Porous silicon oxycarbide glasses from organically modified silica gels of high surface area

High surface area alkyl-substituted silica aerogels and xerogels were successfully prepared by sol-gel processing and supercritical drying. The gels were further heat treated in inert atmosphere to temperatures as high as 1000°C. Surface areas and pore structure of the gels and gels pyrolyzed at high temperatures were determined by multipoint BET surface area measurement. The aerogels and xerogels exhibited surface areas of about 1100 m²/g. No significant effect of pH was found on the surface areas of gels in the two step sol-gel process, but gels of low pH showed smaller pore diameter and higher density. Xerogels showed smaller surface area, pore size, and pore volume compared to aerogels. Upon pyrolyzing in inert atmosphere, the surface areas of all the gels decreased with temperature as a result of collapse of micropores and shrinkage of mesopores. Unlike pure silica gel, which loses almost all surface area and densifies at 1000°C, the advantage of the alkyl-substituted gels is that they maintained a high surface area of 400 m²/g at 1000°C.Also with the Department of Agronomy.     

Preparation and characterization of microporous SiO2-ZrO2 pillared montmorillonite

SiO₂-ZrO₂ pillared montmorillonite (SZM) was prepared by the reaction of Na-montmorillonite with colloidal silica-zirconia particles which were prepared by depositing zirconium hydroxy cations on silica particles. By pillaring with the colloidal particles, the basal spacing of montmorillonite was expanded to ca. 45 Å and the calcined SZM samples showed large specific surface areas up to 320 m²/g at 400 °C. In spite of large interlayer separation, adsorption results indicated the presence of micropores generated between the colloidal particles. The microporous structure was maintained at least up to 600 °C and exhibited specific shape selectivity for the adsorption of large organic molecules, especially between toluene and mesitylene. According to the temperature-programmed-desorption (TPD) spectra of ammonia, the calcined SZM showed weakly acidic sites.     

The effect of F-doping and temperature on the structural and textural evolution of mesoporous TiO2 powders

Mesoporous F⁻-doped TiO₂ powders were prepared by hydrolysis of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) in a mixed NH₄F-H₂O solution. Effects of F⁻ ion content and calcination temperatures on the phase composition and porosity of mesoporous titania were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET surface areas. The results showed the BET surface area (S_BET) of the pure and doped powders dried at 100°C ranged from 260 to 310 m²/g as determined by nitrogen adsorption. With increasing calcination temperatures, the S_BET values of the calcined titania powders decreased due to the increase in crystalline size. The pore size distribution was bimodal with fine intra-particle pore and larger inter-particle pore as determined by nitrogen adsorption isotherms. The peak pore diameter of intra-particle pore increases with increasing F⁻ ion content. At 700°C, all the titania powders exhibit monomodal pore size distributions due to the complete collapse of the intra-particle pores. The crystallization of anatase was obviously enhanced due to F⁻-doping at 400°C and 500°C. Moreover, with increasing F⁻ ion concent, F⁻ ions not only suppressed the formation of brookite phase at low temperature, but also prevented phase transition of anatase to rutile at high temperature.     

The Effect of Preliminary Treatment on the Catalytic Activity of Cobalt–Silica Gel Catalysts in the Complete Oxidation of Methane

The effect of temperature in multiple oxidative–reductive treatments on the activity of cobalt–silica gel catalysts in the complete oxidation of methane is studied. A decrease in the temperature of oxidative–reductive treatments from 500°C to 300°C results in an irreversible decrease in the activity of samples prepared by the impregnation of SiO₂with cobalt nitrate. A sample prepared from cobalt acetate and calcined at 500°C shows a lower activity, which was close to the activity of samples prepared from nitrates and calcined at 300°C.     

稀土Ce掺杂对ZnO结构和光催化性能的影响

采用共沉淀-焙烧法合成了一系列不同含量的稀土Ce掺杂的ZnO光催化剂. 利用傅里叶变换红外(FT-IR)光谱、粉末X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、紫外-可见(UV-Vis)光谱、光致发光(PL)谱等技术对所制备的光催化剂进行了系列表征. 以酸性橙II脱色降解为模型反应, 考察了掺杂不同含量的铈及不同焙烧温度对ZnO的物理结构和光催化脱色性能的影响. 结果表明: 掺入质量分数(w)为2%的铈可以明显改善氧化锌表面状态, 有利于产生更多的表面羟基; 同时可以抑制光生电子与光生空穴(e^-/h⁺)的复合, 显著提高光催化脱色活性和光催化稳定性; 焙烧温度对光催化剂的晶体结构、表面性能和光催化活性产生较大影响, 500 °C的焙烧处理使样品的结晶度较高, 同时催化剂颗粒粒径较细, 表面具有丰富的羟基. 但过高的焙烧温度(600-800 °C)将导致催化剂的物理结构发生恶化, 降低光催化性能.     

Preparation of Porous Cordierite with Thermally Stable Pore Structure

A cordierite ceramic with a thermally stable pore structure was prepared by a simple modification of a sol-gel reaction of alkoxide precursors, synthesized from Mg metal or Mg acetate, Al(i-OPr)₃, and partially prehydrolyzed Si(OEt)₄. For aging and drying, wet cordierite gel was treated with water vapor at 150°C to strengthen the gel network through enhanced hydrolysis and condensation reactions. The cordierite xerogels showed BET surface areas between 220–410 m²/g, depending on the catalyst and treatment conditions used. In particular, water vapor treated xerogel displayed comparatively thermally stable pore characteristics, which exhibited only a 4–17% decrease in BET surface area up to 700°C, while samples prepared using the conventional sol-gel method showed a 55–91% reduction. Both the DTA and XRD patterns showed that crystallization began at 900°C leading to the -Cordierite phase and the subsequent phase transition to -cordierite at temperatures between 1050 to 1250°C.     

Aerosol-assisted fabrication of mesoporous titania spheres with crystallized anatase structures and investigation of their photocatalitic properties

We demonstrate practical aerosol-assisted approach to synthesize spherical mesoporous titania particles with high surface areas. Scanning electron microscopy observation of the spray-dried products clearly shows spherical morphology. To remove surfactants and enhance crystallinity, the spray-dried products are calcined under various temperatures. The crystalline structures inside the particles are carefully detected by wide-angle XRD measurements. With increase of the calcination temperatures, anatase crystal growth proceeds and transformation from anatase to rutile is occurred. The effect of various calcination temperatures on the mesostructures is also studied by using N₂ adsorption desorption isotherms. The mesoporous titania particles calcined at 350, 400, and 500 °C exhibit type IV isotherms with a capillary condensation step and shows a hysteresis loop, which is a characteristic of mesoporous materials. The reduction in the surface areas and the pore volumes is confirmed by increasing the calcination temperatures, while the average pore diameters are increased gradually. This is attributed to the distortion of the mesostructures due to the grain growth of the anatase phase and the transformation to the rutile phase during the calcination process. As a preliminary experimental photocatalytic activity, oxidative decomposition of acetaldehyde under UV irradiation is examined. The mesoporous titania calcined at 400 °C shows the highest photocatalytic activity, due to both high surface area and well-developed anatase crystalline phase.     

Ni-Mo氧化物超细粒子催化剂的制备与表征

以柠檬酸为络合剂,采用溶胶凝胶法制备NiMoO4超细粒子催化剂.使用DTA、BET比表面测定、XRD和LRS等表征手段考察了热处理条件和焙烧温度对粒子结构的影响.结果表明,在氩气气氛中于210℃分解干凝胶中的柠檬酸,可以避免柠檬酸分解时燃烧大量放热而引起超细微粒的烧结,脱除柠檬酸后的超细粉末为NiMoO4.经400℃以上的高温处理后,微粒明显晶化.     

A facile preparation of nanocrystalline Mo2C from graphite or carbon nanotubes

Nanocrystalline Mo₂C powders were successfully synthesized at 500 °C by reacting molybdenum chloride (MoCl₅) with C (graphite or carbon nanotube) in metallic sodium medium. X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) and surface area analyzer (BET method) were used to characterize the samples. Experiments reveal that the carbon source used for the carbide synthesis has a great effect on the particle size and the surface area of the samples. When micro-sized graphite was used as C source the obtained nanocrystalline Mo₂C powder consists of particles of 30∼100 nm, with a surface area of 2.311 m²/g. When carbon nanotubes were used as C source, the as-synthesized Mo₂C sample is composed of particles of 20∼50 nm, with a surface area of 23.458 m²/g, which is an order of magnitude larger than that of the carbide prepared from the graphite.     

Preparation and Characterization of Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) Xerogels

Mg2SiO4 gels were prepared from alkoxide precursors, and the formation of the forsterite crystal phase was studied after heat treatments up to 1200°C. Prehydrolyzed TEOS in solution with 2-methoxyethanol was mixed with Mg(OEt)2, and the solution was hydrolyzed using excess water. The resultant gels were dried at 100°C to form xerogels which were subsequently powdered. These powders were characterized using thermal analysis (DTA and TGA), surface area analysis (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).DTA and XRD indicated that forsterite crystallized at 770°C, and by 1000°C the powders were predominantly crystalline. BET gave powder surface areas between 400 and 550 m2 g–1. TEM revealed angular particles with sizes between 0.2 and 2 m. The low temperature of crystallization of forsterite indicates a high degree of intimate mixing between the precursor alkoxides, although XRD indicated some degree of inhomogeneity.     

Self-diffusion and trace component diffusion of chloride ion in particles of hydrous ceric oxide as a function of chloride ion capacity

Self-diffusion coefficients for chloride ion were measured as a function of chloride ion capacity in solutions of varying acdity using particles of hydrous ceric oxide heated at 50, 200 and 400°C. The measured self-diffusion coefficients are dependent only upon the total chloride ion capacity. At the same capacity, self-diffusion coefficients are almost the same for ceria particles heated at different temperatures. The trace component diffusion coefficients of chloride ion in the nitrate-form of the oxide, dried at 50°C, were also measured. Under the same conditions, the self-diffusion coefficients are somewhat higher or close to the trace component diffusion coefficient for the sample dried at 50°C.     

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.     

介孔氧化镍的合成、表征和在电化学电容器中的应用

以十二烷基硫酸钠为模板剂, 采用尿素为沉淀剂, 用均匀沉淀法, 适当控制尿素的水解速度, 制备具有介孔结构的氢氧化镍胶体, 在不同温度下焙烧处理得到孔分布集中的氧化镍介孔分子筛. 结果表明, 在523 K下焙烧得到的氧化镍BET比表面达到477.7 m²•g^－1. 结构表征还显示, 介孔氧化镍的孔壁为多晶结构, 其孔结构形成机理应为准反胶束模板机理. 循环伏安法表明用NiO介孔分子筛制备的电极有很好的电容性能. 与浸渍法和阴极沉淀法制得的NiO相比, 这种介孔结构的NiO能够大量用来制作电化学电容器电极, 并且保持较高的比电容量和良好的电容性能.     

Novel non-hydrolytic sol-gel route to metal oxides

Monolithic alumina and aluminosilicate gels have been prepared using a novel sol-gel process based on the non-hydrolytic condensation reaction between a metal halide and a metal alkoxide. XRD indicated that the alumina gel remained amorphous at 750°C; solid state ²⁷Al NMR indicated the presence in the dried gel and in the amorphous calcined sample of a large amount of pentacoordinated aluminum atoms. A study of the sol formation using liquid state ²⁷Al NMR suggested that the gel structure was reminiscent of the oligomeric structure of the chloroisopropoxide precursors. Differential thermal analysis and XRD indicated that the aluminosilicate gels were converted to mullite below 1000°C, suggesting a high degree of homogeneity in these precursors.     

Determination of hydroxyls density in the silica-mesostructured cellular foams by thermogravimetry

Thermogravimetry was applied to determine the surface hydroxyls coverage in the mesostructured cellular foams (MCFs) calcined at different temperatures and then rehydroxylated by contacting with water vapor or liquid. The TG measurements were performed by heating MCFs in air stream using a three-step temperature program: (i) at rate of 5 °C min⁻¹ from 25 to 200 °C; (ii) held at 200 °C for 30 min; and (iii) heating at rate of 10 °C min⁻¹ up to 1100 °C. The hydroxyls content was calculated from weight loss during third step. The hydroxyls density appeared to depend strongly on the calcination temperature and the subsequent contact with water vapor. When MCFs were exposed for a short period (ca. 1 min) to moist air the hydroxyls content increased rapidly, more in the samples calcined at 300 °C than 500 °C, to attain surface densities of 4.75 and 1.6 OH nm⁻², respectively. The 2-h contact with water vapor resulted in slower further increase of hydroxyls densities, to values of 5.45 and 2.9 OH nm⁻², for samples calcined at 300 and 500 °C, but longer contacts had no significant effect. A similar trend was also observed when sample was treated with liquid water.     

Thermal Stability of Pt/Al2O3 Catalysts Prepared by Sol-Gel

A series of Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared using a sol-gel method. The influence of several parameters used in the synthesis including: metal content, identity of the metal precursor, and the water/alkoxide ratio on the structural properties of the fresh (dried) and calcined samples were studied. It was found that the BET surface area decreased with an increase in the platinum content. A surface area of 500 m²/g was obtained following calcination at 773 K. The structure of fresh samples as determined by FTIR corresponded to that of a pseudoboehmite structure. Samples prepared using a water/alkoxide ratio (H₂O/ATB) of 9 showed a well-defined, uniform pore size distribution following calcination at 773 K. Metal dispersions comparable to those obtained using impregnation methods were obtained. Aging studies (calcination at 873 K for 24 h) performed on these catalysts, exhibited sintering behavior which were similar to Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by other methods. The sample prepared using a H₂O/ATB ratio of 9 had the highest surface area and was more thermally resistant towards metal sintering. A bimodal metal particle size distribution was observed: some particles exhibited sintering while others of similar size showed a greater thermal stability to sintering. The sample having the largest surface area and the highest thermal stability following thermal treatment was a consequence of a more condensed structure and a higher pore roughness obtained after drying the gel. This enabled the formation of an alumina structure which was more amorphous and limited aggregation of platinum particles due to surface diffusion within the pore structure.     

Phase composition and texture of Sr(La)Mn hexaaluminates

Hexaaluminates synthesized by precipitation and calcined at 700–1400°C have been characterized by atomic absorption spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and adsorption methods. The heat treatment of the Mn-substituted and unsubstituted materials at 1100 and 1200°C yields a hexaaluminate phase. The specific surface area of the samples calcined at 1100°C is 20–49 m²/g. The texture of the samples calcined at 1000°C is characterized by a unimodal mesoporous pore size distribution with a mean pore diameter of 290 Å.     

钴前驱体对掺杂TiO2微结构和可见光催化性能的影响

In order to develop photoactive cobalt-doped TiO2 for the degradation of organic pollutants using visible light irradiation, the effects of cobalt precursor on TiO2 microstructure were investigated. Three cobaltprecursors, i.e. CoCl2, Co(NO3)2 and CoSO4 with two doping levels (nominally 1% and 10%), and two annealing temperatures (400 and 800 ℃) were adopted to prepare the doped titania through the sol-gel method. The powder samples were characterized with XRD, SEM, BET surface area analysis and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the degradation of aniline under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the distribution of titania phases, particle size,morphology, surface area and the optical absorption of the catalysts were greatly dependent on the cobalt precursors. Samples prepared from Co(NO3)2, especially for those doped at 1% and calcined at 400 ℃,showed the highest photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of aniline, and the possible reasons are discussed briefly.     

Physicochemical Characterization and Catalytic Properties of Titania Gel Doped with Lithium and Rubidium

The effect on titania of doping with lithium and rubidium titania gels has been studied in samples prepared with titanium (IV) tetra-n-butoxide co-gelling with the alkaline metal precursors. Titania and doped titania were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, which showed that the catalysts were nanostructured. In samples calcined at 400°C, the crystallite size of the anatase phase was 17 and 14 nm, and 78 and 38 nm for samples calcined at 600°C, for Li/TiO₂ and Rb/TiO₂, respectively. The specific surface areas of doped samples (400°C) are lower in Li/TiO₂ (90 m²/g) than in Rb/TiO₂(125 m²/g). Evaluation of their basic properties has been carried out in the acetone condensation reaction. It was found that the activity strongly depended on the Li and Rb ionic radii.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline zinc aluminate spinel by sol–gel technique using modified alkoxide precursor

Nanosized zinc aluminate spinel (gahnite, ZnAl₂O₄) powders were prepared by sol−gel technique at low sintering temperatures. Aluminium-sec-butoxide [Al(O^sBu)₃] and zinc nitrate hexahydrate Zn(NO₃)₂ . 6H₂O were used as starting materials. Gels with and without chelating agent were prepared. Ethyl-acetoacetate (C₆H₁₀O₃) was used as a chelating agent in order to control the rate of hydrolysis of Al(O^sBu)₃. The dried gels and thermally treated samples were characterized by means of Differential Thermal Analysis and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (DTA, TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The surface area was measured by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) adsorption–desorption isotherms. It has been established that chelation enables to obtain a transparent gel. The thermal evolution of gels was characterized by two crystallization processes in the range 200–400 °C and 600–700 °C. Both processes yielded pure ZnAl₂O₄ as evidenced by XRD, i.e. zinc aluminate spinel powders were produced by gel heat-treatment at temperatures as low as 300 °C. The average gahnite crystallite size for the samples sintered in the temperature range of 400–1000 °C has been calculated from the broadening of XRD lines revealing that nanocrystalline powders were prepared. The surface areas measured for the samples fired at 700 °C for 2 h were 43.1 and 62.6 m² g⁻¹, for sample without and with the chelating agent, respectively. TEM micrographs confirmed the nano-scale size of particles.