Reactivity of binary mixtures of Cu(II) oxalate and La(III) oxalate

Reactivity of binary mixtures of oxalates of Cu(II) and La(III) was studied by observing their thermal behaviours in decomposition using TG, DTA and XRD techniques to set the temperature conditions for preparations of various composites of oxides of Cu(II) and La(III). In the thermal behaviour it was found that the decomposition of Cu(II) oxalate is not affected while that of La(III) oxalate is drastically affected in the case of all the mixtures. The decomposition temperature at which La(III) oxide is formed is lowered by 250 K in the case of all the mixtures while the complete decomposition occurred at 723 K only in the case of mixtures containing excess Cu(II) oxalate.At 823 K La₂CuO₄ phase is developed in all the mixtures while -La and Cu₂La phases are also detected in mixtures containing excess Cu(II) oxalate. Therefore, the temperature 823 K was found to be suitable to prepare various composites viz. La₂CuO₄, La₂CuO₄·La₂O₃ and La₂CuO₄·CuO to study their electrical properties.Authors are thankful to the authorities of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, for providing the funds for research project and to Professor A. V. Phadke, Department of Geology, University of Poona, for valuable discussion.     

Thermal decomposition of potassium bis -oxalatodiaqua-indate(III) monohydrate

Indium (III) is precipitated with oxalic acid in the presence of potassium nitrate maintaining an overall concentration of 0·125 M in HNO₃. Chemical analysis of the complex salt obtained indicates the formula, K[In(C₂O₄)₂]·3H₂O. Thermal decomposition studies show that the compound decomposes first to the anhydrous potassium indium oxalate and then to the final mixture of the oxides through formation of potassium carbonate and indium (III) oxide as intermediates. Isothermal study, X-ray diffraction pattern and IR spectral data support the proposed thermal decomposition mechanism.     

Characterization and catalytic behavior of La2 - x (Sr, Th)xCuO4 ± λ in reaction NO+CO

Two mixed oxide systems La₂-_xSr_xCuO_{4± λ} (0.0⩽x⩽1. 0) and La_2-xTh_xCuO_{4± λ} (O. O⩽x⩽ 0.4) with K₂NiF₄ structure were prepared by varyingx values. Their crystal structures were studied by means of XRD and IR spectra. The average valence of Cu ion at B site, nonstoichiometric oxygen (λ) and the chemical composition in the bulk and on the surface of the catalysts were measured by means of chemical analysis and XPS. The catalytic behavior in reaction CO+NO was investigated under the regular change of average valence of Cu ion at B site and nonstoichiometric oxygen (λ). Meanwhile, the adsorption and activation of the small molecules NO and the mixture of NO+CO over the mixed oxide catalysts were studied by means of MS-TPD. The catalytic mechanism of reaction NO+CO over these oxide catalysts were proposed; and it has been found that, at lower temperatures the activation of NO is the rate determining step and the catalytic activity is related to the lower valent metallic ion and its concentration, while at higher temperatures the adsorption of NO is the rate determining step and the catalytic activity is related to the oxygen vacancy and its concentration. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Neutron diffraction study of La4LiAuO8: Understanding Au in an oxide environment

Owing to gold's oxophobicity, its oxide chemistry is rather limited, and elevated oxygen pressures are usually required to prepare ternary and quaternary oxide compounds with gold ions. The Au³⁺ oxide, La₄LiAuO₈, is remarkable both because it can be prepared at ambient pressure in air, and because of its unusual stability toward thermal decomposition and reduction. The structure of La₄LiAuO₈ was established by Pietzuch et al. using single crystal X-ray diffraction [1]. The compound adopts an ordered modification of the Nd₂CuO₄ structure, containing two-dimensional sheets in which AuO₄ square planes are separated from one another by LiO₄ square planes. In light of the meager X-ray scattering factors of Li and O, relative to La and Au, we report here a neutron powder diffraction study of La₄LiAuO₈, definitively confirming the structure. To our knowledge, this is the first reported neutron diffraction study of any stoichiometric oxide compound of gold. X-N maps, which make use of nuclear positions obtained from Rietveld refinement of time-of-flight neutron diffraction data and electron densities obtained from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, point to the highly covalent nature of the Au-O bonding in La₄LiAuO₈. This is in good agreement with charge densities and Bader charges obtained from full density functional relaxation of the structure.     

Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane over Ni Catalysts Supported on Al2O3 Modified with La2O3, MgO, and CaO

The preparation of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide reforming of methane (CDR) has attracted increasing attention. The present review mainly focuses on CDR to produce synthesis gas over Ni/MO_x/Al₂O₃ (X = La, Mg, Ca) catalysts. From the examination of various supported nickel catalysts, the promotional effects of La₂O₃, MgO, and CaO have been found. The addition of promoters to Al₂O₃-supported nickel catalysts enhances the catalytic activity as well as stability. The catalytic performance is strongly dependent on the loading amount of promoters. For example, the highest CH₄ and CO₂ conversion were obtained when the ratios of metal M to Al were in the range of 0.04–0.06. In the case of Ni/La₂O₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst, the highest CH₄ conversion (96%) and CO₂ conversion (97%) was achieved with the catalyst (La/Al = 0.05 (atom/atom)). For Ni/CaO/Al₂O₃ catalyst, the catalyst with Ca/Al = 0.04 (atom/atom) exhibited the highest CH₄ conversion (91%) and CO₂ conversion (92%) among the catalysts with various CaO content. Also, Ni/MgO/Al₂O₃ catalyst with Mg/Al = 0.06 (atom/atom) showed the highest CH₄ conversion (89%) and CO₂ conversion (90%) among the catalysts with various Mg/Al ratios. Thus it is most likely that the optimal ratios of M to Al for the highest activities of the catalysts are related to the highly dispersed metal species. In addition, the improved catalytic performance of Al₂O₃-supported nickel catalysts promoted with metal oxides is due to the strong interaction between Ni and metal oxide, the stabilization of metal oxide on Al₂O₃ and the basic property of metal oxide to prevent carbon formation.     

La(OH)3和 La2O2CO3纳 米 棒 的 合 成 及 其 催 化 Claisen-Schmidt缩合反应性能简

通过调节溶液的pH值,在水热条件下合成出长径比为2-45的La（OH）₃纳米棒. 对水热合成过程中间体的结构演变分析,发现高碱度有利于小尺寸晶核的形成,La（OH）₃晶体结构的各向异性导致这些晶种沿着C轴方向生长,进而形成纳米棒结构. 将La（OH）₃纳米棒前驱体于773 K焙烧可以得到长径比为2-20的La₂O₂CO₃纳米棒. 随着长径比的增加,La₂O₂CO₃纳米棒暴露的（110）晶面逐渐增加,La³⁺-O^2-碱性位的数目也从0.08增加到0.24 mmol/g. 因此,在Claisen-Schmidt缩合反应中,La₂O₂CO₃纳米棒催化剂上的反应速率随着长径比的增加而逐渐增大.     

Thermal Investigations of M[La(C2O4)3]⋅xH2O (M=Cr(III) and Co(III))

The complexes M[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅xH₂O (x=10 for M=Cr(III) and x=7 forM=Co(III)) have been synthesized and their thermal stability was investigated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, reflectance and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Thermal investigations using TG, DTG and DTA techniques in air of chromium(III)tris(oxalato)lanthanum(III)decahydrate, Cr[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅10H₂O showed the complex decomposition pattern in air. The compound released all the ten molecules of water within ∼170°C, followed by decomposition to a mixture of oxides and carbides of chromium and lanthanum, i.e. CrO₂, Cr₂O₃, Cr₃O₄, Cr₃C₂, La₂O₃, La₂C₃, LaCO, LaCrO_x (2<x<3) and C at ∼1000°C through the intermediate formation of several compounds of chromium and lanthanum at ∼374, ∼430 and ∼550°C. Thecobalt(III)tris(oxalato)lanthanum(III)heptahydrate, Co[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅7H₂O becomes anhydrous around 225°C, followed by decomposition to Co₃O₄, La₂(CO₃)₃ and C at ∼340°C and several other mixture species of cobalt and lanthanum at∼485°C. The end products were identified to be LaCoO₃, Co₃O₄, La₂O₃, La₂C₃, Co₃C, LaCO and C at ∼ 2>1000°C. DSC studies in nitrogen of both the compounds showed several distinct steps of decomposition along with ΔH and ΔSvalues. IR and powder XRD studies have identified some of the intermediate species. The tentative mechanisms for the decomposition in air are proposed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Reactions between YBa2Cu3O7−δ and La2O3 and SrCO3

Solid state reactions at 925°C between the high-T _c ceramic superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ and SrCO₃, respectively, mixed in various molar ratiosr=MeO_n/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ, were studied using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ yielded (La_1?xBa_x)₂CuO_4?δ, withx≈0.075?0.10. La_2?xBa_1+xCu₂O_6?δ, withx≈0.2?0.25 and La-doped (Y_1?xLa_x)₂BaCuO₅, withx≈0.10?0.15. Forr=3.0, Y-doped La₂BaCuO₅ resulted also. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and SrCO₃ yielded (Sr_1?zBa_z)₂CuO₃, withz≈0.1, Y₂(Ba_1?zSr_z)CuO₅, withz=0.1?0.15, and a nonsuperconducting compound with an approximate composition of Y(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)₅Cu_3.5O_10±δ. At values ofr≤2.0, unsubstituted YBa₂Cu₃O_7?delta was found in the reaction products.     

Thermal decomposition behaviour of lanthanum(III) tris-tartrato lanthanate(III) decahydrate

Lanthanum(III) tris-tartrato lanthanate(III) decahydrate, La[La(C₄H₄O₆)₃]·10H₂O has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic spectral and X-ray powder diffraction studies. Thermal studies (TG, DTG and DTA) in air showed a complex decomposition pattern with the generation of an anhydrous species at ~170°C. The end product was found to be mainly a mixture of La₂O₃ and carbides at ~970°C through the formation of several intermediates at different temperature. The residual product in DSC study in nitrogen at 670°C is assumed to be a similar mixture generated at 500°C in TG in air. Kinetic parameters, such as, E*, ΔH, ΔS, etc. obtained from DSC are discussed. IR and X-ray powder diffraction studies identified some of the decomposition products. The tentative mechanism for the thermal decomposition in air of the compound is proposed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Studies on the Thermal Decompositions of Heteropolynuclear Glyoxylates of Cr(III) and Cu(II)

Complexes of Cr(III):Cu(II) with the glyoxylate dianion as ligand were synthesized in the range of cation atomic ratios (0.01–8):1.0. The results of non-isothermal analysis of the synthesized compounds correlated with the results of IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, and gas chromatography of the volatile products of the decomposition allowed the formulation of a mechanism for the decomposition of the complex with Cr(III):Cu(II)=2:1 and the assumption that the other complexes are mixtures of this with the homopolynuclear complexes of Cr(III) and Cu(II), depending on the ratio of the cations Cr(III):Cu(II). The thermal conversion of the complexes takes place at relatively low temperatures, with partial transformation of the ligand into oxalate and of the oxide mixture into CuCrO₄. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal decomposition of cobalt nitrato compounds: Preparation of anhydrous cobalt(II)nitrate and its characterisation by Infrared and Raman spectra

The thermal decomposition of Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O (1) as well as that one of NO[Co(NO₃)₃] (Co(NO₃)₂·N₂O₄) (2) was followed by thermogravimetric (TG) measurements, X-ray recording and Raman and IR spectra. The stepwise decomposition reactions of 1 and 2 leading to anhydrous cobalt(II)nitrate (3) were established. In N₂ atmosphere, cobalt oxides are finally formed whereas in H₂/N₂ (10% H₂) cobalt metal is produced. Rapid heating of cobalt(II)nitrate hexahydrate causes melting (formation of a hydrate melt) and therefore side reactions in the hydrate melt by incoupled reactions and evolution/evaporation of different species as, e.g., HNO₃, NO₂, etc. In case of larger amounts in dense packing in the sample container, the formation of oxo(hydoxo)nitrates is possible at higher temperature. For 2, its thermal decomposition to 3 was followed and its decomposition mechanism is proposed.     

A study on methanol steam reforming to CO2 and H2 over the La2CuO4 nanofiber catalyst

The La₂CuO₄ crystal nanofibers were prepared by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as templates under mild hydrothermal conditions. The steam reforming of methanol (SRM) to CO₂ and H₂ over such nanofiber catalysts was studied. At the low temperature of 150 °C and steam/methanol=1.3, methanol was completely (100%, 13.8 g/h g catalyst) converted to hydrogen and CO₂ without the generation of CO. Within the 60 h catalyst lifespan test, methanol conversion was maintained at 98.6% (13.6 g/h g catalyst) and with 100% CO₂ selectivity. In the meantime, for distinguishing the advantage of nanoscale catalyst, the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder was prepared and tested for the SRM reaction for comparison. Compared with the La₂CuO₄ nanofiber, the bulk powder La₂CuO₄ showed worse catalytic activity for the SRM reaction. The 100% conversion of methanol was achieved at the temperature of 400 °C, with the products being H₂ and CO₂ together with CO. The catalytic activity in terms of methanol conversion dropped to 88.7% (12.2 g/h g catalyst) in 60 h. The reduction temperature for nanofiber La₂CuO₄ was much lower than that for the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder. The nanofibers were of higher specific surface area (105.0 m²/g), metal copper area and copper dispersion. The in situ FTIR and EPR experiments were employed to study the catalysts and catalytic process. In the nanofiber catalyst, there were oxygen vacancies. H₂-reduction resulted in the generation of trapped electrons [e] on the vacancy sites. Over the nanofiber catalyst, the intermediate H₂CO/HCO was stable and was reformed to CO₂ and H₂ by steam rather than being decomposed directly to CO and H₂. Over the bulk counterpart, apart from the direct decomposition of H₂CO/HCO to CO and H₂, the intermediate H₂COO might go through two decomposition ways: H₂COO=CO+H₂O and H₂COO=CO₂+H₂.     

Trinuclear metal(III) trifluoroacetates

Hydrated and anhydrous trinuclear metal(III) trifluoroacetates of Cr and Fe were prepared by reaction of freshly precipitated metal oxides with trifluoroacetic acid, while manganese analogs by acid exchange. IR data show the presence of bidentate trifluoroacetate groups. The diffuse reflectance spectra suggest octahedral environment around metals.Mössbauer spectra show that iron atoms in the compounds are high spin hexacoordinated; two types of iron sites are suggested in hydrated iron compound. Low magnetic moment of chromium and iron compounds indicate antiferromagnetic coupling. Th anhydrous compounds decompose in single step with the evolution of (CF₃CO)₂O.M ₃O(O₂CCF₃)₇ form complexes [M ₃O(O₂CCF₃)₆·3Py]⁺ [O₂CCF₃]^– with pyridine.

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Dreikernige Metall(III)-Trifluoracetate

Zusammenfassung Es wurden hydratisierte und wasserfreie dreikernige Metall(III)-Trifluoracetate von Cr und Fe mittels der Reaktion von frisch gefälltem Metalloxid und Trifluoressigsäure dargestellt; die Mangan-Analogen wurden über Säure-Austausch gewonnen. Die IR-Daten zeigen die Präsenz von zweizähnigen Trifluoracetat-Gruppen an. Die diffuse-reflectance-Spektren sprechen für eine octahedrale Umgebung rund um das Metall. DieMössbauer-Spektren zeigen, daß die Eisenatome in den entsprechenden Verbindungen high-spin hexakoordiniert sind; dabei werden in den hydratisierten Eisenverbindungen zwei Typen von Eisenatomen gezeigt. Ein niederes magnetisches Moment der Chrom- und Eisen-Verbindungen zeigen eine antiferromagnetische Kopplung an. Die wasserfreien Verbindungen zersetzen sich in einem einzigen Schritt unter Entwicklung von (CF₃CO)₂O. Mit Pyridin bilden die VerbindungenM ₃O(O₂CCF₃)₇ die Komplexe [M ₃O(O₂CCF₃)₆·3Py]⁺ [O₂CCF₃]^–.

     

A Structural Investigation of La2(GeO4)O and Alkaline-Earth-Doped La9.33(GeO4)6O2

The structures of the oxyorthogermanate La₂(GeO₄)O and the apatite-structured La_9.33(GeO₄)₆O₂ have been refined from powder neutron diffraction data. La₂(GeO₄)O crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell (P2₁/c) and is cation stoichiometric in contrast to previous reports. La_9.33(GeO₄)₆O₂ crystallizes in a hexagonal unit cell (P6₃/m) and the powder diffraction data show anisotropic peak broadening that is observed in electron diffraction patterns as incommensurate diffuse spots at hkq reciprocal planes (with q=1.6-1.7) and can be attributed to a correlated disorder in the “apatite channels”. This compound was doped up to a nominal composition close to M₂La₈(GeO₄)₆O₂ with M=Ca, Sr, Ba. The dopant ions preferentially occupy the 4f sites as the number of La vacancies decreases. The measured ionic conductivity of La_9.33(GeO₄)₆O₂ is about 3 orders of magnitude larger than for La₂(GeO₄)O at high temperatures and decreases with increasing dopant content from the highest value of about 0.16 S cm⁻¹ at 1160 K.     

Reactivity of oxalates of La(III), Ba(II) and Cu(II) in ternary mixtures

Composites of cuprates of La(III) and Ba(II) were obtained by decomposing mixtures of oxalates of La(III), Ba(II) and Cu(II) prepared in 111 and 123 mol proportions respectively and sintering the oxide products at 1173 K. Reactions studied by TG, DTA and XRD techniques revealed the following features: (i) Decomposition of oxalates of La(III) and Ba(II) is drastically affected in mixtures. Decomposition temperature of organic part in the former (111) is shifted by 100 K while that of BaCO₃ in the case of latter (123) is shifted by 400 K towards lower temperature side. (ii) All exothermic peaks on DTA traces of both the mixtures are allotted to the decomposition of oxalates to Cu₂O, La₂O₂CO₃ and BaCO₃ phases while endothermic peaks around 863 and 1083 K are assigned for BaCuO₂ and La₂CuO₄ phases respectively in the case of former (111) and endothermic peaks at about 1068, 1136 and 1213 K are correlated with BaCuO₂, a composite of La₂O₃, La₂CuO₄ and La_0.5Ba_0.5CuO_3– (0.5) phases and LaBa₂Cu₃O_7– (0) phase respectively in the case of latter (123) and (iii) Lines of all cuprate compounds appear in XRD patterns of those samples preheated at temperatures 873 K. The following reaction is proposed in the case of 123 mixture: Authors are deeply thankful to the Authorities of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Goverment of India, for providing the funds for research project and to Professor A. V. Phadke, Department of Geology, University of Poona, for the valuable discussion.     

Cationic complexes of Eu(III) and Sr(II) with diphosphine dioxides in organic extracts

IR spectroscopy was used to study the structure and composition of Eu(III) and Sr(II) complexes formed by cation-exchange extraction of these metals from their aqueous nitrate solutions with dichlorethane solutions of mixtures of chlorinated cobalt(III) dicarbollide (CCD) as a superacid with diphenyldiphosphine dioxides containing a methyl (Me-DPDO), ethyl (Et-DPDO), or polyoxyethylene bridge between two phosphorus atoms of phosphine oxide groups. At molar ratios DPDO/CCD ≤ 1, [Eu(H₂O)_nL₄]³⁺ complexes are formed in organic phases, whereas with an excess of DPDO relative to CCD, Eu(NO₃)L ₄ ²⁺ complexes are formed, where L = Me-or Et-DPDO. Polyoxyethylenediphosphine dioxide forms anhydrous complexes of composition Eu:L = 1:1 and 1:2 with Eu(III) and outer-spheric complexes of composition Sr:L = 1:1 and 1:2 with Sr(II), where the organic ligand molecules envelop the hydrated Sr(H₂O) _n ²⁺ cation. The peculiarities of extraction of the complexes are explained based on data about their composition and structure.     

Growth of La2CuO4 nanofibers under a mild condition by using single walled carbon nanotubes as templates

La₂CuO₄ nanofibers (ca. 30 nm in diameter and 3 μm in length) have been grown in situ by using single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs; ca. 2 nm in inner diameter; made via cracking CH₄ over the catalyst of Mg_0.8Mo_0.05Ni_0.10Co_0.05O_x at 800 °C) as templates under mild hydrothermal conditions and a temperature around 60 °C. During synthesis, the surfactant poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) and H₂O₂ were added to disperse SWNTs and oxidize the reactants, respectively. The structure of La₂CuO₄ nanofibers was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and their morphologies were observed with field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) at the hydrothermal synthesis lasting for 5, 20 and 40 h, respectively. The La₂CuO₄ crystals grew from needle-like (5 h) through stick-like (20 h) and finally to plate-like (40 h) fibers. Twenty hours is an optimum reaction time to obtain regular crystal fibers. The La₂CuO₄ nanofibers are probably cubic rather than round and may capsulate SWNTs.     

Voltammetric Determination of Bisphenol A in Water and Juice Using a Lanthanum (III)-Doped Cobalt (II,III) Nanocube Modified Carbon Screen-Printed Electrode

A La³⁺ doped Co₃O₄ nanocube modified graphite screen-printed electrode (La³⁺-doped Co₃O₄ nanocube/SPE) was prepared and utilized for the sensitive voltammetric determination of bisphenol A. In comparison with an unmodified electrode, the presence of the La³⁺ doped Co₃O₄ nanocubes caused a significant enhancement in the peak current. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and chronoamperometry approaches were utilized as diagnostic methods. The modified SPE was used to determine bisphenol A concentrations in the range from 0.5 to 900.0?μM with a limit of detection equal to 6.1?×?10^?8 M. Real samples were effectively analyzed with the modified electrode.     

Reaction of NO at low temperature by ACF loading urea and rare-earth element oxides (La2O3, CeO2)

Loaded catalysts of 10–50% (w/w) urea loaded on activated carbon fibers (ACF), referred to as urea/ACF, and 10%urea–5–15% (w/w) La₂O₃/ACF and CeO₂/ACF were prepared by an impregnation method and used for removal of NO at low temperature (30–120°C). The experimental results showed that the catalytic activity of urea/ACF could be greatly improved by loaded rare-earth element oxides. Furthermore, 10%urea–5%La₂O₃/ACF and 10%urea–10%CeO₂/ACF could maintain high and stable catalytic activity at 100°C.