Alumina-supported catalysts for propane oxidative dehydrogenation from mixed VXM(6−X)O19 (M=W, Mo) hexametalate precursors

γ-Al₂O₃ supported vanadium oxides were modified by tungsten and molybdenum oxides in order to improve dispersion and selectivity towards olefins in propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Both vanadium–tungsten and vanadium–molybdenum catalysts were obtained by adsorption of mixed isopolyanions (VW₅O₁₉⁵⁻, V₂W₄O₁₉⁴⁻, VMo₅O₁₉⁵⁻ and V₂Mo₄O₁₉⁴⁻) from aqueous solutions. The isopolyanion solutions were characterized by UV-Vis and ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. Vanadium, vanadium–tungsten and vanadium–molybdenum precursors and catalysts were also characterized by UV-Vis (diffuse reflectance) and solid state ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. An improved selectivity to propene in the presence of tungsten and molybdenum in VO_x/γ-Al₂O₃ was observed and attributed to dilution of vanadium by tungsten or molybdenum oxides on the γ-Al₂O₃ surface.     

Prebiotic synthesis of sequential peptides on the Hadean beach by a molecular engine working with nitrogen oxides as energy sources

Addressing the still open question of the prebiotic origin of sequential macromolecules (peptides, nucleic acids) on the primitive Earth, we describe a molecular engine (the primary pump), which works at ambient temperature and continuously generates, elongates and complexifies sequential peptides. This new scenario is based on a cyclic reaction sequence, whose keystep is the activation of amino acids into their N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCA) through nitrosation by NOx. This process could have taken place on tidal beaches; it requires a buffered ocean, emerged land and a nitrosating atmosphere. With the help of geochemical studies and computer simulations of atmosphere photochemistry, we show that the primitive Earth during the Hadean may have satisfied all these requirements. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Surface Areas of Nitrated Hydrotalcites

Hydrotalcites in the nitrate form were prepared using microwave irradiation in the hydrotreatment step. The surface area (BET) of nitrated hydrotalcites was evaluated. Solids were characterized by atomic absorption, X-ray diffraction and BET analysis. Thermal pretreatment temperature determined the surface area of the hydrotalcites.     

Development of design principles for a creep-limited alloy for turbine blades

Recent advancements in turbine-blade materials engineering are reviewed in light of general superalloy research and the author’s work on a new powder metallurgy IN-792 creep-limited alloy for application in blades of gas-turbine engines. The developed set of principles presented in this paper incorporates all the factors that must be taken into consideration in selecting and designing an alloy for turbine blades.     

Martensitic transformation of Ti50Ni30Cu20 alloy prepared by powder metallurgy

Phase transformation behavior of Ti50Ni30Cu20 shape memory alloys prepared by powder metallurgy is analyzed with respect to the duration of mechanical alloying. The processed blends were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and room temperature X-ray diffraction. The martensitic transformations evidenced by thermal scans are discussed in correlation with the relative phase content obtained from the refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns.     

Microstructural and thermal processing effects on adding 1 and 3 w/o Ti to a powder metallurgy processed quaternary Ni-Cr-Fe-Al alloy

The effect of the addition of 1 and 3 w/o Ti to a quaternary (Ni-Cr-Fe-Al) alloy on the phase transformations that might occur in the material on sintering were simulated using a thermodynamic modelling tool. These predictions were subsequently compared with experimental results obtained by X-ray diffraction and metallography. As well, the onset of melting and the transformation temperature of the Ti modified alloys were corroborated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). From SEM and point count analyses, the microstructure, including the % porosity and volume fraction of gamma prime precipitates, remained relatively unchanged from the quaternary without Ti. This may have been due to the presence of sub-micron precipitates not detected in the Ti-containing samples. However, an increase in lattice parameters on adding both 1 and 3 w/o Ti to the quaternary was determined from X-ray diffraction measurements. Finally, the software modelling provided a reasonable prediction for both microstructure and thermal processing thereby offering a means to simulate both design and characterisation of the experimental material, both during sintering and on cooling.     

Realistic modeling of complex oxide materials

Since electronic and magnetic properties of many transition-metal oxides can be efficiently controlled by external factors such as the temperature, pressure, electric or magnetic field, they are regarded as promising materials for various applications. From the viewpoint of the electronic structure, these phenomena are frequently related to the behavior of a small group of states located near the Fermi level. The basic idea of this project is to construct a model for the low-energy states, derive all the parameters rigorously on the basis of density functional theory (DFT), and to study this model by modern techniques. After a brief review of the method, the abilities of this approach will be illustrated on a number of examples, including multiferroic manganites and spin-orbital-lattice coupled phenomena in RVO₃ (where R is the three-valent element).     

Influence of sintering temperature on the shrinkage and geometrical characteristics of steel parts produced by powder metallurgy

The dimensional and geometrical characteristics of Charpy bars produced with two different steels were investigated to evaluate the effect of increasing the sintering temperature from 1120 °C (conventional sintering temperature) up to 1350 °C. The problem was approached from the Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) point of view, referring to the standard ASME Y14.5 (2009). The dimensional and geometrical characteristics were evaluated using a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), measuring the surfaces by scanning mode. The work highlights that the increase in the sintering temperature, aimed at improving the mechanical properties, does not prevent the main benefit of this technology, i.e., the possibility of producing parts with good dimensional and geometrical precision. Moreover, a methodology establishing the measurement procedures and data processing, to be used in future work for the characterisation of more complex shapes, was defined.     

High-performance,transparent conducting oxides based on cadmium stannate

We discuss the modeling of thin films of transparent conducting oxides and we compare the predictions with the observed properties of cadmium stannate. Thin films of this material were deposited using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The Drude free-carrier model is used to model the optical and electrical properties. The model demonstrates the need for high mobilities. The free-carrier absorbance in the visible spectrum is used as a comparative figure-of-merit for cadmium stannate and tin oxide. This shows that free-carrier absorbance is much less in cadmium stannate than in tin oxide. X-ray diffraction shows that annealed films consist of a single-phase spinel structure. The post-deposition annealing sequence is shown to be crucial to forming a single phase, which is vital for optimal optical and electrical properties. The films are typically high mobility (up to 65 cm² V^?1 s^?1) and have carrier concentrations as high as 10²¹ cm^?3. Resistivities are as low as 1.3 10^?4 Ω. cm, the lowest values reported for cadmium stannate. Atomic force microscopy indicates that the root-mean-square surface roughness is approximately ±15Å. Cadmium stannate etches readily in both hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acid, which is a commanding advantage over tin oxide.