Zr‐doped CeO2 Hollow slightly‐truncated nano‐octahedrons: One‐pot synthesis,characterization and their application in catalysis of CO oxidation

Zirconium‐doped ceria hollow slightly‐truncated nano‐octahedrons (HTNOs) (Ce_1‐xZr_xO₂) were synthesized by a one‐pot, facile hydrothermal method. The morphology and crystalline structure were characterized with powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The composition and chemical valence on the surface of the as‐prepared Ce_1‐xZr_xO₂ powders were detected by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The surface area and pore size distribution of as‐obtained Zr‐doped ceria HTNOs were measured by N₂ adsorption‐desorption measurement. Mechanisms for the growth of Zr‐doped ceria HTNOs are proposed as both oriented attachment and Ostwald ripening process and the formation of the hollow structure is strongly dependent on the addition of Zr⁴⁺ ions. Furthermore, the as‐obtained Zr‐doped ceria HTNOs revealed superior catalytic activity and thermal stability toward CO oxidation compared to pure ceria. It may provide a new path for the fabrication of inorganic hollow structures on introducing alien metal ions.     

Properties of Sm‐doped CaNb2O6 thin films deposited by radio‐frequency magnetron sputtering

Sm‐doped CaNb₂O₆ (CaNb₂O₆:Sm) phosphor thin films were prepared by radio‐frequency magnetron sputtering on sapphire substrates. The thin films were grown at several growth temperatures and subsequently annealed at 800 °C in air. The crystallinity, surface morphology, optical transmittance, and photoluminescence of the thin films were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry, and fluorescence spectrophotometry, respectively. All of the thin films showed a main red emission radiated by the transition from the ⁴G_5/2 excited state to the ⁶H_9/2 ground state of the Sm³⁺ ions and several weak bands under ultraviolet excitation with a 279 nm wavelength. The optimum growth temperature for depositing the high‐quality CaNb₂O₆:Sm thin films, which was determined from the luminescence intensity, was found to be 400 °C, where the thin film exhibited an orthorhombic structure with a thickness of 370 nm, an average grain size of 220 nm, a band gap energy of 3.99 eV, and an average optical transmittance of 85.9%. These results indicate that the growth temperature plays an important role in controlling the emission intensity and optical band gap energy of CaNb₂O₆:Sm thin films.     

Well‐defined Sb2S3 nanostructures: citric acid‐assisted synthesis,electrochemical hydrogen storage properties

Well‐defined (three‐dimensional) 3‐D dandelion‐like Sb₂S₃ nanostructures consisted of numerous nanorods have been achieved via a facile citric acid‐assisted solvothermal process. The as‐prepared products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM), respectively. The influence factors of the formation of the hierarchical Sb₂S₃ nanostructures are discussed in details based on FESEM characterizations. By simply controlling the quantity of citric acid, the nucleation and growth process can be readily tuned, which brings the different morphologies and nanostructures of the final products. On the basis of a series of contrastive experiments, the aggregation‐based process and anisotropic growth mechanism are reasonably proposed to understand the formation mechanism of Sb₂S₃ hierarchical architectures with distinctive morphologies including nanorods, and dandelion‐like nanostructures. Charge‐discharge curves of the obtained Sb₂S₃ nanostructures were measured to investigate their electrochemical hydrogen storage behaviors. It revealed that the morphology played a key role on the hydrogen storage capacity of Sb₂S₃ nanostructure. The dandelion‐like Sb₂S₃ nanostructures exhibited higher hydrogen storage capacity (108 mAh g⁻¹) than that of Sb₂S₃ nanorods (95 mAh g⁻¹) at room temperature.     

Two CrIII containing metal‐1‐hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate compounds: Synthesis,structure, and morphology

Two novel layered Cr^III containing metal‐hedp compounds, Na₂₀AlCr^III[CH₃C(O)P₂O₆]₆·O₃·(H₂O)₂₆·(H₃O)₁₀ (CH₃ CH₂ OH) and Na₆Cr^III[CH₃C(OH)P₂O₆]₃·(H₂O)₂₁(H₃O)₃ (designated as DLES‐AlCr and DLES‐Cr^III respectively), were hydrothermally synthesized. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The two crystals are isostructural with propeller‐like chiral motifs and hexagonal rings along [001]. DLES‐AlCr crystal exhibits interesting hollow tubular hexagonal morphology, while DLES‐Cr crystal possesses solid hexagonal morphology. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

pH‐Controlled topologies of two Co(II) complexes based on 5‐Nitro‐1,2,3‐benzenetricarboxylic acid and 1,6‐Bis(1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐yl)hexane

Two new Co(II) coordination polymers, [Co(Hnbta)(bth)]_n ( 1 ) and {[Co₃(nbta)₂(bth)₃(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n ( 2 ), (H₃nbta = 5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐benzenetricarboxylic acid and bth = 1,6‐bis(1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐yl)hexane), have been synthesized under different pH values through hydrothermal reactions. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 exhibits a 3D polythreaded network based on 4‐connected sql 2D layer. Complex 2 has a (4,4,5)‐connected trinodal 3D pillar‐layered network with a (4²·6⁴)₂(4²·6⁷·8)₂(6⁴·8²) topology. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that complexes 1 and 2 show weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co(II) ions.     

Synthesis,Structure and Characterizations of a Molybdenum Sulfide Complex with inorganic Cluster [Mo3S13]2‐ and Organic Amine Me4N+

The complex of (Me₄N)₂Mo₃S₁₃ ( I ) has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal condition. The crystal structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction at room temperature. Crystal data: M = 854.91, Trigonal, space group P3 (No. 143), a = 11.2351(8) Å, c = 5.8885(6) Å, and Z = 1, There is an inorganic [Mo₃S₁₃]^2‐ core composed of a Mo₃‐triangle, a μ₃‐S atom, three doubly bridging disulfide and three terminal disulfide. Two organic amine ions act as the positive charge to balance the [Mo₃S₁₃]^2‐ cluster.     

Rapid synthesis of dendrite‐ and platelet‐like α‐Fe2O3 via a hydrothermal oxidation route

Dendrite and platelet‐like α‐Fe₂O₃ microcrystals were synthesized by the oxidation reaction of K₄Fe(CN)₆and NaClO₃ through a simple hydrothermal method. The structures and morphologies of the as‐prepared samples were characterized in detail by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experiment results show that NaOH played an important role in controlling the morphology of the final products. The possible mechanism was discussed to elucidate the formation of different morphologies of the α‐Fe₂O₃ microstructures. Besides, the magnetic property of the dendrite α‐Fe₂O₃ microstructure was characterized by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase‐manipulable synthesis of Cu‐based nanomaterials using ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazole tetrafluoroborate

Using the ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazole tetrafluoroborate, and the precursor Cu₇Cl₄(OH)₁₀·H₂O, series of phase‐manipulable Cu‐based nanomaterials were synthesized by hydrothermal and microwave assisted routes, respectively. The structural characters of the as‐prepared CuO, CuO/Cu₂O composites and pure Cu nanoparticles were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM and HRTEM, and their surface photovoltaic properties were studied by surface photovoltage spectra. Via hydrothermal route Cu²⁺ ions were found to be reduced gradually into Cu⁺ and subsequently Cu⁰ with increasing the IL, and various phase ratio of CuO, Cu₂O and Cu composite nanosheets and pure Cu nanoparticles were obtained. This implies that the IL could function as both a reductant in the oxygen‐starved condition and a template for the nanosheet products. The ¹H‐NMR result of the IL supports it being a reductant. In microwave assisted route, however, only monoclinic single crystalline CuO nanosheets were obtained, which indicates the IL being a template only in oxygen‐rich condition. Therefore, the crystal phase, composition and morphology of the Cu‐based products could be controlled by simply adjusting the quantity of the IL and oxygen in solution routes. The molecular structure of the IL after oxidation reactions was investigated by ¹H‐NMR and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Ionic liquid‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis of γ‐Al2O3hierarchical nanostructures

The boehmite (Al₂O₃·H₂O) hierarchical nanostructure with spindle‐like morphology has been successfully synthesized via ionic liquid‐assisted hydrothermal synthetic method under mild condition using an ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐dimethylimidazolium bromide ([Bmim][Br]) as a template. The proposed formation mechanism has been investigated and the hydrogen bond‐co‐π–π stack mechanism is used to be responsible for the present formation of the precursor hierarchical nanostructure. The γ‐Al₂O₃ hierarchical nanostructure was obtained by calcining the as‐synthesized precursor at 500 °C for 2 h, preserving the same morphology. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and characterization of phosphates in the pseudo‐ternary melted systems Cs2O‐P2O5‐MIIO (MII – alkaline earth)

The crystallization of alkali‐earth phosphates in the melts of Cs₂O‐P₂O₅‐M^IIO (M^II – Ca, Sr, Ba) pseudo‐ternary systems have been investigated at various Cs/P molar ratios and at fixed value of M^II/P equal to 0.15. Type of the phosphate which crystallizes in melts depends on the Cs/P initial ratio. Crystallization fields of CsM^IIP₃O₉, M^II₂P₂O₇ and Cs₂M^IIP₂O₇ were briefly investigated and characterized. The new diphosphate Cs₂CaP₂O₇ has been obtained and investigated by the single crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction and FTIR‐ spectroscopy. It crystallizes in C 2/m space group, with the following parameters of the monoclinic cell: a = 10.261(2), b = 5.9316(12), c = 7.2404(14) Å, β = 118.54(3)°. The architecture of [CaP₂O₇]^2‐ anionic sublattice, which is built up from [CaO₆] octahedra and [P₂O₇] bitetrahedra, interlinked via the common oxygen vertices, gives rise to formation of hexagonal tunnels along crystallographic direction b, where caesium atoms are located. One of the most remarkable features of the structure is specific positional disorder of the diphosphate group, which is connected with the existence of two equiprobable half‐occupied sites of the bridging oxygen. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal Structure of Diethyl 2‐[2,2,2‐ trifluoro‐1‐(indole‐3‐yl)‐ethyl]‐2‐acetamidomalonate

The title compound (C₁₉H₂₁F₃N₂O₅) has been determined from three dimensional X‐ray diffraction data. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 7.626(4)Å, b = 17.515(4)Å, c = 15.066(3)Å, β = 101.02(3)°, V = 1975(1)ų, Z = 4, D_calc = 1.393g cm^‐3, space group P2₁/c. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full‐matrix least‐squares method (R = 0.039).     

Growth and characterization of large La1‐xPbxMnO3+δ (x=0.32–0.35) crystals

Large crystals of La_0.63Pb_0.37Mn O_3+δ with small La(Pb)‐ deficiency of about 0.005‐0.01 at.% were grown by high temperature solution growth method. The structure of the grown crystals was determined as rhombohedral with R‐3 space group by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The surface morphology of the crystals and the exact chemical composition was examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis methods, respectively. The IR‐transmission spectrum reveals the presence of Mn³⁺O₆‐ and Mn⁴⁺O₆‐ octahedra in the lattice of La_0.63Pb_0.37Mn O_3+δ crystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of Nd,Yb – yttrium oxide nanopowders obtained by sol‐gel method

Nanopowders of Y₂O₃ pure, doped and codoped by Nd³⁺, Yb³⁺ were obtained by sol‐gel method. Solution with ethylene glycol was choosed as the proper solution where crystallites of powder with Nd and Yb dopants had the same size. Finally the one‐phased compounds of Y₂O₃ doped 0.5 at% Nd and 1, 2 or 4 at% Yb were obtained. Grain growth and their morphology were investigated in various temperature and time of heating. The changes of crystallite sizes and lattice constants in relation to the heating time and temperature for the composition Y₂O₃ doped 0.5 at% Nd and 2 at% Yb are presented. Y₂O₃ containing 0,5 at% of Nd exhibits intense luminescence bands centered at 920 nm, 1100 nm and 1360 nm whereas a single band at about 1020 nm appears in samples co‐doped with neodymium and ytterbium. Luminescence spectra recorded did not depend on the sample preparation procedure and size of grains. OH impurity affects critically the relaxation dynamics of luminescent ion in nanopowders. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The crystal structure of hexaammonium diacetyl‐octa‐molybdate tetrahydrate

The crystal structure of hexaammonium diacetyl‐octa‐molybdate tetrahydrate, (NH₄)₄₂[Mo₁₃₂O₃₇₂ (CH₃COO)₃₀(H₂O)₇₂] is documented. The crystals are triclinic, space group P‐1, with a=8.1018(16) Å, b=10.334(2) Å, c=12.238(2) Å, α=68.20(3)°, β=74.98(3)°, γ=67.25(3)°, V=869.3(3) ų, Z=1. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares methods to a Final R1 = 0.0374 and wR2 = 0.1074 for 3805 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). The structure contains ammonium cations and isolated acetyl octamolybdate(6‐) anions, [Mo₈O₂₈(CH₃CO)₂]^6‐. The crystallographic data of the structure was deposited with the Cambridge Data Center as No. CCDC 249565. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Low‐temperature urea‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis of Bi2S3 nanostructures with different morphologies

