Intercalation chemistry of layered vanadyl phosphate: a review

The intercalation chemistry of layered α_I modification of vanadyl phosphate and vanadyl phosphate dihydrate is reviewed. The focus is on neutral molecular guests and on metal cations used as guest species. The basic condition for the ability of the neutral molecules to be intercalated into vanadyl phosphate is a presence of an electron donor atom in them. The most commonly used guest compounds are those containing oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur as electron donor atoms. Regarding the molecules containing oxygen, various compounds were used as molecular guests starting from water to alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, lactones, and esters. An arrangement of the guest molecules in the interlayer space is discussed in connection with the data obtained by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, IR and Raman spectroscopies, and solid-state NMR. In some cases, the local structure was suggested on the basis of quantum chemical calculations. Besides of those O-donor guests, also N-donor guests such as amines, nitriles and nitrogenous heterocycles and S-donor guests such as tetrathiafulvalene were intercalated into VOPO₄. Also intercalates of complexes like ferrocene were prepared. Intercalation of cations is accompanied by a reduction of vanadium(V) to vanadium(IV). In this kind of intercalation reactions, an iodide of the intercalated cation is often used as it serves both as a mild reduction agent and as a source of the intercalated species. Intercalates of alkali metals, hydronium and ammonium were prepared and characterized. In the case of lithium and sodium intercalates, a staging phenomenon was observed. These redox intercalated vanadyl phosphates undergo ion exchange reactions which are discussed from the point of the nature of cations involved in the exchange. Vanadyl phosphates in which a part of vanadium atom is replaced by other metals are also briefly reviewed.     

<Superscript>31</Superscript>P and <Superscript>51</Superscript>V MAS-NMR Characterisation of Mixed Vanadium and Titanium Phosphates Prepared from Molecular Precursors

Coprecipitation of mixed vanadium and titanium phosphates has been performed by reacting a mixed solution of vanadium alkoxide (VO(OPrⁿ)₃) and titanium alkoxide (Ti(OPrⁿ)₄) with anhydrous phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). The goal is to obtain a mixture at a molecular level of phosphates with both acidic and redox properties. In protic solvents, such as propanol, the vanadium phosphate precipitation is slow, so, as indicated by the chemical analysis, the coprecipitation is not stoichiometric. The kinetics of precipitation of both vanadium and titanium phosphates are much faster in aprotic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and result in homogeneous precipitates. ³¹P and ⁵¹V MAS-NMR experiments, have been used in order to characterise the homogeneity in these samples. Phase separation is observed upon heating at 700C.     

Novel vanadium phosphate phases as catalysts for selective oxidation

In our effort to induce novel modifications in the structure of some important vanadium phosphate phases used as selective oxidation catalysts, it has been observed that metal ions such as Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pd²⁺can be incorporated into the vanadyl hydrogen phosphate VOHPO₄0.5H₂O phase in very different ways depending upon the medium of preparation. It has been found that the metal ions are either substituted into the lattice with retention of structure of the parent compound or intercalated between the layers of a new mixed-valent phase. These new metal-incorporated phases are catalytically active and the palladium incorporated compound in particular displays shape selective catalysis for different oxidation and reduction reactions. In another approach, the preparation of VOHPO₄0.5H₂O) has been modified to give a novel crystalline phase containing mixed-valentvanadium and having NH₃ species bound to the lattice. This phase could be a potential catalyst for ammoxidation reactions. In addition, novel mesostructured vanadium phosphate phases have been prepared using a long-chain amine as the templating agent involving a ligand templating mechanism of formation.     

Towards Reversible High-Voltage Multi-Electron Reactions in Alkali-Ion Batteries Using Vanadium Phosphate Positive Electrode Materials

Vanadium phosphate positive electrode materials attract great interest in the field of Alkali-ion (Li, Na and K-ion) batteries due to their ability to store several electrons per transition metal. These multi-electron reactions (from V²⁺ to V⁵⁺) combined with the high voltage of corresponding redox couples (e.g., 4.0 V vs. for V³⁺/V⁴⁺ in Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃) could allow the achievement the 1 kWh/kg milestone at the positive electrode level in Alkali-ion batteries. However, a massive divergence in the voltage reported for the V³⁺/V⁴⁺ and V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ redox couples as a function of crystal structure is noticed. Moreover, vanadium phosphates that operate at high V³⁺/V⁴⁺ voltages are usually unable to reversibly exchange several electrons in a narrow enough voltage range. Here, through the review of redox mechanisms and structural evolutions upon electrochemical operation of selected widely studied materials, we identify the crystallographic origin of this trend: the distribution of PO₄ groups around vanadium octahedra, that allows or prevents the formation of the vanadyl distortion (O^…V⁴⁺=O or O^…V⁵⁺=O). While the vanadyl entity massively lowers the voltage of the V³⁺/V⁴⁺ and V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ couples, it considerably improves the reversibility of these redox reactions. Therefore, anionic substitutions, mainly O²⁻ by F⁻, have been identified as a strategy allowing for combining the beneficial effect of the vanadyl distortion on the reversibility with the high voltage of vanadium redox couples in fluorine rich environments.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new titanyl phosphate Sr2TiO(PO4)2

New strontium titanyl phosphate Sr₂TiO(PO₄)₂ (1) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy, and band structure calculations. Titanyl phosphate 1 is isostructural with vanadyl phosphate Sr₂VO(PO₄)₂ and has a layered structure. The titanium atoms are shifted from the centers of the TiO₆ octahedra and form short (1.74 Å) titanyl bonds. The structure of 1 is an unusual example of the disordered orientation of the chains formed by TiO₆ octahedra in complex titanium phosphates.     

The Significance of Lewis Acid Sites for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitric Oxide on Vanadium‐Based Catalysts

The long debated reaction mechanisms of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitric oxide with ammonia (NH₃) on vanadium‐based catalysts rely on the involvement of Brønsted or Lewis acid sites. This issue has been clearly elucidated using a combination of transient perturbations of the catalyst environment with operando time‐resolved spectroscopy to obtain unique molecular level insights. Nitric oxide reacts predominantly with NH₃ coordinated to Lewis sites on vanadia on tungsta–titania (V₂O₅‐WO₃‐TiO₂), while Brønsted sites are not involved in the catalytic cycle. The Lewis site is a mono‐oxo vanadyl group that reduces only in the presence of both nitric oxide and NH₃. We were also able to verify the formation of the nitrosamide (NH₂NO) intermediate, which forms in tandem with vanadium reduction, and thus the entire mechanism of SCR. Our experimental approach, demonstrated in the specific case of SCR, promises to progress the understanding of chemical reactions of technological relevance.     

Recovery of uranium from phosphate by carbonate solutions

Uranium concentrations were analyzed in the Syrian phosphate deposits. Mean concentrations were found between 50 and 110 ppm. As a consequence, an average phosphate dressing of 22 kg/ha phosphate would charge the soil with 5–20 g/ha uranium when added as a mineral fertilizer. Fine grinding phosphate produced at the Syrian mines was used for uranium recovery by carbonate leaching. The formation of the soluble uranyl tricarbonate anion UO₂(CO₃)₃ ⁴⁻ permits using alkali and sodium bicarbonate salts for the nearly selective dissolution of uranium from phosphate. Separation of iron, aluminum, titanium, etc., from uranium during leaching was carried out. Formation of some small amounts of molybdates, vanadates, phosphates, aluminates, and some complex metals was investigated. This process could be used before the manufacture of Tri-Super Phosphate (TSP) fertilizer, and the final products would contain less uranium quantities.     

Sur le dosage argentométrique de l'anion phosphorique

1. In aqueous solutions of phosphoric acid or alcali phosphates, the PO₄^-3can be determined by potentiometric titraition with silver nitrate PO₄^-3 + 3 Ag⁺ ár unAg₃PO₄↓The pH value of the solution is maintained about 9 by using borax-buffer 2 The determination of phosphate ion is also possible by precipitation of Ag₃PO₄ with an excess of silver nitrate, the pH of the solution is adjusted between 7 and 8 by using a new buffer mixture containing NH₄⁺, NHXXX, and Ag⁺. After diluting the solution up to a known volume and filtering through dry filter paper, the excess of silver is determined by potentiometric titration with potassium bromide. This method gives very good results, it is applicable in the presence of Mg⁺² and Ca⁺². The presence of Fe⁺³ and Al⁺³ hinders the determination of the phosphate ion. 3. The properties of the ,,ammonium-silverdiamme” buffer system are described. This buffer contains NH₄⁺, NH₃ and Ag⁺ (the latter in excess with regard to NH₃)     

Solid-state interactions of vanadium and phosphorus oxides in the closed systems

Physicochemical processes during thermal treatment of vanadium and phosphorus oxides mixture (1) as well as with diammonium hydrophosphate (2) in the closed system (autoclave) have been studied. In the first case, at 300 °C, the defective structure γ-VOPO₄ is formed and in the second case, there was established possibility of synthesis of vanadyl hydrophosphate—the precursor of vanadyl pyrophosphate (the catalyst of n-butane oxidation to maleic anhydride). At the same time, various phases of mixed ammonium and vanadium phosphates were obtained at lower and higher temperatures.     

