Synthesis and surface chemistry of nano silver particles

In this report, we present a simple wet chemical route to synthesize nano-sized silver particles, and their surface properties are discussed in detail. Silver nano particles of the size 40–80 nm are formed in the process of oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid by amine in the presence of silver nitrate, and the gluconic acid caps the nano silver particle. The presence of gluconic acid on the surface of nano silver particles was confirmed by XPS and FTIR studies. As the nano silver particle is encapsulated by gluconic acid, there was no surface oxidation, as confirmed by XPS studies. The nano silver particles have also been studied for their formation, structure, morphology and size using UV–Visible spectroscopy, XRD and SEM. Further, the antibacterial properties of these nano particles show promising results for E. Coli. The influence of the alkaline medium towards the particle size and yield was also studied by measuring the pH of the reaction for DEA, NaOH and Na₂CO₃.     

Kinetics of Ni,V and Fe Leaching from a Spent Catalyst in Microwave-Assisted Acid Activation Process

Ni, V and Fe are the main contaminant metals that lead to the deactivation of the spent fluid catalytic cracking (SFCC) catalyst. In this work, the properties and distribution of Ni, V and Fe in the SFCC catalyst are investigated by employing EPMA-EDX, SEM and XPS techniques. The kinetics of Ni, V, Fe and Al leaching in organic and inorganic acids are studied under microwave heating. The EPMA-EDX results show that Fe and Ni mainly accumulate near the particle surface, while V eventually distributes throughout the catalyst particle. The XPS result suggests that the phase speciations of Ni in the SFCC catalyst are Ni, Ni₂SiO₄ and NiAl₂O₄, while Fe is present in a mixture of Fe₃O₄, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₂SiO₄. V is in the forms of V₂O₅ and VO₂. Compared with oxalic acid, sulfuric acid has a better removal effect of contaminant metals, especially for Ni. The leaching kinetics results indicate that using either sulfuric acid or oxalic acid, the apparent activation energy of V is obviously lower than that of Fe and Ni, and the priority of the three contaminant metals in the removal effect is V > Fe > Ni. In addition, the leaching kinetics of contaminant metals in the microwave-assisted acid activation process are controlled by the surface chemical reaction control model.     

Spectroscopic characterization of superparamagnetic particles of thermolytic products of ferric sulphate hydrates

Superparamagnetic particles of chemically pure samples, in the system Fe(OH)SO₄/Fe(OH)SO₄·(H₂O), are produced by thermal decomposition of ferric sulphate hydrates. The control of particle size distribution is achieved by successive hydration and dehydration processes monitored by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Mössbauer and IR spectroscopy. The particle size modification is related for the particle growth and two mechanisms are suggested thereon.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Applications of a New Prussian Blue Type Material

This work reports on a material synthesized via 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate and K₃[Fe(CN)₆]. Its structure and properties were characterized by IR, XPS, AFM and CV, which was inferred as Prussian Blue Type (PBT) material with particle size distribution between 80–120 nm and spike‐like aggregation from the characterization results. PBT is insoluble in acetone, water and ethanol uniformly, which gives magnetic properties. It can be reacted with 30 % H₂O₂, and produce gas bubbles when a voltage is applied. Modified on the glassy carbon electrode, the material showed obviously electrocatalytic activity to sodium nitrite, which has potential application prospect for sensors.     

Effect of the nature of axial ligand on the effective charge of the metal center in PcFe(II) complexes

Disubstituted iron phthalocyanine complexes were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Fe2p _3/2, N1s, and C1s XPS spectra were analyzed, and the role of the ligand in their generation was determined. Assignment of the magnetic properties of phthalocyanine iron complexes was done. Covalence of the metal-ligand bond was determined. The nature of the axial ligand in Pc^tFe affects the electronic state of the central iron atom.     

Highly active Pd-Fe/α-Al_2O_3 catalyst with the bayberry tannin as chelating promoter for CO oxidative coupling to diethyl oxalate

A novel Pd-Fe/α-Al_2O_3 catalyst was synthesized by incipient-wetness impregnation method with bayberry tannin as chelating promoter and commercial hollow column Raschig ring a-Al_2O_3 as support for the synthesis of diethyl oxalate from CO and ethyl nitrite.A variety of characterization techniques including N_2 physical adsorption,optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive system(SEM-EDS),inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy(ICP-OES),X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),were employed to explore the relationship between the physicochemical properties and activity of catalysts.It indicated that a large number of phenolic hydroxyl groups in bayberry tannin can efficiently anchor the active component Pd,reduce the particle size and make the active Pd as a multi-ring distribution on the commercial a-Al_2O_3 suppo rt,which we re beneficial to improve the catalytic activity for the production of diethyl oxalate from CO and ethyl nitrite.0.3 wts Pd-Fe/α-Al_2O_3 showed excelle nt catalytic activity and selectivity in a continuous flow,fixed-bed reactor with the loading amount of 10 mL catalysts,Under the mild reaction conditions,the space-time yield of diethyl oxalate was 978 g L ~1 h ~1 and CO conversion was 44% with the selectivity to diethyl oxalate of 95.5%.     

Effect of Silica Particle Size on Texture,Structure, and Catalytic Performance of Cu/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Catalysts for Glycerol Hydrogenolysis

The influences of carrier particle sizes of Cu/SiO₂ catalysts for hydrogenolysis of glycerol were studied use mono-dispersed silica as models. Catalysts were prepared by precipitation method with the average size of the mono-dispersed silica supports varying of 10, 20, and 90 nm. Characterization of the catalysts show that the physical properties such as pore volume and BET surface area of the catalysts were largely affected by the carrier particle size of silica. However, the copper dispersion of the three samples were similar. XPS patterns show a difference in the chemical states of copper species, small carrier particle size induced formation of copper phyllosilicate, which benefits on the stability of copper species in reaction. The overall activity in the reaction of glycerol hydrogenolysis shows a correlation with the carrier particle size. The small carrier particles prevent the copper species from aggregation thus such catalysts exhibit good catalytic activity and stability.     

Synthesis of Size‐Controlled Ag@Co@Ni/Graphene Core–Shell Nanoparticles for the Catalytic Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane

Size‐controlled Ag_0.04@Co_0.48@Ni_0.48 core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by employing graphene (rGO) with different reduction degrees as supports. The number of C?O and C? O functional groups on the surface of rGO might play a major role in controlling the particle size. The strong steric‐hindrance effect of C?O resulted in the growth of large particles, whereas C? O contributed to the formation of small particles. The particle size of Ag_0.04@Co_0.48@Ni_0.48 NPs supported on rGO with different reduction degrees decreased as the number of C?O functional groups decreased. The decrease in the particle size probably led to the increase in the catalytic activity towards the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB). The enhanced catalytic activity largely stemmed from the increasing active sites on the surface of catalysts owing to the decreasing particle size.     

Synthesis of monodisperse, large scale and high solid content latexes of poly(n-butyl acrylate) by a one-step batch emulsion polymerization

Seeded emulsion polymerization and agglomerating method were well-known techniques for the production of polymeric latexes with large particle size and high solid content. Obtaining latexes with monodisperse and particle size above 300 nm scale, however, was time-consuming and difficult by means of these methods. Here, stable, monodisperse latexes with the controlled particle diameter (55–650 nm) and high solid content (60 wt%) were synthesized via one-step in batch emulsion polymerization. Experimental investigations show that the particle size increased with decreasing emulsifier concentrations and increasing monomer/water ratios or electrolyte concentrations. The latex particle coagulation was considered as the dominant particle formation and growth method, which could be proved by the evolutions of particle number as well as dimension against conversion. Latex particle coagulation occurred if the particle surface covered ratio dropped between the critical surface covered ratio (θ _crit?=?0.59) and the lowermost surface covered ratio (θ _low?=?0.38). In addition,θ _crit and θ _low were increased with electrolyte concentrations.     

Single-site catalyst immobilization using magnesium chloride supports

Immobilization and activation of a broad range of titanium-, chromium-and nickel-based single-site catalysts for ethylene polymerization has been carried out using supports of type MgCl₂/AlR_n(OEt)_{3 − n} , prepared by reaction of AlR₃ with adducts of magnesium chloride and ethanol. The spherical particle morphology of the support is retained and replicated during catalyst immobilization and polymerization, yielding polyethylenes with controlled particle size and morphology. The single-site nature of these catalysts is also retained, giving polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution. Furthermore, very high catalyst activities can be obtained as a result of a stabilizing effect of the support, which prevents the rapid decay in activity often observed in homogeneous polymerization with these catalysts. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Intramolecular hydroamination of 2-(2-phenylethynyl)aniline catalyzed by gold nanoparticles

The possibility of using heterogeneous catalysts with a low content of gold in the intramolecular hydroamination of 2-(2-phenylethynyl)aniline was shown. The catalysts with size of gold particles lower than 3 nm exhibit catalytic activity. The study of efficiency of the heterogeneous Au-containing catalysts on different supports (MCM-41, γ-Al₂O₃(F), NH₄ ⁺-Beta, Diasorbamine-60, APTES-MCM-41, and SH-PMO) revealed that the maximum yields of 2-phenylindole were achieved with gold supported on mesoporous silicate materials. A high degree of dispersion of gold in these catalysts is explained by the presence of amino or thiol anchor groups in the support composition. It was found by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and XPS and XRD methods that gold in these catalysts exists on the support surfaces as small metal particles and due to their size dimensions they show a decreased electron density, i.e., they are electron-deficient Au^δ+ nanoparticles.     

Choline Chloride Assisted Synthesis of N and Metal Codoped TiO2 and their Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light

A few nanocrystalline N,metal codoped TiO₂ (metal = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) have been synthesized by a simple sol–gel method using choline chloride which is biodegradable, low cost, nontoxic ionic salt both as a structure directing agent and source of nitrogen. The prepared samples were well characterized by XRD, HRTEM, FTIR, DRS, EDX, XPS and BET techniques. The photocatalytic activity of all synthesized N, metal codoped TiO₂ has been carried out for the degradation of Reactive Black 5 dye under visible light irradiation and among them, N, Fe codoped TiO₂ was found to be the best for the degradation of Reactive Black 5 dye. The effect of incorporated metals on the photocatalytic activity of the various modified TiO₂ has been discussed in detail based on the mechanism involved in the degradation of dye and their physico‐chemical properties which includes surface area, particle size, defect sites, phase, band gap and electron–hole recombination effect.     

Silver Nanoparticles Supported on CeO2‐SBA‐15 by Microwave Irradiation Possess Metal–Support Interactions and Enhanced Catalytic Activity

Metal–support interactions (MSIs) and particle size play important roles in catalytic reactions. For the first time, silver nanoparticles supported on CeO₂‐SBA‐15 supports are reported that possess tunable particle size and MSIs, as prepared by microwave (MW) irradiation, owing to strong charge polarization of CeO₂ clusters (i.e., MW absorption). Characterizations, including TEM, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure, were carried out to disclose the influence of CeO₂ contents on the Ag particle size, MSI effect between Ag nanoparticles and CeO₂‐SBA‐15 supports, and the strong MW absorption of CeO₂ clusters that contribute to the MSIs during Ag deposition. The Ag particle sizes were controllably tuned from 1.9 to 3.9 nm by changing the loading amounts of CeO₂ from 0.5 to 2.0 wt %. The Ag nanoparticle size was predominantly responsible for the high turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.41 min^?1 in ammonia borane dehydrogenation, whereas both particle size and MSIs contributed to the high TOF of 555 min^?1 in 4‐nitrophenol reduction for Ag/0.5CeO₂‐SBA‐15, which were twice as large as those of Ag/SBA‐15 without CeO₂ and Ag/CeO₂‐SBA‐15 prepared by conventional oil‐bath heating.     

