Silver doping in lanthanum manganite materials: structural and electrical properties

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Porous media are very useful tools used for energy management. They are used in vast fields such as in solar heat exchangers to enhance heat transfer...     

Crystal structure,electrical conductivity,thermal expansion and compatibility studies of Co-substituted lanthanum strontium manganite system

La_0.76Sr_0.19Mn_1?xCo_xO_3±δ, LSMCo_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) perovskite oxides were synthesized by conventional ceramic route. The effect of Co substitution for Mn on the crystal structure, electrical conductivity and thermal expansion properties was investigated. XRD indicated rhombohedral symmetry for the studied compositions at 1673 K. The lattice parameters so determined showed significant reduction in cell volume, which is attributed to smaller ionic radii of Co³⁺ ions. The results of electrical conductivity data indicated that the conductivity mechanism is by thermally activated hopping of small polarons between localized states corresponding to Mn or Mn and Co sites of different valence value. The conductivity decreases at all temperatures up to 40 mol% Co substitution while the energy of activation increases. This is possibly due to an increase in Jahn–Teller distortion, at an extent higher than the increase of the concentration of charge carriers. Thermal expansion coefficient values in the series increase with increasing Co content which has been explained on the basis of the changes in the spin states of the Co ions and the consequent changes in the ionic size with temperature. Solution route synthesis produces fine-size particles with better properties, consequently one composition from the above having enhanced requisite properties, viz. La_0.76Sr_0.19Mn_0.8Co_0.2O_3±δ was synthesized by sol–gel route. The sol–gel synthesized compound had crystallite size of ～30 nm at 1173 K obtained using Scherrer's equation. Thus the potential of these compounds as cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been evaluated.As Ce_0.8RE_0.2O_2?δ (RE = Sm, Gd) are being investigated for their use as electrolytes in SOFCs, their mechanical compatibility as well as chemical compatibility with the potential cathode material from the above LSMCo_x series was also studied.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of carbon monoxide oxidation over W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides: the effect of W addition

It is a significant method to prepare highly dispersed polymetallic oxides using in-situ doping metal organic frameworks as precursors. Herein, a series of straw-like W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides were prepared by using phosphotungstic ionic liquid@Ce-based metal organic framework adsorbing with copper acetylacetonate as precursors. The effect of W content on catalytic activity of W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation was well-investigated. Comprehensive characterization methods and density functional theory calculations were adopted to reveal the property changes of Cu/CeO₂ catalyst by the addition of W. The results demonstrated that W, Cu, and Ce are highly dispersed in the prepared W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides, and adding proper amount of W can improve the activity of the catalyst. H₂ temperature-program reduction profiles, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations clearly revealed that after the addition of W, the strength of Ce-O bond is weakened, the oxygen vacancy is increased, and the adsorption of CO is enhanced, respectively, which are vital reasons for its high catalytic activity. In addition, the CO oxidation reaction pathway over prepared W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides based on the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism was studied, and the results exhibited that CO can wrest the lattice oxygen of W/Cu/Ce trimetallic oxides to form CO₂, which is also proved to be the rate-determining step in reaction process.     

杂氮硼三环类化合物的UPS及化学键的理论研究

报道了六种杂氮硼三环类化合物的紫外光电子能谱(UPS).采用RHF/3-21G优化了各分子的优势构型,根据化合物UPS的谱带特征结合RHF/6-31G^*的计算结果对化合物的UPS进行了解析和指认,精确给出了各化合物中σN-B配键电子的电离峰位置.利用电子密度拓扑分析方法对各化合物的成键情况的研究显示:在该类化合物中B原子具有较为明显的阳离子的特征,N,B原子间均存在键鞍点.从实验和理论上证实了该类体系中σN-B的存在.各化合物的UPS,SCFMO计算和电子密度拓扑分析都表明,在该类体系中环上CH~3,CH~2的引入削弱了B,N间的成键作用;环上羰基的引入增强了B,N间的成键作用。     

