In situ study of growth and dissolution kinetics of ammonium oxalate monohydrate single crystals from aqueous solutions containing cationic impurities

The results of an in situ investigation of the effect of four different bi‐ and trivalent cations (Fe(III), Cu(II), Mn(II) and Cr(III)) on the displacement velocity of individual growth steps on the (110) face of ammonium oxalate monohydrate crystals as a function of supersaturation are described and discussed. It was observed that: (1) at a particular temperature of pure solutions and solutions containing impurities, the velocity v of movement of the [110] growth steps is always greater than that of the [111] steps, (2) fluctuations in the velocity of individual growth steps occur in all solutions containing similar concentrations of different impurities, (3) the value of kinetic coefficient β for growth steps decreases with an increase in the concentration c_i of Cu(II) impurity, but that for dissolution steps does not depend on c_i; moreover, the value of kinetic coefficient β for growth steps is higher than that of dissolution steps, and (4) in the presence of Mn(II) and Cr(III) impurities, the kinetic coefficient β for dissolution steps is several times greater than that for growth steps. The results are explained from the standpoint of Kubota‐Mullin model of adsorption of impurities at kinks in the steps and the stability of dominating complexes present in solutions. Analysis of the results revealed that: (1) the effectiveness of different impurities in inhibiting growth increases in the order: Fe(III), Cu(II), Mn(II), and Cr(III), and this behavior is directly connected with the stability and chemical constitution of dominating complexes in saturated solutions, (2) fluctuations in the velocity of growth steps is associated with the effectiveness of an impurity for adsorption; the stronger the adsorption of an impurity, the higher is the fluctuation in step velocity v, and (3) depending on the nature of the impurity, the kinetic coefficient for the dissolution steps can remain unchanged or can be higher than that of the growth steps. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth kinetics of ammonium oxalate monohydrate single crystals from aqueous solutions containing Co(II) and Ni(II) impurities

The growth kinetics of different faces of ammonium oxalate monohydrate (AO) single crystals from aqueous solutions containing different concentrations of Co(II) and Ni(II) ions at a constant temperature are described and discussed. It was found that: (1) at a given supersaturation σ, both Co(II) and Ni(II) ions lead to a decrease in the growth rates R of different faces of AO crystals, (2) the growth of a particular face of the crystals occurs above a critical supersaturation σ_d, but there is also another supersaturation barrier σ* when the rate abruptly increases with σ, and (3) the values of σ_d and σ* increase with increasing concentration c_i of the impurity. The experimental R(σ) data for different concentrations c_i of the impurities were analysed according to the model involving complex source of cooperating screw dislocations and concepts of instantaneous and time‐dependent impurity adsorption. Analysis of the data showed that: (1) adsorption of Co(II) and Ni(II) impurities occurs on the surface terrace of AO crystals, (2) there is a simple relationship between Langmuir constant K and the impurity concentration c_i* corresponding to maximum surface coverage, and (3) the ratio σ_d/σ* of the supersaturation barriers observed in the presence of both impurities increases with an increase in impurity concentration c_i, and may be explained from the standpoint of the mechanism of adsorption of impurity particles at kinks and ledges. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influence of complex formation upon inclusion of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) in ZnC2O4·2H2O

