Cobalt hydroxide, cobalt oxyhydroxide, and cobalt oxide nanomaterials were synthesized through simple soft chemistry. The cobalt hydroxide displays hexagonal morphology with clear edges 20 nm long. This morphology and nanosize is retained through to cobalt oxide Co3O4 through a topotactical relationship. Cobalt oxyhydroxide and cobalt oxide nanomaterials were synthesized through oxidation and low-temperature calcination from the as-prepared cobalt hydroxide. Characterization of these cobalt-based nanomaterials was fully developed, including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy combined with selected area electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Bonding of the divalent cobalt hydroxide from the oxyhydroxide and oxides by studying their high-resolution XPS spectra for Co 2p3/2 and O 1s. Raman spectroscopy of the as-prepared Co(OH)2, CoO(OH), and Co3O4 nanomaterials characterized each material. T...

Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt Hydroxide, Cobalt Oxyhydroxide, and Cobalt Oxide Nanodiscs

Halloysite clay minerals are ubiquitous in soils and weathered rocks where they occur in a variety of particle shapes and hydration states. Diversity also characterizes their chemical composition, cation exchange capacity and potassium selectivity. This review summarizes the extensive but scattered literature on halloysite, from its natural occurrence, through its crystal structure, chemical and morphological diversity, to its reactivity toward organic compounds, ions and salts, involving the various methods of differentiating halloysite from kaolinite. No unique test seems to be ideal to distinguish these 1:1 clay minerals, especially in soils. The occurrence of 2:1 phyllosilicate contaminants appears, so far, to provide the best explanation for the high charge and potassium selectivity of halloysite. Yet, hydration properties of the mineral probably play a major role in ion sorption. Clear trends seem to relate particle morphology and structural Fe. However, future work is required to understand the possible mechanisms linking chemical, morphological, hydration and charge properties of halloysite.

