Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra Research Articles

Cation Distribution and Anion Transport in the La3Ga5-xGe1+xO14+0.5x Langasite Structure.

Exploration of compositional disorder using conventional diffraction-based techniques is challenging for systems containing isoelectronic ions possessing similar coherent neutron scattering lengths. Here, we show that a multinuclear solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) approach provides compelling insight into the Ga3+/Ge4+ cation distribution and oxygen anion transport in a family of solid electrolytes with langasite structure and La3Ga5-xGe1+xO14+0.5x composition. Ultrahigh field 71Ga Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) NMR experiments acquired at 35.2 T offer striking resolution enhancement, thereby enabling clear detection of Ga sites in different coordination environments. Three-connected GaO4, four-connected GaO4 and GaO6 polyhedra are probed for the parent La3Ga5GeO14 structure, while one additional spectral feature corresponding to the key (Ga,Ge)2O8 structural unit which forms to accommodate the interstitial oxide ions is detected for the Ge4+-doped La3Ga3.5Ge2.5O14.75 phase. The complex spectral line shapes observed in the MAS NMR spectra are reproduced very accurately by the NMR parameters computed for a symmetry-adapted configurational ensemble that comprehensively models site disorder. This approach further reveals a Ga3+/Ge4+ distribution across all Ga/Ge sites that is controlled by a kinetically governed cation diffusion process. Variable temperature 17O MAS NMR experiments up to 700 °C importantly indicate that the presence of interstitial oxide ions triggers chemical exchange between all oxygen sites, thereby enabling atomic-scale understanding of the anion diffusion mechanism underpinning the transport properties of these materials.

Formation of Strong Boron Lewis Acid Sites on Silica.

Bis(1-methyl-ortho-carboranyl)borane (HBMeoCb2) is a very strong Lewis acid that reacts with the isolated silanols present on silica partially dehydroxylated at 700 °C (SiO2-700) to form the well-defined Lewis site MeoCb2B(OSi≡) (1) and H2. 11B{1H} magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data of 1 are consistent with that of a three-coordinate boron site. Contacting 1 with O═PEt3 (triethylphosphine oxide TEPO) and measuring 31P{1H} MAS NMR spectra show that 1 preserves the strong Lewis acidity of HBMeoCb2. Hydride ion affinity and fluoride ion affinity calculations using small molecules analogs of 1 also support the strong Lewis acidity of the boron sites in this material. Reactions of 1 with Cp2Hf(13CH3)2 show that the Lewis sites are capable of abstracting methide groups from Hf to form [Cp2Hf-13CH3][H313C-B(MeoCb2)OSi≡], but with a low overall efficiency.

Characterization of chemical reactions of silver diammine fluoride and hydroxyapatite under remineralization conditions.

Silver Diammine Fluoride (SDF) is a clinically used topical agent to arrest dental caries. However, the kinetics of its chemical interactions with hydroxyapatite (HA), the principal inorganic component of dental enamel, are not known. The aim was to characterize the step-wise chemical interactions between SDF and HA powder during the clinically important process of remineralization. Two grams of HA powder were immersed in 10 ml acetic acid pH = 4.0 for 2 h to mimic carious demineralization. The powder was then washed and dried for 24 h and mixed with 1.5 ml SDF (Riva Star) for 1 min. The treated powder was then air-dried for 3 min, and 0.2 g was removed and stored in individual tubes each containing 10 ml remineralizing solution. Powder was taken from each tube at various times of exposure to remineralization solution (0 min, 10 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 10 days), and characterized using Magic Angle Spinning-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy. 19F MAS-NMR spectra showed that calcium fluoride (CaF2) started to form almost immediately after HA was in contact with SDF. After 24 h, the peak shifted to -104.5 ppm suggesting that fluoride substituted hydroxyapatite (FSHA) was formed with time at the expense of CaF2. The 31P MAS-NMR spectra showed a single peak at 2.7 ppm at all time points showing that the only phosphate species present was crystalline apatite. The 35Cl MAS-NMR spectra showed formation of silver chloride (AgCl) at 24 h. It was observed that after the scan, the whitish HA powder changed to black color. In conclusion, this time sequence study showed that under remineralization conditions, SDF initially reacted with HA to form CaF2 which is then transformed to FSHA over time. In the presence of chloride, AgCl is formed which is subsequently photo-reduced to black metallic silver.

