A kinetic study of the thermal degradation of 3-methylaminopropylamine inside AlPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-21

Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of 3-methylaminopropylamine which was used as a structure-directing agent in the synthesis of AlPO₄-21 has been studied under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The decomposition is a single-step reaction occurring in the 573–663 K range. It is a phase-boundary-controlled process, described by the ‘F2/3, R3’ kinetic model. The activation energy values obtained under the non-isothermal and isothermal conditions lie in the 173–151 kJ mol^–1 range.     

NaBO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> quaternary system

This is the first study of the NaBO₂-Na₂CO₃-Na₂MoO₄-Na₂WO₄ quaternary system by differential thermal analysis. Na₂[MoO_4(x)WO_{4(1 − x)}] solid solutions in the quaternary system are found to not decompose.     

Phase transition of RbH<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and its composite with SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> studied by thermal analysis

The phase transition at T _p (~109 °C) of RbH₂PO₄ and its composite with SiO₂ has been investigated by thermal analysis here. In the case of neat RbH₂PO₄, there is a linear relationship between endothermic peak temperature (T _m) and square root of heating rate (Φ ^1/2), from which the onset temperature of phase transition can be determined. Besides, Kissinger method and another calculation method were employed to obtain the activation energy of phase transition. The detailed deduction process was presented in this paper, and the estimated activation energies are E ₁ ≈ 126.3 kJ/mol and E ₂ ≈ 129.2 kJ/mol, respectively. On the other hand, the heterogeneous doping of RbH₂PO₄ with SiO₂ as dopant facilitates its proton conduction and leads to the disappearance of jump in conductivity at T _p. The heats of transition in the composites decrease gradually with increasing the molar fraction of SiO₂ additives. In the cooling process, a new and broad exothermic peak appeared between ~95 and ~110 °C, and its intensity also changes with the SiO₂ amount. These phenomena might be related to the formation of amorphous phase of RbH₂PO₄ on the surface of SiO₂ particles due to the strong interface interaction.     

Effect of tungsten oxide loading on metathesis activity of ethene and 2-butene over WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts

The metathesis of ethene and 2-butene to propene was studied over WO₃/SiO₂ catalysts with various WO₃ loadings (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 wt%). The 2-butene conversion and propene selectivity increased greatly with WO₃ loading increasing from 2 to 8 wt%, reached maximum at 8–12 wt% WO₃ loading, and then decreased when the WO₃ loading was higher than 12 wt%. From the above results and taking the economics into account, the optimal amount of WO₃ loading was ~8 wt%. The catalysts were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic techniques to elucidate the effect of different tungsten oxide loadings on the metathesis reactivity of ethene and 2-butene. The characterization data indicated that three types of tungsten species (i.e., surface tetrahedral tungsten species, surface octahedral polytungstate species, and WO₃ crystallites) were present in the catalysts. It was found that WO₃ was not the active centers, and surface tetrahedral tungsten species might be more active than octahedral polytungstate species in metathesis reaction. The reduced form of tungsten species [W⁺⁴, W⁺⁵, and W^+(6−y) (0 < y < 1)] may be the suitable state of W species acting as metathesis active centers.     

XAFS investigation of [Pd(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>][AuCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> and its thermolysis products

Thermolysis of double complex salt [Pd(NH₃)₄][AuCl₄]₂ has been studied in helium atmosphere from ambient to 350 °C. The XAFS of Pd K and Au L₃ edges and thermogravimetry measurements have been carried out to characterize the intermediates and the final product. In the temperature range 115–160 °C the complex is decomposed to form Pd(NH₃)₂Cl₂ and AuCl_4−x N _x species with x ranging from 2 to 3. Subsequent heating of the intermediate up to 300 °C leads to the total loss of NH₃. The Au–Cl and Au–Au bonds form the local environment of Au at the stage of decomposition while only four chlorine atoms are around Pd. At the temperature of 330 °C the Au and Pd nanoparticles as well as residues of palladium chloride are detected. The final product consists of separated Au and Pd nanoparticles.     

Phase transition of YBO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Yttrium orthoborate crystallizes in the vaterite-type structure and has two polymorphous forms, viz. a low- und a high temperature one. DTA measurements of YBO₃ confirmed a reversible phase transition with a large thermal hysteresis. The phase transition has been accurately characterized by the application of different heating and cooling rates (β). Consequently, the extrapolation of the experimental data to zero β yields the transition points at 986.9°C for the heating up and at 596.5°C for the cooling down cycle. These values correspond to samples just after treatment at 1350°C. For samples with a different ‘thermal history’ other phase transition temperatures are observed, (e.g. after having performed several heating and cooling cycles). The linear relationship between the associated DTA signal ΔT=T _onset–T _offset and the square root of the heating rate β was confirmed, but the relation between T _onset and square root of β is not found here. From the empirical data a good linear fitting between T _onset and ln(β+1) can be derived. From the kinetic analysis (Kissinger method) of the phase transformation of YBO₃ an apparent activation energy of about 1386 kJ mol^–1 for heating and of about 568 kJ mol^–1 for cooling can be determined     

