Role of H in Solvent Extraction of Am(III) and Eu(III) Using a Polydentate Bipyridine N-,O-Donor Ligand: Chemical Equilibrium States and Kinetic Aspects.

In this work, the influence of protonation on the kinetics and thermodynamics of extraction of the Am/Eu pair using N-heterocyclic dicarboxylic acid diamide ,'-diethyl-,'-bis(4-ethylphenyl)-[2,2'-bipyridine]-6,6'-dicarboxamide () was investigated. The extraction efficiency of the ligand did not decrease, even at a nitric acid concentration 4 times higher than that of the ligand in the organic phase. X-ray diffraction analysis established that protonation leads to the preorganization of the ligand due to the reversal of bipyridyl rings into the binding conformation when both nitrogen atoms are turned to one side.

Optimal Dynamic Regimes for CO Oxidation Discovered by Reinforcement Learning.

Metal nanoparticles are widely used as heterogeneous catalysts to activate adsorbed molecules and reduce the energy barrier of the reaction. Reaction product yield depends on the interplay between elementary processes: adsorption, activation, desorption, and reaction. These processes, in turn, depend on the inlet gas composition, temperature, and pressure.

Influence of strong π-acceptor ligands on Cr-K-edge X-ray absorption spectral signatures and consequences for the interpretation of surface sites in the Phillips catalyst.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been central to the study of the Phillips polymerization catalyst (CrO/SiO). As Cr K-edge XAS signatures are sensitive to the oxidation state, geometry and types of ligands on surface (active) sites, the superposition of these effects makes their interpretation challenging. Notably, CO has been particularly used as a reductant to generate low valent Cr sites from CrO/SiO and as a structural IR probe for analysing reduced Cr surface sites.

Preparation and Properties of a High-Entropy Wolframite-Type Antiferromagnet, (MnCoNiCuCd)WO.

The homogeneous high-entropy wolframite-type solid solution (MnCoNiCuCd)WO was prepared by solid-state reaction at 1000 °C. Elongated "crystals" were grown from the NaWO flux, but their strongly broadened powder X-ray diffraction patterns indicated partial dissolution. Nevertheless, successive annealing of the homogeneous solid solution for 3-4 h at 800, 700, and 600 °C did not bring any sign of dissolution.

Molecular Twist-Induced Single-Crystal Isomerization and Valence Tautomeric Transitions in a Cobalt-Dioxolene Complex.

A mononuclear valence tautomeric (VT) complex, [Co(pycz)(Sq)(Cat)] (1-trans), where pycz = 9-(pyridin-4-yl)-9H-carbazole, Sq⋅ = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-semiquinonato, and Cat = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-catecholato, is synthesized in the trans configuration, which undergoes one-step valence tautomeric transition above room temperature. Remarkably, 1-trans can transform into its isomeric structure, [Co(pycz)(Sq)(Sq)] (1-cis), at temperature above 350 K in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal way by in situ molecular twist, and the resulting 1-cis exhibits a pronounced two-step VT transition during magnetic measurements that is rare for mononuclear VT complexes. Such drastic solid-state structural transformation is reported in VT compounds for the first time, which is actuated by a crystal surface's melting-recrystallization induced phase transition process.

Tracking Coordination Environment and Reaction Intermediates in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Epoxidation Catalysts via Ti L-Edge Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structures.

Ti-based molecules and materials are ubiquitous and play a major role in both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic processes. Understanding the electronic structures of their active sites (oxidation state, local symmetry, and ligand environment) is key to developing molecular-level structure-property relationships. In that context, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) offers a unique combination of elemental selectivity and sensitivity to local symmetry.

Kinetic features of solvent extraction by N,O-donor ligands of f-elements: a comparative study of diamides based on 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-bipyridine.

A variant of microfluidic setup design for the study of extraction kinetics has been proposed. Mass transfer constants for Am(III) and Eu(III) and observed rate constants were obtained for N-,O-donor ligands featuring phenanthroline and bipyridyl cores. The possibility of determining rate constants for cations independently of each other makes it possible to observe the kinetic effect of separation.

Active Sites in Cr(III)-Based Ethylene Polymerization Catalysts from Machine-Learning-Supported XAS and EPR Spectroscopy.

The ethylene polymerization Phillips catalyst has been employed for decades and is central to the polymer industry. While Cr(III) alkyl species are proposed to be the propagating sites, there is so far no direct experimental evidence for such proposal. In this work, by coupling Surface organometallic chemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and machine learning-supported XAS studies, we have studied the electronic structure of well-defined silica-supported Cr(III) alkyls and identified the presence of several surface species in high and low-spin states, associated with different coordination environments.

