Synthesis and characterization of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–graphene composite

The synthesis and characterization of graphite oxide (GO), graphene (GS), and the composites: GS–CeO₂ and GO–CeO₂ are reported. This synthesis was carried out by mixing aqueous solutions of CeCl₃·7H₂O and GO, which yields the oxidized composite GO–CeO₂. GO–CeO₂ was hydrothermally reduced with ethylene glycol, at 120 °C, yielding the reduced composite GS–CeO₂. GO, GS ,and the composites with CeO₂ were characterized by CHN, TG/DTG, BET, XRD, SEM microscopy, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. The estimation of crystallite size of CeO₂ anchored on GO and on GS by Raman, XRD, and SEM agreed very well showing diameters about 5 nm. The role of particles of CeO₂ coating carbon sheets of GO and GS was discussed.     

Separation of rare earth elements in the tributyl phosphate–Ln(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Ca(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> system in the counter current process

The 40-step extraction process to separate rare earth elements (RЕEs) according to the praseodymium–cerium line with the use of mixer–settler extractors in a 100% TBP–Ln(NO₃)₃–Ca(NO₃)₂ system is implemented. A lanthanum–cerium concentrate containing less than 0.03 wt % of the remaining REEs is obtained. The flow diagram of the separation process of a rare earth (RE) concentrate isolated from phosphogypsum is considered.     

Crystal structure of [Pb<Subscript>3</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>4</Subscript>Co(NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)(NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The structure of [Pb₃(OH)₄Co(NO₂)₃](NO₃)(NO₂)·2H₂O is determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystallographic characteristics are as follows: a = 8.9414(4) Å, b = 14.5330(5) Å, c = 24.9383(9) Å, V = 3240.6(2) ų, space group Pbca, Z = 8. The Co(III) atoms have a slightly distorted octahedral coordination formed by three nitrogen atoms belonging to nitro groups (Co–N_av is 1.91 Å) and three oxygen atoms belonging to hydroxyl groups (Co–O_av is 1.93 Å). The hydroxyl groups act as μ₃-bridges between the metal atoms. The geometric characteristics are analyzed and the packing motif is determined.     

Growth and characterization of (K<Subscript>0.5</Subscript> Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>)NbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films by a sol–gel method

(K_0.5 Na_0.5)NbO₃ (KNN) perovskite materials have been developed as a promising lead-free piezoelectric material for environmentally benign piezoelectric devices. KNN films with about 320 nm thickness were fabricated on Pt(111)/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates by a sol–gel method from stoichiometric and A-site ion excess precursor solutions. Two different annealing methods were also used to investigate the crystallographic evolution of the films. A layer-by-layer annealing process results in highly (001) oriented KNN from the annealing temperature of 550 °C, while the final annealing method leads to weaker crystalline peaks with a random orientation. The KNN films from the K and Na excess precursor solutions show similar crystallization behavior. However, the ferroelectric hysteresis loops of the films were greatly improved by compensating for an A-site vacancy. In particular, the KNN films from K-excess precursor solutions show better ferroelectric properties compared to the films prepared from Na excess solutions.     

Synthesis and morphology of Ba(Zr<Subscript>0.20</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.80</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders obtained by sol–gel method

Barium zirconate titanate, Ba(Zr_0.20Ti_0.80)O₃ (BZT) powders were prepared by sol–gel method. These powders were characterized by thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microcopy electron transmission (TEM). The decomposition of the precursors was monitored by TG-DTA. XRD patterns reveal that BZT powders heat treated at 800 °C present single phase with perovskite-type cubic structure. TEM micrographs were employed to estimate the average particle size of the BZT powders (≈ 20 nm). The results indicate that the particle size of the BZT powders increases with the increasing of the holding time and aging temperature. The low aging temperature can reduce the agglomeration of the nanopowders. Three polyalcohols were employed as surfactants in sol–gel method: butanol (BTOL), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). It is noted that PEG has a better effect on reducing agglomeration of BZT powders than that of the BTOL and PVA.     

Simulating equilibrium processes in the Ga(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–NaOH system

Equilibrium processes in the Ga(NO₃)₃–H₂O–NaOH system are simulated with allowance for the formation of precipitates of various compositions using experimental data from potentiometric titration and theoretical studies. The values of the instability constants are calculated along with the stoichiometric compositions of the resulting compounds. It is found that pH ranges of 1.0 to 4.3 and 12.0 to 14.0 are best for the deposition of gallium chalcogenide films.     

Synthesis and characterization of sol–gel derived Ag(Nb,Ta)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowder

Perovskite-type Ag(Nb_0.6Ta_0.4)O₃ nanopowder was prepared by the sol–gel process from the AgNO₃, Ta₂O₅ and Nb₂O₅, with help of K₂CO₃, avoiding use of strong corrosive acid or expensive niobium ethoxide and tantalum ethoxide. The results suggested that thermal decomposition of the xerogel took place when the xerogel was heated at 450 °C. Well-crystallized single-phased powder was obtained at low temperature about 680 °C. With the heat-treatment temperature increasing (680–1,100 °C), the intensity of the diffraction peaks increased. The crystallite size determined by Scherer formula and the result suggested that higher temperature lead to larger crystallite size. Moreover, the average grain size 30–50 nm was estimated by a field emission scanning electron microscope. The influence of holding time on microstructures indicated that the homogeneous and small grains were obtained at 800 °C for 2–4 h while larger ones for 8–16 h.     

