Highly efficient mesoporous WO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/KIT-6 catalysts for oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene with hydrogen peroxide

Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of organic compounds containing sulfur element from a model oil was performed using tungsten oxide catalysts supported on mesoporous silica with cubic Ia3d mesostructure, well-defined mesopores (7.2 nm), high surface area (719 m²/g), and three-dimensional pore network (WO _x /KIT-6). The prepared WO _x /KIT-6 catalysts (5–20 wt% WO _x ) were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, N₂ sorption measurements, electron microscopy, H₂-temperature programmed reduction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Among the mesoporous catalysts, 10 wt% WO _x /KIT-6 exhibited the best catalytic performance. Sulfur-containing organic compounds, such as dibenzothiophene, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, and benzothiophene, were completely (100 %) removed from the model oil over 10 wt% WO _x /KIT-6 catalyst in 2 h. In addition, the catalyst could be reused several times with only slight decrease in catalytic activity.     

Synthesis and fabrication of (1 − x)ZnAl2O4–xSiO2 thin films to be applied as patch antennas

Zinc aluminate compounds have been dispersed in silica matrix prepared by sol-gel method with different compositions for (1 ? x)ZnAl₂O₄–xSiO₂. Continuous stirring of ethylene glycol solution contained zinc nitrate, aluminium nitrate and silicon dioxide to produces gel precursor. Structural and morphological studies of (1 ? x)ZnAl₂O₄–xSiO₂ thin films were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. The FESEM images showed the spherical structures with porosity for (1 ? x)ZnAl₂O₄–xSiO₂ thin films. XRD analysis indicated that the crystallite size for (1 ? x)ZnAl₂O₄–xSiO₂ increased from 39.79 to 44.34 nm. Fourier transform infra-red analysis showed that the existence of H₂O molecules and the presence of nitrate group within the samples. Dielectric permittivity (ε _r ) of (1 ? x)ZnAl₂O₄–xSiO₂ samples were measured within frequency range from 1 Hz to 1 MHz. The dielectric permittivity, ε _r decreased as frequency was applied to the sample. The performance of the patch antenna can be measured using return loss analysis. The highest result shows that the patch antenna resonated at frequency 3.46 GHz and gives ?14.25 dB return loss bandwidth.     

A new approach to the preparation of lanthanide catalysts for the synthesis of 2-propyl-3-ethylquinoline based on the reactions of LnCl3 · 6H2O crystalline hydrates with triisobutylaluminum

A new approach to the preparation of lanthanide catalysts for the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles (exemplified by 2-propyl-3-ethylquinoline) was developed based on the reactions of LnCl₃ · 6H₂O crystalline hydrates with alkylaluminums. It was found that the interaction of LnCl₃ · 6H₂O (Ln = Ce, Pr, Tb, and Eu) with iso-Bu₃Al in aromatic solvents (20°C) resulted in the formation of soluble (isobutane and the alumoxane (iso-Bu₂Al)₂O) and insoluble products (with the empirical formula LnCl₃ · xH₂O · y(iso-Bu₂Al)₂O (x = 0.4–0.7; y = 0.04–0.07)). The physiochemical properties of LnCl₃ · xH₂O · y(iso-Bu₂Al)₂O were studied, and these compounds were found to be highly efficient catalysts for the reaction of aniline condensation with butyraldehyde to form 2-propyl-3-ethylquinoline.     

Thermodynamic characteristics of thermal dissociation of inclusion compounds based on graphite fluorides

Thermal dissociation processes for acetonitrile inclusion compounds based on the polymer fluorographite host matrix C₂F _x Br_0.01·yCH₃CN, where x = 0.49?C0.92, y = 0.174?C0.285, are investigated. Thermodynamic parameters (??H°_av, ??S°_av, ??G°₂₉₈) for deintercalation of the compounds of the first filling step into the compounds of the second step and gaseous guest within temperature range 294?C352 K were determined. The effect of the host matrix fluorination degree on the thermodynamic characteristics of the studied processes is demonstrated.     

