Effect of surface structure on the catalytic behavior of Ni：Cu/Al and Ni：Cu：K/Al catalysts for methane decomposition

Methane decomposition using nickel, copper, and aluminum （Ni：Cu/Al） and nickel, copper, potassium, and aluminum （Ni：Cu：K/Al） modified nano catalysts has been investigated for carbon fibers, hydrogen and hydrocarbon production. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, static secondary ion mass spectrometry （SSIMS）, thermal gravimetric analysis （TGA）, Fourier transform infrared （FT-IR）, secondary electron microscopy/X-ray energy dispersive （SEM-EDX）, and temperature programmed desorption （TPD） were used to depict the chemistry of the catalytic results. These techniques revealed the changes in surface morphology and structure of Ni, Cu, Al, and K, and formation of bimetallic and trimetallic surface cationic sites with different cationic species, which resulted in the production of graphitic form of pure carbon on Ni：Cu/Al catalyst. The addition of K has a marked effect on the product selectivity and reactivity of the catalyst system. K addition restricts the formation of carbon on the surface and increases the production of hydrogen and C2, C3 hydrocarbons during the catalytic reaction whereas no hydrocarbons are produced on the sample without K. This study completely maps the modified surface structure and its relationship with the catalytic behavior of both systems. The process provides a flexible route for the production of carbon fibers and hydrogen on Ni：Cu/Al catalyst and hydrogen along with hydrocarbons on Ni：Cu：K/Al catalyst. The produced carbon fibers are imaged using a transmission electron microscope （TEM） for diameter size and wall structure determination. Hydrogen produced is COx free, which can be used directly in the fuel cell system. The effect of the addition of Cu and its transformation and interaction with Ni and K is responsible for the production of CO/CO2 free hydrogen, thus producing an environmental friendly clean energy.     

纳米Al2O3颗粒对纯Fe液诱导凝固过程的分子动力学模拟

采用分子动力学(MD)方法模拟了不同半径大小的纳米Al2O3颗粒夹杂在三个温度下(1750、1730和1710K)对纯Fe液的诱导凝固过程,并分析了作为诱导核心的纳米Al2O3颗粒的结构演变及其对Fe原子体系的凝固过程的影响.发现在诱导过程中,纳米Al2O3颗粒的内部保持较好的晶型结构,仅表面原子有结构变形;诱导凝固的Fe原子主要为面心立方(fcc)和密排六方(hcp)原子;纳米Al2O3颗粒的尺寸越大,发生诱导凝固的温度越高;诱导凝固得到的Fe晶体的晶格取向受纳米Al2O3颗粒在Fe液中的漂移程度影响.     

Tailoring the carbon nanostructures grown on the surface of Ni-Al bimetallic nanoparticles in the gas phase

A gas-phase, one-step method for producing various aerosol carbon nanostructures is described. The carbon nanostructures can be selectively tailored with either straight, coiled, or sea urchin-like structures by controlling the size of Ni-Al bimetallic nanoparticles and the reaction temperature. The carbon nanostructures were grown using both conventional spray pyrolysis and thermal chemical vapor deposition. Bimetallic nanoparticles with catalytic Ni (guest) and non-catalytic Al (host) matrix were reacted with acetylene and hydrogen gases. At the processing temperature range of 650-800 °C, high concentration straight carbon nanotubes (S-CNTs) with a small amount of coiled carbon nanotubes (C-CNTs) can be grown on the surface of seeded bimetallic nanoparticle size <100 nm, resulting from consumption of the melting Al matrix sites; sea urchin-like carbon nanotubes (SU-CNTs) of small diameter (～10±4 nm) can be grown on the bimetallic nanoparticle size >100 nm, resulting from the significant size reduction of the available Ni sites due to thermal expansion of molten Al matrix sites without consumption of Al matrix. However, at the processing temperature range of 500-650 °C, C-CNTs can be grown on the bimetallic nanoparticle size <100 nm due to the presence of Al matrix in the bimetallic nanoparticles; SU-CNTs of large diameter (～60±13 nm) can also be grown on the bimetallic nanoparticle size >100 nm due to the isolation of Ni sites in the Al matrix.     

