One-dimensional α-MnO2: Trapping chemistry of tunnel structures, structural stability, and magnetic transitions

Highly crystalline one-dimensional (1D) α-MnO₂ nanostructures were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimeter, and infrared spectroscopy. During the formation reactions, the tunnel structure of 1D α-MnO₂ was simultaneously modified by NH₄⁺ species and water molecules. The amount of NH₄⁺ species that were trapped in the tunnels is almost independent on the reaction temperature, while the total water content increased with the reaction temperature. The average diameter of α-MnO₂ nanorods increased from 9.2 to 16.5 nm when the reaction temperature increased from 140 to 220 °C. 1D α-MnO₂ was destabilized by a subsequent high-temperature treatment in air, which is accompanied by a structural transformation to 1D Mn₂O₃ of a cubic structure. At low temperatures, all 1D α-MnO₂ nanorods showed two magnetic transitions that were characterized by a decreased Néel temperature with rod diameter reduction. According to the effective magnetic moments experimentally measured, Mn ions presented in the nanorods were determined to be in a mixed valency of high spin state Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺.     

Structure Investigation and Electrochemical Behavior of γ-MnO2 Synthesized from Three-Dimensional Framework and Layered Structures

MnO₂ was chemically prepared from birnessite (CMD_2D) and from spinel-like LiMn₂O₄ (CMD_3D) by acid leaching. X-ray diffractometry, FTIR spectrometry, chemical and thermal analyses were used to determine the structure and chemical disorder. On the basis of cation vacancy model, the structural water was found to be mainly due to Coleman protons in both samples. Both samples were found to be of very close structure belonging to γ-MnO₂ type I according to Chabre and Pannetier classification with de Wolff disorder (P_r) of 0.19 and 0.30 and microtwinning (Tw) of 9.9 and 17%, respectively. The activation energy of structural water release calculated from thermal analysis was apparently higher than that of other γ-MnO₂ types (150 and 156.6 kJ/mol, respectively).A high reduction capacity in aqueous and non-aqueous batteries was delivered for both samples except for the electro- chemical lithium insertion of CMD_2D, which was attributed to the different oxygen packing.     

On the structural defects in synthetic γ-MnO2s

In the literature, the γ-MnO₂ structure is considered to be that of ramsdellite (R), in which two types of defects exist. The occurrence of a slab of pyrolusite (r) is named a De Wolff defect and random faults r in R give intergrowths of ramsdellite and pyrolusite, which account well for the global features of many experimental diffraction patterns. The other type of defect results from “microtwinning”, which allows the so-called ε-MnO₂ to be put with γ-MnO₂ in the same classification. This paper discusses the previous models of defect and what could be the features of the “microtwinning”, giving for each possible model the corresponding expected features in reciprocal space. The results of a selected area electron diffraction study of rather well crystallized samples of γ-MnO₂ are presented. The splitting of particular diffraction spots and new diffuse intensity are interpreted as the first experimental evidence for “microtwinning”, and a model with orientation variants within microdomains embedded in a “normal” structure is proposed, which is rather different from the previous hypotheses involving parallel twin planes and parallel twin boundaries.     

X-ray and neutron powder diffraction studies of Ba(NdxY2−x)CuO5

Ba(R,R′)₂CuO₅ (R,R′=lanthanides and Y) plays an important role as a flux-pinning agent in enhancing the superconducting properties of the Ba₂(R,R′)Cu₃O_6+x (R,R′=lanthanides and Y) coated conductors. Using X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction, we found that the Ba(Nd_xY_2−x)CuO₅ solid solution adopts two structure types. In the Nd-rich region (1.8?x?2.0), the materials are of brown color (commonly referred to as the ‘brown phase’), and the structure is tetragonal with space group I4/mbm (no. 127). In the Y-rich region (0.0?x?1.4), the materials are green (commonly referred to as the ‘green phase’) and the structure is orthorhombic with space group Pnma (no. 62). A two-phase region (1.4<x<1.8) exists between the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases. The crystal chemistry and crystallography of the orthorhombic ‘green phase’ series, Ba(Nd_xY_2−x)CuO₅ (isostructural to BaY₂CuO₅), are discussed in this paper.     

