Improved electrochemical performances of core-shell Cu2O/Cu composite prepared by a simple one-step method

Core-shell Cu₂O/Cu composites were successfully prepared by over-reduction of aqueous CuSO₄ with hydrazine hydrate as reductant. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) clearly illuminate that the core is Cu₂O with 400 nm in diameter, and the shell is Cu with about 50 nm in thickness. The core-shell Cu₂O/Cu exhibited weaker polarization and higher coulombic efficiency than pure octahedral Cu₂O, especially in the initial stage of cycles. After 50 cycles, the reversible capacity of Cu₂O/Cu (360 mAh g^?1) was much higher than that of pure Cu₂O (160 mAh g^?1). The improvement of electrochemical properties is attributed to the core-shell structure of Cu₂O/Cu and the catalytic effect of Cu on the decomposition of Li₂O during the charging process.     

Complexes derived from the copper(II) perchlorate/maleamic acid/2,2′-bipyridine and copper(II) perchlorate/maleic acid/2,2′-bipyridine reaction systems: Synthetic,reactivity, structural and spectroscopic studies

A systematic investigation of the reactions of Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with maleamic acid (H₂L) in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) has been carried out. The chemical and structural identity of the products depends on the solvent, the absence or presence of external hydroxides in the reaction mixture and the molar ratio of the reactants. Various reaction schemes have led to the isolation of the complexes [Cu₂(HL)₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Cu₂(HL)₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O (1 · 2H₂O), [Cu(L′′)(bpy)]_n · 2nH₂O (2 · 2nH₂O), [Cu₂(L′′)(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]_n(ClO₄)_2n · 0.5nH₂O (3 · 0.5nH₂O), [Cu₂(L′′)₂(bpy)₂] · 2MeOH (5 · 2MeOH), [Cu₂(L′)₂(bpy)₂(ClO₄)₂] (6) and [Cu(ClO₄)₂(bpy)(MeCN)₂] (7b), where L′′^2? and L′^? are the maleate(?2) and monomethyl maleate(?1) ligands, respectively. The HL^? ion has been transformed to L′′^2? and L′^? in the known compounds 2 · 2nH₂O and 6, respectively, via metal ion-assisted processes involving hydrolysis (2 · 2nH₂O) and methanolysis (6) of the primary amide group. The reaction that leads to 6 takes place through the formation of the mononuclear complex [Cu(ClO₄)₂(bpy)(MeOH)₂] (7a), whose structure was assigned on the basis of its spectral similarity with the structurally characterized complex 7b. The structures of the cations in 1 and 1 · 2H₂O consists of two Cu^II atoms bridged by the carboxylate groups of the two HL^? ligands, each exhibiting the less common η² coordination mode; a chelating bpy molecule and a H₂O ligand complete square pyramidal coordination at each metal centre. The structure of the dinuclear repeating unit in the 1D coordination polymer 3 · 0.5nH₂O consists of two Cu^II atoms bridged by two syn,syn η¹:η¹:μ₂ carboxylate groups belonging to two L′′^2? ions; each ligand bridged two neighboring [Cu^II,II₂] units thus promoting the formation of a helical chain. The structure of the dinuclear molecule of complex 5 · 2MeOH consists of two Cu^II atoms bridged by two η² carboxylate groups from two L′′^2? ligands; the second carboxylate group of each maleate(?2) ligand is monodentately coordinated to Cu^II, creating a remarkable seven-membered chelating ring. The L′^? ion behaves as a carboxylate-type ligand in 6, with the carboxylate group being in the familiar syn,syn η¹:η¹:μ₂ coordination mode; a chelating bpy molecule and a coordinated ClO₄^? complete five-coordination at each Cu^II centre. The crystal structures of the complexes are stabilized by various H-bonding patterns. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the ligands.     

Photocatalytic activity of Cu2O nanoparticles prepared through novel synthesis method of precursor reduction in the presence of thiosulfate

A novel fabrication of Cu₂O nanoparticles was successfully achieved through the reduction of Cu²⁺ in the interlayer of montmorillonite (denoted as MT). The Cu₂O nanoparticles formed in the clay interlayer (denoted as Cu₂O/MT) had a lamellate shape of 20–100 nm in width and ca. 0.39 nm in thickness, and thus, the Cu₂O/MT exhibited a higher specific surface area than neat Cu₂O. The Cu₂O/MT was applied to a photocatalyst, and its photocatalytic activity was examined in terms of water reduction (i.e., H₂ evolution) in the presence of methanol (electron donor). The Cu₂O/MT showed a high photocatalytic activity in comparison with neat Cu₂O; moreover, the photocatalytic activity was improved by loading a Pt catalyst onto the surface of Cu₂O. Based on the dependencies of photocatalytic activity on light intensity as well as methanol concentration, it was revealed that the H₂ evolution from water on Cu₂O/MT is the rate-determining step. Thus, the active and efficient photocatalysis of Cu₂O/MT was associated with an increase in specific surface area corresponding to the number of active sites.     

One-pot synthesis of graphene–cuprous oxide composite with enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this paper, graphene–cuprous oxide (G–Cu₂O) composites were synthesized at room temperature using graphene oxide (GO) as two-dimensional support. From Zeta potential analysis, the surface charge of G–Cu₂O composites altered from positive to negative, which favors the adsorption and photodegradation of positively charged dyes. Compared with Cu₂O under similar synthesis condition, the G–Cu₂O composites demonstrated improved photodegradation activity for methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light. Controlled experiments indicated that the G–Cu₂O composite synthesized with 80 mg GO in the reaction system possessed more negative Zeta potential, highest specific surface area and thus presented the highest photocatalytic activity. Electrons mechanism for the improved photocatalytic performance of G–Cu₂O composite was proposed in the degradation of MB.     

Porous cuprous oxide microcubes for non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide and glucose sensing

Using porous cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) microcubes, a simple non-enzymatic amperometric sensor for the detection of H₂O₂ and glucose has been fabricated. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) revealed that porous Cu₂O microcubes exhibited a direct electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H₂O₂ in phosphate buffer solution and the oxidation of glucose in an alkaline medium. The non-enzymatic amperometric sensor used in the detection of H₂O₂ with detection limit of 1.5 × 10^?6 M over wide linear detection ranges up to 1.5 mM and with a high sensitivity of 50.6 μA/mM. This non-enzymatic voltammetric sensor was further utilized in detection of glucose with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10^?7 M, a linear detection range up to 500 μM and with a sensitivity of ?70.8 μA/mM.     

Formation of out of plane oxime metallacycles in [Cu2] and [Cu4] complexes

The reaction of Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O with dimethylglyoxime (H₂dmg) in a 1:1 mole ratio in aqueous methanol at room temperature affords the dinuclear complex [Cu₂(μ-Hdmg)₄] (1). Reaction of 1 with [Cu(bpy)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) in a 1:1 mole ratio in aqueous methanol at room temperature yields the tetranuclear complex [Cu₄(μ-Hdmg)₂(μ-dmg)₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2). The direct reaction of Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O with H₂dmg and bpy in a 2:2:1 mole ratio in aqueous methanol at room temperature also yields 2 quantitatively. The complexes 1 and 2 were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Unlike the binding in Ni/Co-dmg, two different types of N?O bridging modes during the oxime based metallacycle formation and stacking of square planar units have been identified in these complexes. The neutral dinuclear complex 1 has CuN₄O coordination spheres and complex 2 consists of a dicationic [Cu₄(μ-Hdmg)₂(μ-dmg)₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ unit and two uncoordinated ClO₄^? anions having CuN₄O and CuN₂O₃ coordination spheres. The two copper(II) ions are at a distance of 3.846(8) Å in 1 for the trans out of plane link and at 3.419(10) and 3.684(10) Å in 2 for the trans out of plane and cis in plane arrangements, respectively. The average Cu–N_oxime distances are 1.953 and 1.935 Å, respectively. The average basal and apical Cu?O_oxime distances are 1.945, 2.295 and 2.429 Å. The UV–Vis spectra of 2 is similar to the spectrum of the reaction mixture of 1 and [Cu(bpy)(H₂O)₂]²⁺. Variable temperature magnetic properties measurement shows that the interaction between the paramagnetic copper centers in complex 1 is antiferromagnetic in nature. The EPR spectra of frozen solution of the complexes at 77 K consist of axially symmetric fine-structure transitions (ΔM_S = 1) and half-field signals (ΔM_S = 2) at ca. 1600 G, suggesting the presence of appreciable Cu–Cu interactions.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and standard molar enthalpy of formation of bis(trans-bis(N,N-dimethyl-(1-(R)-phenyl-2-(S)-methyl-2-aminoethoxy-N,O))-copper(II)) heptahydrate

A novel complex, bis(trans-bis(N,N-dimethyl-(1-(R)-phenyl-2-(S)-methyl-2-aminoethoxy-N,O))-copper(II)) heptahydrate (abbreviated as Cu₂(C₁₁H₁₆NO)₄·7H₂O(cr)), was synthesized by the method of liquid phase reflux. The composition and structure of the complex were characterized by chemical analysis, elemental analysis, FTIR, and X-ray crystallography. A reasonable thermochemical cycle was designed based on the preparation reaction of the coordination compound, and standard molar enthalpies of dissolution of reactants and products were measured by an isoperibol solution-reaction calorimeter. Finally, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of the complex Cu₂(C₁₁H₁₆NO)₄·7H₂O(cr) was determined to be ?(4525.22 ± 13.71) kJ · mol^?1 in accordance with Hess’s law.     

Comparison of the spin exchange interactions in PbCu2(PO4)2 and SrCu2(PO4)2 on the basis of spin dimer analysis

The spin exchange interactions of PbCu₂(PO₄)₂ were examined by performing the spin dimer analysis based on the extended Hückel tight-binding method, and were compared with those of SrCu₂(PO₄)₂. The two strongest Cu–O⋯O–Cu super–superexchange interactions, J₁ (with Cu⋯Cu = 5.868 Å) and J₂ (with Cu⋯Cu = 5.184 Å), are strong and lead to a linear-four-spin-cluster model for both PbCu₂(PO₄)₂ and SrCu₂(PO₄)₂. Adjacent linear-four-spin-clusters interact substantially in SrCu₂(PO₄)₂, but weakly in PbCu₂(PO₄)₂. The difference in the magnetization behaviors of the two compounds was examined by calculating the magnetic excitation energies of the linear-four-spin-cluster model.     

Experimental determination of the liquidus of the binary system (Cu2O + CaO) in air at temperature from (1050 to 1500) °C

The liquidus of the binary system (Cu₂O + CaO) has been experimentally investigated over the temperature range from (1050 to 1500) °C in air. The liquidus has been quantified by the equilibration/quench/analysis technique. Equilibrated specimens were quenched in brine solution of 10 wt% NaCl. Specimens were then examined by Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) to quantify liquid chemical compositions. This work reveals that the solubility of CaO in the liquid phase of the binary (Cu₂O + CaO) at higher temperatures is lower than previously reported, and the deviation systematically increases with a corresponding increase in temperature. This is predominant at temperatures between (1300 and 1500) °C where a deviation of up to 5 wt% in CaO solubility is observed. The solubility of Cu₂O in liquid phase for the cuprite saturated section of the binary however is consistent with all the previous authors.     

Author index

The triplet potential energy surface for the reaction of ethylene with molecular oxygen in the ground state has been calculated at the QCISD(T, full)/6-311++G(3df,2p)//MP2(full)/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. Four intermediates and 17 transition states are located along the minimum energy reaction path. Six major radical product channels are revealed, namely, C₂H₃ + HO₂, O(³P) + C₂H₄O, H + C₂H₃O₂, OH + C₂H₃O, OH + CH₃CO, and O(³P) + CH₃CHO. In view of reaction barrier heights, the dominant channels are predicted to be C₂H₃ + HO₂, O(³P) + C₂H₄O, H + C₂H₃O₂, and C₂H₄O₂(³A″). The calculated rate constants for the abstraction reaction path are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The implication of the current results in the initiation of the combustion of ethylene is discussed.     

