Synthesis of Solid Solutions in the (1-x)PbZrO3-xK0.5Bi0.5TiO3 System

DTA, TG, XRD and IR methods were used to study the formation of solid solutions in the selected subsolidus range of the PbZrO₃-K_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ system by heating mixtures prepared using oxide substrates, i.e. PbO, Bi₂O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂ and K₂CO₃. It was found that solid solutions are formed in the reaction of PbO and ZrO₂ with intermediate compound, i.e. K_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃. PbZrO₃ was not found to be formed as an intermediate phase. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Solid State Phase Formation in the Bi2O3-PbO-CaO System

Following our previous research, this work is dedicated to the study of phase formation in the subsolidus domain of the Bi₂O₃-PbO-CaO system. Former investigations performed by DTA/TGA and XRD have pointed out that under non-isothermal conditions only the formation of binary compounds occurs. Under such conditions these compounds could be non-equilibrium phases. In order to establish the conditions of formation of equilibrium phases, a study of the Bi₂O₃-PbO-CaO system, in isothermal conditions, was carried out. The results obtained in isothermal conditions have confirmed the presence of Bi₂O₃-rich solid solutions and Ca₂PbO₄ as main equilibrium phases. An attempt to represent the phase relations of the mentioned system at 700°C should be equally mentioned. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Ternary System Li2O-Al2O3-B2O3: Compounds and Phase Relations

The ternary system Li₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃ is reinvestigated with solid-state reaction and X-ray powder diffraction technique to clarify some long-standing uncertainties. The phase relations are constructed based on the phase identifications of 51 ternary samples. Six ternary compounds, Li₂AlB₅O₁₀, LiAlB₂O₅, Li₃AlB₂O₆, Li₂AlBO₄, LiAl₇B₄O₁₇ and a compound with a composition close to 0.66Li₂O·0.06Al₂O₃·0.28B₂O₃, are observed or confirmed in this system, and the thermal stability of these ternary compounds is also discussed on the basis of DTA experimental results.     

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.     

The formation of superconducting oxide phases in the (Bi,Pb)−Sr−Ca−Cu−O System

The crystallization mechanism of superconducting phases in the (Bi,Pb)?Sr?Ca?Cu?O system was determined on the basis of the results of DTA, DTG and TG studies, supplemented by X-ray examination of ceramic powders obtained by the sol-gel method. It has been demonstrated that the factor determining the formation of superconducting phases: Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x (low-T _c ) and Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x (high-T _c ) is the kinetics of reaction of calcium and strontium carbonates with molten CuBi₂O₄. As a result of the reaction of the bimetallic compound CuBi₂O₄ with SrCO₃ in the liquid phase the compound Bi₂Sr₂CuO₆ is formed. This compound, reacting with calcium and copper oxides, yields superconducting phases: the low-T _c and the high-T _c phase. It has been also observed that an increase in the volume fraction of high-T _c phase in powder subjected to thermal treatment takes place probably due to the repeated disproportionation of low-T _c phase and its repeated synthesis from Bi₂Sr₂CuO₆, CuO and CaO.     

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.     

Structure and Ionic Conductivity of Bi6Cr2O15, a New Structure Type Containing (Bi12O14)n Columns and CrO4 Tetrahedra

Powder samples of the Cr⁶⁺-containing compound Bi₆Cr₂O₁₅ were prepared by solid state reaction of Bi₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ in air at 650°C. The structure was solved and refined using high-resolution neutron powder diffraction data in space group Ccc2, with anisotropic thermal displacement parameters a=12.30184(5), b=19.87492(7), and c=5.88162(2) Å, V=1438.0 ų, and 126 variables to R_F=1.8%. Bi₆Cr₂O₁₅ exhibits a new structure type that contains (Bi₁₂O₁₄)⁸ⁿ⁺_n columns, of the kind previously found only for phases isotypic with Bi₁₃Mo₄VO₃₄. Each column is surrounded by eight CrO²⁻₄ tetrahedra. The ionic conductivity of Bi₆Cr₂O₁₅ was determined by impedance measurements to be 3.5×10⁻⁵ (Ω cm)⁻¹ at 600°C.     

Schwingungsspektren einer Bleiperoxyverbindung

Zusammenfassung IR- und Ramanspektren einer mehrfach unter verschiedenen Bedingungen erhaltenen Bleiperoxyverbindung ermöglichten die Feststellung, daß der aktive Sauerstoff darin in Gestalt eines Peroxydicarbonats gebunden ist. Die Zusammensetzung dieser Verbindung kann durch die Formel 2 PbC₂O₆·5 PbO·CO₂ bzw. 2 PbC₂O₆·PbCO₃·4 PbO ausgedrückt werden.