Spin transitions in ferric catecholate complexes mediated by outer-sphere counteranions.

A family of ionic ferric catecholate complexes 1-4 bearing a disubstituted 3,6-di--butyl-catecholate ligand (3,6-DBCatH) and tetradentate tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) was prepared and its spin transitions were investigated. Variation of the outer-sphere counteranions (PF, BPh, ClO, BF) is accompanied by changes in the magnetic behavior of the compounds under consideration. The crystal structures of complexes 1, 3 and 4 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis at 100 K and 293 K.

Rational Functionalization of UiO-66 with Pd Nanoparticles: Synthesis and In Situ Fourier-Transform Infrared Monitoring.

Functionalization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) is a challenging task. Conventional impregnation by metals often leads to agglomerates on the surface of MOF crystals. Functional groups on linkers interact with metal precursors and promote the homogeneous distribution of NPs in the pores of MOFs, but their uncontrolled localization can block channels and thus hinder mass transport.

Adsorption Sites on Pd Nanoparticles Unraveled by Machine-Learning Potential with Adaptive Sampling.

Catalytic properties of noble-metal nanoparticles (NPs) are largely determined by their surface morphology. The latter is probed by surface-sensitive spectroscopic techniques in different spectra regions. A fast and precise computational approach enabling the prediction of surface-adsorbate interaction would help the reliable description and interpretation of experimental data.

Chemical Information in the L X-ray Absorption Spectra of Molybdenum Compounds by High-Energy-Resolution Detection and Density Functional Theory.

X-ray spectroscopy using high-energy-resolution fluorescence detection (HERFD) has critically increased the information content in X-ray spectra. We extend this technique to the tender X-ray range and present a study at the L-edge of molybdenum. We show how information on the oxidation state, phase composition, and local environment in molybdenum-based compounds can be obtained by analyzing the HERFD L X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES).

Excited-state structure of copper phenanthroline-based photosensitizers.

Cu diimine complexes present a noble metal free alternative to classical Ru, Re, Ir and Pt based photosensitizers in solution photochemistry, photoelectrochemical or dye-sensitized solar cells. Optimization of these dyes requires understanding of factors governing the key photochemical properties: excited state lifetime and emission quantum yield. The involvement of exciplex formation in the deactivation of the photoexcited state is a key question.

Revisited TiNbO as an Anode Material for Advanced Li-Ion Batteries.

TiNbO with a tunnel-type structure is considered as a perspective negative electrode material for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) with theoretical capacity of 252 mAh g corresponding to one-electron reduction/oxidation of Ti and Nb, but only ≈160 mAh g has been observed practically. In this work, highly reversible capacity of 200 mAh g with the average (de)lithiation potential of 1.5 V vs Li/Li is achieved for TiNbO with pseudo-2D layered morphology obtained via thermal decomposition of the NHTiNbO intermediate prepared by K→ H→ NH cation exchange from KTiNbO.

Deciphering the Phillips Catalyst by Orbital Analysis and Supervised Machine Learning from Cr Pre-edge XANES of Molecular Libraries.

Unveiling the nature and the distribution of surface sites in heterogeneous catalysts, and for the Phillips catalyst (CrO/SiO) in particular, is still a grand challenge despite more than 60 years of research. Commonly used references in Cr K-edge XANES spectral analysis rely on bulk materials (Cr-foil, CrO) or molecules (CrCl) that significantly differ from actual surface sites. In this work, we built a library of Cr K-edge XANES spectra for a series of tailored molecular Cr complexes, varying in oxidation state, local coordination environment, and ligand strength.

Hydrogenation of ethylene over palladium: evolution of the catalyst structure by operando synchrotron-based techniques.

Palladium-based catalysts are exploited on an industrial scale for the selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons. The formation of palladium carbide and hydride phases under reaction conditions changes the catalytic properties of the material, which points to the importance of operando characterization for determining the relation between the relative fractions of the two phases and the catalyst performance. We present a combined time-resolved characterization by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (in both near-edge and extended regions) and X-ray diffraction of a working palladium-based catalyst during the hydrogenation of ethylene in a wide range of partial pressures of ethylene and hydrogen.

Laboratory Operando XAS Study of Sodium Iron Titanite Cathode in the Li-Ion Half-Cell.

Electrochemical characterization of the novel sodium iron titanate NaFeTiO was performed upon cycling in the Li-ion half-cell. The material exhibited stable cycling in the voltage range 2-4.5 V, and the number of alkali ions extracted per formula unit was approximately half of the Na stoichiometry value.

Pd nanoparticle growth monitored by DRIFT spectroscopy of adsorbed CO.

Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy and scattering are known in situ probes of metal nanoparticles (NPs). A limited number of laboratory techniques allow post-synthesis diagnostics of the active metal surface area. This work demonstrates the high potential of infrared spectroscopy as an in situ laboratory probe for the growth of metal NPs on a substrate.

Taking a snapshot of the triplet excited state of an OLED organometallic luminophore using X-rays.

OLED technology beyond small or expensive devices requires light-emitters, luminophores, based on earth-abundant elements. Understanding and experimental verification of charge transfer in luminophores are needed for this development. An organometallic multicore Cu complex comprising Cu-C and Cu-P bonds represents an underexplored type of luminophore.

Absorption spectra at the iodine 3d ionisation threshold following the CHI (x = 0-3) cation sequence.

Yields of atomic iodine I (q≥ 2) fragments resulting from photoexcitation and photoionisation of the target cations CHI (x = 0-3) have been measured in the photon-energy range 610 eV to 670 eV, which comprises the threshold for iodine 3d ionisation. The measured ion-yield spectra show two strong and broad resonance features due to the excitation of the 3d electrons into εf states similar to atomic iodine. In the 3d pre-edge range, electrons are excited into molecular orbitals consisting of iodine, carbon, and hydrogen atomic orbitals.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy data during formation of active Pt- and Pd-sites in functionalized UiO-67 metal-organic frameworks.

We report a series of Pd -edge and Pt -edge X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) collected in situ during thermal treatment of functionalized UiO-67-Pd and UiO-67-Pt metal-organic frameworks in inert and reducing atmospheres. We present raw synchrotron data from three subsequent experiments at different beamlines, normalized XAS spectra and -weighted oscillatory χ() functions extracted from one of the datasets. Pd -edge spectra were collected for the samples in 5% H/He, 3% H/He and pure He in the temperature range from room temperature (RT) to 450 °C.

Operando X-ray absorption spectra and mass spectrometry data during hydrogenation of ethylene over palladium nanoparticles.

We report the series of Pd -edge X-ray absorption spectra collected during hydrogenation of ethylene with variable ethylene/hydrogen ratio over carbon supported palladium nanoparticles. The data presented in this article includes normalized X-ray absorption spectra, -weighted oscillatory χ() functions extracted from the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and -weighted Fourier-transformed EXAFS data, χ(). Each spectrum is reported together with the hydrogen, ethylene and helium flow rates, adjusted during its collection.

Partial and Complete Substitution of the 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylate Linker in UiO-66 with 1,4-Naphthalenedicarboxylate: Synthesis, Characterization, and H-Adsorption Properties.

We describe the synthesis and corresponding full characterization of the set of UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (CH(COOH), hereafter HBDC) and 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate (CH(COOH), hereafter HNDC) mixed linkers with NDC contents of 0, 25, 50, and 100%. Their structural (powder X-ray diffraction, PXRD), adsorptive (N, H, and CO), vibrational (IR/Raman), and thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis, TGA) properties quantitatively correlate with the NDC content in the material. The UiO-66 phase topology is conserved at all relative fractions of BDC/NDC.

Fluorescence-detected XAS with sub-second time resolution reveals new details about the redox activity of Pt/CeO catalyst.

A setup for fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) with sub-second time resolution has been developed. This technique allows chemical speciation of low-concentrated materials embedded in highly absorbing matrices, which cannot be studied using transmission XAS. Using this setup, the reactivity of 1.

Time-resolved operando studies of carbon supported Pd nanoparticles under hydrogenation reactions by X-ray diffraction and absorption.

The formation of palladium hydride and carbide phases in palladium-based catalysts is a critical process that changes the catalytic performance and selectivity of the catalysts in important industrial reactions, such as the selective hydrogenation of alkynes or alkadienes. We present a comprehensive study of a 5 wt% carbon supported Pd nanoparticle (NP) catalyst in various environments by using in situ and operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and diffraction, to determine the structure and evolution of palladium hydride and carbide phases, and their distribution throughout the NPs. We demonstrate how the simultaneous analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns allows discrimination between the inner "core" and outer "shell" regions of the NP during hydride phase formation at different temperatures and under different hydrogen pressures, indicating that the amount of hydrogen in the shell region of the NP is lower than that in the core.