Synthesis and characterization of ferroelectric SrBi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> nanotubes arrays

Ferroelectric SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ nanotubes were fabricated by sol–gel dipping template technique and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. They had a single orthorhombic perovskite structure, and most of SBT nanotubes showed highly preferential crystal growth along the [115] orientation. FE-SEM and TEM investigations showed that nanotubes have smooth wall morphologies and well-defined diameters corresponding to the diameter of the applied template. From HRTEM results, the clear lattice fringes indicated that the nanotubes are structurally uniform and well crystallized. The growth mechanisms of SBT nanotubes into the AAO templates were explored.     

The synthesis and thermochemical study of (Mg,Fe)<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanotubes

Nanotubular (Mg,Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ hydrosilicates with a chrysotile structure were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The phases prepared were studied thermochemically on a high-temperature Tian-Calvet microcalorimeter by solution calorimetry. The standard enthalpies of formation of magnesium-iron nanotubular hydrosilicates were determined. The formation of iron-containing nanotubes was shown to be lass favorable energetically than the formation of magnesium nanotubes.     

Entrapment of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles in TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes for visible light-driven photocatalysis

In this study, we prepared nanoparticles of the visible light-responsive photocatalyst, Bi₂O₃ entrapped in anatase TiO₂ nanotubes (Bi₂O₃-in-TNTs) via a vacuum-assisted precursor-filling process followed by annealing. Owing to the unique tubular electronic structure of TiO₂ nanotubes, the interior of the nanotube is in an electron-deficient state, which was confirmed by XPS spectra and H₂-TPR. Electrochemical impedance studies showed that the Bi₂O₃-in-TNTs demonstrated a more efficient separation of photogenerated carriers than when Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles were deposited on the outer wall of TiO₂ nanotubes (Bi₂O₃-out-TNTs). Due to the confinement effect of TiO₂ nanotubes, which inhibits photogenerated carriers’ recombination, the Bi₂O₃-in-TNTs exhibited a better photocatalytic performance for the photo-degradation of methyl orange under visible light compared to Bi₂O₃-out-TNTs.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotube composites as supercapacitor materials

A novel composite of Co(OH)₂ and TiO₂ nanotubes was synthesized by a chemical precipitation method. Co(OH)₂/TiO₂ nanotube composites and its microstructure were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD). The electrochemical capacitance performance of this composite was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge tests with a three-electrode system in 6 M KOH solution. We synthesized different weight ratios of Co(OH)₂/TiO₂ nanotubes, a maximum specific capacitance of 229 F/g was obtained for the composite. Based on these tests, we propose that TiO₂ nanotubes provide the three-dimensional nanotube network structure for the composite and make the Co(OH)₂ dispersed. For these reasons, the TiO₂ nanotubes used as a framework for Co(OH)₂ improve the utilization of Co(OH)₂ greatly.     

Quantum-chemical modelling of nanotubes of titanium silicocarbides Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiC,Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>SiC<Subscript>2</Subscript>, and Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>SiC<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Atomic models are proposed for nanotubes of the titanium silicocarbides Ti₂SiC, Ti₃SiC₂, and Ti₄SiC₃, and their electronic structure and interatomic interactions are investigated by the density functional tight-binding method (DFTB) in comparison with the corresponding crystalline phases. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 88-92, March-April, 2009.     

Interatomic interactions and electronic structure of NbSe<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Nb<Subscript>1.25</Subscript>Se<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes

Atomic models of achiral NbSe₂ nanotubes are suggested. Band structure calculations have been performed to investigate the electronic structure and determine the parameters of interatomic interactions. The distribution of the density of states and pair bond occupancies of NbSe₂ nanotubes are analyzed in relation to the type of the atomic configuration and the tube diameter; the results are compared with the band structure of the 2H-NbSe₂ crystal. Calculations have been carried out on hypothetical superstoichiometric nanotubes with a formal composition Nb_1.25Se₂ as possible quasi-one-dimensional nanoforms of autointercalated niobium diselenide.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by A. N. Enyashin, V. V. Ivanovskaya, I. R. Shein, Yu. N. Makurin, N. I. Medvedeva, A. A. Sofronov, and A. L. IvanovskiiTranslated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 579–588, July–August, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Low-temperature catalytic preparation of multi-wall MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes

In the catalytic reduction atmosphere of H₂+CH₄+C₄H₄S, the ball-milled precursor (NH₄)₂MoS₄ is heated to 300°C for decomposition. The as-synthesized product is characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, EDX, and BET. The results show that multi-wall MoS₂ nanotubes are obtained. The length of the nanotubes is around 3–5 μm. The diameters of the nanotubes are homogeneous, with an inner diameter of ∼15 nm, an outer diameter of ∼30 nm, and an interlayer (002) d-spacing of 0.63 nm. This catalytic thermal reaction occurring at low temperatures is important for the large-scale preparation of similar transition-metal disulfide nanotubes.     

