PMA‐b‐PAA‐controlled synthesis of one‐dimensional CaCO3 superstructures

Crystallization of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) crystals by a gas‐liquid diffusion method has been carried out in aqueous solution using a double‐hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC) poly(maleic anhydride)‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) (PMA‐b‐PAA). The as‐prepared products were characterized with X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and infrared spectroscopic analysis (FT‐IR). Uniform one‐dimensional calcite micro/nanostructures with different morphologies are fabricated through an assembled process. The influence of PMA‐b‐PAA copolymer concentration on the morphology of calcite nano/microwires is investigated, which plays an important role in the morphological control of building blocks composed of one‐dimensional calcite crystals. The possible formation mechanism of one‐dimensional CaCO₃ crystals was discussed. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Evolution of hierarchical‐structured CaCO3 in binary mixed solvent

Calcium carbonate with hierarchical structure was synthesized in water/organic compound binary soluvent by a chemical solution process within CaCl₂/NaCO₃ reaction system. Acetone, isopropanol, glycol, tetrahydrofuran were selected as the organic compound. Evolution of the hierarchical structure of CaCO₃ was investigated. The as‐prepared products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CaCO₃ aggregations with spicate hierarchical structure were obtained with a high volume fraction of the organic solvent. Aspect ratio of the hierarchical structure increases to the highest when the volume fraction was 50%. Solvent with low dielectric constant was conducive to the oriented aggregation of the CaCO₃ grains.     

Controlled synthesis of barium chromate microcrystals

Barium chromate (BaCrO₄) microcrystals with various morphologies such as shuttle‐like, x‐shaped, ellipsoid, leaf‐like crystals were synthesized from aqueous solutions using poly (sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS) as template agent at room temperature. The characterization results show that pH values and concentrations of reactants and PSS are important parameters in the morphology and size evolution of BaCrO₄. The possible formation mechanism of BaCrO₄ crystals with different morphologies was proposed. PSS complexes Ba²⁺ first, then affects the nucleation and crystallization process by interacting with the plane face of crystal, which finally results in various morphologies and sizes of crystals. In addition, the possible mechanism of photoluminescence (PL) spectra was also proposed.     

Crystal structure of 2‐(3‐amino‐2,4,4‐tricyano‐buta‐1,3‐dienyl)‐ thiophene

The title compound (C₁₁H₆N₄S) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 23.561(4) Å, b = 7.064(1) Å, c = 13.018(3) Å, Z = 8; D_x = 1.387(1) g.cm^‐3 ; R = 0.073 for 1697 observed reflections [F2 ≥ 2σ(F²)]. The interesting feature is disorder in the crystal structure resulting from the existence of two isomeric molecules with interchangable carbon and sulfur positions, occuring at random but with equal probability in the structure.     

Crystal structure of 3‐(3‐nitrophenylhydrazonocarbonyl)‐(1H)‐1,2,4‐triazole

The title compound, C₁₀H₈N₆O₃, was synthesized by the reaction of 3‐(1H)‐1,2,4‐triazole hydrazine with 3‐nitrobenzaldehyde in ethanol. The single crystal structure has been determined by X‐ray analysis. The crystal belongs to monoclinic system, space group p2₁/c with cell constant, a = 8.0214(17) Å, b = 17.334(4) Å, c = 8.9070(18) Å, V= 1179.4(4) ų. An intramolecular N—H...O and N—H…N hydrogen bond are observed between the ‐NH group with O atom of the carbonyl group and the ‐NH group with N atom. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Facile morphology‐controlled hydrothermal synthesis of flower‐like self‐organized ZnO architectures

Flower‐like self‐organized crystalline ZnO architectures were obtained through a facile and controlled hydrothermal process. As‐synthesized products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), electron diffraction and UV‐Vis spectroscopy. XRD and electron diffraction results confirmed the obtained materials are pure wurtzite ZnO. The effects of different ratios of starting materials and solvent on the morphologies of ZnO hydrothermal products were also evaluated by SEM observations. It is suggested that the use of water, rather than ethanol as the solvent, as well as employing a precursor of Zn(Ac)₂ and 2NaOH (v/v) in hydrothermal reactions are responsible for the generation of specific flower‐like self‐assembled ZnO structures. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis of CaCO3 nanoparticles via citrate method and sequential preparation of CaO and Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles

Calcium carbonate nanoparticles were synthesized via so‐called sol–gel citrate method using calcium nitrate as precursor in presence of different concentration of citric acid, selected to be 0.0, 0.5, 1.25 and 2.5 times of the concentration of the precursor, on calcining at 600 °C for 5 h. Stable phase of the calcite is formed in presence of citric acid. The roles of organic additive concentration, calcination temperature and sonication on the particle size of the products were investigated. Calcium oxide nanoparticles were prepared by facial calcination of the resulted product at 900 °C for 5 h. Calcium hydroxide nanoparticles, however, were synthesized on sonication of the product for 20 min in water at room temperature. Samples were characterized by XRD and FT‐IR studies. Crystallite size of samples was calculated by XRD data and was measured by TEM analysis. The specific surface are (SSA) of samples was calculated by the XRD data and compared by the measured BET. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis of high purity calcium carbonate micro‐ and nano‐structures on polyethylene glycol templates using dolomite

This research paper describes the synthesis of nano‐ and micro‐structures of high purity precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) on poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) templates for broad‐range industrial applications, using readily available and cheap impure dolomitic marbles. In the method, calcium components of impure dolomitic marbles are extracted as calcium sucrate which is then bubbled with carbon dioxide gas using a carbonation column in the presence of PEG. The effects of concentration of PEG, pH of calcium sucrate solution and temperature on the final yield, morphology and polymorphism of PCC have been studied. Vaterite and calcite are the crystalline forms of calcium carbonate found in final PCC products. The vaterite is observed as hollow spheres with particle diameter of 1.5‐2 μm which is formed by aggregation of vaterite nanoparticles with particle size of 20 nm on PEG templates. Optimum conditions for the highest PCC yield of 79.94% are 0.4 mol dm⁻³ of PEG, pH of 6.5 and temperature of 80 °C. The purity of PCC products is about 99%. Therefore, the synthesized PCC products are of required purity and quality for industrial applications.     

柠檬酸钠作用下碳酸钙的制备

选取柠檬酸钠(Na3C6H5O7)为碳酸钙生长的控制剂,通过气体扩散的方法仿生合成了不同形貌的碳酸钙,并考察矿化时间对碳酸钙晶型和形貌的调控作用.采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)以及X射线衍射(XRD)对所得产物进行了表征.结果表明,随着矿化时间的改变所得碳酸钙粒子的形貌发生了显著的变化,出现哑铃状、高尔夫球状、球状等形貌.     

The influence of crystallization conditions on the onset of dendritic growth of calcium carbonate

Understanding the crystallization of calcium carbonate is relevant in numerous fields like biomineralization, geology and industrial applications where calcium carbonate forms. In order to enhance the knowledge about the formation of calcium carbonate with focus on the vaterite polymorph, in this work calcium carbonate has been crystallized in aqueous solutions at temperatures from 5 °C to 90 °C. Special attention has been directed to higher temperatures for which the effect of the initial supersaturation on the resulting crystal morphologies and the onset of dendritic growth have been studied. In analogy to snow crystal formation, it has been found that in a certain temperature range hexagonal plate‐like crystals form at low supersaturation whereas dendritic patterns start to appear at higher supersaturation. The symmetrical branches characteristic for dendritic growth get less pronounced as the temperature is decreased. The results reported here related to the interdependence between supersaturation, crystal morphology and growth mechanisms, can be used in future works to predict particle formation and to design crystal architectures. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Additive‐free solvothermal synthesis of peanut‐like BiVO4 powders with enhanced photocatalysis activity

