Designing the morphology of ceria particles by precursor complexes

Ceria-based materials are widely used as catalysts, catalyst supports and electrolytes in many industrial applications. The morphological requirements of ceria particles vary depending on their applications. Here we show that complex morphologies of ceria particles can be achieved by using precursor complexes in the spray pyrolysis (SP) method. Three precursor complexes have been investigated: the complex of cerium acetate hydrate (CeA) and cerium nitrate hydrate (CeN); CeA and cerium ammonium nitrate (CeAN); and CeN and CeAN. Our results suggest that the morphological formation mechanism is highly correlated with the factors of precursor solubilities, solvent evaporation rates and precursor melting temperatures.     

Stability and Thermodynamics of Glutamic Acid Complexes with Cerium(III) and Yttrium(III)

Stepwise stability constants of the complexes of glutamic acid with cerium(III) and yttrium (III) have been determined by the Calvin-Bjerrum pH titration technique as used by Irving and Rossotti in aqueous solution at 25° and 45°C. The values of log β₂ for cerium complexes are: 9.75 (μ = 0.1), 9.57 (μ = 0.2), 9.38 (μ = 0.3) at 25°C; and 10.90 (μ = 0.1), 10.74 (μ = 0.2), 10.64 (μ = 0.3) at 45°C. The log β₂ values for yttrium complexes at μ = 0.1 are 9.98 and 9.77 at 25° and 45°C respectively. The values of log β₂ (μ = 0.0) for cerium complexes are 10.21 and 11.24 at 25° and 45°C respectively. The increasing ionic strength of the medium decreases the stabilities of cerium complexes which are also more stable at 45° than 25°C whereas yttrium complexes are less stable at 45°C. The values of AH and ΔS are positive for cerium complexes whereas in the case of yttrium complexes, the values of ΔH are negative and those of ΔS are positive.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of the oxidation and reduction of a cerium(III) oxide/cerium foil substrate

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to examine the nature of the oxide overlayers on a passivated cerium metal foil as a function of a variety of oxidation and reduction treatments. Oxidation of a clean uncontaminated cerium(III) oxide surface is facile at room temperature and produces non-stoichiometric ceria (CeO_2–x) at oxygen doses as low as 10 L. At higher doses the overlayer thickens, and after a dose of 160 L the layer depth exceeds the Ce 3d photoelectron attenuation distance of about 20 Å. High pressure treatment of the foil in oxygen (0.5 bar at RT and 473 K) produces CeO₂ in a high degree of crystallographic order such that O 1s photoelectron intensities are increased above that expected from a randomly oriented powder. An attempt to reduce the CeO₂ layer formed by controlled oxidation with CO (633 K, 14 h, 0.6 bar) results in the formation of a carbonated surface layer. Results following attempts to reoxidise this layer are discussed.     

Water-soluble oxidized starch in complexation of Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions

The structure of the bromate-oxidized wheat starch (OS) contains partly opened glucose units with carbonyl and carboxyl groups at C2-, C3- or C6-positions. OS with a variable degree of oxidation (DO) was studied in alkaline conditions as a water-soluble complexing agent for Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions, which are common in various wastewaters. Complexation was studied by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES) in a single metal ion or multi-metal ion solutions. The DO affected the efficiency of the complexation with metal ions. OS with the high DO (carboxyl and carbonyl DO of 0.72 and 0.23, respectively) complexed and held Fe(III) or Zn(II) ions in a soluble form effectively in 0.5 mM single ion alkaline solution with the molar ratio of 0.65:1 of oxidized starch-to-metal ion (OS-to-M). The OS-to-M molar ratio of 1.3:1 was required to form a soluble complex with Cu(II) or Ni(II) ions. These complexes were thermally stable at the temperature range of 20–60 °C. OS with the low DO (carboxyl and carbonyl DO 0.47 and 0.17, respectively) complexed Zn(II) ions highly, Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions poorly and Fe(III) ions only partly. In the multi-metal ion solution of OS the solubility of these metal ions improved with the increasing DO of starch, which followed the same tendency as was observed in the single metal ion systems. The increased molar ratio of OS-to-M improved the complexation and solubility of the metal ions in all multi-metal ion series. As the soluble multi-metal ion complexes were reanalyzed after 7 days, all solutions had kept the high complexation and solubility of metal ions (ca. 90%). Complexation by OS did not show a selective binding of the ions in the multi-metal ion solution. It was concluded that the flexible, opened ring structure units of OS prevented the selective binding to metal ions but made the complexes highly stable. Titrimetric studies of OS–Fe(III) complexation showed that each anhydroglucose unit of OS had more than one coordination site and as the content of OS increased, the free sites coordinated to Fe(III) ions and formed cross-linked starch structures.     

