Electrochemical characterization of praseodymium centers in Pr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Zr<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> zirconias using electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis

The voltammetry of nanoparticles and scanning electrochemical microscopy are applied to characterize praseodymium centers in tetragonal and monoclinic zirconias, doped with praseodymium ions (Pr _x Zr_1−x O₂), prepared via sol–gel routes. Doped zirconia nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol–gel liquid-phase route and characterized by different techniques, including X-ray diffraction powder pattern, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Gels annealed at around 400 °C yielded tetragonal Pr _x Zr_1−x O₂ phases. The monoclinic forms of Pr-doped ZrO₂ were obtained by annealing at temperatures higher than 1,100 °C. TEM micrographs proved that the size of the nanoparticles produced was dependent on their crystalline form, around 15 and 60 nm for tetragonal and monoclinic, respectively. The electrochemical study confirmed that a relatively high content of praseodymium cation was in the chemical state (IV), i.e., as Pr⁴⁺, in both zirconia host lattices. The catalytic and photocatalytic effects of Pr⁴⁺ centers located in the monoclinic zirconia lattice on nitrite reduction and oxygen evolution reaction were studied.     

Determination of hydrogen peroxide using glassy carbon and graphite/polyester composite electrodes modified by vanadium-doped zirconias

Synthetic monoclinic and tetragonal vanadium-doped zirconias (VZrO₂) with vanadium loading ranging from 0.5 to 15 mol% are used to modify glassy carbon and graphite/polyester composite electrodes able to detect oxygen and hydrogen peroxide in neutral aqueous media. Electrodes modified by monoclinic VZrO₂ decrease the overpotential for the reduction of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide in neutral and alkaline media and enhance their reduction currents with respect to unmodified carbon electrodes. This is associated to seven-coordinated vanadium centers isomorphously substituting zirconium ones in the ZrO₂ lattice. The catalytic effect shows site-selectivity, since it is almost entirely absent in tetragonal VZrO₂ in which eight-coordinated vanadium sites exists. Under optimized conditions using differential pulse detection mode, the height of the cathodic catalytic current peak is directly proportional to the hydrogen peroxide concentration over the concentration range 5-400 μM with a sensitivity of 170 μA/mM at pH 10.0. The detection limit (3σ) is calculated as 0.9 μM.     

Structural aspects of the metal-insulator transitions in V0.985Al0.015O2

The crystal structure of V_0.985Al_0.015O₂ has been refined from single-crystal X-ray data at four temperatures. At 373°K it has the tetragonal rutile structure. At 323°K, which is below the first metal-insulator transition, it has the monoclinic M₂ structure, where half of the vanadium atoms are paired with alternating short (2.540 Å) and long (3.261 Å) V-V separations. The other half of the vanadium atoms form equally spaced (2.935 Å) zigzag V chains. At 298°K, which is below the second electric and magnetic transition, V_0.985Al_0.015O₂ has the triclinic T structure where both vanadium chains contain V-V bonds, V(1)-V(1) = 2.547 Å and V(2)-V(2) = 2.819 Å. At 173°K the pairing of the V(1) chain remains constant: V(1)-V(1) = 2.545 Å, whereas that of the V(2) chain decreases: V(2)-V(2) = 2.747 Å. From the variation of the lattice parameters as a function of temperature it seems that these two short V-V distances will not become equal at lower temperatures. The effective charges as calculated from the bond strengths at 298 and 173°K show that a cation disproportionation has taken place between these two temperatures. About 20% of the V⁴⁺ cations of the V(1) chains have become V³⁺ and correspondingly 20% of the V⁴⁺ cations of the V(2) chains have become V⁵⁺. This disproportionation process would explain the difference between the two short V-V distances. Also it would explain why the T → M₁ transition does not take at lower temperatures.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Vanadium-Containing ZrSiO4 Solid Solutions from Gels

A procedure is reported for the preparation of vanadium-doped zircon pigmenting system with different vanadia loadings which enabled their complete formation and further characterization. Vanadium-zircon solid solutions were prepared by gelling mixtures of ZrO₂ and V₂O₅ colloidal sols and tetraethylorthosilicate and studied over the temperature range up to the formation of zircon. The reaction sequence of gels was evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance. It was found that the first crystalline phase detected was a vanadium-containing tetragonal ZrO₂ solid solution where vanadium was stabilized in the reduced V⁺⁴ state. The formation of the V-ZrSiO₄ solid solution occurred by the reaction between the monoclinic form of V⁺⁴-ZrO₂ solid solution and the amorphous silica phase. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX) data, measurements of lattice parameters and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance of V-ZrSiO₄ solid solutions revealed that vanadium was dissolved as V⁺⁴ replacing Si⁺⁴ in tetrahedral sites in the crystal structure of zircon. The solubility limit of vanadium in ZrSiO₄ was about 0.01 mole of vanadium per mole of zircon (0.5 wt% as V₂O₅).     

