Novel Chemistry for Ethylene and Tin

LifeSciencesWorld: "New work by chemists at UC Davis shows that ethylene, a gas that is important both as a hormone that controls fruit ripening and as a raw material in industrial chemistry, can bind reversibly to tin atoms. The research, published Sept. 25 in the journal Science, could have implications for understanding catalytic processes.

Ethylene has long been known to react with transition metals such as iron or copper, but was not thought to react reversibly with metals such as tin or aluminum, said Philip Power, professor of chemistry at UC Davis and senior author on the paper.

“Reversibility is important, because it shows that it could be involved in catalytic processes,” Power said."

Power did not foresee an immediate application for the discovery, but said that it would contribute in general to understanding ethylene catalysis. Some plants release ethylene to control fruit ripening, although no known biological molecules include a tin atom. There could be implications for industrial catalysis if similar behavior could be shown for a cheap metal like aluminum, he said

Tin Whisker Growth on the Surface of Sn-0.7Cu Lead-Free Solder with a Rare Earth (Nd) Addition

Scopus "The phenomenon of rare earth (RE) additions inducing whisker growth in Sn-0.7Cu-Nd (0.1-5wt.%Nd) solder is reported.

The results showed that Nd exists as Sn3Nd in the microstructure of the solder alloys. A snowflake-like Sn3Nd was observed when Nd≤0.5wt.%. After exposure to ambient conditions, the Nd-bearing alloys have a strong tendency toward whisker growth, with a short incubation time for whisker nucleation (only several hours). All whiskers originated from the Sn-Nd compound, where whiskers grew relatively fast; the average growth rate of the five longest whiskers was approximately 4/s, and a 190μm whisker was observed within 480h.

Based on these results, it was predicted that whisker growth would be inevitable for all RE-bearing solders. The cause of this phenomenon is also discussed. Finally, the authors suggest that any solders doped with RE should be carefully considered again"

Fabrication and characterization of tin nanorod electrodes for lithium ion rechargeable ba

Scopus: "One of the most important problems in utilizing a pure tin anode for lithium ion rechargeable batteries is its poor cyclability due to mechanical fatigue caused by volume changes during lithium insertion and extraction processes. To overcome this problem, tin nanorod electrodes were fabricated by an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template-assisted growth method.

The structural and electrochemical properties of the tin nanorod electrode were examined using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic cycling. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed that the copper substrate was covered with uniformly distributed tin nanorods with average diameters of about 250 nm.

Electrochemical test results showed that the capacity retention and the rate capabilities of the tin nanorod electrodes were better than those of the planar electrodes. At the tenth cycle, the capacity of the tin nanorod electrode at the C/10 rate still remained 80% of that of the first cycle. Even at the 1C rate, the capacities remained larger than 540 mAhg-1"

Chinese Economy Drives Metal Production

Prism Webcast News: "In 2008, more than 1.4 billion tons of metals were produced globally-double the quantity of the late 1970s and more than seven times as much as in 1950. Trends since the late 1990s have been driven by the dramatic growth of the Chinese economy. The figure for metals production includes aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, gold, lead, mercury, nickel, and steel.

According to the latest Vital Signs snapshot of metals production worldwide:

China’s steel production skyrocketed from 66 million tons in 1990 to 500 million tons in 2008, accounting for 38 percent of the world’s total. The next largest producers in 2008, following at a considerable distance, were Japan at 119 million tons and the United States at 91 million tons.
The energy intensity and carbon emissions of steel production vary greatly by country. Mills in Italy, Germany, South Korea, and Japan are among the most energy efficient worldwide. China contends with old and inefficient facilities but is making major strides in modernizing its industry.
A growing amount of steel is now produced from recycled scrap material, the result of changing economics and environmental considerations. Recycling saves 40-75 percent of the energy needed to produce virgin steel.
This new metal production update includes the latest figures on global production of steel and aluminum."

SnO nanostructures for Li-ion battery anodes

Factiva: "All of these hierarchical SnO nanostructures are constructed by smaller nanosheets. The driving force of aggregation is reducing the surface energy of nanocrystals. Water played a key role in the control morphologies of hierarchical SnO nanostructures. The water control decomposition (WCD) mechanism was proposed to explain the effect of water on the morphologies. On the basis of reaction kinetics, the different superfluous injected water after reaction would restrain the decomposition Of Sn6O4(OH)(4) to SnO nanosheets; a different amount of superfluous injected water would induce a different reaction rate. At different reaction rates, SnO nanosheets would have different sizes and different approaches to aggregation, and different hierarchical SnO nanocrystals appeared by injecting different amounts of water into the reaction. Typically, hierarchical SnO nanocrystals as an anode material for lithium ion batteries are studied. These SnO nanocrystals show good potential for lithium battery materials,"

BaTiO3 nanoparticles doped with Sn2+

Factiva: "Ternary oxides containing Sn2 are rare and difficult to prepare using solid state reaction due to disproportionation of Sn2 at high temperature. In this paper, nanoparticles of barium titanate doped with different amounts of Sn2 consisting of single phase perovskite structure were successfully synthesized for the first time by using a microwave-assisted solvothermal reaction,' researchers in Sendai, Japan report.

