Reduction of Oxide Mixtures of (Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> + CuO) and (Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> + Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>) by Low-Temperature Hydrogen Plasma

The paper presents experimental results pertaining to the reduction of oxide mixtures namely (Fe₂O₃ + CuO) and (Fe₂O₃ + Co₃O₄), by low-temperature hydrogen plasma in a microwave hydrogen plasma set-up, at microwave power 750 W and hydrogen flow rate 2.5 × 10^?6 m³ s^?1. The objective was to examine the effect of addition of CuO or Co₃O₄, on the reduction of Fe₂O₃. In the case of the Fe₂O₃ and CuO mixture, oxides were reduced to form Fe and Cu metals. Enhancement of reduction of iron oxide was marginal. However, in the case of the Fe₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ mixture, FeCo alloy was formed within compositions of Fe₇₀Co₃₀, to Fe₃₀Co₇₀. Since the temperature was below 841 K, no FeO formed during reduction and the sequence of Fe₂O₃ reduction was found to be Fe₂O₃ → Fe₃O₄ → Fe. Reduction of Co₃O₄ preceded that of Fe₂O₃. In the beginning, the reduction of oxides led to the formation of Fe–Co alloy that was rich in Co. Later Fe continued to enter into the alloy phase through diffusion and homogenization. The lattice strain of the alloy as a function of its composition was measured. In the oxide mixture in which excessive amount of Co₃O₄ was present, all the Co formed after reduction could not form the alloy and part of it appeared as FCC Co metal. The crystallite size of the alloy was in the range of 22–30 nm. The crystal size of the Fe–Co alloy reduced with an increase in Co concentration.     

Thermal,XRD, and magnetization studies on ZnAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and NiAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> spinels,synthesized by citrate precursor method and annealed at 450 and 650 °C

Two aluminate spinel materials (ZnAl₂O₄ and NiAl₂O₄) were synthesized by the citrate precursor method. The citrate precursors consisting of coprecipitated citrates of Zn²⁺ or Ni²⁺ and aluminum were first subjected to thermal analysis (TG-DSC) for determining the optimum temperature for annealing. Two step decomposition was observed incorporating dehydration and formation of the aluminate. The second step gives an endo peak (−2937 J/g) at 356 °C in the DSC curve of the coprecipitated nickel(II) citrate–aluminum citrate gel in O₂ atmosphere. Kinetic/mechanistic analysis of the TG data has also been carried out and values of E _a, ΔS ^#, ΔG ^#, and A were approximated. On the basis of the findings, 450 °C has been chosen for annealing of the gels. Annealing has also been done at 650 °C for 1 h in muffle furnace in an attempt to obtain nanometric particles of aluminates (MAl₂O₄) {M = Ni, Zn} and to find out their magnetic properties which could render them useful for chemical sensing applications, etc. The TG-DSC curves of various powders which were obtained on annealing at the two temperatures did exhibit thermal instability when carried out in N₂ atmosphere. NiAl₂O₄ and ZnAl₂O₄ spinels (particle size 17 and 34 nm, respectively) are obtained in pure crystalline phase at 650 °C. ZnAl₂O₄ prepared this way shows coercivity values of 470 and 58.37 G and NiAl₂O₄, 107 and 23.24 G when annealed at 450 and 650 °C, respectively. ZnAl₂O₄ prepared by a polymer precursor method and annealed at 1000 °C, has earlier been reported to have coercivity value of 469 G. Thus, the citrate precursor method is good for the synthesis of ZnAl₂O₄, producing single phase nanocrystalline powder of high quality and crystallinity. The value of magnetization was found to be small in the present case for the NiAl₂O₄ spinel obtained at 450 °C.     

Concentration Space of Homogeneous Garnet in the System Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–(Y,Bi)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(Fe,Ga)<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>–Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The concentration space of homogeneous garnet in the system Ga₂O₃–(Y, Bi)₃(Fe, Ga)₅O₁₂–Fe₂O₃ was determined by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. The obtained results expand the knowledge of the possible variations of cation ratios Y : Bi : Fe : Ga in garnet, which can be used for searching for and creating new stable magneto-optical materials.     

Structure of bismuth oxoborate Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> at 20, 200, and 450°C

Single crystals of bismuth oxoborate Bi₄B₂O₉ have been grown by slowly cooling the melt of a stoichiometric Bi₂O₃ + H₃BO₃ mixture. The structure of the borate (monoclinic space group P2₁/c, a = 11.107 Å, b = 6.629 Å, c = 11.044 Å, β = 91.04°, Z = 4) has been studied at 20, 200, and 450°C. The structure is described not only in terms of full BiO₆ ^? and BiO₇ polyhedra but also in terms of truncated BiO₃ ^? and BiO₄ ^? polyhedra and BO₃ triangles, as well as oxo-centered OBi₃ triangles and OBi₄ tetrahedra. It is shown that both the B-O and Bi-O bond lengths are practically unaffected by temperature. Only the angles between polyhedra change with temperature, being responsible for the strong anisotropy of Bi₄B₂O₆ thermal expansion, which was measured by high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction: α₁₁ = 20, α₂₂ = 15, α₃₃ = 6 × 10^?6 °C^?1, and μ = (c, α₃₃) = ?19°.     

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.     

A novel one-dimensional organic-inorganic polymer: synthesis and crystal structure of [{Ca(DMF)<Subscript>5</Subscript>}<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiMo<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>]<Subscript>η</Subscript>

A novel polyoxometalate-based organic-inorganic polymer [Ca(DMF)_{5 2}SiMo₁₂O₄₀]_η has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV and X-ray single-crystal structural analysis. The title compound crystallizes in a monocline lattice, P2₁/n, with a =1. 3379 (3),b = 1. 9796 (4), c = 1. 4574 (3) nm, β= 92.24(3)δ,V= 3. 8568 (13) nm³, Z = 2,R ₁ = 0.083 andRw= 0. 2065. The result of crystal structure analysis indicates that Ca²⁺ is surrounded by seven coordination oxygen atoms with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry and bridged with terminal oxygen atom of polyanion in the structure. The compound contains an unprecedented one-dimensional linear chain built by alternate polyanions and cationic units through Mo-O_d-Ca-O-Ca links in crystal. The IR spectra and X-ray crystallography analysis exhibit that there is a strong interaction between the polyanion and organic group in solid state. The electronic spectra (λ= 200–500 nm) for the title compound dissolved in the mixed solvent of acetonitrile and water indicate that it is fully dissociated. The TGA/DTA study shows three stages of weight loss and that the thermal stability of polyanion is better than that of H₄SiMo₁₂O₄₀ · H₂O.     

Synthesis of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@Au core–shell nanoparticles

A new two-step synthesis of Fe₃O₄@Au core–shell nanoparticles stabilized in polyethylene glycol is described. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, UV and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Fe₃O₄@Au nanoparticles featured both optical properties (they featured a plasmon resonance band) and magnetic properties (they responded to an external magnetic field), typical of individual gold and magnetite nanoparticles, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of Ba<Subscript>2</Subscript>Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>22</Subscript> ferrite via glucose sol–gel method

Ba₂Co₂Fe₁₂O₂₂ (Co₂Y) was synthesized by sol–gel method using glucose as chelating agent. X-Ray diffraction studies indicate that sintering temperature as low as 950 °C is sufficient to produce Co₂Y ferrites. Co₂Y ferrites calcined at 1,000 °C exhibit good magnetic prosperities in high frequency, with the resonance frequency up to 11 GHz and intrinsic permeability about 5 even at 6 GHz. The heat-treated temperature dependence of coercivity, initial permeability and resonance frequency is close related to the particle shape and size.     

Preparation of nanostructured thin films of yttrium aluminum garnet (Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>) by Sol—Gel technology

The synthesis of hydrolytically active heteroligand coordination compounds [M(C₅H₇O₂)_3–x(C₅H₁₁Oⁱ)_x] (where M = Al³⁺ and Y³⁺) using aluminum and yttrium acetylacetonates has been studied. The gel formation kinetics in their solutions upon hydrolysis and polycondensation has also been studied. Thin films of a solution of these precursors have been applied to polished sapphire substrates by dip coating. The crystallization of nanostructured yttrium aluminum garnet (Y₃Al₅O₁₂) films during heat treatment of xerogel coatings under various conditions has been studied. How the phase composition, microstructure, and particle size depend on the synthesis parameters has been recognized.     

Preparation of nanostructured thin films of yttrium iron garnet (Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>) by sol–gel technology

The synthesis of hydrolytically active heteroligand coordination compounds [M(C₅H₇O₂)_3?x(C₅H₁₁Oⁱ)_x] (M = Fe³⁺ and Y³⁺) using iron and yttrium acetylacetonates has been studied. The gel formation kinetics in solutions of these compounds upon hydrolysis and polycondensation has also been studied. Thin films of a solution of these precursors have been applied to polished sapphire substrates by dip coating technology. The crystallization of nanostructured yttrium iron garnet (Y₃Fe₅O₁₂) films during heat treatment of xerogel coatings under various conditions has been studied. How the phase composition, microstructure, and particle size depend on the synthesis parameters has been recognized.     

Facile synthesis of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> core–shell nanobelts

We report a facile chemical approach for the synthesis of one-dimensional V₂O₅/TiO₂ core–shell nanobelts. The coated V₂O₅ nanobelts are synthesized by a hydrothermal method which is feasible for large-scale production. V₂O₅ nanobelts coated with a thin layer of TiO₂ sol are formed before sintering, and after sintering one-dimensional V₂O₅/TiO₂ core–shell nanobelts, composed of single-crystalline V₂O₅ nanobelts cores uniformly coated with anatase TiO₂ nanoparticle shells are obtained. The influences of the synthetic parameters, such as sintering temperature and titanium/vanadium mole ratios, on the morphology of the resulting products are investigated. Interestingly, the shape of single-crystalline of V₂O₅ nanobelts is totally preserved after sintering; the morphology can be readily controlled to be smooth or rough by altering the sintering temperature of the shells and titanium/vanadium mole ratio.     

The hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of [2.2′-bipyH]<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>

The title compound, [2.2′-bipyH]₃PW₁₂O₄₀, consists of three [2.2′-bipyH]⁺ and one Keggin structure heteropolyanion [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3?, which was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. It belongs to triclinic system, space group P \(\bar 1\), a = 12.086(3) Å, b = 12.777(4) Å, c = 19.152(4) Å, α = 88.861(2)Å, β = 89.851(3)Å, γ = 67.034(3)Å, M = 3345.72 g/mol, V = 2722.6(12) ų, Z = 2, D _c = 4.081 mg/m³, R₁ = 0.0474, wR ₂ = 0.1135, T = 293(2) K. In this compound, each of the three H⁺ ions locates at between the N atoms in one 2.2′-bipy molecule, respectively. The protonated cations and the heteropolyanion effect each other by the electrostatic force.     

Gel formation specifics in the synthesis of Mg(Fe<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> by the glycine–nitrate method

The gel formed in the synthesis of Mg(Fe_0.8Ga_0.2)₂O₄ powder from corresponding metal nitrates and glycine was studied by thermal and IR spectral analyses. Being a bidentate ligand, glycine was established to initiate the gel combustion reaction resulting in the oxide of the above composition. Based on the data on ΔH₂₉₈° and Cp of the reagents and reaction products, the thermodynamic parameters of this process were calculated.     

Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of polycrystalline GdFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Gd<Subscript>3</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> thin films

Thin films of the perovskite and garnet structured gadolinium ferrites GdFeO₃ and Gd₃Fe₅O₁₂ have been synthesized by a sol–gel method, based on stoichiometric mixtures of acetyl acetone chelated Gd³⁺ and Fe³⁺ dissolved in 2-methoxy ethanol. After spin coating onto Si wafers, and heating in air at 700 °C for 20 h, neatly grown essentially single phase films were obtained. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy an iron deficiency is observed in the uppermost layer of both films, implying that the crystallites preferably end in planes rich in Gd and O but not in Fe. The films were also characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements.     

Sol–gel synthesis of iron yttrium garnet Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> using metal acetylacetonates

The synthesis of hydrolytically active heteroligand complexes of the composition [M(O₂C₅H₇)x(ⁱOC₅H₁₁)_y] (M = Fe³⁺ and Y³⁺) using iron and yttrium acetylacetonates was studied. Their reactivity was shown to be dependent on the degree of shielding of iron and yttrium cations in hydrolysis and polycondensation during the formation of a connected dispersion system. The crystallization temperature of iron yttrium garnet Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ upon heating xerogel was determined. It was found that the dispersity, microstructure, and magnetic characteristics of the products depend on the synthesis conditions.     

Electrophoretic sol–gel synthesis of SrBi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> nanowires

We report the independent invention of perovskite ferroelectric nanowires strontium bismuth tantalate (SrBi₂Ta₂O₉, SBT). Electrophoretic sol–gel techniques have been used successfully. The morphology and structures are analyzed via SEM, TEM and XRD. SBT nanowires and nanoparticles filled template revealed 30 and 40 μm long, respectively. SBT are proved to be a single phase of orthorhombic perovskite structure. As it indicated, SBT nanowires has been crystallized at 700 °C. To minimize surface polarity, SBT nanowires oriented preferentially along the growing axis (c axis) by translation and rotation of atomic clusters of SBT.     

Cationic (metallic) “Memory” in double condensed phosphates: Metals Ln-oxides Ln<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-phosphates MLn(PO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> and MLnP<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

The cationic networks that fix the distribution of cations in planar sections parallel to basis planes of the unit cell of crystal structures have been studied. Topologically identical cationic networks have been shown to be the carriers of deep structure-forming “memory” that successively relates the structures of rare earth metals (La ST) and oxides Ln₂O₃ (A-and B-Ln₂O₃ ST) to the structures of double condensed phosphates MLn(PO₃)₄ and MLnP₄O₁₂.