The Ternary System Li2O-Al2O3-B2O3: Compounds and Phase Relations

The ternary system Li₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃ is reinvestigated with solid-state reaction and X-ray powder diffraction technique to clarify some long-standing uncertainties. The phase relations are constructed based on the phase identifications of 51 ternary samples. Six ternary compounds, Li₂AlB₅O₁₀, LiAlB₂O₅, Li₃AlB₂O₆, Li₂AlBO₄, LiAl₇B₄O₁₇ and a compound with a composition close to 0.66Li₂O·0.06Al₂O₃·0.28B₂O₃, are observed or confirmed in this system, and the thermal stability of these ternary compounds is also discussed on the basis of DTA experimental results.     

MNDO study of reaction paths: Diboration of acetylene

The reaction of B₂H₄ with acetylene has been studied by the MNDO method. It is shown that the reaction is exothermic and proceeds in two steps. The first step is the formation of a three-center -complex and this is the rate-determining step of the reaction. The second step is the rearrangement of the -complex to the product and this step requires a very small amount of activation energy. The activation barrier for the diboration reaction is 12.8 kcal/mol.The proposed mechanism is significantly different from those proposed earlier and explains all experimental data relating to this reaction.     

Coupling of Methanol and Isobutanol to Ethers over γ-Alumina Catalyst. Kinetic Studies

The kinetic of methanol (MeOH) and isobutanol (iBuOH) coupling to ethers has been studied. Catalytic tests were carried out in the gas phase in a fixed-bed flow microreactor, in the temperature range of 463-533 K, under atmospheric pressure, using -Al₂O₃ as the catalyst. The quasi-homogeneous model for the process was assumed. The reaction rates were described by simple kinetics.     

Peritektische Zersetzung von YBa2Cu3O7−x

During the heating of YBCO a peritectic reaction takes place at 1020C, which can be described by: 2YBa₂Cu₃O_7–xY₂BaCuO₅+L+(1-2x)/2O₂ (1) whereL = 3BaCuO₂ +2CuO is a fluid with limited amount of yttrium.It has been reported, that many parameters can influence the reaction. From one side not only the starting size of grains but also the heating rate have an influence on the resulting Y₂BaCuO₅-phase. From the other side, there is a change of the peritectical temperature caused by changing of the partial pressure of O₂ and the presence of parasitic phase.From general kinetic consideration one can draw the conclusion, that different mechanisms (nucleation, phase-boundary reaction and diffusion) can control the reaction.Using DTA/TG measurements, the peritectic reaction has been examined. Classical kinetic methods (Kissinger and Friedman) has been used. The Friedman method has given the dependence of the activation energy from reaction degree. This suggests many steps reactions. The dependence of the DTA-peaks from the heat rate suggest a parallel steps of reaction. This assumption can be motivated by evaluation of free O₂, one solid and liquid phase formation. Amount of this phases depends on the heating rate. Additionally X-ray and microscopic methods has been used. In this way was shown, that the perovskit structure is stable up to peritectical temperature and than is dramatically destroyed. From microscopic observations has been got information about shape and size of solid phase and it's creation as a function of temperature, time and starting grain size.

Die Arbeit wurde BMBF gefördert und durch Land NRW unterschtützt.     

Crystal structure and characterization of Rb2Ca[B4O5(OH)4]2·8H2O

Dirubidium calcium tetraborate octahydrate, Rb₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O, was prepared by reaction of Rb-borate aqueous solution with CaCl₂ and it's structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell parameters, Z=4, The structure contains alternate layers of [B₄O₅(OH)₄]²⁻ polyanions separated by water molecules and Rb, Ca cations. The isolated [B₄O₅(OH)₄]²⁻ is constructed from two BO₃(OH) tetrahedron groups and two BO₂(OH) triangular groups joined at common oxygen atoms. The two BO₃(OH) tetrahedron groups are further linked by means of an oxygen bridge across the ring. The Ca²⁺ ion displays seven coordination, while the two non-equivalent Rb⁺ ions display nine and seven coordination, respectively. Infrared and Raman (4000-400 cm⁻¹) spectra of Rb₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O were recorded at room temperature and analyzed. Fundamental vibrational modes were identified and band assignments were made. The dehydration of this hydrated mixed borate occurs in one step and leads to an amorphous phase which undergoes a crystallization.     

A novel vapor phase process for aromatic ketone synthesis

The vapor phase catalytic reaction between aromatic carboxylic acid and acetic acid was investigated. Many metal oxides catalyzed the reaction between 2methylbenzoic acid (OTA) and acetic acid (AA) to produce 2methylacetophenone (OMA), and weakly acidic oxides such as Th, U, Ce, and La oxide exhibited higher yield of OMA. The OMA yield depended on the catalyst support. SiO₂, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, and ZrO₂ with a surface area of less than 200 m² g^–1 appeared to be suitable as industrial catalyst supports. CeO₂ on Al₂O₃was chosen as an industrial catalyst for the synthesis of OMA because of higher productivity, longer catalyst life, and lifting of legal restrictions on catalyst handling. This catalyst system can also be applied to the syntheses of acetophenone, nitroacetophenone, and chloroacetophenone.     

Isopiestic Determination of the Osmotic Coefficients and Pitzer Model Representation for the Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>+LiCl + H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O System at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>=298.15 K

Isopiestic molalities and water activities have been measured for the Li₂B₄O₇+LiCl + H₂O system at T=298.15 K using an improved isopiestic apparatus. Two types of osmotic coefficients, φ _S and φ _E, were determined, where φ _S is based on the stoichiometric molalities of the solute Li₂B₄O₇(aq) and φ _E is based on equilibrium molalities calculated by consideration of the equilibrium speciation of Li₂B₄O₇ to partially form H₃BO₃, B(OH)₄⁻ and B₃O₃(OH)₄⁻. The stoichiometric equilibrium constant K _m for the aqueous speciation reaction was estimated. Two representations of the osmotic coefficients of Li₂B₄O₇ + LiCl + H₂O were made with Pitzer’s ion-interaction model. Model (1) involved representing the φ _S values with six parameters based on considering the ionic interactions between Li⁺, Cl⁻, and B₄O₇²⁻; and model (2) involved representing the φ _E values based on the calculated equilibrium speciation. Reasonable agreements were obtained between the experimental osmotic coefficient data and those calculated using the above models, with standard deviations of 0.075 and 0.0229, respectively, for these two models. The thermodynamic osmotic coefficients for the complex system containing polymeric boron anions and lithium cation was modelled and explained by use of Pitzer’s ion-interaction model, with minor modifications in combination with speciation reaction equilibria.     

Crystal structure and phonon properties of noncentrosymmetric LiNaB4O7

A new borate, LiNaB₄O₇, has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. The material crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, noncentrosymmetric space group Fdd2, with unit cell dimensions a=13.325(2), b=14.099(2), c=10.243(2) Å, Z=16, and V=1924.3(7) Å³. Like Li₂B₄O₇, the structure is built of two symmetrically independent, interpenetrating polyanionic frameworks built from condensation of the B₄O₉ fundamental building block, which is comprised of two distorted BO₄ tetrahedra and two BO₃ triangles. The interpenetrating frameworks produce distinct tunnels that are selectively occupied by the Li and Na atoms. Large single crystals exhibiting an optical absorption edge with λ<180 nm have been grown via the top-seeded-solution-growth method. The SHG signal (0.15× potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP)) is consistent with the calculated components of the SHG tensor and the approximate centrosymmetric disposition of the independent and interpenetrating frameworks. A complete analysis of polarized IR and Raman spectra confirms a close relationship between the title compound and Li₂B₄O₇.     

TG Study of the Dispersion Threshold of Mn2O3 on γ-Al2O3

Mn₂O₃/-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method, and the maximum monolayer dispersion capacity or dispersion threshold value of Mn₂O₃ on the surface of -Al₂O₃ was determined to be 13.08% from the decomposition mass loss of supported Mn(NO₃)₂ in the monolayer state. This was compared with the values estimated from a close-packed monolayer model and an interaction model. It was confirmed that the high activities and selectivities of the catalysts for benzoic acid hydrogenation to benzaldehyde are due to the monolayer dispersion of the Mn₂O₃ on the surface of -Al₂O₃.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

O MAS NMR study of the oxygen local environments in the anionic conductors Y2(B1−xB′x)2O7(B, B′=Sn, Ti, Zr)

The local environments for oxygen in yttrium-containing pyrochlores and fluorites, Y₂(B_1−xB′_x)₂O₇ (B=Ti, B′=Sn, Zr) are investigated by using solid state ¹⁷O MAS NMR spectroscopy. The quadrupolar coupling constants of the nucleus, ¹⁷O are sufficiently small for these ionic oxides, that high-resolution spectra are obtained from the MAS spectra. Different oxygen NMR resonances are observed due to local environments with differing numbers of metal cations (Y³⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and Zr⁴⁺), allowing the numbers of different local environments to be quantified and cation mixing to be investigated. Evidence for pyrochlore-like local ordering is detected for Y₂Zr₂O₇, which nominally adopts the fluorite structure.     

Kinetics of the Selective Reduction of NO with CH4 Over an In-Fe2O3/HZSM-5 Catalyst

A kinetic model presented for the selective reduction of NO with CH₄ over an In-Fe₂O₃/HZSM-5 catalyst by considering the process as a combination of two simultaneous reactions: NO+O₂+CH₄ (reaction 1) and O₂+CH₄ (reaction 2). Linear regression calculation was employed to find the kinetic parameters. It was found that although the activation energies of the two reactions were almost identical, the reaction rate constants were dramatically different, namely, k₁k₂, indicating that the NO+O₂+CH₄ reaction was more preferable to take place on the In-Fe₂O₃/HZSM-5 catalyst as compared with the O₂+CH₄ reaction.     

Borate,lithium borate,and borophosphate powders by sol–gel precipitation

Borate, lithium borate and borophosphate powders were synthesized by the sol–gel method. Triethyl borate, lithium methoxide, and orthophosphoric acid were used as precursors for B₂O_3, Li₂O, and P₂O₅, respectively. Powders were characterized by FTIR, DTA, XRD and SEM techniques. Powders from the Li₂O–B₂O₃ system exhibited glassy features while borate and borophosphate powders contained mainly crystalline B₂O₃ according to XRD analysis. However, a 500 °C heat treatment transformed these crystalline powders into glass powders. Conversely, heat treatment of Li₂O–B₂O₃ powders transformed their structure from glassy to crystalline (Li₂B₄O₇). Chemical durability studies conducted in water at 60 °C showed that minor additions of P₂O₅ into borate and lithium borate powders improved their chemical durability significantly. Furthermore, Li₂O and P₂O₅ acted synergistically on the chemical durability when added simultaneously to borate compositions.     

A new way to spinnable sols derived from modified aluminumalkoxides

The preparation of spinnable sols has been developed to obtain a new type of sol-gel derived pure alumina fiber. The starting material was aluminum sec-butoxide, which was modified in a first step with glycolether, e.g., isopropoxyethanol. This leads to a partial replacement of alkoxy groups via alcoholysis and a change of the precursor structure from a trimeric to a tetrameric one. In the second step, carboxylation, the transformation to six-coordinated aluminum could be observed. Due to the formation of a sol with Newtonian flow behavior after hydrolysis, gel fibers up to several kilometers long could be drawn directly from the clear colorless sol with spinning velocities up to 200 m/min. The addition of an organic filament-forming polymer is not necessary. The sol is spinnable for periods up to one year. The transformation of the gel fiber to -Al₂O₃ occurs at 1150° C.     

Thermal Behaviour of RE(His)(NO3)3⋅H2O

The thermal decomposition behaviour of the complexes of rare earth metals with histidine: RE(His)(NO₃)₃H₂O (RE=La—Nd, Sm—Lu and Y; His=histidine) was investigated by means of TG-DTG techniques. The results indicated that the thermal decomposition processes of the complexes can be divided into three steps. The first step is the loss of crystal water molecules or part of the histidine molecules from the complexes. The second step is the formation of alkaline salts or mixtures of nitrates with alkaline salts after the histidine has been completely lost from the complexes. The third step is the formation of oxides or mixtures of oxides with alkaline salts. The results relating to the three steps indicate that the stabilities of the complexes increase from La to Lu.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Structural and thermal properties of the HTSC Hg-1201

The lattice parameters of Hg_xBa₂O₄₊ were determined by X-ray powder diffraction as a function of temperature from 10 to 310 K. The fitting of the parameters yielded the thermal expansion coefficients of the superconducting oxide and demonstrated the anisotropy characteristics of the polycrystalline material. The effect of the irreversible loss of Hg on the lattice parameters is reported.This work was supported in part by the Italian Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.     

Thermo-Raman Studies on Dehydration of Na4P2O7⋅10H2O and Phase Transformations of Na4P2O7

In this work, dehydration of sodium diphosphate decahydrate Na₄P₂O₇⋅10H₂O and phase transformations of Na₄P₂O₇ in open air have been studied in detail by thermo-Raman spectroscopy. The spectra were measured continuously in a temperature range from room temperature up to 600°C for the bands of P₂O₇ ^4- and H₂O. The spectral variation showed one step of dehydration and four-phase transformations. The thermo-Raman intensity(TRI) and differential thermo-Raman intensity (DTRI) curves calculated from the characteristic bands of H₂O also showed one step of dehydration with the loss of all hydrated water in the temperature interval from 45 to 69°C. Thermogravimetric measurements supported this result. The thermo-Raman investigation indicated the transformation of Na₄P₂O₇ from low temperature phase to high temperature phase proceed through pre-transitional region from 75 to 410°C before the major orientational disorder at 418°C and minor structural modifications at 511,540 and 560°C. The results from differential scanning calorimetry and differential thermal analysis on Na₄P₂O₇ showed endotherms at 407,517, 523, 548, 557°C and 426, 528, 534, 555, 565°C, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In Situ IR Spectroscopic Studies on Molybdenum Nitride Catalysts: Active Sites and Surface Reactions

Recent IR spectroscopic studies on the surface properties of fresh Mo₂N/-Al₂O₃ catalyst are presented in this paper. The surface sites of fresh Mo₂N/-Al₂O₃, both Mo⁺ (0<<2) and N sites, are probed by CO adsorption. Two characteristic IR bands were observed at 2045 and 2200 cm^-1, due to linearly adsorbed CO on Mo and N sites, respectively. The surface N sites are highly reactive and can react with adsorbed CO to form NCO species. Unlike adsorbed CO on reduced passivated one, the adsorbed CO on fresh Mo₂N/-Al₂O₃ behaves similarly to that of group VIII metals, suggesting that fresh nitride resembles noble metals. It is found that the surface of Mo nitrides slowly transformed into sulfide under hydrotreating conditions, which could be the main reason for the activity drop of molybdenum nitride catalysts in the presence of sulfur-containing species. Some surface reactions, such as selective hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene, isomerization of 1-butene, and hydrodesulfurization of thiophene, were studied on both fresh and reduced passivated Mo₂N/-Al₂O₃ catalysts using IR spectroscopy. The mechanisms of these reactions are proposed. The adsorption and reaction behaviors of these molecules on fresh molybdenum nitride also resemble those on noble metals, manifesting the unique properties of fresh molybdenum nitride catalysts. Mo and N sites are found to play different roles in the adsorption and catalytic reactions on the fresh Mo₂N/-Al₂O₃ catalyst. Generally, Mo sites are the main active sites for the adsorption and reactions of adsorbates; N sites are not directly involved in catalytic reactions but they modify the electronic properties of Mo sites.     

H/D exchange between CD4 and the OH-groups of H-zeolites and γ-Al2O3

The H/D exchange between CD₄ and OH-groups was studied over zeolite H-ZSM-5, H-mordenite, H-beta and over -Al₂O₃ using the pulsed microcatalytic method. The apparent activation energy of the exchange was found to be independent of the Brönsted acidity of the solid. Results suggested that methane was activated for the reaction by dissociative adsorption over Lewis acid-Lewis base pair sites.