Active oxygen by Ce–Pr mixed oxide nanoparticles outperform diesel soot combustion Pt catalysts

A Ce0.5Pr0.5O2 mixed oxide has been prepared with the highest surface area and smallest particle size ever reported (125 m2/g and 7 nm, respectively), also being the most active diesel soot combustion catalyst ever tested under realistic conditions if catalysts forming highly volatile species are ruled out. This Ce–Pr mixed oxide is even more active than a reference platinum-based commercial catalyst. This study provides an example of the efficient participation of oxygen species released by a ceria catalyst in a heterogeneous catalysis reaction where both the catalyst and one of the reactants (soot) are solids. It has been concluded that both the ceria-based catalyst composition (nature and amount of dopant) and the particle size play key roles in the combustion of soot through the active oxygen-based mechanism. The composition determines the production of active oxygen and the particle size the transfer of such active oxygen species from catalyst to soot.

The Effect of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on the Fate and Transformation of Arsenic in Aquatic Environments

Iron oxides and arsenic are prevalent in the environment. With the increase interest in the use of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) for contaminant remediation and the high toxicity of arsenic, it is crucial that we evaluate the interactions between IONPs and arsenic. The goal was to understand the environmental behavior of IONPs in regards to their particle size, aggregation and stability, and to determine how this behavior influences IONPs-arsenic interactions. A variety of dispersion techniques were investigated to disperse bare commercial IONPs. Vortex was able to disperse commercial hematite nanoparticles into unstable dispersions with particles in the micrometer size range while probe ultrasonication dispersed the particles into stable dispersions of nanometer size ranges for a prolonged period of time. Using probe ultrasonication and vortex to prepare IONPs suspensions of different particle sizes, the adsorption of arsenite and arsenate to bare hematite nanoparticles and hematite aggregates were investigated. To understand the difference in the adsorptive behavior, adsorption kinetics and isotherm parameters were determined. Both arsenite and arsenate were capable of adsorbing to hematite nanoparticles and hematite aggregates but the rate and capacity of adsorption is dependent upon the hematite particle size, the stability of the dispersion and the type of sorbed arsenic species. Once arsenic was adsorbed onto the hematite surface, both iron and arsenic can undergo redox transformation both microbially and photochemically and these processes can be intertwined. Arsenic speciation studies in the presence of hematite particles were performed and the effect of light on the redox process was preliminary quantified. The redox behavior of arsenite and arsenate were different depending on the hematite particle size, the stability of the suspension and the presence of environmental factors such as microbes and light. The results from this study are important and have significant environmental implications as arsenic mobility and bioavailability can be affected by its adsorption to hematite particles and by its surface mediated redox transformation. Moreover, this study furthers our understanding on how the particle size influences the interactions between IONPs and arsenic thereby clarifying the role of IONPs in the biogeochemical cycling of arsenic.

Formation of one-dimensional capped ZnO nanoparticle assemblies at the air/water interface

The self-assembling behavior and microscopic structure of zinc oxide nanoparticle Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer films were investigated for the case of zinc oxide nanoparticles coated with a hydrophobic layer of dodecanethiol. Evolution of nanoparticle film structure as a function of surface pressure (π) at the air-water interface was monitored in situ using Brewster’s angle microscopy, where it was determined that π=16 mN/m produced near-defect-free monolayer films. Transmission electron micrographs of drop-cast and Langmuir-Schaefer deposited films of the dodecanethiol-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles revealed that the nanoparticle preparation method yielded a microscopic structure that consisted of one-dimensional rodlike assemblies of nanoparticles with typical dimensions of 25 x 400 nm, encased in the organic dodecanethiol layer. These nanoparticle-containing rodlike micelles were aligned into ordered arrangements of parallel rods using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique.

Simple synthesis and spectroscopic studies on cobalt added ZnO nanocrystals

Cobalt doped zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared through simple wet chemical method. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the prepared particles are in wurtzite structure. Scanning Electron Microscopy studies show the shape and morphology of the particles. To identify the presence of cobalt in ZnO, Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis was done. Optical absorption measurements show the presence of exciton peak at 375 nm. Photoluminescence studies were done with the excitation wavelength of 330 nm, which shows the emission because of exciton recombination and oxygen vacancy.

