Flower-shaped ZnO nanomaterials for low-temperature operations in NOX gas sensors

In this study, we synthesized nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO) by using various concentrations (0–0.05 M) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant to optimize its morphology for gas sensor applications. The optimization process was used to elucidate the morphology effects (rod-shaped and flower-shaped morphologies). The morphologies were investigated through scanning electron microscopy, in which the assembly of nanorods leading to a spherical microstructure with a CTAB concentration of 0.005 M was observed. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm measurements revealed a surface area of 7.928 g/m² for the flower-like morphology, which was relatively higher than those of other CTAB-assisted morphologies. Such morphological features were expected to contribute toward high-performance gas-sensing. The effect of morphology variation on the resistance of ZnO microstructures was used for gas measurements. Among the varied morphologies, a sample with a spherical flower-shaped morphology exhibited a very high response at low temperatures (~29 at 25 °C) toward NO_X gas (0.75 ppm) and a high selectivity toward NO_x among ammonia (NH₃), toluene (C₆H₅CH₃), carbon monoxide (CO), acetone (CH₃COCH₃), and ethanol (C₂H₅OH). Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy analyses unraveled the presence of a high density of oxygen vacancies in the sample, thereby suggesting a close link between the defective nature of the sample and the high response of the flower-like ZnO at low temperatures.     

二水硫酸钙间接矿化二氧化碳CTAB对碳酸钙晶型的影响

提升产品附加值对改善二氧化碳矿化过程的经济性具有重要意义。在二水硫酸钙与碳酸铵溶液进行间接矿化反应过程中,采用十六烷基三甲基溴化铵（CTAB）为晶型调节剂,可以获得球霰石晶型的碳酸钙。系统研究了反应时间、反应温度、CTAB加入量对碳酸钙晶型和形貌的影响,通过X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电镜（SEM）和红外光谱（FT-IR）对碳酸钙的晶型、形貌进行了表征。结果表明：反应过程为先形成亚稳定相的球霰石,再向热力学最稳定的方解石相转化;添加CTAB能够明显地增强球霰石的稳定性;较低温度有利于球霰石的形成;在反应温度为30 ℃、二水硫酸钙和碳酸铵加入量均为0.1 mol/L、CTAB加入量为0.54 mmol/L条件下,碳酸钙中球霰石占比高达80%以上;CTAB在球霰石表面上的吸附降低了其表面能,从而抑制了球霰石向方解石的转化。     

Solution combustion synthesis of ZnO powders using CTAB as fuel

Zinc oxide (ZnO) powders have been prepared by solution combustion synthesis method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as fuel. The effects of fuel to oxidant ratios (? = 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5) on the combustion behavior, phase evolution, microstructure, optical properties and photocatalytic performance were investigated by thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, electron microscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectrometry techniques. The slow decomposition rate of CTAB guaranteed the direct formation of single phase and well-crystalline ZnO powders regardless of fuel content. The specific surface area of the as-combusted ZnO powders with platelet particles increased from 21 ± 1 to 35 ± 2?m²/g with fuel content. The band gap energy also increased from 2.99 to 3.13?eV due to the decrease of particle size. The as-combusted ZnO powders at ? = 1.5 exhibited the highest photodegradation (~69%) of methylene blue under ultraviolet light irradiation, due to their good crystallinity and smaller particle size.     

CTAB对介孔γ-Al_2O_3性质的影响

以硫酸铝和偏铝酸钠为原料,十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)溶液为成胶底液,采用水热并流成胶法制备拟薄水铝石,经600℃煅烧后得到γ-Al2O3。通过N2吸附、XRD、SEM、TEM等表征方法考察CTAB加入量、合成pH值等条件对产物比表面积、孔体积、平均孔径、形貌及晶型的影响。结果表明,CTAB作为一种阳离子表面活性剂,能够在酸性和碱性条件下都起到增大比表面积、孔体积、平均孔径和减少团聚的作用,对γ-Al2O3孔结构和形貌也有显著影响;当成胶底液中溶入CTAB的量与理论计算应沉淀出的Al2O3量的摩尔比为0.14∶1时,所制得Al2O3的比表面积、孔体积和平均孔径最大:当pH=8时,达到385.45m2/g、1.14cm3/g和11.9nm;当pH=6时,达到382.43m2/g、0.94cm3/g和9.8nm;在CTAB加入量相同的情况下,碱性反应条件所制得γ-Al2O3的孔体积、平均孔径和晶粒尺寸更大。     

