Hydrothermal transformation of the calcium aluminum oxide hydrates CaAl2O4·10H2O and Ca2Al2O5·8H2O to Ca3Al2(OH)12 investigated by in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction

The hydrothermal transformation of calcium aluminate hydrates were investigated by in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction in the temperature range 25 to 170 °C. This technique allowed the study of the detailed reaction mechanism and identification of intermediate phases. The material CaAl₂O₄·10H₂O converted to Ca₃Al₂(OH)₁₂ and amorphous aluminum hydroxide. Ca₂Al₂O₅·8H₂O transformed via the intermediate phase Ca₄Al₂O₇·13H₂O to Ca₃Al₂(OH)₁₂ and gibbsite, Al(OH)₃. The phase Ca₄Al₂O₇·19H₂O reacted via the same intermediate phase to Ca₃Al₂(OH)₁₂ and mainly amorphous aluminum hydroxide. The powder pattern of the intermediate phase is reported.     

Transmittance and cathodoluminescence of AlN ceramics sintered with Ca3Al2O6 as sintering additive

Aluminum nitride ceramics were prepared by sintering with 0–4.8 mass% of Ca₃Al₂O₆ (C₃A) as a sintering additive. The transmittance in the range of 260–550 nm increased with increasing amount of C₃A. The cathodoluminescence intensity attributed to oxygen-induced defects decreased with increasing amount of C₃A. From the results, the increase of the transmittance in the range of 260–550 nm was considered to be related to the decrease of the oxygen-induced defect density.     

Luminescent properties of Pr doped ZrSiO4 phosphors

Mixtures of ZrO₂, SiO₂, Pr₂O₃, and H₃BO₃ were fired at the temperature of 1150–1350 °C under H₂ atmosphere. A single phase ZrSiO₄:Pr phosphors could be achieved at the firing temperature above 1150 °C. Crystallinity and PL properties strongly depended on the flux amounts, firing temperature, and dopant concentrations. ZrSiO₄:Pr phosphors showed a strong red emission at 615 nm and a weak red emission at 622 nm with an excitation wavelength of 295 and 450 nm, respectively. Two sets of the emission bands and excitation spectra originated from Pr³⁺ ions at Zr and Si sites, respectively.     

Accelerated curing of cementitious systems by carbon dioxide Part II. Hydraulic calcium silicates and aluminates

The treatment of Ca₃SiO₅, β-Ca₂SiO₄, Ca₃Al₂O₆ and Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃ low water/solids ratio compacted pastes with carbon dioxide immediately after preparation resulted in a rapid strength development of the calcium silicates and a negligible strength development of the calcium aluminates. The strength gain after 5 minutes of carbon dioxide treatment was over 3000 psi for both the Ca₃SiO₅ and β-Ca₂SiO₄ pastes. There was no apparent difference between the rate of reaction of the Ca₃SiO₅ and β-Ca₂SiO₄ pastes as based on strength gain characteristics.     

Studies of the effects of synthetic procedure on base catalysis using hydroxide-intercalated layer double hydroxides

Layer double hydroxides (LDHs) based on the hydrotalcite structure (Mg₆Al₂(OH)₁₆CO₃·4H₂O) have been synthesized by coprecipitation, sol–gel and urea hydrolysis methods and with Mg:Al ratios of 2:1 and 5:1. Scanning electron microscopy shows the coprecipitated phases present the smallest individual crystallite sizes (ca. 150 nm) with the largest crystallites (2–4 μm) for urea hydrolysis. Sol–gel samples show crystallites (150–450 nm) fused together into much larger particles. The samples have been calcined at 723 K in flowing air to produce metal oxide phases which have then been rehydrated in the presence of hydroxide ions to produce meixnerite-like LDH phases (Mg₆Al₂(OH)₂₀·4H₂O). The base catalytic activity of these rehydrated samples has been measured by GC for the aldol self-condensation of acetone. Activity data has been correlated with sample characteristics to gain insight into the active sites and mode of action of these catalysts.     

