Effects of doping with CeO2 and calcination temperature on physicochemical properties of the NiO/Al2O3 system

The effects of doping with CeO₂ and calcination temperature on the physicochemical properties of the NiO/Al₂O₃ system have been investigated using DTA, XRD, nitrogen adsorption measurements at −196°C and decomposition of H₂O₂ at 30–50°C. The pure and variously doped solids were subjected to heat treatment at 300, 400, 700, 900 and 1000°C. The results revealed that the specific surface areas increased with increasing calcination temperature from 300 to 400°C and with doping of the system with CeO₂. The pure and variously doped solids calcined at 300 and 400°C consisted of poorly crystalline NiO dispersed on γ-Al₂O₃. Heating at 700°C resulted in formation of well crystalline NiO and γ-Al₂O₃ phases beside CeO₂ for the doped solids. Crystalline NiAl₂O₄ phase was formed starting from 900°C. The degree of crystallinity of NiAl₂O₄ increased with increasing the calcination temperature from 900 to 1000°C. An opposite effect was observed upon doping with CeO₂. The NiO/Al₂O₃ system calcined at 300 and 400°C has catalytic activity higher than individual NiO obtained at the same calcination temperatures. The catalytic activity of NiO/Al₂O₃ system increased, progressively, with increasing the amount of CeO₂ dopant and decreased with increasing the calcination temperature.     

基于纳米ZnO/聚氯乙烯的复合材料光催化性能研究

本文采用纳米氧化锌与聚氯乙烯溶液共混制备了复合材料前驱体，运用TG-DTA联机分析得到了其分解温度及相关热分解数据；经适当温度煅烧后得到复合材料光催化剂，并用TEM、XRD、FTIR、UV-Vis、ESR对复合材料进行分析表征。在室内普通照明用荧光灯作用下，以甲基橙溶液为催化对象，对复合材料的光催化性能进行了检测，并在相同条件下，与纳米氧化锌、纳米氧化钛及聚氯乙烯直接煅烧产物的光催化性能进行了比对分析；同时研究了pH值对复合材料光催化性能的影响。研究结果表明，复合材料对甲基橙催化降解8 min后，甲基橙溶     

Preparation of Ag3PO4/TiO2(B) Heterojunction Nanobelt with Extended Light Response and Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

Photocatalytic degradation, as an emerging method to control environmental pollution, is considered one of the most promising environmental purification technologies. As Tibet is a region with some of the strongest solar radiation in China and even in the world, it is extremely rich in solar energy resources, which is ideal for applying photocatalytic technology to its ecological environment protection and governance. In this study, Na₂Ti₃O₇ nanobelts were prepared via a hydrothermal method and converted to TiO₂∙xH₂O ion exchange, which was followed by high-temperature calcination to prepare TiO₂(B) nanobelts (“B” in TiO₂(B) means “Bronze phase”). A simple in situ method was used to generate Ag₃PO₄ particles on the surface of the TiO₂ nanobelts to construct a Ag₃PO₄/TiO₂(B) heterojunction composite photocatalyst. By generating Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles on the surface of the TiO₂(B) nanobelts to construct heterojunctions, the light absorption range of the photocatalyst was successfully extended from UV (ultraviolet) to the visible region. Furthermore, the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs in the catalyst was inhibited by the construction of the heterojunctions, thus greatly enhancing its light quantum efficiency. Therefore, the prepared Ag₃PO₄/TiO₂(B) heterojunction composite photocatalyst greatly outperformed the TiO₂(B) nanobelt in terms of photocatalytic degradation.     

A study of the preparation of solid solutions in the system α-Fe2O3Al2O3

In order to elucidate the formation of precipitated iron catalysts for ammonia synthesis, the formation of solid solutions between α-Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ was studied in the temperature range 500–950°C. The Al₂O₃ content in the solid solutions was found to be below 15 mole%. At temperatures of 800–950°C, solid solutions are formed at an appropriate rate. Specimens with relatively large specific surface areas are obtained at 800°C.     

