Advanced Strategies to Improve Performances of Molybdenum-Based Gas Sensors

Molybdenum-based materials have been intensively investigated for high-performance gas sensor applications.Particularly,molybdenum oxides and dichalcogenides nanostructures have been widely examined due to their tunable structural and physicochemical properties that meet sensor requirements.These materials have good durability,are naturally abundant,low cost,and have facile preparation,allowing scalable fabrication to fulfill the growing demand of susceptible sensor devices.Significant advances have been made in recent decades to design and fabricate various molybdenum oxides-and dichalcogenides-based sensing materials,though it is still challenging to achieve high performances.Therefore,many experimental and theoretical investigations have been devoted to exploring suitable approaches which can significantly enhance their gas sensing properties.This review comprehensively examines recent advanced strategies to improve the nanostructured molybdenum-based material performance for detecting harmful pollutants,dangerous gases,or even exhaled breath monitoring.The summary and future challenges to advance their gas sensing performances will also be presented.

Complementation in the composition of steel slag and red mud for preparation of novel ceramics

A method for preparing novel ceramics was developed in this study. Different ratios red muds were added to steel slags to optimize the preparation of novel ceramics by a traditional ceramic preparation process. The sintering mechanism, microstructure, and performance were studied by X-ray diffraction techniques, scanning electron microscopy, and combined experiments of linear shrinkage, water absorption, and flexural strength. The results confirmed that red mud can reduce the volumetric instabilities through the complementarity of red mud and ferroalloy slag. The crystal phases in the ceramics are all pyroxene group minerals, including diopside ferrian, augite, and diopside. The flexural strength of the ceramic that contains 40 wt% red mud and was prepared at the optimal sintering temperature(1140°C) is greater than 93 MPa; its corresponding water absorption is less than 0.05%.

Experimental research on the feature of an x-ray Talbot–Lau interferometer versus tube accelerating voltage

X-ray Talbot–Lau interferometer has been used most widely to perform x-ray phase-contrast imaging with a conventional low-brilliance x-ray source,and it yields high-sensitivity phase and dark-field images of samples producing low absorption contrast,thus bearing tremendous potential for future clinical diagnosis.In this work,by changing the accelerating voltage of the x-ray tube from 35 k V to 45 k V,x-ray phase-contrast imaging of a test sample is performed at each integer value of the accelerating voltage to investigate the characteristic of an x-ray Talbot–Lau interferometer(located in the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials,Tohoku University,Japan) versus tube voltage.Experimental results and data analysis show that within a range this x-ray Talbot–Lau interferometer is not sensitive to the accelerating voltage of the tube with a constant fringe visibility of ～ 44%.This x-ray Talbot–Lau interferometer research demonstrates the feasibility of a new dual energy phase-contrast x-ray imaging strategy and the possibility to collect a refraction spectrum.

Morphology control of aluminum nitride(AlN)for a novel high-temperature hydrogen sensor

Hydrogen is a promising renewable energy source for fossil-free transportation and electrical energy generation.However,leaking hydrogen in high-temperature production processes can cause an explosion,which endangers production workers and surrounding areas.To detect leaks early,we used a sensor material based on a wide bandgap aluminum nitride(AlN)that can withstand a high-temperature environment.Three unique AlN morphologies(rod-like,nest-like,and hexagonal plate-like)were synthesized by a direct nitridation method at 1400℃usingγ-AlOOH as a precursor.The gas-sensing performance shows that a hexagonal plate-like morphology exhibited p-type sensing behavior and showed good repeatability as well as the highest response(S=58.7)toward a 750 ppm leak of H2 gas at high temperature(500°C)compared with the rod-like and nest-like morphologies.Furthermore,the hexagonal plate-like morphology showed fast response and recovery times of 40 and 82 s,respectively.The surface facet of the hexagonal morphology of AlN might be energetically favorable for gas adsorption–desorption for enhanced hydrogen detection.

Numerical Analysis of Blast Furnace Performance Under Charging Iron-Bearing Burdens With High Reducibility

The reducibility of iron-bearing burdens was emphasized for improving the operation efficiency of blast furnace. The blast furnace operation of charging the burdens with high reducibility has been numerically evaluated using a multi-fluid blast furnace model. The effects of reaction rate constants and diffusion coefficients were investigated separately or simultaneously for clarifying the variations of furnace state. According to the model simulation results, in the upper zone, the indirect reduction of the burdens proceeds at a faster rate and the shaft efficiency is enhanced with the improvement under the conditions of interface reaction and intra-particle diffusion. In the lower zone, direct reduction in molten slag is restrained. As a consequence, CO utilization of top gas is enhanced and the ratio of direct reduction is decreased. It is possible to achieve higher energy efficiency of the blast furnace, and this is represented by the improvement in productivity and the decrease in consumption of reducing agent. The use of high-reducibility burdens contributes to a better performance of blast furnace. More efforts are necessary to develop and apply high-reducibility sinter and carbon composite agglomerates for practical application at a blast furnace.

Introducing oxygen vacancies in TiO_(2) lattice through trivalent iron to enhance the photocatalytic removal of indoor NO

The synthesis of oxygen vacancies(OVs)-modified TiO_(2)under mild conditions is attractive.In this work,OVs were easily introduced in TiO_(2)lattice during the hydrothermal doping process of trivalent iron ions.Theoretical calculations based on a novel charge-compensation structure model were employed with experimental methods to reveal the intrinsic photocatalytic mechanism of Fe-doped TiO_(2)(Fe-TiO_(2)).The OVs formation energy in Fe-TiO_(2)(1.12 eV)was only 23.6%of that in TiO_(2)(4.74 eV),explaining why Fe^(3+)doping could introduce OVs in the TiO_(2)lattice.The calculation results also indicated that impurity states introduced by Fe^(3+)and OVs enhanced the light absorption activity of TiO_(2).Additionally,charge carrier transport was investigated through the carrier lifetime and relative mass.The carrier lifetime of Fe-TiO_(2)(4.00,4.10,and 3.34 ns for 1at%,2at%,and 3at%doping contents,respectively)was longer than that of undoped TiO_(2)(3.22 ns),indicating that Fe^(3+) and OVs could promote charge carrier separation,which can be attributed to the larger relative effective mass of electrons and holes.Herein,Fe-TiO_(2)has higher photocatalytic indoor NO removal activity compared with other photocatalysts because it has strong light absorption activity and high carrier separation efficiency.

Application of the Solvothermal Process in the Synthesis of High-performance Ag/γ-Al_2O_3 Catalysts

Ag/γ-Al2O3 is a kind of promising catalyst with the relatively lower cost compared with those using noble metals,good resistance against catalytic poisoning and excellent behaviour for NOx removal.In the present study,Ag/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were synthesized by the solvothermal process and characterized by XRD,TG?DTA,TEM,UV?Vis and FT?IR.It was found that high-performance Ag/γ-Al2O3 catalysts could be synthesized by properly selecting starting materials,controlling the composition of solvent and other reaction conditions.The microstructure evolution of the catalysts was also discussed.

Formation of L1_(0)-FeNi hard magnetic material from FeNi-based amorphous alloys

L1_(0)-FeNi hard magnetic alloy with coercivity reaching 861 Oe was synthesized through annealing Fe_(42)Ni_(41.3)Si_8 B_(4)P_(4)Cu_(0.7)amorphous alloy,and the L1_(0)-FeNi formation mechanism has been studied.It is found the L1_(0)-FeNi in annealed samples at 400℃mainly originated from the residual amorphous phase during the second stage of crystallization which could take place over 600 C lower than the measured onset temperature of the second stage with a50 C/min heating rate.Annealing at 4000 C after fully crystallization still caused a slight increase of coercivity,which was probably contributed by the limited transformation from other high temperature crystalline phases towards L1_(0)phase,or the removal of B from L1_(0)lattice and improvement of the ordering quality of L1_(0)phase due to the reduced temperature from520℃to 400℃.The first stage of crystallization has hardly direct contribution to L1_(0)-FeNi formation.Ab initio simulations show that the addition of Si or Co in L1_(0)-FeNi has the effect of enhancing the thermal stability of L1_(0)phase without seriously deteriorating its magnetic hardness.The non-monotonic feature of direction dependent coercivity in ribbon segments resulted from the combination of domain wall pinning and demagnetization effects.The approaches of synthesizing L1_(0)-FeNi magnets by adding Si or Co and decreasing the onset crystallization temperature have been discussed in detail.

Synthesis of La/N Co-Doped SrTiO₃Using Polymerized Complex Method for Visible Light Photocatalysis

Lanthanum and nitrogen co-doped SrTiO3 was synthesized using polymerized complex method with Ti(OC3H7)4, SrCl2·6H2O and La(NO3)3·6H2O as starting materials followed by calcinations in NH3. Ethylene glycol and anhydrous citric acid were used as the precursors of synthesis. The samples were characterized using XRD, TEM, DRS, BET, EDX and XPS. The cubic-perovskite type of La/N co-doped SrTiO3 nanoparticle could be successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic activity of SrTiO3 for DeNOx ability in visible light region (λ > 510 nm) could be improved by co-doping of La3+ and N3_. The high visible light photocatalytic activity of this substance was caused by a narrow band gap energy that enables to absorb visible light.

Optimized Distribution and Morphology of Carbon Nanofibers for a Field Emitter Grown by Nickel and Chromium Cosputtering

To obtain a high field emission (FE) current with a low driving voltage, it is important to control and optimize carbon nanofiber (CNF) array patterns for FE. While there have been various means for controlling CNF array patterns reported over the past few decades, array patterning using lithography is the method typically used to control CNF morphology. Because lithography uses many masks and is costly, it is necessary to establish a simpler process. In this study, the grain size and distribution of catalysts with phase separation were controlled. A system which controls the morphology of small bundles of CNFs was constructed with the distance between the bundles kept constant in order to obtain a higher FE current. The Ni catalyst layer for forming the CNF morphology was separated by noncatalytic Cr grains formed by cosputtering. As a result, it was possible to control the Ni content, the grain size and synthesis density of CNFs in the alloy with a varying number of nickel pellets placed on the chromium target. This method is an epochmaking CNF patterning technique very different from lithography.

Synthesis of crystal-phase and color tunable mixed anion co-doped titanium oxides and their controllable photocatalytic activity

B and N mixed anions co-doped titania with various crystal phases such as anatase,brookite,and rutile were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal synthesis followed by heat treatment in an ammonia gas atmosphere at 550-650℃(denoted as BN-Ana_x,BN-Bro_x,and BN-Rut_x,x is the treatment temperature).The colors of as-prepared BN-Ana,BN-Bro,and BN-Rut are red,yellow-green,and cyangreen,respectively.The color changing mechanism of titania was related to their various band gap structure and the existence of B-N bonding.The nitridation temperature exhibits effective color changing compared to that of nitridation time.The different phases of the mixed anion codoped titania possess different photocatalytic deNO_(x) activity.The BN-Ana and BN-Rut show poor photocatalytic deNO_(x) activity,while the BN-Bro shows excellent photocatalytic deNO_(x) activity,better than that of standard titania photocatalyst Degussa P25.The colorful titania with low-photocatalytic activity is heavy metal elements free,indicating their possible applications as nontoxic color pigments or novel cosmetic raw materials.

Effects of sintering atmosphere on the physical and mechanical properties of modified BOF slag glass

This study proposes an efficient way to utilize all the chemical components of the basic oxygen furnace(BOF) slag to prepare high value-added glass-ceramics.A molten modified BOF slag was converted from the melting BOF slag by reducing it and separating out iron component in it,and the modified BOF slag was then quenched in water to form glasses with different basicities.The glasses were subsequently sintered in the temperature range of 600–1000°C in air or nitrogen atmosphere for 1 h.The effects of different atmospheres on the physical and mechanical properties of sintered samples were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and by conducting experiment on evaluating the sintering shrinkage,water absorption and bulk density.It is found that the kinetics of the sintering process is significantly affected by sintering atmosphere.In particular,compared with sintering in air atmosphere,sintering in N2 atmosphere promotes the synergistic growth of pyroxene and melilite crystalline phases,which can contribute to better mechanical properties and denser microstructure.

Vaporization behavior of lead from the FeO-CaO-SiO_2-Al_2O_3 slag system

Vaporization behavior (1163-1463 K) of lead in the slag system of FeO-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 with CaCl2 was examined. A thermodynamic estimation with the principle of Gibbs free energy minimization showed that the major vapor species from the sam-ple of the FeO-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 system+PbO+CaCl2 were metallic Pb, PbCl, PbCl2, and FeCl2, at the experimental temperature range. The experimental results show that the mole ratio of vaporized Cl in lead chlorides to vaporized Pb, simply expressed as Cl/Pb, decreases with increasing temperature. The larger Cl/Pb means a larger ratio of gaseous PbCl2, since metallic Pb and PbCl vapors are formed in a similar reduction atmosphere. The evaporation is initially rapid and becomes steady after holding for 10 min. Gaseous PbCl2 is mainly formed during the heating period, and at the holding stage, it reacts with FeO to produce gaseous FeCl2. With regard to slag composition, FeO content and basicity significantly affect the evaporation of lead. High FeO content and high basicity pro-motes the formation of metallic Pb and PbCl, whereas, it prohibits PbCl2 evaporation.

Activities of liquid Fe-As and Fe-Sb alloys saturated with carbon

A solid iron base alloy of the so-called furnace residue is often formed as a by-product in reduction smelting of lead sinter and scraps with high contents of arsenic and antimony. The use of phase separation into a liquid iron-rich alloy and a liquid lead-rich alloy in lead-iron-arsenic and lead-iron-antimony systems saturated with carbon at relatively low temperatures of about 1200°C was proposed in a new process for treating the furnace residue to recover valuable elements into the lead-rich alloy and fix toxic arsenic into the iron-rich alloy. As a fundamental study for the proposed process, the activity coefficients and interaction parameters of the Fe-As and Fe-Sb systems saturated with carbon at 1200°C were de- rived in this study, based on the determined phase relations in the Fe-Pb-As and Fe-Pb-Sb systems saturated with carbon.

Studies of multilayer structure in depth direction by soft X-ray spectroscopy

It is demonstrated that two kinds of soft X-ray spectroscopy are useful as nondestructive methods to in- vestigate multilayer structures modified by interdiffusion or by chemical reaction of adjoining layers in depth direc- tion. One is the total electron yield (TEY) spectroscopy involving angular dependence measurement. Using this method, it was found that in LiF/Si/LiF trilayers, the Si layers exhibited a characteristic similar to porous Si, and in CaF2/Si/CaF2 trilayers, it was found that CaF2 segregated through the Si layer. Moreover, it has been shown that the thickness of the top layer of a Mo/Si X-ray multilayer can be determined by analyzing TEY signals generated by the standing wave. The other is the soft X-ray emission spectroscopy involving spectral shape analysis. Using this method, it was found that in Mo/Si X-ray multilayers, the interdiffusion or chemical reaction giving rise to deterioration of re- flectance character occurs in as-deposited samples as well as in heated samples. In antiferromagnetic Fe/Si multilay- ers, it was confirmed that there was no existence of pure Si layers, but insulating FeSi2 layers were present. This result suggests that the source of antiferromagnetic coupling is not conduction electrons but quantum wave interference.

Surface Texturing of TiO_2 Film by Mist Deposition of TiO_2 Nanoparticles

Unique and various microstructures of titanium oxide(TiO_2 ) film including macroporous structure, chromatic veins and rings, have been easily fabricated by mist deposition method on silicon substrate with mild preparation conditions. Rutile phase TiO_2 nanoparticles were directly used as starting material to prepare film and led to a simple preparation process. It was found that several different microstructures existed in the sample and changed with the varied positions from the center to the edge of the film when the concentration of the TiO_2 suspension is 0.06 mol/l, the deposition time is 30 min, the flow rate is 1 l/min and the temperature is150. The surface texturing shows apparent distinction as the concentration of the TiO_2 suspension decreased to 0.03 mol/l and 0.01 mol/l.

High-temperature corrosion of sintered RE_(2)Si_(2)O_(7)(RE=Yb and Ho)environmental barrier coating materials by volcanic ash

Rare-earth silicates are promising environmental barrier coatings(EBCs)that can protect SiC_(f)/Si C_(m)substrates in next-genera tion gas turbine blades.Notably,RE_(2)Si_(2)O_(7)(RE=Yb and Ho)shows potential as an EBC due to its coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE)compatible with substrates and high resistance to water vapor corrosion.The target operating temperature for next-generation tur bine blades is 1400°C.Corrosion is inevitable during adhesion to molten volcanic ash,and thus,understanding the corrosion behavior o the material is crucial to its reliability.This study investigates the high-temperature corrosion behavior of sintered RE_(2)Si_(2)O_(7)(RE=Yb and Ho).Samples were prepared using a solid-state reaction and hot-press method.They were then exposed to volcanic ash at 1400°C for 224,and 48 h.After 48 h of exposure,volcanic ash did not react with Yb_(2)Si_(2)O_(7)but penetrated its interior,causing damage.Meanwhile Ho_(2)Si_(2)O_(7)was partially dissolved in the molten volcanic ash,forming a reaction zone that prevented volcanic ash melts from penetrating the interior.With increasing heat treatment time,the reaction zone expanded,and the thickness of the acicular apatite grains increased The Ca:Si ratios in the residual volcanic ash were mostly unchanged for Yb_(2)Si_(2)O_(7)but decreased considerably over time for Ho_(2)Si_(2)O_(7).Th Ca in volcanic ash was consumed and formed apatite,indicating that RE^(3+)ions with large ionic radii(Ho>Yb)easily precipitated apatit from the volcanic ash.

Low Temperature Chlorination of Nd₂O₃by Mechanochemical Method with CCl₄

For a chlorinating method at low temperature, the possibility of chlorination of Nd2O3 by a mechanochemical reaction with CCl4 was studied using a planetary ball mill. The mechanochemical experiments were conducted by changing the pot materials, milling time, molar ratio of CCl4/Nd2O3, and revolution speed. As the results of obtained products by X-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy, it was confirmed that the chlorination to NdOCl from Nd2O3 with CCl4 was advanced at room temperature in a zirconia or tungsten pot with balls. We found that an extension of the milling time and an increase of the number of ball were effective to the chlorination to NdOCl and that tensile stress remained in the milled powder by using a planetary ball mill.

Magnetic properties of DNA-templated Co/Cu naonoparticle chains

According to ultraviolet(UV)-vis absorption spectra recorded in the DNA metallization process,DNA-templated Co/Cu binary nanoparticle chains are fabricated by incubating genome DNA of paralichthys olivaceus muscle in CoCl_2 and CuCl_2 mixture solution for 20 hours and reducing the complex for 2 hours.Transmission electron microscopy observation indicates that Co and Cu nanoparticles with 20 nm in diameter were randomly dispersed on the DNA template. The superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID) measurements display that the magnetic interaction between cobalt particles is greatly decreased by the copper particle.With increasing copper content,the coercivity of the systems enhance from 9 Oe to 100 Oe(1 Oe=79.5775 A/m).