Formation of Y3Al5O12–Al2O3 eutectic microstructure with off-eutectic composition

Homogeneous-eutectic microstructure of Y₃Al₅O₁₂–Al₂O₃ system without coarse primary crystals was formed at an off-eutectic composition. This method utilizes a low migration rate in an amorphous phase. A mixture of Y₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ having the off-eutectic composition was melted and quenched rapidly to form an amorphous phase. A heat-treatment of the amorphous phase at 1000 °C and 1300 °C for 30 min formed Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and Al₂O₃ phases. SEM observation of this material, which was formed from the amorphous phase at 1300 °C for 30 min, showed homogeneous eutectic-like microstructure. The formation of the primary crystals (coarse Al₂O₃), which are always observed in the off-eutectic compositions by ordinary method, was completely suppressed.     

Partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas over iridium–nickel bimetallic catalysts

Partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas was carried out using supported iridium–nickel bimetallic catalysts, in order to reduce loading levels of iridium and nickel, and to avoid carbon deposition on nickel-based catalysts by adding iridium. The performance of supported iridium–nickel bimetallic catalysts in synthesis gas formation depended strongly upon the support materials. La₂O₃ gave the best performance among the support materials tested. Ir(0.25 wt%)–Ni(0.5 wt%)/La₂O₃ afforded 36% conversion of methane (CH₄/O₂=5) to give CO and H₂ with the selectivities of above 90% at 800°C, and those at 600°C were 25.3% conversion of methane and CO and H₂ selectivities of about 80%, respectively. Reduced monometallic Ir(0.25 wt%)/La₂O₃ and Ni(0.5 wt%)/La₂O₃ catalysts did not produce synthesis gas at 600°C. A higher conversion of methane was obtained by synergistic effects. The product concentrations of CO, H₂, and CO₂, and CH₄ conversion were maintained in high values, even increasing the space velocity of feed gas over Ir–Ni/La₂O₃ catalyst, indicating that rapid reaction takes place. As a by-product, a small amount of carbon deposition was observed, but carbon formation decreased with increasing the space velocity. On the other hand, with reduced monometallic Ni(10 wt%)/La₂O₃ catalyst, yield of synthesis gas and carbon decreased with increasing the space velocity.     

Decolorization of reactive brilliant red X-3B by heterogeneous photo-Fenton reaction using an Fe–Ce bimetal catalyst

Decolorization of reactive brilliant red X-3B was studied by using an Fe–Ce oxide hydrate as the heterogeneous catalyst in the presence of H₂O₂ and UV. The decolorization rate was in the order of UV–Fe–Ce–H₂O₂ > UV–Fe³⁺–H₂O₂ > UV–H₂O₂ > UV–Fe–Ce ≥ Fe–Ce–H₂O₂ > Fe–Ce. Under the conditions of 34 mg l⁻¹ H₂O₂, 0.500 g l⁻¹ Fe–Ce, 36 W UV and pH 3.0, 100 mg l⁻¹ X-3B could be decolorized at efficiency of more than 99% within 30 min. The maximum dissolved Fe during the reaction was 1 mg l⁻¹. From the fact that the decolorization rate of the UV–Fe–Ce–H₂O₂ system was significantly higher than that of the UV–Fe³⁺–H₂O₂ system at Fe³⁺ = 1 mg l⁻¹, it is clear that the Fe–Ce functioned mainly as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst. UV–vis, its second derivative spectra, and ion chromatography (IC) were employed to investigate the degradation pathway. Fast degradation after adsorption of X-3B is the dominant mechanism in the heterogeneous catalytic oxidation system. The first degradation step is the breaking down of azo and CN bonds, resulting in the formation of the aniline- and phenol-like compounds. Then, the breaking down of the triazine structure occurred together with the transformation of naphthalene rings to multi-substituted benzene, and the cutting off of sulphonic groups from the naphthalene rings. The last step includes further decomposition of the aniline structure and partial mineralization of X-3B.     

Low-temperature sintering of 0.85CaWO4–0.15LaNbO4 ceramics

Microwave dielectric properties of 0.85CaWO₄–0.15LaNbO₄ (CWLN) ceramics were investigated as a function of H₃BO₃, Li₂CO₃ content and sintering temperature. With the co-addition of 3.0 wt.% H₃BO₃–1.0 wt.% Li₂CO₃, the sintering temperature could be effectively reduced from 1150 °C for pure CWLN ceramics to 900 °C without any degradation of dielectric properties. These results are due to the enhancement of the sinterability of CWLN by liquid phase sintering. For the specimens with H₃BO₃–Li₂CO₃ sintered at 900 °C for 3 h, the dielectric constant (K) did not changed remarkably. However, the quality factor (Qf) and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF) increased up to y = 1.0 of 3.0 wt.% H₃BO₃–y wt.% Li₂CO₃, and then decreased due to the formation of the secondary phases. Typically, K of 11.8, Qf of 45,200 GHz and TCF of −23.1 ppm/°C were obtained for the specimens of CWLN with 3.0 wt.% H₃BO₃–1.0 wt.% Li₂CO₃ sintered at 900 °C for 3 h.     

Superior performance of Ir-substituted hexaaluminate catalysts for N2O decomposition

Novel Ir-substituted hexaaluminate catalysts were developed for the first time and used for catalytic decomposition of high concentration of N₂O. The catalysts were prepared by one-pot precipitation and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂-adsorption, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR). The XRD results showed that only a limited amount of iridium was incorporated into the hexaaluminate lattice by substituting Al³⁺ to form BaIr_xFe_1−xAl₁₁O₁₉ after being calcined at 1200 °C, while the other part of iridium existed as IrO₂ phase. The activity tests for high concentration (30%, v/v) of N₂O decomposition demonstrated that the BaIr_xFe_1−xAl₁₁O₁₉ hexaaluminates exhibited much higher activities and stabilities than the Ir/Al₂O₃-1200, and the pre-reduction with H₂ was essential for activating the catalysts. By comparing BaIr_xFe_1−xAl₁₁O₁₉ with BaIr_xAl_12−xO₁₉ (x = 0–0.8), it was found that iridium was the active component in the N₂O decomposition and the framework iridium was more active than the large IrO₂ particles. On the other hand, Fe facilitated the formation of hexaaluminate as well as the incorporation of iridium into the framework.     

Total oxidation of propene and propane over gold–copper oxide on alumina catalysts: Comparison with Pt/Al2O3

Oxidation of propene and propane to CO₂ and H₂O has been studied over Au/Al₂O₃ and two different Au/CuO/Al₂O₃ (4 wt.% Au and 7.4 wt.% Au) catalysts and compared with the catalytic behaviour of Au/Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃ (4.1 wt.% Au) and Pt/Al₂O₃ (4.8 wt.% Pt) catalysts. The various characterization techniques employed (XRD, HRTEM, TPR and DR-UV–vis) revealed the presence of metallic gold, along with a highly dispersed CuO (6 wt.% CuO), or more crystalline CuO phase (12 wt.% CuO).

A higher CuO loading does not significantly influence the catalytic performance of the catalyst in propene oxidation, the gold loading appears to be more important. Moreover, it was found that 7.4Au/CuO/Al₂O₃ is almost as active as Pt/Al₂O₃, whereas Au/Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃ performs less than any of the CuO-containing gold-based catalysts.

The light-off temperature for C₃H₈ oxidation is significantly higher than for C₃H₆. For this reaction the particle size effect appears to prevail over the effect of gold loading. The most active catalysts are 4Au/CuO/Al₂O₃ (gold particles less than 3 nm) and 4Au/Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃ (gold particles less than 5 nm).     

