Photocatalysis enhancement of CaAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>@TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite powders

CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺@TiO₂ composite powders were synthesized by a sol–gel method under mild conditions (i.e. low temperature and ambient pressure). The as-prepared powders were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic behavior of the TiO₂-base surfaces was evaluated by the degradation of nitrogen monoxide gas. It suggested that CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺@TiO₂ composite powders were composed of anatase titania and that CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺. TiO₂ particles were deposited on the surface of CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺ to form uniform film. CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺@TiO₂ composite powders exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared with pure TiO₂ under visible light. And the result also clearly indicated that the long afterglow phosphor absorbed and stored lights for the TiO₂ to remain photocatalytic activity in the dark.     

The effect of tin precursors on the formation of Zr<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>4</Subscript> nano-powder by sol gel process

Different precursors can have different effects upon the properties of materials. In this paper, two different tin precursors, i.e., tin (IV) chloride pentahydrate (SnCl₄·5H₂O) and tin (IV) t-butoxide (Sn(OC₄H₉)₄) have been used to prepare Zr_0.8Sn_0.2TiO₄ powders. The dry gel and powder were characterized by Simultaneous DTA/TGA analysis (SDT), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Accelerated surface area and porosimetry analyzer (ASAP). The results show less weight loss for dry gel from precursor SnCl₄·5H₂O than that of Sn(OC₄H₉)₄. The onset of polycrystalline ZST nano powders occurred at 450 °C from precursor SnCl₄·5H₂O which is 50 °C lower than that of Sn(OC₄H₉)₄. Even though the powders from SnCl₄·5H₂O had a specific surface area of 30.4 m²/g which is higher than that of 28.7 m²/g from Sn(OC₄H₉)₄. The crystallite size of ZST powders were about the same around 15 nm. This may be due to the powders are more aggregated in Sn(OC₄H₉)₄ system. Two major mechanisms are proposed for above differences in morphology and the formation of powders.     

Synthesis of highly dispersed super-refractory tantalum-zirconium carbide Ta<Subscript>4</Subscript>ZrC<Subscript>5</Subscript> and tantalum-hafnium carbide Ta<Subscript>4</Subscript>HfC<Subscript>5</Subscript> via sol-gel technology

Nanocrystalline powders of super-refractory complex carbides Ta₄HfC₅ and Ta₄ZrC₅ were synthesized using a hybrid method comprising sol-gel technology for preparing highly dispersed metal oxidescarbon starting mixtures and a relatively low-temperature (1300–1500°C) carbothermal synthesis under a dynamic vacuum (P = 1 × 10⁻³ to 1 × 10⁻⁵ MPa). The elemental and phase compositions of the products and average crystallite sizes were determined. TEM was used to study particle morphology and dispersion. Microstructures were observed by SEM. BET specific surface areas were determined for powders prepared at 1400°C.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [Co(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>][AuX<Subscript>4</Subscript>]X<Subscript>2</Subscript> (X = Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript>, Br<Superscript>−</Superscript>)

[Co(NH₃)₆][AuX₄]X₂ binary complex salts, where X = Cl^? (I) and Br^? (II), have been obtained and defined by element, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analyses and by IR, Raman, and electron spectroscopy. The compounds are isostructural. Their structural units are the [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ complex cations, the [AuX₄]^? complex anions, and the X^? anions. The plane square environment of the gold atom is completed to an elongated bipyramid by two halide ions lying at distances Au...Cl 3.245 Å for I and Au...Br 3.362 Å for II. The thermolysis products of I and II are pure gold and cobalt metal powders when thermolysis is performed under hydrogen and a mixture of metallic gold with cobalt halide in a reaction under an inert atmosphere.     

Synthesis and Properties of Double Complex Salts Containing the Cation [Co(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

A series of complexes [Co(NH₃)₆] _x [ML₆₍₄₎] _y , where M is Fe(III) and Fe(II), Cr(III), Cu(II); L is CN^?, NCS^?, 1/2C₂O ₄ ^2? , are synthesized. Their IR spectra and thermal decomposition in air are studied, and interplanar distances in crystalline lattices of the complexes are determined. The compounds can be used as precursors for producing homogeneous bimetallic nanodimensional powders.     

Effects of the Chemical Modifier on the Thermal Evolution of SrBi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> Precursor Powders

The effects of the chelating agent on the thermal evolution of SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ precursor powders were investigated. The precursor solutions were prepared from non-hydrolyzing precursors of bismuth and strontium and a tantalum alkoxide. The utilization of diethanolamine or triethanolamine as chelating agent was found to produce the segregation of metallic bismuth in the as-prepared powders, which led to the formation of a multiphase system. On the other hand, acetoin, one of the α-hydroxyketones, showed outstanding characteristics for the low-temperature synthesis of SrBi₂Ta₂O₉: elimination of residual organics at low temperature, an earlier onset of crystallization, and no segregation of secondary phases during the whole crystallization process.     

Synthesis and characterization of La<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>3±δ</Subscript> nanopowders by microwave assisted sol–gel route

Nano-crystalline La_0.8Sr_0.2Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_3±δ powder has been successfully synthesized by microwave assisted sol–gel (MWSG) method. The decomposition and crystallization behavior of the gel-precursor was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. From the result of FT-IR and X-ray diffraction patterns, it is found that a perovskite La_0.8Sr_0.2Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_3±δ was formed by irradiating the precursor at 700 W for 3 min, but the well-crystalline perovskite La_0.8Sr_0.2Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_3±δ was obtained at 700 W for 35 min. Morphological and specific area analysis of the powder were done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The surface areas measured was 38.9 m²/g and the grain size was ∼23 nm. Electrochemical properties of pure LSCF cathode on YSZ electrolyte at intermediate temperatures were investigated by using AC impedance analyzer, which shows a low area specific resistance (0.077 Ω cm² at 1073 K and 0.672 Ω cm² at 953 K). Moreover, the synthesis period of 20 h usually observed for conventional heating mode is reduced to a few minutes. Thus, the MWSG method is proved to be a novel, extremely facile, time-saving and energy-efficient route to synthesize LSCF powders.     

Preparation of nanocrystalline Fe-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders as a visible-light-responsive photocatalyst

Nanocrystalline Fe-doped TiO₂ powders were prepared using TiOSO₄, urea, and Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O as precursors through a hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized yellowish-colored powders are composed of anatase TiO₂, identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The grain size ranged from 9.7 to 12.1 nm, calculated by Scherrer’s method. The specific surface area ranged from 141 to 170 m²/g, obtained by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph of the sample shows that the diameter of the grains is uniformly distributed at about 10 nm, which is consistent with that calculated by Scherrer’s method. Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ have been detected on the surface of TiO₂ powders by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectra indicate that the light absorption thresholds of the Fe-doped TiO₂ powders have been red-shifted into the visible light region. The photocatalytic activity of the Fe-doped TiO₂ was evaluated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The Fe-doped TiO₂ powders have shown good visible-light photocatalytic activities and the maximum degradation ratio is achieved within 4.5 h.     

Thermal analysis on C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>10</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>-doped MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Additives to MgB₂ can improve the superconducting functional characteristics, such as critical current density (J _c) and irreversibility field (H _irr). Recently, we have shown that repagermanium (C₆H₁₀Ge₂O₇) is an effective additive, enhancing both J _c and H _irr. To look into details of the processes taking place during the reactive sintering, a thermal analysis study (0.167 K s^?1, in Ar) is reported. We used differential scanning calorimetry between 298 and 863 K and simultaneous thermogravimetric—differential thermal analysis between 298 and 1233 K. Samples were mixtures of powders with composition 97 mol% MgB₂ and 3 mol% C₆H₁₀Ge₂O₇. Up to 863 K, repagermanium decomposes by multiple steps and forms amorphous phases. A reaction with MgB₂ is not observed. Above this temperature, partial decomposition of MgB₂ occurs. Crystalline Ge and MgO are detected before formation of Mg₂Ge and MgB₄, when temperature approaches the melting point of Ge (1211 K). Carbon substitution for boron in the crystal lattice of MgB₂ is observed for samples heated above 863 K. The amount of substitutional C does not significantly change with temperature.     

Bi<Subscript>3.25</Subscript>La<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> powders by the complex polymerization method: synthesis,characterization and morphology

Lanthanum-modified bismuth titanate (Bi_3.25La_0.75Ti₃O₁₂, BLTO) powders were prepared by the complex polymerization method. The structure and morphology of BLTO powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The complexation of citric acid with the metallic cations was detected by Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR). The thermal analyses of obtained gels were investigated by differential thermal gravimetric (DTG). The pure and normally stoichiometric phase of BLTO powders could be obtained at relatively low temperature of 550–700 °C even if the bismuth content is not excess in the starting precursors, while the secondary phase could be detected at lower and higher calcination temperatures. The shape of the BLTO grains is similarly to platelet in Bi-layer structure and stoichiometry BLTO was detected by the analysis of energy dispersive spectrometry.     

Crystal structure of [CuL](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)(ReO<Subscript>4</Subscript>) and [CuL](ReO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> (L = 4,6,6-trimethyl-1,9-diamino-3,7-diazanon-3-en)

The crystal structures of [CuL](NO₃)(ReO₄) and [CuL](ReO₄)₂ (L is 4,6,6-trimethyl-1,9-diamino-3,7-diazanon-3-en) are studied. The square coordination of the copper atom in [CuL](NO₃)(ReO₄) is completed to a distorted octahedron by two oxygen atoms: Cu…O (ReO ₄ ^? ) 2.393 Å and Cu…O (NO ₃ ^? ) 2.685 Å, and that in [CuL](ReO₄)₂, by Cu…O(ReO ₄ ^? ) 2.468 Å and 2.697 Å. The products of thermolysis of the salts in a hydrogen atmosphere at 800°C are mixtures of nanocrystalline metal powders with coherent scattering regions of ～45 nm.     

Thermal decomposition of the carbon nanotube/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>precursor powders

Summary TG-DSC-MS (thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry-mass spectrometry) coupling techniques were used to make a simultaneous characterizing study for the thermal decomposition process of the carbon nanotube (CNT)/SiO₂precursor powders prepared by rapid sol-gel method. The thermal stability of the CNT and the SiO₂pure gel were investigated by TG-DSC. The results showed that the oxidation of CNT began from 530 and combusted at about 678°C at the heating rate of 10°C min^-1in air. Moreover, the faster the heating rate, the higher the temperature of CNT combustion. The appropriate calcinations temperature of the CNT/SiO₂precursor powders should be held for 1 h at 500°C.     

Synthesis and study of the phosphate Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The new phosphate Cs₂Mn_0.5Zr_1.5(PO₄)₃ was synthesized for the first time and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Its crystal structure was refined in space group P2₁3, Z = 4 at 25°C (a = 10.3163(1) Å, V = 1097.93(1) ų), by the Rietveld method using the powder X-ray diffraction data. The structure is built of an octahedral-tetrahedral framework {[Mn_0.5Zr_1.5(PO₄)₃]^2?}_3∞ with cesium atoms being located in large cavities. The hydrolytic stability of the powdered phosphate containing ¹³⁷Cs radionuclide was studied. The minimum achieved ¹³⁷Cs leaching rate was 4 × 10^?8 g/cm₂ day.     

Heat capacities and absolute entropies of UTi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> and CeTi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Summary As part of a larger study of the physical properties of potential ceramic hosts for nuclear wastes, we report the molar heat capacity of brannerite (UTi₂O₆) and its cerium analog (CeTi₂O₆) from 10 to 400 K using an adiabatic calorimeter. At 298.15 K the standard molar heat capacities are (179.46±0.18) J K^-1 mol^-1 for UTi₂O₆ and (172.78±0.17) J K^-1 mol^-1 for CeTi₂O₆. Entropies were calculated from smooth fits of the experimental data and were found to be (175.56±0.35) J K^-1 mol^-1 and (171.63±0.34) J K^-1 mol^-1 for UTi₂O₆ and CeTi₂O₆, respectively. Using these entropies and enthalpy of formation data reported in the literature, Gibb’s free energies of formation from the elements and constituent oxides were calculated. Standard free energies of formation from the elements are (-2814.7±5.6) kJ mol^-1 for UTi₂O₆ and (-2786.3±5.6) kJ mol^-1 for CeTi₂O₆. The free energy of formation from the oxides at T=298.15 K are (-5.31±0.01) kJ mol^-1 and (15.88±0.03) kJ mol^-1 for UTi₂O₆ and CeTi₂O₆, respectively.     

Synthesis and structure of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>){CONH<Subscript>2</Subscript>N(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

The single crystals of [UO₂(C₂O₄){CONH₂N(CH₃)₂}₂] were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 7.461(2) Å, b = 8.828(2) Å, c = 11.756(2) Å, β = 107.21(3)°, space group Pc, Z = 2, R = 2.94%. The structure comprises infinite chains [UO₂(C₂O₄){CONH₂N(CH₃)₂}₂] extended along [001] and corresponding to the AT¹¹M ₂ ¹ crystallochemical group (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , T¹¹ = C₂O ₄ ^2? , M¹ = N,N-CONH₂N(CH₃)₂) of uranyl complexes. The chains are connected into a three-dimensional framework by hydrogen bonds involving the oxygen atoms of oxalate and uranyl ions and the N,N-dimethylcarbamide methyl groups.     

