A Self‐Binding,Melt‐Castable,Crystalline Organic Electrolyte for Sodium Ion Conduction

The preparation and characterization of the cocrystalline solid–organic sodium ion electrolyte NaClO₄(DMF)₃ (DMF=dimethylformamide) is described. The crystal structure of NaClO₄(DMF)₃ reveals parallel channels of Na⁺ and ClO₄^? ions. Pressed pellets of microcrystalline NaClO₄(DMF)₃ exhibit a conductivity of 3×10^?4 S cm^?1 at room temperature with a low activation barrier to conduction of 25 kJ mol^?1. SEM revealed thin liquid interfacial contacts between crystalline grains, which promote conductivity. The material melts gradually between 55–65 °C, but does not decompose, and upon cooling, it resolidifies as solid NaClO₄(DMF)₃, permitting melt casting of the electrolyte into thin films and the fabrication of cells in the liquid state and ensuring penetration of the electrolyte between the electrode active particles.     

Effect of addition of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate on conductivity of Na-containing polymer electrolyte

Research in the environmentally friendly energy field has grown rapidly due to severe problems such as global warming and climate change. Sodium-ion technology is one of the most promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. Use of ionic liquids containing thiocyanate anion has been considered because of their low cost, low viscosity, and nonhazardous nature. In this work, polyethylene oxide (PEO)–sodium perchlorate (NaClO₄) samples containing different amounts of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ionic liquid were prepared by a solution casting method. Addition of the ionic liquid to the PEO–NaClO₄ electrolyte further increased the ionic conductivity. The electrolyte containing 30 wt% ionic liquid exhibited the maximum ionic conductivity of ~5.0 × 10^?4 S/cm at room temperature. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed the interaction between the polymer chain and salt ion complexes for various sodium salt contents. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that the crystallinity was reduced by addition of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ionic liquid.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Properties of Lead(II), ­Zinc(II), and Manganese(II) Complexes Constructed from 2, 3, 5, 6‐Tetraiodo‐1, 4‐benzenedicarboxylic Acid

Three new coordination compounds, [Pb(HBDC‐I₄)₂(DMF)₄]( 1 ) and [M(BDC‐I₄)(MeOH)₂(DMF)₂]_n (M = Zn^II for 2 and Mn^II for ( 3 ) (H₂BDC‐I₄ = 2, 3, 5, 6‐tetraiodo‐1, 4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and X‐ray single crystal structure analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction reveals that 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c and has a discrete mononuclear structure, which is further assembled to form a two‐dimensional (2D) layer through intermolecular O–H ··· O and C–H ··· O hydrogen bonding interactions. The isostructural compounds 2 and 3 crystallize in the space group P2₁/c and have similar one‐dimensional (1D) chain structures that are extended into three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular networks by interchain C–H ··· π interactions. The Pb^II and Zn^II complexes 1 and 2 display similar emissions at 472 nm in the solid state, which essentially are intraligand transitions.     

Syntheses,Structures and Characterization of Four Metal‐Organic Frameworks constructed by 2,2′,6,6′‐Tetramethoxy‐4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylic Acid

Four metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Mn_3.5L(OH)(HCOO)₄(DMF)] · H₂O} ( 1 ), {[In_2.5L₂O(OH)_1.5(H₂O)₂] · DMF · CH₃CN · 2H₂O} ( 2 ), {[Pb₄L₃O(DMA)] · CH₃CN} ( 3 ), and {[LaL(NO₃)(DMF)₂] · 2H₂O} ( 4 ) were synthesized by utilizing the ligand 2,2′,6,6′‐tetramethoxy‐4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylic acid (H₂L) via solvothermal methods. All MOFs were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. In 1 , the Mn²⁺ ions are interconnected by formic groups in situ produced via DMF decomposition to form a rare 2D macrocyclic plane, which is further linked by L^2– to construct the final 3D network. In 2 , 1D zip‐like infinite chain is formed and then interconnected to build the 3D framework. In 3 , a [Pb₆(μ₄‐O)₂(O₂C)₁₀(DMA)₂] cluster with a centrosymmetric [Pb₆(μ₄‐O)₂]⁸⁺ octahedral core is formed in the 3D structure. In 4 , the La³⁺ ions are connected with each other through carboxylate groups of L^2– to generate 1D zigzag chain, which is further linked by L^2– to construct a 3D network with sra topology. Solid photoluminescence properties of 3 and 4 were also investigated.     

