Jianhua Liu

Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2/V2O5 Composite Catalyst Doped with Rare Earth Ions

Abstract TiO2/V2O5 catalyst doped with rare earth ions was prepared by sol-gel method. Titanium tetrapropoxide and vanadium pentoxide were used as precursor of the composite catalyst and rare earth ions were used as dopant. The crystal phases, crystalline sizes, microstructure, absorption spectra of doped composite catalyst were studied by XRD, EDS, FT-IR and UV-Vis. Photoactivity of the prepared catalyst under ultraviolet irradiation were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution. It is shown that the prepared catalyst is composed of anatase and rutile. The rare earth ions are highly dispersed in composite catalyst. All the doped catalysts appear higher photocatalytic activity than TiO2/V2O5 catalyst and catalyst doped with Ce4+ present the best activity to MO.

Effect of the microstructure of Al 7050-T7451 on anodic oxide formation in sulfuric acid

The effect of the microstructure of an Al 7050-T7451 substrate on the anodic oxide formation in sulfuric acid was studied in this article. The microstructure of the substrate was assessed by optical microscope (OM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The surface and cross-section morphologies of the oxide films were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical composition of intermetallic particles in the alloys and films was investigated using energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS). The roles of intermetallic phases and grain or subgrain boundaries on the oxide film formation were researched using the potentio-dynamic and potentiostatic polarization technique in sulfuric acid solution. The results show that the transition of coarse intermetallic particles or grain (subgrain) boundaries at the surface of Al alloys can be characterized by potentiodynamic polarization curves. The surface and cross-section micrographs of the anodic layer seem to preserve the microstructure of the substrate. Large cavities in the anodic films are caused by the preferential dissolution of coarse Al2CuMg particles and the entrance of Cu-rich remnants into the electrolyte during anodizing. The Al7Cu2Fe particles tend to be occluded in the oxide layer or lose from the oxide surface because of peripheral trenching. Small pores in the films are induced by the dissolution of precipitates in grain or subgrain boundaries. The film surface of recrystallized grain bodies is smooth and homogeneous.

Fabrication and characterization of anodic oxide films on a Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al titanium alloy

Abstract Anodic oxide films of the titanium alloy Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al in ammonium tartrate electrolyte without hydrofluoric acid or fluoride were fabricated. The morphology, components, and microstructure of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the films were thick, uniform, and nontransparent. Such films exhibited sedimentary morphology, with a thickness of about 3 μm, and the pore diameters of the deposits ranged from several hundred nanometers to 1.5 μm. The films were mainly titanium dioxide. Some coke-like deposits, which may contain or be changed by OH, NH, C-C, C-O, and C=O groups, were doped in the films. The films were mainly amorphous with a small amount of anatase and rutile phase.

Fabrication and characterization of highly ordered Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanowire/tube arrays by sol-gel template method

Abstract Highly ordered nanowire/tube arrays of Ni 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 were fabricated by the sol-gel method in the pores of anodic alumina membrane (AAM). Whether nanowires or nanotubes were fabricated depends on immersion time. The immersion time was 15–40 s for nanotubes and over 60 s for nanowires. The topography and crystalline structure of the nanowire arrays were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the length and diameter of the Ni 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 nanowires are related to the thickness of the AAM and the diameter of the pores. The results indicated that the Ni 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 nanowires are uniform and parallel to each other.

Preparation and characterization of highly ordered NiO nanowire arrays by sol-gel template method

Abstract Highly ordered nickel monoxide (NiO) nanowire arrays were fabricated by sol-gel synthesis within the pores of anodic alumina membrane (AAM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscoy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the topography and crystalloid structure of NiO nanowire arrays. The length and diameter of the NiO nanowires depended on the thickness of the AAM and the diameter of the pores. The results indicated that the NiO nanowires were uniformly assembled into the ordered nanopores of the AAM and paralleled to each other. Nickel monoxide nanotubes were also fabricated with the same method by changing the immersing time. This new method to prepare NiO nanowire arrays may be important from gas sensors to various engineering materials.

Corrosion Behavior of Steel A3 Influenced by Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans

Abstract The electrochemical measurement and surface analysis methods were employed to investigate the corrosion behavior of steel A3 influenced by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans ( T.f ). Polarization curve results indicated that the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans resulted in higher corrosion potential of the electrode and obviously accelerated the corrosion current density. Atomic force microscope (AFM) results showed that asymmetric biofilms adhered to the surface of steel A3 after 7 days of exposure. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that pitting appeared on the surface of steel A3 after 7 days of exposure in T.f solution, which was induced by the metabolism of bacteria and the morphology of the deposit. Pitting holes of steel A3 in T.f solution were deeper after 20 days of exposure. The presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans aggravated the localized corrosion of A3 steel.

Effect of sulphate-reducing bacteria on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characteristics of 1Cr18Ni9Ti

Abstract The electrochemical characteristics of 1Cr18Ni9Ti in sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) solutions and the biofilm of SRB on the surface of the 1Cr18Ni9Ti electrode were studied by electrochemical, microbiological, and surface analysis methods. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of 1Cr18Ni9Ti was measured in the solutions with and without SRB at the culture time of 2, 4, 8 d, respectively. The measurement used two test methods, the nonimmersion electrode method and the immersion electrode method. It was found that the polarization resistance (Rp) of 1Cr18Ni9Ti in the solutions without SRB is the greatest for each test method. When using the nonimmersion electrode method, Rp shifts negatively at first and then positively, and the time constant is only one. Although using the immersion electrode method, the Rp shifts positively at first and then negatively, and the time constant also changes when the biofilm forms. The biofilm observed through SEM is with pores. It was demonstrated that SRB has accelerated corrosion action on 1Cr18Ni9Ti. The protection effect of the biofilm on the electrode depends on the compact degree of the film.

Preparation and characterization of high photoactive TiO2 catalyst using the UV irradiation-induced sol-gel method

Abstract High photoactive TiO 2 catalyst was prepared using the sol-gel method through UV irradiation during the formation stage of nuclei. The surface morphology and microstructure of the prepared catalyst were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The photoactivity was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue. The results show that the photocatalysis of the prepared catalyst is higher than that of conventional heat-treated particles. The higher photoactivity is a combined result of favorable microstructure, appropriate hydroxyl groups, and active sites of Ti 3+ ions on the surface of TiO 2 . It is concluded that the ultraviolet irradiation-induced sol-gel method is an effective method to enhance the photocatalysis of TiO 2 .

Effects of Surface Oxide Coating on Corrosion Behavior of Ti-1023/LY12 Galvanic Couple

Galvanic corrosion behavior of Ti-1023 titanium alloy coupled to LY12 aluminum alloy was investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution. Particular attention was given to the effect of anodized coatings on corrosion behaviors of Ti-1023/LY12 galvanic couple. Galvanic test was conducted on the following couples: Ti-1023/LY12, Ti-1023/anodized LY12 and anodized Ti-1023/anodized LY12, respectively. Corrosion properties including open circuit potential (Eoc) of each material, galvanic corrosion potential (Eg) and galvanic corrosion current (Ig) of the couples were monitored. Corrosion morphology was observed by optical microscope (OM) and corrosion mechanisms were analyzed and discussed. It was showed that anodized coatings significantly decreased Eg and Īg of the couples and provide effective protection of the anode from suffering corrosion attack. Only slight localized corrosion was detected on anodized LY12 alloy in the two anodized couples and the LY12 in anodized Ti-1023/anodized LY12 couple was found to be least susceptible to galvanic corrosion. The LY12 alloy in the bare couple: Ti-1023/LY12, was found to be highly susceptible to galvanic corrosion and suffered severe uniform and localized corrosion attack

INFLUENCE OF THIOBACILLUS FERROXIDANS BIOFILM ON THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF STEEL A3

Electrochemical measurement and surface analysis methods were employed to investigate the Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) influenced by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans biofilm. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicated that the impedance value of steel A3 after 21 days of immersion in sterile solution was much higher than that of T.f solution. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) results showed the adsorption state of the microorganism on the metal surface for 7 days of exposure in T.f solution. The morphologies of the surface film were analyzed with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), which showed the changes with exposure time of the film on the metal surface. The special morphology and the heterogeneity of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans biofilm induced the localized corrosion of steel A3. After 21 days of exposure, general corrosion occurred in the sterile solution, while localized corrosion was detected under the effect of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.