Synthesis of Thermally Stable MCM-41 at Ambient Temperature

A new process to synthesize thermally stable mesoporous molecular sieves of MCM-41 structure based on delayed neutralization at ambient temperature was investigated. All samples synthesized by this new method have BET surface areas of about 1100m²/g and possess high thermal stability up to 900°C. Higher crystallinity and less lattice constriction after calcination were observed for samples with a longer aging period. Those samples with aging time longer than 10 days exhibited four characteristic XRD peaks of MCM-41 both before and after calcination at 560°C. The N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms of the calcined samples showed larger average pore size and more homogenous pore size distribution. The method was also successfully applied to the synthesis of MCM-41 with different surfactants of hydrocarbon length with 10–18 carbons and proves to be a simple route for obtaining thermally stable MCM-41 at room temperature.     

The role of MgO in the thermal behavior of MgO–silica fume pastes

The compounds of MgO–silica fume (SF) pastes constitute magnesium silicate hydrate (M–S–H) in a new generation of basic castables. However, Mg(OH)₂ is a common reaction product with the formation of M–S–H. This study aims to reduce the formation of Mg(OH)₂ in MgO–SF pastes. In this study, MgO powders were prepared by calcining magnesite at different temperatures and then mixed with SF and water to prepare MgO–SF pastes. The properties of MgO powders were characterized, and the pH values in the pore solutions of MgO–SF pastes were measured. The MgO–SF pastes cured for 90 days were calcined at 500, 700, 900 and 1200 °C, and the microstructure was characterized afterward. The results showed that both the reactivity of MgO powders and the pH value of the pore solution of MgO–SF pastes were diverse, which essentially depended on the grain sizes and the crystalline degree of MgO. Increasing the calcination temperature of MgO was beneficial to reduce the formation of Mg(OH)₂ or even stop it when using MgO calcined at 1450 °C. Enstatite and forsterite formed for all MgO–SF pastes after calcination. However, the microstructure of MgO–SF paste with MgO calcined at 1450 °C was denser than others. MgO–SF pastes were suitable for the new-generation refractory castables. Notably, using MgO calcined at 1450 °C is more appropriate.     

The properties of nickel aluminate nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel and impregnation methods

Nickel aluminates were prepared by sol–gel and impregnation methods and calcined at 1100 °C. The sol–gel made samples were prepared with different amounts of nickel (Ni/Al molar ratio equal to 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) and aging times (24 and 48 h). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, induced couple plasma, nitrogen physisorption, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD). In the sol–gel made samples, only the NiAl₂O₄ structure of nickel aluminate was defined, while for impregnation, NiAl₁₀O₁₆ was formed as well. The sol–gel made samples had low specific surface areas (7.7–12.4 m²/g), but a sample prepared by impregnation method had higher specific surface area (67.2 m²/g). The surface acidity density decreased by increasing the amount of nickel and was the lowest for impregnation method.     

Effect of surfactants on the structure and texture characteristics of aluminum oxide

The effect of surfactants (polyvinyl alcohol and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), which were introduced at the aluminum hydroxide synthesis stage, on the structure and texture characteristics of aluminum oxide was studied by a set of physicochemical techniques. The introduction of the above surfactants did not cause considerable changes in the thermal transformations of aluminum hydroxides, but it affected the genesis of the formed carbon. An analysis of the diffuse reflectance spectra and electron micrographs indicated that the aluminum oxide obtained in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol and calcined at 300°C was covered with polyene-type coke. An increase in the treatment temperature to 550°C led to the formation of condensed aromatic coke; in this case, the specific surface area of the sample increased from 125 to 500 m²/g. The samples calcined at 550°C were γ-Al₂O₃ with a unit cell parameter of 7.933 Å and a crystallite size of no more than 30–40 Å. The pore size distribution was bimodal, with maximums at 35–65 and 380–415 Å, regardless of treatment temperature.     

Preparation and characterization of CaCu3Ti4O12 powders by non-hydrolytic sol–gel method

CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) powders were prepared via a non-hydrolytic sol–gel (NHSG) method by using acetylacetone as chelating agent and ethylene glycol as solvent. The samples were characterized by TG–DSC, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The dielectric properties of ceramics were also measured. The pure perovskite-like CCTO powders were obtained by heat treatment at 800 °C for 2 h. The average particle sizes of CCTO powders calcined at 800 °C were approximately 350–450 nm. The samples sintered at 1,000 °C showed the mean grain size of 2.5–4 μm. Specially, the ceramics exhibited high dielectric constant (1.19 × 10⁵–1.40 × 10⁵) and low dielectric loss (0.051–0.1) in the temperature range of 30–110 °C. Moreover, with the NHSG method the period of synthesis process was greatly shortened.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorite-Like Ce-Zr-Y-La-O Systems

Ce-Zr-O and Ce-Zr-Y-La-O materials obtained under various conditions and at varying component ratios are characterized. At Ce/Zr ≈ 1, a tetragonal phase that can hardly be distinguished from a cubic phase by X-ray diffraction forms in the ternary system. Raising the precipitation temperature favors the formation of two-phase systems. Promoting the Ce/Zr = 0.26–0.62 materials with both yttrium and lanthanum favors the formation of a single-phase specimen, namely, a (Ce, Zr, Y, La)O₂ fluorite-like solid solution at 600°C. This structure persists up to 1150°C. The specific surface area of the (Ce, Zr, Y, La)O₂ materials is primarily determined by their calcination temperature: S_sp = 50–80 m²/g at 600°C and 0.6–0.8 m²/g at 1150° C. The specimens calcined at 600°C are mesoporous, with uniformly sized pores of mean diameter 32 ± 2 Å, and have no micropores. According to TPR data, the specimens calcined at 600°C are reduced with hydrogen in two steps that can apparently be interpreted as surface and bulk reduction. The Ce/Zr = 0.26 and 0.40 specimens calcined at 1150°C are reduced in a single step, giving rise to TPR peaks at 707 and 686°C, respectively, and their degree of reduction increases with decreasing Ce/Zr.     

Thermal transformations of Cu–Mg (Zn)–Al(Fe) hydrotalcite-like materials into metal oxide systems and their catalytic activity in selective oxidation of ammonia to dinitrogen

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺ or Zn²⁺ cations in the Me^II positions and Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the Me^III positions were synthesized by co-precipitation method. Detailed studies of thermal transformation of obtained LDHs into metal oxide systems were performed using high temperature X-ray diffraction in oxidising and reducing atmosphere, thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry and temperature-programmed reduction. The LDH samples calcined at 600 and 900 °C were tested in the role of catalysts for selective oxidation of ammonia into nitrogen and water vapour. It was shown that all copper congaing samples presented high catalytic activity and additionally, for the Cu–Mg–Al and Cu–Mg–Fe hydrotalcite samples calcined at 600 °C relatively high stability and selectivity to dinitrogen was obtained. An increase in calcination temperature to 900 °C resulted in a decrease of their catalytic activity, possibly due to formation of well-crystallised metal oxide phases which are less catalytically active in the process of selective oxidation of ammonia.     

Dependence of the properties of Ce-Zr-Y-La-M-O systems on synthetic conditions and on the nature of the transition metal M (Mn,Fe, Co)

The effects of synthetic conditions, component ratios, and the nature of the transition metal on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of Ce-Zr-Y-La-M-O (M = Mn, Fe, Co) systems are studied. The Ce-Zr-Y-La-M-O samples precipitated at ～23°C and calcined at 600°C are single-phase and are solid solutions with a fluorite structure, which persists upon calcination at 1150°C. The Ce-Zr-Y-La-Fe(Co)-O samples precipitated at 70°C and calcined at 1150°C consist of two solid solutions, one cubic, and the other tetragonal. The specific surface area (S _sp) of the samples precipitated at ～23°C and calcined at 600°C increases in the order Ce-Zr-Y-La-O < Ce-Zr-Y-La-Mn-O < Ce-Zr-Y-La-Co-O ≈ Ce-Zr-Y-La-Fe-O. The specific surface area of the samples precipitated at 70°C is independent of M and is ～110 m²/g. Calcination at 1150°C reduces S _sp approximately by two orders of magnitude. The TPR of the unpromoted systems in H₂ proceeds in two steps at 600–650 and 750–840°C. The introduction of M decreases the reduction temperatures and gives rise to a lower temperature peak between 150 and 300°C. The most effective promoter is cobalt. The fluorite-type catalysts containing no noble metal are active in NO reduction (X _NO ≈ 100%) at T _react = 400–450°C. The cobalt-containing catalysts are the most active in the oxidation of CO (X _max = 28%) and hydrocarbons (X _max = 4.3%).     

Effect of high-temperature treatment on the properties of an alumina-chromium catalyst for the dehydrogenation of lower paraffins

The crystal and pore structures of a microspherical alumina-chromium catalyst calcined at 800–1100°C were studied using a set of currently available physicochemical techniques (X-ray diffraction, lowtemperature nitrogen adsorption, diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and EPR spectroscopy); the state of its active component and the catalytic properties in isobutane dehydrogenation were examined. As the calcination temperature was increased from 800 to 900–1000°C, the properties of the catalyst were improved as a result of the formation of Cr₂O₃ clusters in an optimum amount and a decrease in the surface acidity of the catalyst due to the dehydroxylation and phase transformations of the aluminum oxide support. Calcination at 1100°C was accompanied by a decrease in the yield of isobutylene as a result of the formation of inactive macrocrystalline chromium (III) oxide and a chromium species inaccessible to reacting molecules; this chromium species was encapsulated in closed pores as the constituent of a solid solution of α-Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃.     

Calcination temperature-dependent morphology of photocatalytic ZnO nanoparticles prepared by an electrochemical–thermal method

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with tunable morphologies were synthesized by a hybrid electrochemical–thermal method at different calcination temperatures without the use of any surfactant or template. The NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope and N₂ gas adsorption–desorption studies. The FT-IR spectra of ZnO NPs showed a band at 450 cm^?1, a characteristic of ZnO, which remained fairly unchanged at calcination temperatures even above 300 °C, indicating complete conversion of the precursor to ZnO. The products were thermally stable above 300 °C. The ZnO NPs were present in a hexagonal wurtzite phase and the crystallinity of ZnO increased with an increasing calcination temperature. The ZnO NPs calcined at lower temperature were mesoporous in nature. The surface areas of ZnO NPs calcined at 300 and 400 °C were 51.10 and 40.60 m² g^?1, respectively, which are significantly larger than commercial ZnO nanopowder. Surface diffusion has been found to be the key mechanism of sintering during heating from 300 to 700 °C with the activation energy of sintering as 8.33 kJ mol^?1. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs calcined at different temperatures evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under sunlight showed strong dependence on the surface area of ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs with high surface area showed enhanced photocatalytic activity.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C nanocomposites due to in situ formation of Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>P impurities

We have studied LiFePO₄/C nanocomposites prepared by sol-gel method using lauric acid as a surfactant and calcined at different temperatures between 600 and 900 °C. In addition to the major LiFePO₄ phase, all the samples show a varying amount of in situ Fe₂P impurity phase characterized by x-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The amount of Fe₂P impurity phase increases with increasing calcination temperature. Of all the samples studied, the LiFePO₄/C sample calcined at 700 °C which contains ～15 wt% Fe₂P shows the least charge transfer resistance and a better electrochemical performance with a discharge capacity of 136 mA h g^?1 at a rate of 1 C, 121 mA h g^?1 at 10 C (～70 % of the theoretical capacity of LiFePO₄), and excellent cycleability. Although further increase in the amount of Fe₂P reduces the overall capacity, frequency-dependent Warburg impedance analyses show that all samples calcined at temperatures ≥700 °C have an order of magnitude higher Li⁺ diffusion coefficient (～1.3?×?10^?13 cm² s^?1) compared to the one calcined at 600 °C, as well as the values reported in literature. This work suggests that controlling the reduction environment and the temperature during the synthesis process can be used to optimize the amount of conducting Fe₂P for obtaining the best capacity for the high power batteries.     

Preferential oxidation of CO in excess H2 over the CeO2/CuO catalyst: Effect of initial support

Three series of CeO2/CuO samples were prepared by impregnation method and characterized by XRD, N2adsorption-desorption, temperatureprogrammed reduction(TPR), XPS and TEM techniques. In comparison with the samples prepared with CuO as initial support, the samples with Cu(OH)2as initial support have higher reducibilities and smaller relative TPR peak areas, and also larger specific surface areas at calcination temperatures of 400℃–600℃. As a result, Cu(OH)2is better than CuO as initial support for preferential oxidation of CO in excess H2(CO-PROX). The best catalytic performance was achieved on the sample calcined at 600℃ and with an atomic ratio of Ce/Cu at 40%. XPS analyses indicate that more interface linkages Ce-O-Cu could be formed when it was calcined at 600℃. And the atomic ratio of Ce/Cu at 40%led to a proper reducibility for the sample as illustrated by the TPR measurements.     

High surface area sol–gel alumina–titania nanocatalyst

Alumina–titania mixed oxide nanocatalysts with molar ratios = 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2, 1:5 have been synthesized by adopting a hybrid sol–gel route using boehmite sol as the precursor for alumina and titanium isopropoxide as the precursor for titania. The thermal properties, XRD phase analysis, specific surface area, adsorption isotherms and pore size details along with temperature programmed desorption of ammonia are presented. A specific surface area as high as 291 m²/g is observed for 1:5 Al₂O₃/TiO₂ composition calcined at 400 °C, but the same composition when calcined at 1,000 °C, resulted in a surface area of 4 m²/g, while 1:0.5 composition shows a specific surface area of 41 m²/g at 1,000 °C. Temperature programmed desorption (of ammonia) results show more acidic nature for the titania rich mixed oxide compositions. Transmission electron microscopy of low and high titania content samples calcined at 400 °C, shows homogeneous distribution of phases in the nano range. In the mixed oxide, the particle size ranges between 10–20 nm depending on titania content. The detailed porosity data analysis contributes very much in designing alumina–titania mixed oxide nanocatalysts.     

Electrical conductivity of CaMoO4

The electrical conductivity and ionic transport number of CaMoO₄ has been measured as a function of the partial pressure of oxygen (1–10^?18 atm) at 750, 800, and 850°C. Two sets of samples were studied: (1) CaMoO₄ annealed at 1100°C in the presence of CaO, and (2) CaMoO₄ annealed in MoO₃ vapor at 1100°C. Sample 1 is a mixed ionic/electronic conductor while Sample 2 is essentially an electronic conductor. A defect structure model is proposed to explain the results.     

Synthesis of anatase TiO2 in a vinyl-containing ionic liquid and its enhanced photocatalytic activity

TiO₂ microspheres were synthesized by the sol–gel method using the ionic liquid (IL) 1-vinyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (VPIM⁺I^?) as a reaction medium, then calcined at 500 °C. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The phase of TiO₂ microspheres is anatase, and VPIM⁺I^? is able to favor the growth of anatase phase and prevents the collapse of small pores. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂-IL was tested by degradation of 2-nitrophenol under UV light illumination. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂-IL was higher than that of samples prepared in the reaction medium without VPIM⁺I^?.     

Sol–gel synthesis of macroporous TiO2 from ionic precursors via phase separation route

Monolithic macroporous titanium dioxide (TiO₂) derived from ionic precursors has been successfully prepared via the sol–gel route accompanied by phase separation in the presence of formamide (FA) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). The addition of FA promotes the gelation, whereas PVP enhances the polymerization-induced phase separation. Appropriate choice of the starting compositions allows the production of cocontinuous macroporous TiO₂ monoliths in large dimensions, and controls the size of macropores. The resultant dried gel is amorphous, whereas anatase and rutile phases are precipitated at 500 and 900 °C respectively, without spoiling the macroporous morphology. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements revealed that the dried gels exhibits mesostructure with a median pore size of about 3 nm and BET surface area of 228 m²/g, whereas 15 nm and 73 m²/g for the gels calcined at 600 °C.     

High-efficiency process for production of sulfur from metallurgical sulfur dioxide gases

Process in which sulfur is produced from a gas containing 25–55% SO₂ was studied in order to evaluate the real efficiency of the catalytic post-reduction of sulfur dioxide in a pilot unit with gas flow rate of up to 1.2 nm³ h^–1 at the following temperatures (°C): thermal stage 850–1100, catalytic conversion 350–570, and Claus reactor 219–279. It was found that the conversion at 400–550°C and space velocity of 1600 h^–1 on AOK-78-57 promoted aluminum oxide catalyst provides full processing of organosulfur compounds (CS₂ and COS). The temperature dependence of the conversion/generation of hydrogen sulfide on AOK-78-57 catalyst corresponds to the equilibrium model. It was experimentally confirmed that the homogeneous reduction of sulfur dioxide gas with methane at T ≈ 1100°C, with catalytic post-reduction at 400–550°C and subsequent Claus-conversion of the reduced gas at 230–260°C, provide a sufficiently deep (by 92–95%) general processing of sulfur dioxide gas to sulfur.     

N-doped NaTaO3: novel visible-light-driven photocatalysts synthesised by a sol–gel method

N-doped NaTaO₃ catalysts were synthesized via a sol–gel method followed by a subsequent calcination process under NH₃ atmosphere. The as prepared samples were characterized by XPS, XRD, UV–Vis DRS, and BET analyses. All XRD peaks of the sample calcined at 900 °C matched with pure perovskite NaTaO₃ while peaks of TaON and Na₂Ta₄O₁₁ were found for that calcined at 1,000 °C. The DRS of samples shown cutoff edge has red shifted, from 315 nm of pure to 391 nm of N-doped NaTaO₃. N-doping helps to narrow the band gap, and the prepared sample was visible light sensitive. The XPS spectrum of Ta4p3&N1s shown two new peaks at 398.3 and 401.4 eV appear in the N-doped sample corresponding to Ta–N bonds and adsorption nitride, respectively. Photocatalytic activity of the catalysts was evaluated using Rhodamine B dye. The result demonstrated that the sample calcined under NH₃ had a higher photocatalytic activity than that of P25 under visible light. The NaTaO₃/TaON heterojunction played an important role on promoting photoactivity.     

Influence of calcination temperature on the photocatalytic property of Fe–Cu–ZnO/graphene under visible light irradiation

Fe–Cu–ZnO/graphene composites are prepared by sol-gel method. The influence of the calcination temperature on the catalytic performance of Fe–Cu–ZnO/graphene composites has been studied and their physicochemical properties are characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis–DRS). The results show that Fe–Cu–ZnO/graphene composite calcined at 400°C exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity and the degradation rate of dark green dye in aqueous medium achieves 99.28% under exposure of visible light irradiation. The zinc species in the catalyst calcined at 400°C are all converted to the hexagonal wurtzite structures, and Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ are substituted ions in Zn²⁺ sites or incorporated into interstitial sites in the ZnO lattice which broaden the spectral response range to visible light. Meanwhile, the electrical properties of graphene are excellent which contribute to the enhanced charge carrier separation, extended light absorption, and increased surface hydroxyl groups. In addition, the catalyst is found to be relatively high reusable.     

Sol–gel synthesized vanadium doped TiO2 photocatalyst: physicochemical properties and visible light photocatalytic studies

Vanadium doped titanium dioxide (V–TiO₂) photocatalyst was synthesized by the sol–gel method using ammonium vanadate as vanadium source. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption method, UV–Vis DRS, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive X-ray and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The results show that V⁵⁺ ions were successfully incorporated into the crystal lattice of TiO₂ as a consequence, not only an obvious decrease in the band gap and a red shift of the absorption threshold into the visible light region was recorded for the V modified TiO₂, but, also a decrease in photogenerated electrons and holes recombination rate was observed as demonstrated by PL analysis. FTIR study indicated that in undoped TiO₂ sample the acetate group favored a bidentate bridging mode of binding with titanium atoms, whereas a bidentate chelating mode of linkage was observed in V–TiO₂ powders. The crystallite size of the samples calcined at 300 and 500 °C were decreased beyond the molar ratio of 200:1 (V:Ti), this may be due to dopant presence in the grain boundaries hindering the crystal growth. The photocatalytic activities for both pure and vanadium doped TiO₂ powders were tested in the discoloration of a reactive dyestuff, methylene blue, under visible light. The 100:1 (V:Ti) doped photocatalyst, calcined at 300 °C showed enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light with a rate constant (k_obs) of 5.024 × 10^?3 min^?1 which is nearly five times higher than that of pure TiO₂, as result of low band gap value, high specific surface area and a decrease in recombination rate.