Synthesis and magnetic properties of nanocomposite Ni1?xCoxFe2O4–BaTiO3 fibers by organic gel-thermal decomposition process

Nanocomposites of ferrite and ferroelectric phases are attractive functional ceramic materials. In this work, the nanocomposite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄–BaTiO₃(x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) fibers with fine diameters of 3 ~ 7 μm and high aspect ratios were synthesized by the organic gel-thermal decomposition process from the raw materials of citric acid and metal salts. The structure, thermal decomposition process and morphologies of the gel precursors and the resultant fibers derived from thermal decomposition of the gel precursors were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of the nanocomposite fibers were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer. The nanocomposite fibers of ferrite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and perovskite BaTiO₃ are formed at the calcination temperature of 900 °C for 2 h. The average grain sizes of Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and BaTiO₃ in the nanocomposite fibers increase from about 15 nm to approximately 67 nm with the increasing calcination temperatures from 900 to 1,180 °C. The saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄–BaTiO₃(x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) fibers increases with the increase of grain sizes of Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and Co content, while the coercivity reaches a maximum value at the single-domain size of about 65 nm of Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ obtained at the calcination temperature of 1,100 °C.     

SiO2和Al2O3负载的Ni基催化剂在甲烷干重整中的催化性能差异

CH₄与CO₂干重整反应对于环境保护和天然气资源的合理利用具有重要意义。SiO₂和Al₂O₃是适用于甲烷干重整反应的两种典型的催化剂载体。为了阐明这两种载体对催化剂性能的影响,本研究采用等体积浸渍法制备了Ni/Al₂O₃和Ni/SiO₂催化剂,并利用BET、TEM、H₂-TPR、XRD、TG和Raman等技术对还原和反应后的催化剂进行了表征。结果表明,由于载体的性质不同,Ni基催化剂在甲烷干重整中的催化性能也不同。Ni/SiO₂催化剂的初始活性较高,但由于其金属-载体相互作用较弱,催化稳定性较差,在800℃下反应15h其催化活性急剧下降;较弱的金属-载体相互作用使得Ni/SiO₂催化剂上的Ni颗粒较大,有利于积炭前驱物种的生成,导致催化剂快速失活。而对于Ni/Al₂O₃催化剂,金属-载体相互作用较强,Ni颗粒较小,但由于Ni与Al₂O₃生成了NiAl_xO_y物种,有效活性位减少,其催化活性相对较低,但催化稳定性较好,干重整反应进行50h其活性保持稳定;Ni与Al₂O₃之间较强的相互作用有利于形成小且稳定的Ni粒子,能减少积炭,因而具有优异的催化稳定性。     

The Electronic and Magnetic Properties of a Few Transition-Metal Clusters

Using density functional theory we present a systematic study of the electronic and magnetic properties of various nickel clusters and two small bimetallic clusters, Ni _n Co _m and Ni _n Fe _m (n + m ≤ 6). A detail study of binding energy, magnetic moment and stability function of pure nickel clusters of nuclearity (N) 40–60 have been performed. We observe that the magic numbers occur at N = 43, 46, 49, 53, 55, and 58, which correspond to the most stable clusters. We find that, with increase in substitution of Co and Fe atoms in Ni cluster, while Ni _n Co _m becomes more stable, the Ni _n Fe _m clusters become less stable. The significant enhancement of average magnetic moment and suppression of local magnetic moment of nickel atoms are found in both clusters with increase in Co and Fe concentration.     

Preparation and cycle performance at high temperature for Li[Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3]O2 coated with LiFePO4

Li[Ni_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3]O₂ coated with LiFePO₄ was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. It consisted of the parent Li[Ni_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3]O₂ as the core and the LiFePO₄ as the coating material, with an average particle diameter of 500 nm. The LiFePO₄-coated Li[Ni_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3]O₂ showed no large initial capacity drop in the first cycle, which generally occurred with cathode materials bearing inactive coating layers such as Al₂O₃, ZnO, and MgO. Furthermore, it presented a remarkably improved cycle retention rate of over 89% until 400 cycles at 50 °C. We suggest that the LiFePO₄ coating technique is a very effective tool to improve the cycle performance of Li[Ni_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3]O₂ at high temperatures.     

