New Prospective Ni-catalytic Materials

IR spectroscopy was applied to investigate the non-isothermal redox processes in Ni/NiO-gas phase system involving the elimination of CO₂. At the Curie temperature (T _c=633 K for Ni), a change in the mechanism of CO catalytic oxidation on NiO was observed. It was established by means of temperature-programmed desorption with mass-spectroscopic registration that fluctuations in the oxygen density on the NiO surface are generated at this temperature. Under the given chemical reaction conditions, these fluctuations bring about the formation of Ni microheterogeneity on the NiO surface. X-ray diffraction, electronic and magnetometric measurements were employed to determine the dimensions of the Ni particles. It was shown that an increase in the Ni dispersity in Ni/NiO may be responsible for an increased number of active surface sites. This was verified for the NiO/thermo-exfoliated graphite system. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Chemical characterization of short-lived selenium and their daughter isotopes from thermal neutron induced fission of 235U at a gas-jet facility

Selenium nuclides are available from thermal neutron induced nuclear fission of ²³⁵U at the gas-jet facility at the Swiss spallation neutron source (SINQ) at Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland. The formation of stable selenium compounds, their transport yields using the gas-jet system and their relative thermal decomposition temperature were investigated under oxidizing and reducing conditions in the target chamber. Using O₂, H₂, CO, and propene as additional gases, the selenium isotopes are suggested to form H₂SeO₃, H₂Se, COSe, and C₃H₆Se, respectively, with overall ⁸⁴Se yields of 1.5%, 4.7%, 6.3%, and 21.9%, respectively. Adsorption enthalpy, vapour pressure, solubility and acidity data for these species were collected from the literature or estimated from other known thermochemical properties. Carrier free bromine isotopes (⁸⁴Br, ⁸⁶Br) in the form of HOBr were obtained by thermally decomposing H₂SeO₃ and retaining elemental Se under oxygen rich conditions on quartz at 400 K.     

Cyclic and stripping voltammetry of Se(+4) and Se(−2) at the HMDE in acidic media

Electroreduction of Se(+4) and electrooxidation of Se(?2) were studied at mercury electrodes in acidic media and an improved mechanism of the reduction process was proposed. This mechanism takes into account the fact that the reduction path is concentration-dependent. At lower concentrations of Se(+4), mercury selenide and hydrogen selenide are formed at various potentials. At higher Se(+4) concentrations the electrode quickly becomes covered by a rigid deposit of mercury selenide and then the reduction starts to proceed to elemental selenium. Another form of selenium was formed in the vicinity of the mercury surface due to a chemical reaction between H₂SeO₃ and H₂Se. Oxidation of hydrogen selenide proceeds similarly, in the sense that after coverage of the electrode surface by a deposit of mercury selenide the oxidation starts to proceed to elemental selenium. The cathodic stripping peak of mercury selenide can be obtained down to 2 × 10^?8M of Se(+4), but this peak is often split and therefore the determination of traces of Se(+4) by the cathodic stripping technique is cumbersome.     

Interaction of arsenic and selenium on the metabolism of these elements in hamsters

The interaction of arsenic and selenium compounds on the metabolism of these elements in golden hamsters was studied. Golden hamsters were divided into three groups and administered sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃), sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) and Na₂SeO₃ with NaAsO₂, respectively, by a single Subcutaneous injection of 25 m?mol kg^?1 body weight as As or Se (arsenic and selenium were calculated as weight of elemental arsenic and selenium). Selenium and arsenic metabolites were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography–graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HPLC–GFA AA) and gas chromatography (GC). The results show (1): About 10% by weight of the given dose of selenium was excreted in expiration air as dimethylselenide (Me₂Se) during 12 h after administration of Na₂SeO₃. Excretion of dimethylselenide with the respiratory air was inhibited by administration of Na₂SeO₃ simultaneously with NaAsO₂. (2) Giving Na₂SeO₃ plus NaAsO₂ had no appreciable effect on the excretion of the trimethylselenonium ion (Me₃Se⁺) into the urine and the feces. (3) Giving Na₂SeO₃ plus NaAsO₂ increaed the excretion into the feces of an insoluble unknown-structure selenium compound, the proportion of which was 10.9% by weight of the given dose of selenium. (4) Giving NaAsO₂ plus Na₂SeO₃ decreased the excretion of dimethylarsinic acid (Me₂AsOOH) and inorganic arsenic into the urine during 120 h after the administration of the reagents, the decreased amount being 5.3% (dimethylarsinic acid) and 7.7% (inorganic arsenic) of the given dose of arsenic, respectively. (5) Giving NaAsO₂ plus Na₂SeO₃ increased the excretion into feces of insoluble unknown-structure arsenic compound and inorganic arsenic, the increased amounts being 10.6% and 7.0% of the given dose of arsenic, respectively. (6) Giving NaAsO₂ plus Na₂SeO₃ decreased the excretion into feces of extractable unknown-structure arsenic compound, and the decreased amount was 4.9% of the given dose of arsenic. (7) It made little difference to the excretion of monomethylarsonic acid [MeAsO(OH)₂] into urine and feces and of dimethylarsinic acid (Me₂AsOOH) into feces whether NaAsO₂ was administered alone or with Na₂SeO₃.     

Studies of the naturally occurring biomethylation of selenium and the determination of the products

A systematic study of the biomethylation of selenium and the determination of the methylated species indicates preliminarily that selenium is susceptible to natural biomethylation under certain environmental conditions. Detectable levels of methylated selenium species, including dimethyl selenide [(CH₃)₂Se], dimethyl diselenide [(CH₃)₂Se₂] and dimethylselenone [(CH₃)₂SeO₂] have been detected by gas chromatography – graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GC – GF AA) from a variety of environmental samples. Findings of naturally methylated selenium species from both soil samples and related air samples suggest that there may exist a localized cycle of selenium between ground soil and the ambient air. Factors that influence the sensitivity and accuracy for the determination of alkyl selenide compounds by GC – GF AA have also been investigated. Flashlike injection mode and addition of about 10% of hydrogen gas to the argon carrier gas provide for highly sensitive detection. Reproducible determination can be obtained with a precision of about 6% and the detection limits are 0.3 ng Se m^?3.     

The Inherent Electrochemistry of Nickel/Nickel‐Oxide Nanoparticles

The direct detection of nanoparticles is at the forefront of research owing to their environmental and toxicological applications. Herein, we studied the inherent electrochemistry of Ni and NiO nanoparticles and proposed a simple and direct electrochemical method for the determination of the concentrations of both nickel (Ni) and nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles in alkaline solution. A highly sensitive voltammetry technique was used to measure the oxidative signal of Ni(OH)₂ that formed spontaneously on the surface of Ni and NiO nanoparticles in alkaline media. Detection limits of 220 μg mL^?1 for Ni and 13 μg mL^?1 for NiO nanoparticles were obtained. Ni and NiO nanoparticles are used as electrode modifiers or as electrochemical signal labels in various biosensing applications. Therefore, methods to rapidly quantify the amount of Ni and NiO nanoparticles are of widespread potential use.     

Unveiling the Promotion of Surface-Adsorbed Chalcogenate on the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) are efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) pre-electrocatalysts, and will in situ transform into metal (oxy)hydroxides under OER condition. However, the role of chalcogen is not fully elucidated after oxidation and severe leaching. Here we present the vital promotion of surface-adsorbed chalcogenates on the OER activity. Taking NiSe₂ as an example, in situ Raman spectroscopy revealed the oxidation of Se-Se to selenites (SeO₃²⁻) then to selenates (SeO₄²⁻). Combining the severe Se leaching and the strong signal of selenates, it is assumed that the selenates are rich on the surface and play significant roles. As expected, adding selenites to the electrolyte of Ni(OH)₂ dramatically enhance its OER activity. And sulfates also exhibit the similar effect, suggesting the promotion of surface-adsorbed chalcogenates on OER is universal. Our findings offer unique insight into the transformation mechanism of materials during electrolysis.     

Reductive immobilization of <Superscript>79</Superscript>Se by iron canister under simulated repository environment

To understand the fate of ⁷⁹Se in a repository-like environment, the interactions between iron canister surface with dissolved selenite (SeO₃ ²⁻) and selenate (SeO₄ ²⁻) in anaerobic solutions have been investigated. Se(IV) immobilization on iron surface was observed to be about 100 times faster than that of Se(VI) at same conditions. An iron surface coated with a FeCO₃ layer corrosion product is more reactive than a polished iron to immobilize Se(IV) and Se(VI). The reacted iron surfaces were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrometry and micro-X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). The result show that Se(IV) and Se(VI) were reduced and precipitated. The dominating phase was found to be FeSe_2.     

介孔氧化镍的合成、表征和在电化学电容器中的应用

以十二烷基硫酸钠为模板剂, 采用尿素为沉淀剂, 用均匀沉淀法, 适当控制尿素的水解速度, 制备具有介孔结构的氢氧化镍胶体, 在不同温度下焙烧处理得到孔分布集中的氧化镍介孔分子筛. 结果表明, 在523 K下焙烧得到的氧化镍BET比表面达到477.7 m²•g^－1. 结构表征还显示, 介孔氧化镍的孔壁为多晶结构, 其孔结构形成机理应为准反胶束模板机理. 循环伏安法表明用NiO介孔分子筛制备的电极有很好的电容性能. 与浸渍法和阴极沉淀法制得的NiO相比, 这种介孔结构的NiO能够大量用来制作电化学电容器电极, 并且保持较高的比电容量和良好的电容性能.     

XPS study on surface modification of NiTi alloy by acidic solution immersion and subsequent heating in air

Changes in the surface chemical state of a nearly equiatomic nickel–titanium (NiTi) alloy caused by immersion in aqueous solutions of HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ as well as subsequent heating in air at 723 K were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). An XPS analysis using angle-resolved technique and a mathematical deconvolution technique revealed that a passive layer formed in an ambient atmosphere contained TiO₂ as a major state and Ni(OH)₂ and NiO as minor states. The Ni(OH)₂ on the alloy remained in the region even when heated in air at 723 K. Therefore, the resulting layer became a Ti-oxide layer with Ni segregated region at the surface, which was NiO formed via dehydration of Ni(OH)₂. However, immersion in an aqueous solution of HNO₃ or H₂SO₄ enables Ni(OH)₂ state to dissolve in the passive layer of a NiTi alloy; thereby, the Ni segregated region rarely appeared in the oxide layer by heating. The Ni segregated region at the surface becomes an obstacle for the inward diffusion of oxygen; thus, the annihilation of such a segregated region results in an increase in the thickness of the oxide layer.     

The Mechanism of Selective NO x Reduction by Hydrocarbons in Excess Oxygen on Oxide Catalysts: I. Adsorption Properties of the Commercial NTK-10-1 Catalyst

According to X-ray phase and spectral analyses, the NTK-10-1 catalyst is a mixture of ZnO, CuO, NiO, ZnAl₂O₄, CuAl₂O₄, and CaCO₃. Under conditions of selective reduction of nitrogen oxides by propane, nitrite and nitrate complexes are formed on the surface of the NTK-10-1 catalyst. With an increase in temperature, nitrite complexes transform to nitrate complexes at a rate that decreases in the presence of propane in the gas phase. Propane adsorption is an activated process in which oxygen plays an important role. The results of temperature-programmed reduction showed that oxygen readily desorbs from the catalyst surface even under oxidative conditions.     

Activities of δ-Al2O3-supported bimetallic Pt?NiO and Co?NiO catalysts for methane autoreforming: Oxidation studies

The methane oxidation activities of Pt−NiO and Co−NiO bimetallic catalysts have been investigated as part of a larger research program on the autothermal reforming of methane (combined methane oxidation and steam reforming) in a fluidized bed reactor. Experiments at atmospheric pressure and 783–1023 K for both catalysts showed that the reaction was more selective towards H₂ production at CH₄∶O₂ ratios greater than unity. Light-off temperature increased with decreasing CH₄∶O₂ ratios, but increase in gas velocity (beyond minimum fluidization) increased the light-off temperature. Co−NiO was as promising as the more expensive Pt−NiO catalyst for the oxidation.     

