Thermal, solution and reductive decomposition of Cu-Al layered double hydroxides into oxide products

Cu-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with [Cu]/[Al] ratio 2 adopt a structure with monoclinic symmetry while that with the ratio 0.25 adopt a structure with orthorhombic symmetry. The poor thermodynamic stability of the Cu-Al LDHs is due in part to the low enthalpies of formation of Cu(OH)₂ and CuCO₃ and in part to the higher solubility of the LDH. Consequently, the Cu-Al LDH can be decomposed thermally (150 °C), hydrothermally (150 °C) and reductively (ascorbic acid, ambient temperature) to yield a variety of oxide products. Thermal decomposition at low (400 °C) temperature yields an X-ray amorphous residue, which reconstructs back to the LDH on soaking in water or standing in the ambient. Solution decomposition under hydrothermal conditions yields tenorite at 150 °C itself. Reductive decomposition yields a composite of Cu₂O and Al(OH)₃, which on alkali-leaching of the latter, leads to the formation of fine particles of Cu₂O (<1 μm).     

Mixed oxides obtained from Co and Mn containing layered double hydroxides: Preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties

Co-Mn-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with various Co:Mn:Al molar ratios (4:2:0, 4:1.5:0.5, 4:1:1, 4:0.5:1.5, and 4:0:2) were prepared and characterized. Magnesium containing LDHs Co-Mg-Mn (2:2:2), Co-Mg-Mn-Al (2:2:1:1), and Co-Mg-Al (2:2:2) were also studied. Thermal decomposition of prepared LDHs and formation of related mixed oxides were studied using high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction and thermal analysis. The thermal decomposition of Mg-free LDHs starts by their partial dehydration accompanied by shrinkage of the lattice parameter c from ca. 0.76 to 0.66 nm. The dehydration temperature of the Co-Mn-Al LDHs decreases with increasing Mn content from 180 °C in Co-Al sample to 120 °C in sample with Co:Mn:Al molar ratio of 4:1.5:0.5. A subsequent step is a complete decomposition of the layered structure to nanocrystalline spinel, the complete dehydration, and finally decarbonation of the mixed oxide phase. Spinel-type oxides were the primary crystallization products. Mg-containing primary spinels had practically empty tetrahedral cationic sites. A dramatic increase of the spinel cell size upon heating and analysis by Raman spectroscopy revealed a segregation of Co-rich spinel in Co-Mn and Co-Mn-Al specimens. In calcination products obtained at 500 °C, the spinel mean coherence length was 5-10 nm, and the total content of the X-ray diffraction crystalline portion was 50-90%. These calcination products were tested as catalysts in the total oxidation of ethanol and decomposition of N₂O. The catalytic activity in ethanol combustion was enhanced by increasing (Co+Mn) content while an optimum content of reducible components was necessary for high activity in N₂O decomposition, where the highest conversions were found for calcined Co-Mn-Al sample with Co:Mn:Al molar ratio of 4:1:1.     

High-temperature synthesis of highly hydrothermal stable mesoporous silica and Fe-SiO2 using ionic liquid as a template

Mesoporous silicas and Fe-SiO₂ with worm-like structures have been synthesized using a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-hexadecane-3-methylimidazolium bromide, as a template at a high aging temperature (150-190 °C) with the assistance of NaF. The hydrothermal stability of mesoporous silica was effectively improved by increasing the aging temperature and adding NaF to the synthesis gel. High hydrothermally stable mesoporous silica was obtained after being aged at 190 °C in the presence of NaF, which endured the hydrothermal treatment in boiling water at least for 10 d or steam treatment at 600 °C for 6 h. The ultra hydrothermal stability could be attributed to its high degree of polymerization of silicate. Furthermore, highly hydrothermal stable mesoporous Fe-SiO₂ has been synthesized, which still remained its mesostructure after being hydrothermally treated at 100 °C for 12 d or steam-treated at 600 °C for 6 h.     

Microwave-treated layered double hydroxides containing Ni and Al: The effect of added Zn

Ni containing layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been prepared by precipitation and hydrothermally treated under microwave irradiation for different periods of time. The solids have been calcined at three temperatures corresponding to stable phases formed during thermal decomposition of LDHs. The properties of the irradiated samples and of the calcined products were studied in order to ascertain whether the ageing treatment under microwave irradiation modifies not only the properties of the layered materials, but also the properties of the calcined products. A structural and textural study was carried out by PXRD, FT-IR and Vis-UV spectroscopy, thermal analyses (DTA and TG), N₂ adsorption/desorption at −196 °C and TEM microscopy; the reducibility of the nickel species was studied as well by TPR. The results show that the microwave treatment leads to better crystallized LDHs with modified thermal stability and reducibility. In addition, the degree of crystallinity of the layered precursors and their textural properties determine the properties of their thermal decomposition products.     

Effects of hydrothermal post-treatment on microstructures and morphology of titanate nanoribbons

Titanate nanoribbons were prepared via a hydrothermal treatment of rutile-type TiO₂ powders in a 10 M NaOH solution at 200 °C for 48 h. The as-prepared titanate nanoribbons were then hydrothermally post-treated at 150 °C for 12-36 h. The titanate nanoribbons before and after hydrothermal post-treatment were characterized with FESEM, XRD, TEM, UV-VIS and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The results showed that the hydrothermal post-treatment not only promoted the phase transformation from titanate to anatase TiO₂, but also was beneficial to the removal of Na⁺ ions remained in the titanate nanoribbons. After hydrothermal post-treatment, the TiO₂ samples retained the one-dimensional structure feature of the titanate nanoribbons and showed an obvious increase in the specific surface area and the pore volume.     

Acid and redox properties of mixed oxides prepared by calcination of chromate-containing layered double hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with Mg and Al in the layers and carbonate, nitrate or chloride in the interlayer, or with Zn and Al in the layers and chloride in the interlayer, have been prepared by coprecipitation, and have been used as precursors to prepare chromate-containing LDHs. All these systems, as well as those obtained upon their calcination up to 800 °C, have been characterised by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and vis-UV spectroscopies, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C for surface texture and porosity assessment, and FT-IR monitoring of pyridine adsorption for surface acidity determination. The results obtained show that the crystallinity of the chromate-containing LDH depends on the precursor used. The layered structure of the Mg, Al systems is stabilised up to 400 °C upon incorporation of chromate; however, the Zn,Al-chromate samples collapse between 200 and 300 °C, with simultaneous formation of ZnO. Calcination of the samples above 400 °C gives rise to a reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), as concluded from vis-UV spectroscopic studies. The TPR profiles show that chromate in ZnAl hydrotalcite is more easily reduced than that incorporated in the magnesium ones. Moderately strong surface Lewis acid sites exist in all samples calcined below 500 °C.     

Calcined Ni—Al layered double hydroxide as a catalyst for total oxidation of volatile organic compounds: Effect of precursor crystallinity

The effect of hydrothermal treatment on properties (crystallinity, porous structure, reducibility, acidity, basicity, and catalytic activity and selectivity in toluene and ethanol total oxidation) of Ni—Al layered double hydroxide precursors and related mixed oxides was examined. The hydrothermal treatment increased considerably both the content of crystalline phase and LDH crystallite size. On the other hand, only a slight effect of the precursor hydrothermal treatment on crystallinity of the related Ni—Al mixed oxides obtained by calcination at 450°C was observed. The reducibility of NiO particles appeared to be hindered considerably compared to the reducibility of pure NiO. Catalytic activity of the Ni—Al mixed oxides prepared from the precursors hydrothermally treated for a short time (4 h) was the highest. The highest amount of acetaldehyde formed during the total oxidation of ethanol, i.e. the worst selectivity was found for the calcined Ni—Al LDH without hydrothermal treatment. Presented at the 33rd International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 22–26 May 2006.     

Syntheses of TiO2(B) nanowires and TiO2 anatase nanowires by hydrothermal and post-heat treatments

TiO₂(B) nanowires and TiO₂ anatase nanowires were synthesized by the hydrothermal processing in 10 M NaOH aq. at 150 °C followed by the post-heat treatment at 300-800 °C. As-synthesized Na-free titanate nanowires (prepared by the hydrothermal treatment and repeated ion exchanging by HCl (aq.) were transformed into TiO₂(B) structure with maintaining 1-D morphology at 300-500 °C, and further transformed into anatase structure at 600-800 °C with keeping 1-D shape. At 900 °C, they transformed into rod-shaped rutile grains. Microstructure of these 1-D TiO₂ nanomaterials is reported.     

Reversible intercalation of ammonia molecules into a layered double hydroxide structure without exchanging nitrate counter-ions

A zinc/aluminum LDH was precipitated with recycled ammonia from a chemical vapor deposition reaction. The LDH presented a crystalline phase with basal distance of 8.9 Å, typical for nitrate-containing LDHs, and another phase with a basal distance of 13.9 Å. Thermal treatment at 150 °C eliminated the phase with the bigger basal distance leaving only the anhydrous nitrate-intercalated LDH structure with 8.9 Å. Intense N-H stretching modes in the FTIR spectra suggested that the expansion was due to intercalation of ammonia in the form of [NH₄(NH₃)_n]⁺ species. When additional samples were precipitated with pure ammonia, the conventional LDH nitrate structure was obtained (8.9 Å basal distance) at pH=7, as well as a pure crystalline phase with 13.9 Å basal distance at pH=10 due to ammonia intercalation that can be removed by heating at 150 °C or by stirring in acetone, confirming a unusual sensu stricto intercalation process into a LDH without exchanging nitrate ions.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of nickel hydroxide nanostructures in mixed solvents of water and alcohol

Nickel hydroxide nanosheets and flowers have been hydrothermally synthesized using Ni(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O in mixed solvents of ethylene glycol (EG) or ethanol and deionized water at 200 °C for different time. The phase and morphology of the obtained products can be controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters, including the hydrothermal time and the volume ratio of water to EG or ethanol. The possible reaction mechanism and growth of the nanosheets and nanoflowers are discussed based on the experimental results. Porous nickel oxide nanosheets are obtained by heating nickel hydroxide nanosheets in air at 400 °C. The products were characterized by using various methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical property of β-Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets was investigated through the cyclic voltammogram (CV) measurement.     

Synthesis of nanosized NaTaO3 in low temperature and its photocatalytic performance

A simple synthetic route in mild condition to obtain nanosized NaTaO₃ powder with cubic morphology is reported in which the compound was hydrothermally prepared at 120 °C for 12 h. The cubic crystalline structure of this nanosized NaTaO₃ product was ensured by using XRD and TEM. The band gap of the nanosized NaTaO₃ was 3.96 eV based on UV spectrum. The hydrothermal process probably follows the dissolution-precipitation mechanism. Also this NaTaO₃ powder showed high photoreactivity under UV light in gas phase and liquid phase photoreactions.     

Photooxidation of polypropylene/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites: Influence of intralamellar cations

The influence of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) on the photooxidation of polypropylene (PP)/LDH nanocomposites was studied under irradiation at long wavelengths (λ > 300 nm, 60 °C and in the presence of oxygen). The influence of hybrid LDHs containing different divalent cations (Mg, Zn or both Mg and Zn) on the photooxidation mechanism of PP and on the rates of oxidation of the matrix was characterised based on infrared analysis. The presence of LDHs modifies the photoproducts accumulating in the PP and the rates of oxidation of PP were changed depending on the divalent cations in the LDH layers. Whereas natural clays, such as montmorillonite (MMt), can lead to a faster degradation of the materials, LDHs (Zn₂-Al-DS, for example) appear to have no inductive effect on polymer oxidation.     

