RESUMEN
Rh-dendrimer nanocomposites were synthesized in solution under different conditions and were subsequently used as precursors for the preparation of ZrO2-supported Rh nanoparticles. Elemental analysis, UV-vis, XPS, and STEM measurements were used to estimate the extent of the Rh-dendrimer interactions and to illustrate how the solution pH and dialysis affect the number of Rh atoms complexed with each dendrimer molecule, as well as the final size of the ZrO2-supported Rh particles. When the solution acidity was not controlled and the solution was not purified by dialysis, Rh particles with sizes in the 1-6 nm range were formed on the ZrO2 support. In contrast, the formation of nearly uniform Rh particles was observed when the synthesis was performed under controlled pH and dialysis conditions. Furthermore, the size of these Rh particles can be regulated by controlling the Rh/dendrimer ratio in the original solution.
RESUMEN
Ceria-alumina particles of a wide variety of structures, from micrometer-sized hollow spheres to nanoparticles, were produced from aerosols of different natures, but all derived from nitrate salts passed through a low power (<1000 W) atmospheric pressure plasma torch. The amount of water present with the nitrate salts was found to significantly affect the morphology of the resulting material. A model was proposed that explains the mechanism in which water acts as a blowing agent to create hollow metal oxide spheres that then shatter to form metal oxide nanoparticles. Further examination of the nanoparticles revealed that they display a core/shell morphology in which the core material is crystalline CeO2 and the shell material is amorphous Al2O3. These unique core/shell materials are interesting candidates for catalyst support materials with high thermal durability. In addition, experiments have shown that the nanoparticles can be readily converted into CeAlO3 perovskite.