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Hybrid organic-inorganic polyoxometalates (POMs) were synthesized in water by the reaction of a MoVI precursor with bisphosphonate ligands functionalized by pyridine groups. The fully oxidized POM [(MoVI3O8)2(O)(O3PC(O)(C3H6NH2CH2C5H4NH)PO3)2]4− has been isolated as water insoluble pure Na salt (NaMo6(Ale-4Py)2) or mixed Na/K salt (NaKMo6(Ale-4Py)2) and their structure solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The mixed-valent complex [(MoV2O4)(MoVI2O6)2{O3PC(O)(C3H6N(CH2C5H4N)2(MoVIO3))PO3}2]8− was obtained as an ammonium salt (NH4Mo6(AlePy2Mo)2), in the presence of a reducing agent (hydrazine). 31P NMR spectroscopic studies in aqueous media have allowed determining the pH stability domain of NH4Mo6(AlePy2Mo)2. NaMo6(Ale-4Py)2 and NaKMo6(Ale-4Py)2 exhibit remarkable solid-state photochromic properties in ambient conditions. Under UV excitation, they develop a very fast color-change from white to deep purple and proved to be the fastest photochromic organoammonium/POM systems. The coloration kinetics has been fully quantified for both salts and is discussed in light of the hydrogen-bonding networks.

Abstract: High-pressure X-ray diffraction measurements were carried out for polymeric CdI2-type compounds MTe2 (M=Pt, Pd) to investigate if they undergo a structural phase transition under pressure as does IrTe2. Up to 27GPa at room temperature PtTe2 does not undergo any structural phase transition. In contrast, however, an abrupt change in the inter-atomic distances occurs in PdTe2 above 15.7GPa at room temperature, and above 5GPa at 300°C, but the volume vs. pressure curve exhibits no discontinuity. To account for the differences between the isostructural compounds PtTe2, PdTe2 and IrTe2, their electronic structures and bonding were analyzed on the basis of first principles electronic band structure calculations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Various compositions of solid solutions K3P(Mo1-xWx)12O40 (0x1) were prepared using two solid state synthetic routes. The crystallite size was determined by linewidth refinements of X-ray diffraction patterns using the Warren–Averbach method, and the grain size distribution by laser scattering experiments. Optical properties were determined by diffuse reflectance measurements in the UV-visible range. The optical gap Eg was found to increase exponentially from ∼2.5 to ∼3.30eV with increasing x, and is systematically shifted to a higher energy when the grain size decreases. The relation between Eg and x was analyzed by calculating the HOMO-LUMO gaps of the [P(Mo1-xWx)12O40]3- anions on the basis of tight-binding electronic structure calculations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cerium borates o-CeBO3, m-CeBO3 and CeB3O6 have been shown to be isostructural to their lanthanum derivatives. From diffuse reflectance, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and band structure calculations, it has been evidenced that a Ce3+ 4f–5d transition is responsible for weak absorption peaks around 3.5 eV while the O2p–Ce5d charge transfer gives rise to a strong absorption around 7 eV. Starting from self-consistent full potential LAPW calculations, the dielectric tensors of the three compounds were computed and compared to experimental data. It results in a satisfactory fit between the observed and the calculated extinction coefficient k and the index of refraction n. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The bismuth basic nitrate [Bi6O4.5(OH)3.5]2(NO3)11 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 with a=15.850(3) A˚, b=14.986(3) A˚, c=18.230(4) A˚, β=107.329(17)° and V=4133.7(14) A˚3 (Z=4). Its structure has been determined from 120 K, twinned crystal X-ray data (16 781 reflections, 683 parameters, R=0.0703). It is built upon [Bi6Ox(OH)8−x](10−x)+, x=4 and x=5 hexanuclear complexes and nitrate groups. The polycationic entities are linked to the nitrate anions either by hydrogen bonds or through bismuth–oxygen coordination. Even at 120 K, the [Bi6O4(OH)4]6+ and [Bi6O5(OH)3]5+ polycations could not be observed as such, the crystal structure refinement only detecting an average [Bi6O4.5(OH)3.5]5.5+ polycation. To prove the presence of both hexanuclear complexes in the structure, we report the existence of a correlation between the bismuth-linked oxygen bond-valence parameters and the presence, or not, of hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the Raman spectrum of the new anhydrous bismuth basic nitrate is compared to those of [Bi6O5(OH)3](NO3)5·3H2O, [Bi6O4(OH)4](NO3)6·4H2O, and two yet uncharacterized bismuth nitrates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Owing to its high technological importance for optoelectronics, zinc oxide received much attention. In particular, the role of defects on its physical properties has been extensively studied as well as their thermodynamical stability. In particular, a large concentration of Zn vacancies in ZnO bulk materials is so far considered highly unstable. Here we report that the thermal decomposition of zinc peroxide produces wurtzite-type ZnO nanoparticles with an extraordinary large amount of zinc vacancies (>15%). These Zn vacancies segregate at the surface of the nanoparticles, as confirmed by ab initio calculations, to form a pseudo core-shell structure made of a dense ZnO sphere coated by a Zn free oxo-hydroxide mono layer. In others terms, oxygen terminated surfaces are privileged over zinc-terminated surfaces for passivation reasons what accounts for the Zn off-stoichiometry observed in ultra-fine powdered samples. Such Zn-deficient Zn1-xO nanoparticles exhibit an unprecedented photoluminescence signature suggesting that the core-shell-like edifice drastically influences the electronic structure of ZnO. This nanostructuration could be at the origin of the recent stabilisation of p-type charge carriers in nitrogen-doped ZnO nanoparticles.

For the first time, a set of samples of European flue gas cleaning residues, mainly from the incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW), has undergone a mineralogical study. The residues are the result of the neutralization of acid flue gases by lime, the predominant method adopted in Europe, using dry and semi-dry washing processes. The study protocol combines physico-chemical analytical techniques (XRD, FTIR, DSC/TGA) and global chemical analysis enabling identification of the chemical composition of the main constituents, particularly chlorinated Ca-based phases, as well as establishment of modal distributions of the represented phases, both crystalline and amorphous. The samples are slightly hydrated and values vary for trapped Cl, S and even CO(2). The main crystalline phases are NaCl, KCl, CaSO(4), CaCO(3), Ca(OH)(2) and calcium hydroxychloride CaOHCl. CaOHCl is the main chlorine phase, regardless of the treatment process, filtration mode, and specific surface of the Ca-based sorbent. This phase develops during neutralization of HCl by excess lime present according to the reaction Ca(OH)(2)+HCl-->CaOHCl+H(2)O, to the detriment of a complete yield involving the two lime OH groups with formation of CaCl(2).2H(2)O. In addition, it seems that gas temperatures above 150 degrees C increase competition between lime-based neutralization of HCl, SO(2) acid flue gases and CO(2) trapping, thus reducing washing efficiency.

A new triclinic polymorphic form of N,N'-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (C(6)H(5)NHC(6)H(4)NHC(6)H(5)) has been obtained through appropriate recrystallization of the orthorhombic form. It crystallized in the centrosymmetric space group P$\overline 1$, with two half molecules as the asymmetric unit.