Selective oxidation of methanol over supported vanadium oxide catalysts as studied by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Methanol catalytic oxidation over VO_x/Al₂O₃, VO_x/ZrO₂ and VO_x/MgO catalysts has been studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. It was found that stronger acid sites in VO_x/Al₂O₃ result in almost the same selectivities for dimethoxymethane, paraformaldehyde and formic acid, and weaker acid sites in VO_x/ZrO₂ favor the formation of paraformaldehyde, while the VO_x/MgO catalyst with the base support shows high selectivity for formate. Supporting VO_x species on γ-Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ leads to the formation of Brønsted acid sites as revealed by the adsorption of probe molecules. The acid strength of Brønsted acid sites on the VO_x/Al₂O₃ catalyst is found to be stronger than that of the VO_x/ZrO₂ catalyst which has the acid strength similar to zeolite HZSM-5's. The proposed bridging hydroxyl models accounting for the Brønsted acid sites formation were also confirmed by quantum chemical calculation.     

金属掺杂Ce-M(M=Fe、Ni和Cu)催化剂的CO低温氧化性能研究

采用水热合成法制备了一系列不同金属掺杂的Ce-M（M=Fe、Ni和Cu）复合氧化物,运用低温N₂吸附-脱附、XRD、H₂-TPR、拉曼光谱和XPS等表征技术对Ce-M复合氧化物的结构与其CO低温氧化反应性能之间的关系进行了关联。结果表明,将Fe、Ni和Cu掺入CeO₂明显提高了其氧空位的含量,提升了晶格氧的流动性,从而使Ce-M催化剂的还原能力和催化活性高于纯CeO₂。其中,CeCu催化剂氧空位最多、还原能力最好,催化活性最高,130 ℃下即可将CO完全氧化;其次是CeNi催化剂,180 ℃时实现CO完全氧化;与之相比,CeFe催化剂的活性最差,200 ℃时的CO转化率仅为92%。     

Nanofibers composite vanadium oxide/polyaniline: synthesis and characterization of an electroactive anisotropic structure

This contribution describes the synthesis of a hybrid nanocomposite constituted by vanadium oxide/polyaniline (PAni) with an interesting fibrilar morphology. Nanofibers can be obtained as main reaction products of nanocomposite V₂O₅/PAni and hexadecylamine after hydrothermal treatment. In general, nanocomposite nanofibers present a typical length varying from 1 to 10 μm and a width varying from 15 to 400 nm. Electrochemical experiments have shown a specific capacity of about 150 A h kg⁻¹ during the 10 initials cycles, revealing a promissory material for utilization as cathode for ion-Li batteries.     

Correlation between hydroxyl fraction and O/Al atomic ratio as determined from XPS spectra of aluminium oxide layers

A set of five different aluminium oxide layers has been investigated using XPS. The oxide layers were made by oxidizing aluminium in a vacuum, with an alkaline and acidic pretreatment and in boiling water. Hydroxyl fractions of the aluminium oxide layers ranging from 0.0 to 0.5 were determined by constrained curve-fitting of the O 1s peak. The O/Al atomic ratios of the aluminium oxide layers, ranging from 1.5 to 2.0, were determined from the O 1s and Al 2p photoelectron intensities. A method is presented to account for the attenuation of the photoelectron intensities by the contamination overlayer. For the studied oxide layers, a linear relation is observed between the hydroxyl fraction and the O/Al atomic ratio of the aluminium oxide layers. It is concluded that the results obtained by the curve-fitting procedure are reliable. Furthermore, a linear relation is observed between the hydroxyl fraction and the O 1s peak width. The O 1s binding energies of the O²⁻ and OH⁻ components of the oxide layers correspond to 531.0 ± 0.1 eV and 532.4 ± 0.1 eV, respectively. Only pseudoboehmite showed 0.5 eV lower binding energies for these components. Angle-resolved XPS analysis showed that most of the studied oxides are enriched in hydroxyl groups at their outermost surface. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of a layered vanadium oxide with an interlayer metal coordination complex: [Co(phen)3][V10O26]·H2O

A novel compound, [Co(phen)₃][V₁₀O₂₆]·H₂O, was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ccca with a=13.447(3), b=29.936(6), c=23.252(5) Å, V=9360(3) Å³, Z=8 and R=0.0285. Data were collected on a Rigaku R-AXIS RAPID IP diffractometer at 293 K in the range of 1.36<θ<24.99°. The structure of the compound consists of vanadium oxide layers, which are built up from the infinite VO₄ chains by corners and edges sharing. The [Co(phen)₃]²⁺ complexes occupy the interlayer space and contact each other via π−π stacking interactions of the phen groups to form infinite one-dimensional chains.     

The influence of aluminium and aluminium oxide on the effects of mechanical activation of nickel hydroxocarbonate

The chemical and physical processes occurring during the grinding of nickel hydroxocarbonate and mixtures of nickel hydroxocarbonate with aluminium and aluminium oxide were discussed. For mechanical treatment a planetary ball mill was used. The phase analyses of ground products were carried out using thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction methods. The amount of Ni₂(OH)₂CO₃ undecomposed and Al₂O₃xH₂O, xNiO, Ni⁰, Ni_xAl_y alloys and remained Al⁰ in the systems strongly depends on the proportion of components and on the duration of grinding in a mill which was used in the study. The comparative results are presented.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of P/Al ratio in phosphorus-doped aluminium oxide thin films by XRF,RBS and FTIR

Phosphorus-doped aluminium oxide thin films were deposited in a flow-type ALE reactor from AlCl₃, H₂O and from either P₂O₅ or trimethyl-phosphate. Structural information of the films was obtained from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) was used to quantitatively determine the composition of the films. The P/Al intensity ratios calculated from X-ray fluorescence (XRF) results were in a linear relation with the P/Al concentration ratios calculated from RBS results. For comparison, the intensity ratios of the phosphorus peak (P=O) at about 1250 cm^–1 and the aluminium peak (Al-O) at about 950 cm^–1 were determined from the IR absorption spectra. The calibration of FTIR peak intensities was done by plotting the intensity ratios of phosphorus and aluminium peaks against the P/Al concentration ratios measured by RBS. FTIR gave also a linear calibration curve with RBS but the method is less suitable for routine analysis of P/Al ratio than XRF.     

Structural study of titanium doped vanadia and vanadium doped titania catalysts

The morphologies and structures of nanostructurally assembled V₂O₅ doped with Ti as well as of the inverse system, V-doped TiO₂, have been studied using transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The bulk structure of the Ti-doped vanadia particles was found to be crystallized in a rod-like shape and to have the phase composition of V₂O₅ with titanium atoms nonuniformly distributed over the surface. A coherent interface between supported V₂O₅ and TiO₂ particles was found to be the main structural peculiarity of the inverse system, V-doped TiO₂ (anatase). The vanadium atoms are partially exchanged for titanium atoms at the interface, which leads to a change in the bond lengths of V=O and V-O-Ti in comparison with those observed in the monolayer supported vanadia catalysts. Both materials showed good catalytic behavior in the reaction of selective reduction of NO by NH₃. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

X-ray powder diffraction study of chromium-vanadium oxide compounds prepared by “soft chemistry” methods

A novel aqueous method was used to synthesise mixed chromium-vanadium oxide hydrates with various chromium content, via the reaction of peroxo-polyacids of chromium and vanadium. The resulting materials are gelatinous. The dehydration of the gels result in a brown coloured amorphous powder. Depending on the chromium content, the compounds have a different characteristic crystallisation temperature upon the further heating. The crystalline compounds, except for the low chromium ones, go on a phase transition and decompose with increasing temperature. By refining the XRPD measurement data of the compounds, the type and parameters of the unit cells were determined. The experimental data were in concordance with the calculated values, using the PWC code. The lattice parameters and the crystalline structure were changed with the variation of chromium content.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ti1−2xNbxNixO2−x/2 solid solutions

Doped-rutile has been traditionally used in ceramic pigments for its intense optical properties. In this paper, we compare the classical ceramic synthesis of Ti_1−2xNb_xNi_xO_2−x/2 system with the sol-gel methodology, which allows a reduction of the anatase-rutile transformation temperature. The composition was optimised in order to obtain a unique rutile phase with the minimum amount of pollutant Ni(II) and enhanced chromatic coordinates. Incorporation of the doping ions in the rutile structure was corroborated by XRD and Rietveld refinements. The species responsible for the colour mechanism were studied by different techniques. UV-VIS spectroscopy showed the characteristic features of Ni²⁺ ions, whose existence was corroborated by EPR and magnetic measurements. From these results, (Ni,Nb)doped-TiO₂ powder samples can be now shaped as thin films, monoliths, etc. by using sol-gel methodology without modifying their properties. This study introduces new possibilities of coloured TiO₂-based solid solutions in new combined advanced applications (colouring agent and photocatalyst, etc.).     

ESR and DRES study of the state of cobalt,nickel, and copper in oxide catalysts obtained from activated aluminum alloys

ESR and DRES were used to study the state of the cobalt, nickel, and copper ions in catalysts obtained by dissolving cobalt-, nickel-, and/or copper-containing activated aluminum alloys in water with subsequent roasting or impregnation of the support obtained by dissolving activated aluminum in water and solutions of Co, Ni, or Cu nitrates. The formation of highly dispersed M⁰ aggregates, which are rather readily oxidized, is characteristic before heat treatment for Co-and Ni-containing catalysts obtained from the alloys. In the case of Cu-containing systems, several types of copper ions are observed independently of the method of synthesis even before heat treatment. Heat treatment leads to the aggregation of oxidized Co²⁺ ions to give highly dispersed oxide phases. The roasted nickel and copper catalysts contain several types of nickel and copper ions, respectively.N. D. Zelinskii Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117913 Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1987–1992, September, 1992.     

1H mas NMR study of OH groups in the AlPO4/SiO2 system

Three solids of composition SiO₂, AlPO₄ and 20∶80 mol/mol AlPO₄/SiO₂, respectively, were synthesized. Their textural properties were examined and¹H MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize their surface OH groups. The results reveal that the solids are amorphous and texturally suitable for use as catalysts.     

Structural investigations of sol-gel-derived LiYF4 and LiGdF4 powders

A soft synthesis route based on the sol-gel process was used for preparing rare-earth tetrafluoride powders from alkoxide precursors. In-situ fluorination was performed by decomposition of a fluorine containing organic compound named 1,1,1-trifluoro-5-methyl-2,4-hexanedione when sintering the as-prepared xerogel to produce crystallized samples. Both to insure complete departure of organic residues as well as to avoid any oxidation into oxyfluoride, annealing treatment was carried out under fluorine atmosphere. Free-oxygen content of resulting samples was evidenced by infrared and Raman spectroscopies. X-ray absorption spectroscopies (XAS) and ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies showed that samples heat treated at 300 °C are already crystallized but for a full crystallization in LiGdF₄ and LiYF₄ a thermal treatment at 550 °C is needed. Temperature dependence of powder morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, thermal behavior, ferromagnetic resonance and ferrimagmetic behavior of (C4H12N2)1.5[Fe3(HAsO4)1.02(HPO4)0.98(AsO4)0.88(PO4)0.12F5]

(C₄H₁₂N₂)_1.5[Fe₃(HAsO₄)_1.02(HPO₄)_0.98(AsO₄)_0.88(PO₄)_0.12F₅] has been synthesized by using mild hydrothermal conditions under autogeneous pressure. The crystal structure was solved from X-ray single crystal data. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group. The unit cell parameters are a=8.270(7), b=22.028(3), , β=99.79(2)° with Z=4. The crystal structure is formed from [Fe₃(HAsO₄)_1.02(HPO₄)_0.98(AsO₄)_0.88(PO₄)_0.12F₅]³⁻ sheets with the piperazinium cations located in the interlayer space, compensating the anionic charge and establishing hydrogen bonds. The IR and Raman spectroscopies confirm the existence of both the arsenate/hydrogenarsenate and phosphate/hydrogenphosphate oxoanions and the presence of the piperazinium dication. The reflectance diffuse spectrum is in good agreement with the existence of iron(III) high spin cations in slightly distorted octahedral geometry. The values of the Dq and Racah parameters are Dq=1005, B=1020 and . The ESR spectroscopy shows the presence of ferromagnetic resonance. The g-value shifts from 1.99(1) in the 300-15 K range to 3.11(1) at lower temperatures. Magnetic measurements indicate the presence of a ferrimagnetic behavior with the existence of a weak hysteresis loop at 5 K.     

Electron Rutherford back‐scattering case study: oxidation and ion implantation of aluminium foil

Electron Rutherford back scattering (ERBS) is a new spectroscopy for determining the composition of surfaces. In this work the surface sensitivity of ERBS was investigated by changing the entrance and exit angle of the electron beam while keeping the scattering angle constant. It was found that in this way the surface sensitivity of the technique can be varied considerably. We use aluminium as a test case for ERBS, as it is well studied. The technique has been used to investigate the oxide film of aluminium foil as manufactured and the native oxide (Al₂O₃) film formed on a clean aluminium surface exposed to air. We have also used ERBS to investigate the presence of Xe, implanted during the sputter cleaning process, at a variety of depths within an aluminium matrix. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface and catalytic properties of Cu/Zn mixed oxide catalysts

Copper catalysts supported on zinc oxide, with different loading (1–20 wt.% CuO), were prepared by impregnation of the basic zinc carbonate with a water solution of copper nitrate. The impregnated samples were dried at 120°C and calcined at 400–700°C. The surface and catalytic properties of CuO loaded on ZnO were determined by N₂ adsorption measurements conducted at −196°C and CO oxidation by O₂ at 150–300°C, respectively. The results obtained revealed that the surface and catalytic properties of different solids were dependent upon CuO content and calcination temperature. The specific surface areas of various adsorbents decreased monotonically as a function of both calcination temperature and extent of loading. However, the activation energy of sintering, ΔE_S, was found to increase by increasing the amount of CuO present. On the other hand, the CO oxidation activity on various catalysts was found to increase progressively by increasing the calcination temperature from 400 to 500°C, then decreased by increasing the temperature from 500 to 700°C. The augmentation of CuO content from 1 to 5 wt.% resulted in an increase in the CO oxidation activity, which decreased by increasing the extent of loading above this limit.     

