Plasma conductivity as a probe for ambient air admixture in an atmospheric pressure plasma jet

By utilizing a fully floating double electrical probe system, the conductivity of a linear atmospheric pressure plasma jet, utilizing nitrogen as process gas, was measured. The floating probe makes it possible to measure currents in the nanoamp range, in an environment where capacitive coupling of the probes to the powered electrodes is on the order of several kilovolts. Using a chemical kinetic model, the production of reactive nitrogen oxide and hydrogen-containing species through admixture of ambient humid air is determined and compared to the measured gas conductivity. The chemical kinetic model predicts an enhanced diffusion coefficient for admixture of O₂ and H₂O from ambient air of 2.7 cm² s^?1, compared to a literature value of 0.21 cm² s^?1, which is attributed to rapid mixing between the plasma jets and the surrounding air. The dominant charge carriers contributing to the conductivity, aside from electrons, are NO⁺, NO₂ ^? and NO₃ ^?. Upon admixture of O₂ and H₂O, the dominant neutral products formed in the N₂ plasma jet are O, NO and N₂O, while O₂(¹Δ_g) singlet oxygen is the only dominant excited species.     

Modeling Chemical Composition for an Atmospheric Pressure DC Discharge in Air with Water Cathode by 0-D model

This paper reports the results of the chemical composition modeling for an atmospheric pressure DC air discharge with water cathode. The modeling was based on the combined solution of Boltzmann equation for electrons, equations of vibrational kinetics for ground states of N₂, O₂, H₂O and NO molecules, equations of chemical kinetics and plasma conductivity equation. Calculations were carried out using experimental values of E/N and gas temperatures for the discharge currents range of 20–50 mA. The effect of H₂O concentration on the plasma composition was studied. The main particles of plasma were shown to be O₂(a¹Δ, b¹Σ), O(³P), NO, NO₂, HNO₃, H₂O₂ and OH. Effective vibrational temperatures of molecules were higher than gas temperature and they did not depend on the discharge current. Distribution functions on vibrational levels for N₂, O₂, H₂O and NO ground states were non-equilibrium ones.     

Chemical Composition,Physical Properties and Populating Mechanism of Some O(I) States for a DC Discharge in Oxygen with Water Cathode

This paper reports the results of the experimental study of parameters for a DC oxygen discharge with water cathode in the pressure range of 0.1–1 bar and the discharge current of 40 mA. The radius of positive column, the cathode voltage drop, the cathode current density and the electric field strength were measured. Rotational temperatures of N₂ (C³Π_u, V = 0) and OH (A²Σ, V = 0) and absolute line intensities of atomic oxygen with wave length of 845 and 777 nm were determined as well. Plasma composition modeling was carried out by the combined solution of the Boltzmann equation for electrons, the equations of vibrational kinetics for ground states of N₂, O₂, H₂O molecules, and the equations of chemical kinetics, and the plasma conductivity equation. Calculations were carried out taking into consideration the discharge radial heterogeneity and using experimental values of E/N and gas temperatures. The main particles being formed in plasma were shown to be ^·OH, H₂O₂, O(³P), O₂(a¹Δ_g), O₂(b¹Σ _g ⁺ ), H(¹S). On the basis of this calculation and experimental values of line intensities, the populating mechanism of (3p ³P) level of atomic oxygen was discussed. The comparison of some properties of discharges in O₂, N₂ and air was done.     

OH Dynamics in a Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma Filament in Atmospheric Pressure He–H2O upon the Addition of O2

The influence of the addition of O₂ on the OH production in a He + 0.1 % H₂O discharge is investigated using laser induced fluorescence. The plasma properties $(T_{\rm g},\;n_{\rm e})$ are reported and used to explain the observed time and spatially resolved OH density, which is absolutely calibrated using Rayleigh scattering. Compared to the case when only H₂O is added, an increase in the measured OH density is observed in the far afterglow. A zero-dimensional chemical kinetic model is constructed, which allows to determine the reactions responsible for the OH production in the far afterglow. When O₂ is admixed, the key reaction $\hbox{O} + \hbox{OH} \longrightarrow \hbox{O}_{2} + \hbox{H}$ causes quenching of OH and production of increased densities of H, HO₂ and H₂O₂, which subsequently leads to additional OH production in the late afterglow.     

