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Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries
Published in Anurag Gaur, A.L. Sharma, Anil Arya, Energy Storage and Conversion Devices, 2021
The first oil shock of 1976 had a massive impact in the field of inorganic chemistry synthesis with scientists preferring low-temperature approaches rather than ceramic-based methods [Schleich et al. 1994, Schollhorn 1988, Rouxel et al. 1996, Gopalakrishnan and J. Chimie Douce 1995] to reduce energy demands. Synthesis of the cathode material is critical to optimize the electrochemical behavior for commercial devices. The synthesized material needs to be well-characterized before using in devices. A well-characterized material can be tuned to use in battery applications. For example, its particle size and morphology will be optimized for maximum reactivity and minimum corrosivity, and side reactions, and it may be doped or coated to enhance the conductivity. Many soft chemistry techniques such as hydrothermal, ion exchange, and sol–gel can be used to synthesize desired material. Several critical synthesis parameters will be discussed in this section. The formation temperature of the cathode material determines the defect structure. The strict ordering of cations is desired in all the layered structures; otherwise, the diffusion is limited.
Layer-by-Layer Assembly: A Novel Flame-Retardant Solution to Polymeric Materials
Published in Yuan Hu, Xin Wang, Flame Retardant Polymeric Materials, 2019
The sol-gel method can be considered as an example of soft-chemistry bottom-up strategy, which utilizes hydrolysis and condensation reactions occurring in a liquid medium where selected alkoxy precursors (namely, tetramethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, aluminum isopropoxide, titanium tetraisopropoxide) are located. A schematic representation of the sol-gel method is shown in Figure 7.2. Numerous experimental parameters can rule the development of the sol-gel processes, hence, influencing the structure and morphology of the resulting oxidic networks: nature of (semi)metal atom and alkyl/alkoxide groups, water/alkoxide ratio, temperature and pH, reaction time, and possible presence of co-solvents like ethanol (Malucelli 2016a).
Liquid impregnation and sol-gel routes synthesis of tailored titania NPs for the effective water remediation processes
Published in Inorganic and Nano-Metal Chemistry, 2023
Najm Us Saqib, Irfan Shah, Rohana Adnan, Bakht Tarin Khan, Israr Alam, Muhammad Zahir Shah
The heterogeneous photocatalysis belongs to the class of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and is widely used for the disintegration of harmful toxic pollutants to harmless compounds i.e. H2O and corresponding oxides. In the last few decades, heterogeneous photocatalysis involving TiO2 NPs received more attention due to its easy availability, low toxicity, eco-friendly nature, and high photocatalytic efficiencies.[1–4] In general, besides the methods or conditions of preparation, TiO2 NPs have been recognized as an excellent photocatalyst for environmental remediation. The physicochemical properties such as surface area; pore size distributions, optical and electrical surface charge, etc., depends on the synthesis routes, precursors used, acid/base treatment, and post calcination of materials. Among various techniques used for the synthesis of TiO2 NPs, sol-gel is one of the most versatile preparation methods that can control the nanostructure and morphology of the material.[5–7] The synthesis protocol of the sol-gel method involves titanium-alkoxide or halides as given in Eqs. (1) and (2) below, along with acids used for hydrolysis.[8] A sol-gel technique is generally a low temperature and pressure process and is considered as “soft chemistry.”[5]
Deep-UV laser direct writing of photoluminescent ZnO submicron patterns: an example of nanoarchitectonics concept
Published in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 2022
Quentin Kirscher, Samar Hajjar-Garreau, Fabien Grasset, Dominique Berling, Olivier Soppera
In the nanoarchitectonic context [3,4], solution chemistry approaches address a large part of these issues in particular, by opening up to metal oxide materials while maintaining so-called soft chemistry processes, e.g. with relatively low-temperature treatments. These approaches are usually based on molecular building blocks [3]. Alternatively, colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) have been proposed as building blocks to elaborate thin films while keeping the interests of a soft chemistry approach [5]. Colloidal NCs are indeed a versatile platform for the construction of electronic and optoelectronic devices. These materials have enabled the low-temperature deposition to produce, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), field-effect transistors (FETs), near- and mid-range photodetectors or solar cells, based on noble metallic colloidal NCs [6,7], semiconductors [8–10], or dielectrics [11,12]. In addition to their chemical composition, size and shape, the properties of the materials manufactured on the basis of these NCs also depend on the nature of the interactions between the NCs, which is directly related to the nature of the surface ligands and the associated processing method [13,14]. The use of specific ligands, either organic or inorganic, allows to ensure a continuity of properties by a better coupling between NCs, which has been used to obtain layers with high conductivity or electrical mobility for electrical or optoelectronic applications [15].
Synthesis of in-situ high-content carbon-containing calcium aluminate cement and its effect on the properties of Al2O3-SiC-C castables
Published in Journal of Asian Ceramic Societies, 2021
Yunfei Zang, Guoqing Xiao, Donghai Ding, Jianying Gao, Changkun Lei, Jianjun Chen, Jiyuan Luo, Shoulei Yang
The cement precursor was prepared by the soft chemistry method, which was conducive to a more uniform formation of in-situ carbon. Citric acid and calcium carbonate were reacted in water in the molar ratio of 4:1 to prepare water-soluble precursor solution, and the main component of the solution is calcium dihydrogen citrate. Further, the solution was dried at 80°C until the water has completely evaporated. In order to avoid excessive gas generated to expand the sample during sintering, the precursor was pre-treated at 210°C for 1.5 h to decompose and release excess water and CO2. The alumina powder with the CaO/Al2O3 molar ratio of 0.8 was added into the precursor powder, and the CaO content in the precursor was determined by the weight-loss test. Finally, the mixed powder was pressed into a block and placed in a graphite crucible, and sintered at 1500°C for 4 h in an argon atmosphere.