Artículos SCI

Abstract

The effect of ultrasound in the modification of a Colombian bentonite pillared with mixed solutions of Al-Ce and Al-Ce-Fe was obtained. The solids were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques. The catalysts were very efficient in the phenol oxidation reaction in diluted aqueous medium under mild experimental conditions (298 K and atmospheric pressure) and in the CO oxidation reaction. The use of ultrasound showed a clear effect in the synthesis of this type of solids allowing to make their synthesis in a shorter period of time and conserving the physical-chemical characteristics as well as catalytic activity in the oxidation reactions. 

Abstract

The paper represents a detailed insight into the correlation between changes of the phase composition of crystalline YbxZr1-xO2-x/2 solid solutions and their structural, electrical, mechanical and optical properties. Particularly, the effect of the crystal growth conditions and stabilizer amount in the range of 1.5-13.8 mol% of Yb2O3 are studied in terms of Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data, electrical conductivity measured by impedance spectroscopy, absorption coefficient and refractive index measurements, Vickers microhardness (classical technique) as well as the plastic microhardness and effective elastic modulus (DSI-depth-sensing indentation technique). Potential applications of the investigated systems Lire discussed in view of the results obtained.

Abstract

Thermal behavior of talc samples (from locality Puebla de Lillo, Spain) were characterized by emanation thermal analysis (ETA), DTA and TG. The ETA, based on the measurement of radon release rate from samples, revealed a closing up of surface micro-cracks and annealing of microstructure irregularities of the talc samples on heating in the range 200-500 degrees C.

For ground talc sample a crystallization of non-crystalline phase formed by grinding, into orthorhombic enstatite was characterized as a decrease of radon mobility in the range 785-825 degrees C and by a DTA exothermal effect with the maximum at 830 degrees C. ETA results characterized the microstructure development of the talc samples on heating and served to evaluate their radon mobility and transport properties on heating and cooling. Transport properties of the talc samples were evaluated by using ETA experimental data measured during heating to 600 and 1300 degrees C, respectively, and subsequent cooling to room temperature.

Abstract

Herein we present a fast, reliable method for building nanoparticle-based 1D photonic crystals in which a periodic modulation of the refractive index is built by alternating different types of nanoparticles and by controlling the level of porosity of each layer. The versatility of the method is further confirmed by building up optically doped photonic crystals in which the opening of transmission windows due to the creation of defect states in the gap is demonstrated. The potential of this new type of structure as a sensing material is illustrated by analyzing the specific color changes induced by the infiltration of solvents of different refractive indexes.

Abstract

The vapor sorption properties of multilayers made of ordered mesoporous thin films with tailored composition and mesostructure are herein investigated. Optical reflectance measurements versus partial pressure of several vapors are performed to analyze the interplay between the affinity to and the accessibility of the different types of layers in the structure. We find that the behavior of a mesoporous oxide layer within the multilayer largely differs from that of the isolated thin film, its sorption properties being determined by the interaction with neighboring films. An explanation of the phenomena observed in these complex systems is provided in terms of the pore size, the affinity of each type of layer to specific compounds, and the effect of neighboring layers in the sorption properties of bilayers by an independent environmental ellipsometric study.

Abstract

Despite its biological importance, the mechanism of formation of cutin, the polymeric matrix of plant cuticles, has not yet been fully clarified. Here, for the first time, we show the participation in the process of lipid vesicles formed by the self-assembly of endogenous polyhydroxy fatty acids. The accumulation and fusion of these vesicles (cutinsomes) at the outer part of epidermal cell wall is proposed as the mechanism for early cuticle formation.

Abstract

Biomorphic SiC is fabricated by liquid Si infiltration of a carbon preform obtained from pyrolized wood that can be selected for tailored properties. The microstructure and reaction kinetics of biomorphic SiC have been investigated by means of TEM, SEM, EBSD, and partial infiltration experiments. The microstructure of the material consists of SiC and Si and a small fraction of unreacted C. The SiC follows a bimodal size distribution of grains in the micrometer and the nanometer range with no preferential orientation. The infiltration-reaction constant has been determined as 18 x 10(-3) s(-1). These observations suggest that the main mechanism for SiC formation is solution-precipitation in the first stage of growth. If the pores in the wood are small enough they can be choked by SiC grains that act as a diffusion barrier between Si and C. If that is the case, Si will diffuse through SiC forming SiC grains in the nanometer range.

Abstract

We report the Ni 2p x-ray photoelectron spectra of NiO thin films grown on different oxide substrates, namely, SiO2, Al2O3, and MgO. The main line of the Ni 2p spectra is attributed to the bulk component, and the shoulder at 1.5 eV higher binding energies to the surface component. The spectra of the NiO thin films show strong differences with respect to that of bulk NiO. The energy separation between the main peak and the shoulder increases with the substrate covalence. This indicates the strong covalent interactions between the NiO thin films and the oxide substrates, and reflects changes in the bonding at the interface from a more ionic to a more covalent interaction. These conclusions are supported by cluster model calculations with a reduced O 2p-Ni 3d hybridization.

Abstract

A titanium foil has been subjected to laser irradiation "in situ" in a pre-chamber of an X-ray photoemission spectrometer under different atmospheres (vacuum, Ar, 02, air, N-2 and H-2). As a result of these treatments, a high amount of the carbon contamination layer was removed and other changes in composition were induced. Nitridation was achieved by laser irradiation under nitrogen. The most effective treatment protocol included an initial cleaning procedure induced by irradiation in vacuum, followed by a second irradiation process performed under nitrogen. Partial nitridation is also observed when irradiating under synthetic air. Lateral and depth analysis of the nitrogen concentration around the laser spot has been also carried out. It is found that the outermost layers present a similar concentration of nitrogen. In addition, the measured nitrogen profile indicates that the amount of nitrogen within the laser spot region is relatively lower than within the immediately surrounding area. Almost no nitrogen remains in the spot area after sputtering for 30 min. A model is proposed to account for the observed titanium surface nitridation processes.

Abstract

Sample controlled reaction temperature (SCRT) has been used for the first time to study the kinetics of the carbothermal reduction of silica in nitrogen to obtain silicon nitride (Si3N4). It is noteworthy to point out that SCRT method allows both a good control of pressure in the sample surroundings and the use of reaction rates low enough to keep temperature gradients at a negligible level to avoid any heat or mass transfer phenomena. It has been shown that the carbothermal synthesis of silicon nitride is best described by a two-dimensional diffusion kinetic model with an activation energy of about 306 kJ/mol. Effects of experimental parameters on the activation energy has been investigated. By using SCRT it has been possible to obtain ceramic powder with a determined phase composition and a controlled microstructure. 

Abstract

Microstructure development and thermal behavior of ground talc mineral samples (from locality Puebla de Lillo,Spain) was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy(SEM),surface area measurements differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry and emanation thermal analysis (ETA). A vibratory mill and grinding time 5 min. was used to prepare the ground talc sample. It was found that grinding caused an increase in the surface area of the natural talc from 3 m(2)g(-1) to 110 m(2) g(-1). A decrease of particle size after sample grinding was observed by SEM. The increase of structure disorder of the ground sample and the crystallite size reduction from 40 to 10 nm were determined from the XRD results. ETA results revealed a closing up of surface micro-cracks and healing of microstructure irregularities on heating in the range 200 - 500 degrees C of both un-ground and ground talc samples. For the ground talc sample a crystallization of non-crystalline phase into orthorhombic enstatite was characterized as by a decrease of radon mobility in the range 785-825 degrees C and by a DTA exothermal effect with the maximum at 830 degrees C. ETA results were used for the assessment of transport properties of the talc samples on heating.

Abstract

Herein we present an experimental study of the spectral dependence of the photogenerated current of opal-based solar cells. We analyze the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) for dye-sensitized solar cells in which colloidal crystals are introduced in different configurations. We prove that a dye-sensitized nanocrystalline titanium oxide electrode moulded in the shape of an inverse opal shows a decrease of efficiency for the spectral region in which a photonic stop band opens up. Contrarily, when a standard thin film of disordered titania nanocrystallites is coupled to an inverse opal, the mirror effect of the photonic crystal at band gap frequencies increases the light harvesting efficiency of the cell and thus the IPCE. This effect is further demonstrated by coupling an inverse opal multilayer to a homogeneous electrode, with two well-defined spectral ranges of increased photogenerated current being detected.