Indiumwolframat,In2(WO4)3 – ein In3+ leitender Festkörperelektrolyt

Indium Tungstate, In₂(WO₄)₃ – an In³⁺ Conducting Solid Electrolyte Polycrystalline In₂(WO₄)₃ has been electrochemically characterized and unambiguously identified as an In³⁺ conducting solid electrolyte. By heating, indium tungstate undergoes a phase transition between 250 °C and 260 °C transforming from a monoclinic to an orthorhombic phase for which the conduction properties have been determined. The adopted crystal structure in this high temperature region corresponds to the Sc₂(WO₄)₃ type structure. The electrical conductivity was investigated by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 300–700 °C and amounts to about 3.7 · 10^–5 Scm^–1 at 600 °C with a corresponding activation energy of 59.5 kJ/mol. Polarization measurements indicated an exclusive current transport by ionic charge carriers with a transference number of about 0.99. In dc electrolysis experiments, the trivalent In³⁺ cations were undoubtedly identified as mobile species. A current transport by oxide anions was not observed.     

A Perovskite Electrolyte That Is Stable in Moist Air for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Solid‐oxide Li⁺ electrolytes of a rechargeable cell are generally sensitive to moisture in the air as H⁺ exchanges for the mobile Li⁺ of the electrolyte and forms insulating surface phases at the electrolyte interfaces and in the grain boundaries of a polycrystalline membrane. These surface phases dominate the total interfacial resistance of a conventional rechargeable cell with a solid–electrolyte separator. We report a new perovskite Li⁺ solid electrolyte, Li_0.38Sr_0.44Ta_0.7Hf_0.3O_2.95F_0.05, with a lithium‐ion conductivity of σ_Li=4.8×10^?4 S cm^?1 at 25 °C that does not react with water having 3≤pH≤14. The solid electrolyte with a thin Li⁺‐conducting polymer on its surface to prevent reduction of Ta⁵⁺ is wet by metallic lithium and provides low‐impedance dendrite‐free plating/stripping of a lithium anode. It is also stable upon contact with a composite polymer cathode. With this solid electrolyte, we demonstrate excellent cycling performance of an all‐solid‐state Li/LiFePO₄ cell, a Li‐S cell with a polymer‐gel cathode, and a supercapacitor.     

A 2D Metal‐Organic Framework Based on 9‐(Pyridin‐4‐yl)‐9H‐carbazole‐3,6‐dicarboxylic Acid: Synthesis,Structure and Properties

A metal‐organic framework (MOF ) formulated as [Cd₂(μ₃‐L)₂(DMF )₄]•H₂O ( CdL ) [H₂L =9‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐ 9H ‐carbazole‐3,6‐dicarboxylic acid, DMF =N ,N ‐dimethylformamide] was synthesized under solvothermal condition. Crystal structural analysis reveals that CdL features the layered 2D framework with L^{2 −} ligands as 3‐connected nodes. The compound CdL emits blue‐violet light with the narrow emission peak and the emission maximum at 414 nm upon excitation at the maximum excitation wavelength of 340 nm. The compound CdL has a similar emission spectrum curve to the free H₂L ligand that indicates the emission of compound CdL should be originated from the coordinated L^{2 −} ligands.     

Solvation effect in the thermal decomposition of 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile in the three‐component system

The thermal decomposition rate constant (k_d ) of 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile in acrylonitrile (AN; monomer A)–methyl methacrylate (MM; monomer B) comonomer mixtures in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as a function of the comonomer mixture composition and its concentration in the solvent at 60 °C was studied. The dependences k_d = f(x_A ,C) [x_A (mole fraction of A in the comonomer mixture) = A/(A + B) = A/C, where C is the comonomer mixture concentration] have a different course as a function of C: from a curve k_d = f(x_A ) approaching the straight line (C = 2 mol · dm⁻³) to a convex curve possessing a maximum at a point x_A = 0.7 (C = 4 mol · dm⁻³) to a curve with a flattened wide maximum within the range of x_A = 0.2–0.8 (C = 7 mol · dm⁻³) to a curve with the shape of a lying s (C = 9 mol · dm⁻³). All the courses of the experimental dependences k_d = f(x_A ,C) can be explained with a hypothesis of initiator solvation by the comonomers AN and MM and the solvent DMF. The existing solvated forms, their relative stability constants, the thermal decomposition rate constants, and the relative contents in the system were determined. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2156–2166, 2000     

