The acid-base characteristics of the surface of α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>: Potentiometry and wetting methods

A method for calculating the dissociation constants and contents of surface acid-base groups was suggested. The method was based on the construction of differential and integral potentiometric titration curves with invoking the titrant adsorption value on the surface of a solid. The estimated acid-base characteristics of the surface of α-Al₂O were on the whole in agreement with the results obtained by measuring the dependence of wetting angles on solution pH.     

Effect of organic acids on sorption of uranyl ions in solution onto ZrP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Hydration of zirconium diphosphate (ZrP₂O₇) conduced to formation of active sites in solid/liquid interface. In ZrP₂O₇/NaClO₄ 0.5 M suspensions, active sites and their acidity constants are quite determined but the presence of some impurities is now studied. This work was conducted to determine the surface properties changes produced by oxalic and citric acid during the hydration process. Moreover the presence of organic acids with ZrP₂O₇ modified reveals an increase in uranium sorption constants. The zirconium diphosphate has been characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Particle induced X-ray emission and Neutron (PIXE). Furthermore, the specific surface area, measured by the BET method, was 3.5 m²/g. The pH corresponding to the isoelectric point, determined by Zeta Potential measurements and mass titration was 3.6. The sites density calculated using titration curves was around of 5.37 s/nm² for NaClO₄ 0.5 M_, 13.71 s/nm² for NaClO₄ 0.5 M/citric acid 0.1 M and 7.33 s/nm² NaClO₄ 0.5 M/oxalic acid 0.1 M. The surface acidity constants and species distribution in surface were calculated by means of simulation of the titration curves with the FITEQL code (constant capacitance model), for ZrO and PO amphoteric sites of ZrP₂O_7. The uranyl sorption edge was determined for NaClO₄ 0.5 M. It spreads between pH 3 and 4.5 for complete sorption according to the previously published results. In the ZrP₂O₇–citrate modified surface, the uranyl sorption edge begin at pH 2 and was almost complete at pH 3.2 while ZrP₂O₇–oxalate modified surface edge started at 50% of sorption at pH of 1.5 and was complete at pH 3.     

Structure and properties of H<Subscript>8</Subscript>(PW<Subscript>11</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>39</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>O heteropoly acid

Heteropoly acid (HPA) H₈(PW₁₁TiO₃₉)₂O·xH₂O (I) is synthesized by three different ways and studied by chemical analysis, potentiometric titration, mass-spectrometry, IR, ³¹P, ¹⁸³W, and ¹⁷O NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and transmission electron microscopy. Anion I consists of two subparticles of the Keggin structure bridged by Ti-O-Ti. The dimeric anion exists in HPA aqueous solutions at [I] > 0.02 M. At pH > 0.6 it splits to a [PW₁₁TiO₄₀]⁵⁻ monomer stable up to pH ∼ 6. When heated (150–400)°C, I splits into H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ and, apparently, H₃PW₁₀Ti₂O₃₈ without phase separation. Thermolysis products are soluble and when dissolved in water turn again into I. Complete decomposition of I to oxides occurs at ∼450°C.     

Cellulose nanocrystals prepared in H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>-acetic acid system

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared by destruction of cotton cellulose using phosphotungstic acid in acetic acid medium. The study shows the influence of the heteropolyacid concentration, pre-activation, and hydrogen peroxide addition on the size of CNC particles. CNC were characterized using the methods of dynamic light scattering, FTIR-spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and potentiometric titration. CNC particles have highly-crystalline structure and rod-like morphology. Freeze-dried CNC hydrosols form lamellar or fibrous agglomerates, depending on the initial concentration of the CNC sol. Potentiometric titration results show increase in surface activity index and offset of pK_a values for CNC active centers in comparison to initial cellulose material.     

Potentiometric determination of the total acidity and concentration of citric acid in wines

The method of potentiometric titration with a copper electrode is used for the determination of the total acidity and concentration of citric acid (CA) in identifying the adulteration of wines. The procedure is suitable for the determination of citric acid in wines in the range from 0.1 to 3.5 g/L in the presence of 30-fold amounts of tartaric, acetic, malic, succinic acids and a 10-fold amount of oxalic acid after the separation of organic carboxylic acids on an AV-17-8 anion exchanger. The procedure was developed and certified for the potentiometric determination of the mass fraction of citric acid in table wines and wine materials with an error not exceeding 20%. The criteria (mass fraction of citric acid, the percentage of citric acid in the total acidity, and the shape of the curves of potentiometric titration) were proposed for revealing the adulteration of the acid composition of wines.     

