Sharif Digital Repository

In this work, Sr-substituted samples of single-phase spinel monoferrites with chemical formula Ba1-xSrxFe2O4 (x = 0.00, 0.33, 0.67, 1.00) were synthesized using sol-gel auto-combustion method. In order to confirm the single-phase formation of these samples, a sample (x = 0.00) was chosen for heat treatment at different temperatures (100, 300, 400, 600 and 700°C) for 4 h. The heat treated sample was then investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and results showed that a single-phase sample can be successfully synthesized at a temperature of 600°C, which is much lower than that reported in earlier literature for synthesis of same structured samples. All the synthesized samples were... 

The anatase phase of titania was stabilised with physically modifying particulate sol-gel process. Two major parameters, peptisation temperature and drying temperature, were identified which were responsible for retarding the anatase to rutile phase transformation, crystal growth and packing of primary particles. The critical nucleus size of transformation was controlled by natural (at 25 °C) and artificial (at 50 and 70 °C) peptisation techniques. Moreover, sintering of primary particles was controlled by cool (at 0 and 5 °C) and normal (at 25 °C) drying techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis confirmed that a full conversion of titanium isopropoxide is obtained... 

In this study, ZnO nanoparticles with 3 to 4 nm size and spherical shape have been prepared. For the first time, TEA (triethanolamine) as a surfactant has been used for the preparation of ZnO nanoparticles. The best concentration of each component was adjusted through comparison between different sol absorption spectra. The best sol regarding its optical property was subjected to analysis by photoluminescence spectroscopy. TEM micrograph and electron diffraction pattern of these particles were obtained to represent the morphology and crystalline phase of the particles, respectively. Experimental results have shown that the prepared zinc oxide nanoparticles by this method have higher... 

LiCoO2 nanopowders, one of the most important cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, were synthesized via a modified sol-gel process assisted with triethanolamine (TEA) as a complexing agent. The influence of three different chelating agents including acrylic acid, citric acid, and oxalic acid on the size and morphology of particles was investigated. Structure and morphology of the synthesized powders were characterized by thermogravimetric/ differential thermal analyses (TG/DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results indicate that the powder processed with TEA and calcinated at 800 °C had an excellent hexagonal ordering of α-NaFeO2 -type (space... 

A molecularly imprinted xerogel (MIX) for fentanyl was successfully prepared on the inner surface of a copper tube by sol-gel technology. Primarily, the tube was treated by self-assembly monolayers of 3-(mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane and then [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane was employed as a precursor for imprinting the template molecule in acidic conditions. During the sol-gel process influential parameters including volume and concentration of fentanyl were carefully investigated to obtain the most efficient and appropriate xerogel. In parallel, a non-imprinted xerogel (NIX) was synthesized in the absence of fentanyl. The extraction efficiencies achieved from MIX and NIX,... 

TiO 2 and Pd-modified TiO 2 photocatalysts were prepared by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data showed that the presence of Pd in TiO 2 catalyst decreases the crystalline size of TiO 2 and stabilizes anatase phase. The study of the photocatalytic activity of the films via Linear Sweep Voltametry (LSV) plots and antibacterial test against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922-a gram negative bacterium-showed that Pd increases the photocatalytic activity of the coatings. Besides, the sequence of layer deposition (TiO 2 and Pd-modified TiO 2) influences the photocatalytic properties. In other words, more photocatalytic activity is obtained when Pd-modified layer is deposited first  

Nanocrystalline Y3-xMMxFe5O12 powders (MM denotes Misch-metal, x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0) were synthesized by a sol-gel combustion method. Magnetic properties and crystalline structures were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and a scanning electron microscope. The XRD patterns showed that the single-phase garnet of Y3-xMMxFe5O12 was formed at x values ≤ 1.0. The saturation magnetization of powders increased with decreasing MM content and reached the maximum value at Y3 Fe5O12. The crystallite size of powders calcined at 800°C for 3 h was in the range of 38-53 nm. © 2008 American Ceramic Society  

Nanostructured and mesoporous TiO2-Ga2O3 thin films with various Ti:Ga atomic ratios were prepared by a new straightforward particulate sol-gel route. Titanium isopropoxide and gallium (III) nitrate hydrate were used as precursors, and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) was used as a polymeric fugitive agent (PFA) in order to increase the specific surface area (SSA). XRD and TEM analysis of the powders revealed that the Ga2O3 formed from the nitrate precursor retarded anatase-to-rutile transformation, crystallization and crystal growth. The average crystallite size of pure TiO2 powder annealed at 600-1000 °C were in the range 4-10 nm; the values that could be decreased to 2-6 nm for TiO2-Ga2O3... 

High specific surface area (SSA) nanocrystalline powders and dip-coated TiO2 thin films have been prepared by a particulate sol-gel route with added polymeric fugitive agents (PFAs), namely trehalose dihydrate (THD), polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC). One of the highest SSA reported in the literature, obtained without PFA, was achieved (i.e., 181 m2/g), a value that could be increased up to 304 m2/g, 274 m2/g and 200 m2/g for PEG/TiO2, HPC/TiO2 and THD/TiO2 powders, respectively. Furthermore, the crystallite size varied from 1 nm for as-produced powders up to 4 nm for powders heat-treated at 600 °C. Thin films produced under optimised conditions showed excellent... 

WO3-SiO2 compound thin films were deposited on glass substrates using the sol-gel method, and then all the samples were dried at 100 °C and annealed at 400 °C in air. The effect of WO3 concentration on the hydrophilicity of WO3-SiO2 compound films was studied for the first time and it was shown that the films containing 85 mol% of the concentration possessed a superhydrophilic surface without UV or visible irradiation. Optical properties of the films such as transmittance, reflectance and bandgap energy were investigated using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. According to atomic force microscopy, the surface ratio was maximized in 85 mol% concentration of WO3 similar to hydrophilicity.... 

High specific surface area (SSA) nanocrystalline powders and dip-coated TiO2 films have been prepared by particulate sol-gel route aided with polymeric fugitive agents (PFA), namely trehalose dihydrate (THD), polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC). Powders obtained without PFA, heat-treated at 160 °C show a SSA of 181 m2/g, a value that could be increased up to 271 and 223 m2/g for samples heat-treated at 300 °C when PEG6000 and HPC were used, respectively, whereas SSA of 201 m2/g were achieved by using THD and subsequence heat-treating at 500 °C. Such surface area is one of the highest reported in the literature under these conditions. Crystallite sizes vary from 1... 

The low temperature perovskite-type calcium titanate (CaTiO3) thin films and powders with nanocrystalline and mesoporous structure were prepared by a straightforward particulate sol-gel route. The prepared sol had a narrow particle size distribution about 17 nm. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that, the synthesized powders had highly pure and crystallized CaTiO3 structure with preferable orientation growth along (1 2 1) direction at 400-800 °C. The activation energy of crystal growth was calculated 5.73 kJ/mol. Furthermore, transmission electron microscope images showed that the average crystallite size of the powders annealed at 400 °C was around 3.5... 

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCCs) in the form of mixed nanostructures containing TiO2 nanoparticles and nanowires with different weight ratios and phase compositions are reported. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that the synthesized TiO 2 nanoparticles had average crystallite size in the range 21-39 nm, whereas TiO2 nanowires showed diameter in the range 20-50 nm. The indirect optical band gap energy of TiO2 nanowires, anatase- and rutile-TiO2 nanoparticles was calculated to be 3.35, 3.28 and 3.17 eV, respectively. The power conversion efficiency of the solar cells changed with nanowire to nanoparticle weight ratio, reaching a maximum at a... 

Lanthanum chromite coating occupies a noticeable position as a ceramic coating on metallic interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells because of its excellent electrical conductivity, high oxidation resistance and desirable chemical stability in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. In the present work, a sol-gel process based on the dip-coating technique was used to prepare dense and uniform coatings on metallic alloy for interconnect application (AISI 430 type). The effect of strontium and calcium doping into lanthanum chromite structure on electrical conductivity and oxidation behavior of the coated sample has been investigated. The oxidation behavior was evaluated by cyclic oxidation... 

Ferrite nanocrystals are an interesting material due to their rich physical properties. Here we add nonmagnetic dopants Zn and Cu to nickel ferrite nanocrystals, Ni1-xMxFe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, M = Cu, Zn), and study how relevant properties of the samples are modified accordingly. Basically, these dopings cause a rearrangement of Fe +3 ions into the two preexisting octahedral and tetrahedral sites. In fact, this, we show, induces pertinent magnetic properties of the doped samples. In the case of the Cu-doping, the Jahn-Teller effect also emerges, which we identify through the Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy of the samples. Moreover, we show an increase in the lattice parameters of the... 

Sol-gel based solid-phase microextraction fibers supported by a stainless steel wire were fabricated and employed for GC-MS determination of oxadiargyl in real samples. The fibers were based on four compounds with different polarity: polar and non-polar (end-capped) poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and poly(ethylene-propyleneglycol)-monobutyl ether (UCON). For this purpose, the surface of the stainless steel was initially modified by (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane. The results of the modification procedure were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. After the modification, four different sol-gel based SPME fibers with... 

The Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/WO3 nanocomposite thin films with different MWCNT's weight percentages were prepared by sol-gel method as visible light induced photoanode in water splitting reaction. Weight percentage of MWCNT in the all nanocomposite thin films was confirmed by TGA/DSC analysis. According to XPS analysis, oxygenated groups at the surface of the MWCNT and stoichiometric formation of WO3 thin films were determined, while the crystalline structure of the nanocomposite samples was studied by XRD indicating (0 0 2) peak of MWCNT in the monoclinic phase of WO3. The influence of different weight percentage (wt%) of MWCNT on WO3 photoactivity showed that the electron... 

This investigation focused on a comparison between hydroxyapatite (HA) and carbon-nanotube-reinforced hydroxyapatite composite (CNTs/HA) coatings. The HA and CNTs/HA composite (with 5wt% CNTs) coatings were prepared with the sol-gel method on 316L stainless steel. Phase evaluation by means of XRD and Raman spectroscopy was performed on the HA and CNTs/HA composite coatings. The coatings were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) in order to evaluate the biological properties of the coatings. During the first week of immersion, the increase in the amount of Ca2+ precipitation in the SBF when CNTs/HA was used was lower than for the HA coatings. This behavior can be related to the difference... 

We analyze an experiment in which two distinct superconducting phases YBa2Cu3O7-δ (Y123) and Y 3Ba5Cu8O18-δ (Y358) coexisted. This experiment enabled us to characterize the recently introduced Y358 phase in contrast to the Y123 phase, thus to resolve some discrepancies reported in associated properties of Y358. Specifically, our experiment indicates the transition temperature Tmid C = 105 K and 94 K for Y358 and Y123, respectively, and that Y358 has five CuO2 planes and three CuO chains, with Pmm2 symmetry and lattice parameter (a, b, c) = (3.845, 3.894, 31.093) Å, in agreement with density functional theory predictions for this specific structure  

In this research, a modified, cost effective sol-gel procedure applied to synthesize BaTiO3 nanoparticles. XRD and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) applied for microstructural characterization of powders. The obtained results showed that the type of precursors, their ratio and the hydrolysis conditions had a great effect on time, temperature and therefore the costs of the synthesis process. By selection, utilization of optimized precursor's type, hydrolysis conditions, fine cubic BaTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized at low temperature and in short time span (1 h calcination at 800 °C). The proposed procedure seems to be more preferable for mass production. The result indicated that the...