Bismuth Polycations Revisited: Alternative Synthesis and Electronic Structure of Bi6Br7, and Bonding in Main-Group Polyatomic Ions from a Direct Space Perspective

A bismuth subbromide, Bi6Br7, was synthesized in the form of single crystals using the reaction between Bi and Hg2Br2 in a gradient furnace. Its crystal structure was reinvestigated by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction (Pnnm, a = 15.4996(6) Å, b = 23.6435(7) Å, c = 9.0231(2) Å, Z = 8, R1 = 0.041, wRall = 0.087). Based on the diffraction data, the structure description was revised as containing Bi95+ cluster polycations and 1∞[Bi3Br145−] ladder-like anions. DFT calculations of band structure showed the compound to be a narrow-gap semiconductor with a band gap of ca. 1.3 eV, with the nature of the compound as ionic salt confirmed by charge density analysis. Direct-space bonding analysis based on the ELF topology and QTAIM partitioning, performed for all known homoatomic bismuth polycations, as well as isoelectronic main-group metal ions, shows patterns of localized pairwise and three-center bonding forming the frameworks of the clusters. In addition to obtaining new data, the use of highly augmented basis sets allowed us to revise and amend several previously made conclusions regarding bonding in such species.

Microgravity and Hypergravity Observations of Equiaxed Solidification of Al-Cu Alloys Using In Situ X-Radiography Recorded in Real-Time on Board a Parabolic Flight

During solidification of metallic alloys, thermosolutal natural convection plays a significant role in grain nucleation, subsequent growth and morphology, as well as the formation of casting defects. In this work, an Al-5wt%Ti-1wt%B inoculated Al-20wt%Cu alloy was solidified, near-isothermally, using a Bridgman-type gradient furnace, while being monitored in real-time via in-situ X-radiography as part of a parabolic flight microgravity campaign. Each parabola consisted of a transition through 24 seconds of hypergravity (1.8 g), followed by 22 seconds of microgravity, and a then a further 24 seconds of hypergravity. Solidification was controlled such that nucleation occurred coincident with the onset of microgravity. This allowed for the effects of microgravity on equiaxed nucleation and initial growth, followed by continuing solidification in hypergravity, to be observed, as well as the effect on the semi-coherent grain structure when transitioning between the two.

Effect of Yttrium Oxide on the Viscosity and Crystallization of Borosilicate Glass at High Temperature

Effect of Y2O3 on the viscosity and Crystallization of of borosilicate glass at high temperature was investigated at high temperature. Melt viscosity as a function of temperature was determined by using a rotating spindle viscometer. Liquidus temperature was determined by the Gradient Furnace Method. The results show that the viscosity decreased as a function of Y2O3 content. The activation energy of glass without Y2O3 is about 110.3 kJ·mol-1 and the activation energy increases with the Y2O3 addition up to the 2 wt%. At 2 wt% Y2O3, the specimen shows the maximum activation energy value of 112.6 kJ·mol-1. As Y2O3 content increase, the activation energy decreases. The fiber-forming temperature of glass without Y2O3 is about 1342 oC and the fiber-forming temperature increases with the Y2O3 addition up to the 2 wt%. At 2 wt% Y2O3, the sample shows the maximum activation energy value of 1370 °C. When Y2O3 content increase, the fiber-forming temperature decreases. The liquidus temperature of glass decreases from 1313 °C to 1023 °C when Y2O3 content increases from 0 wt% to 6 wt%. The difference between the fiber-forming and the liquidus temperatures of glass increases from 30 oC to 336 °C when Y2O3 content increases from 0 wt% to 6 wt%.

ABSOLUTE THERMOELECTRIC POWER OF Pb–Sn ALLOYS

In this work, absolute thermoelectric power (ATP) of Pb , Sn , Pb -20 wt.% Sn , Pb -40 wt.% Sn , Pb -60 wt.% Sn , Pb -80 wt.% Sn are measured. Measurements are performed in a temperature gradient furnace from 20°C to 500°C, for both solid and liquid states. Temperatures are measured with T-type copper-constantan thermocouples, while voltage signal between copper electrodes of those thermocouples is recorded in order to calculate ATP of the sample metal.