Structural relaxation of PbO–WO3–P2O5 glasses

The structural relaxation of three compositional series of PbO–WO₃–P₂O₅ glasses with composition (0.5 ? x/2)PbO·xWO₃·(0.5 ? x/2)P₂O₅, x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5; 0.5PbO·xWO₃·(0.5 ? x)P₂O₅, x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3; and (0.5 ? x)PbO·xWO₃·0.5P₂O₅, x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 was studied by thermomechanical analysis. The structural relaxation was studied in the transformation region using the Tool–Narayanaswamy–Moynihan’s and Tool–Narayanaswamy–Mazurin’s models. The relaxation function of Kohlrausch Williams and Watts was used. The parameters of both models were calculated by nonlinear regression analysis of thermodilatometric curves measured by thermomechanical analyzer under the constant load. Both models very well describe the experimental data. It was found that the modulus is increasing with increasing amount of WO₃ in all glasses. On the contrary, the width of the spectrum of relaxation times is decreasing with increasing amount of WO₃ in all studied glasses. Both models possess the values of metastable melt thermal expansion coefficient equal to their experimental value.     

Frequency dependent ferroelectric and electrical properties of (Ho, Ni) co-doped BiFeO3 thin films

We have evaluated the ferroelectric and electrical properties of pure BiFeO₃ (BFO) and (Bi_0.9Ho_0.1)(Fe_1?xNi_x)O_3?δ (BHFN_xO, x = 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03) thin films as frequency varying from 1 to 50 kHz on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates by using a chemical solution deposition method. With the frequency from 1 to 10 kHz, the decrease of remnant polarization (2P _r ) of the BHFN_0.02O thin film was about 27 %, from 26 to 19 μC/cm², which is one half lower than those of the BHFN_xO (x = 0.01 and 0.03) thin films. Otherwise, the variation of the coercive electric field (2E _c ) was relatively small, which were 16, 11 and 3 % for the BHFN_xO (x = 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03) thin films. The remnant polarization (2P _r ) and the coercive electric field (2E _c ) values of the BHFN_0.02O thin film show the dependence of measurement frequency and it has been fairly saturated about 30 kHz. Also, the leakage current density of the co-doped BHFN_0.02O thin film showed three orders lower than that of the pure BFO, 2.14 × 10^?6 Å/cm² at 100 kV/cm.     

Preparation and characterization of NASICON type Li+ ionic conductors

The new scandium/aluminium co-doped NASICON phases Li_1?+?x Al _y Sc _x???y Ti_2???x (PO₄)₃ (x?=?0.3, y?=?0,0.1,0.2,0.3) were prepared by mechanical milling followed by annealing of the mixtures at 950 °C. X-ray diffraction of all samples showed the formation of NASICON structure with space group R-3c along with a minor impurity. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray data was performed to identify the structural variation. Doping with Sc³⁺ caused elongation of a- and c- axes for all the compounds when compared with undoped LiTi₂(PO₄)₃. The compound Li_1.3Sc_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ showed a maximum of a?=?8.5504(7), c?=?20.986(3) Å at room temperature and exhibited highest coefficient of thermal expansion. The highest ionic conductivity (σ), 7.28×10^?4 S cm^?1 was observed for Li_1.3Sc_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃, two orders of magnitude higher than for the undoped phase.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of NiSbS–As doped phase

The substitution of Sb with As in the NiSbS intermetallic compound was studied in the framework of evaluating a possible increase of the thermoelectric properties. Different NiSb_1?xAs_xS samples were synthesized with increasing amounts of As (0 < x < 0.66) employing a simple synthetic route using a muffle furnace. Scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to investigate the microstructure. X-ray powder diffraction techniques were employed in order to study the possible existence of a solid solution between NiSbS and NiAsS compounds, as well as to identify the crystal structure and determine the lattice parameters. All compounds were found to crystallise with the NiSbS prototype (cP12-P2₁3), with lattice parameters varying from a = 0.59341(7) nm (x = 0) to a = 0.56849(6) nm (x = 1). Good agreement with Vegard’s law was evidenced. Thermal measurements on NiSb_1?xAs_xS samples were carried out using DTA instruments to evaluate the thermal stability and the melting temperatures.     

