Preparation and characterization of a new PEO-PPG blend polymer electrolyte system

This paper reports on preparation and characterization of thin films of a new zinc ion conducting blended polymer electrolyte system containing polyethylene oxide [PEO] and polypropylene glycol [PPG] complexed with zinc triflate [Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂] salt. The room temperature ionic conductivity (σ _298K) data of such PEO-PPG polymer blends prepared by solution casting technique were found to be of the order of 10^?5 S cm^?1, whereas the optimized composition containing 90:10 wt% ratio of PEO and PPG possessed an appreciably high ionic conductivity of 7.5?×?10^?5 S cm^?1. Subsequently, six different weight percentages of zinc triflate viz., 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15, respectively, were added into the above polymer blend and resulting polymer-salt complexes were characterized by means of various analytical tools. Interestingly, the best conducting specimen namely 87.5 wt% (PEO:PPG)-12.5 wt% Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂ exhibited an enhanced room temperature ionic conductivity of 6.9?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 with an activation energy of 0.6 eV for ionic conduction. The present XRD results have indicated the occurrence of characteristic PEO peaks and effects of salt concentration on the observed intensity of these diffraction peaks. Appropriate values of degree of crystallinity for different samples were derived from both XRD and DSC analyses, while an examination of surface morphology of the blended polymer electrolyte system has revealed the formation of homogenous spherulites involving a rough surface and relevant zinc ionic transport number was found to be 0.59 at room temperature for the best conducting polymer electrolyte system thus developed.     

The influence of PEO on the synthesis and electrochemical properties of VO2 and V3O7·nH2O nanobelts as a cathode for lithium battery

In this paper, we report the hydrothermal synthesis of VO₂, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/VO₂,V₃O₇·nH₂O and PEO/V₃O₇·nH₂O nanobelts by using 1,2-propylene carbonate (1,2-PC (C₄H₆O₃)) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as templates, respectively. Structure and morphology of the samples were investigated by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The vanadium oxide (VO₂) nanobeltcomposite show the initial specific capacity 152?mA?h?g^?1, whereas PEO/VO₂ shows 182?mA?h?g^?1. The pure V₃O₇·nH₂O nanobelts shows the initial specific capacity 192?mA?h?g^?1, while PEO/V₃O₇·nH₂O nanobelts show 297?mA?h?g^?1. It was found that PEO/VO₂ and PEO/V₃O₇·nH₂O nanocomposites show better cyclic performance and high discharge stability compared to pure vanadium oxide nanomaterials. The role of the polymeric PEO component of the hybrid material seems to be the stabilization and improvement of the specific capacity due to probable homogeneous distribution between the nanobelts. The TEM images indicate that PEO works as a surfactant to decrease the dimensions of nanobelts.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies of Molecules with Biochemical Interest: The Cysteine Zwitterion

Abstract

The L-cysteine zwitterions in the orthorhombic crystal structure and in aqueous solution, including the deuterated isotopologues HSCD₂CH(NH₃ ⁺)COO^?, DSCH₂CH(ND₃ ⁺)COO^?, and DSCD₂CH(ND₃ ⁺)COO^?, have been studied by mid-infrared, far-infrared, and Raman spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for an equilibrium molecular geometry of the cysteine zwitterion to obtain vibrational frequencies of fundamental modes, infrared (IR) and Raman intensities, and the depolarization ratio of the Raman bands and combined with normal coordinate force field analyses. The force field obtained for dissolved (in H₂O and D₂O) cysteine, based on the 4 × 36 experimental fundamental modes of the four isotopologues, was successfully transferred to the two conformers in the solid state. The experimentally observed multiple bands (generally doublets) of L-cysteine and its deuterated isotopologues in the solid state were interpreted based on the coexistence of two conformers in the unit cell. The calculated frequencies were used for full assignments of the fundamental IR and Raman vibrational transitions, including an attempt to interpret all low-frequency vibrations (below 400 cm^?1) of the zwitterion also in the solid state. In particular, the hydrogen bonding effects on conformation, bond lengths, and force constants were studied, including those of the distorted NH₃ ⁺ amino group. The –S-H and -S-D stretching vibrations were found to be local modes, not sensitive to deuterium substitution of the -CH₂ and -NH₃ ⁺ groups in the molecule or to the H(D)-S-C-C torsional angle. The two major -S-H or -S-D stretching bands observed in the solid state correspond to different S-H/D bond lengths and resulted in the force constants K _SH = 3.618 N·cm^?1 and 3.657 N·cm^?1 for the SH^… S and SH^… O hydrogen-bonded interactions. A remarkable result was that the S(H)^… O interaction was weaker than the S(H)^… S interaction in the solid state and even weaker in aqueous solution, K _SH = 3.715 N·cm^?1, possibly due to intramolecular interactions between the thiol and amino groups. A general correlation between the S-H/D bond length and vibrational frequency was developed, allowing the bond length to be estimated for sulfhydryl groups in, for example, proteins. The C-S stretching modes were fitted with different C-S stretching force constants, K _CS = 3.213 and 2.713 N·cm^?1, consistent with the different CS bond lengths for the two solid-state conformers.     