Modeling and optimization of densification of nanocrystalline Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powder prepared by a sol–gel method using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was successfully applied to the optimization and modeling of densification of nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ powder prepared by sol–gel method. The effects of three operating variables, sintering temperature, calcination temperature and milling time on the densification of nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ were systematically evaluated. A quadratic model for densification was proposed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the proposed quadratic model could be used to navigate the design space. The simulated values obtained from the statistical model were in conformity with the experimental results within an average error of ±1.5%. The optimum operating conditions for densification were found to be 1,579 °C of sintering temperature, 909 °C of calcination temperature and 117 min of milling time. The obtained density under the optimum conditions determined by RSM was 98.5%. The results confirmed that RSM based on central composite design was an accurate and reliable method to optimize the densification conditions of nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ powder.     

Formation of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> bilayer using atomic layer deposition and its application to dynamic random access memory

To enhance film conformality together with electrical property suitable for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) capacitor dielectric, the effects of oxidant and post heat treatment were investigated on aluminum and titanium oxide (Al₂O₃–TiO₂) bilayer (ATO) thin film formed by atomic layer deposition method. For the conformal deposition of Al₂O₃ thin film, the O₃ oxidant required a higher deposition temperature, more than 450 °C, while H₂O or combined oxygen sources (H₂O+O₃) needed a wide range of deposition temperatures ranging from 250 to 450 °C. Conformal deposition of the TiO₂ thin film was achieved at around 325 °C regardless of the oxidants. The charge storage capacitance, measured from the ATO bilayer (4 nm Al₂O₃ and 2 nm TiO₂) deposited at 450 °C for Al₂O₃ and 325 °C for TiO₂ with O₃ oxidant on the phosphine-doped poly silicon trench, showed about 15% higher value than that of 5 nm Al₂O₃ single layer thin film without any increase of leakage current. To maintain the improved electrical property of the ATO bilayer for DRAM application, such as enhanced charge capacitance without increase of leakage current, upper electrode materials and post heat treatments after electrode formation must be selected carefully. Dedicated to Professor Su-Il Pyun on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Synthesis of ultrafine yttrium aluminum garnet using sol-gel technology

Mesoporous yttrium aluminum garnet Y₃Al₅O₁₂ powders were prepared using sol-gel technology proceeding from solutions of metal alkoxoacetylacetonates. Xerogel microstructure was studied by SEM, and the fact of mesopores being formed was established. The temperature range within which Y₃Al₅O₁₂ crystallizes in a dynamic mode from the xerogel was determined to be 850?C950°C using an SDT Q600 TGA/DTA/DSC analyzer. A 1-h isothermal treatment of the xerogel was shown to reduce the garnet phase formation temperature to 800°C. At lower temperatures (400, 450 or 500°C), even long-term (6-h) calcination yielded X-ray amorphous powders with developed surfaces (specific surface areas were 230?C350 m²/g). Powder particle coarsening was studied upon sintering for 2 and 4 h at 1000, 1200, and 1400°C.     

催化剂Pd/TiO2-Al2O3低温下催化甲烷燃烧活性及18O同位素交换性能

Pd supported on TiO2-Al2O3 binary oxides prepared by coprecipitation method has been investigated for the total oxidation of methane. All Pd/TiO2-Al2O3 catalysts show higher activity than Pd/Al2O3 and Pd/TiO2. Among them, Pd/2Ti-3Al with a Ti/Al ratio of 2 to 3 has a T90% of 395 ℃ at a gas hourly mass velocity of 33000 mL/（h＊g）, which is at least 50 ℃ lower than that of Pd supported on single metal oxide Al2O3 or TiO2. The results of TPR and ^180-isotope exchange experiments demonstrated that the excellent activity of Pd/2Ti-3Al was due to its high oxygen mobility and moderate reducibility, which is in accordance with our previous work, XPS results indicated that the dispersion of Pd was not the key factor to influence the catalytic activity.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Bauxitaufschlusses. Untersuchungen im System Na2O?CaO?Al2O3?TiO2?H2O im Temperaturbereich 100–275°C

On the Chemistry of Bauxite Extraction. II. Studies in the System Na₂O? CaO? Al₂O₃? TiO₂? H₂O between 100 and 275°C The formation of crystalline compounds in the system Na₂O? CaO? Al₂O₃? TiO₂? H₂O was studied between 100 and 275°C. With caustic alkali concentrations up to 300 g Na₂O/l the calcium aluminate 3 CaO · Al₂O₃ · 6 H₂O is formed. With rising temperatures two different calcium titanates, among them perovskite, CaTiO₃, are identified. Above 200°C perovskite is formed at all concentrations investigated.     

Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for CO methanation: Effect of Al2O3 supports calcined at different temperatures

The correlation between phase structures and surface acidity of Al₂O₃ supports calcined at different temperatures and the catalytic performance of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) via CO methanation was systematically investigated. A series of 10 wt% NiO/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by the conventional impregnation method, and the phase structures and surface acidity of Al₂O₃ supports were adjusted by calcining the commercial γ-Al₂O₃ at different temperatures (600–1200 °C). CO methanation reaction was carried out in the temperature range of 300–600 °C at different weight hourly space velocities (WHSV = 30000 and 120000 mL·g^?1·h^?1) and pressures (0.1 and 3.0 MPa). It was found that high calcination temperature not only led to the growth in Ni particle size, but also weakened the interaction between Ni nanoparticles and Al₂O₃ supports due to the rapid decrease of the specific surface area and acidity of Al₂O₃ supports. Interestingly, Ni catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ calcined at 1200 °C (Ni/Al₂O₃-1200) exhibited the best catalytic activity for CO methanation under different reaction conditions. Lifetime reaction tests also indicated that Ni/Al₂O₃-1200 was the most active and stable catalyst compared with the other three catalysts, whose supports were calcined at lower temperatures (600, 800 and 1000 °C). These findings would therefore be helpful to develop Ni/Al₂O₃ methanation catalyst for SNG production.     

Preparation of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2 composite film and influence of layer number and layer sequence on the visible-light photocatalytic activity

In this work, the Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ as up-conversion luminescence agent was mixed with TiO₂ and the corresponding Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite films were prepared on the one-sided surface of treated sheet glass through sol-gel dip-coating method. The prepared Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their photocatalytic activities were examined through the degradation of some organic dyes under visible-light irradiation. The degradation process of organic dyes was monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Furthermore, some main influence factors on the visible-light photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite film such as heat-treatment temperature and heat-treatment time were studied. The results indicate that three layer Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite films with one Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite film (as first layer close to sheet glass) and two pure TiO₂ film (as second and third layers) display a higher visible-light photocatalytic activity during photocatalytic degradation of Azo Fuchsine. In addition, the results showed that the visible-light photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composite film related to the layer number and layer sequence on the sheet glass. Perhaps, the research results may offer some meaningful references for developing solar energy continuous flow wastewater treatment reactor.     

Enhancement of solar light photocatalytic activity of TiO2-CeO2 composite by Er3+:Y3Al5O12 in organic dye degradation

The Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂, as an upconversion luminescence agent which is able to transform the visible part of the solar light to ultraviolet light, was prepared by nitrate-citrate sol-gel method. A novel solar light photocatalyst, Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂-CeO₂ composite was synthesized using ultrasonic treatment. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning election microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the structural morphology of the Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂-CeO₂ composite. In order to evaluate the solar light photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂-CeO₂ composite, the Azo Fuchsine dye was used as a model organic pollutant. The progress of the degradation reaction was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy and ion chromatography. The key influences on the solar light photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂-CeO₂ were studied, such as Ti/Ce molar ratio, heat-treatment temperature and heat-treatment time. Otherwise, the effects of initial dye concentration, Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂-CeO₂ amount, solar light irradiation time and the nature of the dye on the solar light photocatalytic degradation process were investigated. It was found that the solar light photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂-CeO₂ composite was superior to Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ and Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/CeO₂ powder in the similar conditions.     

Effect of calcination temperature on the microstructure of porous TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> film

To obtain porous TiO₂ film, the precursor sol was prepared by hydrolysis of Ti isopropoxide and then complexed with trehalose dihydrate. The porous TiO₂ film was fabricated by the dip-coating technique on glass substrates using this solution. The TiO₂ film was calcined at 500 °C. The maximum thickness of the film from one-run dip-coating was ca. 740 nm. The film was composed of nanosized particle and pores. The porosity of the TiO₂ film was increased by addition of trehalose dihydrate to the sol. The porous TiO₂ films were calcined at different temperatures. The effects of calcination temperature on the microstructure of the porous TiO₂ film were investigated. The porous film prepared from sol containing trehalose still kept the porous structure after calcination at 950 °C. The phase transition temperature of the film from anatase to rutile was shifted from 650 to 700 °C by addition of trehalose to the sol.     

