As environmental regulations increase, more selective transition metal sulfide (TMS) catalytic materials for hydrotreating applications are needed. Highly active TMS catalysts become more and more desirable triggering new interest for unsupported Co-promoted MoS 2 -based systems that have high volumetric activity as reported here. Contrary to the common observation for alumina-supported MoS 2 -based catalysts, we found in our previous studies with dibenzothiophene (DBT) hydrodesulfurization (HDS) that the catalytic activity is directly proportional to the increase of surface area of the sulfide phases (Co 9 S 8 and MoS 2 ) present in Co-promoted MoS 2 unsupported catalysts. This suggests that activity is directly connected with an increase of the contact surface area between the two sulfide phases. Understanding of the nature of the possible interaction between MoS 2 and Co 9 S 8 in unsupported catalytic systems is therefore critical in order to get a more generalized overview of the causes for synergy. This has been achieved herein through the detailed characterization by XRD, XPS, and HRTEM of the highly active Co 9 S 8 / MoS 2 catalyst resulting in a proposed model for a Co 9 S 8 /MoS 2 interface. This model was then subjected to a DFT analysis to determine a reasonable description of the surface contact region between the two bulk phases. Modelling of the interface shows the creation of open latent vacancy sites on Mo atoms interacting with Co and formation of direct Co-Mo bonds. Strong electron donation from Co to Mo also occurs through the intermediate sulfur atom bonded to both metals while an enhanced metallic character is also found. These changes in coordination and electronic properties are expected to favor a synergetic effect between Co and Mo at the proposed localized interface region between the two bulk MoS 2 and Co 9 S 8 phases.
Maya Blue is a famous indigo-based pigment produced by the ancient Mayas. The organic/inorganic complexes inspired by Maya Blue have led to a new class of surface compounds that have novel applications to pigment industries. Materials analyzed in the present work are made by a synthetic route, and demonstrate chemical stability similar to that of the ancient Maya Blue samples. However, we have learned that stable complexes can be synthesized at much higher dye concentrations than used by the Mayas. Analysis by FT-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrates the partial elimination of the selection rules for the centrosymmetric indigo, indicating distortion of the molecule. This distortion accounts for the observed color changes, as the molecular orbital structure is modified, allowing the complex to stabilize. The spectroscopic data also shows the disappearance of the indigo N-H bonding, as the organic molecules incorporate into palygorskite material. A structural change of indigo to dehydroindigo during heating is suggested by this result. Infrared data confirm the loss of zeolitic water and a partial removal of structural water after the heating process. Evidence of bonding between cationic aluminum and dehydroindigo through oxygen and nitrogen is revealed by FT-Raman measurements at higher dye concentrations.
Our work reports the hydrothermal
synthesis of a bimetallic composite
CoMoS, followed by the addition of cellulose fibers and its subsequent
carbonization under Ar atmosphere (CoMoS@C). For comparison, CoMoS
was heat-treated under the same conditions and referred as bare-CoMoS.
X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that CoMoS@C composite matches
with the CoMoS
4
phase with additional peaks corresponding
to MoO
3
and CoMoO
4
phases, which probably arise
from air exposure during the carbonization process. Scanning
electron microscopy images of CoMoS@C exhibit how the CoMoS material
is anchored to the surface of carbonized cellulose fibers. As anode
material, CoMoS@C shows a superior performance than bare-CoMoS. The
CoMoS@C composite presents an initial high discharge capacity of ∼1164
mA h/g and retains a high specific discharge capacity of ∼715
mA h/g after 200 cycles at a current density of 500 mA/g compared
to that of bare-CoMoS of 102 mA h/g. The high specific capacity and
good cycling stability could be attributed to the synergistic effects
of CoMoS and carbonized cellulose fibers. The use of biomass in the
anode material represents a very easy and cost-effective way to improve
the electrochemical Li-ion battery performance.
The chemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles (NP) by using gold (III) chloride trihydrate (HAuCl∙3H2O) and sodium citrate as a reducing agent in aqueous conditions at 100 °C is presented here. Gold nanoparticles areformed by a galvanic replacement mechanism as described by Lee and Messiel. Morphology of gold-NP was analyzed by way of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; results indicate a six-fold icosahedral symmetry with an average size distribution of 22 nm. In order to understand the mechanical behaviors, like hardness and elastic moduli, gold-NP were subjected to nanoindentation measurements—obtaining a hardness value of 1.72 GPa and elastic modulus of 100 GPa in a 3–5 nm of displacement at the nanoparticle’s surface.
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