Two CrIII containing metal‐1‐hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate compounds: Synthesis,structure, and morphology

Two novel layered Cr^III containing metal‐hedp compounds, Na₂₀AlCr^III[CH₃C(O)P₂O₆]₆·O₃·(H₂O)₂₆·(H₃O)₁₀ (CH₃ CH₂ OH) and Na₆Cr^III[CH₃C(OH)P₂O₆]₃·(H₂O)₂₁(H₃O)₃ (designated as DLES‐AlCr and DLES‐Cr^III respectively), were hydrothermally synthesized. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The two crystals are isostructural with propeller‐like chiral motifs and hexagonal rings along [001]. DLES‐AlCr crystal exhibits interesting hollow tubular hexagonal morphology, while DLES‐Cr crystal possesses solid hexagonal morphology. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Studies on fabrication of urchin‐like WO3·H2O hollow spheres and their photocatalytic properties

Urchin‐like tungsten oxide hydrate (WO₃ · H₂O) hollow spheres were successfully synthesized via a self‐sacrifice template method at low temperature. The effects of reaction parameters on the preparation were studied in solution. The growth mechanism was also proposed on the basis of experimental results. In addition, the acid amount and temperature have important effects on size control of the as‐obtained samples. The achieved nanoarchitectures have typical diameters of 4–6 μm with nanoflakes of several nanometers at surface. Crystal structure, morphology, and composition of final nanostructures were characterized by X–ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Degradation experiments of organic contaminant were also performed on samples of hollow spheres and walnut‐like structures under visible‐light illumination. Hollow sphere sample exhibited better photocatalytic capability than walnut‐like sample. Possible mechanism was studied for WO₃ · H₂O assisted photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminant under visible light.     

Synthesis of radial‐like ZnO structure by hydrothermal method with ZnSO4·7H2O and Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O as zinc sources

Radial‐like ZnO structures were prepared using zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) and zinc acetate [Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O] as zinc sources by a facile template‐free hydrothermal method in this paper. Structural and optical properties of radial‐like ZnO structures are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV‐vis spectrophotometer and photoluminescence measurement (PL). It has been found that the distinct surface morphologies of radial‐like ZnO structures grown by different zinc sources. Slim radial‐like ZnO with a hexagonal wurtzite structure is grown by using ZnSO₄·7H₂O as zinc sources, whereas coarse radial‐like ZnO with zincite structure is achieved by zinc acetate. The UV‐vis absorption spectra of them both display an obvious and significant absorption in the ultraviolet region. The room temperature PL spectra of ZnO structures grown by two different zinc sources possess a common feature that consists of a strong ultraviolet (UV) peak and visible emission band.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and formation of 4ZnO·B2O3·H2O whiskers via a new route

4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O whiskers were prepared from 2ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O under hydrothermal process at 160 °C for 10 h. The synthesized product was characterized by XRD, SEM, TG‐DSC and FT‐IR. SEM results showed that the synthesized 4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O whiskers' length was about 3–10 μm and the diameter was 0.2–0.3 μm. Further study on the whiskers' growth process and mechanism showed that the formation of the whiskers went through three stages and the morphology of 4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O changed from irregular particles to rod‐like structures and finally to whiskers. The variation of the morphology of the 4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O whisker with the concentration of the starting material was investigated. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and growth mechanism of ZnO rod‐like nanostructures by a microwave‐assisted low‐temperature aqueous solution route

A zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoarray (rod‐like nanostructure) was successfully synthesized through a low‐temperature aqueous solution and microwave‐assisted synthesis using zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) as raw materials, and using FTO glass as substrate. The effects of parameters in the preparation process, such as solution concentration, reaction temperature and microwave power, on the morphology and microstructure of ZnO nanoarray were studied. Phase structure and morphology of the products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results indicated that hexagonal wurtzite structure ZnO nanoarray with good crystallization could be prepared through a low‐temperature solution method. When the concentration of the mixed solution was 0.05 M, the reaction temperature was 95 °C, and the reaction time was 4 h, high‐density ZnO regular nanorods of 200 nm diameter were obtained. A possible mechanism with different synthesis methods and the influence of microwave processing are also proposed in this paper.     

Room‐temperature synthesis and characterization of cross‐like Pr2(C2O4)3·10H2O micro‐particles

Cross‐like Pr₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O micro‐particles were synthesized through a simple precipitation method at room temperature. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) and photoluminescence (PL). The possible formation mechanism of the cross‐like Pr₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O micro‐particles was discussed, and Pr₆O₁₁ with similar morphology was obtained by calcining the oxalate precursor. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

pH‐Controlled topologies of two Co(II) complexes based on 5‐Nitro‐1,2,3‐benzenetricarboxylic acid and 1,6‐Bis(1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐yl)hexane

Two new Co(II) coordination polymers, [Co(Hnbta)(bth)]_n ( 1 ) and {[Co₃(nbta)₂(bth)₃(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n ( 2 ), (H₃nbta = 5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐benzenetricarboxylic acid and bth = 1,6‐bis(1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐yl)hexane), have been synthesized under different pH values through hydrothermal reactions. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 exhibits a 3D polythreaded network based on 4‐connected sql 2D layer. Complex 2 has a (4,4,5)‐connected trinodal 3D pillar‐layered network with a (4²·6⁴)₂(4²·6⁷·8)₂(6⁴·8²) topology. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that complexes 1 and 2 show weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co(II) ions.     

Preparation of strontium chloride hexahydrate by batch‐cooling crystallization: Control of crystal size and morphology

The effects of initial supersaturation, cooling rate, and stirring rate on the morphology of strontium chloride hexahydrate (SrCl₂·6H₂O) crystals were investigated by batch‐cooling crystallization, providing optimal operating conditions. Uniform needle‐like crystals with a length of 1200.50 μm and a width of 100.92 μm on average were obtained. The corresponding aspect ratio of length to width was about 11.90. Moreover, the morphological modification of SrCl₂·6H₂O crystals using cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) was studied. When 20.30 mmol·L⁻¹ of CTAC was added, the length and width of crystals were 792.71 μm and 233.25 μm, respectively, and the corresponding aspect ratio decreased to 3.40. The shape of SrCl₂·6H₂O crystal changed to granule‐like, probably because of the strong interaction of CTAC with the SrCl₂·6H₂O facets with a denser distribution of Cl⁻ ions. This study offers a simple, flexible, and highly efficient approach to regulate the morphology of SrCl₂·6H₂O crystals and opportunities for multiple applications of SrCl₂·6H₂O.     

Synthesis and structure of 2D‐ and 3D‐ inorganic‐organic coordination polymers: based on Ag‐hmt subunit

Two new inorganic‐organic complexes, namely, [Ag₂(hmt)₂]Cr₂O₇·H₂O ( 1 ) and [Ag(hmt)(tar)_0.5]·H₂O ( 2 ), (hmt = hexamethylenetetramine, Tar = tartarate,), have been synthesized in H₂O/CH₃CN solvent at room temperature. Both molecules have the common [Ag₃hmt₃]³⁺ layers. Compound 1 is a two‐dimensional structure, and Complex 2 shows three‐dimensional topology. In complex 2 , the tartarate molecules are connected with adjacent layers to form parallelogram pores of 18.55×7.44 Å, which are occupied by two water molecules. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Temperature‐concentration oscillations of crystal‐solution phase equilibria in the presence of trace impurities of surface‐active agents

Using the examples of aqueous salt solutions NaNO₃, KNO₃, RbNO₃, K₂SO₄, NaBr·2H₂O, KBr, and NH₄NO₃, it was experimentally proven that the new phenomena, i.e. temperature‐concentration oscillations of crystal‐solution phase equilibria detected previously in the range of 15–45 °C remain in the presence of trace impurities (10^‐4–10^‐3 wt. %) of ion‐active organic matters. The signs of breaks transformation into pair oscillations of “maximum‐minimum” type are established for the K₂SO₄, NaBr, KBr solutions. The efficiency of influence of trace impurities on phase equilibria sharply rises in the areas of the temperature‐concentration oscillations (the saturation temperature ranges up to 10 K). The impurity efficiency is promoted by the presence of the amides in its content (as compared with the sulphates) and an increase in length of the hydrocarbon radical. The phenomenon is absent in case of an addition of ion‐inactive compounds. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Preeminent visible‐light photocatalytic activity over BiOBr–BiVO4 heterojunctions

The high recombination rate of photogenerated charges is the main problem that limits the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor photocatalysts. Herein, we have reported novel heterojunctions of BiOBr–BiVO₄ fabricated by depositing BiOBr nanoflakes onto the surface of BiVO₄. The optimum photocatalytic activity of the 0.925BiOBr–0.075BiVO₄ heterojunction was almost 14 and 144 times as high as those of individual BiOBr and BiVO₄ in visible‐light degradation of methylene blue. Photogenerated holes of BiVO₄ would play a dominant role in the photocatalytic system.     

Self‐assembly synthesis and structure of mono‐ and di‐nuclear uranyl complex

Mixing the malonate (mal), 4,4′‐bipyridine, UO₂(CH₃COO)₂ · 2H₂O in different solvent condition gets two compounds (bpy)₂(H₂bpy)[UO₂(mal)₂(μ‐H₂O)] · 8H₂O (1) and (H₂bpy)[UO₂(mal)₂] · 2H₂O (2) . Both complexes contain seven‐coordinated pentagonal bipyramidal uranium center. Crystal 1 is mononuclear structure and crystal 2 contains dinuclear [(UO₂)₂(mal)₂(μ₂‐mal)₂]^4‐ subunit. Particularly, Crystal 2 forms the twodimensional supramolecular topology by hydrogen bonds. The sheet constructs from two sorts of chamber, of which the larger one has two water molecular guests. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal and molecular structure of 1‐allyl‐5‐(4‐methylbenzoyl)‐4‐(4‐methylphenyl)pyrimidine‐2(1H)‐thione

The crystal structure of 1‐allyl‐5‐(4‐methylbenzoyl)‐4‐(4‐methylphenyl)pyrimidine‐2(1H)‐thione (C₂₂H₂₀N₂OS) has been determined from three dimensional single crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2₁/c, with a = 10.6674(13), b = 10.1077(7), c = 17.9467(19) Å, β = 98.460(9)°, V = 1914.0(3) ų, D_calc = 1.251 g cm^–3, Z = 4. In the title compound, the allyl group shows positional disorder. Molecules are linked by C‐H···O, C‐H···N and C‐H···S intermolecular interactions forming two‐dimensional network. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Vibrational behavior of matrix‐isolated ions in Tutton compounds IV. Infrared spectroscopic study of NH4+ and SO42‐ ions included in nickel sulfates and selenates

Infrared spectra of K₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O and (NH₄)₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O containing SO₄^2‐ ions and those of K₂Ni(SO₄)₂·6H₂O and K₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O containing NH₄⁺ ions are presented and discussed in the region of ν₃ and ν₁ of the sulfate ions and in the region of ν₄ of the NH₄⁺ ions, respectively. The SO₄^2‐ ions matrix‐isolated in the selenate matrices (approximately 1 mol%) exhibit three bands for ν₃ and one band for ν₁ in agreement with the low site symmetry C₁ of the host selenate ions. The NH₄⁺ guest ions included in the potassium sulfate matrix are characterized also with three bands for ν₄. However, the ammonium ions in (NH₄)₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O as well as those included in K₂Ni(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O display four infrared bands corresponding to ν₄ due probably to some kind of disorder of the ammonium ions. The extent of energetic distortion of the isomorphously included sulfate ions as deduced from the values of Δν₃ and Δν_max is commented. The spectroscopic experiments reveal that the SO₄^2‐ guest ions are weaker distorted in the selenate matrices as compared to the same ions in the neat sulfates due to the larger unit‐cell volumes of the selenate compounds. The band positions of the water librations in the host potassium compounds are affected by the included ammonium cations. The formation of hydrogen bonds between the NH₄⁺ guest ions and the XO₄^2‐ host ions leads to a decrease in the proton acceptor capabilities of the anions and as a result the hydrogen bonds weaken on going from the neat potassium compounds to the mixed crystals. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and characterization of a new nonlinear optical single crystal: L‐Lysinium trifluoroacetate

Single crystals of a new L‐Lysine salt: L‐Lysinium trifluoroacetate {abbreviated as LLyTFA; [(NH₂)‐(CH₂)₄‐CH‐(NH₃)‐(COOH)]⁺ CF₃COO^‐} were grown by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution at room temperature. The grown crystals were subjected to single crystal X‐ray diffraction, FTIR and UV‐Vis‐NIR spectrum analyses. The UV‐Vis‐NIR spectrum shows that the absorption is very less in the whole of the region from ultraviolet to near IR. The Kurtz‐Perry powder SHG measurement using a Nd:YAG laser of wavelength 1064nm confirms the frequency doubling of the crystal and its powder SHG efficiency was measured as d_eff = 0.96 d_eff (KDP). (© 2007 WILEY ‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The crystal structure of hexaammonium diacetyl‐octa‐molybdate tetrahydrate

The crystal structure of hexaammonium diacetyl‐octa‐molybdate tetrahydrate, (NH₄)₄₂[Mo₁₃₂O₃₇₂ (CH₃COO)₃₀(H₂O)₇₂] is documented. The crystals are triclinic, space group P‐1, with a=8.1018(16) Å, b=10.334(2) Å, c=12.238(2) Å, α=68.20(3)°, β=74.98(3)°, γ=67.25(3)°, V=869.3(3) ų, Z=1. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares methods to a Final R1 = 0.0374 and wR2 = 0.1074 for 3805 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). The structure contains ammonium cations and isolated acetyl octamolybdate(6‐) anions, [Mo₈O₂₈(CH₃CO)₂]^6‐. The crystallographic data of the structure was deposited with the Cambridge Data Center as No. CCDC 249565. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,crystal structure and spectral analysis of diaquatetrakis(N‐methylimidazole)Ni(II)(2,4,6‐tribromophenol)

