Preparation and characterization of anticorrosion Ormosil sol–gel coatings for aluminum alloy

Organically modified silicate (Ormosil) coatings have been synthesized through the sol–gel method for corrosion protection of aluminum alloy. Silica-based unmodified coatings were also designed to investigate the effect of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) content on the properties of the coatings. The surface morphology of the coatings was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by immersion test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. In addition, the surface potential differences of the coated samples were determined by scanning Kelvin probe. The results showed that a better corrosion resistance of unmodified coating was prepared by controlling the TEOS/EtOH/H₂O molar ratio of 0.109/1/1.52. Ormosil coatings provided excellent barrier properties and corrosion resistance in comparison with the unmodified sol–gel coatings. The Ormosil coating modified with triethoxyoctylsilane exhibited corrosion resistance properties superior to the other Ormosil coatings after exposure to 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for 10 days.     

Preparation and characterization of crack-free sol–gel based SiO2–TiO2 hybrid nanoparticle film

Owing to the diverse potential applications of hybrid silica–titania thin films, the synthesis and characterization of these films have been carried out with a special focus on application as a medium index layer for multilayered functional coatings. For synthesis, tetraethylorthosilicate and titanium tetraisopropoxide were chosen as precursors for the formation of silica-titania hybrid thin films/nano-composites through an in situ sol–gel process. These films were sequentially obtained on Cu substrate utilizing spin coating. The hybrids were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Field emission scanning electron microscope morphology displayed a smooth, densified and crack- free layer of silica-titania hybrid nanoparticles in the range of 20–71 nm after calcinations at low temperature of 300ºC for 1 h. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the phases of titania with higher crystallinity and phase transformation at low temperature. The prepared films were uniform with low 8.852 nm RMS value. The stoichiometry of films was confirmed by EDX results. The FTIR spectroscopy indicated the establishment of heterogeneous chemical bonding between the Ti and Si surfaces through oxygen.     

Preparation and characterization of molecularly imprinted organic–inorganic hybrid materials by sol–gel processing for selective recognition of ibuprofen

This work adopted semi-covalent imprinting to prepare molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) with ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, as template by sol–gel processing, which is characterized by both the high affinity of covalent binding and the mild operation conditions of non-covalent rebinding. A functional monomer, which was used to synthesize the monomer-imprinted molecule complex, was prepared by multi-step synthesis for the first time. MIP was characterized by Fourier transform IR spectrum and nitrogen adsorption. Thin-layer chromatography separation was used to evaluate the specific molecular recognition ability of MIP. In addition, dynamic and thermodynamic studies on MIP imprinting ibuprofen were undertaken. The results of equilibrium rebinding experiments showed that MIP exhibited good adsorption capacity for ibuprofen. Scatchard analysis illustrated that the template-polymer system shows only one-site binding behavior with a dissociation constant of 1.84 mmol L^?1. Dynamic adsorption exhibited pseudo-second-order kinetics. The positive value of ΔH^θ and the negative values of ΔG^θ demonstrated that the binding system for MIP is endothermic and spontaneous.     

Preparation and evaluation of an ion imprinted sol–gel material for selective solid-phase extraction of Ni(II)

An ion imprinted silica sorbent was prepared using a sol–gel process for selective extraction of Ni(II) ions from water samples. Bis(dibenzoylmethanto)nickel(II) complex was used as template; phenyltrimethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as functional monomers and tetraethylorthosilicate as reticulating agent. The material was packed in solid-phase extraction (SPE) column. The effect of sampling volume, elution conditions, sample pH and sample flow rate on the extraction of Ni ions from water samples were studied. The relative selectivity coefficients of imprinted sorbent for Ni(II)/Co(II), Ni(II)/Cu(II) and Ni(II)/Cd(II) were 23.7, 30.3 and 24.4, times greater than non-imprinted sorbent, respectively. The relative standard deviation of the eight replicate determinations of Ni(II) was 4.2%. The detection limit was 0.9 µg L^?1 using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of trace nickel in water samples.     

Matrix molecularly imprinted mesoporous sol–gel sorbent for efficient solid-phase extraction of chloramphenicol from milk

Highly selective and efficient chloramphenicol imprinted sol–gel silica based inorganic polymeric sorbent (sol–gel MIP) was synthesized via matrix imprinting approach for the extraction of chloramphenicol in milk. Chloramphenicol was used as the template molecule, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APTES) and triethoxyphenylsilane (TEPS) as the functional precursors, tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) as the cross-linker, isopropanol as the solvent/porogen, and HCl as the sol–gel catalyst. Non-imprinted sol–gel polymer (sol–gel NIP) was synthesized under identical conditions in absence of template molecules for comparison purpose. Both synthesized materials were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nitrogen adsorption porosimetry, which unambiguously confirmed their significant structural and morphological differences.     

