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X-ray diffraction of solid tin to 1.2 TPa

In this study, we report direct in situ measurements of the crystal structure of tin between 0.12 and 1.2 TPa, the highest stress at which a crystal structure has ever been observed. Using angle-dispersive powder x-ray diffraction, we find that dynamically compressed Sn transforms to the body-centered-cubic (bcc) structure previously identified by ambient-temperature quasistatic-compression studies and by zero-kelvin density-functional theory predictions between 0.06 and 0.16 TPa. However, we observe no evidence for the hexagonal close-packed (hcp) phase found by those studies to be stable above 0.16 TPa. Instead, our results are consistent with bcc up to 1.2 TPa. We conjecture that at high temperature bcc is stabilized relative to hcp due to differences in vibrational free energy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Development of low temperature and high magnetic field X-ray diffraction facility

The current progress of materials science regarding multifunctional materials (MFM) has put forward the challenges to understand the microscopic origin of their properties. Most of such MFMs have magneto-elastic correlations. To investigate the underlying mechanism it is therefore essential to investigate the structural properties in the presence of magnetic field. Keeping this in view low temperature and high magnetic field (LTHM) powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), a unique state-of-art facility in the country has been developed at CSR Indore. This setup works on symmetric Bragg Brentano geometry using a parallel incident x-ray beam from a rotating anode source working at 17 kW. Using this one can do structural studies at non-ambient conditions i.e. at low- temperatures (2-300 K) and high magnetic field (+8 to −8 T). The available scattering angle ranges from 5° to 115° 2θ with a resolution better than 0.1°. The proper functioning of the setup has been checked using Si sample. The effect of magnetic field on the structural properties has been demonstrated on Pr{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}MnO{sub 3} sample. Clear effect of field induced phase transition has been observed. Moreover, the effect of zero field cooled and field cooled conditions is also observed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Comparing results of X-ray diffraction, µ-Raman spectroscopy and neutron diffraction when identifying chemical phases in seized nuclear material, during a comparative nuclear forensics exercise

This work presents the results for identification of chemical phases obtained by several laboratories as a part of an international nuclear forensic round-robin exercise. In this work powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) is regarded as the reference technique. Neutron diffraction produced a superior high-angle diffraction pattern relative to p-XRD. Requiring only small amounts of sample, µ-Raman spectroscopy was used for the first time in this context as a potentially complementary technique to p-XRD. The chemical phases were identified as pure UO 2 in two materials, and as a mixture of UO 2 , U 3 O 8 and an intermediate species U 3 O 7 in the third material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermoelectric performance of nanostructured p-type Zr₀.₅Hf₀.₅Co₀.₄Rh₀.₆Sb 1–x Sn x half-Heusler alloys

Several compositions of the p-type half-Heusler alloys Zr₀.₅Hf₀.₅Co₀.₄Rh₀.₆Sb 1–x Sn x (0≤x≤0.4) were synthesized by mechanically alloying high purity elemental powders using hardened steel jars and balls on a high energy shaker mill. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations of several aliquots taken after regularly spaced milling time suggested that single phase products with half-Heusler (HH) structure can be obtained after 10 h. However, XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of several specimens obtained from compacted polycrystalline powders of Z₀.₅Hf₀.₅Co₀.₄Rh₀.₆Sb 1–x Sn x alloys using a uniaxial hot press (HP) revealed the presence of CoSb inclusions with various sizes embedded inside the HH matrix. Hall effect, electrical conductivity, and thermopower data collected between 300 K and 775 K on several compositions suggested that electronic transport in the synthesized Zr₀.₅Hf₀.₅Co₀.₄Rh₀.₆Sb 1–x Sn x /CoSb composites strongly depends on the average size and/or mole fraction of the embedded CoSb inclusions rather than the fraction (x) of Sn substituting for Sb. Among the samples investigated, the nanocomposite with x=0.2, which contains nanometer-scale CoSb inclusions, showed the largest power factor (800 μW/K² m at 775 K) and the lowest lattice thermal conductivity (~2.2 W/m K at 775 K) leading to a six-fold enhancement in the figure of merit when compared to the Zr₀.₅Hf₀.₅Co₀.₄Rh₀.₆Sb₀.₉₉Sn₀.₀₁ bulk matrix. - Graphical abstract: CoSb nanoinclusions embedded into a p-type Zr₀.₅Hf₀.₅Co₀.₄Rh₀.₆Sb 1–x Sn x half-Heusler matrix simultaneously boost the thermopower and carrier mobility leading to a drastic enhancement of the power factor of the resulting bulk nanostructured materials. Highlights: • The phase composition of half-Heusler (HH) alloy is very sensitive to the synthesis method. • Mechanical alloying (MA) of elements results in bulk HH matrix with CoSb inclusions. • CoSb nanoinclusions simultaneously boost the thermopower and carrier mobility with the HH matrix. • The MA process reduces lattice thermal conductivity due to high density of grain boundaries.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Supramolecular Metal‐Organic Framework Electrocatalysts With Hydration‐Adaptive Gallery Expansion and Linker‐Mediated Distal Ni‐Co Cooperation Enable Framework‐Retentive Oxygen Evolution

Atomic‑level tailoring of electronic communication between spatially separated metal sites offers a route to accelerate multielectron electrocatalysis. We report Ni-TPTC, Co-TPTC, and heterobimetallic Ni-Co-TPTC supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) built from a terphenyl‑tetracarboxylate (TPTC) linker. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of heterobimetallic Ni–Co–TPTC reveals trans-bis-aqua octahedral chains assembled into a π-stacked, hydrogen-bonded lattice and confirms retention of the parent architecture, while powder X-ray diffraction supports an isostructural Co analog. In 1.0 M KOH, Ni-Co-TPTC reaches 20 mA cm −2 at 350 mV and maintains operation at ∼60 mA cm −2 for 45 h with modest decay of the initial current. Time‑dependent ex situ diffraction shows dominant framework reflections with low‑angle shifts consistent with gallery dilation (d‑spacing ∼7.7 → ∼9.2 Å) during early operation, while Co K‑edge X‑ray absorption and microscopy reveal Co‑rich oxide/oxyhydroxide‑like domains at longer times that correlate with decay. X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, quantified by the Remote Binding‑Energy Differential, tracks composition‑dependent Ni-Co polarization, and DFT free‑energy analysis suggests that a model Ni-Co environment lowers the Co‑centered potential‑limiting step by ∼0.24 eV relative to the Co‑only framework. Furthermore, these results suggest that framework‑retentive expansion and distal Ni-Co coupling can drive OER activity before gradual deligation and oxide formation mark longer‑time degradation.

Supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs)↗

Characterization of Aluminum Metal Powders for Plutonium-238 Program

As part of radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) production for power sources in deep space exploration, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) produces plutonium-238 ( 238 Pu). To produce 238 Pu, neptunium-237 ( 237 Np) targets are fabricated at ORNL and subsequently irradiated at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at ORNL and the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Specifically, current flowsheets utilize neptunium dioxide ( 237 NpO 2 ) targets. Aluminum (Al) powder is blended with 237 NpO 2 target material to improve thermal conductivity during irradiation. The current composition of 237 NpO 2 /Al pellets (i.e., cermets, or ceramic–metallics) is 20% 237 NpO 2 , 70% Al, and 10% void space. Al powders utilized by the 238 Pu program are high-fired under vacuum before blending into targets. The primary objective of this work is to measure the physical, chemical, and thermal properties of Al before and after the high-firing process. Properties of interest include the morphology, surface texture, particle size, crystal phase(s), and thermal conductivity of the material. These properties are measured with existing materials characterization equipment at ORNL, including powder x-ray diffraction (pXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), laser flash analysis (LFA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A secondary objective of this work is to compare the Al powders before and after the high-firing procedure to determine the effects of high-firing on chemical, physical, and thermal properties and to determine the efficacy of the high-firing process.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

An Enantiotropic Disorder–Partial Order Solid-State Transformation in a Molecular Solid Involving a Phase with Z ' = 12

