Galvanostatic investigation of electrochemical processes at the C/RbCu4Cl3I2 interface

The kinetics of electrochemical processes at a vitreous carbon electrode in contact with the solid electrolyte RbCu₄Cl₃I₂ has been investigated. In the range of potentials from zero up to the decomposition potential of the electrolyte (0.57 V), the rate of the reversible electrode reaction Cu⁺–e^–↔Cu²⁺ is controlled by slow diffusion of the electronic defects (Cu²⁺ ions or holes) in the electrolyte. The diffusion coefficient of these defects is equal to 1.5×10^–8 cm² s^–1. The exchange current density of the electrode reaction is equal to 20×10^–6 A cm^–2. Electronic Publication     

Superionic fluoride ceramics RF<Subscript>3</Subscript> and R<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>F<Subscript>2.95</Subscript> (R = La,Ce, Pr,Nd) prepared by hot pressing

RF₃ and R_0.95Sr_0.05F_2.95 (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) ceramic specimens were prepared by hot pressing at 1173 K under pressure of 3 × 10⁸ Pa for 20 min. The ionic conductivity value was determined by means of impedance spectroscopy in vacuum from 293 to 823 K. For LaF₃ at 350 K, the single crystal / ceramics conductivity ratio is about 5. The difference decreases at higher temperature and disappears about 500 K. The ionic conductivity activation energy is 0.30 ± 0.05 eV. For La_0.95Sr_0.05F_2.95, the conductivity of ceramics below 500 K is slightly lower that of single crystals. At T > 500 K, the conductivity values of ceramic and single crystal specimens practically coincide. The ionic conductivity of hot pressed ceramics is about 10^?2 S/cm at 500 K and activation energy is 0.25 ± 0.02 eV.     

Solid electrolytes with cesium cation conductivity in the Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

Solid solutions based on cesium monogallate CsGaO₂ are synthesized in the Ga₂O₃-TiO₂-Cs₂O system. Their crystalline structure and also temperature and concentration conductivity dependences are studied. The cesium cation character of conductivity is confirmed. The most conducting samples contain an excess of cesium oxide and have the structure of high-temperature γ-modification of KAlO₂. Their specific conductivity is (5.0–6.7) × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at 400 °C, (2.5–5.0) × 10^?2 S cm^?1 at 700°C at the activation energy of 33–35 kJ/mol^?1.     

Solid Electrolytes Based on KAlO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: The Crystalline Structure and Conduction

The structure of solid high-conductance potassium electrolytes K_{1 − x} Al_{1 − x} Ti_xO₂ (x = 0.1; 0.2) at 25 and 575°C is studied by a powder neutron diffraction analysis with the application of full-profile Rietveld analysis. Inserting titanium ions removes in potassium aluminate the phase transition at 540°C and the conductance anisotropy typical for its low-temperature form. Both structures are identical (fcc lattice, space group Fd3m). Experiment and calculation coincide best under the assumption that the potassium sublattice is disordered. The conductance increase upon inserting ions Ti⁴⁺ is due, apart from stabilization of the fcc structure, to formation of additional potassium vacancies and larger channels for the migration of potassium cations (ions Ti⁴⁺ are larger than ions Al³⁺).__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 7, 2005, pp. 878–883.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Burmakin, Voronin, Akhtyamova, Berger, Shekhtman.     

Grain size effect on diffusion processes in superionic phases Cu<Subscript>1.75</Subscript>Se,Li<Subscript>0.25</Subscript> Cu<Subscript>1.75</Subscript>Se,and Li<Subscript>0.25</Subscript> Cu<Subscript>1.75</Subscript>S

Ionic conduction and chemical diffusion in Cu_1.75Se, Li_0.25 Cu_1.75Se, and Li_0.25Cu_1.75S at 140–240°C are studied. The ionic conduction of Cu_1.75 Se is shown to increase with the average grain size. With coarsening of grains, the activation energy for ionic conduction decreases in Cu_1.75Se and increases in Li_0.25Cu_1.75S. The reasons for the diffusion effects observed in the studied materials are discussed.     

