Interface formation of Al2O3 on n‐GaN(0001): Photoelectron spectroscopy studies

Al₂O₃ insulator layers were deposited step by step by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method onto gallium nitride in the wurtzite form, n‐type and (0001)‐oriented. The substrate surface and the early stages of Al₂O₃/n‐GaN(0001) interface formation were characterized in situ under ultra‐high vacuum conditions by X‐ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS). The electron affinity (EA) of the substrate cleaned by annealing was 3.6 eV. Binding energies of the Al 2p (76.0 eV) and the O 1s (532.9 eV) confirmed the creation of the Al₂O₃ compound in the deposited film for which the EA was 1.6 eV. The Al₂O₃ film was found to be amorphous with a bandgap of 6.9 eV determined from the O 1s loss feature. As a result, the calculated Al₂O₃/n‐GaN(0001) valence band offset (VBO) is ?1.3 eV and the corresponding conduction band offset (CBO) 2.2 eV.     

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of MIL‐125 by Post‐Synthetic Modification with CrIII and Ag Nanoparticles

NH₂‐MIL‐125, [Ti₈O₈(OH)₄(bdc‐NH₂)₆] (bdc^2?=1,4‐benzene dicarboxylate) is a highly porous metal–organic framework (MOF) that has a band gap lying within the ultraviolet region at about 2.6 eV. The band gap may be reduced by a suitable post‐synthetic modification of the nanochannels using conventional organic chemistry methods. Here, it is shown that the photocatalytic activity of NH₂‐MIL‐125 in the degradation of methylene blue under visible light is remarkably augmented by post‐synthetic modification with acetylacetone followed by Cr^III complexation. The latter metal ion extends the absorption from the ultraviolet to the visible light region (band gap 2.21 eV). The photogenerated holes migrate from the MOF’s valence band to the Cr^III valence band, promoting the separation of holes and electrons and increasing the recombination time. Moreover, it is shown that the MOF’s photocatalytic activity is also much improved by doping with Ag nanoparticles, formed in situ by the reduction of Ag⁺ with the acetylacetonate pendant groups (the resulting MOF band gap is 2.09 eV). Presumably, the Ag nanoparticles are able to accept the MOF’s photogenerated electrons, thus avoiding electron–hole recombination. Both, the Cr‐ and Ag‐bearing materials are stable under photocatalytic conditions. These findings open new avenues for improving the photocatalytic activity of MOFs.     

Ultrathin Coating of Confined Pt Nanocatalysts by Atomic Layer Deposition for Enhanced Catalytic Performance in Hydrogenation Reactions

Metal‐support interfaces play a prominent role in heterogeneous catalysis. However, tailoring the metal‐support interfaces to realize full utilization remains a major challenge. In this work, we propose a graceful strategy to maximize the metal‐oxide interfaces by coating confined nanoparticles with an ultrathin oxide layer. This is achieved by sequential deposition of ultrathin Al₂O₃ coats, Pt, and a thick Al₂O₃ layer on carbon nanocoils templates by atomic layer deposition (ALD), followed by removal of the templates. Compared with the Pt catalysts confined in Al₂O₃ nanotubes without the ultrathin coats, the ultrathin coated samples have larger Pt–Al₂O₃ interfaces. The maximized interfaces significantly improve the activity and the protecting Al₂O₃ nanotubes retain the stability for hydrogenation reactions of 4‐nitrophenol. We believe that applying ALD ultrathin coats on confined catalysts is a promising way to achieve enhanced performance for other catalysts.     

