Shear Initiation of Al/MoO3‐Based Reactive Materials

Reactive mixtures based on nano aluminium and nano‐ or micron size molybdenum trioxide have been pressed. These energetic mixtures have been tested in the Ballistic Impact Chamber and as an energetic projectile impacting a steel plate. Al/MoO₃‐based reactive mixtures can be initiated by a controlled mechanical stimulus. The sensitivity depends on deformation velocity, pressing density, addition of fluorine containing binder and particle size. Nanometric mixtures of Al and MoO₃ have a shorter time to reaction compared to the corresponding mixtures with micron size MoO₃. The sensitivity decreases with increase in porosity. No influence of fuel/oxidizer ratio has been found in the experiments. An extensive deformation is needed before the start of reaction is observed. An analytical evaluation of shear rate cannot be applied as a detailed numerical simulation of the deformation process in PBXN‐109 shows.     

Electrical transport properties of Sm-doped La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 polycrystalline ceramics

Improving the magnetoresistance effect of perovskite ceramic materials under a low applied magnetic field to expand its application range is one of the main research directions of this type of material. In this study, La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ was doped with different levels of Sm by the sol-gel method to yield a series of La_0.7-xSm_xCa_0.3MnO₃ (LSCMO) polycrystalline ceramics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that LSCMO ceramics possessed standard perovskite structures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed grains closely connected without obvious holes. In addition, the grain size gradually decreased with the increase in Sm doping content. The resistivity temperature curves displayed a clear metal-insulator transition behavior of LSCMO accompanied by a steep change from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic behavior (FM-PM). The metal-insulator transition temperature (T_p) values of the as-obtained LSCMO gradually shifted toward lower temperatures with increase in Sm content. Moreover, resistivity temperature coefficient (TCR) and magnetoresistance (MR) values also gradually increased with Sm doping content. The transport properties in polycrystalline ceramics could be adequately explained by the double exchange model, which would be useful for interpreting the CMR effects when used in magnetic devices.     

Effect of Y doping on transport properties of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 polycrystalline ceramics

In this study, La_0.8-xY_xSr_0.2MnO₃ (LYSMO) polycrystalline ceramics were prepared by means of sol-gel technique using methanol as solvent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed all samples to possess standard perovskite structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed samples with high compactness and grain size from 27.80 to 29.73 μm. Resistivity–temperature tests indicated sharp metal-insulator transition behavior of all samples accompanied by rapid transformation from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism (FM-PM). As Y³⁺ doping amounts rose, radius of A-site ions decreased, metal-insulator transition temperature (T_p) of polycrystalline samples shifted to lower temperatures, and resistivity increased. Temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and magnetoresistance (MR) were affected by introduction of Y³⁺. At x = 0.06, peak TCR and peak MR reached 4.85% K⁻¹ and 52.34%, respectively. Using double exchange (DE) interaction mechanism, electric transport performances of as-prepared ceramics were explained. These findings look promising for future applications of LYSMO materials in magnetic devices and infrared detectors.     

Al2O3-SiO2纳米复合粉体材料的超临界制备及其性能

采用sol-gel法和超临界流体干燥技术合成了Al2O3-SiO2纳米复合粉,并研究了该复合粉经不同温度处理后的显微结构形貌、比表面积、孔容分布、物相变化及分形维数等的变化规律.结果表明热处理温度直接影响粉体的显微结构特征,并决定其比表面积、孔容和分形维数;该复合粉体材料的莫来石化温度为1015℃左右.     

ZnO/C nanocomposite microspheres with capsule structure for anode materials of lithium ion batteries

Well-designed nanostructures are very critical to the lithium-storage performance of electrode materials. To enhance the electrochemical performance of zinc oxide anode materials, a capsule structure, composed of carbon shell and its encapsulating ZnO microsphere, is designed. This capsule structured ZnO/C nanocomposite microspheres are prepared by a sol-gel method combined with two calcination processes. The carbon capsule shows great advantages of enhancing the structural stability of active material, reducing the formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer, and improving the conductivity of electrode. These factors are quite beneficial to the improvement of cycling stability, initial coulombic efficiency and rate capability. Consequently, capsule structured ZnO/C nanocomposite microspheres deliver an initial charge capacity of 790 mA h g⁻¹, an initial coulombic efficiency of 71%, and a reversible capacity retention of 63% after 100 cycles, all of which are higher than those of pure ZnO microspheres. These results suggest that the design of carbon encapsulated ZnO microsphere is quite effective for enhancing the lithium-storage properties and can also show general significance for developing high-performance electrode materials.     

Photoluminescence and energy transfer of Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+, Pr3+ phosphors

Ce³⁺ and Pr³⁺ co?doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ phosphors were synthesized by the sol–gel process, and their crystal structure, photoluminescence (PL) properties, and energy transfer (ET) from the Ce³⁺ to Pr³⁺ were studied. The Lu_2.94?yAl₅O₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺, yPr³⁺ phosphors (0.002 ≤ y ≤ 0.008) showed the green?yellow emission from the ²D_3/2 → ²F_{5/2, 7/2} transition of Ce³⁺ and the red emission at 610 and 637 nm, which were caused by the ¹D₂→³H₄ and ³P₀→³H₅ transitions of Pr³⁺, respectively. The optimal concentration of Pr³⁺ for efficient ET was found to be x = 0.006. The electric quadrupole?quadrupole interaction was responsible for the concentration quenching in the Lu_2.94?yAl₅O₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺, yPr³⁺ phosphors, based on Dexter's theory. The incorporation of Pr³⁺ for Lu³⁺ enhanced the red PL intensity in the Lu_2.94Al₅O₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺ phosphor.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of CaGd2(MoO4)4:Eu3+ red phosphors

The novel red-emitting Eu³⁺ ions activated CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄ phosphors were prepared by a citrate sol–gel method. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed their tetragonal structure when the samples were annealed above 600 °C. The photoluminescence excitation spectra of CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors exhibited the charge transfer band (CTB) and intense f–f transitions of Eu³⁺ ion. The optimized annealing temperature and Eu³⁺ ion concentration were analyzed for CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors based on the dominant red (⁵D₀→⁷F₂) emission intensity under NUV (394 nm) excitation. All decay curves were well fitted by the single exponential function. These luminescent powders are expected to find potential applications such as WLEDs and optical display systems.     

Synthesis of aluminosilicate monolithic system by a novel fast ambient drying process

Aluminosilicate systems with high mechanical strength have been prepared by a rapid ambient pressure drying. A special nanocomposite structure results in the good mechanical properties and strengthens the aluminosilicate system for a rapid ambient pressure drying technique. The nanocomposite consists of an amorphous aluminosilicate network and an Al-containing nanocrystalline, reinforcement phase. The reinforcement phase and the gel network develop simultaneously from the starting solution in the gelation process. The nanocomposite structure can only be achieved at a limited molar ratio of Al/Si. The wet precursor system of drying has been synthesized by sol–gel technique from low cost water glass and environmental saving Al acetate. The bond system, the structure, the morphology, and the mechanical property were investigated in the function of Al/Si molar ratio.     

Micro-mesoporous TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites: Sol-gel synthesis,characterization, and enhanced photodegradation of quinoline

Micro-mesoporous TiO₂/SiO₂ nanocomposite powders have been successfully synthesized by the sol-gel process with different TiO₂/SiO₂ molar ratios and were applied in the UV-photodegradation of quinoline (λ = 254 nm). The structural, morphological, and textural characterization of the powders showed a homogeneous distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles within a porous amorphous SiO2 matrix. Due to the micro-mesoporous character of the materials, their textural characteristics were evaluated by the N2 adsorption method, by comparing BET, DR, Langmuir, and DFT theories. Si₆₀Ti₄₀ powders (60%SiO₂/40%TiO₂) presented the highest specific surface area (SSA) obtained from BET (SSA = 363 m²g^-1), DR (SSA = 482 m²g^-1), and Langmuir (SSA = 492 m²g^-1) due to the adequate particle size of TiO₂ and its high dispersion in the porous matrix. A higher degradation of quinoline in the presence of H₂O₂ (66%) was achieved using Si₈₀Ti₂₀ powders (80%SiO₂/20%TiO₂), as compared to pure sol-gel TiO₂ powders, (51%) under the same reaction conditions (1 UVC lamp - 250W, t = 180 min). The better performance of the Si₈₀Ti₂₀ nanocomposite could be attributed to the small TiO₂ anatase crystallite size (<5.7 nm), high dispersion of these crystallites in the SiO₂ matrix, great specific surface area (DR SSA = 342 m² g^?1), and the formation of Ti–O–Si bond, which is associated with new catalytic sites in TiO₂/SiO₂ composite.     

Influence of multi-step annealing on nanostructure and surface morphology of Y2O3:SiO2 powder

Y₂O₃:SiO₂ powder was synthesized by a sol–gel method, using hydrous yttrium nitrate and hydrous silicon oxide as precursors and HCl as a catalyst. The dried samples were submitted to multi-step annealing schedule in air without applying pressure. A simple four-step annealing schedule with a final stage of about 900 °C for 6.0 h was followed. The samples of Y₂O₃:SiO₂ nanocomposites were obtained with well defined size and shape. Structural changes of the nanocomposites were investigated by XRD, FTIR and TEM. Multi-step annealing scheme with different ramp rates and incubation times allows recovery-relaxation processes within the boundaries and leading to a concomitant linear increase of crystallite size and densification. Almost fully dense quasi-spherical cubic-yttria nanopowder has been demonstrated with an average grain size distribution of 10–40 nm; can be uniformly dispersed in silica matrix.     

WO3/La0.8Pb0.2FeO3 perovskite heterostructure for highly active and selective hydrogen sulfide detection

In this study, tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning technology and combined with La_0.8Pb_0.2FeO₃ (LPFO) perovskite materials to form a heterostructure film, and then used to evaluate the potential as a gas sensing material. The results show that the pure WO₃ nanofiber gas sensor has an excellent sensing effect on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and the WO₃/LPFO heterostructure film gas sensor still has a high response to H₂S, but the response to NO₂ is suppressed. This WO₃/LPFO heterostructure film gas sensor greatly improves the gas selectivity, making the selectivity more specific. The WO₃/LPFO heterostructure film gas sensor exhibits excellent gas selectivity for H₂S gas, the optimal operating temperature is 175 °C, and the response is about 89.5% under 1.25 ppm H₂S gas.     

Structural and optical investigations of Eu3+-doped TiO2 nanopowders

This paper presents an evaluation of photoluminescent and structural properties of Eu³⁺-doped TiO₂ materials in powder form prepared by sol–gel process. The increase of heat-treatment temperature of synthesis results in the TiO₂ phase transition, obtaining anatase, rutile and sometimes brookite, examined by Raman and XRD techniques. Crystallite size as well as microstrains in the crystal structure were evaluated as a function of Eu³⁺ and heat-treatment temperature. It was found that when Eu³⁺ is introduced in anatase phase an intense color emission is observed under excitation at 394 and 463 nm. The rutile phase presents inversion center symmetry, and apparently the Eu³⁺ tends to occupy this site, which decreases the intensity of the emission assigned to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition. The materials obtained at 700 °C showed most intensity of emission in the red region, verified by the ratio between ⁵D₀→⁷F₂/⁵D₀→⁷F₁ transitions of Eu³⁺. The results showed that the materials are interesting absorber in the ultraviolet and red region and can be used for improvement of energy conversion in solar cells devices.     

Thermal and flammability properties of polypropylene/carbon nanotube nanocomposites

The thermal and flammability properties of polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotube, (PP/MWNT) nanocomposites were measured with the MWNT content varied from 0.5 to 4% by mass. Dispersion of MWNTs in these nanocomposites was characterized by SEM and optical microscopy. Flammability properties were measured with a cone calorimeter in air and a gasification device in a nitrogen atmosphere. A significant reduction in the peak heat release rate was observed; the greatest reduction was obtained with a MWNT content of 1% by mass. Since the addition of carbon black powder to PP did not reduce the heat release rate as much as with the PP/MWNT nanocomposites, the size and shape of carbon particles appear to be important for effectively reducing the flammability of PP. The radiative ignition delay time of a nanocomposite having less than 2% by mass of MWNT was shorter than that of PP due to an increase in the radiation in-depth absorption coefficient by the addition of carbon nanotubes. The effects of residual iron particles and of defects in the MWNTs on the heat release rate of the nanocomposite were not significant. The flame retardant performance was achieved through the formation of a relatively uniform network-structured floccule layer covering the entire sample surface without any cracks or gaps. This layer re-emitted much of the incident radiation back into the gas phase from its hot surface and thus reduced the transmitted flux to the receding PP layers below it, slowing the PP pyrolysis rate. To gain insight into this phenomena, thermal conductivities of the nanocomposites were measured as a function of temperature while the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite increases with an increase in MWNT content, the effect being particularly large above 160 °C, this increase is not as dramatic as the increase in electrical conductivity, however.     

Polyimide/nano-TiO2 hybrid films having benzoxazole pendent groups: In situ sol–gel preparation and evaluation of properties

Polyimide/titania (PI/TiO₂) nanocomposite films have been successfully fabricated through the in situ formation of TiO₂ within a PI matrix via sol–gel method. Poly(amic acid) (PAA), which is the precursor of PI, was successfully synthesized by mixing pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), with equimolar amount of a diamine monomer having a pendent benzoxazole unit and two flexible ether linkages in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. Tetraethyl orthotitanate [Ti(OEt)₄] and acetylacetone were then added to the resulted PAA. After imidization at high temperature, PI/TiO₂ hybrid films were formed. The structure and morphology of the hybrid nanocomposites with different titania contents (0 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt%) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the TiO₂ nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed in the hybrid films. The thermogravimetric analysis of nanocomposites confirms the improvement in the thermal stability with the increase in the percentage of titania nanoparticle. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles with an average diameter of 25–40 nm were dispersed in the polymer matrix.     

