The formation mechanism and distribution of micro-aluminum oxide layer

It is of great significance to study the thermal oxidation process to understand the reaction mechanism of aluminum particle and further its applications in propellants. The physical and chemical properties of micron-aluminum particle were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, laser particle size analyzer, X-ray diffractometer and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. The thermal oxidation characteristics of the sample were studied by thermal analyzer. The experimental results showed that the initial oxide thickness of the sample was about 3.96 nm, and the calculated values of the specific surface area and the active aluminum content obtained by the established mathematical model were in good agreement with the measured values. The thermal oxidation process of the sample was divided into three stages. When the temperature rose to 1100 °C, the thermal oxidation efficiency of the sample reached 98.55%. With the increase in treatment temperature, dramatic crystalline changes occurred on the surface of the sample: amorphous alumina—γ-Al₂O₃, α-Al₂O₃, and the oxide layer thickness increased from 3.96 to 5.72 nm and 31.56 nm up to 320.15 nm. When the temperature reached 700 °C, the outer surface of the oxide layer contained a small amount of α-Al₂O₃, while the interior consisted of a large amount of γ-Al₂O₃, indicating that the conversion of γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ occurred from the inside out.     

A study of the preparation conditions of aluminum oxide on its catalytic activity and stability in vapor-phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein

Effect of the preparation conditions of aluminum oxide on its catalytic activity and stability in the course of vapor-phase dehydration of glycerol to give acrolein was studied. The conditions were determined in which γ-Al₂O₃ is prepared so that the maximum selectivity of acrolein formation (～60%) and glycerol conversion (～80%) is in 10 h. The results of the study suggest that systems based on γ-Al₂O₃ are the most promising catalysts for the process under consideration.     

Structural and mechanical characterizations of microporous silica–boron membranes for gas separation

This paper presents structural and mechanical characterizations of microporous silica membranes for gas separation. The membrane separative layer is made of microporous silica–B₂O₃ produced via a sol–gel process. This layer of about 200 nm of thickness is deposited on the internal surface of a tubular asymmetric γ-alumina/α-alumina support. FTIR and Raman analyses indicate the presence of the boron in the silica net and the above methods in conjunction with ¹¹B MAS NMR analyses of the samples indicate that boron is located mainly in the tetrahedral framework position. Such membranes present interesting gas separation properties at temperatures up to 500 °C and transmembrane pressures lower than 8 bar. He permeance values close to 10⁻¹⁰ kmol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ are obtained, associated with ideal selectivity α(He/CO₂) which can reach 55. Mechanical properties of separative silica-modified layers are measured by nanoindentation and the coefficient of thermal expansion is obtained from pure material.     

Anew technique for determining the adsorption energy of terminally adsorbed polymer

Using a new experimental technique, “Continuous Elution Method”, the desorption behavior of polystyrene(PS) and polystyrene (PS-X) functionalized by a terminal iminium ion (-X) from α-Al₂O₃ and γ-Al₂O₃ surface were investigated, and found that PS-X is forming a terminally adsorbed polymer layer on α-Al₂O₃, surface. Furthermore, it was found that the adsorption force of terminally adsorbed polymer is balanced with the desorption force which is contributed from the osmotic pressure in the adsorption layer. Based on this concept, the adsorption energy of the end-functionalized polystyrene terminally adsorbed on the α-Al₂O₃, surface was evaluated to be 4.2 ˜4.3 kT.     

