Ternary LiBH4–MgH2–NaAlH4 hydride confined into nanoporous carbon host for reversible hydrogen storage

Ternary hydride of LiBH₄–MgH₂–NaAlH₄ confined into carbo n aerogel scaffold (CAS) via melt infiltration for reversible hydrogen storage is proposed. Nanoconfinement of hydrides into CAS is obtained together with surface occupation of some phases, such as Al and/or LiH. Regarding nanoconfinement, not only multiple-step decomposition of LiBH₄–MgH₂–NaAlH₄ hydride reduces to about single step, but also reduction of dehydrogenation temperature is significantly observed, for example, ∆T up to 70 °C regarding last dehydrogenation step. Moreover, decomposition of NaBH₄ in nanoconfined sample can be done at 360 °C (dehydrogenation temperature in this study), which is 115 and 180 °C lower than that of NaBH₄ in milled LiBH₄–MgH₂–NaAlH₄ and bulk NaBH₄, respectively. The reaction of LiBH₄+NaAlH₄→LiAlH₄+NaBH₄ takes place during nanoconfinement and the decomposition of LiAlH₄ is observed, resulting deficient hydrogen content liberated. However, hydrogen content released (1st cycle) and reproduced (2nd–4th cycles) from this ternary hydride enhances up to 11% and 22% of full hydrogen storage capacity due to nanoconfinement. After rehydrogenation (T=360 °C and P(H₂)=50 bar H₂ for 12 h), NaBH₄, MgH₂, and Li₃AlH₆ are reversible, whereas Li₃AlH₆ and NaBH₄ in milled sample cannot be recovered due to deficient hydrogen pressure (T=360 °C and P(H₂)=80 bar) and probably evaporation of molten sodium during dehydrogenation, respectively. The latter results in inferior hydrogen content reproduced from milled sample to nanoconfined sample.     

Single crystalline graphene synthesized by thermal annealing of humic acid over copper foils

Production of graphene by thermal annealing on copper foil substrates has been studied with different sources of carbon. The three carbon sources include humic acid derived from leonardite, graphenol, and activated charcoal. Hexagonal single crystalline graphene has been synthesized over the copper foil substrates by thermal annealing of humic acid, derived from leonardite, in argon and hydrogen atmosphere (Ar/H₂=20). The annealing temperature was varied between 1050 °C and 1100 °C at atmospheric pressure. Samples have been investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. At lower temperatures the thermal annealing of the three carbon sources used in this study produces pristine graphene nanosheets which cover almost the whole substrate. However when the annealing temperature has been increased up to 1100 °C, hexagonal single crystalline graphene have been observed only in the case of the humic acid. Raman analysis showed the existence of 2D band around 2690 cm⁻¹.     

Detection of OH radical and O atom during triboluminescence of hydrated cerium/terbium sulfates

Triboluminescence of Се₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O and Tb₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O crystals has been studied. For the first time spectral evidence for a contribution of light-emitting products OH^? (283 and 290 nm maxima, 1–0 transition; 308.4 and 309.6 nm, 0–0 transition) and excited oxygen atom O^? (777 nm, 3P⁵P—3S⁵S) produced via mechano-chemical decomposition of H₂O and O₂ molecules in the destruction of crystal hydrates of the salts to the gas-phase component of triboluminescence has been obtained.     

Synthesis and visible light photocatalysis water splitting property of chromium-doped Bi4Ti3O12

Photocatalysts Bi₄Ti_3 ? xCr_xO₁₂(x = 0.00, 0.06, 0.15, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50) with perovskite structure were synthesized by sol–gel method and their electronic structures and photocatalytic activities were investigated. The Bi₄Ti_2.6Cr_0.4O₁₂ photocatalyst exhibited the highest performance of H₂ evolution in methanol aqueous solution (58.1 μmol h^? 1 g^? 1) under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm) without a co-catalyst, whereas no H₂ evolution is observed for Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ under the same conditions. The UV–vis spectra indicated that the Bi₄Ti_2.6Cr_0.4O₁₂ had strong photoabsorption in the visible light region. The results of density functional theory (DFT) calculation illuminate that the conduction bands of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ are mainly attributable to the Ti 3d + Bi 6p orbitals, and the valence bands are composed of O 2p + Bi 6s hybrid orbitals, while the conduction bands of chromium-doped Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ are mainly attributable to the Ti 3d + Bi 2p + Cr 3d orbitals, and the O 2p + Cr 3d hybrid obitals are the main contribution to the valence band.     

Structural,vibrational study and superprotonic behavior of a new mixed dipotassium hydrogenselenate dihydrogenphosphate K2(HSeO4)1.5(H2PO4)0.5

Ongoing studies of the KHSeO₄–KH₂PO₄ system aiming at developing novel proton conducting solids resulted in the new compound K₂(HSeO₄)_1.5(H₂PO₄)_0.5 (dipotassium hydrogenselenate dihydrogenphosphate). The crystals were prepared by a slow evaporation of an aqueous solution at room temperature. The structural properties of the crystals were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis: K₂(HSeO₄)_1.5(H₂PO₄)_0.5 (denoted KHSeP) crystallizes in the space group P 1¯ with the lattice parameters: a = 7.417(3) Å, b = 7.668(2) Å, c = 7.744(5) Å, α = 71.59(3)°, β = 87.71(4)° and γ = 86.04(6)°. This structure is characterized by HSeO₄⁻ and disordered (H_xSe/P)O₄⁻ tetrahedra connected to dimers via hydrogen bridges. These dimers are linked and stabilized by additional hydrogen bonds (O–H–O) and hydrogen bridges (O–H…O) to build chains of dimers which are parallel to the [0, 1, 0] direction at the position x = 0.5.The differential scanning calorimetry diagram showed two anomalies at 493 and 563 K. These transitions were also characterized by optical birefringence, impedance and modulus spectroscopy techniques. The conductivity relaxation parameters of the proton conductors in this compound were determined in a wide temperature range. The transport properties in this material are assumed to be due to H⁺ protons hopping mechanism.     

Ab initio study of Yb on the Ge(111)–(3 × 2) and Si(111)–(3 × 2) surfaces

The surface reconstruction, 3 × 2, induced by Yb adsorption on a Ge (Si)(111) surface has been studied using first principles density-functional calculation within the generalized gradient approximation. The two different possible adsorption sites have been considered: (i) H₃ (this site is directly above a fourth-layer Ge (Si) atom) and (ii) T₄ (directly above a second-layer Ge (Si) atom). We have found that the total energies corresponding to these binding sites are nearly the same, indeed for the Yb/Ge (Si)(111)–(3 × 2) structure the T₄ model is slightly energetic by about 0.01 (0.08) eV/unitcell compared with the H₃ model. In particular for the Ge sublayer, the energy difference is small, and therefore it is possible that the T₄, H₃, or T₄H₃ (half of the adatoms occupy the T₄ adsorption site and the rest of the adatoms are located at the H₃ site) binding sites can coexist with REM/Ge(111)–(3 × 2). In contrast to the proposed model, we have not determined any buckling in the Ge = Ge double bond. The electronic band structures of the surfaces and the corresponding natures of their orbitals have also been calculated. Our results for both substrates are seen to be in agreement with the recent experimental data, especially that of the Yb/Si(111)–(3 × 2) surface.     

Maximum magnetic entropy change modulated toward room temperature in perovskite manganites La0.7−xNdx(Ca,Sr)0.3MnO3

With Nd³⁺ doping and Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ modulating in the sol–gel technique, a series of polycrystalline perovskite samples La_0.7?xNd_x(Ca,Sr)_0.3MnO₃ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) was prepared, their maximum magnetic entropy changes were tuned to room temperature (ΔS_H = ?1.47 J/kg K at 298 k for La_0.45Nd_0.25(Ca,Sr)_0.3MnO₃), an enhancement of the maximum magnetic entropy change (ΔS_H = ?1.89 J/kg K at 315 k) and its refrigerant capacity (about 45.3 J/kg) had also been obtained under 9 kOe magnetic field variation for La_0.55Nd_0.15(Ca,Sr)_0.3MnO₃ contrast to La_0.7(Ca,Sr)_0.3MnO₃.     

Color center of YAlO3 with cation vacancies

High quality pure YAlO₃ crystal with dimension of Φ 30 × 50 mm² was grown by Czochralski technique. UV irradiation and air annealing bring additional absorption in the region 200–800 nm. The absorption spectra of perfect YAlO₃ and YAlO₃ containing cation vacancy (aluminium vacancy and yttrium vacancy) were calculated using density functional theory code CASTEP. Comparison of the simulated absorption spectra with the experimental absorption spectra of YAlO₃ after UV irradiation and air annealing treatments shows that cation vacancies are responsible for part of the coloration on YAlO₃ crystal.     