Effects of the Pulse Polarity on Helium Plasma Jets: Discharge Characteristics,Key Reactive Species,and Inactivation of Myeloma Cell

In this paper, we report the effects of the pulse polarity on the plasma jet’s discharge characteristics, particularly, on the production of the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and the inactivation efficiency of myeloma cells, for the purpose of identifying and elucidating the correlation between the dose of RONS and cell viability. Experimental results reveal that the positive plasma jet has a longer length than that for negative plasma jet with the equivalent pulse power. The positive pulse plasma jet would produce higher production of the excited reactive species (OH(A), N₂(C), N₂⁺(B), He(3s³S), O(3p⁵P)), the positive ions (N⁺, O⁺, N₂⁺, O₂⁺), and the aqueous species O₂^?, OH, and ONOO^?, while negative plasma jet would generate higher concentration of the negative ions (OH^?, O₂^?, NO₂^?, NO₂^?) and the aqueous species NO₂^? and NO₃^?. Additionally, the myeloma cells treated by positive plasma jet results in more cell apoptosis and more CD95 expression compared to negative plasma jet, indicating the impact for the cell apoptosis is more significant in the cellular response to the positive plasma jet. By comparing and analyzing the different doses of RONS to the responses of myeloma cells under positive and negative pulse plasma jet, our findings suggest the cell viability has a positive correlation with the concentration of the concentration of ONOO^? and the concentration ratio of H₂O₂ to NO₂^?, implying the high concentrations for ONOO^? and H₂O₂ might be responsible for the inactivation of myeloma cancer cells.     

Flue Gas Desulfurization by Dielectric Barrier Discharge

There are many problems with flue gas desulfurization by traditional gas ionization discharge, including the large size of the plasma source, high energy consumption, and the need for a traditional desulfurization method. This paper introduces oxidization of SO₂ to sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) in a duct by reactive oxygen species (O₂ ⁺, O₃) produced by strong ionization dielectric barrier discharge. The entire plasma reaction process is completed within the duct without the use of absorbents, catalysts, or large plasma source. The reactive oxygen species O₂ ⁺ reacts with gaseous H₂O in the flue gas to generate ·OH radicals, which can oxidize trace amounts of SO₂ in large volumes of the flue gas to produce H₂SO₄. Sulfuric acid is also produced by O₃ oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃, and SO₃ reacting with gaseous H₂O in the flue gas. Experimental results showed that with a gas temperature of 22 °C and reactive oxygen species injection rate of 0.84 mg/L, the SO₂ removal rate was 81.4 %, and the SO₄ ^2? concentration in the recovered liquid H₂SO₄ reached 53.8 g/L.     

Transient Spark Discharge Generated in Various N2/O2 Gas Mixtures: Reactive Species in the Gas and Water and Their Antibacterial Effects

Reactive species generated in the gas and in water by cold air plasma of the transient spark discharge in various N₂/O₂ gas mixtures (including pure N₂ and pure O₂) have been examined. The discharge was operated without/with circulated water driven down the inclined grounded electrode. Without water, NO and NO₂ are typically produced with maximum concentrations at 50% O₂. N₂O was also present for low O₂ contents (up to 20%), while O₃ was generated only in pure O₂. With water, gaseous NO and NO₂ concentrations were lower, N₂O was completely suppressed and HNO₂ increased; and O₃ was lowered in O₂ gas. All species production decreased with the gas flow rate increasing from 0.5 to 2.2 L/min. Liquid phase species (H₂O₂, NO₂￣, NO₃￣, ^·OH) were detected in plasma treated water. H₂O₂ reached the highest concentrations in pure N₂ and O₂. On the other hand, nitrites NO₂￣ and nitrates NO₃￣ peaked between 20 and 80% O₂ and were associated with pH reduction. The concentrations of all species increased with the plasma treatment time. Aqueous ^·OH radicals were analyzed by terephthalic acid fluorescence and their concentration correlated with H₂O₂. The antibacterial efficacy of the transient spark on bacteria in water increased with water treatment time and was found the strongest in the air-like mixture thanks to the peroxynitrite formation. Yet, significant antibacterial effects were found even in pure N₂ and in pure O₂ most likely due to high ^·OH radical concentrations. Controlling the N₂/O₂ ratio in the gas mixture, gas flow rate, and water treatment time enables tuning the antibacterial efficacy.