Application of heating microscopy to the study of thermal behaviour of ZnO–P2O5–WO3 glasses

The effect of WO₃ on thermal behaviour and thermal stability of ZnO–P₂O₅–WO₃ glasses prepared in compositional series (100 ? x)[0.5ZnO–0.5P₂O₅] ? xWO₃ (x = 0–60) was investigated by heating microscopy and the results were correlated with the results determined by conventional thermodilatometry and differential thermal analysis. Thermoanalytical studies showed that the glass transformation temperature and dilatation softening temperature increase with increasing WO₃ content while thermal expansion coefficient decreases. The highest stability towards crystallization possess glasses containing 20–30 mol% WO₃. Major compounds formed by the crystallization of the glasses were Zn(PO₃)₂, WO₃ and W₁₈P₂O₅₉. The values of sphere temperature, hemisphere temperature and flow temperature obtained using heating microscopy were strongly influenced by the degree of crystallization process at the sintering.     

Characterization of electrically conductive vanadate glass containing tungsten oxide

New conductive glass with a composition of 20BaO·10Fe₂O₃·xWO₃·(70 ? x)V₂O₅ (x = 10–50) was investigated by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy. A marked decrease in quadrupole splitting (Δ) was observed after the isothermal annealing at 500 °C for 1,000 min, due to the structural relaxation of 3D-network composed of FeO₄, VO₄, and VO₅ units. After the isothermal annealing, a marked increase in the electrical conductivity (σ) was observed from 1.7 × 10^?5 to 1.0 × 10^?1 S cm^?1 when “x” was 10, whereas comparable σ values of 1.1 × 10^?4 and 2.0 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 were observed when “x” was 40. These results evidently show that structural relaxation of 3D-network structure involved with a marked increase in σ is intrinsic of “vanadate glass”. XRD pattern indicated several weak peaks due to needle-like BaFe₂O₄ and α-Fe₂O₃ when the glass sample with “x” of 20 was annealed at 500 °C for 1,000 min. SEM study proved the formation of needle-like BaFe₂O₄ just on the surface of the sample, whereas hexagonal BaFe₁₂O₁₉ were observed in the annealed sample with “x” of 40. Chemical durability of WO₃-containing vanadate glass was investigated by immersing each glass sample into 20 %-HCl solution for 72 h.     

Anatase–rutile transformation at the synthesis of rutile pigments (Ti,Cr,Nb)O2 and their color properties

Synthesis of rutile pigments is based on solid state reaction and on Hedvall effect, i.e., phase transformation from anatase to rutile. Therefore, it is important to know the thermal behavior of these compounds (the temperature of this change). The goal was to prepare rutile pigments of type Ti_1?3xCr_xNb_2xO_2+x/2 by conventional solid state method from titanium dioxide TiO₂ (AV-01, anatase), to determine an influence of composition (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.50) and calcination temperature (850; 900; 950; 1,000; 1,050; 1,100; 1,150 °C) on color properties of these compounds and to analyze other starting compounds of titanium (hydrated anatase paste TiO₂·nH₂O, titanyl sulfate dihydrate TiOSO₄·2H₂O (VKR 611), hydrated sodium titanium oxide paste Na₂Ti₄O₉·nH₂O) and their reaction mixtures for x = 0.05 by simultaneous TG–DTA analysis. According to the highest chroma C of color, the optimal conditions for synthesis of these pigments are concentration x = 0.05 and calcination temperature 1,050 °C and higher. It was observed that initial temperature 760–830 °C is needful for a formation of rutile structure. This temperature is the lowest for hydrated Na₂Ti₄O₉ paste (760 °C) and similar for other starting compounds of titanium.     

Hydrogen production by aqueous phase reforming of sorbitol using bimetallic Ni–Pt catalysts: metal support interaction

Hydrogen was produced by Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) of 10% (w/w) sorbitol using mono- and bi-metallic catalysts of Ni and Pt supported on alumina nano-fibre (Alnf), mesoporous ZrO₂ and mixed oxides of ceria–zirconia–silica (CZxS) with varying concentration of silica (where x is silica concentration). X-ray diffraction, TEM/EDS and temperature programmed reduction were also carried on these catalysts to study the surface properties. It was observed that co-impregnation of Pt and Ni in atomic ratio 1:12 increased the reducibility of Ni by forming an alloy. However, sequential impregnation of Ni followed by Pt does not form the bi-metallic particles to increase the Ni reducibility. Reduction peak of co-impregnated Ni–Pt/Alnf was found to be 270 °C lower than the sequentially impregnated Pt/Ni/Alnf. The presence of silica at high concentration in CZxS support decreased the reducibility of ceria by forming an amorphous layer on Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ crystals, which also decreased Ni reducibility. The rate of H₂ formation from aqueous phase sorbitol reforming was found to be highest for co-impregnated Ni–Pt catalysts followed by sequentially impregnated Pt/Ni and monometallic Ni catalyst. The H₂ activity decreased in the following order of the supports: Alnf > ZrO₂ > CZ3S > CZ7S.     

Synthesis of an Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>P catalyst supported on Na-MCM-41 with highly activity for dibenzothiophene HDS under mild conditions

A novel and simple method to synthesize supported Ni₂P/Na(x)-MCM-41 catalysts (where x is the mass fraction of Na-to-MCM-41 in terms of percentage) at a lower reduction temperature by incorporation of Na was described. The catalysts were characterized by H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption, CO uptake, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of Na on the structure of catalysts and catalytic properties for the dibenzothiophene (DBT) hydrodesulfurization (HDS) was investigated, which confirmed that a suitable amount of Na can promote highly dispersed Ni₂P particles. The Na preferentially interacts with phosphate to generate the sodium phosphate and therefore suppresses the formation of stronger P–O–P bonds, which enables the phosphide catalyst to be easily formed at a lower reduction temperature. Compared with conventional phosphate (973–1273 K), the reduction temperature of Ni₂P/Na(x)-MCM-41 catalyst was relatively low (773 K). The Ni₂P/Na(x)-MCM-41 catalyst with x?=?1.0 showed the maximum DBT conversion of 91.6%, which is higher than that of Ni₂P/M41 without Na (80.3%).     

Interaction of the Amphiphilic Drug Amitriptyline Hydrochloride with Gemini and Conventional Surfactants: A Physicochemical Approach

Pyrene fluorescence measurements were carried out on various binary mixtures of the antidepressant amphiphilic drug amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT) with conventional (TTAB and CTAB) and gemini surfactants (14-4-14 and 16-4-16). In all cases mixed micellar aggregates were formed and the mixed critical micelle concentration (cmc) of various mixtures was computed from the I ₁/I ₃ versus total surfactant concentration plots. In the region where mixed micelles are formed, the interaction of the amphiphlic drug and four surfactants showed synergistic behavior. The results were analyzed using an interaction parameter, β, which characterize the interaction in the mixed micelle and is introduced by a regular solution theory. The β values are negative in all binary mixtures, and their magnitudes increase with increasing hydrophobicity of the amphiphile. The micellar mole fraction of AMT in the mixed micelle (x ₁) and in the ideal sate (x _ideal) were evaluated and their values (x ₁ > x _ideal) suggest that the contribution of the AMT component is greater in binary mixtures as compared to that in the ideal state. Activity coefficients (f ₁ and f ₂) and excess Gibbs energy (G _ex) were also calculated. The values of micelle aggregation numbers (N _agg) and various other parameters like the Stern–Volmer constant (K _sv), micropolarity and dielectric constant of mixed systems have also been evaluated from the ratios of respective peak intensities (I ₁/I ₃ or I ₀/I ₁).     

Structural, electrical, and thermal properties in Ca-doped fresnoite ceramics

Polycrystalline ceramic samples of Ca-doped fresnoite of general formula Ba_2?x Ca _x TiSi₂O₈ (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1) have been prepared by standard solid state reaction technique using high purity oxides and carbonates. The formation of the single phase compound and its structural parameters were investigated by X-ray diffraction followed by Rietveld refinement using non-centrosymmetric space group P4bm. The bond distances between atoms in a unit cell for all the compounds were also calculated which supports the structural results analyzed by Rietveld analysis. The frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constant and ac conductivity of all the compounds have been measured. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant increases with the increase of temperature. The activation energy (E _a) calculated from ac conductivity increases from x = 0.0 to 0.4 and then decreases from x = 0.8 to 1.0. The modulated differential scanning calorimetry has been used to investigate the effect of substitution on the specific heat, heat flow, and other thermal parameters of the compounds.     

