Synthesis and Characterization of Sol-Gel Cu-ZrO2 and Fe-ZrO2 Catalysts

Fe-ZrO₂ and Cu-ZrO₂ xerogels were prepared by a sol-gel method. The effect of the hydrolysis catalyst during the gelation step, namely H₂SO₄ or NH₄OH, on the properties of the resulting materials was investigated by XRD, BET, TGA/DTA, TPD of ammonia, FTIR, and TPR. Fe-ZrO₂ and Cu-ZrO₂ xerogels, with sulfuric acid introduced as the hydrolysis catalyst, mainly crystallyzed in the tetragonal phase and exhibited larger surface area and acid amount than those obtained with NH₄OH. Ammonia TPD shows that copper promoted sulfated zirconia is the most acidic material. TGA and FTIR reveal that under oxidizing conditions sulfated zirconia promoted with iron and copper retains more sulfate species than unpromoted sulfated zirconia. Regardless of the hydrolysis catalyst employed, copper promoted catalysts calcined at 600°C, contain a large fraction of copper oxide specieseasily reduced at low temperatures. These copper oxide species are believed to have different environment and interactions with the surface oxygen vacancies of the zirconia support. A FeO-like phase appears to be the most probable one after reduction of Fe-ZrO₂ catalysts prepared with NH₄OH as the hydrolysis catalyst. The formation of Fe° species may be hindered by the high dispersion and interaction of Fe²⁺ ions with the zirconia support. On the other hand, the reduction peaks of iron oxide and sulfate species exhibit a considerable overlap in the TPR profiles of sulfated Fe-ZrO₂ samples. Hence, the nature of the supported phase in the latter samples is rather uncertain.     

Sol-gel ZrO2 coatings for chemical protection of stainless steel

ZrO₂ coatings deposited on 316 L stainless steel sheets were synthesized by sol-gel method using Zr(OC₃H₇)₄ as precursor and isopropanol, glacial acetic acid, and water as solvents for application with ultrasounds. Different solutions for dip-coating were prepared with compositions varying between 0.025 and 0.9 mol/dm³ of ZrO₂. X-ray diffraction shows that the films densified at 800°C are crystalline with a tetragonal structure. The thickness of the coatings varied from 0.35–0.75 m. The influence of the ZrO₂ coatings on the corrosion behavior of stainless steel substrates in aqueous NaCl was studied through potentiodynamic polarization curves at 1 mV/s. The values of the electrochemical parameters allow for an explanation of the role of the films in the increased resistance of steel against corrosion in moderately aggressive environments.     

Preparation and Characterization of Amorphous ZrO2-SiO2 Composite Powders Processed by Sol-Gel Chemistry

Composite ZrO₂-SiO₂ powders, with different ZrO₂ contents, including pure ZrO₂ powders, were prepared by precipitation in SiO₂ suspensions, of zirconia gels from solutions of zirconyl chloride at pH = 11. These products were investigated in connection with the phase changes in ZrO₂ caused by heat-treatments. ZrO₂-SiO₂ mixtures containing 0–100% mol ZrO₂, were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed desorption combined with mass spectroscopy (TPD-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), to obtain information on the morphological and structural features of the particles before and during the heat treatment up to 1200°C. Specific surface areas were determined using nitrogen adsorption by the BET method. The results offer an explanation about some of the factors which can be influencing on the stabilization of metastable-cubic/tetragonal (C/T) phase of ZrO₂ and the evolution of surface areas (vulcano profile) observed in the composites.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of NH4Ag2(AsS2)3 and (NH4)5Ag16(AsS4)7 with a discussion of (NH4)Sx polyhedra