Aluminum oxide and systems based on it: Properties and applications

The metastable forms of aluminum oxide that exist in the range of 300–800°C are characterized; differences in the microstructures of homogeneous γ-, η-, and χ-Al₂O₃ are demonstrated; and the acid-base properties of the above modifications are compared. The catalytic properties of aluminum oxide in ethanol dehydration and propionitrile ammonolysis were studied. It was found that an increased surface concentration of Lewis acid sites, including strong acid sites (ν(CO) = 2237 cm^?1), is required for preparing an effective catalyst for the dehydration of ethanol, whereas the rate of propionitrile conversion increased proportionally to the surface concentration of Brønsted acid sites. γ-Aluminum oxide was used to prepare catalysts for carbon monoxide oxidation. It was found that the supporting of Pd on γ-Al₂O₃ did not change the support structure. Palladium on the surface of γ-Al₂O₃-550 (T _calcin = 550°C, S _BET = 300 m²/g) occurred as single particles (2–3 nm) and aggregates (～100 nm). The single particles were almost completely covered with a layer of aluminum oxide to form core-shell structures. According to XPS data, they were in atypical states (BE(Pd 3d _5/2) = 336.0 and 338.0 eV), which were not reduced by hydrogen in the range of 15–450°C and were resistant to the action of the reaction mixture. Palladium on the surface of γ-Al₂O₃-800 (S _BET = 160 m²/g) was in the states Pd⁰ and PdO, which are typical of Pd/Al₂O₃, and the proportions of these states can change under the action of the reaction mixture. An increase in the T _calcin of the Pd/Al₂O₃(800)-450 catalyst from 450 to 800 → 1000 → 1200°C led to the agglomeration of palladium particles and to an increase in the temperature of 50% CO conversion from 145 to 152 → 169 → 189°C, respectively. α-Aluminum oxide was used in the preparation of an effective Mn-Bi-O/α-Al₂O₃ supported catalyst for the synthesis of nitrous oxide by the oxidation of ammonia with oxygen: the NH₃ conversion was 95–97% at 84.4% N₂O selectivity.     

Reactivity of η-, γ-, and α-Al2O3 for ZnAl2O4 Formation

The rate of ZnAl₂O₄ formation was measured for η-, γ-; and α- Al₂O₃ in order to distinguish the reactivity of them. The reactivity decreased as follows: η- > γ- > α-Al₂O₃. The reaction rate fitted to Jander's equation and the activation energies calculated were 33, 47 and 113 Kcal/mol for η-, γ- and α-Al₂O₃ systems, respectively. These differences are explained by an assumption that η- and γ-Al₂O₃ resulted in a ZnAl₂O₄ with imperfect spinel structure, but α-Al₂O₃ gave the perfect spinel structure. This assumption is based on the theoretical consideration of the activation energy needed for the diffusion-controlled reaction and date of lattice constant of each ZnAl₂O₄ obtained from three aluminas. The fact that η-Al₂O₃ shows very high reactivity compared with that of γ-Al₂O₃ was found to be explained on the basis of Jander's equation, a comparison of specific surface area and the defect structures of the aluminas.     

Formation of Pd–Ag nanoparticles in supported catalysts based on the heterobimetallic complex PdAg<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OAc)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(HOAc)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The formation of Pd–Ag nanoparticles deposited from the heterobimetallic acetate complex PdAg₂(OAc)₄(HOAc)₄ on α-Al₂O₃, γ-Al₂O₃, and MgAl₂O₄ has been investigated by high-resolution trans-mission electron microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. The reduction of PdAg₂(OAc)₄(HOAc)₄ supported on γ-Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ takes place in two steps (at 15–245 and 290–550°C) and yields Pd–Ag particles whose average size is 6–7 nm. The reduction of the Pd–Ag catalyst supported on α-Al₂O₃ occurs in a much narrower temperature range (15–200°C) and yields larger nanoparticles (~10–20 nm). The formation of Pd–Ag alloy nanoparticles in all of the samples is demonstrated by IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO, which indicates a marked weakening of the absorption band of the bridged form of adsorbed carbon monoxide and a >30-cm^–1 bathochromic shift of the linear adsorbed CO band. IR spectroscopic data for PdAg₂/α-Al₂O₃ suggest that Pd in this sample occurs as isolated atoms on the surface of bimetallic nanoparticles, as is indicated by the almost complete absence of bridged adsorbed CO bands and by a significant weakening of the Pd–CO bond relative to the same bond in the bimetallic samples based on γ-Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ and in the monometallic reference sample Pd/γ-Al₂O₃.     