Models of finely dispersed MgO and V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> on silica. Theoretical analysis of optical properties using TDDFT

The results of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on optical properties of vanadium complexes VOCl₃, VOCl₄ ^-, VOCl₅ ^2-, as well as the VO₄ ^3- ion, are presented. The spectra of excited states in the range 25000-60000 cm^-1 have been analyzed using the time-dependent DFT method (TDDFT). Spectroscopic features of structural defects (low-coordinated (LC) oxygen ions), as well as surface point defects (F⁺ and F sites) in MgO, have been studied within the cluster approach. The charge-transfer spectra and frequencies of normal vibrations for a number of active site models of finely dispersed oxides MgO and V₂O₅ on silica have been calculated. Comparison of the obtained results with experimental electronic diffuse reflectance spectra and fundamental frequencies confirms a hypothesis about the structure of active centers of finely dispersed oxide V₂O₅ on silica as monomeric forms, (O=V-O _n ).     

Ein neuer Zugang zu Alkalivanadaten(IV,V) Die Kristallstruktur von Rb2V3O8

A New Access to Alkali Vanadates(IV,V) Crystal Structure of Rb₂V₃O₈ By heating vanadium(V) oxide with rubidium iodide to 500°C, the vanadium experiences partial reduction and Rb₂V₃O₈ is obtained. It has the fresnoite structure. Crystal data: a = 892.29(7), c = 554.49(9) pm at 20°C, tetragonal, space group P4bm, Z = 2. X-ray crystal structure determination with 620 observed reflexions, R = 0.027. V₂O₇ units share vertices with VO₅ square pyramids, forming layers; a layer can be regarded as association product of VO²⁺ and V₂O₇^4? ions. The Rb⁺ ions between the layers have pentagonal-antiprismatic coordination.     

Investigations of nanocrystalline ceramics and powders by TEM, AFM and plasticity measurements

Nanocrystalline zirconia powders prepared by laser evaporation were analyzed by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. A very high volume fraction of tetragonal particles was found, although the majority of particles is significantly larger than the equilibrium size of the tetragonal → monoclinic transformation. Nanopowder of yttria stabilized (2.4 mol% Y₂O₃) zirconia was used to prepare nanocrystalline ceramics by pressureless sintering at T = 1400?°C. At T ≥ 1200?°C the samples show superplastic behavior with an activation energy of 585 kJ mol^–1 and a stress exponent of about 1.8.     

Synthesis and FT–IR study of the acido–basic properties of the V2O5 catalysts supported on zirconia

In this paper we describe the synthesis and characterization of the acido–basic properties of catalysts containing varied amounts of vanadium supported on ZrO₂. The preparation of the zirconia was carried out using a hydrolysis method and the vanadium was introduced by impregnation with a porous volume in several stages, followed by calcinations under air at a temperature of 723 K. The obtained samples are characterized by adsorption–desorption of nitrogen and infrared spectral analysis of different species formed by acidic and basic probes. This adsorption on the surface of these compounds has been studied in order, in the hand to investigate information on their surface acidity and in the other hand to know particularly the nature and strength of acidic and basic sites. Among the molecular probes, we used carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, pyridine and 2,6-dimethylpyridine. The adsorption of CO has shown that contrary to pure zirconia and oxidized V₂O₅/ ZrO₂, the reduced V₂O₅/ ZrO₂ samples favour the formation of CO co-ordinated on Lewis acidic sites of reduced V₂O₅ species (CO on V⁴⁺ or V³⁺). We also observe the creation of Brønsted acidic sites by means of the incorporation of vanadium.     

Electronic State of Vanadium Ions in Li1+xV3O8 According to EPR Spectroscopy

EPR spectroscopy is used to study the electronic state of vanadium ions in HT- and LT-Li_1+xV₃O₈. It is shown that in both cases the EPR spectra observed are attributed to vanadyl VO²⁺ ions (localized electron centers) with weak exchange interaction. The other type of registered electrons is characterized by larger mobility through a few V⁵⁺ ions, i.e., by a higher degree of delocalization (electron gas). Based on the analysis of the temperature dependence of the EPR line width, it is stated that the exchange interaction between localized electron centers proceeds through electron gas (C-S-C relaxation). It is found that HT-Li_1+xV₃O₈ differs from LT-Li_1+xV₃O₈ by the sloping form of its spectrum at g_∥ range connected with two types of VO²⁺ ions different in the direction of the crystal field axis corresponding to a short V=O²⁺ bond.     

Crystal structure of vanadium suboxide V2O1±x

A monoclinic structure with the unit cell content 2V₇O₃ and its derivative structure designated as V₇O_3+x have been determined by X-ray and electron diffraction study. In both the structures, the oxygen atoms occupy regularly special octahedral interstitial sites in the body-centered monoclinic (or pseudo-tetragonal) metal lattice with the axial ratio $\text{c}\text{a}\text{≈ 1.2}$. The ordered distribution of the oxygen atoms is interpreted from the condition of minimization of the elastic strain in the vanadium lattice.     

Behavior of vanadium dioxide single crystals synthesized under the various oxygen partial pressures at 1500 K

The effects of nonstoichiometry upon the behavior of vanadium dioxide single crystals in the vicinity of the semiconductor/metal transition temperature (T_c) were experimentally investigated. According to the electrical and thermal measurements, more stoichiometric vanadium dioxide exhibited the less electrical conductivity gap, the larger thermal and electrical hysteresis, and the lower transition temperature than the increased nonstoichiometric one near transition. Infrared absorptions and X-ray observations indicated the local and overall lattice distortion in the nonstoichiometric crystal due to the existence of V⁵⁺ ions. Furthermore, an intermediate phase between the low-temperature monoclinic and the high-temperature tetragonal phases was found in the nonstoichiometric VO₂. On the other hand, no evidence for this intermediate phase was found in the stoichiometric one. Finally, some comparisons and discussions of our present data with the previously published ones were made.     

Paramagnetic defects in α-WxV2O5

Paramagnetic defects in α-W_xV₂O₅ have been studied by ESR. A model is proposed where the unpaired electron arising from a valence induction effect remains localized on a single vanadium ion near the W⁶⁺ along the b direction. Introducing W⁶⁺ leads to a lattice distortion which is more important than that in the case of Mo⁶⁺. A slight displacement of vanadium along the a direction is observed in the defect, V⁴⁺ showing a stronger tendency toward octahedral coordination than V⁵⁺.     

Multisensor system for determination of polyoxometalates containing vanadium at its different oxidation states

The electronic tongue (ET) multisensor system has been employed for the detection of metal-oxygen cluster anions (polyoxometalates) containing vanadium (IV/V) atoms. Sensitivity of a variety of potentiometric chemical sensors with plasticized polyvinyl chloride and chalcogenide glass membranes was evaluated with respect to vanadyl/vanadate ions, decavanadate and a series of Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POM) such as α-[SiW₁₁V^IVO₄₀]⁶⁻, α-[SiW₁₁V^VO₄₀]⁵⁻, α-[BW₁₁V^IVO₄₀]⁷⁻, α-[BW₁₁V^VO₄₀]⁶⁻, α-[PW₁₁V^IVO₄₀]⁵⁻ and α-[PW_12−nV_n^VO₄₀]⁽³⁺ⁿ⁾⁻ (n = 1, 2, 3). Sensor's responses to vanadium complexes were evaluated in the pH range of 2.4-6.5 and a set of sensors appropriate for detecting a variety of vanadium species was selected. Such sensor array was able to distinguish different vanadium complexes allowing their simultaneous quantification in binary (V(IV)/V(V)) mixtures. The vanillyl alcohol oxidation with α-[SiW₁₁V^VO₄₀]⁵⁻ was monitored using ET to evaluate the capacity of proposed analytic system to detect simultaneously V(IV)/V(V) in POM under dynamic equilibrium. ET was demonstrated to be a promising tool for the discrimination and quantification of vanadium-containing POMs at different oxidation states. In particular, such a system could represent a significant interest for the mechanistic studies of redox reactions with POMs.     

Towards Reversible High-Voltage Multi-Electron Reactions in Alkali-Ion Batteries Using Vanadium Phosphate Positive Electrode Materials

Vanadium phosphate positive electrode materials attract great interest in the field of Alkali-ion (Li, Na and K-ion) batteries due to their ability to store several electrons per transition metal. These multi-electron reactions (from V²⁺ to V⁵⁺) combined with the high voltage of corresponding redox couples (e.g., 4.0 V vs. for V³⁺/V⁴⁺ in Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃) could allow the achievement the 1 kWh/kg milestone at the positive electrode level in Alkali-ion batteries. However, a massive divergence in the voltage reported for the V³⁺/V⁴⁺ and V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ redox couples as a function of crystal structure is noticed. Moreover, vanadium phosphates that operate at high V³⁺/V⁴⁺ voltages are usually unable to reversibly exchange several electrons in a narrow enough voltage range. Here, through the review of redox mechanisms and structural evolutions upon electrochemical operation of selected widely studied materials, we identify the crystallographic origin of this trend: the distribution of PO₄ groups around vanadium octahedra, that allows or prevents the formation of the vanadyl distortion (O^…V⁴⁺=O or O^…V⁵⁺=O). While the vanadyl entity massively lowers the voltage of the V³⁺/V⁴⁺ and V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ couples, it considerably improves the reversibility of these redox reactions. Therefore, anionic substitutions, mainly O²⁻ by F⁻, have been identified as a strategy allowing for combining the beneficial effect of the vanadyl distortion on the reversibility with the high voltage of vanadium redox couples in fluorine rich environments.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of (H3N(CH2)4NH3)[V6O14]

A new layered vanadium oxide [H₃N(CH₂)₄NH₃](V₆O₁₄) was synthesized hydrothermally under autogenous pressure at 180°C for 48 h from a mixture of H₂N(CH₂)₄NH₂ and V₂O₅ in aqueous solution. Its structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction at room temperature with final R=0.0774 and R_w=0.0893. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2₁/n with a=9.74(2) Å, b=6.776(5) Å, c=12.60(2) Å, β=96.1(1)°, V=827(2) ų and Z=2). This compound contains mixed-valence V⁵⁺/V⁴⁺ vanadium oxide layers built from [V^VO₄] tetrahedra and pairs of edge-sharing [V^IVO₅] square pyramids with protonated organic amines occupying the interlayer space.     

Reduction Processes in the Course of Mechanochemical Synthesis of Li1+xV3O8

Mechanical activation (MA) of the LiOH+V₂O₅ and Li₂CO₃+V₂O₅ mixtures followed by brief heating at 673 K was used to prepare dispersed Li_1+xV₃O₈. It was shown that structural transformations during MA are accompanied by reduction processes. EPR spectra of Li_1+xV₃O₈ are attributed to vanadyl VO²⁺ ions with weak exchange interaction. The interaction of localized electrons (V⁴⁺ ions) with electron gas (delocalized electrons), which is exhibited through the dependence of EPR line width of vanadium ions versus measurement temperature (C–S–C relaxation), is revealed. It is shown that C–S–C relaxation is different for intermediate and final products. The properties of mechanochemically prepared Li_1+xV₃O₈ are compared with those of HT-Li_1+xV₃O₈, obtained by conventional solid state reaction. Mechanochemically prepared Li_1+xV₃O₈ is characterized by a similar amount of vanadium ions, producing electron gas, but a higher specific surface area.     

Gamma irradiation induced photochemical reactions in V-doped borate glasses

Glasses of the composition XNa₂O · 4Al₂O₃ (96-X) B₂O₃ (mole%) where X = 10, 20, 30 to which 0.03 g V₂O₅ per 100 g glass was added, were prepared by normal melting. Their absorption characteristics together with the corresponding V-free base glasses were determined before and after gamma irradiation. The characteristic spectra of the unirradiated glasses show absorption bands at 315, 470, 560–580, 610–650, 700–870, and 860–1000 nm, indicating the presence of vanadium ions in more than one oxidation state, viz, V⁵⁺, V⁴⁺, and V³⁺. Gamma irradation of V-containing glasses causes the formation of color centers in the glass matrices, with absorption bands at 330, 500, and 610 nm, and photoreduced [V³⁺] and [V²⁺] ions with absorption bands at 350–355 and 530–570 and 520 nm, respectively. Photoreduced [V⁴⁺] may also be formed, giving rise to absorptions at 690–700 and 750–800 nm. The induced vanadium ions are found to absorb at shorter wavelengths than the intrinsic ones. An explanation based on the difference in the field energy of the two states is given.     

Effect of direct ultrasound synthesis via a sesquihydrate route on bismuth-promoted vanadyl pyrophosphate catalysts

A series of 1, 3, and 5% Bi-doped vanadium phosphate catalyst catalysts were prepared via sesquihydrate route using direct ultrasound method and were denoted as VPSB1, VPSB3, and VPSB5, respectively. These catalysts were synthesized solely using a direct ultrasound technique and calcined in a n-butane/air mixture. This study showed that catalyst synthesis time can be drastically reduced to only 2 hr compared to conventional 32–48 hr. All Bi-doped catalysts exhibited a well-crystallized (VO)₂P₂O₇ phase. In addition, two V⁵⁺ phases, that is, β-VOPO₄ and α_II-VOPO₄, were observed leading to an increase in the average oxidation state of vanadium. All catalysts showed V2p_3/2 at approx. 517 eV, giving the vanadium oxidation state at approx. 4.3–4.6. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed the secondary structure consisting of thin and small plate-like crystal clusters due to the cavitation effect of ultrasound waves. VPSB5 showed the highest amount of oxygen species removed associated with the V⁵⁺ and V⁴⁺ species in temperature-programmed reduction in H₂ analyses. TheX-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurement showed the occurrence of vanadium oxide reductions in hydrogen gas flow, indicating the presence of V⁴⁺ and V⁵⁺ species. Higher average valence states of V⁵⁺, indicating more V⁵⁺ phases, were present. The addition of bismuth has increased the activity and selectivity to maleic anhydride.     

New defect vanadium dioxide phases

Two new monoclinic V₂O₄ phases were prepared at high pressure from the regular monoclinic (M₁) form of V₂O₄. The unit cell dimensions for the unmodified monoclinic (M₂) phase are: a = 9.083, b = 5.763, c = 4.532 Å, and β = 91.30°. The space group $\text{C 2}\text{m}$ is consistent with the crystallographic data. The new vanadium dioxide exhibited a structural transition and an abrupt, reversible change in resistivity (approx. 4 orders of magnitude) at 66°C similar to that observed in M₁-type V₂O₄. This new form of V₂O₄ is believed to be stabilized by chemical and structural defects. Controlled substitution of V⁵⁺ for V⁴⁺ in the structure led to yet another monoclinic (M₃) phase. This phase is closely related to the M₂ phase. The M₃ unit cell dimensions are: a = 4.506, b = 2.899, c = 4.617 Å, and β = 91.79°, having the space group $\text{P 2}\text{m}$. The substitution of V³⁺ yielded only monoclinic (M₁) derivatives. The modified products have varied semiconductor to metal transition temperatures which depend on the type and amount of substitution and defect structure.     

A Novel Expansion Mode of Polyoxovanadate Clusters: Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Properties of {[Cu(H2O)(C5H14N2)2]2[V16O38(Cl)]}·4(C5H16N2)

The new polyoxovanadate (POV) compound {[Cu(H₂O)(C₅H₁₄N₂)₂]₂[V₁₆O₃₈(Cl)]} · 4(C₅H₁₆N₂) was synthesized under solvothermal conditions and crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4₁/amd with a = 13.8679(6), c = 45.558(2) Å, V = 8761.7(7) ų. The central structural motif is a {V₁₆O₃₈(Cl)} cluster constructed by condensation of 16 square‐pyramidal VO₅ polyhedra. The cluster hosts a central Cl^– anion. According to valence bond sum calculations, chemical analysis and magnetic properties the cluster anion may be formulated as [V₁₅^IVV^VO₃₈(Cl)]^12–, i.e., only one vanadium atom is not reduced. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported {V₁₆O₃₈(X)} cluster in this V^IV:V^V ratio. The presence of the two different vanadium oxidation states is clearly seen in the IR spectrum. An unusual and hitherto never observed structural feature is the binding mode between the [Cu(H₂O)(C₅H₁₄N₂)₂]²⁺ complexes and the [V₁₅^IVV^VO₃₈(Cl)]^12– anion. The Cu²⁺ ion binds to a μ₂‐O atom of the cluster anion whereas in all other transition metal complex‐augmented POVs bonding between the transition metal cation and the anion occurs through terminal oxygen atoms of the POV. The magnetic properties are dominated by strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the V⁴⁺ d¹ centers, whereas the Cu²⁺ d⁹ cations are magnetically decoupled from the cluster anion. Upon heating, the title compound decomposes in a complex fashion.