Synthesis and Structure of Mixed-Cation Salts with [NpO<Subscript>4</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>3–</Superscript> Anions

Mixed-cation salts of the general composition NaM₂[NpO₄(OH)₂]·4H₂O, where M = Rb (I, II) and Cs (III), were synthesized and structurally characterized. The compounds differ from each other in the structural organization. The Np central atom in [NpO₄(OH)₂]^3– anions has oxygen surrounding in the form of a tetragonal bipyramid with the O atoms of hydroxide ions in the apical positions. The hydrated Na⁺ cations have oxygen surrounding in the form of a distorted octahedron. In the structure of I, there are two independent Rb cations with 10- and 12-vertex coordination polyhedra, and in the structures of II and III the framework of large cations is built of 12-vertex Rb and Cs polyhedra. The coordination polyhedra of the Np and Na atoms, sharing a common edge (I, III), or chains of the coordination polyhedra of the Np and Na atoms, sharing common vertices (II), are accommodated in the channels of the frameworks. Hydrogen bonds influence the crystal packing and the geometric characteristics of the [NpO₄(OH)₂]^3– anions.     

Synthesis and properties of actinide dimolybdate complexes M<Subscript>2</Subscript>[AnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O (M = Rb,Cs; An = Np,Pu)

New Np(VI) and Pu(VI) dimolybdates Rb₂NpO₂(MoO₄)₂·H₂O (I), Cs₂NpO₂(MoO₄)₂·H₂O (II), Cs₂PuO₂(MoO₄)₂·H₂O (III), and Rb₂PuO₂(MoO₄)₂·H₂O (IV) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structures of the compounds were determined, and their absorption spectra in the UV, visible, and IR ranges were measured. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic system. Their crystal structure is based on [AnO₂(MoO₄)₂]_n^2n– anionic layers (An = Np, Pu) formed by (AnO₂)O₅ pentagonal bipyramids and MoO₄ tetrahedra, sharing common vertices. Each An atom in the layer is bonded to other five An atoms via MoO₄ tetrahedra with the formation of a 4343² network. The effect of the ionic radius of the outer-sphere cation on the parameters of the crystal structure and features of the absorption spectra is discussed.     

Crystal structure of a Np(V) sesquioxalate,Na<Subscript>4</Subscript>(NpO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The crystal structure of a previously unknown Np(V) sesquioxalate, Na₄(NpO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₃·2H₂O was studied. The crystal structure consists of neptunyl(V) cations, sodium cations, oxalate anions, and water molecules of crystallization. Neptunyl(V) cations and oxalate ions form anionic chains [(NpO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₃] _n ^4n? . The coordination polyhedron (CP) of Np (pentagonal bipyramid) contains two apical “yl” oxygen atoms and five equatorial O atoms of three oxalate ions. The CP of Na(1) and Na(2) cations are combined through the common edges into zigzag chains in the [010] direction. Two independent oxalate ions are tridentate and tetradentate ligands.     

Crystal Structure of Uranyl Malonate Trihydrate [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OOC)<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)]·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of [UO₂(OOC)₂CH₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O (I) were prepared by recrystallization of finely crystalline uranyl malonate trihydrate under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure of I consists of electroneutral [UO₂(OOC)₂CH₂(H₂O)]_n layers and water molecules located between them. The uranium coordination number is 7. The uranium coordination polyhedron is a distorted pentagonal bipyramid with the oxygen atoms of the uranyl group in the apices. The equatorial plane is occupied by four O atoms of three malonate ligands and the water molecule. The malonate anion is coordinated in the bidentate fashion to one uranyl ion to form a six-membered ring and in the monodentate fashion to two other uranyl ions.     

