Morphology-controllable synthesis and characterization of CeO_2 nanocrystals

CeO 2 nanocrystals with different morphologies were synthesized by adjusting the pH value of the starting solution in water-in-oil microemulsion.The obtained samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM),X-ray diffraction (XRD),thermogravimetric analysis and different thermal analysis (TGA/DTA),Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area measurement,ultraviolet-visible absorption (UV-vis) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.Results show that the morphologies of CeO 2 wer...     

Atomistic measure of the strength of MgO nanorods

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to study material response of MgO nanorod subjected to uniaxial tension loading. The simulations show in detail the atomic-scale mechanism of the deformation and failure process during tension. The effects of strain rate, system size and environment temperature on the strength of MgO nanorods are observed. It is found that the materials appear more ductile at lower strain rate, and the tensile strength of the nanorod decreases as the diameter of system cross-section decreases and as temperature increases.     

Preparation and characterization of LiAlxCoyNi1-x-yO2 particles

Lithium-aluminum-cobalt-nickel oxide (LiAlxCoyNi1-x-yO2) particles, generally used as cathode of lithium battery, were prepared by chemical coprecipitation from an aqueous solution of LiOH, AI(NO3)3, Co(NO3)2 and Ni(NO3)2 with NH4OH. XRD, SEM and FTIR were used to examine the effect of nickel content on the product. FHR patterns showed that increase in nickel content decreased the absorption strength of the peak of spinel structure of the product, attributed to the occupation by nickel in the aluminum sites. Particle size and electrical properties of the lithium-aluminum-cobalt-nickel oxide (abbreviated as LACNO) particles were also determined.     

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic polymer microspheres with a core-shell structure

Non-porous magnetic polymer microspheres with a core-shell structure were prepared by a novel micro-suspension polymerization technique. A stable iron oxide ferrofluid was used to supply the magnetic core, and the polymeric shell was made of glycidyl methacrylate （GMA monomer） and ethylene dimethacrylate （cross-linker）. In the preparation, polyvinyl alcohol was used as the stabilizer, and a lauryl alcohol mixture as the dispersant. The influence of various conditions such as aqueous phase volume, GMA and initiator amounts, reaction time and stirring speed on the character of the microspheres was investigated. The magnetic microspheres were then characterized briefly. The results indicate that the microspheres with active epoxy groups had a narrow size distribution range from 1 to 10 μm with a volume-weighted mean diameter of 4.5 μm. The saturation magnetization reached 19.9 emu/g with little coercivity and remanence.     

On-line full scan inspection of particle size and shape using digital image processing

An on-line full scan inspection system is developed for particle size analysis.A particle image is first obtained through optical line scan technology and is then analyzed using digital image processing.The system is composed of a particle separation module,an image acquisition module,an image processing module,and an electric control module.Experiments are carried out using non-uniform 0.1 mm particles.The main advantage of this system consists of a full analysis of particles without any overlap or miss,thus improving the Area Scan Charge Coupled Device(CCD)acquisition problems.Particle size distribution,roundness,and sphericity can be obtained using the system with a deviation of repeated precision of around ±1%.The developed system is shown to be also convenient and versatile for any particle size and shape for academic and industrial users.     

Pozzolanic reactivity of silico-aluminous fly ash

For some years it has been possible to control the particle size of fly ashes, by-products of thermal power stations. Incorporating these very fine particles （obtained by grinding and/or pneumatic selection） improves the physical-mechanical characteristics of mortars and concretes. In this study, we measured the lime consumption of the various fractions （granulometric and densimetric） and identified by X-ray diffraction the neoformed phases by the pozzolanic reaction, to show that it is not sufficient to simply define the pozzolanicity of products based on lime consumption since it does not take into account the nature of the phases formed. The size of the particles used in the test samples also has a determining effect on the quantity of lime consumed. Before comparing results, it is necessary to ensure that the size of the particles （of the global ash and its constituents） be the same. Two distinct neoformed ohases appear： CSH in the largest granular fractions （d〉 40 μm） and C3AH6 in the smaller fractions.     

Microstructural investigations of the yielding behaviour of bidisperse magnetorheological fluids

Particle level simulations were used to investigate the effects of size bidispersity and particle size ratios on the static and yielding behaviour of magnetorheological fluids (MRF). The MRF were treated as linearly magnetisable, neutrally buoyant particles dispersed in a viscous carrier liquid. In the quiescent mode (static structures), the bidisperse suspensions were found to have a higher tendency to form straight chains than the monodisperse suspensions; this is consistent with previous findings. Under steady shearing, the bidisperse suspensions exhibited higher stress enhancement than the monodisperse systems. The stress enhancement in bidisperse suspensions is likely to be due to the population and orientation of interacting large particles in the bidisperse suspensions.     