Extraction of Lanthanides(III) by a Mixture of a Malonamide and a Dialkyl Phosphoric Acid

Several hydrometallurgical processes studied in France for lanthanide/minor actinide separation use a combination of DMDOHEMA and HDEHP as extractants. Although these processes have proved to be reliable, the modeling of their extraction properties remains a difficult task due to a lack of knowledge about the behavior of the mixed DMDOHEMA-HDEHP organic phase. In the present work, it was found that the solvent extraction of Ln(III) ions by a mixture of these extractants exhibits a complex behavior involving a synergistic effect at either 1 M HNO₃ or high metal concentration, and an antagonistic effect on extraction of metal traces at higher pH (> 2). To understand these effects, Ln(III) complexes formed after extraction by DMDOHEMA and/or HDEHP were characterized by several spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, UV-Vis, ESI-MS, TRLIFS). Results suggested formation of DMDOHEMA-HDEHP adducts and ternary mixed complexes involving both extractants and possibly a nitrate ion.     

Poly(N,N′-dimethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid): Synthesis,characterization, and application for the removal and separation of inorganic ions in aqueous solution

The synthesis of poly (N,N′-dimethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acd) under different feed molar ratios was carried out by radical polymerization. Both homopolymers were also synthesized to compare the metal ion binding abilities. All polymers were water-soluble and were characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and TGA. The metal complexing properties for the metals Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Hg(II), Cr(III), and Fe(III) in the aqueous phase were investigated using the liquid-phase polymer-based retention (LPR) method. The metal ion interactions with the hydrophilic polymer were determined as a function of pH and the filtration factor. According to the interaction pattern obtained, the metal ions form the most stable complexes with the copolymer poly(N,N′-dimethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) within the pH range 5–7. Hg(II) was not retained at all the pH ranges investigated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 93–100, 1998     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Action of Hollow Ceria Nanospheres with/without a Conductive Polymer Coating

Hollow ceria nanospheres were synthesized using anionic polystyrene lattices which were prepared by emulsion polymerization of styrene using potassium persulfate as the initiator. These anionic colloidal particles were dispersed in water in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and mixed with aqueous solutions of cerium (III) acetylacetonate [Ce(acac)₃]. Subsequently, hollow nanospheres of cerium compounds were obtained by calcination of the coated polystyrene lattices at an elevated temperature in air. The hollow ceria nanospheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential thermal analysis. The hollow ceria nanospheres were coated with conductive polymers (polyaniline and polypyrrole) via an electropolymerization process. Moreover, the antibacterial action of illuminated hollow ceria nanospheres and hollow ceria nanospheres coated with conductive polymers (CPCeO₂) on a pure culture of Escherichia coli was studied. A decrease of E. coli concentration was observed after illumination of bacteria in the presence of hollow ceria nanospheres and CPCeO₂.     

Synthesis of polymer-supported metal-ion complexes and evaluation of their catalytic activities

Polymer-supported transition-metal-ion complexes of the N,N′-bis(o-hydroxy acetophenone) propylenediamine (HPPn) Schiff base were prepared by the complexation of iron(III), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ions on a polymer-anchored N,N′-bis(5-amino-o-hydroxy acetophenone) propylenediamine Schiff base. The complexation of iron(III), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ions on the polymer-anchored HPPn Schiff base was 83.44, 82.92, and 89.58 wt%, respectively, whereas the unsupported HPPn Schiff base showed 82.29, 81.18, and 87.29 wt % complexation of these metal ions. The iron(III) ion complexes of the HPPn Schiff base showed octahedral geometry, whereas the cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ion complexes were square planar in shape, as suggested by spectral and magnetic measurements. The thermal stability of the HPPn Schiff base increased with the complexation of metal ions, as evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis. The HPPn Schiff base showed a weight loss of 51.0 wt % at 500°C, but its iron(III), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ion complexes showed weight losses of 27.0, 35.0, and 44.7 wt % at the same temperature. The catalytic activity of the unsupported and supported metal-ion complexes was analyzed by the study of the oxidation of phenol and epoxidation of cyclohexene in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The supported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions showed a 73.0 wt % maximum conversion of phenol and 90.6 wt % epoxidation of cyclohexene, but unsupported complexes of iron(III) ions showed 63.8 wt % conversion of phenol and 83.2 wt % epoxidation of cyclohexene. The product selectivity for catechol (CTL) and epoxy cyclohexane (ECH) was 93.1 wt % and 98.1 wt % with the supported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions, but it was low with the supported Schiff base complexes of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions. The selectivity for CTL and ECH varied with the molar ratio of the metal ions but remained unaffected by the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to the substrate. The energy of activation for the epoxidation of cyclohexene and oxidation of phenol with the polymer-supported Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions was 10.0 and 12.7 kJ/mol, respectively, but it was found to be higher with the supported HPPn Schiff base complexes of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions and with the unsupported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Bioinspired hydrogen bond motifs in ligand design: the role of noncovalent interactions in metal ion mediated activation of dioxygen

