No abstract

New iron-oxide-based anodes are prepared by an environmentally-friendly and low-cost route. The analysis of the composition, structure, and microstructure of the samples reveals the presence of a major hematite phase, which is accompanied by a certain concentration of an oxyhydroxide phase, which can act as a “lithium-reservoir”. By using sodium alginate as a binder, the synthesized anodes display superior electrochemical response, i.e., high specific capacity values and high stability, not only versus Li but also versus a high voltage cathode in a full cell. From these bare materials, clay-supported anodes are further obtained using sepiolite and bentonite natural silicates. The electrochemical performance of such composites is improved, especially for the sepiolite-containing one treated at 400 °C. The thermal treatment at this temperature provides the optimal conditions for a synergic nano-architecture to develop between the clay and the hematite nanoparticles. High capacity values of ~2500 mA h g−1 after 30 cycles at 1 A g−1 and retentions close to 92% are obtained. Moreover, after 450 cycles at 2 A g−1 current rate, this composite electrode displays values as high as ~700 mA h g−1. These results are interpreted taking into account the interactions between the iron oxide nanoparticles and the sepiolite surface through hydrogen bonds. The electrochemical performance is not only dependent on the oxidation state and particle morphology, but the composition is revealed as a key feature.

Iron oxides (FeOx) are non-toxic, non-expensive and environmentally friendly compounds, which makes them good candidates for many industrial applications, among them catalysis. In the present article five catalysts based on FeOx were synthesized by mild routes: hydrothermal in subcritical and supercritical conditions (Fe-HT, Few200, Few450) and solvothermal (Fe-ST1 and Fe-ST2). The catalytic activity of these catalysts was studied for the total oxidation of toluene using very demanding conditions with high space velocities and including water and CO2 in the feed. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (SEM and HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. It was observed that the most active catalyst was a cavity-containing porous sample prepared by a solvothermal method with a relatively high surface area (55 m2 g−1) and constituted by flower-like aggregates with open cavities at the catalyst surface. This catalyst displayed superior performance (100% of toluene conversion at 325 °C using highly demanding conditions) and this performance can be maintained for several catalytic cycles. Interestingly, the porous iron oxides present not only a higher catalytic activity than the non-porous but also a higher specific activity per surface area. The high activity of this catalyst has been related to the possible synergistic effect of compositional, structural and microstructural features emphasizing the role of the surface area, the crystalline phase present, and the properties of the surface.

No abstract