Processing of ZrO2 reinforced cordierite composites by infiltration of ceramic felt with sonosols

ZrO₂ ceramic felts and low viscosity sols of cordierite were used to obtain ceramic-ceramic composites. Ultrasonic treatments were applied to prepare cordierite sol containing different quantities of nucleating TiO₂. Sintering of the composites was accomplished by the hot-pressing of several infiltrated ZrO₂ felt layers. Relative densities were around 99%. The reinforcing phase was distributed in an anisotropic way in the densified samples. The mechanical strength of the composites was influenced by the polymorphic form and microstructure of the matrix, and also by the matrix volume fraction introduced by infiltration.     

Ultrastructural evolution during sintering of mixed sonogels

A first approach to the ultrastructural evolution during the sintering process of TiO₂-SiO₂ aerogels has been done on the basis of the gelation kinetics and dried gel previous analysis, in order to tailor the mixed glass sol-gel processing.Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) technique was used to study the evolution of the ultrastructure of porous aerogels partially densified at several temperatures. The analysis of the scattering intensity profiles on the basis of the Porod's Two Phase Media Model gives valuable information about pore-solid matrix interface evolution on sintering.     

Influence of Cd Content and Se Doping on the Formation of CdSe Nanocrystals in Silica Xerogels: A SAXS Study

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments were carried out to characterize the structure of the composite formed by CdSe nanocrystals embedded in a popous silica matrix (silica xerogels containing Cd with formamide addition and ultrasound treatment). SAXS results from samples before Se diffusion indicate the presence of heterogeneities with a bimodal size distribution which was associated to the existence of mesopores (pores of several hundred Å) immersed in a nanoporous matrix (characteristic pore radii of 20–30 Å). The diffusion of Se induces the nucleation and growth of CdSe nanocrystals. The average size of the nanocrystals increases with Cd content. Higher Se doses promote the formation of larger nanocrystals (radius of gyration of ∼30 to 50 Å). Anomalous scattering results confirm the existence of Se aggregation associated with CdSe nanocrystal formation and suggest that only partial segregation of Cd and Se occurs.     

Microstructure and catalytic properties of Rh and Ni dispersed on TiO2-SiO2 aerogels

The influence of the preparation method on the microstructure and catalytic behavior of Rh and Ni dispersed on TiO₂-SiO₂ aerogels is investigated.The autoclave method has been followed to prepare titania-silica aerogels with TiO₂ contents ranging between 0 and 10 mole %. These aerogels have been used as matrices to disperse catalytically active metals: Rh and Ni. The metals can be deposited by impregnation of aerogels, or alternatively, can be added into the hydrolysis water used in the synthesis of gels. The resulting catalysts present surface areas higher than 550 m²·g^–1.The percentage of titania, the method followed for the introduction of the metal, and the nature of the metal itself affect both the activities and selectivities of the catalysts in the hydrogenolysis of n-butane. Thus, the presence of titania in Rh catalysts increases the activity values, and the samples prepared by impregnation present selectivities towards ethane higher than 80%. Whereas, the rhodium catalysts in which the metal has been introduced before gelling, do not orientate the reaction in favor of a definite product. For the case of Ni, it is quite frequent to obtain high selectivities towards the breakdown of the C-C terminal bonds. In summary, the preparation methods allow to modulate into very broad limits the catalytic behavior of the samples.