Laser-induced Raman scattering in calcium titanate

The Raman spectrum of polycrystalline calcium titanate prepared by a liquid mix technique and heated to 800°C has been recorded at room temperature using an argon-ion laser as exciter. The observed spectrum was interpreted on the basis of factor-group C_2V. Not all of the Raman active modes predicted by factor group analysis were observed and this could be due to: over-lapping of bands, or very low polarizabilities of some of the modes or masking of the weak bands by intense bands. The band at 639 cm^?1 is tentatively assigned to the TiO symmetric stretching vibration (γ₁) and the bands at 495 and 471 cm^?1 to torsional modes. The bands in the region 180–340 cm^?1 are assigned to the OTiO bending modes and the 155 cm^?1 band to the Ca(TiO₃) lattice mode. The observed Raman bands are compared with the available infrared absorption data and, as expected, some coincidences in frequencies are seen for this compound with a noncentrosymmetric structure.     

Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Characterization of the Silicate Mineral Gilalite Cu5Si6O17 · 7H2O

Gilalite is a copper silicate mineral with a general formula of Cu₅Si₆O₁₇ · 7H₂O. The mineral is often found in association with another copper silicate mineral, apachite, Cu₉Si₁₀O₂₉ · 11H₂O. Raman and infrared spectroscopy have been used to characterize the molecular structure of gilalite. The structure of the mineral shows disorder, which is reflected in the difficulty of obtaining quality Raman spectra. Raman spectroscopy clearly shows the absence of OH units in the gilalite structure. Intense Raman bands are observed at 1066, 1083, and 1160 cm^?1.

The Raman band at 853 cm^?1 is assigned to the –SiO₃ symmetrical stretching vibration and the low-intensity Raman bands at 914, 953, and 964 cm^?1 may be ascribed to the antisymmetric SiO stretching vibrations. An intense Raman band at 673 cm^?1 with a shoulder at 663 cm^?1 is assigned to the ν₄ Si-O-Si bending modes. Raman spectroscopy complemented with infrared spectroscopy enabled a better understanding of the molecular structure of gilalite.     

Carbon suboxide: The infrared spectrum from 1800 to 2600 cm−1

The infrared spectrum of carbon suboxide has been recorded from 1800 to 2600 cm^?1 at a resolution of 0.003 cm^?1. About 7% of the ca. 40 000 lines observed have been assigned and analyzed, belonging to 36 different bands. Most of these are associated with the fundamental ν₃, at 2289.80 cm^?1, and the combination band ν₂ + ν₄, at 2386.61 cm^?1, each of which give rise to a system of sum bands, difference bands, and hot bands involving the low-wave-number fundamental ν₇ at 18 cm^?1. A few other tentative assignments are made. The bands have been analyzed for vibrational and rotational constants.     

The effects of incommensurability on the phonon modes in the one-dimensional superionic conductor K-hollandite

Polarized Raman and infrared spectra of the one dimensional (1-D) superionic conductor (K_2xMg_xTi(_8?x)O₁₆; x = 0.77) have been measured over the phonon frequency region 10–1000 cm^?1 as a function of temperature and pressure. The majority of the IR and Raman active modes predicted by group theory for the (Ti, Mg)O₆ framework were observed. The frequencies and their IR and Raman scattering cross-sections for the incommensurate lattice of K⁺ ions were calculated using a one dimensional linear chain model. This model assumes Coulomb interaction between nearest neighbors that are located in a sinusoidal potential due to the framework lattice. Several broad Raman bands were attributed to amplitudon type modes from the one dimensional incommensurate K⁺ ion sublattice. The IR active phason modes could not be identified unambiguously due to the underlying TiO framework vibrations which are known to possess large anharmonicity and oscillator strenghts.     

Determination of A0 of CH3Br from its Raman spectrum

A value of A₀ = 5.1800 ± 0.0010 cm^?1 for CH₃Br has been determined from an analysis of the ν₄ Raman band, based both on a direct fit of Q-branch frequencies and on ground state combination differences. The constants ν₄, (Aζ)₄, η₄₄, and A_e = 5.2442 ± 0.0015 cm^?1 were also determined. The equilibrium distance of the H atoms from the figure axis is calculated as 0.32077 ± 0.00005 Å. All the fundamental Raman bands of CH₃Br were observed, and experimental results for the ν₁, ν₂ and ν₅ bands are included.     

Optical absorption spectra of s2 impurity ions in aqueous halide ion glasses

The optical absorption bands of aqueous 0·05 M Sn²⁺ in 7 M LiI at 77°K appear at 361, 352, 325, 310, 300, 292 and 262 nm. They are considered to be the A₁, A₂, B, C₁, C₂, C₃ and D′ bands since the positions and relative intensities lie within the range of those bands for Sn²⁺-doped alkali iodide crystals. Upon warming the glass there is an uncorrelated increase in the B band and a decrease in the A₁ band. In 3·6, 4·1, 4·6 and 5·1 M CaCl₂ glasses with 5×10^?3 M Sn²⁺ the A₁ and A₂ bands show uncorrelated increases with increasing concentration of Cl^?. Comparable observations are reported for Pb²⁺-doped glasses of lithium halides and CaI₂. In general the spectra of the Sn²⁺- and Pb²⁺-doped glasses correlate well with those of the corresponding crystal systems. The effect of temperature and halide-ion concentration are attributed to shifts in chemical equilibria among the well-known halo complexes, MX_n^2?n MX_n?1^1?n+X^?, each having a characteristic, absorption and emission. Absorptions may be attributed to M²⁺(³P₁ ← ¹S₀) and M²⁺(¹P₁ ← ¹S₀) in the complex, shifted by partially covalent bonding of n halide ions.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic and Theoretical Studies of Urea Derivatives with Biochemical Interest: N,N′-Dimethylurea,N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylurea,and N,N′-Dimethylpropyleneurea

Abstract

Mid-infrared, far-infrared, and Raman vibrational spectroscopic studies were combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and normal coordinate force field analyses for N,N′-dimethylurea (DMU), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea (TMU), and N,N′-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU: IUPAC name 1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one). The equilibrium molecular geometry of DMU (all three conformers), TMU, and DMPU and the frequencies, intensities, and depolarization ratios of their fundamental infrared (IR) and Raman vibrational transitions were obtained by DFT calculations. The vibrational spectra were fully analyzed by normal coordinate methods as well. A starting force field for DMPU was obtained by adapting corresponding force constants for DMU and TMU, resulting after refinements in the stretching force constants C=O (7.69, 7.30, 7.68 N·cm^?1), C–N (5.16, 5.55, 5.05 N·cm^?1), and C-Me (5.93, 4.00, 4.22 N·cm^?1) for DMU, TMU, and DMPU, respectively. The dominating conformer of liquid DMU was identified as trans-trans, strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding was verified in solid DMU, and weak dipole–dipole association was found in liquid TMU and in DMPU. Special attention was paid to analyzing the methyl group frequencies, which revealed deviations from local C_3v symmetry. A linear correlation was found between the CH stretching force constants and the inverse of the CH bond lengths (1/r ²). The averaged NH stretching frequencies of gaseous, dissolved, and solid urea and of DMU, with variations for hydrogen bonding of different strength, are linearly correlated to the NH stretching force constants. Characteristic skeletal vibrations were assigned for a broad variety of urea derivatives and also for pyrimidine derivatives, which all contain the N₂C=O entity. The very strong IR bands of C=O stretching (1,676 ± 40 cm^?1) and asymmetric CN₂ stretching (1,478 ± 60 cm^?1), and the very intense Raman feature of symmetric CN₂ stretching or ring breathing (757 ± 80 cm^?1), can be recognized as fingerprint bands also for the pyrimidine derivatives cytosine, thymine, and uracil, which all are nucleobases in DNA and RNA nucleotides.     

Study of lattice vibrational modes in CuGaS2 by using fourier transform spectroscopy

The lattice dynamics of a single crystal of CuGaS₂, grown by iodine transport technique, have been studied by using far IR absorption spectroscopy. All the absorption maxima caused by the phonon excitation are compared with the lattice vibrational modes obtained by Raman spectroscopy and by IR reflection techniques. An absorption maximum located at 175 cm^?1 cannot be explained with the help of phonon excitation; however this peak can be attributed to the defect frequency originating from the replacement of gallium atom by sulphur in the v₁₇ mode of vibration. The frequency of this defect-induced vibrational mode is calculated by taking a modified molecular model approach, and is found to be 166.9 cm^?1, which is in reasonably good agreement with the experimentally observed value of 175 cm^?1.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and spectroscopic study of K0.92(2) Zn0.08(2) H1.92(2) (PO4) (Zn-KDP)

The structure of K0.92₍₂₎ Zn_0.08(2) H_1.92(2) (PO₄) was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of the Zn-KDP belonged to the tetragonal space group $ \mathrm{I}\overline{4}2\mathrm{d} $ , with cell parameters of a?=?b?=?7.4487(5)?Å and c?=?6.9703(5)?Å, 386.73(5) Å3, Z?=?4, and R?=?0.023. Zn²⁺ ions were used as substitutes for K⁺ ions with hydrogen vacancy. The Zn-KDP single crystals were submitted to further Raman, infrared, and ¹H NMR studies to investigate chemical group functionalisation, possible bonding between the organic and inorganic materials, and partial substitution of K⁺ by Zn²⁺. The latter partial substitution was confirmed by the deviation of IR frequencies for O–H stretching, the variation of IR and Raman frequencies for stretching and bending vibrations ν(PO₄) of H₂PO₄, and the appearance of additional Raman (147, 386 and 481 cm^?1) vibrational bands. Electrical conductivity measurements were performed on polycrystalline pellets of Zn-KDP and pure KDP at room temperatures (RT) of up to 473K. In both cases, a conductivity jump close to 453K was observed, and a stronger increase of conductivity was measured.     

Optical and electrical properties of some sulphates doped with cobalt

Doubly ionized cobalt ion which has a ⁴F ground state exhibits several optical bands in orthorhombic sulphates. In view of the low symmetry, many degenerate states split and at low temperature (77°K) well resolved bands have been observed which enable the detailed calculation of the crystal field parameters in orthorhombic symmetry.Electrical conductivity measurements in pure potassium and ammonium sulphates show only the extrinsic unassociated region while in cobalt doped crystals, extrinsic as well as association regions are observed. Three distinct regions with slopes 0·86, 1·2 and 0·5 eV are obtained in cobalt doped K₂SO₄.X-irradiated pure crystals give two prominent bands at 2200 and 3300 Å which are attributed to SO₃^? and SO₂^?. Divalent cobalt doped crystals give additional bands at 2100 and 3100 Å. These bands are attributed to Co⁺ in different surroundings. Three ESR lines with ‘g’ values 2·042, 2·02 and 2·004 are obtained in support of the assignments.     

Raman microscopy of haidingerite Ca(AsO3OH)·H2O and brassite Mg(AsO3OH)·4H2O

Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the arsenate minerals haidingerite Ca(AsO₃OH)·H₂O and brassite Mg(AsO₃OH)·4H₂O. Intense Raman bands in the haidingerite spectrum observed at 745 and 855 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the (AsO₃OH)²⁻ν₃ antisymmetric stretching and ν₁ symmetric stretching vibrational modes. For brassite, two similarly assigned intense bands are found at 809 and 862 cm⁻¹. The observation of multiple Raman bands in the (AsO₃OH)²⁻ stretching and bending regions suggests that the arsenate tetrahedrons in the crystal structures of both minerals studied are strongly distorted. Broad Raman bands observed at 2842 cm⁻¹ for haidingerite and 3035 cm⁻¹ for brassite indicate strong hydrogen bonding of water molecules in the structure of these minerals. OH···O hydrogen‐bond lengths were calculated from the Raman spectra based on empirical relations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopic study of the antimonate mineral lewisite (Ca,Fe, Na)2(Sb,Ti)2O6(O,OH)7

The mineral lewisite, (Ca, Fe, Na)₂(Sb, Ti)₂O₆(O, OH)₇, an antimony-bearing mineral, has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. A comparison is made with the Raman spectra of other minerals, including bindheimite, stibiconite, and roméite. The mineral lewisite is characterised by an intense sharp band at 517 cm^?1 with a shoulder at 507 cm^?1 assigned to SbO stretching modes. Raman bands of medium intensity for lewisite are observed at 300, 356, and 400 cm^?1. These bands are attributed to OSbO bending vibrations. Raman bands in the OH stretching region are observed at 3200, 3328, 3471 cm^?1, with a distinct shoulder at 3542 cm^?1. The latter is assigned to the stretching vibration of OH units. The first three bands are attributed to water stretching vibrations. The observation of bands in the 3200–3500 cm^?1 region suggests that water is involved in the lewisite structure. If this is the case then the formula may be better written as (Ca, Fe²⁺, Na)₂(Sb, Ti)₂(O, OH)₇ xH₂O.     

Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Perovskite-Structured Alkali Metal Fluorides Containing Nickel and Copper Ions

ABSTRACT

The mixed metal fluorides containing alkali metals have a range of important applications in optical and electronic devices. Raman spectrums of two such fluorides were examined. Raman spectrum of KCuF₃ at 300 K exhibited bands at 261, 295, 363, 468, 519, and 549 cm^?1, indicating site symmetry (orthorhombic) lower than the tetragonal symmetry as observed from the powder X-ray diffraction pattern. Cubic KNiF₃ showed bands at 410, 468, and 657 cm^?1. The first two bands were attributed to the second-order phonon scattering, and the band at 657 cm^?1 was assigned to two-magnon peak.     

The ν5 and ν3 Raman bands of CH2D2

The ν₅ and ν₃ Raman bands of CH₂D₂ have been recorded with a resolution of 0.35 cm^?1. The ν₃ state is well known from infrared studies. Three hundred twenty-nine transitions of the ν₅ band were analyzed, assuming an unperturbed upper state, giving a standard deviation on the fit of the upper-state energies of 0.037 cm^?1, The constants A, B, C, Δ_J, Δ_JK, and Δ_K differed significantly from the ground-state values, and ν₅ was determined as 1331.41 ± 0.05 cm^?1. This work represents the first complete analysis of the fine structure of a rotation-vibrational Raman band for an asymmetric rotor. The ν₅ state could not be analyzed in infrared so this investigation, once more, demonstrates the usefulness of the Raman method.     

Raman and IR studies of TaWO5.5, ASbWO6 (A = K,Rb, Cs,Tl), and ASbWO6·H2O (A = H,NH4, Li,Na) pyrochlore oxides

Raman and infrared (IR) spectra of defect pyrochlores TaWO_5.5, NH₄SbWO₆·H₂O, HSbWO₆·H₂O, LiSbWO₆·H₂O, NaSbWO₆·H₂O, KSbWO₆, RbSbWO₆, CsSbWO₆, and TlSbWO₆ were measured. The obtained spectra are discussed using the factor group approach for the cubic Fd‐3m space group, and assignment of bands to respective motions of atoms is proposed. Our results show that the phonon properties of the pyrochlores are strongly affected by disorder, and therefore Raman and IR spectroscopies are very useful tools in studying disorder in this family of compounds. In particular, our studies have shown that in these ionic conductors disorder at sites occupied by NH , H⁺, or alkali‐metal ions decreases with increasing size and mass of these ions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the mineral penkvilksite Na 2TiSi 4O 11·2H 2O – a mineral used for the uptake of radionuclides

We have used vibrational spectroscopy to study the formula and molecular structure of the mineral penkvilksite Na ₂TiSi ₄O ₁₁·2H ₂O. Penkvilksite is a mineral which may be used in the uptake of radioactive elements. Both Raman and infrared spectroscopies identify a band at ～3638 cm^?1 attributed to an OH-stretching vibration of hydroxyl units. The inference is that OH units are involved in the structure of penkvilksite. The formula may be well written as Na ₂TiSi ₄O ₁₀(OH)₂·H ₂O. The mineral is characterised by a very intense Raman band at 1085 cm^?1 and a broad infrared band at 1080 cm^?1 assigned to SiO-stretching vibrations. Raman bands at 620, 667 and 711 cm^?1 are attributed to SiO and TiO chain bonds. Water-stretching vibrations are observed as Raman bands at 3197, 3265, 3425 and 3565 cm^?1. Vibrational spectroscopy enables aspects of the molecular structure of the mineral penkvilksite to be ascertained. Penkvilksite is a mineral which can incorporate actinides and lanthanides from radioactive waste.     

Raman spectrum of decrespignyite [(Y,REE)4Cu(CO3)4Cl(OH)5·2H2O] and its relation with those of other halogenated carbonates including bastnasite,hydroxybastnasite, parisite and northupite

Raman spectroscopy complemented with infrared spectroscopy has been used to study the rare‐earth‐based mineral decrespignyite [(Y,REE)₄Cu(CO₃)₄Cl(OH)₅· 2H₂O] and the spectrum compared with the Raman spectra of a series of selected natural halogenated carbonates from different origins including bastnasite, parisite and northupite. The Raman spectrum of decrespignyite displays three bands at 1056, 1070 and 1088 cm⁻¹ attributed to the CO₃²⁻ symmetric stretching vibration. The observation of three symmetric stretching vibrations is very unusual. The position of the CO₃²⁻ symmetric stretching vibration varies with the mineral composition. The Raman spectrum of decrespignyite shows bands at 1391, 1414, 1489 and 1547 cm⁻¹, whereas the Raman spectra of bastnasite, parisite and northupite show a single band at 1433, 1420 and 1554 cm⁻¹, respectively, assigned to the ν₃ (CO₃)²⁻ antisymmetric stretching mode. The observation of additional Raman bands for the ν₃ modes for some halogenated carbonates is significant in that it shows distortion of the carbonate anion in the mineral structure. Four Raman bands are observed at 791, 815, 837 and 849 cm⁻¹, which are assigned to the (CO₃)²⁻ν₂ bending modes. Raman bands are observed for decrespignyite at 694, 718 and 746 cm⁻¹ and are assigned to the (CO₃)²⁻ν₄ bending modes. Raman bands are observed for the carbonate ν₄ in‐phase bending modes at 722 cm⁻¹ for bastnasite, 736 and 684 cm⁻¹ for parisite and 714 cm⁻¹ for northupite. Multiple bands are observed in the OH stretching region for decrespignyite, bastnasite and parisite, indicating the presence of water and OH units in the mineral structure. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.