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.).     

Simultaneous propane dehydrogenation andco2hydrogenation overCrOx/SiO2catalyst

Summary Single reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) and dehydrogenation of propane with CO₂(DH-CO₂) reactions in the presence and absence of the CrO_x/SiO₂ catalyst have been studied between 673 and 873 K. It was found that the CrO_x/SiO₂ catalyst is active both in the dehydrogenation of propane and in the RWGS reactions. The obtained results suggest that the dehydrogenation of propane to propene in the presence of CO₂on CrO_x/SiO₂can be facilitated by the RWGS reaction.</o:p>     

Visible light-sensitive yellow TiO2−xNx and Fe-N co-doped Ti1−yFeyO2−xNx anatase photocatalysts

Nitrogen substituted yellow colored anatase TiO_2−xN_x and Fe-N co-doped Ti_1−yFe_yO_2−xN_x have been easily synthesized by novel hydrazine method. White anatase TiO_2−δ and N/Fe-N-doped samples are semiconducting and the presence of ESR signals at g ∼1.994-2.0025 supports the oxygen vacancy and g∼4.3 indicates Fe³⁺ in the lattice. TiO_2−xN_x has higher conductivity than TiO_2−x and Fe/Fe-N-doped anatase and the UV absorption edge of white TiO_2−x extends in the visible region in N, Fe and Fe-N co-doped TiO₂, which show, respectively, two band gaps at ∼3.25/2.63, ∼3.31/2.44 and 2.8/2.44 eV. An activation energy of ∼1.8 eV is observed in Arrhenius log resistivity vs. 1/T plots for all samples. All TiO₂ and Fe-doped TiO₂ show low 2-propanol photodegradation activity but have significant NO photodestruction capability, both in UV and visible regions, while standard Degussa P-25 is incapable in destroying NO in the visible region The mid-gap levels that these N and Fe-N-doped TiO₂ consist may cause this discrepancy in their photocatalytic activities.     

Oxygen defect K2NiF4-type oxides: The compounds La2−xSrxCuO4−x2+δ

Oxygen defect K₂NiF₄-type oxides $\text{La}{}_{\mathrm{2?x}}\text{Sr}{}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{CuO}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>4?</mtext><mtext>x</mtext><mtext>2</mtext><mtext>+\delta </mtext>}}$ have been synthesized for a wide composition range: 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.34. From the X-ray and electron diffraction study three domains have been characterized: orthorhombic compounds with La₂CuO₄ structure for 0 ≤ x < 0.10, tetragonal oxides similar to LaSrCuO₄ for 0.10 ≤ x < 1 and several superstructures derived from the tetragonal cell ( with n = 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 6) for 1 ≤ x ≤ 1.34. The compounds corresponding to 0 < x < 1 differ from the other oxides in that they are characterized by the presence of copper with two oxidation states: + 2 and + 3. A model structure for La_0.8Sr_1.2CuλO_3.4, in which copper has only the + 2 oxidation state, and for which the actual cell is tegragonal—a = 18.80₄ Å and c = 12.94 Å—has been established. The particular structural evolution of these compounds is discussed in terms of a competition between the capability of Cu(II) to be oxidized to Cu(III) and the ordering of oxygen vacancies.     

The structure of a barium niobium silicon oxide with the probable composition Ba6+xNb14Si4O47 (x ⋍ 0.23)

Reaction of BaO, Nb₂O₅, and Nb in mole ratios of 2.4:1.6:1 in an evacuated silica capsule at 1250°C produces a mixture of at least two products, one of which has the probable composition $\text{Ba}{}_{\mathrm{6+x}}\text{Nb}{}_{14}\text{Si}{}_4\text{O}{}_{47}\text{(x ? 0.23)}$. This compound has an hexagonal unit cell of dimensions a = 9,034 ± 0.004 Å, c = 27.81 ± 0.02 Å, probable space group $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mcm}\text{, Z = 2}$. Its structure has been determined from 942 independent reflections collected by a counter technique and refined by least squares methods to a conventional R value of 0.062. The basic structure consists of strings of four NbO₆ octahedra sharing opposite corners, each string joined to the next by edge sharing of the end octahedra, so that the c axis corresponds to the length of a strand of seven corner-linked octahedra. Chains of three such strands are formed by corner sharing between the strands. The chains in turn are joined by NbO₆ octahedra and Si₂O₇ groups in which the SiOSi linkage is linear. Barium atoms are in sites between the chains coordinated by 13 oxygen atoms. A second site, 15 coordinated, probably has a small amount of barium as well; the fractional occupancy for barium in this site is 0.076.     

A kinetic study of the system γ-AlOOHAl2O3

A time-temperature study has been made of the system: $\text{γ-}\text{AlOOH (boehmite)}\text{Al}{}_2\text{O}{}_3$. The isothermal TTT diagram produced demonstrates the course of the transformation sequence, which involves a number of metastable transition alumina intermediate phases. This type of treatment allows calculation of kinetic parameters for the various transformation processes, and these may be correlated with the mechanisms operating. Kinetic aspects of variations in microstructure and crystal structure have also been studied. In particular, the progress of cation migration processes involved in the transformation γ → δ-Al₂O₃ has been followed in terms of the continuous variation of the spinel subcell parameters.     

Trace-element levels in tissues of rats and dogs treated with cis-diammine/1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato/platinum/II/ /Carboplatin/

Platinum and eleven other trace elements were determined by radiochemical neutron activation analysis in tissues of healthy rats and dogs treated with the anti-cancer drug carboplatin. In rats the levels of the trace elements were not much influenced; in the kidney only the Co and the Sb levels were decreased and in the liver only the Mo level was increased. A parallel tendency in the Co and Mo metabolism was seen in dogs. Carboplatin treatment tends to reduce the Cd, Co and Fe levels in metabolic active organs, kidney, liver, spleen and/or pancreas of the dog.     

A study of the spinel materials LiTi2O4 and Li43Ti53O4 by photoelectron spectroscopy

HeI-excited valence-band ultraviolet photoelectron spectra and MgKα-excited Ti-2p X-ray photoelectron spectra are reported for the spinel materials LiTi₂O₄ and $\text{Li}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>4</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{Ti}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{O}{}_4$. The presence of a Fermi edge in the ultraviolet photoelectron spectrum of LiTi₂O₄ confirms the metallic nature of this material, although the measured density of states at the Fermi energy is much lower than that expected from an independent-electron interpretation of the magnetic susceptibility. This difference is attributed to a strong interaction of the conduction electrons with the lattice vibrations. The localization of conduction electrons that occurs in the final state in the Ti-2p X-ray photoelectron spectrum of LiTi₂O₄ is attributed to a Coulomb interaction with a core hole.     

An investigation of the promotional effect of propylene or propane traces on the activity of sulfatedPt/g-Al2O3andPt-Sn/g-Al2O3inCH4combustion

Summary A strong promoting effect of the presence of C₃H₈or C₃H₆was determined for the combustion of CH₄in excess oxygen, over pre-sulfated 1%Pt/g-Al₂O₃and pre-sulfated 1%Pt-2%Sn/g-Al₂O₃catalysts.</o:p>     

Zr1-xMxWMoO8-x/2和Zr1-xMxW2O8-x/2固溶体的晶胞参数与晶格畸变的关系

合成了Zr1-xMxWMoO8-x/2(M=Er,Tm,Yb,Sc,In,Ga,Al)和Zr1-xMxW2O8-x/2(M=Eu,Er,Yb,Sc,In,Ga,Al)2个系列的固溶体,前者具有β-ZrW2O8结构类型(简称β相);后者具有α-ZrW2O8结构类型(简称α相)。建立了相和相的晶胞参数与M3+离子浓度的Vegard方程,测定了上述固溶体的固溶度。讨论了M3+离子的化学性质与Vegard斜率SV的关系。分析了α相的SαA与β相的SβA的关系;揭示了α-Zr1-xMxW2O8-x/2晶格中2[WO4]四面体对的取向有序程度对晶格畸变的贡献。提出上述固溶体的晶胞参数随溶质浓度增加而减小,主要是由于氧空位缺陷相互作用的结果。     

Reductive carbonylation of nitrobenzene over Pd/Fe/I2/Py and Pd/C/Fe/I2/Py catalytic systems

A simple catalytic system containing metallic palladium, iron and iodine has been shown to be very active in the carbonylation of nitrobenzene to carbamate. The influence of the components of the catalytic system studied on its selectivity and activity has been established. It has been found that the catalytic activity of palladium supported on carbon (using both lignite coal and bituminous coal) was not lower than the activity of metallic palladium. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Local environment in Ba2In2−xWxO5+3x/2 oxide ion conductors

The actual oxygen environment of the tungsten dopant in the Ba₂In_2−xW_xO_5+3x/2 solid solution was revealed by combining X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the tungsten L_I and L_III edges and at the indium L_I edge. Whatever the substitution ratio, the tungsten atoms exhibit a regular octahedral environment. When the substitution ratio increases, the oxygen vacancies are progressively filled until their total occupancy for x=2/3. For x?0.3, the perovskite structure is stabilised; the tungsten atoms are randomly distributed in the structure. Although X-ray diffraction revealed a cubic symmetry for these compositions, a local distortion of the indium environment is observed when a tungsten atom is in its surrounding.     

On the reduction kinetics of coprecipitated NiO-Al2O3 and NiO-La2O3-Al2O3 catalysts

Summary Reduction kinetic studies reveal qualitative and quantitative information about reducible NiO species co in the nano-size, coprecipitated NiO-Al₂O₃ and NiO-La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ mixed oxides.      

Electrochemical investigations of the system LiUO2F2

Uranyl fluoride, UO₂F₂, and a lithiated uranyl fluoride, Li₂UO₂F₂, have been studied as the electrochemically active materials in nonaqueous lithium batteries. Both open circuit and discharge potentials have been measured as a function of utilization. The reversibility of the couple has been demonstrated. It is concluded that the phase Li₂UO₂F₂ is an end member of a nonstoichiometric homogeneity range of generalized composition Li_xUO₂F₂ where x varies from 0 to 2.     

Aqueous synthesis of glutathione-capped CdTe/CdS/ZnS and CdTe/CdSe/ZnS core/shell/shell nanocrystal heterostructures

Here we demonstrate the aqueous synthesis of colloidal nanocrystal heterostructures consisting of the CdTe core encapsulated by CdS/ZnS or CdSe/ZnS shells using glutathione (GSH), a tripeptide, as the capping ligand. The inner CdTe/CdS and CdTe/CdSe heterostructures have type-I, quasi-type-II, or type-II band offsets depending on the core size and shell thickness, and the outer CdS/ZnS and CdSe/ZnS structures have type-I band offsets. The emission maxima of the assembled heterostructures were found to be dependent on the CdTe core size, with a wider range of spectral tunability observed for the smaller cores. Because of encapsulation effects, the formation of successive shells resulted in a considerable increase in the photoluminescence quantum yield; however, identifying optimal shell thicknesses was required to achieve the maximum quantum yield. Photoluminescence lifetime measurements revealed that the decrease in the quantum yield of thick-shell nanocrystals was caused by a substantial decrease in the radiative rate constant. By tuning the diameter of the core and the thickness of each shell, a broad range of high quantum yield (up to 45%) nanocrystal heterostructures with emission ranging from visible to NIR wavelengths (500-730 nm) were obtained. This versatile route to engineering the optical properties of nanocrystal heterostructures will provide new opportunities for applications in bioimaging and biolabeling.     

High Lithium Capacity MxV2O5Ay·nH2O for Rechargeable Batteries

The aqueous synthesis and electrochemical properties of nanocrystalline M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O are described. It is easily and quickly prepared by precipitation from acidified vanadate solutions. M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O has been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, TGA, chemical analyses, and electrochemical studies. The atomic structure is related to that of xerogel-derived V₂O₅·nH₂O. In M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O, M is a cation from the starting vanadate salt and A is an anion from the mineral acid. This material exhibits high, reversible Li capacity and may be considered for use in a cathode in primary and secondary batteries. The lithium capacity of an electrode composed of M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O/EPDM/carbon (88/4/8) is ∼380(mA h)/g (C/80 rate) and the energy density is ∼1000(W h)/kg (120-μm-thick cathode, 4-1.5 V, versus Li metal anode). Critical parameters identified in the synthesis of M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O, with respect to achieving high Li-ion insertion capacity, are acid/vanadium ratio, starting vanadate salt, and temperature. Inclusion of carbon black in the synthesis yields a composite that maintains the high Li capacity, lowers the electrochemical-cell polarization, and preserves the lithium capacity at higher discharge rates. Li-ion coin cells, using pre-lithiated graphite anodes, exhibit electrochemical performance comparable to that of Li-metal coin cells.     

Textural and catalytic properties of the FexOy/Fe-KClO4 system

Selected properties of commercial iron powders, standardised in the atmosphere of hydrogen, have been studied. The reactivity of iron oxides in the thermal decomposition of KClO₄ in the solid-state mechanical mixture of Fe and KClO₄ containing 9, 13, 17, 21 and 25 wt.% of KClO₄, respectively, has been tested by the differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). It has been established that the Fe₃O₄ phase on the surface of the iron powder act as an effective catalysts in the thermal decomposition of KClO₄.     

A structural study of the perovskite series Ca1−xNaxTi1−xTaxO3

Compounds in the solid solution series Ca_1−xNa_xTi_1−xTa_xO₃ were synthesized at 1300 °C, followed by annealing at 850 °C or 800 °C with quenching and/or slow cooling to room temperature. Rietveld refinement of their powder X-ray diffraction patterns show that all compounds are single-phase ternary perovskites which adopt the space group Pbnm (a≈b≈√2a_p; c≈2a_p; Z=4) at ambient conditions. The unit cell parameters and cell volumes of the compounds increase regularly with increasing values of x. The coordination of the A-site cations changes throughout the series from eight for CaTiO₃ to nine for NaTaO₃. Compounds with 0?x ?0.4 have A-site cations in eight fold coordination, whereas the coordination of those with 0.4<x<0.9 is ambiguous. Analysis of the crystal chemistry of the compounds shows that the change in coordination at x=0.4 is related to the departure of the B-site cations from the second coordination sphere of the A-site cations, as in compounds with x>0.4 the A-^IIO distances become less than the A-B intercation distances. Contemporaneous with these coordination changes, the tilt angles of the BO₆ polyhedra decrease with increasing values of x. This solid solution series is unusual in that these structural and coordination changes occur regardless that Goldschmidt tolerance factors remain essentially constant at approximately 0.89, and observed tolerance factors, assuming eight fold coordination of the A-site cations, range only from 0.91 to 0.93 (0?x?0.8).     

Electronic and magnetic properties of LaNi1−xCoxO3, LaCo1−xFexO3 and LaNi1−xFexO3

LaNi_1?xCo_xO₃ shows itinerant d-electron behavior similar to LaNiO₃ up to x = 0.5. In the range 0.5 < x < 1.0, the cobalt spin state equilibrium is markedly affected; the localized-itinerant electron transition of LaCoO₃ is not seen when x < 0.95. In LaCo_1?xFe_xO₃, itinerancy of d-electrons decreases with increase in x and the compositions with x > 0.5 are similar to LaFeO₃. If x > 0.1, the localized-itinerant electron transition is not seen and the cobalt spin state equilibrium is considerably altered. In LaNi_1?xFe_xO₃, itinerancy decreases with increase in x. These observations can be satisfactorily explained in terms of Goodenough's energy band schemes.     

Structure and electrical conductivity of the ferrocuprate solid solutions Sm1/2Gd1/2BaCuFeO5.05, Gd1/2Yb1/2BaCuFeO5.02 and Ho1/3Yb2/3BaCuFeO5.05

The unit cell parameters of the crystal structures of the ferrocuprate solid solutions Sm_1/2Gd_1/2BaCuFeO_5.05, Gd_1/2Yb_1/2BaCuFeO_5.02, and Ho_1/3Yb_2/3BaCuFeO_5.05 in air in the temperature range 293–1093 K have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction, and their electrical conductivity has been studied. The structural characteristics of layered ferrocuprates are determined by the size of rare-earth cations in their structures, whereas the conductivity of ferrocuprates depends on the electronic configuration of these cations. Original Russian Text ? A.I. Klyndyuk, 2007, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2007, Vol. 52, No. 3, pp. 370–374.