X‐Ray Photoelectron‐ and Auger‐Spectroscopic Study of Superstoichiometric Fluorographite‐Like Materials

Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger spectroscopy methods were used to study industrial fluorographitelike fluorocarbon materials (FCMs) of superstoichiometric CF_1.25–1.33 composition [fluorosibunite (FS) and T900 fluorinated soot (FT)] and fluorinated graphites of CF_0.88–1.08 composition. Based on XPS analysis, models were proposed for the surface layer structures in nanofragments of the FCMs and fluorographite. The main structural element of the FCMs and fluorographites studied here is a corrugated carbon network with CF and CF₂ groups of several types. The CF networks of the FCM structures contain holes formed upon fluorination of the initial carbon materials and filled with alternating CF and CF₂ groups. The bond energies of the inner C1s and F1s levels and the kinetic energies of F KLL Auger spectra suggest a covalent nature of all types of bonds between the carbon and fluorine atoms. Calculations using XPS data revealed common and specific features in correlations between the volume stoichiometry of the FCMs and fluorographites and the atomic F/C ratios in the surface layers of the materials.     

Nitrogen adsorption on fluorinated activated carbon fiber

Nitrogen adsorption isotherms for fluorinated activated carbon fiber (F-ACF) and fluorinated carbon black (F-CB) were measured at 77 K. Surface structures of F-ACF and F-CB were examined by _s -plot analysis using the adsorption data on the nonporous carbon black (CB) and F-CB. The surface energy of F-ACF was lower than that of ACF. The micropore structure of ACF was preserved even after fluorination, although the limiting adsorption amount and the micropore width decreased with fluorination.     

Surface Fluorination of Carboxylated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber: An XPS Study

Because of their exceptional reactivity, fluorine and fluorinated gases are of primary importance for the modification of the surface properties of materials. This study is devoted to surface treatment of thin nitrile gloves, made of carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber latex, using either direct fluorination (10% F₂gas diluted in N₂) or plasma-enhanced fluorination in radio-frequency cold plasmas using fluorinated gases (CF₄, CHF₃). Mechanisms of fluorination of these co-elastomers have been proposed on the basis of the assignment of the different components of the XPS spectra. Several mechanisms have been observed depending on the fluorination conditions. Although the modification of nitrile gloves is already effective for fluorination reactions at room temperature, an important activation is observed for experiments carried out at 90°C. When the treatments are carried out at room temperature, a gradual fluorination occurs: in the case of 10% diluted F₂ gas, monofluorinated C—F groups are the species most found at the surface and perfluoro groups CF _n are present in lower amount. An addition reaction takes place at the CH=CH double bonds of the polybutadiene entities, leading to CHF=CHF units. Whatever the fluorination method, thermal activation yields a more massive fluorination of the surface that finally leads to perfluorinated CF₂ groups and terminal —CF₃ groups.     

The CO and CS bond cleavage in carbon dioxide and tolyl isothiocyanate by reactions with the Mo(0) tetraphosphine complex [Mo{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)]

A Mo(0) complex containing a new tetraphosphine ligand [Mo(P₄)(dppe)] (1; P₄ = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂, dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) reacted with CO₂ (1 atm) at 60 °C in benzene to give a Mo(0) carbonyl complex fac-[Mo(CO)(η³-P₄O)(dppe)] (2), where the O abstraction from CO₂ by one terminal P atom in P₄ takes place to give the dangling P(O)Ph₂ moiety together with the coordinated CO. On the other hand, reaction of 1 with TolNCS (Tol = m-MeC₆H₄) in benzene at 60 °C resulted in the incorporation of three TolNCS molecules to the Mo center, forming a Mo(0) isocyanide-isothiocyanate complex trans,mer-[Mo(TolNC)₂(η²-TolNCS)(η³-P₄S)] (4), where the S abstraction occurs from two TolNCS molecules by P₄ and dppe to give the η³-P₄S ligand and free dppeS, respectively, together with two coordinated TolNC molecules. The remaining site of the Mo center is occupied by the third TolNCS ligating at the CS bond in an η²-manner. The X-ray analysis has been undertaken to determine the detailed structures for 2 and 4.     