     

Reaction Mechanism on the Synergistic Photodegradation of Dye X3B and Photoreduction of Dichromate in the Presence of Polyoxometalate

Photodegradation of a textile dye X3B and photoreduction of dichromate (Cr(VI)) in an acidic aqueous solution were studied under 320 nm cut-off UV light irradiation in the presence of two polyoxometalates (POM), H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (PW), and H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀ (SiW). The reactions in POM-X3B-Cr(VI) system were faster than those in POM-X3B, POM-Cr(VI), and X3B-Cr(VI) systems. For all reactions, PW was more photoactive than SiW. The reaction rates were proportional to the initial concentration of each component. The effects of N₂, O₂, and air were small but regular, indicating Cr(VI) photoreduction by a reduced POM. Quenching experiments with H₂O₂ and ethanol revealed that X3B photodegradation mainly occurred through hydroxyl radical (OH). It was proposed that the production of OH and a reduced POM⁻ by the reaction between H₂O and excited POM^* was the rate determining step, with which all evidence could be well interpreted. Different effects of POM concentration in a two- or three-component system on the reaction rates suggested that the reaction between H₂O and excited POM^* was reversible.     

meso‐5,5,7,12,12,14‐Hexa­methyl‐4,11‐di­aza‐1,8‐diazo­nia­cyclo­tetra­decane (S)‐malate(2–) methanol disolvate: a chain of rings generated by two pairs of N—H⃛O hydrogen bonds

The title compound is a methanol‐solvated salt, C₁₆H₃₈N₄²⁺·C₄H₄O₅²⁻·2CH₃OH, in which the ionic components are linked into chains by two pairs of N—H⃛O hydrogen bonds [H⃛O = 1.78–2.21 Å, N⃛O = 2.702 (14)–3.094 (8) Å and N—H⃛O = 160–179°]. The methanol mol­ecules are pendent from the chain and are linked to it by O—H⃛O hydrogen bonds [H⃛O = 1.86 and 1.89 Å, O⃛O = 2.691 (9) and 2.708 (16) Å, and O—H⃛O = 168 and 165°].     

Chemical Effects of Air Plasma Species on Aqueous Solutes in Direct and Delayed Exposure Modes: Discharge,Post-discharge and Plasma Activated Water

The chemical interaction between non-thermal plasma species and aqueous solutions is considered in the case of discharges in humid air burning over aqueous solutions with emphasis on the oxidizing and acidic effects resulting from formed peroxynitrite ONOO^? and derived species, such as transient nitrite and stable HNO₃. The oxidizing properties are mainly attributed to the systems ONOO^?/ONOOH [E°(ONOOH/NO₂) = 2.05 V/SHE], ^·OH/H₂O [E°(^·OH/H₂O) = 2.38 V/SHE] and to the matching dimer system H₂O₂/H₂O [E°(H₂O₂/H₂O) = 1.68 V/SHE]. ONOOH tentatively splits into reactive species, e.g., nitronium NO⁺ and nitrosonium NO ₂ ⁺ cations. NO⁺ which also results from both ionization of ^·NO and the presence of HNO₂ in acidic medium, is involved in the amine diazotation/nitrosation degradation processes. NO ₂ ⁺ requires a sensibly higher energy than NO⁺ to form and is considered with the nitration and the degradation of aromatic molecules. Such chemical properties are especially important for organic waste degradation and bacterial inactivation. The kinetic aspect is also considered as an immediate consequence of exposing an aqueous container to the discharge. The relevant chemical effects in the liquid result from direct and delayed exposure conditions. The so called delayed conditions involve both post-discharge (after switching off the discharge) and plasma activated water. An electrochemical model is proposed with special interest devoted to the chemical mechanism of bacterial inactivation under direct or delayed plasma conditions.     

