Structural and magnetic properties of the Kagomé antiferromagnet YbBaCo4O7

The mixed-valent compound YbBaCo₄O₇ is built up of Kagomé sheets of CoO₄ tetrahedra, linked in the third dimension by a triangular layer of CoO₄ tetrahedra in an analogous fashion to that found in the known geometrically frustrated magnets such as pyrochlores and SrCr_9xGa_12−9xO₁₉ (SCGO). We have undertaken a study of the structural and magnetic properties of this compound using combined high-resolution powder neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. YbBaCo₄O₇ undergoes a first-order trigonal→orthorhombic phase transition at 175 K. We show that this transition occurs as a response to a markedly underbonded Ba²⁺ site in the high-temperature phase and does not appear to involve charge ordering of Co²⁺/Co³⁺ ions in the tetrahedra. The symmetry lowering relieves the geometric frustration of the structure, and a long-range-ordered 3-D antiferromagnetic state develops below 80 K.     

Phase Equilibria in the BiO<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>–CaO–CoO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> System

Phase equilibria at subsolidus area of quasi-triple BiO_1.5–CaO–CoO_y system in air have been studied. The formation of triple oxide Bi₂Ca₂Co_1.7O_x and limited number of solid solutions (Ca,Bi)₃Co₄O_9+δ has been established. The triangulation of BiO_1.5–CaO–CoO_y system in air at 973 K has been carried out.     

Phase diagram and crystal chemistry of the La–Ca–Co–O system

The phase diagram of the La–Ca–Co–O system at 885 °C in air has been determined. The system consists of two materials that have interesting thermoelectric properties, namely, the misfit layered thermoelectric oxide solid solution, (Ca,La)₃Co₄O₉, and Ca₃Co₂O₆ which consists of 1D chains of alternating CoO₆ trigonal prism and CoO₆ octahedra. The reported La₂CaO₄ and the Ca-doped (La,Ca)₂CoO_4−z phases were not found at 885 °C. As a result of the absence of these phases, the phase diagram is significantly different from that reported at 1100 °C. Small solid solution regions of (La_1−xCa_x)₂O_3−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08), (Ca_1−xLa_x)₃Co₄O₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.07), and (La_1−xCa_x)CoO_3−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) were established.     

Behavior of Co4+ ion in K2NiF4-type (Ca1+xSm1−x)CoO4

Orthorhombic K₂NiF₄-type (Ca_1+xSm_1−x)CoO₄ (0.00 ≤ x ≤0.15) with space group Bmab has been synthesized by the polymerized complex route. The cell parameters (a and b) decrease, while the cell parameter (c) increases with increasing Co⁴⁺ ion content. The global instability index (GII) indicates that the crystal stability of (Ca_1+xSm_1−x)CoO₄ is not influenced by the Co⁴⁺ ion content. (Ca_1+xSm_1−x)CoO₄ is a p-type semiconductor and exhibits hopping conductivity in the small-polaron model at low temperatures. The magnetic measurement indicates that (Ca_1+xSm_1−x)CoO₄ shows paramagnetic behavior above 5 K, and that the spin state of both the Co³⁺ and Co⁴⁺ ions is low. The Co⁴⁺ ion acts as an acceptor, and the electron transfer becomes active through the Co³⁺–O–Co⁴⁺ path as the Co⁴⁺ ions increase.     

Crystal chemistry and phase equilibria of the CaO-½Eu2O3-CoOz system at 885 °C

The CaO-½Eu₂O₃-CoO_z system prepared at 885 °C in air consists of two calcium cobaltate compounds, namely, the 2D thermoelectric oxide solid solution, (Ca_3−xEu_x)Co₄O_9−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) which has a misfit layered structure, and the 1D Ca₃Co₂O₆ compound which consists of chains of alternating CoO₆ trigonal prisms and CoO₆ octahedra. Ca₃Co₂O₆ was found to be a point compound without the substitution of Eu on the Ca site when prepared at 885 °C. A solid solution region of distorted perovskite, (Eu_1−xCa_x)CoO_3−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.22, space group Pnma) was established. The (Eu_0.91(1)Ca_0.09(1))CoO_3−z perovskite member has a distorted structure with tilt angles θ (17.37°), ϕ (8.20°), and ω (19.16°) which represent rotations of an octahedron about the pseudo-cubic perovskite [110]_p, [001]_p and [111]_p axes. The reported Eu₂CoO₄ phase was not observed at 885 °C, but a ternary Ca-doped oxide, (Eu_1+xCa_1−x)CoO_4−z (Bmab) where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 was found to be stable at this temperature. In the peripheral binary systems, Eu was not present in the Ca site of CaO, while a small solid solution region was identified for (Eu_1−xCa_x)O_(3−z)/2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05). Seven solid solution tie-line regions and six three-phase regions were determined in the CaO-½Eu₂O₃-CoO_z system in air.     

Comparative study of Co/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, Co–Mn/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Co–Mn/Ti–Ce catalysts for oxidation of elemental mercury in flue gas

The Co–Mn/Ti–Ce catalyst prepared by sol–gel and impregnation method was evaluated for catalytic oxidation of Hg⁰ in the simulated flue gas compared with Co/TiO₂ and Co–Mn/TiO₂. The results showed that Co–Mn/Ti–Ce catalyst exhibited higher catalytic activity (around 93% Hg⁰ removal efficiency in the temperature of 150 °C with 6% O₂, 400 ppm NO, 200 ppm SO₂ and 3% H₂O) than Co/TiO₂ and Co–Mn/TiO₂. Based on the characterization results of N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD, UV–Vis, XPS, H₂-TPR and Hg-TPD, it could be concluded that the lower band gap, better reducibility and mercury adsorption capability and the presence of Co³⁺/Co²⁺, Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ redox couples as well as surface oxygen species contributed to the excellent Hg⁰ oxidation removal performance. In addition, well dispersion of active components and a synergetic effect among Co, Mn and Ce species might improve the activity further. A Mars–Maessen mechanism is thought to be involved in the Hg⁰ oxidation. The lattice oxygen derived from MnO _x or CoO _x would react with adsorbed Hg⁰ to form HgO and the consumption of lattice oxygen could be replenished by O₂. For Co–Mn/Ti–Ce, MnO _x?1 could be alternatively reoxidized by the lattice oxygen derived from adjacent CoO _x and CeO _x which is beneficial to the Hg⁰ oxidation.     

Comparison of the chemical stability of the high energy density cathodes of lithium-ion batteries

With an objective to assess the chemical stabilities and their consequences in cell performance, the variations of oxygen content with lithium content (1−x) in chemically delithiated Li_1−xCoO₂, Li_1−xNi_0.85Co_0.15O₂, and Li_1−xMn₂O₄ cathodes have been monitored with redox titrations. The Li_1−xCoO₂ system tends to lose oxygen from the lattice at deep lithium extraction, while the Li_1−xNi_0.85Co_0.15O₂ system does not lose oxygen at least for (1−x)>0.3. The chemical instability with a tendency to lose oxygen at deep lithium extraction could be the reason for the limited practical capacity of the Li_1−xCoO₂ system (140 mA h/g) compared to that realized with the Li_1−xNi_0.85Co_0.15O₂ system (180 mA h/g). The Li_1−xMn₂O₄ spinel maintains an oxygen content of 4.0 without losing any oxygen for 0.15⩽(1−x)⩽1.     

Comparison of the Chemical Stability of Li1−xCoO2 and Li1−xNi0.85Co0.15O2 Cathodes

The chemical stability of the layered Li_1−xCoO₂ and Li_1−xNi_0.85Co_O.15O₂ cathodes is compared by monitoring the oxygen content with lithium content (1−x) in chemically delithiated samples. The Li_1−xCoO₂ system tends to lose oxygen from the lattice at deep lithium extraction while the Li_1−xNi_0.85Co_0.15O₂ system does not lose oxygen at least for (1−x)>0.3. This difference seems to result in a lower reversible (practical) capacity (140 mA h/g) for LiCoO₂ compared to that for LiNi_0.85Co_0.15O₂ (180 Ma h/g). The loss of significant amount of oxygen leads to a sliding of oxide layers and the formation of a major P3 and a minor O1 phase for the end member CoO_2−δ with δ=0.33. In contrast, Ni_0.85Co_0.15O_2−δ with a small amount of δ=0.1 maintains the initial O3 layer structure.     

Magnetic interactions in ternary cobalt oxides with cubic perovskite structure

Magnetic properties were measured on the cubic perovskite systems SrCoO_3?δ, (La_1?xSr_x)CoO₃ (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.0), and Sr(Co_1?xMn_x)O₃ (0 ≦ x ≦ 1.0). It is found that S²⁺ and La³⁺ ions strongly affect the spin state of the Co²⁺ ion and that the Mn⁴⁺ ion located at the octahedral site affects the spin state of Co⁴⁺ ion. The magnetic properties (T_c, T_θ, and σ) are explained by the magnetic interaction Co³⁺OCo³⁺, Co³⁺OCo⁴⁺, Co⁴⁺OCo⁴⁺, Mn⁴⁺OMn⁴⁺, and Mn⁴⁺OCo⁴⁺ in these systems.     

Solid solutions based on iron-substituted cobaltites MnFe x Co2-x O4 in CO oxidation

The influence of the chemical composition and conditions of heat treatment of MnFe _x Co_2?x O₄ system on its phase composition and catalytic properties in CO oxidation was studied. The formation of substitutional solid solutions of spinel structure was established. The optimum chemical composition of the catalyst, ensuring complete CO conversion at 190°C, was determined.     

碱土金属掺杂对钴基尖晶石复合金属氧化物催化分解N_2O性能的影响

采用共沉淀法制备碱土金属掺杂的钴基尖晶石型复合金属氧化物M_xCo_(3-x)O_4(M=Mg、Ca、Sr、Ba;x=0、0.1、0.3、0.5、0.7、0.9)催化剂,使用XRD、SEM、氮吸附、H_2-TPR、O_2-TPD-M S和XPS等技术对催化剂进行表征,并在固定床微型反应器中评价了M_xCo_(3-x)O_4催化剂催化分解N_2O的活性,研究了碱土金属掺杂对其催化性能的影响。结果表明,碱土金属掺杂后,M_(x )Co_(3-x)O_4催化剂颗粒粒径减小,比表面积增大,表面吸附氧和Co~(2+)数量增加,氧化还原性能增强;在反应气组成为0.68%N_2O,3%O_2,Ar为平衡气的条件下,碱土金属锶掺杂、掺杂量x为0.7时,Sr_(0.7)Co_(2.3)O_4的N_2O分解催化活性最高,N_2O转化率为10%和95%时所需的温度分别为312和451℃。     

Co3−δO4 paracrystal: 3D assembly of nanosize defect clusters in spinel lattice

Paracrystalline array of defect clusters ca. five times the lattice spacing of the average Co_3−δO₄ spinel structure occurred more or less in a relaxed manner when the sintered Co_1−xO polycrystals were air-quenched below the Co_1−xO/Co_3−δO₄ transition temperature to activate oxy-precipitation of cube-like Co_3−δO₄ at dislocations. The same paracrystalline spacing was obtained for Co_3−δO₄ when formed via oxidizing/sintering the Co_1−xO powders at 800°C in air, suggesting a nearly constant δ value for Co_3−δO₄ in the T-P_O2 conditions encountered. The extra cobalt vacancies and Co³⁺ interstitials, as a result of δ value, may form additional 4:1-derived defect clusters for further paracrystalline distribution in the spinel lattice. The nanosize defect clusters self-assembled by columbic interactions and lattice relaxation in ionic crystal may have potential applications as step-wise sensor of oxygen partial pressure at high temperatures.     

Effect of ruthenium substitution in layered sodium cobaltate NaxCoO2: Synthesis, structural and physical properties

Solid-state synthesis of Na_0.71Co_1−xRu_xO₂ compositions shows that ruthenium can be substituted for cobalt in the hexagonal Na_0.71CoO₂ phase up to x=0.5. The cell expands continuously with increasing ruthenium content. All mixed Co-Ru phases show a Curie-Weiss behaviour with no evidence of magnetic ordering down to 2 K. Unlike the parent phase Na_0.71CoO₂, ruthenium-substituted phases are all semiconducting. They exhibit high thermoelectric power, with a maximum of 165 μV/K at 300 K for x=0.3. The Curie constant C and Seebeck coefficient S show a non-monotonic evolution as a function of ruthenium content, demonstrating a remarkable interplay between magnetic properties and thermoelectricity. The presence of ruthenium has a detrimental effect on water intercalation and superconductivity in this system. Applying to Ru-substituted phases the oxidative intercalation of water known to lead to superconductivity in the Na_xCoO₂ system yields a 2-water layer hydrate only for x=0.1, and this phase is not superconducting down to 2 K.     

Chemoselective hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanol using heterogenized cobalt oxide catalysts

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (NPs) supported on porous carbon (CoO_x@CN) were fabricated by one-pot method and the hybrids could efficiently and selectively hydrogenate phenol to cyclohexanol with a high yield of 98%.     

Atomic‐Scale Insights into Surface Lattice Oxygen Activation at the Spinel/Perovskite interface of Co3O4/La0.3Sr0.7CoO3

Surface lattice oxygen in transition‐metal oxides plays a vital role in catalytic processes. Mastering activation of surface lattice oxygen and identifying the activation mechanism are crucial for the development and design of advanced catalysts. A strategy is now developed to create a spinel Co₃O₄ /perovskite La_0.3Sr_0.7CoO₃ interface by in situ reconstruction of the surface Sr enrichment region in perovskite LSC to activate surface lattice oxygen. XAS and XPS confirm that the regulated chemical interface optimizes the hybridized orbital between Co 3d and O 2p and triggers more electrons in oxygen site of LSC transferred into lattice of Co₃O₄ , leading to more inactive O^2? transformed into active O^2?x. Furthermore, the activated Co₃O₄/LSC exhibits the best catalytic activities for CO oxidation, oxygen evolution, and oxygen reduction. This work would provide a fundamental understanding to explain the activation mechanism of surface oxygen sites.     

In situ FT-IR and TPD-MS study of carbon monoxide oxidation over a CeO2/Co3O4 catalyst

The forming of surface species during the adsorption of carbon monoxide (CO) and CO/O₂ on a CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst was investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption-mass spectroscopy (TPD-MS). When CO was adsorbed on the CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst, two types of surface species were distinguishable at room temperature: carbonate and bicarbonate. Surface carbonate was adsorbed on the cerium and cobalt, while the surface bicarbonate absorbed on the CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst at 1611, 1391, 1216 and 830 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the TPD-MS profiles revealed that the CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst showed a greater amount of CO₂ than CO at 373 K. The CO desorption from the CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst with increasing temperature showed that the order of thermal stability was surface bicarbonate < surface carbonate < interface carbonate species. Interestingly, the residual carbonate species could remain on the interface up to 473 K. The results revealed that surface bicarbonate could promote the conversion of CO into CO₂ for CO oxidation below 50 K.     

Catalytic oxidation of methane at low temperature over Pd-containing perovskite type oxides

Two types of catalysts with the same palladium loading, palladium-substituted perovskite La_0.95Ce_0.05Co_0.95Pd_0.05O₃ and perovskite-supported palladium catalyst Pd/La_0.95Ce_0.05CoO₃ were prepared by the combustion and impregnation method, respectively. The catalyst structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET measurements, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and the methane oxidation activity of the catalysts were investigated in detail. It was found that the activity performance of Pd/La_0.95Ce_0.05CoO₃ was higher than that of La_0.95Ce_0.05Co_0.95Pd_0.05O₃, and this was owing to the ease of reduction of palladium in the former.     

Thermal characterisation of the non-stoichiometry and catalytic activity of BaxLn1−xCoO3 (Ln = La,Nd, Sm and Dy) compounds

The compounds Ba_xLn_1?xCoO₃ (Ln = La, Nd, Sm and Dy) were prepared by ceramic technique. They were characterised for oxygen non-stoichiometry using isothermal DTA under varying oxygen partial pressure and TG in air. Isothermal DTA was also employed to study the catalytic activity of the compounds towards CO oxidation. For a given compound, the oxygen deficiency increases with increasing temperature and decreasing oxygen partial pressure. For a given Ba_xLn_1?xCoO₃ series, in general barium-rich compounds were more oxygen deficient. Isothermal DTA study of CO oxidation over Ba_xLa_1?xCoO₃ compounds at 600 K suggested that the carbon monoxide takes up lattice-labile oxygen from the sample and is oxidised to CO₂, the percent CO conversion being higher for barium-rich samples.     

Flame Spray Pyrolysis for Finding Multicomponent Nanomaterials with Superior Electrochemical Properties in the CoOx‐FeOx System for Use in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

High‐temperature flame spray pyrolysis is employed for finding highly efficient nanomaterials for use in lithium‐ion batteries. CoO_x‐FeO_x nanopowders with various compositions are prepared by one‐pot high‐temperature flame spray pyrolysis. The Co and Fe components are uniformly distributed over the CoO_x‐FeO_x composite powders, irrespective of the Co/Fe mole ratio. The Co‐rich CoO_x‐FeO_x composite powders with Co/Fe mole ratios of 3:1 and 2:1 have mixed crystal structures with CoFe₂O₄ and Co₃O₄ phases. However, Co‐substituted magnetite composite powders prepared from spray solutions with Co and Fe components in mole ratios of 1:3, 1:2, and 1:1 have a single phase. Multicomponent CoO_x‐FeO_x powders with a Co/Fe mole ratio of 2:1 and a mixed crystal structure with Co₃O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ phases show high initial capacities and good cycling performance. The stable reversible discharge capacities of the composite powders with a Co/Fe mole ratio of 2:1 decrease from 1165 to 820 mA h g^?1 as the current density is increased from 500 to 5000 mA g^?1; however, the discharge capacity again increases to 1310 mA h g^?1 as the current density is restored to 500 mA g^?1.     

Comparative study of Co3O4-ZSM-5 catalysts synthesized by different hydrothermal methods for the catalytic oxidation of dichloromethane

In this work, various Co₃O₄-ZSM-5 catalysts were prepared by the microwave hydrothermal method (MH-Co₃O₄@ZSM-5), dynamic hydrothermal method (DH-Co₃O₄@ZSM-5), and conventional hydrothermal method (CH-Co₃O₄/ZSM-5). Their catalytic oxidation of dichloromethane (DCM) was analyzed. Detailed characterizations such as X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), temperature-programmed desorption of O₂ (O₂-TPD), temperature-programmed desorption of NH₃ (NH₃-TPD), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectra with NH₃ molecules (NH₃-DRIFT), and temperature-programmed surface reaction (TPSR) were performed. Results showed that with the assistance of microwave, MH-Co₃O₄@ZSM-5 formed a uniform core-shell structure, while the other two samples did not. MH-Co₃O₄@ZSM-5 possessed rich surface adsorbed oxygen species, higher ratio of Co³⁺/Co²⁺, strong acidity, high reducibility, and oxygen mobility among the three Co₃O₄-ZSM-5 catalysts, which was beneficial for the improvement of DCM oxidation. In the oxidation of dichloromethane, MH-Co₃O₄@ZSM-5 presented the best activity and mineralization, which was consistent with the characterizations results. Meanwhile, according to the TPSR test, HCl or Cl₂ removal from the catalyst surface was also promoted in MH-Co₃O₄@ZSM-5 by their abundant Brønsted acid sites and the promotion of Deacon reaction by Co₃O₄ or the synergistic effect of Co₃O₄ and ZSM-5. According to the results of in situ DRIFT studies, a possible reaction pathway of DCM oxidation was proposed over the MH-Co₃O₄@ZSM-5 catalysts.