The effect of copper oxide on the CuO–NiO/CeO2 structure and its influence on the CO-PROX reaction

The effect of copper oxide species on the CuO–NiO/CeO₂ structure and the influence on the preferential CO oxidation in H₂ excess (CO-PROX) reaction at low and high temperatures were investigated. Temperature-programmed surface reaction (TPSR), In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results allowed determining the surface species. The maximum temperature of CO₂ formation or selectivity decreased about 40 °C for the CuO–NiO/CeO₂ catalyst compared to the NiO/CeO₂, which suggests that the addition of Cu⁺ species increases the active sites due to interaction with the Ni–Ce structure. Therefore, the activity of the catalyst was closely related to the oxygen in vacancies and the formation of Cu⁺-carbonyl species of the redox mechanism. Besides, the superior selectivity towards CO₂ below 150 °C depends on the carbonyl stabilization at the surface, inhibiting the adsorption and subsequent oxidation of H₂. Using TPSR and spectroscopic analyzes by DRIFTS and XPS allowed us to propose the reaction mechanisms for low and high temperatures.     

Ammonia gas sensing and magnetic permeability of enhanced surface area and high porosity lanthanum substituted Co–Zn nano ferrites

This work reports magnetic permeability and ammonia gas sensing characteristics of La³⁺ substituted Co–Zn nano ferrites possessing chemical formula Co_0.7Zn_0.3La_xFe_2-2xO₄ (x = 0–0.1) synthesized by a sol-gel route. Refinement of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the ferrite powders by the Rietveld technique has revealed the creation of single-phase spinel structure. The tenancy of constituent cations at tetrahedral/octahedral sites was obtained from the refinement of XRD. The crystallite sizes calculated from the W–H method vary from 20 to 24 nm. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) profiles of the ferrite samples were analyzed for the morphological details. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) patterns of the samples were obtained to test the elemental purity of the ferrites within their stoichiometry. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of the ferrite (x = 0.1) exhibits the spherical and oval shaped particles with a mean size of 20 nm. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra were analyzed to confirm the superseding of La³⁺ cations at octahedral sites. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis of nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms of the ferrites was performed to investigate the porous structure and to determine the surface area of the nanocrystalline ferrites. The oxidation states of the constituent ions were confirmed by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The complex permeability as a function of frequency was studied to explore the effects of structural parameters on the magnetic behaviour of the ferrites. Analysis of gas sensing properties of the ferrites have proved that the Co–Zn–La ferrite with controlled La composition can be utilized as an effective ammonia gas sensing material in commercial gas sensors.     

Experimental investigation of Co and Fe-Doped CuO nanostructured electrode material for remarkable electrochemical performance

The current research work presents a facile and cost–effective co-precipitation method to prepare doped (Co & Fe) CuO and undoped CuO nanostructures without usage of any type of surfactant or capping agents. The structural analysis reveals monoclinic crystal structure of synthesized pure CuO and doped-CuO nanostructures. The effect of different morphologies on the performance of supercapacitors has been found in CV (cyclic voltammetry) and GCD (galvanic charge discharge) investigations. The specific capacitances have been obtained 156 (±5) Fg^?1, 168(±5) Fg^?1 and 186 (±5) Fg^?1 for CuO, Co-doped CuO and Fe-doped CuO electrodes, respectively at scan rate of 5 mVs^?1, while it is found to be 114 (±5) Fg^?1, 136 (±5) Fg^?1 and 170 (±5) Fg^?1 for CuO, Co–CuO and Fe–CuO, respectively at 0.5 Ag^-1 as calculated from the GCD. The super capacitive performance of the Fe–CuO nanorods is mainly attributed to the synergism that evolves between CuO and Fe metal ion. The Fe-doped CuO with its nanorods like morphology provides superior specific capacitance value and excellent cyclic stability among all studied nanostructured electrodes. Consequently, it motivates to the use of Fe-doped CuO nanostructures as electrode material in the next generation energy storage devices.     

Enhanced relative permittivity in niobium and europium co-doped TiO2 ceramics

The appearance of colossal permittivity materials broadened the choice of materials for energy-storage applications. In this work, colossal permittivity in ceramics of TiO₂ co-doped with niobium and europium ions ((Eu_0.5Nb_0.5)_xTi_1-xO₂ ceramics) was reported. A large permittivity (ε_r ～ 2.01?×?10⁵) and a low dielectric loss (tanδ ～ 0.095) were observed for (Eu_0.5Nb_0.5)_xTi_1-xO₂ (x?=?1%) ceramics at 1?kHz. Moreover, two significant relaxations were observed in the temperature dependence of dielectric properties for (Eu, Nb) co-doped TiO₂ ceramics, which originated from defect dipoles and electron hopping, respectively. The low dielectric loss and high relative permittivity were ascribed to the electron-pinned defect-dipoles and electrons hopping. The (Eu_0.5Nb_0.5)_xTi_1-xO₂ ceramic with great colossal permittivity is one of the most promising candidates for high-energy density storage applications.     

The effects of electrical comminution on the mineral liberation and surface chemistry of a porphyry copper ore

The surface chemistry and mineral liberation changes of a porphyry copper ore after high voltage pulse (HVP) electrical comminution have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and mineral liberation analysis (MLA). Previous studies suggest that electrical comminution has the potential to improve downstream flotation recoveries, due to increased mineral liberation. However, until now the effects on the surface chemistry have not been investigated in detail.The mineral liberation results showed that chalcopyrite was more liberated in the electrical comminution product than in mechanical comminution, noticeably in the coarser size fractions. The surface chemistry of pure chalcopyrite was investigated, using XPS, and high resolution scans of iron and sulphur showed that both comminution methods led to iron oxidising preferentially leaving behind a passivating film of copper sulphides. However, the HVP product oxidisation was more severe with more iron oxide being produced and further oxidation of the remaining copper sulphides into copper sulphate. An attrition grinding stage may be useful in removing the oxidised layer from the surface of the particles prior to flotation separation. This paper presents a new application of the HVP technology in hybrid procedures using electrical comminution and mechanical grinding to prepare the flotation feed, rather than using excessive pulse energy to fully disintegrate ore to the flotation size. Better liberation and flotation performance were achieved through the hybrid procedures than the comparative mechanical comminution.     

Disappearance and recovery of colossal permittivity in (Nb+Mn) co-doped TiO2

We investigate the effects of doping and annealing on the dielectric properties of metal ions doped TiO₂ ceramics. Colossal permittivity (CP) above 10⁴ was observed in single Nb ion doped TiO₂, which was dominated by electron transport related interfacial polarization. Moreover, the CP can be dropped to 120 when simultaneously introducing Mn ion into the sample. The disappearance of CP behaviors maybe due to the multivalence of Mn which would inhibit the reduction of Ti⁴⁺ to Ti³⁺, and thus reduce delocalized electrons. Interestingly, the CP was recovered for the (Nb+Mn) co-doped TiO₂ after post-sintering heat treatment in N₂ atmosphere. The recovery of CP in the sample after annealing can be ascribed to the semiconducting grain and the insulating grain boundary, according to impedance spectroscopy. We therefore believe that this work can help us understand the mechanism of CP from a new perspective.     

Microwave dielectric properties of ultra-low loss Li2MgTi0.7(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.3O4 ceramics sintered at low temperature by LiF addition

In this work, ultra-low loss Li₂MgTi_0.7(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.3O₄ ceramics were successfully prepared via the conventional solid-state method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) and bond energy were used to determine the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic dielectric loss in (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ ions substituted ceramics. The addition of (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ ions enhances the bond energy in unit cell without changing the crystal structure of Li₂MgTiO₄, which results in high Q·f value as an intrinsic factor. The extrinsic factors such as porosity and grain size influence the dielectric loss at lower sintering temperature, while the oxygen vacancies play dominant role when the ceramics densified at 1400?°C. The Li₂MgTi_0.7(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.3O₄ ceramics sintered at 1400?°C can achieve an excellent combination of microwave dielectric properties: ε_r =?16.19, Q·f?=?160,000?GHz and τ_f =??3.14?ppm/°C. In addition, a certain amount of LiF can effectively lower the sintering temperature of the matrix, and the Li₂MgTi_0.7(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.3O₄-3?wt% LiF ceramics sintered at 1100?°C possess balanced properties with ε_r?=?16.32, Q·f?=?145,384?GHz and τ_f =??16.33?ppm/°C.     

PMN-PT陶瓷中的氧缺位及其消除

研究了组成中Pb含量的变化对组成为Pbx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3的铌镁酸铅-钛酸铅(PMN-PT)陶瓷压电性能的影响,发现化学计量比组成(x=1)的Pbx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3陶瓷经常出现压电性能的大幅度退化现象,而A位适量缺Pb能稳定地获得高性能的Pbx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3陶瓷。XPS元素价态分析的结果表明,化学计量比的Pbx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3陶瓷中含有较多的氧缺位,氧缺位的产生源于MgNb2O6(MN)合成过程中的气氛差异,A位适量缺Pb能有效地消除这种氧缺位而稳定地获得正常的压电性能,其机理被认为是氧缺位与铅缺位的复合。     

Cd-ZSM-5沸石催化剂的制备、表征和芳构化催化性能

采用离子交换、浸渍和混合三种方法制备镉改性ZSM-5沸石催化剂,考察了改性方法和镉含量对催化剂的表面酸性和Cd状态以及芳构化性能的影响。结果表明,加入镉降低了B酸性,Cd~(2+)与沸石结合形成了L_(1612)酸中心,其生成量取决于改性方法和Cd含量,并与芳构化活性提高有直接关系。     

渣油中硫化物类型分布与化学转化性能

用X射线光电子能谱（XPS）定量研究了Athabasca渣油及其加氢裂化渣油，流化焦化渣油中的硫化物类型，用超临界流体萃取分馏将3种渣油分别分离成9－14个窄馏分及残渣，测定其中的硫醚，噻吩，亚砜和砜类硫原子的分布，讨论了加氢裂化和热裂化反应脱除硫化物的反应性能。