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Hydrophobic cryogels with monolithic supermacropores based on poly-trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (pTrim) containing 1-(2-Hydroxyl-5-nonyphenyl)ethanone oxime (LIX84-I) were successfully prepared by a cryo-polymerization technique using organic solvents with freezing points between room temperature and around 0 °C as solvents. The prepared cryogels were characterized in terms of macroscopic shape and porous structure. The cryogels had a monolithic supermacroporous structure and high contents of LIX84-I depending on the added amount of the extractant to the monomer solution. The amount of LIX84-I impregnated in the cryogel had a linear relationship with the added amount of LIX84-I in the monomer solution for cryo-polymerization. Cu(II) in the aqueous solution was immediately adsorbed into the cryogel containing LIX84-I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we prepared hydrophobic cryogel particles with monolithic supermacropores based on poly-trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (pTrim) by combining the inverse Leidenfrost effect and cryo-polymerization technique. The hydrophobic cryogel particles prepared by adopting this method demonstrated the separation of the stabilized O/W emulsion with surfactant. The prepared cryogel particles were characterized in terms of macroscopic shape and porous structure. It was found that the cryogel particles had a narrow size distribution and a monolithic supermacroporous structure. The hydrophobicity of the cryogel particles was confirmed by placing aqueous and organic droplets on the particles. Where the organic droplet was immediately adsorbed into the particles, the aqueous droplet remained on the surface of the particle due to repelling force. In addition, after it adsorbed the organic droplet the particle was observed, and the organic solvent was diffused into the entire particle. It was indicated that monolithic pores were distributed from the surface to the interior. Regarding the application of the hydrophobic cryogel particles, we demonstrated the separation of a stabilized oil-in-water emulsion, resulting in the successful removal of the organic solvent from the emulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-supported Pt metal nanoparticles were covered with silica layers by hydrolysis of 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) and/or tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The hydrolysis of only APTES resulted in a uniform coverage of silica layers on Pt/CNT, but the thickness of the silica layers was very thin (<1 nm). Pt/CNT could also be coated with silica layers of a few nanometers in thickness by hydrolysis of TEOS, but exposed surfaces of CNTs in the sample were frequently observed. In contrast, the successive hydrolysis of APTES and TEOS brought about a uniform coverage of silica layers of a few nanometers in thickness on Pt/CNT. The silica-coated Pt/CNT showed high catalytic activity for electrochemical reactions in aqueous H2SO4 electrolyte, in spite of a uniform coverage of Pt metal with silica layers. In addition, the coverage of Pt/CNT with silica layers improved its durability in electrochemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through the decomposition of ethylene at 973 K was achieved using various metal catalysts covered with silica layers. CNFs of various diameters were formed by ethylene decomposition over a Co metal catalyst supported on the outer surface of the silica. In contrast, silica-coated Co catalysts formed CNTs with uniform diameters by ethylene decomposition. Silica-coated Ni/SiO2 and Pt/carbon black also formed CNTs with uniform diameters, while CNFs and CNTs with various diameters were formed over Ni/SiO2 and Pt/carbon black without a silica coating. These results indicate that silica layers that envelop metal particles prevent sintering of the metal particles during ethylene decomposition. This results in the preferential formation of CNTs with a uniform diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonionic reverse-micelle based approach is described for fabrication of a network structure consisting of chain-like arrays of gold nanoparticles, followed by coating process with a uniform silica layer using a sol-gel method. The hexadecyl-poly (ethylene oxide-15) ether (designated C16E15) is used as a template for this study. The effects of a water-to-surfactant molar ratio ( w) as well as the concentration of tetraethyl orthosilicate ([TEOS]oil) are investigated on the resulting organized structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pt–SiO2 catalysts were prepared by using water-in-oil type microemulsion. The catalysts were prepared by hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate in the microemulsion containing Pt species, followed by calcination in air and reduction with H2. This preparation method for Pt–SiO2 provided Pt metal nanoparticles with a diameter of ca. 6nm covered uniformly with silica layers, while a conventional impregnation method formed Pt metal particles supported on the silica surface. The Pt catalysts coated with silica (coat-Pt) showed different catalytic performance for the competitive oxidation of mixed hydrocarbons from Pt catalysts supported on silica (imp-Pt), i.e. in the competitive oxidation of methane and iso-butane, coat-Pt catalysts preferentially oxidized methane, while iso-butane was oxidized selectively over imp-Pt catalysts. The results of the adsorption of Ar on coat-Pt showed that silica in coat-Pt had porous structures of pore diameters <1nm. Because the porous structure of silica, which wrapped Pt metal particles, controlled the diffusion rate of reactant molecules, coat-Pt showed a specific catalytic performance for competitive oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pd cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells have been covered with silica layers a few nanometres thick. The silica-coated Pd catalysts showed high activity and excellent durability for the oxygen reduction under the severe cathode conditions of PEFCs, while Pd catalysts without silica-coating were seriously deactivated under the same conditions. The coverage of Pd metal with silica prevents the diffusion of Pd species out of the silica layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]