Glass formation in the Al(IO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-HIO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

On the basis of experimental data obtained in the study of glass-formation boundaries in the Al₂(SO₄)₃-HIO₃-H₂O, Al(IO₃)₃-Al₂(SO₄)₃-H₂O, and Al(IO₃)₃-HIO₃-H₂O systems and using geometrical analysis, we predict the positions of glass-formation boundaries in the Al(IO₃)₃-Al₂(SO₄)₃-HIO₃-H₂O four-component system along 60, 40, and 25 wt % H₂O sections.     

Three-component systems LiBr-LiVO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiBr-Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Phase equilibria in the three-component systems LiBr-LiVO₃-Li₂MoO₄ and LiBr-Li₂SO₄-Li₂MoO₄ have been studied using differential thermal analysis (DTA). Eutectic compositions have been determined (mol %): in the system LiBr-LiVO₃-Li₂MoO₄, 56.0 LiBr, 22.0 LiVO₃, and 22.0 Li₂MoO₄ with a melting temperature of 413°C; and in the system LiBr-Li₂SO₄-Li₂MoO₄, 65.0 LiBr, 14.0 Li₂SO₄, and 21.0 Li₂MoO₄ with a melting temperature of 421°C. Phase fields have been demarcated.     

Modeling of the capillary filling of MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes with titanium tetrachloride molecules

The results of molecular-dynamic modeling of the capillary filling of molybdenum disulfide MoS₂ nanotubes with titanium tetrachloride molecules and the structure of the TiCl₄ liquid inside the nanotubes are presented.     

NaBO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> quaternary system

This is the first study of the NaBO₂-Na₂CO₃-Na₂MoO₄-Na₂WO₄ quaternary system by differential thermal analysis. Na₂[MoO_4(x)WO_{4(1 − x)}] solid solutions in the quaternary system are found to not decompose.     

Array of electrodeposited Ru-decorated TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes with enhanced photoresponse

Although TiO₂ anatase phase has been widely chosen as the main photocatalyst, it presents high electron/hole recombination rate. However, today, what is sought is a semiconductor material with enhanced photocatalytic activity with higher photon to electron conversion efficiency by introduction of electrons trap dopants. In this paper, TiO₂ nanotubes arrays obtained by anodization of Ti substrates were decorated with Ru via electrodeposition, and their photo-response was investigated. First, voltammetric experiments were performed to elucidate the route of Ru reduction on the TiO₂ surface and to select the range of potentials for Ru deposition. The reduction potentials were used for controlling the amount of Ru distributed all over the surface. Although Ru was electrodeposited at potentials over the range from ??0.025 to ??0.188 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the deposition of 3.7 mC cm^?2 at ??0.100 V for 30 min resulted in a tenfold greater photocurrent when compared to the recorded photocurrent for the undecorated TiO₂ nanotubes array. Next, Ru-decorated TiO₂ nanotubes with a length of 323?±?18 nm and inner and outer diameters of 91 and 104 nm, respectively, were characterized using SEM-WDS, SEM-FEG, XRD, and XPS. UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements, which revealed a maximum PL emission at 445 nm, showed that for the array of Ru-decorated TiO₂ nanotubes, the electron-hole recombination may be effectively inhibited by the presence of ruthenium electrodeposited, which can make this photocatalyst even more attractive for environmental applications. The performances of the TiO₂ and Ru-decorated TiO₂ catalysts were compared in heterogeneous photocatalysis experiments for color removal of an azo-dye, which presented a pseudo-first-order rate constant more than twofold greater for the Ru-decorated TiO₂ catalysts.     

Specific heat on Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Summary Specific heats on the single crystals of Sr₂Nb₂O₇, Sr₂Ta₂O₇ and (Sr_1-xBa_x)₂Nb₂O₇ were measured in a wide temperature range of 2-600 K. Heat anomalies of a λ-type were observed at the incommensurate phase transition of T_INC (=495 K) on Sr₂Nb₂O₇ and at the super-lattice phase transition of T_SL (=443 K) on Sr₂Ta₂O₇; the transition enthalpies and the transition entropies were estimated. Furthermore, a small heat anomaly was observed at the low temperature ferroelectric phase transition of T_LOW (=95 K) on Sr₂Nb₂O₇. The transition temperature T_LOW decreases with increasing Ba content x and it vanishes for samples of x>2%.     

Synthesis and structure of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>){CONH<Subscript>2</Subscript>N(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

The single crystals of [UO₂(C₂O₄){CONH₂N(CH₃)₂}₂] were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 7.461(2) Å, b = 8.828(2) Å, c = 11.756(2) Å, β = 107.21(3)°, space group Pc, Z = 2, R = 2.94%. The structure comprises infinite chains [UO₂(C₂O₄){CONH₂N(CH₃)₂}₂] extended along [001] and corresponding to the AT¹¹M ₂ ¹ crystallochemical group (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , T¹¹ = C₂O ₄ ^2? , M¹ = N,N-CONH₂N(CH₃)₂) of uranyl complexes. The chains are connected into a three-dimensional framework by hydrogen bonds involving the oxygen atoms of oxalate and uranyl ions and the N,N-dimethylcarbamide methyl groups.     

