Characterization and application of Fe3O4/SiO2 nanocomposites

A sol-gel procedure was used to cover Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with SiO₂ shell, forming a core/shell structure. The core/shell nanocomposites were synthesized by a two-step process. First, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were obtained through co-precipitation and dispersed in aqueous solution through electrostatic interactions in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH). In the second step, Fe₃O₄ was capped with SiO₂ generated from the hydrolyzation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The structure and properties of the formed Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites were characterized and the results indicate that the Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites are superparamagnetic and are about 30 nm in size. Bioconjugation to IgG was also studied. Finally, the mechanism of depositing SiO₂ on magnetic nanoparticles was discussed.     

Tetracyanonickelate compounds as sorptive materials and the substitution of their H2O content by D2O

The compounds NiNi(CN)₄·3,5H₂O and Ni(NH₃)₂Ni(CN)₄·H₂O have been studied to examine the possibility of substituting their H₂O or NH₃ content by D₂O. Contact with D₂O was performed after heating the compounds to several temperatures. Depending on the degree of decomposition of the original compounds different ranges of substitution were possible. In such manner the compounds NiNi(CN)₄·3,5D₂O, NiNi(CN)₄·5D₂O, Ni(NH₃)₂Ni(CN)₄·D₂O, and Ni(D₂O)₂Ni(CN)₄·D₂O were prepared and thermally they were less stable than the original ones. The substitution by D₂O is in agreement with the sorptive properties of the original tetracyanonickelate against different organic compounds using GC, since these could substitute the guest component and sometimes also the ligands during their decomposition.     

Enthalpy of solution and effect of temperature on activity coefficients in MSO4−H2SO4−H2O system

Results of calorimetric determination of integral enthalpies of solution of some hydrates (monohydrates and heptahydrates) of 3d transition metal sulphates such as FeSO₄, NiSO₄ and MnSO₄ in three-component systems at sulphuric acid concentrations up to 2M are reported. Measured values of integral enthalpies of solution are the basis for calculation of activity coefficient temperature dependences according to Pitzer's model.     

Freezing-point of mixtures of H 2 16 O and H 2 18 O

Freezing-point depression of mixtures of H ₂ ¹⁶ O and H ₂ ¹⁸ O were measured. The results showed that the freezing point of the mixture rose linearly with an increase in the molal concentration of H ₂ ¹⁸ O. The results suggested the formation of a solid solution of H ₂ ¹⁶ O and H ₂ ¹⁸ O by freezing, similar to that formed by H ₂ O–D ₂ O, and that H ₂ ¹⁸ O behaves as a different molecule than H ₂ ¹⁶ O.     

A pseudopotential study of the hydrogen bond in H2O·H2S,H2S·H2S and H2O·H2Se systems

Intermolecular potential energy curves for the hydrogen bonded systems H₂O·H₂S, H₂O·H₂Se and H₂S·H₂S were calculated with nonempirical pseudopotentials using optimized-in-molecules basis sets augmented by polarization functions. The H₂O·H₂O interaction energy curve has been also considered as a test case. The present results for H₂O·H₂S and H₂S·H₂S indicate much weaker intermolecular interactions than those found in previous ab initio calculations. The H₂O·H₂Se interaction was found to be quite similar to H₂O·H₂S.This work was partly supported by the Polish Academy of Sciences within the Project PAN-09, 7.1.1.1On leave from Quantum Chemistry Laboratory, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, 02-093. Warsaw, Poland     

Characterization of Cu-ZnO-Cr2O3/SiO2 catalysts and application to dehydrogenation of 2-butanol to 2-butanone

The Cu-ZnO-Cr₂O₃/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared by impregnation method, which exhibited high activity for the dehydrogenation of 2-butanol to 2-butanone. These catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, EPR and BET. The experimental results indicated that (i) the valence states of copper play a key role, (ii) groups of copper atoms were the main active sites in this reaction, and (iii) copper oxide would lead to the condensation product of 5-methyl-3-heptanone.     

