Structural, negative thermal expansion and photocatalytic properties of ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7}: a comparative study between fibers and powders

Journal Article · Wed Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2014.07.001· OSTI ID:22403562

Liu, Qinqin ^[1]; Yang, Juan ^[1]; Rong, Xiaoqing ^[2]; Sun, Xiujuan; Cheng, Xiaonong; Tang, Hua; Li, Haohua ^[1]

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1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013 (China)
2. Suzhou Health College, 28 Huake Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000 (China)

Novel ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} microfibers with diameters about 1–3 μm were synthesized using a sol–gel technique. For comparison, ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} powders were prepared by the same method. The resultant structures were studied by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that both the pure ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} microfibers and powders could be synthesized by the sol–gel technique. The thermal expansion property of the as-prepared ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} microfibers and powders was characterized by a thermal mechanical analyzer, both the fibers with cylindrical morphology and irregular powders with average size between 100 and 200 nm showed negative thermal expansion between 150 °C and 600 °C. The photocatalytic activity of the microfibers was compared to that of powders under UV radiations. The band gap of ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} microfibers decreased and its absorption edge exhibited red shift. The microfibers also had a higher surface area compared with the powders, resulting in considerably higher photocatalytic characteristics. The large surface area and the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} microfibers also offer potential applications in sensors and inorganic ion exchangers. - Graphical abstract: (a and c) SEM photos of ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} powders and fibers. (b and d) TEM images of ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} powders and fibers. (e) Thermal expansion curves of ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} powders and fibers. (f) Degradation curves of ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} powders and ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} fibers. - Highlights: • Novel ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} fibers could be synthesized using sol–gel technique. • ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} powders with irregular shape are also prepared for comparison. • Both ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} microfibers and powders exhibit negative thermal expansion property. • ZrV{sub 2}O{sub 7} microfibers show outstanding photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation. • This synthesis technique can be easily extended to many other functional fibers.

• OSTI ID: 22403562
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Vol. 96; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ABSORPTION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FIBERS
FIELD EMISSION
IRRADIATION
MORPHOLOGY
PHOTOCATALYSIS
POWDERS
RED SHIFT
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SOL-GEL PROCESS
SURFACE AREA
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMAL EXPANSION
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
VANADATES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS