Dip-coating deposition of resistive BiVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> thin film and evaluation of their photoelectrochemical parameters under distinct sources illumination

Resistive monoclinic bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) nanocrystals in the form of thin films were obtained by the solution combustion synthesis coupled with the dip-coating deposition process. The structure, morphology, and optical properties of BiVO₄ nanocrystals were characterized by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The photoelectrochemical properties were obtained by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques in potassium chloride (KCl) electrolyte solution under distinct visible light sources irradiation condition. Under blue InGaN light emitting diode (LED) irradiation, the electrode has a better efficiency, faster response time (260 ms), and faster decay time (65 ms), when compared with the irradiation by dichroic lamp. Besides, the photocurrent density (j _ph) is approximately 39 times higher than j _ph obtained under dichroic lamp. The performance analysis based on the methylene blue degradation reaction has shown that the BiVO₄ material has higher electroactivity under InGaN LED irradiation condition, with estimated k _obs value of 200 × 10^?4 min^?1, which is a little higher than the value obtained with dichroic lamp illumination. In the dark condition, the BiVO₄ presented much lower photocatalytic activity.     

Synthesis of monodisperse pancake-like Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>6</Subscript> with prominent photocatalytic performances

Uniform Bi₂WO₆ pancakes were prepared via a solvothermal route in a solvent mixture of glycerol (Gly) and water (V/V = 1). A variety of techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron micrographs, X-ray powder diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, FT-IR spectra, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, were employed to characterize the structure and properties of the as-obtained Bi₂WO₆. It was found that Bi₂WO₆ pancakes showed prominent photocatalytic performance for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm) irradiation, which can be attributed to its good crystallization, large surface area, unique morphology and structural features.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new monophosphate (C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>16</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Chemical preparation, crystal structure, and NMR spectroscopy of a new trans-2,5-dimethylpiperazinium monophosphate are given. This new compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, with the space group P-1 and the following parameters: a = 6.5033(3), b = 7.6942(4), c = 8.1473(5) Å, α = 114.997(3), β = 92.341(3), γ = 113.136(3), V = 329.14(3) ų, Z = 1, and D_x = 1.565 g cm^?3. The crystal structure has been determined and refined to R = 0.030 and R _w(F ²) = 0.032 using 1558 independent reflections. The structure can be described as infinite [H₂PO₄] _n ^n? chains with (C₆H₁₆N₂)²⁺ organic cations anchored between adjacent polyanions to form columns of anions and cations running along the b axis. This compound has also been investigated by IR, thermal, and solid-state, ¹³C and ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopies and Ab initio calculations.     

Phase formation in the Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MgMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The subsolidus region of the Ag₂MoO₄-MgMoO₄-Al₂(MoO₄)₃ ternary salt system has been studied by X-ray phase analysis. The formation of new compounds Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) and AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ has been determined. The Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ variable-composition phase is related to the NASICON type structure (space group R \(\bar 3\) c). AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ is isostructural to sodium magnesium indium molybdate of the same formula unit and crystallizes in triclinic system (space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2) with the following unit cell parameters: a = 9.295(7) Å, b = 17.619(2) Å, c = 6.8570(7) Å, α = 87.420(9)°, β = 101.109(9)°, γ = 91.847(9)°. The compounds Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ and AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ are thermally stable up to 790 and 820°C, respectively.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two complexes [Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NiL)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>4</Subscript>] and [Cd<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CuL)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

Macrocyclic and supermolecular complexes [Cu₂(NiL)₂Cl₄] (I) and [Cd₂(CuL)₂Cl₄] (II) (H₂L = 2,3-dioxo-5,6,14,15-dibenzo-1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclo-pentadeca-7,13-diene) have been synthesized and structurally determined by X-ray diffraction and IR spectrum. Complex I crystallizes in the monoclinic system with P2₁/n group, a = 10.9019(15), b = 14.3589(19), c = 12.4748(17) 0A, β = 108.645(2)°, Z = 4. Complex II crystallizes in the monoclinic system with P2₁/n group, a = 10.9784(16), b = 14.580(2), c = 12.8904(18) Å, β = 109.339(2)°, Z = 4.     

Crystal structures of Ti(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> and Sn(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript>

The characteristics of crystal structures of the titanium(IV) diammonium (Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃) and tin(IV) diammonium (Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃) tetraphosphates, which are isostructural with similar silicon(IV) and germanium(IV) salts, have been obtained by the Rietveld method using X-ray powder diffraction data. The compounds crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P \(\overline 1 \), Z = 2, a = 15.0291(7) Å, b = 7.9236(4) Å, c = 5.0754(3) Å, α = 99.168(3)°, β = 97.059(3)°, γ = 83.459(3)° for Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃ and a = 15.1454(7) Å, b = 8.0103(5) Å, c = 5.1053(3) Å, α = 99.898(6)°, β = 96.806(3)°, γ = 83.881(4)° for Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃. The structure is refined in the isotropic approximation using the pseudo-Voigt function: R _p = 0.077, R _Bragg = 0.045, R _F = 0.057 for Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃; R _p = 0.082, R _Bragg = 0.044, R _F = 0.046 for Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃. The hydrogen atoms of the ammonium cations are placed in the calculated positions. A comparative analysis of the structures of the compounds of the M^IV(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃ (M^IV = Si, Ge, Ti, Sn) series has been carried out.     

Structural investigation of [Au(en)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]Cl(ReO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> and [Au(en)<Subscript>2</Subscript>](ReO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> complexes

Novel complex salts [Au(en)₂]Cl(ReO₄)₂ (I) and [Au(en)₂](ReO₄)₃ (II), en = ethylenediamine, are obtained. Their crystal structures are determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex I crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system: a = 6.2172(7) Å, b = 7.1644(8) Å, c = 8.8829(8) Å, α = 96.605(4)°, β = 110.000(4)°, γ = 97.802(4)°, P-1 space group, Z = 1, d _x = 3.905 g/cm³; complex II crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system: a = 15.244(2) Å, b = 7.6809(8) Å, c = 9.3476(12) Å, β = 127.004(3)°, C2 space group, Z = 4, d _x = 4.057 g/cm³.     

Synthesis and X-ray investigation of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Pd(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>] and Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Pd(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

Powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been performed for anhydrous nitrate complexes Rb₂[Pd(NO₃)₄] (I) and Cs₂[Pd(NO₃)₄] (II). Crystal data for I: a = 7.843(1) Å, b = 7.970(1) Å, c = 9.725(1) Å; β = 100.39(1)°, V = 597.9(1) Å ³, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, d _calc = 2.918 g/cm³; for II: a = 10.309(2) Å, b = 10.426(2) Å, c = 11.839(2) Å; β = 108.17(3)°, V = 1209.0(4) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, d ^calc = 3.408 g/cm³. The structures are formed by isolated [Pd(NO₃)₄]^2? complex anions and alkali metal cations. The plane-square environment of the Pd atom is formed from the oxygen atoms of the monodentate nitrate groups. The geometrical characteristics of the complex anions are analyzed. Compound II has a short contact Pd...Cs 3.252 Å.     

Hydrogen bonding and structural complexity in the Cu<Subscript>5</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>4</Subscript> polymorphs (pseudomalachite,ludjibaite, reichenbachite): combined experimental and theoretical study

Hydrogen bonding in the Cu₅(PO₄)₂(OH)₄ polymorphs pseudomalachite, ludjibaite and reichenbachite has been studied by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD; pseudomalachite) and solid-state density functional theory (DFT; pseudomalachite, ludjibaite, reichenbachite) calculations. Pseudomalachite at 100 K is monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 4.4436(4), b = 5.7320(5), c = 16.9300(15) Å, β = 91.008(8)°, V = 431.15(7) ų and Z = 2. The structure has been refined to R ₁ = 0.025 for 1383 unique observed reflections with |F _o| ≥ 4σ_F. DFT calculations were done with the CRYSTAL14 software package. For pseudomalachite, the difference between the calculated and experimental H sites does not exceed 0.152 Å. Structural configurations around hydroxyl groups in all three polymorphs show many similarities. Each OH5 group is involved in a three-center (bifurcated) hydrogen bond with the H···A distances in the range of 2.141–2.460 Å and the D–H···A angles in the range of 122.41°–139.30°, whereas each OH6 group forms a four-center (trifurcated) bond (H···A = 2.093–2.593 Å; D–H···A = 122.79°–137.71°). The crystal structures of the Cu₅(PO₄)₂(OH)₄ polymorphs are based on three-dimensional frameworks of Cu and P polyhedra. The copper-centered octahedra share edges to form two-dimensional layers parallel to (100) in all three structures. The layers have square voids above and beneath PO₄ tetrahedra that link adjacent layers by sharing O atoms with two CuO₆ octahedra each. From the topological point of view, none of the polymorphs can be obtained from another by a displacive transformation, and therefore pseudomalachite, ludjibaite and reichenbachite can be viewed as combinatorial polymorphs. According to information-based structural complexity considerations, the three phases are very similar in their configurational entropies and preferential crystallization of one phase over another cannot be entropy driven and is probably governed by other mechanisms that may involve such factors as structures of prenucleation clusters, chemical admixtures, etc.     

Thermolysis of [Pt(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>][ReHlg<Subscript>6</Subscript>] (Hlg = Cl,Br). Structure refinement for [Pt(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>][ReCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

Thermal decomposition of [Pt(NH₃)₄][ReHlg₆] binary complex salts (Hlg = Cl, Br) in a hydrogen atmosphere has been studied. Polycrystal X-ray diffractometry indicated that two-phase metallic systems are the final products of thermolysis. Structure refinement was performed for [Pt(NH₃)₄][ReCl₆] by the combined technique involving decomposition of the diffractogram into individual reflections, isolation of reflections most sensitive to the position of separate light atoms, and full-profile analysis. Crystal data for PtReN₄Cl₆H₁₂: a = 11.616(1) Å, b = 10.998(1) Å, c = 10.377(1) Å, V = 1148.1 ų, space group Cmca, Z = 4, d _x = 3.831 g/cm³. The indices are R_p = 5.48%, R_wp = 10.01%, R(F²) = 12.62%. The coordination polyhedron of Re is an almost regular octahedron: Re-Cl 2.34–2.36 Å, ∠ Cl-Re-Cl 86.9–90.3°; the coordination polyhedron of Pt is a square: Pt-N 2.04 Å, ∠N-Pt-N 90.4°.     

Crystal structure of a new ternary molybdate in the Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Hf(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

A ternary salt system Rb₂MoO₄-Eu₂(MoO₄)₃-Hf(MoO₄)₂ was studied in the subsolidus area by X-ray phase analysis. A novel ternary molybdate, Rb_4.98Eu_0.86Hf_1.11(MoO₄)₆, formed in the system. The Rb_4.98Eu_0.86Hf_1.11(MoO₄)₆ rubidium-europium-hafnium molybdate crystals were grown by solution-melt crystallization under the spontaneous nucleation conditions. The structure and composition of this compound were refined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (X8 APEX automated diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 1753 F(hkl), R = 0.0183). The crystals are trigonal, a = b = 10.7264(1) Å, c = 38.6130(8) Å, V = 3847.44(9) ų, Z = 6, space group R \(\bar 3\) c. The three-dimensional mixed framework of the structure comprises Mo tetrahedra and two types of octahedra, (Eu,Hf)O₆ and HfO₆. The large cavities of the framework include two types of the rubidium atom. The distribution of the Eu³⁺ and Hf⁴⁺ cations over two crystallographic positions was refined.     

