Structural studies of the aeschynite–euxenite transformation in the series Ln(TiTa)O6 Ln = Lanthanide

Ceramics based on LnTiTaO₆ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) were prepared using a conventional solid-state ceramic route. The structure and microstructure of the samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and neutron diffraction techniques. The unit cell volume of the ceramics decreased with a decrease in ionic radius of the rare-earth ions until a phase change was seen at Ho where the space group changed from Pnma to Pbcn. The results confirmed that the boundary of the aeschynite to euxenite phase change that lies between DyTiTaO₆ and HoTiTaO₆ and demonstrate that this is a result of distortion of the channels in the aeschynite structure.     

(Solid + liquid) equilibria for the ternary system (CsBr + LnBr3 + H2O) (Ln = Pr,Nd, Sm) at T = 298.2 K and atmospheric pressure,thermal and fluorescent properties of Cs2LnBr5·10H2O

The (solid + liquid) phase equilibria of the ternary systems (CsBr + LnBr₃ + H₂O) (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm) at T = 298.2 K were studied by the isothermal solubility method. The solid phases formed in the systems were determined by the Schreinemakers wet residues technique, and the corresponding phase diagrams were constructed based on the measured data. Each of the phase diagrams, with two invariant points, three univariant curves, and three crystallization regions corresponding to CsBr, Cs₂LnBr₅·10H₂O and LnBr₃·nH₂O (n = 6, 7), respectively, belongs to the same category. The new solid phase compounds Cs₂LnBr₅·10H₂O are incongruently soluble in water, and they were characterized by chemical analysis, XRD and TG-DTG techniques. The standard molar enthalpies of solution of Cs₂PrBr₅·10H₂O, Cs₂NdBr₅·10H₂O and Cs₂SmBr₅·10H₂O in water were measured to be (52.49 ± 0.48) kJ · mol⁻¹, (49.64 ± 0.49) kJ · mol⁻¹ and (50.17 ± 0.48) kJ · mol⁻¹ by microcalorimetry under the condition of infinite dilution, respectively, and their standard molar enthalpies of formation were determined as being −(4739.7 ± 1.4) kJ · mol⁻¹, −(4728.4 ± 1.4) kJ · mol⁻¹ and −(4724.4 ± 1.4) kJ · mol⁻¹, respectively. The fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of Cs₂PrBr₅·10H₂O, Cs₂NdBr₅·10H₂O and Cs₂SmBr₅·10H₂O were measured. The results show that the upconversion spectra of the three new solid phase compounds all exhibit a peak at 524 nm when excited at 785 nm.     

Thermodynamic characteristics and phase equilibria in the alloys of the Ge–La system

Mixing enthalpies of melts of the Ge–La system have been measured using isoperibolic calorimetry within two concentration ranges. For the first range (0 < x _La < 0.16 at 1520 K and 0.16 < x _La < 0.29 at 1570 K), agreement with the known literature data is observed within the experimental error. The second range (0.78 < x _La < 1 at 1470 K and 0.7 < x _La < 0.78 at 1580 K) has been studied for the first time. The melts are characterized by very strong exothermal effects of mixing, which have almost symmetrical concentration dependence: ΔH? _La ^∞ = ΔH? _Ge ^∞ = ?245 kJ/mol at 1470 K. A thermodynamic optimization of the activities of the components and the phase diagram of the system have been conducted based on the obtained experimental data, using an ideal associated solution (IAS) model.     

Synthesis,characterization and reactions of the transition metal halogenoalkyl carbocation complexes [Cp(CO)2M{η2-CH2CH(CH2)nX}]PF6 (n = 1–8, 10, M = Fe; n = 3, 4 M = Ru; X = Br,I)

The halogenoalkyl complexes [Cp(CO)₂M{(CH₂)_nX}] (n = 3–10, 12, M = Fe; n = 5, 6, M = Ru, X = Br, I) react with Ph₃CPF₆ in dry CH₂Cl₂ to give the corresponding carbocation complexes [Cp(CO)₂M{η²-(CH₂CH(CH₂)_n?2X}]PF₆ in high yields. NMR evidence indicates that the metals form metallacyclopropane type structures with the carbocation ligand. The reactions of some of the cationic complexes with NaI, PPh₃, Na[Cp(CO)₂Fe] and Et₃N are discussed. NaI and Na[Cp(CO)₂Fe] displace the halogeno-olefin, while PPh₃ adds at the β-CH^δ+ giving the unstable phosphonium adducts [Cp(CO)₂Fe{CH₂CH(PPh₃)(CH₂)_n?2X}]PF₆ which decompose to the halogeno-olefins and the cationic PPh₃ complex [Cp(CO)₂Fe(PPh₃)]⁺. Et₃N causes allylic deprotonation forming internal olefin complexes of the type [Cp(CO)₂Fe{CH₂CHCH(CH₂)_n?3X}]PF₆.     

R–Al–Si systems (R: Pr,Nd)

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The effect of the two light rare earths Pr and Nd addition to the Al–Si system, in the Al-rich corner, has been experimentally studied. The...     

Thermodynamic studies on the systems M–Te–O (M = Nd,Sm)

The standard Gibbs energies of formation of Nd₂TeO₆ and M₆TeO₁₂ (where M = Nd, Sm) were determined from vapour pressure measurements. The vapour pressure of TeO₂(g) was measured by employing thermogravimetry-based transpiration technique. The temperature dependence of the vapour pressure of TeO₂(g) over the mixtures Nd₂TeO₆+Nd₆TeO₁₂, generated by the incongruent vapourisation reaction, 3Nd₂TeO₆(s) → Nd₆TeO₁₂(s)+2TeO₂(g)+O₂(g), was measured in the temperature range 1,408–1,495 K. Similarly, the vapour pressure of TeO₂(g) over the mixtures M₆TeO₁₂+M₂O₃ (where M = Nd, Sm), generated by the incongruent vapourisation reaction, M₆TeO₁₂(s) → 3M₂O₃(s)+TeO₂(g)+½O₂(g), was measured in the temperature range 1,703–1,773 and 1,633–1,753 K for Nd₆TeO₁₂(s) and Sm₆TeO₁₂(s), respectively. Enthalpy increments of M₂TeO₆(s) (where M = Nd, Sm) were determined by inverse drop calorimetric method in the temperature range 573–1,273 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 ?2,426.2 ± 0.6 and ?2,417.9 ± 1.1 kJ mol^?1 was obtained for $ \Updelta_{\text{f} } H_{298}^{\text{o}} $ (Nd₂TeO₆, s) and $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{298}^{\text{o}} $ (Sm₂TeO₆, s), respectively, by combining the value of $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{\text{o}} $ (Nd₂TeO₆, s) and $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{\text{o}} $ (Sm₂TeO₆, s) derived from vapour pressure data and the free energy functions derived from the drop calorimetric data.     

Synthesis,characterization and thermochemistry of Cs(ASP) · nH2O (n = 0, 1)

New compounds of aspartic acid Cs(ASP) · nH₂O (n = 0, 1) have been synthesized and characterized by XRD, IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as TG. The structural formula of this new compound was Cs(ASP) · nH₂O (n = 0, 1). The enthalpy of solution of Cs(ASP) · nH₂O (n = 0, 1) in water were determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of CsOH(aq) and ASP(s), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(1202.9 ± 0.2) kJ · mol⁻¹ of Cs(ASP) and −(1490.7 ± 0.2) kJ · mol⁻¹ of Cs(ASP) · H₂O were obtained.     

Synthesis and structural mechanisms of the 2201-type ferrites and polytypes: Fe2(Sr2 − xAx)FeO6.5 − δ/2 (A = Ba,La, Tl,Pb and Bi)

The Fe₂(Sr_2 ? xA_x)FeO_6.5 ? δ/2 systems have been investigated, by doping the iron rich 2201-type parent structure with Ba²⁺, La³⁺ and 5d¹⁰ post-transition cations. The syntheses have been carried out up to the limit of the 2201-type solid solutions, in order to test the role of the double iron layer Fe₂O_2.5 ? δ/2. The localisation of the charge carriers in these compounds is consistent with their strong antiferro-magnetism. The investigation was then carried out in the transition part of the diagram up to the formation of stable phases. The study of structural mechanisms was carried using high resolution electron microscopy (transmission and scanning transmission), electron diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Different non-stoichiometry mechanisms are observed, depending on the electronic structure and chemical properties of the doping elements. The specific behavior of the modulated double iron layer is discussed.     

Thermodynamic study of (alkyl esters + α,ω-alkyl dihalides) III. HmEandVmE for 20 binary mixtures {xCu − 1H2u − 1CO2C4H9 + (1 − x)α,ω-ClCH2(CH2)v − 2CH2Cl}, where u = 1 to 4, α = 1 and v = ω = 2 to 6

In this article, the experimental data of excess molar enthalpies $H_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ and excess molar volumes $V_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ are presented for a set of 20 binary mixtures comprised of the first four butyl alkanoates (methanoate to butanoate) and five α,ω-dichloroalkanes (1,2-dichloroethane to 1,6-dichlorohexane), obtained at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of 298.15 K. The results indicate the existence of specific interactions between both kinds of compounds resulting in exothermic processes for most mixtures, except for those containing butyl methanoate which give rise to net endo/exothermic effects. The $V_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ are positive for mixtures of (butyl esters + 1,2-dichloroethane or 1,3-dichloropropane) and negative for the remaining ones. The change in $H_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ with the dichloroethane chain length for a same ester is regular although the $V_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}}$ presents an irregular variation. It can, therefore, be deuced from this that the mixing process involves both effects, exothermic/endothermic and expansion/contraction, simultaneously. The behaviour of the mixtures is interpreted on the basis of the results observed and attributed to different effects taking place among the molecules studied.To improve application of the UNIFAC model using the version of Dang and Tassios, average values were recalculated again for parameters of the ester/chloride interaction, distinguishing, during its application, the functional group of the acid part of the ester. In spite of this, the model does not adequately reproduce the systems’ behaviour.     

Enhancing the rate capability of high capacity xLi2MnO3 · (1 − x)LiMO2 (M = Mn,Ni, Co) electrodes by Li–Ni–PO4 treatment

The rate capability of high capacity xLi₂MnO₃ · (1 ? x)LiMO₂ (M = Mn, Ni, Co) electrodes for lithium-ion batteries has been significantly enhanced by stabilizing the electrode surface by reaction with a Li–Ni–PO₄ solution, followed by a heat-treatment step. Reversible capacities of 250 mAh/g at a C/11 rate, 225 mAh/g at C/2 and 200 mAh/g at C/1 have been obtained from 0.5Li₂MnO₃ · 0.5LiNi_0.44Co_0.25Mn_0.31O₂ electrodes between 4.6 and 2.0 V. The data bode well for their implementation in batteries that meet the 40-mile range requirement for plug-in hybrid vehicles.     

A potentiometric study of acid–base properties of the (phenol + phenolate) systems in acetonitrile and, (acetonitrile + cyclohexane) solvent system

Acid–base equilibria were studied potentiometrically in (phenol + phenolate) systems involving nine substituted phenols with both electron-donating and electron-accepting substituents in a polar protophobic aprotic solvent, acetonitrile. To estimate the influence of the polarity of the medium on acid dissociation and anionic homoconjugation equilibria, the equilibrium constants were also determined in an (acetonitrile + cyclohexane) solvent in which the latter was a diluent that lowered the dielectric permittivity of the reaction medium, and compared with those determined in acetonitrile.     

Studying (n, 0) and (m,m) GaP nanotubes (n = 3–10 and m = 2–6) through DFT calculations of Ga-69 quadrupole coupling constants

We investigated properties of representative zigzag and armchair gallium phosphide (GaP) nanotubes by performing density functional theory (DFT) calculations. To achieve our purpose, eight models of (n,0) zigzag GaP nanotubes with n = 3–10 and five models of (m,m) armchair GaP nanotubes m = 2–6 were considered. Each model was firstly optimized and quadrupole coupling constants (C_Q) were subsequently calculated for gallium-69 atoms of the optimized structures. The results indicated that the optimized properties including dipole moments, energy gaps, binding energies, and bond lengths could be mainly dependent on the diameters of GaP nanotubes, which are directly determined by n or m indices. Moreover, comparing the values of C_Q parameters indicated that the narrower GaP nanotubes could be considered as more reactive materials than the wider nanotubes, in which the reactivities are very important in determining the applications of nanotubes. And finally, the atoms at the sidewalls of nanotubes could be divided into atomic layers based on the similarities of properties for atoms of each layer, in which the properties of Ga atoms at the edges of nanotubes are significantly different from other layers only for wider nanotubes.     

Solubilities,densities and refractive indices for the ternary systems ethylene glycol + MCl + H2O (M = Na,K, Rb,Cs) at (15 and 35) °C

The solubilities, densities and refractive indices data for the four ternary systems ethylene glycol + MCl + H₂O (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) at different temperatures were measured, with mass fractions of ethylene glycol in the range of 0 to 1.0. In all cases, the presence of ethylene glycol significantly reduces the solubility of the salts in aqueous solution. The experimental data of density, refractive index and solubility of saturated solutions for these systems were correlated using polynomial equations as a function of the mass fraction of ethylene glycol. On the other hand, the refractive index and density of unsaturated solutions was also determined for the four ternary systems with varied unsaturated salt concentrations. Values for both the properties were correlated with the salt concentrations and proportions of ethylene glycol in the solutions.