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

Stainless steels slags are mainly composed of low specific surface area calcium silicates together with a variable amount of metallic cations dispersed in such silicate matrix. These silicates due to their heavy metals content have to be considered as hazardous wastes that cannot be reclaimed easily. An alternative to reclamation is the production of valuable materials designed to accomplish processes without economic profit as the abatement of VOCs. In this paper we describe a method for obtaining high specific surface area (up to 290 m(2) g(-1)) metal-doped SiO2 and SiO2/ Al2O3 supports for catalytic applications using as raw materials stainless steel slags. The acid digestion of these slags followed by a hydrothermal treatment results in transition metal oxides doped silicas and silica-aluminas that are used as support for platinum catalysts. The prepared catalysts are active in the total oxidation of CO and toluene, showing comparable activities to those shown by Pt catalysts supported on commercial SiO2.(

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

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

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

Apatite and Portland/apatite composite cements containing steelwork dusts have been prepared using a low temperature hydrothermal method (200° C, 48 h). The produced solids were characterized by means of XRD, IR, and SEM-EDX, and the remaining liquid was analyzed by ICP. The results clearly show the capability of these cements to inertise the heavy metals contained in steelwork dusts, that is Fe, Pb, Mo, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Zn. In the case of apatitic cements, Fe, Mg, Cr, Mn, and Pb coming from steel dust replaced Ca in the divalent cation position of the apatite structure, while Si and Mo replaced P in tetrahedral position. The average crystal size of the apatite-containing dust is smaller than in pure apatite synthesized using the same procedure, which is related to the magnesium content of the dust, since magnesium seems to inhibit the crystal growth. XRD diagrams of composite cements show only peaks corresponding to phases observed in the single cements, and in that no new phases are found. However, EDX analysis reveals the introduction of cations coming from Portland cement into the apatite structure. From the results of water analysis it could be concluded that the capability of retention is higher in composite matrices than in the pure apatite one. In conclusion, the obtained data allow stating that the proposed method, the hydrothermal synthesis of steelwork dust containing cement, is a reliable one for immobilization of toxic residues containing heavy leachable cations.

Abstract

TiO2 nanoparticles have been prepared by amine template-assisted sol-gel precipitation and further hydrothermal treatment. We have investigated the effect of different amines (hydrazine and triethylamine) in the final surface and structural properties. It has been stated that the different amounts of amine could act as an interesting template upon hydrothermal treatment. Further thermal treatment also leads to a significant improvement in the photocatalytic properties of the studied systems. Surface and morphological features notably differ from TiO2 prepared using different synthetic routes. Wide surface and structural characterization of the samples have been carried out, and correlations with precipitation pH are pointed out from this characterization. In all cases, amine template TiO2 obtained exhibit high conversion values for phenol photo-oxidation reaction. Further calcination treatment of all the studied systems clearly leads to photocatalytic conversions higher than that exhibited by TiO2 Degussa P25. 

Abstract

The transition metal nitride ternary show similar properties to the binary nitride and some times this behaviour are improved. In the present work, the molybdenum-iron nitride has been prepared by reactive grinding from the two metals under nitrogen atmosphere at a pressure of 11 bar. The characterization of the compound is presented and it is also shown a study of the stability of the nitride under several atmospheres.

Abstract

In spite of the diamagnetic behavior exhibited by bulk ZnO and Au, a ferromagnetic-like behavior is induced in nanoparticles of both systems by appropriate surface functionalization. By capping with thiol derivatized molecules, magnetic hysteresis is observed even at room temperature, whereas the magnetization has a very little temperature dependence. Capping induces an alteration of their electronic configuration that depends on the capping molecule, as evidenced by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, that strongly affects their magnetic properties.