Multinuclear complex formation between Ca(II) and gluconate ions in hyperalkaline solutions.

Alkaline solutions containing polyhydroxy carboxylates and Ca(II) are typical in cementitious radioactive waste repositories. Gluconate (Gluc(-)) is a structural and functional representative of these sugar carboxylates. In the current study, the structure and equilibria of complexes forming in such strongly alkaline solutions containing Ca(2+) and gluconate have been studied.

Kinetic pathway of palladium nanoparticle sulfidation process at high temperatures.

A significant issue related to Palladium (Pd) based catalysts is that sulfur-containing species, such as alkanethiols, can form a PdSx underlayer on nanoparticle surface and subsequently poison the catalysts. Understanding the exact reaction pathway, the degree of sulfidation, the chemical stoichiometry, and the temperature dependence of this process is critically important. Combining energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments at the S K-, Pd K-, and L2,3-edges, we show the kinetic pathway of Pd nanoparticle sulfidation process with the addition of excess amount of octadecanethiol at different temperatures, up to 250 °C.

Tuning the redox activity of encapsulated metal clusters via the metallic and semiconducting character of carbon nanotubes.

We demonstrate that reactions confined within single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) channels are modulated by the metallic and semiconducting character of the hosts. In situ Raman and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopies provide complementary information about the electronic state of carbon nanotubes and the encapsulated rhenium species, which reveal electronic interactions between encapsulated species and nanotubes. More electrons are transferred from metallic tubes (m-SWCNTs) to oxidic rhenium clusters, leading to a lower valence state rhenium oxide than that in semiconducting tubes (s-SWCNTs).

(De)lithiation mechanism of Li/SeS(x) (x = 0-7) batteries determined by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Electrical energy storage for transportation has gone beyond the limit of converntional lithium ion batteries currently. New material or new battery system development is an alternative approach to achieve the goal of new high-energy storage system with energy densities 5 times or more greater. A series of SeSx-carbon (x = 0-7) composite materials has been prepared and evaluated as the positive electrodes in secondary lithium cells with ether-based electrolyte.

Sulfur poisoning mechanism of steam reforming catalysts: an X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopic study.

The present XANES study aims at elucidating the roles of carbon deposits and metal sulfides in the catalyst deactivation in steam reforming reactions with the presence of sulfur. CeO(2)-Al(2)O(3)-supported Ni and Rh-based catalysts were tested in steam reforming of liquid hydrocarbon fuel containing 350 ppm sulfur for H(2) production at 800 degrees C. The Rh catalyst demonstrated much better sulfur tolerance than the Ni catalyst.