Crystal structure and size distribution of Pt-Cu-Fe alloy clusters supported on carbon black

Carbon supported alloy electrocatalysts based on Pt, Cu and Fe (atomic ratios PtCuFe=211 and 611) are prepared at various alloying temperatures and are characterized by XRD and TEM techniques. Powder XRD analyses show that Pt₆CuFe clusters form a face-centered cubic structure (AuCu₃ type), while Pt₂CuFe clusters form an ordered alloy with a facecentered tetragonal structure (AuCu type) at higher temperature than 700C. Transmission electron micrographs reveal that the size of metal clusters increases gradually and size distribution becomes broader, as alloying temperature increases from 500 to 1100C.     

State of platinum in zirconia and sulfated zirconia catalysts

Platinum is present in a metallic state following activation in air at 725C of both 5 wt% Pt/ZrO₂ and 5 wt% Pt/SO ₄ ^2– /ZrO₂. Reduction of either catalyst at 725C produces a Pt-Zr alloy, and these reduced catalysts, upon recalcination in air at 725C, form metallic Pt crystallites. Likewise, reduction of these uncalcined catalysts at 725C in H₂ leads to a Pt-Zr alloy formation. However, treatment of these uncalcined catalysts in H₂ at 450C does not produce Pt crystallites large enough to detect by XRD.     

Effect of acid/hydrocarbon ratio,temperature and contact time on the isobutane-isobutylene alkylation with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid

The effect of the acid-hydrocarbon ratio and temperature on the isobutane-isobutylene alkylation with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid was studied over the temperature range of 40CT–80C. The effect of acid/hydrocarbon ratios and temperature passes through a maximum giving high quality alkylate of approximately 70% branched C₈ products at –30C, with a catalyst/hydrocarbon ratio of 0.5. The optimum reaction conditions also depend on the induction period and the effect of secondary reactions influenced by contact time. TFSA is a readily recyclable acid without the need for any purification or regeneration.     

Life of silicon carbide heaters in argon at high temperatures

Conclusions The electrical heating elements made from silicon carbide in argon age slowly and may operate for more than 300 h at a temperature on the surface of 1700C and more than 200 h at 1800C.The service life of the heating elements made from silicon carbide at 2000C in argon is less by a factor of 20 than at 1800C. At 2000C sublimation of the SiC from the heating element is observed.The presence in the argon atmosphere of up to 11% oxygen does not have a marked influence on the rate of oxidation of the heating elements at 1600C at the surface.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 3, pp. 33–36, March, 1967.     

Catalytic behaviour and characterisation of CuO1−z(La2O3)z/2 based catalysts deposited on γ-Al2O3 and prepared in situ with 0.0 ⩽z⩽1.00, without and with addition of Pd

(CuO)_1–z(La₂O₃)_z/2 based catalysts with 0.0z1.0 supported on -Al₂O₃ have been prepared in situ and the phases formed have been identified by XRD, SEM and TEM/EDS studies. The catalyst with z=0.5 exhibited the best catalytic activity for oxidation of CO (T ₅₀=295 and 390C with degrees of conversions of 93 and 92% at 450C under rich and lean conditions, respectively) and C₃H₆ (291 and 414C; 93 and 83%) and reduction of NO (405C; 60 and 0%). This catalyst contained appreciable amounts of the perovskite phase LaAl_1–xCu_xO₃ and the enhanced catalytic properties are ascribed to the presence of this phase. Addition of Pd to this catalyst implied that the degree of conversion of NO increased and that the light-off temperatures for all involved gas species decreased. Ageing experiments revealed that LaAl_1–xCu_xO₃ decomposed and that Cu containing Pd particles were formed during this procedure which in turn deteriorated the catalytic properties of the catalyst.     

Spalling resistance of corundum refractories

Conclusions Refractories based on electromelted corundum with an alumina binder are marked by comparatively low spalling resistance. The refractoriness-under-load of 2 kg/cm² is above 1800.The replacement of the alumina binder in these refractories by 10 – 20% kaolin, which causes crystallization of the mullite, helps to improve the spalling resistance. But the softening point here is reduced to 1700.Replacement of the fine-grain electro-melted corundum by finely dispersed alumina promotes active crystallization of the mullite and is accompanied by a further increase in the spalling resistance. The softening point remains low (1670).     

Molybdenum nitride for the direct decomposition of NO

The physico-chemical properties of passivated -Mo₂N have been investigated. The material showed high activities for NO direct decomposition: nearly 100% NO conversion and 95% N₂ selectivity were achieved at 450C. The amount of O₂ taken up by -Mo₂N increased with temperature rise and reached 3133.9 molg^–1 at 450C; we conclude that there formation of Mo₂O_xN_y occurred. This oxygen-saturated -Mo₂N material was catalytically active: NO conversion and N₂ selectivity were 89 and 92% at 450C. We found that by means of H₂ reduction at 450C, Mo₂O_xN_y could be reduced back to -Mo₂N and the oxidation/reduction cycle is repeatable; such a behaviour and the high oxygen capacity (3133.9 molg^–1) of -Mo₂N suggest that -Mo₂N is a promising catalytic material for automobile exhaust purification.     

The effect of cobalt on the reactants adsorption and activity of fused iron catalyst for ammonia synthesis

Modern adsorption study facilities as well as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy were used to investigate the effect of cobalt on the adsorption of nitrogen, hydrogen and ammonia on the surface of cobalt modified iron fused catalysts. Adsorption studies were carried out at the temperature range specific for ammonia synthesis (385C). Activity tests were carried out under 10 MPa in the 350–450 C temperature range. Investigations were performed on the traditional multipromoted iron catalyst and on the series of catalysts prepared with addition of cobalt. Introduction of cobalt changed considerably the sample behaviour during activation and ammonia synthesis. Addition of cobalt promoted the iron catalyst for ammonia synthesis. The most active sample was that containing approximately 5.5 wt% Co. Cobalt changed the adsorption behaviour of the catalyst. Chemisorption of nitrogen is much higher for cobalt catalysts. Growth of nitrogen chemisorption and decrease of ammonia adsorption resulted in the growth of catalytic activity of cobalt catalysts in ammonia synthesis.     

Synthesis of new metal-containing side-chain monomers and polymers

New metal-containing vinyl monomers, hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-carboxy cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate and hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-ferrocenoyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate, and the corresponding homopolymers and random copolymers with hydroxy monomer hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by¹H NMR; their thermal behavior was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry. Monomers and polymers containing the ferrocene unit melt at lower temperatures than those derived from the cyclopentadienyl managanese tricarbonyl moiety. The melting temperatures of the monomers and polymers ranged from 399 to about 515 K, Both monomers and polymers failed to exhibit mesogenic behavior. Values ofM _n,M _w,M _w/M _n, and degree of polymerization were obtained by gel permeation chromatography. TheM _n ranged from 16,500 for the copolymer containing hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-ferrocenoyl phenyl)phenyl] benzoyloxy}methacrylate and hydroxy monomer hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate at a 1:3 ratio to 26,000 for the copolymer containing hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-carboxy cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate and hydroxy monomer hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate at a 1:3 ratio.M _w/M _n ranged from 1.6 in the case of the copolymer containing hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-carboxy cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate and hydroxy monomer hexyl-6-oxy-{4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate at a 1:3 ratio to 2.2 in the case of poly(hexyl-6-oxy{4-[4-(4-carboxy cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl phenyl)phenyl]benzoyloxy}methacrylate).     

Dynamic mechanical properties of crosslinked polyisoprene under deformation

Summary Molecular motions of elastomers under deformations were observed through dynamic mechanical measurements. Composite master curves of dynamic moduli E and E and loss tangent tan over a wide range of frequency and in a state of elongation were obtained by the time-temperature superposition procedure. It is found that both moduli increase with strain, . The slope of the dispersion curve of E become more gradual with the increase in , while that of E is almost unchanged. The increment of E is generally larger than that of E, which does not agree with the N. W. Tschoegl prediction, E ^* ()=f() E _o ^* (), where E ^* () and E _o ^* () are complex moduli at the strain of and O, respectively, and f() is the function of only . The difference in the strain dependence of E from E was found to correspond to the strain dependence of the equilibrium modulus.     

Production of BL-0.5 lightweight brick with combustible additives

Conclusions Lightweight brick with a bulk density of 0.5 g/cm² made with combustible additives is an effective refractory insulating material and can be used for purposes of insulation at 1000 – 1200.The use of BL-0.5 lightweight refractory for insulating blast furnace blowpipes at a blast temperature of 930 – 950, apart from preserving the ends of the blowpipe and saving heat, creates better conditions for servicing the furnace in the tuyere zone.     

New polyisobutylene based model ionomers

Three-arm star polyisobutylene ionomers (¯M_n=8800) with terminal SO₃ M (M=K or Ca²) groups were synthesized and their mechanical properties investigated. Compression molded films displayed high elongations, i.e., -1000% for Ca² ionomers with lower values for the K counterions. Strain induced crystallinity was observed at higher elongations. Mechanical properties in general compared favorably with conventional covalently linked rubbery networks and were comparable and in some cases superior to EPDM-based ionomers carrying randomly distributed SO₃ M groups.For the first two parts see Proceedings, 28th IUPAC Macromolecular Symposium, Amherst, MA, July 11–16, 1982, p. 905 and 906     

Effects of gas bubbles on the current and potential profiles within porous flow-through electrodes

This paper presents a mathematical model to calculate the distributions of currenti(x), potentialE(x), gas void fraction (x) and pore electrolyte resistivity (x) within porous flow-through electrodes producing hydrogen. It takes into consideration the following effects: (i) the kinetics of the interfacial charge transfer step, (ii) the effect of the non-uniformly generated gas bubbles on the resistivity of the gas-electrolyte dispersion within the pores of the electrode (x) and (iii) the convective transport of the electrolyte through the pores. These effects appear in the form of three dimensional groups i.e.K=i _o L where i_o is the exchange current density, is the specific surface area of the electrode andL its thickness.= ⁰ L where ⁰ is the pore electrolyte resistivity and =/Q where is a constant, =tortuosity/porosity of the porous electrode andQ is the superficial electrolyte volume flow rate within it. Two more dimensionless groups appear: i.e. the parameter of the ohmic effect =K/b and the kinetic-transport parameterI=K. The model equations were solved fori(x),E(x), (x) and (x) for various values of the above groups.Nomenclature specific surface area of the bed, area per unit volume (cm^–1) - b RT/F in volts, whereR is the gas constant,T is the absolute temperature (K) - B =[1–(I ² Z/4)], Equation 9a - C =(1–B ²), Equation 9b - E(L) potential at the exit face (V) - E(0) potential at the entry face (V) - E(x) potential at distancex within the electrode (V) - E _rev reversible potential of the electrochemical reaction (V) - F Faraday's constant, 96500 C eq^–1 - i _o exchange current density of the electrode reaction (A cm^–2 of true surface area) - i(L) current density at the exit face (A cm^–2 of geometrical cross-sectional area of the packed bed) - I K =i _oL(/Q) (dimensionless group), Equation 7d - K =i _oL, effective exchange current density of the packed bed (A cm^–2) Equation 7a - L bed thickness (cm) - q tortuosity factor (dimensionless) - Q superficial electrolyte volume flow rate (cm³ s^–1) - x =position in the electrode (cm) - Z =exp [(0)], Equation 7f - transfer coefficient, =0.5 - =K/b=(i ₀ L ⁰ L)/b (dimensionless group) Equation 7e - (x) gas void fraction atx (dimensionless) - = ⁰ L, effective resistivity of the bubble-free pore electrolyte for the entire thickness of the electrode ( cm²) - (0) polarization at the entry face (V) - (L) polarization at the exit face (V) - =q/, labyrinth factor - constant (cm³ C^–1), Equation 3a - =/Q (A ^–1) conversion factor, Equation 3b - porosity of the bed - (x) effective resistivity of the gas-electrolyte dispersion within the pores ( cm) - ⁰ effective resistivity of the bubble-free pore electrolyte ( cm)     

The surface structure and composition of the low index single crystal faces of the ordered alloy Pt3Sn

The surface composition and structure of 111, 100, and 110 oriented single crystals of the ordered alloy Pt₃Sn (Ll₂ or Cu₃Au-type) were determined using the combination of low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEISS). The clean annealed surfaces displayed LEED patterns and Sn/Pt LEISS intensity ratios consistent with the surface structures expected for bulk termination. In the case of the 100 and 110 crystals, preferential termination in the mixed (50% Sn) layer was indicated, suggesting this termination to be the consequence of a thermodynamic preference for tin to be at the surface.     

Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide over perovskite type solid oxide solutions and supported noble metal catalysts

The catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide to nitrogen and oxygen has been investigated over various solid oxide solutions (SOS), La_0.8Sr_0.2MO_3– (M=Cr, Fe, Mn, Co or Y), La_1.8Sr_0.2CuO_4– and supported Pd, Pt catalysts. The reaction was carried out in a gradientless recycle reactor at 1 atm pressure with a feed gas containing about 0.5% N₂O (in helium). Among the various solid solutions, La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3– showed a maximum N₂O conversion of 90% at 600C. The order of activity observed for N₂O decomposition was La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3–>La_0.8Sr_0.2FeO_3–>La_1.8Sr_0.2CuO_4–> La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3–La_0.8Sr_0.2CrO_3–La_0.8Sr_0.2YO_3–. The activity of La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3– was compared with supported Pd, Pt and also with unsubstituted LaCoO₃ catalysts under similar reaction conditions. Among all the catalysts tested in this study, Pd/Al₂O₃ showed the lowest light-off temperature for N₂O decomposition. The activity of La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3– was found to be comparable to Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst at temperatures above 500 C. The influence of added oxygen (about 4%) in the feed was examined over La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3– and Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts and only in the case of cobalt catalyst was the conversion of N₂O decreased by 13%. By choosing varied sintering conditions, La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3– of different BET surface areas were prepared and the light-off temperature was found to decrease with increase in surface area. The results obtained over solid solutions are discussed on the basis of the cation mixed valency and oxygen properties of the catalyst.     

Weak Gel Behaviour of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Borax Aqueous Solutions

Thermal transition of PVA-borax aqueous gels with a PVA concentration of 60 g/L and a borax concentration of 0.28 M was investigated at temperatures ranging from 15 to 60C using static light scattering (SLS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and dynamic viscoelasticity measurements. Three relaxation modes, i.e. two fast and one slow relaxation modes, were observed from DLS measurements. Two fast relaxation modes located around 10^–310¹ sec, with one fast mode (_f1) being scattering vector q-dependent and the other fast mode (_f2, with _f2>_f1) being q-independent. The _f1 mode was attributed to the gel mode whilst the _f2 mode could be due to the hydrodynamics of intra-molecular hydrophobic domains formed by uncharged segments of polymer backbones. The slow relaxation mode with relaxation time located around 10¹10³ sec in DLS data was due to the motion of aggregated clusters and was observed only at temperatures above 40C. The amplitude and relaxation time of slow mode decrease as temperature is increased from 40 to 60C. At temperatures below 40C, no slow relaxation mode was observed. The SLS measurements showed PVA-borax-water system had fractal dimensions D _f2.4 and D _f2.0 as temperature was below and above 40C, respectively. The simple tilting test indicated gel behaviour for the PVA-borax aqueous system at temperatures below 40C with a creep flow after a long time exposure in the gravity field. But the dynamic viscoelasticity measurements demonstrated a solution behaviour for PVA/borax/water at temperatures below 40C, the critical gel point behaviour for G() and G() was not observed in this system as those reported for chemical crosslinked gels. These results suggest that the PVA-borax aqueous system is a thermoreversible weak gel.     

Specific features of the phase transformations occurring during the sintering process of the beta-alumina based ceramics and their properties

Conclusions During the sintering process of beta-alumina obtained using the method of plasmochemical synthesis, the structural transformation occurs and it is accompanied by the separation of the excess Na₂O and the formation of an intergranular meltlike phase that is saturated with sodium and is characterized by high dielectric properties.The quantity of the meltlike phase and the magnitude of the /( + ) ratio determine the degree of stabilization (stability) and the final resistivity of the material and depend on the initial chemical composition and the heating rate maintained during the sintering process.It was shown that when the duration of residence of the material in the hot zone of the furnace is increased or when the specimens sintered maintaining high heating rates are subjected to additional heat treatment, one observes the occurrance of the reverse structural transformation that is characterized by an increase of the phase ratio /( + ) 1, a reduction in the quantity of the meltlike phase right up to its complete disappearance, and a decrease of the electrical resistivity of the material.In the materials having a large excess quantity of sodium oxide, the process of crystallization of the intergranular NaAlO₂ phase occurs simultaneously with the second phase transformation.The best ceramic and electrophysical parameters were obtained when sintering the material contained 7.9% Na₂O.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 3, pp. 13–18, March, 1990.     

Relationship between preferential adsorption coefficient and intrinsic viscosity in ternary systems

Summary The relation proposed between the preferential adsorption coefficient, , and the intrinsic viscosity, ¦¦ ¦¦=¦¦+AK has been applied in this paper to previously published data. This equation is found to be valid in theta condi tions and far away from them. The obtained results are compared to the ones calculated with the Dondos-Benoit equation.     

Phenol alkylation with methanol: effect of sodium content and ammonia selective poisoning of an HY zeolite

Sodium exchange and ammonia selective poisoning of the acid sites of an HY zeolite (Si/Al=20) were carried out and their effects on the catalytic properties for the alkylation of phenol with methanol (200C, 1 atm and N₂/reactants molar ratio of 4) were evaluated. Results show that the reaction is highly sensitive to the number and strength of the acid sites of the catalyst. A decrease in the number of acid sites by sodium exchange of the protons or by ammonia selective poisoning produces important changes in the selectivity of the reaction. In fact, a high increase in the anisole/cresol ratio is observed as the percentage of exchanged sodium in the zeolite increases, while the ammonia selective poisoning shows that at low desorption temperatures (250C) only anisole is formed while at higher desorption temperatures both anisole and cresols were observed. These results show that anisole formation requires sites with lower acid strength compared to those necessary for cresol formation.     

Abrasion resistance of refractory concretes

Conclusions With the use of abrasion resistant aggregate (corundum or corundum-mullite compositions) the highest abrasion resistance, approximating to that of fired dense chamotte articles) during heating to 1100C is possessed by concretes having a phosphate bond and containing water glass.Concretes based on high-alumina and aluminous cements around the critical temperatures have a low abrasion resistance, but at temperatures above 1100C as a result of the formation of a ceramic bond their abrasion resistance increases.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 4, pp. 41–47, April, 1967.