Potentiometric and ab initio studies of acid-base interactions of substituted 4-halo(Cl, Br)pyridine N-oxide systems

By using the potentiometric method, acidity constants have been determined in systems of tri- and tetra-substituted pyridine N-oxides. The potentiometric measurements in systems of four 4-chloropyridine N-oxide derivatives containing the chlorine atom at position 4 to the NO₂ group and four bromine counterparts were carried out in polar non-aqueous solvents, viz. amphiprotic methanol (MeOH) and aprotic protophilic dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). It was found that in all the systems studied the pK_a values were readily determinable (as indicated by small standard deviations) in MeOH, whereas in DMSO large standard deviations were obtained making the pK_a values either hardly determinable or indeterminable from potentiometric measurements. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the acidity constants of protonated N-oxides studied in MeOH changed according to the sequence of their acidity constants in water. It was also found that in the polar solvents studied, i.e. in the amphiprotic methanol and the highly basic aprotic dimethyl sulfoxide, the cationic homo-conjugation equlibrium constants could not be determined using potentiometric method. Also, by using ab initio methods at the RHF and MP2 levels and the PCM model, utilizing the Gaussian 6-31++G^∗∗ basis set, energies and Gibbs free energies of the protonation reactions of the N-oxides have been determined. The energy parameters have been compared with acidity constants of the protonated N-oxides determined by potentiometric titration in methanol to establish a correlation between these approaches.     

The influence of the composition of CsCl-LiCl-YCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> melts on their acid properties at 973 K

The acid properties of CsCl-xLiCl and CsCl-LiCl + xYCl₃ melts were studied at 973 K by the potentiometric method with the use of a Pt(O₂)|ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) oxygen electrode. The acidity of these melts increased as x grew. The oxobasicity index values (pI _L) were estimated, they were 3.84 for 2CsCl-LiCl and 5.55 for 0.875(2CsCl + LiCl) + 0.125YCl₃ melts. The acid properties of mixed “alkali metal halide-rare-earth metal halide” melts were close to each other, and the presence of Li⁺ cations in such melts did not influence their pI _L values because of the leveling of their acid properties.     

Synthesis and study of solid acid materials SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

SnO₂/B₂O₃ samples were produced by a reaction between SnCl₄, H₃BO₃, and (NH₂)₂CO in a boiling aqueous solution. The Sn: B molar ratio in these samples was 1: 1, 1: 2, and 1: 3. The phase composition and degree of crystallinity of these materials was studied. The surface acidity of the samples was analyzed by the method based on a temperature-programmed reaction of dehydration of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol. Thermal transformations of SnO₂/B₂O₃ samples were examined by means of differential-thermal analysis.     

Sorption of uranium(VI) onto strontium titanate in KNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> medium

The sorption of uranium(VI) on the perovskite structure of strontium titanate in a 0.5M KNO₃ solution is studied. SrTiO₃ commercial material was characterized by XRD showing a tausonite face, with a specific area of 2.42 m^2.g⁻¹. The electrical surface characterization of the compound was performed by mass and potentiometric titrations. pH_pzc in water was 8.5±0.3 and 9.1±0.2 in 0.5M KNO₃ solution, showing a positively charged surface. FITEQL 4.0 program was used to calculate the sorption curves and the surface acidity constants by the constant capacitance model obtaining: log K ₁ = 8.67 and log K ₂ = −9.43. The sorption edge was fitted with two different uranium(VI) species sorbed, corresponding to bidentate complexes of UO₂²⁺ and UO₂(OH)₂H₂O on the surface of strontium titanate.     

Evaluation of the acidic properties of hydroxycoumarins and choice of solvents for performing potentiometric analysis

The relative acidity constants (pK_a) for 17 hydroxycoumarins in water, methanol, acetone (Ac), dimethylformide (DMFA), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) have been determined by Henderson's method. The existence of a linear relationship between pK_a in water and pK_a in acetone, dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide has been established. From the pK_a values the sequence of neutralization of the hydroxy groups has been determined: their acidic properties decrease in the sequence 4-OH > 7-OH > 6-OH > 8-OH. A quantitative evaluation of the conditions of titration in five solvents on the basis of the titration constants (pK_t) and of the values of the potential jumps and the shape of the potentiometric titration curves has permitted acetone to be proposed as the optimum solvent for the performance of potentiometric analysis.All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Khar'kov. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 770–773, November–December, 1985.     

Hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propanediols over heteropolyacids promoted AgCu/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts

Various amounts and different types of heteropolyacids promoted 5Ag15Cu/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by impregnation method and analyzed through many techniques. The synthesized catalysts were evaluated for hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propanediols. The results demonstrated that heteropolyacids loading facilitated the reduction, promoted the dispersion, enhanced the acidity, and increased Broensted acid sites of the AgCu catalysts, which benefited the generation of 1,3-propanediol. Compared with phosphotungstic acid and phosphomolybdic acid, silicotungstic acid promoted AgCu catalyst had a better performance for 1,3-propanediol due to the better Cu dispersion and higher Broensted acidity. In addition, when the reaction was performed at 220 °C under 3.5 MPa for 8 h, the chosen 5Ag15Cu-10HSiW/Al₂O₃ achieved a 69.6% glycerol conversion with 35.6% 1,2-propanediol selectivity and 21.5% 1,3-propanediol selectivity.     

Evaluation of the acidic properties of hydroxycoumarins and choice of solvents for performing potentiometric analysis

The relative acidity constants (pK_a) for 17 hydroxycoumarins in water, methanol, acetone (Ac), dimethylformide (DMFA), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) have been determined by Henderson's method. The existence of a linear relationship between pK_a in water and pK_a in acetone, dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide has been established. From the pK_a values the sequence of neutralization of the hydroxy groups has been determined: their acidic properties decrease in the sequence 4-OH > 7-OH > 6-OH > 8-OH. A quantitative evaluation of the conditions of titration in five solvents on the basis of the titration constants (pK_t) and of the values of the potential jumps and the shape of the potentiometric titration curves has permitted acetone to be proposed as the optimum solvent for the performance of potentiometric analysis.     

Catalytic efficiency of cesium and potassium salts of dodecatungstophosphoric acid supported on silica and comparison with H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Pure tungstophosphoric acid, potassium tungstophosphate, and cesium tungstophosphate with varying extent of substitution of protons by Cs or K ions x (x = 1, 2, 2.5, and 3) have been prepared and are supported on silica by the wet impregnation method. The extent of loading was fixed at 20 wt %. For the sake of comparison, unloaded Cs _x and K _x (x = 1) salts of tungstophosphoric acid were prepared by the precipitation method. The supported catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, specific surface area measurements, and catalytic conversion of tert-butanol. The results revealed that the catalytic conversion of tert-butanol proceeds mainly via dehydration yielding isobutene. The Cs₁PW/SiO₂, HPW/SiO₂, and K₁PW/SiO₂ catalysts were more active than their unsupported samples. The previous solids showed greater catalytic activity and stability. Unexpectedly, substitution of one proton of tungstophosphoric acid by a cesium or potassium ion exerted no measurable effect on the catalytic activity of the treated solids, in spite of decreasing the Brønsted acidity of Cs₁PW/SiO₂ and K₁PW/SiO₂ indicating that the acidity of HPW/SiO₂ decrease may be due to the interaction between HPW and the SiO₂ surface. On the other hand, significant decrease in the catalytic activity took place upon increasing the cation content (x) to x = 2, 2.5, and 3.     

Use of solid electrolyte GeSe-GeI<Subscript>2</Subscript> for electrochemical doping with germanium

Lead tellurite is study to show that solid electrolyte GeSe-GeI₂, which has the optimum composition and contains 5 mol % of GeI₂, can in principle be used for electrochemical doping of semiconducting materials with germanium by the coulometric titration method. Some parameters of the coulometric titration are considered. The doping efficiency is monitored by determining variations in the concentration of charge carriers using the Hall method and by measuring the EMF of corresponding galvanic cells.     