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Vibration spectra of a lead-peroxide compound

IR- andRaman spectra of a Pb-peroxide compound obtained under various conditions indicate that the active oxygen is bound in peroxydicarbonate form. The composition of the compound can be expressed by the formula 2 PbC₂O₆·5 PbO·CO₂ or 2 PbC₂O₆·PbCO₃·4 PbO.

     

Phase formation, crystal chemistry, and properties in the system Bi2O3-Fe2O3-Nb2O5

Subsolidus phase relations have been determined for the Bi₂O₃-Fe₂O₃-Nb₂O₅ system in air (900-1075 °C). Three new ternary phases were observed—Bi₃Fe_0.5Nb_1.5O₉ with an Aurivillius-type structure, and two phases with approximate stoichiometries Bi₁₇Fe₂Nb₃₁O₁₀₆ and Bi₁₇Fe₃Nb₃₀O₁₀₅ that appear to be structurally related to Bi₈Nb₁₈O₅₇. The fourth ternary phase found in this system is pyrochlore (A₂B₂O₆O′), which forms an extensive solid solution region at Bi-deficient stoichiometries (relative to Bi₂FeNbO₇) suggesting that ≈4-15% of the A-sites are occupied by Fe³⁺. X-ray powder diffraction data confirmed that all Bi-Fe-Nb-O pyrochlores form with positional displacements, as found for analogous pyrochlores with Zn, Mn, or Co instead of Fe. A structural refinement of the pyrochlore 0.4400:0.2700:0.2900 Bi₂O₃:Fe₂O₃:Nb₂O₅ using neutron powder diffraction data is reported with the A cations displaced (0.43 Å) to 96g sites and O′ displaced (0.29 Å) to 32e sites (Bi_1.721Fe_0.190(Fe_0.866Nb_1.134)O₇, Fd3¯m (#227), ). This displacive model is somewhat different from that reported for Bi_1.5Zn_0.92Nb_1.5O_6.92, which exhibits twice the concentration of small B-type cations on the A-sites as the Fe system. Bi-Fe-Nb-O pyrochlores exhibited overall paramagnetic behavior with large negative Curie-Weiss temperature intercepts, slight superparamagnetic effects, and depressed observed moments compared to high-spin, spin-only values. The single-phase pyrochlore with composition Bi_1.657Fe_1.092Nb_1.150O₇ exhibited low-temperature dielectric relaxation similar to that observed for Bi_1.5Zn_0.92Nb_1.5O_6.92; at 1 MHz and 200 K the relative permittivity was 125, and above 350 K conductive effects were observed.     

The Phase Relations in the System In2O3–TiO2–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C

The phase relations in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C are determined by a classical quenching method. In this system, there are four pseudobinary compounds, In₂TiO₅, MgTi₂O₅ (pseudobrookite type), MgTiO₃ (ilmenite type), and Mg₂TiO₄ (spinel type) at 1100°C. At 1350°C, in addition to these compounds there exist a spinel-type solid solution Mg_2−xIn_2xTi_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and a compound In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ with lattice constants a=5.9236(7) Å, b=3.3862(4) Å, c=6.3609(7) Å, β=108.15(1)°, and q=0.369, which is isostructural with the monoclinic In₃Ti₂FeO₁₀ in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO. The relation between the lattice constants of the spinel phase and the composition nearly satisfies Vegard's law. In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ extends a solid solution range to In₂₀Ti₁₇Mg₃O₆₇ with lattice constants of a=5.9230(5) Å, b=3.3823(3) Å, c=6.3698(6) Å, β=108.10(5)°, and q=0.360. The distributions of constituent cations in the solid solutions are discussed in terms of their ionic radius and site preference effect.     

Thermal transformations of lead oxides

Differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermogravimetry, X-ray analysis and electronic microscopic studies of thermal transformations of PbO₂ were carried out. Formation of fine dispersed (less than 100 nm) particles of α-PbO was observed at PbO₂ thermal decomposition at heating to 580°C. Reverse reaction of Pb₃O₄ formation from PbO was found at cooling and annealing at 400°C in air. At heating of α-PbO to 650°C the particle growth to 1 μm with formation of β-PbO took place. Thermal decomposition with formation of β-PbO particles with size from 0.3 to 1 μm at PbO₂ heating to 650°C was observed. Transition from PbO to Pb₃O₄ at cooling of sample heated to 650°C was not detected. Interpretation of observed phenomena from the point of view of particle size influences on the shift of α-PbO↔β-PbO phase transition temperature and on the chemical activity of phases are presented.     

