Spinodal Decomposition by a Two-Step Procedure for Nano Porous Silica.

The phase separation of the NaO-BO-SiO system was explored both theoretically and experimentally in order to attain a spinodal structure having a narrowed periodic distance (<70 nm) with the porosity being kept at ∼60%. The phase separation was dealt with by two stages: an initial thermodynamic process of spinodal decomposition and a latter growth of the spinodal structure. The initial structural development was related to the interfacial energy and the change in free energy caused by phase separation.

Synergistic contribution of metal-acid sites in selective hydrodeoxygenation of biomass derivatives over Cu/CoO catalysts.

The efficient hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of biomass derivatives to yield specific products is a significant yet challenging task. In the present study, a Cu/CoO catalyst was synthesized using a facile co-precipitation method, and subsequently used for the HDO of biomass derivatives. Under optimal reaction conditions, the conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural reached 100% with a selectivity of ∼99% to 2,5-diformylfuran.

Antireflective film of porous silica.

We aimed to strengthen the antireflection coating of low refractive index, by using spinodal porous films based on phase separation of sodium borosilicate glass. Coating films were prepared by printing a glass paste onto a silica substrate, and melting at temperatures from 900°C to 1000°C, allowing phase separation at 600°C and finally etching to porosities of ∼60. Coating with reflections as low as 0.

Dust proof properties of spinodal porous surfaces.

With an aim of dust proof in optical coating, contact force with spinodal porous surfaces was investigated by counting the number of particles after exposure to a practical circumstance and by directly measuring the contact forces with a probe of Au sphere using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The interaction between the oiled particles and the porous surface was also investigated on an antireflection coating using greases containing particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It was found that the porous structure played the role of adsorbing oil and lowering the contact force between the particles and the surface without deterioration of the antireflection.

Antifogging Properties of Spinodal Porous Structures for Optical Application.

For the optical applications of antifogging, equilibrium amounts of adsorbed water with humidity were measured on bulk glasses having spinodal pores of 4, 10, 15, 20, and 50 nm. The kinetics of adsorption toward a saturated state and desorbing reversely from the saturated state were investigated on a 15 nm sample that was etched sufficiently to suppress the influence of the silica gel left in the pores. To clarify the role of the pores, the relative humidity (RH) was transformed to Kelvin's diameter, φ.

Insights into the interfacial effects in Cu-Co/CeO catalysts on hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to biofuel 2,5-dimethylfuran.

The interface site between metal and support possess unique electronic and morphological structure, providing distinct active centers for favorable reaction in catalytic conversion of biomass derivatives to valuable chemicals. In this study, a series of Cu-Co/CeO catalysts were prepared for hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) via reduction of the corresponding layered double hydroxide precursors. The characterizations indicated the formation of CoCe-Vö interface (Vö denotes oxygen vacancy) and the effect of hydrogen spillover from Cu species to CoCe-Vö interface.