Browsing by Subject "Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy"

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Open Access
An analysis for the broad-band absorption enhancement using plasmonic structures on uncooled infrared detector pixels
(SPIE, 2012-05) Lüleç, S. Z.; Küçük, S. E.; Battal, Enes; Okyay, Ali Kemal; Tanrıkulu, M. Y.; Akın, T.
This paper introduces an analysis on the absorption enhancement in uncooled infrared pixels using resonant plasmon modes in metal structures, and it reports, for the first time in literature, broad-band absorption enhancement using integrated plasmonic structures in microbolometers for unpolarized long-wave IR detection. Different plasmonic structures are designed and simulated on a stack of layers, namely gold, polyimide, and silicon nitride in order to enhance absorption at the long-wave infrared. The simulated structures are fabricated, and the reflectance measurements are conducted using an FTIR Ellipsometer in the 8-12 μm wavelength range. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations are compared to experimental measurement results. Computational and experimental results show similar spectral reflection trends, verifying broad-band absorption enhancement in the spectral range of interest. Moreover, this paper computationally investigates pixel-wise absorption enhancement by plasmonic structures integrated with microbolometer pixels using the FDTD method. Special attention is given during the design to be able to implement the integrated plasmonic structures with the microbolometers without a need to modify the pre-determined microbolometer process flow. The optimized structure with plasmonic layer absorbs 84 % of the unpolarized radiation in the 8-12 μm spectral range on the average, which is a 22 % increase compared to a reference structure with no plasmonic design. Further improvement may be possible by designing multiply coupled resonant structures.
Open Access
Conducting polymer composites of polypyrrole and polyindene
(Elsevier, 1996) Bozkurt, A.; Akbulut, U.; Toppare, L.
Polypyrrole-polyindene composites were prepared via electrochemical methods. Two different approaches were utilized. In the first, the electro-initiated polymerization of indene on a platinum electrode was achieved at 2.0 V versus Ag/Ag+ in acetonitrile. Then the polyindene-coated electrode was used for the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole at 1.0 V versus Ag/Ag+. In the second case, electrochemical coating of platinum electrode with polypyrrole at 1.0 V versus Ag/Ag+ was carried out and indene was polymerized on the conducting polymer at 2.0 V versus Ag/Ag+ in acetonitrile medium. The characterizations of these composites were done by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Electrical conductivities were evaluated by two-probe and four-probe methods.
Open Access
Conducting polymer composites of polythiophene with natural and synthetic rubbers
(Elsevier, 1996) Yigit, S.; Hacaloglu, J.; Akbulut, U.; Toppare, L.
Electrochemical synthesis of conducting polymer composites of polythiophene was achieved. Synthetic and natural rubbers were used as the insulating polymer matrices. FT-IR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mass spectrometry (MS) were utilized to characterize the composite blends. The conductivity measurements were done by using a standard four-probe technique. The above-mentioned methods show that the resultant composites have different properties compared to polythiophene due to interaction of the rubbers with electrochemical polymerization of thiophene, whereas the same argument is not valid for the polypyrrole synthesis via the same procedure.
Open Access
Doping of 2-Cl-PANI/PVC films by exposure to UV, γ-rays and e-beams
(Elsevier Sequoia SA, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2000) Sevil, U. A.; Güven, O.; Birer, Ö.; Süzer, Ş.
2-Chloro-polyaniline (2-Cl-PANI) is chemically prepared in its non-conducting (Emeraldine Base, EB) form and dissolved together with polyvinylchloride (PVC) in THF for casting into thin (10-50 μm) composite films. The electrical conductivity of these films increases by more than four orders of magnitude (from 10-6 to 10-2 S/cm) when they are exposed to UV, γ-rays and e-beams. This is attributed to the dehydrochlorination (loss of HCl) of PVC by exposure to energetic particles and subsequent doping of the 2-Cl-PANI (i.e., conversion to Emeraldine Salt, ES) by the in-situ-created HCl. The doped films can also be returned to their undoped form by further exposure to NH3 vapours. The UV (or other particles)-induced doping/NH3 undoping cycles can be repeated several times until almost total dehydrochlorination of the PVC matrix. UV-Vis-NIR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) techniques are employed to follow the changes in the composite films upon doping by exposure to these energetic particles.
Open Access
Effect of reactor pressure on optical and electrical properties of InN films grown by high-pressure chemical vapor deposition
(Wiley - V C H Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2015) Alevli, M.; Gungor, N.; Alkis, S.; Ozgit Akgun, C.; Donmez, I.; Okyay, Ali Kemal; Gamage, S.; Senevirathna, I.; Dietz, N.; Bıyıklı, Necmi
The influences of reactor pressure on the stoichiometry, free carrier concentration, IR and Hall determined mobility, effective optical band edge, and optical phonon modes of HPCVD grown InN films have been analysed and are reported. The In 3d, and N 1s XPS spectra results revealed In-N and N-In bonding states as well as small concentrations of In-O and N-O bonds, respectively in all samples. InN layers grown at 1 bar were found to contain metallic indium, suggesting that the incorporation of nitrogen into the InN crystal structure was not efficient. The free carrier concentrations, as determined by Hall measurements, were found to decrease with increasing reactor pressure from 1.61×1021 to 8.87×1019 cm-3 and the room-temperature Hall mobility increased with reactor pressure from 21.01 to 155.18 cm2/Vs at 1 and 15 bar reactor pressures, respectively. IR reflectance spectra of all three (1, 8, and 15 bar) InN samples were modelled assuming two distinct layers of InN, having different free carrier concentration, IR mobility, and effective dielectric function values, related to a nucleation/interfacial region at the InN/sapphire, followed by a bulk InN layer. The effective optical band gap has been found to decrease from 1.19 to 0.95 eV with increasing reactor pressure. Improvement of the local structural quality with increasing reactor pressure has been further confirmed by Raman spectroscopy measurements. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Open Access
The effects of surface treatment on optical and vibrational properties of stain-etched silicon
(Pergamon Press, 1995) Kalem, Ş.; Göbelek, D.; Kurtar, R.; Mısırlı, Z.; Aydınlı, A.; Ellialtioǧlu, R.
The effects of surface treatment on optical and vibrational properties of porous silicon. (por-Si) layers grown on p-type Si wafers by electroless etching technique were studied by FTIR spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL). The results indicate a correlatiora between the PL intensity and the strength of the absorption bands induced by mulltihydride complexes (SiHn, n ≥ 2). However, similar correlation was also established for monohydride species as evidenced from the layers containing no multihydrides. Furthermore, a new band is observed at 710 cm-1 and assigned to multihydrides suggesting a ne it, local bonding environment in these layers. © 1995.
Open Access
Electrospun nylon 6,6 nanofibers functionalized with cyclodextrins for removal of toluene vapor
(John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2015) Kayaci, F.; Sen, H. S.; Durgun, Engin; Uyar, Tamer
Functional nylon 6,6 nanofibers incorporating cyclodextrins (CD) were developed via electrospinning. Enhanced thermal stability of the nylon 6,6/CD nanofibers was observed due to interaction between CD and nylon 6,6. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies indicated the existence of some CD molecules on the surface of the nanofibers. Electrospun nylon 6,6 nanofibers without having CD were ineffective for entrapment of toluene vapor from the environment, whereas nylon 6,6/CD nanofibrous membranes can effectively entrap toluene vapor from the surrounding by taking advantage of the high surface-volume ratio of nanofibers with the added advantage of inclusion complexation capability of CD presenting on the nanofiber surface. The modeling studies for formation of inclusion complex between CD and toluene were also performed by using ab initio techniques. Our results suggest that nylon 6,6/CD nanofibrous membranes may have potential to be used as air filters for the removal of organic vapor waste from surroundings.
Open Access
Fabrication of mesoporous CuO/ZrO2-MCM-41 nanocomposites for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)
(Elsevier, 2017) Nanda, B.; Pradhan, A. C.; Parida, K. M.
Mesoporous nanocomposites of CuO/ZrO2–MCM-41 (CuO@ZM-41) was designed by incorporating mesoporous ZrO2 (Z) into the high surface area MCM-41 (M-41) framework followed by loading CuO by wetness impregnation method keeping Si/Zr ratio 10. The nanocomposites were studied under PXRD, N2 sorption, DRS spectra, FTIR, XPS, NMR, HRTEM and PL to evaluate structural, morphological, optical properties and also the mesoporosity nature of the samples. The photo-reduction of Cr6+ was performed over CuO@ZM-41 by varying pH, substrate concentration, and irradiation time and catalyst dose. Among all the catalysts, 2 CuO@ZM-41 was found to be efficient photocatalyst for the photo-reduction of Cr6+. Nearly 100% reduction of Cr6+ has been achieved by 2 CuO@ZM-41 within 30 min. Intra-particle mesoporosity, high surface area, presence of CuO nanorods and electron transfer properties are the key factors for enhancing the photo-reduction activity of 2CuO@ZM-41.
Open Access
Fe promoted NOx storage materials: structural properties and NOx uptake
(American Chemical Society, 2010) Kayhan, E.; Andonova, S. M.; Şentürk, G. S.; Chusuei, C. C.; Ozensoy, E.
Fe promoted NOx storage materials were synthesized in the form of FeOx/BaO/Al2O3 ternary oxides with varying BaO (8 and 20 wt %) and Fe (5 and 10 wt %) contents. Synthesized NOx storage materials were investigated via TEM, EELS, BET, FTIR, TPD, XRD, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy, and the results were compared with the conventional BaO/Al2O3 NOx storage system. Our results suggest that the introduction of Fe in the BaO/Al2O3 system leads to the formation of additional NOx storage sites which store NOx mostly in the form of bidentate nitrates. NO2 adsorption experiments at 323 K via FTIR indicate that, particularly in the early stages of the NOx uptake, the NOx storage mechanism is significantly altered in the presence of Fe sites where a set of new surface nitrosyl and nitrite groups were detected on the Fe sites and the surface oxidation of nitrites to nitrates is significantly hindered with respect to the BaO/Al2O3 system. Evidence for the existence of both Fe3+ as well as reduced Fe2+/(3-x)+ sites on the freshly pretreated materials was detected via EELS, FTIR, Raman, and XRD experiments. The influence of the Fe sites on the structural properties of the synthesized materials was also studied by performing ex situ annealing protocols within 323-1273 K followed by XRD and Raman experiments where the temperature dependent changes in the morphology and the composition of the surface domains were analyzed in detail. On the basis of the TPD data, it was found that the relative stability of the stored NOx species is influenced by the morphology of the Ba and Fe containing NOx-storage domains. The relative stabilities of the investigated NOx species were found to increase in the following order: N2O3/NO+ < nitrates on γ-Al2O3 < surface nitrates on BaO < bidentate nitrates on FeOx sites < bulk nitrates on BaO.
Open Access
Fine-tuning the dispersion and the mobility of BaO domains on NO x storage materials via TiO2 anchoring sites
(American Chemical Society, 2010) Andonova, S. M.; Şentürk, G. S.; Ozensoy, E.
In an attempt to control the surface dispersion and the mobility of BaO domains on NOx storage materials, TiO2/TiOx anchoring sites were introduced on/inside the conventional γ-Al 2O3 support matrix. BaO/TiO2/Al 2O3 ternary oxide materials were synthesized via two different sol-gel preparation techniques, with varying surface compositions and morphologies. The synthesized NOx storage materials were studied via XRD, Raman spectroscopy, BET surface area analysis, TPD, XPS, SEM, EDX-mapping, and in situ FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed NO2. NOx uptake properties of the BaO/TiO2/Al2O3 materials were found to be strongly influenced by the morphology and the surface structure of the TiO2/TiOx domains. An improved Ba surface dispersion was observed for the BaO/TiO2/Al2O3 materials synthesized via the coprecipitation of alkoxide precursors, which was found to originate mostly from the increased fraction of accessible TiO 2/TiOx sites on the surface. These TiO2/ TiOx sites function as strong anchoring sites for surface BaO domains and can be tailored to enhance surface dispersion of BaO. TPD experiments suggested the presence of at least two different types of NOx species adsorbed on the TiO2/TiOx sites, with distinctively different thermal stabilities. The relative stability of the NOx species adsorbed on the BaO/TiO2/Al2O3 system was found to increase in the following order: NO+/N2O 3 on alumina ≪ nitrates on alumina < surface nitrates on BaO < bridged/bidentate nitrates on large/isolated TiO2 clusters < bulk nitrates on BaO on alumina surface and bridged/bidentate nitrates on TiO2 crystallites homogenously distributed on the surface < bulk nitrates on the BaO sites located on the TiO2 domains. © 2010 American Chemical Society.
Open Access
The formation and characterization of cyclodextrin functionalized polystyrene nanofibers produced by electrospinning
(2009) Uyar, Tamer; Havelund, R.; Hacaloglu J.; Zhou X.; Besenbacher F.; Kingshott P.
Polystyrene (PS) nanofibers containing the inclusion complex forming beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were successfully produced by electrospinning aimed at developing functional fibrous nanowebs. By optimization of the electrospinning parameters, which included varying the relative concentration of PS and β-CD in the solutions, bead-free fibers were produced. Homogeneous solutions of β-CD and PS in dimethylformamide (DMF) were used with concentrations of PS varying from 10% to 25% (w/v, with respect to DMF), and β-CD concentrations of 1% to 50% (w/w, with respect to PS). The presence of β-CD facilitated the production of bead-free PS fibers even from lower polymer concentrations as a result of the higher conductivity of the PS/CD solutions. The morphology and the production of bead-free PS/CD fibers were highly dependent on the β-CD contents. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) images showed that incorporation of β-CD yielded PS fibers with rougher surfaces. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and direct insertion probe pyrolysis mass spectroscopy (DP-MS) results confirmed the presence of β-CD in the PS fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of the fibers indicated that the β-CD molecules are distributed within the PS matrix without any phase separated crystalline aggregates up to 40% (w/w) β-CD loading. Furthermore, chemical analyses by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies confirm that β-CD molecules are located within the PS fiber matrix. Finally, preliminary investigations using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-static-SIMS) show the presence of the cyclodextrin molecules in the outer molecular layers of the fiber surfaces. The XPS and ToF-SIMS findings indicate that cyclodextrin functionalized PS webs would have the potential to be used as molecular filters and/or nanofilters for the purposes of filtration/purification/separation owing to surface associated β-CD molecules which have inclusion complexation capability. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Open Access
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a novel approach for analyzing the biochemical effects of anionic surfactants on a surfactant-degrading acrobacter butzleri strain
(OSA Publishing, 2013-12-17) Sarioglu, O. F.; Tamer, Y. T.; Ozkan, A. D.; Atabay, H. I.; Molva, C.; Tekinay, T.
Anionic surfactant-biodegrading capability of an Arcobacter butzleri strain was analyzed under aerobic conditions. The A. butzleri isolate displayed efficient surfactant-biodegrading capacity for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at concentrations of up to 100 mg/L in 6 days, corresponding to 99.0% removal efficiency. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was applied to observe the effects of varying concentrations of SDS on the biochemistry of bacterial cells. Results suggest that protein secondary structures were altered in bacterial cells at sufficiently high SDS concentrations, concurrent with SDS biodegradation.
Open Access
FT-IR spectroscopic investigation of the surface reaction of CH4 with NOx species adsorbed on Pd/WO3–ZrO2 catalyst
(2007) Kantcheva, M.; Cayirtepe, I.
The interaction of methane at various temperatures with NO x species formed by room temperature adsorption of NO + O2 mixture on tungstated zirconia (18.6 wt.% WO3) and palladium(II)-promoted tungstated zirconia (0.1 wt.% Pd) has been investigated using in situ FT-IR spectroscopy. A mechanism for the reduction of NO over the Pd-promoted tungstated zirconia is proposed, which involves a step consisting of thermal decomposition of the nitromethane to adsorbed NO and formates through the intermediacy of cis-methyl nitrite. The HCOO- formed acts as a reductant of the adsorbed NO producing nitrogen. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007.
Open Access
FTIR spectroscopic characterization of NOx species adsorbed on ZrO2 and ZrO2-SO42-
(American Chemical Society, 2002) Kantcheva, M.; Ciftlikli, E. Z.
The nature of the NOx species produced during the adsorption of NO at room temperature and during its coadsorption with oxygen on pure and sulfated zirconia has been investigated by means of in situ FTIR spectroscopy. The adsorption of NO on both samples occurs through disproportionation leading to the formation of nitrous acid; water molecules; nitro species; and anionic nitrosyls, NO-. A mechanism for the formation of these adsorption forms is proposed. The NO- species are stable on the surface of zirconia, whereas on the sulfated sample, they are readily oxidized by the SO42- groups. The process of NO disproportionation is favored by wet surfaces and occurs with participation of the tribridged (ZrO2) and terminal (ZrO2-SO42-) hydroxyl groups. Coadsorption of NO and O2 on pure zirconia leads to the formation of various kinds of nitrate species. The presence of sulfate ions reduces the amount of surface nitrates and decreases their thermal stability. An analysis of the combination bands of the nitrate species shows that this spectral region can be used for structural identification of bidentate and bridged nitrates.
Open Access
FTIR spectroscopic study on nickel(II)-exchanged sulfated alumina: nature of the active sites in the catalytic oligomerization of ethene
(Springer, 2002) Davydov, A. A.; Kantcheva, M.; Chepotko, M. L.
The nature of the active sites in nickel(II)-exchanged sulfated alumina in the reaction of ethene oligomerization has been studied by means of FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. It has been established that isolated nickel(I) species are the active sites in this process. These sites are formed by a reduction process, in which protonic centers are involved. The latter are due to the presence of covalently-bonded sulfate ions on the catalyst surface.
Open Access
Lyotropic liquid-crystalline mesophases of [Zn(H2O)6](NO3)2-C12EO10-CTAB-H2O and [Zn(H2O)6](NO3)2-C12EO10-SDS-H2O systems
(2008) Albayrak, C.; Soylu, A. M.; Dag, Ö.
The mixture of two surfactants (C12EO10-CTAB and C 12EO10-SDS) forms lyotropic liquid-crystalline (LLC) mesophases with [Zn(H2O)6](NO3)2 in the presence of a minimum concentration of 1.75 H2O per C 12EO10. The metal ion/C12EO10 mole ratio can be increased up to 8.0, which is a record high metal ion density in an LLC mesophase. The metal ion concentration can be increased in the medium by increasing the CTAB/C12EO10 or SDS/C12EO 10 mole ratio at the expense of the stability of the LLC mesophase. The structure and some thermal properties of the new mesophase have been investigated using XRD, POM, FTIR, and Raman techniques. © 2008 American Chemical Society.
Open Access
Lyotropic liquid-crystalline phase of oligo(ethylene oxide) surfactant/transition metal salt and the synthesis of mesostructured cadmium sulfide
(American Chemical Society, 2003) Dag, Ö.; Alayoǧlu, S.; Tura, C.; Çelik, Ö.
Lyotropic liquid-crystalline (LLC), transition metal salt: oligo(ethylene oxide) nonionic surfactant (CnH2n+1(CH2CH2O)mOH, denoted as CnEOm), systems have been studied by means of diffraction, microscopy, and spectroscopy to elucidate the structural, thermal, and templating properties. In the system, the lyotropic salts of transition metal aqua complexes, such as chlorides and sulfates, are insoluble and do not form a LC phase in CnEOm-type nonionic surfactants. However, the transition metal aqua complexes of nitrates and perchlorates are soluble and form 2D and 3D hexagonal and cubic mesophases. These phases are stable in a very broad range of salt:surfactant mole ratios (1.0 and 3.6). The nitrate salts form a hexagonal mesophase. However, in high nitrate salt concentrations (above 3.2 salt:surfactant mole ratio), the salt crystals are either insoluble or the salt:surfactant mixtures are in a cubic mesophase. The structure and thermal properties of the new system are determined by the solubility of the transition metal salts, the concentration of the salt, and the surfactant type. The LC [Cd(H2O)4](NO3)2: C12EO10 mesophase has been reacted with H2S gas to produce solid mesostructured CdS (meso-CdS). The meso-CdS particles are spherical in morphology and are made up of hierarchical organization of 2-4-nm CdS particles. The salt:surfactant LLC systems and the solid meso-CdS have been investigated using polarized optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Fourier transform Raman, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
Open Access
Magnetic Properties and Environmental Temperature Effects on Battery Performance of Na0.67Mn0.5Fe0.5O2
(Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2021-03-31) Altın, S.; Bayri, A.; Altın, E.; Öz, Erdinç; Yaşar, S.; Altundağ, S.; Harfouche, M.; Avcı, S.
Herein, a modified solid state synthesis of Na0.67Mn0.5Fe0.5O2 and the results of a detailed investigation of the structural and magnetic properties via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis are reported. The magnetic properties of Na0.67Mn0.5Fe0.5O2 do not fit the Curie–Weiss law and a model regarding the spin configuration of the Mn and Fe ions and a possible ferrimagnetic order is suggested. Electrochemical measurements and ex situ structural analysis of the cathode material confirm the reversible structural transitions for the cells charged up to 4.0 V. Environmental temperature–dependent electrochemical measurements reveal a strong temperature dependence of both, the initial capacity and the capacity retention. Ex situ SEM, FTIR, and XRD studies on the battery membrane verify the formation of a Na2CO3 phase on the membrane, which blocks the Na ion diffusion through membrane pores and is responsible for the capacity fade for this compound.
Open Access
Nanocomposite glass coatings containing hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles
(Pergamon Press, 2016) Çamurlu, H. E.; Akarsu, E.; Arslan, O.; Mathur, S.
Glass coatings composed of SiO2-K2O-Li2O, containing non-modified and fluorosilane modified hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticles, were prepared on stainless steel plates through sol-gel spin-coating method. Coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). 1.3-2.5 μm thick uniform coatings were obtained after curing at 500 Â°C for 1 h. The coatings adhered well to the steel substrates. It was determined by salt spray tests that the coatings enhance corrosion resistance. The aim of hydrophobic fluorosilane modification of hBN nanoparticles was to enrich hBN quantity on the top surface of the coatings. Coatings containing fluorosilane modified hBN nanoparticles presented slightly lower friction coefficient values than the other coatings.
Open Access
Nature of the Ti-Ba interactions on the BaO/TiO2/Al 2O3 NOx storage system
(2009) Andonova, S. M.; Şentürk, G. S.; Kayhan, E.; Ozensoy, E.
A ternary oxide-based NO* storage material in the form of BaOZTiO2Zy-Al2O3 was synthesized and characterized. Thermally induced structural changes occurring on the surfaces of the TiO2Zy-Al2O3 and BaOZ TiO 2Zy-Al2O3 systems were studied in a comparative manner within 300-1273 K via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and BET surface area analysis. The surface acidity of the studied oxide systems was also investigated via pyridine adsorption monitored by in-situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. BaO/TiO2γ-Al 2O3 ternary oxide was synthesized by incorporating different loadings of (8-20 wt %) BaO onto the TiO2/γ Al 2O3 support material, which was originally prepared using the sol-gel method. In the TiO2Zy-Al2O3 binary oxide support material, anatase phase exhibited a relatively high thermal stability at T < 1073 K. The presence of TiO2 domains on the surface of the alumina particles was found to alter the surface acidity of alumina by providing new medium-strength Lewis acid sites. SEMZEDX results indicate that in the BaO/TiO2γ-Al2O3 system, TiO2 domains present a significant affinity toward BaO and/or Ba(NO3) 2 resulting in a strong Ti-Ba interaction and the formation of overlapping domains on the surface. The presence of TiO2 also leads to a decrease in the decomposition temperature of the Ba(N03) 2 phase with respect to the Ti-free Ba(N03) 2ZyAl2O3 system. Such a destabilization is likely to occur due to a weaker interaction between Ba(N03) 2 and y-Al203 domains in the ternary oxide as well as due to the change in the surface acidity in the presence of TiO 2. At relatively high temperatures (e.g., 873-1273 K) formation of complex structures in the form of BaTiO3, Ba1.23Al 2.46Ti5.54O16, BaTiO5, andor Ba x:AlyTizOn., were also observed. © 2009 American Chemical Society.