Vapour and plasma ignition thresholds for visible pulsed-laser ablation of metallic targets

The coupling of visible nanosecond laser pulses to metallic targets irradiated in vacuum is studied. The expressions of the vapour and plasma ignition times are obtained. Two cases for vapour breakdown in the plasma ignition process are considered. The first case is that 40 generations of new electrons are born in vapour generation time before plasma formation as assumed in the literature. The second case is that 10 generations of new electrons are born in vapour generation time. Molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb) and aluminium (Al) targets are considered for illustrations of our results. The expression of the plasma ignition time for the Al target is substantially different from that reported in the literature. The vapour and plasma ignition threshold laser intensities are calculated and compared with those reported in the literature. Reasons for disagreement are discussed. The plasma ignition threshold estimated in the second case is noted to be in good agreement with the reported experimental result.     

Crystallization and second harmonic generation in thermally poled niobium borophosphate glasses

Crystallization of glasses with compositions (1−x)(0.95 NaPO₃+0.05 Na₂B₄O₇)+xNb₂O₅, x=0.4, 0.43, 0.45, 0.48 was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. Crystallization of two phases was observed in the glasses with x=0.43-0.48. First phase is a sodium niobate with the structure of tetragonal tungsten bronze () and second phase is Na₄Nb₈P₄O₃₂ (). The crystallization of sodium niobate is correlated with increasing of nonlinear optical efficiency reported for thermally poled glasses with x>0.4. The results of Raman spectroscopy show the formation of three-dimensional (3D) niobium oxide framework in the glasses with increase of niobium concentration. This framework is supposed to have tetragonal tungsten bronze structure and to be responsible for nonlinear optical properties of the glass. Second harmonic generation signals of as prepared and crystallized glass after thermal poling are compared. The nucleation and crystallization do not improve the NLO properties of the glasses under study.     

Aromatic hydrocarbons, carbocyclic ligands spanning several oxidation states in both Main Group and transition elements. Recent advances with early transition d elements

In this paper some synthetic procedures to obtain (η⁶-arene)metal derivatives are reviewed. The metal-atom-arene-vapor co-condensation technique is the most appropriate to generate complexes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or heterocycles. As far as the aluminium halide-mediated synthesis is concerned, two classes of reaction are observed. When AlX₃ is used with a metal halide in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon in the absence of any reducing agent, AlX₃ can function as a dehalogenating agent, to give ionic compounds of general formula [M(η⁶-arene)n](AlX₄)_m, or it can add across the M---X bond with formation of M(μ-X)_nAlX_4−n systems. In both cases the metal displays its typical oxidation state. However, the use of AlX₃ in combination with aluminium (the Fischer-Hafner reducing system) affords ionic or covalent low-oxidation-state metal(η⁶-arene) complexes. Attention is focused on our most recent results concerning the synthesis, properties and reactivity of η⁶-arene derivatives of Group 4 and 5 elements, showing, inter alia, the first example of a tetraarylborate anion behaving as a 12-electron donor to one metal atom and low-valent η⁶-arene compounds as useful reagents in the inorganic and coordination chemistry of the corresponding metal in nonaqueous systems.     

Optimizing Cs-exchange in titanosilicate with the mineral pharmacosiderite topology: framework substitution of Nb and Ge

Titanosilicates with complete or partial substitution of Ge or Nb in the framework and having the mineral pharmacosiderite topology were hydrothermally prepared and their ion-exchange properties towards Cs were studied for Ti/Ge/Si, Ti/Si, Nb/Ti/Si and pure Ge phases. The basis for the differences in the ion exchange properties measured as distribution coefficients (K_d) for these materials are detailed via structural characterization using the Rietveld refinement technique on the X-ray powder diffraction data. The differences in affinity towards Cs⁺ result either from the degree of hydration of the exchanger resulting in different coordination environments or the position of cesium ion in the eight-ring channel.     

Structural materials: metal-silicon-Boron. The Nb-rich corner of the Nb-Si-B system

Phase equilibria in the Nb-Nb₅Si₃-NbB region were studied in the melting (crystallization) range by means of light microscopy, XRD, SEM and EMPA on alloys after arc-melting and annealing at 1800°C and at subsolidus temperatures. Phase transition and melting temperatures were determined by DTA and pyrometric Pirani-Alterthum technique resulting in a solidus projection and two isopleths, Nb₇₇Si₂₃-Nb₇₇B₂₃ and Nb₉₉Si₁-Nb₅Si₂B. The T₂-phase Nb₅Si_3−xB_x (0?x?2, Cr₅B₃-type) was found to form equilibria with (Nb), NbB, Nb₃Si, and with the T₁-phase (Mn₅Si₃ derivative type). The T₂-phase melts incongruently (Nb₅Si_1.8B_1.2 at 2245°C) and forms a quasibinary eutectic with the niobium solid solution on a minimum tie-line at ∼1880°C.     

Preparation and crystal structure of Nb6.74 Ta5.26S4 – a new compound in the ternary system Ta?Nb?S

Nb_6.74Ta_5.26S₄ has been prepared by high temperature techniques. The crystal structure has been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data (R/R_w = 0.0588/0.0655). The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with unit cell dimensions a = 959.11 (26) pm, b = 336.37 (10) pm, and c = 3282.51 (74) pm. The orthorhombic cell contains four formula units. Its structure is similar to that of Nb-rich sulfides, rather than to that of Ta-rich sulfides. The metal coordinations are capped distorted cubic prisms and pentagonal prisms while the coordinations of sulfur are capped trigonal prisms.     

Oxoniobates Containing Metal Clusters

Metal clusters, discrete or condensed, are characteristic of the structures of many compounds which contain transition metals in low oxidation states. The highly reduced oxoniobates support the concept of condensed clusters. They contain Nb₆O₁₂ clusters which are either isolated or linked at the apices of the Nb₆ octahedra to form oligomeric chains or networks. The analysis of the bonding relationships allows the identification of different types of Nb atoms and thus the quantitative prediction of valence electron concentrations for finite or infinite structures composed of these condensed M₆X₁₂ clusters.     

铌(V)-1-苯基-3-甲基-4-苯甲酰基-吡唑啉酮-5络合物吸附波的研究

在pH=5.0的HAc-NaAc介质中,Nb(V)与1-苯基-3-甲基-4-苯甲酰基-吡唑啉酮-5(PMBP)生成络合物,于-0.96V(us.SCE)出现一尖锐的极谱波.在滴汞电极上用示波极谱仪或在悬汞电极上测吸附伏安曲线.峰电流与Nb(V)浓度分别在0.0075~0.80μg/mL及0.000075~0.0075μg/mL范围内呈线性关系.实验了30多种离子的干扰影响,经苯肿酸分离后用于钢中Nb(V)的测定.检出限为0.00003μg/mL.溶液可稳定96h以上.用多种电化学方法研究了电极反应机理.     

A double-bonded niobium(III) compound with a formamidinate core: Nb2(μ-SMe)2(μ-DTolF)2 (η2-DTolF)2.2 toluene,DToIF= di-p-tolylformamidinate

The reaction of NaEt₃BH with Nb₂(-SMe₂)₃Cl₆ results in the transfer of a hydride ion to dimethylthioether with concomitant production of methane. Further reaction with potassium di-p-tolylformamidinate, KDTolF, yields Nb₂(-SMe)₂(-DTolF)₂²-DTolF:)₂.2 toluene, 1. In the latter, two thiomethoxide ions and two DTolF groups bridge the trivalent niobium atoms. Each of the other two DTolF groups chelate a metal atom to give the molecule an edge-sharing bioctahedral structure, The niobium-niobium distance of 2.655(2) A is consistent with the presence of a double bond between the metal atoms.     

XAS investigation of tantalum and niobium in nanostructured TiO2 anatase

Sol-gel routes were used to prepare Ta 10 at% and Nb 5 at% and 10 at% doped titania nanosized powders. When fired between 410°C and 850°C the doped titania powders are in the anatase phase; further heating up to 1050°C is required to obtain the rutile phase. The presence of dopant atoms delays the rate of transformation as compared with pure titania powders. Doping also affects the rate of grain growth and increases the conductance response to gas. To better understand the role played by dopant atoms in inhibiting both phase transformation to rutile and grain growth, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy measurements were performed at the L_III-L_I absorption edges of Ta and Nb K absorption edge. Analysis was restricted to the anatase phase because the transformation to rutile phase, obtained by firing at 1050°C, is accompanied by the formation of undesired Ta and Nb oxides (Ta₂O₅ and Nb₂TiO₇, respectively). Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure and X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy analysis results indicate that in nanostructured anatase both tantalum and niobium atoms substitute Ti cations with +5 valence state.