Preparation of Li<Subscript>9</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>3</Subscript>(P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> as cathode material for lithium ion batteries through sol–gel method

The compound Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ has been successfully synthesized using sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement analysis indicates that single phase Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ can be obtained under air condition and high purity nitrogen atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that nanowires with lengths ranging from several to tens micrometers and diameters varying from 100nm to 500nm can be obtained in the Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ compound heated under air condition. The electrochemical properties of Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ sintered under N₂ as cathode material is reported for the first time. The XRD patterns of the electrodes before and after 30 cycles indicate that the Li₉Cr₃(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ keeps its original monodiphosphate structure.     

Synthesis and characterization of core–shell F-doped LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C composite for lithium-ion batteries

Core–shell LiFePO₄/C composite was synthesized via a sol–gel method and doped by fluorine to improve its electrochemical performance. Structural characterization shows that F⁻ ions were successfully introduced into the LiFePO₄ matrix. Transmission electron microscopy verifies that F-doped LiFePO₄/C composite was composed of nanosized particles with a ~3 nm thick carbon shell coating on the surface. As a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, the F-doped LiFePO₄/C nanocomposite delivers a discharge capacity of 162 mAh/g at 0.1 C rate. Moreover, the material also shows good high-rate capability, with discharge capacities reaching 113 and 78 mAh/g at 10 and 40 C current rates, respectively. When cycled at 20 C, the cell retains 86% of its initial discharge capacity after 400 cycles, demonstrating excellent high-rate cycling performance.     

High-temperature reactions in the Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>4</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>–Cr(PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

A new dichromium(III) cobalt(II) diphosphate(V) of the formula CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was detected in the Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆–Cr(PO₃)₃ system. The new compound was obtained as a result of high-temperature solid-state reactions between CoCO₃, Cr₂O₃ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ as well as between Cr(PO₃)₃ and Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was characterized using XRD, DTA and IR methods. Results demonstrated that CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ crystallizes in the triclinic system and its unit cell parameters were calculated. Its infrared spectrum was presented. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ melts incongruently at 1270±10 °C with a formation of solid α-CrPO₄. The compound Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆, component of the system under study, was obtained for the first time as a pure phase. Its thermal stability was also investigated. Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆ is stable in air up to 1410 ± 20 °C.     

Non-isothermal kinetics of thermal decomposition of NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>ZrH(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Nanocrystalline NH₄ZrH(PO₄)₂·H₂O was synthesized by solid-state reaction at low heat using ZrOCl₂·8H₂O and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ as raw materials. X-ray powder diffraction analysis showed that NH₄ZrH(PO₄)₂·H₂O was a layered compound with an interlayer distance of 1.148 nm. The thermal decomposition of NH₄ZrH(PO₄)₂·H₂O experienced four steps, which involves the dehydration of the crystal water molecule, deamination, intramolecular dehydration of the protonated phosphate groups, and the formation of orthorhombic ZrP₂O₇. In the DTA curve, the three endothermic peaks and an exothermic peak, respectively, corresponding to the first three steps' mass losses of NH₄ZrH(PO₄)₂·H₂O and crystallization of ZrP₂O₇ were observed. Based on Flynn–Wall–Ozawa equation and Kissinger equation, the average values of the activation energies associated with the NH₄ZrH(PO₄)₂·H₂O thermal decomposition and crystallization of ZrP₂O₇ were determined to be 56.720 ± 13.1, 106.55 ± 6.28, 129.25 ± 4.32, and 521.90 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Dehydration of the crystal water of NH₄ZrH(PO₄)₂·H₂O could be due to multi-step reaction mechanisms: deamination of NH₄ZrH(PO₄)₂ and intramolecular dehydration of the protonated phosphate groups from Zr(HPO₄)₂ are simple reaction mechanisms.     

Interpretation of partial thermal decomposition mechanism of Dy<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>·8H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Partial dehydration of Dy₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O was studied employing TG, DSC, D.C. electrical conductivity and spectroscopic techniques. The possible mechanism for the loss of water molecules (partial dehydration) was found to be random nucleation obeying Mapel equation based on TG trace. The DSC traces are supports the results of TG traces and are also utilized to understand the enthalpy changes accompanying the partial dehydration and phase transition accompanying the dehydrated samples. D.C. electrical conductivity studies are attempted to supplement these TG studies. Attempts are made to explain the structural changes accompanying dehydration on the basis of infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic studies.     

Thermal stability of crandallite CaAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>5</Subscript>·(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)

Thermogravimetry combined with evolved gas mass spectrometry has been used to characterise the mineral crandallite CaAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₅·(H₂O) and to ascertain the thermal stability of this ‘cave’ mineral. X-ray diffraction proves the presence of the mineral and identifies the products of the thermal decomposition. The mineral crandallite is formed through the reaction of calcite with bat guano. Thermal analysis shows that the mineral starts to decompose through dehydration at low temperatures at around 139 °C and the dehydroxylation occurs over the temperature range 200–700 °C with loss of the OH units. The critical temperature for OH loss is around 416 °C and above this temperature the mineral structure is altered. Some minor loss of carbonate impurity occurs at 788 °C. This study shows the mineral is unstable above 139 °C. This temperature is well above the temperature in the caves of 15 °C maximum. A chemical reaction for the synthesis of crandallite is offered and the mechanism for the thermal decomposition is given.     

Synthesis of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@Au core–shell nanoparticles

A new two-step synthesis of Fe₃O₄@Au core–shell nanoparticles stabilized in polyethylene glycol is described. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, UV and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Fe₃O₄@Au nanoparticles featured both optical properties (they featured a plasmon resonance band) and magnetic properties (they responded to an external magnetic field), typical of individual gold and magnetite nanoparticles, respectively.     

Electrochemical characterization of polypyrrole–LiNi<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Co<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite cathode material for aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries

A series of polypyrrole (PPy)–LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ composite electrodes are formed by physical mixing of polypyrrole with LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ cathode material. LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ is synthesized by reaction under autogenic pressure at elevated temperature method. Highly resolved splitting of 006/102 and 108/110 peaks in the XRD pattern provide an evidence to well-ordered layered structure of the compound. The ratios of the intensities of 003 and 104 peaks are found to be >1, which indicate no pronounced mixing of the cation. Cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance studies revealed that the addition of polypyrrole significantly decreases the charge-transfer resistance of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ electrodes. The electrochemical reactivity of PPy–LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ composite electrode is examined during lithium ion insertion and de-insertion by galvanostatic charge–discharge testing; 10 wt.% PPy–LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ composite electrode exhibits better electrochemical performance by increasing the reaction reversibility and capacity compared to that of the pristine LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ electrode. The cell with 10 wt.% PPy added cathode shows significant improvement in the electrochemical performance compared with that having pristine cathode. The capacity remains about 70% of the initial value after 50 cycles while for cell with pristine cathode only about 28% of initial capacity remains after 40 cycles.     

High-temperature heat capacity of Pb<Subscript>8</Subscript>La<Subscript>2</Subscript>(GeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the range 320–1000 K

The oxide compound Pb₈La₂(GeO₄)₄(VO₄)₂ with an apatite structure has been synthesized by a ceramic method. The effect of temperature on the molar hear capacity of polycrystalline samples in the temperature range 320–1000 K has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The results have been used to calculate the thermodynamic functions of the synthesized compound.     

Glass Formation in the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O System

The glass formation in the Al₂(SO₄)₃–(CH₃)₂SO–H₂O system was found for the first time. The competitive ability of ligands, dimethyl sulfoxide and water (which are strong donors), for entering the first coordination sphere of aluminum is considered. The possibility of mixed coordination of (CH₃)₂SO (via sulfur and oxygen atoms) in the first coordination sphere of aluminum with retention of the glass-forming ability of the sample was suggested on the basis of IR spectral study.     

Phase formation in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–MgMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase formation in the system Li₂MoO₄–MgMoO₄–Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ was studied by X-ray powder diffraction analysis and differential thermal analysis. Ternary molybdate LiMgSc(MoO₄)₃ was synthesized, which crystallizes in the triclinic system (space group P\(\bar 1\)). In the Li₂Mg₂(MoO₄)₃–Li₃Sc(MoO₄)₃ section, a continuous solid solution in the rhombic system was found to form (space group Pnma).     

Crystal structure of Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Ir(SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The complex Na₃(NH₄)₂[Ir(SO₃)₂Cl₄]·4H₂O was examined with single crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Crystal data: a = 7.3144(4) Å, b = 10.0698(5) Å, c = 12.3748(6) Å, β = 106.203(1)°, V = 875.26(8) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, d _calc = 2.547 g/cm³. In the complex anion two trans SO ₃ ^2? groups are coordinated to iridium through the S atom. The splitting of O-H bending vibrations of crystallization water molecules and N-H ones of the ammonium cation is considered in the context of different types of interactions with the closest neighbors in the structure.     

