A Green,Low-Cost and Efficient Photocatalyst: Atomic-Hydrogenated α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The environmental-friendly hematite iron oxide (α-Fe₂O₃) has important application prospects in the photocatalysis field owing to its narrow indirect band gap. Here, we report a band gap engineering of α-Fe₂O₃ by incorporation of electrochemically-generated atomic hydrogen at moderate conditions. The ultraviolet–visible spectra show the reduction of the α-Fe₂O₃ band gap after hydrogenation and the absorption region from 200–800 nm is enhanced, especially in the visible light region. First principles calculation reveals the mixing of the new hybrid energy level with the valence band top resulting in a decrease in the band gap of α-Fe₂O₃. Further photocatalytic degradation experiments of dyes demonstrate that the photocatalytic efficiency of α-Fe₂O₃ can be greatly enhanced by the atomic hydrogen incorporation. The hydrogenated α-Fe₂O₃ can be easily recycled by magnets and has good photocatalytic stability. These findings offer possibilities for utilizing this inexpensive and earth-abundant oxide materials in the pollution controlling areas.     

α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films by liquid phase deposition: low-cost option for supercapacitor

In the present study, iron oxide (α-Fe₂O₃) thin films with good adhesion on stainless steel substrates are deposited by liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique, which is additive and binder-free. Iron oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) thin films are formed by means of a ligand-exchange equilibrium reaction of metal-fluoro complex ions and an F^?ions consuming reaction by using boric acid (H₃BO₃) as a scavenging agent. These films are annealed at 500 °C to get α-Fe₂O₃ thin films. The transformation from hydrophobic to hydrophilic nature of the films is observed due to annealing. The films are characterized by different techniques. The α-Fe₂O₃ film is checked for electrochemical supercapacitive performance in Na₂SO₃ solutions of various concentrations. Specific capacitance is calculated from cyclic voltammetry at numerous scan rates (5–200) mV s^?1. The highest obtained value of specific capacitance is 582 F g^?1 at 5 mV s^?1 for 0.5 M Na₂SO₃ electrolyte. The maximum values of specific power and specific energy are 6.9 and 53.4 Wh kg^?1 from the charge-discharge curve at the current density 2 mA cm^?2 in 0.5 M Na₂SO₃ electrolyte.     

Thermal and Magnetic Properties of Maghemite γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Synthesized by a Precursor Method

Low-dimension ferromagnetic maghemite γ-Fe₂O₃ was synthesized through a precursor route, using basic iron formate Fe(OH)(HCOO)₂ as a precursor. Conditions of formation of γ-Fe₂O₃ and the temperature range of its existence on heating in air were determined. The saturation magnetization of γ-Fe₂O₃ produced through heating the precursor at 350°C 57.5 (T = 4.2 K) and 43.8 emu/g (T = 300 K).     

Structure and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The structural features and magnetic properties of composite materials Fe₂O₃-SiO₂ consisting of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in an amorphous porous matrix of SiO₂ were considered. The studied samples were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The structure of γ-Fe₂O₃-SiO₂ depending on the heating temperature was studied by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, ESR and IR spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements were performed on a SQUID magnetometer in the range 2–350 K.     

Synthesis and properties of γ-Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solutions

The textural and structural properties of mixed oxides Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃, obtained via impregnating γ-Al₂O₃ with a solution of Ga(NO₃)₃ and subsequent heat treatment, are studied. According to the results from X-ray powder diffraction, gallium ions are incorporated into the structure of aluminum oxide to form a solid solution of spinel-type γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ up to a Ga₂O₃ content of 50 wt % of the total weight of the sample, accompanied by a reduction in the specific surface area, volume, and average pore diameter. It is concluded that when the Ga₂O₃ content exceeds 50 wt %, the β-Ga₂O₃ phase is observed along with γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ solid solution. ⁷¹Ga and ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy shows that gallium replaces aluminum atoms from the tetrahedral position to the octahedral coordination in the structure of γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃.     

Sol–Gel Synthesis of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> Glasses and their Characterization by NMR,SNMS, and AFM

Sodium aluminophosphate samples with composition 43.8Na₂O12.5Al₂O₃43.8P₂O₅ were prepared by the sol–gel route using different precursors and working in different pH ranges from pH < 1 up to pH > 10. The structures of the gels and of the corresponding glasses were investigated by solid state NMR and compared to that of a glass with the same composition prepared by a traditional melting process. In addition to bulk materials, thin films were deposited by dip coating on silica glasses. Applying secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), the expected elements and residual carbon were identified. The surfaces of the coatings and fracture surfaces of bulk material were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Solid state NMR revealed that samples prepared via a lactate route exhibited local Al and P environments closest to that of the melt-prepared glass, with the highest extent of Al-O-P connectivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured Ba<Subscript>5</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>15</Subscript> by sol–gel process

Hexagonal Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ were synthesized by a sol–gel process at temperatures of 700–900 °C. The microstructure properties and morphology are studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Traces of the Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ component were detected by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. A higher temperature enhanced higher atom mobility and caused the growth direction to change and created hexagonal square makes obvious good quality of samples. The visible light absorption edges of the Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ nanorods and were corresponded to band-gap energies of 4.0 eV.     

Synthesis and Conductivity of CaZr<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>3–δ</Subscript> Electrolyte Films on Supporting Composite Electrodes

Conditions of the chemical solution deposition of CaZrO₃-based electrolyte films on supporting composite electrodes are studied. The films are formed on the composites of CaZrO3 with metal oxides СuO, Fe₂O₃, and NiO. The morphology and the phase and elemental composition of supports and films are studied as well as the gas permeability and conductivity of films. It is concluded that composites of calcium zirconate with nickel can be recommended as the supporting anodes for the proton-conducting CaZr_0.9Y_0.1O_3–δ film electrolyte.     

Adsorption of Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript> ions on γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> oxide from nitrate solutions

The adsorption of chloride ions on γ-Fe₂O₃ oxide (maggemite) from nitrate solution is studied using the method of potentiometric titration and an ion-selective electrode. The specific character of adsorption is determined. It is shown that the maggemite surface coverage with Cl^? ions increases with increasing concentration of ions in the solution, decreasing pH value, and increasing potential. The adsorbability of ions changes drastically in the pH range about pH₀ (γ-Fe₂O₃)6.2. It is found that the adsorption of chloride ions from neutral nitrate solution exponentially increases in the potential range from 0.1 to 1.0 V. The type of adsorption isotherm and the adsorption parameters are determined. It is found that, in the absence of external polarization, the concentration dependences of adsorption of Cl^? ions are complex-shaped, and their initial portions are described by the Langmuir isotherm. Further increase of adsorption is explained by the penetration of Cl^? ions inwards the oxide.     

Synthesis,microstructure, and electric properties of CaZr<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>3 – δ</Subscript> films obtained on porous SrTi<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3 – δ</Subscript> supports

Compact CaZr_0.9Y_0.1O_3–δ (CZY) film on a porous SrTi_0.8Fe_0.2O_3–δ (STF) support is obtained using the technique of deposition from solutions of inorganic salts in ethanol. According to the data of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the film has a nanoporous granular structure with the grain size of 0.2 to 1 μm. The thickness of the CZY film on the STF support is about 3 μm after 15-fold solution application. The results of studying the elemental composition showed that elements of the support diffuse into the film in the course of synthesis. Analysis of the data of impedance spectroscopy shows that conductivity of the CZY film is limited the grain bulk. It is assumed that the comparatively low conductivity activation energy of the film (50.3 kJ/mol) is due to diffusion of elements of the STF support that results in variation of the film composition and properties.     

