Hydrothermal synthesis of C-doped Zn3(OH)2V2O7 nanorods and their photocatalytic properties under visible light illumination

A visible light-driven photocatalyst, C-doped Zn₃(OH)₂V₂O₇, prepared by a hydrothermal method was studied. The as-prepared catalyst was characterized by SEM, XRD, DRS, and XPS, and exhibited efficient photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. Besides decoloring, the decomposition of MB was also observed, further demonstrating the performance of the photocatalyst. The carbon existing on the surface of Zn₃(OH)₂V₂O₇ nanorods was free and in carbide form. Dye degradation followed first-order kinetics, and was explained on the basis of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism.     

Theoretical investigation of ESR spectra and local structure for VO in Ba2Zn(HCOO)6(H2O)

The electron spin resonance spectra (characterized by g factors g_, g_⊥ and hyperfine structure constants A_ and A_⊥) of Ba₂Zn(HCOO)₆(H₂O) (BZFA): VO²⁺ crystal are calculated from high order perturbation formulas. The calculated results are in good agreement with the observed values. The local structure parameters of [VO(H₂O)₅]²⁺ clusters are also obtained from the calculation. The magnitudes of the metal-ligand distances parallel and perpendicular to the C₄-axis are, respectively, R_≈0.163 nm and R_⊥≈0.210 nm. It is shown that the local structure around the V⁴⁺ ion possesses a compressed tetragonal distortion along C₄-axis.     

Synthesis and separation property of flower-like Cd(OH)2 microstructures via a simple solution route

Well-defined flower-like Cd(OH)₂ microstructures have been successfully synthesized via a simple aqueous solution route, using CdCl₂ and NaOH as the reactants, and triethanolamine (TEA) as the modifying agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectrometer were used to characterize the products. SEM and TEM images illustrated that the flower-like Cd(OH)₂ bundles consisted of hexagonal nanoplates with thickness of about 50 nm. The adsorption of TEA on (0 0 1) plane of the growing Cd(OH)₂ crystal leads to the flower petals in appearance. Further experiments evidenced that the positively charged Cd(OH)₂ could effectively adsorb or separate the negatively charged dye molecules.     

Facile synthesis and capacitive performance of the Co(OH)2 nanostructure via a ball-milling method

Co(OH)₂ nanoparticles were synthesized using only CoSO₄·7H₂O and NaOH as reactants without other auxiliary reagents via a simple, low-cost and practical ball-milling technique and investigated as the active electrode materials for supercapacitors. The structure and morphology of the resulting Co(OH)₂ samples were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The observations revealed the formation of brucite-like phase of β-Co(OH)₂, which had an irregular sphere-like shape with an average size of 50-100 nm. When investigated as electrode materials for supercapacitors, the β-Co(OH)₂ exhibited good energy-storage performances in terms of high specific capacitance of 599 F g⁻¹ and excellent capacity retention, suggesting its potential application in the electrode material for supercapacitors.     

Study of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of Zn(antipyrine)2(NO3)2:VO

In this work, a full ligand-field energy matrix (10×10) diagonalization treatment for 3d¹ ions in tetragonal symmetry is developed on the basis of the two-s.o.-coupling-parameter model. Spin Hamiltonian parameters (g factors g_∥, g_⊥ and hyperfine structure constants A_∥, A_⊥) of the tetragonal V⁴⁺ center in Zn(antipyrine)₂(NO₃)₂ are calculated from the complete energy matrix diagonalization method and the perturbation theory method. The calculated results from both methods are not only close to each other but also in good agreement with the experimental values. Furthermore, the compressed defect structure of V⁴⁺ center is discussed.     

The influence of temperature (20-1000 °C) on binary mixtures of solid solutions of CH3COOLi·2H2O-MgHPO4·3H2O

Thermally induced phase transitions (20-1000 °C) in the substrates and binary mixtures of CH₃COOLi·2H₂O(1)-MgHPO₄·3H₂O(11) have been analysed. Changes taking place on dehydration and thermal dissociation of binary mixtures prepared with percent molar ratios of 90-10% were studied by differential thermal analysis (TG, DTG, DTA), IR-spectroscopy and WAXS.The above-mentioned substrates changed their structure when heated for 1 h at 500 or 1000 °C. CH₃COOLi·2H₂O(1) (ID: 23-1171) changed the structure at 500 °C to that of Li₂CO₃ (ID: 22-1141), while at 1000 °C the structure was impossible to analyse as the compound reacted both with porcelain and with platinum (crucible materials). MgHPO₄·3H₂O(11) (Newberyite, ID: 35-780, 19-762) changed its structure at 500 °C to amorphous phase and at 1000 °C to Mg₂P₂O₇ (ID: 32-626).The following compounds were assayed in the respective binary mixtures heated at 500 °C for 1 h: 70% (1)-30%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 18-735), MgO (ID: 4-829); 50%(1)-50%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 18-735), Li₃PO₄ (ID: 25-1030); 30%(1)-70%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 32-574); binary mixtures heated at 1000 °C contained the following compounds: 70%(1)-30%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 32-574,18-735), Li₃PO₄ (ID: 15-760,25-1030), MgO (ID: 4-829); 50%(1)-50%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 32-574, 18-735), MgO (ID: 4-829); 30%(1)-70%(11): LiMgPO₄ (ID: 18-735, 32-574), Mg₂P₂O₇ (ID: 22-1152, 8-38), Li₄SiO₄ (37-1472).     

The use of direct recoil spectrometry (DRS) for the study of water vapor interactions on polycrystalline metallic surfaces—the H2O/U and H2O/Ti systems

Using direct recoil spectrometry (DRS), the shadowing of surface H atoms by neighboring O atoms can differentiate between full and partial dissociation routes of water molecules on the surface as well as point to the geometrical arrangements of hydroxyl surface groups. The H₂O/U and H₂O/Ti systems were compared. It has been found that different mechanisms control the water-surface interactions in these systems.For the H₂O/U system, a simple direct-collision (Langmuir-type) dissociative chemisorption controls the process. Two consecutive stages were identified: (i) below ∼70% monolayer coverage, a complete dissociation of water into oxygen ion and two H atoms, which chemisorb on the remaining unreacted metallic surface and (ii) above about 70% of a full layer coverage, three dimensional oxide islands start to form, causing partial dissociation of water and the formation of surface hydroxyls.For the H₂O/Ti system, a more complicated mechanism, which involves a precursor state, seems to control the process. In that case, two concurrent routes act simultaneously. In addition to the simple direct-collision mechanism, water precursor clusters (bound by hydrogen bonds), which partly dissociate, result in chemisorbed tilted hydroxyl clusters (even at low-coverage). The relative contributions of the precursor route and the direct-collision route are pressure dependent, with the former being dominant at higher exposure pressures.     

Conductivity and water uptake of Sr4(Sr2Nb2)O11·nH2O and Sr4(Sr2Ta2)O11·nH2O

The hydrated oxygen deficient complex perovskite-related materials Sr₄(Sr₂Nb₂)O₁₁·nH₂O and Sr₄(Sr₂Ta₂)O₁₁·nH₂O were studied at high water vapour pressures over a large temperature range by electrical conductivity measurements, thermogravimetry (TG), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). In humid atmospheres both materials are known to exhibit protonic conductivity below dehydration temperatures, with peak-shaped maxima at about 500 °C. In this work we show that the peaks expand to plateaus of high conductivity from 500 to 700 °C at a water vapour pressure of 1 atm. However, in situ synchrotron XRPD of Sr₄(Sr₂Nb₂)O₁₁·nH₂O as a function of temperature shows that these observations are in fact coincident with melting and dehydration of a secondary phase Sr(OH)₂. The stability of Sr₄(Sr₂Nb₂)O₁₁·nH₂O and Sr₄(Sr₂Ta₂)O₁₁·nH₂O in humid atmospheres is thus insufficient, causing decomposition into perovskites with lower Sr content and SrO/Sr(OH)₂ secondary phases. This, in turn, rationalizes the observation of peaks and plateaus in the conductivity of these materials.     

