Preparation of COF2 using CO2 and F2 in the electrochemical cell with PbSnF4 as a solid electrolyte

Tetragonal PbSnF₄ was prepared by precipitation method with Pb(NO₃)₂ and SnF₂ aqueous solutions. The product was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XFS), and the other chemical analyses. Tetragonal PbSnF₄ exhibited the highest electric conductivity of 3.2 Sm⁻¹ at 473 K in air as a fluoride ion conductor. We have investigated the possibility of COF₂ formation using CO₂ and F₂ in an electrochemical cell with PbSnF₄ as a solid electrolyte. At same time, we tried to produce an electric power from an electrochemical cell. This CO₂/F₂ electrochemical cell was constructed with a tetragonal PbSnF₄ disk having Au electrodes. The electromotive force was about 0.9 V at room temperature for 0.1 MPa CO₂/(0.01 MPa F₂ + 0.09 MPa Ar). However, the short circuit current density was 0.24 A m⁻², which was quite small. This current density was so small that no fluorocarbon compound was detected after 3 h discharge using FT-IR.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and thermochemistry of Ca2[B2O4(OH)2]·0.5H2O

A pure calcium borate Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by XRD, FT-IR and TG as well as by chemical analysis. The molar enthalpy of solution of Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O in HC1·54.582H₂O was determined. From a combination of this result with measured enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in HC1·54.561H₂O and of CaO in (HCl + H₃BO₃) solution, together with the standard molar enthalpies of formation of CaO(s), H₃BO₃(s) and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(3172.5 ± 2.5) kJ mol⁻¹ of Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O was obtained.     

Calorimetric study and thermal analysis of [Gd4/3Y2/3(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O and [ErY(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O (Gly: glycin)

Two solid-state coordination compounds of rare earth metals with glycin, [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O and [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O were synthesized. The low-temperature heat capacities of the two coordination compounds were measured with an adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 78 to 376 K. [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O melted at 342.90 K, while [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O melted at 328.79 K. The molar enthalpy and entropy of fusion for the two coordination compounds were determined to be 18.48 kJ mol⁻¹ and 53.9 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O, 1.82 kJ mol⁻¹ and 5.5 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O, respectively. Thermal decompositions of the two coordination compounds were studied through the thermogravimetry (TG). Possible mechanisms of the decompositions are discussed.     

PAMAM dendrimer composite membrane for CO2 separation: Formation of a chitosan gutter layer

A poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer composite membrane with an excellent CO₂/N₂ separation factor was developed in-situ. The In-situ Modification (IM) method was used to modify the surface of commercial porous membranes, such as ultrafiltration membranes, to produce a gas selective layer by controlling the interface precipitation of the membrane materials in the state of a received membrane module. Using the IM method, a chitosan layer was prepared on the inner surface of a commercially available ultrafiltration membrane as a gutter layer, in order to affix PAMAM dendrimer molecules on the porous substrate. After chitosan treatment, the PAMAM dendrimer was impregnated into the gutter layer to form a PAMAM/chitosan hybrid layer. The CO₂ separation performance of the resulting composite membrane was tested at a pressure difference of 100 kPa and a temperature of 40 °C, using a mixed CO₂ (5 vol%)/N₂ (95 vol%) feed gas. The PAMAM dendrimer composite membrane, with a gutter layer prepared from ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether and a 0.5 wt% chitosan solution of two different molecular weight chitosans, revealed an excellent CO₂/N₂ separation factor and a CO₂ permeance of 400 and 1.6 × 10⁻⁷ m³ (STP) m⁻² s⁻¹ kPa⁻¹, respectively. SEM observations revealed a defect-free chitosan layer (thickness 200 nm) positioned directly beneath the top surface of the UF membrane substrate. After PAMAM dendrimer treatment, the hybrid chitosan/PAMAM dendrimer layer was observed with a thickness of 300 nm. XPS analysis indicated that the hybrid layer contained about 20–40% PAMAM dendrimer.     

Solubility of CO2 in imidazolium-based tetrafluoroborate ionic liquids

The solubility of CO₂ in imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]), 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([hmim][BF₄]) and 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrtafluoroborate ([omim][BF₄]) was determined at 305-25 K and pressures from 1 to 9 MPa. The influence of chain length of alkyl substituents on the imidazolium cation on the solubility of CO₂ was investigated. The differences in solubility with chain length are in the sequence [omim][BF₄] > [hmim][BF₄] > [bmim][BF₄]. The solubility data were correlated by the extended Henry's law, and enthalpy, Gibbs free energy and entropy changes were obtained.     

A study on methanol steam reforming to CO2 and H2 over the La2CuO4 nanofiber catalyst

The La₂CuO₄ crystal nanofibers were prepared by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as templates under mild hydrothermal conditions. The steam reforming of methanol (SRM) to CO₂ and H₂ over such nanofiber catalysts was studied. At the low temperature of 150 °C and steam/methanol=1.3, methanol was completely (100%, 13.8 g/h g catalyst) converted to hydrogen and CO₂ without the generation of CO. Within the 60 h catalyst lifespan test, methanol conversion was maintained at 98.6% (13.6 g/h g catalyst) and with 100% CO₂ selectivity. In the meantime, for distinguishing the advantage of nanoscale catalyst, the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder was prepared and tested for the SRM reaction for comparison. Compared with the La₂CuO₄ nanofiber, the bulk powder La₂CuO₄ showed worse catalytic activity for the SRM reaction. The 100% conversion of methanol was achieved at the temperature of 400 °C, with the products being H₂ and CO₂ together with CO. The catalytic activity in terms of methanol conversion dropped to 88.7% (12.2 g/h g catalyst) in 60 h. The reduction temperature for nanofiber La₂CuO₄ was much lower than that for the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder. The nanofibers were of higher specific surface area (105.0 m²/g), metal copper area and copper dispersion. The in situ FTIR and EPR experiments were employed to study the catalysts and catalytic process. In the nanofiber catalyst, there were oxygen vacancies. H₂-reduction resulted in the generation of trapped electrons [e] on the vacancy sites. Over the nanofiber catalyst, the intermediate H₂CO/HCO was stable and was reformed to CO₂ and H₂ by steam rather than being decomposed directly to CO and H₂. Over the bulk counterpart, apart from the direct decomposition of H₂CO/HCO to CO and H₂, the intermediate H₂COO might go through two decomposition ways: H₂COO=CO+H₂O and H₂COO=CO₂+H₂.     

2,5-Dichloro-1-(ROSO2)benzene [R = C6H5, C6F5, and CH2(CF2)4H]: Synthesis, molecular structure, and solubility in supercritical CO2

Highly crystalline phenyl 2,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate (PDBS, T_melt = 86-87 °C) and pentafluorophenyl 2,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate (FPDBS, T_melt = 120-122 °C) were synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray molecular structure determinations show that both compounds have similar three-dimensional molecular structures; however, PDBS crystals are thin platelets and FPDBS crystals form hexagonal tube-like structures that are predominately hollow at one end. PDBS crystals exhibit offset π-stacking of the phenoxy-rings that form complete two-dimensional layers each two molecules thick. Hydrogen-bonding interactions are calculated at ∼3.2 Å between the C6-hydrogen and the sulfonyl-oxygen of a neighboring molecule. On the other hand, for FPDBS, π-stacking of the dichloro-substituted ring as well as dipole-dipole interactions of the fluorinated-phenoxy rings appears to be the predominate intermolecular interactions. Neither structure exhibits any kind of side-on interaction of the phenyl rings. PDBS and FPDBS exhibit melting point depressions of 26 and 40 °C, respectively, in the presence of supercritical CO₂. Although both sulfonates exhibit high solubility in CO₂, much lower pressures are needed to dissolve FPDBS compared to PDBS. For example, at 100 °C FPDBS dissolves at 4750 psia and PDBS dissolves at 11,000 psia. The solubility data reinforce the observation that fluorinating a compound can significantly lower the conditions needed to dissolve that compound in CO₂.     

Synthesis, heat capacity and enthalpy of formation of [Ho2(l-Glu)2(H2O)8](ClO4)4·H2O

A complex of holmium perchlorate coordinated with l-glutamic acid, [Ho₂(l-Glu)₂(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₄·H₂O, was prepared with a purity of 98.96%. The compound was characterized by chemical, elemental and thermal analysis. Heat capacities of the compound were determined by automated adiabatic calorimetry from 78 to 370 K. The dehydration temperature is 350 K. The dehydration enthalpy and entropy are 16.34 kJ mol⁻¹ and 16.67 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The standard enthalpy of formation is −6474.6 kJ mol⁻¹ from reaction calorimetry at 298.15 K.     

Metal-organic chains constructed from pre-organized N2S2 donor ligands

Three new N₂S₂ donor ligands 1,1′-((2-(2-(phenylthio)phenylthio)phenyl)methylene)bis(3,5-R-1H-pyrazole), R = H (L^H), R = Me (L^Me), R = i-Pr (L^i-Pr) have been prepared and characterized. These bifunctional ligands incorporate two distinct chelate donor systems, by virtue of the presence of bispyrazole and bisthioether functions. The preferred conformation of these ligands is such that the N₂ and S₂ donor moieties may be oriented in opposite directions, thus favoring the formation of molecular chains when treated with AgBF₄. The X-ray structures of Ag(I) complexes show that, depending on the steric hindrance present on the pyrazole rings, these ligands behave as κ⁴-SSNN-μ bridging tetradentate (when R = H), or κ³-SNN-μ bridging tridentate (when R = Me, i-Pr). Interestingly, [Ag(L^H)]BF₄ crystallizes in the chiral space group P4₁, with the molecular chain that is folded around the 4₁ screw axis.     

Crystal chemistry of M[PO2(OH)2]2·2H2O compounds (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd): Structural investigation of the Ni, Zn and Cd salts

The compounds M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) were prepared from super-saturated aqueous solutions at room temperature. Single-crystal X-ray structure investigations of members with M=Ni, Zn, Cd were performed at 295 and 120 K. The space-group symmetry is P2₁/n, Z=2. The unit-cell parameters are at 295/120 K for M=Ni: a=7.240(2)/7.202(2), b=9.794(2)/9.799(2), c=5.313(1)/5.285(1) Å, β=94.81(1)/94.38(1)°, V=375.4/371.9 Å³; M=Zn: a=7.263(2)/7.221(2), b=9.893(2)/9.899(3), c=5.328(1)/5.296(2) Å, β=94.79(1)/94.31(2)°, V=381.5/377.5 Å³; M=Cd: a=7.356(2)/7.319(2), b=10.416(2)/10.423(3), c=5.407(1)/5.371(2) Å, β=93.85(1)/93.30(2)°, V=413.4/409.1 Å³. Layers of corner-shared MO₆ octahedra and phosphate tetrahedra are linked by three of the four crystallographically different hydrogen bonds. The fourth hydrogen bond (located within the layer) is worth mentioning because of the short O_h?O bond distance of 2.57-2.61 Å at room temperature (2.56-2.57 Å at 120 K); only for M=Mg it is increased to 2.65 Å. Any marked temperature-dependent variation of the unit-cell dimension is observed only vertical to the layers. The analysis of the infrared (IR) spectroscopy data evidences that the internal PO₄ vibrations are insensitive to the size and the electronic configuration of the M²⁺ ions. The slight strengthening of the intra-molecular P-O bonds in the Mg salt is caused by the more ionic character of the Mg-O bonds. All IR spectra exhibit the characteristic “ABC trio” for acidic salts: 2900-3180 cm⁻¹ (A band), 2000-2450 cm⁻¹ (B band) and 1550-1750 cm⁻¹ (C band). Both the frequency and the intensity of the A band provide an evidence that the PO₂(OH)₂ groups in M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O compounds form weaker hydrogen bonds as compared with other acidic salts with comparable O?O bond distances of about 2.60 Å. The observed shift of the O-H stretching vibrations of the water molecule in the order M=Mg>Mn≈Fe≈Co>Ni>Zn≈Cd has been discussed with respect to the influence of both the character and the strength of M↔H₂O interactions.     

Synthesis and thermochemistry of MgO·3B2O3·3.5H2O

A new magnesium borate MgO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt and characterized by XRD, IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as by TG. The structural formula of this compound was Mg[B₆O₉(OH)₂]·2.5H₂O. The enthalpy of solution of MgO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5595.02±4.85) kJ mol⁻¹ of MgO·3B₂O₃3.5H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound was also calculated by group contribution method.     

Synthesis of nano-sized crystalline oxide ion conducting fluorite-type Y2O3-doped CeO2 using perovskite-like BaCe0.9Y0.1O2.95 (BCY) and study of CO2 capture properties of BCY

Formation of nano-sized Y₂O₃-doped CeO₂ (YCO) was observed in the chemical reaction between proton conducting Y₂O₃-doped BaCeO₃ (BCY) and CO₂ in the temperature range 700-1000 °C, which is generally prepared by wet-chemical methods that include sol-gel, hydrothermal, polymerization, combustion, and precipitation reactions. BCY can capture CO₂ of 0.13 g per ceramic gram at 700 °C, which is comparable to that of the well-known Li₂ZrO₃ (0.15 g per ceramic gram at 600 °C). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), laser particle size analysis (LPSA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ac impedance spectroscopy were employed to characterize the reaction product obtained from reaction between BCY and CO₂ and subsequent acid washing. PXRD study reveals presence of fluorite-like CeO₂ (a=5.410 (1) Å) structure and BaCO₃ in reaction products. TEM investigation of the acid washed product showed the formation of nano-sized material with particle sizes of about 50 nm. The electrical conductivity of acid washed product (YCO) in air was found to be about an order higher than the undoped CeO₂ reported in the literature.     

Change in mechanistic pathway of hydroboration: A detailed kinetic study of H2BBr·SMe2 and HBBr2·SMe2

Hydroboration reactions of 1-octene and 1-hexyne with H₂BBr·SMe₂ in CH₂Cl₂ were studied as a function of concentration and temperature, using ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The reactions exhibited saturation kinetics. The rate of dissociation of dimethyl sulfide from boron at 25 °C was found to be (7.36 ± 0.59 and 7.32 ± 0.90) × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ for 1-octene and 1-hexyne, respectively. The second order rate constants, k₂, for hydroboration worked out to be 7.00 ± 0.81 M s⁻¹ and 7.03 ± 0.70 M s⁻¹, while the overall composite second order rate constants, k K, were (3.30 ± 0.43 and 3.10 ± 0.37) × 10⁻² M s⁻¹, respectively at 25 °C. The entropy and enthalpy values were found to be large and positive for k₁, whilst for k₂ these were large and negative, with small values for enthalpies. This is indicative of a limiting dissociative (D) for the dissociation of Me₂S and associative mechanism (A) for the hydroboration process. The overall activation parameters, ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠, were found to be 98 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ and +56 ± 7 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for 1-octene whilst, in the case of 1-hexyne these were found out to be 117 ± 7 kJ mol⁻¹ and +119 ± 24 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. When comparing the kinetic data between H₂BBr·SMe₂ and HBBr₂·SMe₂, the results showed that the rate of dissociation of Me₂S from H₂BBr·SMe₂ is on average 34 times faster than it is in the case of HBBr₂·SMe₂. Similarly, the rate of hydroboration with H₂BBr·SMe₂ was found to be on average 11 times faster than it is with HBBr₂·SMe₂. It is also clear that by replacing a hydrogen substituent with a bromine atom in the case of H₂BBr·SMe₂ the mechanism for the overall process changes from limiting dissociative (D) to interchange associative (I_a).     

Ion-beam irradiation of lanthanum compounds in the systems La2O3-Al2O3 and La2O3-TiO2

Thin crystals of La₂O₃, LaAlO₃, La_2/3TiO₃, La₂TiO₅, and La₂Ti₂O₇ have been irradiated in situ using 1 MeV Kr²⁺ ions at the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscope-Tandem User Facility (IVEM-Tandem), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). We observed that La₂O₃ remained crystalline to a fluence greater than 3.1×10¹⁶ ions cm⁻² at a temperature of 50 K. The four binary oxide compounds in the two systems were observed through the crystalline-amorphous transition as a function of ion fluence and temperature. Results from the ion irradiations give critical temperatures for amorphisation (T_c) of 647 K for LaAlO₃, 840 K for La₂Ti₂O₇, 865 K for La_2/3TiO₃, and 1027 K for La₂TiO₅. The T_c values observed in this study, together with previous data for Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, are discussed with reference to the melting points for the La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ and La₂O₃-TiO₂ systems and the different local environments within the four crystal structures. Results suggest that there is an observable inverse correlation between T_c and melting temperature (T_m) in the two systems. More complex relationships exist between T_c and crystal structure, with the stoichiometric perovskite LaAlO₃ being the most resistant to amorphisation.     

High-pressure transitions in MgAl2O4 and a new high-pressure phase of Mg2Al2O5

Phase transitions in MgAl₂O₄ were examined at 21-27 GPa and 1400-2500 °C using a multianvil apparatus. A mixture of MgO and Al₂O₃ corundum that are high-pressure dissociation products of MgAl₂O₄ spinel combines into calcium-ferrite type MgAl₂O₄ at 26-27 GPa and 1400-2000 °C. At temperature above 2000 °C at pressure below 25.5 GPa, a mixture of Al₂O₃ corundum and a new phase with Mg₂Al₂O₅ composition is stable. The transition boundary between the two fields has a strongly negative pressure-temperature slope. Structure analysis and Rietveld refinement on the basis of the powder X-ray diffraction profile of the Mg₂Al₂O₅ phase indicated that the phase represented a new structure type with orthorhombic symmetry (Pbam), and the lattice parameters were determined as a=9.3710(6) Å, b=12.1952(6) Å, c=2.7916(2) Å, V=319.03(3) Å³, Z=4. The structure consists of edge-sharing and corner-sharing (Mg, Al)O₆ octahedra, and contains chains of edge-sharing octahedra running along the c-axis. A part of Mg atoms are accommodated in six-coordinated trigonal prism sites in tunnels surrounded by the chains of edge-sharing (Mg, Al)O₆ octahedra. The structure is related with that of ludwigite (Mg, Fe²⁺)₂(Fe³⁺, Al)(BO₃)O₂. The molar volume of the Mg₂Al₂O₅ phase is smaller by 0.18% than sum of molar volumes of 2MgO and Al₂O₃ corundum. High-pressure dissociation to the mixture of corundum-type phase and the phase with ludwigite-related structure has been found only in MgAl₂O₄ among various A²⁺B³⁺₂O₄ compounds.     

Solubility of (UO2)3(PO4)2?4H2O in H+-Na+-OH?-H2PO?4-HPO2?4-PO3?4-H2O and Its Comparison to the Analogous PuO2 +2 System

The objectives of this study were to address uncertainties in the solubility product of (UO₂)₃(PO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(c) and in the phosphate complexes of U(VI), and more importantly to develop needed thermodynamic data for the Pu(VI)-phosphate system in order to ascertain the extent to which U(VI) and Pu(VI) behave in an analogous fashion. Thus studies were conducted on (UO₂)₃(PO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(c) and (PuO₂)₃(PO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(am) solubilities for long-equilibration periods (up to 870 days) in a wide range of pH values (2.5 to 10.5) at fixed phosphate concentrations of 0.001 and 0.01 M, and in a range of phosphate concentrations (0.0001–1.0 M) at fixed pH values of about 3.5. A combination of techniques (XRD, DTA/TG, XAS, and thermodynamic analyses) was used to characterize the reaction products. The U(VI)-phosphate data for the most part agree closely with thermodynamic data presented in Guillaumont et al.,⁽¹⁾ although we cannot verify the existence of several U(VI) hydrolyses and phosphate species and we find the reported value for formation constant of UO₂PO⁻₄ is in error by more than two orders of magnitude. A comprehensive thermodynamic model for (PuO₂)₃(PO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(am) solubility in the H⁺-Na⁺-OH⁻-Cl⁻-H₂PO⁻₄-HPO²⁻₄-PO³⁻₄-H₂O system, previously unavailable, is presented and the data shows that the U(VI)-phosphate system is an excellent analog for the Pu(VI)-phosphate system.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermochemistry of a new form of 2MgO·3B2O3·17H2O

A new magnesium borate, β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O, has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt and characterized by XRD, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as by TG. The structural formula of this compound was Mg[B₃O₃(OH)₅]·6H₂O. The enthalpy of solution of β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(10256.39±4.93) kJ mol⁻¹ of β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound was also calculated by group contribution method.     

K2B12F12: A rare A2X structure for an ionic compound at ambient conditions

The anhydrous salt K₂B₁₂F₁₂ crystallized from aqueous solution and its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Ni₂In-type structure it exhibits is rare for an A₂X ionic compound at 25 °C and 1 atm., consisting of an expanded hexagonal close-packed array of B₁₂F₁₂²⁻ centroids (cent?cent distances: 7.204-8.236 Å) with half of the K⁺ ions filling all of the O_h holes and half of the K⁺ ions filling all of the D_3h trigonal holes in the close-packed layers that are midway between two “empty” T_d holes. The structure is also unusual in that the bond-valence sum for the K⁺ ions in O_h holes is less than or equal to 0.73 (the bond-valence sum for the other type of K⁺ ion is 1.16). A variation of the Ni₂In structure is exhibited by the previously published monohydrate Cs₂(H₂O)B₁₂F₁₂, for which an improved structure is also reported here. For K₂B₁₂F₁₂: monoclinic, C2/c, a = 8.2072(8), b = 14.2818(7), c = 11.3441(9) Å, β = 92.832(5)°, Z = 4, T = 120(2) K. For Cs₂(H₂O)B₁₂F₁₂: orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 9.7475(4), b = 10.2579(4), c = 15.0549(5) Å, Z = 4, T = 110(1) K.     

Porosity, structural and fractal study of sol-gel TiO2-CeO2 mixed oxides

Sol-gel TiO₂-CeO₂ materials were synthesized at pH=3 employing HNO₃ as hydrolysis agent. Gels were thermally treated at 473, 673, 873, and 1073 K, respectively. Morphologies of the final substrates were studied via N₂ sorption, XRD and TEM. N₂ isotherms indicated a steady porosity in TiO₂-CeO₂ samples treated up to 873 K. Adsorption-desorption isotherms and TEM micrographs were used to perform fractal analyses of annealed samples. A dominant anatase phase was detected by XRD between 473 and 873 K while a rutile phase was evident at 1073 K. The presence of cerium conferred an increased thermal stability to the TiO₂ materials against particle sintering and pore collapse. The structure of cerium-doped anatase lattice was visualized through crystal simulation to investigate the possible substitution of Ti⁴⁺ by Ce⁺⁴ ions. This effect and the progressive segregation of CeO₂ crystals with temperature on the surface of TiO₂ grains lead to substrates of assorted morphologies.     

The mercury chromates Hg6Cr2O9 and Hg6Cr2O10—Preparation and crystal structures, and thermal behaviour of Hg6Cr2O9

The basic mercury(I) chromate(VI), Hg₆Cr₂O₉ (=2Hg₂CrO₄·Hg₂O), has been obtained under hydrothermal conditions (200 °C, 5 days) in the form of orange needles as a by-product from reacting elemental mercury and K₂Cr₂O₇. Hydrothermal treatment of microcrystalline Hg₆Cr₂O₉ in demineralised water at 200 °C for 3 days led to crystal growth of red crystals of the basic mercury(I, II) chromate(VI), Hg₆Cr₂O₁₀ (=2Hg₂CrO₄·2HgO). The crystal structures were solved and refined from single crystal X-ray data sets. Hg₆Cr₂O₉: space group P2₁2₁2₁, Z=4, a=7.3573(12), b=8.0336(13), , 3492 structure factors, 109 parameters, R[F²>2σ(F²)]=0.0371, wR(F² all)=0.0517; Hg₆Cr₂O₁₀: space group Pca2₁, Z=4, a=11.4745(15), b=9.4359(12), , 3249 structure factors, 114 parameters, R[F²>2σ(F²)]=0.0398, wR(F² all)=0.0625. Both crystal structures are made up of an intricate mercury-oxygen network, subdivided into single building blocks [O-Hg-Hg-O] for the mercurous compound, and [O-Hg-Hg-O] and [O-Hg-O] for the mixed-valent compound. Hg₆Cr₂O₉ contains three different Hg₂²⁺ dumbbells, whereas Hg₆Cr₂O₁₀ contains two different Hg₂²⁺ dumbbells and two Hg²⁺ cations. The Hg^I-Hg^I distances are characteristic and range between 2.5031(15) and 2.5286(9) Å. All Hg₂²⁺ groups exhibit an unsymmetrical oxygen environment. The oxygen coordination of the Hg²⁺ cations is nearly linear with two tightly bonded O atoms at distances around 2.07 Å. For both structures, the chromate(VI) anions reside in the vacancies of the Hg-O network and deviate only slightly from the ideal tetrahedral geometry with average Cr-O distances of ca. 1.66 Å. Upon heating at temperatures above 385 °C, Hg₆Cr₂O₉ decomposes in a four-step mechanism with Cr₂O₃ as the end-product at temperatures above 620 °C.