不同载体对负载型氧化钨催化剂在己二酸合成反应中的结构及性能影响

以SBA-15、六角介孔二氧化硅（HMS）和SnO₂为载体,通过浸渍法合成了含钨负载型催化剂,并考察了三种催化剂在环氧环己烷选择氧化制备己二酸反应中的催化性能. 通过X射线衍射（XRD）,透射电镜/场发射透射电镜（TEM/FETEM）,紫外-可见漫反射光谱（UV-Vis DRS）,拉曼（Raman）光谱,X射线光电子能谱（XPS）以及傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱等手段对各种催化剂的结构进行表征. 结果表明,载体与催化剂的性能有密切的关系. 以SnO₂为载体的WO₃/SnO₂催化剂活性最高,其次是WO₃/HMS催化剂,WO₃/SBA-15 催化剂的活性最差.XRD 分析显示WO₃/SnO₂催化剂中氧化钨物种的晶化程度最低,TEM 和XPS 结果表明氧化钨物种在WO₃/SnO₂催化剂表面高度分散并且粒径尺寸很小（约2 nm）,UV-Vis DRS结果表明在WO₃/SnO₂催化剂中存在孤立[WO₄]四面体和低聚态的钨物种,这些物种的存在可能是WO₃/SnO₂催化剂具有高活性的主要原因. 此外,WO₃/SnO₂催化剂可以重复使用多次,6 次反应后己二酸（AA）得率仍然保持在80%以上,说明氧化钨物种与SnO₂载体间存在强烈的相互作用,从而提高了催化剂的稳定性.     

Cooperation among N,F and Fe in tri-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> photocatalyst

TiO₂ photocatalysts tri-doped with N, F and Fe were synthesized by a sol–gel method. The cooperation of N, F and Fe in tri-doped TiO₂ was verified by monitoring NH₃ decomposition, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy, and by the simulation based on the density functional theory (DFT). The results from NH₃ decomposition revealed that the cooperation of N, F and Fe broadened the optical response of TiO₂ to the visible light range and also enhanced the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ under UV light. The reusability of the tri-doped TiO₂ sample after three cycles under UV and visible light irradiation was very good. XRD patterns and SEM and HRTEM images indicated that the tri-doped sample was nanometric anatase with a small amount of rutile with an average particle size of 18 nm. Tri-doping with N, F and Fe suppressed the phase transition from anatase to rutile and also resulted in some more lattice defects. XPS analysis showed that the N, F and Fe atoms were doped into the TiO₂ lattice. UV–Vis absorption spectra of the tri-doped TiO₂ showed that its optical absorption edge was moved up to 640 nm and its UV absorption was also enhanced. The DFT results confirmed that the cooperation of Fe 3d and N 2p orbits narrowed the band gap of TiO₂ and the F 2p orbit broadened the upper valence bands. The synergistic electron density around N, F and Fe in tri-doped TiO₂ was capable of enhancing the photochemical stability and reusability of TiO₂.     

Influence of Calcination Temperature on Properties of Au/Fe2O3 Catalysts for Low Temperature Water Gas Shift Reaction

A series of Au/Fe₂O₃ catalysts for the water gas shift (WGS) reaction were prepared by modified deposition-precipitation method. The sample calcined at 300 °C showed higher catalytic activity and better stability than other samples. Using N₂ physisorption, in situ XRD, H₂-TPR, and XPS techniques, the influence of calcination temperature on properties of Au/Fe₂O₃ catalyst was explored, and the cause of deactivation was analyzed as well. The results showed that the catalytic behaviors were related to the interaction between Au and Fe₂O₃, and the reductive property of support, both of which were significantly affected by calcination temperature. Furthermore, according to the results of XPS, although stable carbonate and carbonyl surface species were found on the spent catalysts, the semiquantitative analysis of these species indicated that they were not the main cause of the deactivation. In fact, the deactivation of Au/Fe₂O₃ was sensitive to the structure change of support. During the water gas shift reaction, Fe₃O₄ particle would aggregate and crystallize leading to increase in the crystallinity of support and a significant reduction in the surface area of the catalysts, which resulted in the deactivation of Au/Fe₂O₃.     

Uniformly Dispersed and Controllable Ligand‐Free Silver‐Nanoparticle‐Decorated TiO2 Nanotube Arrays with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Behaviors

Homogeneously dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully decorated onto the surface of TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TNTA) by means of an in situ photoreduction method. TNTA films as supports exhibit excellent properties to prevent agglomeration of AgNPs, and they also avoid using polymer ligands, which is deleterious to enhancing the properties of the fabricated NPs. The silver particle size and its content could be controlled just by changing the immersion time. Detailed SEM and TEM analyses combined with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analyses with different immersion times (5, 10, 30, 60 min) have revealed the variation tendency. The prepared Ag/TNTA composite films were also characterized by XRD, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high‐resolution TEM. The UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectra displayed a redshift of the absorption peak with the growth of AgNPs. The photocurrent response and the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) were used to evaluate the photoelectrochemical properties of the fabricated samples. The results showed that the photocurrent response and photoelectrocatalytic activity largely depended on the loaded Ag particle size and content. TNTA films with a diameter of 17.92 nm and silver content of 1.15 at % showed the highest photocurrent response and degradation rate of MO. The enhanced properties could be attributed to the synergistic effect between AgNPs and TiO₂. To make good use of this effect, particle size and silver content should be well controlled to develop the electron charge and discharge process during the photoelectrical process. Neither smaller nor larger AgNPs caused decreased photoelectrical properties.     

Effects of preparation methods on the performance of Cu-Mo-Fe-Ox in the hydrogen production from water

Two Cu-Mo-Fe-Ox samples, which can store and supply pure hydrogen through repeated redox reaction (Fe3O4+4H23Fe+4H2O), were prepared by co-precipitation (FCM-C) and impregnation (FCM-I) methods, respectively, and the performance of hydrogen production from water were investigated. Compared with the impregnated sample, the co-precipitation sample presented better catalytic activity. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) techniques. XRD, FE-SEM and XPS results suggest that the FCM-C sample has smaller particle size and higher dispersion of iron oxide than that of FCM-I sample. In addition, FT-IR and H2-TPR analyses indicate that the weak interaction among metal oxides in FCM-C sample may induce facile reduction of active metal and superior property of hydrogen production by decomposing water in succession.     

Seeded dispersion polymerization of MMA using submicron PMMA particles as seed: a mechanistic study

Micron-size poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles having a narrow particle size distribution were prepared by seeded dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using submicron PMMA particles as seed. The processes of particle aggregation and nucleation were controlled by the initial seed size, initial seed number, and initiator concentration, determining the formation of the mature particles and the number (N _(final)) and size of the final particles. It was found that N _(final) was equal to the number of particles produced in the absence of seed (N _{(ab initio)}) when the initial number of seed particles (N _(initial)) was less than N _{(ab initio)}. When N _(initial) was greater than N _{(ab initio)}, N _(final) was equal to k?×?N _(initial), where the value of k was a function of seed size and initiator concentration. k increased with seed size and was less than 1 at high initiator concentrations (0.52 and 1.00 %), while at low initiator concentrations (0.23 and 0.30 %), a maximum value of k was found for a 198 nm seed size. k could be greater than unity in some cases.     

Synthesis and control of the morphology of SnO2 nanoparticles via various concentrations of Tinospora cordifolia stem extract and reduction methods

SnO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized utilizing Tinospora cordifolia stem extract. The effects of the concentration of the extract and the utilization of ultrasound irradiation on different chemical properties, mainly surface morphology, were studied. To determine the instrumental characteristics, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-Transform-Infra Red, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope analyses were used. The optical properties of the material were studied using ultraviolet UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry and photocatalytic activity tests on rhodamine B photodegradation. The results summarized the effect of T. cordifolia stem extract on the nucleation process during SnO₂ crystallization, as a higher concentration leads to polymorphic forms with a greater particle size and an additional SnO phase. In addition, ultrasound-assisted reduction tended to produce a smaller particle size. The optical properties were found to be correlated with the particle size, as the higher particle size gave a smaller band gap energy and less photocatalytic activity for rhodamine B degradation.