Metal-Ion Tuning in Triple-Stranded Helicate-Based Metallosupramolecules

Effective incorporation of multiple types of ligands in a given coordination structure provides structural complexity and functional diversity to the resultant coordination-driven assembly. One of the most widely used synthetic approaches is the utilization of the molecular symmetry principle to combine multiple ligands and specific metallic centers in a preferred manner. The variation of metal ions can be helpful to understand the importance of symmetry for the generation of structurally hierarchical supramolecular platforms. We describe the synthesis and characterization of isostructural supramolecular helicates, [M₈(PDA)₆(AIP)₃(DMF)_6−x(H₂O)_x] (M=Ni ( 1 ), Co ( 2 ), and Mn ( 3 ); PDA=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate; AIP=5-aminoisophthalate; x=0 for 1 , and x=4 for 2 and 3) . The effect of metal variation on the formation of supramolecular helicates and their solid-state crystal packing are discussed. Despite the disparity in the ionic radii and distinct coordination-geometry preferences of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Mn²⁺, all metal centers engaged in the assembly with the heteroleptic ligands in the same manner to form isostructural supramolecular helicates.     

Stabilizing RbPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals through Cs+ Substitution

ABX₃-type halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have been a hot topic recently due to their fascinating optoelectronic properties. It has been demonstrated that A-site ions have an impact on their photophysical and chemical properties, such as the optical band gap and chemical stability. The pursuit of halide perovskite materials with diverse A-site species would deepen the understanding of the structure–property relationship of the perovskite family. In this work we have attempted to synthesize rubidium-based perovskite NCs. We have discovered that the partial substitution of Rb⁺ by Cs⁺ help to stabilize the orthorhombic RbPbBr₃ NCs at low temperature, which otherwise can only be obtained at high temperature. The inclusion of Cs⁺ into the RbPbBr₃ lattice results in highly photoluminescent Rb_1−xCs_xPbBr₃ NCs. With increasing amounts of Cs⁺, the band gaps of the Rb_1−xCs_xPbBr₃ NCs decrease, leading to a redshift of the photoluminescence peak. Also, the Rb_1−xCs_xPbBr₃ NCs (x=0.4) show good stability under ambient conditions. This work demonstrates the high structural flexibility and tunability of halide perovskite materials through an A-site cation substitution strategy and sheds light on the optimization of perovskite materials for application in high-performance optoelectronic devices.     

A Dinuclear Uranium Complex [{UO2F2(NH3)}2(μ-F)2]2− from Reaction of TlF and UO2F2 in Liquid Anhydrous Ammonia and Fluoride Ion Affinities for Some Uranyl(VI) Species [UO2Fx]2−x and [UO2Fx(NH3)5−x]2−x

UO₂F₂ abstracts F⁻ anions from TlF in liquid ammonia solution and the compound [Tl₂(NH₃)₆][{UO₂F₂(NH₃)}₂(μ-F)₂] is formed. The compound has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations for the solid state. Quantum-chemical investigation of the [{UO₂F₂(NH₃)}₂(μ-F)₂]²⁻ anion showed that the U−(μ-F)−U σ-3c-4e-bond is essentially ionic. The [Tl₂(NH₃)₆]²⁺ cation shows a thallophilic Tl⋅⋅⋅Tl interaction. Fluoride ion affinities (FIAs) were calculated for different UO₂²⁺ species [UO₂F_x]^2−x and [UO₂F_x(NH₃)_5−x]^2−x with x=0 to 4.     

The novel arsenate Na4Co7−xAl2/3x(AsO4)6 (x = 1.37): crystal structure,charge‐distribution and bond‐valence‐sum investigations

The title compound, tetrasodium cobalt aluminium hexaarsenate, Na₄Co_7−xAl_2/3x(AsO₄)₆ (x = 1.37), is isostructural with K₄Ni₇(AsO₄)₆; however, in its crystal structure, some of the Co²⁺ ions are substituted by Al³⁺ in a fully occupied octahedral site (site symmetry 2/m) and a partially occupied tetrahedral site (site symmetry 2). A third octahedral site is fully occupied by Co²⁺ ions only. One of the two independent tetrahedral As atoms and two of its attached O atoms reside on a mirror plane, as do two of the three independent Na⁺ cations, all of which are present at half‐occupancy. The proposed structural model based on a careful investigation of the crystal data is supported by charge‐distribution (CHARDI) analysis and bond‐valence‐sum (BVS) calculations. The correlation between the X‐ray refinement and the validation results is discussed.     

Lead‐ and Iodide‐Deficient (CH3NH3)PbI3 (d‐MAPI): The Bridge between 2D and 3D Hybrid Perovskites

3D and 2D hybrid perovskites, which have been known for more than 20 years, have emerged recently as promising materials for optoelectronic applications, particularly the 3D compound (CH₃NH₃)PbI₃ (MAPI). The discovery of a new family of hybrid perovskites called d ‐MAPI is reported: the association of PbI₂ with both methyl ammonium (MA⁺) and hydroxyethyl ammonium (HEA⁺) cations leads to a series of five compounds with general formulation (MA)_1−2.48x(HEA)_3.48x[Pb_1−xI_3−x]. These materials, which are lead‐ and iodide‐deficient compared to MAPI while retaining 3D architecture, can be considered as a bridge between the 2D and 3D materials. Moreover, they can be prepared as crystallized thin films by spin‐coating. These new 3D materials appear very promising for optoelectronic applications, not only because of their reduced lead content, but also in account of the large flexibility of their chemical composition through potential substitutions of MA⁺, HEA⁺, Pb²⁺ and I⁻ ions.     

Cu Doping-Induced Transformation from [Ag62S12(SBut)32]2+ to [Ag62−xCuxS12(SBut)32]4+ Nanocluster

The change in the valence state of nanocluster can induce remarkable changes in the properties and structure. However, achieving the valence state changes in nanoclusters is still a challenge. In this work, we use Cu²⁺ as dopant to “oxidize” [Ag₆₂S₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]²⁺ (4 free electrons) to obtain the new nanocluster: [Ag_62−xCu_xS₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]⁴⁺ with 2 free electrons. As revealed by its structure, the [Ag_62−xCu_xS₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]⁴⁺ (x=10∼21) has a similar structure to that of [Ag₆₂S₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]²⁺ precursor and all the Cu atoms occupy the surface site of nanocluster. It′s worth noting that with the Cu atoms doping, the [Ag_62−xCu_xS₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]⁴⁺ nanocluster is more stable than [Ag₆₂S₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]²⁺ at higher temperature and in electrochemical cycle. This result has laid a foundation for the subsequent application and exploration. Overall, this work reveals crystals structure of a new Ag−Cu nanocluster and offers a new insight into the electron reduction/oxidation of nanocluster.     

Oxo-Hydroxoferrate K2−xFe4O7−x(OH)x: Hydroflux Synthesis,Chemical and Thermal Instability,Crystal and Magnetic Structures

The reaction of Fe(NO₃)₃⋅9 H₂O with KOH under hydroflux conditions at about 200 °C produces red crystals of K_2−xFe₄O_7−x(OH)_x in a quantitative yield. In the crystal structure, edge-sharing [FeO₆] octahedra form Fe₂O₆] honeycomb nets. Pillars consisting of pairs of vertex-sharing [FeO₄] tetrahedra link the honeycomb layers and form columnar halls in which the potassium ions are located. The trigonal (P 1m) and the hexagonal (P6₃/mcm) polytypes of K_2−xFe₄O_7−x(OH)_x show oriented intergrowth. The sub-stoichiometric potassium content (x≈0.3) is compensated by hydroxide ions. K_2−xFe₄O_7−x(OH)_x is an antiferromagnet above 2 K and its magnetic structure was determined by neutron powder diffraction. Under ambient conditions, K_2−xFe₄O_7−x(OH)_x hydrolyzes and K₂CO₃ ⋅ H₂O forms gradually on the surface of the K_2−xFe₄O_7−x(OH)_x crystals. Upon annealing at air at about 500 °C, the potassium atoms in the columnar halls start to order into a superstructure. The thermal decomposition of K_2−xFe₄O_7−x(OH)_x proceeds via a topotactic transformation into K_1+x′Fe₁₁O₁₇, adopting the rhombohedral β’’ or the hexagonal β-aluminate-type structure, before γ-Fe₂O₃ is formed above 950 °C, which then converts into thermodynamically stable α-Fe₂O₃.     

