On the stabilizing behavior of zirconia: A Combined experimental and theoretical study

Reactive zirconia powder was synthesized by the complexation of zirconium metal from zirconium hydroxide using a solution of 8-hydroxiquinoline. The kinetics of zirconia crystallization was followed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and surface area measured by the nitrogen adsorption/desorption technique. The results indicated that zirconia with a surface area as high as 100 m²/g can be obtained by this method after calcination at 500°C. Zirconia presents three polymorphic phases (monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic), which are reversibly interconversible. The cluster model Zr₄O₈ and Zr₄O₇ ⁺² was used for a theoretical study of the stabilization process. The ab initio RHF method was employed with the Gaussian94 program and the total energies and the energy gap of the different phases were calculated and compared with the experimental energy gap. The theoretical results show good reproducibility of the energy gap for zirconia.     

Electrophoretic deposition of monochrome and color phosphor screens for information displays

This paper reviews our research on the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of phosphors for the processing of monochromatic and color screens for information displays. Our investigation began with the study of the fundamentals of the EPD process for phosphors. The processing variables which enhance the adhesion strength of phosphor deposits were determined. The optical performance of phosphors deposited by EPD was shown to be not affected by the process itself nor by the conditions which enhance phosphor adhesion. Processes developed to produce high-resolution color screens by combining EPD and photolithography techniques are described. Also, a method to electrophoretically deposit phosphor in a thermo-reversible gel from mixtures of poly(butyl methacrylate) and isopropanol was examined.     

Effect of anions on the textural and catalytic activity of titania-silica mixed oxide

An attempt has been made to review and study the effect of anions (phosphate, sulfate and fluoride) on titania-silica samples. A comparative study has been made on structural characteristics and physico-chemical properties between the unmodified and anion modified titania-silica mixed oxides. The stabilisations of phase, porosity and sulphate ion at higher activation temperatures are discussed. The increase and decrease of specific surface area, acid strength and surface acid sites with respect to anions are emphasised. The effect of preparation method and conditions with specific surface area, porosity and surface acid sites are also discussed. The generation of new catalytic active sites and effect of porosity are reported towards esterification of acetic acid and mono-nitration of toluene, respectively.