Crystal chemistry on a lattice: The case of BZN and BZN-related pyrochlores

This paper uses a diagnostic, highly structured diffuse intensity distribution to investigate the local crystal chemistry of (Bi_1.5Zn_0.5−δ)(Zn_0.5Nb_1.5)O_7−δ (BZN) as well as Sn⁴⁺ and Ti⁴⁺, B site substituted, BZN-related pyrochlore phases. The structured diffuse distribution of the B site substituted material is found to be remarkably similar to that observed for BZN itself. In the special case of (Bi_1.5Zn_0.5)(Ti_1.5Nb_0.5)O₇ (BZNT), the continuous G±〈10l〉* type diffuse streaking characteristic of BZN-related pyrochlores has virtually condensed out to give just G±〈001〉* “satellite reflections” and a P-centred, close to a superstructure phase of average pyrochlore unit cell dimensions. Bond valence sum considerations are used to investigate the local crystal chemistry of this BZNT phase and to derive a plausible model for this superstructure phase. Monte Carlo modelling is used to confirm the plausibility of the model proposed. The underlying crystal chemistry of BZN and BZN-related pyrochlores is shown to result from strong local Bi/Zn ordering rules and associated large amplitude structural relaxation.     

Spectroscopic and Thermal Study of Mixed Ligand Complexes of Cobalt (II) with β-Diketones and Pyrazinamide.

Abstract

The synthesis of mixed ligand of cobalt (II) with β-diketones (β-dik) (acetylacetone and hexafluoroacetylacetone) and pyrazinamide is proposed. The compounds were investigated by IR- and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies, differential thermal analysis. It is shown that Co (II) β-diketonates (acetylacetone, hexafluoroacetylacetone) mixed ligand complexes with pyrazinamide have a structure corresponding to a distorted octahedron, having D_4h symmetry. The complexes are bonded through hydrogen bonds via water molecules.     

Modeling of Phase Separation in Alloys with Coherent Elastic Misfit

Elastic interactions arising from a difference of lattice spacing between two coherent phases can have a strong influence on the phase separation (coarsening) behavior of alloys. If the elastic moduli are different in the two phases, the elastic interactions may accelerate, slow down or even stop the phase separation process. If the material is elastically anisotropic, the precipitates can be shaped like plates or needles instead of spheres and can arrange themselves into highly correlated patterns. Tensions or compressions applied externally to the specimen may have a strong effect on the shapes and arrangement of the precipitates. In this paper, we review the main theoretical approaches that have been used to model these effects and we relate them to experimental observations. The theoretical approaches considered are (i) macroscopic models treating the two phases as elastic media separated by a sharp interface, (ii) mesoscopic models in which the concentration varies continuously across the interface, and (iii) microscopic models which use the positions of individual atoms.     

Rigid unit modes (RUMs) of distortion, local crystal chemistry and the inherent displacive flexibility of microporous AlPO4-11

Electron diffraction is used to investigate the average structure of microporous AlPO₄-11 as well as the zero-frequency rigid unit mode (RUM) modes of distortion of the ideal AlPO₄-11 tetrahedral framework. Direct experimental evidence (in the form of a highly structured, characteristic diffuse intensity distribution) has been found for the (presumably dynamic) excitation of numerous zero-frequency RUM modes of distortion. The lattice dynamic program CRUSH is used to confirm the existence of zero-frequency RUM modes of distortion with wave-vectors falling on the observed diffuse distribution. The simultaneous (presumably dynamic) excitation of such RUM modes of distortion needs to be taken into account in order for the local crystal chemistry of AlPO₄-11 to be understood.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Reversible Thermochromism of Guanidinium Hexabromotellurate(IV)

Guanidinium hexabromotellurate(IV), C₂H₁₂N₆TeBr₆, has been synthesized and characterized by element analysis and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Its crystal structure has been determined (R=0.027). The complex is built from layers of [TeBr₆]^2– anions and [CH₅N₃H]⁺ cations linked by N–H...Br hydrogen bonds and united by van der Waals interactions into a 3D framework. The electronic factors governing the spectral behavior of the complexes at 100 and 300 K are discussed, and reversible thermochromism has been revealed.     

A critical comparison of solid sample preparation techniques in infrared spectroscopy

The growing capabilities of FTIR spectrometers and computers have opened the use of new sample preparation techniques in infrared spectroscopy. In addition to the established KBr pellet technique and ATR spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance and photoacoustic spectroscopy are increasing in importance. A systematic experimental comparison of these techniques has been made in order to make proper use of their mutual advantages.     

Intercalation of Methylene Blue into Mordenites: Role of Zeolite Acidity

The intercalation of methylene blue into mordenite zeolite was studied by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Methylene blue was incorporated into mordenite by ion exchange in the aqueous phase. Samples of sodium, calcium and protonated mordenite were subjected to methylene blue loading. The DR spectra observed shortly after mixing the dye with sodium mordenite are those of aggregated species adsorbed on the surface. The period of intercalation is very short (1 h) for protonated mordenite and is too long for calcium mordenite (7 days). The hydrated mordenite samples containing intercalated methylene blue show two 660 and 610 nm bands which are assigned to monomeric and dimeric species of methylene blue, respectively. Upon dehydration a new band at 745 nm is observed which corresponds to the protonated dye molecule. The intensity of this band increases with severity of dehydration. Those dehydrated samples containing merely aggregated dye molecules adsorbed on the surface do not show the 745 nm band. The protonation of methylene blue is reversible by the dehydration-hydration process.     

A TEM, XRD, and crystal chemical investigation of oxygen/vacancy ordering in (Ba1−xLax)2In2O5+x, 0x0.6

A careful TEM and XRD study of the (Ba_1−xLa_x)₂In₂O_5+x, 0x0.6, ‘defect-perovskite’-type solid solution has been carried out. A well-defined structural phase transition is shown to occur between x=0.1 and 0.2 from the orthorhombic brownmillerite structure type on the low x side to a multiple twinned, tetragonal 1×1×2 perovskite-related superstructure phase on the high x side at x=0.2. This phase transition correlates with an important phase transition previously observed in electrical conductivity versus temperature measurements. The existence of additional satellite reflections close to the regions of reciprocal space was found to be typical of all (Ba_1−xLa_x)₂In₂O_5+x specimens, although their intensity relative to the parent Bragg reflections systematically reduces as x increases. As x increases beyond 0.2, the -type satellite reflections initially become weaker and rather more diffuse for x=0.3 before splitting into pairs of rather weak and somewhat diffuse incommensurate satellite reflections for x=0.4 and beyond. An interpretation in terms of oxygen vacancy ordering and associated structural relaxation is given. Additional structured diffuse scattering is also observed and a tentative explanation in terms of Ba/La ordering and associated local strain distortions put forward.     

Accounting for diffuse layer ions in triple-layer models

The triple-layer model is one of the most widely used surface complexation models for adsorption on mineral surfaces. In current implementations, the accounting of ions in the diffuse layer may be neglected, resulting in a charge imbalance in the modeled solution as well as errors in mass balance, particularly in low ionic strength solutions when mineral-specific surface area is large. This paper introduces an internally consistent scheme for modeling diffuse layer ions in the triple-layer model. Model calculations illustrate the difference between the proposed and previous implementations using an idealized example. The guarantee of charge balance on both sides of the interface assures that pH is accurately modeled. This may be important in reactive transport simulations, such as modeling adsorption in low ionic strength variable charge soil solutions.     

Ag/Al2O3催化乙醇和甲醚选择性还原NOx反应机理的原位红外光谱研究

 尽管C2H5OH和CH3OCH3是同分异构体,但在以Ag/Al2O3为催化剂选择性催化还原NOx时,还原剂C2H5OH比CH3OCH3具有更高的活性. 原位漫反射红外光谱研究表明, C2H5OH和CH3OCH3在还原NOx反应过程中分别遵循不同的反应机理: 在Ag/Al2O3催化C2H5OH还原剂选择性还原NOx的反应过程中,烯醇式物种(RCH=CH-O-)和NO-3物种是主要的反应中间体,二者相互反应性能很强,可以生成反应关键中间体异氰酸酯(-NCO)表面吸附物种,因此NOx的去除率很高; 而在Ag/Al2O3催化CH3OCH3还原剂选择性还原NOx的反应过程中,甲酸盐(HCOO-)物种和NO-3物种是主要的反应中间体,二者之间反应生成-NCO 的活性较弱,因而NOx的去除率较低.