'The particle sizes were about 20-40 nm in diameter and increased with increasing the amount of doped tin. Solidified ceramic bodies were obtained using a spark plasma sintering method under argon atmosphere avoiding the disproportionation and oxidation of Sn2 in the air,' wrote Y.H. Xie and colleagues, Tohoku University.

The researchers concluded: 'The grain size and dielectric constant of the sintered body decreased with increasing the amount of doped tin.."

First 3-D Patterned Nanostructures

Technology Review:: "Chemists have become very skilled at building 2-D nanostructures, but making 3-D patterned structures for drug delivery, electronics and other applications has proved more challenging. In particular, no one has been able to make 3-D structures with patterned surfaces.

David Gracias and Jeong-Hyun Cho of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore have overcome this problem. They first made arrays of patterned, cross-shaped nickel structures on a silicon wafer, then added tin hinges. When placed in a plasma etching chamber, the flat structures folded up into cubes and released from the wafer. To make nanocubes as small as 100 nanometers a side, the researchers added another panel."

Fluid heater using tin

WO2009102099A1: "The present invention relates to a fluid heating apparatus. In the present invention, a heating unit is installed to a housing to be exposed to a water reserving space 30 for storing fluid. The heating unit has a heating film, which is made of a metallic composition mainly containing tin, deposited in a film shape on an inner surface of a frame made of a non-metallic material, and electrodes connected to an external power source is formed on the heating film"

Ammo under fire

Factiva: "The Army is scrapping the latest design for its eco-friendly 5.56mm ammo after some of the bullets began to show trajectory problems when exposed to hot temperatures.

Army ballistics officials halted production of the M855A1 Lead Free Slug ammunition in mid July, launched an investigation and decided to replace the bismuth-tin alloy slug with another material, said Lt. Col. Jeff Woods, product manager for Small Caliber Ammunition.

'We are currently evaluating alternate lead-free materials, and we will resume qualification once a selection is made,' Woods told Army Times.

In the M855A1 LFS bullet's design, the bismuth-tin alloy sits beneath a steel penetrating tip. A copper jacket encases all but the point of the bullet. The round was designed to work specifically with the M4 carbine. Army officials have maintained that the new round will provide more 'consistent performance' than the current M855 round and perform better against hard targets.

The problem surfaced when some of the bullets did not follow their trajectory or planned flight path.

'During ballistic testing of production LFS cartridges, we noticed that some projectiles occasionally varied from the intended trajectory,' Woods said.

The plan was to start issuing the first of 20 million rounds in August, replacing the standard M855 lead round"

New material for nanoscale computer chips.

Factiva: "Nanochemists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry at University of Copenhagen have developed nanoscale electric contacts out of organic and inorganic nanowires. In the contact they have crossed the wires like Mikado sticks and coupled several contacts together in an electric circuit. In this way they have produced prototype computer electronics on the nanoscale.

Thomas Bjornholm, Director of the Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry at University of Copenhagen explains: We have succeeded in placing several transistors consisting of nanowires together on a nano device. It is a first step towards realisation of future electronic circuitry based on organic materials - a possible substitute for today's silicon-based technologies. This offers the possibility of making computers in different ways in the future. The researchers have used organic nanowires combined with the tin oxide nanowires in a so-called hybrid circuit"

Tin(IV) Oxide Nanoparticles Decrease Pollutants Faster

Nanotechnology Now: "According to the Iranian Nanotechnology Initiative Council (en.nano.ir), unfortunately, wastes from many industries including textile, leather, rubber, paint, etc enter and pollute the environment every day. Armed with nanotechnology, Iranian scientists are determined to battle against these threats against environment.

'Tin(IV) oxide (SnO2) is a n-type semiconductor. This chemical can be used in metals protection against corrosion, electrochromism devices, photocatalysts and electro-photocatalysts in REDOX reactions, reduction of dye or other environmental pollutants, and gas sensors,' Ali Hasanzadeh, head of nanotechnology research center of the Urmia University said."

Paper

Minsur wraps up acquisition of Chilean assets

Factiva: "Peruvian tin miner Minsur reported that a subsidiary has wrapped up the purchase of the Chilean subsidiary of French cement producer Lafarge.

The operation was carried out by the Chilean subsidiaries of Minsur subsidiary Minera Latinoamericana, under the terms of an agreement signed in July between Minsur parent company Inversiones Breca and Lafarge Chile, Minsur said in a statement.

The total transaction price tag is US$435mn, of which Minera Latinoamericana has paid US$292mn so far.

The company has bought 100% of Blue Circle Chilean Holdings, which owns 82.7% of Lafarge Chile and 96.8% of construction company Inmobiliaria San Patricio."

Dynamic dislocation effects in low-temperature creep stimulated in Β -tin single crystals by a superconducting trans

Scopus: "Low-temperature creep of high-purity Β -tin single crystals oriented for plastic slip in the system (100)〈010〉is studied. The experiments are performed in the temperature interval 0.5<T< Tc, where Tc ≈3.7 K is the critical superconducting transition temperature. The samples were loaded above the yield stress and nonstationary creep was induced in them by using a magnetic field to induce a transition from the normal (N) into the superconducting (S) state."

Characteristics of nano-sized tin dioxide powders prep

Scopus: "Nano-sized SnO2 powders with uniform morphology and narrow size distribution were prepared by spray pyrolysis from the spray solution with citric acid and ethylene glycol. The precursor powders with hollow and thin wall structure turned to nano-sized SnO2 powders with regular morphology after post-treatment process.

The mean sizes of the SnO2 powders were changed from 56 and 350 nm when the post-treatment temperatures were changed from 600 and 1200C. The initial charge capacities of the SnO2 powders were changed from 224 to 443 mAh/g when the post-treatment temperatures were changed from 600 to 1200C. The SnO2 powders had the maximum charge capacity at a post-treatment temperature of 800C"

Evidence of tin and other anthropogenic metals in particulate matter in Lisbon, Portugal

Scopus: "Thermal and epithermal neutron activation analysis techniques were used to analyze 27 Teflon air filters which were exposed to ambient air in Lisbon, Portugal, in February 2007. Tin was detected which is strongly suggestive of an anthropogenic source. Arsenic, antimony and copper were shown to be highly correlated, which is also suggestive of anthropogenic pollution.

Trace element analysis of short- and medium-lived isotopes was performed yielding concentration information of various elements. Analytical sensitivities were enhanced using a Compton suppression system. Enrichment factor analysis shows that arsenic, tin, zinc, copper and antimony are at elevated concentrations in the Lisbon atmosphere."

Experimental investigation of the oxidation of tin nanoparticles

Scopus: "Oxidation of tin nanoparticles is studied in this paper using a simultaneous TGA/DSC technique under both constant rates of heating and isothermal modes. A two-stage oxidation process is identified. XRD study shows that the only oxide product is SnO at a temperature below 400C, and SnO and SnO2 coexist at the temperature range between 400 and 900'C.

On the basis of the identified oxide constituent, the first-stage oxidation of tin nanoparticles is investigated by the model-free Kinssinger method. The activation energy is found to be dependent on the conversion ratio in a broad range of 0.32-1.33 eV, and the oxidation kinetics is identified to be the classical nucleation mechanism that can be modeled by the Avrami-Erofeev equation. The melting of tin and large pressure built up in a rigid oxide shell are believed to be responsible for the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism."

Queen Mary College, UK

Theoretical study of a melting curve for tin

Scopus: "The melting curve of Sn has been calculated using the dislocation-mediated melting model with the zone-linking method. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

According to our calculation, the melting temperature of γ-Sn at zero pressure is about 436 K obtained by the extrapolation of the method from the triple point of Sn. The results show that this calculation method is better than other theoretical methods for predicting the melting curve of polymorphic material Sn"

Platinum-antimony tin oxide nanoparticle as cathode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell

Scopus : "Pt-ATO (Sb/SnO2) nanoparticle is synthesized by the consecutive polyol process to enhance the catalyst activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the presence of methanol. Pt-ATO catalyst exhibits better activity for ORR with and without methanol than Pt black catalyst in a half-cell test"

Solar cells new tin market?

Tin is forecast to replace indium-tin-oxide as an electrode in thin-film solar cells, US-based research firm NanoMarkets said last week. Tin consumption for solar cells is expected to grow tenfold to more than 91 mt in 2016, as tin oxide gradually replaces ITO currently used for electrodes mounted on thin-film solar cells, NanoMarkets said. Yet demand for indium used in the photovoltaic thin-film solar cells is also forecast to grow to 228 mt in 2016, from the current 20 mt, the research company said. Out of the 228 mt, roughly 182 mt is for the light absorber layer of the copper-indium-gallium-selenium, or CIGS thin-film cells, and 39.4 mt for the ITO on other thin-film solar cells such as those using cadmium-tellurium films. The 39.4 mt projection for ITO would be an increase from 13 mt in 2011. No figure was given for 2009.

"The shift away from ITO, in favor of tin oxide, is a net gain for tin consumption because tin oxide uses much more tin," NanoMarkets said. ITO consists of 90% indium. NanoMarkets cited US-based First Solar adopting tin oxide for electrodes on cadmium-tellurium cells as a milestone event that propelled growth. Japan supplies more than 70% of the global ITO demand, which comes to 800-1,000 mt/year. Japanese market sources said cell makers are seeking to shift away from less plentiful metals such as indium, gallium, cobalt, tellurium and molybdenum in favor of base metals such as tin, zinc and nickel. The move to replace ITO with tin oxide in the solar sector is likely to have minimal impact on overall ITO demand, however, over 99% of which is accounted for by flat-panel displays

Technique for self-assembly of tin nano-particles on anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates

Scopus: "Various pore sizes of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) were fabricated using a two-step anodization process. AAO pores with diameters ranging from 5 to 500 nm were formed in diluted electrolyte solutions of sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, and phosphoric acid.

Irregularly shaped tin particles in nano sizes were formed on the AAO using a thermo-vaporizing process. Tin spheres with diameters ranging from 3 to 500 nm were then obtained by reflowing vaporized AAO in silicate oil. A transmission electron microscope (TEM JEOL 2000) was employed to characterize the crystalline structure of a tin sphere with 18 nm diameter."