Different morphologies of single‐crystalline orthorhombic phase bismuth sulfide (Bi₂S₃) nanostructures, including sub‐microtubes, nanoflowers and nanorods were synthesized by a urea‐assisted hydrothermal method at a low temperature below 120 °C for 12 h. The as‐synthesized powders were characterized by X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and UV‐vis spectrophotometry. The experimental results showed that the sulfur sources had a great effect on the morphology and size of the resulting powders. The formation mechanism of the Bi₂S₃ nanostructures with different morphologies was discussed. All Bi₂S₃ nanostructures showed an appearance of blue shift relative to the bulk orthorhombic Bi₂S₃, which might be ascribed to the quantum size effect of the final products. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of pure and Co2+‐doped Li2B4O7 single crystals

Pure and Co‐doped Li₂B₄O₇ (LBO) single crystals were grown by the Czochralski method. Starting concentrations of Co₂O₃ in the melt were: 0.5, 0.85 and 1 mol% relative to Li₂CO₃. Technological factors affecting the quality of both crystals were discussed. Optical absorption and EPR spectra were analyzed to define the oxidation states and lattice sites of cobalt ions. It was shown that Co²⁺ ions enter LBO crystal at octahedral Li⁺ site positions. Low‐temperature EPR measurements revealed that two types of Co²⁺ complexes can be distinguished in the Li₂B₄O₇:Co crystals. Additional absorption calculated for γ‐irradiated crystals showed V_k type defects suggesting the creation of cation vacancies during growth. The concentration of the defects decreases with an increase of intentional Co concentration. Introduction of cobalt ions to LBO crystal is limited probably by the formation of cobalt ion pairs or by the entrance of cobalt as Co⁺. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Crystal and Molecular Structure of 11,12‐dibromo‐ 7,8—benzo‐1,5‐di(p—tolylsulphonyl)‐1,5‐diazacyclononan

The crystal structure of the title compound, C₂₅H₂₆Br₂N₂O₄S₂ was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. The crystals are monoclinic, space group C 2/c, with a=20.7142(2) Å b=11.7910(2) Å, c= 10.6735(3) Å, β=98.549(2)°, V=2577.94(9) ų, Z=4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least‐squares methods to a final R=0.046 for 1866 observed reflections with I>2sigma(I). The title compound, displays disordered geometry around the C1 atom located almost on twofold axis. The nine‐membered heterocylic ring is close to the half‐chair conformation. The dihedral angle between phenyl rings is 34.2(1)°.     

Crystal structure of N‐[(1Z)‐1‐(3‐methyl‐3‐phenylcyclobutyl)‐2‐thiomorpholin‐4‐ylethylidene] thiourea

The crystal structure of N‐[(1Z)‐1‐(3‐methyl‐3‐phenylcyclobutyl)‐2‐thiomorpholin‐4‐ylethylidene] thiourea (C₁₈H₂₆N₄S₂) has been determined by X‐ray crystallographic techniques. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, with unit cell parameters: a = 15.692(3), b = 20.803(8), c = 11.979(6)Å, Z = 8, V = 3911(7)ų. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full‐matrix least squares to a final R‐value of 0.084 for 1447 observed reflections [I > 2σ ( I ) ]. In the thiosemicarbazide moiety, the S = C bond length is 1.656(6), N‐C‐N angle is 115.6(5)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by the intermolecular N‐H...S hydrogen bonds. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal structure of 3‐(3‐nitrophenylhydrazonocarbonyl)‐(1H)‐1,2,4‐triazole

The title compound, C₁₀H₈N₆O₃, was synthesized by the reaction of 3‐(1H)‐1,2,4‐triazole hydrazine with 3‐nitrobenzaldehyde in ethanol. The single crystal structure has been determined by X‐ray analysis. The crystal belongs to monoclinic system, space group p2₁/c with cell constant, a = 8.0214(17) Å, b = 17.334(4) Å, c = 8.9070(18) Å, V= 1179.4(4) ų. An intramolecular N—H...O and N—H…N hydrogen bond are observed between the ‐NH group with O atom of the carbonyl group and the ‐NH group with N atom. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Room‐temperature synthesis and characterization of cross‐like Pr2(C2O4)3·10H2O micro‐particles

Cross‐like Pr₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O micro‐particles were synthesized through a simple precipitation method at room temperature. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) and photoluminescence (PL). The possible formation mechanism of the cross‐like Pr₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O micro‐particles was discussed, and Pr₆O₁₁ with similar morphology was obtained by calcining the oxalate precursor. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)