An Efficient Procedure for the Synthesis of Benzoxazole and Benzothiazole Derivatives Using a H2O2/SiO2-FeCl3 System

A series of benzoxazole and benzothiazoles was readily prepared from the reaction of ortho-aminophenol/ortho-aminothiophenol and aldehydes using solid silica supported ferric chloride (SiO₂-FeCl₃) as catalyst followed by oxidation with H₂O₂ under ambient conditions. Some of advantages of this method are a simple and convenient procedure, easy purification, and shorter reaction times.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Studies on synthesis, characterization and thermochemistry of Mg2[B2O4(OH)2]·H2O

A new magnesium borate Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt at hydrothermal condition and characterized by XRD, IR, TG and DSC. The enthalpy of solution of Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O in 0.9764 mol L^–1 HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in HCl (aq), of MgO in (HCl+H₃BO₃) (aq), and the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of –(3185.78±1.91) kJ mol^–1 of Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O was obtained.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phase equilibria in the P2O5-rich part of the system Y2O3−Na2O−P2O5

In the ternary system Y₂O₃?Na₂O?P₂O₅, the partial system Y(PO₃)₃?NaPO₃?P₂O₅ was examined by means of differential thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction; its phase diagram is given.     

Effects of doping on the thermal stability of spindle-shaped γ-Fe2O3 particles

Spindle-shaped α-FeOOH particles were synthesized using the chemical coprecipitation method in Fe(CO₃)_x(OH)_2(?x) suspensions system by adding metallic ions. The spindle-shaped γ-Fe₂O₃ particles were obtained by dehydration of α-FeOOH, and subsequent reduction and oxidation. Its thermal stability was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA). It was found that the transition temperature of γ-Fe₂O₃→α-Fe₂O₃ of samples doped with metallic ions is higher than that of the pure γ-Fe₂O₃ and increasing with increase of the size of the metallic ions, and γ-Fe₂O₃ by doping with two or more different metallic ions together has even higher thermal stability. The origin of the improved thermal stability was discussed. Additionally, the magnetic properties of γ-Fe₂O₃ were measured.     

Determination of heats of aluminothermic redox reaction of V2O5 and MnO2

Differential thermal analysis has been used for quantitative determination of heats of aluminothermic redox reaction of MnO₂ and V₂O₅ over a wide range of temperatures. Heat of reaction V₂O₅?Al and MnO₂?Al systems have been determined using the calibration plot established. The experimentally determined values compare well with those predicted from thermodynamic data available in the literature. It has been found that V₂O₅?Al system involves a higher heat of reaction in comparison to the MnO₂?Al system.     

Thick Fe2O3, Fe3O4 films prepared by the chemical solution deposition method

Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄ films have been prepared from Fe(OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂)₃–(CH₃)₂CHCH₂OH–2.2′-diethanola- mine (DEA)–poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) solutions by the spin-(SC) and dip-coating (DC) technique on SiO₂ and Si substrates. The maximum film thickness achieved without crack formation has been increased by incorporation of PVP (relative molecular weights 40000 and 360000) into the precursor solution. The stability of the precursor solutions was remarkably increased by addition of DEA. Compact, dense, and crack-free Fe₂O₃ films with thicknesses 900 nm (DC), 450 nm (SC), have been obtained via single-step deposition cycle. Higher-molecular-weight PVP has been more effective in increasing the thickness. The minimum concentration of DEA, which results in pronounced increase of solutions stability, is about R _P (n(DEA)/n(Fe) = 0.1). The high content of carboneous residue in the pyrolysed Fe₂O₃ films promotes the formation of Fe₃O₄ films via reduction in a gas flow of H₂/N₂ gas mixture. Microstructure, surface morphology, and magnetic properties of the films have been also investigated using SEM, AFM, and SQUID, respectively.     

Photocatalytic selective oxidation of CO with O2 in the presence of H2 over highly dispersed chromium oxide on silica under visible or solar light irradiation

A highly dispersed Cr⁶⁺-oxide species on silica (Cr/SiO₂) was found to act as an efficient photocatalyst for the selective oxidation of CO into CO₂ with O₂ in the presence of H₂ under visible (λ>420 nm) or solar light irradiation at 293 K. UV-Vis, photoluminescence and FT-IR investigations revealed that the selective reactivity of the photoexcited tetrahedral Cr⁶⁺-oxide species ([Cr⁵⁺−O⁻]^*) with CO, as well as the high reactivity of the photoreduced Cr⁶⁺-oxide species (Cr⁴⁺-oxide species) with O₂ both play significant roles in this reaction.     

Fabrication and characterization of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite nanoparticles and polyurethane/(TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) nanocomposite films

TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles were prepared by a sol–gel process. To obtain the assembly of TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles, different molar ratios of Ti/Si were investigated. Polyurethane (PU)/(TiO₂–SiO₂) hybrid films were synthesized using the “grafting from” technique by incorporation of modified TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles building blocks into PU matrix. Firstly, 3-aminopropyltriethysilane was employed to encapsulate TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles’ surface. Secondly, the PU shell was tethered to the TiO₂–SiO₂ core surface via surface functionalized reaction. The particle size of TiO₂–SiO₂ composite sol was performed on dynamic light scattering, and the microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared. Thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) employed to study the hybrid films. The average particle size of the TiO₂–SiO₂ composite particles is about 38 nm when the molar ratio of Ti/Si reaches to1:1. The TEM image indicates that TiO₂–SiO₂ composite nanoparticles are well dispersed in the PU matrix.     

Reactions between YBa2Cu3O7−δ and La2O3 and SrCO3

Solid state reactions at 925°C between the high-T _c ceramic superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ and SrCO₃, respectively, mixed in various molar ratiosr=MeO_n/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ, were studied using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ yielded (La_1?xBa_x)₂CuO_4?δ, withx≈0.075?0.10. La_2?xBa_1+xCu₂O_6?δ, withx≈0.2?0.25 and La-doped (Y_1?xLa_x)₂BaCuO₅, withx≈0.10?0.15. Forr=3.0, Y-doped La₂BaCuO₅ resulted also. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and SrCO₃ yielded (Sr_1?zBa_z)₂CuO₃, withz≈0.1, Y₂(Ba_1?zSr_z)CuO₅, withz=0.1?0.15, and a nonsuperconducting compound with an approximate composition of Y(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)₅Cu_3.5O_10±δ. At values ofr≤2.0, unsubstituted YBa₂Cu₃O_7?delta was found in the reaction products.     

Ab initio SCF MO study of hydrogen bonds between H2S and H2O molecules

The hydrogen bonds between H₂S and H₂O molecules are calculated through anab initio, LCAO MO SCF method using a Gaussian type orbital double-zeta basis set. The capacity of the H₂S molecule to act as an electron acceptor is confirmed. Consultant of the Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo.     

An ultra-low hydrolysis sol-gel route for titanosilicate xerogels and their characterization

In this work TiO₂-SiO₂ xerogels were prepared through an ultra low hydrolysis method using titanium and silicon alkoxide. The samples were heat treated to 500°C. The xerogels were characterized using TGA/DTA, FTIR, XRD and TEM. The samples showed the formation of Si–O–Ti bridges by its characteristic vibration within 925–960 cm⁻¹ range. Si–O–Si bond angles were calculated using the central force network model. The TiO₂ in all the samples crystallized on heat treatment to 500°C. The crystallite size calculated using the Scherer formula from the XRD was verified from the Transmission Electron Micrograph. Samples heat treated to 350°C remained amorphous and hence could be used as hosts for biomaterials and organic optical materials.     

Electrochemical synthesis of Fe3O4-PB nanoparticles with core-shell structure and its electrocatalytic reduction toward H2O2

The Fe₃O₄-Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles with core-shell structure have been in situ prepared directly on a nano-Fe₃O₄-modified glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV). First, the magnetic nano-Fe₃O₄ particles were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Then, the properties of the Fe₃O₄-PB nanoparticles were characterized by CV, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device. The resulting core-shell Fe₃O₄-PB-modified electrode displays a dramatic electrocatalytic ability toward H₂O₂ reduction, and the catalytic current was a linear function with the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range of 1 × 10⁻⁷~5 × 10⁻⁴ mol/l. A detection limit of 2 × 10⁻⁸ (s/n = 3) was determined. Moreover, it showed good reproducibility, enhanced long-term stability, and potential applications in fields of magnetite biosensors.     

SiO2 /Au核壳结构纳米粒子的制备及表征

通过以金纳米粒子为表面晶种和壳生长的方法制备了金纳米壳包覆二氧化硅的复合纳米粒子。采用TEM 和UV-Vis对复合粒子进行了表征和研究，结果表明所得到的复合粒子粒径均匀、金纳米壳光滑完整，且壳厚度可通过反应物的用量来控制。当核半径与壳厚度之比在4到13之间变化时,复合粒子的光学共振峰在可见光区到近红外光区范围内可发生大于500 nm波长的移动。