NaAlF4: Preparation, crystal structure and thermal stability

The compound NaAlF₄ has been obtained in the form of thin fibrous crystals or fine colorless powder by condensation at 18 °C of vapors arising over chiolite Na₅Al₃F₁₄ or NaCaAlF₆, heated up to 800 °C. Thermal stability has been investigated by the methods of thermal analysis and high temperature X-ray diffraction. When heated in air, NaAlF₄ is stable up to 390-400 °C, then there is an exothermal solid state decay into Na₅Al₃F₁₄(s) and AlF₃(s). At higher temperature Na₅Al₃F₁₄(s) decays into Na₃AlF₆(s) and NaAlF₄(g). The crystal structure (space group Cmcm, a=3.6124(1) Å, b=14.9469(7) Å, c=5.2617(3) Å, V=284.10 Å³) has been determined by X-ray powder diffraction method. In the crystal structure of NaAlF₄ the octahedrons [AlF₆] are joined through vertices and form corrugated layers, sodium ion layers being located between them. The distances between the atoms of Al-F are in the range 1.791-1.814 Å, and those for Na…F are in the range 2.297-2.439 Å. In spite of limited thermal stability of the crystal form, the compound NaAlF₄ is the main component of the gas mixture over solid and molten salts in the ternary system NaF-AlF₃-CaF₂ and participates in chemical transformations between the phases at high temperature.     

The reaction of aluminum fluoride solution with cryolite

The title reaction was investigated kinetically and the products obtained were analyzed and examined by physicochemical methods. The reaction was found to result in the formation of NaAlF₄.H₂O and its solid solutions with aluminum fluoride with compositions down to Na_0.5AlF_3.5.1.3H₂O, except in the presence of chiolite seed crystals, which cause the reaction to give it as the final product.It was suggested that the solid solution are brought about by coprecipitation of approximately monohydrated hexagonal ° -AlF₃ direct from solution, both compounds being presumably isostructural each other.Differences in the infrared spectra of Na₂AlF₆, Na₅Al₃F₁₄ and NaAlF₄.H₂O were indicated.Homogenous mixtures of Na₃AlF₆ and NaAlF₄.H₂O are found to react exothermally at 350°C to give Na₅Al₃F₁₄, while NaAlF₄.H₂O alone decomposes into Na₅Al₃F₁₄ and AlF₃.     

Thermal transformation of quaternary compounds in NaF–CaF2–AlF3 system

Details of quaternary compounds formation in the system NaF–CaF₂–AlF₃ are specified. To achieve this aim, the samples of phases NaCaAlF₆ and Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄ have been obtained by high-temperature solid-phase synthesis. Their thermal behavior when heated up to 800 °C has been studied using the methods of high-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TA). The system under consideration can be regarded as a quasibinary section CaF₂–NaAlF₄, where at T=745–750 °C invariant equilibrium is implemented with the phases CaF₂–NaCaAlF₆–Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄–(liquid melt)–(NaAlF₄). The peculiarity of the equilibrium is NaAlF₄ metastability at normal pressure. Below the equilibrium temperature the quaternary phase Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄ is stable and NaCaAlF₆ above this temperature. The phase NaCaAlF₆ fixed by rapid quenching from high temperatures and when heated up to 640 °C decomposes, yielding Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄. Further heating in vacuum at temperature up to 740 °C results in decomposition of Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄ into CaF₂ and Na₃AlF₆. The expected reverse transformation of Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄ into NaCaAlF₆ has not been observed under experimental conditions. Transformations in bulk samples reveal direct and reverse transformation of quaternary phases.

Synopsis

Thermal transformation of the quaternary compounds in system (NaF–CaF₂–AlF₃) was investigated using high-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TA). In the system the invariant equilibrium is implemented with the phases CaF₂–NaCaAlF₆–Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄–(liquid melt)–(NaAlF₄) at T=745–750 °C.     

Sodium fluoroaluminates formed in the reaction between aluminum fluoride solution and crystalline sodium fluoride

The reaction of aluminum fluoride solution with crystalline sodium fluoride was investigated. Conditions for the formation of Na₃AlF₆ (cryolite), Na₅Al₃F₁₄ (chiolite) and NaAlF₄.H₂O were established. The hitherto presumed to be unstable NaAlF₄.H₂O was isolated and its X-ray diffraction data as well as thermal behavior were determined. The possibility to convert these compounds one into the other was outlined.     

Enthalpy of formation of BaCe<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>In<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>3−δ</Subscript>(s)

Enthalpy of formation of the perovskite-related oxide BaCe_0.9In_0.1O_2.95 has been determined at 298.15 K by solution calorimetry. Solution enthalpies of barium cerate doped with indium and mixture of BaCl₂, CeCl₃, InCl₃ in ratio 1:0.9:0.1 have been measured in 1 M HCl with 0.1 M KI. The standard formation enthalpy of BaCe_0.9In_0.1O_2.95 has been calculated as −1611.7±2.6 kJ mol⁻¹. Room-temperature stability of this compound has been assessed in terms of parent binary oxides. The formation enthalpy of barium cerate doped by indium from the mixture of binary oxides is Δ_ox H ⁰ (298.15 K)=−36.2±3.4 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Low-temperature heat capacity and standard enthalpy of formation of neodymium glycine perchlorate complex [Nd2(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O

Rare-earth perchlorate complex coordinated with glycine [Nd₂(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O was synthesized and its structure was characterized by using thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), chemical analysis and elementary analysis. Its purity was 99.90%. Heat capacity measurement was carried out with a high-precision fully-automatic adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 78 to 369 K. A solid-solid phase transformation peak was observed at 256.97 K, with the enthalpy and entropy of the phase transformation process are 4.438 kJ mol⁻¹ and 17.270 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. There is a big dehydrated peak appears at 330 K, its decomposition temperature, decomposition enthalpy and entropy are 320.606 K, 41.364 kJ mol⁻¹ and 129.018 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The polynomial equations of heat capacity of this compound in different temperature ranges have been fitted. The standard enthalpy of formation was determined to be −8023.002 kJ mol⁻¹ with isoperibol reaction calorimeter at 298.15 K.     

Thermochemical properties of the Fe-analogue of cryolite, Na3FeF6

Relative enthalpies for low-and high-temperature modifications of Na₃FeF₆ and for the Na₃FeF₆ melt have been measured by drop calorimetry in the temperature range 723–1318 K. Enthalpy of modification transition at 920 K, δ_trans H(Na₃FeF₆, 920 K) = (19 ± 3) kJ mol⁻¹ and enthalpy of fusion at the temperature of fusion 1255 K, δ_fusH(Na₃FeF₆, 1255 K) = (89 ± 3) kJ mol⁻¹ have been determined from the experimental data. Following heat capacities were obtained for the crystalline phases and for the melt, respectively: C _p(Na₃FeF₆, cr, α) = (294 ± 14) J (mol K)⁻¹, for 723 = T/K ≤ 920, C _p(Na₃FeF₆, cr, β) = (300 ± 11) J (mol K)⁻¹ for 920 ≤ T/K = 1233 and C _p(Na₃FeF₆, melt) = (275 ± 22) J (mol K)⁻¹ for 1258 ≤ T/K ≤ 1318. The obtained enthalpies indicate that melting of Na3FeF6 proceeds through a continuous series of temperature dependent equilibrium states, likely associated with the production of a solid solution.      

Determination of the enthalpy of fusion of K<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaO<Subscript>2</Subscript>F<Subscript>4</Subscript> and KTaF<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Areas of fusion and crystallization peaks of K₃TaO₂F₄ and KTaF₆ were measured using the DSC mode of a high-temperature calorimeter (SETARAM 1800 K). On the basis of these quantities, considering the temperature dependence of the calorimeter sensitivity, values of the fusion enthalpy of K₃TaO₂F₄ at the fusion temperature of 1181 K of (43 ± 4) kJ mol⁻¹ and of KTaF₆ at the fusion temperature of 760 K of (8 ± 1) kJ mol⁻¹ were determined.     

Phase transitions of K<Subscript>2</Subscript>TaF<Subscript>7</Subscript> within 680–800°C

Three thermal effects on heating/cooling of K₂TaF₇ in the temperature interval of 680–800°C were investigated by the DSC method. The values determined for the enthalpy change of the individual processes are: Δ_transIIH_m(K₂TaF₇; 703°C) = 1.7(2) kJ mol⁻¹, Δ_transIH_m(K₂TaF₇; 746°C) = 19(1) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_transIIIH_m(K₂TaF₇; 771°C) = 13(1) kJ mol⁻¹. The first thermal effect was attributed to a solid-solid phase transition; the second to the incongruent melting of K₂TaF₇ and the third to mixing of two liquids. These findings are supported by in situ neutron powder diffraction experiments performed in the temperature interval of 654–794°C.      

