Preparation of mesoporous Ce<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> mixed oxides and their catalytic properties in methane combustion

Mesoporous Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ mixed oxide catalysts of different molar ratios (x = 0.1–0.5) were prepared by the citric acid sol-gel method and the microwave technique. The activities of Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ mixed oxides on methane combustion were investigated, and the structure and reductive properties were characterized by XRD, BET, DRS, and TPR. The data showed that Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ mixed oxides prepared were mesoporous material. When x ≤ 0.2, the transition metal Fe incorporated into the lattice of CeO₂ to form cubic Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ solid solutions, and mixed phases of cubic Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ solid solutions and α-Fe₂O₃ existed when x > 0.2. Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ solid solutions show higher activity for methane combustion than pure CeO₂, especially for Ce_0.9Fe_0.1O₂.     

Preparation,structure, and charge transport characteristics of BIFEVOX ultrafine powders

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters of ultrafine powders were studied in Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Fe _x O_{11 ? x} (BIFEVOX) solid solutions. The details of synthesis of the solid solutions via liquid precursors are analyzed comparatively. In general, BIFEVOX formation via liquid precursors is similar to phase formation in solid-phase synthesis. With low iron levels (x = 0.05–0.1), solid solutions are formed in the monoclinic α phase (space group C2/m) The compositions with x = 0.125 and 0.15 are mixtures of α- and β phases. In the range 0.2 < x < 0.7, the Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Fe _x O_{11 ? x} solid solution has the structure of the γ phase of Bi₄V₂O₁₁ (space group I4/mmm). The β phase in the system in question has a very narrow existence range in the vicinity of x = 0.175. The average particle sizes of the powders prepared by various methods are within 0.5–3 μm. In the powders prepared via liquid precursors, however, the distribution peak shifts toward smaller sizes, to 0.3–1 μm. Mechanical activation conserves the structure of the γ phase of BIFEVOX, and unit cell parameters change only insignificantly; however, the crystal lattice is slightly distorted. The electrical conductivity of BIFEVOX was studied as a function of temperature, preparation technology, and composition using impedance spectroscopy. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. The conductivity of samples prepared by solution technology is always higher than for samples prepared by the solid-phase process. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for various phases are noted. All transitions on the conductivity curves match the features of linear thermal expansion curves. Compositions with doping levels x= 0.1–0.3 have the highest total conductivities.     

The oxygen nonstoichiometry,defect structure,and thermodynamic characteristics of disordering of nickel-and iron-substituted lanthanum cobaltites

The oxygen nonstoichiometry of nickel-and iron-substituted lanthanum cobaltites of the compositions LaCo_1?x Ni _x O_3?δ (x = 0.1, 0.3) and LaCo_0.9Fe_0.1O_3?δ was studied by high-temperature thermogravimetric analysis over the temperature and oxygen partial pressure ranges 1223–1473 K and 10^?3–0.21 atm. The partial replacement of cobalt with nickel (an acceptor impurity) in lanthanum cobaltite was found to increase the number of defects in the oxygen sublattice, whereas the replacement with iron (a donor impurity) decreased this number. Correlations between the experimental \(\log p_{O_2 } = f(\delta )\) dependences and the suggested models of formation of point defects were analyzed taking into account the formation of Schottky defects. Interrelation between the defect structure, partial molar thermodynamic characteristics of oxygen release from the crystal lattices of the oxides studied, and the nature of substituting impurities (Ni and Fe) in lanthanum cobaltite was demonstrated.     

Structure and properties of solid solutions based on bismuth niobate Bi<Subscript>3</Subscript>NbO<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Solid solutions Bi₃Nb_1–yW_yO_{7 ± δ}, Bi₃Nb_1–yV_yO_{7 ± δ}, Bi₃Nb_1–yFe_yO_{7 ± δ} (y = 0.1–0.5; Δy = 0.1), and Bi_3–xY_xNb_1–yW_yO_{7 ± δ} (x = 0.05, 0.1; y = 0–0.3; Δy = 0.1) have been studied. The homogeneity ranges of the solid solutions and crystal-chemical parameters have been determined by means of X-ray powder diffraction. The electrical conductivity of sintered samples has been studied by impedance spectroscopy. The joint introduction of yttrium and tungsten into the niobium sublattice does not lead to an increase in the conductivity of solid solutions, and the change of the dopant type has no noticeable effect on this conductivity.     

High-temperature properties of new perovskite-like oxides

New complex oxides of composition Pr_1–y Ca _y Fe_{0.5 + x} (Mg_0.25Mo_0.25)_0.5–x O₃, 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, 0.42 ≤ y ≤ 0.8 having an orthorhombically distorted perovskite structure have been prepared. The thermal expansion and electric conductivity of the new phases have been studied in the temperature range between 100–900°C. The results of our study imply that thin films of the oxides studied can be treated as electrode materials for symmetric solid-oxide fuel cells.     

Effects of base composition and dopants on the properties of hexagonal ferrites

The effects of the base composition and dopants on the saturation magnetization and coercivity of hexaferrites BaAl_xFe_12–xO₁₉, SrAl_xFe_12–xO₁₉, BaGa_xFe_12–xO₁₉, SrGa_xFe_12–xO₁₉, BaSc_xFe_12–xO₁₉ and SrSc_xFe_12–xO₁₉ have been studied. Isomorphic substitutions of Al₂O₃, Ga₂O₃, and Sc₂O₃ for Fe₂O₃ in barium and strontium ferrites are found to increase coercivity due to increasing crystallographic anisotropy constant and to reduce the saturation magnetization value. Processes controlling microstructure formation, specifically recrystallization processes, are shown to have a noticeable effect on the level of properties of the ferrites under study with the use of dopants. The most efficient dopants are boron, calcium, and silicon oxides, which provide the formation of relatively fine-grained structures. The increased coercivity upon doping with these dopants is also due to the formation of grain-boundary interlayers of a nonmagnetic glassy phase and the associated efficient retardation of moving domain walls.     

Mössbauer study of films produced by laser deposition of iron oxides

Iron oxides, magnetite Fe₃O₄ and hematite Fe₂O₃ were laser-deposited onto Al substrates at various temperatures, and the Mössbauer spectra of the films were measured. The compositions of the films changed depending on the formation temperature of the substrate, oxide deficiency in the lattice structures and the formation process of the iron oxides. The films were composed of Fe_3?x O₄ and Fe_1?x O independent of the laser-evaporation source (magnetite or hematite). Fe_3?x O₄ was seen to be dominant at higher temperatures and Fe_1?x O was dominant at lower temperatures. The compositions of the films were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and the surfaces of the deposited films were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Synthesis,structure, and conduction of solid solutions BIMEVOX (Me = Cu,Ti)

Conditions for synthesizing single-phase solid solutions Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} and Bi_{4 ? x/2}V_{2 ? x/2}Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x/2} are studied. The sequence of phase transformations is determined. Possible domains of stability of polymorphic modifications and the overall conductivity as a function of temperature and composition are studied. The structure of the γ-modification is refined using Rietveld’s full-profile analysis.     

Sulfonic acid-functionalized titanomagnetite nanoparticles as recyclable heterogeneous acid catalyst for one-pot solvent-free synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>)-ones/thiones

Sulfonic acid-functionalized titanomagnetite (Fe_3?x Ti _x O₄@SO₃H) nanoparticles were prepared by grafting sulfonic acid groups on Fe_3?x Ti _x O₄ nanoparticles. This new heterogeneous acid nanocatalyst demonstrated an efficient catalytic performance in the one-pot synthesis of dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one/thione derivatives under solvent-free conditions with high yields. The nanocatalyst could easily be separated from the reaction mixture simply by using an external magnet, recycled and reused for several times with no significant loss of catalytic activity. These nanoparticles were characterized by different physicochemical techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, thermogravimetric and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analyses.     

Crystal structure and conduction of BICUTIVOX

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters were studied for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} solid solutions. Doping levels within x = 0.025–0.15 distort the C2/m crystal lattice (this lattice is characteristic of individual the Bi₄V₂O₁₁ phase) and lowers its symmetry to triclinic. The solid solutions with 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.30 crystallize in tetragonal space group I4/mmm. High-temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry measurements for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} (x ≤ 0.35) solid solutions verified the existence of three structural varieties within 298–1023 K. Electrical conductivity of BICUTIVOX was studied by impedance spectroscopy as a function of temperature, composition, and oxygen partial pressure. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for the structural varieties are noted. Above 873 K, the solid solutions samples with x = 0.05 have the highest conductivity. At lower temperatures, higher conductivities are in the solid solutions that retain the γ phase in the low-temperature region. The dominant oxygen-ion conduction mechanism was discovered in the solid solutions.     

Alkali (alkaline-earth) metal,aluminum, and titanium complex orthophosphates: Synthesis and characterization

Phase formation in the A_{1 + x} Al _x Ti_{2 ? x} P₃O₁₂ (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs; 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0) and B_{0.5(l + x)}Al _x Ti_{2 ? x} P₃O₁₂ (B = Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba; 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0) systems was studied using X-ray powder diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, and IR spectroscopy. The following double and triple orthophosphates were found to exist: A_{1 + x} Al _x Ti_{2 ? x} (PO₄)₃ with A = Li (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3), Na (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0), K (x = 0, 1.0, or 2.0), Rb (x = 0, 1.0, or 2.0), or Cs (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) and B_{0.5(l + x)}Al _x Ti_{2 ? x} (PO₄)₃ with B = Mg and Ba (x = 0), Ca and Sr (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2). These orthophosphates crystallize in the structure types of kosnarite, langbeinite, cesium titanium arsenate, potassium aluminum phosphate, or rubidium aluminum phosphate. Their crystal parameters were calculated. For CsTi₂(PO₄)₃ (x = 0), Rietveld refinement was carried out: space group Ia \(\bar 3\) d, Z = 32, a = 19.909(5) Å, V = 7892(1) ų. This compound has a framework structure. The framework is built of TiO₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra; eight- and 12-coordinated Cs⁺ cations populate interstices.     

High-pressure defect phase Tm<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

Perovskite-related oxide Tm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ (space group Im \(\bar 3\), Z = 2, a = 7.262?7.273 Å) with vacancies in the cationic sublattice has been prepared for the first time under barothermal conditions (p = 7.0?9.0 GPa, T = 900?1100°C). Electric resistivity (10–300 K) and magnetic susceptibility (0–300 K) were studied as a function of temperature. Tm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ is shown to have a metallic conductivity and paramagnetism.     

A study of phase formation in the subsolidus region of the system Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MnMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase relationships in the subsolidus region of the system Na₂MoO₄-MnMoO₄-Cr₂(MoO₄)₃ were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and differential-thermal analyses. The possibility of obtaining a variablecomposition phase Na_1?x Mn_1?x Cr_1+x (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) and ternary molybdate NaMn₃Cr(MoO₄)₅ was examined. The temperature dependence of the conductivity of the phase Na_1?x Mn_1?x Cr_1+x (MoO₄)₃ was analyzed.     

Phase equilibria in the system LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrCrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-LaCrO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A continuous solid solution LaMn_1?y Cr _y O₃ with an orthorhombic structure is found to exist in the range of 0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0. An orthorhombic solid solution La_1?x Sr _x CrO₃ exists in the range of 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1. The stability boundaries are determined for the perovskite phase La_1?x Sr _x Mn_1?y Cr _y O₃. An isobaric-isothermal section LaMnO₃-SrMnO₃-SrCrO₄-LaCrO₃ of the system La₂O₃-SrO-Mn₃O₄-Cr₂O₃ in air at 1100°C is designed.     

High-pressure nonstoichiometric phase Sm<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

Perovskite-like nonstoichiometric oxide Sm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ (space group Im \(\bar 3\), Z = 2, a = 7.276?7.314 Å) with cationic vacancies and a homogeneity region was prepared barothermally (p = 6.0?9.0 GPa, T = 700?1100°C) for the first time. Structural and isotropic thermal parameters, as well as bond lengths and bond angles, were determined. The compound has metal-type conductivity and paramagnetic properties.     

Structure and electrical conductivity of cobalt-doped Bi<Subscript>26</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>10</Subscript>O<Subscript>69</Subscript>

The existence boundaries, structures, and transport parameters of Bi_{1 ? x} Co _x [Bi₁₂O₁₄]Mo₅O_{20 ± δ} and Bi[Bi₁₂O₁₄]Mo_{5 ? y} Co _y O_{20 ± δ} solid solutions, which have a unique columnar structure, were studied. Electrical conductivity in these solid solutions was studied by impedance spectroscopy.     

Thermodynamic description of phases in the neodymium-barium-copper-oxygen system

The available experimental data were used to construct thermodynamic models of Nd-Ba-Cu-O system phases. The coordinates of the nonvariant points of this system were determined, and the phase diagram for the Nd_{1 + x} Ba_{2 ? x} Cu₃O_{6 + z} (x = 10^?4) compound was calculated.     

Thermodynamic calculations of phase equilibria in the neodymium-barium-copper-oxygen system at O<Subscript>2</Subscript> pressures of 0.21 and 1 bar

The analytic equations for the Gibbs energy of Nd-Ba-Cu-O system phases obtained earlier were used to calculate the phase diagrams of the Ba_0.5Cu_0.5O-Nd_0.5Cu_0.5O section at oxygen partial pressures of 0.21 and 1 bar. For p(O₂)= 0.21 bar, the coordinates of the nonvariant system points, the projection of the liquidus surface, and the phase diagram of the Nd_{1 + x} Ba_{2 ? x} Cu₃O_{6 + z} compound in the subsolidus region were determined.     

Hydration and proton transport in solid solutions based on Ba<Subscript>2</Subscript>CaWO<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Hydrated alkaline-earth metal tungstates Ba₄Ca_{2 + x} W_{2 ? x} O_{12 ? 2x} with perovskite structure were studied by the thermogravimetry, ¹H NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy methods. Electrical conductivity and transfer numbers were measured with varying T, \(p_{O_2 } \) and \(p_{H_2 O} \). The solid solutions are capable of reversibly intercalating water and can exhibit high-temperature proton transport. The localization of protons on oxygen results in the appearance of energetically nonequivalent OH groups; a small fraction of protons are present in the form of H₂O and H₃O⁺.     

Iridium–nickel composite oxide catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction in acidic water electrolysis

A series of Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) composite oxides have been prepared by a simple pyrolysis method in ethanol system and used as the electrocatalysts for OER in acidic medium. The materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical performances of these Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y composite catalysts are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and steady-state measurements. The resulting oxides with the Ni content (x) less than 0.3 have a complex nature of metal Ir and rutile structure IrO₂ which is similar to the Ir oxide prepared by the same approach and possess the contracted lattice resulted from the Ni-doping. Although the addition of Ni reduces the electroactive surface areas due to the coalescence of particles, the catalytic activity of the Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y (0 < x ≤ 0.3) catalysts is slightly higher than that of the pyrolyzed Ir oxide. Regardless of the surface area difference, the intrinsic activity first increases and then decreases with the Ni content in Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y catalysts, and the intrinsic activity of Ir_0.7Ni_0.3O_2–y catalyst is about 1.4 times of the Ni-free Ir oxide mainly attributed to the enhancement of conductivity and a change of the binding energy as increasing amount of the incorporated Ni with respect to the pure IrO₂. The Ir_0.7Ni_0.3O_2–y catalyst shows a prospect of iridium-nickel oxide materials in reducing the demand of the expensive Ir oxide catalyst for OER in acidic water electrolysis.