XES investigation of the layered vanadium-substituted copper-chromium disulfides

XRD data on the layered vanadium-substituted copper-chromium disulfides (CuCr_1?x V _x S₂, x = 0?0.4) are compared with the data obtained by X-ray emission and photoelectron spectroscopies.     

Theoretical study of V<Subscript>20</Subscript>O<Subscript>50</Subscript> oxovanadate cluster compounds with alkali metal atoms

The energies and structural and spectroscopic characteristics of model М _n V₂₀O₅₀ systems corresponding to compounds of the V₂₀O₅₀ oxovanadate cluster with alkali metal atoms (M = Li, K; n = 1–20) have been calculated by the density functional theory method (B3LYP). It has been demonstrated that, in the K _n V₂₀O₅₀ compounds, all the metal atoms are coordinated in the outer sphere to the edges of the hollow dodecahedral V₂₀O₅₀ cage to form three-center O_t?K?O_t bridges with terminal oxygen atoms. In the Li _n V₂₀O₅₀ compounds, the metal atoms can be coordinated both outside and inside the V₂₀O₅₀ cage. At n = 4, the most favorable isomer is endohedral Li₄O₄@V₂₀O₄₆ in the quintet state (S = 5), in which the four Li atoms are located in the inner cavity of the inverted O₄@V₂₀O₄₆ isomer of the oxovanadate cluster with four O atoms oriented to the cage center and form with them a corrugated eight-membered ring Li₄O₄. The decrease in energy caused by the formation of the endohedral isomer (4Li + V₂₀O₄₅₀ → Li₄O₄@V₂₀O₄₆) is estimated at ~377 kcal/mol. The exohedral isomer 4Li ? V₂₀O₅₀ (S = 5), in which the Li atoms are coordinated to the outside of the V₂₀O₅₀ cage, is ~23 kcal/mol less favorable. For the other members of the Li series with n from 4 to 20, the endohedral isomers with the inner Li₄O₄ ring remain preferable. At n > 4, the extra Li atoms fill the outer sphere of the cage, being coordinated to its edges to form three-center O_t?Li?O_t bridges with terminal oxygen atoms. The specific energy of formation of Li _n V₂₀O₅₀ (by the scheme nLi + V₂₀O₄₅₀ → Li₄O₄@V₂₀O₄₆Li_n-4) per Li atom monotonically decrease from ~98 (n = 2) to ~80 kcal/mol (n = 20). For K _n V₂₀O₅₀, these energies are ~20?25 kcal/mol lower than for the lithium analogues and decrease from ~80 (n = 2) to ~64 kcal/mol (n = 12). The atoms of both alkali metals in the M _n V₂₀O₅₀ systems have large positive effective charges (0.85e?0.92e for K and 0.65e?0.78e for Li), which also monotonically decrease with increasing n. The addition of each alkali metal atom is accompanied by its ionization (М → М⁺) along with the reduction of one of the neighboring pentavalent vanadium atoms to the tetravalent state (V^V → V^IV) and localization of the unpaired electron in its 3d shell. For all Li _n V₂₀O₅₀ complexes, the states with maximal multiplicity and parallel spins are the most preferable.     

Structural chemistry of mercury chalcohalides. III. Crystal structure of Hg<Subscript>3</Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>Br<Subscript>0.5</Subscript> polymorphs

