Ultradeep Hydrodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) Derivatives over Mo-Sulfide Catalysts Supported on TiO2-Coated Alumina Composite

The present paper reviews in detail the different studies now being conducted by our research team concerning the ultradeep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) derivatives over Mo/TiO₂ and Mo/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts. First, a detailed characterization of Mo/TiO₂ (P-25 Degussa, 50 m²/g) catalysts prepared by equilibrium adsorption technique shows that Mo- species are highly and uniformly dispersed on the surface of titania up to 6.6 wt% MoO₃ loading. Above this value, some aggregation of Mo occurs, leading to the formation of bulk MoO₃. Below 6.6 wt% MoO₃ loading, the Raman spectroscopy data of the calcined samples show that the supported Mo-species possess a highly distorted octahedral MoO₆ structure. TiO₂–Al₂O₃ composites were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using TiCl₄ as a precursor. Using several characterization techniques, we demonstrated that the support composite presents a high dispersion of TiO₂ over -Al₂O₃ without forming precipitates up to ca. 11 wt% loading. Moreover, the textural properties of the composite support are comparable to those of alumina. Under the present sulfidation conditions (673 K, 5%H₂S/95%H₂), Mo-species supported on TiO₂ are better sulfided than on alumina, as demonstrated using XPS. This can be attributed to the relatively lower interaction between Mo-species and titania. The state of sulfide species supported on the composite support can be considered as a transition state between TiO₂ and Al₂O₃. However, at relatively higher TiO₂ loadings (ca. 11 wt%), Mo/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibit sulfidability similar to that of Mo/TiO₂. The HDS tests conducted in both the laboratory and in industry show that sulfide catalysts supported on TiO₂–Al₂O₃ (ca. 11 wt% TiO₂) are more active than those supported on TiO₂ or Al₂O₃.     

Evaluation of polymeric nanocomposites for the detection of toxic gas analytes

Four different metal oxide nanoparticles, copper oxide (CuO), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), nickel oxide (NiO), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), were added to poly (2,5-dimethyl aniline) (P25DMA) during synthesis to create different polymer nanocomposites. These polymer nanocomposites were evaluated as potential sensing materials for six different gas analytes (acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, ethanol, formaldehyde, and methanol). It was found that CuO did not incorporate into the P25DMA and only a small percentage of Al₂O₃ was incorporated. However, both NiO and TiO₂ were incorporated into the P25DMA at the same concentration as during the synthesis step. Overall, the type of metal oxide significantly affected the morphology of the sensing material and the amount of each analyte sorbed. For example, P25DMA doped with 5 wt% Al₂O₃ had high selectivity towards ethanol, whereas P25DMA doped with 20 wt% TiO₂ sorbed the most ethanol. However, P25DMA doped with 20 wt% TiO₂ also sorbed a high amount of formaldehyde, making P25DMA doped with 20 wt% TiO₂ less selective than P25DMA doped with 5 wt% Al₂O₃ towards ethanol with respect to formaldehyde.     

Photodegradation of 2,4-D over PdO/Al2O3-Nd2O3 photocatalysts prepared by the sol-gel method

The photocatalytic activity of 1.0 wt% PdO supported on Al₂O₃-Nd₂O₃ binary oxides prepared by the sol-gel method was studied in the photodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The photocatalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, XRD and UV-vis spectroscopy. PdO supported on γ-Al₂O₃ photo-degrades the 2,4-D, however the addition of Nd₂O₃ to γ-Al₂O₃ notably improves the photocatalytic activity. As the concentration of Nd₂O₃ in the binary oxide increases from 2 to 10 wt%, the photodegradation of 2,4-D is highly enhanced. The catalytic test for PdO supported on pure Nd₂O₃ showed scarce photocatalytic activity. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis showed that the 2,4-D has been completely destroyed on the PdO/Al₂O₃-Nd₂O₃ photocatalysts after 6 h under irradiation.     

