Synthesis and structure of Mu-33, a new layered aluminophosphate

Mu-33, a new layered aluminophosphate with an Al/P ratio of 0.66, was obtained from a quasi non-aqueous synthesis in which tert-butylformamide (tBF) was the main solvent and only limited amounts of water were present. During the synthesis, tBF decomposed and the resulting protonated tert-butylamine is occluded in the as-synthesized material. The approximate structure was determined from data collected on a microcrystal (200 × 25 × 5 μm³) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, but the quality of these data did not allow satisfactory refinement. Therefore the structure was refined using high-resolution powder diffraction data, also collected at the ESRF. The structure (P2₁/c, a = 9.8922(6) Å, b = 26.180(2) Å, c = 16.729(1) Å and β = 90.4(1)°) consists of anionic aluminophosphate layers that can be described as a six-ring honeycomb of alternating corner-sharing AlO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra with additional P-atoms above and below the honeycomb layer bridging between Al-atoms. The tert-butylammonium ions and water molecules located in the interlayer spacing interact via hydrogen-bonds with the terminal oxygens of the P-atoms. The characterization of this new aluminophosphate by ¹³C, ³¹P, ¹H–³¹P heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) and ²⁷Al 3QMAS solid state NMR spectroscopy is also reported.     

A CdSO4-like 3-D framework constructed from monosodium substituted Keggin arsenotungstates and copper(II)-ethylenediamine complexes

A 6⁵·8 CdSO₄-like 3-D framework [Cu(en)₂]₃[α-AsW₁₁NaO₃₉]·2H₂O (1) constructed by monosodium-substituted Keggin arsenotungstates and copper(II)-ethylenediamine complexes (en = ethylenediamine) has been synthesized by reaction of Na₈[α-HAsW₉O₃₄]·11H₂O, CuCl₂·2H₂O and ethylenediamine under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for 1: C₁₂H₅₂AsCu₃N₁₂NaO₄₁W₁₁, monoclinic, Cc, a = 20.409(9) Å, b = 16.737(8) Å, c = 16.561(7) Å, β = 104.607(7)°, V = 5474(4) Å³, T = 296(2) K; Z = 4, μ = 24.860 mm⁻¹, GOOF = 1.086, R₁ = 0.0284, wR₂ = 0.0759. To the best of our knowledge, 1 represents the first 6⁵·8 CdSO₄-like 3-D monovacant Keggin arsenotungstate derivative in polyoxometalate chemistry.     

Preparation of Y-α-sialon with glassy or crystalline phases at grain boundaries

The phase stability of α-sialon has been investigated on a Y-α-sialon-Y₂O₃---Al₂O₃ plane. Y-α-sialon was stable with YAG liquid composition at 1750 °C which could be devitrified to YAG (3Y₂O₃·5Al₂O₃) by post heat treatment at 1500 °C for 4 h. With increase of Al₂O₃ in the liquid composition of YAG, the amount of β-sialon increased. On the other hand, with increase of Y₂O₃ in the liquid composition, the amount of melilite (Si₃N₄ · Y₂O₃) increased. The changes of unit-cell parameters and microstructures with respect to the compositions and amounts of the liquid phase were also discussed.     

Thermal properties of the nitrogen-rich Ca-α-Sialons

Nitrogen-rich Ca-α-Sialon (Ca_xSi_12−2xAl_2xN₁₆ with x = 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6) ceramics were prepared from the mixtures of Si₃N₄, AlN and CaH₂ powders in a hot press at 1800 °C using a pressure of 35 MPa and a holding time of 4 h, and then were investigated with respect to reaction mechanism, phase stability and oxidation resistance. In addition the sample with x = 1.6 was prepared in the temperature range 600–1800 °C using a pressure of 35 MPa and a holding time of 2 h. The α-Sialon phase was first observed at 1400 °C but the α-Si₃N₄ and AlN phases were still present at 1700 °C. Phase pure Ca-α-Sialon ceramics could not be obtained until the sintering temperature reached 1800 °C. The phase pure nitrogen-rich Ca-α-Sialon exhibited no phase transformation in the temperature range 1400–1600 °C. In general, mixed α/β-Sialon showed better oxidation resistance than pure α-Sialon in the low temperature range (1250–1325 °C), while α-Sialons with compositions located at α/β-Sialon border-line showed significant weight gains over the entire temperature range tested (1250–1400 °C). The phases formed upon oxidation were characterized by X-ray, SEM and TEM studies.     

Performance of Pd catalysts supported on nanocrystalline α-Al2O3 and Ni-modified α-Al2O3 in selective hydrogenation of acetylene

Nanocrystalline α-Al₂O₃ and Ni-modified α-Al₂O₃ have been prepared by sol–gel and solvothermal methods and employed as supports for Pd catalysts. Regardless of the preparation method used, NiAl₂O₄ spinel was formed on the Ni-modified α-Al₂O₃ after calcination at 1150 °C. However, an addition of NiO peaks was also observed by X-ray diffraction for the solvothermal-made Ni-modified α-Al₂O₃ powder. Catalytic performances of the Pd catalysts supported on these nanocrystalline α-Al₂O₃ and Ni-modified α-Al₂O₃ in selective hydrogenation of acetylene were found to be superior to those of the commercial α-Al₂O₃ supported one. Ethylene selectivities were improved in the order: Pd/Ni-modified α-Al₂O₃–sol–gel > Pd/Ni-modified α-Al₂O₃-solvothermal ≈ Pd/α-Al₂O₃–sol–gel > Pd/α-Al₂O₃-solvothermal  Pd/α-Al₂O₃-commerical. As revealed by NH₃ temperature program desorption studies, incorporation of Ni atoms in α-Al₂O₃ resulted in a significant decrease of acid sites on the alumina supports. Moreover, XPS revealed a shift of Pd 3d binding energy for Pd catalyst supported on Ni-modified α-Al₂O₃–sol–gel where only NiAl₂O₄ was formed, suggesting that the electronic properties of Pd may be modified.     

An oxide chain constructed from octamolybdate, a Keggin anion and a copper (II) – Tetrapyridylpyrazine binuclear unit

The hydrothermal reaction of MoO₃, CuSO₄·5H₂O, tetra-4-pyridylpyrazine (tpyprz), and diphenyldiarsonic acid in water at 140 °C for 48 h yielded the one-dimensional material [{Cu₂(tpyprz)(H₂O)₃}₂{Mo₈O₂₆}{Mo₁₂O₃₆(AsO₄)}]·8H₂O (1·8H₂O). The chain structure of 1·8H₂O is constructed from alternating β-octamolybdate clusters and molybdoarsonate Keggin clusters linked through {Cu₂(tpyprz)(H₂O)₃}⁴⁺ binuclear subunits. The Cu(II) sites are inequivalent with one copper bonding to two pyridyl donors and a pyrazine nitrogen of one terminus of the tpyprz ligand, two aqua ligands and an oxo-group of the cluster while the second copper site coordinates to the nitrogen donors of the other terminus of the tpyprz ligand, an aqua group, a terminal oxo-group of the cluster and a terminal oxo-group of the mixed valence {Mo₁₁^VIMo^VO₃₆(AsO₄)}⁴⁻ cluster. Crystal data: C₄₈H₆₀AsCu₄Mo₂₀N₁₂O₈₀: FW = 4332.96 Triclinic , a = 12.5087(5) Å, b = 13.6681(6) Å, c = 14.8980(6) Å, α = 92.196(1)°, β = 97.046(1)°, γ = 97.751(1)°, Z = 1, D_calc = 2.877 g cm⁻³; structure solution and refinement based on 12,333 reflections (Mo K_α, λ = 0.71073 Å) converged at R₁ = 0.0540 and wR₂ = 0.1115.     

High temperature SrCe0.9Eu0.1O3−δ proton conducting membrane reactor for H2 production using the water–gas shift reaction

The water–gas shift (WGS) reaction is used to shift the CO/H₂ ratio prior to Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and/or to increase H₂ yield. A WGS membrane reactor was developed using a mixed protonic–electronic conducting SrCe_0.9Eu_0.1O_3−δ membrane coated on a Ni–SrCeO_3−δ support. The membrane reactor overcomes the thermodynamic equilibrium limitations. A 46% increase in CO conversion and total H₂ yield was achieved at 900 °C under 3% CO and 6% H₂O, resulting in a 92% single pass H₂ production yield and 32% single pass yield of pure permeated H₂.     

