Influence of aluminium precursor on physico-chemical properties of aluminium hydroxides and oxides

The process of hydrolysis of aqueous aluminium sulfate was carried on in ammonia medium at 100°C and for different time intervals (0, 20, 39 or 59 h). The products thus obtained were calcined at 550, 900 or 1200°C for 2 h with the aim to obtain aluminium oxides. The materials were studied with the following methods: thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, adsorption–desorption of benzene vapours and scanning electron microscopy. Freshly precipitated material was an amorphous basic aluminium sulfate which after prolonged refluxing at elevated temperature in a mother liquor underwent a phase transformation into highly crystalline NH₄Al₁₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆ containing tridecameric unit Al₁₃. It was accompanied by a decrease of specific surface area and the formation of a porous structure less accessible for benzene molecules. Regardless of the duration of the hydrolysis process, all products were characterised with poorly developed porous structure and hydrophilic character. Their calcination at the temperature up to 1200°C resulted in the formation of α-Al₂O₃ via transition forms of γ/η- and δ-Al₂O₃. The samples of aluminium oxides obtained after calcination at 550 and 900°C had higher values of specific surface area than starting materials due to processes of dehydroxylation and desulfurization. The process of calcination up to 900°C was reflected in developing of not only porous structure but also hydrophobic character of prepared materials. The S _BET values calculated for the oxide samples obtained from aged products of hydrolysis at 1200°C were lower than for the analogous sample prepared without the ageing step. It was concluded that prolonged refluxing at elevated temperature of the products of hydrolysis of aluminium sulfate decreased thermal stability of final aluminium oxides.     

Effect of autoclaving on zinc oxide in the presence of sulphate ions

The effect of autoclaving a zinc oxide preparation containing SO^2?₄ under 5 and 10 atmospheres is studied by combining X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry and IR spectroscopy. Textural measurements are also carried out on the parent samples and those produced in the temperature range 200–1000°C.A new phase of a basic carbonates?ulphate, including ammonia in its coordination shell, is observed in the original preparation and having its d distances at 11.060, 8.954 and 2.714 Å. This is transformed to another phase at ～180°C which is also the main phase characterizing the autoclaved samples, and belongs to a basic zinc oxide—sulphate possessing d distances at 7.055, 2.468 and 2.805 Å. Autoclaving the oxide preparation under 10 atm gives hexagonal zinc oxide of high purity and crystallinity at 1000°C. An empirical formula is given for the oxide preparation which describes the different decomposition stages observed. At ～390°C, a reversible reduction process comprising oxygen evolution is observed.Autoclaving increases the area of the parent oxide and at temperatures below 600°C is a function of the structural changes. The autoclaving pressure is insignificant ?600°C.Pore structure analysis showed all the samples to be predominantly mesoporous, coexisting with some micropores except that autoclaved under 5 atm and heated at 250°C which is predominantly microporous. Autoclaving under 5 atm causes narrowing of the pores for products below 600°C. Autoclaving has little effect on the average pore radius ?600°C.Evaluation of the average pore radius from the constructed t-curves for parallel-plate pore idealization is discussed.     

Synthesis of porous Cu–Sn using freeze-drying process of CuO–SnO2/camphene slurries

Porous Cu–Sn with controlled pore characteristics was synthesized by a freeze-drying and sintering process. CuO and SnO₂ powders were selected as the source material, which are hydrogen-reduced to metallic Cu–Sn in the sintering stage. Camphene-based CuO–SnO₂ slurries were prepared by milling at 60 °C with a small amount of dispersant. Freezing of a slurry was done at ?40 °C with unidirectional control of the growth direction of the camphene. Pores were generated by sublimation of the camphene. The green bodies were sintered at 650 °C under a hydrogen atmosphere. The sintered bodies with Cu₃Sn, Cu₆Sn₅ and β-Sn phases showed macroscopic aligned pores with an average size of 200 μm. The internal wall of the macroscopic pores is also porous, and there are a number of many small pores in it. The formation of macroscopic and microscopic pores was discussed in terms of solidification behavior of the liquid with foreign particles.     

