Publications

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The impact on the final morphology of yttria (Y2O3) nanoparticles from different ratios (100/0, 90/10, 65/35, and 50/50) of oleylamine (ON) and oleic acid (OA) via a solution precipitation route has been determined. In all instances, powder X-ray diffraction indicated that the cubic Y2O3 phase (PDF #00-025-1200) with the space group I-3a (206) had been formed. Analysis of the collected FTIR data revealed the presence of stretches and bends consistent with ON and OA, for all ratios investigated, except the 100/0. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed regular and elongated hexagons were produced for the ON (100/0) sample. As OA was added, the nanoparticle morphology changed to lamellar pillars (90/10), then irregular particles (65/35), and finally plates (50/50). The formation of the hexagonal-shaped nanoparticles was determined to be due to the preferential adsorption of ON onto the {101} planes. As OA was added to the reaction mixture, it was found that the {111} planes were preferentially coated, replacing ON from the surface, resulting in the various morphologies noted. The roles of the ratio of ON/OA in the synthesis of the nanocrystals were elucidated in the formation of the various Y2O3 morphologies, as well as a possible growth mechanism based on the experimental data.

The structural properties of reported inorganic scandium (Sc) salts were reviewed, including the halide (Cl, Br, and I), nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate salts. Additional analytical techniques used for characterization of these complexes (metrical data, FTIR and 45Sc NMR spectroscopy) were tabulated. A structural comparison of Sc to select lanthanide (La, Gd, Lu) salt complexes was briefly evaluated.

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The synthesis of a series of lanthanide trifluoroacetic acid (H-TFA) derivatives which contain only the TFA and its conjugate acid has been developed. From the reaction of Ln(N(SiMe3)2)3 with an excess amount of H-TFA, the products were identified as: [Ln(μ-TFA)3(H-TFA)2]n (Ln = Y, Ce, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy), [Ln(μ-TFA)3(μ-H-TFA)]n·solv (Ln·solv = Pr·2 H-TFA, H3O+, Ho·2py, Er·py, Yb·py, H-TFA), 3[H][(TFA)La(μ-TFA)3La(TFA)(μ-TFA)2(μc-TFA)2]n ½(H2O) ½(H2O, H-TFA) (La·½(H2O) ½(H2O, H-TFA)), [(k2-TFA)Nd(μ-TFA)3]n·H-py+ (Nd·H-py+), [(py)2Tm(μ-TFA)3]n (Tm), or [Lu(μ-TFA)4Lu(μ-TFA)3·H3O+]n (Lu·H3O+). The majority of samples formed long chain polymers with 3 or 4 μ-TFA ligands. Tm was isolated with py coordinated to the metal, whereas Ho, Er, and Yb were isolated with py located within the lattice. Select samples from this set of compounds were used to generate nanomaterials under solvothermal (SOLVO) conditions using pyridine (py) or octylamine at 185 °C for 24 h. The SOLVO products were isolated as: (i) from py: La – fluocerite (LaF3, PDF 98-000-0214, R = 9.64%, 35(0) nm), Tb – terbium fluoride (TbF3, PDF 00-037-1487, R = 4.76%, 21(2) nm), Lu lutetium oxy fluoride (LuOF, PDF 00-052-0779, R = 8.24%, 8(2) nm); (ii) from octylamine: La – fluocerite/lanthanum oxide carbonate (LaF3, PDF 98-000-0214, R = 7.47%, 5(0) nm; La2O2(CO3), PDF 01-070-5539, R = 12.32%, 12(0) nm), Tb – terbium oxy fluoride (TbOF, PDF 00-008-0230, R = 7.01%, 5(0) nm); Lu – lutetium oxide (Lu2O3, PDF 00-012-0728, R = 6.52%, 6(1) nm).

A series of nickel(ii) aryloxide ([Ni(OAr)2(py)x]) precursors was synthesized from an amide-alcohol exchange using [Ni(NR2)2] in the presence of pyridine (py). The H-OAr selected were the mono- and di-ortho-substituted 2-alkyl phenols: alkyl = methyl (H-oMP), iso-propyl (H-oPP), tert-butyl (H-oBP) and 2,6-di-alkyl phenols (alkyl = di-iso-propyl (H-DIP), di-tert-butyl (H-DBP), di-phenyl (H-DPhP)). The crystalline products were solved as solvated monomers and structurally characterized as [Ni(OAr)2(py)x], where x = 4: OAr = oMP (1), oPP (2); x = 3: OAr = oBP (3), DIP (4); x = 2: OAr = DBP (5), DPhP (6). The excited states (singlet or triplet) and various geometries of 1-6 were identified by experimental UV-vis and verified by computational modeling. Magnetic susceptibility of the representative compound 4 was fit to a Curie Weiss model that yielded a magnetic moment of 4.38(3)μB consistent with a Ni2+ center. Compounds 1 and 6 were selected for decomposition studied under solution precipitation routes since they represent the two extremes of coordination. The particle size and crystalline structure were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The materials isolated from 1 and 6 were found by TEM to form irregular shape nanomaterials (8-15 nm), which by PXRD were found to be Ni0 hcp (PDF: 01-089-7129) and fcc (PDF: 01-070-0989), respectively.

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A series of Group 4 phenoxy-thiols were developed from the reaction products of a series of metal tert-butoxides ([M(OBut)4]) with four equivalents of 4-mercaptophenol (H-4MP). The products were found by single crystal X-ray diffraction to adopt the general structure [(HOBut)(4MP)3M(μ-4MP)]2 [where M = Ti (1), Zr (2), Hf (3)] from toluene and [(py)2M(4MP)] where M = Ti (4), Zr (5) and [(py)(4MP)3Hf(μ-4MP)]2 (6) from pyridine (py). Varying the [Ti(OR)4] precursors (OR = iso-propoxide (OPri) or neo-pentoxide (ONep)) in toluene led to [(HOR)(4MP)3Ti(μ-4MP)]2 (OR = OPri (7), ONep (8)), which were structurally similar to 1. Lower stoichiometric reactions in toluene led to partial substitution by the 4MP ligands yielding [H][Ti(μ-4MP)(4MP)(ONep)3]2 (9). Independent of the stoichiometry, all of the Ti derivatives were found to be red in color, whereas the heavier congeners were colorless. Attempts to understand this phenomenon led to investigation with a series of varied -SH substituted phenols. From the reaction of H-2MP and H-3MP (2-mercaptophenol and 3-mercaptophenol, respectively), the isolated products had identical arrangements: [(ONep)2(2MP)Ti(μ,η2-2MP)]2 (10) and [(HOR)(3MP)M(μ-3MP)]2 (M/OR = Ti/ONep (11); Zr/OBut (12)) with a similar red color. Based on the simulated and observed UV-Vis spectra, it was reasoned that the color was generated due to a ligand-to-metal charge transfer for Ti that was not available for the larger congeners.

Here, the reaction of Group 4 metal alkoxides ([M(OR)₄]) with the potentially bidentate ligand, 2-hydroxy-pyridine (2-HO-(NC₅H₄) or H-PyO), led to the isolation of a family of compounds. The products isolated from the reaction of [M(OR)₄] [where M = Ti, Zr, or Hf; OR = OPri (OCH(CH₃)₂), OBut (OC(CH3)3), or ONep (OCH2C(CH3)3] under a variety of stoichiometries with H-PyO were identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction as [(OPrⁱ)₂(PyO-κ²(O,N))Ti(μ-OPrⁱ)]₂, [(ONep)₂Ti(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ-ONep)Ti(ONep)3], [(ONep)₂Ti(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))(η¹(N),μ(O)-PyO)(μ-O)Ti(ONep)₂]₂, [H][(PyO-κ²(O,N))(η¹(O)-PyO)Ti(ONep)₃], [(OR)₂Zr(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ-OR)Zr(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t, ONep), [(OR)₂Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t, ONep), [[(OBu^t)₂Zr(μ(O)-PyO-(κ²(N,O))(μ(O,N)-PyO)₂Zr(OBut)](μ₃-O)]₂, [[(ONep)(PyO-κ²(N,O))Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ(O)-PyO-κ2(N,O))Zr(ONep)](μ3-O)]₂, [(OBut)(PyO-κ²(O,N))Zr(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂((μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OBu^t)₃], [(OBu^t)2Hf(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ-OBut)Hf(OBut)₃], [(OR)₂ M(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ(O,N)-PyO)M(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t, ONep), and [(ONep)₃Hf(μ-ONep)(η¹(N),μ(O)-PyO)]₂Hf(ONep)₂·tol. The structural diversity of the binding modes of the PyO led to a number of novel structure types in comparison to other pyridine alkoxy derivatives. The majority of compounds adopt a dinuclear arrangement but oxo-based tetra-, tri-, and monomers were observed as well. Compounds 1–12 were further characterized using a variety of analytical techniques including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.

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A series of alkali metal yttrium neo-pentoxide ([AY(ONep)4]) compounds were developed as precursors to alkali yttrium oxide (AYO2) nanomaterials. The reaction of yttrium amide ([Y(NR2)3] where R=Si(CH3)3) with four equivalents of H-ONep followed by addition of [A(NR2)] (A=Li, Na, K) or Ao (Ao=Rb, Cs) led to the formation of a complex series of AnY(ONep)3+n species, crystallographically identified as [Y2Li3(μ3-ONep)(μ3-HONep)(μ-ONep)5(ONep)3(HONep)2] (1), [YNa2(μ3-ONep)4(ONep)]2 (2), {[Y2K3(μ3-ONep)3(μ-ONep)4(ONep)2(ηξ-tol)2][Y4K2(μ4-O)(μ3-ONep)8(ONep)4]•ηx-tol]} (3), [Y4K2(μ4-O)(μ3-ONep)8(ONep)4] (3 a), [Y2Rb3(μ4-ONep)3(μ-ONep)6] (4), and [Y2Cs4(μ6-O)(μ3-ONep)6(μ3-HONep)2(ONep)2(ηx-tol)4]•tol (5). Compounds 1–5 were investigated as single source precursors to AYOx nanomaterials following solvothermal routes (pyridine, 185 oC for 24 h). The final products after thermal processing were found by powder X-ray diffraction experiments to be Y2O3 with variable sized particles based on transmission electron diffraction. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies indicated that the heavier alkali metal species were present in the isolated nanomaterials.

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The electroreduction of Er3+ in propylene carbonate, N,N-dimethylformamide, or a variety of quaternary ammonium ionic liquids (ILs) was investigated using [Er(OTf)3] and [Er(NTf2)3]. Systematic variation of the ILs' cation and anion, Er3+ salt, and electrode material revealed a disparity in electrochemical interactions not previously seen. For most ILs at a platinum electrode, cyclic voltammetry exhibits irreversible interactions between Er3+ salts and the electrode at potentials significantly less than the theoretical reduction potential for Er3+. Throughout all solvent-salt systems tested, a deposit could be formed on the electrode, though obtaining a high purity, crystalline Er0 deposit is challenging due to the extreme reactivity of the deposit and resulting chemical interactions, often resulting in the formation of a complex, amorphous solid-electrolyte interface that slowed deposition rates. Comparison of platinum, gold, nickel, and glassy carbon (GC) working electrodes revealed oxidation processes unique to the platinum surface. While no appreciable reduction current was observed on GC at the potentials investigated, deposits were seen on platinum, gold, and nickel electrodes.

Understanding the connectivity of fracture networks in a reservoir and obtaining an accurate chemical characterization of the geothermal fluid are vital for the successful operation of a geothermal power plant. Tracer experiments can be used to elucidate fracture connectivity and in most cases are conducted by injecting the tracer at the injection well, manually collecting liquid samples at the wellhead of the production well, and sending the samples off for laboratory analysis. This method does not identify which specific fractures are the ones producing the tracer; it is only a depth-averaged value over the entire wellbore. Sandia is developing a high-temperature wireline tool capable of measuring ionic tracer concentrations and pH downhole using electrochemical sensors. The goal of this effort is to collect real-time pH and ionic tracer concentration data at temperatures up to 225 °C and pressures up to 3000 psi.

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In this study, the use of maltodextrin supramolecular structures (MD SMS) as a reducing agent and colloidal stabilizing agent for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) identified three key points. First, the maltodextrin (MD) solutions are effective in the formation of well-dispersed Ag NPs utilizing alkaline solution conditions, with the resulting Ag NPs ranging in size from 5 to 50 nm diameter. Second, in situ characterization by Raman spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) are consistent with initial nucleation of Ag NPs within the MD SMS up to a critical size of ca. 1 nm, followed by a transition to more rapid growth by aggregation and fusion between MD SMS, similar to micelle aggregation reactions. Third, the stabilization of larger Ag NPs by adsorbed MD SMS is similar to hemi-micelle stabilization, and monomodal size distributions are proposed to relate to integer surface coverage of the Ag NPs. Conditions were identified for preparing Ag NPs with monomodal distributions centered at 30–35 nm Ag NPs.

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