Reciprocal system 3Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>S + Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> ⇆ 3Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se + Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase equilibria in the reciprocal system 3Tl₂S + Sb₂Se₃ ? 3Tl₂Se + Sb₂S₃ are investigated by DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, and emf measurements. Some polythermal sections, the isothermal section of the phase diagram at 400K, and the liquidus-surface projection for this system are constructed. The types and coordinates of invariant and univariant equilibria are determined. It is shown that the system is non-diagonal. Broad regions of solid solutions are found on the basis of the binary compounds Tl₂S and Tl₂Se and along the boundary system Sb₂S₃-Sb₂Se₃ and the sections Tl₃SbS₃-Tl₃SbSe₃, TlSbS₂-TlSbSe₂, and TlSb₃S₅-TlSb₃Se₅ of the phase diagram.     

The phase diagram of CsNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–RbNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The phase transitions of RbNO₃ and the binary phase diagram of (Cs,Rb)NO₃ were investigated at atmospheric pressure, using simultaneous direct and differential thermal analysis, μDTA and DSC techniques. A fourth phase transition of RbNO₃ has been observed at temperature near the melting point. The phase diagram of this system is characterised by a eutectic, two eutectoid and an azeotropic-like invariants. Three limited solid solutions and two continuous solid solutions have been detected at low temperature.     

Pyridine•BrF3, the missing link for clean fluorinations of aromatic derivatives

This work demonstrates the unique features of the never used before Py?BrF(3) complex in the field of aromatic organic fluorinations. The main disadvantage of the noncomplexed BrF(3) is the fact that usually, in addition to the desired fluorination, a parallel electrophilic aromatic bromination takes place as well. Use of the Py?BrF(3) complex reduces this electrophilic bromination, which is observed with most reagents based on fluorine and bromine [BrF].     

Glass Formation in the Ternary System La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–As<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Er<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The boundaries of the glass formation region in the ternary system La₂O₃–As₂S₃–Er₂O₃ were found. Transparent glass of composition (La₂O₃)_0.03(As₂S₃)0.90(Er₂O₃)0.07 was studied by X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy. The intensities of the bands characterizing As–S, La–O, and Er–O bonds increased, and these bands were shifted toward higher energies. This was due to an increase in the covalence of these bonds and probably due to the formation of new bonds in the glasses. Samples in the glass formation region are resistant at 300 K to air, water, and organic solvents.     

Flame synthesized Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphors as spectral convertors for solar cells

Near-infrared (NIR) quantum cutting phosphors serve as a potential material for fabricating photovoltaic spectral convertors. In many cases, quantum cutting phosphors are obtained via a wet chemical method coupled with a post-annealing treatment—a very costly process. In this report, we used continuous flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) for fabricating Y₂O₃:Tb³⁺–Yb³⁺ quantum-cutting phosphors without any post-treatment. Based on characterizations by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, we found that as-synthesized Y₂O₃:Tb³⁺–Yb³⁺ phosphors exhibit hollow and shell-like micro-structures composed of highly crystalline and pure cubic-phase nanoparticles (< 50 nm). Photoluminescence studies of the phosphors revealed that NIR emissions appeared with the introduction of Yb to Y₂O₃:Tb³⁺. Phosphor size was successfully controlled by managing the concentration of the metal precursor solution for FSP. The Y₂O₃:Tb³⁺–Yb³⁺ phosphors were then embedded into transparent poly-ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVA) film to form a spectral convertor. The composite films of Y₂O₃:Tb³⁺–Yb³⁺ phosphors and poly-EVA were found to be highly transparent in the visible range (> 500 nm), making them suitable as spectral photovoltaic convertors.     

Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> → Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> energy transfer in Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and temperature characteristic of near-infrared photoluminescence

For the Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ powders, the strong near-infrared photoluminescence (PL) centered at 1.535 μm derived from the energy transfer (ET) from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ was detected by a 978 nm laser diode excitation. Compared with that of Er³⁺ doped Al₂O₃ powders, the PL intensity enhanced about 9 times, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) extended from 82 to 90 nm, and the lifetime increased from 3.22 to 4.17 ms for Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ powders at room temperature. The ET coefficient of 2.18 × 10⁻¹⁸ cm³ s⁻¹ from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ was obtained based on the rate equations. The decrease of PL intensity with increasing temperature in the range of 298–733 K was observed, due to thermally enhanced nonradiative relaxation ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 dominated over thermally enhanced phonon-assisted ET in the Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃.     

