Adsorption of methylene blue onto sonicated sepiolite from aqueous solutions

The aim of the present study is to enhance the methylene blue (MB) adsorption of sepiolite by ultrasonic treatment. The natural sepiolite was pretreated by sonication to improve the surface characteristics and enhance the dye uptake capacity. Sonication process resulted in a significant increase in the specific surface area (SSA) of sepiolite. The FTIR spectrum of the sonicated sepiolite indicates that the tetrahedral sheet is probably distorted after sonication process. The effect of various parameters such as sonication, pH, initial dye concentration and temperature on dye adsorption has been investigated. The adsorbed amount of MB on sepiolite increased after sonication as well as with increasing pH and temperature. The experimental data were evaluated by applying the pseudo-first- and second-order, and the intraparticle diffusion adsorption kinetic models. Adsorption process of MB onto sepiolite followed the pseudo-second-order rate expression. The experimental data were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and found that the isotherm data were reasonably well correlated by Langmuir isotherm. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of sepiolite for MB increased from 79.37 to 128.21 mg/g after the sonication. Various thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ were calculated. The thermodynamics of MB/sepiolite system indicated spontaneous and endothermic nature of the process. Adsorption measurements showed that the process was very fast and physical in nature.     

Iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized inside highly ordered mesoporous silica

Nanosized iron oxide, a moderately large band-gap semiconductor and an essential component of optoelectrical and magnetic devices, has been prepared successfully inside the restricted internal pores of mesoporous silica material throughin-situ reduction during impregnation. The samples were characterized by powder XRD, TEM, SEM/EDS, N₂ adsorption, FT-IR and UV-visible spectroscopies. Characterization data indicated well-dispersed isolated nanoclusters of (Fe₂O₃) _n , within the internal surface of 2D-hexagonal mesoporous silica structure. No occluded Fe/Fe₂O₃ crystallites were observed at the external surface of the mesoporous silica nanocomposites. Inorganic mesoporous host, such as hydrophilic silica in the pore walls, directs a physical constraint necessary to prevent the creation of large Fe₂O₃ agglomerates and enables the formation of nanosized Fe₂O₃ particles inside the mesopore     

Banana fiber/chemically functionalized polypropylene composites with in-situ fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion by Palsule process

Chemically functionalized maleic anhydride (MAH)-grafted polypropylene matrix has been used (in place of polypropylene as matrix with compatibilizer) to process banana fiber/chemically functionalized polypropylene (BF/CFPP) composites, without using any compatibilizer and without any fiber modification by Palsule process. Fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion generated, in-situ, due to interactions between BF and the MAH of the CFPP matrix has been established by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical properties of the BF/CFPP composites developed by Palsule process with in-situ fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion in this study have been found to be higher than those of the matrix and it increases with increasing amounts of fibers in composites, and are better than properties of literature reported BF/polypropylene composites processed with compatibilizers. Measured modulus of BF/CFPP composites compares well with values predicted by rule of mixtures, Hrisch model, Halpin-Tsai equations and its modified Nielsen version, and with Palsule equation. The feasibility of developing natural fiber/MAH grafted polyolefin composites by Palsule process without using any compatibilizer and without any fiber treatment is demonstrated.     

Evaluation of Ph and granite/hot water interaction under geothermal conditions

Abstract

The in-situ laboratory measurement of pH in a granite-hot water reaction system has been undertaken under flowing conditions. The calculation of fluid pH and multi-component chemical equilibria in the granite-hot water reaction system was made, using the calculation program SOLVEQ92. In this study, the chemical equilibrium relationship of granite and hot water interaction was also deduced using the some program. The measurement of in-situ pH in the granite-hot water reaction system was undertaken in the temperature and pressure range of 100–250°C and 20MPa respectively. The in-situ pH value shows good agreement with the pH calculation value with regard to multi-component chemical equilibria. As a result of this work, it is reasonable to suggest that the pH of reservoir fluids in geothermal system can be readily estimated by use of the SOLVEQ92 calculation program, which provides a ‘calculated’ pH value.     

