In Situ QXAFS Study of the Pyrolytic Decomposition of Nickel Formate Dihydrate

2D Network overtakes 3D for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

3-Dimensional (3D) cyanide coordination polymers, typically known as Prussian blue Analogues (PBAs), have received great attention in catalysis due to their stability, easily tuned metal sites, and porosity. However, their high crystallinities and relatively low number of surface-active sites significantly hamper their intrinsic catalytic activities. Herein, we report the utilization of a 2-dimensional (2D) layered cobalt tetracyanonickelate, [Co-Ni], for the reduction of protons to H₂. Relying on its exposed facets, layered morphology, and abundant surface-active sites, [Co-Ni] can efficiently convert water and sunlight to H₂ in the presence of a ruthenium photosensitizer (Ru PS) with an optimal evolution rate of 30 029 ± 590 μmol g^-1 h^-1, greatly exceeding that of 3D Co-Fe PBA [Co-Fe] and Co-Co PBA [Co-Co]. Furthermore, [Co-Ni] retains its structural integrity throughout a 6 hour photocatalytic cycle, which is confirmed by XPS, PXRD, and Infrared analysis. This recent work reveals the excellent morphologic properties that promote [Co-Ni] as an attractive catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

Perovskite-like Metal Formates with Weak Ferromagnetism and as Precursors to Amorphous Materials

Three isomorphous compounds M(CHOO)3[NH2(CH3)2] (M = Mn(1 x Mn), Co(2 x Co), Ni(3 x Ni)) have been synthesized in solvothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that they are all crystallized in the trigonal space group R c with small differences in the lattice parameters. Bridged by the three-atom single-bridge CHOO-, M ions form a three-dimensional distorted perovskite-like structure with dimethylamine (DMA) cations located in the cages of the network. Based on the magnetic data, these three 3D compounds are weak ferromagnets with the critical temperature Tc = 8.5 K (1 x Mn), 14.9 K (2 x Co), and 35.6 K (3 x Ni), and for 2 x Co and 3 x Ni, spin reorientation might take place at 13.1 and 14.3 K, respectively. At 1.8 K, hysteresis loops can be observed for all three compounds with the coercivity field ca. 90 Oe (1 x Mn), 920 Oe (2 x Co), and 320 Oe (3 x Ni). The canting angles are estimated to be 0.08 degrees, 0.5 degrees, and 0.6 degrees for 1 x Mn, 2 x Co, and 3.Ni, respectively. The magnetic coupling between MnII ions in 1.Mn was estimated based on the model developed by Rushbrook and Wood for a Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a simple cubic lattice and the best fit gives J = -0.23 cm(-1). At the same time, according to molecular field theory of antiferromagnetism, the J values for compounds 1 x Mn, 2 x Co, and 3 x Ni were estimated to be -0.32 cm(-1), -2.3 cm(-1), and -4.85 cm(-1), respectively. The spin cant in these compounds may originate from the noncentrosymmetric character of the three-atom single-bridge CHOO-. Furthermore, amorphous materials 4 x Mn238, 5 x Mn450, 6 x Co320, and 7 x Ni300 were prepared from precursors 1-3 under an argon atmosphere at different temperatures according to the thermogravimetric analyses. As an interesting result, 5 x Mn450 was confirmed to be an amorphous form of Mn3O4 with a considerably large coercivity field HC = 4.1 kOe at 30 K compared to that value (250 Oe) for bulk Mn3O4.