Phase equilibria in the Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>–CdO system and the thermal stability of Cd<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and CdNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Phase equilibria were studied in the Nb₂O₅–CdO system in the Nb₂O₅-rich region including CdNb₂O₆ and Cd₂Nb₂O₇. It was determined that CdNb₂O₆ and Cd₂Nb₂O₇ in air are stable to 1150 and 1120°C, respectively, and that, above these temperatures, there is solid-phase decomposition of niobates with CdO release in the gas phase. Along with the cadmium oxide evaporation, the Cd₂Nb₂O₇ decomposition is accompanied by the formation of cadmium metaniobate CdNb₂O₆ and the CdNb₂O₆ decomposition results in the formation of niobium oxide Nb₂O₅. No thermal events were observed in the differential thermal analysis curve for a 1: 1 CdNb₂O₆–Cd₂Nb₂O₇ mixture heated to 1100°C in air, which suggests that there are neither phase transformations in cadmium niobates, nor a eutectic within this temperature and concentration ranges. A study of the morphology of compacted samples of niobates determined specific conditions for producing dense composite ceramics, a mixture of niobates, that is suitable for using as a dielectric material.     

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.     

Ionic mobility and electrophysical properties of solid solutions in PbF<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SbF<Subscript>3</Subscript> and PbF<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SnF<Subscript>2</Subscript>–SbF<Subscript>3</Subscript> systems

Ionic mobility and electrical conductivity of solid solutions with fluorite structure, obtained with solid-state approach in PbF₂–SbF₃ and PbF₂–SnF₂–SbF₃ systems, are studied by 19F NMR and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. The 19F NMR spectra parameters, types of ion motions in the fluoride sublattice, and the ionic conductivity magnitude are shown to be determined by the temperature and fluoride concentration in the solid solutions. The solid solution specific conductivity in the PbF₂–SbF₃ and PbF₂–SnF₂–SbF₃ systems at 420–450 K is as high as ~10^–2 S/cm, which allows accounting the solid solutions as a base for preparation of functional materials.     

Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of polycrystalline GdFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Gd<Subscript>3</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> thin films

Thin films of the perovskite and garnet structured gadolinium ferrites GdFeO₃ and Gd₃Fe₅O₁₂ have been synthesized by a sol–gel method, based on stoichiometric mixtures of acetyl acetone chelated Gd³⁺ and Fe³⁺ dissolved in 2-methoxy ethanol. After spin coating onto Si wafers, and heating in air at 700 °C for 20 h, neatly grown essentially single phase films were obtained. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy an iron deficiency is observed in the uppermost layer of both films, implying that the crystallites preferably end in planes rich in Gd and O but not in Fe. The films were also characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements.     

Solubility and stability of (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> in organic and aqueous-organic media

Solubility and stability of (NH₄)₂SO₄·H₂O₂ in organic solvents (glycerol, ethylene glycol, TOSOL-A40 OM antifreeze), in mixtures of an organic solvent and water, and in pure water was studied. Crystallographic properties of the ammonium sulfate precipitating from aqueous-organic solvents and aqueous solutions in various time intervals and differing from ordinary (NH₄)₂SO₄ in solubility and one of crystallographic parameters were analyzed.     

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.     

Transformations of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in Two-Phase Systems C<Subscript>8</Subscript>F<Subscript>18</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and C<Subscript>6</Subscript>F<Subscript>6</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The transformation of carbon dioxide in aqueous emulsions of perfluorons in the presence of oxygen in the air results in the formation of a mixture of oxalic acid and a minor set of organic compounds C₄–C₈. The maximum CO₂ consumption occurs in the emulsion with the C₈F₁₈: H₂O vol/vol ratio of 1: 0.42 at pH 2.4; the H₂C₂O₄ yield is 11 mol %.     

Synthesis and heat capacity study of stannates Dy<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and Ho<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> in the range 370–1000 K

Stannates Dy₂Sn₂O₇ and Ho₂Sn₂O₇ are produced by solid-phase synthesis from Dy₂O₃ (Ho₂O₃)–SnO₂ stoichiometric mixtures by calcining at 1473 K. The molar heat capacity of holmium and dysprosium stannates is measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range 370–1000 K. The experimental data are used to calculate thermodynamic properties (enthalpy change H°(T)–H°(370 K), entropy change S°(T)–S°(370 K), and the reduced Gibbs free energy Φ°(T)) of the synthesized compound.     

From Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>6</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>14</Subscript> to Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>6</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>14</Subscript>·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and Vice Versa: Crystal Chemistry Investigations

We report here the synthesis, the crystal structure and the luminescent properties of the new cluster compounds Cs₂Mo₆Cl₁₄·H₂O and Cs₂Mo₆Br₁₄·H₂O. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction performed on Cs₂Mo₆Cl₁₄·H₂O indicates that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with refined cell parameters a = 19.578 Å, b = 15.151 Å, c = 9.347 Å, and β = 115.64°. The structure can be described from discrete \(\left[ {{\text{Mo}}_{ 6} {\text{Cl}}^{\text{i}}_{ 8} {\text{Cl}}^{\text{a}}_{ 6} } \right]^{ 2- }\) anionic cluster units arranged in a “A–A’–A–A’” pseudo prismatic stacking parallel to (b, c) plane with both Cs⁺ cations and water molecules located between the layers. Moreover, the centric character of the trigonal structure of Cs₂Mo₆Cl₁₄ was also studied by combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and both X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. The results suggest an important influence of the sample preparation on the symmetry of the crystal structure. The crystal structure relationship between the \(\left[ {{\text{Mo}}_{ 6} {\text{Cl}}^{\text{i}}_{ 8} {\text{Cl}}^{\text{a}}_{ 6} } \right]^{ 2- }\) anionic cluster unit arrangements in Cs₂Mo₆Cl₁₄ and Cs₂Mo₆Cl₁₄·H₂O is discussed. Finally, the characterization of the luminescent properties of Cs₂Mo₆X₁₄ and Cs₂Mo₆X₁₄·H₂O (X = Cl, Br) indicates that emission profile is comparable regardless existence of water molecule in the crystal structure.     

Interaction in the systems TlBiSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Tl<Subscript>9</Subscript>BiSe<Subscript>6</Subscript>–PbSe and Tl<Subscript>9</Subscript>BiSe<Subscript>6</Subscript>–Tl<Subscript>4</Subscript>PbSe<Subscript>3</Subscript>–PbSe

Phase equilibria in the systems TlBiSe₂–Tl₉BiSe₆–PbSe and Tl₉BiSe₆–Tl₄PbSe₃–PbSe were studied by differential thermal, X-ray powder diffraction, and microstructural analyses. State diagrams of the quasi-binary sections Tl₉BiSe₆–Tl₄PbSe₃, TlBiSe₂–PbSe, and Tl₉BiSe₆–PbSe were constructed, and so were projections of liquidus surfaces and isothermal sections at 600 K for the secondary quasi-ternary systems TlBiSe₂–Tl₉BiSe₆–PbSe and Tl₄PbSe₃–Tl₉BiSe₆–PbSe. The coordinates of invariant points and the boundaries of solid solutions were determined.     

Effect of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on Catalyst Structure and Catalytic Sulfur-Resistant Methanation Performance of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalysts

A series of MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts was prepared and investigated in the sulfur-resistant methanation aimed at production of synthetic natural gas. Different methods including impregnation, deposition precipitation, and co-precipitation were used for preparing ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ composite supports. These composite supports and their corresponding Mo-based catalysts were investigated in the sulfur-resistant methanation, and characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD and H₂-TPR. The results indicated that adding ZrO₂ promoted MoO3dispersion and decreased the interaction between Mo species and support in the MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts. The co-precipitation method was favorable for obtaining smaller ZrO₂ particle size and improving textural properties of support, such as better MoO₃ dispersion and increased concentration of Mo⁶⁺ species in octahedral coordination to oxygen. It was found that the MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst with ZrO₂Al₂O₃ composite support prepared by co-precipitation method exhibited the best catalytic activity. The ZrO₂ content in the ZrO₂Al₂O₃ composite support was further optimized. The MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ with 15 wt % ZrO₂ loading exhibited the highest sulfur-resistant CO methanation activity, and excess ZrO₂ reduced the specific surface area and enhanced the interaction between Mo species and support. The N₂ adsorption-desorption results indicated that the presence of ZrO₂ in excessive amounts decreased the specific surface area since some amounts of ZrO₂ form aggregates on the surface of the support. The XRD and H₂-TPR results showed that with the increasing ZrO₂ content, ZrO₂ particle size increased. These led to the formation of coordinated tetrahedrally Mo⁶⁺(T) species and crystalline MoO₃, and this development was unfavorable for improving the sulfur-resistant methanation performance of MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Oxygen ionic and electronic transport in Gd<Subscript>2−x</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript><Subscript>−δ</Subscript> pyrochlores

Oxygen ion transference numbers for Gd_2−xCa_xTi₂O_{7 −δ} (x=0.10–0.14) pyrochlore ceramics were determined at 973–1223 K by the modified e.m.f. and faradaic efficiency techniques, taking into account electrode polarization, and from the results on oxygen permeation. The ion transference numbers vary in the range 0.95–0.98 in air, increasing when the temperature or oxygen partial pressure decreases. The activation energies for the ionic and p-type electronic transport in air are 74–77 and 87–91 kJ/mol, respectively. The p-type conductivity and oxygen permeability of Gd₂Ti₂O₇-based pyrochlores can be adequately described by relationships common for other solid electrolytes. At temperatures below 1273 K under a gradient of 10%H₂+90%N₂/air, average ion transference numbers for doped gadolinium titanate are not less than 0.97. Thermal expansion coefficients for Gd_2−xCa_xTi₂O_{7 −δ} ceramics, calculated from dilatometric data in air, are in the range (10.4–10.6)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 400–1300 K.     

Glass-forming ability and thermal stability of Se<Subscript>100−x</Subscript>(Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>5</Subscript>)<Subscript>x</Subscript> glassy alloys

Glassy Se_100?x(Ge₂Sb₂Te₅)_x (x?=?5, 10, 15 and 20) bulk alloys were prepared by melt-quenched technique and studied by using differential scanning calorimetry at different heating rates under non-isothermal condition. The detailed thermal analysis shows that the glass transition temperature (T_g) depends on heating rates and x content. In particular, it is found that the glass-forming ability, thermal stability (T_c???T_g) and crystallization activation energy (E_c) increase with increased x content in amorphous Se, whereas glass transition activation energy (E_g) and fragility index (F) decrease with increased x contents. Variation in these parameters can be explained on the basis of network-forming ability of Se and bonding arrangement among the constituent atoms of alloys.     

Thermoelectric power and electrochemical studies on CdI<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>–B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

A quaternary super-ion-conducting system, 20CdI₂ − 80[xAg₂O − y(0.7V₂O₅ − 0.3B₂O₃)] where 1 ≤ x/y ≤ 3, has been prepared by melt quenching technique. The electrical conductivity measured was the order of 10⁻⁴  S/cm at room temperature. The values of silver-ion transport number obtained by electromotive force technique are nearly unity. The thermoelectric power and electrochemical studies were done on the CdI₂–Ag₂O–V₂O₅–B₂O₃ system. The discharge and polarization characteristics were examined for different cathodes to evaluate the utility of these cells as power sources for low energy applications.     

Structural and Temperature Dependent Electrical Conductivity Properties of Dy<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Sm<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> CO-Doped Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In the present work, Dy₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ double-doped Bi₂O₃-based materials are synthesized by exploiting the solid-state synthesis method. The structural and temperature dependent electrical properties of these ternary ceramic samples, which are candidate materials for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) electrolyte, are determined by means of a powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the four point-probe method (FPPM), and the thermal-gravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). As a result of the XRD measurements, the fluorite-type fcc δ-phase with a stable structure is obtained for higher values of the dopant oxide material, which are the samples with the maximum content of fixed 20% Dy₂O₃ and 15% and 20% Sm₂O₃. The samples with the stable δ-phase structure have higher conductivities. The highest electrical conductivity is found for the (Bi₂O₃)0.6(Dy₂O₃)_0.2(Sm₂O₃)_0.2 sample, which was 2.5×10^–2 (Ohm cm)^–1 at 750 °C. The activation energies are also calculated from the Arrhenius charts, which were determined from the FPPM measurements. The lowest activation energy is found as 0.85 eV for the sample with the highest electrical conductivity.     

Preparation and Characterization of MgH<Subscript>2</Subscript> Mechanocomposites with Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>NiH<Subscript>0.3</Subscript> + Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>NiH<Subscript>4 – δ</Subscript> Two-Phase Mixture

The thermal behavior of MgH₂ mechanocomposites with Mg₂NiH_{4 – δ} + Mg₂NiH_0.3 two-phase mixture and phase equilibria in the system Mg–Ni–H involving MgH₂ were studied by powder X-ray diffraction and TG–DSC. The graphic representation of phase equilibria involving MgH₂ and Mg₂NiH_{4 – δ} and Mg₂NiH_x (0 < x < 0.3) solid solutions in the practically important field with high magnesium content area was revised. The possibility of MgH₂ mechanocomposites with Mg₂NiH_{4 – δ} and Mg₂NiHx for use as magnesium intercalating agents and alternative intercalating agents—organomagnesium compounds were considered.     

Multicomponent systems LiCl–LiBr–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiCl–LiBr–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Phase equilibria in the LiCl–LiBr–Li₂SO₄ ternary system and the LiCl–LiBr–Li₂SO₄–Li₂MoO₄ quaternary system were studied by differential thermal analysis. The compositions and temperatures of minima in the ternary and quaternary systems were determined to be (31.2 mol % LiCl, 46.8 mol % LiBr, 22.0 mol % Li₂SO₄, 460°C) and (25.2 mol % LiCl, 30.2 mol % LiBr, 14.6 mol % Li₂SO₄, 30.0 mol % Li₂MoO₄, 411°C), respectively.     

Impedance Study of the Conductivity of Solid Oxide Electrolyte Films SrZr<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>O<Subscript>3–δ</Subscript> and CaZr<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>3–δ</Subscript>

Information on the across-plane conductivity of films of solid-oxide electrolytes SrZr_0.95Y_0.05O_3–δ and CaZr_0.9Y_0.1O_3–δ deposited on ion-conducting supports is acquired by the impedance method. It is shown that the support/film interface and the intergrain boundaries considerably affect the across-plane charge transfer in the film. The effect of the crystallographic orientation of the YSZ support on the microstructure and conductivity of the CaZr_0.9Y_0.1O_3–δ electrolyte film is demonstrated.     

Sol–Gel Synthesis of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> Glasses and their Characterization by NMR,SNMS, and AFM

Sodium aluminophosphate samples with composition 43.8Na₂O12.5Al₂O₃43.8P₂O₅ were prepared by the sol–gel route using different precursors and working in different pH ranges from pH < 1 up to pH > 10. The structures of the gels and of the corresponding glasses were investigated by solid state NMR and compared to that of a glass with the same composition prepared by a traditional melting process. In addition to bulk materials, thin films were deposited by dip coating on silica glasses. Applying secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), the expected elements and residual carbon were identified. The surfaces of the coatings and fracture surfaces of bulk material were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Solid state NMR revealed that samples prepared via a lactate route exhibited local Al and P environments closest to that of the melt-prepared glass, with the highest extent of Al-O-P connectivity.