Air-exposure effect on the resistivity of thin bismuth films

A survey of previous studies on vacuum deposited metal films shows that in high frequency measurements, explicit reference to the effect of air-exposure is not made. The present work on bismuth films (in-situ and air-exposed) at dc and rf frequencies, carried out mainly to study the air-exposure effect, shows that in-situ dc and rf and exposed rf all show nearly the same resistivity for thick continuous films. But air-exposed dc film resistances, when compared to in-situ dc resistances, show that the grain boundary reflection coefficient, R _gin Mayadas-Shatzkes model changes from 0·2 to 0·6. This is shown to be due to the grain boundary oxidation. The result is substantiated by rf measurements.     

Organic–inorganic polymer hybrids prepared by the sol-gel method

This review focuses on some aspects of organic-inorganic hybrid materials prepared by the sol-gel method. This field has been studied worldwide as one of the nanotechnologies, and is now of current interest for both organic and inorganic scientists. The elaboration of organic–inorganic polymer hybrid materials using the sol-gel process can be accomplished by various approaches. The simplest method is increasing the compatibility by using physical interactions, covalent bonding and compatibilizer between organic polymer and silica gel. Other novel approaches, such as an in-situ method, NHSG (Non- Hydrolysis Sol-Gel) process, and use of reactive polymer hybrids resulted in the preparation of novel transparent organic–inorganic polymer hybrid materials. Stimulus responsive polymer hybrids are also mentioned. Furthermore, nano-structured organic–inorganic polymer hybrids are created by using supermolecular and self-assembly of organic molecules or polymers recently. The obtained nano-structured hybrid materials showed unique properties that could not be found in amorphous hybrid materials. The possibilities and applications of organic–inorganic polymer hybrid materials are also described in this review.     

Optical and atomic force microscopic study on step bunching in BaB2O4 crystal growth

The formation of macrostep during high-temperature phase of barium meta-borate (α-BaB 2 O 4) single crystal growth has been investigated by both optical in-situ observation system and atomic force microscopy (AFM).The insitu observation results demonstrate that the critical linear size of growing facet exceeding the size that the macrostep generates is significantly anisotropic.The critical linear sizes are around 280 μm and 620 μm for {1010} and {1010} planes,respectively.AFM study illustrates that macrostep train with a height of 150 nm～200 nm is one typical morphological feature of the as-grown crystal surface.The riser of each macrostep consists of several straight and parallel sub-steps,indicating the occurrence of step bunching.Additionally,triangular sub-steps with heights of several nanometers on the treads of the macrosteps are found to be another typical feature of surface morphology,which implies a microscopically competitive bunching of sub-steps between various crystallographic orientations.     

Hydrogen in the near-surface of crystalline silicon

Abstract

Real-time electric field drift experiments, in-situ capacitance-voltage profiling, deep-level transient spectroscopy and nuclear reaction analysis have been used to monitor hydrogen motion and passivation processes in silicon. Spontaneous hydrogen injection and very fast migration has been detected in the near-surface region of various Schottky barriers and p-n junctions. The effective hydrogen diffusivity is about 10^?8 cm²/s at 400 K in agreement with the estimated value obtained by extrapolation from the high-temperature diffusivity data. The results of real-time in-situ measurements clearly demonstrate that the fast diffusing protons are involved in the hydrogenation processes of both shallow and deep levels. The possible physicochemical mechanisms for the observed spontaneous hydrogen injection which results in unintentional hydrogenation of the subsurface of silicon, and probably other semiconductors, are discussed.     

Structural evolution of ZrO2–mullite nanocomposites from the Si–Al–Zr–O amorphous bulk

ZrO₂–mullite nanocomposites were fabricated by in-situ-controlled crystallization of Si–Al–Zr–O amorphous bulk at 800–1250°C. The structural evolution of the Si–Al–Zr–O amorphous, annealed at different temperatures, was studied by X-ray diffraction, infrared, Laser Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The materials consisted of an amorphous phase up to 920°C at which phase separation of Si-rich and Al, Zr-rich clusters occurred. The crystalline phases of t-ZrO₂ and mullite were observed at 950°C and 1000°C, respectively. Mullite with a tetragonal structure, formed by the reaction between Al–Si spinel and amorphous silica at low temperature, changed into an orthorhombic structure with the increase of temperature. It was the phase segregation that improved crystallization of the Si–Al–Zr–O amorphous bulk. The anisotropic growth of mullite was observed and the phase transformation from t-ZrO₂ to m-ZrO₂ occurred when the temperature was higher than 1100°C.     

