Ultrathin-layer α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> deposited under hematite for solar water splitting

This work proposes a new strategy to prepare a hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) bilayer photoanode by hydrothermally depositing α-Fe₂O₃ (B) on the α-Fe₂O₃ (A) films prepared by electrochemical deposition. Compact smooth surfaced α-Fe₂O₃ (A) films were electrochemically deposited on FTO (SnO₂:F) substrates from an aqueous bath. The α-Fe₂O₃ (A), α-Fe₂O₃ (B), and α-Fe₂O₃/α-Fe₂O₃ bilayer films’ characteristics were defined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Pure crystalline α-Fe₂O₃ (B) films with a typical anisotropic-like nanoparticle formation, which exhibited nanostructured rods covering the substrate and formed the characteristic mesoporous film morphology, were hydrothermally deposited on α-Fe₂O₃ (A) films prepared by electrochemical depositing in a solution bath at 25 °C and a potential of ??0.15 V. The photocurrent measurements exhibited increased intrinsic surface states (or defects) at the α-Fe₂O₃ (A)/α-Fe₂O₃ (B) interface. The photoelectrochemical performance of the α-Fe₂O₃ (A)/α-Fe₂O₃ (B) structure was examined by chronoamperometry, which found that the α-Fe₂O₃ (A)/α-Fe₂O₃ (B) structure exhibited greater photoelectrochemical activity than the α-Fe₂O₃ (A) and α-Fe₂O₃ (B) thin films. The highest photocurrent density was obtained for the bilayer α-Fe₂O₃ (A)/α-Fe₂O₃ (B) films in 1 M NaOH electrolyte. This great photoactivity was ascribed to the highly active surface area, and to the externally applied bias that favored the transfer and separation of photogenerated charge carriers in α-Fe₂O₃ (A)/α-Fe₂O₃ (B). The improved photocurrent density was attributed to an appropriate band edge alignment of semiconductors and to enhanced light absorption by both semiconductors. The best performing samples were α-Fe₂O₃ (A)/α-Fe₂O₃ (B), which reached the maximum incident photon conversion efficiencies (IPCE) of 400 nm at the potential of 0.1 V. In this case, the IPCE values were 3-fold higher than those of the α-Fe₂O₃ (A) and α-Fe₂O₃ (B) films.     

The characterization and property of polystyrene compounding of α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3 </Subscript>in the nano-scale

-Fe₂O₃/polystyrene composite nanoparticles were synthesized in an oil/water microemulsion. Their structure was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry. An Ubbelonde viscometer, a Gouy balance and a model 283 potentiostat/galvanostat measured the molecular weight of the composite nanoparticles and their magnetic and electrical characteristics respectively.     

Improvement of supercooling and thermal conductivity of the sodium acetate trihydrate for thermal energy storage with α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> as addictive

In situ calorimetric technology was firstly employed to study the effects of surfactants on the materials formation. In the present study, different kinds of surfactants were selected as additives during cluster-shaped Ni-doped Fe₃O₄ synthesis. Experimental results indicate that the surfactants reduced the particle size and changed the cationic distribution, compositions and magnetic properties of the as-synthesized materials. The microcalorimetric results demonstrate that the sample formation was endothermal and divided into five processes based on the heat-flow versus time curves. No significant effects of the surfactants on these processes were found. However, the surfactants addition affected the heat flow and the temperatures for peaks in these curves. The surfactant adsorption on the crystal facet and nuclei of the sample, and the interactions among surfactants and ions contained in the system may be mainly the reason for these effects. These results demonstrate different actions of surfactants and ligands on materials formation.     

A Green,Low-Cost and Efficient Photocatalyst: Atomic-Hydrogenated α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The environmental-friendly hematite iron oxide (α-Fe₂O₃) has important application prospects in the photocatalysis field owing to its narrow indirect band gap. Here, we report a band gap engineering of α-Fe₂O₃ by incorporation of electrochemically-generated atomic hydrogen at moderate conditions. The ultraviolet–visible spectra show the reduction of the α-Fe₂O₃ band gap after hydrogenation and the absorption region from 200–800 nm is enhanced, especially in the visible light region. First principles calculation reveals the mixing of the new hybrid energy level with the valence band top resulting in a decrease in the band gap of α-Fe₂O₃. Further photocatalytic degradation experiments of dyes demonstrate that the photocatalytic efficiency of α-Fe₂O₃ can be greatly enhanced by the atomic hydrogen incorporation. The hydrogenated α-Fe₂O₃ can be easily recycled by magnets and has good photocatalytic stability. These findings offer possibilities for utilizing this inexpensive and earth-abundant oxide materials in the pollution controlling areas.     

Novel sol–gel method for preparation of high concentration ε-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite

ε-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ nanocomposite was prepared by novel solgel method using single precursor for both nanoparticles and matrix. This method allows to prepare the samples free of α-Fe₂O₃ with 40% of Fe₂O₃ in SiO₂. Nanoparticles of 12 nm diameter were obtained by annealing at 1,000 °C. The samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Mössbauer spectroscopy identified ε-Fe₂O₃ as the only magnetically ordered phase at room temperature. Magnetic measurements revealed progressive necking of hysteresis loops measured at 300 and 2 K. In both cases the intrinsic coercivity reaches only 0.25 T. Measurements up to 14 T shows monotonous decreasing trend of saturated magnetization with increasing temperature.     

Structure and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The structural features and magnetic properties of composite materials Fe₂O₃-SiO₂ consisting of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in an amorphous porous matrix of SiO₂ were considered. The studied samples were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The structure of γ-Fe₂O₃-SiO₂ depending on the heating temperature was studied by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, ESR and IR spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements were performed on a SQUID magnetometer in the range 2–350 K.     

Sol–gel preparation of highly transparent α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> film for the application in red color filter

α-Fe₂O₃ films as inorganic red color filter were synthesized through a simple procedure, epoxide assisted sol–gel route. The sol was prepared through reaction of FeCl₂ in boiling ethanol solution with propylene oxide. The films were formed by the dip-coating of sol on substrate, drying and the following annealing steps. The obtained α-Fe₂O₃ films were composed of homogeneous distributed α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with size of 30–50 nm. The film shows strong absorption to the light below 600 nm and high transparency to the red light (87% at 630 nm). As inorganic red color filter, the optic behavior of this film is nearly as same as the organic color filter made of dye.     

Formation of solid solutions of multiferroics in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The sequence of phases appearance during the formation of Bi_1–xNd_xFeO₃ solid solutions in powder oxides mixtures of bismuth, neodymium, and iron has been determined. It has been shown that the closeness of the reaction mixture composition to that of the individual compound (BiFeO₃ or NdFeO₃) is essential for the realization of the series of phase transformations yielding solid solutions of multiferroics Bi_1–xNd_xFeO₃ as the final product, due to the prevalence of various interphase contacts in the starting reaction zone.     

Ultrafine α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocrystals anchored on N-doped graphene: a nanomaterial with long hole diffusion length and efficient visible light-excited charge separation for use in photoelectrochemical sensing

The authors have coupled ultrafine α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals to N-doped graphene (NG) to obtain a novel material for use in a photoelectrode. The presence of NG is shown to strongly affect the morphology and size of the α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals formed on the NG sheets, and to improve their photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity. Interestingly, the PEC performance of the nanocomposite is closely correlated to the size of the α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals in that small nanocrystals display better PEC properties. The photocurrent of α-Fe₂O₃-NG is nearly 3.3-fold stronger than that of α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals. Based on the remarkable PEC performance of this nanocomposite, a PEC sensor was constructed for the sensitive determination of 1,4-dihydroxybenzene (HQ). Its photocurrent increases with the HQ concentration in the range from 3.0 nM to 3.3 μM, and the detection limit is 1.0 nM (at an S/N ratio of 3). In our perception, the study presented here can serve as a basis for a better understanding of the relationship between morphologies and PEC performance of such nanomaterials. Conceivably, it may be extended to other PEC sensing system and to other fields associated with nanotechnology.

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Graphical abstract Ultrafine α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals were prepared via coupling with N-doped graphene (NG) substances (α-Fe₂O₃-NG). They exhibit superior photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance and have been successfully utilized for PEC-based sensing.

     

Low temperature and size controlled synthesis of monodispersed γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3 </Subscript>nanoparticles by an epoxide assisted sol–gel route

Monodispersed γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were prepared by a procedure-simple and precursor-cheap route, epoxide assisted sol–gel method. The γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were obtained by the reaction of FeCl₂ in ethanol solution with propylene oxide to form the sol, following by the boiling of the solution. As compared with other metal ions of +2 formal charge, the unexpected acidity of FeCl₂ in ethanol solution assure the formation of sol. As an advantage, the unique chemistry of this route results in the low temperature of synthesis, leading to the extremely small particle size of 2.3 nm and non-aggregation state of the particles.     

Structural and Temperature Dependent Electrical Conductivity Properties of Dy<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Sm<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> CO-Doped Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In the present work, Dy₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ double-doped Bi₂O₃-based materials are synthesized by exploiting the solid-state synthesis method. The structural and temperature dependent electrical properties of these ternary ceramic samples, which are candidate materials for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) electrolyte, are determined by means of a powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the four point-probe method (FPPM), and the thermal-gravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). As a result of the XRD measurements, the fluorite-type fcc δ-phase with a stable structure is obtained for higher values of the dopant oxide material, which are the samples with the maximum content of fixed 20% Dy₂O₃ and 15% and 20% Sm₂O₃. The samples with the stable δ-phase structure have higher conductivities. The highest electrical conductivity is found for the (Bi₂O₃)0.6(Dy₂O₃)_0.2(Sm₂O₃)_0.2 sample, which was 2.5×10^–2 (Ohm cm)^–1 at 750 °C. The activation energies are also calculated from the Arrhenius charts, which were determined from the FPPM measurements. The lowest activation energy is found as 0.85 eV for the sample with the highest electrical conductivity.     