Experimental and theoretical studies of diatomic gold halides

The diatomic gold halides AuX are studied by means of Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy and ab initio theory at a quasi-relativistic CCSD(T) level of theory. A thermokinetic approach is used to determine the bond-dissociation energies of neutral AuCl, AuBr, and AuI as well as cationic AuI+, i.e., D(0)(Au-Cl) = 66 +/- 3 kcal/mol, D(0)(Au-Br) = 50 +/- 5 kcal/mol, as well as the brackets 52 kcal/mol < D(0)(Au-I) < 64 kcal/mol and 54 kcal/mol < D(0)(Au+-I) < 66 kcal/mol at 0 K. These values allow an evaluation of previous experimental and theoretical data concerning diatomic gold halides.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the propargyl-allenylindium system

The transient organoindium intermediates formed in the reaction of propargyl bromide with indium in aqueous media and tetrahydrofuran were investigated by NMR spectroscopy and found to be allenylindium(I) and allenylindium(III) dibromide. The influence of solvent and methyl substitution on the propargyl-allenylindium system was also studied. The experimental observations were supported by theoretical calculations using the B3LYP/6-311+G* method.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of coupled chemical oscillators

Chemical oscillators may be coupled together in a variety of ways. Two of the most important forms of coupling are physical (via transport) and chemical (via common species). Such coupling can result in new phenomena. Here we focus on rhythmogenesis, the onset of oscillations when two steady state systems are coupled, and oscillator death, the cessation of oscillations when two oscillatory systems are coupled. We also discuss briefly a biological example, the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion, and the important role of delay, which may be brought on by coupling, in chemical oscillation.     

Determination of A-site deficiency in lanthanum manganite by XRD intensity ratio

A method based on the X-ray diffraction intensity ratio was developed to determine the maximum deficiency that the perovskite-structured La_1−xMnO_3±δ can accommodate at the A-site. Computer simulation predicts that the intensity ratio of (024) and (012) reflections for La_1−xMnO_3±δ in hexagonal setting increases with increasing the La deficiency x. XRD analysis shows that with increasing x until 0.09, the ratio increases as predicted, then levels off with further increase in x. An abrupt change in electrical conductivity is also observed at x of ∼0.10. It is concluded that the maximum deficiency lies in between 0.09 and 0.10 for La_1−xMnO_3±δ. The methodology presented in this paper in principle can be applied to other perovskite-structured materials.     

Experimental and theoretical study of hydrogen atom abstraction from n-butane by lanthanum oxide cluster anions

Lanthanum oxide cluster anions are prepared by laser ablation and reacted with n-C(4)H(10) in a fast flow reactor. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer is used to detect the cluster distribution before and after the reactions. (La(2)O(3))(m=1-3)OH(-) and La(3)O(7)H(-) are observed as products, which suggests the occurrence of hydrogen atom abstraction reactions: (La(2)O(3))(m=1-3)O(-) + n-C(4)H(10) → (La(2)O(3))(m=1-3)OH(-) + C(4)H(9) and La(3)O(7)(-) + n-C(4)H(10) → La(3)O(7)H(-) + C(4)H(9). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to study the structures and bonding properties of La(2)O(4)(-), La(3)O(7)(-), and La(4)O(7)(-) clusters. The calculated results show that each of La(2)O(4)(-) and La(4)O(7)(-) contains one oxygen-centered radical (O(-?)) which is responsible for the high reactivity toward n-C(4)H(10). La(3)O(7)(-) contains one oxygen-centered radical (O(-?)) and one superoxide unit (O(2)(-?)), and the O(-?) is responsible for its high reactivity toward n-C(4)H(10). The O(-?) and O(2)(-?) can be considered to be generated by the adsorption of an O(2) molecule onto the singlet La(3)O(5)(-) with electron transfer from a terminally bonded oxygen ion (O(2-)) to the O(2). This may help us understand the mechanism of the formation of O(-?) and O(2)(-?) radicals in lanthanum oxide systems. The reaction mechanisms of La(2)O(4)(-) + n-C(4)H(10) and La(3)O(7)(-) + n-C(4)H(10) are also studied by the DFT calculations, and the calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental observations.     

Effect of preparative methods on electrical and electrochemical performance of lanthanum strontium manganite

The electrochemical performance of La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃:Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O₂ composite cathode was investigated for solid oxide fuel cell applications. Sol–gel, combustion, and solid-state syntheses yielded rhombohedral La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃, whereas mechanochemical process gave cubic structure. X-ray diffraction results established good chemical stability of La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ with Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O₂ composite cathode. Combustion synthesis was found best among all preparative methods on the basis of lowest area specific resistance 0.70 Ω cm² at 800 °C. The activation energy E _a = 1.09 ± 0.01 eV indicated absorption of O₂ and was the rate-limiting process of cathode.     

Experimental and theoretical charge density studies at subatomic resolution

Analysis of accurate experimental and theoretical structure factors of diamond and silicon reveals that the contraction of the core shell due to covalent bond formation causes significant perturbations of the total charge density that cannot be ignored in precise charge density studies. We outline that the nature and origin of core contraction/expansion and core polarization phenomena can be analyzed by experimental studies employing an extended Hansen-Coppens multipolar model. Omission or insufficient treatment of these subatomic charge density phenomena might yield erroneous thermal displacement parameters and high residual densities in multipolar refinements. Our detailed studies therefore suggest that the refinement of contraction/expansion and population parameters of all atomic shells is essential to the precise reconstruction of electron density distributions by a multipolar model. Furthermore, our results imply that also the polarization of the inner shells needs to be adopted, especially in cases where second row or even heavier elements are involved in covalent bonding. These theoretical studies are supported by direct multipolar refinements of X-ray powder diffraction data of diamond obtained from a third-generation synchrotron-radiation source (SPring-8, BL02B2).     

Experimental and theoretical studies on the radical-cation-mediated imino-Diels-Alder reaction

The feasibility of an electron transfer imino-Diels-Alder reaction between N-benzylideneaniline and arylalkenes in the presence of a pyrylium salt as a photosensitizer has been demonstrated by a combination of product studies, laser flash photolysis (LFP), and DFT theoretical calculations. A stepwise mechanism involving two intermediates and two transition states is proposed.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the dimerizations of imidoylketenes

Reaction conditions are presented that, for the first time, allow the generation and dimerization of N-alkylimidoylketenes, e.g.,1d, while avoiding the intramolecular rearrangements observed under conventional conditions. The dimer of 1d (22a) is the result of [4 + 2] cycloaddition across the C=C bond of one ketene. In contrast, the N-H imidoylketene 1c dimerizes across the C=O bond to form 24b. Furthermore, N-methylbenzoimidoylketene (5b), in equilibrium with the more stable benzoazetidinone 14b, gives the formal [4 + 4] dimer 8b. B3LYP/6-31G(d) transition structure calculations on these three modes of dimerization reproduce and offer explanations for these divergent regiochemistries. Both [4 + 2] dimerizations have planar, pseudopericyclic transition structures (25a and 29b). Five transition structures were found for the formation of 8b. A unique pseudopericyclic dimerization of 5b with an orthogonal [4 + 4] geometry (31) has a barrier of only 0.7 kcal/mol. However, the overall lowest energy pathway involves concerted addition of 5b across a sigma bond in 14b via 35.     

Effect of defect structure of lanthanum manganite on oxygen exchange kinetics and diffusion

The method of oxygen isotopic exchange was used to study the oxygen exchange kinetics and diffusion in the LaMnO_{3 + δ} oxide at the temperatures of 600–850°C and in the range of oxygen pressures of 133.3–9332.4 Pa. The rate of interface exchange and diffusion coefficient of oxygen are much lower in the case of LaMnO_{3 + δ} as compared to LaCoO_{3 − δ}, which may be due to the different defect structure of these oxides. It is shown that the first exchange type prevails in LaMnO_{3 + δ} occurring without participation of oxygen from the oxide surface. At the same time, in the case of LaCoO_{3 - δ}, an increase in the temperature results in a significant contribution of both the second and third exchange types with participation of one and two oxygen atoms of the oxide surface, accordingly. The rate determining exchange stage is the process of dissociative oxygen adsorption/desorption on the oxide surface.     

Electronic properties of oxides: Chemical and theoretical approaches

An original analysis of the electronic and chemical properties of oxides is proposed based on the electronegativity χ and the chemical hardness η. This model which has been applied to various oxide based metals, degenerate semiconductors and optical properties of transition metal oxides allows explaining their electronic behaviors: Strong electronegativity and weak chemical hardness characterize oxides of transition elements with high oxidation state. Strong electronegativity and strong chemical hardness feature insulators with a large optical gap. Weak electronegativity and moderate chemical hardness describe alkali and alkaline earth oxides and weak electronegativity and strong chemical hardness are for ionic oxides with a relatively large optical gap. For a few illustrative case studies, ab intio electronic band structure calculations within the density functional theory framework are used.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of neutral MgmCnHx and BemCnHx clusters

Neutral Mg(m)C(n)H(x) and Be(m)C(n)H(x) clusters are investigated both experimentally and theoretically for the first time. Single photon ionization at 193 nm is used to detect neutral cluster distributions through time of flight mass spectrometry. Mg(m)C(n)H(x) and Be(m)C(n)H(x) clusters are generated through laser ablation of Mg or Be foil into CH(4)/He expansion gas. A number of members of each cluster series are identified through isotopic substitution experiments employing (13)CH(4) and CD(4) instead of CH(4) in the expansion gas. An oscillation of the vertical ionization energies (VIEs) of Mg(m)C(n)H(x) clusters is observed in the experiments. The VIEs of Mg(m)C(n)H(x) clusters are observed to vary as a function of the number of H atoms in the clusters. Density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio (MP2) calculations are carried out to explore the structures and ionization energies of Mg(m)C(n)H(x) clusters. Many Be(m)C(n)H(x) clusters are also generated and detected in the experiments. The structures and VIEs of Be(m)C(n)H(x) clusters are also studied by theoretical calculations. Calculational results provide a good and consistent explanation for the experimental observations, and are in general agreement with them for both series of clusters.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on the organic-inorganic hybrid compound: aluminum-NTCDA Co-deposited film

Electronic absorption, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), and electron spin resonance spectra of aluminum-naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydlide (Al-NTCDA) co-deposited film have been measured at room temperature, and hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out in order to elucidate the electronic states for the ground and low-lying excited states of the complexes. After the interaction of NTCDA with Al atom, the new electronic transition bands were appeared at near-IR region. The C=O stretching modes of NTCDA are red-shifted by the interaction with Al. From the DFT calculations, it was found that the electronic state of the complex at the ground state is characterized by a slight charge-transfer state expressed by (Al(4))(delta+)(NTCDA)(delta-). The binding of Al to NTCDA is strong. The C=O double-bond character of NTCDA is changed to C-O single-bond-like character by the strong interaction of Al to the C=O bond. This is the origin of the red-shift of the FT-IR spectrum. The electronic states of organic-inorganic hybrid material were discussed on the basis of theoretical results.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on rhodium-catalyzed direct CH benzoxylation reaction

An efficient Rh(III)-catalyzed, chelation assisted CH benzoxylation reaction has been developed, releasing H₂O as the single byproduct. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions, with controllable mono- and dioxygenation selectivity, thus providing a good complement to previous CH oxygenation reactions. DFT calculations support that a nucleophilic addition pathway is most likely involved in the current reaction system.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on the thermal decomposition of metformin

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This work is a first attempt to understand the mechanism of metformin thermal decomposition under inert conditions. Thermal gravimetric analysis...