Theoretical and experimental study of the catalytic cathodic stripping square-wave voltammetry of chromium species

The electrocatalytic mechanism of Cr(III) reduction in the presence of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and nitrate ions is studied theoretically and experimentally by using stripping square-wave voltammetry (SWV). Experimental curves are in excellent agreement with theoretical profiles corresponding to a catalytic reaction of second kind. This type of mechanism is equivalent to a CE mechanism, where the chemical reaction produces the electroactive species. Accordingly, the reaction of Cr(III)–H₂O–DTPA and \( {\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-} \) would produce the electroactive species Cr(III)–NO₃–DTPA and this last species would release \( {\mathrm{NO}}_2^{-} \) to the solution during the electrochemical step. In this regard, the complex of Cr(III)–DTPA would work as the catalyzer that allows the reduction of \( {\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-} \) to \( {\mathrm{NO}}_2^{-} \). Furthermore, it was found that the electrochemical reaction is quite irreversible, with a constant of k _s?=?9.4?×?10^?5 cm s^?1, while the constant for the chemical step has been estimated to be k _chem?=?1.3?×?10⁴ s^?1. Considering that the equilibrium constant is K?=?0.01, it is possible to estimate the kinetic constants of the chemical reaction as k ₁?=?1?×?10² s^?1 and k _?1?=?1.29?×?10⁴ s^?1. These values of k ₁ and k _?1 indicate that the exchange of water molecules by nitrate is fast and that the equilibrium favors the complex with water. Also, a value for the formal potential E°’?≈??1.1 V was obtained. The model used for simulating experimental curves does not consider the adsorption of reactants yet. Accordingly, weak adsorption of reagents should be expected.     

Reaction Equilibrium and Kinetics of Synthesis of Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Formaldehyde and Methanol

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE _n ) are environmentally friendly diesel fuel additives. They belong to alkyl ethers that could reduce solid particulate matter formation and emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide when added into diesel fuels. This work aimed to researching chemical equilibrium and reaction kinetics of the synthesis of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers from formaldehyde and methanol catalyzed by an ion-exchange resin at the reaction temperatures 313, 333, 343 and 353 K. In the reversible reaction, the K_{n ≥ 2}/K₂ ratio was equal to one. The reaction orders of methanol, formaldehyde, water and PODE _n were 0.2638, 0.1328, 0.1565 and 0.0048, respectively. At a 10 wt % dosage of H-SIR1 resin, the rate constants of the methylal (dimethoxymethane) formation and depolymerization were 1.04 × 10⁴ and 3.43 × 10⁶ min^–1, respectively, and the pre-exponential factor for the PODE_{n + 1} formation was 2.50 × 10³ min^–1. Activation energies for the methylal propagation and depolymerization and PODE_{n > 1} formation were 30.46, 48.40 and 27.10 kJ/mol, respectively. The results indicated that the equilibrium constants of PODE_{n > 1} formation reactions were consistent. The exothermic reaction of methylal formation was easier than the reverse reaction and more difficult than the formation of PODE_{n > 1}.     

Kinetics of thermal reaction HOCl ⇄ H(<Superscript>2</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>) + OCl(<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript>Π<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">i</Emphasis></Subscript>) in gas phase

The kinetics of gas reaction \(HOCl\underset{{k_r }}{\overset{{k_f }}{\longleftrightarrow}}H(^2 S) + OCl(X^2 \Pi _i )\) was analyzed by the MP4 method. In the temperature range of 100–373 K the rate constants k _f and k _r and equilibrium constant K were changed from 1.10 × 10^?220 to 1.17 × 10^?52 s^?1, from 2.89 × 10^?16 to 1.68 × 10^?5s^?1 and from 3.80 × 10^?205 to 6.96 × 10^?48 respectively. In the above temperature range, the activation energy of the forward reaction (E _f) is 105.05 kcal/mol. In the same temperature interval there are two kinetic domains for the reverse reaction with activation energies (E _r1 = 5.53 kcal/mol when T is 100–273 K and E _r2 = 14.50 kcal/mol when T is 273–373 K, respectively.     

Determination of thermokinetic parameters and thermodynamic functions from thermoforming of LiMnPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

This article presents the determination of thermokinetic parameters and thermodynamic functions from the thermoforming of LiMnPO₄. In our previous paper, a couple of thermoreaction processes, e.g., co-elimination and polycondensation of thermokinetics and thermodynamics, were incompletely determined. The co-elimination process is considered as dehydration and a deammoniation process in this paper. Evidently, an alternative technique was applied for calculating the extent of conversion values using the ratio of the peak area of the deconvoluted DTG peak after applying the Fraser–Suzuki deconvolution. An iterative equation of the integral isoconversional technique was used to estimate the reliable activation energy E_α. Each separated peak, including dehydration, deammoniation, and polycondensation, was obviously evaluated as a single kinetic process with its own kinetic parameters. In order to choose reliable mechanisms, the y(α) master plots or the plots between the experiment and the model were compared. The plots thus obtained showed that the dehydration, deammoniation, and polycondensation processes were found to be 3/2-order chemical reaction (F_3/2), 2-order chemical reaction (F₂), and nucleation (P_3/2) mechanisms, respectively. The pre-exponential factor values were obtained from E_α, and the reaction mechanisms were found to be 3.78?×?10¹², 7.05?×?10¹², and 1.96?×?10¹³ s^?1, respectively. The evaluated thermodynamic data of the activated complexes showed that the thermal reaction required thermal energy to complete the reaction.     

Potentiometric sensors based on new active components in the multisensor determination of homologues anionic surfactants

Potentiometric sensors are proposed on the basis of alkyl sulfates and cationic copper(II) complexes with organic reagents selective to anionic surfactants. Physical and chemical properties of the ionophores (composition, thermal stability, solubility) are determined in aqueous solutions and in the membrane phase. The studied compounds are poorly soluble (K _s = n × 10^–22–n × 10^–20) and thermally stable at 80?90°C. The main electroanalytical properties of sensors are estimated, i.e., analytical range in solutions of sodium alkyl sulfates 2 × 10^–7–1 × 10^–2 M; 46 <α < 66 mV/рc; LOD = 1 × 10^–7 M; response time 8–9 s in a solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate with the concentration not lower than 1 × 10^–4 M; potential drift 2–3 mV/day; and lifetime 12 months. The multisensor determination of homologues sodium alkyl sulfates in model mixtures and natural waters is performed using the proposed sensors.     

Potentiometric study of the kinetics and equilibria of formation of chloroglycinate palladium(II) complexes from bis-glycinato palladium(II) complexes

The equilibria and kinetics of the reaction of Pd(gly)₂ complexes with hydrogen ions and chloride ions has been studied by a potentiometric method. The underlying idea of the method is the measurement of solution pH as a function of reaction time t using a glass electrode. The solutions used had the following initial compositions: xM Pd(gly)₂, xM Hgly, and 1 M NaCl with x = 1 × 10^?4, 5 × 10^?4, and 1 × 10^?3; initial pH₀ was from ～3.5 to ～4.4. The experimentally determined pH versus t dependences and the rate equation for a pseudo-second-order reaction were used to determine the equilibrium constant of formation of Pd(gly)(Hgly)Cl complexes from Pd(gly)₂ complexes and the observed rate constant for this reaction, k _obs. The dependence of k _obs on the pH of the acid solutions studied was assigned to a change in the sequence of the reactions of addition of a hydrogen ion and a chloride ion to the complex Pd(gly)₂.     

New Phosphate-Sulfates with NZP Structure

NaZr_2–xB_x(PO₄)_3–2x(SO₄)_2x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, B = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), and NaZr_2–xR_x(PO₄)_3–x(SO₄)_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, R = Al, Fe) phosphate-sulfates series have been prepared by a sol–gel process. These compounds belong to the NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ (NZP) structure family and crystallize in hexagonal crystal system, space group R\(\bar 3\)c. Limited solid solution series were found to exist; their formation temperatures and thermal stability limits were determined. Particle sizes as determined by microstructure observation were 50–200 nm, and for Cu- and Zn-containing samples, 200–500 nm. The thermal expansion of phosphate-sulfate NaZr_1.25Cu_0.75(PO₄)_1.5(SO₄)_1.5 was studied in the range 25–700°C. Thermal expansion coefficients and thermal expansion anisotropy were found to be α_a =–5.40 × 10^–6 °C^–1, α_с = 18.88 × 10^–6 °C^–1, α_avg = 2.69 × 10^–6 °C^–1, and Δα = 24.28 × 10^–6 °C^–1.     

Measuring the rate constant of the reaction between chlorine atoms and CHF<Subscript>2</Subscript>Br by Cl atom resonance fluorescence

The rate constant of the reaction between Cl atoms and CHF₂Br has been measured by chlorine atom resonance fluorescence in a flow reactor at temperatures of 295–368 K and a pressure of ~1.5 Torr. Lining the inner surface of the reactor with F-32L fluoroplastic makes the rate of the heterogeneous loss of chlorine atoms very low (k_het ≤ 5 s^–1). The rate constant of the reaction is given by the formula k = (4.23 ± 0.13) × 10^–12e^{(–15.56 ± 1.58)/RT} cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1 (with the activation energy in kJ/mol units). The possible role of this reaction in the extinguishing of fires producing high concentrations of chlorine atoms is discussed.     

Effect of phosphate doping on electric properties and chemical stability of Ba<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript> protonic conductor

Conductivity of perovskite phosphate–substituted solid solutions of Ba₄Ca₂Nb_{2 –x} P _x O₁₁ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) was studied as a function of temperature, partial pressure of oxygen and water vapors. It is proved that the studied systems are protonic conductors at the temperatures below 600°C in the atmosphere with elevated content of water vapors (pH₂O = 1.92 × 10^–2 atm). Introduction of the tetrahedral [PO₄] group in the complex oxide matrix of Ba₄Ca₂Nb₂O₁₁ results in an increase in the oxygen–ionic (dry air, pH₂O = 1.91 × 10^–4 atm) and protonic conductivities (wet air, pH₂O = 1.92 × 10^–2 atm). Is it found that the doping causes a considerable increase in chemical stability of phases with respect to carbon dioxide.     

Binuclear copper(II) complexes with acyldihydrazones of saturated carboxylic acids and pyruvic acid

Copper(II) binuclear complexes with acyldihydrazones of saturated carboxylic acids and pyruvic acid in which the coordination polyhedra are connected by polymethylene chains of different length (1 to 5 units) were synthesized and studied by chemical and thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectroscopy, and EPR. The structure of binuclear copper(II) complex with succinic acid acyldihydrazone [Cu₂L · 4Py] · 2Py was determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic: a = 14.3795(6), b = 8.8736(4), c = 15.9147(7) Å, β = 101.062(3)°, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2. The number of independent reflections with I > 2σ(I) = 2804, R = 0.042, R _w = 0.087. The copper atoms are spaced by a chain of seven σ bonds at 8.922 Å. The coordination polyhedron can be described as a tetragonal pyramid highly distorted toward a trigonal bipyramid. The EPR spectra of solutions of complexes based on malonic, succinic, glutaric, and adipinic acids exhibit a poorly resolved signal of seven HFS lines with a constant of (26.3–27.0) × 10^?4 cm^?1, which attests to the presence of weak exchange interactions between paramagnetic centers. An increase in the length of the polymethylene spaur suppresses exchange interactions, and the EPR spectrum of the complex based on pimelic acid acyldihydrazone shows a signal of four HFS lines with a constant of 43.8 × 10^?4 cm^?1 typical of monomeric copper(II) complexes.     

Different effects of active minor admixtures on hydrogen and methane ignitions

The methane combustion inhibitor CCl₄ exerts no effect on the first ignition limit of hydrogen; therefore, the role of hydrogen atoms in hydrocarbon oxidation consists at least of participating in longer reaction chains than are observed in hydrogen oxidation. The upper limits of the rate constants of the reactions of hydrogen atoms with propylene and isobutylene molecules were estimated by the self-ignition limit method to be (1.0 ± 0.3) × 10^?11 exp(?1450 ± 400/T) and (0.8 ± 0.3) × 10^?11 exp(?550 ± 200/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, in the temperature range of 840–950 K. These data are evidence that the stronger inductive effect of the two methyl groups in isobutylene lowers the energy barrier to the H + iso-C₄H₈ reaction. It has been demonstrated experimentally that chemiluminescence in the hydrocarbon flame front at atmospheric pressure precedes heat evolution. Throughout the pressure and temperature ranges examined (5–750 Torr, 298–950 K), the chain mechanism determines the basic laws of combustion.     

