Synthesis and Properties of The Solid Solutions Formed in The Fe2V4O13–Cr2V4O13 System

DTA and XRD studies of the Fe₂V₄O₁₃–Cr₂V₄ O₁₃ system have shown that continuous solid solutions of a Fe_2–xCr_xV₄O₁₃ type, bearing a Fe₂ V₄ O₁₃ structure, are formed in the system. With the increasing degree of the Cr3+ ion incorporation into the Fe₂ V₄ O₁₃ structure, a contraction of the solid solution crystal lattice develops. Solid solutions of a Fe_2–x Cr_x V₄ O₁₃ type melt incongruently, their melting temperature increasing from 953 to 1003 K with increase in the degree of the Cr³⁺ ion incorporation. The solid product of melting Fe_2–x Cr_x V₄ O₁₃ solid solutions for 0.2<x >1.2 is the Fe_1–x Cr_x VO₄ solution phase, and for x ≤0.2 and x ≥1.4 – the Fe_1–x Cr_x VO₄ phase as well as FeVO₄ or CrVO₄ , respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Studies on redox H2–CO2 cycle on CoCrxFe2−xO4

Completely reduced CoCr_xFe_2?xO₄ can be used to decompose CO₂. It was found that for pure CoFe₂O₄ there is no FeO formation in the first step while there is formation in the second step. For CoCr_0.08Fe_2?0.08O₄, there is no FeO formed in all the oxidation process, because of effect of Cr³⁺. Pure CoFe₂O₄ was destroyed at the first reaction cycle of H₂ reduction and CO₂ oxidation, while doped Cr³⁺ spinel CoCr_0.08Fe_1.92O₄ showed good stability. The results from H₂-TG, CO₂-TG and XRD show that the addition of Cr³⁺ to CoFe₂O₄ can inhibit the increasing of crystallite size and the sintering of alloy. Most importantly, the CoCr_0.08Fe_1.92O₄ can be used to decompose CO₂ repeatedly, implying that it is a potential catalyst for dealing with the CO₂ as a ‘green house effect’ gas.     

Elimination of 4‐chlorophenol in aqueous solution by the Novel Pd/MIL‐101(Cr)‐Hydrogen‐Accelerated catalytic fenton system

Excessive consumption of Fe (II) and massive generation of sludge containing Fe (III) from classic Fenton process remains a major obstacle for its poor recycling of Fe (III) to Fe (II). Therefore, the MHACF‐MIL‐101(Cr) system, by introducing H₂, Pd⁰ and MIL‐101(Cr) into Fenton reaction system, was developed at normal temperature and pressure. In this system, the reduction of Fe^III back to Fe^II by solid catalyst Pd/MIL‐101(Cr) for the storage and activation of H₂, was accelerated significantly by above 10‐fold and 5‐fold controlled with the H₂‐MIL‐101(Cr) system and H₂‐Pd⁰ system, respectively. However, the concentration of Fe (II) generated by the reduction of Fe (III) could not be detected with the only input of H₂ and without the addition of MOFs material. In addition, the apparent consumption of Fe (II) in MHACF‐MIL‐101(Cr) system was half of that in classical Fenton system, while more Fe (II) might be reused infinitely in fact. Accordingly, only trace amount of Fe (II) vs H₂O₂ concentration was needed and hydroxyl radicals through the detection of para‐hydroxybenzoic acid (p‐HBA) as the oxidative product of benzoic acid (BA) by·OH could be continuously generated for the effective degradation of 4‐chlorophenol(4‐CP). The effects of initial pH, concentration of 4‐CP, dosage of Fe²⁺, H₂O₂ and Pd/MIL‐101(Cr) catalyst, Pd content and H₂ flow were investigated, combined with systematic controlled experiments. Moreover, the robustness and morphology change of Pd/MIL‐101(Cr) were thoroughly analyzed. This study enables better understanding of the H₂‐mediated Fenton reaction enhanced by Pd/MIL‐101(Cr) and thus, will shed new light on how to accelerate Fe (III)/Fe (II) redox cycle and develop more efficient Fenton system.     

Removal of Chromium Ions by Fe3O4‐containing Polypyrrole Matrix and Environmental Applications

In this work, the PPy/Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ composite was synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements (using a vibrating sample magnetometer). The adsorption performance of PPy/Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ composite for Cr(VI) ions was evaluated by UV irradiation. The effects of pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and the initial concentration on the adsorption performance of Cr(VI) onto PPy/Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) upon doped PPy/Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ is 85.30 mg/g at room temperature. The total adsorption process likely follows the Langmuir model and pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. Our study suggests that the PPy/Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ composite can be efficiently used for the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions.     

Enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye using Cr doped BaFe12O19 prepared via facile micro-emulsion route

The Cr ion doping effect on various properties of Cr doped BaCr_xFe_12-xO₁₉ nanoparticles was investigated, which were synthesized via a facile microemulsion approach and properties were studied using XRD, SEM, FTIR, Raman, photoluminescence and UV–visible techniques along with dielectric, optical and ferroelectric properties. The BaCr_xFe_12-xO₁₉ structure was hexagonal involving P63/mmc space group with average crystalline size of 9–18 nm. The NPs exhibited agglomerated platelet heterogeneous morphology. The presence of the Ba-O-Fe functional group was also confirmed by FTIR analysis. The PL analysis revealed that the doping reduced the recombination rate and charge (e^?-h⁺) separation is facilitated. The coercivity (H_c) and saturation polarization (Ps) increased with doping content and dielectric loss reduces with frequency and dopant concentration. The dopant contents also increased the AC conductivity and the optical bandgap found in 1.75–2.83 (eV) range. The BaCr_xFe_12-xO₁₉ exhibited a significantly higher photocatalytic efficiency versus BaFe₁₂O₁₉, and 91 % CV dye was degraded in 90 min under visible light irradiation. Additionally, a recycling experiment was conducted to confirm the stability of the prepared photocatalyst and Cr doped BaCr_xFe_12-xO₁₉ exhibited excellent stability and reusability. The Cr doping affected the dielectric, optical and ferroelectric properties and based on photocatalytic properties of BaCr_xFe_12-xO₁₉, it has potential applications for the destruction of dyes in wastewater under visible light exposure, which will make the process highly feasible for photocatalytic applications.     

Polymerization of aniline derivatives by K2Cr2O7 and production of Cr2O3 nanoparticles

Oxidative polymerization of aniline, anthranilic acid, and aniline‐co‐anthranilic acid by potassium dichromate Cr(VI) as an oxidant in acidic medium was investigated. In this study, the polymerization process of aniline, o‐anthranilic acid as well as aniline/o‐anthranlic acid using K₂Cr₂O₇ produced, coordinated Cr(III)/polyaniline (PANI), Cr(III)/polyanthranilic acid (PAA) and Cr(III)/poly aniline‐co‐anthranilic acid (PANAA). The mechanism of polymerization reaction in the presence of dichromate was hypothesized. The precursor chromium doped polymers were characterized by TGA, FT‐IR, UV‐visible, XRD analyses. Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles size were determined using TEM analysis. The calcinations process of synthesized chromium doped PANI, PAA and PANAA yields Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles 26%, 31%, and 34% wt. respectively. Rhombohedral phase of Cr₂O₃ particles in the range from 33 to 61 nm was produced from chromium/polyanthranilic acid (PAA) and chromium/poly(aniline‐co‐anthranilic acid) PANAA. UV‐ visible analysis showed that optical band gaps (E_g) of doped poly aniline and its derivatives are in the range from1.55 to 1.80 using Tacu's law. The band gap values reveal that the doped chromium emeraldine base can be used as semiconductor materials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Fe3O4‐doped sepiolite on the flammability and thermal degradation properties of epoxy composites

