Fe3+-substituted aluminium oxide nano-flakes: Structural,morphological, optical,and gas sensing properties

Mixed metal oxides with chemical formula Fe_xAl_2-xO₃ (where x = 0.2–1.0) (FANF) was synthesized via sol-gel auto combustion process. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to characterize produced oxide materials. The final product FANF was sintered for 5 h at 1100 °C. The TG-DTA validated the mixed metal oxides phase evolution and steady-state temperature. The replacement of aluminium ions results in orthorhombohedral structure in mixed metal oxides (MMO). The bandgap decreased from 3.72 eV to 3.21 eV and the crystallite size decreased from 28 nm to 14 nm as the iron content increased in the sample Fe_xAl_2-xO₃ (where x = 0.2–1.0). The FT-IR confirmed no impurity peaks and the single phase with iron oxide band is near 432 cm^?1, while the aluminium oxide band is 565–600 cm^?1. Microstructural investigation shows flake-like growth, and EDS confirmed a stoichiometric ratio of MMO. Iron-substituted aluminate gas sensors detected CO, H₂S, and NO₂ at temperature ranging from 25 to 300 °C. Fe_0.6Al_1.4O₄ (F₃ANF) sensor responded 46.69% towards 100 ppm H₂S at 200 °C. Overall, the results showed that a flake-like FANF sensor can be used effectively as a H₂S gas sensor.     

Investigation on structural and H2 gas sensing response of AlCdZnNiFe2O4 sensor material

Synthesis of mixed spinel ferrite nanocomposites Al_zCd_yZn_x@Ni_1-x-y-zFe₂O₄ through sol-gel method provides an excellent opportunity to develop a new generation of gas sensors. The single-phase cubic structure was confirmed and the crystallite size increases with increasing the substitution ratios due to the successful integration of the cations into the cubic system without changing the original structure. FTIR analysis was used to identify the stretching bending vibration of NiFe₂O₄ and its functional groups. The replacement of Ni²⁺ ions by Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Al³⁺ ions play a major role in the occupation of Ni²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions between octahedral B and tetrahedral A sites and it leads to enhance response and recovery times. The FESEM images show an increase in the particle size with polyhedral shape of nanocomposites in the range of 135–342 nm and it is strongly affecting the sensibility of the sensor materials. The nanoparticles were pressed into cylindrical pellets to measure the H₂ gas detection of the novel sensor material. The hydrogen (H₂) gas sensing behavior of sensor material (x + y + z = 0.45) shows the remarkable response times such as 35, 76, and 20 s to the lower concentrations 25, 50, and 100 ppm, respectively at 250 °C.     

Cobalt and nickel aluminate spinels: Blue and cyan pigments

M²⁺-doped aluminate spinels (M=Co or Ni) were prepared by a polymeric route leading to pure phases for synthesis temperatures equal to 800 or 1200 °C and characterized by UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, ²⁷Al NMR and XRD refinements. Coloration of the synthesized pigments is clearly sensitive to the distribution of doping ions in the aluminate spinel lattice. As the synthesis temperature increased, a color shift from green to blue has been observed for Zn_1−xCo_xAl₂O₄ compound while coloration of Zn_1−xNi_xAl₂O₄ compound remains greenish-gray. Hence, to improve pigment coloration and/or synthesis cost, two different strategies have been proposed: (i) the synthesis of aluminum over-stoichiometric spinel with Zn_0.9Co_0.1Al_2.2O_4+δ formal composition in order to force Co²⁺ to be located in tetrahedral sites and (ii) changing from ZnAl₂O₄ to MgAl₂O₄ as host lattices for Ni²⁺ doping ions in order to force Ni²⁺ to be located in octahedral sites.     

High-Qf value and temperature stable Zn2+-Mn4+ cooperated modified cordierite-based microwave and millimeter-wave dielectric ceramics

Cordierite-based dielectric ceramics with a lower dielectric constant would have significant application potential as dielectric resonator and filter materials for future ultra-low-latency 5G/6G millimeter-wave and terahertz communication. In this article, the phase structure, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of Mg₂Al_4–2x(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_2xSi₅O₁₈ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) ceramics are studied by crystal structure refinement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), the theory of complex chemical bonds and infrared reflectance spectrum. Meanwhile, complex double-ions coordinated substitution and two-phase complex methods were used to improve its Q×f value and adjust its temperature coefficient. The Q×f values of Mg₂Al_4–2x(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_2xSi₅O₁₈ single-phase ceramics are increased from 45,000 GHz@14.7 GHz (x = 0) to 150,500 GHz@14.5 GHz (x = 0.15) by replacing Al³⁺ with Zn²⁺-Mn⁴⁺. The positive frequency temperature coefficient additive TiO₂ is used to prepare the temperature stable Mg₂Al_3.7(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_0.3Si₅O₁₈-ywt%TiO₂ composite ceramic. The composite ceramic of Mg₂Al_3.7(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_0.3Si₅O₁₈-ywt%TiO₂ (8.7 wt% ≤ y ≤ 10.6 wt%) presents the near-zero frequency temperature coefficient at 1225 °C sintering temperature: ε_r = 5.68, Q×f = 58,040 GHz, τ_f = ?3.1 ppm/°C (y = 8.7 wt%) and ε_r = 5.82, Q×f = 47,020 GHz, τ_f = +2.4 ppm/°C (y = 10.6 wt%). These findings demonstrate promising application prospects for 5 G and future microwave and millimeter-wave wireless communication technologies.     

Synthesis of characterization of ZnxTiyS and its photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production from methanol/water photo-splitting

In order to enhance the production of hydrogen, a new system based on a Zn_xTi_yS photocatalyst is investigated. Zn_xTi_yS (x = 1, 0.95, 0.9, 0.85, 0.8 mol and y = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 mol, respectively) is prepared using thiourea (H₂NCSNH₂). The formed Zn_xTi_yS particles are globular, ～6 μm in diameter, and composed of small spherical particles about 600 nm in diameter. The Zn_xTi_yS particles absorb at wavelengths above 380 nm in the UV-region like TiO₂. The evolution of H₂ by methanol/water (1:1) photo-splitting over Zn_xTi_yS in a methanol/water system is dramatically enhanced versus pure ZnS. In particular, 4.0 mmol of H₂ gas is produced in 10 h when 1.0 g of Zn_0.9Ti_0.1S was used, and its performance increases in KOH solutions. Based on cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV–vis spectroscopy measurements, the high photo-activity of Zn_0.9Ti_0.1S is attributed to the existence of a band-gap that includes the redox potential of water.     

Improvement of the luminescence properties of CaTiO3:Pr obtained by modified solid-state reaction

Using tetra-n-butyl titanate and nitrates as starting materials, the red persistent phosphor CaTiO₃:Pr has been successfully synthesized by modified solid-state reaction. In order to improve the luminescent properties of the phosphor, boric acid as flux regent and aluminum ion as charge compensator were added in, and the influences of partially replacing Ca²⁺ in CaTiO₃ with Zn²⁺ or Mg²⁺ on the long persistent properties were studied. The results of luminescence spectrometer (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that a certain quantity of boric acid, Al³⁺, Mg²⁺ or Zn²⁺ was effective in improving the photoluminescence intensity of CaTiO₃:Pr phosphor particles, and the optimum molar ratios of Al³⁺ and boric acid to Ca²⁺ were about 0.1% and 30%, respectively. The photoluminescence brightness and decay curves showed that the sample of Ca_0.8Zn_0.2TiO₃:Pr with 0.l% Al³⁺ and 30% H₃BO₃ obtained at the sintering temperature of 900 °C exhibited the optimal luminescent properties.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,luminescence and thermal behavior of a new energetic zinc(II) compound

An energetic material [Zn₂(btzphda)₂(H₂O)₄(dpp)₂]·2DMF·4H₂O with high decomposition enthalpy of − 748.35 J/g was prepared by the reaction of H₂btzphda, dpp and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O under solvothermal conditions, where btzphda = 1,4-bis(tetrazol-5-yl)benzene-N2,N2′-diacetato, dpp = 1.3-di(4-pyridyl)propane and DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide. The luminescence properties of H₂btzphda and [Zn₂(btzphda)₂(H₂O)₄(dpp)₂]·2DMF·4H₂O were investigated at room temperature in the solid state (Hitachi F4600 spectrofluorometer). Furthermore, the thermal decomposition behavior of the compound is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric-differential thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) analyses. The entropy of activation (ΔH), enthalpy of activation (ΔS) and the free energy of activation (ΔG) for the decomposition temperature were ΔH = 250.64 kJ/mol, ΔS = 222.75 J·mol^− 1·K^− 1 and ΔG = 134.10 kJ/mol.     