The relationship between properties of fluorinated graphite intercalates and matrix composition 7

Inclusion compounds (intercalates) of fluorinated graphite matrix with ethyl acetate (C₂F_xBr_z·yCH₃COOC₂H₅, x = 0.49, 0.69, 0.87, 0.92, z = 0.01) were prepared by guest substitution from acetonitrile to ethyl acetate. The kinetics of the thermal decomposition (the first stage of filling → the second stage of filling) was studied under isothermal conditions at 291–307 K. The relationship of the host matrices’ structure with inclusion compounds’ thermal properties and kinetic parameters is discussed.     

The influence of concentration of doping elements on anatase–rutile transformation at the synthesis of rutile pigments (Ti,Cr,Nb)O2 and their pigmentary properties

An analysis of the effects of dopants concentration and different starting titanium compounds on the anatase to rutile phase transformation at the synthesis of rutile pigments Ti_1?3xCr_xNb_2xO_2±δ is presented in this study. The main goal was to analyze reaction mixtures for x = 0.05 (previous study) and 0.30 by simultaneous TG–DTA analysis and to determine the temperature of anatase–rutile transition. For x = 0.05, initial temperatures 760–830 °C are needful for a formation of rutile structure. The temperature is the lowest for the hydrated Na₂Ti₄O₉ paste (760 °C) and similar for other starting compounds of titanium. But for x = 0.30, the anatase–rutile transition begins at higher temperatures 910–1,030 °C because of high-Nb content, which is the inhibitor of this modification change. In addition, we found the influence of calcination temperatures (850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, and 1150 °C) on color properties and particle size distribution of these materials prepared from anatase TiO₂ and with x = 0.30. Selected pigments were also analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction.     

The relationship between properties of fluorinated graphite intercalates and matrix composition

Inclusion compounds (intercalates) of fluorinated graphite matrix with butanone (C₂F_xBr_z·yCH₃COC₂H₅, x = 0.49, 0.69, 0.87, 0.92, z ≈ 0.01) were prepared by guest substitution from acetonitrile to butanone. The kinetics of the thermal decomposition (the 1st stage of filling → the 2nd stage of filling) was studied under isothermal conditions at 294–313 K. The relationship of the host matrices structure with inclusion compounds’ thermal properties and kinetic parameters is discussed.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Li9V3 − x Ti x (P2O7)3(PO4)2/C compounds via wet method for lithium-ion batteries

A series of Ti⁴⁺-doped Li₉V_3???x Ti _x (P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂/C compounds have been prepared by using wet method. X-ray diffraction measurement shows that single phase region can be expressed as x?≤?0.10. The effects of substitution of Ti for V on the electrochemical properties of Li₉V_3???x Ti _x (P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ compounds have been studied. Our investigations show that Ti doping can improve the electrochemical performance. The Li₉V_2.95Ti_0.05(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂/C exhibits the best cycle performance and the highest first discharge capacity of 120.7 mAh g^?1 at 0.2 C. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicates that the charge transfer resistance initially decreases with x and then for x?>?0.05 increases monotonically with Ti⁴⁺ content.     

Sb modified Fe–Mn/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst for the reduction of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> with NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> at low temperatures

Manganese-based catalysts have attracted much attention due to their excellent performance for NO reduction with NH₃ (NH₃-SCR) at low temperatures. In the current study, the novel metal Sb was modified into Mn/TiO₂ and Fe–Mn/TiO₂, and the NO _x conversion was compared with those of Mn/TiO₂ and Fe–Mn/TiO₂ catalysts to investigate the effect of the Sb. The NO _x reduction activities of the catalysts were evaluated in the temperature range of 100–250 °C at a space velocity of 60,000 h^?1. The physicochemical properties of all the catalysts were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Interestingly, the Sb-promoted Mn-based catalysts showed significantly higher NO _x conversion than the other catalysts with or without 6 vol% of H₂O. The high performance of the Sb-modified catalysts could be related to the increase of acid sites and redox properties.