A Comparative Study on the Selected Area Electron Diffraction Pattern of Fe Oxide/Au Core-shell Structured Nanoparticles

The selected area electron diffraction （SAED） pattern of magnetic iron oxide core/gold shell nanoparticles has been studied. For the composite particles with mean size less than 10 nm, their SAED pattern is found to be different from either the pattern of pure Fe oxide nanoparticles or that of pure Au particles. Based on the fact that the ring diameters of these composite particles fit the characteristic relation for the fcc structure, the Au atoms on surfaces of the concerned particles are supposed to pack in a way more tightly than they usually do in pure Au nanoparticles. The driving force for this is the coherency strain which enables the shell material at the heterostructured interface to adapt the lattice parameters of the core.

Measurement of Atrazine Adsorption onto Surficial Sediments(Natural Surface Coatings)——New Evidence for the Importance of Fe Oxides

To reveal the relative contribution of the components, Fe, Mn oxides or organic materials（OMs） in the surficial sediments（SSs）, and the natural surface coating samples（NSCSs） to adsorbing atrazine（AT）, a selective chemical extraction technique was employed, to remove the different components, and the adsorption characteristics of AT on the SSs and the NSCSs were investigated. The observed adsorptions of AT on the original and extracted SSs and NSCSs were analyzed by nonlinear least squares fitting（NLSF） to estimate the relative contribution of the components. The results showed that the maximum adsorption of AT on the NSCSs was greater than that in the SSs, before and after extraction treatments, implying that the NSCSs were more dominant than the SSs for organic pollutant adsorption. It was also found that the Fe oxides, OMs, and residues in SSs（NSCSs） facilitated the adsorption of AT, but Mn oxides directly or indirectly restrained the interaction of AT with SSs（NSCSs） particles. The contribution of the Fe oxides to AT adsorption was more than that of OMs; the greatest contribution to AT adsorption on a molar basis was from the Fe oxides in the nonresidual fractions, indicating that the Fe oxides played an important role in controlling the environmental behavior of AT in an aquatic environment.

Artificial Neural Network and Full Factorial Design Assisted AT-MRAM on Fe Oxides, Organic Materials, and Fe/Mn Oxides in Surficial Sediments

Artificial neural network（ANN） and full factorial design assisted atrazine（AT） multiple regression adsorption model（AT-MRAM） were developed to analyze the adsorption capability of the main components in the surficial sediments（SSs）. Artificial neural network was used to build a model（the determination coefficient square r2 is 0.9977） to describe the process of atrazine adsorption onto SSs, and then to predict responses of the full factorial design. Based on the results of the full factorial design, the interactions of the main components in SSs on AT adsorption were investigated through the analysis of variance（ANOVA）, F-test and t-test. The adsorption capability of the main components in SSs for AT was calculated via a multiple regression adsorption model（MRAM）. The results show that the greatest contribution to the adsorption of AT on a molar basis was attributed to Fe/Mn（–1.993 μmol/mol）. Organic materials（OMs） and Fe oxides in SSs are the important adsorption sites for AT, and the adsorption capabilities are 1.944 and 0.418 μmol/mol, respectively. The interaction among the non-residual components（Fe, Mn oxides and OMs） in SSs interferes in the adsorption of AT that shouldn’t be neglected, revealing the significant contribution of the interaction among non-residual components to controlling the behavior of AT in aquatic environments.

Magnetic Fe_3O_4-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites-Based Electrochemical Biosensing

An electrochemical biosensing platform was developed based on glucose oxidase(GOx)/Fe3O4-reduced graphene oxide(Fe3O4-RGO) nanosheets loaded on the magnetic glassy carbon electrode(MGCE).With the advantages of the magnetism, conductivity and biocompatibility of the Fe3O4-RGO nanosheets, the nanocomposites could be facilely adhered to the electrode surface by magnetically controllable assembling and beneficial to achieve the direct redox reactions and electrocatalytic behaviors of GOx immobilized into the nanocomposites. The biosensor exhibited good electrocatalytic activity, high sensitivity and stability. The current response is linear over glucose concentration ranging from 0.05 to 1.5 m M with a low detection limit of0.15 μM. Meanwhile, validation of the applicability of the biosensor was carried out by determining glucose in serum samples. The proposed protocol is simple, inexpensive and convenient, which shows great potential in biosensing application.

Removal of tungsten from molybdate solution by Fe-Mn binary oxide adsorbent

Considering the different geochemical enrichment behaviors of W and Mo,Fe?Mn binary oxide(FMBO),ferric hydroxide(Fe(OH)3)and manganese dioxide(MnO2)were studied to separate W from molybdate solution,respectively.The experimental results demonstrated that Fe?Mn binary oxide(FMBO)was the most suitable adsorbent for the separation.Under a wide pH(6.9?11.3)region,more than80%W removal efficiency and less than3%Mo loss could be obtained.In addition,the Fe?Mn binary oxide adsorbent can be regenerated by treating with3mol/L NaOH,and the W adsorption efficiency was retained after five adsorption?desorption?regeneration cycles.All these indicate that the Fe?Mn binary oxides have the potential for the separation of W from molybdate solution.

Sono-assisted preparation of magnetic ferroferric oxide/graphene oxide nanoparticles and application on dye removal

A simple ultrasound-assisted co-precipitation method was developed to prepare ferroferric oxide/graphene oxide magnetic nanoparticles(Fe_3O_4/CO MNPs).The hysteresis loop of Fe_3O_4/GO MNPs demonstrated that the sample was typical of superparamagnetic material.The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscope,and it is found that the particles are of small size.The Fe_3O_4/GO MNPs were further used as an adsorbent to remove Rhodamine B.The effects of initial pH of the solution,the dosage of adsorbent,temperature,contact time and the presence of interfering dyes on adsorption performance were investigated as well.The adsorption equilibrium and kinetics data were fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm and the pseudosecond-order kinetic model respectively.The adsorption process followed intra-particle diffusion model with more than one process affecting the adsorption of Rhodamine B.And the adsorption process was endothermic in nature.Furthermore,the magnetic composite with a high adsorption capacity of Rhodamine B could be effectively and simply separated using an external magnetic field.And the used particles could be regenerated and recycled easily.The magnetic composite could find potential applications for the removal of dye pollutants.

Oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene over Fe promoted Co–Mo/Al_2O_3 and Ni–Mo/Al_2O_3 catalysts using hydrogen peroxide and formic acid as oxidants

This work reports the enhancing effect of a highly cost effective and efficient metal, Fe, incorporation to Co or Ni based Mo/Al2O3 catalysts in the oxidative desulfurization （ODS） of dibenzothiophene （DBT） using H2O2 and formic acid as oxidants. The influence of operating parameters i.e. reaction time, catalyst dose, reaction temperature and oxidant amount on oxidation process was investigated. Results revealed that 99% DBT conversion was achieved at 60℃ and 150 min reaction time over Fe-Ni-Mo/Al2O3. Fe tremendously enhanced the ODS activity of Co or Ni based Mo/Al2O3 catalysts following the activity order：Fe-Ni-Mo/Al2O3 〉 Fe-Co-Mo/Al2O3 〉 Ni-Mo/Al2O3 〉 Co-Mo/Al2O3, while H2O2 exhibited higher oxidation activity than formic acid over all catalyst systems. Insight about the surface morphology and textural properties of fresh and spent catalysts were achieved using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, energy dispersive X-ray （EDX） analysis, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy （AAS） and BET surface area analysis, which helped in the interpretation of experimental data. The present study can be deemed as an effective approach on industrial level for ODS of fuel oils crediting to its high efficiency, low process/catalyst cost, safety and mild operating condition.

THE PREPARATION OF TITANIUM OXIDE OVERLAYER ON Fe(110) FOR SURFACE SCIENCE STUDIES

The preparation, characterization and properties of titania overlayer on Fe(110) substrate is hereby reported. The TiO_X overlayer was found to form in a layer-by-layer mode with a suboxide of titanium in the form of TiO migrating into the Fe substrate and Fe migrating into the deposited layer of TiO_X simultaneously during the deposition.

