Nanometric oxides for functional materials



Evans, Gary
Nanometric oxides for functional materials. Doctor of Philosophy thesis, University of Liverpool.

[img] PDF (Gary Evans PhD Thesis 2010)
Nanometric_Oxides_for_Functional_Materials_Gary_Evans.pdf - Submitted version
Access to this file is embargoed until Unspecified.
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives.

Download (75MB) | Request a copy
[img] PDF
EvansGar_Aug2010_1434.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives.

Download (75MB)

Abstract

This thesis describes the synthesis and application of complex metal oxide nanoparticles. The work is focussed on three core areas; the synthesis of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and their application as CO oxidation catalysts, the controlled assembly of functionalised CoFe2O4 and BaTiO3 nanoparticles and the preparation and characterisation of magnetoelectric composites from chemically-bonded nanoparticle assemblies. Chapter 1 gives an introduction to the history of nanotechnology, recent developments in the synthesis of nanoparticles and other areas key to the work described herein. In Chapter 2 details the synthetic and analytical techniques employed. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and characterisation of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, and their application as catalysts in the CO oxidation reaction. Nanoparticles were prepared with a range of controlled sizes and were found to be active CO oxidation catalysts. Analysis of their size-dependent activity and stability is performed. Chapter 4 describes the assembly of CoFe2O4 and BaTiO3 nanoparticles by direct functionalisation of the nanoparticle surfaces using complementary organic functional molecules. Characterisation of the functionalised nanoparticles and assemblies is performed, and the extensibility of the developed functionalisation and assembly protocol is tested using particles with different sizes and morphologies. In Chapter 5 the assembled nanoparticles discussed in Chapter 4 are processed into dense ceramics with a view to preparing magnetoelectric composites. The magnetoelectric properties are tested, and optimisation of the ceramics is performed by modification of the starting nanoparticle sizes, composite composition and processing conditions. The composites are tested against control samples prepared by traditional grinding and firing, and characterisation of the ceramics using XRD and electron microscopy provides and insight as to why their magnetoelectric properties differ to those prepared by the traditional technique. The work contained in this thesis has been published in the following papers: - G. Evans, I. V. Kozhevnikov, E. F. Kozhevnikova, J. B. Claridge, R. Vaidhyanathan, C. Dickinson, C. D. Wood, A. I. Cooper, M. J. Rosseinsky, “Particle-size Activity Relationship for CoFe2O4 Nanoparticle CO Oxidation Catalysts,” J. Mater. Chem. 2008, 18, 5518. G. Evans, G. V. Duong, M. J. Ingleson, Z. Xu, J. T. A. Jones, Y. Z. Khimyak, J. B. Claridge, M. J. Rosseinsky, “Chemical Bonding Assembly of Multifunctional Oxide Nanocomposites,” Adv. Funct. Mater. 2010, 20, 231.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy)
Additional Information: Date: 2010-10-21 (completed)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Materials Chemistry, Nanoparticles Assembly, Catalysis, Functionalisation Assembly, Magnetism, Magnetoelectric, Ferroelectric, Piezoelectric, Magnetostriction
Subjects: ?? QD ??
Divisions: Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Physical Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 22 May 2012 09:49
Last Modified: 16 Dec 2022 04:34
DOI: 10.17638/00001434
Supervisors:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/1434