Solvothermal synthesis of zirconia nanomaterials: Latest developments and future

Due to excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability and catalytic characteristics, zirconia is considered as the most important ceramic materials. Different crystal forms make zirconia play a huge role in solid electrolyte fuel cells, catalysts, thermal barrier coatings, denture materials, mobile phone backplanes, etc. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review about solvothermal synthesis of nano-zirconia. Firstly, the reactors and systems of solvothermal synthesis in recent years are introduced. Especially, the advancement of continuously flowing microreactors and field-coupled systems are analyzed. Secondly, influencing factors of zirconia solvothermal synthesis are discussed. In addition, solvent effects on the synthesis of nano-zirconia products are clarified, and suggestions for solvent selection are given. Furthermore, the design and mechanism of solvothermal synthesis of zero-, one-, two-and three-dimensional zirconia nanostructures are revealed. Simultaneously, experimental methods and kinetic studies are summarized. Finally, potential applications and challenges are presented for future research directions.     

High-pressure synthesis,crystal structure,and physical properties of NaAlB14 single crystals

Pure NaAlB₁₄ single crystals were successfully synthesized directly from Na, Al, and B at high pressure and high temperature, different from the previously reported method, that is, synthesized from Na₂B₄O₇, Al, and B. The growth of NaAlB₁₄ single crystals was promoted by increasing the reaction temperature. The atomic structures of NaAlB₁₄ single crystal along the [100], [010], [001], and [021] axes were characterized by using a scanning transmission electron microscope. The Raman spectra of NaAlB₁₄ were investigated theoretically and experimentally, and they showed the expected oscillations of the covalent framework. In addition, photoluminescence spectra indicated that NaAlB₁₄ is a semiconductor luminescence material with red (1.68 eV) and near-infrared (1.50 and 1.36 eV) emission characteristics. The band structure revealed that NaAlB₁₄ is an indirect band gap semiconductor with a wide band gap of 2.22 eV.     

Design of natural fiber composites utilizing interfacial crystallinity and affinity

Butanediol initiated poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) has recently been reported as a toughening agent for cationically curing cycloaliphatic epoxides providing plasticized thermosets with excellent properties (Lützen et al., 2013). In this contribution that promising toughening approach was applied for the first time for the development of novel natural fiber composites (NFC). NFCs based on conventional brittle thermosetting polymers often suffer from poor interfacial adhesion and stress cracking. Composites made up of the novel plasticized thermosets and woven flax fiber preserved the elastomer-like properties and increased tensile strength and elongation at break up to 60 MPa and 5%, respectively. Furthermore, PCL was shown not only to toughen the epoxide but also to modulate the affinity of the matrix to the fiber. In conclusion, improved interfacial adhesion and the resulting excellent mechanical properties of cationically curable NFCs were achieved by both interfacial crystallization and affinity.     

Synthesis and characterization of [Zn(acetate)2(amine)x] compounds (x=1 or 2) and their use as precursors to ZnO

As an obvious candidate for a p-type dopant in ZnO, nitrogen remains elusive in this role. Nitrogen containing precursors are a potential means to incorporate nitrogen during MOCVD growth. One class of nitrogen-containing precursors are zinc acetate amines, yet, they have received little attention. The synthesis and single crystal X-ray structure of [Zn(acetate)₂(en)], and the synthesis of [Zn(acetate)₂(en)₂], [Zn(acetate)₂(benzylamine)₂], [Zn(acetate)₂(butylamine)₂], [Zn(acetate)₂(NH₃)₂], and [Zn(acetate)₂(tris)₂], where en=ethylenediamine and tris=(tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane) are reported. The compounds were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and pyrolyzed in air and inert gas to yield ZnO. These compounds are useful single source precursors to ZnO bulk powders by alkali precipitation and ZnO thin films by spray pyrolysis. The amine bound to the zinc influences the ZnO crystal size and shape and acts as a nitrogen donor for preparing nitrogen-doped ZnO during alkali precipitation. Thin films of ZnO prepared by spray pyrolysis using the precursors had a (100) preferred orientation and measured n-type to intrinsic conductivity.     

On-off switching properties of one-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of azo-functionalized polymer liquid crystals having different methylene spacers and polyvinyl alcohol

In this paper, photoresponsive behavior of multi-bilayered films having precisely controlled layer thickness prepared by stacking an azo-functionalized polymer liquid crystal, PMAzXAc, and polyvinyl alcohol alternatively, PVA, is described. The multi-bilayered films were found to reflect a light of specific wavelength depending on the layer thickness and refractive index, and showed the reversible change in the reflection intensity by irradiation with visible and UV lights. The change in the reflection intensity was brought about by change in the molecular orientation of PMAzXAc between an out-of-plane orientation and a photo-induced isotropic state, and was strongly dependent on the number of methylene spacer of PMAzXAc linking the azobenzene side group with the acrylate polymer main chain. PMAz6Ac with hexa-methylene spacer showed the largest change in the reflection intensity, while smaller change in the reflection intensity was observed for PMAzXAc having shorter or longer methylene spacer than 6. The effect of the methylene spacers on the photochemical change in the molecular orientation of azobenzene chromophores in the multi-bilayered films will be discussed.     

Preparation and characterization of single crystalline In2O3 films deposited on MgO (110) substrates by MOCVD

Epitaxial indium oxide (In₂O₃) films have been prepared on MgO (110) substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The deposition temperature varies from 500 °C to 700 °C. The films deposited at each temperature display a cube-on-cube orientation relation with respect to the substrate. The In₂O₃ film deposited at 600 °C exhibits the best crystalline quality. A clear epitaxial relationship of In₂O₃ (110)|MgO (110) with In₂O₃ [001]|MgO [001] has been observed from the interface area between the film and the substrate. The average transmittance of the prepared films in the visible range is over 95%. The band gap of the obtained In₂O₃ films is about 3.55–3.70 eV.     

玻纤增强聚苯醚/聚丙烯复合材料的制备及其性能研究

研究了相容剂马来酸酐接枝苯乙烯-乙烯/丁烯-苯乙烯(SEBS-g-MAH)、马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯(PP-gMAH)、苯乙烯-乙烯/丁烯-苯乙烯(SEBS)以及三者的复配对玻纤增强聚苯醚(PPE)/PP共混物的力学性能、热性能及加工性能的影响,并用扫描电子显微镜观察了共混体系的形态结构。结果表明,PP-g-MAH与SEBS复配使用可以有效地改善PPE/PP/玻璃纤维共混体系的相容性,提高了复合材料的力学性能和加工性能,但复配相容剂的添加量不宜过大,当其质量分数为8%时,复合材料的综合性能最为优异。     

T-ZnOw/TLCP抗静电复合材料的制备与性能研究

以热致液晶高分子(TLCP)为基体,四针状氧化锌晶须(T-ZnOw)为导电填料,用单螺杆挤出机制备抗静电性T-ZnOw/TLCP复合材料,分别探讨了偶联剂对T-ZnOw的影响;T-ZnOw用量对T-ZnOw/TLCP复合材料表面电阻率、热变形温度、力学性能的影响。结果表明,T-ZnOw经过偶联剂改性后,随着其用量的增加,复合材料表面电阻率显著下降,热变形温度、拉伸强度、冲击强度均呈现先增大后减小的趋势。     

茂锆羧酸类配合物的研究进展

茂锆羧酸类配合物由于具有潜在的超强酸催化性能而备受关注。本文对其合成及晶体结构等在近些年的研究进展进行了综述。