Multiple Quantum Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research Articles

Simulation of27Al MQMAS NMR Spectra of Mordenites Using Point Charge Model with First Layer Only and Multiple Layers of Atoms

The 27 Al multiple quantum magic angle spinning (MQMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of mordenite zeolites were simulated using the point charge model (PCM). The spectra simulated by the PCM considering nearest neighbor atoms only (PCM-n) or including atoms up to the 3 rd layer (PCM-m) were not different from those generated by the Hartree-Fock (HF) molecular orbital calculation method. In contrast to the HF and density functional theory methods, the PCM method is simple and convenient to use and does not require sophisticated and expensive computer programs along with specialists to run them. Thus, our results indicate that the spectral simulation of the 27 Al MQMAS NMR spectra obtained with the PCM-n is useful, despite its simplicity, especially for porous samples like zeolites with large unit cells and a high volume density of pores. However, it should be pointed out that this conclusion might apply only for the atomic sites with small quadrupole coupling constants.

Al speciation in tropical podzols of the upper Amazon Basin: A solid-state 27Al MAS and MQMAS NMR study

In the upper Amazon Basin, aluminum previously accumulated in lateritic formations is massively remobilised in soils by podzolization and exported in waters. We have investigated the speciation of aluminum in the clay-size fractions of eight horizons of waterlogged podzols lying in a depression of a plateau. The horizons illustrate the main steps involved in the podzolization of laterites. They belong to eluviated topsoil A horizons and illuviated subsoil Bhs, Bh and 2BCs horizons of weakly and better-expressed podzols located at the margin and centre of the depression. For the first time, aluminum speciation is quantitatively assessed in soils by spectroscopic methods, namely FTIR, 27Al magic angle spinning (MAS) and multiple-quantum magic angle spinning (MQMAS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results thus obtained are compared to chemical extraction data. Solid-state 27Al MAS NMR spectra enable to distinguish Al bound to organic compounds from that incorporated in secondary mineral phases detected by FTIR. MQMAS experiments additionally show that both chemical shifts and quadrupolar constants are distributed for Al nuclei linked with organic compounds. Similar amounts of chelated Al are obtained from NMR spectra and chemical extractions. The study enables to highlight three major steps in the fate of aluminum. (i) Aluminum is first released by mineral weathering, feeds complexing sites of organic matter and accumulates in subsurface Bhs horizons of weakly expressed podzols (acidocomplexolysis). (ii) Complexes of aluminum with organic matter (Al–OM) then migrate downwards in sandy horizons of better-expressed podzols and accumulate at depth in less permeable 2BCs horizons. (iii) The minor amounts of aluminum present in the 2BCs horizon of the downslope podzol show that aluminum is eventually exported towards the river network, either complexed with organic matter or as Al 3+ ions after desorption from organic compounds, due to decreasing pH or biodegradation of organic ligands. The direct spectroscopic determination of Al-speciation during the formation of podzolic soils opens new perspectives to trace metal loads in the rivers of the upper Amazon Basin.

27Al nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the Y3-xLuxAl5O12 mixed garnets

The character of the substitutional order, the chemical shift, andthe nuclear quadrupole coupling in the mixed yttrium-lutetiumaluminium garnets Y3-xLuxAl5O12 (0⩽x⩽3)were studied for the first time using 27Al magic angle spinning(MAS) and multiple quantum (MQ) MAS nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR). The relatively narrow distribution of the isotropic NMR lineshifts, revealed by MQ MAS NMR, in crystals with compositionsx = 0.75 and x = 1 compared to mixed garnets of other compositionsshowed that these crystals are partially ordered solid solutions.The aluminium quadrupole coupling constants and isotropic chemicalshifts were evaluated for all garnets under study.