A 3D Nanostructured Hydrogel‐Framework‐Derived High‐Performance Composite Polymer Lithium‐Ion Electrolyte

Solid‐state electrolytes have emerged as a promising alternative to existing liquid electrolytes for next generation Li‐ion batteries for better safety and stability. Of various types of solid electrolytes, composite polymer electrolytes exhibit acceptable Li‐ion conductivity due to the interaction between nanofillers and polymer. Nevertheless, the agglomeration of nanofillers at high concentration has been a major obstacle for improving Li‐ion conductivity. In this study, we designed a three‐dimensional (3D) nanostructured hydrogel‐derived Li_0.35La_0.55TiO₃ (LLTO) framework, which was used as a 3D nanofiller for high‐performance composite polymer Li‐ion electrolyte. The systematic percolation study revealed that the pre‐percolating structure of LLTO framework improved Li‐ion conductivity to 8.8×10^?5 S cm^?1 at room temperature.     

A Plastic–Crystal Electrolyte Interphase for All‐Solid‐State Sodium Batteries

The development of all‐solid‐state rechargeable batteries is plagued by a large interfacial resistance between a solid cathode and a solid electrolyte that increases with each charge–discharge cycle. The introduction of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and solid cathode particles reduces the interfacial resistance, increases the cycle life, and allows a high rate performance. Comparison of solid‐state sodium cells with 1) solid electrolyte Na₃Zr₂(Si₂PO₄) particles versus 2) plastic–crystal electrolyte in the cathode composites shows that the former suffers from a huge irreversible capacity loss on cycling whereas the latter exhibits a dramatically improved electrochemical performance with retention of capacity for over 100 cycles and cycling at 5 C rate. The application of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and a solid cathode may be extended to other all‐solid‐state battery cells.     

Crystal structure and proton conductivity of a new Cs3(H2PO4)(HPO4)·2H2O phase in the caesium di‐ and monohydrogen orthophosphate system

The M_x H_y (A O₄)_z acid salts (M = Cs, Rb, K, Na, Li, NH₄; A = S, Se, As, P) exhibit ferroelectric properties. The solid acids have low conductivity values and are of interest with regard to their thermal properties and proton conductivity. The crystal structure of caesium dihydrogen orthophosphate monohydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate, Cs₃(H_1.5PO₄)₂·2H₂O, has been solved. The compound crystallizes in the space group Pbca and forms a structure with strong hydrogen bonds connecting phosphate tetrahedra that agrees well with the IR spectra. The dehydration of Cs₃(H_1.5PO₄)₂·2H₂O with the loss of two water molecules occurs at 348–433 K. Anhydrous Cs₃(H_1.5PO₄)₂ is stable up to 548 K and is then converted completely into caesium pyrophosphate (Cs₄P₂O₇) and CsPO₃. Anhydrous Cs₃(H_1.5PO₄)₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic C 2 space group, with the unit‐cell parameters a = 11.1693 (4), b = 6.4682 (2), c = 7.7442 (3) Å and β = 71.822 (2)°. The conductivities of both compounds have been measured. In contrast to crystal hydrate Cs₃(H_1.5PO₄)₂·2H₂O, the dehydrated form has rather low conductivity values of ∼6 × 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹ at 373–493 K, with an activation energy of 0.91 eV.     

Fluorine‐Doped Antiperovskite Electrolyte for All‐Solid‐State Lithium‐Ion Batteries

A fluorine‐doped antiperovskite Li‐ion conductor Li₂(OH)X (X=Cl, Br) is shown to be a promising candidate for a solid electrolyte in an all‐solid‐state Li‐ion rechargeable battery. Substitution of F^? for OH^? transforms orthorhombic Li₂OHCl to a room‐temperature cubic phase, which shows electrochemical stability to 9 V versus Li⁺/Li and two orders of magnitude higher Li‐ion conductivity than that of orthorhombic Li₂OHCl. An all‐solid‐state Li/LiFePO₄ with F‐doped Li₂OHCl as the solid electrolyte showed good cyclability and a high coulombic efficiency over 40 charge/discharge cycles.     

