Transport properties of metacomposites in eutectic MAO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> systems (M = Ca,Sr; A = W,Mo)

Metal molybdates MMoO₄ (M = Ca, Sr) and their composites with vanadium oxide V₂O₅ were synthesized. An X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the obtained molybdates were single-phase, and the heterogeneous systems were two-phase. The temperature dependences of the total conductivity of the composites were studied. The ion transport numbers in the {CaMoO₄ · xV₂O₅} composites (x = 1–30 mol %) were studied by the EMF method. The conductivity of the composites at x ≤ 5 mol % was shown to be ionic. The conductivity of the composites was described using the mixing equation.     

Preparation specifics and properties of AMn<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> (А = Ca,Ce, and Sm) high-pressure phases

Perovskite-like phases AMn₃V₄O₁₂ (A = Ca, Ce, and Sm) were prepared under borothermic conditions (p = 7.0–9.0 GPa, T = 700–1100°C). Their X-ray diffraction structure (space group Im \(\bar 3\), Z = 2) was determined, and unit cell parameters were calculated: for CaMn₃V₄O₁₂: а = 7.40824(3) Å, for SmMn₃V₄O₁₂: а = 7.45280(8) Å, and for CeMn₃V₄O₁₂: а = 7.46965(4) Å. The temperature-dependent electrical resistivity (10–300 K) and magnetic susceptibility (2–300 K) of the prepared phases were studied.     

Structure and charge-transport properties of LnBaCuCoO<Subscript>5 + δ</Subscript> (Ln = Y,Dy) cuprocobaltites

LnBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} (Ln = Y, Dy) cuprocobaltites were prepared. Their unit cell parameters were determined and their thermal expansion, electrical conductivity (σ), and Seebeck coefficient (S) were studied in air in the range 300–1100 K. The compounds have tetragonal structures (space group P4/mmm). Their unit cell parameters are a = 0.3867(2) nm, c = 0.7550(7) nm, V = 112.9(2) × 10^?3 nm³ for YBaCuCoO_4.98; and a = 0.3872(2) nm, c = 0.7562(7) nm, V = 113.4(2) × 10^?3 nm³ for DyBaCuCoO_5.01. They are p-type semiconductors. The electrical conductivity of DyBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} is slightly lower and its Seebeck coefficient is 1.5–2 times higher than the respective values for YBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} apparently because of different electronic configurations of the rare-earth cations in LnBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} (4d ⁰ for Y³⁺ and 4f ⁹ for Dy³⁺). Dilatometric measurements show that the LnBaCuCoO_{5 + δ} phases in the range 300–1100 K do not experience structural phase transitions, and their linear thermal expansion coefficients (LTEC) are 14.3 × 10^?6 K^?1 for Ln = Y and 14.7 × 10^?6 K^?1 for Ln = Dy.     

Molecular geometries,electronic properties,and vibrational spectroscopic studies of endohedral metallofullerenes TM@C<Subscript>24</Subscript> and TM@C<Subscript>24</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript> (TM = Cr,Mo, and W)

Molecular geometries, electronic properties, and vibrational spectroscopies of TM@C₂₄ and TM@C₂₄H₁₂ (TM = Cr, Mo, and W) in their different spin configurations have been systematically investigated with the hybrid DFT-(U)B3PW91 functional. The results show that the TM atoms bind over the pentagon ring inside C₂₄ cage, and they move gradually toward the center of C₂₄ cage along with the increasing atomic radii. The most stable Mo@C₂₄H₁₂ and W@C₂₄H₁₂ are in their spin-triplet states. The analyses of dissociation energy and energy gap reveal that TM@C₂₄ (TM = Cr, Mo, and W) and Cr@C₂₄H₁₂ are not only thermodynamically stable, but also considerably stable kinetically. Meanwhile, natural population analyses tell us that the two cages act as electron acceptors, and the transferred charge from the W atom to C₂₄ cage is the largest in the endohedral metallofullerenes. Additionally, the vibrational frequencies and active infrared intensities may be used as evidence to characterize these unknown species.     

Synthesis of nanopowders and physicochemical properties of ceramic matrices of the LaPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–YPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O) and LaPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–HoPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O) systems

Sol-gel method was used to synthesize nanosize powders in the LaPO₄–YPO₄–(H₂O) and LaPO₄–HoPO₄–(H₂O) systems. Dense ceramic samples with high microhardness (up to 25 GPa) were formed from these powders by sintering at temperatures of up to 1600°C. The isomorphic capacity of the monoclinic LaPO₄ matrix for the second component (yttrium or holmium) simulating radioactive nuclides of the actinide-rare-earth fraction was found to be high. The composites are stable in aqueous solutions, which is indicated by the low concentration of lanthanum and yttrium ions during leaching test (~10^–7 g L^–1). The results obtained in the study can be used to develop new high-efficiency ceramic matrices for solidification of the actinide-rare-earth fraction of liquid wastes formed in processing of the spent nuclear fuel.     

