Effect of cationic impurities on solubility and crystal growth processes of ammonium oxalate monohydrate: Role of formation of metal‐oxalate complexes

The effect of different bi‐ and trivalent cationic impurities on the solubility of ammonium oxalate and the composition and distribution of chemical complexes formed in saturated ammonium oxalate aqueous solutions as a function of impurity concentration are investigated. The knowledge of the composition and stability of complexes formed in saturated aqueous solutions is then employed to explain the appearance of dead zones of supersaturation for growth and the difference in the effective segregation coefficient of the impurities. Analysis of the experimental results revealed that: (1) at a constant temperature, the dependence of concentration of complex species formed in saturated solutions on the concentration of different impurities can be described by an equation similar to that of the concentration dependence of density of solutions, (2) the dominant metal‐containing species present in saturated solutions are negatively‐charged, most stable oxalato complexes like Cu(C₂O₄)₂²⁻, Mn(C₂O₄)₃⁴⁻, Zn(C₂O₄)₃⁴⁻, Cr(C₂O₄)₃³⁻ and Fe(C₂O₄)₃³⁻, (3) in the investigated range of impurity concentration, the solubility of ammonium oxalates increases linearly with the concentration of all impurities and the increase is associated with the stability of dominant complexes, (4) appearance of dead supersaturation zones in the presence of impurities is associated with instantaneous adsorption of all growth sites by dominant oxalato complexes in relatively short adsorption time, and (5) the segregation coefficient of an impurity cation M of charge z + increases with a decrease in the solubility product constant K_sp for the hydrolysis products of reactions of the type: M^{z +} ↔ M₁^{(z −1)+} + H⁺ (where the cation M has z + charge, and H⁺ is hydrogen ion). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influence of complex formation upon inclusion of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) in ZnC2O4·2H2O

The inclusion of 3d‐impurities Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) in a crystalline precipitate of ZnC₂O₄·2H₂O is investigated. This study is a part of the systematic one deal with the mechanism of inclusion of 3d‐ions in sparingly soluble oxalate systems. The experiments are carried out in bi‐ end multi‐component systems at two different mediums – one with deficiency of oxalate ions, another with excess. The insertion of 3d‐ions upon mass crystallization of ZnC₂O₄·2H₂O does not proceed by a simple ionic substitution. The results show that the inserted amount of impurity depends on some physicochemical characteristics of the neutral monooxalato complexes [MnC₂O₄]^o, [CoC₂O₄]^o, [NiC₂O₄]^o and [CuC₂O₄]^o. Good agreement between included impurity and the concentration of its complex in the solution is established. The stability constant of monooxalato complex affects the impurity inclusion. This effect depends on the medium nature. In the deficiency of oxalate ions the factor determining the inclusion is thermodynamic one – stability of monooxalato complexes. In the excess of oxalate ions inserted amount depends on kinetic factor – the formation rate of these complexes. In the term of that the insertion of Mn(II) is definitely different in the two mediums while that of the Ni (II) does not depend on the medium. The copper shows deviation from overall dependence in the two mediums due to the Jahn‐Teller distortion. Its double decreasing insertion in the excess of oxalate ions is related with stabilization of [Cu(C₂O₄)2]^2‐. The conclusions presume that by varying the background medium and taking in view the ions present in the solution, the amount of inserted impurities can be predicted and controlled. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Study of the Growth Morphology of Ammonium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystals Obtained from Aqueous Solutions

The experimental results of the growth morphology of ammonium oxalate monohydrate [(NH₄)₂C₂O₄ · H₂O; AO] single crystals obtained from aqueous solutions at 30 and 40 °C and supersaturation up to 9% are presented. The observations are compared with the theoretical morphology predicted by PBC analysis and Braivais-Donnay-Harker law.     

Studies on the growth and optical characterization of dysprosium gadolinium oxalate single crystals

Preparation and optical characterization of dysprosium gadolinium oxalate (DGO) single crystal is reported. The crystals were grown using silica gel technique, by the controlled reaction of rare earth nitrates with oxalic acid. Crystals were characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction, optical absorption and fluorescence studies. Radiative transition probability, fluorescence branching ratio and radiative lifetime of Dy³⁺ in the crystal are evaluated by the parameterization of the absorption spectrum by the Judd‐Ofelt theory. The recorded fluorescence spectrum showed two well resolved peaks at 480 nm and 571 nm and are assigned to the transitions from ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 and ⁶H_13/2 of Dy³⁺. Stimulated emission crossection and optical gain of these transitions are also evaluated. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of Supersaturation and Temperature on the Growth Morphology of Ammonium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystals Obtained from Aqueous Solutions

The experimental results of a study of the effect of supersaturation and temperature on the growth morphology of ammonium oxalate monohydrate [(NH₄)₂C₂O₄H₂O; AO] single crystals obtained from aqueous solutions at 30 and 40 °C and supersaturation up to 9% are presented. The observations are analysed in terms of theoretical morphology, growth models and attachment energy for growth units in steps of growing faces.     

Investigation of metastable zone width of ammonium oxalate aqueous solutions

The metastable zone width of pure ammonium oxalate aqueous solutions, as represented by maximum supercooling ΔT_max, is investigated as functions of cooling rate R and saturation temperature T₀ by the polythermal method. The experimental results are discussed by using two recently advanced approaches: (1) self‐consistent Nývlt‐like approach based on a power‐law relationship between nucleation rate J and maximum supersaturation lnS_max, and (2) a novel approach based on the relationship between J and lnS_max described by the classical three‐dimensional nucleation theory. Analysis of the experimental data revealed that both approaches describe the experimental data on metastable zone width by the polythermal method reliably and provide useful information about the physical processes and parameters involved in nucleation kinetics. The values of various physical quantities predicted by both of these approaches are reasonable for a fairly‐soluble compound. A careful examination of the data on ΔT_max as a function of T₀ obtained by polythermal method and from density measurements showed that ΔT_max has a slight tendency to decrease with increasing saturation temperature T₀. The values of lnS_max at saturation temperature 303 K suggest that the metastable zone width of ammonium oxalate aqueous solutions is determined by primary nucleation in the polythermal method and by secondary nucleation during density measurements. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Vibrational behavior of matrix‐isolated ions in Tutton compounds IV. Infrared spectroscopic study of NH4+ and SO42‐ ions included in nickel sulfates and selenates

Infrared spectra of K₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O and (NH₄)₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O containing SO₄^2‐ ions and those of K₂Ni(SO₄)₂·6H₂O and K₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O containing NH₄⁺ ions are presented and discussed in the region of ν₃ and ν₁ of the sulfate ions and in the region of ν₄ of the NH₄⁺ ions, respectively. The SO₄^2‐ ions matrix‐isolated in the selenate matrices (approximately 1 mol%) exhibit three bands for ν₃ and one band for ν₁ in agreement with the low site symmetry C₁ of the host selenate ions. The NH₄⁺ guest ions included in the potassium sulfate matrix are characterized also with three bands for ν₄. However, the ammonium ions in (NH₄)₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O as well as those included in K₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O display four infrared bands corresponding to ν₄ due probably to some kind of disorder of the ammonium ions. The extent of energetic distortion of the isomorphously included sulfate ions as deduced from the values of Δν₃ and Δν_max is commented. The spectroscopic experiments reveal that the SO₄^2‐ guest ions are weaker distorted in the selenate matrices as compared to the same ions in the neat sulfates due to the larger unit‐cell volumes of the selenate compounds. The band positions of the water librations in the host potassium compounds are affected by the included ammonium cations. The formation of hydrogen bonds between the NH₄⁺ guest ions and the XO₄^2‐ host ions leads to a decrease in the proton acceptor capabilities of the anions and as a result the hydrogen bonds weaken on going from the neat potassium compounds to the mixed crystals. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Preparation of nanocrystalline lithium niobate powders at low temperature

A facile route to prepare lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) powders was proposed by an alternative solid‐state method. Stoichiometric Li₂C₂O₄ and ammonium niobium oxalate were mixed with small amounts of water and then dried at room temperature. It was demonstrated that Li[NbO(C₂O₄)₂]·n H₂O intermediate was produced by an ion‐exchange reaction. Pure LiNbO₃ powders were successfully synthesized by heating the intermediate at 500, 600 and 700 °C for 3 h. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV‐Vis diffuse reflectance (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis were used to characterize the precursor compound and as‐prepared samples. XRD results reveal that all the products are identified as hexagonal structure with high relative crystallinity (>87%). The particle size is found to be about 40 nm for the mixture calcined at 500 °C according to XRD data, which is in good agreement with SEM data. The as‐prepared LiNbO₃ powders by this method are high quality according to FTIR spectra. (Li_0.996Nb_0.005)Nb_0.999O₃ phase was formed when the calcination temperature was raised to 800 °C. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Hydrogen bonding in thiourea: diethyl oxalate complex in 2:1 ratio

The crystal structure of thiourea:diethyl oxalate in 2:1 ratio is the first of its kind where the diethyl oxalate exists as a solid which otherwise is a liquid at room temperature. It crystallizes in triclinic centrosymmetric space group P-1 with the following unit cell dimensions a = 7.1870(7) Å, b = 7.4890(8) Å, c = 8.3637(7) Å, α = 63.783(7)^∘, β = 67.41(1)^∘, γ = 64.933(7)^∘. The R-factor = 0.0386 for 1850 F_o > 4σ (F_o) and 0.0417 for all 2020 data. There is a center of inversion at the center of the C–C bond of diethyl oxalate. This system is stabilized by N–H ⋅s S and N–H ⋅s O hydrogen bonds.     

Growth aspects of barium oxalate monohydrate single crystals in gel medium

Single crystals of barium oxalate monohydrate (BaC₂O₄.H₂O, BOM) were grown in pure form by controlled diffusion of Ba²⁺ using the gel technique at different temperatures. Starting from aqueous Ba²⁺ chloride (BaCl₂) and acetic acid (C₂H₂O₄) in gel, this method offers a low‐cost and an easiest alternative to other preparation methods for the production of barium oxalate bulky single crystals. The optimal conditions for the growth of BOM crystals in silica gel were found by investigating different growth parameters such as gel pH, gel aging and crystallization temperature. Irrespective of all such crystallization environments, growth rate of the crystals were initially less and then exhibited supersaturation effect leading to non‐linearity. Gel aging and temperature has profound effect on nucleation density that resulted less number of crystals of maximum size in the gel matrix. Perfect single crystals were grown on gels of higher pH. The macropore morphology and porosity was controlled by changing age of the gel. It has been found that temperature has a fabulous effect in controlling the nucleation density by altering the supersaturation conditions for the formation of critical nuclei. The entire growth kinetics informed that the grown crystals were derived by the one dimensional diffusion controlled process. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Direct preparation of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 powders

K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ powders have been directly synthesized by an alternative solid–state method. Stoichimometric mixture of ammonium niobium oxalate and C₄H₄O₆KNa·4H₂O were calcined in temperature range from 500 to 800 °C for 3 h. The precursor and calcination products were characterized with respect to stoichiometry, purity, crystalline structure, particle size and powder morphology using X–ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. XRD and XRF results reveal that stoichiometric K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ powders could be synthesized by the method. The particle size is about 68 nm for the precursor calcined at 500 °C according to XRD data, which is in good agreement with SEM data. The average band gap energy is estimated to be 3.18 eV by UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of Mn(II) ions on the growth of ammonium oxalate monohydrate crystals from aqueous solutions: I. Growth habit and surface morphology

The effect of concentration of Mn(II) ions on the growth habit and the surface micromorphology of different as‐grown faces of ammonium oxalate monohydrate (AO) single crystals grown from aqueous solutions was studied at a constant temperature of 30 °C and predefined supersaturations up to 20%. It was observed that the growth habit and the surface morphology of the crystals strongly depend on the supersaturation used for growth and the impurity concentration in the solution. The experimental results were analysed in terms of connected nets determined from different projections of the structure of AO crystals. Analysis of the observations revealed that: (1) the directions of connected nets corresponding to basic growth units composed of single (NH₄)₂C₂O₄ · H₂O molecules are in excellent agreement with the low‐index crystallographic directions of the orientations of growth layers, (2) all faces appearing in the growth morphology of AO crystals are F faces, and (3) the {001} face growing from pure aqueous solutions is essentially a kinetically rough face but the presence of Mn(II) impurity leads to their appearance in the morphology due to increase in the strength of bonds of the connected nets composing the surface graph.     

Growth and spectroscopic investigation of Yb/Nd co‐doped KLu(WO4)2 laser crystals

Single crystals of Yb, Nd: KLu(WO₄)₂ (Yb, Nd: KLW) of dimensions up to 40mm× 40mm×5mm have been grown by top‐seeded solution growth (TSSG) method. X‐ray powder diffraction pattern was measured and compared with that of Nd: KLuW and Yb: KLuW. Absorption and fluorescence spectra were measured at room temperature. The Judd‐Ofelt theory was applied to analyze the spectrum of Nd, Yb: KLuW crystal. The intensity parameters Ω_t (t=2, 4 and 6) were calculated as Ω₂=20.68×10^‐20cm², Ω₄=11.04×10^‐20cm², Ω₆=6.74×10^‐20cm² respectively, with a root mean square deviation of 0.58×10^‐20 cm². (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth of calcium oxalate crystals induced by complex films containing biomolecules

Nucleation and growth of calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄) crystals induced by films composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol (CS) and human serum albumin (HSA), and of PC, CS and dextran have been carried out. The products obtained were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy. The results indicate that hexagonal calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and club‐shaped calcium oxalate trihydrate (COT) crystals are obtained on the PC/CH/HSA film, and the microstructure and properties of the PC/CH/HSA film depend on the weight ratio of PC to CS. With an increase in the PC‐to‐CS ratio, the number of COM crystals decreases gradually, and finally disappear, suggesting that PC inhibits the growth of COM crystals. On the PC/CS/dextran film, irregular COM and COT crystals are formed. The possible formation mechanisms of CaC₂O₄ on the two complex films are discussed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The crystal structure of hexaammonium diacetyl‐octa‐molybdate tetrahydrate

The crystal structure of hexaammonium diacetyl‐octa‐molybdate tetrahydrate, (NH₄)₄₂[Mo₁₃₂O₃₇₂ (CH₃COO)₃₀(H₂O)₇₂] is documented. The crystals are triclinic, space group P‐1, with a=8.1018(16) Å, b=10.334(2) Å, c=12.238(2) Å, α=68.20(3)°, β=74.98(3)°, γ=67.25(3)°, V=869.3(3) ų, Z=1. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares methods to a Final R1 = 0.0374 and wR2 = 0.1074 for 3805 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). The structure contains ammonium cations and isolated acetyl octamolybdate(6‐) anions, [Mo₈O₂₈(CH₃CO)₂]^6‐. The crystallographic data of the structure was deposited with the Cambridge Data Center as No. CCDC 249565. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal growth and magnetic properties of the copper coordination polymer [Cu(µ ‐C2O4)(4‐aminopyridine)2(H2O)]n

In this paper, we consider various ways of crystal growth of the polymer [Cu(µ ‐C₂O₄)(4‐aminopyridine)₂(H₂O)]_n. Single crystals of the size of 1.5×1.5×0.2 mm³ have been grown by a slow diffusion technique from solutions of the monoammine copper complex and of the mixture of potassium oxalate and aminopyridine with the stoichiometric ratio. Magnetic susceptibility and ESR measurements have been performed on single crystals large enough for investigating anisotropic properties. The susceptibility can be well described within the model of a Heisenberg antiferromagnetic spin chain. The magnetic measurements reveal a small concentration of paramagnetic moments reflecting the high quality of the single crystals. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal Structure Analysis of a New Coumarin Derivative

The title compound (6,6‐dimethyl‐cis‐6H,6aH,7H,12bH,13H‐bis[1]benzopyrano[4,3‐b:4',3'‐d]pyran‐13‐one) crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁ /c with Z = 4. The unit cell dimensions are a = 8.6231(2) Å, b =10.0260(2) Å, c = 19.8376(2) Å, and β = 102.1(1)°, V = 1674.51(5) ų , D_cal = 1.326 Mg/m³. The coumarin moiety is in the planar conformation, the dioxadecalin moiety is cis fused and within the dioxadecalin moiety both the rings are in half cahir/sofa conformations. The structure has many C‐H … O type interactions.     

Crystal growth and structure of KBi(WO4)2 single crystals

Potassium bismuth tungstate [KBi(WO₄)₂] single crystals have been grown by the top‐seeded solution growth technique. Bulk crystal with dimensions up to several centimeters is obtained for the first time. Several self‐flux systems have been used for the growth from the solution and the experiments using K₂W₂O₇ as a solvent are detailed. Powder and single crystal X‐ray diffraction of this crystal are reported. The structure refinement shows that KBi(WO₄)₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a=10.837(3), b=10.586(3), c=7.622(2)Å, β=130.860(3)°, V=661.4(3)ų, and Z=4. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Diamagnetic and photoabsorption characterisation of gel‐grown cadmium oxalate single crystals

Perfect single crystals of cadmium oxalate trihydrate have been grown using the slow and controlled reaction between Cd⁺² and (C₂O₄)^‐2 ions in agar‐agar gel, resulting in the formation of insoluble product Cd(COO)₂.3H₂O. The optimum growth parameters have been determined. The variation of magnetic moment of the grown crystals under an applied static magnetic field is studied and the material is found to be diamagnetic. The polarizability is found sensitive to optical band gap. An empirical relation between magnetic susceptibility and electronic polarizability has been established. Optical absorption spectra of the sample recorded in the range 200‐2500 nm reveal transitions involving absorption and emission of phonons. The detailed study supports the existence of allowed direct and indirect allowed gaps in the material. The direct allowed transition prevails in the region of relatively higher photon energy. Some feeble disorder in the crystal is conceived to be present. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of Mn(II) ions on the growth of ammonium oxalate monohydrate crystals from aqueous solutions: II. Growth kinetics

The experimental results of the effect of concentration of Mn(II) ions on the growth kinetics of different faces of ammonium oxalate monohydrate single crystals from aqueous solutions at a constant temperature and different predefined supersaturations are described and discussed. It was observed that: (1) at a given supersaturation σ, Mn(II) ions lead to a decrease in the growth rates of different faces of AO crystals, (2) the growth of a particular face of the crystals occurs above a critical supersaturation σ_d but there is also another supersaturation barrier σ* when the rate abruptly increases with σ, (3) the values of σ_d and σ* increase with increasing concentration of the impurity, and (4) the values of σ_d depend on the growth kinetics of a face but those of σ* are independent of face growth kinetics. The experimental R(σ) data for different Mn(II) concentrations c_i were analysed according to the model involving complex source of cooperating screw dislocations and concepts of instantaneous and time‐dependent impurity adsorption. It was found that: (1) for a given face the differential heat of adsorption Q_diff is higher during instantaneous impurity adsorption than that during time‐dependent adsorption, and (2) the values of Q_diff involved during instantaneous adsorption are related with face growth kinetics but those during time‐dependent adsorption are independent of face growth kinetics.