High TiO2 Contents Research Articles

A novel fine-grained TiZrCu alloy tailored for marine environment with high microbial corrosion-resistance

Titanium alloys, usually known as non-corrodible material, are susceptible to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in marine environment. While titanium-zirconium (TiZr) alloys have been extensively studied in medical applications, the influence of microorganisms, especially marine microorganisms, on their corrosion behavior has not been explored. In this work, a TiZrCu alloy with a combination of excellent mechanical, anti-corrosion, and antibacterial properties was developed by optimizing the Cu content and grain refinement. Its MIC and antibacterial mechanisms against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a representative marine microorganism, were systematically investigated. 5.5 wt% was determined as the optimal copper content. The fine-grained Ti-15Zr-5.5Cu (TZC-5.5FG) alloy maintained high MIC resistance, exhibiting a corrosion current of 5.7 ± 0.1 nA/cm2 and an antibacterial rate of 91.8 % against P. aeruginosa. The mechanism of improved corrosion resistance was attributed to the denser passive film with high TiO2 content and the lower surface potential difference ΔE. The release of Cu2+ ions, ΔE, and the generation of ROS are three major factors that contribute to the antibacterial performance of TiZrCu alloys. Compared to other available marine metals, TZC-5.5FG alloy exhibited superior comprehensive performance, including excellent mechanical properties and anti-MIC capacity, which make it a promising material for load-bearing applications in marine environment.

Enhanced optical and electrical properties of PEO/PMMA/TiO2 nanocomposites for optoelectronic applications

In this study, we synthesized titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) via the sol-gel process and incorporated them into a polymer blend of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to form PEO/PMMA/TiO2 nanocomposites. The TiO2 NPs were integrated into the polymer matrix using the casting method at varying concentrations (1, 2, and 3 wt.%). The structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the prepared TiO2 and nanocomposite films were thoroughly characterized using techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). TEM analysis revealed predominantly spherical TiO2 NPs with an average particle size of 15 nm. XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of TiO2 NPs and their interaction with the polymer chains, leading to modifications in the crystalline structure and chemical bonding of the nanocomposites. UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated a redshift in the absorption edge and increased absorbance with higher TiO₂ content, indicating enhanced optical properties. The indirect optical bandgap was observed to decrease from 4.19 eV to 2.21 eV as the TiO2 concentration increased, enhancing the material's photoresponsiveness. Additionally, the refractive index increased from 2.11 to 2.91, further supporting the potential for optical applications. EIS results showed a decrease in bulk resistance with increasing TiO2 concentration, suggesting improved electrical conductivity. These findings highlight the potential of PEO/PMMA/TiO2 nanocomposites for optoelectronic applications, where enhanced optical properties, such as improved light absorption, higher refractive index, and improved charge transport, are critical for device performance. The study offers an understanding of the PEO/PMMA/TiO2 nanocomposites, laying a foundation for future research in their applications in optoelectronic devices.

Corrosion behavior of novel Ti6422 alloy with equiaxed structure and lamellar structure in HCl solution

This study systematically investigated the electrochemical corrosion and static immersion corrosion behavior of the novel Ti6422 (Ti-6Al-4V-2Mo-2Fe) alloy with equiaxed (EM) and lamellar structure (LM) in HCl solution. The differences in corrosion performance between EM and LM samples were analyzed based on the characteristics of the passive film and substrate microstructure. Results indicated that the LM sample contained higher contents of TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and MoO₃ with higher stability compared with the EM sample, and the thickness of passive film was approximately twice that of the EM sample. Additionally, the donor density of LM sample was lower than EM sample. These findings indicate that the passive film on LM samples is thicker, with fewer defects and higher density. Electrochemical corrosion results revealed that the corrosion current of LM samples was lower and the polarization resistance was higher than these of EM samples, both suggesting superior corrosion resistance of LM samples. Immersion corrosion further confirmed that the LM sample had a lower corrosion rate. The enhanced corrosion resistance in LM samples was primarily due to higher content of corrosion-resistant β phase. Conversely, the numerous micro-galvanic cells between αs precipitates and adjacent β phase in EM samples weakened the corrosion resistance. Overall, these results demonstrated that regulating microstructure through heat treatment is an effective strategy for improving corrosion resistance of titanium alloys.

High-strength TiO2/TPU composite fiber based textiles for organic pollutant removal

Effective integration of nanostructured photocatalysts into polymer matrices is crucial for the broad practical application of fiber-based photocatalytic composite textiles. Herein, highly durable TiO2/TPU composite fibers with high TiO2 content (>30 wt. %) were prepared through wet spinning using 1D electrospun TiO2 nanofibers (TNFs). Due to the fiber reinforcement principle, the TNF/TPU composite fibers exhibited superior mechanical properties compared with pure TPU fibers. Furthermore, the TNF/TPU composite fibers with a ratio of 1:2 process impressive degradation efficiency for rhodamine B (RhB). The orientation of 1D TNFs and stronger interface between TNF and TPU matrices not only enable the excellent load sharing and transfer effects following fiber pullout and crack bridging mechanisms, but also improve photogenerated charge transfer efficiency, resulting in high strength and high photocatalytic activity. In addition, enhanced TNF exposure on the fiber is due to the hollow and porous structures of composite fibers, which is advantageous for photocatalytic degradation. Notably, when the RhB concentration exceeded 15 ppm, the TNF/TPU composite fibers exhibited higher degradation efficiency than the TNF powder. Therefore, TNF/TPU composite fiber–based textiles with high photocatalytic activity and strength are promising for overcoming the separation and recovery issues of nanostructured catalysts in practical wastewater treatment applications.

The anticorrosion behavior and mechanism of Ti3C2 nanosheets for titania pigmented epoxy coatings

Utilization of Ti3C2 nanosheets for enhancing anticorrosion of epoxy resin coatings has been reported. But the epoxy coatings in real world are mainly pigmented coatings. Unfortunately, the anticorrosion behavior of Ti3C2 nanosheets for the pigmented epoxy coatings is rarely concerned. In this work, both 0.5 wt% unmodified Ti3C2 nanosheets (U-Ti3C2) or 0.5 wt% (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane-modified Ti3C2 nanosheets (G-Ti3C2) were introduced into solvent-based titania pigmented epoxy coatings. Corrosion resistance of coatings was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and salt spray tests. A titania concentration effect was interestingly exhibited for the anticorrosion behavior Ti3C2-containing pigmented coatings. Enhanced anticorrosion was only demonstrated when TiO2 content was not above 10 wt% for U-Ti3C2 or 5 wt% for G-Ti3C2. Moreover, the pigmented coatings with U-Ti3C2 have better corrosion resistance than those with G-Ti3C2, being contrary to the phenomenon observed in pure epoxy resin coatings. The different anticorrosion behavior of Ti3C2 nanosheets for epoxy coatings with various TiO2 contents was mainly attributed to the different dispersion states of TiO2 pigments, that is, improved dispersion at low TiO2 content and deteriorated dispersion at high TiO2 content, after addition of Ti3C2 nanosheets.

Synthesis of composite coatings based on Mg and Ti oxides by PEO for modulation of Mg corrosion resistance

In this study, the application of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) technique was investigated for fabricating composite coatings on magnesium (Mg) substrates aimed at modulating their corrosion resistance, an important characteristic for biodegradable orthopedic implants. The coatings were manufactured using an electrolytic solution containing MgO and TiO2 oxides, varying mass ratios, at currents of 30 mA and 200 mA. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the presence of TiO2 and MgO phases in the coatings, demonstrating the PEO capability to modulate the chemical composition by adjusting the mass ratio of oxides in the electrolytic solution. Microstructural analysis revealed decreased surface roughness with increasing TiO2 concentration. Corrosion tests indicated a significant improvement in corrosion resistance for all coatings compared to uncoated Mg substrate. In particularly, coatings with higher TiO2 concentrations, and those applied at a current density of 30 mA exhibited, enhanced corrosion resistance.

Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic subduction history of Mudanjiang Ocean: New insights from greenschist in the Heilongjiang Complex, NE China

This paper presents zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock major and trace element data, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions for the greenschists from the Heilongjiang Complex in NE China. Based on the geochronological and geochemical characteristics, the greenschists from the Heilongjiang Complex can be categorized into three series: Early Permian tholeiitic series (275 ± 1 Ma and 273 ± 1 Ma), Middle Permian alkaline series (261 ± 1 Ma), and Early Jurassic alkaline series (179 ± 1 Ma). The Early Permian tholeiitic greenschist samples are characterized by remarkable negative Nb and Ta anomalies, and they exhibit relatively low whole-rock (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.703896–0.704252), along with positive εNd(t) values (+7.66 to +8.65) and positive εHf(t) values (+0.92 to +11.51), implying that their protoliths originated from the partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge that has been metasomatized by subducted slab fluids. The Middle Permian alkaline greenschist samples have high Nb (17.3–19.0 ppm), TiO2 (1.40–1.64 wt%), and P2O5 (0.60–0.68 wt%) concentrations, and they are enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, and depleted in high field strength elements and heavy rare earth elements, with high whole-rock (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.709434–0.709949), negative εNd(t) values (−4.73 to −4.72) and varied εHf(t) values (−10.11 to +4.86), which compositionally align with those of Nb-enriched basalts. Based on the geochronological and geochemical characteristics, we propose that the protolith generation of Middle Permian alkaline greenschists was associated with the partial melting of a mantle wedge that had been metasomatized by subduction slab-derived melts. The Early Jurassic alkaline greenschist samples display OIB affinities, characterized by whole-rock (87Sr/86Sr)i values ranging from 0.705161 to 0.705926, εNd(t) values between +6.16 and +6.19, and εHf(t) values from +3.44 to +9.32, indicating the formation of the protolith for the Early Jurassic alkaline greenschist was related to the upwelling of the asthenosphere resulting from slab break-off. By integrating regional geological data, we can trace the subduction evolution of the Mudanjiang Ocean back to the Early Permian, and the slab break-off during the Early Jurassic likely corresponded to the early stage of the closure of the Mudanjiang Ocean.

Geochemistry and conditions of formation of Mesoarchean banded iron formations (BIF-1) from the Kostomuksha Greenstone belt, Karelian Craton

Three variably old groups of banded iron formation (BIF) are known in the Kostomuksha Greenstone belt (KGB) of the Karelian Craton. This paper deals with the earliest of them, Mesoarchean (2.87–2.81 Ga) – BIF-1. BIF-1 occurs among the komatiite-basalt unit of the KGB. BIF-1 consists mainly of quartz and magnetite, with varying amounts of amphibole, biotite, and garnet; they contain 48.3-58.6 SiO2 and 21.34–33.82 wt. %, Fe2O3T, suggesting that the rocks are BIF. BIF-1 of the KGB, as well as most Archean BIFs, contain high Fe2O3T, concentration, display a contrasting positive Eu anomaly, lost of Ce anomaly, the depletion of LREE relative to HREE. However, they stand out among other BIFs with high Al2O3, TiO2, MgO, K2O, Cr, Ni, Zr, Ba, Cu and Zn concentrations. BIF-1 was formed in a marine basin in an anoxic atmosphere due to hydrothermal fluids, the proportion of which varies from 20 to 80 %, and a terrigenous component derived mainly from basalts, komatiites, and dacites in host rocks. Mesoarchean BIF-1 of the KGB s was formed in a small rift within an oceanic volcanic plateau, the formation of which is associated with the influence of a mantle plume on the oceanic lithosphere.

The First Discovery of Archean Dolerite Dikes in the Western Part of the Aldan Shield

Dolerite dikes were studied in the western part of the Aldan terrane, in the middle reaches of the Tokko River. These dolerite dikes form a swarm of submeridional trend about 1 km wide. The dolerites of the thickest dike preserve their primary textural and structural features and mineral composition: plagioclase + pigeonite + augite + titanomagnetite. Dolerite in the chilled margins and central parts of the dike are homogeneous in composition, corresponds to low-Mg tholeiites, has low contents of Ti and other HFSE, with weak enrichment in light REE and small negative Nb anomalies. Sm–Nd isotope data on magmatic minerals of dolerite from the central part of the dike yield a good linear regression in an isochron diagram that gives to an age of 2510 ± 64 Ma, which probably corresponds to the crystallization age of the basalt. Metadolerites in a thin dike retain plagioclase porphyritic structures, but the pyroxenes are completely replaced by amphibole and chlorite. The metadolerites are contrastingly different in low contents of MgO, Cr, and Ni and in higher contents of TiO2, Fe2O3, P2O5, Nb, and all REE. The differences in the composition of the dikes may be explained by the longterm (about 65%) crystallization differentiation of the initial melt and the emplacement of the residual melt from a shallow intermediate magma chamber via opening cracks. Such conditions probably may have existed in tectonically stable intraplate settings. The age of the dolerites of the dike swarm is comparable to that of the anorogenic granites of the Nelyuki complex (~2.4–2.5 Ga), which are widespread in the western part of Aldan granulite–gneiss terrane. Our data bridge some gaps in characteristics of intraplate anorogenic magmatism that occurred in the western Aldan Shield in the Late Archean and marked the final consolidation of a large block of Archean crust in the Chara–Olekma granite–greenstone area.

1.38 Ga magmatism and the extension tectonics in East Kunlun, northern Tibetan Plateau

Numerous Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic magmatic rocks were emplaced during the assembly, accretion and break-up of the Columbia supercontinent, and are keys to illustrating the supercontinent circle. The geological, petrological, geochronological and geochemical data of the newly discovered meta-felsic and meta-mafic magmatic rocks from the Wulonggou area are presented in this study to shed light on the Mesoproterozoic geodynamic setting of the Central Kunlun Belt and the Qaidam Block. Zircon U-Pb geochronological results indicate that the crystallization ages of the meta-felsic samples are 1385–1376 Ma, and the meta-mafic is 1379 ± 25 Ma (MSWD=0.17). Samples from the meta-felsic unit have SiO2 contents of 68.37–73.03 wt% and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series. They exhibit similar REE distribution patterns and display enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREES) and negative Eu anomalies. Enrichments in Rb, Ba, Th, U and K, depletion in Nb, Ta, Sr, P and Ti are seen in the primitive mantle-normalized trace element pattern diagram. Magmatic zircons from different meta-felsic samples yield variable εHf(t) values of −8.14 to + 9.37 corresponding to ca. 1.7–2.0 Ga two-stage Hf model ages. Samples from the meta-mafic unit have low SiO2 concentrations of 49.87–50.43 wt%, high contents of Fe2O3T, MgO, CaO and TiO2, and Mg# values of 52–58. They show low total REE concentrations of 19.8–30.4 µg/g, and depletion in LREES, flat HREES distribution patterns with (La/Yb)N of 0.27–0.53 and insignificant Eu anomalies. Flat distribution pattern of high field strength elements (HFSEs) is observed in the primitive mantle-normalized trace element pattern diagram. They display similar immobile elements’ concentrations and distribution patterns, low Ti/Y, Nb/Y, La/Yb, and high Nb/La ratios, comparable with the present-day normal middle ocean ridge basalt. Zircons from the meta-mafic sample have mostly positive εHf(t) values ranging from −0.10 to + 4.10 with a single stage Hf model ages of ca. 1.7–2.0 Ga. The geochemical result implies that the meta-felsic unit was generated by partial melting of the Paleoproterozoic juvenile mafic lower-crustal material with mantle attributions, and the meta-mafic unit was probably from partial melting of the lithospheric mantle. Synthesizing the above evidences, Wulonggou Mesoproterozoic meta-magmatic rocks are a bimodal suite formed in a continental extensional tectonic setting which is probably related to the break-up of the Columbia supercontinent.

A moderate-Ti lunar mare soil simulant: IGG-01

Lunar soil simulants play a crucial role in scientific research, payload tests and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) experiments. However, the currently available lunar soil simulants are either low in TiO2 content (≤3 wt%) or high in TiO2 content (≥6.7 wt%), despite orbital observations indicating lunar soils with moderate TiO2 content being widely distributed on the lunar surface. In December 2020, China's Chang'e−5 (CE-5) mission successfully returned a new mare soil sample characterized by high FeO content (22.5 wt%) and moderate TiO2 content (5.5 wt%), providing an opportunity to develop moderate-TiO2 lunar soil simulants. This study presents a newly developed simulant of the CE-5 lunar soil named IGG-01, which closely replicates the major physical and chemical properties of the CE-5 lunar soil. The median particle size of IGG-01 is 68.69 ± 4.44 μm, and its estimated specific surface area is 0.34 m2/g. It contains 17.6 wt% FeO and 4.8 wt% TiO2. It consists of pyroxene (49.3 wt%), plagioclase (40.9 wt%), ilmenite (6.1 wt%), and olivine (3.7 wt%), with specific gravity and bulk density are 3.33 g/cm³ and 1.86 g/cm³, respectively. The friction angle is 41.8°, and the cohesion is 19.2 kPa. It exhibits strong and weak reflectance absorption features in the 1 and 2 μm band centers. The physical properties of IGG-01 are also comparable to those of Apollo samples and typical lunar mare soil simulants. The unique chemical composition of IGG-01 makes it suitable for various scientific and engineering experiments, including but not limited to the study of dusty plasma migration, water formation via solar wind injection, oxygen preparation via hydrogen reduction, and tests involving the movement of rovers and excavation equipment.

Thermophysical properties, crystallization behavior and structure of CaO–SiO2–MgO–Al2O3–TiO2–FeO slag with varying TiO2 contents

This study investigated the effect of TiO2 content on the viscosity, free running temperature, electrical conductivity, crystallization behavior, and structure of high-titanium CaO–SiO2-10 wt% MgO-13 wt%Al2O3–TiO2-4 wt.% FeO slag by experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. The results revealed that increasing TiO2 weakened the overall bonding energy and simplified the slag structure, leading to a decrease in viscosity and an increase in electrical conductivity. Thermodynamic calculations revealed a continuous enrichment of the slag towards the pseudobrookite region with increasing TiO2 content. The precipitation of pseudobrookite phase during cooling resulted in short-slag characteristics and a rising free running temperature. Additionally, the peak intensity of pseudobrookite phase gradually enhanced and its morphology changed from elongated strips to plates with higher TiO2 concentration. Structural analysis demonstrated that the poorly stabilized [TiO6] octahedron was the major form of Ti atoms in the slag, and its proportion progressively increased with increasing TiO2 content.

Geochronology and Petrogenesis of Late Carboniferous to Early Permian Basalts in the Central Lhasa Subterrane, Southern Tibet: Implications for the Evolution of the Sumdo Paleo‐Tethys Ocean

AbstractBasalts from the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian are extensively developed in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet. Studying the petrogenesis of these rocks may have implications for the late Paleozoic arc magmatism along the central Lhasa subterrane uncovering more of the evolution of the Sumdo Paleo‐Tethys Ocean and its dynamic mechanism. Basalt samples from the Luobadui Formation in the Leqingla area, NW of Linzhou City in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet exhibit arc‐like geochemical signatures in a subduction‐zone tectonic setting characterized by high Al2O3 and low TiO2 contents, fractionated REE patterns with low Nb/La ratios and high LREE concentrations, and negative HFSE anomalies. Based on their higher Th/Ce, Nb/Zr, and lower Ba/Th, Pb/Nd ratios, slightly negative to positive εNd(t) values, and the relatively high Sr‐Pb isotopic compositions, these samples were probably derived from partial melting of a depleted mantle source of garnet + spinel lherzolite, metasomatized by subducted sediments around 297 Ma. Modeling of the trace elements indicates that these basalts experienced fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene and minor plagioclase during magma ascent and eruption. It is proposed that these Late Carboniferous–Early Permian basalts are associated with the northward subduction of the Sumdo Paleo‐Tethys Ocean seafloor along the southern margin of the central Lhasa subterrane.

Colouring mechanism and firing technology of white porcelain from the Sui Dynasty (581–618) from the Xiangzhou kiln, Anyang, China

The Xiangzhou kiln was one of the first significant kilns in China to fire white porcelain and as well as the earliest one to adopt the technique of Make-up clay. It plays a very important role in the history of Chinese ceramics. Here we utilize ten pieces of Sui (581–618) white porcelain from the Xiangzhou kiln as the research objects. The chemical composition, micro-morphology, firing temperature, firing atmosphere, micro-area composition and other characteristics of white porcelain glaze were tested by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), optical microscope (OM), thermal dilatometer (TD), focused ion beam scanning electron microscope combined with X-ray energy spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and spectrophotometer (UV–Vis–NIR). Finally, the firing technology and colouring mechanism of the Xiangzhou white porcelain are revealed. Our study demonstrates that the relatively high content of Fe2O3 and TiO2 in the white porcelain glaze of the Xiangzhou kiln results in a milky white glaze with a slight greenish tinge. The high content of CaO and K2O in the glaze and the almost entirely glass phase of glaze layer lead to the fine grain, good transparency and gloss. Most of the white porcelain of the Xiangzhou kiln is fired at high temperature under reducing atmosphere. The Xiangzhou kiln white porcelain glaze belongs to the crystalline glaze, glaze disorderly distribution of some calcium feldspar precipitation crystals and a very small amount of quartz, calcite residual crystals, glaze bubbles are larger, the distribution of relatively dispersed. The overall colour effect of the Xiangzhou kiln white porcelain results from the combined action of the chemical colour of the body and glaze, along with structural colour.

Atrazine degradation through a heterogeneous dual-effect process using Fe–TiO2-allophane catalysts under sunlight

This study investigated the novel application of Fe–TiO2-allophane catalysts with 6.0 % w/w of iron oxide and two TiO2 proportions (10 % and 30 % w/w) for degrading atrazine (ATZ) using the heterogeneous dual-effect (HDE) process under sunlight. Comparative analyses with Fe-allophane and TiO2-allophane catalysts were conducted in both photocatalysis (PC) and HDE processes. FTIR spectra reveal the unique hydrous feldspathoids structure of allophane, showing evidence of new bond formation between Si–O groups of allophane clays and iron hydroxyl species, as well as Si–O–Ti bonds that intensified with higher TiO2 content. The catalysts exhibited an anatase structure. In Fe–TiO2-allophane catalysts, iron oxide was incorporated through the substitution of Ti4+ by Fe3+ in the anatase crystal lattice and precipitation on the surface of allophane clays, forming small iron oxide particles. Allophane clays reduced the agglomeration and particle size of TiO2, resulting in an enhanced specific surface area and pore volume for all catalysts. Iron oxide incorporation decreased the band gap, broadening the photoresponse to visible light. In the PC process, TiO2-allophane achieves 90 % ATZ degradation, attributed to radical species from the UV component of sunlight. In the HDE process, Fe–TiO2-allophane catalysts exhibit synergistic effects, particularly with 30 % w/w TiO2, achieving 100 % ATZ degradation and 85 % COD removal, with shorter reaction time as TiO2 percentage increased. The HDE process was performed under less acidic conditions, achieving complete ATZ degradation after 6 h without iron leaching. Consequently, Fe–TiO2-allophane catalysts are proposed as a promising alternative for degrading emerging pollutants under environmentally friendly conditions.

Phase equilibria of TiO2–SiO2–CaO–10%Al2O3-7.5%MgO at 1773 K and effects of MgO on the distribution of phase fields

The 1773 K phase diagram of the TiO2–SiO2–CaO-10 wt%Al2O3-7.5 wt%MgO system was constructed experimentally using the quenching method, focusing on the composition range of high TiO2 content. The obtained isothermal section contains four phase fields: the liquid phase field, the primary phase field of pseudo-brookite, the primary phase field of perovskite, and the liquid + perovskite + pseudo-brookite phase field. The pseudo-brookite particle precipitated in its primary phase field is more suitable for the efficient selective enrichment and separation of titanium resources. The increase of MgO from 5 % to 7.5 % in the TiO2–CaO–SiO2-10 wt%Al2O3–MgO system leads to a decrease of the liquidus temperature and an expansion of the liquid + pseudo-brookite + perovskite phase field. The increase of MgO promotes the enrichment of TiO2 into the pseudo-brookite phase and reduces the TiO2 level in the glass phase.

Optical properties of germania and titania at 1064 nm and at 1550 nm

One of the main noise sources in current gravitational-wave detectors is the thermal noise of the high-reflectivity coatings on the main interferometer optics. Coating thermal noise is dominated by the mechanical loss of the high-refractive index material within the coating stacks, Ta2O5 mixed with TiO2 . For upgrades to room-temperature detectors, a mixture of GeO2 and TiO2 is an interesting alternative candidate coating material. While the rather low refractive index of GeO2 increases with increasing TiO2 content, a higher TiO2 content results in a lower threshold temperature before heat treatment leads to crystallisation, and potentially to a degradation of optical properties. For future cryogenic detectors, on the other hand, a higher TiO2 content is beneficial as the TiO2 suppresses the low-temperature mechanical loss peak of GeO2. In this paper, we present the optical properties of coatings—produced by plasma-assisted ion-beam evaporation—with high TiO2 content at 1550 nm, a laser wavelength considered for cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors, as a function of heat-treatment temperature. For comparison, the absorption of pure GeO2 was also measured. Furthermore, results at the currently-used wavelength of 1064 nm are presented.

Experimental and theoretical studies on effective synergistic low-temperature removal of NO and typical volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from flue gas based on Cu@VWTi catalyst

The transition metal-modified VWTi structural catalysts hold great promise for simultaneously removing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from industrial flue gases. A series of Cu@VWTi catalysts were prepared to investigate their synergistic low-temperature removal performance towards NO and typical VOCs, including toluene, benzene, chlorobenzene (CB), p-chlorotoluene (p-CT), and dichloromethane (DCM). The copper-enhanced samples prepared via ultrasound-assisted impregnation exhibited irregular globular and varying crystallinity. The catalysts displayed a typical anatase crystal structure with high TiO2 content or high dispersion of V and W species along with a certain adjustment effect on the morphology. Various controlling factors affecting the synergistic removal of NO and VOCs were evaluated. It was observed that the presence of VOCs in flue gas has weak impact on NO removal, except for the waste incineration using the Cu@VWTi catalyst. However, a high initial NO concentration had an adverse effect on VOCs removal. Impressively, the optimized copper-doped catalyst (5 wt% Cu loaded of smelting plant and coal-fired power plant used catalyst) exhibited excellent performance for p-CT, toluene and DCM removal of 95.0%, 99.6% and 100% at 300 °C, respectively. The toluene and p-CT conversion efficiencies were highest over the catalyst used in the smelting plant after Cu loading, surpassing the benzene conversion efficiency. Cu@VWTi demonstrated excellent performance for p-CT, toluene, and DCM removal at 250 °C. Although 5 wt% Cu loading on the catalysts significantly enhanced the stability and anti-jamming of VOCs removal, as well as their tolerance to both SO2 and water vapor. The enhanced mechanism of Cu decoration attributed to the enhanced intensity of acid sites and the stable relative proportion of Oads/Olatt species in the used 5% Cu loaded catalyst due to the redox cycles of Cu and V species. Compared with Brønsted acid, which primarily adsorbs NH4+, Lewis acid mainly adsorbs gas phase acid and forms coordinated NH3 in gas phase. The bonding between toluene and the Cu site was enhanced with an adsorption energy of −130.9 kJ mol−1, as well as the cracking adsorption of the CH2Cl2 on the Ti site with a bonding energy of −436.7 kJ mol−1, both indicating strong chemical adsorption. The first step of dechlorination and demethylation was thermodynamically and kinetically favorable for DCM and toluene decomposition.

Enhancing photocatalytic efficiency of type II V2O5/TiO2 heterojunctions for malachite green dye using solar simulator irradiation

Photocatalytic responses and synergistic effects of V2O5, TiO2, and V2O5/TiO2 heterostructures with varied ratios have been investigated, revealing promising outcomes. The successful synthesis of nanostructures and heterostructures was verified through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. Notably, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectral studies confirmed that the optical band gap of V2O5/TiO2 heterostructures increases with higher TiO2 concentrations. These findings enhance our understanding of the agglomerated heterostructures of V2O5/TiO2, particularly with ratios of 1:1 and 1:3, showcasing potential applications in photocatalysis. Furthermore, their performance was subjected to Malachite Green dye degradation using a solar simulator, achieving an impressive efficiency of 93.29%. Additionally, the photocatalytic efficacy was assessed through reusability experiments over three cycles. Remarkably, the heterostructures exhibited stability across these cycles, suggesting their potential for extended use in diverse photocatalytic purposes. The importance of these results is the applicability of our fabricated V2O5/TiO2 heterostructures as a photocatalyst with high performance, especially in the realm of sustainable and efficient dye degradation processes.

Triassic oceanic–continental transition of the Ganzi–Litang Ocean basin: Evidence from high-Mg andesites and Nb-enriched basalts in the Litang area, Eastern Tibet

Petrological evidence of the oceanic–continental transition of intra-oceanic arcs enables the identification and reconstruction of the transformation of ocean basins into continents. In this study, we present new elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions and zircon U–Pb ages for Triassic andesites and basalts in the Litang area, Eastern Tibet. Andesites in Cunge and basalts in Juewu contain zircon grains with U–Pb ages of 246 ± 2 and 248 ± 2 Ma, respectively, indicating a Middle Triassic origin. Andesites in Cunge have high SiO2 contents (53.1–56.5 wt%), MgO contents (5.15–7.13 wt%), and Mg# values (54–61), similar to Sanukite-type high-Mg andesites. Basalts in Juewu have high TiO2 (1.43–1.80 wt%) and Nb (12.5–20.2 ppm) contents, and high Nb/U and (Nb/La)N values, typical of Nb-enriched basalts. The andesites and basalts were both characterized by low (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.7033–0.7044) and positive εNd(t) values (+4.2–+4.8). Therefore, interactions between melt from the subducting slab and mantle wedge peridotite formed andesites in Cunge, whereas the partial melting of mantle peridotite metasomatized by an adakitic melt (produced by the melted slab) formed basalts in Juewu. The findings of this study indicate that the formation of the andesites and basalts in the Litang area were related to intra-oceanic subduction magmatism, which was the product of the westward subduction of the Ganzi–Litang Ocean basin in the Middle Triassic.