A new route to prepare supported nickel phosphide/silica–alumina hydrotreating catalysts from amorphous alloys

Supported nickel phosphides were prepared by treating an amorphous Ni–B alloy on silica–alumina support with phosphine (15 vol.% PH₃/H₂) at relatively low temperature. The amorphous Ni–B/SiO₂–Al₂O₃ precursors were synthesized by silver-induced electroless plating. The amorphous precursors and catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, BET surface area and inductively coupled plasma measurements. The transmission electron micrographs of the Ni₂P/SiO₂–Al₂O₃ particles with their size ranging from 60 to 80 nm showed that they were homogeneously dispersed over the SiO₂–Al₂O₃ support. The as-prepared catalysts exhibited an excellent catalytic activity in the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene.     

Kinetics of the water–gas shift reaction over nanostructured copper–ceria catalysts

Water–gas shift reaction was studied over two nanostructured Cu_xCe_1−xO_2−y catalysts: a Cu_0.1Ce_0.9O_2−y catalyst prepared by a sol–gel method and a Cu_0.2Ce_0.8O_2−y catalyst prepared by co-precipitation method. A commercial low temperature water–gas shift CuO–ZnO–Al₂O₃ catalyst was used as reference. The kinetics was studied in a plug flow micro reactor at an atmospheric pressure in the temperature interval between 298 and 673 K at two different space velocities: 5.000 and 30.000 h⁻¹, respectively. Experimentally estimated activation energy, E_af, of the forward water–gas shift reaction at CO/H₂O = 1/3 was 51 kJ/mol over the Cu_0.1Ce_0.9O_2−y, 34 kJ/mol over the Cu_0.2Ce_0.8O_2−y and 47 kJ/mol over the CuO–ZnO–Al₂O₃ catalyst. A simple rate expression approximating the water–gas shift process as a single reversible surface reaction was used to fit the experimental data in order to evaluate the rate constants of the forward and backward reactions and of the activation energy for the backward reaction.     

Photocatalytic degradation of aqueous organocholorine pesticide on the layered double hydroxide pillared by Paratungstate A ion, Mg12Al6(OH)36(W7O24)·4H2O

Layered double hydroxide pillared by Paratungstate A ion, Mg₁₂Al₆(OH)₃₆(W₇O₂₄)·4H₂O, was prepared via anion exchange reaction of the synthetic precursor, Mg₄Al₂(OH)₁₂TA·xH₂O (TA²⁻=terephthalate), and [W₇O₂₄]⁶⁻ ion. Some physico-chemical properties were measured and the preparation conditions were studied. Trace aqueous organocholorine pesticide, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), was totally degraded and mineralized into CO₂ and HCl by irradiating a Mg₁₂Al₆(OH)₃₆(W₇O₂₄)·4H₂O suspension in the near UV area. Disappearance of trace HCH follows Langmuir–Hinshelwood first-order kinetics. The model and mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation of HCH on the Mg₁₂Al₆(OH)₃₆(W₇O₂₄)·4H₂O were proposed, indicating that the interlayer space is the reaction field, and that photogeneration of OH√ radicals are responsible for the degradation pathway.     

Co3O4/CeO2 composite oxides for methane emissions abatement: Relationship between Co3O4–CeO2 interaction and catalytic activity

Co₃O₄/CeO₂ composite oxides with different cobalt loading (5, 15, 30, 50, 70 wt.% as Co₃O₄) were prepared by co-precipitation method and investigated for the oxidation of methane under stoichiometric conditions. Pure oxides, Co₃O₄ and CeO₂ were used as reference. Characterization studies by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, temperature programmed reduction/oxidation (TPR/TPO) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were carried out.

An improvement of the catalytic activity and thermal stability of the composite oxides was observed with respect to pure Co₃O₄ in correspondence of Co₃O₄–CeO₂ containing 30% by weight of Co₃O₄. The combined effect of cobalt oxide and ceria, at this composition, strongly influences the morphological and redox properties of the composite oxides, by dispersing the Co₃O₄ phase and promoting the efficiency of the Co³⁺–Co²⁺ redox couple. The presence in the sample Co₃O₄(30 wt.%)–CeO₂ of a high relative amount of Ce³⁺/(Ce⁴⁺ + Ce³⁺) as detected by XPS confirms the enhanced oxygen mobility.