Blue and green upconversion luminescence modification of Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped Ca<Subscript>5</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>F inverse opal

Tb³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped Ca₅(PO₄)₃F inverse opal photonic crystals were prepared by a self-assembly technique in combination with a sol–gel method. Upconversion luminescence characteristics of the inverse opals were investigated. The results indicate that photonic band gap has a significant effect on upconversion luminescence of Tb³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped Ca₅(PO₄)₃F inverse opal. Significant inhibition of the green or blue upconversion luminescence was inspected if the photonic band gap overlapped with the emission band of Tb³⁺ ions.     

Thermal stability of stercorite H(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)Na(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Thermogravimetric analysis has been used to determine the thermal stability of the mineral stercorite H(NH₄)Na(PO₄)·4H₂O. The mineral stercorite originated from the Petrogale Cave, Madura, Eucla, Western Australia. This cave is one of many caves in the Nullarbor Plain in the South of Western Australia. The mineral is formed by the reaction of bat guano chemicals on calcite substrates. Upon thermal treatment the mineral shows a strong decomposition at 191 °C with loss of water and ammonia. Other mass loss steps are observed at 158, 317 and 477 °C. Ion current curves indicate a gain of CO₂ at higher temperature and are attributed to the thermal decomposition of calcite impurity.     

Crystal structure of Cs[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)] · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of Cs[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)] · H₂O were synthesized and structurally studied using X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/m, Z = 2, with the unit cell parameters a = 5.5032(4) Å, b = 13.5577(8) Å, c = 9.5859(8) Å, β = 97.012(3)°, V = 709.86(9) ų, R = 0.0444. The main building units of crystals are [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)]^? layers of the A₂K ₂ ⁰² M² (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , and M² = OH^?) crystal-chemical family. Uranium-containing layers are linked into a three-dimensional framework via electrostatic interactions with outer-sphere cations and hydrogen bonds with water molecules.     

Synthesis and structure of the complex [Mo<Subscript>3</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>3</Subscript>-S)(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-S<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(Et<Subscript>2</Subscript>NCS<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]I

The structure of tri-μ₂-disulfido-μ₃-thiotris(diethyldithiocarbamato)-S,S′-triangle-trimolybdenum iodide [Mo₃(μ₃-S)(μ₂-S₂)₃(Et₂NCS₂)₃]I was determined. The compound was characterized by differential thermal analysis and IR, Raman, and X-ray electronic spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and study of uranyl arsenate (UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(AsO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 12H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A method for producing synthetic troegerite of composition(UO₂)₃(AsO₄)₂ · 12H₂. Owas developed. X-ray diffraction, IR spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and scanning calorimetry were used to study its dehydration and thermal decomposition, to solve the structgure, and to determine X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopic characteristics.     

Synthesis of core–shell structured Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@carboxymethyl cellulose magnetic composite for highly efficient removal of Eu(III)

In this work, a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-modified Fe₃O₄ (denoted as Fe₃O₄@CMC) composite was synthesized via a simple co-precipitation approach. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential and thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that CMC was successfully coated on the Fe₃O₄ surfaces with a weight percent of ~30 % (w/w). The prepared Fe₃O₄@CMC composite was stable in acidic solution and could be easily collected with the aid of an external magnet. A batch technique was adopted to check the ability of the Fe₃O₄@CMC composite to remove Eu(III) as a function of various environmental parameters such as contact time, solution pH, ionic strength, solid content and temperature. The sorption kinetics process achieved equilibrium within a contact time of 7 h. The sorption isotherms were well simulated by the Langmuir model, and the maximum sorption capacity at 293 K was calculated to be 2.78 × 10^?4 mol/g, being higher than the series of adsorbent materials reported to date. The ionic strength-independent sorption behaviors, desorption experiments by using ammonium acetate and disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate as well as the spectroscopic characterization suggested that Eu(III) was sequestrated on the hydroxyl and carboxyl sites of Fe₃O₄@CMC via inner-sphere complexation. Overall, the Fe₃O₄@CMC composite could be utilized as a cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of trivalent lanthanide/actinides (e.g., ^152+154Eu, ²⁴¹Am and ²⁴⁴Cm) from radioactive wastewater.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)] · 1.33H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The single crystals of Rb₂[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)] · 1.33H₂O were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/m, Z= 2, the unit cell parameters: a = 5.6537(8), b = 18.736(3), c = 9.4535(15) Å, β = 98.440(5)°, V = 990.6(3) ų, R ₁ = 0.0506. The main structural units of the crystal are infinite layers of [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)]^2?, corresponding to the crystal chemical group A₂K ₂ ⁰² B² (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , B² = SeO ₄ ^2? ) of uranyl complexes. The uranium-containing layers are united into a three-dimensional framework through the electrostatic interactions with the outer-sphere rubidium ions and the hydrogen bonding system involving the outer-sphere water molecules.