Carbon nanotube–polyaniline composites

The last decade has seen a growing interest in hybrid electrically conducting nanocomposites. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of the present status of research in carbon nanotube–polyaniline (CNT/PANI) composites, from processing to structural and property evaluations. CNT/PANI are synthesized by electrochemical and chemical processing. When chemical methods are used, the main challenge is to obtain processable CNT/PANI in the emeraldine salt (ES) form composites. Stable dispersions of ES–CNT in organic media are prepared using the post doping method, inverse emulsion polymerization, or ex situ polymerizations. On the contrary, stable water dispersions of CNT/ES are prepared using hydrophilization of a preformed CNT/ES composite, direct synthesis of micelle–CNT hybrid templates, interfacial polymerization, covalent functionalization of CNT with a water soluble polymer, or using electrostatic interactions between two oppositely charged ES and CNT aqueous colloids. Moreover, the strategies for the synthesis of ternary CNT/PANI composites incorporating noble metal nanoparticles, metal oxide, or graphene sheets are also presented and analyzed in depth. Finally, we give a review of potential applications, including chemical sensors, capacitors, fuel cells and electronic devices.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of polyamide 11 based composites reinforced with surface modified titanate nanotubes

The preparation of polyamide 11 (PA11) based composites reinforced with pristine and surface-modified titanate nanotubes (TTNT) is reported. Twin-screw melt compounding was used to produce composites with up to 2 wt% of TTNT. To enhance dispersion and TTNT compatibility with the thermoplastic, these were modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry were used to demonstrate that surface modification prior to composite processing was successful, while scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the retention of surfactants on TTNT in composites. Nevertheless, scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed incomplete dispersion of TTNT inside polyamide. The improved wettability on the TTNT–PA11 interface was observed for composites comprising surface-modified TTNT. Consequently, these composites exhibited better thermal and mechanical properties than those containing pristine TTNT. A significant rise of the decomposition temperature was detected in composites containing TTNT modified with CTAB, while the uppermost increment of the storage and Young’s modulus (of about 35% and 26%, respectively) was achieved in the composite comprising 0.5 wt% of TTNT modified with SDS. The increase of the nanofiller content improved the yield strength and led to the drop in the strain at break.     

Facile synthesis of asymmetric patchy Janus Ag/Cu particles and study of their antifungal activity

Asymmetric patchy Ag/Cu Janus nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a “seed-mediated” approach. This is the first report of synthesis of nanometer sized metal-based Janus NPs without using complicated methods. Selective adsorption of the surfactant onto the seed NPs leads to the formation of Janus type structure. Subsequently the reduction potential of Ag⁺/Ag⁰ and Cu²⁺/Cu⁰ systems directs the formation of the “patch”. The patchy Janus NPs show significant antifungal activity towards a potent rice pathogen thus offering the prospect of future application in crop protection.     

基于Theil指数的我国区域物流差异发展趋势研究

文章以我国31个省级区域物流为研究对象,结合Theil指数模型构建了分析区域物流差异发展趋势的模型,并借助2001²011年统计数据进行了实证分析,结合区域经济差异相关指数,剖析了区域物流差异发展的趋势。研究结果表明,相关政策的颁布与实施对区域物流差异发展具有很大影响;区域经济发展基础对区域物流发展差异程度会产生一定的干扰;区域物流发展可在一定程度上弱化区域经济的极化;各地区应当首先关注内部差异问题,再考虑向外部拓展的发展模式;发展的目标并不是完全消除差异,而是分析如何在差异中寻找发展机遇。     

阳离子表面活性剂CTAB与聚乙烯醇间相互作用的NMR分析

用1H谱,自旋-晶格弛豫时间（t1）和自旋-自旋弛豫时间（t2）,gCOSY谱及二维核Overhause增强谱（2D NOESY）技术,研究了阳离子表面活性剂十六烷基三甲基溴化铵（CTAB）与水溶性聚合物聚乙烯醇（PVA）的相互作用。结果表明,当溶液中有CTAB存在时,PVA分子结构中的-CH质子的t1减小了0.8s,...     

十六烷基三甲基溴化铵和FC911对砂岩表面润湿性的影响

分别用十六烷基三甲基溴化铵（CTAB）和阳离子氟碳型表面活性剂FC911处理石英砂,然后用Washburn法测定处理后石英砂对水和油的接触角,研究两种阳离子表面活性剂对砂岩表面润湿性的影响。实验结果表明随着处理液CTAB浓度从0增至10000 mg/L,石英砂水相接触角由0°增至89°,再减至66°,表面从水湿变为中性润湿,再变为弱水湿。FC911浓度为10～1000 mg/L时,水相接触角由〉90°逐渐减小至89.7°;油相接触角由15.3°逐渐增至〉90°。石英砂表面由强油湿变为弱油湿后再变为中间气湿。较低浓度的FC911即可将石英砂表面转变为既疏水又疏油的中间气湿,最佳使用浓度为200 mg/L。