Preparation and characterization of SiO2/TiO2 composite microspheres with microporous SiO2 core/mesoporous TiO2 shell

SiO₂/TiO₂ composite microspheres with microporous SiO₂ core/mesoporous TiO₂ shell structures were prepared by hydrolysis of titanium tetrabutylorthotitanate (TTBT) in the presence of microporous silica microspheres using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as a surface esterification agent and porous template, and then dried and calcined at different temperatures. The as-prepared products were characterized with differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric (DTA/TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption. The results showed that composite particles were about 1.8 μm in diameter, and had a spherical morphology and a narrow size distribution. Uniform mesoporous titania coatings on the surfaces of microporous silica microspheres could be obtained by adjusting the HPC concentration to an optimal concentration of about 3.2 mmol L⁻¹. The anatase and rutile phase in the SiO₂/TiO₂ composite microspheres began to form at 700 and 900 °C, respectively. At 700 °C, the specific surface area and pore volume of the SiO₂/TiO₂ composite microspheres were 552 and 0.652 mL g⁻¹, respectively. However, at 900 °C, the specific surface area and pore volume significantly decreased due to the phase transformation from anatase to rutile.     

Kinetic analysis of the thermal stability of lithium silicates (Li4SiO4 and Li2SiO3)

The kinetics describing the thermal decomposition of Li₄SiO₄ and Li₂SiO₃ have been analysed. While Li₄SiO₄ decomposed on Li₂SiO₃ by lithium sublimation, Li₂SiO₃ was highly stable at the temperatures studied. Li₄SiO₄ began to decompose between 900 and 1000 °C. However, at 1100 °C or higher temperatures, Li₄SiO₄ melted, and the kinetic data of its decomposition varied. The activation energy of both processes was estimated according to the Arrhenius kinetic theory. The energy values obtained were −408 and −250 kJ mol⁻¹ for the solid and liquid phases, respectively. At the same time, the Li₄SiO₄ decomposition process was described mathematically as a function of a diffusion-controlled reaction into a spherical system. The activation energy for this process was estimated to be −331 kJ mol⁻¹. On the other hand, Li₂SiO₃ was not decomposed at high temperatures, but it presented a very high preferential orientation after the heat treatments.     

Synthesis of Gels in the System Na2O-ZrO2-SiO2

Gels have been synthesized in the SiO₂-Na₂O-ZrO₂ system and calcined at various temperatures up to 700°C. They have been studied by infrared absorption spectroscopy. The position of the asymmetric stretching frequency of the SiO₄ unit is used as a tracer of the homogeneity. It is shown that sodium increases the solubility of zirconium in the silica matrix as already observed in fused glasses.     

Solid-solid interactions in pure and Li2O-doped manganese and magnesium mixed oxides system

The solid-solid interactions between manganese and magnesium oxides in absence and in presence of small amounts of Li₂O have been investigated. The molar ratios between manganese and magnesium oxides in the form of Mn₂O₃ and MgO were varied between 0.05:1 to 0.5:1. The mixed solids were calcined in air at 400-1000°C. The techniques employed were DTA, XRD and H₂O₂ decomposition at 20-40°C.The results obtained revealed that solid-solid interactions took place between the reacting solids at 600-1000°C yielding magnesium manganates (Mg₂MnO₄, Mg₆MnO₈, MgMnO₄ besides unreacted portions of MgO, Mn₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄). Li₂O-doping (0.75-6 mol%) of the investigated system followed by calcination at 600 and 800°C decreased progressively the intensity of the diffraction lines of Mn₂O₃ (Bixbyite) with subsequent increase in the lattice parameter 'a' of MgO to an extent proportional to the amount of Li₂O added. This finding might suggest that the doping process enhanced the dissolution of Mn₂O₃ in MgO forming solid solution. This treatment led also to the formation of Li₂MnO₃. Furthermore, the doping with 3 and 6 mol% Li₂O conducted at 800°C resulted in the conversion of Mn₂O₃ into Mn₃O₄, a process that took place at 1000°C in absence of Li₂O. The produced Li₂MnO₃ phase remained stable by heating at up to 1000°C. Furthermore, Li₂O doping of the investigated system at 400-1000°C resulted in a progressive measurable increase in the particle size of MgO.The catalytic activity measurements showed that the increase in the molar ratio of Mn₂O₃ in the samples precalcined at 400-800°C was accompanied by a significant increase in the catalytic activity of the treated solids. The maximum increase in the catalytic activity expressed as reaction rate constant measured at 20°C (k _20°C) attained 3.14, 2.67 and 3.25-fold for the solids precalcined at 400, 600 and 800°C, respectively. Li₂O-doping of the samples having the formula 0.1 Mn₂O₃/MgO conducted at 400-600°C brought a progressive significant increase in its catalytic activity. The maximum increase in the value of k _20°C due to Li₂O attained 1.93 and 2.75-fold for the samples preheated at 400 and 600°C, respectively and opposite effect was found for the doped samples preheated at 800°C.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phase stability and ionic conductivity in substituted La2W2O9

Different substitutions, i.e. Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, K⁺, Nb⁵⁺ and V⁵⁺, have been performed in the triclinic α-La₂W₂O₉ structure in order to stabilise the high temperature and better ionic conductor cubic β-phase. This approach has been used to try to obtain a new series of ionic conductors with LAMOX-type structure without molybdenum and presumably better redox stability compared to β-La₂Mo₂O₉. Nanocrystalline materials obtained by a freeze-drying precursor method at 600 °C exhibit mainly the β-La₂W₂O₉ structure, however, the triclinic α-form is stabilised as the firing temperature increases and the crystallite size grows. Only high levels of Ba²⁺ and V⁵⁺ substitutions retained the cubic form at room temperature after firing above 1100 °C. However, these phases are metastable above 700 °C, exhibiting an irreversible transformation to the low temperature triclinic α-phase. The synthesis, structure, phase stability, kinetic of phase transformation and electrical conductivity of these materials have been studied in the present report.     

Sol-Gel Preparation of Fast Proton-Conducting P2O5-SiO2 Glasses

We have investigated the proton conductivities of the sol-gel-derived P₂O₅-SiO₂ glass at –50 to 120°C. The obtained glass is porous, where the surface area, pore volume and pore diameter are 740 m²/g, 0.5 cm³/g and <5 nm, respectively. The freezing temperature of water molecules adsorbed in the pores was –20°C, which is much lower than that of free liquid water due to the quantum size effect of the water confined in the pores. The electrical conductivities followed the Arrhenius equation in the temperatures between –20 and 120°C. Below –20°C, the adsorbed-water molecules were frozen, resulting in a rapid decrease of the proton conductivity. Considering the high conductivity, chemical and thermal stability, this oxide glass membranes have potential for the fuel cell membrane.     

Preparation and Optical Properties of Submicron SiO2 Spheres Doped with YAG:Nd3+ Nanocrystallites

The sol-gel technology has been applied to obtain SiO₂ spheres of submicron size. The spheres have been doped with YAG:Nd³⁺ nanocrystallites. The nanocrystallites have been obtained from aqueous solutions of citric acid, yttrium, aluminum and neodymium chlorides. The obtained gels have been heated up to 800°C. Emission spectra as well as the excited state lifetimes have been measured at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. The structural characterization has been performed by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM, SEM) and powder diffraction (XRD) measurements. We have observed that the YAG:Nd³⁺ nanocrystallites demonstrate pronounced dependence of the emission intensities on the excitation power as compared to the YAG:Nd³⁺ crystallites embedded into the submicron SiO₂ spheres. The results suggest that silica spheres/YAG:Nd³⁺ composites are expected to be good hosts for microlaser systems.     

Synthesis and characterization of Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites

Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ nanocomposites based on fumed silica A-300 (S_BET = 337 m²/g) with iron oxide deposits at different content were synthesized using Fe(III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)₃) dissolved in isopropyl alcohol or carbon tetrachloride for impregnation of the nanosilica powder at different amounts of Fe(acac)₃ then oxidized in air at 400–900 °C. Samples with Fe(acac)₃ adsorbed onto nanosilica and samples with Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ including 6–17 wt% of Fe₂O₃ were investigated using XRD, XPS, TG/DTA, TPD MS, FTIR, AFM, nitrogen adsorption, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry methods. The structural characteristics and phase composition of Fe₂O₃ deposits depend on reaction conditions, solvent type, content of grafted iron oxide, and post-reaction treatments. The iron oxide deposits on A-300 (impregnated by the Fe(acac)₃ solution in isopropanol) treated at 500–600 °C include several phases characterized by different nanoparticle size distributions; however, in the case of impregnation of A-300 by the Fe(acac)₃ solution in carbon tetrachloride only α-Fe₂O₃ phase is formed in addition to amorphous Fe₂O₃. The Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ materials remain loose (similar to the A-300 matrix) at the bulk density of 0.12–0.15 g/cm³ and S_BET = 265–310 m²/g.     

A Novel Solution Method for Interpreting Binary Adsorption Isotherms from Concentration Pulse Chromatography Data

Adsorption separation of carbon dioxide from nitrogen (N₂, which represents air) was investigated by using H-ZSM-5 as the adsorbent with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios of 30 and 280. Pure and binary isotherms at 40°C have been determined experimentally using concentration pulse chromatography.Presently available methods for determining binary isotherms from concentration pulse chromatography data have been reviewed and shown incapable of interpreting this particular binary system. A novel solution method is presented and shown to be superior to the other methods.The binary isotherms for the CO₂-N₂ system show an increase in CO₂ selectivity with increase in surface heterogeneity. The optimal separation factor for H-ZSM-5-30 was found to be 215 at 0.7% CO₂ in the feed, whereas, H-ZSM-5-280 has an optimal separation factor of 48 at 2.7% CO₂ in the feed.     

The speed of sound in mixtures of the major sea salts. A test of Young's rule for adiabatic PVT properties

The relative sound speed of mixtures of aqueous solutions of NaCl–MgSO₄ and MgCl₂–Na₂SO₄ at I=0.1 and 0.5m have been determined at 5, 15, and 25°C and pressures to 1000 bars. The resulting sound speeds, adiabatic and apparent molal compressibilities have been compared to results estimated from binary solutions using an additivity principle — Young's rule. The estimated sound speeds agree with the measured values for the NaCl–MgSO₄ system to ±0.15 m-sec^–1 and for the Na₂SO₄–MgCL₂ system to ±0.20 m-sec^–1. The deviations increase with increasing ionic strength (±0.08 m-sec^–1 at I=0.1 and ±0.25 m-sec^–1 at I=0.5 m).The sound speed of seawater have also been estimated from 0 to 40°C, 0.1 to 0.7 ionic strength and 0 to 1000 bars. The estimates were found to be in good agreement (±0.4 m-sec^–1) with the measured values.These results indicate that reasonable estimates of the adiabatic PVT properties of dilute mixtures of electrolyte solutions can be made using the additivity principle, without excess mixing terms.     

Sol-Gel Derived TiO2-SiO2 Fibres

TiO₂−SiO₂ fibres with 0, 5, 10 and 20 volume % SiO₂ have been prepared by drawing from a gel followed by sintering at different temperatures. Nearly one meter long fibres can be drawn easily in conditions of about 50% relative humidity. Addition of SiO₂ inhibits the crystallisation of TiO₂ and also the anatase → rutile transformation and improves the strength of the fibres. While the pure TiO₂ fibres are brittle, those with 5, 10 and 20 volume % SiO₂ are flexible and strong. Tensile strength values as high as 3 GPa have been achieved in the 10 volume % SiO₂−TiO₂ fibres. Fibres heated above 900°C are brittle. The shape of the cross section of the fibres is found to depend on their diameters.     

Preparation of La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 Nano-Phase Powders and Films from Alkoxide Precursors

The first purely alkoxide-based sol-gel route to nano-phase powders and thin films of perovskite La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ is described. The phase and microstructure evolution on heat treatment of free gel films to form the target nano-phase oxide were investigated by TGA, IR spectroscopy, powder XRD, SEM and TEM-EDS. The xerogel consisted of a hydrated oxo-carbonate, without remaining alkoxo groups or solvent. Heating at 5°C·min^–1 decomposed the carbonate groups and yielded the pure perovskite La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ at 760°C. The cell dimensions were virtually unchanged from the first observation of perovskite at 680°C, to 1000°C, 4 h. The monoclinic cell of La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ obtained at 1000°C, 4 h, had the dimensions a = 5.475(1), b = 5.504(2), c = 7.771(1) Å, = 90.50(2), fitting the literature data quite well. Crack-free, homogenous, 150 nm thick La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ films were prepared by spin-coating Si/SiO₂/TiO₂/Pt and polycrystalline -Al₂O₃ substrates with a 0.6 M alkoxide solution, followed by heating at 5°C·min^–1 to 800°C, 30 min.     

Ionic conduction of a high-temperature modification of Lu<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

A nanoceramic product of the composition Lu₂Ti₂O₇ is synthesized by a coprecipitation method with a subsequent sublimation drying and an annealing at 650–1650°C. The conduction of Lu₂Ti₂O₇ synthesized at 1650°C is ionic (10^–3 S cm^–1 at 800°C). Thus, a new material with a high ionic conduction has been discovered. The ordering in Lu₂Ti₂O₇ is studied by methods of RFA, RSA, IK spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. The existence of a low-temperature phase transition fluorite-pyrochlore at 800°C and a high-temperature conversion order-disorder at 1650°C are established.Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 3, 2005, pp. 298–303.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shlyakhtina, Ukshe, Shcherbakova.     

