Electrooxidation of acetaldehyde on platinum-modified Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 electrodes

In this study, the electrochemical oxidation of acetaldehyde was investigated at activated massive DSA^® electrodes in acid medium, using differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The electrodes were prepared either by platinum electrodeposition or by depositing a highly nanodispersive-supported catalyst (Pt and Pt-Ni) over electrode surfaces with a Ti/Ru_0.3Ti_0.7O₂ nominal composition. Bulk electrolysis shows evidence of CO₂ and acetic acid formation. The electrocatalytic efficiency of the electrode material was also investigated as a function of the amount of catalyst added over the DSA^® electrode surface. The presence of RuO₂-active sites on the DSA^® substrate plays an important role in the reaction overall efficiency. The addition of platinum to DSA^® enhances the oxidation of acetaldehyde to CO₂. The role of the substrate on the direct activation of acetaldehyde oxidation is discussed on the basis of the direct application of the metal nanoparticle catalyst over conductive oxide surface based on Magneli phase (mixture of Ti_nO_2n−1 and other phases) from Ebonex^®.     

Electrooxidation and inhibition of the antibacterial activity of oxytetracycline hydrochloride using a RuO<Subscript>2</Subscript> electrode

This work reports on the electrochemical oxidation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTCH) [(4S,4aS,5aS,6S,12aS)-4-dimethylamino-1,4,4a,5, 5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,6,10,12,12a-hexahydroxy-6-methyl-1,11-dioxonaphthacene-2-carboxamide] on a RuO₂ electrode (DSA^®) by cyclic voltammetry and electrolysis. The electrocatalytic efficiency of the electrode material was investigated as a function of different aqueous buffer solutions with pH values of 2.10 and 5.45 as supporting electrolytes. Spectrophotometric studies have shown that OTCH is stable in such solutions. The electrochemical degradation of OTCH is pseudo-first order at both pH values investigated with rate constants, k, of 9.9 × 10^?5 s^?1 (pH 2.10) and 1.9 × 10^?4 s^?1 (pH 5.45) at 21 ± 1 °C. Microbiological studies with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 have shown that OTCH lost antibacterial activity after 120 min of electrolysis at 50 mA cm^?2.     

Magnetic CuFe2O4 Prepared by Polymeric Precursor Method as a Reusable Heterogeneous Fenton-like Catalyst for the Efficient Removal of Methylene Blue

The heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts based on CuFe₂O₄ were prepared by polymeric precursor method at several annealing temperatures. The obtained catalysts were respectively characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, point of zero charge measurement, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The Fenton-like catalytic activity was evaluated via the oxidation of methylene blue with H₂O₂. The results show that the CuFe₂O₄ phase content and the particle size increase with the annealing temperatures whereas the surface OH groups and the surface acidity decrease. The prepared powders possess typical ferromagnetic properties which allow them to be easily recovered and reused. These catalysts also present highly catalytic activities for the oxidation of methylene blue, which is principally attributed to the catalysis of the CuFe₂O₄ phase. When the annealing temperature increased, the catalytic performance was reduced, corresponding to the increase of particle size and the decrease of surface OH groups.     

(Sn_(1-x),Ni_(2x))O_2纳米颗粒膜的制备及半导体性能

为提高SnO2的半导体性能,以分析纯SnCl2.2H2O和NiCl2.6H2O为主要原料,控制不同n(Ni2+)/n(Sn2+),利用溶胶凝胶-浸渍提拉法制备了(Sn1-x,Ni2x)O2纳米颗粒膜及半导体元件。用XRD、AFM对样品的结构、形貌进行了分析,并测试了(Sn1-x,Ni2x)O2元件的半导体性能。结果表明,(Sn1-x,Ni2x)O2纳米颗粒膜表面椭球形颗粒排列致密,尺寸约30 nm,(Sn1-x,Ni2x)O2为金红石型结构,但Ni2+代替了SnO2晶格中的部分Sn4+,使其晶胞参数a轴长平均减小0.000 4 nm,c轴长平均减小0.000 3 nm;随n(Ni2+)/n(Sn2+)由0.006增大到0.03,(Sn1-x,Ni2x)O2的晶粒尺寸由约45 nm减小至约18 nm;随温度由30℃上升至150℃,n型(Sn1-x,Ni2x)O2半导体元件的电阻约减小至其10%,而纯净SnO2元件的电阻仅约减小至其15%;随n(Ni2+)/n(Sn2+)的增大,离子化杂质散射增强,(Sn1-x,Ni2x)O2内部载流子迁移率下降,元件在150℃左右的电阻也由4.8 kΩ增大至12.1 MΩ,提高了元件的半导体性能。     

Effect of composition on the surface and electrocatalytic properties of Ti/IrO x +RhO x electrodes: H2 evolution from acidic solution

IrO _x +RhO _x mixed oxide layers on a Ti support were prepared by thermal decomposition at 450 °C over the whole composition range. The temperature range 450–600 °C was explored for the composition 30 mol% RhO _x . Samples were characterized by means of SEM, XPS, cyclic voltammetry and polarization curves. Their electrocatalytic properties were tested for the H₂ evolution reaction. The following experimental parameters were scrutinized: voltammetric charge, Tafel slope, reaction order (H⁺), electrical resistance of electrocatalysts. The electrocatalytic properties were evaluated at constant potential as a function of temperature as well as of composition. The electrode stability was assessed by comparing CV curves before and after groups of experiments. A reaction mechanism has been proposed. RhO _x is more active than IrO _x , its effect showing up for compositions >30 mol%. In honour of Professor G. Kreysa on the occasion of his 60th birthday. On leave from Institute for Nuclear Research, Pitesti, Romania.     

Phase characteristics,microstructure, and electrical properties of (1-x)BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3-(x)(Ba0.7Ca0.3)0.985La0.01TiO3 ceramics

In this study, (1-x)BaZr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃-(x)(Ba_0.7Ca_0.3)_0.985La_0.01TiO₃ ((1-x)BZT-(x)BCLT) ceramics, where x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6, were prepared employing a conventional solid-state sintering technique. X-ray diffraction patterns and dielectric measurements indicated three phase regions at room temperature, including a single rhombohedral (x = 0.3), a phase coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal (x = 0.4), and a single tetragonal structure (x ≥ 0.5). X-ray photoemission spectra at the surface of ceramics confirmed the oxidation state of Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ti⁴⁺, and Zr⁴⁺ ions. Upon BCLT addition, the reduction of the average grain size and the presence of the tetragonal structure significantly affected the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of these ceramics. With these results, the composition x = 0.3 showed maximum ε_r′ and ε_m′, whereas the composition x = 0.5 showed maximum P_r, E_c, d₃₃, k_p, and d¹₃₃ factors. These results suggest a new phase diagram for the (1-x)BZT-(x)BCLT system, which could be tuneable by BCLT concentration and might be useful as an alternative material in dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric devices.     

Catalytic activity of (CaO)1−x(ZnO)x solids for the N2O decomposition: relation with photoluminescence

(CaO)_1–x (ZnO) _x mixed oxides (x=0–1), heated at 1423 K under atmospheric conditions, were checked for their catalytic activity in the N₂O decomposition in the temperature range of 450–650°C. Although the catalytic activity was measured in the dark, it was found to be linearly related with the photoluminescence intensity of the catalysts.     

Complexes in the Photocatalytic Reaction of CO(2) and H(2)O: Theoretical Studies

Complexes (H(2)O/CO(2), e-(H(2)O/CO(2)) and h(+)-(H(2)O/CO(2))) in the reaction system of CO(2) photoreduction with H(2)O were researched by B3LYP and MP2 methods along with natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Geometries of these complexes were optimized and frequencies analysis performed. H(2)O/CO(2) captured photo-induced electron and hole produced e-(H(2)O/CO(2)) and h(+)-(H(2)O/CO(2)), respectively. The results revealed that CO(2) and H(2)O molecules could be activated by the photo-induced electrons and holes, and each of these complexes possessed two isomers. Due to the effect of photo-induced electrons, the bond length of C=O and H-O were lengthened, while H-O bonds were shortened, influenced by holes. The infrared (IR) adsorption frequencies of these complexes were different from that of CO(2) and H(2)O, which might be attributed to the synergistic effect and which could not be captured experimentally.     

溶剂热法合成片状SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+长余辉荧光粉的研究

利用溶剂热法制备了由片组装的花状前驱体,1300℃烧结2h后获得了SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+片状荧光材料.利用XRD和SEM技术表征了在不同比例的乙醇和水的混合溶液中反应制得的荧光材料的物相组成和形貌,用荧光分光光度计测定了荧光材料的发光性质.结果发现,当乙醇和水的比例为3∶1时,所制备的荧光材料具有较高的结晶性,较好的形貌和较强的发光强度.     

Preparation and Characterization of Porous SiO2-Al2O3-ZrO2 Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process

An experimental strategy was developed to obtain Si—Al—Zr transparent sols via the sol-gel process. The sol was prepared from Al(OBu^s)₃ (OBu^s: C₂H₅CH(CH₃)O), Zr(OPrⁿ)₄ (OPrⁿ: OCH₂CH₂CH₃) and Si(OEt)₄. The chelating agents acetylacetone (2, 4 pentanedione, acacH), and itaconic anhydride (2-methylenesuccinic anhydride, anhH) were employed separately to stabilize Al and Zr precursors in order to control their chemical reactivity, avoiding precipitation. In all cases a prehydrolyzed tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) sol was the Si source. We use the Partial Charge Model as a theoretical indication of the stabilization of the Al and Zr species derived from the reaction with anhH and acacH. The sols were polymerized at room temperature (293 K) to obtain gels and these were dried and calcined at 673, 773 and 873 K in air. The characterization techniques were Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermal Gravimetric (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analyses (DTA). The porosity and surface area of solids calcined at 673, 773 and 873 K were determined by N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms. The corresponding average pore diameter was evaluated using the methods BJH, HK and DA. These models were used because all together cover the full range of the pore size.     

Estimation of the effectiveness factor of an outer-sphere redox couple (Fe3+/Fe2+) using rotating disk Ti/IrO2 electrodes of different loading

The effectiveness factor; E _f , defined as the fraction of the surface that participates effectively in a given reaction, is an important parameter when operating three-dimensional (3D) electrodes. The rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique with the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox couple as a probe reaction has been used for the evaluation of the effectiveness factor of 3D Ti/IrO₂ electrodes with different IrO₂ loading. For this purpose, steady-state polarization measurements using Ti/IrO₂ rotating disk electrodes in 0.5 M Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ in 1 M HCl were carried out under well-defined hydrodynamic conditions. The low-field approximation relation has been used for the estimation of the exchange current densities j ₀, of the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox couple. It was found for this redox couple that the effectiveness factor is very low (<2%) and essentially the 2D electrode surface area works effectively in the steady-state polarization measurements.     

Magnetoelectric,magnetodielectric effect and dielectric,magnetic properties of microwave-sintered lead-free x(Co0.9Ni0.1Fe2O4)-(1-x)[0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3)-0.5(BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3)] particulate multiferroic composite

Materials with two distinct (magnetostrictive-ferroelectric) phases, i.e., x (Co_0·9Ni_0·1Fe₂O₄) -(1-x) [0.5 (Ba_0·7Ca_0·3TiO₃) −0.5 (BaZr_0·2Ti_0·8O₃)], combined at ratios of 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, and 40:60 were prepared using a hydroxide coprecipitation method. These multiferroic composites were subjected to sintering via the hybrid microwave sintering technique at 1200 °C for 20 min. Ni-substituted CFO exhibited excellent magnetic properties at room temperature, with Ms ≈ 80 emu/g, μB ≈ 3.37, Mr ≈ 19.05 emu/g, and Hc ≈ 599 Oe, as well as a high value of the magnetostriction coefficient (λ12 ≈ −118 ppm). The magnetostrictive-ferroelectric crystal phases in each composite were confirmed via X-ray diffraction analysis. The highest value of the linear magneto-electric coefficient was α = 21.6 mV/cm-Oe at a frequency of 1 kHz for the 40CNFO-60(BCT-BZT) composite, and a similar sample had the highest value of the magnetodielectric coefficient, which was approximately 3.3% at f = 1 kHz with an applied magnetic field of 1 T. The typical ferromagnetic and ferroelectric nature of each composite was confirmed by M − H and P–E hysteresis loops, respectively at room temperature. Two anomalies were observed in the temperature-dependent dielectric permittivity one at ~140 °C and another above 500 °C confirming the coexistence of two materials with distinct transition points, i.e., BCT-BZT and CNFO, respectively.     

Electrochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol and its by-products using Ti/Ru<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>M<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M = Ti or Sn) anodes: preparation route versus degradation efficiency

The electrochemical degradation of 4-chlorophenol and its main by-products was investigated in acid medium using binary oxides electrodes of nominal composition Ti/Ru_0.3Ti_0.7O₂ and Ti/Ru_0.3Sn_0.7O₂ prepared by thermal decomposition through two different routes: inorganic precursors dissolved in isopropanol and polymeric precursors (PPM). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of both the composition and preparation methodology of these electrodes in the electrooxidation of the organic pollutants 4-chlorophenol and its by-products. Electrolyses were carried out using a filter press-type flow cell and monitored by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), total organic carbon (TOC), and chloride analyses. Besides CO₂, the by-products formed in the reactions were 1,4-benzoquinone, 4-chlorocatechol, and hydroquinone, as well as oxalic, maleic, malic, malonic, and succinic acids. The electrocatalytic efficiency with respect to the degradation of by-products was evaluated through the electrooxidation of 1,4-benzoquinone and oxalic acid (OA). The anodes investigated in this work are very promising for the degradation of pollutants because of their excellent efficiency concerning the consumption of 4-chlorophenol and its by-products, although the mineralization of the starting material is not complete. The cleavage of the aromatic ring occurs preferentially in the case of electrodes prepared by decomposition of inorganic precursors due to their larger electrochemically active area and electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, OA oxidation is favored on Ti/Ru_0.3Sn_0.7O₂ prepared through decomposition of PPM.     

二氧化钛/微球光催化剂的溶胶-凝胶法制备与性能研究

以溶胶 凝胶法在自制硅酸盐微球载体上制备纳米二氧化钛 ,采用XRD ,SEM ,Raman等测试手段对样品进行表征 ,并以甲基橙作为目标物研究其光催化性能。实验发现 ,负载在微球表面的二氧化钛粒径为 2 0～ 30nm ,且分布均匀 ,晶型为锐钛矿相 ,该样品对甲基橙具有较高的光催化降解能力。     

水热合成水化硅酸钙(C-S-H)的制备与表征

本论文以高纯氧化钙与白炭黑为原料,通过水热法合成了水化硅酸钙(C-S-H).采用XRD、SEM对分别选取温度为100℃、120℃、150℃、180℃水热反应6h的水化硅酸钙样品,与150℃分别反应2h、6h、10 h的样品做了物相变化与显微结构的分析,结果表明在低于120℃时产物为结晶度较低的凝胶,随着温度的升高,水化硅酸钙凝胶的结晶度逐渐提高,在150℃和180℃时,生成结晶度较高的托勃莫来石和硬硅钙石;反应时间从6h延长到10h只提高了晶体的结晶度,而没有改变晶体结构.这一结果对改善蒸压制品的蒸压制度具有重要的指导意义.     

Poisoning of the adsorption of CO, O2 and D2 on Pt(111) by preadsorbed H2O

We have measured the influence of adsorbed H₂O on the sticking coefficients and saturation coverages of CO, O₂ and D₂ on Pt(111) at ∼100 K. Strong poisoning is observed for all three gases. For O₂ and D₂, the surface is essentially totally poisoned at 1 monolayer (ML) water coverage. For CO, the effect is weaker, with some CO adsorption still occurring at 2–3 ML H₂O. The influence of these results on the kinetics of the CO and H₂ oxidation reactions are discussed briefly. It is concluded that the influence of water must be included in kinetics simulations, at least at low temperatures, when significant humidity levels are present in inlet gas mixtures, or produced by the reactions themselves. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photocatalytic degradation of toluene over doped and coupled (Ti,M)O2 (M = Sn or Zr) nanocrystalline oxides: Influence of the heteroatom distribution on deactivation

