The obtaining of NiCr2O4 nanoparticles by unconventional synthesis methods

This paper presents a study regarding the obtaining of NiCr₂O₄ by two new unconventional synthesis methods: (i) the first method is based on the formation of Cr(III) and Ni(II) carboxylate-type precursors in the redox reaction between the nitrate ion and 1,3-propanediol. The thermal decomposition of these complex combinations, at ~300 °C, leads to an oxide mixture of Cr₂O_3+x and NiO, with advanced homogeneity, small particles and high reactivity. On heating this mixture at 500 °C, Cr₂O₃ reacts with NiO to form NiCr₂O₄, which was evidenced by FT-IR and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis; (ii) the second method starts from a mechanical mixture of (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇ and Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. On heating this mixture, a violent decomposition at 240 °C with formation of an oxides mixture (Cr₂O₃ + CrO₃) and NiO takes place. On thermal treatment up to 500 °C, an intermediary phase NiCrO₄ is formed, which by decomposition at ~700 °C leads to NiCr₂O₄, evidenced by FT-IR and XRD analysis. NiCr₂O₄ is formed, in both cases, starting with a temperature higher than 400 °C, when the non-stoichiometric chromium oxide (Cr₂O_3+x ) loses the oxygen excess and turns to stoichiometric chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃), which further reacts with NiO.     

Thermal decomposition mechanism of aluminum nitrate octahydrate and characterization of intermediate products by the technique of computerized modeling

Thermal decomposition of aluminum nitrate hydrate was studied by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and infrared spectroscopy, so that all mass losses were related to the exactly coincident endothermic effects and vibrational energy levels of the evolved gases. The process starts with the simultaneous condensation of two moles of the initial monomer Al(NO₃)₃·8H₂O. Soon after that, the resulting product Al₂(NO₃)₆·13H₂O gradually loses azeotrope HNO₃ + H₂O, then N₂O₃ and O₂ and, through the formation of Al₂O₂(NO₃)₂, is transformed into aluminum oxide. The molecular mechanics method used for comparison of the potential energies of consecutive products of thermal decomposition permits an evaluation of their structural arrangement. On the basis of the results obtained, a probable mechanism for the overall decomposition of Al(NO₃)₃·8H₂O has been proposed.     

Thermal decomposition of chromium(III) nitrate(V) nanohydrate

Thermal decomposition of Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O in helium and in synthetic air was studied by means of TG, DTA, EGA and XRD analysis. The dehydration occurs together with decomposition of nitrate(V) groups. Eight distinct stages of reaction were found. Intermediate products of decomposition are hydroxy- and oxynitrates containing chromium in hexa- and trivalent states. The process carried out in helium leads to at about 260°C and in air is formed at about 200°C. The final product of decomposition (>450°C) is Cr₂O₃, both in helium and in air. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation of CuCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanopowders using two different chromium sources

CuCr₂O₄ spinel powders were synthesized starting from different chromium sources, namely (i) chromium oxide (α-Cr₂O₃) and (ii) ammonium dichromate ((NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇). The copper source was a Cu(II) carboxylate-type complex. The Cu(II) carboxylate complex was obtained by the redox reaction between Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3-propanediol (1,3PG) at 130 °C. In the first case (i), we have started from a mixture of α-Cr₂O₃, Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3PG that upon heating formed the copper malonate complex, which decomposed around 220 °C forming an oxide mixture (CuO + α-Cr₂O₃). In the second case (ii), (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇, Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 1,3PG were homogenously mixed. Heating this mixture at 130 °C resulted, in situ, in the Cu(II) complex. On controlled temperature increase, the violent decomposition of (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇ took place at 180 °C along with the decomposition of the Cu(II) complex, leading to an amorphous oxide mixture of Cr₂O_3+x and CuO. By annealing the samples in the temperature range 400–1000 °C, the spinel phase (CuCr₂O₄) was obtained in both cases: (i) at 800 °C and (ii) at 600 °C as a result of the interactions between the precursors used, when the oxide system was amorphous and highly reactive. The presence of CuCr₂O₄ was highlighted by XRD and FTIR analyses.     