Influence of Support Type and Metal Loading in Methane Decomposition over Iron Catalyst for Hydrogen Production

Natural gas resources, stimulate the method of catalytic methane decomposition. Hydrogen is a superb energy carrier and integral component of the present energy systems, while carbon nanotubes exhibit remarkable chemical and physical properties. The reaction was run at 700 °C in a fixed bed reactor. Catalyst calcination and reduction were done at 500 °C. MgO, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ supported catalysts were prepared using a co‐precipitation method. Catalysts of different iron loadings were characterized with BET, TGA, XRD, H₂‐TPR and TEM. The catalyst characterization revealed the formation of multi‐walled nanotubes. Alternatively, time on stream tests of supported catalyst at 700 °C revealed the relative profiles of methane conversions increased as the %Fe loading was increased. Higher %Fe loadings decreased surface area of the catalyst. Iron catalyst supported with Al₂O₃ exhibited somewhat higher catalytic activity compared with MgO and TiO₂ supported catalysts when above 35% Fe loading was used. CH₄ conversion of 69% was obtained utilizing 60% Fe/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Alternatively, Fe/MgO catalysts gave the highest initial conversions when iron loading below 30% was employed. Indeed, catalysts with 15% Fe/MgO gave 63% conversion and good stability for 1 h time on stream. Inappropriateness of Fe/TiO₂ catalysts in the catalytic methane decomposition was observed.     

Crystallization of Anodic Alumina Membranes Studied by Simultaneous TG-DTA/FTIR

The thermal change of anodic alumina (AA), particularly the exothermic peak followed by the endothermic peak at ca 950°C was studied in detail by mainly using simultaneous TG-DTA/FTIR. The gradual loss of mass up to ca 910°C is attributed to dehydration. When heated at a constant rate by using TG-DTA, an exothermic peak with subsequent endothermic peak is observed at ca 950°C, but the exothermic peak becomes less distinct with decreasing heating rate. It has been found that gaseous SO₂ accompanying a small amount of CO₂ is mainly discharged at this stage. The reaction in this stage can be considered roughly in two schemes. The first scheme can be said collectively as crystallization, in which the migration of S or C trapped inside the crystal lattice of the polycrystalline phase (γ-, δ-, and θ-Al₂O₃, which presumably accompanies a large amount of amorphous or disordered phase) occurs. In the second scheme, the initial polycrystalline (+amorphous) phase crystallizes into a quasi-crystallineγ-Al₂O₃-like metastable phase after amorphization. Conclusively,after the distinct exo- and endothermic reactions, the amorphous phase crystallizes intoγ-Al₂O₃, presumably accompanying small amount of δ-Al₂O₃. It is also found that, when maintained isothermally, the metastable phases undergo transformation into the stable α-Al₂O₃ at 912°C. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Leaching test for calcined kaolinite and kaolinite/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> photoactive composite

Kaolinite is a suitable material for fixing TiO₂ nanoparticles in a composite form. The kaolinite/TiO₂ composite has promising photoactive properties which are as important as is the possible impact of the composite on the environment. Accordingly, the stability of the kaolinite/TiO₂ composite dried at 105°C (KTI1) and calcined at 600 °C (KTI6) and the stability of the original kaolinite treated at various temperatures (105–800 °C) were studied by the leaching test in accordance with European standard BS EN 12457-2:2002 (British Standards Institution, 2002). The stability was evaluated on the basis of elements leached from the materials to extraction agents. Atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was used for determining the concentration of elements. In order to better understand the process of calcination and the structure changes in the kaolinite/TiO₂ composite and calcined kaolinite, the materials were evaluated using X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformation. The processes of kaolinite dehydroxylation and metakaolinite formation were observed. Kaolinite is an appropriate carrier for composite preparation due to its stability even after its treatment at high temperatures. The experiments confirmed the TiO₂ nanoparticles to be very strongly bound to the kaolinite surface. On the other hand, the experiments demonstrated that the presence of TiO₂ on the kaolinite surface caused the release of Al in high concentrations to the final extracts, especially after kaolinite/TiO₂ composite calcination.     

Ni_2P/TiO_2-Al_2O_3催化剂的制备及其加氢脱硫、脱氮性能

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了TiO2-Al2O3复合载体,采用浸渍法制备了Ni2P/TiO2-Al2O3催化剂,并用X射线衍射(XRD)、N2吸附比表面积(BET)测定、热重-差热分析(TG-DTA)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等技术对催化剂的结构和性质进行了表征.催化剂加氢脱硫(HDS)和脱氮(HDN)活性评价在实验室固定床连续反应装置上,以噻吩和吡啶为模型反应物进行.考察了不同载体、Ni2P负载量、标称Ni/P摩尔比、催化剂焙烧温度对Ni2P/TiO2-Al2O3催化剂上同时进行的噻吩加氢脱硫和吡啶加氢脱氮性能的影响.结果表明,TiO2含量为80%(w)的TiO2-Al2O3复合氧化物为载体,Ni2P负载量为30.0%(w),标称Ni/P摩尔比为1/2,催化剂焙烧温度为500℃时,Ni2P/TiO2-Al2O3催化剂加氢脱硫脱氮活性最高.在360℃,3.0MPa,氢油比800(V/V),液时体积空速1.5h-1的条件下,噻吩HDS和吡啶HDN转化率分别为61.32%和64.43%.     

Development and investigation of the flexible hydrogen sensor based on ZnO-decorated Sb2O3 nanobelts

Hydrogen is regarded as the next-gen fuel for vehicles to avoid the emission of toxic gases, which needs a continuous monitoring of the concentration level. In the design of the H₂ sensor, especially of flexible type, a sensing layer will be blended, which affects the sensing performance of the device. Based on this concern, the present investigation is carried out to understand the effect of the bending angle toward the sensing performance of bare and ZnO (n-type)-decorated Sb₂O₃ (p-type) nanobelt–based sensors for hydrogen gas. The sensing element was prepared by the thermal chemical vapor deposition followed by the drop-casting method. Furthermore, the role of the zinc precursor (molar concentration—1 M–3 M) on the preparation of ZnO-decorated Sb₂O₃ nanobelts was studied. Various techniques were used to confirm the formation of ZnO-decorated nanobelts such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From these analyses, 1 M concentration of the zinc precursor shows uniform distribution of nanoparticles over the surface of Sb₂O₃ nanobelts. However, agglomeration was observed when the concentration of the zinc precursor increases from 1 M to 3 M. Later, the prepared nanobelts were deposited on the OverHead Projector (OHP) sheet by the doctor blade method for sensing hydrogen gas at 100 °C at a concentration of 1000–3000 ppm. In addition to it, the effect of the substrate bending angle (0°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) was analyzed at a fixed concentration of H₂ gas (1000 ppm). From this study, it is clear that the highest sensing response was achieved for 1 M decorated nanobelts compared with bare as well as other concentrations because of uniform distribution of nanoparticles on the surface of nanobelts. Moreover, the prepared sample demonstrates better sensing performance with the bending of substrates, which suggests that the prepared sensor could be used for flexible electronic devices. The prepared nanobelts show a good H₂ gas–sensing response even with bending of the substrates. The work suggests that the prepared sensor is applicable for flexible electronic devices.     

TiO2微粒功能化多孔Al2O3膜的光电化学研究

用恒电位法制备了多孔Al₂O₃薄膜, 通过在Al₂O₃薄膜孔内水蒸汽水解钛酸异丙酯生成了锐钛矿型TiO₂微粒, 制备出了Al₂O₃与TiO₂微粒的复合薄膜. 用XRD, SEM, 光电化学方法进行了研究. 实验表明: 该复合薄膜具有光电转换特性, 在光催化、光电化学太阳能转换中具有应用价值.     

High photocatalytic activity and stability for decomposition of gaseous acetaldehyde on TiO2/Al2O3 composite films coated on foam nickel substrates by sol-gel processes

A set of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) films coated on foam nickel that modified by Al₂O₃ films as transition layer (indicated as TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films) were synthesized via sol-gel route. The bulk and surface properties of the TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films were characterized by thermal gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and BET. The photocatalytic activities of TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films were investigated based on the degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The foam nickel is a promising substrate material in practical applications because of its excellent hydrodynamic properties for gas passing. The TiO₂/Al₂O₃ composite films showed much higher photocatalytic activity and stability for degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde than the onefold TiO₂ films. The significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity and stability can be ascribed to the coating of Al₂O₃ transition layer, which concentrates the target substances around TiO₂ particles and increases the specific surface area (SSA) of the substrate (the SSAs of bare foam nickel and Al₂O₃ modified foam nickel are 0.12 and 113.7 m²/g, respectively) to provide more sites for TiO₂ loading.