Effect of preparation conditions on the phase transformation of mesoporous alumina

A post-hydrolysis method is proposed for the easy-and-fast preparation of mesoporous γ-alumina (MA) at room temperature using an alkyl carboxylate as a chemical template. Water was used as an initiating solvent in the hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxide in the terminal reaction procedure. Hydrolysis and condensation reactions were simultaneously induced. The initial phase of as-made MA was bayerite and/or (pseudo)boehmite, and was transformed into active alumina at 250 °C, which remained thermally stable at temperatures up to 600 °C. The phase transformation of alumina was analyzed with DTA, XRD and ²⁷Al MAS NMR. Based on an ²⁷Al MAS NMR analysis, calcined alumina prepared via a hydrothermal method contained a high ratio of Al^VI to Al^IV (∼4.8), which is not fully transformed into active alumina, and aluminum hydroxide (AlOOH or Al(OH)₃) was detected. These results suggest that high temperature is required to obtain an active form of alumina, when the hydrothermal method is used. Another factor is the ratio of Al^VI to Al^IV in the MA, which is also dependent on the pH of the reactant. Pore size, surface area, and pore structure could be controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of water to aluminum precursor, and the preparation temperature. The pore size of MA was adjustable from 2 to 7 nm, and the MA indicated a large surface area of 300 ∼ 500 m²/g.     

An alumina mat with a nano microstructure prepared by centrifugal spinning method

Ceramic fiber products specially alumina mat because of low thermal conductivity and high melting point are used as high temperature insulating materials. Alumina has so high melting point (T_m > 2040 °C) that its mat can be produced through sol–gel method. In this research alumina mat has been manufactured by sol–gel spinning method using our laboratory-designed centrifugal spinneret. The desired viscosity of sol for spinning is 150 P. Phase transformation of the product begins at 600 °C and there is not any amorphous phase at 800 °C and theta alumina (θ-Al₂O₃) is the main phase. In this work, transformation of transitional phase to alpha alumina (α-Al₂O₃) takes place from 1000 °C to 1200 °C. The optimum percent of silica in alumina mat is 4 wt%. Fibers constitute network structure that their average diameter is about 10 μm and contains very fine grains (100 nm). The silica percent concerning the limits of this study (<10 wt%) does not effect on fiber diameter, but grain size decreases from about 200 nm to less than 100 nm while increasing silica percent.     

Effect of Fluoride and Sodium Ions on Structural and Thermal Properties of γ-Al2O3

The structural properties of alumina as well as its fluoride and sodium modifications were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis. We have shown, that fluoride ions interact with hydroxyls type Ia of γ-Al₂O₃ forming Al–F species, which then react at 400 °C forming β-Al₂O₃. Morever, F/Al₂O₃ sample heated up to 400 °C contain two acidic hydroxyls type IIa and III, which are also represented on a differential thermal curve as endoeffect with minima at 470 and 500 °C. For Na/Al₂O₃ sample the same types of hydroxyls interact with Na⁺ ions leading to substitution of their protons. After heating at 400 °C this sample contains also hydroxyls type IIa and III, which are represented by two endothermal effects with minima at 450 and 520 °C. Differential thermal analysis shown to be a powerful and simple technique to characterize surface hydroxyl types of Na and F samples supported on γ-alumina.     

Synthesis and properties of α‐Fe2O3 nanorods

We report synthesis of α‐Fe₂O₃ (hematite) nanorods by reverse micelles method using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant and calcined at 300 °C. The calcined α‐Fe₂O₃ nanorods were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The result showed that the α‐Fe₂O₃ nanorods were hexagonal structure. The nanorods have diameter of 30‐50 nm and length of 120‐150 nm. The weak ferromagnetic behavior was observed with saturation magnetization = 0.6 emu/g, coercive force = 25 Oe and remanant magnetization = 0.03 emu/g. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Ionic liquid‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis of γ‐Al2O3hierarchical nanostructures

