Ternary tungsten oxides with the Mo5O14 structure

Following the discovery of a ternary GeW oxide with the Mo₅O₁₄ structure, a large number of ternary MWO systems were surveyed to investigate the frequency of occurrence of this structure type. Samples were prepared by heating tungsten oxides and the appropriate ternary element or a suitable compound of the ternary element in evacuated silica ampoules at 1373°K for 1 week. The compositions investigated were close to M_0.02W_0.98O_2.80. Oxides with the Mo₅O₁₄ structure were found in many systems across the whole of the periodic table, from Li to Bi. Some aspects of the formation of these phases and the way in which they could affect the course of reduction of WO₃ to W metal are discussed.     

Influence of the heat treatment conditions on the formation of CuFe2O4 from mechanical milled precursors oxides

Stoichiometric mixture of CuO and ??-Fe₂O₃ milled in air up to 30?h was subjected to different heat treatments. The evolution of the heat treated milled powders was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The CuFe₂O₄ was partially obtained by milling, the material consisting in a mixture of phases. By applying different heat treatments in air and in vacuum, for 2?C6?h, in 500?C800?°C temperature range the phases composition of the milled samples is changed. A heat treatment at 500?°C in vacuum favours the formation of delafossite (CuFeO₂) and tenorite (CuO) phases. If the same heat treatment is made in air, the CuFe₂O₄ phase formation with a cubic structure is favoured. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) investigation realised in Ar atmosphere revealed two large exothermic peaks. The first one is associated with the formation of the delafossite and tenorite phases and the second one with the formation of CuFe₂O₄. The XRD patterns of the samples subjected to the DSC measurements present maxima corresponding to the delafossite and cuprospinel (CuFe₂O₄) phases. For the heat treatment at 600?°C in air the phases present in the sample are the same as for the annealing performed at 500?°C: CuFe₂O₄, ??-Fe₂O₃ and CuO. The heat treatment in air at 800?°C leads to the complete reaction between the different phases and the formation of CuFe₂O₄ phase in whole the sample volume. The CuFe₂O₄ ferrite crystallises after this heat treatment in two crystal systems: cubic and tetragonal.     

Thermal decomposition study of selected isopolymolybdates

The thermal decomposition of ammonium trimolybdate (NH₄)₂Mo₃O₁₀·H₂O, anilinium trimolybdate (C₆NH₈)₂Mo₃O₁₀·4H₂O and anilinium pentamolybdate (C₆NH₈)₂Mo₅O₁₆ in air and nitrogen has been investigated. The decomposition of molybdates was studied in situ by powder X-ray diffraction. Moreover, results of TG, as well as scanning microscopy studies, are presented. It was found that during thermal treatment in air phases of MoO_x type are obtained, while thermal treatment in nitrogen leads to obtaining a mixture of Mo_yC_z and Mo_pN_q. It is worth noting that even though chemical decomposition and formation of new compounds took place, in some cases needle-like or plate-like shapes of crystallites were preserved during thermal treatment.     

Cerium-Molybdenum-Tellurium Oxides

Ternary oxide formation in the (Ce, Mo, Te)O system was studied between 400°C and 600°C in air. Eight new phases were observed, namely Ce₆Mo₁₀Te₄O₄₇, Ce₂Mo₂Te₂O₁₃, Ce₄Mo₁₁Te₁₀O₅₉, Ce₂Mo₂Te₄O₁₇, Ce₁₀Mo₁₂Te₁₄O₇₉, Ce₆Mo₈Te₆O₄₅, Ce₂Mo₃Te₂O₁₆, and [Ce₄Mo₁₃Te₃O₅₁]. Preparative conditions are given and the new compounds are characterized by DTA and TG analyses, X-ray diffraction, infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Structural dynamics of molybdenum vanadium oxide (MoVOx)

Molybdenum and vanadium oxides were known to be an effective catalyst for light olefin (propane) activation for conversion to value-added chemicals. However, it is difficult to control the selectivity to desired product whereby subsequent reaction can lead to coking and rapid catalyst deactivation. One of the key ways to improve on the above limitation is to optimise and control the molybdenum phase structure, particularly during catalyst precursor activation stage. This paper demonstrates the combination of optimal in situ activation under different condition and thermal analysis for structural control that can help to guide and gain an insight into the structure–activity relationship of the nanostructured catalyst system. In situ XRD analysis reveals the crystallization of molybdenum vanadium oxide was highly influenced by the activation condition hence exhibiting different structural properties. Activation under Air at 300 °C forms highly crystalline hexagonal phase and transforms to thermodynamically stable orthorhombic (o-MoO₃) phase at 450 °C. Activation under inert (helium) reveals the precursor remains amorphous until nanostructuring occurs at 450 °C. The precursor further transforms to the thermodynamically stable crystallized tetragonal phase (Mo₅O₁₄) at 500 °C. The obtained structural transition information is important in order to control and identify the catalytic active phase that is suitable for a particular reaction.     

Thermal decomposition of the oxo-diperoxo-molibdenum (VI)-potassium oxalate

The oxo-diperoxo-molibdenum(VI)-potassium oxalate, K₂[MoO(O₂)₂(C₂O₄)] was synthesized using an adapted version of the method suggested by Dengel. The thermal behavior of the synthesized complex was investigated by simultaneous thermal analysis TG/DTG/DTA, in air or nitrogen atmosphere, to identify and characterize the mass-loss decomposition processes. In addition, for the characterization of the observed decomposition steps, the FT-IR spectra for the initial complex, evolved gaseous compounds and isolated complex at 230 and 430/383 °C in air/nitrogen atmosphere, were recorded. On the 35–500 °C temperature range, the K₂[MoO(O₂)₂(C₂O₄)] complex presented three main decomposition steps, accompanied by mass-loss. The first degradation step is due to the elimination of one oxygen molecule, by the breaking of the peroxo groups, with the formation of an intermediary, like [MoO₃L]. The other two degradation steps can be attributed to the decomposition of the organic ligand, with the final formation of a stable metallic oxide.     

Effect of calcination temperature on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of FeSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in hydrogen sulfide oxidation

The effect of calcination temperature on the state of the active component of iron-containing catalysts prepared by the impregnation of silica gel with a solution of FeSO₄ and on their catalytic properties in selective H₂S oxidation to sulfur was studied. With the use of thermal analysis, XPS, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, it was found that an X-ray amorphous iron-containing compound of complex composition was formed on the catalyst surface after thermal treatment in the temperature range of 400–500°C. This compound contained Fe³⁺ cations in three nonequivalent positions characteristic of various oxy and hydroxy sulfates and oxide and sulfate groups as anions. Calcination at 600°C led to the almost complete removal of sulfate groups; as a result, the formation of an oxide structure came into play, and it was completed by the production of finely dispersed iron oxide in the ?-Fe₂O₃ modification (the average particle size of 3.2 nm) after treatment at 900°C. As the calcination temperature was increased from 500 to 700°C, an increase in the catalyst activity in hydrogen sulfide selective oxidation was observed because of a change in the state of the active component. A comparative study of the samples by temperature-programmed sulfidation made it possible to establish that an increase in the calcination temperature leads to an increase in the stability of the iron-containing catalysts to the action of a reaction atmosphere.     

Investigation of RuO2-IrO2-SnO2 thin film evolution

The thermal evolution process of RuO₂–IrO₂–SnO₂ mixed oxide thin films of varying noble metal contents has been investigated under in situ conditions by thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS), infrared emission spectroscopy (IR) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The gel-like films prepared from aqueous solutions of the precursor compounds RuOHCl₃, H₂IrCl₆ and Sn(OH)₂(CH₃COO)_2–xCl_x on titanium metal support were heated in an atmosphere containing 20% O₂ and 80% Ar up to 600°C. Chlorine evolution takes place in a single step between 320 and 500°C accompanied with the decomposition of the acetate ligand. The decomposition of surface species formed like carbonyls, carboxylates and carbonates occurs in two stages between 200 and 500°C. The temperature of chlorine evolution and that of the final film formation increases with the increase of the iridium content in the films. The anodic peak charge shows a maximum value at 18% iridium content.     

Nitridation of niobium oxide films by rapid thermal processing

The possibility of forming niobium oxynitride through the nitridation of niobium oxide films in molecular nitrogen by rapid thermal processing (RTP) was investigated. Niobium films 200 and 500 nm thick were deposited via sputtering onto Si(100) wafers covered with a thermally grown SiO₂ layer 100 nm thick. These as-deposited films exhibited distinct texture effects. They were processed in two steps using an RTP system. The as-deposited niobium films were first oxidized under an oxygen atmosphere at 450 °C for various periods of time and subsequently nitridated under a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 °C for 1 min. Investigations of the oxidized films showed that samples where the start of niobium pentoxide formation was detected at the surface and the film bulk still consisted of a substoichiometric NbO_x phase exhibited distinctly lower surface roughness and microcrack densities than samples where complete oxidation of the film to Nb₂O₅ had occurred. The niobium oxide phases formed at the Nb/substrate interface also showed distinct texture. Zones of niobium oxide phases like NbO and NbO₂, which did not exist in the initial oxidized films, were formed during the nitridation. This is attributed to a “snow-plough effect” produced by the diffusion of nitrogen into the film, which pushes the oxygen deeper into the film bulk. These oxide phases, in particular the NbO₂ zone, act as barriers to the in-diffusion of nitrogen and also inhibit the outdiffusion of oxygen from the SiO₂ substrate layer. Nitridation of the partially oxidized niobium films in molecular nitrogen leads to the formation of various niobium oxide and nitride phases, but no indication of niobium oxynitride formation was found. Figure Schematic representation of the phase distribution in 200 nm Nb film on SiO₂/Si substrate after two steps annealing using an RTP system. The plot below represents the SIMS depth profiles of the nitridated sample with the phase assignment     

Effect of the composition and structure of the precursor compound on the catalytic properties of cobalt-aluminum catalysts in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

The effect of preparation procedure on the anionic composition and structure of hydroxo compounds as precursors of Co-Al catalysts and on their catalytic properties in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was studied. The dynamics of changes in the composition and structure of the hydroxide precursors of Co-Al catalysts during thermal treatment and subsequent activation was studied by thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and in situ XRD analysis with the use of synchrotron radiation. It was found that the precursor compounds prepared by deposition-precipitation of cobalt cations on γ- and δ-Al₂O₃ under urea hydrolysis conditions, which had a hydrotalcite-type structure and contained nitrate, carbonate, and hydroxyl groups, turtned into the oxide compounds Co_{3 ? x} Al _x O₄ (0 < x < 2) with the spinel structure in the course of thermal treatment in an inert atmosphere. The hydrogen activation of an oxide precursor led to the formation of cobalt metal particles through the intermediate formation of a cobalt(II)-aluminum oxide phase. The catalyst was characterized by high activity and selectivity for C₅₊ hydrocarbons in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.     

Thermal expansion of phases formed in the system Nb2O5-MoO3

Studies on thermal expansion of phases formed in the system Nb₂O₅-MoO₃ (WO₃) have been carried out in the high-temperature X-ray diffraction attachment. In the case of Nb₁₄Mo₃O₄₄, Nb₁₂MoO₃₃ and Nb₁₂WO₃₃ the structure that consists of ReO₃ type blocks, the direction of minimal thermal expansion is consistent with direction in which the chains of corner-sharing polyhedra spread to infinity. On the contrary, for Nb₂Mo₃O₁₄, the structure of which resembles the structure of tetragonal tungsten bronzes, the maximal thermal expansion direction is consistent with above mentioned direction. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of the Copper Oxide Sintering Additive on the Electrical and Electrochemical Properties of Anode Materials Based on Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>6–δ</Subscript>

