Electrical Behavior of New Orthophosphates Na2M3(PO4)3 (M3=GaMn2, GaCd2, InMn2 and FeMnCd) with Alluaudite-Like Structure

New sodium orthophosphates of general formula Na₂M₃(PO₄)₃ belonging to the alluaudite-type structure have been synthesized and characterized by neutron and X-ray powder diffraction. The nature of the M₃ elements (M₃=GaMn₂, GaCd₂, InMn₂ and FeMnCd) was chosen in order to analyze their influence on electrical and magnetic properties. The conductivity of these materials was measured by the complex impedance method and the transport mechanism was studied from complex permittivities and modulus formalism. Electrical results including charge/discharge experiments showed two main behaviors: GaCd₂ and FeMnCd behave as purely ionic conductors whereas GaMn₂ and InMn₂ are mixed ionic-electronic conductors. The magnetic susceptibility data reveal the antiferromagnetic behavior of FeMnCd, InMn₂ and GaMn₂, with a weak ferromagnetic transition at low temperatures.     

Phenol methylation over CrPO4 and CrPO4?AlPO4 catalysts

The vapor-phase catalytic alkylation of phenol with methanol and dimethyl carbonate on a series of differently prepared CrPO₄ (Cr/P=1) and CrPO₄-AlPO₄ (CrAIP) catalysts, has been studied at different temperatures (473–673 K). The reaction is first order in phenol, giving a mixture of O- and C-alkylated products (C-alkylation taking place preferentially at theortho-position). Moreover, dimethyl carbonate is a better methylating agent than methanol.     

The vibrational spectra and structural properties of Me7Eu2UO2(PO4)5 crystals

We investigate the vibrational spectra of crystals of ternary orthophosphates Me₇Eu₂UO₂·(PO₄)₅ (Me–Na, Rb, Cs) obtained by solid-phase synthesis. We show that in these materials the effect of coordination distorts the geometry of the PO ₄ ³⁻ tetrahedron and decreases its symmetry. We conclude that the PO ₄ ³⁻ tetrahedrons in Me₇Eu₂UO₂(PO₄)₅ occupy two nonequivalent positions in the lattice. The character of manifestation and the number of oscillation frequencies observed allow the assumption that they have the C_3v- and C₂-symmetry. This symmetry of two crystallographically nonequivalent groups of PO ₄ ³⁻ ensures a complete set of bands in the IR absorption spectra of the crystals investigated. We show that these crystals exhibit chain structural motifs. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol, 64, No. 4, pp. 467–470, July–August, 1997.     

Crystal structures, anisotropic growth, and optical properties: controlled synthesis of lanthanide orthophosphate one-dimensional nanomaterials

The fundamental understanding of the relationship between crystal structure and the dynamic processes of anisotropic growth on the nanoscale, and exploration of the key factors governing the evolution of physical properties in functional nanomaterials, have become two of the most urgent and challenging issues in the fabrication and exploitation of functional nanomaterials with designed properties and the development of nanoscale devices. Herein, we show how structural and kinetic factors govern the tendency for anisotropic growth of such materials under hydrothermal conditions, and how the crystal structure and morphology influence the optical properties of Ln3+-doped nanocrystals. The synthesis of phase-pure and single-crystalline monoclinic, hexagonal, and tetragonal one-dimensional LnPO4 nanostructures of different aspect ratios by means of kinetically controlled hydrothermal growth processes is demonstrated. It is shown that the tendency for anisotropic growth under hydrothermal conditions can be enhanced simply by modifying the chemical potentials of species in the reaction solution through the use of carefully selected chelating ligands. A systematic study of the photoluminescence of various Eu3+-doped lanthanide phosphates has revealed that the optical properties of these nanophosphors are strongly dependent on their crystal structures and morphologies.     

Electron excitation energy transfer in Me7Eu2UO2(PO4)5 (Me — Na, Rb, Cs) crystals

The article considers the luminescence-kinetics properties of crystals of ternary uranyl orthephosphates Me₇Eu₂UO₂(PO₄)₅ (Me — Na, Rb, Cs) obtained by the methods of solid-phase synthesis. The main parameters of conversion of the electron excitation energy in the donor-acceptor UO ₂ ²⁺ —Ln³⁺ system are determined. The competition between the processes of nonradiative dissipation and energy transfer from UO ₂ ²⁺ to Eu³⁺ has been revealed. It is shown that the rate of the processes of nonradiative transitions in the uranyl complex is determined by the degree of distortion of its local field, while the luminescence lifetime of the acceptors depends on the energy of electrostatic interaction between Eu³⁺ and oxygen atoms of its first coordination sphere. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 333–335, May–June, 2000.     

Electrochemical Mechanisms in Potentiometric Phosphate Sensing Using Pure Cobalt,Molybdenum and their Alloy for Environmental Applications

Phosphorus (P) is ubiquitous in the environment, but its measurement is costly and time-consuming. Sensor-based measurement shows potential, but selection of right metal remains the major challenge due to strong P species dependence on pH. This study examined the feasibility of pure cobalt, molybdenum, and their electrodeposited alloy, Co₆₃Mo₄₂ (wt %), as phosphate sensors. The cobalt, molybdenum and alloy exhibited mixed potential, Nernst potential, and oxidation-reduction (red-ox) mechanisms, respectively. Alloy showed good selectivity over a wide pH range, but high limit of detection and long response time (8–14 minutes). Yet, alloy provides a new opportunity for improving electrochemical phosphate sensors.     

Gadolinium orthophosphate weinschenkite type and phase change in rare earth orthophosphates

Some properties of rare earth orthophosphates have been determined by means of synthesis, X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectra, and Raman spectra measurements. The results are: (1) a synthesis of new compounds GdPO₄.2H₂O weinschenkite type, (2) the salt readily lost its water and changed from the weinschenkite to the xenotime form at about 300°C in air, (3) the change phase in rare earth orthophosphates showed that the weinschenkite phase can give rise to rhabdophane or xenotime phases, and (4) the orthorhombic form DyPO₄·1.5H₂O is explainable in terms of a mixture of rhabdophane and xenotime-structured material.     

Beiträge zum thermischen Verhalten und zur Kristallchemie von wasserfreien Phosphaten XXXII [1] Neue Orthophosphate des zweiwertigen Chroms — Mg3Cr3(PO4)4, Mg3, 75Cr2, 25(PO4)4, Ca3Cr3(PO4)4 und Ca2, 00Cr4, 00(PO4)4

Contributions on Crystal Chemistry and Thermal Behaviour of Anhydrous Phosphates. XXXII. New Orthophosphates of Divalent Chromium — Mg₃Cr₃(PO₄)₄, Mg_{3, 75}Cr_{2, 25}(PO₄)₄, Ca₃Cr₃(PO₄)₄ and Ca_{2, 00}Cr_{4, 00}(PO₄)₄ Solid state reactions via the gas phase led in the systems A₃(PO₄)₂ / Cr₃(PO₄)₂ (A = Mg, Ca) to the four new compounds Mg₃Cr₃(PO₄)₄ ( A ), Mg_3.75Cr_2.25(PO₄)₄ ( B ), Ca₃Cr₃(PO₄)₄ ( C ), and Ca_2.00Cr_4.00(PO₄)₄ ( D ). These were characterized by single crystal structure investigations [( A ): P2₁/n, Z = 1, a = 4.863(2) Å, b = 9.507(4) Å, c = 6.439(2) Å, β = 91.13(6)°, 1855 independend reflections, 63 parameters, R1 = 0.035, wR2 = 0.083; ( B ): P2₁/a, Z = 2, a = 6.427(2) Å, b = 9.363(2) Å, c = 10.051(3) Å, β = 106.16(3)°, 1687 indep. refl., 121 param., R1 = 0.032, wR2 = 0.085; ( C ): P‐1, Z = 2, a = 8.961(1) Å, b = 8.994(1) Å, c = 9.881(1) Å, α = 104.96(2)°, β = 106.03(2)°, γ = 110.19(2)°, 2908 indep. refl., 235 param., R1 = 0.036, wR2 = 0.111; ( D ): C2/c, Z = 4, a = 17.511(2) Å, b = 4.9933(6) Å, c = 16.825(2) Å, β = 117.95(1)°, 1506 indep. refl., 121 param., R1 = 0.034, wR2 = 0.098]. The crystal structures contain divalent chromium on various crystallographic sites, each showing a (4+n)‐coordination (n = 1, 2, 3). For the magnesium compounds and Ca_2.00Cr_4.00(PO₄)₄ a disorder of the divalent cations Mg²⁺/Cr²⁺ or Ca²⁺/Cr²⁺ is observed. Mg_3.75Cr_2.25(PO₄)₄ adopts a new structure type, while Mg₃Cr₃(PO₄)₄ is isotypic to Mg₃(PO₄)₂. Ca₃Cr₃(PO₄)₄ and Ca_2.00Cr_4.00(PO₄) ₄ are structurally very closely related and belong to the Ca₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄‐structure family. The orthophosphate Ca₉Cr(PO₄)₇, containing trivalent chromium, has been obtained besides C and D .     

Raman study of phase transitions in double orthophosphates of lutetium and potassium

This study by Raman spectrometry of double orthophosphates of lutetium and potassium consists of a systematic analysis of double orthophosphates of the potassium and lanthanide family. In the 10-300 K temperature range three solid-solid phase transitions in this compound are obtained which demonstrate the application of Raman spectrometry to the study of the nature and mechanism of such transitions.     

Synthesis of hydroxyapatite by hydrolysis of α-Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Conditions for hydroxyapatite (HAP) synthesis in aqueous solutions by hydrolysis of α-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ were studied. Temperature exerts a substantial effect on the rate of α-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ hydrolysis and also changes the morphology of the reaction products. At 40 °C, the plate-like intersecting (perpendicular to the surface of the initial particles) crystals of HAP grow. Their maximum size after the 24-h hydrolysis is 1–2 µm. Needle like HAP crystals are formed upon boiling of the suspension. The morphology observed for the HAP particles agrees well with the conclusions obtained by analysis of the kinetics of tricalcium phosphate hydrolysis.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 78–85, January, 2005.