Solid surface and field catalysed interface formation of colloidal Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> during Al anodizing affecting the kinetics and mechanism of development and structure of porous oxides

Overall kinetic and potentiometric studies of the growth of porous anodic alumina films in saturated H₂SO₄+Al₂(SO₄)₃ electrolyte showed non-saturation conditions inside the pores and supersaturation conditions at the pore surface/electrolyte interface where the field and the solid surface catalyse the formation of colloidal Al₂(SO₄)₃ micelles. Suitable high-strength field thermodynamically sustained electrochemical and chemical kinetic equations were formulated. It was shown that the diameter and surface fraction of charge exchange at the pore bases, the real pore wall surface fraction where oxide dissolution occurs, and its rate are strongly affected by the conditions. The mechanism of growth and structure of the films are quite different from those in H₂SO₄. A mechanism of regular film growth is imposed and the critical current density, above which pitting appears, strongly increases. The formulated theory may predict improved or new Al anodizing technologies. Electronic Publication     

Ionic conductivity of bismuth oxofluoride BiO<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>F<Subscript>2.8</Subscript> with tysonite-type structure (LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript>)

The complex impedance method in the temperature range of 291–660 K was used to study conductivity of oxofluoride BiO_0.1F_2.8 belonging to the tysonite structural type (LaF₃). Bismuth oxofluoride was synthesized using a solid-phase method at 770–870 K for 1–2 h in an argon atmosphere. Heterovalent substitution of fluoride ions F⁻ by oxygen ions O²⁻ in the anionic BiF₃ matrix sublattice results in high ionic conductivity (∼0.1 S/cm at 660 K) of BiO_0.1F_2.8 ceramic samples.     

Electrochemical properties of solid electrolytes based on BaSm<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Solid solutions based on BaSm₂S_{4 ? x} mol % BaS (Sm₂S₃) are obtained. Oxide intermediates were homogenized using chemical and mechanical mixing methods. The solid solution region is determined. Complex conductivity is studied and conductivity activation energy is calculated for samples with different history. Electrolytic properties of phases based on barium thiosamarate are studied. Vacancy mechanism of defect formation is suggested.     

Crystal structure and properties of [M(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>, (M = Ir,Rh, Ru)

The crystal structures of compounds from the series [M(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂, (M = Ir, Rh, Ru) were described. The compounds crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system, space group I4, Z = 2. Crystal data for [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (I): a = 7.6061(1) Å, b = 7.6061(1) Å, c = 10.4039(2) Å, V = 601.894(16) ų, ρ_calc = 2.410 g/cm³, R = 0.0087; [Rh(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (II): a = 7.5858(5) Å, b = 7.5858(5) Å, c = 10.41357(7) Å, V = 599.24(7) ų, ρ_calc = 1.926 g/cm³, R = 0.0255; [Ru(NH₃)₅Cl](NO₃)₂ (III): a = 7.5811(6) Å, b = 7.5811(6) Å, c = 10.5352(14) Å, V = 605.49(11) ų, ρ_calc = 1.896 g/cm³, R = 0.0266. The compounds were defined by IR spectroscopy and XRPA and thermal analyses.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and properties of [Rh(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl][ReBr<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

A binary complex salt [Rh(NH₃)₅Cl][ReBr₆] has been synthesized and investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal data: a = 8.541(5) Å, b = 12.015(6) Å, c = 16.496(9) Å; α = 73.695(10)°, β = 89.746(9)°, γ = 89.676(9)°, V = 1624.7 ų, space group \(P\overline 1 \), Z = 4, D _x = 3.635 g/cm³, R = 0.12. It is shown that the product of thermolysis of the salt in the atmosphere of hydrogen and helium is a solid solution Rh_0.5Re_0.5 with hcp cell parameters a = 2.731(5) Å and c = 4.368(7) Å.     

Determination of diffusion coefficients for sulfide ions in solid electrolytes on the basis of BaSm<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript> and CaGd<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Coefficients of self-diffusion and coefficients of diffusion of the sulfur ion in solid electrolytes BaSm₂S₄ and CaGd₂S₄ are determined with recourse to methods of conductimetry and potentiostatic chronoamperometry. A vacancy mechanism for the defect formation in solid solutions on the basis of barium thiosamarate and calcium thiogadolynate is proposed.     

Mutual spontaneous and electrosurface processes at heterophase interfaces WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>|Me<Subscript>2</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> (Me = In,Eu, Sc)

For the first time ever it is demonstrated in this work that, in spontaneous conditions and following the imposition of an electric field, mutual penetration of components of WO₃ and Me₂(WO₄)₃ occurs at heterophase interfaces WO₃|Me₂(WO₄)₃ where Me = In, Eu, or Sc. Tungstic oxide WO₃ is pulled onto the inner surface of ceramic Me₂(WO₄)₃ and, in turn, components of Me₂(WO₄)₃ penetrate onto the surface of grains of ceramic WO₃, which is confirmed by the method of x-ray—fluorescence analysis. Data concerning the conductivity and transport numbers of Eu₂(WO₄)₃ and a composite on its basis, which was manufactured as a result the electrosurface transport of WO₃, are obtained for the first time ever. With allowance made for the data on the O_2? character of the ionic conduction in MeWO₄ and Eu₂(WO₄)₃ it is concluded that the type of ionic carriers in tungstates (Me ⁿ⁺)_2/n [WO₄] makes no impact on the mechanism of spontaneous and field-induced processes that are developing at the (Me ⁿ⁺)_2/n [WO₄]|WO₃ interfaces.     

Kinetics of processes occurring at a H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>/Pt,H<Subscript>2</Subscript> interface depending on the platinum content on the electrode

Kinetics of processes occurring at H⁺/solid electrolyte/Pt, H₂ three-phase interface are studied subject to the platinum content on the electrode. The study was performed with model electrochemical cells PbO₂/H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/Pt with different platinum content at the working electrode that consisted of platinum deposited onto the E-Tek LT1200-N carbon-nanotubes paper. On the basis of the obtained results, the occurring processes were practically fully separated. It is shown by the analyzing of relaxation curves that there exist at least two processes in the system: the faster one corresponds to the hydrogen reaction; the slower, to the oxygen one. The rates of both processes depend on the platinum content at the working electrode; they have an extreme at the platinum concentration of 0.5 mg/cm². Impedance data allowed revealing the processes’ limiting stages. The experimental data allowed suggesting that at low platinum content the relaxation time is determined by the electrochemical reaction rate; at higher content, by gas diffusion through the platinum dense layer.     

Solid solutions in the system Nd(CCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> COO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Y(CCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> COO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript> O at 298 K

The water-salt system consisting of neodymium and yttrium trichloroacetates is studied by the isothermal solubility method at 298 K. The compositions of solid phases are determined by the Schreinemakers wet residues technique. Refractive indices, specific volumes, and viscosities for liquid phases and refractive indices of crystals for solid phases are determined. Continuous solid solutions are found in the system; some their thermodynamic characteristics are calculated.     

Interactions in the NdF<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MF<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M = Ba,Sr) systems

Isothermal anneals (at 873 K) and powder X-ray diffraction were used to study isothermal sections of phase diagrams of the NdF₃-Nd₂O₃-MF₂ (M = Ba, Sr) systems. In studying the NdF₃-Nd₂O₃-BaF₂ system, classical solid-phase synthesis was supplemented with mechanochemical activation of feedstock mixtures or BaF₂ activated with gaseous hydrogen fluoride was used. In both systems, a solid solution with the fluorite structure based on MF₂ and NdOF phases, a solid solution with the tysonite structure based on NdF₃, and an ordered fluorite-related phase Ba₄Nd₃F₁₇ were found. The NdOF-based solid solutions were shown to have polymorphism: β_trig ai α_cub at ≈800 K; a new trigonal phase of these solid solutions has been discovered. The effect of a dimensional factor $\left( {R_{Ba^{2 + } } > R_{Sr^{2 + } } } \right)$\left( {R_{Ba^{2 + } } > R_{Sr^{2 + } } } \right) on phase formation and unit cell parameters of the solid solutions was traced.     

Ternary water-salt system Sm(CCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Er(CCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>v</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O at 298 K

The system of samarium and erbium trifluoroacetates and water has been studied by the isothermal solubility technique at 298 K. The composition of the solids has been determined using the Schreinemakers wet residue technique. The refractive indices, specific volumes, and viscosities of liquid phases and the refractive indices of solid residues have been determined. A continuous solid solution is found to form in the system. Some thermodynamic parameters have been determined for this solid solution.     

Thermal synthesis of the CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-PrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>pigments

Summary The synthesis of new compounds based on the CeO₂-PrO₂-Nd₂O₃system, which can be used as pigments for colouring of ceramic glazes, is investigated in our laboratory. The optimum conditions for the syntheses of these compounds have been estimated. The methods of thermal analysis provided first information about the temperature region of the formation of the pigments investigated. The synthesis of these compounds was followed by thermal analysis using STA 449/C Jupiter (Netzsch, Germany).     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of the thermolysis products of [Os(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl][ReCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

The crystal structure of [Os(NH₃)₅Cl][ReCl₆] has been refined by X-ray powder analysis: a = 11.645(3) Å, b = 8.3788(2) Å, c = 15.277(4) Å, β = 91.029(6)°, V = 1490(1) ų, d _x = 3.163 g/cm³, space group P2₁/m, Z = 4. The thermolysis product of the salt in a hydrogen atmosphere is a solid substitution solution Os_0.5Re_0.5: a = 2.753(2) Å, c = 4.366(3) Å, space group P6₃/mmc; coherent scattering region (CSR) is ～230 Å.     

Ag nanoparticles decorated Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/chitosan nanocomposite: synthesis,characterization and application toward electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide

We studied a rapid, sensitive and selective amperometric sensor for determination of hydrogen peroxide by electrodeposited Ag NPs on a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified GCE was constructed through a step by step modification of magnetic chitosan functional composite (Fe₃O₄–CH) and high-dispersed silver nanoparticles on the surface. The resulted Ag@Fe₃O₄–CH was characterized by various analytical methods including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The proposed sensor employed Ag@Fe₃O₄–CH/GCE as the working electrode with a linear current response to the hydrogen peroxide concentration in a wide range from 0.01 to 400 µM with a low limit of detection (LOD = 0.0038 µM, S/N = 3). The proposed sensor showed superior reproductivity, sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of hydrogen peroxide in environmental and clinical samples.     

Effect of LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript> admixture on thermal stability of borosilicate glasses

Oxyfluoride glass-ceramics based on the aluminosilicate glass-matrix with the nano-phase of fluoride is an interesting material for optoelectronics. A new glass from the SiO₂–B₂O₃–Na₂O–LaF₃ system in which nanocrystallization of LaF₃ could be obtained as well is presented. Thermal stability of glass and the crystalline phases formed upon heat treatment were determined by DTA/DSC and XRD methods, respectively. The effect of the glass composition on thermal stability was investigated by the SEM method. It has been found that the addition of LaF₃ increases the tendency to decomposition of the borosilicate glass. In glasses with the ratio B₂O₃/(Na₂O+3La₂F₆)<1 it is possible to obtain the immersed crystallization of LaF₃ in transparent glassy matrix. The process is preceded by LaOF formation. Glasses with the composition B₂O₃/(Na₂O+3La₂F₆)≥1 revealed the tendency to La(BSiO₅) crystallization.