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 = OBut, ONep), [(OR)2Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ2(O,N))2(μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OR)3] (OR = OBut, ONep), [[(OBut)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(OBut)3], [(OBut)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 = OBut, 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.
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.
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.
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.