The catalysts stability under reaction conditions was investigated by XRD and XPS analysis of the used samples, paying particular attention to the Co₃O₄ phase decomposition. Methane oxidation tests were performed over fresh (as prepared) and thermal aged samples (after ageing at 750 °C for 7 h, in furnace). The resistance to water vapour poisoning was evaluated for pure Co₃O₄ and Co₃O₄(30 wt.%)–CeO₂, performing the tests in the presence of 5 vol.% H₂O. A methane oxidation test upon hydrothermal ageing (flowing at 600 °C for 16 h a mixture 5 vol.% H₂O + 5 vol.%O₂ in He) of the Co₃O₄(30 wt.%)–CeO₂ sample was also performed. All the results confirm the superiority of this composite oxide.     

Oxidation entropies and enthalpies of ceria–zirconia solid solutions

The thermodynamic redox properties for a series of ceria–zirconia solid solutions have been measured by determining their oxidation isotherms between 873 and 1073 K. Isotherms were obtained using Coulometric titration and using O₂ titration of samples equilibrated in flowing mixtures of H₂ and H₂O. Samples having the following compositions were studied after calcinations at 973 and 1323 K: CeO₂, Ce_0.92Zr_0.08O₂, Ce_0.81Zr_0.19O₂, Ce_0.59Zr_0.41O₂, Ce_0.50Zr_0.50O₂, Ce_0.25Zr_0.75O₂, Ce_0.14Zr_0.86O₂, and ZrO₂. While the oxidation enthalpy for CeO₂ was between −750 and −800 kJ/mol O₂, the oxidation enthalpies for each of the solid solutions were between −500 and −550 kJ/mol O₂ and essentially independent of the extent of reduction. The shapes of the isotherms for the solid solutions were affected by the oxidation entropies, which depended strongly on the sample composition and the extent of reduction. With CeO₂, Ce_0.92Zr_0.08O₂, and Ce_0.14Zr_0.86O₂, the samples remained single-phase after calcination at 1323 K and the thermodynamic redox properties were unaffected. By contrast, Ce_0.59Zr_0.41O₂ formed two phases following calcination at 1323 K, Ce_0.78Zr_0.22O₂ (71 wt.%) and Ce_0.13Zr_0.87O₂ (29 wt.%); the isotherm changed to that which would be expected for a physical mixture of the two phases. A model is presented which views reduction of the solid solutions in terms of the local atomic structure, with the formation of “pyrochlore-like” clusters causing the increased reducibility of the solid solutions. Some of the changes in reducibility are associated with the number of sites from which oxygen can be removed in order to form pyrochlore-like clusters.     

The effect of the Rh–Al, Pt–Al and Pt–Rh–Al surface alloys on NO conversion to N2 on alumina supported Rh, Pt and Pt–Rh catalysts

NO conversion to N₂ in the presence of methane and oxygen over 0.03 at.%Rh/Al₂O₃, 0.51 at.%Pt/Al₂O₃ and 0.34 at.%Pt–0.03 at.%Rh/Al₂O₃ catalysts was investigated.

δ-Alumina and precious metal–aluminum alloy phases were revealed by XRD and HRTEM in the catalysts.

The results of the catalytic activity investigations, with temperature-programmed as well as steady-state methods, showed that NO decomposition occurs at a reasonable rate on the alloy surfaces at temperatures up to 623 K whereas some CH₄ deNO_x takes place on δ-alumina above this temperature. A mechanism for the NO decomposition is proposed herein. It is based on NO adsorption on the precious metal atoms followed by the transfer of electrons from alloy to antibonding π orbitals of NO_(ads.) molecules. The CH₄ deNO_x was shown to occur according to an earlier proposed mechanism, via methane oxidation by NO_2(ads.) to oxygenates and then NO reduction by oxygenates to N₂.     

Thermodynamics of the Al–C–O system and properties of SiC–AlN–Al2OC composites

Based on a recent thermodynamic evaluation of the Al–C–O system, the standard Gibbs free energies of formation of both aluminium oxycarbides Al₄O₄C and Al₂OC are given, and a classical stability diagram is shown at 2100 K. Because Al₂OC is unstable below 1715 °C, the stable würtzite compound 2AlN.Al₂OC has been preferred, and formed in-situ as the second phase in SiC-based composites. Starting with commercial powders of -SiC, AlN, Al₂O₃ and Al₄C₃, dense materials are obtained by pressureless sintering (up to 2020 °C) or hot-pressing (up to 1950 °C), owing to the liquid phase from the Al₂O₃–Al₄C₃ system. The existence of a miscibility gap is shown, and the microstructures are fine grained and equiaxed. Compared with SiC–Al₂OC alloys, the hot-pressed materials with 90 wt% SiC exhibit slightly higher mechanical properties and a good retention nearly up to 1500 °C.     

Screening of amorphous metal–phosphate catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene

The gas-phase oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene was carried out by using as catalyst a series of metal phosphates (Al, Fe, Ni, Ca and Mn) and stoichiometric (Al/Fe = Al/Ca = 1) mixed systems: FeAl(PO₄)₂ and Ca₃Al₃(PO₄)₅, that were prepared by an ammonia gelation method. Their amorphous character was determined through several physical methods: nitrogen adsorption, DRIFT and XRD patterns. These results were compared to those obtained with 24 commercial inorganic solids (several metal oxides, sulfates and phosphates). Reactions were also carried out without oxygen, under non-oxidative conditions, where the catalytic activity was always appreciably lower than under oxidative conditions. Experimental results indicated that the oxidative gas-phase dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene could be related to the total number of acid and basic sites of catalysts, so that this reaction probably needs selected acid–basic pairs for coke formation, where the oxidative dehydrogenation process is developed.

The main practical conclusion of the catalyst screening was that the best results were obtained with the synthesized amorphous AlPO₄, where 43% ethylbenzene conversion and 99.7% styrene selectivity were achieved. A very reduced number of commercial inorganic solids like Al₂(SO₄)₃, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, Fe₂(SO₄)₃, NiSO₄, Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ were also able to obtain an acceptable catalytic behavior, with conversions ranging between 18 and 23% and selectivity in the 95–100% range. Among the other synthesized solids, Ni₃(PO₄)₂-A-450 was the only metal phosphate exhibiting results in such a range. All the other catalysts studied were rather inactive and/or selective. Additional experiments carried out at longer times on stream (3.5 h) and longer contact times (W/F 0.254 and 0.654) confirmed the superior catalytic behavior of amorphous AlPO₄. Consequently, this solid could be a good candidate for application as a catalyst in the industrial oxydehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene.     

Mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41 supported Co–Mo catalyst for hydrodesulfurization of petroleum resids

In this work, we explored the potential of mesoporous zeolite-supported Co–Mo catalyst for hydrodesulfurization of petroleum resids, atmospheric and vacuum resids at 350–450°C under 6.9 MPa of H₂ pressure. A mesoporous molecular sieve of MCM-41 type was synthesized; which has SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of about 41. MCM-41 supported Co–Mo catalyst was prepared by co-impregnation of Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄ followed by calcination and sulfidation. Commercial Al₂O₃ supported Co–Mo (criterion 344TL) and dispersed ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATTM) were also tested for comparison purposes. The results indicated that Co–Mo/MCM-41(H) is active for HDS, but is not as good as commercial Co–Mo/Al₂O₃ for desulfurization of petroleum resids. It appears that the pore size of the synthesized MCM-41 (28 Å) is not large enough to convert large-sized molecules such as asphaltene present in the petroleum resids. Removing asphaltene from the resid prior to HDS has been found to improve the catalytic activity of Co–Mo/MCM-41(H). The use of ATTM is not as effective as that of Co–Mo catalysts, but is better for conversions of >540°C fraction as compared to noncatalytic runs at 400–450°C.