[Bmim]<Subscript>5</Subscript>[PNiW<Subscript>11</Subscript>O<Subscript>39</Subscript>]·3H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O an organic–inorganic hybrid as catalyst for one-pot pseudo-five-component synthesis of tetrazolyldiazepines

In this research, two heterogeneous organic–inorganic hybrid catalysts, [bmim]₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]·3H₂O and [bmim]₅[PNiW₁₁O₃₉]·3H₂O, have been prepared. The catalysts were fully characterized by several techniques such as elemental analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Next, the hybrid catalysts have been used for the synthesis of functionalized diazepines containing tetrazole ring. Tetrazolyl-1H-spiro[benzo[b]cyclopenta[e][1,4] diazepines products were obtained in excellent yields and mild experimental conditions using [bmim]₅[PNiW₁₁O₃₉]·3H₂O as catalyst. This process was carried out via a one-pot, pseudo-five-component condensation reaction by means of a 1,2-diamine, isocyanide, TMSN3 and two molecules of a linear or cyclic ketone in methanol, at ambient temperature.     

Targeted synthesis ultrafine α- and γ-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> having different morphologies

Reactions of nitric acid solutions of bismuth with alkalis have been studied. The effect caused by coprecipitation conditions in the presence of additional agents (EG, PEG 400, or PEG 8000) and without on the phase composition and morphology of α- and γ-Bi₂O₃ has been determined.     

Facile synthesis of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> core–shell nanobelts

We report a facile chemical approach for the synthesis of one-dimensional V₂O₅/TiO₂ core–shell nanobelts. The coated V₂O₅ nanobelts are synthesized by a hydrothermal method which is feasible for large-scale production. V₂O₅ nanobelts coated with a thin layer of TiO₂ sol are formed before sintering, and after sintering one-dimensional V₂O₅/TiO₂ core–shell nanobelts, composed of single-crystalline V₂O₅ nanobelts cores uniformly coated with anatase TiO₂ nanoparticle shells are obtained. The influences of the synthetic parameters, such as sintering temperature and titanium/vanadium mole ratios, on the morphology of the resulting products are investigated. Interestingly, the shape of single-crystalline of V₂O₅ nanobelts is totally preserved after sintering; the morphology can be readily controlled to be smooth or rough by altering the sintering temperature of the shells and titanium/vanadium mole ratio.     

Synthesis and properties of γ-Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solutions

The textural and structural properties of mixed oxides Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃, obtained via impregnating γ-Al₂O₃ with a solution of Ga(NO₃)₃ and subsequent heat treatment, are studied. According to the results from X-ray powder diffraction, gallium ions are incorporated into the structure of aluminum oxide to form a solid solution of spinel-type γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ up to a Ga₂O₃ content of 50 wt % of the total weight of the sample, accompanied by a reduction in the specific surface area, volume, and average pore diameter. It is concluded that when the Ga₂O₃ content exceeds 50 wt %, the β-Ga₂O₃ phase is observed along with γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ solid solution. ⁷¹Ga and ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy shows that gallium replaces aluminum atoms from the tetrahedral position to the octahedral coordination in the structure of γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃.     

α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films by liquid phase deposition: low-cost option for supercapacitor

In the present study, iron oxide (α-Fe₂O₃) thin films with good adhesion on stainless steel substrates are deposited by liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique, which is additive and binder-free. Iron oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) thin films are formed by means of a ligand-exchange equilibrium reaction of metal-fluoro complex ions and an F^?ions consuming reaction by using boric acid (H₃BO₃) as a scavenging agent. These films are annealed at 500 °C to get α-Fe₂O₃ thin films. The transformation from hydrophobic to hydrophilic nature of the films is observed due to annealing. The films are characterized by different techniques. The α-Fe₂O₃ film is checked for electrochemical supercapacitive performance in Na₂SO₃ solutions of various concentrations. Specific capacitance is calculated from cyclic voltammetry at numerous scan rates (5–200) mV s^?1. The highest obtained value of specific capacitance is 582 F g^?1 at 5 mV s^?1 for 0.5 M Na₂SO₃ electrolyte. The maximum values of specific power and specific energy are 6.9 and 53.4 Wh kg^?1 from the charge-discharge curve at the current density 2 mA cm^?2 in 0.5 M Na₂SO₃ electrolyte.     

Pd/Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for the selective liquid-phase hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene

The structure of Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ supports and Pd/Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ catalysts and the performance of these catalysts in liquid-phase acetylene hydrogenation have been investigated. The deposition of Ga(NO₃)₃ onto Al₂O₃ by impregnation followed by calcination of the impregnated support at 600°C yields γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ solid solutions containing up to 50 wt % Ga₂O₃. X-ray diffraction characterization of model palladium catalysts and their temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen have demonstrated that, while palladium in Pd/Ga₂O₃ is in the form of a Pd₂Ga alloy, in the Pd/γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ catalyst there is no direct interaction between PdО and Ga₂O₃ particles and palladium is in the monometallic state. The introduction of 10–20 wt % gallium oxide into Al₂O₃ lowers the activity of the supported palladium catalyst relative to that of the initial Pd/Al₂O₃ but increases the ethylene yield by enhancing the ethylene formation selectivity.