Analysis of the surface of PtxNi1?x alloys

Summary The surface composition of three polycrystalline Pt_xNi_1–x alloys (metal foils) was determined by ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) with He ions of an energy of 1 keV. The targets have been pretreated by bombarding with rare-gas ions (He, Ar and Xe), by annealing at 500°C and by exposing them to increasing amounts of oxygen (up to 20 Langmuir). The results obtained from the polycrystalline alloys are compared to results from a Pt₁₀Ni₉₀ silica supported catalyst. The surface composition was also measured by ISS. The catalyst was pretreated by bombarding with He ions and by exposing it to 10 L oxygen.     

Influence of N, C and S on the initial stage of oxidation of Fe-20Cr single crystals

Fe-20Cr single crystals (100), (110) and (111) have been investigated by Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). The samples have been oxidised between 500° C and 900° C inside the UHV chamber at oxygen partial pressures between 1×10^–8 mbar and 1×10^–6 mbar. Before the oxidation the samples have been precovered with N, C or S by segregation from the bulk. Oxidation experiments of samples without any impurities on the surface have been carried out for comparison. The oxidation at 500° C results in a preferential growth of Fe-oxide on the samples, with increasing temperature mainly Cr-oxide grows on the surfaces. On S covered surfaces the oxidation is strongly retarded. Presence of N on the surfaces does not change the oxidation behaviour of the samples in comparison to oxidation without N. C on the surfaces retards the oxidation of the surfaces in the very initial stage. During the oxidation the amount of C on the surfaces decreases and no differences to oxidation without C on the surfaces are observed at higher oxygen exposures (100 L). After oxidation no well ordered LEED patterns could be observed, Cr- and Fe-oxide grow in no ordered orientation on the surfaces.     

Studies on hydrolyzable carbides. XXII: The carbothermal reduction of scandium oxide Sc2O3

The composition of the products of carbothermal reduction of Sc₂O₃ is examined by X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis and by the hydrolysis method. At pressures of 10^–2-1 Pa, the reaction starts in the temperature region of 1 000–1 200°C. The first product is Sc₂OC of NaCl type; at 1 Pa and 1 400–1 500°C this substance is formed quantitatively (according to stoichiometry) within 50–100 h, repeated homogenization, however, is necessary, or else Sc₂OC reacts locally with Sc₂O₃ giving Sc₂O_1+x C_1–x . The lattice parameter of Sc₂OC in the presence of Sc₁₅C₁₉ is 457.6₃pm. At temperatures above 1 500°C, Sc₁₅C₁₉ is incompletely formed by subsequent reaction with carbon. The product melts at cca. 1 800°C; carbon dissolves and the final composition approaches ScC₂. Carbon separates during solidification. The phase fractions in the products are affected by evaporation, the vapour pressures above both Sc₂OC and Sc₁₅C₁₉ being comparable with the pressure requisite for the carboreduction process. The results are discussed with respect to the often ambiguous published data.

---

Untersuchung hydrolysierbarer Carbide, XXII. Die karbothermische Reduktion von Scandiumoxid

Zusammenfassung Zur Untersuchung von Produkten der karbothermischen Reduktion von Scandiumoxid wurden sowohl röntgenographische und chemische Analyse als auch die hydrolytische Methode verwendet. Bei 10^–2 bis 1 Pa beginnt die Reaktion im Temperaturintervall von 1 000–1 200°C. Das erste Reaktionsprodukt ist das Scandiumoxidcarbid Sc₂OC von NaCl-Typ, das quantitativ (der Stöchiometrie entsprechend) bei 1 400–1 500°C und 1 Pa in 50–100 Stunden entsteht. Eine wiederholte Homogenisierung ist allerdings notwendig, damit es zu keiner lokalen Reaktion zwischen Sc₂OC und Sc₂O₃ kommt, bei der dann die Phase Sc₂O_1+x C_1–x entsteht. In Gegenwart von Sc₁₅C₁₉ ist der Gitterparameter von Sc₂OCa=457.6₃pm. Über 1 500°C führt eine weitere Reaktion mit Kohlenstoff zu einer nicht ganz vollendeten Bildung von Sc₁₅C₁₉. Bei cca. 1 800°C schmilzt das Reaktionsprodukt bei gleichzeitiger Auflösung von weiterem Kohlenstoff und die Zusammensetzung nähert sich der Formel ScC₂, beim Erstarren fällt der Kohlenstoff wieder aus. Die Verteilung der Phasen im Produkt wird von der Verdampfung beeinflußt, da die Dampfdrucke von Sc₂OC und Sc₁₅C₁₉ mit dem zum Karboreduktionverlauf notwendigen Druck vergleichbar sind. Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse werden in Relation mit den nicht eindeutigen Angaben in der Literatur diskutiert.