In this work, we have studied the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of toluene over Sn- and Zr-doped TiO₂, and coupled TiO₂/SnO₂ and TiO₂/ZrO₂ catalysts. The TiO₂ sample doped with Sn (8% of metal ions) is composed by the anatase and rutile phases of TiO₂, while the Zr-doped sample (same dopant content) contains only the anatase phase. The coupled photocatalysts are formed, in addition to the phases present in their doped counterparts, by a segregated MO₂ phase (M: Sn or Zr). For the photocatalytic degradation of toluene, higher rates in the stationary state are obtained with the coupled catalysts with respect to the doped ones and the TiO₂ references (both synthetic and Degussa P25). In the case of the coupled photocatalysts, these higher rates are due to the absence of the deactivation that does occur for the rest of samples. Fresh and used photocatalysts have been studied by FTIR and EPR spectroscopies and by solid/liquid extraction in methanol, followed by GC/MS analysis. The obtained results lead us to conclude that, while structural and electronic modifications, due to the guest cations, are responsible for the high activity of doped samples observed in previous studies for a reaction not causing catalyst deactivation (methylcyclohexane PCO), other factors are crucial for the PCO of toluene. For this reaction, there is a relationship between surface water, adsorbed intermediates and resistance to deactivation, and thus the modifications in the amount and arrangement of surface water molecules caused by the second oxide may be the cause of the high degradation rate obtained with the coupled TiO₂/SnO₂ and TiO₂/ZrO₂ photocatalysts.     

NO Reduction with CO in the Presence of O2 over Cu/Al2O3 (3) – Structural Analysis of Active Species by Means of XAFS and UV/VIS/NIR Spectroscopy

The local structure around Cu supported on Al₂O₃ was determined by UV/VIS/NIR and XAFS spectroscopic techniques. The relationship between catalytic performance for NO–CO–O₂ reaction and the state of supported Cu species is discussed. A new method for estimating the fraction of aggregated to isolated Cu species is proposed.     

Study on the performance of Cd2+ sorption using dimethylethylenediamine-modified zinc-based MOF (ZIF-8-mmen): optimization of the process by RSM technique

ABSTRACT

Cadmium as a highly toxic metal is released into the environment through paper production, metal processing, phosphate fertilizers, insecticides, and treatment of wastewater. Cadmium also inhibits the body activities and is very toxic for kidney and other organisms. In the current study, zinc-based metal–organic framework, zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8, was synthesized and modified by dimethylethylenediamine (ZIF-8-mmen) for the removal of cadmium. To optimize the experiments, response surface methodology was applied with three variables including pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time using central composite design. The optimum conditions for pH, dosage, and time were 2, 0.1 g, and 89 min, respectively, with removal efficiency of 85.38%. The Langmuir isotherm (q _m = 1000 mg/g) indicates the monolayer adsorption. The kinetic studies reveal that the Lagergren model was predominant and cadmium was not chemisorbed. Thermodynamic parameters show spontaneous, endothermic, and physisorption processes.     

Preparation and Characterization of Pt/Al-ZSM-5 Catalysts and their Reactivities for the Oxidation of CO with N2O at Low Temperatures

Al-ZSM-5 was prepared by treating H-ZSM-5 with an aqueous solution of Al(NO₃)₃ and used as a support for Pt catalysts. The Pt-loaded Al-ZSM-5 acts as an efficient catalyst for CO oxidation with N₂O at 273 K. TEM investigations revealed that Pt clusters with an average particle size of around 1–1.5 nm were homogeneously dispersed within Al-ZSM-5. Moreover, FT-IR and XPS analyses indicated that the small Al₂O₃ clusters formed within Al-ZSM-5 plays a significant role in the formation of highly dispersed Pt clusters within the pore structure of the ZSM-5 zeolite, leading to the high catalytic activity of Pt/Al-ZSM-5 as compared to Pt/ZSM-5.