Electrical and mechanical characterization by instrumented indentation technique of La0.85Sr0.15Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ electrolyte for SOFCs

La_0.85Sr_0.15Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3?δ pellets obtained by the polymeric organic complex solution method, isostatic pressing and sintering at 1350 °C have been electrical and mechanically studied. Electrical measurements evidenced reasonable ionic conductivities (0.01 S cm^?1 at 800 °C), which were comparable to those reported for the La_1?xSr_xGa_1?yMg_yO_3?δ prepared by other synthesis methods. On the other hand, the mechanical properties (elastic modulus, E and hardness, H) have been determined at micro/nanometric scale using the instrumented indentation technique. While E did not vary significantly with the increasing indentation depth (h), H values strongly decreased with the indentation depth up to 500 nm. For h > 500 nm, both mechanical properties remained almost constant, thus obtaining E = 271 ± 6 GPa and H = 13.2 ± 0.4 GPa. Finally, the residual imprints and fracture mechanisms have been observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM).     

Diphasic aluminosilicate gels with two stage mullitization in temperature range of 1200–1300 °C

The crystallization of mullite in amorphous diphasic gel aged for 6 months has been studied using non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction with Rietveld structure refinement analysis. The diphasic premullite gels undergo structural changes by aging even when they are calcined at 700 °C. These changes imply segregation of the sample to Al₂O₃-rich and SiO₂-rich regions. From the Al₂O₃-rich region crystallizes poorly defined AlSi spinel at 977 °C followed by two-step mullite crystallization in the temperature interval of 1200–1300 °C. Two overlapped exothermic peaks on DSC scan of aged gel were observed; the first at 1233 °C and the second at 1261 °C. The former is attributed to mullite crystallization by transformation of AlSi spinel, by which excess alumina occurs, which in the second step of mullitization reacts with amorphous SiO₂-rich phase. The activation energy for mullite crystallization in the first step was E_a=935±14 kJ mol⁻¹ and the Avrami exponent n=2.5. The values E_a=1119±25 kJ mol⁻¹ and n=1.2 were obtained for mullite formation in the second step. If amorphous SiO₂-rich phase is extracted from the sample, the value E_a=805±26 kJ mol⁻¹ is obtained. Mullite crystallizing from AlSi spinel (when SiO₂-rich phase has been extracted) differentiates compositionally from that formed by both reactions. Smaller unit cell parameters and higher amount of oxygen vacancies are incorporated into tetrahedral positions of mullite structure, as was determined by Rietveld structure refinement method.     

Hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structure and properties of a thermally stable dysprosium porphyrin with a three-dimensional porous open framework

A thermally stable dysprosium porphyrin with a three-dimensional (3D) porous open framework, [Dy(H₂TPPS)]_n∙ nH₃O∙2nH₂O (1) (H₂TPPS = tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin), has been synthesized via hydrothermal reactions and structurally analyzed by an X-ray single-crystal diffraction method. The 24-membered macrocyclic ring of H₂TPPS is exactly coplanar and the center is free from metal. The dysprosium ion is coordinated by eight O_sulfonic atoms from eight H₂TPPS moieties, forming a distorted square anti-prism geometry. Complex 1 shows a void space of 210 Å³, occupying 9.06% of the unit-cell volume. The 3D porous open framework of 1 is thermally stable up to 380 °C. Complex 1 exhibits a red fluorescence emission with a quantum yield and lifetime of 2.7% and 136 μs, respectively. CV result reveals one reductive peak at − 0.33 V and one quasi-reversible wave with E_1/2 = − 0.81 V.     

An organic–inorganic hybrid nickel-substituted arsenotungstate consisting of three types of polyoxotungstate units

A new organic–inorganic hybrid nickel-substituted arsenotungstate [Na(H₂O)₃]₂[Ni(H₂O)₆]₂[Ni(H₂O)₅]{[Ni₃(dap)(H₂O)₂]₂(H₂W₄O₁₆)}{(α-H₂AsW₆O₂₆)[Ni₆(OH)₂(H₂O)(dap)₂](B-α-HAsW₉O₃₄)}₂·7H₂O (1) (dap = 1,2-diaminopropane) has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for 1: C₁₈H₁₄₄As₄N₁₂Na₂Ni₂₁O₁₇₆W₃₄, Mr = 11174.92, triclinic, space group P-1, a = 15.004(4) Å, b = 16.357(5) Å, c = 22.070(6) Å, α = 80.458(5)°, β = 79.291(5)°, γ = 72.074(5)°, V = 5030(3) Å³, Z = 1, GOOF = 1.007, R₁ = 0.0703, wR₂ = 0.1670. The skeleton of 1 is a centric nanoscale cluster and is composed of two asymmetric sandwich-type clusters {(α-H₂AsW₆O₂₆)[Ni₆(OH)₂(H₂O)(dap)₂](B-α-AsW₉O₃₄)}^7? linked by a symmetric cluster {[Ni₃(dap)(H₂O)₂]₂(H₂W₄O₁₆)}⁶⁺. Notably, 1 is an interesting polyoxometalate containing the trivacant Keggin [B-α-AsW₉O₃₄]^9?, hexavacant Keggin [α-AsW₆O₂₆]^11? and tetrameric [W₄O₁₆]^8? units. Magnetic measurements indicate that 1 shows the ferromagnetic interactions within Ni^II centers.     

Improvement of the hydroxyapatite mechanical properties by direct microwave sintering in single mode cavity

The main purpose of this study consists in investigating the direct microwave sintering of hydroxyapatite (HA) in a single mode cavity. Firstly, stoichiometric HA powders were synthesized by a coprecipitation method from diammonium phosphate and calcium nitrate solutions and shaped by slip-casting. Then, using the one-step microwave process, dense pellets with fine microstructures were successfully obtained in short sintering timespan. A parametric study permitted to determine the influence of powder grain size, sintering temperature and dwell time on the sintered samples microstructures. The Young's modulus (E) and hardness (H) were measured by nanoindentation and the values discussed according to the microstructure. Finally, the resulting mechanical properties determined on the microwave sintered samples (E = 148.5 GPa, H = 9.6 GPa, σ_compression = 531.3 MPa and K_IC = 1.12 MPa m^1/2) are significantly higher than those usually reported in the literature, whatever the sintering process, and could allow the use of HA for structural applications.     

Synthesis,structure, and adsorption properties of a three-dimensional porous yttrium–organic coordination network

Deprotonation of 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid (H₂BPDC) with triethylamine followed by the copolymerization with Y(III) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at room temperature yields a new three-dimensional (3-D) porous metal–organic coordination network, [Y₂(BPDC)₃(DMF)₂(H₂O)₂]_n · (DMF)_n · (H₂O)_n (1). Compound 1 (C_24.50H₁₉N_1.50O₉Y) crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group (a = 8.220 (2), b = 13.998 (4), c = 14.212 (4) Å, α = 111.058 (5)°, β = 90.187 (5)°, γ = 94.318 (5)°, V = 1520.9 (7) ų, and Z = 2). X-ray crystallography reveals that 1 consists of a 3-D framework contained open 1-D channels with the dimension of 5 × 10 Å along the crystallographic a axis. The adsorption measurements show that compound 1 can adsorb N₂, Ar and CO₂ into its pores. The adsorption isotherms for MeOH and H₂O were also measured.     

