Raman spectra of apatites: La10−x Si6−y (Al,Fe)y O26±δ

Raman spectra of eight polycrystalline apatites of the general formula La_10−xSi_6−yM′_yO_{26 ± δ} with M′ = Al or Fe were obtained at 300 K. Raman spectra of La₁₀Si₄Fe₂O₂₆ and La_9.83Si_4.5Al_1.5O₂₆ were investigated in the range 80–1000 K and 80–623 K, respectively. Tentative assignments of bands to stretching and bending modes of SiO₄ tetrahedra and to M'O vibrations are proposed. Except for the two new bands, which appear around 700 cm⁻¹ when Al is replaced by Fe, only some band broadenings and relative intensity changes are observed as a function of the rate of O5 or La vacancies. Most of the bands soften and broaden continuously when raising the temperature. This is an indication that the Al‐ and Fe‐substituted apatites do not undergo any structural change up to 1000 K. Above 1000 K, the broad and weak shoulder observed at 850 cm⁻¹ for La₁₀Si₄Fe₂O₂₆ is replaced by a strong band at 868 cm⁻¹, suggesting that SiO₄ tetrahedra undergo a structural modification. All compounds show the same residual band broadening at 80 K. This suggests that there is a small rate of static disorder preferentially related to the solubility of Al and Fe in the Si sublattice rather than to other defects. Moreover, the observation of FeO modes indicates that the dynamics of the solid solution obeys the so‐called two‐mode behavior. The occurrence of FeO stretching vibrations 150 cm⁻¹ lower than for those of SiO suggests that the coordination number of iron could be larger than 4, particularly for the Fe⁴⁺ species. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopy of the joaquinite minerals

Selected joaquinite minerals have been studied by Raman spectroscopy. The minerals are categorised into two groups depending upon whether bands occur in the 3250 to 3450 cm⁻¹ region and in the 3450 to 3600 cm⁻¹ region, or in the latter region only. The first set of bands is attributed to water stretching vibrations and the second set to OH stretching bands. In the literature, X‐ray diffraction could not identify the presence of OH units in the structure of joaquinite. Raman spectroscopy proves that the joaquinite mineral group contains OH units in their structure, and in some cases both water and OH units. A series of bands at 1123, 1062, 1031, 971, 912 and 892 cm⁻¹ are assigned to SiO stretching vibrations. Bands above 1000 cm⁻¹ are attributable to the ν_as modes of the (SiO₄)⁴⁻ and (Si₂O₇)⁶⁻ units. Bands that are observed at 738, around 700, 682 and around 668, 621 and 602 cm⁻¹ are attributed to O Si O bending modes. The patterns do not appear to match the published infrared spectral patterns of either (SiO₄)⁴⁻ or (Si₂O₇)⁶⁻ units. The reason is attributed to the actual formulation of the joaquinite mineral, in which significant amounts of Ti or Nb and Fe are found. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The role of Sb in the structure of Sb2O3–B2O3 binary glasses—an NMR and Mössbauer spectroscopy study

Glasses of general formula xSb₂O₃ (1−x)B₂O₃ (0x0.8) have been prepared by conventional melt- quenching. Mössbauer spectroscopy shows that a fraction of the Sb³⁺ is converted to Sb⁵⁺ and this fraction increases with x. High-field ¹¹B MAS NMR gives well-resolved resonances from boron atoms which are 3- and 4-coordinated to oxygen. The fraction of 4-coordinated boron, N₄, goes through a maximum value of 0.12±0.01 at x=0.5. The position of the maximum in N₄ is consistent with the cation potential for Sb³⁺, as observed for other systems. However, the low value of N₄ at this maximum is not so readily explained. The values are similar to those predicted if [BO₄]⁻ were stabilised by [SbO₄]⁺ but the trends with composition are different.     

A Solid-State NMR Investigation of MQ Silicone Copolymers

The structure of MQ copolymers of the general chemical formula [(CH₃)₃SiO_0.5]_m [SiO₂]_n was characterized by means of solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The MQ copolymers are highly branched polycyclic compounds (densely cross-linked nanosized networks). MQ copolymers were prepared by hydrolytic polycondensation in active medium. ²⁹Si NMR spectra were obtained by single pulse excitation (or direct polarization, DP) and cross-polarization (CP) ²⁹Si{¹H} techniques in concert with MAS. It was shown that material consist of monofunctional M (≡SiO Si (CH₃)₃) and two types of tetrafunctional Q units: Q⁴ ((≡SiO)₄ Si) and Q³ ((≡SiO)₃ SiOH). Spin–lattice relaxation times T ₁ measurements of ²⁹Si nuclei and analysis of ²⁹Si{¹H} variable contact time signal intensities allowed us to obtain quantitative data on the relative content of different sites in copolymers. These investigations indicate that MQ copolymers represent dense structure with core and shell.     