Adsorption of Linear Polyethylene and Isotactic Polypropylene from 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane and 1,2,3-Trichloropropane on to Polar Adsorbents

Linear polyethylene and isotactic polypropylene samples were dissolved in 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane or 1,2,3-trichloropropane and injected at 135 °C into columns packed with porous particles of hydroxyapatite, aluminium oxide, zirconium oxide, Florisil, or silica gel. Both polymers were retained, to different extents, within the columns. It is hypothesized that the polymers interact with the surfaces of the adsorbents and are adsorbed. Retention of isotactic polypropylene from 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane was in the order aluminium oxide > hydroxyapatite ≈ zirconium oxide ≈ Florisil ≈ silica gel. Recovery of polyethylene from 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane was almost the same on aluminium oxide, hydroxyapatite, zirconium oxide, and Florisil; it was more retained by silica gel. Polyethylene was usually more retained than polypropylene. Recovery of polyethylene from both chlorinated solvents was similar whereas recovery of polypropylene was better from 1,2,3-trichloropropane than from 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. Both chlorinated solvents are toxic and may attack seals in a Waters 150C chromatograph. Moreover, the polymers may be chlorinated in these solvents. For these reasons they are not optimum solvents for routine analysis. This is the first time polyethylene and polypropylene have been found to be retained by adsorbents with pore diameters in the range 60–300 Å. Desorption of the retained polymers is possible with some polar solvents.     

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.     

Freeze-drying synthesis and characterisation of Na composites of ZnO,TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and ZnTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> semiconductor oxides

The freeze-drying method of metal oxides synthesis has a number of advantages such as high homogeneity, varying porous structures, morphologies and uniform particle size distribution, etc. Because of these advantages, the binary metal oxides ZnO, TiO₂ and ternary metal oxide ZnTiO₃ were synthesised by the freeze-drying method. The synthesised materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-VIS spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The as-synthesised metal oxides were calcined at different temperatures to study the phase evolution and morphological changes. The crystalline cubic-phase ZnTiO₃ (a = 8.3948 Å) was obtained on calcination of the precursor at 600°C, and decomposed to the cubic phase Zn₂TiO₄ (a = 8.4580 Å) and rutile TiO₂ (a = 4.5955 Å and c = 2.9593 Å) at 1000°C. The band gap of ZnO (3.28?3.10 eV), TiO₂ (3.37?2.97 eV) and ZnTiO₃ (3.92?3.80 eV) calculated using Tauc’s relation was found to vary inversely with calcination temperature and phase transition.     

Physicochemical characteristic of neodymium oxide-based catalyst for in-situ CO2/H2 methanation reaction

Carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere is worsened as all the industries emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere, particularly from refinery industries. The catalytic chemical conversion through methanation reaction is the most promising technology to convert this harmful CO₂ gas to wealth CH₄ gas for the combustion. Thus, supported neodymium oxide based catalyst doped with manganese and ruthenium was prepared via wet impregnation route. The screening was initiated with a series of Nd/Al₂O₃ catalysts calcined at 400?°C followed by optimization with respect to calcination temperatures, based ratios loading and various Ru loading. The Ru/Mn/Nd (5:20:75)/Al₂O₃ calcined at 1000?°C was the potential catalyst, attaining a complete CO₂ conversion and forming 40% of CH₄ at 400?°C reaction temperature. XRD results revealed an amorphous phase with the occurrence of active species of RuO₂, MnO_2, and Nd₂O₃, and the mass ratio of Mn was the highest among other active species as confirmed by EDX. The ESR resulted in the paramagnetic of Nd³⁺ at the g value of 2.348. Meanwhile nitrogen adsorption (NA) analysis showed the Type IV isotherm which exhibited the mesoporous structure with H3 hysteresis of slit shape pores.     

Physicochemical properties of the products of basic aluminium-potassium sulfate decomposition in hydrogen atmosphere

Low-temperature modifications of aluminium oxide were obtained by thermal decomposition of basic aluminium-potassium sulfate at temperatures 550, 600, and 650°C. Physicochemical properties of the obtained oxides were studied with particular consideration to phase composition and porous structure. It has been shown how the decomposition parameters of the basic salt used determine the porous structure of the obtained oxides.

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Zusammenfassung Durch thermische Zersetzung von basischem Aluminiumkaliumsulfat bei Temperaturen von 550, 600 und 650°C wurden Niedrigtemperaturmodifizierungen von Aluminiumoxid hergestellt. Die physikochemischen Eigenschaften der erhaltenen Oxide wurden in besonderer Hinsicht auf Phasenzusammensetzung und Porenstruktur untersucht. Es wurde gezeigt, wie die Parameter der Zersetzung des eingesetzten basischen Salzes die Porenstruktur der erhaltenen Oxide beeinflussen.

     

Use of diffusion barriers in the preparation of supported zeolite ZSM-5 membranes

Zeolite ZSM-5 membranes were prepared by in situ crystallization on porous α-Al₂O₃ disks that contained a diffusion barrier to limit excessive penetration of siliceous species into the alumina pores. The barrier was introduced into the alumina pores by impregnating the porous disk with a 1:1 molar mixture of furfuryl alcohol (FA) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), polymerizing the mixture retained in the disk, and carbonizing the resulting polymer at 600°C in N₂. Following carbonization, a partial carbon burn-off was carried out by catalyzed oxidation in 2% O₂N₂ at 600°C to generate a carbon-free region near the surface of the support. After zeolite crystallization, the remaining carbon and the organic structure directing agent were removed by calcination in air, at 500°C. It was found that pure carbon does not support zeolite growth while the solid obtained from a mixture of FA and TEOS does, due to the presence of dispersed silica. Membranes synthesized using barriers have n-butane flux and n-butane/isobutane selectivity 2.7 × 10⁻³ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 45, respectively, at 185°C, which are, respectively, ca. 1.6 and 4 times as large as those of membranes prepared without the use of barriers. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the internal layer of the barrier-pretreated membrane has smaller thickness and higher crystallinity accounting for the increased flux and selectivity.     

Effect of thermal treatment conditions on the phase composition and structural characteristics of V-Mo-Nb-O catalysts

The formation of an active phase in V-Mo-Nb oxide catalysts for the selective oxidation and ammoxidation of ethane during thermal treatment in air and in helium was studied using high-temperature in situ and ex situ X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, and the differential dissolution method. It was found that, in thermal treatment below 500°C, the formation occurred through the same irreversible steps with the formation of a unidimensionally ordered layered compound with structure elements like Mo₅O₁₄ regardless of the calcination atmosphere. Above 500°C, the formation of crystalline phases took place; the composition and structure of these phases depended on the atmosphere of thermal treatment. The unidimensionally ordered V-Nb-Mo oxide with structure elements like Mo₅O₁₄ exhibited the best catalytic properties.     

Specific Features of Formation of Crystalline Silicoaluminophosphates in Grains Based on Kaolin and Phosphoric Acid

Transformations of granules based on kaolin and phosphoric acid under the conditions of vapor-phase crystallization at 170°C were studied. Specific features of the individual and cooperative action of a water vapor and a template dipropylamine on the granules were determined. It is shown that the regulation of competing processes of formation of dense non-porous phases (tridymite, cristobalite, berlinite) and microporous crystalline silicoaluminophosphates of structural types ATL and ATN can be carried out by creating transport pores in the volume of the initial granules. The formation of transport pores was provided by using of porogens (hydroxyethyl cellulose and carbon nanospheres) with the subsequent calcination of the granules. The presence of 40- and 60- nm macropores in the porous structure favored intensification of mass-exchange processes occurring within the granules under the vapor-phase crystallization conditions. This led to an increase in the selectivity of crystallization of the materials with crystal structure types AEL and ATN. The morphology of the crystals with the AEL and ATN structure and their chemical composition depend on the porogen used to prepare the starting granules.     

Effect of calcination temperature on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of FeSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in hydrogen sulfide oxidation

The effect of calcination temperature on the state of the active component of iron-containing catalysts prepared by the impregnation of silica gel with a solution of FeSO₄ and on their catalytic properties in selective H₂S oxidation to sulfur was studied. With the use of thermal analysis, XPS, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, it was found that an X-ray amorphous iron-containing compound of complex composition was formed on the catalyst surface after thermal treatment in the temperature range of 400–500°C. This compound contained Fe³⁺ cations in three nonequivalent positions characteristic of various oxy and hydroxy sulfates and oxide and sulfate groups as anions. Calcination at 600°C led to the almost complete removal of sulfate groups; as a result, the formation of an oxide structure came into play, and it was completed by the production of finely dispersed iron oxide in the ?-Fe₂O₃ modification (the average particle size of 3.2 nm) after treatment at 900°C. As the calcination temperature was increased from 500 to 700°C, an increase in the catalyst activity in hydrogen sulfide selective oxidation was observed because of a change in the state of the active component. A comparative study of the samples by temperature-programmed sulfidation made it possible to establish that an increase in the calcination temperature leads to an increase in the stability of the iron-containing catalysts to the action of a reaction atmosphere.     

p-Nitrophenol permeability and temperature characteristics of an acryloyl-L-proline methyl ester-based porous gel membrane

Thermoresponsive porous gel membranes were synthesized by a simultaneously occurring process consisting of radiation-induced polymerization and crosslinking in aqueous solutions at various concentrations of acryloyl-L -proline methyl ester(A-ProOMe) without a crosslinker. Permeation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) through a thermoresponsive porous gel membrane obtained at a monomer concentration of 80% (w/w) drastically reduced around 14°C, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of linear poly(A-ProOMe) in water, from 0.60 × 10⁻³ cm/min at 10°C to no permeation at 18°C, accompanied by changes in both size and shape of pores associated with gel shrinkage. Moreover, it was found that porous gel membranes with a porosity of approximately 60% had a greater PNP permeability constant through porous gel membranes with mutually connected pores obtained at a monomer concentration of 50% (w/w) than individually supported pores obtained at a monomer concentration of 70% (w/w). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1495–1500, 1998     

Graphene Nanosheets as a Platform for the 2D Ordering of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Mesoporous 2D Aggregate of Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles with Improved Electrode Performance

Graphene nanosheets are successfully applied as an effective platform for the 2D ordering of metal oxide nanoparticles. Mesoporous 2D aggregates of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles are synthesized by the heat treatment of the uniformly hybridized nanocomposite of layered titanate–reduced graphene oxide (RGO) at elevated temperatures. The precursor layered titanate–RGO nanocomposite is prepared by self‐assembly of anionic RGO nanosheets and cationic TiO₂ nanosols. The calcination of the as‐prepared layered titanate–RGO nanocomposite at 500 °C induces a structural and morphological change of layered titanate nanoplates into anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles without significant modification of the RGO nanosheet. Increasing the heating temperature to 600 °C gives rise to elimination of the RGO component, leading to the formation of sheetlike porous aggregates of RGO‐free TiO₂ nanoparticles. The nanocomposites calcined at 500–700 °C display promising functionality as negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries. Among the present calcined derivatives, the 2D sheet‐shaped aggregate of TiO₂ nanoparticles obtained from calcination at 600 °C delivers the greatest specific discharge capacity with good capacity retention for all current density conditions applied. Such superior electrode performance of the nanocomposite calcined at 600 °C is attributable both to the improved stability of the crystal structure and crystal morphology of titania and to the enhancement of Li⁺ ion transport through the enlargement of mesopores. The present findings clearly demonstrate the usefulness of RGO nanosheets as a platform for 2D‐ordered superstructures of metal oxide nanoparticles with improved electrode performance.     

Preparation and electrical properties of dense micro-cermets made of nickel ferrite and metallic copper

Dense micro-cermets made of nickel ferrites and copper micrometric particles were obtained from partial reduction under hydrogenated atmosphere at 350 °C of mixed copper nickel ferrites, and sintering in nitrogen at 980 °C. The small copper particles are homogeneous in size and well dispersed in the spinel oxide matrix. No exudation of copper metal was observed after sintering. The micro-cermets prepared are semi-conducting materials with electrical conductivity lying from 44 to 130 S/cm at 980 °C. Their overall characteristics make them interesting for inert anodes dedicated to aluminium electrolysis in melted cryolite.     

Fixation de divers polluants dans des alumines monolithiques poreuses

Fixation of various pollutants in a monolithic porous alumina. Ultraporous monoliths of hydrated alumina, prepared at room temperature by atmospheric air oxidation of aluminium, can fix various gaseous phases, for instance up to 1.25 kg hydrogen chloride per kg. The material porosity remains high after heating at 1200–1300°C. Then, this alumina can be impregnated by aqueous solutions of various salts, which result in oxides after drying and calcination. These oxides are confined within the material. For instance, 1 kg monolith can contain more than 2 kg cerium oxide, which serves as a model for the behaviour of transuranium element oxides (PuO₂, AcO₂) contained in radioactive waste.     

Influence of aluminium precursor on physico-chemical properties of aluminium hydroxides and oxides

The paper concerns aluminium hydroxides precipitated during hydrolysis of aluminium acetate in ammonia medium, as well as aluminium oxides obtained through their calcination at 550, 900 or 1200°C for 2 h. The following techniques were used for analysing of obtained materials: thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, adsorption-desorption of benzene vapours and scanning electron microscopy. Freshly precipitated boehmite/pseudoboehmite had high value of S _BET, very good sorption capacity for benzene vapours, developed mesoporous structure and hydrophilic character. After prolonged refluxing at elevated temperature its crystallinity increased which was accompanied by a decrease of specific surface determined from nitrogen adsorption, decrease of sorption capacity for benzene vapours and weakening of the hydrophilic character. Calcination of all hydroxides at the temperature up to 1200°C resulted in the formation of α-Al₂O₃ via transition forms of γ-, δ-and θ-Al₂O₃. The samples of aluminium oxides obtained after calcination at 550 and 900°C were characterised with high values of specific surface area and displayed quite high heat resistance, probably due to a specific morphology of starting hydroxides. The process of ageing at elevated temperature developed thermal stability of aluminium oxides.     

Aluminium nitrate as a precursor of mesoporous aluminium oxides

The thermal transformations of the products of hydrous aluminium nitrate hydrolysis in ammonia medium were studied by thermal analysis, mass spectrometry, infrared spectrophotometry, X-ray phase analysis, and sorption methods. Experiments have shown that the hydrolysis of hydrous aluminium nitrate in ammonia medium at pH=6-7 leads to the formation of boehmite. The degree of crystallinity of this product increases, if the hydrolysis is carried out for 264 h at 100°C, with respect the samples separated from the mother liquor just after completing the dosage of the reagents. It has also been found that aluminium oxide, obtained by thermal decomposition of the products of hydrolysis carried out for 264 h at an increased temperature, is characterized by a well developed specific surface, stable at high temperatures, amounting to about 100 m2 g^-1, after calcination for 2 h at 1200°C. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorite-Like Ce-Zr-Y-La-O Systems

Ce-Zr-O and Ce-Zr-Y-La-O materials obtained under various conditions and at varying component ratios are characterized. At Ce/Zr ≈ 1, a tetragonal phase that can hardly be distinguished from a cubic phase by X-ray diffraction forms in the ternary system. Raising the precipitation temperature favors the formation of two-phase systems. Promoting the Ce/Zr = 0.26–0.62 materials with both yttrium and lanthanum favors the formation of a single-phase specimen, namely, a (Ce, Zr, Y, La)O₂ fluorite-like solid solution at 600°C. This structure persists up to 1150°C. The specific surface area of the (Ce, Zr, Y, La)O₂ materials is primarily determined by their calcination temperature: S_sp = 50–80 m²/g at 600°C and 0.6–0.8 m²/g at 1150° C. The specimens calcined at 600°C are mesoporous, with uniformly sized pores of mean diameter 32 ± 2 Å, and have no micropores. According to TPR data, the specimens calcined at 600°C are reduced with hydrogen in two steps that can apparently be interpreted as surface and bulk reduction. The Ce/Zr = 0.26 and 0.40 specimens calcined at 1150°C are reduced in a single step, giving rise to TPR peaks at 707 and 686°C, respectively, and their degree of reduction increases with decreasing Ce/Zr.     

Thermolysis preparation of cadmium(II) oxide nanoparticles from a new three-dimensional cadmium(II) supramolecular compound

The reaction of cadmium(II) chloride and 4-pyridine carboxylic acid (4-Hpyc) produces a new threedimensional supramolecular compound [Cd(4-pyc)₂(H₂O)4] _n (1). Compound 1 is characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The single crystal X-ray data show an infinite three-dimensional structure formed by the hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions. The CdO nanoparticles are obtained by direct calcination at 400°C, 500°C and 600°C in the air atmosphere as well as by thermolysis in oleic acid at 200°C. The obtained cadmium(II) oxide nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. This study demonstrates another potential application of cadmium(II) supramolecular compounds in the preparation of nanoscale cadmium(II) oxide materials with a specific size and morphologies.