Single crystals of two new mercury thiohalides of the composition Hg₃S₂Cl_{2? x}Br_x(x = 0.5) have been grown from gas phase and studied by X-ray crystallography. Structure refinement for monoclinic (I) and cubic (II) phases (I: a = 16.841(2) Å, b = 9.128(2) Å, c = 9.435(4) Å; β = 90.080(10)°, V = 1450.3(7) ų, space group _C2/_{m, Z} = 8, _R = 0.0528; II: a = 18.006(2) Å, V = 5837.8(11) ų, space group \(Pm\bar 3n\), Z = 32, R = 0.0503) clearly shows that they are polymorphs of the same composition Hg₃S₂Cl_1.5Br_0.5. The monoclinic modification I is similar to the synthetic phases γ-Hg₃S₂Cl₂, β-Hg₃S₂Br₂, Hg₃Se₂Br₂ and to the analogue of radtkeite mineral, Hg₃S₂ClI. The modification II is isostructural to the synthetic β-Hg₃S₂Cl₂. In both structures, each S atom coordinates three Hg atoms with the formation of pyramidal SHg₃ units (Hg-S 2.37–2.48 Å; HgSHg 93.1–97.5 ). The SHg₃ units are linked through Hg vertices into corrugated layers [Hg₁₂S₈]_∞∞ (I) and isolated cubic groups [Hg₁₂S₈] (II). Similarly to other mercury chalcohalides, the crystal structures are basically determined by the halogen atoms which form a cubic sublattice incorporating the Hg-S moieties.     

Synthesis processes and transport properties of solid solutions in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-GeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> system

The results of studies of solid solutions with the overall composition of Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Ge _x O_{11 ? δ} and Bi₄Ge_{3 ? x} V _x O_{12 + δ} are presented. The process of phase formation are studied during the synthesis of solid solution using the ceramic method and through liquid precursors. Crystallochemical parameters of the obtained compounds are determined. The size distribution of the particles is studied. Conductivity of annealed of polycrystalline samples as a function of temperature and composition is studied using the impedance spectroscopy method. The shape of impedance complex plane plots of the samples obtained in different ways is studied and analyzed.     

High-pressure defect phase Tm<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

Perovskite-related oxide Tm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ (space group Im \(\bar 3\), Z = 2, a = 7.262?7.273 Å) with vacancies in the cationic sublattice has been prepared for the first time under barothermal conditions (p = 7.0?9.0 GPa, T = 900?1100°C). Electric resistivity (10–300 K) and magnetic susceptibility (0–300 K) were studied as a function of temperature. Tm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ is shown to have a metallic conductivity and paramagnetism.     

Crystal structures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[Re<Subscript>6</Subscript>S<Subscript>8</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>L<Subscript>4</Subscript>] complexes,L = pyridine or 4-methylpyridine

The structures of three novel octahedral rhenium cluster compounds [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(py)₄]·H₂O (1), [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(4-Mepy)₄] (2), [Re₆S₈(CN)₂(4-Mepy)₄]·4-Mepy (3) (py = pyridine, 4-Mepy = 4-methylpyridine) are determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data are: C2/m space group, a = 14.813(1) Å, b = 14.772(1) Å, c = 9.2122(6) Å, β = 119.085(2)°, V = 1761.7(2) ų, d _x = 3.318 g/cm³, R = 0.0585 (1); I4₁/amd space group, a = 16.0018(3) Å, c = 14.7186(5) Å, V = 3768.81(16) ų, d _x = 3.169 g/cm³, R = 0.0489 (2); P2₁/c space group, a = 9.0452(4) Å, b = 15.8065(7) Å, c = 15.2951(6) Å, β = 103.700(2)°, V = 2124.57(16) ų, d _x = 2.957 g/cm³, R = 0.0245 (3). Molecular cluster complexes interact via π-π stacking affording 3D frameworks in 1 and 2 and chains in 3.     

Phase composition,formation parameters,and morphology of precipitates in the LiVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-VOSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

The phase and chemical compositions of the precipitates formed in the LiVO₃-VOSO₄-H₂O system at initial pH within 1 ≤ pH ≤ 4 and 90°C were studied. The following phases were prepared: an α phase Li_1.4(VO)_1.3[H₂V₁₀O₂₈] · nH₂O and a β phase Li_{0.6 ? x} H_{1.4 + x} [V₁₂O_{31 ? y/2}] · nH₂O (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, 1.3 ≤ y ≤ 2.0) with a layered structure. Li_0.4V₂O₅ · H₂O nanorods with the interlayer distance 10.30 ± 0.08 Å were synthesized at 180°C in an autoclave. The morphology, IR spectra, and main formation processes for these polyvanadates were studied.     

Catalytic properties of platinum-promoted acid cesium salts of molybdophosphoric and molybdovanadophosphoric heteropoly acids in the gas-phase oxidation of benzene to phenol with an O<Subscript>2</Subscript> + H<Subscript>2</Subscript> mixture

Acid salts Cs _x H_{3 + n ? x} PMo_{12 ? n} V _n O₄₀ (n = 0, 1, 2, or 3; x = 2.5 or 3.5) with coprecipitated or supported platinum were studied using thermogravimetry, IR spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction. The thermal region of the full stability of these salts is limited by the decomposition temperature of the corresponding acid H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ (～400°C) or H_{3 + n} PMo_{12 ? n} V _n O₄₀ (～300–350°C). The degree of reduction of heteropoly anions with hydrogen is regulated by temperature. Deeply reduced heteropoly anions (at 300°C) are slowly oxidized with oxygen with structure and composition regeneration. The states of molybdenum and vanadium on the surface of samples with coprecipitated platinum Pt_0.1-Cs_2.5H_0.5PMo₁₂O₄₀ (1) and Pt_0.1-Cs_2.5H_2.5PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀ (2), which were studied using XPS, correspond to reduced or reoxidized heteropoly anions in the bulk. Platinum metal particles of ～5 nm in size were observed in high-resolution TEM images obtained after the reduction and storage of sample 1 in air. A heteropoly compound forms two texture levels: spherical nanoparticles of 10–20 nm in size are collected in closely packed globules of 100–300 nm in size. Detailed texture studies, which were performed using nitrogen adsorption isotherms, demonstrated texture mobility under the ambient conditions. The cesium salts of the heteropoly acids were tested in the gas-phase oxidation of benzene to phenol with an O₂ + H₂ mixture at 180°. The effect of platinum concentration on the specific catalytic activity in the presence of deeply reduced heteropoly anions was monitored. The samples containing the salt Cs_2.5H_0.5PMo₁₂O₄₀ exhibited the highest activity in the formation of phenol. The introduction of vanadium into the heteropoly anion impaired the catalytic performance of both deeply and slightly reduced samples.     

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.     

Systems Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O(Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)-CdO-V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>: Phase composition and phase diagrams

The subsolidus phase composition of the M₂O-CdO-V₂O₅ systems with M = Li or Na is studied. Double orthovanadates MCdVO₄ and MCd₄(VO₄)₃ form solid solutions of composition Li_{1 ? 2x/3}Cd _x/3CdVO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, orthorhombic space group Cmcm, modulation at x = 0.6) and Na_{3 ? 2x} Cd_{3 + x} (VO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 and 0.30 ≤ x ≤ 1, orthorhombic space group Cmcm and Pn2₁ a or Pnma, respectively). In the range 0.10 < x < 0.30, the end-members of the solid solutions coexist. Isothermal sections of the systems are mapped.     

High-pressure nonstoichiometric phase Sm<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

Perovskite-like nonstoichiometric oxide Sm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ (space group Im \(\bar 3\), Z = 2, a = 7.276?7.314 Å) with cationic vacancies and a homogeneity region was prepared barothermally (p = 6.0?9.0 GPa, T = 700?1100°C) for the first time. Structural and isotropic thermal parameters, as well as bond lengths and bond angles, were determined. The compound has metal-type conductivity and paramagnetic properties.     