Molecular structure and reactivity of titania-supported transition metal oxide catalysts synthesized by equilibrium deposition filtration for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane

The molecular structure and catalytic performance of (MoO_x)_n/TiO₂, (WO_x)_n/TiO₂ and (VO_x)_n/TiO₂ catalysts (synthesized by the equilibrium–deposition–filtration/EDF method) for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane were studied by in situ Raman spectroscopy at 430 °C and catalytic measurements in the temperature range of 420–480 °C. The extent of association within the deposited oxometallic phase followed the sequence (VO_x)_n/TiO₂ >> (MoO_x)_n/TiO₂ > (WO_x)_n/TiO₂; a concurrent trend in reduction susceptibility was evidenced by exploiting the relative normalized Raman band intensities while monitoring the response of the vibrational properties of the catalytic samples under reactive (C₂H₆/O₂/He) and reducing (C₂H₆/He) conditions by in situ Raman spectroscopy. The catalyst reactivity tracks the corresponding trend in reduction susceptibility as evidenced by the in situ Raman spectra. Selective reaction pathways are favored at high coverage whilst combustion routes are activated at low coverages due to the involvement of carrier lattice oxygen sites. The observed apparent reaction rates and activation energies are discussed in relation to various structural and reactivity aspects.     

Preparation, characterization, magnetic susceptibility (Eu, Gd and Sm) and XPS studies of Ln2ZrTiO7 (Ln=La, Eu, Dy and Gd)

Bulk and nanosized pyrochlore materials Ln₂ZrTiO₇ (Ln=La, Eu, Dy, Gd and Sm) have been prepared by the sol-gel method. All the samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Magnetic susceptibility (χ) measurements of Gd₂ZrTiO₇, Sm₂ZrTiO₇ and Eu₂ZrTiO₇ were carried out by vibrating sample magnetometer in the temperature range 2-320 K. The variation of χ⁻¹ (or χ) with temperature of Gd₂ZrTiO₇, Sm₂ZrTiO₇ and Eu₂ZrTiO₇ follows the Curie law, intermediate formula and the Curie-Weiss law, respectively. From the linear portion of χT vs. T⁻¹ plot of Eu₂ZrTiO₇ from 2 to 15 K, the classical nearest neighbor exchange (J^cl) and dipolar interactions (D_nn) are obtained. The XPS of Ln₂ZrTiO₇ (Ln=La, Eu, Dy and Gd) gave characteristic peaks for Ln, Ti, Zr and O. The satellite peaks are observed only for 3d La of La₂ZrTiO₇.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of a new oxide fluoride of composition Ba2SnO2.5F3·xH2O (x≈0.5)

The preparation of a new oxide fluoride of composition Ba₂SnO_2.5F₃·xH₂O (x≈0.5) from the low-temperature (240 °C) reaction between Ba₂SnO₄ and ZnF₂ is reported. X-ray and neutron powder diffraction showed fluorination to result in a significant enlargement along the c-axis (by ca. 3 Å) of the unit cell of the precursor oxide. A structural model based on the perovskite-related K₂NiF₄-type structure of this oxide is proposed in which there is direct replacement of oxygen in octahedral SnO₆ units by fluorine, as well as the presence of F^- at interstitial sites between BaO rock salt layers. Atomistic computer modelling indicates that apical fluorine substitution is favoured. The structural model is supported by the results of ¹⁹F and ¹¹⁹Sn MAS NMR spectroscopy as well as tin K- and barium K-edge EXAFS. Thermal analysis revealed the presence of water in the synthesized material and this is assigned to interstitial sites. ¹¹⁹Tin Mössbauer spectroscopy and tin K-edge XANES are consistent with enhanced withdrawal by substituted fluorine of electron density from Sn⁴⁺.     

Synthesis and characterization of a NaSICON series with general formula Na2.8Zr2−ySi1.8−4yP1.2+4yO12 (0?y?0.45)

In this work, we present the synthesis and the characterization of ionic conducting ceramics of NaSICON-type (Natrium super ionic conductor). The properties of this ceramic make it suitable for use in electrochemical devices. These solid electrolytes can be used as sensors for application in the manufacturing of potentiometric gas sensors, for the detection of pollutant emissions and for environment control. The family of NaSICON that we studied has as a general formula Na_2.8Zr_2−ySi_1.8−4yP_1.2+4yO₁₂ with 0?y?0.45. The various compositions were synthesized by produced using the sol-gel method. The electric properties of these compositions were carried out by impedance spectroscopy. The results highlight the good conductivity of the Na_2.8Zr_1.775Si_0.9P_2.1O₁₂ composition.