Development of uniformly grown ZnO NPs films using single precursor solution by pulsed spray pyrolysis technique

In this article, we have reported the controlled synthesis of uniformly grown zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) films by a simple, low-cost, and scalable pulsed spray pyrolysis technique. From the surface analysis it is noticed that the as-deposited films have uniformly dispersed NPs-like morphology. The structural studies reveal that these NPs films have highly crystalline hexagonal crystal structure, which are preferentially orientated along the (001) planes. The size of the NPs varied between 5 and 100 nm, and exhibited good stoichiometric chemical composition. Raman spectroscopic analysis reveals that these ZnO NPs films have pure single phase and hexagonal crystal structure. These unique nanostructured films exhibited a low electrical resistivity (5 Omega cm) and high light transmittance (90 %) in visible region.

Tuning of the electro-mechanical behavior of the cellular carbon nanotube structures with nanoparticle dispersions

The mechanical and electrical characteristics of cellular network of the carbon nanotubes (CNT) impregnated with metallic and nonmetallic nanoparticles were examined simultaneously by employing the nanoindentation technique. Experimental results show that the nanoparticle dispersion not only enhances the mechanical strength of the cellular CNT by two orders of magnitude but also imparts variable nonlinear electrical characteristics; the latter depends on the contact resistance between nanoparticles and CNT, which is shown to depend on the applied load while indentation. Impregnation with silver nanoparticles enhances the electrical conductance, the dispersion with copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles reduces the conductance of CNT network. In all cases, a power law behavior with suppression in the differential conductivity at zero bias was noted, indicating electron tunneling through the channels formed at the CNT-nanoparticle interfaces. These results open avenues for designing cellular CNT foams with desired electro-mechanical properties and coupling. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Highly Uniform and Monodisperse Ba2CIF3 Microrods: Solvothermal Synthesis and Characterization

One-dimensional hexagonal Ba2CIF3 microrods with highly uniform morphology and size have been successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal method at a low temperature (160 degrees C). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the samples. The synthesis process, based on a phase-transfer and separation mechanism, allows the control of properties such as particle size and shape in low dispersity by bonding the surfactant oleic acid to the crystal surface.

Biofilm-Engineered Nanostructures

The use of biofilms as nanostructure-engineering materials is discussed and exemplified using ZnO nanorods. Three examples are presented for illustration, the immobilization of ZnO-nanorod arrays on the inner wall of a polystyrene centrifuge tube using S. thermophilus, the morphological organization of ZnO "filters" using S. thermophilus. And the design and implementation of a ZnO-decorated Ag framework using E. coli.

Highly uniform and monodisperse beta-NaYF4 : Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprism crystals: Hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties

beta-NaYF4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprisms with remarkably uniform morphology and size have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. It is found that sodium citrate as a shape modifier introduced into the reaction system plays a critical role in the shape evolution of the final products. Furthermore, the shape and size of the products can be further manipulated by adjusting the molar ratio of citrate/RE3+ (RE represents the total amount of Y3+ and the doped rare earth elements such as Eu3+, Tb3+, Yb3+/Er3+, or Yb3+/Tm3+). Under the excitation of 397 nm ultraviolet light, NaYF4:xEu(3+) (x = 1.5, 5%) shows the emission lines of Eu3+ corresponding to D-5(0-3) -> F-7(J) (J = 0-4) transitions from 400 to 700 nm (whole visible spectral region) with different intensity, resulting in yellow and red down-conversion (DC) light emissions, respectively.

Ultrasound-assisted green synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnO in the ionic liquid [hmim][NTf2]

For the first time, zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by the sonochemical method in an ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium his (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, liquid [hmim][NTf2] as a solvent. The morphology and structure of ZnO nanoparticles have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A possible mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of ZnO nanostructures. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ZnO nanofluids: Green synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial activity

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by microwave decomposition of zinc acetate precursor using an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, [bmim][NTf2] as a green solvent. The structure and morphology of ZnO nanoparticles have been characterized using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The ZnO nanofluids have been prepared by dispersing ZnO nanoparticles in glycerol as a base fluid in the presence of ammonium citrate as a dispersant. The antibacterial activity of suspensions of ZnO nanofluids against (E. coli) has been evaluated by estimating the reduction ratio of the bacteria treated with ZnO. Survival ratio of bacteria decreases with increasing the concentrations of ZnO nanofluids and time. The results show that an increase in the concentrations of ZnO nanofluids produces strong antibacterial activity toward E. coli. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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

Atividade antibacteriana de cimentos de ionômero de vidro modificados por nanopartículas de óxido de zinco

Pós-graduação em Odontologia - FOAR

Sonochemical effects on ZnO particles

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

Incorporação de nanopartículas de óxido de zinco a um cimento de ionômero de vidro por meio da calcinação: avaliação de propriedades mecânicas e físicas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)