Preparation by different methods and analytical characterization of gadolinium-doped ceria

The present work reports the influence of chemical synthesis on structural, morphological and optical properties of gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) with analytical characterization of synthesized specimens. GDC powders with Gd content of 10, 15 and 20 mol% were synthesized by aqueous sol–gel and sol–gel combustion methods using glycerol as complexing agent and fuel. The phase purity and structural features of obtained powders were evaluated using X-ray diffraction analysis and Raman spectroscopy. These studies confirmed that crystallization of GDC occurs into cubic fluorite-type crystal structure. Morphological features as well as optical properties of GDC powders were determined to be strongly dependent on the synthesis method. To confirm chemical composition of prepared samples, spectrophotometric approach for the determination of Ce and Gd in GDC samples was suggested. Relative standard deviation values for Ce and Gd were in the range of 1.5–4.1 and 2.0–5.6%, respectively. The obtained results demonstrated that the suggested analytical procedure can be successfully used for the analysis of GDC specimens with high accuracy.     

Synthesis and characterization of manganese–zinc ferrite obtained by thermal decomposition from organic precursors

Mn–Zn ferrites were obtained by the sol–gel autocombustion methods. The effect of the precursor used in the sol–gel autocombustion synthesis on the ferrite’s microstructure was examined. The as-obtained powders were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TG/DTA. All ferrite powders obtained from different organic precursors, after gel autocombustion, were pure spinel phase, without secondary phases. The average crystallite size, estimated from Scherrer equation, was the smallest for ferrite obtained from a mixture of fuels/precursors (citric acid and EDTA). This ferrite powder has sponge-like microstructure with large pores, but it is less agglomerated than the material obtained from glycine as the fuel.     

Physical–chemical characterization studies of ketoprofen for orodispersible tablets

The objective of this work was to investigate the thermal, morphological, spectroscopic and cytotoxicity of hydroxyapatite–wollastonite powders obtained via sol–gel synthesis and of biocomposites chitosan–hydroxyapatite–wollastonite. A mixture of wollastonite, calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate with a ratio of 1:2:1.2 or 2:2:1.2, respectively, was produced following drying and heat treatment where the final composite was macerated. These powders were added to a chitosan solution where it was further dried and neutralized. The ceramic loads were used in various ratios. The materials were characterized by TG, DSC, DRX, MEV, FTIR and cytotoxicity. Based on the studied properties, it can be said that the sol–gel process proved to be effective in obtaining hydroxyapatite–wollastonite powders. By TG, it was verified that the thermal stability of the powders increased when a greater percentage of wollastonite was used. For biocomposites with higher percentages of load, there was increase in thermal stability, probably attributed to the higher compaction of the biocomposites when compared to the pure. By DSC, there was a tendency of displacement of the endothermic and exothermic peaks, suggesting that the biocomposite with higher load has greater capacity of retention and interaction stronger with molecules of water, but also has greater thermal stability. The samples present biomaterial potential with prospects of endodontic use, which showed cell viability in L929 fibroblast cell culture above 70.00%.     

Synthesis of TiO2/ZrO2/SiO2 powders and their structural,optical and photocatalytic properties

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Ternary oxide powders based on titania, zirconia and silica have been synthesized by the sol–gel method. The characterization of the powders was performed...     

A comparative studyof heat‐treated Ag:SiO2 nanocomposites synthesized by cosputtering and sol‐gel methods

In this work, we compared formation and properties of heat‐treated Ag nanoparticles in silica matrix synthesized by RF‐reactive magnetron cosputtering and sol–gel methods separately. The sol–gel and sputtered films were annealed at different temperatures in air and in a reduced environment, respectively. The optical UV‐visible spectrophotometry have shown that the absorption peak appears at 456 and 400 nm wavelength indicating formation of silver nanoparticles in SiO₂ matrix for both the sol–gel and sputtering methods at 100 and 800 °C, respectively. XPS measurements showed that the metallic Ag⁰ nanoparticles can be obtained from both the techniques at these temperatures. According to XPS and AFM analysis, by increasing annealing temperature, the concentration of the Ag nanoparticles on the surface decreased and the nanoparticles diffused into the substrate for the sol–gel films, while for the films deposited by cosputtering method, the Ag surface concentration increased by increasing the temperature. Based on AFM observations, the size of nanoparticles on the surface were obtained at about 25 and 55 nm for sputtered and sol–gel films, respectively, supporting our optical data analysis. In comparison, the sputtering technique can produce Ag metallic nanoparticles with a narrower particle size distribution relative to the sol–gel method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facile decoration of TiO2 nanoparticles on graphene for solar degradation of organic dye

The reduced graphene oxide is interesting material for the synthesis of TiO₂-based photocatalyst. In the present investigation, blackberry fruit, which contains high levels of anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds, was employed as a reducing agent mainly due to its high antioxidant capacity. The nano-crystalline TiO₂ was decorated on different amounts of graphene oxide with sol–gel method and then the photocatalytic activity for degradation of cationic dye was evaluated by UV spectroscopy to achieve the optimum content of graphene oxide. The decoration of anatase nanoparticles on prepared reduced graphene oxide was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The new composite gives significantly higher activity when is compared to the compositions fabricated by graphene oxide. The compact layer provides a large TiO₂-graphene contact area and reduces the electron recombination. The decoration of TiO₂ nanoparticles, 5–10 nm, on the graphene oxide reduced by blackberry juice further improves the dye removal. The results imply that the nanoparticle decoration is the key strategy to increase the degradation capacity.     

The sol–gel approach as a method of synthesis of xMgO·ySiO2 powder with defined physicochemical properties including crystalline structure

The physicochemical properties of synthetic powders depend strongly on the method of their preparation. The present work concerns the use of the sol–gel method to prepare xMgO·ySiO₂ powders with defined physicochemical and structural properties. An important objective was to determine how the basic process parameters (including the type and concentration of the reactants) influence the physicochemical properties of the resulting material. To obtain a synthetic powders, organic precursors of magnesium (magnesium ethoxide), and silicon (tetraethoxysilane) were used. Selected products were subjected to calcination to identify the crystalline structure of the powders and to determine the impact of the proposed method of preparation on this parameter. This aspect of the research will significantly improve the range of application of the manufactured products. The powders obtained by the proposed method were thoroughly analyzed in terms of chemical composition, crystalline structure, morphology and nature of dispersion, parameters of porous structure, and thermal as well as electrokinetic properties. The sol–gel process proved very effective in the synthesis of highly active powders, as evidenced by the very high values obtained for the products’ surface area. It was also confirmed that the physicochemical parameters are strongly dependent on the mass ratio of the reactants and on the method of final treatment of the precipitates.     

Study on the Preparation of Cr‐based Catalysts Doped by Zn using Sol–Gel Auto‐Combustion Method and Its Application for Synthesis of 1‐Chloro‐2,3,3,4,4,5,5‐heptafluorocyclopentene

High‐surface‐area chromium‐based catalysts in the presence of a small amount of zinc were prepared via a sol–gel auto‐combustion method using chromic nitrate, zinc nitrate, and citric acid. First, the auto‐combustion behavior of the dried gel was investigated by derivative thermogravimetry and (DTG)‐TG and infrared (IR) techniques. The results revealed that the dried gel exhibited self‐propagating combustion properties. Second, the as‐burnt powders were characterized by IR , X‐ray diffraction (XRD) , Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET) , and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . The findings showed that the gels were directly converted into CrZn ‐O nanoparticles with high surface area during the auto‐combustion process. Third, the pre‐fluorination Cr‐Zn catalysts were characterized by XRD , BET , SEM , X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) , and Fourier transform (FT)‐IR spectroscopy of pyridine adsorption techniques. It was found that the presence of zinc led to significant structural changes in the catalyst, the particle size was smaller, the surface area became larger, and more active sites appeared. Finally, the catalytic activities of the samples were tested for the fluorination of 1,2‐dichlorohexafluorocyclopentene (1,2‐F6 ) with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The obtained results indicated that the pre‐fluorination activated Cr‐Zn catalysts prepared by this sol–gel auto‐combustion method exhibited high efficiency in the synthesis of cyclic hydrofluorocarbons.     

ZnO nanoparticles and poly(acrylic) acid-based polymer gel electrolyte for photo electrochemical cell

This work presents a photo electrochemical cell based on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and poly(acrylic) acid (PAA) doped with sodium iodide (NaI) and iodine (I₂) polymer gel electrolyte. The ZnO powders were synthesized by sol–gel storage and sol–gel centrifugation. The ZnO powder synthesized via sol–gel centrifugation showed the optimal structural properties, with largest crystallite sizes of 58 nm, average particles size between 20 and 80 nm and indirect band gap energy of 3.20 eV. The highest conductivity [(8.0 ± 0.1) × 10^?2 S cm^?1] was obtained for PAA + 0.8 M NaI + 0.02 M I₂. This sample achieved the lowest activation energy (0.029 eV) and electrochemical stability at 1.6 V. The ZnO powder synthesized via sol–gel centrifugation and PAA + 0.8 M NaI + 0.02 M I₂ was fabricated as a Cu–ZnO/PAA + 0.8 M NaI + 0.02 M I₂/C-ITO photo electrochemical cell.     