Types of Crystalline Iron Oxides and Phosphate Ad－sorption in Variable Charge Soils

The types, contents and morphologies of crystalline Fe oxides and their relations to phosphate adsorptionon the clay fractions in soils with variable charge in southern China were investigated by means of XRD, TEM,EMA and chemical analysis methods.Results indicated that the types and contents of crystalline Fe oxidesvaried with the soils examined. The dominant crystalline Fe oxide was hematite in the latosols and goethitesin the red soils.In yellow-brown soils, the only crystalline Fe oxide was goethite.The difference between Aldand Alo came mainly from the Al substituting for Fe in the pe oxides. The crystal morphology of goethiteappeared mainly as subrounded flat or iso-dimensional rather than acicular particles. Hematites occurredin plates of various thickness. Their MCDa/MCDc ratios in the latosols and red soils were generally above1.5 and below 1.5, respectively. The MCD values of goethites and hematites were 15-25nm and 20-35nm,and their specific surface areas were 80-120m￣2/g and 35-75m￣2/g, respectively.The goethite crystals weregenerally smaller. Variations of the total amounts of crystalline Fe oxi es in clay fractions were not related tophosphate adsorption. The types, contents and morphologies of crystalline Fe oxides in the soils remarkablyaffected phosphate adsorption characteristics of the soils. The phosphate adsorption of goethite was muchgreater than that of hematite. The higher the MCD /MCDc rotio of hematite, the lower the phosphateadsorption.

Combined Chemical and Mineralogical Evidence for Heavy Metal Binding in Mining- and Smelting-Affected Alluvial Soils

The binding of metallic contaminants （Pb, Cd, and Zn） and As on soil constituents was studied on four highly contaxninated alluvial soil profiles from the mining/smelting district of Pribram （Czech Republic） using a combination of mineralogical and chemical methods. Sequential extraction analysis （SEA） was supplemented by mineralogical investigation of both bulk samples and heavy mineral fractions using X-ray diffraction analysis （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer （SEM/EDS）. The mineralogy of Fe and Mn oxides was studied by voltammetry of microparticles （VMP） and diffuse reflectance spectrometry （DRS）. Zinc and Pb were predominantly bound in the reducible fraction attributed to Fe oxides and Mn oxides （mainly birnessite, Na4Mn14O27.9H2O）, which were detected in soils by XRD and SEM/EDS. In contrast, Cd was the most mobile contaminant and was predominantly present in the exchangeable fraction. Arsenic was bound to the residual and reducible fractions （corresponding to Fe oxides or to unidentified Fe-Pb arsenates）. SEM/EDS observations indicate the predominant affinity of Pb for Mn oxides, and to a lesser extent, for Fe oxides. Thus, a more suitable SEA procedure should be used for these mining-affected soils to distinguish between the contaminant fraction bound to Mn oxides and Fe oxides.

Fe3C-N-doped carbon modified separator for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

A new Fe3C-N-doped reduced graphene oxide(Fe3C-N-rGO)prepared by a facile method is used as a separator for high performance lithium-sulfur(Li-S)batteries.The Fe3C-N-rGO is coated on the surface of commercial polypropylene separator(Celgard 2400)close to the sulfur cathode.The special nanotubes are in-situ catalyzed by Fe3C nanoparticles.They could entrap lithium polysulfides(Li PSs)to restrain the shuttle effect and reduce the loss of active material.The battery with the modified separator and sulfur cathode shows an excellent cycle performance.It has a high rate performance,580.5 mAh/g at the high current rate of 4 C relative to 1075 mAh/g at 0.1 C.It also has an initial discharge capacity of 774.8 m Ah/g measured at 0.5 C and remains 721.8 mAh/g after 100 cycles with a high capacity retention of 93.2%.The outstanding performances are notable in recently reports with modified separator.

Perovskite Sr0.9Fe0.9Zr0.1O3-δ:Redox-stable Structure,Oxygen Vacancy,Electrical Properties and Steam Electrolysis Performance

Many researchers have studied on perovskite oxide for its unique structure.Perovskite oxides,ABO3-δ,with different A and B metals have shown wide applications in many fields,in particular solid oxide electrolysers.SrFeO3-δ,typical perovskite oxides,in which iron is the mixed-valence cation with the capacity to change the chemical valence,have a wide range of oxygen nonstoichiometry.In this study,Sr（0.9）Fe（0.9）Zr（0.1）O3-δ（SFZO） is synthesized and then treated in 5%H2/Ar and air at high temperature,exhibiting excellent redox stability.Redox-stable structure,oxygen vacancy and electrical properties of SFZO are investigated.Steam electrolysis is then performed with SFZO cathode under 5%H2O/5%H2/Ar and 5%H2O/Ar atmospheres,respectively.The present results indicate that the SFZO is a novel promising cathode material for solid oxide steam electrolyser.

Early Crystallized Titanomagnetite from Evolved Magmas and Magma Recharge in the Mesoproterozoic Zhuqing Oxide-Bearing Gabbroic Intrusions,Sichuan,SW China

The ca. 1.5 Ga mafic intrusions in the Zhuqing area, predominantly composed of alkaline gabbroic rocks in the Kangdian region of SW China, occur as dykes or irregular small intrusions hosting Fe–Ti–V mineralization. All of the intrusions that intrude the dolomite or shales of the Mesoproterozoic Heishan Formation of the Huili Group are composed of three cyclic units from the base upward： a marginal cyclic unit, a lower cyclic unit and an upper cyclic unit. The Fe–Ti–V oxide ore bodies are hosted in the lower and upper cyclic units. The textural relationships between minerals in the intrusions suggest that titanomagnetite formed earlier than silicate grains because euhedral magnetite and ilmenite grains were enclosed in clinopyroxene and plagioclase. Both the magnetitess–ilmenitess intergrowths due to subsolidus oxidation–exsolutions and the relative higher V distribution coefficient between magnetite and silicate melts in the gabbros from the Zhuqing area are different from those of other typical Fe–Ti bearing mafic rocks, suggesting that the oxygen fugacity was low in the gabbric rocks from the Zhuqing area. This finding was further confirmed by calculations based on the compositions of magnetite and ilmenite pairs. The clinopyroxene, magnetite and ilmenite in the intrusions from the Zhuqing area had considerably lower Mg O than those of other typical Fe–Ti oxide-rich complexes, suggesting that the titanomagnetite from the intrusion may have crystallized at a relatively late stage of evolution from a more evolved magma. Titanomagnetite first fractionally crystallized and subsequently settled in the lower parts of the magma chamber, where it concentrated and formed Fe–Ti–V oxide ore layers at the bases of the lower and upper cycles. Moreover, the occurrence of multiple Fe-Ti oxide layers alternating with Fe-Ti oxide-bearing silicate layers suggests that multiple pulses of magma were involved in the formation of the intrusions and related Fe-Ti-V oxide deposits in the Zhuqing area.

Promotion effect of KOH on preparation of dissolved Fe(Ⅵ)

In order to improve the yield and stability of ferrate in solution, dissolved Fe(Ⅵ) prepared with NaOH and KOH respectively was compared in this study. The results showed that KOH is more suitable than NaOH for the preparation of dissolved Fe(Ⅵ) at temperature over 50 ℃. It is found that the dissolved Fe(Ⅵ) prepared with KOH increases quickly at first, and then slowly with the increasing concentrations of OH-and ClO-, while it increases rapidly at first and then decreases rapidly with the increasing dosage of Fe(NO3)3·9H2O. These results are different from that prepared with NaOH. It can be explained that solid K2FeO4 salts can be formed in KOH solution, and it will lower the Fe(Ⅵ) concentration, counteract the decomposition of Fe(Ⅵ), and improve the yield of Fe(Ⅵ). The maximum ferrate concentration is 0.163 mol/L obtained by 100 g/L Fe(NO3)3·9H2O and 6.16 mol/L KOH at 65 ℃. The stability of Fe(VI) is greatly improved due to the hypochlorite existed in the dissolved ferrate, and only 24% Fe(Ⅵ) has been decomposed after 16 d for 1 mmol/L Fe(Ⅵ) at 25 ℃.

Effects of Ionic Strength and Sesquioxides on Adsorption of Toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.kurstaki on Soils

Chemical reactions and fate of the toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis （Bt） in the soil environment are causing increasing concerns due to the large-scale cultivation of transgenic Bt plants. In this study, the effect of ionic strength （0-1 000 mmol kg-1） adjusted by NaCl or CaCl2 on adsorption of Bt toxin by a lateritic red soil, a paddy soil and these soils after chemical removal of organic-bound or free Fe and Al oxides, as well as by pure minerals （goethite, hematite and gibbsite） which are widespread in these soils, were studied. The results indicated that when the supporting electrolyte was NaCl, the adsorption of Bt toxin by the lateritic red soil and paddy soil increased rapidly until the ionic strength reached 250 mmol kg-1 and then gradually slowed down with the increase of ionic strength; while in ease the supporting electrolyte was CaCl2, the adsorption of Bt toxin enhanced significantly at low ionic strength （〈 10 mmol kg-1） and then decreased as the ionic strength increased. The adsorption of Bt toxin by the tested minerals and soils after the removal of organic-bound or free Fe and Al oxides also increased with increasing ionic strength controlled by NaCl. Removing organic-bound Fe and Al oxides obviously increased the adsorption of Bt toxin in the tested soils. Differently, removing free Fe and Al oxides increased the Bt adsorption by the paddy soil, but decreased the adsorption by the lateritic red soil. The study indicated that the varieties of ionic strength and the presence of Ve and Al oxides affected the adsorption of Bt toxin by the soils, which would contribute to the further understanding of the fate of Bt toxin in the soil environment and provide references for the ecological risk assessment of transgenic Bt plants.

Changes of Clay Mineral Association After High-Gradient Magnetic Separation

The changes of clay mineral association after high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) treatment, and the effects of chemical and physical technologies on concentrating Fe oxides for main soils in central and southern China were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and chemical analysis methods. Results indicated that the concentrating times of Fe oxides by HGMS treatment were the largest for 0.2-2 μmsize fractions in the examined soils. For the soils in which 2: 1 phyllosilicates were dominant, concentrating times of iron oxides by HGMS treatment were larger than by 5 mol L-1 NaOH treatment. Phyllosili-cates were decreased after HGMS treatment; however, the decrease was less than that of kaorolinite. The goet bite / (goethite + hematie) values in Fe oxides of the soils kept virtually constant after HGMSt reatment.

Antimony oxidation and adsorption by in-situ formed biogenic Mn oxide and Fe–Mn oxides

Antimony（Sb）, which can be toxic at relatively low concentrations, may co-exist with Mn（Ⅱ）and/or Fe（Ⅱ） in some groundwater and surface water bodies. Here we investigated the potential oxidation and adsorption pathways of Sb（Ⅲ and V） species in the presence of Mn（Ⅱ） and Mn-oxidizing bacteria, with or without Fe（Ⅱ）. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the oxidation and adsorption characteristics of Sb species in the presence of biogenic Mn oxides（BMOs）, which were formed in-situ via the oxidation of Mn（Ⅱ） by a Mn-oxidizing bacterium（Pseudomonas sp. QJX-1）. Results indicated that Sb（Ⅲ） ions could be oxidized to Sb（V） ions by BMO, but only Sb（V） originating from Sb（Ⅲ） oxidation was adsorbed effectively by BMO. Introduced Fe（Ⅱ） was chemically oxidized to Fe OOH, the precipitates of which mixed with BMO to form a new compound, biogenic Fe–Mn oxides（BFMO）. The BMO part of the BFMO mainly oxidized and the Fe OOH of the BFMO mainly adsorbed the Sb species. In aquatic solutions containing both As（Ⅲ） and Sb（Ⅲ）, the BFMO that formed in-situ preferentially oxidized Sb over As but adsorbed As more efficiently. Chemical analysis and reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the presence of Fe（Ⅱ）, As（Ⅲ） and Sb（Ⅲ） accelerated the oxidation of Mn（Ⅱ） but inhibited the activity of Mn-oxidizing bacteria. These results provide significant insights into the biogeochemical pathways of Sb, Mn（Ⅱ） in aquatic ecosystems, with or without Fe（Ⅱ）.

Arsenic and cadmium removal from water by a calcium-modified and starch-stabilized ferromanganese binary oxide

A new calcium-modified and starch-stabilized ferromanganese binary oxide (Ca-SFMBO)sorbent was fabricated with different Ca concentrations for the adsorption of arsenic (As)and cadmium (Cd) in water.The maximum As(Ⅲ) and Cd(Ⅱ) adsorption capacities of 1%CaSFMBO were 156.25 mg/g and 107.53 mg/g respectively in single-adsorption systems.The adsorption of As and Cd by the Ca-SFMBO sorbent was pH-dependent at values from 1 to 7,with an optimal adsorption pH of 6.In the dual-adsorbate system,the presence of Cd(Ⅱ) at low concentrations enhanced As(Ⅲ) adsorption by 33.3%,while the adsorption of As(Ⅲ) was inhibited with the increase of Cd(Ⅱ) concentration.Moreover,the addition of As(Ⅲ) increased the adsorption capacity for Cd(Ⅱ) up to two-fold.Through analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),it was inferred that the mechanism for the co-adsorption of Cd(Ⅱ) and As(Ⅲ) included both competitive and synergistic effects,which resulted from the formation of ternary complexes.The results indicate that the Ca-SFMBO material developed here could be used for the simultaneous removal of As(Ⅲ) and Cd(Ⅱ) from contaminated water.

Surface magnetization of siderite mineral

Surface self-magnetization of siderite is achieved by generating ferromagnetic substance on the surface of siderite by adjusting slurry temperature,pH value,stirring rate and reaction time.No addition of any iron-containing reagent is required.The temperature of 60 ℃,NaOH concentration of 0.10 mol/L;stirring rate of 900 r/min and the reaction time of 10 min are the optimal conditions.The results show that the siderite recovery in magnetic separation increased from 26.9% to 88.8% after surface magnetization.Magnetization kinetic equation is expressed as 1 [1(e0.269)]1/3 = Kt.Activation energy for the magnetization reaction is 4.30 kJ/mol.VSM,SEM and XPS were used to characterize the siderite,and results show that the saturated magnetization(rs) of siderite increased from 0.652 to 2.569Am2 /kg,the magnetic hysteresis was detected with a coercive force of 0.976 A/m after magnetization;Fe2P3/2 electron binding energy changed which reflects the valence alteration in iron on the surface and the formation of ferromagnetic Fe3O4.

Structure and catalytic property of CeO_2-ZrO_2-Fe_2O_3 mixed oxide catalysts for diesel soot combustion: Effect of preparation method

A series of Ceo.sFeo.30Zr0.20O2 catalysts were prepared by different methods （co-precipitations method, citric acid sol-gel method, impregnation method, physical mixed method, and hydrotherrnal method） and characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Raman spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller （BET） and H2-TPR measurements. Potential of the catalysts in the soot oxidation was evaluated in a temperature-programmed oxidation （TPO） apparatus. The results showed that all the Fe3＋ and Zr4＋ were incor- porated into ceria lattice to form a pure Ce-Fe-Zr-O solid solution for the co-precipitation sample, but two kinds of Fe phases ex- isted in the Ce-Fe-Zr-O catalysts prepared by other methods： Fe3＋ incorporated into CeO2 lattice and dispersed Fe2O3 clusters. The free Fe2O3 clusters could improve the activity of catalysts for soot oxidation comparing with the pure Ce-Fe-Zr-O solid solution owing to the synergetic effect between free Fe2O3 and surface oxygen vacancies. In addition, the activity of catalysts strongly relied on the surface reducibility of free Fe2O3 particles. Holding both abundant free Fe2O3 particles and high oxygen vacancy concentration, the hydrothermal Ce0.5Fe0.3Zr0.202 catalyst presented the lowest Ti （251℃, ignition temperature of soot oxidation） and Tm （310 ℃, maximum oxidation rate temperature） for soot combustion （with tight-contact between soot and catalysts） among the five samples. Even after aging at 800 ℃ for 10 h, the Ti and Tm were still relatively low, at 273 and 361 ℃, respectively, indicating high catalytic stability.