用电泳沉积技术制备空心Silicalite-1沸石纤维

通过电泳沉积技术(EPD)将纳米silicalite-1沸石组装到碳纤维模板上并经焙烧除去模板,成功制备了孔壁由纳米沸石构成的空心沸石纤维(hollowzeolitefibers),并系统研究了制备条件。发现纳米粒子的表面电荷和电泳电压是制备沸石涂层和空心沸石纤维的关键因素;纳米沸石胶液的pH值决定了纳米粒子的表面电势的正负和大小;其它条件,如电泳时间、胶液浓度也对沸石涂层的形成有影响。红外和XRD图谱证明所得空心沸石纤维孔壁只由纳米silicalite-1构成。     

Effects of a 10 T external magnetic field on the thermal decomposition of Fe, Ni, and Co acetyl acetonates

The current investigation is centered on the thermal decomposition (700 degrees C) of acetyl acetonates of Ni, Co, and Fe in a closed reactor that was conducted by employing an external magnetic field (MF) of 10T. Interestingly, reactions of Co and Ni acetyl acetonates under a 10T MF produce Co and Ni nanoparticles (NPs) coated with carbon, while Fe acetyl acetonate produces Fe3O4 uncoated with carbon. Additionally, it is observed that all the as-formed magnetic particles tend to align in one dimension along applied MF; thus, this process can be used to fabricate large arrays of magnetic nanoparticles. The effect of an applied MF to synthesize morphologically and compositionally different products from corresponding precursors with their mesoscopic organization is the key theme of the present paper, explained with a plausible mechanism.     

QM/MD simulation of SWNT nucleation on transition-metal carbide nanoparticles

The mechanism and kinetics of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) nucleation from Fe- and Ni-carbide nanoparticle precursors have been investigated using quantum chemical molecular dynamics (QM/MD) methods. The dependence of the nucleation mechanism and its kinetics on environmental factors, including temperature and metal-carbide carbon concentration, has also been elucidated. It was observed that SWNT nucleation occurred via three distinct stages, viz. the precipitation of the carbon from the metal-carbide, the formation of a "surface/subsurface" carbide intermediate species, and finally the formation of a nascent sp(2)-hybidrized carbon structure supported by the metal catalyst. The SWNT cap nucleation mechanism itself was unaffected by carbon concentration and/or temperature. However, the kinetics of SWNT nucleation exhibited distinct dependences on these same factors. In particular, SWNT nucleation from Ni(x)C(y) nanoparticles proceeded more favorably compared to nucleation from Fe(x)C(y) nanoparticles. Although SWNT nucleation from Fe(x)C(y) and Ni(x)C(y) nanoparticle precursors occurred via an identical route, the ultimate outcomes of these processes also differed substantially. Explicitly, the Ni(x)-supported sp(2)-hybridized carbon structures tended to encapsulate the catalyst particle itself, whereas the Fe(x)-supported structures tended to form isolated SWNT cap structures on the catalyst surface. These differences in SWNT nucleation kinetics were attributed directly to the relative strengths of the metal-carbon interaction, which also dictates the precipitation of carbon from the nanoparticle bulk and the longevity of the resultant surface/subsurface carbide species. The stability of the surface/subsurface carbide was also influenced by the phase of the nanoparticle itself. The observations agree well with experimentally available data for SWNT growth on iron and nickel catalyst particles.     

α-Al2O3纳米粒子对Co-Ni合金异常共沉积电化学行为的影响

为了研究在电化学复合共沉积过程中,惰性纳米粒子和金属离子、电极表面的相互作用,以及由此产生的对合金电化学共沉积行为的影响.本文从两个吸附过程出发: 电解液中的金属离子和H＋在纳米粒子表面的吸附；纳米粒子迁移到阴极表面,在电极表面的吸附.采用Zeta电势和稳态极化以及电化学交流阻抗（EIS）研究了纳米Al2O3粒子和电解液中的金属离子，和电极表面的相互作用,进而分析了纳米粒子对Co2＋和Ni2＋还原沉积的影响规律.通过对阻抗数据的拟合,讨论了Al2O3纳米粒子对等效电路中各物理参数的影响.在H＋和不同金属离子在纳米粒子上发生竞争吸附的基础上,提出了纳米粒子和合金共沉积的可能反应历程.     