Low temperature solvent thermal synthesis of indium tin oxide nano-powder

Scopus: "Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) nano-powder was prepared with a convenient solvent thermal method. A hydroxide precursor was first prepared from indium chloride and tin chloride by using ammonia as precipitating agent.

The samples were characterized with scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Nano-particle size analyzer(Zetasizer Nano ZS).The results shows that the ITO nano-powder is cubic crystalline phase, with an average size smaller than 100 nm. Compared with other methods, the present solvent thermal method can produce ITO nano-powders with high purity and uniform particle size. The manipulation is very simple and convenient and no calcination process is needed.

The reaction temperature can be as low as 190'C , which is by far the lowest temperature in ITO nano-powder preparation. The sample also gives a good dispersion property benefited from the unique solvent thermal reaction environment"

Tin stabilizers for rigid PVC.

Factiva: "Arkema Inc has extended its range of Thermolite tin stabilizers with the addition of 2 new grades. Thermolite products are designed for use in rigid polyvinyl chloride. Thermolite 130 and Thermolite 135 offer the possibility of using a single stabilizer for a variety of pipe-making processes. This means the overall tin content of the finished product is reduced. It also cuts costs and blending errors. Both new grade have been approved for use in drinking water applications."

Yunnan Tin pilots tailings treatment

Metals Place: "Yunnan Tin Company has reported good initial results in the trial operation of a hydrometallurgical method to recover tin, tungsten and copper from tailings, according to Beijing metals consultants Antaike.

The project was conducted by Yunnan Tin's subsidiary Makuang Mining. The trial operation was started in March 2009 and involved the processing of over 10,000 tonnes of ore with 0.2% of tin, 0.1% tungsten and 0.6% copper, with good recoveries of the first two metals in particular"

Bivalent tin(II)-4-methoxyphenoxide: synthesis, characterization, reactivity and antifungal activity

Scopus: "Bivalent tin(II)-4-methoxyphenoxide of composition Sn(OC6H 4OMe-4)2 (1) has been synthesized from the reaction of SnCl2 with bimolar amounts of 4-methoxyphenol and diethylamine in tetrahydrofuran and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance measurement and IR spectral studies."

The complex (1) has also been screened for its antifungal activity

Is Your Cell Phone Funding the Conflict in Congo?

PNN: "According to Raise Hope for Congo, a project of the Center for American Progress, your cell phone may be fueling the conflict in Congo. Here's what they have to say:

The conflict in eastern Congo, the deadliest in the world since World War II, is being fueled by a multi-million dollar trade in minerals that go into our electronic products from cell phones to digital cameras. Over five million people have died as a result of the war, and hundreds of thousands of women have been raped in eastern Congo over the past decade. The armed groups that are perpetuating the violence generate an estimated $144 million each year by trading in four main minerals, the 3 Ts and gold:

Tin – used inside your cell phone and all electronic products as a solder on circuit boards. 53% of tin worldwide is used as a solder, the vast majority of which goes into electronics. Armed groups earn approximately $85 million per year from trading in tin."

There are things you can do. Urge your Senator to co-sponsor the Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009:

If passed, this bill would provide the authority and direction for the United States government to help ensure that the mineral trade stops contributing to human rights violations, including killings of unarmed civilians and sexual violence, while at the same time developing mechanisms to allow the Congolese people to benefit from these resources.

In a further positive direction, the bill demands greater transparency and accountability from companies: all companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges - including major electronics companies which are among the largest end-buyers of some of these minerals would have to disclose the origin of their supplies to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For those minerals coming from Congo or neighboring countries, companies would need to disclose the precise mine of origin.

On the website, you can learn more about the life of a Congolese miner and the supply chain of Congo's conflict minerals. You can also take the Conflict Minerals Pledge to:

1. contact the largest makers of cell phones, portable music players, digital cameras, PC’s, and video games, and urge them to sign the pledge;

2. commit to only purchasing electronics from firms that have taken and are abiding by the conflict minerals pledge; and

3. educate fellow consumers and activists about the crisis in Congo, the role of conflict minerals, and how they can be a part of the solution.

Or you can make a video to help spread the word.

Silver aggregates and twofold-coordinated tin centers in phosphate glass: A photoluminescence study

Scopus: "The optical properties of silver species in various oxidation and aggregation states and of tin centers in melt-quenched phosphate glasses have been assessed by optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Glasses containing silver and tin, or either dopant, were studied.

Emission and excitation spectra along with time-resolved and temperature-dependent PL measurements were employed in elucidating the different emitting centers observed and investigating on their interactions. In regard to silver, the data suggests the presence of luminescent single Ag ions, Ag -Ag and Ag -Ag0 pairs, and nonluminescent Ag nanoparticles (NPs), where Ag -Ag0→Ag -Ag energy transfer is indicated."

Preparation of porous tin oxide nanotubes using carbon nanotubes as templates and their gas-sensing properties

Scopus: "Porous tin oxide (SnO2) nanotubes were prepared by using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as templates.

The morphology and crystal structure of the SnO2 nanotubes were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The SnO2 crystallite size was about 5 to7 nm. The as-prepared porous SnO2 nanotubes exhibited a good response and reversibility to some organic gas, such as ethanol and acetone. The sensor responses to 100 ppm ethanol and acetone were 130 and 126, respectively, at a working temperature of 200 'C. In addition, the sensors also exhibited a good response to methanol, propanol, 2-propanol, ethyl acetate, and ethyl ether. The relationship between the gas-sensing properties and the microstructure of the as-prepared SnO2 nanotubes was also discussed"

New JIS for air conditioner/ 3 items - copper tube manufacturers to expand adoption

Factiva: "copper. Because they can decrease use of copper, the final cost of a product can be reduced. It is KHRT, HRS35LT and MA5J that will be standardized. Currently, Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube, Ltd., the largest manufacturer of copper alloy tubes in Japan, produces them below 200 tons per month. The standardization will eliminate its exclusive production system and increase their adoption by other copper tube manufacturers. They are expected to increase volume by two times or more for future"

Tin Nanowires at University of Quebec

Factiva: "Tin oxide nanowires (NWs) exhibit interesting electronic properties, which can be harnessed for applications in nanoelectronic devices and sensors. Oriented single crystalline tin oxide NWs were grown at 45 degrees from a titanium dioxide substrate,' scientists in Varennes, Canada report."

EC probes heat stabiliser cartel

Specchemonline: The European Commission has sent a Statement of Objections to an unspecified number of companies heat stabilisers producers concerning their alleged participation in a cartel in violation of EU rules on restrictive business practices. This may ultimately lead to heavy fines if such conduct is proven.

The statement concerns two categories of heat stabilisers: tin stabilisers and epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) esters. 

"Whilst the number and names of the companies involved has not been disclosed, Akzo Nobel and Ciba Specialty Chemicals both acknowledged receiving the statement. The former added only that it was looking at it and preparing its defence; the latter made no further comment. BASF, which is in the process of acquiring Ciba, said that it was not involved.

The alleged cartel dates back many years, since Ciba exited heat stabilisers in 1998. Akzo Nobel said that the allegations date from before 2001. An investigation began in the EU, the US and Canada in 2003 and Crompton, which later merged with Great Lakes into Chemtura, was given immunity from prosecution in return for agreeing to co-operate at an early stage."

Reversible storage of lithium in a rambutan-like tin-carbon electrode

Scopus: "A simple bottom-up self-assembly method was used to fabricate rambutan-like tin-carbon (Sn@C) nanoarchitecture (see scheme, green Sn) to improve the reversible storage of lithium in tin. The mechanism of the growth of the pear-like hairs is explored."

SnO2 nanogels in ionic liquids

Factiva: "'SnO2 translucent monolith ionogels were obtained by a sol-gel processing using bis(2-methylbutan-2-oxy)di(pentan-2,4-dionato)tin as a precursor in the presence of various ionic liquids: [BMI][Br], [BMI][TFSI], [BMI][BF4],' scientists writing in the journal Dalton Transactions report.

'The confinement of ionic liquids within the gels was evidenced by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The ionic liquids could be efficiently washed off, which resulted in supermicroporous solids,' wrote S. Bellayer and colleagues, University of Bordeaux.

The researchers concluded: 'Calcination in air at 550 degrees C of the dried monoliths resulted in nanoporous nanocrystalline cassiterite tin dioxide particles with crystallite sizes of about 8-12 nm and mean pore sizes around 5 nm.'"

In situ observation of oxidation of liquid droplets of tin and melting behavior of a tin particle covered

Scopus: "Oxidation of a liquid droplet of tin (Sn) was observed using an in situ specimen heating holder in an oxygen environment. The surface of the Sn liquid droplet was covered with a tin oxide layer, Sn3O4, the thickness of which depended on the oxygen pressure and temperature. Subsequent cooling of the droplet resulted in the formation of a solid Sn particle covered with a Sn3O4 layer. The solid Sn particle was then heated above the melting temperature of Sn, and the melting behavior of Sn was observed"

Activity of platinum-tin catalysts prepared by the Pechini-Adams method for the electrooxidation of e

Scopus: "Pt-Sn electrocatalysts of different compositions were prepared and dispersed on carbon Vulcan XC-72 using the Pechini-Adams method. The catalysts were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical properties of these electrode materials were also examined by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric experiments in acid medium. 

The results showed that the presence of Sn greatly enhances the activity of Pt towards the electrooxidation of ethanol."

Did Tin Pest Cause Napoleon's Wardrobe Failure?

Blog on Design News: "Peny LeCouteur, co-author of the book book “Napoleon’s Buttons” How 17 Molecules Changed History,” a highly entertaining look at chemical compounds and their impact on the course of history."

“It’s a story that virtually every chemistry student has heard, but we don’t really know if Napoleon’s army actually had buttons made of tin,” she says. 

