CuO and CuO-ZnO catalysts supported on CeO(2) and CeO(2)-LaO(3) for low temperature water-gas shift reaction

This paper describes an investigation on CuO and CuO-ZnO catalysts supported on CeO(2) and CeO(2)-La(2)O(3) oxides, which were designed for the low temperature water-gas shift reaction (WGSR). Bulk catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation of metal nitrates and characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area (by the BET method), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and in situ X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). The catalysts` activities were tested in the forward WGSR, and the CuO/CeO(2) catalyst presented the best catalytic performance. The reasons for this are twofold: (1) the presence of Zn inhibits the interaction between Cu and Ce ions, and (2) lanthanum oxide forms a solid solution with cerium oxide, which will cause a decrease in the surface area of the catalysts. Also the CuO/CeO(2) catalyst presented the highest Cu content on the surface, which could influence its catalytic behavior. Additionally, the Cu and Cu(1+) species could influence the catalytic activity via a reduction-oxidation mechanism, corroborating to the best catalytic performance of the Cu/Ce catalyst. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anticorrosive cerium-based coatings prepared by the sol-gel method

The development of efficient anti-corrosion and environmentally friendly coating systems are needed for the replacement of the highly toxic Cr-based conversion coatings for corrosion protection of aluminum alloys. In this study, we demonstrate that the direct application of ceramic cerium-based sol-gel coatings to AA7075-T6 substrates produces high-performance anti-corrosion layers. Electrochemical experiments and analyses of the microstructure demonstrate that the protective layers are very efficient for the passivation of the alloy surfaces operating as both passive and active barrier for corrosion protection.

A comparative study of the electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide using Vulcan and Printex carbon supports

A comparative study of two different conductive carbon-black pigments, Vulcan XC-72 R and Printex L6, for the electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) by reducing dissolved oxygen in an alkaline solution was performed. The materials were physically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD shows the presence of SO(2) and ATR-FTIR technique indicates a difference in NO and SO(2) functional groups between the two carbon pigments. XPS indicated presence of SO and NO and more oxygenated acid species on Printex L6. A rotating ring-disk electrode was used for electrochemical analysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The results showed that the Printex L6 was better than Vulcan XC-72 R for H(2)O(2) production. Results also indicate that the number of electrons transferred in the ORR for Printex L6 and Vulcan XC-72 R were 2.2 and 2.9, respectively, while the percentages of H(2)O(2) formed were 88% and 51%. Scanning electrochemistry microscopy images confirmed the higher amount of H(2)O(2) formed in the Printex L6 pigment. Printex L6 was shown to be a more promising for H(2)O(2) production than Vulcan XC-72 R, while the latter was shown to have more potential for fuel cells. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influência das espécies do plasma de N2 + O2 nas propriedades físicoquímicas das superfícies do pet

This work reports the influence of the poly (ethylene terephthalate) textile and films surface modification by plasmas of O2 and mixtures (N2 + O2), on their physical and chemical properties. The plasma surface polymeric modification has been used for many researchs, because it does not affect the environment with toxic agents, the alterations remains only at nanometric layers and this technique shows expressive results. Then, due to its good acceptance, the treatment was carried out in a vacuum chamber. Some parameters remained constant during all treatment, such as: Voltage 470 V; Pressure 1,250 Mbar; Current: 0, 10 A and gas flow: 10 cm3/min, using oxygen plasma alternating the treatment time 10 to 60 min with an increase of 10 min to each subsequent treatment. Also, the samples were treated with a gas mixture (nitrogen + oxygen) which was varied only the gas composition from 0 to 100% leaving the treatment time remaining constant to all treatment (10 min). The plasma treatment was characterized in-situ with Optics Emission Spectroscopy (OES), and the samples was characterized by contact angle, surface tension, Through Capillary tests, Raman spectroscopy, Infrared attenuated total reflection (IR-ATR) and atomic force microscopy, scanning electronic Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that oxygen treated fabrics presented high wettability, due to the hydrophilic groups incorporation onto the surface formed through spputering of carbon atoms. For the nitrogen atmosphere, there is the a film deposition of amine groups. Treatment with small oxygen concentration in the mixture with nitrogen has a higher spputered species of the samples

Estudo da molhabilidade de tecidos 100% poliéster tratados em plasma N2/O2 em função do seu envelhecimento natural

This work reports the influence of the poly (ethylene terephthalate) textile surface modification by plasmas of O2 and mixtures (N2 + O2), on their physical and chemical properties. The treatment was carried out in a vacuum chamber. Some parameters remained constant during all treatment, such as: Voltage 470 V; Pressure 1,250 Mbar; Current: 0, 10 A and gas flow: 10 cm3/min. Other parameters, such as working gas composition and treatment time, were modified as the following: to the O2 plasma modified samples only the treatment time was changed (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes). To the plasma with O2 and N2 only the chemical concentrations were changed. Through Capillary tests (vertical) an increase in textile wettability was observed as well as its influence on aging time and its consequence on wettability. The surface functional groups created after plasma treatments were investigated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The surface topography was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM)

Structural and electrochemical properties of LiCoO2 prepared by combustion synthesis