Structure of a methylamine sorption complex of fully dehydrated Cd-exchanged zeolite X, Cd46(CH3NH2)16[Si100Al92O384]-FAU

The structure of a methylamine sorption complex of fully dehydrated, fully Cd²⁺-exchanged zeolite X, Cd₄₆(CH₃NH₂)₁₆[Si₁₀₀Al₉₂O₃₈₄]-FAU (a = 24.863(4) Å), has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques in the cubic space group at 21(1) °C. An aqueous exchange solution 0.05 M in Cd²⁺ was allowed to flow past the crystal for 5 days. The crystal was then dehydrated at 480 °C and 2 × 10⁻⁶ Torr for 2 days (colorless), and exposed to 160 Torr of methylamine gas at 21(1) °C for 2 h (yellow). Diffraction data were then gathered in this atmosphere and were refined using all data to the final error indices (based upon the 524 reflections for which F_o > 4σ(F_o)) of R₁ = 0.069 and wR₂ = 0.200. In this structure, Cd²⁺ ions occupy three crystallographic sites. The octahedral sites I at the centers of the hexagonal prisms are filled with 16 Cd²⁺ ions per unit cell (Cd–O = 2.369(8) Å). The remaining 30 Cd²⁺ ions are located at two non-equivalent sites II with occupancies of 14 and 16. The 16 methylamine molecules per unit cell lie in the supercage where each interacts with one of the latter 16 site-II Cd²⁺ ions: N–Cd = 2.11(8) Å. The imprecisely determined N–C bond length, 1.49(22) Å, agrees with that in gaseous methylamine, 1.474 Å. The positions of the hydrogen atoms were calculated. It appears that one of the amino hydrogen atoms hydrogen bonds to a 6-ring oxygen, and that the other forms a bifurcated hydrogen bond to this and another 6-ring oxygen. The methyl group is not involved in hydrogen bonding.     

An investigation of the performance of catalytic aerogel filters

Gas permeable, photoactive and crack-free titania–silica aerogels of high titanium content (i.e., up to Ti/Si = 1) were prepared by two-steps acid–base catalyzed method involving an acid-catalyzed prehydrolysis of silicon alkoxide followed by a base-catalyzed hydrolysis/condensation reactions with a chelated titania precursor. The prepared titania–silica aerogels displayed good mechanical strength (>30 kN m⁻²), large surface area (>550 m²/g), mesoporous structure (8–11 nm) and good gas permeation. The porous aerogels trap and filter airborne particulates and the titania–silica aerogel have a fair performance for aerosol (65%) and bioaerosol (94%) filtrations. The photoactive anatase nano-TiO₂ crystallized within the aerogel displays an order of magnitude higher reaction rate for UVA photooxidation of trichloroethylene compared to commercial Degussa P25 TiO₂. The bactericidal activity of the titania–silica aerogel for Bacillus subtilis cells under UVA was also six orders of magnitude better.     

Dielectric properties and microstructures of CaSiO3 ceramics with B2O3 addition

The effects of B₂O₃ additives on the sintering behavior, microstructure and dielectric properties of CaSiO₃ ceramics have been investigated. The B₂O₃ addition resulted in the emergence of CaO–B₂O₃–SiO₂ glass phase, which was advantageous to lower the synthesis temperature of CaSiO₃ crystal phase, and could effectively lower the densification temperature of CaSiO₃ ceramic to as low as 1100 °C. The 6 wt% B₂O₃-doped CaSiO₃ ceramic sintered at 1100 °C possessed good dielectric properties: _r = 6.84 and tan δ = 6.9 × 10⁻⁴ (1 MHz).     

High-performance Li4Ti5−xVxO12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) as an anode material for secondary lithium-ion battery

Powders of spinel Li₄Ti_5−xV_xO₁₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) were successfully synthesized by solid-state method. The structure and properties of Li₄Ti_5−xV_xO₁₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), galvanostatic charge–discharge test and cyclic voltammetry (CV). XRD shows that the V⁵⁺ can partially replace Ti⁴⁺ and Li⁺ in the spinel and the doping V⁵⁺ ion does almost not affect the lattice parameter of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. Raman spectra indicate that the Raman bands corresponding to the Li–O and Ti–O vibrations have a blue shift due to the doping vanadium ions, respectively. SEM exhibits that Li₄Ti_5−xV_xO₁₂ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) samples have a relative uniform morphology with narrow size distribution. Charge–discharge test reveals that Li₄Ti_4.95V_0.05O₁₂ has the highest initial discharge capacity and cycling performance among all samples cycled between 1.0 and 2.0 V; Li₄Ti_4.9V_0.1O₁₂ has the highest initial discharge capacity and cycling performance among all samples cycled between 0.0 and 2.0 V or between 0.5 and 2.0 V. This excellent cycling capability is mainly due to the doping vanadium. CV reveals that electrolyte starts to decompose irreversibly below 1.0 V, and SEI film of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was formed at 0.7 V in the first discharge process; the Li₄Ti_4.9V_0.1O₁₂ sample has a good reversibility and its structure is very advantageous for the transportation of lithium-ions.     

