Urea and CaCl2 as inhibitors of coal low-temperature oxidation

Thermal analysis was used to study the influence of CaCl₂ and urea as possible chemical additives inhibiting coal oxidation process at temperatures 100?C300?°C. Weight increase due to oxygen chemisorption and corresponding amount of evolved heat were evaluated as main indicative parameters. TA experiments with different heating rates enabled determination of effective activation energy E _a as a dependence of conversion. In the studied range of temperatures, the interaction of oxygen with (untreated) coal was confirmed rather as a complex process giving effective activation energies changing continuously from 70?kJ?mol^?1 (at about 100?°C) to ca. 180?kJ?mol^?1 at temperatures about 250?°C. The similar trend in E _a was found when chemical agents were added to the coal. However, while the presence of CaCl₂ leads to higher values of the effective activation energies during the whole temperature range, urea causes increase in E _a only at temperatures below 200?°C. Exceeding the temperature 200?°C, the presence of urea in the coal induces decrease in activation energy of the oxidation process indicating rather catalysing than inhibiting action on coal oxidation. Thus, CaCl₂ can only be recommended as a ??real?? inhibitor affecting interaction of coal with oxygen at temperatures up to 300?°C.     

Effect of heat treatment on the morphology and structure of crystals,powders, and fibers of polyacrylonitrile and saran

As part of a study of chemical and physical changes accompanying the formation of carbons by the pyrolysis of polymers, conventional electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques have been used to examine structural and morphological features of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) crystals, powder, and fibers, and of Saran and poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) powder. Changes accompanying the heating of these polymers in air and in nitrogen have been investigated. PAN crystals grown from propylene carbonate were similar to those obtained by Klement and Geil. When heated in air at 220°C they retained their morphology, and electron diffraction gave the same reflections as PAN. On further heating to 400°C in nitrogen the morphology was retained, but the diffraction was lost. Crystals treated in nitrogen alone at 200°C showed morphology similar to that of the polymer. PAN powders and fibers retained discernable external features of their morphology on heating to 800°C. These results are discussed with reference to changes which take place when poly(vinylidene chloride) and Saran are heated in the range 150–180°C, which results in the loss of one hydrogen chloride per monomer unit, and are subsequently carbonized at 800°C. The development of pore structure and the adsorptive properties of Saran carbons are also discussed.     

Electrodeposition of nanocrystalline aluminium, copper, and copper–aluminium alloys from 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethylsulfonate ionic liquid

In this paper, we show that nanocrystalline aluminium, copper, and copper–aluminium alloys can be electrodeposited from the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethylsulfonate, [Py_1,4]TfO. Furthermore, Al deposition was studied in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate, [EMIm]TfO for comparison. The two employed ionic liquids exhibit different concentration-dependent phase behaviour with AlCl₃. This study comprises cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic electrolysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Thick (in micrometre regime) and uniform layers of aluminium deposits were obtained from 2.75?M AlCl₃ in [Py_1,4]TfO at 100?°C. The average crystallite size of aluminium was found to be around 40 to 50?nm. However, a coarse and cubic-shaped Al deposit with crystal sizes in the micrometre regime was obtained from [EMIm]TfO. Electrodeposition of copper was investigated in [Py_1,4]TfO-containing Cu(TfO)₂ at 100?°C. The average grain size of the copper deposit obtained from the electrolysis is around 20 to 40?nm. Electrodeposition of copper–aluminium alloys was successful in the same ionic liquid at 100?°C. Thick layers of copper–aluminium alloys were obtained from the employed ionic liquid. XRD analysis of the obtained deposits from electrolysis experiments revealed that Cu₃Al alloy was formed. SEM analysis indicated that the nanocrystalline copper–aluminium deposits have an average grain size of 60 to 70?nm.     

Mechanism of formation of nanosized copper particles in a nanoreactor based on the [LiAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Cuedta]·<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O supramolecular system

The formation of nanosized copper particles in a nanoreactor based on the [LiAl₂(OH)₆]₂[Cuedta]·nH₂O supramolecular system [Li-Al-Cu(edta)] was studied by the DTA, XRPA, FMR, IR, and mass spectrometry methods. Thermal decomposition of Li-Al-Cu(edta) below 200°C occurs as two-stage removal of the interlayer water molecules. Above 200°C dehydration of [LiAl₂(OH)₆]⁺ metal hydroxide layers occurs simultaneously with destruction of [Cuedta]^2? complexonate ions. The first stage of destruction (below 250–260°C) is a redox process that forms metallic copper and liberates gaseous carbon oxide and dioxide. At higher thermolysis temperatures, other gaseous products evolve (ammonia, hydrogen). The copper phase appeared during thermal decomposition as 20–50 nm isometric particles on the surface, while lenslike copper nanoparticles formed in the bulk substance.     

Chemical origin of thermally stimulated discharge currents in polyacrylonitrile

Thermally stimulated discharge has been used in the past to diagnose and estimate the magnitude of electrical polarization in polymers. Nevertheless, molecular characterization of operative phenomena by this technique alone is often a difficult task. In the present work, infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy has been used to investigate the origin of thermally stimulated discharge currents near 200°C in externally unpolarized films of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Spectroscopic analysis of thermally degraded films reveals some unsaturation of the PAN backbone and possibly the generation of cyanide ions. Opposite surfaces in a solvent-cast film give different spectra, indicating a gradient in chemical degradation products across the film thickness. Data suggest that nonuniform generation of charged species and unsaturated bonds gives rise to internal potentials in PAN. The origin of thermally stimulated currents in PAN near 200°C is thus believed to be associated with the onset of chemical degradation.     

Initial steps of thermal degradation of PVC prepared at various temperatures

PVC samples were obtained by bulk polymerization initiated with AIBN and ultraviolet irradiation at 40, 25, 0, ?30, and ?50°C. They were characterized by ¹³C NMR measurements, infrared spectroscopy, GPC in hexamethylphosphoramide and B.E.T. surface area measurements. Their thermal degradation was studied between 110 and 185°C by using continuous titration of HCl evolved through a conductimetric cell. The ultraviolet spectra were recorded at various steps of the degradation. At high degradation temperatures, the more syndiotactic the polymer, the longer the polyene average sequences are. The amount of HCl evolved is minimum for a polymerization temperature of 0 or 25°C, depending on the degradation temperature and on the morphology of the polymer. The results are discussed in terms of chemical factors (tacticity distribution, molecular weight) as well as of physical factors (morphology, interval viscosity).     

Properties of aluminium oxides obtained by calcination of the products of reductive roasting of basic aluminium-potassium sulfate

The influence of calcination conditions on changes in phase composition and porous structure was studied for hydrous aluminium oxide, obtained by leaching out potassium salts from the products of roasting basic aluminium-potassium sulfate in hydrogen atmosphere at 600°C. The product of calcination at 350°C in vacuum has the most developed porous structure with most pores of internal radius within 10–60 Å. Calcination in air atmosphere at temperatures 700, 800, 900, or 1000°C resulted in decrease of specific surface of aluminium oxide and increase of the share of pores with internal radius above 60 Å in the overall porosity of the samples. The reconstruction of the porous structure proceeds mainly as a result of coalescent sintering.     

Structure and electric conductivity of vapor deposition polymerization products of cyanoacetylene

Cyanoacetylene can be polymerized from the vapor state onto an inactive surface of substrate at a temperature as low as 200°C. The polymerization first occurs by way of the carbon–carbon triple bond. The reaction product obtained at 1000°C contains nitrogen at a concentration as high as 13.7%. At least some of this nitrogen is in naphtiridine ring or rings similar to it. The product obtained at 400°C is amorphous, while the product obtained at 1000°C has at least partly graphite-like crystalline structures with an apparent crystallite size (L_c) of about 17 Å. The electric conductivities of the products obtained at 400, 700, and 1000°C are 7.7 × 10^?2, 91, and 1600 S/cm, respectively. These values are extremely high compared to the pyrolized PAN treated at the same temperature. Electric conductivity of the product obtained at 400°C is well explained by the variable range hopping model in 3-dimensional amorphous materials. With the products obtained at the higher temperatures, conductivity cannot be accounted for by the hopping model. This is probably due to the development of graphite-like structure.     

Electrodeposition of selenium from 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium trifluromethylsulfonate

The electrodeposition of thin selenium (Se) films from 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium trifluromethylsulfonate at room and elevated temperatures on gold and on copper substrates was studied under open-air conditions. The effect of bath temperature on the composition and structure of the deposited films was examined using cyclic voltammetry, chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The obtained results showed that on gold substrate and at room temperature, a reddish Se film grows mainly in amorphous, monoclinic, rhombohedral and hexagonal structure, while at temperatures ≥90 °C, a grayish film of hexagonal and rhombohedral structure is deposited. Photoelectron spectroscopy shows that both films consist of pure Se with only slight surface contaminations by remnants from the electrodeposition. Due to the differences in phase structure and the presence of the monoclinic phase, the reddish films showed higher light absorbance. The band gap of the reddish film is close to that of pure amorphous Se reported in literature. Deposition on copper substrate leads to formation of CuSe and CuSe₂ at room temperature and at 70 °C, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of thin films of monomeric and polymeric octacyanophthalocyanines

Thin films were prepared on substrates, cleavage surface of KCl single crystal, and metallic copper, by reaction of 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene with the substrate at various temperatures. The films were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and UV/VIS spectroscopies. The films were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The films produced on copper at temperatures between 300 and 400°C consisted of copper octacyanophthalocyanine and its polymer with ladder structure. The ratio of polymer to monomer increased with elevating the reaction temperature. The films were composed of ribbon-like crystals. The film produced on copper above 450°C was composed of an amorphous and continuous layer of polymeric copper phthalocyanine. The film produced on KCl at temperatures between 250 and 350°C consisted of potassium octacyanophthalocyanine and its polymer with ladder structure. The film produced on KCl above 450°C was polymeric potassium phthalocyanine. Those films contained more metal content than that required stoichiometrical.     

59Co NMR study in Co–Fe alloys/Co magnetite composites

Iron–cobalt compounds containing 20–30 at.% Fe with unusual crystallographic structure have been observed in metal-oxide composite synthesized in an aqueous media at 120–140°C. The oxide is a cobalt-containing magnetite. The metallic component is found in two crystallographic structures depending on the preparation conditions: a b.c.c. (α-Fe) structure and an α-Mn, also called Re₂₄Ti₅, structure (space group I-43m). The α-Mn-like CoFe alloy is encountered for the first time and transforms into the b.c.c. structure during annealing at temperatures as low as 160°C. In the b.c.c. structure itself, the cobalt and iron atoms present a chemical short-range order totally different from the regular B2 phase of the ordered bulk CoFe compound. This particular order is similar to the one encountered in high vacuum co-deposited thin films. For annealing temperatures larger than 400°C, the metallic component loses some Fe and transforms into nearly pure f.c.c. cobalt. This study shows that chemical as well as physical low temperature preparation techniques favor original CoFe ordered phases not achievable by conventional metallurgy.     

Phase transition temperatures of Sn–Zn–Al system and their comparison with calculated phase diagrams

The Sn?CZn?CAl system was studied in connection with the possible substitution of lead-based solders for temperatures up to 350?°C. Ternary alloys with up to 3?wt% of aluminium were prepared. The investigated alloys lie close to the monovariant line (eutectic valley) of the Sn?CZn?CAl system. The temperatures of phase transitions of six binary Sn?CZn reference alloys and fourteen ternary Sn?CZn?CAl alloys using DTA method were investigated in this paper. DTA experiments were performed at the heating/cooling rate of?4?°C?min^?1 using Setaram SETSYS 18_TM experimental equipment. The temperatures of phase transitions in the ternary Sn?CZn?CAl system were obtained, namely, the temperature of ternary eutectic reaction T _E1 (197.7?±?0.7?°C), temperature of ternary transition reaction T _U1 (278.6?±?0.7?°C), temperatures of liquidus and other transition temperatures for studied alloys. Temperatures obtained during DTA heating runs were used as authoritative. DTA curves obtained during cooling enabled realising better differentiation of the obtained overlapped heat effects (peaks) during heating. Theoretical isopleths of the Sn?CZn?CAl phase diagram were calculated using the Thermocalc software and MP0602 thermodynamic database. Experimental data were compared with the calculated temperatures, and a good agreement was obtained.     

Deposition of copper‐doped iron sulfide (CuxFe1−xS) thin films using aerosol‐assisted chemical vapor deposition technique

Copper‐doped iron sulfide (Cu_xFe_1?xS, x = 0.010–0.180) thin films were deposited using a single‐source precursor, Cu(LH)₂Cl₂ (LH = monoacetylferrocene thiosemicarbazone), by aerosol‐assisted chemical vapor deposition technique. The Cu‐doped FeS thin films were deposited at different substrate temperatures, i.e. 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 °C. The deposited thin films were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Raman spectra, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) and atomic force microscopy. XRD studies of Cu‐doped FeS thin films at all the temperatures revealed formation of single‐phase FeS structure. With increasing substrate temperature from 250 to 450 °C, there was change in morphology from wafer‐like to cylindrical plate‐like. EDX analysis showed that the doping percentage of copper increased as the substrate temperature increased from 250 to 450 °C. Raman data supports the doping of copper in FeS films. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermo‐mechanical Properties of PEO‐PU/PAN Semi‐Interpenetrating Polymer Networks and their LiClO4 Salt‐Complexes

This paper is an investigation on the thermo‐mechanical properties of a new class of materials, which holds promise for its potential use as solid polymer electrolytes, i.e., SPE material. A series of poly(ethylene oxide)‐polyurethane/poly(acrylonitrile) (PEO‐PU/PAN) semi‐IPNs, along with their LiClO₄ salt complexes, were characterized for their thermal, mechanical and dimensional stability using DSC, TG‐DTA, UTM and DMTA. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of both the undoped and doped semi‐IPNs, obtained by DSC, remained well below room temperature (～?50°C to ?35°C), satisfying one of the essential requirements to serve as a SPE host matrix. The crystallization process in the PEO segments of the PEO‐PU/PAN semi‐IPNs was prevented at higher salt concentrations, which is attributed to the Li⁺ ion mediated pseudo‐crosslinks. Good thermal stability of the semi‐IPNs was evident from the degradation onset temperature (T₀～240°C) with a three‐stage degradation process, which is independent of the PAN content as observed from differential thermogravimetric studies. The incorporation of PAN in the PEO‐PU networks results in improved mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and modulus while retaining the flexibility of the semi‐IPNs. The peak temperatures and storage modulus obtained from DMTA correlates well with the observations of DSC and tensile measurements.     

Characteristic assessment of stabilized polyacrylonitrile nanowebs for the production of activated carbon nano-sorbents

Polyacrylonitrile(PAN) nanofibers with average diameter of 300 nm were produced by electro-spinning. The nanofibers were stabilized at different temperatures in the range of 180-270 ℃ in several duration times and heating rates. Fourier transforms infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analyzing techniques were employed to measure the extent of stabilization reaction. By all procedures, the ranges of temperature and duration time recommended were about 250-270 ℃ and 1-2 h, respectively. Increasing the activation temperature from 800 ℃ to 1200 ℃ caused porosity and pore volume development up to 60% and 0.532 cm3/g, respectively. Pore width of all samples was calculated to be about 0.7 nm confirming micro-pore structure of the produced PAN based activated carbon nanofibers. Comparing dye adsorption for different adsorbents including chitin and granular activated carbon(GAC) showed the highest efficiency for the produced activated carbon nanofibers(ACNFs).     

Investigation of Ti/CuO interface by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy

The Ti/CuO interface has been studied by the techniques of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Thin films of titanium were deposited on a CuO substrate at room temperature by the e-beam technique. The photoelectron spectra of titanium and copper were found to exhibit significant chemical interaction at the interface. The titanium overlayer was observed to get oxidized to TiO₂, while the CuO was observed to get reduced to elemental copper. This chemical interaction was observed to occur until a thickness of 7 nm of the titanium overlayer. For thicknesses greater than this value, the presence of unreacted titanium in the sample was detected. Barrier characteristics at the Ti/CuO interface were also carried out for substrate temperatures of 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, and 600°C as a function of the titanium overlayer thickness. A linear trend in the barrier thickness of the overlayer was observed between 400°C and 600°C substrate temperatures. The atomic force microscopy micrographs of the unannealed samples depicted layer-by-layer growth of elemental titanium on copper. At the Ti/CuO interface in such samples, the micrographs exhibited island formation of TiO₂ corresponding to the Volmer-Weber growth model. This formation has been interpreted as the relaxation in the strain energy. The percentage coverage of the underlying substrate by the TiO₂ islands showed a linear trend for the thicknesses of the titanium overlayer investigated. The average size of these islands also showed a linear trend as a function of the thickness of the overlayer.     

Cyclo- and cyclized diene polymers. XIII. γ-Ray-initiated polymerization of 1,3-dienes

The γ-ray-initiated polymerization of butadiene, isoprene, and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene-1,3 was carried out at temperatures of 20°C. and ?78°C. Polymers of butadiene and isoprene with mixed linear and cyclic structure were proved to result from the polymerization at ?78°C. A monocyclic structure was found for the 2,3-dimethylbutadiene-1,3 polymers initiated either at ?78°C. or in the thiourea canal complex at 20°C.     

Spectroscopic investigations of polyacrylonitrile thermal degradation

PAN undergoes chemical decomposition in stages on thermal treatment. In the literature, several mechanisms were proposed for the degradation process. However, the decomposition pathway and the structural rearrangement of solid residue in relation to the loss of volatile products are not fully understood. The degradation process has therefore received further attention in this work by employing a combination of FT-IR, high-resolution solid-state ¹³C-NMR, pyrolysis GC-MS, and microelemental analysis. These investigations have established that PAN decomposes to gaseous and volatile products over a range of temperatures (150–590°C) with concurrent stabilization of the structure of residual matter occurring on a parallel course. While linear polymerization of nitrile group is the principal reaction in the decomposition process, cyclization followed by extended conjugation is the notable exothermic process. No evidence has been obtained for the formation of oxygen-containing chromophores either as intermediates or as part of the chemical structure of the residue. Temperature sensitivity of oligomer formation has been established through pyrolysis–GC-MS studies. The overall decomposition profile of PAN has thus been established. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2503–2512, 1998     

Determination of the types of nitrogen in steels containing aluminium or titanium by an extraction method with hydrogen

The extraction method with hydrogen, hitherto used to determine mobile nitrogen in steels over the temperature range 350–450°C, has been employed at higher temperatures to determine nitrogen bound as aluminium nitride, or as titanium nitride or carbonitride. In steels containing only silicon and titanium as deoxidizers, the nitrogen remaining after passage of hydrogen at 600 or 750°C is present as titanium nitride or carbonitride and can be determined by difference. In steels containing only silicon and aluminium as deoxidizers, the nitrogen remaining after passage of hydrogen at 600°C is present as aluminium nitride and can also be determined by difference. This was verified by determining the aluminium nitride indirectly. The nitrogen released from both the aluminium and titanium steels in hydrogen at 600°C probably results from dissociation of submicroscopic particles of manganese silicon nitride.     

Effects of the stabilization temperature on the structure and properties of polyacrylonitrile-based stabilized electrospun nanofiber microyarns

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor nanofiber microyarns were successfully synthesized using a modified electrospinning method, and then were stabilized at different stabilization temperatures. Effects of stabilization temperature on the structure, thermal, and mechanical properties of stabilized microyarns were studied by FTIR, XRD, DSC, TG, and mechanical behavior test. It was found that when the stabilization temperature was above 250 °C, cyclization and dehydrogenation reactions were basically completed, and PAN crystal microstructure was almost completely destroyed, as well as the thermally stable ladder structure was formed. The results also showed that the strength of the stabilized microyarns increased to a threshold value and started to reduce thereafter as the stabilization temperature increased.