Formation of helium cluster ions HHe x + (x≦14) and H3He x + (x≦13) in a very low temperature drift tube

The formation of cluster ions when hydrogen molecular ions H ₂ ⁺ and H ₃ ⁺ are injected into a drift tube filled with helium gas at 4.4 K has been investigated. When H ₂ ⁺ ions are injected, cluster ions HHe _x ⁺ (x≦14) are produced. No production of H₂He _x ⁺ ions is observed. When H ₃ ⁺ ions are injected, cluster ions HHe _x ⁺ (x≦14) are produced as well as H₃He _x ⁺ (x≦13), and very small signals corresponding to H₂He _x ⁺ (3≦x≦10) are observed. Information on the stability of HHe _x ⁺ and H₃He _x ⁺ is derived from the drift field dependence of the cluster size distributions. The cluster sizex=13 is found to be a magic number for HHe _x ⁺ , and for H₃He _x ⁺ ,x=10 and 11.     

Crystal structure of Ag2TeS3 and Na(Na1−x Ag x )TeS3 (x≈0.5) and the geometry of Te(IV)S3 polyhedra

Summary Structural data determined by single crystal X-ray experiments (T=300 K) are reported for Ag₂TeS₃ (monoclinic, Cc-C _s ⁴ ;a=6.783(1),b=11.567(2),c=7.693(1) Å; =114.44(1)°;Z=4;R=0.044) and for Na(Na_1–x Ag _x )TeS₃ x0.5; monoclinic, P2₁/c-C _2h ⁵ ;a=5.761(9),b=12.171(8),c=8.342(4) Å; =92.26(6)°;Z=4;R=0.030). In both compounds the atomic arrangements are characterized by isolated trigonal pyramidal TeS₃ polyhedra, irregularly coordinated Ag and Na atoms forming AgS₄ and (Na, Ag)S₄ polyhedra, and slightly distorted NaS₆ octahedra. Crystals of both compounds were synthesized under moderate hydrothermal conditions from an equimolar mixture of the elements in concentrated aqueous ammonia and 5N NaOH solution, respectively.

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Kristallstruktur von Ag₂TeS₃ und Na(Na_1–x Ag _x )TeS₃ (x0.5) nebst einem Vergleich der Geometrie von TeS₃-Gruppen

Zusammenfassung Es wird über die mittels Röntgenbeugungsexperimenten an Einkristallen bei 300 K bestimmten Strukturen von Ag₂TeS₃ (monoklin Cc-C _s ⁴ ;a=6.783(1),b=11.567(2),c=7.693(1) Å; =114.44(1)°;Z=4;R=0.044) und Na(Na_1–x Ag _x )TeS₃ (x0.5; monoklin, P2₁/c-C _2h ⁵ ;a=5.761(9),b=12.171(8),c=8.342(4)Å; =92.26(6)°;Z=4;R=0.030) berichtet. In beiden Verbindungen ist die Atomanordnung durch isolierte trigonal-pyramidale TeS₃-Polyeder, unregelmäßig koordinierte Ag- und Na-Atome, AgS₄- und (Na, Ag)S₄-Polyeder bildend, sowie leicht verzerrte NaS₆-Oktaeder charakterisiert. Kristalle der beiden Verbindungen wurden unter moderaten Hydrothermalbedingungen aus einem equimolaren Gemenge der Elemente und konzentrierter wäßriger Ammoniaklösung bzw. 5N NaOH-Lösung gezüchtet.

     

Electroconduction of Solid Solutions Na3 – 2x M x PO4(M = Cd, Pb)

In the sodium-orthophosphate-based solid solutions in Na_{3 – 2x} M _x PO₄ systems (M = Cd, Pb), the electroconduction is maximum near the upper concentration boundaries of the single-phase regions: x 0.4 for M = Cd and x 0.25 for M = Pb. The conductivity values at 300°C are 6.25 × 10^–3 and 2.5 × 10^–3 S/cm, respectively. The conduction of synthesized solid electrolytes has a co-cation nature. Their electric characteristics, inferior to those of the Na₃PO₄-based solid solutions obtained via heterovalent substitutions of another type, may be a manifestation of an effect similar to the polyalkali effect.     