Summary The atomic arrangements within the structures of NH₄Ag₂(AsS₂)₃ [a=9.557(2),b=7.414(2),c=16.29(1) Å; =91.30(5)°; space group P2₁/n;R(F)=0.042] and (NH₄)₅Ag₁₆(AsS₄)₇ [a=64.49(6),b=6.471(2),c=12.806(4) Å; =95.47(5)°; space group Cc;R(F)=0.073] were determined from single crystal X-ray data. In these two compounds the coordination spheres of the Ag atoms are quite different. In NH₄Ag₂(AsS₂)₃, the Ag atoms exhibit a [2+2]- and a [3+1]-coordination to S atoms up to 3.3 Å and with Ag atom neighbours at 2.93 Å and 3.05 Å respectively. In (NH₄)₅Ag₁₆(AsS₄)₇, the Ag atoms are — with one exception- [4] coordinated (Ag-S<3.3 Å) and the distances to further Ag atom neighbours are greater than 3.1 Å. NH₄Ag₂(AsS₂)₃ represents an ordered cyclo-thioarsenate(III) with three-membered As₃S₆ rings, (NH₄)₅Ag₁₆(AsS₄)₇ a neso-thioarsenate(V) with two split Ag atom positions. Both compounds were synthesized under moderate hydrothermal conditions.

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Synthesen und Kristallstrukturen von NH₄Ag₂(AsS₂)₃ und (NH₄)₅Ag₁₆(AsS₄)₇ mit einer Diskussion über (NH₄)S_x Polyeder

Zusammenfassung Die Atomanordnungen in den Strukturen von NH₄Ag₂(AsS₂)₃ [a=9.557(2),b=7.414(2),c=16.29(1) Å; =91.30(5)°; Raumgruppe P2₁/n;R(F)=0.042] und (NH₄)₅Ag₁₆(AsS₄)₇ [a=64.49(6),b=6.471(2),c=12.806(4) Å; =95.47(5)°; Raumgruppe Cc;R(F)=0.073] wurden anhand von röntgenographischen Einkristalldaten bestimmt. In diesen beiden Verbindungen sind die Koordinationsverhältnisse um die Ag-Atome sehr unterschiedlich. In NH₄Ag₂(AsS₂)₃ besitzen die Ag-Atome bis 3.3 Å eine [2+2]- und [3+1]-Koordination durch S-Atome mit weiteren Ag-Atomen bei 2.93 Å und 3.05 Å. In (NH₄)₅Ag₁₆(AsS₄)₇ sind die Ag-Atome mit einer Ausnahme [4]-koordiniert (Ag-S < 3.3 Å), und die Abstände zu weiteren Ag-Atomen sind größer als 3.1 Å. NH₄Ag₂(AsS₂)₃ stellt ein geordnetes Cyclothioarsenat(III) mit dreigliedrigen As₃S₆-Ringen dar, (NH₄)₅Ag₁₆(AsS₄)₇ ein Nesothioarsenat (V) mit zwei aufgespaltenen Ag-Positionen. Beide Verbindungen wurden unter mäßigen Hydrothermalbedingungen synthetisiert.

     

Error of Atomic Charges Derived from Electrostatic Potential

The purpose of this article is to show that CHELP, CHELPG, and Merz and Kollman undergo error for the charge on atoms of HCOO^– (H₂O) _n for n = 1 6. We also demonstrate that the CHELP, CHELPG, and Merz and Kollman show error for the tendency toward change in the charges on carbons for CH₃NH⁺ ₃ (CH₃)₂NH⁺ ₂ (CH₃)₃NH⁺ (CH₃)₄N⁺.     

Untersuchungen der Hydroxylammonium-Fluorozirconate(IV)

Summary Hydroxylammonium fluorozirconates have been investigated. Two new microcristalline phases have been isolated from aqueous solutions: (NH₃OH)₂ZrF₆ (1) and (NH₃OH)₃ZrF₇ (2). The crystals were prepared by slow evaporation of the solution of NH₂OH, Zr, and HF. Different compositions of the crystals were achieved by varying the molar ratios of the components. They were characterized by thermal analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and structure (single crystal x-ray methods). (NH₃OH)₂ZrF₆ (1) crystallizes triclinic, P (No.: 2),a=7.400(2),b=7.609(2),c=7.887(2) Å, =57.29(3)°, =62.16(3)°, =67.83(2)°. (NH₃OH)₃ZrF₇ (2) crystallizes triclinic, P (No.: 2),a=7.128(1),b=7.989(1),c=8.888(1) Å, =109.72(1)°, =91.01(1)°, =104.27(1)°.

     

Dehydroxylation and the Crystalline Phases in Sol-Gel Zirconia

The formation and evolution with temperature of the crystalline phases in sol-gel ZrO₂ was analyzed by using X-ray powder diffraction, refinement of the crystalline structures, ESR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The precursor phase of crystalline zirconia was amorphous Zr(OH)₄ with the same local order as the tetragonal crystalline phase. This amorphous phase dehydroxylated with temperature, generating nanocrystalline tetragonal zirconia, and producing point defects that stabilized the tetragonal structure, generated a paramagetic ESR signal with g values like the free electron, and had a light absorption band at 310 nm. When the sample was annealed at higher temperatures, it continued dehydroxilating, and the point defects disappeared, causing the transformation of the nanocrystalline tetragonal phase into nanocrystalline monoclinic zirconia. The two crystalline nanophases coexisted since the beginning of crystallization.     

The thermal decomposition of (NH4)[VO(O2)2(NH3)]

The compound, (NH₄)[VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)], thermally decomposes to ammonium metavanadate, which then decomposes to vanadium pentoxide. Using a heating rate of 5 deg·min^–1, the first decomposition step occurs between 74° and 102°C. The transformation degree dependence of the activation energy (-E) is shown to follow a decreasing convex form, indicating that the first decomposition step is a complex reaction with a change in the limiting stage of the reaction. Infrared spectra indicated that the decomposition proceeds via the gradual reduction of the ratio of the (NH₄)₂O to V₂O₅ units from the original 11 ratio in ammonium metavanadate, which may be written as (NH₄)₂O·V₂O₅, to V₂O₅.The assistance of Professor A. M. Heyns (University of Pretoria) and Professor K. L. Range (University of Regensburg) is gratefully acknowledged as well as the financial assistance of the University of Pretoria and the FRD.     

On the crystal chemistry of three copper(II)-arsenates: Cu3(AsO4)2-III,Na4Cu(AsO4)2, and KCu4(AsO4)3

The three copper(II)-arsenates were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions; their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods:Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III:a=5.046(2) Å,b=5.417(2) Å,c=6.354(2) Å, =70.61(2)°, =86.52(2)°, =68.43(2)°,Z=1, space group ,R=0.035 for 1674 reflections with sin / 0.90 Å^–1.Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₂:a=4.882(2) Å,b=5.870(2) Å,c=6.958(3) Å, =98.51(2)°, =90.76(2)°, =105.97(2)°,Z=1, space group ,R=0.028 for 2157 reflections with sin / 0.90 Å^–1.KCu₄(AsO₄)₃:a=12.234(5) Å,b=12.438(5) Å,c=7.307(3) Å, =118.17(2)°,Z=4, space group C2/c,R=0.029 for 1896 reflections with sin / 0.80 Å^–1.Within these three compounds the Cu atoms are square planar [4], tetragonal pyramidal [4+1], and tetragonal bipyramidal [4+2] coordinated by O atoms; an exception is the Cu(2)^[4+1] atom in Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III: the coordination polyhedron is a representative for the transition from a tetragonal pyramid towards a trigonal bipyramid. In KCu₄(AsO₄)₃ the Cu(1)^[4]O₄ square and the As(1)O₄ tetrahedron share a common O—O edge of 2.428(5) Å, resulting in distortions of both the CuO₄ square and the AsO₄ tetrahedron. The two Na atoms in Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₂ are [6] coordinated, the K atom in KCu₄(AsO₄)₃ is [8] coordinated by O atoms.Die drei Kupfer(II)-Arsenate wurden unter Hydrothermalbedingungen gezüchtet und ihre Kristallstrukturen mittels Einkristall-Röntgenbeugungsmethoden ermittelt:Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III:a = 5.046(2) Å,b = 5.417(2) Å,c = 6.354(2) Å, = 70.61 (2)°, = 86.52(2)°, = 68.43(2)°,Z = 1, Raumgruppe ,R = 0.035 für 1674 Reflexe mit sin / 0.90 Å^–1.Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₂:a = 4.882(2) Å,b = 5.870(2) Å,c = 6.958(3) Å, = 98.51(2)°, = 90.76(2)°, = 105.97(2)°,Z = 1, Raumgruppe ,R = 0.028 für 2157 Reflexe mit sin / 0.90 Å^–1.KCu₄(AsO₄)₃:a = 12.234(5) Å,b = 12.438(5) Å,c = 7.307(3) Å, = 118.17(2)°,Z = 4, Raumgruppe C2/c,R = 0.029 für 1896 Reflexe mit sin / 0.80 Å^–1.Die Cu-Atome in diesen drei Verbindungen sind durch O-Atome quadratisch planar [4], tetragonal pyramidal [4 + 1] und tetragonal dipyramidal [4 + 2]-koordiniert; eine Ausnahme ist das Cu(2)^{[4 + 1]}-Atom in Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III: Das Koordinationspolyeder stellt einen Vertreter des Übergangs von einer tetragonalen Pyramide zu einer trigonalen Dipyramide dar. In KCu₄(AsO₄)₃ haben das Cu(1)^[4]O₄-Quadrat und das As(1)O₄-Tetraeder eine gemeinsame O—O-Kante von 2.428(5) Å, was eine Verzerrung der beiden Koordinationsfiguren CuO₄-Quadrat und AsO₄-Tetraeder bedingt. Die zwei Na-Atome in Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₃ sind durch O-Atome [6]-koordiniert, das K-Atom in KCu₄(AsO₄)₃ ist [8]-koordiniert.

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Zur Kristallchemie dreier Kupfer (II)-Arsenate: Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III, Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₂ und KCu₄(AsO₄)₃

     

Crystal structure of Li2Cu3(SeO3)2(SeO4)2

Summary Single crystal X-ray data of the hydrothermally grown new phase Li₂Cu₃(SeO₃)₂(SeO₄)₂ were measured with a four-circle diffractometer up to sin /=0.81 Å^–1 [I2/a,Z=4,V=1175.5 ų,a=16.293(6),b=5.007(2),c=14.448(6) Å, = 94.21(1)°]. The structure was determined by direct and Fourier methods and refined toR=0.034,R _w =0.027 for 2 086 independent reflections.Cu(1)^[4+1]O₅ forms a tetragonal pyramid, Cu(2)^{[4 + 2]}O₆ is a strongly elongated octahedron. The Li atom is surrounded by four O atoms forming a distorted tetrahedron. Se(IV)O₃ and Se(VI)O₄ groups are in accordance to literature, mean Se-O bond lengths are 1.714 and 1.644 Å.

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Die Kristallstruktur von Li₂Cu₃(SeO₃)₂(SeO₄)₂

Zusammenfassung Einkristall-Röntgendaten der hydrothermal gezüchteten neuen Phase Li₂Cu₃(SeO₃)₂(SeO₄)₂ wurden mit einem Vierkreisdiffraktometer im Bereich bis zu sin /=0.81 Å^–1 gemessen [I2/a,Z=4,V=1175.5 ų,a=16.293(6),b=5.007(2),c=14.448(6) Å, =94.21(1)°]. Die Kristallstruktur wurde mittels direkter und Fourier-Methoden bestimmt und für 2 086 unabhängige Reflexe zuR=0.034,R _w =0.027 verfeinert.Cu(1)^[4+1]O₅ bildet eine tetragonale Pyramide, Cu(2)^[4+2]O₆ ist ein stark verlängertes Oktaeder. Das Li-Atom ist von vier O-Atomen in Gestalt eines verzerrten Tetraeders umgeben. Die Se(IV)O₃-und Se(VI)O₄-Gruppen entsprechen der Literatur, die mittleren Se-O-Abstände betragen 1.714 und 1.644 Å.

     

Preparation of Al2TiO5-ZrO2 mixed powders via sol-gel process

Sol-gel routes in the ternary system Al₂O₃-TiO₅-ZrO₂ were investigated to prepare Al₂TiO₅-ZrO₂ mixed powders. The preparation of ZrTiO₄ and Al₂TiO₅ was studied before going on with the ternary system. Zirconium titanate precursor gels were prepared from Ti(OPrⁱ)₄ and Zr(OPrⁿ)₄ mixtures. The crystallization of ZrTiO₄ develops at T<700°C. Al₂TiO₅ was prepared by different ways, using mixtures of Al(OBu^s)₂(C₆H₉O₃) with Ti(OPr ⁱ )₄ (i), or with acetic acid addition (ii). Route (i) leads to a separate crystallization of TiO₂ and -Al₂O₃, with subsequent formation of -Al₂TiO₅ at T1360°C. Although the pseudobrookite -Al₂TiO₅ is thermodynamically unstable below 1280°C, route (ii) leads to the crystallization of metastable -Al₂TiO₅ at T800°C. At increasing temperature, -Al₂TiO₅ decomposes into TiO₂ and -Al₂O₃, then the two compounds react to form stable -Al₂TiO₅. For the ternary system, all the preparation routes which were studied lead to ZrTiO₄ and -Al₂O₃ with subsequent reaction (at T1500°C) to give -Al₂TiO₅ and ZrO₂.     

Thermodynamic Model for the Solubility of Cr(OH)3(am) in Concentrated NaOH and NaOH–NaNO3 Solutions

The main objective of this study was to develop a thermodynamic model for predicting Cr(III) behavior in concentrated NaOH and in mixed NaOH–NaNO₃ solutions for application to developing effective caustic leaching strategies for high-level nuclear waste sludges. To meet this objective, the solubility of Cr(OH)₃(am) was measured in 0.003 to 10.5 m NaOH, 3.0 m NaOH with NaNO₃ varying from 0.1 to 7.5 m, and 4.6 m NaNO₃ with NaOH varying from 0.1 to 3.5 m at room temperature (22 ± 2°C). A combination of techniques, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and absorptive stripping voltammetry analyses, were used to determine the oxidation state and nature of aqueous Cr. A thermodynamic model, based on the Pitzer equations, was developed from the solubility measurements to account for dramatic increases in aqueous Cr with increases in NaOH concentration. The model includes only two aqueous Cr species, Cr(OH) ₄ ^– and Cr₂O₂(OH) ₄ ^– (although the possible presence of a small percentage of higher oligomers at >5.0 m NaOH cannot be discounted) and their ion–interaction parameters with Na⁺. The logarithms of the equilibrium constants for the reactions involving Cr(OH) ₄ ^– [Cr(OH)₃(am) + OH^– Cr(OH) ₄ ^– ] and Cr₂O₂(OH) ₄ ^2– [2Cr(OH)₃(am) + 2OH^– Cr₂O₂(OH) ₄ ^2– + 2H₂O] were determined to be –4.36 ± 0.24 and –5.24 ± 0.24, respectively. This model was further tested and provided close agreement between the observed Cr concentrations in equilibrium with Cr(OH)₃(am) in mixed NaOH–NaNO₃ solutions and with high-level tank sludges leached with and primarily containing NaOH as the major electrolyte.     

Ionic conduction of a high-temperature modification of Lu<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

A nanoceramic product of the composition Lu₂Ti₂O₇ is synthesized by a coprecipitation method with a subsequent sublimation drying and an annealing at 650–1650°C. The conduction of Lu₂Ti₂O₇ synthesized at 1650°C is ionic (10^–3 S cm^–1 at 800°C). Thus, a new material with a high ionic conduction has been discovered. The ordering in Lu₂Ti₂O₇ is studied by methods of RFA, RSA, IK spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. The existence of a low-temperature phase transition fluorite-pyrochlore at 800°C and a high-temperature conversion order-disorder at 1650°C are established.Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 3, 2005, pp. 298–303.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shlyakhtina, Ukshe, Shcherbakova.     

Preparation of La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 Nano-Phase Powders and Films from Alkoxide Precursors

The first purely alkoxide-based sol-gel route to nano-phase powders and thin films of perovskite La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ is described. The phase and microstructure evolution on heat treatment of free gel films to form the target nano-phase oxide were investigated by TGA, IR spectroscopy, powder XRD, SEM and TEM-EDS. The xerogel consisted of a hydrated oxo-carbonate, without remaining alkoxo groups or solvent. Heating at 5°C·min^–1 decomposed the carbonate groups and yielded the pure perovskite La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ at 760°C. The cell dimensions were virtually unchanged from the first observation of perovskite at 680°C, to 1000°C, 4 h. The monoclinic cell of La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ obtained at 1000°C, 4 h, had the dimensions a = 5.475(1), b = 5.504(2), c = 7.771(1) Å, = 90.50(2), fitting the literature data quite well. Crack-free, homogenous, 150 nm thick La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ films were prepared by spin-coating Si/SiO₂/TiO₂/Pt and polycrystalline -Al₂O₃ substrates with a 0.6 M alkoxide solution, followed by heating at 5°C·min^–1 to 800°C, 30 min.     

O MAS NMR study of the oxygen local environments in the anionic conductors Y2(B1−xB′x)2O7(B, B′=Sn, Ti, Zr)

The local environments for oxygen in yttrium-containing pyrochlores and fluorites, Y₂(B_1−xB′_x)₂O₇ (B=Ti, B′=Sn, Zr) are investigated by using solid state ¹⁷O MAS NMR spectroscopy. The quadrupolar coupling constants of the nucleus, ¹⁷O are sufficiently small for these ionic oxides, that high-resolution spectra are obtained from the MAS spectra. Different oxygen NMR resonances are observed due to local environments with differing numbers of metal cations (Y³⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and Zr⁴⁺), allowing the numbers of different local environments to be quantified and cation mixing to be investigated. Evidence for pyrochlore-like local ordering is detected for Y₂Zr₂O₇, which nominally adopts the fluorite structure.     

The crystal structure of ZnFe 2 3+ (SeO3)4

Summary The new synthetic compound ZnFe ₂ ³⁺ (SeO₃)₄ forms at low-hydrothermal conditions at 220 °C. It belongs to the monoclinic system; the structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the space group Pc. The unit cell data are:a=8.196(4) Å,b=7.997(4) Å,c=8.033(4) Å, =92.27(3)°,V=526.1 ų;Z=2. The structure of ZnFe ₂ ³⁺ (SeO₃)₄ contains two types of FeO₆ octahedra, one distorted ZnO₅ trigonal bipyramid, and four selenite groups. Formal clusters consisting of the ZnO₅ group, edge-linked with both FeO₆ groups and one SeO₃ pyramid, are connected by common corners, involving three further selenite groups to a framework structure.

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Die Kristallstruktur von ZnFe ₂ ³⁺ (SeO₃)₄

Zusammenfassung Die neue synthetische Verbindung ZnFe ₂ ³⁺ (SeO₃)₄ bildet sich bei niedrighydrothermalen Bedingungen (220°C). Die Kristallstruktur wurde mit Einkristallröntgenmethoden in der monoklinen Raumgruppe Pc gelöst. Die Zellparameter sind:a=8.196(4) Å,b=7.997(4) Å,c=8.033(4) Å, =92.27(3)°,V=526.1 ų;Z=2. Die Kristallstruktur von ZnFe ₂ ³⁺ (SeO₃)₄ weist zwei Arten von FeO₆-Oktaedern, eine verzerrte trigonale ZnO₅-Dipyramide sowie vier Selenitgruppen auf. Formal können Cluster, bestehend aus dem ZnO₅-Polyeder, kantenverknüpft mit den beiden FeO₆-Gruppen sowie einer SeO₃-Pyramide, beschrieben werden. Die Verknüpfung über Ecken zu einer Gerüststruktur erfolgt unter Beteiligung von drei weiteren Selenitgruppen.

     

Raman and infrared spectroscopic investigation of contact ion pair formation in aqueous cadmium sulfate solutions

Raman and IR data for aqueous CdSO₄ and (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions have been recorded over broad concentration and temperature ranges. Whereas the v₁-SO ₄ ^2– band profile is symmetrical in (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions, in CdSO₄ solutions a shoulder appears on the high frequency side which increases in intensity with increasing concentration and temperature. The molar scattering coefficient of the v₁-SO ₄ ^2– band is the same for all forms of sulfate in (NH₄)₂SO₄ and CdSO₄ solutions and is independent of temperature up to 99°C. The high frequency shoulder is attributed to the formation of a contact ion pair [Cd²⁺OSO ₃ ^2– ] (11 associate). Also the v₃-SO ₄ ^2– antisymmetric stretching mode shows a splitting in the CdSO₄ solution. Further spectroscopic evidence for contact ion pair formation is provided by IR spectroscopy. No higher associates or anionic complexes are required to interpret the spectroscopic data. The degree of association has been measured as a function of concentration and temperature. The thermodynamic association constant, K_A=0.15±0.05 kg-mol^–1 at 25°C is estimated from the Raman data by an extrapolation procedure by taking account of the activity coefficients. Values are reported for the activity coefficient of the ion pair. From the Raman temperature dependence studies, the enthalpy of formation for the contact ion pair is estimated to be 10±1 kJ-mol^–1.     

Fabrication and luminescent properties of rare earths-doped Gd2(WO4)3 thin film phosphors by Pechini sol-gel process

Rare earth ions (Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺)-doped Gd₂(WO₄)₃ phosphor films were prepared by a Pechini sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting powders and films. The results of XRD indicate that the films begin to crystallize at 600°C and the crystallinity increases with the elevation of annealing temperatures. The film is uniform and crack-free, mainly consists of closely packed fine particles with an average grain size of 80 nm. Owing to an energy transfer from WO₄²⁻ groups, the rare earth ions show their characteristic emissions in crystalline Gd₂(WO₄)₃ phosphor films, i.e., (J=0, 1, 2, 3; J′=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, not in all cases) transitions for Eu³⁺ and (J=13/2, 15/2) transitions for Dy³⁺, with the hypersensitive transitions (Eu³⁺) and (Dy³⁺) being the most prominent groups, respectively. Both the lifetimes and PL intensity of the Eu³⁺ () and Dy³⁺ () increase with increasing the annealing temperature from 500°C to 800°C, and the optimum doping concentrations for Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺ are determined to be 30 and 6 at% of Gd³⁺ in Gd₂(WO₄)₃ film host lattices, respectively.     

A Bridged High-Spin Complex Bis-[Ni(II)( rac-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl- 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)]-2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate Diperchlorate Monohydrate

A bridged high-spin complex,bis-[Ni(II)(rac-5,5,7,l2,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)]-2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate diperchlorate monohydrate has been obtained by reaction of [Ni(II)(rac-5,5,7, 12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)](ClO₄)₂ and 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid in aqueousalkaline (NH₄OH) medium. C₃₉H₇₇Cl₂N₉Ni₂O₁₃, chemical formula weight 1068.42, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 11 .423(3) Å,b = 14.770(6) Å, c = 31.608(7) Å, = = =90.00°, V = 5333(3) ų, Z = 4, D_calc = 1.331 g cm^-3, _calc = 0.869 mm^-1, F(000) = 2272, T = 293(2), R = 0.0870 for 2686 observed reflections [I > 2(I)]. The complexincludes two folded [Ni(rac- Me₆[14]aneN₄)]²⁺ units havingopposite diastereomeric configuration. They are bridged through a dianion of2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, with one Ni-atom coordinated to the O-atom ofthe 2-carboxylic group and the pyridine N-atom (forming a 5-membered chelatering), and with the second Ni-atom coordinated to both O-atoms of the 5-carboxylic group (forming a 4-membered chelate ring). Hydrogen bonding involving macrocyclic NH groups, both 2- and 5-carboxylic groups, perchlorate anions and water molecules gives rise to the formation of an infinite supramolecular network in the title compound's crystals.     

Effects of pH and Dye Concentration on the Optical and Structural Properties of Coumarin-4 Dye-Doped SiO2-PDMS Xerogels

Optical and structural properties of coumarin-4 dye-doped SiO₂-PDMS xerogels synthesized by acid catalyzed (one-step) and acid-base catalyzed (two-step) sol-gel routes with varying pH (0.6 to 7) and dye content ( 5 × 10^–4 to 5 × 10^–2 mole) are reported. Spectroscopic methods such as photo-luminescence, FT-IR and FT-Raman were used for characterizations. The acid catalyzed xerogels prepared with pH < 2.5 exhibited two fluorescence peaks, I at 390 nm and II at 480 nm. The acid-base catalyzed xerogels synthesized with pH < 2.5 also exhibited two peaks, I at 400 nm and II at 475 nm. Peak II was not observed for the samples with pH 2.5. This phenomenon was attributed to the existence of pH dependent different forms of coumarin-4 molecule. The concentration-quenching phenomenon was observed for the acid catalyzed xerogels prepared with different dye concentration. TheFT-IR spectra indicated the existence of hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl groups of dye molecules and the silanol groups of gel matrix. The hydrogen bonding was the highest for the samples with the extremity pH, 0.6 and 7, resulting in the highest dye/gel matrix interactions, hence, the highest fluorescence peaks. The Raman studies indicated that the samples prepared with pH < 2.5 possessed relatively more number of 3-membered siloxane rings than 4-membered siloxane rings. The ring statistics was reversed for the samples with pH > 2.5. The number of silanol groups was higher for the samples with pH > 2.5.