Dopant variable-valence

Reaction 5.45 is at least partly hypothetical. Evidence that the Cl does react with the Na component of the alanate to form NaCl was found by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), but the final form of the Ti catalyst is not clear [68]. Ti is probably metallic in the form of an alloy or intermetallic compound (e.g. with Al) rather than elemental. Another possibility is that the transition metal dopant (e.g. Ti) actually does not act as a classic surface catalyst on NaAlH4, but rather enters the entire Na sublattice as a variable valence species to produce vacancies and lattice distortions, thus aiding the necessary short-range diffusion of Na and Al atoms [69]. Ti, derived from the decomposition of TiCU during ball-milling, seems to also promote the decomposition of LiAlH4 and the release of H2 [70]. In order to understand the role of the catalyst, Sandrock et al. performed detailed desorption kinetics studies (forward reactions, both steps, of the reaction) as a function of temperature and catalyst level [71] (Figure 5.39). 

The effects of deliberately added donors, such as titanium, and acceptors, such as iron and magnesium, on electrical conductivity have been studied. Doping with aliovalent ions affects the concentration of intrinsic defects and, in consequence, the diffusivity of A1 and O. In the case of variable-valency dopants, changes in p0l change the fraction of dopants in the aliovalent state and the nature and concentration of the defects. For example, the dopant Ti substitutes for A1 and, in the fully oxidized state, produces the defect TiA1, compensated by Va", so that... 

This section covers some other heterometallic rare earth oxides, including Al, Ti, Zr, Sn, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu complex oxides, while certain well-known oxysalts, Y-Ba-Cu-O, for example, will not be specifically discussed. For these heterometallic compounds, due to their relatively complex compositions, it is usually difficult to obtain phase-pure products, especially when some dopant ions are added. At elevated temperatures, some of these oxides undergo phase transitions, which may significantly change their physical and chemical properties such as thermal expansion coefficient and ionic conductivity. And for fhose oxides with variable metal valencies, different nonstoichiometric compositions may also result in distinct functionalities in magnetism and catalysis. 

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