Synthesis and surface modification of nanophosphorous-based flame retardant agent by continuous flow hydrothermal synthesis

Nanoparticles can provide flame retardance to hosting polymers and act as nano fire extinguishers. Hydroxyapatite (Ca₅(OH)(PO₄)₃) (HA) is not hygroscopic, and is thermally stable up to 800 °C, with 18.5 wt% phosphorous content. It is this high phosphorous content that can provide HA with flame retardant properties. In this paper, we report on the continuous synthesis of ultrafine HA using a hydrothermal synthesis technique. The HA surface properties were changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic by post-synthesis surface modification. The ratio of the HA nanoparticles and an intumescent agent known as Exolit AP750 was investigated to yield a self-extinguishing multi-component epoxy nanocomposite for extended application under extreme fire conditions. The HA/AP750/epoxy nanocomposite was able to resist a flame at 1700 °C and self-extinguish after the flame had been removed. The nanocomposite showed an enhanced flammability performance in standard cone calorimetry testing and formed a compact and cohesive protective char layer with a 50% decrease in peak heat released compared with virgin epoxy. Our aim was to establish the use of HA as an effective nanofiller with phosphorous-based flame retardant properties. The surface of this nano fire extinguisher was modified effectively with different surfactants for enhanced compatibility with different polymeric matrices.     

Pozzolanic reactivity of silico-aluminous fly ash

For some years it has been possible to control the particle size of fly ashes, by-products of thermal power stations. Incorporating these very fine particles (obtained by grinding and/or pneumatic selection) improves the physical-mechanical characteristics of mortars and concretes. In this study, we measured the lime consumption of the various fractions (granulometric and densimetric) and identified by X-ray diffraction the neoformed phases by the pozzolanic reaction, to show that it is not sufficient to simply define the pozzolanicity of products based on lime consumption since it does not take into account the nature of the phases formed. The size of the particles used in the test samples also has a determining effect on the quantity of lime consumed. Before comparing results, it is necessary to ensure that the size of the particles (of the global ash and its constituents) be the same. Two distinct neoformed phases appear: CSH in the largest granular fractions (d>40 μm) and C<3AH6 in the smaller fractions.     

Light scattering: A review of particle characterization applications

This review covers the progress of light scattering applications in the field of particle characterization in the past decade. The review addresses static light scattering (the measurement of scattering intensities due to light–particle interaction at various spatial locations), dynamic light scattering (the measurement of scattering due to light–particle interaction as a function of time), and scattering tracking analysis (the tracking of particle movement through scattering measurement).     

Critical points in the formulation of pharmaceutical swellable controlled release dosage forms-Influence of particle size

Swellable matrix represents one of the most employed controlled release systems. These dosage forms provide slow release of drugs to reduce the fluctuation of drug concentration in plasma in order to improve the efficiency of treatment and/or to reduce adverse effects. The application of the concepts of statistical physics has allowed discovering the existence of critical points in the formulation of swellable matrices. These points, representing the volume fractions of the tablet components where the properties of the matrix diverge or change suddenly, provide important knowledge of how to rationalize the design of swellable matrices. The critical points are generally related to the percolation threshold of one of the components of the formulation, which corresponds to a geometrical phase transition of this component, passing from isolation to spanning the whole system. The last section of the paper is devoted to more recent findings concerning the influence of particle size of the components on the percolation threshold of the matrix forming polymer, and therefore on the release behaviour of the matrix. Knowledge of the excipient percolation threshold allows a more rational design of swellable matrices, according to the guidelines of the regulatory authorities concerning science-based formulation and quality by design.     

冲击波作用合成氮化碳及表征

选黑索今炸药(RDX)为高温高压源、双氰胺(C2H4N4)为主要前驱体,采用爆炸冲击法制备含 C N 的氮化碳粉末,利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、傅立叶红外光谱(FTIR)和X射线能 谱(EDS)分析制得的氮化碳产物的形貌、成分和结构。结果表明:冲击波作用下,前驱体中C?N 及CN 发生断键,得到碳氮单键直接相连的C3N4 晶体。氮化碳粉末的XRD分析结果表明,有-C3N4、-C3N4 和石 墨相C3N4 存在;利用扫描电子显微镜观测到粒度为2m 的六边形-C3N4 晶粒。在前驱体中添加5-氨基四 氮唑(CH3N5)可有效提高产物的氮含量。     

Weakly magnetic field-assisted synthesis of magnetite nano-particles in oxidative co-precipitation

This paper presents experimental results on weakly magnetic field-assisted synthesis of magnetite （Fe3O4） nano-particles in an oxidative co-precipitation method, in comparison to the case without magnetic induction. The XRD results show that a weakly magnetic induction below 220 Gs could accelerate the phase transformation from goethite （α-FeOOH） to magnetite （Fe3O4）, and affect the crystal structure, the particle size/morphology and magnetic response of the magnetite nano-particles synthesized. In addition, a higher concentration of the FeCl2 solution in the synthesis reaction led to finer particles, both with and without magnetic induction.     

From micro-to nanosized particles:Selected characterization methods and measurable parameters

Airborne microand nanoparticles-aerosols-play an important role in many natural phenomena and in a variety of industrial processes,as well as the public health issue. They may be of natural or anthropogenic origin;their presence in an environment might be intentional or due to undesirable release. In any case,merely the particle detection and characterization,ideally in real-time,provide an insight into the potential burden allowing also controlling and abatement measures. Due to the broad size range it is ...     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of NiS flower-like architectures

Under the influence of thiocyanate anions (SCN^?) and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), NiS flower-like architectures were successfully synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. The synthesized flower-like architectures, with a multilayered and highly ordered texture, have diameters of several micrometers. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) shows that the NiS flower-like architectures are rhombohedral crystalline. On the basis of condition-dependent experiments, the diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) model and cage effect were used to explain the growth process of rhombohedral crystalline NiS flower-like architectures. Magnetic measurements showed that the coercivity (H_c) of the as-obtained NiS flower-like architectures was 102.14 Oe.