Effect of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide on the properties of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) based solid polymer electrolytes

A free standing polymer electrolytes films, containing poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) as the polymer host, lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄), and ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide [Bmim][TFSI] as a plasticizer was successfully prepared via the solution casting method. The XRD analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the electrolyte. ATR-FTIR and thermal studies confirmed the interaction and complexation between the polymer host and the ionic liquid. The maximum ionic conductivity of the solid polymer electrolyte was found at 2.56 × 10^–5 S cm^–1 by the addition of 60 wt % [Bmim][TFSI] at room temperature and increased up to 3.19 × 10^–4 S cm^–1 at 373 K, as well as exhibited a transition of temperature dependence of conductivity: Arrhenius-like behavior at low and high temperatures.     

Three‐Dimensional MOF‐Type Architectures with Tetravalent Uranium Hexanuclear Motifs (U6O8)

Four metal–organic frameworks (MOF) with tetravalent uranium have been solvothermally synthesized by treating UCl₄ with rigid dicarboxylate linkers in N,N‐dimethylfomamide (DMF). The use of the ditopic ligands 4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylate ( 1 ), 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylate ( 2 ), terephthalate ( 3 ), and fumarate ( 4 ) resulted in the formation of three‐dimensional networks based on the hexanuclear uranium‐centered motif [U₆O₄(OH)₄(H₂O)₆]. This motif corresponds to an octahedral configuration of uranium nodes and is also known for thorium in crystalline solids. The atomic arrangement of this specific building unit with organic linkers is similar to that found in the zirconium‐based porous compounds of the UiO‐66/67 series. The structure of [U₆O₄(OH)₄(H₂O)₆(L)₆] ? X (L=dicarboxylate ligand; X=DMF) shows the inorganic hexamers connected in a face‐centered cubic manner through the ditopic linkers to build up a three‐dimensional framework that delimits octahedral (from 5.4 Å for 4 up to 14.0 Å for 1 ) and tetrahedral cavities. The four compounds have been characterized by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis (or powder diffraction analysis for 4 ). The tetravalent state of uranium has been examined by using XPS and solid‐state UV/Vis analyses. The measurement of the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area indicated very low values (Langmuir <300 m² g^?1 for 1 , <7 m² g^?1 for 2 – 4 ) and showed that the structures are quite unstable upon removal of the encapsulated DMF solvent.     

Chalkogenoniobate als Ausgangsverbindungen zur Darstellung neuer heterobimetallischer Niobium‐Münzmetall‐Chalkogenido‐Cluster

Chalcogenoniobates as Reagents for the Synthesis of New Heterobimetallic Niobium Coinage Metal Chalcogenide Clusters In the presence of phosphine chalcogenoniobates such as Li₃[NbS₄] · 4 CH₃CN ( I ), (NEt₄)₄[Nb₆S₁₇] · 3 CH₃CN ( II ) and (NEt₄)₂[NbE′₃(E^tBu)] ( III a : E′ = E = S; III b : E = Se, E′ = S; III c : E = E′ = Se) respectively react with copper and gold salts to give a number of new heterobimetallic niobium copper(gold) chalcogenide clusters. These clusters show metal chalcogenide units already known from the complex chemistry of the tetrachalcogenometalates [ME₄]^n– (M = V, n = 3, E = S; M = Mo, W, n = 2, E = S, Se). The compounds 1 – 8 owe a central tetrahedral [NbE₄] structural unit, which coordinates η² from two to five coinage metal atoms, employing the chalcogenide atoms of the [NbE₄] edges. The compounds 9 – 11 have a [M′₂Nb₂E₄] (M′ = Cu, Au) heterocubane unit in common, involving a metal metal bond between the niobium atoms, while the compounds 12 and 13 show a complete and 14 an incomplete [M′₃NbE₃X] heterocubane structure (X = Cl, Br). 15 consists of a Cu₆Nb₂ cube with the six planes capped by μ₄ bridging selenide ligands forming an octahedra. The compounds 1 – 15 are listed below: (NEt₄) [Cu₂NbSe₂S₂(dppe)₂] · 2 DMF ( 1 ), [Cu₃NbS₄(PPh₃)₄] ( 2 ), [Au₃NbSe₄(PPh₃)₄] · Et₂O ( 3 ), [Cu₄NbS₄Cl(PCy₃)₄] ( 4 ), [Cu₄NbS₄Cl(P^tBu₃)₄] · 0,5 DMF ( 5 ), [Cu₄NbSe₄(NCS)(P^tBu₃)₄] · DMF ( 6 ), [Cu₄NbS₄(NCS)(dppm)₄] · Et₂O ( 7 ), [Cu₅NbSe₄Cl₂‐ (dppm)₄] · 3 DMF ( 8 ), [Cu₂Nb₂S₄Cl₂(PMe₃)₆] · DMF ( 9 ), [Au₂Nb₂Se₄Cl₂(PMe₃)₆] · DMF ( 10 ), (NEt₄)₂[Cu₃Nb₂S₄(NCS)₅(dppm)₂(dmf)] · 4 DMF ( 11 ), [Cu₃NbS₃Br(PPh₃)₃(dmf)₃]Br · [CuBr(PPh₃)₃] · PPh₃ · OPPh₃ · 3 DMF ( 12 ), [Cu₃NbS₃Cl₂(PPh₃)₃(dmf)₂] · 1.5 DMF ( 13 ), (NEt₄)[Cu₃NbSe₃Cl₃(dmf)₃] ( 14 ), [Cu₆Nb₂Se₆O₂(PMe₃)₆] ( 15 ). The structures of these compounds were obtained by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Four Metal Complexes with Mulitdentate N‐Acyl‐Salicylhydrazide Ligands

The reactions of the new nitrilotriacetic acid N′,N′,N′‐tri(salicyloyl)trihydrazide (Ntash) with the corresponding metal salts gave four new complexes [Pb₄(bshz)₂] · 2DMF ( 1 ), [Co₂(bshz)(C₅H₅N)₆] · 2ClO₄ · (C₅H₅N) · 2H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu₃(fshz)₂(C₅H₅N)₂] ( 3 ), and [Zn₃(fshz)₂(C₅H₅N)₃]_n · 2DMF ( 4 ), in which two multidentate ligands, namely N,N′‐disalicyloylhydrazine (H₄bshz) and N‐formylsalicylhydrazide (H₃fshz) were generated in situ from Ntash. The structures of these complexes were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 presents a novel tetranuclear lead(II) cluster structure with the four lead(II) cations in “hemidirected” coordination spheres. The neighboring tetranuclear clusters of 1 are connected by DMF molecules through weak Pb–O bonds, forming one‐dimensional ribbons. Complexes 2 and 3 show dinuclear and linear trinuclear structures with the corresponding Co^III and Cu^II ions in distorted octahedral and square‐planar coordination environments, respectively. Complex 4 exhibits a one‐dimensional zigzag chain structure. The magnetic properties of 3 and the photoluminescent properties of 4 were also investigated.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Luminescence of Metal(II) Coordination Polymers based on Flexible 1,1′‐(1,4‐Butanediyl)bis(imidazole) and Tetrachlorobenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate Ligands

The coordination polymers, {[Co(bbim)₂(H₂O)₂](tcbdc) · 2H₂O}_n ( 1 ), {[Ni(tcbdc)(bbim)(H₂O)₂] · 2DMF}_n ( 2 ), and {[Cu₂(tcbdc)₂(bbim)₄] · 4H₂O}_n ( 3 ) [bbim = 1,1′‐(1,4‐butanediyl)bis(imidazole) and tcbdc^2– = tetrachlorobenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate] were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, luminescence, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 has a double‐stranded chain structure through doubly bridged [Co(bbim)₂] units. Complex 2 exhibits two‐dimensional square grid, whereas complex 3 has a three‐dimensional porous network structure with an unprecedented 4⁴ · 6¹¹ topological structure through interpenetrating square grid. The water molecules in complex 3 occupy the vacancy through three kinds of hydrogen bond interactions. Upon excitation at 370 nm, complexes 1 – 3 present solid‐state luminescence at room temperature.     

Solvate sponge crystals of (DMF)3NaClO4: reversible pressure/temperature controlled juicing in a melt/press-castable sodium-ion conductor

A new type of crystalline solid, termed “solvate sponge crystal”, is presented, and the chemical basis of its properties are explained for a melt- and press-castable solid sodium ion conductor. X-ray crystallography and atomistic simulations reveal details of atomic interactions and clustering in (DMF)₃NaClO₄ and (DMF)₂NaClO₄ (DMF = N-N′-dimethylformamide). External pressure or heating results in reversible expulsion of liquid DMF from (DMF)₃NaClO₄ to generate (DMF)₂NaClO₄. The process reverses upon the release of pressure or cooling. Simulations reveal the mechanism of crystal “juicing,” as well as melting. In particular, cation–solvent clusters form a chain of octahedrally coordinated Na⁺–DMF networks, which have perchlorate ions present in a separate sublattice space in 3 : 1 stoichiometry. Upon heating and/or pressing, the Na⁺⋯DMF chains break and the replacement of a DMF molecule with a ClO₄⁻ anion per Na⁺ ion leads to the conversion of the 3 : 1 stoichiometry to a 2 : 1 stoichiometry. The simulations reveal the anisotropic nature of pressure induced stoichiometric conversion. The results provide molecular level understanding of a solvate sponge crystal with novel and desirable physical castability properties for device fabrication.

Stimuli-responsive “solvate-sponge”-(DMF)₃NaClO₄ exhibits linear chains of DMF–Na⁺ ions with ClO₄⁻ anions in the interstitial space. At increased pressure or temperature, DMF is expelled (reversibly), resulting in a new stoichiometry-(DMF)₂NaClO₄.     

Growth behavior of Cu/Al intermetallic compounds in hot‐dip aluminized copper

Hot‐dipped aluminum copper with plating auxiliary KF is introduced in this work. In this study, the intermetallic layer thickness varies with dipping temperature and time in a linear relationship. The main phases are identified to be CuAl₂ and K₃AlF₆ by means of X‐ray diffraction. The reaction equations are deduced according to the elements concentration gradient in cross section. The copper diffusion rate in liquid Al is calculated to be 1.13 × 10⁻¹² m²/s by Fick's second law in semi‐infinite solid model, and the obtained conductivity is 1.758–1.767 × 10⁻² Ω mm²/m. The results indicate that the interfacial bonding is in a good state and plating auxiliary KF aqueous solution. can significantly improve the substrate wettability. The appropriate hot‐dipping condition for the samples is 953–973 K for 4–8 s. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

catena‐Poly[bis(μ‐2,2′‐bipyridin‐6‐olato)‐κ3N,N′:O;O:N,N′‐dicopper(I,II) [[tetrafluoridoniobium(V)]‐μ‐oxido]]

A novel copper–niobium oxyfluoride, {[Cu₂(C₁₀H₇N₂O)₂][NbOF₄]}_n, has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, EDS, IR, XPS and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structural unit consists of one C₂‐symmetric [NbOF₄]⁻ anion and one centrosymmetric coordinated [Cu₂(obpy)₂]⁺ cation (obpy is 2,2′‐bipyridin‐6‐olate). In the [NbOF₄]⁻ anion, each Nb^V metal centre is five‐coordinated by four F atoms and one O atom in the first coordination shell, forming a square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. These square pyramids are then further connected to each other via trans O atoms [Nb—O = 2.187 (3) Å], forming an infinite linear {[NbOF₄]⁻}_n polyanion. In the coordinated [Cu₂(obpy)₂]⁺ cation, the oxidation state of each Cu site is disordered, which is confirmed by the XPS results. The disordered Cu sites are coordinated by two N atoms and one O atom from two different obpy ligands. The [NbOF₄]⁻ and [Cu₂(obpy)₂]⁺ units are assembled via weak C—H...F hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. π–π stacking interactions between the pyridine rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.610 (2) Å] may further stabilize the crystal structure.