Direct micron-sized LiMn2O4 particle coating on LiCoO2 cathode material using surfactant

Micron-sized LiMn₂O₄ particles were easily coated on LiCoO₂ cathodes using an amphoteric gelatin surfactant at pH4–5. The coated LiCoO₂ material showed a significantly higher thermal stability during charging and capacity retention on cycling at 4.6 V, compared to the bare LiCoO₂.     

Thermally stimulated luminescence from alkaline earth borates

The thermally stimulated luminescence from XB₂O₄ (X=Ca,Sr,Ba) has been investigated. The results on CaB₂O₄ and SrB₂O₄ are being reported here for the first time. In both cases, the emission is found to be quite intense, contrary to the case with BaB₂O₄. The presence of two peaks in the glow curves is noted over the temperature range of 300-570 K. The emission spectra corresponding to both the peaks have been observed to be identical, consisting of two broad emissions, one in the UV and other in the blue-green regions. The emission is apparently quite different from that of BaB₂O₄ in which case only very weak emission spreading over a broad wavelength range around 410 nm is observed. This result has been understood in terms of the overlap between the excitation and the emission spectra.     

Relaxation phenomena in ensembles of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

Collective magnetic behavior of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with diameters of 76, 16, 15 and 8 nm, respectively, prepared by different chemical methods has been investigated. Particle composition, size and structure have been characterized by inductive coupled plasma (ICP), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Basic magnetic properties have been determined from the temperature dependence of magnetization and magnetization isotherms measurements. The three samples exhibit characteristic of a superparamagnetic system with the presence of strong interparticle interactions. Magnetic relaxation phenomena have been examined via frequency-dependent ac susceptibility measurements and aging and memory effect experiments. For the particles coated with oleic acid, it has been demonstrated that the sample reveals all attributes of a super-spin glass (SSG) system with strong interparticle interactions.     

Improvement of electrochemical performance of all-solid-state lithium secondary batteries by surface modification of LiMn2O4 positive electrode

To improve the electrochemical performance of an all-solid-state In/80Li₂S⋅20P₂S₅ (electrolyte)/LiMn₂O₄ cell, a lithium-titanate thin film was used to coat LiMn₂O₄. The interfacial resistance between LiMn₂O₄ and the electrolyte (measured after initial charging) decreased when the LiMn₂O₄ particles were coated with lithium-titanate. A cell with lithium-titanate-coated LiMn₂O₄ had a higher capacity than a cell with noncoated LiMn₂O₄ for current densities in the range 0.064 to 2.6 mA cm^− 2. Additionally, a cell with coated LiMn₂O₄ retained 96% of the 10th-cycle reversible capacity at a current density of 0.064 mA cm^− 2 after 50 cycles.     

Synthesis and characterization of Mn-doped Zn2SiO4/SiO2 phosphor particles in core-shell structure

Manganese-doped zinc silicate (Zn₂SiO₄:Mn) is a kind of phosphor material that has a photo-luminescent (PL) and cathode-luminescent (CL) properties with intensive green light emission at 520 nm. The particles consisting of SiO₂@Zn₂SiO₄:Mn (SiO₂ core-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn shell) were synthesized via colloidal process and forced precipitation. After drying, the Zn/Mn precipitates were coated on the surface of SiO₂ particles. The Zn/Mn precipitates reacted with SiO₂ and transformed to Zn₂SiO₄:Mn by suitable calcination. The microstructure, crystalline phase, and luminescent characteristics of the products were studied. Besides, a CL device consisting of the core-shell powder was characterized.     

类花状ZnO-CoFe2 O4 复合纳米管束的制备及其电磁波吸收特性

在90 ℃水溶液中采用两步晶体生长法制备出类花状ZnO-CoFe₂O₄复合纳米管束.ZnO纳米管束的管壁厚度大约为60 nm,管的直径大约为350 nm,CoFe₂O₄纳米颗粒连续包覆在ZnO纳米管束的表面,CoFe₂O₄纳米颗粒尺寸小于40 nm, 壳层厚度随着CoFe₂O₄在ZnO-CoFe₂O_{4 关键词： 类花状 2}O₄')" href="#">ZnO-CoFe₂O₄ 纳米管束 微波吸收剂     

The high pressure synthesis of the graphitic form of C3N4

Abstract

Basing on “ab-initio” calculations, C₃N₄ was claimed to be an ultra-hard material with a bulk-modulus close to that of diamond. Five different structural varieties were announced: the graphitic form, the zinc blende structure, the α and β forms of Si₃N₄ and another form, isostructural with the high pressure variety of Zn₂Si0₄.

Using the same strategy as that developed for diamond or c-BN synthesis, it appears that the graphitic form could be an appropriate precursor for preparing the 3D varieties. Two main problems characterize the C₃N₄ synthesis: (-) the temperature should be reduced in order to prevent nitrogen loss, (-) the reactivity of the precursors should be improved.

Consequently, we have developed a new process using the solvothermal decomposition of organic precursors containing carbon and nitrogen in the presence of a nitriding solvent. The resulting material, with a composition close to C₃N₄, has been characterized by different physico-chemical techniques.     

Ag-deposited silica-coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles catalyzed reduction of p-nitrophenol

In this paper, a novel approach was successfully developed for advanced catalyst Ag-deposited silica-coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles, which possess a silica coated magnetic core and growth active silver nanoparticles on the outer shell using n-butylamine as the reductant of AgNO₃ in ethanol. The as-synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), vibration sample magnetometer (VSM), and have been exploited as a solid phase catalyst for the reduction of p-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH₄ by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The obtained products exhibited monodisperse and bifunctional with high magnetization and excellent catalytic activity towards p-nitrophenol reduction. As a result, the as-obtained nanoparticles showed high performance in catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol with conversion of 95% within 14 min in the presence of an excess amount of NaBH₄, convenient magnetic separability, as well as remained activity after recycled more than 6 times. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-Ag functional nanostructure could hold great promise for various catalytic reactions.     

Magnetic properties of Nd0.9Dy0.1Fe3(BO3)4

The magnetic properties of trigonal Nd_0.9Dy_0.1Fe₃(BO₃)₄ substituted compound with the competitive Nd-Fe and Dy-Fe exchange interactions have been investigated. It has been shown that in Nd_0.9Dy_0.1Fe₃(BO₃)₄ a spontaneous spin-reorientation transition from an ease-axis state to an easy-plane occurs near 8 K. Anomalies of the magnetization curves are observed in a spin-flop transition induced by the magnetic field B‖c. The calculations were performed using a molecular-field approximation and a crystal-field model for the rare-earth subsystem. Extensive experimental data on the magnetic properties of Nd_0.9Dy_0.1Fe₃(BO₃)₄ have been interpreted and good agreement between theory and experiment has been achieved using the obtained theoretical dependences.     

Synthesis and characterization of core-shell structured SiO2@YVO4:Yb,Er microspheres

In this paper, the core-shell structured SiO₂@YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ microspheres have been successfully prepared via a facile sol-gel process followed by a heat treatment. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy disperse X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the samples. The results reveal that the SiO₂ spheres have been successfully coated by YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphors to form core-shell structures and the size of obtained microspheres has a uniform distribution. Additionally, the samples exhibit bright green luminescence under the excitation of a 980 nm laser diode. The photoluminescence intensity increases with the number of coatings. These core-shell structured SiO₂@YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ microspheres may have great potential in the fields of infrared detection and display devices.     

The dehydrogenation of CH4 on Rh(1 1 1), Rh(1 1 0) and Rh(1 0 0) surfaces: A density functional theory study

CH₄ dehydrogenation on Rh(1 1 1), Rh(1 1 0) and Rh(1 0 0) surfaces has been investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) slab calculations. On the basis of energy analysis, the preferred adsorption sites of CH_x (x = 0-4) and H species on Rh(1 1 1), Rh(1 1 0) and Rh(1 0 0) surfaces are located, respectively. Then, the stable co-adsorption configurations of CH_x (x = 0-3) and H are obtained. Further, the kinetic results of CH₄ dehydrogenation show that on Rh(1 1 1) and Rh(1 0 0) surfaces, CH is the most abundant species for CH₄ dissociation; on Rh(1 1 0) surface, CH₂ is the most abundant species, our results suggest that Rh catalyst can resist the carbon deposition in the CH₄ dehydrogenation. Finally, results of thermodynamic and kinetic show that CH₄ dehydrogenation on Rh(1 0 0) surface is the most preferable reaction pathway in comparison with that on Rh(1 1 1) and Rh(1 1 0) surfaces.     

Novel approach to preparation of LiMn2O4 core/LiNixMn2−xO4 shell composite

Combining two methods, coating and doping, to modify spinel LiMn₂O₄, is a novel approach we used to synthesize active material. First we coated the LiMn₂O₄ particles with the nickel oxide particles by means of homogenous precipitation, and then the nickel oxide-coated LiMn₂O₄ was calcined at 750 °C to form a LiNi_xMn_2−xO₄ shell on the surface of spinel LiMn₂O₄ particles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge-discharge test were performed to characterize the spinel LiMn₂O₄ before and after modification. The experimental results indicated that a spinel LiMn₂O₄ core is surrounded by a LiNi_xMn_2−xO₄ shell. The resulting composite showed excellent electrochemical cycling performance with an average fading rate of 0.014% per cycle. This improved cycle stability is greatly attributed to the suppression of Jahn-Teller distortion on the surface of spinel LiMn₂O₄ particles during cycling.     

Highly water resistant surface coating by fluoride on long persistent Sr4Al14O25:Eu/Dy phosphor

A novel and efficient method of providing moisture resistance of inorganic particles such as divalent europium activated strontium aluminate phosphors (Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Eu²⁺/Dy³⁺) was developed by firing the phosphor in the presence of appropriate amount of ammonium fluoride at a temperature of 600-700 °C. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, EDAX and Photoluminescence measurements were carried out to characterize the uncoated and coated samples. The pH measurements were carried out for the water resistivity measurements. The phosphor particles became coated with a moisture-impervious thin coating that did not suppress the luminescence of the phosphor and can withstand complete immersion in water for long periods of time, showing very high water resistivity.     

Properties of Ferrofluid Nanoparticles Prepared by Coprecipitation and Acid Treatment

A new stable acid water-based CoFe₂O₄ ferrofluid is prepared by coprecipitation and acid treatment. The properties of the nanoparticles forming the ferrofluid are examined by means of X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, scanning tunneling microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and annihilation technique. The results show that the particles are cubic CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, which have an average diameter of 12.2nm and are coated with a low density porous amorphous layer. The CoFe₂O₄ particles in an acid aqueous medium exist in two kinds of forms, one is a single spherical particle and another is an aggregation of several spherical particles.     

Upconversion emission enhancement of TiO2 coated lanthanide-doped Y2O3 nanoparticles

To investigate the upconversion emission,this paper synthesizes Tm3+ and Yb3+ codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles,and then coats them with TiO2 shells for different coating times.The spectral results of TiO2 coated nanoparticles indicate that upconversion emission intensities have respectively been enhanced 3.2,5.4,and 2.2 times for coating times of 30,60 and 90 min at an excitation power density of 3.21×102 W.cm 2,in comparison with the emission intensity of non-coated nanoparticles.Therefore it can be concluded that the intense upconversion emission of Y2O3:Tm3+,Yb3+ nanoparticles can be achieved by coating the particle surfaces with a shell of specific thickness.     

One‐Dimensional Magnetic Composite of Polypyrrole‐Containing Carbon Nanotubes/Ni0.75Zn0.25Fe2O4

A novel one‐dimensional electromagnetic nanocomposite of polypyrrole (PPY) containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/Ni_0.75Zn_0.25Fe₂O₄ was synthesized by an in‐situ polymerization method. The composite was characterized by x‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier transform infrared. The XRD results confirmed that PPY, CNTs, and Ni_0.75Zn_0.25Fe₂O₄ coexisted in the composite. The TEM and HRTEM results indicated that PPY coated the surface of the CNTs/Ni_0.75Zn_0.25Fe₂O₄ with a thickness of 15–30 nm. The lattice spacings, according to the first main peak of the CNTs, Ni_0.75Zn_0.25Fe₂O₄, and PPY, was about 0.34 nm, 0.25 nm, and 0.42 nm, respectively. The FTIR result also indicated that the PPY formed in the composite. A test of magnetic properties indicated that the composite was ferromagnetic with the saturated magnetization of 12.86 electromagnetic units (emu)/g, and the coercive of 127.18 Oersted (Oe).     

A hybrid variational–perturbational nuclear motion algorithm

A hybrid variational–perturbational nuclear motion algorithm based on the perturbative treatment of the Coriolis coupling terms of the Eckart–Watson kinetic energy operator following a variational treatment of the rest of the operator is described. The algorithm has been implemented in the quantum chemical code DEWE. Performance of the hybrid treatment is assessed by comparing selected numerically exact variational vibration-only and rovibrational energy levels of the C₂H₄, C₂D₄, and CH₄ molecules with their perturbatively corrected counterparts. For many of the rotational–vibrational states examined, numerical tests reveal excellent agreement between the variational and even the first-order perturbative energy levels, whilst the perturbative approach is able to reduce the computational cost of the matrix-vector product evaluations, needed by the iterative Lanczos eigensolver, by almost an order of magnitude.     

The improvement of moisture resistance and thermal stability of Ca3SiO4Cl2:Eu phosphor coated with SiO2

Green-emitting phosphors Ca₃SiO₄Cl₂:Eu²⁺ were prepared by the high temperature solid-state method. Sol-gel process was adopted to encapsulate the as-prepared phosphors with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as silicon coating reagent. Fluorescence spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were employed to characterize the emission spectra, the surface morphologies and the phase structures, respectively. The chemical stability testing was operated by the method of soaking the phosphors in deionized water and roasting them at different temperatures. The results indicated that the surfaces of the green phosphors were evenly coated by SiO₂ and the phase structure of the coated phosphors remained the same as the uncoated samples. The luminance centre of Eu²⁺ did not shift after surface treatment and the luminance intensity of coated phosphors was lower than that of the uncoated samples. The results demonstrated that the water-resistance stability of the coated phosphor was improved to some degree because the pH value and the luminance intensity variation were both smaller than the uncoated phosphor after steeping within the same time. Moreover, the thermal stability of coated phosphors was enhanced obviously compared to the original samples based on the temperature dependent emission spectra measurement.     

X-ray study on the phase transitions in triammonium hydrogen disulfate crystals and deuterated crystals

The structural phase transitions in triammonium hydrogen disulfate crystals and deuterated crystals below room temperature have been studied by X-ray diffraction. Three phases are observed in the temperature range from 25°C down to — 160°C. The space groups in three different phases are identified as C2/c, P2/n (or Pn), and C2 for (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ and (ND₄)₃D(SO₄)₂ crystals. No isotope effect on the structural phase transitions in these crystals could be detected by these studies. The occurrence of structural phase transitions caused by the reorientation of SO₄ groups and/or the shift of oxygen atoms from the sulfate atom in the SO₄ group are suggested from the diffraction photographs.