On [Na(POCl3)4]+ Complex Ion Formation: Conductivity,Raman, and NMR studies in the system phosphoryl chloride–sodium tetrachloro aluminate and related compounds

The system POCl₃–NaAlCl₄ was investigated by measuring the conductivity and the Raman and NMR spectra (²⁷Al, ²³Na and ³¹P) as a function of the mol fraction x of NaAlCl₄ in POCl₃. Additionally, Raman spectra of POCl₃ solutions of NaFeCl₄, LiAlCl₄, LiFeCl₄, and KAlCl₄ were recorded. In solutions containing Li⁺ or Na⁺ ions a liquid to solid (or jelly) phase transition was observed under certain conditions, dependent on salt concentration and temperature. Observed changes in the Raman spectra of the electrolyte solutions in comparison to the pure solvent POCl₃ demonstrate the existence of interactions. Clearly, the POCl₃ eigenfrequencies and hence the molecules are pertubed. The formation of [M(POCl₃)₄]⁺ complexes (M = Li, Na) can be deduced from the Raman measurements. NMR investigations support this conclusion. For assigning of Raman spectra, (Li⁺, K⁺) cation and ([FeCl₄]^?, [SbCl₆]^?) anion substitutions were employed.     

Infrared and Raman spectroscopic investigations of the Nb(V) fluoro and oxofluoro complexes in the LiF-NaF-KF eutectic melt with development of a diamond IR cell

A vacuum-tight cell for infrared spectroscopic investigations of extremely corrosive melts, e.g., molten fluorides, has been constructed and tested up to 750 degrees C. The cell has a gold-lined sample chamber and a diamond window transparent for the infrared light. It can be furnished with a gold piston that enables the recording of short-path-length FTIR spectra of liquid samples. Solutions of Nb(V) in LiF-NaF-KF eutectic (FLINAK) with and without oxide additions have been investigated by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The presence of NbF7(2-), NbOF5(2-), and NbO2F4(3-) complexes was established in the molten state at 600 degrees C. After solidification NbF7(2-) was still the only Nb(V) all-fluoro complex present. Three oxofluoro complexes, NbOF6(3-), NbOF5(2-), and NbO2F4(3-), have been identified in the solid state. Typical frequency regions for the different complexes are established. Finally, it was shown that K2NbF7 can be used as an indicator to determine the oxide content of the sample melts.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of the chloro and oxochloro complex formation of Nb(V) and Ta(V) in NaCl-AlCl3 melts

The equilibrium constant for the chloro complex formation of Nb(V) NbCl6-<--->NbCl5+Cl- (i) in NaCl-AlCl3 melts at 175 degrees C was found to be pKi = 2.86(5). The oxochloro complex formation of Nb(V) and Ta(V) in NaCl-AlCl3 melts at 175 degrees C could be explained by the following equilibria: MOCl4- <-->MOCl3+Cl- (ii) MOCl3<-->MOCl2(+)+Cl- (iii) where M = Nb and Ta. The equilibrium constants determined by potentiometric measurements with chlorine-chloride electrodes were, for M = Nb, pKii = 2.21(4) and pKiii = 3.95(5) and, for M = Ta, pKii = 2.743(15) and pKiii = 4.521(13). NbCl6- has two bands in the UV-vis region, a strong one at 34.7 x 10(3) cm-1 and a weaker one at 41.6 x 10(3) cm-1. The MOCl4- complexes showed in the case of Nb(V) absorption bands at 32.7 and 42.9 x 10(3) cm-1 and in the case of Ta(V) at 38.6 and 48.1 x 10(3) cm-1.     

Hollow Spheres of Iron Carbide Nanoparticles Encased in Graphitic Layers as Oxygen Reduction Catalysts

Nonprecious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction are the ultimate materials and the foremost subject for low‐temperature fuel cells. A novel type of catalysts prepared by high‐pressure pyrolysis is reported. The catalyst is featured by hollow spherical morphologies consisting of uniform iron carbide (Fe₃C) nanoparticles encased by graphitic layers, with little surface nitrogen or metallic functionalities. In acidic media the outer graphitic layers stabilize the carbide nanoparticles without depriving them of their catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). As a result the catalyst is highly active and stable in both acid and alkaline electrolytes. The synthetic approach, the carbide‐based catalyst, the structure of the catalysts, and the proposed mechanism open new avenues for the development of ORR catalysts.     

Formation and Structure of Fluorescent Silver Nanoclusters at Interfacial Binding Sites Facilitating Oligomerization of DNA Hairpins

Fluorescent, DNA‐stabilized silver nanoclusters (DNA‐AgNCs) are applied in a range of applications within nanoscience and nanotechnology. However, their diverse optical properties, mechanism of formation, and aspects of their composition remain unexplored, making the rational design of nanocluster probes challenging. Herein, a synthetic procedure is described for obtaining a high yield of emissive DNA‐AgNCs with a C‐loop hairpin DNA sequence, with subsequent purification by size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC). Through a combination of optical spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) in conjunction with the systematic study of various DNA sequences, the low‐resolution structure and mechanism of the formation of AgNCs were investigated. Data indicate that fluorescent DNA‐AgNCs self‐assemble by a head‐to‐head binding of two DNA hairpins, bridged by a silver nanocluster, resulting in the modelling of a dimeric structure harboring an Ag₁₂ cluster.     

Scale size of magnetic turbulence in tokamaks probed with 30-MeV electrons

Measurements of synchrotron radiation emitted by 30-MeV runaway electrons in the TEXTOR-94 tokamak show that the runaway population decays after switching on neutral beam injection (NBI). The decay starts only with a significant delay, which decreases with increasing NBI heating power. This delay provides direct evidence of the energy dependence of runaway confinement, which is expected if magnetic modes govern the loss of runaways. Application of the theory by Mynick and Strachan [Phys. Fluids 24, 695 (1981)] yields estimates for the "mode width" (delta) of magnetic perturbations: delta<0.5 cm in Ohmic discharges, increasing to delta = 4.4 cm for 0. 6 MW NBI.     

Electrosynthesis of Tantalum Borides in Oxygen-Free and Oxygen-Containing Fluoride Melts

Results of electrosynthesis of tantalum borides in fluoride and oxyfluoride melts are compared. It is shown that the single-phase X-ray-amorphous micro-layered coatings form only in the latter case. Linear and square-wave voltammetry, complemented by X-ray diffraction analysis, IR spectroscopy, and OC, reveals that the reason for their formation is the cathodic reduction of heteronuclear tantalum and boron complexes.