Hydrogen bonds influence secondary coordination spheres around metal ions in many proteins. To duplicate these features of molecular architecture in synthetic systems, urea-based ligands have have been developed that create rigid organic frameworks when bonded to metal ions. These frameworks position hydro-gen bond donors proximal to metal ion(s) to form specific chem-ical microenvironments. Iron(II) and manganese(II) complexes with constrained cavities activate O(2), yielding M(III) (M(III) = Fe and Mn) complexes with terminal oxo ligands. Installation of anionic sites within the cavity assists the formation of complexes with M(II/III)-OH and M(III)-O units derived directly from water. Opening the cavity promotes M(mu-O)(2)M rhombs, as illustrated by isolation of a cobalt(III) analogue, the stability of which is promoted by the hydrogen bonds surrounding the bridging oxo ligands.     

Studies on cerium oxidation in catalytic ozonation process: A novel approach for organic mineralization

A novel regenerative catalytic system has been developed using cerium and ozone in nitric acid medium. It was found that cerium(III) was oxidized to cerium(IV) by ozone in nitric acid medium with good conversion yields. The conversion rate of Ce(III) was measured under various parameters viz. ozone–air flow rate, initial concentration of Ce(III), and concentration of nitric acid at 25 °C. It was found that the conversion of Ce(III) increased with increasing ozone flow rate and concentration of nitric acid while decreased with increasing Ce(III) concentration. The pseudo first order kinetic constants were evaluated for Ce(III) oxidation. The efficiency of this hybrid system comprising of ozone and cerium redox pair towards organic mineralization was evaluated taking phenol as the model organic pollutant and compared with Ce(III) catalyzed and uncatalyzed ozonation processes. The presence of Ce(III) catalyst increased the destruction efficiency of phenol compared to uncatalyzed ozonation whereas a synergetic effect was observed between the cerium redox pair (Ce(III) and Ce(IV)) and ozone towards phenol mineralization and a maximum TOC removal was obtained in the latter case. Kinetic interpretations have been made with some simplifying assumptions owing to the much complex nature of ozone and metal ion interactions. This hybrid catalytic ozonation process may find its suitability for continuous organic destruction at room temperature.     

Nanostructured cerium oxide: preparation and properties of weakly-agglomerated powders

Nanocrystalline powders of cerium oxide were prepared from cerium(III) nitrate solution by a two-stage precipitation process which yielded weakly-agglomerated powders with a crystallite size smaller than 5 nm. Hydrogen peroxide was added to cerium nitrate at 5°C to slowly oxidise Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺ and thereby initiate homogeneous precipitation with the formation of dense spherical agglomerates. The precipitation process was completed by the addition of ammonium hydroxide which disrupted the spherical agglomerates leaving a weakly-agglomerated power of hydrated ceria. The process was completed by hydrothermal treatment at 180°C without increase in crystallite size. The powders were characterised by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The weakly-agglomerated state of the powder and the uniform crystallite size of under 5 nm are favourable characteristics for many applications.     

Free radical copolymerization of functional water-soluble poly(N-maleoylglycine-co-crotonic acid): polymer metal ion retention capacity, electrochemical, and thermal behavior

