Structure of Ir and Ir-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>o<Subscript>3</Subscript> coatings obtained by chemical vapor deposition in the presence of oxygen

By chemical vapor deposition Ir and Ir-Al₂O₃ coatings are obtained with a thickness of up to 40 fum on steel substrates precoated with a layer of Al₂O₃. Tris-acetylacetonates of iridium(III) and aluminium(III) are used as precursors. The deposition processes are carried out at atmospheric pressure in the presence of oxygen. The obtained coatings are studied by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The dependences of coating structures and compositions on the preparation conditions are found. An increase in the deposition temperature results in the formation of Ir coatings with loose discontinuous structure, an increase in the size of metal crystallites, and the growth of the oxygen concentration in their composition. An increase in the concentration of precursor vapors in the deposition zone at a constant deposition temperature results in the formation of Ir coatings that consist of differently structured layers (compact, columnar, and granular). Mixed Ir-Al₂O₃ coatings which composed of metal Ir and amorphous Al₂O₃ crystallites, which exhibit a pronounced iridium texture in the [111] direction, have the most perfect compact structure. The introduction of the oxide phase in the coating composition halves the Ir crystallite size.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [Cr(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl][PdBr<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

A new binary complex salt — chloropentaamminechromium(III) tetrabromopalladate(II) [Cr(NH₃)₅Cl][PdBr₄] — has been synthesized. The compound was characterized by elemental, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray phase analysis. The salt is isostructural with the previously investigated compounds [M(NH₃)₅Cl][PtCl₄] (M = Ir, Rh, Ru, Co, Cr) and [CM(NH₃)₅Cl][PdBr₄] (M = Ir, Rh, Co). Crystallographic data: space group Pnma, a = 17.068(2) Å, b = 8.315(12) Å, c = 9.653(14) Å; V = 1370.0(3) ų, Z = 4, d _calc = 2.903 g/cm³.     

Synthesis of nonequilibrium Ir<Subscript>x</Subscript>Re<Subscript>1-x</Subscript> solid solutions. Crystal structure of [Ir(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[ReCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>]Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Synthesis of five binary complex salts with an [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl]²⁺ complex cation is described. The counterions are [ReCl₆]^2–, [IrCl₆]^2–, [ReBr₆]^2–, and Cl^–. A polycrystal X-ray diffraction study has been performed for [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl]₂[ReCl₆]Cl₂, and its crystal structure has been determined. A series of Ir _x Re_1–x phases (0.5 x > 1) were obtained by reductive thermolysis. For the Ir-Re system, the history of the V/Z(x) dependence has been refined.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by S. A. Gromilov, S. V. Korenev, I. V. Korolkov, K. V. Yusenko, and I. A. BaidinaTranslated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 508–515, May–June 2004.     

Structure and properties of films based on HfO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> double oxide

The results of the investigation of the chemical constitution and structure of (HfO₂) _x (Sc₂O₃)_1−x thin films are reported. The films are obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) from hafnium 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptandionate (Hf(thd)₄) and scandium 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptandionate (Sc(thd)₃) coordination compounds. It is demonstrated by powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy that depending on the scandium content in the films the structure is changed from monoclinic to cubic. Voltage-capacity dependences of test Al/(HfO₂) _x (Sc₂O₃)_1−x /Si structures are used to calculate the dielectric constant of the films. For the films with the cubic structure it is found that k = 21, while for the films with the monoclinic structure k = 9.     

Electrophoretic Deposition of Thin-Film Coatings of Solid Electrolyte Based on Microsize BaCeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Powders

Results are presented of an electrophoretic deposition of thin-film coatings based on doped barium cerate BaCeO₃ on a cathode substrate La₂NiO₄ (LNO), which are of interest for the technology of medium-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells. Suspensions for electrophoretic deposition in a mixed dispersion medium isopropanol/acetylacetone = 70/30 vol %, prepared from microsized powders BaCe_0.8Sm_0.2O_3–δ (BCSO) and BaCe_0.89Gd_0.1Cu_0.01O_3–δ (BCGCuO) synthesized by the citrate-nitrate method, demonstrated a high positive ζ-potential (+25 mV) suitable for deposition. A combination of the ultrasonic treatment and centrifugation made it possible to diminish the hydrodynamic diameter of BCSO and BCGCuO particles to 880 and 294 nm, respectively. It was shown that the BCGCuO film deposited onto an LNO cathode substrate has a higher density as compared with the BCSO film, which is due to the properties of the suspensions obtained. Upon a cyclic electrophoretic deposition in six stages, the total mass and thickness of the BCGCuO coating were 3.2 mg cm^–2 and 5 μm, which is sufficient for a unit solid-oxide cell to be formed. According to SEM data, the BCGCuO film is dense and has fully formed grains with sizes of 1 to 7 μm. Methods are discussed for eliminating the loss of Ba in sintering of a thin film based on BaCeO₃.     

Crystal structure of [Ir(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[OsCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>]Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>. Crystal-chemical analysis of the iridium-osmium system

The [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl]₂[OsCl₆]Cl₂ binary complex salt has been prepared, and its structure was investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: a = 11.1901(13) Å, b = 7.9138(13) Å, c = 13.4384(18) Å; β = 99.640(3)°, V = 1190.0(2), space group C2/m, Z = 2, FW = 1099.47, d _x = 3.068 g/cm³. Thermolysis products of [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl]₂[OsCl₆]Cl₂, [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl][OsBr₆], (NH₄)₂[OsCl₆]_x[IrCl₆]_1?x , and K₂[OsCl₆]_x[IrCl₆]_1?x were studied by X-ray phase analysis; the unit cell parameters were refined, and the dependence of volume per atom (V/Z) on the composition of the Ir Os_1?x solid solution has been plotted.     

Substituent and solvent effects on geometric and electronic structure of C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>Ir(PH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> iridabenzene: A theoretical insight

Using MPW1PW91 quantum chemical calculations, we report structures, frontier orbital analysis, natural bond analysis, and aromaticity of the C₅H₅Ir(PH₃)₃ iridabenzene and XC₅H₄Ir(PH₃)₃ para-substituted iridabenzenes. The substituent effects were estimated from the donor–acceptor interaction energies of the natural bond orbitals of substituent and iridabenzene frame. Nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) has been evaluated to understand the aromaticity. Time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) is used to calculate the energy, oscillatory strength and wavelength absorption maxima (λ_max) of electronic transitions and their nature. Changes in hyperpolarizability of molecules are studied. Influence of solvent on the structure, frontier orbital energies, λ_max, and hyperpolarizability of C₅H₅Ir(PH₃)₃ iridabenzene has been studied.     

Facile preparation and electrochemical properties of large-scale Li<Subscript>1+<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>V<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> nanobelts

Large-scale Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts were successfully fabricated using filter paper as deposition substrate through a simple surface sol–gel method. The nanobelts were as long as tens of micrometers with widths of 0.4–1.0 μm and thickness of 50–100 nm. The nanobelts were characterized by X-ray diffration (XRD), Fourier infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation mechanism of the nanobelts was investigated, showing that the morphology of the nanobelts is mainly determined by the calcination temperature. Electrochemical properties of the Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts were characterized by charge–discharge experiments, and the results demonstrate that the Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts exhibit a high discharge capacity (278 mAh g⁻¹) and excellent cycling stability.     

The Synthesis and Characterization of Ru<Subscript>2</Subscript>(DMBA-X)<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript> with X as Br and I

New N,N′-dimethylbenzamidine ligands bearing para-Br (HDMBA-Br) and para-I (HDMBA-I) substituents were prepared and crystallographically characterized. The ligand exchange reaction between Ru₂(OAc)₄Cl and HDMBA-X (X = Br and I) afforded the new Ru₂(III) compounds, namely Ru₂(DMBA-X)₄Cl₂, in excellent yields. These new compounds were also characterized with cyclic voltammetric and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Dedicated to the memory of Professor F. A. Cotton.     

Sol–gel processing of IrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> mixed metal oxides based on a hexachloroiridate precursor

Mixed IrO₂–TiO₂ oxides were prepared by the sol–gel method upon acid-catalysed hydrolysis of an iridium solution in ethanol mixed with titanium tetraethoxide in ethanol. The iridium solution was obtained by reaction of the sodium hexachloroiridate(IV) precursor in the presence of sodium ethoxide in ethanol. Gels were formed in all but the high-Ir samples. Analysis of the dried gels showed minority-phase enrichment at the surface and the presence of Ir(III), while microscopy showed evidence for dispersed iridium-containing nanoparticles (1–20 nm in diameter). XRD powder patterns of the calcined material showed peaks due to a small amount of crystalline NaCl impurity which could be removed by washing. This left amorphous phases, except in the Ir:Ti 3:2 case, which showed evidence for the presence of separate crystalline oxide phases: anatase, IrO₂ and Ti _x Ir_1−x O₂.     

Arene complexes [(η-C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>)M(η-C<Subscript>6</Subscript>R<Subscript>6</Subscript>)]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> (M = Rh,Ir)

The dicationic arene complexes [CpM(arene)](BF₄)₂ (arene = C₆H₆, 1,3,5-C₆H₃Me₃, or C₆Me₆) were synthesized by the reactions of the solvated complexes [CpM(MeNO₂)₃](BF₄)₂ (M = Rh, Ir) with benzene and its derivatives. The solvated complexes were generated in situ by abstraction of I^– from [CpMI₂]₂ with AgBF₄. A procedure was developed for the synthesis of the iodide [CpRhI₂]₂ based on the reaction of the cyclooctadiene derivative CpRh(1,5-C₈H₁₂) with I₂. The structure of the [CpRh(C₆Me₆)](BF₄)₂ complex was established by X-ray diffraction analysis.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1871–1874, September, 2004.     

Novel Electroless Deposition of Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Se<Subscript>2</Subscript> Film on Silicon Substrate by a Simple Galvanic Displacement Process

A novel electroless deposition method for depositing highly uniform adhesive thin films of copper selenide (Cu₃Se₂) on silicon substrates from aqueous solutions is described. The deposition is carried out by two coupled galvanic reactions in a single deposition bath containing copper cations, hydrogen fluoride, and selenous acid: the galvanic deposition of copper on silicon and the subsequent galvanic reaction between the deposited copper with selenous acid in the deposition bath. The powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are used to characterize and examine the deposited films.     

Synthesis and x-ray structural investigation of bismuth 2-methyl-8-quinolineselenolate Bi[C<Subscript>9</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)NSe]<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Bismuth 2-methyl-8-quinolineselenolate, Bi[C₉H₅(CH₃)NSe]₃, was synthesized. X-ray analysis was used to determine the structure of this complex. The crystal chemistry of bismuth(III), antimony(III), and arsenic(III) 2-methyl-8-quinolineselenolates and 2-methyl-8-quinolinethiolates was discussed relative to the effect of going from Se to S as the ligand atoms and presence of a methyl group at C-2 of the quinoline system and unshared electron pair of the central atom in the complex.     

Electrodeposition of thin Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnSnS<Subscript>4</Subscript> films

The electrochemical behavior of copper(II), zinc(II), and thiosulfate (S₂O₃ ^2-) ions on the molybdenum electrode in individual 0.2 М sodium sulfate solutions (рН 6.7) and with addition of either 0.1 М tartaric acid (рН 4.6) or 0.1 М citric acid (рН 4.7) is studied. A one-step electrochemical method is developed for the deposition of thin Cu₂ZnSnS₄ films, which is carried out on the molybdenum electrode at a constant potential in sodium sulfate solutions containing tartaric acid. The effect of the concentration of electrolyte components on the chemical composition of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ films is determined. The phase composition is confirmed by the Raman spectroscopy data. The surface morphology of synthesized films is studied by means of scanning-electron and atomic-force microscopes. The photoelectrochemical characteristics of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ films are determined. Samples of these coatings on the Mo electrode are found to be highly photosensitive.     

Thiol-functionalized Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> microspheres with superparamagnetism and their adsorption properties for Au(III) ion separation

Thiol-functionalized Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ microspheres (Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-SH) with high saturation magnetization (69.3 emu g^–1), superparamagnetism, and good dispersibility have been prepared by an ethylene glycol reduction method in combination with a modified Stöber method. The as-prepared composite magnetic spheres are characterized with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), zeta potential, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and superconducting quantum interference magnetometer, and tested in separation of Au(III) ions from aqueous solutions. The data for Au(III) adsorption on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-SH are analyzed with the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models, and the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion kinetics models. The adsorption behaviors of Au(III) on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-SH follow the Langmuir isotherm model, and the adsorption process conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Au(III) on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-SH is 43.7 mg g^–1. Acetate anions play an important role yet Cu(II) ions have little interference in the adsorption of Au(III) on the adsorbent. A satisfactory recovery percentage of 89.5% is acquired by using an eluent with 1 M thiourea and 5% HCl, although thiols have a high affinity to Au(III) ions based on the hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) theory by Pearson.     

Synthesis of Mg(Fe<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> by Gel Combustion Using Glycine and Starch

A powdery material Mg(Fe_0.8Ga_0.2)₂O₄ has been prepared by combusting a gel containing magnesium(II), iron(III), and gallium(III) nitrates and a glycine–starch mixture. The gel produced during the synthesis has been studied by thermal analysis (TGA/DSC) and IR spectroscopy. This mixture has been shown to be efficient to produce a homogeneous nanosized powderlike material Mg(Fe_0.8Ga_0.2)₂O₄. The morphology and properties of ceramic samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, neutron diffraction, and vibrational magnetometry.     

X-ray diffraction study of [M<Superscript>I</Superscript>(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl] [M<Superscript>II</Superscript>Br<Subscript>6</Subscript>] (M<Superscript>I</Superscript> = Rh,Ir; M<Superscript>II</Superscript> = Re,Ir) polycrystals

Based on the X-ray diffraction data for polycrystals, the crystal structures of double complex salts [Rh(NH₃)₅Cl][ReBr₆] and [Ir(NH₃)₅Cl][ReBr₆] are refined. The structure of [Rh(NH₃)₅Cl][IrBr₆] is determined. Initial models are constructed using the Monte Carlo method in the straight space. Further refinement is made by the Rietveld method. It is shown that such an approach is suitable for the refinement of crystal structures composed of isolated rigid polyhedra and can be used to determine the structure of salts without structural analogues     

A comparative study of Ir/Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>, Pt/Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and Ru/Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts in selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde

Catalytic performance of gallia-supported iridium catalysts in the reaction of selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde in the gas phase was studied and compared to that of platinum and ruthenium catalysts. The best catalytic properties in terms of the selectivity to crotyl alcohol are shown by 5 wt % Pt/α-Ga₂O₃ and 5 wt % Ir/α-Ga₂O₃ catalysts prepared from nonchlorine precursors: Pt(acac)₂ and Ir(acac)₃, but for the 5 wt % Pt/α-Ga₂O₃ a very high selectivity of 75% at the high conversion (ca. 60%) is observed. A high selectivity of galia-supported iridium and platinum catalysts was explained by the surface reducibility of gallium oxide leading to covering (decoration) of platinum and iridium by gallium suboxides and the promoting effect of gallium.     

Solubility of Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> and sorption of Eu(III) onto TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the presence of Se(IV)

Metal ions sorption can be significantly affected by the presence of other sorbates, especially of complexing ligands. In this study, the effect of Se(IV) on Eu(III) sorption onto TiO₂ at different pH and Eu(III) concentration was investigated. Se(IV) was found to enhance Eu(III) sorption as a function of Se(IV) concentration. Constant capacitance model was successfully used to interpret the sorption experimental data. The solubility product of Eu₂(SeO₃)₃ at ambient temperature was investigated to highlight the sorption mechanism of ternary sorption system. The pK _sp value of Eu₂(SeO₃)₃ was found to be 31.51 ± 0.95.     

Effect of crystallographic structure on electrical and mechanical characteristics of Sm<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Doped CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> films

Electrical conductivity, dielectric permittivity and mechanical hardness of the polycrystalline CeO₂ + xSm₂O₃ (x = 0, 10.9–15.9 mol %) films prepared by Electron Beam Physical Vapour Deposition (EB-PVD) and Ionic Beam Assisted Deposition, (IBAD), techniques were investigated in dependence on their structure and microstructure influenced by the deposition conditions, namely composition, deposition temperature and Ar⁺ ion bombardment. The electrical conductivity of doped ceria prepared without Ar⁺ ion bombardment and investigated by the impedance spectroscopy, IS, was found to be predominantly ionic one under the oxidizing atmosphere/low-temperature conditions and the higher amounts of Sm₂O₃ (>10 mol %) used. The bulk conductivity as a part of total measured conductivity was a subject of interest because the grain boundary conductivity was found to be ∼3 orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding bulk conductivity. Ar⁺ ion bombardment acted as a reducer (Ce⁴⁺ → Ce³⁺) resulting in the development of electronic conductivity. Dielectric permittivity determined from the bulk parallel capacitance measured at room temperature and the frequency of 1 MHz, similarly as the mechanical hardness measured by indentation (classical Vickers and Depth Sensing Indentation-DSI) techniques were also found to be dependent on the deposition conditions. The approximative value of hardness for the investigated films deposited on the substrate was estimated using a simple phenomenological model described by the power function HV = HV ₀ + aP ^b and compared with the so-called apparent hardness (substrate + investigated film) determined by the classical Vickers formula. Results obtained are analyzed and discussed.