The fabrication of hollow fiber membranes with double-layer mixed-matrix materials for gas separation

The concept of fabricating hollow fibers with double-layer mixed-matrix materials using the same polymeric matrix has been demonstrated for gas separation. Polyethersulfone (PES)–beta zeolite/PES–Al₂O₃ dual-layer mixed-matrix hollow fiber membranes with enhanced separation performance have been fabricated. This study presents an innovative approach of utilizing low cost PES and Al₂O₃ to replace expensive polyimides as the supporting medium for dual-layer mixed-matrix hollow fibers and eliminating interlayer de-lamination problems. The incorporations of 20 wt% beta zeolite in the outer selective layer and 60 wt% Al₂O₃ in the inner layer coupled with spinning at high elongational draw ratios yield membranes with an O₂/N₂ selectivity of 6.89. The presence of Al₂O₃ particles enables the membrane to retain its porous substructure morphology in the course of annealing above the glass transition temperature of PES. Moreover, spinning at high elongational draw ratios results in the re-distribution of Al₂O₃ particles towards both edges of the inner layer. Not only do the permeance and selectivity of the fibers increase, but also greater mechanical properties and lower degree of shrinkages are obtained. Therefore, the combination of PES–beta zeolite and PES–Al₂O₃ nanoparticles with a reasonable draw ratio may be another promising approach to produce hollow fibers with double-layer mixed-matrix materials.     

Thermal behaviour of NH4ReO4 supported on inorganic gels

Results of TG and DTA studies as well as an analysis of the liberated gas products have led us to recognize differences in the mechanisms of transformations taking place in the systems NH₄ReO₄/Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (25 wt% SiO₂ and NH₄ReO₄/Al₂O₃ containing 1.1, 3.3 and 3.3, 9.9, 17.8 wt% NH₄ReO₄. Thermal decomposition of NH₄ReO₄ on the supports used begins with release of ammonia, which is strongly bound with the surface in the system of 3.3 wt% NH₄ReO₄/Al₂O₃, and undergoes oxidation to nitrogen oxides in the air atmosphere. In the other systems studied, the process of ammonia release starts already at 473 K and ammonia does not get oxidized. Moreover, it has been established that ammonia perrhenate supported on the surface of Al₂O₃-SiO₂ in the amount of 1.1 or 3.3 wt% undergoes partial thermal decomposition to ReO₂ which is further oxidized in the air atmosphere. As follows from the thermal studies as well as the measurements of activity in a reaction of 1-hexene metathesis, the active centres of the reaction of olefin metathesis are formed on the surface of the studied systems after their calcination at 473 K.     

Physicochemical and Reactivity Studies on Polystyrene‐Cu/Al2O3 Catalysts: An Attempt to Control Copper Dispersion

The influence of coating of 5.0 (w/w%) Cu/γ‐Al₂O₃ catalyst by different ratios of polystyrene on the physicochemical and textural properties was studied. The physicochemical and textural properties of polystyrene‐`Cu/γ‐Al₂O₃ catalysts were investigated by N₂ adsorption, O₂ chemisorption, FTIR, XRD, TEM, and SEM. In addition, the kinetics of H₂O₂ decomposition as a model redox reaction over polymer coated and uncoated catalysts was investigated. The highest activity was achieved by 0.06 wt% polystyrene‐5.0Cu/γ‐Al₂O₃ catalyst. The parent 5.0Cu/γ‐Al₂O₃ catalyst showed auto‐catalytic first order mechanism, which was subjected to a pronounced modification to a simple first order one upon coating by polystyrene. This modification in the mechanism was accompanied with an increase in the apparent activation energy of the reaction. The observed high activity of 0.06 wt% polystyrene‐5.0Cu/γ‐Al₂O₃ catalyst was attributed to the role of polymer in enhancement of the degree of dispersion of the surface copper. However, the modification in kinetics of the reaction was attributed to the difference in the nature of Cu active sites namely, the polymer protected the metallic copper species on the surface of γ‐Al₂O₃ support against possible oxidation to copper sub‐oxides and/or that polymer might change the hydrophilic properties of the reaction media.     

Nanoparticle Halos Mechanism in Stabilizing of Colloidal Suspensions: Polymeric Binder and Dispersant Effects

Dispersion behavior of colloidal Al₂O₃ aqueous suspensions was investigated in the presence of highly charged CeO₂ nanoparticles and polymeric additives. It was found that among the investigated parameters, ceria nanoparticles concentration had the highest significant effect on the stability of Al₂O₃-CeO₂ suspensions. However, the low influence of dispersant concentration may be due to significant role of ceria nanoparticles stabilizing alumina microspheres by “nanoparticle halo” formation. The stabilization of the bidispersed suspensions was also evidenced by scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis of the sediment layers after three weeks.     

TiO2微粒功能化多孔Al2O3膜的光电化学研究

用恒电位法制备了多孔Al₂O₃薄膜, 通过在Al₂O₃薄膜孔内水蒸汽水解钛酸异丙酯生成了锐钛矿型TiO₂微粒, 制备出了Al₂O₃与TiO₂微粒的复合薄膜. 用XRD, SEM, 光电化学方法进行了研究. 实验表明: 该复合薄膜具有光电转换特性, 在光催化、光电化学太阳能转换中具有应用价值.     

