Two magmatic systems were investigated using different petrological tools: 1) Origin of Ponza trachyte was studied combining data from MI with trends predicted by thermodynamic modeling. MI data were compared with known phase relations in the ternary feldspar and anorthite-diopside-albite systems to constrain the parameters used in the modeling. MI data are consistent with melt evolution from a basaltic parent via a fractional crystallization mainly of pyroxene and feldspars. These data and the results from the modeling, suggest a genetic link between the Ponza trachyte and coeval alkali olivine basalts on the nearby Ventotene Island. 2) We evaluated the range of magmatic temperatures within the crystallization interval for a basanite with different olivine-spinel geothermometers. While olivine spinel pair records the evolution of the basanite during crystallization, low temperatures calculated with the geothermometers are unrealistic. This is likely due to the presence of significant amounts of Ti in our magmatic spinels. Indeed Ti is not taken into account in the geothermometers. We tested the possibility of accounting for the presence and effects of Ti using a linear correction for the Fe+2 content in our spinels. While this generated more realistic temperatures at the low end of the range, it also increased the dispersion in the data, suggesting that spinel behavior is more complex and that the presence of Ti affects content and site occupancy of other elements as well. / Ph. D.

In recent years, there has been an intense interest in understanding the microscopic mechanism of laser induced ultrafast magnetization dynamics in picosecond time scales. Magnetization switching on such a time scale has potential to be a significant boost for the data storage industry. It is expected that the writing process will become ~1000 times faster by this technology, compared to existing techniques. Understanding the microscopic mechanisms and controlling the magnetization in such a time scale is of paramount importance at present. In this thesis, laser induced ultrafast magnetization dynamics has been studied for Fe, Co, GdFe, CoMn and Heusler alloys. A multiscale approach has been used, i.e., first-principles density functional theory combined with atomistic spin dynamics utilizing the Landau –Lifshitz-Gilbert equation, along with a three-temperature phenomenological model to obtain the spin temperature. Special attention has been paid to the calculations of exchange interaction and Gilbert damping parameters. These parameters play a crucial role in determining the ultrafast magnetization dynamics under laser fluence of the considered materials. The role of longitudinal and transversal excitations was studied for elemental ferromagnets, such as Fe and Co. A variety of complex temporal behavior of the magnetic properties was observed, which can be understood from the interplay between electron, spin, and lattice subsystems. The very intricate structural and magnetic nature of amorphous Gd-Fe alloys for a wide range of Gd and Fe atomic concentrations at the nanoscale was studied. We have shown that the ultrafast thermal switching process can happen above the compensation temperature in GdFe alloys. It is demonstrated that the exchange frustration via Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction between the atomic Gd moments, in Gd rich area of these alloys, leads to Gd demagnetization faster than the Fe sublattice. In addition, we show that Co is a perfect Heisenberg system. Both Co and CoMn alloys have been investigated with respect to ultrafast magnetization dynamics. Also, it is predicted that ultrafast switching process can happen in the Heulser alloys when they are doped with heavy elements. Finally, we studied multiferroic CoCr2O4 and Ca3CoMnO4 systems by using the multiscale approach to study magnetization dynamics. In summary, our approach is able to capture crucial details of ultrafast magnetization dynamics in technologically important materials.