The effect of introducing 1–3 wt % copper oxide sintering additive on the electrical and electrochemical characteristics of promising anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells based on Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.5O_6–δ was studied. The total conductivity increases with increasing amount of copper oxide. The maximum conductivity in humid hydrogen at 800°C, 45 S cm^–1, was reached on introducing 3 wt % CuO. The sintering additive enhances the electrochemical activity of Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.5O_6–δ and Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.5O_6–δCe_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 anodes. A decrease in the sintering temperature of the anodes containing CuO with the electrolyte based on lanthanum gallate directly correlates with the electrochemical activity of the anodes. The minimum value of the polarization resistivity, 0.15 Ω cm² at 800°С in a humid hydrogen atmosphere, was obtained for the composite anode with 3 wt % CuO sintered at a temperature of 1050°С.     

Photocatalytic behavior of α-Bi2Mo3O12 prepared by the Pechini method: degradation of organic dyes under visible-light irradiation

Nanoparticles of α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂ were prepared by the Pechini method. The process of formation of the bismuth molybdate was followed by simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). Different samples of α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂ were obtained at 400, 450, and 500 °C, and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption (BET), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). When observed by SEM, the morphology of the sample obtained at the lowest temperature consisted of semi-spherical particles with an average diameter of 150 nm. On the other hand, the highest calcination temperature led to the formation of sintered particles of 500–600 nm. The photocatalytic activity of α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂ was tested by photodegradation of the organic dyes rhodamine B (rhB) and indigo carmine (IC) under visible-light irradiation. The bismuth molybdate nanoparticles were able to bleach aqueous solutions of both organic dyes. The sample obtained at 400 °C was the best photocatalyst with half-lives, t _1/2, of 108 and 154 min for rhB and IC, respectively.     

Atomic-Scale Insight into Exsolution of CoFe Alloy Nanoparticles in La0.4Sr0.6Co0.2Fe0.7Mo0.1O3−δ with Efficient CO2 Electrolysis

In situ exsolution of metal nanoparticles in perovskite under reducing atmosphere is employed to generate a highly active metal–oxide interface for CO₂ electrolysis in a solid oxide electrolysis cell. Atomic-scale insight is provided into the exsolution of CoFe alloy nanoparticles in La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_0.2Fe_0.7Mo_0.1O_3−δ (LSCFM) by in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The doped Mo atoms occupy B sites of LSCFM, which increases the segregation energy of Co and Fe ions at B sites and improves the structural stability of LSCFM under a reducing atmosphere. In situ STEM measurements visualized sequential exsolution of Co and Fe ions, formation of CoFe alloy nanoparticles, and reversible exsolution and dissolution of CoFe alloy nanoparticles in LSCFM. The metal–oxide interface improves CO₂ adsorption and activation, showing a higher CO₂ electrolysis performance than the LSCFM counterparts.     

Study of tin dioxide–sodium stannate composite obtained by decomposition of peroxostannate as a potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A tin dioxide–sodium stannate composite has been obtained by the thermal treatment of sodium peroxostannate nanoparticles at 500°C in air. X-ray powder diffraction study has revealed that the composite includes crystalline phases of cassiterite SnO₂, sodium stannate Na₂Sn₂O₅, and sodium hexahydroxostannate Na₂Sn(OH)₆. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that material morphology does not change considerably as compared with the initial tin peroxo compound. Electrochemical characteristics have been compared for the anodes of lithium-ion batteries based on tin dioxide–sodium stannate composite and anodes based on a material manufactured by the thermal treatment of graphene oxide–tin dioxide–sodium stannate composite at 500°C in air.     

Preparation and Characterization of Ultrafine Rare Earth Molybdenum Complex Oxide Particles

Ultrafine rare earth molybdenum (La–Mo and Ce–Mo) complex oxide particles have been synthesized by the sol–gel process using citric acid as complexing agent. The influence of preparation conditions such as thermal treatment temperature (T), molar ratio of citric acid to metallic ions (L/M), and pH value of the starting solution on the oxide particle size has been studied. The formation of La₂Mo₂O₉and Ce₂Mo₃O₁₂has been investigated using XRD, DTA–TG, FT-IR, TEM, and BET surface area measurements. It is shown that the morphology and structure of the oxide particles are significantly dependent on the preparation conditions. The influence of different preparation methods on the particle size of La–Mo and Ce–Mo oxides is also discussed.     

Atomic‐Scale Insight into Exsolution of CoFe Alloy Nanoparticles in La0.4Sr0.6Co0.2Fe0.7Mo0.1O3−δ with Efficient CO2 Electrolysis

In situ exsolution of metal nanoparticles in perovskite under reducing atmosphere is employed to generate a highly active metal–oxide interface for CO₂ electrolysis in a solid oxide electrolysis cell. Atomic‐scale insight is provided into the exsolution of CoFe alloy nanoparticles in La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_0.2Fe_0.7Mo_0.1O_3?δ (LSCFM) by in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The doped Mo atoms occupy B sites of LSCFM, which increases the segregation energy of Co and Fe ions at B sites and improves the structural stability of LSCFM under a reducing atmosphere. In situ STEM measurements visualized sequential exsolution of Co and Fe ions, formation of CoFe alloy nanoparticles, and reversible exsolution and dissolution of CoFe alloy nanoparticles in LSCFM. The metal–oxide interface improves CO₂ adsorption and activation, showing a higher CO₂ electrolysis performance than the LSCFM counterparts.     

Humidity controlled thermal analysis

The low temperature formation of crystalline zinc oxide via thermal decomposition of zinc acetylacetonate monohydrate C₁₀H₁₄O₄Zn·H₂O was studied by humidity controlled thermal analysis. The thermal decomposition was investigated by sample-controlled thermogravimetry (SCTG), thermogravimety combined with evolved gas analysis by mass spectrometry (TG-MS) and simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry (XRD-DSC). Decomposition of C₁₀H₁₄O₄Zn·H₂O in dry gas by linear heating began with dehydration around 60°C, followed by sublimation and decomposition above 100°C. SCTG was useful because the high-temperature parallel decompositions were inhibited. The decomposition changed with water vapor in the atmosphere. Formation of ZnO was promoted by increasing water vapor and could be synthesized at temperatures below 100°C. XRD-DSC equipped with a humidity generator revealed that C₁₀H₁₄O₄Zn·H₂O decomposed directly to the crystalline ZnO by reacting with water vapor.     

Microstructure and electrical properties of IrO2 prepared by thermal decomposition of IrCl3·x H2O: Role played by the conditions of thermal treatment

Some features of the thermal decomposition of IrCl₃·3 H₂O in an oxygen atmosphere are presented. The formation of IrO₂ phases has been followed by X-ray diffractometry, and the onset of definite reflections has been documented for samples pyrolyzed at 350° C, although moderate weight losses are observed by thermogravimetry at this temperature. The effect of the thermal history of iridium oxide coatings on their structure has been studied by means of electrical resistance measurements. An explanation of the results has been attempted in terms of impurity segregation to the oxide grain boundaries.     

HRTEM and neutron diffraction study of LixMo5O17: From the ribbon (x=5) structure to the rock salt (x=12) structure

Structure determination of the fully intercalated phase Li₁₂Mo₅O₁₇ and of the deintercalated oxide Li₅Mo₅O₁₇ has been carried out by electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction. The reversible topotactic transformation between the ordered rock salt structure of the former and the ribbon structure of the latter (closely related to that of Li₄Mo₅O₁₇) is explained on the following basis: both structures can be described as strips built up as an assembly of infinite ribbons of MoO₆ octahedra that are five octahedra thick, and that differ by slight displacements of the octahedral ribbons. We show that the electrochemical behavior of the Li_xMo₅O₁₇ system is based on two sorts of Li⁺ sites; those that are located within the strips between the ribbons, and those that are located at the border of the strips. The high rate of Li intercalation in this oxide and its reversibility are discussed in terms of its peculiar structure.