Synthesis and crystal structure of tetranuclear zinc benzoate

A tetranuclear zinc benzoate Zr4O(C6H5CO2)6 was synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal determination. It crystallizes in cubic, space group Ia-3d. Its crystal cell is very large, α=4.10063(18)nm, V=68.953(5)nm^3 and Z=48. The structure is composed of discrete Zr4O(C6H5CO2)6 molecules. In each molecule, four zinc atoms are held together by a central oxygen atom, which results in the formation of a regular tetrahedron. All benzoate ligands coordinate to zinc atoms in a bidentate bridging mode. Each zinc atom is in a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry, coordinated by three benzoate oxygen atoms and the central oxygen atom. The intermolecular interactions result in the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular framework, with non-intersecting parallel channels.     

Crystallogeny fundamentals of the cholesterol gallstone

The nucleation mechanism and crystal growth process of the cholesterol gallstone are studied and a systematic theory expounded by crystallogeny is proposed. Normal feed and stone-forming feed were used to raise guinea pigs in the control and stone-causing groups respectively. The state and transformation of liquid crystal vesicles, the appearance of crystal nuclei, and the formation of microcrystal grains were observed under a polarizing microscope during the experimental period. It was found that the liquid crystal vesicles in the bile of the control group were small, scattered, and always existed as single forms, and no shaped gallstone crystals were formed. While in the stone-causing group, liquid crystal vesicles grew to larger ones, and then aggregated to form large liquid crystal cells. Solid crystal growth along the edge of these liquid crystal cells formed microcrystal grains. These demonstrated that bile liquid crystal vesicles form the basic nuclei of cholesterol gallstone. Heterogeneous nucleation is the common process in the formation of crystal nuclei and crystal growth.     

Crystallogeny fundamentals of the cholesterol gallstone

The nucleation mechanism and crystal growth process of the cholesterol gallstone are studied and a systematic theory expounded by crystallogeny is proposed. Normal feed and stone-forming feed were used to raise guinea pigs in the control and stone-causing groups respectively. The state and transformation of liquid crystal vesicles, the appearance of crystal nuclei, and the formation of microcrystal grains were observed under a polarizing microscope during the experimental period. It was found that the liquid crystal vesicles in the bile of the control group were small, scattered, and always existed as single forms, and no shaped gallstone crystals were formed. While in the stone-causing group, liquid crystal vesicles grew to larger ones, and then aggregated to form large liquid crystal cells. Solid crystal growth along the edge of these liquid crystal cells formed microcrystal grains. These demonstrated that bile liquid crystal vesicles form the basic nuclei of cholesterol gallstone. Heterogeneous nucleation is the common process in the formation of crystal nuclei and crystal growth.     

PVP-assisted laser ablation growth of Ag nanocubes anchored on reduced graphene oxide(rGO) for efficient photocatalytic CO_2 reduction

Metallic nanoparticles loaded graphene nanocomposites have been widely studied for various scientific and technological applications. In this study, a facile method was reported to realize a straightforward growth of shape and size-controllable of metallic nanoparticles, and the subsequent hybridization with graphene in solution by strategically coupling wet-chemical route and laser ablation. By mixing graphene oxide(GO) with a tunable concentration level of polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) in aqueous solution, Ag nanocubes with a face-centered cubic crystal structure were generated by pulsed laser ablation and then mounted on GO nanosheets with the assistance of PVP. The preferential adsorption of PVP to Ag(100) crystal face led to the production of Ag nanocubes with exposed(100) facet. The result showed that the morphological yield of spherical particles decreased with the increase in PVP concentration. X-ray diffraction(XRD) and UV–visible spectroscopy analyses confirmed that GO was partially reduced. In the reduction of CO_2 gas, the photocatalytic conversion rate could achieve 133.1 μmol g~(-1) h~(-1) in 6 hrs for cubic Ag-loaded reduced GO composites.     

