<Superscript>35</Superscript>Cl NQR for the SbCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> complex with aniline,SbCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>·NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>

The temperature dependence of the ³⁵Cl NQR frequencies and spin-lattice relaxation times has been investigated for a trigonal-bipyramidal vn complex SbCl₃·NH₂C₆H₅. Thermally activated motion of chlorine atoms (pseudorotation) was not revealed in the complex, in contrast to the vπ complexes of SbCl₃ with related molecular structures. The high potential barrier of pseudorotation in the aniline complex is likely to be due to the unusually high nonequivalence of Sb-Cl chemical bonds.     

Phosphorus modified MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst for gas-phase epoxidation of propylene by molecular oxygen

The phosphorus (P) modified MoO₃–Bi₂SiO₅/SiO₂ catalyst was prepared by a simple co-impregnation method and investigated in the epoxidation of propylene by molecular oxygen. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption analysis, NH₃-temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the P-modified MoO₃–Bi₂SiO₅/SiO₂ catalyst with a P/Mo molar ratio of 0.5 exhibits the best catalytic performance for epoxidation of propylene by O₂, the TOFs for propylene oxide (PO) formation was four times higher than that of the unmodified one at 633 K. The modification by P could promote the dispersion of MoO₃ nanoparticles and increase the number of weak and moderate acid sites with respect to the phosphorus-free MoO₃–Bi₂SiO₅/SiO₂ catalyst, which were beneficial to the formation of PO. Moreover, the introduction of P also could protect the mesoporous structure by inhibiting the formation of Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂, which was beneficial to the dispersion of active species. We suppose that the phosphorus, bismuth and molybdenum species of P-modified MoO₃–Bi₂SiO₅/SiO₂ catalyst play important roles for propylene epoxidation by molecular oxygen.     

Preparation of ceramic γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanofiltration membranes for desalination

As one of the most recently developed membrane separation processes, nanofiltration (NF) has found a number of industrial applications. Ceramic NF membranes are also regarded as the appropriate choice in many applications, due to their higher chemical and physical stability. In this study, the rejection of the chloride ion is investigated using bi-layered γ-Al₂O₃-TiO₂ NF membranes based on α-alumina supports. Compression is used in preparation of the supports and sol-gel dip-coating for the top-layer formation. SEM micrographs, XRD, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms are used for membrane characterisation. The results show that the calcination temperature (600°C) results in different crystal structures including the brookite phase of TiO₂, the γ phase of Al₂O₃, and a combined phase of aluminium-titanium oxides. The average pore size of the membrane was identified as 1.6 nm using an adsorption/desorption isotherm. The rejection was also studied for the chloride ion, using a cross-flow filtration module. Filtration tests were carried out under different pressures, pH values, and salt concentrations; these showed a smoother behaviour particularly around the isoelectric points (IEPs) due to the dual-layer structure, with the best rejection at pH of approximately 5.     

Photoresist Modification of Sol–Gel Solutions for Texturing of Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> and Bi<Subscript>3</Subscript>TiNbO<Subscript>9</Subscript> Thin Films

Bismuth titanate (Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂) and bismuth titanium niobate (Bi₃TiNbO₉) c-axis textured thin films were fabricated using the sol–gel processing technique. Chemical modification of precursor solutions was performed using a proprietary photosensitive chemical (photoresist). Increases in crystallinity and texture of resulting films were seen over films that were made from unmodified solutions. Analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed c-axis orientation factors for Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ near 88% and Bi₃TiNbO₉ near 63% in “modified” films. Atomic force microscopy images of films show microstructural improvement between “modified” and “unmodified” films. Images generally show smaller randomly oriented grains in “unmodified” films, and larger oriented platelet structures related to growth due to crystal habit in “modified” films. Light scattering experiments show the addition of photoresist to the precursor solution initiates accelerated particle growth. AFM imaging of soft-baked films also suggests an enhancement of texture.     