As‐received sepiolite/epoxy systems and Fe₃O₄‐doped sepiolite/epoxy systems were prepared, and the contents of sepiolite and Fe₃O₄‐doped sepiolite were kept as 2 and 4 wt%, respectively. Compared with sepiolite, the effect of Fe₃O₄‐doped sepiolite on the flame retardancy, combustion properties, thermal degradation, thermal degradation kinetics and thermomechanical properties of epoxy resin was investigated systematically by limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter (Cone), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Some interesting results had been acquired. The addition of sepiolite decreased heat release rate, total smoke production and smoke production rate, and obviously improved LOI values of epoxy composites. Compared with sepiolite, the addition of Fe₃O₄‐doped sepiolite further reduced parameters mentioned above of epoxy composites, and further enhanced LOI values and char residues after cone test. There might be a synergistic effect between sepiolite and Fe₃O₄ on flame retardant epoxy composite. TGA results indicated that the addition of sepiolite had a slight effect on the thermal degradation of epoxy composites; however, the addition of Fe₃O₄‐doped sepiolite accelerated the thermal degradation of epoxy composites. DMA results showed that the addition of both sepiolite and Fe₃O₄‐doped sepiolite increased the glass transition temperature (T_g) of epoxy composite. The results obtained in this paper supplied an effective solution for developing excellent flame retardant properties of polymeric materials. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancement of Fe3O4/Au Composite Nanoparticles Catalyst in Oxidative Degradation of Methyl Orange Based on Synergistic Effect

Enhancement of Fe₃O₄ /Au nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ /Au NPs ) catalyst was observed in the oxidative degradation of methyl orange by employing H₂O₂ as oxidant. To evaluate the catalytic activity of Fe₃O₄ /Au nanoparticles, different degradation conditions were investigated such as the amounts of catalyst, H₂O₂ concentration and pH value. Based on our data, methyl orange was degraded completely in a short time. The enhanced catalytic activity and increased oxidation rate constant may be ascribed to synergistic catalyst‐activated decomposition of H₂O₂ to •OH radical, which was one of the strong oxidizing species. Besides, Fe₃O₄ /Au nanoparticles have exhibited satisfying recycle performance for potential industrial application.     

Hydrogen Storage and Selective,Reversible O2 Adsorption in a Metal–Organic Framework with Open Chromium(II) Sites

A chromium(II)‐based metal–organic framework Cr₃[(Cr₄Cl)₃(BTT)₈]₂ (Cr‐BTT; BTT³⁻=1,3,5‐benzenetristetrazolate), featuring coordinatively unsaturated, redox‐active Cr²⁺ cation sites, was synthesized and investigated for potential applications in H₂ storage and O₂ production. Low‐pressure H₂ adsorption and neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal moderately strong Cr–H₂ interactions, in line with results from previously reported M‐BTT frameworks. Notably, gas adsorption measurements also reveal excellent O₂/N₂ selectivity with substantial O₂ reversibility at room temperature, based on selective electron transfer to form Cr^III superoxide moieties. Infrared spectroscopy and powder neutron diffraction experiments were used to confirm this mechanism of selective O₂ binding.     

Hydrogen Storage and Selective,Reversible O2 Adsorption in a Metal–Organic Framework with Open Chromium(II) Sites

A chromium(II)‐based metal–organic framework Cr₃[(Cr₄Cl)₃(BTT)₈]₂ (Cr‐BTT; BTT^3?=1,3,5‐benzenetristetrazolate), featuring coordinatively unsaturated, redox‐active Cr²⁺ cation sites, was synthesized and investigated for potential applications in H₂ storage and O₂ production. Low‐pressure H₂ adsorption and neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal moderately strong Cr–H₂ interactions, in line with results from previously reported M‐BTT frameworks. Notably, gas adsorption measurements also reveal excellent O₂/N₂ selectivity with substantial O₂ reversibility at room temperature, based on selective electron transfer to form Cr^III superoxide moieties. Infrared spectroscopy and powder neutron diffraction experiments were used to confirm this mechanism of selective O₂ binding.     

A novel spinel coating on cobalt‐based Superalloy GH605 via an in‐situ oxidation approach

Cr‐Mn‐O spinel coating was prepared on the surface of cobalt‐based superalloy GH605 via an in‐situ oxidation method in H₂O‐H₂ environment. The composition, morphology, and chemical value state of the oxide spinel coatings were investigated by SEM, EDS, XRD, Raman spectra, and XPS. It indicated that the morphology of coating varied with oxidation temperature, and granular surface appeared when oxidation temperature increased to 1100°C. The formed Cr‐Mn‐O spinel coating was composed of Cr₂O₃ and MnCr₂O₄, and the thickness increased significantly with oxidation temperature. In the coating, Cr element existed in the state of Cr³⁺ ions and Cr⁶⁺ ions, while Mn element only existed in the form of Mn²⁺ ions.     

