Nanocrystallization of hydrogen-charged Mg<Subscript>76</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>19</Subscript>Y<Subscript>5</Subscript> amorphous alloy

The crystallization of a hydrogen-charged melt-spun Mg₇₆Ni₁₉Y₅ amorphous alloy was studied in order to understand the influence of hydrogen absorbed on the crystallization kinetics and mechanism. Hydrogenation does not affect the thermal stability, but decreases significantly the enthalpy of crystallization. The glass transition, which is well manifested in the hydrogen-free alloy, is not observed after hydrogen charging. The main crystalline phases in the H-free and H-charged alloys are the same after complete transformation, but with finer microstructure for the hydrogenated samples.Analysis of the crystallization kinetics reveals that during annealing of hydrogen charged Mg₇₆Ni₁₉Y₅ growth of nanocrystals surrounded by amorphous phase takes place just in the beginning of the transformation, followed by grain growth in fully crystallized material, which is the main process.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Silicon nitride nanofibers produced by the pyrolysis of SiCl<Subscript>4</Subscript> in H<Subscript>2</Subscript> and N<Subscript>2</Subscript> media

The synthesis of fibrous Si₃N₄ nanostructures by gas-phase chemical deposition during the pyrolysis of silicon tetrachloride in a hydrogen and nitrogen atmosphere was investigated. It was shown that the products contained both amorphous Si₃N₄ nanofibers and their α and β phases both with and without a silicon coating. In addition to the Si₃N₄ nanofibers the products also contained nanoribbons. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 81–84, March–April, 2007.     

Formation of nanocrystalline structures in the Ln<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MO<Subscript>2</Subscript> systems (Ln = Gd,Dy; M = Zr,Hf)

The formation of (Ln³⁺)₂(M⁴⁺)₂O₇ (Ln = Gd, Dy; M = Zr, Hf) nanocrystallites obtained by annealing mixed hydroxides LnM(OH)₇ · nH₂O (precursors) synthesized by coprecipitation has been studied by synchronous thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (normal and anomalous diffraction of synchrotron radiation), and EXAFS. In the systems under consideration, heat treatment of the X-ray amorphous precursors leads to their dehydration, and at 600–700°C, nanocrystallites with an fcc structure of disordered fluorite start forming. A further increase in temperature is accompanied by crystallite growth (CDD) and considerable change in the local structure of the heat-treated compounds. The crystallization enthalpies and activation energies have been determined.     

Non-isothermal studies on crystallization kinetics of tellurite 20Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-80TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glass

Structural and thermal properties of the 20Li₂O-80TeO₂ glass were studied using X-ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques to understand and control the crystallization process on this glass. The γ-TeO₂, α-TeO₂ and α-Li₂Te₂O₅ phases were identified during the crystallization in this glass. Activation energies and Avrami exponent n were calculated from non-isothermal measurements for glasses with different particle size. The mean values of Avrami exponent were obtained for glasses with 63–75 and 45–63 μm particle sizes such as , but glasses with particle size 38–45 μm and smaller than 38 g,m presented .     

A Novel Uranyl Complex with Dimeric Lacunary Polyoxoanion: [(A-α-SiW<Subscript>9</Subscript>O<Subscript>33</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>K{UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>11−</Superscript>

A novel uranyl complex with dimeric lacunary polyoxoanion like open-mouthed clam, Na₅[(A-α-SiW₉O₃₃H₃)₂K{UO₂(H₂O)}₂], was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the anion, two A-α-SiW₉O₃₄¹⁰⁻ groups share two terminal oxygen atoms O_d′ derived from removal of three corner-shared W atoms from saturated α-Keggin anion, forming a dimeric anion with an open mouth in which potassium ion and uranyl ions are coordinated. Uranium atom adopts a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. The coordinating anions are linked by sodium ions via coordination of terminal or bridging oxygen atoms, forming two-dimensional layer arrangement. Between the layers are the hydrogen bonds from which a supramolecular architecture is created. UV–VIS spectrum gives W–O and U–O charge transfer transitions at 230–265 and 432 nm, showing the change of geometry of the polyanion and weakening of the U–O bonds of the uranyl cation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Some studies on the phase formation and kinetics in TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> containing lithium aluminum silicate glasses nucleated by P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>

