An Unusual Phase Transition Driven by Vibrational Entropy Changes in a Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Perovskite

The driving forces for the phase transitions of ABX₃ hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites have been limited to the octahedral tilting, order–disorder, and displacement. Now, a complex structural phase transition has been explored in a HOIP, [CH₃NH₃][Mn(N₃)₃], based on structural characterizations and ab initio lattice dynamics calculations. This unusual first‐order phase transition between two ordered phases at about 265 K is primarily driven by changes in the collective atomic vibrations of the whole lattice, along with concurrent molecular displacements and an unusual octahedral tilting. A significant entropy difference (4.35 J K^?1 mol^?1) is observed between the low‐ and high‐temperature structures induced by such atomic vibrations, which plays a main role in driving the transition. This finding offers an alternative pathway for designing new ferroic phase transitions and related physical properties in HOIPs and other hybrid crystals.     

Successive phase transitions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-methylbenzyl alcohol crystal studied by X-ray and adiabatic calorimetry

Summary Crystal structures of the room-temperature (RT) and low-temperature (LT) phases of p-methylbenzyl alcohol were reexamined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method while paying special attention to detect structural disorder in the RT phase involved in successive structural phase transitions at 179 and 210 K. In the RT phase at 250 K, positional disorder of oxygen atoms was detected in contrast to the previous structure report. The structure of the LT phase coincided to the previous one. Heat capacities were measured by adiabatic calorimetry below 350 K, which covers the structural phase transitions and fusion at 331.87 K. The structural phase transitions were of first-order and required long time for completion. The combined magnitude of entropies of transition was ca. 5 J K^-1 mol^-1, a part of which can be ascribed to the positional disorder observed in the structure analysis. Standard thermodynamic functions are tabulated below 350 K.     

Aggregation of Giant Cerium–Bismuth Tungstate Clusters into a 3D Porous Framework with High Proton Conductivity

The exploration of high nuclearity molecular metal oxide clusters and their reactivity is a challenge for chemistry and materials science. Herein, we report an unprecedented giant molecular cerium–bismuth tungstate superstructure formed by self‐assembly from simple metal oxide precursors in aqueous solution. The compound, {[W₁₄Ce^IV₆O₆₁]([W₃Bi₆Ce^III₃(H₂O)₃O₁₄][B‐α‐BiW₉O₃₃]₃)₂}^34? was identified by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and features 104 metal centers, a relative molar mass of ca. 24 000 and is ca. 3.0×2.0×1.7 nm³ in size. The cluster anion is assembled around a central {Ce₆} octahedron which is stabilized by several molecular metal oxide shells. Six trilacunary Keggin anions ([B‐α‐BiW₉O₃₃]^9?) cap the superstructure and limit its growth. In the crystal lattice, water‐filled channels with diameters of ca. 0.5 nm are observed, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows pronounced proton conductivity even at low temperature.     

Crystal Structures and Phase Sequences of Metallocenium Salts with Fluorinated Anions: Effects of Molecular Size and Symmetry on Phase Transitions to Ionic Plastic Crystals

Sandwich compounds often exhibit various phase transitions, including those to plastic phases. To elucidate the general features of the phase transitions in metallocenium salts, the thermal properties and crystal structures of [Fe(C₅Me₅)₂]X ([ 1 ]X), [Co(C₅Me₅)₂]X ([ 2 ]X), and [Fe(C₅Me₄H)₂]X ([ 3 ]X) have been investigated, where the counter anions (X) are Tf₂N (=(CF₃SO₂)₂N^?), OTf (=CF₃SO₃^?), PF₆, and BF₄. The Tf₂N salts commonly undergo phase transitions from an ordered phase at low temperatures to an anion‐disordered phase, followed by a plastic phase and finally melt at high temperatures. All these salts exhibit a phase transition to a plastic phase, and the transition temperature generally decreases with decreasing cation size and increasing anion size. The crystal structures of these salts comprise an alternating arrangement of cations and anions. About half of these salts exhibit phase transitions at low temperatures, which are mostly correlated with the order–disorder of the anion.     

Encapsulation of Arenes within a Porous Molybdenum Oxide {Mo132} Nanocapsule

The use of confined space to modulate chemical reactivity and to sequester organic compounds spans significant disciplines in chemistry and biology. Here, the inclusion and assembly of arenes into a water‐soluble porous metal oxide nanocapsule [{(Mo^VI)Mo^V₅O₂₁(H₂O)₆}₁₂{Mo^V₂O₄(CH₃COO)}₃₀]^42? (Mo₁₃₂) is reported. The uptake of benzene, halobenzenes, alkylbenzenes, phenols, and other derivatives was studied by NMR, where it was possible to follow the encapsulation process from the outside of the capsule through its pores and then into the interior. The importance of size or shape of the arenes, and various intermolecular bond interactions contributed by the benzene substituent on the encapsulation process was studied, showing the importance of π–π stacking and CH–π interactions. Furthermore, by using NOESY, ROESY, and HOESY NMR techniques it was possible to understand the interaction of the encapsulated arenes and the acetate linkers or ligands that line the interior of the Mo₁₃₂ capsule.     

Pressure dependent Raman studies in the K2Mo2O7·H2O crystal

The pressure dependent Raman scattering in the potassium molybdenum oxide hydrate crystal, K₂Mo₂O₇·H₂O, was measured. The high pressure Raman study showed, that the compound remains in the triclinic structure within the 0.0–3.81 GPa range and undergoes a structural phase transition between 3.81 and 4.13 GPa. This particular phase transition is most likely connected with changes in the Raman spectrum, in which the number of modes associated originally with the stretching vibrations in the MoO₅ and MoO₆ units is increased. However, the phase at atmospheric pressure shows bands due to the presence of only one equivalent site, while in the high-pressure phase, two bands are associated with the stretching modes. Continuing the pressure evolution up to 17.04 GPa, two further phase transitions occurred in this crystal in the 6.3–8.1 GPa and the 12.3–14.0 GPa range, respectively. The Raman spectra measured at about 17.04 GPa presented a crystal structure, which experienced a pre-amorphization with a total loss of all lattice modes. This particular result is indicative that this material may have undergone a complete amorphization at pressures larger than 17.04 GPa. Then, the reversible character in the triclinic P-1 (C_i¹) structure was recovered after releasing the pressure.     

Control over the self-assembly of polymers and layered molybdenum oxide: from the micrometer scale to the molecular scale

We report adjustment on the self-assembly between polymer of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and inorganic molybdenum oxide layers from the micrometer scale to the nanometer scale. Our method is to break the strong interactions between the organic polymers by introducing suitable bridging agents and adjust the reaction speeds of the two competitive reactions in the reaction system. We use I₂ to complex with PVA and break the strong hydrogen interactions between the PVA chains, resulting in a PVA-I₂/(Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ complex, in which the organic and inorganic species self-assemble homogenously on the molecular scale. We also adjust the thickness of the inorganic (Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ layers in the hybrid of PVP/(Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ by controlling the reaction speeds of the two competitive reactions: hydrolysis of Mo₇O₂₄ ⁶⁻ into (Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ and packing into thick inorganic layers on the one hand, and hybridization of (Mo_xO_y)_∞ⁿ⁻ and PVP into layered hybrid on the other hand. Experimental results proved that when the hydrolysis is overwhelming, the inorganic molybdenum oxide chains pack into heavy layers and self-assemble with PVP polymers on the micrometer scale, and when the hybrid reaction dominates, the organic polymer and molybdenum oxide hybridize on the molecular scale. These findings open new routes to disperse organic polymer and inorganic species homogenously and fabricate novel organic/inorganic hybrid nanomaterials in situ.     

Tailoring Transition‐Metal Hydroxides and Oxides by Photon‐Induced Reactions

Controlled synthesis of transition‐metal hydroxides and oxides with earth‐abundant elements have attracted significant interest because of their wide applications, for example as battery electrode materials or electrocatalysts for fuel generation. Here, we report the tuning of the structure of transition‐metal hydroxides and oxides by controlling chemical reactions using an unfocused laser to irradiate the precursor solution. A Nd:YAG laser with wavelengths of 532 nm or 1064 nm was used. The Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Co²⁺ ion‐containing aqueous solution undergoes photo‐induced reactions and produces hollow metal‐oxide nanospheres (Ni_0.18Mn_0.45Co_0.37O_x) or core–shell metal hydroxide nanoflowers ([Ni_0.15Mn_0.15Co_0.7(OH)₂](NO₃)_0.2?H₂O), depending on the laser wavelengths. We propose two reaction pathways, either by photo‐induced redox reaction or hydrolysis reaction, which are responsible for the formation of distinct nanostructures. The study of photon‐induced materials growth shines light on the rational design of complex nanostructures with advanced functionalities.     

Phase transitions in perovskite-like oxyfluorides (NH4)3WO3F3 and (NH4)3TiOF5

Calorimetric and X-ray measurements have been performed on ammonium oxyfluorides (NH₄)₃WO₃F₃ and (NH₄)₃TiOF₅ from 120 up to 300 K. Two and one structural phase transitions were found for the former and latter compounds, respectively. In accordance with the entropy parameters both compounds undergo phase transitions of order–disorder type.     

Modulation of ionic arrangement in polar magnet by chemical pressure

The similarity of local structure-connection pattern and volumetrically compressive strain between host and guest phases can be used to stabilize heteroid metastable matter and tune the local structure and properties. Here a series of metastable ABO₃ (A = Mn; B = Mn_0.5Mo_0.5, Mn_1/3Ta_2/3, and Mn_0.5Ta_0.5) were trapped in LiTaO₃ to form solid-solutions, where the difference of solid solubility limit reveals the barrier of size effect on chemical pressure. All samples show antiferromagnetic characters, in which the (LiTaO₃)_1-x-[Mn(Mn_0.5Mo_0.5)O₃]_x series exhibit more complex magnetic and dielectric behaviors with the increasing of metastable guest phase, stemming from the complex interactive mechanism between Mn²⁺ and Mo⁶⁺. The cell parameter variation of (LiTaO₃)_1-z-[Mn(Mn_0.5Ta_0.5)O₃]_z shows a more regularly changing tendency, on account of the smallest size barrier. These findings show that chemical pressure can effectively stimulate the physical pressure to intercept and modulate a metastable phase at atomic-scale by compressibility effect between like structures at ambient pressure.     

A Variety of Phase‐Transition Behaviors in a Niccolite Series of [NH3(CH2)4NH3][M(HCOO)3]2

A niccolite series of [bnH₂²⁺][M(HCOO)₃]₂ (bnH₂²⁺=1,4‐butyldiammonium) shows four kinds of metal‐dependent phase transitions, from high temperature para‐electric phases to low‐temperature ferro‐, antiferro‐, glass‐like, and para‐electric phases. The conformational flexibility of bnH₂²⁺ and the different size, mass, and bonding character of the metal ion lead to various disorder‐order transitions of bnH₂²⁺ in the lattice and relevant framework modulations, thus different phase transitions and dielectric responses. The magnetic members display a coexistence or combination of electric and magnetic orderings in the low‐temperature region.     

Probing the Catalytically Active Species in POM-Catalysed DNA-Model Hydrolysis**

Phosphoester hydrolysis is an important chemical step in DNA repair. One archetypal molecular model of phosphoesters is para-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP). It has been shown previously that the presence of molecular metal oxide [Mo₇O₂₄]⁶⁻ may catalyse the hydrolysis of pNPP through the partial decomposition of polyoxomolybdate framework resulting in a [(PO₄)₂Mo₅O₁₅]⁶⁻ product. Real-time monitoring of the catalytic system using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) provided a glance into the species present in the reaction mixture and identification of potential catalytic candidates. Following up on the obtained spectrometric data, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to characterise the hypothetical intermediate [Mo₅O₁₅(pNPP)₂(H₂O)₆]⁶⁻ that would be required to form under the hypothesised transformation. Surprisingly, our results point to the dimeric [Mo₂O₈]⁴⁻ anion resulting from the decomposition of [Mo₇O₂₄]⁶⁻ as the active catalytic species involved in the hydrolysis of pNPP rather than the originally assumed {Mo₅O₁₅} species. A similar study was carried out involving the same species but substituting Mo by W. The mechanism involving W species showed a higher barrier and less stable products in agreement with the non-catalytic effect found in experimental results.     

Locating Gases in Porous Materials: Cryogenic Loading of Fuel‐Related Gases Into a Sc‐based Metal–Organic Framework under Extreme Pressures

An alternative approach to loading metal organic frameworks with gas molecules at high (kbar) pressures is reported. The technique, which uses liquefied gases as pressure transmitting media within a diamond anvil cell along with a single‐crystal of a porous metal–organic framework, is demonstrated to have considerable advantages over other gas‐loading methods when investigating host–guest interactions. Specifically, loading the metal–organic framework Sc₂BDC₃ with liquefied CO₂ at 2 kbar reveals the presence of three adsorption sites, one previously unreported, and resolves previous inconsistencies between structural data and adsorption isotherms. A further study with supercritical CH₄ at 3–25 kbar demonstrates hyperfilling of the Sc₂BDC₃ and two high‐pressure displacive and reversible phase transitions are induced as the filled MOF adapts to reduce the volume of the system.     

Role of graphene in structural transformation of zirconium oxide

Fine powders of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) were prepared using zirconium oxychloride by combustion method. The crystalline size of pure ZrO₂ was in range of 14–45 nm. Graphene was incorporated in ZrO₂ using graphene oxide as precursor and reducing it with hydrazine hydrate. X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopy methods were used to characterize the samples. The role of graphene in structural transformation of ZrO₂ to monoclinic phase was clearly observed.     

碳化物修饰的有序介孔炭的制备及其催化肼分解性能

 以间苯二酚和甲醛为炭源, F127 (EO₁₀₆PO₇₀EO₁₀₆) 为结构导向剂, 在酸性水/乙醇溶液中引入 (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄•4H₂O 或 (NH₄)₂WO₄ 溶液, 经静置自组装形成凝胶, 再于 N₂ 中焙烧即合成出金属碳化物修饰的有序介孔炭材料. 结果表明, 金属离子的种类和用量对碳化物的分散度和介孔炭的有序度影响很大. 通过控制金属离子的用量可制备出粒径为 3~5 nm 且高度分散在介孔炭骨架中的碳化物粒子. 与分步浸渍法相比, 一步法制备的碳化物具有更高的分散度和催化肼分解活性.     

Sol–gel synthesis and optical behavior of Mg–Ce–O nano-crystallites

The Mg–Ce–O powder are shown to contain periclase-type MgO and/or fluoride-type cerium oxide (CeO₂) depending upon the composition (x) defined by Ce/(Ce + Mg) atomic ratio. Lattice contraction of pariclase phase of MgO (average crystallite size ~8.8 nm) at Ce content of ‘x’ = 0.20 in comparison to pure MgO (crystallite size ~9.5 nm) has been realized due to oxygen vacancy formation. The optical band gap values of CeO₂ varies (3.0–3.2 eV) due to oxygen vacancy formation in CeO₂ phase, crystallite size and/or Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ratio. Further, the addition of Ce has shown to reduce the physisorption and chemisorption of water significantly as reflected by (1) suppression of related absorption peaks and (2) absence of magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂, bands in Fourier transform infrared spectra.     

