Papers by Keyword: Cerium

Abstract: This study focuses on the development of magnesium-zinc (Mg-Zn) matrix alloys enriched with rare earth elements (RE), aiming to evaluate both their structural characteristics and in vitro biological responses. The designed alloys incorporated varying amounts of Zn, Nd, Ce, Gd, Zr, and Ca. Two specific EZ43 alloy compositions were synthesized using an induction-heated furnace under a protective gas atmosphere, differing in their Nd-to-Ce weight ratios (1:2 and 2:1). Following casting, the alloys were homogenized at 400 °C for 24 hours to eliminate dendritic structures and minimize elemental segregation. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was employed to assess the chemical compositions, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided detailed insight into microstructural features and potential intermetallic phases. Biocompatibility was evaluated through cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests, conducted in accordance with internationally recognized standards to ensure reliability. Results indicated no genotoxic effects and demonstrated high cell viability up to 142% particularly in Nd-enriched samples. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in biological behavior between the Nd-rich and Ce-rich alloys, with Nd contributing positively to cellular responses. These findings emphasize the importance of RE composition in influencing biocompatibility and suggest that Nd-enriched Mg-Zn alloys hold strong promise for biomedical applications requiring both structural integrity and favorable biological interaction.

Abstract: The remediation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) presents a considerable hurdle for Malaysia’s palm oil mill, requiring fulfillment with the environmental regulations before discharge. This work demonstrated a semiconductor-mediated photocatalytic technology to treat POME and synchronously evaluated the biogas generation. X-ray diffraction findings indicated that the fabricated ZnO product possessed wurtzite as a major crystalline phase. Its band gap energy was measured to be 3.27 eV via a UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy technique. The hierarchical ZnO microsphere morphology assembled by lots of layered nanosheets was observed via field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Under UV irradiation, the as-fabricated ZnO product displayed an enhanced photoactivity in comparison to the commercially available TiO₂ in treating the POME. Moreover, the ZnO/Ce and ZnO/Eu were also fabricated and showed greater photocatalytic efficacy after doping the rare earth ion in ZnO. Remarkably, the evaluation of biogas generation depicted that the ZnO/Ce and ZnO/Eu photocatalysis produced a greater quantity of CH₄ and CO₂ after 360 min irradiation. The work offered an environmentally friendly and efficient photocatalytic technology via ZnO/RE in treating wastewater and synchronously generating renewable energy.

Abstract: In this study, a simple combustion synthesis was utilized to obtain the SrLaAlO₄ (SLAO) host sample and SrLaAlO₄: Ce (SLAO:Ce) phosphors with different Ce concentrations (1.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 mol.%). Also, the as-synthesized samples were subjected to a post-annealing treatment at 1200 °C in air. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns for the SLAO and SLAO:Ce phosphors correspond to pure tetragonal phase (JCPDS No 24-1125). The photoluminescence spectra of the SLAO:Ce phosphors (under 254 nm excitation) showed a blue emission peak at 470 nm attributed to the 5d → 4f Ce³⁺ transition. The SLAO:Ce phosphors doped with 1 mol.% of Ce showed the highest emission and quenching of photoluminescence was produced when the Ce dopant concentration increases (3.0-7.0 mol.%). The CCT and color purity are in the range of 6456 -8276 K and 49.1 -55.9 % respectively. Due to its strong blue emission, the SLAO:Ce phosphor could be a good candidate for UV phosphor converted LED or for solid state lighting applications.

Abstract: Malaysia has many potential mineral resources including some rare earth elements (REE) minerals such as monazite. REE play critical roles in the applications of advanced materials. Alkaline fusion was introduce to monazite to break the bonding between Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) and phosphate. In this study, critical parameter such as fusion temperature (100 °C to 250 °C) and duration (1 to 4 hours) were studied. The results shows that it is possible to recover nearly 100% of Neodymium after 2 hours fusion at 150 °C. In the other hand, more than 99% of Cerium and Lanthanum were recovered after 3 hours fusion at similar temperature. By recover most of the element, expectantly high yield of single LREE can be achieved in the forthcoming.

Abstract: In this paper, the time effect of hydrothermal synthesis on YF₃ morphology particles is considered. The work was carried out on X-ray-excited YF₃:Ce³⁺ phosphors. The synthesis was carried out by the hydrothermal method, since it avoids high temperatures leading to particle agglomeration. The first stage of research consisted in identifying the most favorable medium for obtaining the required phase and size - water or organic matter (ethylene glycol and ethanol). Research has shown that ethylene glycol has all the advantages: it prevents agglomeration, allows us to get the required phase. Hydrothermal synthesis of YF₃ samples to determine the optimal synthesis time was carried out according to the same scheme - in an organic medium of ethylene glycol without using stabilizers for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 hours. Our study showed that it is possible to obtain a YF₃ sample that meets the necessary requirements (including nanoscale) within 16 hours, moreover, without the use of stabilizers. In parallel with the study of the synthesis duration, an experiment was carried out on the effect of various stabilizers on the properties of the YF₃:Ce³⁺ phosphors (5%). The synthesized nanophosphors possessed effective X-ray luminescence with a maximum in the region of 300 nm, which makes it possible to use them in the composition of preparations for PDT.

Abstract: Effects of Cerium (Ce) addition on solidification structure of a low-carbon 42CrMo4 steel was investigated. The addition of up to 0.067 wt.% of Ce in the steel produced greatly improved solidification structure with a suppressed columnar grain zone, finer grain size in an equiaxed grain zone and zero area fraction of casting shrinkage cavity. The added Ce occurred in the steel both in the form of Ce oxy-sulfide inclusions and as dissolved atomic Ce segregated together with other elements at prior austenite grain boundaries and at interdendritic spacing. The Ce oxy-sulfide inclusions were found to play a major role in the observed improved grain structure meanwhile dissolved Ce had pronounced effects on morphology of dendritic networks. The fraction of Ce dissolved in the melt appeared to bring about increase in fluidity of the molten steel, leading to total elimination of interdendritic shrinkage porosity in solidification structure of the steel with added Ce. Ce addition can be considered as a potential solution for grain structure refinement in heavy-weight castings of 42CrMo4 steel grade.

Abstract: The article presents the investigation results of the structure and properties of rods of aluminum alloys containing zirconium, cerium and lanthanum after ingotless rolling-extruding (IRE) and heat treatment. The patterns of changes in the microstructure, mechanical properties, electrical resistivity depending on the chemical composition of the alloys, processed by the IRE method and various modes of rods annealing are shown. A metallographic analysis of the grain structure of the samples in a deformed state and after annealing performed. The temperatures at which the alloy structure remains stable and maintains the level of operational properties revealed. The effect of chemical composition on the heat resistance of deformed semi-finished products represented. The study made it possible to evaluate the level of properties of experimental alloys after processing by the method of ingotless rolling-extruding and various modes of rods annealing.

Abstract: Thermodynamic modeling of phase equilibria in a liquid metal of Fe–La–Ce–O system at 1600 °С, using the technique of constructing the solubility surfaces for the components of a metal, was carried out. The calculation technique allowed assessing the depth of liquid iron de-oxidation at a complex use of lanthanum and cerium as deoxidizing agents. Also, diagrams of de-oxidants’ consumption for one ton of liquid oxygen-containing iron were calculated in the course of the work. Carrying out a calculation of the solubility surfaces for the components of a metal required simulation of phase diagrams of the following oxide systems: FeO–La₂O₃–Ce₂O₃, FeO–CeO₂–La₂O₃, CeO₂–La₂O₃–Ce₂O₃. The obtained results might be of interest for optimization of the use of rare-earth metals in steelmaking technology.

Abstract: The wet-chemical etching of ruthenium in acidic solutions of cerium (IV) has been investigated using electrochemical methods. Etch rates were determined using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and post-etching surface roughness was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Low-k material is compatible with the etchant, however, residues were formed.

Abstract: Glass ceramic materials are widely used in dental application because of their strong similarity with natural teeth. In this study LAS glass ceramic/glass materials were prepared by glazing processing and characterized in terms of mechanical flexural strength. The selected glass ceramic support derives from an industrial process. Different glasses were applied to the glass ceramic support in order to investigate firstly their effect on the glass ceramic/glass interface and secondly how these structural changes are correlated to the flexural strength property. Different thermal cycles were applied to the glass ceramic in order to promote the increasing of mechanical flexural strength. Preliminary results clearly points out that the application of a glass on the support leads to the decrease of the flexural strength if compared to the materials without any coating applied.