Preparation and properties of nanocrystal SmBO_3 by nitrate-citrate sol-gel combustion method

Nanocrystal SmBO3 powders were synthesized by nitrate-citrate sol-gel combustion method. The phase evolution, morphologies and absorbency of the synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Field emission scanning electronic microscope （FESEM）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FFIR） and UV-3101PC spectrophotometer （UVPC）, respectively. XRD and FESEM results showed that pure SmBO3 phase was obtained at 750 ℃, with an average original particle size of about 100 nm. FTIR showed that there were apparently concentrated absorbent peaks between 500 and 1400 cm^-1. Moreover, the reflectivity of the powders apparently decreased at the wavelength between 1.05 and 1.15 μm. Therefore, SmBO3 might be a kind of absorbent material for infrared laser.

Effect of Bi3+ Ion Substitution on Magnetic Properties of Cobalt Nano Ferrites Prepared by Sol-Gel Combustion Method

Bismuth substituted cobalt nano ferrites with the chemical composition Co Bix Fe2-x O4 (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 & 0.25) were prepared by sol-gel combustion method. The phase identification of prepared samples is characterised by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) method, which confirms the formation of a single phase fcc spinal structure. The mean crystallite sizes of all prepared samples were obtained within the range of 21 (±5) nm. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images also confirmed the crystallite size of all the synthesised samples was in nano range. With the effect of Bi3+ ion substitution on spinal cobalt ferrite, the magnetic properties were investigated by using Vibration Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The obtained hysteresis (M-H) curves of all the samples were analysed under the applied magnetic field of range ± 10 K Oe at 300 K. The magnetic properties such as saturation magnetisation (Ms), remnant magnetization (Mr) and coercivity (Hc) values are tabulated, which show a decrease in trend as the bismuth ion concentration increases. This is due to the addition of Bi3+ ion in the place of Fe3+ ion (octahedral site) and hence the Bi3+-Fe3+ ion interaction predominates as compared with the Fe2+-Fe3+ ion interaction. The data obtained from magnetic studies, the variation among the magnetic properties have been investigated for all the prepared samples.

Absorption Property of YAG∶Sm Phosphors Prepared using Sol-Gel Combustion Method

Samarium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG∶Sm3+) phosphors were synthesized by nitrate-citrate sol-gel combustion method. Phase evolution, morphology and absorbency of the obtained materials were characterized by XRD, FESEM, reflection spectrum, respectively. The experimental results showed that single-phase cubic YAG∶Sm3+ crystalline was directly obtained at 800 ℃ from amorphous precursor, and mostly developed at 900 ℃. The prepared powders were relatively agglomerated with an average particle size of 300 nm. The reflection spectrum showed that there were several apparent characteristic absorption peaks due to the 4f→4f inner shell electron transitions from the 6H5/2 ground state to 6FJ (J=9/2, 7/2 and 5/2) excited state of Sm3+. Moreover, the intensity of the characteristic peaks was enhanced with the increasing concentration of Sm3+ ions.

Synthesis and Structural Properties of Bismuth Doped Cobalt Nanoferrites Prepared by Sol-Gel Combustion Method

A series of Bismuth doped Cobalt nanoferrites of chemical composition CoBixFe2-xO4 (where x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 & 0.25) were prepared by sol-gel combustion method and calcinated at 600℃. The structural and morphological studies were carried out by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra showing the single phase spinal structure. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed a single phase fcc crystal. The crystallite size of all the compositions was calculated using Debye-Scherrer equation and found in the range of 17 to 26 nm. The lattice parameters were found to be decreased as Bi3+ ion doping increases. The surface morphology was studied by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and particle size was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The EDS plots revealed existence of no extra peaks other than constituents of the taken up composition. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) studies were made in the frequency range 350 - 900 cm-1 and observed two strong absorption peaks. The frequency band is found at 596 cm-1 where as the lower frequency band at 393 cm-1. It is clearly noticed that the two prominent absorption bands were slightly shifted towards higher frequency side with the increase of Bi3+ ion concentration.

Effects of calcination temperature and time on the Ca3Co4O9 purity when synthesized using starch-assisted sol-gel combustion method

Ca3Co4O9 is a p-type semiconducting material that is well-known for its thermoelectric(TE),magnetic,electronic,and electro-optic properties.In this study,sol–gel autoignition was used to prepare Ca3Co4O9 at different calcination temperatures(773,873,973,and 1073 K)and time(4,6,8,10,12,and 14 h)using starch as a fuel.The phase and microstructure of the prepared Ca3Co4O9 powder were investigated.Thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis(TGA)confirms that the final weight loss occurred at 1073 K to form Ca3Co4O9 stable powder.The variable-pressure scanning electron microscopy(VP-SEM)images show that the size of powder particles increases from 1.15 to 1.47μm as calcination time increases from 4 to 12 h,and the size remains almost constant thereafter.A similar pattern is also observed on the increment of the crystallite size and percentage of crystallinity with X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis.The highest crystallinity is found about 92.9%when the powder was calcinated at 1073 K for 12 and 14 h with 458 and 460Åcrystallite size,respectively.Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS)analysis demonstrates that the calcinated powder has a high intensity of Ca,Co,and O with uniform distribution.High-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM)images prove that there is no distinct lattice distortion defect on the crystal structure.

Preparation of YAG:Ce^(3+) phosphor by sol-gel low temperature combustion method and its luminescent properties

YAG:Ce3+ phosphor was prepared by sol-gel low-temperature combustion method. The effects of the precursor properties and calcining temperature on the crystallization process, microscopic morphology and luminescent properties of phosphor were studied. The results indicate that the pure phase of YAG can be obtained at 800 ℃ by sol-gel low temperature combustion method, using citric acid as complexing agent. When the molar ratio of metal ion to citric acid is 2.0 and pH value is 2, the crystallinity increases and the phosphor particle size grows up gradually with the increase of the calcining temperature. The powders were characterized through thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscope analysis. The excitation spectra of YAG:Ce3+ phosphor take on a double peak structure, and the peak value of the main excitation spectra occurs at 460 nm and that of the emission spectra is near 530 nm. With the gradual increase of the calcining temperature, the peak position of excitation and emission spectra remains basically unchanged, but its relative intensity increases gradually.

Gas sensing properties of Y-doped ZnO nanosheets synthesized via combustion method

ZnO nanosheets doped with yttrium（Y） were synthesized via a solution combustion method using zinc nitrate and tartaric acid as raw materials.The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction were used to characterize ZnO nanosheets and the gas sensing properties of them were investigated.The results show that the as-synthesized ZnO nanosheets with diameters of20-100 nm have a wurtzite structure with rough surface.The sensor made from the 2%Y-doped ZnO nanosheets exhibits a stronger response toward 100x10-6（volume fraction） ethanol,its sensitivity at 300℃ is 17.50,and its optimal operating temperature（300℃）is lower than that of the pure ZnO（330℃）.The obvious sensitivity（about 2.5） can be observed at the volume fraction of ethanol as low as 5×10-（-6）,while its the response time is only 2s at 300℃.Moreover,the Y-doped ZnO sensor has a better selectivity to ethanol than other gases.

Comparative structural and electrochemical properties of mixed P2/O′3-layered sodium nickel manganese oxide prepared by sol-gel and electrospinning methods:Effect of Na-excess content

The effect of Na-excess content in the precursor on the structural and electrochemical performances of sodium nickel manganese oxide(NNMO)prepared by sol-gel and electrospinning methods is investigated in this paper.X-ray diffraction results of the prepared NNMO without adding Na-excess content indicate sodium loss,while the mixed phase of P2/O′3-type layered NNMO presented after adding Na-excess content.Compared with the sol-gel method,the secondary phase of NiO is more suppressed by using the electrospinning method,which is further confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope images.N_(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms show no remarkably difference in specific surface areas between different preparation methods and Na-excess contents.The analysis of X-ray absorption near edge structure indicates that the oxidation states of Ni and Mn are+2 and+4,respectively.For the electrochemical properties,superior electrochemical performance is observed in the NNMO electrode with a low Na-excess content of 5wt%.The highest specific capacitance is 36.07 F·g^(-1)at0.1 A·g^(-1)in the NNMO electrode prepared by using the sol-gel method.By contrast,the NNMO electrode prepared using the electrospinning method with decreased Na-excess content shows excellent cycling stability of 100%after charge-discharge measurements for 300 cycles.Therefore,controlling the Na excess in the precursor together with the preparation method is important for improving the electrochemical performance of Na-based electrode materials in supercapacitors.

Influence of preparation method on performance of a metal supported perovskite catalyst for combustion of methane

A different method was employed for the preparation of a metal supported perovskite catalyst for the catalytic combustion of methane.The prepared metallic catalysts were characterized by means of X-ray diffractometer(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and also by ultrasonic and thermal shock tests and catalytic activity.It was found that the process factors during the preparation,e.g.the preparation of the catalyst precursor and the coating slurry,the calcination te...

Ni/bentonite catalysts prepared by solution combustion method for CO_2 methanation

A 20 wt% Ni/bentonite catalyst was prepared by a solution combustion synthesis (SCS), which exhibited higher activity for the CO_2methanation than that of an impregnation method (IPM), and the catalyst prepared by SCS showed a CO_2 conversion of 85% and a CH4selectivity of 100% at 300 °C, atmospheric pressure, and 3600 ml·(g cat)-1·h-1, and the catalyst exhibited stable within a 110-h reaction. The results showed higher me- tallic Ni dispersion, smaller Ni particle size, larger specific surface area and lower reduction temperature in the Ni/ bentonite prepared by SCS than that of IPM. And the Ni/bentonite prepared by the SCS moderated the interaction between NiO and bentonite.