Structure of Na2O·MO·SiO2·CaF2 (M=Mg,Ca) oxyfluoride glasses

(9−x)CaO·xMgO·15Na₂O·60SiO₂·16CaF₂(x=0, 2, 4, 6, and 9) oxyfluoride glasses were prepared. Utilizing the Raman scattering technique together with ²⁹Si and ¹⁹F MAS NMR, the effect of alkaline metal oxides on the Q species of glass was characterized. Raman results show that as magnesia is added at the expense of calcium oxide, the disproportional reaction Q³→Q⁴+Q² (Qⁿ is a SiO₄ tetrahedron with n bridging oxygens) prompted due to the high ionic field strength of magnesia, magnesium oxide entered into the silicate network as tetrahedral MgO₄, and removed other modifying ions for charge compensation. This reaction was confirmed by ²⁹Si MAS NMR. ¹⁹F MAS NMR results show that fluorine exists in the form of mixed calcium sodium fluoride species in all glasses and no Si–F bonds were formed. As CaO is gradually replaced by MgO (x=6, 9), a proportion of the magnesium ions combines with fluorine to form the MgF⁺ species. Meanwhile, some part of Na⁺ ions complex F⁻ in the form of F–Na(6).     

Al satellite transition spectroscopy (SATRAS) of polycrystalline aluminium borate 9Al2O3 · 2B2O3

²⁷Al NMR spectra of polycrystalline aluminium borate 9Al₂O₃ · 2B₂O₃ have been measured at 104, 130 and 156 MHz. The parameters of the quadrupole interaction and the isotropic chemical shifts have been obtained by fitting the CT/MAS pattern and consideration of the inner satellite transitions m = 3/2 ↔ 1/2 and m = −1/2 ↔ −3/2. The gain in spectral resolution concerned with the observation of the MAS lines of the inner satellites leads to complete separation of the signals of AlO₆, AlO₅ and AlO₄ polyhedra. Also signals of structural groups of one and the same coordination number can be distinguished. Experimental and theoretical lineshape calculations are compared.     

Lithium solvation and diffusion in the 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ionic liquid

The Raman spectra of (1 − x)(BMITFSI), xLiTFSI ionic liquids, where 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation (BMI⁺) and bis(trifluoromethane‐sulfonyl)imide anion (TFSI⁻) are analyzed for LiTFSI mole fractions x < 0.4. As expected from previous studies on similar TFSI‐based systems, most lithium ions are shown to be coordinated within [Li(TFSI)₂]⁻ anionic clusters. The variation of the self‐diffusion coefficients of the ¹H, ¹⁹F, and ⁷Li nuclei, measured by pulsed‐gradient spin‐echo NMR (PGSE‐NMR) as a function of x, can be rationalized in terms of the weighted contribution of BMI⁺ cations, TFSI⁻ ‘free’ anions, and [Li(TFSI)₂]⁻ anionic clusters. This implies a negative transference number for lithium. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature‐dependent Raman spectroscopic studies of microstructure present in dipotassium molybdate crystals and their melts

Temperature‐dependent Raman spectra of K₂Mo_nO_3n+1 (n = 1, 2, 3) crystals up to and above their melting points were recorded, and their vibration modes in solid and molten states were assigned. Basic structural units and the corresponding cluster forms in molten dipotassium monomolybdates, dimolybdates, and trimolybdates were studied by in situ high‐temperature Raman spectroscopic studies together with theoretical calculations, including density functional theory and quantum chemistry ab initio calculation. Anion units of [MoO₄]²⁻, [Mo₂O₇]²⁻, and [Mo₃O₁₀]²⁻ were shown to principally exist in molten K₂MoO₄, K₂Mo₂O₇, and K₂Mo₃O₁₀, respectively. The mechanisms of the microstructural evolution of K₂Mo_nO_3n+1 (n = 1, 2, 3) crystals while being melted are schematically illustrated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of the quenched hexacelsian

The hexacelsian with disorder distribution of the Si⁴⁺ and Al³⁺ is synthesized by thermally induced transformation of a Ba-LTA zeolite. The initial Ba-LTA zeolite is annealed and quenched to room temperature. The crystal structure and microstructure i.e. long-range ordering is investigated from the polycrystalline material by the Rietveld refinement procedure while short-range ordering is investigated by the ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al MAS NMR, Raman and luminescence (Eu³⁺ doped hexacelsian) spectroscopy's. The crystal structure (space group P6₃/mcm) and microstructure (size-strain analysis) results indicate disorder distribution of the Si⁴⁺ and Al³⁺. Analysis of the spectra indicates disorder distribution of the Si⁴⁺ and Al³⁺ (²⁹Si and ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectroscopy), dynamical disorder in the structure and site symmetry lowering for the Ba²⁺ site at a low temperature (Raman and luminescence spectroscopy's).     