The influence of nanodisperse iron(III) oxide on the morphology of microsized alumina fibers

The influence of fine-disperse iron oxide particles on the structure of alumina fibers prepared via the template synthesis has been studied. The template (fibers of bleached cotton cellulose) has been impregnated with mixed aqueous dispersions of aluminum and iron(III) hydroxides prepared via the sol–gel route. Thermal treatment of the precursor has afforded alumina ceramic fibers with average diameter of 3–10 µm containing uniformly distributed iron(III) oxide nanoparticles at the surface. Increase of the iron(III) oxide nanoparticles concentration has deteriorated the texture properties of the product.     

Precursor and Solvent Effects in the Nonhydrolytic Synthesis of Complex Oxide Nanoparticles for Bioimaging Applications by the Ether Elimination (Bradley) Reaction

Investigation of the solvent and alkoxide precursor effect on the nonhydrolytic sol–gel synthesis of oxide nanoparticles by means of an ether elimination (Bradley) reaction indicates that the best crystallinity of the resulting oxide particles is achieved on application of aprotic ketone solvents, such as acetophenone, and of smallest possible alkoxide groups. The size of the produced primary particles is always about 5 nm caused by intrinsic mechanisms of their formation. The produced particles, possessing the composition of natural highly insoluble minerals, are biocompatible. Optical characteristics of the perovskite complex oxide nanoparticles can easily be controlled through doping with rare earth cations; for example, by Eu³⁺. They can be targeted through surface modification by anchoring the directing biomolecules through a phosphate or phosphonate moiety. Testing of the distribution of Eu‐doped BaTiO₃ particles, modified with ethylphosphonic acid, demonstrates their facile uptake by the plants with active fluid transport, resulting finally in their enhanced concentration within the cell membranes.     

Synthesis of aluminum oxide nanoparticles in an aqueous ammonium-formaldehyde solution

A method of synthesis of the organic-inorganic nanocomposite consisting of a paraformaldehyde matrix and aluminum oxide nanoparticles is developed. Spontaneous dispersion of the composite in water at various component ratios makes it possible to prepare a sol or gel of hydrated aluminum oxide. No changes in the oxide particle dimensions are observed during storage of the composite.     

Click approaches in sol–gel chemistry

The combination of the copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction with sol–gel processing enables the versatile preparation of sol–gel materials under different shapes with targeted functionalities through a diversity-oriented approach. In this account, the development of the CuAAC reaction under anhydrous conditions for the synthesis of sol–gel precursors and for the assembling of magnetic nanoparticles on self-assembled monolayers is related, as well as the use of the classical CuAAC methodologies for the functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles and microdots arrays. Coupling CuAAC and Sol–Gel will result in simplified preparations of multifunctional materials with controlled morphologies.     

Multifunctional hybrid nanopapers based on bacterial cellulose and sol–gel synthesized titanium/vanadium oxide nanoparticles

The hybrid inorganic/organic nanopapers based on bacterial cellulose and different type of sol–gel synthesized nanoparticles are fabricated. A simple, rapid, low-cost pathway based on a diffusion step of sol–gel nanoparticles into swollen bacterial cellulose membrane via orbital incubator is developed. This alternative pathway allows to keeping intact the 3D network of the bacterial cellulose membrane while sol–gel nanoparticles are formed in situ and anchored on the nanofibers surface. Titanium, vanadium oxide nanoparticles and a mixture of both are used to functionalize bacterial cellulose membrane. Fabricated hybrid inorganic/organic nanopapers are characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, MTS mechanical testing, UV–vis spectroscopy, colorimeter and semiconductor analyzer. Synthesized photochromic hybrid nanopapers modified with vanadium and titanium oxide nanoparticles can find potential application as sensitive displays, biosensors and other optical devices.     

