Formation and properties of high entropy oxides in Co-Cr-Fe-Mg-Mn-Ni-O system: Novel (Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn,Ni)3O4 and (Co,Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn)3O4 high entropy spinels

Possibility of formation of quinary and senary equimolar high entropy oxides from the Co-Cr-Fe-Mg-Mn-Ni-O system is presented. Different proposed compositions are synthesized using the solid-state reaction route at high temperatures (900−1100 °C) and quenched to room temperature. Phase composition of the samples is studied, showing tendency toward formation of two main phases: rock salt-structured Fm-3 m and spinel-structured Fd-3 m. It is documented that the annealing temperature has a profound effect on stability of both structures, and at 1100 °C usually the highest content of Fm-3 m phase is usually observed. Three different oxides, namely, (Co,Cr,Fe,Mn,Ni)₃O₄, (Co,Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn)₃O₄ and (Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn,Ni)₃O₄ are obtained as single-phase materials, which structure can be described as the high entropy Fd-3 m spinel one. The latter two compounds have not been previously reported in the literature. Activated character of the electrical conductivity dependence on temperature is observed, with relatively high total conductivity at high temperatures and corresponding high absolute values of Seebeck coefficient.     

Unraveling the effect of alumina-supported Y- doped ceria composition and method of preparation on the WGS activity of gold catalysts

The demands for high-purity hydrogen required in fuel-cell applications impose new goals and challenges for design of well performing water-gas shift (WGS) catalysts. Gold-based catalysts have exhibited high activity in the WGS reaction at low temperature. Preparation of appropriate and economically viable supports with complex composition by various synthesis procedures is an attractive approach to WGS performance improvement. The effect of two different preparation methods (wet impregnation or mechanical mixing) and ceria content (10, 20 or 30 wt%) on textural, structural, surface and reductive properties and WGS activity of gold catalysts was studied. Additionally, the role of Y₂O₃ as a promoter of ceria was examined. Long-term stability test was carried out at 260 °C over the most active catalyst. The composition of the best performing sample (composed of about 70 wt% alumina), prepared by mechanical mixing, was considered promising in case of practical applications because of its cost efficiency. The combination of gold nanoparticles and alumina supported Y-doped ceria proved an advantageous approach for developing new catalytic formulations with high effectiveness in clean hydrogen production.     

NaFeTiO4: A novel visible light active photocatalyst for water splitting and environmental remediation

Single phase, crystalline NaFeTiO₄ with tunnel structure is prepared by a solid state method and explored as a novel photocatalyst for the first time. Structural, optical and morphological properties of NaFeTiO₄ are investigated by various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning & transmission electron microscopy (SEM & TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), N₂ adsorption-desorption study (BET), UV-vis, X-ray photoelectron, X-ray absorption (UV-vis DRS, XPS and XANES) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The interfacial charge transfer ability of the prepared n-type NaFeTiO₄ was also investigated by transient photocurrent response and electrochemical impedence spectroscopy which proved to be an efficient tool for better understanding of electronic properties of NaFeTiO₄. The photocatalytic efficiency of NaFeTiO₄ is evaluated for decomposition of methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB) dyes as well as for H₂ evolution through water splitting reaction under visible light. NaFeTiO₄ exhibits efficient charge separation properties, excellent photocatalytic activities and reusability.     

微波合成无机纳米材料的研究进展

微波加热作为一种合成纳米材料的新方法，近年来得到飞速发展。介绍了微波加热原理，阐述了微波合成无机纳米材料的一些研究进展，主要是液相微波加热在制备金属氧化物和金属硫化物纳米材料以及微波烧结在合成陶瓷材料的应用，并对该领域未来作了一些展望。     

稀土在激光熔覆镍基自熔合金中的作用

采用CO2激光器在低碳钢表面进行激光熔覆处理,研究了稀土氧化物在激光熔覆Ni45自熔合金层中的作用.结果表明,加入适量稀土的熔覆合金层组织得到细化,其在还原酸中的耐蚀性和抗高温氧化能力较不加稀土镍基合金熔覆层都有较大提高,更远高于低碳钢.可见,稀土变质的激光熔覆处理对提高低碳钢性能具有重要指导意义.     

Alumina-supported catalysts for propane oxidative dehydrogenation from mixed VXM(6−X)O19 (M=W, Mo) hexametalate precursors

γ-Al₂O₃ supported vanadium oxides were modified by tungsten and molybdenum oxides in order to improve dispersion and selectivity towards olefins in propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Both vanadium–tungsten and vanadium–molybdenum catalysts were obtained by adsorption of mixed isopolyanions (VW₅O₁₉⁵⁻, V₂W₄O₁₉⁴⁻, VMo₅O₁₉⁵⁻ and V₂Mo₄O₁₉⁴⁻) from aqueous solutions. The isopolyanion solutions were characterized by UV-Vis and ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. Vanadium, vanadium–tungsten and vanadium–molybdenum precursors and catalysts were also characterized by UV-Vis (diffuse reflectance) and solid state ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. An improved selectivity to propene in the presence of tungsten and molybdenum in VO_x/γ-Al₂O₃ was observed and attributed to dilution of vanadium by tungsten or molybdenum oxides on the γ-Al₂O₃ surface.     

Niobium-containing catalysts—the state of the art

This review article is devoted to the materials containing niobium, which have been discovered or developed in the past few years and exhibit the potential application in heterogeneous catalysis. Niobium oxides and mixed oxides as well as sulfides, nitrides (oxynitrides), carbides (oxycarbides), and phosphates are considered. Among the catalytic processes in which Nb-containing materials were tested, liquid and gas phase oxidation is described in details, and the role of niobium in the prevention of the catalyst from SO₂ poisoning is mentioned.     

Sulfated zirconia catalysts: Are Brønsted acid sites the source of the activity?

The thermal decomposition products of pyridinium sulfate differ from those of pyridinium sulfate supported on zirconia which in turn differs from that of pyridine adsorbed on a sulfated zirconia. Unsupported pyridinium sulfate decomposes to produce pyridine and sulfuric acid, and these subsequently react to produce oxides of carbon and sulfur. Zirconia that is sulfated and then exposed to pyridine does not release detectable amount of pyridine during heating in an inert gas; rather the pyridine undergoes oxidation reduction reactions simultaneously to release CO₂ and sulfur compounds. Pyridinium sulfate supported on zirconia decomposes upon heating to release pyridine and sulfuric acid, which reacts with the zirconia. The desorption of pyridine in one case and only CO₂/SO_x in the other case suggests that sulfated zirconia does not contain Brønsted acidity that can form pyridinium sulfate.