Halloysite clay minerals — a review

The fact that a new text book introducing the essentials of computational chemistry contains more than 500 pages shows impressively the grown and still growing size and importance of this field of chemistry. The author’s objectives of the book, using his own words, are “to provide a survey of computational chemistry its underpinnings, its jargon, its strengths and weaknesses that will be accessible to both the experimental and theoretical communities”. This design as a general introduction into computational chemistry makes it an alternative to Andrew R. Leach’s well-established “Molecular Modeling” (Prentice Hall) and Frank Jensen’s “Introduction to Computational Chemistry” (Wiley), although the latter focuses on the theory of electronic structure methods. Cramer’s “Essentials” covers force field and molecular orbital theory, Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics simulations, thermodynamic and electronic (spectroscopic) property calculation, condensed phase treatment and a few more topics. Moreover, the book contains thirteen selected case studies sexamples taken from the literature sto illustrate the application of the just presented theoretical and computational models. This especially makes the text book well suited for both classroom discussion and self-study. Each chapter of “Essentials” covers a main topic of computational chemistry and will be briefly described here; all chapters are ended by a bibliography and suggested additional readings as well as the literature references cited in the text. In chapter 1 the author defines basic terms such as “theory”, “model”, and “computation”, introduces the concept of the potential energy surface and provides some general considerations about hardware and software. Interestingly, the first equation occurring in the text is not Schro ̈dinger’s equation, as is the case for most computational chemistry introductions, but the famous Einstein relation. The second chapter deals with molecular mechanics. It explains the different potential energy contributions, introduces the field of structure optimization, and provides an overview of the variety of modern force fields. Chapter 3 covers the simulation of molecular ensembles. It defines phase space and trajectories and shows the formalism of, and problems and difference between, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics. In chapter 4 the author introduces the foundations of molecular orbital theory. Basic concepts such as Hamilton operator, LCAO basis set approach, many-electron wave functions, etc. are explained. To illuminate the LCAO variational process, the Hu ̈ckel theory is presented with an example. Chapter 5 deals with semiempirical molecular orbital (MO) theory. Besides the classical approaches (extended Hu ̈ckel, CNDO, INDO, NDDO) and methods (e.g., MNDO, AM1, PM3) and their performance, examples are provided from the ongoing development in that still fascinating area. Ab initio MO theory is presented in chapter 6; the basis set concept is discussed in detail, and, after some considerations from an user’s point of view, the general performance of ab initio methods is explicated. The next chapter covers the problem of electron correlation and gives the most prominent solutions for its treatment: configuration interaction, theory of the multiconfiguration self-consistent field, perturbation, and coupled cluster. Practical issues are also discussed. Chapter 8’s topic is density functional theory (DFT). Its theoretical foundation, methodology, and some functionals as well as its pros and cons compared to MO theory are presented together with a general performance overview. The next two chapters deal with charge distribution, derived and spectroscopic properties (e.g., atomic charges, polarizability, rotational, vibrational, and NMR spectra), and thermodynamic properties (e.g., zero-point vibrational energy, free energy of formation, and reaction). The modeling of condensed phases is addressed in chapters 11 (implicit models) and 12 (explicit models), which closes with a comparison between the two approaches. Chapter 13 familiarizes the reader with hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) models. Polarization as well as the problematic implications of unsaturated QM and MM components are discussed, and empirical valence bond methods are also presented. The treatment of excited states is the topic of chapter 14; besides CI and MCSCF as computational methods, transition probabilities and solvatochromism are discussed. The last chapter deals with reaction dynamics, mostly adiabaticskinetics, rate constants, reaction paths, and transition state theory are section topics here sbut also nonadiabatic, introducing curve crossing and Marcus theory in brief. The appendix is divided into four parts: an acronym glossary (which is very helpful), an overview of symmetry and group theory, an introduction to spin algebra, and finally a section about orbital localization. A rather detailed index ends the book. The “Essentials” writing style fits the fascinating topic: one reads on and on andssurprise! sanother chapter has been absorbed. The text is complemented by a large number of black and white figures and clear tables, mostly self-explanatory with descriptive captions. The use of equations and mathematical formulas in general is well-balanced, and the level of math should be understandable for every natural scientist with some basic knowledge of physics. There are only a few minor shortcomings: for example, a literature reference cited in the text (“Beck et al.”, p 142) is missing in the bibliography; “Kronecker” is mistyped with o ̈; and the author completely forgot to reference Leach’s text book when referring to other computational chemistry introductions. However, the author has established a specific errata web page (http://pollux.chem.umn.edu/ ∼cramer/Errors.html) with all known errors. These will be corrected in the next printing or next revised edition, respectively. With its emphasis, on one hand, on the basic concepts and applications rather than pure theory and mathematics, and on the other hand, coverage of quantum mechanical and classical mechanical models including examples from inorganic, organic, and biological chemistry, “Essentials” is a useful tool not only for teaching and learning but also as a quick reference, and thus will most probably become one of the standard text books for computational chemistry.

Essentials Of Computational Chemistry Theories And Models

Effect of sulphuric acid treatment on the physico-chemical characteristics of kaolin clay

Adsorption of organic pollutants by natural and modified clays: A comprehensive review

Modified montmorillonite was prepared at different surfactant (HDTMA) loadings through ion exchange. The conformational arrangement of the loaded surfactants within the interlayer space of MMT was obtained by computational modelling. The conformational change of surfactant molecules enhance the visual understanding of the results obtained from characterization methods such as XRD and surface analysis of the organoclays. Batch experiments were carried out for the adsorption of p-chlorophenol (PCP) and different conditions (pH and temperature) were used in order to determine the optimum sorption. For comparison purpose, the experiments were repeated under the same conditions for p-nitrophenol (PNP). Langmuir and Freundlich equations were applied to the adsorption isotherm of PCP and PNP. The Freundlich isotherm model was found to be the best fit for both of the phenolic compounds. This involved multilayer adsorptions in the adsorption process. In particular, the binding affinity value of PNP was higher than that of PCP and this is attributable to their hydrophobicities. The adsorption of the phenolic compounds by organoclays intercalated with highly loaded surfactants was markedly improved possibly due to the fact that the intercalated surfactant molecules within the interlayer space contribute to the partition phases, which result in greater adsorption of the organic pollutants.

Structural characterisation and environmental application of organoclays for the removal of phenolic compounds

Intercalation compounds of low- and high-defect kaolinites have been prepared by direct reaction with urea aqueous solution as well as by co-grinding with urea in the absence of water (mechanochemical intercalation). The complexes formed were studied by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, DRIFT spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In aqueous solution the degree of intercalation for the low- and high-defect kaolinites was found to be 77 and 65%, respectively. With mechanochemical intercalation, both kaolinites were almost fully expanded after 1 h of grinding. Based on the results of DRIFT spectroscopy, a structural model for the bonding of urea to the siloxane surface is proposed. The kaolinite-urea intercalation compounds produced by mechanochemical intercalation have crystallite sizes lower than those obtained by the aqueous solution method.

Kaolinite–urea complexes obtained by mechanochemical and aqueous suspension techniques—A comparative study

Thermal treatment of mechanochemically activated kaolinite

A comparison is made of the mechanochemical activation of three low- and one high-defect kaolinite using a combination of X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and DRIFT spectroscopy. The effect of mechanochemical alteration of the kaolinites is greater for the low-defect kaolinites. The effectiveness of the mechanochemical treatment is represented by the slope of the d(001) peakwidth-grinding time line. High-defect kaolinite is not significantly altered by the grinding treatment. The effect of mechanochemical treatment on peakwidth was independent of the presence of quartz; the quartz acts as an additional grinding medium. The effectiveness of the mechanochemical treatment depends on the crystallinity of the kaolinite. Two processes are identified in the mechanochemical activation of the kaolinite: first the delamination of kaolinite appears to take place in the first hour of grinding and second a recombination process results in the reaggregation of the ground crystals. During this process proton hopping occurs and reaction to form water takes place. This water is then adsorbed and coordinated to surface-active sites created during mechanochemical treatment.

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Modification of low- and high-defect kaolinite surfaces: implications for kaolinite mineral processing.

The reaction of magnesium minerals such as brucite with CO2 is important in the sequestration of CO2. The study of the thermal stability of hydromagnesite and diagenetically related compounds is of fundamental importance to this sequestration. The understanding of the thermal stability of magnesium carbonates and the relative metastability of hydrous carbonates including hydromagnesite, artinite, nesquehonite, barringtonite and lansfordite is extremely important to the sequestration process for the removal of atmospheric CO2. This work makes a comparison of the dynamic and controlled rate thermal analysis of hydromagnesite and nesquehonite. The dynamic thermal analysis of synthetic hydromagnesite proves that dehydration takes place in two steps at 135 and 184°C, dehydroxylation at 412°C and decarbonation at 474°C. Controlled rate thermal analysis shows the first dehydration step is isothermal and the second quasi-isothermal at 108 and 145°C, respectively. In the CRTA experiment both water and carbon dioxide are evolved in an isothermal decomposition at 376°C. CRTA technology offers better resolution and a more detailed interpretation of the decomposition processes of magnesium carbonates such as nesquehonite via approaching equilibrium conditions of decomposition through the elimination of the slow transfer of heat to the sample as a controlling parameter on the process of decomposition. Constant-rate decomposition processes of non-isothermal nature reveal partial nesquehonite structure.

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Erzsébet Horváth

Papers

Structural characterisation and environmental application of organoclays for the removal of phenolic compounds

Kaolinite–urea complexes obtained by mechanochemical and aqueous suspension techniques—A comparative study

Thermal treatment of mechanochemically activated kaolinite

Modification of low- and high-defect kaolinite surfaces: implications for kaolinite mineral processing.

Controlled rate thermal analysis of hydromagnesite