Atomic layer deposition of ZnS via in situ production of H2S

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnS films utilizing diethylzinc and in situ generated H₂S was performed over a temperature range of 60 °C-400 °C. This method for generating H₂S in situ was developed to eliminate the need to store high pressure H₂S gas. The H₂S precursor was generated by heating thioacetamide to 150 °C in an inert atmosphere, producing acetonitrile and H₂S as confirmed with mass spectroscopy. ALD behavior was confirmed by investigation of growth behavior and saturation curves. The properties of the films were studied with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show a growth rate that monotonically decreases with temperature, and films that are stoichiometric in Zn and S. The root mean square roughness of the films increases with temperature above 100 °C. A change in crystal phase begins at ∼ 300 °C. The band gap is dependent on the crystal phase and is estimated to be 3.6-4 eV.     

H2S sensing properties of La-doped nanocrystalline In2O3

The nanocrystalline powders of pure and La³⁺-doped In₂O₃ with cubic structure were prepared by a simple hydrothermal decomposition route. The structure and crystal phase of the powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microstructure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All the compositions exhibited a single phase, suggesting a formation of solid solution in the concentration of doping investigated. Gas-sensing properties of the sensor elements were tested by mixing a gas in air at static state, as a function of concentration of dopant, operating temperature and concentrations of the test gases. The pure In₂O₃ exhibited high response towards H₂S gas at an operating temperature 150 °C. Doping of In₂O₃ with La³⁺ increases its response towards H₂S and La³⁺ (5.0 wt.% La₂O₃)-doped In₂O₃ showed the maximum response at 125 °C. The selectivity of the sensor elements for H₂S against different reducing gases was studied. The results on response and recovery time were also discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of CdO-doped nanocrystalline ZnO:TiO2-based H2S gas sensor

This paper reports the preparation and gas-sensing characteristic of ZnO:TiO₂-based hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas sensor with different mol% of CdO by polymerized complex method. The structural and gas-sensing properties of ZnO:TiO₂ materials have been characterized using X-ray diffraction and gas-sensing measurement. The electrical resistance response of the sensor based on the materials was investigated at different operating temperatures and different gas concentrations. The sensor with 10 mol% CdO-doped ZnO:TiO₂ shows excellent electrical resistance response toward H₂S gas. The cross sensitivity was also checked for reducing gases like CH₄, CO and H₂ gas. The selectivity and sensitivity of ZnO:TiO₂-based H₂S gas sensor were improved by the addition of 10 mol% of CdO at an operating temperature of 250 °C.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new organic dihydrogen phosphate-arsenate: [H2(C4H10N2)][H2(As, P)O4]2

Chemical preparation, crystal structure, calorimetric and spectroscopic investigations (IR and RMN) are given for a new non-centrosymmetric organic-cation dihydrogen phosphate-arsenate [H₂(C₄H₁₀N₂)][H₂(As, P)O₄]₂. This compound is triclinic P1 with the following unit-cell parameters: a = 7.082(2) Å, b = 7.796(1) Å, c = 12.05(3) Å, α = 95.37(2)°, β = 98.38(3)°, γ = 62.98(1)°, Z = 2, V = 586.2(1) Å³ and D_x = 1.836 g cm⁻³. The crystal structure has been solved and refined to R = 0.03 using 2328 independent reflections. The structure can be described as infinite (H₂XO)_n chains spreading parallel to the b direction. These chains are themselves interconnected by a set of NH?O hydrogen bonds generated by the organic entities, alternating with the chains. Solid-state ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopies are in agreement with the X-ray structure.     

Crystal structure of a new organic condensed phosphate (C6H9N3O)H2P2O7

Crystals of a new organic compound, the isonicotinic acid hydrazide dihydrogendiphosphate, (C₆H₉N₃O)H₂P₂O₇ (denoted INHDP) were prepared and grown at room temperature. The INHDP crystallizes in the triclinic system with the space group. Its unit cell dimensions are: a = 7.316(3) Å, b = 7.783(3) Å, c = 10.802(4) Å, α = 82.41(3)°, β = 75.19(3)°, γ = 72.57(3)°, with V = 566.3(4) Å³ and Z = 2. Crystal structure has been determined and refined to a reliability R factor of 0.0389. The atomic arrangement can be described as inorganic infinite ribbons of H₂P₂O₇²⁻ anions spreading parallel to the b-axis. These ribbons are themselves interconnected by the organic (C₆H₉N₃O)⁺ cations so as to build a three dimensional arrangement. In the present work, we describe the crystal structure, thermal behaviour and IR analysis of this new compound.     

Synthesis and microwave dielectric properties of CaO-MgO-SiO2 submicron powders doped with Li2O-Bi2O3 by sol-gel method

Using Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, Si(OC₂H₅)₄, LiNO₃ and Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O as raw materials, CaO-MgO-SiO₂ submicron powders were prepared at low temperature by sol-gel method. The crystallization temperature was decreased enormously by the introduction of Li-Bi liquid phase sintering aids into Ca-Mg-Si sol, and the powders with average particle sizes of 80-100 nm and 200-400 nm were obtained at the calcining temperature of 750 °C and 800 °C, respectively. The sintering characteristic and dielectric properties of powders calcined at 750 °C with different content of powders calcined at 800 °C were studied. When the content of powders calcined at 800 °C was 10 wt%, the dielectric ceramic sintered at 890 °C had compact structure, and possessed excellent microwave dielectric properties: ?_r = 7.16, Q × f = 25630 GHz, τ_f = −69.26 ppm/°C.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal decomposition of [La2(CH3CH2COO)6·(H2O)3]·3.5H2O precursor for high-k La2O3 thin films deposition

Lanthanum acetylacetonate La(C₅H₇O₂)₃·xH₂O has been used in the preparation of the precursor solution for the deposition of polycrystalline La₂O₃ thin films on Si(1 1 1) single crystalline substrates. The precursor chemistry of the as-prepared coating solution, precursor powder and precursor single crystal have been investigated by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), differential thermal analysis coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (TG-DTA-QMS) and X-ray diffraction. The FTIR and X-ray diffraction analyses have revealed the complex nature of the coating solution due to the formation of a lanthanum propionate complex. The La₂O₃ thin films deposited by spin coating on Si(1 1 1) substrate exhibit good morphological and structural properties. The films heat treated at 800 °C crystallize in a hexagonal phase with the lattice parameters a = 3,89 Å and c = 6.33 Å, while at 900 °C the films contain both the hexagonal and cubic La₂O₃ phase.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new 2,4,6-triaminopyridinium dihydrogendiphosphate dihydrate (C4H8N5)2H2P2O7·2H2O

Structural properties of the 2,4,6-triaminopyridinium dihydrogendiphosphate dihydrate are discussed on the basis of an X-ray structure investigation. (C₄H₈N₅)₂H₂P₂O₇·2H₂O is monoclinic, C2/c, with a = 10.414(1) Å, b = 13.365(1) Å, c = 13.736(2) Å, β = 98.39(4)°, and Z = 4. The structure has been solved by a direct method and refined to a reliability R factor of 0.0375 (R_w = 0.0961) using 2751 independent reflections. The structural arrangement can be described as inorganic infinite ribbons, , spreading along the c direction; the organic groups, [C₄H₈N₅]⁺, link the precedent ribbons, via their hydrogen bonds, to form a three-dimensional network. The present work, deals with crystal structure, thermal behavior and IR analysis of this new compound.     

Nanocrystalline chemically modified CdIn2O4 thick films for H2S gas sensor

CdIn₂O₄ sensor with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity for H₂S gas was synthesized by using sol-gel technique. Structural, electrical and gas sensing properties of doped and undoped CdIn₂O₄ thick films were studied. XRD revealed the single-phase polycrystalline nature of the synthesized CdIn₂O₄ nanomaterials. Since the resistance change of a sensing material is the measure of its response, selectivity and sensitivity was found to be enhanced by doping different concentrations of cobalt in CdIn₂O₄ thick films. The sensor exhibits high response and selectivity toward H₂S for 10 wt.% Co doped CdIn₂O₄ thick films. The current-voltage characteristics of 10 wt.% Co doped CdIn₂O₄ calcined at 650 °C shows one order increase in current with change in the bias voltage at an operating temperature of 200 °C for 1000 ppm H₂S gas.     