Synthesis and characterization of spinel-type CuAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocrystalline by modified sol–gel method

Nanocrystalline Copper aluminate (CuAl₂O₄) was prepared by sol–gel technique using aluminum nitrate, copper nitrate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and citric acid were used as precursor materials. This method starts from of the precursor complex, and involves formation of homogeneous solid intermediates, reducing atomic diffusion processes during thermal treatment. The formation of pure crystallized CuAl₂O₄ nanocrystals occurred when the precursor was heat-treated at 600 °C in air for 2 h. The stages of the formation of CuAl₂O₄, as well as the characterization of the resulting compounds were done using thermo–gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The products were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy to be round, about 17–26 nm in size and E _g = 2.10 eV.     

On the Control of Plasma Parameters and Active Species Kinetics in CF<Subscript>4</Subscript> + O<Subscript>2</Subscript> + Ar Gas Mixture by CF<Subscript>4</Subscript>/O<Subscript>2</Subscript> and O<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Ar Mixing Ratios

The effects of both CF₄/O₂ and Ar/O₂ mixing ratios in three-component CF₄ + O₂ + Ar mixture on plasma parameters, densities and fluxes of active species determining the dry etching kinetics were analyzed. The investigation combined plasma diagnostics by Langmuir probes and zero-dimensional plasma modeling. It was found that the substitution of CF₄ for O₂ at constant fraction of Ar in a feed gas produces the non-monotonic change in F atom density, as it was repeatedly reported for the binary CF₄/O₂ gas mixtures. At the same time, the substitution of Ar for O₂ at constant fraction of CF₄ results in the monotonic increase in F atom density toward more oxygenated plasmas. The natures of these phenomena as well as theirs possible impacts on the etching/polymerization kinetics were discussed in details.     

Synthesis and heat capacity study of stannates Dy<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and Ho<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> in the range 370–1000 K

Stannates Dy₂Sn₂O₇ and Ho₂Sn₂O₇ are produced by solid-phase synthesis from Dy₂O₃ (Ho₂O₃)–SnO₂ stoichiometric mixtures by calcining at 1473 K. The molar heat capacity of holmium and dysprosium stannates is measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range 370–1000 K. The experimental data are used to calculate thermodynamic properties (enthalpy change H°(T)–H°(370 K), entropy change S°(T)–S°(370 K), and the reduced Gibbs free energy Φ°(T)) of the synthesized compound.     

V<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O oxide nanostructures: Synthesis and study

Nanorods of orthorhombic V₃O₇ · H₂O with the parameters a = 16.805 Å, b = 9.428 Å, and c = 3.660 Å are prepared under hydrothermal conditions (T = 180–190°C, τ = 30–40 h) from the V₂O₅ · nH₂O/H₂C₂O₄ · 2H₂O composite. The particle diameter is 40–70 nm, and the length is several micrometers. The IR spectra, electric conductivity, and thermal properties of the nanorod powder are studied. In air V₃O₇ · H₂O begins to decompose at temperatures above 150°C, and at 350°C nanobelts V₂O₅ 40–100 nm wide and 40 µm long are formed. A mechanism of nanostructure formation is suggested.     

Reduction of Oxide Mixtures of (Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> + CuO) and (Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> + Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>) by Low-Temperature Hydrogen Plasma

The paper presents experimental results pertaining to the reduction of oxide mixtures namely (Fe₂O₃ + CuO) and (Fe₂O₃ + Co₃O₄), by low-temperature hydrogen plasma in a microwave hydrogen plasma set-up, at microwave power 750 W and hydrogen flow rate 2.5 × 10^?6 m³ s^?1. The objective was to examine the effect of addition of CuO or Co₃O₄, on the reduction of Fe₂O₃. In the case of the Fe₂O₃ and CuO mixture, oxides were reduced to form Fe and Cu metals. Enhancement of reduction of iron oxide was marginal. However, in the case of the Fe₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ mixture, FeCo alloy was formed within compositions of Fe₇₀Co₃₀, to Fe₃₀Co₇₀. Since the temperature was below 841 K, no FeO formed during reduction and the sequence of Fe₂O₃ reduction was found to be Fe₂O₃ → Fe₃O₄ → Fe. Reduction of Co₃O₄ preceded that of Fe₂O₃. In the beginning, the reduction of oxides led to the formation of Fe–Co alloy that was rich in Co. Later Fe continued to enter into the alloy phase through diffusion and homogenization. The lattice strain of the alloy as a function of its composition was measured. In the oxide mixture in which excessive amount of Co₃O₄ was present, all the Co formed after reduction could not form the alloy and part of it appeared as FCC Co metal. The crystallite size of the alloy was in the range of 22–30 nm. The crystal size of the Fe–Co alloy reduced with an increase in Co concentration.     

