Solubility in the Na2Cr2O7-(NH4)2Cr2O7-K2Cr2O7-H2O system

Solubility in the Na₂Cr₂O₇-(NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇-K₂Cr₂O₇-H₂O four-component water-salt system at 25, 50, and 75°C was studied for the first time. Phase field boundaries for individual salts and potassium and ammonium dichromate solid solutions, monovariant lines, and invariant points were determined. Experimental data were used to optimize the looped isohydric process of potassium dichromate preparation involving additional salts.     

La3Pd4Zn4 and La3Pt4Zn4 with a different coloring of the Gd3Cu4Ge4-type structure

Abstract  

The intermetallic zinc compounds La₃Pd₄Zn₄ and La₃Pt₄Zn₄ were synthesized by induction melting of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. The structures were refined from X-ray single-crystal diffractometer data: Gd₃Cu₄Ge₄ type, Immm, a = 1,440.7(5), b = 743.6(2), c = 419.5(2) pm, wR ₂ = 0.0511, 353 F ² for La₃Pd₄Zn₄; and a = 1,439.9(2), b = 748.1(1), c = 415.66(6) pm, wR ₂ = 0.0558, 471 F ² for La₃Pt₄Zn₄ with 23 variables per refinement. The palladium (platinum) and zinc atoms build up a three-dimensional polyanionic [Pd₄Zn₄] (260–281 pm Pd–Zn) and [Pt₄Zn₄] (260–279 pm Pt–Zn) network in which the lanthanum atoms fill cavities of CN 14 (6 Pd/Pt + 8 Zn for La1) and CN 12 (6 Pd/Pt + 6 Zn for La2), respectively. The copper position of the Gd₃Cu₄Ge₄ type is occupied by zinc and the two crystallographically independent germanium sites by palladium (platinum), a new coloring pattern for this structure type. Within the [Pd₄Zn₄] and [Pt₄Zn₄] the Pd2 and Pt2 atoms form Pd2–Pd2 (291 pm) and Pt2–Pt2 (296 pm) dumbbells. The structures of La₃Pd₄Zn₄ and La₃Pt₄Zn₄ are discussed with respect to the prototype Gd₃Cu₄Ge₄ and the Zintl phase Sr₃Li₄Sb₄. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate diamagnetism for La₃Pt₄Zn₄ and Pauli paramagnetism for La₃Pd₄Zn₄.     

Phase relations in the K2W2O7-K2WO4-KPO3-Bi2O3 system and structure of K6.5Bi2.5W4P6O34

The phase relations in the cross-section of the K₂W₂O₇-K₂WO₄-KPO₃ containing 15 mol% Bi₂O₃ were undertaken using flux method. Crystallization fields of K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄, K₂Bi(PO₄)(WO₄), Bi₂WO₆, KBi(WO₄)₂ and their cocrystallization areas were identified. Novel phase K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄ was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: sp. gr. P−1, a=9.4170(5), b=9.7166(4), c=17.6050(7) Å, α=90.052(5)°, β=103.880(5)° and γ=90.125(5)°. It has a layered structure, which contains {K₇Bi₅W₈P₁₂O₆₈}_∞ layers stacked parallel to ab plane and sheets composed by potassium atoms separating these layers. Sandwich-like {K₇Bi₅W₈P₁₂O₆₈}_∞ layers are assembled from [W₂P₂O₁₃]_∞ and [BiPO₄]_∞ building units, and are penetrated by tunnels with K/Bi atoms inside. FTIR-spectra of K₂Bi(PO₄)(WO₄) and K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄ were discussed on the basis of factor group theory.     

