Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties of ultra-high purity CrO2 prepared under high O2-gas pressure

Ultra-high purity CrO₂ was prepared by decomposing CrO₃ in O₂ with gas pressures up to 40 MPa, which were maintained throughout the decomposition process of CrO₃ to prevent the formation of any other phases of chromium oxides. Our method is different from the traditional methods that start from or under ambient pressures. The high oxygen pressure makes the meta-stable CrO₂ stable from the initial stage of preparation. As a result, the purity of the as-prepared CrO₂ is improved, and this has been further proved by the highest magnetization of the samples. The as-prepared CrO₂ particles show very large grains with flat surfaces, octagonal cross-section, and straight edges, owing to the high mobility of Cr ions in CrO₂ at temperatures above its melting point. The lattice parameters of CrO₂ are a = 4.4176 Å and c = 2.9144 Å. The maximum value of the magnetic entropy change of the high purity CrO₂ particles is ∼2.83 J/kg·K for an applied field of 1.5 T. The preparation of pure CrO₂ is important for studying its intrinsic properties and for applications in spintronic devices.     

Preparation and crystal structure of a new bismuth chromate: Bi8(CrO4)O11

Single crystals of a new bismuth chromate, Bi₈(CrO₄)O₁₁, were prepared by hydrothermal reaction of NaBiO₃·nH₂O in K₂CrO₄ solution. The bismuth chromate crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m with a=9.657(3), b=11.934(3), c=13.868(2)Å and β=104.14(1)°, Z=4 and the final R factors are R=0.038 and R_w=0.041 for 3541 unique reflections. The crystal structure has a slab built up by (CrO₄)²⁻ tetrahedra and distorted bismuth polyhedra which are five-fold pyramids, six-fold trigonal prisms and octahedra. The distance of lone pair from nucleus for bismuth atoms ranges from 0.29 to 1.12 Å, depending on the coordination environment. Bi₈(CrO₄)O₁₁ decomposes to Bi₁₄CrO₂₄ and a small amount of an unknown phase at 796 °C.     

Proton NMR studies of lanthanum nickel hydride: Structure and diffusion

The proton magnetic resonance spectrum of lanthanum nickel hydride LaNi_5.3H₆ was measured over the temperature range 118°K < T < 300°K. The second moment of the absorption at 118°K is M₂ = 13.4 ± 0.3 G². Several possible arrangements of the hydrogen atoms are discussed. Narrowing of the line above 140°K is analyzed in terms of proton diffusion and gives an activation enthalpy E = 21 ± 1 kJ mol^?1, NMR correlation time pre-exponential 0.2 ps < τ_c⁰ < 1.6 ps and a self diffusion coefficient at 300°K of 2 × 10^?12 m² s^?1 < D < 2 × 10^?11 m² s^?1.     

Enthalpy of solvation, ΔHsolv0(CrO42−) (g), of gaseous chromate ion as estimated from lattice energy calculations

The enthalpy of solvation of the gaseous chromate ion, ΔH_solv⁰(CrO₄^2?) (g) is estimated on the basis of recent lattice energy studies made in this laboratory, and a charge distribution assigned to the ion. On the basis of the assigned charge of ?0.57 proton units to the oxygen atoms of the CrO₄^2? unit, the total lattice potential energies are found to be: U_pot(Na₂CrO₄) = 1836 kJ mol^?1; U_pot(K₂CrO₄) = 1717 kJ mol^?1; U_pot(Rb₂CrO₄) = 1645 kJ mol^?1 and U_pot(Cs₂CrO₄) = 1598 kJ mol^?1. The corresponding value for ΔH_solv⁰(CrO₄^2?) (g) = ?1077 kJ mol^?1.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structure of K6[(UO2)4(CrO4)7]·6H2O: A layered uranyl chromate with a new uranyl sheet topology

The layered uranyl chromate, K₆[(UO₂)₄(CrO₄)₇]·6H₂O (1), has been synthesized by reacting UO₃ with K₂Cr₂O₇ under mild hydrothermal conditions. The structure of 1 is formed from UO₂²⁺ cations that are bound by chromate anions to yield a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry around the uranium centers. These polyhedra are bridged by chromate anions to yield one-dimensional _∞¹[UO₂(CrO₄)₂]²⁻ chains. The chains are similar to the _∞¹[UO₂(CrO₄)₂(H₂O)]²⁻ chains found in the previously reported one-dimensional uranyl chromate, K₂[UO₂(CrO₄)₂(H₂O)]·3H₂O, a phase that forms concomitantly with 1. These chains are condensed with the loss of the coordinated water molecules into two-dimensional _∞²[(UO₂)₄(CrO₄)₇]⁶⁻ layers with additional one-dimensional _∞¹[(UO₂)₂(CrO₄)₃]²⁻ chains. These anionic layers form a new type of anionic sheet topology and are charge balanced by both intra- and interlayer K⁺ cations. Crystallographic data (193 K): 1, orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2, a=10.9583(5) Å, b=22.582(1) Å, c=7.9552(4) Å, Z=2, MoKα, λ=0.71073, R(F)=1.77% for 268 parameters with 4657 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

The electronic structure of CrO43− as studied by EPR in K2SO4 single crystals

EPR and ENDOR investigations are carried out on irradiated K₂SO₄ crystals doped with CrO₄^2? ions. They indicate the formation of CrO₄^3? centers interacting with a nearby proton. The identification of the CrO₄^3? centers is based on their g values, the orientation of the g tensor and the symmetry requirements. The results are compared with related studies on MnO₄^2? in K₂SO₄ and K₂CrO₄ hosts.     

An investigation of the Cr1−xMnxO2 series and the characterization of orthorhombic CrMnO4

Several members of the Cr_1?xMn_xO₂ series were prepared in the tetrahedral anvil press by the reaction of CrO₂ with MnO₂. The tetragonal, rutile-type products were single-phase and have been characterized by crystallographic and magnetic measurements. The results are consistent with the formulations Cr⁴⁺_1?2xCr³⁺ Mn⁵⁺O₂ for 0 ? x ? 0.5. At low manganese concentration, x < 0.20, the magnetic moments are consistent with ferromagnetic contribution from Mn⁵⁺. A two-phase product was noted at the composition x = 0.90. The CrMnO₄ composition was found to have a powder pattern similar to that of orthorhombic PtO₂.     

Electrochemical dissolution of CrIII and CrIV oxides

Oxidative dissolution of Cr oxides can be easily performed using voltammetry of immobilised microparticles. A combined procedure based on the dependence of current on time and potential (chronoamperometry with potential jumps) is suitable for the determination of the sensitivity of the dissolution rate to electrochemical potential. Applying this procedure, it was found that the rate determining step is preceded by two-electron oxidation in the solid phase that probably proceeds as a reversible equilibration between surface sites of Cr^III, Cr^IV and Cr^V. Voltammetry is sensitive to the phase composition, and so the voltammetric peak potentials obtained under the same conditions increase in the order LaCrO₃<CrO₂<Me^IICr₂O₄<α-Cr₂O₃. The influence of Fe- and Ni-for-Fe substitution on dissolution reactivity is also discussed. Received: 20 February 1998 / Accepted: 31 March 1998     

Hopping conductivity of distorted K2NiF4-type (Ca1+xNd1−x)CrO4

Orthorhombic distorted K₂NiF₄-type (Ca_1+xNd_1?x)CrO₄ (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) was synthesized using a standard ceramic technique. The cell parameters (a and c) decreased, whereas the cell parameter (b) increased with the increase in x. The variation in the global instability index (GII) indicated that the crystal stability of (Ca_1+xNd_1?x)CrO₄ was not influenced by the Cr⁴⁺ ion content. At all temperatures, the electrical conductivity (σ) of (Ca_1+xNd_1?x)CrO₄ increased with the increase in x. (Ca_1+xNd_1?x)CrO₄ was a p-type semiconductor and exhibited hopping conductivity in a small-polaron model in the temperature range of 290 K ≤ T ≤ 713 K. The Cr⁴⁺ ion acts as an acceptor, and the electron transfer through the Cr³⁺–O–Cr⁴⁺ path becomes active as a result of the Cr⁴⁺ ion content and the Cr–O(1) distance.     

Diffusion coefficient for model potentials through mean square displacement

The Chakrabarti velocity autocorrelation function has been used in the evaluation of the mean square displacement <r²(t)> of liquid argon and sodium for hard sphere and square well model potentials. The <r²(t) > plots become linear in the long time limit, yielding diffusion coefficients in agreement with experiment.     

Étude spectrophotométrique UV. de solutions diluées de chromate dans l'acide sulfurique concentré

Dilute solutions ( < 1· 10^?4M ) of CrO₄K₂ in concentrated sulfuric acid, were investigated spectrophotometrically. Spectral, kinetic and equilibrium studies confirm the instability of Cr^VI species and their conversion to Cr^V complexes, as proposed by MISHRA & SYMONS . Reaction mechanisms are proposed.     

Spectroscopic and structural studies of chromate ions in zinc complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine. Analysis of the lowest triplet states in the CrO42− entity

Two novel complexes of Zn(II) chromate with 2,2′-bipyridine have been synthesised: [Zn(bpy)₃]CrO₄·7.5H₂O (1) and catena-(μ-CrO₄-O,O′)[Zn(bpy)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (2). Complex 1 has been characterised by a structural method. The [Zn(bpy)₃]CrO₄·7.5H₂O crystals have a monoclinic symmetry with space group C2/c and eight chemical units. The chromate ion is not coordinated to the zinc(II) ion. The O(3) and O(4) atoms of CrO₄²⁻ and O(8) of the water molecule statistically occupy their position with k=0.5, which means that the chromate ions execute reorientational motion between two equilibrium arrangements with equal probability. 4 K electronic spectra (1) revealed the vibrational fine structure in ν₃(F₂)=820 cm⁻¹ for the spin-forbidden ¹A₁→³T₁ transition. The pure electronic 0–0 transition in ¹A₁→¹T₁ was found at 20 270 cm⁻¹. In complex 2 the broad low intensity band at ca. 16 800 cm⁻¹ has been assigned to a forbidden ZnOCr transition in the bridge.     

Ir absorption spectrum of CrO2Cl2 molecules for high-lying states of the vibrational quasi-continuum

A new approach to the spectroscopy of highly excited vibrational states of polyatomic molecules has been elaborated. The molecules of CrO₂Cl₂ were prepared in states with a vibrational energy of the ground electronic term A₁ of ≈ 19000 cm⁻¹ by means of internal conversion of electronic energy from the electronic state B₁ excited by laser radiation. The spectroscopy of the vibrationally excited molecules has been carried out in the region of the ν₆ and ν₁ bands with diode and CO₂ lasers. The fwhm of the obtained spectrum was ≈ 15 cm⁻¹. The intermode interaction in CrO₂Cl₂ has been theoretically analyzed, and the calculated spectrum compared with that measured experimentally. The time evolution of the spectrum of vibrationally excited CrO₂Cl₂ molecules has been studied. The average energy transferred per one collision with unexcited CrO₂Cl₂ molecules was equal to 〈δE〉 ≈ 1200 cm⁻¹.     

Solubility product and related thermodynamic quantities of silver and barium chromates in formamide

The values of ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰, and ΔS⁰ for the dissolution process, M₂(CrO₄)_x + solvent — 2 M^x+ (solvated) + xCrO₄^2? (solvated), where M is Ag or Ba, and x is 1 or 2, have been determined in formamide from solubility studies. The negative value of ΔS⁰ indicates that there is more order in the dissolved state than in the undissolved state.     

Pulsed NMR study of proton mobility in a hydrogen tungsten bronze

Crystalline hydrogen tungsten bronze H_0.46WO₃ was prepared by reduction of WO₃ single crystals. NMR relaxation times T₂, T₁, and T_1? were measured for 80 K < T < 450 K at 16 MHz and second moments for 160 K < T < 450 K at 100 MHz. The relaxation data were analyzed in terms of proton diffusion to give an activation energy of about 16 kJ mole^?1 and a correlation time preexponential factor of about 70 nsec for the process.     

3DOM InVO4-supported chromia with good performance for the visible-light-driven photodegradation of rhodamine B

Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) monoclinic InVO₄ and its supported chromia (yCrO_x/3DOM InVO₄, y denotes as the weight percentage of Cr₂O₃, y = 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) photocatalysts were fabricated using the ascorbic acid-assisted polymethyl methacrylate-templating and incipient wetness impregnation methods, respectively. Physicochemical properties of the materials were characterized by means of a number of analytical techniques. Photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of H₂O₂ under visible-light illumination. Compared to 3DOM InVO₄ and 15CrO_x/bulk InVO₄, yCrO_x/3DOM InVO₄ showed much better visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance for RhB degradation, with the 15CrO_x/3DOM InVO₄ sample performing the best. It is concluded that the CrO_x loading, higher surface area and surface oxygen vacancy density and lower bandgap energy as well as the better quality of 3DOM structure were responsible for the good photocatalytic performance of 15CrO_x/3DOM InVO₄ for the degradation of RhB.     

Chemical speciation of chromium(III,VI) employing extractive spectrophotometry and tetraphenylarsonium chloride or tetraphenylphosphonium bromide as ion-pair reagent

A simple and accurate extractive spectrophotometric procedure for the chemical speciation of chromium(III,VI) species in aqueous media has been developed. The method is based upon the extraction of the complex ion-associate formed between the chloro chromate (CrO₃Cl⁻) anion and the ion-pair reagent tetraphenylarsonium chloride (TPAs⁺Cl⁻) or tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (TPP⁺Br⁻) at pH ≤ 0 in chloroform followed by direct spectrophotometric measurement at 355 nm. The optimum concentration range evaluated by Beer-Lambert's law, Ringbom's plot, the molar absorptivity, the Sandell's sensitivity, the extraction and stability constants (K_D, K_ex and β), the stoichiometry and the extraction equilibria of the produced complex ion-associates have been determined and gave a convenient applications of the investigated system for analytical purposes. Chromium(III) was also determined by the proposed procedure after prior oxidation to chromate with H₂O₂ in alkaline solution. The method has been applied successfully for the analysis of chromium(VI) and total chromium(III,VI) in industrial wastewater of electroplating plant.     

New mixed-valence chromium structure type: NH4Cr(CrO4)2

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new structure type of mixed Cr(III)/Cr(VI) chromates is reported. NH₄Cr(CrO₄)₂ was prepared from CrO₃ in the presence of (NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₆. Since this is the first preparation of mixed valence ternary chromium oxides from aqueous solution, a reaction pathway for this synthesis is suggested. The crystal structure of NH₄Cr(CrO₄)₂ has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data collected at low temperature, 173 K. The structure belongs to the orthorhombic space group Pnma, with a=14.5206(10), b=5.4826(4), and Z=4. The title compound consists of corner-sharing chromium(III) octahedra and chromium(VI) tetrahedra forming a three-dimensional network with the composition [Cr(CrO₄)₂]_n^n-, containing channels in which zigzag rows of ammonium ions balance the net charge.     

Reactions anodiques et cathodiques des composes de Cr(VI) en milieu de nitrates alcalins fondus

The electrochemical behavior of chromate and dichromate, ions in molten NaNO₃-KNO₃ at 250°C has been studied by single-sweep voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The anodic dimerization of CrO₄^2- ions has been shown to proceed in three steps, the reaction: CrO₄^2-→CrO_4ad^?+e^? being rate-determining. The cathodic reduction of Cr₂O₇^2- ions includes the coupled acid-base reactions; it forms solid chromium oxide Cr₂O₃ and the soluble chromate and chromite ions.     

Broken orbital symmetry and the description of valence hole states in the tetrahedral [CrO4]2− anion

The localization of ligand-based valence holes in the tetrahedral complex ion [CrO₄]^2? in a crystalline environment is studied by SCF calculations on the hole states, with progressively less restrictions on the spatial symmetry of the molecular orbitals. The final wavefunctions are obtained by constructing, from the symmetry broken SCF solutions, wavefunctions that exhibit again the proper transformation properties under the operations of T _d . The crystal environment of the [CrO₄]^2? anion is represented by a point charge model. In contrast with the situation for core hole states, the projection afterwards into T _d symmetry is important. The final ionization energies, which are obtained from projected C _3v adapted SCF solutions, are reduced considerably (?3 eV) with respect to the T _d ΔSCF results, but the ordering of the states has not changed essentially. The calculated ionization energies compare favourably with results of XPS experiments on Na₂CrO₄. The evaluation of the energies of projected symmetry broken SCF solutions requires the calculation of hamiltonian matrix elements between determinantal wavefunctions built from mutually non-orthogonal orbital sets. An efficient method for the calculation of such matrix elements is presented.