Design of molecular precursors for nanomaterials

This work is focused on the synthesis of bimetallic oxide prepared by non-hydrolytic sol–gel method using the chemie douce approach. The bimetallic oxide was characterized by using various analytical techniques. Elemental analysis showed consistency with the formulation. From XRD, SEM and TEM studies, it is concluded that precursor chemistry has a significant effects on the surface chemistry of metal oxide on calcinations and as well as synthetic routes. XRD patterns show that an enhanced homogeneity on calcinations. Use of these metal oxides has commercial importance in future for sensor devices.     

Preparation of tin oxide (IV) nanoparticles by a green chemistry method and investigation of its role in the removal of organic dyes in water purification

Research on Chemical Intermediates - In this research, tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO2-nanoparticles) are synthesized using sol–gel method in polymeric bed and considering the principals of...     

Sol鈥揼el (combustion) synthesis and characterization of different alkaline earth metal (Ca, Sr, Ba) stannates

In this study, monophasic strontium and barium stannate (SrSnO₃, Sr₂SnO₄, BaSnO₃, Ba₂SnO₄) powders were synthesized by means of environmentally friendly aqueous sol–gel technique under neutral conditions. However, it was established that the successful sol–gel synthesis of appropriate calcium stannates (CaSnO₃ and Ca₂SnO₄) can be performed only at acidic sol–gel processing conditions. Moreover, the influence of nature of alkaline earth metal source on the phase purity of different metal stannates was evaluated. The thermal behaviour of Ca–Sn–O, Sr–Sn–O and Ba–Sn–O precursor gels was investigated by TG-DSC measurements. The phase purity, crystallization peculiarities and microstructural evolution of the sol–gel derived alkaline earth metal stannate powders were studied by XRD and SEM measurements.     

Inorganic nanoparticles prepared in miniemulsion

The defined synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles is the crucial step for their successful application. Thus, preparation methods to control composition, shape, size, and aggregation behavior are of high interest and relevance. Here, the possibilities that the miniemulsion technique offers for the generation of inorganic nanoparticles are reviewed. Several of the traditional synthetic methods as the controlled precipitation or sol–gel chemistry were confined to the droplets of a miniemulsion, leading to new structures and morphologies. Furthermore, the focus is put on polymer- and latex-assisted mineralization and a miniemulsion-based approach to nonconventional colloidal lithography.     

Surfactants for CNTs dispersion in zirconia-based ceramic matrix by sol–gel method

Zirconium oxide is a ceramic material widely studied due to its mechanical and electrical properties that can be improved with the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcement. The synthesis of CNT/zirconia composites by sol–gel method is still very scarce, due to the hydrophobic nature of the CNTs, being their dispersion in aqueous medium an intrinsic difficulty to the synthesis. In this work, we present a sol–gel synthesis for MWCNTs/zirconia composites, where two kinds of surfactants, sodium and ammonium stearates dissolved in water (1 g/100 mL), were used as dispersant agents for multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). They are cheap and easy to prepare, and were very effective in dispersing the MWCNTs. Different quantities of MWCNTs (up to 5 wt%) were added in the solution of stearate/water and this solution with the highly dispersed MWCNTs was added to the zirconia sol–gel, producing composites of MWCNTs/zirconia with different concentrations of MWCNTs. All the powders were heat treated at 300 and 500 °C and the powder characterization was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The composite MWCNTs/zirconia remained amorphous at 300 °C and presented a tetragonal phase at 500 °C with an average grain size of about 20 ± 3 nm, determined by the Scherrer equation from the XRD patterns. For these crystalline samples, TEM images suggest a more effective interaction between MWCNTs with ZrO₂ matrix, where it can be observed that the carbon nanotubes are fully coated by the matrix.     

Highly transparent silica monoliths embedded with high concentration oxide nanoparticles

Silica monoliths embedded with high concentration of γ-Fe₂O₃ or TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by a sol–gel procedure designed according to the inherent properties of oxide colloids. In the first step, highly dispersible oxide nanoparticles were produced using an in situ modification sol–gel strategy. Then, these particles were re-dispersed in silicon alkoxide-containing solution to form a stable colloidal solution. The hydrolysis and condensation reactions of alkoxide were catalyzed by an organic base (morpholine). Due to the large molecule size of morpholine, the electric double layer on the surface of colloidal particles was not compressed by the ionized morpholine molecules. The colloidal solution thus remained stable during the gelation process. Through this procedure, oxide nanoparticles could be immobilized homogeneously in the pores of a silica matrix, forming highly transparent and crack-free monoliths.