PROGRESS IN THREE-DIMENSIONALLY ORDERED SELF-ASSEMBLY OF COLLOIDAL SiO2 PARTICLES

Three-dimensionally ordered self-assembly of monodispersed colloidal SiO2 particles involving a structure with periodic alternation of refractive indices represents an advanced field of particuology, colloidal chemistry, materials science, optical physics and information science. Study on such self-assembly not only lays the foundation for the development of advanced functional materials, but also is significant in understanding the principles of nano- and micro-scale processes. Recent progress in three-dimensionally ordered self-assembly of colloidal SiO2 particles is reviewed, inclusive of the authors investigations.

Synthesis of iron(Ⅲ)-doped nanostructure TiO_2/SiO_2 and their photocatalytic activity

Iron（Ⅲ）-doped nanostructure TiO2-coated SiO2 （TiO2/SiO2） particles were prepared using the layer-by-layer assembly technique and their photocatalytic property was studied. TiO2 colloids were synthesized employing the sol-gel method with TiChas a precursor. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, SEM, EDS, XPS, and XRD. The experimental results show that TiO2 nanopowders on the surface of SiO2 particles are well distributed, the amount of TiO2 is increased with the adding of coating layers, the pure anatase-TiO2 coating layers are synthesized at 500℃, and the photocatalytic activity of Fe^3＋-doped TiO2/SiO2 is higher than that of undoped TiO2/SiO2.

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of Cu^(2+)-doped TiO_2/SiO_2

Cu^2＋-doped nanostructured TiO2-coated SiO2 （TiO2/SiO2） particles were prepared by the layer-by-layer assembly technique and their photocatalytic property was studied. TiO2 colloids were synthesized by the sol-gel method using TiOSO4 as a precursor. The experimental results showed that TiO2 nanopowders on the surface of SiO2 particles were well distributed and compact. The amount of TiO2 increased with the increase in coating layers. The shell structure appeared to be composed of anatase titania nanocrystals at 550℃. The 2-layer coated TiO2 particles on the surface showed a higher degradation rate compared with all the different-layer samples. The photocatalytic activity of Cu^2＋-doped TiO2/SiO2 was higher than that ofundoped TiO2/SiO2. The optimum dopant content was about 0.10wt%.

Active metal brazing of SiO2–BN ceramic and Ti plate with Ag–Cu–Ti＋BN composite filler

SiO2–BN ceramic and Ti plate were joined by active brazing in vacuum with Ag–Cu–Ti＋BN composite filler.The effect of BN content,brazing temperature and time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the brazed joints was investigated.The results showed that a continuous Ti N–Ti B2reaction layer formed adjacent to the SiO2–BN ceramic,whose thickness played a key role in the bonding properties.Four Ti–Cu compound layers,Ti2Cu,Ti3Cu4,Ti Cu2and Ti Cu4,were observed to border Ti substrate due to the strong affinity of Ti and Cu compared with Ag.The central part of the joint was composed of Ag matrix,over which some fine-grains distributed.The added BN particles reacted with Ti in the liquid filler to form fine Ti B whiskers and Ti N particles with low coefficients of thermal expansion（CTE）,leading to the reduction of detrimental residual stress in the joint,and thus improving the joint strength.The maximum shear strength of 31 MPa was obtained when 3 wt%BN was added in the composite filler,which was 158%higher than that brazed with single Ag–Cu–Ti filler metal.The morphology and thickness of the reaction layer adjacent to the parent materials changed correspondingly with the increase of BN content,brazing temperature and holding time.Based on the correlation between the microstructural evolution and brazing parameters,the bonding mechanism of SiO2–BN and Ti was discussed.

Preparation of Monodisperse Spherical SiO_2 by Microwave Hydrothermal Method and Kinetics of Dehydrated Hydroxyl

Monodisperse spherical SiO2 particles were successfully synthesized in 2-propanol-H2O-NH3 system by the microwave hydrothermal method using ammonia as catalyst. To investigate the influences on the size of spherical SiO2 particles, factors such as ammonia concentration, reaction temperature, stirring intensity and reactants mol ratio have been studied. The orthogonal experiments were carried out. The as-prepared SiO2 particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） and differential thermal analysis （DTA）. The results indicated that the size of SiO2 particles increased greatly with the increase in ammonia concentration, temperature and reactants mol ratio, but increased slightly with the increase in stirring intensity. Monodisperse spherical Si02 particles were amorphous with perfect sphere and uniform size. Hydroxyl was detected in SiO2. Kinetic parameters were calculated, and finally the reaction rate equation of dehydrated hydroxyl was obtained.

Phosphorous Enrichment in Molten Adjusted Converter Slag:Part II Enrichment Behavior of Phosphorus in CaO-SiO_2-FeO_x-P_2O_5Molten Slag

The enrichment behavior of phosphorus in CaO-SiO2-FeOx-P2O5 slag was studied by making an investigation on the distribution of phosphorous content in the CaO-SiO2-FeOx-P2O5 molten slag.The research results showed that the 2CaO·SiO2 solid particles existing in molten slag were the condensation sites for the phosphorus enrichment.The enrichment process of phosphorus in the molten slag can be recognized as three substeps：mass transfer of phosphorus from bulk slag to the surface of 2CaO·SiO2 particle,superficial solid solution reaction of phosphorus around the 2CaO·SiO2 particle,and diffusion of phosphorus through the product layer of 2CaO·SiO2-3CaO·P2O5 solid solution to the inner of 2CaO·SiO2 particle.Moreover,higher temperature is favorable to the phosphorous enrichment from molten bulk slag to the 2CaO·SiO2 particles.

Surface Modification of Nano-SiO_2 by Grafting PMMA/PBA

The surface of nano SiO 2 was modified by being encapsulated with hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), and then co grafted with acrylates. The grafting conditions, such as pH of the medium, and initiator concentration have been studied. The modified nano SiO 2 particles were characterized by TEM, DSC and FT IR spectra. TEM images show that the surface of the nano particles has been successfully modified by a thick layer of film like polymer in this way. The DSC results show that the decomposition temperature of modified nano particles of SiO 2 is 90 ℃ higher than that of grafted on polymer. According to the FT IR spectra, it is convinced that poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and poly acrylic butyl ester (PBA) were co grafted onto the surface of nano SiO 2.