Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of ferrites ErM<Superscript>I</Superscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> (M<Superscript>I</Superscript> = Li,Na, K,Cs)

Ferrites of composition ErM^IFe₂O₅ (M^I = Li, Na, K, Cs) were synthesized by a solid-phase method. The structure of the ferrites was for the first time studied by X-ray powder diffraction. Crystal systems, unit cell parameters, and X-ray and pycnometric densities were determined. For ErLiFe₂O₅, a = 10.510 Å, c = 14.270 Å, V°= 1616.16 ų, Z = 16, V _subcell ^° = 101.01 ų, ρ_x = 6.01 g/cm³, ρ_pyc = 5.97 ± 0.04 g/cm³; for ErNaFe₂O₅, a = 10.519 Å, c = 15.510 Å, V° = 1759.56 ų, Z = 16, V _subcell ^° = 109.90 ų, ρ_x = 5.77 g/cm³, ρ_pyc = 5.72 ± 0.08 g/cm³; for ErKFe₂O₅, a = 11.050 Å, c = 15.480 Å, V° = 1937.33 ų, Z = 16, V _subcell ^° = 121.08 ų, ρ_x = 5.46 g/cm³, ρ_pyc = 5.41 ± 0.04 g/cm³; and for ErCsFe₂O₅, a = 10.78 Å, c = 16.01 Å, V° = 1905.37 ų, Z = 16, V _subcell ^° = 119.09 ų, ρ_x = 6.86 g/cm³, ρ_pyc = 6.61 ± 0.01 g/cm³.     

Manganites NdMg<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>I</Superscript></Stack>Mg<Subscript>3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> (M<Superscript>I</Superscript> = Li,Na, K): X-ray diffraction data

NdLi₃Mg₃Mn₄O₁₂, NdNa₃Mg₃Mn₄O₁₂, and NdK₃Mg₃Mn₄O₁₂ manganites were synthesized for the first time by solid phase reactions of neodymium(III) and manganese(III) oxides with lithium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium carbonates. X-ray diffraction showed that the compounds crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system. Their unit cell parameters were determined.     

Thermal expansion of ternary oxides in the M<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>I</Superscript></Stack>O-Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

Compounds formed in the M₂^IO-Cr₂O₃-TiO₂. system were synthesized by solid-state reactions. These compounds crystallize in hollandite- and spinel-type structures. The features of themal decomposition of the compounds with the compositions M₂^ICr₂Ti₆O₁₆(M^I = Na, K, Cs) and LiCrTiO₄ were revealed, and their thermal expansion coefficients were determined with the use of high-temperature X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Crystal-chemical analysis of the structures of minerals with [Hg<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> dumbbells

An analysis of the structures of minerals with [Hg₂]²⁺ dumbbells including poyarkovite [Hg₂]₃Cl₂O₂, shakhovite [Hg₂]₂Sb(OH)₃O₃, vasilyevite Hg₂₀O₆I₃Br₂Cl(CO₃), and kelyanite [Hg₂]₆[SbO₆]BrCl₂ was carried out. The determining factor in structure formation is the ordering of the centers of the cluster groups of mercury and large anions by systems of equidistant parallel planes with d _hkl ～ 2.5–4.5 Å. The different combinations of atoms and fragments in the structure are ordered by their own pseudotranslation lattices; this probably reflects the stages of crystallization. The crystal structures under study are examples of balance between the local interatomic interactions and the forces that create long-range order for different stoichiometries, masses, and sizes of components.     

Photocatalysis enhancement of CaAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>@TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite powders

CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺@TiO₂ composite powders were synthesized by a sol–gel method under mild conditions (i.e. low temperature and ambient pressure). The as-prepared powders were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic behavior of the TiO₂-base surfaces was evaluated by the degradation of nitrogen monoxide gas. It suggested that CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺@TiO₂ composite powders were composed of anatase titania and that CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺. TiO₂ particles were deposited on the surface of CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺ to form uniform film. CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺@TiO₂ composite powders exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared with pure TiO₂ under visible light. And the result also clearly indicated that the long afterglow phosphor absorbed and stored lights for the TiO₂ to remain photocatalytic activity in the dark.     

Synthesis and X-ray investigation of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Pd(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>] and Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Pd(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

Powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been performed for anhydrous nitrate complexes Rb₂[Pd(NO₃)₄] (I) and Cs₂[Pd(NO₃)₄] (II). Crystal data for I: a = 7.843(1) Å, b = 7.970(1) Å, c = 9.725(1) Å; β = 100.39(1)°, V = 597.9(1) Å ³, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, d _calc = 2.918 g/cm³; for II: a = 10.309(2) Å, b = 10.426(2) Å, c = 11.839(2) Å; β = 108.17(3)°, V = 1209.0(4) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, d ^calc = 3.408 g/cm³. The structures are formed by isolated [Pd(NO₃)₄]^2? complex anions and alkali metal cations. The plane-square environment of the Pd atom is formed from the oxygen atoms of the monodentate nitrate groups. The geometrical characteristics of the complex anions are analyzed. Compound II has a short contact Pd...Cs 3.252 Å.     