Hydrothermal preparation and visible-light photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6 powders

Bi₂WO₆ powder photocatalyst was prepared using Bi(NO₃)₃ and Na₂WO₄ as raw materials by a simple hydrothermal method at 150 °C for 24 h, and then calcined at 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 °C for 2 h, respectively. The as-prepared samples were characterized with UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra, fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N₂ adsorption-desorption measurement. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated using the photocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde at room temperature under visible light irradiation. It was found that post-treatment temperature obviously influenced the visible-light photocatalytic activity and physical properties of Bi₂WO₆ powders. At 500 °C, Bi₂WO₆ powder photocatalyst showed the highest visible-light photocatalytic activity due to the samples with good crystallization and high BET surface area.     

Synthesis of anatase nanoparticles with extremely wide solid solution range and ScTiNbO6 with α-PbO2 structure

Anatase-type nanoparticles Sc_XTi_1−2XNb_XO₂ with wide solid solution range (X=0-0.35) were hydrothermally formed at 180 °C for 5 h. The lattice parameters a₀ and c₀, and the optical band gap of anatase gradually and linearly increased with the increase of the content of niobium and scandium from X=0 to 0.35. Their photocatalytic activity and adsorptivity by the measurement of the concentration of methylene blue (MB) that remained in the solution in the dark or under UV-light irradiation were evaluated. The anatase phase existed stably up to 900 °C for the samples with X=0.25-0.30 and 750 °C for that with X=0.35 during heat treatment in air. The phase with α-PbO₂ structure and the rutile phases coexisted in the samples with X=0.25-0.30 after heated at temperatures above 900-950 °C. The α-PbO₂ structure having composition ScTiNbO₆ with possibly some cation order similar to that seen in wolframite existed as almost completely single phase after heat treatment at temperatures 900-1500 °C through phase transformation from anatase-type ScTiNbO₆.     

One-step synthesis of hydrothermally stable mesoporous aluminosilicates with strong acidity

Using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) and aluminium isopropoxide (AIP) as the reactants, through a one-step nonsurfactant route based on PMHS-TEOS-AIP co-polycondensation, hydrothermally stable mesoporous aluminosilicates with different Si/Al molar ratios were successfully prepared. All samples exclusively showed narrow pore size distribution centered at 3.6 nm. To assess the hydrothermal stability, samples were subjected to 100 °C distilled water for 300 h. The boiled mesoporous aluminosilicates have nearly the same N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms and the same pore size distributions as those newly synthesized ones, indicating excellent hydrothermal stability. The ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra confirmed that PMHS and TEOS have jointly condensed and CH₃ groups have been introduced into the materials. The ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectra indicated that Al atoms have been incorporated in the mesopore frameworks. The NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption showed strong acidity. Due to the existence of large amount of CH₃ groups, the mesoporous aluminosilicates obtained good hydrophobicity. Owing to the relatively large pore and the strong acidity provided by the uniform four-coordinated Al atoms, the excellent catalytic performance for 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene cracking was acquired easily. The materials may be a profitable complement for the synthesis of solid acid catalysts.     

The direct decomposition of NO over the La2CuO4 nanofiber catalyst

The NO catalytic direct decomposition was studied over La₂CuO₄ nanofibers, which were synthesized by using single walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as templates under hydrothermal condition. The composition and BET specific surface area of the La₂CuO₄ nanofiber were La₂Cu_0.88²⁺Cu_0.12⁺O_3.94 and 105.0 m²/g, respectively. 100% NO conversion (turnover frequency-(TOF): 0.17 g_NO/g_catalyst s) was obtained over such nanofiber catalyst at temperatures above 300 °C with the products being only N₂ and O₂. In 60 h on stream testing, either at 300 °C or at 800 °C, the nanofiber catalyst still showed high NO conversion efficiency (at 300 °C, 98%, TOF: 0.17 g_NO/g_catalyst s; at 800 °C, 96%, TOF: 0.16 g_NO/g_catalyst s). The O₂ and NO temperature programmed desorption (TPD) results indicated that the desorption of oxygen over the nanofibers occurred at 80-190 and 720-900 °C; while NO desorption happened at temperatures of 210-330 °C. NO and O₂ did not competitively adsorb on the nanofiber catalyst. For outstanding the advantage of the nanostate catalyst, the usual La₂CuO₄ bulk powder was also prepared and studied for comparison.     

Synthesis of titanate, TiO2 (B), and anatase TiO2 nanofibers from natural rutile sand

Titanate nanofibers were synthesized by hydrothermal method (150 °C for 72 h) using natural rutile sand as the starting materials. TiO₂ (B) and anatase TiO₂ (high crystallinity) nanofibers with the diameters of 20-100 nm and the lengths of 10-100 μm were obtained by calcined titanate nanofibers for 4 h at 400 and 700 °C (in air), respectively. The samples characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED, HRTEM, and BET surface area. This synthesis method provides a simple route to fabricate one-dimensional nanostructured TiO₂ from low cost material.     

Characterization of self-assembled films of NiGa layered double hydroxide nanosheets and their electrochemical properties

In this study, we have demonstrated the synthesis and delamination of a rarely studied NiGa layered double hydroxide (LDH) system. Hydrothermal treatment under agitation conditions at 200 °C for 4 h resulted in the formation of highly crystalline NiGa LDHs in a shorter time than those synthesized without agitation. The LDH was delaminated into the individual nanosheets in formamide. The most significant finding in this study is the electrochemical behavior of interlayer ferricyanide anions intercalated with the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly method. The morphology of LBL film with one layer is also monitored with atomic force microscopy. The cyclic voltammogram is similar to potassium metal hexacyanoferrate systems with its unique two-peak wave. Raman spectrum of the film revealed that the metal center of the interlayer cyano complex is in interaction with the Ni²⁺ of the host layer. It was concluded that the two-peak cyclic voltammogram of the film is a result of two different forms of the hexacyanoferrate in the interlayer.     

The effects of synthesis pH and hydrothermal treatment on the formation of zinc aluminum hydrotalcites

Zn/Al hydrotalcites were synthesized by coprecipitation at increasing pH from 6.0 to 14.0, followed by hydrothermal treatment at 150 °C for 7 days. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), STEM, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The XRD analysis for the samples prepared between pH 9.0 and 12.0 showed a pattern typical of hydrotalcite, with a c-axis distance of ∼22.6 Å. STEM showed that the pH of preparation affected the stability of the hydrotalcite and that instability, observed at pH 9.0, favored the formation of mixed phases when treated hydrothermally. It was also shown that treatment of a stable starting material increased the crystallinity and resulted in the formation of hexagonal plate-shaped particles. ICP-AES and thermal analysis showed that the Zn/Al ratio and thermal stability increased with pH. Thermal analysis showed three major weight losses corresponding to the loss of interparticle water, interlayer water and dehydroxylation of the hydroxide layers and decarbonization of the interlayer region.     

Al NMR studies of Ce-Al mixed oxides: origin of 40 ppm peak

CeO₂-γ-Al₂O₃ mixed oxides have been prepared by using both co-precipitation and impregnation methods followed by calcination at 650°C and investigated by ²⁷Al MAS NMR, powder X-ray diffraction and temperature programmed reduction techniques to understand the nature of chemical interaction existing between CeO₂ and γ-Al₂O₃. The ²⁷Al NMR spectra of CeO₂-containing samples showed an additional peak placed at 40 ppm along with the two peaks at 68 and 6 ppm which originate from the tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated Al³⁺ ions present in γ-Al₂O₃. As the concentration of CeO₂ in the mixed oxide increased, the intensity of the 40 ppm peak increased and this was the prominent peak for CeO₂-rich mixed oxide samples. The origin of this 40 ppm peak is discussed and it is inferred that this peak is due to Al³⁺ ions, which are present in CeO₂ lattice, forming a solid solution.