Though the section on Napoleon’s wardrobe is a mere couple of pages, LeCouteur, a former chemistry professor and now administrator at Capilano College, says that while she was researching the book she was struck by photos of old tin vessels that are now in museums. “What amazed me was that they no longer had that sharp outline to their geometries, which made sense because these objects were exposed to the frigid winters in northern Europe. Victims of tin pest, the outer layers simply turned to powder and sloughed off. “

While it is possible, Lecouteur says, that the same thing could have happened to Napoleon’s buttons. But she says that there is simply not enough evidence to conclude that it did. “There were eyewitness accounts of the weather and you do see paintings that were made of Napoleon and his troops at that time holding old carpets and blankets around themselves to keep warm, so we do know something about the kind of cold they had to endure. But buttons made out of pure tin would have been quite expensive compared to wood or bone. And chemically, tin pest is a very slow process.”

So slow, in fact, that it’s likely Napoleon’s troops would have had to endure some hellishly long winters before their buttons disintegrated. And as one reader shrewdly pointed out, that means they would have had to worry about other things falling off well in advance of their buttons.

Fuel cells with liquid tin anodes studied

Fuel Cell Works: "Researchers at DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory completed the first in a series of studies of electrode behavior for a solid oxide fuel cell operating with a molten tin anode.

The researchers focused on isolating and measuring the various kinetic parameters of the anode: tin oxidation at the anode/ electrolyte interface, oxygen transport through the liquid tin anode, and fuel oxidation/tin reduction at the fuel/anode interface.

Molten metal anodes can consume directly solid fuel sources such as carbon and coal dust, removing the need for a gasifier.

Liquid tin anodes also offer a higher degree of tolerance to coal contaminants that poison conventional nickel-based anodes."

MBK Tin Powder White & Grey

Alibaba.com: "We are manufactured of MBK powder product, specially for Body Odor. This product comfortable with who any one works in outdoor or hard weather / daylight, because this product makes you confidence self although your body swept. Trust us. Because we guarantee, our product is 100% proven and legalcy registered in our country."

What is MBK Tin Powder? MBK Powder is special body odor powder. You can apply this powder under your armpit. I am using it for getting my self confidence. We can apply this powder after shower. Just a little powder that we need to apply under our armpit. Some people said that MBk powder can absorb the swear under your body whenever you have outdoor activity.

I always buy one pack of MBk Powder. And normally I could use it for more than a month. One box of MBK powder contains of 13.6 gram powder (net).

I am not sure how much is the price of one box at this time. It was long time ago since I bought this powder.

In the place where I live now, I could not find it. It is so pity since I like this powder. So whenever I have holiday in my own country, I would like to bring back some boxes. Just to make sure that I have enough stocks for sometimes.

It is easy to use, easy to apply and has no side affect at all. At least that’s what I feel when I was using this powder. And it really gave good result. I have no more body odor during the busy day.Even I had a lot outdoor activities at that time.

Indonesian Supplier

Novel lithium ion batteries based on a tin anode and on manganese oxide cathodes

Scopus: "In this paper we report two innovative lithium ion batteries formed by the combination of a nanosized tin anode and a LiNi0.5Mn 1.5O4 or a LiNi0.33 Co0.33Mn 1.33O2 cathode. 

The batteries have a very stable cycling response at a high rate of 1C with an excellent capacity delivery, i.e., 140 mAhg-1 and 175 mAhg-1, respectively. Estimated energy density values are of the order of 150 Whkg-1 for both batteries."

Commercial Applications for Nanoscale Sol Gel Coatings

electronics.ca publications: "The Commercial Applications for Nanoscale Sol Gel Coatings market report looks at the technology providers commercialising nanoscale sol gel coatings, one of the more mature areas of nanotechnology.

Coatings types and applications featured in this report include:

Anti-microbial
Hygiene
Anti-fingerprinting
Easy-to-clean
Self-cleaning
Hydrophobic
Anti-scratch
Anti-corrosion
Anti-fog
Anti-adhesive
Anti-reflective"

Tin oxide nanoparticles synthesized by gel combustion and their potential for gas detection

Scopus: "Tin oxide nanoparticles were synthesized starting from SnCl4.5H2O with the aid of polyacrylamide gel. The pyrolysis of the gel and the influence of the calcination temperature were discussed based on thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray powder diffraction."

The prepared SnO2 nanoparticles were sphere-like and uniform in size, weakly aggregated in thin platelets as indicated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Thick-film sensor samples based on the as-synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles

Engineering Research Center for Functional Ceramics, Wuhan City, China

Hubei University, China

If any metal is going to recover, tin can

Factiva: "Tin companies are starting to reach critical mass on the stock exchange, argues Robin Bromby

``WE think tin will be one of the first metals to recover once markets stabilise,'' says Sydney-based Resource Capital Research.

Great. The problem is that tiny matter -- markets stabilising. There is some pretty dreadful news about. The 15-nation Eurozone watched its economy contract 1.5 per cent in the December quarter. Last week Morgan Stanley's Asian chief, Stephen Roach, told Asian central bankers they were in trouble with China at a standstill, Japan getting ``clobbered'' (his word) and problems for Asia's exporters. As Bloomberg reported, Singapore's state-owned investment arm Temasek Holdings lost the equivalent of Sri Lanka's entire GDP in the eight months to November 30.

But Resource Capital Research does have a point. Unlike most of the other base metals, there is no growing tin surplus. Inventories held at the London Metal Exchange now sit at 8820 tonnes, against a 52-week high of 11,430 tonnes. The RCR case is that a rebound in Chinese demand, coupled with the closing of mines in Indonesia, could trigger supply shortages."

Tin-coupled star-shaped block copolymer of styrene and butadiene (II) properties and application

Scopus: "A novel tin-coupled star-shaped block copolymer (SB-B)4Sn was synthesized by anionic polymeric techniques. This new copolymer exhibited two different types: One was star-shaped polybutadiene-b-poly (butadiene-ran- styrene) (S-PB-PSB), and the other was star-shaped polybutadiene-b- poly(butadiene-ran-styrene)-b-polystyrene (S-PB-PSB-PS). 

In this article, properties of (SB-B)4Sn were contrasted with that of tin-coupled star-shaped random styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) and S-SBR/cis-BR blend rubbers. Physical property testing results showed that (SB-B)4Sn possessed good mechanical properties like S-SBR. Rheological study indicated that these star-shaped block copolymers had good processing properties. Rubber processing analyzer (RPA) spectra showed that the dispersion of additives in (SB-B)4Sn and S-SBR/cis-BR blend rubber was much better than that in S-SBR. Dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA) spectra showed that (SB-B)4Sn had a good combination of low rolling resistance and high wet skid resistance, which made it satisfactory materials to produce high performance tire tread"

Synthesis and characterization of silicon nanowires using tin catalyst for solar cells application

Scopus : "Tin-catalyzed silicon nanowires were synthesized for solar cells application. Voluminous silicon nanowires were fabricated on single crystalline silicon wafer. Optical reflectance and solar cell efficiency of the synthesized silicon nanowires were explored. The reflectance of as-synthesized silicon nanowires was obtained approximately 5% in the short wavelength region (λ < 500nm)"

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan 

Timah completes design for tin chemical plant

Your Industry News: "Abrun added the company has just completed the design of a factory for tin chemical, which is used mostly in the plastics industry.

''We will begin the construction of this factory next year and we expect to finish it within less than one year.''

The tin chemical factory is designed to have a 30,000 ton capacity, but in early phases of production, the company would only aim for 10,000 tons, he added.

Timah has allocated about Rp 300 billion for this factory."

Could Tin Become The Gold Of Base Metals?

Factiva: "However, RCR expects the cost curve to shift down in 2009, due to lower labour and oil prices and notional input costs.

Tin suppliers have responded to this crisis by cutting production, with some smelters in China and Indonesia ceasing operation through December 2008 and January 2009. All up, LME stocks are now at a depleted level of about 9 thousand tonnes.

This leads the team at RCR to expect that tin will trade between US$9,000/t - US$15,000/t through 2009, with an average price of US$12,750/t, a 50% retrace from the May 2008 high of US$25,495/t. However, the analysts' long-term price forecast is for US$15,000/t, although this is contingent on a stable USD and reflects the potential positive effects of global economic stimulus packages."

Using nanotechnology to improve Li-ion battery performance

nanowerk: "'Metallic tin is considered to be a very promising anode material for lithium batteries mainly for three reasons' Prof. Li-Jun Wan explains to Nanowerk. 

'Firstly, its theoretical specific capacity is much higher than that of conventional graphite. Secondly, the tin anode has higher operating voltage than graphite, so it is less reactive and the safety of batteries during rapid charge/discharge cycle could be improved. And thirdly, a significant advantage of metallic tin over graphite is that it does not encounter solvent intercalation – which causes irreversible charge losses – at all."

The CAS scientists successfully have realized a novel structure design of tin-based anode material to solve the problem of capacity decay. The key to their composite material are nano-sized tin particles that are put into hollow carbon containers, resulting in tin nanoparticles encapsulated with elastic hollow carbon spheres (TNHCs)

Stainless steel/tin/glass coating as spectrally selective material for passive radiative cooling applications

Scopus : "Glass substrates coated with a stainless steel-tin double layer were prepared in order to achieve the inverse greenhouse effect. 

The measurements of the optical properties of the samples indicate that the needed specific spectral selectivity is available. Practical tests of radiative cooling were performed during clear night using a blackbody radiator covered by the coated plate with glass facing the sky. The blackbody temperature was observed to be 6.0 C below that of the ambient, and the cooling power was estimated to be 27.9 W/m2. Diurnal measurements indicated that cooling of the blackbody radiator is achieved except for approximately 6 hours around noon"

Globalisation challenges for metals

Factiva: "Globalization in the metals industries: looking back at the challenges to the metals industry over the past several decades and the responses to them, it is very easy to predict that coming decades also will provide new challenges and opportunities.

Grubb, John F.
1250 words
1 January 2009
Advanced Materials & Processes
29
ISSN: 0882-7958; Volume 167; Issue 1"

New catalyst paves the path for ethanol-powered fuel cells

Nanowerk: "A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Delaware and Yeshiva University, has developed a new catalyst that could make ethanol-powered fuel cells feasible. 

The highly efficient catalyst performs two crucial, and previously unreachable steps needed to oxidize ethanol and produce clean energy in fuel cell reactions. Their results are published online in the January 25, 2009 edition of Nature Materials."

