Gel formation specifics in the synthesis of Mg(Fe<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> by the glycine–nitrate method

The gel formed in the synthesis of Mg(Fe_0.8Ga_0.2)₂O₄ powder from corresponding metal nitrates and glycine was studied by thermal and IR spectral analyses. Being a bidentate ligand, glycine was established to initiate the gel combustion reaction resulting in the oxide of the above composition. Based on the data on ΔH₂₉₈° and Cp of the reagents and reaction products, the thermodynamic parameters of this process were calculated.     

Structure and magnetic properties of CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> ferrites synthesized by sol–gel and microwave calcination

CoFe₂O₄ ferrites were synthesized sol–gel with cobalt chloride, ferric chloride and citric acid as the main raw material. X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer and simultaneous thermal analysis were applied to character the structure and magnetic properties of traditional and microwave calcined samples. The samples with pH 5 and molar ratio of citric acid to metal nitrate 1–1.2 showed the optimal structure and magnetic properties. Microwave calcination reduces the synthesis time from 2 h for conventional calcination to 15–30 min. The saturation magnetization (σ _s ) for sample microwave-calcined at 550 °C for 30 min reaches to 75.89 emu/g, much higher than that of conventional-calcined samples.     

Preparation and Characterizations of ZnTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Powders by Sol–Gel Process

ZnTiO₃ powders were prepared by a sol–gel method. The gelation conditions and the gelation mechanism were investigated. The crystallization behavior and characteristics of the ZnTiO₃ were also investigated in detail. The experimental results show that homogenous and translucent gels can be prepared when the gelation conditions are appropriate and the gelation temperature remains constant. The gel structure can be described as a network of Ti and O, in which zinc ions are well distributed. The ZnTiO₃ phase can be detected by XRD in the powders calcined above 700 °C. The formation of ZnTiO₃ is a slow reaction process, which leads to the development of large ZnTiO₃ particles, with dimensions after calcination at 900 °C for 2 h in the range of 30–50 m.     

Influence of PEG additive and annealing temperature on structural and electrochromic properties of sol–gel derived WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> films

Sol–gel derived tungsten oxide (WO₃) films have been deposited by spin coating route using acetylated peroxotungstic acid (APTA) or a mixture of APTA and polyethylene glycol (PEG) dissolved in ethanol as the precursor solution, followed by thermal treatment in air. The influence of PEG additive and annealing temperature on the structural and electrochromic (EC) behavior of the films have been investigated. For films annealed at 300 °C, a porous nanocrystalline/amorphous microstructure was obtained in the WO₃-PEG film, while monoclinic microstructure was formed in the pure WO₃ film. Moreover, for the WO₃-PEG films, the film microstructure was found to depend on the annealing temperature. Electrochemical studies indicate that the WO₃-PEG film annealed at 300 °C (WP-300) exhibits superior EC properties, which produces faster switching speed (t _c = 19 s, t _b = 3 s),better reversibility (K = 0.97) as well as higher optical modulation (ΔT = 32% at 550 nm) and coloration efficiency (η = 22 cm²/C at 550 nm). Our results suggest that PEG addition in combination with an appropriate annealing treatment can benefit the EC properties, arising from the ease of ion diffusion within the EC material, as evident from the nanocrystallines embedded into the amorphous matrix with a porous character.     

Synthesis and morphology of Ba(Zr<Subscript>0.20</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.80</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders obtained by sol–gel method

Barium zirconate titanate, Ba(Zr_0.20Ti_0.80)O₃ (BZT) powders were prepared by sol–gel method. These powders were characterized by thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microcopy electron transmission (TEM). The decomposition of the precursors was monitored by TG-DTA. XRD patterns reveal that BZT powders heat treated at 800 °C present single phase with perovskite-type cubic structure. TEM micrographs were employed to estimate the average particle size of the BZT powders (≈ 20 nm). The results indicate that the particle size of the BZT powders increases with the increasing of the holding time and aging temperature. The low aging temperature can reduce the agglomeration of the nanopowders. Three polyalcohols were employed as surfactants in sol–gel method: butanol (BTOL), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). It is noted that PEG has a better effect on reducing agglomeration of BZT powders than that of the BTOL and PVA.     

Effects of Calcination on the Physical and Photocatalytic Properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Powders Prepared by Sol–Gel Template Method

TiO₂ powders were prepared by sol–gel template method and calcined under different conditions. XRD, BET and TEM were used to characterize the TiO₂ powders obtained. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ was investigated by the degradation of methyl orange. It was found that TiO₂ powder has the highest photocatalytic activity at a calcination temperature of 673 K. The effects of physical properties such as surface area, crystallinity and crystal phase on the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ were discussed.     

Heat-Treatment-Induced Evolution of the Mesostructure of Finely Divided Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> Produced by the Sol–Gel Method

A method was developed for the low-temperature sol–gel synthesis of one of the most popular components of functional and structural materials—nanostructured yttrium aluminum garnet Y₃A_l5O₁₂—using precursors from the class of alkoxoacetylacetonates produced from the corresponding acetylacetonates. It was determined that increasing duration of heat treatment of yttrium-aluminum-containing xerogen in air to 6 h reduces the crystallization temperature of the Y₃A_l5O₁₂ phase from 920–930 to 750–800°C, which was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. The microstructure of nanocrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet obtained at 800°С was studied; it was found that the size of crystallites is 30–40 nm, the size of particles is 30–50 nm, and the size of pores is 20–30 nm. Small-angle neutron scattering demonstrated that, in the powders synthesized at 700–800°C, there is structural ordering of the short-range type, whereas in the nanocrystalline samples heat-treated at a higher temperature (850°С), there is no such ordering.     

Tree of phases of the quinary reciprocal system Li,K || F,Br, MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>, WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and study of the stable tetrahedron LiF–KBr–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The quinary reciprocal system Li, K || F, Br, MoO₄, WO₄ was partitioned into simplexes using graph theory by writing an adjacency matrix and solving a logical expression. A tree of phases of the system was constructed. The tree of phases has a linear structure and consists of four stable partitioning tetrahedra, two stable pentatopes, and three stable hexatopes. In the quinary reciprocal system Li, K || F, Br, MoO₄, WO₄, crystallizing phases were predicted. The stable tetrahedron LiF–KBr–Li₂MoO₄–Li₂WO₄ of the quinary reciprocal system Li, K || F, Br, MoO₄, WO₄ was studied by differential thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction. There are no invariant equilibrium points in the tetrahedron. Continuous series of solid solutions Li₂Mo_xW_1–xO₄ do not decompose.     

Effect of Europium Ion Concentrations on the Photoluminescence Emission of Nano-Crystalline BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Prepared by Sol–Gel Technique

Nano-crystalline. ferroelectric Eu³⁺: BaTiO₃ powders and thin films have been prepared using (Ba(Ac)₂), and titanium butoxide (Ti(C₄H₉O)₄), as precursors. The thin films were prepared by spin coating using the sol–gel method. The evolution of the network bonds and the structural characterization of the prepared samples was studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, respectively. The as-grown thin films and powders were found to be amorphous, and crystallized to the tetragonal phase after annealing at 750^∘C in air for 30 min. The crystallite size of the doped sample with 4% Eu³⁺ ions in the form of thin film and powder was found to be equal to = 21 and 32 nm, respectively.The photoluminescence of nano-crystalline powders and thin films at 488 nm were reported. The luminescence spectra of ultra fine Eu³⁺: BaTiO₃ powders and thin films are dominated by the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_j (j = 0−4) transitions, suggesting a strong distortion of the Eu³⁺ sites. The disorder contributes, together with the presence of numerous charge compensation mechanisms, to the strong inhomogeneous broadening of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_j luminescence band of the Eu³⁺.     

Characterization of CuO phase in SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–CuO prepared by the modified Pechini method

The modified Pechini method has been applied to the preparation of nano-structured SnO₂ and SnO₂:CuO. The sample characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and nitrogen adsorption isotherms (BET). The CuO phase in SnO₂:CuO samples was successfully characterized by XRD, XPS and IR. The highest degree of crystallinity and subsequently the maximum intensity and area of CuO (002) diffraction peaks were observed for the samples prepared with templates. The morphology and microstructure of the hybrid were studied using SEM. The core level binding energies of Cu 2p, Sn 3d, and O 1s were measured in these samples. The appearance of a satellite peak in the Cu 2p spectra provided definitive evidence for the presence of Cu²⁺ ions in these samples. The influence of synthesis conditions such as solvent, precursor type, calcinations temperature and time on the detectability of CuO and the morphology and microstructure of the hybrid were also studied. The calcinations conditions had a significant effect on the appearance and intensity of CuO diffraction peaks.     

High-temperature heat capacity of Pb<Subscript>8</Subscript>La<Subscript>2</Subscript>(GeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the range 320–1000 K

The oxide compound Pb₈La₂(GeO₄)₄(VO₄)₂ with an apatite structure has been synthesized by a ceramic method. The effect of temperature on the molar hear capacity of polycrystalline samples in the temperature range 320–1000 K has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The results have been used to calculate the thermodynamic functions of the synthesized compound.     

Phase equilibria in the cutting elements LiF–KCl–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiF–KCl–LiKWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> of the quaternary reciprocal system Li,K‖F,Cl, WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The quaternary reciprocal system comprising fluorides, chlorides, and tungstates of lithium and potassium was partitioned into simplexes using graph theory, and a phase tree of the system was constructed. In the cutting triangles LiF–KCl–Li₂WO₄ and LiF–KCl–LiKWO₄ by differential thermal analysis, the melting points and compositions of ternary eutectics were determined, and the crystallization fields of phases are delineated. For each element of the state diagram, phase reactions were described. The compositions of crystallizing phases in the cutting triangles LiF–KCl–Li₂WO₄ and LiF–KCl–LiKWO₄ were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis.     

High-temperature reactions in the Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>4</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>–Cr(PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

A new dichromium(III) cobalt(II) diphosphate(V) of the formula CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was detected in the Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆–Cr(PO₃)₃ system. The new compound was obtained as a result of high-temperature solid-state reactions between CoCO₃, Cr₂O₃ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ as well as between Cr(PO₃)₃ and Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was characterized using XRD, DTA and IR methods. Results demonstrated that CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ crystallizes in the triclinic system and its unit cell parameters were calculated. Its infrared spectrum was presented. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ melts incongruently at 1270±10 °C with a formation of solid α-CrPO₄. The compound Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆, component of the system under study, was obtained for the first time as a pure phase. Its thermal stability was also investigated. Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆ is stable in air up to 1410 ± 20 °C.     

Theoretical analysis of the system Li,K, Ca,Ba||F,WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Physicochemical properties of the system LiF–K<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–BaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>–CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>–BaWO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The differentiation of the quaternary reciprocal system Li, K, Ca, Ba||F, WO₄ was performed based on the graph theory using special software. Stable and metastable complexes of the system were found using a matrix of reciprocal pairs of salts. For the first time, by a set of physicochemical analysis methods (differential thermal, visual polythermal, and X-ray powder diffraction analyses), based on the method of thermal analysis of successive projections of the composition polytope, the quaternary system LiF–K₂WO₄–CaF₂–BaF₂–BaWO₄, which is a stable complex of the quaternary reciprocal system Li, K, Ca, Ba||F, WO₄, was studied and the coordinates of invariant points were determined.     

Sensor Performance of Nanostructured TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Films Prepared by an Aqueous Sol–Gel Process

Nanostructured TiO₂–SnO₂ thin films and powders were prepared by a facile aqueous particulate sol–gel route. The prepared sols showed a narrow particle size distribution with hydrodynamic diameter in the range 17.2–19.3 nm. Moreover, the sols were stable over 5 months, since the constant zeta potential was measured during this period. The effect of Sn:Ti molar ratio was studied on the crystallisation behaviour of the products. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the powders were crystallised at the low temperature of 400 °C containing anatase-TiO₂, rutile-TiO₂ and cassiterite-SnO₂ phases, depending on annealing temperature and Sn:Ti molar ratio. Furthermore, it was found that SnO₂ retarded the anatase to rutile transformation up to 800 °C. The activation energy of crystallite growth was calculated in the range 0.96–6.87 kJ/mol. Transmission electron microscope image showed that one of the smallest crystallite sizes was obtained for TiO₂–SnO₂ binary mixed oxide, being 3 nm at 600 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscope analysis revealed that the deposited thin films had nanostructured morphology with the average grain size in the range 20–40 nm at 600 °C. Thin films produced under optimized conditions showed excellent microstructural properties for gas sensing applications. They exhibited a remarkable response towards low concentrations of CO gas at low operating temperature of 200 °C, resulting in increased thermal stability of sensing films as well as a decrease in their power consumption.     

Photoresist Modification of Sol–Gel Solutions for Texturing of Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> and Bi<Subscript>3</Subscript>TiNbO<Subscript>9</Subscript> Thin Films

Bismuth titanate (Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂) and bismuth titanium niobate (Bi₃TiNbO₉) c-axis textured thin films were fabricated using the sol–gel processing technique. Chemical modification of precursor solutions was performed using a proprietary photosensitive chemical (photoresist). Increases in crystallinity and texture of resulting films were seen over films that were made from unmodified solutions. Analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed c-axis orientation factors for Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ near 88% and Bi₃TiNbO₉ near 63% in “modified” films. Atomic force microscopy images of films show microstructural improvement between “modified” and “unmodified” films. Images generally show smaller randomly oriented grains in “unmodified” films, and larger oriented platelet structures related to growth due to crystal habit in “modified” films. Light scattering experiments show the addition of photoresist to the precursor solution initiates accelerated particle growth. AFM imaging of soft-baked films also suggests an enhancement of texture.     

A study on the effect of synthesis parameters on the size of nickel particles in sol–gel derived Ni–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocomposites

The present work deals with the synthesis of Ni–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites fabricated by embedding nickel oxide particles, obtained from hexahydrated nickel nitrate [Ni(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O], in matrixes with different molar percents of Silica/Alumina, through sol–gel method based on hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and Aluminum Isopropoxide [Al(OC₃H₇)₃] alkoxides. Due to the various factors, e.g., pH, EtOH/TEOS/H₂O ratio, Si/Ni ratio etc., influencing the nickel grain size of the nanocomposites, Taguchi robust design method of system optimization was used to determine the percent of contribution (%ρ) of each factor. The nanocomposites were reduced in a flow of hydrogen and nitrogen gas at 700 °C for half an hour. The nickel grain size in the nanocomposites was determined by utilizing Scherrer`s method and XRD patterns. The smallest nickel grain size obtained from the Taguchi orthogonal array was about 24 nm, later confirmed by TEM observations. After optimization of the controlling factors, a nickel grain size of 15.4 nm was obtained. It was found that the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio of the matrix had the most influence on the nickel grain size (29.22%) and the Water/TEOS molar ratio stood in second place (21.44%). It was illustrated that the starting temperature of the aluminum isopropoxide had the least influence on the nickel grain size.     

Sol–gel derived TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> wood composites

The sol–gel process was applied to enhance properties of pine sapwood. For this purpose wood prisms were soaked in nanoscaled precursor solutions prepared from titanium(IV) n-butoxide and titanium(IV) iso-propoxide, respectively, using vacuum impregnation technique. The wet composites were cured by special program with final heat treatment at 103 °C. Weight percent gains (WPG) of the wood specimen in the range of 19–25% were obtained due to these procedures. SEM investigations show that precursor solutions penetrate into the whole wood body and the titania formed after heat treatment in the composites is deposited in the pores (lumen) and partly in the cell walls of the wooden matrix. The moisture sorption was investigated in long term tests for a period of some months by storage at 20–23 °C in humid air (relative humidity of 99%) and ambient atmosphere (relative humidity 40–60%), respectively. For untreated reference samples the moisture sorption results in increasing of mass and volume according to saturation values of 24 and 13%, respectively, after about 15 days. The incorporation of titania reduces the saturation values of the moisture sorption by up to 12% in mass and by up to 5% in volume at a relative humidity of 99%. Thus, an enhancement of the dimensional stability of about 60% is obtained at best. The results demonstrate that modification of wood with sol–gel derived precursors can enhance its dimensional stability, which prevents the formation of cracks. Because of that reduced moisture sorption biological attacks should be delimited. Additionally, thermal analyses show a retarded combustion of the wood matrix due to titania infiltration.     

Preparation,characterization and photocatalytic properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanostructured spheres synthesized by the Sol–Gel method modified with ethylene glycol

Monodispersed nanostructured TiO₂ spheres were obtained by the Sol–Gel method modified with ethylene glycol. The sample morphology and surface textural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂-physisorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The SEM image showed spheres with sizes ranging from 600 to 700 nm. In addition, HRTEM micrographs reveal hexagonal grains slightly elongated (20 nm). The powders present a BET surface area of 116 m² g⁻¹. Samples without thermal treatment and those treated at 400 °C both showed characteristic reflections of the anatase phase. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO₂ spheres was determined by degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in aqueous solution. Kinetics parameters have displayed than the nanostructured material present a reaction half-life time of 30 min and it was two times faster than commercial TiO₂ (P25).     

ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Cu/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Sol–Gel Materials Spectroscopic Characterization

Copper-doped zirconia (1% mol) and zirconia powders were prepared by the sol–gel process, using zirconium n-butoxide and copper nitrate as precursors. The resulting xerogels are nanocrystalline and exhibit different properties from the corresponding microcrystalline materials. The copper nitrate salt was dissolved and co-gelled in situ at the initial stage of the reaction. The properties of the resulting materials were studied by XRD, FTIR and UV-Vis. The as-prepared samples were amorphous and crystallized to the tetragonal zirconia phase at 400 °C. At temperatures higher than 600 °C, the monoclinic phase was also obtained. No evidence of discrete crystalline copper compounds was observed, consistent with good dispersion of the dopant. Several bands were observed by FTIR in the 4400–3000 cm^–1 region, which diminishes in intensity and shifted to higher wavenumbers with heating. The bandgap energy (E_g) was strongly modulated by the presence of the dopant and heating temperature, with increasing temperature leading to a corresponding decrease in E_g.