Photocatalytic selective oxidation of CO with O2 in the presence of H2 over highly dispersed chromium oxide on silica under visible or solar light irradiation

A highly dispersed Cr⁶⁺-oxide species on silica (Cr/SiO₂) was found to act as an efficient photocatalyst for the selective oxidation of CO into CO₂ with O₂ in the presence of H₂ under visible (λ>420 nm) or solar light irradiation at 293 K. UV-Vis, photoluminescence and FT-IR investigations revealed that the selective reactivity of the photoexcited tetrahedral Cr⁶⁺-oxide species ([Cr⁵⁺−O⁻]^*) with CO, as well as the high reactivity of the photoreduced Cr⁶⁺-oxide species (Cr⁴⁺-oxide species) with O₂ both play significant roles in this reaction.     

Kinetics of the Formation of the Blue Complex CrO(O2)2 Formed by Dichromate and H2O2 in Acid Solutions. A Stopped-Flow Investigation Using Rapid-Scan UV-VIS Detection

 The kinetics of the CrO(O₂)₂ formation by H₂O₂ and Cr₂O₇ ²⁻ in aqueous acidic media was measured at 293 ± 2 K in a pH range between 2.5 and 3.3. Using the stopped-flow method with rapid scan UV-VIS detection, the rate law of the formation of CrO(O₂)₂ was determined. For the media HClO₄, HNO₃ and CH₃COOH, the reaction order in the Cr₂O₇ ²⁻ concentration was found to be 0.5. For [H₂O₂] as well as for [H⁺], the reaction was first order in all acids used. In HCl and H₂SO₄ media the reaction was first order in Cr₂O₇ ²⁻. At T = 293 ± 2 K the rate constant for the formation of Cr(O)(O₂)₂ was found to be (7.3 ± 1.9) · 10² M^−3/2 s⁻¹ in HClO₄.     

Heat capacity,enthalpy and entropy of calcium niobates

Heat capacity and enthalpy increments of calcium niobates CaNb₂O₆ and Ca₂Nb₂O₇ were measured by the relaxation time method (2–300 K), DSC (260–360 K) and drop calorimetry (669–1421 K). Temperature dependencies of the molar heat capacity in the form C _pm=200.4+0.03432T−3.450·10⁶/T ² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for CaNb₂O₆ and C _pm=257.2+0.03621T−4.435·10⁶/T ² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Ca₂Nb₂O₇ were derived by the least-squares method from the experimental data. The molar entropies at 298.15 K, S _m⁰(CaNb₂O₆, 298.15 K)=167.3±0.9 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and S _m⁰(Ca₂Nb₂O₇, 298.15 K)=212.4±1.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, were evaluated from the low temperature heat capacity measurements. Standard enthalpies of formation at 298.15 K were derived using published values of Gibbs energy of formation and presented heat capacity and entropy data: Δ_f H ⁰(CaNb₂O₆, 298.15 K)= −2664.52 kJ mol^t-1 and Δ_f H ⁰(Ca₂Nb₂O₇, 298.15 K)= −3346.91 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Kinetics of the Formation of the Blue Complex CrO(O2)2 Formed by Dichromate and H2O2 in Acid Solutions. A Stopped-Flow Investigation Using Rapid-Scan UV-VIS Detection

Summary.  The kinetics of the CrO(O₂)₂ formation by H₂O₂ and Cr₂O₇ ²⁻ in aqueous acidic media was measured at 293 ± 2 K in a pH range between 2.5 and 3.3. Using the stopped-flow method with rapid scan UV-VIS detection, the rate law of the formation of CrO(O₂)₂ was determined. For the media HClO₄, HNO₃ and CH₃COOH, the reaction order in the Cr₂O₇ ²⁻ concentration was found to be 0.5. For [H₂O₂] as well as for [H⁺], the reaction was first order in all acids used. In HCl and H₂SO₄ media the reaction was first order in Cr₂O₇ ²⁻. At T = 293 ± 2 K the rate constant for the formation of Cr(O)(O₂)₂ was found to be (7.3 ± 1.9) · 10² M^−3/2 s⁻¹ in HClO₄. Corresponding author. E-mail: grampp@ptc.tu-graz.ac.at Received January 30, 2002; accepted (revised) June 5, 2002     

Infrared absorption spectra of Er3+-doped Al2O3 nanopowders by the sol-gel method

The Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the sol-gel method, using the aluminium isopropoxide [Al(OC₃H₇)₃]-derived γ-AlOOH sols with addition of the erbium nitrate [Er(NO₃)₃·5H₂O]. The five phases of γ-(Al,Er)₂O₃, θ-(Al,Er)₂O₃, α-(Al,Er)₂O₃, ErAlO₃, and Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄ were detected with the 0–20 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the different sintering temperature of 600–1200°C. The average grain size was increased from about 5 to 62 nm for phase transformation of undoped γ-Al₂O₃→α-Al₂O₃ at the sintering temperature from 600 to 1200°C. At the same sintering temperature, average grain size was decreased with increase of the Er³⁺ doping concentration. Infrared absorption spectra of γ-Al₂O₃ and θ-Al₂O₃ nanopowders showed the two broad bands of 830–870 and 550–600 cm⁻¹, the three broad bands of 830–870, 750–760, and 550–600 cm⁻¹, respectively. The infrared absorption spectra for the α-Al₂O₃ nanopowder showed three characteristic bands, 640, 602, and 453 cm⁻¹. The two characteristic bands of 669 and 418 cm⁻¹ for Er₂O₃ clusters were observed for the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders when Er³⁺ doping concentration was increased up to 2 mol%. The 796, 788, 725, 692, 688, 669, 586, 509, 459, and 418 cm⁻¹ are the characteristic bands of Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄ phase.     

Electron transfer. 138. Potentials involving chelated chromium(V)

The bis(chelated) complex of Cr^V(0) derived from the dianion (L^{2 −}) of 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutanoic acid is readily reduced to a bis(chelate of Cr^III, featuring the monoanion (LH⁻) [Cr ^V(0)(L²⁻)₂]⁻+4H⁺+H₂O+2e⁻→[Cr^III(OH₂)₂(LH⁻ ₂]⁺ of this acid. Potentials estimated by Ghosh in 1993 for this 2e⁻ change, E⁰ (pH 0) 1.32 V, E^eff (pH 3.3) 0.93 V, are in accord with the nearly irreversible reductions of the Cr(V) species (in 1∶1 ligand buffer) by Fe²⁺, V0²⁺, IrCl₆ ^{3 −} and I⁻, whereas lower values reported by Bose in 1996, E⁰ (pH 0) 0.84 V, E^eff (pH 3.3) 0.45 V, are potentiometrically inconsistent with these conversions. A similar discrepancy is noted for potentials for Cr(V,IV) estimated in 1996, E⁰ (pH 0) 0.84 V, E^eff (pH 3.3) 0.46 V, which, wholly contrary to observation, predict that the reductions of excess Cr(V) to CR(IV) by Fe²⁺, V0²⁺, and I⁻ are thermodynamically disfavored.     

Investigation on the formation and decay of the N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine radical cation using various oxidants and reductants by stopped-flow spectrophotometry

N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) is an aromatic amine that undergoes oxidation by various oxidizing agents such as Ce⁴⁺, MnO⁻₄, Cr₂O²⁻₇; HSO⁻₅, S₂O⁻₈, H₂O₂, Cl₂, Br₂ and I₂, thereby serving as a reducing substrate. One-electron oxidation of TMB results in a radical cation (TMB^˙+), and on further oxidation leads to the product dication (TMB⁺⁺) were monitored by stopped-flow spectrophotometer at the absorption wavelength of TMB^˙+(λ_max; 460 nm). ESR data was also provided to confirm the formation of radical cation. The rates of both the formation and decay of TMB^˙+ have been followed by a total second-order kinetics, a first-order dependence each on [TMB] (or) [TMB^˙+] and [oxidant]. The kinetic and transition state parameters have been evaluated for the effects of pH and temperature on the formation and decay of TMB^˙+ and discussed with suitable reaction mechanisms. Also, the rate constants for the reactions of the radical cation with various reducing agents such as sulfite (SO²⁻₃), thiosulfate (S₂O²⁻₃), dithionite (S₂O²⁻₄) and disulfite (S₂O²⁻₅) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C, AH₂ were determined. Besides these, this article also explains how TMB acts as a better electron relay than unsubstituted benzidine, even though both of them undergo one-electron oxidation and are used in the chemical routes to solar energy conversions. The observed rate constants for electron transfer were correlated theoretically using Marcus theory. The observed and calculated rate constants have good correlation.     

Determination of cobalt in biological materials by RNAA via induced short-lived 60mCo

A chemiluminescence (CL) micro-flow system is presented for rapid determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in water at room temperature. In this system, potassium dichromate is reduced to Cr³⁺ in 2 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄ during the chemical oxidation of COD substances in the sample, and Cr³⁺ can be measured with the help of the luminol-H₂O₂ CL system. The polymethyl methacrylate micro-flow chip with discrete microdroplet sampling was used here. Effects on COD determination (such as pH, concentrations, the channel length, and interference) were investigated. The linear range for COD determination was 0.27–10 g L⁻¹, and the detection limit was 100 mg L⁻¹. The method was successfully applied to the determination of COD in wastewater samples. The data obtained with the present method were in fairly good agreement with those obtained by the titrimetric method. Correspondence: Zhujun Zhang, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, P.R. China; Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Science, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China     

Biosorption of metal ions with Penicillium chrysogenum

Biosorption of metal ions with Penicillium chrysogenum mycelium is described in this article. Alkaline pretreatment was used to remove proteins and nucleic acids from cells, and this treatment increased the adsorption capacities, for Cr³⁺ from 18.6 mg g⁻¹ to 27.2 mg g⁻¹, for Ni²⁺ from 13.2 mg g⁻¹ to 19.2 mg g⁻¹, for Zn²⁺ from 6.8 mg g⁻¹ to 24.5 mg g⁻¹. The adsorption of metal ions was strongly pH dependent. The mycelium could beused for large-scale removal of Cr³⁺ from tannery wastewater. The results show that this inexpensive mycelium adsorbent has potential in industry because of its high adsorption capacity. The main chelating sites are amino groups (−NH₂) of chitosan in the mycelium. A new model is established, which describes the relation of adsorption of metal ions on pH according to amino group chelating with metal ions and H⁺. The relative errors of simulation for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cr³⁺ are 4.66%, 5.45%, 11.55%, and 1.69%, respectively.     

Physicochemical and catalytic properties of sol gel-prepared copper-chromium oxides

Nanostructured copper-chromium oxides were prepared by the sol–gel process (SG) and were characterised by elemental analysis, thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by their activity in methane combustion. A comparative study was made with copper chromites commercial catalysts. The as-synthesised copper chromites sample exhibited higher specific surface area (248 m² g⁻¹) with respect to commercial solids (42 m² g⁻¹). The surface quantitative analysis evidenced a Cr⁶⁺ enrichment for the SG catalyst (Cr⁶⁺/Cr³⁺=0.56) with respect to commercial sample (0.39), while the ratio of copper species Cu²⁺/(Cu° + Cu⁺) was the same in both solids. Catalytic activity of SG solids in methane combustion was found to be comparable to that of Pt/Al₂O₃ and superior to that of commercial copper chromites tested under the same conditions.     

Simultaneous determination of silicic acid, Ca, Mg and Al in mineral water and composite tablets by Ion chromatography

Summary A simple, selective and sensitive ion-chromatography method was investigated for simultaneously determining silicic acid, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺ and anions (Cl⁻ and NO ₃ ⁻ ) in real samples. It involved a single-column ion-chromatograph with sodium hydroxide-methanol-water eluent and conductometric detection. Cations were converted to complex anions by adding EDTA to the sample solution. A set of well-defined peaks of silicic acid, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, Cl⁻ and NO ₃ ⁻ were obtained. Detection limits using 3.3σ (σ=standard deviation of blank solution) were 1.25×10⁻⁶ M for H₃SiO ₄ ⁻ , 1.32×10⁻⁶ M for Ca²⁺, 1.28×10⁻⁶ M for Mg²⁺, 1.33×10⁻⁶ M for Al³⁺, 1.31×10⁻⁶ M for Cl⁻ and 1.24×10⁻⁶ M for NO ₃ ⁻ . The method was successfully applied to analysis of mineral water and composite tablets.     

Synthesis and properties of a solid solution formed in the CrVMoO7 - AlVMoO7 system

It has been shown by the methods of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) that solid solutions of a formula Cr_1−xAl_xVMoO₇, where xε (0−0.65), are formed in the system CrVMoO₇-AlVMoO₇. The obtained research results have proven that the ions Al3+ are incorporated into the crystal lattice of CrVMoO₇ instead of Cr³⁺, which causes a contraction of the lattice and a shift of IR absorption bands towards higher values of wavenumbers. The phases Cr_1−xAl_xVMoO₇ melt incongruently in the temperature range from 710°C (for x=0.65) to ∼820°C in the case of x close to zero This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and Structure of the Alkoxido-Titanium Pentamolybdate (nBu4N)3[(iPrO)TiMo5O18]: An Entry into Systematic TiMo5 Reactivity

The alkoxido-titanium pentamolybdate [(ⁱPrO)TiMo₅O₁₈]³⁻ (1) has been obtained as its tetrabutylammonium (TBA) salt by hydrolysis of a mixture containing (TBA)₂[Mo₂O₇], (TBA)₄[Mo₈O₂₆] and Ti(OⁱPr)₄ in MeCN and has been characterised by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁷O, ⁴⁹Ti and ⁹⁵Mo NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, elemental microanalysis and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The Lindqvist-type structure is derived from [Mo₆O₁₉]²⁻ by replacement of {Mo=O}⁴⁺ by {(ⁱPrO)Ti}³⁺ and shows bond alternation in the TiMo₃O₄ rings, with average bond distances of 1.956(8) ? for Ti–O(Mo), 1.832(7) ? for Mo–O(Ti), 1.943(7) ? for Mo_eq–O(Mo_ax) and 1.910(6) ? for Mo_ax–O(Mo_eq), while the increase in charge results in a decrease in ¹⁷O NMR chemical shift for terminal Mo=O groups from δ 933 for [Mo₆O₁₉]²⁻ to δ 875 and 857 for 1 and a shift in ν_Mo=O from 951 cm⁻¹ for [Mo₆O₁₉]²⁻ to 930 cm⁻¹ for 1. The main peaks in the negative-ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrum of (TBA)₃ 1 could be assigned to ion aggregates containing 1 or fragments derived from 1, including {(TBA)₂[(ⁱPrO)TiMo₅O₁₈]}⁻, {(TBA)[(ⁱPrO)TiMo₅O₁₈]}²⁻, {(ⁱPrO)TiMo₂O₈}⁻, {TiMo₅O₁₈}²⁻, {TiMo₄O₁₅}²⁻ and {Mo₃O₁₀}²⁻.     

Determination of nanomolar lead (II) using H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>-oxidized activated carbon modified electrode

The virgin activated carbon (AC) was oxidized by 30% H₂O₂ under the ultrasonic condition for 6 h (denoted as AC-6). The electrochemical response of Pb²⁺ at the AC-6 modified paste electrode was investigated, suggesting that AC-6 shows much higher accumulation efficiency to trace levels of Pb²⁺. Based on this, a sensitive and convenient electrochemical method was developed for the determination of Pb²⁺ utilizing the excellent properties of AC-6. In pH 3.6 HAc-NaAc buffer, Pb²⁺ was easily accumulate at the surface of AC-6 modified paste electrode, then reduced to Pb at −1.20 V. During the following anodic sweep, the reduced Pb was oxidized and resulted in an oxidation stripping peak at −0.58 V. The stripping peak current is proportional to the concentration of Pb²⁺ over the range from the 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹, and the limit of detection is as low as 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol l⁻¹. Finally, this newly-developed method was successfully employed to determine Pb²⁺ in water samples.     

Formations of Active Species and By-Products in Water by Pulsed High-Voltage Discharge

Formations of active species and by-products are different from bubbling different gases in a pulsed high-voltage discharge reactor. The identification of all the products and the formation rate determination of active species are quite important as the process is applied to wastewater disposal. Serials of measurements were conducted to do the identifications and determinations in this paper. Amounts of · OH all increased but that of H₂O₂ all decreased by bubbling gas. The · OH formation rate was 3.49 × 10⁻⁷, 3.56 × 10⁻⁷, 3.21 × 10⁻⁷ and 1.94 × 10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ s⁻¹ with bubbling nitrogen, argon, air and oxygen respectively, but it was 1.61 × 10⁻⁷ mol s⁻¹ l⁻¹ without bubbling. Without any bubbling, the H₂O₂ formation rate was up to 6.53 × 10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹ s⁻¹, while it was 9.97 × 10⁻⁷, 1.663 × 10⁻⁷, 1.73 × 10⁻⁶ and 3.14 × 10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹ s⁻¹ with bubbling nitrogen, argon, air and oxygen, respectively. NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ was detected in discharged water with bubbling nitrogenous gas. Their formation made the pH decreased.     

Two Novel Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Compounds Constructed from Anderson-type Clusters and Transition-Metal Complexes

Abstract  Two organic–inorganic hybrid compounds based on the Anderson-type clusters [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻, [(H₂O)₂Co(TeMo₆O₂₄)][(C₁₀N₂H₁₀)₂] · 9.5H₂O (1), [(C₁₀N₂H₉)Ni(H₂O)₃]₂[TeMo₆O₂₄] · 8.5H₂O (2), have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, thermal stability analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 displays a 1D chain structure constructed from alternating [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻clusters and Co²⁺ along the a axis with two pendant ligands 4,4′-bpy (4,4′-bipyridine). Compound 2 is composed of [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻ clusters coordinated by [Ni(bpy)(H₂O)₃]²⁺ moieties, and a supramolecular architecture is further formed through extensive hydrogen bonds interactions. Graphical Abstract  Two organic–inorganic hybrid compounds based on the Anderson-type clusters [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻and the unit [M(4,4′-bpy)] have been synthesized under the hydrothermal conditions. Compound 1 displays a 1D chain structure constructed covalently from alternating polyoxoanions [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻ and Co²⁺ along the a axis with two pendant ligands 4,4′-bipyridine. Compound 2 is composed of [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻ polyoxoanion coordinated by [Ni(bpy)(H₂O)₃]²⁺ moieties and shows a 1D chain structure through the hydrogen bonds interactions. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Spontaneous passivity of amorphous bulk Ni–Cr–Ta–Mo–Nb–P alloys in concentrated hydrochloric acids

Rod-shaped amorphous bulk Ni–Cr–Mo-22 at.%Ta-14 at.%Nb–P alloys resistant to concentrated hydrochloric acids were prepared by copper-mold casting. Alloys of amorphous single phase and mixture of nanocrystalline phases in the amorphous matrix were all spontaneously passive in 6 and 12 M HCl and were immune to corrosion in 6 M HCl, although the corrosion weight loss was detected for heterogeneous alloys in 12 M HCl. Spontaneous passivation is due to presence of stable air-formed films in which chromium was particularly concentrated in addition to enrichment of tantalum and niobium. The angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that chromium and molybdenum are rich in the inner part of the film. The major molybdenum species is in the tetravalent state, although penta- and hexavalent state molybdenum is also included. The high corrosion resistance was interpreted in terms of the high stability of the outer triple oxyhydroxide, Cr_1−x−yTa_xNb_yO_z(OH)_3+2x+2y−2z, and the effective diffusion barrier of the inner Mo⁴⁺ and Cr³⁺ oxide layer. Contribution to the Fall Meeting of the European Materials Research Society, Symposium D: 9th International Symposium on Electrochemical/Chemical Reactivity of Metastable Materials, Warsaw, 17th-21st September, 2007.     

Hypercoordinate atoms of second-row elements in dodecahedrane endohedral complexes

The energy characteristics and geometric parameters of the dodecahedrane endohedral complexes X@C₂₀H₂₀ (X = C⁴⁻, N³⁻, O²⁻, F⁻, Ne) were studied by the density functional theory B3LYP method with the 6-311G(d,p), 6-311+G(d,p), and 6-311G(df,p)) basis sets. In all structures the central atoms X are characterized by a coordination number of 20. The energy of formation of the complexes decreases in the order X = C⁴⁻, N³⁻, O²⁻, F⁻, Ne. The coordination number of the central atom remains unchanged upon adding Li⁺ counterions to anionic systems. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 824–830, May, 2007.     

A study of the aerobic reaction between dopamine and Fe(III) in the presence of S<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript>

The reaction between Fe(III) and dopamine in aqueous solution in the presence of Na₂S₂O₃ was followed through UV–Vis spectroscopy, pH and oxy-reduction potential (Eh) measurements. The formation and quick disappearing of the complex [Fe(III)HL¹⁻]²⁺, HL¹⁻ = monoprotonated dopamine was observed with or without S₂O₃ ²⁻ at pH 3. An unexpected reaction occurs in presence of thiosulfate forming the stable anion complex [Fe(III)(L²⁻)₂]¹⁻, L²⁻ = dopacatecholate (λ = 580 nm) and the auto-increasing of the pH, from 3 to 7. It was proposed that H⁺ and molecular oxygen are consumed by free radical thiosulfate formed during the reaction.     

FT-IR study of the nature and stability of NOx surface species on ZrO2, VOx/ZrO2 and MoOx/ZrO2 catalysts

The adsorption of NO, NO/O₂ mixtures and NO₂ on pure ZrO₂ and on two series of catalysts supported on ZrO₂, one containing vanadia and the other molybdena (ZV and ZMo, respectively), has been investigated. The V and Mo surface contents of the latter were ≤3 atoms nm⁻² and ≤5 atoms nm⁻², respectively. All samples had been previously submitted to a standard oxidation treatment. On all samples, only extremely minor amounts of NO_x surface species are formed by NO interaction at room temperature (RT). NO_x surface species are formed in greater amounts on pure ZrO₂ when NO and O₂ are coadsorbed at RT; they are mainly nitrites, small amounts of nitrates, and small amounts of (O₂NO−H)^δ− species; when ZrO₂ is warmed to 623 K in the NO/O₂ mixture, nitrites decrease, nitrates and (O₂NO−H)^δ− species increase. The same NO_x species as on the ZrO₂ surface free from V (or Mo) are formed on ZV (or ZMo) samples with surface V (or Mo) density <1.5 atoms nm⁻²; however, they occur in decreased amount with increasing V (or Mo) coverage. On ZV samples with a surface V density of 1.5–3 atoms nm⁻² (or ZMo samples with a surface Mo density of 1.5–5 atoms nm⁻²) when NO and O₂ are coadsorbed at RT, there is formation of small amounts of nitrites, nitrates (both on ZrO₂ surface free from V (or Mo) and at the edges of V- or Mo-polyoxoanions) and NO₂ ^δ+ species, associated with V⁵⁺ (or Mo⁶⁺) of very strong Lewis acidity; when samples are warmed up 623 K in the NO/O₂ mixture, nitrites disappear, nitrates increase, NO₂ ^δ+ species remain constant or slightly decrease. When NO₂ is allowed into contact at RT with oxidized samples, surface situations almost identical to those obtained for each sample warmed to 623 K in NO/O₂ mixture is reached. The NO_x surface species stable at 623 K, the temperature at which catalysts show the best performance in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by NH₃, are nitrates, both on ZrO₂ and on polyvanadates or polymolybdates at high nuclearity. On the contrary, nitrites and NO₂ ^δ+ species are unstable at 623 K.