But at Brookhaven, scientists have found a winner. Made of platinum and rhodium atoms on carbon-supported tin dioxide nanoparticles, the research team’s electrocatalyst is capable of breaking carbon bonds at room temperature and efficiently oxidizing ethanol into carbon dioxide as the main reaction product. Other catalysts, by comparison, produce acetalhyde and acetic acid as the main products, which make them unsuitable for power generation.

Based on these studies and calculations, the researchers predict that the high activity of their ternary catalyst results from the synergy between all three constituents – platinum, rhodium, and tin dioxide – knowledge that could be applied to other alternative energy applications.

“These findings can open new possibilities of research not only for electrocatlysts and fuel cells but also for many other catalytic processes,” Adzic said. 

Automated determination of tin by hydride generation using in situ trapping on stable coating

Scopus: "Conditions have been studied for the determination of Sn by coupling of hydride generation and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Sequestering and in situ concentration of Sn hydride in the graphite furnace requires just a single application of a long-term stable trapping reagent for automated analyses. In a systematic study it is shown that effective trapping of stannane is possible on graphite tubes or platforms coated with a carbide-forming element such as Zr, Nb, Ta, or W at trapping temperatures of 500 to 600'C."

China tin chemical production hit by economics

Antaike China Q1: Tin chemical industry has been struck by the economic crisis too. Yunnan Tin’s chemical engineering plant has ceased production since middle and late of October. Other chemical engineering enterprises also cut production or closed. Furthermore, many production lines of domestic glass industry were shut down in Q4 because of stagnancy of domestic building and construction industry as well as weak export of glass.

Indonesia's PT Timah plans US$22 mln tin chemical plant

Factiva: "PT TIMAH TBK (JSX:TINS) through its subsidiary PT TIMAH INDUSTRY plans to build a tin chemical plant with a capacity of producing 10,000 tons a year with an investment of Rp250 billion (US$22.5 million). The secretary of the office of the state enterprise minister, Muhammad Said Didu, marked the start of the construction of the plant in Cilegon, West Java, on Saturday.

* The president director of PT Timah, Usman Wachid, said the plant was expected to start operating in 2010 and its capacity would be increased to 30,000 tons a year three years after its operation.

* Tin chemicals are raw materials for plastic and packaging industries and making PVC pipes."

Can Environmental Toxins Cause Obesity In Children? on PNN

Can Environmental Toxins Cause Obesity In Children?: "I get a little skeptical about medical studies sometimes. Maybe you do, too. You’ll hear that some food or other is not good for you, then a few months later, another one disproving it, and so on, until you don’t know what to believe. Pretty often, if you look at who’s funding the study (For example, “milk is good for you” says a study funded by the American Dairy Association), you’ll get your answer. So when a study comes along that doesn’t have that “smell” about it, my little ears perk up."

Electrodeposition and electrochemical properties of novel ternary tin-cobalt-phosphorus alloy electrodes for

Scopus : "Porous Sn-Co-P alloy with reticular structure were prepared by electroplating using copper foam as current collector. The structure and electrochemical performance of the electroplated porous Sn-Co-P alloy electrodes were investigated in detail. 

Experimental results illustrated that the porous Sn-Co-P alloy consists of mainly SnP0.94 phase with a minor quantity of Sn and Co3Sn2. Galvanostatic charge-discharge tests of porous Sn-Co-P alloy electrodes confirmed its excellent performances: at 50th charge-discharge cycle, the discharge specific capacity is 503 mAh g-1 and the columbic efficiency is as high as 99%. It has revealed that the porous and multi-phase composite structure of the alloy can restrain the pulverization of electrode in charge/discharge cycles, and accommodate partly the volume expansion and phase transition, resulting in good cycleability of the electrode"

BNT to produce more tin chloride.

Factiva: "BNT Chemicals is expanding its capacity. New plants for speciality tin chlorides will come onstream in 1H 2009. These will allow around 9 million square metres of plate glass for the solar industry to be provided with a conductive surface. Supply deals with plate glass industry are close to being agreed. BNT expects sales growth of several million euros. Ten new jobs will be created. In the last seven years, sales of speciality chemicals based on alkyl chlorides and tin have risen 20% to reach EUR 25.6 M in 2007. EUR 28.5 M is expected in 2008."

Learn about the World Tin Market

Factiva: "This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Tin in Metric Tons. The specific end-use segments discussed are Tinplate, Solders, Tin Chemicals, Alloys/Babbitt, and Others. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. 

Annual forecasts are provided for each region for the period of 2001 through 2015.The report profiles 72 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as ArcelorMittal USA Inc., Liuzhou China Tin Group, Co. Ltd., Malaysia Smelting Corp, Mamore Mineracao e Metalurgia SA, Minsur SA, Novosibirsk Integrated Tin Works, PT Koba Tin, PT Tambang Timah, Rasselstein GmbH, Thailand Smelting and Refining Company Ltd., The Tinplate Company of India Ltd., Yunnan Tin Company Limited, and Yunnan Chengfeng Non-Ferrous Metals Co., Ltd. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources."