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A series of bulk and Al2O3-supported perovskite oxides of the type LaMn1 − x − yFe xMo yO3 ( x = 0.00−0.90 and y = 0.00–0.09) were synthesized by the citric acid complexation–gelation method followed by annealing in air at 800 °C. For all samples, the local environment and the chemical state and concentration of surface species were determined. Mössbauer spectra revealed the only presence of octahedral Fe3+ ions dispersed in the perovskite structure, however well-crystallized together with a poorly crystalline LaFeO3 phases were detected for larger substitutions ( x = 0.90). A similar picture was obtained for Mo-loaded ( y = 0.02 and 0.05) samples but a new phase most likely related to Fe3+ ions dispersed aside from the perovskite structure was found for larger substitutions ( y = 0.09). Together with these structures, supported samples showed the presence of LaFeO3 nanoparticles. Finally, photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the chemical state and composition of the samples in the surface region (2–3 nm) approaches that of the bulk. For the unsupported substituted samples, iron (and molybdenum) enters into the perovskite structure while manganese tends to be slightly segregated. Moreover, in supported perovskites, a fraction of Mo and La atoms interact with the alumina surface. All these oxides were active in methane combustion and best performance was recorded for the Fe-rich composition ( x = 0.9) in which both Mn3+ and Mo3+ ions were in the same proportion ( y = 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the preparation of silver-gold alloy nanoparticles based on the phase transfer of metal precursors from aqueous phase to organic solution by a fatty amine at room temperature. Silver-gold nanoparticles were synthesized with different molar ratios (2:1, 1:1, 1:2). Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra suggested the formation of alloy phases. The elemental Ag:Au ratios in the bimetallic nanoparticles determined by energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX) were consistent with the Ag:Au molar ratios used in the feeding solution. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the formation of a uniform size distribution of Ag:Au nanoparticles (around 5 nm). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the composition in the outer part of the Ag:Au nanoparticles was similar to that obtained by EDX analysis, which indicates the formation of homogeneous silver-gold nanoparticles. Silver-gold alloy nanoparticles on a gram scale can be obtained with this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zirconia-supported and bulk-mixed vanadiumantimonium oxide catalysts were used for the oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy were used for characterization. It was found that vanadium promotes the transition of tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia. The simultaneous presence of Sb and V on zirconia at low coverage led to a preferential interaction of individual V and Sb oxides with the zirconia surface rather than the formation of a binary Sb-V oxide, while at higher Sb-V contents the formation of SbVO4 took place. Sb-V/ZrO2 catalysts showed high activity for o-xylene conversion and better selectivity to phthalic anhydride as compared to V/ZrO2 catalysts. However, their selectivity to phthalic anhydride was poor in comparison to a V/TiO2 commercial catalyst. The improved selectivity of the Sb-containing catalysts is attributed to the blocking of non-effective surface sites of ZrO2, the decrease of the total amount of acid sites and the formation of surface V-O-Sb-O-V structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third order nonlinear optical properties of oxygen deficient lead-niobium-germanate film glasses with heavy metal contents beyond that of the bulk glass formation region have been investigated. Values of the nonlinear third order optical susceptibility up to /χ(3)/≈1.8×10-11 esu have been measured by degenerate four wave mixing at 800 nm in films having large heavy metal fractions (0.93). The fast buildup and decay times (≈130 fs) of the nonlinear response confirm its nonresonant character. The partial reduction of Nb5+ to Nb4+ evidenced by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which is associated with the oxygen deficiency, appears to be responsible for the strong enhancement of /χ(3)/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]