Understanding γ-MnO2 by molecular modeling

De Wolff disorder, microtwinning, and point defects which are characteristic for γ-MnO₂ have been studied using molecular modeling. Particular attention was paid to the effects these defects have on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. Comparisons with observed XRD patterns allow identification of structural features in chemical (CMD) and electrochemical (EMD) manganese dioxide. The major factor determining the structure of γ-MnO₂ is de Wolff disorder. CMD materials are characterized by a larger percentage of pyrolusite while EMD materials contain more ramsdellite. Microtwinning occurs to a larger extent in EMD than in CMD materials. EMD materials are also higher in energy.     

Catalytic Combustion of Methane over CeO2-MOx (M=La, Ca) Solid Solution Promoted Pd/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts

Solid solution CeO₂-MO_x (M=La³⁺, Ca²⁺) promoted Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by a deposition-precipitation method. The structural properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that Mⁿ⁺ ions incorporated into CeO₂ lattice and solid solutions formed in Pd/γ-Al₂O₃-CeO₂-MO_x catalysts. The formation of solid solution was confirmed by the change in lattice parameters of CeO₂ and the shift of 2θ angles as compared with pure CeO₂. A strain formed in the O²⁻ sub-lattice of CeO₂ was revealed by Raman analyses, which decreased the intensity of the Raman-active band at around 463 cm⁻¹ owing to the F_2g symmetric stretching of Ce−O bond. The appearance of a new band at 615 cm⁻¹ (in the case of Pd/γ-Al₂O₃-CeO₂-CaO) and a shoulder at 320 cm⁻¹ (in the case of Pd/γ-Al₂O₃-CeO₂-La₂O₃) was also confirmed. Ionic Pd^δ+ species were formed in the catalysts, which exhibited higher binding energies (0.5−0.6 eV higher for Pd 3d_5/2) than that of normal PdO. The catalysts showed high activity and stability for low temperature methane combustion. 10% and 100% conversions of methane could be obtained at temperatures of 254 and 340 °C, respectively, over Pd/γ-Al₂O₃-CeO₂-La₂O₃ catalyst under an hourly space velocity of 50000 h⁻¹.     

Cl/Cl isotope effects in Rh NMR of [RhCln(H2O)6−n] complex anions in hydrochloric acid solution as a unique ‘NMR finger-print’ for unambiguous speciation

A detailed analysis of the ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotope effects observed in the 19.11 MHz ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonances of [RhCl_n(H₂O)_6−n]³⁻ⁿ complexes (n = 3–6) in acidic solution at 292.1 K, shows that the ‘fine structure’ of each ¹⁰³Rh resonance can be understood in terms of the unique isotopologue and in certain instances the isotopomer distribution in each complex. These ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotope effects in the ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonance of the [Rh^35/37Cl₆]³⁻ species manifest only as a result of the statistically expected ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotopologues, whereas for the aquated species such as for example [Rh^35/37Cl₅(H₂O)]²⁻, cis-[Rh^35/37Cl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻ as well as the mer-[Rh^35/37Cl₃(H₂O)₃] complexes, additional fine-structure due to the various possible isotopomers within each class of isotopologues, is visible. Of interest is the possibility of the direct identification of stereoisomers cis-[RhCl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻, trans-[RhCl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻, fac-[RhCl₃(H₂O)₃] and mer-[RhCl₃(H₂O)₃] based on the ¹⁰³Rh NMR line shape, other than on the basis of their very similar δ(¹⁰³Rh) chemical shift. The ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonance structure thus serves as a novel and unique ‘NMR-fingerprint’ leading to the unambiguous assignment of [RhCl_n(H₂O)_6−n]³⁻ⁿ complexes (n = 3–6), without reliance on accurate δ(¹⁰³Rh) chemical shifts.     

