Reactions of CO2 with H, H2 and deuterated analogues

Combining a temperature variable 22-pole ion trap with a cold effusive beam of neutrals, rate coefficients k(T) have been measured for reactions of CO₂⁺ ions with H, H₂ and deuterated analogues. The neutral beam which is cooled in an accommodator to T_ACC, penetrates the trapped ion cloud with a well-characterized velocity distribution. The temperature of the ions, T_22PT, has been set to values between 15 and 300 K. Thermalization is accelerated by using helium buffer gas. For reference, some experiments have been performed with thermal target gas. For this purpose hydrogen is leaked directly into the box surrounding the trap. While collisions of CO₂⁺ with H₂ lead exclusively to the protonated product HCO₂⁺, collisions with H atoms form mainly HCO⁺. The electron transfer channel H⁺ + CO₂ could not be detected (<20%). Equivalent studies have been performed for deuterium. The rate coefficients for reactions with atoms are rather small. Within our relative errors of less than 15%, they do not depend on the temperature of the CO₂⁺ ions nor on the velocity of the atoms (k(T) lays between 4.5 and 4.7 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹ with H as target, and 2.2 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹ with D). For collisions with molecules, the reactivity increases significantly with falling temperature, reaching the Langevin values at 15 K. These results are reported as k = α (T/300 K)^β with α = 9.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹ and β = −0.15 for H₂ and α = 4.9 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹ and β = −0.30 for D₂.     

FTIR spectroscopy study of the electrochemical reduction of CO2 on various metal electrodes in methanol

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ on Sn, Cu, Au, In, Ni, Ru and Pt electrodes in methanol containing 0.1 M sodium perchlorate was studied by cyclic voltammetry and in-situ FTIR spectroscopy. Dissolved CO₂ increases the cathodic current at potentials below −1.3 V vs. Ag|0.01 M Ag⁺ with Sn, Au, Cu, In and Ni electrodes. It is concluded from the FTIR spectra obtained that there is no reduction of CO₂ on any of the metals studied, and that the only reaction product detected by Fourier transform (FT) IR spectroscopy, i.e. CO²⁻₃, is formed by reaction of CO₂ with hydroxyl anions produced in the electroreduction of residual water.In order to identify the electroreduction products of CO₂ it was necessary to obtain the FTIR spectra of sodium oxalate and sodium carbonate in methanol. They were obtained by the electroreduction of oxalic acid and the alkalinization of CO₂-saturated methanol respectively. It could be proved that the electroreduction of carboxylic acids to carboxylate anions in organic solvents does not require either a H-chemisorbing metal electrode, or the presence of water in the solvent.     

Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopy of Ti+(CO2)2Ar and Ti+(CO2)n(n=3-7) Comple xes (cited: 1)

Ti⁺(CO₂)₂Ar and Ti⁺(CO₂)_n(n=3-7) complexes are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed supersonic expansion. The ion complexes of interest are each mass-selected in a time-of-flight spectrometer, and studied with infrared photodissociation spectroscopy. For each complex, a sharp band in the CO stretching frequency region is observed, which confirms the formation of the OTi⁺CO(CO₂)_n-1 oxide-carbonyl species. Small OTi⁺CO(CO₂)_n-1 complexes (n≦5) exhibit CO stretching and antisymmetric CO₂ stretching vibrational bands that are blue-shifted from those of free CO and CO₂. The experimental observations indicate that the coordination number of CO and CO₂ molecules around TiO⁺ is five. Evidence is also observed for the presence of another electrostatic bonding Ti⁺(CO₂)₂ structural isomer for the Ti⁺(CO₂)₂Ar complex, which is characterized to have a bent OCO-Ti⁺-OCO structure stabilized by argon coordination     

Nonenzymatic electrochemical glucose sensor based on MnO2/MWNTs nanocomposite

In this communication, an amperometric glucose biosensor based on MnO₂/MWNTs electrode was reported. MnO₂ was homogeneously coated on vertically aligned MWNTs by electrodeposition. The MnO₂/MWNTs electrode displayed high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose in alkaline solution, showing about 0.30 V negative shift in peak potential with oxidation starting at ca. −0.20 V (vs. 3 M KCl–Ag/AgCl) as compared with bare MWNTs electrode. At an applied potential of +0.30 V, the MnO₂/MWNTs electrode gives a linear dependence (R = 0.995) in the glucose concentration up to 28 mM with a sensitivity of 33.19 μA mM⁻¹. Meanwhile, the MnO₂/MWNTs electrode is also highly resistant toward poisoning by chloride ions. In addition, interference from the oxidation of common interfering species such as ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid is effectively avoided. The MnO₂/MWNTs electrode allows highly sensitive, low-potential, stable, and fast amperometric sensing of glucose, which is promising for the development of nonenzymatic glucose sensor.     

Electrochemical deposition and properties of PbO2 + Co3O4 composites

Electrolysis of suspensions of Co₃O₄ particles in Pb²⁺-containing electrolytes has been used for depositing PbO₂ + Co₃O₄ composite layers on Ni rotating dise anodes. A sufficiently high angular speed of the electrode is necessary to obtain layers of homogeneous thickness and Co₃O₄ concentration. The volume fraction of Co₃O₄ particles in the deposit α reaches a limiting value of ca. 0.1 when the volume fraction of particles in suspension C exceeds 0.008. The current density j has little effect on α as long as it is in the range 1 to 20 mA cm⁻²; if j increases further, α decreases.PbO₂ + Co₃O₄ composite layers have been studied as electrode materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (mainly in NaOH solution). The overpotential and Tafel slope decrease upon increasing α. At a fixed potential, j is roughly proportional to OH⁻ concentration. The PbO₂ + Co₃O₄ electrode performance is fairly stable at 25°C but declines with time at higher temperature.     

Synthesis of [(μ-RS)(μ-S){Fe2(CO)6}2(μ4-S)] and their reactivity toward electrophiles

Reaction of the Et₃NH⁺ salts of the [(μ-RS)(μ-CO)Fe₂(CO)₆]⁻ anions (R=Bu^t, Ph or PhCH₂) with (μ-S₂)Fe₂(CO)₆ gives reactive intermediates [(μ-RS)(μ-S){Fe₂(CO)₆}₂(μ₄-S)]⁻. Reactions of the latter with alkyl halides, acid chlorides and Cp(CO)₂FeI have been studied. X-Ray structure of (μ-Bu^tS)(μ-PhCH₂S)[Fe₂(CO)₆]₂(μ₄-S) was determined.     

Composite hollow fiber membranes for CO2 capture

Composite hollow fibers membranes were prepared by coating poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polysulfone (PSf) hollow fibers with high molecular polyvinylamine (PVAm). Two procedures of coating hollow fibers outside and respective inside were investigated with respect to intrinsic PVAm solution properties and hollow fibers geometry and material.The influence of operating mode (sweep or vacuum) on the performances of membranes was investigated. Vacuum operating mode gave better results than using sweep because part of the sweep gas permeated into feed and induced an extra resistance to the most permeable gas the CO₂. The composite PVAm/PSf HF membranes having a 0.7–1.5 μm PVAm selective layer, showed CO₂/N₂ selectivity between 100 and 230. The selectivity was attributed to the CO₂ facilitated transport imposed by PVAm selective layer. The CO₂ permeance changed from 0.006 to 0.022 m³(STP)/(m² bar h) in direct correlation with CO₂ permeance and separation mechanism of the individual porous supports used for membrane fabrication. The multilayer PVAm/PPO membrane using as support PPO hollow fibers with a 40 nm PPO dense skin layer, surprisingly presented an increase in selectivity with the increase in CO₂ partial pressure. This trend was opposite to the facilitated transport characteristic behaviour of PVAm/porous PSf. This indicated that PVAm/PPO membrane represents a new membrane, with new properties and a hybrid mechanism, extremely stable at high pressure ratios. The CO₂/N₂ selectivity ranged between 20 and 500 and the CO₂ permeance from 0.11 to 2.3 m³(STP)/(m² bar h) depending on the operating conditions.For both PVAm/PSf and PVAm/PPO membranes, the CO₂ permeance was similar with the CO₂ permeance of uncoated hollow fiber supports, confirming that the CO₂ diffusion rate limiting step resides in the properties of the relatively thick support, not at the level of 1.2 μm thin and water swollen PVAm selective layer. A dynamic transfer of the CO₂ diffusion rate limiting step between PVAm top layer and PPO support was observed by changing the feed relative humidity (RH%). The CO₂ diffusion rate was controlled by the PPO support when using humid feed. At low feed humidity the 1.2 μm PVAm top layer becomes the CO₂ diffusion rate limiting step.     

