Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using porous silicon and silica gel as matrix

Porous silicon powder and silica gel particles have been applied as inorganic matrices for the analysis of small molecules in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). In contrast to conventional MALDI-TOFMS, the signal interference of low-molecular analytes by the matrix has been eliminated. Almost no fragmentations of the analytes were observed. Effects of various factors, such as the particle and pore size, the suspending solution, and sample preparation procedures, on the intensity of mass spectra have been investigated. The pore structure of the inorganic matrix and penetration of the analytes into the pores must be optimized for effective desorption and ionization of the analytes. Matrices (DHB and HCCA) were covalently bound to silica gel for improvement of spectrum intensity. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Direct decomposition of NO by microwave heating over Fe/NaZSM-5

Catalytic decomposition of NO was studied over Fe/NaZSM-5 catalyst. Novel results were observed with the microwave heating mode. The conversion of NO to N-2 increased remarkably with the increasing of Fe loading. The effects of a series of reaction parameters, including reaction temperature, O-2 concentration, NO concentration, gas flow rate and H2O addition, on the productivity of N-2 have been investigated. It is shown that the catalyst exhibited good endurance to excess O-2 in the microwave heating mode. Under all reaction conditions, NO converted predominantly to N-2. The highest conversion of NO to N-2 was up to 70%. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The application of microwave radiation to analytical and environment chemistry

This review presents the latest advances in the application of microwave energy to analytical chemistry. The fundamental principles of microwave field interaction with the matter are presented and their significance for the chemist is discussed, followed by the basic principles of microwave equipment construction and operation. Examples of the techniques that utilized microwave energy for digestion, extraction, chemical reaction, preconcentration, and desorption of the analytical sample are presented. A separate section describes the examples of usage of microwave technology in catalysis, environmental, and nuclear chemistry and engineering.

Preparation and Characterization of BaLiF3:Er3+ Nanoparticles by the Hydrothermal Microemulsion Synthesized Method

Nanoparticles of BaLiF3:Er3+ were prepared from the quaternary microemulsions of Cetyltrim-Enthyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB), n-butanol, n-octane, and water, using the hydrothermal-microemulsion technique. The complex fluorides were characterized by means of X-ray power diffraction, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), and fluorescence spectra.

Controllable synthesis of metal hydroxide and oxide nanostructures by ionic liquids assisted electrochemical corrosion method

Cu(OH)(2) nanowires have been synthesized by anodic oxidation of copper through a simple electrolysis process employing ionic liquid as an electrolyte. Controlling the electrochemical conditions can qualitatively modulate the lengths, amounts, and shapes of Cu(OH)(2) nanostructures. A rational mechanism based on coordination self-assembly and oriented attachment is proposed for the selective formation of the polycrystalline Cu(OH)(2) nanowires. In addition, the FeOOH nanoribbons, Ni(OH)(2) nanosheets, and ZnO nanospheres were also synthesized by this route, indicative of the universality of the electrochemical route presented herein. The morphologies and structures of the synthesized nanostructures have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric (TG). (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

One-Step Ionic Liquid-Assisted Electrochemical Synthesis of Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Graphene Sheet Directly from Graphite

Graphite, inexpensive and available in large quantities, unfortunately does not readily exfoliate to yield individual graphene sheets. Here a mild, one-step electrochemical approach for the preparation of ionic-liquid-functionalized graphite sheets with the assistance of an ionic liquid and water is presented. These ionic-liquid-treated graphite sheets can be exfoliated into functionalized graphene nanosheets that can not only be individuated and homogeneously distributed into polar aprotic solvents, but also need not be further deoxidized. Different types of ionic liquids and different ratios of the ionic liquid to water can influence the properties of the graphene nanosheets. Graphene nanosheet/polystyrene composites synthesized by a liquid-phase blend route exhibit a percolation threshold of 0.1 vol % for room temperature electrical conductivity, and, at only 4.19 vol %, this composite has a conductivity of 13.84 S m(-1), which is 3-15 times that of polystyrene composites filled with single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Crystal structure of microwave dielectric ceramics Ba[(Mg1-xCdx)(0.33)Nb-0.67]O-3

A series of complex perovskite solid solutions of Ba[(Mg1-xCdx)(0.33)Nb-0.67]O-3 have been synthesized by the columbite method. Detailed Rietveld refinement of their X-ray diffraction data show that Ba[(Mg1-xCdx)0(.33)Nb(0.67)]O-3 has an order trigonal structure. The ordering degree as determined by the B-site occupancies increases with the partial substitution of Cd for Mg.

Magnet-assisted assembly of 1-dimensional hollow PtCo nanomaterials on an electrode surface

In this work, rapid and controllable confinement of one-dimensional (1D) hollow PtCo nanomaterials on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode surface was simply realized via magnetic attraction. The successful assembly was verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry, which showed that a longer exposure time of the electrode to the suspension of these 1D hollow nanomaterials (magnetic suspension) led to a larger amount of attached 1D hollow PtCo nanomaterials.

Hydrothermal Synthesis and High Photocatalytic Activity of 3D Wurtzite ZnSe Hierarchical Nanostructures

Novel 3D wurtzite ZnSe hierarchical nanostructures have been synthesized by a mild hydrothermal treatment. The as-prepared flowerlike nanostructures efficiently catalyze the photodegradation of methylene blue and ethyl violet present in aqueous solutions under UV light irradiation, exhibiting higher photocatalytic activity than the commercially available photocatalysts P25 and ZnSe microspheres. We also demonstrate that flowerlike morphology is important for the excellent photocatalytic activity.

Hydrothermal synthesis and thermoelectric transport properties of impurity-free antimony telluride hexagonal nanoplates

Impurity-free single-crystalline antimony telluride hexagonal nanoplates (see figure) are synthesized by a facile and quick hydrothermal treatment without any organic additives or templates. The inherent crystal structure is the driving force for the growth of these Sb2Te3 hexagonal nanoplates. Films of these nanoplates shows p-type behavior, and exhibit a promisingly high Seebeck coefficient of 425 mu V K-1 at room temperature.

Hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescent properties of stacked indium sulfide superstructures

Unusual hierarchical stacked superstructures of cubic beta-In2S3 were fabricated via a facile hydrothermal process in the presence of a surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide CTAB; the 3D superstructures were developed by helical propagation of surface steps from microflakes of 10-20 nm thickness.

Studies on the magnetism of cobalt ferrite nanocrystals synthesized by hydrothermal method

Fe-Co/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite and CoFe2O4 nanopowders were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The structure of magnetic powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravity analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) techniques, while magnetic properties were determined by using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature.

Hydrothermal synthesis of lanthanide fluorides LnF(3) (Ln = La to Lu) nano-/microcrystals with multiform structures and morphologies

Lanthanide fluoride LnF(3) (Ln = La to Lu) nano-/microcrystals with multiform crystal structures (hexagonal and orthorhombic) and morphologies (separated elongated nanoparticles, aggregated nanoparticles, polyhedral microcrystals) were successfully synthesized by a facile, effective, and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the samples. The experimental results indicated that the use of NaBF4 is indispensable for obtaining LnF(3) crystal structures.

Energy transfer and tunable luminescence properties of Eu3+ in TbBO3 microspheres via a facile hydrothermal process

Tb(1-x)BO3:xEu(3+) (x = 0-1) microsphere phosphors have been successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal process directly without further sintering treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), photoluminescence (PL), low-voltage cathodoluminescence (CL), and time-resolved emission spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the samples.

Hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties of LuBO3: Tb3+ microflowers

Hexagonal vaterite-type LuBO3:Tb3+ microflower-like phosphors have been successfully prepared by an efficient surfactant- and template-free hydrothermal process directly without further sintering treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), photoluminescence(PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples.