Template Assisted Microwave Synthesis of rGO-ZrO₂ Composites: Efficient Photocatalysts Under Visible Light.

In this research, cetyltetraethyl ammonium bromide template assisted microwave procedure was utilized to synthesize reduced graphene oxide-zirconia (rGO-ZrO₂) nanocomposites by varying the rGO composition (1, 2, 5 and 10 wt%). The physico-chemical characteristics of the nanocomposites were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffusive reflectance ultraviolet-visible (DRUV-vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2-physisorption techniques. The results from XRD, Raman and DSC studies indicate that the increase in rGO concentration resulted in the delay in ZrO₂ crystallization temperature and alteration of ZrO₂ phase from monoclinic to tetragonal due to an effective incorporation of rGO nanosheets in ZrO₂ structure.

Supported Zeolite Beta Layers via an Organic Template-Free Preparation Route.

Layers of high silica zeolites, synthesized with an organic structure directing agent (OSDA) and grown onto porous support structures, frequently suffer from the thermal stress during the removal of OSDA via the calcination process. The different thermal expansion coefficients of the zeolite and the support material, especially when stainless steel is used as a support, causes enormous tension resulting in defect formation in the zeolite layer. However, the calcination is an easy procedure to decompose the OSDA in the pore system of the zeolite.

Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis and Optical Properties of NbO Thin Films with Hybrid Functional Theoretical Insight into the Band Structure and Band Gaps.

NbO is an important material able to exist in many polymorphs with unique optical properties and morphologies that are dependent on the synthetic route. Here we report a novel ambient-pressure chemical vapor deposition route to NbO via aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition. The amorphous as-deposited films were annealed in air to obtain the the three most stable crystal structures: orthorhombic, tetragonal, and monoclinic.

Ultra-selective high-flux membranes from directly synthesized zeolite nanosheets.

A zeolite with structure type MFI is an aluminosilicate or silicate material that has a three-dimensionally connected pore network, which enables molecular recognition in the size range 0.5-0.6 nm.

A single-source precursor approach to solution processed indium arsenide thin films.

This paper reports the synthesis of the novel single-source precursor, [{(MeInAs Bu)}(MeInAs( Bu)H)] and the subsequent first report of aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition of InAs thin films. Owing to the use of the single-source precursor, highly crystalline and stoichiometric films were grown at a relatively low deposition temperature of 450 °C. Core level XPS depth profiling studies showed some partial oxidation of the film surface, however this was self-limiting and disappeared on etch profiles.

Open-Pore Two-Dimensional MFI Zeolite Nanosheets for the Fabrication of Hydrocarbon-Isomer-Selective Membranes on Porous Polymer Supports.

Two-dimensional zeolite nanosheets that do not contain any organic structure-directing agents were prepared from a multilamellar MFI (ML-MFI) zeolite. ML-MFI was first exfoliated by melt compounding and then detemplated by treatment with a mixture of H2 SO4 and H2 O2 (piranha solution). The obtained OSDA-free MFI nanosheets disperse well in water and can be used for coating applications.

Multifunctional Nanobiocomposite of Poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] and Clay.

The processing and characterization of multifunctional nanobiocomposite of biodegradable poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] (PBSA) and organically modified synthetic fluorine mica (OSFM) are reported. The nanobiocomposite of PBSA with OSFM was prepared using melt- blending, and the structure and morphology of the nanocomposite were characterized using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical and material properties measurements showed the concurrent improvement in temperature dependence storage modulus, tensile properties, gas barrier, and thermal stability of neat PBSA after nanocomposite formation.

Tungsten Doped TiO2 with Enhanced Photocatalytic and Optoelectrical Properties via Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Tungsten doped titanium dioxide films with both transparent conducting oxide (TCO) and photocatalytic properties were produced via aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition of titanium ethoxide and dopant concentrations of tungsten ethoxide at 500 °C from a toluene solution. The films were anatase TiO2, with good n-type electrical conductivities as determined via Hall effect measurements. The film doped with 2.

Oriented MFI Membranes by Gel-Less Secondary Growth of Sub-100 nm MFI-Nanosheet Seed Layers.

A zeolite membrane fabrication process combining 2D-zeolite nanosheet seeding and gel-free secondary growth is described. This process produces selective molecular sieve films that are as thin as 100 nm and exhibit record high permeances for xylene- and butane-isomers.

Influence of crystal structure of nanosized ZrO2 on photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange.

Nanosized ZrO2 powders with near pure monoclinic, tetragonal, and cubic structures synthesized by various methods were used as catalysts for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. The structural and textural properties of the samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, UV-vis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N2 adsorption measurements. The performance of synthesized ZrO2 nanoparticles in the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation was evaluated.

Correction: Self-decoration of Pt metal particles on TiO2 nanotubes used for highly efficient photocatalytic H2 production.

Correction for 'Self-decoration of Pt metal particles on TiO2 nanotubes used for highly efficient photocatalytic H2 production' by Sulaiman N. Basahel et al., Chem.

NH₃ treatment of TiO₂ nanotubes: from N-doping to semimetallic conductivity.

In the present work we show that a suitable high temperature ammonia treatment allows for the conversion of single-walled TiO2 nanotube arrays not only to a N-doped photoactive anatase material (which is already well established), but even further into fully functional titanium nitride (TiN) tubular structures that exhibit semimetallic conductivity.

Self-decoration of Pt metal particles on TiO(2) nanotubes used for highly efficient photocatalytic H(2) production.

Pt decorated TiO2 has, over the past decades, been a key material for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The present work shows that growing anodic self-organized TiO2 nanotubes from Ti-Pt alloy with a low Pt content of 0.2 at% leads to oxide nanotube layers that are self-decorated with Pt nanoparticles of 4-5 nm in diameter.

Nanostructured Mg-Al hydrotalcite as catalyst for fine chemical synthesis.

This paper reviews the recent research of nanostructured Mg-Al hydrotalcite (Mg-Al HT) and its application as an efficient solid base catalyst for the synthesis of fine chemicals. Mg-Al HT has many beneficial features, such as low cost, selectivity, catalytic properties, and wide range of preparation and modification methods. They hold promise for providing sought-after, environmentally friendly technologies for the 21st century.

Combinatorial atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition of graded TiO₂-VO₂ mixed-phase composites and their dual functional property as self-cleaning and photochromic window coatings.

A combinatorial film with a phase gradient from V:TiO₂ (V: Ti ≥ 0.08), through a range of TiO₂-VO₂ composites, to a vanadium-rich composite (V: Ti = 1.81) was grown by combinatorial atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (cAPCVD).