New synthesis method for M(II) chromites/silica nanocomposites by thermal decomposition of some precursors formed inside the silica gels

In this article, we present a new method for the obtaining of ZnCr₂O₄ and MgCr₂O₄ embedded in silica matrix. This method consists in the formation of Cr(III), Zn(II) and Cr(III), Mg(II) hydroxycarboxylate/carboxylate compounds, during the redox reaction between the nitrate ion and diol (1,3-propanediol), uniformly dispersed in the pores of hybrid gels. The thermal decomposition of these precursors leads to a mixture of corresponding metal oxides. The gels were synthesized starting from mixtures of Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with tetraethyl orthosilicate and 1,3-propanediol for final compositions 50% ZnCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂ and 50% MgCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂. The obtained gels have been thermally treated at 140?°C, when the redox reaction nitrates-diol took place with formation of the precursors within the xerogels pores. The thermal decomposition of all precursors took place up to 300?°C, with formation of oxides mixtures (Cr₂O_3?+?x and ZnO) and (Cr₂O_3?+?x and MgO), respectively. At 400?°C, Cr₂O_3?+?x turn to Cr₂O₃ which reacts with ZnO forming ZnCr₂O₄/SiO₂. Starting with 400?°C, Cr₂O₃ reacts with MgO to an intermediary phase MgCrO₄, which decomposes with the formation of MgCr₂O₄/SiO₂. The formation of the precursors inside the silica matrix and the evolution of the crystalline phases were studied by thermal analysis, FT-IR spectrometry, XRD, and TEM.     

Synthesis, characterisation and thermal analysis of copper (II) and chromium (II, III) hydrazine carboxylates

Copper(II) hydrazine carboxylate monohydrate, Cu(N₂H₃COO)₂·H₂O and chromium (II, III) hydrazine carboxylate hydrates, Cu(N₂H₃COO)₂·H₂O and Cu(N₂H₃COO)₂·3H₂O have been prepared and characterised by chemical analysis, IR, visible spectra and magnetic measurements. Thermal analysis of the copper complex yields a mixture of copper metal and copper oxide. Chromium complexes on thermal decomposition yield Cr₂O₃ as residue. Decomposition of chromium(HI) complex under hydrothermal conditions yield CrOOH, a precursor to CrO₂.     

Thermal decomposition of praseodymium nitrate hexahydrate Pr(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>·6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The hexahydrate of praseodymium nitrate hexahydrate Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O does not show phase transitions in the range of 233–328 K when the compound melts in its own water of crystallization. It is suggested that the thermal decomposition is a complex step-wise process, which involves the condensation of 6 mol of the initial monomer Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O into a cyclic cluster 6[Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O]. This hexamer gradually loses water and nitric acid, and a series of intermediate amorphous oxynitrates is formed. The removal of 68% HNO₃–32% H₂O azeotrope is essentially a continuous process occurring in the liquid phase. At higher temperatures, oxynitrates undergo thermal degradation and lose water, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen, leaving behind normal praseodymium oxide Pr₂O₃. The latter absorbs approximately 1 mol of atomic oxygen from N₂O₅ disproportionation, giving rise to the non-stoichiometric higher oxide Pr₂O_3.33. All mass losses are satisfactorily accounted for under the proposed scheme of thermal decomposition.     

Thermal behavior of some new chromium complexes with potential biological importance

Summary This paper reports the investigation of the thermal stability of three new complexes of Cr(III) with acrylate anion, [Cr₂(C₃H₃O₂)₄(OH)₂(H₂O)₄], [Cr₃O(C₃H₃O₂)₆(C₃H₄O₂)₃](C₃H₃O₂)×5H₂O and [Cr₂(C₃H₃O₂)₅(OH)] ×2H₂O, respectively. This type of complexes is important in proper carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of mammals. The thermal decomposition steps were evidenced. The thermal transformations are complex processes according to TG and DTG curves including dehydration and oxidative degradation of acrylate ion processes. The final product of decomposition is the chromium(III) oxide.     

A New Route to Crystalline Salts of the Hydrolytic Dimer of Chromium(III)

Crystalline salts of the hydrolytic dimer of Cr(III), [Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(H₂O)₈]X₄·n H₂O (X = p-toluenesulfonate (tos) or mesitylene-2-sulfonate (dmtos)) have been prepared in good yields via a simple two-step procedure: H⁺ oxidation of Cr metal to give Cr²⁺ (T ≈? 70°) followed by O₂ oxidation, of Cr²⁺ to give the dimer (T ≈? 25°). The mechanism of conversion of Cr²⁺ into the dimer is discussed.     

Thermal decomposition of gallium nitrate hydrate and modeling of thermolysis products

It is well established that gallium insertion into the hydroxiapatite matrix as practiced in orthopedics protects bone from resorbtion and improves the biomechanical properties of the skeletal system. The research presented in this article is an investigation into the thermal decomposition of gallium nitrate, which is part of a complex process leading to the preparation of a hybrid matrix. It was demonstrated that after melting of the hexahydrate in its own water there occurs a simultaneous condensation of 4 mol of initial monomer Ga(NO₃)₃·6H₂O into a tetramer Ga₄O₄(NO₃)₄. The resulting inorganic cycle gradually loses N₂O₅ and, through the formation of unstable oxynitrates, is transformed into gallium oxide. The use of molecular mechanics for comparing the potential energies of consecutive products of thermal decomposition permitted an evaluation of their stability and an appropriate interpretation of the experimental data.     

Thermal Investigations of M[La(C2O4)3]⋅xH2O (M=Cr(III) and Co(III))

The complexes M[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅xH₂O (x=10 for M=Cr(III) and x=7 forM=Co(III)) have been synthesized and their thermal stability was investigated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, reflectance and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Thermal investigations using TG, DTG and DTA techniques in air of chromium(III)tris(oxalato)lanthanum(III)decahydrate, Cr[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅10H₂O showed the complex decomposition pattern in air. The compound released all the ten molecules of water within ∼170°C, followed by decomposition to a mixture of oxides and carbides of chromium and lanthanum, i.e. CrO₂, Cr₂O₃, Cr₃O₄, Cr₃C₂, La₂O₃, La₂C₃, LaCO, LaCrO_x (2<x<3) and C at ∼1000°C through the intermediate formation of several compounds of chromium and lanthanum at ∼374, ∼430 and ∼550°C. Thecobalt(III)tris(oxalato)lanthanum(III)heptahydrate, Co[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅7H₂O becomes anhydrous around 225°C, followed by decomposition to Co₃O₄, La₂(CO₃)₃ and C at ∼340°C and several other mixture species of cobalt and lanthanum at∼485°C. The end products were identified to be LaCoO₃, Co₃O₄, La₂O₃, La₂C₃, Co₃C, LaCO and C at ∼ 2>1000°C. DSC studies in nitrogen of both the compounds showed several distinct steps of decomposition along with ΔH and ΔSvalues. IR and powder XRD studies have identified some of the intermediate species. The tentative mechanisms for the decomposition in air are proposed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and properties of a μ3-oxo-trichromium(III) propionate cluster with pyrazole

A new μ₃-oxo trinuclear chromium(III) propionate cluster, [Cr₃(μ₃-O)(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(pyr)₃]NO₃·0.25(H₂O) (1), has been synthesized by reaction of a μ₃-oxo trinuclear chromium(III) propionate precursor [Cr₃(μ₃-O)(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃ with a pyrazol ligand (pyr) and characterized by IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray structure determination, and thermal analysis. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies revealed antiferromagnetic exchange interactions within the trinuclear Cr(III) cluster (J = ?11.9 cm^?1) and determined the electronic ground state (S = ½) of the compound.     

Mechanism of thermal decomposition of yttrium nitrate hexahydrate, Y(NO3)3·6H2O and modeling of intermediate oxynitrates

The thermal decomposition of yttrium nitrate hexahydrate Y(NO₃)₃·6H₂O is a complex condensation process generating a tetramer arrangement Y₄O₄(NO₃)₄ formed by alternating yttrium and oxygen atoms. The anions NO₃ ^? attach themselves to the yttrium atoms. The tetramer gradually loses N₂O₅ and, through the formation of Y₄O₅(NO₃)₂, is transformed into yttrium oxide. The bond lengths and bond angles of intermediate oxynitrates calculated using the molecular mechanics method rendered data compatible with the results of X-ray diffraction for related compounds.     

Formation of Cr(VI) compounds during the thermal decomposition of amorphous chromium hydroxide

Chromium hydroxide (CH) was prepared by the reduction of purified sodium chromate using starch. CH was then used to prepare chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃). Results of thermogravimetric, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and chemical analyses suggested that a small amount of the initial Cr(VI) content speeds up the oxidation and reduction reactions, thereby promoting the purity and crystallization of Cr₂O₃. Cr(VI) in CH induced the evolution of CH and the formation of Cr(VI) containing compounds including CrO₃, NaCr(CrO₄)₂, Cr₃O₈, and Cr₅O₁₂ at low sintering temperature. Furthermore, homogeneous Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles with 99 % purity and particle size of 50 nm were obtained.     

Evaluation of cation influence on the formation of M(II)Cr2O4 during the thermal decomposition of mixed carboxylate type precursors

This paper reports an investigation regarding the influence of the cation M(II) (M = Zn, Ni, Mg) on the formation of MCr₂O₄ by thermal decomposition of the corresponding M(II),Cr(III)-carboxylates (precursors) obtained by redox reaction between the corresponding metal nitrates and 1,3-propanediol. The decomposition products at different temperatures have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Thus, we have evidenced that by thermal decomposition of the studied precursors in the range 250–300 °C, different amorphous oxidic phases mixtures form depending on the nature of metalic cation: (Cr₂O_3+x + ZnO) (Cr₂O_3+x + Ni/NiO) and (Cr₂O_3+x+MgO). In case of M = Zn, around 400 °C when the transition Cr₂O_3+x to Cr₂O₃ takes place, zinc chromite nuclei form by the interaction ZnO with Cr₂O₃. In case of M = Ni, due to the partial reduction of Ni(II) at Ni(0) during the thermal decomposition of the precursor the formation of nickel chromite by the reaction NiO + Cr₂O₃ is shifted toward 500 °C, when Ni is oxidized at NiO. The thermal evolution of the mixture (MgO + CrO₃) is different due to the formation as intermediary phase of MgCrO₄, which decomposes to MgCr₂O₄ around 560 °C. In order to investigate the chromites formation mechanism, we have studied the mechanical mixtures of single oxides obtained from the corresponding carboxylates. These mixtures (MO + Cr₂O₃) have been annealed at 400, 500, and 600 °C to study the evolution of the crystalline phases. It results in the prepared mixture behaving different from the mixtures obtained by thermal decomposition of the binary M(II),Cr(III)-carboxylates, recommending our synthesis method for obtaining binary oxides.     

Kinetic studies on H+-catalyzed aquation and hydrogen peroxide oxidation of tris-asparaginatochromium(III)

Tris-asparaginatochromium(III), [Cr(Asn)₃]⁰ (where Asn forms a 5-membered chelate ring via amine nitrogen and α-carboxylate oxygen atoms) and its mono- and diaqua-derivatives were obtained, and their acid-catalyzed aquation was studied. The first reaction for [Cr(Asn)₃]⁰ and [Cr(Asn)₂(H₂O)₂]⁺ is the chelate ring opening at the Cr-NH₂ bond, leading to metastable intermediates. Kinetics of these processes were studied spectrophotometrically in 0.1–1.0 M HClO₄ at 303 and 333 K, respectively. A linear dependence of k _obs on [H⁺], k _obs = a + b[H⁺] was determined for both the complexes. Additionally, oxidation of chromium(III) to chromate(VI) by hydrogen peroxide was studied. The process proceeds through a chromium(V) intermediate, which is next transformed, in faster parallel steps into CrO₄ ^2? and [Cr(O₂)₂]^3? anions. The latter species, a chromium(V)-peroxo complex, is metastable under a large excess of H₂O₂. Kinetics of oxidation of [Cr(Asn)₃]⁰ were studied at 298 K, at constant [OH^?], within 0.2–1.0 M H₂O₂ range. A linear dependence of k _obs on H₂O₂ was established. A mechanism is proposed, where the rate-determining step is an inner sphere 2-electron transfer within a precursor chromium(III) complex with coordinated O₂H^? anion of the [Cr(Asn)₂(OH)(HO₂)]^? formula. EPR results provided clear evidence for formation of a relatively stable tetrakis(η ²-peroxo)chromate(V) complex, [Cr(O₂)₄]^3?.     

A cyano‐bridged dinuclear 4f–3d array

A cyano‐bridged bimetallic 4f–3d complex, tri­aqua‐1κ³O‐μ‐cyano‐1:2κ²N:C‐penta­cyano‐2κ⁵C‐tetrakis(2‐pyrrolidone‐1κO)­chromium(III)­dysprosium(III) dihydrate, [CrDy(C₄H₇NO)₄(CN)₆(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O, has been prepared and characterized by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The structure consists of a neutral cyano‐bridged Dy–Cr dimer. A hydrogen‐bonded three‐dimensional architecture is formed through N—H?O, O—H?N and O—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Supramolecular approach to crystallization of polynuclear chromium(III) aqua hydroxo complexes: synthesis and crystal structures of complexes [Cr2(OH)2(H2O)8]4+ and [Cr4(OH)6(H2O)12]6+ with cucurbit[n]uril (n = 7, 8)

Supramolecular compounds of the compositions {[Cr₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₈](C₄₂H₄₂N₂₈O₁₄)₂}-(NO₃)₄·18.75H₂O (1) and {[Cr₄(OH)₆(H₂O)₁₂](C₄₈H₄₈N₃₂O₁₆)₃(NO₃)₆·55H₂O (2) were synthesized from aqueous solutions of chromium(III) nitrate and the macrocyclic cavitand cucurbit[n]uril (C_6n H_6n N_4n O_2n , where n = 7 or 8, respectively). According to the X-ray diffraction study, the polynuclear chromium aqua complexes are disposed in cavities formed by the cucurbit[n]uril molecules and are linked to these molecules through hydrogen bonds between the hydroxo and aqua ligands of the polycations and the portal oxygen atoms of the macrocycles. Compound 1 is the first example of supramolecular compounds of cucurbit[7]uril with metal aqua complexes. The isolation of the supramolecular adduct with cucurbit[8]uril 2 in the single-crystalline state allows the determination of the structure of the tetranuclear chromium aqua complex having an adamantane-like structure, [Cr₄(μ₂-OH)₆(H₂O)₁₂]⁶⁺, which has been previously unknown in the solid state.     

Hydrogen Storage and Selective,Reversible O2 Adsorption in a Metal–Organic Framework with Open Chromium(II) Sites

A chromium(II)‐based metal–organic framework Cr₃[(Cr₄Cl)₃(BTT)₈]₂ (Cr‐BTT; BTT³⁻=1,3,5‐benzenetristetrazolate), featuring coordinatively unsaturated, redox‐active Cr²⁺ cation sites, was synthesized and investigated for potential applications in H₂ storage and O₂ production. Low‐pressure H₂ adsorption and neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal moderately strong Cr–H₂ interactions, in line with results from previously reported M‐BTT frameworks. Notably, gas adsorption measurements also reveal excellent O₂/N₂ selectivity with substantial O₂ reversibility at room temperature, based on selective electron transfer to form Cr^III superoxide moieties. Infrared spectroscopy and powder neutron diffraction experiments were used to confirm this mechanism of selective O₂ binding.     

Hydrogen Storage and Selective,Reversible O2 Adsorption in a Metal–Organic Framework with Open Chromium(II) Sites

A chromium(II)‐based metal–organic framework Cr₃[(Cr₄Cl)₃(BTT)₈]₂ (Cr‐BTT; BTT^3?=1,3,5‐benzenetristetrazolate), featuring coordinatively unsaturated, redox‐active Cr²⁺ cation sites, was synthesized and investigated for potential applications in H₂ storage and O₂ production. Low‐pressure H₂ adsorption and neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal moderately strong Cr–H₂ interactions, in line with results from previously reported M‐BTT frameworks. Notably, gas adsorption measurements also reveal excellent O₂/N₂ selectivity with substantial O₂ reversibility at room temperature, based on selective electron transfer to form Cr^III superoxide moieties. Infrared spectroscopy and powder neutron diffraction experiments were used to confirm this mechanism of selective O₂ binding.