Une nouvelle structure à tunnels: KxVxMo1−xO3 (x = 0.13)

The crystal structure of the hexagonal phase K_xV_xMo_1?xO₃ (x = 0.13) has been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The space group is P6₃. The parameters are a = 10.481 Å and c = 3.701 Å. The structure is formed by triple chains of octahedra sharing corners and parallel to the Oz axis. Each triple chain shares edges with three other chains.Potassium is inserted in the large tunnels. The reliability factor is R = 0.045 on the base of 158 observed reflexions. The Rb_xV_xMo_1?xO₃ and Cs_xV_xMo_1?xO₃ phases (0.12 ? x ? 0.14) are isostructural with K_xV_xMo_1?xO₃.     

Structural stability and energetics of C,Si, and Ge microclusters: empirical many-body potential energy function calculation

The structural stability and energetics of carbon, silicon, and germanium microclusters containing 3?7 atoms have been investigated by using a recently developed empirical many-body potential energy function (PEF), which comprises two- and three-body atomic interactions. The PEF satisfies both bulk cohesive energy per atom and bulk stability exactly. It has been found that the most stable C_3?4 microclusters are linear withD _∞h symmetry but C_5?7 microclusters are planar withD _nh symmetry. Silicon and germanium microclusters show similar structural stability. TheX _n (X=Si, Ge;n=3?7) microclusters are found to be most stable in the following forms:X ₃ is triangular withD _3h symmetry,X ₄ is tetragonal withT _d symmetry,X ₅ is square pyramidal withD _4h symmetry,X ₆ is bipyramidal square withO _h symmetry, and finallyX ₇ is square pyramidal having two atoms underneath withD _2h symmetry.     

Compositions and structures of nanoparticles of tetrahedral symmetry

The formulas for calculation of the composition of nanoparticles with symmetry group T _d are reported. The numbers of atoms in the shells of tetrahedral symmetry are determined by three structurally invariant numbers and the “quantum number” of the group order n. Four classes of all possible nanostructures with symmetry group T _d are revealed: C _{? + 12z} , where z = 0, 1, 2, ..., and C _? is C ₄, C ₆, C ₈, C ₁₀, or C ₁₄. The sum rule for the coordination numbers of the shell sites located on the axes of symmetry is obtained. The six-shell periodicity of the number of occupied sites located on the symmetry axes and in symmetry planes is revealed.     

Characterisation of electron transport and back reaction in dye-sensitised nanocrystalline solar cells by small amplitude laser pulse excitation

The characterisation of the transport and interfacial reaction of electrons in dye-sensitised nanocrystalline solar cells is complicated by the non-linearity of these processes. This problem has been overcome by superimposing small amplitude pulsed laser excitation on steady background illumination. The laser perturbation of the photostationary state is sufficiently small that the photocurrent and photovoltage responses can be fitted using constant values of the electron diffusion coefficient D_n and electron lifetime τ_n. Analytical and finite difference solutions of the continuity equation have been used to analyse the experimental photocurrent, photocharge and photovoltage transients, and the intensity dependence of D_n and of τ_n has been established by varying the bias illumination level, and hence the dc photocurrent density, j_dc. The intensity dependence of D_n (D_n∝j_dc^0.68) is attributed to trapping/detrapping involving a distribution of trapping levels. The intensity dependence of τ_n (τ_n∝j_dc^−0.62) may indicate that the back reaction of electrons with I₃⁻ is not first order in electron concentration. Other possible explanations are that the interfacial electron transfer rate constant depends on trap occupancy or on the rate of surface or bulk electron diffusion.     

Synthesis, Structures, and Thermal Expansion of the La2W2−xMoxO9 Series

The La₂W_2−xMo_xO₉ series has been synthesized by the ceramic method. An alternative synthesis using microwave radiation is also reported. La₂W₂O₉ has two polymorphs and the low-temperature phase (α) transforms to the high-temperature form (β) at 1077°C. The influence of the W/Mo substitution in this phase transition has been investigated by DTA. The β structure for x≥0.7 compositions can be prepared as single phase at any cooling rate. The β phase for 0.3≤x≤0.7 compounds can be prepared as single phase by quenching, whereas a mixture of α and β phases is obtained by slow cooling. The W/Mo ratio in both coexisting phases is different with the β-phase having a higher Mo content. The x=0.1 and 0.2 compounds have been prepared as mixtures of phases. The room temperature structure of β-La₂W_1.7Mo_0.3O₉ has been analyzed by the Rietveld method in P2₁3 space group. The final R-factors were R_WP=9.0% and R_F=5.6% with a structure similar to that of β-La₂Mo₂O₉. Finally, the thermal expansion of both types of structures has been determined from a thermodiffractometric study. The thermal expansion coefficients were 2.9×10⁻⁶ and 9.7×10⁻⁶°C⁻¹ for α-La₂W₂O₉ and β-La₂W_1.2Mo_0.8O₉, respectively.     

Subsolidus phase relations and crystal structures of R-Ca-Cu-O (R=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tm) systems

The subsolidus phase relations of R₂O₃-CaO-CuO ternary systems (R=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tm) have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction. All samples were synthesized at about 950° in air. There exists a ternary compound Ca_14−xR_xCu₂₄O₄₁ (x = 4 for R=Nd, Gd and x = 5 for R = Sm) and a ternary solid solution Ca_2+xR_2−xCu₅O₁₀ (R=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tm) with a wide composition range Δx of about 0.6. The compound Ca_14−xR_xCu₂₄O₄₁ possesses a layered orthorhombic structure and is isostructural to Sr_14−xCa_xCu₂₄O₄₁. The lattice parameters a and c of the compound are basically independent of the ionic radius of R, while the lattice parameter b and unit-cell volume V decrease substantially with the decrease of the ionic radii of R. The Ca_2+xR_2−xCu₅O₁₀ solid solution is isostructural to Ca_2+xY_2−xCu₅O₁₀, the structure of which is based on an orthorhombic “NaCuO₂-type” subcell containing infinite one-dimensional chains of edge-shared square planar cuprate groups crosslinked by the layered cations Ca and R that locate in the inter-chain tunnels.     

1H, 13C and 31P NMR studies of some (C6H5)3−nPRn and (C6H5)3−nPRn Cr(CO)5 (n = 0–3; R  H,CH3, C2H5, i-C3H7, t-C4H9) derivatives

The ³¹P chemical shift of the (C₆H₅)_3−nPR_n and (C₆H₅)_3−nPR_nCr(CO)₅ (n = 0–3; R  H, CH₃, C₂H₅, i-C₃H₇, t-C₄H₉) derivatives is dominated by the steric effect. A small inductive effect is also operative but there are no indications of notable (d_Cr→d_P)π back-bonding. The ¹³C chemical shift of the phenyl carbon atoms indicates that (p_ring-d_P)π electron delocalization is unimportant.The ¹³C chemical shift of the carbonyl carbon atoms, which is mainly governed by the mean excitation energy, confirms the conclusion that there are no notable changes in (d_Cr→d_P)π back-bonding in this series of compounds.     

High Lithium Capacity MxV2O5Ay·nH2O for Rechargeable Batteries

The aqueous synthesis and electrochemical properties of nanocrystalline M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O are described. It is easily and quickly prepared by precipitation from acidified vanadate solutions. M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O has been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, TGA, chemical analyses, and electrochemical studies. The atomic structure is related to that of xerogel-derived V₂O₅·nH₂O. In M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O, M is a cation from the starting vanadate salt and A is an anion from the mineral acid. This material exhibits high, reversible Li capacity and may be considered for use in a cathode in primary and secondary batteries. The lithium capacity of an electrode composed of M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O/EPDM/carbon (88/4/8) is ∼380(mA h)/g (C/80 rate) and the energy density is ∼1000(W h)/kg (120-μm-thick cathode, 4-1.5 V, versus Li metal anode). Critical parameters identified in the synthesis of M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O, with respect to achieving high Li-ion insertion capacity, are acid/vanadium ratio, starting vanadate salt, and temperature. Inclusion of carbon black in the synthesis yields a composite that maintains the high Li capacity, lowers the electrochemical-cell polarization, and preserves the lithium capacity at higher discharge rates. Li-ion coin cells, using pre-lithiated graphite anodes, exhibit electrochemical performance comparable to that of Li-metal coin cells.     