Monoclinic peanut‐like BiVO₄ products have been successfully synthesized by a solvothermal method. The volume of CH₃COOH and the concentration of NH₃·H₂O were found to play important roles in the formation of this morphology. The optimal condition for preparation of highly active peanut‐like BiVO₄ samples are the volume of CH₃COOH, which was 5 ml, and the concentration of NH₃·H₂O, which was 2 mol/L. The as‐prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, DRS, BET, and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photocatalytic decolorization of a Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution under visible‐light irradiation. The results demonstrated that BiVO₄ with peanut‐like morphology was better than that of other BiVO₄ samples for photodegradation of RhB.     

Single crystal growth of CaMg2(SO4)3 via solid‐ / gas‐phase reactions and its Nasicon‐related crystal structure

Crystals of the double sulfate CaMg₂(SO₄)₃ have been obtained by solid‐state reactions of stoichiometric amounts of anhydrous CaSO₄ and MgSO₄ in sealed and evacuated silica tubes with chlorine gas as mineraliser. The crystal structure was determined from single crystal X‐ray diffractometer data [P 6₃/m, Z = 2, a = 8.3072(4), c = 7.3057(8) Å, R [F² > 2σ (F²)] = 0.0317, wR (F² all) = 0.0785, 476 structure factors, 33 variable parameters] and consists of distorted [CaO₆] octahedra (3 symmetry), [MgO₆] octahedra (3 symmetry) and SO₄ tetrahedra (m symmetry) as single building units. The structure is made up of ¹_∞[CaO_6/2] chains of face‐sharing [CaO₆] octahedra that extend parallel to [001], alternating with columns of face‐sharing [MgO_3/1O_3/2]₂ dimers. Both types of chains are linked via corner‐sharing with SO₄ tetrahedra into a three‐dimensional framework structure. Although the compound crystallizes in a new structure type, it is topologically related to the NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ (Nasicon) structure, and a comparative discussion between both structural arrangements is given. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structure of a 2D supramolecular framework with right‐ and left‐helices based on mixed ligands

An exploration of the cobalt‐OH‐BDC‐bpp system under hydrothermal conditions, has led to the isolation of a novel framework [Co(OH‐BDC)(bpp)_0.5(H₂O)]_n (OH‐BDC = 5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid, bpp = 1,3‐bi(4‐pyridyl)propane). Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis reveals that it crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. a = 10.235(8) Å, b =17.882(14) Å, c = 14.291(11) Å, β = 92.107(9)°.The cobalt ions are linked into an extended helical chain via OH‐BDC and mono‐coordinated bpp ligands through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Further these helical chains are united together through the bridging bpp to form a 2D layer and the adjacent chains possess the opposite chirality. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Bioinspired synthesis of morphologically controlled SrCO3 superstructures by natural gum acacia

Crystallization of strontium carbonate is performed in aqueous solution using Gum Acacia (GA) as crystal growth modifier. A novel study of hierarchical assembly, specifically interacting inorganic and natural component without introduction of other additives was studied. SrCO₃structures exhibiting the morphologies of well defined nanocrystallites in the form of clusters of hexagonal rods, flower shaped, cross like, doughnut shaped and rice grain shaped are identified by optimizing the conditions and concentration of GA. In continuation, morphology was also examined for mixed metal carbonates (Sr‐LaCO₃, Sr‐TbCO₃). The results indicate that –OH, –COOH and ‐NH₂ functional group moieties of GA play a remarkable role in inhibiting growth morphology of metal carbonates and mixed metal carbonates. Structural characterization of the synthesized materials was investigated by Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive analysis (EDAX), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled Mass (MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). This synthesis method can be easily extended to a variety of inorganic nanoparticles, thereby enabling exact control over material properties. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

溶胶-凝胶法制备CaCO3/SiO2复合粒子

采用复分解法制得纺锤形CaCO3,以正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)为硅源,通过溶胶-凝胶法对其进行SiO2包覆改性,制备出CaCO3/SiO2复合粒子.通过改变反应温度、氨水用量和TEOS用量,探究了包覆改性的最佳工艺条件.利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对样品的形貌、结构、物相、化学组成和包覆性质进行了分析和表征.结果表明:当温度为45℃,氨水用量为10 mL,TEOS用量为3 mL时,制备的复合粒子耐酸性最好.SiO2包覆不会改变CaCO3形貌与结构.在包覆界面处,SiO2通过形成Ca-O-Si化学键包覆于CaCO3表面.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of two polymorphs of three‐dimensional silver (I) 5‐(3‐aminophenyl)tetrazolates

Two polymorphs of silver 5‐(3‐aminophenyl)tetrazolates – α‐ and β‐Ag(amphttz) have been obtained by the reaction of amphttzH with AgNO₃ in presence of ammonia either in ambient condition or under the hydrothermal condition, respectively (amphttzH = 5‐(3‐aminophenyl)tetrazole). Both of the two phases of Ag(amphttz) were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. X‐ray analysis shows α‐, β‐phases crystallize in P ‐1 with a = 8.551 (2) Å, b = 8.720(2) Å, c = 11.173(2) Å, α = 98.15(3)°, β = 90.95(3)°, γ = 95.45(3)° and C 2/c with a = 13.542(3) Å, b = 10.135(2) Å, c = 12.610(3) Å, β = 113.58(3)°, respectively. The two polymorphs exhibit different 3D structures. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Room‐temperature synthesis and characterization of cross‐like Pr2(C2O4)3·10H2O micro‐particles

Cross‐like Pr₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O micro‐particles were synthesized through a simple precipitation method at room temperature. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) and photoluminescence (PL). The possible formation mechanism of the cross‐like Pr₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O micro‐particles was discussed, and Pr₆O₁₁ with similar morphology was obtained by calcining the oxalate precursor. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and magnetic‐optical properties of Sr3Gd(BO3)3 and Sr3TbxGd1‐x(BO3)3 single crystals

Single crystals of Sr₃Gd(BO₃)₃ (SGB) and Sr₃Tb_xGd_1‐x(BO₃)₃ (TSGB) with dimension Ø 20 mm×20 mm have been grown by Czochralski method. The grown crystals were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction analysis which showed the crystals belong to hexagonal structure with lattice parameters of a=b=1.254 nm, c=0.926 nm (SGB) and a=b=1.253 nm, c=0.925 nm (TSGB). In TSGB, x=17.7% was obtained by X‐ray fluorometry which showed the segregation coefficient of Tb is closed to 1. The transmission spectrum was measured, which indicated the crystals have high transmittance in 400‐1100 nm region. The Faraday rotation of single crystals at 532 nm wavelength was measured at room temperature. Finally, the Verdet constants were investigated, (SGB) V=17.9 degcm^‐1T^‐1 and (TSGB) V=21.3 degcm^‐1T^‐1. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Laser‐induced crystal growth of nonlinear optical Ba3Ti3O6(BO3)2 on glass surface

Nonlinear optical Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ crystals were patterned on the surface of CuO (1 mol%)‐doped 40BaO‐40TiO₂‐20B₂O₃ glass by irradiations of continuous‐wave Nd:YAG (wavelength: λ=1064 nm) and Yb:YVO₄ (λ=1080 nm) lasers. Laser energies absorbed by Cu²⁺ ions were transferred to the lattice system through a nonradiative relaxation process, consequently heating the glass and inducing local crystallizations. For the lines patterned by Yb:YVO₄ laser irradiations with a power of 1 W and a scanning speed of 20 μm/s, a c‐axis orientation of Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ crystals along the laser scanning direction is proposed from measurements of X‐ray diffraction analyses, polarized optical photographs, polarized micro‐Raman scattering spectra, and azimuthal dependence of second harmonic generations. The laser‐induced crystallization technique is found to be applied successfully for the spatially selective patterning of nonlinear optical Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ crystals in glass. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)