Influence of the particle-size reduction by ultrasound treatment on the dehydroxylation process of kaolinites

Kaolinites from well-known sources (KGa-1 and KGa-2) were used to study the influence of the particle-size reduction on the dehydroxylation process. Size reduction of particles was obtained by ultrasound treatment to avoid the effect of the progressive amorphization of the structure, which takes place with the traditional grinding treatment.The particle-size reduction causes an increase of the mass loss between 140 and 390°C attributed to the loss of the hydroxyl groups exposed on the external surface of kaolinite; a shift to lower temperatures of the endothermic effect related with the mass loss between 390 and 600°C and a shift of the end of dehydroxylation to lower temperatures. The first modification can be explained by an increase of the number of hydroxyls exposed on the external surface of kaolinite which is proportional to the new surface generated in the particle reduction process, whereas the shift of the dehydroxylation to lower temperatures is related to the reduction of the dimensions of the particles which favour the diffusion controlled mechanisms.Comparing between the DTA curves to the TG curves of the studied samples shows that the observed modifications in the thermal properties induced by the particle-size reduction are greater for the low-defect kaolinite. The intensity of these modifications depends on the effectiveness of the ultrasound treatment.The authors are grateful to S. Yariv, I. Lapides and S. Shoval for carefully reviewing this paper and making helpful comments. This research has been supported by Research Project MAT 2002-03774 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology and Research Groups FQM-187 and RNM-0199 of the Junta de Andalucia.     

The colloidal stability of raw bentonite deformed mechanically by ultrasound

The present study examined the effect of sonication time on the particle–size and the colloidal stability (i.e. point of zero charge, PZC and zeta potential, ζ) of raw bentonite (RB) from Saudi Arabia. In this study, bentonite suspensions were sonicated for various time intervals (30, 60 and 120 min). The effect of sonication time on specific surface area and the colloidal stability behavior of bentonite at various pH and in presence of different NaCl concentration were investigated. The increased in lightness and brightness of bentonite suspension was observed during sonication experiment which could be attributed to the reduction in the particles size.With increasing sonication time the specific surface area increased and consequently the zeta potential of bentonite suspension increased. Also a shifting in the PZC from pH 3 for raw bentonite to pH 2 after 120 min of sonication.The zeta potential of sonicated bentonite suspension in presence of different concentration of NaCl shows unusual trend compared to the unsonicated bentonite. In conclusion, the stability of raw bentonite suspension was significantly modified due the application of ultrasound with rending the particle-size of the bentonite.     

Sequestered carbon on clay mineral probed by electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

This paper describes the interaction among soil organic matter components with kaolinite, an important clay mineral present in tropical soils, especially in Brazil. XPS data show that the soil organic matter adsorbed on kaolinite has aromatic and aliphatic structures, with phenolic and/or alcoholic functions and carbonyl carbons (CO) of amide and/or carboxylic groups. The N1s spectrum of the kaolinite shows an asymmetric peak that is assigned to amide and protonated ammines probably from humin. The interaction between them is strong enough to resist chemical oxidative or reductive attack besides loose amide functionalities. EPR data show that reductive treatment reduces some Fe3+ of the kaolinite structure, loosing organic components. A schematic representation of the reduction of structural Fe3+ in the concentrated domains and consequently increased concentration of Fe3+ ions in diluted domains of the spectrum is presented. This reinforces the hypothesis that humin is a stable carbon sink in soils when adsorbed to clays.     

Modification of the thermal dehydroxylation of antigorite by ultrasound treatment

Summary The differences on the thermal behaviour (DTG-DTA) of antigorite sample measured before and after sonication have been studied. Sonication treatment produces negligible changes in the structure of the material but substantial textural modifications. These modifications produce changes in the thermal behaviour of antigorite sample. Thus, it has been observed a decrease in the dehydroxylation temperature as measured by DTG and DTA effects. For sonication treatments longer than 20 h, two new effects of dehydroxylation are observed, the intensity of these two new effects increases with the sonication time showing a modification in the release of structural OH. It has been also observed that the formation of forsterite takes place simultaneously with the dehydroxylation of the antigorite. The high temperature exothermic effect is due to the recrystallization of forsterite and not to the formation of forsterite as traditionally assumed. Modifications in the thermal dehydroxylation of antigorite observed in this study are related to the pronounced decrease in particle size obtained by sonication.     

Effect of sonication on the particle size of montmorillonite clays

This paper reports on the effect of sonication on SAz-1 and SWy-1 montmorillonite suspensions. Changes in the size of the particles of these materials and modifications of their properties have been investigated. The variation of the particle size has been analyzed by DLS (dynamic light scattering). In all cases the clay particles show a bimodal distribution. Sonication resulted in a decrease of the larger modal diameter, as well as a reduction of its volume percentage. Simultaneously, the proportion of the smallest particles increases. After 60 min of sonication, SAz-1 presented a very broad particle size distribution with a modal diameter of 283 nm. On the other hand, the SWy-1 sonicated for 60 min presents a bimodal distribution of particles at 140 and 454 nm. Changes in the properties of the clay suspensions due to sonication were evaluated spectroscopically from dye-clay interactions, using Methylene Blue. The acidic sites present in the interlamellar region, which are responsible for dye protonation, disappeared after sonication of the clay. The changes in the size of the scattering particles and the lack of acidic sites after sonication suggest that sonication induces delamination of the clay particles.     

Radiation-induced precipitation of nickel ion in aqueous solution saturated with hydrogen gas

Ni²⁺ ion is proved to precipitate in a solution saturated with H₂ by the aid of ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation. The amount of Ni precipitated increases in proportion to the total dose, where the G(Ni) is accounted for as 0.29. A log–log plot has revealed that precipitation increases linearly with dose rate under less than 1 kGy/h, followed by a subsequent levelling off. In regard to the effect of initial [Ni²⁺], the increase in [Ni²⁺] has incurred a reduction of precipitation rate of Ni.     

Effect of structural stress on the intercalation rate of kaolinite

Particle size in kaolinite intercalation showed an inverse reactivity trend compared with most chemical reactions: finer particles had lower reactivity and some of the fine particles cannot be intercalated. Although this phenomenon was noted in the early 1960s and several hypotheses have been reported, there is no widely accepted theory about the unusual particle size response in the intercalation. We propose that structural stress is a controlling factor in the intercalation and the stress contributes to the higher reactivity of the coarser particles. In this study, we checked the structural deformation spectroscopically and indirectly proved the structural stress hypothesis. A Georgia kaolinite was separated into nine size fractions and their intercalations by hydrazine monohydrate and potassium acetate were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. The apical Si-O band of kaolinite at 1115 cm(-1) shifted to 1124 cm(-1) when the mineral was intercalated to 1.03 nm by hydrazine monohydrate, and its strong pleochroic properties became much weaker. Similar reduction in pleochroism was observed on the surface OH bands of kaolinite after intercalation. Both the bending vibrations of the inner OH group at 914 cm(-1) and of the surface OH group at 937 cm(-1) shifted to 903 cm(-1) after intercalation by hydrazine. A new band for the inner OH group appeared at 3611 cm(-1) during the deintercalation of the 1.03 nm hydrazine kaolinite complex. Pleochroism change in the apical Si-O band suggested the tetrahedra had increased tilt with respect to the (001) plane. The tilt of the Si-O apical bond could occur only if the octahedra had also undergone structural rearrangement during intercalation. These changes in the octahedral and tetrahedral sheets represent some change in the manner of compensation for the structural misfit of the tetrahedral sheet and octahedral sheet. As the lateral dimensions of a kaolinite particle increases, the cumulative degree of misfit increases. Intercalation breaks the hydrogen bonds between layers and allows for the structure to reduce the accumulated stress in some other manner. The reversed size effect on intercalation probably was not caused by crystallinity differences as reported in the literature, because the Hinckley and Lietard crystallinity indices of the four clay fractions were very close to each other. Impurities, such as dickite- or nacrite-like phases are not significant in the studied sample as suggested by the XRD and IR results, they are not the main reasons for the lower reactivity of the finer particles.     

