Structural models for intergrowth structures in the phase system Al2O3-TiO2

The phase system Al₂O₃-TiO₂ was investigated in the compositional range from 48:52 to 62:38 mol% Al₂O₃:TiO₂. The samples were prepared by melting the binary oxides in an arc-imaging furnace and the obtained samples were examined by powder X-ray diffraction. The recorded powder patterns could be interpreted in terms of intergrowth structures consisting of two basic building blocks, which were deduced from the known crystal structures of β-Al₂TiO₅ and Al₆Ti₂O₁₃. The structure of a new ordered compound with the formula Al₁₆Ti₅O₃₄ is proposed. The thermal stability was estimated from DTA and tempering experiments and showed that all prepared samples decompose at temperatures around 800 °C into the binary oxides corundum and titania.     

Ion-beam irradiation of lanthanum compounds in the systems La2O3-Al2O3 and La2O3-TiO2

Thin crystals of La₂O₃, LaAlO₃, La_2/3TiO₃, La₂TiO₅, and La₂Ti₂O₇ have been irradiated in situ using 1 MeV Kr²⁺ ions at the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscope-Tandem User Facility (IVEM-Tandem), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). We observed that La₂O₃ remained crystalline to a fluence greater than 3.1×10¹⁶ ions cm⁻² at a temperature of 50 K. The four binary oxide compounds in the two systems were observed through the crystalline-amorphous transition as a function of ion fluence and temperature. Results from the ion irradiations give critical temperatures for amorphisation (T_c) of 647 K for LaAlO₃, 840 K for La₂Ti₂O₇, 865 K for La_2/3TiO₃, and 1027 K for La₂TiO₅. The T_c values observed in this study, together with previous data for Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, are discussed with reference to the melting points for the La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ and La₂O₃-TiO₂ systems and the different local environments within the four crystal structures. Results suggest that there is an observable inverse correlation between T_c and melting temperature (T_m) in the two systems. More complex relationships exist between T_c and crystal structure, with the stoichiometric perovskite LaAlO₃ being the most resistant to amorphisation.     

p区金属氧化物Ga2O3和Sb2O3光催化降解盐酸四环素性能差异

对沉淀法合成的p区金属氧化物Ga₂O₃和Sb₂O₃紫外光光催化降解盐酸四环素的性能进行了研究,讨论了制备条件对光催化性能的影响。最佳制备条件下得到的Ga₂O₃-900和Sb₂O₃-500样品光催化性能存在巨大差异,通过X射线粉末衍射、傅里叶红外光谱、N₂吸附-脱附测试、荧光光谱、拉曼光谱、电化学分析及活性物种捕获实验等对样品进行分析,研究二者光催化降解盐酸四环素的机理,揭示影响光催化性能差异的本质因素。结果表明,Ga₂O₃和Sb₂O₃光催化性能差异主要归结于二者不同的电子和晶体结构、表面所含羟基数量及光催化降解机理。     

p区金属氧化物Ga2O3和Sb2O3光催化降解盐酸四环素性能差异

对沉淀法合成的p区金属氧化物Ga₂O₃和Sb₂O₃紫外光光催化降解盐酸四环素的性能进行了研究,讨论了制备条件对光催化性能的影响。最佳制备条件下得到的Ga₂O₃-900和Sb₂O₃-500样品光催化性能存在巨大差异,通过X射线粉末衍射、傅里叶红外光谱、N2吸附-脱附测试、荧光光谱、拉曼光谱、电化学分析及活性物种捕获实验等对样品进行分析,研究二者光催化降解盐酸四环素的机理,揭示影响光催化性能差异的本质因素。结果表明,Ga₂O₃和Sb₂O₃光催化性能差异主要归结于二者不同的电子和晶体结构、表面所含羟基数量及光催化降解机理。     

The Al2O3-Fe2O3 Mixed Oxidic System, I. Preparation and Characterization

A series of Al₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ mixed oxidic solids with composition ranging from 0 to 100% of Fe₂O₃ were prepared and examined for structural characteristics. XRD diagrams showed the presence of α-Al₂O₃ and hematite phases. The analysis of M?ssbauer spectra revealed the existence of two iron containing phases. The specific surface area of the mixture decreases by the addition of iron and depends on the crystal phases of the mixture. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The formation and physicochemical characterization of Al2O3-doped manganese ferrites