Magnetic properties of hybrid organo-inorganic copper(II) oxovanadate(V) phosphate and phosphonate bridged systems

The hybrid organo-inorganic compounds [Cu₄(bipy)₄V₄O₁₁(PO₄)₂]nH₂O (n ∼ 5) (1), [Cu₂(phen)₂(PO₄)(H₂PO₄)₂(VO₂) · 2H₂O] (2) and [Cu₂(phen)₂(O₃PCH₂PO₃)(V₂O₅) (H₂O)]H₂O (3) which present different bridging forms of the phosphate/phosphonate group, show different bulk magnetic properties. We herein analyze the magnetic behaviour of these compounds in terms of their structural parameters. We also report a theoretical study for compound (1) assuming four different magnetic exchange pathways between the copper centres present in the tetranuclear unit. For compound (1) the following J values were obtained J₁ = +3.29; J₂ = −0.63; J₃ = −2.23; J₄ = −46.14 cm⁻¹. Compound (2) presents a Curie–Weiss behaviour in the whole range of temperature (3–300 K), and compound (3) shows a maximum for the magnetic susceptibility at 64 K, typical for antiferromagnetic interactions. These data where fitted using a model previously reported in the literature, assuming two different magnetic exchange pathways between the four copper(II) centres, with J₁ = −30.0 and J₂ = −8.5 cm⁻¹.     

Magnetic properties and exchange couplings of one-dimensionally arrayed 4f−3d heterometallic [Ln2Cu2]n compounds

Heterometallic polymeric coordination compounds [{Ln(hfac)₂(CH₃OH)}₂{Cu(dmg)(Hdmg)}₂]_n ([Ln₂Cu₂]_n; Ln = Tb, Ho, and Er; H₂dmg = dimethylglyoxime; Hhfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione) were synthesized, and the X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that their structures are isomorphous to those of the known ferrimagnetic [Gd₂Cu₂]_n and [Dy₂Cu₂]_n analogs. The exchange couplings in [Tb₂Cu₂]_n, [Ho₂Cu₂]_n, and [Er₂Cu₂]_n were precisely evaluated by high-frequency EPR and pulsed-field magnetization studies, giving J_Tb?Cu/k_B = ?0.77(2) K, J_Ho?Cu/k_B = ?0.250(12) K and J_Er?Cu/k_B = ?0.149(15) K. They were comparable to those of the Gd and Dy analogs. The absolute value of the exchange coupling parameter monotonically decreases in the order of Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er.     

Li2CuTi3O8–Li4Ti5O12 double spinel anode material with improved rate performance for Li-ion batteries

Ti-based anode materials with the nominal compositions Li₄Ti₅Cu_xO_12 + x (x = 0, 0.075, 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, 1.20 and 1.67) were synthesized at 800 °C by a solid-state reaction process. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the sintered samples were composed of intergrown spinel-type Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ and Li₂CuTi₃O₈, and a small amount of Li₂O. Scanning electron microscopy, electrical resistance measurement and galvanostatic cell cycling were also employed to characterize the structure and properties of the double spinel samples. It is proposed that the first lithiation of the component Li₂CuTi₃O₈ leads to the in situ production of Cu that can significantly improve the rate performance of Li₄Ti₅Cu_xO_12 + x. The optimal nominal composition is Li₄Ti₅Cu_0.15O_12.15.     

The irreversible characteristic analysis of thiourea on copper electrodes in aqueous 0.5 mol/L sulphuric acid

The reaction behaviors of various concentrations thiourea (TU) on copper electrode in 0.5 mol/L H₂SO₄ solution were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and single crystallogram. The loop at low frequency shifts negatively with the concentration of TU increasing to 0.25 mol/L in the research. It reveals the adsorption of TU converts the acidic corrosion of copper electrode to the final irreversible complexation of copper and TU. Furthermore, the dependence of irreversiblility on Cu(I)–TU complex surface coverage (θ) was discussed by an EIS mathematical model. The three-dimensional supermolecular network structure of [Cu₂(NH₂CSNH₂)₆]SO₄ · H₂O enhances the stability of the complex, and leads to the final irreversibility of whole reaction.     

Synthesis,physico-chemical and spectral investigations of novel homo-bimetallic mixed-ligand complexes: 57Fe Mössbauer parameters of [Fe2(imda)2(H2O)3Cl]

The newly prepared homo-bimetallic complexes [M₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₄], [M₂(imda)₂(Bipy)₂] (M = Co, Ni or Cu) and [Fe₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₃Cl] (H₂imda = iminodiacetic acid and Bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been studied employing IR, FAB-mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, EPR and ligand field spectra, which indicated a high-spin state of metal ion with hexa-coordinate environment. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer data of the homo-bimetallic complex [Fe₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₃Cl] confirm a high-spin configuration with Fe (±3/2 → 1/2) nuclear transitions and the presence of Kramer's double degeneracy. At RT, the spin–spin interactions of the neighbouring nuclei (Fe³⁺–Fe³⁺ = S_5/2–S_5/2) are anti-ferromagnetically coupled. However, at LNT, the complex acquires a mixed-valent [Fe^III–Fe^II] composition corroborated from the X-band EPR data. CV studies indicated the presence of quasi-reversible redox Cu^II/I, Cu^II/III, Fe^III/II, Fe^III/I and Fe^II/I couples.     

Influence of redox behavior of copper ions on dielectric and spectroscopic properties of Li2O–MoO3–B2O3: CuO glass system

Li₂O–MoO₃–B₂O₃ glasses mixed with different concentrations of CuO (ranging from 0 to 1.2 mol%) were prepared. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Optical absorption, luminescence, ESR, IR and dielectric properties (viz., dielectric constant ?′, loss tan δ and a.c. conductivity σ_ac, over a wide range of frequency and temperature) of these glass materials have been investigated. The results of differential scanning calorimetric studies suggest that the glass forming ability is higher for the glasses containing CuO beyond 0.6 mol%. The analysis of results of the dielectric properties has revealed that the glasses possess high insulating strength when the concentration of CuO is >0.6 mol%. The variation of a.c. conductivity with the concentration of CuO passes through a maximum at 0.6 mol%. In the high-temperature region, the a.c. conduction seems to be connected with the mixed conduction viz., electronic conduction and ionic conduction. The optical absorption spectra of these glasses exhibited bands due to Cu⁺ ions in the UV region in addition to the conventional band due to Cu²⁺ ions in the visible region. The ESR spectral studies have indicated that there is a gradual adoption of Cu²⁺ ions from ionic environment to covalent environment as the concentration of CuO increases beyond 0.6 mol% in the glass matrix. The luminescence spectra excited at 271 nm have exhibited an intense yellow emission band centered at about 550 nm and a relatively broad blue emission band at about 450 nm; these bands have been attributed to the ³D₁ → ¹S₀ transition of isolated Cu⁺ ions and ³D₁ → ¹S₀ transition of (Cu⁺)₂ pairs, respectively. The quantitative analysis of the results of all these studies has indicated that as the concentration of CuO is increased beyond 0.6 mol% in the glass matrix, a part of Cu²⁺ ions have been reduced to Cu⁺ ions that have influenced the physical properties of these glasses to a substantial extent.     

Cu–Ni hetero-bimetallic compounds,Part 1: Preparation,structure and properties of [Cu0.05Ni0.95(bpy)2(ox)]·4H2O

New bimetallic compound [Cu_xNi_1?x(bpy)₂(ox)]·4H₂O (x = 0.05, ox = oxalato, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) was synthesized and chemically characterized. Its crystal structure is molecular. The octahedron around the metal central atom is deformed due to coordination by one bidentate oxalate anion and two bpy ligands. There are four uncoordinated water molecules in the asymmetric unit. The metal site is occupied by both Cu(II) and Ni(II) atoms in the 5:95 ratio. The complex molecules interact with water molecules through hydrogen bonds and, moreover, π–π interactions between aromatic rings lead to a 1D arrangement of molecules. The susceptibility data measured down to 2 K were analyzed using strong-coupling theory and the best agreement with the experimental data were found for g = 2.1, D/k = 5.6, E/k = 0.35, J/k = 0.2. The dehydration starts at 30 °C. As a final product of its thermal decomposition a solid solution of Cu_xNi_1?xO was detected by X-ray powder diffraction.     

Quantum-classical wave packet calculations for the O(1D) + N2O → NO + NO/N2 + O2 reaction

Mixed quantum-classical calculations have been carried out for the O(¹D) + N₂O reaction with an emphasis on the effect of the relative translational energy as well as initial vibrational state of N₂O on the NO + NO/N₂ + O₂ product branching. The calculations were done within a planar constraint using a five-dimensional analytical potential energy surface previously developed by our group. Three vibrational coordinates in the N₂O molecule were treated with a quantum wave packet technique while other two degrees of freedom, translational and angular motions of O(¹D) with respect to N₂O, were described with classical mechanics. We have found that the initial orientation angle significantly affects the NO + NO/N₂ + O₂ product branching similar to our previous classical trajectory result using the same potential surface. It has been also found that the branching ratio decreases as the translational energy increases except for a low energy region. Excitation of the initial vibrational state of the N₂O reactant does not largely affect the reaction dynamics.     

2,2′-Oxydiacetato-bridged complexes containing Sm(III) and bivalent cations. Synthesis,structure, magnetic properties and chemical speciation

Heterometallic compounds containing Sm(III), bivalent cations M (M = Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Ca, Mg), and 2′,2′-oxydiacetate (oda) as connecting ligand have been prepared and characterized. The complexes can be formulated as [Sm₂M₃(oda)₆] · xH₂O. The structure of [Sm₂Cu₃(oda)₆(H₂O)₆] shows the presence of the Sm(III) coordinated by six carboxy and three ether oxygen atoms, and the Cu(II) cation bonded to four carboxy oxygens and two molecules of water. An open 3D framework is observed, containing large hexagonal channels. At room temperature, the polynuclear complexes behave as built by magnetically isolated paramagnetic ions, but at low temperatures, very weak antiferromagnetic interactions M – M are predominant. The chemical systems were also investigated in solution (25.0 °C, I = 0.5 M Me₄NCl) by potentiometry. The same kind of polynuclear species have been found.     

Design and characterization of Cu(II) complexes from 2-benzoylpyridine benzhydrazone: Crystallographic evidence for coordination versatility

The syntheses and characterization of six copper(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine benzhydrazone in the form of [Cu(BPB)₂], [Cu(BPB)Cl]·H₂O, [Cu(BPB)Br], [Cu₂(BPB)₂](ClO₄)₂·4H₂O, [Cu(BPB)N₃]·H₂O, and [Cu(BPB)NCS]·H₂O·CH₃OH are reported. The analytical methods used for the characterization of complexes include partial elemental analyses, IR, electronic and EPR spectra, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements and single crystal X-ray diffraction. From the crystal structure, it is clear that the hydrazone adopts the E conformation about the azo bond to attach to the metal through the N_py–N_azo–O chelating system. In the EPR spectra of complexes in DMF at 77 K four hyperfine quartets in the parallel region could be resolved and a half field signal is observed at 1500 G for complex [Cu₂(BPB)₂](ClO₄)₂·4H₂O in polycrystalline state at 298 K which gives evidence for its binuclear nature indicating a weak interaction between the two Cu(II) ions.