Crystal structures, thermal analysis and IR investigations of (C4H14N2O)SO4 and (C4H14N2O)SO4·H2O

Crystals of 2(2-ammonium ethyl ammonium)ethanol sulfate monohydrate: (C₄H₁₄N₂O)SO₄·H₂O abbreviated as AEESM, and 2(2-ammonium ethyl ammonium)ethanol sulfate: (C₄H₁₄N₂O)SO₄ abbreviated as AEES, have been prepared and grown at room temperature. These materials have the following unit cell dimensions (C₄H₁₄N₂O)SO₄·H₂O: a = 16.116(6), b = 7.411(3), and c = 15.750(6) Å; (C₄H₁₄N₂O)SO₄: a = 8.1142(2), b = 10.6632(4), c = 9.9951(4) Å, and β = 99.433(3)°. Their space groups are Pbca and P2₁/c, respectively. The structures of these compounds have been determined by single-crystal X-ray data analysis. The AEESM structure is built up from infinite inorganic chains parallel to the b axis linked via Ow-H?O hydrogen bonds. These chains are interconnected by organic groups so as to build layers perpendicular to the c direction. The structure of AEES consists of a three-dimensional network of H-bonds connecting all its components. In the present work the crystal structures, thermal behavior and IR analysis of these two new compounds are described.     

PEG-300 assisted hydrothermal synthesis of 4ZnO·B2O3·H2O nanorods

4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O is commonly used as a flame-retardant filler in composite materials. The microstructure of the powder is of importance in its applications. In our study, for the first time, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure of 4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O with rectangle rod-like shape has been synthesized by a hydrothermal route in the presence of surfactant polyethylene glycol-300 (PEG-300). The nanorods have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma with atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) equipped with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) as well as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). These nanorods are about 70 nm in thickness, 150-800 nm in width and have lengths up to a few microns. 4ZnO·B₂O₃·H₂O nanorods crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m, a = 6.8871(19) Å, b = 4.9318(10) Å, c = 5.7137(16) Å, β = 98.81(21)° and V = 191.779(71) Å³.     

Effect of H2S treatment on properties of CuInS2 thin films deposited by chemical spray pyrolysis at low temperature

CuInS₂ thin films were deposited by chemical spray of aqueous solutions containing CuCl₂, InCl₃ and thiourea at substrate temperature of 250 °C in air and subjected to annealing at 530 °C in H₂S atmosphere. Structure and composition before and after annealing were studied by XRD, EDS, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. As-sprayed films were low-crystalline, showed uniform distribution of elements in film thickness and no oxygen content. For the CuInS₂ films deposited from the solutions with [Cu²⁺] / [In³⁺] = 1.0 and 1.1, H₂S treatment for 30 min increased the chalcopyrite content up to 73% and 51%, respectively. Cu_XS phase in sprayed CIS films promotes the crystallite growth but retards the formation of chalcopyrite phase during H₂S treatment.     

[NH3(CH2)2NH3][Co(SO4)2(H2O)4]: Chemical preparation, crystal structure, thermal decomposition and magnetic properties

Cobalt ethylenediammonium bis(sulfate) tetrahydrate, [NH₃(CH₂)₂NH₃][Co(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₄], has been synthesised by slow evaporation at room temperature. It crystallises in the triclinic system, space group , with the unit cell parameters: a = 6.8033(2), b = 7.0705(2), c = 7.2192(3) Å, α = 74.909(2)°, β = 72.291(2)°, γ = 79.167(2)°, Z = 1 and V = 317.16(2) Å³. The Co(II) atom is octahedrally coordinated by four water molecules and two sulfate tetrahedra leading to trimeric units [Co(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₄]. These units are linked to each other and to the ethylenediammonium cations through OW-H…O and N-H…O hydrogen bonds, respectively. The zero-dimensional structure is described as an alternation between cationic and anionic layers along the crystallographic b-axis. The dehydration of the precursor proceeds through three stages leading to crystalline intermediary hydrate phases and an anhydrous compound. The magnetic measurements show that the title compound is predominantly paramagnetic with weak antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Fast response detection of H2S by CuO-doped SnO2 films prepared by electrodeposition and oxidization at low temperature

Fast response detection of H₂S by CuO-doped SnO₂ films prepared was prepared by a simple two-step process: electrodeposition from aqueous solutions of SnCl₂ and CuCl₂, and oxidization at 600 °C. The phase constitution and morphology of the CuO-doped SnO₂ films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. In all cases, a polycrystalline porous film of SnO₂ was the product, with the CuO deposited on the individual SnO₂ particles. Two types of CuO-doped SnO₂ films with different microstructures were obtained via control of oxidation time: nanosized CuO dotted island doped SnO₂ and ultra-uniform, porous, and thin CuO film coated SnO₂. The sensor response of the CuO doped SnO₂ films to H₂S gas at 50–300 ppm was investigated within the temperature range of 25–125 °C. Both of the CuO-doped SnO₂ films show fast response and recovery properties. The response time of the ultra-uniform, porous, and thin CuO coated SnO₂ to H₂S gas at 50 ppm was 34 s at 100 °C, and its corresponding recovery time was about 1/3 of the response time.     

Crystal structure and physicochemical properties of a new organic condensed phosphate (C7H10NO)3P3O9·4H2O

Chemical preparation, X-ray characterization, IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis of a new cyclotriphosphate: (C₇H₁₀NO)₃P₃O₉·4H₂O abbreviated as OACTP, are reported. This mixed organo-mineral compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system with P2₁/n space group, the unit cell dimensions are: a = 6.605(3) Å, b = 26.166(3) Å, c = 18.671(8) Å, β = 91.95(3)°, Z = 4 and V = 3255(2) Å³. The structure was solved using a direct method and refined to a reliability R-factor of 0.043 using 3931 independent reflections (I > 2σI). Atomic arrangement exhibits infinite (P₃O₉·2H₂O)_n³ⁿ⁻ chains connected by organic cations. The thermal behavior and the IR spectroscopic studies of this new compound are discussed.     

2D-network of inorganic-organic hybrid material built on Keggin type polyoxometallate and amino acid: [L-C2H6NO2]3[(PO4)Mo12O36]·5H2O

A new inorganic-organic hybrid material based on polyoxometallate, [L-C₂H₆NO₂]₃[(PO₄)Mo₁₂O₃₆]·5H₂O, has been successfully synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis, elemental analysis, infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and differential thermal analysis techniques. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P2₁/c_, with a = 12.4938 (8) Å, b = 19.9326 (12) Å, c = 17.9270 (11) Å, β = 102.129 (1)°, V = 4364.8 (5) Å³, Z = 4 and R₁(wR₂) = 0.0513, 0.0877. The most remarkable structural feature of this hybrid can be described as two-dimensional inorganic infinite plane-like (2D/∞ [(PO₄)Mo₁₂O₃₆]³⁻) which forming via weak Van der Waals interactions along the z axis. The characteristic band of the Keggin anion [(PO₄)Mo₁₂O₃₆]³⁻ appears at 210 nm in the UV spectrum. Thermal analysis indicates that the Keggin anion skeleton begins to decompose at 520 °C.     

Na2Cd2I6L2(H2O)6 [L = Urotropine]: An interesting precursor for synthesizing CdO particles

A coordination polymer, Na₂Cd₂I₆L₂(H₂O)₆ [L = Urotropine] has been employed as sole precursor to synthesize CdO particles. Two different preparation methods viz (i) pyrolysis of the title compound at 700 °C for 2 h and (ii) forming cadmium hydroxide from the title compound followed by pyrolysis at 700 °C for 2 h have been used for the synthesis of nano sized CdO-I and CdO-II, respectively. From powder XRD data the lattice parameters (0.4701 and 0.4696 nm respectively for the two samples) and particle size (~ 77 and 30 nm for CdO-I and CdO-II) have been evaluated. Morphology of the two varieties of CdO is widely different as is evident from their SEM images. The estimated values of the band gap of 2.53 eV and 2.59 eV for CdO-I and CdO-II respectively are obtained from the optical spectral analysis.     

Synthesis and conductivity of solid high-proton conductor H5GeW10MoVO40·21H2O

A new solid high-proton conductor decatungstomolybdovanadogermanic heteropoly acid (HPA) H₅GeW₁₀MoVO₄₀·21H₂O has been synthesized for the first time by stepwise acidification and stepwise addition of solutions of the component elements. The product was characterized by chemical analysis, potentiometric titration, IR, UV, XRD and TG-DTA. The IR, UV and XRD indicate that H₅GeW₁₀MoVO₄₀·21H₂O possesses the Keggin structure. The TG-DTA curve shows the sequence of water loss in the acid, the amount of the loss, as well as the thermostability. The results of AC impedance measurement show that its proton conductivity is 3.58 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 18 °C and the activation energy for proton conduction is 31.82 kJ/mol.     

Simultaneous absorption of NOx and SO2 from flue gas with pyrolusite slurry combined with gas-phase oxidation of NO using ozone

NO was oxidized into NO₂ first by injecting ozone into flue gas stream, and then NO₂ was absorbed from flue gas simultaneously with SO₂ by pyrolusite slurry. Reaction mechanism and products during the absorption process were discussed in the followings. Effects of concentrations of injected ozone, inlet NO, pyrolusite and reaction temperature on NO_x/SO₂ removal efficiency and Mn extraction rate were also investigated. The results showed that ozone could oxidize NO to NO₂ with selectivity and high efficiency, furthermore, MnO₂ in pyrolusite slurry could oxidize SO₂ and NO₂ into MnSO₄ and Mn(NO₃)₂ in liquid phase, respectively. Temperature and concentrations of injected ozone and inlet NO had little impact on both SO₂ removal efficiency and Mn extraction rate. Specifically, Mn extraction rate remained steady at around 85% when SO₂ removal efficiency dropped to 90%. NO_x removal efficiency increased with the increasing of ozone concentration, inlet NO concentration and pyrolusite concentration, however, it remained stable when reaction temperature increased from 20 °C to 40 °C and decreased when the flue gas temperature exceeded 40 °C. NO_x removal efficiency reached 82% when inlet NO at 750 ppm, injected ozone at 900 ppm, concentration of pyrolusite at 500 g/L and temperature at 25 °C.     

Flower-like microparticles and novel superparamagnetic properties of new binary Co1/2Fe1/2(H2PO4)2·2H2O obtained by a rapid solid state route at ambient temperature

A new binary Co_1/2Fe_1/2(H₂PO₄)₂·2H₂O was synthesized by a simple, rapid and cost-effective method using CoCO₃-Fe(c)-H₃PO₄ system at ambient temperature. Thermal treatment of the obtained Co_1/2Fe_1/2(H₂PO₄)₂·2H₂O at 600 °C yielded as a binary cobalt iron cyclotetraphosphate CoFeP₄O₁₂. The FTIR and XRD results of the synthesized Co_1/2Fe_1/2(H₂PO₄)₂·2H₂O and its final decomposed product CoFeP₄O₁₂ indicate the monoclinic phases with space group P2₁/n and C2/c, respectively. The particle morphologies of both binary metal compounds appear the flower-like microparticle shapes. Room temperature magnetization results show novel superparamagnetic behaviors of the Co_1/2Fe_1/2(H₂PO₄)₂·2H₂O and its final decomposed product CoFeP₄O₁₂, having no hysteresis loops in the range of ±10,000 Oe with the specific magnetization values of 0.045 and 12.502 emu/g at 10 kOe, respectively. The dominant physical properties of the obtained binary metal compounds (Co_1/2Fe_1/2(H₂PO₄)₂·2H₂O and CoFeP₄O₁₂) are compared with the single compounds (M(H₂PO₄)₂·2H₂O and M₂P₄O₁₂; where M = Co, Fe), indicating the presence of Co ions in substitution position of Fe ions.