Impact of Al nanoparticles upon the microstructure and wear properties of Ni-Cr-Al nanocomposite coatings

Ni–7Cr and Ni–7Cr–2Al (wt.%) nanocomposite coatings were fabricated by co-electrodeposition of Ni with Cr (40 nm) or and Al (75 nm) nanoparticles from a nickel sulfate bath, their microstructure, friction and wear performance were comparably evaluated in order to elucidate the effect of Al nanoparticles on the properties of nanocomposite coatings. The results indicated that the co-deposition of minor Al nanoparticles significantly increases the microhardness and wear resistance because Al nanoparticles with surface amorphous oxides layers exert the dispersion-strengthening effect like Al₂O₃ nanoparticles.     

Formation of CO(x)-free H2 and cup-stacked carbon nanotubes over nano-Ni dispersed single wall carbon nanohorns

Transitional metals (M) were dispersed on single-wall carbon nanohorns (M/SWCNHs, M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) by simple thermal treatment of the deposited metal nitrate without H(2) reduction. Nanometallic Ni particles on SWCNH were evidenced by high-resolution transmission electron microscopic observation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nano-Ni dispersed on SWCNH showed the highest CH(4) decomposition activity; the activity of used transitional metals decreases in the order Ni ? Co > Fe ? Cu. On the other hand, the reaction rate over Ni/SWCNH was much larger than that over Ni/Al(2)O(3), and the former provided CO(x)-free H(2) and cup-stacked carbon nanotubes, while Ni/Al(2)O(3) produced CO(x) in addition to H(2). SWCNH was superior to Al(2)O(3) as the catalyst support of Ni for the CH(4) decomposition reaction.     

镁铝混合氧化物负载镍催化剂的制备及在液化石油气低温重整反应中的催化性能

采用共沉淀-浸渍法制备了不同Ni 含量的 Ni/Mg(Al)O 催化剂并用于液化石油气(LPG)的低温水蒸气重整反应. X 射线衍射和程序升温还原结果表明, 在 800 ℃焙烧的 Ni/Mg(Al)O 催化剂中, NiO 与 MgO 反应生成 Mg-Ni-O 固溶体, 还原后形成金属 Ni 纳米颗粒. 详细研究了 Ni 含量(质量分数)、反应温度和水/碳摩尔比(n_H2O/n_C) 等对催化剂性能的影响. 实验结果表明, 15%Ni/Mg(Al)O 催化剂对 LPG 低温重整反应具有最佳的催化性能. 提高反应温度能显著提高 Ni/Mg(Al)O 催化剂的催化性能. 当n_H2O/n_C=2时, 在400~500 ℃的温度范围使LPG完全转化的最大反应空速从 28900 mL·h^-1·g^-1Cat提高到 86800 mL·h^-1·g^-1Cat. 适当增大水/碳摩尔比有利于 LPG 转化为小分子气体, 但在 LPG 摩尔流量不变的情况下, 反应气中水含量过高会导致 LPG 转化率降低. 反应后催化剂的X射线衍射谱(XRD)和热重分析(TG)结果表明, Ni/Mg(Al)O催化剂优良的催化活性和反应稳定性可归因于催化剂表面Ni晶粒较高的稳定性和抗积炭性能.     

Methods for functionalization of microsized polystyrene beads with titania nanoparticles for cathodic electrophoretic deposition

Functionalization of colloidal particles based on the use of polyelectrolytes and heterocoagulation was combined with electrophoretic deposition (EPD), with the aim of depositing titania-polystyrene (TiO(2)-PS) composite particles on Ti6Al4V substrates. The composite particles were obtained by heterocoagulation of TiO(2) nanoparticles on the surface of monosized polystyrene beads of 4.6 microm in diameter. Two alternative methods were developed for the preparation of the TiO(2)-PS suspensions in organic fluids for cathodic electrodeposition. The first method was carried out in alkaline aqueous medium with the use of polyelectrolytes and intermediate control measurements of zeta potential, conductivity, and pH; the second one was carried out directly in the organic solvent used for EPD, typically isopropanol. Examples of deposits obtained by EPD in both suspensions and a comparative analysis between the two methods are presented.     

