Fabrication and properties of porous mullite ceramics from calcined carbonaceous kaolin and α-Al2O3

High purity calcined carbonaceous kaolin and α-Al₂O₃ powders were employed to prepare porous mullite ceramics (Sample A) using graphite as pore former with the reaction sintering method. For the purpose of comparison, porous mullite ceramics (Sample B) was also fabricated from the uncalcined carbonaceous clay incorporated with α-Al₂O₃ powders. Mullitization in the two samples was both nearly complete at 1500 °C, despite the fact that calcination of the clay remarkably depressed mullitization and promoted the formation of glass phase. The Sample A sintered at 1500 °C fractured mainly in an intergranular way, while the Sample B mainly underwent transgranular fracture. The experimental results revealed that densification behavior/open porosity of the Sample A was far more sensitive to sintering temperature. The pore size of the Sample A as well as the Sample B sintered at 1500 °C was in a narrower range of 0.3–5 μm.     

Role of B2O3 in formation of mullite from kaolinite and α-Al2O3 mixtures

Abstract

The microstructure, phase constitution, and physical properties of mullite bodies prepared from α-Al₂O₃- kaolin mixtures with added B₂O₃ were investigated. Densification was found to be enhanced with small additions of B₂O₃. The results indicate that 0.5 wt-% B₂O₃ increases the content and growth rate of the mullite. It was found to be the optimum addition with respect to densification and resulting properties.     

Fabrication and characterization of anorthite–mullite–corundum porous ceramics from construction waste

In this work, anorthite–mullite–corundum porous ceramics were prepared from construction waste and Al₂O₃ powders by adding AlF₃ and MoO₃ as mineralizer and crystallization catalyst, respectively. The effects of the sintering temperature and time on open porosity, mechanical properties, pore size distribution, microstructure, and phase composition were characterized in detail. The results showed that the formation of the mullite whiskers and the properties of the anorthite–mullite–corundum porous ceramics depended more on the sintering temperature than the holding time. By co-adding 12 wt% AlF₃ and 4 wt% MoO₃, mullite whiskers were successfully obtained at sintering temperatures upon 1350 °C for 1 h. Furthermore, the resultant specimens exhibited excellent properties, including open porosity of 66.1±0.7%, biaxial flexural strength of 23.8±0.9 MPa, and average pore size of 1.32 µm (the corresponding cumulative volume percent was 37.29%).     

Characteristics of phase formation during combustion of the MgO-Al2O3-Mg(NO3)2·6H2O-Al-B system

The research revealed the carbon micro traces in the synthesis products of magnesium aluminate spinel produced by the method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) in the MgO-Al₂O₃-Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O-Al system with boron additives. The phase composition, structure, and morphological features of the surface of the samples were examined. The gases evolving during combustion were analyzed. IR spectroscopic analysis showed that carbon has a diamond-like lattice similar to the lattice of detonation nanodiamonds. It was shown that low-energy nuclear reactions (boron-proton reaction) proceed in the combustion wave during high-speed SHS processes under certain conditions. Based on the experimental data, the most probable mechanisms of carbon formation in the synthesized products were formulated and proposed.     

Synthesis and crystallographic characterisation of Mg(H2dhtp)(H2O)5·H2O

A mononuclear complex of composition Mg(H₂dhtp)(H₂O)₅·H₂O has been prepared and characterised crystallographically.     

Corrosion of nickel ferrite refractory by Na3AlF6–AlF3–CaF2–Al2O3 bath

Based on research on cermet inert anodes for aluminium production, it has been suggested that nickel ferrite spinel might be suitable for use as a sidewall refractory in Hall-Héroult cells. A corrosion resistant sidewall would allow elimination of the frozen bath ledge, and has potentially huge benefits in terms of energy savings and increased productivity. However, little work has been done to assess nickel ferrite's suitability as a refractory.Dense nickel ferrite samples were prepared and characterized, and corrosion tests in cryolite based baths were conducted. Results confirm that the spinel does have good corrosion resistance. The corrosion mechanism is complex, involving grain boundary attack and formation of a Ni–Fe alloy. This alloy could pose a risk in terms of contamination of the aluminium. The use of additives to restrict penetration of grain boundaries may be the key to development of a successful spinel based refractory.     

AlF3 reaction mechanism and its influence on α-Al2O3 mineralization

Calcination is an important step in the alumina production process, affecting the final properties of the attained product, such as the surface area, soda and alpha phase contents, morphology and primary crystal size. Over the previous decades, attempts have been made to understand this process aiming to decrease the temperature and time of calcination. Considering this, the use of mineralizers, such as fluorides, is a well-known practice, as these additives act decreasing the activation energy for the transformation from the transition to alpha alumina phase. However, the actual reaction mechanism is not well understood. In this study, the likely mechanism was investigated by DTA-TG-MS for samples containing 3 wt% of AlF₃ in a transition alumina and a hydrate. The emission of HF gas during the alpha transformation pointed out a gas–solid reaction via the generation of a transition compound (Al–O–F). Physico-chemical properties such as the surface area, alpha content, primary crystal size and morphology were also investigated for 0.45 and 0.6 wt% AlF₃ addition for the different precursors. Additionally, the influence of the homogenization step in the alpha formation was studied. The results highlighted that a lower amount of AlF₃ can be used if there is a good confinement of gases inside the furnace.     

Preparation and photocatalytic antibacterial mechanism of porous metastable β-Bi2O3 nanosheets

Effective and safe application of antibacterials has always been an important aspect for their usage. High-efficiency photocatalytic technology driven by visible light for antibacterial action constitutes a practical solution for antibacterial agents and will not harm the human body or the environment. While most studies on β-Bi₂O₃ materials with good photocatalytic properties under visible light are conducted in the field of optoelectronics, their potential and mechanism as photocatalytic antibacterial agents have not yet been fully explored. Herein, we report the performance of sheet-like metastable β-Bi₂O₃ material with rich oxygen vacancies and high electron-hole separation efficiency in antibacterial processes, as well as a preliminary exploration of its antibacterial mechanism. The results revealed that the antibacterial activity of the product against E. coli greatly improved in comparison with commercially available α-Bi₂O₃ owing to its excellent structure and optical properties. In addition, gradient experiments and scavenger experiments have confirmed that the main antibacterial effect of β-Bi₂O₃ originates from reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the superoxide radical, ·O₂⁻, of generated ROS is the key reactive species in the antibacterial process. Through the detection of lipid peroxidation and bacterial respiratory-chain dehydrogenase activity, several pathways were identified for the excellent antibacterial activity of the product.     

Production of nano zinc borate (4ZnO·B2O3·H2O) and its effect on PVC

In this study, nano sized zinc borate powder with a formula of 4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O was synthesized using 2ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.0–3.5H₂O as a starting chemical which was produced using a wet chemical method. After dissolving 2ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.0–3.5H₂O in an ammonia solution, the clear solution was boiled until a white powder formed. The resultant powder was characterized with XRD, FTIR, TGA and TEM. XRD, FTIR and TGA results proved that the powder was belonged to the 4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O. Nano composites of 4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O–polyvinylchloride (PVC) were produced by injection moulding by adding 1 and 5 wt% zinc borate powders into PVC to enhance its flame retardancy. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) of virgin PVC increased from 41% to 47% and 54% for the 1 and 5 wt% zinc borate added PVC, respectively. Nano zinc borate addition into the PVC does not have considerable negative effect on the mechanical properties of zinc borate–PVC composites even at high amounts of 5 wt%.     

Preparation and properties of porous SiC–Al2O3 ceramics using coal ash

In this paper, we first reported that porous SiC–Al₂O₃ ceramics were prepared from solid waste coal ash, activated carbon, and commercial SiC powder by a carbothermal reduction reaction (CRR) method under Ar atmosphere. The effects of addition amounts of SiC (0, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) on the postsintering properties of as-prepared porous SiC–Al₂O₃ ceramics, such as phase composition, microstructure, apparent porosity, bulk density, pore size distribution, compressive strength, thermal shock resistance, and thermal diffusivity have been investigated. It was found that the final products are β-SiC and α-Al₂O₃. Meanwhile, the SEM shows the pores distribute uniformly and the body gradually contacts closely in the porous SiC–Al₂O₃ ceramics. The properties of as-prepared porous SiC–Al₂O₃ ceramics were found to be remarkably improved by adding proper amounts of SiC (10, 15, and 20 wt%). However, further increasing the amount of SiC leads to a decrease in thermal shock resistance and mechanical properties. Porous SiC–Al₂O₃ ceramics doped with 10 wt% SiC and sintered at 1600°C for 5 hours with the median pore diameter of 4.24 μm, room-temperature compressive strength of 21.70 MPa, apparent porosity of 48%, and thermal diffusivity of 0.0194 cm²/s were successfully obtained.     

Structural and optical properties of solvothermally synthesized ZnS nano-materials using Na2S·9H2O and ZnSO4·7H2O precursors

Hexagonal wurtzite (HWZ) ZnS nanorods were formed in specimens with a S/Zn ratio of 1.3, synthesized at temperatures ≥200 °C in a solution containing 80 vol% water and 20 vol% of ethylenediamine (EN). In contrast, HWZ ZnS nanoparticles were formed in specimens synthesized at temperatures lower than 200 °C. Also, cubic zinc blende (CZB) ZnS nanoparticles were formed in specimen synthesized in water. The absorption peak for the HWZ nanorods and CZB ZnS nanoparticles was at wavelength of 325 nm and 339 nm, respectively, indicating that the band gap energy of the former is larger than that of the latter. Moreover, the HWZ ZnS exhibited two emission peaks at 474 nm and 580 nm. The peak at 474 nm is attributed to Zn vacancies but the origin of the peak at 580 nm remains undetermined. Since the intensity of the emission peak at 580 nm was significantly higher for the HWZ nanoparticles than for nanorods, this peak might be associated with defects in the HWZ ZnS nanoparticles.     

Synthesis and nanostructure of [Mo(C6H4O2)3]·2(C4H8N2O) and the synthesis from 1,2-PDA to (C4H8N2O)

Continuing our work on the synthesis of MoO₂L₂ and MoO₃L_AL_B that show excellent anti-cancer activities in vitro, the MoL₃ have been synthesized by the solvothermal reaction of Na₂MoO₄ with catechols and 1,2-DPA in the mixed solvent of MeCN/MeOH. X-ray diffraction revealed that Mo in chiral octahedral geometry coordinate with three catechol ligands formed three five-membered rings, and the [Mo(C₆H₄O₂)₃] are linked by hydrogen bonds Mo(OC₆H₄)O…H–N(C₄H₈O)N–H…O(C₆H₄O)Mo through the by-product (C₄H₈N₂O) that are formed by one 1,2-DPA with one CO₂ on the catalysis of Mo-complex. Also, we have disassembled bulk crystal into nano-aggregates, and under TEM mono-lamella morphology of nanostructures was observed, which agrees well with the previous conclusion that the morphologies of the nano-aggregates are associated with the quantum motifs in their crystal lattices. [Mo(C₆H₄O₂)₃] have also been characterized by UV–vis spectra, cyclic voltammogram and thermogravimetric analysis.     

Synthesis,characterization and sorption properties of a porous coordination polymer: Co3(citrate)2(4,4′-bipyridine)4(H2O)2·4(H2O)

A porous coordination polymer, Co₃(citrate)₂(4,4^′-bipyridine)₄(H₂O)₂·4(H₂O) has been synthesized and characterized. It adopts a 3-D framework, built up by parallel [Co₃(citrate)₂]_n chains cross-linked by 4,4^′-bipyridine ligands. The connection leads to hydrophilic cavities filled with water molecules, which interact with the citrate ligands through hydrogen bonds. Dangling 4,4^′-bipyridine ligands are observed in the structure, pointing to cavities. Two equivalents of coordination water and four equivalents of crystallization water molecules can be removed reversibly based on TGA studies.     

Comparison of lithium nickel cobalt oxides synthesized from NiO,Co3O4, and LiOH·H2O or Li2CO3 by solid-state reaction method

LiNi_1?yCo_yO₂ (y = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) cathode materials were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method at different temperatures from LiOH·H₂O, NiO and Co₃O₄ and from Li₂CO₃, NiO and Co₃O₄ as the starting materials. The physical and electrochemical properties of the synthesized samples were then compared. Among LiNi_1?yCo_yO₂ (y = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) synthesized for 40 h from LiOH·H₂O, NiO and Co₃O₄, and from Li₂CO₃, NiO and Co₃O₄, LiNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂ synthesized from Li₂CO₃, NiO and Co₃O₄ at 800 °C has relatively large first discharge capacity and relatively good cycling performance. This sample is considered the best one with relatively good electrochemical properties.     

Synthesis,structure, and characterization of polymeric lanthanide 2-aminoterephthalate frameworks [Ln2(atp)3(H2O)2]·dmf·4H2O

X-ray crystallography reveals four isostructural lanthanide polymeric solids, [Ln₂(atp)₃(H₂O)₂]·dmf·4H₂O (atp = 2-aminoterephthalate; dmf = N,N′-dimethylformamide; Ln = La (1), Ce (2), Pr (3) and Nd (4), respectively) that are obtained from the solvothermal synthesis which are crystallized in an interesting 3D polymeric framework with a (4,4,6)-linked {4²·8⁴}{4⁴·6²}₂{4⁸·6⁶·8}₂ fsy net topology. Upon excitation at 350 nm, they all show the solid state ligand-centered luminescences but both 2 and 3 also exhibit the weak lanthanide-based characteristic emissions in the visible region at room temperature. The cyclic voltammetric investigation indicates that 2 exhibits appreciable electrochemical activity for formaldehyde.