Characterization of chemosynthetic Al2O3-2SiO2 geopolymers

Pure chemosynthetic Al₂O₃-2SiO₂ geoploymers displaying positive alkali-activated polymerization properties and high compressive strength at room temperature were effectively fabricated utilizing a sol-gel method. The molecular structure of the precursor powder and resulting geopolymers were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. In addition, the mechanical and alkali-activated polymerization properties of these materials were also studied. NMR data revealed that the chemosynthetic powders began to contain 5-coordinated Al atoms when the calcination temperatures exceeded 200 °C. These calcined powders were capable of reacting with sodium silicate solutions at calcination temperatures exceeding 300 °C, which is, however, much lower than the temperature required to convert kaolin to Metakaolin.     

Influence of Y2O3 on structural and optical properties of SiO2-BaO-ZnO-xB2O3-(10−x) Y2O3 glasses and glass ceramics

SiO₂-BaO-ZnO-xB₂O₃-(10−x) Y₂O₃, (0 ≤ x ≤ 10) glasses are synthesized. The effect of Y₂O₃ on the structural and optical properties of glasses has been investigated using different characterization techniques. The results are discussed in light of non-bridging oxygens (NBO), optical basicity and heat-treatment of glasses. The band gap has been calculated for as cast and heat-treated glasses. The band gap energy is found to decrease with the increasing content of Y₂O₃ in the glasses and heat-treatment. The presence of the crystalline phase in the glass matrix showed remarkable effect on band gap which decreases to semiconducting range.     

Structural analysis and devitrification of glasses based on the CaO-MgO-SiO2 system with B2O3, Na2O, CaF2 and P2O5 additives

Glasses, whose basic composition was based on the CaO-MgO-SiO₂ system and doped with B₂O₃, P₂O₅, Na₂O, and CaF₂, were prepared by melting at 1400 °C for 1 h. Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy revealed that the main structural units in the glass network were predominantly Q¹ and Q² silicate species. The presence of phosphate and borate units in the structure of the glasses was also evident in these spectra. X-ray analysis showed that the investigated glasses devitrified at 750 °C and higher temperatures. The crystalline phases of diopside and wollastonite dominated, but weak peaks, assigned to akermanite and fluorapatite, were also registered in the diffractograms. The presence of B₂O₃, Na₂O, and CaF₂ had a negligible influence on the assemblage of the crystallized phases, but it caused a reduction of crystallization temperature, comparing to similar glasses of the CaO-MgO-SiO₂ system.     

Devitrification behavior and structure of Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 composite gels from metal alkoxides

(30 − x/2)Li₂O·(70 − x/2)B₂O₃·xAl₂O₃(x = 0, 5 and 10) composite gels have been fabricated by the sol-gel method. LiOCH₃, B(OC₄H₉)₃, and Al(OC₄H₉)₃ were used as precursor for Li₂O, B₂O₃, and Al₂O₃, respectively. B(OC₄H₉)₃ and Al(OC₄H₉)₃ were hydrolyzed separately and then mixed. The crystallization behavior and structure of the gels upon thermal treatment temperatures between 150 and 550 °C are characterized on the basis of SEM, XRD and IR analyses. Xerogel with x = 0 exhibits non-crystal features, whereas crystalline phases are found in the xerogels with x = 5 and 10. The crystalline phases are not found with increasing heat treatment temperatures from 150 to 450 °C, but crystalline phases appear present at 550 °C. The xerogel with x = 0, subject to thermal treatment below 450 °C, is found to be still amorphous, and a 550 °C heat treatment leads its structure changing from glassy to crystalline.     

New approach for measuring gelation rate during synthesis of ZnO/SiO2 gel

The synthesis of mixed ZnO/SiO₂ oxides has been carried out using sol gel technique. Gelation time of the produced oxides gel has been measured experimentally by using turbidity change with time using Turbidimeter. In addition, gelation time was estimated visually. It is found that the gelation time is decreased by increasing the concentration of ZnO and SiO₂. Correlations between gelation times and concentrations of products are also discussed. Surface energy between the formed gel and solution is calculated as 12.1 mJ/m². The gelation rate is increased and the Gibbs free energy for the formation of critical nucleus is decreased by increasing the concentration product of ZnO · SiO₂. The critical radius of the nucleus is decreased from 5.75 to 5.02 Å when the concentration product is increased from 6.42% to 15.72%. On the other hand, the number of molecules in the critical nucleus is decreased from 11 to 8 when the concentration product changed under the same conditions. This approach can be used as a model to discuss the effect of any additives on the enhancing or inhibition the gelation rate for any gel.     

Double relaxation processes in the glass system xEu2O3·PbO·2B2O3 studied by broadband dielectric spectroscopy

In this work we study the effect of introducing europium oxide in lead borate glasses, in concentrations up to x = 0.20, using the impedance spectroscopy in a large frequency range (0.1 Hz to 9 GHz). Two relaxation processes can be identified. The low frequency process deviates considerably from the Debye type and is modelled by the Cole-Davidson expression. The high frequency relaxation is also a non-Debye type and is fitted by the Cole-Cole expression. These results imply some distribution of relaxation times, due to the interaction between the dipoles.The behaviour of the dielectric strength is similar in the low and high frequency regions, indicating a cluster formation at a critical concentration of europium oxide (x = 0.03).     

AC impedance analysis of CsNO3:Al2O3 composite solid electrolyte systems

Complex impedance spectroscopic studies were carried out on CsNO₃ and CsNO₃-Al₂O₃ dispersed solid electrolyte systems (DSES) in the temperature range of 100-350 °C and the frequency 50 kHz-1 MHz. Dielectric constant, loss tangent, ac conductivity and dc ionic conductivity (obtained from CIS) in these systems are presented. DC ionic conductivity is noticed to increase with temperature in the extrinsic region in pure and dispersed systems. The enhancement of conductivity in DSES was observed to be about two orders of magnitude over its pure form in the extrinsic region. This enhancement of conductivity was attributed to the formation of space charge layer between the host material and the dispersoid. Enhancement in conductivity is found to increase with m/o up to 40 m/o where as it decreased for 80 m/o. Dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ac conductivity are also found to increase with temperature, and with mole percent it maintained the similar behavior as that of dc conductivity. These dielectric properties are interpreted in terms of space charge polarization and increased concentration of defects in the interfacial layer formed between the host and the dispersoid.     

Nano-crystallization in LaF3–Na2O–Al2O3–SiO2 glass

Aiming at tailoring optical properties, the precipitation of LaF₃ nano-crystals in LaF₃–Na₂O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ glass-ceramics is studied thoroughly on the nano-scale using advanced transmission electron microscopic techniques. Nano-sized phase-separation droplets enriched in lanthanum and silicon are formed already in the base glass. Within these less than 20 nm large droplets, LaF₃ crystallizes upon heat treatment. The nano-crystallization mechanism revealed is self-limited since growth is restricted by the size of the droplets. An average crystallite size of around 12 nm is achieved with a narrow size distribution since the phase-separation droplets also contain silicon not incorporated into the growing crystal. Instead, excess silicon relocated to the periphery of the pre-existing phase-separation droplets forms a diffusion barrier around the LaF₃ nano-crystals preventing further crystal growth and/or ripening.     

Structural and optical properties of 6CaO·6SrO·7Al2O3 thin films derived by sol-gel dip coating process

The nanostructured 6CaO·6SrO·7Al₂O₃ (C6S6A7) thin films with cubic structure using calcium, strontium metals, aluminium isopropoxide and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether as stating materials has been fabricated via sol-gel route. Based on hydrolysis of Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Al³⁺ in the sol-gel processing using ethylene glycol monomethyl ether as solvent have been employed as the precursor material. The films were coated on soda lime float glass by the dip coating technique and annealed at 450 °C in air atmosphere. The structure, morphology and composition of the films were investigated by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicating that the films were composed of C6S6A7 nanoparticles with cubic structure. The spectral transmittance of the films was measured in the wavelength range of 200-1100 nm using an UV-visible spectrometer. It has been found that the optical properties of the films significantly affected by precursor chemistry and annealing temperature due to the improvement of the crystallinity of the films with increasing annealing temperature and became stable when the annealing temperature is higher than 450 °C. The C6S6A7 films annealed at 450 °C had high transparency about 80% in wide visible range.     

