Sol-gel prepared AlPO(4) with incorporating Rhodamine 6G

Rhodamine 6G (RH6G) laser dye-doped AlPO(4) xerogel and glass were prepared via a simple sol-gel route by one-step process and two-step process, respectively. The aggregating behavior of dyes in xerogel and glass was studied by excitation and emission spectra. The results indicated the dye aggregates become significantly weak in AlPO(4) glass than in xerogel, which might be attributed to the enhanced interactions between dye and AlPO(4) network as well as the nano-scale separation of dye by the mesoporous structure of AlPO(4) glass. The (27)Al MAS NMR of AlPO(4) glass confirms the interaction of RH6G with AlPO(4) glass network. Incorporation of RH6G into AlPO(4) glass converts Al(4) to Al(6) units, resulting in the increase of Al(6) concentration with the doped RH6G concentration. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tryptophan photooxidation promoted by new hybrid materials prepared by condensation of naphthalene imides with silicate by the sol-gel process

Three novel hybrid organic/inorganic materials were synthesized from 4-substituted (NO(2), Br, H) 1,8-naphthalene imide-N-propyltriethoxysilane by the sol-gel process. These materials were obtained as a xerogel and partially characterized. The ability to photosensitize the oxidation and degradation of tryptophan indole ring by these materials was studied through photophysical and photochemical techniques. Although the derivatives containing Br and NO(2) as substituent do not cause efficient tryptophan photodamage, the hybrid material obtained from 1,8-naphthalic anhydride is very efficient to promote tryptophan photooxidation. By using laser flash photolysis it was possible to verify the presence of naphthalene imide transient radical species. The presence of oxygen causes an increase of the yield of radical formation. These results suggest that the mechanism of photodegradation of tryptophan occurs by type I, i.e. the transient radical (TrpH(center dot+)) formed by the direct reaction of the triplet state of the naphthalene imide moiety with tryptophan. Thus a inorganic-organic hybrid material that can be used to promote the oxidation of biomolecules was obtained. (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.

Influence of neodymium ions on photocatalytic activity of TiO(2) synthesized by sol-gel and precipitation methods

Titanium dioxide with and without the addition of neodymium ions was prepared using sol-gel and precipitation methods. The resulting catalysts were characterized by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and BET specific surface area. Neodymium addition exerted a remarkable influence on the phase transition temperature and the surface properties of the TiO(2) matrix. TiO(2) samples synthesized by precipitation exhibit an exothermic event related from the amorphous to anatase phase transition at 510 degrees C, whereas in Nd-doped TiO(2) this transition occurred at 527 degrees C. A similar effect was observed in samples obtained using sol-gel method. The photocatalytic reactivity of the catalysts was evaluated by photodegradation of Remazol Black B (RB) under ultraviolet irradiation. Nd-doped TiO(2) showed enhanced photodegradation ability compared to undoped TiO(2) samples, independent of the method of synthesis. In samples obtained by sol-gel, RB decoloration was enhanced by 16% for TiO(2) doped with 0.5% neodymium ions. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

External polyacrylate-coating as alternative material for preparation of photopolymerized sol-gel monolithic column

Photopolymerized sol-gel monolithic columns for use in capillary electrochromatography were prepared in 125 mu m i.d. polyacrylate-coated fused-silica capillaries. The polyacrylate-coating, unlike the polyimide one, is transparent to the radiation used (approximate to 370 nm), and thus, no coating removal is necessary. This is a very important particularity since intrinsic capillary column characteristics, such as flexibility and mechanical resistance, are unchanged. A mixture containing metacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) as the polymeric precursor, hydrochloric acid as the catalyst, toluene as the porogen and bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenylphosphine oxide (Irgacure 819) as the photoinitiator was irradiated at 370 nm for 20 min inside the capillaries to prepare the columns through sol-gel approach. The versatility and viability of the use of polyacrilate as a new capillary external coating were shown through preparation of two columns under different conditions, which were tested in electrochromatography for separation of standard mixture containing thiourea (marker compound), propylbenzene, phenanthrene and pyrene. (C) 2008 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.

Methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation on Pt-SnO(2) and Pt-Ta(2)O(5) sol-gel-modified boron-doped diamond surfaces

The search for more efficient anode catalyst than platinum to be used in direct alcohol fuel cell systems is an important challenge. In this study, boron-doped diamond film surfaces were modified with Pt, Pt-SnO(2) and Pt-Ta(2)O(5) nano-crystalline deposits by the sol-gel method to study the methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation reactions in acidic medium. Electrochemical experiments carried out in steady-state conditions demonstrate that the addition of SnO(2) to Pt produces a very reactive electrocatalyst that possibly adsorbs and/or dissociate ethanol more efficiently than pure Pt changing the onset potential of the reaction by 190 mV toward less positive potentials. Furthermore, the addition of Ta(2)O(5) to Pt enhances the catalytic activity toward the methanol oxidation resulting in a negative shift of the onset potential of 170 mV. These synergic effects indicate that the addition of these co-catalysts inhibits the poisoning effect caused by strongly adsorbed intermediary species. Since the SnO(2) catalyst was more efficient for ethanol oxidation, it could probably facilitate the cleavage of the C-C bond of the adsorbed intermediate fragments of the reaction. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Carbon supported electrocatalysts prepared by the sol-gel method and their utilization for the oxidation of methanol in acid media

One of the key objectives in fuel-cell technology is to improve the performance of the anode catalyst for the alcohol oxidation and reduce Pt loading. Here, we show the use of six different electrocatalysts synthesized by the sol -gel method on carbon powder to promote the oxidation of methanol in acid media. The catalysts Pt-PbO(x) and Pt-(RuO(2)-PbO(x)) with 10% of catalyst load exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity toward the methanol oxidation reaction as compared to Pt-(RuO(2))/C and Pt/C electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that the electrocatalysts Pt-PbO(x)/C and Pt-(RuO(2)-PbO(x))/C started the oxidation process at extremely low potentials and that they represent a good novelty to oxidize methanol. Furthermore, quasi-stationary polarization experiments and cronoamperometry studies showed the good performance of the Pt-PbO(x), Pt-(RuO(2)-PbO(x))/C and Pt-(RuO(2)-IrO(2))/C catalysts during the oxidation process. Thus, the addition of metallic Pt and PbO(x) onto high-area carbon powder, by the sol -gel route, constitutes an interesting way to prepare anodes with high catalytic activity for further applications in direct methanol fuel cell systems.

"Det finns ingen sol i Sverige" : Nätverk kring solenergin

Detta är en bok om dagens värld, men framförallt är det en bok om hur antropologer studerar dagens värld - med andra ord, i rätt vid mening en bok om metod, om antaganden, tillvägagångssätt och erfarenheter i fältarbeten.

Provningsmetod för integrerade sol-biosystem : Årsverkningsgrad genom korttidsmätning

Test method for integrated solar- biomass systems - Long term prediction trough short term measurementsSP Technical Research Institute of Sweden and SERC, Dalarna University have in cooperation developed a test method for integrated solar and biomass systems. The test method is performed under six days including two summer days, two winter days and two spring/autumn days true to real weather conditions and loads for a single family house. The aim of the test method is to get information about a Combisystem’s annual performance and operation throughout a short term test. Seven different solar Combisystems have been tested within the project together with a pellet boiler without solar collectors. In addition to that a comparative testing has been performed at the two laboratories at SP and at SERC on the same Combisystem. The test method developed within the project has been proved to withstand the aim of the project, which is to be able to compare the performance between the systems. The test method is also suitable for identification of possible operation problems so they can be taken care of and consequently improves the system.The project and the system testing reveal that it is in general favorable to combine biomass pellets with solar heating. Pellet boilers has normally a low performance during the summer period but combined with a solar collector the boiler can be switch off during this period. There are however big differences in performance between the tested. The efficiency of the pellet boiler is highly dependent of the operating conditions and elements like heat losses from the system, system configuration and control strategy have great influence of the performance of the system and the emissions. On the other hand, the performance and the size of the solar collectors have a minor effect on the overall system performance. There is obviously a big potential for improvement of the system´s performance and the developed test method is an essential way to implement this perfection.

Underlag för utökad besiktning av sol- och biovärmesystem

Det är svårt att på ett genomarbetat sätt, kontrollera en solvärmeanläggning som är i drift och det blir svårare när solvärmesystemet ska samverka med en biobränsleanläggning, som har sina speciella egenheter.Det enklaste och, som det kan tyckas, bästa sättet att kontrollera om en solvärmeanläggning fungerar, är att beräkna utifrån en värmemängdsmätare, som förhoppningsvis finns i anläggningen, hur mycket energi per m2 aktiv area som solfångaren har producerat per år.Om produktionen ligger mellan 300 – 350 kWh/m2 är det bra. Det är dock så att en solvärmeanläggning borde kunna producera betydligt mer värme om den bara ges lite bättre förutsättning eller att den faktiskt kan ge mindre, men ändå uppfylla de krav som ställdes. Det behöver inte nödvändigtvis vara antalet producerade solfångarkWh värme som är högt utan det viktigaste kanske är att antalet inbesparade kWh biobränsle är många.För att kunna få ett grepp om hur en solvärmeanläggning fungerar i sitt sammanhang bör det totala systemet redovisas framför allt med avseende på:• Värmedistributionssystemets uppbyggnad. Var, när och hur mycket kallt vatten ska värmas?• Energi- och effektnivåer för olika delar av systemet, framför allt under sommaren?• Vilka pannor och bränslen används, framför allt med betoning på reglerbarhet?Solvärmekretsen, som inte är speciellt annorlunda utformad än i andra lite större solvärmeanläggningar, ges i den här rapporten relativt stort utrymme, eftersom den samlade kompetensen bland de som gör besiktningar och kontroller inte är så hög. Mest berörda delar är:• Trycket i solvärmeanläggningen med avseende på expansionskärlets förtryck, systemets uppfyllnadstryck och driftsfunktioner• Flödet i anläggningen som inriktar sig på luftmedryckning, flödesfördelning och vanliga flödeshastigheter• Solfångarnas energi- och värmeeffektproduktionHuvuddelen av underlagsmaterialet bör ha samlats in före besöket, genom att försöka få tag på:• Förstudier för solvärme- och pannanläggning• Förfrågningsunderlag för i första hand solvärmeanläggningen• Driftstatistik• Data på hur det totala systemet ser utDessa data bör bearbetas innan besöket på plats, vilket ska inkludera en genomgång av driftsansvarig kompletterat med en guidad tur genom anläggningen. Besöket bör också vara förberett hos driftsansvariga så att stegar för att komma åt solfångarna finns framtagna och de säkerhetsselar, som ska användas vid okulär inspektion, finns tillgängliga.Efter avslutad på-platsen-kontroll ska en besiktningsrapport skrivas. Mycket underlagsberäkningar ska skickas med som bilaga samt en lista med punkter som syftar till att få en effektivare sol- och biobränsleanläggning.