The boehmite (Al₂O₃·H₂O) hierarchical nanostructure with spindle‐like morphology has been successfully synthesized via ionic liquid‐assisted hydrothermal synthetic method under mild condition using an ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐dimethylimidazolium bromide ([Bmim][Br]) as a template. The proposed formation mechanism has been investigated and the hydrogen bond‐co‐π–π stack mechanism is used to be responsible for the present formation of the precursor hierarchical nanostructure. The γ‐Al₂O₃ hierarchical nanostructure was obtained by calcining the as‐synthesized precursor at 500 °C for 2 h, preserving the same morphology. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An X‐ray powder diffraction study of the microstructural evolution on heating 3:2 and 2:1 mullite single‐phase gels

Single‐phase gels with compositions 3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂ and 2Al₂O₃·SiO₂ were prepared by gelling mixtures of aluminium nitrate and tetraethylorthosilicate. Gels were fast heated at different temperatures between 900°C and 1600°C. The phase transformation and microstructural changes of both mullite precursor gels over the temperature range were followed by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), lattice parameter determination (LP), and scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM). The distribution of crystallite sizes and strains were determined by linewidth refinements of X‐ray diffraction patterns using the integral breadth method of Langford and the Warren‐Averbach analysis. XRD of both heated gels showed the formation of crystalline mullite single phase. Some amount of glassy phase coexisted with mullites at low temperatures, i. e. below 900°C. The compositional range of mullites formed on heating gels at temperatures between 900°C and 1600°C was dependent on the starting nominal composition of gels. SEM and TEM micrographs of both heated gels below 1200°C showed the formation of small, discrete, prismatic, well‐shaped nanocrystals in a very ordered arrangement. The size of these nanocrystals was dependant on the nominal composition of gels and increased on rising the heating temperature of gel precursors. The microstructural features obtained from linewidth refinement results of X‐ray diffraction patterns also allowed to suggest the formation of prismatic a little elongated nanocrystals at temperatures below 1200°C. Microstrain values were small and only displayed a relatively significant value for mullites processed at 900°C. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Fabrication of Sm2+-doped macroporous aluminosilicate glasses with high alumina content

Macroporous Al₂O₃–SiO₂ glasses doped with Sm²⁺ have been prepared from a sol–gel system containing aluminum sec-butoxide, tetramethoxysilane, samarium chloride hexahydrate, poly(ethylene oxide), nitric acid, and water. Monolithic gels having interconnected macropores and skeletons are formed by inducing the phase separation parallel to the gelation. The use of aluminum sec-butoxide preheated at 80 °C as the starting material enables the incorporation of Al³⁺ into the gel skeleton up to 20 mol% in cation ratio. The maximum amount of Al³⁺, i.e., 20 mol%, is twice as large as that reported in our previous study, where aluminum sec-butoxide was diluted with sec-butanol prior to the hydrolysis. Heat-treatment of Sm³⁺-doped 20AlO_3/2 · 80SiO₂ macroporous glass under the reducing atmosphere converts Sm³⁺ to Sm²⁺, which is confirmed by the appearance of intense emission peaks attributed to 4f–4f transitions of Sm²⁺.     

Preparation of textured porous Al2O3 ceramics by slip casting in a strong magnetic field and its mechanical properties

The textured porous Al₂O₃ ceramics were prepared by slip casting in a strong magnetic field of 6 T and subsequently sintering. The c axis of Al₂O₃ grain was oriented parallel to the direction of the magnetic field and the textured porous microstructure with plate‐shape grains was formed. The porosity of textured porous Al₂O₃ ceramic was 30.37% and the relative density reached 66.29% when the sintering temperature is 1600°C. The textured porous Al₂O₃ green body showed the linear shrinkage anisotropy. The bending strength of the textured porous Al₂O₃ ceramics depended on the alignment direction of plate‐shape grains.     