Phase formation in the Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MgMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The subsolidus region of the Ag₂MoO₄-MgMoO₄-Al₂(MoO₄)₃ ternary salt system has been studied by X-ray phase analysis. The formation of new compounds Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) and AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ has been determined. The Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ variable-composition phase is related to the NASICON type structure (space group R \(\bar 3\) c). AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ is isostructural to sodium magnesium indium molybdate of the same formula unit and crystallizes in triclinic system (space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2) with the following unit cell parameters: a = 9.295(7) Å, b = 17.619(2) Å, c = 6.8570(7) Å, α = 87.420(9)°, β = 101.109(9)°, γ = 91.847(9)°. The compounds Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ and AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ are thermally stable up to 790 and 820°C, respectively.     

Glass formation in the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

Glass formation boundaries in the Al₂(SO₄)₃-Al(NO₃)₃-H₂O system were determined. IR spectra were studied. Schemes of structural rearrangements within the boundaries of a second glass formation region in the Al(NO₃)₃-H₂O binary subsystem are suggested. A structure is suggested for glassy Al(NO₃)₃H₂O.     

Structure and some properties of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>{CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CON(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

A new complex [UO₂CrO₄{CH₃CON(CH₃)₂}₂] (I) was studied by thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The crystals are monoclinic: a = 13.8108(11) Å, b = 8.6804(7) Å, c = 13.0989(10) Å, β = 104.777(1)°, V = 1518.4(2) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, R = 2.39%. The structure of I contains infinite chains of the [UO₂CrO₄{CH₃CON(CH₃)₂}₂] composition running along [001]; the complex belongs to the AT¹¹M¹ ₂ crystal-chemical group (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , T¹¹ = CrO ₄ ^2? , M¹ = CH₃CON(CH₃)₂) of uranyl complexes. The chains are linked into a three-dimensional framework due to hydrogen bonds between oxygen atoms of chromate ions and hydrogen atoms of methyl groups of the dimethylacetamide.     

Crystal structures of Ti(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> and Sn(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript>

The characteristics of crystal structures of the titanium(IV) diammonium (Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃) and tin(IV) diammonium (Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃) tetraphosphates, which are isostructural with similar silicon(IV) and germanium(IV) salts, have been obtained by the Rietveld method using X-ray powder diffraction data. The compounds crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P \(\overline 1 \), Z = 2, a = 15.0291(7) Å, b = 7.9236(4) Å, c = 5.0754(3) Å, α = 99.168(3)°, β = 97.059(3)°, γ = 83.459(3)° for Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃ and a = 15.1454(7) Å, b = 8.0103(5) Å, c = 5.1053(3) Å, α = 99.898(6)°, β = 96.806(3)°, γ = 83.881(4)° for Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃. The structure is refined in the isotropic approximation using the pseudo-Voigt function: R _p = 0.077, R _Bragg = 0.045, R _F = 0.057 for Ti(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃; R _p = 0.082, R _Bragg = 0.044, R _F = 0.046 for Sn(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃. The hydrogen atoms of the ammonium cations are placed in the calculated positions. A comparative analysis of the structures of the compounds of the M^IV(NH₄)₂P₄O₁₃ (M^IV = Si, Ge, Ti, Sn) series has been carried out.     

Synthesis,structure and thermal decomposition of [Ni(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>][VO(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)]<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The compound [Ni(NH₃)₆][VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)]₂ was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis and vibrational spectra. The single crystal X-ray study revealed that the structure consists of [Ni(NH₃)₆]²⁺ and [VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)]⁻ ions. As a result of weak interionic interactions V′···O_p (O_p-peroxo oxygen), ([VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)]⁻)₂ dimers are formed in the solid-state. The thermal decomposition of [Ni(NH₃)₆][VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)]₂ is a multi-step process with overlapped individual steps; no defined intermediates were obtained. The final solid products of thermal decomposition up to 600°C were Ni₂V₂O₇ and V₂O₅.     

Synthesis,characterization of B-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes with high photocatalytic activity

B-doped TiO₂ nanotubes (B/TiO₂ NTs) were prepared by the combination of sol–gel process with hydrothermal treatment. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM and XPS. The photocatalytic activity of B/TiO₂ NTs was evaluated through the photodegradation of aqueous methyl orange. The results demonstrated that the 1.5% B/TiO₂ NTs calcined at 300 °C possessed the best photocatalytic activity. Compared with pure TiO₂ nanotubes, the doping with B significantly enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency.