Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2024
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemistry
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Krishnan Rajeshwar
Second Advisor
Rasika Dias
Third Advisor
Frederick M. MacDonnell
Abstract
Dolerophanite Cu2OSO4 is a rare mineral found almost exclusively in the fumaroles of volcano systems and is sensitive to temperature and humidity conditions. It has a monoclinic C2/m crystal structure characterized by two-dimensional layers composed of sulfate anions dispersed amongst copper (II) oxide backbones. There has been recent interest in dolerophanite due to the magnetic properties of its Kagome-like lattice as well as its potential use as a photocatalyst or Li-ion battery electrode. Literature on the material however has been limited by the available synthesis strategies. As such, this thesis work presents a novel strategy to produce dolerophanite through a time- and energy-efficient solution combustion synthesis methodology.
Physical analysis provided a comparison of dolerophanite samples prepared by ceramic method and solution combustion synthesis. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were performed to better understand the thermal stability of dolerophanite. Kissinger first-order kinetics model was used to estimate the activation energy for the thermal decomposition of dolerophanite to copper (II) oxide and to copper (I) oxide. Suggested mechanistic pathways were presented for these decompositions. Kubelka-Munk transformation of the Tauc equation allowed diffuse reflectance data to estimate both direct and indirect optical bandgaps. Density functional theory calculations provided computational evidence for the experimentally observed bandgaps. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectral data were used to characterize dolerophanite via the nuances in its Cu–O and its S–O bonding framework.
Finally, suggested further experimentation to explore modifications to the solution combustion synthesis as well as potential avenues to explore the applications of dolerophanite were discussed.
Keywords
Chemistry, Solid state chemistry, Solution combustion synthesis, Materials, Physical chemistry, Materials chemistry, Dolerophanite, Copper (ii) oxide sulfate, Fumarolic minerals
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry | Materials Chemistry | Physical Chemistry
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Cyganowski, Eric J., "Solution Combustion Synthesis and Characterization of Fumarolic Mineral Dolerophanite, Copper (II) Oxide Sulfate" (2024). Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses. 76.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/chemistry_theses/76
Included in
Analytical Chemistry Commons, Inorganic Chemistry Commons, Materials Chemistry Commons, Physical Chemistry Commons