Catalytic combustion of volatile aromatic compounds over CuO-CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst

Ce_1?x Cu _x O₂ oxide solid solution catalysts with different Ce/Cu mole ratios were synthesized by the one-pot complex method. The prepared Ce_1?x Cu _x O₂ catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR). Their catalytic properties were also investigated by catalytic combustion of phenyl volatile organic compounds (PVOCs: benzene, toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene) in air. XRD analysis confirmed that the CuO species can fully dissolve into the CeO₂ lattice to form CeCu oxide solid solutions. XPS and H²-TPR results indicated that the prepared Ce_1?x Cu _x O₂ catalysts contain abundant reactive oxygen species and superior reducibility. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of the prepared Ce_1?x Cu _x O₂ catalysts are affected by the Ce/Cu mole ratio. The CeCu₃ catalyst with Ce/Cu mole ratio of 3.0 contains abundant reactive oxygen species and exhibits superior catalytic combustion activity of PVOCs. Moreover, the ignitability of PVOCs is also affected by the respective physicochemical properties. The catalytic combustion conversions of ethylbenzene, xylene, toluene, and benzene are 99%, 98.9%, 94.3%, and 62.8% at 205, 220, 225, and 225 °C, respectively.     

Effect of Cu promoter and alumina phases on Pt/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for propane dehydrogenation

We investigated the effects of different Cu weight ratio on θ or γ-Al₂O₃ which were impregnated with platinum in terms of catalytic activity for propane dehydrogenation and physicochemical properties. 1.5 wt% Pt, 0-10 wt% Cu catalyst supported on θ-Al₂O₃ or γ-Al₂O₃ was prepared by incipient wetness co-impregnation. Enhanced Pt dispersion by increasing Cu contents in γ-Al₂O₃ supported catalyst was confirmed via XRD and XPS. Pt and CuO was separated in Pt-Cu/θ-Al₂O₃, but Pt-Cu alloy was identified after reduction treatment. Also, adding Cu in Pt/Al₂O₃ makes catalyst’s acidity lower and this property led to increased propylene yield in propane dehydrogenation. However, Pt₃Cu was not good for yield of PDH, which was confirmed in Pt-10Cu/θ-Al₂O₃ through XRD.     

Hierarchical ordered meso/macroporous H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts with superior oxidative desulfurization activity

A series of phosphotungstic acid (HPW)/SiO₂ materials with hierarchical meso/macroporous structure were synthesized by evaporation-induced self-assembly method (EISA), using nonionic surfactant (P123) and polystyrene (PS) spheres as templates. SEM images displayed uniform macropores with an average pore size of 210 nm. TEM, small-angle XRD and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms confirmed the existence of the ordered mesoporous structures, embedded in the wall of macropores. The wild-angle XRD and FT-IR spectra proved Keggin-type HPW dispersed homogeneously in the silica framework. With the amount of added PS spheres, the density of the macropores increased, the hierarchically ordered porous HPW/SiO₂ possessed two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal (p6mm) mesostructures and uniform periodic macropores. The ODS catalytic activity of these samples were tested, the result showed that the meso/macroporous HPW/SiO₂ catalyst with proper PS beads usage displayed much higher catalytic activity than other catalysts. In addition, the reusability of the meso/macroporous HPW/SiO₂ catalyst was investigated, the activity of catalyst has not obviously decreased even after eight times.     

Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles coated by new functionalized tetraaza-2,3 dialdehyde micro-crystalline cellulose: synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application for degradation of Acid Yellow 17

