Restrictions on the Use of Specimens Based on Magnesium and Titanium Nanocrystalline Oxides in Incidents Involving Uncontrolled Release of Hazardous Substances

Undertaking effective and prompt action during chemical events is an important measure in preventing the spread of contamination. Studies have shown that despite very high surface activity of nanocrystalline metal oxides, their use does not reduce the fire hazard for hydrocarbon spills and alcohols more effectively than commonly used sorbents during fire rescue operations. Other limitations of specimens containing nanocrystalline oxides have also been proven, such as the maximum absorption similar to commonly used specimens, as well as high costs of conducting the acid neutralization process without increasing the level of safety of operations. Results obtained allowed the determination of proposed principles of effective and economically appropriate application of nanocrystalline metal oxides in rescue units.

Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials for Room Temperature Light-Activated Sub-ppm NO Detection

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the main environmental pollutants and one of the biomarkers noninvasive diagnosis of respiratory diseases. Organic-inorganic hybrids based on heterocyclic Ru (II) complex and nanocrystalline semiconductor oxides SnO2 and In2O3 were studied as sensitive materials for NO detection at room temperature under periodic blue light (λmax = 470 nm) illumination. The semiconductor matrixes were obtained by chemical precipitation with subsequent thermal annealing and characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and single-point BET methods. The heterocyclic Ru (II) complex was synthesized for the first time and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The HOMO and LUMO energies of the Ru (II) complex are calculated from cyclic voltammetry data. The thermal stability of hybrids was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)-MS analysis. The optical properties of Ru (II) complex, nanocrystalline oxides and hybrids were studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy in transmission and diffuse reflectance modes. DRIFT spectroscopy was performed to investigate the interaction between NO and the surface of the synthesized materials. Sensor measurements demonstrate that hybrid materials are able to detect NO at room temperature in the concentration range of 0.25–4.0 ppm with the detection limit of 69–88 ppb.

Synthesis and dielectric properties of nanocrystalline oxide perovskites, [KNbO3]1−x[BaNi0.5Nb0.5O3−δ]x, derived from potassium niobate KNbO3 by gel collection

Inorganic materials synthesis techniques that can approach low temperature routes akin to chemical solution processing are attractive for their ability to prepare nanocrystalline oxides.

The effect of electronic energy loss on irradiation-induced grain growth in nanocrystalline oxides

The unraveling disorder-driven grain growth mechanism may be utilized to control grain sizes and tailor the functionality of nanocrystalline materials.