     

NOx-Sorbing Metal Oxides, MnOx–CeO2. Oxidative NO Adsorption and NOx–H2 Reaction

(n)MnO_x–(1–n)CeO₂ binary oxides have been studied for the sorptive NO removal and subsequent reduction of NO_x sorbed to N₂ at low temperatures (150 °C). The solid solution with a fluorite-type structure was found to be effective for oxidative NO adsorption, which yielded nitrate (NO^– ₃) and/or nitrite (NO^– ₂) species on the surface depending on temperature, O₂ concentration in the gas feed, and composition of the binary oxide (n). A surface reaction model was derived on the basis of XPS, TPD, and DRIFTS analyses. Redox of Mn accompanied by simultaneous oxygen equilibration between the surface and the gas phase promoted the oxidative NO adsorption. The reactivity of the adsorbed NO_x toward H₂ was examined for MnO_x–CeO₂ impregnated with Pd, which is known as a nonselective catalyst toward NO–H₂ reaction in the presence of excess oxygen. The Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ catalyst after saturated by the NO uptake could be regenerated by micropulse injections of H₂ at 150 °C. Evidence was presented to show that the role of Pd is to generate reactive hydrogen atoms, which spillover onto the MnO_x–CeO₂ surface and reduce nitrite/nitrate adsorbing thereon. Because of the lower reducibility of nitrate and the competitive H₂–O₂ combustion, H₂–NO reaction was suppressed to a certain extent in the presence of O₂. Nevertheless, Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ attained 65% NO-conversion in a steady stream of 0.08% NO, 2% H₂, and 6% O₂ in He at as low as 150 °C, compared to ca. 30% conversion for Pd/–Al₂O₃ at the same temperature. The combination of NO_x-sorbing materials and H₂-activation catalysts is expected to pave the way to development of novel NO_x-sorbing catalysts for selective deNO_x at very low temperatures.     

The determination of platinum-group elements (PGE) by nickel sulfide fire-assay: Coexisting PGE-phases in the nickel sulfide button

The chemical composition of phases in buttons obtained by nickel sulfide fire-assay during the determination of platinum-group elements (PGE) has been investigated by electron microprobe analysis. Different PGE-containing phases, due to varying flux constituents and species of added PGE, have been detected. By using sodium tetraborate as flux constituent and adding PGE as chlorides, in a cryptocrystalline Ni₃S₂ matrix with low PGE (mainly Rh and Ru) contents, Rh- and Ru-bearing nickel sulfides ((Ni_7.68–7.80Ru_0.84–0.90Rh_0.35–0.43)₉S₈) and Ir alloys ((Ir,Pt,Os)_0.56–0.62(Ru,Rh)_0.25–0.28Ni_0.12–0.19) are found. Treatment with lithium tetraborate leads to a Ni₃S₂ matrix exhibiting slightly higher Rh and Ru contents, with inclusions of nickel-rhodium sulfides (Ni₈Rh₄S₉) and platinumnickel alloys (Pt_0.45Ni_0.36–0.39Ru_0.11–0.14Rh_0.05). Finely dispersed metallic colloidals from an automobile catalyst, with platinum and rhodium as main components, have given only platinum-nickel alloys (Pt_1–xNi_x). Considerable losses of PGE during analytical steps following the fire assay are expected when their contents in sulfidic phases, which are more likely to be dissolved, are high.     

