Photon-Ion-Catalyzed Rare Earth Functional Synergy Material

Large quantity of negative ions and hydrogen can be produced continuously by metal ions of tourmaline under the synergy action of light, water and oxygen. In order to promote this effect, the photon-ion-catalyzed rare earth functional synergy material was prepared to simulate the nature properties of tourmaline. Its safety was discussed and an interaction model proposed. The investigation results show that the cooperation of sunlight, valency-variable rare earth element thorium includes material and photo-catalyzed TiO_2 can increase the product of free radicals and negative ions. It is safety to use thorium included rare earth or rare earth waste with radiant dose smaller than 1Gy.

Rare Earth Elements Geochemistry of Laowan Gold Deposit in Henan Province: Trace to Source of Ore-Forming Materials

The compositions of REE in quartz and pyrite from the main stage of the Laowan gold deposit in Henan Province and that in quartz from Laowan granite were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass-spectrometry （ICP-MS） to trace the source of ore-forming materials. Meanwhile, the REE compositions of the deposit ore, granite and metamorphic wall rock were also considered for comparative studies in detail. The range of ∑REE of quartz and pyrite from the deposit ores is 4.18 × 10^-6- 30.91 × 10^-6, the average of ∑REE is 13.39 × 10^-6, and the average of ∑REE of quartz in the Laowan granite is 6.68 × 10^-6. There is no distinct difference of REE parameters between the deposit ore quartz and granite quartz. The quartz in gold deposit has the same REE particular parameters as quartzes from Laowan granite, such as δEu, δCe, （La/Yb）N and （La/Sm）N, partition degree of LREE to HREE, especially, the chondrite-normalized REE patterns, but no similarity to those from metamorphic wall rock, which shows that ore-forming hydrothermal fluid is mainly the fluid coming from the Laowan granite magma, rather than metamorphic fluid. Meanwhile, comparison studies on REE features between minerals from the deposit ores and related geological bodies in the deposit show that REE characteristics of minerals can serve as an indicator of ore-forming fluid properties and sources, while the REE characteristics of the bulk samples （such as deposit ores, granites and wall rocks） can not trace the source of the ore-forming materials exactly.

Influence of Composite Phosphate Inorganic Antibacterial Materials Containing Rare Earth on Activated Water Property of Ceramics

Antibacterial ceramic was prepared by doping enamel slurry with composite phosphate inorganic antibacterial materials containing rare earth (inorganic antibacterial additives), and then the mechanisms for activating water and improving seed germinative property were tested by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the method of testing oxygen dissolved in activated water. Results show that the half peak width of (()^(17)O-NMR) for tap water activated by the antibacterial ceramic drops from 115.36 to 99.15 Hz, and oxygen concentrations of activated water increase by 20%, germinate rate of horsebean and earthnut seeds increases by 12.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Therefore antibacterial ceramic doped enamel slurry with inorganic antibacterial additives containing rare earth can reduce the volume of clusters of water molecules, improve activation of tap water, and promote plant seeds germinate.

Rare Earth Elements-Doped LiCoO_2 Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Some compounds of LiCo 1- x RE x O 2 (RE=rare earth elements and x =0.01～0.03) were prepared by doping rare earth elements to LiCoO 2 via solid state synthesis. The microstructure characteristics of the LiCo 1- x RE x O 2 were investigated by XRD. It was found that the lattice parameters c are increased and the lattice volumes are enlarged compared to that of LiCoO 2. Moreover, the performance of LiCo 1- x RE x O 2 as the cathode material in lithium ion battery is improved, especially LiCo 1- x Y x O 2 and LiCo 1- x La x O 2. The initial charge/discharge capacities of LiCo 0.99 Y 0.01 O 2 and LiCo 0.99 La 0.01 O 2 are 174/154 (mAh·g -1 ) and 159/149 (mAh·g -1 ) respectively, while those for LiCoO 2 working in the same way are only 139/131 (mAh·g -1 ).