Two-Step Structure Phase Transition,Dielectric Anomalies,and Thermochromic Luminescence Behavior in a Direct Band Gap 2D Corrugated Layer Lead Chloride Hybrid of [(CH3)4N]4Pb3Cl10

A direct band gap 2D corrugated layer lead chloride hybrid, [(CH₃)₄N]₄Pb₃Cl₁₀ ( 1 ), shows analogous topology to the {Mg₃F₁₀⁴⁻}_∞ layer in Cs₄Mg₃F₁₀, and with the (CH₃)₄N⁺ cations locating in the inorganic layer voids and between the interlayers. Two reversible structural phase transitions occur in 1 at 225/210 K and 328/325 K upon heating/cooling, respectively. On going from the low- to intermediate-temperature phase, the space group changes from P2₁/c to Cmca, and the crystallographic axis perpendicular to the layers is doubled with the order–disorder transformation of (CH₃)₄N ⁺ cations between the interlayers. The intermediate- and high-temperature phases are isomorphic with similar cell parameters and packing structure; their main difference concerns the disorder degree of the (CH₃)₄N ⁺ cations between the interlayers. The two-step structural phase transitions lead to dielectric anomalies around the corresponding T_c. Interestingly, 1 shows multiband emission, originating from the recombination of exciton and emission of defects. Moreover, 1 exhibits divergent thermochromic luminescent features around the T_c on the intermediate to low temperature transition.     

Crystallite Nanosize Effect on the Structural Transitions of WO3 Studied by Raman Spectroscopy

Nanocrystallites of tungsten oxide samples of 2, 4, 16, 35 and 60 nm of diameter were prepared by cryosol and pyrosol techniques. The pressure- and temperature-induced phase transitions of these samples were monitored by Raman spectrometry from 0.1 MPa to 34 GPa and from 77 to 1200 K. The tetragonal (α)-orthorhombic (β)-monoclinic (γ) transitions in these nanometric samples are strongly downshifted in temperature by comparison with the bulk WO₃. For instance, the tetragonal phase which exists above 1171 K for the bulk tungsten oxide can be stabilized at 700 K for the 35 nm sample. In the same way, the monoclinic P2₁/n-monoclinic P2₁/c high-pressure-induced transition is slightly shifted from 0.1 GPa to a higher pressure (1.5 GPa). The discussion of these transition-line shifts is based on thermodynamic considerations in which the surface energy of crystallites plays an important role.     

Synthesis and characterisation of binuclear oxo molybdenum(V) hypophosphite

Summary A binuclear oxo Mo^V hypophosphite of composition [Mo₂O₄(H₂PO₂)₂(H₂O)₂], is prepared by direct reduction of Mo^VI oxide hydrate (MoO₃·H₂O) with hypophosphorus acid in an argon atmosphere, and characterised by i.r., and electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility and cyclic voltammetry measurements.¹H and³¹Pn.m.r., x-ray diffraction and thermal analysis data contribute to its molecular structure elucidation, and a dioxobridged dioxo Mo^V with bidentate hypophosphite ion and water molecule completing the octahedral coordination around each Mo atom is proposed.     

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry of Nanosized MoO<Subscript>2</Subscript>. Structure and Relative Stability of Isomers of Lower Molybdenum Oxide Cations

MALDI-TOF was used to study molybdenum dioxide (MoO₂) containing a nanosized fraction. The composition of cationic clusters of nonstoichiometric lower molybdenum oxides in the gas phase was determined, and the thermodynamic stabilities and configurations of isomers were calculated for selected symmetric molecular structures and for cations MoSO ₈ ⁺ and Mo₅O ₉ ⁺ . Molecular orbital analysis was performed for two trigonal-bipyramidal clusters Mo₅O₈ and Mo₅O₉. Changes in molybdenum–molybdenum interatomic distances in going from MoO ₈ ⁺ and Mo₅O ₉ ⁺ cations to neutral clusters are discussed.