Phase equilibria in the NaCl–NaBO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–KCl quaternary system

The phase diagrams of the ternary systems NaCl–NaBO₂–KCl, NaCl–KCl–Na₂CO₃, and KCl–NaBO₂–Na₂CO₃ and the quaternary system NaCl–NaBO₂–Na₂CO₃–KCl were studied by the calculation–experimental method and differential thermal analysis. Analytical models of phase equilibria were obtained, and the coordinates of ternary eutectics and a quaternary eutectic. It was shown that low-melting eutectic melts can be used as media for synthesizing oxide tungsten bronzes.     

Enzyme-catalysed Transformations of Compounds Containing the –CH2-AsO3H2 Group

Enzymes that act on substrates R–O–PO₃H₂ often work on substrate analogues R–O–AsO₃H₂; such substrates are unstable, since esters of H₃AsO₄ hydrolyse easily. They also form easily, so that an enzyme that acts on R–O–PO₃H₂ often acts on a mixture of R–OH and arsenate via an ester that forms at the active site. Similarly coenzyme analogues may be formed; for example, a stable and active aspartate aminotransferase forms from the apoenzyme with free pyridoxal and arsenate. Enzymes that convert R–O–PO₃H₂ into a diester often act on R–CH₂–AsO₃H₂, a stable substrate analogue; then the product is unstable and hydrolyses to re-form the analogue, giving a futile cycle. For example, RNA polymerase acquires exonuclease activity in the presence of H₂O₃P–CH₂–AsO₃H₂; adenylate kinase acquires ATPase activity in the presence of the arsonomethyl analogue of AMP. A recent observation is that HO–CH₂–CHOH–CH₂–CH₂–AsO₃H₂ is a good substrate for glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The product is unstable and eliminates arsenite, sharing this ability with other 3-oxoalkylarsonates. Thus this enzyme–catalysed oxidation is a lethal synthesis, in view of the toxicity of arsenite. Another unusual biochemical reaction of an arsonic acid is seen in the ability of a bacterium to use arsonoacetate as its sole source of carbon and energy. In contrast with the elimination of arsenite by 3-oxoalylarsonic acids, 3-oxoalkylphosphonic acids, R–CO–CH₂–CH₂–PO₃H₂, are stable. 2-Oxoalkylphosphonic acids, R–CO–CH₂–PO₃H₂, however, are moderately unstable to hydrolysis, yielding phosphate and R–CO–CH₃. 2-Oxoalkylarsonic acids, R–CO–CH₂–AsO₃H₂, decompose in the same way, but much more readily, yielding arsenate. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Untersuchungen zur Carbeninsertion in Al–Al-, Ga–Ga- und In–In-Bindungen

Investigations on the Insertion of Carbenes into Al–Al, Ga–Ga, and In–In Bonds Tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]dialane(4) 1 reacts with methylthiomethyl lithium LiCH₂SMe by the formation of lithium thiomethanolate LiSMe and the insertion of the remaining carbene CH₂ into its Al–Al single bond. A chelating Lewis acid is formed exhibiting a central R₂Al–CH₂–AlR₂ group with two coordinatively unsaturated Al atoms, which coordinate the thiomethanolate anion by Al–S bonds. The product (μ-methylene)(μ-thiomethanolato)bis{bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]aluminate} ( 4 ) was characterized by a crystal structure determination and has a strongly folded Al₂CS heterocycle in the molecular core. In contrast, the corresponding compounds with Ga–Ga or In–In bonds show on treatment with methylthiomethyl lithium a fragmentation, and the carbene intermediate could not be detected in both isolated products, which were identified as [R₂E(CH₂SMe)₂][Li(TMEDA)] (E = Ga: 5 ; E = In: 6 ) and LiCH(SiMe₃)₂ probably formed by a metal exchange reaction.     

Neue Alkalimetall‐Koordinationen durch chelatisierende Siloxazaneinheiten in Verbindungen der Formel [X–N–SiMe2–O–SiMe2–N–X]2M4

New Alkali Metal Coordinations by Chelating Siloxazane Units within Molecules of the General Formula [X–N–SiMe₂–O–SiMe₂–N–X]₂M₄ New solvent free alkali metal amides with Si–O–Si bridges of the general formula [X–N–SiMe₂–O–SiMe₂–N–X]₂M₄ (X = ^tBu ( 1 ), SiMe₃ ( 2 ), SiMe₂^tBu ( 3 ) with M = Li; X = ^tBu ( 4 ), SiMe₃ ( 5 ) with M = Na; X = ^tBu mit M = K, Li ( 6 )) have been synthesised and characterised by spectroscopic means. X‐ray structure analyses of the six metal derivatives reveal a common structural principle: the four metal atoms within the molecules are incorporated between two molecular halfs and form the bonding links between the two parts. The central molecular skeleton of the molecular halfs consists of a zig‐zag chain N–Si–O–Si–N. This chain is connected to the second one either ideally or approximately by S₄ (4) symmetry. The point symmetries within the crystal are either S₄ (4) (compounds 2 and 4 ), C₂ (2) (compound 6 ), and C₁ (1) (compounds 3 and 5 ). Compound 1 is special in different aspects: the molecule has the high crystallographic point symmetry D_2d (4m2) and the lithium atoms occupy split atom positions (in a similar way as in compound 2 ). The high symmetry of 1 as well as the split atom positions of the lithium atoms are a consequence of dynamics within the crystal.     

Photocatalytic performance of Ag doped SnO2 nanoparticles modified with curcumin

Visible light active Ag doped SnO₂ nanoparticles modified with curcumin (Cur–Ag–SnO₂) have been prepared by a combined precipitation and chemical impregnation route. The optical properties, phase structures and morphologies of the as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis-DRS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface area was measured by Brunauer. Emmett. Teller (B.E.T) analysis. Compared to bare SnO₂, the surface modified photocatalysts (Ag–SnO₂ and Cur–Ag–SnO₂) showed a red shift in the visible region. The photocatalytic activity was monitored via the degradation of rose bengal (RB) dye and the results revealed that Cur–Ag–SnO₂ shows better photocatalytic activity than that of Ag–SnO₂ and SnO₂. The superior photocatalytic activity of Cur–Ag–SnO₂ could be attributed to the effective electron-hole separation by surface modification. The effect of photocatalyst concentration, initial dye concentration and electron scavenger on the photocatalytic activity was examined in detail. Furthermore, the antifungal activity of the photocatalysts and the reusability of Cur–Ag–SnO₂ were tested.     

The Haloboration of Tri‐tert‐butylazadiboriridine NB2R3: Ring Opening versus NB3 Cluster Formation

The azadiboriridine [–BR–NR–BR–] ( 1 ; R = tBu) is bromoborated at the B–B bond by alkyldibromoboranes R′BBr₂ to give the products Br–BR–NR=BR–BR′–Br ( 8 a – g : R′ = Me, Bu, iBu, Bzl, CH₂CHEt₂, CH₂Cy, CH₂(4‐C₆H₄tBu)). Two isomers of each of the products 8 a – g are formed and attributed to a cis/trans isomerism at the BN double bond; the isomerization is followed thermodynamically and kinetically by NMR methods with 8 a – d . The analogous chloroboration of 1 with BCl₃ yields Cl–BR–NR=BR–BCl₂ ( 8 h ), which at ambient temperature undergoes a degenerate exchange of the ligands Cl and BCl₂ along the B–N–B skeleton. At room temperature, the isomer Cl–BR–NR=BCl–BR–Cl ( 8 h ′) is slowly formed by an irreversible exchange of R and Cl along the B–B bond of 8 h . Different from BCl₃, the chloroborane BH₂Cl is simply added to the B–B bond of 1 under formation of the aza‐nido‐tetraborane NB₃R₃H₂Cl ( 2 b ). The chloroborane BHCl₂ gives a mixture of 8 h ′ and 2 b upon addition to 1 , apparently according to a preceding dismutation into BCl₃ and BH₂Cl. The configuration at the B3 atom of the nido‐clusters NB₃R₃H₂X (X = H, Cl) is discussed on the basis of the corresponding model molecules NB₃Me₃H₂X, whose structure and NMR signals are computed by the B3LYP method. The boranes 8 b – g can be debrominated with Li in the presence of tmen on applying ultrasound. The products are found to be the B‐borylated azadiboriridines [–BR–NR–B(BRR′)–] ( 9 b – g ). The 2‐borylazadiboriridines NB₃H₄ ( 9 h ) and NB₃Me₄ ( 9 i ) were found as local minima on the energy hyperface by the B3LYP method, but minima for structural isomers with lower energy were also found; the tetrahedral clusters NB₃R₄ give high‐energy minima with triplet ground states. Computations of the ¹¹B NMR shifts of 9 h and 9 i support the proposed structures of 9 b – g .     

Crystallization, mechanical properties and in vitro bioactivity of sol–gel derived Na2O–CaO–SiO2–P2O5 glass–ceramics by partial substitution of CaF2 for CaO

The partial substitution of CaF₂ for CaO in the Na₂O–CaO–SiO₂–P₂O₅ system was conducted by the sol–gel method and a comparison of the glass–ceramic properties was reported. Based on thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, the gels were sintered with a suitable heat treatment procedure. The glass–ceramic properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer and so on, and the bioactivity of the glass–ceramic was evaluated by in vitro assays in simulated body fluid. Results indicate that with the partial substitution of CaF₂ for CaO in glass composition, the volume density, apparent porosity, bending strength and microhardness of the glass–ceramics have been significantly improved. Furthermore, CaF₂ promotes glass crystallization which does not inhibit the glass–ceramic bioactivity.     

Synthesis of styrene–acrylonitrile random copolymers (SAN) and polyarylate block copolymers and the control of their mechanical properties by morphology generation

The idea of repulsion in random copolymers was applied to the miscibility modification between polystyrene (PS) and polyarylate (PAr) segments of PS–PAr block copolymer (PAr–PS–PAr). Acrylonitrile (AN), which has a large positive interaction parameter against styrene, was used as a miscibility modifier toward PAr segments. AN was introduced into the carboxyl terminated telechelic‐PS at AN wt % ranging from 12 to 37 wt %. Based on these telechelic acrylonitrile–styrene random copolymers (SAN_x's where x represents AN wt %), SAN_x and PAr block copolymers (PAr–SAN_x–PAr's) were synthesized. The miscibility of SAN_x and PAr segments was estimated from the results of DSC with Fox's equation and spin–spin relaxation time measured by pulsed NMR. These results evidenced that the miscibility between PS and PAr segments can be modified by introducing AN into PS segments. The estimated volume fraction of the interfacial layer between SAN_x and PAr segments was increased as x was increased toward 24 wt %, around which the predicted miscibility reaches a maximum. Above that AN wt %, it began to decrease. The flexural strength increased as the miscibility between SAN_x and PAr segments increased. In particular, when x was between 20 and 30 wt %, PAr–SAN_x–PAr exhibited three times larger flexural strength than PAr–PS–PAr. The fracture behavior changed from brittle to ductile, even though the telechelic SAN_x by themselves exhibited almost the same fracture strength as the telechelic PS. The results of dynamic mechanical measurements and the percolation model suggested that around these AN wt % the continuum matrices in PAr–SAN_x–PAr changed from SAN_x phase to a cocontinuous phase of SAN_x and PAr. From these results, PAr–SAN_x–PAr was explained to perform such a high flexural strength by this phase change in the continuum matrices. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 127–137, 2000     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Cesium Nitratometalates(II), Cs2[M(NO3)4] (M = Mn,Co, Ni,Zn)

Crystalline cesium nitratometalates(II), Cs₂[M(NO₃)₄] (M = Mn ( I ), Co ( II ), Ni ( III ), and Zn ( IV )) were synthesized from M(NO₃)₂ · n H₂O and CsNO₃ by heating at 80–120 °C over 10–12 h. According to X-ray crystal structure analysis, the compounds are built from Cs⁺ cations and [M(NO₃)₄]^2– anions. The latter differ by the type of metal coordination: a dodecahedron for Mn in I (CN = 8, r_Mn–O 2.24–2.37 Å), a seven coordination for Co in II (CN = 4 + 3, r_Co–O 2.03–2.16 Å and 2.21–2.35 Å) and a tetrahedral distorted dodecahedron for Zn in IV (CN = 4 + 4, r_Zn–O 1.98–2.15 Å and 2.38–2.72 Å). Ni atom in III has a distorted octahedral NiO₆ environment provided by two unidentate and two bidentate NO₃ groups with Ni–O distances of 2.01–2.14 Å. The differences in metal coordination are discussed in terms of valence electron configurations, ionic radii, and the packing effects.     

Organoaluminum catalyst for polymerization reaction. Synthesis of isotactic polyacetaldehyde by AIR3–alkali metal hydroxide catalysts in situ

The catalytic behavior of binary systems derived from AIR₃ and alkali metal hydroxide in a molar ratio of 1 to 0.5 in situ for stereospecific polymerization of acetaldehyde was studied for the purpose of preparation of isotactic polyacetal. The polymer obtained can be readily stretched to a film. The polymerization proceeds slowly (in ～20 hr). The polymer yield and stereospecificity of the polymerization by AlEt₃–LiOH (1:0.5) catalyst were not significantly changed by the nature of solvent or dilution as far as studied. AlEt₃–NaOH, AlEt₃–KOH, AlEt₃–CsOH, AliBu₃–LiOH and AlMe₃–LiOH in molar ratios of 1 to 0.5 behaved similarly. AlMe₃–NaOH, AlMe₃–KOH and AliBu₃–NaOH also gave isotactic polymer of high stereoregularity but in lower yields.     

Practical resolution of an atropoisomeric α,α-disubstituted glycine with l-phenylalanine cyclohexylamide as chiral auxiliary

l-Phenylalanine cyclohexylamide has been used as a chiral auxiliary for the medium-scale resolution of 2′,1′:1,2;1″,2″:3,4-dinaphthcyclohepta-1,3-diene-6-amino-6-carboxylic acid (Bin), an α,α-disubstituted glycine with only axial dissymmetry. Coupling of X–Bin–OH (X=Ac; Bz) with H–(l)-Phe–NH–C₆H₁₁ by the EDC/HOBt method gave the dipeptide diastereoisomers X–(R)-Bin–(l)-Phe–NH–C₆H₁₁ and X–(S)-Bin–(l)-Phe–NH–C₆H₁₁, which were separated by crystallization (X=Bz) and/or chromatography. Extensive acidic hydrolysis, followed by esterification of the resulting free amino acid enantiomers, led to enantiomerically pure (−)-(R)-H–Bin–OMe and (+)-(S)-H–Bin–OMe with high yields.     

Phase equilibria in the cutting elements LiF–KCl–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiF–KCl–LiKWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> of the quaternary reciprocal system Li,K‖F,Cl, WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The quaternary reciprocal system comprising fluorides, chlorides, and tungstates of lithium and potassium was partitioned into simplexes using graph theory, and a phase tree of the system was constructed. In the cutting triangles LiF–KCl–Li₂WO₄ and LiF–KCl–LiKWO₄ by differential thermal analysis, the melting points and compositions of ternary eutectics were determined, and the crystallization fields of phases are delineated. For each element of the state diagram, phase reactions were described. The compositions of crystallizing phases in the cutting triangles LiF–KCl–Li₂WO₄ and LiF–KCl–LiKWO₄ were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis.     

Das System Ammoniumnitrat-Ammoniumdihydrogenphosphat-Harnstoffnitrat- Harnstoffphosphat-Wasser

The System Ammonium Nitrate–Monoammonium Phosphate–Urea Nitrate–Urea Phosphate–Water The 20 and 40°C isotherms of the quaternary system ammonium nitrate– monoammonium phosphate–urea nitrate–urea phosphate–water have been determined by an analytical method. NH₄H₂PO₄ and CO(NH₂)₂·HNO₃ form a stable ternary system at both temperatures.     

Simultaneous determination of three chloroacetic acids,three herbicides,and 12 anions in water by ion chromatography

An ion chromatography method was developed for the simultaneous detection of three soluble herbicides (glyphosate, bentazone and picloram), three chlorine disinfection byproducts (monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid) and 12 anions in water (Cl^–, Br^–, SO₄^2–, CO₃^2–, ClO₃^–, ClO₄^–, BrO₃^–, PO₄^3–, NO₂^–, NO₃^–, CH₃COO^– and COO^–). High linearity (r² > 0.996) was observed for all target analytes for each respective concentration range. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation were between 0.21–0.85 and 0.06–25.46 μg/L, respectively. However, the interference effect of Cl^–, NO₃^–, SO₄^2– and CO₃^2– on some target analytes must be considered during the analysis. Sample pre‐treatment by a hydrogen column (H‐column) required to reduce the negative effect of CO₃^2–. Additionally, sample pre‐treatment by a sliver–hydrogen column (Ag–H‐column) is required when Cl^– > 100 mg/L and SO₄^2– < 50 mg/L, and pre‐treatment by both a barium column (Ba‐column) and an H‐column is required when Cl^– > 100 mg/L and SO₄^2– > 50 mg/L. When Cl^– > 100 mg/L, SO₄^2– > 50 mg/L and CO₃^2– > 20 mg/L, the sample pre‐treatment by either an Ag–H–Ba‐column or an Ag–H‐column and Ba‐column is required to minimize interference.     

Hydrogen Production by Steam Reforming of Ethanol Over Mesoporous Ni–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Catalysts

This review paper reports the recent progress concerning the application of nickel–alumina–zirconia based catalysts to the ethanol steam reforming for hydrogen production. Several series of mesoporous nickel–alumina–zirconia based catalysts were prepared by an epoxide-initiated sol–gel method. The first series comprised Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ xerogel catalysts with diverse Zr/Al molar ratios. Chemical species maintained a well-dispersed state, while catalyst acidity decreased with increasing Zr/Al molar ratio. An optimal amount of Zr (Zr/Al molar ratio of 0.2) was required to achieve the highest hydrogen yield. In the second series, Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ xerogel catalysts with different Ni content were examined. Reducibility and nickel surface area of the catalysts could be modulated by changing nickel content. Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalyst with 15 wt% of nickel content showed the highest nickel surface area and the best catalytic performance. In the catalysts where copper was introduced as an additive (Cu–Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂), it was found that nickel dispersion, nickel surface area, and ethanol adsorption capacity were enhanced at an appropriate amount of copper introduction, leading to a promising catalytic activity. Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalysts prepared by changing drying method were tested as well. Textural properties of Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst produced from supercritical drying were enhanced when compared to those of xerogel catalyst produced from conventional drying. Nickel dispersion and nickel surface area were higher on Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst, which led to higher hydrogen yield and catalyst stability over Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst.     

Construction of an organoruthenium complex (–[biphRuCp]PF6–) within a biphenylene-bridged inorganic–organic hybrid mesoporous material, and its catalytic activity in the selective hydrosilylation of 1-hexyne

An organoruthenium complex (–[biphRuCp]PF₆–; biph = –(C₆H₄)₂–, Cp = C₅H₅), constructed within a biphenylene-bridged inorganic–organic hybrid mesoporous material (HMM–biph) by use of a simple ligand-exchange reaction, has been used as a heterogeneous catalyst. UV–visible and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) studies furnished evidence that the structure of the complex is closely similar to that of [(C₆H₆)RuCp]PF₆, suggesting that the biphenylene moiety within HMM–biph directly coordinates the metal center of the organoruthenium complex. The –[biphRuCp]PF₆– complex constructed within the HMM–biph (HMM–biphRuCp) catalyzes hydrosilylation of 1-hexyne with triethylsilane in a solid–gas heterogeneous system and gives α-vinylsilane as a main product. Moreover, HMM–biphRuCp has higher catalytic activity than the –[phRuCp]PF₆– (ph = –C₆H₄–) complex constructed within phenylene-bridged HMM (HMM–phRuCp). The high catalytic performance of HMM–biphRuCp can be attributed to the high loading of the HMM–biph with the Ru complex, because of the electron-donating ability of the biphenylene moieties.     