Synthesis and Structure of Mixed-Cation Salts with [PuO<Subscript>4</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>3–</Superscript> Anions

Mixed-cation salts of the composition NaM₂[PuO₄(OH)₂]·4H₂O, where M = Rb (I) and Cs (III), and NaRb₅[PuO₄(OH)₂]₂·6H₂O (II) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The central Pu atom in [PuO₄(OH)₂]^3– anions has oxygen surrounding in the form of a tetragonal bipyramid with oxygen atoms of hydroxide ions in apical positions. The hydrated Na⁺ cations have oxygen surrounding in the form of a distorted octahedron. In the structure of I, there are two independent Rb⁺ cations with 10- and 12-vertex coordination polyhedra (CPs), and in the structure of II, three independent Rb⁺ cations with the 12-, 11-, and 13-vertex CPs. In the structure of III, the Cs⁺ cation has a 12-vertex CP. Frameworks of large Rb⁺ or Cs⁺ cations can be distinguished in the structure. The CPs of the Pu and Na atoms (I, III) sharing a common edge or the isolated CPs of the Pu and Na atoms (II) are incorporated in these frameworks. Hydrogen bonds influence the crystal packing and the geometric characteristics of the [PuO₄(OH)₂]^3– anions.     

Crystal Structure of a Double Neptunium(V) Lanthanum Nitrate,La(NpO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>·<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The structure of a double neptunium(V) lanthanum nitrate, La(NpO₂)₃(NO₃)₆·nH₂O, was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Each neptunyl(V) ion in the structure of the compound is bonded to four other neptunyl(V) ions, acting simultaneously as a bidentate ligand and as a coordination center for two other dioxocations. The cation-cation interaction of the neptunyl(V) ions results in formation of trigonal-hexagonal cationic networks. The surrounding of each Np atom also includes two bidentate nitrate ions. The CN of the Np atom is 8, and the coordination polyhedron is a distorted hexagonal bipyramid. The La³⁺ cations are surrounded only by water molecules.     

Crystal structure of a Pu(VII) potassium salt,K<Subscript>3</Subscript>PuO<Subscript>4</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A new Pu(VII) compound, K₃PuO₄(OH)₂·2H₂O, was synthesized, and its structure was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound is isostructural to the previously described K₃NpO₄(OH)₂·2H₂O. The structure of the latter compound was redetermined to obtain more precise interatomic distances in the NpO₂(OH) ₂ ^3? anion. Changes in An-O bond lengths in the tetragon-bipyramidal coordination polyhedron of the compounds K₃AnO₄(OH)₂·2H₂O in going from Np(VII) to Pu(VII) were considered.     

Crystal structure of U(VI) phthalate dihydrate [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OOC)<Subscript>2</Subscript>C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>•H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O]•H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Crystalline uranyl phthalate dihydrate was prepared by hydrothermal method, and its crystal structure was determined. The crystal structure consists of infinite chains [UO₂LH₂O]_n coupled in bands [(UO₂)₂L₂(H₂O)₂]_n [L = C₆H₄(COO)₂], between which water molecules of crystallization are located. The coordination polyhedron of uranium atoms is a pentagonal bipyramid with the equatorial plane formed by oxygen atoms of three phthalate ions and coordinated water molecule. The U-O bond length in the UO ₂ ²⁺ cations is 1.766 . The coordination capacity of the ligands is 4. Anions are bidentately coordinated to uranium atoms to form seven-membered rings. Being bridging ligands, phthalate ions combine the neighboring uranium atoms into chains through one carboxy group, and the chains into bands, through the other carboxy group.Translated from Radiokhimiya, Vol. 46, No. 6, 2004, pp. 513–515.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Charushnikova, Krot, Starikova.     

Synthesis,electronic state,and particle size stabilization of nanoparticulate [Co(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>3</Subscript>O)<Stack><Subscript>δ</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack>]<Superscript>δ+</Superscript>

We have synthesized nanoparticulate cobalt(II) hydroxide containing Co²⁺ in tetrahedral oxygen coordination (Co _Td ²⁺ ), atypical of such systems: nano- [Co(OH)₂(H₃O) _δ ⁺ ]^δ+. The (Co _Td ²⁺ ) coordination in the hydroxide is inferred from its electronic diffuse reflectance spectrum, which shows a multiplet of strong absorption bands at 14500, 15000, and 16000 cm^?1 (⁴ A ₂(F)-⁴ T ₁(P) transition). Nanoparticulate cobalt(II) hydroxide forms in a weakly acidic medium under essentially nonequilibrium conditions due to supersaturation (by three to four orders of magnitude) with the starting reagents (CoCl₂ and LiOH) at the instant of the formation of the poorly soluble phase Co(OH)₂. Presumably, colloidal particles of nanoparticulate cobalt(II) hydroxide in a weakly acidic aqueous medium have a positive surface charge, compensated by a counter-ion (Cl^?) layer: nano-[Co(OH)₂(H₃O) _δ ⁺ ]^δ+ · δCl^?. The XRD patterns of pastes (gels) containing this hydroxide show three broad-ened lines with d = 5.31 (2θ = 16.7°), 2.77 (2θ = 32.3°), and 2.32 Å (2θ = 38.8°). According to small-angle X-ray scattering data, nano-[Co(OH)₂(H₃O) _δ ⁺ ]^δ+ has a narrow particle size distribution (1.0–2.0 nm). Synthesis and storage conditions are identified which ensure stabilization of the electronic state and particle size of nano-[Co(OH)₂(H₃O) _δ ⁺ ]^δ+ for a long time.     

Kinetics of Thermal Transformation of Mg<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 8H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O to Mg<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The kinetics of thermal dehydration of Mg₃(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O was investigated using thermogravimetry at four different heating rates. The activation energies of the dehydration step of Mg₃(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O were calculated through the isoconversional Ozawa and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods and iterative methods, which were found to be consistent and indicate a single mechanism. The possible conversion function of the dehydration reaction for Mg₃(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O has been estimated through the Coats and Redfern integral equation, and a better kinetic model such as random nucleation of the “Avrami–Erofeev equation (A _3/2 model)” was found. The thermodynamic functions (ΔH*, ΔG*, and ΔS*) of the dehydration reaction are calculated by the activated complex theory and indicate that it is a non-spontaneous process when the introduction of heat is not connected.     

Low-frequency dielectric spectroscopy and electrical properties of Ca[B<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O single crystals near the phase transition

The dielectric properties and polarization of ferroelectric Ca[B₃O₄(OH)₃]·H₂O (colemanite) crystals are studied near the Curie temperature. The real part of dielectric permittivity (), dielectric losses (tan), pyroelectric coefficient (), and thermally stimulated depolarization currents are measured from -50 to 50°C. To assess the detailed nature of the phase transition (Curie temperature t_C~-7°C), the temperature dependences of and tan and are measured at frequencies f = 0.8-20 kHz. The results are used to determine () (where =f ) and (T) and evaluate the activation energy. The (t) data indicate that colemanite undergoes a diffuse phase transition.Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 40, No. 12, 2004, pp. 1489–1494.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Slabkaya, Lotonov, Gavrilova.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of cesium actinide(VI) tricarbonate complexes Cs4AnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>·6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O,An(VI) = U,Np, Pu

Tricarbonate complexes of hexavalent U, Np, and Pu with outer-sphere cesium cations, Cs₄AnO₂·(CO₃)₃·6H₂O, were synthesized and studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystals of Cs₄AnO₂·(CO₃)₃·6H₂O consist of [AnO₂(CO₃)₃]^4– complex anions and hydrated Cs⁺ cations. The coordination polyhedron (CP) of An(VI) atoms is a distorted hexagonal bipyramid with three CO ₃ ^2– anions arranged in the equatorial plane. Four independent Cs+ cations have the coordination surrounding in the form of 11-, 10-, and 9-vertex polyhedra formed by the O atoms of CO ₃ ^2– anions, AnO ₂ ²⁺ cations, and water molecules. Six crystallographically independent water molecules in the structure of Cs₄AnO₂(CO₃)₃·6H₂O form a three-dimensional system of hydrogen bonds in which the O atoms of carbonate ions and water molecules act as proton acceptors. The “yl” oxygen atoms of AnO ₂ ²⁺ cations are not involved in hydrogen bonding. The lengths of the An–O_carb bonds in the equator of the U, Np, and Pu hexagonal bipyramids are noticeably influenced by incorporation of the O atoms of the CO ₃ ^2– anions in the coordination polyhedra of Cs⁺ ions and by involvement of these atoms in hydrogen bonding.     