Time-Dependent Degradation Due to the Gradual Phase Change in BICUVOX and BICOVOX Oxide-Ion Conductors at Temperatures below about 500°C

This paper describes a cause of the time-dependent degradation of conductivity observed in the representative BIMEVOX phases Bi₂Cu_0.1V_0.9O_5.35 (BICUVOX.10) and Bi₂Co_0.1V_0.9O_5.35 (BICOVOX.10). In both phases, to date, the following facts were reported: the high-temperature stable γ-type phase transformed reversibly to the low-temperature stable γ′-type phase at 450-500°C through the order-disorder transition without changing to the β-type or α-type phase. In addition, the degradation of conductivity was observed in γ′-BICUVOX.10 at about 420°C. In the present study, it has turned out that a prolonged annealing at 450°C for several hundred hours causes both γ′ phases to change to a new phase with α-Bi₄V₂O₁₁-related structure. This α-related phase changes promptly to the γ phase on heating (at about 535°C for BICOVOX.10 and at about 485°C for BICUVOX.10); by contrast, the γ′ phase reverts sluggishly to the α-related phase. Since the α-related phase shows far lower conductivity (10^−4.8S cm⁻¹ at 430°C for BICUVOX.10), this gradual γ′-to-α transition explains well the time-dependent degradation of conductivity in the γ′ phase reported so far. Namely, the γ′ phase is metastably quenched to room temperature and reverts gradually to the α-related phase upon heat treatment below the α-to-γ transition temperature.     

A combined diffraction and dielectric properties investigation of Ba3MnNb2O9 complex perovskites

A combined synthesis, diffraction and dielectric properties investigation of the dependence (and effect) of Mn²⁺/Nb⁵⁺ ordering in Ba₃MnNb₂O₉ (BMN) upon annealing atmosphere and processing conditions has been carried out. Annealing in different atmospheres was not found to significantly alter either nominal stoichiometry or structure type. The obtained structure type (disordered metrically cubic or ordered trigonal) as well as the measured electrical properties (in particular, the dielectric loss) were, however, found to be sensitive to the synthesis route. Samples obtained via solid-state reaction were found to be predominantly of 1:2 Mn²⁺/Nb⁵⁺ ordered, trigonal structure type whereas samples obtained via an aqueous solution route were found to be of a Mn²⁺/Nb⁵⁺ ‘disordered’, metrically cubic structure type. All solid-state synthesized samples showed reasonable dielectric properties. The microwave dielectric constant and dielectric quality factor, Q, at 8 GHz of an as-synthesized BMN sample were 38 and 100, respectively. By contrast, the dielectric loss of the metrically cubic, Mn²⁺/Nb⁵⁺ ‘disordered’ samples obtained via an aqueous solution synthesis process were significantly worse.     

Binaphthyl-based chiral macrocyclophanes with variously sized cavities: Dn-symmetrical structure constructed from unidirectionally-inclined rod segments

As new and chiral macrocyclophanes with unique structures, variously sized Pn and Mn (n=2–7=number of ‘rod’ segments) with D₂–D₇ symmetry were constructed by alternating connection of axially chiral binaphthyls and linear biphenyls via –CH₂O– moieties, so that the macrocycle consists of multiple rod-like naphthalene–biphenyl–naphthalene units linked together at the binaphthyl bonds. The dihedral angle of the two naphthalene rings of binaphthyl is restricted to around 90°, and the calculated values of strain energy difference per naphthalene–biphenyl unit in P2–P7 are almost independent of the macrocycle size, presumably owing to the flexibility of the –CH₂O– connectors.     

Influence of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the photocatalytic activity of P-25 TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the degradation of methyl orange

Influences of α-MnO₂, β-MnO₂, and δ-MnO₂ on the photocatalytic activity of Degussa P-25 TiO₂ have been investigated through the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. The TiO₂ photocatalyst, before and after being contaminated by MnO₂, was characterized by UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ could be inhibited significantly or completely deactivated due to the presence of even a small amount of MnO₂ particles. It was found that the poisoning effect varied with the crystal phases of MnO₂ and the effect was in the order δ-MnO₂ >α-MnO₂ >β-MnO₂. The poisoning effect was attributed to the formation of heterojunctions between MnO₂ and TiO₂ particles. The heterojunctions changed the chemical state of Ti⁴⁺ and O²⁻ sites in the crystalline phase of TiO₂. MnO₂ in contact with TiO₂ particles also broadens the band-gap of TiO₂, which decreases UV absorption of TiO₂. It can also create some deep impurity energy levels serving as photoelectron-photohole recombination center, which accelerates the electron-hole recombination. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20477009) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (Grant No. E2005000183)     

