Short- and long-range order in the positive electrode material, Li(NiMn)0.5O2: a joint X-ray and neutron diffraction, pair distribution function analysis and NMR study

The local environments and short-range ordering of LiNi(0.5)Mn(0.5)O(2), a potential Li-ion battery positive electrode material, were investigated by using a combination of X-ray and neutron diffraction and isotopic substitution (NDIS) techniques, (6)Li Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy, and for the first time, X-ray and neutron Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis, associated with Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) calculations. Three samples were studied: (6)Li(NiMn)(0.5)O(2), (7)Li(NiMn)(0.5)O(2), and (7)Li(NiMn)(0.5)O(2) enriched with (62)Ni (denoted as (7)Li(ZERO)Ni(0.5)Mn(0.5)O(2)), so that the resulting scattering length of Ni atoms is null. LiNi(0.5)Mn(0.5)O(2) adopts the LiCoO(2) structure (space group Rm) and comprises separate lithium layers, transition metal layers (Ni, Mn), and oxygen layers. NMR experiments and Rietveld refinements show that there is approximately 10% of Ni/Li site exchange between the Li and transition metal layers. PDF analysis of the neutron data revealed considerable local distortions in the layers that were not captured in the Rietveld refinements performed using the Bragg diffraction data and the LiCoO(2) structure, resulting in different M-O bond lengths of 1.93 and 2.07 Angstroms for Mn-O and Ni/Li-O, respectively. Large clusters of 2400-3456 atoms were built to investigate cation ordering. The RMC method was then used to improve the fit between the calculated model and experimental PDF data. Both NMR and RMC results were consistent with a nonrandom distribution of Ni, Mn, and Li cations in the transition metal layers; both the Ni and Li atoms are, on average, close to more Mn ions than predicted based on a random distribution of these ions in the transition metal layers. Constraints from both experimental methods showed the presence of short-range order in the transition metal layers comprising LiMn(6) and LiMn(5)Ni clusters combined with Ni and Mn contacts resembling those found in the so-called "flower structure" or structures derived from ordered honeycomb arrays.     

Analysis of the spin exchange interactions and the ordered magnetic structures of lithium transition metal phosphates LiMPO4 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) with the olivine structure

The olivine-type compounds LiMPO4 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) consist of MO4 layers made up of corner-sharing MO6 octahedra of high-spin M2+ ions. To gain insight into the magnetic properties of these phosphates, their spin exchange interactions were estimated by spin dimer analysis using tight binding calculations and by electronic band structure analysis using first principles density functional theory calculations. Three spin exchange interactions were found to be important for LiMPO4, namely, the intralayer superexchange J1, the intralayer super-superexchange Jb along the b-direction, and the interlayer super-superexchange J2 along the b-direction. The magnetic ground state of LiMPO4 was determined in terms of these spin exchange interactions by calculating the total spin exchange interaction energy under the classical spin approximation. In the spin lattice of LiMPO4, the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic planes defined by the spin exchange J1 are antiferromagnetically coupled by the spin exchange J2, in agreement with available experimental data.     

Hydrogen bond assisted co-crystallization of a bimetallic Mn(III)₂Ni(II)₂ cluster and a Ni(II)₂ cluster unit: synthesis, structure, spectroscopy and magnetism

A new bimetallic Schiff-base composite complex [Ni?(LH?)?(H?O)?Cl?][Mn?Ni?(LH)?]?Cl?(CH?OH) (1) has been synthesized by a simple one-pot reaction. The compound was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the crystal structure the dinuclear nickel units are connected to the tetranuclear Mn?Ni? units by means of strong hydrogen-bonding interactions. The compound was further characterized by ESI-MS, ligand-field and infrared spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of the compound have been studied in combination with preliminary DFT calculations, and have resulted in the successful determination of the nature of the magnetic exchange interactions between the metal ions, and hence the coupling constants.     

Comparison of the structure and magnetic order in a series of layered Ni(II) organophosphonates, Ni[(RPO3)(H2O)] (R = C6H5, CH3, C18H37)

The reaction of nickel chloride with phenyl phosphonic acid under hydrothermal conditions resulted in the isolation of yellow-green single crystals of Ni[(C(6)H(5)PO(3))(H(2)O)]. The structure of the compound has been solved by X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies. Ni[(C(6)H(5)PO(3))(H(2)O)] crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmn2(1) and is isostructural with the Mn(II), Fe(II), and Co(II) analogues. It presents the typical features of the hybrid 2D structures, consisting of alternating inorganic and organic layers. The former are formed by six-coordinated nickel(II) ions bridged by oxygen atoms into the layers. The inorganic layers are capped by the phenyl phosphonate groups, with phenyl groups of two adjacent ligands forming a hydrophobic bilayer region, and van der Waals contacts are established between them. The magnetic properties investigated by means of dc and ac susceptibility measurements point to an AF exchange coupling between nearest neighboring Ni(II) ions. Below 5 K, the compound orders magnetically showing the typical features of a canted antiferromagnet. The magnetic behavior and magnetic dimensionality of Ni[(C(6)H(5)PO(3))(H(2)O)] have been fully analyzed and compared to those of the Ni(II) parent compounds Ni[(RPO(3))(H(2)O)] (where R = CH(3), C(18)H(37)), which exhibit different symmetries of the inorganic layers and lengths of the R groups.     

Interpenetration of a 3D Icosahedral M@Ni12 (M=Al,Ga) Framework with Porphyrin‐Reminiscent Boron Layers in MNi9B8

Two ternary borides MNi₉B₈ (M=Al, Ga) were synthesized by thermal treatment of mixtures of the elements. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data reveal AlNi₉B₈ and GaNi₉B₈ crystallizing in a new type of structure within the space group Cmcm and the lattice parameters a=7.0896(3) Å, b=8.1181(3) Å, c=10.6497(4) Å and a=7.0897(5) Å, b=8.1579(4) Å, c=10.6648(7) Å, respectively. The boron atoms build up two‐dimensional layers, which consist of puckered [B₁₆] rings with two tailing B atoms, whereas the M atoms reside in distorted vertices‐condensed [Ni₁₂] icosahedra, which form a three‐dimensional framework interpenetrated by boron porphyrin‐reminiscent layers. An unusual local arrangement resembling a giant metallo‐porphyrin entity is formed by the [B₁₆] rings, which, due to their large annular size of approximately 8 Å, chelate four of the twelve icosahedral Ni atoms. An analysis of the chemical bonding by means of the electron localizability approach reveals strong covalent B?B interactions and weak Ni?Ni interactions. Multi‐center dative B?Ni interaction occurs between the Al–Ni framework and the boron layers. In agreement with the chemical bonding analysis and band structure calculations, AlNi₉B₈ is a Pauli‐paramagnetic metal.     

Synthesis and anion exchange properties of a Zn/Ni double hydroxide salt with a guarinoite structure

In this study, the first route to synthesize a compound with the guarinoite structure (Zn,Co,Ni)₆(SO₄)(OH,Cl)₁₀·5H₂O is reported. Zn/Ni guarinoite is obtained from the reaction of NiSO₄·7H₂O with solid ZnO in aqueous solution. The resulting green Zn/Ni guarinoite ((Zn_3.52Ni_1.63)(SO₄)_1.33(OH_7.64)·4.67H₂O) was characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrometry, UV–Visible spectrometry and thermal analysis. It is shown that its structure is similar to the one described for the layered Zn sulfate hydroxide hydrate, i.e. brucite layers with empty octahedra presenting tetrahedrally coordinated divalent atoms above and below the empty octahedra. Ni atoms are located in the octahedra and zinc atoms in tetrahedra and octahedra. In this structure the exchangeable anions are located at the apex of tetrahedra. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations show that the Zn/Ni guarinoite is composed of aggregates of hexagonal plates of several hundreds of nanometers. Due to its interest for industrial or environmental applications, the exchange of sulfate groups by carbonates has been investigated. Results show a limited exchange and a higher affinity of the Zn/Ni guarinoite for sulfates compared to carbonates.     

A family of double-bowl pseudo metallocalix[6]arene discs

We report the synthesis and magnetic characterisation of a series of planar [M?] (M= Ni(II), Zn(II)) disc complexes [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)? (1), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeOH (2), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·3MeNO? (3), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeCN (4), [Zn?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeOH·H?O (5) and [Zn?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·3MeNO? (6) (where HL? = 2-iminomethyl-6-methoxy-phenol, HL? = 2-iminomethyl-4-bromo-6-methoxy-phenol). Each member exhibits a double-bowl pseudo metallocalix[6]arene topology whereby the individual [M?] units form molecular host cavities which are able to accommodate various guest molecules (MeCN, MeNO? and MeOH). Magnetic susceptibility measurements carried out on complexes 1 and 4 indicate weak exchange between the Ni(II) centres.     

Ni(cyclam)(mu(1,3)-dca)2Cu(mu(1,5)-dca)2]: a genuine 3D bimetallic coordination polymer containing both mu(1,3)- and mu(1,5)-bidentate dicyanamide bridges and a ferromagnetic interaction between copper(II) and nickel(II) ions

The structure of [Ni(cyclam)(mu(1,3)-dca)2Cu(mu(1,5)-dca)2], a genuine 3D dicyanamide-bridged bimetallic coordination polymer, is made up of 2D [Cu(mu(1,5)-dca)2]n layers connected by [Ni(cyclam)(mu(1,3)-dca)2] bridging moieties; it exhibits a ferromagnetic exchange interaction between copper(II) and nickel(II) ions through the mu(1,3)-bidentate dicyanamide bridges.     

Über die Wirkung verschiedener Oxydationsstufen des Nickels und Chroms bei der Heterogenen Austauschkatalyse

On the Effect of Different Oxidation States of Nickel and Chromium in Heterogenous Halogen Exchange Ni-doted AlF₃ catalysts and chromium oxide fluoride catalysts being used for production of C? Cl? F compounds from chlorocarbons by reaction with HF have been investigated by EPR. There are different oxidation states of Ni resp. Cr at the catalysts which show exchange behaviour. Extending the consumptions of mechanisms for heterogeneous Cl? F exchange the oscilation of oxidation state and therefore the exchange in donor-acceptor functions at the catalysts is said to be the cause for the effectiveness of the catalysts. It is presumed that this exchange of oxidation states is of general importance for catalytic processes with heterolytic bond cleavage.     

配合物生成反应速率常数与平衡常数之间的直线自由能关系IV:5位取代-1,10-邻菲 啉-铜(II)与镍(II)的金属交换反应动力学和机理研究

The kinetics of the metal exchange reactions between (5-R-phen)copper(II) (R = Me, H, Cl, and NO2) and Ni(II) was studied at 25?and ionic strength 1.0 mol dm-3 or pH 2.3-3.5. The rate of the exchange reactions was measured by a spectrophotometer. The reactions appeared to proceed through 3 different pathways which involved H+ attack and Ni attack as well as a pH- and Ni-independent dissociation of the complexes. The kinetics conforms to the following rate law: d[Ni(5-R-phen)]/dt = (kp + kH[H+] + kNi[Ni2+])[(Cu(5-R-phen)2+]. The reaction rate of the 3 pathways increased with decreasing basicity of the ligand. Some linear free energy relationships were found to exist between the reactivity of these Cu(II) complexes and the base strength of the ligand 5-R-phen. The mechanisms of the reactions are discussed.     

Cyanide-bridged manganese(II) and chloride-bridged copper(II) complexes with 2-pyridineethanol: synthesis,structural characterization and C-H⋯M interactions

[Mn(hepH)₂Ni(μ-CN)₂(CN)₂]_n (1) and [Cu₂(μ-Cl)₂(μ-hep)₂]_n (2) (2-pyridineethanol abbreviated to hepH) have been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray single-crystal structure analysis reveals that the structures of 1 and 2 consist of 1-D infinite chains. The coordination environment of Mn(II) was identified as distorted octahedral, whereas Ni(II) has a square planar geometry in 1. Each Cu(II) in 2 adopts a distorted square pyramidal geometry in which the basal plane is constructed by oxygen and nitrogen atoms from hep and a bridging chloride ligand, respectively, and the apical position is occupied by the other chloride. The 1-D chains in 1 and 2 are extended into a 2-D supramolecular network by O?H?N and weak C?H?Cl hydrogen bonds, respectively. Adjacent 2-D layers are further connected by C?H?M interactions resulting in the formation of 3-D supramolecular networks. The most remarkable properties of complexes are the presence of close C–H?M interactions with distance values of 2.58 and 2.93 Å between H?Ni and H?Cu, respectively. The H?Ni interaction distance is shorter than the corresponding values of other tetracyanonickelate(II) complexes.     

Oxide‐Modified Nickel Photocatalysts for the Production of Hydrocarbons in Visible Light

Metallic nickel nanostructures that were partially decorated by discrete nickel oxide layers were fabricated by in situ reduction of calcinated Ni‐containing layered double hydroxide nanosheets, the structure of which was confirmed by extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The existence of the abundant interfaces between the surface Ni oxide overlayer and metallic Ni altered the geometric/electronic structure of the Ni nanoparticles, making them apt for CO activation under light irradiation. Most importantly, the unique structure favors the C?C coupling reaction on its surface, which confers the catalyst unexpected reaction power towards higher hydrocarbons at moderate reaction conditions. This study leads to a green and sustainable approach for the photocatalytic production of highly valuable chemical fuels.     

Charge‐Transfer Solids Using Nucleobases: Supramolecular Architectures Composed of Cytosine and [Ni(dmit)2] Assembled by Multiple Hydrogen Bonds and Heteroatomic Contacts

Protonated species of the nucleobase cytosine (C), namely the monoprotonated CH⁺ and the hemiprotonated CHC⁺, were used to obtain four charge‐transfer complexes of [Ni(dmit)₂] (dmit: 1,3‐dithiole‐2‐thione‐4,5‐dithiolate). Diffusion methods afforded two semiconducting [Ni(dmit)₂]^? salts; (CH)[Ni(dmit)₂](CH₃CN) ( 1 ) and (CHC)[Ni(dmit)₂] ( 2 ). In salt 1 , the [Ni(dmit)₂]^? ions with a S=1/2 spin construct a uniform one‐dimensional array along the molecular long axis, and the significant intermolecular interaction along the face‐to‐face direction results in a spin‐singlet ground state. In contrast, salt 2 exhibits the Mott insulating behavior associated with uniform 1D arrays of [Ni(dmit)₂]^?, which assemble a two‐dimensional layer that is sandwiched between the layers of hydrogen‐bonded CHC⁺ ribbons. Multiple hydrogen bonds between CHC⁺ and [Ni(dmit)₂]^? seem to result in the absence of structural phase transition down to 0.5 K. Electrooxidation of [Ni(dmit)₂]^? afforded the polymorphs of the [Ni(dmit)₂]^0.5? salts, (CHC⁺)[{Ni(dmit)₂}^0.5?]₂ ( 3 and 4 ), which are the first mixed‐valence salts of nucleobase cations with metal complex anions. Similar to 2 , salt 3 contains CHC⁺ ribbons that are sandwiched between the 2D [Ni(dmit)₂]^0.5? layers. In the layer, the [Ni(dmit)₂]^0.5? ions form dimers with a S=1/2 spin and the narrow electronic bandwidth causes a semiconducting behavior. In salt 4 , the CHC⁺ units form an unprecedented corrugated 2D sheet, which is sandwiched between the 2D [Ni(dmit)₂]^0.5? layers that involve ring‐over‐atom and spanning overlaps. In contrast to 3 , salt 4 exhibits metallic behavior down to 1.8 K, associated with a wide bandwidth and a 2D Fermi surface. The ability of hydrogen‐bonded CHC⁺ sheets as a template for the anion radical arrangements is demonstrated.     

Herstellung von fluorreichen Verbindungen der Reihe C2ClnF6−n in heterogener Katalyse

Preparation of Compounds of the Series C₂Cl_nF_6?n with High Fluor Contents by Heterogeneous Catalysis A survey is given on catalytic systems for Cl? F exchange reactions with C₂Cl₆. A catalyst is described which is formed by reaction of C₂Cl₄/Cl₂/HF on γ-Al₂O₃ in Ni reactors. Deposition of nickel proceeds by the reaction Ni(CO)₄ → Ni + 4 CO. The formation of the catalyst and the catalytic reactions which give highly fluorinated C? Cl? F compounds are discussed.     

A novel asymmetric di-Ni(II) system as a highly efficient functional model for phosphodiesterase: synthesis, structures, physicochemical properties and catalytic kinetics

A novel asymmetric phenol-based 'end-off' dinucleating ligand 2-{[(2-piperidylmethyl)amino]methyl}-4-bromo-6-[(1-methylhomopiperazine-4-yl)methyl]phenol (HL) and three dinuclear nickel(II) complexes, [Ni?L(μ-OH)] (ClO?)? (1), [Ni?L(DNBA)?(CH?CN)?]BPh? (2) and [Ni?L(BPP)?(CH?CN)?]BPh? (3) have been synthesized and characterized by a variety of techniques including: NMR, infrared and UV-vis spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, molar conductivity, thermal analysis, magnetochemistry and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The UV-vis spectrum of complex 1 exhibits a strong peak at 510 nm, a characteristic absorption of a d-d transition of the square-planar four-coordinated Ni(II) center. Utilizing this feature, the stepwise formation of mono- and dinickel centers in solution can be monitored. Phosphodiesterase activity of a dinuclear Ni(II) system (complex 1), formed in situ by a 2?:?1 mixture of Ni(2+) ions and the ligand HL, was investigated using bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) as the substrate. The pH dependence of the BNPP cleavage in water-ethanol (1?:?1, v/v) reveals a bell-shaped pH-k(obs) profile with an optimum at about pH 8.3 which is parallel to the formation of the dinuclear species [Ni?L(μ-OH)](2+), according to the increase of the peak at 510 nm in the UV-vis absorption spectrum . These studies reveal that the di-Ni(II) system shows the highest catalytic activity reported so far, with an acceleration rate 1.28 × 10? times faster than the uncatalyzed reaction. The bridging hydroxyl group in [Ni?L(μ-OH)](2+) is responsible for the hydrolysis reaction. The possible mechanism for the BNPP cleavage promoted by di-Ni(II) system is proposed on the basis of kinetic and spectral analyses. This study provides a less common example of the asymmetric phosphodiesterase model, which is like the active sites of most native metallohydrolases.     

Heterometallic Fe2II–UV and Ni2II–UV Exchange‐Coupled Single‐Molecule Magnets: Effect of the 3 d Ion on the Magnetic Properties

Uranium‐based compounds have been put forward as ideal candidates for the design of single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) with improved properties, but to date, only two examples of exchange‐coupled 3d–5f SMM containing uranium have been reported and both are based on the Mn^II ion. Here we have synthesized the first examples of exchange‐coupled uranium SMMs based on Fe^II and Ni^II. The SMM behavior of these complexes containing a quasi linear {M?O?U?O?M} core arises from intramolecular Fe?U and Ni?U exchange interactions combined with the high Ising anisotropy of the uranyl(V) moiety. The measured values of the relaxation barrier (53.9±0.9 K in the UFe₂ complex and of 27.4±0.5 K in the UNi₂ complex) show clearly the dependency on the spin value of the transition metal, providing important new information for the future design of improved uranium‐based SMMs.     

Graphite felt modified with electroless Co-Ni-P alloy as an electrode material for electrochemical oxidation and reduction of polysulfide species

Electroless deposition of a Co?Ni?P alloy on the surface of graphite felt filaments was performed in a low-temperature pyrophosphate solution under flow-through conditions. The loading, composition, morphology, and structure of electroless the Co?Ni?P alloy deposit on the filaments of the modified graphite felt were investigated by gravimetric analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Electrochemical characterization of a graphite felt electrode modified with electroless Co?Ni?P alloy was performed by cyclic voltammetry, chrono-techniques, and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test in an aqueous solution of polysulfide composed of the mixture of 1 M Na₂S, 1 M NaOH and 1 M S. It was found that the electroless Co?Ni?P alloy deposit on graphite felt has good cycling stability and high electrocatalytic activity toward reversible electrochemical redox reactions of polysulfide species. In comparison with the bare graphite felt electrode, the electrode modified with the electroless Co?Ni?P alloy showed five to seven times lower values of anodic and cathodic overpotentials in the aqueous solution of polysulfide. It is very likely that the good electrochemical performance of the modified graphite felt electrode is related to the high surface area of the electroless Co?Ni?P alloy deposit.     

Average and local structure analysis of Na/Li ion-exchanged Lix(Mn,Ni,Ti)O2 using synchrotron X-ray and neutron sources

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Mn-rich layered Lix(Mn,Ni,Ti)O2 was synthesized by Na/Li ion exchange of a P3-Na0.7(Mn,Ni,Ti)O2 precursor. The combined chemical analysis with the ICP-AES,...     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic property of a novel ion‐pair nickel(III) complex containing 1,2‐benzenedithiolate

A new ion‐pair complex [1‐(4‐nitrobenzyl)pyridinium][Ni(bdt)₂] (1), in which bdt^2? = 1,2‐benzenedithiolate, has been synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray structure analysis shows that the anions are centrosymmetric, the two non‐equivalent anions form different uniform‐spaced stacking pattern and the weak H‐bonding interactions of C? H…S were observed in 1. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibilities of 1 indicates ferromagnetic behavior in the antiferromagnetic exchange system, which may arise from spin‐canting. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chelate von β-Dicarbonylverbindungen und ihren Derivaten. XVII. Zur Kristallstruktur von Bis-(thioisobutyrylacetonato)-nickel(II)

The x-ray structure analysis of the title Ni^II compound being of the planar coordination type Ni[S₂O₂] gives Ni? S distances of 2.15 Å and Ni? O distances of 1.87 Å. The sulfur atoms are arranged in cis-position. In the chelate ring the C? C distance is shortened in sulfur neighbourhood. This indicates a fixation of the C?C double bonds in the complex.