Fabrication and surface characterization of NH4PAA-stabilized HAZ suspensions

Fine composite powders of yttria (3 mol%) stabilized zirconia (Z, 10 wt%) and hydroxyapatite (HA), denoted as HAZ, were prepared by the co-precipitation method. The resulting powders were characterized by XRF, TEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, and BET surface area techniques. AES and FTIR were employed to determine the surface properties of the HAZ suspensions in the presence of NH4PAA as a dispersant, which confirmed that the surfaces of both HA and Z were affected by the adsorbed polymers. The mechanism of NH4PAA adsorption on the particles was discussed. Zeta potential measurements showed that the addition of NH4PAA resulted in a dramatic increase in the absolute value of zeta potential. NH4PAA considerably enhanced the stability of the HAZ suspension via electrosteric barrier mechanisms. TEM micrographs confirmed that particles were well dispersed in the suspension. The adsorption density of the dispersant was found to decrease with an increase in pH value.     

Effect of Polyvinylpyrrolidone on Rheology of Aqueous SiC Suspensions Stabilized with Polyacrylic Acid

The effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on rheology of aqueous SiC suspensions stabilized with polyacrylic acid (PAA) was investigated. At pH 6.0, as the total amount of dispersants was fixed at 0.3 wt%, the suspensions with co-addition of PAA and PVP obtained much lower viscosity than those added separately, displaying Newtonian behavior. The improvement in rheology of SiC suspensions arose from enhanced steric hindrance, which was caused by the presence of PVP molecules in association with PAA molecules adsorbed on SiC particle surfaces. However, this effect was relatively weak in alkaline condition because of complete dissociation of PAA.     

Electrosteric Stabilization of Al(2)O(3), ZrO(2), and 3Y-ZrO(2) Suspensions: Effect of Dissociation and Type of Polyelectrolyte

The mechanisms of eight anionic polyelectrolytes stabilizing colloidal sized alpha-Al(2)O(3), pure ZrO(2), and Y(2)O(3)-doped ZrO(2) particles in aqueous solution are discussed. The polyelectrolytes studied were the Na(+) and NH(4)(+) salts of polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid having different molecular weights. The particle-dispersant interactions were studied by measuring adsorption isotherms, particle size, thickness of adsorbed layer, and zeta potentials by elektrokinetic sonic analysis at different powder volume fractions (straight phi=0.01-0.3), pH, and electrolyte (KCl) content. The dissociation of the polyelectrolytes was studied by potentiometric titrations. The dissociation constant of the polymethacrylates was found to be 0.6 pH unit higher than that for the polyacrylates. High-affinity adsorption isotherms were observed over the pH range when the polyelectrolytes were fully ionized. The results show good correlation between adsorption isotherms and zeta potential data in systems of dispersed, dilute alumina particles. When particles and polymers were of equal charge (the same sign of charge) the polymer shell was thicker. At higher volume fractions (straight phi=0.3), and when alumina particles/added ammonium polyelectrolyte were of equal charge, a maximum in the absolute value of zeta potential resulted. Due to adsorption all the anionic polyelectrolytes studied provided electrosteric stabilization of the alpha-Al(2)O(3), and Y(2)O(3)-doped ZrO(2) suspensions by enhancing the zeta potential to 40 mV or over and by shifting the isoelectric point to lower pH, the low-molecular-weight polyelectrolytes decreasing the isoelectric point more than the polyelectrolytes having higher molecular weight. The polyelectrolytes studied failed to stabilize pure monoclinic ZrO(2) particles. Due to the shortness of the chain of polyelectrolytes studied, no bridging was observed between oppositely charged polyelectrolyte/alumina particles. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

聚丙烯酸在纳米TiO2表面吸附行为的研究

讨论了聚丙烯酸在纳米TiO₂水悬浮体系中的吸附行为.红外光谱分析和吸附实验结果表明,纳米TiO₂通过氢键吸附PAA.PAA吸附量随着浓度的升高而增大直至饱和吸附量,且分子量越大,饱和吸附量越大.pH值增大,则饱和吸附量减小.在相同条件下,表面吸附层的厚度随PAA分子量、浓度和pH值增大而增大.这是由PAA在颗粒表面构型的变化所致.吸附PAA后的纳米TiO₂的表面电荷密度和ζ电位发生变化,pHiep值向低值方向移动.表面吸附自由能的计算结果说明,PAA在纳米TiO₂表面的吸附是自发过程.     

Anisotropic hydrogel thickness gradient films derivatized to yield three-dimensional composite materials

We report the preparation of in-plane density gradients of amino-terminated molecules and gold particles through derivatization of laterally varying thickness gradients of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) films. PAA and PAAm gradients were formed by Zn(II)-catalyzed electropolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) or acrylamide (AAm) in the presence of an in-plane electrochemical potential gradient applied to Au or indium-tin-oxide (ITO) working electrodes. PAA thickness gradients were converted into density gradients of fluorocarbons or biocompatible groups by derivatizing with NH(2)CH(2)(CF(2))(6)CF(3) or an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptide, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and XPS imaging were used to characterize the modified PAA gradients. Transition regions as narrow as 104 mum were achieved for fluorocarbon gradients. PAAm gradients were treated with gold particles to form a density gradient of gold particles. Surface plasmon resonance imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as UV-visible absorption measurements were used to characterize the gold particle density gradients. It is likely that the gold particles were attached both on the surface and inside the PAAm film.     

PAA/PEO comb polymer effects on rheological properties and inter-particle forces in aqueous silica suspensions

The effects of a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-poly(ethylene) (PEO) comb polymer dispersant on the rheological properties and inter-particle forces in aqueous silica suspensions have been studied under varying pH conditions. The comb polymer was found to adsorb more strongly under acidic than basic conditions, indicating that the PAA backbone of the copolymer preferentially adsorbs onto silica surfaces with the PEO "teeth" extending out from the surface into the solution. In the presence of low concentrations of copolymer, the silica suspensions were stable due to electrostatic repulsions between the silica surfaces. At higher copolymer concentrations and under neutral and basic conditions, where the copolymer interacted only weakly with silica, the suspensions showed a transition from a dispersed to weakly flocculated state and attractive forces were measured between silica surfaces. Under acidic conditions, the silica dispersion also destabilized at intermediate copolymer adsorbed density and then was re-stabilized at higher adsorbed coverage. The silica suspensions were stable at high copolymer coverage due to steric repulsions between the particles. The destabilization at intermediate coverage is thought to be due to polymer bridging between particles or possibly depletion forces.     

Colloid surface engineering via deposition of multilayered thin films from polyelectrolyte blend solutions

Multilayer thin films were constructed on polystyrene colloidal particles by depositing alternating layers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) at pH 7.5 and varying composition blends of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) at pH 3.5. Following the deposition of each layer, microelectrophoresis experiments showed alternating zeta-potentials, suggesting the formation of multilayered films on the particles. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the surface morphology of the colloidal particles, with homogeneous surface coatings apparent for films deposited from PAA/PSS blend solutions containing up to 90 wt % PAA. The colloidal stability of these particles is greater than those coated with individual PAH and PAA layers. In the case of the blend PAA/PSS = 25:75 wt %, up to 20 layers were assembled without compromising the colloidal stability of the dispersion. The results demonstrate that the deposition of layers from PE blend solutions containing a strong and weak PE can be used as a facile method for controlling the surface properties and hence the colloidal stability of core-shell particles, as well as the thickness and morphology of the coatings. Control of these parameters is important for subsequent processing and application of these particles in controlled delivery, photonics, catalytic, and separation applications.     

Stable superhydrophobic organic-inorganic hybrid films by electrostatic self-assembly

Organic-inorganic hybrid films were prepared through layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and ZrO(2) nanoparticles coated with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), allowing facile control of surface roughness and hydrophobicity. Superhydrophobic behavior was observed after deposition of silica nanoparticles and a simple fluorination of the surface. The structure of films was controlled by the number of deposition cycles using PAA-coated 100 nm ZrO(2) nanoparticles, the particle size, and the prelayer with PAH and PAA. The change in the apparent water contact angle of (PAH/PAA-coated ZrO(2)n surfaces without fluorination of the surface agrees with Cassie and Baxter's model for nonwetted surfaces even though the outermost surface itself is hydrophilic. Superhydrophobic surfaces were then successfully developed by the deposition of hydrophilic silica nanoparticles on a 10 bilayer surface of PAH/PAA-coated ZrO(2), and a simple fluorination. Moreover, the chemical stability of the film was greatly increased by heat-induced cross-linking of the film. The incorporation of ZrO(2) nanoparticles in superhydrophobic films promises better mechanical properties than the organic film.     

Adsorption of polyelectrolyte modified graphene to silica surfaces: monolayers and multilayers

Exfoliated graphene particles stabilised by the cationic polyelectrolyte polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used in conjunction with an anionic polyelectrolyte, poly(acrylic acid), to construct multilayers using the layer-by-layer technique on a silica substrate. In the first adsorption step, the surface excess of the cationic graphene was dependent on the overall charge on the nanoparticle which in turn can be tuned through modifying solution pH as PEI has weakly ionisable charged amine groups. The adsorbed amount onto the silica surface increased as the solution pH increased. Subsequently, a layer of PAA was adsorbed on top of the cationic graphene through electrostatic interaction. The multilayer could be assembled through this alternate deposition, with the influence of solution conditions investigated. The pH of the adsorbing solutions was the chief determinant of the overall adsorbed amounts, with more mass added at the elevated pH of 9 in comparison with pH 4. Atomic force microscopy confirmed that the graphene particles were adsorbed to the silica interface and that the surface coverage of the disc-like nanoparticles was complete after the deposition of five graphene-polyelectrolyte bi-layers. Furthermore, the graphene nanoparticles themselves could be modified through the consecutive addition of the oppositely charged polymers. A multilayered assembly of negatively charged graphene sheets modified with a bi-layer of PEI and PAA was also deposited on a silica surface with adsorbed PEI.     

Mesoporous carbon/zirconia composites: a potential route to chemically functionalized electrically-conductive mesoporous materials

Mesoporous nanocomposite materials in which nanoscale zirconia (ZrO(2)) particles are embedded in the carbon skeleton of a templated mesoporous carbon matrix were prepared, and the embedded zirconia sites were used to accomplish chemical functionalization of the interior surfaces of mesopores. These nanocomposite materials offer a unique combination of high porosity (e.g., ～84% void space), electrical conductivity, and surface tailorability. The ZrO(2)/carbon nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen-adsorption porosimetry, helium pychnometry, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Comparison was made with templated mesoporous carbon samples prepared without addition of ZrO(2). Treatment of the nanocomposites with phenylphosphonic acid was undertaken and shown to result in robust binding of the phosphonic acid to the surface of ZrO(2) particles. Incorporation of nanoscale ZrO(2) surfaces in the mesoporous composite skeleton offers unique promise as a means for anchoring organophosphonates inside of pores through formation of robust covalent Zr-O-P bonds.     

不同pH值制备的TiO2和TiO2/SiO2催化剂结构、表面性质及光催化活性

以TiOSO₄和SiO₂溶胶为原料, 采用沉淀法用氨水调节pH值制备TiO₂和TiO₂/SiO₂催化剂. 制备的催化剂用X射线衍射(XRD), 扫描电镜(SEM), N₂吸附(BET), 紫外-可见(UV-Vis)漫反射光谱, 程序升温脱附(NH₃-TPD), 傅里叶变换红外(FT-IR)光谱技术分析. XRD谱图显示纯TiO₂中锐钛型和金红石相共存, 且金红石相含量随pH值升高而增加. 但是, TiO₂/SiO₂催化剂只有锐钛型. 扫描电镜发现制备的催化剂呈类球形, 颗粒间相互交叠, 粒径在10-25 nm之间. TiO₂和TiO₂/SiO₂光催化剂的比表面积随pH值升高略有增大. SiO₂的添加会增大催化剂的比表面积. 程序升温脱附实验结果说明催化剂的表面酸量随pH值升高而增加. TiO₂/SiO₂的表面酸量比相同pH值制备的TiO₂大. 红外光谱分析说明Si掺杂和高pH值有利于催化剂表面生成更多的羟基. TiO₂和TiO₂/SiO₂光催化剂的催化活性随pH值升高而明显增强. TiO₂/SiO₂的光催化活性优于TiO₂. TiO₂/SiO₂催化剂具有较好的耐久性.     

Interaction of Au with thin ZrO2 films: influence of ZrO2 morphology on the adsorption and thermal stability of Au nanoparticles

The model catalysts of ZrO(2)-supported Au nanoparticles have been prepared by deposition of Au atoms onto the surfaces of thin ZrO(2) films with different morphologies. The adsorption and thermal stability of Au nanoparticles on thin ZrO(2) films have been investigated using synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy (SRPES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The thin ZrO(2) films were prepared by two different methods, giving rise to different morphologies. The first method utilized wet chemical impregnation to synthesize the thin ZrO(2) film through the procedure of first spin-coating a zirconium ethoxide (Zr(OC(2)H(5))(4)) precursor onto a SiO(2)/Si(100) substrate at room temperature followed by calcination at 773 K for 12 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations indicate that highly porous "sponge-like nanostructures" were obtained in this case. The second method was epitaxial growth of a ZrO(2)(111) film through vacuum evaporation of Zr metal onto Pt(111) in 1 × 10(-6) Torr of oxygen at 550 K followed by annealing at 1000 K. The structural analysis with low energy electron diffraction (LEED) of this film exhibits good long-range ordering. It has been found that Au forms smaller particles on the porous ZrO(2) film as compared to those on the ordered ZrO(2)(111) film at a given coverage. Thermal annealing experiments demonstrate that Au particles are more thermally stable on the porous ZrO(2) surface than on the ZrO(2)(111) surface, although on both surfaces, Au particles experience significant sintering at elevated temperatures. In addition, by annealing the surfaces to 1100 K, Au particles desorb completely from ZrO(2)(111) but not from porous ZrO(2). The enhanced thermal stability for Au on porous ZrO(2) can be attributed to the stronger interaction of the adsorbed Au with the defects and the hindered migration or coalescence resulting from the porous structures.     

Stabilization of magnetorheological suspensions by polyacrylic acid polymers

This work is devoted to the synthesis and stabilization of magnetorheological suspensions constituted by monodisperse micrometer-sized magnetite spheres in aqueous media. The electrical double-layer characteristics of the solid/liquid interface were studied in the absence and presence of adsorbed layers of high molecular weight polyacrylic acids (PAA; Carbopol). Since the Carbopol-covered particles can be thought of as "soft" colloids, Ohshima's theory was used to gain information of the surface potential and the charge density of the polymer layer. The effect of the pH of the solution on the double-layer characteristics is related to the different conformations of the adsorbed molecules provoked by the dissociation of the acrylic groups present in polymer molecules. The stability of the suspensions was experimentally studied for different pH and polymer concentrations, and in the absence or presence of a weak magnetic field applied. The stability of the suspensions was explained using the classical DLVO theory of colloidal stability extended to account for hydration, steric, and magnetic interactions between particles. Diagrams of potential energy vs interparticle distance show the predominant effect of steric, hydrophilic/hydrophobic, and magnetic interactions on the whole stability of the system. The best conditions to obtain stable suspensions were found when strong steric and hydrophilic repulsions hinder the coagulation between polymer-covered particles, simultaneously avoiding sedimentation by the thickening effect of the polymer solution. When a not too high molecular weight PAA was employed in a low concentration, the task of a long-time antisettling effect compatible with the desired magnetic response of the fluid was achieved.     

Properties of TiO2-polyacrylic acid dispersions with potential for molecular recognition

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) (TiO₂/PAA) particles were formed by mixing PAA and an acidic solution of TiO₂ nanoparticles in dimethylformamide (DMF) followed by heat treatment. TEM and particle analysis showed that the resulting particles had a narrow size distribution. The colloid was very stable and aggregation was not observed over a wide pH range (3–9) or at high salt concentration. The residual carboxylic acid of PAA could be modified via EDC/NHS activation to form an amide bond with a protein. An antibody was attached to the hybrid nanoparticle and specific binding to antigen was monitored by surface plasmon resonance. The results suggest that TiO₂/PAA nanoparticles are candidates as the base component of a photocatalytic system with potential for substrate selectivity.     

电沉积非晶态Ni-W-B/ZrO2复合镀层及其结构与性能

在含有二氧化锆的Ni-W-B电解液中，电沉积获得Ni-W-B/ZrO2复合镀层.用差示扫描量热分析(DSC)、X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和电化学技术较系统地研究了Ni-W-B/ZrO2复合镀层的电沉积、热处理过程，以及镀层的结构、表面形貌、显微硬度和耐腐蚀性能.结果表明, 复合镀层的质量组成为Ni 47.5％、W 40.9％、B 0.9％和ZrO2 10.7％. DSC和XRD结果清楚说明, 二氧化锆对基质Ni-W-B镀层的结构有明显影响, 使得复合镀层的非晶态结构特征更加明显 .复合镀层比Ni-W-B合金有更高的显微硬度, 呈现团粒状结构, 晶块之间不存在裂纹但晶界清晰可辨; 二氧化锆粒子分散于Ni-W-B基质镀层中. 400 ℃、1 h热处理后, Ni-W-B基质镀层中W向镀层表面偏析, 镀层呈现固溶体晶态结构特征, 表面形貌特征基本不变, 复合镀层的显微硬度进一步提高, 抗腐蚀性能增强, 但镀层表层中的二氧化锆粒子大量脱落.     

表面活性剂和聚乙烯吡咯烷酮在ZrO2上的吸附对其悬浮体稳定性的影响

研究了水溶液中十二烷基苯磺酸钠（ＳＤＢＳ）、溴代十四烷基吡啶（ＴＰＢ）和聚乙烯吡咯烷酮（ＰＶＰ）在ＺｒＯ２上的吸附及对ＺｒＯ２水悬浮体稳定性的影响。结果表明：ｐＨ＝２．４时ＳＤＢＳ在ＺｒＯ２上的吸附等湿线为ＬＳ型，ｐＨ＝７．０时ＴＰＢ的吸附等温线为Ｓ型，吸附等温线与ＺｒＯ２粒子ζ电势变化同线有大体一致的关系。在最大吸附量时ＺｒＯ２粒子ζ电势较大，且吸附的表面活性剂离子形成大部分亲水基朝向水相的表面     

Effect of alcohol solvents treated ZrO（OH）2 hydrogel on properties of ZrO2 and its catalytic performance in isosynthesis

A series of ZrO2 catalysts were prepared by treating ZrO(OH)2 hydrogel with different alcohol solvents (C2-C4 alcohols) and calcining under N2 flow at 773 K for 3 h. The obtained ZrO2 catalysts were systematically characterized by the methods of N2 adsorption-desorption, powder X-ray diffraction, NH3 temperature-programmed desorption, and CO2 temperature-programmed desorption. The catalytic performance of each catalyst was evaluated in the selective synthesis of iso-C4 (isobutene and isobutane) and light olefins (C2= ～C4= ) from CO hydrogenation. The specific surface area increased for the ZrO2 catalysts obtained by treating ZrO(OH)2 hydrogel with different alcohol solvents. The amounts of both acidic and basic sites on the catalyst surface increased obviously. The catalytic activity (CO conversion) of ZrO2 catalysts also increased after the treatment with different alcohol solvents. The highest activity was obtained over the catalyst which was pretreated with isopropanol. However, alcohol solvent treatment retarded the transformation of ZrO2 crystal structure from tetragonal phase to monoclinic phase, and subsequently resulted in the decrease of monoclinic phase in ZrO2, which led to the decrease of olefin selectivity in corresponding hydrocarbon products (C2=～C4= /CH).     

MoO3/ZrO2纳米固体强酸催化剂的制备及其在异丁烷-丁烯烷基化反应中的应用

利用AOT/异辛烷反胶束体系制备了MoO3/ZrO2纳米粒子.TEM结果表明,反胶束法制得粒子的粒径均匀,95%以上处于38～60nm之间.将此纳米粒子负载于γ-Al2O3上,呈现高度分散状态.NH3-TPD和烷基化反应的测定结果表明,其酸量和反应活性明显高于浸渍法和溶胶-凝胶法制备的样品,烷基化产物中C8的含量在79%左右.     

Synthesis of raspberry‐like organic–inorganic hybrid nanocapsules via pickering miniemulsion polymerization: Colloidal stability and morphology

Raspberry‐like hybrid nanocapsules with a hydrophobic liquid core were successfully prepared via the copolymerization of styrene, divinylbenzene (DVB), and 4‐vinyl pyridine (4‐VP) in Pickering‐stabilized miniemulsions by using silica particles as the sole emulsifier and hexadecane (HD) as liquid template. When compared with conventional Pickering miniemulsions and Pickering suspensions, the colloidal stability of the current systems is much more sensitive to the variation of reaction parameters such as pH, size, amount of silica particles, and content of 4‐VP. The systems without coagulum were only obtained in a narrow pH range at around 9.5 and by using 12 nm silica particles as emulsifier. The formation of well‐defined raspberry‐like capsules was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). The stable attachment of silica particles on the surface of hybrid particles was verified by centrifugation and subsequent characterizations, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, TEM, and HRSEM. The influence of pH and weight content of HD, DVB, and 4‐VP on the particle morphology was extensively investigated. Interestingly, the particle morphology strongly depends on the particle size. When compared with the organic surface‐active surfactant, the formation of capsule morphology could be promoted by the application of silica particles taking advantage of their surface inactivity. The formation mechanisms of capsules/solid particles are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Colloidal stabilization of nanoparticles in concentrated suspensions

The stabilization of nanoparticles in concentrated aqueous suspensions is required in many manufacturing technologies and industrial products. Nanoparticles are commonly stabilized through the adsorption of a dispersant layer around the particle surface. The formation of a dispersant layer (adlayer) of appropriate thickness is crucial for the stabilization of suspensions containing high nanoparticle concentrations. Thick adlayers result in an excessive excluded volume around the particles, whereas thin adlayers lead to particle agglomeration. Both effects reduce the maximum concentration of nanoparticles in the suspension. However, conventional dispersants do not allow for a systematic control of the adlayer thickness on the particle surface. In this study, we synthesized dispersants with a molecular architecture that enables better control over the particle adlayer thickness. By tailoring the chemistry and length of these novel dispersants, we were able to prepare fluid suspensions (viscosity < 1 Pa.s at 100 s-1) with more than 40 vol % of 65-nm alumina particles in water, as opposed to the 30 vol % achieved with a state-of-the-art dispersing agent. This remarkably high concentration facilitates the fabrication of a wide range of products and intermediates in materials technology, cosmetics, pharmacy, and in all other areas where concentrated nanoparticle suspensions are required. On the basis of the proposed molecular architecture, one can also envisage other similar molecules that could be successfully applied for the functionalization of surfaces for biosensing, chromatography, medical imaging, drug delivery, and aqueous lubrication, among others.