Lithium aluminum silicate (LAS) glasses of compositions (wt%) 10.6Li₂O–71.7SiO₂–7.1Al₂O₃–4.9K₂O–3.2B₂O₃–1.25P₂O₅–1.25TiO₂ were prepared by the melt quench technique. Crystallization kinetics was investigated by the method of Kissinger and Augis–Bennett using differential thermal analysis (DTA). Based on the DTA data, glass ceramics were prepared by single-, two-, and three-step heat treatment schedules. The interdependence of different phases formed, microstructure, thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) and microhardness (MH) was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA), and microhardness (MH) measurements. Crystallization kinetics revealed that Li₂SiO₃ is the kinetically favored phase with activation energy of 91.10 kJ/mol. An Avrami exponent of n = 3.33 indicated the dominance of bulk crystallization. Based upon the formation of phases, it was observed that the two-stage heat treatment results in highest TEC glass ceramics. The single-step heat treatment yielded glass ceramics with the highest MH.     

Phase relations in the Zn<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>-Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> system from room temperature to melting

Phase relations in the Zn₂V₂O₇-Cu₂V₂O₇ system were studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. The major phase constituents of the system are solid solutions based on Zn₂V₂O₇ and Cu₂V₂O₇ polymorphs and their coexistence regions. The generation of α-Zn_{2 − 2x} Cu_2x V₂O₇ solid solution, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.30, leaves almost unchanged the stabilization temperature of the high-temperature zinc pyrovanadate phase. The α-Cu_{2 − 2x} Zn_2x V₂O₇ homogeneity range is 5 mol % Zn₂V₂O₇. In the range 0.050 ≤ x ≤ 0.09 from 20 to ∼ 620°C, there is the two-phase field of α-Cu₂V₂O₇ and β-Cu₂V₂O₇ base solid solutions. At still higher temperatures, β-Zn_{2 − 2x} Cu_2x V₂O₇ and α-Cu_{2 − 2x} Zn_2x V₂O₇ coexist in the mixed-phase region. β-Zn_{2 − 2x} Cu_2x V₂O₇ solid solution, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.30, exists above 610 ± 5°C. The extent of the β′-Cu₂V₂O₇-base solid solution is 9 to 65 mol % Zn₂V₂O₇ at 615 ± 5°C, expanding to 0 mol % Zn₂V₂O₇ with rising temperature. Original Russian Text ￠ T.I. Krasnenko, M.V. Rotermel’, S.A. Petrova, R.G. Zakharov, O.V. Sivtsova, A.N. Chvanova, 2008, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 10, pp. 1755–1762.     

Crystallization and Phase Stability of CaSO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and CaSO<Subscript>4</Subscript> – Based Salts

Summary.  Calcium sulfate occurs in nature in form of three different minerals distinguished by the degree of hydration: gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O), hemihydrate (CaSO₄·0.5H₂O) and anhydrite (CaSO₄). On the one hand the conversion of these phases into each other takes place in nature and on the other hand it represents the basis of gypsum-based building materials. The present paper reviews available phase diagram and crystallization kinetics information on the formation of calcium sulfate phases, including CaSO₄-based double salts and solid solutions. Uncertainties in the solubility diagram CaSO₄–H₂O due to slow crystallization kinetics particularly of anhydrite cause uncertainties in the stable branch of crystallization. Despite several attempts to fix the transition temperatures of gypsum–anhydrite and gypsum–hemihydrate by especially designed experiments or thermodynamic data analysis, they still vary within a range from 42–60°C and 80–110°C. Electrolyte solutions decrease the transition temperatures in dependence on water activity. Dry or wet dehydration of gypsum yields hemihydrates (α-, β-) with different thermal and re-hydration behaviour, the reason of which is still unclear. However, crystal morphology has a strong influence. Gypsum forms solid solutions by incorporating the ions HPO₄ ²⁻, HAsO₄ ²⁻, SeO₄ ²⁻, CrO₄ ²⁻, as well as ion combinations Na⁺(H₂PO₄)⁻ and Ln³⁺(PO₄)³⁻. The channel structure of calcium sulfate hemihydrate allows for more flexible ion substitutions. Its ion substituted phases and certain double salts of calcium sulfate seem to play an important role as intermediates in the conversion kinetics of gypsum into anhydrite or other anhydrous double salts in aqueous solutions. The same is true for the opposite process of anhydrite hydration to gypsum. Knowledge about stability ranges (temperature, composition) of double salts with alkaline and alkaline earth sulfates (esp. Na₂SO₄, K₂SO₄, MgSO₄, SrSO₄) under anhydrous and aqueous conditions is still very incomplete, despite some progress made for the systems Na₂SO₄–CaSO₄ and K₂SO₄–CaSO₄–H₂O. Corresponding author. E-mail: daniela.freyer@chemie.tu-freiberg.de Received December 17, 2002; accepted January 10, 2003 Published online April 3, 2003     

Isothermal crystallization kinetics of Fe<Subscript>75</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>5</Subscript>P<Subscript>9</Subscript>B<Subscript>4</Subscript>C<Subscript>7</Subscript> metallic glass with cost-effectiveness and desirable merits

In this work, the isothermal crystallization kinetics of cost-effective Fe₇₅Cr₅P₉B₄C₇ metallic glass with a combination of desired merits synthesized by industrial ferro-alloys without high-purity materials was evaluated by Johnson–Mehl–Avrami approach using differential scanning calorimeter. The Avrami exponents at all isothermal annealing temperatures range from about 2.93 to 4.61, indicating a three-dimensional diffusion-controlled growth with an increasing nucleation rate during the isothermal crystallization. Meanwhile, the Avrami exponent firstly increases from 2.93 at the initial time to a maximum value of 4.61 and then decreases to 4.09 with the increment of the isothermal annealing temperature, which can be attributed to the atomic diffusion in the alloy. Additionally, the trend of the local Avrami exponent variations at different isothermal annealing temperatures reflects a variable crystallization mechanism during the crystallization process. Moreover, the local activation energy determined by Arrhenius equation gradually decreases from about 412 to 383 kJ mol^?1 during the present isothermal crystallization, further revealing that the process is dominated by a three-dimensional diffusion-controlled growth with an increasing nucleation rate, which provides useful insights into the formation of the present alloy.     

Synthesis,structure, and third-order nonlinear optical properties of W/S cluster [Fe(DMF)<Subscript>6</Subscript>][W<Subscript>2</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-S)<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

The homometal cluster [Fe(DMF)₆][W₂(μ₂-S)₂S₄] (I) was successfully synthesized by low-temperature solid-state reactions. X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies suggest that compound I is a dinuclear anion cluster. The compound was characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and UV-Vis spectra. The third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the cluster were also investigated and exhibited nice nonlinear saturation absorption (α₂ < 0) that is rarer than reverse saturation absorption (α₂ > 0) and self-defocusing property (n ₂ < 0) and self-defocusing performance with modulus of the hyperpolarizabilities (9.547 × 10⁻³¹ esu) for I. The article was submitted by the authors in English.     

Preparation and characterization of the Ti/IrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> as supercapacitor electrode materials

WO₃ films have been prepared onto IrO₂-coated Ti substrate by electro-deposition, and as-deposited and annealed films have been characterized by using Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the asdeposited film consists of orthorhombic WO₃ · H₂O phase, which transforms to amorphous WO₃ by annealing at 250°C and to monoclinic phase by annealing at and above 350°C. All electrochemical experiments were carried on Ti/IrO₂/WO₃ annealed at 450°C. The open-circuit potential could change significantly due to the hydration of the coating film. However this process is fairly slow. Reproducible voltammograms could be obtained quickly, further revealing high electrochemical stability of the Ti/IrO₂/WO₃ electrode. And the shapes of CV show the approximate rectangular mirror image, showing the typical characteristic of capacitive behavior. The specific capacitance obtained at a scan rate of 50 mV s⁻¹ is 46 F g⁻¹.     