The inclusion of 3d‐impurities Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) in a crystalline precipitate of ZnC₂O₄·2H₂O is investigated. This study is a part of the systematic one deal with the mechanism of inclusion of 3d‐ions in sparingly soluble oxalate systems. The experiments are carried out in bi‐ end multi‐component systems at two different mediums – one with deficiency of oxalate ions, another with excess. The insertion of 3d‐ions upon mass crystallization of ZnC₂O₄·2H₂O does not proceed by a simple ionic substitution. The results show that the inserted amount of impurity depends on some physicochemical characteristics of the neutral monooxalato complexes [MnC₂O₄]^o, [CoC₂O₄]^o, [NiC₂O₄]^o and [CuC₂O₄]^o. Good agreement between included impurity and the concentration of its complex in the solution is established. The stability constant of monooxalato complex affects the impurity inclusion. This effect depends on the medium nature. In the deficiency of oxalate ions the factor determining the inclusion is thermodynamic one – stability of monooxalato complexes. In the excess of oxalate ions inserted amount depends on kinetic factor – the formation rate of these complexes. In the term of that the insertion of Mn(II) is definitely different in the two mediums while that of the Ni (II) does not depend on the medium. The copper shows deviation from overall dependence in the two mediums due to the Jahn‐Teller distortion. Its double decreasing insertion in the excess of oxalate ions is related with stabilization of [Cu(C₂O₄)2]^2‐. The conclusions presume that by varying the background medium and taking in view the ions present in the solution, the amount of inserted impurities can be predicted and controlled. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of Mn(II) ions on the growth of ammonium oxalate monohydrate crystals from aqueous solutions: I. Growth habit and surface morphology

The effect of concentration of Mn(II) ions on the growth habit and the surface micromorphology of different as‐grown faces of ammonium oxalate monohydrate (AO) single crystals grown from aqueous solutions was studied at a constant temperature of 30 °C and predefined supersaturations up to 20%. It was observed that the growth habit and the surface morphology of the crystals strongly depend on the supersaturation used for growth and the impurity concentration in the solution. The experimental results were analysed in terms of connected nets determined from different projections of the structure of AO crystals. Analysis of the observations revealed that: (1) the directions of connected nets corresponding to basic growth units composed of single (NH₄)₂C₂O₄ · H₂O molecules are in excellent agreement with the low‐index crystallographic directions of the orientations of growth layers, (2) all faces appearing in the growth morphology of AO crystals are F faces, and (3) the {001} face growing from pure aqueous solutions is essentially a kinetically rough face but the presence of Mn(II) impurity leads to their appearance in the morphology due to increase in the strength of bonds of the connected nets composing the surface graph.     

On the dimensions of species participating in the growth of ammonium oxalate monohydrate crystals from viscosity data of concentrated aqueous solutions

The experimental data of the temperature and concentration dependence of viscosity of concentrated aqueous ammonium oxalate solutions are analysed using the hole theory of liquids and Einstein's model of viscosity. Analysis of the data revealed that the dimensions of the species participating in the growth of ammonium oxalate monohydrate crystals are 3‐5 times larger than the dimensions of individual NH₄⁺ and C₂O₄^2‐ ions composing them. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of new uranyl malonate and oxalate complexes with carbamide

Two new malonate-containing uranyl complexes with carbamide of the formulas [UO₂(C₃H₂O₄)(Urea)₂] (I) and [UO₂(C₃H₂O₄)(Urea)₃] (II), where Urea is carbamide, and one uranyl oxalate complex of the formula [UO₂(C₂O₄)(Urea)₃] (III) were synthesized, and their crystals were studied by X-ray diffraction. The main structural units in crystals I are the electroneutral chains [UO₂(C₃H₂O₄)(Urea)₂]_∞ belonging to the crystal-chemical group AT¹¹M₂¹ (A = UO₂²⁺, T¹¹ = C₃H₂O₄^2-, M¹ = Urea) of uranyl complexes. Crystals II and III are composed of the molecular complexes [UO₂(L)(Urea)₃], where L = C₃H₂O₄^2- or C₂O₄^2-, belonging to the crystal-chemical group AB⁰¹M₃¹ (A = UO₂²⁺, B⁰¹ = C₃H₂O₄^2- or C₂O₄^2-, M¹ = Urea). The characteristic features of the packing of the uranium-containing complexes are discussed in terms of molecular Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra. The effect of the Urea: U ratio on the structure of uranium-containing structural units is considered.     