Theoretical study of polyoxide clusters B20O30, Al20O30, V20O50, Si20O30H20, and Si20O30F20

The structural, electronic, and vibrational characteristics and energies of the isolated polyoxide clusters B₂₀O₃₀, Al₂₀O₃₀, V₂₀O₅₀, Si₂₀O₃₀H₂₀, and Si₂₀O₃₀F₂₀ and their complexes with the H⁻ ion and ammonia complexes Al₂₀O₃₀ · nNH₃ have been calculated by the density functional theory B3LYP method with different basis sets. The computation results show that the symmetric closo structure I _h with oxygen bridges located above the centers of the faces of an empty [M₂₀] dodecahedron is more favorable for V₂₀O₅₀, Si₂₀O₃₀H₂₀, and Si₂₀O₃₀F₂₀. For B₂₀O₃₀, the cage closo isomer is also more favorable than the other isomers, but its structure is severely distorted as compared to a dodecahedron and has a symmetry close to C ₃ . For Al₂₀O₃₀, the I _h structure corresponds to a high-lying local minimum of the potential energy surface. For Al₂₀O₃₀, a set of unusual puckshaped isomers of symmetry C _i , with different numbers of four-coordinate atoms ^IVAl and three-coordinate atoms ^IIIO, was localized; these structures are more than 90 kcal/mol more favorable than the dodecahedron I _h . The most favorable isomer of Al₂₀O₃₀ contains twelve four-coordinate atoms ^IVAl and four five-coordinate atoms ^VAl. The energies of dissociation of the most favorable M₂₀O₃₀ clusters into the M₂O₃ (C _2v ) and M₄O₆ (T _d ) fragments and, in the case of Al₂₀O₃₀, also into the Al₈O₁₂ (O _h ) and Al₁₂O₁₈ (D _3d ) fragments, have been estimated. The conclusion has been drawn that these clusters can, in principle, exist and can be experimentally detected in the isolated state. Analogous calculations have been performed for ammonia complexes Al₂₀O₃₀ · nNH₃ with n varying from 1 to 20. The effect of solvation on the relative stability of the dodecahedral and puckshaped isomers of the Al₂₀O₃₀ cluster is observed. The isomers with ammonia molecules in their first coordination sphere become much closer to one another on the energy scale; however, the dodecahedron remains a considerably less favorable intermediate. Original Russian Text ? O.P. Charkin, N.M. Klimenko, D.O. Charkin, 2008, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 4, pp. 624–635.     

Solubility of (UO2)3(PO4)2?4H2O in H+-Na+-OH?-H2PO?4-HPO2?4-PO3?4-H2O and Its Comparison to the Analogous PuO2 +2 System

The objectives of this study were to address uncertainties in the solubility product of (UO₂)₃(PO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(c) and in the phosphate complexes of U(VI), and more importantly to develop needed thermodynamic data for the Pu(VI)-phosphate system in order to ascertain the extent to which U(VI) and Pu(VI) behave in an analogous fashion. Thus studies were conducted on (UO₂)₃(PO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(c) and (PuO₂)₃(PO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(am) solubilities for long-equilibration periods (up to 870 days) in a wide range of pH values (2.5 to 10.5) at fixed phosphate concentrations of 0.001 and 0.01 M, and in a range of phosphate concentrations (0.0001–1.0 M) at fixed pH values of about 3.5. A combination of techniques (XRD, DTA/TG, XAS, and thermodynamic analyses) was used to characterize the reaction products. The U(VI)-phosphate data for the most part agree closely with thermodynamic data presented in Guillaumont et al.,⁽¹⁾ although we cannot verify the existence of several U(VI) hydrolyses and phosphate species and we find the reported value for formation constant of UO₂PO⁻₄ is in error by more than two orders of magnitude. A comprehensive thermodynamic model for (PuO₂)₃(PO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(am) solubility in the H⁺-Na⁺-OH⁻-Cl⁻-H₂PO⁻₄-HPO²⁻₄-PO³⁻₄-H₂O system, previously unavailable, is presented and the data shows that the U(VI)-phosphate system is an excellent analog for the Pu(VI)-phosphate system.     

