Thermodynamic study of (alkyl esters + α,ω-alkyl dihalides) III. HmEandVmE for 20 binary mixtures {xCu − 1H2u − 1CO2C4H9 + (1 − x)α,ω-ClCH2(CH2)v − 2CH2Cl}, where u = 1 to 4, α = 1 and v = ω = 2 to 6

In this article, the experimental data of excess molar enthalpies $H_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ and excess molar volumes $V_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ are presented for a set of 20 binary mixtures comprised of the first four butyl alkanoates (methanoate to butanoate) and five α,ω-dichloroalkanes (1,2-dichloroethane to 1,6-dichlorohexane), obtained at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of 298.15 K. The results indicate the existence of specific interactions between both kinds of compounds resulting in exothermic processes for most mixtures, except for those containing butyl methanoate which give rise to net endo/exothermic effects. The $V_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ are positive for mixtures of (butyl esters + 1,2-dichloroethane or 1,3-dichloropropane) and negative for the remaining ones. The change in $H_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ with the dichloroethane chain length for a same ester is regular although the $V_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ presents an irregular variation. It can, therefore, be deuced from this that the mixing process involves both effects, exothermic/endothermic and expansion/contraction, simultaneously. The behaviour of the mixtures is interpreted on the basis of the results observed and attributed to different effects taking place among the molecules studied.To improve application of the UNIFAC model using the version of Dang and Tassios, average values were recalculated again for parameters of the ester/chloride interaction, distinguishing, during its application, the functional group of the acid part of the ester. In spite of this, the model does not adequately reproduce the systems’ behaviour.     

Synthesis and structural mechanisms of the 2201-type ferrites and polytypes: Fe2(Sr2 − xAx)FeO6.5 − δ/2 (A = Ba,La, Tl,Pb and Bi)

The Fe₂(Sr_2 ? xA_x)FeO_6.5 ? δ/2 systems have been investigated, by doping the iron rich 2201-type parent structure with Ba²⁺, La³⁺ and 5d¹⁰ post-transition cations. The syntheses have been carried out up to the limit of the 2201-type solid solutions, in order to test the role of the double iron layer Fe₂O_2.5 ? δ/2. The localisation of the charge carriers in these compounds is consistent with their strong antiferro-magnetism. The investigation was then carried out in the transition part of the diagram up to the formation of stable phases. The study of structural mechanisms was carried using high resolution electron microscopy (transmission and scanning transmission), electron diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Different non-stoichiometry mechanisms are observed, depending on the electronic structure and chemical properties of the doping elements. The specific behavior of the modulated double iron layer is discussed.     

Measurements of the critical parameters for {xNH3 + (1 − x)H2O} with x = (0.9098, 0.7757, 0.6808)

Measurements of the critical parameters for {xNH₃ + (1 ? x)H₂O} with x = (0.9098, 0.7757, 0.6808) were carried out by using a metal-bellows variable volumometer with an optical cell. The expanded uncertainties (k = 2) in temperature, pressure, density, and composition measurements have been estimated to be less than 3.2 mK, 3.2 kPa, 0.3 kg · m^?3, and 8.8 · 10^?4, respectively. In each mole fraction, the critical temperature T_c was first determined on the basis of the intensity of the critical opalescence. The critical pressure p_c and critical density ρ_c were then determined as the point at which the meniscus disappears on the isotherm at T = T_c. The expanded uncertainties (k = 2) in the present critical parameters have also been estimated. Comparisons of the present values with the literature data as well as the calculated values afforded using the equation of state are also presented.     

Preparation of Ag2Se and Ag2Se1 − xTex nanowires by electrodeposition from DMSO baths

We have developed a novel electrochemical route to fabricate highly ordered stoichiometric Ag₂Se nanowire arrays by electrodeposition from non-aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions. Cyclic voltammetry technique was used to study this cathodic deposition process. X-ray energy dispersion analysis shows that stoichiometric Ag₂Se nanowires can be obtained in a wide range of deposition condition. X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction patterns demonstrate that the as-deposited nanowires are [0 0 2] oriented orthorhombic β-Ag₂Se. Furthermore, ternary Ag₂Se_1 − xTe_x nanowires have been electrodeposited in mixed SeCl₄–TeCl₄ DMSO solutions.     

Relative permittivity increments for {xCH3OH + (1 − x)CH3OCH2(CH2OCH2)3CH2OCH3} fromT = 283.15 K toT = 323.15 K

Relative permittivities of { CH₃OH  +  CH₃OCH₂(CH₂OCH₂)₃CH₂OCH₃(2,5,8,11,14-pentaoxapentadecane, tegdme)} at temperatures from 283.15 K to 323.15 K and atmospheric pressure, were measured over the whole composition range. Experimental relative permittivities were fitted by a polynomial function in mole fraction. Values of relative permittivity were measured using a HP4284A precision LCR Meter together with the measuring cell HP16452A at 1 MHz. Relative permittivity increments were determined from experimental data and fitted to a variable-degree polynomial function. Different theoretical models were used to predict the permittivity of this mixture. The predictions are better when the volume change on mixing is considered.     

High-temperature transport and stability of SrFe1−xNbxO3 − δ

The conductivity is measured in the series of solid solutions SrFe_1 ? xNb_xO_3 ? δ, where x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, within the oxygen partial pressure limits 10^?18–0.5 atm and temperature range 650–950 °C. The contributions to the total conductivity from oxygen ions, electrons and electron holes are obtained based on their different pressure dependences. The doped derivative with x = 0.1 is found to be a singular composition where ion conductivity attains a maximal value while activation energy for ion transport is minimal. This peculiar behavior is attributed to formation of favorable microstructure in the oxide. The deeper doping results in deterioration of ion transport, which is explained by oxygen vacancy filling. It is shown that replacement of iron for niobium favors enhanced thermodynamic stability towards reduction. The oxygen permeability is evaluated from the conductivity data, and it achieves rather high values in the doped derivatives. These oxides can, therefore, be recommended for further evaluation as oxygen separating membrane materials for partial oxidation of natural gas.     

Viscosity of {xCO2 + (1 − x)CH4} with x = 0.5174 for temperatures between (229 and 348) K and pressures between (1 and 32) MPa

A vibrating wire instrument, in which the wire was clamped at both ends, was used to measure the viscosity of {xCO₂ + (1 − x)CH₄} with x = 0.5174 with a combined uncertainty of 0.24 μPa · s (a relative uncertainty of about 0.8 %) at temperatures T between (229 and 348) K and pressures p from (1 to 32) MPa. The corresponding mass density ρ, estimated with the GERG-2008 equation of state, varied from (20 to 600) kg · m⁻³. The measured viscosities were consistent within combined uncertainties with data obtained previously for this system using entirely different experimental techniques. The new data were compared with three corresponding states-type models frequently used for predicting mixture viscosities: the Extended Corresponding States (ECS) model implemented in REFPROP 9.1; the SUPERTRAPP model implemented in MultiFlash 4.4; and a corresponding states model derived from molecular dynamics simulations of Lennard Jones fluids. The measured viscosities deviated systematically from the predictions of both the ECS and SUPERTRAPP models with a maximum relative deviations of 11 % at (229 K, 600 kg · m⁻³) and −16 % at (258 K, 470 kg · m⁻³), respectively. In contrast, the molecular dynamics based corresponding states model, which is predictive for mixtures in that it does not contain any binary interaction parameters, reproduced the density and temperature dependence of the measured viscosities well, with relative deviations of less than 4.2 %.     

Anionic redox chemistry in Na-rich Na2Ru1 − ySnyO3 positive electrode material for Na-ion batteries

The synthesis and Na- electrochemical activity of Na-rich layered Na₂Ru_1−ySn_yO₃ compounds is reported. Like their Li-analogue, Na₂Ru_1−ySn_yO₃ shows capacities that exceed theoretical capacity calculated from the cationic redox species. The high capacity was found, by means of XPS analysis, to be associated to the accumulation of both cationic (Ru^4 +/Ru^5 +) and anionic (O^2 −/O₂^n −) redox processes. The structural evolutions during cycling have been followed and found to be associated with the cation disordering and loss of crystallinity on cycling.     

Enhancing the rate capability of high capacity xLi2MnO3 · (1 − x)LiMO2 (M = Mn,Ni, Co) electrodes by Li–Ni–PO4 treatment

The rate capability of high capacity xLi₂MnO₃ · (1 ? x)LiMO₂ (M = Mn, Ni, Co) electrodes for lithium-ion batteries has been significantly enhanced by stabilizing the electrode surface by reaction with a Li–Ni–PO₄ solution, followed by a heat-treatment step. Reversible capacities of 250 mAh/g at a C/11 rate, 225 mAh/g at C/2 and 200 mAh/g at C/1 have been obtained from 0.5Li₂MnO₃ · 0.5LiNi_0.44Co_0.25Mn_0.31O₂ electrodes between 4.6 and 2.0 V. The data bode well for their implementation in batteries that meet the 40-mile range requirement for plug-in hybrid vehicles.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and thermodynamic properties of 2ZnO · 3B2O3 · 3H2O

The important zinc borate of 2ZnO · 3B₂O₃ · 3H₂O has been synthesized and characterized by means of chemical analysis, XRD, FT-IR, and DTA–TG techniques. The molar enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃(s) in HCl · 54.561H₂O, of ZnO(s) in the mixture of HCl · 54.561H₂O and calculated amount of H₃BO₃, and of 2ZnO · 3B₂O₃ · 3H₂O(s) in HCl · 54.604H₂O were measured, respectively. With the use of the standard molar enthalpies of formation for ZnO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of ?(5561.7 ± 4.9) kJ · mol^?1 for 2ZnO · 3B₂O₃ · 3H₂O(s) was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound were also calculated by a group contribution method.     

Near critical measurements of HmEandVmE for { xCO2 + (1 − x)SF6} and measurements made over the pressure range 2.5 to 10.0 MPa at the temperature T = 301.95 K

A flow mixing calorimeter, followed by a vibrating tube densimeter, has been used to measure excess molar enthalpies H_m^Eand excess molar volumesV_m^E of {xCO₂ +  (1  − x)SF₆}. Measurements over a range of mole fraction x have been made at the temperatures T =  302.15 K and T =  305.65 K at the pressures (3.76, 5.20, 6.20, and 7.38) MPa. The lowest pressure 3.76 MPa is close to thecritical pressure of SF₆ and the highest pressure 7.38 MPa is close to the critical pressure of CO ₂. Measurements atx =  0.5 have been made over the pressure range (2.5 to 10.0) MPa at the temperature 301.95 K. Some of the measurements are very close to the critical locus of the mixture. The measurements are compared with the Patel–Teja equation of state which reproduces the main features of the excess function curves as well as it does for similar measurements on {xCO₂ +  (1  − x)C₂H₆} and{xCO₂ +  (1  − x)C₂H₄} . The equation was used to calculate residual enthalpies and residual volumes for the pure components and for the mixture, and inspection of the way these combine to give excess enthalpies and volumes assisted the interpretation of the pressure scan measurements.     

Cation distribution in MgxZn1 − x(HCOO)2·2H2O mixed crystals: X-ray diffraction and double matrix infrared spectroscopy

The metal ion distributions at the two metal sites (hexaformate-coordinated Me1 sites and mixed-coordinated Me2 sites) in the title mixed crystals as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and double matrix infrared spectroscopic methods are presented and discussed. The mixed formates are isostructural with the end compounds (space group P2₁/c). The local metal ion concentrations as a function of the total metal ion concentrations exhibit a clear preference of Zn²⁺ ions to Me1 sites and the Mg²⁺ ions to Me2 sites.The analysis of the infrared spectra reveals that the spectral regions 2300–2500 cm⁻¹ (ν_OD of matrix-isolated HDO molecules) and 1300–1400 cm⁻¹ (symmetric COO stretching (ν₂) and bending CH (ν₅) modes) are mostly sensitive to the metal ion environment. The inclusion of Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in the structures of Zn(HCOO)₂·2H₂O and Mg(HCOO)₂·2H₂O, respectively, leads to an appearance of new infrared bands corresponding to ν_OD of HDO molecules bonded to the incorporated ions (i.e. new hydrogen bonding systems MgOH₂⋯OCHOZn and ZnOH₂⋯OCHOMg are formed in the mixed formates). The respective new bands are observed at small concentrations of included Mg²⁺ ions (about 5 mol%, x = 0.05) and at considerably higher concentrations of included Zn²⁺ ions (about 30 mol%, x = 0.7). Contrarily, the ν₂ and ν₅ modes caused by the incorporated cations bonded to formate ions occur at x ≥ 0.3 and x ≤ 0.85 (Mg²⁺ ions in Zn(HCOO)₂·2H₂O and Zn²⁺ ions in Mg(HCOO)₂·2H₂O, respectively). Thus, the infrared spectroscopy experiments confirm the single crystal X-ray measurements that the Mg²⁺ ions are localized predominantly at Me2 sites and the Zn²⁺ ions at Me1 sites in the title mixed crystals. The pronounced preference of the Mg²⁺ ions to Me2 sites is owing to the strong affinity of these ions to water molecules.