Trigonal Prismatic Coordination of Discrete Rare Earth Ions,Enforced by the Polyoxotungstate [P4W27O99(H2O)]16–

A family of solution-stable polyanions [Na⊂{Ln^III(H₂O)}{W^VIO(H₂O)}P^V₄W^VI₂₆O₉₈]¹²⁻ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y) represent the first examples of polyoxometalates comprising a single lanthanide(III) or yttrium(III) ion in a rare trigonal prismatic O₆ environment. Their synthesis exploits the reactivity of the organophosphonate-functionalized precursor [P₄W₂₄O₉₂(C₆H₅P^VO)₂]¹⁶⁻ with heterometal ions and yields hydrated potassium or mixed lithium/potassium salts of composition K_xLn_yH_12–x–y[Na⊂{Ln(H₂O)}{WO(H₂O)}P₄W₂₆O₉₈]⋅nH₂O⋅mLiCl (x=8.5–11; y=0–2; n=24–34; m=0–1.5). The Dy, Ho, Er and Yb derivatives are characterized by slow magnetization relaxation.     

Identification of the Active Sites on Metallic MoO2−x Nano-Sea-Urchin for Atmospheric CO2 Photoreduction Under UV,Visible, and Near-Infrared Light Illumination

We report an oxygen vacancy (V_o)-rich metallic MoO_2−x nano-sea-urchin with partially occupied band, which exhibits super CO₂ (even directly from the air) photoreduction performance under UV, visible and near-infrared (NIR) light illumination. The V_o-rich MoO_2−x nano-sea-urchin displays a CH₄ evolution rate of 12.2 and 5.8 μmol g_catalyst⁻¹ h⁻¹ under full spectrum and NIR light illumination in concentrated CO₂, which is ca. 7- and 10-fold higher than the V_o-poor MoO_2−x, respectively. More interestingly, the as-developed V_o-rich MoO_2−x nano-sea-urchin can even reduce CO₂ directly from the air with a CO evolution rate of 6.5 μmol g_catalyst⁻¹ h⁻¹ under NIR light illumination. Experiments together with theoretical calculations demonstrate that the oxygen vacancy in MoO_2−x can facilitate CO₂ adsorption/activation to generate *COOH as well as the subsequent protonation of *CO towards the formation of CH₄ because of the formation of a highly stable Mo−C−O−Mo intermediate.     

Supported palladium catalysis using a heteroleptic 2-methylthiomethylpyridine-N,S-donor motif for Mizoroki-Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, including continuous organic monolith in capillary microscale flow-through mode

Flow-through catalysis utilising (2-methylthiomethylpyridine)palladium(II) chloride species covalently attached to a macroporous continuous organic polymer monolith synthesised within fused silica capillaries of internal diameter 250 μm is described, together with related studies of ground bulk monolith compared with supported catalysis on Merrifield and Wang beads and homogeneous catalysis under identical conditions to bulk supported catalysis. The monolith substrate, poly(chloromethylstyrene-co-divinylbenzene), has a backbone directly related to Merrifield and Wang resins. The homogeneous precatalyst PdCl₂(L²) (L²=4-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-2-methylthiomethylpyridine) contains the benzyloxyphenyl group on its periphery as a model for the spacer between the ‘PdCl₂(N∼S)’ centre and the polymer substituent of the resins and monolith. Suzuki-Miyaura and Mizoroki-Heck catalysis exhibit anticipated trends in reactivity with variation of aryl halide reagents for each system, and show that supported catalysis on beads and monolith gives higher yields than for homogeneous catalysis. The synthesis of 2-methylthiomethylpyridines is presented, together with crystal structures of 4-bromo-2-bromomethylpyridine hydrobromide, 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylthiomethylpyridine (L¹), PdCl₂(L¹) and PdCl₂(L²). Hydrogen bonding occurs in 4-bromo-2-bromomethylpyridine hydrobromide as N-H?Br interactions, in 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylthiomethylpyridine as O-H?N to form chains, and in PdCl₂(L¹) as O-H?Cl interactions leading to adjacent π-stacked chains oriented in an antiparallel fashion.     

Metal Halide Regulated Photophysical Tuning of Zero-Dimensional Organic Metal Halide Hybrids: From Efficient Phosphorescence to Ultralong Afterglow

The photophysical tuning is reported for a series of tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) metal halide hybrids containing distinct metal halides, TPP₂MX_n (MX_n=SbCl₅, MnCl₄, ZnCl₄, ZnCl₂Br₂, ZnBr₄), from efficient phosphorescence to ultralong afterglow. The afterglow properties of TPP⁺ cations could be suspended for the hybrids containing low band gap emissive metal halide species, such as SbCl₅²⁻ and MnCl₄²⁻, but significantly enhanced for the hybrids containing wide band gap non-emissive ZnCl₄²⁻. Structural and photophysical studies reveal that the enhanced afterglow is attributed to stronger π–π stacking and intermolecular electronic coupling between TPP⁺ cations in TPP₂ZnCl₄ than in the pristine organic ionic compound TPPCl. Moreover, the afterglow in TPP₂ZnX₄ can be tuned by controlling the halide composition, with the change from Cl to Br resulting in a shorter afterglow due to the heavy atom effect.     

Ionic Conductivity of the NASICON-Related Thiophosphate Na1+xTi2−xGax(PS4)3

Inspired by the recent interest in fast ionic conducting solids for electrolytes, the ionic conductivity of a novel ionic conductor Na_1+xTi_2−xGa_x(PS₄)₃ has been investigated. Using X-ray diffraction and impedance spectroscopy the sodium ionic conductivity in this compound was demonstrated, in which bond valence sum analysis suggests a tunnel diffusion for Na⁺. Substitution with Ga³⁺ leads to an increasing Na⁺ content, an expansion of the lattice and an increasing conductivity with increasing x in Na_1+xTi_2−xGa_x(PS₄)₃. Given the relation to the NASICON family, upon replacement of the phosphate by a thiophosphate group, a rich structural chemistry can be expected in this class of materials. This work demonstrates the potential for making NaTi₂(PS₄)₃ an ideal system to study structure-property relationships in ionic conductors.     

Wide-coverage and Efficient NIR Emission from Single-component Nanophosphors through Shaping Multiple Metal-halide Packages

Wide-coverage near infrared (NIR) phosphor-converted LEDs possess promising potential for practical applications, but little is developed towards the efficient and wide-coverage NIR phosphors. Here, we report the single-component lanthanide (Ln³⁺) ions doped Cs₂M(In_0.95Sb_0.05)Cl₆ (M=alkali metal) nanocrystals (NCs), exhibiting emission from 850 to 1650 nm with high photoluminescence quantum yield of 20.3 %, which is accomplished by shaping the multiple metal halide octahedra of double perovskite via the simple alkali metal substitution. From Judd-Ofelt theoretical calculation and spectroscopic investigations, the shaping of metal halide octahedra in Cs₂M(In_1−xSb_x)Cl₆ NCs can break the forbidden of f-f transition of Ln³⁺, thus increasing their radiative transition rates and simultaneously boosting the energy transfer efficiency from host to Ln³⁺. Finally, the wide-coverage NIR LEDs based on Sm³⁺, Nd³⁺, Er³⁺-tridoped Cs₂K_0.5Rb_0.5(In_0.95Sb_0.05)Cl₆ NCs are fabricated and employed in the multiplex gas sensing and night-vision application.     

Anomalous Stoichiometry and Antiferromagnetic Ordering for the Extended Hydroxymanganese(II) Cubes/Hexacyanometalate-Based 3D-Structured [MnII4(OH)4][MnII(CN)6](OH2)6⋅H2O

The reaction of Mn^II(O₂CMe)₂ and NaCN or LiCN in water forms a light green insoluble material. Structural solution and Rietveld refinement of high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data for this unprecedented, complicated compound of previously unknown composition revealed a new alkali-free ordered structural motif with [Mn^II₄(μ₃-OH)₄]⁴⁺ cubes and octahedral [Mn^II(CN)₆]⁴⁻ ions interconnected in 3D by Mn^II-N≡C-Mn^II linkages. The composition is {[Mn^II(OH₂)₃][Mn^II(OH₂)]₃}(μ₃-OH)₄][Mn^II(μ-CN)₂(CN)₄] ⋅ H₂O=[Mn^II₄(μ₃-OH)₄(OH₂)₆][Mn^II(μ-CN)₂(CN)₄] ⋅ H₂O, which is further simplified to [Mn₄(OH)₄][Mn(CN)₆](OH₂)₇ ( 1 ). 1 has four high-spin (S=5/2) Mn^II sites that are antiferromagnetically coupled within the cube and are antiferromagnetically coupled to six low-spin (S=1/2) octahedral [Mn^II(CN)₆]⁴⁻ ions. Above 40 K the magnetic susceptibility, χ(T), can be fitted to the Curie–Weiss expression, χ ∝(T−θ)⁻¹, with θ=−13.4 K, indicative of significant antiferromagnetic coupling and 1 orders as an antiferromagnet at T_c=7.8 K.     

Incorporating Rare-Earth Terbium(III) Ions into Cs2AgInCl6:Bi Nanocrystals toward Tunable Photoluminescence

The incorporation of impurity ions or doping is a promising method for controlling the electronic and optical properties and the structural stability of halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). Herein, we establish relationships between rare-earth ions doping and intrinsic emission of lead-free double perovskite Cs₂AgInCl₆ NCs to impart and tune the optical performances in the visible light region. Tb³⁺ ions were incorporated into Cs₂AgInCl₆ NCs and occupied In³⁺ sites as verified by both crystallographic analyses and first-principles calculations. Trace amounts of Bi doping endowed the characteristic emission (⁵D₄→⁷F_6-3) of Tb³⁺ ions with a new excitation peak at 368 nm rather than the single characteristic excitation at 290 nm of Tb³⁺. By controlling Tb³⁺ ions concentration, the emission colors of Bi-doped Cs₂Ag(In_1−xTb_x)Cl₆ NCs could be continuously tuned from green to orange, through the efficient energy-transfer channel from self-trapped excitons to Tb³⁺ ions. Our study provides the salient features of the material design of lead-free perovskite NCs and to expand their luminescence applications.     

The Rb7Bi3−3xSb3xCl16 Family: A Fully Inorganic Solid Solution with Room-Temperature Luminescent Members

Low-dimensional ns²-metal halide compounds have received immense attention for applications in solid-state lighting, optical thermometry and thermography, and scintillation. However, these are based primarily on the combination of organic cations with toxic Pb²⁺ or unstable Sn²⁺, and a stable inorganic luminescent material has yet to be found. Here, the zero-dimensional Rb₇Sb₃Cl₁₆ phase, comprised of isolated [SbCl₆]³⁻ octahedra and edge-sharing [Sb₂Cl₁₀]⁴⁻ dimers, shows room-temperature photoluminescence (RT PL) centered at 560 nm with a quantum yield of 3.8±0.2 % at 296 K (99.4 % at 77 K). The temperature-dependent PL lifetime rivals that of previous low-dimensional materials with a specific temperature sensitivity above 0.06 K⁻¹ at RT, making it an excellent thermometric material. Utilizing both DFT and chemical substitution with Bi³⁺ in the Rb₇Bi_3−3xSb_3xCl₁₆ (x≤1) family, we present the edge-shared [Sb₂Cl₁₀]⁴⁻ dimer as a design principle for Sb-based luminescent materials.     

Photodetachment dynamics from closed‐shell anions in the presence of a bichromatic field

I have studied the dynamics of photodetachment from closed‐shell anions in the presence of a two‐color (bichromatic) laser field. The electronic states of halide ions are modeled by a 1‐D Hamiltonian with a potential V(x) = ?V₀e. The two parameters V₀ and σ are fixed by requiring V(x) to reproduce the experimentally observed ground‐state ionization energy of the halide ions concerned. The potentials so generated are shown to support only one bound state in each case. The time‐dependent Fourier grid Hamiltonian method is used to follow the detachment dynamics with fairly high intensities of light. The environmental effects on the dynamics are sought to be modeled by allowing the well depth (V₀) to fluctuate randomly (V₀(t) = V₀[1 + ΔVR(t)]; R(t) randomly fluctuates between +1 and ?1 with time, when ΔV is fixed). The average detachment rate constants k_av are seen to increase with increase in the intensities of used bichromatic field. An alternative model potential, V(x) = ?V₀e^?σx, is also shown to yield similar results. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

The Stability of Diphosphino-Boryl PBP Pincer Backbone: PBP to POP Ligand Hydrolysis

Since moisture may frequently be present in many solvents, it is important to know the reactivity of a catalyst against water for catalytic reactions. In order to explore the stability and understand the transformation process of diphosphino-boryl-based PBP pincer platform, [PdCl{B(NCH₂P^tBu₂)₂−o-C₆H₄}] ( 1 ) was treated with PdCl₂, HB(NCH₂PPh₂)₂−o-C₆H₄ was reacted with [PdCl₂(cod)] (cod=cyclo-octa-1,5-diene) and [Pd₂(dba)₃] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone), respectively, in the presence of water. Some novel palladium POP complexes, [Pd₂Cl₂(μ-Cl){μ-κ³-P,O,P−OB(NCH₂P^tBu₂)₂−o-C₆H₄}] ( 2 a ), [Pd₄(μ-Cl)₂(μ-O)₂{μ-κ³-P,O,P−OB(NCH₂PPh₂)₂−o-C₆H₄}₂] ( 2 b ), [Pd₂{μ-κ⁴-P,P,P,P−O(B(NCH₂PPh₂)₂−o-C₆H₄)₂}{μ-κ²-P,P−(NHCH₂PPh₂)₂−o-C₆H₄}] ( 3 ), were obtained. It was found that the PBP pincer backbone can easily be converted into a POP backbone in the presence of water. From the crystal structures of the resultant palladium complexes, possible pincer backbone transformation pathways were discussed.     

Atom Exchange Versus Reconstruction: (GexAs4−x)x− (x=2, 3) as Building Blocks for the Supertetrahedral Zintl Cluster [Au6(Ge3As)(Ge2As2)3]3−

The Zintl anion (Ge₂As₂)²⁻ represents an isostructural and isoelectronic binary counterpart of yellow arsenic, yet without being studied with the same intensity so far. Upon introducing [(PPh₃)AuMe] into the 1,2-diaminoethane (en) solution of (Ge₂As₂)²⁻, the heterometallic cluster anion [Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]³⁻ is obtained as its salt [K(crypt-222)]₃[Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]⋅en⋅2 tol ( 1 ). The anion represents a rare example of a superpolyhedral Zintl cluster, and it comprises the largest number of Au atoms relative to main group (semi)metal atoms in such clusters. The overall supertetrahedral structure is based on a (non-bonding) octahedron of six Au atoms that is face-capped by four (Ge_xAs_4−x)^x− (x=2, 3) units. The Au atoms bind to four main group atoms in a rectangular manner, and this way hold the four units together to form this unprecedented architecture. The presence of one (Ge₃As)³⁻ unit besides three (Ge₂As₂)²⁻ units as a consequence of an exchange reaction in solution was verified by detailed quantum chemical (DFT) calculations, which ruled out all other compositions besides [Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]³⁻. Reactions of the heavier homologues (Tt₂Pn₂)²⁻ (Tt=Sn, Pb; Pn=Sb, Bi) did not yield clusters corresponding to that in 1 , but dimers of ternary nine-vertex clusters, {[AuTt₅Pn₃]₂}⁴⁻ (in 2 – 4 ; Tt/Pn=Sn/Sb, Sn/Bi, Pb/Sb), since the underlying pseudo-tetrahedral units comprising heavier atoms do not tend to undergo the said exchange reactions as readily as (Ge₂As₂)²⁻, according to the DFT calculations.     

Characterization of fine particles of the α-Fe2O3-SnO2 system with residual SO2−4 ions on the surface

The α-Fe₂O₃-SnO₂ system in fine powder form prepared by thermal decomposition at 873 K of precursory oxide hydroxides and containing a few weight percent of residual SO²⁻₄ ions on the surface has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, by the⁵⁷Fe and¹¹⁹Sn Mo¨ssbauer effects, and by other techniques. A certain α-Fe₂O₃-rich composition of this system has been used practically as an excellent but cheap CH₄ sensor as a city gas-leak alarm. Fine particles of generally ≲10³ nm³ with intermediate compositions remain far from the equilibrium state in the aspect that the solubility is drastically widened for both α-Fe₂O₃ and SnO₂, especially for the latter: solid solutions (Fe₂O₃)_1−x(SnO₂)_x withx ≲ 0.2 crystallizing in the corundum-type structure and withx ≳ 0.7 crystallizing in the rutile-type structure seem to be formed. The SO²⁻₄ ions may be considered to form microscopic cages around fine particles which, although being thermodynamically unstable, are nevertheless practically stable for more than a few years at the operating temperature of 673 K as demonstrated by the practical use as a sensor. A rapid separation into and a rapid particle growth of α-Fe₂O₃ and SnO₂ are brought about by thermal release of the SO²⁻₄ ions at 1073 K.