Preparation of supported Pt(0) nanoparticles as efficient recyclable catalysts for hydrogenation of alkenes and ketones

A magnetically recoverable Pt(0) catalyst was prepared by in situ H(2) reduction of Pt(2+) species bound to an amino modified silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Compared to ordinary silica (maximum uptake Pt 0.03 wt%), the amino-functionalized silica surfaces were loaded with 1.95 wt% of metal. The supported Pt(0) nanoparticles exhibit high catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of alkenes and ketones under solventless mild reaction conditions. Partially hydrogenated products could also be isolated. The magnetic property of the catalyst grants a fast and efficient product isolation compared to traditional methods used in heterogeneous systems that generally make use of time- and solvent-consuming procedures. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Luminescent nanoparticles of MgAl(2)O(4):Eu, Dy prepared by citrate sol-gel method

MgAl(2)O(4):Eu, Dy nanoparticles were prepared by citrate sol-gel method and thermally treated at 600, 700, 800 and 900 degrees C. The trivalent europium ion is partially reduced to the divalent state at 700 and 800 degrees C. Infrared spectra of the phosphors showed bands around 700 and 520 cm(-1) corresponding to the AlO(6) groups. X-ray diffraction patterns present sharp reflections of samples heated from 700 to 900 degrees C indicating the MgAl(2)O(4) spinel phase. Grain size in the range 20-30 nm were observed by measurement of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The emission spectra of the phosphors show a broadened band at 480 nm assigned to the 4f(G)5d -> 4f(7) ((8)S(7/2)) transition of Eu(2+) ion overlapped to the (4)F(9/2) -> (6)H(15/2) transition of the Dy(3+) ion. Besides, the (4)F(9/2) -> (6)H(13/2) transition (579 nm) of Dy(3+) ion is overlapped with the (5)D(0) -> (7)F(0) (578 nm) and (5)D(0) -> (7)F(1) (595 nm) transitions from the Eu(3+) ion. Excitation spectra of the sample heated at 900 degrees C monitoring the excitation at 615 nm of (5)D(0) -> (7)F(2) transition of Eu(3+) ion exhibit a broad band assigned to the O -> Eu(3+) ligand-to-metal charge-transfer states (LMCT) around 280 nm. The samples present green persistent luminescence after exposure to UV radiation. The chromaticity coordinates were obtained from the luminescence emission spectrum. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition and electrochemical characterization of thin films composed of MnO(2) nanoparticles in a room-temperature ionic liquid

Thin films of MnO(2) nanoparticles were grown using the layer-by-layer method with poly (diallyldimetylammonium) as the intercalated layer. The film growth was followed by UV-vis, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), and atomic force microscopy. Linear growth due to electrostatic immobilization of layers was observed up to 30 bilayers, but electrical connectivity was maintained only for 12 MnO(2)/PPDA bilayers. The electrochemical characterization of this film in 1-butyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium (BMMI) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI) (BMMITFSI) with and without addition of a lithium salt indicated a higher electrochemical response of the nanostructured electrode in the lithium-containing electrolyte. On the basis of EQCM experiments, it was possible to confirm that the charge compensation process is achieved mainly by the TFSI anion at short times (<2 s) and by BMMI and lithium cations at longer times. The fact that large ions like TFSI and BMMI participate in the electroneutrality is attributed to the redox reaction that occurs at the superficial sites and to the high concentration of these species compared to that of lithium cations.

Ligand-Assisted Preparation of Palladium Supported Nanoparticles: a Step toward Size Control

Supported nanoparticles (SNPs) with narrow size distribution were prepared by H(2) reduction of Pd(2+) previously bound, to ligand-modified silica surfaces. Interestingly, the size of the Pd SNPs was tuned by the ligand grafted on the support surface. Amino- and ethylenediamino-functionalized supports formed Pd(0) SNPs of ca. 6 and 1 nm, respectively. The catalytic properties of both Pd(0) SNPs were investigated.

Electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction on carbon-supported Pt-Co nanoparticles with low Pt content

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated on carbon-supported Pt-Co nanoparticle electrocatalysts with low Pt content in alkaline electrolyte. High resolution transmission electron microscopy, In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis evidenced large structural differences of the Pt-Co particles depending oil the route of the catalyst synthesis. It was demonstrated that although the Pt-Co materials contain low amounts of Pt, they show very good activities when the particles are formed by a Pt-rich shell and a Pt-Co core, which was obtained after submitting the electrocatalyst to a potential cycling in acid electrolyte. The high activity of this material was due to a major contribution from its higher surface area, as a result of the leaching of the Co atoms from the particle Surface. Furthermore, its high activity was ascribed to a minor contribution from the electronic interaction of the Pt atoms, at the particle surface, and the Co atoms located in the beneath layer, lowering the Pt cl-band center. As these electrocatalysts presented high activity for the ORR with low Pt content, the cost of the fuel cell cathodes could be lowered considerably. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrocatalysis of ethanol oxidation on Pt monolayers deposited on carbon-supported Ru and Rh nanoparticles

Pt monolayers deposited on carbon- supported Ru and Rh nanoparticles were investigated as electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation. Electronic features of the Pt monolayers were studied by in situ XANES (X-ray absorption near-edge structure). The electrochemical activity was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and cronoamperometric experiments. Spectroscopic and electrochemical results were compared to those obtained on carbon-supported Pt-Ru and Pt-Rh alloys, and Pt E-TEK. XAS results indicate a modification of the Pt 5d band due to geometric and electronic interactions with the Ru ant Rh substrates, but the effect of withdrawing electrons from Pt is less pronounced in relation to that for the corresponding alloys. Electrochemical stripping of adsorbed CO, which is one of the intermediates, and the currents for the oxidation of ethanol show faster kinetics on the Pt monolayer deposited on Ru nanoparticles, and an activity that exceeds that of conventional catalysts with much larger amounts of platinum. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ethanol electro-oxidation on carbon-supported Pt-Ru, Pt-Rh and Pt-Ru-Rh nanoparticles

This work investigates the effects of carbon-supported Pt, Pt-Ru, Pt-Rh and Pt-Ru-Rh alloy electrocatalysts oil the yields of CO2 and acetic acid as electro-oxidation products of ethanol. Electronic and structural features of these metal alloys were studied by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The electrochemical activity was investigated by polarization experiments and the reaction intermediates and products were analyzed by in situ Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). Electrochemical stripping of CO. which is one of the adsorbed intermediates, presented a faster oxidation kinetics on the Pt-Ru electrocatalyst, and similar rates of reaction on Pt-Rh and Pt. The electrochemical current of ethanol oxidation showed a higher value and the onset potential was less positive oil Pt-Ru. However, in situ FTIR spectra evidenced that the CO2/acetic acid ratio is higher for the materials with Rh, mainly at lower potentials. These results indicate that the Ru atoms act mainly by providing oxygenated species for the oxidation of ethanol intermediates, and point out ail important role of Rh on the C-C bond dissociation. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamics and Heterogeneity of Pb(II) Binding by SiO2 Nanoparticles in an Aqueous Dispersion

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Surface-enhanced raman scattering: metal nanostructures coated with langmuir-blodgett films

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

Development on polymeric precursor routes to produce superconducting nanoparticles

The well-known polymeric precursor route is a simple and low-cost sol-gel method based on the preparation of an aqueous precursor solution of metals followed by the addition of a water-soluble polymer. This method consists of a polyesterification process between a metal chelate complex by using a hydroxycarboxylic acid and a polyhydroxy alcohol. In this work, citric acid (CA), tartaric acid (TA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are used as the hydroxycarboxylic acid and ethylene glycol (EG) is used as the polyhydroxy alcohol. The effects of the precursor pH solution, time and temperature of polymerization step as well as the combination of different chelating agents in order to obtain nanoscopic YBa2Cu3Oy samples were traced. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nanoparticles of octakis [3-(3-amino-1,2,4-triazole)propyl] octasilsesquioxane as ligands for Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III) in aqueous solution

Nanoparticles of octakis[3-(3-amino-1,2,4-triazole)propyl]octasilsesquioxane (ATZ-SSQ) were tested as ligands, for transition-metal ions in aqueous solution with a special attention to sorption isotherms, ligand-metal interaction, and determination of metal ions in natural waters. The adsorption potential of the material ATZ-SSQ was compared with related [3(3-amino-1,2,4-triazole)propyl]silica gel (ATZ-SG). The adsorption was performed using a batchwise process and both organofunctionalized surfaces showed the ability to adsorb the metal ions from aqueous solution. The Langmuir model was used to simulate the sorption isotherms. The results suggest that the sorption of these metals on ATZ-SSQ and ATZ-SG occurs mainly by surface complexation. The equilibrium condition is reached at time lower than 3 min for ATZ-SSQ, while for ATZ-SG is only reached at time of 25 min. The maximum metal ion uptake values for ATZ-SSQ were higher than the corresponding values achieved with the ATZ-SG. In order to obtain more information on the ligand-metal interaction of the complexes on the surface of the ATZ-SSQ nanomaterial, ESR study with various degrees of copper loadings was carried out. The ATZ-SSQ was tested for the determination (in flow using a column technique) of the metal ions present in natural waters. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

EFFECT of METAL PRIMERS on BOND STRENGTH of RESIN CEMENTS TO BASE METALS

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

Y2O3:Eu3+ (5 mol%) with Ag nanoparticles prepared by citrate precursor

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

Magnetic properties of acicular Fe1-xREx (RE = Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb; x=0, 0.05, 0.10) metallic nanoparticles

Acicular monodispersed Fe1-xREx (RE= Nd, Sm,Eu,Tb;x=0, 0.05, 0.10) metallic nanoparticles (60 +/- 5 nm in length and axial ratio similar to6) obtained by reduction of alumina-coated goethite nanoparticles-containing rare earth (RE) under hydrogen flow are reported. Alumina and maghemite thin layers on particle surface were used to protect the goethite particles against sintering and oxidation, respectively. Al and RE additions were obtained by successive heterocoagulation reactions. Aluminum sulfate (10 at.% based on Fe) was dissolved in water and the pH adjusted to 12.5 with NaOH solution. Goethite particles were suspended in this solution and CO2 gas was blown into the slurry to neutralize it to a pH 8.5 or less. Particles were purified and dehydrated to effect transformation to alumina-coated hematite nanoparticles, which were re-suspended in aqueous solution in which RE sulfate (0-0.15 at.% based on Fe) has been dissolved, and the pH increased by ammonia aqueous solution addition. Resulted alumina-coated RE-doped hematite nanoparticles were reduced to metal at 450 degreesC/12 h under hydrogen flow and passivated with nitrogen-containing ethanol vapor at room temperature. Acicular monodispersed metallic nanoparticle systems were obtained and the presence of Al and RE were confirmed by induced-coupled plasma spectrometry analysis. X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and magnetization data are in agreement with the nanosized alpha-Fe core in a bcc structure, having a spinel structure, gammaFe(2)O(3), with thickness similar to1.5 run on particle surface. Main magnetic parameters showed saturation magnetization decreases and significant increasing in the coercive field with the RE composition increases. Magnetic properties of these particles, similar to40% smaller than those commercially available, suggest a decrease in the bit-size for high-density magnetic or magneto-optics recording media application. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Metal-Organic Semiconductor Nanostructures for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

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