Mechanical stability and transport properties of the Sn-promoted SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3−δ ceramic membrane

In this article, the phase compositions, thermal, mechanical and transport properties of both the SrCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (SCF) and the SrCo_0.8Fe_0.1Sn_0.1O_3−δ (SSCF) ceramic membranes were investigated systematically. As compared with the SCF membrane, the SSCF one had a more promoted thermal shock resistance, which related to its small thermal expansion coefficient between them and an enhanced composite structure for it. For the SCF membrane, a permeation rate of 1.9 × 10⁻⁶ mol cm⁻² s⁻¹ was obtained at 1000 °C and under the oxygen partial pressure gradient of P_O2 (h)/P_O2 (l) = 0.209 atm/0.012 atm; however, the permeation rate was 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ mol cm⁻² s⁻¹ for the SSCF one in the same measuring condition. In addition, both peak values of total electrical conductivity (σ_e) for SSCF sample appeared with increasing temperature. The second peak value of σ_e for SSCF one was regarded as the contribution from its minor phase, which appeared with the mixed conducting behavior resulting from partly Co-dissolving into its lattice.     

Supramolecular architecture of cadmium(II)–terephthalate complexes having a tridentate or tetradentate Schiff base as blocking coligand

Two new cadmium(II)–terephthalate complexes, _∞¹{[Cd₂(μ-terephthalate)₂(L¹)₂]·9H₂O} (1) and [{Cd(H₂O)(L²)}₂(μ-terephthalate)](terephthalate) · 10H₂O (2), where L¹ = (E)-N¹,N¹-diethyl-N²-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine; L² = N,N′-bis-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-ethane-1,2-diamine; have been synthesized by a conventional solution method. Characterization by single crystal X-ray crystallography shows that compound 1 is composed of 1-D polymeric zig-zag chains with distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal cadmium centers. Compound 2 consists of centrosymmetric dinuclear complexes with a distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal cadmium center in which one terephthalate ligand bridges the metal centres and another terephthalate anion with water of crystallization forms a H-bonding network.     

Thermogravimetric study on perovskite-like oxygen permeation ceramic membranes

The oxygen permeation properties of mixed-conducting ceramics SrFeCo_0.5O_3−δ (SFCO), Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCFO), La_0.2Sr_0.8Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (LSCFO) and Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BCCFO) were studied by thermogravimetric method in the temperature range 600–900 °C. The results show that the oxygen adsorption rate constants k_a of all material are larger than oxygen desorption rate constants k_d and both k_a and k_d are not strongly dependent on temperature in the studied temperature range. The oxygen vacancy contents δ(N₂) and δ(O₂) in nitrogen and oxygen and their difference Δδ = δ(N₂) − δ(O₂) play an important role in determining the temperature behavior of oxygen permeation flux J_O2.     

Linking the loading dependence of the Maxwell–Stefan diffusivity of linear alkanes in zeolites with the thermodynamic correction factor

Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out to determine the Maxwell–Stefan diffusivity Đ of C1–C4 linear alkanes for a range of molecular loadings, q, in AFI, MOR, MTW, and MFI zeolites. Configurational-Bias Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the thermodynamic correction factor, Γ ≡ ∂ ln f/∂ ln q. For diffusion in the large 1D pores of AFI, Đ is proportional to 1/Γ. In other zeolite topologies with smaller pore sizes, though such a direct proportionality is not observed, the Đ–q dependence appears to be closely linked to the 1/Γ–q characteristics, especially when the latter exhibits strong inflection.     

Heat capacity, enthalpy and entropy of strontium bismuth niobate and strontium bismuth tantalate

The heat capacities and enthalpy increments of strontium bismuth niobate SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ (SBN) and strontium bismuth tantalate SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ (SBT) were measured by the relaxation method (2–150 K), Calvet-type heat-conduction calorimetry (305–570 K) and drop calorimetry (773–1373 K). The temperature dependences of non-transition heat capacities in the form C_pm = 324.47 + 0.06371T − 5.0755 × 10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ (298–1400 K) and C_pm = 320.22 + 0.06451T − 4.7001 × 10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ (298–1400 K) were derived for SBN and SBT, respectively, by the least-squares method from the experimental data. Furthermore, the standard molar entropies at 298.15 K S_m°(SBN)=327.15±0.80 and S_m°(SBT)=339.23±0.72 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ were evaluated from the low-temperature heat capacity measurements.     

A simple method for predicting the frequency of the infrared inactive carbonyl stretching mode in LM(CO)5 molecules with C4V symmetry

The paper presents a new method for predicting the frequency of the b₁ mode, which is infrared-inactive, in complexes of the type LM(CO)₅ belonging to C_4V point group. The method was based on the relation λ₃=λ₄+[(1−δ/δ)](λ₁−λ₂), where δ=(λ₁−λ₂)/(λ₁−λ₂+λ₃−λ₄), λ₁, λ₂, λ₃ and λ₄ are the λ parameters of the , , b₁ and e modes, respectively. For a large numbers of complexes of the type LM(CO)₅ the average value of δ was found to be 0.80, with a standard deviation of 0.02. With the use of average value of δ, the frequencies of b₁ mode were estimated. The result obtained indicated that there exists a rather good fit between observed and calculated frequencies, with a mean error of 2.7 cm⁻¹. In addition, it was shown that the δ parameter can be used as a criterion of the correct band assignment for the complexes understudy.     

Effects of sintering atmospheres on sintering behavior, electrical conductivity and oxygen permeability of mixed-conducting membranes

Effects of sintering atmospheres on properties of SrCo_0.4Fe_0.5Zr_0.1O_3−δ mixed-conducting membranes were in detail studied in terms of sintering behavior, electrical conductivity and oxygen permeability. The sintering atmospheres were 100% N₂, 79% N₂–21% O₂, 60% N₂–40% O₂, 40% N₂–60% O₂, 20% N₂–80% O₂ and 100% O₂ (in vol.%), and the prepared membranes were correspondingly denoted as S-0, S-21, S-40, S-60, S-80 and S-100, respectively. It was found that the properties of membranes were strongly dependent on the sintering atmosphere. As the oxygen partial pressure in the sintering atmosphere (P_O2) increased, sintering ability, electrical conductivity and oxygen permeability decreased at first, which was in the order of S-0 > S-21 > S-40. However, as P_O2 increased further, sintering ability, electrical conductivity and oxygen permeability increased gradually: S-40 < S-60 < S-80 < S-100. And the S-100 membrane had the best sintering ability, electrical conductivity and oxygen permeability in all membranes.     

Infrared intensities of liquids XXV: Dielectric constants, molar polarizabilities and integrated intensities of liquid toluene at 25 °C between 4800 and 400 cm

The main purpose of this paper is to present accurate infrared integrated intensities of liquid toluene, C₆H₅CH₃, at 25 °C. Also presented are the decadic molar absorption coefficients, E_m, the real and imaginary dielectric constants, ε′ and ε″, and the real and imaginary molar polarizabilities, ^′_m and ^″_m. Integrated intensities were determined as C_j, the area under bands in the spectrum, for all bands between 4800 and 440 cm⁻¹. The contributions from the different bands were separated by fitting the spectrum with classical damped harmonic oscillator bands. The uncertainties in the integrated intensities of most bands are estimated to be 5–10%, with the uncertainties in very weak bands and in shoulders possibly up to 100%. The intensity that should be assigned to the fundamentals is more difficult to estimate due to Fermi resonance with overtone and combination bands, and a best estimate is given. The integrated intensities of the fundamental vibrations and the corresponding transition dipole moments are summarized and are compared with literature values for the gas.     

Mechanism of dissociative excitation of BrCN in electron cyclotron resonance plasma flow of He

The dissociative excitation reaction of BrCN induced by the products of the electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma flow of He was studied based on the electrostatic-probe measurements and on the optical emission spectra of the B²Σ⁺ − X²Σ⁺ transition of CN radicals. The partial pressures of He and BrCN were 3 and 1 mTorr, respectively, and the partial pressure of H₂O, P_H2O, was in the range of 0.0–0.6 mTorr. The electron density, n_e, showed a negative dependence on P_H2O as (2.63 ± 0.13) × 10¹² − (0.23 ± 0.10) × 10¹² m⁻³, and the electron temperature, T_e, a positive dependence, (2.38 ± 0.36) − (4.51 ± 0.15) eV. The CN(B²Σ⁺ − X²Σ⁺) emission intensity showed a negative dependence on P_H2O. Based on a kinetic analysis of these P_H2O dependencies, the decomposition of BrCN does not proceed via electron impact; instead, decomposition proceeds via the processes involving He⁺ and/or He metastable atoms.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of Cu(II) compounds bridged by the terephthalate ligand and hydrogen bonds

A 3D network [Cu(tmen)(tp)(H₂O)₂]_n (1) (tmen = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine; tp = terephthalate) and a 2D sheet [Cu(pyrazole)₂(tp)]_n (2), featuring 1D chains interwoven by hydrogen bonds, have been prepared and characterized by means of X-ray analyses and magnetic measurements. For 1, coordinative zigzag chains contain Cu(II) centers capped by the chelate ligand tmen, in which the tetragonal structure is elongated due to Jahn–Teller distortion. Coordinated water molecules are hydrogen-bonded to two free carboxylate oxygens of tp bridges, leading to the observed 3D structure. The use of the non-chelating capping ligand pyrazole produced the covalent-bonded 1D linear compound 2 with hydrogen bonds. A severe octahedral distortion of the Cu(II) center arises from a small bite angle (52.3(1)°) of two carboxylate oxygen atoms of tp, which are in turn hydrogen-bonded to the N–H groups of pyrazole ligands coordinated to Cu(II) atoms in neighboring chains. Magnetic data were fitted with the high-temperature series expansion for the Heisenberg chain spin Hamiltonian H = −J∑_iS_i · S_i + 1 together with consideration of the molecular field approximation (zJ′). Both compounds interestingly exhibit ferromagnetic interactions with g = 2.17, J = 4.08 cm⁻¹, zJ′ = −0.28 cm⁻¹ for 1 and g = 2.09, J = 1.47 cm⁻¹, zJ′ = −0.04 cm⁻¹ for 2. By taking into account structural parameters of distances between Cu atoms, it is reasonably assigned that the ferromagnetic couplings (J > 0) in these systems originate from the hydrogen bonds. The spin density of the d_x²-y² orbital on a Cu(II) atom in a chain is propagated and induced over the d_z² orbital of another Cu(II) atom in an adjacent chain. This orbital orthogonality gives rise to such interactions. The negative zJ′ term suggests that the tp bridges communicate only tiny antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Phase equilibria and crystal structure of the solid solution LaFe1−xNixO3−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Phase equilibria in the LaFeO₃–“LaNiO₃” were studied at 1100 °C in air. The samples were synthesized by standard ceramic and/or solution route via nitrate or citrate precursors. According to the results of XRD it was found that the homogeneity ranges of LaFe_1−xNi_xO_3−δ solid solution lay within 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 (sp.gr. Pbnm) and 0.6 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 (sp.gr. ). The structural parameters (bond lengths, atom coordinates) for the single-phase samples were refined using Rietveld analysis. The unit cell parameters versus LaFe_1−xNi_xO_3−δ composition are presented.     

Structure and redox properties of CexPr1−xO2−δ mixed oxides and their catalytic activities for CO, CH3OH and CH4 combustion

A series of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides were synthesized by a sol–gel method and characterized by Raman, XRD and TPR techniques. The oxidation activity for CO, CH₃OH and CH₄ on these mixed oxides was investigated. When the value x was changed from 1.0 to 0.8, only a cubic phase CeO₂ was observed. The samples were greatly crystallized in the range of the value x from 0.99 to 0.80, which is due to the formation of solid solutions caused by the complete insertion of Pr into the CeO₂ crystal lattices. Raman bands at 465 and 1150 cm⁻¹ in Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ samples are attributed to the Raman active F_2g mode of CeO₂. The broad band at around 570 cm⁻¹ in the region of 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.99 can be linked to oxygen vacancies. The new band at 195 cm⁻¹ may be ascribed to the asymmetric vibration caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies. The TPR profile of Pr₆O₁₁ shows two reduction peaks and the reduction process is followed: . The reduction temperature of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides is lower than those of Pr₆O₁₁ or CeO₂. TPR results indicate that Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides have higher redox properties because of the formation of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ solid solutions. The presence of the oxygen vacancies favors CO and CH₃OH oxidation, while the activity of CH₄ oxidation is mostly related to reduction temperatures and redox properties.     

Structural characteristics of formic acid dodecamers,

Exploratory ab initio and density functional theory calculations are used to locate low-energy minima on the potential energy surface of the formic acid dodecamer (HCOOH)₁₂. The lowest-energy structures are folded rings, some with a crown-like structure, stabilized by π–π interactions. There are many more C–HO interactions than in smaller oligomers. Unlike in tetramers and pentamers, ring structures with one or more monomers in the E (cis) conformation are not significant for dodecamers.     

A fracture criterion of rubber-like materials under plane stress conditions

In this work, we attempt to derive a fracture criterion for filled and unfilled elastomer vulcanizates and thermoplastics from a set of experimental data. Firstly, fracture criteria reported in the literature have been applied to experimental data obtained from tests including various loading modes (simple tension, equal biaxial tension and biaxial tension) and performed on four materials: a natural rubber (NR), a styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), a polyurethane (PU) and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

Then, a new failure criterion based on an equivalent elongation concept is proposed. This equivalent elongation seems to be linearly dependent on a given biaxiality ratio n=(ln(λ_2b)/ln(λ_1b)), which leads to expressing the principal elongations at break as functions of both the biaxiality n and two experimental parameters. Quite good agreement is highlighted when comparing the failure experimental data with the proposed criterion for the tested elastomers.     

[M(CO)4PPh3] radicals (M = Cr, Mo, W): DFT and single crystal EPR investigations

[M(CO)₄PPh₃]⁻ (M = Mo, W) were trapped at 77 K in X-irradiated single crystals of M(CO)₅PPh₃ and studied by EPR. Structures of [M(CO)₄PPh₃]⁻ (M = Cr, Mo, W) were optimized by DFT; predicted g and ³¹P-hyperfine tensors agree with experiments for M = Mo, W. The anions adopt a slightly distorted pyramidal structure with PPh₃ in basal position and the spin mostly delocalized in a metal-d_z² orbital and carbon-p_z orbitals of carbonyls. The EPR tensors are slightly modified by annealing, they suggest that new constraints in the matrix distort the structure of [M(CO)₄PPh₃]⁻ (M = Cr, Mo, W).     

Transport phenomenon as a function of counter and co-ions in solution: chronopotentiometric behavior of anion exchange membrane in different aqueous electrolyte solutions

Anion exchange membrane has been investigated in different electrolyte solutions by chronopotentiometry to explore the influence of co-ion and counterion of the exchange group of the membrane, on the transport phenomena. Chloride, nitrate, sulfate and acetate in sodium salts were used as counterions and sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium in chloride salts were used as co-ions. The membrane showed a potential drop (E₀) in all these electrolytes when a constant current was applied across it, which remained constant for a period less than τ, called the transition time and rose gradually to a maximum (E_max) value. The parameters such as τ, E₀ and E_max and the potential jump (ΔE) and τ and the inflection zone (Δt) along the time axis have been measured and compared at an applied current density (I) of 10 mA cm⁻² in 10 mM solutions. The values of τ^1/2/z_A[A₀] or τ^1/2/z_C[C₀], with or , E₀ and ΔE with or (where r_A and r_C are the ionic radii of counter and co-ions, respectively) have been correlated. Permselectivity (P) and transference number of the membrane with respect to each one of the above electrolytes have been evaluated and discussed.     

Application of the ISM EoS for polymer solutions and blends

A method for predicting an analytical equation of state for polymer mixtures and blends from surface tension and liquid state density at normal (ordinary) temperature (γ_n, ρ_n), as scaling constants, is presented. B₂(T) follows a promising corresponding-states principle. Calculation of (T) and b(T), the two other temperature-dependent constants of the equation of state, are made possible by scaling. As a result, γ_n and ρ_n are sufficient for determination of thermophysical properties of polymer mixtures and blends.

We applied the procedure to predict liquid density of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-200) + 1-octanol solutions and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) + poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-200) blends at compressed state with temperature range from 298.15 to 338.15 K and pressures up to 40 MPa. In this work, the ISM EoS is extended to polymer mixtures and blends as well as pure case without proposing any mixing rule.     

Survey of the quasi-ternary system La0.8Sr0.2MnO3–La0.8Sr0.2CoO3–La0.8Sr0.2FeO3

An overview on the variation of the thermal expansion, the electrical conductivity as well as non-stoichiometry of the oxide content as a function of composition within the quasi-ternary system La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3−δ–La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3−δ–La_0.8Sr_0.2FeO_3−δ in air is presented. The various powders were synthesized under identical conditions. The DC electrical conductivity values of the compositions at 800 °C in air vary in a wide range from 15 to 1338 S cm⁻¹. The magnitude of electrical conductivity of the perovskites is mainly determined by the percentage of cobalt in the compositions. A similar behaviour was observed for the measured thermal expansion coefficients between room temperature and 1000 °C in air, increasing from 10.9 to 19.4 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ as a function of cobalt content. Changes in the oxygen stoichiometry of the materials were characterized by temperature-programmed oxidation measurements.     

New regularities and an equation of state for liquids

Three regularities have been introduced for liquids (T < T_C and ρ > ρ_C) based on average potential energy. The experimental data have been used to show the validity of the regularities. First, there exists near-linearity relation between and ρ for all isotherms of a liquid, where P_i and ρ are internal pressure and density, respectively. Second, changes linearly with ρ for each isotherm of any liquid, where Z and V_m are compressibility factor and molar volume, respectively. Third, a new regularity using the definition of bulk modulus and our new equation of state between reduced bulk modulus and density has been introduced, that is versus ρ must be linear for all isotherms of a liquid where B_r is the reduced bulk modulus.

A new equation of state has been also derived. The density of some liquids in the extensive ranges of temperature and pressure has been calculated using the new equation of state. The densities calculated from this equation agree with experiment to better than 0.3%. The new equation of state can predict internal pressure, thermal expansion coefficient, and isothermal compressibility of liquids within experimental error.     

Magnetic ordering in trigonal chain compounds

We present electronic structure calculations for the one-dimensional magnetic chain compounds Ca₃CoRhO₆ and Ca₃FeRhO₆. The calculations are based on density functional theory and the local density approximation. We use the augmented spherical wave (ASW) method. The observed alternation of low- and high-spin states along the Co–Rh and Fe–Rh chains is related to differences in the oxygen coordination of the transition metal sites. Due to strong hybridization the O 2p states are polarized, giving rise to extended localized magnetic moments centered at the high-spin sites. Strong metal–metal overlap along the chains leads to a substantial contribution of the low-spin Rh 4d_3z²−r² orbitals to the exchange coupling of the extended moments. Interestingly, this mechanism holds for both compounds, even though the coupling is ferromagnetic for cobalt and antiferromagnetic for the iron compound. However, our results allow to understand the different types of coupling from the filling dependence of the electronic properties.