The thermodynamic properties of the [(Me<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si)<Subscript>7</Subscript>C<Subscript>60</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> fullerene complex

The temperature dependence of the heat capacity C _p ^o of the [(Me₃Si)₇C₆₀]₂ fullerene complex was measured for the first time using precision adiabatic vacuum calorimetry over the temperature range 6.7–340 K and high-accuracy differential scanning calorimetry at 320–635 K. For the most part, the error in the C _p ^o values was about ±0.5%. An irreversible endothermic effect caused by the splitting of the dimeric bond between fullerene fragments and the thermal decomposition of the complex was observed at 448–570 K. The thermodynamic characteristics of this transformation were calculated and analyzed. Multifractal analysis of the low-temperature (T < 50 K) heat capacity was performed, and conclusions were drawn concerning the character of the heterodynamicity of the structure. The experimental data obtained were used to calculate the standard thermodynamic functions C _p ^o (T), H ^o (T) ? H ^o (0), S ^o (T) ? S ^o (0), and G ^o (T) ? H ^o (0) over the temperature range from T → 0 to 445 K and estimate the standard entropy of formation of the compound from simple substances at 298.15 K. The standard thermodynamic properties of [(Me₃Si)₇C₆₀]₂ are compared with those of the (C₆₀)₂ dimer, the [(η⁶-Ph₂)₂Cr]⁺[C₆₀]^?? fulleride, and the initial C₆₀ fullerene.     

Structure and some properties of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>{CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CON(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

A new complex [UO₂CrO₄{CH₃CON(CH₃)₂}₂] (I) was studied by thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The crystals are monoclinic: a = 13.8108(11) Å, b = 8.6804(7) Å, c = 13.0989(10) Å, β = 104.777(1)°, V = 1518.4(2) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, R = 2.39%. The structure of I contains infinite chains of the [UO₂CrO₄{CH₃CON(CH₃)₂}₂] composition running along [001]; the complex belongs to the AT¹¹M¹ ₂ crystal-chemical group (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , T¹¹ = CrO ₄ ^2? , M¹ = CH₃CON(CH₃)₂) of uranyl complexes. The chains are linked into a three-dimensional framework due to hydrogen bonds between oxygen atoms of chromate ions and hydrogen atoms of methyl groups of the dimethylacetamide.     

The thermochemical characteristics of the LnCl<Superscript>−</Superscript><Subscript>4</Subscript> and Ln<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript><Subscript>7</Subscript> negative ions

The literature data on the thermochemical characteristics of negative LnCl^? ₄ and Ln₂Cl^? ₇ ions (from lanthanum to lutetium inclusive) in the gas phase are systematized. The enthalpies of ion-molecular and ion-ion reactions with the participation of these ions were calculated and used to determine the enthalpies of formation of the ions for the whole lanthanide series.     

Preparation and structural characterization of nanosized BiFe<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> as a novel material with high sensitivity towards LPG

Nanocrystalline BiFe_0.6Mn_0.4O₃ powders were synthesized by sol–gel citrate method and studied for gas sensing behavior to reducing gases such as LPG, CO, CH₄ and NH₃. The composition and the structure of the powders have been investigated by means of XRD and TEM. The result shows that the BiFe_0.6Mn_0.4O₃ powders have a rhombohedral distorted perovskite structure with an average crystallite size of 35–40 nm. The BiFe_0.6Mn_0.4O₃-based LPG sensor shows better sensitivity at an operating temperature of 250 °C. The dispersion of Pd on BiFe_0.6Mn_0.4O₃ in the ratio of 0.8 wt.% improved the sensitivity, selectivity and response time. In addition, it reduced the operating temperature from 250 to 210 °C for LPG sensor. The response time for LPG was less than 1 min.     

ESR Study of the Formation of O<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> Radical Anions on Oxidized CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Adsorbing a CO + O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Mixture

It is demonstrated by ESR measurements that O ₂ ⁻ (CO + O₂) radical anions result from CO + O₂ adsorption on the oxidized surface of CeO₂. These radical anions are stabilized in the coordination sphere of Ce⁴⁺ cations located in isolated and associated anionic vacancies. This reaction shows an activation behavior determined by CO adsorption. The variation of O ₂ ⁻ (CO + O₂) concentration with CO adsorption temperature suggests that surface carbonates and carboxylates participate in this reaction. In the (0.5– 10.0)%CeO₂/ZrO₂ system, O ₂ ⁻ forms on supported CeO₂ and is stabilized on Ce⁴⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ cations. The stability of O ₂ ⁻ -Ce⁴⁺ complexes is lower on supported CeO₂ than on unsupported CeO₂, indicating a strong interaction between the cerium cations and the support.__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 3, 2005, pp. 423–429.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Il’ichev, Kuli-zade, Korchak.