Ab initio studies of isolated hydrogen vacancies in graphane

We present a density functional study of various hydrogen vacancies located on a single hexagonal ring of graphane (fully hydrogenated graphene) considering the effects of charge states and the position of the Fermi level. We find that uncharged vacancies that lead to a carbon sublattice balance are energetically favorable and are wide band gap systems just like pristine graphane. Vacancies that do create a sublattice imbalance introduce spin polarized states into the band gap, and exhibit a half-metallic behavior with a magnetic moment of 1.00 μ_B per vacancy. The results show the possibility of using vacancies in graphane for novel spin-based applications. When charging such vacancy configurations, the deep donor (+1/0) and deep acceptor (0/−1) transition levels within the band gap are noted. We also note a half-metallic to metallic transition and a significant reduction of the induced magnetic moment due to both negative and positive charge doping.     

High temperature protonic conduction in Sr-doped LaP3O9

Electrical conduction of Sr-doped LaP₃O₉ ([Sr]/{[La] + [Sr]} = 2–10 mol%) was investigated under 0.4–5 kPa of p(H₂O) and 0.01–100 kPa of p(O₂) or 0.3–3 kPa of p(H₂) at 573–973 K. Sr-doped LaP₃O₉ showed apparent H/D isotope effect on conductivity regardless of the Sr-doping level under both H₂O/O₂ oxidizing and H₂/H₂O reducing conditions at investigated temperatures. Conductivities of the material were almost independent of p(O₂) and p(H₂O). These results demonstrated that the Sr-doped LaP₃O₉ exhibited protonic conduction under wide ranges of p(O₂), p(H₂O) and temperature. The conductivity of the Sr-doped LaP₃O₉ increased with increasing Sr concentration up to its solubility limit, ca. 3 mol%, while the further Sr-doping slightly degraded the conductivity. These indicate that Sr²⁺ substitution for La³⁺ leads to proton dissolution into the material and induced protonic conduction. Conductivities of the 3 mol% Sr-doped sample were 2 × 10^- 6–5 × 10^− 4 S cm^− 1 at 573–973 K.     

Quantification of local oxygen defects around Yttrium ions for yttria-doped ceria–zirconia ternary system

Local coordination structure around Yttrium ions in CeO₂–Y₂O₃ binary and [(CeO₂)_x(ZrO₂)_1?x]_0.8(YO_1.5)_0.2 (x = 0.0 ~ 1.0) ternary system has been investigated by ⁸⁹Y MAS-NMR. NMR spectra are found to be consisted of multiple peaks that can be assigned to 6-, 7- and 8-oxygen coordinated Yttrium ions. Compositional dependence of the spectrum was observed and compared with the previous results for ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ binary system. The present investigation suggested the degree of localization of the oxygen vacancy around the cation is in the order of Zr⁴⁺ > Y³⁺ > Ce⁴⁺. The degree of the oxygen vacancy preference for each cation was quantitatively determined for CeO₂–ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ ternary system the first time.     

In situ XPS and MS study of methanol decomposition and oxidation on Pd(111) under millibar pressure range

The methanol decomposition and oxidation on a Pd(111) single crystal have been investigated in situ using ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and mass-spectrometry (MS) in the temperature range of 300–600 K. It was found that even in the oxygen presence the methanol decomposition on palladium proceeds through two competitive routes: fast dehydrogenation to CO and H₂, and slow decomposition of methanol via the C–O bond scission. The rate of the second route is significant even in the millibar pressure range, which leads to a blocking of the palladium surface by carbon and to a prevention of the further methanol conversion. As a result, no gas phase products of methanol decomposition were detected by mass-spectrometry at 0.1 mbar CH₃OH in the whole temperature range. The methanol C–O bond scission produces CH_x species, which fast dehydrogenate to atomic carbon even at room temperature and further partially dissolve in the palladium bulk at 400 K with the formation of the PdC_x phase. According to in situ XPS data, the PdC_x phase forms even in the oxygen excess. The application of an in situ XPS–MS technique unambiguously shows a good correlation between a decrease in the surface concentration of all carbon-containing species and the rate of methanol conversion. Since these carbon species have a high reactivity towards oxygen, heating of Pd(111) above 450 K in a methanol–oxygen mixture yields CO, CO₂, and water. The product distribution indicates that the main route of methanol conversion is the dehydrogenation of methanol to CO and hydrogen. However, under the experimental conditions used, hydrogen is completely oxidized to water, while CO is partially oxidized to CO₂. No palladium oxide was detected by XPS in these conditions.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,spectroscopic characterization and optical properties of bis(4-acetylanilinium) tetrachlorocobalt (II)

The chemical preparation, crystal structure, spectroscopic investigations and optical features are given for a novel organic–inorganic hybrid material [C₈H₁₀NO]₂CoCl₄.The compound is crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Cmca, with the following unit cell parameters: a=19.461(2) Å, b=15.523(2) Å, c=13.7436(15) Å, and Z=8. The atomic arrangement shows an alternation of organic and inorganic layers along the b-axis. The cohesion between these entities is performed by N–H…Cl and N–H…O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions.Infrared and Raman spectra at room temperature are recorded in the 4000−400 and 4000−0 cm⁻¹ frequency regions, respectively and analyzed on the basis of literature data. This study confirms the presence of the organic cation [C₈H₁₀NO]⁺ and of the [CoCl₄]²⁻ anion. UV–vis spectroscopy results showed the indirect transition with band gap energy 2.98 eV.     

Resourceful synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines under ultrasound irradiation

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines were synthesized via the ultrasonic sonochemical method using the cyclocondensation reaction of 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-alken-2-ones [CF₃C(O)CH = C(R)(OMe) – where R = Me, Bu, i-Bu, Ph, 4-Me–C₆H₄, 4-F–C₆H₄, 4-Cl–C₆H₄, 4-Br–C₆H₄, naphth-2-yl and biphen-4-yl] – with 3-amino-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole in the presence of EtOH for 5 min. This methodology has several advantages, for example, it is a simple procedure, it has an easy work-up, mild conditions, short reaction times (5 min) and produces satisfactory yields (61–98%).     

A comparative DFT study of adsorption and catalytic performance of Au nanoparticles at anatase and brookite TiO2 surfaces

We have compared the adsorption properties of small Au_n (n = 1–8) nanoparticles on the defect-free (stoichiometric) and defective (partially reduced) brookite TiO₂(210) and anatase TiO₂(101) surfaces using density functional theory calculations. The interaction between Au atoms and anatase TiO₂(101) was determined to be quite weak and small Au_n particles grown at defects (O vacancies) prefer extended 2D structures. By contrast, dispersion and 3D configurations appear to be favored at brookite TiO₂(210) for Au_n nanoparticles due to their strong interaction. Calculations of CO oxidation at Au_n (n = 6–8) particles supported at defective brookite TiO₂(210) show that occurrence of protruding low-coordinated Au atoms is essential for favorable CO adsorption and subsequent reaction with O₂. In particular, the configuration of the Au_n nanoparticles can determine the energetics in the formation of active Au atoms, and their mobility also affects the reaction between CO and O₂ (or O).     

Two-step method preparation of graphene without hydrogen on methanol pretreatment copper substrate by PECVD at low temperature

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is one effective method to prepare graphene at low temperature in a short time. However, the low temperature in PECVD could not provide substrate a proper state for large area and few layer graphene preparation. Herein, we propose a two-step method to grow graphene on Cu foils. In the first step, in order to acquire a smooth and oxide-free surface state, methanol was used as a reductant to pretreat Cu. In the second step, graphene films were prepared on Cu foils by PECVD using CH₄ as carbon source with H₂-free. Few-layer graphene sheets with diameter about 1 μm under low temperature (700 °C) and at a short time (10 min) on well pretreated Cu foils were successfully gotten. The effect of methanol pretreatment on graphene synthesis and the graphene growth mechanism on Cu substrate by PECVD are analyzed comprehensively.     

Sonochemical fabrication of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide for biosensors

This study synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles of 30–40 nm by a sonochemical method, and these particles were uniformly dispersed on the reduced graphene oxide sheets (Fe₃O₄/RGO). The superparamagnetic property of Fe₃O₄/RGO was evidenced from a saturated magnetization of 30 emu/g tested by a sample-vibrating magnetometer. Based on the testing results, we proposed a mechanism of ultrasonic waves to explain the formation and dispersion of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on RGO. A biosensor was fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode with the combination of Fe₃O₄/RGO and hemoglobin. The biosensor showed an excellent electrocatalytic reduction toward H₂O₂ at a wide, linear range from 4 × 10^?6 to 1 × 10^?3 M (R² = 0.994) as examined by amperometry, and with a detection limit of 2 × 10^?6 M. The high performance of H₂O₂ detection is attributed to the synergistic effect of the combination of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and RGO, promoting the electron transfer between the peroxide and electrode surface.     

Ab-initio study of Sr-doping effects on nitric oxide adsorption on the LaO (001) surface of LaFeO3

Density-functional calculations of molecular nitric oxide (NO) on defective (La,Sr)O (001) surfaces of (La,Sr)FeO_3 ? δ using slab models are performed to elucidate the oxygen vacancy formation problem on the LaO (001) surface of LaFeO_3 ? δ.From the estimation of the NO adsorption energy, NO adsorption is found on (La,Sr)O surfaces of (La_0.83,Sr_0.17)FeO_3 ? δ with δ = 0 or 0.25.The absolute value of the NO adsorption energy shows a remarkable increase at oxygen vacancies in the top surface layer, where the nitrogen atoms of the adsorbed molecules are embedded in the first (La,Sr)O layer, because a bond with Fe in the second FeO₂ layer is formed.Our data shows that Sr doping promotes formation of oxygen vacancies, which keep the NO adsorption ability high.Thus, we conclude that if Sr doping increases the number of oxygen vacancy sites by a charge compensation effect, NO adsorption on LaFeO₃ is enhanced, which provides an explanation for several experimental observations.     

Magnetic characterisation and hydrogen absorption characteristics of Pr3(Fe,Ti)29Hx

An interstitial Pr₃(Fe,Ti)₂₉ hydride was synthesised by gas-phase hydrogenation on Pr₃(Fe,Ti)₂₉ powder using H₂. The reaction kinetics between Pr₃(Fe,Ti)₂₉ and H₂ gases was studied in a constant-volume reactor. The sample starts to rapidly absorb hydrogen, interstitially, at about 533 K. Absorption passes through a maximum at about 598 K (1.6 H/f.u) and then interstitial hydrogen desorption takes place up to the temperature of 673 K. By cooling to room temperature, the sample absorbs more hydrogen, interstitially, reaching the value of 3.6 H/f.u. By remaining at room temperature, the sample absorbs even more hydrogen reaching the value of 5.2 H/f.u. The lattice expansion observed is 2.1% and the Curie temperature, T_C, increased from 392 to 518 K. The hydride exhibits saturation magnetisation, M_S, of 145.4 and 157.5 Am²/kg at room temperature (RT) and at 5 K, respectively, anisotropy field, H_A, of 2.1 T (RT) and 4.5 T (5 K) and average hyperfine field, H_eff, of 23.3 T (RT). The magnetic anisotropy of Pr₃(Fe,Ti)₂₉ hydride is the same as that of the parent compounds, easy-cone-like, changing only in the cone angle (from 34° to 26°).     

Carbon doping of MgB2 by toluene and malic-acid-in-toluene

The decomposition of malic acid (C₄H₆O₅) in the presence of Mg and B was studied using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) which revealed that malic acid reacted with Mg but not B. Also, the addition of toluene (C₇H₈) to dissolve malic acid followed by subsequent drying resulted in no reaction with Mg, indicating that the malic acid had decomposed during the dissolution/drying stage. The total carbon contributed by toluene versus a toluene/5 wt.% malic acid mixture was measured using a LECO CS600 carbon analyzer. The toluene sample contained ～0.4 wt.% C while the toluene/malic acid mixture had ～1.5 wt.% C, demonstrating that the toluene contributed a significant amount of carbon to the final product. Resistivity measurements on powder-in-tube MgB₂ monofilamentary wires established that the toluene/malic acid doped sample had the highest B_c2. However, the toluene-only sample had the highest transport J_c over most of the magnetic field range (0–9 T), equaled only by that of toluene/malic-acid sample in fields above 9 T.