Effects of NH 4 + and Cl− on the preparation of nanocrystalline TiO2 by hydrothermal method

Nanocrystalline TiO₂ powders with different morphologies and grain sizes were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Different concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl), ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄], and ammonium carbonate [(NH₄)₂CO₃] were used as additives in the hydrothermal process to investigate the effect of the concentration of ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ) and chloride ions (Cl^?) on the phase compositions, morphologies, and grain sizes of the prepared TiO₂. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and UV–Vis spectra. XRD results show that the as-synthesized powders are composed of anatase or a mixture of anatase and brookite. The grain size of the synthesized nano-TiO₂ powder ranged from 5.0 to 11.3 nm, and the related BET specific surface area varied from 127.5 to 191.0 m²/g. The photocatalytic activities of the prepared TiO₂ powders were evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation, and the results show that the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ powders synthesized with additives is improved compared with that of TiO₂ prepared without any additives.     

An intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) technique for lanthanide complexes: studies on lanthanide halides

An intermediate neglect of differential overlap method of use for examining the electronic structure of lanthanide complexes is developed. It is characterized by a basis set obtained from relativistic Dirac-Fock atomic calculations, the inclusion of all one-center two-electron integrals, and a parameter set based on molecular geometry.Lanthanide halides MX₂, MX₃ and MX₄ are studied here, as well as initial results for the twelve coordinate Ce(NO₃)₆ ^–2 ion. Geometries obtained are in excellent agreement with experimental values when available. Many MX₃ complexes are found to be pyramidal, and EuCl₂ and YbCl₂ are calculated to be bent even at the SCF level. Models invoking London type forces are therefore not required. Ionization potentials are calculated for the trihalides (SCF) and are in reasonable agreement with experiment.Contrary to conclusion of others, f-orbital participation, although small, is required — at least in this model — to obtain the spread of metal to halide bond distance observed in these complexes. However f-orbital participation does not seem to be significant even in the twelve coordinate Ce(NO₃)₆ ^–2 complex: rather the large coordination number seems to be a consequence of the relatively large size of the lanthanide ion.     

Herstellung der klassischen Seltenerd(II)-chloride in Lösung

Using the reduction of the trichlorides by lithium metal/naphthalene in tetrahydrofurane (THF), SmCl₂ and EuCl₂ were prepared in solventfree state, very sparingly soluble inTHF. The reduction of YbCl₃, combined with extraction to eliminate the oxide chloride content, yielded the compound YbCl₂·THF, much more soluble inTHF than YbCl₃.

     

Cationic-lanthanide-complex-catalyzed reaction of 2-hydroxychalcones with naphthols: Facile synthesis of 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes

Cationic lanthanide complexes [Ln(CH₃CN)₉]³⁺[(AlCl₄)₃]^3–·CH₃CN served as efficient catalysts for the tandem Friedel–Crafts alkylation/ketalization reaction of 2-hydroxychalcones with naphthols/substituted phenols to produce diaryl-fused 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes in moderate to high yields. The high catalytic efficiency of the cationic lanthanide complex [Yb(CH₃CN)₉]³⁺[(AlCl₄)₃]^3–·CH₃CN compared with that of YbCl₃ can be attributed to the increased Lewis acidity of the Yb species as a result of cation formation.     

Preparation of PANI-TiO2 nanocomposites and their solid-phase photocatalytic degradation

A series of polyaniline-anatase TiO₂ (PANI-TiO₂) nanocomposite powders with different PANI:TiO₂ ratios were prepared by ‘in-situ’ deposition oxidative polymerization of aniline hydrochloride using ammonium persulfate (APS) as oxidant in the presence of ultrafine grade powder of anatase TiO₂ cooled in an ice bath. And the solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of PANI-TiO₂ nanocomposites was investigated under the ambient air in order to assess the feasibility of developing photodegradable polymers. The photodegradation of the composite powders was compared with that of pure PANI powders by performing weight loss monitoring, elemental analysis, FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PANI-TiO₂ nanocomposite powders showed highly enhanced photodegradation and the photodegradation increased with decreasing ratios of PANI:TiO₂. A weight loss of about 6.8% was found for the PANI-TiO₂ (1:3) nanocomposite; however, the weight loss of the PANI-HCl powder was only 0.3% after being irradiated for 60 h under air. The photocatalytic degradation of the nanocomposite powders accompanied the peak intensity decrease in the FT-IR spectra at 1235 cm⁻¹, attributed to C-N stretching mode for benzenoid unit, and the depigmentation of the powders due to the visible light scattering from growing cavities. The elemental analysis and XPS analysis of the composite showed that the bulk and surface concentrations of N decreased with irradiation. A possible mechanism for the photocatalytical oxidative degradation was also mentioned.     

Sonoluminescence of aqueous solutions of lanthanide salts

The influence of salts (TbCl₃, Tb(NO₃)₃, PrCl₃, EuCl₃, CeCl₃, and DyCl₃) on the spectrum and intensity of multi-bubble sonoluminescence (SL) of water was observed at a frequency of 20 kHz. Luminescence bands of the lanthanide ions were detected in the SL spectra of concentrated solutions of the Ce^III, Tb^III, and Dy^III chlorides (0.1—1 mol L^–1). No luminescence was observed for solutions of the other salts, and the shape of the spectra is due to the absorption of the water SL by the lanthanide ions. Possible mechanisms of the appearance of SL of lanthanides were considered. The first mechanism is the excitation of the lanthanide aqua ions in the solution bulk due to the absorption of the short-wave portion of glow of the excited water molecules and OH radicals emitted from the cavitation gas-vapor bubbles. The second mechanism involves the transfer of the lanthanide ions to the gas phase from the liquid layer adjacent to the cavitation bubble and their excitation in the bubble volume upon collisions with other hot or electron-excited particles.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of spherical bridged polysilsequioxanes activated by lanthanide ions

Luminescent microspherical bridged polysilsequioxane were prepared by heating the mixture of lanthanide ions (EuCl₃ or TbCl₃) and bis-silylated bipyridine having dual roles, i.e. the bipyridine moieties can sensitize the luminescence of Eu³⁺ (or Tb³⁺) ions and the alkoxysilane substituent can be hydrolyzed and condensed via sol–gel process to create inorganic silica framework. The obtained microspheres were systematically investigated by IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, absorption spectroscopy, PL excitation and emission spectroscopy. IR spectra indicate that the silylated bipyridine has been hydrolyzed under the reaction conditions. SEM images show the microspherical morphology of the luminescent materials. It has been confirmed that the strong luminescence of the spherical bridged polysilsequioxanes is due to the effective energy transfer from the silylated bipyridine to the chelated lanthanide ions.     

Significant effect of lanthanide doping on the texture and properties of nanocrystalline mesoporous TiO2

A systematic study of microstructure and photocatalytic properties of lanthanide doping of nanocrystalline mesoporous titanium dioxide is performed. The anatase-to-rutile (A-R) phase transformation of nanosized TiO₂ was significantly inhibited by lanthanide doping and the inhibitory effect was enhanced with the increase of the rare earth radius, i.e., La³⁺>Gd³⁺>Yb³⁺ for different lanthanide dopants. At high calcination temperatures, different texture lanthanide titanium oxides of Ln₄Ti₉O₂₄ (La³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺), Ln₂Ti₂O₇ (Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺), and Yb₂TiO₅ were developed, respectively, revealing that the structures of lanthanide titanium oxide developed in Ln/TiO₂ depend on the lanthanide radius. Larger radius lanthanides prefer to form higher coordination number lanthanide titanium oxide. In addition, the thermal stability of mesoporous structures of TiO₂ was remarkable improved by lanthanide doping. The photocatalytic properties were studied by employing the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RB) as a probe reaction. The results indicate that the lanthanide doping could bring about significant improvement to the photoreactivity of TiO₂, and the improvement was sensitive to the atomic electronic configuration.     

Multibubble sonoluminescence of europium(III) chloride in heavy water

A weak glow in the region of the Eu³⁺ photoluminescence spectrum was detected against the background of the continuum of the solvent emission during multibubble sonolysis of air- or argon-saturated EuCl₃ solutions (0.1 mol L⁻¹) in heavy water. No characteristic sonoluminescence of the europium ion in aqueous solutions was observed earlier. Possible reasons for the low yield of Eu³⁺ sonoluminescence compared with other lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) are discussed and the influence of europium on the spectrum of the solvent continuum related, in particular, to quenching of the electron-excited sonolysis products H₂O* (D₂O*) and Eu³⁺* in electron transfer reactions. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1793–1796, September, 2008.     

Thermochemische Untersuchungen an Mischungen einiger Lanthanoidchloride mit CuCl,AgCl und TlCl

Thermochemical Investigations on Mixtures of Some Lanthanoide Halides with CuCl, AgCl, and TlCl The phase diagrams CuCl/LaCl₃ (GdCl₃, YbCl₃), AgCl/LaCl₃ (GdCl₃, YbCl₃) and TlCl/LaCl₃ (GdCl₃, YbCl₃) were determined by difference thermal analysis. The systems with CuCl resp. AgCl as component are eutectic, however in mixtures with YbCl₃ the compounds Cu₃YbCl₆ and Ag₃YbCl₆, resp., which decompose peritectically, were observed. The systems with thallous chloride contain several compounds, namely TlLn₂Cl₇ (TlCl/GdCl₃ resp. YbCl₃), Tl₂LnCl₅ (TlCl/LaCl₃ resp. GdCl₃) and Tl₃LnCl₆ (TlCl/GdCl₃ resp. YbCl₃). The enthalpies of mixing of liquid mixtures of AgCl/LaCl₃ and AgCl/YbCl₃ were measured calorimetrically at 1173 K. On comparing the alkali chloride–lanthanoide chloride systems with the MCl systems presented in this paper some differences were observed. The M⁺ ions with d¹⁰ configuration decrease the tendency to form ternary halides in the MCl? LnCl₃ systems, the enthalpies of mixing are also much less exothermic than those of the comparable NaCl + LnCl₃ mixtures. The Tl⁺ ion with d¹⁰ s² configuration on the other hand behaves like an alkali cation of comparable size.     

The preparation,characterization, photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties of lanthanide metal-ion-doped TiO2 nanoparticles

Lanthanide metal-ion-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared with hydrothermal method and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and fluorescence spectrum. The results showed that a small part of metal ions entered into the lattice of TiO₂ and others adsorbed on the surface of TiO₂. The photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties of these lanthanide metal-ion-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles were investigated and the results showed that the photoresponse of Eu³⁺-, La³⁺-, Nd³⁺- and Pr³⁺-doped TiO₂ electrodes were much larger and that of Sm³⁺-doped TiO₂ electrode was a little larger than that of undoped TiO₂ electrode, indicating that the photogenerated carriers were separated more efficiently in Eu³⁺-, La³⁺-, Nd³⁺- and Pr³⁺-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles than in undoped TiO₂ nanoparticles. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RB) was conducted in the suspension of lanthanide metal-ion-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles, and its first-order reaction rate constant (k) and average initial rate (r_ini) were significantly higher in the presence of Eu³⁺-, La³⁺-, Nd³⁺- and Pr³⁺-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles than those in the presence of undoped TiO₂ nanoparticles. The enhanced photocatalytic degradation rate of RB in the presence of Eu³⁺-, La³⁺-, Nd³⁺- and Pr³⁺-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles is attributed to increased charge separation in these systems. The effect of the content of La³⁺ on the reaction parameters (k and r_ini) was also investigated and the result showed that there was an optimal value (ca. 0.5%) of the content of La³⁺ to make the rate constant (k) and average initial rate (r_ini) reach the maxima.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of tetra(monomethylammonium)hexachloroytterbatochloride(CH3NH3)4YbCl7

(CH₃NH₃)₄YbCl₇ has been synthesized from a solution of CH₃NH₃Cl and YbCl₃ in a mixture of ethnole/acetonitrile. The structure was solved from 1464 single crystal data by Patterson methods and refined to a final R_w = 0.035 space group P2, a = 9.972(6) Å, b = 7.605(5) Å, c = 12.866(6) Å, β = 90.53(4)°. The structure consists of alternating [YbCl₆]^3? octahedra and of tetrahedrally arranged [(CH₃NH₃)₄Cl]³⁺ units. Raman spectra display a splitting of frequencies related to the CH₃NH₃⁺ group in agreement with the structure determination. The magnetic susceptibility shows a remarkable deviation from a Curie-Weiss law below 170 K which may be explained by crystal field effects of Yb³⁺.     

Boron-doped TiO2: Characteristics and photoactivity under visible light

Boron-doped TiO₂ was prepared by the sol-gel method and by grinding TiO₂ powder with a boron compounds (boric acid and boric acid triethyl ester followed by calcinations at temperature range 200 to 600°C. Three types of pristine TiO₂: ST-01 (Ishihara Sangyo Ltd., Japan; 300 m²/g), P25 (Degussa, Germany, 50 m²/g), A11 (Police S.A., Poland 12 m²/g) were used in grinding procedure. The photocatalytic activity of obtained powders in visible light was estimated by measuring the decomposition rate of phenol (0.21 mmol/dm³) in an aqueous solution. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy (XPS), UV-VIS absorption and BET surface area measurements. The best photoactivity under visible light was observed for B-TiO₂ modified with 2 wt% of boron prepared by grinding ST-01 with dopant followed by calcinations at 400°C. This photocatalyst contains 16.9 at.% of carbon and 6.6 at.% of boron in surface layer and its surface area is 192 m²/g.     

An unusual effect of fast neutron irradiation of lanthanide /III/ chlorides

When anhydrous EuCl₃, GdCl₃, DyCl₃ or Eu₂O₃ are irradiated with fast neutrons and then dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid, small amounts of reducing species, believed to be divalent lanthanide cations, are revealed. The amount produced increases with the thermodynamic stability of the Ln²⁺ species /Eu>Dy>Gd>/.     

Plasma-Assisted Synthesis of TiO2 Nanorods by Gliding Arc Discharge Processing at Atmospheric Pressure for Photocatalytic Applications

The present study explores a new method of synthesis of TiO₂ nano-particles in an aqueous medium from TiCl₃ precursor by non-thermal plasma in humid air as feeding gas obtained at atmospheric pressure. The precursor solution, TiCl₃ is oxidized by strongly reactive species generated by gliding arc plasma (HO^· = 2.85 V/SHE) to produce titanium oxide powders. The synthesized powder was characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, nitrogen physisorption, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results obtained showed that the material consists of rod-shaped nanoparticles of rutile and anatase phases. The presence of TiO₂ phases was confirmed by FTIR spectrum and textural analyses showed that the material is mesoporous with specific surface area of 158 m² g^?1. UV–Visible spectrum of the plasma-synthesized TiO₂ sample showed that it absorbs in the UV–A region leading to effective use as a photocatalyst under visible light.     

Effect of dissolved oxygen and lanthanide ions in solution on TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation of 2-propanol

The photocatalytic degradation of 2-propanol in D₂O solution under UV irradiation was investigated. The conversion yield from 2-propanol to acetone was studied by ¹H-NMR measurements. The study was carried out to elucidate effects of O₂ in the reaction medium and lanthanide ion modification on the TiO₂ surface. Under aerobic conditions, acetone formation was clearly increased in comparison with anaerobic conditions. On the modification of TiO₂ with lanthanide ion, the conversion yield decreased with the increase in the ionic radius. Yb³⁺ ion modification increased the acetone formation by approx. 5% in comparison with the unmodified case. Appreciably large effects of the counter ion in lanthanide salts were also observed. The role of OH^˙ radical formation in the first step of photocatalysis was emphasized in the experimental results.     

Synthesis of high surface area nanocrystalline anatase-TiO2 powders derived from particulate sol-gel route by tailoring processing parameters

Stabilised titania sols were prepared using an additive free particulate sol-gel route, via electrostatic stabilisation mechanism, with various processing parameters. Peptisation temperature, 50°C and 70°C, and TiO₂ concentration, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 molar, were chosen as processing parameters during sol preparation. Results from TiO₂ particle size and zeta potential of sols revealed that the smallest titania hydrodynamic diameter (13 nm) and the highest zeta potential (47.7 mV) were obtained for the sol produced at the lower peptisation temperature of 50°C and lower TiO₂ concentration of 0.1 M. On the other hand, between the sols prepared at 70°C, smaller titania particles (20 nm) and higher zeta potential (46.3 mV) were achieved with increasing TiO₂ concentration up to 0.4 M. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) results of produced powders annealed at different temperatures showed that the 300°C annealed powder made from 0.1 M sol prepared at 50°C was a mixture of anatase and brookite, corresponding to a major phase of anatase (∼95% estimated), with the smallest average crystallite size of 1.3 nm and the highest specific surface area (SSA) of 193 m²/g. Furthermore, increasing TiO₂ concentration up to 0.4 molar for the sols prepared at 70°C resulted in decreasing the average crystallite size (1.9 nm at 300°C) and increasing SSA (116 m²/g at 300°C) of the powders annealed at different temperatures. Anatase-to-rutile phase transformation temperature was increased with decreasing peptisation temperature down to 50°C, whereas TiO₂ concentration had no effect on this transition. Anatase percentage increased with decreasing both peptisation temperature and TiO₂ concentration. Such prepared powders can be used in many applications in areas from photo catalysts to gas sensors.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Mononuclear and Binuclear Lanthanide Halide Complexes with Diglyme

Two types of isostructural complexes of lanthanide chlorides with diglyme have been synthesized. These are mononuclear molecular complexes [LnCl₃(diglyme)(THF)] (Ln = Eu ( 1 ), Gd ( 2 ), Dy ( 3 ), Er ( 4 ), Yb ( 5 ); diglyme = diethylen glycol dimethyl ether) and binuclear molecular complexes [LnCl₃(diglyme)]₂ (Ln = Dy ( 3d ), Er ( 4d ), Yb ( 5d )). Complex 1 was obtained by the reaction of [EuCl₃(DME)₂] with diglyme in THF. The complexes 2 – 5 and 3d – 5d resulted from reactions of LnCl₃·6H₂O, (CH₃)₃SiCl and diglyme in THF. The mononuclear complexes 2 – 5 crystallized directly from the solutions where the reactions of lanthanide compounds with diglyme took place. Recrystallizations of the powder products of the same reactions from dichloromethane resulted in the binuclear complexes 3d – 5d . Reactions of lanthanide bromide hydrates, (CH₃)₃SiBr and diglyme in THF achieved mononuclear molecular complexes [LnBr₃(diglyme)(L)] (Ln = Gd, L = H₂O ( 6 ); Ln = Ho, L = THF ( 7 )). Crystals of 6 and 7 were grown by recrystallization from dichloromethane. The lanthanide atoms (Ln = Eu–Yb) are seven‐coordinated in a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal fashion in all reported complexes, 1 – 7 and 3d – 5d . Four oxygen atoms and three halide ions are coordinated to lanthanide atoms in 1 – 7 , [LnX₃(diglyme)(L)]. Four chloride ions, two bridging and two nonbridging, and three oxygen atoms are coordinated to lanthanide atoms in 3d – 5d , [LnCl₃(diglyme)]₂.     

Photodegradation of methyl orange from wastewater on TiO2/SnS combined powders

The photodegradation of an aqueous solution of methyl orange by the TiO₂/SnS powders was studied in different ratios of SnS against TiO₂. The effects of the initial pH value and light resource were investigated. The SnS extends the light absorption edge of the TiO₂ to ~940 nm of the SnS (1.32 eV). The results indicated that the optimal SnS proportion for the maximum degradation efficiency increased in relation to a decrease in the initial pH in both sunlight and visible light, and decreased when changing from visible light to sunlight. The pure TiO₂ powder had maximum efficiency in conditions of pH 9 and visible light irradiation or in conditions of pH 7 and sunlight irradiation. In visible light, the degradation efficiency on the powders containing the SnS was larger than that on the pure TiO₂ powder in a range of pH 3–7. The maximum efficiency in visible light was found to be in conditions of pH 5 and TiO₂:SnS = 3:2 and 2:3, beyond which the efficiency decreased. The efficiency was, overall, larger in sunlight than in visible light. The mechanism of the effects of pH and light resource was discussed in view of the surface charge of the catalysts.     

Synthesis and visible light photocatalytic activity of Ag spot-coated TiO2–60 wt% SrO composite powders

Nano-sized TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powders were synthesized from titanium isopropoxide and Sr(OH)₂·8H₂O by use of a sol–gel method. Ag spot-coated TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powders containing 3, 5, or 7 wt% Ag were synthesized by hydrothermal-assisted attachment, by use of Ag hydrosol in a high-pressure bomb at 250 °C and 450 psi. Nano-sized Ag particles approximately 5–25 nm in diameter adhered to the TiO₂–60 wt% SrO₂ composite powders. The photocatalytic activity of Ag spot-coated TiO₂–SrO powders in the degradation of phenol showed that all were highly active when irradiated with UV light. TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powder spot-coated with 5 wt% Ag was more photocatalytically active under visible light than TiO₂–SrO composite powder.