Cation distribution and related properties of MnxZn1−xFe2O4 spinel nanoparticles

Mn_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.05…0.9) nanoparticles prepared via sol–gel hydrothermal process were investigated by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) and magnetic hysteresis measurements. XRPD measurements revealed a non-monotonic dependence of the cubic lattice parameter on the Mn concentration, which is interpreted as being the result of a corresponding variation in the inversion degree (concentration of Fe ions on the occupied tetrahedral lattice sites) of the studied spinels. XANES measurements indicated that the average oxidation state of Mn ions decreases with the applied Mn concentration, in contrast with Fe ions that were found to be exclusively in the 3+ oxidation state by MS measurements. EPR spectra recorded as a function of temperature enabled the determination of the characteristic anisotropy energy barrier of the superparamagnetic particles, and contributed to the clarification of peculiarities of the corresponding ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra. On the basis of the observed results the interdependences among the sample stoichiometry, the cubic cell parameter, the particle size, the inversion degree, the magnetic ordering temperature and the effective magnetic anisotropy are discussed.     

Magnetic,Mössbauer and hyperthermia properties of Co1−xMnxFe2O4 nanoparticles

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Hyperthermia is used to combat and reduce the effects of tumors. This study relates to Co1?xMnxFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles and their...     

Synthesis,characterization and magnetic properties of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles via a non-aqueous medium

Acicular shaped γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (major axis: 17±2 nm; minor axis: 1.7±1 nm) have been prepared using lauric acid as a non-aqueous medium. The products were investigated by IR, TG-DTA, XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM and magnetization measurements. For the preparation of pure γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, the suitable condition of the molar ratio of lauric acid to iron nitrate is set 2:1 and the appropriate temperature lies in the range 573–673 K. Besides, either pure α-Fe₂O₃ or a mixture of γ-Fe₂O₃ and α-Fe₂O₃ can also be obtained with the change of the molar ratio of lauric acid to iron nitrate. The experimental results indicate that the particle sizes, thermal stability and magnetic properties of the iron oxide strongly depend on the conditions in the preparation.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of α-Fe2O3 nanoellipsoids

A simple and a novel chemical approach was used for the growth of α-Fe₂O₃ nanostructures. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the monodisperse nanoellipsoid morphology of α-Fe₂O₃ nanostructures. The sizes of the short axis and the long axis of these ellipsoids were in the ranges of 50–60 nm and 40–50 nm, respectively. XRD analysis revealed that the product exhibited α-Fe₂O₃ phase. Comprehensive TEM and HRTEM analysis revealed that α-Fe₂O₃ nanoellipsoids are single crystal in nature. The methylene blue decomposition kinetics was studied for different irradiation time. The methylene blue was totally decomposed by increasing the irradiation time up to 220 min.     

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles with average diameter in the range of 6.4-8.3 nni have been synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation of Fe(Ⅱ)and Fe(Ⅲ)salts in 1.5 M NH4OH solution.The size of the magnetic particles is dependent on both temperature and the ionic strength of the iron ion solutions.The magnetic particles formed at higher temperature or lower ionic strength were slightly larger than those formed at lower temperature or higher ionic strength respectively.In spite of the different reaction conditions,all the resultant nanoparticles are nearly spherical and have a similar crystalline structure.At 300 K,such prepared nanoparticles are superparam-agnetic.The saturation magnetizations for 7.8 and 6.4 nm particles are 71 and 63 emu/g respectively,which are only ~ 20-30% less than the saturation magnetization(90 emu/g)of bulk Fe3O4 Our results indicated that a control of the reaction conditions could be used to tailor the size of magnetic nanoparticles in free precipitation.     

Synthesis and optical properties of quasi-2D CdS x Se1 − x nanoparticles

Colloidal 2D CdS _x Se_{1 ? x} nanoparticles have been synthesized by a solution method in octadecene using oleic acid as a stabilizer. Growth of quasi-2D nanoparticles has been promoted by the presence of cadmium acetate in the reaction mixture. The resulting nanoparticles are platelets with lateral sizes 20–30 nm. The absorption and luminescence spectra of these nanoparticles show narrow bands of lh-e and hh-e exciton transitions corresponding to 2D systems. The spectral position of the lowest energy hh-e transition monotonically changes within 382–461 nm with a change in the composition of nanoparticles. The observed absorption bands are broader than those for the individual CdSe and CdS nanoparticles. The suggested method makes it possible to vary the exciton band position for quasi-2D nanoparticles by changing their composition.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles of α-Bi2Mo3O12 prepared by co-precipitation method: Langmuir adsorption parameters and photocatalytic properties with rhodamine B

Nanoparticles of α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂ were prepared by co-precipitation method at calcination temperatures of 250, 300, 400 and 480 °C. The characterization of α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂ synthesized at different temperatures was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Adsorption parameters and photocatalytical activity under visible light irradiation of α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂ were evaluated using the rhodamine B (rhB) dye as model. The adsorption constant (K) and maximum amount of dye adsorbed (q_max) on the surface of the samples synthesized were evaluated following the Langmuir isotherm. The sample calcinated at 250 °C showed the maximum adsorption percentage of dye, which ranged between 20 and 46% for initial concentrations of rhB from 5 to 15 mg L^?1, with a K = 6.96 × 10⁵ L mol^?1 and q_max = 2.73 mg g^?1. All samples were able to induce the oxidative photodegradation of rhB, however, the bleaching of dye solution was reached more quickly for the sample calcinated at 250 °C.     

Synthesis and characterization of Y2Ti2O7 and ErxY2−xTi2O7 nanofibers

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - 1-D nanostructures are deemed to be important building blocks for future optical and optoelectronic nanodevices. We have used electrospinning methods to...     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of octahedral ferrite Ni χ Co1−χ Fe2O4 nanocrystals

A series of Ni doped cobalt ferrite compounds with the formula Ni _χ Co_1−χ Fe₂O₄ where x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 were prepared using a hydrothermal method and subsequently sintered/annealed at 600 °C for 3 h. The influence of the Ni content on the lattice parameter, a, stretching vibration and the magnetization of specimens were subsequently studied. XRD and FTIR were used to investigate structure and composition variations. All samples were found to have a cubic spinel structure. SEM was used to study morphological variations. The results indicate that the average particle sizes are between 30–35 nm with a narrow size distribution along with nanocrystals forming of regular octahedrons. A decrease in the peak to peak line width and increase in resonance field with increasing Ni content were observed from ESR measurements. Based on ESR results, a core-shell type of formation was proposed where the core is made up of undoped CoFe₂O₄ and the shell is Ni²⁺ doped CoFe₂O₄.      

Synthesis and characterization of the ZnxCd1−xIn2S4 pseudoternary solid solution

We have synthesized several compounds of the Zn_xCd_1−xIn₂S₄ family by solid phase reactions and chemical transport reactions using iodine. The reaction products have been characterized as to composition, structure, and lattice dynamics. Here we discuss and compare the different results obtained by the two synthesis methods.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of core–shell TiO~2@ZnIn_2S_4 photocatalyst

A novel core–shell TiO2@ZnIn2S4composite has been synthesized successfully by a simple and flexible hydrothermal route using TiO2as precursors.The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction,UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra and transmission electron microscopy.The photocatalytic properties of samples were tested by degradation of aqueous methylene blue（MB）under visible light irradiation.It was found that the as-synthesized TiO2@ZnIn2S4photocatalyst was more effcient than TiO2and ZnIn2S4in the photocatalytic degradation of MB.Moreover,TEM images confrmed the TiO2@ZnIn2S4nanoparticles possessed a well-proportioned core–shell morphology.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of spinel Li4Ti5O12−x Cl x anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Li₄Ti₅O_12−x Cl _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds were synthesized successfully via high temperature solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize their structure and morphology. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge/discharge cycling performance tests were used to characterize their electrochemical properties. The results showed that the Li₄Ti₅O_12−x Cl _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds were well-crystallized pure spinel phase and that the grain sizes of the samples were about 3–8 μm. The Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the best discharge capacity among all the samples and showed better reversibility and higher cyclic stability compared with pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. When the discharge rate was 0.5 C, the Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the superior discharge capacity of 148.7 mAh g⁻¹, while that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was 129.8 mAh g⁻¹; when the discharge rate was 2 C, the Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the discharge capacity of 120.7 mAh g⁻¹, while that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was only 89.8 mAh g⁻¹.     

Synthesis and characterization of substitutional solid solutions aLn2O3 · (1 − a)Bi2O3 · 4TiO2

The solubility of 10 lanthanide elements and of scandium is solid Bi₂Ti₄O₁₁ has been determined using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The data obtained were used to construct a diagram of solubility as a function of the ionic radii of bismuth and the lanthanide elements. The thermal stability of the solid solutions as a function of temperature and duration of thermal treatment has been qualitatively established.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of sunlight-responsive BiOBr–CoWO4 heterostructured nanocomposites

Efficient sunlight-responsive BiOBr–CoWO₄ heterostructured nanocomposite photocatalysts were prepared via a chemical precipitation route at 100°C in 4 hours. The prepared BiOBr–CoWO₄ heterostructures were characterized for phase identification, chemical composition, surface morphology, optical properties and surface area using various techniques. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the BiOBr–CoWO₄ nanocomposite was composed of diffraction peaks equivalent to both the tetragonal phase of BiOBr and the monoclinic phase of CoWO₄ nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectral study of the BiOBr–CoWO₄ nanocomposite revealed orbitals of both BiOBr and CoWO₄ compounds. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed that spherical particles of CoWO₄ (20–25 nm) were dispersed on the surface of BiOBr. UV–visible–near-infrared spectral study of the BiOBr–CoWO₄ nanocomposite showed good visible-light absorption. Among the manufactured materials, BiOBr–CoWO₄-2 nanocomposite showed better charge carrier separation efficiency, as demonstrated by photoluminescence and time-resolved fluorescence. To study the practical utility of the prepared materials, their photocatalytic capability was examined for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution under sunlight irradiation. The photodegradation results showed that BiOBr–CoWO₄-2 nanocomposite degraded 98.69% RhB solution and the degradation constant was 0.067 min⁻¹, which was 5.6 and 22.5 times larger than that of pure BiOBr and CoWO₄ nanoparticles, respectively, after 60 minutes of sunlight irradiation. The superior photoactivity was facilitated by electron–hole pair separation and transfer driven by the heterostructure interface between BiOBr particles and CoWO₄ nanoparticles. The removal of RhB was initiated by photogenerated h⁺, O₂^{• −} and ^•OH reactive species based on the scavenger effect.