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Preparation and characterization of copper-thorium oxide catalysts. 1. Solid solution of copper(II) in thoria: An ESR study

Journal Article · · Chemistry of Materials; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cm00011a010· OSTI ID:5480701
; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Universite des Sciences et Techniques de Lille Flandres-Artois, Villeneuve d'Ascq (France)
  2. Universite Libanaise (France)

Copper-thorium oxide catalysts prepared with an atomic ratio Cu/Th < 0.01 by coprecipitation of the hydroxides and calcination under dried air up to 1,073 K were mainly studied by electron spin resonance (ESR). These systems behave as a solid solution, with the thoria structure. ESR studies evidenced two well-resolved signals, A{sub 1} and A{sub 2}. A complete simulation of these signals was carried out by taking into consideration the presence of both copper isotopes {sup 63}Cu and {sup 65}Cu. It has been shown that copper is localized in the thoria structure as isolated Cu{sup 2+} ions, probably both in interstitial and substitutional sites. Then 8-fold coordination has been suggested for both Cu{sup 2+} ions sites. In the thoria lattice, such an environment seems more probable than an octahedral symmetry.

OSTI ID:
5480701
Journal Information:
Chemistry of Materials; (United States), Journal Name: Chemistry of Materials; (United States) Vol. 2:5; ISSN CMATE; ISSN 0897-4756
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English