In this study, the water-soluble polymers of N-maleoyl glycine (MG) with crotonic acid (CA) were copolymerized by free radical polymerization to obtain hydrophilic polymers, in order to study the effect of the functional groups in the copolymers on the metal ion retention capacity, electrochemical and thermal behavior, since that important requirements for their use in technological applications are: high solubility in water, chemical stability, a high affinity for one or more metal ions, and selectivity for the metal ion of interest. The metal complexation properties of poly(MG-co-CA) for the metal ions were investigated at pH 3, 5, and 7 in aqueous solution. The metal ion investigated were: Cu(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III). The polymeric systems showed high metal ion retention for Zn (II) and Fe(III) at different pH. At different pHs, the MRC of the poly(MG-co-CA) for Fe(III) ions varied from 122.1 to 146.2 mg/g and from 120.5 to 133.5 mg/g, (samples 1 and 2 at pH 3 and 7, respectively). The MRC had the highest retention values for both copolymer systems at pH 7. The copolymers presented higher thermal decomposition temperature (TDT) in comparison with copolymer–metal complexes at pH 3 and 5. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) for poly(MG-co-CA) (20 mM) was compared with the CV of the [poly(MG-co-CA)–Fe(III)] copolymer complex. Moreover, [poly(MG-co-CA)–Fe(III)] showed a redox wave difference between +0.25 and +0.50 V possibly due to the presence of metal complexed with the polymer. The electrochemical characterization of the copolymer poly(MG-co-AC) shown the reduction of carboxylic acid groups of the N-maleoylglycine and crotonic acid moiety to hydroxyl group. The results support the assumption that the copolymer presents convenient electroactivity.     

Complexation Behavior of Iron(III) with Aloxime 800, D2EHPA,CYANEX 272, CYANEX 302, and CYANEX 301

Abstract

The extraction of iron(III) has been studied from chloride solutions with di(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D₂EHPA), bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (CYANEX 272) and its sulfur‐substituted analogs, called CYANEX 302, and CYANEX 301, and 5‐dodecylsalicylaldoxime (Aloxime 800).

Job's method was applied for the characterization of the iron(III) complexes dissolved in hexane. In the case of D₂EHPA and CYANEX 272, a 1:1 ligand‐to‐metal ratio was observed, thus inferring the coordination of additional compounds. No chloride transport occurred during extraction, therefore suggesting the formation of [Fe(OH)₂L] complexes. With CYANEX 302, a ratio of 2:1 was obtained, whereas for CYANEX 301, the results of Job's method indicated the presence of four extractant molecules around the metal ion. Less hydrolysis or the possible oxidation of the sulfur‐substituted organophosphinic acids and the corresponding reduction of Fe(III) towards Fe(II) may explain this behavior. In the case of Aloxime 800, the formation of the [FeL₃] species is suggested.

A comparative study was carried out to identify the ligand‐to‐metal ratio of the iron(III) complexes in anhydrous circumstances. These studies showed that 1:1 ligand‐metal complexes are easily formed in the case of the organophosphoric‐ and organophosphinic‐acid extractants. A higher ligand‐metal ratio may be possible, but is not always a necessary condition for iron(III) extraction. Even the coexistence of [FeCl₂L], [FeClL₂] and to a smaller extent [FeL₃] is quite presumable in anhydrous media. Finally, FT‐IR spectra as well as UV‐VIS spectra of the hexane phases make it possible to gain a better insight into the complexation characteristics of iron(III).     

SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF N,N-BIS(PHOSPHONOMETHYL) GLYCINE AND ZINC IONS IN CORROSION CONTROL OF CARBON STEEL IN COOLING WATER SYSTEMS

A protective film has been developed on the surface of carbon steel in low chloride aqueous environment using a synergistic mixture of an environmentally friendly phosphonic acid, N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl) glycine (BPMG), and zinc ions. Impedance studies of the metal/solution interface indicated that the surface film is highly protective against the corrosion of carbon steel in the chosen environment. Potentiodynamic polarization studies showed that the inhibitor is a mixed inhibitor. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis (XPS) of the film showed the presence of the elements iron, phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and zinc. Deconvolution spectra of these elements in the surface film showed the presence of oxides/hydroxides of iron(III), Zn(OH)₂, and [Zn(II)-BPMG] complex. This inference is further supported by the reflection absorption Fourier transform infrared spectrum of the surface film. Analysis by SEM is presented for both the corroded and protected metal surfaces. Based on all these results, a plausible mechanism of corrosion inhibition is proposed.     

Zeolite encapsulated Ru(III), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes as effective catalysts for the oxidation of ethylbenzene

Ru(III), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of imidazole (ImzlH) have been synthesized in the supercages of zeolite-Y by flexible ligand method and characterized by spectroscopic (IR and UV?CVis) studies, XRD and thermogravimetric analysis, surface area, and pore volume measurements. These complexes were screened for their catalytic study towards the oxidation of ethylbenzene to a mixture of acetophenone, benzaldehyde and styrene using tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant. A best-suited reaction condition has been optimized for these catalysts by varying the amount of the oxidant and catalyst, reaction time and volume of solvent for maximum transformation of ethylbenzene. Under the optimized reaction conditions, [Cu(ImzlH)]-Y gave 79.3% conversion after 1?h of reaction time. All these catalysts were more selective towards acetophenone formation. Among the prepared catalysts, zeolite encapsulated Cu(II) complex was found to be more active than the corresponding Ru(III) and Zn(II) complexes and all the complexes were stable enough to be reused. The catalytic activities of the neat complexes and metal exchanged zeolites were also compared with the zeolite encapsulated metal complexes.     