影响PEO—SiO_2体系复合材料溶胶—凝胶时间的因素分析

利用溶胶法制备有机无机复合材料,具有广阔的应用前景。目前国内对其各项性能、反应条件进行了大量研究。为寻求更理想的性能及制备手段.本文就PEO—SiO2体系有机一无机复合材料的一些参数对凝胶时间的影响进行了研究。     

Mechanical properties of sol–gel prepared nanocomposite coatings in the presence of titania and alumina-derived nanoparticles

Hybrid nanocomposite coatings were prepared by sol–gel method using silica, titania and alumina nanoparticles derived from their alkoxides precursors; in the presence of 3-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and bisphenol A (BPA) on 1050 aluminium alloy substrate. The effect of type and ratio of nanoparticles on mechanical behaviour of the coatings were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA) and nanoindentation experiments. DMA results demonstrated that the values of the glass transition temperature (T_g) and the temperature at maximum tan (δ), (T_t) as well as the storage modulus of the hybrid samples depend mainly on the silane content and titania to alumina molar ratio of nanoparticles in the coating composition. In addition, nanoindentaion experiments were performed to study the mechanical properties such as hardness, elastic modulus and E/H ratio for the nanocomposite hybrid coatings. Nanoindentation results indicate that the homogenous reinforced structure was formed in the surface of nanocomposite coating with incorporation of titania and alumina-derived nanoparticles. The incorporation of TiO₂ in comparison with AlOOH nanoparticles in the GPTMS-based coatings showed an improving effect on E/H ratio.     

Effect of using different precursors on electrospinning of CaCu3Ti4O12

In this study, the rheological behavior of electrospinning solutions containing different copper and calcium salts (Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, CuCl₂, Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and CaCl₂) were investigated. To find out the suitable electrospinning solution for producing the high purity CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ nanofibers, solutions containing different copper and calcium salts were prepared and CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ fibers with different morphological and size were produced. The results showed that the nature of the metals complexes in the ceramic solutions had an obvious effect on the rheological behavior of the electrospinning solutions. FTIR spectras of the electrospinning solutions demonstrated that the interaction between the metal ions and carbonyl groups in the polyvinylpyrrolidone unit occurred and the polyvinylpyrrolidone chains underwent conformational variations. Intensity of the interaction between the metal ions and polymer chains in chloride salts solutions is more than nitrate salts solutions in order to the viscosities of chloride solutions that are more than nitrate solutions. So, thinner high purity polycrystalline CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ nanofibers with diameters ranging <200 nm were successfully synthesized by selecting a novel solution containing copper and calcium nitrates after sintering at 900 °C for 4 h.     

Fe3O4/ZnO/CoWO4 nanocomposites: Novel magnetically separable visible-light-driven photocatalysts with enhanced activity in degradation of different dye pollutants

A series of novel magnetically separable Fe₃O₄/ZnO/CoWO₄ nanocomposites with different contents of CoWO₄ were fabricated using a facile refluxing method at 96 °C followed by a calcination step. The structure, purity, morphology, spectroscopic, and magnetic properties of the prepared samples were characterized by XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM, UV–vis DRS, FT-IR, PL, and VSM techniques. Photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites was investigated by degradation of rhodamine B, methylene blue, methyl orange, and fuchsine under visible-light irradiation. The results showed remarkably enhanced activity for the Fe₃O₄/ZnO/CoWO₄ (30%) nanocomposite relative to the Fe₃O₄/ZnO and Fe₃O₄/CoWO₄ samples. The degradation rate constant of RhB over the optimal nanocomposite is nearly 24 and 5 times higher than those of the Fe₃O₄/ZnO and Fe₃O₄/CoWO₄ samples, respectively. The intensive absorption of visible light and separation efficiency of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs in the ternary nanocomposites were confirmed by UV–vis DRS and PL techniques, respectively. In addition, a plausible mechanism for separation of the electron–hole pairs based on p–n heterojunction was proposed.     

White luminescence of bismuth and samarium codoped Y2O3 phosphors

In this work Sm³⁺ (0–2.0 at%) and Bi³⁺ (0–2.0 at%) doped Y₂O₃ luminescent powders were prepared by a sol–gel method from yttrium acetylacetonate, samarium and bismuth nitrates as metal sources. The as prepared powders (chemical composition is close to stoichiometric Y₂O₃) present the cubic structure from 700 °C, and at 900 °C are characterized by the presence of rounded particles with heterogeneous size of 42.9 nm. Luminescent effect of ions of Sm³⁺ and Bi³⁺ into Y₂O₃ host as was studied on heat treated powders from 800 to 1100 °C. The combination of the red luminescence from the Sm³⁺ ions and the bluish from Bi³⁺, makes the synthesized phosphors candidates to be used in fabrication of phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (LEDs).