Densification of sol–gel silica thin films induced by hard X‐rays generated by synchrotron radiation

In this article the effects induced by exposure of sol–gel thin films to hard X‐rays have been studied. Thin films of silica and hybrid organic–inorganic silica have been prepared via dip‐coating and the materials were exposed immediately after preparation to an intense source of light of several keV generated by a synchrotron source. The samples were exposed to increasing doses and the effects of the radiation have been evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy. The X‐ray beam induces a significant densification on the silica films without producing any degradation such as cracks, flaws or delamination at the interface. The densification is accompanied by a decrease in thickness and an increase in refractive index both in the pure silica and in the hybrid films. The effect on the hybrid material is to induce densification through reaction of silanol groups but also removal of the organic groups, which are covalently bonded to silicon via Si—C bonds. At the highest exposure dose the removal of the organic groups is complete and the film becomes pure silica. Hard X‐rays can be used as an efficient and direct writing tool to pattern coating layers of different types of compositions.     

Feedback induction — a possible explanation for self-organized growth of χ(2) grating in silica fibres

It is shown that if ⁽²⁾ in silica fibres is induced by high energy photons which are harmonically generated from the ⁽²⁾ then a feedback based on this mutual induction is capable of a self-organized growth.     

Transmission electron microscopy study of the interaction between a glide dislocation and a dislocation node

Using in-situ tensile straining in conjunction with stereo imaging in a transmission electron microscope, real-time observations have been made in thin copper foils of the interaction of glide dislocations with a dislocation node. A mechanism is observed by which a dislocation approaching the node effectively bypasses the node by exchanging segments with one of the dislocations constituting the node.     

Interaction of germanium with silicon dioxide

The interaction of germanium (Ge) adatoms with SiO₂ (silica) plays an important role in selective, heteroepitaxial growth of Ge(100) through windows created in silica on Si(100) and in the selective growth of Ge nanoparticles on hafnia, located at the bottom of pores etched through silica. Both processes rely on the inability of Ge to accumulate on silica. In hot wire chemical vapor deposition of Ge nanoparticles from GeH₄, etching of the silica has been invoked as one path to prevent accumulation of Ge on silica; whereas dense silica is not etched when Ge atoms are incident on the surface in molecular beam processes. Surface studies were conducted to determine the nature of oxidized Ge on SiO₂, to reconcile the etching claim with GeH₄, and to look for the additional etching product that must accompany GeO, namely SiO. Etching of silica is not found with GeH₄ or GeH_x fragments. A more complete examination of the Ge isotopes reveals instead the m/e 90 signal, previously attributed to GeO, originates from interactions between iron oxide impurities in the molybdenum holder, and hydrogen and GeH_x fragments. Coating the Mo with gold eliminates m/e 90 from Ge TPD spectra. The high temperature m/e 74 and m/e 2 peaks observed from 800 to 900 K are attributed to GeH_x decomposition to Ge and H followed by their desorption, while the appearance of GeO_x is attributed to possible reactions between GeH_x species with hydroxyl groups and/or oxidation of Ge clusters by background oxidants.     

Adsorption orientation and STM imaging of meta-benzyne resolved by scanning tunnelling microscopy and ab initio calculations

Dissociative adsorption of doubly substituted benzene molecules leads to a molecule with two missing hydrogen atoms. We use scanning tunnelling microscopy at 5 K and density functional theory to investigate these benzyne molecules on Cu(1 1 1). Benzyne is either imaged as a depression, as a ring-shaped protrusion, or as a circular protrusion at different tunnelling parameters. Submolecular resolution and ab initio calculations give information on the adsorption properties about the in-situ formed biradical species.     

A comparison between electron and ion damage in quartz

Abstract

The effects of in-situ electron and ion bombardment in quartz are compared. Both types of irradiation readily induce the metamict transformation and, furthermore, do so in linear proportion over the entire range of their combination. The results suggest that the creation of oxygen vacancies is responsible for the metamict transformation in both cases.     

钕离子掺杂和钕铝共掺高硅氧玻璃的光谱性质研究

基于多孔玻璃烧结的方法制备了钕离子掺杂和钕铝共掺高硅氧玻璃，测量了掺钕高硅氧玻璃的吸收光谱、荧光光谱和荧光寿命. 利用Judd-Ofelt理论计算得到了钕离子在高硅氧玻璃中的强度参数，计算并对比了掺钕高硅氧玻璃和钕铝共掺高硅氧玻璃的理论荧光寿命、受激发射截面和发光量子效率.讨论了钕铝共掺高硅氧玻璃中铝离子的掺入对玻璃发光性质的影响. 通过与其他掺钕氧化物玻璃和一些商用硅酸盐玻璃的主要光谱性质的比较，掺钕高硅氧玻璃显示了较好的光谱性质，有可能成为一种应用于高能和高频激光领域的新型激光材料. 关键词： 掺钕高硅氧玻璃 钕铝共掺 光谱性质 Judd-Ofelt理论     

CEMS interface study of Fe(100)/Pd film structures

The magnetic hyperfine fieldsB _hf near the interface in epitaxial Fe(100)/Pd thin film structures were analyzed using in-situ⁵⁷Fe conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy.B _hf is enhanced by about 12% in the 2nd Fe monolayer and approaches the Fe bulk value after a few oscillations within 8–10 Fe monolayers. This oscillating behavior can be described by a superposition of an exponential short-range and an RKKY-like long-range exchange interaction.     

Effect of postgrafted alkyl chains on the wettability of hydrophilic poly(amidoamine)-grafted nano-sized silica

In order to control the surface wettability of hyperbranched hydrophilic poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM)-grafted nano-sized silica, hydrophilic alkyl chain (C _n H_2n+1) with different chain lengths (n = 4, 8, 15) were postgrafted onto PAMAM-grafted silica by the reaction of terminal amino groups of PAMAM grafted on the silica surface with alkyl acid chlorides (C _n H_2n+1-COCl). The postgrafting of C _n H_2n+1-COCl increased with increasing PAMAM grafting and alkyl chain length of C _n H_2n+1-COCl. However, the terminal amino groups of PAMAM-grafted silica used for the postgrafting of C _n H_2n+1-COCl decreased with increasing chain length. This may be due to the steric hindrance between terminal amino groups of PAMAM-grafted silica and C _n H_2n+1-COCl: the steric hindrance is considered to increase with increasing chain length of C _n H_2n+1-COCl. The surface wettability was estimated by contact angle measurement for water and methanol wettability. As a result, it was found that contact angle and methanol wettability increased with increasing alkyl chain length of postgrafted C _n H_2n+1-COCl. The hyperbranched PAMAM-grafted silica readily dispersed in water and methanol because of the hydrophilic nature of grafted PAMAM, but it lost dispersibility in water and methanol due to postgrafting of hydrophobic chains.     

Formation of palladium nanoparticles in poly (o-methoxyaniline) macromolecule fibers: An in-situ chemical synthesis method

We report here a novel in-situ synthetic method for the preparation of poly (o-methoxyaniline) and palladium nanoparticle composite material. Ortho-Methoxyaniline and palladium acetate were used as the precursors; during the reaction o-methoxyaniline was oxidized and forms poly (o-methoxyaniline) and palladium acetate is reduced forming palladium nanoparticles. IR and Raman spectra provide information on the structure of the polymer. The TEM and SEM analysis are used to determine the size of the nanoparticles and the morphology of the polymer respectively.     

Growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on metallic underlayers by diffusion plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (DPECVD)

Here, we demonstrate the low-temperature (480–612 °C) synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on different metallic underlayers (i.e., NiV, Ir, Ag, Pt, W, and Ta) using diffusion (dc) plasma-enhanced (~20 W, −600 V) chemical vapour deposition (DPECVD). The catalyst used is bi-layered Fe/Al and the feedstock used is a mixture of C₂H₂ and NH₃ (1:4). The crucial component is the diffusion of radical ions and hydrogen generated such as H₂/H⁺/H₂⁺/NH₃⁺/CH₂⁺/C₂H₂⁺ (which are confirmed by in-situ mass spectroscopy) from the nozzle, where it is inserted for most effective plasma diffusion between a substrate and a gas distributor.