Structural Insight into Protective Alumina Coatings for Layered Li-Ion Cathode Materials by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

Layered transition metal oxide cathode materials can exhibit high energy densities in Li-ion batteries, in particular, those with high Ni contents such as LiNiO2. However, the stability of these Ni-rich materials often decreases with increased nickel content, leading to capacity fade and a decrease in the resulting electrochemical performance. Thin alumina coatings have the potential to improve the longevity of LiNiO2 cathodes by providing a protective interface to stabilize the cathode surface. The structures of alumina coatings and the chemistry of the coating-cathode interface are not fully understood and remain the subject of investigation. Greater structural understanding could help to minimize excess coating, maximize conductive pathways, and maintain high capacity and rate capability while improving capacity retention. Here, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, paired with powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, is used to provide insight into the structures of the Al2O3 coatings on LiNiO2. To do this, we performed a systematic study as a function of coating thickness and used LiCoO2, a diamagnetic model, and the material of interest, LiNiO2. 27Al magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra acquired for thick 10 wt % coatings on LiCoO2 and LiNiO2 suggest that in both cases, the coatings consist of disordered four- and six-coordinate Al-O environments. However, 27Al MAS NMR spectra acquired for thinner 0.2 wt % coatings on LiCoO2 identify additional phases believed to be LiCo1-xAlxO2 and LiAlO2 at the coating-cathode interface. 6,7Li MAS NMR and T1 measurements suggest that similar mixing takes place near the interface for Al2O3 on LiNiO2. Furthermore, reproducibility studies have been undertaken to investigate the effect of the coating method on the local structure, as well as the role of the substrate.

Structural characterization of E22G Aβ1-42 fibrils via1H detected MAS NMR.

Amyloid fibrils have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, the most prevalent example being Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite the prevalence of AD, relatively little is known about the structure of the associated amyloid fibrils. This has motivated our studies of fibril structures, extended here to the familial Arctic mutant of Aβ1-42, E22G-Aβ1-42. We found E22G-AβM0,1-42 is toxic to Escherichia coli, thus we expressed E22G-Aβ1-42 fused to the self-cleavable tag NPro in the form of its EDDIE mutant. Since the high surface activity of E22G-Aβ1-42 makes it difficult to obtain more than sparse quantities of fibrils, we employed 1H detected magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments to characterize the protein. The 1H detected 13C-13C methods were first validated by application to fully protonated amyloidogenic nanocrystals of GNNQQNY, and then applied to fibrils of the Arctic mutant of Aβ, E22G-Aβ1-42. The MAS NMR spectra indicate that the biosynthetic samples of E22G-Aβ1-42 fibrils comprise a single conformation with 13C chemical shifts extracted from hCH, hNH, and hCCH spectra that are very similar to those of wild type Aβ1-42 fibrils. These results suggest that E22G-Aβ1-42 fibrils have a structure similar to that of wild type Aβ1-42.

Spiers Memorial Lecture: Lithium air batteries - tracking function and failure.

The lithium-air battery (LAB) is arguably the battery with the highest energy density, but also a battery with significant challenges to be overcome before it can be used commercially in practical devices. Here, we discuss experimental approaches developed by some of the authors to understand the function and failure of lithium-oxygen batteries. For example, experiments in which nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to quantify dissolved oxygen concentrations and diffusivity are described. 17O magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra of electrodes extracted from batteries at different states of charge (SOC) allowed the electrolyte decomposition products at each stage to be determined. For instance, the formation of Li2CO3 and LiOH in a dimethoxyethane (DME) solvent and their subsequent removal on charging was followed. Redox mediators have been used to chemically reduce oxygen or to chemically oxidise Li2O2 in order to prevent electrode clogging by insulating compounds, which leads to lower capacities and rapid degradation; the studies of these mediators represent an area where NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies could play a role in unravelling reaction mechanisms. Finally, recently developed coupled in situ NMR and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are used to characterise the charge transport mechanism in lithium symmetric cells and to distinguish between electronic and ionic transport, demonstrating the formation of transient (soft) shorts in common lithium-oxygen electrolytes. More stable solid electrolyte interphases are formed under an oxygen atmosphere, which helps stabilise the lithium anode on cycling.

