Aurivillius phases of PbBi4Ti4O15 doped with Mn synthesized by molten salt technique: Structure, dielectric, and magnetic properties

Doping of manganese (Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺) into the Aurivillius phase Pb_1−xBi_4+xTi_4−xMn_xO₁₅ was carried out using the molten salt technique for various Mn concentrations (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1). Single phase samples could be obtained in the composition range with x up to 0.6 as confirmed by X-ray and neutron diffraction analysis. Dielectric measurements show a peak at 801, 803, 813 and 850 K for samples with x=0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6, respectively, related to the ferroelectric transition temperature (T_c). The main contribution of the in-plane polarization for x≤0.2 which was calculated from the atomic positions obtained by the structure analysis is the dipole moment in the Ti(1)O₆ layer; however, for x≥0.4 the polarization originates from the dipole moment in the Ti(2)O₆ layer. Mn doping in the Pb_1−xBi_4+xTi_4−xMn_xO₁₅ does not show any long range magnetic ordering.     

Active Sites for Adsorption and Reaction of Molecules on Rutile TiO2(110) and Anatase TiO2(001) Surfaces (cited: 1)

The reactivity of specific sites on rutile TiO₂(110)-(1×1) surface and anatase TiO₂(001)-(1×4) surface has been comparably studied by means of high resolution scanning tunneling microscopy. At the rutile TiO₂(110)-(1×1) surface, we find the defects of oxygen vacancy provide distinct reactivity for O₂ and CO₂ adsorption, while the terminal fivefold-coordinated Ti sites dominate the photocatalytic reactivity for H₂O and CH₃OH dissociation. At the anatase TiO₂(001)-(1×4) surface, the sixfold-coordinated terminal Ti sites at the oxidized surface seem to be inert in both O₂ and H₂O reactions, but the Ti-rich defects which introduce the Ti³⁺ state into the reduced surface are found to provide high reactivity for the reactions of O₂ and H₂O. By comparing the reactions on both rutile and anatase surfaces under similar experimental conditions, we find the reactivity of anatase TiO₂(001) is actually lower than rutile TiO₂(110), which challenges the conventional knowledge that the anatase (001) is the most reactive TiO₂ surface. Our findings could provide atomic level insights into the mechanisms of TiO₂ based catalytic and photocatalytic chemical reactions.     

IR-analysis of H-bonded H2O on the pure TiO2 surface

The surface state of optically pure polydisperse TiO₂ (anatase and rutile) was determined by infra-red (IR) spectroscopy analysis in the temperature range of 100–453 K. Anatase A300 spectrum, contrary to rutile R300 one, has a broad three-component absorption band with peaks at 1048, 1137 and 1222 cm⁻¹ in the spectral range of δ(Ti–O–H) deformation vibrations. For rutile R300 we observed a very weak band at 1047 cm⁻¹, and for the thermal treated rutile R900 these bands were not appeared at all. The analysis of temperature dependencies for the mentioned absorption bands revealed the spectral shift of 1222 cm⁻¹ band towards the high frequencies, when the temperature increased, but the spectral parameters of 1137 and 1048 cm⁻¹ bands remained the same. The temperature of 1222 cm⁻¹ band maximum shift was 373–393 K and correlated with DSC data. Obtained results allowed to assign 1222 cm⁻¹ band to the deformation vibrations of OH-groups, bounded to the surface adsorbed water molecules by weak hydrogen bonds (5 kcal/mol). During the temperature growth these molecules desorbed, which also resulted in the intensity decreasing of stretching OH-groups vibration IR-bands at 3420 cm⁻¹. The destruction and desorption of surface water complexes led to Ti–O–H bond strengthening. IR bands at 1137 and 1048 cm⁻¹ were attributed to the stronger bounded adsorbed water molecules, which are also characterized with stretching OH-groups vibration bands at 3200 cm⁻¹. These surface structure were additionally stabilized by hydrogen bonds with the neighbouring TiO₂ lattice anions and other OH-groups, and desorbed at higher temperatures.     

Photo-depositing Ru and RuO2 on Anatase TiO2 Nanosheets as Co-catalysts for Photocatalytic O2 Evolution from Water Oxidation

TiO₂ nanosheets mainly exposed (001) facet were prepared through a hydrothermal process with HF as the morphology-directing agent. Ru and RuO₂ species were loaded by photo-deposition methods to prepare the photocatalysts. The structural features of the catalysts were characterized by X-ray di raction, transmission electron microscopy, inductively cou-pled plasma atomic emission spectrum, and H₂ Temperature-programmed reduction. The photocatalytic property was studied by the O₂ evolution from water oxidation, which was examined with respect to the in uences of Ru contents as well as the oxidation and reduction treatments, suggesting the charge separation effect of the Ru species co-catalysts on di erent facets of TiO₂ nanosheets. In contrast to Ru/TiO₂ and RuO₂/TiO₂ with the single deposited co-catalyst, the optimized catalyst 0.5%Ru-1.0%RuO₂/TiO₂ with dual co-catalysts achieved a much improved catalytic performance, in terms of the synergetic effect of dual co-catalysts and the enhanced charge separation effect.     

Crystal phase evolution of TiO2 nanoparticles with reaction time in acidic solutions studied via freeze-drying method

The crystal phase evolution of TiO₂ nanoparticles, during hydrolysis and condensation of titanium tetraisopropoxide, was quenched at various reaction times by a freeze-drying method, followed by various characterizations. Three types of solutions with different acid input times were studied: (1) addition in infinite time (no addition), (2) addition at 24 h after the hydrolysis/condensation reaction started, and (3) addition from the beginning of the reaction. The acid-free solution yielded amorphous TiO₂, which transformed to anatase very slowly. The acid input in 24 h resulted in a fast transformation of amorphous to a metastable anatase having a highly distorted atomic arrangement: thereby its transformation to a more stable phase, rutile, was suitable. The acid addition from the beginning of the reaction yielded the formation of a relatively stable anatase from the hydrolysis seed, thereby the subsequent transformation to rutile was sluggish.     

低阶煤半焦利用热重在O2/CO2、O2/N2和O2/Ar气氛下燃烧特性研究

利用热重研究了两种中国西北典型低阶煤半焦的燃烧特性。探究了不同气氛（O₂/CO₂、O₂/N₂和O₂/Ar）和不同氧气浓度对其燃烧特性的影响。实验结果表明,无论是反应气氛还是氧气浓度都会对低阶煤半焦的燃烧产生影响。相比于N₂和Ar,CO₂明显有利于燃烧反应进行：当反应气氛由O₂/CO₂变为O₂/Ar时,两种不同低阶煤半焦的燃尽温度分别升高了63.7和68.8℃;而当反应气氛由O₂/CO₂变为O₂/N₂时,两种不同低阶煤半焦的燃尽温度分别升高了135.9和129.6℃。在研究范围内,氧气浓度的提高也能明显提高半焦的燃烧性能。与此同时,半焦燃烧特性的动力学分析表明,随着氧气浓度提高,两种半焦燃烧反应的表观活化能E和指前因子A均呈增大趋势。通过对E和A两者关系的分析结果表明,半焦富氧燃烧的活化能和指前因子存在动力学补偿效应。     

TiO2/蒙脱石纳米复合物中TiO2的结构相变

以钛酸丁酯和季铵盐改性有机蒙脱石为原料,采用原位水解法和原位脱羟法制备了TiO2/蒙脱石纳米复合物。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱(Raman)表征了不同焙烧温度下TiO2/蒙脱石纳米复合物中TiO2的结构相变,并与不同焙烧温度下纯TiO2的结构相变进行对比。结果发现TiO2/蒙脱石纳米复合物中TiO2从锐钛矿相开始转变为金红石的最低温度要比纯TiO2从锐钛矿开始相转变为金红石的最低温度高200℃,且在焙烧温度1 200℃时还存在锐钛矿相,而纯TiO2在焙烧温度800℃时就全部转换为金红石相。TiO2/蒙脱石纳米复合物中TiO2和纯TiO2的平均晶粒度都随焙烧温度升高而增大,但TiO2/蒙脱石纳米复合物中TiO2的平均晶粒度要小于相同温度下焙烧纯TiO2的平均晶粒度。表明蒙脱石结构层的硅氧结构抑制了TiO2晶型由锐钛矿相向金红石相的转变,进而使相变温度升高,同时阻碍了晶体的生长。     