Theoretical study for the CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OCF<Subscript>2</Subscript>CF<Subscript>2</Subscript>OCHO + Cl reaction

The reaction of CH₃OCF₂CF₂OCHO with Cl atom has been investigated theoretically by direct dynamics method. The BB1K hybrid functional in conjunction with the 6-31 + G(d,p) basis set has been used to optimize the geometries for the stationary points and explore the potential energy surface of the reaction. Four rotation conformers (RC1-4) of CH₃OCF₂CF₂OCHO are identified, and they are all considered in the kinetic calculation. For each conformer, there are two kinds of H-abstraction channels and one displacement channel, and the latter one should be negligible due to involving much higher energy barrier than the former two. The individual rate constants for each H-abstraction channel are evaluated by the improved canonical variational transition-state theory with a small-curvature tunneling correction. The overall rate constant is evaluated by the Boltzmann distribution function, and a fitted four-parameter rate constant expression is obtained over a wide temperature range of 200–2,000 K. The agreement between the calculated and available experimental value at 296 K is good. The contribution of each conformer to the title reaction is discussed with respect to the temperature. In addition, because of the lack of available experimental data for the species involved in the reactions, the enthalpies of the formation (ΔH _f,298°) for the reactant and its product radicals are predicted via isodesmic reaction at the BB1K/6-31 + G(d,p) level.     

Composite electrodes for proton conducting electrolyte of CaZr<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Sc<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>O<Subscript>3 – δ</Subscript>

A new method of obtaining gastight ceramic based on CaZr_0.95Sc_0.05O_{3 – δ} is presented. The microstructure and electric properties of the obtained samples, same as the behavior of composite electrodes in contact with this electrolyte, are studied for application of the obtained results in the technology of formation of electrochemical devices. The design of bilayer electrodes is suggested, in which the materials tested as the functional layer were layered lanthanum nickelate La2NiO_{4 + δ} and substituted lanthanum nickelate La_1.7Ca(Sr,Ba)_0.3NiO_{4 + δ} in combination with the electrolyte components of Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_{2 – δ} and BaCe_0.89Gd_0.1Cu_0.01O_{3 – δ}. The collector layer used was lanthanum nickelate–ferrite LaNi_0.6Fe_0.4O_{3 – δ} and manganite La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO_{3 – δ} that are characterized by high electron conductivity, low layer resistance and are close by their values of coefficient of linear thermal expansion to the materials of functional layers. Electrochemical activity of the obtained electrodes are compared with the characteristics of composite electrodes based on lanthanum ferrite–cobaltite La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O_{3 – δ} and deficient lanthanum manganite La_0.75Sr_0.2MnO_{3 – δ}.     

Cellulose-precursor synthesis of nanocrystalline Ce<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Gd<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2−δ</Subscript> for SOFC anodes

Developments of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT SOFCs) require novel anode materials with a high electrochemical activity at 800–1070 K. The polarization of cermet anodes, made of nickel, ceria and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and applied onto a YSZ solid electrolyte, can be significantly reduced by catalytically active ceria additions, the relative role of which increases with decreasing temperature. Further improvement is observed when using Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2– (CGO) having a high oxygen ionic conductivity instead of undoped ceria, owing to enlargement of the electrochemical reaction zone. Nanocrystalline CGO powders with grain sizes of 8–35 nm were thus synthesized via the cellulose-precursor technique and introduced into Ni–CGO–YSZ cermets, and tested in contact with a (La_0.9Sr_0.1)_0.98Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3– (LSGM) electrolyte at 873–1073 K. The results showed that the anode performance can be enhanced by additional surface activation, in particular by impregnation with a Ce-containing solution, and also by incorporation of YSZ, which probably acts as a cermet-stabilizing component. The overpotential of the surface-modified Ni–CGO (25 wt%–75 wt%) anode in a 10% H₂/90% N₂ atmosphere was approximately 110 mV at 1073 K with a current density of 200 mA/cm².Presented at the OSSEP Workshop Ionic and Mixed Conductors: Methods and Processes, Aveiro, Portugal, 10–12 April 2003     

Dissociation enthalpies and phase equilibrium for TBAB semi-clathrate hydrates of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, N<Subscript>2</Subscript> + CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> + CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) semi-clathrate (sc) hydrates of gas are of prime importance in the secondary refrigeration domain and in the separation of gas molecules by molecular size. However, there is a scarcity of dissociation enthalpies under pressure of pure gases and gases mixtures for such systems. In addition, the phase equilibrium of TBAB sc hydrates of several pure gases is not well defined yet as a function of the TBAB concentration and as a function of the pressure. In this paper, dissociation enthalpies and the phase equilibrium of TBAB sc hydrates of gas have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under pressure. Pure gases such as N₂ and CO₂ and gases mixtures such as N₂ +  CO₂ and CH₄ +  CO₂ were studied. To our knowledge, we present the first phase diagram of TBAB sc hydrates of N₂ for different pressures of gas in the TBAB concentration range from 0.170 to 0.350 wt. Enthalpies of dissociation of TBAB sc hydrates of pure gases and gases mixtures were determined as a function of the presssure for a compound with a congruent melting point whose hydration number corresponds to 26.     

