Phase transition of RbH<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and its composite with SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> studied by thermal analysis

The phase transition at T _p (~109 °C) of RbH₂PO₄ and its composite with SiO₂ has been investigated by thermal analysis here. In the case of neat RbH₂PO₄, there is a linear relationship between endothermic peak temperature (T _m) and square root of heating rate (Φ ^1/2), from which the onset temperature of phase transition can be determined. Besides, Kissinger method and another calculation method were employed to obtain the activation energy of phase transition. The detailed deduction process was presented in this paper, and the estimated activation energies are E ₁ ≈ 126.3 kJ/mol and E ₂ ≈ 129.2 kJ/mol, respectively. On the other hand, the heterogeneous doping of RbH₂PO₄ with SiO₂ as dopant facilitates its proton conduction and leads to the disappearance of jump in conductivity at T _p. The heats of transition in the composites decrease gradually with increasing the molar fraction of SiO₂ additives. In the cooling process, a new and broad exothermic peak appeared between ~95 and ~110 °C, and its intensity also changes with the SiO₂ amount. These phenomena might be related to the formation of amorphous phase of RbH₂PO₄ on the surface of SiO₂ particles due to the strong interface interaction.     

The electronic states of 1,2,5-oxadiazole studied by VUV absorption spectroscopy and CI, CCSD(T) and DFT methods

The 1,2,5-oxadiazole VUV absorption spectrum in the range 5–11.5 eV, shows broad bands centred near 6.2, 7.1, 8.3, 8.8, 10.6 and 11.3 eV. Rydberg states associated with three ionisation energies (IE) were identified in the complex fine structure above 8.7 eV. Electronic vertical excitation energies for singlet and triplet valence, and Rydberg states were computed using ab initio multi-reference multi-root CI methods. There is generally a good correlation between the envelope of the theoretical intensities and the experimental spectrum. The nature of the more intense calculated Rydberg states, and positions of the main valence and Rydberg bands are discussed. The lowest triplet, singlet and Rydberg 3s excited states have equilibrium structures that are non-planar with C_S symmetry, in a chair-like orientation where the O and H atoms lie out of the NCCN plane. This finding is consistent with the doubling of the low energy UV spectral lines [B.J. Forrest, A.W. Richardson, Can. J. Chem., 50 (1972) 2088].The nearly degenerate IE of the UV-photoelectron spectrum (UV–PES, Palmer et al. 1977) makes analysis of the VUV spectrum difficult, leading to the necessity for reinvestigation. Vertical studies (IE_V) using CI, Tamm–Dancoff (TDA) and Green’s Function (GF) methods all gave similar results, with near degeneracy of the first 3IE_V confirming the earlier study. Studies of the adiabatic IE (IE_A) using CCSD(T) and B3LYP methods, showed the energy sequence ²A₂ < ²B₁ < ²B₂, but these states are all saddle points, in contrast to the 4th state (²A₁) which is a minimum. In contrast, MP2 study of the ²B₂ state showed a minimum, with only two saddle points.Complete minima were found after minor twisting of the structures. The lowest energy cationic state is ²A^″ (C_S), which closely resembles the ²B₂ state. The O–N–C–C skeleton is twisted by 8°. The corresponding ²A^′ state (C_S) is effectively identical to the ²B₁ state. Attempts to find minima for other symmetry states were unsuccessful.     

Electronic spectra of the linear magnesium-containing carbon chains MgC2nH (n = 1–5): A CASPT2 study

Complete active space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) approach has been used for the geometry optimization of the X²Σ⁺ and A²Π electronic states for the linear magnesium-containing carbon chains MgC_2nH (n = 1–5). Multireference second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) has been used to calculate the vertical excitation energies from the ground to selected seven excited states, as well as the potential energy curves of two ²Σ⁺ and two ²Π electronic states. The studies indicate that the vertical excitation energies of the A²Π ← X²Σ⁺ transition for MgC_2nH (n = 1–5) are 2.837, 2.793, 2.767, 2.714, and 2.669 eV, respectively, showing remarkable linear size dependence. Compared with the previous TD-DFT and RCCSD(T) results, our estimates for MgC_2nH (n = 1–3) are in the best agreement with the available observed data of 2.83, 2.78, and 2.74 eV, respectively. In addition, the dissociation energies in MgC_2nH (n = 1–5) are also been evaluated.     

Dual-level direct dynamics studies on the hydrogen abstraction reactions of fluorine atoms with CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>X(X=F,Cl)

The kinetic properties of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CF₃CH₂F + F → CF₃CHF + HF (R1) and CF₃CH₂Cl + F → CF₃CHCl + HF (R2) have been studied by dual-level direct dynamics method. Optimized geometries and frequencies of all the stationary points and extra points along the minimum-energy path (MEP) were obtained at the B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,2p) level. Two complexes with energies less than that of the reactants were located in the reactant side of each reaction. The energy profiles were further refined with the interpolated single-point energies (ISPE) method at the G3(MP2) level of theory. Using canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with the small-curvature tunneling correction (SCT) method, the rate constants were evaluated over a wide temperature range of 200–2,000 K. Our calculations have shown that C–H bond activity decreases when one hydrogen atom of CF₃CH₃ is substituted by a fluorine atom, than when substituted with a chlorine atom. This is in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Similarities in the Intensities of Analogous Rydberg–Rydberg Transitions in the Molecular Series CF x Cl y (x=3, 2, 1; y=1, 2, 3)

In this work, the photoabsorption behaviour of the molecular series CF₃Cl, CF₂Cl₂ and CFCl₃, involving their ground state and two different Rydberg series, has been studied. The discrepancies or similarities in the intensities of homologous transitions in the three CF _x Cl _y molecules have been analysed on account of their electronic structure. Absorption oscillator strengths have been calculated with the Molecular quantum defect orbital (MQDO) approach. Electronic transitions between states belonging to two different unperturbed Rydberg series of the same molecule have been calculated by us for the first time. The quality of the achieved oscillator strengths has been assessed by comparison with, to our knowledge, scarce experimental data available in the literature, through analysis of the discrepancies or similarities in the intensities of homologous transitions in the molecular series CF _x Cl _y when states of different type are involved, and by testing the compliance of regularities by the Rydberg series object of our study.Article for the special issue dedicated to J.-P. Malrieu     

Specific heat studies in a-Se and a-Se<Subscript>90</Subscript>M<Subscript>10</Subscript> (M = In,Sb, Te) alloys

Specific heat measurements have been made in a-Se and a-Se₉₀M₁₀ (M = In, Sb, Te) alloys using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique to see the effect of additives In, Sb and Te on the specific heat in a-Se. An extremely large increase in the specific heat values has been observed at the glass transition temperature. It has also been found that the values of C _p below glass transition temperature (C _pg ) and after glass transition (C _pe ) are highly composition dependent. This indicates that the additives used in the present study influences the structure of the a-Se. Specific heat and atomic mass values of the additive elements are found to be significant for the explanation of present results.     

Glass transition and crystallization study of chalcogenide Se<Subscript>70</Subscript>Te<Subscript>15</Subscript>In<Subscript>15</Subscript> glass

Differential scanning calorimetry data at different heating rates (5, 10, 15 and 20 °C min⁻¹) of Se₇₀Te₁₅In₁₅ chalcogenide glass is reported and discussed. The crystallization mechanism is explained in terms of recent analyses developed for use under non-isothermal conditions. The value of Avrami exponent (n) indicates that the glassy Se₇₀Te₁₅In₁₅ alloy has three-dimensional growth. The average values of the activation energy for glass transition, E _g, and crystallization process, E _c, are (154.16 ± 4.1) kJ mol⁻¹ and (98.81 ± 18.1) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The ease of glass formation has also been studied. The reduced glass transition temperature (T _rg), Hruby’ parameter (K _gl) and fragility index (F _i) indicate that the prepared glass is obtained from a strong glass forming liquid.     

The S1 ← S0 0–0 transition energies of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) revisited: CIS(D) and MP2 calculations with correction for correlation energies

This paper reexamines the structures and energies of dibenzofuran and twenty PCDFs in S₁–S₃ states. It was demonstrated that, although the CIS method gives a false relative ordering of excited states, the false ordering can be remedied by the CIS(D) method. Moreover the CIS geometries of typical PCDF molecules reasonably agree with their SAC-CI geometries. It was found that molecules chlorinated at the 1- and 9-positions are twisted in the S₂ state but are planar in other states, except for 1,4,6,9-TeCDF and fully chlorinated dibenzofuran (OCDF). The twisted structure of 1,4,6,9-TeCDF occurs in the S₃ state, but the structure of OCDF is twisted in every state. We partitioned the molecule into the parent structure and four chlorine groups and measured the twist energy with reference to the ground state. Then, the S_i ← S₀ 0–0 transition energies (i = 1, 2) calculated using the CIS(D) and MP2 methods could be expressed as a multiple linear equation with components and twist energy. It was further confirmed that if the multiple linear equation is corrected for residual correlation energies of the parent structure, it can predict the S₁ ← S₀ 0–0 transition energies with high precision.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a mixed valence heteropoly green compound, (PPh<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>[PMo<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>], and its use as a catalyst in olefin epoxidation

A green heteropolyblue compound, (PPh₄)₄[PMo₁₂O₄₀] · 3DMF(1), has been synthesized from MoO₃, H₂O₂ and H₃PO₄ in acetylacetone medium and crystallized from N,N-dimethylformamide. Compound 1 was characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods, and X-ray structure analysis. The compound is a one-electron paramagnet and shows a featureless and cubic EPR spectrum with <g> = 1.95 in DMF glass. The complex shows a Mo(V)–Mo(IV) couple, which has been studied by cyclic voltammetric and coulometric methods. The compound acts as an efficient olefin epoxidation catalyst with H₂O₂ as oxidant and NaHCO₃ as co-catalyst. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effect of Er<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on thermal stability of oxyfluoride glass

Glasses have been synthesized in the system SiO₂–Al₂O₃–Na₂O–AlF₃–LaF₃–Er₂O₃. A base glass (in mol% 67SiO₂–9Al₂O₃–20Na₂O–Al₂F₆–3La₂F₆) was modified by 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2 and 5 mol% Er₂O₃, respectively. Glasses were prepared by conventional fusion method from 20 g batches. The glass transition temperature (T _g), the jump-like changes of the specific heat (ΔC _p) accompanying the glass transition and the enthalpy of crystallization (ΔH) were calculated. DTA measurements clearly reveal that the increase of the Er₂O₃ content in the glass changes the effects of crystallization and diminishes the thermal stability of the glassy network. In the same time the changes in the transition temperature are observed. The formation of NaLaF₄ and Na_1.45La_9.31(SiO₄)₆(F_0.9O_1.1) as a main phase was confirmed. The diminishing of the thermal stability was connected with erbium which incorporated into Na_1.45La_9.31(SiO₄)₆(F_0.9O_1.1) structure.     

Multiconfigurational study on the synchronous mechanisms of the ClO self-reaction leading to Cl or Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>

For studying the adiabatic and nonadiabatic mechanisms of the ClO (X ²Π) + ClO (X ²Π) → ClOOCl → 2Cl (² P _u) + O₂ (X ³Σ _g ⁻) reaction (1) and the ClO (X ²Π) + ClO (X ²Π) → ClOOCl → Cl₂ (X ¹Σ _g ⁺) + O₂ (X ³Σ _g ⁻) reaction (2), we calculated, by partial geometry optimizations under the C₂ constraint, the O–O and O–Cl dissociation potential energy curves (PECs) from the five low-lying states of ClOOCl at the CASPT2 level. The CASSCF minimum-energy crossing point (MECP) between the potential energy surfaces of the 1 ¹A ground state [correlating with the product of reaction (1)] and the 1 ³B state [correlating with the product of reaction (2)] states was also determined. Based on the CAS calculation results (PECs, energies, and spin–orbit coupling at the MECP), we predict that reaction (1) occurs along pathway 1: ClO (X ²Π) + ClO (X ²Π) → ClOOCl (1 ¹A) → 2Cl (² P _u) + O₂ (X ³Σ _g ⁻) and that reaction (2) occurs along pathway 2: ClO (X ²Π) + ClO (X ²Π) → ClOOCl (1 ¹A) → 1 ¹A/1 ³B MECP (142.4 cm⁻¹) → ClOOCl (1 ³B) → Cl₂ (X ¹Σ _g ⁺) + O₂ (X ³Σ _g ⁻). The needed energies (relative to the reactant) for pathways 1 and 2 are predicted to be 5.3 and 11.1 kcal/mol, respectively, which indicates that reaction (1) is more favorable than reaction (2). The present work supports the traditional photochemical model for ozone degradation: ClOOCl (1 ¹A), formed by two ClO (X ²Π), can directly produce O₂ plus two Cl atoms.     

Structure and spectroscopy of NaNd(SP)<Subscript>4</Subscript> chelate: a new type of lanthanide luminophore

Lanthanide β-diketones and their derivatives are extensively studied coordination compounds, due to their luminescent properties and many possible applications. The tetrakisNd(III) complex with phosphorylated sulfonylamides derivatives of β-diketones was synthesized. The X-ray diffraction showed that the compound of formula {[Na[Ln(SP)₄]} _n (SP = C₆H₅S(O)2NP(O)(OCH₃)₂; Ln = Nd(III) crystallize in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group with the following unit-cell parameters: a = 22.006(4)A, b = 11.075(2)A, c = 22.334(5)A, and β = 118.71(3)°. The molecular structure of the investigated compound is polymeric. The lanthanide ions as well as the sodium ions are coordinated by sulfonyl and phosphoryl groups of the ligand, and because of the bridging behavior, link different units of the polymer. High-resolution absorption, emission, and excitation spectra of neodymium crystals were measured at 298, 77, and 4K temperatures. The sensitized emission of [Na[Nd(III)(L)₄]} _n chelate in the IR range of the spectrum was recorded. This kind of the compounds can be used in organic light emitting diodes in compact display technology. The spectral characteristic of the compound is controlled by donor–acceptor properties and electron-hole transporting chemical groups. Those factors affect the energy level location, energy transfer (ET), electron–phonon coupling, and finally the luminescence quantum yield. The optical behavior of the title compound was characterised by crystal field (CF), correlation crystal field (CCF), and electron transition probability calculations. X-ray structural data and the nephelauxetic effect check the role of the character of the bonding. The IR spectra were used to analyze the vibronic components in electronic transitions. The role of ligands, singlet and triplet states in energy transfer, are discussed. The ET mechanism and emission quenching pathways are proposed. Some spectroscopic parameters will be compared with earlier reported NaNdWo₄ × H₂O (Wo = CCl₃ CONPO(OCH₃)₂).     

Configuration-Interaction study of lower excited states of O2: Valence and rydberg characters of the two lowest 3Σu − states

Configuration-interaction calculations, with an extended basis, are carried out on the ground and lower excited states of O₂ and O₂⁺ at and near the equilibrium internuclear distance (R = 2.3 a.u.) of the ground state of O₂. Particular attention has been paid to the two lowest ³Σ_u^? states, and the mixing of the valence and Rydberg characters in these states are studied. The lowest ³Σ_u^? state is a Rydberg-type state for R < 2.3 a.u., but becomes valence-type for R ? 2.3 a.u. The second ³Σ_u^? state, which is 1.6 eV above the lowest ³Σ_u^? at R = 2.3 a.u., changes its character from Rydberg to valence, valence to Rydberg, and then to valence again when R increases from 1.9 to 3.1 a.u. Satisfactory agreement between the calculated and experimental vertical excitation energies is obtained.     

Metamagnetic DyAlO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles with very low magnetic moment

Nanocrystalline dysprosium monoaluminate (DyAlO₃) has been synthesized by modified sol–gel method after sintering the precursor gel at 950 °C. The micro-structural features have been verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. The XRD pattern confirms the formation of single-phase DyAlO₃; the average size of the nanoparticles is 50 nm. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to study the chemical composition and bonding in the samples. The binding energies of core-level electrons in Dy, Al and O in DyAlO₃ nanopowder have been found slightly shifted compared to the respective values of the same elements. Both AC and DC magnetic susceptibilities have been measured in the temperature range 2–300 K. Unusually low effective magnetic moment of Dy³⁺, μ_eff = 0.38, has been derived from the inverse magnetic susceptibility–temperature plot between 4 and 252 K. The Nèel temperature, T_N = 3.920 K and exchange interaction constant J/k = −1.74 K, have been also determined.     

Citrate-gel synthesis and characterization of yttrium-doped multiferroic BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Perovskite Bi_1−x Y _x FeO₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) oxides were prepared by a citrate-gel method. The crystal structure examined by X-ray powder diffraction indicates that the samples were single-phase and crystallize in a rhombohedral (space group, R-3c no. 161) structure. The structural phase transition from rhombohedral to orthorhombic phase was observed at x = 0.10. Increase in magnetization was observed as a result of Y doping. The optical band-gap of (Bi, Y)FeO₃ materials were determined. The observed increase in magnetization and low band-gap of (Bi, Y)FeO₃ ceramics position them for potential magenotoelectric and photocatalytic applications, respectively.     

XAFS investigation of [Pd(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>][AuCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> and its thermolysis products

Thermolysis of double complex salt [Pd(NH₃)₄][AuCl₄]₂ has been studied in helium atmosphere from ambient to 350 °C. The XAFS of Pd K and Au L₃ edges and thermogravimetry measurements have been carried out to characterize the intermediates and the final product. In the temperature range 115–160 °C the complex is decomposed to form Pd(NH₃)₂Cl₂ and AuCl_4−x N _x species with x ranging from 2 to 3. Subsequent heating of the intermediate up to 300 °C leads to the total loss of NH₃. The Au–Cl and Au–Au bonds form the local environment of Au at the stage of decomposition while only four chlorine atoms are around Pd. At the temperature of 330 °C the Au and Pd nanoparticles as well as residues of palladium chloride are detected. The final product consists of separated Au and Pd nanoparticles.     

Opposite effect of Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> codoping on the upconversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders

The Er³⁺-Li⁺ codoped TiO₂ powders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol–gel method. The green and red upconversion emissions centered at about 526, 550 and 663 nm were observed by the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, respectively. Li⁺ codoping has opposite effect on the upconversion emissions intensities for Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ at sintering temperatures of 1,073 and 1,273 K. At 1,073 K, the Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ phase transition from anatase to rutile was accelerated with increasing Li⁺ codoping concentration, leading to the increase of crystal field symmetry of Er³⁺, thus the upconversion emissions intensities decreased. At 1,273 K, Li⁺ codoping had no effect on the phase structure of Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ and only increased the Er–O bond length, it indicated that the upconversion emissions intensities greatly enhanced because of the decrease of crystal field symmetry of Er³⁺.     

Non-isothermal decomposition kinetics of NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles synthesized using egg white solution route

The thermal decomposition kinetics of nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) precursor prepared using egg white solution route in dynamical air atmosphere was studied by means of TG with different heating rates. The activation energy (E _α) values of one reaction process were estimated using the methods of Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), which were found to be consistent. The dependent activation energies on extent of conversions of the decomposition reaction indicate “multi-step” processes. XRD, SEM and FTIR showed that the synthesized NiFe₂O₄ precursor after calcination at 773 K has a pure spinel phase, having particle sizes of ~54 ± 29 nm.     

Synthesis of electrospun BaSrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/PVP nanofibers

Ba_1−x Sr _x TiO₃(x = 0–0.5, BST) nanofibers with diameters of 150–210 nm were prepared by using electrospun BST/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) composite fibers by calcination for 2 h at temperatures in the range of 650–800 °C in air. The morphology and crystal structure of calcined BST/PVP nanofibers were characterized as functions of calcination temperature and Sr content with an aid of XRD, FT-IR, and TEM. Although several unknown XRD peaks were detected when the fibers were calcined at temperatures less than 750 °C, they disappeared with increasing the temperature (above 750 °C) due to its thermal decomposition and complete reaction in the formation of BST. In addition, the FT-IR studies of BST/PVP fibers revealed that the intensities of the O–H stretching vibration bands (at 3430 and 1425 cm⁻¹) became weaker with increasing the calcination temperature and a broad band at 540 cm⁻¹, Ti–O vibration, appeared sharper and narrower after calcination above 750 °C due to the formation of metal oxide bonds. However, no effect of Sr content on the crystal structure of the composites was detected.     

The electronic states of but-2-yne studied by VUV absorption, near-threshold electron energy-loss spectroscopy and ab initio configuration interaction methods

The photoabsorption spectrum of but-2-yne in the range 5.5–11 eV (225–110 nm) has been recorded using a synchrotron radiation source. The spectrum is dominated by three d-type Rydberg series, converging to the first ionisation energy (IE) (π⁻¹, 9.562 eV). Origins of the π3d members are 7.841, 7.977 and 8.018 eV, respectively. Transitions of low intensity, arising from excitation of the π3s state (origin, 6.35 eV) and two π3p Rydberg states (7.38 and 7.51 eV, respectively) have also been identified in the spectrum. Near-threshold electron energy-loss spectra reveal valence excited triplet states at about 5.2 and 5.8 eV, respectively.Electronic excitation energies for valence and Rydberg-type states have been computed using ab initio multi-reference multi-root CI methods. These studies used a triple zeta + polarisation basis set, augmented by diffuse (Rydberg) orbitals, to generate the theoretical singlet and triplet energy manifolds. The correlation of theory and experiment shows the nature of the more intense Rydberg state types, and identification of the main valence and Rydberg bands. Calculated energies for Rydberg states are close to those expected, and there is generally a good correlation between the theoretical and experimental envelopes. It was possible to generate singlet Rydberg states which relate to the 5-lowest IEs of but-2-yne; furthermore, the separation of these sequences shows that the IE order (under D_3h symmetry) is: , also supported by direct calculation of the IEs by CI.The lowest valence singlet states are ππ^*, optically forbidden, and calculated to lie near 7.3 and 7.6 eV. The states which contribute strongly to the observed spectrum are πσ^* near 7.9 eV having excitation, followed by several ππ^* and πσ^* states between 10.0 and 10.5 eV; an ¹E′ antisymmetric combination(2e′2e″ − 2e′2e″) is by far the strongest in intensity. A further group of symmetry-allowed valence states are calculated to lie near 12.3 and 12.9 eV. The two lowest triplet states, both of E′ symmetry (ππ^*), have vertical excitation energies of 5.7 and 6.2 eV, but are strongly bent with a trans-CCCC unit (C_S and C_2h). The theoretical work confirms that, on intensity grounds, valence excited states do not contribute significantly to the spectrum. CI calculations of the ionic states give the ionisation energy sequence (D_3h): . Adiabatic structures for the first cation, two triplets, and a singlet (C_2h) were obtained; these show shortening of C–C, and lengthening of CC, in a trans-CCCC, as is found with ethyne.