Cu-particle-dispersed (K<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>)NbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite thin films derived from sol–gel processing

Sol–gel processing of Cu-particle-dispersed (K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃ (Cu/KNN) thin films was studied in an attempt to develop a method producing piezoelectric composite films with good mechanical performance. The Cu/KNN films were prepared via crystallization annealing at 650–750 °C for 1 min in air, followed by reduction annealing at 400–500 °C for 1–2 h in a 5% H₂ and 95% Ar gas mixture. The resultant composite films consisted of perovskite KNN, metallic Cu, and Cu₄O₃. This suggests that the decomposition of Cu sources takes two different ways in this study. The Cu/KNN composite films containing Cu₄O₃ phases were produced by the crystallization annealing at 700 °C for 1 min followed by the reduction annealing at 500 °C for 1 h. Surface morphology observations reveal that these films have dense KNN matrix with a grain size of ~200 nm and uniformly dispersed Cu or Cu₄O₃ particles with a size of <500 nm.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured Ba<Subscript>5</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>15</Subscript> by sol–gel process

Hexagonal Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ were synthesized by a sol–gel process at temperatures of 700–900 °C. The microstructure properties and morphology are studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Traces of the Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ component were detected by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. A higher temperature enhanced higher atom mobility and caused the growth direction to change and created hexagonal square makes obvious good quality of samples. The visible light absorption edges of the Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ nanorods and were corresponded to band-gap energies of 4.0 eV.     

Synthesis and characterization of core–shell F-doped LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C composite for lithium-ion batteries

Core–shell LiFePO₄/C composite was synthesized via a sol–gel method and doped by fluorine to improve its electrochemical performance. Structural characterization shows that F⁻ ions were successfully introduced into the LiFePO₄ matrix. Transmission electron microscopy verifies that F-doped LiFePO₄/C composite was composed of nanosized particles with a ~3 nm thick carbon shell coating on the surface. As a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, the F-doped LiFePO₄/C nanocomposite delivers a discharge capacity of 162 mAh/g at 0.1 C rate. Moreover, the material also shows good high-rate capability, with discharge capacities reaching 113 and 78 mAh/g at 10 and 40 C current rates, respectively. When cycled at 20 C, the cell retains 86% of its initial discharge capacity after 400 cycles, demonstrating excellent high-rate cycling performance.     

Comparison of yttrium polyphosphate Y(PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> prepared by sol–gel process and solid state synthesis

Preparation of Y(PO₃)₃ polyphosphate was investigated by sol–gel process and solid state synthesis. Crystallization temperature range and purity of samples arising from both synthesis methods were compared. XRD patterns recorded from powders annealed at different temperature evidenced that the stability domain of Y(PO₃)₃ is much wider for sol–gel derived samples. Furthermore ³¹P NMR analysis demonstrated the presence of YPO₄ impurity along with Y(PO₃)₃ resulting from solid state route for any sintering temperature. Regarding the sol–gel procedure, effects of the elimination of KCl by-product on the presence of carbon residues in the final materials was studied by IR and Raman spectroscopies as well as EPR measurements. It was shown that when KCl is removed at the end of the synthesis, the crystallization of Y(PO₃)₃ phase takes place over a very short domain and leads to grey black powder unsuitable for further optical investigations.     

Synthesis and study of uranyl arsenate (UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(AsO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 12H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A method for producing synthetic troegerite of composition(UO₂)₃(AsO₄)₂ · 12H₂. Owas developed. X-ray diffraction, IR spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and scanning calorimetry were used to study its dehydration and thermal decomposition, to solve the structgure, and to determine X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopic characteristics.     

Thermal decomposition of praseodymium nitrate hexahydrate Pr(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>·6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The hexahydrate of praseodymium nitrate hexahydrate Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O does not show phase transitions in the range of 233–328 K when the compound melts in its own water of crystallization. It is suggested that the thermal decomposition is a complex step-wise process, which involves the condensation of 6 mol of the initial monomer Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O into a cyclic cluster 6[Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O]. This hexamer gradually loses water and nitric acid, and a series of intermediate amorphous oxynitrates is formed. The removal of 68% HNO₃–32% H₂O azeotrope is essentially a continuous process occurring in the liquid phase. At higher temperatures, oxynitrates undergo thermal degradation and lose water, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen, leaving behind normal praseodymium oxide Pr₂O₃. The latter absorbs approximately 1 mol of atomic oxygen from N₂O₅ disproportionation, giving rise to the non-stoichiometric higher oxide Pr₂O_3.33. All mass losses are satisfactorily accounted for under the proposed scheme of thermal decomposition.     

Synthesis and characterization of spinel-type CuAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocrystalline by modified sol–gel method

Nanocrystalline Copper aluminate (CuAl₂O₄) was prepared by sol–gel technique using aluminum nitrate, copper nitrate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and citric acid were used as precursor materials. This method starts from of the precursor complex, and involves formation of homogeneous solid intermediates, reducing atomic diffusion processes during thermal treatment. The formation of pure crystallized CuAl₂O₄ nanocrystals occurred when the precursor was heat-treated at 600 °C in air for 2 h. The stages of the formation of CuAl₂O₄, as well as the characterization of the resulting compounds were done using thermo–gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The products were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy to be round, about 17–26 nm in size and E _g = 2.10 eV.     

Synthesis and characterization of sol–gel alumina nanofibers

Abstract Alumina nanofibers of high aspect ratio with surface area of >300 m² g⁻¹ has been prepared successfully in bulk quantities by the sol–gel method. The synthesis parameters including the binary water–alcohol solvent system to aluminium isopropoxide ratio, pH, type of solvent and aging temperature affect the uniformity and formation of nanofibers. It is proposed that alumina nanofibers were formed by the curling of the nanosheets upon condensation after the hydrolysis. The phase evolution of alumina nanofibers from pseudoboehmite to α phase has been shown by XRD and FTIR. ²⁷Al NMR investigations show that the Al atoms are six and four coordinated. The morphology of the alumina nanofibers does not change much as the calcination temperature was increased. In addition, the average pore size increases and the BET surface area decreases as a function of calcination temperature. The thermal behavior of alumina nanofibers was investigated by TGA. Graphical Abstract      

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Nitrotriammine Complex of Nitrosoruthenium(II) [RuNO(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)(OH)]Cl·0.5H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Procedures for the synthesis of the [RuNO(NH_{3 3}(NO₂)(OH)]Cl·0.5H₂O complex have been developed. The compound was investigated by IR spectroscopy, and also by powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for H₁₁CIN₅O_4.5Ru: a = 6.5752(7) Å, b = 11.0900(18) Å, c = 12.296(2) Å, ά = 79.692(13)°, β = 85.088(11)°, γ = 87.395(11)°, V = 878.5(2) ų, Z = 4, d _calc = 2.190 g/cm³, space group . The structure is formed by [RuNO(NH₃)₃(NO₂)(OH)]⁺] complex cations, Cl⁻ anions, and crystallization water molecules. The complex crystallizes as yellow transparent prisms belonging to the triclinic crystal system; it is soluble in water and insoluble in ethanol and acetone. The crystals are stable when kept in a closed beaker, but gradually degrade in dry air.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by V. A. Emel’yanov, S. A. Gromilov, and I. A. Baidina__________Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 5, pp. 923–932, September–October, 2004.     

Synthesis and characterization of sol–gel derived bioactive CaO–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> glasses containing magnetic nanoparticles

Magnetic bioglasses in the system CaO–SiO₂–P₂O₅ were prepared by interaction of acetic acid vapors with iron nitrate dispersed on the surface of sol–gel derived porous silicate network. Upon pyrolysis, the created iron acetate species transform into magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and surface area measurements (BET) were employed to monitor the evolution of glass structural features during the synthetic pathway as well as the structure and the texture of the resultant glasses. XRD, Raman spectroscopy and vibration magnetic measurements (VSM) revealed the features of magnetic phases, developed in the form of γ-Fe₂O₃ and magnetite. The obtained glasses exhibit in vitro bioactivity, expressed by spontaneous formation of hydroxyapatite on their surface after immersion in SBF at 37 °C, confirmed with μ-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopies.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel InVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films using the low temperature sol

The InVO₄ sol was obtained by a mild hydrothermal treatment (the precursor precipitation solution at 423 K, for 4 h). Novel visible-light activated photocatalytic InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films were synthesized through a sol–gel dipping method from the composite sol, which was obtained by mixing the low temperature InVO₄ sol and TiO₂ sol. The photocatalytic activities of the new InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films under visible light irradiation were investigated by the photocatalytic discoloration of methyl orange aqueous solution. The thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis). The results revealed that the InVO₄ doped thin films enhanced the methyl orange degradation rate under visible light irradiation, 3.0 wt% InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films reaching 80.1% after irradiated for 15 h.     

Preparation and characterization of ZnTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/pillared montmorillonite composite catalyst for enhanced photocatalytic activity

ZnTiO₃–TiO₂/organic pillared montmorillonite (pMt) composite catalyst was successfully prepared in this paper by immobilizing ZnTiO₃–TiO₂ onto pMt. The composition and texture of the prepared composite catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, ultraviolet–visible light (UV–Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was tested via photocatalytic degradation of methyl blue (MB) under both visible irradiation and UV light. The results indicated that the ZnTiO₃–TiO₂/pMt composite catalyst had an apparent absorption at the area of visible irradiation, and exhibited a higher efficiency of photocatalytic degredation of MB under visible irradiation. This was due to the heterostructure of ZnTiO₃–TiO₂, and the mesoporous structure and specific surface area of the ZnTiO₃–TiO₂/pMt composite. In addition, the results of the radical scavenging experiments showed that the holes and superoxide radicals are responsible for the degradation of MB under visible irradiation.