Quantum Chemical Study of Niobium and Tantalum M<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>10</Subscript> Oxide Clusters and M<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Stack><Subscript>10</Subscript><Superscript>–</Superscript></Stack> Anions

Structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of the clusters (T_d)–Nb₄O₁₀, (C_3v)-TaNb₃O₁₀, (D_2d)-Nb₄O ₁₀ ^– , and (C_s)-TaNb₃O ₁₀ ^– were calculated. According to the (U)DFT/SDD calculations with BLYP, B3LYP, and PBE0 functionals magnetization of the anion (D_2d)-Nb₄O ₁₀ ^– is distributed equally among four niobium atoms. In the anion (C_s)-TaNb₃O ₁₀ ^– unpaired electron presumably occupies niobium atoms. The distinction in contributions from Nb atoms in the magnetization of the tantalum-containing cluster grows with the exchange component of the DFT functional in the series of functionals BLYP < B3LYP < PBE0 < UHF.     

Syntheses,Structures and Properties of Three Heteonuclear Complexes Containing [V<Subscript>10</Subscript>O<Subscript>28</Subscript>]<Superscript>6−</Superscript> Units

Three heteonuclear complexes containing [V₁₀O₂₈]⁶⁻ units, {[Cu(pyr)(H₂O)₄]₂(H₃O)₂[V₁₀O₂₈] · 13.5H₂O}_n (1), {[Ni(pyr)(H₂O)₄]₂(H₃O)₂[V₁₀O₂₈] · 9.5H₂O}_n (2) and [Zn₂(H₂O)₁₄(V₁₀O₂₈)] · H₂PPZ (3) are synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, single crystal X-ray analyses. The complex 1 and 2 have the similar structures which are composed of the [V₁₀O₂₈]⁶⁻ cluster anion and 1D chain {[M (pyr)(H₂O)₄]²⁺}_n (M = Cu Ni) cations bridged by pyrazine. In the complex 3, Zn²⁺ with two coordination modes is bridged by water molecules to build 1D zigzag chains, and then is linked to the bridging oxygen atoms from [V₁₀O₂₈]⁶⁻ to generate a 2D grid architecture filled with the protoned piperazine (PPZ) molecules. In this paper, the magnetic properties of complex 2 are characterized.     

Synthesis and physicochemical study of M<Subscript>4</Subscript>Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>10</Subscript>O<Subscript>28</Subscript> · 10H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O (M=K,Rb, NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)

The formation conditions and physicochemical properties of binary decavanadates M₄Na₂V₁₀O₂₈ · 10H₂O (M=K, Rb, NH₄), synthesized by crystallization from saturated solutions of the NaVO₃-MH₂AsO₄-H₂O systems, were studied by chemical analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, microscopy, thermogravimetry, and IR spectroscopy. To optimize the synthesis conditions of M₄Na₂V₁₀O₂₈ · 10H₂O, the ( 1-x)NaVO₃ · 2H₂O · xMH2AsO4-H₂O (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) isomolar series method was applied to studying the interaction in the NaVO₃-MH₂AsO₄-H₂O systems (M = K, Rb, Cs) at the 0.4 mol/L total molar concentration of NaVO₃ and MH₂AsO₄ in solutions. The studied M₄Na₂V₁₀O₂₈ · 10H₂O compounds were shown to be isostructural with triclinic crystals (Z= 1, space group P $ \bar 1 $ \bar 1 ), and their unit cell parameters were estimated.     

Synthesis and characterization of sol–gel derived Ag(Nb,Ta)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowder

Perovskite-type Ag(Nb_0.6Ta_0.4)O₃ nanopowder was prepared by the sol–gel process from the AgNO₃, Ta₂O₅ and Nb₂O₅, with help of K₂CO₃, avoiding use of strong corrosive acid or expensive niobium ethoxide and tantalum ethoxide. The results suggested that thermal decomposition of the xerogel took place when the xerogel was heated at 450 °C. Well-crystallized single-phased powder was obtained at low temperature about 680 °C. With the heat-treatment temperature increasing (680–1,100 °C), the intensity of the diffraction peaks increased. The crystallite size determined by Scherer formula and the result suggested that higher temperature lead to larger crystallite size. Moreover, the average grain size 30–50 nm was estimated by a field emission scanning electron microscope. The influence of holding time on microstructures indicated that the homogeneous and small grains were obtained at 800 °C for 2–4 h while larger ones for 8–16 h.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Face-Centered Cubic Clusters [(Me<Subscript>3</Subscript>tacn)<Subscript>8</Subscript>M<Subscript>8</Subscript>Pt<Subscript>6</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>24</Subscript>]<Superscript>12+</Superscript> (M = Cr,Mo)

Incorporation of a 5d transition metal into the face-centered cubic metal-cyanide cluster geometry is accomplished for the first time with the isolation of a series of compounds featuring [(Me₃tacn)₈M₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄]¹²⁺ (M = Cr, Mo) clusters. Reaction of [(Me₃tacn)Cr(CN)₃] and K₂[PtCl₄] in a boiling aqueous solution generates [(Me₃tacn)₈Cr₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄]Cl₁₂ · 27H₂O (1), wherein Pt^II centers reside at the face-centering sites and the cyanide ligands have reoriented to give Pt^II–C≡N–Cr^III linkages. The cyclic voltammogram obtained for a solution of 1 in DMSO exhibits a quasireversible reduction event centered at E _1/2 = ?1.59 V versus Cp₂Fe^0/1+. Reaction of 1 with K₂[Pt(CN)₄] in aqueous solution affords [(Me₃tacn)₈Cr₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄][Pt(CN)₄]₆ · 6H₂O (2), in which each face of the cubic cluster is capped by a staggered tetracyanoplatinate anion with a Pt–Pt separation of 3.1552(7) Å. Attempts to perform analogous cluster-forming reactions with [(Me₃tacn)Mo(CN)₃] revealed a tendency toward cluster decomposition to give mixtures of insoluble products, including [(Me₃tacn)₈Mo₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄][Pt(CN)₄]₆ · 46H₂O (3) and [(Me₃tacn)₈Mo₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄][Pt(CN)₄]_2.5[Pt(CN)₃Br]₂Br₃ · 6H₂O (4). Crystallographic analyses revealed these compounds to contain the anticipated [(Me₃tacn)₈Mo₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄]¹²⁺ cluster in fully- and partially-capped forms, respectively. Unfortunately, the insolubility of these molybdenum-containing products precluded characterization of the cluster by cyclic voltammetry.     

Sol–Gel Synthesis of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> Glasses and their Characterization by NMR,SNMS, and AFM

Sodium aluminophosphate samples with composition 43.8Na₂O12.5Al₂O₃43.8P₂O₅ were prepared by the sol–gel route using different precursors and working in different pH ranges from pH < 1 up to pH > 10. The structures of the gels and of the corresponding glasses were investigated by solid state NMR and compared to that of a glass with the same composition prepared by a traditional melting process. In addition to bulk materials, thin films were deposited by dip coating on silica glasses. Applying secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), the expected elements and residual carbon were identified. The surfaces of the coatings and fracture surfaces of bulk material were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Solid state NMR revealed that samples prepared via a lactate route exhibited local Al and P environments closest to that of the melt-prepared glass, with the highest extent of Al-O-P connectivity.     

Phase equilibria,charge transport,and mass transport in Sr<Subscript>4</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript>-“M<Subscript>4</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript>” (M = Cd,Cu, Ni,and Zn) systems

Homogeneous fields of Sr_{4 − x} M _x Nb₂O₉ (M = Cd, Cu, Ni, or Zn) solid solutions were determined using powder X-ray diffraction. Phase fields were plotted proceeding from the tolerance factor t and electronegativity ratio $ \bar k_A /\bar k_B $ \bar k_A /\bar k_B with a satisfactory fit of experimental results. Thermogravimetry was used to establish the major kinetic laws of solid-phase synthesis (conversion, rate-controlling stage, and effective activation energy) in (4 − x)SrCO₃ + xMO + Nb₂O₅ powdery mixtures. Direct radiometry was used to determine ⁹⁰Sr, ⁶³Ni, and ⁶⁵Zn self-diffusion coefficients in solid solutions based on the Sr₄Nb₂O₉ phase. Electrical conductivity was measured as a function of temperature for all Sr₄Nb₂O₉-“M₄Nb₂O₉” samples. The conductivity of Sr_{4 − x} M _x Nb₂O₉ (M = Cd, Cu, Ni, or Zn) solid solutions has a mixed ion-electron character.     

Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>·C and ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>·Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>·C nanostructures: Synthesis and characterization

A procedure for the synthesis of carbon-encapsulated multilayer magnetite and zirconium oxide–magnetite nanoparticles that form porous nanostructures, for use as biocompatible sorbents, is proposed. The properties, composition, dimensions, particle shapes, surface morphology, and magnetic characteristics of the products are studied.     

Complexes of some divalent metals with alcoxy-NNO-azoxy compounds: Crystal and molecular structures of С<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Seven new metal complexes with alcoxy-NNO-azoxy compounds were synthesized and isolated in a crystalline state. The crystal and molecular structures of С₅H₁₂N₄O₆ were established by X-ray diffraction. Some spectral criteria of coordination were determined, and the complexation processes in solutions were studied.     

Direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen over insoluble Pd<Subscript>0.15</Subscript>M<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>H<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript> (M = K,Rb, and Cs) heteropolyacid catalysts

Palladium-containing insoluble heteropolyacid (HPA) catalysts (Pd_0.15M_2.5H_0.2PW₁₂O₄₀) were prepared by an ion-exchange method using various alkaline metal ions (M = K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) (denoted as Pd-KPW, Pd-RbPW, and Pd-CsPW). They were then applied to the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen. Conversion of hydrogen over the catalysts was almost identical with no great difference, while selectivity for hydrogen peroxide increased in the order of Pd-KPW < Pd-RbPW < Pd-CsPW. As a consequence, yield for hydrogen peroxide increased in the order of Pd-KPW < Pd-RbPW < Pd-CsPW. It was found that yield for hydrogen peroxide increased with increasing Pd 3d_5/2 binding energy of the catalyst. Among the catalysts tested, Pd-CsPW catalyst with the highest Pd 3d_5/2 binding energy showed the highest yield for hydrogen peroxide.     

Electronic Properties and Chemical Bonding of O-Rich Clusters MM′O<Subscript>7</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript> (M,M′ = V,Nb, Ta)

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out to investigate the electronic and structural properties of a series of bimetallic oxygen-rich clusters, MM′O₇ ⁻ (M, M′ = V, Nb, Ta). Generalized Koopmans’ theorem is applied to predict the vertical detachment energies (VDEs) and simulate the photoelectron spectra (PES). Theoretical calculations at the B3LYP level yield dibridged structures with doublet state (C _s, ²A′′) as ground states for the anionic clusters. Intriguingly, an O₂ unit is found to be bonded to the metal atom which is inclined to donate electrons in the MM′O₇ ⁻ (M, M′ = V, Nb, Ta) species. The extremely high binding energies, above 5.50 eV, are due to oxygen 2p-based orbitals and suggest that these clusters are strong oxidizers. Chemical bonding analyses reveal superoxide in the oxygen-rich clusters, in excellent consistence with their structural characteristics.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of a New Arsenic–Vanadium Compound with a β-[As<Subscript>8</Subscript>V<Subscript>14</Subscript>O<Subscript>42</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)]<Superscript>6−</Superscript> anion

A new arsenic vanadium compound (NH₄)₂[N(CH₃)₄]₄[β-As₈V₁₄O₄₂(SO₄)] 1 has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectrum, elemental analysis and thermogravimetic (TG) analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/c, a = 11.4631(5) Å, b = 11.3539(5) Å, c = 24.6265(10) Å, β = 93.6620(10)°, V = 3198.6(2) ų, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0421 and wR2 = 0.1044. The molecule structural analysis reveals that compound 1 has a β-[As₈V₁₄O₄₂(SO₄)]^6? arsenic–vanadium cluster anion.     

Zn<Subscript>0.97</Subscript>M<Subscript>0.03</Subscript>O (M = Co,Fe, and V) pigments: thermal,structural, and optical characterization

Zinc oxide is a widely used white inorganic pigment. Transition metal ions are used as chromophores and originate the ceramic pigments group. In this context, ZnO particles doped with Co, Fe, and V were synthesized by the polymeric precursors method, Pechini method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques were used to accurately characterize the distinct thermal events occurring during synthesis. The TG and DSC results revealed a series of decomposition temperatures due to different exothermal events, which were identified as H₂O elimination, organic compounds degradation and phase formation. The samples were structurally characterized by X-Ray diffractometry revealing the formation of single phase, corresponding to the crystalline matrix of ZnO. The samples were optically characterized by diffuse reflectance measurements and colorimetric coordinates L*, a*, b* were calculated for the pigment powders. The pigment powders presented a variety of colors ranging from white (ZnO), green (Zn_0.97Co_0.03O), yellow (Zn_0.97Fe_0.03O), and beige (Zn_0.97V_0.03O).     

Synthesis and properties of γ-Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solutions

The textural and structural properties of mixed oxides Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃, obtained via impregnating γ-Al₂O₃ with a solution of Ga(NO₃)₃ and subsequent heat treatment, are studied. According to the results from X-ray powder diffraction, gallium ions are incorporated into the structure of aluminum oxide to form a solid solution of spinel-type γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ up to a Ga₂O₃ content of 50 wt % of the total weight of the sample, accompanied by a reduction in the specific surface area, volume, and average pore diameter. It is concluded that when the Ga₂O₃ content exceeds 50 wt %, the β-Ga₂O₃ phase is observed along with γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ solid solution. ⁷¹Ga and ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy shows that gallium replaces aluminum atoms from the tetrahedral position to the octahedral coordination in the structure of γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃.     

Application of a modified Pechini method for the synthesis of Ln<Subscript>2</Subscript>MGe<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> (Ln = Y,Eu; M = Ca,Zn, Mn) optical hosts

A modified Pechini method followed by conventional and microwave heating was used to synthesise the new promising Ln₂MGe₄O₁₂ (Ln = Y, Eu; M = Ca, Zn, Mn) optical hosts. Comparison between solid-state and Pechini synthesis methods showed that the latter reduces the temperature required for cyclo-tetragermanate formation. The highest yield of cyclo-tetragermanates for both methods is observed at 1,000–1,100 °C, with significantly shorter time of annealing in the case of the Pechini synthesis. Compositional, structural and morphological characterisations of the samples obtained by both routes were carried out using X-Ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.     

Solid solutions (Ru,Nb)Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Sm<Subscript>1.4</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>)Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>10−δ</Subscript>: Synthesis,structure, and properties

Solid solutions of as-batch composition (Ru_1?x Nb _x )Sr₂(Sm_1.4Ce_0.6)Cu₂O_10?δ (the Ru,Nb)-1222 phase), where x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00, have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. A correlation is proposed between the refined composition of the Ru-1222 and Nb-1222 phases and their structural features. With increasing oxygen concentration in the Ru-1222 phase, the superconducting transition temperature increases from T _c = 28 to T _c = 34 K. The composition and magnetic properties of the Ru-1222 phase are affected by the batch composition: unlike in Ru + RuO₂ mixtures, the presence of ruthenium in the batch decreases the oxygen proportion and increases the magnetic ordering temperature T _m; the phase of as-batch composition NbSr₂(Sm_1.4Ce_0.6)Cu₂O_10?δ is paramagnetic.     

Synthesis of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@Au core–shell nanoparticles

A new two-step synthesis of Fe₃O₄@Au core–shell nanoparticles stabilized in polyethylene glycol is described. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, UV and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Fe₃O₄@Au nanoparticles featured both optical properties (they featured a plasmon resonance band) and magnetic properties (they responded to an external magnetic field), typical of individual gold and magnetite nanoparticles, respectively.     

Thermal,XRD, and magnetization studies on ZnAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and NiAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> spinels,synthesized by citrate precursor method and annealed at 450 and 650 °C

Two aluminate spinel materials (ZnAl₂O₄ and NiAl₂O₄) were synthesized by the citrate precursor method. The citrate precursors consisting of coprecipitated citrates of Zn²⁺ or Ni²⁺ and aluminum were first subjected to thermal analysis (TG-DSC) for determining the optimum temperature for annealing. Two step decomposition was observed incorporating dehydration and formation of the aluminate. The second step gives an endo peak (−2937 J/g) at 356 °C in the DSC curve of the coprecipitated nickel(II) citrate–aluminum citrate gel in O₂ atmosphere. Kinetic/mechanistic analysis of the TG data has also been carried out and values of E _a, ΔS ^#, ΔG ^#, and A were approximated. On the basis of the findings, 450 °C has been chosen for annealing of the gels. Annealing has also been done at 650 °C for 1 h in muffle furnace in an attempt to obtain nanometric particles of aluminates (MAl₂O₄) {M = Ni, Zn} and to find out their magnetic properties which could render them useful for chemical sensing applications, etc. The TG-DSC curves of various powders which were obtained on annealing at the two temperatures did exhibit thermal instability when carried out in N₂ atmosphere. NiAl₂O₄ and ZnAl₂O₄ spinels (particle size 17 and 34 nm, respectively) are obtained in pure crystalline phase at 650 °C. ZnAl₂O₄ prepared this way shows coercivity values of 470 and 58.37 G and NiAl₂O₄, 107 and 23.24 G when annealed at 450 and 650 °C, respectively. ZnAl₂O₄ prepared by a polymer precursor method and annealed at 1000 °C, has earlier been reported to have coercivity value of 469 G. Thus, the citrate precursor method is good for the synthesis of ZnAl₂O₄, producing single phase nanocrystalline powder of high quality and crystallinity. The value of magnetization was found to be small in the present case for the NiAl₂O₄ spinel obtained at 450 °C.     

Crystal Structures of α- and β-SrCeCuS<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The crystal structure of SrCeCuS₃, a complex sulfide synthesized for the first time, has been solved using X-ray powder diffraction data. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pnma. SrCeCuS₃ has two polymorphs: the high-temperature phase of Ba₂MnS₃ structural type (a = 8.1393(3) Å, b = 4.0587(2) Å, c = 15.9661(2) Å) and the low-temperature phase isostructural to BaLaCuS₃ (a = 11.1626(2) Å, b = 4.0970(2) Å, c = 11.5307(1) Å). The incongruent melting temperature and enthalpy of SrCeCuS₃ are, respectively, 1486 ± 3 K and 13.4 ± 1.5 J/g.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured Ba<Subscript>5</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>15</Subscript> by sol–gel process

Hexagonal Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ were synthesized by a sol–gel process at temperatures of 700–900 °C. The microstructure properties and morphology are studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Traces of the Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ component were detected by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. A higher temperature enhanced higher atom mobility and caused the growth direction to change and created hexagonal square makes obvious good quality of samples. The visible light absorption edges of the Ba₅Ta₄O₁₅ nanorods and were corresponded to band-gap energies of 4.0 eV.