Crystal and Molecular Structure of 1-Ethyl-3-[tris(trimethylsiloxanyl)silyl]pyrrolinium Hydrochloride

The crystal and molecular structure of 1-Ethyl-3[tris(trimethylsiloxyl)silyl]pyrrolinium hydro-chloride (C₁₅H₃₈N⁺O₃Si₄ · C¹⁻) has been determined by direct methods. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 20.640(3), b = 19.494(2), c = 27.34(3) Å, β = 90.60(4)°, V = 11000(13) ų, Z = 16, D_x = 1.034 Mg m⁻³. There are two molecules with different conformations in the crystal. The pyrroline rings are non-planar.-The Si O Si angles range from 149(1)° to 163(1)°. Two of the SiMe₃ groups are disordered. All molecules are connected by C¹⁻ – N⁺ contacts and C¹⁻ - HN⁺ hydrogen bonds to form double chains.     

The effect of B2O3 on the solubility of (YSmLuCa)3(FeGe)5O12 garnet in PbO-B2O3 flux

The paper deals with the solubility of (YSmLuCa)₃ (FeGe)₅O₁₂ garnet in PbO—B₂O₃ flux. An anionic model explaining the effect of B₂O₃ on the solubility of rare earth garnet is suggested. This model is based on the assumption that PbO in the melted mixture of PbO, B₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, R₂O₃, CaO, GeO₂ dissociates into Pb²⁺ and O²⁻. The oxygen anions react with the other oxides under the formation of BO₃³⁻, FeO₃³⁻, RO₆⁹⁻, CaO₂²⁻ and GeO₃²⁻ anions, until the equilibrium is established. The garnet is dissociated into the anions mentioned above. The validity of the model is verified by an agreement of the experimentally determined saturation temperatures of the melts for LPE of garnet layers with the Arrhenius-type expression of the solubility product of garnet where x_i denotes the equilibrium concentrations of the anions in the melt and x° is the Ge content of the garnet film.     

Effect of Mn(II) ions on the growth of ammonium oxalate monohydrate crystals from aqueous solutions: II. Growth kinetics

The experimental results of the effect of concentration of Mn(II) ions on the growth kinetics of different faces of ammonium oxalate monohydrate single crystals from aqueous solutions at a constant temperature and different predefined supersaturations are described and discussed. It was observed that: (1) at a given supersaturation σ, Mn(II) ions lead to a decrease in the growth rates of different faces of AO crystals, (2) the growth of a particular face of the crystals occurs above a critical supersaturation σ_d but there is also another supersaturation barrier σ* when the rate abruptly increases with σ, (3) the values of σ_d and σ* increase with increasing concentration of the impurity, and (4) the values of σ_d depend on the growth kinetics of a face but those of σ* are independent of face growth kinetics. The experimental R(σ) data for different Mn(II) concentrations c_i were analysed according to the model involving complex source of cooperating screw dislocations and concepts of instantaneous and time‐dependent impurity adsorption. It was found that: (1) for a given face the differential heat of adsorption Q_diff is higher during instantaneous impurity adsorption than that during time‐dependent adsorption, and (2) the values of Q_diff involved during instantaneous adsorption are related with face growth kinetics but those during time‐dependent adsorption are independent of face growth kinetics.     

Synthesis and X-ray structural investigation of K2(H5O2)[UO2(C2O4)2(HSeO3)]

The synthesis and X-ray diffraction analysis of K₂(H₅O₂)[UO₂(C₂O₄)₂(HSeO₃)] single crystals have been performed. This compound crystallizes in the triclinic system with the unit-cell parameters a = 6.7665(4) ?, b = 8.8850(4) ?, c = 12.3147(7) ?, α = 94.73°, β = 90.16°, γ = 92.11°, sp. gr. P[`1]P\bar 1, Z = 2, and R = 0.019. The basic structural units are island [UO₂(C₂O₄)₂(HSeO₃)]³⁻ groups, which belong to the AB ₂⁰¹ M ¹ crystallochemical group of uranyl complexes (A = UO₂²⁺, B ⁰¹ = C₂O₄²⁻, and M ₁ = HSeO₃⁻). Uraniumcontaining complexes are linked through K⁺ and H₅O₂⁺ ions and via a system of hydrogen bonds with the participation of oxonium hydrogen atoms in this structure.     

On the origin of supersaturation barriers during the growth of single crystals from aqueous solutions containing impurities – a review

A generalised treatment of the appearance of supersaturation barriers σ_d, σ* and σ** during the growth of single crystals is outlined from the standpoint of well‐defined critical values of relative step velocities on a face. The final theoretical expressions are based on the premise that: (1) there are critical values of the relative step velocities associated with different average distances between adsorbed impurity particles during instantaneous, time‐dependent and time‐independent adsorption of the impurity on the growing surface, (2) the growth rate of a face is proporptional to velocity of steps on the growing face, and (3) Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms apply for different impurities. The theoretical expressions are then used to critically analyse the experimental data on supersaturation barriers observed during the growth of ammonium oxalate monohydrate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals from aqueous solutions containing different impurities. It was found that: (1) Langmuir adsorption isotherm is more practical for the analysis of the experimental data of the dependence of supersaturation barriers σ_d, σ* and σ** on the concentration c_i of an impurity, and (2) the ratios σ_d/σ* and σ*/σ** of successive supersaturation barriers for an impurity either increases or remains constant with an increase in impurity concentration c_i, and may be explained in terms of the mechanism of adsorption of impurity particles. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Magnetic and electric properties of the ternary alloys AB

The results of experimental studies of the electrophysical and magnetic properties of solid solutions based on the AB compounds with anion (Zn₃(P_xAs_1−x)₂ and cation (Zn_xCd_1−x)₃ P₂ substitution are reported. The Zn₃(As_xP_1−x)₂ solid solutions are characterized by p-type conductivity (∼ 10¹⁵  10¹⁷ cm⁻³), low Hall mobility and conductivity of ∼ 10⁻² — 10⁻³ ohm⁻¹ cm⁻¹. In the (Zn_xCd_1−x)₃P₂ solid solutions the samples rich in zinc are p-type, those rich in cadmium — n-type, the carrier concentration is ∼ 10¹⁶ — 10¹⁸ cm⁻³. From the measurements of the magnetic properties of the above mentioned alloys it is shown that in the investigated solid solutions a transition from the structure with direct optical transition to those with indirect optical transition occurs.     

X-ray diffraction study of R2[UO2(C3H2O4)2] ·H2O (R = K or Rb)

Compounds K₂[UO₂(C₃H₂O₄)₂] · H₂O (I) and Rb₂[UO₂(C₃H₂O₄)₂] · H₂O (II) are synthesized and their crystal structures are determined by X-ray diffraction. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system; for I, a = 7.1700(2) ?, b =12.3061(3) ?, c = 14.3080(4) ?, β = 95.831(2)°, space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, and R = 0.0275; for II, a = 7.1197(2) ?, b = 12.6433(4) ?, c = 14.6729(6) ?, β = 96.353(2)°, space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, and R = 0.0328. It is found that I and II are isostructural. The main structural units of the crystals are the [UO₂(C₃H₂O₄)₂]²⁻ chains, which belong to the AT ¹¹ B ⁰¹ (A = UO₂²⁺, T ¹¹, and B ⁰¹ = C₃H₂O₄²⁻) crystal chemical group of uranyl complexes. The chains and alkali metal ions R (R = K or Rb) are connected by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. Some specific structural features of [UO₂(C₃H₂O4)₂]²⁻ complex groups are discussed.     

Local symmetry breaking for negatively charged impurity centers in SrTi<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

First-principles calculations of the geometry and electronic structure of the impurity center in SrTi_{1 − x} Mn _x O₃ have been performed. Neutral and negatively charged defects are considered. It is found that the doubly charged impurity center is polar; it has C _4v symmetry and electronic state ⁴ B ₁ with electron polaron localized at one of the neighboring titanium atoms. It is shown that this state is due to the spontaneous breaking of the defect local symmetry: O _h (⁴ A _1g ) → D _4h (⁴ B _1g ) → C _4ν(⁴ B ₁).     

Crystal structure of M4[(UO2)2C2O4(SO4)2(NCS)2] ( M = K+, Rh+) and K4[(UO2)2C2O4(SeO4)2(NCS)2]

Three heteroacidoligand uranyl complexes M ₄[(UO₂)₂C₂O₄(SO₄)₂(NCS)₂] (M = K⁺ (I), Rb⁺ (II)) and K₄[(UO₂)₂C₂O₄(SeO₄)₂(NCS)₂] (III) have been synthesized and their crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compounds I–III are isostructural and crystallized in the monoclinic system, sp. gr. P2₁/c, Z = 2, a = 11.5548(3) ?, b = 7.0847(1) ?, c = 13.5172(3) ?, β = 93.130(1)°, V = 1104.90(4), R = 0.015 (I); a = 11.5854(9) ?, b = 7.3841(6) ?, c = 13.9072(9) ?, β = 95.754(3)°, V = 1183.74(15), R = 0.0235 (II); a = 11.6715(3) ?, b = 7.1418(2) ?, c = 13.8546(1) ?, β = 93.539(1)°, V = 1152.66(5), R = 0.0126 (III). Basic structural units of these crystals are [(UO₂)₂C₂O₄(XO₄)₂(NCS)₂]⁴⁻ chains, which belong to the crystallochemical group A ₂ K ⁰² B ₂² M ₂¹ (A = UO₂²⁺, K ⁰² = C₂O₂₋⁴, B ² = SO₄²⁻ or SeO₄²⁻, M ¹ = NCS⁻) of uranyl complexes. Uranium-containing chains are connected into a 3D framework via a system of electrostatic interactions with potassium or rubidium cations from outer spheres. Original Russian Text ? I.V. Medrish, E.V. Peresypkina, A.V. Virovets, L.B. Serezhkina, 2008, published in Kristallografiya, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 3, pp. 495–498.     

Synthesis and X-ray structural investigation of K8[(UO2)2(C2O4)2(SeO4)4] · 2H2O

Single crystals of the compound K₈[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)4] · 2H₂O (I) are synthesized, and their structure is investigated using X-ray diffraction. Compound I crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the unit cell parameters a = 14.9290(4) ?, b = 7.2800(2) ?, c = 15.3165(4) ?, β = 109.188(1)°, V = 1572.17(7) ?³, space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, and R = 0.0297. The uranium-containing structural units of crystals I are dimers of the composition [(UO ₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)₄]⁸⁻, which belong to the crystal-chemical group AB ⁰¹ B ² M ¹ (A = UO₂²⁺, B ⁰¹ = C₂O₄²⁻, B ² = SeO₄²⁻, M ¹ = SeO₄²⁻) of the uranyl complexes. The [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)₄]⁸⁻ dimers are joined into a three-dimensional framework through electrostatic interactions with the outer-sphere potassium cations. Original Russian Text ? L.B. Serezhkina, E.V. Peresypkina, A.V. Virovets, A.G. Verevkin, D.V. Pushkin, 2009, published in Kristallografiya, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 1, pp. 68–71.     

Effect of impurities on the optical properties of PbWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

The effect of excess W and La³⁺, Y³⁺, and Mo⁶⁺ impurities on the luminescence spectra and the thermally stimulated luminescence of PbWO₄ crystals is studied. A high tungsten content (up to 1 at %) in the charge mixture results in a high luminescence intensity in the green spectral region. Lanthanum impurity decreases the transmission in the short-wavelength (k > 29 000 cm^?1) spectral region. Lanthanum and yttrium impurities decrease the luminescence intensity. At low (10² ppm) concentrations, Mo impurity can somewhat increase the light yield. However, the presence of Mo in PbWO₄ shifts the absorption-band edge to longer wavelengths, while an increase in the Mo concentration above 10² ppm decreases the luminescence intensity.     

