High-temperature heat capacity of Pb<Subscript>8</Subscript>La<Subscript>2</Subscript>(GeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the range 320–1000 K

The oxide compound Pb₈La₂(GeO₄)₄(VO₄)₂ with an apatite structure has been synthesized by a ceramic method. The effect of temperature on the molar hear capacity of polycrystalline samples in the temperature range 320–1000 K has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The results have been used to calculate the thermodynamic functions of the synthesized compound.     

Preparation of Li<Subscript>9</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>3</Subscript>(P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> as cathode material for lithium ion batteries through sol–gel method

The compound Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ has been successfully synthesized using sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement analysis indicates that single phase Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ can be obtained under air condition and high purity nitrogen atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that nanowires with lengths ranging from several to tens micrometers and diameters varying from 100nm to 500nm can be obtained in the Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ compound heated under air condition. The electrochemical properties of Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ sintered under N₂ as cathode material is reported for the first time. The XRD patterns of the electrodes before and after 30 cycles indicate that the Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ keeps its original monodiphosphate structure.     

Phase formation in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–MgMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase formation in the system Li₂MoO₄–MgMoO₄–Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ was studied by X-ray powder diffraction analysis and differential thermal analysis. Ternary molybdate LiMgSc(MoO₄)₃ was synthesized, which crystallizes in the triclinic system (space group P\(\bar 1\)). In the Li₂Mg₂(MoO₄)₃–Li₃Sc(MoO₄)₃ section, a continuous solid solution in the rhombic system was found to form (space group Pnma).     

Glass Formation in the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O System

The glass formation in the Al₂(SO₄)₃–(CH₃)₂SO–H₂O system was found for the first time. The competitive ability of ligands, dimethyl sulfoxide and water (which are strong donors), for entering the first coordination sphere of aluminum is considered. The possibility of mixed coordination of (CH₃)₂SO (via sulfur and oxygen atoms) in the first coordination sphere of aluminum with retention of the glass-forming ability of the sample was suggested on the basis of IR spectral study.     

Separation of rare earth elements in the tributyl phosphate–Ln(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Ca(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> system in the counter current process

The 40-step extraction process to separate rare earth elements (RЕEs) according to the praseodymium–cerium line with the use of mixer–settler extractors in a 100% TBP–Ln(NO₃)₃–Ca(NO₃)₂ system is implemented. A lanthanum–cerium concentrate containing less than 0.03 wt % of the remaining REEs is obtained. The flow diagram of the separation process of a rare earth (RE) concentrate isolated from phosphogypsum is considered.     

Thermal stability of crandallite CaAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>5</Subscript>·(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)

Thermogravimetry combined with evolved gas mass spectrometry has been used to characterise the mineral crandallite CaAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₅·(H₂O) and to ascertain the thermal stability of this ‘cave’ mineral. X-ray diffraction proves the presence of the mineral and identifies the products of the thermal decomposition. The mineral crandallite is formed through the reaction of calcite with bat guano. Thermal analysis shows that the mineral starts to decompose through dehydration at low temperatures at around 139 °C and the dehydroxylation occurs over the temperature range 200–700 °C with loss of the OH units. The critical temperature for OH loss is around 416 °C and above this temperature the mineral structure is altered. Some minor loss of carbonate impurity occurs at 788 °C. This study shows the mineral is unstable above 139 °C. This temperature is well above the temperature in the caves of 15 °C maximum. A chemical reaction for the synthesis of crandallite is offered and the mechanism for the thermal decomposition is given.     

Simulating equilibrium processes in the Ga(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–NaOH system

Equilibrium processes in the Ga(NO₃)₃–H₂O–NaOH system are simulated with allowance for the formation of precipitates of various compositions using experimental data from potentiometric titration and theoretical studies. The values of the instability constants are calculated along with the stoichiometric compositions of the resulting compounds. It is found that pH ranges of 1.0 to 4.3 and 12.0 to 14.0 are best for the deposition of gallium chalcogenide films.     

Thermal stability of stercorite H(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)Na(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Thermogravimetric analysis has been used to determine the thermal stability of the mineral stercorite H(NH₄)Na(PO₄)·4H₂O. The mineral stercorite originated from the Petrogale Cave, Madura, Eucla, Western Australia. This cave is one of many caves in the Nullarbor Plain in the South of Western Australia. The mineral is formed by the reaction of bat guano chemicals on calcite substrates. Upon thermal treatment the mineral shows a strong decomposition at 191 °C with loss of water and ammonia. Other mass loss steps are observed at 158, 317 and 477 °C. Ion current curves indicate a gain of CO₂ at higher temperature and are attributed to the thermal decomposition of calcite impurity.     

Kinetic triplet evaluation of a complicated dehydration of Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·8H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O using the deconvolution and the simplified master plots combined with nonlinear regression

Kinetic triplet of the complex decomposition processes of Co₃Ni₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O was evaluated for the first time by using the deconvolution method to separate the overlapping DTG curves. After the completion of the deconvolution, five steps of the decomposition were obtained. The activation energy E and the pre-exponential factor A of each step were determined by KAS method. The kinetic compensation effect (KCE) method was applied to identify the individual step of the decomposition. Each master plot was simplified by generating the general equations and combined with the nonlinear regression curve fitting. According to kinetic analysis results obtained from this modified method, it was found that the early four steps of dehydration follow the mechanisms of nucleation and subsequent growth with different n-orders, while the last step occurs in the same mechanism but accompanied by the phase transition (lattice reorientation).     

Hydroethoxycarbonylation of α-olefins at low pressure of carbon(II) oxide in the presence of the PdCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>–PPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>–AlCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

High catalytic activity of the PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂–PPh₃–AlCl₃ system containing AlCl3 as promotor has been demonstrated in the reaction of hydroethoxycarbonylation of hexene-1 and octene-1 at low pressure of carbon(II) oxide (≤25 atm). The reaction yields linear and branched products. The optimal conditions of the process have been elaborated. The target products yield is 84.6–93.8%.     

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.     

Phase formation in the system Zn(VO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>–HCl–VOCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The phase and chemical compositions of precipitates formed in the system Zn(VO₃)₂–HCl–VOCl₂–H₂O at pH 1?3, molar ratio V⁴⁺: V⁵⁺ = 0.1?9, and 80°C were studied. It was shown that, within the range 0.4 ≤ V⁴⁺: V⁵⁺ ≤ 9, zinc vanadate with vanadium in a mixed oxidation state forms with the general formula Zn_xV⁴⁺ _yV⁵⁺ _2-yO₅ ? nH₂O (0.005 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, 0.05 ≤ y ≤ 0.3, n = 0.5?1.2). Vanadate Zn_xV₂O₅ ? nH₂O with the maximum tetravalent vanadium content (y = 0.30) was produced within the ratio range V⁴⁺: V⁵⁺ = 1.5?9.0. Investigation of the kinetics of the formation of Zn_xV₂O₅ ? nH₂O at pH 3 determined that tetravalent vanadium ions VO2+ activate the formation of zinc vanadate, and its precipitation is described by a second-order reaction. It was demonstrated that, under hydrothermal conditions at pH 3 and 180°C, zinc decavanadate in the presence of VOCl₂ can be used as a precursor for producing V₃O₇ ? H₂O nanorods 50–100 nm in diameter.     

Phase Transitions and Ionic Mobility in Solid Solutions in the System (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZrF<Subscript>6</Subscript>–InF<Subscript>3</Subscript>

¹H and ¹⁹F NMR, XRD, and DTA methods are used to study thermal properties, ion mobility, and phase transitions (PT) in solid solutions obtained by doping anion-cationic conductor (NH₄)₂ZrF₆ with indium trifluoride. The types of ionic mobility are determined in the fluorine and ammonium sublattices of synthesized solid solutions at 150–450 K, their activation energies are estimated. A phase transition associated with formation of high-temperature modifications is registered at 400–413 K; ionic mobility in these modifications is mostly due to the diffusion of fluorine and ammonium ions.     

Comparison of the specific adsorption of sulfate (HSO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript>) ions on Cr and Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The specific adsorption of sulfate ions on powdered Cr was studied by a radiotracer technique using ³⁵S-labeled sulfuric acid in low concentration (c<10^–3 mol dm^–3) in the presence of a large excess of perchlorate supporting electrolyte. The pH and concentration dependence were determined. On the basis of a comparison of the results obtained for Cr₂O₃ and Cr, it can be assumed that, similar to other metals, the overall sorption behavior of Cr is determined by the protective oxide film present on the surface.     

Simple thermal decomposition method to synthesize LiTi<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>/C core–shell composite for lithium ion batteries

Polyanionic LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ material with 3D framework structure is intensively investigated to be used in lithium ion batteries. However, the LiTi₂(PO₄)₃-based materials suffer from poor electronic conductivity hindering the application as electrode active materials. This work describes an effective and simple strategy to synthesize LiTi₂(PO₄)₃/C core–shell structure without the addition of external carbon sources. This approach is achieved by a simple one-step solid state reaction using organometallic salt as raw material. The as-prepared LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ exhibits uniform and thin carbon coating on the particle surface. The electrochemical properties of the LiTi₂(PO₄)₃/C composite are investigated, and the results demonstrate that the as-prepared LiTi₂(PO₄)₃/C shows good cycling performance and rate capability.     

TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–(NaPO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript> Glass-Forming System

It is suggested to use sodium hexametaphosphate as a new glass-forming agent for tellurite glasses. The limits of the glass-forming region were determined for the TeO₂–(NaPO₃)₆ system, and a selective study of the thermal behavior of the glasses synthesized was carried out by the method differential scanning calorimetry. The optical transmission in the UV, visible, and IR spectral ranges was examined. It was shown that oxides of rare-earth elements can be introduced into the glass, which opens up prospects for application of the system as a matrix for generation of laser light in the 2-μm range, required in fabrication of medical lasers.     

Blue and green upconversion luminescence modification of Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped Ca<Subscript>5</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>F inverse opal

Tb³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped Ca₅(PO₄)₃F inverse opal photonic crystals were prepared by a self-assembly technique in combination with a sol–gel method. Upconversion luminescence characteristics of the inverse opals were investigated. The results indicate that photonic band gap has a significant effect on upconversion luminescence of Tb³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped Ca₅(PO₄)₃F inverse opal. Significant inhibition of the green or blue upconversion luminescence was inspected if the photonic band gap overlapped with the emission band of Tb³⁺ ions.     

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.     

Phase equilibria in a ternary fullerenol-d(C<Subscript>60</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>22–24</Subscript>)–SmCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system at 25°C

The solubility in a ternary fullerenol-d (C₆₀(OH)_22–24)–SmCl₃–H₂O system at 25°C is studied via isothermal saturation in ampules. The solubility diagram is shown to be a simple eutonic one that consists of two branches corresponding to the crystallization of fullerenol-d (C₆₀(OH)_22–24 · 30H₂O) and samarium(III) chloride SmCl₃ · 6H₂O crystallohydrates and contains one nonvariant eutonic point corresponding to saturation with both crystallohydrates. The long branch of C₆₀(OH)_22–24 · 30H₂O crystallization shows the effect of fullerenol-d salting out of saturated solutions; in contrast, the short branch of SmCl₃ · 6H₂O crystallization shows the pronounced salting-in effect of samarium(III) chloride.