Mechanism of UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O decomposition under the action of microwave radiation

The effect of microwave radiation (MWR) on the decomposition of UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O was studied. Determination of [UO ₂ ²⁺ ] and [NO ₃ ^? ], and also of the molar ratio NO ₃ ^? : UO ₂ ²⁺ in various fractions of the decomposition product showed that the mechanism of the UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O decomposition under the action of MWR differs from the mechanism of its decomposition under common convection heating. The main precursor of UO₃ as product of UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O decomposition under the action of MWR is uranyl hydroxonitrate UO₂(OH)NO₃ formed already in the first minutes of the irradiation. In contrast to the thermolysis under convection heating, UO₂(NO₃)₂ or its hydrates were not detected as intermediates. The mechanism of the UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O decomposition under the action of MWR can be presented by the reactions UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O → UO₂(OH)NO₃ + 5H₂O + HNO₃ and UO₂(OH)NO₃ → UO₃ + HNO₃. The solubility of UO₂(OH)NO₃ in H₂O at 20°C was estimated experimentally at 6.83 × 10^?2 M.     

Mechanism of UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O decomposition under the action of microwave radiation: Part 2

Products of UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O decomposition under the action of microwave radiation (MWR) were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray phase analysis, IR spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The results of physicochemical studies of these decomposition products were compared to the published data for various uranium compounds, including UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. Apart from gaseous products, the final products of decomposition of 2–10 g of UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O under the action of MWR for 35 min (the maximal process temperature, 170–320°C, is attained in the first 2–5 min of irradiation) are uranyl hydroxonitrate UO₂(OH)NO₃ and uranium trioxide UO₃ or their hydrates. The results obtained are consistent with the mechanism suggested in our previous paper and involving the reactions (1) UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O → UO₂(OH)NO₃ + 5H₂O + HNO₃ and (2) UO₂(OH)NO₃ → UO₃ + HNO_3. The physicochemical study confirms the conclusions on the composition of products of UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O decomposition under the action of MWR, made previously on the basis of chemical studies. The only precursor of UO₃ in microwave treatment of UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O is UO₂(OH)NO₃ (or its hydrates). This is the main difference between the courses of uranyl nitrate decomposition under the conditions of microwave and convection heating. In the latter case, uranyl nitrate and its hydrates also participate in the formation of UO₃.     

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite by microwave heating using CaSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and Ca(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript> as calcium source

In this paper, synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) in the absence or presence of 1.05 wt% magnesium oxide, as sintering additive, by heating in a microwave oven was studied. For this purpose, CaSO₄·2H₂O, Ca(OH)₂, Mg(OH)₂ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ were used as raw materials. The total chemical reactions for all the studied compositions were observed after a 3 h microwave treatment. In case of pure hydroxyapatite, a powder with needle-like grains results. In the presence of Mg(OH)₂, the (Mg, Ca₂)·O·(HPO₄)₂·H₂O hydrated phosphate is formed besides hydroxyapatite. Pure hydroxyapatite, thermally treated at 1,200 °C, mostly transforms in β-Ca₃P₂O₈. By adding MgO into the precursor mixture, hydroxyapatite was stabilised, and found in a much greater proportion at 1,200 °C. After the thermal treatment, the hydroxyapatite, analysed by electronic microscopy, shows a prismatic morphology originating in its initial state.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and properties of new actinide(VI) arsenates (H<Subscript>3</Subscript>O)[(AnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)(AsO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)]·3H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O (An = U,Np, Pu)

Previously unknown arsenates of hexavalent U, Np, and Pu, (H₃O)[(UO₂)(AsO₄)]·3H₂O (I), (H₃O)· [(NpO₂)(AsO₄)]·3H₂O (II), and (H₃O)[(PuO₂)(AsO₄)]·3H₂O (III), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure of the compounds was determined, and their absorption spectra were measured. The compounds crystallize in tetragonal space group P4/nmm.     

Sol–gel preparation and high-energy XRD study of (CaO)<Subscript>x</Subscript>(TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.5−x</Subscript>(P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.5</Subscript> glasses (x = 0 and 0.25)

Glasses from the CaO–TiO₂–P₂O₅ system have potential use in biomedical applications. Here a method for the sol–gel synthesis of the ternary glass (CaO)_0.25(TiO₂)_0.25(P₂O₅)_0.5 has been developed. The structures of the dried gel and heat-treated glass were studied using high-energy X-ray diffraction. The structure of the binary (TiO₂)_0.5(P₂O₅)_0.5 sol–gel was studied for comparison. The results reveal that the heat-treated (CaO)_0.25(TiO₂)_0.25(P₂O₅)_0.5 glass has a structure based on chains and rings of PO₄ tetrahedra, held together by a combination of electrostatic interaction with Ca²⁺ ions and by corner-sharing oxygen atoms with TiO₆ octahedra. In contrast, the (TiO₂)_0.5(P₂O₅)_0.5 glass has a structure based on isolated P₂O₇ units linked together by corner-sharing with TiO₆ groups. The results suggest that both the dried gels possess open porous structures. For the (CaO)_0.25(TiO₂)_0.25(P₂O₅)_0.5 sample there is a significant increase in Ca–O coordination number with heat treatment.     

Morphologies and properties of NiO particles prepared from NiSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>·6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and Ni(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O by spray pyrolysis

Nickel oxide particles were prepared by spray pyrolysis of aqueous solutions of NiSO₄·6H₂O and Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. In spray pyrolysis reactor hollow salt particles initially formed were collapsed by decomposition to reduce their size. For NiSO₄·6H₂O less hollowness of the primitive particles and its higher decomposition temperature made the oxide particles highly spherical with very smooth surface. On the other hand the particles prepared from Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O were so hollow and fragile with rough surface since they were formed on the liquid pool of the salt melt. The particle size decreased with the furnace set temperature while increased with the initial salt concentration. Single oxide particle was composed of many small nuclei without sintering whose size varied with the rate of decomposition. The crystallinity of the particles increased with both temperature and the initial salt concentration. Preliminary drying in diffusion dryer fixed the size of the oxide particles from NiSO₄·6H₂O at that of the primitive particles, independent of the temperature. However, by the preliminary drying the particles from Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O became more hollow and fragile, whose sizes decreased with the temperature.     

Preparation of β-Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Poly(D,L-lactide) and β-Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Biocomposite Implants for Bone Substitution

Highly permeable macroporous implants of various architectures for bone grafting have been fabricated by thermal extrusion 3D printing using highly filled β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂/poly(D,L-lactide) (degree of filling up to 70 wt %) and β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂/poly(ε-caprolactone) (degree of filling up to 70 wt %) composite filaments. To modify the surface of the composite macroporous implants with the aim of improving their wettability by saline solutions, we have proposed exposing them to a cathode discharge plasma (2.5 W, air as plasma gas) in combination with subsequent etching in a 0.5 M citric acid solution. It has been shown that the main contribution to changes in the wettability (contact angle) of the composites is made by the changes produced in their surface morphology by etching in a low-temperature plasma and citric acid. An alternative approach to surface modification of the composites is to produce a carbonate hydroxyapatite layer via precipitation from a simulated body fluid solution a factor of 5 supersaturated relative to its natural analog (5xSBF).     

Synthesis of thorn-like Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O by hydrothermal method

Thorn-like polycrystalline Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O microspheres with nano-sized slices were synthesized using boric acid and calcium hydroxide as reactants by a facile catalyst-free hydrothermal method at low temperature. The products were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD pattern reveals that the Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O is a monoclinic phase polycrystalline with cell parameters a = 0·6702, b = 0·5419 and c = 0·3558 nm. SEM also reveals that the monoclinic phase polycrystalline are thorn-like microspheres composed of many flakes with an average thickness of <100 nm. Possible reaction and growth mechanism were also discussed.