Crystallization,mechanical, and fracture behaviors of spherical alumina‐filled polypropylene nanocomposites

The objectives of this paper are to study the crystallization behavior and fracture characteristics of spherical alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticle‐filled polypropylene (PP) composites. Nanocomposites containing 1.5–5.0 wt % of the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (pretreated with silane coupling agent) were prepared for this investigation. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) results show that a small amount of β‐crystal of PP forms after adding the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. According to differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and optical microscopy (OM) measurements, the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles make PP spherulite size reduced and crystallization temperature of PP enhanced, by acting as effective nucleating agents. However, there are no obvious differences in the crystallinity for the virgin PP and the Al₂O₃/PP nanocomposites. Tensile test shows that both the Young's modulus and the yield strength of the Al₂O₃/PP nanocomposites increase with the particle content increasing, suggesting that the interfacial interaction between the nanoparticles and PP matrix is relatively strong. Under quasi‐static loading rate, the fracture toughness (K_IC) of the Al₂O₃/PP nanocomposites was found to be insensitive to nanoparticle content. Under impact loading rate, the Izod impact strength and the impact fracture toughness (G_c) indicate that the impact fracture toughness increases initially with the addition of 1.5 wt % of the Al₂O₃ nanofillers into the PP matrix. However, with the further addition of up to 3.0 and 5.0 wt % nanoparticles, both the Izod impact strength and impact G_c change very little. By observing the single‐edge‐double‐notch (SEDN) specimens with optical microscopy after four point bending (4PB) tests, it was found that numerous crazes and microcracks form around the subcritical crack tip, indicating that crazing and microcracking are the dominant fracture mechanisms. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation confirms this result. In addition, when the strain rate of 4PB tests was increased, some wave‐like branches were formed along the fractured edge for the Al₂O₃/PP nanocomposites. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3652–3664, 2005     

Crystal-chemistry of mullite-type aluminoborates Al18B4O33 and Al5BO9: A stoichiometry puzzle

Orthorhombic Al₂O₃-rich aluminoborate is an important ceramic material for which two slightly different compositions have been assumed: Al₅BO₉ (5Al₂O₃:B₂O₃) and Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ (9Al₂O₃:2B₂O₃). The formula Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ (=Al_4.91B_1.09O₉) was derived from results of chemical analyses when crystal structure data were not yet available. Subsequent structural investigations indicated Al₅BO₉ composition. Nevertheless, Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ was still accepted as the correct stoichiometry assuming that additional B replaces 9% Al.Powder samples of both compositions and ones with excess boron were prepared by solid state reactions between α-Al₂O₃ and B₂O₃/H₃BO₃ at temperatures above 1100 °C and single-crystals were grown from flux at 1100 and 1550 °C. Products were investigated by single-crystal and powder XRD, ¹¹B and ²⁷Al solid-state MAS-NMR, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy as well as Laser-ablation ICP-MS. No indication of the predicted 9% B→Al substitution was found. LA ICP-MS indicated 12.36(27) wt% B₂O₃ corresponding to Al_4.97B_1.03O₉. Hence, the suggested Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ stoichiometry can be excluded for all synthesized samples. A very low amount of Al vacancies at a five-fold coordinated site are likely, charge balanced by an additional nearby three-fold coordinated B site. All evidences indicate that the title compound should be reported as Al_5−xB_1+xO₉ with x<0.038(6), which is close to Al₅BO₉.     

Robust Hydrogel Adhesive with Dual Hydrogen Bond Networks

Hydrogel adhesives are attractive for applications in intelligent soft materials and tissue engineering, but conventional hydrogels usually have poor adhesion. In this study, we designed a strategy to synthesize a novel adhesive with a thin hydrogel adhesive layer integrated on a tough substrate hydrogel. The adhesive layer with positive charges of ammonium groups on the polymer backbones strongly bonds to a wide range of nonporous materials’ surfaces. The substrate layer with a dual hydrogen bond system consists of (i) weak hydrogen bonds between N,N-dimethyl acrylamide (DMAA) and acrylic acid (AAc) units and (ii) strong multiple hydrogen bonds between 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) units. The dual hydrogen-bond network endowed the hydrogel adhesives with unique mechanical properties, e.g., toughness, highly stretchability, and insensitivity to notches. The hydrogel adhesion to four types of materials like glass, 316L stainless steel, aluminum, Al₂O₃ ceramic, and two biological tissues including pig skin and pig kidney was investigated. The hydrogel bonds strongly to dry solid surfaces and wet tissue, which is promising for biomedical applications.     