Thermoelectric properties of Pb0.833Na0.017(Zn0.85Al0.15)0.15Te-Te composite

Nanoparticles of Zn_0.85Al_0.15Te and Pb_0.98Na_0.02Te were used as the starting materials to prepare p-type Pb_0.833Na_0.017(Zn_0.85Al_0.15)_0.15Te-Te composite. The resulting powder was densified, sintered at 380 °C for 24 h in an evacuated and encapsulated ampoule and its thermoelectric transport property was characterized between 300 K and 600 K. At 300 K, the electrical resistivity of Pb_0.833Na_0.017(Zn_0.85Al_0.15)_0.15Te-Te composite is 4.2 mΩ-cm; exhibits nonmetal-like behavior from 300 K to 375 K and degenerate behavior beyond 375 K. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity shows deviation from the normal power law (1/T^δ, δ ≈ 1.84–2.27 for lead chalcogenides), suggesting a sharp drop in mobility in 425 K–600 K which is ascribed to defects, grain boundaries, and potential energy fluctuation due to atomic disorders. The maximum thermopower of Pb_0.833Na_0.017(Zn_0.85Al_0.15)_0.15Te-Te is 400 μVK^-1 at 600 K. Assuming acoustic phonon scattering is the dominant mechanism, we calculate the reduced Fermi energy and Lorenz numbers and compare them with other materials. As-calculated Lorenz numbers is used to estimate the lattice thermal conductivity, which is 11% lower than the total thermal conductivity at 300 K. The lattice thermal conductivity varies as κ_L ~ T^-0.46 proving the presence of grain boundary scattering, dislocations, and alloy scattering. The maximum power factor (P.F.) of 17.7 μWcm^-1K^-2 is observed at 400 K. Finally, the Pb_0.833Na_0.017(Zn_0.85Al_0.15)_0.15Te-Te composite exhibits a dimensionless figure-of-merit (zT) of 1.08 at 600 K, demonstrating the material from the current study can compete with many high performing PbTe-based materials.     

A pair of novel helical Zn(II) enantiomers constructed from l- and d-threonine Schiff bases: Synthesis,crystal structures and properties

Two novel homochiral helical Zn(II) coordination polymers, {[Zn₂(nap-l-thr)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n (1) and {[Zn₂(nap-d-thr)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n (2) (H₂nap-l-thr = N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylmethylidene)-l-threonine, H₂nap-d-thr = N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylmethylidene)-d-threonine) have been successfully synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–visible and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It is interesting to note that both complexes are a pair of enantiomers: 1 exhibits 1D right-handed helical chain of [Zn-COO⁻]_∞ and 2 is 1D left-handed helical chain of [Zn-COO⁻]_∞. There are various hydrogen bonds between the adjacent helical chains which result in a 2D homochiral supramolecular layer structure. Notably, under similar synthetic procedure by using the NO₃⁻, CH₃COO⁻, Cl⁻ salts of Zn^2 + ion as a starting reagent, and identical compounds were obtained. In addition, the chiral nature of complexes 1 and 2 are confirmed by the results of circular dichroism (CD) spectra measurements. Thermal stability and luminescence properties were also investigated.     

WO3/La0.8Pb0.2FeO3 perovskite heterostructure for highly active and selective hydrogen sulfide detection

In this study, tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning technology and combined with La_0.8Pb_0.2FeO₃ (LPFO) perovskite materials to form a heterostructure film, and then used to evaluate the potential as a gas sensing material. The results show that the pure WO₃ nanofiber gas sensor has an excellent sensing effect on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and the WO₃/LPFO heterostructure film gas sensor still has a high response to H₂S, but the response to NO₂ is suppressed. This WO₃/LPFO heterostructure film gas sensor greatly improves the gas selectivity, making the selectivity more specific. The WO₃/LPFO heterostructure film gas sensor exhibits excellent gas selectivity for H₂S gas, the optimal operating temperature is 175 °C, and the response is about 89.5% under 1.25 ppm H₂S gas.     