Disorder and Oxide Ion Diffusion Mechanism in La1.54Sr0.46Ga3O7.27 Melilite from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

Layered tetrahedral network melilite is a promising structural family of fast ion conductors that exhibits the flexibility required to accommodate interstitial oxide anions, leading to excellent ionic transport properties at moderate temperatures. Here, we present a combined experimental and computational magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) approach which aims at elucidating the local configurational disorder and oxide ion diffusion mechanism in a key member of this structural family possessing the La1.54Sr0.46Ga3O7.27 composition. 17O and 71Ga MAS NMR spectra display complex spectral line shapes that could be accurately predicted using a computational ensemble-based approach to model site disorder across multiple cationic and anionic sites, thereby enabling the assignment of bridging/nonbridging oxygens and the identification of distinct gallium coordination environments. The 17O and 71Ga MAS NMR spectra of La1.54Sr0.46Ga3O7.27 display additional features not observed for the parent LaSrGa3O7 phase which are attributed to interstitial oxide ions incorporated upon cation doping and stabilized by the formation of five-coordinate Ga centers conferring framework flexibility. 17O high-temperature (HT) MAS NMR experiments capture exchange within the bridging oxygens at 130 °C and reveal coalescence of all oxygen signals in La1.54Sr0.46Ga3O7.27 at approximately 300 °C, indicative of the participation of both interstitial and framework oxide ions in the transport process. These results further supported by the coalescence of the 71Ga resonances in the 71Ga HT MAS NMR spectra of La1.54Sr0.46Ga3O7.27 unequivocally provide evidence of the conduction mechanism in this melilite phase and highlight the potential of MAS NMR spectroscopy to enhance the understanding of ionic motion in solid electrolytes.

Effects of glycerol content on structure and molecular motion in thermoplastic starch-based nanocomposites during long storage

Thermoplastic starch-based nanocomposites with varying glycerol content and montmorillonite as a nanofiller were studied using dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) during one-year storage. DMA results showed that starch-rich and glycerol-rich domains were present in the samples and during storage for up to one year the content of the amorphous phase decreased and molecular mobility changed. 13C NMR and XRD measurements confirmed that ordered structures were formed during storage and its content was larger for samples with higher glycerol content and increased with the storage time. The data obtained from deconvolutions of 1H broad line NMR spectra indicate increased overall molecular mobility in the samples up to four months of storage, while after nine months the trends were opposite. Lower free water content compared to the total water content in the samples determined according to deconvoluted 1H MAS (magic-angle spinning) NMR spectra indicated that a part of water molecules was immobilized in the ordered structures.

Structure, thermal properties and crystallization behavior of binary Y2O3–Al2O3 glasses with high alumina content

Five compositions in the system Al2O3–Y2O3 with high level of homogeneity were prepared in the form of glass microspheres by flame synthesis. The amorphous nature of prepared glasses with highly disordered structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In the NMR spectra, typical signals with chemical shifts of 75, 42 and 12 ppm were observed, which were attributed to the presence of AlO4, AlO5 and AlO6 motifs in the glass structure. The ratio of individual motifs in glass samples did not change significantly with the composition. The crystallization of yttrium-aluminium garnet (YAG) phase was observed as a major process in the glasses thermally treated up to 1450 °C, with slow crystallization of θ- and α-Al2O3 phases detected in the temperature interval 980–1450 °C. IR and Raman spectra of the microspheres crystallized at 998, 1300 and 1500 °C for 4 h contained typical bands, that were assigned to the vibrations of AlO4 and AlO6 groups in YAG and Al2O3 structures. The comparison of 27Al and 89Y magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra showed the presence of only YAG and α-Al2O3 phase in the samples crystallized at 1500 °C and the presence of a trace amount of θ-Al2O3 in the sample crystallized at 998 and 1300 °C. The yttrium aluminium perovskite (YAP) and yttrium aluminium monoclinic (YAM) phases, expected in this system, were no detected.