Tat peptide mediated cellular uptake of SiO2 submicron particles

Internalization of nano- and microparticles into live cells correlates closely with their potential applications, functions, cytotoxicity and intracellular drug delivery. Particularly, delivery of a large variety of cargoes such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and small particles into cells could be enhanced by some ligands such as Tat peptide. In this work, the ability of Tat mediated cellular uptake was assessed. The Tat peptide was covalently immobilized to fluorescein tagged SiO₂ particles (FITC–SiO₂–NH₂ particles) with a diameter of 200 nm. BCA protein assay determined that the grafting amount of the Tat peptide could be controlled within a range of 0–3.5 μg/mg SiO₂ particles by the Tat feeding amount. Surface immobilization of the Tat peptide did not bring apparent changes on the surface morphology and charge property of the SiO₂–NH₂ particles. By contrast, the surface charge of both the FITC–SiO₂–NH₂ particles and the FITC–SiO₂–Tat particles was reversed from slight positive in Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) to slight negative in DMEM/fetal bovine serum, conveying adsorption of plasma proteins on the particles. Flow cytometry measurement showed that the FITC–SiO₂–Tat particles were internalized by HepG2 cells with a significant faster rate and a higher number of particles than that of the FITC–SiO₂–NH₂ particles. Moreover, internalization of the Tat peptide decorated particles was less influenced by the low temperature at 4 °C. The Tat decoration affected the subcellular distribution of the particles as well, resulting in localization of the particles in the cell nucleus. No obvious cytotoxicity was detected for both the FITC–SiO₂–NH₂ particles and the FITC–SiO₂–Tat particles.     

Ionic mobility and electrophysical properties of solid solutions in PbF<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SbF<Subscript>3</Subscript> and PbF<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SnF<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SbF<Subscript>3</Subscript> systems

Ionic mobility and electrical conductivity of solid solutions with fluorite structure, obtained with solid-state approach in PbF₂–SbF₃ and PbF₂–SnF₂–SbF₃ systems, are studied by 19F NMR and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. The 19F NMR spectra parameters, types of ion motions in the fluoride sublattice, and the ionic conductivity magnitude are shown to be determined by the temperature and fluoride concentration in the solid solutions. The solid solution specific conductivity in the PbF₂–SbF₃ and PbF₂–SnF₂–SbF₃ systems at 420–450 K is as high as ~10^–2 S/cm, which allows accounting the solid solutions as a base for preparation of functional materials.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Mg‐Impregnated ZnO–SnO2 Coupled Nanoparticles

ZnO–SnO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation method; then Mg, with different molar ratios and calcination temperatures, was loaded on the coupled nanoparticles by impregnation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. Based on XRD results, the ZnO–SnO₂ and Mg/ZnO–SnO₂ nanoparticles were made of ZnO and SnO₂ nanocrystallites. According to DRS spectra, the band gap energy value of 3.13 and 3.18 eV were obtained for ZnO–SnO₂ and Mg/ZnO–SnO₂ nanoparticles, respectively. BET analysis revealed a Type III isotherm with a microporous structure and surface area of 32.051 and 49.065 m² g^?1 for ZnO–SnO₂ and Mg/ZnO–SnO₂, respectively. Also, the spherical shape of nanocrystallites was deduced from TEM and FESEM images. The photocatalytic performance of pure ZnO–SnO₂ and Mg/ZnO–SnO₂ was analyzed in the photocatalytic removal of methyl orange (MO). The results indicated that Mg/ZnO–SnO₂ exhibited superior photocatalytic activity to bare ZnO–SnO₂ photocatalyst due to high surface area, increased MO adsorption and larger band gap energy. Maximum photocatalytic activity of Mg/ZnO–SnO₂ nanoparticles was obtained with 0.8 mol% Mg and calcination temperature of 350°C.     

Graphene-encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with 3D laminated structure as superior anode in lithium ion batteries

Fe₃O₄–graphene composites with three‐dimensional laminated structures have been synthesised by a simple in situ hydrothermal method. From field‐emission and transmission electron microscopy results, the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, around 3–15 nm in size, are highly encapsulated in a graphene nanosheet matrix. The reversible Li‐cycling properties of Fe₃O₄–graphene have been evaluated by galvanostatic discharge–charge cycling, cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Results show that the Fe₃O₄–graphene nanocomposite with a graphene content of 38.0 wt % exhibits a stable capacity of about 650 mAh g^?1 with no noticeable fading for up to 100 cycles in the voltage range of 0.0–3.0 V. The superior performance of Fe₃O₄–graphene is clearly established by comparison of the results with those from bare Fe₃O₄. The graphene nanosheets in the composite materials could act not only as lithium storage active materials, but also as an electronically conductive matrix to improve the electrochemical performance of Fe₃O₄.