Facile synthesis of Zn_2GeO_4 nanorods toward improved photocatalytic reduction of CO_2 into renewable hydrocarbon fuel

Zn2GeO4 nanorods were prepared by a surfactant-assisted solution phase route.The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM),inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer(ICP-AES),UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy and photoluminescence(PL) spectroscopy.The possible formation mechanism of Zn2GeO4 nanorods was discussed.It was supposed that the CTA+ cations preferentially adsorb on the planes of Zn2GeO4 nanorods,leading to preferential growth along the c-axis to form the Zn2GeO4 rods with larger aspect ratio and higher surface area,which showed the improved photocatalytic activity for photoreduction of CO2.The photoluminescence(PL) property of Zn2GeO4 nanorods was investigated through the emission spectra.

Synthesis of mesoporous cerium-zirconium mixed oxides by hydrothermal templating method

Mesoporous cerium-zirconium mixed oxides were prepared by hydrothermal method using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as template. The effects of amount of template, pH value of solution and hydrothermal temperature on mesostructure of samples were systematically investigated. The final products were characterized by XRD, TEM, FT-IR, and BET. The results indicate that all the cerium-zirconium mixed oxides present a meso-structure. At molar ratio of n(CTAB)/n((Ce)+(Zr))= 0.15, pH value of 9, and hydrothermal temperature of 120 ℃, the samples obtained possess a specific surface area of 207.9 m2/g with pore diameter of 3.70 nm and pore volume of 0.19 cm3/g.

Significantly Enhanced Actuation Performance of IPMC by Surfactant-Assisted Processable MWCNT/Nafion Composite

The performance of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite （IPMC） actuator was significantly enhanced by incorporating surfactant-assisted processable Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes （MWCNTs） into a Nation solution. Cationic surfactant Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide （CTAB） was employed to disperse MWCNTs in the Nation matriX, forming a homogeneous and stable dispersion ofnanotubes. The processing did not involve any strong acid treatment and thus effectively preserved the excellent electronic properties associated with MWCNT. The as-obtained MWCNT/Nafion-IPMC actuator was tested in terms of conductivity, bulk and surface morphology, blocking force and electric current. It was shown that the blocking force and the current of the new IPMC are 2.4 times and 1.67 times higher compared with a pure Nation-based IPMC. Moreover, the MWCNT/IPMC performance is much better than previously reported Nafion-IPMC doped by acid-treated MWCNT. Such significantly improved performance should be attributed to the improvement of electrical property associated with the addition of MWCNTs without acid treatment.

PREAPARATION OF CATIONIC LATEXES OF POLY(STYRENE-CO-BUTYL ACRYLATE) AND THEIR PROPERTIES EVOLUTION IN LATEX DILUTION

Cationic latexes were prepared through emulsion copolymerization of styrene （St） and butyl acrylate （BA） with a cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide （CTAB）. Latex properties, including particle size, size distribution, （ potential, surface tension and monomer conversion, were determined for latexes prepared with different CTAB amounts. Evolution of these properties during emulsion polymerization was followed in order to understand the mechanism of the particles formation. Results showed that both particle size and 6＂ potential were function of polymerization time and latex solids. Parallel emulsion polymerizations with cationic, anionic charged initiator and charge-free initiators were also carried out, the latex properties were determined at different polymerization time. All these results were attentively interpreted based on the mechanisms of emulsion polymerization, surfactant adsorption and latex particle stabilization.