Potassium silanide (KSiH3): a reversible hydrogen storage material

KSi silicide can absorb hydrogen to directly form the ternary KSiH₃ hydride. The full structure of α‐KSiD₃, which has been solved by using neutron powder diffraction (NPD), shows an unusually short Si? D lengths of 1.47 Å. Through a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental methods, the thermodynamic and structural properties of the KSi/α‐KSiH₃ system are determined. This system is able to store 4.3 wt % of hydrogen reversibly within a good P–T window; a 0.1 M Pa hydrogen equilibrium pressure can be obtained at around 414 K. The DFT calculations and the measurements of hydrogen equilibrium pressures at different temperatures give similar values for the dehydrogenation enthalpy (≈23 kJ mol^?1 H₂) and entropy (≈54 J K^?1 mol^?1 H₂). Owing to its relatively high hydrogen storage capacity and its good thermodynamic values, this KSi/α‐KSiH₃ system is a promising candidate for reversible hydrogen storage.     

Surface hydrogen and growth mechanisms of synchrotron radiation-assisted silicon gas source molecular beam epitaxy using disilane

Surface hydrogen and growth mechanisms are investigated for synchrotron radiation (SR)-assisted gas source molecular beam epitaxy (SR-GSMBE) using Si₂H₆ on the Si(100) surface in the low-temperature region. The surface silicon hydrides (deuterides) are monitored in situ during the epitaxial growth by means of infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy with a Si(100) substrate and a CoSi₂ buried metal layer. It is concluded that the chemisorption of gas-phase reactive species such as SiH_n and H generated by SR irradiation and the subsequent hydrogen desorption are the key mechanisms of SR-GSMBE at low substrate temperatures. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In Situ Hydrogenation and Crystal Chemistry Studies of Co2Si Type Compounds MgPd2 and Pd2Zn

The hydrogenation properties of the intermetallic compounds MgPd₂ and Pd₂Zn, crystallizing in the Co₂Si type, were studied by in situ thermal analysis (DSC) under hydrogen pressure. Pd₂Zn does not show any reaction with hydrogen while MgPd₂ reversibly forms the hydride MgPd₂H. Neutron diffraction on the deuterides reveals the compositions MgPd₂D_0.861(6) (ambient) and MgPd₂D_0.97(1) [308(2) K, 2.56(5) MPa deuterium] with hydrogen (deuterium) occupying distorted [MgPd₅] octahedral voids. Quantum mechanical calculations support the structure models and show the hydrogenation to be exergonic for MgPd₂ and endergonic for Pd₂Zn. MgPd₂H releases hydrogen under normal conditions or vacuum. Heating under hydrogen pressure leads first reversibly to MgPd₂H_≈0.2 and subsequently irreversibly to MgPd₃H_≈1 and MgH₂. MgPd₂, Pd₂Zn, and MgPd₂H were classified in a structure map. Trends of axial ratio changes upon hydrogenation of TiNiSi type and ZrBeSi type compounds are discussed.     

Synthesis and properties of crystalline fullerene hydrides

The interaction of crystalline fullerence C₆₀ with highly pure hydrogen, which was evolved from hydrides of intermetallic compounds of rear-earth metals and nickel, was studied. Crystalline fullerene hydrides containing from 10 to 30 hydrogen atoms per fullerene molecule were synthesized (1.0–2.5 MPa and 300–673 K). Crystalline hydrides release hydrogen at 800 K with retention of the structure of the fullerene molecule. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2093–2096, October, 1998.     

Crystal Structure and Formation of TlPd3 and its new Hydride TlPd3H

TlPd₃ was synthesised from the elements in evacuated silica tubes at 600 °C. Alternatively, TlPd₃ was yielded by reduction of TlPd₃O₄ in N₂ gas atmosphere. Reduction of the oxide in H₂ gas atmosphere resulted in the formation of the new hydride TlPd₃H. The structure of tetragonal TlPd₃ (ZrAl₃ type, space group I4/mmm, a = 410.659(9) pm, c = 1530.28(4) pm) was reinvestigated by X‐ray and also by neutron powder diffraction as well as the structure of its previously unknown hydride TlPd₃H (cubic anti‐perovskite type structure, space group Pm\bar{3} m, a = 406.313(1) pm). In situ DSC measurements of TlPd₃ in hydrogen gas atmosphere showed a broad exothermic signal over a wide temperature range with two maxima at 280 °C and at 370 °C, which resulted in the product TlPd₃H. A dependency of lattice parameters of the intermetallic phase on reaction conditions is observed and discussed. Results of hydrogenation experiments at room temperature with gas pressures up to 280 bar hydrogen and at elevated temperatures with very low hydrogen gas pressures (1–2 bar) as well as results of dehydrogenation of the hydrides under vacuum will be discussed.     

In situ X-ray Powder Diffraction Study of the Reactions of CrO2 and TlPd3O4 with Hydrogen

Hydrogen is an important reducing agent for transition metal oxides, however, details on reaction pathways are often unknown. Therefore, the reduction of CrO₂ and TlPd₃O₄ was investigated by in situ X-ray powder diffraction and subsequent Rietveld analysis. CrO₂ is reduced by hydrogen gas (0.3 MPa) starting at 180 °C according to 2 CrO₂ + H₂ → 2 CrOOH. The reaction is complete at 250 °C and there are no signs for intermediates or non-stoichiometry. In nitrogen atmosphere the reaction TlPd₃O₄ → TlPd₃ + 2 O₂ occurs without intermediates in one step starting at about 670 °C. Thermal volume expansion is determined to be V(TlPd₃O₄) = 880.7(1) 10⁶ pm³ + 1.64(7) 10⁴ T pm³/K + 10.7(9) T² pm³/K² and V(TlPd₃) = 258.6(1) 10⁶ pm³ + 8.5(7) 10³ T pm³/K + 2.6(7) T² pm³/K² for 25 °C ≤ T ≤ 730 °C. The formation of β-TlPd₃H from TlPd₃O₄ in 0.3 MPa hydrogen gas at 75 °C occurs very fast. Unit cell parameters indicate the occurrence of a metastable α-TlPd₃H_≈0.2 with a hydrogen-filled ZrAl₃ type. Cubic anti-perovskite type β-TlPd₃H reacts in air to TlPd₃ with a possible hydrogen deficient intermediate β-TlPd₃H_1–x and hints for remaining hydrogen in the tetragonal ZrAl₃ type intermetallic compound. In situ methods thus give a deeper insight in the TlPd₃-O₂-H₂ system with the identification of possible candidates for interesting intermediate phases and more detailed information on thermal stabilities.     

Neutron powder diffraction, and solid-state deuterium NMR analyses of Yb2RuD6 and spectroscopic vibrational analysis of Yb2RuD6 and Yb2RuH6

The crystal structure of Yb₂RuD₆ has been determined by neutron powder diffraction and the results were consistent with the Fm3m (#225) space group, a=7.2352(18) Å, with the atoms arranged according to the well-known K₂PtCl₆ structure. No structural phase transition was observed in going from room temperature to 4 K. Raman spectra were not available due to fluorescence, but all fundamental bands and combination bands were assigned from FTIR and PAIR spectra only following previous studies for other alkaline earth and europium ruthenium ternary metal hydrides and deuterides. The deuterium nuclear quadrupole coupling constant, 40.9 kHz, leads to an ionic character of the Ru-D bond of 82%.     

Synthesis and Structural Determination of the Disordered Bixbyite Cu3‐xSb1+xO5.5+3x/2 with Spin‐Glass Behaviour

The ternary copper antimony oxide Cu_3‐xSb_1+xO_5.5+3x/2 (x=0.23) has been synthesized under 0.8–1.3 MPa pO₂ at 1022–1082 °C. Rietveld refinements of X‐ray and neutron powder diffraction patterns concluded that the oxide adopts a bixbyite type structure, crystallising in the cubic space group Ia‐3 with the unit cell parameter a=9.61164(4) Å at room temperature from powder neutron diffraction data. The cationic 8b and 24d sites were found to be occupationally disordered where both Cu and Sb could be found on both sites. This is supported by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy experiments showing more than one possible Cu environment. There was a significant net deficiency of oxygen in the compound which was first inferred from observations of a thermochromic‐like phenomena and also seen from in situ high temperature neutron diffraction experiments. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements show paramagnetic behaviour with spin‐glass like transition below 6 K.     

YCu3Al2, an example of an AB5 structure type

Yttrium tricopper dialuminium, YCu₃Al₂, is isostructural with hexagonal CaCu₅, in which each Cu atom at the 3g(½,0,½) position in space group P6/mmm (No. 191) is partially replaced by an Al atom. The hydrogen‐uptake properties are usually enhanced in other AB₅ structures by aluminium substitution. YCu₅ does not show any hydrogen absorption, and the goal of the present work is to investigate whether aluminium substitution could expand the metal‐atom lattice enough to provide better interstitial positions for hydrogen storage. However, no enthalpy change was observed up to 773 K under 3 MPa static H₂ pressure by differential thermal analysis (DTA) for the title compound. The compound does not show any significant hydrogen absorption/desorption in the pressure‐composition isotherms (P–C–T diagrams) in the temperature range 298–673 K under 3.3 MPa H₂ pressure.     

Hydrogenation of fullerites in the presence of intermetallic compounds or metals

Fullerene hydrides containing 24–26 H atoms per fullerene molecule were obtained by hydrogenation of solid-phase mixtures of fullerenes with either intermetallic compounds LaNi₅, LaNi_4.65Mn_0.35, CeCo₃ or V and Pd metals with gaseous hydrogen at 1.0–2.5 MPa and 573–673 K. These fullerene hydrides decompose at 800 K with evolution of H₂. Upon subsequent heating to 1000 K, vanadium reacts with fullerene to yield a cubic phase of vanadium carbide. The intermetallic compounds react with fullerene with the formation of a metallic phase of the 3d-metal and destruction of fullerene. Palladium does not react with fullerene. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 679–683, April, 1997.     

Na3RuD7 – Synthese und Struktur

Na₃RuD₇ – Synthesis and Structure Na₃RuD₇ was synthesized by the reaction of sodium deuteride with ruthenium powder under a hydrogen pressure of 6000 bar at 900 K. X‐ray investigations on powdered samples and elastic neutron diffraction experiments led to the atomic arrangement (space group: P4₂/mnm), which is characterized by isolated [RuD₇]‐anions. The coordination polyhedron formed by the seven deuterium ligands can be described as a distorted pentagonal bipyramide.     

High‐ and low‐temperature phases in isostructural 4‐chloro‐3‐nitroaniline and 4‐iodo‐3‐nitroaniline

The structures of 4‐chloro‐3‐nitroaniline, C₆H₅ClN₂O₂, (I), and 4‐iodo‐3‐nitroaniline, C₆H₅IN₂O₂, (II), are isomorphs and both undergo continuous (second order) phase transitions at 237 and 200 K, respectively. The structures, as well as their phase transitions, have been studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and difference scanning calorimetry experiments. Both high‐temperature phases (293 K) show disorder of the nitro substituents, which are inclined towards the benzene‐ring planes at two different orientations. In the low‐temperature phases (120 K), both inclination angles are well maintained, while the disorder is removed. Concomitantly, the b axis doubles with respect to the room‐temperature cell. Each of the low‐temperature phases of (I) and (II) contains two pairs of independent molecules, where the molecules in each pair are related by noncrystallographic inversion centres. The molecules within each pair have the same absolute value of the inclination angle. The Flack parameter of the low‐temperature phases is very close to 0.5, indicating inversion twinning. This can be envisaged as stacking faults in the low‐temperature phases. It seems that competition between the primary amine–nitro N—H...O hydrogen bonds which form three‐centred hydrogen bonds is the reason for the disorder of the nitro groups, as well as for the phase transition in both (I) and (II). The backbones of the structures are formed by N—H...N hydrogen bonding of moderate strength which results in the graph‐set motif C(3). This graph‐set motif forms a zigzag chain parallel to the monoclinic b axis and is maintained in both the high‐ and the low‐temperature structures. The primary amine groups are pyramidal, with similar geometric values in all four determinations. The high‐temperature phase of (II) has been described previously [Garden et al. (2004). Acta Cryst. C 60 , o328–o330].     

Diffuse Reflectance IR Spectra of Molecular Hydrogen and Deuterium Adsorbed on Zinc Oxide

Diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy is used to study hydrogen and deuterium adsorption on zinc oxide at room temperature and 77 K. At room temperature, H₂ and D₂ molecules are dissociatively adsorbed with the formation of hydrides and hydroxy groups of three types. At 77 K, diffuse reflectance spectra reveal the bands from molecular hydrogen and deuterium in addition to the dissociatively adsorbed forms. The presence of several bands of stretching H–H and D–D vibrations points to the nonuniformity of adsorption sites. This nonuniformity is also confirmed by the fact that, after heating zinc oxide from 77 K to room temperature in an atmosphere of hydrogen, only an insignificant portion of adsorbed molecular hydrogen dissociates. Most of dissociatively adsorbed hydrogen is formed without a molecular precursor. The dissociation of H₂ and D₂ most likely occurs on very active adsorption species so rapidly that the molecular precursor is not observed. The bond energy in molecular deuterium precursors of dissociation estimated from the fundamental vibration frequency and the overtone of D–D vibrations suggests moderate excitation of the bond. This agrees well with the conclusion that the dissociative adsorption of hydrogen and deuterium occurs without a molecular precursor.     

Neutron diffraction study of the deuterides of the over-stoichiometric compounds LaNi5+x

The deuterides of three intermetallic compounds LaNi_5+x with x=0, 0.2 and 0.4 have been prepared and analyzed by neutron powder diffraction at two different deuterium concentrations. On one hand, the crystallographic properties of the α and the β phases have been studied with the two phases in equilibrium on the pressure plateau characteristic for the phase transition. On the other hand, the β phase has been studied as a single phase in the solid solution domain. Crystal structures were refined using the Rietveld method. Crystal symmetry, lattice parameters and deuterium sites and occupancy parameters are reported for all the different phases. Anisotropic line profile analysis has been used to characterize the strains induced by deuterium absorption in the various regions of the Pressure–Composition–Isotherm curves. Results are compared for the different values of x and related to the cycle life properties for each compound.     

Alkali Metal Triphenyl- and Trihydridosilanides Stabilized by a Macrocyclic Polyamine Ligand

Potassium silanide [KSiH₃]_∞ contains 4.2 wt % of hydrogen and has been intensely studied as hydrogen storage material. The macrocyclic ligand Me₄TACD (1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaminocyclododecane, L ) stabilizes the full range of triphenylsilyl complexes [( L )MSiPh₃]_n (M=Li–Cs), which react with H₂ or PhSiH₃ to form molecular [( L )MSiH₃]_n that can be isolated in soluble form and fully characterized.     

Absorption-desorption of deuterium at Pd95%---RH5% alloy I: environment and temperature effects

The gas phase and electrolytic loading of Pd95%---Rh5% alloy with deuterium were investigated. Gas loading was carried out isochorically under 900 mbar D₂, by decreasing the temperature from 900 °C to 20 °C. Although some D₂ was absorbed from high temperatures downwards, most of the absorption was measured at 20 °C, at which the [D]/[Me] (deuterium to metal atom) ratio exceeded the value typical for pure Pd. When the alloy deuterides were heated from 20 °C to 900 °C, they where found to decompose for temperatures below 100 °C, but some deuterium was still absorbed at high temperatures. The electrolytic insertion of deuterium was carried out potentiostatically in alkaline D₂O electrolytes, the amount of deuterium loaded being determined by anodic extraction afterwards. The maximum [D]/[Me] ratios thus achieved at 25 °C, which exceeded those obtained by gas loading, were found to increase with the alkalinity of the electrolyte. With electrolytic insertion at 90 °C, alloy deuterides of large [D]/[Me] ratio could be obtained which, in the electrolytic environment, showed a thermal decomposition rate much slower than that tested in gas phase desorption experiments.     

Application of gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) for the analysis of deuterium enrichment of water

Incorporation of deuterium from deuterium oxide (²H₂O) into biological components is a commonly used approach in metabolic studies. Determining the dilution of deuterium in the body water (BW) pool can be used to estimate body composition. We describe three sensitive GC/MS/MS methods to measure water enrichment in BW. Samples were reacted with NaOH and U‐¹³C₃‐acetone in an autosampler vial to promote deuterium exchange with U‐¹³C₃‐acetone hydrogens. Headspace injections were made of U‐¹³C₃‐acetone‐saturated air onto a 30‐m DB‐1MS column in electron impact‐mode. Subjects ingested 30 ml ²H₂O, and plasma samples were collected. BW was determined by standard equation. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scans were performed to calculate body mass, body volume and bone mineral content. A four‐compartmental model was used to estimate body composition (fat and fat free mass). Full‐scan experiments generated an m/z 45 peak and to a lesser extent an m/z 61 peak. Product fragment ions further monitored included 45 and 46 using selected ion monitoring (Method1), the 61 > 45 and 62 > 46 transition using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM; Method2) and the neutral loss, 62 > 45, transition (Method3). MRM methods were optimized for collision energy (CE) and collision‐induced dissociation (CID) argon gas pressure with 6 eV CE and 1.5 mTorr CID gas being optimal. Method2 was used for final determination of ²H₂O enrichment of subjects because of lower natural background. We have developed a sensitive method to determine ²H₂O enrichment in BW to enable measurement of FM and FFM. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conduction in BaO-and MgO-doped LaGaO_3

A series of La_0.90Ba_0.10Ga_1?xMg_xO_3?α (x=0.20, 0.25 and 0.30) ceramics with a perovskite‐type orthorhombic structure were prepared by the conventional solid‐state reaction. Their conduction was studied in wet hydrogen, wet air and dry air atmospheres by various electrochemical methods including AC impedance spectroscopy, isotope effect, electrochemical hydrogen pumping, steam concentration cells and oxygen concentration cells from 873 to1273 K. Proton conduction was confirmed directly by an electrochemical hydrogen‐pumping experiment. The hydrogen evolution rates coincided with theoretical ones calculated from Faraday's law, indicating that in hydrogen atmosphere the charge carriers were predominantly protons. Isotope effect confirmed the ceramic samples possessed proton conduction under water vapor‐containing atmosphere. In wet air atmosphere, the samples were found to be mixed (proton+oxide ion+hole) conductors, and in dry air atmosphere to be mixed (oxide ion+hole) conductors. These results were different from the reports that BaO‐ and MgO‐doped LaGaO₃ ceramics were mixed conductors of oxide ion and electron hole in O₂ and air; whereas they were oxide ion conductors in N₂ and H₂ atmospheres.     

Hydrogenation of palladium rich compounds of aluminium, gallium and indium

Palladium rich intermetallic compounds of aluminium, gallium and indium have been studied before and after hydrogenation by powder X-ray diffraction and during hydrogenation by in situ thermal analysis (DSC) at hydrogen gas pressures up to 39 MPa and temperatures up to 700 K. Very weak DSC signals and small unit cell increases of below 1% for AlPd₂, AlPd₃, GaPd₂, Ga₅Pd₁₃, In₃Pd₅, and InPd₂ suggest negligible hydrogen uptake. In contrast, for both tetragonal modifications of InPd₃ (ZrAl₃ and TiAl₃ type), heating to 523 K at 2 MPa hydrogen pressure leads to a rearrangement of the intermetallic structure to a cubic AuCu₃ type with an increase in unit cell volume per formula unit by 3.6-3.9%. Gravimetric analysis suggests a composition InPd₃H_≈0.8 for the hydrogenation product. Very similar behaviour is found for the deuteration of InPd₃.     

Theoretical studies on the reactions CH3SCH3 with OH,CF3, and CH3 radicals

The multiple‐channel reactions OH + CH₃SCH₃ → products, CF₃ + CH₃SCH₃ → products, and CH₃ + CH₃SCH₃ → products are investigated by direct dynamics method. The optimized geometries, frequencies, and minimum energy path are all obtained at the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) level, and energetic information is further refined by the MC‐QCISD (single‐point) method. The rate constants for eight reaction channels are calculated by the improved canonical variational transition state theory with small‐curvature tunneling contribution over the temperature range 200–3000 K. The total rate constants are in good agreement with the available experimental data and the three‐parameter expressions k₁ = 4.73 × 10^?16T^1.89 exp(?662.45/T), k₂ = 1.02 × 10^?32T^6.04 exp(933.36/T), k₃ = 3.98 × 10^?35T^6.60 exp(660.58/T) (in unit of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) over the temperature range of 200–3000 K are given. Our calculations indicate that hydrogen abstraction channels are the major channels and the others are minor channels over the whole temperature range. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010