Influence of Doping Rare Earth on Performance of Lithium Manganese Oxide Spinels as Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Some rare earth doping spinel LiMn_(2-x)RE_xO_4 (RE=La, Ce, Nd) cathode materials for lithium ion batteries were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. The structure characteristics of these produced samples were investigated by XRD, SEM, and particle size distribution analysis. According to the microstructure and charge-discharge testing, the effect of doping rare earth on stabilizing the spinel structure was analyzed. Through a series of doping experiments, it is shown that when the doping content x within the range of 0.01～0.02 the cycle performance of the materials is greatly improved. The discharge capacity of the sample LiMn_(1.98)La_(0.02)O_4, LiMn_(1.98)Ce_(0.02)O_4 and LiMn_(1.98)Nd_(0.02)O_4 remain 119.1, 114.2 and 117.5 mAh·g^(-1) after 50 cycles.

Effects of Rare-Earth La_2O_3 Addition on Microstructures and Electrical Properties of SrTiO_3 Varistor-Capacitor Dual Functional Ceramics

The effects of rare-earth La_2O_3 addition on microstructures and electrical properties of SrTiO_3 ceramics were investigated. Semiconductor SrTiO_3-based voltage-sensing and dielectric dual functional ceramics was prepared by a single step sintering technology in this study, and the effects of the content of La_2O_3 on characteristics of the product were discussed in terms of microstructures and electrical properties of materials. The results show that SrTiO_3-based ceramics doped with La_2O_3 exhibits more homogeneous grain distribution, greater grain size, and excellent voltage sensing and dielectric characteristics than those without La_2O_3 doping. The samples doped with 1 1% La_2O_3 were sintered at 1420 ℃ in N_2+C weak reducing atmosphere. The average grain size of the samples doped with La_2O_3 is 40 μm, the breakdown voltage of 19.7 V·mm^(-1), the nonlinear exponent of 7.2, and dielectric constant of 22500. The results reveal that final products are suitable to use in low operating voltage.

Far Infrared Radiation Property of Rare Earth Mneral Composite Materials

Rare earth mineral composite materials were prepared using rare earths and natural far-infrared mineral materials . The influences of rare earth additive content and heat treatment temperature on the far infrared radiance were studied. The results show that the far infrared radiance of rare earth mineral composite materials is 0.93 when the rare earth additive content is 6% and heat treatment temperature is 750℃.

Silver Supported on White Carbon Black Containing Rare Earths as Antibacterial Material

The antimicrobial effect of the Ag-White Carbon Black containing rare earth was investigated. Inorganic antibiotic materials consist of the antibacterial ion, the additive and the carrier. The sol-gel method was used to prepare the white carbon black carrier. Ag+ was selected to be the antibacterial ion, and cerous nitrate was selected to be the additive. They were synthesized on the white carbon black carrier. The structures and properties of antibacterial material were characterized by inductively coupled plasma, particle size measurement instrument, fourier transform infrared and enumeration tests (Escherichia coli as experimental bacterium). Results showed that the amount of antibacterial ions and bacteriostasis rate of this new material are higher than those for the general Ag-antibacterial white carbon black (without containing rare earth). Ag+ was bound to white carbon black by ion exchange process and adsorption process. Bacteriostasis rate is over 99%, and the particle size can be extended down to 7 μm with a narrow size distribution. Other advantages of this material are good thermal and light stability. Furthermore, from the antibacterial experiment in rubber and the coating surface of metal, this new material showed promising results. The possible antibacterial mechanism was also proposed through all the experimental data in this study.

Research on toughening mechanisms of alumina matrix ceramic composite materials improved by rare earth additive

Mixed rare earth elements were incorporated into alumina ceramic materials. Hot-pressing was used to fabricate alumina matrix composites in nitrogen atmosphere protection. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were tested. It was indicated that the bending strength and fracture toughness of alumina matrix ceramic composites sintered at 1550 ℃ and 28 MPa for 30 min were improved evidently. Besides mixed rare earth elements acting as a toughening phase, AlTiC master alloys were also added in as sintering assistants, which could prompt the formation of transient liquid phase, and thus nitrides of rare earth elements were produced. All of the above were beneficial for improving the mechanical properties of alumina matrix ceramic composites.

Preparation and Characterization of Rare Earth Composite Materials Radiating Far Infrared for Activating Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Rare earth composite materials radiating far-infrared rays were prepared according to far infrared absorption spectrum of main component in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The composite materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transformed infrared spectra(FTIR). The results show that after the composite materials were calcined at 873 K for 4 h, FTIR spectra of rare earth composite materials display two new peaks at 1336 and 2926 cm-1 available for activating LPG.

Preparation and Characterization of Cu-Ag-inorganic Antibacterial Material Containing Rare Earths

Inorganic antibacterial materials consist of the antibacterial ions, the additives and the carrier. In this study, we synthesized a new inorganic antibacterialmaterial, of which Cu2+ and Ag+ were selected to be the bi-component antibacterial ions, cerous nitrate served as the additives, and the white carbon black was chosen as the carrier, which was prepared by a sol-gel method. The as-synthesized antibacterial material was characterized by inductively coupled plasma, particle size measurement instrument, scanning electron microscope and enumeration tests. The result showed that the amount of antibacterial ions and bacteriostasis rate of this new material are higher than those for the single-ion inorganic antibacterial material. In addition, the particle size of this material can be extended down to 7 μm with a narrow size distribution. Other advantages of this material are its loose and dispersive structure, good thermal and light stability. From the antibacterial experiment in rubber and the coating surface of metal, this new material showed promising results. The possible antibacterial mechanism was also proposed through all the experimental data in this study.

Photo-Catalyzed Rare Earth Materials with Ability to Translate Free Radicals into Negative Ions

Materials with function of producing negative ions effection,containing valency-variable rare earth elements and semiconductor oxide,were fabricated.Free radicals produced by the materials were tested.The result shows that the materials can produce quite a few free radicals as·O^-_2 no matter whether they are under illumination of ultraviolet radiation or under visible light radiation,or under no light radiation, demonstrating semiconductor oxide can be catalysed under the visible light radiation.At the same time the result shows there is direct relation between the number of free radicals and of the negative ion produced by the materials,which meant that during photo-catalyzed and redox process of valency-variable rare earth elements free radicals translate into negative ions. A circular model is presented involving circulating change of valency-variable rare earth elements and water and oxygen absorbed on the surface of materials under the condition of photocatalysis.

Effect of Rare Earths on Microstructure and Properties of TiC-based Cermet/Cu Alloy Composite Wear Resistant Materials

The effect of rare earth (RE) oxide on the microstructure and properties of TiC based cermet/Cu alloy composite hardfacing materials was investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), impact test and wear test. The mechanism of RE oxide for improving the phase structure and the impact toughness was also discussed. The experimental results indicate that the microstructure of the matrix can be refined, and the micro-porous defects can be eliminated by adding RE oxide into the composite materials. The polycrystalline and amorphous phase structure is formed at the interface of cermet and matrix metal. The formed structure enhances the conjoint strength of interface. The frictional wear resistance can be improved obviously, although the microhardness of the matrix metal can not be effectively increased by adding RE oxide.

Research progress in rare earths and their composites based electrode materials for supercapacitors

Supercapacitor is an imminent potential energy storage system,and acts as a booster to the batteries and fuel cells to provide necessary power density.In the last decade,carbon and carbonaceous materials,conducting polymers and transition metal oxide/hydroxide based electrode materials have been made to show a remarkable electrochemical performance.Rare-earth materials have attracted significant research attention as an electrode material for supercapacitor applications based on their physicochemical properties.In this review,rare earth metals,rare earth metal oxides/hydroxides,rare-earth metal chalcogenides,rare-earth metal/carbon composites and rare-earth metal/metal oxide composites based electrode materials are discussed for supercapacitors.We also discuss the energy chemistry of rare-earth metal-based materials.Besides the factors that affect the performance of the electrode materials,their evaluation methods and supercapacitor performances are discussed in details.Finally,the future outlook in rare-earth-based electrode materials is revealed towards its current developments for supercapacitor applications.

Advances in Rare Earth Application to Semiconductor Materials and Devices

The development of rare earths (RE) applications to semiconductor materials and devices is reviewed. The recent advances in RE doped silicon light emitting diodes (LED) and display materials are described. The various technologies of incorporating RE into semiconductor materials and devices are presented. The RE high dielectric materials, RE silicides and the phase transition of RE materials are also discussed. Finally, the paper describes the prospects of the RE application to semiconductor industry.

Preparation, Characterization and Luminescent Properties of MCM-41 Type Materials Impregnated with Rare Earth Complex

Hybrid materials incorporating Eu-(TTA)(3). 2H(2)O (7hereafter designated as Eu-TTA, with TTA: thenoyltrifluoroacetone) in unmodified or modified MCM-41 by 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) were prepared by impregnation method. The obtained materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and luminescence spectra. All the hybrid samples exhibited the characteristic emission bands of EU3+ under UV light excitation at room temperature, and the excitation spectra showed significant blue-shifts compared to the pure rare-earth complex. Although the red emission intensity in the modified hybrid was almost the half of the red emission intensity in the pure Eu-TTA complex at room temperature, the hybrid showed a much higher thermal stability due to the shielding character of the MCM-41 host.

Enhanced Photoactivity of Layered Nanocomposite Materials Containing Rare Earths,Titanium Dioxide and Clay

The nanocomposite materials containing rare earths, titanium dioxide and clay (RE/TiO2/Clay) were characterized and tested for the photocatalytic decomposition of formaldehyde. The results show that nanocomposite materials prepared by doping appropriate rare earth elements have better photocatalytic properties than that prepared by doping excessive rare earth elements. The photocatalytic mechanism of composite materials was studied by integrating the theory of pho-tocatalysis with experiment results. Because the site of photocatalytic reaction was limited in the interspace of clay, photocatalytic reaction occurred by two steps: firstly, organic molecules dispersed into the interlayers of clay; secondly, organic molecules and photocatalyst of RE/TiO2 occurred photocatalytic reaction, resulting in forming carbon dioxide.

Effect of Rare Earth Composite Ceramic Materials on Oil Combustion of Oil-Burning Boiler

The rare earth composite ceramic materials were prepared using rare earths and far infrared natural mineral. The effects of the as-prepared ceramic materials on the oil consumption and air pollutants emissions of oil-burning boiler were investigated. The results show that the composite ceramic materials can radiate higher intensity of far infrared. The molecular movement is strengthened and the chemical bonds of the molecules are easily ruptured when the diesel oil is dealt with the composite materials. The oil-saving rate of the RBS·VH-1 .5 boiler dealt with the rare earth composite ceramic materials is 3.49%, and the reducing rates of CO and NO in the exhaust gas are 25.4% and 9.7%, respectively.

Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Wear Resistance of Ceramic Tool Materials

Through the addition of Y, Sm and Ce in Al2O3/(W, Ti)C ceramic matrix, it was found that the amount and kind of the added rare earth elements have some different influences on the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composite. Under the present experimental conditions, the flank wear curves of the selected ceramic tool materials when machining the hardened tool steel obeyed the wear law well. But wear resistance of different ceramic materials varied with each other. Wear resistance of rare earth ceramic tool materials was higher than that of the corresponding materials without rare earth. Wear modes of the developed Al2O3/(W, Ti)C series rare earth ceramic tool materials were mainly flank wear and accompanied with slight crater wear.

Preparation and Effect of Rare Earth Composite Ceramic Materials on Reducing Exhaust Emissions

Rare earth composite ceramic materials (RE/CM) were prepared by the method of firing the mixtures of the rare earth elements, polar crystal mineral materials and clays. The effects of processing method on the reducing exhaust emissions were studied. The results show that after dealt with the ceramic balls, the surface tension of gasoline, and the CO concentration among exhaust emissions during combustion, decrease by 2.7% and 11.5%, respectively; however the temperature of the inner flue increases by 4.8%.