇ (V/Mo = 0.7/0.3) composition in water, ethanol, and air, as well as after calcining them at temperatures from the range 300–700°C. The MCT of nonporous powders in water yields porous materials with definite meso- and macropore sizes. Heat treatment in air at 300–450°C enhances the formation of a molybdenum substitutional solid solution in V₂O₅ and conserves rather high values of specific surface areas and pore volumes. An increase in heat treatment temperature is accompanied by the degradation of the solid solution and the formation of a V₂MoO₈ phase.     

Influence of H3PMo12O40/SiO2 thermal treatment on adsorbed forms of formaldehyde and formic acid

Effect of the H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀/SiO₂(P-Mo-HPA) thermal treatment on adsorbed forms of HCOOH and H₂CO has been studied by IR spectroscopy. On the sample pretreated at 150°C, HCOOH adsorbed mainly as hydrogen-bonded complexes. The HPA calcination at 350°C resulted in the formation of surface formates along with hydrogen-bonded complexes. This proves the formation of coordinatively unsaturated surface cations (Lewis acid sites) during HPA dehydration. Alteration of the surface composition due to dehydration was found to have a major influence on the H₂CO adsorbed forms.     

Chrysanthemum-like Co3O4 architectures: Hydrothermal synthesis and lithium storage performances

Three-dimensional chrysanthemum-like Co₃O₄ was prepared via a facile hydrothermal route without any template, and a subsequent calcination process. With a controlled concentration of the homogeneous precipitation agent, urea, a chrysanthemum-like precursor was hydrothermally obtained at 120 °C for 20 h, and the morphology was kept for Co₃O₄ after a subsequent calcination at 300 °C for 2 h. Co₃O₄ chrysanthemum-like architectures are assemblies of nanorods radiating from a common centre, and the nanorods consisted of interconnected nanoparticles with the size of about 30 nm. When tested as an anode material of Li-ion batteries, chrysanthemum-like Co₃O₄ presented a discharge capacity of ∼450 mA h/g after 50 discharge/charge cycles.