Correlation between acidity and catalytic activity for the methanol dehydration over various aluminum oxides

Dehydration of methanol into dimethyl ether (DME) was carried out over aluminum oxides with different crystalline phases, viz. η-Al₂O₃, γ-Al₂O₃, θ-Al₂O₃, (χ + γ)-Al₂O₃, δ-Al₂O₃, α-Al₂O₃, and κ-Al₂O₃. The catalytic activity decreased in the following order: η-Al₂O₃ > γ-Al₂O₃ ? θ-Al₂O₃ ? (χ + γ)-Al₂O₃ ? δ-Al₂O₃ > α-Al₂O₃ ≈ κ-Al₂O₃. Several techniques: N₂ physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of NH₃, and FT-IR spectroscopy after pyridine adsorption were employed to characterize these solid acid catalysts. The good correlation can be found between the catalytic activity and the amount of Lewis acid site determined by the FT-IR spectra after pyridine adsorption.     

Biomolecule-Assisted Synthesis of Hierarchical Multilayered Boehmite and Alumina Nanosheets for Enhanced Molybdenum Adsorption

The effective utilization of various biomolecules for creating a series of mesoporous boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and gamma-alumina (γ-Al₂O₃) nanosheets with unique hierarchical multilayered structures is demonstrated. The nature and concentration of the biomolecules strongly influence the degree of the crystallinity, the morphology, and the textural properties of the resulting γ-AlOOH and γ-Al₂O₃ nanosheets, allowing for easy tuning. The hierarchical γ-AlOOH and γ-Al₂O₃ multilayered nanosheets synthesized by using biomolecules exhibit enhanced crystallinity, improved particle separation, and well-defined multilayered structures compared to those obtained without biomolecules. More impressively, these γ-AlOOH and γ-Al₂O₃ nanosheets possess high surface areas up to 425 and 371 m² g⁻¹, respectively, due to their mesoporous nature and hierarchical multilayered structure. When employed for molybdenum adsorption toward medical radioisotope production, the hierarchical γ-Al₂O₃ multilayered nanosheets exhibit Mo adsorption capacities of 33.1–40.8 mg g⁻¹. The Mo adsorption performance of these materials is influenced by the synergistic combination of the crystallinity, the surface area, and the pore volume. It is expected that the proposed biomolecule-assisted strategy may be expanded for the creation of other 3D mesoporous oxides in the future.     

Preparation of aluminum nitride fibers from alumina gel fibers by nitridation in ammonia

Aluminum nitride (AlN) fibers were prepared from alumina gel fibers and by heat-treatment in ammonia. The influence of silica on the formation of AlN was investigated. It was shown that phase transformation of alumina (γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃) and nitridation reaction took place above 1,100 °C for pure alumina fiber. The addition of a small amount of silica (3 wt%) suppressed the formation of α-Al₂O₃ and preserved the highly reactive metastable alumina, and nitridation rate was enhanced. Fine grain (~20 nm) AlN fibers were obtained for pyrolysis at 1,150–1,250 °C for 3 h in ammonia, and AlN was identified as the sole crystalline phase.     

Determination of the maximum monolayer dispersion and dispersed state for WO3 on γ-Al2O3

The maximum monolayer dispersion (the threshold) for WO₃ on γ-Al₂O₃ calcined at 500°, 550°, 600°, and 640°C has been determined quantitatively by XRD (amount of crystalline phase) and XPS (intensity ratios I_w4f/I_Al2). The results show that if the amount of WO₃ loaded is lower than the maximum monolayer dispersion, WO₃ will react with γ-Al₂O₃ to form surface compound due to mutual ionic interaction, and will be dispersed on γ-Al₂O₃ surface as monolayer then. In case the amount is higher than this value, the residual crystalline WO₃ will remain. The maximum monolayer dispersion (threshold) is 0.21 g and 0.20 g WO₃/100 m² γ-Al₃O₃ by XRD and XPS respectively. It agrees with the value (0.189 g WO₃/100 m² or 4.90 × 10^?18 W atoms/m²) calculated from the model on assumption that the WO₃ is dispersed as a closed-packed monolayer on γ-Al₂O₃ surface. Inasmuch as WO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ system is stable up to higher temperature, e.g. 700°C, than MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ system, WO₃ seems unfavorable to form new bulk compound with γ-Al₂O₃ at that temperature. However, Al₂(MoO₄)₃ forms perceptibly in MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ system at 500°C. Besides, the size of residual crystalline WO₃ in WO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ is much smaller than that of MoO₃ in MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃. It might be the reason that WO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst is superior to MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) or hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) in some cases.     