The Effect of MoO3 Addition to V2O5/Al2O3 Catalysts for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by NH3

The effect of MoO₃ addition to alumina supported vanadia catalysts on the catalytic activity for the selective catlaytic reduction of NO is investigated. Upon the addition of MoO₃, catalytic activity is enhanced and the particle size of V₂O₅ which is shown by the results of XRD and Raman spectroscopy is decreased. The MoO₃-V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ catalyst also exhibits more resistance to SO₂ deactivation than V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ does.     

High photocatalytic activity and stability for decomposition of gaseous acetaldehyde on TiO2/Al2O3 composite films coated on foam nickel substrates by sol-gel processes

A set of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) films coated on foam nickel that modified by Al₂O₃ films as transition layer (indicated as TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films) were synthesized via sol-gel route. The bulk and surface properties of the TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films were characterized by thermal gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and BET. The photocatalytic activities of TiO₂/Al₂O₃ films were investigated based on the degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The foam nickel is a promising substrate material in practical applications because of its excellent hydrodynamic properties for gas passing. The TiO₂/Al₂O₃ composite films showed much higher photocatalytic activity and stability for degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde than the onefold TiO₂ films. The significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity and stability can be ascribed to the coating of Al₂O₃ transition layer, which concentrates the target substances around TiO₂ particles and increases the specific surface area (SSA) of the substrate (the SSAs of bare foam nickel and Al₂O₃ modified foam nickel are 0.12 and 113.7 m²/g, respectively) to provide more sites for TiO₂ loading.     

Hemispherical Solar Distiller Performance Utilizing Hybrid Storage Media,Paraffin Wax with Nanoparticles: An Experimental Study

The traditional method of obtaining fresh water for drinking is by burning fossil fuels, emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. However, renewable energy is gaining more traction since it is available free of cost for producing fresh water. In this study, Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were distributed in a phase change material (paraffin wax) that had been fixed at a hemispherical distiller water basin. Three scenarios with three hemispherical distillers were examined. A conventional hemispherical distiller (CHD), a conventional hemispherical distiller with paraffin wax as a phase change material (CHD-PCM), and a conventional hemispherical distiller with PCM partially filled with Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (CHD-N-PCM) were tested under the same climatic conditions. The experimental results showed that CHD gave a daily yield of 4.85 L/m²/day, while CHD-PCM increased the yield to up to 6.2 L/m²/day with a 27.84% daily yield enhancement. The addition of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles to paraffin wax CHD-N-PCM improved hemispherical distillate yield up to 8.3 L/m²/day with a 71.13% increase over CHD yield.     

致密的5%Al3+掺杂的SnP2O7-SnO2复合陶瓷在中温燃料电池中的应用

首先制备了未掺杂和5%(摩尔分数)Al³⁺掺杂SnO₂的多孔性基片, 然后将基片与85%的H₃PO₄在600℃下反应, 分别得到了致密的未掺杂和5%Al³⁺掺杂的SnP₂O₇-SnO₂复合陶瓷样品. 采用X射线衍射(XRD), 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线能量色散谱(EDS)测试方法对样品进行了表征, 采用电化学阻抗谱法(EIS)测试了样品在中温(100-250℃)下, 湿润空气和湿润氢气气氛中的电导率. 结果表明, 在湿润空气和湿润氢气中, 5%Al³⁺掺杂的SnP₂O₇-SnO₂复合陶瓷样品的电导率均高于未掺杂的SnP₂O₇-SnO₂复合陶瓷样品的电导率, 且该复合陶瓷样品在湿润空气和湿润氢气中250℃下, 电导率分别达到最大值: 4.30×10^-2和6.25×10^-2 S·cm^-1, 高于至今报道的SnP₂O₇-SnO₂基复合陶瓷及SnP₂O₇基陶瓷在类似条件下的电导率. 以5%Al³⁺掺杂的SnP₂O₇-SnO₂复合陶瓷样品(厚度: 1.45 mm)为电解质, 多孔性铂为电极组装成的氢气/空气燃料电池具有良好的中温电池性能, 175、200、250℃的最大输出功率密度分别为52.0、61.9、82.3 mW·cm^-2. 良好的中温电池性能与该复合陶瓷电解质较高的电导率和致密度及该燃料电池较低的界面极化电阻有关.     

Dispersion stability and rheological behavior of suspensions of polystyrene coated fumed silica particles in polystyrene solutions

Polystyrene coated silica（SiO₂@PS） core-shell composite particles with averaged diameter of about 290 nm were prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization of styrene on the surface ofγ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane grafted SiO₂ nanoparticles of 20-50 nm in diameter.Rheological behavior and dispersion stability of SiO₂@PS suspension in 10 wt%PS solution were compared with suspensions of untreated SiO₂ and silane modified SiO₂ nanoparticles.Suspensions of the untreated and the silane modified SiO₂ exhibited obvious shear thinning.The SiO-2@PS suspension exhibits shear viscosity considerably smaller than suspensions of untreated and silane modified SiO₂ at low shear rates.Transmission electron microscopy showed that the composite particles can uniformly and stably disperse in PS solution compared to other suspensions,implying that the PS shell can effectively enhance the particle compatibility with PS macromolecules in solution.     

Preparation of novel,liquid, solvent‐free,polyolefin‐based adhesives

An innovative procedure for functionalization of polyolefins was developed. It was found that synthesized polyolefins end‐capped with trimethoxysilane (silylated polyolefins) are new polyolefin‐based adhesives. To prepare the mentioned materials,1‐octene as a higher α‐olefin was cooligomerized with two linear, nonconjugated dienes (ie, 1,5‐hexadiene and 1,7‐octadiene) by using metallocene catalyst system, Cp₂HfCl₂/MAO, at room temperature. Then, amine‐terminated trimethoxysilane (3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane) was reacted with unsaturated bonds of synthesized cooligomers in the presence of palladium(II) acetate. Embedding of the dienes on 1‐octene oligomeric chains was explored by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of the results, 1,5‐hexadiene showed both 1‐butene branch and five‐member ring. On the other hand, 1,7‐octadiene was incorporated by 1,2‐addition, forming both 1‐hexene branch and seven‐member ring in the cooligomer backbone. Mole percentage of C?C and cyclic moieties reached to a value of 28.54, 18.59% mol in 1‐octene/1,5‐hexadiene, and 38.04, 6.71% mol in 1‐octene/1,7‐octadiene cooligomers, respectively. Reaction of synthesized cooligomers with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, which yielded targeted adhesives. To study the adhesion properties, resulting adhesives were applied to different substrates. Obtained results demonstrated that tensile shear strength of synthesized adhesives to polar substrates was 2.21% to 2.84% more than nonpolar substrates. Among studied systems, the best performance was achieved by1‐octene/1,7‐octadiene–based adhesive and Al substrate with tensile shear strength of 1.45 N/mm².     

叶酸对磁性Fe_3O_4纳米粒子的表面修饰

以FeCl3·6H2O作为单一铁源,1,6-己二胺作为胺化试剂,利用无模板的溶剂热方法制备了胺基功能化的磁性Fe3O4纳米粒子,并利用其键合叶酸分子,制备出表面修饰了叶酸的磁性Fe3O4复合纳米粒子。利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、X-射线衍射仪、透射电镜、差热-热重分析仪和振动样品磁强计对所得纳米粒子的形貌、粒径、化学组成和磁性能进行了表征。结果表明,叶酸分子通过化学键牢固键合在磁性纳米Fe3O4粒子表面,叶酸修饰的复合纳米粒子仍然具有良好的磁性能。     

Elucidation of sulfur mobility on Cr, Mo and W-based catalysts in hydrodesulfurization using a35S pulse tracer method

In hydrodesulfurization of radioactive³⁵S-labeled dibenzothiophene catalyzed by CrO₃/Al₂O₃, it was found that sulfur on sulfided CrO₃/Al₂O₃ was more labile than those on MoO₃/Al₂O₃ and WO₃/Al₂O₃, while the amount of sulfur was less than that on MoO₃/Al₂O₃. Dedicated to Professor Pál Tétényi on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Effect of H2S-uptake on the conversion of cyclohexene on Ru- and Pd-promoted molybdena-alumina catalysts

The effect of H₂S on the activity and selectivity of catalysts (Ru/Al₂O₃, Pd/Al₂O₃ and Ru and Pd promoted molydena-alumina) was different (on differnt catalysts and different conversions of cyclohexene). Ru-containing catalysts showed higher sulfur sensitivities than the Pd-containing ones. The sequence of catalysts by their H₂S uptake related to mass of catalyst was PdMo/Al₂O₃RuMo/Al₂O₃Mo/Al₂O₃>Pd/Al₂O₃Ru/Al₂O₃.