Luminescence modulation of the Eu3+ doped Srn+1SnnO3n+1 (n=1, 2, 5, ∞) ceramics based on photochromism and its application in anti-counterfeiting technology

The structure and optical properties of Sr_n+1Sn_nO_3n+1 ceramics greatly depend on the n value. Thus, we fabricated four compositions, namely Sr_n+1Sn_nO_3n+1:Eu³⁺ (n = 1, 2, 5, ∞) ceramics, and their crystal structure, photoluminescence, photochromism and luminesce modulation properties have been investigated. It is found that excellent photochromism and luminesce modulation properties are found in Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ and Sr₃Sn₂O₇:Eu³⁺ ceramics. After 280-nm light irradiation, the Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ ceramics transform into gray purple from primal white. Meanwhile, luminescence intensity decrement ratio ΔI_dec of the colored Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ reaches a high value of 80.8% under optimized irradiation wavelength. The decreased luminescence intensity of Eu³⁺ can be completely recovered via 450-nm light irradiation. The ΔI_dec of Sr₃Sn₂O₇:Eu³⁺ ceramic reaches 53.1%, and the decreased luminesce intensity can not be covered by light irradiation, only can be covered by a high temperature stimulus at 400 °C. Finally, we successfully fabricated a flexible membrane using Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ and PDMS for anti-counterfeiting applications.     

Study of phenol removal using fluidized-bed Fenton process

In this paper, the removal of phenol from simulated wastewater was studied using gas–liquid fluidized bed with the Fenton reagent. The factors that affect the removal rate of phenol were investigated, including the initial concentrations of hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂] and [Fe²⁺], the molar ratio of [Fe²⁺]/[H₂O₂], pH value, temperatures, reaction time, and the ventilation volume. It was found that the optimal operating conditions existed as: [H₂O₂] = 12 mmol/L, [H₂O₂]/[Fe²⁺] = 4:1, pH = 4, T = 60 °C, reaction time of 30 min, and a ventilation volume of 0.12 m³/h. Under these conditions, the phenol removal rate of about 96% was obtained.     

Improved Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic Compounds With ZnAl Mixed Oxides Obtained from LDH Materials

ZnAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with different M_II/M_III molar ratio (0.89–3.81) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method and calcinated at 723 K. High specific surface areas (228–155 m²/g) and semiconductor properties (band gap values from 3.32 to 3.07 eV) were obtained. The mixed oxides were reconstructed to the crystalline LDHs (memory effect) after being put in contact with aqueous solutions containing phenol and p-cresol. Using UV light, a maximum in photoactivity as a function of the Zn²⁺/Al³⁺ molar ratio was observed. The sample with a Zn²⁺/Al³⁺molar ratio of 1.48 photodegrades up to 95% of phenol and p-cresol after 4 and 6 h of irradiation, respectively. These values are lower than that obtained with ZnO and commercial P-25 TiO₂ photocatalysts. The results show the applicability of alternative photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutant compounds rather than others such as TiO₂.     

Cu-K/Al2O3 based catalysts for conversion of carbon dioxide to methane and carbon monoxide

Abstract

A series of Cu-K/Al₂O₃ catalysts were synthesized by wet impregnation technique. The reduced catalysts were further used for conversion of carbon dioxide to methane and carbon monoxide. Moreover, the fresh and used catalysts were characterized to investigate the changes in the surface morphology, metal dispersion, surface area, crystalline phases, and functional groups of studied catalysts. The SEM analysis of fresh and spent catalysts showed no remarkable difference in surface morphology with irregular shaped agglomerated particles. Furthermore, TEM micrographs presented the well distribution of metal catalyst over alumina support. The decrease in surface area from 115 to 77?m²/g for Cu_1.62-K_0.5/Al₂O₃ after reaction was related to sintering and oxidation of catalyst during reaction. XRD revealed the disappearance of some minor peaks which can be associated with the sintering of spent catalyst. FTIR also presented some new peak for spent catalyst which can be linked with metal oxides. Moreover, various reaction conditions of temperature (230, 400, and 600?°C), pressure (1 and 7?bar), and feed molar ratio of H₂/CO₂ (2:1 and 4:1) were investigated using different Cu loading (0, 1, 1.25, 1.62, and 4 weight percent). A maximum CO₂ conversion of 63% with 39% CH₄ selectivity was achieved by using Cu_1.62-K_0.5/Al₂O₃ at 600?°C, molar ratio of H₂/CO₂ 4 under 7?bar. The presence of K on the surface of synthesized catalyst increased the CO₂ conversion from 48% (Cu₁/Al₂O₃) to 55% (Cu₁-K_0.5/Al₂O₃) at above mentioned reaction conditions which suggested the promoter effect of K during conversion of carbon dioxide.     

Towards the investigation of ternary compound in the Ti-Al-Zr-O system: Effect of oxygen fugacity on phase formation

The Ti-Al-Zr-O system has received significant attention as it hosts a variety of phases of industrial interest. In this paper, new experiments on the Ti-Al-Zr-O system aimed at clarifying phase formation depending on the redox conditions with special attention to the formation of ternary compounds and their results have been reported. For the first time a monophase AlTi₂O₅ sample with a ratio of titanium oxides TiO₂:Ti₂O₃ = 2:1 was obtained and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of β-(Zr_xTi_1-x)₂O₄ crystals was carried out. The synthesis of the ternary Ti-Al-Zr compound was performed in an evacuated quartz ampoule and accompanied by the extraction of silicon from the ampoule. The compound has pyrochlore-type cubic structure A₂⁴⁺B₂³⁺O₇ (Fd-3m) and the composition close to (Ti⁴⁺_1,47(2)Zr_0.41(2)Si_0.12(1))₂(Al_1.15(4)Ti³⁺_0.85(4))₂O₇. We believe that our study is a starting point for future research as it provides first experimental data on the ternary compound in the Ti-Al-Zr-O system.     

In Situ Delamination of Ferrierite Zeolite and its Performance in the Catalytic Cracking of C4 Hydrocarbons

Ferrierite (FER) zeolites were synthesized by solid transformation at different alkalinities (OH⁻/Al₂O₃ molar ratios). The in situ delamination of FER zeolites were achieved and their catalytic performances in the catalytic cracking of C₄ hydrocarbons were examined. The relationships among the OH⁻/Al₂O₃ molar ratio, FER structure, composition, surface acidity and catalytic performance in C₄ hydrocarbon cracking were investigated. The results of X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption, NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption and catalytic cracking showed that with increasing OH⁻/Al₂O₃ molar ratio in the synthesis gel, the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio of the as-synthesized FER zeolite decreased, the amount of acid sites in the corresponding H-FER increased, and the acid strength weakened. Additionally, the FER zeolite was delaminated at the mesoscale. H-FER5 synthesized at the highest alkalinity had the largest number of acid sites and exhibited the highest catalytic activity in C₄ hydrocarbon catalytic cracking among three of the prepared catalysts. H-FER3 synthesized at the second-highest alkalinity showed that the highest yield of benzene and toluene because of the secondary pores resulted from the gaps between the layers, which were beneficial to the diffusion and formation of large molecules.     

Sn-ZSM-12, a new,large pore MTW type tin-silicate molecular sieve: synthesis,characterization and catalytic properties in oxidation reactions

A new large pore tin-silicate analogue of zeolite ZSM-12 (MTW topology) with Si/Sn molar ratio >70 has been synthesized hydrothermally using a new template, hexamethylene bis(benzyl dimethyl ammonium hydroxide). This material exhibits an expansion in unit cell volume (XRD), an IR band at 970 cm^–1 and a charge transfer band at 205 nm in the UV-Vis region indicating the presence of Si-O-Sn units with Sn⁴⁺ centers in T_d configuration. Sn-ZSM-12 catalyzes the oxidation of phenol,m-cresol andm-xylene using dilute H₂O₂ as an oxidizing agent.     

Spinel precipitation in Sn4+-doped Co1−xO polycrystals with dispersed Co2+xSn1−xO4 particles

Co_1?xO–SnO₂ powders in molar ratio of 92:8 were reactively sintered at 1400 °C to form Co_1?xO–Co_2+xSn_1?xO₄ composite and then cooled in furnace or air quenched for secondary Co_2+xSn_1?xO₄ spinel precipitation from the Sn⁴⁺ doped Co_1?xO grains. Electron microscope observations indicated the secondary spinel to precipitate at grain boundaries when slowly cooled, but as parallel-epitaxial platelets within the Sn⁴⁺ doped Co_1?xO grains with a precipitate free zone near the grain boundary when air quenched. A process of thermal-mismatch induced {1 1 0} cleaving, taking advantage of cobalt vacancies, and spontaneous healing by oxidation precipitation accounts for the platy spinel precipitation within the grains. The precipitate free zone can be attributed to cobalt vacancy depletion, i.e. site saturation, near the grain boundary during rapid cooling in air. The spinel nanocrystals nucleated from cobalt vacancies in association with Sn⁴⁺ dopant have well-developed {1 1 1} habit plane in order to minimize the coherency strain energy.     

Crystallization characteristics of CaO–Al2O3–SiO2–Li2O–B2O3 mold flux with different values of w(CaO)/w(Al2O3)

The effect of C/A ratio (abbreviation of w(CaO)/w(Al₂O₃)) on the crystallization characteristics was investigated. With an increase in C/A ratio from 1.1 to 1.8, the crystallization ability first decreased and then increased; the crystallization ability is weakest and strongest with C/A ratios of 1.5 and 1.8, respectively. Increasing C/A ratio, the crystalline phase changed from LiAlO₂ and CaO·Al₂O₃ to LiAlO₂ and 3CaO·Al₂O₃. The Li⁺ ions in the slag took precedence over Ca²⁺ ions to participate in charge compensation because the mold flux contains Al3+ which is more advantageous for a monovalent cation, and LiAlO₂ formed preferentially over CaO·Al₂O₃. With a further increase in C/A ratio, 3CaO·Al₂O₃ formed from the combination of Ca²⁺ ions and Q_Al² units, and the precipitated amount of 3CaO·Al₂O₃ increased.     

Structural evolution of hierarchical porous NiO/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites and their application for removal of dyes by adsorption

Hierarchical porous NiO/Al₂O₃ composites were successfully prepared by two-steps. First, the core-shell structured Al₂O₃ microspheres were prepared via a template-free hydrothermal route using KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O and Al₂(SO₄)₃·18H₂O as aluminum source. Then, the NiO/Al₂O₃ composites with micro- and nano-hierarchical structures were prepared by a hydrothermal method combining the subsequent calcination process. The obtained characterization result presented that the morphology of hierarchical Al₂O₃ microsphere tuned to irregular platelets by simply varying Ni/Al ratios. The BET analysis showed that the special surface area from 52.12m² g^?1 to 214.8m² g^?1 after two hydrothermal complex process. Effects of Ni/Al ratio, adsorbent dosage, Congo red (CR) concentration, coexisting ions, adsorption time and temperature were investigated. The obtained results indicated that NiO/Al₂O₃ composite had the high adsorption efficiency (99.6%) and great adsorption capacity (186.9mg g^?1) under the optimum conditions. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics data were found to be well fitted and in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second order model, respectively. The hierarchical porous NiO/Al₂O₃ composites presented remarkably higher adsorption efficiency during five recycling, which showed their potential as the highly efficient adsorbent for removal of CR in wastewater.     

Optimized phase compositions and microwave dielectric properties of low loss Ca2Sn2Al2O9-based ceramics by M4+ substitution

The traditional solid-state reaction method was used to prepare Ca₂Sn_2−xM_xAl₂O₉ (M = Ti, Zr, and Hf) ceramics. Then, the impact of an M⁴⁺ substitution of Sn⁴⁺ on the phase transition, crystal structural parameter, and microwave dielectric properties of Ca₂Sn_2−xM_xAl₂O₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) ceramics were investigated. Ti⁴⁺ could not replace the Sn⁴⁺ of Ca₂Sn₂Al₂O₉ due to its small ionic radius, and the Al-based second phases of Ca₂Sn_2−xTi_xAl₂O₉ ceramics were confirmed by the X-ray diffractometer and EDS map scanning results. With the Zr⁴⁺ and Hf⁴⁺ substitutions of Sn⁴⁺, the SnO₂ and CaSnO₃ second phases of Ca₂Sn₂Al₂O₉ ceramic were inhibited, and the Ca₂Sn_2−xM_xAl₂O₉ (M = Zr and Hf) (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) single-phase ceramics with orthorhombic structure (Pbcn space group) were obtained. New MO₂ (M = Zr and Hf) and CaAl₂O₄ second phases appeared in the Ca₂Sn_2−xM_xAl₂O₉ (M = Zr and Hf) (0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) ceramics, and their contents increased gradually with the increase in x. The Ca₂Sn_2−xM_xAl₂O₉ (M = Zr and Hf) (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) ceramics exhibited high Q × f because of their pure phase compositions, and the Q × f of Ca₂Sn₂Al₂O₉ ceramic was improved to 77 800 GHz (12.6 GHz) in the Ca₂Sn_1.9Zr_0.1Al₂O₉ ceramic. The Q × f values of Ca₂Sn_2−xM_xAl₂O₉ single-phase ceramics were mainly controlled by r_c (Sn/M–O) and r_c (Al–O). The τ_f values of single-phase Ca₂Sn_2−xM_xAl₂O₉ ceramics were related to octahedral distortions. The Zr⁴⁺ and Hf⁴⁺ substitution of Sn⁴⁺ optimized the phase compositions and microwave dielectric properties of the Ca₂Sn_2−xM_xAl₂O₉ ceramics, and the Ca₂Sn_1.9Zr_0.1Al₂O₉ ceramic sintered at optimal temperature exhibited excellent microwave dielectric properties (ε_r = 8.67, Q × f = 77 800 GHz at 12.6 GHz and τ_f = −69.8 ppm/°C).     

Crystallographic studies of fully dehydrated partially Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-exchanged zeolite Y (FAU,Si/Al = 1.56) depending on Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> concentration of aqueous solution during exchange

Four single crystals of fully dehydrated and partially Zn²⁺-exchanged zeolites Y (Si/Al?=?1.56) were prepared by the static ion-exchange method using a mixed ion-exchange solution in which Zn(NO₃)₂:NaCl mole ratios were 1:1 (crystal 1), 1:25 (crystal 2), 1:50 (crystal 3), and 1:100 (crystal 4), respectively, with a total concentration of 0.05 M, and followed by vacuum dehydration at 673 K. Their single-crystal structures were determined by single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction techniques in the cubic space group Fd\(\bar {3}\)m and refined to the final error indices R₁/wR₂?=?0.0459/0.1454, 0.0449/0.1283, 0.0427/0.1284, and 0.0486/0.1680, respectively. Their unit-cell formulas are |Zn₂₅Na₂₅|[Si₁₁₇Al₇₅O₃₈₄]-FAU (crystal 1), |Zn_19.5Na₃₆|[Si₁₁₇Al₇₅O₃₈₄]-FAU (crystal 2), |Zn_19.5Na₃₆|[Si₁₁₇Al₇₅O₃₈₄]-FAU (crystal 3), and |Zn₇Na₆₁|[Si₁₁₇Al₇₅O₃₈₄]-FAU (crystal 4), respectively. The degree of Zn²⁺ exchange decreases from 67 to 19% as the initial concentration of Zn²⁺ decrease and the initial concentration of Na⁺ increases in given ion-exchange solutions.     

Interfacial tension between aluminum and cryolite melts during electrolysis of the systems Na3AlF6–AlF3 (NaF)–Al2O3

The interfacial tension between aluminum and cryolite melts containing different salt additions has been measured by the capillary depression method. The technique is based on the measurement of the capillary depression occurring when the capillary, which is moved vertically down through the molten salt layer, passes through the salt/metal interface. The depression is measured by simultaneous video recording of the immersion height of the alumina capillary. The interfacial tension was found to be strongly dependent on the n(NaF)/n(AlF₃) ratio (cryolite ratio, CR). At the cryolite ratio 2.28 (80 wt.% Na₃AlF₆ + 10 wt.% AlF₃ + 10 wt.% Al₂O₃ // Al, t = 1000 °C) the interfacial tension was 546 mN m⁻¹, while it was 450 mN m⁻¹ at the cryolite ratio 4.43 (80 wt.% Na₃AlF₆ + 10 wt.% NaF + 10 wt.% Al₂O₃ // Al, t = 1000 °C). Experiments under current flow conditions were also performed. During the electrolysis the interfacial tension at n(NaF)/n(AlF₃) ratio 2.28 decreased from 546 mN m⁻¹ at zero current to 518 mN m⁻¹ at 0.112 A cm⁻². The same trend was observed in the system with a cryolite ratio 4.43. The interfacial tension decreased from 450 mN m⁻¹ at zero current to 400 mN m⁻¹ at 0.112 A cm⁻². The consequent increase in interfacial tension of these systems caused by interruption of electrolysis was observed. Electrolysis of the system 25 wt.% NaF + 75 wt.% NaCl (eutectic mixture)/Al indicated no influence of applied current on the interfacial tension at 850 °C.     

Memory characteristics of multi-stacked thin films using La2O3 and LaAlO3 as charge trap layer

Al₂O₃/La₂O₃/Al₂O₃ (ALA) and Al₂O₃/LaAlO₃/Al₂O₃ (A/LAO/A) multi-stacked films were deposited on Si substrates by MOCVD. No interfacial layers (Al_xSi_yO_z) were observed in TEM images, and the thickness ratio of the tunnel oxide (bottom oxide), trap layer (middle oxide), and blocking oxide (top oxide) was about (1:1.3:3) in both films. Memory windows of the (ALA) and (A/LAO/A) films were 1.31 V and 3.13 V, respectively. Each value in the program/erase cycle test was maintained for up to 10⁴ cycles.     

Aluminum oxide particles/silicon carbide whiskers’ synergistic effect on thermal conductivity of high-density polyethylene composites

Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) particles and silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers improved the thermal conductivity of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). To improve the dispersion of inorganic fillers in the matrix, 5 wt% of maleic anhydride-modified polyethylene was added into HDPE as a compatibilizer, and the hybrid matrix was denoted as mHDPE. The thermal conductivity, heat resistance, and tensile properties of resulting HDPE composites were characterized. The results showed that the thermal conductivity reached its maximum value of 0.8876 W/(m K) at 1/4 weight ratio of Al₂O₃/SiC, which was 110.3, 54.8, and 8.8% higher than that of pure HDPE, mHDPE/Al₂O₃, and mHDPE/SiC composites, in the order given, indicating that hybrid fillers have synergistic effect on the thermal conductivity of HDPE composites. Moreover, they also have a synergistic effect on the heat resistance and Young’s modulus. As the SiC content increases, the heat resistance of the composites increases at first and then falls, and the maximum VST is reached at an Al₂O₃/SiC weight ratio of 3/2, which is 5.4 °C higher than that of HDPE. The maximum Young’s modulus of the composites (1160 MPa) is obtained at an Al₂O₃/SiC weight ratio of 1/4, and the yield strength increases gradually as the SiC whiskers’ content increases.     

Improving the efficiency of dye-sensitized Zn2SnO4 solar cells: The role of Al ions

The dye-sensitized Zn₂SnO₄ solar cells were treated with Al³⁺ ions to enhance the power conversion efficiency for the first time. Usually, the surface treatment on photoanodes with Al³⁺ ions generated an overlayer of Al₂O₃. For Zn₂SnO₄ photoanode, another reaction pathway was found. The treatment with Al³⁺ ions led to decreasing open circuit voltage, and a 22.6% enhancement of efficiency. Mott–Schottky measurements revealed that the flat band of Zn₂SnO₄ had a positive shift owing to the introduction of Al³⁺ ions. XPS confirmed that Al³⁺ ions were introduced into the lattice of Zn₂SnO₄ and occupied the position of Sn⁴⁺, resulting in decreased conduction band edge. TEM demonstrated the size of Zn₂SnO₄ nanoparticles became larger due to the reaction of Al³⁺ with Zn₂SnO₄. Although the adsorption amounts of dyes lowered by 21%, the driving force for electron injection was greatly enhanced as a result of decreased conduction band edge, resulting in significantly enhanced cell efficiency.     

Triple-doping of (Ga1/2Nb1/2)xTi1-xO2 ceramics with Al3+ for enhanced giant dielectric response with simultaneous decrease in dielectric loss

An acceptor-donor co-doped (Ga_1/2Nb_1/2)_0.1Ti_0.9O₂ ceramic is triple-doped with Al³⁺, followed by sintering at 1450 °C for 5 h to obtain (Al_xGa_1/2-xNb_1/2)_0.1Ti_0.9O₂ ceramics with improved giant dielectric properties. Homogeneous dispersion of all dopants inside the grains, along with the partially segregated dispersion of the Ga³⁺ dopant along the grain boundaries, is observed. The (Al_xGa_1/2-xNb_1/2)_0.1Ti_0.9O₂ ceramics exhibit high dielectric permittivities (ε′～4.2–5.1 × 10⁴) and low loss tangents (tanδ～0.007–0.010), as well as a low-temperature coefficients (<±15%) between ? 60 and 200 °C. At 1 kHz, tanδ is significantly reduced by ～4.4 times, while ε′ is increased by ～3.5 times, which is attributed to the higher Al³⁺/Ga³⁺ ratio. The value of tanδ at 200 °C is as low as 0.04. The significantly improved dielectric properties are explained based on internal and surface barrier-layer capacitor effects, which are primarily produced by the Ga³⁺ and Al³⁺ dopants, respectively, whereas the semiconducting grains are attributed to Nb⁵⁺ doping ions.     

Effects of pore diameter and catalyst loading in hydroliquefaction of coal with CoO/MoO3/Al2O3 catalysts

The effect of catalyst pore size has been studied for the hydroliquefaction of a West Virginia coal in the presence of Co/Mo/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The alumina supports used for catalyst preparation had relatively sharp, unimodal pore size distribution with average pore diameters in the range of 100 Å to almost 1000 Å. Loading of MoO₃ and CoO on the Al₂O₃ supports was in the constant weight ratio of 5:1, but the absolute loading was in direct proportion to the surface area of the support. Two series of catalyst were studied: “High loading”, with 9.7 × 10^?4 g MoO₃/m² Al₂O₃, and “low loading”, with 4.5 × 10^?4 g MoO₃/m² Al₂O₃; both loadings were less than the amount necessary for monolayer distribution of MoO₃ on Al₂O₃. The weight of catalyst charged in each autoclave run was varied so that the same weight of MoO₃ and CoO was present for each experiment.The principal results were: (1) Al₂O₃ alone is not catalytic, even in large amount; (2) conversion of coal increases as catalyst pore diameter increases; from 100 Å to at least 500 Å; (3) the increased conversion with increasing pore size is manifested mainly as increased yield of asphaltenes at 400°C, so the ratio of oil to oil-plus-asphaltenes decreases as pore diameter increases; and (4) catalysts with “low loading” of MoO₃ and CoO on the Al₂O₃ surface give higher liquefactions than their counterparts with “high loading”. Most of the results are consistent with an expected low diffusion rate of large, coal-derived molecules through the catalyst pore system. The higher liquefaction with “low loading” of the Al₂O₃ surface might result from slow desorption of large product molecules (asphaltenes) exhibiting multiple-site adsorption to Mo neighbors on the surface.     

Gas Phase Hydrogenation of m-Dinitrobenzene over Alumina Supported Au and Au–Ni Alloy

We report, for the first time, 100% selectivity in the continuous gas phase hydrogenation of m-dinitrobenzene to m-nitroaniline (m-NAN) over Au/Al₂O₃. The synthesis and application of an alumina supported Au–Ni alloy is also described where alloy formation is demonstrated by XRD, diffuse reflectance UV–Vis and HRTEM analyses. Under the same reaction conditions, Au/Al₂O₃ delivered a higher (by close to an order of magnitude) hydrogenation rate compared with the alloy. Au–Ni/Al₂O₃ promoted the formation of both m-NAN and m-phenylenediamine, i.e. partial and complete hydrogenation: the results are consistent with a stepwise reduction mechanism.     

Microwave dielectric characteristics of 0.75(Al1/2Ta1/2)O2–0.25(Ti1−xSnx)O2 ceramics

The microwave dielectric characteristics of 0.75(Al_1/2Ta_1/2)O₂–0.25(Ti_1−xSn_x)O₂ ceramics were investigated. The microwave dielectric properties of 0.75(Al_1/2Ta_1/2)O₂–0.25TiO₂ sintered at 1450 °C exhibited a dielectric constant (ϵ_r) of 31.2, a Q·f₀ of 54,590 GHz, and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of +12.8 ppm/°C. To control of the τ_f and enhance the Q·f₀ for 0.75(Al_1/2Ta_1/2)O₂–0.25TiO₂, Sn⁴⁺ was substituted for Ti⁴⁺. With an increase of Sn content from 5 to 50 mol%, the ε_r slightly decreased, the Q·f₀ increased and the τ_f shifted from positive to negative value. The τ_f within ±10 ppm/°C of zero was realized for the Sn content below 30 mol% and the microwave dielectric properties had the ε_r value of 31.2–26.3, the Q·f₀ of 54,600–70,700 GHz, and τ_f of +12.8–−9.3 ppm/°C for this compositions. The relationship between microstructure and microwave dielectric characteristics was investigated.