Dynamics of superionic Rb3H(SeO4)2 single crystals studied by H and Rb spin-lattice relaxation

The ¹H and ⁸⁷Rb spin-lattice relaxation and spin-spin relaxation times in superionic Rb₃H(SeO₄)₂ single crystals grown by the slow evaporation method were measured over the temperature range 160-450 K. The temperature dependencies of the ¹H T₁, T_1ρ, and T₂ are measured. In the ferroelastic phase, T₁ differs from T_1ρ, which is in turn different from T₂, although these three relaxation times converge to similar values near 410 K. This transition seems to occur at temperature which is about 40 K lower than the superionic transition temperature. The observation of liquid-like values of the ¹H T₁, T_1ρ, and T₂ in the high temperature is compatible with the phase being superionic, indicating that the destruction and reconstruction of hydrogen bonds does indeed occur at high temperature. In addition, the ⁸⁷Rb T₁ and T₂ values at high temperature were similar (on the order of milliseconds), a trend that was also observed for ¹H T₁ and T₂. This behavior is expected for most hopping-type ionic conductors, and could be attributed to interactions between the mobile ions and the neighboring group ions within the crystal. The motion giving rise to this liquid-like behavior is related to the superionic motion.     

Structure and magnetic properties of ScFe6Ga6-type RCo5Ga7 (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er)

The structure and magnetic properties of the RCo₅Ga₇ (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) compounds with the ScFe₆Ga₆-type structure have been studied. The stability of RCo₅Ga₇ is closely related with the ratio of the metal radii R_RE/R_(Co,Ga). With R_RE/R_(Co,Ga)?1.36, the compounds can be stabilized in the ScFe₆Ga₆-type structure. The lattice of RCo₅Ga₇ shrinks as the atomic order of R increases, and it is consistent with the lanthanide contraction. The structure analysis based on X-ray diffraction patterns reveals that in the orthorhombic RCo₅Ga₇ (Immm), R occupies the 2a site, and Co enters into the 8k and the 4h sites, and Ga is at the 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h and 8k sites. The interatomic distances and the coordination numbers of RCo₅Ga₇ are provided from the refinement results. The short interatomic distance (less than 2.480 Å) between the Co ions results in the negative magnetic interaction, which does not favor ferromagnetic ordering. The magnetic moment of YCo₅Ga₇ is absent, and RCo₅Ga₇ (R=Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) may have long-range magnetic ordering with the paramagnetic Curie temperature lower than 5 K.     

Possible large magnetic moments in 4d transition metal clusters

The electronic structure and magnetism of 13 atom clusters of ruthenium, rhodium and palladium having face centered cubic(fcc) geometry has been studied using a Gaussian orbital basis and the local spin density approximation. Calculations were done for the lattice spacings relevant to the bulk crystal lattice. Using the fixed moment states as input potentials, as many as 3 self-consistent states were obtained for these clusters. The 3 converged states of Rh₁₃ cluster is found to have magnetic moments of 0.69 _μB , 1.00 _μB and 1.46 _μB . Out of these states, 0.69 _μB moment state is found to be the ground state. But the total energy difference between the 0.69 _μB and 1.00 _μB state is very small. The 1.46 _μB moment state coincides with the state reported previously by other authors which was obtained using the discrete variational method. The experimentally observed moment was around 0.47 _μB . Our calculated moment is closer to the experimentally observed moment than the previously reported moment, but is still a bit larger. Ru₁₃ cluster is also found to have large moments, and 3 self-consistent states are also obtained for this cluster. The 3 magnetic moments of the Ru₁₃ cluster are 0.46 _μB , 0.62 _μB and 1.08 _μB . Out of these states, 0.62 _μB moment state is found to be the ground state. For the Pd₁₃ cluster, in addition to the nonmagnetic state previously reported, a state with magnetic moment of 0.46 _μB is also found to exist indicating possible magnetism in cluster phase.     

Extraction of UO22+ by two highly sterically hindered (X1) (X2) PO(OH) extractants from an aqueous chloride phase

The comparative extraction behavior of tracer-level UO₂²⁺ into benzene solutiosn of two highly sterically hindered extractants, di(2,6-di-iso-propyl phenyl) phosphoric acid, HD(2,6-i-PΦ)P and di-tertiary-butyl phosphinic acid, H[Dt-BP], vs an aqueous 1.0 F (NaCl + HCl) phase was studied. The extraction of UO₂²⁺ in both systems is directly second-power dependent upon extractant concentration and inversely second-power dependent upon hydrogen ion concentration, the stoichiometry of extraction being UO_2A²⁺+2(HY)₂₀ ⇆ UO₂(HY₂)₂₀ + 2H_A⁺ The expression for the distribution ratio, K, is K=K₅F²/[H⁺]² the general expression for the extraction of any metallic species being K=K₅F^a/[H⁺]^b where K_s is a constant characteristic of the system, F the concentration in formality units of extractant in the organic phase, [H⁺] the concentration of hydrogen ion in the aqueous phase, and a and b the respective extractant and hydrogen-ion dependencies.Both extractants have a high degree of steric hindrance. The HD(2,6-i-PΦ)P is the more highly acidic, the pK_A value, in 75% ethanol, being 3.2. The pK_A, previously reported, for H[Dt-BP] is 6.26. The K_s for UO₂²⁺ in the system HY in benzene diluent vs an aqueous 1.0 F (NaCl + HCl) phase is 2 × 10⁴ for H[Dt-BP] and 3 × 10⁻¹ for HD(2,6-i-PΦ)P; the ratio of the K_s values, nearly 7 × 10³, favors the less acidic extractant. For comparative purposes, the K_s values for UO₂²⁺ and for Eu³⁺ in other (X₁)(X₂)PO(OH), in benzene diluent vs 1.0 F (NaCl + HCl) systems are presented. The variations are discussed in terms of the pK_A of the extractant and the steric hindrance within the extractant.     

Cerium effect on the phase structure, phase stability and redox properties of Ce-doped strontium ferrates

Nanostructured perovskite-type Sr_1−aCe_aFeO_3−x, (0?a<0.15) powders have been prepared by citrate-nitrate smoldering auto-combustion. Their phase structure and stability, surface and morphological properties, reduction behavior and interaction with oxygen have been investigated by X-ray Powder Diffraction combined with Rietveld Analysis, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopies, N₂-adsorption method, Temperature Programmed Reduction and Oxidation experiments. Our results reveal that citrate-nitrate auto-combustion method is effective in obtaining single phase Sr_1−aCe_aFeO_3−x. The Sr_1−aCe_aFeO_3−x structure is cubic only for a?0.06, while for a<0.06 remains tetragonal. Moreover, for a?0.06 after semi-reductive treatment under inert gas, an expanded cubic phase is obtained instead of the brownmillerite-type structure, which is known to have ordered vacancies. Stabilization of octahedral Fe³⁺ by cerium doping appears to be the main factor in determining the structural properties of Sr_1−aCe_aFeO_3−x. The highest oxygen consumption for Ce-doped SrFeO₃ occurs for a=0.06. Preliminary impedance measurements show that Sr_0.94Ce_0.06FeO_3−x has the lowest area-specific resistance.     

Titanates de cuivre substitués à structure bixbyite: Les composés Cu1−xTi1−xFe2xO3 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.33)

A new bixbyite family, Cu_1?xTi_1?xFe_2xO₃ (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.33) has been synthesized and characterized. The unit cell is cubic: a ～ 9.40Å. The X-ray powder diffraction study shows up an isotypism with the (Fe, Mn)₂O₃ compounds. There is a disordered distribution of Cu^II, Ti^IV, and Fe^III over the two cyrstallographic sites: P_I and P_II. P_II is highly distorted (two long MO distances) by the Jahn-Teller effect of Cu^II. The bixbyite structure is described in terms of polyhedra arrangement, as a particular case of the CM₂O₃ family. The cation packing is discussed in relation with the existence of the bixbyite structure for the Cu_1?xTi_1?xFe_2xO₃ compounds. The electrical properties (σ ～ 10^?5(Ω cm)^?1 for x = 0.286 at room temperature) show an electron conduction with probably a hopping mechanism.     

A different approach to X-ray stress analysis

A different approach to X-ray stress analysis has been developed. At the outset, it must be noted that the material to be analyzed is assumed homogeneous and isotropic. If a sphere with radius r within a specimen is subjected to a state of stress, the sphere is deformed into an ellipsoid. The semi-axes of the ellipsoid have the values of (r + ε_x), (r + ε_y), and (r + ε_z), which are replaced by d_x, d_y, and d_z, or for the cubic case, a_x, a_y, and a_z. In this technique, at a particular ϕ angle (see Fig. 1), the two-theta position of a high angle (hkl) peak is determined at ψ angles of 0, 15, 30, and 45°. These measurements are repeated for 3 to 6 ϕ angles in steps of 30°. The d_ϕψ or a_ϕψ values are then determined from the peak positions. The data is then fitted to the general quadratic equation for an ellipsoid by the method of least squares. From the coefficients of the quadratic equation, the angle between the laboratory and the specimen coordinates (direction of the principle stress) can be determined. Applying the general rotation of axes equations to the quadratic, the equation of the ellipse in the x–y plane is determined. The a_x, a_y, and a_z values for the principal axes of the lattice parameter ellipsoid are then evaluated. It is then possible to determine the unstressed a₀ value from Hooke's Law using a_x, a_y, and a_z. The magnitude of the principal strains/stresses is then determined.     

Volumetric properties of aqueous solutions of amino acids from the singular to critical temperature

The partial volume -V ₂ ⁰ of amino acids in aqueous solution is assumed to be zero for T = 227 K (singular temperature) and T= T _c (critical temperature). The literature data for -V ₂ ⁰(T) of ten amino acids at 278–328 K are reproduced by the two-parameter equation with a standard deviation of 0.06–0.16 cm³/mol. Only for asparagine and tryptophan the standard deviation exceeds 0.3 cm³/mol. In the case of glycine and alanine, the relation -V ₂ ⁰(T) in the high temperature range is obtained. -V ₂ ⁰ is divided into contributions (?-H ₂ ⁰/?p) _T and —T·(?-S ₂ ⁰/?p) _T . Their dependence on the temperature and amino acid nature is discussed. Positive values of ?-C ₂ ⁰/?p) _T characterize amino acids as water structure breakers; however, the differentiation of compounds by this feature is not successful. The behavior of amino acids in aqueous solutions is compared with the behavior of urea.     

Excess molar quantities of (a halogenated n-alkane + an n-alkane) A comparative study of mixtures containing either 1-chlorobutane or 1,4-dichlorobutane

Excess molar volumes V_m^E at 298.15 K were obtained, as a function of mole fraction x, for series I: {x1-C₄H₉Cl + (1 ? x)n-C_lH_{2l + 2}}, and II: {x1,4-C₄H₈Cl₂ + (1 ? x)n-C_lH_{2l + 2}}, for l = 7, 10, and 14. 10, and 14. The instrument used was a vibrating-tube densimeter. For the same mixtures at the same temperature, a Picker flow calorimeter was used to measure excess molar heat capacities C_{p, m}^E at constant pressure. V_m^E is positive for all mixtures in series I: at x = 0.5, V_m^E/(cm³ · mol^?1) is 0.277 for l = 7, 0.388 for l = 10, and 0.411 for l = 14. For series II, V_m^E of {x1,4-C₄H₈Cl₂ + (1 ? x)n-C₇H₁₆} is small and S-shaped, the maximum being situated at x_max = 0.178 with V_m^E(x_max)/(cm³ · mvl^?1) = 0.095, and the minimum is at x_min = 0.772 with V_m^E(x_min)/(cm³ · mol^?1) = ?0.087. The excess volumes of the other mixtures are all positive and fairly large: at x = 0.5, V_m^E/(cm³ · mol^?1) is 0.458 for l = 10, and 0.771 for l = 14. The C_{p, m}^Es of series I are all negative and |C_{p, m}^E| increases with increasing l: at x = 0.5, C_{p, m}^E/(J · K^?1 · mol^?1) is ?0.56 for l = 7, ?1.39 for l = 10, and ?3.12 for l = 14. Two minima are observed for C_{p, m}^E of {x1,4-C₄H₈Cl₂ + (1 ? x)n-C₇H₁₆}. The more prominent minimum is situated at x′_min = 0.184 with C_{p, m}^E(x′_min)/(J · K^?1 · mol^?1) = ?0.62, and the less prominent at x″_min = 0.703 with C_{p, m}^E(x″_min)/(J · K^?1 · mol^?1) = ?0.29. Each of the remaining two mixtures (l = 10 and 14) has a pronounced minimum at low mole fraction (x_min = 0.222 and 0.312, respectively) and a broad shoulder around x = 0.7.