Ammonia gas sensor based on a spinel semiconductor,Co<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanomaterial

Thick film of nanocrystalline Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄ was obtained by sol–gel citrate method for gas sensing application. The synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. The XRD pattern shows spinel type structure of Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄. XRD of Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄ revels formation of solid solution with average grain size of about 30 nm. From gas sensing properties it observed that nickel doping improves the sensor response and selectivity towards ammonia gas and very low response to LPG, CO, and H₂S at 280 °C. Furthermore, incorporation of Pd improves the sensor response and stability of ammonia gas and reduced the operating temperature upto 210 °C. The sensor is a promising candidate for practical detector of ammonia.     

Layered silicate magadiite–derived three-dimensional honeycomb-like cobalt–nickel silicates as excellent cathode for hybrid supercapacitors

Developing low-cost electrode materials with high performance is the priority among priorities for large-scale application of supercapacitors (SCs). Magadiite, the most ubiquitous material on Earth, is half-abandoned and half-forgotten, and it is extremely valuable for development to useful materials, such as ‘a potential stock’ to be developed. Herein, we conceive the transformation of magadiite to electrode materials, pursuing the aim ‘waste can be turned into treasure’. Fortunately, three-dimensional honeycomb-like cobalt–nickel silicate (Co_xNi_2-xSiO₄) as high-performance electrode material for SCs is achieved via two simple steps of exfoliation and hydrothermal process. The bimetallic synergistic effect derived from Co/Ni can improve the reactivity of the material, and the honeycomb-like morphology can facilitate ion migration, so the electrochemical properties are enhanced. As a consequence, the Co_xNi_2-xSiO₄ electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 1,097 F/g (548 C/g) at 0.5 A/g, as well as excellent cyclic stability of 101% retention after 10,000 cycles. The hybrid SC device is assembled by Co_xNi_2-xSiO₄ and active carbon (Co_xNi_2-xSiO₄//AC), and it delivers an excellent energy density of 15.5 Wh/m² at a power density of 1.34 W/m² and cycling stability (100% after 10,000 cycles). This work not only realizes the transformation of magadiite to transition metal silicates (TMSs) as electrode materials for high-performance SCs but also broadens the application of magadiite and opens up a novel strategy for synthesizing TMSs.     

Synthesis and characteristics of nanostructured Li(Co1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3)O2 cathode material prepared at 0 °C

Special synthetic conditions at 0 °C were used to prepare nanostructured Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ via chemical coprecipitation synthesis. The precursor preparation shows platelet shape with thickness of 10 nm and width of 100 nm. After calcination, the particles change to spherical or rectangle shape with a size of 100~200 nm. The nanostructured Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ shows a well-ordered layered hexagonal lattice with low cation mixing. Galvanostatic testing showed good electrochemical properties and high rate capability, which may be due to its unique morphological and structural characteristics. Synthesis at 0 °C effectively prevented growth of the precursor particles and produced nanosize Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂, which gave improvement in high rate performance and favoring the future use of this cathode material for high power applications.     

Studies on the local structures for the trigonal Ni3+ centers in cathode materials LiAlyCo1–yO2 (y = 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 0.8)

The local angular distortions Δθ are theoretically studied for the various Ni³⁺ centers in LiAl_yCo_1–yO₂ at different Al concentrations (y = 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 0.8) based on the perturbation calculations of electron paramagnetic resonance g factors for a trigonally distorted octahedral 3d⁷ cluster with low spin (S = 1/2). Due to the Jahn–Teller effect, the [NiO₆]^9– clusters are found to experience the local angular distortions (Δθ ≈ 5°–9°) along the C₃ axis. The variation trend of Δθ with y is in accordance with that of anisotropy (Δg = g_|| − g_⊥). As the substitutions can weaken bond strengths between transition metal and oxygen and the structural stability plays an important role in cathode performances, detailed investigations on the structural properties of the cathode materials LiAl_yCo_1–yO₂ can be practically helpful to understand the performances of these materials. The oxy‐redox properties of LiAl_yCo_1–yO₂ systems are comprehensible in the framework of Ni³⁺/Ni⁴⁺ couples, and the trigonally compressed octahedral [NiO₆]^9– clusters are applicable to the clarification of the electrochemical properties of lithium nickel oxide batteries. It appears that LiAl_0.8Co_0.2O₂ with the largest Al concentration may correspond to the smallest distortion among the mixing systems.     

Thermal behavior of Ni,Co and Fe succinates embedded in silica matrix

This paper presents the thermal behavior of Co, Ni and Fe succinates obtained by sol-gel synthesis using Co(II), Ni(II) and Fe(III) nitrates, 1,4-butanediol and tetraethyl orthosilicate as reactants. The thermal analysis revealed the formation of succinates at 413–453 K and their decomposition to ferrites at 503–623 K. The rate constants for the decomposition of succinates to ferrites, calculated using the isotherms at 473, 523, 573 and 623 K, were used to determine the activation energy of each ferrite (NiFe₂O₄, Ni_0.3Co_0.7Fe₂O₄, Ni_0.7Co_0.3Fe₂O₄ and CoFe₂O₄) embedded in the silica matrix. By increasing the Ni content in the mixed Ni–Co ferrites, the activation energy decreases from 13.530 to 1.944 kJ mol^?1. The formation and decomposition of succinate precursors and the formation of silica matrix were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, while the formation of CoFe₂O₄ and NiFe₂O₄ single-phases embedded in the silica matrix was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The nanocrystallites size decreases from 31.7 (CoFe₂O₄) to 18.5 nm (NiFe₂O₄). The optical band gap of mixed Co–Ni ferrites was significantly higher than that corresponding to CoFe₂O₄. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated against Rhodamine B under visible light. All the samples have photocatalytic activities, the best performance being obtained in the case of Ni_0.7Co_0.3Fe₂O₄.

     

Local deposition and characterisation of K2Co[Fe(CN)6] and K2Ni[Fe(CN)6] by scanning electrochemical microscopy

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is used to form local deposits of different Prussian blue analogs on macroscopic surfaces of gold and glassy carbon. Dissolution of Co and Ni sacrificial ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) generates divalent cations in the gap between the UME and the macroscopic specimen electrode. Co²⁺ or Ni²⁺ precipitate with [Fe(CN)₆]^4– formed by reduction of [Fe(CN)₆]^3– at the macroelectrode. By moving the UME while generating Co²⁺ or Ni²⁺, lines can be "drawn" with a width of 130 μm. The line width can be adjusted by reagent concentration and translation speed of the UME. Different pulse programs allow the formation of ring-shaped structures. The deposited hexacyanoferrate microstructures show catalytic activity for the reduction of Fe³⁺ which was imaged in the feedback and generation-collection modes of the SECM. Electronic Publication     

Synthesis of Highly-Dispersed Ni/Mesoporous Silica via an Ammonia Evaporation Method for Dry Reforming of Methane: Effect of the Ni Loadings

Mesoporous silica was used in conjunction with the ammonia evaporation method to prepare highly dispersed Ni catalysts for the dry reforming of methane (DRM). The effect of Ni dispersion on the catalytic performance was investigated by applying different Ni loadings. The pore structure, morphology, Ni dispersion, catalytic activity for DRM as well as the coke resistance were investigated. During the reaction at a relatively low temperature of 600 °C, all the three catalysts exhibited high stability in CH₄ and CO₂ conversion and excellent coke resistance, in comparison to Ni/SiO₂ catalyst prepared by the incipient wetness method. Among them, 10% Ni–SiO₂ exhibited the best catalytic performance with the maximum steady conversions of 62% and 69% for CH₄ and CO₂ at 600 °C, which was beneficial from its optimal Ni content and the presence of highly-dispersed metal nanoparticles confined in the mesopores.

     

Synthesis and electrochemical characteristics of xLi2MnO3–(1−x)Li(Mn0.375Ni0.375Co0.25)O2 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) thin film cathode for lithium rechargeable micro batteries

We have compared the structure, microstructure, and electrochemical characteristics of xLi₂MnO₃–(1−x)Li(Mn_0.375Ni_0.375Co_0.25)O₂ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) thin films with their bulk cathode laminate counterparts of identical compositions. Pure Li(Mn_0.375Ni_0.375Co_0.25)O₂ as well as the synthesized composite films partially transform into cubic spinel structure during charge–discharge cycling. In contrast, such layered to spinel phase transformation has only been identified in bulk cathode laminates with x ≥ 0.75. At a current density 0.05 mAcm⁻², the discharge capacity of Li(Mn_0.375Ni_0.375Co_0.25)O₂ thin film was measured to be ∼60 μAhcm⁻². The discharge capacity (∼217 μAhcm⁻²) was markedly improved in x∼0.5 composite thin film. The capacity retention after 20 charge discharge cycles are improved in composite films; however, their capacity fading could not be eliminated completely.     

Enzyme mimics of spinel-type CoxNi1−xFe2O4 magnetic nanomaterial for eletroctrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide

A series of spinel-type Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) magnetic nanomaterials were solvothermally synthesized as enzyme mimics for the eletroctrocatalytic oxidation of H₂O₂. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope were employed to characterize the composition, structure and morphology of the material. The electrochemical properties of spinel-type Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ with different (Co/Ni) molar ratio toward H₂O₂ oxidation were investigated, and the results demonstrated that Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ modified carbon paste electrode (Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE) possessed the best electrocatalytic activity for H₂O₂ oxidation. Under optimum conditions, the calibration curve for H₂O₂ determination on Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE was linear in a wide range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻³ M with low detection limit of 3.0 × 10⁻⁹ M (S/N = 3). The proposed Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE was also applied to the determination of H₂O₂ in commercial toothpastes with satisfactory results, indicating that Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ is a promising hydrogen peroxidase mimics for the detection of H₂O₂.     

LixNi0.5Co0.5O2的态密度计算及电化学性能研究

>为获得综合性能更好的锂离子二次电池正极材料, 分析了Co掺杂对Li_xNiO₂电化学性能的影响. 采用密度泛函DFT理论对Li_xNiO₂和Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂的平均放电电压和态密度进行了计算. 同时, 用共沉淀法制备了Li_xNiO₂和Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂锂离子二次电池正极材料, 并对其进行了XRD结构分析和恒流充放电测试. 实验和计算结果表明: 随锂离子嵌入正极(电池放电), 电池的电压逐渐降低, 材料的态密度峰向低能量方向移动; 与Li_xNiO₂相比, Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂的电压平台相对较高(当0.25≤x≤0.5), 而且在Li^＋嵌/脱时, Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂的结构变化相对较小; Co离子的掺入, 减小了NiO₆八面体的畸变度, 使材料的电化学稳定性得以提高. 在钴掺杂镍酸锂体系中, NiO₆和CoO₆具有相互的稳定作用.     

Significant improved electrochemical performance of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 cathode on volumetric energy density and cycling stability at high rate

Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ microspheres with a tap density of 2.41 g cm⁻³ have been synthesized for applications in high power and high energy systems, using a simple rheological phase reaction route. Cyclic voltammograms (CV) showed no shift of anodic and cathodic peaks centred at 3.81, 3.69 V for the Ni²⁺/Ni⁴⁺ couple after first cycle. The results of power pulse area specific impedance (ASI) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests showed lower power impedance and increased thermal stability of the electrode at high rate. These merits mentioned above provided significant improved capacity and rate performance for Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ microspheres, which 159, 147 mAh g⁻¹ discharge capacity was delivered after 100 cycles between 2.5–4.6 V vs. Li at a different discharge rate of 2.5 C (500 mA g⁻¹), 5 C and a constant 0.5 C charge rate, respectively.     