In vitro degradability and bioactivity of mesoporous CaO-MgO-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glasses synthesized by sol–gel method

Two glasses of the CaO-MgO-P₂O₅-SiO₂ system with different MgO contents (0 and 10 mol%, respectively) have been synthesized by sol–gel method. The degradation of glass samples was evaluated through the weight loss in the tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane and hydrochloric acid (Tris–HCl) buffer solution, and the in vitro bioactivity was assessed by determining the changes in surface morphology and composition after soaking in a simulated body fluid. Formation of the apatite-like layer on glasses surface was studied by means of X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that, with the partial substitution of MgO for CaO in glass composition, the glass degradation decrease and the formation of apatite-like layer is delayed. Furthermore, it is observed that the glass bioactivity is relative to its dissolution, and the effects of MgO on glass degradability and bioactivity may be attributed to the influence of ionic field strength and distinct bonding configuration of glass.     

The characterization and property of polystyrene compounding of α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3 </Subscript>in the nano-scale

-Fe₂O₃/polystyrene composite nanoparticles were synthesized in an oil/water microemulsion. Their structure was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry. An Ubbelonde viscometer, a Gouy balance and a model 283 potentiostat/galvanostat measured the molecular weight of the composite nanoparticles and their magnetic and electrical characteristics respectively.     

Effects of Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on the crystallization and structure of CaO–Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glass ceramics

Radiation-induced degradation of the weakly and strongly 4-vinylpyridine basic ion exchange resins by gamma radiolysis was investigated in the presence of air and liquid water. This study is focused on evaluating the radiolytic gases (H₂, CO, CO₂ and CH₄) and liquid products (water-solute TOC and NH₄ ⁺). The weakly basic resin yielded lower amounts of H₂ and CO and higher amounts of CO₂ than those of the strongly basic resin. Moreover, the strong basic resin tended to yield greater amounts of NH₄ ⁺. Resins were characterized by the FTIR spectroscopy technique and the results showed that the resins structures are relatively stable.     

Thermoelectric power and electrochemical studies on CdI<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>–B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

A quaternary super-ion-conducting system, 20CdI₂ − 80[xAg₂O − y(0.7V₂O₅ − 0.3B₂O₃)] where 1 ≤ x/y ≤ 3, has been prepared by melt quenching technique. The electrical conductivity measured was the order of 10⁻⁴  S/cm at room temperature. The values of silver-ion transport number obtained by electromotive force technique are nearly unity. The thermoelectric power and electrochemical studies were done on the CdI₂–Ag₂O–V₂O₅–B₂O₃ system. The discharge and polarization characteristics were examined for different cathodes to evaluate the utility of these cells as power sources for low energy applications.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> · 6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The dependence of solid phase composition on the main parameters of the interaction in the CoSO₄-K₄P₂O₇-H₂O system was studied. The synthesis conditions were determined and a crystalline cobalt(II) diphosphat of the composition Co₂P₂O₇ · 6H₂O was synthesized. Its thermal properties were studied. The composition and the intervals, wherein the thermally stable products of partial and complete dehydration of Co₂P₂O₇ · 6H₂O are formed, were specified. The final heat treatment product, anhydrous α-Co₂P₂O₇, was identified and a sequence of the solid phase thermal transformations accompanying its formation was established.