Electrochemical reactivity of Li–Mn–O and Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels

Electrochemical reductive dissolution of Li–Mn–O and Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels and Li⁺ extraction/insertion in these oxides were performed using voltammetry of microparticles. Both electrochemical reactions are sensitive to the Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio, specific surface area, Li content in tetrahedral positions, and Mn valence, and can be used for electrochemical analysis of the homogeneity of the elemental and phase composition of synthetic samples. The peak potential (E _P) of the reductive dissolution of the Li–Mn–O spinel is directly proportional to the logarithm of the specific surface area. E _P of Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels is mainly controlled by the Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio. Li⁺ insertion/extraction can be performed with Mn-rich Li–Fe–Mn–O spinels in aqueous solution under an ambient atmosphere and it is sensitive to the regularity of the spinel structure, in particularly to the amount of Li in tetrahedral positions and the Mn valence. Electronic Publication     

On hydrolysis of Ba–Bi–O and K–Ba–Bi–O oxide systems

Fundamentally different behavior of Ba–Bi–O (Ba : Bi = 11 : 4, 1 : 1, 2: 3, and 1 : 5 mol/mol) and K_nBa_mBi_m+nO_y (m = n = 1, 2,...; exhibiting superconducting properties with T_c = 28–32 K) oxides and BaO₂ in hydrolysis reactions has been revealed by means of potentiometry and chemical analysis. Products of the oxides treatment with water do not contain H₂O₂, evidencing the absence of peroxide ions in their structure. The perovskite-type barium-bismuth(III) oxides are completely hydrolyzed into Ba(OH)₂ and Bi₂O₃ at room temperature.     

Phase Equilibria in The System La2O3–K2O–P2O5

The ternary system La₂O₃–K₂O–P₂O₅ has been examined by thermal, X-ray, IR and microscopic methods. The existence of three double potassium-lanthanum phosphates, K₃La(PO₄)₂, KLa(PO₃)₄ and K₂La(PO₃)₅ has been confirmed, and the phase diagram of the ternary system La₂O₃–K₂O–P₂O₅ over the composition range LaPO₄–K₃PO₄–P₂O₅ has been determined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermodynamic studies on Sn–Te–O system

The standard Gibbs energy of formation of tin tellurate, SnTe₃O₈(s) was determined from its vapour pressure measurements over the temperature range 973–1,158 K by employing thermogravimetry-based transpiration method. The temperature dependence of vapour pressure of TeO₂ over the mixture SnTe₃O₈(s) + SnO₂(s) generated by the incongruent vapourisation reaction, SnTe₃O₈(s) → SnO₂(s) + 3 TeO₂(g) could be represented as: log (p (TeO₂, g)/Pa ± 0.03) = 13.943–14,181 (K/T) (973–1,158 K). The standard Gibbs energy of formation of SnTe₃O₈(s) was also determined by measuring the oxygen potential of SnO₂(s)–Te(s)–SnTe₃O₈(s) phase mixture by the electromotive force method. Enthalpy increments of SnTe₃O₈(s) were determined by inverse drop calorimetric method in the temperature range 523–973 K. The thermodynamic functions, viz., heat capacity, entropy and free energy functions were derived from the measured values of enthalpy increments. A mean value of ?1,642 ± 2.0 kJ mol^?1 was obtained for $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{298}^{\circ } $ (SnTe₃O₈, s) by combining the value of Δ_f $ G^{\circ } $ (SnTe₃O₈, s) derived from vapour pressure data and the free energy functions derived from the drop calorimetric data.     

Structural Arrangement of Fe–Sb–O Catalysts

In iron–antimony catalysts containing excess antimony oxide and consisting of a mixture of FeSbO₄ and -Sb₂O₄ phases, the structure of iron antimonate changes compared to the catalyst with an equimolar composition, which is the pure FeSbO₄ phase. In the presence of excess antimony oxide in the near-surface layer of iron antimonate, extended defects with a structure of crystallographic shift are formed. These accumulate overstoichiometric antimony. Such a structural change is associated with changes in the acid–base properties and the surface oxygen binding strength.     

Impedance spectroscopy of V2O5–Bi2O3–BaTiO3 glass–ceramics

The glasses within composition as: (80 − x)V₂O₅/20Bi₂O₃/xBaTiO₃ with x = 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mol% have been prepared. The glass transition (T_g) increases with increasing BaTiO₃ content. Synthesized glasses ceramic containing BaTi₄O₉, Ba₃TiV₄O₁₅ nanoparticles of the order of 25–35 nm and 30–46 nm, respectively were estimated using XRD. The dielectric properties over wide ranges of frequencies and temperatures were investigated as a function of BaTiO₃ content by impedance spectroscopy measurements. The hopping frequency, ω_h, dielectric constant, ε′, activation energies for the DC conduction, E_σ, the relaxation process, E_c, and stretched exponential parameter β of the glasses samples have been estimated. The, ω_h, β, decrease from 51.63 to 0.31 × 10⁶ (s⁻¹), 0.84 to 0.79 with increasing BaTiO₃ respectively. Otherwise, the E_σ, increase from 0.279 to 0.306 eV with increasing BaTiO₃. The value of dielectric constant equal 9.5·10³ for the 2.5BaTiO₃/77.5V₂O₅/20Bi₂O₃ glasses-ceramic at 330 K for 1 KHz which is ten times larger than that of same glasses composition. Finally the relaxation properties of the investigated glasses are presented in the electric modulus formalism, where the relaxation time and the respective activation energy were determined.     

Comparative studies in subsolidus areas of ternary oxide systems PbO–V2O5–In2O3 and PbO–V2O5–Fe2O3

Thermal stability of PbO was studied. Reactivity of oxides in the systems PbO–M₂O₃ (M = In, Fe) was investigated up to 650 °C. Using the DTA and XRD methods, parts of investigated ternary oxide systems, labelled by compounds: V₂O₅, Pb₈V₂O₁₃ and M₂O₃ (M = In, Fe), have been divided into partial ternary systems. IR spectra of compounds Pb₂MV₃O₁₁ (M = In, Fe) have been compared.     

Phase equilibria in the oxide system Nd2O3–K2O–P2O5

A phase equilibria diagram of the partial system NdPO₄–K₃PO₄–KPO₃ has been developed as part of the research aimed at determining the phase equilibrium relationships in the oxide system Nd₂O₃–K₂O–P₂O₅. The investigations were conducted using thermoanalytical techniques, X-ray powder diffraction analysis and reflected-light microscopy. Three isopleths existing between: K₃Nd(PO₄)₂–K₄P₂O₇, NdPO₄–K₅P₃O₁₀ and NdPO₄–K₄P₂O₇ have been identified in the partial NdPO₄–K₃PO₄–KPO₃ system. Previously unknown potassium-neodymium phosphate “K₄Nd₂P₄O₁₅” has been discovered in the latter isopleth section. This phosphate exists in the solid phase up to a temperature of 890 °C at which it decomposes into the parent phosphates NdPO₄ and K₄P₂O₇. Four invariant points: two quasi-ternary eutectics, E₁ (1057 °C) and E₂ (580 °C) and two quasi-ternary peritectics, P₁ (1078 °C) and P₂ (610 °C), occur in the NdPO₄–K₃PO₄–KPO₃ region.     

Kinetics of nonisothermal crystallization of Cs2O–Fe2O3–P2O5 glasses

The crystallization kinetics of Cs₂O–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ glasses containing 12.5–27 mol% Cs₂O were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry under nonisothermal conditions. Strong dependence of activation energy with temperature was observed, indicating the complex nature of the crystallization process. The various crystallization products were identified by X-ray diffraction technique. CsFeP₂O₇ was found to be the major crystalline phase in all cases. The overall activation energy obtained by classical model-free kinetic method was compared with that of isoconversional method; and from the results, the dependence of activation energy on extent of reaction and average temperature was delineated.     

New Phase in the Bi–Sr–Ca–Cu–O System

Cooling a melt of a Bi–Sr–Ca–Cu–O system (Bi:Sr:Ca:Cu = 4:3:3:4 or 2:2:2:4) from 1000°C-1050°C yielded crystals of a new red-colored nonsuperconducting phase, accompanying the superconducting 2212 and 2201 phases. Based on the EPR spectra, it was concluded that copper is univalent in this compound. The new phase has a composition Bi_2.2Sr_1.6Ca_1.3Cu₂Ox. The X-ray diffraction pattern has been indexed, and the unit cell parameters of the phase have been determined: space group P2/m, a = 12.93, b = 4.55, c = 10.94 ; = 102.72°.     

Raman spectroscopic study of CuO–V2O5–P2O5–CaO glass system

In order to evidence the structural changes induced by CuO and V₂O₅ in the phosphate glass network and their modifier or former role, x(CuO·V₂O₅)(100 − x)[P₂O₅·CaO] glass system was prepared and investigated using Raman spectroscopy (0 ≤ x ≤ 40 mol%).Raman spectra of the studied glasses present the specific bands of the phosphate glasses at low concentration of transition metal (TM) ions, but at higher concentration (x > 7 mol%) a strong depolymerization of the phosphate network appears; non-bridging oxygen atoms are involved in VOP and CuOP bonds and new short units are formed. For a high concentration of V₂O₅ (x > 10 mol%) the Raman bands of V₂O₅ prevail in the spectra; this fact suggests that vanadium oxide imposes its structural units in the network acting thus as a network glass former.2D correlation analysis was also applied for the concentration-dependent Raman spectra in order to verify the assignments of the vibration modes and to find correlations in the changes induced by TM ions content. 2D correlation maps indicate a good correlation between the bands at ∼705 cm⁻¹ assigned to POP stretching vibration and at ∼1175 cm⁻¹ assigned to PO₂ groups which suggest the depolymerization of the phosphate network. The correlation between the 1270 cm⁻¹ and 930 cm⁻¹ bands also suggests that V₂O₅ oxide is responsible for PO bonds breaking and POV formation.     

Features of strong O–H⋯O and N–H⋯O hydrogen bond manifestation in vibrational spectra

The work deals with the establishment of the dependence of the vibrational frequencies of strong O–H?O and N–H?O hydrogen bonds for the diagnosing the bonds themselves. To this end, the Raman spectra of a large number of different normal and deutero-substituted crystals characterized by the presence of strong O–H?O and N–H?O bonds are measured and the quantum chemical calculation is performed for one of these compounds. The dependence of the O–H stretching frequency on the O?O distance is constructed differing from that previously known for short O?O contacts. The mechanisms of significant broadening of the O–H vibration band in strong O–H?O hydrogen bonds are considered. Different dependences of the N–H vibrational frequencies in N–H?O bonds are reported and the causes of this diversity are discussed.     

The effect of mechanical activation on the thermal reactions of P2O5–Al2O3–Fe2O3–Na2O phosphate glasses

The effect of mechanical activation on the structure and thermal reactions of glasses has been studied on the example of Na–Al–Fe phosphate glasses. These glasses are used in nuclear technology for immobilization of radioactive waste. The glasses were activated by grinding in a planetary mill. Mechanical activation causes a decrease of the T _g temperature as well as of the glass crystallization temperature. The type of crystalline phases formed and the quantitative proportions between them are changing. Analysis of inter-atomic interactions in the structure of glass was applied to explain the observed regularities governing the crystallization of the activated glasses.     

Structural studies of copper-containing multicomponent glasses from the SiO2–P2O5–K2O–CaO–MgO system

Multicomponent glasses from the SiO₂–P₂O₅–K₂O–MgO–CaO–CuO system acting as slow release fertilizers were synthesized by the melt-quenching technique. The influence of CuO and P₂O₅ addition on the structure of glasses was evaluated by FTIR, Raman, ³¹P, and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopies. The studies showed that the Cu²⁺ ions displacing Ca²⁺ ions and Mg²⁺ ions in the structure of glass prefer to associate with the phosphorus Q¹ species, forming the Q⁰ species with chemically stable POCu bonds. This is accompanied by the reduction of the degree of polymerization of the phospho-oxygen sub-network, with a simultaneous increased degree of polymerization of the silico-oxygen sub-network of the silicate–phosphate glasses.     

Two new layered oxohalides in the system Cu–Yb–Te–O–Cl

Two complex lanthanide(III) transition metal(II) tellurium(IV) oxyhalides, Cu₃Yb₂(TeO₃)₄Cl₄ and Cu₃Yb₃(TeO₃)₄Cl₆ have been synthesized and the crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds are layered with only weak connections in between the layers. The layers are made up of [YbO₈], [TeO₃] and [CuO_xCl_y] polyhedra. In both compounds the strong Lewis acid cations Yb³⁺ and Te⁴⁺ only form bonds to oxygen while Cu²⁺ form bonds to both oxygen and chlorine. This leads the Cl^? ions to be expelled from the bonding volumes of the crystal structures and protrude from the layers. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on a powder sample of Cu₃Yb₂(TeO₃)₄Cl₄. The Curie–Weiss law found at low temperatures indicates a Curie–Weiss temperature of ca. ?5(1) K. However, indication for long-range magnetic ordering could not be observed down to 1.87 K. The two new phases are to the best of our knowledge the first containing all three of Cu, Yb and Te.     

Phase Diagrams of Fullerenol-d–LaCl3–H2O and Fullerenol-d–GdCl3–H2O Systems at 25°С

Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A - Isothermal phase diagrams of ternary systems fullerenol-d–LaCl3–H2O and fullerenol-d–GdCl3–H2O at 25°C are studied via...     

Specific features of phase equilibriums in Ln–Ba–Fe–O systems

Formation of five-layered Ln_2–εBa_3+εFe₅O_15–δ phases [exhibiting nanoscale ordering with layer-by-layer location of the cations in the Ln–Ba–(Ln,Ba)–(Ln,Ba)–Ba–Ln perovskite-type structure] has occurred in the Ln–Ba–Fe–O (Ln = Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) systems at 1100°С in air. Partial substitution of iron with cobalt (Ln_2–εBa_3+εFe_5–yCo_yO_15–δ, Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu) has stabilized formation of the ordered structure. The oxygen content in the complex oxides has been determined in air over a wide temperature range by means of high-temperature thermogravimetry and iodometric titration. The change in oxygen content with temperature for the phases with five-layered ordering was significantly smaller than for the disordered phases.     

Decomposition study of Ni–La–Mg–O precursors using thermal analysis

The thermal decomposition process of La₂O₃/MgO (La/Mg = 2, 1 and 0.5) supported nickel (15% mass/mass Ni) precursor was investigated. Thermal analysis results show distinct processes of decomposition of the samples in accordance with the composition. The mass loss at higher temperature is associated to distinct stages of decomposition of lanthanum precursors. The thermal analysis results agree with the FTIR spectra showing change in the band corresponding to carbonates and nitrates species. XRD results also confirmed the precursor’s decomposition. It can be concluded that the thermal decomposition of La₂O₃–MgO-nickel precursor depends on the La/Mg ratio and of the residual species.     

Sol–gel synthesis and optical behavior of Mg–Ce–O nano-crystallites

The Mg–Ce–O powder are shown to contain periclase-type MgO and/or fluoride-type cerium oxide (CeO₂) depending upon the composition (x) defined by Ce/(Ce + Mg) atomic ratio. Lattice contraction of pariclase phase of MgO (average crystallite size ~8.8 nm) at Ce content of ‘x’ = 0.20 in comparison to pure MgO (crystallite size ~9.5 nm) has been realized due to oxygen vacancy formation. The optical band gap values of CeO₂ varies (3.0–3.2 eV) due to oxygen vacancy formation in CeO₂ phase, crystallite size and/or Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ratio. Further, the addition of Ce has shown to reduce the physisorption and chemisorption of water significantly as reflected by (1) suppression of related absorption peaks and (2) absence of magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂, bands in Fourier transform infrared spectra.