Oxygen States in Oxides with a Perovskite Structure and Their Catalytic Activity in Complete Oxidation Reactions: System La1 – x Ca x FeO3 – y (x = 0–1)

Oxygen states in the La_{1 – x} Ca _x FeO_{3 – y} perovskites prepared using different procedures are studied by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). Results are compared to data on the catalytic activity in the oxidation of methane and carbon monoxide. The activity of the samples in the CO and CH₄ oxidation over a wide temperature range (200–600°C) is shown to correlate with the amount of reactive surface and subsurface oxygen removable during TPR below 420°C. These oxygen states in the samples of the La_{1 – x} Ca _x FeO_{3 – y} series can be associated with the domain or intergrain boundaries. No correlation is found between the amount of lattice oxygen removable during TPR and the activity of the La_{1 – x} Ca _x FeO_{3 – y} samples in the complete oxidation of methane at temperatures of 450–600°C. It is suggested that catalytic complete oxidation is determined by the most reactive surface and subsurface oxygen states located at the interphase boundaries, whereas the lattice oxygen does not participate in these reactions.     

Structure, reduction and catalytic properties of perovskite-like LaMn1?xNixO3 oxides

A series of LaMn_1–xNi_xO₃ (x=0–1.0) catalysts with perovskite structure has been prepared. The relationship among composition, crystal structure, reducilibity and the catalytic activities for CO oxidation has been investigated. XRD showed that samples for x=0.0–0.4 and x=0.8–1.0 had rhombohedral symmetry, and then pseudo-cubic symmetry for x=0.5–0.8. Research by IR and TPR indicated there were interactions between Mn and Ni coexisting in the B site of LaMn_1–xNi_xO₃. The oxidation activities of the catalysts were also measured.     

Die Systeme Nickel—Selen und Kobalt—Nickel-Selen

Zusammenfassung Das System Ni–Se wurde thermisch und röntgenographisch untersucht und aus den Resultaten und aus Literaturangaben das Phasendiagramm aufgestellt. Die Hochtemperaturphase -Ni₃Se₂ zersetzt sich peritektisch bei 785 °C, die Verbindung Ni₆Se₅ peritektoidisch bei 647,5 °C. Die B8-(NiAs-)Phase Ni_1–x Se hat einen kongruenten Schmelzpunkt bei 53,5 At% Se und 959 °C und eine maximale Phasenbreite von 50,5 At% Se (785 °C) bis 56,8 At% Se (856 °C). NiSe₂ zerfällt peritektisch bei 853 °C in Ni_1–x Se und eine Se-reiche Schmelze. In Schmelzen mit mehr als 68,0 At% Se tritt oberhalb 856 °C eine Mischungslücke auf. Röntgenographisch konnte die Existenz der vier Verbindungen -Ni₃Se₂, Ni₆Se₅, Ni_1–x Se und NiSe₂ bestätigt werden.Im Dreistoffsystem Co–Ni–Se wurden drei Schnitte untersucht. In den quasibinären Schnitten zwischen den B8-Phasen Ni_1–x Se und Co_1–x Se und zwischen den C2-Phasen NiSe₂ und CoSe₂ sind die Legierungen sowohl im flüssigen als auch im festen Zustand vollkommen mischbar. In beiden Schnitten fallen die Liquidus- und Solidustemperaturen kontinuierlich von der Co-zur Ni-Seite ab. Die ternäre Phase (Co_1–y Ni _y )₁₁Se₈ ist bei 400 °C zwischen 0,9>y>0,5 stabil.

---

The systems nickel—selenium and cobalt—nickel—selenium. Transition metal-chalcogen systems, II Übergangsmetall-Chalkogensysteme, 2. Mitt.

The Ni–Se system was investigated by X-ray and thermal analyses and from the results and from published data the Ni–Se phase diagram was constructed. The high temperature phase -Ni₃Se₂ decomposes peritectically at 785°C, the compound Ni₆Se₅ peritectoidically at 647.5°C. The B8 (NiAs) phase Ni_1–x Se has a congruent melting point at 53.5 at% Se and 959°C and a maximum range of homogeneity between 50.5 at% Se (785 °C) and 56.8 at% Se (856 °C). NiSe₂ decomposes peritectically at 853 °C into Ni_1–x Se and a Se-rich melt. Melts with more than 68.0 at% Se exhibit above 856 °C a miscibility gap. X-ray investigations confirmed the existence of the four compounds -Ni₃Se₂, Ni₆Se₅, Ni1– xSe, and NiSe₂.Three sections of the ternary system Co–Ni–Se were investigated. Alloys of the quasibinary sections between the B8 phases Ni_1–x Se and Co_1–x Se and between the C2 phases NiSe₂ and CoSe₂ are completely miscible in the liquid as well as in the solid state. The liquidus and the solidus temperatures in these sections drop continuously from the Co-to the Ni-side of the diagram. The ternary phase (Co_1–y Ni _y )₁₁Se₈ is stable at 400 °C between 0.9<y<0.5.

---

---

Mit 5 Abbildungen     

Morphology, structure and constitution of metastable single-phase Ti1-xAlxN films grown by reactive MSIP

Metastable, single phase, polycrystalline Ti_1–x Al _x N hard layers were deposited on HSS-substrates with reactive magnetron sputtering ion plating (MSIP). The substrate temperature was 400 °C, the bias –60 V, the argon pressure 1.2 Pa and the sputter power 6 W cm^–2. Compound targets with a Ti:Al ratio of 75/25, 50/50 and 25/75, expressed in at-%, were sputtered. The nitrogen reactive gas pressure during sputtering was 8.4 × 10^–2 Pa for the 7525 target and 1.08 × 10^–1 Pa for the 5050 and 2575 targets. The Ti_1–x Al _x N layers grew with x=0.26, 0.54 and 0.75, as determined with EPMA. Thin film XRD and HEED structure analysis showed that the Ti_0.74Al_0.26N layer had grown as B1 structure (a₀0.4214 nm) with [211] texture, the Ti_0.46Al_0.54N layer likewise as B1 structure (a₀0.4154) with [111] texture, but the Ti_0.25Al_0.75N as B4 structure (a₀0.317 nm and c₀0.5014 nm) with [110] texture. Pronounced columnar growth was observed with HR-SEM in the fractured surface of the cubic layers. The mean grain size, and consequently the surface roughness, diminished with increasing Al-content of the layer.Dedicated to Professor Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Hubertus Nickel on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Electroconductivity of Submicron Solid Electrolytes Ce1−x GdxO2−δ as a Function of Their Density and the Gadolinium Content

The effect of the composition and density of ceramics on the electroconductivity of solid electrolytes Ce_{1 − x} Gd_xO_{2 − δ}(x = 0.09–0.31) with a submicron (0.1–0.3 µm) grain size, which are prepared from nanosized powders, is investigated. The powders are synthesized by two methods, specifically, by evaporation of a target with the aid of the radiation of a pulsed carbon dioxide laser and by a chemical method of burning. The samples of ceramics are prepared by magnetopulsed or quasi-isostatic (200–500 MPa) pressing and subsequent caking in air at a temperature of 1100–1300°C. It is established that the electroconductivity of the obtained solid electrolytes is higher and the effective activation energy for conduction is considerably lower as compared with analogous electrolytes with a micron grain size.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2005, pp. 694–701.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Ivanov, Kotov, Gorelov, Borisov, Murzakaev, Samatov, Medvedev, Khrustov, Ivin, Zayats, Balakireva, Sharova, Kuz’min, Vaganov, Moskalenko.Published on the basis of a contribution delivered at the VII Meeting on Fundamental Problems in Solid-State Ionics (Chernogolovka-2004).     

Fabrication of a novel Li<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>MoO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> film modified electrode and its application as an electrochemical sensor of iodate

A novel organic gel film modified electrode was simply and conveniently fabricated by casting Li_xMoO_y and polypropylene carbonate (PPC) onto the surface of a gold electrode. The cyclic voltammetry and amperometry studies demonstrated that the Li_xMoO_y film modified electrode has a high stability and a good electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of iodate. In amperometry, a good linear relationship between the steady current and the concentration of iodate was obtained in the range from 3×10^–7 to 1×10^–4 mol L^–1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 and a detection limit of 1×10^–7 mol L^–1.     

Process analysis of electroless nickel deposition baths using optical spectroscopies