Crystal and molecular structures of potassium cobalt hydrogen phthalate K2[Co(H2O)6](C8H5O4)4 ⋅ 4H2O and mechanism of Co2+ impurity trapping in KAP crystals

The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of K₂[Co(H₂O)₆](C₈H₅O₄)₄ ? 4H₂O has been carried out. The K₂[Co(H₂O)₆](C₈H₅O₄)₄ ? 4H₂O single crystals are obtained in attempting to grow the KAP crystals with the maximum possible content of Co²⁺ impurity cations. The crystals are isostructural to the earlier-studied similar crystals with Ni(II). The structure is formed by double layers of biphthalate anions and the Co²⁺ and K⁺ cations in between. The Co²⁺ cations are coordinated only by water molecules, whereas the coordination of the K⁺ cations involves both the biphthalate anions and water molecules. A detailed crystal chemical analysis, together with the data on the growth kinetics of KAP crystals in the presence of Co²⁺ and the mass-spectrometric data obtained earlier for the KAP crystals, leads to the conclusion that the Co²⁺ impurity cations should be located in the form of the [Co(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cationic complexes in the interblock layers of the KAP crystals.     

Synthesis and structure of {NH2(C2H5)2}2[(UO2)2(C2O4)(CH3COO)4] · 2H2O

Single crystals of the compound {NH₂(C₂H₅)₂}₂[(UO₂)₂C₂O₄(CH₃COO)₄] · 2H₂O (I) are synthesized, and their structure is investigated using X-ray diffraction. Compound I crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the unit cell parameters a = 9.210(2) ?, b = 14.321(3) ?, c = 12.659(3) ?, β = 105.465(13)°, V = 1609.2(6) ?³, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, and R = 0.0198. The structural units of crystals I are binuclear groups of the composition [(UO₂)₂C₂O₄(CH₃COO)₄]²⁻ with an island structure, which belong to the crystal-chemical group A ₂ K ⁰² B ₄⁰¹ (A = UO₂²⁺, K ⁰² = C₂O₄²⁻, B ⁰¹ = CH₃COO⁻) of the uranyl complexes, diethylammonium cations, and water molecules. The uranium-containing groups are joined into a three-dimensional framework through electrostatic interactions with diethylammonium cations and a system of hydrogen bonds, which are formed with the participation of the atoms involved in the composition of the water molecules, oxalate ions, acetate ions, and diethylammonium cations. Original Russian Text ? L.B. Serezhkina, A.V. Vologzhanina, N.A. Neklyudova, V.N. Serezhkin, 2009, published in Kristallografiya, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 1, pp. 65–67.     

Hyperfine structure of EPR spectra of Cr5+ ions in irradiated sodium dichromate crystals

EPR spectra are studied of X-irradiated sodium dichromate crystals grown from an aqueous solution by evaporation at 31°C. Doublet lines of EPR-absorption are attributed to the Cr⁵⁺ ions in the CrO₄³⁻ and CrO₃⁻ radicals resulting from radiation decomposition of Cr₂O₇²⁻ and being in the lattice in two unequivalent positions. Hyperfine structure caused by interaction of an unpaired electron with Cr⁵³ nucleus were observed both at liquid nitrogen and room temperatures. For the line, caused by CrO₄³⁻ radical, g_y and A_y directions coincide and angles both between A_x, g_x and A_z, g_z make up ∼ 25°. The spectrum is described by usual spin Hamiltonian for S = 1/2 with following parameters (T = 77 K): for CrO: g_z = 1.984, g_y = 1.970, g_x = 1.961, |A_z| = 8.2 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, |A_y| = 13.7 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, |A_x| = 36.1 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹; for CrO₃⁻: g_z = 1.915, g_y = 1.975, g_x = 1.985, |A_z| = 32.2 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹.