Ce掺杂K2La2Ti3O10催化剂的可见光高效催化制氢的研究

采用高温固相法合成了铈掺杂的K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀催化剂, 利用X射线衍射(XRD)、紫外-可见漫反射(UV-vis DRS)、透射电镜(TEM)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对催化剂进行了表征. 考察了催化剂的可见光催化分解甲醇水溶液制氢的活性, 并对可见光催化机理进行了分析. 研究表明, 铈的掺杂没有改变K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀的微晶结构, 并使催化剂粒径有所减小. 紫外可见漫反射分析表明禁带宽度为2.3 eV左右, 对可见光具有较高吸收. XPS表明La和Ti为＋3和＋4价, 而Ce则是＋3和＋4的混合价态. 担载2 wt% Pt后, 在可见光下光催化活性大大提高, 当铈的掺杂量为0.5 mol%(即Ce取代La的摩尔百分量)时, 光催化活性达到最大, 产氢速率为0.05 mmol/h; 光照5 h后产氢量为0.22 mmol, 而纯K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀的产氢量只有0.037 mmol.     

PbS插层K2Ti4O9催化剂：制备及光催化制氢活性

利用高温固相反应、离子交换、层间插入反应和硫化处理制备了PbS插层的K2Ti4O9催化剂。利用XRD、TEM、SEM、XRF、PL和紫外-可见漫反射光谱对催化剂进行了表征,考察了催化剂紫外光和可见光光催化制氢活性。结果表明,制备的PbS插层K2Ti4O9催化剂对可见光的吸收范围较宽,其吸收边界约为710 nm,在紫外光和可见光下3 h累积产氢量可达到115.46 mmol.gcat-1和0.92 mmol.gcat-1,与CdS插层K2Ti4O9催化剂相比具有更高的催化活性。     

Phase relations, crystal chemistry, and dielectric properties in sections of the La2O3-CaO-MgO-TiO2 system

Subsolidus phase equilibria and crystal chemistry were studied for the La₂O₃-MgO-TiO₂ system and for the ternary sections LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃-CaTiO₃-La₂O₃ and LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃-CaTiO₃-La_0.833Mg_0.25Ti_0.75O₃ in the quaternary La₂O₃-CaO-MgO-TiO₂ system. Dielectric properties (relative permittivity and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency, τ_f) were measured at 5-10 GHz and mapped onto the phase equilibria relations to reveal the compositions of temperature-stable (τ_f=0) compounds and mixtures. Phase equilibria relations were obtained by X-ray powder diffraction analysis of approximately 80 specimens prepared by solid-state reactions in air at ∼1450°C. Six ternary phases were found to form in the La₂O₃-MgO-TiO₂ system, including the three previously reported compounds LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃, La₅Mg_0.5Ti_3.5O₁₅, and “La₆MgTi₄O₁₈”; and the new phases La₁₀MgTi₉O₃₄, La₉Mg_0.5Ti_8.5O₃₁, and a perovskite-type solid solution (1−x)LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃-xLa_2/3TiO₃ (0?x?0.5). The phase previously reported as “La₆MgTi₄O₁₈” was found to form off-composition, apparently as a point compound, at La₆Mg_0.913Ti_4.04O₁₈. Indexed experimental X-ray powder diffraction patterns are given for LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃, La₅Mg_0.5Ti_3.5O₁₅, La₆Mg_0.913Ti_4.04O₁₈, La₁₀MgTi₉O₃₄, and La₉Mg_0.5Ti_8.5O₃₁. LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃ exhibits a slightly distorted perovskite structure with ordered B-cations (P2₁/n; a=5.5608(2) Å, b=5.5749(3) Å, c=7.8610(5) Å, β=90.034(4)°). La₅Mg_0.5Ti_3.5O₁₅ (Pm1; a=5.5639(1), c=10.9928(5) Å) and La₆Mg_0.913Ti_4.04O₁₈ (R3m; a=5.5665(1), c=39.7354(9) Å) are n=5 and n=6 members, respectively, of the (111) perovskite-slab series A_nB_n−1O_3n. The new phases La₁₀MgTi₉O₃₄ (a=5.5411(2), b=31.3039(9), c=3.9167(1) Å) and La₉Mg_0.5Ti_8.5O₃₁ (a=5.5431(2), b=57.055(1), c=3.9123(1) Å) are n=5 and n=4.5 members, respectively, of the (110) perovskite-slab series A_nB_nO_3n+2, which exhibit orthorhombic subcells; electron diffraction revealed monoclinic superlattices with doubled c-parameters for both compounds. Extensive perovskite-type solid solutions form in the ternary sections LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃-CaTiO₃-La₂O₃ and LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃-CaTiO₃-La_0.833Mg_0.25Ti_0.75O₃. The La₂O₃-MgO-TiO₂ system contains two regions of temperature-stable (τ_f=0) compositions. The quaternary La₂O₃-CaO-MgO-TiO₂ system contains an extensive single-phase perovskite-type volume through which passes a surface of temperature-stable compositions with permittivities projected to be in the 40-50 range. Traces of this surface occur as lines of τ_f=0 perovskite-type phases in the ternary sections LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃-CaTiO₃-La₂O₃ and LaMg_1/2Ti_1/2O₃-CaTiO₃-La_0.833Mg_0.25Ti_0.75O₃.     

CdS插层的K4Nb6-xCuxO17复合物的制备及其光催化制氢活性

以Nb2O5,K2CO3和CuO为原料经高温固相反应合成K4Nb6-xCuxO17催化剂,并通过层间离子交换反应,胺插入反应以及硫化反应制备CdS插层K4Nb6-xCuxO17复合催化剂(K4Nb6-xCuxO17/CdS)。利用X射线衍射(XRD),X射线光电子能谱(XPS),场发射扫描电镜(SEM),X射线能谱仪(EDX),紫外-可见漫反射(UV-Vis),分子荧光光谱(PL)等技术对催化剂进行表征。考察了催化剂的可见光催化制氢活性。结果表明,Cu离子掺杂进入K4Nb6O17晶格中,CdS位于K4Nb6O17层间。CdS插层K4Nb6-xCuxO17催化剂的最大吸收光波长约为550 nm。催化剂制氢活性有明显提高,紫外光和可见光下3 h产氢量分别达到279.83 mmol.gcat-1和7.11 mmol.gcat-1。最后讨论了复合催化剂光生电荷转移机理。     

Topotactic dehydration of the lamellar oxide HK2Ti5NbO14 · H2O: The oxide K4Ti10Nb2O27

The lamellar oxide HK₂Ti₅NbO₁₄ · H₂O can be topotactically dehydrated to K₄Ti₁₀Nb₂O₂₇. Electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction studies of this phase lead to a monoclinic cell with the parametersa = 17.005, b = 3.78, c = 9.01A˚and β = 92.14°. Diffusion streaks on the electron diffraction patterns indicate disorder whereas the existence of two sets of lattices on the same crystal give evidence of the topotactic character of the reaction. A structural model is proposed for K₄Ti₁₀Nb₂O₂₇, which corresponds to the intergrowth of K₃Ti₅NbO₁₄ layers with the K₂Ti₆O₁₃ tunnel structure. The possibility of formation of various intergrowths such as (KTi₅NbO₁₃)_n (HK₂Ti₅NbO₁₄)′_n is suggested.     

Electrical, electrochemical, and thermomechanical properties of perovskite-type (La1?x Sr x )1?y Mn0.5Ti0.5O3?δ (x?=?0.15–0.75, y?=?0–0.05)

Strontium additions in (La_1?x Sr _x )_1?y Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_3?δ (x?=?0.15–0.75, y?=?0–0.05) having a rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure under oxidizing conditions lead to the unit cell volume contraction, whilst the total conductivity, thermal and chemical expansion, and steady-state oxygen permeation limited by surface exchange increase with increasing x. The oxygen partial pressure dependencies of the conductivity and Seebeck coefficient studied at 973–1223?K in the p(O₂) range from 10^?19 to 0.5?atm suggest a dominant role of electron hole hopping and relatively stable Mn³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ states. Due to low oxygen nonstoichiometry essentially constant in oxidizing and moderately reducing environments and to strong coulombic interaction between Ti⁴⁺ cations and oxygen anions, the tracer diffusion coefficients measured by the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O isotopic exchange depth profile method with time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometric analysis are lower compared to lanthanum–strontium manganites. The average thermal expansion coefficients determined by controlled-atmosphere dilatometry vary in the range 9.8–15.0?×?10^?6?K^?1 at 300–1370?K and oxygen pressures from 10^?21 to 0.21?atm. The anodic overpotentials of porous La_0.5Sr_0.5Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_3?δ electrodes with Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2-δ interlayers, applied onto LaGaO₃-based solid electrolyte, are lower compared to (La_0.75Sr_0.25)_0.95Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3?δ when no metallic current-collecting layers are introduced. However, the polarization resistance is still high, ~2 Ω?×?cm² in humidified 10?% H₂–90?% N₂ atmosphere at 1073?K, in correlation with relatively low electronic conduction and isotopic exchange rates. The presence of H₂S traces in H₂-containing gas mixtures did not result in detectable decomposition of the perovskite phases.     

Preparation of Pt/K2La2Ti3O10 and its photo-catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from methanol water solution

A layered perovskite-type oxide K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ was prepared with high-temperature solid-state reaction, and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). Platinum was loaded onto K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ as a co-catalyst with different methods. The dispersion of platinum on K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ was determined with HOT method. The photocatalytic activity of Pt/K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ was studied. This catalyst showed much higher activity in hydrogen evolution reaction than Ni/K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀. The effects of different amounts of loaded platinum and several preparation methods were evaluated. The best achieved hydrogen evolution rate was 233.88 μmol·h⁻¹ by Pt(2%)/K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀. A possible band structure and mechanism were discussed based on the results.     

Electrophysical and thermomechanical properties of perovskites La<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>A<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>3–δ</Subscript> (A = Ca,Sr, Ba) used as fuel cell anodes: the effect of radius of alkali-earth cation

The effect of the radius of the alkali-earth cation substituted into the A sublattice of La_0.5A_0.5Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_3–δ (А = Са, Sr, Ba) perovskites on their stability and transport and thermomechanical properties is considered. The increase in the cation radius is shown to improve the phase stability and decrease the conductivity under both oxidative and reductive conditions. The thermal and chemical expansion of La_0.5A_0.5Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_3–δ ceramics is studied by dilatometry in controlled atmospheres and a wide temperature range at p(O₂)=10^–21–0.21 atm. The coefficients of thermal expansion of La_0.5A_0.5Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_3–δ are in the interval of (10.7–14.3)× 10^–6 K^–1, i.e., compatible with those of standard solid electrolytes of solid-oxide fuel cells. The maximum chemical expansion does not exceed 0.2% at isothermal reduction in the CO?CO₂ mixture.     

Effect of sintering on the ionic conductivity of garnet-related structure Li5La3Nb2O12 and In- and K-doped Li5La3Nb2O12

Garnet-structure related metal oxides with the nominal chemical composition of Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂, In-substituted Li_5.5La₃Nb_1.75In_0.25O₁₂ and K-substituted Li_5.5La_2.75K_0.25Nb₂O₁₂ were prepared by solid-state reactions at 900, 950, and 1000 °C using appropriate amounts of corresponding metal oxides, nitrates and carbonates. The powder XRD data reveal that the In- and K-doped compounds are isostructural with the parent compound Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂. The variation in the cubic lattice parameter was found to change with the size of the dopant ions, for example, substitution of larger In³⁺(r_CN6: 0.79 Å) for smaller Nb⁵⁺ (r_CN6: 0.64 Å) shows an increase in the lattice parameter from 12.8005(9) to 12.826(1) Å at 1000 °C. Samples prepared at higher temperatures (950, 1000 °C) show mainly bulk lithium ion conductivity in contrast to those synthesized at lower temperatures (900 °C). The activation energies for the ionic conductivities are comparable for all samples. Partial substitution of K⁺ for La³⁺ and In³⁺ for Nb⁵⁺ in Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ exhibits slightly higher ionic conductivity than that of the parent compound over the investigated temperature regime 25-300 °C. Among the compounds investigated, the In-substituted Li_5.5La₃Nb_1.75In_0.25O₁₂ exhibits the highest bulk lithium ion conductivity of 1.8×10⁻⁴ S/cm at 50 °C with an activation energy of 0.51 eV. The diffusivity (“component diffusion coefficient”) obtained from the AC conductivity and powder XRD data falls in the range 10⁻¹⁰-10⁻⁷ cm²/s over the temperature regime 50-200 °C, which is extraordinarily high and comparable with liquids. Substitution of Al, Co, and Ni for Nb in Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ was found to be unsuccessful under the investigated conditions.     

LaAlO3基电解质与阳极材料的化学相容性及电化学性能

采用甘氨酸-硝酸盐法(GNP)合成La_0.90Sr_0.10Al_0.97Mg_0.03O_3-δ (LSAM)粉体, 成型后经1500 °C、5 h 烧结的样品, 900 °C时其电导率为1.11×10^-2 S·cm^-1. 利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜/X 射线能谱分析(SEM/EDX)和交流阻抗技术等表征手段研究NiO-Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (Ni-GDC)、Sr_0.88Y_0.08TiO₃ (SYT)和La_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O₃(LSCM)三种阳极材料与LSAM电解质的化学相容性. 结果表明, SYT 和LSCM与LSAM的化学相容性欠佳,SYT中的Sr²⁺和Ti⁴⁺向LSAM晶格的扩散明显, LSCM中的Mn³⁺和Cr³⁺向LSAM晶格的扩散显著; 而Ni-GDC与LSAM具有良好的化学相容性, 在1300 °C下两材料间阳离子的相互扩散作用极小. 800 °C时Ni-GDC的比表面极化电阻(RASP)值为5.12 Ω·cm². LSAM 电解质(厚度为550 μm)支撑的Ni-GDC/GDC/LSAM/GDC/LSF(La_0.75Sr_0.25FeO₃)单电池, 在800 °C时电池的开路电压为0.925 V, 最大功率密度为19.5 mW·cm^-2.     

Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of K2Ti6O13 Doped with Transition Metal Fe or Ag

Based on the experimental study of the optical properties of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ doped with Fe or Ag, their electronic structures and optical properties are studied by the first-principles method based on the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated optical properties are consistent with the experiment results. K₂Ti₆O₁₃ doped with substitutional Fe or Ag has isolated impurity bands mainly stemming from the hybridization by the Fe 3d states or Ag 4d states with Ti 3d states and O 2p states and the band gap becomes narrower, the absorption edge of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ thus has a clear red shift and the absorption of visible light can be realized after doping. For Fe-doped K₂Ti₆O₁₃, the impurity bands are in the middle of the band gap, suggesting that they can be used as a bridge for valence band electrons transition to the conduction band. For Ag-doped K₂Ti₆O₁₃, the impurity bands form a shallow acceptor above the valence band and can reduce the recombination rate of photoexcited carriers. The experimental and calculated results are significant for the development of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ materials that have absorption under visible light.     

Effect of vapor thermolysis on microstructure development of sol–gel-derived lead zirconate–titanate (PZT) and PZT-Sr(K<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solutions

Ceramic granules of PZT (Pb(Zr₅₃,Ti₄₇)O₃) and fibers of SKN-doped PZT (1 Mol-% Sr(K_0.25Nb_0.75)O₃ substitution in PZT) were fabricated from sol–gel precursors. The transformation of the metal–organic gel to the oxide and its crystallization behavior was investigated by thermogravitmetry, and XRD. The formation of pyrochlore or perovskite phase was sensitive to the preceeding heat treatment conditions in moist atmosphere (termed vapor thermolysis). Lower thermolysis temperatures resulted in the preferred formation of metastable pyrochlore phase. Higher thermolysis temperatures favored the formation of perovskite. Investigation of sintered materials revealed a superior sintering activity for samples with pronounced intermediate pyrochlore content whereas low-pyrochlore samples remained highly porous after sintering. For constant chemical precursors the vapour thermolysis conditions (220–280 °C) siginificantly affected crystallization and sintering behavior of the PZT and SKN-PZT material.     

Preparation and Structure of Cerium Titanates Ce2TiO5, Ce2TiO7, and Ce4Ti9O24

Compounds Ce₂TiO₅, Ce₂Ti₂O₇, and Ce₄Ti₉O₂₄ were prepared by heating appropriate mixtures of solids containing Ce⁴⁺ and Ti³⁺ or Ti which were placed in a platinum-silica-ampoule combination at T = 1250°C (3d) under vacuum. The new compounds were characterized by powder patterns. We obtained Ce₂TiO₅ which is isotypic to La₂TiO₅ and crystallizes in the Y₂TiO₅-type (space group Pnma) with a = 10.877(6) Å, b = 3.893(1) Å, c = 11.389(8) Å, Z = 4. Ce₂Ti₂O₇ is isotypic to La₂Ti₂O₇ and crystallizes in the monoclinic Ca₂Nb₂O₇ type (space group P 2₁) with a = 7.776(6) Å, b = 5.515(4) Å, c = 12.999(6) Å, β = 98.36(5), Z = 4. The compound Ce₄Ti₉O₂₄ crystallizes orthorhombic with a = 14.082(4) Å, b = 35.419(8) Å, c = 14.516(4) Å, Z = 16. The new cerium titanate Ce₄Ti₉O₂₄ is isotypic to Nd₄Ti₉O₂₄ (space group Fddd (No. 70)) which represents a novel type of structure.     

Crystal structure and electrical conductivity of lanthanum-calcium chromites-titanates La1−xCaxCr1−yTiyO3−δ (x=0-1, y=0-1)

Five series of perovskite-type compounds in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ with the nominal compositions y=0, x=0-0.5; y=0.2, x=0.2-0.8; y=0.5, x=0.5-1.0; y=0.8, x=0.6-1.0 and y=1, x=0.8-1 were synthesized by a ceramic technique in air (final heating 1350 °C). On the basis of the X-ray analysis of the samples with (Ca/Ti)?1, the phase diagram of the CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃-CaCr^IVO₃ quasi-ternary system was constructed. Extended solid solution with a wide homogeneity range is formed in the quasi-ternary system CaCr^IVO₃-CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃. The solid solution La_{(1−x′−y)}Ca_(x′+y)Cr^IV_x′Cr^III_{(1−x′−y)}Ti_yO₃ exists by up to 0.6-0.7 mol fractions of CaCr^IVO₃ (x^′<0.6-0.7) at the experimental conditions. The crystal structure of the compounds is orthorhombic in the space group Pbnm at room temperature. The lattice parameters and the average interatomic distances of the samples within the solid solution ranges decrease uniformly with increasing Ca content. Outside the quasi-ternary system, the nominal compositions La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃, La_0.2Ca_0.8TiO₃, La_0.4Ca_0.6Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ and La_0.3Ca_0.7Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ were found as single phases with an orthorhombic structure. In the temperature range between 850 and 1000 °C, the synthesized single-phase compositions are stable at pO₂=6×10⁻¹⁶-0.21×10⁵ Pa. Oxygen stoichiometry and electrical conductivity of the separate compounds were investigated as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The chemical stability of these oxides with respect to oxygen release during thermal dissociation decreases with increasing Ca-content. At 900 °C and oxygen partial pressure 1×10⁻¹⁵-0.21×10⁵ Pa, the compounds with x>y (acceptor doped) are p-type semiconductors and those with x<y (donor doped) and x=y are n-type semiconductors. The type and level of electrical conductivity are functions of the concentration ratios of cations occupying the B-sites of the perovskite structures: [Cr³⁺]/[Cr⁴⁺] and [Ti⁴⁺]/[Ti³⁺]. The maximum electrical conductivity at 900 °C and pO₂=10⁻¹⁵ Pa was found for the composition La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃ (near 50 S/cm) and in air at 900 °C for La_0.5Ca_0.5CrO₃ (close to 100 S/cm).     

Synthesis and properties of fuel cell anodes based on (La0.5 + x Sr0.5 − x )1 − y Mn0.5Ti0.5O3 − δ (x = 0–0.25, y = 0–0.03)

Results are presented of studying electrochemical properties of perovskite-like solid solutions (La_{0.5 + x} Sr_{0.5 ? x} )_{1 ? y} Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} (x = 0–0.25, y = 0–0.03) synthesized using the citrate technique and studied as oxide anodic materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is used to establish that the materials are stable in a wide range of oxygen chemical potential, stable in the presence of 5 ppm H₂S in the range of intermediate temperatures, and also chemically compatible with the solid electrolyte of La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.15Co_0.05O_{3 ? δ} (LSGMC). It is shown that transition to a reducing atmosphere results in a decrease in electron conductivity that produced a significant effect on the electrochemical activity of porous electrodes. Model cells of planar SOFC on a supporting solid-electrolyte membrane (LSGMC) with anodes based on (La_0.6Sr_0.4)_0.97Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} and (La_0.75Sr_0.25)_0.97Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} and a cathode of Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_{3 ? δ} are manufactured and tested using the voltammetry technique.     

K4Nb6O17-derived photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from water: Nanoscrolls versus nanosheets

The layered hexaniobate K₄Nb₆O₁₇ is known as a photocatalyst for methanol dehydrogenation and hydrogen evolution from water under ultraviolet (UV) light. Here we show that the activity is retained in propylammonium- (PA) or tetrabutylammonium- (TBA) stabilized H₂K₂Nb₆O₁₇ nanosheets and TBA-stabilized H₄Nb₆O₁₇ nanoscrolls that can be obtained by exfoliation of K₄Nb₆O₁₇ followed by cation exchange. The catalytic activity of the exfoliated systems is comparable to K₄Nb₆O₁₇, with scrolls being most active in water, and PA sheets giving enhanced H₂ rates due to sacrificial electron donor action of PA. Femtosecond absorption spectra for TBA scrolls and PA sheets exhibit broad features between 450 and 700 nm due to trapped holes and electrons. Electron–hole recombination follows approximately second-order kinetics, with rates of decay similar for sheets and scrolls. In addition, catalysts were characterized with UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.     

Sol-Gel Processing of Some Electroceramic Powders

This review deals with the solution-sol-gel processing (SSG) of powders such as BaTiO₃, MgTiO₃, PbTiO₃, Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂, La₂Ti₂O₇, Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃, Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ and Ba(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃. Fine powders of good sinterability can be easily obtained at low temperatures although the process can be expensive and time consuming. We propose a nanocomposite route which utilizes nanophases of different components as a cost-effective alternative to sol-gel process for powder preparation.     

Effect of hydration on conductivity of Ba4La x Ca2 − x Nb2O11 + 0.5x (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) phases

Substitution of Ca by La in initial cubic double perovskite Ba₄(Ca₂Nb₂)O₁₁[VO]₁ allowed obtaining phases with a similar structure with a lower content of structural oxygen vacancies, Ba₄(La _x Ca_{2 ? x} Nb₂)O_{11 + 0.5x} [VO]_{1 ? 0.5x} (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2). The impedance technique was used to measure the temperature dependences of conductivity in the atmosphere of dry and humid air. Transport numbers determined using the EMF method in an oxygen-air and water steam concentration cells point to the predominantly hole nature of conductivity in the high-temperature region (T > 600°C) and to predominance of proton conductivity in the low-temperature region. Activation energies of hole and proton conductivity were calculated. Thermogravimetric measurements were carried out under heating from 25 to 1000°C with simultaneous mass-spectrometric determination of evolved H₂O and CO₂. The properties of the studied Ba₄(La _x Ca_{2 ? x} Nb₂)O_{11 + 0.5x} (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) phases were compared with the earlier studied Ba_{4 ? x} La _x (Ca₂Nb₂)O_{11 + 0.5x} phases with similar lanthanum content.     

Reduction of the titanium niobium oxides. I. TiNb2O7 and Ti2Nb10O29

Reduction of the titanium-niobium oxides follows a common pattern. TiO₂ is eliminated, to form a new phase richer in titanium than the original compound, and Nb(iv) replaces Ti(iv) in the original block structure, which is thereby enriched in niobium. With TiNb₂O₇, the second phase is a TiO₂NbO₂ solid solution, with the rutile structure, initially with a high titanium content, in equilibrium with a solid solution of composition Me₃O₇, isostructural with TiNb₂O₇. At log p_O2 (atm) about ?9.0 this reaches the limiting composition Ti_0.72Nb_2.28O₇, in equilibrium with Ti_0.56Nb_0.44O₂. The Me₃O₇ block structure then transforms into the Me₁₂O₂₉ block structure (Ti₂Nb₁₀O₂₉Nb₁₂O₂₉ solid solution), which rapidly increases in niobium content as reduction continues. Reduction of Ti₂Nb₁₀O₂₉ at oxygen fugacities above log p_O2 (atm) = ?9.0 forms the Me₃O₇ phase as the titanium-rich phase. At log p_O2 = ?9.0, and a composition about Ti_1.6Nb_10.4O₂₉, the rutile solid solution takes over as second phase. The niobium/titanium ratio in both phases rises as reduction proceeds, and the last vestiges of the Me₁₂O₂₉ phase, in equilibrium with the final product, Ti_0.17Nb_0.67O₂, are almost denuded of titanium.     

Advanced Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2.7</Subscript>/Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> composite film with enhanced visible-light-driven activity for the degradation of organic dyes

Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ composite photocatalyst films are synthesized by sol–gel dip-coating. The ratio of adding Bi and Ti precursors can be controlled during the preparation process. The phase structure is confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum shows that the composite catalysts present light absorption in the visible region. The obtained Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ composite films possess superior photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B, owing to the visible light response of Bi₂O_2.7 and the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes between the two components. As a result, the Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ (Bi/Ti = 1:1) displays the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light or UV light irradiation for the degradation of different organic dyes, including methyl blue, methyl orange and acid orange 7.