Thermal properties of seed proteins

The sample of LiCoO₂ was synthesized, and the heat capacity was measured by adiabatic calorimetry between 13 and 300 K. The smoothed values of the heat capacity were calculated from the data. The thermodynamic functions, standard enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energy, of LiCoO₂ were calculated from the heat capacity and the numerical values are tabulated at selected temperatures from 15 to 300 K. The heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs energy at T=298.15 K are 71.57 J K^–1mol^–1, 9.853 kJ mol^–1, 52.45 J K^–1 mol^–1, –5.786 kJ mol^–1, respectively. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The standard enthalpy of formation of silver pivalate

The standard enthalpy of combustion of crystalline silver pivalate, (CH₃)₃CC(O)OAg (AgPiv), was determined in an isoperibolic calorimeter with a self-sealing steel bomb, Δ_c H ⁰ (AgPiv, cr)= −2786.9±5.6 kJ mol⁻¹. The value of standard enthalpy of formation was derived for crystalline state: Δ_f H ⁰(AgPiv,cr)= −466.9±5.6 kJ mol⁻¹. Using the enthalpy of sublimation, measured earlier, the enthalpy of formation of gaseous dimer was obtained: Δ_f H ⁰(Ag₂Piv₂,g)= −787±14 kJ mol⁻¹. The enthalpy of reaction (CH₃)₃CC(O)OAg(cr)=Ag(cr)+(CH₃)₃CC(O)O^.(g) was estimated, Δ_r H ⁰=202 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Thermochemical study of the solid complex Ho(PDC)3 (o-phen)

A novel solid complex, formulated as Ho(PDC)₃ (o-phen), has been obtained from the reaction of hydrate holmium chloride, ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) and 1,10-phenanthroline (o-phen·H₂O) in absolute ethanol, which was characterized by elemental analysis, TG-DTG and IR spectrum. The enthalpy change of the reaction of complex formation from a solution of the reagents, Δ_rH_m^θ (sol), and the molar heat capacity of the complex, c_m, were determined as being –19.161±0.051 kJ mol^–1 and 79.264±1.218 J mol^–1 K^–1 at 298.15 K by using an RD-496 III heat conduction microcalorimeter. The enthalpy change of complex formation from the reaction of the reagents in the solid phase, Δ_rH_m^θ(s), was calculated as being (23.981±0.339) kJ mol^–1 on the basis of an appropriate thermochemical cycle and other auxiliary thermodynamic data. The thermodynamics of reaction of formation of the complex was investigated by the reaction in solution at the temperature range of 292.15–301.15 K. The constant-volume combustion energy of the complex, Δ_cU, was determined as being –16788.46±7.74 kJ mol^–1 by an RBC-II type rotating-bomb calorimeter at 298.15 K. Its standard enthalpy of combustion, Δ_cH_m^θ, and standard enthalpy of formation, Δ_fH_m^θ, were calculated to be –16803.95±7.74 and –1115.42±8.94 kJ mol^–1, respectively.     

Polymorphism of paracetamol

The thermodynamic relationship between crystal modifications of paracetamol was studied by alternative methods. Temperature dependence of saturated vapor pressure for polymorphic modifications of the drug paracetamol (acetaminophen) was mea sured and thermodynamic functions of the sublimation process calculated. Solution calorimetry was carried out for the two modifications in the same solvent. Thermodynamic parameters for sublimation for form I (monoclinic) were found: ΔG _sub²⁹⁸=60.0 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔH _sub²⁹⁸=117.9±0.7 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS _sub²⁹⁸=190±2 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. For the orthorhombic modification (form II), the saturated vapor pressure could only be studied at 391 K. Phase transition enthalpy at 298 K, ΔH _tr²⁹⁸(I→II)=2.0±0.4 kJ mol⁻¹, was derived as the difference between the solution enthalpies of the noted polymorphs in the same solution (methanol). Based on ΔH _tr²⁹⁸ (I→II), differences between temperature dependencies of heat capacities of both modifications and the vapor pressure value of form II at 391 K, the temperature dependence of saturated vapor pressure and thermodynamic sublimation parameters for modification II were also estimated (ΔG _sub²⁹⁸=56.1 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔH _sub²⁹⁸=115.9±0.9 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS _sub²⁹⁸=200±3 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹). The results indicate that the modifications are monotropically related, which is in contrast to findings recently reported found by classical thermochemical methods.     

Thermochemistry of europium and dithiocarbamate complex Eu(C5H8NS2)3(C12H8N2)

A solid complex Eu(C₅H₈NS₂)₃(C₁₂H₈N₂) has been obtained from reaction of hydrous europium chloride with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) and 1,10-phenanthroline (o-phen⋅H₂O) in absolute ethanol. IR spectrum of the complex indicated that Eu³⁺ in the complex coordinated with sulfur atoms from the APDC and nitrogen atoms from the o-phen. TG-DTG investigation provided the evidence that the title complex was decomposed into EuS. The enthalpy change of the reaction of formation of the complex in ethanol, Δ_r H _m ^θ(l), as –22.214±0.081 kJ mol^–1, and the molar heat capacity of the complex, c _m, as 61.676±0.651 J mol^–1 K^–1, at 298.15 K were determined by an RD-496 III type microcalorimeter. The enthalpy change of the reaction of formation of the complex in solid, Δ_r H _m ^θ(s), was calculated as 54.527±0.314 kJ mol^–1 through a thermochemistry cycle. Based on the thermodynamics and kinetics on the reaction of formation of the complex in ethanol at different temperatures, fundamental parameters, including the activation enthalpy (ΔH _≠ ^θ), the activation entropy (ΔS _≠ ^θ), the activation free energy (ΔG _≠ ^θ), the apparent reaction rate constant (k), the apparent activation energy (E), the pre-exponential constant (A) and the reaction order (n), were obtained. The constant-volume combustion energy of the complex, Δ_c U, was determined as –16937.88±9.79 kJ mol^–1 by an RBC-II type rotating-bomb calorimeter at 298.15 K. Its standard enthalpy of combustion, Δ_c H _m ^θ, and standard enthalpy of formation, Δ_f H _m ^θ, were calculated to be –16953.37±9.79 and –1708.23±10.69 kJ mol^–1, respectively.     

Stationary points on the energy hypersurface of the reaction O3 + H•→ [•O3H]* ⇆ O2 + •OH and thermodynamic functions of •O3H at G3MP2B3, CCSD(T)-CBS (W1U) and MR-ACPF-CBS levels of theory

The relative enthalpies, ΔH^o (0) and ΔH^o (298.15), of stationary points (four minimum and three transition structures) on the ^•O₃H potential energy surface were calculated with the aid of the G3MP2B3 as well as the CCSD(T)–CBS (W1U) procedures from which we earlier found mean absolute deviations (MAD) of 3.9 kJ mol⁻¹ and 2.3 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively, between experimental and calculated standard enthalpies of the formation of a set of 32 free radicals. For CCSD(T)-CBS (W1U) the well depth from O₃ + H^• to trans-^•O₃H, ΔH^o_well(298.15) = −339.1 kJ mol⁻¹, as well as the reaction enthalpy of the overall reaction O₃ + H^•→O₂ + ^•OH, Δ_rH^o(298.15) = −333.7 kJ mol⁻¹, and the barrier of bond dissociation of trans-^•O₃H → O₂ + ^•OH, ΔH^o(298.15) = 22.3 kJ mol⁻¹, affirm the stable short-lived intermediate ^•O₃H. In addition, for radicals cis-^•O₃H and trans-^•O₃H, the thermodynamic functions heat capacity C^o_p(T), entropy S^o (T), and thermal energy content H^o(T) − H^o(0) are tabulated in the range of 100 − 3000 K. The much debated calculated standard enthalpy of the formation of the trans-^•O₃H resulted to be Δ_fH^o(298.15) = 31.1 kJ mol ⁻¹ and 32.9 kJ mol ⁻¹, at the G3MP2B3 and CCSD(T)-CBS (W1U) levels of theory, respectively. In addition, MR-ACPF-CBS calculations were applied to consider possible multiconfiguration effects and yield Δ_fH^o(298.15) = 21.2 kJ mol ⁻¹. The discrepancy between calculated values and the experimental value of −4.2 ± 21 kJ mol⁻¹ is still unresolved. Note added in proof: Yu-Ran Luo and J. Alistair Kerr, based on the discussion in reference 12, recently presented an experimental value of Δ_fH^o(298.15) = 29.7 ± 8.4 kJ mol⁻¹ in the 85th edition of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (in progress).     

Determination of the enthalpy of fusion of Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>FeF<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The areas of the fusion and crystallization peaks of Na₃FeF₆ and of four calibration substances (KCl, NaCl, Na₂SO₄, and K₂SO₄) were measured using the DSC mode of a high-temperature calorimeter. Using the measured quantities and known values of the enthalpy of fusion of the calibration substances, the enthalpy of fusion of Na₃FeF₆ was determined. Its value at the temperature of fusion 1224 K was 70 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Two color up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowders prepared by non-aqueous sol-gel method

Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol-gel method using the aluminum isopropoxide as precursor, acetylacetone as a chelating agent, nitric acid as a catalyzer, and hydrated erbium nitrate as a dopant under isopropanol environment. The different phase structure, including three crystalline types of (Al, Er)₂O₃ phases, α, γ, θ, and an Er–Al–O stoichiometric compound phase, Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄, was observed for the 0.01–0.5 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the sintering temperature of 1,000 °C. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978 nm semiconductor laser diodes excitation. With increasing Er³⁺ doping concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions increased with a decrease of the intensity ratio of the green to red emission. When the Er³⁺ doping concentration rose to 5 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions decreased with an increase of their intensity ratio. The maximum intensity of both the green and red emissions with the minimum of intensity ratio was obtained, respectively, for the 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders composed of a single α-(Al,Er)₂O₃ phase. The intensity ratio of the green emission at 523 and 545 nm increased monotonously for all Er³⁺ doping concentrations. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process was involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions of the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of TbF3 containing oxide fluoride glasses

New glasses containing TbF₃ have been prepared in a TbF₃-BaF₂-AlF₃-GeO₂ system. Their respective densities, refractive indexes, and glass transition temperatures are (5.42-6.07) × 10³ kg m⁻³, 1.72-1.73, and 605.1-675.2 °C. Their magnetic susceptibilities are proportional to the contents of TbF₃ in glasses obtained in this study. The values agree with the calculated values. The Curie constant of the 40TbF₃-20BaF₂-10AlF₃-20GeO₂ glass is 5.13 K emu mol⁻¹; its effective magnetic susceptibility is 9.96μ_B. The atomic percentage of Tb³⁺ in the 40TbF₃-20BaF₂-10AlF₃-20GeO₂ glass is 11%, which is comparable to that of the oxide glass, which is reported as the material for Faraday components.     

Recent developments in the preparation of high surface area metal fluorides

An overview of the main procedures for the preparation of fluorides with very high surface areas is given. Three processes are outlined: (i) plasma fluorination, (ii) sol–gel route and (iii) oxidative decomposition of inorganic precursors. From all three processes nanostructured metal fluorides with 100–400 m² g⁻¹ can be obtained. Prevention of the local overheating during fluorination seems to be the key factor to obtain the high surface area fluorides. TEM investigations of AlF₃ and CrF₃ obtained by oxidative decomposition revealed considerable differences in their morphologies and crystallinity. CrF₃ is completely amorphous and unstable under beam. AlF₃ contains an amorphous phase and nanocrystalline phases of α-AlF₃ and β-AlF₃. Nanocrystals are uniformly distributed within the amorphous phase. Also present are the rod-like nanostructures that consist of β-AlF₃ and are 5–10 nm wide.     

Study on the thermodynamic properties of cholesterol

The standard molar enthalpy of combustion of cholesterol was measured at constant volume. According to value of Δ_r U _m^θ(−14358.4±20.65 kJ mol⁻¹), Δ_r H _m^θ(−14385.7 kJ mol⁻¹) of combustion reaction and Δ_f H _m^θ(2812.9 kJ mol⁻¹) of cholesterol were obtained from the reaction equation. The enthalpy of combustion reaction of cholesterol was also estimated by the average bond enthalpies. By design of a thermo-chemical recycle, the enthalpy of combustion of cholesterol were calculated between 283.15∼373.15 K. Besides, molar enthalpy and entropy of fusion of cholesterol was obtained by DSC technique.