Crystallization, Phase Stability, Microstructure, and Chemical Bonding in Ga2O3 Nanofibers Made by Electrospinning

We report on the crystal structure, phase stability, surface morphology, microstructure, chemical bonding, and electronic properties of gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) nanofibers made by a simple and economically viable electrospinning process. The effect of processing parameters on the properties of Ga₂O₃ nanofibers were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. Thermal treatments in the range of 700-900 °C induce crystallization of amorphous fibers and lead to phase stabilization of α-GaOOH, β-Ga₂O₃, or mixtures of these phases. The electron diffraction analyses coupled with XPS indicate that the transformation sequence progresses by forming amorphous fibers, which then transform to crystalline fibers with a mixture of α-GaOOH and β-Ga₂O₃ at intermediate temperatures and fully transforms to the β-Ga₂O₃ phase at higher temperatures (800-900 °C). Raman spectroscopic analyses corroborate the structural evolution and confirm the high chemical quality of the β-Ga₂O₃ nanofibers. The surface analysis by XPS studies indicates that the hydroxyl groups are present for the as-synthesized samples, while thermal treatment at higher temperatures fully removes those hydroxyl groups, resulting in the formation of β-Ga₂O₃ nanofibers.

A Novel Method for Generating H2 by Activation of the μAl-Water System Using Aluminum Nanoparticles

A method is described for activation of the reaction of room temperature water with micron-scale aluminum particles (μAl) by the addition of poly(epoxyhexane)-capped aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs). By themselves, Al NPs react vigorously and completely with water at ambient temperatures to produce H2. While pure μAl particles are unreactive toward water, mixtures of the μAl particles comprising 10 to 90% (by mass) of Al NPs, demonstrated appreciable hydrolytic activation. This activation is attributed to the reaction of the Al NPs present with water to produce a basic solution. Speciation modelling, pH studies, and powder X-ray diffraction analysis of the hydrolysis product confirm that the pH change is the key driver for the activation of μAl rather than residual heat from the exothermicity of Al NP hydrolysis. A mechanism is proposed by which the nonreactive aluminum oxide layer of the μAl is eroded under basic conditions. Mixtures 10% by mass of Al NPs can be used to produce the optimal quantity of H2.

Hollow polymer nanocapsules with a ferrocenyl copolymer shell

Hollow polymer nanocapsules consisting of ferrocenyl shell have been developed by crosslinking the polymer chains grafted over silica nanoparticles synthesized via one pot surface-initiated RAFT polymerization.

Synthesis of submicron aluminum particles via thermal decomposition of alkyl aluminum precursors in the presence of metal seeds and their application in the formation of ruthenium aluminides

Submicron Al particles can be used in energy materials, as reducing agents, or for the formation of aluminides. Their standard electrode potential and their reactivity towards oxygen makes their synthesis a challenging task. Here we present a thermal decomposition approach starting from triisobutylaluminium (TIBAL) as a precursor. This compound can be decomposed in refluxing diphenylether as a high-boiling solvent and in the presence of metallic nanoparticles of Ni, Ru or Ag acting as seeds. The resulting particles revealed sizes of around 100 nm. Passivation of the Al particles is possible in an optional second step after the synthesis by adding oleic acid resulting in the formation of organically capped Al particles. The suitability of these submicron particles for the synthesis of aluminides was studied by reacting the synthesized particles with Ru powders, resulting in the formation of the respective aluminide.

Corrosion Resistance of Aluminum against Acid Activation: Impact of Benzothiazole-Substituted Gallium Phthalocyanine

This study describes the adsorption behavior of organic inhibitors at the aluminum-HCl solution interface and their corrosion inhibition performance. The organic inhibitors employed are: 4-(benzo [d]thiazol-2ylthio)phthalonitrile (BTThio) and tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl-thio)phthalo- cyaninato]gallium(III) chloride (ClGaBTThioPc). The corrosion behavior of these inhibitors is investigated using electrochemical and computational techniques. Open circuit potential results reveal predominant cathodic character for the mechanism of aluminum corrosion inhibition by the inhibitors. Inhibition efficiency values from potentiodynamic polarization measurements increase from 46.9 to 70.8% for BTThio and 59.7 to 81.0% for ClGaBTThioPc within the concentration range of 2 to 10 μM. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements reveal protection of the metal surface from acid attack, in the presence of the inhibitors and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements show that the most probable way by which the inhibitors protect the metal surface would be by shielding it from the corrosion attacks of Cl⁻ from the acid. Quantum chemical parameters corroborate well with experimental findings.