A bonding study of cyclopentene (c-C5H8) adsorption on Ni(1 1 1) surface

The adsorption of cyclopentene (c-C₅H₈) on Ni(1 1 1) was studied using DFT and semiempirical calculations. Preferred site and geometry calculations were carried out considering a Ni(1 1 1) surface and a unit cell of 64-atoms. The tetrahedral threefold hollow position was identified as the most favorable site, with a surface-molecule minimum distance of 1.83 Å. A bending structure is adopted when the molecule is adsorbed where the carbon atoms of the double bond are closer to the surface forming an angle of 160° among non-equivalents carbon atoms. The metal surface was represented by a two-dimensional slab with an overlayer of c-C₅H₈/Ni of 1/9 ratio. We also computed the density of states (DOS) and the crystal orbital overlap populations (COOP) corresponding to CC, CNi, CH, and NiNi bonds. We found that both NiNi bonds interacting with the ring, and the CC bond are weakened after adsorption, this last bond is linked significantly to the surface. The hydrogen atoms belonging to the saturated carbon atoms also participate in the adsorbate–surface bonding. The main interactions include the 4s, 3p_z and 5d_z² bands of nickel and 2p_z bands of the carbon atoms of the double bond.     

ARXPS-analysis of sputtered TiC, SiC and Ti0.5Si0.5C layers

Summary TiC, SiC and Ti_0.5Si_0.5C layers have been deposited by magnetron sputtering in Argon at bias voltages between 0 and 1500 V. AES and ARXPS analyses show that TiC and Ti_0.5Si_0.5C, at bias voltages below 1000 V, are C-rich (+20%) and contain TiC crystallites of diameter below about 10 nm and have a metal-like resistance of about mcm. The excess C segregates to the surface of TiC nanocrystallites showing an XPS C 1s level shift similar to Li-graphite or doped fullerenes. The doped carbon (carbidic) interface layer, higher deposition rate and better mechanical strength seem to be interrelated. Magnetron sputtered SiC is X-ray amorphous and insulating, grows more slowly, has reduced mechanical strength and does not contain excess C. The ARXPS analysis of Ti_0.5Si_0.5C layers allows the modelling of the TiC nanocrystallites embedded in interfacial carbon and defective SiC.     

Comparison of the quantity and reactivity of carbon deposit arising on Mo/Al2O3 and Mo/ZrO2 catalysts

The quantity and reactivity of carbon deposit arising on Mo/Al₂O₃ and Mo/ZrO₂ catalysts in propane decomposition was investigated. Results showed that the Mo/ZrO₂ catalyst is more resistant to carbon deposit formation process. The coke formed on the surface of this catalyst is more reactive in oxygen atmosphere than the carbon deposit formed under the same conditions on Mo/Al₂O₃. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of surface fluorination and conductive additives on the electrochemical behavior of lithium titanate (Li4/3Ti5/3O4) for lithium ion battery

Effect of surface fluorination and conductive additives on the charge/discharge behavior of lithium titanate (Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄) has been investigated using F₂ gas and vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF). Surface fluorination of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ was made using F₂ gas (3 × 10⁴ Pa) at 25-150 °C for 2 min. Charge capacities of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ samples fluorinated at 70 °C and 100 °C were larger than those for original sample at high current densities of 300 and 600 mA/g. Optimum fluorination temperatures of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ were 70 °C and 100 °C. Fibrous VGCF with a large surface area (17.7 m²/g) increased the utilization of available capacity of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ probably because it provided the better electrical contact than acetylene black (AB) between Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ particles and nickel current collector.     

Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of V2O3-C Dual-Layer Coated LiFePO4 by Carbothermic Reduction of V2O5

The V₂O₃-C dual-layer coated LiFePO₄ cathode materials with excellent rate capability and cycling stability were prepared by carbothermic reduction of V₂O₅. X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analyzer, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectra revealed that the V₂O₃ phase co-existed with carbon in the coating layer of LiFePO₄ particles and the carbon content reduced without graphitization degree changing after the carbothermic reduction of V₂O₅. The electrochemical measurement results indicated that small amounts of V₂O₃ improved rate capability and cycling stability at elevated temperature of LiFePO₄/C cathode materials. The V₂O₃-C dual-layer coated LiFePO₄ composite with 1wt% vanadium oxide delivered an initial specific capacity of 167 mAh/g at 0.2 C and 129 mAh/g at 5 C as well as excellent cycling stability. Even at elevated temperature of 55 oC, the specific capacity of 151 mAh/g was achieved at 1 C without capacity fading after 100 cycles.     

Extension of the La7Mo7O30 structural type with La7Nb3W4O30 and La7Ta3W4O30 compounds

Two compounds of formula La₇A₃W₄O₃₀ (with A=Nb and Ta) were prepared by solid-state reaction at 1450 and 1490 °C. They crystallize in the rhombohedric space group R-3 (No. 148), with the hexagonal parameters: , and , . The structure of the materials was analyzed from X-ray, neutron and electronic diffraction. These oxides are isostructural of the reduced molybdenum compound La₇Mo₇O₃₀, which are formed of perovskite rod along [111]. An order between (Nb, Ta) and W is observed.     

Formation of C4 Oligomers in Hydrogenation of Acetylene over Pd/Al2O3 and Pd/TiO2 Catalysts

Selectivity of product formation has been tested in hydrogenation of acetylene over 0.3 wt.% Pd/-alumina and 0.5 wt.% Pd/TiO₂catalysts. Non-steady-state regime of catalyst operation was tested in pulse-flow experiments. Significant carbon poisoning appears to be a necessaryrequisite for selective formation of ethylene. The effect of hydrogen and acetylene partial pressure has been tested on the selectivity of C₄products. At 273–298 K the catalysts showed 26–35% selectivity for C₄ hydrocarbons and <2.5% for ethane production at conversionsof 30–40%. Deuterium distribution in ethylene and 1,3-butadiene and the deuterium content of the surface hydrogen pool have been compared and mechanismof diene formation has been discussed.     

Isolation and characterisation of both the first fluoroxyfluorofullerene C60F17OF and oxahomofluorofullerenol C60F17O.OH

The first fluoroxyfluorofullerene C₆₀F₁₇OF (A) has been isolated from the fluorination of [60]fullerene with a mixture of MnF₃ and K₂NiF₆ at 480 °C. This compound has a shorter HPLC retention time than the isomeric fluorofullerene ethers (oxahomofullerenes) and is less stable towards EI mass spectrometry. It fragments by losing OF as a single entity and shows no formation of C₆₀O as a fragment ion. By contrast, the ethers fragment by first losing a number of F atoms and then CO, and ultimately show also the presence of C₆₀O, whilst epoxides lose CO as a main fragmentation step and do not give C₆₀O. The first oxahomofluorofullerenol C₆₀F₁₇O.OH (B) has been isolated from the UV-irradiation of a toluene solution of C₆₀F₁₈ in air during 65 h and readily eliminates HF due to adjacent F and OH groups during EI mass spectrometry. The structures of both the compounds have been deduced from 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Just as oxygen inserts into FCCF bonds of C₆₀F₁₈ to give ethers, so insertion into a CF bond gives A. The oxahomofluorofullerenol B is produced by S_N2′ substitution of F by OH, followed by oxygen insertion into a 6:5-bond (αβ to the OH group) giving a motif not seen previously in fluorofullerenes.     

New synthesis methods for fluorinated carbon nanofibres and applications

Several new synthesis methods of fluorinated carbon nanofibres, such as controlled fluorination using fluorinating agent (TbF₄ or XeF₂), or assisted fluorination under UV and gamma irradiation, are reviewed and compared with the direct fluorination using undiluted fluorine gas. The results highlight the different fluorination mechanisms for the direct fluorination and the new methods. The other advantage of those alternative fluorination routes is the possibility to provide fine tuning of the fluorination level, i.e. from F/C atomic ratio close to zero, as a functionalization, to the unity (CF₁) according to the required application, electrochemical or tribological. Two applications are described in this paper as a function of the fluorine content: protection against ozonation and use as solid lubricants.     

Improvement of stability of out-layer MgAl2O4 spinel for a Ni/MgAl2O4/Al2O3 catalyst in dry reforming of methane

Summary The stability of Ni/-Al₂O₃ catalyst in dry reforming of methane was found to be improved by the addition of MgO into the catalyst, probably due to the formation of out-layer MgAl₂O₄ spinels, which can effectively suppress the phase transformation to form NiAl₂O₄ spinel phases, stabilize the tiny Ni crystallites and suppress carbon deposition in dry reforming of methane.     

Surface and bulk properties of severely fluorinated carbon fibres

The development of ultra-inert composites using fluorinated carbon fibres as the reinforcement requires fluorinated carbon fibres with a durable surface composition. Here we report the effect of direct fluorination using an F₂/N₂ mixture at 653 K on the surface and bulk properties of two types of high strength carbon fibres. These were treated up to a surface fluorine content of ∼64 at.% and a bulk fluorine content of ∼15 mass%. A colour change was observed after fluorination caused by the changes in the graphitic band structure of the carbon fibres by the introduction of carbon sp³ hybridisation. The tensile strength and Young's modulus decrease after fluorination by up to 33 and 22%, respectively. XRD shows marginal changes in the interlayer distance but the crystallite size increases. Changes in the electrical conductivity of the fluorinated carbon fibres indicate that the modification is confined to the near surface volume. Predominantly covalent C-F bonds are formed as shown by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and measured zeta (ζ)-potentials. Hence the fluorinated fibres are hydrophobic and have low surface tensions. This and the large increase in fibre surface area, as determined by nitrogen adsorption, is expected to facilitate interfacial interaction between fluorinated carbon fibres and fluoropolymers.     

Preparation and structure of NaSr0.5Al2B2O7 and NaCa0.5Al2B2O7

Two compounds NaSr_0.5Al₂B₂O₇ and NaCa_0.5Al₂B₂O₇, have been found to crystallize into a new structure type by Rietveld refinement from X-ray powder diffraction data. Their structure belongs to hexagonal space group P6₃/m, with lattice parameters of , for NaSr_0.5Al₂B₂O₇ and , for NaCa_0.5Al₂B₂O₇, respectively. The structure is built up by [Al₂B₂O₇]²⁻ double layer and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ or Na⁺/Sr²⁺ ions alternatively stacking along the c-axis. The sites in the inter-double layer are fully occupied jointly by Na and Ca or Sr, but the intra-double layer sites are only half occupied solely by Na. A mechanism of the transition of the structure from CaAl₂B₂O₇ to present structure type by replacing only 1% Ca by Na (2%) as observed by Chang and Keszler (Mater. Res. Bull. 33 (1998) 299) is also proposed.     

Single crystal structure and Raman spectrum of Ba3Na2(CN2)4

The synthesis, single crystal structure determination, and Raman spectrum are reported for colorless transparent tribarium disodium tetracyanamide, Ba₃Na₂(CN₂)₄. The title compound crystallizes in the space group C_2h⁵-P2₁/c (#14, , , , β=110.454(4)°, , Z=4, R/wR=0.0266/0.0543). Each sodium atom is surrounded by six nitrogen atoms in octahedral geometry. Sodium centered nitrogen octahedra are linked through face-sharing along the [100] direction to form one-dimensional (1D) chains. These chains are connected to each other through the carbon atoms of cyanamide and make a three-dimensional (3D) network with 1D channels along the [100] direction. Barium atoms and additional cyanamide anions reside in the channels. Each barium atom is irregularly coordinated with nitrogen and carbon from the cyanamide anions. The Raman spectrum shows symmetric vibrations of [NCN]²⁻ corresponding to ν_sym (1241.5 cm⁻¹) and 2δ (1356.4 cm⁻¹).     

Evidence of local defects in the oxygen excess apatite La9.67(SiO4)6O2.5 from high resolution neutron powder diffraction

From neutron diffraction data collected at 3 K on a powder of La_9.67(SiO₄)₆O_2.5 composition and a careful examination of the average structure, a model was proposed to explain the oxygen over-stoichiometry in the apatite structure. This model leads to realistic distances to neighbouring atoms. Moreover, it accounts perfectly for the maximum oxygen content observed in these materials. Up to 0.5 oxygen atom located at the vicinity of the 2a site (0, 0, ) would be shifted to a new interstitial position in the channel at (−0.01, 0.04, 0.06), creating a Frenkel defect, with the possibility of a maximum occupancy in this site equal to twice the Frenkel defect numbers. This structural model is in good agreement with the oxygen diffusion pathways recently proposed by Bechade et al. (2009) using computer modeling techniques. It supports preferred oxygen diffusion pathways via interstitial oxygen atoms and vacant sites along [0 0 1], close to the centre of the La(2)-O channels.     

Aqueous-organic biphasic redox-chemistry of high-hydride content rhodium clusters: Towards immobilisation of redox-switchable H2 binding materials on a surface

Water-insoluble phosphine-surface-stabilised rhodium clusters (R = cyclohexyl, Ar^F = (3,5-CF₃)₂C₆H₃) can be immobilised onto suitable glassy carbon, graphite, or tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) electrode surfaces. When immersed into alcohol/aqueous electrolyte media, they display stable voltammetric responses consistent with the formation of organic microdroplet | aqueous electrolyte two-phase conditions which are similar to those observed in corresponding anhydrous (CH₂Cl₂) solution phase. This results in an electrode surface that is straightforwardly modified with cluster materials that can uptake or release dihydrogen depending on their redox-state. The results presented herein lead to a slight re-evaluation of the originally reported hydrogen store and release cycle for this system.