Computational modeling of environmental plutonyl mono-, di- and tricarbonate complexes with Ca counterions: Structures and spectra: , PuO2(CO3)2Ca, and PuO2(CO3)3Ca3

We have computed the structures, and select vibrational spectra, electron density and molecular orbital contour plots of plutonium(VI) complexes of environmental importance such as [PuO₂(CO₃)₂]²⁻ and [PuO₂(CO₃)₃]⁴⁻. We show that Ca²⁺ is efficacious in gas-phase modeling of electronic and spectroscopic properties of multiply charged plutonyl di and tricarbonate anions through complexes such as PuO₂(CO₃)₂Ca and [PuO₂(CO₃)₃Ca₃]²⁺.     

The dichloromethane induced fragmentation of ferrocenylmethyldimethylamine. Mechanistic aspects and crystallographic and electrochemical investigation of the (FcCH2)2NMe2 and FcCH2NMe2H ions

Ferrocenylmethyldimethylamine, FcCH₂NMe₂, reacts with CH₂Cl₂ in either the presence or absence of non-coordinating counterions to give equimolar amounts of the bis(ferrocenylmethyl)dimethyl ammonium salts (FcCH₂)₂NMe₂⁺X⁻ (X⁻=PF₆⁻, SbF₆⁻, BPh₄⁻ or Cl⁻, 1a–d) and the corresponding protonated ammonium salts FcCH₂NMe₂H⁺ which have been isolated as the SbF₆⁻ and Cl⁻ salts 2b,d. The reaction proceeds via fragmentation of an intermediate quaternary chloromethylated ammonium ion to chloromethylferrocene, FcCH₂Cl, and dimethyliminium chloride NMe₂CH₂⁺Cl⁻. The parent amine acts as a nucleophile toward FcCH₂Cl to give 1a–d and as a base toward NMe₂CH₂⁺ to give FcCH₂NMe₂H⁺, NMe₂H and (Me₂N)₂CH₂. The FcCH₂Cl intermediate is intercepted by NEt₃ while KCN or LiH do not successfully compete with FcCH₂NMe₂. A new, non-toxic, selective, high-yield route to 1d is also presented. Electrochemistry and UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry reveal, that the two identical redox centers in 1a–d are essentially non-interacting. Individual E_1/2 values have been determined for different solvents by digital simulation. The corresponding ferrocenium salts were prepared by either chemical or electrochemical means and accordingly characterized. Our studies are augmented by X-ray structure analyses of 1b, 1d and 2d. 1d contains three different cation conformers and four molecules of water per unit cell. The latter are hydrogen bonded to the chloride counterions to form one-dimensional infinite chains parallel to the a axis.     