Preparation of a new pyrochlore-type compound Na0.32Bi1.68Ti2O6.46(OH)0.44 by hydrothermal reaction

A new pyrochlore-type Na_0.32Bi_1.68Ti₂O_6.46(OH)_0.44 with the cubic cell of a=10.339(5) Å was prepared by hydrothermal reaction using TiO₂ (anatase) and Bi₂O₃ in NaOH solution. This compound was obtained when the molar ratio of NaOH/TiO₂ was above 2 and the reaction temperature was above 240 °C. The TG-curve of as-prepared sample showed a mass loss of 0.8 mass% which was caused by release of OH group. This compound decomposed to a pyrochlore-type compound and a layered-type Na_0.5Bi_4.5Ti₄O₁₅ above 800 °C. The optical band gap of Na_0.32Bi_1.68Ti₂O_6.46(OH)_0.44 was estimated to be 2.5 eV.     

Crystal structure, stoichiometry, and dielectric relaxation in Bi3.32Nb7.09O22.7 and structurally related ternary phases

The crystal structure of the phase previously reported to occur at 4:9 Bi₂O₃:Nb₂O₅ has been determined using single-crystal X-ray and powder neutron diffraction (P6₃/mmc; a=7.4363(1) Å, c=19.7587(5) Å; Z=2). The structural study combined with phase equilibrium analyses indicate that the actual composition is Bi_3.32Nb_7.09O_22.7. This binary compound is the end-member of a family of four phases which form along a line between it and the pyrochlore phase field in the Bi₂O₃:Fe₂O₃:Nb₂O₅ system. The structures are derived from the parent pyrochlore end-member by chemical twinning, and can also be described as unit-cell intergrowths of the pyrochlore and hexagonal tungsten bronze (HTB) structures. The dielectric properties of the three chemically twinned pyrochlore phases, Bi_3.32Nb_7.09O_22.7, Bi_9.3Fe_1.1Nb_16.9O_57.8 and Bi_5.67FeNb₁₀O₃₅, were characterized. All exhibit low-temperature, broad dielectric relaxation similar to that of the Bi-Fe-Nb-O pyrochlore. At 1 MHz and ≈175 K the observed relative permittivites were 345, 240, and 205, respectively, compared to 125 for the Bi-Fe-Nb-O pyrochlore. The higher relative permittivities observed for the chemically twinned pyrochlore derivatives are ascribed to the presence of HTB blocks in their structures: The Bi atoms located in the HTB blocks feature highly asymmetric coordination environments compared to pyrochlore, and the magnitude of the relative permittivity increases with the proportion of Bi located within the HTB portions of the structures.     

四角星形BiVO4/Bi2O3催化剂的制备及性能

采用水热法合成具有四角星形貌的钒酸铋,再将钒酸铋浸渍在碱溶液里二次水热,制备出BiVO_4/Bi_2O_3催化剂。采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM),紫外-可见漫反射(UV-Vis DRS)等方法对样品进行表征。可见光下,BiVO_4/Bi_2O_3复合物的光催化降解罗丹明B性能及光电流响应均优于纯BiVO_4。这是由于BiVO_4/Bi_2O_3复合材料形成了异质结构,有效抑制了光生电子与空穴的复合效率。     

四角星形BiVO4/Bi2O3催化剂的制备及性能研究

采用水热法合成具有四角星形貌的钒酸铋,再将钒酸铋浸渍在碱溶液里二次水热,制备出BiVO₄/Bi₂O₃催化剂。采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM),紫外-射(UV-Vis DRS)等方法征。可见光下,BiVO₄/Bi₂O₃复合物的光催化降解丹明B性能及光电优于纯BiVO₄。BiVO₄/Bi₂O₃复合材料形成了异质结构,有效抑制了光电子与空穴的复合效率。     

Phase Relations in The V2O5–MoO3–α-Sb2O4 System in The Solid State in Air Atmosphere

The phase equilibria established in the V₂O₅–MoO₃–α-Sb₂O₄ system in the solid state in an air atmosphere were examined by using XRD and DTA methods. The obtained results allowed us to find that in this system a novel compound is formed involving three oxides. Its formula can be written as Sb₃V₂Mo₃O₂₁. The synthesis of this compound requires picking up the atmospheric oxygen. X-ray characteristics of this compound were determined and it was found that it melted incongruently at 740°C. The results obtained until now allow us to divide the investigated V₂O₅–MoO₃–α-Sb₂O₄ system into five partial subsystems. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO32D纳米片复合材料的制备及可见光催化性能研究

采用自组装和化学沉淀法分别制得两种可见光驱动复合材料石墨相氮化碳/碳酸氧铋(g-C_3N_4/Bi_2O_2CO_3).采用X射线衍射光谱(XRD),紫外可见光谱、扫描电镜(SEM)、N_2吸附、电化学阻抗谱(EIS)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等分析手段对制备的催化剂进行了表征.结果表明,制备方法对纳米复合材料的晶相、形态及光学性能没有影响,但是影响g-C_3N_4和Bi_2O_2CO_3之间的相互作用力,导致光生电子-空穴对的分离速率存在显著差异.以可见光驱动苯酚和罗丹明B的降解实验为探针反应检测催化剂的光催化性能.实验结果表明自组装法得到的异质结催化剂中相互作用力更强,催化效果最高.O_2-是罗丹明B降解反应的主要活性物种,染料的光敏化、Bi_2O_2CO_3与g-C_3N_4综合效应,导致光生载流子电荷分离效率更高.     

Kinetics of the decomposition of calcium carbonate in the presence of Bi2O3

Former studies concerning the formation of the compounds in the pseudobinary systems of Bi₂O₃-MO type (M =Ca, Sr, Ca+Sr) have shown that the reaction which occurs with the highest rate is that between Bi₂O₃ and CaO. In the present work CaCO₃ was used as CaO source. We carried out an investigation of the thermal decomposition of CaCO₃ in the presence of Bi₂O₃ in comparison with the decomposition of pure CaCO₃.The presence of Bi₂O₃ exerts a complex influence on the CaCO₃ decomposition acting on the nucleation as well as on the diffusion of CO₂. The decomposition of the samples with low Bi₂O₃ content follows the mechanism of a contracting sphere. A change from surface nucleation to bulk nucleation is recorded for higher amounts of Bi₂O₃.     

Crystal chemistry and crystallography of the Aurivillius phase Bi5AgNb4O18

Bi₅AgNb₄O₁₈ is a new phase, which was discovered during the phase equilibrium study of the Bi₂O₃-Ag₂O-Nb₂O₅ system. Bi₅AgNb₄O₁₈ was prepared at 750°C and is stable in air up to its melting temperature of 1160.1±5.0°C (standard error of estimate). Results of a Rietveld refinement using neutron powder diffraction confirmed that Bi₅AgNb₄O₁₈ is isostructural with Bi₃TiNbO₉, Bi₅NaNb₄O₁₈, and Bi₅KNb₄O₁₈. The structure was refined in the orthorhombic space group A2₁am, Z=2, and the lattice parameters are a=5.4915(2) Å, b=5.4752(2) Å, c=24.9282(8) Å, and V=749.52(4) Å³. The structure can be described as the m=2 member of the Aurivillius family, (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ (A_m−1B_mO_3m+1)²⁻ (where A=Bi and B=Ag, Nb), which is characterized by perovskite-like (A_m−1B_mO_3m+1)²⁻ slabs regularly interleaved with (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ layers. The octahedral [NbO₆] units are distorted with Nb-O distances ranging from 1.856(4) to 2.161(2) Å and the O-Nb-O angles ranging from 82.6(3)° to 98.5(3)°. These octahedra are tilted about the a- and c-axis by about 10.3° and 12.4°, respectively. Ag was found to substitute exclusively into the Bi-site that is located in the layer between the two distorted [NbO₆] units. Although the Ag substitutes into the Bi-site with the Bi:Ag ratio of 1:1, the existence of a superlattice was not detected using electron diffraction. A comparison of (Bi₂O₂)²⁺(A_m−1Nb_mO_3m+1)²⁻ structures (where A=Ag, Na, and K) revealed a relation between the pervoskite tolerance factor, t, and structural distortion. The reference pattern for Bi₅AgNb₄O₁₈ has been submitted to the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD) for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File.     

Preparation and visible light photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3/Bi2WO6 heterojunction photocatalysts

The Bi₂O₃/Bi₂WO₆ heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared by a two-step solvothermal process using Bi(NO₃)₃-ethylene glycol solution as Bi source. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The heterostructure catalysts are composed of Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles as modifier and 3D Bi₂WO₆ microspheres as substrate. Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles with diameters of about 10-15 nm are tightly grown on the lateral surface of the Bi₂WO₆ microspheres. The hierarchical Bi₂O₃/Bi₂WO₆ microspheres exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than the single phase Bi₂WO₆ or Bi₂O₃ for the degradation of rhodamine B under visible light illumination (λ>420 nm). The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of the Bi₂O₃/Bi₂WO₆ heterojunction catalysts can be ascribed to their improved light absorption property and the reduced recombination of the photoexcited electrons and holes during the photocatalytic reaction. The effect of loading amount of Bi₂O₃ on the catalytic performance of the heterojunction catalysts was also investigated and the optimal content of Bi₂O₃ is 3 wt%. The Bi₂O₃/Bi₂WO₆ heterojunction photocatalysts are essentially stable during the photocatalytic process.