Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Ability of U 3O8/SiO2 Nocomposite Materials
Abstract
Applications of uranium oxide nanoparticles as oxidative catalysts is a field uncommonly studied. In the past, little research has been done to study the potential of this material for room temperature, catalytic breakdown of organic pollutants. Due to an increase in the presence of these pollutants in surface water, an effort to study these reactions in aqueous solution has been a high priority. To further enhance the properties of the nanoparticles, synthesis was performed using the sol-gel method. Characterization of the material was carried out using, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction, (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This material has proven to be pure, crystalline alpha-phase U3O8 with an average particle size of 27 nm. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that under ambient conditions our synthesized material will be able to effectively breakdown organic molecules in aqueous solution. Catalytic studies were monitored using titration techniques with oxalic acid as a model system. The decomposition percentages varied based on amounts of nanocomposite used and temperature controls.
Subject Area
Inorganic chemistry|Nanoscience
Recommended Citation
Fatima Green,
"Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Ability of U 3O8/SiO2 Nocomposite Materials"
(2017).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI10615516.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI10615516