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of Gd and Nd doped ceria electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells

In this study, the ceramic powders of Ce_1?xGd_xO_2?x/2 and Ce_1?xNd_xO_2?x/2 (x=0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25) were synthesized by ultrasound assisted co-precipitation method. The ionic conductivity was studied as a function of dopant concentration over the temperature range of 300–800 °C in air, using the impedance spectroscopy. The maximum ionic conductivity, σ_800 °C=4.01×10^?2 Scm^?1 with the activation energy, E_a=0.828 kJmol^?1 and σ_800 °C=3.80×10^?2 Scm^?1 with the activation energy, E_a=0.838 kJmol^?1 were obtained for Ce_0.90Gd_0.10O_1.95 and Ce_0.85Nd_0.15O_1.925 electrolytes, respectively. The average grain size was found to be in the range of 0.3–0.6 μm for gadolinium doped ceria and 0.2–0.4 μm for neodymium doped ceria. The uniformly fine crystallite sizes (average 12–13 nm) of the ultrasound assisted prepared powders enabled sintering of the samples into highly dense (over 95%) ceramic pellets at 1200 °C (5 °C min^?1) for 6 h.     

A novel paradodecatungstate-B compound decorated by transition metal copper,Na2Cu5(H2O)24(OH)2[H2W12O42]·10H2O: Synthesis,structure and antitumor activities

A new paradodecatungstate-B compound decorated by transition metal copper, Na₂Cu₅(H₂O)₂₄(OH)₂[H₂W₁₂O₄₂]·10H₂O (1), has been synthesized by convenient aqueous solution method and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectrum, elemental analysis and TGA. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group with a = 10.7140(8) Å, b = 12.9476(9) Å, c = 13.6696(10) Å, α = 73.56°, β = 75.73°, γ = 67.69°, V = 1661.8(2) ų and Z = 1. In compound 1, polyanion of [H₂W₁₂O₄₂]^10 − acts as a dodecadentate ligand that links copper and sodium cations, forming a remarkable three-dimensional framework. The experiment of antitumor activities in vitro shows that the title compound exhibits remarkable inhibitory actions on human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells, ovarian carcinoma SKOV-3 cells, hepatoma HepG2 cells and neuroblastoma SHY5Y cells.     

Synthesis,luminescence, and structural characterization of Zn and Cd coordination polymers of flexible bis(imidazolyl) derivatives

Coordination polymers [Zn(imc)(L¹)] · H₂O, (1, imc = iminodiacetate, L¹ = bis(N-imidazolyl)methane) [Zn(hba)₂(L²)]₂ · EtOH · 3H₂O, (2, hba = p-hydroxybenzoate, L² = bis(N-benzimidazolyl)methane), [Cd(mal)(H₂O)(L³)](3, L³ = 1,4-bis(N-imidazolyl)butane, mal = maleate) have been prepared and structurally characterized. Complex 1 consists of hexa-coordinated central Zn ions and exhibits 2D network structure. The Zn atoms in 2 have tetrahedral coordination geometry, and are linked by bis(imidazolyl) ligands into 1D chain structure. The cadmium ions in 3 are hepta-coordinated with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Complex 3 displays 2D grid structure. The TGA showed that the coordination polymers are stable up to 200 °C. All the three complexes are emissive at room temperature in their solid state.     

Synthesis,characterization and compared reactivity of asymmetrical ansa-metallocenes

Rac and meso ansa-zirconocenes [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-R-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-R′-(η⁵-C₉H₅))}Cl₂] (R = Et, R′ = H; R = Pr, R′ = H; and R = Et, R′ = Pr) 4–9 have been prepared by the reaction of ZrCl₄ with the corresponding dilithiated derivatives from the ligands {1-Me₂Si(3-R-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-R′-(η⁵-C₉H₅))} (R = Et, R′ = H 1; R = Pr, R′ = H 2; and R = Et, R′ = Pr 3) in diethyl ether/toluene at ?78 °C. The molecular structure of rac [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-Et-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-Pr-(η⁵-C₉H₅))}Cl₂] 8 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, which show a pseudotetrahedral environment formed by the two chlorine ligands and two η⁵-coordinated indenyl ligands. The activity in homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerization is compared and discussed.     

Effect of H2/Ar plasma on growth behavior of ultra-nanocrystalline diamond films: The TEM study

Incorporation of H₂ species into Ar plasma was observed to markedly alter the microstructure of diamond films. TEM examinations indicate that, while the Ar/CH₄ plasma produced the ultrananocrystalline diamond films with equi-axed grains (~ 5 nm), the addition of 20% H₂ in Ar resulted in grains with dendrite geometry and the incorporation of 80% H₂ in Ar led to micro-crystalline diamond with faceted grains (~ 800 nm). Optical emission spectroscopy suggests that small percentage of H₂-species (< 20%) in the plasma leads to partially etching of hydrocarbons adhered onto the diamond clusters, such that the C₂-species attach to diamond surface anisotropically, forming diamond flakes, which evolve into dendrite geometry. In contrast, high percentage of H₂-species in the plasma (80%) can efficiently etch away the hydrocarbons adhered onto the diamond clusters, such that the C₂-species can attach to diamond surface isotropically, resulting in large diamond grains with faceted geometry. The field needed to turn on the electron field emission for diamond films increases from E₀ = 22.1 V/μm (J_e = 0.48 mA/cm² at 50 V/μm applied field) for 0% H₂ samples to E₀ = 78.2 V/μm (J_e < 0.01 mA/cm² at 210 V/μm applied field) for 80% H₂ samples, as the grains grow, decreasing the proportion of grain boundaries.     

The first example of extended structure constructed from Knoth-type sandwich POMs and coordination fragments

A novel compound [P₂W₁₈M₃O₆₈][Cu(en)₂]₄·7H₂O·2OH^? (M = 0.5W + 0.5Cu) 1 which contains the first example of extended structure constructed from Knoth-type sandwich polyoxoanions and transition metal coordination complexes has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, UV–Vis spectrum and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, space group, P-1, a = 13.2718(7) Å, b = 13.6432(8) Å, c = 25.7307(15) Å, α = 104.7340(10)°, β = 96.7630(10)°, γ = 90.0330(10)°, V = 4472.2(4) Å³, Z = 2. Structure solution and refinement based on 1090 parameters gave R1 (wR2) = 0.0409 (0.0993).     

Hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of a novel nickel carboxylate–phosphonate with a layered structure

Hydrothermal reactions of N-(phosphonomethyl)proline (H₃L) with nickel sulfate hexahydrate resulted in a novel nickel carboxylate–phosphonate: |H₂O|[Ni₃(O₃PCH₂–NC₄H₇–CO₂)₂(H₂O)₄] (complex 1). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 (No. 2), with lattice parameters of a = 10.0167(5) Å, b = 10.3882(5) Å, c = 11.9528(5) Å, α = 90.132(3)°, β = 107.246(3)°, γ = 111.158(3)°, V = 1099.39(9) Å³, and Z = 2. Complex 1 features a 2D layered structure. The structure contains alternating Ni-centered octahedra (Ni(1)O₆, Ni(2)O₅N and Ni(3)O₅N) and O₃PC tetrahedra linked to construct a layer with rhombohedral 12-MRs holes. The cyclopentylamine moieties of H₃L were grafted onto the layer through coordination of CPO₃, CO₂ and (CH₂)₂NCH₂ with central nickel atoms. These layers are stacked in an AA sequence, which results in a one-dimensional channel in the [001] direction. Water molecules are located in these channels. Magnetic studies showed that complex 1 exhibits predominantly paramagnetic behavior.     

A novel transition-metal-linked hexaniobate cluster with photocatalytic H2 evolution activity

A novel transition-metal (TM) complex based on Lindqvist polyoxoniobate K₁₀[(Nb₆O₁₉)Cr^III(H₂O)₂]₂·28H₂O (1) has been synthesized by a new two-pot synthesis strategy and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, IR spectrum, UV–vis spectroscopy, XRPD and TG analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in the C2/m space group with a = 32.143(19) Å, b = 10.030(6) Å, c = 12.878(8) Å, β = 110.611(9)°, and V = 3886(4) ų. X-ray structure analysis reveals that polyanion [(Nb₆O₁₉)Cr^III(H₂O)₂]₂^10 − (1a) represents the first example of two nuclear dimeric polyoxoniobate, in which two Lindqvist anions [Nb₆O₁₉]⁸ are sandwiched by two {Cr^III(H₂O)₂} groups. Further, 1 exhibits photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity.     

Ionothermal synthesis and crystal structure of a new layered nickel(II) diphosphate,DRM-1

A new layered ammonium nickel(II) diphosphate, (NH₄)₂[Ni₃(P₂O₇)₂(H₂O)₂], has been synthesized ionothermally in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromide and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, scaning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry etc. The results of the characterization show that the crystal adopts the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with the lattice constants a = 9.23529(2) Å, b = 7.98489(2) Å, c = 9.40772(2) Å, β = 100.2608(2)° and Z = 2. Its structure consists of chains of cis- and trans-edge-sharing [NiO₆]-octahedra linked via [P₂O₇] units to form layers of [Ni₃(P₂O₇)₂(H₂O)₂]^2? in the ab plane. Adjacent layers are separated in the c-direction by ammonium ions.     

Coupling of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and carbon disulfide (CS2) catalyzed by the asymmetric bis-Schiff-base Zn(II) complex

Based on the self-assembly of the asymmetric bis-Schiff-base ligand H₂L (H₂L = 4-((E)-(2-((E)-3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)phenylimino)(phenyl)methyl-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ol) and Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O, a new [Zn(L)] (1) was obtained and shown to efficiently catalyze the coupling of CHO (cyclohexene oxide) and CS₂ (carbon disulfide) in activation with [PPN]Cl (PPN⁺ = bis(triphenylphosphoranyidene)-ammonium), n-Bu₄NBr or n-Bu₄NI, where both poly[thio]carbonates and cyclic [thio]carbonates were produced, and the strong O/S exchange afforded the limited formation of trithiocarbonate in the cyclic [thio]carbonate byproducts.     

Crystal and geometry-optimized structure,Hirshfeld surface analysis and spectroscopic studies of tetrachlorocuprate and nitrate salts of 1-(2-fluorophenyl)piperazine cations, (C10H15FN2)[CuCl4] (I) and (C10H14FN2)[NO3] (II)

Two new organic-inorganic hybrid materials, 1-(2-fluorophenyl)piperazine-1,4-diium tetrachlorocuprate, (C₁₀H₁₅FN₂)[CuCl₄] (I) and 1-(2-fluorophenyl)piperazin-4-ium nitrate, (C₁₀H₁₄FN₂)[NO₃] (II), have been synthesized by an acid/base reaction at room temperature in the presence of 1-(2-fluorophenyl)piperazine as an organic-structure directing agent and their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (I), (C₁₀H₁₅FN₂)[CuCl₄], crystallizes in the monoclinic system and P2₁/c space group with a = 7.5253 (2), b = 20.6070 (7), c = 9.7281 (3) Å, β = 103.6730 (17)°, V = 1465.82 (8) Å³ with Z = 4. Full-matrix least-squares refinement converged at R = 0.037 and wR(F²) = 0.088. Compound (II), (C₁₀H₁₄FN₂)[NO₃], belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c with the following parameters: a = 10.8034 (2), b = 7.5775 (1), c = 14.4670 (3) Å, β = 111.761 (2)°, V = 1099.91 (4) ų and Z = 4. The structure was refined to R = 0.044, wR(F²) = 0.136.In the structures of (I) and (II), the anionic and cationic entities are interconnected by means of set of hydrogen bonding contacts forming three-dimensional networks. Intermolecular interactions were investigated by Hirshfeld surfaces and the contacts of the four different chloride atoms were notably compared. The results of the optimized molecular structure are presented and compared with the experimental one. The Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) maps and the HOMO and LUMO energy gap of both compounds were computed. The vibrational absorption bands were identified by infrared spectroscopy. Theory (DFT) calculations of normal mode frequencies are compared with experimental ones.     

Pyroelectric,ferroelectric, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 ceramic prepared by sol-gel method

Sodium bismuth titanate (BNT) nanopowder of molar composition 50/50 (Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃) was prepared by a sol-gel processing method. The structure and microstructure of the precursor gel as well as the ferroelectric, pyroelectric, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the BNT were studied. BNT crystallized in the rhombohedra perovskites structure Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ was obtained from the precursor gel by heating at 700 °C for 2 h in air. The BNT ceramic at 1100 °C sintering temperature present high crystallinity, good dielectric properties at 1 kHz (ε′=885, tan δ=0.03, T_c=370 °C), piezoelectric properties (k₃₃=0.39, c₃₃=105 GPa, e₃₃=12.6 C/m², d₃₃=120 pC/N), high remnant polarization (P_r=47 μC/cm²) and pyroelectric coefficient ($p$=707 μC/m² K) and low coercive field (E_c=55 kV/cm). Hence, the BNT prepared by sol-gel method could be used for silicon based memory device application where a low synthesis temperature is a key requirement.     

Synthesis,structure, and substitution reactivity of a new bi-oxo capped molybdenum cluster: [Mo3(μ3-O)2(μ-O2CCH2Cl)6(H2O)2(OH)]+

A new bi-oxo capped molybdenum carboxylate, [Mo₃(μ₃-O)₂(μ-O₂CCH₂Cl)₆(H₂O)₂(OH)]⁺, was synthesized by refluxing [Mo₃(μ₃-O)₂(μ-O₂CCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]^2 + in chloroacetic acid for 20 h (T = 110 °C). Using ion-exchange chromatography (0.5 M NaClO₄ eluant), the trinuclear molybdenum ion was isolated and allowed to crystallize slowly (T = 4 °C) as the perchlorate salt (yield 23%). Upon dissolution of the compound in methanol-d₄, substitution of the terminal ligands for solvent occurs readily in which the observed exchange rate constant is k_obs^298K = 5.3 × 10^− 5 (± 0.3) s^− 1 and activation parameters equal to ΔH³ = 130 (± 10) kJ mol^− 1 and ΔS³ = 111 (± 33) J mol^− 1 K^− 1. From the kinetic data, we find that ligand substitution follows a dissociative pathway and that rates of substitution are faster than expected when compared to the molybdenum acetate analog. Herein, we report the synthesis, crystallographic study, and substitution reactivity of a new molybdenum bi-oxo capped cluster with bridging chloroacetate ligands.     

Capillary rise properties of porous geopolymers prepared by an extrusion method using polylactic acid (PLA) fibers as the pore formers

The geopolymers were prepared from sodium silicate, metakaolinite, NaOH and H₂O at SiO₂:Al₂O₃:Na₂O:H₂O of 3.66:1:1:x, where x = 8–17, and curing temperatures of 70–110 °C. Since the bending strength of the geopolymers was highest (36 MPa) where H₂O/Al₂O₃ = 9 and the curing temperature = 90 °C, these conditions were adopted. The porous geopolymers were prepared by kneading PLA fibers of 12, 20 and 29 μm diameter into the geopolymer paste, at fiber volumes of 13–28 vol%. The resulting paste was extruded using a domestic extruder, cured at 90 °C for 2 days then dried at the same temperature. The PLA fibers in the composites were removed by alkali treatment and/or heating. The highest capillary rise was achieved in the porous geopolymers containing 28 vol% of 29 μm fibers. The capillary rise of this sample, estimated by the equation of Fries and Dryer¹ was 1125 mm.