Preparation and Characterization of SiO2-MxOy(M = V, Sn, Sb) Thin Films from Silicic Acid and Metal Chlorides

The preparation of SiO₂-M _x O _y (M = V, Sn, Sb) binary oxide thin films by sol-gel method was investigated. The reaction of silicic acid with metal chloride (M = Sn and Sb) or oxychloride (M = V) formed homogeneous solutions. The dip-coating of slide glass and silicon wafer followed by heat treatment gave oxide films having Si—O—M bond. The changes of FT-IR spectra as a function of heat treatment temperature and molar composition confirmed the Si—O—M bonds. The sheet resistance of films increased with an increase on heat treatment temperature and decrease in the content of metal oxide M _x O _y . X-ray diffraction peaks were observed for the SiO₂-V₂O₅ films with high V₂O₅ contents and heat-treated above 250°C, while the others were amorphous. Oxide films heat treated at 500°C had a thickness between 340–470 nm.     

Synthesis and characterization of tin(IV) antimonate and study of its ion-exchange equilibria

Tin(IV) antimonate with different Sb/Sn molar ratios has been prepared. The characterization of the product materials was carried out using X-ray diffraction pattern, themal analysis and infrared spectra. The saturation capacities of sodium and cesium were found to increase with Sb/Sn molar ratios. TheK _d values on thermal treatment of tin(IV) antimonate, as a cation exchanger, have been measured for some heavy metal ions in the temperature range of 50–400 °C. The maximum adsorption of 10^–4M of the metal ions studied was obtained at 400 °C. The selectivity sequence was Eu³⁺>Co²⁺>Sr²⁺>Cs⁺ for the sample heated up to 400 °C. No adsorption was observed on the sample heated at 700 °C because of the formation of SnO₂ and Sb₆O₁₃.     

Untersuchung reibungspyrophorer Ti-Legierungen; Tu2Bi,ein neuer Strukturtyp

Zusammenfassung Im Gebiet der Legierungen mit stark reibungspyrophoren Eigenschaften werden die kristallchemischen Verhältnisse in den Systemen: Ti–Sb und Ti–Bi untersucht. Neben den schon früher beschriebenen Ti–Sb-Phasen tritt eine Phase Ti_2,5Sb auf. Dieser entspricht im System Ti–Bi die isotype Kristallart Ti₂Bi, deren Struktur vollständig ermittelt wird. Sie steht mit demC 38-Typ in naher Beziehung. Ti_2,5Sb und Ti₂Bi bilden eine lückenlose Mischreihe. In Ti_2,5Sb läßt sich Titan bis fast zur Hälfte durch Zirkonium ersetzen, während in Ti₂Bi Wismut durch Zinn zu einem merklichen Teil ausgetauscht werden kann.Mit 1 AbbildungHerrn Prof. Dr.P. Günther zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection of As, Sb, Se, Bi and Sn following preconcentration by in situ collection of their hydrides

Volatile hydrides of As, Se, Sb, Sn and Bi were generated from aqueous sample solutions using a tetrahydroborate reductant. The gaseous analytes were transferred to the inner wall of an electrothermal vaporizer (graphite furnace) and preconcentrated on a 1.25 μg thin-film of reduced palladium at 400°C. The furnace comprised the sample introduction unit of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection system. Absolute limits of detection (3σ_B) were 2.9, 3.3, 54, 5 and 1980 pg for As, Sb, Sn, Bi and Se, respectively. System efficiency for the generation and sequestration of the hydrides averaged, with the exception of Se, better than 75%. Multielement determinations of As, Se and Bi were possible using the same experimental conditions, those for Sn and Sb were accomplished in a separate run. The efficacy of this analytical approach was verified by the analysis of several marine reference materials using simple calibration standards prepared in the same manner as the samples. Good agreement with certified values was achieved for As, Sn, Sb and Se; no reference materials were available for assessment of accuracy in the case of Bi.     

碳布负载高致密Sn/SnBi合金的电催化CO2还原性能

通过分步电沉积法制备碳布(CC)负载高致密Sn/SnBi合金催化剂：首先在CC上电沉积致密Sn颗粒,而后利用酸性电解液部分溶解Sn为Sn²⁺离子,实现在Sn颗粒表面共沉积SnBi合金枝晶,随后经过原位化学氧化及电化学还原步骤将SnBi合金枝晶转变为SnBi合金纳米颗粒(SnBi NPs)。得益于Sn提供形核位点,SnBi枝晶在碳织物表面垂直致密生长,并通过后续氧化还原转化实现了直径约20 nm的SnBi合金颗粒在CC上致密均匀生长。CC/Sn/SnBi NPs三维电极在-1.08 V(vs RHE)下显示出较高的电催化还原CO₂活性,电流密度高达36 mA·cm^-2且甲酸盐产物选择性为94.9%。同时,在连续12 h恒电压测试中性能未发生衰减,表明电极具有良好的稳定性。     

Synthesis of Cu3Sn Alloy Nanocrystals through Sequential Reduction Induced by Gradual Increase of the Reaction Temperature

Cu₃Sn alloy nanocrystals are synthesized by sequential reduction of Cu and Sn precursors through a gradual increase of the reaction temperature. By transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), UV/Vis spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, the alloy formation mechanism of Cu₃Sn nanocrystals has been studied. The incremental increase of the reaction temperature sequentially induces the reduction of Sn, the diffusion of Sn into the preformed Cu nanocrystals, resulting in the intermediate phase of Cu–Sn alloy nanocrystals, and then the formation of Cu₃Sn alloy nanocrystals. We anticipate that the synthesis of Cu₃Sn alloy nanocrystals encourages studies toward the synthesis of various alloy nanomaterials.     

Electrical Double Layer on Liquid Bi–Ga Alloys in Aqueous Solutions

Double-layer characteristics of a liquid bismuth–gallium electrode are studied in aqueous electrolyte solutions. Based on the results obtained it is shown that Bi in an alloy with Ga is a surface-active component and forced out to the electrode surface layer. For electrode charges q –5 C/cm², the double layer characteristics of Bi–Ga electrodes approach those of a bismuth electrode. Thus, with respect to its electrochemical properties, a Bi–Ga electrode containing 0.25 at. % Bi simulates a liquid bismuth electrode. The corrected electrochemical work function is determined for bismuth. The close values of the difference of zero-charge potentials on mercury and bismuth in water and the difference of corrected electrochemical work functions for these metals points to the very low hydrophilicity of the Bi–Ga electrode, which approaches the value for mercury at negative electrode potentials. Taking into account that the Bi–Ga electrode displays no semimetallic properties, the similarity of the electric double layer (EDL) parameters for the Bi–Ga alloy and solid pure Bi indicates that the semimetallic properties of bismuth make no contribution to the EDL characteristics of the alloy in the studied range of negative charges q –5 C/cm².     

Polarographic determination of Pb, Tl, Bi and Sb in ethylenediamine in presence of mannitol

Summary Pb, Tl, Bi and Sb yield well defined polarograms in 1 M ethylenediamine in presence of 3% mannitol, with half-wave potentials at – 0.71 V, – 0.51 V, – 0.60 V and – 1.10 V, respectively. Only Pb and Tl develop maxima which can be suppressed by 0.02% gelatin. Presence of mannitol prevents the precipitation of Pb, Bi, and Sb in the alkaline solution. Simultaneous determinations of Pb/Tl, Bi/Sb, and Pb/Sb can be carried out.

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Polarographische Bestimmung von Pb, Tl, Bi und Sb in Äthylendiamin in Gegenwart von Mannit

Zusammenfassung Gut ausgebildete Polarogramme kann man von diesen Elementen in 1 M Äthylendiamin in Gegenwart von 3% Mannit erhalten. Die Halbstufenpotentiale liegen bei – 0,71 V (Pb), – 0,51 V (Tl), – 0,60 V (Bi) und – 1,10 V (Sb). Maxima, die im Falle von Pb und Tl gebildet werden, können durch 0,02% Gelatine unterdrückt werden. Durch Mannit wird die Fällung von Pb, Bi, und Sb in der alkalischen Lösung verhindert. Simultanbestimmungen von Pb/Tl, Bi/Sb und Pb/Sb sind möglich.

Our sincere thanks are due to Dr. G. B. Singh, Professor and Head, Department of Chemistry, B.H.U. for providing the necessary facilities.     

Properties and applications of polyacrylacylisothiourea chelating fiber for preconcentration and separation of trace titanium, vanadium and bismuth

An ICP-OES method using a new poly-acrylacylisothiourea chelating fiber to preconcentrate and separate trace Ti(IV), V(V) and Bi(III) ions from solution samples is established. The results show that 5–25 ng/ml of Ti or V and 50–250 ng/ml of Bi ions in 200–1000 ml of solution can be enriched quantitatively by 0.05 g of the fiber at pH 3 with recoveries over 97%. These ions can be desorbed quantitatively with 10 ml of 4M HC1O₄. 100- to 1000-fold excesses of Fe(III), Al(III), Ca(II), Mg(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) ions cause little interference. The chelating fiber stored for about 2 years can still be used repeatedly for preconcentration and separation of trace Ti, V and Bi ions from solution with above 95% recovery. The RSDs for enrichment and determination of 5 ng/ml of Ti or V and 50 ng/ml of Bi are in the range 2.5–2.8%. The recoveries of added standard in real waste waters and mineral samples are between 96 and 100%, and the concentration found for each ion in the mineral sample was in good agreement with that measured by ETAAS.     

One-Dimensional Iodoantimonate(III) and Iodobismuthate(III) Supramolecular Hybrids with Diiodine: Structural Features,Stability and Optical Properties

Two isostructural pairs of supramolecular iodoantimonate(III) and iodobismuthate(III) complexes with I₂ units “trapped” in solid state via halogen bonding—Cat₃[[M₂I₉](I₂)} (Cat = tetramethylammonium and 1-methylpyridinium, M = Sb(III) and Bi(III)) were prepared. For all compounds, values of optical band gaps were determined, together with thermal stability; the complexes were additionally characterized by Raman spectroscopy.     

Spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum by extraction of its thiosulphate complex

A simple and rapid spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum is described. The molybdenum thiosulphate complex is extracted into isoamyl alcohol from 1·0–1·5M hydrochloric acid containing 36–40 mg of Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O per ml. The absorbance at λ_max = 475 nm obeys Beer's law over the range 0–32 μg of Mo per ml of solvent phase. Up to 5 mg/ml of Ti(IV), V(V), Cr(VI), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), U(VI), W(VI), Sb(III), 1 mg/ml of Cu(II), Sn(II), Bi(V) and 10 μg/ml of Pt(IV) and Pd(II) do not interfere. Large amounts of complexing agents interfere. The method has been applied to analysis of synthetic and industrial samples.     

Metal Emulsion-Based Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Sn-Based Microsphere Phase Change Materials

A comparative study of the metal emulsion-based synthesis of Sn-based materials in two different types of molten salts (namely LiCl–KCl–CsCl and LiNO₃-NaNO₃-KNO₃ eutectics) is presented, and the properties of Sn, Sn-Cu and Sn-Cu-Zn microsphere phase change materials prepared in chloride salts are evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to understand the effect of element doping. Despite a high ultrasonic power (e.g., 600 W or above) being required for dispersing liquid Sn in the chloride system, well-shaped Sn microspheres with a relatively narrow size range, e.g., about 1 to 15 µm or several micrometers to around 30 µm, can be prepared by adjusting the ultrasonic power (840–1080 W), sonication time (5–10 min) and the volume ratio of salts to metal (25:1–200:1). Such a method can be extended to the synthesis of Sn-based alloy microspheres, e.g., Sn-Cu and Sn-Cu-Zn microspheres. In the nitrate system, however, a very low ultrasonic power (e.g., 12 W) can be used to disperse liquid Sn, and the particles obtained are much smaller. At low ultrasonic power (e.g., 12 W), the particle size is generally less than 10 or 4 µm when the sonication time reaches 2 or 5 min, and at high ultrasonic power, it is typically in the range of hundreds of nanometers to 2 µm, regardless of the change in ultrasonic power (480–1080 W), irradiation time (5–10 min), or volume ratio of salts to metal (25:1–1000:1). In addition, the appearance of a SnO phase in the products prepared under different conditions hints at the occurrence of a reaction between Sn droplets and O₂ in situ generated by the ultrasound-induced decomposition of nitrates, and such an interfacial reaction is believed to be responsible for these differences observed in two different molten salt systems. A DSC study of Sn, Sn-Cu, and Sn-Cu-Zn microspheres encapsulated in SiO₂ reveals that Cu (0.3–0.9 wt.%) or Cu-Zn (0.9 wt.% Cu and 0.6% Zn) doping can raise the onset freezing temperature and thus suppress the undercooling of Sn, but a broad freezing peak observed in these doped microspheres, along with a still much higher undercooling compared to those of reported Sn-Cu or Sn-Cu-Zn solders, suggests the existence of a size effect, and that a low temperature is still needed for totally releasing latent heat. Since the chloride salts can be recycled by means of the evaporation of water and are stable at high temperature, our results indicate that the LiCl–KCl–CsCl salt-based metal emulsion method might also serve as an environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of other metals and their alloy microspheres.     

Phase composition and phase transformation in Bi(Sb,Nb,Ta)O4 system

In this work Bi(Sb_xNb_yTa_z)O₄ (x + y + z = 1) samples are prepared using mixed-oxide method. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram of Bi(Sb,Nb,Ta)O₄ system is given below the melting point. It is composed of a monoclinic phase region, an orthorhombic phase region and a monoclinic–orthorhombic co-existing phase region. In the orthorhombic phase region, the transformation from orthorhombic to triclinic phase is found to be sensitive to the composition and sintering temperature. Both the transformation from monoclinic to orthorhombic structure and the transformation from orthorhombic to triclinic structure have been studied by the cell parameters.     

Catalytic Activity of Thallium, Lead, and Bismuth Adatoms in the Gold Dissolution Reaction in Cyanide Solutions: A Comparative Characterization

Quartz microgravimetry is used to determine the ratio between coefficients of mass transfer (1 : 0.54 : 0.48), which characterizes relative values of rates of diffusion of hydroxy complexes of thallium, lead, and bismuth in alkaline solutions. The ratio is used when refining the condition under which on a renewable electrode in solutions containing these ions at the concentration c _i the electrode coverage by relevant adatoms _i with increasing duration of contact of the electrode with solution reaches constant values: (c _Tl t) = (0.54c _Pb t) = (0.48c _Bi t). Measured are i,t curves on a renewable gold electrode at E = const in solutions containing 0.1 M KCN, 0.1 M KOH, 0.01 M KAu(CN)₂, and 8 × 10^–6 M compounds of thallium or 1.5 × 10^–5 M, lead, or 1.6 × 10^–5 M, bismuth. Shown is that at (, E) = const the currents of dissolution of gold in these solutions increase in the series Tl < Pb < Bi, which evidences an increase in this series of the catalytic activity of adatoms of these metals. Shown is that at = const the catalytic action of adatoms of thallium and bismuth has an approximately additive character. The obtained data are analyzed with allowance made for the explanation offered earlier for the catalytic effect of adatoms on the anodic dissolution of gold based on the hypothesis about the shift of the potential of the free zero charge in the negative direction after substituting a metal atom for chemisorbed cyanide ions.     

Synthesis of Tetrahedranes Containing the Unique Bridging Hetero-Dipnictogen Ligand EE′ (E ≠ E′=P,As, Sb,Bi)

In order to improve and extend the rare class of tetrahedral mixed main group transition metal compounds, a new synthetic route for the complexes [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η²:η²- PE )] (E=As ( 1 ), Sb ( 2 )) is described leading to higher yields and a decrease in reaction steps. Via this route, also the so far unknown heavier analogues containing AsSb ( 3 a ), AsBi ( 4 ) and SbBi ( 5 ) ligands, respectively, are accessible. Single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments and DFT calculations reveal that they represent very rare examples of compounds comprising covalent bonds between two different heavy pnictogen atoms, which show multiple bond character and are stabilised without any organic substituents. A simple one-pot reaction of [CpMo(CO)₂]₂ with ME(SiMe₃)₂ (M=Li, K; E=P, As, Sb, Bi) and the subsequent addition of PCl₃, AsCl₃, SbCl₃ or BiCl₃, respectively, give the complexes 1–5 . This synthesis is also transferable to the already known homo-dipnictogen complexes [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η²:η²- E₂ )] (E=P, As, Sb, Bi) resulting in higher yields comparable to those in the literature reported procedures and allows the introduction of the bulkier and better soluble Cp′ (Cp′=tert butylcyclopentadienyl) ligand.     

Theoretical examination of substituent effects on the stabilization of a Sn?Y (Y = Sb and Bi) multiple bond

The potential energy surface for the unimolecular rearrangement XSn?Y → TS → Sn?YX (Y = Sb, Bi) was investigated using the B3LYP and QCISD methods. To explore electronic effects on the relative stability of XSn?Y and Sn?YX, the first‐row substituents (X = H, Li, BeH, BH₂, CH₃, NH₂, OH, F) have been used. Our theoretical findings suggest that the doubly bonded Sn?YX species are always both kinetically and thermodynamically more stable than their corresponding triply bonded isomers, XSn?Y, regardless of the electronegativity of the substituent X. Nevertheless, our model calculations indicate that an aryl group can, if sufficiently bulky, stabilize triply bonded XSn?Y molecules with respect to both isomerization and polymerization. That is to say, it is not electronic but steric effects that play a dominant role in stabilizing both Sn?Sb and Sn?Bi triple bonds. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Synthesis and structures of silicon-, germanium-, and tin-containing imido-alkyl molybdenum complexes (ArN)2Mo(CH2EMe3)2 (E = Si, Ge, Sn)

New silicon-, germanium-, and tin-containing imido-alkyl molybdenum complexes (ArN)₂Mo(CH₂EMe₃)₂ (Ar is 2,6-diisopropylphenyl; E = Si (1), Ge (2), Sn (3)) were prepared in the crystalline state in 58–66% yields by the reactions of the (ArN)₂MoCl₂(DME) complex with alkyllithium derivatives Me₃ECH₂Li (E = Si or Ge) or the Grignard reagents Me₃ECH₂MgCl (E = Ge or Sn). The structures of complexes 1–3 and the known analog (ArN)₂Mo(CH₂Bu^t)₂ (4) were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 1–3 were found to be isostructural. The coordination environment about the Mo atom can be described as a distorted tetrahedron. Complex 4 has a similar structure. The Mo-C distance tends to decrease with increasing electron donating ability of the EMe₃ group.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 597–600, March, 2005.     

Polarographic determination of Cu, Cd, Pb, Bi and Tl in succinic acid

Summary Copper, cadmium, lead, bismuth, and thallium develop well defined polarograms in 0.1 M succinic acid at pH 3.0 in presence of 0.005% gelatin (except Cu which requires 0.01% gelatin). The polarograms of all these metal ions are diffusion controlled with E _1/2 at –0.07 V, –0.60 V, –0.43 V, –0.11 V, and –0.50 V vs. S.C.E., respectively. Since the half wave potentials of some of the metal ions are well separated, their simultaneous polarographic determination is possible (Cu/Pb, Bi/Pb, Pb/Zn, Cu/Cd).

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Polarographische Bestimmung von Cu, Cd, Pb, Bi und Tl in Bernsteinsäurelösung

Zusammenfassung Die genannten Metalle liefern gut ausgebildete diffusionskontrollierte Polarogramme in 0,1 M Bernsteinsäurelösung bei pH 3,0 in Gegenwart von 0,005% Gelatine (0,01% bei Cu). Die Halbstufenpotentiale betragen: –0,07 V, –0,60 V, –0,43 V, –0,11 V bzw. –0,50 V (gegen GKE). Da sie teilweise gut voneinander getrennt sind, können Bestimmungen dieser Metalle nebeneinander ausgeführt werden (Cu/Pb, Bi/Pb, Pb/Zn, Cu/Cd).

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Our sincere thanks are due to Dr. G. B. Singh, Professor and Head, Dept. of Chemistry, B. H. U., for providing the necessary facilities.     

Heavy Chains: Synthesis,Reactivity and Decomposition of Interpnictogen Chains with Terminal Diaryl Bismuth Fragments

In this work, we report the preparation of multiple interpnictogen chain compounds with three consecutive pnictogen atoms and terminal Ar₂Bi fragments (Ar=Ph, Mes). Symmetrical compounds of the form Ar₂Bi−E(tBu)−Bi₂Ar ( 1 : Ar=Ph, E=P; 2 : Ar=Ph, Mes, E=As) as well as ternary interpnictogen compounds of the form Ar₂Bi−E¹(tBu)−E²tBu₂ (Ar=Ph, Mes; 4 : E¹=P, E²=As; 5 : E¹=P, E²=Sb; 6 : E¹=As, E²=P) were prepared. The decomposition in solution at room temperature and under the influence of light was studied for compounds 1 – 6 . The reactivity of 1_Ph and 2_Ph with the small N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene (Me₂IMe) was also studied. In the case of 1_Ph , the formation and consecutive decomposition of Me₂IMe=PtBu ( 8 ) was observed in solution. Hence, it was shown that 1_Ph can react as a “masked phosphinidene”. In the case of 2_Ph , no reaction with Me₂IMe was observed. All isolated compounds were analysed by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Pniktogenidostannate(IV) mit isolierten Tetraeder‐Anionen: Neue Vertreter (E1)4(E2)2[Sn(E15)4] (mit E1 = Na,K; E2 = Ca,Sr, Ba; E15 = P,As, Sb,Bi) vom Na6[ZnO4]‐Typ und die Überstrukturvariante von K4Sr2[SnAs4]

Pnictogenidostannates(IV) with Discrete Tetrahedral Anions: New Representatives (E1)₄(E2)₂[Sn(E15)₄] (with E1 = Na, K; E2 = Ca, Sr, Ba; E15 = P, As, Sb, Bi) of the Na₆[ZnO₄] Type and the Superstructure Variant of K₄Sr₂[SnAs₄] The silvery to dark metallic lustrous compounds (E1)₄(E2)₂[Sn(E15)₄] (E1 = Na, K; E2 = Ca, Sr, Ba; E15 = P, As, Sb, Bi) were prepared from melts of stoichiometric mixtures of the elements. They crystallize in the Na₆[ZnO₄]‐type structure (hexagonal, space group: P6₃mc, Z = 2; Na₄Ca₂[SnP₄]: a = 938.94(7), c = 710.09(8) pm; K₄Sr₂[SnAs₄]: a = 1045.0(2), c = 767.0(1) pm; K₄Ba₂[SnP₄]: a = 1029.1(6), c = 780.2(4) pm; K₄Ba₂[SnAs₄]: a = 1051.3(1), c = 795.79(7) pm; K₄Ba₂[SnSb₄]: a = 1116.9(2), c = 829.2(1) pm; K₄Ba₂[SnBi₄]: a = 1139.5(2), c = 832.0(2) pm). The anionic partial structure consists of tetrahedra [Sn(E15)₄]^8– orientated all in the same direction along [001]. In the cationic partial structure one of the two cation positions is occupied statistically by alkali and alkaline earth metal atoms. Up to now only for K₄Sr₂[SnAs₄] a second modification could be isolated, forming a superstructure type with three times the unit cell volume (hexagonal, space group: P6₃cm, Z = 6; a = 1801.3(2), c = 767.00(9) pm) and an ordered cationic partial structure.