EIS evaluation of protective performance and surface characterization of epoxy coating with aluminum nanoparticles after wet and dry corrosion test

The effect of addition of aluminum (Al) nanoparticles to epoxy coating on the ability to protect the carbon steel was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and focused ion beam-transmission electron microscopy. The EIS was conducted in 0.1?M NaCl solution after wet/dry cyclic corrosion test. The addition of Al nanoparticles increased the film resistance (R _f) and the charge transfer resistance (R _ct) of epoxy-coated steel. The surface analysis showed that uniform and fine Al–Fe complex oxide layers were formed acting as barrier layers that enhanced the corrosion protection of the epoxy-coated steel. It has been concluded that the Al nanoparticles had a beneficial role in improving the corrosion resistance of the epoxy-coated steel.     

Combined hydrogenation of carbon oxides on catalysts bearing iron and nickel nanoparticles

The reaction of the hydrogenation of a mixture of carbon oxides on ultradisperse powder (UDP) catalysts containing Fe and Ni nanoparticles and their bimetallic mechanical mixtures was investigated. It was established that the main reaction product on UDP Ni is methane, while the main products on the bimetallic systems are methane and ethylene. A synergetic effect was observed on the bimetallic catalyst under investigation. It was revealed that the hydrogenation of a mixture of carbon oxides proceeds through the stage of dissociative adsorption of both components, CO and CO₂. The olefin selectivity of the process was explained by the participation of different forms of adsorbed hydrogen (H_I: H_II) at the catalyst surface. It is assumed that the hydrogenation of carbon oxides on iron-nickel catalysts proceeds either through the jumpover effect or via hydrogen spillover.     

Elastomeric nanoparticle composites covalently bound to Al2O3/GaAs surfaces

This article reports the modification of Al2O3/GaAs surfaces with multifunctional soft materials. Siloxane elastomers were covalently bound to dopamine-modified Al2O3/GaAs semiconductor surfaces using MPt (M = Fe, Ni) nanoparticles. The sizes of the monodisperse FePt and NiPt nanoparticles were less than 5 nm. The surfaces of the nanoparticles as well as the Al2O3/GaAs substrates were modified with allyl-functionalized dopamine that utilized a dihydroxy group as a strong ligand. The immobilization of the elastomers was performed via a hydrosilation reaction of the allyl-functionalized dopamines with the siloxane backbones. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments confirmed the covalent bonding of the siloxane elastomers to the oxide layer on the semiconductor surface. Fourier transform-infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) measurements revealed that the allyl functional groups are bonded to the siloxane backbones. The FT-IRRAS data also showed that the density of the allyl groups on the surface was lower than that of the siloxane backbones. The mechanical properties of the surface-bound nanocomposites were tested using nanoindentation experiments. The nanoindentation data showed that the soft matrix composed of the elastomeric coating on the surfaces behaves differently from the inner, hard Al2O3/GaAs substrate.     

Collaboration of Ni,polyoxometalates and layered double hydroxides: synthesis,characterization, electrochemical and mechanism investigations as nano-catalyst in the Heck coupling reaction

Nickel (Ni) nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of magnetic MgAl layered double hydroxide intercalated 10-molybdo-2-vanadophosphate (Fe–MgAl/Mo₁₀V₂–Ni) for the first time. The presence of Ni nanoparticles onthe high-surface area Fe–MgAl LDH structure in the presence of Mo₁₀V₂ makes this catalyst an ideal option in terms of efficiency and selectivity for Heck coupling reaction. Synergic effects of Mo₁₀V₂ and Ni were investigated by an electrochemical technique. Increasing of the ECSA of the catalyst compared to Fe–Mg–Al–Ni leads to enhancement of the catalytic activity and proves the synergic effect. A new catalytic mechanism was introduced for this kind of reaction. The resulting structure and its catalytic behavior were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, ICP-AES, TEM, SEM, EDX, EBSD, XPS, BET, VSM, CV, LSV and zeta potential analyses. More importantly, Fe–MgAl/Mo₁₀V₂–Ni can easily be separated from the reaction mixture using an external magnet and reused for at least four successive runs without any substantial reduction in its catalytic activity.     

Electrophoretic deposition of network-like carbon nanofiber as a conducting substrate for nanostructured nickel oxide electrode

A vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCF) film with network-like architecture was fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) in the isopropanol suspension containing Ni(NO₃)₂ additive. Nickel ions adsorbed on the VGCFs increase the zeta potential of VGCFs, consequently, the EPD rate and nanofiber dispersion are remarkably improved. Nickel deposition is accompanied by reducing the nickel ions on the surface of VGCFs. Nickel appears to be suitable as a conducting metal binder for attaching the VGCFs. EPD of the nickel oxide on VGCF-coated film exhibits excellent capacitive behavior compared with that bare NiO electrode, resulting from the reduced electron conducting and charge-transfer resistances.     

Pt–Ni alloy nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for methanol oxidation in alkaline media

The Pt–Ni alloy nanoparticles with different Pt/Ni atomic ratios supported on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes surface were synthesized via an impregnation-reduction method. The nanocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical techniques. XRD demonstrated that Pt was alloyed with Ni. TEM showed that the Pt–Ni alloy nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) surface, indicating appropriate amount of Ni in Pt–Ni alloy which facilitates the dispersion of nanoparticles on the MWCNT surface. XPS revealed that the Pt 4f peak in Pt–Ni/MWCNT (4:1) catalyst shifted to a lower binding energy compared with Pt/MWCNT catalyst, and nickel oxides/hydroxides such as NiO, Ni(OH)₂, and NiOOH were on the surface of Pt–Ni nanoparticles. Electrochemical data based on cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric curves indicated that Pt–Ni (4:1) alloy nanoparticles exhibited distinctly higher activity and better stability than those of Pt/MWCNTs toward methanol oxidation in alkaline media.     

Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Carbon‐Coated Nanoparticles

Abstract

In the present work, microstructure and superparamagnetic properties of two types of carbon‐coated magnetic Ni and Fe nanoparticles [Ni(C) and Fe(C)] are reviewed. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron diffraction (SAED), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses have been used to reveal the distinct structural morphologies of Ni and Fe nanoparticles. Moreover, novel carbon‐coated Ni nanoparticle assemblies offer us great opportunities for studying the mechanism of superparamagnetism in particle assemblies. Magnetization measurements [M(T) and M(H) curves] for assemblies of Ni nanoparticles indicate that modified superparamagnetic properties at T > T _B, have been found in the assemblies of Ni(C) particles. The blocking temperature, T _B, is determined to be near 115K under a certain applied field. Above T _B, the magnetization M(H, T) can be described by the classical Langevin function L using the relation, M/M _s (T = 0) = coth (μH/kT) ? kT/μH. It is suggested that these assemblies of carbon‐coated Ni nanoparticles have typical single‐domain, field‐dependent superparamagnetic relaxation properties. Finally, Mössbauer spectra and hyperfine magnetic fields at room temperature for the assemblies of Fe(C) nanoparticles confirm their distinct nanophases that were detected by structural analysis. Modified superparamagnetic relaxation is observed in the assemblies of Fe(C) nanoparticles, which is attributed to the nanocrystalline nature of the carbon‐coated nanoparticles.     

一种复合熔融碳酸盐燃料电池基体阴极的制备和性质研究

采用电泳沉积技术将LiCoO2和CeO2两种纳米颗粒同时沉积至多孔镍基阴极表面,获得一种新型复合基体阴极材料——LiCoO2-CeO2-Ni。研究了其在模拟熔融碳酸盐燃料电池(MCFC)工作条件下的形变/溶解行为,并对其实验前后的表面进行了详细分析。结果表明,与传统多孔镍基阴极相比,新基体阴极材料在模拟MCFC启动及运行条件下形变微小,镍溶出速率低。材料表面所修饰的纳米颗粒薄层对镍基体包覆致密且与之形成稳定新相,从而有效抑制了材料的形变和溶解。     

Facile fabrication of a nanosphere film from layered double hydroxide nanosheets using an electrophoretic deposition method

A novel Zn–Al layered double hydroxide nanosheet (ZnAl NS) based nanosphere film has been fabricated on an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass plate substrate from a transparent colloidal suspension of ZnAl NS via an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. The morphology of the as-deposited film can be tailored by adjusting the deposition time and further heat treatment above 450 °C affords a Zn–Al mixed metal oxide (MMO) nanosphere film. We propose that the novel nanosphere microstructure of the ZnAl NS film results from the formation of diamond like carbon (DLC) precursor material, by electrolytic decomposition of formamide during the EPD process, which precipitates the ZnAl NS to lead to nuclei which develop into nanospheres.