A DRIFT spectroscopic study of potassium acetate intercalated mechanochemically activated kaolinite

Kaolinite has been mechanochemically activated by dry grinding for periods of time up to 10 h. The kaolinite was then intercalated with potassium acetate and the changes in the structure followed by DRIFT spectroscopy. Intercalation of the kaolinite with potassium acetate is difficult and only the layers, which remain hydrogen bonded, are intercalated. The mechanochemical activation of the kaolinite may be followed by the loss of intensity of the hydroxyl-stretching vibrations. The intensity of the 3695 and 3619 cm(-1) bands reach a minimum after 10 h of grinding. The observation of a band at 3602 cm(-1) is indicative of the intercalation of the kaolinite with potassium acetate. The degree of intercalation decreases with mechanochemical treatment. The effect of exposure of the intercalated mechanochemically activated kaolinite to moist air results in de-intercalation. The effect of the mechanochemical treatment is loss of layer stacking, which prevents the intercalation of the kaolinite.     

Polytype Transformations in the SO42– Containing Layered Double Hydroxides of Zinc with Aluminum and Chromium: The Metal Hydroxide Layer as a Structural Synthon

Solid–solid inter‐polytype transformations are observed during the thermal dehydration of sulfate‐containing layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The metal hydroxide layer behaves as a “structural synthon” and the interconversion of polytypes of rhombohedral and hexagonal symmetries takes place by rigid translations of successive layers by (± 1/3, ± 2/3) relative to one another in the ab plane. These translations are selected among the many possible, as they preserve the coincidence of the symmetry elements of the individual layers and thereby conserve the threefold symmetry of the crystal across the inter‐polytype conversions. As a result, these transformations are enthalpically not expensive. These translations are facilitated at near ambient temperatures (30–60 °C) by the reversible dehydration of the LDH, which involves the deinsertion/insertion of water molecules within the restricted space of the interlayer region.     

聚氧化乙烯/高岭石聚合物电解质的制备与表征

通过尿素对高岭石的插层及随后的超声脱除处理,制备了一种片层剥离的高岭石粉体,并将这种剥离高岭石与聚氧化乙烯/高氯酸锂(PEO/LiClO_4)体系复合,制备出PEO/高岭石复合物.采用X射线衍射仪、红外光谱仪、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、扫描量热仪、电化学工作站和万能材料试验机进行结构表征和性能测试.结果表明,尿素在高岭石层间的插层和脱除引起了高岭石片层的剥离,片层厚度小于50 nm.剥离高岭石在PEO/LiClO_4体系中与PEO形成了强烈的氢键作用,促进了PEO结晶度的降低,进而提高复合物的离子电导率.含有20 wt%剥离高岭石填料的PEO/高岭石复合物的离子电导率达到6.0×10~(-5) S/cm,与未复合的PEO/LiClO_4相比,提高了一个数量级.复合物制备过程中的烘干温度对PEO的结晶度会产生一定的影响,95°C下的烘干处理能得到结晶度较低,离子电导率较高的复合物.此外,剥离高岭石的添加显著提高了聚合物的杨氏模量和拉伸强度,与未复合的PEO/LiClO_4相比,杨氏模量和拉伸强度最大提高了256%和121%.     

Diazonium salts: Stable monolayers on gold electrodes for sensing applications

The modification of gold electrodes with 4-carboxyphenyl diazonium salts to form stable layers for sensing applications is reported. Electrochemical reduction of 4-carboxyphenyl diazonium salts on gold electrodes yielded more stable layers than alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers in terms of extremes of electrode potential, sonication and with time. The application of the 4-carboxyphenyl modified electrodes for electrochemical sensing, which typically requires short chain alkanethiols on gold electrodes, is demonstrated via the covalent attachment of oligopeptides for the selective detection of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The diazonium salt/peptide modified gold electrodes not only had greater stability but also performed with lowest detected concentration to alkanethiol/peptide modified electrodes and with far greater sensitivity than the metal ion sensors when diazonium salt/peptide modified similar glassy carbon electrodes were employed.     

制备条件对MXene形貌、 结构与电化学性能的影响

以Ti₃AlC₂为原料, 采用LiF+HCl一步刻蚀-插层制备Ti₃C₂T_x, 进一步通过超声处理得到单层或少层的MXene. 利用X射线衍射(XRD)、 X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、 透射电子显微镜(TEM)和电化学测试对样品的结构、 形貌和电化学性能进行了研究. 通过改变刻蚀剂的比例及超声剥离时间, 研究了不同刻蚀条件和剥离条件对二维晶体Ti₃C₂T_x的形貌、 结构和电化学性能的影响. 结果表明, 制备条件对MXene的片层结构和性能具有较大的影响. 当HCl浓度为6 mol/L, LiF与Ti₃AlC₂的摩尔比为7.5, 超声时间为1 h时, 所得MXene具有较小的晶格常数和较大的片层尺寸, 片层尺寸可达1 μm, 具有较多的表面含氧官能团, 电化学性能最佳, 在0.5 A/g的电流密度下, 质量比容量达到342 F/g, 当电流密度提高至20 A/g时, 质量比容量仍可保持244 F/g, 在1 A/g电流密度下循环10000周后, 容量仍能保留87%左右, 表现出较好的倍率性能与循环稳定性.     