Synthesis and characterization of sol–gel derived CNSL based hybrid anti-corrosive coatings

Thermally cured cashew nut shell liquid based hybrid coatings have been successfully developed using three step processes of malenization, silane modification and subsequent hydrolysis and condensation with tetra ethyl orthosilicate for corrosion protection of mild steel. The synthesized precursor was then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and ²⁹Si-NMR) for structural elucidation. Four different coating formulations were developed on the basis of silane content (5, 10, 15 and 20 %) in the coating and cured with hexabutoxymethylmelamine at 120 °C for 1 h. The completely cured coatings were evaluated for mechanical properties, solvent resistance, chemical resistance, hydrolytic stability and accelerated weathering properties. Scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to analyse the morphological behaviour and elemental distribution of the coating. Results revealed that 20 % silane modification showed better overall properties as compared to other formulations due to formation of more metal–oxygen–silicon covalent bond at metal-coating interface.     

Synthesis of mesoporous γ-alumina by sol–gel process and its characterization and application for sorption of Pu(IV)

Mesoporous γ-alumina samples were prepared by the sol–gel process from the boehmite sol having different template solutions. Copper doped material was also prepared from sol containing template solution along with copper nitrate. Studies were performed to understand the influence of templates on the morphology of the synthesized samples particularly with respect to specific surface area and porosity. Synthesized samples were used to study sorption of Pu(IV) from nitric acid–oxalic acid solutions. Distribution ratios (D) for Pu(IV) were determined using the γ-alumina samples with an objective to employ these for the recovery of Pu.     

Synthesis and characterization of sol–gel alumina nanofibers

Abstract Alumina nanofibers of high aspect ratio with surface area of >300 m² g⁻¹ has been prepared successfully in bulk quantities by the sol–gel method. The synthesis parameters including the binary water–alcohol solvent system to aluminium isopropoxide ratio, pH, type of solvent and aging temperature affect the uniformity and formation of nanofibers. It is proposed that alumina nanofibers were formed by the curling of the nanosheets upon condensation after the hydrolysis. The phase evolution of alumina nanofibers from pseudoboehmite to α phase has been shown by XRD and FTIR. ²⁷Al NMR investigations show that the Al atoms are six and four coordinated. The morphology of the alumina nanofibers does not change much as the calcination temperature was increased. In addition, the average pore size increases and the BET surface area decreases as a function of calcination temperature. The thermal behavior of alumina nanofibers was investigated by TGA. Graphical Abstract      

Preparation and characterization of nanorods Sb doped CdO films by sol–gel technique

Pure and antimony (Sb) doped CdO films were grown using sol–gel spin coating technique. The structural properties of the films were investigated using atomic force microscopy. The structure of CdO film is converted from microrods to nanorods with Sb dopant. The analysis of optical absorption revealed that optical bandgap of the films changes with doping. The optical bandgap for 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% Sb doped CdO was determined to be 2.28, 2.30, 2.56, and 2.42 eV, respectively. Other optical constants such as refractive index, extinction coefficient, and dielectric constants were calculated using the optical data. The refractive index dispersion of the films obeys the single oscillator model. The volume and surface energy loss functions were calculated and observed to increase with increase in the photon energy.     

Preparation and characterization of boron-based bioglass by sol−gel process

45S5 bioglass has been widely studied in the last few decades because of its bioactivity and promising applications in the biomedical field. Boron, even few studied, represents a potential element to improve the properties of the 45S5 bioglass derivatives. The bioglasses are conventionally prepared by heat treatment of oxides and silicon. Here, the sol?gel method is proposed for the preparation of the boron-based 45S5 bioglass (45S5B) and the classical 45S5 bioglass (45S5), using water-soluble salts as raw materials. The bioglasses were characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM, indicating the success of the sol?gel method for preparation of the samples. The bioglasses were also tested in vitro for bioactivity in biological conditions and cytotoxicity against eukaryotic cells. The bioactivity of 45S5B was similar to the bioactivity of 45S5 bioglass, indicated by the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals at the surface of the pristine bioglasses. The results of cytotoxicity tests revealed that the IC₅₀ of 45S5B (IC₅₀?=?7.56?mg?mL^?1) was similar to the IC₅₀ of 45S5 (IC₅₀?=?8.15?mg?mL^?1), indicating its safety for application in the biomedical field.

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Preparation and properties of sol–gel waterborne polyurethane adhesive

Waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) sol–gel adhesives were prepared through a prepolymer process followed by a sol–gel reaction of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). The terminal amine group of APTES reacted with the NCO group of the prepolymer, and the ethoxy group created Si–O–Si branching by hydrolysis and condensation reactions in water at the dispersion step. Water swelling (%), tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the synthesized WBPU sol–gel adhesives were improved by increasing APTES content. Synthesized WBPU sol–gel adhesives were used for bonding nylon fabrics. A significant improvement in adhesive strength was recorded, and the potential for good adhesive strength under water at moderately high temperature (up to 75 °C) was observed with 6.84 mol% APTES in WBPU sol–gel adhesives.     

Preparation and characterization of Cp-functionalized cycloheptatrienyl–cyclopentadienyl titanium sandwich complexes (troticenes)

Cp-functionalized monotroticenes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄E)] (2, E = Ph₂SiCl; 3, E = tBu₂SnCl; 12, E = I) and bitroticenes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄)]₂E′ (5, E′ = PPh; 6, E′ = BN(SiMe₃)₂; 7, E′ = Cp₂Ti) were prepared by salt elimination metathesis between the monolithiated troticene [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄Li)]·pmdta (1b) (pmdta = N,N′,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylene-triamine) and the appropriate electrophile. The troticenyl-substituted zirconocene monochloride [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄ZrClCp*₂)] (Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅) (8) and hafnocene ethoxide [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti{η⁵-C₅H₄Hf(OEt)Cp₂}] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) (11), and the heterobimetallic μ-oxo complexes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄MCp₂)]₂O (9, M = Zr; 10, M = Hf) were obtained instead of the expected zircona- and hafna[1]troticenophanes by reaction of the dilithiated troticene [(η⁷-C₇H₆Li)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄Li)]·pmdta (1a) with [Cp₂MCl₂] (M = Zr, Hf) or [Cp*₂ZrCl₂] in stoichiometric amounts. These compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and, in the case of 2, 3, 5–7, 9, 10 and 12, also by elemental analyses and ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy. Exposure of the troticenyl organotin chloride 3 to moisture resulted in its partial hydrolysis and formation of the organostannoxane-bridged bitroticene 4, while palladium-catalyzed Negishi C–C cross-coupling reaction between the troticenylzinc chloride [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄ZnCl)] (13) and the iodotroticene 12 or iodobenzene (PhI) led to the fulvalene complexes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄)]₂ (14) and [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄Ph)] (15). Compound 4 displays an unsymmetrical structure with the troticenyl fragments cis with respect to the Sn–O–Sn core, whereas compound 14 is centrosymmetrically trans oriented.     

Preparation and characterization of Cp-functionalized cycloheptatrienyl–cyclopentadienyl titanium sandwich complexes (troticenes)

Cp-functionalized monotroticenes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄E)] (2, E = Ph₂SiCl; 3, E = tBu₂SnCl; 12, E = I) and bitroticenes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄)]₂E′ (5, E′ = PPh; 6, E′ = BN(SiMe₃)₂; 7, E′ = Cp₂Ti) were prepared by salt elimination metathesis between the monolithiated troticene [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄Li)]·pmdta (1b) (pmdta = N,N′,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylene-triamine) and the appropriate electrophile. The troticenyl-substituted zirconocene monochloride [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄ZrClCp*₂)] (Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅) (8) and hafnocene ethoxide [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti{η⁵-C₅H₄Hf(OEt)Cp₂}] (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) (11), and the heterobimetallic μ-oxo complexes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄MCp₂)]₂O (9, M = Zr; 10, M = Hf) were obtained instead of the expected zircona- and hafna[1]troticenophanes by reaction of the dilithiated troticene [(η⁷-C₇H₆Li)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄Li)]·pmdta (1a) with [Cp₂MCl₂] (M = Zr, Hf) or [Cp*₂ZrCl₂] in stoichiometric amounts. These compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and, in the case of 2, 3, 5–7, 9, 10 and 12, also by elemental analyses and ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy. Exposure of the troticenyl organotin chloride 3 to moisture resulted in its partial hydrolysis and formation of the organostannoxane-bridged bitroticene 4, while palladium-catalyzed Negishi C–C cross-coupling reaction between the troticenylzinc chloride [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄ZnCl)] (13) and the iodotroticene 12 or iodobenzene (PhI) led to the fulvalene complexes [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄)]₂ (14) and [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄Ph)] (15). Compound 4 displays an unsymmetrical structure with the troticenyl fragments cis with respect to the Sn–O–Sn core, whereas compound 14 is centrosymmetrically trans oriented.     

Preparation and characterization of nitrogen-doped titanium dioxides

A type of high visible-light active titanium oxinitride(TiO2-xNx) powder was prepared by a simple proc-ess:the calcination of the hydrated titanium dioxide at the atmosphere of ammonia-argon using a tu-bular electric furnace at high temperatures. The hydrated titanium dioxide was synthesized as the precursor of TiO2-xNx using titanic acid as raw material,which came from sulfate technique of produc-ing titanium white. The effects of temperature and reaction time on the nitrogen content,grain size and crystal structure were studied. The visible-light activity and photocatalysis capability of the powder were also investigated.     

Optical spectroscopy methods for the characterization of sol–gel materials

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - In this paper, structural, optical, and electrical features of undoped and copper-incorporated nickel oxide (Cu/NiO) films with different mole ratios...     

A biofriendly sol–gel route to new hybrid gels for enzyme encapsulation

New hybrid gels were prepared from the gelation of glycol-modified tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of O-2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl guar gum (HTPG), and were then used for the in situ encapsulation of papain. Different from the sol–gel process based on commonly used TEOS, the biofriendly sol–gel process developed in this study could be conducted rapidly at ambient temperature without the addition of any organic solvent or acidic catalyst. In particular, the mechanical strength and microstructure of resultant hybrid gel matrix could be modulated by HTPG amount. In comparison with free papain, the encapsulated papain is characteristic of improved enzymatic activity, thermal and storage stability as well as good reusability.     

FTIR studies of the thermo-reversible sol–gel transition of a titanium butoxide solution modified by nitrate ions

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - A thermo-reversible sol–gel transition in solutions made of titanium n-butoxide, ethanol, water, and nitric acid is studied by in situ...     

Electrochemical characterization of sodium and potassium doped lanthanum–titanium mixed oxides prepared by sol–gel method

Varying amounts of Na and K doped lanthanum–titanium oxides were synthesized by gel entrapment technique. These ceramics were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Microstructural investigations revealed grain growth in the doped material compared to undoped sample. Dielectric relaxations of these compounds were investigated in the temperature range 250–900 °C. A high degree of dispersion of the permittivity of un-doped lanthanum–titanium oxide and K and Na doped lanthanum–titanium oxide was observed in the frequency range <100 kHz which was attributed to oxygen vacancies. An increase in the permittivity values were observed with 1 % Na and K doped samples. The permittivity values further deteriorated with the dopant concentration. Using the Cole–Cole model, an analysis of the dielectric loss with frequency was performed, assuming a distribution of relaxation time. The dielectric loss was found to decrease by doping K in lanthanum–titanium oxide matrix. The dc conductivity studies showed that a temperature dependent hopping type mechanism is responsible for electrical conduction in the system.     

Preparation of photocurable silica–titania hybrid coatings by an anhydrous sol–gel process

Photocurable silica-titania hybrid coatings were prepared through an anhydrous sol–gel process. Moreover, test samples were prepared by the addition of definite ratios of fluoro acrylate oligomers into the formulations to manage the optical properties of transmitted light. Formulations were applied to corona-treated polycarbonate substrates. Upon adding the inorganic component to the coating material, thermal, mechanical, and other properties, such as hardness, gloss, contact angle, and flame resistance were improved. The photocured hybrid films showed an increase in the refractive index with increasing the titanium tetraisopropoxide content. As expected, a decrease was observed in the refractive index of the coatings with the incorporation of fluoro acrylate resin. The surface morphology of the hybrid films was characterized by ESEM analysis. In addition the chemical composition of the surface of the coatings was identified by ESEM–EDS technique. ESEM studies indicated that inorganic particles were dispersed homogenously throughout the organic matrix.     

Preparation and methodology for chemical mapping of sol–gel thin films containing lysozyme

Sol–gels are seeing widespread interest as suitable materials for the immobilization of biomolecules in applications ranging from optical coatings to specialty biocatalysts. Although there are numerous studies that have characterized these materials in terms of their macroscopic properties, few studies have examined and correlated these properties at the microscopic level. This study describes a spin-coating technique for the preparation of aluminum-supported sol–gel thin films containing immobilized lysozyme [E.C. 3.2.1.17] that are suitable for chemical mapping using FTIR microscopy operating in reflectance mode. This type of information can then be used to understand a variety of aspects of these materials which can be used for optimal engineering of these materials, as well as insightful design and modeling. A data analysis method was developed to extract information on chemical speciation and domain information on the materials from FTIR data matrices. Results from these studies indicated that, contrary to what might be expected, these sol–gels are not homogeneous on the microscopic level. Instead, they are heterogeneous in both the distribution of lysozyme and hydrophobic monomers at the scale investigated (20 μm resolution). The method described here has promise in terms of providing a non-invasive approach of chemically mapping concentrations of proteinaceous and related substances as well as chemical domains in situ in sol–gel thin films.