Preparation of Li<Subscript>9</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>3</Subscript>(P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> as cathode material for lithium ion batteries through sol–gel method

The compound Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ has been successfully synthesized using sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement analysis indicates that single phase Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ can be obtained under air condition and high purity nitrogen atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that nanowires with lengths ranging from several to tens micrometers and diameters varying from 100nm to 500nm can be obtained in the Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ compound heated under air condition. The electrochemical properties of Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ sintered under N₂ as cathode material is reported for the first time. The XRD patterns of the electrodes before and after 30 cycles indicate that the Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ keeps its original monodiphosphate structure.     

Ternary Systems LiBr–LiVO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and KBr–KVO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–K<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The binary system KVO₃–K₂CrO₄ and two ternary systems, LiBr–LiVO₃–Li₂CrO₄ and KBr–KVO₃–K₂CrO₄, were studied. In the ternary systems, the compositions and melting points of eutectic alloys were determined by differential thermal analysis: (49.0 mol % LiBr, 5.0 mol % LiVO₃, 46.0 mol % Li₂CrO₄, 400°C) and (17.0 mol % KBr, 78.0 mol % KVO₃, 5.0 mol % K₂CrO₄, 458°C), respectively.     

CsBr—Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnBr<Subscript>4</Subscript>—Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>CdBr<Subscript>4</Subscript>—Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>HgBr<Subscript>4</Subscript> Four-component system

Component interactions in the CsBr—Cs₂ZnBr₄—Cs₂CdBr₄—Cs₂HgBr₄ system were studied using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and powder X-ra y diffraction. The system is characterized by a continuous solid solution series. New compounds have not been found.     

Reciprocal system 3Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>S + Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> ⇆ 3Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se + Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase equilibria in the reciprocal system 3Tl₂S + Sb₂Se₃ ? 3Tl₂Se + Sb₂S₃ are investigated by DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, and emf measurements. Some polythermal sections, the isothermal section of the phase diagram at 400K, and the liquidus-surface projection for this system are constructed. The types and coordinates of invariant and univariant equilibria are determined. It is shown that the system is non-diagonal. Broad regions of solid solutions are found on the basis of the binary compounds Tl₂S and Tl₂Se and along the boundary system Sb₂S₃-Sb₂Se₃ and the sections Tl₃SbS₃-Tl₃SbSe₃, TlSbS₂-TlSbSe₂, and TlSb₃S₅-TlSb₃Se₅ of the phase diagram.     

Crystal structure of glycine phosphite C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>·H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Single crystal X-ray diffraction study of glycine phosphite C₂H₅NO₂·H₃PO₃ was performed (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 7.401(3) Å, b = 8.465(3) Å, c = 9.737(3) Å; β = 100.73(5)°, Z = 4). It has been found that one of hydrogen atoms is located at the centre of symmetry forming two strong hydrogen bonds to yield H₄P₂O ₆ ^?2 dimers, while another hydrogen atom is statistically disordered over two positions and organizes the dimers into an infinite corrugated chain. The ordering of this hydrogen atom position and/or displacement of the other one from the centre of symmetry will lead to the loss of symmetry centre and lowering of the point group symmetry from C_2h to piezo-active group C₂ or C _s .     

CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Modified by Selective Doping with SrO for Improved Pd-Only Three-Way Catalyst

Composite CeO₂–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ (CZA) modified by selective doping with SrO was prepared by simple coprecipitation method. The characterization results reveal that the structural property of the modified sample is fundamentally different from that of undoped CZA, the doped SrO can selectively combine with Al₂O₃ and act as a stabilizer, meanwhile homogeneous CZ solid solution is formed which appears insusceptible to Al₂O₃. Consequently more lattice defects are created in CZAS, which facilitate the improvement of oxygen mobility. The UV–Vis DRS and XPS results demonstrate that after doping with SrO, the supported catalyst Pd/CZAS possesses higher surface Pd and Ce³⁺ concentrations, which consequently leads to improved reducibility and catalytic performance. Furthermore, the synergistic effect between CeO₂–ZrO₂ and SrO–Al₂O₃ helps improve the thermal stability of Pd/CZAS. As a result, after aging treatment, Pd/CZASa still maintains improved structural, textural, morphological and reduction properties along with enhanced three-way catalytic performance.     