The Redox Chemistry of Manganese(III) and -(IV) Complexes

The oxidation-reduction thermodynamics for the manganese(III), -(IV), and -(II) ions, and their various complexes, are reviewed for both aqueous and aprotic media. In aqueous solutions the reduction potential for the manganese(III)/(II) couple has values that range from +1.51 V vs. NHE (hydrate at pH 0) to −0.95 V (glucarate complex at pH 13.5). The Mn(IV)/(III) couple has values that range from +1.0 V (solid Mn^IVO₃ at pH 0) to −0.04 V (tris gluconate complex at pH 13.5). With anhydrous media the propensity for the Mn(III) ion to disproportionate to solid Mn^IVO₂ and Mn(II) ion is avoided. For aprotic systems the range of redox potentials for various manganese complexes is from +2.01 V and +1.30 for the Mn(IV)/(III) and Mn(III)/(II) couples (bis terpyridyl tri-N-oxide complex in MeCN), respectively, to −0.96 V for the Mn(IV)/(III) couple (tris 3,5,-di-tert-butylcatecholate complex in Me₂SO). The redox reactions between manganese complexes and dioxygen species (O₂, O₂, and H₂O₂) also are reviewed.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of scandium(III) and cadmium(II) thiocyanato complexes with dimethylsulfoxide

Two novel complex compounds, molecular fac-[Sc(NCS)₃(DMSO)₃] and polymeric chain [Cd(NCS)_4/2(DMSO)₂]_∞ (DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide), were synthesized and structurally characterized. In both complexes, the metal atoms have octahedral coordination with the NCS⁻ ion serving two different functions: as a terminal ion with the coordination via N in Sc complex and as a bridge ligand with the coordination via N and S in the case of Cd compound, respectively. The DMSO ligands are coordinated by oxygen atoms.     

Modulation of Amyloid‐β Aggregation by Histidine‐Coordinating Cobalt(III) Schiff Base Complexes

Oligomers of the Aβ42 peptide are significant neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Histidine (His) residues present at the N terminus of Aβ42 are believed to influence toxicity by either serving as metal–ion binding sites (which promote oligomerization and oxidative damage) or facilitating synaptic binding. Transition metal complexes that bind to these residues and modulate Aβ toxicity have emerged as therapeutic candidates. Cobalt(III) Schiff base complexes (Co–sb) were evaluated for their ability to interact with Aβ peptides. HPLC‐MS, NMR, fluorescence, and DFT studies demonstrated that Co–sb complexes could interact with the His residues in a truncated Aβ16 peptide representing the Aβ42 N terminus. Coordination of Co–sb complexes altered the structure of Aβ42 peptides and promoted the formation of large soluble oligomers. Interestingly, this structural perturbation of Aβ correlated to reduced synaptic binding to hippocampal neurons. These results demonstrate the promise of Co–sb complexes in anti‐AD therapeutic approaches.     

Gold Catalysts Supported on Cerium–Gallium Mixed Oxide for the Carbon Monoxide Oxidation and Water Gas Shift Reaction

The synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of gold supported on ceria, gallia and a cerium–gallium mixed oxide were investigated. The nanostructural characterization of the cerium–gallium support (nominal atomic composition Ce80Ga20) showed that gallium(III) cations are homogenously distributed into the ceria matrix by substituting cerium(IV) cations of the fluorite-type structure of ceria. Au was added to the supports by the deposition–precipitation method using urea. High Au dispersions were achieved for all the fresh materials (D > 60%). The CO oxidation and the water gas shift (WGS) reaction were tested on the whole set of catalysts. All the supported-gold catalysts showed high activity for the CO oxidation reaction. However, those containing gallium in their formulation deactivated due to gold particle sinterization. Au(2%)/CeO₂ was the most active material for the WGS reaction, and the Au(2%)/Ce80Ga20 was as active as a Au(3%)/Ce68Zr32 catalyst for CO oxidation, and even more active than the reference catalyst of the World Gold Council, Au(2%)/TiO₂.