Preparation of a Solid-Phase Microextraction Fiber Coated with γ-Al2O3 and Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber coated with a novel γ-Al₂O₃ coating has been prepared and used to screen gaseous samples for traces of volatile organic compounds (VOC). The adsorption and desorption characteristics of the new porous layer have been investigated. Results show that it has good thermal stability (to 350 °C), high extraction capacity, a long life-span, and good selectivity for alkanes and esters. Detection limits for VOC in a gaseous matrix, for extraction with the γ-Al₂O₃-coated fiber then analysis by GC–FID, were less than 0.714 ng L^?1.     

Thermal stability and glass transition behavior of PANI/γ-Al2O3 composites

Polyaniline/γ-Al₂O₃ (PANI/γ-Al₂O₃) composites were synthesized by in-situ polymerization at the presence of HCl as dopant by adding γ-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles into aniline solution. The composites were characterized by FTIR and XRD. The thermogravimetry (TG) and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) were used to study the thermal stability and glass transition temperature (T _g) of the composites, respectively. The results of FTIR showed that γ-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles connected with the PANI chains and affected the absorption characteristics of the composite through the interaction between PANI and nano-sized γ-Al₂O₃. And the results of XRD indicated that the peaks intensity of the PANI/γ-Al₂O₃ composite were weaker than that of the pure PANI. From TG and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) curves, it was found that the pure PANI and the PANI/γ-Al₂O₃ composites were all one step degradation. And the PANI/γ-Al₂O₃ composites were more thermal stable than the pure PANI. The MDSC curves showed that the nano-sized γ-Al₂O₃ heightened the glass transition temperature (T _g) of PANI.     

A New Method for Producing a Nanosized γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Powder

A new method for producing a nanosized γ-Al₂O₃ powder was proposed, by which a saturated solution of aluminum oxychloride and sucrose was subjected to sequential heat treatment to 350°C to form a transient species and then to 800°C to form a nanosized γ-Al₂O₃ powder. The optimal treatment parameters were determined. Stages of the process were identified. The transient species and the nanosized γ-Al₂O₃ powder were studied.     

Selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene into styrene on gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (2–10 nm) supported on γ-Al₂O₃ exhibit high activity and stability in the hydrogenation of phenylacetylene into styrene in the phenylacetylene-styrene mixture. The selectivity of the catalyst is particle size-dependent: the styrene-to-ethylbenzene molar ratio in the reaction products increases from 2 to 30 as the average gold particle size decreases from 8 to 2.5 nm. The selectivity of phenylacetylene hydrogenation correlates with the selectivity of phenylacetylene adsorption on Au/γ-Al₂O₃ from the phenylacetylene-styrene mixture.     

Alumina nanofibers obtained via electrospinning of pseudo-boehmite sol/PVP solution

Alumina nanofibers were fabricated by calcination of the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/pseudo-boehmite nanocomposite precursor fibers formed by electrospinning PVP/ethanol solution of dispersed pseudo-boehmite nanoparticles with and without additive of silica. The evolution of the phase, mechanical property and morphological features of the calcined fibers were studied and the effect of adding SiO₂ on the phase transformation of alumina was discussed. Adding SiO₂ can retard the phase transformation of γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ and therefore inhibit the growth of alumina grains during calcination. Upon calcining the precursor fibers with 4 wt% SiO₂ additive at 1,300 °C, continuous alumina nanofibers with diameter ranging from 300 to 800 nm were obtained. These continuous nanofibers exhibited good flexibility and could be very promising for applications in filtration and catalyst support.     

用于低温浆态床二甲醚水蒸气重整制氢的水解组分γ-Ga2O3的制备与表征

以有机溶剂均匀沉淀法制备了镓的氧化物,借助XRD、NH₃-TPD、TEM和BET等手段对物相结构、表面性质等进行了表征。结果表明,制备过程中得到的前驱体为GaOOH,前驱体经500 ℃热处理后得到γ-Ga₂O₃。γ-Ga₂O₃的晶格类型与γ-Al₂O₃相似,为有阳离子缺陷的立方尖晶石结构。表面具有酸量较大的中强酸中心,而弱酸中心含量相对较少。微观上大多为厚10 nm、直径100 nm左右的二维纳米片,大部分纳米片分布于一个方向,一些组成花瓣形。将制得的γ-Ga₂O₃用于DME水解反应,结果表明,270 ℃下DME的转化率可达24%,接近平衡转化率,反应后催化剂的织构性质没有显著变化,比表面积仍可达到130 m²/g。将γ-Ga₂O₃与Cu基催化剂复合后用于270 ℃下的低温浆态床DME水蒸气重整反应,DME转化率和H₂选择性高达99%和68%,经200 h反应后催化剂仍能保持95%以上的活性,表现出良好的工业化应用前景。     

Study of CuCl2 Supported on SiO2 and Al2O3

The nature and stability of surface species of CuCl₂ supported on α-Al₂O₃, γ-Al₂O₃, and SiO₂ were investigated by using X-ray diffraction techniques and reflectance spectroscopy. No specific chemical interaction of CuCl₂ is observed on an inert α-Al₂O₃ support, as opposed to hydrated carriers as SiO₂ and γ-Al₂O₃. On these supports the coordination sphere of Cu²⁺ consists of surface groups (OH^? or O^? at drying and activation, resp.), H₂O and Cl^?, with the H₂O ligands decreasing in concentration in the process of impregnation, drying and calcination. γ-Al₂O₃ samples, calcined at 400°C, show γ-Cu₂(OH)₃Cl as opposed to CuAl₂O₄ at higher temperatures. The absence of Cu₂(OH)₃Cl on SiO₂-supported samples is related to the acid-base characteristics of the carriers. The various supports can be arranged in the following order of stability of the complexes formed: γ-Al₂O₃ > SiO₂ ? -Al₂O₃.     

The effect of iron phosphate,alumina and silica coatings on the morphology of carbonyl iron particles

Carbonyl iron powders were coated with iron phosphate using phosphating method and boehmite (γ‐AlOOH) or silicon hydroxide (Si(OH)₄) nanoparticles derived from the hydrolysis of tri‐sec‐butoxide (Al(OC₄H₉)₃) or tetramethylsilane (Si(OCH₃)₄) using sol–gel method. The coated powders were dried and calcined at 400 °C for 3 h in air. Cross‐section morphology of coated carbonyl iron powders were investigated by scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. Coated Fe micro‐particles were spherical in shape with ‘shell/core’ structures. The shells consisted of an amorphous layer with varying thickness (100–800 nm) and the core represented a carbonyl iron. Gelatinous morphology of dried FePO₄ coating composed from nanoparticles of iron oxyhydroxides and hydrated iron phosphate with a shell thickness of ～100 nm around iron particles was observed. In coatings based on alumina or silica xerogels with a thickness of ～100–150 nm or ～200–500 nm, the coatings were composed of iron oxyhydroxides and γ‐AlOOH or Si(OH)₄. The resulting XRD diffractograms revealed the hematite (α‐Fe₂O₃) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄) that were formed in phosphated and sol–gel coated iron powders. The X‐ray diffraction patterns did not verify the presence of phosphates, alumina or silica and indicate the amorphous or nanocrystalline structure of FePO₄, γ‐Al₂O₃ and SiO₂. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Über die Reaktion von Alkalihexafluorosilicaten mit Aluminiumoxid

On Reactions of Alkali Hexafluorosilicates with Aluminum Oxides The reaction of Na- and K-hexafluorosilicates and α- or γ-Al₂O₃ has been investigated. Final reaction products are fluoroaluminates and alumosilicates. The reaction mechanism has been discussed. Influence of reaction parameters like time, temperature, layer thickness, and the effect of admixtures (fluorides, SiO₂) have been regarded. Tablet-reactions show the introduction of reaction by Si? F species.