Thermal behaviour of some Al(III)-Mg(II) polynuclear coordination compounds with polycarboxylic acid anions as ligands,precursors of aluminates

A TG, DTG and DTA study of three polynuclear coordination compounds,containing Al(III)-Mg(II), namely (NH₄)₄[Al₂Mg(C₄O₅H₄)₄(OH)₄]?2H₂O,(NH₄)₄[MgAl₂(C₄H₄O₆)₄(OH)₄]?3H₂Oand (NH₄)₂[Al₂Mg(C₆O₇H₁₁)₅(OH)₅]?3H₂O,has been reported together with the associated thermal decomposition mechanismrationalized in terms of intermediate products. As decomposition end-product,magnesium-aluminum spinel is obtained. The values of MgAl₂O₄mean crystallite size depend on the anionic ligand contained by the precursorcompound, varying in the order: malate (143 Å) ligand contained by theprecursor compound, varying in the order: malate (143 Å)     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of S2O32− by a Co‐Bound μ‐Amido‐μ‐Superoxo Complex

In acetate buffer media (pH 4.5–5.4) thiosulfate ion (S₂O₃^2?) reduces the bridged superoxo complex, [(NH₃)₄Co^III(μ‐NH₂,μ‐O₂)Co^III(NH₃)₄]⁴⁺ ( 1 ) to its corresponding μ‐peroxo product, [(NH₃)₄Co^III(μ‐NH₂,μ‐O₂)Co^III(NH₃)₄]³⁺ ( 2 ) and along a parallel reaction path, simultaneously S₂O₃^2? reacts with 1 to produce the substituted μ‐thiosulfato‐μ‐superoxo complex, [(NH₃)₄Co^III(μ‐S₂O₃,μ‐O₂)Co^III(NH₃)₄]³⁺ ( 3 ). The formation of μ‐thiosulfato‐μ‐superoxo complex ( 3 ) appears as a precipitate which on being subjected to FTIR shows absorption peaks that support the presence of Co(III)‐bound S‐coordinated S₂O₃^2? group. In reaction media, 3 readily dissolves to further react with S₂O₃^2? to produce μ‐thiosulfato‐μ‐peroxo product, [(NH₃)₄Co^III(μ‐S₂O₃,μ‐O₂)Co^III(NH₃)₄]²⁺ ( 4 ). The observed rate (k₀) increases with an increase in [T_Thio] ([T_Thio] is the analytical concentration of S₂O₃^2?) and temperature (T), but it decreases with an increase in [H⁺] and the ionic strength (I). Analysis of the log A_t versus time data (A is the absorbance of 1 at time t) reveals that overall the reaction follows a biphasic consecutive reaction path with rate constants k₁ and k₂ and the change of absorbance is equal to {a₁ exp(–k₁t) + a₂ exp(–k₂t)}, where k₁ > k₂.     

Calcium aluminates hydration in presence of amorphous SiO2 at temperatures below 90 °C

The hydration behaviour of Ca₃Al₂O₆, Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃ and CaAl₂O₄ with added amorphous silica at 40, 65 and 90 °C has been studied for periods ranging from 1 to 31 days. In hydrated samples crystalline phases like katoite (Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)_3−x(OH)_4x) and gibbsite, Al(OH)₃, were identified, likewise amorphous phases like Al(OH)_x, calcium silicate hydrates, C-S-H, and calcium aluminosilicate hydrates, C-S-A-H, were identified. The stoichiometry of Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)_3−x(OH)_4x (0?3−x?0.334), which was the main crystalline product, was established by Rietveld refinement of X-ray and neutron diffraction data and by transmission electron microscopy.     

Recherches sur la formation et la transformation des esters LXXV[1]. Amines,amino-alcools et aminoalcoyl-monoesters des acides orthophosphorique et sulfurique: thiocarbamylation par l'isothiocyanate d'o-méthoxycarbonylphényle sans ou avec cyclisation intramoléculaire

o-Methoxycarbonyl-phenylisothiocyanate V and primary alkylamines (R″? NH₂) reacted in the appropriate medium yield the corresponding 2-mercapto-3-alkyl-3, 4-dihydro-quinazolinone-4 derivatives VI (the ? NH₂ group is thiocarbamoylated by the ? N?C?S group and then acylated in an intramolecular reaction by the ? COOCH₃ group with elimination of CH₃OH).     