Untersuchungen zur temperaturprogrammierten Reduktion und zur katalytischen Wirksamkeit von Ni/Al2O3

Investigations of Temperature-programmed Reduction and of Catalytic Activity of Ni/Al₂O₃ Different Ni/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by varying the Ni content and the temperature of the thermal pretreatment. These samples were investigated by the TPR technique and by the catalytic conversion of cyclohexane. Two species of oxidized Ni were formed during the calcination, easily reducible “bulk” NiO and heavily reducible “fixed” NiO. The proportion of fixed NiO increases with increasing calcination temperature and with decreasing Ni content. The selectivity of the cyclohexane conversion is shifted from hydrogenolytic methane formation towards dehydrogenating benzene formation by catalysts containing increasing amounts of fixed NiO. This shift is explained by an ensemble effect.     

Solubility of Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> and sorption of Eu(III) onto TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the presence of Se(IV)

Metal ions sorption can be significantly affected by the presence of other sorbates, especially of complexing ligands. In this study, the effect of Se(IV) on Eu(III) sorption onto TiO₂ at different pH and Eu(III) concentration was investigated. Se(IV) was found to enhance Eu(III) sorption as a function of Se(IV) concentration. Constant capacitance model was successfully used to interpret the sorption experimental data. The solubility product of Eu₂(SeO₃)₃ at ambient temperature was investigated to highlight the sorption mechanism of ternary sorption system. The pK _sp value of Eu₂(SeO₃)₃ was found to be 31.51 ± 0.95.     

Partially Pyrolyzed Binary Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis

Herein, we developed a partially controlled pyrolysis strategy to create evenly distributed NiO nanoparticles within NiFe-MOF nanosheets (MOF NSs) for electrochemical synthesis of H₂O₂ by a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The elemental Ni can be partially transformed to NiO and uniformly distributed on the surface of the MOF NSs, which is crucial for the formation of the particular structure. The optimized MOF NSs-300 exhibits the highest activity for ORR with near-zero overpotential and excellent H₂O₂ selectivity (ca. 99 %) in 0.1 m KOH solution. A high-yield H₂O₂ production rate of 6.5 mol g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹ has also been achieved by MOF NSs-300 in 0.1 m KOH and at 0.6 V (vs. RHE). In contrast to completely pyrolyzed products, the enhanced catalytic activities of partially pyrolyzed MOF NSs-300 originates mainly from the retained MOF structure and the newly generated NiO nanoparticles, forming the coordinatively unsaturated Ni atoms and tuning the performance towards electrochemical H₂O₂ synthesis.     

Partially Pyrolyzed Binary Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis

Herein, we developed a partially controlled pyrolysis strategy to create evenly distributed NiO nanoparticles within NiFe‐MOF nanosheets (MOF NSs) for electrochemical synthesis of H₂O₂ by a two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The elemental Ni can be partially transformed to NiO and uniformly distributed on the surface of the MOF NSs, which is crucial for the formation of the particular structure. The optimized MOF NSs‐300 exhibits the highest activity for ORR with near‐zero overpotential and excellent H₂O₂ selectivity (ca. 99 %) in 0.1 m KOH solution. A high‐yield H₂O₂ production rate of 6.5 mol g_cat^?1 h^?1 has also been achieved by MOF NSs‐300 in 0.1 m KOH and at 0.6 V (vs. RHE). In contrast to completely pyrolyzed products, the enhanced catalytic activities of partially pyrolyzed MOF NSs‐300 originates mainly from the retained MOF structure and the newly generated NiO nanoparticles, forming the coordinatively unsaturated Ni atoms and tuning the performance towards electrochemical H₂O₂ synthesis.     

Hydrogen in amorphous TM33Zr67 (TM=Fe, Co, Ni) alloys

Hydrogen sorption properties and some corresponding changes in the crystallization of amorphous TM₃₃Zr₆₇ (TM=Fe, Co, Ni) alloys have been investigated. Relatively large amount of hydrogen was found to dissolve into the amorphous alloys during electrochemical hydrogen charging. The microstructural evolution during annealing of H-charged Ni₃₃Zr₆₇ was studied as well. The weaker bonded hydrogen desorbs in a large temperature range (440–625 K) before the crystallization of the amorphous alloys to start. A hydride phase (ZrH₂) was found to form during annealing the H-charged amorphous Ni₃₃Zr₆₇ alloy. During heating at constant heating rate the hydride decomposes at about 715 K and formation of Zr₂Ni immediately takes place. The final microstructure of the Zr₂Ni, crystallized from the H-charged matrix, is noticeably finer compared to the material crystallized from the H-free amorphous alloy, most probably due to the higher temperature of Zr₂Ni formation in the H-charged amorphous alloy than in the H-free sample.     

Formation of NiO/YSZ functional anode layers of solid oxide fuel cells by magnetron sputtering

The decrease in the polarization resistance of the anode of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) due to the formation of an additional NiO/(ZrO₂ + 10 mol % Y₂O₃) (YSZ) functional layer was studied. NiO/YSZ films with different NiO contents were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering of Ni and Zr–Y targets. The elemental and phase composition of the films was adjusted by regulating oxygen flow rate during the sputtering. The resulting films were studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Comparative tests of planar SOFCs with a NiO/YSZ anode support, NiO/YSZ functional nanostructured anode layer, YSZ electrolyte, and La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃/Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O₂ (LSCF/CGO) cathode were performed. It was shown that the formation of a NiO/YSZ functional nanostructured anode leads to a 15–25% increase in the maximum power density of fuel cells in the working temperature range 500–800°C. The NiO/YSZ nanostructured anode layers lead not only to a reduction of the polarization resistance of the anode, but also to the formation of denser electrolyte films during subsequent magnetron sputtering of electrolyte.     

Microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis of CeO2–NiO nanocomposite based NO2 gas sensor for selective detection at lower operating temperature

The progress in the development of gas sensors has considerably grown using some novel nanomaterials of metal, metal oxide and composite. In the current study, we intended and evaluated the properties of nanomaterials like CeO₂, NiO, and CeO₂–NiO composite and its application as NO₂ gas sensor. Sensing of low concentration of NO₂ gas at optimum functional temperature was succeeded using CeO₂–NiO nanocomposites (NCs) film. The working temperature ranges in between 100 and 225 ?°C. Highly crystalline nanomaterials (CeO₂, NiO and CeO₂–NiO) have been prepared by applying microwave-assisted sol-gel route. The as-prepared nanomaterials are characterized for their structure, size, morphology and constitution by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. XRD studies of nanoparticles reveal the formation of nanoscale CeO₂ and NiO with crystallite size 26, 23 ?nm, respectively. Both are having a face centered cubic structure. The nanocomposite (NC) Ce:Ni ?= ?60:40 has crystallite size of 13 ?nm. XRD study of NCs shows assimilation of Ni metal into the ceria and proves physical similarities of two phases. It can be observed from SEM that prepared NC has a porous surface which enables more surface active sites for adsorbing oxygen. The optical properties are measured with the help of UV–Vis. Spectroscopy. Optical band gaps of 3.19, 3.41 and 2.9 ?eV were observed for CeO_2, NiO nanoparticles (NPs) and CeO₂–NiO NC, respectively. Gas sensing properties state that the NC material shows a higher gas response % of 67.34% for NO₂ gas (25 ?ppm) at comparatively low operating temperature (125 ?°C). It gives response time as (～28 ?s) and the recovery (～54 ?s). NiO incorporation in CeO₂ results in a decline of operating temperature of NC and improves the sensing features.     

The Effect of Nb Loading on Catalytic Properties of Ni/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 Catalyst for Methane Partial Oxidation

In this study,the effect of Nb loading on the catalytic activity of Ce_(0.75)Zr_(0.25)O_2-supported Ni catalysts was studied for methane partial oxidation.The catalysts were characterized by BET,H_2 chemisorption,XRD,TPR,TEM and tested for methane partial oxidation to syngas in the temperature range of 400-800℃at atmospheric pressure.The results showed that the activity of methane partial oxidation on the catalysts was apparently dependent on Nb loading.It seemed that the addition of Nb lowered the catalytic activity for methane partial oxidation and increased the extent of carbon deposition. This might be due to the strong interaction between NiO and Nb-modified support and reduction of surface oxygen reducibility.