A structural study of the complex aminated stereotriads, [( tert -butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-4-ethynyl-4-(1-fluorohexyl)-1,2,3-oxathiazocane-2,2-dione (1) and its reduced analogue, [( tert -butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-4-ethenyl-4-(1-fluorohexyl)-1,2,3-oxathiazocane-2,2-dione (2), revealed a k 12-type second-order phase transition in 1 and phase stability of 2 over the temperature range 100–400 K. The observed phase change in 1 has been linked to the partial ordering of the extensive positional disorder of the high temperature phase upon cooling as revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The ordering breaks the translational symmetry, introduces differences in the molecular volumes of the packed species, and results in a low-temperature crystal structure with Z '=12. The in situ powder X-ray diffraction studies suggest that the transition occurs between 237 K and 180 K upon cooling, but complete amorphization in the range of 244–274 K during heating complicated the assignment of the transition temperature. Lastly, the observed loss of crystallinity has been linked to the phase transition and implies that the loss of long range order is due to the crystallites undergoing the transformation independently from one another.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Superconductor-in-an-Hour: Spark Plasma Synthesis of Co- and Ni-Doped BaFe 2 As 2

In this work, BaFe 2 As 2 superconductors doped with Co or Ni were synthesized by heat treatment of the reactive BaH 2 precursor and elemental Fe, Co, Ni, and As in a sealed niobium container. The hydride route provides better mixing of the starting materials, resulting in faster preparation of the target phases. The hydrogen gas evolved during sintering facilitates the preparation of the oxygen-free powders. Using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), including low-temperature synchrotron PXRD, it was shown that this route leads to successful doping of the Co (Ni) dopant and that the actual dopant content in the produced powdered samples of BaFe 2– x Co x As 2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) and BaFe 2– x Ni x As 2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.18) is close to the nominal content. The optimally doped samples of BaFe 2– x Co x As 2 and BaFe 2– x Ni x As 2 exhibit bulk superconducting properties. The highest T c for the Co-doped sample is 24 K when x = 0.15–0.175 and 21 K for the Ni-doped sample when x ~ 0.1. The reaction mechanism between the BaH 2 hydride precursor and elemental Fe and As was studied by operando high-temperature synchrotron PXRD. The formation of the target BaFe 2 As 2 phase occurs at the relatively low temperature of 785 K with binary iron arsenide (FeAs) being an intermediate product. Finally, the in situ combined synthesis and sintering of the intimately mixed BaH 2 and Fe, Co, and As was performed inside the spark plasma sintering apparatus to obtain compact pellets of the BaFe 2– x Co x As 2 superconductors. A higher sintering temperature (>873 K) is needed to ensure a homogeneous Co dopant distribution and, thus, the abrupt superconducting transitions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Optically active derivatives of terephthalic acid: synthesis and crystal structures

New optically active derivatives of terephthalic acid, which are of interest as precursors of chiral metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), were synthesized starting from available dimethyl 2-aminoterephthalate, N-Boc-L-alanine, and N-Boc-L-proline. The crystal structures of three samples were determined by powder X-ray diffraction. In all three structures, the acid molecules exist as zwitterions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Metal–organic frameworks assembled from lanthanide and 2,5-pyridinedicaboxylate with cubane-like [Ln{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}] building units

Lanthanide–organic frameworks based on 2,5-pyridinedicaboxylate (25p) ligand, formulated as [Yb{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}(25p){sub 4}(H{sub 2}O){sub 3}]·H{sub 2}O (25pYb), [Y{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}(25p){sub 4}(H{sub 2}O){sub 3}]·H{sub 2}O (25pY-1) and [Y{sub 6}(OH){sub 8}(25p){sub 5}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}] (25pY-2), have been obtained as single phases under hydrothermal conditions. 25pYb and 25pY-1 are isostructural, and crystallize in the triclinic space group, P-1, with a=8.6075(5) Å, b=14.8478(7) Å, c=15.9164(9) Å, α=86.277(4)°, β=80.196(5)°, γ=81.785(4)°, and a=8.7166(6) Å, b=14.966(1) Å, c=15.966(1) Å, α=86.260(6)°, β=80.036(6)°, γ=81.599(6)°, respectively. 25pY-2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P2{sub 1}/c, with a=24.9117(17) Å, b=13.7340(8) Å, c=14.3385(10) Å, β=100.551(7)°. 25pYb and 25pY-2 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The 25pYb structure is based on tetranuclear cubane-like [Yb{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}]{sup 8+} clusters, which are interconnected to eight neighbouring clusters through teen surrounding 25p ligands leading to neutral 3D framework, while the structure of 25pY-2 is based on two independent cuban-like [Y{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}]{sup 8+} clusters, which are joined together through Y1 cation leading to the formation of hexanuclear [Y{sub 6}(OH){sub 8}]{sup 10+} clusters, which in turn are joined via Y2 cation resulting in infinite inorganic chain extending along c-axis, and each chain is interconnected to six adjacent chains through 25p ligands leading finally to 3D framework. The luminescence properties of Eu{sup 3+} and Tb{sup 3+} doped 25pY-1 and 25pY-2 compounds have also been investigated. All materials has been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses (TG–SDTA–MS), FTIR spectroscopy, C–H–N elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), and powder X-ray thermodiffraction. - Graphical abstract: Nowadays, lanthanide–organic frameworks (LOFs) attract tremendous attention due to the unique characteristic of lanthanide cations, such as variable coordination numbers and geometries which often lead to novel complex structures, and also to their magnetic and photoluminescence properties. Herein, three LOFs formulated as [Ln{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}(25p){sub 4}(H{sub 2}O){sub 3}]·H{sub 2}O (Ln=Y, Yb) and [Y{sub 6}(OH){sub 8}(25p){sub 5}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}] have been obtained by hydrothermal method and characterized, and the photoluminescence properties of the Eu and Tb doped compounds are discussed. - Highlights: • Three novel LnOFs has been synthesized and characterized. • Crystal structures are based on tetranuclear cuban-like [Ln{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}]{sup 8+} clusters. • 25pYb and 25pY-1 are based on isolated [Ln{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}]{sup 8+} clusters. • 25pY-2 is based on infinite inorganic chains built up from [Y{sub 4}(OH){sub 4}]{sup 8+} clusters. • Photoluminescence studies show strong red and green light emissions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Combustion synthesis and thermoluminescence in YAlO{sub 3}:Dy{sup 3+}

In the Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} system, compounds Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} (yttrium aluminum garnet, YAG),YAlO{sub 3} (yttrium aluminum perovskite, YAP), and Y{sub 4}Al{sub 2}O{sub 9}(yttrium aluminate monoclinic, YAM) are well known. Though several soft chemical routes have been explored for synthesis of YAG, YAP and YAM, most of these methods are complex. Moreover, phase pure materials are not obtained in one step and prolonged annealing at temperatures around 1000°C is necessary. In this paper, one step combustion synthesis of the compound YAlO{sub 3}:Dy{sup 3+} is reported using a modified procedure and employing mixed (glycine + urea) fuel. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the pervoskite phase of YAlO{sub 3}. Thermoluminescence study shows linear response in wide dose range (0.2 – 1 KGy) suggest the possibility of the present phosphor in dosimeter application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Phase transitions in delafossite CuLaO{sub 2} at high pressures

Structural stability of a transparent conducting oxide CuLaO{sub 2} at high pressures is investigated using in-situ Raman spectroscopy, electrical resistance, and x-ray diffraction techniques. The present Raman investigations indicate a sequence of structural phase transitions at 1.8 GPa and 7 GPa. The compound remains in the first high pressure phase when pressure is released. Electrical resistance measurements carried out at high pressures confirm the second phase transition. These observations are further supported by powder x-ray diffraction at high pressures which also showed that a-axis is more compressible than c-axis in this compound. Fitting the pressure dependence of unit cell volume to 3{sup rd} order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, zero pressure bulk modulus of CuLaO{sub 2} is determined to be 154(25) GPa. The vibrational properties in the ambient delafossite phase of CuLaO{sub 2} are investigated using ab-initio calculations of phonon frequencies to complement the Raman spectroscopic measurements. Temperature dependence of the Raman modes of CuLaO{sub 2} is investigated to estimate the anharmonicity of Raman modes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Investigation of the La{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}–WO{sub 3} ternary phase diagram: Isolation and crystal structure determination of the original La{sub 3}NbWO{sub 10} material

In the course of the exploration of the La{sub 2}O{sub 3}–WO{sub 3}–Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} ternary phase diagram, a new compound with the formula La{sub 3}NbWO{sub 10} was discovered. Its structure was determined from a combination of powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data. It crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4{sub 2}/nmc (no. 137) with the lattice parameters: a=10.0807(1) Å; c=12.5540(1) Å. The structure is built up from infinite ribbons of octahedra (W/Nb)O{sub 5} which are perpendicular to each other, lanthanum ions being distributed around these ribbons. The electrical properties of this compound were investigated on sintered pellets by means of complex impedance spectroscopy. - Graphical abstract: Projection along the c-axis of cationic and anionic positions of a La{sub 3}NbWO{sub 10} unit cell. - Highlights: • The structure of La{sub 3}NbWO{sub 10} was resolved from the XRD and ND data. • The structure was described in many ways. • The ionic conduction property was studied.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis and characterization of a 1D chain-like Cu{sub 6} substituted sandwich-type phosphotungstate with pendant dinuclear Cu–azido complexes

A novel Cu–azido complex modified hexa-Cu{sup II} substituted sandwich-type phosphotungstate [Cu(en){sub 2}]([Cu{sub 2}(en){sub 2}(μ-1,1-N{sub 3}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 2}[Cu{sub 6}(en){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}(B-α-PW{sub 9}O{sub 34}){sub 2}])·6H{sub 2}O (1) (en=ethylene-diamine) has been prepared under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 displays a beautiful 1-D chain architecture constructed from sandwich-type [Cu{sub 2}(en){sub 2}(μ-1,1-N{sub 3}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 2}[Cu{sub 6}(en){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}(B-α-PW{sub 9}O{sub 34}){sub 2}]{sup 2−} units and [Cu(en){sub 2}]{sup 2+} linkers. To our knowledge, 1 represents the first hexa-Cu{sup II} sandwiched phosphotungstate with supporting Cu–azido complexes. - Graphical abstract: The first hexa-Cu{sup II} sandwiched phosphotungstate with supporting Cu–azido complexes has been prepared and characterized. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Hexa-copper-substituted phosphotungstate. • Cu–azido complexes modified hexa-Cu{sup II} substituted sandwich-type polyoxometalate. • 1-D chain architecture built by hexa-copper-substituted polyoxotungstate units.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-pressure X-ray diffraction, Raman, and computational studies of MgCl 2 up to 1 Mbar: Extensive pressure stability of the β-MgCl 2 layered structure

We studied magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ) with the rhombohedral layered CdCl 2 -type structure (α-MgCl 2 ), experimentally, using synchrotron angle-dispersive powder x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy using a diamond-anvil cell up to 100 GPa at room temperature and theoretically using first-principles density functional calculations. Our results reveal a pressure-induced second-order structural phase transition to a hexagonal layered CdI 2 -type structure (β-MgCl 2 ) at 0.7 GPa: the stacking sequence of the Cl anions are altered resulting in a reduction of the c-axis length. Theoretical calculations confirm this phase transition sequence and the calculated transition pressure is in excellent agreement with the experiment. Lattice dynamics calculations also reproduce the experimental Raman spectra measured for the ambient and high-pressure phase. According to our experimental results MgCl 2 remains in a 2D layered phase up to 100 GPa and further, the 6-fold coordination of Mg cations is retained. Theoretical calculations of relative enthalpy suggest that this extensive pressure stability is due to a low enthalpy of the layered structure ruling out kinetic barrier effects. Our observation is unusual, as it contradicts with the general structural behavior of highly compressed AB 2 compounds.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The structures and properties of the new two-dimensional inorganic–organic hybrid materials based on the molybdate chains

A series of inorganic organic hybrid materials based on polyoxometalates(POMs), namely, [M{sup II}(HL){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}][Mo{sup VI}{sub 6}O{sub 20}] [M=Co (1), Ni (2), Cu (3), Zn (4)], [Mn{sup IV}L{sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}][Mo{sup VI}{sub 6}O{sub 20}] (5), and (HL){sub 3}PMO{sub 12}O{sub 40} (6) [L=3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazole], have been synthesized. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results from single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicate that 1–5 are isostructural. It is worth noting that the polyanions are bridged by Mo–O–Mo to form 1D inorganic chains, which are further connected via M ions to form 2D nets. In compound 6, the ligands are used as the positive ions to balance the charge of the compound. Moreover, the magnetic properties of compound 5 have also been investigated in detail. - Graphical abstract: In complex 1, The Co ion is six coordinated by four oxygen atoms from two Mo{sub 6}O{sub 20} and two water molecules, and two N atoms from two different ligand. It is noticeable that there is an one-dimensional chain molybdate, which is combined by O–Mo–O, then the chain parallel with each other, the Mo{sub 6} anion acts as a bidentate ligand providing O7 atoms to bridge CoII ions to form a 2D inorganic layer. Finally every nets become 3D structure by hydrogen bond. - Highlights: • Novel inorganic–organic hybrid materials have been prepared. • Compounds 1–5 contain the 1D molybdate chains composed of (MoO{sub 6}) octahedra. • The 1D chains parallel with each other to form a 2D inorganic layer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Bismuth zinc vanadate, BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}: New crystal structure type and electronic structure

We report a combined experimental and computational study of the crystal structure and electronic properties of bismuth zinc vanadate, BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, known for its visible light photocatalytic activity. The crystal structure has been solved from laboratory powder X-ray diffraction data using the repeated minimisations from random starting values method. BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6} adopts a new structure type, based on the following building blocks: corner- and edge-sharing ZnO{sub 4} tetrahedra, ZnO{sub 6} octahedra and VO{sub 4} tetrahedra, and Bi{sub 2}O{sub 12} dimers. It is the only known member of the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Pb, Ca, Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg, Cu; A=V, P, As) family which does not appear to be structurally closely related to others. The electronic structure of BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, calculated by DFT methods, shows that it is an indirect gap semiconductor with a calculated band gap of 1.6 eV, which compares favourably to the experimentally measured value of 2.4 eV. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure of BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, a new structure type in the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Mg, Ca, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn; A=V, P, As) family. - Highlights: • Structure solution from PXRD data by repeated minimisations from random starting values. • New structure type in the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Pb, Ca, Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg, Cu; A=V, P, As) family. • Electronic structure calculation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Efficient Capture of Perrhenate and Pertechnetate by a Mesoporous Zr Metal–Organic Framework and Examination of Anion Binding Motifs

At the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington state, the U.S. Department of Energy intends to treat 56 million gallons of legacy nuclear waste by encasing it in borosilicate glass via vitrification. This process ineffectively captures radioactive pertechnetate (TcO 4 –) because of the ion’s volatility, thereby requiring a different remediation method for this long-lived (t 1/2 = 2.1 × 10 5 years), environmentally mobile species. Currently available sorbents lack the desired combination of high uptake capacity, fast kinetics, and selectivity. Here, we evaluate the ability of the chemically and thermally robust Zr 6 -based metal–organic framework (MOF), NU-1000, to capture perrhenate (ReO 4 –), a pertechnetate simulant, and pertechnetate. Our material exhibits an excellent perrhenate uptake capacity of 210 mg/g, reaches saturation within 5 min, and maintains perrhenate uptake in the presence of competing anions. Additionally, experiments with pertechnetate confirm perrhenate is a suitable surrogate. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicates both chelating and nonchelating perrhenate binding motifs are present in both the small pore and the mesopore of NU-1000. Postadsorption diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) further elucidates the uptake mechanism and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis confirm the retention of crystallinity and porosity of NU-1000 throughout adsorption.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