The reactivity of delithiated Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2, Li(Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05)O2 or LiCoO2 with non-aqueous electrolyte

The high temperature reactions of 1 M LiPF₆ EC:DEC and LiCoO₂, Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ (NCM) or Li(Ni_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05)O₂ (NCA) charged to 4.2 V and 4.4 V, respectively, were studied by accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC). The results indicate that NCM shows better thermal stability than both LiCoO₂ and NCA. The state-of-the-art NCA sample shows better safety properties than LiCoO₂. The reactivity of the samples depends on the electrolyte:active material ratio used during ARC testing. Electrode materials charged to 4.4 V are more reactive than the electrode materials charged to 4.2 V. These results should be useful for Li-ion battery researchers interested in maximizing the safety of high energy density cells and also as a benchmark for other researchers using ARC.     

Nickel‐substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles supported on arginine‐modified graphene oxide nanosheets: Synthesis and catalytic activity

The amino acid arginine was used to modify the surface of graphene oxide nanosheets and then nickel‐substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were supported on those arginine‐grafted graphene oxide nanosheets (Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄@Arg–GO). The prepared Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄@Arg–GO was characterized using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The application of Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄@Arg–GO as a catalyst was examined in a one‐pot tandem oxidative cyclization of primary alcohols with o ‐phenylenediamine to benzimidazoles under aerobic oxidation conditions. The results showed that 2‐phenylbenzimidazole derivatives were successfully achieved using Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄@Arg–GO nanocomposite catalyst via the one‐pot tandem oxidative cyclization strategy.     

Catalytic activity in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over Ni and/or Co molybdate catalysts: Synthesis and characterization

Ni and/or Co molybdate based catalysts were synthetized by co-precipitation for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane reaction. The catalysts were characterized by several techniques such TGA-DTA, HT-XRD, XRD, LRS, N₂ adsorption, XPS and TPR. The results showed that the addition of Ni or Co to MMoO₄matrices (M=Ni or Co) led to a high dispersion of additives into the molybdenum matrix without the formation of a significant amount of other bulk metal oxides. Compared to the pure MMoO₄, the modified molybdenum (Ni_0.5Co_0.5MoO₄) presents a higher thermal stability (up to 1000 °C). It has a lower BET surface area and higher reduction temperature compared to those of the NiMoO₄ sample. In the ODH of ethane, Ni_0.5Co_0.5MoO₄ shows a lower catalytic activity compared to that of MMoO₄ samples; however, the ethylene selectivity is enhanced (exceeding 90%). As a result, these series of catalysts show improved efficiency for ethylene production in the ethane ODH reaction.     

Thermodynamics of citrate complexation with Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions

Isothermal titration calorimetry has been used to determine the stoichiometry, formation constants and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG ^o, ΔH, ΔS) for the formation of the citrate complexes with the Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. The measurements were run in Cacodylate, Pipes and Mes buffer solutions with a pH of 6, at 298.15 K. A constant ionic strength of 100 mM was maintained with NaClO₄. The influence of a metal ion on its interaction energy with the citrate ions and the stability of the resulting complexes have been discussed.     

Impact of Gd3+ and Nd3+ ions substitution on structural and magnetic properties of Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 ferrite system

Co_0.5Ni_0.5(Gd/Nd)_xFe_2-xO₄ (x ?= ?0.0 and 0.06) ferrites were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. These materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy, and VSM techniques. The XRD analysis revealed the phase formation of all samples and their cubic spinel structure with the Fd-3m space group. Lattice constant was found to increase due to Gd and Nd ions substitution. However, the crystallite size was observed to decrease by the substitution effect. The FT-IR spectra showed the two vibrational frequency bands of the tetrahedral and octahedral sites. From the magnetic properties study, it was identified that the pure and Gd substituted Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite showed a ferromagnetic behaviour. While the Nd substituted Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite delivered a superparamagnetic behaviour. The substitution of Gd and Nd changed the values of the magnetic parameters of Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite. An increase in the saturation magnetization (M_s) value was observed due to substitution of Gd and Nd in Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite, indicating that Gd and Nd substitution strengthen the supermagnetic interactions in Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite. The highest value of M_s was observed in Gd doped sample.