Spherical silica particles coated with lamellar nanocomposites based on a hydrophobic functionalized phyllosilicate

The surface of spherical silica particles (monodisperse, 2.6 µm) was modified with inorganic–organic lamellar ordered hybrids for applications as hydrophobic dye supports in cosmetics. The inorganic–organic multilayers comprised a 2:1 phyllosilicate (two sheets of linked SiO4 tetrahedra with one sheet of M2–3(OH)6 octahedra, where M is either magnesium or aluminum), consisting of octyl chains directly bonded to the inorganic sheets via Si–C covalent bonds. Octyltriethoxysilane was allowed to react at room temperature with spherical silica and aluminum acetylacetonate in a mixed aqueous solution of NaOH and NaCl at pH 10. The formation of a 2:1 phyllosilicate grafted with an octyl chain was confirmed by X-Ray powder diffraction, where a lamellar structure with the d001 value of 2.4 nm was displayed. The lamellar structure included the isomorphic substitution of Si by Al and the formation of C–Si–O–Aloct bonds, as shown in 29Si–and 27Al–magic angle spinning (MAS)–nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Further, the 23Na–MAS NMR spectrum indicated the incorporation of Na aquo complex cations into the organophyllosilicate. The hydrated Na ions were exchanged with a cationic dye (methylene blue) to be adsorbed. An anionic dye (Phloxine B), which has frequently been used as cosmetic pigments, was adsorbed onto the resulting hybrid particles when Al3+ was present in the dye solution. The hydrophobic dye supports can be used instead of plastic beads to reduce marine pollution.

Effect of coordination nature of aluminum on its activation from minerals and Oxisols during their acidification

The types and amounts of phyllosilicate minerals in soils play an important role in soil acidification, as the acid buffering capacity of the soil varies with the composition of the phyllosilicate minerals. In addition to aluminum-oxygen (Al-O) octahedrons, a certain number of Al-O tetrahedrons exist in phyllosilicate minerals due to the isomorphic substitution of silicon ion (Si4+) by Al3+ in Si-O tetrahedrons of minerals. However, the effect of the two coordination structures of Al on the release of Al during mineral acidification has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the differences in Al activation in phyllosilicate minerals and soils containing different Al coordination structures were investigated through constant pH experiments and 27Al magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) measurements. The results of 27Al MAS-NMR spectra showed that kaolinite contained Al-O octahedron, phlogopite and illite contained Al-O tetrahedron, and vermiculite-composite contained both octahedral and tetrahedral Al. At pH < 5.1, the amount of Al released from the minerals during simulated acidification followed the order: illite > vermiculite-composite > phlogopite > kaolinite, which was consistent with the cation exchange capacity and tetrahedral Al of the minerals. According to the rate constants, Al release rates were in the order of phlogopite > illite > vermiculite-composite > kaolinite at pH 4.8. Except for phlogopite, Al release rates in these minerals increased with decreasing suspension pH. Therefore, the amount and rate of Al release in phlogopite, illite, and vermiculite-composite containing Al-O tetrahedron were greater than those in kaolinite containing only Al-O octahedron. Two Oxisols derived from basalt with different ages were selected for similar study. 27Al MAS-NMR spectra of the Oxisols showed that the 0.01 million years (Ma) Oxisol contained both octahedral and tetrahedral Al, while the 1.33 Ma Oxisol contained only Al-O octahedrons. The results showed that the amounts of both exchangeable and soluble Al released from 0.01 Ma Oxisol were greater than those from 1.33 Ma Oxisol when the soils were acidified to the same pH. The results from minerals and soils confirmed that Al in Al-O tetrahedrons was more readily released into solution and exchangeable sites as soluble Al and exchangeable Al than that in Al-O octahedrons during the acidification of soils and minerals. The results of this study will provide useful references for investigating the mechanisms of solid phase Al release in different soil types and for mitigating soil acidification and inhibiting Al activation.

Structure of amorphous materials in the NASICON system NaTi2Si x PO12

The structure of glasses in the sodium (Na) super-ionic conductor (NASICON) system NaTi2Si x PO12 with x = 0.8 and x = 1.0 was explored by combining neutron and high-energy x-ray diffraction with 29Si, 31P and 23Na solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The 29Si magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra reveal that the silica component remains fully polymerized in the form of Si4 units, i.e. the silicon atoms are bound to four bridging oxygen atoms. The 31P{23Na} rotational echo adiabatic passage double resonance (REAPDOR) NMR data suggest that the 31P MAS NMR line shape originates from four-coordinated P n units, where n = 1, 2 or 3 is the number of bridging oxygen atoms per phosphorus atom. These sites differ in their 31P-23Na dipolar coupling strengths. The results support an intermediate range order scenario of a phosphosilicate mixed network-former glass in which the phosphate groups selectively attract the Na+ modifier ions. Titanium takes a sub-octahedral coordination environment with a mean Ti–O coordination number of 5.17(4) for x = 0.8 and 4.86(4) for x = 1.0. A mismatch between the P–O and Si–O bond lengths of 8% is likely to inhibit the incorporation of silicon into the phosphorus sites of the NASICON crystal structure.

Probing oxide-based glass structures by solid-state NMR: Opportunities and limitations

This Primer critically reviews the possibilities and limitations of probing the short-range structure of an oxide-based glass by routine magic-angle spinning (MAS) or triple-quantum MAS (3QMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. We briefly outline the structural features of oxide-based glasses and the basics of solid-state NMR. Besides suggesting guidelines for selecting favorable experimental conditions and important considerations for recording high-quality MAS NMR spectra amenable for subsequent analysis, we review options for extracting NMR observables and their distributions from spins-1/2 as well as half-integer spin quadrupolar nuclei. Considering that the isotropic chemical shift remains the primary probe of local structure by MAS NMR, we thoroughly review its dependence on the short-range oxide-based glass parameters from the viewpoint of a very simple and intuitive but qualitative model. The utility of deconvolutions of notably 29Si and 31P MAS NMR spectra are discussed critically. We also suggest alternative yet qualitative analysis options that are available whenever MAS NMR spectral deconvolutions are not warranted without additional information, which incidentally applies to a majority of modern multicomponent glasses.

Direct Identification of Zeolite Beta Polymorphs by Solid-State 29Si Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Stacking disorder and polymorphism in zeolite and zeolite-like materials hinder their structural characterization. In this work, we propose an advanced approach based on applying "pure shift" solid-state 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the structural investigation of zeolitic materials containing intergrown polymorphs. The approach developed in the case study of zeolite beta allows for the resolution of 21 29Si signals, attributing them to non-equivalent T sites in polymorphs A, B, and C, reconstruction of individual 29Si magic angle spinning NMR spectra for each polymorph, and determination of the polymorph composition with higher accuracy than X-ray diffraction. The results reveal that two widely used synthetic routes for zeolite beta, alkaline and fluoride synthesis, lead to different polymorph compositions. These findings indicate that "pure shift" solid-state 29Si NMR can serve as a superior tool for the elucidation of polymorphism in zeolites.

Correlation of structure and ionic-conductivity in phosphate glass using MAS-NMR and impedance spectroscopy: Influence of sodium salt

In the process of diminishing the safety concerns of sodium-ion batteries, the development of glass-based solid electrolyte materials has received adequate interest. Nevertheless, achieving a high ionic-conductivity at room temperature for glass materials remains a challenging task because of the poor correlation between the conductivity and the glass structure. Here, we attempt to understand the effective influence of NaCl on the structure and ionic-conductivity of the phosphate-based glass network. For this study, $x\mathrm{NaCl}\text{\ensuremath{-}}(100\text{\ensuremath{-}}x$) ($31.725\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}\mathrm{O}\text{\ensuremath{-}}12.69\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}\text{\ensuremath{-}}31.725\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{P}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{5}\text{\ensuremath{-}}8.46\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{NaF}\text{\ensuremath{-}}5.40\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}{\mathrm{SO}}_{4}\text{\ensuremath{-}}10\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{MoO}}_{3}$) glass systems (mol %) were selected, where $x=0$, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mol %. To investigate structural changes with the addition of different NaCl concentrations, $^{27}\mathrm{Al}, ^{23}\mathrm{Na}, ^{31}\mathrm{P}$ magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR), $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ two-dimensional (2D) phase-adjusted spinning sideband (PASS), and $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ 2D J-resolved NMR techniques and Raman spectroscopic techniques were utilized. Impedance spectroscopy and ac conductivity spectra were used to assess ionic-conductivity and sodium-ion dynamics, respectively. Impedance spectral analysis reveals that the ionic-conductivity of the base glass is increased by 2.4 times (from 1.85 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ to 4.44 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ S/cm at 373 K) with the addition of 20 mol % of NaCl. Raman spectra confirm the presence of P\ensuremath{-}O\ensuremath{-}Mo and the absence of Mo\ensuremath{-}O\ensuremath{-}Mo bonds in these glass systems, and $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ 2D J-resolved spectra indicate the absence of P\ensuremath{-}O\ensuremath{-}P bonds. Upon increasing the NaCl concentration, significant changes in the shapes of $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ and $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$ MAS-NMR spectra were observed, indicating the effective influence of NaCl on the distribution of alumina and phosphorus structural units. Irrespective of the temperature, sodium-ion dynamic studies show that the mean-square displacement $\ensuremath{\langle}{R}^{2}({t}_{p})\ensuremath{\rangle}$ decreases with increasing NaCl concentration up to 10 mol % and then increases with a further increase in NaCl concentration. This investigation aids in understanding the sodium-ion dynamics and the structural information of a multicomponent glass system to enhance the room-temperature conductivity.

Acidic Centers on the Surface of a Crystalline α-Sn(IV) Phosphate Characterized by the Solid-State 1H, 2H, 31P, and 119Sn MAS NMR Techniques.

A layered crystalline phosphate α-Sn(HPO4)2·H2O (1), prepared and characterized in the present study by the multinuclear solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques, was treated with D2O and HOD imitating the reaction conditions in a water medium. The 2H solid-echo magic angle spinning NMR spectra of the products have revealed on their surface low mobile water molecules and hydronium ions, forming a structure close to the Zundel cation, [D2O···D-OD2]+. All the deuterons in the hydronium ions are tangled by hydrogen bonds with the water and the surface phosphate groups and stabilized by ionic interactions.

Orbital disorder and ordering in NaTiSi2O6 : Si29 and Na23 NMR study

${\mathrm{NaTiSi}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ is an exemplary compound, showing an orbital assisted spin-Peierls phase transition at ${T}_{c}=210$ K. We present the results of $^{29}\mathrm{Si}$ and $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of ${\mathrm{NaTiSi}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$. The use of magic angle spinning (MAS) techniques unambiguously shows that only one dynamically averaged silicon site can be seen at $T$ $&gt;\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{T}_{c}$. At cooling, the $^{29}\mathrm{Si}$ MAS NMR spectrum shows interesting changes. Immediately below ${T}_{c}$, the spectrum gets very broad. Cooling further, it shows two broad lines of unequal intensities which become narrower as the temperature decreases. Below 70 K, two narrow lines have chemical shifts that are typical for diamagnetic silicates. The hyperfine couplings for the two sites are $^{29}\mathrm{H}$ ${}_{\text{hf}}=7.4$ kOe/${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ and 4.9 kOe/${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$. In the paramagnetic state at high temperature, the spin-lattice relaxation of $^{29}\mathrm{Si}$ was found to be weakly temperature dependent. Below ${T}_{c}$ the Arrhenius-type temperature dependence of the relaxation rate indicates an energy gap $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$/${\mathrm{k}}_{B}=1000(50)$ K. In the temperature region from 120 to 300 K, the relaxation rate was strongly frequency dependent. At room temperature, we found a power law dependence ${T}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\phantom{\rule{3.33333pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\propto}\phantom{\rule{3.33333pt}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{L}^{\ensuremath{-}0.65(5)}$. For 70 K $&lt;$ $T$ $&lt;$ 120 K, the relaxation appeared to be nonexponential, which we assigned to a relaxation due to fixed paramagnetic centers. Simulation of the magnetization recovery curve showed activation type temperature dependence of the concentration of these centers. The NMR spectrum of $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ shows the line with typical shape for the central transition of a quadrupolar nucleus. A small frequency shift of $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ resonance corresponds to a very small hyperfine coupling $^{23}\mathrm{H}$ ${}_{\text{hf}}=0.32$ kOe/${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$. In addition, at $T$ $&gt;\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{T}_{c}$ the $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ spectrum shows another Lorentzian shaped resonance which we attribute to the Na sites where the quadrupolar coupling is partly averaged by ionic motion.

Exploring the structure of pure germanophospate glasses with different concentrations probed by magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy.

Phosphate-based glasses such as pure germanophosphate can be achieved at moderately low temperature by means of affordable chemical substances. Nowadays, they become more stimulating because they can be easily doped with alkali, transition metal ions, and rare earth oxides to afford the anticipated physical and/or chemical features for nanoscience applications. Herein, we report an experimental study dealing with the structure of pure germanophosphate glass samples of prepared with different concentrations ranging from 20 up to 70 mole%. 31 P magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been employed to characterize the co-formed glasses by two different glass-forming oxides. The components of the phosphate species ( ) in each sample were determined by analyzing the MAS NMR spectra. Interestingly, 31 P MAS NMR spectrum for each sample was found to be characteristic powder patterns of the middle units Q2 . Q2 unit found herein has one oxygen atom bonded towards one germanium atom (non-bridging) and the other two oxygens are bonding towards two phosphorus atoms (bridging) of phosphate group (PO4 ). The results show that Q2 split into two units, Q2 I and Q2 II, due to different shielding of the phosphorus nucleus provided by the next nearest neighbor atoms. The chemical shift is interpreted in terms of the structure of each building unit of the phosphate group. The results obtained herein shed light on the way how to explore the revealed structure of the prepared glasses for the development of supported catalysts. Indeed, owing to their high chemical/thermal stability, the co-formed germanophosphate glasses obtained may prove as useful substrates for potential nanocatalysts.

Unexpected Changes of Resonance-Line Positions in 1H-Decoupled 13C MAS NMR Spectra of Adamantane Depending on Sample-Spinning Frequencies: Interference between Intermolecular 13C-1H and 1H-1H Dipolar Couplings

Abstract Unexpected resonance-line shifts in addition to the inherent chemical shifts were discovered in the solid-state MAS (Magic Angle Spinning) NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectra of adamantane. Such additional shifts were dependent on the sample-spinning frequencies. The shifts attributed to the sample-temperature effects were experimentally evaluated and excluded to explicate the effects due only to the sample spinning. The resultant net shifts proved relevant to neither 1H decoupling-field strengths nor the distinction of the CH and the CH2 groups. A theory for explaining such spectral features was developed, clarifying that the phenomena were identified to be caused by the interference between the intermolecular 13C-1H and 1H-1H dipolar couplings of adamantane.

Investigation of viscosity and structure of CaO-SiO2-MgO-Al2O3-BaO-B2O3 slag melt

The role of B2O3 in the viscosity and structural variations of CaO-SiO2-MgO-Al2O3-BaO-B2O3 slag melt was examined using the rotating cylinder method, Raman spectroscopy, and 27Al and 11B magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectra. The results showed that the viscosity of the slag decreased constantly with an increment in the B2O3 content although the polymerisation degree of slag enhanced. The addition of B2O3 induced the transformation from Q0 and Q1 units to Q2 and Q3 units in the Si-related structure. The concentration of [AlO4] structural units increased while that of [AlO5] and [AlO6] units decreased. 11B MAS-NMR spectra revealed that [BO3]-trihedral units with a two-dimensional (2D) structure dominated the B-related structural units. The structural analysis confirmed the decrease in strength and stability of the entire network structure had a more significant effect on the viscosity of the slag due to the addition of B2O3.