Juan Reyes-Gómez

A Novel Gas Sensor Based on MgSb2O6 Nanorods to Indicate Variations in Carbon Monoxide and Propane Concentrations

Bystromite (MgSb2O6) nanorods were prepared using a colloidal method in the presence of ethylenediamine, after a calcination step at 800 °C in static air. From X-ray powder diffraction analyses, a trirutile-type structure with lattice parameters a = 4.64 Å and c = 9.25 Å and space group P42/mnm was identified. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microrods with sizes from 0.2 to 1.6 μm were observed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed that the nanorods had a length of ~86 nm and a diameter ~23.8 nm. The gas-sensing properties of these nanostructures were tested using pellets elaborated with powders of the MgSb2O6 oxide (calcined at 800 °C) at temperatures 23, 150, 200, 250 and 300 °C. The pellets were exposed to different concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and propane (C3H8) at these temperatures. The results showed that the MgSb2O6 nanorods possess excellent stability and high sensitivity in these atmospheres.

Dynamic Response of CoSb2O6 Trirutile-Type Oxides in a CO2 Atmosphere at Low-Temperatures

Experimental work on the synthesis of the CoSb2O6 oxide and its CO2 sensing properties is presented here. The oxide was synthesized by a microwave-assisted colloidal method in presence of ethylenediamine after calcination at 600 °C. This CoSb2O6 oxide crystallized in a tetragonal structure with cell parameters a = 4.6495 and c = 9.2763 Å, and space group P42/mnm. To prove its physical, chemical and sensing properties, the oxide was subjected to a series of tests: Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and impedance (Z) measurements. Microstructures, like columns, bars and hollow hemispheres, were observed. For the CO2 sensing test, a thick film of CoSb2O6 was used, measuring the impedance variations on the presence of air/CO2 flows (0.100 sccm/0.100 sccm) using AC (alternating current) signals in the frequency-range 0.1–100 kHz and low relative temperatures (250 and 300 °C). The CO2 sensing results were quite good.

CO and C 3 H 8 sensitivity behavior of zinc antimonate prepared by a microwave-assisted solution method

ZnSb2O6 has been synthesized by a microwave-assisted solution method in order to test its possible application as a gas sensor. Zinc nitrate, antimony trichloride, and ethylenediamine were used as precursors and deionized water as solvent. Microwave radiation, with a power of ∼350 W, was applied for solvent evaporation. The thermal decomposition of the precursors leads to the formation of ZnSb2O6 at 600°C. This oxide crystallized in a tetragonal structure with cell parameters a = 4.66 A, c = 9.26 A and space group P42/mnm. Microwires and microrods formed by nanocrystals were observed by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM, resp.). Pellets of the oxide were tested as gas sensors in flowing atmospheres of carbon monoxide (CO) and propane (C3H8). Sensitivity increased with the gas concentration (0-300 ppm) and working temperatures (ambient, 150 and 250°C) increase. The results indicate high sensitivity of ZnSb2O6 in both gases at different concentrations and operating temperatures.

Facile Synthesis, Microstructure, and Gas Sensing Properties of NdCoO3 Nanoparticles

NdCoO3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible solution method for gas sensing applications. Cobalt nitrate, neodymium nitrate, and ethylenediamine were used as precursors and distilled water as solvent. The solvent was evaporated later by means of noncontinuous microwave radiation at 290 W. The obtained precursor powders were calcined at 200, 500, 600, and 700°C in a standard atmosphere. The oxide crystallized in an orthorhombic crystal system with space group Pnma (62) and cell parameters  A,  A, and  A. The nanoparticles showed a diffusional growth to form a network-like structure and porous adsorption configuration. Pellets prepared from NdCoO3 were tested as gas sensors in atmospheres of carbon monoxide and propane at different temperatures. The oxide nanoparticles were clearly sensitive to changes in gas concentrations (0–300 ppm). The sensitivity increased with increasing concentration of the gases and operating temperatures (25, 100, 200, and 300°C).

Background loss minimization in arc-induced long-period fiber gratings

We demonstrate the minimization of background loss for arc-induced long-period fiber gratings in standard fiber by Taguchis optimization method. We use Taguchis method to determine the optimum values for parameters like electric-arc power, arc duration, and tensile strain applied over the fiber during the inscription process. With these optimal parameters, we minimize the background loss resulting from the geometrical deformations of the fiber. The experimental results show that background loss can be reduced from more than 1 dB to less than 0.3 dB at rejection bands with isolation >15 dB.

Response to pH stress in the reef-building coral Pocillopora capitata (Anthozoa: Scleractinia)

Para evaluar la respuesta metabolica del coral simbiotico Pocillopora capitata a la reduccion del pH del agua de mar en un sistema in vitro, 112 ramas de P. capitata se obtuvieron de la comunidad de corales La Boquita (LB) sin exhibir algun dano aparente de blanqueamiento. Se evaluaron 2 tratamientos de pH: a) 7,85/7,95 pH (Tratamiento C1), b) 7,60/7,70 (Tratamiento C2 ) y 8,00/8,40 pH tratamiento de control (CC). Las ramas de coral fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a unidades experimentales (n= 38 por tratamiento). Las muestras fueron tomadas en 2 tiempos para el analisis bioquimico y para evaluar cualitativamente los aspectos microestructurales por microscopia electronica de barrido: tiempo inicial, muestra tomada en 12 h (T1); tiempo final, muestras del ultimo dia de la exposicion (Tf, dia 7 del experimento). A diferencia del tejido simbionte, el analisis bioquimico del tejido del coral revelo que P. capitata muestra una respuesta inmediata reflejada en los coeficientes de ARN/ADN y proteina/ADN, asi como en las concentraciones de ARN y proteina, particularmente en el tratamiento de C2 en las horas iniciales del experimento. El analisis microestructural cualitativo identifico principalmente efectos en el tratamiento C2, que fue influenciado por la presencia de disgregaciones micro-superficiales en las regiones terminales de las fibras esqueleticas.

Polypyrrole microcontainer structures and doughnuts designed by electrochemical oxidation: an electrochemical and scanning electron microscopy study

Abstract Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is employed to monitor the surface morphology of polypyrrole films (PPy) grown on different working electrodes (i.e., vitreous carbon and Au (111)) under diverse experimental conditions (i.e., dynamic vs. static potential protocols) and anion dopants (i.e., I- and F-). The morphology of the electrosynthesized films includes rings (doughnuts) and microcontainers, and depends on the synthesis parameters such as the electropolymerization method, the nature of the substrate, the anion dopant, and the sequence of sandwich composite growth. The formation of well-defined rings and microcontainers is attributed to overoxidation occurring during the formation of F--doped PPy. It is possible to design microcontainers by controlling the overoxidation and degradation of the polymer surface.

Carbon paste electrodes modified with biosolids, soils and biocomposites utilized to study the interaction between organic matter and copper

Carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) modified with a biosolid, two types of soils with different amounts of organic matter (OM), and two biocomposites (soils mixed with a biosolid) were used to assess and compare the Cu(II) ion retention properties of the organic matter contained in the samples. The accumulation of Cu(II) on the surface of the modified carbon paste electrodes (MCPEs) was performed under open-circuit conditions. When comparing the response of the MCPEs while assessing parameters such as pH, preconcentration time, and adsorption/desorption capacity, it was found that the reaction mechanism of the two soils is different between the soils and dissimilar from the biosolid; while the biocomposites show reaction mechanisms that are intermediate between those of the soils and the biosolid. This was proven with the use of infrared spectroscopy, since the FTIR spectra show similarities between the two soils and significant differences between the soils and the biosolid.

Sensitivity Tests of Pellets Made from Manganese Antimonate Nanoparticles in Carbon Monoxide and Propane Atmospheres

Nanoparticles of manganese antimonate (MnSb2O6) were prepared using the microwave-assisted colloidal method for its potential application as a gas sensor. For the synthesis of the oxide, manganese nitrate, antimony chloride, ethylenediamine and ethyl alcohol (as a solvent) were used. The precursor material was calcined at 800 °C in air and analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The oxide crystallized into a hexagonal structure with spatial group P321 and cell parameters a = b = 8.8054 Å and c = 4.7229 Å. The microstructure of the material was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), finding the growth of microrods with a size of around ~10.27 μm and some other particles with an average size of ~1.3 μm. Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) studies showed that the optical energy band (Eg) of the oxide was of ~1.79 eV. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses indicated that the size of the nanoparticles was of ~29.5 nm on average. The surface area of the powders was estimated at 14.6 m2/g by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. Pellets prepared from the nanoparticles were tested in carbon monoxide (CO) and propane (C3H8) atmospheres at different concentrations (0–500 ppm) and operating temperatures (100, 200 and 300 °C). The pellets were very sensitive to changes in gas concentration and temperature: the response of the material rose as the concentration and temperature increased. The results showed that the MnSb2O6 nanoparticles can be a good candidate to be used as a novel gas sensor.

Lewis–Brønsted induction acidity in SBA-15 modified with Zr and P

Abstract In this work, we present the synthesis of SBA-15 materials modified with 6 and 9 mol.% of Zr and P, respectively. Silanol SBA-15 groups were detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffractograms revealed that the typical hexagonal arrangement of SBA-15 was preserved after Zr and P introduction, and the structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. After the Zr introduction, the morphology of SBA-15 changed from fibrous particles to a semi-spherical shape according to scanning electron microscopy, while nitrogen physisorption revealed the stability of the textural materials after the P introduction. The infrared spectra of pyridine adsorption indicated that the Zr and P incorporation into SBA-15 generated adequate Lewis and Br⊘nsted acidities to carry out methanol dehydration and direct the selectivity towards dimethyl ether, with medium-strong acid sites being responsible for obtaining up to 99% selectivity towards dimethyl ether.