Sol‐Gel Preparation and Characterization of Codoped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Powders

A sol‐gel method has been developed to prepare lanthanide‐codoped yttrium aluminium garnet (Y₃Al₅O₁₂, YAG) ceramic samples. The XRD patterns of the polycrystalline Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Nd,Ho and Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Nd,Er powders sintered at 1000 °C showed the formation of monophasic garnet materials. A homogeneous distribution of rare‐earth dopants in the YAG lattice was achieved in both cases. The morphological characterization of lanthanide‐codoped YAG by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the formation of highly agglomerated nanocrystalline samples. The luminescence properties of sol‐gel derived doubly activated yttrium aluminium garnet samples were also investigated in the present study.     

Synthesis of Pure Cementitious Phases by Sol‐Gel Process as Precursor

Calcium silicates and aluminates are the main constituents of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and calcium aluminate cements (CAC) and therefore the pure phases are of great importance for the investigation of interactions between binder and additives or admixtures. Additionally, investigations on clinker phases doped with foreign ions enable the improvement of the performance of cements. For this purpose great amounts of pure phases are needed. These phases are hard to synthesize via a solid state reaction of solid educts. Thus there is a need for a new, more efficient route to synthesize these phases. The sol‐gel process as precursor provides an alternative to the conventional method. In this paper experimental evidence is presented for an improved synthesis of calcium silicates and aluminates via sol‐gel processes, the characterisation of these clinker phases and their hydration behaviour.     

Accessibility and Solid State NMR Studies on Sol‐Gel Processed Diphosphine Ligands

Novel xerogels X1 a–d were obtained by sol‐gel processing of the monomeric T‐functionalized diphosphine ligand (MeO)₃Si(CH₂)₆CH[CH₂PPh₂]₂ [1(T⁰)] with various amounts of the co‐condensing agents MeSi(OMe)₂(CH₂)₆(OMe)₂SiMe (D⁰–C₆–D⁰) and MeSi(OMe)₂(CH₂)₃(C₆H₄)(CH₂)₃(OMe)₂SiMe [Ph(1,4‐C₃D⁰)₂] . ²⁹Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopic investigations were applied to probe the matrices and their degree of condensation. The integrity of the hydrocarbon backbone and diphosphine moiety was examined by means of solid state NMR spectroscopy (¹³C, ³¹P). To study the dynamics of the matrices and the phosphorus centers detailed measurements of relaxation time (T_1ρH) and cross polarization constants (T_SiH, T_PH) were carried out. The accessibility of the polysiloxane‐supported diphosphines was scrutinized by some typical phosphine reactions. It was found that reagents such as H₂O₂, MeI as well as bulky molecules like (NBD)Mo(CO)₄ or (COD)PdCl₂ are able to reach all phosphorus centers independent on the kind of the backbone of the matrix. SEM micrographs show the morphology of the hybrid materials and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) suggest that the distribution of the elements agree with the applied composition.     

Synthesis and Morphology Control of AM‐6 Nanofibers with Tailored ‐V‐O‐V‐ Intermediates

Microporous vanadosilicates with octahedral VO₆ and tetrahedral SiO₄ units, better known as AM‐6, have been hydrothermally synthesized with different morphologies by controlling the Na/K molar ratio of the initial gel mixtures. The morphology of the AM‐6 materials changed from bulky cube to nanofiber aggregates as the Na/K molar ratio decreased from 1.9 to 0.2. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the VO₃^? intermediate species plays an important role in the formation of the nanofiber morphology. The orientation of ‐V‐O‐V‐ chains in nanofiber aggregates was examined by confocal polarized micro‐Raman spectroscopy. It was found that these aggregates are assemblies of short ‐V‐O‐V‐ chains perpendicular to the axis of nanofibers. The obtained AM‐6 nanofibers greatly increase the exposed proportion of V? O terminals, and thus improve the catalytic performance.     