Catalytic cracking of C<Subscript>5</Subscript> raffinate to light olefins over NaOH-treated ZSM-5

A series of ZSM-5 catalysts (ZSM-5 (X)) treated with different NaOH concentration (X = 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 M) were prepared for use in the production of light olefins (ethylene and propylene) through catalytic cracking of C₅ raffinate. The effect of NaOH concentration on their physicochemical properties and catalytic activity was investigated. It was found that textural and physicochemical properties of ZSM-5 (X) catalysts were strongly influenced by the NaOH concentration. Mesopore volume of ZSM-5 (X) catalysts increased with increasing NaOH concentration, while acidity of the catalysts decreased with increasing NaOH concentration. Conversion of C₅ raffinate and yield for light olefins (ethylene and propylene) showed the volcano-shaped curves with respect to NaOH concentration (X). This implies that NaOH treatment of ZSM-5 was an efficient method to produce light olefins through catalytic cracking C₅ raffinate, and that optimal NaOH concentration was required for maximum production of light olefins. Among the catalysts tested, ZSM-5 (0.05) catalyst showed the best catalytic performance due to its favorable porosity and acidity.     

Bestimmung von Dissoziationskonstanten schwacher Säuren und Basen aus potentiometrischen Titrationskurven

The paper describes a method for determining acidity and basicity constants from potentiometric titration curves. The method is based on the solvation of the system of equations that are the mathematic foundation of titration curves. The results are thermodynamic constants, for there is included the mean Debye-Hückel activity coefficient by an iterative approximation. The reproducibility is in the magnitude of 0.01 to 0.03 logarithmic pK-units, the reproducibility in the same titration curve at 0.004 pK-units. The limitations are pK-constants of about 2.5 and 10.5.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and electrical properties of the new ternary molybdate Rb<Subscript>5</Subscript>NdHf(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The subsolidus phase relations in the ternary salt system Rb₂MoO₄-Nd₂(MoO₄)₃-Hf(MoO₄)₂ were studied by X-ray powder diffraction. The ternary molybdates Rb₅NdHf(MoO₄)₆ (1) and Rb₂NdHf₂(MoO₄)_6.5 are formed in this system. Compound 1 without impurities was synthesized by the solid-phase method by varying the temperature in the range of 400–600 °C and the annealing time from 70 to 110 h. Single crystals of compound 1 were grown by the flux method. The structure of compound 1 was established and the electrical properties of ceramic samples of this compound were investigated. This ternary molybdate has mixed electronic-ionic conductivity with the ionic component predominating at 200–500 °C. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2063–2066, November, 2007.     

Synthesis of non-agglomerated Ba<Subscript>0.77</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.23</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowders by a modified polymeric precursor method

In this work, we have studied the influence of the pH on the synthesis and structural properties of the Ba_0.77Ca_0.23TiO₃ nanopowders synthesized by a modified polymeric precursor method, in order to achieve non-agglomerated powders. Synthesis, morphology, thermal reactions, crystallite and average particle size of the synthesized powders were investigated through thermal analysis (DTA/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and Infrared spectroscopy. In summary, Ba_0.77Ca_0.23TiO₃ nanopowders were synthesized for the first time at a relative low temperature (500 °C). It was also found that the alkalinity and acidity of the solution presented a great influence on the powder properties. The best results were obtained from solutions with pH = 8.5 and 11 whose nanopowders presented weakly agglomerate, with homogeneous particle size and a narrow size distribution (30–40 nm). This behavior could be explained based on the FT-IR results in which it was possible to see the increased of the chelation in higher pHs.     

SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> carry-over and sulphur formation in a SO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-depolarized electrolyser

SO₂-depolarized electrolysis (SDE) is considered as one of the most efficient hydrogen production methods. To maximize H₂ production in SDE, the phenomena occurring in the cell need to be understood and controlled. In this work, electrochemically driven SO₂ carry-over and elemental sulphur formation in cathode space are analysed by various methods: electrochemical, titration and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) under different conditions during SDE operation. The results indicate that SO₂ carry-over is a fast process in an operating SDE and is difficult to control with only working parameter optimization. The PCS method provides SO₂ carry-over information at early stages compared to other methods. Moreover, PCS might be further implemented as an in situ method for SDE system control.