Syntheses and characterizations of complex perovskite oxynitrides LaMg1/3Ta2/3O2N, LaMg1/2Ta1/2O5/2N1/2, and BaSc0.05Ta0.95O2.1N0.9

The following complex oxynitride perovskites have been prepared: LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N, LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2, and BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction analyses show that LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N and LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2 are isostructural to the oxide La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ (space group P2₁/n), whereas BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 has a simple cubic symmetry similarly to BaTaO₂N. The orderings of octahedral cations are markedly diminished in the above oxynitrides, as compared with the related oxides such as La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ and Ba₂ScTaO₆. The optical band gaps are similar for the homologous compositions, LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N, LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2 and LaTaON₂ (1.9 eV), and BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 and BaTaO₂N (1.8 eV), while the absorption edges become broader for the complex derivatives. As revealed from the impedance spectroscopic analysis, the oxynitrides have clearly different dielectric components from those of comparable oxides containing Ta⁵⁺. Impedance spectroscopy reveals interesting capacitor geometry in BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 in which the semiconducting oxynitride grains are separated by insulating secondary phases. Most notably BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 has a bulk component with a high relative permittivity (κ=7300) and the grain boundary component with an even higher κ.     

The Crystal Structures of Zr3Al3C5, ScAl3C3, and UAl3C3and Their Relation to the Structures of U2Al3C4and Al4C3

Single crystals of Zr₃Al₃C₅—a carbide previously reported with the formula ZrAlC_2−x—were isolated from a sample prepared by reaction of ZrC with an excess of aluminum. The carbides ScAl₃C₃and UAl₃C₃were synthesized from the elemental components by arc-melting. The crystal structures of these three compounds were redetermined from four-circle X-ray diffractomter data. In the original structure determination of ZrAlC_2−x, the metal positions were found to form close-packed layers in the space groupP6₃/mmc, while the carbon atoms were assumed to occupy 5/6 of the octahedral voids at random. The present structure determination in the space groupP6₃/mc(R=0.024 for 519 structure factors and 23 variable parameters) shows that all carbon positions are fully occupied and one has a trigonal bipyramidal aluminum coordination. The structures of ScAl₃C₃and UAl₃C₃also have originally been determined in the space groupP6₃/mmc. The present structure refinements in the space groupP6₃mc(ScAl₃C₃:R=0.031 for 282Fvalues and 16 variables; UAl₃C₃:R=0.029 for 217Fvalues and 16 variables) essentially confirms the structures with the exception of one aluminum site. In all of these structures the metal atoms are arranged in close-packed layers and together with the previously reported structure of U₂Al₃C₄they form a homologous series with the general formulaT_1+nAl₃C_3+n, wheren=0, 1, 2 for ScAl₃C₃, U₂Al₃C₄, and Zr₃Al₃C₅, respectively. The packing of the metal atoms is represented by the Zhdanov symbols (4)₂, (5)₂, and (6)₂. The arrangement of the aluminum atoms is very similar to that of the binary carbide Al₄C₃, while the other metal atoms form a cubic stacking sequence, as it is found in the binary carbidesTC with NaCl type structure.     

KCl-KBO2-K2CO3, K2MoO4-KBO2-K2CO3, and K2WO4-KBO2-K2CO3 ternary systems

phase diagrams of KCl-KBO₂-K₂CO₃, K₂MoO₄-KBO₂-K₂CO₃, and K₂WO₄-KBO₂-K₂CO₃ ternary systems were studied by a calculation-experimental method and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The coordinates of ternary eutectics were determined to be E ₁: 622°C, 8.5 mol % KBO₂, 56.5 mol % KCl, and 35 mol % K₂CO₃; E ₂: 710°C, 23 mol % KBO₂, 43 mol % K₂CO₃, and 34 mol % K₂MoO₄; E ₃: 710°C, 23 mol % KBO₂, 43 mol % K₂CO₃, and 34 mol % K₂WO₄. The specific heats of melting of the eutectics were determined.     