Theoretical study of the activation barriers of elementary reactions of hydrogenation of aluminide clusters X@Al<Subscript>12</Subscript> and X@Al<Stack><Subscript>12</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> with dopants X = Al,Si, and Ge

The transition states and activation barriers h of elementary reactions of addition of the H₂ molecule to aluminide clusters Al₁₃, Al ₁₃ ^? , Al₁₃H ₂ ^? , Al₁₃H ₄ ^? , Si@Al₁₂, Ge@Al₁₂, and LiAl₁₃ were calculated within the B3LYP approximation of the density functional theory using 6–31G* and 6–311+G* basis sets. The barriers h for all diamagnetic clusters were found to be high (～30–40 kcal/mol). The outer-sphere cation Li⁺ decreases while the endohedral electronegative dopants Si and Ge increase the barrier by a few kcal/mol. The hydrogenation barrier of the neural paramagnetic cluster Al₁₃, which has free valence, decreases to ～20 kcal/mol. The addition of a hydrogen atom or a Cl₂ molecule to both paramagnetic and diamagnetic aluminum clusters occurs without a barrier. The first stage of the reaction (addition of H₂ to an Al-Al edge) is in all cases the critical stage of aluminide hydrogenation. The barrier h of this reaction is several times higher than the barriers to migration of hydrogen atoms over the metal cage. The migration of H atoms occurs simultaneously with considerable distortions of the Al₁₃ cage even to the extent that it changes its structural motif. The addition of the H₂ molecule to the Al@TiAl₁₁ cluster containing the peripheral titanium atom occurs with a small barrier, whereas the barrier to elimination of H₂ from the dihydride Al@TiAl₁₁H₂ is reduced to ～15 kcal/mol. Based on the calculations, the conclusion was drawn that the elementary reactions of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation for Ti-doped aluminide clusters should occur considerably faster and under milder conditions than for homonuclear aluminides.     

Structure,physicochemical properties,and reactivity of the [B<Subscript>9</Subscript>H<Subscript>9</Subscript>]<Superscript>2–</Superscript> anion

Data on the structure, properties, and reactivity of one of the least studied 3D aromatic clusters—nonahydro-closo-nonaborate anion [B₉H₉]^2–—have been systematized. It has been shown that the key aspects of its reactivity are related to structural flexibility, which essentially distinguishes the [B₉H₉]^2– anion from the higher representatives of closo-borate anions.     

Synthesis and transport properties of perovskite-like phases (Sr,Ba)<Subscript>4</Subscript>E<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>11 ± δ</Subscript> (E = Mn,Cr, Cu)

Synthesis of (Sr, Ba)₄Э₂Nb₂O_{11 ± δ} where E = Mn, Cr, Cu and solid solution (Sr_1?y Cu_y)_{6 ? 2x} Nb_{2 + 2x} O_{11 + 3x} is performed. By measuring the overall conductance of some solid-solution compositions it is established that the conductance increases with the cubic-lattice parameter and concentration of oxygen vacancies. Values of the conductance in humid air at T < 700°C are shown to increase as compared with dry air. Mass spectrometry analysis confirms the possibility of water incorporation into the complex-oxide structure out of a gas phase. Complex certification of samples of the composition (Sr, Ba)₄E₂Nb₂O₁₁ where E = Mn, Cr, Cu is performed. It is established that the decrease in the overall electroconductance occurs in the series Sr₄Mn₂Nb₂O₁₁ > Ba₄Mn₂Nb₂O₁₁ > Sr₄CrMnNb₂O₁₁ > Sr₄Cu₂Nb₂O₁₁. Investigation of the overall electroconductance in dry and moist atmospheres shows that the effect of humidity exerts no influence on the values of the overall electroconductance. The oxygen-ion constituent of conductance is determined by the Arzhannikov method and is also evaluated from a σ,pO₂ dependence. It is established that the presence of an element with a variable oxidation degree for compositions of the type Sr₄E₂Nb₂O₁₁ leads to an increase in the contribution made by the electronic constituent. In so doing, the magnitude of the oxygen-ion conductance practically does not alter. Thermal and mass spectrometry analyses show that, for the Sr₄E₂Nb₂O₁₁ compositions where E = Mn, Cr, Cu, there occurs no water intercalation into structure, correspondingly, there is observed no appearance of a protonic constituent of conduction.     

Structural features of phases (Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>R<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>)MO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and (Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>R<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>)MO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:R′ (R = Gd,La; R′ = Er,Tm, Yb; M = W,Mo) of the scheelite family

The structural data for single crystals of (Na_0.5R_0.5)MO₄ and (Na_0.5R_0.5)MO₄:R′ (R = La, Gd; R′ = Er, Tm, Yb; M = W, Mo) grown by the Czochralski method were studied by X-ray diffraction and analyzed. The structural characteristics of these compounds depend on the sort of cations M and R. The formation of superstructures was found in the scheelite structure, and distortion of the scheelite structure depending on the composition and preparation conditions was established (with unit cell rotation by 45° and triclinic distortion of the scheelite structure for (Na_0.5Gd_0.5)WO₄:Tm, with doubled unit cell compared to the scheelite type structure for (Na_0.5Gd_0.5)WO₄ and (Na_0.5Gd_0.5)WO₄:Yb). In the case of overstoichiometric oxygen content in the crystal, the unit cell symmetry increases to space group I4₁/amd or (Na_0.5Gd_0.5)WO₄:Yb without considerable change in the cell parameters. On the basis of experimental data, a transformation scheme for the structures in the system Na ₂ ⁺ M⁶⁺O_4?-“R³⁺M⁵⁺O₄” was proposed.     

Syntheses and structures of nickel–tungsten μ-tellurophenyl complexes CpNi(PPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>)(μ-TePh)W(CO)<Subscript>5</Subscript> and [CpNi(PPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>)(μ-TePh)]<Subscript>2</Subscript>W(CO)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Syntheses and molecular structures of the heterometallic complexes of nickel cyclopentadienyl triphenylphosphine tellurophenolate with tungsten carbonyls (II and III) (CIF files CCDC nos. 1559733 and 1559734, respectively) are described.     

Synthesis,characterization, spectroscopic,and thermal studies of imidazole complexes of metal benzenesulfonates. Crystal structure of [M(imH)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]·(BS)<Subscript>2</Subscript> [M=Ni(II) and Co(II)]

Four novel transition metal benzenesulfonate (BS) complexes of imidazole (im) with a general formula [M(imH)₃(H₂O)₃]·(BS)₂ [M=Mn(II) (1), Ni(II) (2), Co(II) (3)] and [Cu(BS)(imH)₃]·(BS) (4) have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The complexes 2 and 3 have also been characterized by single X-ray diffraction technique. The BS anion in complexes 1–3 acts as a counter anion, while in complex 4, it acts as both ligand and counter anion. The Ni and Co complexes are isomorphous, crystallizing in the monoclinic crystal system with C2/c space group. Each metal(II) atom in 2 and 3 is octahedrally coordinated by three imidazole and three aqua ligands, adopting a mer-coordination mode with Ni(II) or Co(II) centers. In both 2 and 3, the H2C atom has bifurcated donor (O3 and O5) atoms, forming a bifurcated hydrogen bond. This hydrogen bond links the complex cation and BS anion, forming one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded supramolecular chains. The complexes exhibit different decomposition characteristics. Magnetic susceptibility measurement shows that complex 3 has orbital interactions.     

New binuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(L)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(μ-CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)][B<Subscript>12</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>] (L = bipy,phen): Synthesis,structure, and magnetic properties

The processes taking place in the Cu^I/L/solv system (L = bipy, phen) in the presence of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2– anion, which exhibited the lowest reducing ability among the [B _n H _n ]^2– cluster anions (n = 6, 10, 12), were studied. The binuclear complexes [Cu₂(L)₄(μ-CO₃)][B₁₂H₁₂] · n(solv) were found to be formed upon the redox reaction of (C₆H₅)₄P[Cu[B₁₂H₁₂]] with a twofold excess of L or the reaction of copper(II) complex [(Cu₂(phen)₄(CO₃)]Cl₂ with [(C₄H₉)₃NH]₂[B₁₂H₁₂]. The Cu(II) complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction; their EPR-spectra were studied at 295 K and the magnetic measurements were performed in the 300–2 K range. In the [Cu₂(phen)₄(μ-CO₃)][B₁₂H₁₂] · DMF dimer with the anti-anti coordination of the (μ-CO₃)-group, strong antiferromagnetic interactions occur between the Cu(II) atoms (Cu?Cu = 5.107 Å).     

Crystal structure and vibrational spectra of M[VO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O (M = K,Rb, NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)

By the hydration of MVO(SeO₄)₂ with saturated water vapors at room temperature a series of isostructural complex compounds of vanadium(V) of the composition M[VO₂(SeO₄)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (K, Rb, NH₄) are synthesized and their physicochemical properties are studied. Based on the X-ray and neutron diffraction data, it is found that their crystal structure is composed of VO₆ octahedra linked in infinite chains by bridging SeO₄ tetrahedra. Each of the VO₆ octahedra has two short terminal V-O bonds forming a bent dioxovanadium group VO₂⁺. Two water molecules are coordinated by vanadium and one molecule is out of the first coordination sphere in the interchain space. The vibrational spectra of the studied compounds are completely consistent with their structural features.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of LnBiI<Subscript>6</Subscript>•13H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O (Ln = La,Nd)

Two new iodobismuthates with the composition LnBiI₆?13H₂O (Ln = La, Nd) were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined. The compound LaBiI₆?13H₂O crystalizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁, a = 24.206(5), b = 8.405(1), c = 26.360(5) Å; the compound NdBiI₆?13H₂O crystalizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, a = 14.553(3), b = 13.386(3), c = 27.541(6) Å, β = 92.80(3)°. In both crystal structures, the cations Ln(H₂O)₉³⁺ and the anions BiI₆^3– alternate, forming a NaCl-type structure, and the structures themselves differ in the arrangement of water of crystallization that leads to the formation of dissimilar systems of hydrogen bonds. Both compounds undergo decomposition when heated, which is accompanied first by a partial liberation of water molecule, followed by pyrohydrolysis to form oxoiodides LnOI as final solid products. According to optical measurements, the band gap of the obtained compounds was equal to 1.78 (La) and 1.71 (Nd) eV.     

Structure and thermal properties of the fritted glazes in SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–CaO–MgO–Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–K<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–ZnO system

In this work, the structure and thermal properties of aluminosilicate fritted glazes in SiO₂–Al₂O₃–CaO–MgO–Na₂O–K₂O–ZnO system with (4.0 mol%) and without addition of ZnO were examined by GIXRD, FTIR, MAS-NMR and thermal methods (DTA, DIL). It has been found that the all experimental glazes are amorphous material (transparent glazes). On the base of spectroscopic investigations, it was found that zinc ions exist in the network glazes in the octahedral coordination—Zn²⁺ ions play a network modifier role in structure of glazes. An analysis of the data obtained from thermal tests showed that addition of ZnO into chemical composition results in decrease in glass transition temperature value (T _g) for all glazes (DTA, DIL). The coefficient of thermal expansion (α) is decreased as the whole measurement range for one series of fritted glazes.     

Structure and thermal properties of double complex salts [RuNO(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[MCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]Cl<Subscript>4</Subscript>·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O,M = Pt,Pd

Double complex salts (DCS) [RuNO(NH₃)₄(H₂O)]₂[MCl₄]Cl₄·2H₂O, M = Pt (I) and Pd (II), are prepared and characterized using IR spectroscopy, single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Crystalline phases of I and II are isostructural (P2(1)/n space group) and have the following crystallographic characteristics: a = 6.689 Å, b = 15.609 Å, c = 12.348 Å, V = 1289.1 ų, Z = 2, d _x = 2.425 g/cm³ (I) and a = 6.637 Å, b = 15.521 Å, c = 12.244 Å, V = 1261.2 ų, Z = 2, d _x = 2.255 g/cm³ (II). The thermolysis of the obtained DCS in the hydrogen atmosphere affords two-phase mixtures of limited solid solutions of the metals: hcp for ruthenium-based ones and fcc for Pt or Pd based solutions. On decomposition in the helium atmosphere the products contain a minor amount of RuO₂. For the phases obtained during thermolysis the parameters are determined and the compositions are estimated. The heating of I to 400°C in the helium-air atmosphere yields a nanocrystalline composite Pt+RuO₂ with CSR of ～20 nm.     

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.     

Structure and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The structural features and magnetic properties of composite materials Fe₂O₃-SiO₂ consisting of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in an amorphous porous matrix of SiO₂ were considered. The studied samples were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The structure of γ-Fe₂O₃-SiO₂ depending on the heating temperature was studied by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, ESR and IR spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements were performed on a SQUID magnetometer in the range 2–350 K.     

Structure and magnetic properties of CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> ferrites synthesized by sol–gel and microwave calcination

CoFe₂O₄ ferrites were synthesized sol–gel with cobalt chloride, ferric chloride and citric acid as the main raw material. X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer and simultaneous thermal analysis were applied to character the structure and magnetic properties of traditional and microwave calcined samples. The samples with pH 5 and molar ratio of citric acid to metal nitrate 1–1.2 showed the optimal structure and magnetic properties. Microwave calcination reduces the synthesis time from 2 h for conventional calcination to 15–30 min. The saturation magnetization (σ _s ) for sample microwave-calcined at 550 °C for 30 min reaches to 75.89 emu/g, much higher than that of conventional-calcined samples.