Synthesis and X‐ray single‐crystal structure study of 5,5′‐bis(silyl)‐functionalized 3,3′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐dithiophenes

A high‐yield synthesis toward 5,5′‐bis(silyl)‐functionalized 3,3′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐dithiophenes with very efficient work‐up procedure is presented. The molecular structures of two silyl functionalized dibromo‐dithiophenes in the solid state have been determined to investigate the structural influences of different functional groups on the degree of π‐conjugation within the dithiophene moieties, as well as their packing properties. The planar alignment of the tert‐butyldimethylsilyl‐functionalized dibromo‐dithiophene shows a significantly higher degree of conjugation of the π‐system with a more favorable molecular packing than the skewed arrangement of the triisopropylsilyl‐substituted species. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical Study of the Interactions of DNA with Redox‐Active Molecules Based on the Immobilization of dsDNA on the Sol‐Gel Derived Nano Porous Hydroxyapatite‐Polyvinyl Alcohol Hybrid Material Coating

A novel type of sol‐gel inorganic‐organic hybrid material coated on glassy carbon electrode used for immobilization of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) and study of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules was developed. The hybrid material coating was produced by sol‐gel method with nano hydroxyapatite (HAp)‐polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The optimum composition of the hybrid material was first examined, and the morphology of the nano HAp‐PVA coatings was investigated with the help of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). DsDNA was immobilized in/on the nano HAp‐PVA hybrid coatings by adsorption and the characteristics of the dsDNA/HAp‐PVA/GCE were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using the probes of Co(phen) and Fe(CN) . The results indicate that the dsDNA can be immobilized on the nano porous HAp‐PVA coating effectively and its stability can satisfy the necessity of study on the interactions of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules on the electrode surface. Co(bpy) and Co(phen) were used as the model molecule to study the interactions of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules. Information such as ratio (K_Ox/K_Red) of the binding constant for the oxidized and reduced forms of a bound species, interaction mode, including change in the mode of interaction, and “limiting” ratio K /K at zero ionic strength (μ) can be obtained using dsDNA/HAp‐PVA/GCE with about 2 μg of DNA samples.     

Synthesis and Electronic Spectroscopy of Bromocarbazoles. Direct Bromination of N‐ and C‐Substituted Carbazoles by N‐Bromosuccinimide or a N‐Bromosuccinimide/Silica Gel System

The preparation, isolation and characterization by elemental analysis and ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and MS data of the bromo derivatives of N‐substituted carbazoles, i.e., of 9‐methyl‐9H‐carbazole ( 1 ), 9‐phenyl‐9H‐carbazole ( 2 ), 9‐benzyl‐9H‐carbazole ( 3 ), 2‐methoxy‐9‐methyl‐9H‐carbazole ( 4 ), and of C‐substituted carbazoles, i.e., of 2‐(acetyloxy)‐9H‐carbazole ( 5 ) and 3‐nitro‐9H‐carbazole ( 6 ), are reported, in part for the first time. As brominating reagents, N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) or NBS/silica gel in CH₂Cl₂, NBS in AcOH, KBrO₃/KBr in EtOH doped with a catalytic amount of H₂SO₄, or KBrO₃/KBr in AcOH were employed, and their uses were compared. Semi‐empirical PM3 calculations were performed to predict the reactivity of the N‐substituted and C‐substituted carbazoles and of their bromo derivatives and found to verify the experimental results. The UV‐absorption and fluorescence and phosphorescence emission spectra of the bromocarbazole derivatives in MeCN solution at 298 K and in a solid matrix at 77 K were compared with those of the corresponding carbazoles 1 – 6 . The dynamic properties of the lowest excited singlet and triplet states (τ_f, τ_p, ?_f, and ?_p) were measured under the same experimental conditions. The intramolecular spin–orbital‐coupling effect of the Br‐atom and NO₂ group on the spectroscopic data, photophysical parameters, and on the photo reactivity were also briefly analyzed.     

Hydrogen Peroxide Detection at Electrochemically and Sol‐Gel Derived Ir Oxide Films

Ir oxide (IrOx) films, formed electrochemically on bulk Ir metal (Ir/IrOx) and also on sol‐gel (SG) derived non‐silica based nanoparticulate Ir, have been studied as material useful for the detection of hydrogen peroxide, with possible application as a glucose biosensor. H₂O₂ reduction and oxidation on Ir/IrOx and SG‐derived IrOx films, deposited on various substrates such as Pt, Ir and GC, have been compared to the H₂O₂ behavior at the bare substrate. It was found that H₂O₂ reduction proceeds on the underlying electrode substrate, while H₂O₂ oxidation is independent of the nature of the substrate, therefore occurring via the IrOx film. The reactivity of IrOx towards H₂O₂ oxidation is similar to that seen at Pt, although IrOx has the additional advantages of excellent stability, insensitivity to common interfering substances, biocompatibility and a linear range of detection, up to at least 12 mM H₂O_2. At micromolar concentrations of H₂O₂, a second mode of detection, involving the catalyzed growth of IrOx films at Ir substrates, can be employed. These two methods of H₂O₂ analysis (oxidation/reduction and enhanced IrOx growth) can also be employed for glucose detection using IrOx‐based glucose biosensors.     

Evaluation of Meldola Blue‐Carbon Nanotube‐Sol‐Gel Composite for Electrochemical NADH Sensors and Their Application for Lactate Dehydrogenase‐Based Biosensors

A novel MB‐SWNT‐sol‐gel nanocomposite material was prepared by the sol‐gel process incorporating a redox mediator and carbon nanotubes. The electrocatalytic properties of the nanomaterial based sensor toward NADH oxidation were studied by electrochemical measurements. Significant enhancement of oxidation current is obtained at electrodes modified by MB‐SWNT‐sol‐gel in comparison with the analogous carbon black and/or graphite composite modified electrode. The usefulness of the nanocomposite material as a matrix for immobilizing enzymes is also demonstrated. Analytical parameters of D ‐lactate biosensors with and without SWNT in the hybrid film were compared demonstrating that performance of the biosensor was significantly improved when introducing SWNT.     

Photocatalytic Activity of Fe and Ce Co‐doped Mesoporous TiO2 Catalyst under UV and Visible Light

The catalysts of un‐doped, single‐doped and co‐doped mesoporous titanium dioxide (MTiO₂) were prepared by a template method with tetrabutyltitanate (Ti(OC₄H₉)₄) as a Ti source material and Pluronic P123 as a template. The photo‐absorbance of the obtained catalysts was measured by UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, and the photocatalytic activities of the prepared samples under UV and visible light were estimated by measuring the degradation rate of methyl orange (MO) (50 mg/L) in an aqueous solution. It was shown that the co‐doped MTiO₂ could be activated by visible light and could thus be used as an effective catalyst in photo‐oxidation reactions. The effect of Fe and Ce co‐dopants on the material properties was investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N₂ adsorption‐desorption isotherm measurement. The characterizations indicated that the photocatalysts possessed a homogeneous pore diameter of ca. 10 nm with high surface area of ca. 150 m²/g. The photocatalytic activity of MTiO₂ co‐doped with Fe and Ce was markedly improved due to the synergistic actions of the two dopants.     

Sol‐Gel Derived Potentiometric Sensor for Determination of Vanadyl Ions

A sol‐gel electrode, based on thiacalix[4]arene as a neutral carrier, was successfully developed for the detection of VO²⁺ in aqueous solutions. The sol‐gel electrode exhibited linear response with Nernstian slope of 29.3±0.3 mV per decade, within the vanadyl ion concentration ranges 1.0×10^?6 – 1.0×10^?1 mol dm^?3. The sol‐gel electrode shows detection limit of 4.9×10^?7 mol dm^?3. The influence of membrane composition, the pH of the test solution, and the interfering ions on the electrode performance were investigated. The electrode exhibited good selectivities for a number of alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The effect of temperature on the electrode response showed that the temperature higher than 60 °C deteriorates the electrode performance. Application of the electrode for the determination of vanadyl in spiked samples is reported.     

Electrochemical Sensor for Sulfite and Sulfur Dioxide Based on 3‐Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane Derived Sol‐Gel Composite Electrode

A new sol‐gel derived composite sensor has been developed for the determination of sulfite and sulfur dioxide using 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, ferrous sulfate and graphite powder by sol‐gel process. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry studies revealed that the modified iron dispersed sol‐gel derived ceramic composite electrode exhibited excellent characteristics for the electrocatalytic oxidation of sulfite at a reduced potential of +0.35 V with good sensitivity and selectivity. The pH and the potential for sulfite estimation have been optimized. The sensor exhibited rapid and linear response to sulfite in the concentration range from 0.73 mg/L to 95.42 mg/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The proposed sensor can be utilized for the determination sulfur dioxide after absorbing in a suitable medium and has promising characteristics such as, rapid response, good reproducibility and remarkable stability.     

网状钼酸铋的可见光催化活性

采用无助剂、无模板的水热法成功合成网状Bi2MoO6. pH值对这一形貌的形成起重要作用. 所制备的网状Bi2MoO6样品表现出优异的可见光催化活性,其光催化活性比固相法合成的块状Bi2MoO6样品高得多.     

Synthesis of Ethylene‐bridged Heterocyclic Bidentate P(III)N‐Ligands — Oxidation and Complexation Studies

A series of phosphor(III)inanone ligands 4‐7 , linked by ethylene bridges between the nitrogen atoms of the heterocyclic rings, were synthesized by the reaction of the bis‐PCl derivative 3 with the appropriate trimethylsilylamines. The bis‐phosphor(V)inanone compounds 8‐11 were obtained by the oxidation of 4‐7 with hexafluoroacetone (HFA). Oxidation of 4 and 6 with tetrachloro‐orthobenzoquinone (TOB) gave the bis‐phosphor(V)inanones 12 and 13 . The reaction of 4‐6 with [Pt(COD)Cl₂] led to the platinum complexes 14‐16 . All the σ³‐phosphorinanone compounds 4‐7 and the σ⁵‐phosphorinanone compounds 8‐10 , 12 and 13 exist as a mixture of two conformers, as indicated by two signals in the ³¹P‐NMR spectra. However, compounds 9 and 11 exist as single conformers, both display only one sharp singlet in the ³¹P‐NMR spectra. The Pt‐complexes 15 and 16 contain two conformers; one conformer of 16 could be isolated by crystallization. X‐ray crystal structure determinations for compounds 8 , 14 and 16 were conducted, revealing inversion symmetry for 8 and cis arrangement for 14 and 16 .     

Preparation of GOD/Sol‐Gel Silica Film on Prussian Blue Modified Electrode for Glucose Biosensor Application

A novel amperometric glucose biosensor was fabricated by in situ incorporating glucose oxidase (GOD) within the sol‐gel silica film on a Prussian blue (PB) modified electrode. The method is simple and controllable, which combined the merits of in situ immobilizing biomolecules in sol‐gel silica film by electrochemical method and the synergic catalysis effects of PB and GOD molecules. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the GOD/sol‐gel silica film was homogeneous with a large number of three‐dimensional nanopores, which not only enhanced mass transport, but also maintained the active configuration of the enzyme molecule and prevented the leakage of enzyme, therefore improved the stability and sensitivity of the biosensor. The fabricated biosensor showed fast response time (10 s), high sensitivity (26.6 mA cm^?2 M^?1), long‐term stability, good suppression of interference, and linear range of 0.01 mM–5.8 mM with a low detection limit of 0.94 μM for the detection of glucose. In addition, the biosensor was successfully applied to determine glucose in human serum samples.     

聚丙烯酰胺凝胶法合成TbFeO3 纳米颗粒及其可见光催化活性

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶法制备了TbFeO3纳米颗粒, 研究了不同络合剂对样品的纯度、 颗粒尺寸及形貌的影响. XRD分析结果表明, 以酒石酸、 柠檬酸或乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)为络合剂, 在650 ℃下烧结均可制备出单相TbFeO3纳米颗粒, 但产物的平均粒径不同; 而采用乙酸或草酸为络合剂则难以制得纯相样品. SEM观测结果表明, 以酒石酸为络合剂制备的颗粒细小, 均匀、 形貌规整、 呈球状, 平均粒径约为50 nm; 以柠檬酸为络合剂制备的颗粒主要以近球形为主, 颗粒的尺寸分布相对较宽, 平均粒径约为100 nm; 以EDTA为络合剂制备的颗粒主要呈椭球状, 颗粒尺寸较均匀, 但颗粒间存在不同程度的黏连现象, 平均粒径约为110 nm. 这3种样品的BET比表面积分别为15.4, 8.3和6.8 m2/g. 紫外-可见漫反射吸收光谱研究表明, TbFeO3纳米颗粒的带隙为1.95~1.98 eV. 分别以甲基橙(MO)、 罗丹明B(RhB)、 亚甲基蓝(MB)、 酸性品红(AF)和刚果红(CR)5种有机染料为目标降解物, 考察了TbFeO3颗粒的光催化活性. 结果表明, 在可见光辐照下颗粒表现出良好的光催化活性, 其中, 以酒石酸为络合剂制备的样品光催化效果最好.     

Synthesis and Characterization of High Surface Area Tin Oxide Nanoparticles via the Sol‐Gel Method as a Catalyst for the Hydrogenation of Styrene

A systematic study on the preparation of SnO₂ nanoparticles using a simple sol‐gel technique has been conducted by varying reaction parameters such as concentration of ammonia, ammonia feed rate and reaction temperature. The tin oxide obtained was characterized by using FTIR, BET, XRD and TEM. Particles size was obtained in the range of 4 to 5.6 nm and the surface area was found to be between 76 to 114 m² g^?1 depending on the reaction parameters. Meanwhile, the catalytic activity of SnO2 was first time investigated for the hydrogenation reaction of styrene using ethanol as the solvent at 70 °C and 1 atmospheric pressure. It is found that SnO2 acts as a good catalyst in this hydrogenation process. The product conversions in the presence of catalysts prepared at different conditions were between 37 to 72%.     

Bi_2MoO_6/BiVO_4异质结的水热合成和可见光催化活性(英文)

采用一步水热法制备Bi2MoO6/BiVO4复合光催化剂.利用X射线衍射(XRD)、场发射扫描电子显微镜(FESEM)、高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)等手段对其晶体结构和微观结构进行了表征.结果表明,Bi2MoO6纳米粒子沉积在BiVO4纳米片表面从而形成异质结结构.紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)表明所制备的Bi2MoO6/BiVO4异质结较纯相Bi2MoO6和BiVO4对可见光吸收更强.由于形成异质结结构及其光吸收性能使Bi2MoO6/BiVO4光催化活性有较大提高.可见光下(λ420 nm)光催化降解罗丹明B(RhB)实验结果表明,Bi2MoO6/BiVO4光催化活性较纯相Bi2MoO6和BiVO4高.Bi2MoO6/BiVO4样品光催化性能提高的原因是Bi2MoO6和BiVO4形成异质结,从而有效抑制光生电子-空穴对的复合,增大了可见光吸收范围及比表面积.     

Dehydrogenase‐Based Reagentless Biosensors: Electrochemically Assisted Deposition of Sol‐Gel Thin Films on Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have been functionalized, for the electrocatalytic detection of NADH, by microwave treatment, electrochemical deposition of poly(methylene green) or wrapping with an Os‐complex modified polymer. Sol‐gel thin films have been then electrodeposited on the carbon nanotube layers for co‐immobilization of D ‐sorbitol dehydrogenase and diaphorase when necessary and NAD⁺ via covalent linkage using glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The comparison of these systems shows that the electrodeposited sol‐gel matrix can significantly affect the operational behavior of functionalized MWCNT. Only MWCNT wrapped with the Os‐complex modified polymer and covered with a sol‐gel biocomposite allowed the electrochemical detection of D ‐sorbitol in a reagentless configuration.     

An Electrochemical Biosensor with Cholesterol Oxidase/ Sol‐Gel Film on a Nanoplatinum/Carbon Nanotube Electrode

The carbon nanotubes decorated nanoplatinum (CNT‐Pt) were prepared using a chemical reduction method and a novel base electrode was constructed by intercalating CNT‐Pt on the surface of a waxed graphite electrode. The results showed that the nano‐particles of platinum at a waxed graphite electrode exhibits high catalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The cholesterol oxidase (ChOx), chosen as a model enzyme, was immobilized with sol‐gel on the CNT‐Pt base electrode to construct a biosensor. The current response of the biosensor for cholesterol was very rapid (<20 s). The linear range for cholesterol measurement was 4.0×10^?6 mol/L ?1.0×10^?4 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.4×10^?6 mol/L. The experiments also showed that the ChOx/sol‐gel/CNT‐Pt biosensor was sensitive and stable in detecting cholesterol in serum samples.