In situ source–template-interface reaction route to hollow ZrO2 microspheres with mesoporous shells

Effects of the ZrO2 Crystalline Phase and Morphology on the Thermocatalytic Decomposition of Dimethyl Methylphosphonate

Thermocatalytic decomposition is an efficient purification technology that is potentially applicable to degrading chemical warfare agents and industrial toxic gases. In particular, ZrO2 has attracted attention as a catalyst for the thermocatalytic decomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), which is a simulant of the nerve gas sarin. However, the influence of the crystal phase and morphology on the catalytic performance of ZrO2 requires further exploration. In this study, monoclinic- and tetragonal-phase ZrO2 (m- and t-ZrO2, respectively) with nanoparticle, flower-like shape and hollow microsphere morphologies were prepared via hydrothermal and solvothermal methods, and their thermocatalytic decomposition of DMMP was systematically investigated. For a given morphology, m-ZrO2 performed better than t-ZrO2. For a given crystalline phase, the morphology of hollow microspheres resulted in the longest protection time. The exhaust gases generated by the thermocatalytic decomposition of DMMP mainly comprised H2, CO2, H2O and CH3OH, and the by-products were phosphorus oxide species. Thus, the deactivation of ZrO2 was attributed to the deposition of these phosphorous oxide species on the catalyst surface. These results are expected to help guide the development of catalysts for the safe disposal of chemical warfare agents.

Morphology-Oriented ZrO2-Supported Vanadium Oxide for the NH3-SCR Process: Importance of Structural and Textural Properties

ZrO₂ supports, with diverse morphologies (hollow sphere, star, rod, mesoporous), were produced using hydrothermal and evaporation-induced self-assembly methods. Zirconia-supported vanadium oxide catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation and used for the low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with ammonia. Characterization of catalysts includes N₂ physisorption, elementary analysis, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction by H₂, and temperature-programmed desorption of NH₃. Significant differences in terms of activity are measured. 3 wt % V₂O₅ supported on mesoporous ZrO₂ (V/MZ) presents excellent N₂ yields (>90%, in the 200-400 °C interval), with a wide operating temperature window (NO conversion > 95%, in the 225-425 °C interval), and less interesting performances were obtained when vanadium oxide is supported over stars, hollow spheres, and rods. Surface characterization showed a content of tetravalent vanadium ion, when supported, decreasing in the order of mesoporous > hollow sphere > star > rod. This order is in perfect agreement with the order of performance of the catalyst in the NH₃-SCR reaction. The impact of tetravalent ion's presence on the surface is confirmed by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy analysis, Brønsted acid sites generated on the surface, and the V⁴⁺-OH species involved in the reaction. The production of more important nitrite species over the tetragonal supported vanadium oxide catalyst could be another reason for the excellent NH₃-SCR performance displayed by the V/MZ catalyst. When supported over monoclinic zirconia, like vanadium oxide over star-type morphology, the adsorbed NH₃ species (NH₄⁺ and coordinated NH₃) reacted with NO _x adsorption species (nitrate) to form ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate can be decomposed to N₂ and N₂O (or NO₂). Thus, NO conversion curves and N₂ yield curves over tetragonal zirconia (MZ) at lower temperature were ahead of those over V/star ZrO₂ because of the higher V⁴⁺ surface content and more active B acid sites associated with an easy formation of the nitrito intermediate.

Structure and Transport Properties of Mixed-Matrix Membranes Based on Polyimides with ZrO₂ Nanostars

Mixed-matrix membranes based on amorphous and semi-crystalline polyimides with zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) nanostars were synthesized. Amorphous poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylenepyromellitimide) and semi-crystalline polyimide prepared from 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene and 4,4’-oxydiphthalic anhydride were used. The effect of ZrO₂ nanostars on the structure and morphology of nanocomposite membranes was studied by wide-angle X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and contact angle measurements. Thermal properties and stability were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Transport properties of hybrid membranes containing 5 wt % ZrO₂ were tested for pervaporation of a mixture of butanol–water with 10 wt % H₂O content. It was found that a significant amount of the ZrO₂ added to the semi-crystalline polyimide is encapsulated inside spherulites. Therefore, the beneficial influence of inorganic filler on the selectivity of mixed-matrix membrane with respect to water was hampered. Mixed-matrix membranes based on amorphous polymer demonstrated the best performance, because water molecules had higher access to inorganic particles.