Dependence of the mixed alkali effect on temperature and total alkali oxide content in y[xLi2O·(1−x)Na2O]·(1−y)B2O3 glasses

The complex conductivity spectra of mixed alkali borate glasses of compositions y [xLi₂O·(1−x)Na₂O]·(1−y)B₂O₃ (with x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0; y=0.1, 0.2, 0.3) in a frequency range between 10⁻² Hz and 3 MHz and at temperatures ranging from 298 to 573 K have been studied. For each glass composition the conductivities show a transition from the dc values into a dispersive regime where the conductivity is found to increase continuously with frequency, tending towards a linear frequency dependence at sufficiently low temperatures. Mixed alkali effects (MAEs) in the dc conductivity and activation energy are identified and discussed. It has been for the first time found that the strength of the MAE in the logarithm of the dc conductivity linearly increases with the total alkali oxide content, y, and the reciprocal temperature, 1/T.     

Enthalpy of mixing in 0.8[xB2O3-(1 − x)P2O5]-0.2Na2O glasses at 298 K

0.8[xB₂O₃-(1 − x)P₂O₅]-0.2Na₂O (with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) glasses have been characterized by solution calorimetry at 298 K in acid solvent. The experimental data showed a strong negative departure of the enthalpy of mixing from the ideality described by the equation (in kJ/mol): ΔH = x(1 − x)(−660.2 + 570x). The results were interpreted on the basis of the structural data. Enthalpies of mixing were consistent with sub-regular solution behaviour.     

Enthalpy of mixing in 0.8[xB2O3-(1 − x)SiO2]-0.2K2O melts at 973 K

0.8[xB₂O₃-(1 − x)SiO₂]-0.2K₂O (with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) glasses were synthesized by melt quenching techniques. DSC curves of the glasses exhibit only one glass transition. Calorimetric measurements of heats of dissolution in lead borate at 973 K indicated small negative enthalpies of mixing. Consequently phase separation was not observed over the whole composition range. The results are in good agreement with the structural data available in the literature.     

Nanocrystalline Ce1−xYxO2−x/2 (0≤x≤0.35) Oxides via Carbonate Precipitation: Synthesis and Characterization

A novel carbonate (co)precipitation method, employing nitrates as the starting salts and ammonium carbonate as the precipitant, has been used to synthesize nanocrystalline CeO₂ and Ce_1−xY_xO_2−x/2 (x≤0.35) solid-solutions. The resultant powders are characterized by elemental analysis, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). Due to the direct formation of carbonate solid-solutions during precipitation, Ce_1−xY_xO_2−x/2 solid-solution oxides are formed directly during calcination at a very low temperature of ∼300°C for 2 h. The thus-produced oxide nanopowders are essentially non-agglomerated, as revealed by BET in conjunction with XRD analysis. The solubility of YO_1.5 in CeO₂ is determined via XRD to be somewhere in the range from 27 to 35 mol%, from which a Y₂O₃-related type-C phase appears in the final product. Y³⁺-doping promotes the formation of spherical nanoparticles, retards thermal decomposition of the precursors, and suppresses significantly crystallite coarsening of the oxides during calcination. The activation energy for crystallite coarsening increases gradually from 68.7 kJ mol⁻¹ for pure CeO₂ to 138.6 kJ mol⁻¹ for CeO₂ doped with 35 mol% YO_1.5. The dopant effects on crystallite coarsening is elaborated from the view point of solid-state chemistry.     

Crystal structure, microstructure and reducibility of LaNixCo1−xO3 and LaFexCo1−xO3 Perovskites (0<x≤0.5)

Nickel and iron substituted LaCoO₃ with rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure were obtained in the temperature range of 600-900 °C by thermal decomposition of freeze-dried citrates and by the Pechini method. The crystal structure, morphology and defective structure of LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ and LaCo_1−xFe_xO₃ were characterized by X-ray diffraction and neutron powder diffraction, TEM and SEM analyses and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The reducibility was tested by temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen. The products of the partial and complete reduction were determined by ex-situ XRD experiments. The replacement of Co by Ni and Fe led to lattice expansion of the perovskite structure. For perovskites annealed at 900 °C, there was a random Ni, Fe and Co distribution. The morphology of the perovskites does not depend on the Ni and Fe content, nor does it depend on the type of the precursor used. LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ perovskites (x>0.1) annealed at 900 °C are reduced to Co/Ni transition metal and La₂O₃ via the formation of oxygen deficient Brownmillerite-type compositions. For LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ annealed at 600 °C, Co/Ni metal, in addition to oxygen-deficient perovskites, was formed as an intermediate product at the initial stage of the reduction. The interaction of LaCo_1−xFe_xO₃ with H₂ occurs by reduction of Co³⁺ to Co²⁺ prior to the Fe³⁺ ions. The reducibility of Fe-substituted perovskites is less sensitive towards the synthesis procedure in comparison with that of Ni substituted perovskites.     

Multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance and theoretical studies of a Mn(II) (S = 5/2) complex: The role of geometrical elements on the Zero Field Splitting parameters

The Zero Field Splitting (ZFS) parameters of the mononuclear Mn(II) (S = 5/2) compound [Mn(Ac4Ph)₂], where HAc4Ph stands for 4-phenyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone, are determined by dual mode X-band and high field/high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reproduce both the sign and absolute value of the axial parameter D of the ZFS tensor, whose distribution is quantitatively correlated to distribution on geometrical elements of the complex.     

Synthesis,spectral, and structural investigation of [ML(NO3)2]: M = Co,Ni, Cu; L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine

Synthesis and structural characterization of distorted pentagonal bipyramidal Co(II), pseudo-octahedral Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the type [ML(NO₃)₂], {L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine} are reported. Characterization includes elemental analysis, spectral, magnetism, and X-ray crystallographic studies. In case of cobalt (1) both the nitrates coordinate in bidentate fashion resulting overall distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. In nickel (2) and copper (3) complexes, bivalent metal ion is coordinated by the three nitrogen atoms of the tridentate L with two pyridine-N occupying trans positions and amongst the two nitrates one coordinates in a bidentate fashion while other adopts a monodentate fashion. All the complexes exhibit d–d transitions in the visible region. Complex 1 is high-spin in nature and the X-band EPR spectra of 1, and 3 at room temperature and 77 K are reported.     

Preparation, crystal structures, EPR and reflectance spectra of two new charge-transfer salts, [CpFeCpCH2N(CH3)3]4[XMo12O40] · nCH3CN (n = 0 for X = P or n = 1 for X = Ge)

Two new charge-transfer salts, [CpFeCpCH₂N(CH₃)₃]₄[PMo₁₂O₄₀] · CH₃CN (1) and [CpFeCpCH₂N(CH₃)₃]₄[GeMo₁₂O₄₀] (2), were synthesized by the traditional solution synthetic method and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Salt 1 belongs to the triclinic space group P1, and salt 2 belongs to the triclinic space group . There exist the complex interactions of the cationic ferrocenyl donor and Keggin polyanion in the solid state. The solid state UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra indicate the presence of a charge-transfer band climbing from 450 nm to well beyond 900 nm for 1, a charge-transfer band from 460 to 850 nm with λ_max = 630 nm for 2.The EPR spectra of salts 1 and 2 at 77 K show a signal at g = 2.0048 and 1.9501, respectively, ascribed to the delocalization of one electron in reduced Keggin ion in salt 1 and the Mo^VI in [GeMo₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ is partly reduced to Mo^V owing to the charge-transfer transitions taking place between the ferrocenyl donors and the POM acceptors. The two compounds were also characterized by IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.     