This thesis concerns the formation, sintering and humidity dependent electrical behaviour of the spinel ceramic material nickel germanate, Ni(_2)Ge0(_4).Ni(_2)Ge0(_4) has been prepared via the solid state reaction between NiO and GeO(_2) over a range of temperatures, and characterised using a number of techniques. The sintering behaviour of pressed pellets of Ni(_2)Ge0(_4) has also been investigated, together with a characterisation of the microstructure of the sintered bodies. Substitutional doping of Ni(_2)GeO(_4) with Li as a replacement for Ni is found to promote a high degree of shrinkage in the sintering process, probably due to the formation of a liquid phase. XRD revealed that even when 10 % of the Ni atoms were replaced with Li, no change in the crystal structure could be detected. A C. impedance spectroscopy of Ni(_2)Ge0(_4) samples was used to investigate the humidity sensitivity of this material. Equivalent circuit analysis, based on a network of resistors and constant phase elements, shows that the humidity sensitivity is due to conduction in a surface layer of water, in agreement with the models currently popular in the Uterature. Measurement of the water adsorption isotherm of Ni(_2)Ge0(_4) in pellet form indicates that a single monolayer of water is formed at around 20 %R(_H), with an approximately linear increase in water layer thickness up to around 80 %R(_H), after which capillary condensation causes a large increase in the volume of adsorbed water. The information gained on the thickness of this layer of water has been correlated with the resistance of the layer measured by impedance spectroscopy, and subsequently used to provide evidence for a model of the humidity sensitive conduction. The conduction in the surface layer is thought to be due to dissociation of the water, where the amount of dissociation is exponentially dependent on the humidity.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de catalisadores mássicos à base de óxidos mistos de cobalto, manganês e alumínio, para a decomposição de peróxido de hidrogênio comercial, 70% em massa, e consequente geração de vapor d\'água. A síntese dos materiais foi realizada por coprecipitação em meio básico. Durante a reação foram sistematicamente estudados o pH do meio, a concentração inicial de carbonato, a velocidade de agitação, o tempo de envelhecimento, a influência da lavagem do precitado, o diâmetro médio das partículas e a temperatura e tempo de tratamento térmico. Os materiais foram caracterizados quanto as fases presentes, porcentagem mássica, massa específica, área específica, resistência mecânica e atividade catalítica, visando correlacionar suas propriedades físico-químicas com sua atividade na decomposição catalítica do peróxido de hidrogênio. Finalmente, os materiais que apresentaram melhor resistência mecânica e atividade catalítica foram testados em um sistema gerador de vapor. O melhor catalisador apresentou alta resistência mecânica, baixo tempo de indução e se mostrou ativo em testes de longa duração, possibilitando ao sistema alcançar temperaturas próximas à de decomposição adiabática do H2O2 70% em massa. / This work aimed to develop catalysts based on mixed oxides of cobalt, manganese and aluminum for the decomposition of commercial hydrogen peroxide, 70% p, inducing steam generation. The materials were synthesized by coprecipitation under alkaline condition. During reaction, were systematically studied the pH of the solution, the initial concentration of carbonate, the stirring speed, the aging time, the precipitate washing, the average particle diameter, the temperature and time of thermal treatment. The materials were characterized to determine the present phases, mass concentration, density, surface area, mechanical strength and catalytic activity, aiming to correlate their physicochemical properties with its activity on hydrogen peroxide catalytic decomposition. Once the best parameters were set, the best catalysts were tested in a steam generating system. The best catalyst have presented high mechanical strength, low induction time and proved to be active in long-term tests, enabling the system to reach temperatures close to the adiabatic decomposition of the H2O2 70% wt.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de materiais catalíticos à base de espinélios de cobalto e manganês, para serem empregados como catalisadores na decomposição do peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) 90%, em massa, proporcionando múltiplas partidas a frio em um micropropulsor de satélites a monopropelente. Os materiais foram avaliados, preliminarmente, na decomposição espontânea do H2O2 (teste da gota). Este teste permitiu selecionar os materiais que proporcionaram uma decomposição do H2O2 90% mais rápida e vigorosa, com um baixo tempo de indução. Os materiais catalíticos selecionados no teste da gota foram avaliados em um micro reator de leito fixo, que permitiu determinar a composição e a granulometria ideais para o catalisador. Em seguida, os materiais foram submetidos a testes cinéticos, onde foram determinadas a ordem, a constante e a energia de ativação da reação de decomposição do H2O2. Por fim, o catalisador denominado Co0,5Mn2,5-900, por apresentar os melhores resultados nos ensaios cinéticos e no micro reator, foi testado em um micropropulsor de 2 N, onde apresentou um desempenho rápido e repetitivo, sendo capaz de decompor espontaneamente o H2O2 sem sofrer desativação ou fragmentação após os testes. Os catalisadores foram caracterizados pelas técnicas de Espectrometria de Emissão Ótica por Fonte de Plasma (ICP-OES), Adsorção de Nitrogênio, Quimissorção de CO, Picnometria a Hélio, Difratometria de Raios X, Espectroscopia Fotoeletrônica de Raios X e por análises de Resistência Mecânica a Compressão, visando estabelecer uma correlação entre as propriedades físico-químicas e a atividade catalítica de cada material na decomposição H2O2 concentrado. / This work aimed to develop catalytic materials based on cobalt and manganese spinels to be used as catalysts in the decomposition of 90% (mass) hydrogen peroxide, allowing multiple starts in a microthruster of monopropellant satellites. The catalysts were preliminarily evaluated in the spontaneous decomposition of H2O2 (drop test). This test allowed to select the materials that provide spontaneous and vigorous decomposition of H2O2, with a low induction time. Then, the best performing catalysts were evaluated in a fixed bed micro reactor, which allowed to determine the best composition and granulometry for the catalyst. After this, the materials were submitted to kinetic tests, where the order, the constant and the activation energy of the H2O2 decomposition reaction were determined. Finally, the catalyst called Co0,5Mn2,5-900, due its best performance, was tested in a 2 N microthruster, where it presented a fast and repetitive performance, being able to spontaneously decompose the H2O2 without suffer deactivation or fragmentation after the testes. All catalysts were characterized by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), Nitrogen Adsorption, CO Chemimetry, Helium Picnometry, X-ray Diffractometry, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Mechanical Compression Resistance analysis aiming to correlate their physicochemical properties with their activity in the catalytic decomposition of concentrated hydrogen peroxide.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T15:15:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MateusBB_DISSERT.pdf: 4491805 bytes, checksum: 6567583b83544d78b05fe6787b44a3ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-27 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / In this experimental study sintetic samples of Jacobsites (MnFe2O4) were synthesized by the Pechini method and calcined within ambient atmosphere and afterwards in the vacuum from 400 to 700?C, the range of calcination temperatures. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and the Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) analysis have shown that the samples treated at 400?C temperature are composed by a simple type of spinel phase, with a crystallite size of 8:8nm for the sample calcined in ambient atmosphere and 20; 1nm for the sample treated in the vacuum, showing that the cristallite average size can be manipulated by the atmosphere control. The hysteresis loops for the sample calcined at 400?C in ambient atmosphere reveal features of superparamagnetic behavior with magnetization 29:3emu=g at the maximum field of 1:2T. The sample calcined in 400oC under vacuum show magnetization = 67emu=g at the maximum field of 1:5T. The sample treated at 500oC, under ambient atmosphere, has shown besides the spinel phase, secondary phases of hematite (Fe2O3) and bixbyite (FeMnO3). The hysteresis loops demonstrate a sharp drop of the magnetization compared to the previous sample. The analysis has revealed that for the samples treated in higher temperatures (600?C and 700?C) its observed the absence of the spinel phase and the maintenance of the bixbyite and hematite. The hysteresis loops for those samples in accordance to the external magnetic field are straight lines crossing the origin, consistent with the antiferromagnetic behavior of the phases.The M?ssbauer espectroscopy show to the sample calcined at 400?C within ambiente atmosphere two sextet and one doublet. The two sextets are assigned to the hyperfine fields related to the magnetic deployment in the nuclei of Fe3+ ions, at the tetraedric and octaedric sites. The doublet is assigned to superparamagnetic behavior of the particles with smaller diameter than dc . Now the sample calcined at 400?C under vacuum only show two sextet / ?Neste estudo experimental, amostras sint?ticas de Jacobsitas (MnF e2O4) foram sintetizadas pelo m?todo Pechini e calcinadas em atmosfera ambiente e em v?cuo de 400 at? 700?C. An?lises de difra??o de raio-x (DRX) e microscopia eletr?nica de varredura (MEV) revelaram que a amostra calcinada em 400?C ? composta por uma fase simples tipo espin?lio, com tamanho m?dio do cristalito de 8,8nm para amostra calcinada em atmosfera ambiente, e 20,1nm para amostra calcinada em v?cuo, indicando que o tamanho m?dio do cristalito pode ser manipulado pelo controle da atmosfera. A curva de magnetiza??o para amostra calcinada a 400?C em atmosfera ambiente revela caracter?sticas de comportamento superparamagn?tico, com magnetiza??o de 29:3emu=g num campo m?ximo de 1.2T . J? a amostra calcinada em 400?C sob v?cuo apresentou magnetiza??o = 67emu/g no campo m?ximo de 1.5T . A amostra tratada em 500 ]C, em atmosfera ambiente, acusa al?m da fase espin?lio, fases secund?rias de hematita (Fe2O3) e bixbyita (FeMnO3). A curva de magnetiza??o mostra uma queda abrupta na magnetiza??o comparada com as amostras anteriores. A an?lise mostra que, para mais altas temperaturas (600?C and 700?C), observou-se apenas a continua??o das fases hematita e bixbyita. A curva de magnetiza??o dessas amostras s?o linhas retas cortando a origem, consistente com o comportamento antiferromagn?tico dessas fases. A espectroscopia M?ssbauer revelou que para a amostra calcinada em 400?C em atmosfera ambiente h? dois sextetos e um dubleto. Os dois sextetos s?o atribu?dos aos campos hiperfinos referentes ao desdobramento magn?tico no n?cleo dos ?ons Fe3+, nos s?tios tetra?dricos e octa?dricos. O dubleto ? atribu?do ao comportamento superparamagn?tico das part?culas com di?metro menor que dc. J? a amostra calcinada em 400?C sob v?cuo apresenta apenas dois sextetos.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de materiais catalíticos à base de espinélios de cobalto e manganês, para serem empregados como catalisadores na decomposição do peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) 90%, em massa, proporcionando múltiplas partidas a frio em um micropropulsor de satélites a monopropelente. Os materiais foram avaliados, preliminarmente, na decomposição espontânea do H2O2 (teste da gota). Este teste permitiu selecionar os materiais que proporcionaram uma decomposição do H2O2 90% mais rápida e vigorosa, com um baixo tempo de indução. Os materiais catalíticos selecionados no teste da gota foram avaliados em um micro reator de leito fixo, que permitiu determinar a composição e a granulometria ideais para o catalisador. Em seguida, os materiais foram submetidos a testes cinéticos, onde foram determinadas a ordem, a constante e a energia de ativação da reação de decomposição do H2O2. Por fim, o catalisador denominado Co0,5Mn2,5-900, por apresentar os melhores resultados nos ensaios cinéticos e no micro reator, foi testado em um micropropulsor de 2 N, onde apresentou um desempenho rápido e repetitivo, sendo capaz de decompor espontaneamente o H2O2 sem sofrer desativação ou fragmentação