Effect of reduction roasting by using bio-char derived from empty fruit bunch on the magnetic properties of Malaysian iron ore

Beneficiation of Malaysian iron ore is becoming necessary as iron resources are depleting. However, the upgrading process is challenging because of the weak magnetic properties of Malaysian iron ore. In this study, bio-char derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch （EFB） was utilized as an energy source for reduction roasting. Mixtures of Malaysian iron ore and the bio-char were pressed into briquettes and subjected to reduction roasting processes at 873-1173 K. The extent of reduction was estimated on the basis of mass loss, and the mag-netization of samples was measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. When reduced at 873 K, the original goethite-rich ore was converted into hematite. An increase in temperature to 1073 K caused a significant conversion of hematite into magnetite and enhanced the magnetic susceptibility and saturation magnetization of samples. The magnetic properties diminished at 1173 K as the iron ore was par-tially reduced to wustite. This reduction roasting by using the bio-char can assist in upgrading the iron ore by improving its magnetic proper-ties

Effects of reduction on the catalytic performance of limonite ore

The catalytic performance of Ni-containing limonite ore in the dry reforming reaction of methane （CH_4＋CO_2→2H_2＋2CO） was determined before and after hydrogen reduction, and under a flow of hydrogen. After hydrogen reduction, the limonite ore exhibited higher catalytic performance, because of the formation of Fe-Ni. However, the Fe in Fe-Ni was readily oxidized by the input CO_2 gas. resulting in a rapid decrease in the catalytic performance of limonite ore. The performance de- crease was due to a decrease in the Ni surface area; Ni could not dissolve in iron oxides and this caused segregation in the iron oxides. When the reaction was conducted under a hydrogen flow, the Fe-Ni was formed and maintained. Ni was highly dispersed in the Fe-Ni phase, resulting in greater surface area of Ni and higher conversion rate of CH_4 and CO_2. The catalytic performance of the limonite ore was inferior to the Ni/Al_2O_3 catalyst because the effect of catalyst support was small, however, the limonite ore was more stable during catalytic use and much cheaper than the Ni/Al_2O_3.

MnO/N—C anode materials for lithium-ion batteries prepared by cotton-templated combustion synthesis

We herein report a facile one-pot synthesis of MnO/N-doped carbon(N—C) composites via a sustainable cotton-template glycineenitrate combustion synthesis to yield superior anode materials for Li ion batteries. MnO nanoparticles with several nanometers were well-embedded in a porous N-doped carbon matrix. It displays the unique characteristics, including the shortened Li^+-ion transport path, increased contact areas with the electrolyte solution, inhibited volume changes and agglomeration of nanoparticles, as well as good conductivity and structural stability during the cycling process, thereby benefiting the superior cycling performance and rate capability. This favorable electrochemical performance of obtained MnO/N—C composites via a one-pot biomass-templated glycine/nitrate combustion synthesis renders the suitability as anode materials for Li-ion batteries.

Combustion synthesis of YAG:Ce phosphors via the thermite reaction of aluminum

Cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet（YAG：Ce） as a yellow phosphor for white light-emitting diodes（LEDs） was synthesized via a facile combustion method using Y2 O3, CeO2, Al2 O3, Al,and NaClO4 as raw materials. The combustion synthesis approach utilizes the strong exothermic oxidation of aluminum to realize a self-sustaining reaction. In this study, we investigated the effects of the ratios of Al2 O3 to AI,fluxes, and coprecipitated materials as raw materials on the luminescence properties of the synthesized YAG：Ce phosphors. When the amount of Al2 O3 x is varied, the combustion reaction proceeds at x ≤ 1.8,with x = 1.725 being the optimum condition for producing a high-performance product. When 5 wt%BaF2 is added, the luminescence intensity is significantly improved owing to a decrease of YAP（YAlO3）formation with improved uniformity. However, the addition of CaF2 and NaF does not improve the luminescence properties. To suppress the segregation of CeO2, we used the coprecipitated material Y2 O3-CeO2 as a raw material. Unlike with separate addition of Y2 O3 and CeO2, Ce ions are uniformly distributed in the coprecipitated material, resulting in improved luminescence properties. The combination of BaF2 and coprecipitated material significantly improves the internal quantum efficiency to83.0%, which is close to that of commercial phosphors.