Crystal structure of [Ir(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[OsCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>]Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>. Crystal-chemical analysis of the iridium-osmium system

The [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl]₂[OsCl₆]Cl₂ binary complex salt has been prepared, and its structure was investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: a = 11.1901(13) Å, b = 7.9138(13) Å, c = 13.4384(18) Å; β = 99.640(3)°, V = 1190.0(2), space group C2/m, Z = 2, FW = 1099.47, d _x = 3.068 g/cm³. Thermolysis products of [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl]₂[OsCl₆]Cl₂, [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl][OsBr₆], (NH₄)₂[OsCl₆]_x[IrCl₆]_1?x , and K₂[OsCl₆]_x[IrCl₆]_1?x were studied by X-ray phase analysis; the unit cell parameters were refined, and the dependence of volume per atom (V/Z) on the composition of the Ir Os_1?x solid solution has been plotted.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of M<Subscript>3</Subscript>VO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M = Rb,Cs)

Vanadium(V) complexes of general composition M₃VO₂(SO₄)₂ (M = Rb, Cs) were synthesized by a solid-state route. The individuality of the synthesized compounds was proved by X-ray and neutron diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, and microscopic analysis. The X-ray diffraction patterns of M₃VO₂(SO₄)₂ were indexed to fit the monoclinic system (space group P2/c, Z = 4) with the following unit cell parameters: a = 11.6487(2) Å, b = 8.4469(2) Å, c = 12.1110(2) Å, β = 109.483(1)°, V = 1123.43 ų (Rb); a = 12.0546(3) Å b = 8.7706(2) Å, c = 12.6496(3) Å, β = 109.843(2)°, V = 1257.99 ų (Cs). In the crystal structure of M₃VO₂(SO₄)₂, [VO₂(SO₄)₂]^3? complex anions can be discerned in which the vanadium atom is surrounded by five oxygen atoms: two oxygen atoms form short terminal V–O bonds, and three oxygen atoms are from the two sulfato groups, one of which acts as a monodentate ligand and the other acts as a bidentate chelating ligand.     

Effects of Cr doping on the electrochemical performance of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> cathode material for lithium ion batteries

A series of Cr-doped Li₃V_2???x Cr _x (PO₄)₃ (x?=?0, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5) samples are prepared by a sol–gel method. The effects of Cr doping on the physical and chemical characteristics of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ are investigated. Compared with the XRD pattern of the undoped sample, the XRD patterns of the Cr-doped samples have no extra reflections, which indicates that Cr enters the structure of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. As indicated by the charge–discharge measurements, the Cr-doped Li₃V_2???x Cr _x (PO₄)₃ (x?=?0.1, 0.25, and 0.5) samples exhibit lower initial capacities than the undoped sample at the 0.2 C rate. However, both the discharge capacity and cycling performance at high rates (e.g., 1 and 2 C) are enhanced with proper amount of Cr doping (x?=?0.1). The highest discharge capacity and capacity retention at the rates of 1 and 2 C are obtained for Li₃V_1.9Cr_0.1(PO₄)₃. The improvement of the electrochemical performance can be attributed to the higher crystal stability and smaller particle size induced by Cr doping.     

A study of phase formation in the subsolidus region of the system Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MnMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase relationships in the subsolidus region of the system Na₂MoO₄-MnMoO₄-Cr₂(MoO₄)₃ were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and differential-thermal analyses. The possibility of obtaining a variablecomposition phase Na_1?x Mn_1?x Cr_1+x (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) and ternary molybdate NaMn₃Cr(MoO₄)₅ was examined. The temperature dependence of the conductivity of the phase Na_1?x Mn_1?x Cr_1+x (MoO₄)₃ was analyzed.     

Resonant photoemission and absorption spectroscopy study of the Cu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>TiSe<Subscript>2</Subscript> electronic structure

The Cu3p and Cu2p resonance photoelectron spectra of the valence bands and core levels as well as Ti and CuL _2,3 absorption spectra for monocrystals 1T-Cu _x TiSe₂ were studied. The valence spectra obtained at Cu3p and Cu2p resonance drastically differ from each other. For Cu 3p-3d resonance, there are several bands corresponding to different channels of excited state decay. Spectra of the valence bands at Cu 2p-3d resonance are virtually identical to the spectra of pure TiSe₂. As follows from the absorption spectra, titanium atoms have the oxidation state 4+, whereas copper atoms are close to the free ion state.     

Carbon in boron carbide: The crystal structure of B<Subscript>11.4</Subscript>C<Subscript>3.6</Subscript>

A single crystal of boron carbide obtained from a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) product was studied by X-ray crystallography: B_11.4C_3.6, a = 5.594(2) Å, c = 11.977(7) Å, V = 324.6(7) ų, space group R3m, Z = 3, ρ_calcd = 2.56 g/cm³, R = 0.048. The content of carbon in the single crystal was estimated at ～24 at % from analysis of the unit cell parameters, bond lengths, and the volume of B_{12 ? x} C _x icosahedra, which demonstrated the possibility of obtaining by SHS carbon-rich boron carbide crystals due to the substitution of carbon atoms for boron atoms in icosahedra. Comparison of the X-ray crystallographic data for single crystals of boron carbide with the results of quantum-chemical calculations (an ab initio method (the 3–21G basis set) with geometry optimization) showed that the C-B-C group in a crystal has a nonlinear structure.     

Phase equilibria in the system LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrCrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-LaCrO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A continuous solid solution LaMn_1?y Cr _y O₃ with an orthorhombic structure is found to exist in the range of 0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0. An orthorhombic solid solution La_1?x Sr _x CrO₃ exists in the range of 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1. The stability boundaries are determined for the perovskite phase La_1?x Sr _x Mn_1?y Cr _y O₃. An isobaric-isothermal section LaMnO₃-SrMnO₃-SrCrO₄-LaCrO₃ of the system La₂O₃-SrO-Mn₃O₄-Cr₂O₃ in air at 1100°C is designed.     

Subsolidus phase relations in the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> (Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>) systems

The phase composition has been studied and an equilibrium phase diagram has been designed for the Al₂O₃-Li₂O-R₂O₅ (R = Ta or Nb) systems in the subsolidus region up to 1000°C and 85 mol % Li₂O. New phases with the composition Li_1+x Al_1?x O_2?x , where x = 0–0.67, have been found.     

Synthesis,structural, spectral,thermal and comparative biological activity studies of [V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

The hydrothermal reaction of a mixture of V₂O₅, VCl₃, 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and diluted H₂SO₄ for 68 h at 180°C gives a blue colored solution which yields prismatic blue crystals of IV ₂ ^IV O₂(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₆] (1) in 32% yield (based on V). Complex 1 was investigated by means of elemental analysis (C, H and S), TGA, FT-IR, manganometric titration, Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Methods and also comparative antimicrobial activities. Crystal data for the compound: monoclinic space group P2₁/c and unit cell parameters are a = 7.3850(12) Å, b = 7.3990(7) Å, c = 12.229(2) Å, β = 108.976(12)° and Z = 2. Although structure of 1 as a natural mineral has been previously determined, this work covers new preparation method and full characterization of 1 along with comparison of antibacterial activity between 1 and the commercial vanadium(IV) oxide sulfate hydrate compounds, VOSO₄ · xH₂O (Riedel-de Haën and Alfa Aesar brand names). 1 was evaluated for the antimicrobial activity against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and mould compared with the commercial VOSO₄ · xH₂O compounds. 1 showed weak activity against bacteria Bacillus cereus, Nocardia asteroides and yeast Candida albicans. A good antimicrobial activity was recorded against Cirtobacter freundii (15 mm). There are only a few reproducible well-defined vanadium(IV) starting materials to use for exploring the synthesis of new materials. VCl₄, VO(acac)₂, VOSO₄ · xH₂O and [V(IV)OSO₄(H₂O)₄] · SO₄ · [H₂N(C₂H₄)₂NH₂] are common starting materials for such applications. In addition to these compounds, 1 can be used as an oxovanadium precursor.