Aqueous Reactive Oxygen Species Induced by He + O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Plasmas: Chemistry Pathways and Dosage Control Approaches

Plasma–liquid interaction has already been a hotspot in the research field of plasma medicine. Aqueous reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in this process are widely accepted playing a crucial role in plasma biomedical effects. In this paper, chemistry pathways among various aqueous ROS induced by He + O₂ plasmas are investigated by a numerical model. Simulation results show that these aqueous ROS can be classified into two groups according to their production ways: the group of species including O, ¹O₂ and e directly produced in plasma, and the other group of species including O₂ ^?, H₂O₂, O₃, etc. produced by liquid reactions. A key reaction chain of e → O₂ ^? → HO₂(→ HO₂ ^?) → H₂O₂ is found to be important in the plasma-induced liquid chemistry. Furthermore, impacts of changes in plasma and solution conditions on aqueous ROS concentrations are studied as well. It is found that changes in plasma conditions (O₂ ratio in the discharge gas/power density) can globally influence the concentrations of almost every aqueous ROS, while conditions changes of the treated liquid (pH/dissolved oxygen) only partially influence the concentrations of some specific species including O₂ ^?/HO₂, O₃ ^?/HO₃ and H₂O₂. The revelations of the liquid chemistry pathways and the dependence of ROS dosage on the treatment conditions offer a better understanding on the plasma–liquid interactions, as well as provide optimized dosage control approaches for biomedical applications.     

A novel Anderson-type polyoxometalate: hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structure,and catalytic performance of (H3O)[(3-C5H7N2)2(Cr(OH)6Mo6O18)] · 3H2O

A new Anderson polyoxometalate (H₃O)[(3-C₅H₇N₂)₂(Cr(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈)]?·?3H₂O (3-C₅H₆N₂?=?3-aminopyridine) was hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: triclinic, P 1, a?=?7.8482(8)?Å, b?=?10.1800(10)?Å, c?=?10.4103(10)?Å, α?=?88.031(3)°, β?=?78.308(2)°, γ?=?88.842(3)°, V?=?813.91?ų, Z?=?1, R(F)?=?0.0397, wR _ref(F ²)?=?0.1022, and S?=?1.076. The X-ray crystallographic study showed that the structure contains Anderson-type [Cr(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈]^3? polyoxoanions. The title compound has high catalytic activity for the oxidation of acetone tested in a continuous-flow fixed-bed micro-reactor. When the initial concentration is 18.3?g?m^?3 in air and the flow velocity is 8.5?mL?min^?1, the acetone is completely eliminated at 160°C.     

Effects of Pressure and Electrode Length on the Abatement of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and CF<Subscript>4</Subscript> in a Low-Pressure Plasma Reactor

The emission of greenhouse gases, such as N₂O and fluorinated gases, has been increasingly regulated in the semiconductor industry. Pressure effects on the abatement of N₂O and CF₄ were investigated in a low-pressure plasma reactor by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of N₂O and CF₄ was significantly lowered below 0.2 Torr. When the pressure was increased, the DRE of CF₄ with H₂O as the reactant gas increased continuously, but that with O₂ or without any reactant gas first increased and then decreased. A larger electrode length yielded a higher DRE of N₂O and CF₄, especially at lower pressures. To understand this phenomenon, the electrical waveforms for the discharge in N₂O were analyzed in conjunction with its optical emission profiles, and the rotational temperatures for different electrode lengths were compared using the N₂ ⁺ ion band (λ = 391.4 nm). They provided insights into the mechanism involved in terms of plasma property and gas residence time.     

The Formation of OH*(<Superscript>2</Superscript>Σ<Superscript>+</Superscript>) Radical in the Reaction of Hydrogen with Oxygen behind a Shock Wave in Nonequilibrium Conditions

The mechanism of formation of the electronically excited radical OH*(A²Σ⁺) has been studied by analyzing calculations quantitatively describing the results of shock wave experiments carried out in order to determine the moment of maximum OH* radiation at temperatures T < 1500 K and pressures P ≤ 2 atm in the H₂ + O₂ mixtures diluted by argon when the vibrational nonequilibrium is a factor determining the mechanism and rate of the overall process. In kinetic calculations, the vibrational nonequilibrium of the initial H₂ and O₂ components, the HO₂, OH(X²Π), O₂*(¹Δ) intermediates, and the reaction product H₂O were taken into account. The analysis showed that under these conditions the main contribution to the overall process of OH* formation is caused by the reactions OH + Ar → OH* + Ar, H₂ + HO₂ → OH* + H₂O, H₂ + O*(¹D) → OH* + H, HO² + O → OH* + O² and H + H²O → OH* + H², which occur in the vibrational nonequilibrium mode (their activation barrier is overcome due to the vibrational excitation of reactants), and by H + O₃ → OH* + O₂ and H + H₂O₂ → OH* + H₂O, which are reverse to the reactions of chemical quenching.     

Solvothermal Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Two Novel Borates: [(CH3)3NH][B5O6(OH)4] and Na2[H2TMED][B7O9(OH)5]2

Two novel borates [(CH₃)₃NH][B₅O₆(OH)₄] (I) and Na₂[H₂TMED][B₇O₉(OH)₅]₂ (II) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions, and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for I: monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 9.3693(11) Å, b = 14.0375(17) Å, c = 10.0495(9) Å, β = 91.815(9)°, Z = 4. Crystal data for II: monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 11.6329(2) Å, b = 11.9246(3) Å, c = 10.2528(2) Å, β = 100.178(2)°, Z = 4. Their crystal structures both have 3D supramolecular framework with large channels constructed by O–H···O hydrogen-bonding among the polyanions of [B₅O₆(OH)₄]^? or [B₇O₉(OH)₅]^2? clusters. The templating organic amines cations in I and II are both located in the channels of 3D supramolecular frameworks, respectively, and interact with the polyborate frameworks both electrostatically and via hydrogen bonds of N–H···O. Na₂[H₂TMED][B₇O₉(OH)₅]₂ is the first example of heptaborate co-templated by alkali metal and organic base, which is also rare in borates. The photoluminescence property of the synthetic sample of Na₂[H₂TMED][B₇O₉(OH)₅]₂ in the solid state at room temperature was also investigated by fluorescence spectrophotometer.     

Self-assembly of 1-D, 2-D,and 3-D transition-metal coordination polymers based on a T-shaped tripodal ligand 4-(4,5-dicarboxy-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine 1-oxide

Three coordination polymers, {[Co(C₁₀H₅N₃O₅)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n (1), {[Mn₃(C₁₀H₅N₃O₅)₂Cl₂(H₂O)₆]·2H₂O}_n (2), and {[Cu₃(C₁₀H₄N₃O₅)₂(H₂O)₃]·4H₂O}_n (3), based on a T-shaped tripodal ligand 4-(4,5-dicarboxy-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine 1-oxide (H₃DCImPyO), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The polymers showed diverse coordination modes, being characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. In 1, the HDCImPyO^2? generated a 1-D chain by adopting a μ₂-kN, O : kN′, O′ coordination mode to bridge two Co(II) ions in two bis-N,O-chelating modes. In 2, the HDCImPyO^2? adopted a μ₃-kN, O : kO′, O′′ : O′′′ coordination mode to bridge two crystallographically independent Mn(II) ions, forming a 2-D hcb network with {6³} topology. In 3, by adopting μ₄-kN, O : kO′, O′′ : kN′′, O′′′ : O′′′′ coordination, DCImPyO^3? bridged three crystallographically independent Cu(II) ions to form a 3-D framework having the stb topology.     