The impact of in-line coagulant addition on fouling potential of secondary effluent at a pilot-scale immersed ultrafiltration plant

The impact of in-line coagulation pre-treatment of secondary effluent on the operation of an immersed hollow-fibre ultrafiltration membrane pilot was evaluated as part of a larger study on optimising phosphorus removal. The efficacy of alum and ferric chloride was investigated, with an emphasis on alum use. Both coagulants were found to shift the particle-size distribution of organic matter in the feed towards larger fractions, with a notable reduction in colloidal matter. This was reflected in a reduction of both average daily transmembrane pressure increases, as well as a reduction of transmembrane pressure increases within backpulse intervals. Fouling reduction was observed with both lower and higher membrane packing density modules (membrane surface areas of 55.7 and 62.7 m²/module). The results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) testing indicate that for this pilot system, chemical pre-treatment and solids concentrations in the feed water played a statistically significant role in determining transmembrane pressure variations. Membrane packing density and membrane production method did not exhibit a statistically significant effect on transmembrane pressure under the conditions of this study.     

高岭土／羧甲基淀粉复合颗粒的制备及其协同电流变效应

通过二次插层取代法，以二甲基亚砜为前驱体，羧甲基淀粉二次插层取代制备 了高岭土/羧甲基淀粉纳米复合材料。结合XRD，FTIR，SEM和EDS等测试手段对复合 材料的结构进行了表征。研究结果发现，羧甲基淀粉经过二次插层取代引起了高岭 土片层之间的剥离，形成剥离型纳米复合材料。该复合材料制备成电流变液出现了 较大的协同效应，具有很好的电流变行为，并发现电流变性能与复合物中羧甲基淀 粉的含量有密切关系。     

高岭土对准东高碱煤煤灰熔融特性影响的量子化学与实验研究

采用量子化学理论计算与实验表征相结合的方法,研究了高岭土对准东高碱煤煤灰熔融特性及其熔融过程中矿物质演变规律的影响,并从矿物质微观结构特性角度阐述了高岭土对改变准东煤煤灰熔融特性的影响机制。结果表明,准东高碱煤煤灰熔融温度随高岭土的添加呈现先快速升高后逐渐变缓的趋势,当高岭土添加比例大于10%时,其提高煤灰熔融温度的趋势变缓;准东高碱煤添加高岭土后,其在1 000-1200℃下的低熔融矿物钙长石、硬石膏等量明显减少,1 200-1 300℃下有一定量的莫来石生成,是其煤灰熔点升高的主要原因;高岭石分子结构中的O(26)、O(22)、Si(6)、Si(8)的反应活性较高,能够与灰中的Fe~(2+)等金属离子成键,促使高岭石的铝氧键断裂。煤中的碱金属或碱土金属(Na或Ca)氧化物中的的O2-,作为亲核试剂,与高岭石的Si(6)和Si(8)发生亲核反应,使桥氧键S-O-Si断裂。     

The effect of mechanochemical activation upon the intercalation of a high-defect kaolinite with formamide

The effect of mechanochemical activation upon the intercalation of formamide into a high-defect kaolinite has been studied using a combination of X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and DRIFT spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction shows that the intensity of the d(001) spacing decreases with grinding time and that the intercalated high-defect kaolinite expands to 10.2 A. The intensity of the peak of the expanded phase of the formamide-intercalated kaolinite decreases with grinding time. Thermal analysis reveals that the evolution temperature of the adsorbed formamide and loss of the inserting molecule increases with increased grinding time. The temperature of the dehydroxylation of the formamide-intercalated high-defect kaolinite decreases from 495 to 470 degrees C with mechanochemical activation. Changes in the surface structure of the mechanochemically activated formamide-intercalated high-defect kaolinite were followed by DRIFT spectroscopy. Fundamentally the intensity of the high-defect kaolinite hydroxyl stretching bands decreases exponentially with grinding time and simultaneously the intensity of the bands attributed to the OH stretching vibrations of water increased. It is proposed that the mechanochemical activation of the high-defect kaolinite caused the conversion of the hydroxyls to water which coordinates the kaolinite surface. Significant changes in the infrared bands assigned to the hydroxyl deformation and amide stretching and bending modes were observed. The intensity decrease of these bands was exponentially related to the grinding time. The position of the amide C=O vibrational mode was found to be sensitive to grinding time. The effect of mechanochemical activation of the high-defect kaolinite reduces the capacity of the kaolinite to be intercalated with formamide.     

One-step exfoliation of kaolinites and their transformation into nanoscrolls

Kaolinite nanoscrolls, rolled kaolinite sheets with a tubular form, were prepared by a one-step route in which intercalation of guest species and swelling with solvent proceed at the same time. A methoxy-modified kaolinite was exfoliated by the intercalation of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride. The formation of nanoscrolls by the one-step route proceeded only by several alkyltrimethylammonium salts and 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. Intercalation of primary amines caused the formation of nanoscrolls by a two-step route in which the intercalation and swelling proceed separately. The successful one-step route is ascribed to the relatively weak interactions between the head groups of guest species and the interlayer surface of methoxy-modified kaolinite, and the interaction is thought to allow the formation of a flexible array of interlayer guest species for swelling. The tubular structure was mostly retained after the heat treatment at 600 °C to form hierarchically porous aluminosilicates with amorphous frameworks. The nanoscrolls intercalated organic guests species, which are not directly intercalated into methoxy-modified kaolinite, between the scrolled layers. The formation route to nanoscrolls is quite dependent not only on the surface modification of kaolinite but also on the structure of guest species.     

Thermal analysis of formation of sialons by carbothermal reduction of clays

The formation at high temperatures of phases such as β′,X, and O′-sialon by carbothermal reduction of clays has been studied using simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA). Two reducing agents, silicon carbide and carbon, were used, with either kaolinite or bentonite. The progress of reaction was followed by interrupted and continuous thermal analysis procedures using STA and TMA and the changes correlated with the phases observed by X-ray diffraction at different stages. The conversion of kaolinite to β′-sialon is characterised by the dehydration and transformation of kaolinite independent of the nitriding atmosphere below 1400°C. At higher temperatures nitriding commences. Similar behaviour is observed with bentonite transforming to lower substitution sialon phases. The weight changes are correlated with oxidation/reduction reactions and mechanisms are suggested to explain the observed phenomena. The data obtained will permit the optimization of thermal cycles for batch production of sialon powders from natural minerals.     

聚合方法对一种正离子聚丙烯酰胺结构与性能的影响

对相同进料比下,以过硫酸胺/亚硫酸氢钠为氧化还原引发剂,分别用溶液法和反相微乳液法合成的丙烯酰胺(AM)与2-甲基丙烯酰氧乙基三甲基氯化胺(MADQUAT)的共聚物P(AM-MADQUAT),根据单体竞聚率计算了两种共聚物的序列分布和组成分布.考察了两种聚合物结构对高岭土絮体尺寸、zeta电位降以及絮体压缩屈服应力的影响,初步建立了不同聚合方法合成的阳离子聚丙烯酰胺结构与絮凝性能之间的相关性.     

An overview on the application of ultrasound in extraction,separation and purification of plant polysaccharides

In view of the recent emphasis on non-conventional chemistry, application of ultrasound in isolation of plant polysaccharides represents a viable alternative to traditional extraction processes. This review presents an extensive literature survey of ultrasound-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from different plant materials, particularly herbal plants and secondary agricultural plant sources. Targeted, multistep methods were applied with respect to differences in the types of polysaccharides and their location in plant cell walls. The effectiveness of the methods was evaluated according to yield and properties of the isolated polysaccharides in comparison to classical extraction methods. Substantial shortening of extraction time, reduction of reagent consumption and/or extraction temperature are the most important advantages of the ultrasonic treatment. In combination with sequential extraction steps using different solvents, sonication was shown to be effective in separation and/or purification of polysaccharides. The disadvantages of the sonication treatment, such as degradation and compositional changes of the polysaccharide preparations are discussed as well.