Mn/Fe mixed oxide solids doped with Al₂O₃ (0.32-1.27 wt.%) were prepared by impregnation of manganese nitrate with finely powdered ferric oxide, then treated with different amounts of aluminum nitrate. The obtained samples were calcined in air at 700-1000 °C for 6 h. The specific surface area (S_BET) and the catalytic activity of pure and doped precalcined at 700-1000 °C have been measured by using N₂ adsorption isotherms and CO oxidation by O₂. The structure and the phase changes were characterized by DTA and XRD techniques. The obtained results revealed that Mn₂O₃ interacted readily with Fe₂O₃ to produce well-crystallized manganese ferrite (MnFe₂O₄) at temperatures of 800 °C and above. The degree of propagation of this reaction increased by Al₂O₃-doping and also by increasing the heating temperature. The treatment with 1.27 wt.% Al₂O₃ followed by heating at 1000 °C resulted in complete conversion of Mn/Fe oxides into the corresponding ferrite phase. The catalytic activity and S_BET of pure and doped solids were found to decrease, by increasing both the calcination temperature and the amount of Al₂O₃ added, due to the enhanced formation of MnFe₂O₄ phase which is less reactive than the free oxides (Mn₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃). The activation energy of formation (ΔE) of MnFe₂O₄ was determined for pure and doped solids. The promotion effect of aluminum in formation of MnFe₂O₄ was attributed to an effective increase in the mobility of reacting cations.     

Preparation and visible light photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3/Bi2WO6 heterojunction photocatalysts

The Bi₂O₃/Bi₂WO₆ heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared by a two-step solvothermal process using Bi(NO₃)₃-ethylene glycol solution as Bi source. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The heterostructure catalysts are composed of Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles as modifier and 3D Bi₂WO₆ microspheres as substrate. Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles with diameters of about 10-15 nm are tightly grown on the lateral surface of the Bi₂WO₆ microspheres. The hierarchical Bi₂O₃/Bi₂WO₆ microspheres exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than the single phase Bi₂WO₆ or Bi₂O₃ for the degradation of rhodamine B under visible light illumination (λ>420 nm). The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of the Bi₂O₃/Bi₂WO₆ heterojunction catalysts can be ascribed to their improved light absorption property and the reduced recombination of the photoexcited electrons and holes during the photocatalytic reaction. The effect of loading amount of Bi₂O₃ on the catalytic performance of the heterojunction catalysts was also investigated and the optimal content of Bi₂O₃ is 3 wt%. The Bi₂O₃/Bi₂WO₆ heterojunction photocatalysts are essentially stable during the photocatalytic process.     

The Al2O3-Fe2O3 Mixed Oxidic System, II. Catalytic Decomposition of N2O

N₂O decomposition was examined over a series of Al₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ mixed oxidic solids with composition ranging from 0 to 100% of Fe₂O₃. The catalytic activity of the solids runs parallel to the number of atoms of iron in the Al_2−x Fe_xO₃ solid solution phase. Two compensation effects are present. The first corresponds to catalysts rich in alumina, and the second one to catalysts rich in hematite. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

掺杂Fe2O3对吸附相反应技术制备TiO2的形貌和光催化性能的影响

利用吸附相反应技术制备得到了掺杂不同浓度的Fe₂O₃的TiO₂复合光催化剂。通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)、紫外可见光谱和X射线衍射(XRD)研究不同掺杂浓度对TiO₂形貌和结晶过程的影响,并利用3种波长光源下的甲基橙光降解实验考评了各个复合光催化剂的催化活性。结果表明,掺杂后复合光催化剂中Fe₂O₃分散性较好较均匀。在TiO₂紫外可见吸收光谱中由于Fe₂O₃的掺杂而出现了红移,而且随着掺杂浓度增加红移越来越明显,复合光催化剂的禁带宽度也越来越小。在焙烧过程中无定形Fe₂O₃或Fe³⁺进入了TiO₂的晶格结构,从而抑制了TiO₂的结晶过程。半导体禁带宽度的减少以及TiO₂结晶过程的抑制作用,都导致紫外光下复合光催化剂催化活性的降低。但Fe₂O₃的掺杂也使得复合光催化剂在可见光区出现了一定的光催化活性。     

High-pressure transitions in MgAl2O4 and a new high-pressure phase of Mg2Al2O5

Phase transitions in MgAl₂O₄ were examined at 21-27 GPa and 1400-2500 °C using a multianvil apparatus. A mixture of MgO and Al₂O₃ corundum that are high-pressure dissociation products of MgAl₂O₄ spinel combines into calcium-ferrite type MgAl₂O₄ at 26-27 GPa and 1400-2000 °C. At temperature above 2000 °C at pressure below 25.5 GPa, a mixture of Al₂O₃ corundum and a new phase with Mg₂Al₂O₅ composition is stable. The transition boundary between the two fields has a strongly negative pressure-temperature slope. Structure analysis and Rietveld refinement on the basis of the powder X-ray diffraction profile of the Mg₂Al₂O₅ phase indicated that the phase represented a new structure type with orthorhombic symmetry (Pbam), and the lattice parameters were determined as a=9.3710(6) Å, b=12.1952(6) Å, c=2.7916(2) Å, V=319.03(3) Å³, Z=4. The structure consists of edge-sharing and corner-sharing (Mg, Al)O₆ octahedra, and contains chains of edge-sharing octahedra running along the c-axis. A part of Mg atoms are accommodated in six-coordinated trigonal prism sites in tunnels surrounded by the chains of edge-sharing (Mg, Al)O₆ octahedra. The structure is related with that of ludwigite (Mg, Fe²⁺)₂(Fe³⁺, Al)(BO₃)O₂. The molar volume of the Mg₂Al₂O₅ phase is smaller by 0.18% than sum of molar volumes of 2MgO and Al₂O₃ corundum. High-pressure dissociation to the mixture of corundum-type phase and the phase with ludwigite-related structure has been found only in MgAl₂O₄ among various A²⁺B³⁺₂O₄ compounds.     

Characterization and evaluation of Fe2O3/Al2O3 oxygen carrier prepared by sol–gel combustion synthesis

The sol-gel combustion synthesis (SGCS) for oxygen carrier (OC) to be used in chemical looping combustion (CLC) was first designed and experimented in this work, which is a new method of OC synthesis by combining sol-gel technique and solution combustion synthesis. Cheap hydrated metal nitrates and urea were adopted as precursors to prepare Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ OC at the molar ratio to unity (Fe1Al1), which was characterized through various means, including Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffractor (XRD), and N₂ isothermal adsorption/desorption method. FTIR analysis on the chemical structure of the dried gel of Fe1Al1 indicated that urea was partly hydrolyzed and the hydrated basic carbonate was formed by the combination of groups such as (Fe(_1−yAl_y)_1−xO_1−3x, CO₃²⁻ and -OH-. By analyzing the staged products during SGCS, calcination was found as a necessary step to produce Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ OC with separate phases of α-Fe₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃. Through TGA-DTA, the decomposition of the dried gel was found to undergo five stages. The analysis of the evolved gases from the gel decomposition using FTIR partially confirmed the staged decomposition and assisted a better understanding of the mechanism of SGCS. XRD identification further substantiated the necessity of calcination to synthesize Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ OC with separate phases of α-Fe₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃, though it was not necessary for the synthesis of single phase α-Fe₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃. Structural characterization performed on N₂ adsorption analyzer displayed that the pore shape of Fe1Al1 particles was heterogeneous. Finally, H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) of Fe1Al1 products in TGA indicated that the reduction reaction of Fe1Al1 OC after calcination was a single step reaction from α-Fe₂O₃ to Fe, and calcination benefited to improve the transfer rate of the lattice oxygen from the OC to fuel H₂. Furthermore, four times of reduction and oxidization (redox) reaction by alternating with H₂ and air demonstrated the synthesized OC had good reactivity and sintering-resistance, much suitable to be used in the realistic CLC. Overall, the SGCS method was found superior to other existent methods to prepare Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ OC for CLC application.     