Enhanced saturation magnetization in La^(3+) doped NiCo ferrites prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method

Lanthanum doped nickel-cobalt nano ferrites with chemical formula Ni_(0.5)Co_(0.5)LaxFe_(2-x)O_(4)(x=0.05,0,10,0.15 and 0,20) were prepared using a simple sol-gel auto combustion method.The basic structural properties were determined by X-ray diffraction method and the formation of single phased spinel ferrite was confirmed.The crystalline size decreased from 25 to 11 nm and lattice parameter a increases with increase of La doping.The surface morphology of these ferrites was observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) and agglomerated irregular grains are observed with increase of the rare earth element La doping.Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX) result confirms the presence of the required elements.The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) spectrum indicates the formation of the spinel ferrite structure with M-O bonds.Optical direct band measurements from ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy(UV-Vis) spectroscopy indicate that the direct band gap decreases from 1.39 to 1.19 eV for x=0.05 to x=0.15,then increases to 1.28 eV for x=0.20.The room temperature magnetic properties of these ferrites were studied by a vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM).The enhanced saturation magnetization of 49.73 emu/g is observed for x=0.10 and then saturation magnetizations are gradually decreased for x=0.15 and x=0.20.Interestingly the remanent magnetization and coercivity also follow the same trend.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium-Doped Lutetium Aluminum Garnet Phosphors by Nitrate-citrate Sol-Gel Combustion Process

Nanosized cerium-doped lutetium aluminum garnet （LuAG：Ce） phosphors were prepared by nitrate-citrate solgel combustion process using 1：1 ratio of the citrate：nitrate. The prepared LuAG：Ce phosphors were characterized by XRD, TEM, photoluminescence and radioluminescence spectra excited by UV and X-ray, respectively. The purified crystalline phase of LuAG：Ce was obtained at 900 ℃ by directly crystallizing from amorphous materials. The resultant Lu- AG：Ce phosphors were uniform and had good dispersivity with an average particle size of about 30 urn. Both photoluminescence and radioluminescence were well-known Ce^3＋ emissions located in the range of 470 -600 nm consisting of two emission bands because of the transition from the lowest 5d excited state （2D） to the 4f ground state of Ce^3＋, which matched well with the sensitivity curve of the Si-photodiode. There was a little red shift for the emission components from the UV-excited emission spectrum to the X-ray-excited emission spectrum. The fast scintillation decay component of 26 ns satisfies the requirements of fast scintillators.

Ni/ZrO_2 Catalysts Synthesized via Urea Combustion Method for CO_2 Methanation

A series of Ni/ZrO_2 catalysts were synthesized by urea combustion method for CO_2 methanation.The effects of zirconium precursors and urea dosage on the structure and catalytic performance of the catalysts were tested.Results showed that the Ni/ZrO_2–O catalyst derived from zirconium oxynitrate hydrate exhibited better catalytic activity than the Ni/ZrO_2 catalyst because of its higher Ni dispersion and smaller Ni particle size.In addition,the urea dosage significantly influenced the low-temperature activity of the catalysts by affecting the metal–support interaction,Ni dispersion,and Ni particle size.The Ni/ZrO_2–O-0.4 catalyst with a urea-to-nitrate molar ratio of 0.4 exhibited the best catalytic activity owing to its moderate metal–support interaction,highest Ni dispersion,and smallest Ni particle size,achieving 69.2% CO_2 conversion and 100% CH_4 selectivity at 300℃,0.1 MPa,and a weight hour space velocity(WHSV)of 50,000 mL/(g·h).Moreover,the urea combustion method can lead to the entire phase transformation from monoclinic ZrO_2 to tetragonal ZrO_2 accompanied by the incorporation of oxygen vacancies in the ZrO_2 lattice.This phenomenon can also be related to the high catalytic activity of the as-prepared catalysts.

Effect of Preparation Conditions on Visible Photocatalytic Activity of Titania Synthesized by Solution Combustion Method

Titania catalysts were synthesized by a solution combustion method （SCM）. Photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol （4-CP） using the synthesized catalysts was studied under both visible light （λ≥420nm） and sunlight irradiation. The effect of preparation conditions on photocatalytic activities of the synthesized catalysts was investigated. The optimal photocatalytic activity of the catalyst （denoted as A1 ） was obtained under the following synthesis conditions： ignition temperature of 350~C, fuel ratio （ φ） of 1 and calcination time of lh. The degradation and mineralization ratio of 4-CP were 78.2% and 53.7% respectively under visible light irradiation for 3h using catalyst A1. And the catalyst A1 also showed high photocatalytic activity under sunlight irradiation.

Characterization and luminescence of Eu/Sm-coactivated CaYAl_3O_7 phosphor synthesized by using a combustion method

A novel red-emitting phosphor, CaYA1307： Eu^3＋, Sm^3＋, is synthesized by a combustion method at a low temperature （850 ℃）, and the single phase of CaYA1307 is confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements. The photoluminescence property results reveal that the red emission intensity of Eu^3＋ is strongly dependent on the Sm^3＋ concentration. Only the Eu^3＋ luminescence is detected in the Eu^3＋-Sm^3＋ co-doped CaYA1307 phosphor with 393 nm excitation. However, under the characteristic excitation （402 nm） of Sm^3＋, not only the Sm^3＋ emission but also the Eu^3＋ emission are observed. A possible mechanism of the energy transfer between Sm^3＋ and Eu3＋ is investigated in detail.

Effect of co-doped metal caions on the properties of Y_2O_3:Eu^(3+) phosphors synthesized by gel-combustion method

Y2O3：Eu3＋ phosphors co-doped with different metal cations （Li＋, Na＋, K＋, Mg2＋, Ca2＋） are prepared by the gel- combustion method with Y2O3：Eu3＋, and R（NO3）x （R = Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca） serving as raw materials and glycine as fuel, calcined at 1000 ℃ for 2 h. The synthesized Y203 ：Eu3＋ phosphors doped with different metal cations and doping ratios are characterized by x-ray diffractometry （XRD）, fluorescence and phosphorescent spectrophotometer. The co-doping metal cations are advantageous to the development of Y203：Eu3＋ lattice. All the samples can emit red light peaked at 611 nm under 254-nm excited. The luminescence intensities of co-doping samples are increased because the cations increase the electron transition probability of Eu3＋ from 5D0 level to 7F level. The fluorescence lifetime of Eu3＋ （SD0 --＋7F2） is increased by doping metal cations.

Nanostructured Yb:GGG polycrystalline powders via gel combustion method

Gadolinium gallium gamet （GGG） nanopowders doped with ytterbium ions （Yb：GGG） were synthesized with citric acid as a fuel via gel combustion method. The optimized conditions for preparing yb^3＋：Gd3Ga5O12 nanopowders were discussed. The heat behavior, structure and morphology of powders were analyzed with thermal analysis （TG-DTA）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, infrared spectra OR） and transmission electron microscope （TEM）. TG-DTA analysis revealed that the weight loss of the precursor occured below 800 ℃ and its crystallization temperature was 830.6℃. XRD and IR analysis showed that the precursor converted directly into pure GGG at a relatively lower temperature （900 ℃） without any other intermediate phase. The lattice constant was 1.2377 calculated by extrapolation method. TEM results indicated that the spherical powders showed good dispersity and had a relatively narrow size distribution with average particle size of approximately 40-50 ran, which was favorable for good sinterability of Yb：GGG laser ceramic.

Effect of Potassium on Sol-Gel Cerium and Lanthanum Oxide Catalysis for Soot Combustion

The catalytic activity in the soot combustion is reported for a series of potassium-promoter alumina supported catalysts prepared by the sol-gel method to be used in the catalytic combustion of soot. The studied systems correspond to CeO2-Al2O3 and La2O3-Al2O3 with charges of 3 and 5 wt% of CeO2 and La2O3. Potassium impregnation is performed to reach 3 atoms of K per nm2 of the mixed oxide. The effect of the potassium incorporation increases its reducibility, decreases the surface area and forms a new type of oxygen that is stronger than the oxygen in mixed oxides with similar chemical nature. The existence of potassium oxides, K2O and oxygen responsible for the vacancies and/or lattice defects (O2−) are related to good catalytic activity. Additionally, the presence of alkali affects the structural and textural characteristics of the catalyst, promoting the catalytic activity in soot combustion.

Preparation and Characterization of Pb(Zr_(0.52)Ti_ (0.48))O_3 Ultrafine Powders by a Sol-gel Combined with Combustion Process

A simple and rapid process for synthesizing lead zirconate titanate,Pb（Zr0.52Ti0.48）O3（PZT）,ferroclectric powders was developed.This process,combining the sol-gel and combustion process.offers several advantages over conventional methods.including rapid solution synthesis,use of commercially available materials lower synthesis temperature and ease of obtaining ultrafine powders.The precursor solution for synthesizing powders was prepared from lead nitrate.zireonium nitrate.titanium oxynitrate,citric acid and deionized water.The precarsor was investigated by DSC-TG,and the PZT powders were investigated by powder-XRD,IR spectra and TEM.XRD analysis shous that the powders possess a single phase perovskite type structure,no pyrochlore phase exists.and TEM image shows that the grain size of the powders is about 40nm.