Mixed ligand tris-chelate of copper(II) with N,N-donor ligands - Synthesis, structure and spectra of [Cu(en)(phen)2]X2·2phen·8H2O (X = Cl, NO3)

[Cu(en)(phen)₂]⁺ is crystallized along with two phenanthroline and eight lattice water molecules either as a chloride or a nitrate salt. The cation has almost identical structural and spectral properties which correspond to a tetragonally elongated octahedral geometry with the en ligand in the equatorial plane. EPR parameters reveal a slight rhombicity in the coordination polyhedron. Even though both compounds have the same composition (except for the anions), the hydrogen bond networks involving the lattice water molecules and anions are quite different in the two compounds. There are also extensive π-stacking interactions involving the phenanthroline molecules, both coordinated and non-coordinated. The non-bonding interactions have a major directing role in the crystallization of the tris-chelate cation. The analogous mixed ligand complex of 2,2-bipyridine could not be crystallized.     

Oxido-pincer complexes of copper(II) - An EXAFS and EPR study of mono- and binuclear [(pydotH2)CuCl2]n (n = 1 or 2)

The oxido-pincer ligand pydotH₂ (2,6-bis(1-hydroxy-1-o-tolyl-ethyl-η²O,O′)pyridine) forms two different Cu^II containing complexes when prepared from anhydrous CuCl₂. A combination of EPR spectroscopy and EXAFS allowed to structurally characterise the light-green dimer of the formula [(pydotH₂)CuCl(μ-Cl)₂ClCu(pydotH₂)] and the penta-coordinate olive-green monomer [(pydotH₂)CuCl₂]. The molecular entities imply that the ligand remains protonated upon coordination. When dissolved in DMF both compounds form monomeric species [(pydotH₂)CuCl₂(DMF)] which could be characterised in detail by EPR, UV-Vis/NIR spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. The assignments were supported by comparison with Cu^II complexes of the related ligands 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (pydimH₂) and 2,6-bis(1-hydroxy-1-methyl)pyridine (pydipH₂).     

The first bis(orotato–N,O) complex: Synthesis,crystal structure,spectroscopic and thermal characterization of (chaH)2[Cu(HOr–N,O)2(cha)] · 2H2O (cha = cyclohexylamine and HOr = orotate(2−))

The novel bis(cyclohexylaminium) cyclohexylaminebis(orotate–N,O)cuprate(II) dihydrate, (C₆H₁₅N)₂[Cu(C₅H₂N₂O₄)₂(C₆H₁₄N)] · 2H₂O, has been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. The Cu(II) complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. The copper atom in the five-coordinated (chaH)₂[Cu(HOr–N,O)₂(cha)] · 2H₂O is chelated by a deprotonated pyrimidine nitrogen atom and carboxylate oxygen atom as a bis(bidentate) ligand and the cyclohexylamine ligand completes the square-pyramidal coordination. The thermal decomposition of the complex has been predicted by the help of thermal analysis (TG, DTG and DTA).     

Thermally stimulated crystallization of (20−x)LiO2-80TeO2-xWO3 glass system

Tellurite glasses of the (20−x)LiO₂-80TeO₂-xWO₃ system were synthesized (x=0, 5, and 10) and annealed at different temperatures, and the crystallization kinetics was studied using XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, and DSC techniques. XRD data evidenced the amorphous state of as-quenched samples, while thermally treated samples showed the growth of crystalline phases. FTIR spectroscopy was used to observe the evolution of the vibrational mode assigned to the TeO₂ phases. The presence of γ-TeO₂, α-TeO₂, and α-Li₂Te₂O₅ crystalline phases was observed for the sample TL, x=0, while only the first and second phases were observed for TLW5 and TLW10 samples, x=5 and 10, respectively, suggesting that WO₃ enters the structure preferentially as glass former, inhibiting the growth of the phase α-Li₂Te₂O₅.     

A high-frequency EPR characterization of the S = 2 linear tri-atomic chain in Cr3(dpa)4Cl2·CH2Cl2

We report the high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) study of Cr₃(dpa)₄Cl₂, a linear tri-atomic (Cr^II)₃ chain, that was reported to be EPR silent at the X-band (9.5 GHz). Higher frequencies yield well resolved spectra for this S = 2 system even at room temperature. At 30 K, our variable frequency (34-400 GHz) EPR spectra yield a large axial zero-field splitting (D) of −1.643(1) cm⁻¹ as well as a small rhombic ZFS parameter E = 0.0339(4) cm⁻¹; with g_x = 1.9978(4), g_y = 1.9972(4), and g_z = 1.9808(4). The magnetic susceptibility measurements fully support the earlier magnetic susceptibility studies and the current EPR results. The observation of the EPR spectrum of only the S = 2 state at room temperature suggests that the ground state is well isolated from the excited states.     

Thermodynamic properties of the ternary system {yNH4Cl + (1 − y)MgCl2} (aq) at 298.15 K

The mixture {yNH₄Cl + (1 − y)MgCl₂} (aq) has been studied using the hygrometric method at the temperature 298.15 K. The water activities are measured at total molalities from 0.30 mol kg⁻¹ up to saturation for different ionic strength fractions y of NH₄Cl with y = 0.20, 0.50 and 0.80. The obtained data allow the deduction of osmotic coefficients. Experimental results are compared with the calculations using the models of Zdanovskii–Stokes–Robinson, Kusik and Meissner, Robinson and Stokes, Lietzke and Stoughton, Reilly–Wood and Robinson and Pitzer. Thermodynamic properties have been modeled using the Pitzer ion-interaction model with inclusion of an ionic strength dependence of the third virial coefficient for the binary systems. From these measurements and the obtained binary parameters β⁽⁰⁾, β⁽¹⁾, C⁽⁰⁾ and C⁽¹⁾, the mixing ionic parameters θNH₄Mg${\theta }_{\text{N}{\text{H}}_4\text{Mg}}$ and ψNH₄MgCl${\psi }_{\text{N}{\text{H}}_4\text{MgCl}}$ are determined by the standard Pitzer model. The results show that a good accuracy is obtained with the standard Pitzer model using extended binary parameters. The parameters θNH₄Mg${\theta }_{\text{N}{\text{H}}_4\text{Mg}}$ and ψNH₄MgCl${\psi }_{\text{N}{\text{H}}_4\text{MgCl}}$ were used for evaluation of activity coefficients in the mixture. The excess Gibbs energy is also determined.     

Thermochemistry of La0.7Sr0.3Mn1−xFexO3 solid solutions (0<x<1)

The structure, the energetics and the internal redox reactions of La_0.7Sr_0.3Fe_xMn_1−xO₃ have been studied in the complete solid solution range 0.0<x<1.0. High temperature oxide melt drop solution calorimetry was performed to determine the enthalpies of formation from binary oxides and the enthalpy of mixing. There is a noticeable change in the energetics of the solid solution near x=0.7, which is due to the growing concentration of Fe⁴⁺ at higher Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio. The balance between different valences of the transition metals, Mn and Fe, is the main factor in determining the energetics of the La_0.70Sr_0.30Fe_xMn_1−xO₃ solid solution.     

[Cu(men)2(BF4)2] (men = N-methyl-1,2-diaminoethane): Preparation, crystal structure, spectroscopic and magnetic properties

Single crystals of [Cu(men)₂(BF₄)₂] (men = N-methyl-1,2-diaminoethane) (1) were isolated from an aqueous-ethanolic system Cu²⁺-men-BF₄⁻. The crystal structure of 1 consists of [Cu(men)₂(BF₄)₂] molecules. Copper ion exhibits usual distorted octahedral coordination; there are two coordinated men ligands in the equatorial plane with Cu-N bonds of 2.0451(12) and 2.0035(12) Å, while the axial positions are occupied by fluorine atoms from BF₄⁻ anions with Cu-F bond of 2.5091(11) Å. The packing of the [Cu(men)₂(BF₄)₂] molecules is governed by N-H?F type hydrogen bonds. The measured ESR spectrum corroborated the presence of Jahn-Teller anisotropy of Cu(II) with g_|| = 2.20 and g_⊥ = 2.06. The magnetic studies in the temperature range 300-2 K reveal that 1 follows the Curie-Weiss law with parameters g = 2.1612(1) and θ = −0.233(1) K suggesting the presence of weak antiferomagnetic interactions.     

The measurements of coexistence curves and light scattering for {xC6H5CN + (1 − x)CH3(CH2)6CH3} in the critical region

The coexistence curves and light scattering data for a critical solution of (benzonitrile + octane) have been reported. The critical exponents relating to the difference in the density variables between two coexisting phases β, the osmotic compressibility γ, and the correlation length ν have been deduced and the values are consistent with the 3D-Ising value in the range close to the critical point. The experimental results of the coexistence curves have also been analyzed to examine the Wegner correction terms and the behavior of the diameter of the coexistence curves. The light scattering data are well described by the crossover model proposed by Anisimov and Sengers, and show a monotonic crossover of the critical exponents γ and ν from its 3D-Ising value to the mean-field value as the temperature departures from the critical point. Furthermore, the dependences of the critical amplitudes on the mass of n-alkane for the binary solutions of (benzonitrile + n-alkane) have been discussed.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic studies and crystal structure of (Et4N)(SnMe3)7(HAsO4)4 · 2H2O

On allowing tetraethylammonium dihydrogen arsenate dihydrate to react with trimethyltin chloride, the title compound has been obtained and characterized by infrared, Mössbauer and NMR techniques. Its crystal structure has been determined and consists of layers containing both corner sharing AsO₄H tetrahedra and trans-O₂SnC₃entities. It contains large cavities in which tetraethylamonium cations are located.     

Theoretical studies of the EPR parameters and local structures for the two Cu2+ centers in Cd(HCOO)2·2H2O

Based on the studies of the electron paramagnetic resonance parameters for two types of the Cu²⁺ centers in Cd(HCOO)₂·2H₂O by using the high‐order perturbation formulas for a 3d⁹ ion in a rhombically elongated octahedron, local structure of the doped copper ion is determined. Research suggests that the impurity Cu²⁺ replaces the host Cd²⁺ and undergoes the local rhombic elongation distortion, characterized by the axial elongation ratios of 4.1%, and 3.8% along the z‐axis and the planar bond length variation ratios of 3.8%, and 3.1% along the x‐axis and y‐axis, for Cu²⁺ Centers, I and II, respectively. The above slightly different axial elongation ratios and planar bond length variation ratios may suitably account for the slightly dissimilar axial g anisotropies Δg (≈0.351 and 0.339) and perpendicular g anisotropies δg (≈0.028 and 0.022) of the two centers, respectively.     

An X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and spectroscopic studies of Yb2−xCrxO3

Polycrystalline samples with general formula Yb_2−xCr_xO₃ (0<x<0.03), obtained by sol-gel method and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, formed solid solutions over all the mentioned range. Cr showed a maximum solubility of 2.8 mol% in Yb₂O₃ sesquioxide at 1000 °C. A preferential substitution of Cr³⁺ ions over two cationic sites, 8b and 24d in the space group Ia-3 was found. The lattice parameters a are found to vary linearly (10.4402(4) Å <a<10.4372(1) Å) with the composition x. The two independent atoms Yb/Cr have octahedral coordination; however, the degrees of distortion of their coordination polyhedron are different. Replacing Yb³⁺ by Cr³⁺ introduces slight changes in the atomic coordinates leading to an increase of the mean cation-anion distances. The ability of Raman spectroscopy to detect changes in local coordination is utilized. A pseudo-tetrahedral coordination for the Cr³⁺ in the 24d site was found. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of all samples were done in a temperature range of 2-50 K. For T<37 K, the inverse paramagnetic susceptibilities depend linearly on temperature. However, in the high-temperature region, for T>37 K, the inverse paramagnetic susceptibilities are non-linear versus temperature. This deviation from the Curie-Weiss behaviour was discussed.