A study on methanol steam reforming to CO2 and H2 over the La2CuO4 nanofiber catalyst

The La₂CuO₄ crystal nanofibers were prepared by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as templates under mild hydrothermal conditions. The steam reforming of methanol (SRM) to CO₂ and H₂ over such nanofiber catalysts was studied. At the low temperature of 150 °C and steam/methanol=1.3, methanol was completely (100%, 13.8 g/h g catalyst) converted to hydrogen and CO₂ without the generation of CO. Within the 60 h catalyst lifespan test, methanol conversion was maintained at 98.6% (13.6 g/h g catalyst) and with 100% CO₂ selectivity. In the meantime, for distinguishing the advantage of nanoscale catalyst, the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder was prepared and tested for the SRM reaction for comparison. Compared with the La₂CuO₄ nanofiber, the bulk powder La₂CuO₄ showed worse catalytic activity for the SRM reaction. The 100% conversion of methanol was achieved at the temperature of 400 °C, with the products being H₂ and CO₂ together with CO. The catalytic activity in terms of methanol conversion dropped to 88.7% (12.2 g/h g catalyst) in 60 h. The reduction temperature for nanofiber La₂CuO₄ was much lower than that for the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder. The nanofibers were of higher specific surface area (105.0 m²/g), metal copper area and copper dispersion. The in situ FTIR and EPR experiments were employed to study the catalysts and catalytic process. In the nanofiber catalyst, there were oxygen vacancies. H₂-reduction resulted in the generation of trapped electrons [e] on the vacancy sites. Over the nanofiber catalyst, the intermediate H₂CO/HCO was stable and was reformed to CO₂ and H₂ by steam rather than being decomposed directly to CO and H₂. Over the bulk counterpart, apart from the direct decomposition of H₂CO/HCO to CO and H₂, the intermediate H₂COO might go through two decomposition ways: H₂COO=CO+H₂O and H₂COO=CO₂+H₂.     

Regioselectivity nitration of aromatics with N2O5 in PEG-based dicationic ionic liquid

Regioselective mononitration of simple aromatic compounds has been investigated with N₂O₅ as nitrating agent and a new PEG200-based dicationic acidic ionic liquid (PEG₂₀₀-DAIL) as catalyst. The results of experiments show that this nitration system can significantly improve the para-selectivity of alkyl-benzenes and the ortho-selectivity of halogenated-benzenes. The PEG₂₀₀-DAIL exhibits recyclable temperature-dependant phase behavior in CCl₄ solvent, and it can be recycled without apparent loss of catalytic activity, and only 5% loss of weight is observed after six times recycling.     

Chemical fixation of CO2 with highly efficient ZnCl2/[BMIm]Br catalyst system

The chemical fixation of CO₂ with mono-substituted terminal epoxides or cyclohexene oxide to form cyclic carbonates under the ZnCl₂/[BMIm]Br catalyst system without using additional organic solvents was achieved in excellent selectivity (>98%) and TOF (5410 h⁻¹) and the catalyst could be used six times almost without losing its catalytic activity and selectivity. Besides, the pure cis-cyclic carbonate of cyclohexene oxide was obtained in this catalyst system.     

Magnetic diphase nanostructure of ZnFe2O4/γ-Fe2O3

Magnetic diphase nanostructures of ZnFe₂O₄/γ-Fe₂O₃ were synthesized by a solvothermal method. The formation reactions were optimized by tuning the initial molar ratios of Fe/Zn. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectra. It is found that when the initial molar ratio of Fe/Zn is larger than 2, a diphase magnetic nanostructure of ZnFe₂O₄/γ-Fe₂O₃ was formed, in which the presence of ZnFe₂O₄ enhanced the thermal stability of γ-Fe₂O₃. Further increasing the initial molar ratio of Fe/Zn larger than 6 destabilized the diphase nanostructure and yielded traces of secondary phase α-Fe₂O₃. The grain surfaces of diphase nanostructure exhibited a spin-glass-like structure. At room temperature, all diphase nanostructures are superparamagnetic with saturation magnetization being increased with γ-Fe₂O₃ content.     

Ring opening of epoxides with alcohols using Fe(Cp)2BF4 as catalyst

Fe(Cp)₂BF₄ is an efficient catalyst for the alcoholysis of aromatic, aliphatic, and cyclic epoxides giving excellent yields of the corresponding β-alkoxy alcohols under ambient conditions. The methanolysis of styrene oxide using Fe(Cp)₂BF₄ as a catalyst (5 mol %) gave excellent yield of 2-methoxy-2-phenylethanol with complete regio-selectivity. The ring opening of cyclic epoxides gave 77–97% yields of trans-β-methoxy alcohols, in 0.5–6 h. The use of 1,2-epoxyhexane and 1,2-epoxydodecane as substrates gave both regioisomers in excellent yields. The first order rate of reaction with respect to catalyst was observed for the kinetics of ring opening of 1,2-epoxyhexane with methanol.     

EuZn2Si2 and EuZn2Ge2 Grown from Zn or Ga(ln)/Zn Flux

Single crystals of the novel ternary compounds EuZn₂Si₂ and EuZn₂Ge₂ were grown from pure gallium, indium, or zinc metal used as a flux solvent. Crystal properties were characterized using X-ray single-crystal analyses via Gandolfi and Weissenberg film techniques and by four-circle X-ray single-crystal diffractometry. The new compounds crystallize with ternary derivative structures of BaAl₄, i.e., EuZn₂Si₂ with ThCr₂Si₂-type (a=0.42607(2) nm, c=1.03956(5) nm, I4/mmm, R₁=0.038) and EuZn₂Ge₂ with CaBe₂Ge₂-type (a=0.43095(2) nm, c=1.07926(6) nm, P4/nmm, R₁=0.067). XAS and magnetic measurements on EuZn₂Si₂ and EuZn₂Ge₂ revealed in both compounds the presence of Eu²⁺ ions carrying large magnetic moments, which order magnetically at low temperatures. The magnetic phase transition occurs at T_N=16 and 7.5 K for the silicide and the germanide, respectively. In EuZn₂Si₂ there occurs a spin reorientation at 13 K and furthermore some canting of antiferromagnetically ordered moments below about 10 K. In EuZn₂Ge₂ a canted antiferromagnetic structure is formed just at T_N.     

Facile generation of vicinal bromoazides from olefins using TMSN3 and TsNBr2 without any catalyst

A very rapid and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of vicinal bromoazides directly from olefin using N,N-dibromo-p-toluenesulfonamide (TsNBr₂) without any catalyst. The reaction is extremely fast which goes into completion instantaneously to produce bromoazides. This procedure is applicable to various olefins such as cinnamates, chalcone, styrenes, and acrylate to give the corresponding 1,2-bromoazide in an excellent yield.     

Al含量对Pt-SO2-4 /ZrO2-Al2O3固体超强酸催化

通过向SO^2-₄ /ZrO₂催化剂中同时引入适量的Pt和Al₂O₃, 制备出了具有较高催化性能和稳定性的Pt-SO^2-₄ /ZrO₂-Al₂O₃型固体超强酸催化剂. 以正戊烷异构化反应为探针, 考察了Al含量对催化剂性能的影响; 并采用X射线衍射(XRD)、比表面积测定(BET)、红外(IR)光谱、程序升温还原(TPR)、热重-差热分析(TG-DTA)和氨-程序升温脱附(NH₃-TPD)手段对催化剂进行了表征. 结果表明, Al能够提高ZrO₂的晶化温度, 抑制硫的分解, 增加催化剂的比表面积, 增强硫氧键的结合, 提高催化剂的还原性能, 增加催化剂的酸强度和酸总量. 当Al₂O₃含量(质量分数, w)为5.0%时, Pt-SO^2-₄ /ZrO₂-Al₂O₃固体超强酸催化剂的催化活性最好, 在100 h内异戊烷收率可稳定在52.0%以上, 选择性在98.2%以上.     

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.     

An efficient synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via B(C6F5)3 catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of nitriles and sodium azide

A simple and efficient protocol is developed for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives from various nitriles and sodium azide (NaN₃) via [3+2] cycloaddition reaction using B(C₆F₅)₃ as a catalyst. The present synthetic method displayed significant advantages such as low catalyst loading, mild reaction conditions, low toxicity, easy work-up, high yields, and compatibility with other functional groups.     

Local environment in Ba2In2−xWxO5+3x/2 oxide ion conductors

The actual oxygen environment of the tungsten dopant in the Ba₂In_2−xW_xO_5+3x/2 solid solution was revealed by combining X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the tungsten L_I and L_III edges and at the indium L_I edge. Whatever the substitution ratio, the tungsten atoms exhibit a regular octahedral environment. When the substitution ratio increases, the oxygen vacancies are progressively filled until their total occupancy for x=2/3. For x?0.3, the perovskite structure is stabilised; the tungsten atoms are randomly distributed in the structure. Although X-ray diffraction revealed a cubic symmetry for these compositions, a local distortion of the indium environment is observed when a tungsten atom is in its surrounding.     

Pressure-induced structural transformations in lanthanide titanates: La2TiO5 and Nd2TiO5

The structure of orthorhombic rare earth titanates of La₂TiO₅ and Nd₂TiO₅, where Ti cations are in five-fold coordination with oxygen, has been studied at high pressures by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering measurements, and quantum mechanical calculations. Both XRD and Raman results indicated two pressure-induced phase transitions during the process. An orthorhombic super cell (a×b×2c) formed at a pressure between 6 and 10 GPa, and then transformed to a hexagonal high-pressure phase accompanied by partial decomposition. The hexagonal high-pressure phase is quenchable. Detailed structural analysis indicated that the five-coordinated TiO₅ polyhedra remain during the formation of super cell, but the orthorhombic-to-hexagonal phase transition at high pressures is a reconstructive process, and the five-fold Ti-O coordination increased to more than 6. This phase transition sequence was verified by quantum mechanical calculations.     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of Sb2S3/Bi2S3 doped TiO2 from complex precursor via gel-hydrothermal treatment

Sb₂S₃/Bi₂S₃ doped TiO₂ were prepared with the coordination compounds [M(S₂CNEt)₃] (M=Sb, Bi; S₂CNEt=pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate) as precursors via gel-hydrothermal techniques. The doped TiO₂ were characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS and UV-vis diffuse reflectance means. The photocatalyst based on doped TiO₂ for photodecolorization of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) was examined. The optimal Bi₂S₃/Sb₂S₃ content, pH and different doped techniques have been investigated. Photocatalytic tests reveal that M₂S₃ doped TiO₂ via the gel-hydrothermal route performs better photocatalytic activity for photodegradation reaction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP).     

The crystal structure determinations and refinements of K2S2O7, KNaS2O7 and Na2S2O7 from X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction data

The crystal structures of K₂S₂O₇, KNaS₂O₇ and Na₂S₂O₇ have been solved and/or refined from X-ray synchrotron powder diffraction data and conventional single-crystal data. K₂S₂O₇: From powder diffraction data, monoclinic C2/c, Z=4, a=12.3653(2), b=7.3122(1), , β=93.0792(7)°, R_Bragg=0.096. KNaS₂O₇: From powder diffraction data; triclinic , Z=2, a=5.90476(9), b=7.2008(1), , α=101.7074(9), β=90.6960(7), γ=94.2403(9)°, R_Bragg=0.075. Na₂S₂O₇: From single-crystal data; triclinic , Z=2, a=6.7702(9), b=6.7975(10), , α=116.779(2), β=96.089(3), γ=84.000(3)°, R_F=0.033. The disulphate anions are essentially eclipsed. All three structures can be described as dichromate-like, where the alkali cations coordinate oxygens of the isolated disulphate groups in three-dimensional networks. The K-O and Na-O coordinations were determined from electron density topology and coordination geometry. The three structures have a cation-disulphate chain in common. In K₂S₂O₇ and Na₂S₂O₇ the neighbouring chains are antiparallel, while in KNaS₂O₇ the chains are parallel. The differences between the K₂S₂O₇ and Na₂S₂O₇ structures, with double-, respectively single-sided chain connections and straight, respectively, corrugated structural layers can be understood in terms of the differences in size and coordinating ability of the cations.     

Effect of 3% Re2O7/60%Al2O3 - 40%SiO2 Catalyst Alkylation Time and Temperature Using Et4Pb on Methyl Erucate Conversion

A study of the alkylation of 3% Re₂O₇/60%Al₂O₃-40%SiO₂ catalyst using tetraethyllead (Et₄Pb)(TEL) shows that the reaction time and temperature affect the catalyst activity and selectivity in the methyl erucate metathesis reaction. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Deactivation and regeneration of the B2O3/TiO2-ZrO2 catalyst in the vapor phase Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime

The deactivation and regeneration of B₂O₃/TiO₂-ZrO₂ catalyst for the vapor phase Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime to -caprolactam were studied. The fresh, deactivated and regenerated catalysts were characterized by using adsorption of nitrogen, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG) and NH₃-temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) techniques. The crystal structure and pore size distribution of the catalyst were retained after reaction, but the number of acid sites decreased significantly. There was a relationship between the amount of coke deposited on the catalyst and the decline in catalytic activity. These results suggest that the coke deposition on the surface of catalyst is mainly responsible for the catalyst deactivation. The catalytic activity can be recovered completely after calcining the deactivated catalyst in air flow at 600 °C for 8 h.     

Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds with carboxylic acids in the presence of P2O5/SiO2 under heterogeneous conditions

A convenient and efficient procedure for the Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds with carboxylic acids in the presence of P₂O₅/SiO₂ is described. Both aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids reacted easily to afford the corresponding aromatic ketones. The use of non-toxic and inexpensive materials, simple and clean work-up, short reaction times and good yields of the products are the advantages of this method.     

Non-centrosymmetric Ba3Ti3O6(BO3)2

The compound previously reported as Ba₂Ti₂B₂O₉ has been reformulated as Ba₃Ti₃B₂O₁₂, or Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂, a new barium titanium oxoborate. Small single crystals have been recovered from a melt with a composition of BaTiO₃:BaTiB₂O₆ (molar ratio) cooled between 1100°C and 850°C. The crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction: hexagonal system, non-centrosymmetric space group, a=8.7377(11) Å, c=3.9147(8) Å, Z=1, wR(F²)=0.039 for 504 unique reflections. Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ is isostructural with K₃Ta₃O₆(BO₃)₂. Preliminary measurements of nonlinear optical properties on microcrystalline samples show that the second harmonic generation efficiency of Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ is equal to 95% of that of LiNbO₃.     

A Structural Investigation of La2(GeO4)O and Alkaline-Earth-Doped La9.33(GeO4)6O2

The structures of the oxyorthogermanate La₂(GeO₄)O and the apatite-structured La_9.33(GeO₄)₆O₂ have been refined from powder neutron diffraction data. La₂(GeO₄)O crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell (P2₁/c) and is cation stoichiometric in contrast to previous reports. La_9.33(GeO₄)₆O₂ crystallizes in a hexagonal unit cell (P6₃/m) and the powder diffraction data show anisotropic peak broadening that is observed in electron diffraction patterns as incommensurate diffuse spots at hkq reciprocal planes (with q=1.6-1.7) and can be attributed to a correlated disorder in the “apatite channels”. This compound was doped up to a nominal composition close to M₂La₈(GeO₄)₆O₂ with M=Ca, Sr, Ba. The dopant ions preferentially occupy the 4f sites as the number of La vacancies decreases. The measured ionic conductivity of La_9.33(GeO₄)₆O₂ is about 3 orders of magnitude larger than for La₂(GeO₄)O at high temperatures and decreases with increasing dopant content from the highest value of about 0.16 S cm⁻¹ at 1160 K.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of new phosphates K2Mn0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 and K2Co0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 with the langbeinite structure

New complex phosphates of the general formula K₂M_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ (M=Mn, Co) have been obtained from the melting mixture of KPO₃, K₄P₂O₇, TiO₂ and CoCO₃·mCo(OH)₂ or Mn(H₂PO₄)₂ by means of a flux technique. The synthesized phosphates have been characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the FTIR-spectroscopy. The compounds crystallize in the cubic system with the space group P2₁3 and cell parameters a=9.9030(14) Å for K₂Mn_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ and a=9.8445(12) Å for K₂Co_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃. Both phosphates are isostructural with the langbeinite mineral and contain four formula unit K₂M_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ per unit cell. The structure can be described using [M₂(PO₄)₃] framework composed of two [MO₆] octahedra interlinked via three [PO₄] tetrahedra. The Curie-Weiss-type behavior is observed in the magnetic susceptibility.