Oxidation of silicon surface with atomic oxygen radical anions

The surface oxidation of silicon （Si） wafers by atomic oxygen radical anions （O- anions） and the preparation of metal-oxide-semiconductor （MOS） capacitors on the O-oxidized Si substrates have been examined for the first time. The O- anions are generated from a recently developed O- storage-emission material of [Ca24Al2sO64]^4＋·4O^- （Cl2A7-O^- for short）. After it has been irradiated by an O- anion bean： （0.5 μA/cm^2） at 300℃ for 1-10 hours, the Si wafer achieves an oxide layer with a thickness ranging from 8 to 32 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） results reveal that the oxide layer is of a mixture of SiO2, Si2 O3, and Si2O distributed in different oxidation depths. The features of the MOS capacitor of 〈Al electrode/SiOx/Si〉 are investigated by measuring capacitance-voltage （C - V） and current-voltage （I - V） curves. The oxide charge density is about 6.0 × 10^1 cm^-2 derived from the （C - V curves. The leakage current density is in the order of 10^-6 A/cm^2 below 4 MV/cm, obtained from the I - V curves. The O- anions formed by present method would have potential applications to the oxidation and the surface-modification of materials together with the preparation of semiconductor devices.     

Characterization of the surface of positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries using 7Li MAS NMR

The growth and evolution of the interphase, due to contact with the ambient atmosphere or electrolyte, are followed using ⁷Li magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) in the case of two materials amongst the most promising candidates for positive electrodes for lithium batteries: LiFePO₄ and LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂. The use of appropriate experimental conditions to acquire the NMR signal allows observing only the «diamagnetic» lithium species at the surface of the grains of active material. The reaction of LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂ with the ambient atmosphere or LiPF₆ (1 M in Ethylene Carbonated/DiMéthyl Carbonate (EC/DMC)) electrolyte is extremely fast and leads to an important amount of lithium-containing diamagnetic species compared to what can be observed in the case of LiFePO₄. The two studied materials display a completely different surface chemistry in terms of reactivity and/or kinetics of the surface towards electrolyte. Moreover, these results show that MAS NMR is a very promising tool to monitor phenomena taking place at the interface between electrode and electrolyte.     

Raman spectroscopy of CaM2+Ge2O6 (M2+ = Mg,Mn, Fe,Co, Ni,Zn) clinopyroxenes

The Raman spectra of Ge‐clinopyroxenes CaM²⁺Ge₂O₆ (M²⁺ = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn), general formula M2M1T₂O₆, are reported for the first time. Their spectral features are discussed in comparison with corresponding Si‐pyroxenes. The vibrational wavenumbers of germanates may be roughly obtained by a scale factor of about ~0.8 by those of the corresponding silicates, due to the Ge‐Si mass difference. The main peaks in the germanate Raman spectra at ~850 and ~540 cm⁻¹ may be related to Ge‐O tetrahedral stretching and chain bending, respectively; minor peaks between 200 and 400 cm⁻¹ are ascribed to bending and stretching of the non‐tetrahedral cations. Within Ge‐pyroxenes, possible correlations between crystallographic parameters and the vibrational wavenumbers are investigated. The main stretching mode at ~850 cm⁻¹ shows wavenumber changes with M²⁺ substitutions, but no simple correlation can be found with M²⁺ cation mass or size. On the other hand, the chain bending wavenumber linearly decreases with increasing ionic radius of the M²⁺ cation: the expansion of the M1 polyhedron reduces the chain kinking angle and the Ge‐Ge distances correspondingly increase. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and ionic conduction of apatite-type materials

Apatite is a mineral with general formula M₁₀(XO₄)₆Z₂, where M are metallic elements such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Ln³⁺ etc.; X=P, V, S, Si, Ge, Re, Cr etc; Z=F⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, O²⁻, S²⁻ etc. Some materials with apatite structure (S.G. P6₃/m) exhibit quite high cationic (Li⁺, H⁺ etc.) and/or anionic (F⁻, Cl⁻ etc.) conduction. Recently, it was reported that some rare earth silicates, e.g., La₁₀(SiO₄)₆O₃, exhibit quite high oxide-ion conductivity. In this paper, we discuss chemical composition, structure, synthetic procedure and ionic conduction of apatite-type materials. Recent improvements are briefly reviewed. High ionic conductivity has been observed for both cation deficient, oxygen stoichiometric La_9.33(SiO₄)₆O₂ and cation stoichiometric, oxygen excess La₁₀(SiO₄)₆O₃ compositions. Grain boundary conductivity is usually low, which tends to dominate the impedance response. The resistance, particularly the grain boundary resistance is also found to depend on pO₂. Paper presented at the 7th Euroconference on Ionics, Calcatoggio, Corsica, France, Oct. 1–7, 2000.     

Structural study of the Lu2Si2O7-Sc2Si2O7 system

Different compositions in the Lu₂Si₂O₇-Sc₂Si₂O₇ system have been synthesized following the ceramic method. All XRD patterns are compatible with the thortveitite structure (β-RE₂Si₂O₇ polymorph). Unit cell parameters change linearly with composition, which indicates a complete solid solubility of Sc₂Si₂O₇ in Lu₂Si₂O₇. ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra show a decrease of the ²⁹Si chemical shift with increasing Sc content. A correlation reported in the literature to predict ²⁹Si chemical shifts in silicates is applied here to obtain the theoretical variation in ²⁹Si chemical shift values in the system Lu₂Si₂O₇-Sc₂Si₂O₇ and the results compare favourably with the values obtained experimentally. The FWHM values of the ²⁹Si MAS NMR curves indicate a random distribution of Lu and Sc in the structure of the intermediate members. Finally, the IR study of the system confirms the solubility of Sc₂Si₂O₇ in Lu₂Si₂O₇, showing the splitting of several modes in the intermediate members and a linear shift of the frequency on going from one end-member to the other.     

Interstitial oxide positions in oxygen-excess oxy-apatites

Several oxy-apatites materials, La_8.65Sr_1.35(Si₆O₂₄)O_2.32, La_8.65Sr_1.35(Ge₆O₂₄)O_2.32, La₉Sr₁(Si_5.5Al_0.5O₂₄)O_2.25, La_9.67□_0.33(Si_5.5Al_0.5O₂₄)O_2.25, La_8.5Sr_1.5(Si_5.5Al_0.5O₂₄)O₂ and La_9.5□_0.5(Si_5.5Al_0.5O₂₄)O₂ have been prepared as crystalline phases. The impedance study showed that all samples are oxide ion conductors and their conductivities are similar to those previously reported for related oxy-apatites. A thorough study on the oxygen sublattices for oxygen excess samples has been carried out using neutron powder diffraction data by the Rietveld method. The structural study shows the presence of interstitial oxide anions close to the periphery apatite channels. However, the interstitial oxide position in cation stoichiometric silicates, f. i. La_8.65Sr_1.35(Si₆O₂₄)O_2.32, is different from that in germanates, f. i. La_8.65Sr_1.35(Ge₆O₂₄)O_2.32. This is likely due to the different structural flexibility of the two tetrahedral groups and it explains the previously reported evidence of higher oxygen contents for germanates oxy-apatites. The structural characteristics of these oxide anion conductors are discussed.     

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)‐stabilized silver nanoparticles for strained‐silicon surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)‐stabilized silver nanoparticles deposited onto strained‐silicon layers grown on graded Si_1−xGe_x virtual substrates are utilized for selective amplification of the Si–Si vibration mode of strained silicon via surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy. This solution‐based technique allows rapid, highly sensitive and accurate characterization of strained silicon whose Raman signal would usually be overshadowed by the underlying bulk SiGe Raman spectra. The analysis was performed on strained silicon samples of thickness 9, 17.5 and 42 nm using a 488 nm Ar⁺ micro‐Raman excitation source. The quantitative determination of strained‐silicon enhancement factors was also made. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid-state NMR investigations of Si-29 and N-15 enriched silicon nitride

We compare ²⁹Si magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra from the two modifications of silicon nitride, α-Si₃N₄ and β-Si₃N₄, with that of a fully (²⁹Si, ¹⁵N)-enriched sample ²⁹Si₃¹⁵N₄, as well as ¹⁵N NMR spectra of Si₃¹⁵N₄ (having ²⁹Si at natural abundance) and ²⁹Si₃¹⁵N₄. We show that the ¹⁵N NMR peak-widths from the latter are dominated by J(²⁹Si–¹⁵N) through-bond interactions, leading to significantly broader NMR signals compared to those of Si₃¹⁵N₄. By fitting calculated ²⁹Si NMR spectra to experimental ones, we obtained an estimated coupling constant J(²⁹Si–¹⁵N) of 20 Hz. We provide ²⁹Si spin-lattice (T₁) relaxation data for the ²⁹Si₃¹⁵N₄ sample and chemical shift anisotropy results for the ²⁹Si site of β-Si₃N₄. Various factors potentially contributing to the ²⁹Si and ¹⁵N NMR peak-widths of the various silicon nitride specimens are discussed. We also provide powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and mass spectrometry data of the samples.     

Self‐assembly of a [2]pseudorotaxane complex by the threading of a nitrobenzimidazol‐based guest on dibenzo‐24‐crown ether host

A new derivative of the previously reported 1,2‐bis(benzimidazol‐2‐yl)ethane motif, cation [1H₂]²⁺, was synthesized under microwave irradiation and fully characterized by solution NMR, high‐resolution mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and X‐ray crystallography. This cation presents a linear geometry and incorporates nitro substituents as electrochemical handles. In solution, cation [1H₂]²⁺, is capable of threading the cavity of dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 ether host (DB24C8) giving rise to a [2]pseudorotaxane complex [1H₂?DB24C8]²⁺, regardless of the counterion, [CF₃SO₃]^? or [CF₃COO] ^?. The interpenetrated structure of [1H₂?DB24C8]²⁺ was proven by solution NMR and X‐ray crystallography. This host–guest complex is held together by several non‐covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and ion‐dipole. An electrochemical study of [1H₂]²⁺ in the presence of variable amounts of DB24C8 was performed; due to the irreversible redox behavior of cation [1H₂]²⁺, it was not possible to electrochemically control the association/dissociation process with DB24C8. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vanadium phosphates on mesoporous supports: model catalysts for solid-state NMR studies of the selective oxidation of n-butane

SBA-15 was utilized as mesoporous support for the dispersion of vanadium phosphate (VPO) compounds. Loading of SBA-15 with VPO compounds was found to be accompanied by decreasing ²⁹Si MAS NMR signals of Q² (Si(2Si,2OH)) and Q³ (Si(3Si,1OH)) silicon species, which indicates coverage of the mesoporous support by the guest compounds. The ⁵¹V MAS NNR spectra of the activated VPO/SBA-15 catalysts consist of patterns typical for the α_II- and β-phases of vanadyl orthophosphate. In the ³¹P MAS NMR spectra of the activated VPO/SBA-15 catalysts, signals of β-, δ-, and α_II-VOPO₄ phases could be identified. Upon conversion of n-butane-¹³C₄, a strong decrease of the ³¹P MAS NMR signals characteristic for the δ-VOPO₄ phase occurred, while by ¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopy the formation of maleic anhydride, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide was observed. This finding supports the active role of the δ-VOPO₄ phase in the selective oxidation of n-butane on VPO/SBA-15 catalysts.     

Structural characterization of pure Na-nephelines synthesized by zeolite conversion route

Using the zeolite thermally induced transformation route and starting from Na-LTA, Na-FAU and Na-GIS zeolites as precursors, we synthesized pure sodium nephelines (ps-Ne) with Si/Al ratios between 1.0 and 1.5 (ps-Ne_LTA, ps-Ne_FAU, ps-Ne_GIS). By X-ray diffraction analysis of intermediaries, we found that ps-Ne_LTA and ps-Ne_FAU were obtained as polymorphous transformation products from carnegieite phases and ps-Ne_GIS was synthesized directly from amorphous zeolite precursor. Stoichiometric ps-Ne_LTA {Na₈[Al₈Si₈]₁₆O₃₂} and non-stoichiometric ps-Ne_FAU {(Na_7.20□_0.80)₈[Al_7.20Si_8.80]₁₆O₃₂} and ps-Ne_GIS {(Na_6.41□_1.59)₈[Al_6.41Si_9.59]₁₆O₃₂} were obtained at temperatures 900-1200 °C. The crystal structures of these ps-Ne-s were refined in the P6₃ space group, from X-ray powder data using the Rietveld method. Mean T-O bond lengths decreases almost linearly with increasing the Si/Al ratio. These changes are induced by short-range order-disorder of Si, Al cations through the T_G and T_S sites. The increase of short-range disorder over T-sites, is followed and confirmed by ²⁹Si MAS NMR and IR spectroscopy. Comparison of the Si/Al ordering of synthesized ps-Ne structures with the published data shows inverse segregation of framework cations (Si; T1=T4 and Al; T2=T3). That is probably a consequence of applied synthesis route.