Plasma-Sprayed Aluminum and Titanium Adherends: I. Characterization of Coatings

The morphological and surface chemical properties of plasma-sprayed coatings on metals have been investigated using surface characterization techniques. Organic polymeric and inorganic powders were plasma-sprayed on aluminum and titanium. Organic-polymeric coatings were prepared using epoxy, polyester, polyimide, and cyanate ester components. Inorganic coatings were obtained by plasma-spraying Al₂O₃, AlPO₄, MgO, and SiO₂ on aluminum adherends, and TiO₂, TiSi₂, MgO, and SiO₂ on titanium adherends. The organic-polymeric coatings were prepared at one thickness while the inorganic coatings were sprayed to obtain two different thicknesses. SEM photographs reveal various morphological differences in the sprayed specimens. The surface morphology ranged from smooth to nodular among the plasma-sprayed specimens. Surface chemical analysis of the plasma-sprayed coatings indicated that little or no chemical degradation of the components occurred as a result of plasma-spraying. However, plasma-sprayed TiSi₂ appeared to be a mixture of silica and a titanium silicate.     

Plasma-Sprayed Aluminum and Titanium Adherends: III

The durability of aluminum and titanium adherends, plasma-sprayed with polymeric coatings, and bonded with an epoxy and a polyimide adhesive has been investigated. Organic-polymeric coatings were plasma-sprayed using epoxy, polyester, polyimide, and cyanate ester components. Durability was investigated using a wedge-type specimen by exposing the specimens to an environmental cycle that included low temperature, high relative humidity at elevated temperature, high temperature at atmospheric pressure in air, high temperature in a vacuum, and room temperature. The systems exhibiting durability comparable with that for adherends treated using standard solution methods, included aluminum or titanium coated with a bis-maleimide/cyanate ester (B-CE) or a bis-maleimide-LaRC TPI-1500^® (B-TPI) mixture and bonded with an epoxy or a polyimide adhesive. For these B-CE- and B-TPI-coated specimens, failure during exposure to the environmental cycle occurred in the adhesive, indicating a favorable adherend/plasma-sprayed coating interaction.     

Synthesis of nanosized TiO2/SiO2 particles in the microemulsion and their photocatalytic activity on the decomposition of p-nitrophenol

Nanosized pure TiO₂ particles were prepared by hydrolysis of TTIP in the sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles. TiO₂/SiO₂ nanoparticles were also prepared from TEOS as a silicon source and TTIP as a titanium source. These particles were characterized by TEM, XRD, FT-IR, BET, TGA and DTA. From thermal analysis and XRD analysis, the anatase structure of pure titania appeared in the 300–600 °C calcination temperature range and the rutile structure was showed above 700 °C. However, no rutile phase was observed for the TiO₂/SiO₂ particles up to 800 °C. The crystallite size decreased and the surface area of TiO₂/SiO₂ particles monotonically increased with an increase of the silica content. From FT-IR analysis, the band for Ti–O–Si vibration was observed and the band intensity for Si–O–Si vibration increased with an increase of the silica content. The micrographs of TEM showed that the TiO₂/SiO₂ nanoparticles had a spherical and a narrow size distribution. In addition, TiO₂/SiO₂ particles showed higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO₂ and the TiO₂/SiO₂ (90/10) particles showed the highest activity on the photocatalytic decomposition of p-nitrophenol.     

Devitrification of a glass obtained from porphyric sands, MgO (15%) and TiO2 (4%)

A glass of composition: SiO₂ = 59·84%; Al₂O₃ = 11·45%; MgO = 15·34%; TiO₂ = 4·23%; K₂O = 3·80%; Na₂O = 2·48%; CaO = 1·08%; Fe₂O₃ = 1·78%; was prepared from porphyric sands by addition of MgO and TiO₂. The quenched glass is demixed on a very fine scale. The non-isothermal devitrification has been studied. Three-dimensional crystal growth has been observed. The experimental data suggest a mechanism controlled by the crystal-glass interface reaction. The crystal growth activation energy E_c = 467 ± 20 kJ/mole has been evaluated. The temperature of most efficient nucleation is approximately T_N = 720°C.     

PASSIVATION OF COPPER BY LOW TEMPERATURE ANNEALING OF Cu/Mg/SiO2 BILAYERS

Annealed thin films of Cu/Mg/SiO₂ are studied as possible conductors for microelectronics. Rutherford backscattering and sheet resistance measurements show that vacuum annealing at 350-400°C results in transport of Mg from the buried layer to the surface of the copper where it reacts with impurities to form a thin surface layer of MgO. Such films are then exceedingly resistant to further oxidation. These films have a resistivity of 2·μω-cm and are adherent to the SiO₂ substrate. However, at temperatures 450-500°C there is a reaction between Mg and the SiO₂ substrate releasing free Si into the copper.     

Effects of additives on sintering of CVD-MgO powders

The effects of a large number of sintering aids for the densification of magnesia were examined. Al₂O₃, BaO, Fe₂O₃, P₂O₅, SiO₂, TiO₂, Y₂O₃ and ZrO₂ are effective for the sintering of CVD-MgO powders at low doping levels. The effects of TiO₂ and ZrO₂ are significant. Heavy doping is harmful for densification. The eight oxides above are also effective for the sintering of seawater MgO, but the degree of effectiveness is smaller than for CVD-MgO. In the doping of BaO, P₂O₅, SiO₂ and TiO₂, which form eutectic liquids with MgO below 1600°C, there is an optimum firing temperature for densification.

Vickers hardness of doped MgO is proportional to the relative density and is unaffected by doping. Corrosion resistance of MgO ceramics for liquid PbO is also unaffected by dopants, except for P₂O₅.     

CO2 absorption and regeneration of alkali metal-based solid sorbents

Potassium-based sorbents were prepared by impregnation with potassium carbonate on supports such as activated carbon (AC), TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, SiO₂ and various zeolites. The CO₂ capture capacity and regeneration property were measured in the presence of H₂O in a fixed-bed reactor, during multiple cycles at various temperature conditions (CO₂ capture at 60 °C and regeneration at 130–400 °C). Sorbents such as K₂CO₃/AC, K₂CO₃/TiO₂, K₂CO₃/MgO, and K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃, which showed excellent CO₂ capture capacity, could be completely regenerated above 130, 130, 350, and 400 °C, respectively. The decrease in the CO₂ capture capacity of K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO, after regeneration at temperatures of less than 200 °C, could be explained through the formation of KAl(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, K₂Mg(CO₃)₂, and K₂Mg(CO₃)₂·4(H₂O), which did not completely converted to the original K₂CO₃ phase. In the case of K₂CO₃/AC and K₂CO₃/TiO₂, a KHCO₃ crystal structure was formed during CO₂ absorption, unlike K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO. This phase could be easily converted into the original phase during regeneration, even at a low temperature (130 °C). Therefore, the formation of the KHCO₃ crystal structure after CO₂ absorption is an important factor for regeneration, even at the low temperature. The nature of support plays an important role for CO₂ absorption and regeneration capacities. In particular, the K₂CO₃/TiO₂ sorbent showed excellent characteristics in CO₂ absorption and regeneration in that it satisfies the requirements of a large amount of CO₂ absorption (mg CO₂/g sorbent) and fast and complete regeneration at a low temperature condition (1 atm, 150 °C).     

Reforming of methane with carbon dioxide to synthesis gas over supported Rh catalysts

Reforming of methane with carbon dioxide to synthesis gas (CO/H₂) has been investigated over rhodium supported on SiO₂, TiO₂, γ-Al₂O₃, MgO, CeO₂, and YSZ (ZrO₂ (8 mol% Y₂O₃)) catalysts in the temperature range of 650–750°C at 1 bar total pressure. A strong carrier effect on the initial specific activity, deactivation rate, and carbon accumulation was found to exist. A strong dependence of the specific activity of the methane reforming reaction on rhodium particle size was observed over certain catalysts. Tracing experiments (using ¹³CH₄) coupled with temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) revealed that the carbon species accumulated on the surface of the Rh/Al₂O₃ catalyst during reforming reaction at 750°C are primarily derived from the CO₂ molecular route. The amount of carbon present on the working catalyst surface which is derived from the CH₄ molecular route is found to be very small.     

Highly porous TiO2 films from anodically deposited titanate hybrids and their photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity

Hybrid films of TiO₂ and benzoquinone, its derivative 2-methyl-benzoquinone or the dye 2,9,16,23-tetrasulfophthalocyaninatonickel(II) were prepared by anodic electrodeposition from titanium alkoxide solutions. Calcination of the films at 450 °C led to removal of the organics and the formation of crystalline and highly porous TiO₂ films as seen in XRD and Kr adsorption measurements, respectively. In dye-sensitized solar cells the films achieved an overall light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 0.8% despite a low film thickness of 0.55 μm. In the photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue the films showed photonic efficiencies of up to 0.09% for film thicknesses around 0.5 μm, which is much higher than those of comparable TiO₂ films prepared by sol–gel method.     

Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Chemical Bonding and Hydrothermal Stability of an Aminosilane on Metal Oxide Surfaces

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to study the metal oxide/silane interface. Structures of γ-aminopropyldimethylethoxysilane (γ-APDMES) coupling agent on the surface of metal oxide powders are proposed. The structures depend on the surface characteristics of the substrate. The amine group of the silane molecule forms a hydrogen bond with the silica surface. The enhanced intensity of the amine band around 1600 cm^-1 indicates that the amine group forms a complex on the titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide surfaces, as well as a hydrogen bond. By using the diffuse reflectance infrared technique, the Al-O-Si and Ti-O-Si antisymmetric frequencies are detected at 963 and 950 cm^-1, respectively, which agree favorably with the calculated frequencies. When the treated metal oxide powders are immersed in 80°C water, the rate of silane desorption increased in the following order of substrate; SiO₂, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃.     

Crystallization and Photoactivity of Tio2 Films Formed on Soda Lime Glass by a Sol-Gel Dip-Coating Process

Transparent nanophase TiO₂ thin films on soda lime glass were prepared from titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) by a sol-gel dip-coating method. The TiO₂ films had amorphous phase up to 400°C and anatase phase at 500°C. The amorphous TiO₂ films obtained at 300-400°C showed considerable photoactivity for the degradation of formic acid. The photoactivity of the TiO₂ films was enhanced with increasing calcination temperature from 300° to 500°C. The crystallinity of the anatase films at 500°C was improved with increasing calcination time up to 2 h and reduced with a further increase in calcination time to 4 h due to the significant formation of sodium titanate phase as a result of sodium diffusion. The four-time-dipping anatase films at 500°C exhibited the greatest photoactivity at the calcination time of 2 h. Sodium diffusion into TiO₂ films was retarded by a SiO₂ underlayer of 50 nm in thickness.     

Preparation and characterization of TiO2–SiO2 nano-composite thin films

TiO₂ nanocrystalline particles dispersed in SiO₂ have been prepared by the sol-gel method using titanium- and silicon-alkoxides as precursors. Nano-composite thin films were formed on the glass substrates by dip-coating technique and heat treated at temperatures up to 500 °C for 1 h. The size of the TiO₂ nanocrystalline particles in the TiO₂–SiO₂ solution ranged from 5 to 8 nm. The crystalline structure of TiO₂ powders was identified as the anatase phase. As the content of SiO₂ increased, the anatase phase tended to be stabilized to higher temperature. TEM results revealed the presence of spherical TiO₂ particles dispersed in a disk-shaped glassy matrix. Photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂–SiO₂ (1:1) thin films showed decomposition of 95% of methylene blue solution in 2 h and a contact angle of 10°. The photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue increased and the contact angle decreased with the content of TiO₂ phase. TiO₂–SiO₂ with the molar ratio of 1:1 showed a reasonable combination of adhesion, film strength, and the photocatalytic activity.     

Preparations and photocatalytic properties of magnetically separable nitrogen-doped TiO2 supported on nickel ferrite

A magnetically separable nitrogen-doped photocatalyst TiO_2−xN_x/SiO₂/NiFe₂O₄ (TSN) with a typical ferromagnetic hysteresis was prepared by a simple process: the magnetic SiO₂/NiFe₂O₄ (SN) dispersion prepared by a liquid catalytic phase transformation method and the visible-light-active photocatalyst TiO_2−xN_x were mixed, sonificated, dried, and calcined at 400 °C. The prepared photocatalyst is photoactive under visible light irradiation and easy to be separated from a slurry-type photoreactor under the application of an external magnetic field, being one of promising photocatalysts for wastewater treatment. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were used to characterize the structure of the TSN photocatalyst. The results indicate that the magnetic SiO₂/NiFe₂O₄ (SN) nanoparticles adhere to the surface of TiO_2−xN_x congeries. The magnetic photocatalyst TSN shows high catalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange in water under UV and visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). SiO₂ coating round the surface of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles prevents effectively the injection of charges from TiO₂ particles to NiFe₂O₄, which gives rise to the increase in photocatalytic activity. Moreover, the recycled TSN exhibits a good repeatability of the photocatalytic activity.     

A new environmentally friendly method for the production of 2,3,5-trimethyl-p-benzoquinone

A new environmentally friendly method for the production of 2,3,5-trimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (TMBQ, Vitamin E precursor) based on the oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol (TMP) with aqueous H₂O₂ over various Ti-containing mesoporous silicate materials is reported. Both well-organized Ti-containing mesoporous mesophase silicate (Ti-MMM), having hexagonal arrangement of uniform mesopores, and amorphous TiO₂–SiO₂ mixed oxides (aerogels and xerogels) produced TMBQ with good to high yield. All the materials studied have been proved to operate as truly heterogeneous catalysts. No titanium leaching occurred from the solid matrixes during the oxidation process. Titanium dispersion and its accessibility were found to be crucial factors determining the catalytic properties. For samples with similar titanium loading, both the catalytic activity and TMBQ yield appeared to fall in the order TiO₂–SiO₂ aerogel>Ti-MMM>TiO₂–SiO₂ xerogel and correlate with average mesopore diameter and mesopore volume. The best results (96–98% selectivity to TMBQ at 99–100% TMP conversion) were obtained with TiO₂–SiO₂ aerogels, containing 1.7–6.5 wt.% Ti.     

Mesostructured SiO2-doped TiO2 with enhanced thermal stability prepared by a soft-templating sol–gel route

Mesostructured SiO₂–TiO₂ mixed oxides have been prepared by a soft-templating sol–gel route, using a non-ionic triblock copolymer as structure-directing agent. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) have been employed as Si and Ti sources, respectively. Using a prehydrolysis TEOS step allows mixed oxides to be produced with a homogeneous porosity and with no phase segregation, in a wide range of Si/Ti compositions. Both the hydrolysis molar ratio and the silicon content have been found to be important factors determining the final properties of these materials. For instance, mixed oxides containing low silicon concentrations exhibit N₂ physisorption isotherms typical of mesoporous materials, although with an important contribution of microporosity. On the other hand, increasing the hydrolysis molar ratio makes more difficult to reach a total dispersion of SiO₂ through the TiO₂ matrix. Even with low SiO₂ loadings, the thermal stability is effectively enhanced, when compared to the equivalent pure TiO₂ materials, as a consequence of a delay in the titania crystallization to anatase. Thus, after calcination at 300 °C for 3 h, mixed oxides containing low Si/Ti ratios (20/80) show BET surface area in the range 290–346 m²/g, while pure TiO₂ materials largely collapse under the same treatment and their BET surface area drop strongly to values around 125 m²/g. This synthesis route, therefore, provides mesoporous TiO₂-rich materials with enhanced stability and textural properties, which is of high interest for applications as catalysts and supports.     

The preparation and properties of PZT thin film by sputering method

The ferroelectric PZT thin films were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate by RF sputtering method followed by the rapid thermal annealing. The preparation of the Pt and Ti thin films as bottom electrode, and their influences on the PZT thin films were studied in details. The substrate temperature during sputtering was room temperature; the rapid thermal annealing temperature was 500°C-750°C and the annealing time was 30-70s. The influences of different preparation parameters on the structure and electric properties were studied with X-ray diffraction technique and RT66A Standardized Ferroelectric Test System. The electric properties of the prepared PZT thin film was: P_a=39μc/cm₂, P_r = 9.3 μc/cm², E_c=28KV/mm, ε=300, p=10⁹ω⋅cm.     

阳极氧化二氧化钛纳米管涂层地热水腐蚀和沉积特性

拟采用金属二次阳极氧化等表面工程技术抑制地热水的腐蚀和结垢现象。在纯钛和钛合金(Ti-6Al-4V)板基底上采用二次阳极氧化法制备了二氧化钛微纳米管阵列涂层,探讨了制备工艺参数对涂层结构的影响,并进一步采用浸渍法对涂层进行了超疏水化处理。通过场发射环境扫描电镜表征了涂层的微观结构形貌。应用视频光学接触角测量仪检测了涂层表面的静态接触角,估算了表面自由能。对涂层的粗糙度也进行了测量。采用静态浸渍法评估了涂层的防垢性能。采用电化学线性极化曲线法研究了涂层在地热水中的耐腐蚀效果。结果表明,在钛及钛合金基底上,采用二次阳极氧化和浸渍工艺,可以制得具有规整二氧化钛微纳米管阵列结构和较低表面能的功能涂层;该涂层与基底相比,在地热水中的耐腐蚀性能得以提高;在碳酸钙饱和溶液中的污垢沉积速率降低约15%。同时,涂层与基底有较好的结合性能,疏水涂层经历多次胶带剥离和砂纸磨损实验后,依然保持着较高的疏水性。     

Catalytic decomposition of methylene chloride by sulfated oxide catalysts

Catalytic decomposition of methylene chloride in air with a concentration of 959 ppm and temperature ranges from 160 to 275°C were studied. Three different sulfated oxide catalysts, TiO₂(SO₄), ZrO₂(SO₄), CeO₂(SO₄) were prepared and their activities and selectivities were measured. The catalytic activity decreased in the order: TiO₂(SO₄) > ZrO₂(SO₄) > CeO₂(SO₄). Complete catalytic decomposition of methylene chloride was achieved at low temperature (275°C) over a sulfated titanium dioxide catalyst. The oxygen adsorption (pick-up) and the acidity values of three catalysts showed the same trend as their activities. The presence of water (2% in volume) in the feed stream reduced the activities remarkably and raised the activation energies for the decomposition reaction. The selectivities among all three catalysts were similar, with HCl, CO and CO₂ being the products. A bifunctional catalyst comprising sulfated titanium dioxide with copper oxide was developed to improve the selectivity of catalytic oxidation of methylene chloride towards carbon dioxide.     

Microstructure and flexure creep behaviour of SiC-particle reinforced Al2O3 matrix composites

The flexure creep behaviour of monolithic Al₂O₃ and 10 vol% SiC-particle reinforced Al₂O₃ matrix composites was investigated in air atmosphere at 1160 to 1400 °C and under a stress of 40 to 125 MPa. Two kinds of SiC particles with different particle sizes and oxygen contents were used in the composites, one having an average size of 0.6 μm with 1.7 vol% SiO₂ impurities and the other of average size 2.7 μm with 3.4 vol% SiO₂ impurities. Compared with the creep behaviour of monolithic Al₂O₃ the strain rate of the composites with 0.6 μm SiC particles did not decrease; however, the composites with 2.7 μm SiC particles exhibited excellent creep resistance. Microstructure analysis showed that the Al₂O₃ grains in the composites with 0.6 μm SiC particles were mainly equiaxed with most of the SiC particles lying at the grain boundaries or triplegrain junctions, whereas the grain features of the composites with 2.7 μm SiC particles were irregular and elongated and most of the SiC particles were entrapped into Al₂O₃ matrix grains. It was revealed that the entrapment of 2.7 μm SiC particles into Al₂O₃ matrix grains was related to the high SiO₂ impurity content on SiC particle surfaces, and the change of grain morphology and the good high-temperature oxidation resistance were responsible for the creep resistance increase of the composites with 2.7 μm SiC particles.     

Catalytic removal of perchloroethylene (PCE) over supported chromium oxide catalysts

The oxidation of perchloroethylene (PCE) was investigated over chromium oxide catalysts supported on SiO₂, SiO₂–Al₂O₃, activated carbon, mordenite type zeolites, MgO, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃. Supported chromium oxide catalysts were more active than any other metal oxide catalysts including noble metal examined in the present study. PCE removal activity of chromium oxide catalysts mainly depended on the type of supports and the content of metal loaded on the catalyst surface. TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ containing high surface areas were effective for the high performance of PCE removal, since the formation of well dispersed Cr(VI) active reaction sites for the present reaction system, was enhanced even for the high Cr loading on the catalyst surface. CrO_x catalysts supported on TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ also exhibited stable PCE removal activity at a low feed concentration of PCE of 30 ppm up to 100 h at 350°C. However, significant catalyst deactivation was observed at high PCE concentration of 10 000 ppm. CrO_x/TiO₂ revealed stronger water tolerance than CrO_x/Al₂O₃ due to the surface hydrophobicity.