Formation of solid solutions of multiferroics in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The sequence of phases appearance during the formation of Bi_1–xNd_xFeO₃ solid solutions in powder oxides mixtures of bismuth, neodymium, and iron has been determined. It has been shown that the closeness of the reaction mixture composition to that of the individual compound (BiFeO₃ or NdFeO₃) is essential for the realization of the series of phase transformations yielding solid solutions of multiferroics Bi_1–xNd_xFeO₃ as the final product, due to the prevalence of various interphase contacts in the starting reaction zone.     

Crystal structure and solid–solid phase transition of the complex (C<Subscript>11</Subscript>H<Subscript>18</Subscript>NO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>CuCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>(s)

The complex (C₁₁H₁₈NO)₂CuCl₄(s) was synthesized. Chemical analysis, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography were used to characterize the structure and composition of the complex. Low-temperature heat-capacities of the compound were measured by an adiabatic calorimeter in the temperature range from 77 to 400 K. A phase transition of the compound took place in the region of 297–368 K. Experimental molar heat-capacities were fitted to two polynomial equations of heat-capacities as a function of the reduced temperature by least square method. The peak temperature, molar enthalpy, and entropy of phase transition of the compound were calculated to be T _trs = 354.214 ± 0.298 K, Δ_trs H _m = 76.327 ± 0.328 kJ mol⁻¹, and Δ_trs S _m = 51.340 ± 0.164 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹.     

Synthesis and properties of γ-Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solutions

The textural and structural properties of mixed oxides Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃, obtained via impregnating γ-Al₂O₃ with a solution of Ga(NO₃)₃ and subsequent heat treatment, are studied. According to the results from X-ray powder diffraction, gallium ions are incorporated into the structure of aluminum oxide to form a solid solution of spinel-type γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ up to a Ga₂O₃ content of 50 wt % of the total weight of the sample, accompanied by a reduction in the specific surface area, volume, and average pore diameter. It is concluded that when the Ga₂O₃ content exceeds 50 wt %, the β-Ga₂O₃ phase is observed along with γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ solid solution. ⁷¹Ga and ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy shows that gallium replaces aluminum atoms from the tetrahedral position to the octahedral coordination in the structure of γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃.     

New continuous solid solution in the Zn<Subscript>2</Subscript>InV<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript>–Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>InV<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript> system

In this study, mechanical activation process was used for intimate mixing as well as producing finely ground particles, increased surface area and improved chemical reactivity of milled materials for producing SrTiO₃ from commercially pure strontium carbonate and TiO₂ as a contributive process. Characterization of milled powder mixture by X-ray diffraction analysis showed that disappearing, decreasing and/or shifting of the patterns occurred with mechanical activation that means amorphization was taken place. Amorphization was also demonstrated by FT-IR analysis where shift of band centers as well as the decrement of transmittance related to CO₃ was observed. Advantage of amorphization was established with high-temperature XRD analysis which showed 1300 °C was not enough for non-activated mixture to form SrTiO₃, whereas structure only composed of SrTiO₃ at 1000 °C for activated ones. The reason for this phenomenon was investigated by DTA-TG analysis, and it was based on energy accumulation originated from mechanical activation that corresponds to peak temperature shifting to the lower temperatures and CO₂ liberation at mechanical activation step arising from local temperature rising at the vial during high-energy milling that was understood from peak temperature, and area decrement of endothermic peak corresponds to decomposition of SrCO₃.     

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.     

Synthesis and properties of high-density protonic solid electrolyte BaZr<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>3 − α</Subscript>

The described method for synthesis of proton-conducting ceramics BaZr_0.9Y_0.1O_{3 ? α} at the temperature of 1850°C from mixture of barium carbonate and zirconium-yttrium hydroxides enabled to prepare high-density translucent specimens. According to powder diffraction data, the synthesized ceramics consists of single phase and has the cubic perovskite structure with the elementary cell parameter a = 0.42009 ± 0.00004 nm. The electrophysical properties of the synthesized ceramics were measured. The conductivity of such high-density specimens was shown to excel by an order of magnitude the conductivity of porous (80% relative density) material.     

Crystal structure of Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Ir(SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The complex Na₃(NH₄)₂[Ir(SO₃)₂Cl₄]·4H₂O was examined with single crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Crystal data: a = 7.3144(4) Å, b = 10.0698(5) Å, c = 12.3748(6) Å, β = 106.203(1)°, V = 875.26(8) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, d _calc = 2.547 g/cm³. In the complex anion two trans SO ₃ ^2? groups are coordinated to iridium through the S atom. The splitting of O-H bending vibrations of crystallization water molecules and N-H ones of the ammonium cation is considered in the context of different types of interactions with the closest neighbors in the structure.     

Crystal structure of Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NCS)]<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 9H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of Ba₃[UO₂(C₂O₄)₂(NCS)]₂ · 9H₂O are synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Fddd, Z = 16, and the unit cell parameters are a = 16.253(3) Å, b = 22.245(3) Å, c = 39.031(6) Å. The main crystal structural units are mononuclear complex groups [UO₂(C₂O₄)₂NCS]^3? of the crystal-chemical family (AB ₂ ⁰¹ M¹ (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B⁰¹ = C₂O ₄ ^2? , M¹ = NCS^?) of the uranyl complexes linked into a three-dimensional framework by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds involving oxalate ions and water molecules.     

Crystal structure of Cs[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)] · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of Cs[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)] · H₂O were synthesized and structurally studied using X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/m, Z = 2, with the unit cell parameters a = 5.5032(4) Å, b = 13.5577(8) Å, c = 9.5859(8) Å, β = 97.012(3)°, V = 709.86(9) ų, R = 0.0444. The main building units of crystals are [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)]^? layers of the A₂K ₂ ⁰² M² (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , and M² = OH^?) crystal-chemical family. Uranium-containing layers are linked into a three-dimensional framework via electrostatic interactions with outer-sphere cations and hydrogen bonds with water molecules.     

Synthesis and structure of the complex [Mo<Subscript>3</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>3</Subscript>-S)(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-S<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(Et<Subscript>2</Subscript>NCS<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]I

The structure of tri-μ₂-disulfido-μ₃-thiotris(diethyldithiocarbamato)-S,S′-triangle-trimolybdenum iodide [Mo₃(μ₃-S)(μ₂-S₂)₃(Et₂NCS₂)₃]I was determined. The compound was characterized by differential thermal analysis and IR, Raman, and X-ray electronic spectroscopy.     

Crystal structure of Na<Subscript>4</Subscript>[Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>] · 10H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of the Na₄[Na₂Cr₂(C₂O₄)₆] · 10H₂O complex were synthesized for the first time. The structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the unit cell parameters a = 17.290(4) Å, b = 12.521(3) Å, c = 15.149(3) Å, β = 100.45(3)°, Z = 4, space group Cc. Anionic layers [NaCr(C₂O₄)₃] _2n ^4n? can be distinguished in the crystal structure of the complex. The Na⁺ cations and water molecules, involved in the formation of a hydrogen bond network, are located between the anionic layers.     

Study of Acidic (Tetracaprolactam) Dodecamolybdosilicate of the Composition (C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>11</Subscript>NO)<Subscript>4.5</Subscript>Н<Subscript>4</Subscript>[SiМо<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>]

New caprolactam dodecamolybdosilicate of the composition (C₆H₁₁NO)_4.5Н₄[SiМо₁₂O₄₀] (I) is synthesized. Chemical and crystallographic analyses, NMR and IR spectroscopic studies are performed. Compound I is found to crystallize in the monoclinic system with the space group P2₁/n. Unit cell parameters are: a = 19.945(4) Å, b = 13.340(3) Å, c = 28.110(6) Å, β = 110.75(3)°, ρ_calc = 2.232 g/cm³, М = 2350.63, Z = 4, V = 6994(3) ų.     

Crystal structure of [(C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>P][Ni(B<Subscript>9</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>11</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]·CCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>

A new compound containing the tetraphenylphosphonium cation and the nickel(III) bisdicarbollyl anion, [(C₆H₅)₄P][Ni(B₉C₂H₁₁)₂]·CCl₄, was synthesized and investigated by XRD at room temperature (295 K). Crystal data: C₂₉H₄₂B₁₈PCl₄Ni, M = 816.69, monoclinic, space group P2/c; unit cell parameters a = 13.5873(6) Å, b = 7.1475(2) Å, c = 20.7829(8) Å, β = 94.4595(13)°, V = 2012.2(2) ų, Z = 2, d _calc = 1.348 g/cm³. The structure was solved by direct and Fourier methods and refined by the full-matrix least squares method in an anisotropic (isotropic for H) approximation to the final R ₁ = 0.0466 for 3055 I _hkl ≥ 2σ _I of 23,655 reflections collected and 5618 independent I _hkl (Bruker X8 APEX diffractometer, λMoK _α).     

Synthesis and Structure of [Co(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[W<Subscript>4</Subscript>Se<Subscript>4</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>12</Subscript>]·8.5H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The compound [Co(NH₃)₆]₂[W₄Se₄(CN)₁₂]·8.5H₂O was obtained by evaporating an aqueous ammonia solution of K₆[W₄Se₄(CN)₁₂]·6H₂O and CoCl₂·6H₂O complexes. The starting Co(II) of CoCl₂·6H₂O transforms into [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ when exposed to air in a water-ammonia medium. Crystal data: triclinic crystal system, a = 10.7750(8) Å, b = 12.2843(9) Å, c = 19.6539(14) Å; α = 90.213(2)°, β = 99.910(2)°, γ = 114.737(1)°, V = 2319.1(3) ų, space group , Z = 2, D _x = 2.633 g/cm³.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by I. V. Kalinina, Z. A. Starikova, F. M. Dolgushin, D. G. Samsonenko, and V. P. Fedin__________Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 5, pp. 905–908, September–October, 2004.     

Effect of Fe-zeolite on formation of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O in selective reduction of NO by NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> over V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>–WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst

An approach for significantly suppressing N₂O formation in reduction of NO by NH₃ over V₂O₅–WO₃/TiO₂ (VWT) catalyst has been studied by coating different amounts of a Fe-exchanged zeolite (FeZ) onto the catalyst. FeZ-promoted VWT samples were characterized using N₂ sorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and NH₃ adsorption/desorption techniques to understand the primary role of FeZ in lowering N₂O production levels. At high temperatures (≥450 °C), VWT gave N₂O production with high concentrations, while N₂O formation was noticeably reduced when using FeZ-promoted catalysts, which also showed somewhat lower NO removal activities (<5 %) at all temperatures. N₂ sorption and XRD measurements revealed no perceptible physical or chemical alterations of each constituent, even in VWT catalysts after FeZ coating following high-temperature calcination. Adsorption of NH₃ on unpromoted and FeZ-promoted catalysts and subsequent desorption yielded very complicated spectra for N₂O that might primarily come from NH₃ oxidation, and the interaction between V–NO species at temperatures >580 °C. NO on neighboring sites seems to be produced via decomposition of N₂O generated at lower temperatures. The FeZ in the promoted VWT catalysts could be responsible for N₂O decomposition and N₂O reduction with unreacted NH₃ at temperatures >400 °C, thereby significantly lowering N₂O emission levels. This promotional effect bodes well for use in many industrial deNO _x applications.     

Crystal structure of glycine phosphite C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>·H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Single crystal X-ray diffraction study of glycine phosphite C₂H₅NO₂·H₃PO₃ was performed (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 7.401(3) Å, b = 8.465(3) Å, c = 9.737(3) Å; β = 100.73(5)°, Z = 4). It has been found that one of hydrogen atoms is located at the centre of symmetry forming two strong hydrogen bonds to yield H₄P₂O ₆ ^?2 dimers, while another hydrogen atom is statistically disordered over two positions and organizes the dimers into an infinite corrugated chain. The ordering of this hydrogen atom position and/or displacement of the other one from the centre of symmetry will lead to the loss of symmetry centre and lowering of the point group symmetry from C_2h to piezo-active group C₂ or C _s .     

Crystal structure and thermal properties of [Au(en)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Cu(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>3</Subscript>·8H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The crystal structure of a double complex salt of the composition [Au(en)₂]₂[Cu(C₂O₄)₂]₃·8H₂O (en = ethylenediamine) at 150 K is determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal data for C₂₀H₄₈Au₂Cu₃N₈O₃₂ are: a = 9.1761(3) Å, b = 16.9749(6) Å, c = 13.4475(5) Å, β = 104.333(1)°, V = 2029.43(12) ų, P2₁/c space group, Z = 2, d _x = 2.450 g/cm³. It is demonstrated that the thermal decomposition of the double complex salt in a helium or hydrogen atmosphere affords the solid solution Au_0.4Cu_0.6.     

In-situ construction of NiCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoarrays on La<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3-δ</Subscript> electrodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Novel NiCo₂O₄ nanoarrays have been in-situ grown on a La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3-δ(LSM) cathode through a hydrothermal method, which presents the enhanced electrochemical performances of the LSM cathode for the intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. XRD and SEM have been used to characterize phase structure and morphology of NiCo₂O₄ nanoarrays. The LSM cathode, modified by the NiCo₂O₄ nanoarrays, exhibits excellent electrochemical performances compared with the bare LSM cathode. The maximum peak power density of single cell, based on the NiCo₂O₄ nanoarrays modified the LSM cathode, reaches 957 mW cm^?2 at 800 °C, which is almost two times higher than that for the cell based on the bare LSM cathode.     

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.