New synthesis method for M(II) chromites/silica nanocomposites by thermal decomposition of some precursors formed inside the silica gels

In this article, we present a new method for the obtaining of ZnCr₂O₄ and MgCr₂O₄ embedded in silica matrix. This method consists in the formation of Cr(III), Zn(II) and Cr(III), Mg(II) hydroxycarboxylate/carboxylate compounds, during the redox reaction between the nitrate ion and diol (1,3-propanediol), uniformly dispersed in the pores of hybrid gels. The thermal decomposition of these precursors leads to a mixture of corresponding metal oxides. The gels were synthesized starting from mixtures of Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with tetraethyl orthosilicate and 1,3-propanediol for final compositions 50% ZnCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂ and 50% MgCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂. The obtained gels have been thermally treated at 140?°C, when the redox reaction nitrates-diol took place with formation of the precursors within the xerogels pores. The thermal decomposition of all precursors took place up to 300?°C, with formation of oxides mixtures (Cr₂O_3?+?x and ZnO) and (Cr₂O_3?+?x and MgO), respectively. At 400?°C, Cr₂O_3?+?x turn to Cr₂O₃ which reacts with ZnO forming ZnCr₂O₄/SiO₂. Starting with 400?°C, Cr₂O₃ reacts with MgO to an intermediary phase MgCrO₄, which decomposes with the formation of MgCr₂O₄/SiO₂. The formation of the precursors inside the silica matrix and the evolution of the crystalline phases were studied by thermal analysis, FT-IR spectrometry, XRD, and TEM.     

Preparation of monodispersed polystyrene microspheres uniformly coated by magnetite via heterogeneous polymerization

Composite microspheres of core-shell type were prepared by a seeded polymerization using monodispersed polystyrene seed latex (Ps) combined with an in situ dispersion of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) fine particles. The heterogeneous polymerization was carried out in aqueous dispersions of the Fe₃O₄ particles modified with sodium oleate. All the synthetic processes were carried out in a wet state to avoid serious agglomeration. The morphology of the composite particle and the size distribution were examined to discuss the effects on the polymerization parameters, such as monomer concentration, type and concentration of an initiator, magnetite particle concentration and the method of surface modification of Fe₃O₄.     

Preparation of FeS/iron oxide composite and flax stem‐based porous carbon and its Cr(VI) removal ability

Using flax stem and ferrous sulfate, a composite porous carbon material was prepared by means of high‐temperature roasting and a one‐step process in a muffle furnace. The samples were characterized using X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the effects of ferrous sulfate concentration, carbonization temperature, and pH values of Cr(VI) aqueous solution on the removal performance of Cr(VI) were studied. XRD and SEM analysis showed that the prepared samples were amorphous porous carbon loaded with FeS/Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄. High FeSO₄ impregnation concentration, high carbonization temperature, and a low pH value of Cr(VI) aqueous solution were beneficial for Cr(VI) removal. When pH = 2, the amount of Cr(VI) removal was 99.93 mg/g by the sample obtained from 1 g flax powder impregnated in 4.5 mmol FeSO₄/40 mL H₂O solution and calcined for 2 hr at 800°C.     

Consequence of doping mediated strain and the activation energy on the structural and optical properties of ZnO:Cr nanoparticles

We report on the sol-gel synthesis of Zn_1−xCr_xO (x=0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were characterized by using thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman and Photoluminescence (PL). Electronegativity of Cr ions (Cr³⁺) reduces the final decomposition temperature by 40 °C and activation energy of the reaction when Cr is doped into ZnO. Doping of higher Cr concentration (x≥0.10) into ZnO shows formation of secondary spinel (ZnCr₂O₄) phase along with the hexagonal (ZnO) and is revealed by XRD. Formation of secondary phase changes the activation energy of the reaction and thus the strain in ZnO lattice. In Raman spectra, additional Raman modes have been observed for Zn_1−xCr_xO nanoparticles, which can be assigned to the modes generated due to Cr doping. The Cr doping into ZnO is also supported by PL, in which vacancies are formed with Cr ion incorporation and emission band shifts towards higher wavelength.     

Thermodynamic Stability of Transition‐Metal‐Substituted LiMn2−xMxO4 (M=Cr,Fe, Co,and Ni) Spinels

The formation enthalpies from binary oxides of LiMn₂O₄, LiMn_2?xCr_xO₄ (x=0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1), LiMn_2?xFe_xO₄ (x=0.25 and 0.5), LiMn_2?xCo_xO₄ (x=0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) and LiMn_1.75Ni_0.25O₄ at 25 °C were measured by high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry and were found to be strongly exothermic. Increasing the Cr, Co, and Ni content leads to more thermodynamically stable spinels, but increasing the Fe content does not significantly affect the stability. The formation enthalpies from oxides of the fully substituted spinels, LiMnMO₄ (M=Cr, Fe and Co), become more exothermic (implying increasing stability) with decreasing ionic radius of the metal and lattice parameters of the spinel. The trend in enthalpy versus metal content is roughly linear, suggesting a close‐to‐zero heat of mixing in LiMn₂O₄—LiMnMO₄ solid solutions. These data confirm that transition‐metal doping is beneficial for stabilizing these potential cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries.     

Chemical Oxidative Degradation of Acridine Orange Dye in Aqueous Solution by Fenton's Reagent

Degradation of acridine orange (AO) in aqueous solution by Fenton's reagent (Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂) was investigated. The effects of different reaction parameters such as initial AO concentration, pH value of solution, ferrous concentration, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and the presence of chloride ion on the oxidative degradation of AO were investigated. Under optimum conditions, 2 mM H₂O₂, 0.4 mM Fe²⁺ and pH 3.0, the initial 0.2 mM AO solution was reduced by 95.8% within 10 min. The primary intermediates of the degradation reaction of AO were identified. The analytical results indicated that the N‐de‐methylation degradation of AO dye took place in a stepwise manner to yield mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and tetra‐N‐de‐methylated AO species generated during the Fenton process. The probable degradation pathways were proposed and discussed.     

The influence of substituting metals (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co and Ni) on the thermal stability of magnetite

In this paper, a systematic study on the influence of substituting metals on the thermal stability of magnetite was carried out. Six series of substituted magnetite (Fe_3?x M _x O₄, M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co and Ni) and Ti–V co-doped magnetite were prepared by a precipitation-oxidation method, followed by the characterization of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analyses. XRD patterns confirmed the formation of samples with spinel structure and XANES probed the valence and site occupancy of the substituting ions. From the TG-DSC analysis results, the substitution of Ti⁴⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ stabilizes the magnetite structure, while V³⁺ and Cr³⁺ do not show such an effect. For the thermal stability of maghemite, V³⁺ has a negative effect while the other studied ions show a positive effect. In Ti–V co-doped magnetites, the influence of Ti⁴⁺ and V³⁺ on the thermal stability of magnetite is similar to the case of their single-metal-substituted magnetites. The mechanism about the thermal stability change of magnetite by metal substitution was also discussed. The obtained results will be of high importance for the industrial applications of magnetite.     

Highly efficient and green oxidation of alkanes and alkylaromatics with hydrogen peroxide catalysed by silver and vanadyl on mesoporous silica‐coated magnetite

A heterogeneous catalyst (FeSi/Ag/VO) based on silver and vanadyl as active sites and mesoporous silica‐coated nanospheres of magnetite (Fe₃O₄@m‐SiO₂) as support was successfully prepared by deposition of Ag nanoparticles and the covalent grafting of vanadyl(IV) acetylacetonate on Fe₃O₄@m‐SiO₂. The catalyst exhibited excellent activity for the oxidation of alkanes, benzene and alkylaromatics using green oxidant H₂O₂ and oxalic acid in acetonitrile at 60 °C.     

Mössbauer study of films produced by laser deposition of iron oxides

Iron oxides, magnetite Fe₃O₄ and hematite Fe₂O₃ were laser-deposited onto Al substrates at various temperatures, and the Mössbauer spectra of the films were measured. The compositions of the films changed depending on the formation temperature of the substrate, oxide deficiency in the lattice structures and the formation process of the iron oxides. The films were composed of Fe_3?x O₄ and Fe_1?x O independent of the laser-evaporation source (magnetite or hematite). Fe_3?x O₄ was seen to be dominant at higher temperatures and Fe_1?x O was dominant at lower temperatures. The compositions of the films were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and the surfaces of the deposited films were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).