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Metal Particles (metal + particle)
Selected AbstractsCarbon Nanotube Junctions: Multibranched Junctions of Carbon Nanotubes via Cobalt Particles (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 44 200944/2009) Junctions between different carbon nanotubes (CNTs) created using cobalt particles as central nodes (background) are demonstrated by Ming-Sheng Wang and co-workers on p. 4477. The process involves high-temperature electron irradiation of areas where a metal particle is located at the overlapping region of two CNTs. In situ transmission electron microscopy measurements show that the junctions are electrically conductive and mechanically robust. The extension of this technique towards creating more complicated structures, such as a 3D CNT network, is also depicted in the cover. [source] Multibranched Junctions of Carbon Nanotubes via Cobalt ParticlesADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 44 2009Julio A. Rodríguez-Manzo Junctions between different carbon nanotubes are created using cobalt particles as central nodes (see image). The process involves high temperature and electron irradiation of areas where a metal particle is located at the overlapping region of two nanotubes. In situ transmission electron microscopy measurements show that the junctions are electrically conductive and mechanically robust. A high breaking strength of 1,5,GPa is found for the junctions. [source] Fixation of heavy contaminants of a dirty bomb attack: Studies with uranium and metal simulantsENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 1 2007Thomas L. McGehee Abstract Asphalt emulsions were evaluated as a means to immobilize radiological contaminants deposited on urban surfaces after a dirty bomb attack. Contaminated surfaces would be sprayed with thin coatings of asphalt emulsion to encapsulate the radioactive particles until the site can be safely remediated. This research investigated applications of an asphalt emulsion (Topein C, Encapco Technologies, LLC, Napa, CA) to treat (zero-valent) iron, lead, and uranium powders on various building material surfaces. Initial studies found that some of the building materials (limestone, concrete, and metal) reacted with the emulsion producing gas bubbles, which formed 0.001 to 1 cm vesicles in the cured asphalt emulsion. These vesicles, however, did not expose the building material surface, and the reaction appeared to aid in the setting of the emulsion. Powdered lead did not react with the asphalt emulsion, but iron powder and uranium did. Iron powder and the emulsion formed vesicles up to 0.5 mm (but not exposing the building material surface), while the uranium (U3O8) had a moderate reaction when compared with to the lead and iron powders. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the lead powder formed nonreactive layers adjacent to the concrete surface while iron particles were evenly distributed in the asphalt matrix due to the reaction with the asphalt, indicating that the physical and chemical reactions between the iron metal particles, asphalt, and concrete affected particle distribution in the asphalt matrix. A vertical operation sediment tube was used to determine the flowing shear stress durability of the asphalt/metal/substrate complex. The asphalt treatment with iron had no loss at the shear range tested (0.1,2.5 Pa), while the asphalt stabilized powdered lead lost 8% asphalt and lead at 2.5 Pa mean shear stress applied for 5 h. The chemical reaction between asphalt emulsion and iron increased the resistance of the asphalt/metal/substrate complex to shear when compared with lead. Some hydrogen was formed in reactions with iron, but the amount formed was well below the lower flammability limit. Treatment of uranium indicated that the emulsion was effective at reducing leaching of the uranium 10 fold. These experiments indicate that asphalt emulsions may be a viable means for containing metallic or dense radiological contaminants on common building materials. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog 26:94,103, 2007 [source] Plasmonic Enhancement or Energy Transfer?ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 13 2009Its Potential for Light-Emitting Devices, Lanthanide-Doped Silicate Glasses, On the Luminescence of Gold-, Silver- Abstract With the technique of synchrotron X-ray activation, molecule-like, non-plasmonic gold and silver particles in soda-lime silicate glasses can be generated. The luminescence energy transfer between these species and lanthanide(III) ions is studied. As a result, a significant lanthanide luminescence enhancement by a factor of up to 250 under non-resonant UV excitation is observed. The absence of a distinct gold and silver plasmon resonance absorption, respectively, the missing nanoparticle signals in previous SAXS and TEM experiments, the unaltered luminescence lifetime of the lanthanide ions compared to the non-enhanced case, and an excitation maximum at 300,350,nm (equivalent to the absorption range of small noble metal particles) indicate unambiguously that the observed enhancement is due to a classical energy transfer between small noble metal particles and lanthanide ions, and not to a plasmonic field enhancement effect. It is proposed that very small, molecule-like noble metal particles (such as dimers, trimers, and tetramers) first absorb the excitation light, undergo a singlet-triplet intersystem crossing, and finally transfer the energy to an excited multiplet state of adjacent lanthanide(III) ions. X-ray lithographic microstructuring and excitation with a commercial UV LED show the potential of the activated glass samples as bright light-emitting devices with tunable emission colors. [source] Bioaccessibility studies of ferro-chromium alloy particles for a simulated inhalation scenario: A comparative study with the pure metals and stainless steelINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2010Klara Midander Abstract The European product safety legislation, REACH, requires that companies that manufacture, import, or use chemicals demonstrate safe use and high level of protection of their products placed on the market from a human health and environmental perspective. This process involves detailed assessment of potential hazards for various toxicity endpoints induced by the use of chemicals with a minimum use of animal testing. Such an assessment requires thorough understanding of relevant exposure scenarios including material characteristics and intrinsic properties and how, for instance, physical and chemical properties change from the manufacturing phase, throughout use, to final disposal. Temporary or permanent adverse health effects induced by particles depend either on their shape or physical characteristics, and/or on chemical interactions with the particle surface upon human exposure. Potential adverse effects caused by the exposure of metal particles through the gastrointestinal system, the pulmonary system, or the skin, and their subsequent potential for particle dissolution and metal release in contact with biological media, show significant gaps of knowledge. In vitro bioaccessibility testing at conditions of relevance for different exposure scenarios, combined with the generation of a detailed understanding of intrinsic material properties and surface characteristics, are in this context a useful approach to address aspects of relevance for accurate risk and hazard assessment of chemicals, including metals and alloys and to avoid the use of in vivo testing. Alloys are essential engineering materials in all kinds of applications in society, but their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment are very seldom assessed. Alloys are treated in REACH as mixtures of their constituent elements, an approach highly inappropriate because intrinsic properties of alloys generally are totally different compared with their pure metal components. A large research effort was therefore conducted to generate quantitative bioaccessibility data for particles of ferro-chromium alloys compared with particles of the pure metals and stainless steel exposed at in vitro conditions in synthetic biological media of relevance for particle inhalation and ingestion. All results are presented combining bioaccessibility data with aspects of particle characteristics, surface composition, and barrier properties of surface oxides. Iron and chromium were the main elements released from ferro-chromium alloys upon exposure in synthetic biological media. Both elements revealed time-dependent release processes. One week exposures resulted in very small released particle fractions being less than 0.3% of the particle mass at acidic conditions and less than 0.001% in near pH-neutral media. The extent of Fe released from ferro-chromium alloy particles was significantly lower compared with particles of pure Fe, whereas Cr was released to a very low and similar extent as from particles of pure Cr and stainless steel. Low release rates are a result of a surface oxide with passive properties predominantly composed of chromium(III)-rich oxides and silica and, to a lesser extent, of iron(II,III)oxides. Neither the relative bulk alloy composition nor the surface composition can be used to predict or assess the extent of metals released in different synthetic biological media. Ferro-chromium alloys cannot be assessed from the behavior of their pure metal constituents. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010;6:441,455. © 2009 SETAC [source] Soluble and particulate Co-Cr-Mo alloy implant metals activate the inflammasome danger signaling pathway in human macrophages: A novel mechanism for implant debris reactivityJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 7 2009Marco S. Caicedo Abstract Immune reactivity to soluble and particulate implant debris remains the primary cause of aseptic inflammation and implant loosening. However, the intracellular mechanisms that trigger immune cells to sense and respond to exogenous nonbiological agents such as metal particles or metal ions released from orthopedic implants remain unknown. Recent studies in immunology have outlined the importance of the intracellular inflammasome complex of proteins in sensing danger/stress signals triggered by nonbiological agents in the cytosol of macrophages. We hypothesized that metal implant debris can activate the inflammasome pathway in macrophages that causes caspase-1-induced cleavage of intracellular pro-IL-1, into its mature form, resulting in IL-1, secretion and induction of a broader proinflammatory response. We tested this hypothesis by examining whether soluble cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, and nickel ions and Co-Cr-Mo alloy particles induce inflammasome- mediated macrophage reactivity. Our results demonstrate that these agents stimulate IL-1, secretion in human macrophages that is inflammasome mediated (i.e., NADPH-, caspase-1-, Nalp3-, and ASC-dependent). Thus, metal ion- and particle-induced activation of the inflammasome in human macrophages provides evidence of a novel pathway of implant debris-induced inflammation, where contact with implant debris is sensed and transduced by macrophages into a proinflammatory response. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 847,854, 2009 [source] Characterization of the active site structure of Pd and Pd-promoted Mo sulfide catalysts by means of XAFSJOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, Issue 2 2001Takeshi Kubota Recently, noble metal catalysts are noted as promising candidates for new super-deep-hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts. In this study, we investigated the structure of Pd particles supported on zeolite and Al2O3 under a sulfidation or reduction condition. From EXAFS analysis, it was found for sulfided Pd catalysts that small Pd sulfide clusters are formed without sintering. It was also revealed that no extensive growth of metal Pd particles occurs in Pd/NaY sulfide catalysts even after a treatment with H2 at 673 K. The dispersion of Pd metal particles is improved by H2/H2S treatment. These results indicate that in the presence of H2S, Pd shows high resistance against particle growth. A comparison of the Mo and Pd K-edge EXAFS spectra for MoSx/Pd-NaY and Pd-NaY catalysts revealed the existence of Mo-Pd bondings by the addition of Mo sulfide, indicating a direct interaction between Mo and Pd sulfides. [source] Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles and Titanium Oxide Nanofibers: Toward Multifibrous NanocompositesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 9 2010Fredrick O. Ochanda A new method was investigated to produce new multiscale fibrous nanocomposites comprised of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanofibers and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). The process involved electrospinning TiO2 precursor solution containing colloidal solution of Ag NPs, and organic solvent (dimethyl- n,n -formamide) to fabricate a porous, nonwoven, free-standing nanofiber mesh. Postprocess heating of the electrospun nanofibers entailed calcination in air environment at 500°C for 3 h. Microemulsion processing was used to generate NPs of Ag in a monodispersed distribution throughout the colloidal solution. X-ray diffraction data were consistent with the anatase phase of TiO2, while transmission electron microscopy and hydrogen desorption measurements revealed a very porous microstructure. It was demonstrated that NP colloidal stability is solvent dependent. It is anticipated that incorporation of metal particles in nanofibers will lead to enhanced photocurrent generation, when used in functional devices. [source] Alloying with copper to reduce metal dusting of nickelMATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 11 2005J. Zhang Abstract Copper is thought to be noncatalytic to carbon deposition from gas atmospheres, and owing to its extremely low solubility for carbon, inert to the metal dusting reaction. Thus, the addition of copper to nickel, which forms a near perfect solid solution, may be able to suppress or greatly retard the metal dusting of the alloy, without the need for a protective oxide scale on the surface. The dusting behaviour of Ni-Cu alloys containing up to 50 wt% Cu, along with pure Cu, was investigated in a 68%CO-31%H2 -1%H2O gas mixture (aC: 19) at 680°C for up to 150 h. Surface analysis showed that two types of carbon deposits, graphite particle clusters and filaments, were observed on pure Ni and Ni-Cu alloys with Cu contents of up to 5 wt%. Alloys with more than 10 wt% Cu showed very little coking, forming filaments only. SEM and TEM analyses revealed metal particles encapsulated by graphite shells within the graphite particle clusters, and metal particles at filament tips or embedded along their lengths. A kinetic investigation showed that alloy dusting rates decreased significantly with increasing copper levels up to 10 wt%. At copper concentrations of more than 20 wt%, the rate of metal dusting was negligible. Although pure copper is not catalytic to carbon formation, scattered carbon nanotubes were observed on its surface. The effect of copper on alloy dusting rates is attributed to a dilution effect. [source] Microstructure and thermal history of metal particles in CH chondritesMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007J. I. GOLDSTEIN Four types of metal particles are common in all of these chondrites. Zoned and unzoned particles probably formed as condensates from a gas of chondritic composition in a monotonic cooling regime, as has been shown previously. We have demonstrated that these particles were cooled rapidly to temperatures below 500 K after they formed, and that condensation effectively closed around 700 K. Zoned and unzoned particles with exsolution precipitates, predominantly high-Ni taenite, have considerably more complex thermal histories. Precipitates grew in reheating episodes, but the details of the heating events vary among individual grains. Reheating temperatures are typically in the range 800,1000 K. Reheating could have been the result of impact events on the CH parent body. Some particles with precipitates may have been incorporated into chondrules, with further brief heating episodes taking place during chondrule formation. In addition to the four dominant types of metal particles, rare Ni-rich metal particles and Si-rich metal particles indicate that the metal assemblage in CH chondrites was a mixture of material that formed at different redox conditions. Metal in CH chondrites consists of a mechanical mixture of particles that underwent a variety of thermal histories prior to being assembled into the existing brecciated meteorites. [source] Low-temperature phase decomposition in iron-nickel metal of the Portales Valley meteoriteMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 5 2001Birgit SEPP The low-temperature phase decomposition of Fe-Ni metal was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The microstructure is formed as the Portales Valley meteorite cooled from high temperatures and includes the outer taenite rim, the cloudy zone, clear taenite, and martensite. Martensite in turn decomposes into a fine admixture of fcc rods in a bcc matrix. The width of the island phase of the cloudy zone in the metal particles of the chondritic portion and the metal veins can be used to estimate a low-temperature cooling rate. The microstructural evidence indicates that the chondritic portions and the metal veins in the Portales Valley meteorite cooled together as a mixture with a cooling rate of roughly 6.5 K/Ma. [source] Carbon nanotube-supported bimetallic palladium,gold electrocatalysts for electro-oxidation of formic acidPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010Cheng-Han Chen Abstract It is known that palladium-based catalysts are initially very active in direct formic acid oxidation but they suffer from fast deactivation caused by a strongly adsorbed CO intermediate. Reactivation of the catalysts involving application of anodic potential may cause palladium dissolution. The aim of the present study is to increase the stability and performance of palladium-based catalysts in direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs). Preparation and characterization of palladium/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Pd/MWCNTs) and towards formic acid oxidation via different treatments are described. The catalysts were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). It was shown that the Pd and Pd,Au MWCNTs supported catalysts after reduction in H2,Ar at 200,°C (R200 treatment) were highly active in formic acid electro-oxidation, whereas the catalysts after heating in argon at 250,°C (C250 treatment) were inactive. The catalysts after hydrogen treatment have smaller metal particles and better contact with MWCNTs support. CV, simulating reactivation of the catalysts, showed that the Pd catalyst suffers from severe Pd dissolution, whereas for the Pd,Au selective leaching of Pd is considerably slower. [source] Silver nanocluster containing diamond like carbonPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 4 2008F. Schwarz Abstract Applying Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) as medical coating has become well established since large scale plasma processes like Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition (PIII&D) are available. Now the focus of research lies on systematic modification of certain biological relevant properties and the most recent field of interest turned to generating antimicrobial behaviour. This is desirable for medical tools as well as for different types of medical implants. Since silver and copper are known to provide a bactericidal effect, one tries to introduce clusters of these noble metals into the carbon matrix. The basic principle of the method presented is to convert a metal containing polymer film into DLC by ion bombardment. In