Enzymeless determination of cholesterol using gold and silver nanoparticles as electrocatalysts

We present the results of synthesis and study of the electrocatalytic activity of gold and silver nanoparticles of different composition (individual metals, core–shell particles, nanoalloys, and particles synthesized electrochemically), immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode, with respect to cholesterol. A surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) is selected to create an aqueous–organic emulsion of cholesterol. It is demonstrated that nanoparticles with a gold core and a silver shell with the regression equation of I = 1.4 × 10^–5 c _chol + 5.8 × 10^–5 (R ² = 0.97) and silver nanoparticles synthesized electrochemically with the regression equation of I = 1.0 × 10^–5 c _chol + 3.0 × 10^–4 (R ² = 0.95) possess optimal electrocatalytic characteristics.     

NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>V<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>: Synthesis,morphology, and optical properties

The effect of the method used for the synthesis of NH₄V₃O₇ on its morphology, textural parameters, and optical properties was studied. Ammonium vanadate NH₄V₃O₇ was prepared by treating NH₄VO₃ in the presence of citric acid under hydrothermal (4.0 ≤ pH ≤ 5.5, T = 180–200°C, 48 h) and microwave–hydrothermal (3.5 ≤ pH ≤ 5.0, T = 180–220°C, 20 min) conditions. Self-assembled NH₄V₃O₇ microcrystals crystallizing in monoclinic system with unit cell parameters a = 12.247(5) Å, b = 3.4233(1) Å, c = 13.899(4) Å, β = 89.72(3)°, and V = 582.3(4) ų (space group P2₁) were shown to be formed independently of the method used to treat the reaction mixture. The morphology of NH₄V₃O₇ particles was shown to depend on рН of the reaction mass and the method of synthesis. The structural features of NH₄V₃O₇ were studied by IR, UV, and Vis spectroscopy, and the optical bandgap was determined.     

Extraction of copper(II) ions from ammonia solutions with a β-diketone extractant

The extraction of copper(II) ions from ammonia solutions with a new β-diketone extractant, DX-510A, has been studied. Kinetic features of the copper(II) extraction and back extraction have been established: the reaction orders have been determined, and extraction and stripping rate constants have been calculated to be k_e1 = 4.14 × 10^–2 s^–1 and k_be1 = 3.20 × 10^–2 s^–1, respectively. It has been demonstrated that the extraction of copper(II) ions is not accompanied by the coextraction of ammonia. The type of extracted complex has been determined and its formula has been suggested.     

The sol–gel chromium-modified V<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> as a cathodic material for lithium batteries

A new V₆O₁₃-based material has been synthesized via the sol–gel route. This sol–gel mixed oxide has been obtained from an appropriate heat treatment of the chromium-exchanged V₂O₅ xerogel performed under reducing atmosphere. This new compound, with the chemical formula Cr_0.36V₆O_13.50, exhibits a monoclinic structure (C2/m) with the following unit cell parameters, a=11.89 Å, b=3.68 Å, c=10.14 Å, β=101.18°. The electrochemical characterization of this compound has been performed using galvanostatic discharge–charge experiments in the potential range 4–1.5 V and completed by ac impedance spectroscopy measurements. It exhibits a specific capacity of about 370 mAh g^?1, which makes the compound Cr_0.36V₆O_13.50 the best one in the V₆O₁₃-based system: 85% of the initial capacity (315 mAh g^?1) after the 35th cycle is still available at C/25 without any polarization. From impedance spectroscopy, a high kinetics of Li transport (D _Li=1.8×10^?9 cm² s^?1) is found at mid-discharge.     

Morphology and thermodynamics of selenium-containing nanosystems: The effect of polymer stabilizers

Nanosystems based on zero-valent selenium and biocompatible polymer stabilizers (polyvinylpyrrolidone with molecular weight (MW) М _w = (10–55) × 10³, poly-N,N,N,N-trimethylacryloyloxyethylammonium methylsulfate with М _w = (30–250) × 10³ and polyethylene glycol with М _w = (1–40) × 10³) are studied by means of static and dynamic light scattering, and the resulting data are compared. Dense spherical multimolecular nanosystems are found to be formed. Morphological and thermodynamic characteristics of selenium-containing nanosystems, depending on the nature and MW of the polymer stabilizer, are determined. It is shown that the properties of nanosystems can be adjusted by varying the molecular weight of the polymer stabilizer.     

