Synthesis of crystalline perovskite-structured SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles using an alkali hydrothermal process

We report an experimental route for synthesizing perovskite-structured strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) nanocubes using an alkali hydrothermal process at low temperatures without further heating. Furthermore, we studied the influence of heating time (at 180℃) on the crystallinity, morphology, and perovskite phase formation of SrTiO₃. The SrTiO₃ powder, which is formed via nanocube agglomeration, transforms into cubic particles with a particle size of 120–150 nm after 6 h of hydrothermal sintering. The crystallinity and percentage of the perovskite phase in the product increased with heating time. The cubic particles contained 31.24at% anatase TiO₂ that originated from the precursor. By varying the weight ratio of anatase TiO₂ used to react with the strontium salt precursor, we reduced the anatase-TiO₂ content to 18.8at%. However, the average particle size increased when the anatase-TiO₂ content decreased.     

Extraction and characterization of alumina nanopowders from aluminum dross by acid dissolution process

A significant amount of aluminum dross is available as a waste in foundry industries in Bangladesh. In this study, alumina was extracted from aluminum dross collected from two foundry industries situated in Dhamrai and Manikgang, near the capital city, Dhaka. Aluminum dross samples were found to approximately contain 75wt% Al₂O₃ and 12wt% SiO₂. An acid dissolution process was used to recover the alumina value from the dross. The effects of various parameters, e.g., temperature, acid concentration, and leaching time, on the extraction of alumina were studied to optimize the dissolution process. First, Al(OH)₃ was produced in the form of a gel. Calcination of the Al(OH)₃ gel at 1000℃, 1200℃, and 1400℃ for 2 h produced θ-Al₂O₃, (α+θ)-Al₂O₃, and α-alumina powder, respectively. Thermal characterization of the Al(OH)₃ gel was performed by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The phases and crystallite size of the alumina were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The dimensions of the alumina were found to be on the nano level. The chemical compositions of the aluminum dross and alumina were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. The microstructure and morphology of the alumina were studied with scanning electron microscopy. The purity of the alumina extracted in this study was found to be 99.0%. Thus, it is expected that the obtained alumina powders can be potentially utilized as biomaterials.     

New insights into the effects of silicon content on the oxidation process in silicon-containing steels

Simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) was used to investigate the effects of silicon content on the oxidation kinetics of silicon- containing steels under an atmosphere and heating procedures similar to those used in industrial reheating furnaces for the production of hot-rolled strips. Our results show that when the heating temperature was greater than the melting point of Fe₂SiO₄, the oxidation rates of steels with different silicon contents were the same; the total mass gain decreased with increasing silicon content, whereas it increased with increasing oxygen content. The oxidation rates for steels with different silicon contents were constant with respect to time under isothermal conditions. In addition, the starting oxidation temperature, the intense oxidation temperature, and the finishing oxidation temperature increased with increasing silicon content; the intense oxidation temperature had no correlation with the melting of Fe₂SiO₄. Moreover, the silicon distributed in two forms: as Fe₂SiO₄ at the interface between the innermost layer of oxide scale and the iron matrix, and as particles containing silicon in grains and grain boundaries in the iron matrix.     

Sol-gel preparation and characterization of Co3O4 nanocrystals

A new citrate acid-hydrazine sol-gel route for preparation of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles has been developed. Co₃O₄ nanoparticles with different particle-sizes and morphology were prepared at different heat-treatment temperatures and the pure cubic nanocrystals of Co₃O₄ were obtained at 600℃. The synthesis process was monitored by infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The structure and morphology of Co₃O₄ nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray-photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The infrared absorption bands blue-shifted with particle size decreasing, which could be attributed to increasing surface effect. XPS results showed that predominant species at surface layers of Co₃O₄ nanocrystals are octahedral Co (Ⅲ).     

Effect of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> pigment gradation on the properties of thermal insulation coatings

This study was designed to evaluate the thermal performance and mechanical properties of coatings with different gradations of TiO₂ pigments. The solar reflectance, cooling performance, wash resistance, and film adhesion strength of the coatings were investigated. The influence of TiO₂ powder gradation on the final properties of the coatings was studed. The solar reflectance and the thermal insulation were observed to increase with increasing content of nanosized TiO₂. The mechanical properties of the coatings, such as their wash resistance and film adhesion strength, were observed to increase with increased incorporation of nanosized TiO₂. Such improvements in the properties of the coatings were attributed to the greater specific surface area and lower thermal conductivity of nanosized TiO₂ particles compared to normal TiO₂ particles.     

Mechanochemical leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate by sulfuric acid

This study aimed to introduce a new cost-effective methodology for increasing the leaching efficiency of chalcopyrite concentrates at ambient temperature and pressure. Mechanical activation was employed during the leaching (mechanochemical leaching) of chalcopyrite concentrates in a sulfuric acid medium at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. High energy ball milling process was used during the leaching to provide the mechanochemical leaching condition, and atomic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to determine the leaching behavior of chalcopyrite. Moreover, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the chalcopyrite powder before and after leaching. The results demonstrated that mechanochemical leaching was effective; the extraction of copper increased significantly and continuously. Although the leaching efficiency of chalcopyrite was very low at ambient temperature, the percentages of copper dissolved in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ferric sulfate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃) after 20 h of mechanochemical leaching reached 28% and 33%, respectively. Given the efficiency of the developed method and the facts that it does not require the use of an autoclave and can be conducted at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, it represents an economical and easy-to-use method for the leaching industry.     

Evolution of ferronickel particles during the reduction of low-grade saprolitic laterite nickel ore by coal in the temperature range of 900–1250℃with the addition of CaO–CaF2–H3BO3

The method of producing ferronickel at low temperature(1250–1400℃)has been applied since the 1950s at Nippon Yakin Kogyo,Oheyama Works,Japan.Limestone was used as an additive to adjust the slag composition for lowering the slag melting point.The ferronickel product was recovered by means of a magnetic separator from semi-molten slag and metal after water quenching.To increase the efficiency of magnetic separation,a large particle size of ferronickel is desired.Therefore,in this study,the influences of CaO,CaF₂,and H₃BO₃ additives on the evolution of ferronickel particle at≤1250℃were investigated.The experiments were conducted at 900–1250℃with the addition of CaO,CaF₂,and H₃BO₃.The reduction processes were carried out in a horizontal tube furnace for 2 h under argon atmosphere.At 1250℃,with the CaO addition of 10 wt%of the ore weight,ferronickel particles with size of 20μm were obtained.The ferronickel particle size increased to 165μm by adding 10 wt%CaO and 10 wt%CaF₂.The addition of boric acid further increased the ferronickel particle size to 376μm,as shown by the experiments with the addition of 10 wt%CaO,10 wt%CaF₂,and 10 wt%H₃BO₃.     

Study on ceramic photonic bandgap structure with three-dimensional diamond lattice

A novel process,which was based on powder injection molding,was investigated for the fabrication of ceramic photonic bandgap structure with three-dimensional diamond lattice. The SiO₂-TiO₂ ceramic powder was mixed with a water-soluble agent to produce slurry. The slurry was then injected into an epoxy mold with inverse diamond lattice,fabricated by the stereolitographic rapid prototyping process. To increase the density of the green compact,cold isostatic pressing was applied on the unit. Using thermal de-binding,the water-soluble agent and the epoxy were extracted at 360 and 650 K,respectively. Sintering was immediately done at 950 K for 5 h and the desired three-dimensional ceramic structure was obtained. The calculated band diagram for this structure indicated the existence of an absolute photonic bandgap for all wave vectors. At 14.7-18.5 GHz,a complete band gap was located with a maximum attenuation of 30 dB at 17 GHz,when transmission was measured in the <100> direction between 10 and 20 GHz.     

Physical and Electrochemical Properties of Acid 1-Methyl-3-Ethylimidazolium Chloride/AlCl3/LiAlCl4Molten Salt

An acid molten salt was formed by means of mixing 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride with AlCl₃ and LiAlCl₄ at ambient temperature. The solubility of LiAlCl₄ in the acid molten salt was measured. Variations of specific conductivity, density and kinetic viscosity of molten salt with mole ratio of MeEtlmCl/AlCl₃/LiAlCl₄ were observed. A solubility maximum of LiAlCl₄ with 54% in molar fraction was shown at a mole ratio of AlCl₃/MeEtlmCl = 1.2. An increase in density and viscosity, and a decrease in specific conductivity were found with increasing the concentrations of LiAlCl₄ and AlCl₃. The dependence of specific conductivity of this acid molten salt upon temperature was found to display Vogel-Tammanm-Fucher behavior. However, Arrhenius behavior was observed at two special mole ratios of MeEtImCl/AlCl₃/LiAlCl₄ = 1:1.5:0.05 and 1. 1.5:0. 10. The conductivity equations of this molten salt at various compositions were constructed. The ion interaction in the acid molten salt was studied using 7Li and 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic methods. The effect of concentrations of LiAlCl₄ and AlCl₃ on the ion interaction was also discussed.     

Effect of reinforcement content on the adhesive wear behavior of Cu10Sn5Ni/Si3N4 composites produced by stir casting

The main objective of this paper was to fabricate Cu10Sn5Ni alloy and its composites reinforced with various contents of Si₃N₄ particles (5wt%, 10wt%, and 15wt%) and to investigate their dry sliding wear behavior using a pin-on-disk tribometer. Microstructural examinations of the specimens revealed a uniform dispersion of Si₃N₄ particles in the copper matrix. Wear experiments were performed for all combinations of parameters, such as load (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding distance (500, 1000, and 1500 m), and sliding velocity (1, 2, and 3 m/s), for the alloy and the composites. The results revealed that wear rate increased with increasing load and increasing sliding distance, whereas the wear rate decreased and then increased with increasing sliding velocity. The primary wear mechanism encountered at low loads was mild adhesive wear, whereas that at high loads was severe delamination wear. An oxide layer was formed at low velocities, whereas a combination of shear and plastic deformation occurred at high velocities. The mechanism at short sliding distances was ploughing action of Si₃N₄ particles, which act as protrusions; by contrast, at long sliding distances, direct metal-metal contact occurred. Among the investigated samples, the Cu/10wt% Si₃N₄ composite exhibited the best wear resistance at a load of 10 N, a velocity of 2 m/s, and a sliding distance of 500 m.     

Preparation of fine copper powders and their application in BME-MLCC

The preparation of fine copper powders by chemical reduction method was investigated. The reaction of [Cu(NH₃)₄]2+ complex with hydrazine hydrate gives spherical monodispersed fine copper powders. The spherical copper powder with a uniform size of 3.5 ± 0.5 μm was processed to obtain flake copper powder having a uniform size of 8-10 μm, excellent dispersibility and uniform shape. The spherical copper powder of 2.5 ± 0.3 μm in size, flake copper, glass frit and vehicle were mixed to prepare copper paste, which was fired in 910-920°C to obtain BME-MLCC (base metal multilayer ceramic capacitor) with a dense surface of end termination, high adhesion and qualified electrical behavior. Polarized light photo and SEM were employed to observe the copper end termination of BME-MLCC. The rough interface from the interfacial reaction between glass and chip gives high adhesion.     

Fine grain tungsten produced with nanoscale powder

Nanoscale tungsten powder was prepared by reducing nanoscale tungsten trioxide in hydrogen to WO_2.90 and further to W powder. After compacted with a rubber die, the nanoscale tungsten powder was sintered in a high-temperature dilatometer to investigate its shrinkage process. The results show that the compact of the nanoscale tungsten powder starts to shrink at 1050℃ and ends at 1500℃. The shrinkage rate reaches the maximum value at 1210℃. The relative density of sintered samples is 96.4%, and its grain size is about 5.8 μm.     

Novel Carboxylic Acid Solvolysis Route to Synthesis Electrode-active Nanostructured Spinel-Li_4Ti_5O_(12) for Lithium Batteries and Hybrid Capacitors

1 Results Nanostructured spinel-type Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) was prepared using Lewis acid base reaction technique involving a mixture of titanium β-diketonate and lithium nitrate as starting materials in the presence of aqueous citric acid as a solvolysis agent. The above method yielded a simple single step process without involving sol to gel conversion. The phase purity of the synthesized product after calcining at 800 ℃ for 24 h in air showed a spinel structure without any residual impurities. The nanostructure of the final product (both as prepared and calcined) was confirmed by High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) analysis. This process yielded very uniform spherical nanoparticles of ≈3 nm in size. The LTO product was tested as anode-active material in lithium containing half cells, Li4Ti5O12/Li at room temperature. It was found that the composite anode exhibited a working voltage of 1.55 V vs. Li/Li with a first discharge capacity of 160 mAh·g-1.     

添加AlCl3水解TiCl4制备的对Cr(VI)具有较高的吸附能力的金红石二氧化钛

Rutile titania (TiO₂) was successfully prepared via hydrolysis of TiCl₄ in the presence of AlCl₃. The powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer?Emmett?Teller (BET) surface area analysis. In the present system, AlCl₃ functions as a nucleating agent and induces the formation of rutile TiO₂. The influences of HCl and isopropanol concentrations on the purity and morphology of the rutile TiO₂ were investigated. The purity of the rutile TiO₂ increased with increasing concentration of HCl. Evenly dispersed rutile TiO₂ particles with a spherical morphology were obtained when the HCl and isopropanol concentrations were 0.5 and 1 mol·L?l, respectively. Furthermore, the prepared TiO₂ powders were used in adsorption tests of the heavy metal pollutant Cr(VI). Rutile TiO₂ sample S-9 demonstrated greater adsorption performance and a removal efficiency that was greater than 99.95% after 60 min of adsorption when the Cr(VI) concentration was 200 mg·L?l. The maximum adsorption capacity on rutile TiO₂ was 28.9 mg·g?1. This work provides an easy path to prepare a high-performance rutile TiO₂ adsorbent with potential applications in water pollution treatment.     

Effect of diboron trioxide on the crushing strength and smelting mechanism of high-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite pellets

The effect of diboron trioxide (B₂O₃) on the crushing strength and smelting mechanism of high-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite pellets was investigated in this work. The main characterization methods were X-ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, mercury injection porosimetry, X-ray diffraction, metallographic microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that the crushing strength increased greatly with increasing B₂O₃ content and that the increase in crushing strength was strongly correlated with a decrease in porosity, the formation of liquid phases, and the growth and recrystallization consolidation of hematite crystalline grains. The smelting properties were measured under simulated blast furnace conditions; the results showed that the smelting properties within a certain B₂O₃ content range were improved and optimized except in the softening stage. The valuable element B was easily transformed to the slag, and this phenomenon became increasingly evident with increasing B₂O₃ content. The formation of Ti(C,N) was mostly avoided, and the slag and melted iron were separated well during smelting with the addition of B₂O₃. The size increase of the melted iron was consistent with the gradual optimization of the dripping characteristics with increasing B₂O₃ content.     

Fabrication and properties of aluminum silicate fibrous materials with <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> synthesized K<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> whiskers

To improve their mechanical and thermal insulation properties, aluminum silicate fibrous materials with in situ synthesized K₂Ti₆O₁₃ whiskers were prepared by firing a mixture of short aluminum silicate fibers and gel powders obtained from a sol-gel process. During the preparation process, the fiber surface was coated with K₂Ti₆O₁₃ whiskers after the fibers were subjected to a heat treatment carried out at various temperatures. The effects of process parameters on the microstructure, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity were analyzed systematically. The results show that higher treatment temperatures and longer treatment durations promoted the development of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ whiskers on the surface of aluminum silicate fibers; in addition, the intersection structure between whiskers modulated the morphology and volume of the multi-aperture structure among fibers, substantially increasing the fibers' compressive strength and reducing their heat conduction and convective heat transfer at high temperatures.     

Synthesis of nanosized tungsten powder

Nanosized tungsten powder was synthesized by means of different methods and under different conditions with nanosized WO₃ powder. The powder and the intermediate products were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller Procedure) and SAXS (X-ray diffracto-spectrometer/Kratky small angle scattering goniometer). The results show that nanosized WO₃ can be completely reduced to WO₂ at 600℃ after 40 min, and WO₂ can be reduced to W at 700℃ after 90 min, moreover, the mean size of W particles is less than 40 nm. Furthermore, the process of WO₃→WO₂→W excelled that of WO₃→W in getting stable nanosized tungsten powder with less grain size.     

Effect of Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on the crystallization behavior of glass-ceramics produced from naturally cooled yellow phosphorus furnace slag

CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (CAS) glass-ceramics were prepared via a melting method using naturally cooled yellow phosphorus furnace slag as the main raw material. The effects of the addition of Fe₂O₃ on the crystallization behavior and properties of the prepared glass-ceramics were studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The crystallization activation energy was calculated using the modified Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation. The results show that the intrinsic nucleating agent in the yellow phosphorus furnace slag could effectively promote the crystallization of CAS. The crystallization activation energy first increased and then decreased with increasing amount of added Fe₂O₃. At 4wt% of added Fe₂O₃, the crystallization activation energy reached a maximum of 676.374 kJ·mol-1. The type of the main crystalline phase did not change with the amount of added Fe₂O₃. The primary and secondary crystalline phases were identified as wollastonite (CaSiO₃) and hedenbergite (CaFe(Si₂O₆)), respectively.     

Structural,morphological, and optical properties of tin(IV) oxide nanoparticles synthesized using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis> extract: a green approach

Tin oxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles were cost-effectively synthesized using nontoxic chemicals and green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract via a green synthesis method. The structural properties of the obtained nanoparticles were studied using X-ray diffraction, which indicated that the crystallite size was less than 20 nm. The particle size and morphology of the nanoparticles were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The morphological analysis revealed agglomerated spherical nanoparticles with sizes varying from 5 to 30 nm. The optical properties of the nanoparticles' band gap were characterized using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The band gap was found to decrease with increasing annealing temperature. The O vacancy defects were analyzed using photoluminescence spectroscopy. The increase in the crystallite size, decreasing band gap, and the increasing intensities of the UV and visible emission peaks indicated that the green-synthesized SnO₂ may play future important roles in catalysis and optoelectronic devices.     

Preparation and radar-absorbing properties of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Yb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite powder

Al₂O₃/TiO₂/Fe₂O₃/Yb₂O₃ composite powder was synthesized via the sol-gel method. The structure, morphology, and radar-absorption properties of the composite powder were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and RF impedance analysis. The results show that two types of particles exist in the composite powder. One is irregular flakes (100-200 nm) and the other is spherical Al₂O₃ particles (smaller than 80 nm). Electromagnetic wave attenuation is mostly achieved by dielectric loss. The maximum value of the dissipation factor reaches 0.76 (at 15.68 GHz) in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz. The electromagnetic absorption of waves covers 2-18 GHz with the matching thicknesses of 1.5-4.5 mm. The absorption peak shifts to the lower-frequency area with increasing matching thickness. The effective absorption band covers the frequency range of 2.16-9.76 GHz, and the maximum absorption peak reaches -20.18 dB with a matching thickness of 3.5 mm at a frequency of 3.52 GHz.