Composition of the gas phase over Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and the enthalpies of atomization of AlO,Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O,and Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The A1, O, AlO, A1₂O, Al₂O₂, WO₂, and WO₃, partial pressures in the vapor over Al₂O₃ in a tungsten Knudsen effusion cell between 2300 and 2600 K were derived from A1⁺, O⁺, AlO⁺, A1₂O⁺, Al₂O₂⁺, WO₂⁺, and WO₃⁺, ion intensities. The mass spectrometer was calibrated against the equilibrium constant of the WO₃(g) = WO₂(g) + O(g) reaction. Refined values of the ionization cross sections of AlO and A1₂O₂ were used in the partial pressure calculations. The enthalpies of atomization of aluminum suboxides were determined to be Δ_at H ^o(AlO, g, 0) = 510.7 ± 3.3 kJ mol⁻¹, Δ_at H ^o(Al₂O, g, 0) = 1067.2 ± 6.9 kJ mol⁻¹, and Δ_at H ^o(Al₂O₂, g, 0) = 1556.7 ± 9.9 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Synthesis of electrospun BaSrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/PVP nanofibers

Ba_1−x Sr _x TiO₃(x = 0–0.5, BST) nanofibers with diameters of 150–210 nm were prepared by using electrospun BST/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) composite fibers by calcination for 2 h at temperatures in the range of 650–800 °C in air. The morphology and crystal structure of calcined BST/PVP nanofibers were characterized as functions of calcination temperature and Sr content with an aid of XRD, FT-IR, and TEM. Although several unknown XRD peaks were detected when the fibers were calcined at temperatures less than 750 °C, they disappeared with increasing the temperature (above 750 °C) due to its thermal decomposition and complete reaction in the formation of BST. In addition, the FT-IR studies of BST/PVP fibers revealed that the intensities of the O–H stretching vibration bands (at 3430 and 1425 cm⁻¹) became weaker with increasing the calcination temperature and a broad band at 540 cm⁻¹, Ti–O vibration, appeared sharper and narrower after calcination above 750 °C due to the formation of metal oxide bonds. However, no effect of Sr content on the crystal structure of the composites was detected.     

Isotherm,thermodynamic and kinetic studies of Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript> adsorption on spherical TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/PAN composites

A spherical polyacrylonitrile–TiO₂ composite adsorbent was prepared and its strontium removal potential was investigated. The Langmuir equation fixed well the equilibrium data. The value of ∆H° = 8.943 kJ/mol and ∆G° = 6.291 kJ/mol at 298 K indicate that the adsorption of strontium onto TiO₂/PAN composite adsorbent is an endothermic and non-spontaneous reaction. The kinetic process was described by a pseudo-second-order rate model very well.     

Ytterbium tris(hexafluoroacetylacetonate) Yb(C<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>HF<Subscript>6</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>: The composition of overheated vapor and sublimation thermodynamics

A mass spectrometric study of the saturated vapor over ytterbium tris(hexafluoroacetylacetonate) Yb(hfa)₃ (hfa = CF₃-C(O)-CH-C(O)-CF₃) and of the vapor overheated up to the thermal decomposition temperature of the complex is presented. The vapor composition changes markedly with increasing temperature. At T ≈ 370 K, the mass spectrum of the vapor over Yb(hfa)₃ indicates the presence of ions containing one to three metal atoms. As the temperature is raised, the ion currents due to oligomer ions decrease. The oligomers are not detected at T > 440 K. The total decomposition temperature of Yb(hfa)₃ is 663(9) K. The second-law enthalpy of sublimation (ΔH _s^o (380 K)) is 134 ± 7 kJ/mol for the monomer and 138 ± 10 kJ/mol for the dimer. The enthalpy of dissociation of the dimer into monomer molecules is nearly equal to the enthalpy of sublimation of the monomer and dimer: ΔH _dis(380 K) = 130 ± 15 kJ/mol.     

Formation and properties of the Fe<Subscript>8</Subscript>V<Subscript>10</Subscript>W<Subscript>16–x</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>85</Subscript> type solid solution

Solid solution phases of a formula Fe₈V₁₀W_16–xMo_xO₈₅ where 0≤x≤4, have been obtained, possessing a structure of the compound Fe₈V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅. It was found on the base of XRD and DTA investigations that these solution phases melted incongruently, with increasing the value of x, in the temperature range from 1108 (x=0) to 1083 K (x=4) depositing Fe₂WO₆ and WO₃. The increase of the Mo⁶⁺ ions content in the crystal lattice of Fe₈V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅ causes the lattice parameters a=b contraction with cbeing almost constant. IR spectra of the Fe₈V₁₀W_16–xMo_xO₈₅ solid solution phases have been recorded.     

Computational study on the reaction of CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>SCH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>3</Subscript> with OH radical: mechanism and enthalpy of formation

The reaction mechanism of CH₃SCH₂CH₃ with OH radical is studied at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(3df,p)//MP2/6-31+G(2d,p) level of theory. Three hydrogen abstraction channels, one substitution process and five addition–elimination channels are identified in the title reaction. The result shows hydrogen abstraction is dominant. Substitution process and addition–elimination reactions may be negligible because of the high barrier heights. Enthalpies of formation [ \Updelta_f H_{(298.15\textK)}^o \Updelta_{f} H_{(298.15{\text{K}})}^{o} ] of the reactants and products are evaluated at the CBS-QB3, G3 and G3MP2 levels of theory, respectively. It is found that the calculated enthalpies of formation by the aforementioned three methods are in consistent with the available experimental data. Rate constants and branching ratios are estimated by means of the conventional transition state theory with the Wigner tunneling correction over the temperature range of 200–900 K. The calculation shows that the formations of P1 (CH₂SCH₂CH₃ + H₂O) and P2 (CH₃SCHCH₃ + H₂O) are major products during 200–900 K. The three-parameter expressions for the total rate constant is fitted to be k_\texttotal = 1.45 ×10 ^{- 21} T^3.24 exp( - 1384.54/T) k_{\text{total}} = 1.45 \times 10^{ - 21} T^{3.24} \exp ( - 1384.54/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ from 200 to 900 K.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and thermal decomposition kinetics of complex [Nd(BA)<Subscript>3</Subscript>bipy]<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The complex of [Nd(BA)₃bipy]₂ (BA = benzoic acid; bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and TG/DTG techniques. The crystal is monoclinic with space group P2(1)/n. The two–eight coordinated Nd³⁺ ions are linked together by four bridged BA ligands and each Nd³⁺ ion is further bonded to one chelated bidentate BA ligand and one 2,2′-bipyridine molecule. The thermal decomposition process of the title complex was discussed by TG/DTG and IR techniques. The non-isothermal kinetics was investigated by using double equal-double step method. The kinetic equation for the first stage can be expressed as dα/dt = A exp(−E/RT)(1 − α). The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH ^≠, ΔG ^≠, and ΔS ^≠) and kinetic parameters (activation energy E and pre-exponential factor A) were also calculated.     

Synthesis and colour properties of pigments based on terbium-dopped Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>SnO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The main aim of this work was to synthesize the magnesium orthostannate doped by terbium cations and tested whether these materials can be used for colouring of the different materials, e.g. organic binder and ceramic glazes. Initial composition of pigments was counted according the general formula 2MgO(1 − x)SnO₂–xTbO₂, where values of x varied from 0.1 to 0.5 in 0.1 steps. The simultaneous TG/DTA measurements of mixture containing tin oxide, magnesium carbonate hydroxide and terbium oxide showed that the formation of a new compound started at temperature 1,029 °C, but single-phase system was not prepared. Granulometric compositions of samples that were prepared by calcining at temperatures 1,300–1,400 °C are characterized by values of median (d ₅₀) in range 4–8 μm. The calcining temperature 1,500 °C caused the increase of the particle sizes at around 12 μm. The composition of sample 2MgO–1.5SnO₂–0.5TbO₂ and heating temperature 1,500 °C are the most suitable conditions for preparation of colourfully interesting pigment that can be recommended also for colouring of ceramic glazes. Especially, for colouring of decorative lead containing glaze G 07091 containing 5 wt% of PbO and 8 wt% of Al₂O₃.     

Thermal study of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> yellow ceramic pigment obtained by the Pechini method

TiO₂–CeO₂ oxides for application as ceramic pigments were synthesized by the Pechini method. In the present work the polymeric network of the pigment precursor was studied using thermal analysis. Results obtained using TG and DTA showed the occurrence of three main mass loss stages and profiles associated to the decomposition of the organic matter and crystallization. The kinetics of the degradation was evaluated by means of TG applying different heating rates. The activation energies (E _a) and reaction order (n) for each stage were determined using Horowitz–Metzger, Coats–Redfern, Kissinger and Broido methods. Values of E _a varying between 257–267 kJ mol^–1 and n=0–1 were found. According to the kinetic analysis the decomposition reactions were diffusion controlled.     

Preparation and electrical properties of Nd and Mn co-doped Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> thin films

Ferroelectric thin films of Nd and Mn co-doped bismuth titanate, Bi_3.15Nd_0.85Ti_3−x Mn _x O₁₂ (BNTM) (x = 0–0.1), were fabricated on Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates by a sol–gel technique. The BNTM films had a polycrystalline perovskite structure and uniform and dense surface morphologies. A lattice distortion was observed in the BNTM films due to Mn ion doping. The ferroelectric measurement of the films indicated that the values of coercive field (E _c ) decreased gradually with the increase of the Mn content (x), however, the remanent polarization (P _r ) increase firstly and then decrease with the increase of x. The sample with x = 0.05 had optimum electrical properties and a maximum 2P _r value. The 2P _r and 2E _c values of the film at a maximum applied electric field of 400 kV/cm were 38.3 μC/cm² and 180 kV/cm, respectively. Moreover, this BNTM capacitors did not show fatigue behaviors after 1.0 × 10¹⁰ switching cycles at a frequency of 1 MHz, suggesting a fatigue-free character. The main reason for the increase of the 2P _r and the decrease of the 2E _c might be attributed to the lattice distortion in BNTM films due to Mn ion doping.     

Structure and lithium mobility of Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Pt<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si

The lithium-rich silicide Li₄Pt₃Si was synthesised from the elements by high-temperature synthesis in a sealed niobium ampoule. Its structure was refined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: R32, a = 693.7(2), c = 1627.1(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0762, 525 F² values and 21 variables. The striking structural motifs of the Li₄Pt₃Si structure are silicon atoms with a slightly distorted trigonal prismatic platinum coordination with short Si–Pt distances (238–246 pm). Always two trigonal prisms are condensed via a common Pt₃ triangle, and these double units built up a three-dimensional network by condensation via common corners. The channels left by this prismatic network are filled by two crystallographically independent lithium sites in a 3:1 ratio. The single crystal X-ray data were fully confirmed by neutron powder diffraction and ⁷Li magic-angle spinning (MAS)–nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results. The two distinct lithium sites are well differentiated by their ⁷Li isotropic chemical shift and nuclear electric quadrupolar interaction parameters. MAS-NMR spectra reveal signal coalescence effects above 300 K, indicating chemical exchange between the lithium sites on the millisecond timescale. The spectra can be simulated with a simple two-site exchange model. From the resulting temperature-dependent correlation times, an activation energy of 50 kJ/mol is extracted.     

Glass transition and crystallization study of chalcogenide Se<Subscript>70</Subscript>Te<Subscript>15</Subscript>In<Subscript>15</Subscript> glass

Differential scanning calorimetry data at different heating rates (5, 10, 15 and 20 °C min⁻¹) of Se₇₀Te₁₅In₁₅ chalcogenide glass is reported and discussed. The crystallization mechanism is explained in terms of recent analyses developed for use under non-isothermal conditions. The value of Avrami exponent (n) indicates that the glassy Se₇₀Te₁₅In₁₅ alloy has three-dimensional growth. The average values of the activation energy for glass transition, E _g, and crystallization process, E _c, are (154.16 ± 4.1) kJ mol⁻¹ and (98.81 ± 18.1) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The ease of glass formation has also been studied. The reduced glass transition temperature (T _rg), Hruby’ parameter (K _gl) and fragility index (F _i) indicate that the prepared glass is obtained from a strong glass forming liquid.     

Effect of heat treatment on electrochromic properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films

Electrochromic titanium oxide (TiO₂) films were deposited on ITO/glass substrates by chemical solution deposition (CSD). The stock solutions were spin-coated onto substrates and then heated at various temperatures (200–500 °C) in various oxygen concentrations (0–80%) for 10 min. The effects of the processing parameters on the electrochromic properties of TiO₂ films were investigated. X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrated that the amorphous TiO₂ films were crystallized to form anatase films above 400 °C. The electrochromic properties and transmittance of TiO₂ films were measured in 1 M LiClO₄–propylene carbonate (PC) non-aqueous electrolyte. An amorphous 350 nm-thick TiO₂ film that was heated at 300°C in 60% ambient oxygen exhibited the maximum transmittance variation (ΔT%), 14.2%, between the bleached state and the colored state, with a ΔOD of 0.087, Q of 10.9 mC/cm², η of 7.98 cm²/C and x in Li _x ClO₄ of 0.076 at a wavelength (λ) of 550 nm.     

Phase formation in the V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

Solid-phase interactions in the V₂O₅-Ta₂O₅-MoO₃ system were studied. The formation of com- pounds TaVO₅ and VTa₉O₂₅ in the V₂O₅-Ta₂O₅ binary system was verified. Tetragonal VTa₉O₂₅-base solid solutions of the general formula Ta_{5 + 4x} V_{5 − 4x} O₂₅ (x = 0.25–1) and TaVO₅-base solid solutions of the general formula Ta _x Mo_{1 − x} V_{2 − x} O_{8 − 3x} (x = 0.625–1) were found to form. Subsolidus phase equilibria in the V₂O₅-Ta₂O₅-MoO₃ were determined.