Spacer-armed binuclear copper(ii) complexes with salicylidene hydrazones of N-benzoylaminodicarboxylic acids

The structure and EPR spectra of copper(II) complexes with bis(salicylidene)hydrozones of N-benzoyl-L-aspartic and N-benzoyl-L-glutamic acids have been described. The compounds have been studied by chemical and thermal analyses, IR spectroscopy, and EPR spectroscopy. The molecular and crystal structure of the copper(II) complex with bis(salicylidene)hydrozone of N-benzoyl-L-aspartic acid (H₄L) of composition [Cu₂L · 2Py] · 2CH₃OH · H₂O has been determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic: a = 10.3316(7) Å, b = 16.7552(9) Å,c = 11.0137(6) Å, β = 105.758(3)°, space group P2₁, Z = 2. The complex has a polymeric structure composed of alternating copper-containing binuclear fragments bound to each other either via phenoxy bridges or via an aliphatic spacer (the Cu…Cu distances are 3.471 Å and 8.939 Å, respectively). The EPR spectra of the solutions of the complexes under study shows an isotropic signal comprising seven HFS lines due to two equivalent copper nuclei with the spin Hamiltonian parameters g = 2.115–2.122 and a _Cu = (36.1–36.9) × 10^?4 cm^?1, which indicates the reaization of weak exchange coupling of the paramagnetic centers.     

Regeneration of levulinic acid from loaded-organic phase: equilibrium,kinetic studies and process economics

Regeneration of carboxylic acids from the loaded-organic phase is an essential step to complete the reactive extraction process. A study on the regeneration of levulinic acid from loaded-organic phase (methyl isobutyl ketone + tri-n-octylamine + acid) was carried out using various techniques including NaOH, temperature swing, diluent swing, and tri-methylamine methods. Equilibrium data obtained show that among all the methods, the recovery of acid is the highest for the tri-methylamine method when the molar ratio of tri-methylamine to levulinic acid concentrations is greater than 1. Kinetic studies performed for the tri-methylamine method showed that there are no changes in the specific rate of extraction with changes in stirrer speed rate and phase volume ratio (V _aq/V _org), and the overall order of reaction is 1.5. Based on the effects of stirrer speed and phase volume ratio on the specific rate of extraction, the reaction was concluded to occur in the fast regime. Also, about 80% of acid was recovered by the evaporation of tri-methylamine phase at 104–140 °C. A detailed economic evaluation for the recovery of levulinic acid using reactive extraction for a feed rate of 2 m³ h^?1 shows that the payback period for recovering capital investment is 0.49 years.     

Variation of the Intersection Point of the Potential Surface Crossing Induced by the Laser Phase Along the Reaction Path in Ion-Molecule Reactions: Application To Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> + CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>

A laser ion-molecule reaction interaction through both polarizability and dipole moment contribution leads to variation in the intersection point in potential energy surface crossings along the reaction path; the polarizability is maximum and the dipole changes its sign at s = 4 a.u., defining a virtual transition state. Using the gauge representation (electric field gauge) for a wave length λ = 20.6 μm, intensity I = 5×10¹² W/cm², I = 1×10¹³ W/cm², I = 3×10¹³ W/cm², we show here that we can create a laser-induced potential energy surface crossing along the reaction path (s = 7-8 a.u.). We illustrate such effects for the Li H + CH ₃ ⁺ ? Li⁺ + CH₄ reaction which takes the form of inverted Morse (without a barrier) using ab initio methods for calculating the reaction path and electric properties of the ion-molecule reaction.     

Apparent Molar Volumes of Aqueous Solutions of Magnesium Tetraborate from 283.15 to 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa

Densities for aqueous solutions of magnesium tetraborate MgB₄O₇(aq) at the molalities of (0.00556–0.03341) mol·kg^?1 were measured with an Anton Paar Digital vibrating-tube densimeter at temperature intervals of 5 K from 283.15 to 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa. Apparent molar volumes were obtained based on the experimental density data, and the 3D diagrams of the apparent molar volume (V _? ) of MgB₄O₇(aq) against temperature (T) and molality (m) were plotted. On the basis of the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher equation, the coefficients of the correlation equation for densities of MgB₄O₇(aq) against temperature and molality were parameterized. According to the Pitzer ion-interaction model of the apparent molar volume, the temperature correlation equations of Pitzer single-salt parameters F(i,p,T)?=?a₀?+?a₁?×?T?+?a₂?×?T ²?+?a₃/T?+?a₄?×?ln(T)?+?a₅?×?T ³ (where T is temperature in Kelvin, a _i are model parameters) for MgB₄O₇ were obtained for the first time.