Summary The analytical techniques of Vis-spectrophotometry and FTIR spectroscopy have been applied to the quantitative determination of important plating bath constituents of an electroless nickel-phosphorus electrolyte under realistic bath operation conditions. In combination with multivariate calibration methods (partial-least squares (PLS)- and principal component (PCR) regression) Ni²⁺, the reducing agent H₂PO ₂ ^– and its oxidation product HPO ₃ ^– could be directly determined even in the presence of other bath constituents like malic, lactic and adipic acids. For Ni²⁺, absorbance spectra in the 500–900 nm wavelength range were used to develop a PLS calibration model that allows to compensate matrix influences on the Ni²⁺ spectrum. PLS regression was carried out in the concentration range 0.5–6 g l^–1 Ni²⁺ with independently varying bath parameters (concentration of other bath constituents, pH and temperature). Evaluation of the model by predicting the concentrations of test samples which had been drawn from real process solutions of a Ni plating bath yielded a root-mean-squared error of 0.06 g l^–1. The metal concentration of the nickel electrolyte in a compact electroplating unit was monitored in-line by measuring spectra by means of a Vis-spectrometer adapted to the process via quartz glass fiber optical cables of 50 m length. A comparison of the in-line data with potentiometric off-line reference analyses showed good agreement of both data sets with a root mean-squared error of 0.15 g l^–1. The potential of FTIR spectroscopy for process analysis of plating bath solutions could be demonstrated by measuring off-line the concentrations of H₂PO ₂ ^– and HPO ₃ ^– . For these two components calibration samples containing all other main bath constituents were used to set up a PCR calibration model with IR spectra measured in the range from 850 to 1800 cm^–1 with an ATR trough technique. The data showed — within the error of the method of about 10% — generally a good accordance with the stoichiometry of the Ni²⁺/H₂PO ₂ ^– reduction process. The correlation of both parameters which was confirmed in these experiments could allow effective bath control with minimum analytical instrumentation, e.g. only a Vis-spectrophotometer.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Kinetics of oxidation of hypophosphite ion by platinum(IV) in an alkaline medium

Summary The kinetics of the oxidation of hypophosphite ion by platinum(IV) have been studied spectrophotometrically in alkaline medium at different temperatures. The rate increases as the pH increases and the empirical rate law applicable to the reaction is given by:-d[Pt^IV]/dt = k₃[Pt^IV][H₂PO^2–][OH^–]The rate constant is 2.17×10^–3 (l² mo^–2s^–1) at 40.5°. The energy and entropy of activation for the reaction are 104.2 kJ mol^–1 and 28.5 JK^–1mol^–1 respectively.     

Structural and compositional investigations of Zr4Pt2O: A filled-cubic Ti2Ni-type phase

Syntheses, structural and compositional analyses of the filled cubic Ti₂Ni-type phase in Zr-Pt-O system have been studied, largely for the platinum-richer compositions. Diffraction quality crystals were grown by annealing an arc-melted composition Zr₄Pt₂O_0.66 at 1600 °C under Ar. The refined composition Zr_4.0Pt_1.95(1)O_0.93(6) (a=12.5063(6) Å, , Z=16) is close to the idealized composition Zr₄Pt₂O known in several other Zr-T-O systems (T=late 4d or 5d transition element). (This composition has been erroneously reported by ICDD for years as Zr₆Pt₃O (No. 00-017-0557) and referred to as ε-Zr₆Pt₃O.) The product is only marginally poor in platinum and oxygen, in contrast to the 1960 reports of metallographic studies (∼Zr₄Pt_1.62O_0.44). Under arc-melting conditions, high yields of the cubic phase are obtained from samples with lower platinum concentrations (Zr₄Pt_1.74O_1.04), whereas samples near the refined cubic composition contain hexagonal Zr₅Pt₃O_x as well (Mn₅Si₃-type). The hexagonal structure of binary Zr₅Pt₃ was also refined (Mn₅Si₃ type, P6₃/mcm, a=8.210(1) Å, c=5.385(2) Å) and shown to be non-stoichiometric to at least Zr₅Pt_2.5.     

Preparation of Silicates Using HSi(OC2H5)3 and Their NO x -Adsorption Behavior

The preparation and NO-adsorption/desorption behavior of Li, Ca and Ba silicates were investigated aiming at the application to a NO_x-absorbent. Li silicate was prepared by reaction of HSi(OC₂H₅)₃ with aqueous lithium silicate solution (LSS). Ca and Ba silicates were prepared from gels obtained using CH₃Si(OC₂H₅)₃, Si(OC₂H₅)₄, HSi(OC₂H₅)₃ and alkaline-earth alkoxides. The surface of these silicates indicated the solid basicity of H₀ = 9 and adsorbed the acidic gas of NO. FT-IR spectra of the silicates adsorbing NO showed the absorption peaks in the range of 1300–1600 cm^{– 1} corresponding to ionic and covalent nitrate NO₃^–. The complete desorption of adsorbed NO species occurred above 500°C in the Li silicate, above 500°C in the Ca and Ba silicates prepared using CH₃Si(OC₂H₅)₃, and above 700°C in the Ba and Ca silicates prepared using Si(OC₂H₅)₄. Regarding the Ca and Ba silicates, the difference in siloxane structure is thought to cause the difference in adsorption state and desorption behavior of NO.     

The Relationship between the State of Active Species in a Ni/Al2O3Catalyst and the Mechanism of Growth of Filamentous Carbon

The formation of active particles and their changes in the course of 1,3-butadiene decomposition on a Ni/Al₂O₃catalyst at temperatures from 400 to 800°C were studied by high-resolution electron microscopy. It was found that carbon filaments of different types were formed at 400–800°C. The growth of thin filaments (20–30 nm in diameter) takes place at 400–600°C on a conical Ni particle located at the growing end of the filament, whereas di-symmetrical filaments 50–100 nm in diameter grow on biconical metal particles. As the carbonization temperature was increased to 700–800°C, graphite nanotubes 5–20 nm in diameter were formed. It was found that the mechanism of formation and the structure of filaments are related to the state of catalytically active species, which consist of a solid solution of carbon in the metal. It is suggested that the metastable surface nickel carbide Ni₃C_{1 – x} is an intermediate compound in the catalytic formation of graphite filaments from 1,3-butadiene. Upon termination of the reaction, the metastable Ni₃C_{1 – x} microphase is decomposed with the formation of hexagonal nickel microinclusions. The role of epitaxy in the nucleation and growth of a graphite phase on the metal is discussed. Models are presented for the growth of structurally different carbon filaments depending on the formation of active metal species at various temperatures. Considerable changes in the structure of carbon and the formation of nanotubes at 700–800°C are related to the appearance of a viscous-flow state of metal–carbon particles.     

Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Studies of Hydrocarbons in RF Plasmas Containing Hexamethyldisiloxane

Tunable infrared diode laser absorption spectroscopy has been used to detect the methyl radical and three stable molecules, CH₄, C₂H₂ and C₂H₆, in radio frequency plasmas (f=13.56 MHz) containing hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). The methyl radical concentration and the concentration of the stable hydrocarbons, produced in the plasma, have been measured in pure HMDSO discharges and with admixtures of Ar, while discharge power (P=20–200 W), total gas pressure (p=0.08–0.6 mbar), gas mixture and total gas flow rate (=1–10 sccm) were varied. The methyl radical concentration was found to be in the range of 10¹³ molecules cm^-3, while methane and ethane are the dominant hydrocarbons with concentrations of 10¹⁴–10¹⁵ mol cm^-3. Conversion rates to the measured stable hydrocarbons (RC(C_xH_y): 2×10¹²–2×10¹⁶ molecules J^-1 s^-1) could be estimated in dependence on power, flow, mixture and pressure. Under the used experimental conditions a maximum deposition rate of polymer layers of about 400 nm min^-1 has been found.     

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over mesoporous TiO2/metal nanocomposites

Na⁺ complex with the dibenzo-18-crown-6 ester was used as a template to synthesize mesoporous titanium dioxide with the specific surface area 130–140 m²/g, pore diameter 5–9 nm and anatase content 70–90%. The mesoporous TiO₂ samples prepared were found to have photocatalytic activity in Cu^II, Ni^II and Ag^I reduction by aliphatic alcohols. The resulting metal–semiconductor nanostructures have remarkable photocatalytic activity in hydrogen evolution from water–alcohol mixtures, their efficiency being 50–60% greater than that of the metal-containing nano-composites based on TiO₂ Degussa P25.The effects of the thermal treatment of mesoporous TiO₂ upon its photocatalytic activity in hydrogen production were studied. The anatase content and pore size were found to be the basic parameters determining the photoreaction rate. The growth of the quantum yield of hydrogen evolution from TiO₂/Ag⁰ to TiO₂/Ni⁰ to TiO₂/Cu⁰ was interpreted in terms of differences in the electronic interaction between metal nanoparticles and the semiconductor surface. It was found that there is an optimal metal concentration range where the quantum yield of hydrogen production is maximal. A decrease in the photoreaction rate at further increment in the metal content was supposed to be connected with the enlargement of metal nanoparticles and deterioration of the intimate electron interaction between the components of the metal–semiconductor nanocomposites.     

Excess molar heat capacities and excess molar volumes of some mixtures of propylene carbonate with aromatic hydrocarbons

Excess molar volumes V ^E and excess molar heat capacities C _P ^E at constant pressure have been measured, at 25°C, as a function of composition for the four binary liquid mixtures propylene carbonate (4-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one, C₄H₆O₃; PC) + benzene (C₆H₆;B), + toluene (C₆H₅CH₃;T), + ethylbenzene (C₆H₅C₂H₅;EB), and + p-xylene (p-C₆H₄(CH₃)₂;p-X) using a vibrating-tube densimeter and a Picker flow microcalorimeter, respectively. All the excess volumes are negative and noticeably skewed towards the hydrocarbon side: V ^E (cm³-mol^–1) at the minimum ranges from about –0.31 at x₁=0.43 for {x₁C₄H₆O₃+x₂p-C₆H₄(CH₃)₂}, to –0.45 at x₁=0.40 for {x₁C₄H₆O₃+x₂C₆H₅CH₃}. For the systems (PC+T), (PC+EB) and (PC+p-X) the C _P ^E s are all positive and even more skewed. For instance, for (PC+T) the maximum is at x _1,max =0.31 with C _P,max ^E =1.91 J-K^–1-mol^–1. Most interestingly, C _P ^E of {x₁C₄H₆O₃+x₂C₆H₆} exhibits two maxima near the ends of the composition range and a minimum at x _1,min =0.71 with C _P,min ^E =–0.23 J-K^–1-mol^–1. For this type of mixture, it is the first reported case of an M-shaped composition dependence of the excess molar heat capacity at constant pressure.Communicated at the Festsymposium celebrating Dr. Henry V. Kehiaian's 60^th birthday, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 17–18 May 1990.     

Thermodynamic parameters of liquid ternary Fe1−x(Ni5/6Cr1/6)x alloys

Summary Computer-aidedKnudsen cell mass spectrometry is used for thermodynamic investigations on liquid ternary Fe_1–x(Ni_5/6Cr_1/6)_x alloys. The thermodynamic excess properties have been determined by means of the Digital Intensity-Ratio (DIR) method. Liquid ternary Fe_1–x(Ni_5/6Cr_1/6)_x alloys are characterized by exothermic molar heats of mixingH ^E, negative molar excessGibbs energiesG ^E, and negative molar excess entropiesS ^E. At 1850 K, the minimumH ^E value is –3120 J/mol (42.3 at.% Fe), the minimumG ^E value is –2540 J/mol (30 at.% Fe), and the minimumS ^E value is –0.44 J/(mol K) (60 at.% Fe). At 1850 K, the thermodynamic activities of Fe show slight negative deviations from the ideal behaviour for alloys with a Fe-content of less than 75 at.%, and ideal behaviour for the Fe-rich alloys (x _Fe>0.75).

---

Thermodynamische Parameter flüssiger ternärer Fe_1–x(Ni_5/6Cr_1/6)_x-Legierungen

Zusammenfassung Die Thermodynamik flüssiger ternärer Fe_1–x(Ni_5/6Cr_1/6)_x-Legierungen wurde mit Hilfe der computerunterstützten Knudsenzellen-Massenspektrometrie studiert. Die thermodynamische Auswertung der experimentellen Untersuchungen erfolgte nach der digitalen Intensitätsverhältnismethode (DIR). Flüssige ternäre Fe_1–x(Ni_5/6Cr_1/6)_x-Legierungen zeigen exotherme molare MischungswärmenH ^E, negative molareGibbssche ZusatzenergienG ^E, und negative molare ZusatzentropienS ^E. Bei 1850 K sind die Minimumswerte fürH ^E –3120 J/mol (42.3 At.% Fe), fürG ^E –2540 J/mol (30 At.% Fe) und fürS ^E –0.44 J/(mol K) (60 At.% Fe). Bei 1850 K zeigen die thermodynamischen Aktivitäten von Fe bei Legierungen mit einem Fe-Gehalt von höchstens 75 At.% leichte negative Abweichungen vom idealen Verhalten, die Fe-reichsten Legierungen (x _Fe>0.75) verhalten sich hingegen nahezu ideal.