Syntheses of TiO2(B) nanowires and TiO2 anatase nanowires by hydrothermal and post-heat treatments

TiO₂(B) nanowires and TiO₂ anatase nanowires were synthesized by the hydrothermal processing in 10 M NaOH aq. at 150 °C followed by the post-heat treatment at 300-800 °C. As-synthesized Na-free titanate nanowires (prepared by the hydrothermal treatment and repeated ion exchanging by HCl (aq.) were transformed into TiO₂(B) structure with maintaining 1-D morphology at 300-500 °C, and further transformed into anatase structure at 600-800 °C with keeping 1-D shape. At 900 °C, they transformed into rod-shaped rutile grains. Microstructure of these 1-D TiO₂ nanomaterials is reported.     

Photoluminescence properties of SnO2 nanowhiskers grown by thermal evaporation

SnO₂ nanowhiskers were synthesized by thermal oxidation with and without a gold film as a catalyst. The SEM images reveal wire-like and rod-shaped nanowhiskers about several hundred micrometers in length and 100 nm in diameter. The three observed Raman peaks at 474, 632, and 774 cm⁻¹ indicate the typical rutile phase which is in agreement with the X-ray diffraction results. The photoluminescence properties were measured at room temperature. The peaks at 342 nm corresponding to the excitation transitions from the conduction band to the valence band of the SnO₂ nanowhiskers were not observed. However, a strong emission band at 600 nm was detected indicating the existence of oxygen vacancies in both samples. A new emission band at 398 nm was also observed in the sample with the gold film and it could be attributed to the near band-edge emission.     

Cl NQR study of lattice dynamic and magnetic property of a crystalline coordination polymer {CuCA(phz)(H2O)2}n

Copper(II) compounds {CuCA(phz)(H₂O)₂}_n (H₂CA = chloranilic acid, phz = phenazine) having a layer structure of -CuCA(H₂O)₂- polymer chains and phenazine were studied by ³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). The single NQR line observed at 35.635 MHz at 261.5 K increased to 35.918 MHz at 4.2 K. The degree of reduction of electric field gradient due to lattice vibrations was similar to that of chloranilic acid crystal. Temperature dependence of spin-lattice relaxation time, T₁, of the ³⁵Cl NQR signal below 20 K, between 20 and 210 K, and above 210 K, was explained by (1) a decrease of effective electron-spin density caused by antiferromagnetic interaction, (2) a magnetic interaction between Cl nuclear-spin and electron-spins on paramagnetic Cu(II) ions, and (3) an increasing contribution from reorientation of ligand molecules, respectively. The electron spin-exchange parameter ∣J∣ between the neighboring Cu(II) electrons was estimated to be 0.33 cm⁻¹ from the T₁ value of the range 20−210 K. Comparing this value with that of J = −1.84 cm⁻¹ estimated from the magnetic susceptibility, it is suggested that the magnetic dipolar coupling with the electron spins on Cu(II) ions must be the principal mechanism for the ³⁵Cl NQR spin-lattice relaxation of {CuCA(phz)(H₂O)₂}_n but a delocalization of electron spin over the chloranilate ligand has to be taken into account.     

Preparation of silane-coated TiO2 nanoparticles in supercritical CO2

Nanometric inorganic pigments are widely used as fillers for hybrid composite materials. However, these nanometric powders are hydrophilic in nature and their surface must be functionalized before use. In this work, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were coated using silane coupling agents with alkyl functionality. A supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) method was used for surface silanization. Five alkylalkoxysilanes with different alkyl chain length and structure were studied: methyltrimethoxy, isobutyltriethoxy, octyltriethoxy, octyldimethylmethoxy and octadecyltrimethoxysilane. The microstructure and thermal stability of deposited monolayers were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, ATR–IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, wettability characterization and low-temperature N₂ adsorption/desorption analysis. The use of scCO₂ as a solvent provided an effective approach to functionalize individual inorganic nanoparticles due to the enhanced diffusivity of the solution molecules in the aggregates interparticle voids. The trifunctional silanes employed here yielded surfaces with better thermal stabilities and greater hydrophobicities than the used monofunctional silane.     

Thermal stability and structural deformation of rutile SnO2 nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of rutile SnO₂ were synthesized by precipitation at room temperature. Samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermoanalysis and nitrogen physisorption by BET method. The rutile crystalline structure was refined by Rietveld method. Crystallites had spherical morphology with crystallite sizes growing with the annealing temperature. The spherical crystallites aggregate to form grains composed of a number of crystallites defining the specific surface area and porosity. The crystallites contained hydroxyls in their structure and on their surface generating considerable amount of tin vacancy sites in the structure. These hydroxyls modify the Sn-O bonds, increase the lattice parameters and produce asymmetry in the representative rutile tin-oxygen octahedron. As the dehydroxylation was done with the annealing temperature, the atomic bond length between the oxygen atoms shared by adjacent octahedra decreased, contracting the lattice and increasing the symmetry.     

Phase control and its mechanism of CuInS2 nanoparticles

CuInS₂ nanoparticles (NPs) usually take chalcopyrite-(CP) structure. Recently, CuInS₂ NPs with pseudo-wurtzite (WZ) structure, which is thermodynamically less favored, have been synthesized. However, the formation mechanism of this metastable-phase has not been understood yet. In this report, the key issue of phase selectivity of CuInS₂ (CIS) NPs has been investigated using various metal sources and ligands. Experimental results suggested that the crystalline structure and morphology of CIS NPs were decided by the stability of indium ligand complex; the active ligand reduces the precipitation rate of In₂S₃, resulting in pre-generation of Cu₂S seed NPs. Crystallographic analogy and superionic conductivity of Cu₂S remind us that the formation of WZ CIS NPs is attributed to the pre-generation of Cu₂S seed NPs and the following cation exchange reaction. In order to confirm this hypothesis, Cu_2-xS seed NPs with various structures have been annealed in indium-ligand solution. This experiment revealed that the crystalline structure of CIS NP was determined by that of pre-generation Cu_2-xS NPs. Our results provide the important information for the phase control and synthesis of ternary chalcogenide NPs with a novel crystalline structure.     

Quasiparticle Band Structures of Defects in Anatase TiO2 Bulk

Quasiparticle band structures of the defective anatase TiO₂ bulk with O vacancy, Ti interstitial and H interstitial are investigated by the GW method within many-body Green's function theory. The computed direct band gap of the perfect anatase bulk is 4.3 eV, far larger than the experimental optical absorption edge (3.2 eV). We found that this can be ascribed to the inherent defects in anatase which drag the conduction band (CB) edge down. The occupied band-gap states induced by these defects locate close to the CB edge, excluding the possible contribution of these bulk defects to the deep band-gap state below CB as observed in experiments.     

Synthesis of titanate, TiO2 (B), and anatase TiO2 nanofibers from natural rutile sand

Titanate nanofibers were synthesized by hydrothermal method (150 °C for 72 h) using natural rutile sand as the starting materials. TiO₂ (B) and anatase TiO₂ (high crystallinity) nanofibers with the diameters of 20-100 nm and the lengths of 10-100 μm were obtained by calcined titanate nanofibers for 4 h at 400 and 700 °C (in air), respectively. The samples characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED, HRTEM, and BET surface area. This synthesis method provides a simple route to fabricate one-dimensional nanostructured TiO₂ from low cost material.     

TiO2 Nanoparticles Produced by Electric-Discharge-Nanofluid-Process as Photoelectrode of DSSC

Self-made TiO₂ nanoparticles were used as photoelectrode material of dye sensitized solar cell. The TiO₂ thin film coats through spreading nanoparticles evenly onto the ITO glass via self-made spin-heat platform, and then TiO₂ thin film is soaked in the dye N-719 more than 12 h to prepare the photoelectrode device. The TiO₂ nanoparticles produced by electric-discharge-nanofluid-process have premium anatase crystal property, and its diameter can be controlled within a range of 20-50 nm. The surface energy zeta potential of nanofluid is from -22 mV to -28.8 mV, it is a stable particle suspension in the deionized water. A trace of surfactant Triton X-100 put upon the surface of ITO glass can produce a uniform and dense TiO₂ thin film and heating up the spin platform to 200 oC is able to eliminate mixed surfac-tant. Self-made TiO₂ film presents excellent dye absorption performance and even doesn't need heat treatment procedure to enhance essential property. Results of energy analysis show the thicker film structure will increase the short-circuit current density that causes higher conversion efficiency. But, as the film structure is large and thick, both the open-circuit voltage and fill factor will decline gradually to lead bad efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell.     

Eu2O3修饰对纳米TiO2热稳定性及光催化活性的影响

通过浸渍过程实现了Eu2O3对溶胶水热法合成的锐钛矿相TiO2纳米粒子的表面修饰改性.重点研究了表面修饰对纳米锐钛矿相热稳定性及光催化活性的影响.结果表明,Eu2O3表面修饰抑制了锐钛矿相向金红石相的转变,相变温度由550℃左右升高到700℃左右,提高了纳米锐钛矿相TiO2的热稳定性,这与Eu2O3修饰在表面而阻碍了锐钛矿纳米粒子的直接接触有关.与未修饰的TiO2相比,经过700℃高温热处理的Eu2O3修饰的TiO2样品表现出了较高的光催化活性,这与其结晶度提高而有利于光生电荷分离有关.     

PFOS在锐钛型TiO2表面吸附行为的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)B3LYP方法对全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)在锐钛型TiO2表面的化学吸附和物理吸附行为进行了研究,其中化学吸附包含双齿双核(BB)和单齿单核(MM)在内的4种可能的吸附构型.吸附能(Eads)及反应吉布斯自由能(ΔGads)的计算结果表明,PFOS分子易于与TiO2表面发生氢键作用吸附;化学吸附表现为PFOS分子与TiO2表面的水分子(H2O)和羟基(—OH)反应,且与取代—OH相比,H2O取代相对更容易发生,其中,MM1构型(取代一个表面水分子)为化学吸附中的优势构型.PFOS在锐钛矿表面吸附的热力学稳定性和反应自发性顺序如下:H-Bonded(氢键吸附)>MM1(取代一个表面水分子)>BB1(取代两个表面水分子)>MM2(取代一个表面羟基)>BB2(取代一个表面水分子和一个表面羟基).成键结构分析表明,TiO2表面H2O/—OH官能团与PFOS上的磺酸基之间形成了中等强度的氢键;在化学吸附过程中,电荷从PFOS分子向TiO2表面发生转移,生成Ti—O—S化学键,电荷转移主要来自PFOS分子的O和F原子.     

The release of TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles from nanocomposites

There is a growing interest in the development of nanocomposites consisting of organic polymers and TiO₂ or amorphous SiO₂ nanoparticles. These nanoparticles may be released from nanocomposites. There is evidence that amorphous SiO₂ and TiO₂ nanoparticles can be hazardous. Thus, in the design of nanocomposites with such nanoparticles, hazard reduction extending to the full nanocomposite life cycle would seem a matter to consider. Options for hazard reduction include: changes of nanoparticle surface, structure or composition, better fixation of nanoparticles in nanocomposites, including persistent suppression of oxidative damage to polymers by nanoparticles, and design changes leading to the release of relatively large particles.     

Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using microorganisms

A low-cost green and reproducible microbes (Lactobacillus sp. and Sachharomyces cerevisae) mediated biosynthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles is reported. The synthesis is performed akin to room temperature in the laboratory ambience. X-ray and transmission electron microscopy analyses are performed to ascertain the formation of TiO₂ nanoparticles. Individual nanoparticles as well as a few aggregate having the size of 8–35 nm are found. Concentric Scherrer rings in the selected area electron diffraction pattern indicated that the nanoparticles are having all possible orientations. A possible involved mechanism for the biosynthesis of nano-TiO₂ has also been proposed in which pH as well as partial pressure of gaseous hydrogen (rH₂) or redox potential of the culture solution seems to play an important role in the process.