após os testes. Os catalisadores foram caracterizados pelas técnicas de Espectrometria de Emissão Ótica por Fonte de Plasma (ICP-OES), Adsorção de Nitrogênio, Quimissorção de CO, Picnometria a Hélio, Difratometria de Raios X, Espectroscopia Fotoeletrônica de Raios X e por análises de Resistência Mecânica a Compressão, visando estabelecer uma correlação entre as propriedades físico-químicas e a atividade catalítica de cada material na decomposição H2O2 concentrado. / This work aimed to develop catalytic materials based on cobalt and manganese spinels to be used as catalysts in the decomposition of 90% (mass) hydrogen peroxide, allowing multiple starts in a microthruster of monopropellant satellites. The catalysts were preliminarily evaluated in the spontaneous decomposition of H2O2 (drop test). This test allowed to select the materials that provide spontaneous and vigorous decomposition of H2O2, with a low induction time. Then, the best performing catalysts were evaluated in a fixed bed micro reactor, which allowed to determine the best composition and granulometry for the catalyst. After this, the materials were submitted to kinetic tests, where the order, the constant and the activation energy of the H2O2 decomposition reaction were determined. Finally, the catalyst called Co0,5Mn2,5-900, due its best performance, was tested in a 2 N microthruster, where it presented a fast and repetitive performance, being able to spontaneously decompose the H2O2 without suffer deactivation or fragmentation after the testes. All catalysts were characterized by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), Nitrogen Adsorption, CO Chemimetry, Helium Picnometry, X-ray Diffractometry, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Mechanical Compression Resistance analysis aiming to correlate their physicochemical properties with their activity in the catalytic decomposition of concentrated hydrogen peroxide.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de catalisadores mássicos à base de óxidos mistos de cobalto, manganês e alumínio, para a decomposição de peróxido de hidrogênio comercial, 70% em massa, e consequente geração de vapor d\'água. A síntese dos materiais foi realizada por coprecipitação em meio básico. Durante a reação foram sistematicamente estudados o pH do meio, a concentração inicial de carbonato, a velocidade de agitação, o tempo de envelhecimento, a influência da lavagem do precitado, o diâmetro médio das partículas e a temperatura e tempo de tratamento térmico. Os materiais foram caracterizados quanto as fases presentes, porcentagem mássica, massa específica, área específica, resistência mecânica e atividade catalítica, visando correlacionar suas propriedades físico-químicas com sua atividade na decomposição catalítica do peróxido de hidrogênio. Finalmente, os materiais que apresentaram melhor resistência mecânica e atividade catalítica foram testados em um sistema gerador de vapor. O melhor catalisador apresentou alta resistência mecânica, baixo tempo de indução e se mostrou ativo em testes de longa duração, possibilitando ao sistema alcançar temperaturas próximas à de decomposição adiabática do H2O2 70% em massa. / This work aimed to develop catalysts based on mixed oxides of cobalt, manganese and aluminum for the decomposition of commercial hydrogen peroxide, 70% p, inducing steam generation. The materials were synthesized by coprecipitation under alkaline condition. During reaction, were systematically studied the pH of the solution, the initial concentration of carbonate, the stirring speed, the aging time, the precipitate washing, the average particle diameter, the temperature and time of thermal treatment. The materials were characterized to determine the present phases, mass concentration, density, surface area, mechanical strength and catalytic activity, aiming to correlate their physicochemical properties with its activity on hydrogen peroxide catalytic decomposition. Once the best parameters were set, the best catalysts were tested in a steam generating system. The best catalyst have presented high mechanical strength, low induction time and proved to be active in long-term tests, enabling the system to reach temperatures close to the adiabatic decomposition of the H2O2 70% wt.

The aim of this research project was to synthesise both the normal and inverse cobalt aluminate spinels by various methods and characterise them mainly by Raman spectroscopy with the support of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Four different synthesis methods (glycine-gel, citrate-gel, polyol and solid-state) were used to synthesise the cobalt aluminate powders with the general formula CoIICoIIIxAl2-xO4 (where x = 0-2). The gel or powder precursors were annealed at various temperatures ranging from 350ºC - 1000ºC. The properties of the intermediate and final products, influenced by the synthesis method, processing temperature, processing time and particle size, were compared. Raman spectra and XRD patterns indicating the presence of both normal and inverse cobalt aluminate spinel were observed. The inverse spinel was identified both as a transitional phase as well as a final phase, depending on the synthesis method and annealing temperature used. The various synthesis methods were also used to gain further insight into the crystal chemistry of cobalt aluminate. The solid-state method is the more traditional synthesis method. Solution techniques (glycine-gel, citrate-gel and polyol) were used in an attempt to synthesise blue cobalt aluminate at relatively low temperatures and processing times in order to obtain homogeneous, nanosized crystals with broad applicability. The polyol method was found to be most favourable for the synthesis of blue cobalt aluminate with regard to processing temperature and processing time. The various characterisation methods used, show that the intensity of the colour of the powders produced are strongly related to the degree of material crystallinity as well as Al/Co ratio. Inverse (Co2AlO4) and Co3O4 spinels are formed at lower temperatures or when the Co/Al ratio is greater than 0.5. The normal spinel (CoAl2O4) is produced at higher temperatures or when the Co/Al ratio is 0.5. The XRD patterns of CoAl2O4, Co2AlO4 and Co3O4, are very similar because they share the same spinel cubic structure (space group Fd3m) differing only slightly in the lattice size. It has been demonstrated that Raman and XRD can be used to distinguish between inverse and normal spinels while FT-IR and EDS are useful for assessing the purity of the powders produced. As predicted by group theory, five Raman and four IR active vibrations were evident in the results. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Chemistry / unrestricted

<p>The high temperature microstructure of the solid phases within the electric arc furnace (EAF) slag has a large effect on the process features such as foamability of the slag, chromium recovery, consumption of the ferroalloys and the wear rate of the refractory. The knowledge of the microstructural and compositional evolution of the slag phases during the EAF process stages is necessary for a good slag praxis.</p><p>In <strong>supplement 1</strong>, an investigation of the typical characteristics of EAF slags in the production of the AISI 304L stainless steel was carried out. In addition, compositional and microstructural evolution of the slag during the different EAF process stages was also investigated. Computational thermodynamics was also used as a tool to predict the equilibrium phases in the top slag as well as the amount of these phases at the process temperatures. Furthermore, the influence of different parameters (MgO wt%, Cr₂O₃ wt%, temperature and the top slag basicity) on the amount of the spinel phase in the slag was studied. In <strong>supplement 2</strong>, a novel study to characterize the electric arc furnace (EAF) slags in the production of duplex stainless steel at the process temperatures was performed. The investigation was focused on determining the microstructural and compositional evolution of the EAF slag during and at the end of the refining period.</p><p>Slag samples were collected from 14 heats of AISI 304L steel (2 slag samples per heat) and 7 heats of duplex steel (3 slags sample per heat). Simultaneously with each slag sampling, the temperature of the slag was measured. The selected slag samples were studied both using SEM-EDS and LOM. In some cases (<strong>supplement 2</strong>), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were also performed on fine-powdered samples to confirm the existence of the observed phases.</p><p>It was observed that at the process temperature and at all process stages, the stainless steel EAF slag consists mainly of liquid oxides, magnesiochromite spinel particles and metallic droplets. Under normal operation and at the final stages of the EAF, 304L steelmaking slag contains 2-6 wt% magnesiochromite spinel crystals. It was also found that, within the compositional range of the slag samples, the only critical parameter affecting the amount of solid spinel particles in the slag is the chromium oxide content. Petrographical investigation of the EAF duplex stainless steelmaking showed that, before FeSi-addition, the slag samples contain large amounts of undissolved particles and the apparent viscosity of the slag is higher, relative to the subsequent stages. In this stage, the slag also includes solid stoichiometric calcium chromite. It was also found that, after FeSi-injection into the EAF and during the refining period, the composition and the basicity of the slag in the EAF duplex steelmaking and EAF stainless steelmaking are fairly similar. This indicates that, during the refining period, the basic condition for the utilization of an EAF foaming-slag praxis, in both austenitic and duplex stainless steel cases, is the same. Depending on the slag basicity, the slag may contain perovskite and/or dicalcium silicate too. More specifically, the duplex stainless steel slag samples with a higher basicity than 1.55 found to contain perovskite crystals.</p>