A comparative study on structural,morphological and luminescence characteristics of Zn3(VO4)2 phosphor prepared via hydrothermal and citrate-gel combustion routes

Comparison of structural, morphological and spectroscopic properties of zinc vanadate Zn₃(VO₄)₂ phosphor synthesized via two different methods, viz. citrate-gel combustion and hydrothermal reaction, is presented. Highly crystalline and pure phase micro-rods are achieved by citrate-gel combustion route. The hydrothermal reaction products exhibit ribbon like structures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic investigation reveals the presence of multiple oxidation states of vanadium in the hydrothermally synthesized phosphor. Luminescence properties have also been compared and the effect of divalent cationic substitution (Ca, Mg) is presented.     

DC electrical conductivity measurements on KCl and KNO3-added MgSO4·7H2O single crystals

Pure and impurity-added (with KCl and KNO₃) MgSO₄·7H₂O single crystals were grown by the free-evaporation method and characterized by density and DC electrical conductivity measurements. The present study indicates that the conductivity increases with temperature but does not vary systematically with impurity concentration. Activation energies were also estimated.     

Synthesis and characterization of Zn(O,OH)S and AgInS2 layers to be used in thin film solar cells

In this paper AgInS₂ and Zn(O,OH)S thin films were synthesized and characterized. AgInS₂ layers were grown by co-evaporation from metal precursors in a two-step process, and, Zn(O,OH)S thin films were deposited from chemical bath containing thiourea, zinc acetate, sodium citrate and ammonia. X-ray diffraction measurements indicated that AgInS₂ thin films grown with chalcopyrite structure, and the as-grown Zn(O,OH)S thin films were polycrystalline. It was also found that the AgInS₂ films presented p-type conductivity, a high absorption coefficient (greater than 10⁴ cm⁻¹) and energy band-gap E_g of about 1.95 eV, Zn(O,OH),S thin films presented E_g of about 3.89 eV. Morphological analysis showed that under this synthesis conditions Zn(O,OH),S thin films coated uniformly the absorber layer. Additionally, the Zn(O,OH)S kinetic growth on AgInS₂ layer was studied also. Finally, the results suggest that these layers possibly could be used in one-junction solar cells and/or as top cell in a tandem solar cell.     

Luminescent properties of HTP AgGd1−xW2O8:Eux and AgGd1−x(W1−yMoy)2O8:Eux phosphor for white LED

Intense red phosphors, AgGd_1−xEu_x(W_1−yMo_y)₂O₈ (x=0.0-1.0, y=0.0-1.0), have been synthesized through traditional solid-state reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL). XRD results reveal that AgGd_1−xEu_xW₂O₈ synthesized at 1000 °C has a tetragonal crystal structure, which is named as high temperature phase (HTP) AgGdW₂O₈. All phosphors compositions with Eu³⁺ show red and green emission on excitation either in the charge-transfer or Eu³⁺ levels. Analysis of the emission spectra with different Eu³⁺ concentrations reveal that the optimum dopant concentration for Eu³⁺ is x=0.6 in the HTP AgGd_1−xEu_xW₂O₈ (x=0.0-1.0). Studies on the AgGd_0.4Eu_0.6(W_1−yMo_y)₂O₈ (y=0.0-1.0) and AgGd_1−xEu_x(W_0.7Mo_0.3)₂O₈ (x=0.0-1.0) show that the emission intensity is maximum for compositions with y=0.3 and x=0.5, respectively, and a decrease in emission intensity is observed for higher y or x values. The Mo⁶⁺ and Eu³⁺ co-doped AgGd(WO₄)₂ phosphors show higher emission intensity in comparison with the singly Eu³⁺-doped AgGd(WO₄)₂ in UV region. The intense emission of the tungstate/molybdate phosphors under 394 and 465 nm excitations, respectively, suggests that these materials are promising candidates as red-emitting phosphors for near-UV/blue GaN-based white LED for white light generation.     

