Microwave-assisted combustion synthesis of nanocrystalline La<Subscript>2</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> oxide-ion conductor and its characterization

Nanocrystalline La₂Mo₂O₉ oxide-ion conductor has been successfully synthesized by microwave-assisted combustion method within a very short time duration using aspartic acid as the newer fuel in a domestic microwave oven. The synthesized nanocrystalline powder showed good sinterability and reached more than 97% of theoretical density even at low temperature of 800 °C for 5 h. The sintered La₂Mo₂O₉ sample exhibited a conductivity of 0.159 S/cm in air at 750 °C.     

Chemical durability of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> and K<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> glasses

Thermal and chemical durability studies of the phosphate glasses belonging to the binary MoO₃-P₂O₅ and the ternary K₂O-MoO₃-P₂O₅ systems are reported. The chemical resistant attack tests carried out on the free alkaline MoO₃-P₂O₅ glasses show that the glass associated with the P/Mo ratio 2 has the high chemical durability. It shows also a high glass transition temperature value. The above findings are interpreted in terms of the cross-link density of the glasses and the strength of the M-O bonds (M=P, Mo). The influence of K₂O addition on the properties (density, T _g, durability) of this binary high water resistant glass is studied. It is found that the chemical durability along with the other physical properties are reduced by the incroporation of K₂O in the glass matrix. The results were explained by assuming the formation of non-bridging oxygens and weak bonds. The mechanism of the dissolution of these glasses is proposed.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> and Cs<Subscript>4</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>8</Subscript>O<Subscript>26</Subscript>

Polymolybdates of the composition Cs₂Mo₄O₁₃ (1) and Cs₄Mo₈O₂₆ · 4H₂O (2) are synthesized under hydrothermal conditions from a mixture containing (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄ · 4H₂O and CsCl at pH 2.5 and 3.6, respectively.     

Effects of the Chemical Modifier on the Thermal Evolution of SrBi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> Precursor Powders

The effects of the chelating agent on the thermal evolution of SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ precursor powders were investigated. The precursor solutions were prepared from non-hydrolyzing precursors of bismuth and strontium and a tantalum alkoxide. The utilization of diethanolamine or triethanolamine as chelating agent was found to produce the segregation of metallic bismuth in the as-prepared powders, which led to the formation of a multiphase system. On the other hand, acetoin, one of the α-hydroxyketones, showed outstanding characteristics for the low-temperature synthesis of SrBi₂Ta₂O₉: elimination of residual organics at low temperature, an earlier onset of crystallization, and no segregation of secondary phases during the whole crystallization process.     

Hydrogen sorption and electrochemical properties of intermetallic compounds La<Subscript>2</Subscript>MgNi<Subscript>9</Subscript> and La<Subscript>1.9</Subscript>Mg<Subscript>1.1</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>9</Subscript>

Intermetallic compounds La_3–xMg_xNi₉ (x = 1.0, 1.1) were synthesized and their hydrogen sorption and electrochemical properties were studied. The maximum hydrogen storage capacities for La₂MgNi₉ and La_1.9Mg_1.1Ni₉ were shown to be 1.6±0.1 and 1.5±0.1 wt.%, respectively, and the unit cell volume increased by 24% and 16%, respectively, upon the hydrogenation of the alloys. The maximum specific capacity of the electrodes with the La_1.9Mg_1.1Ni₉ and La₂MgNi₉ alloys is 390 mA h g^–1 at a discharge current density of 60 mA g^–1, which is 24% higher as compared to the similar data for the LaNi₅ alloy (315 mA h g^–1). The electrodes demonstrate high specific capacity and performance at high current densities, as well as good cyclic stability.     

Thermal and structural investigation of SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> obtained by the polymeric precursor method

SnO₂-based materials are used as sensors, catalysts and in electro–optical devices. This work aims to synthesize and characterize the SnO₂/Sb₂O₃-based inorganic pigments, obtained by the polymeric precursor method, also known as Pechini method (based on the metallic citrate polymerization by means of ethylene glycol). The precursors were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). After characterization, the precursors were heat-treated at different temperatures and characterized by X-ray diffraction. According to the TG/DTA curves basically two-step mass loss process was observed: the first one is related to the dehydration of the system; and the second one is representative to the combustion of the organic matter. Increase of the heat treatment temperature from 500 to 600°C and 700°C resulted higher crystallinity of the formed product.     

Specific heat on Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Summary Specific heats on the single crystals of Sr₂Nb₂O₇, Sr₂Ta₂O₇ and (Sr_1-xBa_x)₂Nb₂O₇ were measured in a wide temperature range of 2-600 K. Heat anomalies of a λ-type were observed at the incommensurate phase transition of T_INC (=495 K) on Sr₂Nb₂O₇ and at the super-lattice phase transition of T_SL (=443 K) on Sr₂Ta₂O₇; the transition enthalpies and the transition entropies were estimated. Furthermore, a small heat anomaly was observed at the low temperature ferroelectric phase transition of T_LOW (=95 K) on Sr₂Nb₂O₇. The transition temperature T_LOW decreases with increasing Ba content x and it vanishes for samples of x>2%.     

Mechanism and kinetics of formation of La<Subscript>2</Subscript>SrFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>SrFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Phase formation processes in the systems Ln₂O₃-SrO-Fe₂O₃ (Ln = La, Nd) in air in the temperature range 1200–1500°C were studied. The synthesis of the complex ferrites La₂SrFe₂O₇ and Nb₂SrFe₂O₇ involves the formation of the intermediate compounds LnFeO₃ and LnSrFeO₄ and occurs by the same mechanism as the synthesis of the corresponding aluminates, but much faster.     

Electrical conductivity studies in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>1.33</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1.67</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Electrical conductivity in the monoclinic Li₂TiO₃, cubic Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄, and in their mixture has been studied by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 20–730 °C. Li₂TiO₃ shows low lithium ion conductivity, σ₃₀₀≈10^–6 S/cm at 300 °C, whereas Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄ has 3×10^–8 at 20 °C and 3×10^–4 S/cm at 300 °C. Structural properties are used to discuss the observed conductivity features. The conductivity dependences on temperature in the coordinates of 1000/T versus log_e(σT) are not linear, as the conductivity mechanism changes. Extrinsic and intrinsic conductivity regions are observed. The change in the conductivity mechanism in Li₂TiO₃ at around 500–600 °C is observed and considered as an effect of the first-order phase transition, not reported before. Formation of solid solutions of Li_{2– x} Ti_{1+ x} O₃ above 900 °C significantly increases the conductivity. Irradiation by high-energy (5 MeV) electrons causes defects and the conductivity in Li₂TiO₃ increases exponentially. A dose of 144 MGy yields an increase in conductivity of about 100 times at room temperature. Electronic Publication     

Dispersion state and catalytic properties of vanadia species on the surface of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts

The dispersion state and catalytic properties of anatase-supported vanadia species are studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and the selective oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride. The almost identical values of the experimental dispersion capacity of V₂O₅ on anatase and the surface vacant sites available on the preferentially exposed (001) plane of anatase suggest that the highly dispersed vanadium cations are bonded to the vacant sites on the surface of anatase as derived by the incorporation model. When the loading amount of V₂O₅ is far below its dispersion capacity, the dispersed vanadia species might mainly consist of isolated VO_x species bridging to the surface through V-O-Ti bonds. With the increase of V₂O₅ loading the isolated vanadia species interact with their nearest neighbors (either isolated or polymerized vanadia) through bridging V-O-V at the expenses of V-O-Ti bonds, resulting in the increase of the ratio of polymerized to isolated vanadia species and the decrease of the reactivity of the associated surface oxygen anions and, consequently, although the activity increases with loading to reach a maximum value, the turn over number (TON) of the V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst decreases linearly. When the loading amount of V₂O₅ is higher than its dispersion capacity, the turn over number decreases more rapidly with the increase of V₂O₅ loading due to the formation of V₂O₅ crystallites in which the oxygen anions associated with V-O-V bonds are less reactive and only partially exposed on the surface.     

Interaction of Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript> and SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> with Finely Divided In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The effect of O₂, Cl₂, and SO₂ on electrophysical and sorption properties of powdered In₂O₃ with a large specific area is studied at 23–200°C. The specimen is most sensitive to Cl₂ and SO₂ at near-room temperatures.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 529–536.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Vinokurova, Derlyukova.     

Phase diagrams of the KF-K<Subscript>2</Subscript>TaF<Subscript>7</Subscript> and KF-Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> systems

The phase diagrams of the systems KF-K₂TaF₇ and KF-Ta₂O₅ were determined using the thermal analysis method. The phase diagrams were described by suitable thermodynamic model. In the system KF-K₂TaF₇ eutectic points at x _KF=0.716 and t=725.4°C and at x _KF=0.214 and t=712.2°C has been calculated. It was suggested that K₂TaF₇ melts incongruently at around 743°C forming two immiscible liquids. The system KF-Ta₂O₅ have been measured up to 8 mol% of Ta₂O₅. The eutectic point was estimated to be at x _KF∼0.9 and t∼816°C. The formation of KTaO₃ and K₃TaO₂F₄ compounds has been observed in the solidified samples.     

Phase diagram of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

The results concerning the synthesis, structure and thermal properties of V₂O₅-MoO₃-Ag₂O samples in the vanadium rich region of ternary system are presented in the form of quasi-binary phase diagrams in which at constant V₂O₅/MoO₃ molar ratios, equal 9:1, 7:3 and 1:1, the content of Ag₂O was variable. A new ternary phase isostructural with NaVMoO₆ has been detected in the investigated system.     

Kinetics of phase formation upon the treatment of La<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> and La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> in a hydrogen flow

The sequence of phases occurring during treatment of lanthanum sulfate, La₂(SO₄)₃ and lanthanum oxysulfate, La₂O₂SO₄ in a hydrogen flow is established. The temperature ranges in which homogeneous La₂O₂S is produced are revealed: when La₂(SO₄)₃ is a precursor, the range is 770–1220 K; in the case of La₂O₂SO₄, the interval is 950–1220 K. The kinetic curves showing the time dependence of the yield of La₂O₂S is constructed and treated using the Avrami-Erofeev and contracting volume equations. The activation energies of the reactions are determined.     

Mo<Subscript>6</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>12</Subscript>-Incorporated Sol-Gel for Oxygen Sensing Applications

Excitation of hexanuclear molybdenum complexes such as Mo₆Cl₁₂ and its derivatives in the ultraviolet results in a strongly red-shifted luminescence centered at 750nm. Since oxygen efficiently quenches the luminescence, these thermally stable inorganic complexes are candidate lumophores for real-time, high temperature optical fiber based sensing of oxygen. Sol-gel films containing the acetonitrile complex of Mo₆Cl₁₂ were deposited on quartz substrates by dip coating. After drying, the films were heated at 200^∘C for 1 h. The luminescence lineshapes of films before and after heating were unchanged, indicating that heating did not adversely affect the cluster photophysics. Compared to solutions of the acetonitrile complex, quenching by oxygen was smaller in the as-prepared films, but heating at 200^∘C for 1 h increased the quenching, apparently due to increased oxygen permeability resulting from the loss of water or other small molecules from the matrix. These results confirm the potential of hexanuclear molybdenum complexes such as Mo₆Cl₁₂⋅2CH₃CN as the lumophores in fiber optic oxygen sensors that can operate up to 200^∘C.     

Effect of structural,redox and acid characteristics of M<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>y</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>) (M-Mn,Co, Cr) oxide nanocomposites on their catalytic properties in the deep oxidation of methane

Alumina-and zirconia-manganese catalysts for the deep oxidation of methane were studied by X-ray phase analysis, temperature-programmed hydrogen reduction, and IR spectroscopy. The most active catalyst has the optimal combination of dimensional, redox, and acid characteristics. The zirconia-manganese catalysts formed on the surface of a kaolin-aerosil honeycomb matrix provides for 80–100% conversion of methane to CO₂ at 690–750 °C. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 367–372, November–December, 2007.     

Characteristics of CuAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Cu<Subscript>9</Subscript>Al<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocomposites synthesized by mechanical treatment

Summary Reactive milling of Cu-hydroxycarbonate - powder aluminium mixture brings many complex chemical reactions such as decomposition, aluminothermic reduction and mechanical alloying resulting in the formation of nanometer size composites that contain intermetallic phases, -Cu₉Al₄ and -CuAl₂, with aluminium oxide.     

Effect of Pd and rare earth oxides (La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>, CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) on the properties of a Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/cordierite catalyst in reduction of O<Subscript>2</Subscript> and no by hydrogen

We have established that introducing a promoter (Pd) and modifying additives (La₂O₃, CeO₂) into the composition of a Co₃O₄/cordierite catalyst leads to an increase in its activity and selectivity during reduction of oxygen by hydrogen in the presence of nitrogen(II) oxide.     

Synthesis processes and transport properties of solid solutions in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-GeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> system

The results of studies of solid solutions with the overall composition of Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Ge _x O_{11 ? δ} and Bi₄Ge_{3 ? x} V _x O_{12 + δ} are presented. The process of phase formation are studied during the synthesis of solid solution using the ceramic method and through liquid precursors. Crystallochemical parameters of the obtained compounds are determined. The size distribution of the particles is studied. Conductivity of annealed of polycrystalline samples as a function of temperature and composition is studied using the impedance spectroscopy method. The shape of impedance complex plane plots of the samples obtained in different ways is studied and analyzed.     

Chemisorption of SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the Zn-modified In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> surface

Chemisorption of SO₂ and O₂ on the In₂O₃ surface containing a zinc additive (0.4–2.7 at.%) was studied in a temperature range of 22–200 °C. At least three forms of sorbed SO₂ exist on the modified In₂O₃ surface. The temperature affects the contribution of single forms of SO₂ sorption and, hence, the change in the electric conductivity. The preliminary sorption of O₂ favors the formation of a donor form of chemisorbed SO₂. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2228–2232, October, 2005.