H2S oxidation by multi-wall carbon nanotubes decorated with tungsten sulfide

Tungsten sulfide catalysts decorated on single and multiwall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs & MWNTs) and activated carbon were synthesized, and XRD, ICP, SEM, TEM and ASAP analyses were employed to acquire the characteristics of each catalyst. Afterwards a gas flow containing 5,000 ppm of H₂S was passed over the catalyst in gas hour space velocity (GHSV) of 5,000 h^?1, temperature of 65 °C, steam volume percent of 20 and O₂/H₂S ratio equal to 2. The results revealed that the catalyst supported on MWNTs exhibited higher conversion amongst its counterparts. Then effects of GHSV, steam volume percent in the feed, catalyst loading and temperature were investigated on conversion of hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur for tungsten sulfide catalyst decorated on MWNTs.     

Microwave dielectric properties,microstructure, and bond energy of Zn3-xCoxB2O6 low temperature fired ceramics

Low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCCs) technology plays an important role in modern wireless communication. Zn_3-xCo_xB₂O₆ (x = 0–0.25) low temperature fired ceramics were synthesized via traditional solid-state reaction method. Influences of Co²⁺ substitution on crystal phase composition, grain size, grain morphology, microwave dielectric properties, bond energy, and bond valence were investigated in detail. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the major phase of the ceramics was monoclinic Zn₃(BO₃)₂. Solid solution was formed with Co²⁺ substituted for Zn²⁺ because no individual phase that contained Co was observed. An increase in the amount of Co²⁺ substitution changed average grain sizes, and regrowth of grains were observed with Co²⁺ substitution. Appropriate amount of Co²⁺ substitution improved densification. With changes in Co²⁺ substitution, bond energy of major phase and average bond valence of B–O were positively correlated to temperature coefficient of resonant frequency. The Zn_2.927Co_0.075B₂O₆ ceramic sintered at 875 °C for 4 h exhibited excellent microwave properties with ε_r = 6.79, Q × f = 140,402 GHz, and τ_f = −87.42 ppm/°C. This ceramic is regarded as candidate for LTCC applications.     

High-temperature thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline Zn1−x−yAlxTiyO ceramics

The as-sintered Zn_1−xAl_xO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) samples crystallized in the ZnO with a wurtzite structure, along with a small amount of the cubic spinel ZnAl₂O₄. The addition of Al₂O₃ to ZnO gave rise to a decrease in grain size, ranging from 7.3 to 2.7 μm and in relative density, ranging from 99.2 to 90.1% of the theoretical density. In the Zn_0.97Al_0.03−yTi_yO samples, as the amount of TiO₂ increased, the grain size of ZnO grains and second phases, such as Zn₂TiO₄ and ZnAl₂O₄, as well as density increased. The co-doping of Al and Ti led to a significant increase in both the electrical conductivity and the absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient, resulting in an increase in the power factor. The highest value of power factor (3.8 × 10⁻⁴ W m⁻¹ K⁻²) was attained for Zn_0.97Al_0.02Ti_0.01O at 800 °C. It is demonstrated that the Al and Ti co-doping is fairly effective for enhancing thermoelectric properties.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence characterizations of Zn2+ and Tb3+ codoped CeO2 phosphors for temperature sensing applications

Cyan light-emitting Ce_0.985-xZn_xO₂:0.015 Tb³⁺ (x = 0 to 0.2) phosphors were synthesized using the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-assisted hydrothermal method. The X-ray diffraction and refinement analyses of the prepared phosphors indicated that the formed face-centered cubic structure remained intact even after the doping of large quantities of Zn²⁺ ions. However, the incorporation of Zn²⁺ ions increased the Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ratio, resulting in the enhancement of oxygen vacancies in the prepared phosphors. The generation of oxygen vacancies caused the evolution of a broad photoluminescence emission band ranging from 400 to 525 nm with a characteristic Tb³⁺ emission of approximately 543 nm. Two-emission regions in Ce_0.885Zn_0.1O₂:0.015 Tb³⁺ phosphors were utilized for measuring the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) as a function of temperature ranging from 303 to 523 K. At 523 K, the FIR values dropped to approximately 40% of the starting temperature value. The variation of FIR values followed the Boltzmann behavior. The Boltzmann fitting demonstrated the feasibility of the present phosphors for temperature sensor applications. The optimum absolute sensor sensitivity of Ce_0.885Zn_0.1O₂:0.015 Tb³⁺ phosphors was measured to be 0.0043 K⁻¹ at 398 K with a resolution of approximately 1 K⁻¹. Moderate temperature sensitivity, negligible hysteresis loop, and excellent reversibility revealed the suitability of Ce_0.885Zn_0.1O₂:0.015 Tb³⁺ phosphors for sensing the temperature in various electronic devices.     

Phase formation of Na+-beta-aluminas synthesized by double zeta process

Na⁺-beta-aluminas in the Na₂O–Al₂O₃–Li₂O ternary system were synthesized by double zeta process and the dependence of the crystal phase formation on the composition and the calcination temperature was studied. For the synthesis of Na⁺-β/β″-alumina, sodium aluminate varying compositions of [Na₂O]:[Al₂O₃] = 1:4–1:6 and lithium aluminate in the forms of Li₂O·5Al₂O₃ with different amounts of Li₂O (0.35–0.45 wt%) were well-mixed and calcined at temperatures ranging between 1300 and 1600 °C for 2 h. The β″-alumina fraction appeared to be approximately 10% higher compared to the conventional solid state reaction, showing around 70% of β″-alumina fraction. These values increased about 10–15% by additional heating near the binary eutectic temperature for a short time.     

Utilization of low-cost celestite ore in the production of high-quality calcium-strontium aluminate refractory cement

Calcium-strontium aluminate cement (CSAC) has been successfully prepared for the first time from celestite mineral and corundum (α-Al₂O₃) via solid-state reaction. Various mixing compositions containing 40–70 wt% celestite and 60–30 wt% alumina have been sintered at firing temperatures between 1550 and 1650 °C with an interval of 50 °C. Among these sintered mixes, four cement specimens (CA101-1600, CA101-1650, CA201-1600 and CA201-1650) were selected as the optimal mixes for CSAC preparation based on their physico-chemical and mechanical characteristics. These cement mixes were ground to form a very fine powder with a particle size of less than 4.85 μm and a specific surface area of greater than 3629 cm²/g. Upon mixing these cement mixes with water, they consumed mixing water within a range of 19–27 wt% to form workable cementitious pastes. The initial and final setting times of these four cement mixes were in the range between 80 to 90 min and 290–379 min, respectively. An average compressive strength of approximately ~62 MPa was reached after curing of these cement cubes in a 100% humidity cabinet for 28 days. The main hydration products detected in the cement pastes were strontium aluminate hydrates such as 3SrO·Al₂O₃·H₂O (Sr₃A.H₂O) and 5SrO·Al₂O₃·11H₂O (Sr₅A.11H₂O) along with a minority of calcium aluminate hydrate 4CaO·3H₂O·3H₂O (C₄A₃.3H₂O) and aluminium hydroxide Al(OH)₃. The obtained physico-mechanical results of the four cement samples have met the international standard requirements; demonstrating the high-susceptibility of celestite mineral to be utilized as a potential feedstock in the production of CSAC on an industrial scale.     

Structural,electrical and magnetic properties of Co0.5Zn0.5AlxFe2−xO4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) prepared via sol–gel route

Nanoparticles of Co_0.5Zn_0.5Al_xFe_2?xO₄ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) were synthesized by sol–gel method and the influence of Al³⁺ doping on the properties of Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ was studied. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the formation of single phase spinel type cubical structure having space group Fd-3m. A decreasing trend of the lattice parameter was observed with increasing Al³⁺ concentration due to the smaller ionic radii of Al³⁺ ion as compared to Fe³⁺ ion. TEM was used to characterize the microstructure of the samples and particle size determination, which exhibited the formation of spherical nanoparticles. The particle size was found to be increases up to ～45 nm after annealing the sample at 1000 °C. Electrical resistivity was found to increase with Al³⁺ doping, attributed to the decrease in the number of Fe²⁺–Fe³⁺ hopping. The activation energy decreased with increasing Al³⁺ ion concentration, indicating the blocking of conduction mechanism between Fe³⁺–Fe²⁺ ions. The value of saturation magnetization decreased, when Fe³⁺ ions were doped with Al³⁺ ions in Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄; however, the coercivity values increased with increasing Al³⁺ ion content.     

Thermoelectric properties of Al and Mn double substituted ZnO

The effects of Al and Mn single and double substitution on structure, composition, and thermoelectric properties of ZnO have been investigated in three series of compounds; Zn_1−xAl_xO, Zn_1−xMn_xO (x=0,0.02,0.04,0.06,0.08) and Zn_1−2xAl_xMn_xO (x=0,0.01,0.02,0.03,0.04) prepared by thermal decomposition method. While the lattice structure is not affected by the substitutions, properties of the material are. Al and Mn have opposite effects on electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of ZnO. Al substitution leads to an increase in electrical conductivity while Mn substitution increases absolute value of Seebeck coefficient. Double substituted samples seem to exhibit the effects from both ions though the increase in absolute value of Seebeck coefficient is less significant comparing to that observed in Mn single substituted samples. Nevertheless, the change in electrical conductivity is more pronounced and dominant in the power factor calculation. Thus the most conductive sample in this work, Zn_0.98Al_0.02O, shows the highest power factor of 1.03×10⁻⁴ WK⁻² m⁻¹at 800 K. The best double substituted sample is Zn_0.98Mn_0.01Al_0.01O which gives a power factor of 4.79×10⁻⁵ WK⁻² m⁻¹ at the same temperature.     

Microstructural evolution and enhanced mechanical properties of 95Al2O3–Yb/Mg/Si ceramics by optimizing sintering temperature

Designed component of 0.95Al₂O₃–0.015Yb₂O₃–0.01MgO–0.025SiO₂ (95Al₂O₃–Yb/Mg/Si) ceramics were prepared by the traditional mixed-oxide method in the sintering temperature range of 1450–1700 °C. The influence of sintering temperature on the crystal structure, densification, microstructure, mechanical, friction and wear properties of 95Al₂O₃-YbMgSi ceramics were systematically investigated. XRD and SEM analysis results revealed that the increase in sintering temperature was very beneficial to eliminate the pores, increase the density and grain size, which obeys the common grain growth law. Both the flexural strength and hardness of obtained samples were increased almost linearly when the sintering temperature increased from 1450 °C to 1700 °C. The ceramics sintered at 1650 °C showed the optimum properties: H_v = 1812.3, σ = 151.3 MPa, μ = 0.41, ρ = 3.72 g/cm³ and K_c = 8.06e^?5 mm³/N·m, respectively. Furthermore, the results of friction and wear experiments suggested that the 95Al₂O₃–Yb/Mg/Si ceramic prepared at the optimizing sintering process exhibited more stable friction state and lower wear degree under non-lubricated conditions. The enhanced mechanical properties could be attributed to their structure densification, pore elimination and gain growth with the increase of sintering temperature.     

Characteristics of the mercury vapor removal from coal combustion flue gas by activated carbon using H2S

Removal of Hg⁰ vapor from the simulated coal combustion flue gases with a commercial activated carbon was investigated using H₂S. This method is based on the reaction of H₂S and Hg over the adsorbents. The Hg⁰ removal experiments were carried out in a conventional flow type packed bed reactor system in the temperature range of 80–150 °C using simulated flue gases having the composition of Hg⁰ (4.9 ppb), H₂S (0–20 ppm), SO₂ (0–487 ppm), CO₂ (10%), H₂O (0–15%), O₂ (0–5%), N₂ (balance gas). The following results were obtained: in the presence of both H₂S and SO₂, Hg removal was favored at lower temperatures (80–100 °C). At 150 °C, presence of O₂ was indispensable for Hg⁰ removal from H₂S–SO₂ flue gas system. It is suggested that the partial oxidation of H₂S with O₂ to elemental sulfur (H₂S+1/2O₂=S_ad+H₂O) and the Clause reaction (SO₂+2H₂S=3S_ad+2H₂O) may contribute to the Hg⁰ removal over activated carbon by the following reaction: S_ad+Hg=HgS. The formation of elemental sulfur on the activated carbon was confirmed by a visual observation.