Investigation of the Synthesis and Properties of Ternary V–Cu–Ce Oxides of Composition VCuCeO

A co-precipitation method has been used to prepare ternary mixed oxides based on ceria with the general formula V x Cu x Ce 1 – 2x O 2 , where x was varied between 0.05 and 0.45. The structural and surface properties as well as the morphologies of the solids were examined by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction studies, nitrogen adsorption isotherms, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. For samples where the vanadium and copper content was low (x ≤ 0.3), the surface area increased and the pore distribution shifted towards the micropore range. The sample V 0.05 Cu 0.05 Ce 0.9 O 2 exhibited the highest surface area and the sample V 0.45 Cu 0.45 Ce 0.1 O 2 the smallest. The samples were calcined within the temperature range 473–1073 K. When the vanadium content was increased to x ≥ 0.3 and the calcination temperature set at 673 K, a phase with composition CeVO 4 was detected via X-ray diffractometry, in addition to a V 2 O 5 and a CeO 2 phase. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the above results

Using Statistical Analysis as an Additional Tool in Porous Solid Characterization

Analytical chemists have long used statistical methods to help them organize and interpret experimental data — especially where large numbers of these are generated — as well as to help them design new experiments. Recently, chemometrics has found applications in wider fields, such as the determination of the geographical origin of food and other products. During the past several years, we have carried out a systematic study of the factors affecting the pore structure and surface chemistry of cerium oxide and of mixed oxides of cerium with various transition metal or alkaline earth metal ions

Redox potential analysis for activated carbon using B.EL.D™ technology: A novel application

Assessing the effectiveness of activated carbon is essential for the optimal operation of water treatment systems. Traditional evaluation methods, although precise, are typically labor-intensive and require complex equipment This study introduces a novel application of the B.EL.D™ device, utilizing redox potential measurements to gauge the activation level of carbon filters—an approach not previously employed. We hypothesized that redox potential is a reliable indicator of activated carbon's performance, a hypothesis that was rigorously validated through extensive testing against the standard iodine number test (ASTM D4607). Our analysis included both control and operational samples from ongoing water treatment processes over two years, confirming a definitive correlation between redox potential and carbon's adsorptive capacity. The findings demonstrate the potential of our method as a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective alternative to current testing practices. Currently under patent consideration, this study marks a significant advancement towards improving the assessment of activated carbon filters, providing an efficient pathway for water treatment facilities and establishing the foundation for a predictive maintenance model