Studies on hydrolyzable carbides. XXII: The carbothermal reduction of scandium oxide Sc2O3

The composition of the products of carbothermal reduction of Sc₂O₃ is examined by X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis and by the hydrolysis method. At pressures of 10^–2-1 Pa, the reaction starts in the temperature region of 1 000–1 200°C. The first product is Sc₂OC of NaCl type; at 1 Pa and 1 400–1 500°C this substance is formed quantitatively (according to stoichiometry) within 50–100 h, repeated homogenization, however, is necessary, or else Sc₂OC reacts locally with Sc₂O₃ giving Sc₂O_1+x C_1–x . The lattice parameter of Sc₂OC in the presence of Sc₁₅C₁₉ is 457.6₃pm. At temperatures above 1 500°C, Sc₁₅C₁₉ is incompletely formed by subsequent reaction with carbon. The product melts at cca. 1 800°C; carbon dissolves and the final composition approaches ScC₂. Carbon separates during solidification. The phase fractions in the products are affected by evaporation, the vapour pressures above both Sc₂OC and Sc₁₅C₁₉ being comparable with the pressure requisite for the carboreduction process. The results are discussed with respect to the often ambiguous published data.

---

Untersuchung hydrolysierbarer Carbide, XXII. Die karbothermische Reduktion von Scandiumoxid

Zusammenfassung Zur Untersuchung von Produkten der karbothermischen Reduktion von Scandiumoxid wurden sowohl röntgenographische und chemische Analyse als auch die hydrolytische Methode verwendet. Bei 10^–2 bis 1 Pa beginnt die Reaktion im Temperaturintervall von 1 000–1 200°C. Das erste Reaktionsprodukt ist das Scandiumoxidcarbid Sc₂OC von NaCl-Typ, das quantitativ (der Stöchiometrie entsprechend) bei 1 400–1 500°C und 1 Pa in 50–100 Stunden entsteht. Eine wiederholte Homogenisierung ist allerdings notwendig, damit es zu keiner lokalen Reaktion zwischen Sc₂OC und Sc₂O₃ kommt, bei der dann die Phase Sc₂O_1+x C_1–x entsteht. In Gegenwart von Sc₁₅C₁₉ ist der Gitterparameter von Sc₂OCa=457.6₃pm. Über 1 500°C führt eine weitere Reaktion mit Kohlenstoff zu einer nicht ganz vollendeten Bildung von Sc₁₅C₁₉. Bei cca. 1 800°C schmilzt das Reaktionsprodukt bei gleichzeitiger Auflösung von weiterem Kohlenstoff und die Zusammensetzung nähert sich der Formel ScC₂, beim Erstarren fällt der Kohlenstoff wieder aus. Die Verteilung der Phasen im Produkt wird von der Verdampfung beeinflußt, da die Dampfdrucke von Sc₂OC und Sc₁₅C₁₉ mit dem zum Karboreduktionverlauf notwendigen Druck vergleichbar sind. Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse werden in Relation mit den nicht eindeutigen Angaben in der Literatur diskutiert.

     

Effect of Zirconia Precursor on the Properties of ZrO2-SiO2 Sol-Gel Oxides

Sol-gel zirconia-silica oxides were synthesized with two zirconium precursors, zirconium n-butoxide and zirconium acetylacetonate, and two different hydrolysis catalysts, HCl and H₂SO₄. The samples prepared with HCl were additionally sulfated with a 1 M solution of H₂SO₄. Characterization was performed with FTIR and ²⁹Si-MAS-NMR spectroscopy, as well as with nitrogen adsorption. Because zirconium and silicon alkoxides have different hydrolysis rates, it was necessary to perform a pre-hydrolysis of the silicon alkoxide before mixing. The atom distribution in the ZrO₂-SiO₂ system depended on the zirconium precursor, which also determined the zirconium incorporation in the silica lattice, which was greater for zirconium acetylacetonate. The zirconium precursor also was responsible for the silanol concentration, which increases when samples were sulfated. Sulfating stabilizes the specific surface area. On sulfate samples calcined at 800°C BET areas larger than 500 m²/g were obtained.     

Molybdovanadophosphoric Acid Catalyzed Oxidation of Hydrocarbons by H2O2 to Oxygenates

Heteropoly acids of the general formula H_3+x[PMo_12-xV_xO₄₀] (where x = 1,2,3) catalyzed the oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons at 65°C with H₂O₂ to give oxygenated products. Among the catalysts, H₄[PMo₁₁VO₄₀] was found to be a more active catalyst and its activities have been reported in the oxidation of cyclohexane, methyl cyclohexane, naphthalene, 1-methyl naphthalene and biphenyl.     

Preparation and Characterization of SiO2-MxOy(M = V, Sn, Sb) Thin Films from Silicic Acid and Metal Chlorides

The preparation of SiO₂-M _x O _y (M = V, Sn, Sb) binary oxide thin films by sol-gel method was investigated. The reaction of silicic acid with metal chloride (M = Sn and Sb) or oxychloride (M = V) formed homogeneous solutions. The dip-coating of slide glass and silicon wafer followed by heat treatment gave oxide films having Si—O—M bond. The changes of FT-IR spectra as a function of heat treatment temperature and molar composition confirmed the Si—O—M bonds. The sheet resistance of films increased with an increase on heat treatment temperature and decrease in the content of metal oxide M _x O _y . X-ray diffraction peaks were observed for the SiO₂-V₂O₅ films with high V₂O₅ contents and heat-treated above 250°C, while the others were amorphous. Oxide films heat treated at 500°C had a thickness between 340–470 nm.     

The thermal dehydration and decomposition of Ba[Cu(C2O4)2(H2O)]·5H2O

The thermal behaviour of Ba[Cu(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·5H₂O in N₂ and in O₂ has been examined using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dehydration starts at relatively low temperatures (about 80°C), but continues until the onset of the decomposition (about 280°C). The decomposition takes place in two major stages (onsets 280 and 390°C). The mass of the intermediate after the first stage corresponded to the formation of barium oxalate and copper metal and, after the second stage, to the formation of barium carbonate and copper metal. The enthalpy for the dehydration was found to be 311±30 kJ mol^–1 (or 52±5 kJ (mol of H₂O)^–1). The overall enthalpy change for the decomposition of Ba[Cu(C₂O₄)₂] in N₂ was estimated from the combined area of the peaks of the DSC curve as –347 kJ mol^–1. The kinetics of the thermal dehydration and decomposition were studied using isothermal TG. The dehydration was strongly deceleratory and the -time curves could be described by the three dimensional diffusion (D3) model. The values of the activation energy and the pre-exponential factor for the dehydration were 125±4 kJ mol^–1 and (1.38±0.08)×10¹⁵ min^–1, respectively. The decomposition was complex, consisting of at least two concurrent processes. The decomposition was analysed in terms of two overlapping deceleratory processes. One process was fast and could be described by the contracting-geometry model withn=5. The other process was slow and could also be described by the contracting-geometry model, but withn=2.The values ofE _a andA were 206±23 kJ mol^–1 and (2.2±0.5)×10¹⁹ min^–1, respectively, for the fast process, and 259±37 kJ mol^–1 and (6.3±1.8)×10²³ min^–1, respectively, for the slow process.Dedicated to Prof. Menachem Steinberg on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Viscosities and intradiffusion coefficients in the ternary system NaCl−MgCl2−H2O at 25°C

The intradiffusion coefficients of Na⁺, Cl^– ions and water and the tracerdiffusion coefficients of Ca²⁺ ion have been measured in the ternary system NaCl–MgCl₂–H₂O at 25°C. The intradiffusion coefficients of Mg²⁺ in this system have been estimated from the corresponding Ca²⁺ diffusion measurements. Viscosities were measured at the same solution concentrations as were used for the diffusion experiments. Intradiffusion and tracerdiffusion coefficients in a range of temperatures from 5 to 45°C are reported for standard sea-water which is a member of the above ternary set.     

Sol-gel coatings for chemical protection of stainless steel

Sol-gel thin coatings of ZrO₂, SiO₂, 70SiO₂-30TiO₂ and 88SiO₂-12Al₂O₃ compositions (mole %) have been prepared from sonocatalyzed sols and deposited by dip-coating technique on 316L stainless steel foils. The influence of the coatings on the chemical corrosion of the substrate has been measured through potentiodynamic polarization curves in aqueous 15% H₂SO₄ solution between 25 and 50°C. The values of the corrosion potential, polarization resistance and corrosion rate have been determined. Analysis of the data combined with scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that the films act as a geometric blocking against exposure to the corrosive media and increase the lifetime of the substrate up to a factor 8.5.