Synthesis, structure and oxygen nonstoichiometry of La0.4Sr0.6Co1−yFeyO3−δ

The samples of La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_1−yFe_yO_3−δ (y = 0.2 and 0.4) were prepared using both conventional ceramic technique and nitrate–citrate precursors technique. The phase identification was made by X-ray diffraction method. The refinement of structural parameters from the XRD and neutron diffraction measurements was performed by full profile Rietveld analysis. Neutron diffraction showed that both samples possess distorted perovskite-type structure. Oxygen nonstoichiometry was measured by chemical analysis and thermogravimetry (TG) analysis in the range 20 ≤ T/°C ≤ 900 and 2E-5 ≤ pO₂/atm ≤ 4E-1. TG-experiments indicate a relatively fast and reversible oxygen exchange at pO₂ > 1E-2 atm. Mass saturation occurs at T < 300 °C upon cooling. The absolute value of oxygen nonstoichiometry was determined by iodometric titration measurements. It was found that both samples have practically stoichiometric composition at 300 °C in air and δ increases with increasing temperature and decreasing oxygen partial pressure.     

Thermodynamic stabilities of NiTeO3 and Ni3TeO6 by solid oxide electrolyte e.m.f. method

The e.m.f. of the galvanic cells Pt,C,Te(l),NiTeO₃,NiO/15 YSZ/O₂ (P_o2 = 0.21 atm),Pt and Pt,C,NiTeO₃,Ni₃TeO₆,NiO/15 YSZ/O₂ (P_o2 = 0.21 atm),Pt (where 15 YSZ=15 mass% yttria-stabilized zirconia) was measured over the ranges 833–1104 K and 624–964 K respectively, and could be represented by the least-squares expressions E₍₁₎±1.48 (mV) = 888.72 − 0.504277 (K) and E_(II) ±4.21 (mV) = 895.26 − 0.81543T (K).

After correcting for the standard state of oxygen in the air reference electrode, and by combining with the standard Gibbs energies of formation of NiO and TeO₂ from the literature, the following expressions could be derived for the ΔG^°_f of NiTeO₃ and Ni₃TeO₆: ΔG_f^°(NiTeO₃) ± 2.03 (kJ mol⁻¹) = −577.30 + 0.26692T (K) and ΔG^°_f(Ni₃TeO₆)±2.54 (kJ mol⁻¹) = −1218.66 + 0.58837T (K).     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and characterization of [Zn(H2O)4]2 [H2As6V15O42(H2O)]·2H2O

The compound [Zn(H₂O)₄]₂[H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O (1) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESR, magnetic measurement, third-order nonlinear property study and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound 1 crystallizes in trigonal space group R3, a=b=12.0601(17) Å, c=33.970(7) Å, γ=120°, V=4278.8(12) Å³, Z=3 and R1(wR2)=0.0512 (0.1171). The crystal structure is constructed from [H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]⁴⁻ anions and [Zn(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations linked through hydrogen bonds into a network. The [H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]⁶⁻ cluster consists of 15 VO₅ square pyramids linked by three As₂O₅ handle-like units.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and crystal structures of bimetallic cluster complexes [{Cd(phen)2}2V4O12]·5H2O and [Ni(phen)3]2[V4O12]·17.5H2O

The hydrothermal reactions of vanadium oxide starting materials with divalent transition metal cations in the presence of nitrogen donor chelating ligands yield the bimetallic cluster complexes with the formulae [{Cd(phen₂)₂V₄O₁₂]·5H₂O (1) and [Ni(phen)₃]₂[V₄O₁₂]·17.5H₂O (2). Crystal data: C₄₈H₅₂Cd₂N₈O₂₂V₄ (1), triclinic. a=10.3366(10), b=11.320(3), c=13.268(3) Å, =103.888(17)°, β=92.256(15)°, γ=107.444(14)°, Z=1; C₇₂H₁₃₁N₁₂Ni₂O_29.5V₄ (2), triclinic. a=12.305(3), b=13.172(6), c=15.133(4), =79.05(3)°, β=76.09(2)°, γ=74.66(3)°, Z=1. Data were collected on a Siemens P4 four-circle diffractometer at 293 K in the range 1.59° <θ<26.02° and 2.01°<θ<25.01° using the ω-scan technique, respectively. The structure of 1 consists of a [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster covalently attached to two {Cd(phen)₂}²⁺ fragments, in which the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster adopts a chair-like configuration. In the structure of 2, the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster is isolated. And the complex formed a layer structure via hydrogen bonds between the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ unit and crystallization water molecules.     

Ab initio MRD-CI study of GaAs, GaAs2(±), Ga2As2(±) and As4 clusters

Using pseudopotentials and double zeta basis sets with s, p diffuse functions and two sets of d functions, MRD-CI calculations were performed on As₂^(±), As₄⁽⁺⁾, GaAs⁻, GaAs₂^(±) and Ga₂As₂^(±). This study complements previous theoretical investigations on Ga^(±) to Ga₄^(±) and GaAs⁽⁺⁾. For As₄ tetrahedral symmetry was assumed, and Re of X¹A₁ determined as 4.73a₀. Vertical ionization potentials to several states of As₄⁺ were calculated. For GaAs₂, GaAs₂⁺ and GaAs₂⁻, ground and one low-lying state were geometry-optimized, both in C_2v (Ga-As-As), and linear symmetry (GaAsAs, C_∞h and AsGaAs, D_∞h). The lowest state of GaAs₂ is ²B₂ in C_2v. For Ga₂As₂, the lowest state and low-lying excited states were optimized in various geometries. The most stable state has rhombic structure (¹A_g in D_2h), but T-form and other forms (C_2v, C_∞v, D_∞h) are only 1–2 eV less stable. In D_2h symmetry, several low-lying excited states of Ga₂As₂ were studied. The ground states of Ga₂As₂⁺ and Ga₂As₂⁻ were found to be ²B_2u, and ²B_2g, respectively. Trends in ionization potentials (IP), electron affinities (EA), atomization energies and fragmentation energies for the molecules Ga_xAs_y and the pure compounds Ga_n and As_n up to 4 atoms, were studied. Ga_xAs_y clusters, with x + y even, have higher IP's than odd-numbered clusters. An experimentally observed alternation of EA, whereby an odd number of atoms have higher EA than their even neighbors, is confirmed. The mixed compounds Ga_xAs_y have atomization energies between those of Ga_n and As_n (x + y = n), usually closer to those of Ga_n. Fragmentation of Ga_xAs_y occurs such that As----As bonds are retained, and if possible, also Ga----As bonds, since the dissociation energy of As₂ is higher than that of GaAs, which in turn is higher than that of Ga₂. Calculated fragmentation energies agree qualitatively with experimental observations about the composition of 3-atomic and 4-atomic clusters Ga_xAs_y.     

Large heteropolymetalate complexes formed from lanthanide (Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd), nickel cations and cryptate [As4W40O140]: synthesis and structure characterization

A new family of heteropolytungstate complexes (NH₄)₂₁[Ln(H₂O)₅{Ni(H₂O)}₂As₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]·xH₂O(Ln=Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) were prepared by the reaction of Na₂₇[NaAs₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]·60H₂O with NiCl₂·6H₂O and Ln(NO₃)₃·xH₂O at pH≈4.5. The crystal structures of (NH₄)₂₁[Gd(H₂O)₅{Ni(H₂O)}₂As₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]·51H₂O was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and element analysis. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=19.754(3), b=24.298(4), c=39.350(6) Å, β=100.612(3)°, V=18564(5) ų, Z=2, R1(wR₂)=0.0544(0.0691). The central site S1 and two opposite sites S2 of the big cyclic ligand [As₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]²⁸⁻ are occupied by one Ln³⁺and two Ni²⁺, respectively, each site supply four O_d coordinating to metal ion, another one water molecule and other five water molecules coordinate, respectively, to Ni²⁺and Ln³⁺. Polyanion [Ln(H₂O)₅{Ni(H₂O)}₂As₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]²¹⁻ has C_2v symmetry. IR and UV–vis spectra of [NaAs₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]²⁷⁻ of the title compounds are discussed.     

Temperature dependence of the reaction C2H (C2D) + O2 between 295 and 700 K

The rate coefficients for the reactions of C₂H and C₂D with O₂ have been measured in the temperature range 295 K T 700 K. Both reactions show a slightly negative temperature dependence in this temperature range, with k_C2H+O2 = (3.15 ± 0.04) × 10⁻¹¹ (T/295 K)^{−(0.16 ± 0.02)} cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The kinetic isotope effect is k_C2H/k_C2D = 1.04 ± 0.03 and is constant with temperature to within experimental error. The temperature dependence and the C₂H + O₂ kinetic isotope effect are consistent with a capture-limited metathesis reaction, and suggest that formation of the initial HCCOO adduct is rate-limiting.     

NH2/ND2-vapour pressure isotope effect of cyclopropylamine

The NH₂/ND₂-vapour pressure isotope effect has been determined between 283 and 333 K for cyclopropylamine, an amine with a strong ring strain. The measurements are represented by the relation ln[P(C₃H₅N²H₂)/P(C₃H₅NH₂)] = −(8821.73 ± 68.949) (K/T)² + (23.379 ± 0.223)K/T and correspond to a normal (P_D/P_H < 1) effect. They suggest an association that is slightly weaker than that of propylamine and nearly agrees with that of isopropylamine. The differences are discussed in terms of acidities and steric factors.     

New p–ρ–T measurements up to 70 MPa for the system CO2 + propane between 298 and 343 K at near critical compositions

The vibrating tube densimeter method along with the Forced Path Mechanical Calibration model, is used to measure the high pressure isothermal p–ρ behavior of the CO₂+propane system along 17 isotherms between 293 and 343 K, at pressures up to 70 MPa. The compositions cover the range of mole fractions from x_CO2=0.45 to 1.0. The uncertainty in temperatures is ±0.015 K. The uncertainties in pressures are ±0.0013 MPa from 0.1 to 15.0 MPa and ±0.010 MPa from 5.0 to 70.0 MPa. The precision of the density measurements is ±0.014 kg m⁻³. The minimum global uncertainty is ±0.204 kg m⁻³, based on the calibration of the densimeter with pure water. A generalized Helmholtz energy model for mixtures is used to check the consistency of the new data with respect to previous p–ρ–T studies of this mixture. The average absolute deviation of our data with respect to the model is 0.64% which is fully consistent with the assessed accuracy.     

Kinetic study of gas-phase Lu(D3/2) with O2, N2O and CO2

The second-order rate constants of gas-phase Lu(²D_3/2) with O₂, N₂O and CO₂ from 348 to 573 K are reported. In all cases, the reactions are relatively fast with small barriers. The disappearance rates are independent of total pressure indicating bimolecular abstraction processes. The bimolecular rate constants (in molecule⁻¹ cm³ s⁻¹) are described in Arrhenius form by k(O₂)=(2.3±0.4)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−3.1±0.7 kJmol⁻¹/RT), k(N₂O)=(2.2±0.4)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−7.1±0.8 kJmol⁻¹/RT), k(CO₂)=(2.0±0.6)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−7.6±1.3 kJmol⁻¹/RT), where the uncertainties are ±2σ.     

Thermal stability of osmium mixed oxides I. CaOsO3 decomposition products: A new orthorhombic phase Ca2Os2O7

The thermal decomposition of CaOsO₃ by differential thermal analyses, thermogravimetry and X-ray powder diffraction has been studied. In nitrogen CaOsO₃ decomposes at 880 ± 10°C into CaO, osmium metal and oxygen due to the reaction CaOsO₃ → CaO + Os + O₂. In static air the decomposition occurs in three stages: 2CaOsO₃ + 1/2O₂ → Ca₂Os₂O₇ (in region 775–808°C), Ca₂Os₂O₇ → Ca₂Os₂O_6,5 + 1/4O₂ (at a temperature interval of 850–1000°C) and in the third stage Ca₂Os₂O_6,5 → 2CaO + OsO₄ ÷ 1/4 O₂ (at 1005 ± 5°C). The first intermediate Ca₂Os₂O₇ is isostructural with orthorhombic Ca₂Nb₂O₇ and its cell parameters are: a₀ = 3.745 Å, b₀ = 25.1 Å, c₀ = 5.492 Å, Z = 4, space group Cmcm or Cmc2. Ca₂Os₂O₇ exhibits metallic conductivity and its electrical resistivity is 4.6 × 10⁻² ohm-cm at 296K.     

Rates of the reactions CN + H2CO and NCO + H2CO in the temperature range 294–769 K

The rate coefficients of the reactions: (1) CN + H₂CO → products and (2) NCO + H₂CO → products in the temperature range 294–769 K have been determined by means of the laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique. Our measurements show that reaction (1) is rapid: k₁(294 K) = (1.64 ± 0.25) x 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹; the Arrhenius relation was determined as k₁ = (6.7 ± 1.0) x 10⁻¹¹ exp[(−412 ± 20)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Reaction (2) is approximately a tenth as rapid as reaction (1) and the temperature dependence of k₂ does not conform to the Arrhenius form: k₂ = 4.62 x 10⁻¹⁷T^1.71 exp(198/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Our values are in reasonable agreement with the only reported measurement of k₁; the rate coefficients for reaction (2) have not been previously reported.     

Kinetics study of the gas-phase reactions of C2F5OC(O)H and n-C3F7OC(O)H with OH radicals at 253–328 K

The rate constants, k₁ and k₂ for the reactions of C₂F₅OC(O)H and n-C₃F₇OC(O)H with OH radicals were measured using an FT-IR technique at 253–328 K. k₁ and k₂ were determined as (9.24 ± 1.33) × 10⁻¹³ exp[−(1230 ± 40)/T] and (1.41 ± 0.26) × 10⁻¹² exp[−(1260 ± 50)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The random errors reported are ±2 σ, and potential systematic errors of 10% could add to the k₁ and k₂. The atmospheric lifetimes of C₂F₅OC(O)H and n-C₃F₇OC(O)H with respect to reaction with OH radicals were estimated at 3.6 and 2.6 years, respectively.     

Heat capacities of NaNO3 and KNO3 from 350 to 800 K

The heat capacities of NaNO₃ and KNO₃ were determined from 350 to 800 K by differential scanning calorimetry. Solid-solid transitions and melting were observed at 550 and 583 K for NaNO₃ and 406 and 612 K for KNO₃, respectively. The entropies associated with the solid-solid transitions were measured to be (8.43± 0.25) J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for NaNO₃ and (13.8±0.4) J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for KNO₃. At 298.15 K the values of C⁰_P S⁰_P, {H⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T and -{G⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T, respectively, are 91.94, 116.3, 57.73, and 58.55 J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for NaNO₃ and 95.39, 133.0, 62.93, and 70.02 J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for KNO₃. Values for S⁰_T, {H⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T, and -{G⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T were calculated and tabulated from 15 to 800 K for NaNO₃ and KNO₃.     

Studies on the determination of dissolved oxygen in water

Studies on the decomposition rates of the Mn(III) complex of cyclohexanediaminetetra-acetate (DCTA) in light and in darkness have shown that this complex is more stable than the one derived from ethylenediaminetetra-acetate. The optimum pH range for the determination of dissolved oxygen by means of the Mn(III)-DCTA complex is found to be between 3 and 4. The absorbance of this complex is independent of the amount of DCTA used (in the range 0.2–1.0 g) with water samples containing a maximum of 3.2 ppm of dissolved oxygen. Significant interferences are caused by the presence of CO²⁻₃, HCO⁻₃, S₂O²⁻₃, PO³⁻₄, I⁻, NO⁻₂, SO²⁻₃, Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ at 500 times the oxygen concentration.     

Catalytic decomposition of H2O2 on Co3O4 doped with MgO and V2O5

The effects of doping of Co₃O₄with MgO (0.4–6 mol%) and V₂O₅ (0.20–0.75 mol%) on its surface and catalytic properties were investigated using nitrogen adsorption at −196°C and decomposition of H₂O₂ at 30–50°C. Pure and doped samples were prepared by thermal decomposition in air at 500–900°C, of pure basic cobalt carbonate and basic carbonate treated with different proportions of magnesium nitrate and ammonium vanadate. The results revealed that, V₂O₅ doping followed by precalcination at 500–900°C did not much modify the specific surface area of the treated Co₃O₄ solid. Treatment of Co₃O₄ with MgO at 500–900°C resulted in a significant increase in the specific surface area of cobaltic oxide. The catalytic activity in H₂O₂ decomposition, of Co₃O₄ was found to suffer a considerable increase by treatment with MgO. The maximum increase in the catalytic reaction rate constant (k) measured at 40°C on Co₃O₄ due to doping with 3 mol% MgO attained 218, 590 and 275% for the catalysts precalcined at 500, 700 and 900°C, respectively. V₂O₅-doping of Co₃O₄ brought about a significant progressive decrease in its catalytic activity. The maximum decrease in the reaction rate constant measured at 40°C over the 0.75 mol% V₂O₅-doped Co₃O₄ solid attained 68 and 93% for the catalyst samples precalcined at 500 and 900°C, respectively. The doping process did not modify the activation energy of the catalyzed reaction but much modified the concentration of catalytically active constituents without changing their energetic nature. MgO-doping increased the concentration of CO³⁺–CO²⁺ ion pairs and created Mg²⁺–CO³⁺ ion pairs increasing thus the number of active constituents involved in the catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂. V₂O₅-doping exerted an opposite effect via decreasing the number of CO³⁺–CO²⁺ ion pairs besides the possible formation of cobalt vanadate.     

Time-resolved vibrational cemiluminescence: Rate constants for the reaction F + HC1 → HF + Cl and for the relaxtion of HF(v = 3) by HCl, CO2, N2O, CO, N2 and O2

The reaction: F + HCl→ HF (v 3) + Cl (1), has been initiated by photolysing F₂ using the fourth-harmonic output at 266 nm from a repetitively pulsed Nd: YAG laser By analysing the time-dependence of the HF(3,0) vibrational chemiluminescence, rate constants have been determined at (296 ± 5) K for reaction (1), k₁ = (7.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and for the relaxation of HF(v = 3) by HCl, CO₂, N₂O, CO, N₂ and O₂: k_HCl = (1.18 ±0.14) × 10⁻¹¹ k_CO2 = (1.04 ± 0. 13) × 10⁻¹², k_N2O = (1.41 ± 0.13) × 10⁻¹¹ k_CO = (2.9 ± 0.3) × (10⁻¹², k_N2 = (7.1 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁴ and k_O2 = (1.9 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³molecule⁻¹s⁻¹.     

A thermochemical investigation of guest-host interactions in labile Werner clathrates of the [Ni(4-EtPy)4(NCS)2]·G type (G = Methyl derivatives of benzene)

The stoichiometry of thermal decomposition has been studied for (I): [Ni(4-EtPy)₄(NCS)₂] as a host complex as well as for its clathrates [Ni(4-EtPy)₄(NCS)₂]·G where guest molecule G - toluene, (II): T, (III): o-xylene (o-X) and (IV): p-xylene (p-X). The loss of volatile components proceeds in three steps (−2L, −1L, −1L) for I and in four steps (−G, −2L, −1L, −1L) for II, III and IV. DSC and X-ray powder measurements indicated a phase transition in all compounds under study. However, this process is overlapped by the escape of G in II and III. The differences in enthalpy changes are associated with different guest-host interactions in the particular clathrates.     

Thermogravimetric study on perovskite-like oxygen permeation ceramic membranes

The oxygen permeation properties of mixed-conducting ceramics SrFeCo_0.5O_3−δ (SFCO), Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCFO), La_0.2Sr_0.8Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (LSCFO) and Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BCCFO) were studied by thermogravimetric method in the temperature range 600–900 °C. The results show that the oxygen adsorption rate constants k_a of all material are larger than oxygen desorption rate constants k_d and both k_a and k_d are not strongly dependent on temperature in the studied temperature range. The oxygen vacancy contents δ(N₂) and δ(O₂) in nitrogen and oxygen and their difference Δδ = δ(N₂) − δ(O₂) play an important role in determining the temperature behavior of oxygen permeation flux J_O2.