具有分级多孔结构和光催化性质的核-壳纳米球(HP-Fe2O3@TiO2)

通过溶剂热和溶胶-凝胶涂层法, 设计并制备了具有分级多孔结构和光催化性质的核-壳纳米球(HP-Fe₂O₃@TiO₂). 透射电子显微镜(TEM)照片证明所得HP-Fe₂O₃@TiO₂样品具备分级多孔结构, 这是因为HP-Fe₂O₃@TiO₂的内核-Fe₂O₃具有大孔空隙, 同时外壳-TiO₂具有介孔空隙. 此外, 通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)以及氮气吸附-脱附曲线深入研究了HP-Fe₂O₃@TiO₂的结构及其性质. 分别在可见及紫外光照下, 研究了样品在H₂O₂体系下的光催化降解亚甲基蓝(MB)的性质. 所观察到的HP-Fe₂O₃@TiO₂纳米球的光催化性能, 可归因于核-壳结构的协同作用, 这进一步表明, TiO₂外壳对α-Fe₂O₃的光催化活性有重要影响作用. 在可见光照射下, HP-Fe₂O₃@TiO₂ (1 mL Ti(OC₄H₉)₄ (TBT))具有较优异的光催化活性. 同时, HP-Fe₂O₃@TiO₂ (4mL TBT)具备优异的单分散形貌, 并在紫外光照射下, 表现出最优的光催化活性.     

Vapor phase hydrofluorination of acetylene to vinyl fluoride over La2O3-Al2O3 catalysts

A series of La-doped Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared and tested for the vapor phase hydrofluorination of C₂H₂ to vinyl fluoride (CH₂CHF, VF). It was found that the La-doped catalyst gave a stable catalytic performance and a higher selectivity to the desired VF and a lower selectivity to coke deposition compared with the pure Al₂O₃ catalyst. The enhancement in VF selectivity on the La-doped catalyst was due to the elimination of acidic sites on the Al₂O₃ surface by the addition of La₂O₃, evidenced by NH₃-TPD results, which could also explain the declined selectivity to coke deposition on the catalyst. Raman result indicated there were two different vibration forms of CH distortion and CC expansion for the coke deposition.     

Selective hydrothermal synthesis of BiOBr microflowers and Bi2O3 shuttles with concave surfaces

Through controlling the amount of NaOH added, BiOBr and Bi₂O₃ with different shapes were hydrothermally synthesized in the reaction system of Bi(NO₃)₃-hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-NaOH. As 8 mmol of NaOH was added, BiOBr microflowers constructed of nanoflakes were synthesized. The thickness of these single-crystal nanoflakes was about 20 nm. In the similar condition, when the amount of NaOH added was 28 mmol, Bi₂O₃ shuttles with concave surfaces were obtained. The length of these shuttles was 100 μm and the diameter at the middle of these shuttles was 50 μm. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared BiOBr microflowers was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible-light irradiation (λ>420 nm), which was up to 96% within 90 min.     

Preparation of “pore-fill” type Pd–YSZ–γ-Al2O3 composite membrane supported on α-Al2O3 tube for hydrogen separation

Mesoporous YSZ–γ-Al₂O₃ membranes were coated on α-Al₂O₃ (Ø2 mm) tube by dipping the α-Al₂O₃ support tube into mixed sol consists of nano-size YSZ and bohemite particles followed by drying and calcination at 600 °C. Addition of bohemite in YSZ sol helped a good adhesion and uniform coating of the membrane film onto α-Al₂O₃ support. The quality of the mesoporous YSZ–γ-Al₂O₃ membranes was evaluated by the gas permeability experiments. The number of defects was minimized when the γ-Al₂O₃ content became more than 40%. Addition of γ-Al₂O₃ inhibited the crystal growth of YSZ, sintering shrinkage and distortion stress. Increase of calcination temperature and time results in the increase of pore size and N₂ permeance. A hydrogen perm-selective membrane was prepared by filling palladium into the nano-pores of YSZ–γ-Al₂O₃ layer by vacuum-assisted electroless plating. Crystal growth of palladium was observed by thermal annealing of the membrane at 600 °C for 40 h. The Pd–YSZ–γ-Al₂O₃ composite membrane revealed improved thermal stability allowing long-term operation at elevated temperature (>500 °C). This has been attributed to the improved fracture toughness of YSZ–γ-Al₂O₃ layer and matching of thermal expansion coefficient between palladium and YSZ. Although fracture of the membrane did not occur, decline of H₂ flux was observed when the membrane was exposed in 600 °C. This has been attributed to the agglomeration of palladium particles by crystal growth and dense packing into the pore networks of YSZ–γ-Al₂O₃ by elevation of temperature.     

