Gas-releasing reactions in foam-glass formation using carbon and MnxOy as the foaming agents

The gas-releasing reaction is the most important process in the preparation of foam glass. In this paper we investigated the gas-releasing reactions by means of thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry. We used carbon (activated charcoal and carbon black) and/or manganese oxides (MnO₂, Mn₂O₃, and Mn₃O₄) as the foaming additives. We show that manganese oxides have different functions in the foaming process. The thermal decomposition of MnO₂ below the sintering temperature has a negative impact on the foaming process as it shifts the foaming to higher temperatures, increases the mass-loss rate, leading to open pores, and burns out the carbon. When foaming in an oxidizing atmosphere, the carbon is burnt out by the oxygen from the atmosphere. Instead, Mn₂O₃ can be used as the foaming agent in an oxidizing atmosphere. In the oxygen-free atmosphere, Mn₃O₄ can be used as the oxidizing agent, supporting the oxidation of carbon and the foaming process. The redox equilibrium of manganese (Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺), influenced by the oxygen partial pressure in the pores and physically dissolved oxygen in the glass, shows the strongest influence on the foaming process. The CO/CO₂ ratio in the evolved gases depends on the carbon source and the temperature.     

Karrooite green pigments doped with Co and Zn: Synthesis,color properties and stability in ceramic glazes

The solid-state synthesis and stabilization of Co doped (Mg_1−xCo_xTi₂O₅), Zn doped (Mg_1−xZn_xTi₂O₅) and Co- and Zn-codoped karrooite solid solutions (Mg_0.8−xZn_0.2Co_xTi₂O₅ and (Mg_0.5Zn_0.5)_1−xCo_xTi₂O₅) were investigated. In addition, the optical spectra, color properties and technological performance of (Co,Zn)-karrooite compositions as new green ceramic pigments were also analyzed. XRD characterization revealed for the first time the high solid solubility of Zn²⁺ in MgTi₂O₅ karrooite at 1200 ºC (between 60 and 80 mol% per Mg or karrooite formula unit). In contrast, the reactivity and stabilization of karrooite phase decreased in the case of Co²⁺ doping. Interestingly, codoping with Zn²⁺ ions at high molar ratios (Zn:Mg ratio equal to 1:1) enhanced the reactivity and enabled the stabilization of (Co,Zn)-MgTi₂O₅ karrooite solid solutions, even with high Co²⁺ loadings (20 mol% per karrooite formula unit). The (Co,Zn)-MgTi₂O₅ pigments exhibited yellowish-green colors associated to Co²⁺ ions allocated in octahedral M1 and M2 sites of karrooite lattice, and becoming more intense and less yellow the higher the Co content. However, Zn²⁺ codoping produced less saturated green colors with similar green but lower yellowish hues. The obtained pigments were not stable enough within the tested ceramic glazes, giving rise to turquoise colorations due to cobalt leaching and incorporation into tetrahedral sites of the glassy phase. The stability of Co-karrooite green pigments was higher in a Ca- and Zn-enriched ceramic glaze (B) fired at a higher temperature (1050 °C).     

Structure and magnetic behavior of Zn doped NdMnO3 manganite: Neutron diffraction study

Effect of Zn doping on the structural and magnetic properties of NdMnO₃ has been investigated by neutron diffraction and dc magnetic susceptibility measurements. The partial replacement of Mn³⁺ by Zn²⁺ results in the decrease in T_N. In the temperature dependent magnetization measurements, a broad hump and a sharp peak has been observed around ~ 50 K and 10 K respectively for both the samples. Thermal hysteresis in magnetization between cooling and heating runs indicate first-order phase transition. Magnetization measurements on NdMn_0.95Zn_0.05O₃ sample clearly show that, 5% Zn-doping in NdMnO₃ results in the suppression in magnetism which is evident from the weakening of Nd–Mn interaction below T_N, and resulting in antiferromagnetic coupling of Mn³⁺ ions along x-axis with Mn³⁺ moments oriented parallel or antiparallel to the x-component of Nd³⁺ moments.     

Synthesis and characterization of NiO and Ni nanoparticles using nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) as a template

In this study, nanosized nickel oxide (NiO) and nickel (Ni) powders were synthesised via glycine-nitrate (GN) combustion process, assisted by nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) as a template. Despite the unique morphology of NCC, it has yet to be applied as a sacrificial bio-template for GN combustion process. In addition, NiO and Ni nanoparticles were obtained at relatively low temperatures in this study, whereby the calcination temperatures were varied from 400 °C to 600 °C, with calcination durations of 2, 4, and 6 h. The morphological analysis of the resulting products were conducted using FESEM, which showed uniformly dispersed NiO and Ni particles with average crystallite size of 25 nm and 27 nm, respectively. These results were confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the molecular fingerprints of the samples were in agreement with each other. Further analyses revealed that samples calcined at 600 °C for 4 h showed the lowest particle size for pure NiO, whereas the lowest particle size for pure Ni was obtained at 400 °C for 4 h. The TGA results were also consistent with the XRD analysis, whereby pure Ni was initially formed and upon heating, had gradually converted into NiO.     

Large-scale synthesis of WO3 nanoplates by a microwave-hydrothermal method

Tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanoplates were synthesized by a 270 W microwave-hydrothermal reaction of Na₂WO₄·2H₂O and citric acid (C₆H₈O₇·H₂O) in deionized water. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to reveal the synthesis of WO₃ complete rectangular nanoplates in the solution of 0.2 g citric acid for 180 min, with O-W-O FTIR stretching modes at 819 and 741 cm⁻¹, and two prominent O-W-O Raman stretching modes at 804 and 713 cm⁻¹. The 2.71 eV indirect energy gap, and 430-460 nm blue emission wavelength range of WO₃ complete rectangular nanoplates were determined using UV-visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectrometers. The formation mechanism was also proposed according to the experimental results.     

Study on thermolysis process of a new hydrated and protonated perovskite-like oxides H2K0.5Bi2.5Ti4O13·yH2O

A protonated form of the n?=?4 layered bismuth containing perovskite-like titanate K_2.5Bi_2.5Ti₄O₁₃ belonging to Ruddlesden-Popper phases was prepared via ion exchange reaction of interlayer K⁺ with protons. Its composition was investigated by TG ICP and EDX analysis was found to be H₂K_0.5Bi_2.5Ti₄O₁₃·H₂O. The thermal behavior of the obtained phase was investigated by STA coupled with mass-spectrometry, the structural changes, happening with the sample during heating, were examined by XRD. It was shown that the as-prepared hydrated phase undergoes two-stage dehydration at low temperatures (up to 160?°C). The further heating leads to the gradual decomposition and crystallization of new phases, notably Bi₂Ti₂O₇, Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ and Bi₂Ti₄O₁₁. The morphology of the as-prepared sample and samples after heat treatment was examined using SEM.     

α-Si3 N4与γ-Si3 N4、α-Si3N4混合粉体超高压烧结的比较研究

以Y2O3-Al2O3-La2O3体系作烧结助剂,在5.4～5.7GPa、1620K～1770K的高温高压条件下进行了α-Si3N2与γ-Si3N4、α-Si3N4粉体的烧结研究.探讨了烧结温度及压力对烧结体性能的影响.实验测试结果表明:α-Si3N4、γ-Si3N4完全相变为β-Si3N4,相同的烧结条件下,α-Si3N4比γ-Si3N4、α-Si3N4混合粉体烧结试样的相对密度、维氏硬度高.α-Si3N4与γ-Si3N4、α-Si3N4混合粉体烧结试样的最高相对密度与维氏硬度分别为98.78%、21.87GPa和98.71%、21.76GPa.烧结体由相互交错的长柱状β-Si3N4晶粒组成,显微结构均匀.     

Electrical resistivity and thermopower of (La1−xSrx)MnO3 and (La1−xSrx)CoO3 at elevated temperatures

Electrical resistivity and Seebeck (S) measurements were performed on (La_1−xSr_x)MnO₃ (0.02x0.50) and (La_1−xSr_x)CoO₃ (0x0.15) in air up to 1073 K. (La_1−xSr_x)MnO₃ (x0.35) showed a metal-to-semiconductor transition; the transition temperature almost linearly increased from 250 to 390 K with increasing Sr content. The semiconductor phase above the transition temperature showed negative values of S. (La_1−xSr_x)CoO₃ (0x0.10) showed a semiconductor-to-metal transition at 500 K. Dominant carriers were holes for the samples of x0.02 above room temperature. LaCoO₃ showed large negative values of S below ca. 400 K, indicative of the electron conduction in the semiconductor phase.     

Effect of Interfacial Bonds on the Morphology of InAs QDs Grown on GaAs (311) B and (100) Substrates

The morphology and transition thickness (t _c) for InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on GaAs (311) B and (100) substrates were investigated. The morphology varies with the composition of buffer layer and substrate orientation. And t _c decreased when the thin InGaAs was used as a buffer layer instead of the GaAs layer on (311) B substrates. For InAs/(In)GaAs QDs grown on high miller index surfaces, both the morphology and t _c can be influenced by the interfacial bonds configuration. This indicates that buffer layer design with appropriate interfacial bonds provides an approach to adjust the morphologies of QDs grown on high miller surfaces.