Coordination polymer based on （1,2-bis（2-picolinamido） phenyl）copper

( 1,2-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamido)benzene copper Cu(bpb) was synthesized and employed as a building block to construct supramolecular coordination polymer based on intermolecular coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions. X-ray single-crystal diffraction characterization revealed that intermolecular coordination interactions lead to the formation of one-dimensional infinite molecular columns, which array along the same direction in the crystal resulting in the three-dimensional network. The molecular columns are linked together by hydrogen-bonding interactions, which infinitely extend in bc plane. The one-dimensional coordination bonding and two-dimensional hydrogen-bonding interactions result in the formation of supramolecular coordination polymer.     

Influence of PPCA inhibitor on CaCO3 scale surface deposition and bulk precipitation at elevated temperature

Scale formation is a serious and costly problem encountered in the oil and gas industry. Polyphosphinocarboxylic acid (PPCA) is a common commercial organic scale inhibitor used in the oil and gas industry which is normally referred to a nucleation inhibitor. In this paper, the effect of PPCA on calcium carbonate scale is studied systematically and some new insights into the mechanisms of PPCA inhibition are given. Traditionally, the studies of scale formation and inhibition have focused on bulk precipitation or surface deposition. Few studies have focused on the difference between surface deposition and bulk precipitation processes. In this paper, the effect of PPCA inhibitor on calcium carbonate scale formation is studied both in the bulk solution and on the metal surface in supersaturated scale formation solutions which represent typical waters encountered in oil and gas production. It is clear that PPCA inhibits both bulk precipitation and surface deposition but to a different degree. At 4 ppm PPCA, the inhibition efficiency of surface deposition is greater than the inhibition efficiency of bulk precipitation. It is assumed that the inhibitor film formed on the metal surface at the highest concentration of PPCA (4 ppm) prevent the adsorption of scale crystals on the metal surface. In addition, PPCA suppresses aragonite and calcite crystal formation and results in the least stable vaterite crystal dominating the scale.     

Effect of cooling rate on the crystallization behavior of perovskite in high titanium-bearing blast furnace slag

The effect of cooling rate on the crystallization of perovskite in high Ti-bearing blast furnace (BF) slag was studied using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Results showed that perovskite was the primary phase formed during the cooling of slag. On the slag surface, the growth of perovskite proceeded via the successive production of quasi-particles along straight lines, which further extended in certain directions. The morphology and structure of perovskite was found to vary as a function of cooling rate. At cooling rates of 10 and 30 K/min, the dendritic arms of perovskite crossed obliquely, while they were orthogonal at a cooling rate of 20 K/min and hexagonal at cooling rates of 40 and 50 K/min. These three crystal morphologies thus obtained at different cooling rates respectively corresponded to the orthorhombic, cubic and hexagonal crystal structures of perovskite. The observed change in the structure of perovskite could probably be attributed to the deficiency of O2?, when Ti₂O₃ was involved in the formation of perovskite.     

Two-substrate vertical deposition for stable colloidal crystal chips

By combining vertical deposition with micromolding in capillaries method, we have demonstrated the two-substrate vertical deposition, an alternative and versatile procedure for fabricating high-quality stable colloidal crystal chips. Apparent bright colors, special UV-vis spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images all prove that high-quality colloidal crystal structures are formed in between the two substrates.During the two-substrate vertical deposition for colloidal crystal chips, capillary force and evaporation of the medium are critical to the formation of the colloidal crystals; while the confinement in between two close substrates makes the resulting colloidal crystal chips more stable. Due to the excellent stability, these colloidal crystal chips can be used to construct some composite optical devices via a simpler and more flexible process. Meanwhile, they can also be further used as the templates for ordered multiporous materials.     

New (Fe0.76Si0.09B0.1P0.05)98.25Nb1Cu0.75 bulk nanocrystalline alloys with good soft magnetic properties

A new(Fe0.76Si0.09B0.1P0.05)98.25Nb1Cu0.75 bulk nanocrystalline alloy in a rod shape with a diameter of 2.5 mm was successfully developed by copper mold casting and isothermal annealing. It was found that the introduction of Cu can result in the formation of a large number of α-Fe(Si)clusters(less than 3 nm) embedded in the glassy matrix, which greatly improved the primary crystallization of α-Fe(Si) nanocrystals during subsequent annealing. The obtained superior soft magnetic properties can be ascribed to the formation of optimal nanocomposite structures with a large number of α-Fe(Si) nanocrystals( 17 nm) uniformly distributed in the glassy matrix.     