Structural investigation of [Au(en)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]Cl(ReO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> and [Au(en)<Subscript>2</Subscript>](ReO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> complexes

Novel complex salts [Au(en)₂]Cl(ReO₄)₂ (I) and [Au(en)₂](ReO₄)₃ (II), en = ethylenediamine, are obtained. Their crystal structures are determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex I crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system: a = 6.2172(7) Å, b = 7.1644(8) Å, c = 8.8829(8) Å, α = 96.605(4)°, β = 110.000(4)°, γ = 97.802(4)°, P-1 space group, Z = 1, d _x = 3.905 g/cm³; complex II crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system: a = 15.244(2) Å, b = 7.6809(8) Å, c = 9.3476(12) Å, β = 127.004(3)°, C2 space group, Z = 4, d _x = 4.057 g/cm³.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and vibrational spectra of M<Subscript>4</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> (M = K,Rb, Cs)

Synthesis was performed and physicochemical properties were studied for the M₄V₂O₃(SO₄)₄ complexes, where M = K, Rb, or Cs. Their crystal structures were determined using the set of data from X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction studies. All compounds crystallize in a triclinic lattice (space group \(P\bar 1\), Z = 2) with the parameters: a = 7.7688(2), 7.8487(1), 8.1234(1) Å; b = 10.4918(3), 10.8750(2), 11.1065(1) Å; c = 11.9783(4), 12.1336(2), and 11.8039(1) Å; α = 76.600(2)°, 77.910(1)°, 79.589(1)°; β = 75.133(2)°, 75.718(1)°, 87.939(1)°; γ = 71.285(2)°, 72.189(1)°, 75.567(1)°; V = 881.78(5), 945.42(3), 1014.34(2) ų for K, Rb, Cs, respectively. The structure of M₄V₂O₃(SO₄)₄ was found to be formed by discrete complex anions V₂O₃(SO₄) ₄ ^4? incorporating two oxygen-bridged vanadium atoms in a distorted octahedral oxygen environment. The sulfate groups are coordinated by the vanadium atoms in the chelating mode with a large scatter of S-O interatomic distances and OSO angles. Every VO₆ octahedron has a short terminal vanadium-oxygen bond with a length of about 1.6Å. The V₂O₃(SO₄) ₄ ^4? complex anions in potassium and rubidium compounds differ from that in Cs₄V₂O₃(SO₄)₄ in the type of symmetry and mutual spatial orientation. The vibrational spectra were presented and interpreted in line with the structural analysis data.     

Crystal structure and <Superscript>121,123</Superscript>Sb NQR parameters of ammonium tridecafluorotetraantimonate(III) NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>4</Subscript>F<Subscript>13</Subscript>

(NH₄)Sb₄F₁₃ crystals (I) are synthesized and their crystal structure (tetragonal crystal system: a = 9.6431(2) Å, c = 6.5503(2) Å, V = 609.11(3) ų, Z = 2, d _calc = 4.100 g/cm³, F(000) = 664, space group I4?) is determined. The main structural units of I are tetranuclear anionic [Sb₄F₁₃]^? complexes and [NH₄]⁺ cations. The anionic complexes are built of four SbF₃ groups linked together by tetrahedral bridging fluorine atom. At room temperature the (NH₄)Sb₄F₁₃ crystals are isostructural to previously studied МSb₄F₁₃ (М = K, Rb, Cs, and Tl). The study of ^121,123Sb NQR spectra of compound I is performed in a range of 77-370 K, which shows that when the temperature decreases (<250 K) the substance exhibits piezoelectric properties, as do other compounds of this group, but with a violation of their isostructurality.     

Composition and structure of solid solutions in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-V<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>5+</Superscript></Stack>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> system with the structure sillenite

In the Bi₂O₃-SiO₂-V₂⁵⁺+O₅ system, single crystal solid solutions of the sillenite family of the general composition Bi₂₄(Bi,Si,V)₂O₄₀ are obtained by a hydrothermal method and for the first time characterized by neutron and X-ray diffraction analysis. The tetrahedral position is found to contain vanadium ions with different formal charges (V⁴⁺ and V⁵⁺) responsible for green and orange colors, respectively, of the samples. For the first time, for some sillenites of this system dissymmetrization of the structure (a transition from the I23 space group into P23) is revealed, which is caused by the presence of several atoms in one crystallographic position and also by crystal growth conditions.     

Adsorption behavior of <Superscript>99</Superscript>Tc on Fe,Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Summary The adsorption of ⁹⁹Tc on the adsorbers Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ was studied by batch experiments under aerobic and anoxic conditions. The effects of pH and CO₃^2- concentration of the simulated ground water on the adsorption ratios were also investigated, and the valences of Tc in solution after the adsorption equilibrium were studied by solvent extraction. The adsorption isotherms of TcO₄- on the adsorbers Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ were determined. Experimental results have shown that the adsorption ratio of Tc on Fe decreases with the increase of pH in the range of 5-12 and increases with the decrease of the CO₃^2- concentration in the range of 10^-8M-10^-2M. Under aerobic conditions, the adsorption ratios of ⁹⁹Tc on Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ were not influenced by pH and CO₃^2-concentration. When Fe was used as adsorbent, Tc existed mainly in the form of Tc(IV) after equilibrium and in the form of Tc(VII) when the adsorbent was Fe₂O₃ or Fe₃O₄ under aerobic conditions. The adsorption ratios of Tc on Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ decreased with the increase of pH in the range of 5-12 and increased with the decrease of the CO₃^2- concentration in the range of 10^-8M-10^-2M under anoxic conditions. Tc existed mainly in the form of Tc(IV) after equilibrium when Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ was the adsorbent under anoxic conditions. The adsorption isotherms of TcO_4- on the adsorbers Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ are fairly in agreement with the Freundlich’s equation under both aerobic and anoxic conditions.     

Two color up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowders prepared by non-aqueous sol-gel method

Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol-gel method using the aluminum isopropoxide as precursor, acetylacetone as a chelating agent, nitric acid as a catalyzer, and hydrated erbium nitrate as a dopant under isopropanol environment. The different phase structure, including three crystalline types of (Al, Er)₂O₃ phases, α, γ, θ, and an Er–Al–O stoichiometric compound phase, Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄, was observed for the 0.01–0.5 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the sintering temperature of 1,000 °C. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978 nm semiconductor laser diodes excitation. With increasing Er³⁺ doping concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions increased with a decrease of the intensity ratio of the green to red emission. When the Er³⁺ doping concentration rose to 5 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions decreased with an increase of their intensity ratio. The maximum intensity of both the green and red emissions with the minimum of intensity ratio was obtained, respectively, for the 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders composed of a single α-(Al,Er)₂O₃ phase. The intensity ratio of the green emission at 523 and 545 nm increased monotonously for all Er³⁺ doping concentrations. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process was involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions of the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders.     

Chemistry of the CARBEX process: Identification of absorption bands of the ligands in the electronic spectra of aqueous solutions of Na<Subscript>4</Subscript>[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>)CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

On the basis of consideration of dissociation, hydration, association, and ligand exchange, the assignment of absorption bands in the electronic spectra of aqueous solutions of the Na₄[UO₂(O₂)CO₃)₂] complex has been performed. It has been demonstrated that the absorption in the range 190–400 nm is caused by the oxygen atoms of the O₂^2- and CO₃^2- groups and hydration water molecules of dissociated and neutral complex species Na₃[UO₂(O₂)(CO₃)₂]^–, Na₂[UO₂(O₂)(CO₃)₂]^2–, and Na₄[UO₂(O₂)(CO₃)₂].     

Study of the monocarbonate complex of pentavalent neptunium (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)[NpO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)]

The single crystals of the Np(V) complex (NH₄)[NpO₂(CO₃)] (I) were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. At 100 K, the crystals are hexagonal, space group P6₃ μmc, a = 5.0734(1) Å, c = 10.9191(2) Å, V= 243.399(11) ų, Z = 2, ρ(calcd) = 4.735 g/cm³. The absorption spectra of a crystal of I in the visible and infrared ranges were measured.     

Opposite effect of Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> codoping on the upconversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders

The Er³⁺-Li⁺ codoped TiO₂ powders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol–gel method. The green and red upconversion emissions centered at about 526, 550 and 663 nm were observed by the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, respectively. Li⁺ codoping has opposite effect on the upconversion emissions intensities for Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ at sintering temperatures of 1,073 and 1,273 K. At 1,073 K, the Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ phase transition from anatase to rutile was accelerated with increasing Li⁺ codoping concentration, leading to the increase of crystal field symmetry of Er³⁺, thus the upconversion emissions intensities decreased. At 1,273 K, Li⁺ codoping had no effect on the phase structure of Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ and only increased the Er–O bond length, it indicated that the upconversion emissions intensities greatly enhanced because of the decrease of crystal field symmetry of Er³⁺.     

Five-component reciprocal systems Na,K∥Cl,CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>,MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>,WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Na,K∥F,CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>,MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>,WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Five-component reciprocal systems Na,K∥Cl,CO₃,MoO₄,WO₄ and Na,K∥F,CO₃,MO₄,WO₄ have been studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray powder diffraction (XPD). The systems have been triangulated to phase simplexes. The main reciprocal and complex-formation reactions have been revealed. The stability of [Na,K]₂CO₃, Na₂[Mo,W]O₄, and K₂[Mo,W]O₄ binary solid solutions and the nonexistence of quintuple invariant points in the title systems have been verified.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a supramolecular adduct of the aqua nitrato complex of gadolinium [Gd(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>7</Subscript>]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> with macrocyclic cavitand cucurbit[6]uril

A supramolecular adduct of gadolinium aqua nitrato complex and cucurbit[6]uril { [Gd(NO₃)(H₂O)₇](C₅H₅N)@(C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)}(NO₃)₂·10H₂O is obtained by slow diffusion of methanol into an aqueous solution containing gadolinium nitrate, pyridine, and cucurbit[6]uril. According to single crystal X-ray diffraction data, water molecules coordinated to metal atom make hydrogen bonds to polarized carbonyl groups of the macrocycle. The heptaaquanitratogadolinium(III) [Gd(NO₃)(H₂O)₇]²⁺ cation is structurally characterized for the first time. Crystal system is triclinic, space group \(P\overline 1 \), a = 12.3137(4) Å, b = 14.2334(5) Å, c = 19.5629(6) Å; α = 80.850(1)°, β = 86.879(1)°, γ = 68.855(1)°; V = 3157.15(18) ų, Z = 2. Oriented hydrogen-bonded chains of alternating cucurbit[6]uril molecules and gadolinium aqua cations form in the crystal structure.     

Silicate complexation of NpO<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript> ion in perchlorate media

Complexation behavior of NpO₂ ⁺ with ortho-silicic acid (o-SA) has been studied using solvent extraction at ionic strengths varying from 0.10 to 1.00M (NaClO₄) at pcH 3.68±0.08 and 25 °C with bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) as the extractant. The stability constant value (log β₁) for the 1:1 complex, NpO₂(OSi(OH)₃), was found to decrease with increase in ionic strength of the aqueous phase [6.83±0.01 at I=0.10M to 6.51±0.02 at I = 1.00M]. These values have been fitted in the SIT model expression and compared with similar values of complexation of the metal ions Am³⁺, Eu³⁺, UO₂ ²⁺, PuO₂ ²⁺, Np⁴⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺. The speciation of NpO₂ ⁺-o-silicate/carbonate system has been calculated as a function of pcH under ground water conditions. On leave from Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai-400 085, India.     

Crystal structure of M<Superscript>I</Superscript>VWO<Subscript>6</Subscript> (M = Li,Na) compounds

Compounds of the composition M^IVWO₆ (M = Li, Na) were prepared by solid-phase synthesis at 600°C. The compounds crystallize in the mineral brannerite structure type. The sodium derivative was prepared and identified for the first time. The crystal structures of the compounds were refined by the Rietveld method (space group C2/m).     

Novel large heteropolymetalate complexes formed from Ni(II) and cryptate [As<Subscript>4</Subscript>W<Subscript>40</Subscript>O<Subscript>140</Subscript><Superscript>28-</Superscript>

The heteropolytungstate (NH4)₂₀[Na2(H₂O)₂Ni(H₂O)₅{Ni(H₂O)}₂As₄W₄₀O₁₄₀] · 61H₂O is obtained by the reaction of Na₂₇[NaAs₄W₄₀O₁₄₀] · 60H₂O with NiCl₂ · 6H₂O and NH₄Cl in pH≈4.0. The structure and chemical composition are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and element analysis. The crystal data and main structure refinement are: a = 1.33135(18) nm, b = 1.9722(3) nm, c = 3.6430(5) nm, α = 78.010(2)°, β = 82.145(2)δ, γ = 74.385(2)°, V = 8.978(2) nm³, triclinic crystal system, space group: P1, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0512, and wR2 = 0.0684(I >2σ). The four S2 sites of the big cyclic ligand [As₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]^28- are occupied by two Na⁺ and two Ni²⁺ respectively, and each site supplies four O_d coordinating to metal ion. The coordination number of Ni²⁺ is six, and that of two Na⁺ is five and six respectively. The third Ni²⁺ locates outside the cyclic [As₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]^28- and connects with one O_d, and its coordination number is six.