Colour tuneability and white light generation in Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript> nano-glass-ceramics prepared by sol–gel method

Nanostructured transparent glass-ceramics with composition of 95SiO₂–5LaF₃ co-doped with 0.3Yb³⁺, 0.1Ho³⁺ and 0.1Tm³⁺ (mol%) were synthesized by thermal treatment of precursor sol–gel derived glasses. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis point out the precipitation of hexagonal LaF₃ nanocrystals with diameter ranging from 11 to 20 nm in these nano-glass-ceramics. White light generation by means of efficient blue, green and red up-conversion luminescence under infrared excitation at 980 nm was observed and involved mechanisms were analyzed. Colour tuneability is achieved by varying the up-conversion emission ratios as a function of pump power.     

Synthesis of Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doped or Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Mg codoped CaSnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> perovskite phosphor by the polymerized complex method

Pr³⁺ doped or Tb³⁺–Mg codoped CaSnO₃ phosphor powder with perovskite structure was synthesized by the polymerized complex method. Powder samples crystallized into the perovskite phase at approximately 600 °C, which is 400 °C lower than the crystallization temperature for the solid-state reaction method. Uniform-sized powders with average particle sizes of 1–2 μm were obtained after heat treatment at 1,400 °C. Although the samples heat-treated at 600 °C did not exhibit photoluminescence, white photoluminescence of Pr³⁺ doped CaSnO₃ or green photoluminescence of Tb³⁺–Mg codoped CaSnO₃ was observed from the sample heat-treated above 800 °C. The intensity of the photoluminescence increased with increase of the heat-treatment temperature and reached a maximum for heat treatment at 1,400 °C. The maximum photoluminescence intensity for the samples prepared by the polymerized complex method was larger than those prepared by solid-state reaction method, which is probably due to the homogeneous mixing of the doped rare earth ions.     

MoO<Subscript>3 − δ</Subscript> nanorods

Oxygen-deficient molybdenum trioxide nanorods of composition MoO_2.987 (orthorhombic, a = 3.951(2) Å, b = 13.856(1) Å, c = 3.700(1) Å) were synthesized by a hydrothermal process (150–180°C, 30–50 h). MoO_{3 ? δ} particles were 60–90 nm in diameter; their lengths were several micrometers. X-ray photoelectron and IR spectra of these nanorods were studied, The nanorods had weak paramagnetism, signifying the existence of molybdenum(V) ions in their structure.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and thermodynamic properties of 2ZnO · 3B2O3 · 3H2O

The important zinc borate of 2ZnO · 3B₂O₃ · 3H₂O has been synthesized and characterized by means of chemical analysis, XRD, FT-IR, and DTA–TG techniques. The molar enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃(s) in HCl · 54.561H₂O, of ZnO(s) in the mixture of HCl · 54.561H₂O and calculated amount of H₃BO₃, and of 2ZnO · 3B₂O₃ · 3H₂O(s) in HCl · 54.604H₂O were measured, respectively. With the use of the standard molar enthalpies of formation for ZnO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of ?(5561.7 ± 4.9) kJ · mol^?1 for 2ZnO · 3B₂O₃ · 3H₂O(s) was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound were also calculated by a group contribution method.     

Calorimetric and thermal decomposition kinetic study of Tb(Tyr)(Gly)<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>3</Subscript>·3H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The solid-state ternary complex of terbium chloride with L-tyrosine and glycine, [Tb(Tyr)(Gly)₃Cl₃·3H₂O], was synthesized and characterized. Using a solution-reaction isoperibol calorimeter, the enthalpy of reaction for the following reaction, TbCl₃·6H₂O(s)+Tyr(s)+3Gly(s)=Tb(Tyr)(Gly)₃Cl₃·3H₂O(s)+3H₂O(l), was determined to be (5.1±0.6) kJ mol^-1. The standard enthalpy of formation of Tb(Tyr)(Gly)₃Cl₃-3H₂O at T=298.15 K has been derived as -(4267.3±2.3) kJ mol^-1. The thermal decomposition kinetics of the complex was studied by non-isothermal thermogravimetry in the temperature range of 325-675 K. Two main mass loss stages existed in the process of the decomposition of the complex, the kinetic parameters for the second stage were analyzed by means of differential and integral methods, respectively. Comparing the results of differential and integral methods, mechanism functions of the thermal decomposition reaction for its second stage were proposed. The kinetic equation can be expressed as: d/dt=Aexp(-E/RT)(1-)². The average values of the apparent activation energy E and pre-exponential factor A were 213.18 kJ mol^-1 and 2.51·10²⁰ s^-1, respectively.     

Structural and Temperature Dependent Electrical Conductivity Properties of Dy<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Sm<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> CO-Doped Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In the present work, Dy₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ double-doped Bi₂O₃-based materials are synthesized by exploiting the solid-state synthesis method. The structural and temperature dependent electrical properties of these ternary ceramic samples, which are candidate materials for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) electrolyte, are determined by means of a powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the four point-probe method (FPPM), and the thermal-gravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). As a result of the XRD measurements, the fluorite-type fcc δ-phase with a stable structure is obtained for higher values of the dopant oxide material, which are the samples with the maximum content of fixed 20% Dy₂O₃ and 15% and 20% Sm₂O₃. The samples with the stable δ-phase structure have higher conductivities. The highest electrical conductivity is found for the (Bi₂O₃)0.6(Dy₂O₃)_0.2(Sm₂O₃)_0.2 sample, which was 2.5×10^–2 (Ohm cm)^–1 at 750 °C. The activation energies are also calculated from the Arrhenius charts, which were determined from the FPPM measurements. The lowest activation energy is found as 0.85 eV for the sample with the highest electrical conductivity.     

Formation of solid solutions of multiferroics in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The sequence of phases appearance during the formation of Bi_1–xNd_xFeO₃ solid solutions in powder oxides mixtures of bismuth, neodymium, and iron has been determined. It has been shown that the closeness of the reaction mixture composition to that of the individual compound (BiFeO₃ or NdFeO₃) is essential for the realization of the series of phase transformations yielding solid solutions of multiferroics Bi_1–xNd_xFeO₃ as the final product, due to the prevalence of various interphase contacts in the starting reaction zone.     

Near-infrared DC approach by Bi<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped YAG phosphor

Bi³⁺–Yb³⁺ ion pair co-doped YAG phosphors were successfully synthesized using conventional solid state reaction method varying the concentration of Yb³⁺ ions from 0.5 to 10 mol%. The optimum phosphors were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and surface morphology was studied with a scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied with a spectrophotometers in near infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) regions. The synthesized phosphors can convert a photon of UV region (330 nm) into photons of NIR region (979 and 992 nm). The co-operative energy transfer (CET) was studied using a time decay curve and PL spectra. The theoretical value of quantum efficiency (QE) was calculated from steady time decay measurement, and the maximum efficiency approached up to 166.91 %. Hence, this phosphor could be used as a downconversion (DC) luminescent convertor in front of crystalline silicon solar cell (c-Si) panels to reduce heat loss due to spectral mismatch of the solar cells.     

Preliminary results on sol-gel processing of 〈100〉 oriented Pb(Mg<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-PbTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films using diol-based solutions

A novel sol-gel method is used here for the synthesis of air-stable and precipitate-free diol-based sols of 0.7Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.3PbTiO₃ (PMN-PT). Sols containing a 15 mol% lead excess have been used for the preparation of PMN-PT thin films. The films were deposited onto (111)Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/(100)Si substrates, and crystallised in oxygen by Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP), using different temperatures and soaking times. Single perovskite films are obtained when treated at temperatures between 600 and 700°C for 6 s. Those crystallised at other temperatures contain a secondary pyrochlore phase. This phase also appears in the films treated at 650°C with soaking times longer than 6 s. PMN-PT films with a 〈100〉 preferred orientation were prepared by using a PbTiO₃ seeding layer onto the substrate. These PMN-PT films present relaxor-type electrical properties. Dielectric permittivity, , shows significant dispersion. Its temperature dependence presents a broad maximum at 110–130°C, which position shifts towards higher temperatures with frequency. Ferroelectric hysteresis loops show high values of saturation polarisation but very low remanence. The piezoelectric activity of the films has been tested by the measurement of their local piezoelectric hysteresis loops.     

Solubility in the LaCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-GdCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-HCl-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system at 25°C

Solubility has been studied in the LaCl₃-GdCl₃-HCl-H₂O quaternary water-salt system at 25°C along the 40±0.2% HCl section; the system is of the eutonic type. The composition of the eutonic solution is as follows: LaCl₃·7H₂O-4.50, GdCl₃·6H₂O, 0.52; HCl, 37.99; and H₂O, 56.99 wt %.     

Solubility in the PrCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SmCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-HCl-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O System at 25°C

The solubility in the PrCl₃-SmCl₃-HCl-H₂O quaternary water-salt system was studied at 25°C along the 40% hydrochloric acid section (a system with solid solutions and discontinuity). The composition of the discontinuity point was as follows: PrCl₃ · 7H₂O, 2.33; SmCl₃ · 6H₂O, 0.11; HCl, 40.05; and H₂O, 57.51 wt %.     

Hydrodeoxygenation of Vegetable Oil on NiMoS/WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalysts

Tungstate-containing aluminum oxide is suitable as a catalyst support for hydrodeoxygenation of sunflower oil, ensuring 81–83 wt % yield of liquid products at 380°С, 4.0 MPa, and feed space velocity of 1 h^–1. The catalyst acidity increases with increasing tungsten oxide content, leading to an increase in the content of decarboxylation/decarbonylation products and isoparaffins in the product mixture.