Synthesis and characterization of ultrafine spinel ferrite obtained by precursor combustion technique

Nanoparticles of the spinel ferrite, Co_0.6Ni_0.4Fe₂O₄ have been synthesized by the precursor combustion technique. This synthetic route makes use of a novel precursor viz. metal fumarato hydrazinate which decomposes autocatalytically after ignition to yield nanosized spinel ferrite. The X-ray powder diffraction of the ??as prepared?? oxide confirms the formation of monophasic nanocrystalline cobalt nickel ferrite. The thermal decomposition of the precursor has been studied by isothermal, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The precursor has also been characterized by FTIR, and chemical analysis and its chemical composition has been fixed as Co_0.6Ni_0.4Fe₂(C₄H₂O₄)₃·6N₂H₄. The Curie temperature of the ??as prepared?? oxide was determined by ac susceptibility measurements.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles

Cobalt zinc ferrite, Co_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄, nanoparticles have been synthesized via autocatalytic decomposition of the precursor, cobalt zinc ferrous fumarato hydrazinate. The X-ray powder diffraction of the ‘as prepared’ oxide confirms the formation of single phase nanocrystalline cobalt zinc ferrite nanoparticles. The thermal decomposition of the precursor has been studied by isothermal, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The precursor has also been characterized by FTIR, and chemical analysis and its chemical composition has been determined as Co_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂(C₄H₂O₄)₃·6N₂H_4. The Curie temperature of the ‘as-prepared oxide’ was determined by AC susceptibility measurements.     

Synthesis of CeO2 by thermal decomposition of oxalate and kinetics of thermal decomposition of precursor

CeO₂ was synthesized by calcining Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃·8H₂O above 673 K in air. The precursor and its calcined products were characterized using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The result showed that cubic CeO₂ was obtained when the precursor was calcined above 673 K in air for 2 h. The UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy studies showed that superfine CeO₂ behaved as an excellent UV-shielding material. The thermal decomposition of the precursor in air experienced two steps, which are: first, the dehydration of eight crystal water molecules, then the decomposition of Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃ into cubic CeO₂. The values of the activation energies associated with the thermal decomposition of Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃·8H₂O were determined based on the Starink equation.     

Synthesis of Ni-poor NiO nanoparticles for p-DSSC applications

To improve the performances of p-Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (p-DSSC) for the future, the synthesis of modified p-type nickel oxide semiconductor, commonly used as photocathode in such devices, was initiated with Ni₃O₂(OH)₄ as precursor. This specific nickel oxyhydroxide was first characterized by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Then its thermal decomposition was thoroughly studied in order to control the particles size of the as-prepared NiO nanopowders. Low temperature decomposition in air of this precursor allows the formation of Ni_1−xO nanoparticles with a large amount of Ni vacancies and specific surface areas up to 250 m² g⁻¹. Its ammonolysis at 250 °C leads to nanostructured N-doped NiO (NiO:N) materials.     

Preparation and characterization of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2(C4H2O4)3·6N2H4 A precursor to prepare Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles

A good precursor is foremost in the preparation of nanosized metal or mixed metal oxides. In the present study a novel precursor, cobalt zinc fumarato-hydrazinate Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂(C₄H₂O₄)₃·6N₂H₄ has been prepared which decompose at a much lower temperature to give nanosized mixed-metal oxides. X-ray investigations, confirms the formation of single spinel phase. The FTIR spectra show N-N stretching vibration at 965 cm⁻¹ which confirms the bidentate bridging hydrazine. The thermal decomposition of the precursor has been studied by isothermal, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The precursor shows two-step dehydrazination followed by decarboxylation to form Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄, the chemical analysis of the sample is corroborative of this.     

Effect of hydrothermal treatment on properties of Ni-Al layered double hydroxides and related mixed oxides

The Ni-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with Ni/Al molar ratio of 2, 3, and 4 were prepared by coprecipitation and treated under hydrothermal conditions at 180 °C for times up to 20 h. Thermal decomposition of the prepared samples was studied using thermal analysis and high-temperature X-ray diffraction. Hydrothermal treatment increased significantly the crystallite size of coprecipitated samples. The characteristic LDH diffraction lines disappeared completely at ca. 350 °C and a gradual crystallization of NiO-like mixed oxide was observed at higher temperatures. Hydrothermal treatment improved thermal stability of the Ni2Al and Ni3Al LDHs but only a slight effect of hydrothermal treatment was observed with the Ni4Al sample. The Rietveld refinement of powder XRD patterns of calcination products obtained at 450 °C showed a formation of Al-containing NiO-like oxide and a presence of a considerable amount of Al-rich amorphous component. Hydrothermal aging of the LDHs resulted in decreasing content of the amorphous component and enhanced substitution of Al cations into NiO-like structure. The hydrothermally treated samples also exhibited a worse reducibility of Ni²⁺ components. The NiAl₂O₄ spinel and NiO still containing a marked part of Al in the cationic sublattice were detected in the samples calcined at 900 °C. The Ni2Al LDHs hydrothermally treated for various times and related mixed oxides obtained at 450 °C showed an increase in pore size with increasing time of hydrothermal aging. The hydrothermal treatment of LDH precursor considerably improved the catalytic activity of Ni2Al mixed oxides in N₂O decomposition, which can be explained by suppressing internal diffusion effect in catalysts grains.     

Investigation of RuO2-IrO2-SnO2 thin film evolution

The thermal evolution process of RuO₂–IrO₂–SnO₂ mixed oxide thin films of varying noble metal contents has been investigated under in situ conditions by thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS), infrared emission spectroscopy (IR) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The gel-like films prepared from aqueous solutions of the precursor compounds RuOHCl₃, H₂IrCl₆ and Sn(OH)₂(CH₃COO)_2–xCl_x on titanium metal support were heated in an atmosphere containing 20% O₂ and 80% Ar up to 600°C. Chlorine evolution takes place in a single step between 320 and 500°C accompanied with the decomposition of the acetate ligand. The decomposition of surface species formed like carbonyls, carboxylates and carbonates occurs in two stages between 200 and 500°C. The temperature of chlorine evolution and that of the final film formation increases with the increase of the iridium content in the films. The anodic peak charge shows a maximum value at 18% iridium content.     

Effect of Li2O-doping on the thermal stability of cobaltic oxide

The influence of lithium oxide-doping on the thermal stability of Co₃O₄ was studied using DTA, TG, DTG and X-ray diffraction techniques. Pure and doped cobaltic oxide specimens were prepared by thermal decomposition of pure basic cobalt carbonate and the basic carbonate mixed with different proportions of LiOH, in air, at different temperatures between 500 and 1100°C.Pure Co₃O₄ was found to start partial decomposition when heated in air at 830°C yielding the CoO phase. The complete decomposition was effected by heating at 1000°C.Doping of Co₃O₄ with different proportions of Li₂O was found to much increase its thermal stability. The temperatures at which the doped oxide samples started to undergo decomposition were increased to 865, 910 and 1050°C for 0.375, 0.75 and 3% Li₂O-doped solids, respectively. The DTA revealed that the 1.5% Li₂O-doped cobaltic oxide did not undergo any thermal decomposition till 1080°C. The X-ray investigation showed that the prolonged heating of 1.5 and 3% Li₂O-doped solids at 1100°C for 36 h effected only a partial decomposition of Co₃O₄ into CoO. Heating of these solids at temperatures varying between 900 and 1100°C led also to the formation of a new lithium oxide cobaltic oxide phase, the composition of which has not yet been identified.The role of Li₂O in increasing the thermal stability of Co₃O₄ was attributed to the substitution of some of its cobalt ions by Li⁺ ions, according to Verwey and De Boer's mechanism, leading to the transformation of some of the Co²⁺ into Co³⁺ ions thus increasing the oxidation state of the cobaltic oxide lattice.     

Thermal synthesis of Barium and barium-strontium metaniobates by using a coprecipitation method

The paper presents a new, non-traditional method for the synthesis of barium metaniobate, BaNb₂O₆, and of a mixed barium-strontium metaniobate, Ba_0.29Sr_0.71Nb₂O₆, through the thermal decomposition of coprecipitation products. The conditions of quantitative precipitation of the metals as niobic acid and barium or barium-strontium oxalate were established. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of the coprecipitate was deduced from differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction date. Barium metaniobate forms at 470°C, below the temperature required in the synthesis based upon the solid-state reaction between Nb₂O₅ and BaCO₃ (1100°C). The mixed barium-strontium compound is formed at 700°C, below the 1100°C used in the reaction between Nb₂O₅, BaCO₃ and SrCO₃.     

Synthesis of Co3O4 nanorod bunches from a single precursor Co(CO3)0.35Cl0.20(OH)1.10

Co₃O₄ nanorods were successfully synthesized from a single precursor via a thermal decomposition and oxidization route. The precursor used was Co(CO₃)_0.35Cl_0.20(OH)_1.10, which was prepared by a hydrothermal reaction using CoCl₂⋅6H₂O with CO(NH₂)₂ at 95–120 °C. Both the precursor and the as-prepared Co₃O₄ were characterized with XRD, TEM, SEM, TGA and XPS. The precursor, as well as Co₃O₄, was found to be composed of nanorods that were radially bunched. The Co₃O₄ nanorods obtained through a thermal treatment at 300 °C for 5 h were found to have a porous structure.     

Synthesis and Study of Rubidium Hexauranate Rb2[(UO2)6O3(OH)8]·6H2O and Products of Its Heat Decomposition

The interaction of hydrated uranium(VI) oxide UO₃·2.25H₂O (schoepite) with an aqueous solution of rubidium hydroxide in an autoclave at 100°C has yielded rubidium uranate Rb₂(UO₂)₆O₃(OH)₈·6H₂O. Composition and structure of the obtained compound have been determined by chemical analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis. The processes of its dehydration and thermal decomposition have been studied.

     

Preparation of LaNiO3 perovskite by oxalate and carbonate precursor method for utilization as catalyst for high-temperature decomposition of N2O

The mixed oxide LaNiO₃ with perovskite structure was prepared by two relatively new and unconventional methods including preparation and thermal decomposition of mixed metal oxalate or carbonate precursors. The intermediates were prepared by reaction in a highly concentrated suspension (paste). The thermal decomposition conditions of these intermediates were described, and the final calcination temperatures were determined, which were done using thermal analysis methods and X-ray diffraction. During the decomposition of mixed carbonates, one-phase LaNiO₃ is produced directly, and in case of decomposition of oxalates, a mixture of LaNiO₃ and La₂O₃ is produced due to the formation of La₂O₂CO₃ during the heating. Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide at high temperature (650–930 °C) and high loading (GHSV?=?350,000 h^?1) has shown high LaNiO₃ activity, even at lower temperatures. The results were compared with the same compound obtained by co-precipitation and by solid-state reaction. Methods of preparation based on decomposition of oxalate and carbonate intermediates lead to the preparation of materials with appropriate composition, morphology, specific surface and high catalytic activity.

     

Thermal decomposition of the oxo-diperoxo-molibdenum (VI)-potassium oxalate

The oxo-diperoxo-molibdenum(VI)-potassium oxalate, K₂[MoO(O₂)₂(C₂O₄)] was synthesized using an adapted version of the method suggested by Dengel. The thermal behavior of the synthesized complex was investigated by simultaneous thermal analysis TG/DTG/DTA, in air or nitrogen atmosphere, to identify and characterize the mass-loss decomposition processes. In addition, for the characterization of the observed decomposition steps, the FT-IR spectra for the initial complex, evolved gaseous compounds and isolated complex at 230 and 430/383 °C in air/nitrogen atmosphere, were recorded. On the 35–500 °C temperature range, the K₂[MoO(O₂)₂(C₂O₄)] complex presented three main decomposition steps, accompanied by mass-loss. The first degradation step is due to the elimination of one oxygen molecule, by the breaking of the peroxo groups, with the formation of an intermediary, like [MoO₃L]. The other two degradation steps can be attributed to the decomposition of the organic ligand, with the final formation of a stable metallic oxide.     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of bismuth peroxotitanate to Bi2Ti2O7

Bi-peroxotitanate was synthesized by a peroxo method and after thermal decomposition Bi₂Ti₂O₇ was obtained. DTA, TG and DSC curves of Bi₂[Ti₂(O₂)₄(OH)₆]5H₂O were recorded and used to determine isothermal conditions suitable for obtaining the intermediate samples corresponding to the phases observed during the thermal decomposition. The samples were identified by quantitative analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. The experimental results were used to propose a mechanism of thermal decomposition of the investigated compound to a nanosized Bi₂Ti₂O₇. The optimum conditions were also determined for obtaining Bi₂Ti₂O₇, which is applicable for piezosensors.     

Preparation, characterization and gas-sensitive properties of nano-crystalline Cr2O3Fe2O3 mixed oxides

A series of Fe₂-_xCr_xO₃(x = 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0) mixed oxides have been prepared with the chemical coprecipitation method and characterized by specific surface area, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Single-phase Fe-Cr mixed oxide nano-crystalline powders with corundum structure are obtained, and the results of the five characterization methods are well accordant with each other. Furthermore, gas-sensitive properties of the sensors made of the oxide powders have been studied.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal decomposition study of a new barium acetato-propionate complex

The present study reports on a novel barium acetato-propionate complex, obtained by the reaction of barium acetate with propionic acid, used as an oxide precursor with applications in superconducting thin films deposition. The molecular structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals and demonstrated to be [Ba₇(CH₃CH₂COO)₁₀(CH₃COO)₄·5H₂O]. The barium acetato-propionate is a three-dimensional channel-type polymer. The thermal decomposition of the barium precursor has been studied by simultaneous differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (DTA-TG-MS) in air at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. Based on these analyses, infrared spectroscopy was further used to characterize the precursor solution by the step-wise addition of the reagents. The X-ray diffraction on the precursor powder at different temperatures was performed.     

Thermal decomposition mechanism of aluminum nitrate octahydrate and characterization of intermediate products by the technique of computerized modeling

Thermal decomposition of aluminum nitrate hydrate was studied by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and infrared spectroscopy, so that all mass losses were related to the exactly coincident endothermic effects and vibrational energy levels of the evolved gases. The process starts with the simultaneous condensation of two moles of the initial monomer Al(NO₃)₃·8H₂O. Soon after that, the resulting product Al₂(NO₃)₆·13H₂O gradually loses azeotrope HNO₃ + H₂O, then N₂O₃ and O₂ and, through the formation of Al₂O₂(NO₃)₂, is transformed into aluminum oxide. The molecular mechanics method used for comparison of the potential energies of consecutive products of thermal decomposition permits an evaluation of their structural arrangement. On the basis of the results obtained, a probable mechanism for the overall decomposition of Al(NO₃)₃·8H₂O has been proposed.     

Thermal behavior of some new chromium complexes with potential biological importance

Summary This paper reports the investigation of the thermal stability of three new complexes of Cr(III) with acrylate anion, [Cr₂(C₃H₃O₂)₄(OH)₂(H₂O)₄], [Cr₃O(C₃H₃O₂)₆(C₃H₄O₂)₃](C₃H₃O₂)×5H₂O and [Cr₂(C₃H₃O₂)₅(OH)] ×2H₂O, respectively. This type of complexes is important in proper carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of mammals. The thermal decomposition steps were evidenced. The thermal transformations are complex processes according to TG and DTG curves including dehydration and oxidative degradation of acrylate ion processes. The final product of decomposition is the chromium(III) oxide.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline magnesium oxide by thermolysis of magnesium citrate

Magnesium citrate, obtained by dissolving magnesium oxide in an aqueous solution of citric acid, turned out to be a decahydrate of the composition Mg₃(C₆H₅O₇)₂·10H₂O, which was established by the results of synchronous thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. It is shown that the thermal decomposition of this salt proceeds in three stages in the temperature ranges of 120–250, 250–370 and 370–550 °C to form nanocrystalline magnesium oxide with grain sizes from 7 to 23 nm.     

Synthesis of Ag/ZnO mixture for powdered contact materials

The processes of a ultrafine Ag/ZnO mixture produced by coprecipitation from salt solutions were investigated. The coprecipitation in AgNO₃-ZnNO₃-Na₂CO₃ system was analyzed in the presence of surfactants, considering the pH value and a solution composition contribution. The optimal coprecipitation conditions were Na₂CO₃ precipitating agent excess of ～20%, providing a pH value of ～10, with subsequent thermal decomposition of the mixture at about 700 K. A thermal analysis of the precursor mixtures were carried out. The phase composition, dispersity and morphology of the precipitates were determined before and after a thermal treatment. The size decrease of the precipitated particles, as well as dispersity and distribution uniformity increase of the oxide inclusions in the target composite matrix is due to the presence of surfactants in solutions.