Solvent effects for CO and H2 adsorption on Cu2O (1 1 1) surface: A density functional theory study

To investigate solvent effects, CO and H₂ adsorption on Cu₂O (1 1 1) surface in vacuum, liquid paraffin, methanol and water are studied by using density functional theory (DFT) combined with the conductor-like solvent model (COSMO). When H₂ and CO adsorb on Cu_cus of Cu₂O (1 1 1) surface, solvent effects can improve CO and H₂ activation. The H-H bond increases with dielectric constant increasing as H₂ adsorption on O_suf of Cu₂O (1 1 1) surface, and the H-H bond breaks in methanol and water. It is also found that both the structural parameters and Mulliken charges are very sensitive to the COSMO solvent model. In summary, the solvent effects have obvious influence on the clean surface of Cu₂O (1 1 1) and the adsorptive behavior.     

Density functional theory calculations of surface properties and H2 adsorption on the Cu2O (1 1 1) surface

First-principles calculation on the basis of the density functional theory (DFT) and generalized gradient approximation have been applied to study the adsorption of H₂ on the stoichiometric O-terminated Cu₂O (1 1 1), Cu₂O (1 1 1)-Cu_CUS and Cu-terminated Cu₂O (1 1 1) surfaces. The optimal adsorption position and orientation of H₂ on the stoichiometric O-terminated Cu₂O (1 1 1) surface and Cu-terminated Cu₂O (1 1 1) surface were determined and electronic structural changes upon adsorption were investigated by calculating the Local Density of States (LDOS) of the Cu_CUS 3d and Cu_CUS 4s of stoichiometric O-terminated Cu₂O (1 1 1) surface. These results showed that H₂ molecule adsorption on Cu_CUS site parallel to stoichiometric O-terminated Cu₂O (1 1 1) surface and H₂ molecule adsorption on Cu₂ site parallel to Cu-terminated Cu₂O (1 1 1) surface were the most favored, respectively. The presence of surface copper vacancy has a little influence on the structures when H₂ molecule adsorbs on Cu_CSA, O_CUS and O_CSA atoms and the H₂ molecule is only very weakly bound to the Cu₂O (1 1 1)-Cu_CUS surface. From the analysis of stoichiometric O-terminated Cu₂O (1 1 1) Local Density of States, it is observed that Cu_CUS 3d orbital has moved to a lower energy and the sharp band of Cu_CUS 4s is delocalized when compared to that before H₂ molecule adsorption, and overlapped substantially with bands due to adsorbed H₂ molecule. The Mulliken charges of H₂ adsorption on Cu_CUS site showed that H₂ molecule obtained electron from Cu_CUS which was consistent with the calculated electronic structural changes upon H₂ adsorption.     

Simulation of coexisting ferromagnetic order and disorder of geometrically frustrated Co2Cl(OH)3

The ground state and phase transition of Co₂Cl(OH)₃ were investigated by Monte Carlo simulation. This compound is a magnet, with a pyrochlore structure distorted along one axis. The magnetic structure at low temperatures consists of coexisting ferromagnetism and random spin, according to experiments. However, the formation mechanism of the coexistence and the interaction between the spins were unclear. We assumed an anisotropic Ising model and examined the ground state by multicanonical Monte Carlo simulation. In a nearest neighbor model, the ground states were highly degenerated. Almost all of the states were spin glass states, but a few of the states were ferromagnetic. The latter magnetic states were ferromagnetic at triangular layers and two in-one out random state at Kagome layers. The latter states should be stabilized if weak ferromagnetic interactions exist between second nearest neighbor spins and correspond to the states reported by the experiments. This expectation was confirmed by simulation.     

Epitaxial MoOx nanostructures on TiO2(1 1 0) obtained using thermal decomposition of Mo(CO)6

Stoichiometric and highly-defective TiO₂(1 1 0) surfaces (called as yellow and blue, respectively) were exposed to Mo(CO)₆ vapours in UHV and in a reactive O₂ atmosphere. In the case of yellow-TiO₂, an O₂ reactive atmosphere was necessary to obtain the Mo(CO)₆ decomposition at 450 °C with deposition of MoO_x nanostructures where, according to core level photoemission data, the Mo⁺⁴ state is predominant. In the case of blue-TiO₂ it was possible to obtain Mo deposition both in UHV and in an O₂ atmosphere. A high dose of Mo(CO)₆ in UHV on blue-TiO₂ allowed the deposition of a thick metallic Mo layer. An air treatment of this sample at 580 °C led to the elimination of Mo as MoO₃ and to the formation of a transformed layer of stoichiometry of Ti_(1−x)Mo_xO₂ (where x is close to 0.1) which, according to photoelectron diffraction data, can be described as a substitutional near-surface alloy, where Mo⁺⁴ ions are embedded into the titania lattice. This embedding procedure results in a stabilization of the Mo⁺⁴ ions, which are capable to survive to air exposure for a rather long period of time. After exposure of the blue-TiO₂(1 1 0) substrate to Mo(CO)₆ vapours at 450 °C in an O₂ atmosphere it was possible to obtain a MoO₂ epitaxial ultrathin layer, whose photoelectron diffraction data demonstrate that is pseudomorphic to the substrate.     

Synthesis and characterization of superhydrophobic functionalized Cu(OH)2 nanotube arrays on copper foil

Superhydrophobic functionalized cupric hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂) nanotube arrays were prepared on copper foils via a facile alkali assistant surface oxidation technique. Thus nanotube arrays of Cu(OH)₂ were directly fabricated on the surface of copper foil by immersing in an aqueous solution of NaOH and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈. The wettability of the surface was changed from surperhydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity by chemical modification with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS). The morphologies, microstructures, crystal structure, chemical compositions and states, and hydrophobicity of the films on the copper foil substrates were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water contact angle measurement. It was found that the rough structure of the surface helped to magnify the wettability. The static contact angle (CA) for water is larger than 160° and the contact angle hysteresis (CAH) is lower than 5° on the modified surface. The high roughness of the nanotube arrays along with the generated C-F chains by chemical modification contributed to the improved superhydrophobicity. The present research is expected to be significant in providing a new strategy for the preparation of novel multifunctional materials with potential industrial applications on copper substrates.     

Formation of CdO films from chemically deposited Cd(OH)2 films as a precursor

Formation of cadmium hydroxide at room temperature onto glass substrates from an aqueous alkaline cadmium nitrate solution using a simple soft chemical method and its conversion to cadmium oxide (CdO) by thermal annealing treatment has been studied in this paper. The as-deposited film was given thermal annealing treatment in oxygen atmosphere at 450 °C for 2 h for conversion into cadmium oxide. The structural, surface morphological and optical studies were performed for as-deposited and the annealed films. The structural analyses revealed that as-deposited films consists of mixture of Cd(OH)₂ and CdO, while annealed films exhibited crystalline CdO. From surface morphological studies, conversion of clusters to grains after annealing was observed. The band gap energy was changed from 3.21 to 2.58 eV after annealing treatment. The determination of elementals on surface composition of the core-shell nanoparticles of annealed films was carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

A density functional theory study on the adsorption and dissociation of N2O on Cu2O(1 1 1) surface

Density functional theory has been employed to investigate the adsorption and the dissociation of an N₂O at different sites on perfect and defective Cu₂O(1 1 1) surfaces. The calculations are performed on periodic systems using slab model. The Lewis acid site, Cu_CUS, and Lewis base site, O_SUF are considered for adsorption. Adsorption energies and the energies of the dissociation reaction N₂O → N₂ + O(s) at different sites are calculated. The calculations show that adsorption of N₂O is more favorable on Cu_CUS adsorption site energetically. Cu_CUS site exhibits a very high activity. The Cu_CUS-N₂O reaction is exothermic with a reaction energy of 77.45 kJ mol⁻¹ and an activation energy of 88.82 kJ mol⁻¹, whereas the O_SUF-N₂O reaction is endothermic with a reaction energy of 205.21 kJ mol⁻¹ and an activation energy of 256.19 kJ mol⁻¹. The calculations for defective surface indicate that O vacancy cannot obviously improve the catalytic activity of Cu₂O.