Vanadium in Italian waters: monitoring and speciation of V(IV) and V(V)

In this work, a highly sensitive method was developed to separate vanadium (IV) from vanadium (V), which are both contained in water at trace levels. A suitable strong anionic exchange column (SAX) loaded with disodium ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid (Na₂EDTA) was used to trap both vanadium species dissolved in 10–100 ml of water at pH 3. The vanadyl ion was selectively eluted by means of 15 ml of an aqueous solution containing Na₂EDTA, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBA⁺OH⁻), and isopropanol (ⁱPr-OH) and was subsequently determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy with electrothermal atomization. The concentration of vanadate ion was calculated by subtracting the vanadyl concentration from the total concentration of vanadium. The optimal conditions for a selective elution were evaluated. The recovery of vanadium (IV) was 95% or better. The proposed method provides a simple procedure for the speciation of vanadium in aqueous matrices. The collection of the two forms could easily be carried out at the sampling site. Therefore, the risk of changing the concentration ratio between vanadium species was widely reduced. The detection limits were 1 μg/l for both species, when a 10-ml sample was eluted through the column. The method was applied successfully to vanadium speciation on different kinds of Italian volcanic water: Mount Etna (Sicily), Lake Bracciano and Castelli Romani (Latium).     

V2O5/TiO2 Catalyst Xerogels: Method of Preparation and Characterization

This work describes a modified sol-gel method for the preparation of V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts. The samples have been characterized by N₂ adsorption at 77 K, X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM/EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The surface area increases with the vanadia loading from 24 m² g^–1 for pure TiO₂ to 87 m² g^–1 for 9 wt% of V₂O₅. The rutile form is predominant for pure TiO₂ but becomes enriched with anatase phase when vanadia loading is increased. No crystalline V₂O₅ phase was observed in the diffractograms of the catalysts. Analysis by SEM showed heterogeneous granulation of particles with high vanadium dispersion. Two species of surface vanadium were observed by FT-IR spectroscopy: a monomeric vanadyl and polymeric vanadates. The vanadyl/vanadate ratio remains practically constant. Ethanol oxidation was used as a catalytic test in a temperature range from 350 to 560 K. The catalytic activity starts around 380 K. For the sample with 9 wt% of vanadia, the conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde as the main product was approximately 90% at 473 K.     

Intercalation of Dimethyl Carbonate, Diethyl Carbonate and Ethylene Carbonate into Vanadyl Phosphate

Intercalation compounds of vanadyl phosphate with dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), and ethylene carbonate (EC) were prepared from VOPO₄·2C₂H₅OH intercalate by a molecular exchange. The intercalates prepared were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The EC intercalate is stable at ambient conditions, whereas the DMC and DEC intercalates transform to vanadyl phosphate dihydrate. Infrared spectra indicate that carbonyl oxygens of the guest molecules are coordinated to the vanadium atoms of the host layers. The arrangement of the guest molecules in the interlayer space was proposed.     

Morphology and activity of vanadium-containing catalysts for the selective oxidation of benzene to maleic anhydride

The morphology and activity of vanadium catalysts are studied using a number of physicochemical methods: electron microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and infrared spectroscopy. It is found that the active agent of the conversion of benzene to maleic anhydride over modified vanadium catalysts is the V⁴⁺ ion in the vanadyl configuration.     

Oxidative ammonolysis of 3(4)-methyl- and 3,4-dimethylpyridines using vanadium oxide catalysts

Oxidative ammonolysis of 3(4)-methyl- and 3,4-dimethylpyridines using vanadium oxide catalyst doped with Cr₂O₃, SnO₂, and ZrO₂ was studied. The yields of nitriles and conversion of the starting compounds were found to depend on the CH-acidity of the latter in the gas phase. The possible mechanisms of the formation of pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid imide at the oxidative ammonolysis of 3,4-dimethylpyridine was discussed. The relation between the activity of the modified catalysts and the proton affinity of the vanadyl oxygen calculated by the extended Hückel method was established.     

Formation of a Cluster H<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>10</Subscript>O<Stack><Subscript>28</Subscript><Superscript>4–</Superscript></Stack> under the Action of Brønsted Acids and Its Catalytic Activity in Oxidation of Alkylbenzenes

New method was developed for the preparation of vanadium cluster of the composition {Me₂NH₂}₄* H₂V₁₀O₂₈ from vanadyl(IV) acetylacetonate in the presence of 2-hydroxy-2-trifluoromethylchroman-4-one or its synthetic precursor, 2′-hydroxyacetophenone. The structure of the cluster was proved by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The cluster of decavanadate catalyzes oxidation of toluene and o-xylene creating promising situation for developing new catalytic materials.     

Reaction of [VO(OPr)3] with hexamethyldisylthiane in the presence of β-diketones

The reaction of [VO(OPr)₃] (Pr is n-propyl) with hexamethyldisylthiane Me₃SiSSiMe₃ in the presence of β-diketones (acetylacetone (HAcac), hexafluoroacetylacetone (Hfac), and dipivaloylmethane (Dpm)), is studied. In all cases, vanadium(IV) and vanadium(III) β-diketonate complexes of different types are formed. New crystalline modification [V(Acac)₃] is obtained in the reaction with HAcac. The mixedligand vanadium(III) complex of the composition [V₂(Hfac)₂(μ-OPr)]₂ is formed with Hfac. In the presence of Dpm, the known vanadium(IV) complex [V₂O₂(Dpm)₂(μ-OPr)₂] is obtained in which two vanadyl groups VO²⁺ are linked by two bridging propoxy groups. The structures of all products are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Two new open framework cobalt phosphates: NaCo3(OH)(PO4)2.1/4H2O and Na(NH4)Co2(PO4)2.H2O

Two new cobalt phosphates, NaCo₃(OH)(PO₄)₂.1/4H₂O (1) and Na(NH₄)Co₂(PO₄)₂.H₂O (2) have been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods, vibrational (IR and Raman) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and magnetic measurements. The structure of 1 is a new framework type while 2 is an example of a chiral cobalt phosphate. Both phases contain channels in which the Na⁺, NH₄⁺ cations and H₂O molecules are located.     

Copolymerization of ethylene and propylene catalyzed by magnesium chloride supported vanadium/titanium bimetallic Ziegler-Natta catalysts

Magnesium chloride supported vanadium/titanium bimetallic Ziegler-Natta catalysts with di-i-butyl phthalate as internal donor for copolymerization of ethylene and propylene were prepared.The effects of reaction temperature, ethylene/propylene molar ratio,aluminium/vanadium（Al/V）molar ratio and titanium/vanadium molar ratio on the catalytic activity were investigated.The molecular weight,molecular weight distribution,sequence composition and crystallinity of the products were measured by gel permeation chromatography,¹³C-NMR and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, respectively.In comparison to the vanadium and titanium catalysts,the bimetallic catalyst showed higher catalytic activity and better copolymerization performance.The obtained ethylene/propylene copolymers have high molecular weight （10⁵）,broad molecular weight distribution,high propylene content with random or short blocked sequence structures （r_Er_P=1.919）,low melting temperatures and low crystallinities（X_c<20%）.     

A label-free electrochemical biosensor for trace uranium based on DNAzymes and gold nanoparticles

A novel and highly sensitive electrochemical DNAzymes biosensor was fabricated using Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) immobilized on the surface of Au electrode that had been previously modified with self-assembled monolayers of 1,6-hexanedithiol. Different modified electrodes were prepared and characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The AuNPs were found to have a large surface area to anchor a large number of negatively charged phosphate backbones of DNAzymes, which further absorbed the electroactive indicator of hexaammineruthenium(III) ([Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺) to amplify the electrochemical signal. In the presence of target molecules, a large amount of DNA partly associated with [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ were removed from the electrode surface, leading to a significant decrease in peak current. Differential pulse voltammetry signals of [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ provided quantitative measures of the concentrations of uranyl ion (UO₂ ²⁺), with linear calibration ranging from 13 pM to 0.15 nM and a detection limit of 5 pM. The presence of other metal ions did not affect the detection of UO₂ ²⁺, which indicated the high specificity of UO₂ ²⁺. Therefore, a new electrochemical DNAzymes sensor was designed with specific DNAzymes and AuNPs as immobilization platform and signal amplifier.     

A Novel NH2/ITO Ion Implantation Electrode: Preparation,Characterization, and Application in Bioelectrochemistry

A novel NH₂⁺ ion implantation‐modified indium tin oxide (NH₂/ITO) electrode was prepared. Acid‐pretreated, negatively charged MWNTs were firstly modified on the surface of NH₂⁺ ion implantation electrode, then, positively charged Mb was adsorbed onto MWNTs films by electrostatic interaction. The assembly of MWNTs and Mb was characterized with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The immobilized Mb showed a couple of quasireversible cyclic voltammetry peaks in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The apparent surface concentration of Mb at the electrode surface was 1.06×10^?9 mol cm^?2. The Mb/MWNTs/NH₂/ITO electrode also gave an improved electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The catalysis currents increased linearly to the H₂O₂ concentration in a wide range from 9×10^?7 to 9.2×10^?5 M with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The detection limit was 9.0×10^?7 M. The experiment results demonstrated that the modified electrode provided a biocompatible microenvironment for protein and supplied a necessary pathway for its direct electron transfer.