Production and characterization of hydrophobic zinc borate by using palm oil

Zinc borate (ZB) was synthesized using zinc oxide, boric acid synthesized from colemanite, and reference ZB as seed. The effects of reaction parameters such as reaction time, reactant ratio, and seed ratio on its yield were examined. Then, the effects of palm oil with solvents (isopropyl alcohol (IPA), ethanol, and methanol) added to the reaction on its hydrophobicity were explored. Reactions were carried out under determined reaction conditions with magnetically and mechanically stirred systems. The produced ZB was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and measurements of contact angle identified hydrophobicity. The results showed that hydrophobic ZB was successfully produced under determined reaction conditions. The change of process parameters influenced its yield and the usage of palm oil provided hydrophobicity.     

Thermodynamics and phase transformations in the recovery of zinc from willemite

Willemite is a common component of zinc and lead metallurgical slags that, in the absence of effective utilization methods, cause serious environmental problems. To solve this problem and increase zinc recovery, we proposed a novel extraction method of zinc from willemite by calcified roasting followed by leaching in NH₄Cl-NH₃·H₂O solution. The thermodynamics and phase conversion of Zn₂SiO₄ to zinc oxide (ZnO) during calcified roasting with CaO were investigated. The mechanism of mineralogical phase conversion and the effects of the CaO-to-Zn₂SiO₄ mole ratio (n(CaO)/n(Zn₂SiO₄)), roasting temperature, and the roasting time on zinc-bearing phase conversion were experimentally investigated. The results show that Zn₂SiO₄ was first converted to Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇ and then to ZnO. The critical step in extracting zinc from willemite is the conversion of Zn₂SiO₄ to ZnO. The zinc percent leached in the ammonia leaching system rapidly increased because of the gradual complete phase conversion from willemite to ZnO via the calcified roasting process.     

A novel hydrothermal method for zinc extraction and separation from zinc ferrite and electric arc furnace dust

A novel hydrothermal process was developed to extract zinc from pure zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanopowder and zinc-containing electric arc furnace (EAF) dust using hexahydrated ferric chloride (FeCl₃·6H₂O) as a decomposing agent. The effects of solid FeCl₃·6H₂O to ZnFe₂O₄ ratio by mass (R_F/Z), hydrothermal reaction temperature, and time on zinc extraction were systematically investigated. In the results, when the hydrothermal reaction is conducted at 150℃ for 2 h with R_F/Z of 15:20, the efficiency of zinc extraction from ZnFe₂O₄ reaches 97.2%, and the concentration of ferric ions (Fe3+) in the leaching solution is nearly zero, indicating a high selectivity for zinc. In addition, the zinc extraction efficiency from the EAF dust reaches 94.5% in the case of the hydrothermal reaction performed at 200℃ for 10 h with the solid FeCl₃·6H₂O to EAF dust ratio by mass (R_{F/EAF dust}) of 15:10. Zinc and iron separation is achieved by adjusting the pH value of the leaching solution according to the different precipitation pH values of metal hydroxides.     

Effects of the hierarchical pyrolysis polyaniline on reversible hydrogen storage of LiBH4

In this work,LiBH_4–20 wt%PP composite was prepared by ball-milling with as-synthesized hierarchical pyrolysis polyaniline(PP)and LiBH_4,and the hydrogen sorption performance as well as catalytic mechanism of the composite was studied.It is found that the onset desorption temperature of the composite decreases to 75°C,almost 235°C lower than that of the milled LiBH_4.Moreover,the composite could release 4.1 wt%H_2and rehydrogenate a total of 4.4 wt%H_2when the temperature raiseds up to 400°C,showing an outstanding reversibility,which even 3.9 wt%H_2can be kept after five cycles.Through scanning electron microscopy(SEM)observation and X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis,we found that the PP surface forms some nanoholes after hydrogenation-dehydrogenation cycles,which leads to the confinement of some LiBH_4in the PP nanoporous structure,therefore,the hydrogen sorption kinetics and reversibility are significantly enhanced.In addition,we also found the oxygenic groups of the PP can react with LiBH_4forming LiBO_2and Li_3BO_3,where the containing Li–B–O bonds loaded in the porous structure of the PP catalyze the hydrogenation reaction of LiBH_4.     

Nonclassical crystallization of zinc carbonate hydroxide hydrate nanofilm mediated by calcium ions

To satisfy the demand of zinc oxide (ZnO) with advanced muti-functional properties, significant efforts have been made in synthesizing ZnO with various structure and morphology. In particular, hydrothermal method has attracted considerable attentions, in which Zn₄CO₃(OH)₆·H₂O (ZCHH) is commonly found as a metastable precursor. However, the formation and crystallization mechanisms of ZCHH are still lacking and urgently needed. In the present study, the crystallization pathway of ZCHH was systematically investigated, and the results demonstrate that the amorphous zinc carbonate (AZC) was an even more unstable precursor. AZC nanoparticles typically aggregated to form one-dimensional (1D) ZCHH nanorods, however, two-dimensional (2D) ZCHH nanofilms were obtained in the presence of a certain concentration of calcium ion. The results suggest that calcium ions could promote the partial dissolution of AZC and facilitate the aggregation of AZC nanoparticles to form crystalline nanofilm. Moreover, 2D ZnO nanofilms could be obtained by heat treatment of the ZCHH nanofilms. The calcium ion mediated nonclassical crystallization pathway provides inspiration for fabrication of ZnO with controlled morphology and offers new opportunities for inorganic regulated material synthesis.     

Pt-induced electrochemical growth of ZnO rods onto reduced graphene oxide for enhanced photodegradation performance

Photodegradation of organic pollutants over semiconductor catalysts is considered to be a viable method for wastewater treatment.Of the different semiconductor photocatalysts,ZnO has been widely used for the photodegradation of organic pollutants.Meanwhile,graphene is being actively investigated as a cocatalyst for such processes.The high carrier transport rate of graphene can favor the transfer of photoexcited electrons,while the increased specific surface area provides adsorption sites for the organic effluent molecules,thereby improving overall photocatalytic activity.Therefore,in this study,Pt–ZnO–reduced graphene oxide(RGO)rods with different RGO contents are synthesize during a novel Pt-induced electrochemical method,where ZnjZnO acts as the anode and PtjH2OjH2acts as the cathode.The photocatalytic degradation activity of the Pt–ZnO–RGO rods is remarkably improved under UV–visible light irradiation,with the optimum loading RGO content of 1 wt%.     

ZnO及其掺杂纳米粒子的反相微乳液法合成及表征

 分别以OP/正庚烷/正己醇/水溶液和吐温60/溴代十六烷基吡啶/二甲苯/正戊醇/水溶液反相微乳液体系,合成了ZnO及ZnO-Cr₂O₃,ZnO-Cr₂O₃-NiO,ZnO-Cr₂O₃-NiO-MnO掺杂纳米粒子.研究了前驱物、反应物浓度和后处理对粒子制备和粒径的影响.结果表明:所给微乳液体系适合ZnO及其掺杂纳米粒子的制备;通过选择反应途径及控制反应物浓度可实现对粒径的控制;ZnO纳米粒子的粒径为10～200nm,二元、三元、四元掺杂型纳米粒子的粒径均约为20nm.     

低成本无团聚纳米氧化锌的制造

 以硫酸锌、碳酸氢铵为原料,借鉴传统的直接沉淀法生产工艺优点并进行原理性改进,开发出低成本、无团聚、产量大、粒径可控、高品质新型的纳米氧化锌生产工艺,即沉淀-分散法生产工艺.在反应前加入表面活性剂,制得无团聚表面改性的碱式碳酸锌前驱体,用含有表面活性剂的水溶液洗涤,压滤干燥,在380～550℃下保温0.5～1.5h分解制得少团聚的粒径<60nm的纳米氧化锌;然后用无水乙醇作分散介质,将纳米氧化锌球磨2h,进行分散和无团聚化处理,回收乙醇,即制得无团聚、平均粒径35.6nm纳米氧化锌.在实验的基础上分析了纳米氧化锌团聚与分散的机理.     

Growth, structural, optical, thermal and dielectric properties of a novel semi-organic nonline ar optical crystal: Dichloro-diglycine zinc II

Dichloro-diglycine zinc II(DCDGZ II),a semi-organic nonlinear optical material has been synthesized and single crystals were grown from the aqueous solution up to dimensions 20×10×3 mm3.The title compound,DCDGZ II(C4H10Cl2N2O4Zn H2O) crystallizes into monoclinic structure with the space group of C2/c.The unit-cell parameters were found to be a=14.4191(7),b=6.9180(2),c=12.9452(6) and Z=4.In the crystal structure,DCDGZ II layer is building up alternatingly with layers of water in which the zinc ions lie on a twofold axis.Theoretical calculations for polarizability,which are useful for device fabrication were made using Clausius–Mosotti equation and Penn analysis and the results were compared.Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopic studies were performed for the identification of the different functional groups presented in the compound.The UV–vis–NIR absorption spectrum reveals that the lower UV cut-off wavelength is 240 nm.The optical band gap of the crystal was estimated as 2.2 eV.The surface morphology,thermal behaviour,dielectric properties have been studied using SEM,TG/DTA and LCR HITESTER analyzer.The nonlinear optical property of the crystal was also confirmed using Kurtz powder technique.     

Influence of B source materials on the synthesis of TiB2-Al2O3 nanocomposite powders by mechanical alloying

An Al2O3-TiB2 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by ball milling of Al, TiO2 and two B source materials of B2O3 （system （1）） and H3BO3 （system （2））. Phase identification of the milled samples was examined by Xray diffraction. The morphology and microstructure of the milled powders were monitored by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the formation of this composite was completed after 15 and 30 h of milling time in systems （1） and （2）, respectively. More milling energy was required for the formation of this composite in system （2） due to the lubricant properties of HaBO3 and also its decomposition to HBO2 and B2O3 during milling. On the basis of X-ray diffraction patterns and thermodynamic calculations, this composite was formed by highly exothermic mechanically induced self-sustaining reactions （MSR） in both systems. The MSR mode took place around 9 h and 25 h of milling in systems （1） and （2）, respectively. At the end of milling （15 h for system （1） and 30 h for system （2）） the grain size of about 35-50 nm was obtained in both systems.     

氨配合法制备活性氧化锌的研究

 以硫酸锌、氨水、碳酸氢铵为原料,采用氨配合法制备出碱式碳酸锌,再经高温煅烧制备活性氧化锌.通过差热-热重分析(DTA-TG)、比表面积测定、X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等测试方法对产物进行了表征.对蒸氨时间、陈化时间、煅烧时间和煅烧温度等因素对活性氧化锌性能的影响进行了详细的研究,得到了制备活性氧化锌的较优条件,在此条件下制得了比表面积高达68.151 m²/g的活性氧化锌.     

Uptake kinetics of 3-buten-1-ol, 4-penten-1-ol and 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol into sulfuric acid solutions

Unsaturated alcohols are important components in complex mixtures of oxygenated volatile organic compounds, and play a significant role in atmospheric chemistry. The uptake kinetics of 3-buten-1-ol (BO31), 4-penten-1-ol (PO41) and 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol (MBO331) into 20 wt%-80 wt% H₂SO₄ solutions were studied, using a rotated wetted-wall reactor coupled to a differentially pumped single-photon ionization time of flight mass spectrometer (SPI-TOFMS). With increasing acidity, the uptake processes changed from reversible to irreversible (reactive). Reactive uptake was observed in 60 wt%-80 wt%, 50 wt%-80 wt% and 30 wt%-80 wt% H₂SO₄ solutions for BO31, PO41 and MBO331, respectively. Reactive uptake coefficients were acquired and are reported here for the first time. Reactivity order followed the trend: BO31<PO41<MBO331. An electrophilic addition mechanism of H₂SO₄ to the C=C double bond was used to explain this trend. Atmospheric implications were discussed, based on the reactive uptake coefficients. This heterogeneous reaction with sulfuric acid aerosols may be a potential degradation pathway of unsaturated alcohols, and should not be neglected.     

Three new zinc（Ⅱ） coordination polymers： Modulation of extended structures driven by assistant ligands

Three new complexes, [Zn（dtb）（4,4′-bipy）]·5H2O （1）, [Zn（dtb）（bpp）]·H2O （2） and [Zn（dtb）（phen）2]·CH3- CH2OH·H2O （3） （dtb = 5,5′-dithiobis（2-nitrobenzoic acid）, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bpp = 1,3-bi（4-pyridyl） propane, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline）, have been constructed by dtb ligand and zinc salt in the presence of different assistant N-containing ligands under hydrothermal conditions. The structures of the complexes were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Although compounds 1 and 2 are both 2D networks, the cavities＇ forms and pitch of helix are different. The structure of compound 3 shows a 1D helical chain, and is extended by the supermolecule interactions into a 2D framework. These neutral polymeric complexes exhibit structural and dimensional diversity due to the different coordination modes of the flexible dtb ligand and the effect of assistant ligands.     

Synthesis, structure and ethylene polymerization behavior of titanium complexes [C3H6（N = CH-Ar-O）2]TiCl2

Early transition metal catalysts containing twophenoxy-imine ligands, called FI catalysts which havevery high potential to become a new generation of olefinpolymerization catalysts, are new-type catalysts whichhave attracted much attention in recent years[1—3]. Many ofthem display activities comparable to those of the metal-locene catalysts and, in some cases, behave as living po-lymerization catalysts of α-olefins. Brookhart and Gibsonet al.[4,5] recently reported separately series of Schi…     

Bioleaching of zinc from gold ores using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

The present work investigated microbial leaching of zinc from ore using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (ATCC 14859). The ore samples, consisted of 13wt% zinc, were obtained from a gold mine in north-eastern Thailand. A shake flask study was performed on the ore samples using a rotary shaker under the following fixed conditions (250 r·min⁻¹, 30°C for 16 d). The influence of various conditions, namely medium type (with and without iron), particle ore size (<20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-100, and >100 mesh), ore density (20 kg·m⁻³, 50 kg·m⁻³, and 100 kg·m⁻³), and pH of the medium (2, 2.5, 2.8, and 3), were investigated. The microbial leaching was assessed by determining the concentration of zinc in the medium and compared with the initial sample concentration. The results show that Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans can successfully leach zinc by as much as 6 times compared with the control experiment (without Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ferrooxidans). The maximum efficiency (92.3%) for microbial leaching is obtained in iron-containing medium, 20-40 mesh ore sizes, 20 kg·m⁻³ ore density at pH 2.8, and the zinc content is found in the medium at about 120 mg·L⁻¹.     

Synthesis, structure, optoelectronic properties of novel zinc Schiff-base complexes

Two novel zinc Schiff-base complexes, bis-(N-(2-hydroxybenzidene)-p-aminodimethylaniline)zinc(II) (2) and bis-(N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthidene)-p-aminodimethylaniline)zinc(II) (4) were designed and synthesized. Both the complexes exhibit good solubility in organic solvents and excellent thermal stabilities. A single crystal of 2 was grown and its crystalline structure was determined from X-ray diffraction data. Analysis of the electronic structures of both the zinc complexes calculated by density functional theory reveals a localization of orbital. The UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence profiles of 4 in thin film are similar to those of 2, but the emission for 4 is red-shifted compared to 2. Three-layered devices with a configuration of ITO/NPB/2/Alq 3 /LiF/Al and ITO/NPB/4/Alq 3 /LiF/Al show a yellow and red emission, respectively.     

Enhanced hydrogen storage properties of NaBH4–Mg(BH4)2 composites by NdF3 addition

As two important members of complex hydrides, Mg(BH₄)₂ and NaBH₄ have a high gravimetric capacity (14.9 and 10.8 ​wt%, respectively). In this study, the Mg(BH₄)₂ was synthesized by the ion exchange method. Afterwards, the Mg(BH₄)₂ and NaBH₄ composites with different amounts (30, 40 and 50 ​wt%) of NdF₃ were prepared by mechanical milling. Effects of the NdF₃ on the microstructural evolution and hydrogen storage properties were investigated. The results show that NdF₃ catalyst can significantly improve the dehydrogenation kinetics of the eutectic composites of NaBH₄–Mg(BH₄)₂. The onset hydrogen desorption temperature of the composites is about 88.6 ​°C, which is about 110 ​°C lower than that of Mg(BH₄)₂ and NaBH₄ composites. Mg(BH₄)₂–NaBH₄-0.5NdF₃ composites can released 5.2 ​wt% H₂ at 250 ​°C within 30 ​min, and the dehydrogenation capacity is significantly higher than that of Mg(BH₄)₂–NaBH₄ composites. The analysis of the dehydrogenation mechanism reveals that NdF₃ takes participate in the reaction to generate NaMgF₃ to promote the dehydrogenation reaction process of the composites.     

Reaction condition optimization and kinetic investigation of roasting zinc oxide ore using (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

An orthogonal test was used to optimize the reaction conditions of roasting zinc oxide ore using (NH₄)₂SO₄. The optimized reaction conditions are defined as an (NH₄)₂SO₄/zinc molar ratio of 1.4:1, a roasting temperature of 440°C, and a thermostatic time of 60 min. The molar ratio of (NH₄)₂SO₄/zinc is the most predominant factor and the roasting temperature is the second significant factor that governs the zinc extraction. Thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis was used for (NH₄)₂SO₄ and zinc mixed in a molar ratio of 1.4:1 at the heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K·min-1. Two strong endothermic peaks indicate that the complex chemical reactions occur at approximately 290°C and 400°C. XRD analysis was employed to examine the transformations of mineral phases during roasting process. Kinetic parameters, including reaction apparent activation energy, reaction order, and frequency factor, were calculated by the Doyle–Ozawa and Kissinger methods. Corresponding to the two endothermic peaks, the kinetic equations were obtained.     

Competing crystallite size and zinc concentration in silica coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles

Silica coated(30 wt%) cobalt zinc ferrite(Co1 xZnxFe2O4, x?0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 1) nanoparticles were synthesized by using sol–gel method. Silica acts as a spacer among the nanoparticles to avoid the agglomeration. X-ray diffraction(XRD) reveals the cubic spinel ferrite structure of nanoparticles with crystallite size in the range 37–45 nm. Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the formation of spinel ferrite and SiO2. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) images show that the nanoparticles are nearly spherical and non-agglomerated due to presence of non-magnetic SiO2 surface coating. All these measurements signify that the structural and magnetic properties of Co1 xZnxFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles strongly depend on Zn concentration and nanoparticle average crystallite size in different Zn concentration regimes.& 2014 Chinese Materials Research Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.     

Synthesis of Mg2B2O5 whiskers via coprecipitation and sintering process

Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers with high aspect ratio were synthesized by coprecipitation and sintering process using MgCl₂·6H₂O, H₃BO₃, and NaOH as raw materials and KCl as a flux. Their formation process was investigated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microcopy (SEM). It is found that the products synthesized at 832°C are monoclinic Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers with a diameter of 200?C400 nm and a length of 50?C80 ??m. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analyses show that the whiskers obtained at 832°C are single crystalline and grow along with the [010] direction. The growth mechanism of Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers was also presented.