Effect of Bi2O3 proportion on physical, structural and electrical properties of zinc bismuth phosphate glasses

The variation in physical, structural and electrical properties has been studied as a function of Bi₂O₃ content in 20ZnF₂-(10 + x) Bi₂O₃-(70-x) P₂O₅, 0 ≤ x ≤ 10 mol% glasses, which were prepared by melt quenching technique and characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA). Colorless samples, which have no absorption peaks, are obtained for 10 and 12 mol% of Bi₂O₃ and the glasses are slowly becoming brownish from 15 to 20 mol% of Bi₂O₃ which exhibit two absorption peaks at ~ 370 nm, ~ 450 nm correspond to Bi° transitions ⁴S_3/2 → ²P_3/2 and ⁴S_3/2 → ²P_1/2 respectively. The decrease in ³P₁ → ¹S₀ transition of Bi³⁺ photo luminescence emission for 18 and 20 mol% of Bi₂O₃ and increase in optical absorption area shows the reduction of Bi³⁺ to Bi°. From FTIR studies it is observed that an addition of Bi₂O₃ decreases the P―O―P covalent bond by forming P―O―Bi bonds due to high polarizing nature of Bi³⁺ ions. Dielectric parameters like ε', tan δ and a.c. conductivity σ_ac are found to increase and activation energy for a.c. conduction is found to decrease with the increase in the concentration of Bi₂O₃. Density of defect energy states is found to increase for higher concentration of Bi₂O₃ and is discussed according to quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT) model.     

Investigation of the structure evolution process in sol-gel derived CaO-B2O3-SiO2 glass ceramics

A sol-gel method was used to prepare CaO-B₂O₃-SiO₂ (CBS) glass powder for making low-temperature cofired ceramics. This paper was focused on the mechanism of hydrolysis and polymerization and also on the structural evolution of xerogel at various temperatures. The xerogel was transformed into glass ceramics containing CaSiO₃ and CaB₂O₄ crystalline phases through nucleation and crystallization processes. The results indicated that the xerogel exhibits [BO₄] or [SiO₄] based three-dimensional network structure whose interstices Ca ions fill in, which becomes more orderly and stable after heat treatments. The CBS glass ceramics through controlled crystallization have a potential as electronic packaging materials.     

Influence of CoO addition on phase separation and crystallization of glasses of the ZnO–Al2O3–SiO2–TiO2 system

The evolution of structure, phase composition and spectroscopic properties of CoO-doped (up to 5 mol%) titania-containing zinc aluminosilicate glasses with their heat-treatment has been studied using Raman scattering, small angle X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction analysis and optical absorption spectra. Addition of cobalt oxide was observed to facilitate amorphous phase separation of the parent glass and gahnite, ZnAl₂O₄, crystallization. Cobalt oxide entered phases formed during low-temperature heat-treatments (720 °C), i.e., amorphous phase, enriched in ZnO, Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ and crystalline phase of gahnite. The absorption of these glass-ceramics was defined mainly by tetrahedral Co²⁺ ions located in gahnite nanocrystals. As the temperature was increased further, traces of anosovite solid solution appeared and then decomposed. Even after high-temperature heat-treatments, a certain portion of Co²⁺ ions remained in amorphous zinc aluminotitanate phase and in octahedral sites of inversed gahnite spinel. In glass-ceramics, the residual high silica amorphous phase contained a small quantity of [TiO₄] centers, which content was smaller in Co:ZAS samples as compared with non-doped glass-ceramics.     

Considerations on the structure and physical properties of B2O3-SiO2 and GeO2-SiO2 glasses

Data of density, refractive index and thermal expansion coefficient for B₂O₃-SiO₂ and GeO_2-SiO₂ glasses have been analyzed. The volumes of the structural units are the same found for the vitreous B₂O₃, GeO₂ and SiO₂. The volume of any structural unit is constant over the entire composition region of the glass system. The same has been found for the differential refraction and unit refraction of the structural units in these glasses. Different features are observed for the differential expansion of the structural units. There is a considerable change with composition in the differential expansion of BO₃, GeO₄ and SiO₄ units. The effect is attributed to a change in the asymmetry of vibrations with the number of Si-O-B or Si-O-Ge linkages in the matrix. The thermal expansion coefficient is mainly determined by the contribution of B₂O₃ or GeO₂ in the concerned glasses.     

Quenched glasses in the systems of Li2O with Al2O3, Ga2O3 and Bi2O3

By rapid quenching in a twin roller apparatus, glass was found to occur widely in the systems of Li₂O with Al₂O₃, Ga₂O₃, Bi₂O₃ and in mixed systems. Examination of the resulting flakes by X-ray powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and capacitance data revealed the occurrence of glass, glass transitions, crystallization exotherms and the nature of some of the crystallization paths.The log ionic conductivity of the glasses was found to follow a linear relationship with the Li concentration. Evidence was observed for three new metastable crystalline phases, one in the Li₂OAl₂O₃ system and two in the Li₂OBi₂O₃ system. The latter system also showed evidence for the occurrence of two glasses at almost all compositions.     

Raman scattering study of crystalline and melting states of BaO·2B2O3

Melting and crystallization scenarios of barium tetraborate BaB₄O₇ (BaO·2B₂O₃) are studied in situ by Raman spectroscopy. It is shown that the scenario depends on the temperature–time history of melt. Crystallization conditions of the beta modification of barium tetraborate (β-BaB₄O₇) from a stoichiometric glass structure BaO·2B₂O₃ were investigated.     

Crystallization behavior of glasses in the system of Na2O-CaO-MgO-Fe2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 with high contents of nickel oxide

The structural behavior of nickel oxide in glassy and glass-ceramic materials, obtained in the system of Na₂O-CaO-MgO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂, was investigated. The influence of the NiO content on the vitrification, crystallization, structure and exploitation properties of two model compositions, with different ratios [CaO]/[MgO] was analyzed. On the basis of DSC and XRD data, it is shown that NiO promoted the formation of bunsenite crystals, as nuclei for crystallization. On the other hand, NiO promoted formation of pyroxenes even for compositions with low MgO contents, which formed gehlenite without NiO admixtures. It is shown that in the composition with relatively high MgO contents, NiO could participate in the formation of two types of pyroxenes with the structure and chemical composition similar to (MgO_0.4NiO_0.6)(CaO_0.9NiO_0.1)Si₂O₆ and diopside-hedenbergite solid solutions. The optimal contents of NiO in both model compositions was about of 7 wt%, since higher contents reduced the exploitation properties. The glass-ceramics with optimal contents of NiO were also produced using Ni bearing galvanic slurry and coal ash; the resulting materials showed similar exploitation properties to those mentioned above.     

Ligand Substitution Chemistry of the Diphosphine Ligand endo,endo-2,3-Bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-5-norbornene (dpmn): Syntheses and X-ray Diffraction Structures of PtCl2(dmn) and PtMe2(dpmn)

Abstract  The reaction of phosphine ligand endo,endo-2,3-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-5-norbornene (dpmn) with PtCl₂(cod) and PtMe₂(cod) yields PtCl₂(dpmn) (2) and PtMe₂(dpmn) (4), respectively. Treatment of 2 with excess MeLi or MeMgCl also furnishes 4 in good yield. Both new platinum compounds have been isolated and characterized by NMR spectroscopy (¹H and ³¹P), elemental analyses, and X-ray crystallography. 2 Crystallizes, as the CH₂Cl₂ solvate, in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, a = 18.062(3) ?, b = 16.602(3) ?, c = 11.088(2) ?, V = 3,324.7(9) ?³, Z = 4, D _cacl = 1.681 mg/m³; R = 0.0432, R _w = 0.0759 for 3,755 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). 4 Crystallizes, as the CH₂Cl₂ solvate, in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, a = 17.969(3) ?, b = 16.689(3) ?, c = 11.237(2) ?, V = 3,370(1) ?³, Z = 4, D _cacl = 1.610 mg/m³; R = 0.0268, R _w = 0.0665 for 4,098 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). The solid-state structures of 2 and 4 confirm the coordination of the platinum(II) center by the seven-membered chelating dpmn ligand; 2 and 4 represent the first structurally characterized examples of organometallic compounds based on the endo,endo-2,3-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-5-norbornene ligand. Graphical Abstract  The new platinum(II) compounds PtCl₂(dpmn) (2) and PtMe₂(dpmn) (4) have been synthesized, and their structures established by NMR spectroscopy (¹H and ³¹P) and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 2 and 4 are the first structurally characterized examples of organometallic compounds containing the endo,endo-2,3-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-5-norbornene (dpmn) ligand.

Decrease in dielectric loss of CaCu3Ti4O12 by the addition of TeO2

CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) has challenged for the last few years the scientific community due to its large dielectric constant, which is almost temperature and frequency independent, from 100 K to 400 K and from 1 kHz to 1 MHz, respectively. This makes the material desirable for many electronic applications. However, the dissipation factor is very large, with tan δ values, at room temperature and 1 kHz, higher than 0.1.In our work we report how the addition of TeO₂ lowers the dielectric loss and, although there is a decrease of dielectric constant of doped samples relatively to the undoped one, high dielectric constant values are still being reached. The sample of doped CCTO with 1.5% of TeO₂ by weight, presents, at room temperature and 60 kHz, a large dielectric constant, over 3000, and a dissipation factor around 0.09, which represents a decrease on tan δ over 30% relatively to the CCTO undoped sample. Two relaxation processes were identified for all the samples, one at MHz region and the other one at low frequency region (< 1 kHz). DC bias voltage was applied up to 40 V and a strong dc bias influence on the low frequency region was observed both at dielectric and impedance responses of the undoped sample, which was much weaker than the dc bias effects on the 4% Te doped sample.Dielectric measurements will be discussed and correlated with the samples' microstructure, supported on internal barrier layer capacitance (IBLC) and surface barrier layer capacitance (SBLC) models.     

Raman and ESR study of sol–gel materials from ZnO–TiO2–B2O3 system

The paper studies the materials from ZnO–TiO₂–B₂O₃ ternary system, obtained by sol–gel method [1] and [2], starting from organic and inorganic precursors. The obtained samples are investigated by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, which provide structural information, at molecular level. FTIR absorption maxima are identified and discussed according to literature data. Raman spectra are acquired by a Raman Jasco NRS-3100 spectrometer, at 532 nm wavelength and put in evidence characteristic vibration modes for all three oxide components. ESR spectra were plotted with the aid of a JES-FA 100-JEOL Japan spectrometer and titanium surrounding is investigated.     

Effects of Li replacement on the nucleation, crystallization and microstructure of Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 glass

The Li replacement including the Li₂O replaced by other oxides and the expensive Li₂CO₃ replaced by low-cost spodumene mineral was studied to lower the product cost of (Li₂O-Al₂O₃-SiO₂, LAS) glass ceramic, and the effects of Li replacement on the nucleation, crystallization and microstructure of LAS glass were investigated by the differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that Li₂O replacement increases the crystallization activation energy, lowers the crystal growth, and increases the nucleation and crystallization temperature by restraining the formation of crystalline phases. The Li₂CO₃ replacement decreases the crystallization activation energy, promotes the crystal growth, without affecting the nucleation, and lowers the crystallization temperature by adding some beneficial compositions with mixed alkali effect.