Supramolecular inclusion of a pillared double-layered host by an anion-directed second-sphere coordination

In this paper, we have illustrated the utilisation of a second-sphere coordination approach to construct supramolecular inclusion solids with varieties of guest molecules. A flexible molecule N,N,N′,N′-tetra-p-methylbenzyl-ethylenediamine (L1) bearing doubly protonated H-bond donors was designed, capable of forming N–H…Cl hydrogen bonds with a crystallographically unique chloride anion, to construct an anion-directed ligand. The pillared double-layered host framework was constructed by an anion-directed ligand and primary coordination sphere [CoCl₄]^2 ?  through weak C–H…Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions. A variety of guest molecules, such as p-anisaldehyde, 1,4-dimethoxy-2,5-bis(methoxymethyl)benzene, can be included, leading to the formation of novel supramolecular inclusion solids: [L1]·4[H]⁺·[CoCl₄]^2 ? ·2Cl^? ·1.5[C₈H₈O₂]·0.25[CH₃OH] (1) and [L1]·4[H]⁺·[CoCl₄]^2 ? ·2Cl^? ·1.5[C₁₂H₂₀O₄]·0.5[CH₃OH] (2).

We have presented herein the utilisation of a second-sphere coordination approach to construct supramolecular inclusion solids with a variety of guest molecules. A novel type of a pillared double-layered host framework was constructed by a second-sphere coordination between the anion-directed ligand (L1 = N,N,N′,N′-tetra-p-methylbenzyl-ethylenediamine) and [CoCl₄]^2 ?  through weak C–H…Cl hydrogen-bonding interaction, and a variety of guest molecules, such as p-anisaldehyde, 1,4-dimethoxy-2,5-bis(methoxymethyl)benzene, can be included, leading to the formation of supramolecular inclusion solids: [L1]·4[H]⁺·[CoCl₄]^2 ? ·2Cl^? ·1.5[C₈H₈O₂]·0.25[CH₃OH] (1) and [L1]·4[H]⁺·[CoCl₄]^2 ? ·2Cl^? ·1.5[C₁₂H₂₀O₄]·0.5[CH₃OH] (2)

     

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.     

Synthesis and physicochemical study of diazabicycloundecene hexamolybdochromate [C9H16N2]H3[CrMo6O18(OH)6] · 2H2O

Quinazoline hexamolybdochromate [C₉H₁₆N₂]H₃[CrMo₆O₁₈(OH)₆] · 2H₂O has been synthesized and studied by mass spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, and IR and NMR spectroscopy. The compound crystallizes in triclinic system with the unit cell parameters a = 15.06 Å, b = 13.08 Å, c = 8.17 Å, α = 59.85°, β = 123.15°, γ = 107.01°, V = 1165.62 ų, ρ_pycn = 3.58 g/cm³, and Z = 2.     

Structure of Aqueous Lithium Tetraborate Solution

The structure of aqueous lithium tetraborate solutions was investigated by species distribution calculation and synchrotron X-ray scattering. It shows that the dominant species in supersaturated solution at 298.15 K is B₄O₅(OH) ₄ ^2? and the minor species are B₃O₃(OH) ₅ ^2? , B₃O₃(OH) ₄ ^? and B(OH)₃. The ‘intramolecular’ structural parameters of B₄O₅(OH) ₄ ^2? , such as bond length and coordination number, were gives out using density function theory calculation. X-ray scattering study shows that the distance Li–O(H₂O)_I of [Li(H₂O)₄]⁺ is about 0.1983 nm with the coordination number(CN) 4 in tetrahedral configuration. The B–O(H₂O) distance in hydrated anion B₄O₅(OH)₄(OH₂) ₈ ^2? is 0.3662 nm with the CN 12. The Li⁺–B distance is about 0.3364 nm with a coordination number ~1.0. The temperature effect on solution structure was also discussed.