Comparative study on photoluminescence of amorphous and nano-crystalline YAG:Tb phosphors prepared by a combustion method

Amorphous and nano-crystalline Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Tb phosphor samples were obtained via a facile combustion method by calcination at various temperatures, using yttrium oxide and aluminum nitrite as starting materials and citric acid as fuel. XRD, FT-IR and TEM results showed that the products were amorphous if prepared at 750 °C, well-crystalline when treated above 850 °C. In addition, partially crystalline YAG phase was observed at 800 °C (in air). The excitation spectra of the samples calcined at 750 °C and 800 °C exhibited some difference in the 230–255 nm range in comparison to those of nano-crystalline YAG:Tb, i.e. an extra band centered at 250 nm was detected via Gaussian curve-fitting. Furthermore, the photoluminescence intensity of as-synthesized samples decreased obviously with increasing the crystallinity under 250 nm excitation. Contrary, it increased monotonously when altering the excitation wavelength to 323 nm. The concentration-dependent emission spectra of samples calcined at 800 °C revealed that the strongest intensity could be obtained with 10% Tb doping. Red-shifts indicated changes of the inter-atomic distances within the Tb³⁺ coordination polyhedron with increasing Tb concentration. The low temperature photoluminescence of partially crystalline YAG:10% Tb was also investigated, displaying good-resolution but reduced intensity compared to the room-temperature photoluminescence.     

Formation of α-Al2O3 by thermal decomposition of basic aluminium chlorides at low temperatures

Basic aluminium chloride gels and the crystalline salt AlCl₃ · 2 Al(OH)₃ · 6 H₂O are thermally decomposed to an amorphous product in a first step at low temperatures. If the reaction gas is rapidly removed the amorphous decomposition product directly transforms to corundum at increased temperature. Starting from gels the α-Al₂O₃ formation begins at 420 °C, transformation of the crystalline salt at 530 °C. Structural similarities of precursor compounds and corundum are discussed as a reason for this behaviour. High contents of HCl and H₂O in the atmosphere surrounding the specimen result in decomposition to transition aluminas at increasing temperature, which are transformed into α-Al₂O₃ above 1000 °C.     

Crystal structure of 2‐(2'‐hydroxyphenyl)‐6‐tributylstannyl‐4‐(3H )‐quinazolinone and 2‐(2'‐hydroxyphenyl)‐6‐iodo‐4‐(3H)‐quinazolinone

The structures of the title compounds C₂₆H₃₇N₂O₂Sn ( I ) and C₁₄H₉IN₂O₂ ( II ) were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. Compound I crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 9.560(3) Å, b = 16.899(6) Å, c = 17.872(5) Å, α = 65.957(7)°, β = 83.603(5)°, γ ( = 75.242(5)°, V = 2549.8(13) ų, Z = 4, and D =1.374 g/cm³. The compound consists of a quinazolinone ring with phenol and tributylstannyl moieties. Compound II crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 7.6454(12) Å, b = 5.9270(9) Å, c = 27.975(4) Å; α = 90°, β = 95.081(3)°, γ = 90°, V = 1262.7(3) ų, Z = 4, and D = 1.915 g/cm³. The compound consists of a quinazolinone ring with phenol and iodine substituents. For both I and II , the short intramolecular O–H…N and two long intermolecular N–H…O hydrogen bonds are highly effective in holding the molecular system in a stable state. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Fabrication of Cr4+,Nd3+:YAG transparent ceramics for self-Q-switched laser

Transparent 0.1 at.%Cr,1.0 at.%Nd:YAG (Y₃Al₅O₁₂) ceramics were fabricated by a solid-state reaction and vacuum sintering with CaO as a charge compensator and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a sintering aid using high-purity powders of Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃, Nd₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃. The mixed powder compacts were sintered at 1800 °C for 5 h and 30 h under vacuum. The optical transmittance of the Cr,Nd:YAG ceramics sintered at 1800 °C for 5 h and 30 h is ∼63% and ∼78% in the infrared wavelengths, respectively. The two samples exhibit pore-free structures and the average grain size is about 10 and 20 μm. For the sample sintered at 1800 °C for 5 h, the dominant fracture mechanism is the transgranular fracture. With increase of holding time up to 30 h, the ratio of intergranular fracture surfaces increase and more Cr³⁺ ions in the Cr,Nd:YAG ceramic transform to Cr⁴⁺. High-quality Cr⁴⁺,Nd³⁺:YAG transparent ceramics may be a potential self-Q-switched laser material.     

Fabrication and characterization of transparent conductive ZnO:Al thin films prepared by direct current magnetron sputtering with highly conductive ZnO(ZnAl2O4) ceramic target

Using a highly conductive ZnO(ZnAl₂O₄) ceramic target, c-axis-oriented transparent conductive ZnO:Al₂O₃ (ZAO) thin films were prepared on glass sheet substrates by direct current planar magnetron sputtering. The structural, electrical and optical properties of the films (deposited at different temperatures and annealed at 400°C in vacuum) were characterized with several techniques. The experimental results show that the electrical resistivity of films deposited at 320°C is 2.67×10⁻⁴ Ω cm and can be further reduced to as low as 1.5×10⁻⁴ Ω cm by annealing at 400°C for 2 h in a vacuum pressure of 10⁻⁵ Torr. ZAO thin films deposited at room temperature have flaky crystallites with an average grain size of ∼100 nm; however those deposited at 320°C have tetrahedron grains with an average grain size of ∼150 nm. By increasing the deposition temperature or the post-deposition vacuum annealing, the carrier concentration of ZAO thin films increases, and the absorption edge in the transmission spectra shifts toward the shorter wavelength side (blue shift).     

Influence of the temperature and the oxygen partial pressure on the phase formation in the system Cu – Fe – O

Copper iron oxides, Cu_1‐xFe_2+xO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5), have been synthesized by thermal oxidation of copper ‐ iron mixtures. In this process, the phase formation and the phase stability were investigated as function of the temperature (800°C – 1200°C) and the oxygen partial pressure (1.013 x 10¹ – 1.013 x 10⁵ Pa). The phase formation starts with the reaction of the metallic components to simple oxides (Fe₃O₄, Fe₂O₃, CuO). From these simple oxides, the formation of complex oxides requires a minimum temperature of 800°C. The synthesis of single phase spinel compounds Cu²⁺_1‐2x Cu¹⁺_xFe_2+xO_4±δ is realized for 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, using specific temperature – p(O₂) – conditions for a given value of x. Remarkably, to achieve our goal, we found that the increase of x implies that of the reaction temperature and/or a decrease of the p(O₂) in the reaction gas stream. Besides, a single phase spinel CuFe₂O₄ does not exist in the temperature / p(O₂)‐field investigated. Using the results of XRD ‐ phase analysis, T ‐ p(O₂) – x – diagrams were constructed. These diagrams allow the prediction of phase compositions expected for different synthesis conditions. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Low-frequency Raman scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering of glasses inclined to phase decomposition

Low-frequency (<1000 cm⁻¹) Raman scattering of lithium aluminosilicate (12Li₂O : 15Al₂O₃ : 73SiO₂ with 4 mol% TiO2) glasses with addition of titanium dioxide has been studied. With a heat treatment at temperatures 660°C, 700°C, 720°C and 820°C and for various times and sequences of temperature, our samples decompose into nanometer sized dispersed aluminotitanate particles. In Raman spectra of these glasses an evolution of a boson peak was observed. The width of the relatively broad boson band decreases as does the frequency of the band. From small-angle X-ray scattering data we conclude that the boson peak is connected with elastic vibrations of amorphous or crystalline regions of inhomogeneity with a dimension of ∼1.7 nm in initial glasses or larger depending on the heat treatment sequences.     

Thermal expansion of glass–ceramics in the system BaO/Al2O3/B2O3

Glasses in the system BaO/Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ with and without the addition of platinum were melted. In one sample series, the BaO-concentration was varied while the ratio [Al₂O₃]/[B₂O₃] was kept constant. In another sample series, the [BaO]/[Al₂O₃]-ratio (= 0.9) was kept constant and the B₂O₃ concentration was varied. The samples were thermally treated at 720 °C for 24 h and subsequently at 780 °C for 4 h. In most thermally treated samples, the crystalline phase BaO · Al₂O₃ · B₂O₃ occurred. At some compositions, the platinum-doped samples showed larger concentrations of the crystalline phases. The most remarkable property of the obtained glass–ceramics is their zero or negative thermal expansion coefficient. Here, notable differences were observed: samples with fine grained microstructures showed thermal expansion coefficients approximately zero up to temperatures of around 80 °C. By contrast, samples with coarser microstructures and large spheroidal crystals exhibit negative expansion coefficients up to temperatures of around 280–375 °C. The thermal expansions of these samples were close to those of the mean thermal expansion of the unit cell of the BaO · Al₂O₃ · B₂O₃ phase. The thermal expansion of the fine grained samples was approximately equal to that of the crystallographic a-axis of the BaO · Al₂O₃ · B₂O₃ phase.     

Dilithium dialuminium trisilicate phase obtained using coal bottom ash

The Li₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀ glass-ceramics well crystallized and with a regular morphology was produced starting from a mixture of Li₂CO₃, TiO₂, Al₂O₃ and coal bottom ash, after reducing the magnetite phase content. Its measured thermal expansion coefficient in the temperatures range from 25 °C to 300 °C is α_(25–300) = −23.4 × 10⁻⁷ °C⁻¹. This value is ≈18% smaller than that for the commercial lithium glass-ceramics (−23.4 × 10⁻⁷ °C⁻¹ to 50 × 10⁻⁷ °C⁻¹).     

Synthesis of nanosized ZSM‐5 using different alumina sources

Alumina sources can influence different aspects of ZSM‐5 crystallization and it leads to change in the properties of the final product. The crystallinity of nanosized ZSM‐5 zeolite from precursors mixtures containing different alumina sources, e.g. sodium aluminate, aluminum sulphate, aluminum hydroxide and alumina has been studied. The produced samples were investigated using XRD, SEM, FT‐ IR and BET surface area. The product obtained by sodium aluminate and aluminum sulphate was ZSM‐5 phase. Whereas, the product obtained by aluminum hydroxide and alumina was the albit phase. As‐synthesized ZSM‐5 was prepared by sodium aluminate, as alumina source was the highest crystallinity. It was found that the average crystallite size increased in the following order; alumina <aluminum hydroxide < aluminum sulphate < sodium aluminate. The surface area increased in the following order; aluminum sulphate < sodium aluminate < aluminum hydroxide < alumina due to increasing in crystallinity percentage of ZSM‐5. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,Spectrum Properties,and Crystal Structure of a New Pentaborate,Na<Subscript>2.18</Subscript>K<Subscript>0.82</Subscript>SrB<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>10</Subscript>

Abstract  

A novel quaternary borate, Na_2.18K_0.82SrB₅O₁₀, has been prepared by high-temperature solution reaction below 800 °C. Single-crystal XRD analyses showed that it crystallizes in the triclinic P[`1] P\bar{1} group with a = 7.3900(15) ?, b = 7.6490(15) ?, c = 9.773(2) ?, α = 79.31(2)°, β = 70.85(2)°, γ = 62.09(1)°, Z = 2. The basic structural unit in Na_2.18K_0.82SrB₅O₁₀ is a double ring [B₅O₁₀]⁵⁻ composed of one BO₄ tetrahedron and four BO₃ triangles. The [B₅O₁₀]⁵⁻ groups are arranged around crystallographic centers of symmetry to form [B₁₀O₂₀]¹⁰⁻ columns that are held together by Na⁺, K⁺/Na⁺, and Sr²⁺ cations via electrostatic interactions. The IR spectrum further confirmed the presence of both BO₃ and BO₄ groups. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum showed a band gap of about 3.80 eV. Solid-state fluorescence spectrum exhibited the maximum emission peak at around 337.6 nm.     

The Crystal and Molecular Structure of 11,12‐dibromo‐ 7,8—benzo‐1,5‐di(p—tolylsulphonyl)‐1,5‐diazacyclononan

The crystal structure of the title compound, C₂₅H₂₆Br₂N₂O₄S₂ was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. The crystals are monoclinic, space group C 2/c, with a=20.7142(2) Å b=11.7910(2) Å, c= 10.6735(3) Å, β=98.549(2)°, V=2577.94(9) ų, Z=4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least‐squares methods to a final R=0.046 for 1866 observed reflections with I>2sigma(I). The title compound, displays disordered geometry around the C1 atom located almost on twofold axis. The nine‐membered heterocylic ring is close to the half‐chair conformation. The dihedral angle between phenyl rings is 34.2(1)°.