Deep Insight into the Mechanism of Catalytic Combustion of CO and CH4 over SrTi1-xBxO3 (B = Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Cu) Perovskite via Flame Spray Pyrolysis

Flame Spray Pyrolysis Synthesis of Vo-Rich Nano-SrTiO3-x

Engineering of oxygen vacancies (Vo) in nanomaterials allows diligent control of their physicochemical properties. SrTiO3 possesses the typical ABO3 structure and has attracted considerable attention among the titanates due to its chemical stability and its high conduction band energy. This has resulted in its extensive use in photocatalytic energy-related processes, among others. Herein, we introduce the use of Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP); an industrial and scalable process to produce Vo-rich SrTiO3 perovskites. We present two types of Anoxic Flame Spray Pyrolysis (A-FSP) technologies using CH4 gas as a reducing source: Radial A-FSP (RA-FSP); and Axial A-FSP (AA-FSP). These are used for the control engineering of oxygen vacancies in the SrTiO3-x nanolattice. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, we discuss the role and the amount of the Vos in the so-produced nano-SrTiO3-x, correlating the properties of the nanolattice and energy-band structure of the SrTiO3-x. The present work further corroborates the versatility of FSP as a synthetic process and the potential future application of this process to engineer photocatalysts with oxygen vacancies in quantities that can be measured in kilograms.

Advanced Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) Technologies for Engineering Multifunctional Nanostructures and Nanodevices

Flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) is an industrially scalable technology that enables the engineering of a wide range of metal-based nanomaterials with tailored properties nanoparticles. In the present review, we discuss the recent state-of-the-art advances in FSP technology with regard to nanostructure engineering as well as the FSP reactor setup designs. The challenges of in situ incorporation of nanoparticles into complex functional arrays are reviewed, underscoring FSP's transformative potential in next-generation nanodevice fabrication. Key areas of focus include the integration of FSP into the technology readiness level (TRL) for nanomaterials production, the FSP process design, and recent advancements in nanodevice development. With a comprehensive overview of engineering methodologies such as the oxygen-deficient process, double-nozzle configuration, and in situ coatings deposition, this review charts the trajectory of FSP from its foundational roots to its contemporary applications in intricate nanostructure and nanodevice synthesis.

Phase Transition of High-Surface-Area Glycol-Thermal Synthesized Lanthanum Manganite

Cubic and rhombohedral phases of lanthanum manganite were synthesized in a high-pressure reactor. A mixture of La and Mn nitrates with ethylene glycol at a synthesis temperature of 200 °C and a calcination temperature of up to 1000 °C, resulted in a single-phase perovskite, LaMnO₃ validated using X-ray diffraction. Significant changes in unit cell volumes from 58 to 353 ų were observed associated with structural transformation from the cubic to the rhombohedral phase. This was confirmed using structure calculations and resistivity measurements. Transmission electron microscopy analyses showed small particle sizes of approximately 19, 39, 45, and 90 nm (depending on calcination temperature), no agglomeration, and good crystallinity. The particle characteristics, high purity, and high surface area (up to 33.1 m²/g) of the material owed to the inherent PAAR reactor pressure, are suitable for important technological applications, that include the synthesis of perovskite oxides. Characteristics of the synthesized LaMnO₃ at different calcination temperatures are compared, and first-principles calculations suggest a geometric optimization of the cubic and rhombohedral perovskite structures.

In Tandem Control of La-Doping and CuO-Heterojunction on SrTiO3 Perovskite by Double-Nozzle Flame Spray Pyrolysis: Selective H2 vs. CH4 Photocatalytic Production from H2O/CH3OH

ABO₃ perovskites offer versatile photoactive nano-templates that can be optimized towards specific technologies, either by means of doping or via heterojunction engineering. SrTiO₃ is a well-studied perovskite photocatalyst, with a highly reducing conduction-band edge. Herein we present a Double-Nozzle Flame Spray Pyrolysis (DN-FSP) technology for the synthesis of high crystallinity SrTiO₃ nanoparticles with controlled La-doping in tandem with SrTiO₃/CuO-heterojunction formation. So-produced La:SrTiO₃/CuO nanocatalysts were optimized for photocatalysis of H₂O/CH₃OH mixtures by varying the La-doping level in the range from 0.25 to 0.9%. We find that, in absence of CuO, the 0.9La:SrTiO₃ material achieved maximal efficient photocatalytic H₂ production, i.e., 12 mmol g^-1 h^-1. Introduction of CuO on La:SrTiO₃ enhanced selective production of methane CH₄. The optimized 0.25La:SrTiO₃/0.5%CuO catalyst achieved photocatalytic CH₄ production of 1.5 mmol g^-1 h^-1. Based on XRD, XRF, XPS, BET, and UV-Vis/DRS data, we discuss the photophysical basis of these trends and attribute them to the effect of La atoms in the SrTiO₃ lattice regarding the H₂-production, plus the effect of interfacial CuO on the promotion of CH₄ production. Technology-wise this work is among the first to exemplify the potential of DN-FSP for scalable production of complex nanomaterials such as La:SrTiO₃/CuO with a diligent control of doping and heterojunction in a single-step synthesis.

Rapid Gas-Phase Synthesis of the Perovskite-Type BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ Proton-Conducting Nanocrystalline Electrolyte for Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Perovskite-type proton-conducting materials, such as BaCe_0.7Zr_0.1Y_0.1Yb_0.1O_3-δ (BCZYYb), are very attractive for the next-generation equipment of electrochemical energy conversion and storage owing to their excellent conductivity in the intermediate-temperature range (300-750 °C), as well as good thermo-chemical stability, coking resistance, and sulfur tolerance. However, the lack of a reliable and cost-effective synthesis method for such multi-component co-doping oxides limits their large-scale application. In this study, for the first time, we successfully synthesize BCZYYb electrolyte nanopowders by using a rapid, scalable flame-based gas-phase synthesis method with two different barium precursors Ba(NO₃)₂ and Ba(CH₃COO)₂, named as BCZYYb (N) and BCZYYb (CA). The as-synthesized nanoparticles exhibit good crystallinity of the pure orthorhombic perovskite BCZYYb phase. BCZYYb (CA) shows more uniform doping with the element ratio of 1:0.74:0.12:0.08:0.1, which is very close to the theoretical value. The shrinkage and surface SEM (scanning electron microscope) results indicate that the flame-made powders have superior sinterability compared to the sol-gel-made powders because of the smaller primary particle size (∼20 nm). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests show that BCZYYb (CA) sintered at 1450 °C has the highest protonic conductivity of 1.31 × 10^-2 S cm^-1 in wet H₂ when operating at 600 °C and still maintains a high-level conductivity of 1.19 × 10^-2 S cm^-1 even when the sintering temperature is reduced to 1350 °C, which is mainly attributed to uniform doping and good sinterability. The activation energy for the conductivity of BCZYYb (CA) is also significantly lower than that of conventional electrolytes, which suggests much better conductivity in the intermediate (∼600 °C) and even lower operating temperature. The excellent conductivity performance combined with the high-throughput production capability makes the swirling spray flame a promising synthesis method for promoting the BCZYYb electrolytes from lab to industrial-scale solid oxide fuel cells.