Effect of BaTiO3 on the aging process of PLA fibers obtained by centrifugal spinning

This study focused on the fabrication of a composite of polylactic acid fibers reinforced with barium titanate (BT) and obtained by centrifugal spinning. Different concentrations of inorganic powder (5, 10, and 15 wt%) have been added to the polymeric solution and the samples have been studied to monitor any modification in chemical, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties. Subsequently, samples have been subjected to UV/O₃ irradiation at two different times (5 and 10 min) with the aim to verify the resistance to aging, which is considered a key factor for medical applications and outdoor. The presence of BT influenced strongly the structure of the fibers in many aspects. Samples with the lowest amount of BT showed a clear decrease of chemical and consequently of mechanical properties manifested with the breakage of the fibers subjected to treatment. The other composites apparently showed similar chemical properties comparing with the one without fillers but the mechanical properties clearly decreased. However, what emerged from the study is a clear stability during the aging tests promoted by the presence of BT. The samples with 10 and 15 wt% of BT presented chemical, thermal, and mechanical stabilities differently from the other samples. These results suggested that the fillers clearly modified the degree of crystallinity acting as nucleation agents and promoting the development of a stable crystalline phase during the treatment.     

Influence of pH on the degradation 4-chlorophenol by gamma radiocatalysis using SiO2, Al2O3 and TiO2

Advanced oxidation process is a technology used in detoxification of residual water containing organic pollutants in small and medium scales. Radiocatalysis is a process that combines photocatalysis and radiolysis. An important experimental parameter in radiocatalysis is the pH because it influences the electrochemical system by modifying the electric charge on the surface of materials. This effect was investigated in the radiocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol using titanium, silicium, and aluminum oxides. It was found that the degradation of 4-chlorophenol is enhanced at pH between 3 and 7.     

Insight into industrial PLA aging process by complementary use of rheology,HPLC, and MALDI

Nowadays, there is a growing availability of biodegradable industrial materials intended to food contact applications whose service life behavior needs to be further investigated. This article is focused on the degradation of two materials based on polylactic acid. The correlation between the rate of degradation and the amount of trapped degradation products was investigated applying three characterization techniques in parallel, namely rheology, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). The rate of degradation was studied through the evaluation of their rheological properties and calculation of the number of average molecular weights, and weight‐average molecular weights. Water‐soluble oligomers and lactic acid were quantified by HPLC‐ultraviolet. Changes in cyclic and linear oligomers were monitored by MALDI‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Specimens of 4‐mm thickness of each biopolymer were subjected to hydrolysis in deionized water up to 6 months at two temperatures, simulating service conditions of food packaging. The diminution in viscosity and consequently in molecular weight distribution (20–60%) showed the degradation of the molecular structure of both polylactic acids. The chain scission was followed through the increasing values of lactic acid and hydrolyzed oligomers (twofold to eightfold), and the predominant signal of the linear oligomers over the cyclic ones with aging. Rheology, HPLC, and MALDI showed to be complementary tools to better understand the changes in the molecular structure. The obtained results showed the necessity of adding suitable stabilizers for each particular food packaging application. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of polytitanosiloxanes and their transformation to SiO2–TiO2 ceramic fibers

A one-pot synthesis of polytitanosiloxanes (PTS) and its transformation to SiO₂–TiO₂ ceramic fibers were investigated. PTS was prepared by the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane followed by the reaction with bis(2,4-pentanedionato)titanium diisopropoxide in methanol in 33–95 SiO₂ mol %. PTS was considered to be a ladder- or sheet-type polymer consisting of Si? O? Si and Si? O? Ti linkages as a main chain with pendant hydroxyl and 2,4-pentanedionato groups. SiO–TiO ceramic fibers were prepared by the pyrolysis of SiO₂–TiO₂ precursor fibers, which were prepared by the dry spinning of PTS followed by steam treatment. The tensile strength was 610 MPa for the SiO₂–TiO₂ fibers (SiO₂/TiO₂ = 20) after the pyrolysis at 700₀C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Montmorillonite intercalated with SiO2, SiO2-Al2O3 or SiO2-TiO2 pillars by surfactant-directed method as catalytic supports for DeNOx process

The intercalation of natural montmorillonite with SiO₂, SiO₂-Al₂O₃ or SiO₂-TiO₂ pillars by the surfactant-directed method resulted in the formation of high surface area porous materials; these were tested as catalytic supports for the process of selective catalytic reduction of NO (DeNOx). The incorporation of titanium or aluminium into the structure of the silica pillars significantly increased the surface acidity of the clay samples. Iron and copper were deposited onto the surface of the pillared clays mainly in the form of monomeric isolated cations and oligomeric metal oxide species. The contribution of the latter species was higher in the clay intercalated with SiO₂-TiO₂ pillars than in the samples modified with SiO₂ and SiO₂-Al₂O₃ pillars. The pillared clay-based catalysts were active in the DeNOx process but, in this group, the best results were obtained for the clay intercalated with SiO₂-TiO₂ pillars and doped with iron and copper. The catalytic performance of the samples is discussed in respect of their surface acidity and active forms of transition metal species deposited.     

Preparation of spherical,mixed SiO2/TiO2 particles by the sol technique

Preparation of silica, titania and mixed silica/titania particles has been studied. The region for formation of monodisperse SiO₂ particles in the phase diagram tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)-ethanol-H₂O was studied as a function of NH₃ concentration at room temperature. Titania particles could be prepared at lowered temperatures and concentration of ammonia up to 0.01 M. The size of SiO₂ particles was 0.03–1 m whereas TiO₂ particles were size range 0.5–0.8 m. Mixed SiO₂/TiO₂ particles were prepared from prehydrolyzed TEOS/EtOH solutions by adding tetraethyl orthotitanate (TEOT). This was accomplished at 3°C and slightly alkaline solutions. The final particle size of the mixed particles was about 0.3 m.     

SiO2-TiO2 membranes by the sol-gel process

The use of membranes for gas separation represents an important alternative from the viewpoint of energy conservation in industrial separation processes. Polymeric Si-Ti sols prepared from titanium isopropoxide (Ti(OPrⁱ)₄) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) were used to deposit membranes on α-Al₂O₃ supports. Acetylacetone (2,4 pentanedione, acacH) and isoeugenol (2-methoxy-4-propenylphenol, isoH) were employed separately to chelate the Ti precursor in order to slow down the chemical reactivity, avoiding precipitation. The radial distribution functions (RDF) of the gels aging at room temperature were obtained. The xerogels were studied by Thermal Gravimetric (TGA) and Differential Thermal (DTA) Analysis in air. The Microporosity of the solids calcined at 773 K was determined by N₂-adsorption at 77 K. The membrane thickness was determined from SEM photographs. Preliminary permeance results of the supported membranes on commercial alumina support were obtained for He, N₂ and CO₂ in a single gas equipment. At 773 K the separation factors α(He/CO₂) and α(N₂/CO₂) for both membranes exceeds the theoretical Knudsen limit.     

Dye,fluorophores and pigment coloration of nanofibers produced by electrospinning

Polymeric nanofibers produced by the electrospinning technique are widely used in industrial scale production. Nanofibers chiefly find applications in filtration media and active–barrier surfaces for medical, biological, and military applications. In such applications, the quantity and the uniformity of the nanofibers distribution play a leading role in the product characteristics. For this reason, there is considerable interest regarding the nanofibers recovering quantification and simplification of the qualitative analysis. With the aim to improve and simplify the nanofibers relevability, a coloration approach for nanofibers has been designed and tested. The coloration has been carried out by organic dyes, pigments, and organic fluorophores and the consequent nanofibers' color has been analyzed by optical analysis, colorimetry, and spectroscopy. The coloration obtained by different dyes has been compared and their effect on the nanofibers relevability has been investigated. Moreover, the leading role of the light scattering phenomenon on the nanofiber coloration efficacy has been investigated by comparing the coloration response of nanofibers and film samples on equal terms of dye content. The study has been carried out using polyamide‐6 (PA6) as the testing polymer but the recovering quantification, the coloration approach, and the interaction between light and nanofibers can be extended to all the electrospinnable polymers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

利用胶体碳球为模板制备SiO2、TiO2、SnO2空心球

介观尺度的氧化物空心球材料在许多领域都有着潜在的应用价值[1],因此近年来受到人们的广泛关注。其制备方法包括:模板法[2],声化学法[3],水热法[4]等。其中胶体粒子模板合成是制备氧化物空心球材料的一条最为有效的途径。常见的胶体粒子有金、银、CdS的纳米粒子,介观尺度的SiO     

Photocatalytic characteristics of TiO2 supported on SiO2

The photocatalytic decomposition of acetaldehyde was carried out on TiO₂/SiO₂. The presence of a support (SiO₂) in TiO₂/SiO₂ helped to promote the efficiency of the photocatalyst. The silica support enhanced the effective surface area of TiO₂ and adsorption of acetaldehyde on TiO₂/SiO₂. TiO₂/SiO₂ synthesized from Ti(SO₄)₂ showed promoting effect on acetaldehyde decomposition. The XPS results revealed that TiO₂/SiO₂ prepared with Ti(SO₄)₂ generated SO ₄ ^2? sites on the TiO₂ surface. The increased acidity could promote the adsorption of acetaldehyde and photocatalytic degradation of acetaldehyde. The sulfate ion seemed to generate the bifunctional sites (acid sites and photoactive sites) and promoted the acetaldehyde decomposition on TiO₂/SiO₂.     

Simulation of nanofibrous filters produced by the electrospinning method: 2. The effect of gas slip on the pressure drop

The dependence of pressure drop in a model filter on the distance between pairs of fibers, interfiber distances in the pairs, and the orientation of the pairs of fibers relative to flow direction is calculated with allowance for the effect of gas slip along the surface of doubled nanofibers. An isolated row of doubled parallel fibers oriented normal to the flow is selected as a model filter. Flow fields in the row of the fibers and drag forces acting upon them are calculated by the Stokes equations, which are solved by the numerical method of fundamental solutions. For pairs of fibers lying in the same plane in a row, the results of the numerical calculations agree with the analytical solution.     

Fe3+-TiO2/SiO2薄膜催化剂的结构对其光催化性能影响

以硅胶为载体,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了掺杂不同量Fe3+的TiO2光催化剂(Fe3+-TiO2/SiO2),以氙灯为光源,罗丹明B为目标降解物,对其光催化活性进行了研究.结果表明,Fe3+-TiO2/SiO2比TiO2纳米粉有更好的催化活性,Fe3+的最佳掺入量为0.03％.罗丹明B在粉体和膜催化剂的作用下遵循不同的光催化反应机理.根据XRD,SEM,Raman,XPS和FTIR的表征结果可认为,TiO2在SIO2表面薄膜化和Ti-O-Si键的形成是催化活性提高和降解机理不同的主要原因.     

Synthesis and properties of ZnO nanofibers prepared by electrospinning

ZnO nanofibers were prepared from zinc acetate/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by electrospun method. The morphological features, crystallinity, mechanical and optical properties of the ZnO nanofibers were studied. The results show the specific surface area of the ZnO nanofibers was influenced by the electrospun conditions. The specific surface area reached 389.7 m²g⁻¹ as the average diameter was 232 nm. The XRD date reveals the nanofibers consist of a single phase of well-crystallized ZnO with hexagonal structure. The elastic modulus of a single ZnO nanofiber was also characterized by nano-scale three-point bending test.     

ZnO纳米纤维的静电纺丝及其光催化性能的研究

以聚乙烯醇溶液为络合剂与醋酸锌反应制得前驱体溶液,采用静电纺丝法制备PVA/Zn(Ac)2复合纳米纤维,经过高温煅烧得到直径为100 nm的ZnO纳米纤维,采用差热-热重分析、红外光谱分析、X射线粉末衍射分析及扫描电镜等手段对其进行了表征.光催化降解酸性品红溶液的实验结果表明,太阳光照65 min使质量浓度为45 mg/L酸性品红水溶液的脱色率达93%;另外,重复使用ZnO纳米纤维4次之后,其光催化降解率仍能达到70%以上.这充分说明ZnO纳米纤维具有良好的光催化性能.     

TiO2/SiO2气凝胶对吡啶的光催化降解

TiO2/SiO2气凝胶对吡啶的光催化降解;吡啶     

Synthesis and formation mechanism of TiO2/Al2O3 nanobelts by electrospinning

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)/[Ti(SO₄)₂ + Al(NO₃)₃] composite nanobelts were prepared via electrospinning technology, and TiO₂/Al₂O₃ nanobelts were fabricated by calcination of the prepared composite nanobelts. The samples were characterized by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD results show that the composite nanobelts were amorphous in structure, and pure phase TiO₂/Al₂O₃ nanobelts were obtained by calcination of the relevant composite nanobelts at 950°C for 8 h. SEM analysis indicates that the surface of as-prepared composite nanobelts was smooth, the widths of the composite fibers were in narrow range, and the mean width was ca. 8.9 ± 2.1 μm, thickness was about 255 nm, and there is no cross-linking among nanobelts. The width of TiO₂/Al₂O₃ nanobelts was ca. 1.3 ± 0.1 μm and the thickness was about 105 nm. TG-DTA analysis reveals that the N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), organic compounds and inorganic salts in the composite nanobelts were decomposed and volatilized totally, and the weight of the sample kept constant when sintering temperature was above 900°C, and the total weight loss percentage was 81%. FTIR analysis manifests that crystalline TiO₂/Al₂O₃ nanobelts were formed at 950°C. The possible formation mechanism of the TiO₂/Al₂O₃ nanobelts was preliminarily discussed.     

Photoactive Thin-Film Structures of Curcumin,TiO2 and ZnO

Curcumin is known as a biologically active compound and a possible antimicrobial agent. Here, we combine it with TiO₂ and ZnO semiconductors, known for their photocatalytic properties, with an eye towards synergistic photo-harvesting and/or antimicrobial effects. We deposit different nanoscale multi-layer structures of curcumin, TiO₂ and ZnO, by combining the solution-based spin-coating (S-C) technique and the gas-phase atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) thin-film techniques. As one of the highlights, we demonstrate for these multi-layer structures a red-shift in the absorbance maximum and an expansion of the absorbance edge as far as the longest visible wavelength region, which activates them for the visible light harvesting. The novel fabrication approaches introduced here should be compatible with, e.g., textile substrates, opening up new horizons for novel applications such as new types of protective masks with thin conformal antimicrobial coatings.     

TiO2和ZnO表面CO光催化氧化活性研究

在TiO2和ZnO表面CO光催化氧化研究中发现,365 nm紫外光照下TiO2表面无活性,而ZnO表面却有明显的CO光催化氧化活性.研究表明,主要是由于紫外光照下,ZnO光分解而TiO2没有光分解,从而在表面产生不同吸附形态的氧所致.而且,ZnO表面CO光催化氧化反应活性可在27 h内保持稳定,暗示气相光催化反应中,ZnO不会因为光腐蚀而使其催化活性降低.     

Preparation of CeO(2)-ZrO(2) ceramic fibers by electrospinning

Electrospinning was employed to fabricate polymer-ceramic composite fibers from solutions containing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), Ce(NO(3))(3) x 6H(2)O and ZrOCl(2) x 8H(2)O. Upon firing the composite fibers at 1000 degrees C, Ce(0.67)Zr(0.33)O(2) fibers with diameters ranging from 0.4 to 2 microm were synthesized. These fibers exhibit strong resistance to sintering. They still have specific surface area around 11.8 m(2)/g after being heated at 1000 degrees C for 6 h.     

Synthesis of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles

We report on the synthesis of ZnO and TiO₂ nanoparticles by solution-phase methods, with a particular focus on the influence of experimental parameters on the kinetics of nucleation and coarsening. The nucleation rate of ZnO from the reaction between ZnCl₂ and NaOH in ethanol was found to increase with increasing precursor concentration, while the coarsening rate is independent of precursor concentration up to a threshold concentration. The nucleation rate of ZnO from Zn(OOC-CH₃)₂ and NaOH in n-alkanols was found to decrease with decreasing chain length, which is explained by the increase of the dielectric constant of the solvent. Due to the larger solubility of ZnO, nucleation is significantly slower than that observed in the case of TiO₂. TiO₂ nanoparticles coarsen according to the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner model for Ostwald ripening. We also show that using amorphous titania as a base material, pure anatase and brookite nanoparticles can be synthesized.