A study of phase formation in the subsolidus region of the system Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MnMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase relationships in the subsolidus region of the system Na₂MoO₄-MnMoO₄-Cr₂(MoO₄)₃ were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and differential-thermal analyses. The possibility of obtaining a variablecomposition phase Na_1?x Mn_1?x Cr_1+x (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) and ternary molybdate NaMn₃Cr(MoO₄)₅ was examined. The temperature dependence of the conductivity of the phase Na_1?x Mn_1?x Cr_1+x (MoO₄)₃ was analyzed.     

Orientational disorder in crystal structures of (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>ZrF<Subscript>7</Subscript> and (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>NbOF<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Crystal structures of (NH₄)₃ZrF₇ (I) and (NH₄)₃NbOF₆ (II) are refined by X-ray diffraction at room temperature. The compounds are isostructural and belong to the structural type of elpasolite: space group F23; a(I) = 9.4185(3) Å, a(II) = 9.3371(5) Å; V(I) = 835.50(5) ų, V(II) = 814.02(8) ų; Z = 4; R(I) = 0.0145, and R(II) = 0.0138. The refinement of the structures in the space group Fm3m yields abnormally short X-X distances in the pentagonal bipyramid MX₇ (X = F, O). The oxygen atom in II is identified by Nb-X distances and occupies one of the axial vertices of the bipyramid. The Nb atom in II is statistically distributed over the position 24f, while Zr in I resides in the symmetry center. The pentagonal bipyramid MX₇ has six independent orientations in I and twelve in II. One of three crystallographically independent ammonium groups of the structures is disordered over six or twelve equivalent orientations.     

Study of the monocarbonate complex of pentavalent neptunium (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)[NpO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)]

The single crystals of the Np(V) complex (NH₄)[NpO₂(CO₃)] (I) were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. At 100 K, the crystals are hexagonal, space group P6₃ μmc, a = 5.0734(1) Å, c = 10.9191(2) Å, V= 243.399(11) ų, Z = 2, ρ(calcd) = 4.735 g/cm³. The absorption spectra of a crystal of I in the visible and infrared ranges were measured.     

Crystal structures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[Re<Subscript>6</Subscript>S<Subscript>8</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>L<Subscript>4</Subscript>] complexes,L = pyridine or 4-methylpyridine

The structures of three novel octahedral rhenium cluster compounds [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(py)₄]·H₂O (1), [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(4-Mepy)₄] (2), [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(4-Mepy)₄]·4-Mepy (3) (py = pyridine, 4-Mepy = 4-methylpyridine) are determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data are: C2/m space group, a = 14.813(1) Å, b = 14.772(1) Å, c = 9.2122(6) Å, β = 119.085(2)°, V = 1761.7(2) ų, d _x = 3.318 g/cm³, R = 0.0585 (1); I4₁/amd space group, a = 16.0018(3) Å, c = 14.7186(5) Å, V = 3768.81(16) ų, d _x = 3.169 g/cm³, R = 0.0489 (2); P2₁/c space group, a = 9.0452(4) Å, b = 15.8065(7) Å, c = 15.2951(6) Å, β = 103.700(2)°, V = 2124.57(16) ų, d _x = 2.957 g/cm³, R = 0.0245 (3). Molecular cluster complexes interact via π-π stacking affording 3D frameworks in 1 and 2 and chains in 3.     

A novel metal chalcogenide: HgCd<Subscript>4</Subscript>S<Subscript>5</Subscript>

A novel metal chalcogenide HgCd₄S₅ (1) was synthesized from solid-state reactions and structurally characterized. Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group C222₁ of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in a cell: a = 12.5661(5) Å, b = 7.2551(5) Å, c = 10.7520(7) Å, V = 980.2(1) ų, Cd₄HgS₅, M _r = 810.49, D _c = 5.492 g/cm³, S = 1.010, μ(MoK _α) = 25.128 mm^?1, F(000) = 1408, R = 0.0611 and wR = 0.1495. Compound 1 is characterized by a 3-D cadmium sulfide framework structure with the infinite mercury sulfide chains located in the cavities.     

Coordination Chemistry of the Magic Inorganic Building Block {Fe<Superscript>II</Superscript>[Mo<Subscript>6</Subscript>P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>31</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>}: Hydrothermal Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Reduced Ferrous Molybdophosphate

A new reduced ferrous molybdophosphate composite solid of the formula, [(C₁₀H₁₄N₂)H]₄[Fe^II ₁₀Mo^V ₂₄(H₂PO₄)₄(HPO₄)₁₂(PO₄)₄(H₂O)₁₆(OH)₁₆O₄₄]·12H₂O, has been synthesized from a reaction mixture of MoO₃, FeSO₄·7H₂O, C₂H₂O₄·2H₂O, nicotine, H₃PO₄, and H₂O under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal data: monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 24.4349(124), b = 12.9935(66), c = 14.7281(74) Å, β = 104.87(1) Å, V = 4520(4) Å³, Z = 2, R ₁  = 0.0874, wR ₂  = 0.2179. The structure is built from the building blocks of the formula, {Fe^II[Mo₆P₄O₃₁]₂}, consisting of a network of MO₆ (M = Fe, Mo) octahedral and PO₄ tetrahedral linked through their vertices. The connectivity of the building blocks with two pairs of face-sharing dinuclear Fe(II) clusters of the formula of [Fe^II ₂(H₂O)₄O₅] on which a phosphate group is hanging gives rise to one-dimensional chains with eight-membered apertures. The remarkable hydrogen bonded interactions between the chains form a unique and interesting framework with three-dimensional intersecting tunnels where the protonated nicotine molecules as structuring templates and crystallization water molecules are situated.     

Crystal structure of KPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>5</Subscript> and KPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Br<Subscript>5</Subscript>

The KPb₂Cl₅ and KPb₂Br₅ crystals are monoclinic (P2₁/c) with a microtwinned structure. X-ray analysis of chloride resulted in the parameters a = 8.854(2) Å, b = 7.927(2) Å, c = 12.485(3) Å; β = 90.05(3)°, d_calc = 4.78(1) g/cm³ (STOE STADI4, MoK_α, 2θ_max = 80°), R₁ = 0.0702 for 4094 F ≥ 4 σ(F) reflections. For bromide, a = 9.256(2) Å, b = 8.365(2) Å, c = 13.025(3) Å; β = 90.00(3)°, d_calc = 5.62(1) g/cm³ (Bruker P4, MoK_α, 2θ_max = 70°), R₁ = 0.0692 for 3076 F ≥ 4 (F) reflections.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of ternary molybdate compound K<Subscript>5</Subscript>Pb<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Hf<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Single crystals of triple molybdate of composition 5:1:3 K₅Pb_0.5Hf_1.5(MoO₄)₆ have been grown and their crystal structure has been solved from X-ray diffraction data (an automated diffractometer X8 APEX, MoK _α -radiation, 2173 F(hkl), R = 0.0321). Trigonal unit cell parameters are: a = b = 10.739(2) Å, c = 37.933(9) Å; V = 3789(1) ų, Z = 6, ρ_calc = 4.014 g/cm³, space group \(R\bar 3\). Three-dimensional mixed framework of the structure is formed by two types of MoO₄ tetrahedra and Pb and Hf octahedra linking via common O-vertices. Potassium atoms of three types occupy large vacancies in the framework.     

High-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of pyrovanadate Pb<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and orthovanadate Pb<Subscript>3</Subscript>(VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The heat capacities of Pb₂V₂O₇ and Pb₃(VO₄)₂ as a function of temperature in the range 350–965 K have been studied by the differential scanning calorimetry method. The C_P = f(T) curve for Pb₂V₂O₇ is described by the equation C_p = (230.76 ± 0.51) + (73.60 ± 0.50)×10^-3T ? (18.38 ± 0.54)×10⁵T^-2 in the entire temperature range. For Pb₃(VO₄)₂, there is a well-pronounced extreme point in the C_P = f(T) curve at T = 371.5 K, which is caused by the existence of a structural phase transition. The thermodynamic properties of the oxide compounds have been calculated.