ZrO4/SiO2-Al2O3催化肉桂醛MPV转移加氢性能

以九水合硝酸铝（Al（NO₃）₃·9H₂O）与正硅酸乙酯（TEOS）为前驱盐,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备一系列不同Al₂O₃含量的SiO₂-Al₂O₃复合氧化物,并通过浸渍硝酸氧锆引入ZrO₂,制备ZrO₂/SiO₂-Al₂O₃复合氧化物催化剂,考察催化剂在肉桂醛（CAL）MPV转移加氢中的催化性能,并结合N₂物理吸附、X射线粉末衍射（XRD）、傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）、NH₃-程度升温脱附（NH₃-TPD）、Py-原位红外（Py-IR）等技术,研究催化剂结构、织构以及表面性质与其催化性能间的构效关系.研究表明,所制备的催化剂均以L酸为主,并含有少量B酸中心,这使得加氢产物以肉桂醇（COL）为主,并含有少量1-苯丙烯-2-丙基醚（CPE）.Al₂O₃含量不仅影响催化剂表面的酸中心数量,而且对催化剂的织构参数有较大影响.随Al₂O₃含量的增加,催化剂表面L酸与B酸中心均有所增加,而孔径则持续变小,这使得催化反应呈现CAL转化率先增加后减少、目标产物COL选择性先稍有减小后有所增加的趋势.在Si/Al比为2时,催化剂具有最优的催化性能,优化反应条件下,CAL转化率达96%,目标产物COL选择性达90%.     

立方晶型Sb2O3纳米晶的合成及光催化性能

采用沉淀法合成了立方晶型Sb2O3纳米晶,通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)和电子自旋共振谱(ESR)等对样品进行了详细的表征。以紫外光光催化降解甲基橙为反应模型评价了样品的光催化性能。结果表明:沉淀法合成的立方晶型Sb2O3纳米晶颗粒小,表现出良好的光催化性能。对立方晶型Sb2O3纳米晶光催化降解甲基橙的原因进行了探讨,并提出了降解甲基橙的反应机理。     

Synthesis, structures and photocatalytic activities of microcrystalline ABi2Nb2O9 (A=Sr, Ba) powders

Microcrystalline ABi₂Nb₂O₉ (A=Sr, Ba) photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by a citrate complex method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction technique, BET surface area analysis, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The results indicated that single-phase orthorhombic SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ could be obtained after being calcined above 650 °C, while BaBi₂Nb₂O₉ was tetragonal. Based on the diffuse reflectance spectra, the band gaps of the obtained samples were calculated to be around 3.34-3.54 eV. For the photocatalytic redox reaction of methyl orange under UV-light irradiation, SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than that of BaBi₂Nb₂O₉. The effects of the crystallinities, BET surface areas and crystal structures of the samples on the photocatalytic activities were discussed in detail.     

Alkylation of phenol with dimethyl carbonate over AlPO4, Al2O3 and AlPO4-Al2O3 catalysts

The vapor-phase catalytic alkylation of phenol with dimethyl carbonate over different AlPO₄ (Al/P=1), Al₂O₃ and AlPO₄-Al₂O₃ (5–25 wt.% Al₂O₃) catalysts produces anisole (O-alkylation) as the major reaction product althougho-cresol (C-alkylation) and methylanisoles were also found. The reaction is first order in phenol while O-and C-alkylation follow parallel processes. As compared with methanol, DMC is far more effective as a methylating agent, and the methylation proceeds at a lower temperature and with higher O-alkylation selectivity.