Synthesis,characterization and thermochemistry of Cs(ASP) · nH2O (n = 0, 1)

New compounds of aspartic acid Cs(ASP) · nH₂O (n = 0, 1) have been synthesized and characterized by XRD, IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as TG. The structural formula of this new compound was Cs(ASP) · nH₂O (n = 0, 1). The enthalpy of solution of Cs(ASP) · nH₂O (n = 0, 1) in water were determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of CsOH(aq) and ASP(s), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(1202.9 ± 0.2) kJ · mol⁻¹ of Cs(ASP) and −(1490.7 ± 0.2) kJ · mol⁻¹ of Cs(ASP) · H₂O were obtained.     

Electrodeposition of nano-sized nuclei of magnetic Co–Ni alloys onto n-Si (1 0 0)

Nanometer-sized nuclei of Co–Ni alloys were electrodeposited onto n-Si (1 0 0) electrodes from buffered solutions of the metallic ions. The energy levels of the interface Si/(Co(II),Ni(II))_aq were determined from Mott–Schottky plots. Electrodeposition of the alloys occurs by an anomalous mechanism and preferential deposition of Co took place at all the Co(II)/Ni(II) ratios investigated. The morphology and magnetic properties of the nuclei were studied by AFM and MFM, respectively. It is showed that nuclei of height <30 nm and low aspect ratio present a single-domain magnetic behaviour. Larger nuclei depict complex magnetic characteristics, with a progressive built-up of multi-domains.     

Are dispersive forces relevant for CO adsorption on the MgO(0 0 1) surface?

Periodic ab initio B3-LYP calculations on the MgO(0 0 1)/CO system underestimate the CO binding energy value with respect to experiment. The flaw is in the B3-LYP functional, unable to compute dispersive interactions. Here we show how to evaluate this contribution by adopting a two-layer ONIOM scheme in which the B3-LYP crystal energy is improved by the MP2 energy computed on the Mg₉O₉/CO cluster. The final complete basis set extrapolated (MP2/∞:B3-LYP/VTZ) CO/Mg(0 0 1) binding energy of 13 kJ/mol is in good agreement with experiment, with about 7 kJ/mol deriving from dispersive interactions.     

Protonation thermodynamics of some aminophenol derivatives in NaCl(aq) (0 ⩽ I ⩽3 mol · kg−1) at T = 298.15 K

The acid–base properties of four aminophenol derivatives, namely m-aminophenol (L1), 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene (L2), 2-amino-5-ethylphenol (L3) and 5-amino-4-chloro-o-cresol (L4), are studied by potentiometric and titration calorimetric measurements in NaCl_(aq) (0 ? I ? 3 mol · kg^?1) at T = 298.15 K. The dependence of the protonation constants on ionic strength is modelled by the Debye–Hückel, SIT (Specific ion Interaction Theory) and Pitzer equations. Therefore, the values of protonation constants at infinite dilution and the relative interaction coefficients are calculated. The dependence of protonation enthalpies on ionic strength is also determined. Distribution (2-methyl-1-propanol/aqueous solution) measurements allowed us to determine the Setschenow coefficients and the activity coefficients of neutral species. Experimental results show that these compounds behave in a very similar way, and common class parameters are reported, in particular for the dependence on ionic strength of both protonation constants and protonation enthalpies.     

Gas-tight proton-conducting Nd2 − xCaxZr2O7 − δ (x = 0, 0.05) ceramics

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Gas-tight Nd2&nbsp;−&nbsp;xCaxZr2O7&nbsp;−&nbsp;δ (x = 0, 0.05) pyrochlore materials have been prepared via...     

Electrocatalysis on gold nanostructures: Is the {1 1 0} facet more active than the {1 1 1} facet?

The anisotropic electrocatalytic properties of gold nanobelts and nanoplates enclosed by either {1 1 0} or {1 1 1} facets were studied. Different strategies were used to synthesize these materials. It was found that the {1 1 0} surface of gold does not necessarily show a higher electrocatalytic activity than the {1 1 1} surface. The {1 1 0} surface of gold is more active than the {1 1 1} surface for glucose oxidation in both, neutral and alkaline media. However, for methanol oxidation in alkaline solution, the {1 1 0} surface shows a lower activity than the {1 1 1} surface, which is contrary to the general belief that {1 1 0} facet is the most active surface among the three basal planes. The possible mechanisms are discussed.     

Thermally-driven processes on rutile TiO2(1 1 0)-(1 × 1): A direct view at the atomic scale

The technological importance of TiO₂ has led to a broad effort aimed at understanding the elementary steps that underlie catalytic and photocatalytic reactions. The most stable surface, rutile TiO₂(1 1 0), in particular, has became a prototypical model for fundamental studies of TiO₂. In this critical review we have selected oxygen, water, and alcohols to evaluate recent progress relevant for applications in the areas of water splitting and oxidation of organic contaminants. We first focus on the characterization of defects and the distribution of excess charge that results from their formation. The subsequent section concentrates on the role of individual surface sites and the effect of available charge in the adsorption processes. The discussion of adsorbate dynamics follows, providing models for intrinsic and extrinsic diffusion processes as well as rotational dynamics of anchored alkoxy species. The final section summarizes our current understanding of TiO₂(1 1 0) catalyzed reactions between water, oxygen, and their dissociation products.     

Thermodynamic properties of tetraphenylphosphonium perchlorate and tetraphenylarsonium perchlorate fromT → 0 toT = 340 K

The temperature dependence of the standard molar heat capacity C_{p, m}^oof samples of crystalline tetraphenylphosphonium perchlorate and tetraphenylarsonium perchlorate was measured in an adiabatic low-pressure calorimeter between T =  4.8 K and T =  340 K and from T =  5.8 K to T =  340 K, respectively, mostly to within a precision of 0.2 per cent. For tetraphenylphosphonium perchlorate, an anomalous change of the heat capacity in the range T =  125 K to T =  185 K, probably arising from the excitation of hindered rotations of atomic groups, was found and its thermodynamic characteristics were determined. No such anomaly was observed for tetraphenylarsonium perchlorate. The data obtained were used to calculate the thermodynamic functions C_{p, m}^o(T) / R, Δ₀^TH_m^o / R·K, Δ₀^TS_m^o / R, and Φ_m^o = Δ₀^TS_m^o − Δ₀^TH_m^o / T(where R is the universal gas constant) of the compounds between T →  0 and T =  340 K.     

Phosphasilaallenes >Si = C = P− and phosphagermaallenes >Ge = C = P−

Phosphasilaallene Tip(Ph)Si = C = PMes* (Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, Mes* = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) and phosphagermaallene Mes₂Ge = C = PMes* (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) have been obtained by dehalogenation of their corresponding dihalophosphametallapropenes > E(X)-C(X′) = P? by tert-butyllithium. They dimerize above ?40 °C by a cycloaddition involving two E = C double bonds or the E = C and the P = C double bonds but can be characterized at low temperature by trapping reactions and by low field shifts in ³¹P, ²⁹Si and particularly ¹³C NMR for the sp carbon atom. Owing to a small increase in the steric hindrance, phosphagermaallene Tip(t-Bu)Ge = C = PMes* can be stabilized and isolated. The Ge = C double bond undergoes nearly quantitative [2 + 1] cycloadditions with chalcogens and [2 + 2] cycloadditions with aldehydes or ketones. The surprisingly stable lithiochlorosilane R(Cl₂)Si-C(Li) = PMes* (R = 9-methylfluorenyl) behaves as a synthetic equivalent of the phosphasilaallene R(Cl)Si = C = PMes*. With two alkyl groups (t-Bu) on the germanium atom, the phosphagermaallene t-Bu₂Ge = C = PMes* is not obtained but its formal dimers 1,3-digermacyclobutanes have been isolated.     

Investigation of the LiCo1−xMgxPO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1)–graphitic carbon foam composites

LiCo_1−xMg_xPO₄–graphitic carbon foam (LCMP–GCF with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) composites are prepared by Pechini-assisted sol-gel method and annealed with the 2-steps annealing process (T = 300 °C for 5 min in flowing air, then at T = 730 °C for t = 12 h in flowing nitrogen). The XRD analysis, performed on powders reveals LiCoPO₄ as major crystalline phase, Co₂P and Co₂P₂O₇ as secondary phases. The morphological investigation revealed the formation and growth of microcrystalline “islands” which consist of acicular crystallites with different dimensions (typically 5–50 μm). By addition of Mg-ions, CV-curves of LCMP–GCF composites show a decrease of the surface between anodic and cathodic sweeps by cycling and a stark contribution of faradaic processes due to the graphitic structured foam. The electrochemical measurements, at a discharge rate of C/10 at room temperature, show the decrease of the discharge specific capacity from 100 mAh g⁻¹ for x = 0.0 to ∼35 mAh g⁻¹ for 0.025 ≤ x ≤ 0.05, then an increase to 69 mAh g⁻¹ for x = 0.1. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data reveal a decrease of the electrical resistance and the improvement of the Li-ion conductivity at high Mg-ions content into the LiCoPO₄ phase (x ≥ 0.025).     

Vibrational relaxation rates for H on a Si(1 0 0):(2×1) surface: a two-dimensional model

The results of calculations based on perturbation theory of vibrational relaxation rates due to coupling to substrate phonons for hydrogen atoms adsorbed on a Si(1 0 0):(2×1) surface are presented. For this purpose a two-dimensional model is adopted in which both the H–Si stretching and bending motions are included. It is shown that within this model the multiphonon emission and absorption processes play a negligible role. The calculated lifetimes agree well with available experimental data.     

Ag adsorption on Cd-terminated CdS (0 0 0 1) and S-terminated CdS (0 0 0 1?) surfaces: First-principles investigations

First-principles calculations are performed to study the adsorption of Ag at Cd-terminated CdS (0 0 0 1) and S-terminated CdS (0 0 0 1?) surfaces as a function of Ag coverage. Our results reveal that Ag adsorption at Cd-terminated (0 0 0 1) has a large binging energy than at S-terminated (0 0 0 1?) surface. For Ag adsorption at Cd-terminated (0 0 0 1) surface, T4 structure is more favorable and the Ag-Cd bond posses an ionic-like character. While for Ag adsorption at S-terminated (0 0 0 1?) surface, the H3 structure is most stable and the bonding between Ag-S is covalent. It is found that the magnitude and the sign of surface dipole moment are partly determined by the difference between the electronegativities of Ag and the host atom bonding with Ag. The adsorption energy changes as a function of Ag coverage. In addition, related properties of Ag cluster adsorption at Cd-terminated (0 0 0 1) surface are also discussed.     

Structural variations and cation distributions in Mn3−xCoxO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) dense ceramics using neutron diffraction data

Single phase ceramics of cobalt manganese oxide spinels Mn_3?xCo_xO₄ were structurally characterized by neutron powder diffraction over the whole solid solution range. For x < 1.75, ceramics obtained at room temperature by conventional sintering techniques are tetragonal, while for x ≥ 1.75 ceramics sintered by Spark Plasma Sintering are of cubic symmetry. The unit cells, metal–metal and metal–oxygen average bonds decrease regularly with increasing cobalt content. Rietveld refinements using neutron data show that cobalt is first preferentially substituted on the tetrahedral site for x < 1, then on the octahedral site for increasing x values. Structural methods (bond valence sum computations and calculations based on Poix's work in oxide spinels) applied to our ceramics using element repartitions and [M–O] distances determined after neutron data refinements allowed us to specify the cation distributions in all phases. Mn²⁺ and/or Co²⁺ occupy the tetrahedral site while Mn³⁺, Co²⁺, Co^III (cobalt in low-spin state) and Mn⁴⁺ occupy the octahedral site. The electronic conduction mechanisms in our highly densified ceramics of pure cobalt and manganese oxide spinels are explained by the hopping of polarons between adjacent Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ and Co²⁺/Co^III on the octahedral sites.     

High-efficiency hydrophilic interaction chromatography by coupling 25 cm × 4.6 mm ID × 5 μm silica columns and operation at 80 °C

Recently, hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) has emerged as a valuable orthogonal tool to reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) as it allows for resolution of highly polar ionisable compounds. The relationships between separation efficiency, column length and speed of analysis for 4.6 mm ID × 5 μm silica particle columns in HILIC are demonstrated using kinetic plots. The kinetic plots constructed for conventional pressure systems operating at 350 bar and at 30 °C and 80 °C are confirmed using experimental data for different column lengths. Efficiencies of more than 130,000 theoretical plates could be achieved by connecting up to six columns of 25 cm. As expected, a significant gain in analysis speed without loss of efficiency could be obtained by operating at 80 °C compared to 30 °C. The advantages of using long columns in HILIC in combination with elevated column temperature for the pharmaceutical industry are illustrated using test mixtures comprised of commercially available ionisable compounds (including some containing functional groups with potential genotoxic typical structural alerts) as well as real polar ionisable pharmaceuticals.     

Collision energy effect on the H′ + BrH (ν = 0, j = 0) → H′Br + H reaction: A quasi-classical trajectory study

Theoretical studies on the dynamics of the exchange reaction H′ + BrH (ν = 0, j = 0) → H′Br + H are performed on potential energy surface (PES) (Kurosaki et al., private communication) for the ground state using the quasi-classical trajectory method. The cross sections, computed at the collision energies (E_c) of 0.5-2.0 eV, are in good agreement with the earlier quantum wave packet results. The rotational, vibrational, and translational fractions in the total energy and the vibrational distribution for the product molecule are calculated at the same collision-energy range. The results support the repulsive character of the PES. In the considered E_c range, it has little chance to occur in an indirect reaction. The alignment and orientation of the product H′Br are investigated in detail with stereodynamics. The results show that E_c can effect on both the alignment and the orientation of product.