Preparation of TiO2 nanocrystallites by hydrolyzing with gaseous water and their photocatalytic activity

TiO2 nanocrystallites were prepared front precursors tetra-n-butyl titanate (Ti(OC4H9)(4)) and titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4). The precursors were hydrolyzed by gaseous water in autoclave, and then calcined at predetermined testing temperatures. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the photobleaching of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution and the photocatalytic oxidation of propylene in gas phase at ambient temperature. The results showed that the anatase phase nanocrystalline TiO2 could be obtained at relatively low temperatures (for precursor Ti(OC4H9)4 at I I VC and for TiCl4 at 140 degrees C, respectively), and that the as prepared samples exhibited high photocatalytic activities to photobleach MB in aqueous solution. As the calcination temperatures increasing. the decolor ratio of MB increased and reached the maximum value of nearly 100% at 600 degrees C, and then decreased. The photobleaching of MB by all samples followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics with respect to MB concentration.

Physical and electrochemical characterizations of PtRu/C catalysts by spray pyrolysis for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

In this paper, it was reported that the carbon-supported Pt-Ru(Pt-Ru/C) catalyst used as the anodic catalyst in the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) was synthesized with a two-step spray pyrolysis (SP) method using the Pt and Ru metal salt as the precursors and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with the different molecular weights (Mw= 200,600,and 1000 analytical reagent) as cosolvent. PEG as a cosolvent plays a crucial role in producing PtRu/C catalysts. It was found that the Mw of PEG could affect the electrocatalytic activity of Pt-Ru and the morphology of the Pt-Ru particles in the Pt-Ru/C catalysts prepared with this method. When the Mw of PEG is 600, the Pt-Ru particles in the Pt-Ru/C catalyst prepared with this method possess the small average size, narrow size distribution, uniform dispersion, and high electrochemically active specific surface area. The electrocatalytic activity of the Pt-Ru/C catalyst prepared with this method using the cosolvent PEG with Mw = 600 for the methanol oxidation is much higher than that of the commercial E-TEK Pt-Ru/C catalyst. Therefore, the two-step SP method is an excellent method for the preparation of the Pt-Ru/C catalyst used in DMFCs.

Interfacial behavior of DEHEHP and the kinetics of cerium(IV) extraction in nitrate media

The effects of diluents, temperature, acidity, and ionic strength of the aqueous phase on the interfacial properties of DEHEHP have been extensively investigated using the Du Nouy ring method. In addition, the effect of cerium(IV) concentration loaded in the organic phase on the interfacial tension has also been studied. With the increase of DEHEHP concentration, the value of interfacial tension (gamma) decreases in the studied system, which shows that DEHEHP has interfacial activity as a kind of surfactant. The surface excess at the saturated interface (Gamma(max)) and the minimum bulk concentration of the extractant necessary to saturate the interface (C-min) under the different conditions are calculated according to two adsorption equations such as the Gibbs and Szyszkowski functions to be presented in comprehensive tables and figures. The relationship between the interfacial activity of DEHEHP and cerium(IV) extraction kinetics by DEHEHP has been discussed by considering different factors such as the effects of diluents and temperature. However, the interfacial activity parameter of extractant only is a qualitative parameter, but cannot provide strong enough evidence to quantitatively explain the relationship between extraction kinetics and interfacial properties of an extractant.

Kinetics study on melt grafting copolymerization of LLDPE with acid monomers using reactive extrusion method

Graft copolymerization in the molten state is of fundamental importance as a probe of chemical modification and reactive compatibilization. However, few grafting kinetics studies on reactive extrusion were carried out for the difficulties as expected. In this work, the macromolecular peroxide-induced grafting of acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate onto linear low density polyethylene by reactive extrusion was chosen as the model system for the kinetics study; the samples were taken out from the barrel at five ports along screw axis and analyzed by FTIR, H-1 NMR, and ESR. For the first time, the time-evolution of reaction rate, the reaction order, and the activation energy of graft copolymerization and homopolymerization in the twin screw extruder were directly obtained. On the basis of these results, the general reaction mechanism was tentatively proposed. It was demonstrated that an amount of chain propagation free radicals could keep alive for several minutes even the peroxides completely decomposed and the addition of monomer to polymeric radicals was the rate-controlled step for the graft copolymerization.

Crystal structure and morphology of phenyl-capped tetraaniline in the leucoemeraldine oxidation state

A series of crystals of phenyl-capped tetraaniline in the leucoemeraldine oxidation state were obtained at different isothermal temperatures and were observed directly under transmission electron microscope. The crystals obtained at higher temperatures exhibit more perfect structures than those obtained at lower temperatures. Both the lamella thickness and the crystal size increase with crystallization temperature. The tetraaniline is apt to form larger scale crystals under lower degree of supercooling. However, their crystal structures keep steady with the crystallization temperature. The tetramer was found to adopt a monoclinic lattice with unit cell parameter of a = 13.93 angstrom, b = 8.82 angstrom, c = 23.20 angstrom, and beta = 95.03 degrees, as determined using electron diffraction tilting method combined with wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiment.

Kinetics of ytterbium(III) extraction with Cyanex 272 using a constant interfacial cell with laminar flow

Studies have been made on the kinetics of ytterbium(III) with bis-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272, HA) in n-heptane using a constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. The stiochiometry and the equilibrium constant of the extracted complex formation reaction between Yb3+ and Cyanex 272 are determined. The extraction rate is dependent of the stirring rate. This fact together with the Ea value suggests that the mass transfer process is a mixed chemical reaction-diffusion controlled at lower temperature, whereas it is entirely diffusion controlled at higher temperature. The rate equations for the ytterbium extraction with Cyanex 272 have been obtained. The rate-determining step is also made by predictions derived from interfacial reaction models, and through the approximate solutions of the flux equation, diffusion parameters and thickness of the diffusion film have been calculated.

Mass transfer kinetics of yttrium(III) using a constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. Part II. Extraction with Cyanex 272

The yttrium(III) extraction kinetics and mechanism with bis-(2,4,4-trimethyl-pentyl) phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272, HA) dissolved in heptane have been investigated by constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. The data has been analyzed in terms of pseudo-first order constants. Studies on the effects of stirring rate, temperature, acidity in aqueous phase, and extractant concentration on the extraction rate show that the extraction regime is dependent on the extraction conditions. The plot of interfacial area on the rate has shown a linear relationship. This fact together with the strong surface activity of Cyanex 272 at heptane-water interfaces has made the interface the most probable location for the chemical reactions. The forward, reverse rate equations and extraction rate constant for the yttrium extraction with Cyanex 272 have been obtained under the experimental conditions. The rate-determining step has been also predicted from interfacial reaction models. The predictions have been found to be in good agreement with the rate equations obtained from experimental data, confirming the basic assumption that the chemical reaction is located at the liquid-liquid interface.

Mass transfer kinetics of yttriium(III) using a constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. Part I. Extraction with Cyanex 302

The interfacial tension is measured for Cyanex 302 in heptane and adsorption parameters are calculated according to Gibbs equation and Szyskowski isotherm. The results indicate that Cyanex 302 has a high interfacial activity, allowing easy extraction reaction to take place at the liquid-liquid interface. The extraction kinetics of yttrium(III) with Cyanex 302 in heptane are investigated by a constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. The effects of stirring rate, temperature and specific interfacial area on the extraction rate are discussed. The results suggest that the extraction kinetics is a mixed regime with film diffusion and an aqueous one-step chemical reaction proposed to be the rate-controlling step. Assuming the mass transfer process can be formally treated as a pseudo-first-order reversible reaction with respect to the metal cation, the rate equation for the extraction reaction of yttrium(III) with Cyanex 302 at pH <5 is obtained as follows:R-f = 10(-7.85)[Y(OH)(2)(+)]((a))[H(2)A(2)]((o))(1.00)[H+]((a))(-1.00)Diffusion parameters and rate constants are calculated through approximate solutions of the flux equation.

Direct oxidation of benzene to phenol on manganese pyrophosphate with hydrogen peroxide

A solid catalyst manganese pyrophosphate based on non-sieves to oxidize benzene to phenol with oxidant hydrogen peroxide has shown good conversion with good selectivity in CH3CN at 65 degrees C investigating water contact angle data of three manganese salts, it is found manganese pyrophosphate has certain repulsive water character. It is further to be confirmed by benzene and phenol adsorption experiments onto catalyst surface by GC. With benzene/H2O2 ratio of 1, the benzene conversion of 13.8% with phenol selectivity of 85.0% was achieved. It is noteworthy that no any products are obtained using manganese pyrophosphate as catalyst in the oxidation of phenol in CH3CN solvent.

Kinetics of Y(III) stripping for the system Y/HCl/Cyanex 272-P507/heptane with constant interfacial area cell with laminar flow

Kinetics and mechanism of stripping of yttrium(III) previously extracted by mixtures of bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272, HA), and 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexl ester (P507, HB) dissolved in heptane have been investigated by constant interfacial-area cell by laminar flow. The corresponding equilibrium stripping equation and equilibrium constant were obtained. The studies of effects of the stirring rate and temperature on the stripping rate show that the stripping regime is dependent on the stripping conditions. The plot of interfacial area on the rate has shown a linear relationship. This fact together with the strong surface activity of mixtures of Cyanex 272 and P507 at heptane-water interfaces makes the interface the most probable locale for the chemical reactions. The stripping rate constant is obtained, and the value is compared with that of the system with Cyanex 272 and P507 alone. It is concluded that the stripping ability with the mixtures is easier than that of P507 due to lower the activation energy of the mixtures. The stripping rate equation has also been obtained, and the rate-determining steps are the two-step interfacial chemical reactions as predicted from interfacial reaction models.

Kinetics of cerium(IV) extraction with DEHEHP from HNO3-HF medium using a constant interfacial cell with laminar flow

Studies of the extraction kinetics of cerium(IV) into n-heptane solutions of di(2-ethylhexyl)-2-ethylhexyl phosphonate DEHEHP from HNO3-HF solutions have been carried out using a constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. The experimental hydrodynamic conditions were chosen so that the contribution of diffusion to the measured rate of reaction was minimized. The data were analyzed in terms of pseudo-first order constants. The effects of the stirring rate, specific interfacial area, and temperature on the extraction rate showed that the most probable reaction zone is in the aqueous homogeneous phase. The results were compared with those of the system without HF. It was concluded that the presence of HF decreases the extraction rate of cerium. The addition of HF increases the activation energy for the forward reaction from 21.2 to 55.3 kJ/mol and for the reverse process from 57.9 to 79.0 kJ/mol. According to the experimental data correlated as a function of the concentration of the relevant species involved in the extraction reaction, the corresponding rate equation was deduced as follows:-d[Ce]/dt = k[Ce] center dot B-0.62 center dot HF-0.58 center dot [NO3-](0.57)

Kinetics and mechanism of Yb(III) extraction and separation from Y(III) with mixtures of bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid and 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester

The ytterbium(III) extraction kinetics and mechanism with mixtures of bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (Cyanex272) and 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (P507) dissolved in heptane have been investigated by constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. The effects of the stirring rate, temperature, extractant concentration, and pH on the extraction with mixtures of Cyanex272 and P507 have been studied. The results are compared with those of the system with Cyanex272 or P507 alone. It is concluded that the Yb(III) extraction rate is enhanced with mixtures extractant of Cyanex272 and P507 according to their values of the extraction rate constant, which is due to decreasing the activation energy of the mixtures. At the same time, the mixtures exhibits no synergistic effects for Y(III), which provides better possibilities for Yb(III) and Y(III) separations at a proper conditions than anyone alone. Moreover, thermodynamic extraction separation Yb(III) and Y(III) by the mixtures has been discussed, which agrees with kinetics results. Extraction rate equations have also been obtained, and through the approximate solutions of the flux equation, diffusion parameters and thickness of the diffusion film have been calculated.

Study of CH4 and CO oxidation from electrochemical method

CH4 and CO oxidation reaction on perovskite-like oxides La2-xSrxMO4 (0.01 <= x <= 1.0; M = Cu, Ni) was investigated from cyclic voltammetry method, finding that for suprafacial CO oxidation reaction, the catalyst activity has a close correlation to the area of redox peaks measured in the cyclic voltammetry, the larger the peak area is, the higher the activity will be, while for interfacial CH4 oxidation reaction, the activity depends mainly on the difference in redox potentials (Delta E), and the smaller the difference in redox potentials is, the higher the activity will be.

Investigation on isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly (epsilon-caprolactone)

The crystallization kinetics and the development of lamellar structure during the isothermal crystallization of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and real-time synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SR-SAXS) techniques, respectively. The Avrami analysis was performed to obtain the kinetics parameters. The value of Avrami index, n, is about 3, demonstrating a three-dimensional spherulitic growth on heterogeneous nuclei in the process of isothermal crystallization. The activation energy and the surface free energy of chain folding for isothermal crystallization were determined according to the Arrhenius equation and Hoffman-Lauritzen theory, respectively. In the process of nonisothermal crystallization of PCL, the value of Avrami index, n, is about 4, which demonstrates a three-dimensional spherulitic growth on homogeneous nuclei. In addition, lamellar parameters were obtained from the analysis of SR-SAXS data.

Sudies on non-isothermal melt crystallization kinetics in PET/PEN/DBS blends

Macrokinetic models, namly the modified Avrami, Ozawa and Zibicki models, were applied to study the non-isothermal melt crystallization process of PET/PEN/DBS blends by DSC measurement. The modified Avrami model was found to describe the experimental data fairly well. With the cooling rates in the range from 5 to 20 K/min, Ozawa model could be well used to describe the early stages of crystallization. However, Ozawa model did not fit the polymer blends during the late stages of crystallization, because it ignored the influence of secondary crystallization. The crystallization ability of the blends decreases with increasing the DBS content from analysis by using Ziabicki kinetic model, which is similar to the results based on calculation of the effective energy barrier of the blends.