Crystal structure and properties of the Na1−x Ru2O4 phase

Sodium ruthenium(III,IV) oxide Na_1−x Ru₂O₄ was synthesized by the solid state reaction of Na₂CO₃ and RuO₂ in inert atmosphere and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The compound crystallizes in the CaFe₂O₄-type structure (space group Pnma, Z = 4, a = 9.2641(7) Å, b = 2.8249(3) Å, c = 11.1496(7) Å). Double rutile-like chains of the RuO₆ octahedra form a three-dimensional framework, whose tunnels contain sodium cations. The structure contains two crystallographically independent sites of ruthenium atoms randomly occupied by the Ru^III and Ru^IV cations. The superstructure with the doubled b parameter found for one of the samples under study using electron diffraction is caused, probably, by ordering of the Ru cations in the rutile-like chains. The Na_{1− x} Ru₂O₄ compound exhibits temperature-independent paramagnetism with χ₀ = 1.9·10⁻⁴ cm³ (mole of Ru⁻¹). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1655–1660, October, 2006.     

Synthesis and characterization of a NASICON phase of variable composition Na1 − x Ni1 − x Sc1 + x (MoO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5)

Subsolidus phase ratios in the Na₂MoO₄-NiMoO₄-Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ system have been studied using X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and vibrational spectroscopy. A phase of variable composition Na_{1 ? x} Ni_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) having NASICON structure (space group \(R\bar 3c\) ) and a triple molybdate crystallizing in triclinic system (space group \(P\bar 1\) ) have been obtained. The high conductivity of Na_{1 ? x} Ni_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ allows the phase of variable composition to be regarded as a promising sodiumion-conductive solid electrolyte.     

Vibrational spectra and electrophysical properties of a NASICON phase of variable composition Na1 − x Co1 − x Sc1 + x (MoO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5)

Subsolidus phase ratios of the Na₂MoO₄-CoMoO₄-Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ system have been studied by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and vibrational spectroscopy. A phase of variable composition Na_{1 ? x} Co_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 having NASICON structure (space group \(R\bar 3c\) ) and triple molybdate NaCo₃Sc(MoO₄)₅ crystallizing in triclinic system (space group \(P\bar 1\) ) have been obtained. The high conductivity of Na_{1 ? x} Co_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ allows the phase of variable composition to be regarded as a promising sodium-ion conducting solid electrolyte.     

Electrochemical properties of solid solutions in the Li8Zr1 − x Ce x O6 system

Li₈Zr_{1 ? x} Ce _x O₆ solid solutions based on lithium zirconate Li₈ZrO₆ were obtained by solid-state synthesis in an inert atmosphere. Their transport properties (the electron component of the total conductivity, the temperature and concentration dependences of conductivity, and the activation energies) were studied by impedance spectroscopy. The practical stability of the ceramic samples of Li₈Zr_{1 ? x} Ce _x O₆ solid solutions (x = 0–0.07) at 473–573 K against melted lithium was studied.     

Synthesis of sol–gel Na2Zr x Ti6−x O13 (0≤x≤1) materials and their performance in photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

In this work we present the synthesis and characterization of four compositions of the solid solution with the general formula Na₂Zr _x Ti_6−x O₁₃ (0≤x≤1) which was prepared by a sol-gel method. The main goal of this work is to evaluate the influence of the incorporation of different amounts of zirconium into the binary phase Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ on two properties: the textural surface and E _g values. This titanate phase crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell and is built into an octahedral TiO₆ framework forming a rectangular tunnel structure. Additionally, we have compared their photocatalytic performances in degradation of organic dyes under visible light. The heat-treated sol-gel samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, N₂ physisorption, thermal analysis, UV and FT-IR spectroscopy. According to the X-ray powder diffraction results, the new ternary tunnel compound Na₂ZrTi₅O₁₃ was obtained as a single phase at 800°C. The cell parameters for the two end-member phases of that solid solution were refined to confirm that Zr ion was incorporated into the structural framework. This ternary compound had an E _g value of about 2.9 eV. The activity of all heat-treated Na₂ZrTi₅O₁₃ samples was tested in the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and Rhodamine B under visible light. The Na₂ZrTi₅O₁₃ calcined at 400°C showed the best performance with 95% of photodegradation of methylene blue and a half time t _1/2 of 15 min.     

Anion Transport in Superionic Conductors Na0.5 – x R0.5 + x F2 + 2x (R Are Cations of Rare-Earth Elements) at Elevated Temperatures

Anion conduction in solid solutions Na_{0.5 – x} R_{0.5 + x} F_{2 + 2x} (R = Dy; Ho; Tm; Y; combinations Y_0.9Nd_0.1, Y_0.5Yb_0.5, Lu_0.998Ho_0.002, Lu_0.9Ho_0.1, Lu_0.9Nd_0.1) with a fluorite structure is studied at 251–1073 K. The ion transport mechanism alters at T _c 723–773 K. Below T _c the mechanism involves migration of interstitial fluorine atoms and depends mainly on the defect-containing (clustered) structure of the solid solutions. Above T _c the mechanism probably involves the dissociation of interstitial fluorine atoms from structural clusters, and the anion conductivity reaches 1 S cm^–1. The fluorite solid solution in the Na_0.4Ho_0.6F_2.2 crystals partly decomposes, yielding NaHoF₄ compounds with a gagarinite (NaCaYF₆) structure.     

On some multiplicative product of kth derivative of Dirac's delta in x0+|x| and x0−|x|

In this paper we give a sense to the products $${{\left| x \right|^{(n - 2)/2} }} \cdot \frac{{\delta ^{(k - 1)} (x_0 + \left| x \right|)}} {{\left| x \right|^{(n - 2)/2} }}$$ and $\delta ^{(k - 1)} (x_0 - \left| x \right|) \cdot \delta ^{(k - 1)} (x_0 + \left| x \right|)$ . The first of them is a generalization of the product $${{\left| x \right|^{(n - 2)/2} }} \cdot \frac{{\delta (x_0 + \left| x \right|)}} {{\left| x \right|^{(n - 2)/2} }}{\text{ }}$$ given in [1, p. 158].     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Na(x)Si(136) (0 < x ≤ 24) Single Crystals and Low-Temperature Transport of Polycrystalline Specimens

Na(x)Si(136) clathrate-II single crystals with x = 2.9, 5.1, 8.2, and 14.7 were prepared by a two-step process. In the first step, Na(24)Si(136) single crystals were grown from the precursor Na(4)Si(4) by reaction of the vapor phase with spatially separated graphite in a closed volume. In the second step, the Na(24)Si(136) single crystals were subjected to thermal decomposition in a nitrogen atmosphere at 10 Torr and 405 °C. The Na content was controlled by the duration of thermal decomposition. The structural properties were investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and compared with those of single-crystal Na(24)Si(136). The quality of the obtained products also allowed for low-temperature transport property measurements on agglomerates of crystals allowing for an investigation into the low-temperature electrical and thermal properties as a function of Na content.     

Na+₋sensing quantum dots for cell-based screening of intracellular Na+ concentrations ([Na+]i)

We have developed a Na-quantum dot (QD) nanosensor for [Na⁺]i measurements. Using this Na-QD, we determined the dynamic physiological responses of [Na⁺]i in nonexcitable human HEK-293F cells and excitable primary rat cardiac myocytes by pharmacologically manipulating the membrane permeability to Na⁺, the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, and the Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter. These data suggest that the mechanisms of [Na⁺]i homeostasis can now be elucidated with this novel Na-QD nanosensor. This could have a broad impact on Na⁺ channel drug discovery.     

Longitudinal conductivity of thin films of La1 − x Sr x F3 − x solid solutions on glass ceramics

The longitudinal conductivity of La_{1 ? x} Sr _x F_{3 ? x} solid solution films (x = 0–0.24) with thicknesses of 40–260 nm grown on glass ceramics at temperatures from room temperature to 300°C and frequencies of 10^?1–10⁶ Hz was studied by impedance spectroscopy. The concentration dependence of film conductivity on the SrF₂ content had a maximum near x = 0.05. An equivalent circuit was constructed on the basis of the impedance plots to describe migration processes. The DC conductivity was evaluated for all samples under study. The activation energies were estimated from the temperature dependences of the DC conductivities of the films. The resulting dependences of electrophysical parameters were compared with those for bulk materials in terms of the relaxation conductivity model.     

Helium cluster ions RgHe x + (Rg=Ne,Ar and Kr,x≦14) formed in a drift tube cooled by liquid helium

Rare gas ions Ne⁺, Ar⁺ and Kr⁺ are injected into a drift tube which is filled with helium gas and cooled by liquid helium. Helium cluster ions RgHe _x ⁺ (Rg=Ne, Ar and Kr,x≦14) are observed as products. Information regarding the stability of RgHe _x ⁺ is obtained from drift field dependence of the size distribution of the clusters, and magic numbers are determined. The magic numbers arex=11 and 13 for NeHe _x ⁺ andx=12 for ArHe _x ⁺ and KrHe _x ⁺ . NeHe _x ⁺ , Ar⁺ and Kr⁺ are proposed as the core ions for NeHe ₁₃ ⁺ , ArHe ₁₂ ⁺ and KrHe ₁₂ ⁺ , respectively.     

Effect of electronic state of ions on the electrochemical properties of layered cathode materials LiNi1−2x Co x Mn x O2

The cathode materials of the composition LiNi_{1 − 2x} Co _x Mn _x O₂ (x = 0.1, 0.2. 0.33) synthesized from the Ni, Co, Mn mixed hydroxides and LiOH by using mechanical activation method are studied. It is shown that all synthesized compounds have layered structure described by the space group R-3m. With the decreasing of the nickel content the cell volume and the degree of structure disordering decrease. According to XPS data, the electronic main state of d-ions at the prepared samples’ surfaces corresponds to Ni²⁺, Co³⁺, and Mn⁴⁺. An increase in the nickel content leads to the increase of the Ni2p _3/2 and Co2p _3/2 binding energy, which points to the change in the Me-O bond covalence. According to magnetic susceptibility measurements data, the nickel ions in LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ exist in the two oxidation states: Ni²⁺ and Ni³⁺. It is shown that this sample has the highest specific discharge capacity (∼170 mAh/g). The positions of redox peaks in the differential capacitance curves depend on the sample composition: with the increasing of nickel content they are shifted toward lower voltages. Based on the paper presented in the IX International Conference “Basic Problems of Energy Conversion in Lithium Electrochemical Systems” (Ufa, 2006).     

High resolution spectroscopy of the 13Σ g + (b) ← 13Σ u + (x) transition of Na2

Rotational-vibrational transitions of the triplet system 1³Σ _g ⁺ ← 1³Σ _u ⁺ of the Na₂ molecule have been investigated around $\bar v = 13970 cm^{ - 1} $ by Doppler-free polarization spectroscopy in a heat pipe and by resonant two-step photoionization in a collimated cold argon beam, seeded with sodium vapor. The fine- and hyperfine structure of the transitions is partly resolved. The analysis of the measured spectra and a theoretical discussion of the expected multiplet structure yields the rotational constantsB′ _v (v′=17)=0.0866(4) cm^?1 for the upper andB″ _v (v″=0)=0.0533(4) cm^?1 for the lower state. The difference Δb=b(³Σ _u )?b(³Σ _g ) of the hyperfine coupling constantsb turns out to be Δb=80 MHz.     

Synthesis and characterization of sodium vanadium oxide gels: the effects of water (n) and sodium (x) content on the electrochemistry of Na(x)V2O5·nH2O

Sodium vanadium oxide gels, Na(x)V(2)O(5)·nH(2)O, of varying sodium content (0.12 < x < 0.32) were prepared by careful control of an ion exchange process. The water content (0.23 > n > 0.01) and interlayer spacing were found to be inversely proportional to the sodium level (x), thus control of sodium (x) content provided a direct, chimie douce approach for control of hydration level (n) and interlayer spacing, without the need for high temperature treatment to affect dehydration. Notably, the use of high temperatures to modify hydration levels can result in crystallization and collapse of the interlayer structure, highlighting the distinct advantage of our novel chimie douce synthesis strategy. Subsequent to synthesis and characterization, results from an electrochemical study of a series of Na(x)V(2)O(5)·nH(2)O samples highlight the significant impact of interlayer water on delivered capacity of the layered materials. Specifically, the sodium vanadium oxide gels with higher sodium content and lower water content provided higher capacities in lithium based cells, where capacity delivered to 2.0 V under C/20 discharge ranged from 170 mAh/g for Na(0.12)V(2)O(5)·0.23H(2)O to 300 mAh/g for Na(0.32)V(2)O(5)·0.01H(2)O. The capacity differences were maintained as the cells were cycled.     

Identification of the alkalide,Na−, in Na/NH3 matrices using MCD

Codeposition of Na and NH₃ at ≈ 35 K gives rise to an absorption band at ≈ 16950 cm⁻¹ with a positive MCD å term. This band is assigned to the ¹S → ¹P transition of Na⁻ marking the first direct evidence for the existence of an alkalide in NH₃. The absorption and MCD of the solvated electron band are also observed in the near infrared at ≈ 8000 cm⁻¹.     

Kinetics of phase transition and thermal stability in Se80?x Te20Zn x (x?=?2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) glasses

Se_80?x Te₂₀Zn _x (x?=?2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) glasses have been prepared using conventional melt quenching technique. The kinetics of phase transformations (glass transition and crystallization) have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under non-isothermal condition at five different heating rates in these glasses. The activation energy of glass transition (E _t), activation energy of crystallization (E _c), Avrami exponent (n), dimensionality of growth (m), and frequency factor (K _o) have been investigated for the better understanding of growth mechanism using different theoretical models. The activation energy is found to be highly dependent on Zn concentration. The rate of crystallization is found to be lowest for Se₇₀Te₂₀Zn₁₀ glassy alloy. The thermal stability of these glasses has been investigated using various stability parameters. The values of these parameters were obtained using characteristic temperatures, such as glass transition temperature T _g, onset crystallization temperature T _c, and peak crystallization temperature T _p. In addition to this, enthalpy-released during crystallization has also been determined. The values of stability parameters show that the thermal stability increases with the increase in Zn concentration in the investigated glassy samples.