Pentacoordinated Al3+‐Stabilized Active Pd Structures on Al2O3‐Coated Palladium Catalysts for Methane Combustion

Supported Pd catalysts are active in catalyzing the highly exothermic methane combustion reaction but tend to be deactivated owing to local hyperthermal environments. Herein we report an effective approach to stabilize Pd/SiO₂ catalysts with porous Al₂O₃ overlayers coated by atomic layer deposition (ALD). ²⁷Al magic angle spinning NMR analysis showed that Al₂O₃ overlayers on Pd particles coated by the ALD method are rich in pentacoordinated Al³⁺ sites capable of strongly interacting with adjacent surface PdO_x phases on supported Pd particles. Consequently, Al₂O₃‐decorated Pd/SiO₂ catalysts exhibit active and stable PdO_x and Pd–PdO_x structures to efficiently catalyze methane combustion between 200 and 850 °C. These results reveal the unique structural characteristics of Al₂O₃ overlayers on metal surfaces coated by the ALD method and provide a practical strategy to explore stable and efficient supported Pd catalysts for methane combustion.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Europium‐exchanged Titanate Nanoporous Phosphors

Eu_x(NH₄)_2‐2xTi₃O₇ nanoporous phosphor was prepared by ion exchange method. (NH₄)₂Ti₃O₇ nanotubes were employed as the host structure by treating H₂Ti₃O₇ with NH₄OH solution and the activator, Eu²⁺, was introduced into the host via ion exchange. This is an easy and feasible way to prepare a phosphor. The synthesized samples were characterized using TEM, XRD, N₂ adsorption‐desorption isotherm, TPR, and fluorescence spectrophotometer. Experimental results showed that a portion of Eu²⁺ ions was oxidized into Eu³⁺ ions during ion exchange, resulting in the present phosphor with blue‐emitting and red‐emitting. Moreover, the tubular structure of Eu_x(NH₄)_2‐2xTi₃O₇ was distorted as Eu²⁺ was placed into the host structure. This distortion is attributed to the electrostatic interaction between Eu²⁺ and the electric field of the host structure.     

Water‐soluble and Halogen‐free Hexaammine Complexes of Metal Ions of Group 9 – Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Vibrational Spectra

Reaction of [M(NH₃)₆]Cl₃ (M = Co, Rh, Ir) and [Ir(NH₃)₅(OH₂)]Cl₃ with (NH₄)₂C₂O₄ · H₂O in aqueous solution resulted in the isolation of [M(NH₃)₆]₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 4 H₂O and [Ir(NH₃)₅(OH₂)]₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 4 H₂O, respectively. The complexes have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography, IR and UV/VIS spectroscopy. The isomorphous compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnnm (No. 58). Four molecules of crystal water are involved in an extended three‐dimensional hydrogen bonding network. The librational modes of the lattice water around 600 cm^–1 allow the characterization of [Ir(NH₃)₆]₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 4 H₂O and [Ir(NH₃)₅(OH₂)]₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 4 H₂O, respectively, by IR spectroscopy. The band around 600 cm^–1 shows a significant frequency shift in the IR spectra of the hexaammine and aquapentaammine complex of iridium(III) and, by that, a distinction is possible.     

A New Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Copper Pentaborate with Free Boric Acid Group

The hydrothermal reaction of Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O, H₃BO₃, ethylenediamine and H₂O in a molar ratio of 3:20:9:222 at 140°C for 5 d yields the deep blue crystals of a new copper polyborate [Cu(en)₂B(OH)₃]· [B₅O₅(OH)₇] (en?H₂NCH₂CH₂NH₂) in 70% yield. It crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, with unit cell dimensions, a=1.2779(2) nm, b=1.0167(15) nm, c=1.5019(2) nm, β=90.30(2)°, Z=4. The crystal structure of this compound consists of [Cu(en)₂B(OH)₃]²⁺ cation and [B₅O₅(OH)₇]^2? anion, which are linked together through hydrogen bonding interactions and electrostatic forces, forming an interesting three‐dimensional framework. The [B₅O₅(OH)₇]^2? anion is constituted of [B₄O₅(OH)₄]^2? anion and discrete B(OH)₃ group which attaches to the side of [B₄O₅(OH)₄]^2? through intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Fundamental vibrational modes of this compound were identified and band assignments were made. The middle bands observed at 882 and 575 cm^?1 in Raman spectrum are the characteristic peak of B(OH)₃ group and [B₄O₅(OH)₄]^2? anion, respectively. Additionally the thermal behavior of title compound was recorded and its decomposition mechanism was discussed.     