Preparation of BST nanocrystals embedded in SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> film by magnetron sputtering for nonvolatile memory applications

We develop a method that uses magnetron sputtering to fabricate barium strontium titanate (BST) nanocrystals embedded in dielectric SiO2 films.Transmission electron microscope images show that the BST nanocrystals have an average diameter of 5 nm and are well distributed in the SiO2 film.In addition,we also analyze the BST nanocrystals composition deviation during the sputtering process by electron dispersive spectroscopy.     

Preparation and electrochemical performance of double perovskite La<Subscript>2</Subscript>CoMnO<Subscript>6</Subscript> nanofibers

Through electrospinning, La₂CoMnO₆ nanofibers were prepared from a polyvinylpyrrolidone/lanthanum nitrate–cobalt acetate–manganese acetate (PVP/LCM) precursor and were used as electrode materials. The morphologies and structures of the samples were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area analysis. The results show that the prepared La₂CoMnO₆ nanofibers are stable, one-dimensional structures formed from interconnected La₂CoMnO₆ nanoparticles with a diamond-like crystal structure. The specific surface area of the fibers is 79.407 m2·g-1. Electrochemical performance tests with a three-electrode system reveal the specific capacitance of the La₂CoMnO₆ nanofibers as 109.7 F·g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A·g-1. After 1000 charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 1 A·g-1, the specific capacitance maintains 90.9% of its initial value, demonstrating a promising performance of the constraint capacitance and good cyclic stability.     

One-pot synthesis of PVP-coated Ni<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2.4</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocrystals

Novel poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP)-coated nickel ferrite nanocrystals were prepared by simultaneously pyrolyzing nickel(II) acetylacetonate (Ni(acac)₂) and iron(III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)₃) in N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP). The PVP coating was formed in situ through polymerization of NVP. The crystalline structure of the resultant nickel ferrite was analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction patterns, and powder X-ray diffraction. In addition, the valence state of Ni and the metal contents of Ni and Fe in different valence states were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic absorption and the phenanthroline method. The surface coating layer of PVP and its binding states were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in combination with XPS. Colloidal stability experiments revealed that the nanocrystals could be dispersed well in both phosphate-buffered saline and Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium.     

Rapid solidification mechanism of Ag60Sb34Cu6 ternary alloy in drop tube

Ternary eutectic growth involves competitive nu-cleation and growth of three solids from one liquid. Thesolidification behavior of ternary eutectic alloy is morecomplex than that of binary eutectic alloy due to the addi-tion of the third component[1—4]. Up to now, most scientificinvestigations on ternary eutectic alloy focus on the influ-ence of changing the component or adding a fourth even afifth element on the performance of the alloy[5—8]. How-ever, the information on crystal growth char…     

Synthesis, Characterization and Calorimetry of Ni（C4H8N2O3）2Cl2

A coordination complex was synthesized from NiCl2 and dipeptide glycylglycine（GG）. It was characterized by element analysis, NMR and TG methods, and then was determined to be Ni（C4HsN2O3）2Cl2. Using an isoperibolic reaction calorimeter, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of Ni（GG）2Cl2（solid） has been determined to be -（1 674.66±2.02） kJ · mol^-1 at 298.15 K.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescence behavior of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanowires with the aid of surfactant PVP

Well-crystalline CeO₂ nanowires were prepared via a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process. Reaction temperature and reaction time were changed for the determination of optimal synthesis parameters. The as-obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results show that single crystal CeO₂ nanowires with high yield and good uniformity can be obtained hydrothermally at 180°C for 12 h with the aid of 2.0 g surfactant (polyvinyl pyrrolidone, PVP). The role of PVP was then discussed and a possible growth mechanism was proposed. Moreover, room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra were obtained for these CeO₂ nanowires, which are believed to be related to the abundant defects in these nanostructures.     

Preparation of Al<Subscript>72</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>8</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>8</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>6</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>3</Subscript>Y<Subscript>3</Subscript> amorphous powders and bulk materials

Amorphous Al₇₂Ni₈Ti₈Zr₆Nb₃Y₃ powders were successfully fabricated by mechanical alloying. The microstructure, glass-forming ability, and crystallization behavior of amorphous Al₇₂Ni₈Ti₈Zr₆Nb₃Y₃ powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The isothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed by the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami equation. In the results, the supercooled liquid region of the amorphous alloy is as high as 81 K, as determined by non-isothermal DSC curves. The activation energy for crystallization is as high as 312.6 kJ·mol?1 obtained by Kissinger and Ozawa analyses. The values of Avrami exponent (n) imply that the crystallization is dominated by interface-controlled three-dimensional growth in the early stage and the end stage and by diffusion-controlled two- or three-dimensional growth in the middle stage. In addition, the amorphous Al₇₂Ni₈Ti₈Zr₆Nb₃Y₃ powders were sintered under 2 GPa at temperatures of 673 K and 723 K. The results show that the Vickers hardness of the compacted powders is as high as Hv 1215.     

Synthesis and characterization of wormhole-like mesoporous Ce0.6Zr0.35Y0.05O2 solid solutions

Nanoparticles of Ce0.6Zr0.35Y0.05O2 (CZY) solid solution have been prepared by the CTAB (hexadecyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide), CTAB-EG (ethylene glycol) templating, and CTAB-EG-NaCl (in which the pores of the precursor synthesized by the CTAB-EG method is filled by a certain amount of NaCl) method, respectively. The physical properties of these materials were characterized by means of tech-niques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and N2 adsorp-tion-desorption measurements. The CZY samples synthesized by the above three methods display wormhole-like mesoporous morphology and cubic crystal structures. The materials are narrow in pore size distribution (averaged pore diameter = 5.3―7.1 nm), high in surface areas (95―119 m2/g), and large in pore volumes (0.16―0.18 cm3/g). It has been demonstrated that the introduction of NaCl is capable of retaining the pore structures of solid nanomaterials at high-temperature calcination.     

Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Spin-Liquid Tb2Ti2O7

Polycrystalline samples of a novel spin-liquid compound Tb2Ti2O7 were prepared by a standard solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction at room temperature confirms that the synthesized compound of Tb2Ti2O7 is single phase with cubic unit cell constant a0 of 1.015 44 nm. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range between 100 and 300 K give an effective moment of 9.44 μB and Curie-Weiss temperature of 12.68 K, respectively, indicating the dominance of antiferromagnetic interactions. However, below 50 K, the magnetic behavior of Tb2Ti2O7 deviates from Curie-Weiss law, whose origin remains suspicion.     

Intense laser induced field ionization of C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>, C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Using HOMO Field Ionization Model, the tunneling probabilities and the theoretical threshold intensities of the field ionizations of acetylene, ethylene, and ethane in intense laser field are calculated. C2H2, C2H4, and C2H6 were irradiated by 800 nm, 100 fs laser pulses with the intensity range of 10^13-10^14 W/cm^2. A TOF-mass spectrometer was coupled to the laser system and used to experimentally investigate the field ionization of these molecules. The experimental ionization threshold intensities are obtained. The calculating results of the three molecules agree well with the experimental results, indicating that HOMO Field Ionization Model is valid for the ionization of polyatomic molecules in intense laser field.     

Electro-deoxidation of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> in molten CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-NaCl-CaO

The electro-deoxidation of V₂O₃ precursors was studied. Experiments were carried out with a two-terminal electrochemical cell, which was comprised of a molten electrolyte of CaCl₂ and NaCl with additions of CaO, a cathode of compact V₂O₃, and a graphite anode under the potential of 3.0 V at 1173 K. The phase constitution and composition as well as the morphology of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 3 g of V₂O₃ could be converted to vanadium metal powder within the processing time of 8 h. The kinetic pathway was investigated by analyzing the product phase in samples prepared at different reduction stages. CaO added in the reduction path of V₂O₃ formed the intermediate product CaV₂O₄.