Ion-beam irradiation of lanthanum compounds in the systems La2O3-Al2O3 and La2O3-TiO2

Thin crystals of La₂O₃, LaAlO₃, La_2/3TiO₃, La₂TiO₅, and La₂Ti₂O₇ have been irradiated in situ using 1 MeV Kr²⁺ ions at the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscope-Tandem User Facility (IVEM-Tandem), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). We observed that La₂O₃ remained crystalline to a fluence greater than 3.1×10¹⁶ ions cm⁻² at a temperature of 50 K. The four binary oxide compounds in the two systems were observed through the crystalline-amorphous transition as a function of ion fluence and temperature. Results from the ion irradiations give critical temperatures for amorphisation (T_c) of 647 K for LaAlO₃, 840 K for La₂Ti₂O₇, 865 K for La_2/3TiO₃, and 1027 K for La₂TiO₅. The T_c values observed in this study, together with previous data for Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, are discussed with reference to the melting points for the La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ and La₂O₃-TiO₂ systems and the different local environments within the four crystal structures. Results suggest that there is an observable inverse correlation between T_c and melting temperature (T_m) in the two systems. More complex relationships exist between T_c and crystal structure, with the stoichiometric perovskite LaAlO₃ being the most resistant to amorphisation.     

Sol-gel synthesis of K3InF6 and structural characterization of K2InC10O10H6F9, K3InC12O14H4F18 and K3InC12O12F18

K₃InF₆ is synthesized by a sol-gel route starting from indium and potassium acetates dissolved in isopropanol in the stoichiometry 1:3, with trifluoroacetic acid as fluorinating agent. The crystal structures of the organic precursors were solved by X-ray diffraction methods on single crystals. Three organic compounds were isolated and identified: K₂InC₁₀O₁₀H₆F₉, K₃InC₁₂O₁₄H₄F₁₈ and K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈. The first one, deficient in potassium in comparison with the initial stoichiometry, is unstable. In its crystal structure, acetate as well as trifluoroacetate anions are coordinated to the indium atom. The two other precursors are obtained, respectively, by quick and slow evaporation of the solution. They correspond to the final organic compounds, which give K₃InF₆ by decomposition at high temperature. The crystal structure of K₃InC₁₂O₁₄H₄F₁₈ is characterized by complex anions [In(CF₃COO)₄(OH_x)₂]^(5−2x)− and isolated [CF₃COOH_2−x]^(x−1)− molecules with x=2 or 1, surrounded by K⁺ cations. The crystal structure of K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈ is only constituted by complex anions [In(CF₃COO)₆]³⁻ and K⁺ cations. For all these compounds, potassium cations ensure only the electroneutrality of the structure. IR spectra of K₂InC₁₀O₁₀H₆F₉ and K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈ were also performed at room temperature on pulverized crystals.     

Luminescence properties of efficient X-ray phosphors of YBa3B9O18, LuBa3(BO3)3, α-YBa3(BO3)3 and LuBO3

The samples of YBa₃B₉O₁₈, LuBa₃(BO₃)₃, α-YBa₃(BO₃)₃ and LuBO₃ powders have been synthesized by the solid-state reaction methods at high temperature and their X-ray excited luminescent properties were investigated. All the studied materials show a broad emission band in the wavelength range of 300-550 nm with the peak centers at about 385 nm for YBa₃B₉O₁₈ and LuBa₃(BO₃)₃, 415 nm for α-YBa₃(BO₃)₃ and 360 nm for LuBO₃ powders, respectively. Even though those compounds have the different atomic structures, they have the common structural feature of each yttrium or lutetium ion bonded to six separate BO₃ groups, i.e., octahedral RE(BO₃)₆ (RE=Lu or Y) moiety. This octahedral RE(BO₃)₆(RE=Lu or Y) moiety seems to be an important structural element for efficient X-ray excited luminescence of those compounds, as are the edge-sharing octahedral TaO₆ chains for tantalate emission.     

Polymorphism in the Sc2Si2O7-Y2Si2O7 system

This paper examines the structural changes with temperature and composition in the Sc₂Si₂O₇-Y₂Si₂O₇ system; members of this system are expected to form in the intergranular region of Si₃N₄ and SiC structural ceramics when sintered with the aid of Y₂O₃ and Sc₂O₃ mixtures. A set of different compositions have been synthesized using the sol-gel method to obtain a xerogel, which has been calcined at temperatures between 1300 and 1750 °C during different times. The temperature-composition diagram of the system, obtained from powder XRD data, is dominated by the β-RE₂Si₂O₇ polymorph, with γ-RE₂Si₂O₇ and δ-RE₂Si₂O₇ showing very reduced stability fields. Isotherms at 1300 and 1600 °C have been analysed in detail to evaluate the solid solubility of the components. Although, the XRD data show a complete solid solubility of β-Sc₂Si₂O₇ in β-Y₂Si₂O₇ at 1300 °C, the ²⁹Si MAS-NMR spectra indicate a local structural change at x ca. 1.15 (Sc_2−xY_xSi₂O₇) related to the configuration of the Si tetrahedron, which does not affect the long-range order of the β-RE₂Si₂O₇ structure. Finally, it is interesting to note that, although Sc₂Si₂O₇ shows a unique stable polymorph (β), Sc³⁺ is able to replace Y³⁺ in γ-Y₂Si₂O₇ in the compositional range 1.86?x?2 (where x is Sc_2−xY_xSi₂O₇) as well as in δ-Y₂Si₂O₇ for compositions much closer to the pure Y₂Si₂O₇.     

NaBO2-NaCl-Na2CO3, NaBO2- Na2CO3-NaMoO4, NaBO2- Na2CO3-NaWO4, and NaBO2-NaCl-Na2WO4 ternary systems

The phase diagrams of the NaBO₂-NaCl-Na₂CO₃, NaBO₂-Na₂CO₃-Na₂MoO₄, NaBO₂- Na₂CO₃-Na₂WO₄, and NaBO₂-NaCl-Na₂WO₄ ternary systems were studied by a calculation-experimental method and differential thermal analysis. The coordinates of ternary eutectics were determined: E ₁: 612°C, 16 mol % NaBO₂, 42 mol % NaCl, and 42 mol % Na₂CO₃; E ₂: 568°C, 12 mol % NaBO₂, 28 mol % Na₂CO₃, and 60 mol % Na₂MoO₄; E ₃: 575°C, 12 mol % NaBO₂, 32 mol % Na₂CO₃, and 56 mol % Na₂WO₄; E ₄: 628°C, 8 mol % NaBO₂, 20 mol % NaCl, and 72 mol % Na₂WO₄; and E ₅: 655°C, 9 mol % NaBO₂, 53 mol % NaCl, and 38 mol % Na₂WO₄.     

Magnetic properties of Fe2P-type Tb6FeTe2, Tb6CoTe2, Tb6NiTe2 and Er6FeTe2 compounds

The magnetic ordering of the Fe₂P-type Tb₆FeTe₂, Tb₆CoTe₂ Tb₆NiTe₂ and Er₆FeTe₂ phases (space group P6¯2m) has been investigated through magnetization measurement and neutron powder diffraction. Tb₆FeTe₂, Tb₆CoTe₂ and Tb₆NiTe₂ demonstrate high-temperature ferromagnetic and low-temperature spin reorientation transitions, whereas Er₆FeTe₂ shows antiferromagnetic transition, only.The Tb₆FeTe₂ and Tb₆NiTe₂ phases show same high-temperature collinear ferromagnetic structure, whereas Tb₆FeTe₂ is the commensurate non-collinear ferromagnet and Tb₆NiTe₂ is the canted ferromagnetic cone with K₁=[0, 0, ±3/10] and K₂=[±2/9, ±2/9, 0] wave vectors at 2 K. The magnetic structure of Er₆FeTe₂ is a flat spiral with K₁=[0, 0, ±1/10] at 2 K. The magnetic entropy change for Tb₆NiTe₂ is ΔS_m=−4.86 J/kg K at 229 K for the field change Δμ₀H=0-5 T.In addition, novel Fe₂P-type Gd₆FeTe₂, Zr₆FeTe₂, Hf₆FeTe₂, Dy₆NiTe₂, Zr₆NiTe₂ and Hf₆NiTe₂ phases have been obtained.     

Theoretical study of polyoxide clusters Sc20O30, P20O50, Ti20O30F20, and V20O30F20

The structural, electronic, and vibrational characteristics and energies of the isolated polyoxide clusters Sc₂₀O₃₀, P₂₀O₅₀, Ti₂₀O₃₀F₂₀, and V₂₀O₃₀F₂₀ and ammonia complexes Sc₂₀O₃₀ · nNH₃ were calculated by the density functional theory B3LYP method with several basis sets. The computation results show that a fullerene-like closo structure I _h with oxygen bridges located above the midpoints of the edges of an empty [M₂₀] dodecahedron is preferable for the Ti₂₀O₃₀F₂₀ and V₂₀O₃₀F₂₀ clusters with four-coordinate metal atoms protected by the outer M-F bonds. This structure with a cage diameter of ∼1 nm and the diameter of nearly planar decagonal faces (windows) of ∼0.5 nm is stable to dissociation into fragments and to strong geometric distortions and retains its closo shape when molecules like NH₃ and anions like H⁻ are attached to the cage. An analogous closo structure is favorable for the P₂₀O₅₀ cluster; however, in this structure, the [P₂₀] cage is severely distorted and all 12 windows are strongly corrugated. For Sc₂₀O₃₀, the I _h dodecahedron with bare three-coordinate Sc atoms corresponds to a local minimum of the potential energy surface, which is 170–200 kcal/mol less favorable than compact puck-shaped isomers in which four- and five-coordinate metal atoms and three- and four-coordinate oxygen atom prevail. “Solvation” of the dodecahedral and puck-shaped Sc₂₀O₃₀ isomers by ammonia molecules strongly decreases the energy gap between the isomers; however, the dodecahedron I _h in all cases remains a high-lying intermediate. According to calculations, most polyoxides under consideration have a high electron affinity (comparable with or higher than that of fullerenes) and is able to add three to five or more alkali-metal atoms to form radical salts in which clusters are in the state of polyanions. Because of large sizes of the [M₂₀] cages and their windows, the interior of the cage (as distinct from fullerenes) can accommodate a considerable number of atoms and several small molecules. The V₂₀O₃₀F₂₀ cluster has 20 unpaired electrons and can be treated as a molecular magnet. The properties of the [M₂₀] cages depend only slightly on the outer substituents. It is suggested that the pattern will be retained upon the substitution of OH groups for the F atoms and that the hydroxo-substituted clusters can bind to each other through hydrogen bridges and serve as building blocks for self-assembly into ordered nanometer and crystalline structures of various dimensions. Original Russian Text ? O.P. Charkin, N.M. Klimenko, D.O. Charkin, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 5, pp. 775–785.     

The characterization of Ba3Re2O9 and Sr3Re2O9

The compounds Ba₃Re₂O₉ and Sr₃Re₂O₉ were prepared by the solid state reaction of the corresponding alkaline-earth oxide with ReO₃ at 750 to 900°C in sealed, evacuated, fused silica tubes. The two compounds are isostructural, having the nine-layer ABO₃ structure with vacant central octahedra. The unit cell parameters are given. The magnetic susceptibility for Ba₃Re₂O₉ indicates Curie-Weiss behavior with a Re⁶⁺ moment having localized electrons. The magnetic data for Sr₃Re₂O₉ suggest delocalized electron behavior from its temperature-independent susceptibility. Both compounds appear to have semiconducting properties, but the strontium analog is a better conductor. Both compounds are unstable when heated in air above 400°C. They are readily decomposed by chemical oxidizing agents.     

Preparation and characterization of Bi0.75Er0.25O1.5 and Bi0.75Er0.125Y0.125O1.5 nanocrystalline ceramics by SPS

Nanopowders of Bi_0.75Er_0.25O_1.5 and Bi_0.75Er_0.125Y_0.125O_1.5 were prepared by a reverse titration chemical coprecipitation method under controlled pH conditions. After calcination at 500 °C for 3 h, powders with grain size in the order of 10 nm were obtained. In order to keep the nanosize of grains, these powders were densified by spark plasma sintering. Samples with relative density higher than 96% were prepared in only 10 min up to 500 °C with an average grain size of 15 and 11 nm for Bi_0.75Er_0.25O_1.5 and Bi_0.75Er_0.125Y_0.125O_1.5, respectively. Impedance spectroscopy revealed slightly higher conductivity for the Bi_0.75Er_0.125Y_0.125O_1.5 composition compared to Bi_0.75Er_0.25O_1.5 nanoceramic, but performances remained lower than the corresponding Bi_0.75Er_0.25O_1.5 microcrystalline sample. However, mechanical properties of both nanocrystalline ceramics are improved when compared to microcrystalline samples.     

The luminescence of Cs3Bi2Cl9 and Cs3Sb2Cl9

The luminescence properties of Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉, α-Cs₃Sb₂Cl₉, and β-Cs₃Sb₂Cl₉ are reported and compared with those of Cs₃Bi₂Br₉. The first two compounds have comparable luminescence properties which can be described in terms of a band model. Deep center emission is observed for both compounds, whereas edge emission is observed only for Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉. The optical transitions of β-Cs₃Sb₂Cl₉ are localized on the Sb³⁺ ion. The orientation of the lone-pair orbitals of the ns² ions seems to play an important role in the formation of the cationic valence band. The α-β transformation must therefore have a considerable influence on the spectral properties of Cs₃Sb₂Cl₉.     

Singlet-triplet energy separation in divalent seven-membered cyclic conjugated compounds C6H6C, C6H6Si, C6H6Ge, C6H6Sn, and C6H6Pb

The electronic and thermal energy differences, ΔE(t-s); enthalpy differences, ΔH(t-s); and free energy differences between the singlet and triplet states, ΔG(t-s), were calculated for C₆H₆C, C₆H₆Si, C₆H₆Ge, C₆H₆Sn, and C₆H₆Pb at the B3LYP/6-311++G (3df, 2p) level. The singlet-triplet splitting, G _s-t, of C₆H₆C, C₆H₆Si, C₆H₆Ge, C₆H₆Sn, and C₆H₆Pb generally increased from C₆H₆C toward C₆H₆Pb. The most stable tautomers and conformers were suggested for the singlet and triplet states of C₆H₆M (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb). The geometrical parameters were calculated and discussed. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Vibrational Spectra of the Cyclic SN-Compounds S4N4, S4N4H4 and S3N3Cl3

The IR and Raman spectra of solid and dissolved S₄N₄, S₄N₄H₄, S₄N₄D₄ and S₃N₃Cl₃ have been recorded and are assigned according to D_2d, C_4v and C_3v symmetry respectively. In the solid state, many forbidden bands and splittings of degenerate vibrations are observed because of the symmetry lowering in the crystals. Due to the different size and shape of the rings and to strong coupling of the normal modes there is no clear correlation between the SN ring stretching vibrations and the strength of the SN bonds, except for the one of the E modes. However, the stretching force constant show the trend expected from changes in interatomic distances.