Photocatalytic activity of cerium-doped mesoporous TiO2 coated Fe3O4 magnetic composite under UV and visible light

A novel kind of magnetically separable photocatalyst of cerrium-doped mesoporous titanium dioxide coated magnetite (Ce/MTiO2/ Fe3O4) was prepared and its activities under UV and visible light were reported. The catalysts with Ce/MTiO2 shell and Fe3O4 core were pre-pared by coating photoactive Ce/MTiO2 onto a magnetic Fe3O4 core through the hydrolysis of tetrabutyltitanate (Ti(OBu)4, TBT) with pre-cursors of ammonium ceric nitrate and TBT in the presence of Fe3O4 particles. The MTiO2 shell was for photocatalysis, the Fe3O4 core was for separation by the magnetic field and the doped Ce was used to enhance the photocatalytic activity of MTiO2. The morphological, struc-tural and optical properties of the prepared samples were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The effect of cerrium-doped content on the photocatalytic activity was studied and the result revealed that 0.5 mol.% Ce/MTiO2/Fe3O4 exhibited highest photoactivity. The photocatalytic activities of obtained photocatalysts under UV and visible light were estimated by measuring the degradation rate of methylene blue (MB, 50 mg/L) in an aqueous solution. The results showed that the prepared photocatalyst was activated by visible light and used as effective catalyst in photooxi-dation reactions. In addition, the possibility of cyclic usage of the prepared photocatalyst was also confirmed. Moreover, Ce/MTiO2 was tightly bound to Fe3O4 and could be easily recovered from the medium by an external magnetic filed. So, the photocatalyst can be reused without any mass loss. It can therefore be potentially applied for the treatment of water contaminated by organic pollutants.     

Promotional effect of CeO2 and Y2O3 on CuO/ZrO2 catalysts for methane combustion

Catalytic combustion of methane was conducted by using a Cu-based catalyst prepared by the plasma-assisted impregnation method. The properties of the catalysts were surveyed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). The results showed that the activity of CuO/ZrO2 with the CeO2 and Y2O3 was obviously increased compared with the CuO/ZrO2 catalyst, which was examined in relation to the structure and surface characteristics and might be correlated with their surface oxygen species and redox properties. Among the investigated catalysts, the Ce-CuO/ZrO2 sample exhibited the highest activity for methane combustion.     

Synthesis of Al2O3/TiCN-0.2%Y2O3 Composite by Hot Pressing

Al2O3/TiCN composites were synthesized by hot pressing.The influences of components and HP temperature on mechanical properties,such as bending strength,breaking tenacity and Vickers hardness were investigated.The results showed that the mechanical properties of Al2O3/TiCN composite increased with temperature when hot pressing temperature is below 1650 ℃.The mechanical properties reached their maximums when the composites were sintered at 1650 ℃ for 30 min under hot pressing pressure of 35 MPa,the value of bending strength,breaking tenacity and Vickers hardness was 1015 MPa,6.89 MPa·m1/2,and 20.82 MPa,respectively.When hot pressing temperature was above 1650 ℃,density decreased because of decomposition with increased temperature,and mechanical properties dropped because of rapid growth of grains in size at high temperature.Microstructure analysis showed that the addition of Y2O3 led to the formation of YAG phase so as to inhibit the growth of crystals.This helped to improve breaking tenacity of the composites.TiCN particles with diameters of 1 μm dispersed at Al2O3 grain boundaries,inhibited grain growth and enhanced mechanical properties of the composites.SEM study of the propagation of indentation cracks showed that the bridge linking behavior between matrix and strengthening phase might lead to the formation of the coexisted field of crack deflection,branching and bridge linking.The mechanism of this phenomenon was that the addition of Y2O3 improved the dispersion of TiCN particles so as to enhance the tenacity of the composites.The breaking tenacity was changed from 5.94 to 6.89 MPa·m1/2.     

Physicochemical properties of a novel composite polymer electrolyte doped with vinyltrimethoxylsilane-modified nano-La2O3

Nano-La2O3 was modified with the vinyltrimethoxylsilane by hydrolysis and a novel poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) based composite polymer electrolyte doped with the modified nano-La2O3 was prepared by phase inversion method. The physicochemical properties were studied by SEM, FT-IR, XRD, TG and electrochemical methods. The results of FT-IR indicated that the nano-La2O3 was successfully modified with vinyltrimethoxylsilane. The XRD analysis showed that the incorporation of modified nano-La2O3 into the polymer electrolyte membranes could effectively reduce the crystallinity of PVDF-HFP, and the characterizations also suggested that thermal stability and electrochemical stability window could reach to 382°C and 5.1V, respectively; the reciprocal temperature dependence of ionic conductivity followed Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) relation, ionic conductivity at room temperature was up to 3.5×10-3S/cm and lithium ions transference number was up to 0.42; the interfacial resistance increased at initial value about353Ω/cm2 and reached a steady value about 559Ω/cm2 after 5d storage at 30°C. The fabricated Li/As-prepared electrolytes/LiCoO2 coin cell showed excellent rate and cycle performances.     

High Temperature Chemical Reaction of La2O3 in H3BO3 -C System

The high temperature chemical reaction process of La2O3 in H3BO3-C system was studied by means of XRD and TG-DTA.The results showed that dehydration reaction of H3BO3 occurred in the temperature range of 82～390 ℃;La2O3 and B2O3 reacted to form LaB3O6,LaBO3,and B4C in the temperature range of 836～1400℃;at 1450 ℃,B4C and LaBO3 further reacted to form LaB4,and partial LaB4 and B reacted to form LaB6;at 1500 ℃,LaB4 and B reacting into LaB6 was the main reaction,and the content of LaB6 increased with prolonging time.     

Preparation and Characterization of Y_3Sc_2Ga3O（12） Nano-Polycrystalline Powders by Co-Precipitation Method

In order to grow high-quality gallium garnet crystals,polycrystalline materials were used as starting materials.YSGG precursor was synthesized by co-precipitation method using aqueous ammonia as a precipitator,and the precursor was then sintered at different temperatures.The results showed that the feasible pH range was 8.3～9.84 in the process of co-precipitation reaction.The YSGG precursor and the powders sintered at different temperatures were characterized by IR,XRD and TEM methods.It was found that the precursor transformed to pure YSGG polycrystalline phase at 800 ℃.YSGG nano-polycrystalline powders sintered at 800～1000 ℃ were well dispersed and the sizes of the YSGG grains were about 40～100 nm.     

Preparation of La（OH）3 and La2O3 with Rod Morphology by Simple Hydration of La2O3

Lanthanum hydroxide with rod-like morphology was synthesized with simple hydration processing via the hydration of its bulk oxide in normal water solution at boiling temperature. An XRD pattern shows the formation of the hexagonal phase of La（OH）3, indicating that the hydration process is very rapid. The as-prepared La（OH）3 is almost entirely with a needle- or rod-like shape with a width of 2 - 3 μm and a length of 5 - 8 μm. The mechanism of the formation of La（OH）3 with rod-like morphology was preliminarily presented. It is easier to expand the simple hydration process on a large scale than the hydrothermal process.     

Study on thermal expansion behavior of Dy2O3 - Al2O3 - SiO2 glass

Employing Dy2O3, Al2O3, and SiO2 as starting materials, several series of Dy2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 sealing glass were prepared. The relationship between their coefficients of thermal expansion and the contents of Dy2O3, Al2O3, and SiO2 were studied respectively. Experimental results showed that Dy2O3 and Al2O3 had a positive effect on the coefficient of thermal expansion of glass, whereas, SiO2 had a negative effect. The coefficient of thermal expansion of glass showed an apparent linear relation to the contents of these three raw materials, from which an estimation model was built, to calculate the coefficient of thermal expansion of sealing glass. Relative errors of the calculating results to testing results were no more than 2%, which suggested that the estimation model was reasonable. This study provides a good theory reference for the practical utilizing of this sealing material, through which a proper glass composition for good sealing could be easily found.     

Luminescent properties of amorphous phosphor 1.4YeO3·2.5Al2O3·0.1Tb2O3 prepared by sol-gel method

Amorphous phosphor 1.4YeO3·2.5Al2O3·0.1Tb2O3 （the same composition as Y2.8Tb0.2Al5O12） was prepared via a sol-gel method at relatively low temperature （i.e., below 650℃）, which is much lower than that for the preparation of polycrystalline Y3Al5O12：Tb^3＋ （above 1400℃）. The amorphous phosphor prepared in the optimized conditions showed a bright green-yellowish luminescence, the intensity of which was comparable with that of polycrystalline sample and the emissions of which were assigned to 5D4 → 7Fj transitions of Tb^3＋. Besides the emissions of Tb^3＋, the amorphous samples prepared at temperatures below 500 ℃ presented a weak blue emission band around 420 nm.     

Superconducting Transition Temperature in YBa2Cu4O8/La2/3 Ca1/3 MnO3 / YBa2 Cu4O8 Heterostructure

YBa2Cu4O8/La2/3 Ca1/3 MnO3/YBa2Cu4O8 （ Y-124/LCMO/Y- 124） heterostructure was prepared by facing-target sputtering technique. The oscillatory superconducting transition temperature was observed when the thickness of LCMO d L is larger than critical thickness d L^CR. The metal-insulator transition temperature can only be detected at d L 〉 d L^CR. The dependence on the spacer layer in LCMO/Y-124 systems suggests strongly the interplay of ferromagnetic and superconducting couplings.     

Preparation and Characterization of Gd3Sc2Ga3O12 Polycrystalline Material by Co-Precipitation Method

Gd3Sc2Ga3O12 polycrystalline material for single crystal growth was prepared with Ga, Gd2O3 and Sc2O3 as starting materials and aqueous ammonia as the precipitator by co-precipitation method. The precursors sintered at various temperatures were characterized by infrared spectra （IR）, X-ray diffractometry （XRD） and transmitted electron microscopy （TEM）. The results showed that pure GSGG phase could be obtained at 900 ℃. The sintered powders were well-dispersed and less-aggregated in the sintered temperature range of 900 - 1000 ℃. XRD and TEM show that the polycrystalline particle sizes of the polycrystalline powders were about 20 - 50 nm. Compared with the method that Ga2O3, Gd2O3 and Sc2O3 were mixed directly and sintered to get polycrystalline materials, the synthesized temperature was lower and sintered time was shorter. Thus co-precipitation was a good method to synthesize GSGG polycrystalline material.     

Visible luminescence of lanthanide ions in Ca3Sc2Si3O12 and Ca3Y2Si3O12

The crystalline materials Ca₃Sc₂Si₃O₁₂ and Ca₃Y₂Si₃O₁₂ were characterized by different crystal structures, as the former is a cubic garnet, while the latter is an orthorhombic compound. We investigated the optical spectroscopy of these materials doped with several trivalent lanthanide ions and compared the results for the two hosts. Polycrystalline samples were prepared by solid state reaction, both undoped and doped with the trivalent lanthanide ions Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Sm³⁺. Emission, excitation and Raman spectra of these materials were measured at temperatures ranging from 300 to 10 K. The optical spectra were assigned and discussed, and the effects of the crystal structure of the host on the spectroscopic behaviour were addressed. The technological potential of these compounds in the field of optical materials and devices was discussed.     

Synthesis of ZrO2-HfO2-Y2O3-Sc2O3 Nano-Particles by Sol-Gel Technique in Aqueous Solution of Alcohol

Zirconium dioxide is a significant material withgood physicochemical characteristics . It is used inmanyfields such as energysources ,material and envi-ronment . Cubic phase zirconium dioxide doped withyttria (YSZ) is alreadyin wide use in solid oxygenfu-…     

Synthesis of neodymium modified CeO2-ZrO2-Al2O3 support materials and their application in Pd-only three-way catalysts

Ce-Zr-Al-Nd2O3 (CZAN) support materials were prepared by co-precipitation and impregnation methods, respectively. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), low temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption, oxygen pulsing technique, H2-temperature pro-grammed reduction (H2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Pd-only three-way catalysts (Pd-TWC) supported on these materials were prepared by incipient wetness method and studied by activity tests. The results demonstrated that the CZAN supports obtained by the two methods showed better structural, textural and redox properties than the CZA without Nd2O3, and the addition of Nd2O3 improved the catalytic activity of TWC. Especially, the CZAN-i support prepared by impregnation method had better thermal stability and redox prop-erty. Meanwhile, the Pd/CZAN-i catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance. XPS measurements indicated that the Nd-modified sam-ples possessed more Ce3+ and oxygen vacancies on the surface of samples, which led to a better redox property. The excellent redox property of support materials helped to improve the catalytic activity of TWC.     

Removal of Cooking Fume by Catalytic Combustion on Pt/La-Al2O3 ＋ Ce0.5 Zr0.5O2 Catalyst

Four monolithic catalysts with low concentration of noble metal were prepared by the immersion method [ Pt/La- Al2O3, Pt/La-Al2O3 ＋ Pt/OSM （2 ： 1 ）, Pt/La-Al2O3 ＋ Pt/OSM （ 1 ： 1 ） Pt/La-Al2O3 ＋ Pt/OSM （ 1 ： 2） ], and measurements of their activity were carded out in a conventional fixed-bed flow reactor. The results show that the oxygen storage material （OSM） that is added can promote the activity of the prepared catalysts and can decrease the complete conversion temperature of cooking fume. When the ratio between La-Al2O3 and OSM is 1 ： 1, the catalyst has the highest activity, and the complete conversion temperature of cooking fume is 270℃ ; the catalyst thus prepared can be applied in a wide range of gas hourly space velocity （GHSV） [from 10000 to 60000 h^-1]. The catalyst obtained shows great potential for practical application.     

Spectral variations of Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce phosphors via substitution and energy transfer

The luminescence intensity of emission peak at around 525 nm decreased in the Ce3+ and Er3+ co-doped Ca3Sc2Si3O12 phosphors. Mg2+ ion, which was likely incorporated into the Sc3+ position of the host crystal, was co-doped to adjust the crystal field and compensate for the excess positive charge due to the doping of Ce3+. The green emission belonged to the 5d→4f transition of Ce3+ moved toward longer wavelength by addition of Mg2+ in Ce3+ and Er3+ co-doped Ca3Sc2Si3O12 phosphor, which could increase the brightness of the phosphor. However, the position of weakening of luminescence intensity at around 525 nm remained basically unchanged by increasing the amount of Mg2+. The results showed that the weakening of luminescence intensity at around 525 nm caused by the absorption of Er3+, which had little influence on the environment of the crystal field.     

Research on Y2O3：Eu Phosphor Coated with In2O3

Y2O3：Eu red phosphor for FED application was prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction. The In2O3 coating by precipitation method to the phosphor was applied and the analyses of XRD, Zeta potential, SEM, EDS and low voltage cathodoluminescence （CL） were conducted for investigating the coating effect. The results showed that In2O3 coating promoted the low voltage CL of the phosphor efficiently. The promotion was possibly due to the enhancement of the surface conductivity of the phosphor grains.     

Spectroscopic properties of Gd2Oa：Dy3＋ nanocrystals

Gd2O3:Dy3+ nanocrystals were synthesized via solvothermal method followed by a subsequent calcination.The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microsopy(TEM),Electronic dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX),photoluminescence(PL)spectrum and decay curves.The effect of the annealing temperature on the crystallinity and particle size was studied;heat treatment improved the crystallinity of as-prepared nanocrystals as well as increased their particle size.The nanocryatals presented monodispersed spherical shape under TEM.Photoluminescence spectra showed that nanocrystal exhibited strong yellow emission corresponding to 4F9/2→6H13/2 transition(573 nm)of Dy3+ under UV light excitation,which broadened with the particle size decreased without structure changed.The theoretical mechanism of luminescence was explored and surface effect was thought to be the main reason.     

Sintering effect on ageing behavior of rare earths （Pr6O11-Er2O3-Y2O3 ）-doped ZnO varistor ceramics

The electrical properties and ageing behavior of the rare earths (Pr6O11-Er2O3-Y2O3)-doped ZnO varistor ceramics were systematically investigated at sintering temperature range of 1335-1350°C. With an increase in the sintering temperature, the sintered density increased from 5.41 to 5.64g/cm3 and the average grain size increased from 5.8 to 7.9μm. The varistor properties and ageing behavior were significantly affected by small sintering temperature range of 1335-1350°C. The breakdown field noticeably decreased from 5767 to 3628V/cm with an increase in the sintering temperature. The varistor ceramics exhibited the highest nonlinear coefficient (43.2) at the sintering temperature of 1340°C. The varistor ceramics sintered at 1350°C exhibited a surprisingly excellent stability by exhibiting 0.3% in the variation rate of the breakdown field and 0.3% in the variation rate of the nonlinear coefficient for ageing stress of 0.95 E1mA/150°C/24 h.