The hydrothermal synthesis and structure of a one-dimensional Fe(II)molybdophosphate

A new one-dimensional Fe(II)molybdophosphate of the formula, [(C₁₀H₈N₂)H₂]₂[Fe₄^(II)Mo₁₂^(V)(HPO₄)₆(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₈(OH)₆O₂₄]·8H₂O, (1), has been synthesized by employing hydrothermal methods and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure consists of a network of MO₆ (M = Fe, Mo) octahedra and (H)PO₄ tetrahedra linked through their vertices. The connectivity between the polyhedral units gives rise to one-dimensional chains with eight-membered apertures. The hydrogen bonded interactions between the chains form pseudo two-dimensional layers. Extensive hydrogen bonding also exists between the amine molecule, 4,4^′-bipyridine, water molecule and framework oxygen atoms. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group = P2₁ (no. 4), a=12.549(3) (Å), b=23.496(5) (Å), c=14.551(3) (Å), β=114.87(3)°, , and Z=2.     

The preparation and X-ray structure of heptasulfurimidostearate

The synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of the stearic acid derivative of S₇NH, (S₇N)C(O)(CH₂)₁₆CH₃, is reported. The S–N bond lengths are significantly longer (average 1.704 Å) than those in heptasulfur imide from which it is derived. However, the nitrogen atom environment is not tetrahedral but essentially planar and there is some S–S bond length alternation suggesting that the ring has some multiple bonding character. The three independent molecules pack with alkyl chains over alkyl chains and S–N rings over S–N rings. This arrangement is probably due to favourable intermolecular contacts between sulfur atoms which range from 3.35 to 3.63 Å.     

Influence of the V + Mo/Al ratio on vanadium and molybdenum speciation and catalytic properties of V–Mo–ZSM-5 prepared by solid-state reaction

V–Mo–ZSM-5 catalysts with various composition prepared by solid-state ion exchange were investigated with respect to their physico-chemical characteristics using chemical analysis, XRD, BET, DRIFT, UV–vis, ²⁷Al MAS-NMR spectroscopy, H₂ TPR and TPD of NH₃. It was found that all the preparations leads to either metal ions sitting at the bridging oxygen of Si–OH–Al or anchored at Si–OH groups or deposited as oxide. These different solids were tested in the selective catalytic reduction of NO_x by ammonia. The main result is that upon addition of small amount of Mo to V–ZSM-5, catalytic performances were enhanced.     

A hemidirected 1-D coordination polymer [Pb2(H2O)2(HBTC)2] · 3H2O extended in holodirected 3-D by weak Pb–O interactions

A new complex, [Pb₂(H₂O)₂(HBTC)₂] · 3H₂O (H₃BTC = 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic acid) (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition. The single-crystal analysis shows that 1 consists of 1-D double-chains with Pb(II) six-coordinated by three H₃BTC and one H₂O molecule with the Pb–O bond distances in the range of 2.56–2.76 Å. When the Pb–O bonding limit extends from 2.76 to 2.90 Å, the potential weak bonds of Pb–O can be found and the coordination number of Pb will increase from six to nine. As a result, the coordination geometry of Pb(II) transforms from hemidirected to holodirected and an infinite 3-D framework is obtained by the connection of the double-chains. The IR spectrum and the TGA–DTA curve of 1 are also reported in this paper.     

Ultrasonic wave aided selective epoxidation of mixed styrene and α-pinene with air over nanosized Co3O4

Catalytic selective epoxidation of mixed biolefins with air over nanosized Co₃O₄ catalyst under mild ultrasonic conditions has been first reported. When the styrene/α-pinene molar ratio was 1:5, the highest conversions were, respectively, reached 81.8 mol% for styrene and 76.1 mol% for α-pinene, with the epoxidation selectivity of 84.1% (styrene oxide) and 94.6% (α-pinene oxide), notably higher than those of the conventional reactions under magnetic stirring. An intermolecular electron-transfer phenomenon between conjugated styrene and electron-rich α-pinene was revealed by UV–vis spectra, which was considerably important for the enhancement of reactivities of both olefinic molecules observed experimentally.     

Ionic Liquid Promoted Efficient and Rapid One-pot Synthesis of Pyran Annulated Heterocyclic Systems

Aluminovanadate oxide, “V–Al–O”, has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with the emphasis to reveal chemical modifications as a function of the X-irradiation time. Considerable damage was found for V–Al–O and less so for vanadium pentoxide, V₂O₅, and sapphire, α-Al₂O₃, both serving as reference samples. Modifications in V–Al–O were seen even at low radiation doses. Absolute and relative shifts in binding energies along with changes of peak intensities and widths demonstrate that an appreciable amount of V⁵⁺ is reduced to lower oxidation states. X-ray induced chemical modifications extend at least to the depth sampled by the V3p electrons. It is suggested that the damage is caused by electron-hole pair generation and Auger decay. Al–O–H in V–Al–O is also affected by X-rays. This causes O₂ and water desorption as followed by mass spectrometry of the residual gas.     

Structure refinement of the as-synthesized and the calcined form of zeolite RUB-3 (RTE)

The structure analysis based on single crystal and powder data revealed that the framework structure of RUB-3 (structure type code RTE) consists of small [4⁴5⁴6²] building units and medium–large [4⁶5⁴6⁶8²] cages with a free volume of ca. 300 ų. Interconnected cages form a one-dimensional channel system with narrow, slightly elliptical pore openings (free diameter 3.6×4.3 Ų). ¹H–¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy proved that the cages are occupied by disordered (±)-exo-2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane molecules which were used as templates during the synthesis. The unit cell composition of as-synthesized RUB-3 is (C₇H₁₃N)₂·[Si₂₄O₄₈]. The lattice parameters, bond lengths, bond angles and unit cell volumes are nearly identical for the as-synthesized [a=14.039(2) Å, b=13.602(2) Å, c=7.428(1) Å, β=102.22(3)°] and calcined form [a=14.018(1) Å, b=13.612(1) Å, c=7.418(1) Å, β=102.12(1)°] of RUB-3. The RTE structure even keeps its symmetry (C2/m) during the calcination process, indicating that the RTE framework topology is very rigid. All crystals are four-fold twins with twin planes {110}.     

A novel unexpected seven-coordinated chain-like dysprosium coordination polymer of pyridine-4-carboxylate: structure and photophysical property

One novel dysprosium coordination polymer [Dy(PIC)₃(H₂O)₂]_n (HPIC = pyridine-4-carboxylic acid) has been synthesized. X-ray analysis reveals that it forms the chain-like molecular structure through the bridged oxygen atoms of the carbonyl groups. The title coordination polymer crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with lattice parameters: a=20.243(9) Å, b=11.576(5) Å, c=9.834(4) Å, β=110.601(2)°, V=2078(2) ų, D_c=1.805 mg/m³, Z=4, F(000)=1100, GOF = 1.11, R1=0.0404. The photophysical property has been studied with ultraviolet absorption spectrum, excitation and emission spectrum. The luminescence spectra show the stronger blue emission than yellow emission.     

Oxidation of CH4 over Pd supported on TiO2-doped SiO2: Effect of Ti(IV) loading and influence of SO2

Titania-modified silicas with different weight% of TiO₂ were prepared by sol–gel method and used as supports for Pd (1 wt%) catalysts. The obtained materials were tested in the oxidation of methane under lean conditions in absence and in presence of SO₂. Test reactions were consecutively performed in order to evaluate the thermal stability and poisoning reversibility. Increasing amounts of TiO₂ improved the catalytic activity, with an optimum of the performance for 10 wt% TiO₂ loading. Moreover, the titania-containing catalysts exhibited a superior tolerance towards SO₂ by either adding it to the reactants or feeding it as a pure pretreatment atmosphere at 350 °C. Catalysts were characterized by XPS, XRD, FT-IR and BET measurements. According to the structural and surface analyses, the mixed oxides contained Si–O–Ti linkages which were interpreted as being responsible for the enhanced intrinsic activity of supported PdO with respect to PdO on either pure SiO₂ or pure TiO₂. Moreover, the preferential interaction of the sulfur molecule with TiO₂ and the easy SO_x desorption from high surface area silica were the determining factors for the superior SO₂ tolerance of the TiO₂-doped catalysts.