Rare earth centers properties and electron trapping in SnO2 thin films produced by sol-gel route

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Photoluminescence of Eu(3+) ion in SnO(2) obtained by sol-gel

Photoluminescence data of Eu-doped SnO(2) xerogels are presented, yielding information on the symmetry of Eu(3+) luminescent centers, which can be related to their location in the matrix: at lattice sites, substituting to Sn(4+), or segregated at particles surface. Influence of doping concentration and/or particle size on the photoluminescence spectra obtained by energy transfer from the matrix to Eu(3+) sites is investigated. Results show that a better efficiency in the energy transfer processes is obtained for high symmetry Eu(3+) sites and low doping levels. Emission intensity from (5)D(0) -> (7)F(1) transition increases as the temperature is raised from 10 to 240 K, under excitation at 266 nm laser line, because in this transition the multiphonon emission becomes significant only above 240 K. As an extension of this result, we predict high effectiveness for room temperature operation of Eu-based optical communication devices. X-ray diffraction data show that the impurity excess inhibits particle growth, which may influence the asymmetry ratio of luminescence spectra.

Evaluation of Bulk and Surfaces Absorption Edge Energy of Sol-Gel-Dip-Coating SnO2 Thin Films

The absorption edge and the bandgap transition of sol-gel-dip-coating SnO2 thin films, deposited on quartz substrates, are evaluated from optical absorption data and temperature dependent photoconductivity spectra. Structural properties of these films help the interpretation of bandgap transition nature, since the obtained nanosized dimensions of crystallites are determinant on dominant growth direction and, thus, absorption energy. Electronic properties of the bulk and (110) and (101) surfaces are also presented, calculated by means of density functional theory applied to periodic calculations at B3LYP hybrid functional level. Experimentally obtained absorption edge is compared to the calculated energy band diagrams of bulk and (110) and (101) surfaces. The overall calculated electronic properties in conjunction with structural and electro-optical experimental data suggest that the nature of the bandgap transition is related to a combined effect of bulk and (101) surface, which presents direct bandgap transition.

Surface characterisation of V(2)O(5)/TiO(2) catalytic system

Samples of the V(2)O(5)/TiO(2) system were prepared by the sol-gel method and calcined at different temperatures. Surface species of vanadium, their dispersion, as well as the structural evolution of the system were analysed by XRD, Raman, EPR, and XPS techniques. The results of XRD showed the evolution of TiO(2) from anatase phase to rutile. phase. The Raman spectra for calcination temperatures up to 500 degreesC showed a good dispersion of vanadium over titania in the form of monomeric vanadyl groups (V(4+)) and polymeric vanadates (V(5+)). At least three families of V4+ ions were identified by EPR investigations. Two kinds of isolated V(4+) species are placed in sites of octahedral symmetry, substituting Ti(4+) in the rutile phase. The third is formed by pairs of V(4+) species on the surface of titania. Above 500 degreesC part of superficial V(4+) is inserted into the,matrix of titania and part is oxidized to V(5+). The XPS results showed that the V/Ti ratio rises with increasing calcination temperature, indicating a smaller dispersion of vanadium.

Schottky emission in nanoscopically crystallized Ce-doped SnO2 thin films deposited by sol-gel-dip-coating

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Formation of TiO2 ceramic foams from the integration of the sol-gel method with surfactants assembly and emulsion

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Método sol-gel modificado para obtenção de alumina nanoencapsulada com terras raras

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Determinação de diagramas de bandas de energia e da borda de absorção em SnO2, depositado via sol-gel, sobre quartzo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Resistividade do filme depositado via sol-gel e estado de oxidação do dopante Ce na matriz SnO2

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaporative cooling and cutaneous surface temperature of Holstein cows in tropical conditions

Foram estudados os efeitos da temperatura cutânea (Ts) sobre a taxa de termólise por evaporação cutânea (Es) de vacas Holandesas cronicamente expostas ao sol, considerando a pigmentação do pelame. Dezesseis vacas puras de origem foram medidas quanto à evaporação e à temperatura cutâneas às 13 h, após 6 horas de exposição ao sol, no mesmo local (flanco, pescoço e glúteo) e considerando separadamente as malhas negras e as brancas. A evaporação cutânea foi medida por meio de cápsula ventilada. Nas áreas negras a taxa de sudação (138,9 ± 8,5 g.m-2.h-1), a taxa de termólise por evaporação cutânea (93,3 ± 5,7 W.m-2) e a temperatura da superfície cutânea (33,1 ± 0,2°C) foram maiores que nas áreas brancas (109,5 ± 9,7 g.m-2.h-1, 73,6 ± 6,5 W.m-2 e 32,6 ± 0,2°C, respectivamente). Há uma relação exponencial entre evaporação e temperatura cutâneas, que pode ser representada pela equação Es = 31,5+3,67 exp{(Ts-27,9)/2,19115}, com coeficiente de determinação r²=0,68. A taxa de termólise por evaporação cutânea permanece quase constante (cerca de 48 W.m-2) até que a temperatura cutânea atinge aproximadamente 31°C.

From sol to aerogel: a study of the nanostructural characteristics of TEOS derived sonogels

The nanostructural characteristics of acid-catalyzed sonogels are studied along the aging process at 60 degreesC in saturated conditions and after the CO, supercritical extraction (aerogel). The structural evolution was studied by means of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and UV-Visible absorption techniques. The sonogel exhibits a mass fractal structure in a length scale between zeta - 1/q(0) similar to 5.3 and a(1) similar to 1/q(m) similar to 0.22 nm, as the length scale probed by SAXS. The apparent mass fractal dimension lightly increases from 2.0 for fresh gel until 2.2 for 14 days aging in wet conditions. The UV absorption also increases with the aging time in wet conditions. Both observations are consistent with the syneresis process accompanying the polycondensation progress during aging in saturated conditions. For long aging times, the wet sonogels show a light transition from a mass to a surface fractal. in a very small interval of the length scale, developing an extremely rough surface with fractal dimension D-S similar to 2.9, the fractal characteristics of the sonogels practically do not change with the alcohol exchange. With the CO2 supercritical extraction (aerogel). The interval in the length scale in which the surface fractal is defined increases, while the surface fractal dimension diminishes to D-S similar to 2.5. The mass fractal characteristics are less apparent in the aerogels. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Sol-gel synthesis of titania-alumina catalyst supports

Titanium oxide is a good candidate as new support for hydrotreating (HDT) catalysts, but has the inconvenience of presenting small surface area and poor thermal stability. To overcome these handicaps TiO2-Al2O3 mixed oxides were proposed as catalyst support. Here, the results concerning the preparation, characterization and testing of molybdenum catalyst supported on titania-alumina are presented. The support was prepared by sol-gel route using titanium and aluminum isopropoxides, chelated with acetylacetone (acac) to promote similar hydrolysis ratio for both the alcoxides. The effect of nominal complexing ratios [acac]/[Ti] and of sol aging temperature on the structural features of nanometric particles was analyzed by quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) and N-2 adsorption isotherm measurements. These characterizations have shown that the addition of acac and the increase of aging temperature favor the full dispersion of primary nanoparticles in mother acid solution. The dried powder presents a monomodal distribution of slit-shaped micropores, formed by irregular packing of platelet primary particles, surface area superior to 200 m(2) g(-1) and mean pore size of about 1 nm. These characteristics of porous texture are preserved after firing at 673 K. The diffraction patterns of sample fired above 973 K show only the presence of anatase crystalline phase. The crystalline structure of the support remained unaltered after molybdenum adsorption, but the surface area and the micropore volume were drastically reduced. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier B.V. B.V.

Nanocrystalline anatase thin films prepared from redispersible sol-gel powders

Transparent thin films of nanocrystalline anatase were obtained by dip-coating process using an ethanolic suspension of redispersed nanoparticles. This suspension was prepared by sol-gel route and their redispersability achieved by surface grafting of para-toluene-sulfonic acid and acetylacetone. The effects of the acetylacetone content on the powder redispersibility and on the structural evolution of films were determined by small angle X-ray scattering, X-ray reflectometry and X-ray diffraction for different firing temperatures. The results demonstrated that the porous structure of the studied films consist of agglomerates of primary particles with two levels of porosity. The control of the amount of capping ligand allows for a fine-tuning of the average pore size of the dried films. Upon increasing the firing temperature up to 500 degrees C, progressive increase in apparent density, average pore size of films and average crystallite size of powders were observed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the porosity developed in a new titania-alumina catalyst support prepared by the sol gel route

Titanium oxide (TiO2) is a good candidate for support of hydrotreating catalysts but has the disadvantage of presenting a low surface area and a poor thermal stability when compared with Al2O3. A mixed TiO2-Al2O3 support was proposed as an alternative that is expected to be free from these drawbacks. The variation during firing of the nanoporous texture of supports composed of TiO2-Al2O3, TiO2 and Al2O3 was studied by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The supports were prepared by the sol-gel route using Ti and Al isopropoxides. We have particularly analyzed the effects of acid and basic hydrolysis on the nanostructural features of catalyst supports fired at different temperatures. The nanopore radius distribution functions were determined from SAXS results assuming a simple model of spherical nanopores embedded in a homogeneous solid matrix. The modal pore radius in both pure TiO2 and pure Al2O3 supports grows from 1.3 to 2.2 nm as the firing temperature increases from 673 to 973 K. on the other hand, the modal pore radius in the mixed TiO2-Al2O3 support remains below 1.2 nm over the same range of firing temperatures. These results demonstrate the good thermal stability of the nanoporous texture of mixed TiO2-Al2O3 supports.

Sol-gel prepared Pt-modified oxide layers: Synthesis, characterization, and electrocatalytic activity

Thin films of pure RuO2 and IrO2 and mixed Ru0.5Ir0.5O2 oxide modified with Pt particles were prepared by a sol-gel method in the form of thin films of similar to 2 mu m thickness on Ti substrates. Surface morphology of these Pt- modified oxides was examined by scanning electron microscopy and was found to exhibit a significant influence of the chemical composition of the oxide matrix. Element mapping showed homogeneous distribution of the metals. X- ray diffraction and X- ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses showed that these films consist of metallic Pt particles dispersed in an oxide matrix. Cyclic voltammetry in acid solutions showed that the sol- gel prepared layers have relatively high Pt surface areas. The electrocatalytic activity of these materials toward the anodic oxidation of formaldehyde and methanol was compared in terms of onset potential and current density and was found to follow the sequence: Pt- Ru0.5Ir0.5O2/ Ti > Pt- RuO2/ Ti > Pt- IrO2/ Ti.