Synthesis and properties of the Co7Se8−xSx and Ni7Se8−xSx solid solutions

We report the synthesis and elementary properties of the Co₇Se_8−xS_x (x=0-8) and Ni₇Se_8−xS_x (x=0-7) solid solutions. Both systems form a NiAs-type structure with metal vacancies. In general, the lattice parameters decrease with increasing x, but in the Ni₇Se_8−xS_x system c increases on going from x=5 to 7. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that all samples exhibit temperature-independent paramagnetism from 25-250 K. Samples within the Co₇Se_8−xS_x system, as well as Ni₇Se₈ and Ni₇SeS₇, were found to be poor metals with resistivities of ∼0.20 and ∼0.06 mΩ cm at 300 K, respectively. The Sommerfeld constant (γ) was determined from specific heat measurements to be ∼13 mJ/mol_CoK² and ∼7 mJ/mol_NiK² for Co₇Se_8−xS_x and Ni₇Se_8−xS_x, respectively.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and skeletal rearrangement of dibenzo tricyclo[3.3.0.0]-1,2,5,6-tetrasubstituted octanes

Dibenzo tricyclo[3.3.0.0^2,6]-1,2,5,6-tetrasubstituted octanes, the ‘twisted’ highly strained valence isomers of substituted dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes, were synthesized and their structure characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Their skeletal rearrangement was experimentally observed.     

Crystal chemistry and crystallography of the SrR2CuO5 (R=lanthanides) phases

The crystal chemistry and crystallography of the compounds SrR₂CuO₅ (Sr-121, R=lanthanides) were investigated using the powder X-ray Rietveld refinement technique. Among the 11 compositions studied, only R=Dy and Ho formed the stable SrR₂CuO₅ phase. SrR₂CuO₅ was found to be isostructural with the “green phase”, BaR₂CuO₅. The basic structure is orthorhombic with space group Pnma. The lattice parameters for SrDyCuO₅ are a=12.08080(6) Å, b=5.60421(2) Å, c=7.12971(3) Å, V=482.705(4) Å³, and Z=8; and for the Ho analog are a=12.03727(12) Å, b=5.58947(7) Å, c=7.10169(7) Å, V=477.816(9) Å³, and Z=8. In the SrR₂CuO₅ structure, each R is surrounded by seven oxygen atoms, forming a monocapped trigonal prism (RO₇). The isolated CuO₅ group forms a distorted square pyramid. Consecutive layers of prisms are stacked in the b-direction. Bond valence calculations imply that residual strain is largely responsible for the narrow stability of the SrR₂CuO₅ phases with R=Dy and Ho only. X-ray powder reference diffraction patterns for SrDy₂CuO₅ and SrHo₂CuO₅ were determined.     

A comparison study on Raman scattering properties of α- and β-MnO2

In this comment to a recent paper [Anal. Chim. Acta 585 (2007) 241-245], we report a comparison study on Mn oxide-related compounds with different crystallographic forms, which distinguish between β-MnO₂ and α-MnO₂ type materials via Raman scattering (RS) spectroscopy. The tetragonal rutile-type β-MnO₂ is characterized by a RS band at ∼667 cm⁻¹ of symmetry A_1g, whereas the α-MnO₂ type materials feature two main RS contributions at about 574 and 634 cm⁻¹, belonging to A_g spectroscopic species of a tetragonal hollandite-type framework. These data represent a clear signature for identifying β-MnO₂ and α-MnO₂ type materials via RS spectroscopy.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and vibrational spectroscopy of the acidic pyrophosphate KMg0.5H2P2O7·H2O

The hydrated potassium hemimagnesium dihydrogen pyrophosphate KMg_0.5H₂P₂O₇·H₂O was synthesized. It crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group (n. 2), Z=2, with the following unit-cell parameters: a=6.8565(2) Å, b=7.3621(3) Å, c=7.6202(3) Å, α=81.044(2)°, β=72.248(2)°, γ=83.314(3)°, V=360.90(2) Å³. The structure was obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, and a full-matrix least-squares refinement based on F² gave a final R index of =0.0368 (wR=0.0975), utilizing 1446 observed reflections with I>2σ(I). The crystal packing consists in a three-dimensional network made by layers parallel to ab plane of PO₄ double tetrahedra and MgO₆ octahedra, linked by hydrogen bonds, while K atoms form complex coordination within cavities between tetrahedra and octahedra. The dihydro-pyrophosphate anion (H₂P₂O₇)²⁻ shows bent eclipsed conformation and the Mg²⁺ ion lies on inversion center. No coincidences observed between most of infrared and Raman spectral bands confirmed the centrosymmetric structure of the title compound; the vibrational spectra point to a bent POP bridge angle.     

Removal of bisphenol A via a hybrid process combining oxidation on β-MnO2 nanowires with microfiltration

A novel hybrid process combining β-MnO₂ nanowires oxidation and microfiltration was adopted to remove bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) in the aquatic environment. The β-MnO₂ nanowires synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscope, and nitrogen sorption. It was demonstrated that β-MnO₂ nanowires can degrade BPA effectively. Investigation on operation parameters indicated that oxidation of BPA using β-MnO₂ nanowires was evidently dependent on pH, while humic acid and coexisting metal ions such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Mn²⁺ induced suppressive effects. After oxidation, a crossflow microfiltration process was conducted to efficiently separate and recover the β-MnO₂ nanowires from treated water. Membrane fouling study showed that the as-synthesized β-MnO₂ nanowires possess excellent mechanical stability and was able to retain the 1D structure with high aspect ratios after reaction, thus significantly reducing membrane pore blocking in the microfiltration process.     

Zr1−xLnxW2O8−x/2 (Ln=Eu, Er, Yb): Solid solutions of negative thermal expansion-synthesis, characterization and limited solid solubility

Zr_1−xLn_xW₂O_8−x/2 solid solutions (Ln=Eu, Er, Yb) of different substitution fractions x have been synthesized. Their X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns have been indexed and lattice parameters calculated based on the α-ZrW₂O₈ structure. The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of these solid solutions were estimated to be −10.3×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ in temperature range of 30-100 °C. The solubility of lanthanide ions in these solid solutions decreases linearly with the increase in the radius of substituted lanthanide ions. Based on the concentration dependence of phase transition temperatures, a novel method for determination of solubility of the lanthanide ions in Zr_1−xLn_xW₂O_8−x/2 solid solutions has been developed. This method seems to be more sensitive as compared with that based on XRD technique.     

Oxygen-permeable membranes based on partially B-site substituted BaFe1−yMyO3−δ (M=Cu or Ni)

We carried out the partial substitution of the B-site in BaFeO_3−δ perovskite with divalent cations to develop novel oxygen-permeable materials. We demonstrated that the partial substitution of Cu or Ni by more than 10% resulted in the stabilization of the cubic perovskite structure even at room temperature in a highly oxygen-permeable phase, as revealed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The Cu substitution was more effective for the stabilization, because the introduction of Cu in the lattice more effectively made the Goldschmidt tolerance factor (t) close to 1.0. Ni- and Cu-substituted BaFeO_3−δ membranes showed higher oxygen permeabilities than their parent BaFeO_3−δ membranes particularly at lower temperatures around 600-700 °C owing to the stabilization of the cubic phase. Among the fabricated membranes, a BaFe_0.85Cu_0.15O_3−δ membrane (1.0 mm thickness) showed the highest oxygen permeation flux (1.8 cm³ min⁻¹ cm⁻² at 930 °C) under an air/He gradient. The results indicated that Cu-substituted BaFeO_3-δ is promising as a material for Co-free membranes with high oxygen permeabilities.