Surface and Morphological Features of ZrO2 Sol-Gel Coatings Obtained by Polymer Modified Solution

Thin, homogeneous ZrO2 films were obtained by spin coating method from ZrOCl2 8H2O solution, modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) (Mw = 400). The films have thickness of 80 nm and refractive index of about 1.45, which varied with the amount of added PEG. The thermal behaviour of the precursor was studied with thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of a mixture of monoclinic and tetragonal ZrO2 polycrystalline phases with nanosized crystallites. The formation of hydrogen bonds among the organic and inorganic components was proved by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, while the different defect centres were investigated with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the samples are dense and crack-free, with ganglia-like nanostructure. It was established that the addition of polymer resulted in the introduction of free volume in the films, which also varied with the content of PEG in the precursor solution

Preparation of sol-gel SiO2 coatings on steel and their corrosion resistance

A protective SiO2 coating was prepared by sol-gel method on stainless steel plates, using precursor solutions having 2 different concentrations: low (0.5M) and high (2M) concentration. The dip coating-drying cycles have been repeated three times, after that the coatings were thermally treated at 300°C or 500°C in air. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), AFM and X-ray diffraction analyses have been applied. The corrosion resistances of SiO2 coated steels were examined in NaCl medium for 346 hours. Many microcracks and craters in the samples, prepared from solution of high concentration appear after corrosion attack. The coatings obtained from solution of low concentrations reveals almost unchanged surface structure without visible cracks and pits. The evaluated corrosion rate of this coating is lower than those of uncoated steel

Preparation of sol-gel SiO

A protective SiO2 coating was prepared by sol-gel method on stainless steel plates, using precursor solutions having 2 different concentrations: low (0.5M) and high (2M) concentration. The dip coating-drying cycles have been repeated three times, after that the coatings were thermally treated at 300°C or 500°C in air. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), AFM and X-ray diffraction analyses have been applied. The corrosion resistances of SiO2 coated steels were examined in NaCl medium for 346 hours. Many microcracks and craters in the samples, prepared from solution of high concentration appear after corrosion attack. The coatings obtained from solution of low concentrations reveals almost unchanged surface structure without visible cracks and pits. The evaluated corrosion rate of this coating is lower than those of uncoated steel

Electrocatalysts Based on Novel Carbon Forms for the Oxidation of Sulphite

Described herewith is an electrochemical method to decontaminate sulphur compounds. Studies were carried out of sulphites (SO32−) oxidation on a range of anode catalysts. The electrocatalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, XRD, XPS and BET. Polarization curves were recorded of electrodes incorporating lyophilized higher fullerenes and manganese oxides. The experiments showed that lyophilized higher fullerenes and C60/C70 fullerene catalysts in conjunction with manganese oxides electrochemically convert sulphites (SO32−) to sulphates (SO42−). The oxidation products do not poison the electrodes. The XPS analysis shows that the catalysts incorporating DWCNTs, MWCNTs and higher fullerenes have a higher concentration of sp3C carbon bonding leading to higher catalytic activity. It is ascertained that higher fullerenes play a major role in the synthesis of more effective catalysts. The electrodes built by incorporating lyophilized catalysts containing higher fullerenes and manganese oxides are shown as most promising in the effective electrochemical decontamination of industrial and natural wastewaters

Electrocatalysts Based on Novel Carbon Forms for the Oxidation of Sulphite

Described herewith is an electrochemical method to decontaminate sulphur compounds. Studies were carried out of sulphites (SO32−) oxidation on a range of anode catalysts. The electrocatalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, XRD, XPS and BET. Polarization curves were recorded of electrodes incorporating lyophilized higher fullerenes and manganese oxides. The experiments showed that lyophilized higher fullerenes and C60/C70 fullerene catalysts in conjunction with manganese oxides electrochemically convert sulphites (SO32−) to sulphates (SO42−). The oxidation products do not poison the electrodes. The XPS analysis shows that the catalysts incorporating DWCNTs, MWCNTs and higher fullerenes have a higher concentration of sp3C carbon bonding leading to higher catalytic activity. It is ascertained that higher fullerenes play a major role in the synthesis of more effective catalysts. The electrodes built by incorporating lyophilized catalysts containing higher fullerenes and manganese oxides are shown as most promising in the effective electrochemical decontamination of industrial and natural wastewaters