LiCoO2 powders were prepared by combustion synthesis, using metallic nitrates as the oxidant and metal sources and urea as fuel. A small amount of the LiCoO2 phase was obtained directly from the combustion reaction, however, a heat treatment was necessary for the phase crystallization. The heat treatment was performed at the temperature range from 400 up to 700 degreesC for 12 h. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and specific surface area values were obtained by BET isotherms. Composite electrodes were prepared using a mixture of LiCoO2, carbon black and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) in the 85:10:5% w/w ratio. The electrochemical behavior of these composites was evaluated in ethylene carbonate/dimethylcarbonate solution, using lithium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte. Cyclic voltammograms showed one reversible redox process at 4.0/3.85 V and one irreversible redox process at 3.3 V for the LiCoO2 obtained after a post-heat treatment at 400 and 500 degreesC.Raman spectroscopy showed the possible presence of LiCoO2 with cubic structure for the material obtained at 400 and 500 degreesC. This result is in agreement with X-ray data with structural refinement for the LiCoO2 powders obtained at different temperatures using the Rietveld method. Data from this method showed the coexistence of cubic LiCoO2 (spinel) and rhombohedral (layered) structures when LiCoO2 was obtained at lower temperatures (400 and 500 degreesC). The single rhombohedral structure for LiCoO2 was obtained after post-heat treatment at 600 degreesC. The maximum energy capacity in the first discharge was 136 mA g(-1) for the composite electrode based on LiCoO2 obtained after heat treatment at 700 degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical deposition of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3±δ films on ceramic substrates

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

Thin polymer films prepared by plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition

This work describes an investigation of the properties of polymer films prepared by plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition. Films were synthesized from low pressure benzene glow discharges, biasing the samples with 25 W negative pulses. The total energy deposited in the growing layer was varied tailoring simultaneously pulse frequency and duty cycle. The effect of the pulse characteristics on the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the films was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nanoindentation, respectively. Analysis of the deconvoluted C 1s XPS peaks demonstrated that oxygen was incorporated in all the samples. The chemical modifications induced structural reorganization, characterized by chain cross-linking and unsaturation, affecting material properties. Hardness and plastic resistance parameter increased under certain bombardment conditions. An interpretation is proposed in terms of the total energy delivered to the growing layer. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Treatment of PET and PU polymers by atmospheric pressure plasma generated in dielectric barrier discharge in air

Plasma treatments are frequently employed to modify surface properties of materials such as adhesivity, hydrophobicity, oleophobicity etc. Present work deals with surface modification of common commercial polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane (PU) by an air dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure. The DBD treatment was performed in a plain reactor in wire-duct geometry (non-uniform field reactor), which was driven by a 60 Hz power supply. Material characterization was carried out by water contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The plasma-induced modifications are associated with incorporation of polar oxygen and nitrogen containing groups on the polymer surface. The AFM analysis reveals that the plasma treatment roughens the material surface. Due to these structural and morphological changes the surface of DBD-treated polymers becomes more hydrophilic resulting in enhanced adhesion properties. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Surface modification of siloxane containing polyurethane polymer by dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure

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

Modification of polyethylene terephthalate by atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in view of improving the polymer wetting properties

Surface treatment of polymers by discharge plasmas has increasingly found industrial applications due to its capability of modifying uniformly the surface without changing the material bulk properties. This work deals with surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure. The treatments were conducted in air, nitrogen or argon plasma. The polymer surface was characterized by contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results show that the plasma treatment introduces oxygen-and nitrogen-related polar groups on the polymer surface and promotes the surface roughening. Both plasma-induced surface modifications contribute to the enhancement of the polymer wettability.

Development of amorphous carbon protective coatings on poly(vinyl)chloride

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

Treatment of PVC using an alternative low energy ion bombardment procedure

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

A Study of the Effect of Nitrogen and Air Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation Treatments on the Properties of Carbon Fiber

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

Síntese e caracterização de óxidos de zinco e de magnésio suportados em A1SBA-15 para produção de biodiesel

To overcome the challenge of meeting growing energy demand in a sustainable way, biodiesel has shown very promising as alternative energy can replace fossil fuels, even partially. Industrially, the biodiesel is produced by homogeneous transesterification reaction of vegetable oils in the presence of basic species used as catalysts. However, this process is the need for purification of the esters obtained and the removal of glycerin formed after the reaction. This context, the alternative catalysts have that can improve the process of biodiesel production, aiming to reduce costs and facilitate its production. In this study, the AlSBA-15 support with Si / Al ratio = 50 was synthesized, as like as the heterogeneous catalysts of zinc oxide and magnesium supported on mesoporous AlSBA-15 silica, in the concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 30 %, relative to the support. The textural properties and structural characterization of catalysts and supports were determined by techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled to the chemical analyzer, adsorption / desorption of N2, thermal analysis (TG / DTG), absorption spectroscopy in the infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Characterization results indicated that the support AlSBA-15 retained the hexagonal ordered after the incorporation of zinc oxide and magnesium oxide in the holder. For heterogeneous catalysts, ZnO-AlSBA-15, that was observed the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the surface and interior channels of the mesoporous and microporous support. The catalytic activity was evaluated by the transesterification reaction of sunflower oil via methylic route, and some reaction parameters were optimized with the most active catalyst in biodiesel production by sunflower oil. For the series of heterogeneous catalysts, the sample with 30 % ZnO supported on AlSBA-15 showed a better conversion of triglyceride to methyl esters, about 95.41 % of reaction conditions: temperature 175 °C, with molar ratio of 42:1, stirring at 200 rpm and under a pressure of 14 bar for 6 h. The catalyst MgO-AlSBA-15 showed no catalytic activity in the studied reactions