In this study, we developed an original approach for preparing cellulose-coated magnetite nanoparticles (NPs). Two novel Schiff bases (PDA-g-DAC) and [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)] were synthesized via condensation reactions of periodate oxidized micro-crystalline cellulose (DAC) with o-phenylene diamine (PDA) to obtain its azomethine derivative with 85% yield. Subsequently, the functionalization of (PDA-g-DAC) with benzil (Bz) yields the tetraaza macrocycle [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)]. The physicochemical characterization of the condensation products was performed using ¹³CNMR, FTIR, ATG, DSC, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Magnetic nanomaterial-based Schiff base cellulose was successfully prepared using in situ chemical co-precipitation of coordinated ferric and ferrous ions in cellulose Schiff base matrix under optimized conditions, and then, its magnetic properties were characterized. The results demonstrated that the Fe₃O₄ NPs coated with [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)] were homogeneously coated in the matrix under ultrasonic irradiation with the saturation magnetization of 69.50 emu g^?1. In addition, XRD line broadening analysis showed that the average particle size of the NPs was 37.3 nm. Furthermore, FTIR spectra demonstrated that [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)] concavity was anchored to magnetite Fe₃O₄ NPs through azomethine groups. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) of [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)@Fe₃O₄] magnetic nanocomposite samples showed the typical behavior of ferromagnetism. This study provided a green and facile method to inhibit magnetic nanoparticle aggregation. Activity results revealed that the prepared [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)@Fe₃O₄] catalyst shows the maximum activity for degradation of Acid Yellow 17 (AY17) compared to other prepared catalysts. After degradation reaction, the [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)@Fe₃O₄] catalyst was recovered from the reaction mixture via an external magnet and used for further five consecutive cycles with excellent catalytic activity, successively, which was comparable to the fresh catalyst. The catalyst degradation efficiency and its easy separation exhibited that [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)@Fe₃O₄] catalyst is a promising material for the removal of AY17 from aqueous solutions in green chemistry perspectives.     

Infrared and raman characterization of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> on zirconia modified with WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and activity for acid catalysis

Vanadium oxide supported on zirconia modified with WO₃ was prepared by adding Zr(OH)₄ powder into a mixed aqueous solution of ammonium metavanadate and ammonium metatungstate followed by drying and calcining at high temperatures. The characterization of prepared catalysts was performed by using FTIR, Raman, and XRD. In the case of calcination temperature at 773 K, for samples containing low loading V₂O₅ below 18 wt%, vanadium oxide was in a highly dispersed state, while for samples containing high loading V₂O₅ equal to or above 18 wt%, vanadium oxide was well crystallized due to the high V₂O₅ loading on the surface of ZrO₂. The ZrV₂O₇ compound was formed through the reaction of V₂O₅ and ZrO₂ at 873 K, and the compound decomposed into V₂O₅ and ZrO₂ at 1,073 K, these results were confirmed by FTIR and XRD. Catalytic tests for 2-propanol dehydration and cumene dealkylation have shown that the addition of WO₃ to V₂O₅/ZrO₂ enhanced both catalytic activity and acidity of V₂O₅-WO₃/ZrO₂ catalysts. The variations in catalytic activities for both reactions are roughly correlated with the changes of acidity.     

Oxidative Dehydrogenation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Butene to 1,3-Butadiene over Sulfated ZnFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Catalyst

Oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene to 1,3-butadiene over sulfated ZnFe₂O₄ catalyst was carried out in a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor. The effect of sulfation on the catalytic performance of ZnFe₂O₄ was investigated. Sulfated ZnFe₂O₄ catalyst showed a better catalytic performance than ZnFe₂O₄ catalyst in the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene. Acid–base property of sulfated ZnFe₂O₄ catalyst was measured by TPD experiment, with an aim of correlating the catalytic performance with the surface acid–base property of the catalyst. It was revealed that the catalytic performance of sulfated ZnFe₂O₄ catalyst was closely related to the surface weak-acid density of the catalyst. The enhanced acidity of sulfated ZnFe₂O₄ catalyst was responsible for its high catalytic performance in the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene. Thus, sulfation served as an efficient method for improving catalytic performance of ZnFe₂O₄ in the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene.     

Preparation of H<Subscript>5</Subscript>PMo<Subscript>10</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript> catalyst immobilized on spherical carbon and its application to the vapor-phase 2-propanol conversion reaction

Spherical carbon (SC) with a diameter of ca. 9 μm was synthesized by a hydrothermal method using sucrose as a carbon precursor. The spherical carbon was then modified to have a positive charge, and thus, to provide a site for the immobilization of H₅PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀ (PMo₁₀V₂) catalyst. The PMo₁₀V₂ catalyst was immobilized on the surface-modified spherical carbon by taking advantage of the overall negative charge of [PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀]⁵⁻. The PMo₁₀V₂ catalyst immobilized on the spherical carbon (PMo₁₀V₂/SC) was applied to the vapor-phase 2-propanol conversion reaction. In the catalytic reaction, the PMo₁₀V₂/SC catalyst showed a higher 2-propanol conversion than the unsupported PMo₁₀V₂ catalyst. Furthermore, the PMo₁₀V₂/SC catalyst showed enhanced oxidation catalytic activity (formation of acetone) and the suppressed acid catalytic activity (formation of propylene and isopropyl ether) compared to the unsupported PMo₁₀V₂ catalyst. The enhanced oxidation activity of PMo₁₀V₂/SC catalyst was due to the fine dispersion of [PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀]⁵⁻ on the spherical carbon formed via chemical immobilization.     

Raman spectra and surface structure of CaO-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glass leached in potassium hydroxide solutions

It is difficult to research on the surface structure of amorphous phase in fly ash during leaching reaction due to crystalline phase and complex structure. In the present work, in order to reveal the effects of leaching reaction on the surface structure of amorphous phase in fly ash, the modelling CaO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass was prepared by the traditional melting methods. The leaching reaction of CaO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass with 7.5 M KOH was investigated by spectroscopy, spectrophotometer and wet chemical method. The results show that the content of Q ¹, Q ², Q ³ and Q ⁴ of glass without corrosion was 4.21, 9.51, 23.03 and 52.55%, respectively, which shows that the network polymerization of glass is compact. The leaching reaction of glass can be described by the following equation: dS/dt = k/(r + S ₀). Leaching in KOH for various times induces the content of Q ⁴ and Q ¹ to be decreased, and Q ² and Q ³ increased, resulted in the depolymerization of network and the surface glass dissolved in alkaline solution to form a gel phase. In stage one of leaching reaction, the rate of iron ion leached from glass surface was slow, which resulted in the small slope of straight-line relationship of leaching curve. In the following stage, the leaching rate of iron ion increased with the prolongation of time.     

Crystal structure of Pb<Subscript>6</Subscript>O[(Si<Subscript>6</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>)O<Subscript>20</Subscript>]

The crystal structure of Pb₆O[(Si₆Al₂)O₂₀)] is investigated using X-ray diffraction. The compound has tetragonal symmetry, space group I4/mmm, a = 11.7162(10) Å, c = 8.0435(12) Å, and V = 1104.13(2) ų. The structure is refined to R ₁ = 0.036 for 562 unique reflections with [F ₀] ≥ 4σF. The structure contains two symmetrically independent positions of the Pb²⁺ cations coordinated by five O atoms (Pb²⁺-O^2? = 2.34–2.68 Å). The TO₄ tetrahedra (T = Si, Al) form tubular [(Si₆Al₂)O₂₀] chains extended along the c axis. The O₄ oxygen atom is not bonded to the Si and Al atoms and is octahedrally coordinated by six Pb atoms with the formation of an oxo-centered OPb₆ octahedron. The assumption is made that, in some of lead silicate and aluminosilicate glasses, a number of oxygen atoms are located outside the tetrahedral structure and represent segregation centers of the Pb²⁺ cations due to the formation of oxo-centered complexes.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new oxohalide CdPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A new compound, CdPb₂O₂Cl₂, is synthesized by the method of solid-phase reactions. The compound has monoclinic symmetry, space group C2/m, a = 12.392(8) Å, b = 3.8040(14) Å, c = 7.658(5) Å, β = 122.64(5)°, and V = 304.0(3) ų. The structure contains one symmetrically independent position of the Pb²⁺ cation coordinated by three O^2? anions (Pb²⁺-O^2? = 2.29–2.34 Å) and five Cl^? anions (Pb²⁺-Cl^? = 3.35–3.57 Å). The Cd²⁺ cation has a symmetric coordination with the formation of two bonds Cd-O = 2.15 Å and four bonds Cd-Cl = 2.73 Å. The oxygen atom is tetrahedrally coordinated by three Pb²⁺ cations and one Cd²⁺ cation, which leads to the formation of oxo-centered heterometallic OPb₃Cd tetrahedra. The tetrahedra are linked together into chains through common Pb atoms and into layered complexes due to sharing of the equatorial Cd atoms. The chlorine atoms are located above the cavities of the oxo-centered layer.     

Solution-Combustion Synthesis of LiNi<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Co<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> as a Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A cathode material for lithium-ion batteries–LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂–was prepared by solution combustion synthesis and characterized by XRD, SEM, and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. The sample calcined at 950°C for 10 h showed best charge/discharge performance. An initial discharge capacity (C) of 150.5 mA h g^–1 retained 95.7% of its value after 75 charge/discharge cycles at I_c = 14 mA g^–1 (0.2C rate), I_d = 70 mA g^–1 (0.5C rate).     

Effects of preparation methods for V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> aerogel catalysts on the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A series of V₂O₅-TiO₂ aerogel catalysts were prepared by the sol-gel method with subsequent supercritical drying with CO₂. The main variables in the sol-gel method were the amounts of V₂O₅ and when the vanadium precursor was introduced. V₂O₅-TiO₂ xerogel and V₂O₅/TiO₂ (P-25) were also prepared for comparison. The V₂O₅-TiO₂ aerogel catalysts showed much higher surface areas and total pore volumes than V₂O₅-TiO₂ xerogel and impregnated V₂O₅/TiO₂ (P-25) catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-Raman spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction with H₂ (H₂-TPR), and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD). The selective catalytic reduction of NOx with ammonia in the presence of excess O₂ was studied over these catalysts. Among various V₂O₅-TiO₂ catalysts, V₂O₅ supported on aerogel TiO₂ showed a wide temperature window exhibiting high NOx conversions. This superior catalytic activity is closely related to the large amounts of strong acidic sites as well as the surface vanadium species with characteristics such as easy reducibility and monomeric and polymeric vanadia surface species. This work was presented at the 7 ^th Korea-China Workshop on Clean Energy Technology held at Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, June 26–28, 2008.     

Facile synthesis of ZnBi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-graphite composites as highly active visible-light photocatalyst for the mineralization of rhodamine B

Novel highly active visible-light photocatalysts in the form of zinc bismuth oxide (ZnBi₂O₄) and graphite hybrid composites were prepared by coupling via a co-precipitation method followed by calcination at 450 °C. The as-prepared ZnBi₂O₄-graphite hybrid composites were tested for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) solutions under visible-light irradiation. The existence of strong electronic coupling between the two components within the ZnBi₂O₄-graphite heterostructure suppressed the photogenerated recombination of electrons and holes to a remarkable extent. The prepared composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, leading to more than 93% of RhB degradation at an initial concentration of 50mg·L^-1 with 1.0 g catalyst per liter in 150min. The excellent visible-light photocatalytic mineralization of ZnBi₂O₄-1.0graphite in comparison with pristine ZnBi₂O₄ could be attributed to synergetic effects, charge transfer between ZnBi₂O₄ and graphite, and the separation efficiency of the photogenerated electrons and holes. The photo-induced h+ and the superoxide anion were the major active species responsible for the photodegradation process. The results demonstrate the feasibility of ZnBi₂O₄-1.0graphite as a potential heterogeneous photocatalyst for environmental remediation.     

Application of ZnO and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles coated onto montmorillonite in the presence of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> for efficient removal of cephalexin from aqueous solutions

This study considers the feasibility of uptake of cephalexin, an emerging contaminant, from aqueous solutions by using green local montmorillonite (GLM), montmorillonite coated with ZnO (ZnO/GLM) and montmorillonite coated with TiO₂ (TiO₂/GLM) in the presence of H₂O₂. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH, initial concentration of the cephalexin, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and temperature. Finally, the adsorbents were characterized by XRD, SEM and FTIR analyses. XRD patterns showed dramatic changes in the adsorbents after loading with the nanoparticles, confirming successful placing of the nanoparticles onto GLM. The GLM mineral surface after nanoparticle loading appears to be fully exposed and more porous with irregular shapes in particles diameters of 1-50 microns. FTIR analyses also confirmed dramatic changes in surface functional groups after modification with these nanoparticles. The results showed that the removal efficiency of cephalexin was better at lower pH values. Totally, the removal efficiency increased with increase in adsorbent dosage and contact time and decreased with concentration and temperature increase. The thermodynamics values of ΔG ^o and ΔH ^o revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. In isotherm study, the maximum adsorption capacities (qm) were obtained to be 7.82, 17.09 and 49.26 mg/g for GLM, ZnO/GLM and TiO₂/GLM, respectively. Temkin constant (B _T ) showed that adsorption of cephalexin from solution was exothermic for all three adsorbents.     

Density and microhardness of glasses in the SrO-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

The density d at a temperature of 25°C is measured by the hydrostatic weighing method, the Vickers microhardness H _V is determined, and the fluctuation free volume fraction f _g is calculated for glasses in the SrO-B₂O₃-SiO₂ system with a constant strontium oxide content in the range from 35 to 45 mol %. It is demonstrated that the quantities H _V and f _g decrease and the density d increases with an increase in the SrO content.     

Synthesis of Titanates with a Ramsdellite-Type Tunnel Structure Crystallizing in the Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> System in Different Gaseous Media

The ramsdellite-type phases crystallizing in the Li₂O-Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ system in the course of synthesis in gaseous media at different oxygen partial pressures are studied. Solid solutions based on the ramsdellite structure with the composition Li₂Ti_3?xFe _x O_{7 ? δ} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.7) are prepared in an oxidizing medium (P_O2 = 1 atm) for the first time. Analysis of the results obtained by electron paramagnetic resonance and Mossbauer spectroscopy revealed that, in these solid solutions, all iron ions are in the oxidation state Fe⁺³.     

Effect of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> loading on the activity of V/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the catalytic oxidehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with carbon dioxide

TiO₂-Al₂O₃ mixed oxides with different compositions ranging from 40wt-% to 95wt-% of TiO₂ were prepared by sol-gel method and impregnated with different amounts of VO _x . Supports and catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), physisorption, temperature preprogrammed reduction (H₂-TPR), and ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD). TiO₂ content in the support had obvious effect on the crystal structure, texture characteristic, acid property, and catalytic activity in dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (EB) with carbon dioxide. The highest catalytic activity was acquired when the TiO₂ content was 50 wt-%.     

Controllable synthesis of EU-1 molecular sieve with high SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ratios in thermodynamic stable sol system

A new green chemical route was designed in this paper for the synthesis of high-silica EU-1 molecular sieve in TEAOH–SiO₂–Al₂O₃–HMBr₂–H₂O system in which tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) substituted for sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as an alkali source. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized samples characterized by such means as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electrophoresis apparatus, precise pH meter, scanning electron microscope, Fourier infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), thermo gravimetric analyzer (TG) and temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD). The research results showed that the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of EU-1 molecular sieve could reach 706 with TEAOH as an alkali source. The SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of the product was improved greatly to 1046 with the template agent increasing. The new synthetic route has also significantly expanded the synthetic phase region. The absolute value of zeta potential of the TEAOH sol system was obviously higher than that of the NaOH sol system, indicating the thermodynamic stability of the former sol system was higher and better for the synthesis of pure high-silica EU-1 molecular sieve. The FT-IR spectra and TG/DTG diagrams of products indicated that TEA⁺ occluded in the final products could balance electronegative framework. The amount of strong, weak and the total acidity reduced with the increase of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio. The catalytic results of methanol-to-hydrocarbon demonstrated that the molecular sieve prepared by the new method has better catalytic performance.     

Crystal structure and thermal expansion of ammonium pentaborate NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>B<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>

Anhydrous ammonium pentaborate NH₄B₅O₈ has been synthesized by thermal dehydration of larderellite NH₄[B₅O₇(OH)₂] · H₂O at a temperature of 290°C for 7 h. The crystal structure has been determined from the X-ray powder diffraction data: a = 7.58667(5) Å, b = 12.00354(8) Å, c = 14.71199(8) Å, R _p = 6.23, R _wp = 7.98, R _B = 12.7, R _F = 8.95, and β-KB₅O₈ structure type. The double interpenetrating framework is formed by pentaborate groups, each consisting of a boron-oxygen tetrahedron and four triangles, in which all oxygen atoms are bridging. The thermal behavior of the NH₄B₅O₈ compound has been investigated using thermal X-ray diffraction. As for other pentaborates of this type, the thermal expansion of the NH₄B₅O₈ compound is anisotropic and reaches a maximum along the a axis. The thermal expansion coefficients are as follows: α _a = 39 × 10^?6, α _b = 6 × 10^?6, α _c = 20 × 10^?6, and α _V = 65 × 10^?6 °C^?1.     

Crystal structure of new compound (Rb,K)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>(P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A new compound of (Rb,K)₂Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂ is obtained by high-temperature reactions from a mixture of RbNO₃, KNO₃, Cu(NO₃)₂, and (NH₄)₄P₂O₇. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R ₁ = 0.056 for 5022 independent reflections. The compound belongs to a rhombic crystal system, P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 8, a = 9.9410(7) Å, b = 13.4754(6) Å, c = 18.6353 (3) Å, and R = 0.056. The basis of the structure is a complex copper-phosphate skeleton of the composition of [Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂]^2–, which can be regarded as consisting of two types of heteropolyhedral layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are alternated with each other, forming a frame, in the cavities of which the positions of alkali cations are located, statistically populated with K⁺ and Rb⁺ ions. Based on the refined populations of the positions of alkali cations, an exact chemical formula of the compound can be written as Rb_1.28K_0.72Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂. The compound is the most complex among those known to this day of the composition of A₂ ^IB₃ ^II(P₂O₇)₂ (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs; B = Ni, Cu, or Zn).