Asymmetric Reaction of Simple Nitro Compounds with Chiral 1,3‐Oxazolidin‐2‐ones

The chiral oxazolidinone 1 (=[(3aS,6R,7aR)‐tetrahydro‐8,8‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐4H‐3a,6‐methano‐1,3‐benzoxazol‐3‐yl](oxo)acetaldehyde) was found to react stereoselectively with simple nitro compounds in the presence of Al₂O₃ or Bu₄NF?3 H₂O (TBAF) as catalysts, affording the diastereoisomeric nitro alcohols 3 – 6 with good asymmetric induction. When Al₂O₃ was used, the (S)‐configuration at the center bearing the OH group was generated, with the relative syn‐configuration for the major diastereoisomers. In the case of the nitro‐aldol reaction catalyzed by TBAF, an opposite asymmetric induction was found for two nitro compounds. In contrast to 1 , compound 12 (=((4R,5S)‐4‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐5‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐3‐yl)(oxo)acetaldehyde), a derivative of Evans auxiliary, gave rise to poor asymmetric induction in Henry reactions.     

Energetic Hydrazine‐Based Salts with Nitrogen‐Rich and Oxidizing Anions

1,1,1‐Trimethylhydrazinium iodide ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂]I, 1 ) was reacted with a silver salt to form the corresponding nitrate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][NO₃], 2 ), perchlorate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][ClO₄], 3 ), azide ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][N₃], 4 ), 5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazolate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][H₂N? CN₄], 5 ), and sulfate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂]₂[SO₄]?2H₂O, 6 ?2H₂O) salts. The metathesis reaction of compound 6 ?2H₂O with barium salts led to the formation of the corresponding picrate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][(NO₂)₃Ph ‐ O], 7 ), dinitramide ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][N(NO₂)₂], 8 ), 5‐nitrotetrazolate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][O₂N? CN₄], 9 ), and nitroformiate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][C(NO₂)₃], 10 ) salts. Compounds 1 – 10 were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, infrared/Raman spectroscopy, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N). Additionally, compounds 1 , 6 , and 7 were also characterized by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction techniques (XRD). Ba(NH₄)(NT)₃ (NT=5‐nitrotetrazole anion) was accidentally obtained during the synthesis of the 5‐nitrotetrazole salt 9 and was also characterized by low‐temperature XRD. Furthermore, the structure of the [(CH₃)₃N? NH₂]⁺ cation was optimized using the B3LYP method and used to calculate its vibrational frequencies, NBO charges, and electronic energy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to assess the thermal stabilities of salts 2 – 5 and 7 – 10 , and the sensitivities of the materials towards classical stimuli were estimated by submitting the compounds to standard (BAM) tests. Lastly, we computed the performance parameters (detonation pressures/velocities and specific impulses) and the decomposition gases of compounds 2 – 5 and 7 – 10 and those of their oxygen‐balanced mixtures with an oxidizer.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks Containing Missing‐Linker Defects Leading to High Hydroxide‐Ion Conductivity