Diaquatetrakis(N‐methylimidazole)Ni(II)(2,4,6‐tribromophenol), Ni(H₂O)₂(C₃N₂(CH₃))₄^.2(C₆H₃Br₃O), was synthesized via reaction of nickel sulphate and 2,4,6‐tribromophenolate in aqueous media in the presence of N‐methyl imidazole and sodium hydroxide. The complex crystalizes in the triclinic space group P1 with one formula unit of Ni(C₃H₃N₂(CH₃))₄(H₂O)₂.2(C₆H₃Br₃O) in the cell. The coordination around the Ni(II) ion is a slightly distorted octahedron, involving four N atoms from four different di(N‐methyl imidazole) ligand in the basal plane. The two oxygen atoms of the water molecules located at the apical positions result in an octahedral coordination. The two tribomophenol groups in the unit cell are connected via hydrogen‐bonds to the atoms of the coordination sphere, to build one dimensional chains along the a‐axis. For characterization of complex FTIR, UV spectroscopy, DSC and TGA thermal analysis were performed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of Ca on HoPO4·nH2O (n = 1 and 2) crystallization from phosphoric acid solution

Ca‐substituted holmium phosphate, isomorphic with tetragonal form of HoPO₄·H₂O was synthesized by crystallization from boiling phosphoric acid (2 M H₃PO₄) solution containing 0.02M of Ho and 0–0.2 M of Ca. Calcium concentration, higher than 0.2 M Ca in solution resulted in biphasic solid crystallization: tetragonal HoPO₄·H₂O and orthorhombic HoPO₄·2H₂O. Ca incorporation in the solid according to substitution mechanism: Ca²⁺ + H⁺ ↔ Ho³⁺ was limited to ∼3 wt.% and was coupled with simultaneous incorporation of HPO₄²⁻. Ca for Ho substitution caused an expansion of the tetragonal unit cell of HoPO₄·H₂O, resulted from differences in the ionic radii (r_Ca > r_Ho). Effects of thermal treatment at 900 °C were as follows: (i) the orthorhombic admixture of HoPO₄·2H₂O re‐crystallized into tetragonal anhydrous HoPO₄, (ii) Ca–at first dissolved in crystal structure of HoPO₄·H₂O was expelled from it during re‐crystallization to form Ca(PO₃)₂, and that was associated with a contraction of the unit cell; a ‐ and c‐ axes went down to the level of Ca‐free anhydrous tetragonal form of HoPO₄. (iii) HPO₄²⁻ present in the solids as prepared underwent condensation according to reaction 2HPO₄²⁻ → P₂O₇⁴⁻ + H₂O. Scanning electron micrographs revealed significant changes in size and morphology of the crystals ranging from spherical globules of HoPO₄·H₂O formed in Ca‐free H₃PO₄ with increasing diameter in the presence of lower Ca concentration to rod‐like crystals organized in bundles resembling the “scheaf of wheat”, while crystallized from phosphoric acid solution with higher than 0.2 M Ca.     

Dilatometric and ultrasound study of [NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]MnCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> · 2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O crystals

The unit-cell parameters of [NH₂(CH₃)₂]MnCl₃ · 2H₂O crystals are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and the velocities of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in these crystals are measured by the echo-pulse method in the temperature range 100–315 K. The coefficients of thermal expansion along the principal crystallographic axes are derived from the temperature dependences of the unit-cell parameters. The temperature dependences of the characteristics studied reveal kink anomalies at temperatures of ～125, 179, 203, 260, and 303 K. These anomalies are indicative of structural transformations in the [NH₂(CH₃)₂]MnCl₃ · 2H₂O crystals, which may be related to the dynamics of dimethylammonium cations.     

Graphene oxide used as a surfactant to induce the flower‐like ZnO microstructures: growth mechanism and enhanced photocatalytic properties

In this paper, graphene oxide (GO) was used as a temple to induce the formation of flower‐like ZnO microparticals compared with surfactants, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS‐12). The zinc hydroxide carbonate ((Zn₄(CO₃)(OH)₆,ZHC)) was produced by a hydrothermal reaction. The flower‐like ZnO microparticals were gained by calcining ZHC. In the GO medium, the microparticals were assembled by numerous porous nanosheets from one point (initial nucleus) to flower‐like microparticals finally. The nanosheets of graphene oxide and functional groups were likely to contribute to the formation of the precursor, and some nanosheets were retained in the complex. The growth mechanism of ZHC was also proposed in this paper. The photocatalytic activity of the flower‐like ZnO microparticals was evaluated by photo degradation reaction of rhodamine B (RhB). The peony‐like porous ZnO/rGO compounds showed high photocatalytic activity and better than ZnO microparticals formed in the CTAB and BS‐12. These results indicated that GO could be widely used as a surfactant to induce composite materials with special morphology and photoelectric properties, etc.