this paper the hydrogenated DLC matrix is characterized and the evolution of the metal particles is studied. By means of film composition (RBS/ERD), bonding structure (Raman spectroscopy) and hardness (nanoindentation), the dependency of these material properties on ion species, energy and fluence is investigated. TEM imaging is used to visualize the film structure. Upon ion irradiation of the polymer films, increased density and considerable loss of hydrogen can be observed, which both are controlled by ion fluence and mass. The crosslinking of the carbon network, caused by hydrogen drive out as well as atomic displacements in collision cascades, results in the formation of a-C:H. The silver particles in the film some ion induced growth, but still remain as nanoclusters in the a-C:H matrix. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Optical Pyrometry of Fireballs of Metalized ExplosivesPROPELLANTS, EXPLOSIVES, PYROTECHNICS, Issue 3 2006Samuel Goroshin Abstract Fast-response optical diagnostics (a time-integrated spectrometer and two separate fast-response three-color pyrometers) are used to record the transient visible radiation emitted by a fireball produced when a condensed explosive is detonated. Measurement of the radiant intensity, in several narrow wavelength bands, is used to estimate the temperature of the condensed products within the fireball. For kg-scale conventional oxygen-deficient homogeneous TNT and nitromethane explosive charges, the radiant intensity reaches a maximum typically after tens of milliseconds, but the measured fireball temperature remains largely constant for more than 100,ms, at a value of about 2,000,K, consistent with predictions using equilibrium thermodynamics codes. When combustible metal particles (aluminum, magnesium or zirconium) are added to the explosive, reaction of the particles enhances the radiant energy and the fireball temperature is increased. In this case the fireball temperatures are lower than equilibrium predictions, but are consistent with measurements of particle temperature in single particle ignition experiments. [source] Hydrogenolysis of 1,2-Propanediol for the Production of Biopropanols from GlycerolCHEMSUSCHEM CHEMISTRY AND SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY & MATERIALS, Issue 6 2010Yasushi Amada Abstract Production of propanols from glycerol, which are known as biopropanols, requires catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of 1,2-propanediol, which has been easily derived from glycerol. It is found that the Rh/SiO2 catalysts modified with ReOxspecies exhibited high activity and selectivity in the hydrogenolysis of 1,2-propanediol to propanols with low selectivity to degradation products and high stability. The optimized RhReOx/SiO2 (Re/Rh=0.5) catalyst gave high yields of 1-propanol (66,%) and propanols (1-propanol +2-propanol) (85,%) in the hydrogenolysis of 1,2-propanediol. In addition, the catalyst was applicable to the one-pot conversion of glycerol to propanols. The structure of Rh metal particles with attached ReOxclusters is suggested from the catalyst characterization. It is proposed that 1,2-propanediol hydrogenolysis proceeds by the hydrogenolysis of the alkoxide species on Re with hydrogen species on the Rh metal surface. [source] Embedded Phases: A Way to Active and Stable CatalystsCHEMSUSCHEM CHEMISTRY AND SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY & MATERIALS, Issue 1 2010Loredana De, Rogatis Dr. Abstract Industrial catalysts are typically made of nanosized metal particles, carried by a solid support. The extremely small size of the particles maximizes the surface area exposed to the reactant, leading to higher reactivity. Moreover, the higher the number of metal atoms in contact with the support, the better the catalyst performance. In addition, peculiar properties have been observed for some metal/metal oxide particles of critical sizes. However, thermal stability of these nanostructures is limited by their size; smaller the particle size, the lower the thermal stability. The ability to fabricate and control the structure of nanoparticles allows to influence the resulting properties and, ultimately, to design stable catalysts with the desired characteristics. Tuning particle sizes provides the possibility to modulate the catalytic activity. Unique and unexpected properties have been observed by confining/embedding metal nanoparticles in inorganic channels or cavities, which indeed offers new opportunities for the design of advanced catalytic sytems. Innovation in catalyst design is a powerful tool in realizing the goals of more green, efficient and sustainable industrial processes. The present Review focuses on the catalytic performance of noble metal- and non precious metal-based embedded catalysts with respect to traditional impregnated systems. Emphasis is dedicated to the improved thermal stability of these nanostructures compared to conventional systems. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||