The ionic conductivity properties of the face‐centered cubic [Ni₈(OH)₄(H₂O)₂(BDP_X)₆] (H₂BDP_X=1,4‐bis(pyrazol‐4‐yl)benzene‐4‐X with X=H ( 1 ), OH ( 2 ), NH₂ ( 3 )) metal–organic framework (MOF) systems as well as their post‐synthetically modified materials K[Ni₈(OH)₅(EtO)(BDP_X)_5.5] ( 1@KOH , 3@KOH ) and K₃[Ni₈(OH)₃(EtO)(BDP_O)₅] ( 2@KOH ), which contain missing‐linker defects, have been studied by variable temperature AC impedance spectroscopy. It should be noted that these modified materials exhibit up to four orders of magnitude increase in conductivity ^‐values in comparison to pristine 1 – 3 systems. As an example, the conductivity value of 5.86×10^?9 S cm^?1 (activation energy E_a of 0.60 eV) for 2 at 313 K and 22 % relative humidity (RH) increases up to 2.75×10^?5 S cm^?1 (E_a of 0.40 eV) for 2@KOH . Moreover, a further increase of conductivity values up to 1.16×10^?2 S cm^?1 and diminution of E_a down to 0.20 eV is achieved at 100 % RH for 2@KOH . The increased porosity, basicity and hydrophilicity of the 1@KOH – 3@KOH materials compared to the pristine 1 – 3 systems should explain the better performance of the KOH‐modified materials.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Vibrational Spectroscopy of NH4[Co(NH3)5(H2O)][B4O5(OH)4]2·6H2O

A novel hydrated cobalt tetraborate complex NH₄[Co(NH₃)₅(H₂O)][B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·6H₂O, was synthesized by the reaction of NH₄‐borate aqueous with CoCl₂ and its structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal system of this complex is orthorhombic, the space group is Pnma, and the unit cell parameters are a=1.2901(2) nm, b=1.6817(3) nm, c=1.1368(2) nm, α=β=γ=90°, V=2.4742(8) nm³, and Z=4. This compound contains infinite borate layers constructed from [B₄O₅(OH)₄]^2? units via hydrogen bonds. The adjacent polyborate anion layers are further linked together with the octahedral [Co(NH₃)₅(H₂O)]³⁺ groups through hydrogen bonds to form 3D framework. The groups and guest water molecules are deposited in the empty space of this framework and interact with the layers by extensive hydrogen bonds. Infrared and Raman spectra (4000–400 cm^?1) of NH₄[Co(NH₃)₅(H₂O)][B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·6H₂O were recorded at room temperature and analyzed. Fundamental vibrational modes were identified and band assignments were made. The middle band observed at 575 cm^?1 in Raman spectrum is the pulse vibration of [B₄O₅(OH)₄]^2?.     

Organotin–Oxido Cluster‐Based Multiferrocenyl Complexes Obtained by Hydrolysis of Ferrocenyl‐Functionalized Organotin Chlorides

Three organotin–oxido clusters were formed by hydrolysis of ferrocenyl‐functionalized organotin chloride precursors in the presence of NaEPh (E=S, Se). [R^FcSnCl₃?HCl] ( C ; R^Fc = CMe₂CH₂C(Me)?N?N?C(Me)Fc) and [SnCl₆]^2? formed {(R^FcSnCl₂)₃[Sn(OH)₆]}[SnCl₃] ( 3 a ) and {(R^FcSnCl₂)₃[Sn(OH)₆]}[PhSeO₃] ( 3 b ), bearing an unprecedented [Sn₄O₆] unit, in a one‐pot synthesis or stepwise through [(R^FcSnCl₂)₂Se] ( 1 ) plus [(R^FcSnCl₂)SePh] ( 2 ). A one‐pot reaction starting out from FcSnCl₃ gave [(FcSn)₉(OH)₆O₈Cl₅] ( 4 ), which represents the largest Fc‐decorated Sn/O cluster reported to date.     

Effects of Core‐modification on Porphyrin Sensitizers to the Efficiencies of Dye‐sensitized Solar Cells

To study dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with core‐modified porphyrins as the sensitizing dyes, three porphyrins with an ethynyl benzoic acid as an anchoring group are prepared. The properties of free‐base regular porphyrin (N4), thiaporphyrin (N3S) and oxaporphyrin (N3O) were thoroughly studied by spectroscopic methods, DFT calculations, and photovoltaic measurements. Replacing one of the porphyrinic core nitrogen atoms by oxygen or sulfur considerably changes the absorption spectra. The Soret band of the N3O and N3S observed bathochromic shifts of 3‐9 nm while the Q band reaches 700 nm to the near‐infrared region. The overall conversion efficiencies of the DSSCs based on these porphyrins are in the order N4 (3.66%) ? N3S (0.22%) > N3O (0.01%). The time‐correlated single photon counting observed short fluorescence lifetimes for N3O adsorbed both on TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ which explicates the poor efficiency of DSSC using N3O as the photosensitizer.     

Die Kristall- und Molekülstruktur von μ-5-Pyrimidincarboxylato (O,O′)-di-μ-hydroxo-bis[triamminkobalt(III)]perchlorat

Crystal and Molecular Structure of μ-5-Pyrimidinecarboxylato(O,O′)-di-μ-hydroxo-bis-[triamminecobalt(III)]perchlorate μ-5-Pyrimidinecarboxylato(O,O′)-di-[μ-hydroxo-bis(triamminecobalt)(III)]perchlorate, [(NH₃)₃Co-μ(OH, OH, C₅H₄N₂O₂)Co(NH₃)₃](ClO₄)₄, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ibca with a = 12.686, b = 13.079, c = 31.785 Å and Z = 8 formula units. The complex cation adopts C₂ symmetry, but no mirror plane is present. The Co? Co separation in the binuclear complex is 2.794 Å. The four-membered ring defined by the two Co atoms and the bridging oxygens is folded along the O? O axis, the interplanar angle being 154°. One of the ClO₄ tetrahedra is disordered over two sites in the crystal.     

Fe K‐Edge X‐ray Absorption Fine Structure Determination of γ‐Al2O3‐Supported Iron‐Oxide Species

The structure of FeO_x species supported on γ‐Al₂O₃ was investigated by using Fe K‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The samples were prepared through the impregnation of iron nitrate on Al₂O₃ and co‐gelation of aluminum and iron sulfates. The dependence of the XRD patterns on Fe loading revealed the formation of α‐Fe₂O₃ particles at an Fe loading of above 10 wt %, whereas the formation of iron‐oxide crystals was not observed at Fe loadings of less than 9.0 wt %. The Fe K‐edge XAFS was characterized by a clear pre‐edge peak, which indicated that the Fe?O coordination structure deviates from central symmetry and that the degree of Fe?O?Fe bond formation is significantly lower than that in bulk samples at low Fe loading (<9.0 wt %). Fe K‐edge extended XAFS oscillations of the samples with low Fe loadings were explained by assuming an isolated iron‐oxide monomer on the γ‐Al₂O₃ surface.     

A Novel Way to Prepare TiO2 and γ‐Al2O3 Supported Catalysts with Large Surface Areas

Several TiO₂ and γ‐Al₂O₃ supported catalyst systems were prepared by a novel way and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and BET surface area measurement. The results show: (1) all the samples, including MoO₃/TiO₂, WO₃/TiO₂, V₂O₅/TiO₂, FeSO₄/γ‐Al₂O₃, Al₂ (SO₄)₃/γ‐Al₂O₃, K₂CO₃/‐Al₂O₃ and so on, prepared by impregnating TiO₂·H₂O or pseudo‐boehmite AlO(OH) with the active components then calcining at a high temperature exhibit much larger surface areas than that of pure TiO₂ or γ‐Al₂O₃ calcined at the same temperature; (2) the surface area of the sample increases with the increase in the coverage of active component on the surface of the support; (3) when the content of active component reaches its utmost monolayer dispersion capacity, the surface area of the sample is the largest, and then decreases when the content of active component exceeds its dispersion threshold.