Mechanism of the Formation of O2? Radical Anions on CeO2 and (0.5–10)%CeO2/ZrO2 during the Adsorption of an NO-O2 Mixture

It is established by ESR that the adsorption of an NO + O₂ mixture at 20°C on oxidized CeO₂ (O₂, T = 400–700°C) produces radical anions O ₂ ⁻ located both on isolated Ce⁴⁺ cations (O ₂ ⁻ (1)) and in associated anionic vacancies (O ₂ ⁻ (2)). These species differ in thermal stability. For example, O ₂ ⁻ (2) decomposes at 20°C, while O ₂ ⁻ (1) decomposes at 50°C. Only O ₂ ⁻ (1) species are observed at −196°C in ZrO₂-supported CeO₂. In the case of NO + O₂ adsorption at 20°C, O ₂ ⁻ is stabilized on Zr⁴⁺ cations and decomposes at 270°C. Increasing the cerium oxide content of the ZrO₂ surface from 0.5 to 10% only partially inhibits the formation of O ₂ ⁻ -Zr⁴⁺. The Zr⁴⁺ cation is shown to possess a higher Lewis acidity than the Ce⁴⁺ cation, and the ionic bond in O ₂ ⁻ -Zr⁴⁺ complexes is stronger than that in O ₂ ⁻ -Ce⁴⁺ complexes. ESR, temperature-programmed desorption, and IR spectroscopic data for various adsorption complexes of NO on CeO₂ suggest that, in the key step of O ₂ ⁻ formation, free electrons appear on the surface owing to the conversion of adsorbed NO molecules into nitrito chelates on coordinately unsaturated ion pairs Ce⁴⁺-O ₂ ⁻ .__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 3, 2005, pp. 414–422.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Il’ichev, Shibanova, Ukharskii, Kuli-zade, Korchak.     

Comparative study of the spectroscopic properties of Cr-doped LiAlO2 and LiGaO2

A detailed spectroscopic study of the optical characteristics of the tetrahedrally coordinated Cr⁴⁺ ion in LiAlO₂ and LiGaO₂ is given. From absorption and excitation measurements the crystal field parameter Dq and the Racah parameter B were determined to be Dq=1065 cm⁻¹, B=450 cm⁻¹, and Dq/B=2.4 for LiAlO₂ and Dq=1055 cm⁻¹, B=428 cm⁻¹, and Dq/B=2.5 for LiGaO₂. For the Racah parameter C only a lower limit can be given, i.e. 2417 cm⁻¹ for LiAlO₂ and 2667 cm⁻¹ for LiGaO₂. Due to the strong crystal field splitting — caused by the low site symmetry — the ³B(³T₂) crystal field component is the metastable and thus the emitting level. In the low-temperature absorption and emission spectra the expected three spin–orbit components of the ³B level are found at 8273, 8296, and 8300 cm⁻¹ for Cr⁴⁺:LiAlO₂ and 8610, 8623, and 8632 cm⁻¹ for Cr⁴⁺:LiGaO₂. The emission lifetime of Cr⁴⁺ in LiAlO₂ is 95 μs at 10 K and single exponential. In Mg-codoped LiAlO₂ and in LiGaO₂ the Cr⁴⁺ decay is double exponential. In Cr,Mg:LiAlO₂ two centers can be clearly distinguished, while in Cr:LiGaO₂ a variety of centers are observed, probably due to different charge compensation processes between Li, Ga, and Cr. The quantum efficiencies at room temperature are 42% for Cr:LiAlO₂ and 23% for Cr:LiGaO₂. Already at low temperature nonradiative decay processes occur. The temperature dependence of the lifetimes were analyzed with the model of Struck and Fonger. Excited state absorption measurements indicate that in the spectral region of the emission the excited state absorption cross-section is larger than the stimulated emission cross-section. Therefore laser oscillation is unlikely in these systems.     

In situ infrared spectroscopic investigations on the electrochemical properties of prussian blue-polyaniline-modified electrodes with various anionic Fe(II) complexes working as a mediator for the electroreduction of CO2

Various Fe(II) complexes have been incorporated into Prussian blue (PB)|polyaniline (PAn)-modified electrodes, and their spectroelectrochemical properties been investigated using in situ and ex situ FTIR methods. It is shown that large anionic complexes once incorporated in the PAn matrix are not dedoped during the potential cycling and the charge balance is maintained by dedoping or incorporating electrolyte cations. This electrode system was applied to the electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ in aqueous solution, and the reduction products were identified by taking in situ FTIR spectra during the anodic stripping. At potentials higher than 0 V, the IR bands associated with the loss of carboxylic acid at 1362 cm⁻¹ and the gain of CO₂ at 2343 cm⁻¹ were simultaneously observed, indicating that the CO₂ was derived from the reoxidation of carboxylic acid. It is therefore confirmed that CO₂ can be reduced to organic species including carboxylic acid on the PB|PAn-modified electrode with anionic Fe(II) complexes in aqueous solution, with an indication that the existence of the anionic metal complex is essential to such mediated reduction of CO₂.     

Computational Study on Interactions between CO2 and (TiO2)n Clusters at Specific Sites

The energetic pathways of adsorption and activation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) on low-lying compact (TiO₂)_n clusters are systematically investigated by using electronic structure calculations based on density-functional theory (DFT). Our calculated results show that CO₂ is adsorbed preferably on the bridge O atom of the clusters, forming a "chemisorption" carbonate complex, while the CO is adsorbed preferably to the Ti atom of terminal Ti-O. The computed carbonate vibrational frequency values are in good agreement with the results obtained experimentally, which suggests that CO₂ in the complex is distorted slightly from its undeviating linear configuration. In addition, the analyses of electronic parameters, electronic density, ionization potential, HOMO-LUMO gap, and density of states (DOS) confirm the charge transfer and interaction between CO₂ and the cluster. From the predicted energy profiles, CO₂ can be easily adsorbed and activated, while the activation of CO₂ on (TiO₂)_n clusters are structure-dependent and energetically more favorable than that on the bulk TiO₂. Overall, this study critically highlights how the small (TiO₂)_n clusters can influence the CO₂ adsorption and activation which are the critical steps for CO₂ reduction the surface of a catalyst and subsequent conversion into industrially relevant chemicals and fuels.     

Reactions of small negative ions with O2(a Δg) and O2(X Σg)

The rate constants and product ion branching ratios were measured for the reactions of various small negative ions with O₂(X ³Σ_g⁻) and O₂(a ¹Δ_g) in a selected ion flow tube (SIFT). Only NH₂⁻ and CH₃O⁻ were found to react with O₂(X) and both reactions were slow. CH₃O⁻ reacted by hydride transfer, both with and without electron detachment. NH₂⁻ formed both OH⁻, as observed previously, and O₂⁻, the latter via endothermic charge transfer. A temperature study revealed a negative temperature dependence for the former channel and Arrhenius behavior for the endothermic channel, resulting in an overall rate constant with a minimum at 500 K. SF₆⁻, SF₄⁻, SO₃⁻ and CO₃⁻ were found to react with O₂(a ¹Δ_g) with rate constants less than 10⁻¹¹ cm³ s⁻¹. NH₂⁻ reacted rapidly with O₂(a ¹Δ_g) by charge transfer. The reactions of HO₂⁻ and SO₂⁻ proceeded moderately with competition between Penning detachment and charge transfer. SO₂⁻ produced a SO₄⁻ cluster product in 2% of reactions and HO₂⁻ produced O₃⁻ in 13% of the reactions. CH₃O⁻ proceeded essentially at the collision rate by hydride transfer, again both with and without electron detachment. These results show that charge transfer to O₂(a ¹Δ_g) occurs readily if the there are no restrictions on the ion beyond the reaction thermodynamics. The SO₂⁻ and HO₂⁻ reactions with O₂(a) are the only known reactions involving Penning detachment besides the reaction with O₂⁻ studied previously [R.S. Berry, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 7 (2005) 289–290].     

Synthesis and characterization of MnO2 colloids

This work addresses the issue of radiation chemical synthesis of MnO₂ nanoparticles and also illustrates the ease of formation of nanorods and sheets by adroit manipulation of experimental conditions. The radiation chemical yield (G-value) for reduction of Mn (VII) by the hydrated electron was found to be 0.27 μmol J⁻¹ and 0.17 μmol J⁻¹ respectively, when tert. butanol and isopropanol were used as scavengers in nitrogen-saturated solutions. The colloids formed upon irradiation of air-saturated solution and N₂-purged solution with tert. butanol as scavenger were found to be most stable. Irradiation of air-saturated solution containing 4×10⁻⁴ M KMnO₄ at a dose of 1692 Gy resulted in the formation of nanorods of the dimension 100–150 nm and nanospheres in the range 10–20 nm. Irradiation of N₂-purged solution containing tert. butanol as scavenger for OH-produced reticulated structure of nanorods with length varying from 50 to 100 nm at a dose of 1692 Gy. Elemental analysis was performed using scanning electron microscope on MnO₂ formed by reduction and oxidation and the purity was found to be 98% of elemental Mn content.     

Nanocrystalline ZnMn2O4 as a novel lithium-storage material

Nanocrystalline ZnMn₂O₄ is prepared by a polymer-pyrolysis route and used as a novel anode for lithium ion batteries. XRD and HRTEM studies reveal that the products are highly phase-pure and 30–60 nm in size. Galvanostatic cycling of ZnMn₂O₄ electrode at 100 mA g⁻¹ (about 0.52 mA cm⁻²) between 0.01 and 3.0 V up to 50 cycles exhibits almost stable cycling performance between 10 and 50 cycles with only an average capacity fade of 0.20% per cycle and the electrode still maintains a capacity of 569 mAh g⁻¹ after 50 cycles.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of KEu[AsS4], K3Dy[AsS4]2 and Rb4Nd0.67[AsS4]2

Three rare earth compounds, KEu[AsS₄] (1), K₃Dy[AsS₄]₂ (2), and Rb₄Nd_0.67[AsS₄]₂ (3) have been synthesized employing the molten flux method. The reactions of A₂S₃ (A = K, Rb), Ln (Ln = Eu, Dy, Nd), As₂S₃, S were accomplished at 600 °C for 96 h in evacuated fused silica ampoules. Crystal data for these compounds are: 1, monoclinic, space group P2₁/m (no. 11), a = 6.7276(7) Å, b = 6.7190(5) Å, c = 8.6947(9) Å, β = 107.287(12)°, Z = 2; 2, monoclinic, space group C2/c (no. 15), a = 10.3381(7) Å, b = 18.7439(12) Å, c = 8.8185(6) Å, β = 117.060(7)°, Z = 4; 3, orthorhombic, space group Ibam (no. 72), a = 18.7333(15) Å, b = 9.1461(5) Å, c = 10.2060(6) Å, Z = 4. 1 is a two-dimensional structure with ²_∞[Eu(AsS₄)]⁻ layers separated by potassium cations. Within each layer, distorted bicapped trigonal [EuS₈] prisms are linked through distorted [AsS₄]³⁻ tetrahedra. Each Eu²⁺ cation is coordinated by two [AsS₄]³⁻ units by edge-sharing and bonded to further two [AsS₄]³⁻ units by corner-sharing. Compound 2 contains a one-dimensional structure with ¹_∞[Dy(AsS₄)₂]³⁻ chains separated by potassium cations. Within each chain, distorted bicapped trigonal prisms of [DyS₈] are linked by slightly distorted [AsS₄]³⁻ tetrahedra. Each Dy³⁺ ion is surrounded by four [AsS₄]³⁻ moieties in an edge-sharing fashion. For compound 3 also a one-dimensional structure with ¹_∞[Nd₀.₆₇(AsS₄)₂]⁴⁻ chains is observed. But the Nd position is only partially occupied and overall every third Nd atom is missing along the chain. This cuts the infinite chains into short dimers containing two bridging [As₄]³⁻ units and four terminal [AsS₄]³⁻ groups. 1 is characterized with UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, IR, and Raman spectra.     

A study on methanol steam reforming to CO2 and H2 over the La2CuO4 nanofiber catalyst

The La₂CuO₄ crystal nanofibers were prepared by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as templates under mild hydrothermal conditions. The steam reforming of methanol (SRM) to CO₂ and H₂ over such nanofiber catalysts was studied. At the low temperature of 150 °C and steam/methanol=1.3, methanol was completely (100%, 13.8 g/h g catalyst) converted to hydrogen and CO₂ without the generation of CO. Within the 60 h catalyst lifespan test, methanol conversion was maintained at 98.6% (13.6 g/h g catalyst) and with 100% CO₂ selectivity. In the meantime, for distinguishing the advantage of nanoscale catalyst, the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder was prepared and tested for the SRM reaction for comparison. Compared with the La₂CuO₄ nanofiber, the bulk powder La₂CuO₄ showed worse catalytic activity for the SRM reaction. The 100% conversion of methanol was achieved at the temperature of 400 °C, with the products being H₂ and CO₂ together with CO. The catalytic activity in terms of methanol conversion dropped to 88.7% (12.2 g/h g catalyst) in 60 h. The reduction temperature for nanofiber La₂CuO₄ was much lower than that for the La₂CuO₄ bulk powder. The nanofibers were of higher specific surface area (105.0 m²/g), metal copper area and copper dispersion. The in situ FTIR and EPR experiments were employed to study the catalysts and catalytic process. In the nanofiber catalyst, there were oxygen vacancies. H₂-reduction resulted in the generation of trapped electrons [e] on the vacancy sites. Over the nanofiber catalyst, the intermediate H₂CO/HCO was stable and was reformed to CO₂ and H₂ by steam rather than being decomposed directly to CO and H₂. Over the bulk counterpart, apart from the direct decomposition of H₂CO/HCO to CO and H₂, the intermediate H₂COO might go through two decomposition ways: H₂COO=CO+H₂O and H₂COO=CO₂+H₂.     

Effect of sodium cation on the electrochemical reduction of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> at a copper electrode in methanol

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ with a Cu electrode in methanol was investigated with sodium hydroxide supporting salt. A divided H-type cell was employed; the supporting electrolytes were 80 mmol dm⁻³ sodium hydroxide in methanol (catholyte) and 300 mmol dm⁻³ potassium hydroxide in methanol (anolyte). The main products from CO₂ were methane, ethylene, carbon monoxide, and formic acid. The maximum current efficiency for hydrocarbons (methane and ethylene) was 80.6%, at −4.0 V vs Ag/AgCl, saturated KCl. The ratio of current efficiency for methane/ethylene, r _f(CH₄)/r _f(C₂H₄), was similar to those obtained in LiOH/methanol-based electrolyte and larger relative to those in methanol using KOH, RbOH, and CsOH supporting salts. In NaOH/methanol-based electrolyte, the efficiency of hydrogen formation, a competing reaction of CO₂ reduction, was suppressed to below 4%. The electrochemical CO₂ reduction to methane may be able to proceed efficiently in a hydrophilic environment near the electrode surface provided by sodium cation.     

Effect of Copper on Solid Electrolytes (Ce0.8Sm0.2)1 ? xCuxO2 ? δ and Composite Cathodes Based on La0.8Sr0.2MnO3

The phase composition and electroconduction in air of solid electrolytes (Ce_0.8Sm_0.2)_{1 − x} Cu_xO_{2 − δ} (CSCu), where x = 0, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mol % and which are synthesized using the ceramic technology, are studied. Adding an additive of CuO lowers the CSCu sintering temperature by 100– 200°C and leads to the formation of single-phase solid solutions of a fluorite type up to x = 10 mol %. The electroconductivity of the CSCu electrolytes remains practically invariant upon adding up to 5 mol % Cu and equals 0.089–0.095 and 0.017–0.021 S cm⁻¹ at 800 and 600°C. The sintering, adhesion, and electroconductance of composite cathodes based on La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ with 40% CSCu and their electrochemical behavior in air in the temperature interval 900–1000°C on carrying electrolyte Zr^0.9Y_0.1O_1.95 with a CSCu sublayer containing 2 mol % Cu are studied.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 656–661.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Bogdanovich, Gorelov, Balakireva, Dem’yanenko.