Thermal study of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> yellow ceramic pigment obtained by the Pechini method

TiO₂–CeO₂ oxides for application as ceramic pigments were synthesized by the Pechini method. In the present work the polymeric network of the pigment precursor was studied using thermal analysis. Results obtained using TG and DTA showed the occurrence of three main mass loss stages and profiles associated to the decomposition of the organic matter and crystallization. The kinetics of the degradation was evaluated by means of TG applying different heating rates. The activation energies (E _a) and reaction order (n) for each stage were determined using Horowitz–Metzger, Coats–Redfern, Kissinger and Broido methods. Values of E _a varying between 257–267 kJ mol^–1 and n=0–1 were found. According to the kinetic analysis the decomposition reactions were diffusion controlled.     

Synthesis and crystallization kinetics of the novel ion exchanger Na<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>10</Subscript> for cesium removal

Thermodynamics and crystallization kinetics of the hydrothermal synthesis of Na₄Ti₄Si₃O₁₀ (NaTS) were systemically studied by both experiments and model simulation. Experimental results showed that the curve of crystallinity with time was a characteristic signmoid in the shape that indicated the crystallization of Na₄Ti₄Si₃O₁₀ was a typical spontaneous nucleation process on the laboratory scale. Crystallization of NaTS belongs to the liquid-liquid transformation mechanism and the reaction is endothermic (ΔH = 15.3 kJ/mol). A mathematic model of crystallization kinetics was developed to simulate the synthesis of NaTS. Runge-Kutta and simplex methods were adopted to solve the partial differential equations. Model results fitted well with the experimental data and showed that the synthesis process belongs to spontaneous nucleation and crystal growth. Moreover, the very small crystal growth constant (5.6·10⁻⁷) and gel dissolution constant (7.0·10⁻⁷) indicate they are the rate-limiting steps of the whole synthesis process.     

Electrochemical Characterisations of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–13%TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Coated by Atmospheric Plasma Spray

Atmospheric plasma sprayed alumina–titania (Al₂O₃–13%TiO₂), coated on stainless steel (XC18), were characterized. The coating structure and morphology were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Their presented micro cracks, laminar splats. The coatings were studied by X-ray diffraction. The main phase transformation is that of α-Al₂O₃ into metastable γ-Al₂O₃. The α-Al₂O₃ phase is due to the occurrence of partially melted particles Electrochemical behaviours of coatings were mainly investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 0.01 M [K₃Fe(CN)₆/K₄Fe(CN)₆] as a function of process parameters. Also, schematic equivalent circuit was proposed. The results were expected to facilitate the understanding and improvement of the coating behaviours.     

Crystallization process analysis for Se<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>In<Subscript>0.05</Subscript> and Se<Subscript>0.90</Subscript>In<Subscript>0.10</Subscript> chalcogenide glasses using the contemporary isoconversional models

Carrying out crystallization studies for both Se_0.95In_0.05 and Se_0.90In_0.10 chalcogenide glasses under non-isothermal conditions at different heating rates, it was realized that a rate controlling process occurs where random nucleation of one- to two-dimensional growth is accompanied with the introduction of up to 10 at% In into glassy Se matrix. The crystallization kinetics together with its dimensionality has been studied using the four currently used isoconversional models (Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Ozawa–Flynn–Wall, Tang, and Starink). The activation energy of crystallization (E _c) has been determined using these indicated four models where a satisfactory concurrence is achieved. The value of E _c shows a decrease while increasing both the In-content as well as the extent of crystallization.     

Non-isothermal kinetics of the thermal decomposition of sodium oxalate Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The thermal transformation of Na₂C₂O₄ was studied in N₂ atmosphere using thermo gravimetric (TG) analysis and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Na₂C₂O₄ and its decomposed product were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). The non-isothermal kinetic of the decomposition was studied by the mean of Ozawa and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) methods. The activation energies (E _α) of Na₂C₂O₄ decomposition were found to be consistent. Decreasing E _α at increased decomposition temperature indicated the multi-step nature of the process. The possible conversion function estimated through the Liqing–Donghua method was ‘cylindrical symmetry (R₂ or F_1/2)’ of the phase boundary mechanism. Thermodynamic functions (ΔH*, ΔG* and ΔS*), calculated by the Activated complex theory and kinetic parameters, indicated that the decomposition step is a high energy pathway and revealed a very hard mechanism.     

Non-isothermal decomposition kinetics of NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles synthesized using egg white solution route

The thermal decomposition kinetics of nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) precursor prepared using egg white solution route in dynamical air atmosphere was studied by means of TG with different heating rates. The activation energy (E _α) values of one reaction process were estimated using the methods of Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), which were found to be consistent. The dependent activation energies on extent of conversions of the decomposition reaction indicate “multi-step” processes. XRD, SEM and FTIR showed that the synthesized NiFe₂O₄ precursor after calcination at 773 K has a pure spinel phase, having particle sizes of ~54 ± 29 nm.     

Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of Ti<Subscript>20</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>20</Subscript>Hf<Subscript>20</Subscript>Be<Subscript>20</Subscript>(Cu<Subscript>50</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>50</Subscript>)<Subscript>20</Subscript> high-entropy bulk metallic glass

The crystallization transformation kinetics of Ti₂₀Zr₂₀Hf₂₀Be₂₀(Cu₅₀Ni₅₀)₂₀ high-entropy bulk metallic glass under non-isothermal conditions are investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. The alloy shows two distinct crystallization events. The activation energies of the crystallization events are determined using Kissinger, Ozawa and Augis–Bennett methodologies. Further, we observe that similar values are obtained using the three equations. The activation energy of the initial crystallization event is observed to be slightly small as compared to that of the second event. This implies that the initial crystallization event may have been easier to be occurred. The local activation energy (E(x)) maximizes in the initial stage of crystallization and keeps dropping in subsequent crystallization process. The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics are further analyzed using the modified Johnson–Mehl–Avrami (JMA) equation. Further, the Avrami exponent values are observed to be 1.5 < n(x) < 2.5 for approximately the entire period of the initial crystallization event and for most instances (0.1 < x < 0.6) of the second crystallization event, which implies that the mechanism of crystallization is significantly controlled by diffusion-controlled two- and three-dimensional growth along with a decreasing nucleation rate.     

Electron interactions in the (η<Superscript>2</Superscript>-C<Subscript>60</Subscript>)Pd[P(Ph<Subscript>2</Subscript>)C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe complex

The electronic structure of the (η²-C₆₀)Pd[P(Ph₂)C₅H₄]₂Fe complex was calculated by the “hybrid” B3LYP method. Comparison of the experimental X-ray emission C-Kα spectrum and theoretical spectrum of the compound demonstrated that the electron interactions between the C₆₀ core, palladium atom, and organometallic fragment are described correctly in the framework of the quantum chemical method used. The electronic structure of the organometallic fullerene complex can be presented as a set of blocks of orbitals corresponding to different types of chemical bond. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2640–2644, December, 2005.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Structure of [Fe(2,2′-bipy)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[α-Mo<Subscript>8</Subscript>O<Subscript>26</Subscript>]: An α-Octamolybdate-Supported Compound Formed During the Diffuse Process

The α-octamolybdate-supported compound: [Fe(2,2′-bipy)₃]₂[α-Mo₈O₂₆] has been unexpectedly synthesized during a diffuse process and characterized by the IR spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and the single crystal X-ray diffraction. The title compound exhibits an interesting 3D honeycomb ‘host’ supramolecular network with 1D channels, in which only α-octamolybdate anions ‘guests’ reside. The title compound shows the anisotropic property and probably will be applied as a novel semiconductor in the future.