Interactions in the Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>6</Subscript>S<Subscript>11</Subscript>–PbSnSb<Subscript>4</Subscript>S<Subscript>8</Subscript> system

The Sn₂Sb₆S₁₁–PbSnSb₄S₈ system was studied by physicochemical analysis methods (differential thermal, X-ray powder diffraction, and microstructural analyses and microhardness and density measurements). It was found that this system is a quasi-binary section of the SnS–PbS–Sb₂S₃ ternary system of the eutectic type. The coordinates of the eutectic are 42 mol % PbSnSb₄S₈ and 600 K. In the studied system, regions of solid solutions were detected, which extend for solid solutions based on Sn₂Sb₆S₁₁ to 4 mol % PbSnSb₄S₈ (α) and for solid solutions based on PbSnSb₄S₈ to 6 mol % Sn₂Sb₆S₁₁ (β).     

Pd/Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for the selective liquid-phase hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene

The structure of Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ supports and Pd/Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ catalysts and the performance of these catalysts in liquid-phase acetylene hydrogenation have been investigated. The deposition of Ga(NO₃)₃ onto Al₂O₃ by impregnation followed by calcination of the impregnated support at 600°C yields γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ solid solutions containing up to 50 wt % Ga₂O₃. X-ray diffraction characterization of model palladium catalysts and their temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen have demonstrated that, while palladium in Pd/Ga₂O₃ is in the form of a Pd₂Ga alloy, in the Pd/γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ catalyst there is no direct interaction between PdО and Ga₂O₃ particles and palladium is in the monometallic state. The introduction of 10–20 wt % gallium oxide into Al₂O₃ lowers the activity of the supported palladium catalyst relative to that of the initial Pd/Al₂O₃ but increases the ethylene yield by enhancing the ethylene formation selectivity.     

Crystal structure of Na<Subscript>4</Subscript>[Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>] · 10H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of the Na₄[Na₂Cr₂(C₂O₄)₆] · 10H₂O complex were synthesized for the first time. The structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the unit cell parameters a = 17.290(4) Å, b = 12.521(3) Å, c = 15.149(3) Å, β = 100.45(3)°, Z = 4, space group Cc. Anionic layers [NaCr(C₂O₄)₃] _2n ^4n? can be distinguished in the crystal structure of the complex. The Na⁺ cations and water molecules, involved in the formation of a hydrogen bond network, are located between the anionic layers.     

Novel sol–gel method for preparation of high concentration ε-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite

ε-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ nanocomposite was prepared by novel solgel method using single precursor for both nanoparticles and matrix. This method allows to prepare the samples free of α-Fe₂O₃ with 40% of Fe₂O₃ in SiO₂. Nanoparticles of 12 nm diameter were obtained by annealing at 1,000 °C. The samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Mössbauer spectroscopy identified ε-Fe₂O₃ as the only magnetically ordered phase at room temperature. Magnetic measurements revealed progressive necking of hysteresis loops measured at 300 and 2 K. In both cases the intrinsic coercivity reaches only 0.25 T. Measurements up to 14 T shows monotonous decreasing trend of saturated magnetization with increasing temperature.     

Co<Subscript>core</Subscript>–Pt<Subscript>shell</Subscript> nanoparticles as cathode catalyst for PEM fuel cells

Nanoscale Co_core–Pt_shell particles were successfully synthesized based on a successive reduction strategy. The as-prepared core–shell nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, and electrochemical methods. It was found that the catalytic reactivity of Co_core–Pt_shell/C catalysts toward oxygen reduction was enhanced. It is believed that the prepared Co_core–Pt_shell/C nanoparticles could be promising for cathode catalysis in proton exchange membrane fuel cells with much reduced Pt content, but significantly increased catalytic activity.     

Zr<Subscript>5</Subscript>Ir<Subscript>2</Subscript>In<Subscript>4</Subscript> – A Superstructure of the Lu<Subscript>5</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>In<Subscript>4</Subscript> Type

Summary. Zr₅Ir₂In₄ was synthesized by reaction of the elements in a glassy carbon crucible in a water-cooled sample chamber of an induction furnace. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction on both powder and single crystals. Zr₅Ir₂In₄ crystallizes with a pronounced Lu₅Ni₂In₄ type subcell, space group Pbam, a=1739.5(6), b=766.3(2), c=338.9(2) pm. Weak additional reflections force a doubling of the subcell c axis. The superstructure of Zr₅Ir₂In₄ is of a new type: Pnma, a=1739.5(6), b=677.8(2), c=766.3(2) pm, wR2=0.0529, 1592 F² values, and 60 variable parameters. The group-subgroup scheme for the klassengleiche symmetry reduction is presented. The formation of the superstructure is most likely due to a puckering effect (size of the iridium atoms). The crystal chemistry of Zr₅Ir₂In₄ is briefly discussed.