# Low-Temperature Transformations of Protonic Forms of Layered Complex Oxides HLnTiO4 and H2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = La, Nd)

Authors: L. D. Abdulaeva; O. I. Silyukov; Yu. V. Petrov; I. A. Zvereva
Journal: Journal of Nanomaterials
 (2013)

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## Abstract

In the present work protonic forms of layeredn=1,3 Ruddlesden-Popper oxides HLnTiO4 and H2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = La, Nd) were used as the starting point for soft chemistry synthesis of two series of perovskite-like compounds by acid leaching and exfoliation, promoted by vanadyl sulfate. The last route leads to the nanostructured VO2+ containing samples. Characterization by SEM, powder XRD, and TGA has been performed for the determination of the structure and composition of synthesized oxides.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Layered perovskite-like oxides are compounds which consist of intergrowths of perovskite and other structures, and they are formed by two-dimensional nanosized perovskite slabs interleaved with cations or cationic structural units. Perovskite-like compounds can exhibit a wide range of important physical and chemical properties, such as superconductivity [1, 2], colossal magnetoresistance [3], ferroelectricity [4, 5], and catalytic and photocatalytic activity [6, 7].In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using the soft chemistry methods for development of new layered perovskite-like compounds with specified physicochemical properties, as well as design of these materials based on the perovskite structure [8]. This is mostly due to the ability to preserve most of the structural and physical features of the initial substance in the course of these transformations.Layered compounds HLnTiO4 and H2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = La, Nd) are representatives of the Ruddlesden-Popper layered perovskite-type phases. They are formed by polyanion sheets of transition metal oxides (in case of HLnTiO4 polyanion sheets consist of a single layer of oxygen octahedral [9] and, in case of H2Ln2Ti3O10, three layers of oxygen octahedral [10]) and protons in the interlayer space.Protonic forms of transition metal-layered perovskite-like oxides attract great attention due to their interesting and variable properties, in particular the proton conductivity [11, 12]. Such protonated compounds are interesting in terms of their application as precursors for low-temperature reactions and as starting compounds for building nanostructured materials. Ion-exchange reactions of interlayer protons, acid leaching, and topochemical dehydration are the most important soft chemistry routes.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Precursor Synthesis

Alkaline forms NaLnTiO4 and K2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = La, Nd) of a powder were produced by ceramic technique as precursors for further synthesis of protonic forms. Stoichiometric mixtures of Ln2O3 (Ln = La, Nd), TiO2, and sodium or potassium carbonate (40% excess, since it is volatilized at high-temperature synthesis) were taken as initial compounds; all substances were calcined to remove traces of moisture.In case of NaLnTiO4, following temperature mode has been used: fast heating to 780°C, calcinating at 780°C for 2 hours, fast heating to 900°C, and calcinating at 900°C for 3 hours [13]. This temperature mode was selected regarding the formation beginning of NaLnTiO4 at 780°C, while Na2CO3 does not yet melt at this temperature. After NaLnTiO4 formation, the temperature is increased to 900°C to obtain pure phase. For K2Ln2Ti3O10 fast heating to 1100°C was used, with calcinations for 6 hours. Syntheses took place according to the following reactions:
(1)Na2CO3+2TiO2+Ln2O3⟶2NaLnTiO4+CO2↑(2)K2CO3+3TiO2+Ln2O3⟶K2Ln2Ti3O10+CO2↑Protonic forms HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) were obtained by substitution of Na+ ions in NaLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) to H+, according to the following reaction:
(3)NaLnTiO4+HCl⟶HLnTiO4+NaClInitial alkali metal-containing layered compounds were treated in 0.1 H HCl acid medium, as described in [14].XRD analysis (powder X-ray diffraction, CuKα radiation) was carried out to control the reaction and to determine structural parameters of substances (Figure 1).X-ray powder patterns: (a) precursor NaLaTiO4; (b) HLaTiO4; (c) precursor NaNdTiO4; (d) HNdTiO4.
(a)
(b)Calculated unit cell parameters of obtained samples (a) NaLaTiO4, tetragonal, P4/nmm: a, b = 3,775 Å; c = 13,018 Å; (b) NaNdTiO4, tetragonal, P4/nmm: a, b = 3,771 Å; c = 12,832 Å; (c) HLaTiO4, tetragonal, P4/nmm: a, b = 3,753 Å; c = 12,417 Å; (d) HNdTiO4, tetragonal, P4/nmm: a, b = 3,708 Å; c = 12,261 Å are in agreement with the literature data [9].The degree of substitution of Na+ by H+ is estimated by means of TGA analysis using TG 209 F3 Iris, Netzsch [14, 15]. For example, the decomposition process of Na(1−x)HxNdTiO4*yH2O can be represented by the following reaction:
(4)Na(1-x)HxNdTiO4*yH2O⟶Na(1-x)NdTiO4-0,5x+(x2)H2O↑+yH2O↑The weight loss of the sample results from the sorbed water release (intercalated/adsorbed) and from water formed by decomposition of protonic form HNdTiO4. The content of sodium ions remaining after release of all water substance depends on the degree of substitution of the sample. Dependence between the degree of substitution of x and mass loss in mass loss curve can be expressed by the following relationship:
(5)m[Na1-xNdTiO4-0.5x]m[(x/2)H2O]=F=A(Nd)+A(Ti)+A(Na)*(1-x)+A(O)*(4-0.5x)(x/2)M(H2O),
where m is the mass of sample and M and A the molecular and atomic mass, respectively. F parameter is the ratio of the mass remaining after the release of all water substances to the mass of water released during the decomposition of substituted compounds.From (5), the degree of substitution x and quantity of sorbed water y can be calculated using the following formulas:
(6)x=2*A(Nd)+2*A(Ti)+8*A(O)+2*A(Na)F*M(H2O)+2*A(Na)+A(O),y=x*m[yH2O]2*m[(x/2)H2O].Calculated degrees of substitutes were found to be nearly 100% (±2%) for both HLaTiO4 and HNdTiO4.SEM images (Zeiss Supra 40VP) show that the protonated samples keep the morphology of their layered Na precursors, where the particles are composed of layered plates that are typical for all layer compounds. The average thickness of the particles is about 300 nm. According to the X-ray microanalysis data, Na reflexes were not observed for all protonated substances.


### 2.2. Acid Leaching Processes

Cation-deficient perovskites Ln2/3TiO3 (Ln = La, Nd) were obtained for the first time by leaching of Ln3+ ions from HLnTiO4 in acid solution (10x excess of HCl solution (0.1 H) for 7 days):
(7)HLnTiO4+HCl⟶Ln2/3TiO3+H2O+(13)LnCl3During the leaching in HCl solution of varying concentrations, it was found that the right product can be obtained only under conditions. Ln2/3TiO3 dissolved at higher concentration and reaction does not have time to pass through at lower concentration. In case of Nd2/3TiO3 pure phase of the product was obtained, while for La2/3TiO3 the impurity of stable HLnTiO4*nH2O phase was observed [16] (Figure 2).X-ray powder patterns: (a) HNdTiO4; (b) HNdTiO4 (4 days, excess of 0.1 H HCl); (c) Nd2/3TiO3 (7 days, excess of 0.1 H HCl); (d) HLaTiO4,; (e) HLaTiO4*nH2O (star) + La2/3TiO3 (triangle) (7 days, excess of 0.1 H HCl).
(a)
(b)The SEM shows that the initial morphology is not preserved for defect perovskites Ln2/3TiO3 obtained by acid leaching. The resulting phase is characterized by irregularly shaped particles with dimensions less than 100 nm (Figure 3(c)).SEM images: (a) NaNdTiO4; (b) HNdTiO4; (c) Nd2/3TiO3.
(a)
(b)
(c)The process of acid leaching of Ln3+ cations was also observed in reaction of a perovskite-oxide K2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = La, Nd) with a solution of hydrochloric acid of different concentrations. Initial compound K2Ln2Ti3O10 was treated by 5.5x excess of 2 M hydrochloric acid for 5 days. In the process, K+ ions are replaced by H+, according to the following reaction:
(8)K2Ln2Ti3O10+2HCl⟶H2Ln2Ti3O10+2KClXRD analysis data showed that in case of the initial K2La2Ti3O10 the resulting compound contains a large number of impurity cation-deficient perovskite La2/3TiO3 (Figure 4, b). In case of the initial K2Nd2Ti3O10, an amount of the Nd2/3TiO3 is noticeably smaller (Figure 4, f). The main phase in both cases is partially hydrated compound H2Ln2Ti3O10*yH2O.X-ray powder patterns: (a) K2La2Ti3O10 + 10x excess of HCl (0.1 M), 24 h; (b) K2La2Ti3O10 + 5.5x excess of HCl (2 M), 5d (H2La2Ti3O10 (rhombus), La2/3TiO3 (star)); (c) K2La2Ti3O10 + 10x excess of HCl (0.1 M), 5d; (d) K2Nd2Ti3O10 + 10x excess of HCl (0.1 M), 24 h; (i) K2Nd2Ti3O10 + 5.5x excess of HCl (2 M), 5d, (H2Nd2Ti3O10 (rhombus), Nd2/3TiO3 (star)); (f) K2Nd2Ti3O10 + 10x excess of HCl (0.1 M), 5d.
(a)
(b)Further, it was proposed to reduce the concentration to 0.1 M solution of 10x excess HCl. This concentration was chosen by analogy with the reaction of a single-layer perovskite NaLnTiO4 with hydrochloric acid solution, where the result is a pure phase HLnTiO4. But in the case of three-layer perovskite oxides the desired product was also obtained with impurities of Ln2/3TiO3 (Figure 4, c). Only short time treatment (24 hours, 0.1 M solution of 10x excess HCl) leads to the product with satisfactory amount of impurity (Figure 4, a and d).The SEM images of samples show that the leaching results in the formation of square holes on the surface of the particles; the initial morphology of the layered oxide particles is preserved.


### 2.3. HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) Exfoliation Promoted by VOSO4

Treatment of NaLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) by aqueous solution of VOSO4 leads to partial substitution of Na+ by (VO)2+ as described in [17] with preservation of layered structure and only partial exfoliation (Figure 5(a)). A similar reaction is known for the K2La2Ti3O10, as described in [18]. In case of protonic compound, the reaction goes another way; VOSO4 causes exfoliation and reassembling of HLnTiO4 particles.SEM images: (a) NaNdTiO4 + VOSO4; (b) (VO)xH1−2xNdTiO4 *yH2O; (c) (VO)xH1−2xNdTiO4*yH2O, calcination 300°C, 30 min.
(a)
(b)
(c)Exfoliated HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) were prepared by treatment of initial HLnTiO4 in a double excess of VOSO4 aqueous solution at 80°C for 3 days. As a result a dark green powder was obtained. The particles of the obtained samples consist of a number of interconnected flat crystallites less than 10 nm width (Figure 5(b)).The X-ray powder patterns (b) of obtained substances are close to the initial HLnTiO4 (Figure 6). Exfoliated compounds contain significant amounts of adsorbed VO2+ cations (more than 15% mass) according to the X-ray microanalysis.Figure 6
X-ray diffraction patterns: (a) HNdTiO4; (b) HNdTiO4 exfoliated; (c) HNdTiO4 exfoliated, calcinations at 300°C, 30 min; (d) Nd2□Ti2O7 by pyrolysis at 680°C.TGA shows that samples lose water during heating from 30 to 700°C, and in both La and Nd cases the mass loss is nearly the same, 12-13% of the total mass of the substance. The porous nature of the particles explains the continuous nature of mass loss on the TGA curves. This is in contrast with HNdTiO4 and HLaTiO4 dehydration from 250°C and 350°C, respectively (Figure 7).Figure 7
TGA analysis: (a) HNdTiO4; (b) HLaTiO4; (c) (VO)xH1−2xNdTiO4*yH2O; (d) (VO)xH1−2xLaTiO4*yH2O.XRD patterns of dehydrated (VO)xH1−2xLnTiO4*yH2O compounds are nearly the same for 150°C, 300°C, and 600°C temperatures. Total reduction of peaks intensity and 001 reflex displacement in small angle region to large angles (c) is natural because a new phase is formed, identified as Ln2□Ti2O7. It has cell parameters close to the obtained by pyrolysis of the HLnTiO4 substance, but less peak broadening on the XRD pattern. The SEM images of dehydrated phases are close to the images of corresponding hydrated (VO)xH1−2xLnTiO4*yH2O samples.


### 2.4. H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O Exfoliation Promoted by VOSO4

In case of protonic form of three-layer perovskite-like oxide H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O, we carried out the treatment in a double excess of VOSO4 aqueous solution at 80°C for 3 days. The resulting dark green powder was washed with distilled water and dried under CaCl2.XRD analysis showed that formation of new phases was not observed during the exfoliation synthesis; diffraction patterns of the initial hydrated and protonated H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O and the sample treated by VOSO4 are almost identical, both containing a small amount of Nd2/3TiO3 impurity (Figure 8).Figure 8
X-ray diffraction patterns: (a) H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O; (b) (VO)xH2−2xNd2Ti3O10*yH2O.TGA curve of H2Nd2Ti3O10 exfoliated by VOSO4 ((VO)H2−2xNd2Ti3O10*yH2O) has mass area during the heating from 30 to 100°C corresponding to the surface water, which is not observed in the case of initial protonated phase (Figure 9). In other (VO)xH2−2xNd2Ti3O10*yH2O decomposition behavior in general is similar to the initial H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O one.Figure 9
TGA analysis: (a) H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O; (b) (VO)xH2−2xNd2Ti3O10*yH2O.Surface analysis by SEM demonstrated that the compound in general keeps the particle size of the layered precursor, but there are significant amounts of particles with exfoliated surface layers (Figure10) similarly as in the case of single-layer perovskite-like oxides HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd). And in contrast with single-layered phases, the amount of adsorbed VO2+ cations is less than 5% mass according to the X-ray microanalysis. The mass ratio of Ti and Nd was not changed in contrast with initial protonated compound.SEM images: (a) H2Nd2Ti3O10; (b) (VO)xH2−2xNd2Ti3O10.
(a)
(b)


## 2.1. Precursor Synthesis

Alkaline forms NaLnTiO4 and K2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = La, Nd) of a powder were produced by ceramic technique as precursors for further synthesis of protonic forms. Stoichiometric mixtures of Ln2O3 (Ln = La, Nd), TiO2, and sodium or potassium carbonate (40% excess, since it is volatilized at high-temperature synthesis) were taken as initial compounds; all substances were calcined to remove traces of moisture.In case of NaLnTiO4, following temperature mode has been used: fast heating to 780°C, calcinating at 780°C for 2 hours, fast heating to 900°C, and calcinating at 900°C for 3 hours [13]. This temperature mode was selected regarding the formation beginning of NaLnTiO4 at 780°C, while Na2CO3 does not yet melt at this temperature. After NaLnTiO4 formation, the temperature is increased to 900°C to obtain pure phase. For K2Ln2Ti3O10 fast heating to 1100°C was used, with calcinations for 6 hours. Syntheses took place according to the following reactions:
(1)Na2CO3+2TiO2+Ln2O3⟶2NaLnTiO4+CO2↑(2)K2CO3+3TiO2+Ln2O3⟶K2Ln2Ti3O10+CO2↑Protonic forms HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) were obtained by substitution of Na+ ions in NaLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) to H+, according to the following reaction:
(3)NaLnTiO4+HCl⟶HLnTiO4+NaClInitial alkali metal-containing layered compounds were treated in 0.1 H HCl acid medium, as described in [14].XRD analysis (powder X-ray diffraction, CuKα radiation) was carried out to control the reaction and to determine structural parameters of substances (Figure 1).X-ray powder patterns: (a) precursor NaLaTiO4; (b) HLaTiO4; (c) precursor NaNdTiO4; (d) HNdTiO4.
(a)
(b)Calculated unit cell parameters of obtained samples (a) NaLaTiO4, tetragonal, P4/nmm: a, b = 3,775 Å; c = 13,018 Å; (b) NaNdTiO4, tetragonal, P4/nmm: a, b = 3,771 Å; c = 12,832 Å; (c) HLaTiO4, tetragonal, P4/nmm: a, b = 3,753 Å; c = 12,417 Å; (d) HNdTiO4, tetragonal, P4/nmm: a, b = 3,708 Å; c = 12,261 Å are in agreement with the literature data [9].The degree of substitution of Na+ by H+ is estimated by means of TGA analysis using TG 209 F3 Iris, Netzsch [14, 15]. For example, the decomposition process of Na(1−x)HxNdTiO4*yH2O can be represented by the following reaction:
(4)Na(1-x)HxNdTiO4*yH2O⟶Na(1-x)NdTiO4-0,5x+(x2)H2O↑+yH2O↑The weight loss of the sample results from the sorbed water release (intercalated/adsorbed) and from water formed by decomposition of protonic form HNdTiO4. The content of sodium ions remaining after release of all water substance depends on the degree of substitution of the sample. Dependence between the degree of substitution of x and mass loss in mass loss curve can be expressed by the following relationship:
(5)m[Na1-xNdTiO4-0.5x]m[(x/2)H2O]=F=A(Nd)+A(Ti)+A(Na)*(1-x)+A(O)*(4-0.5x)(x/2)M(H2O),
where m is the mass of sample and M and A the molecular and atomic mass, respectively. F parameter is the ratio of the mass remaining after the release of all water substances to the mass of water released during the decomposition of substituted compounds.From (5), the degree of substitution x and quantity of sorbed water y can be calculated using the following formulas:
(6)x=2*A(Nd)+2*A(Ti)+8*A(O)+2*A(Na)F*M(H2O)+2*A(Na)+A(O),y=x*m[yH2O]2*m[(x/2)H2O].Calculated degrees of substitutes were found to be nearly 100% (±2%) for both HLaTiO4 and HNdTiO4.SEM images (Zeiss Supra 40VP) show that the protonated samples keep the morphology of their layered Na precursors, where the particles are composed of layered plates that are typical for all layer compounds. The average thickness of the particles is about 300 nm. According to the X-ray microanalysis data, Na reflexes were not observed for all protonated substances.


## 2.2. Acid Leaching Processes

Cation-deficient perovskites Ln2/3TiO3 (Ln = La, Nd) were obtained for the first time by leaching of Ln3+ ions from HLnTiO4 in acid solution (10x excess of HCl solution (0.1 H) for 7 days):
(7)HLnTiO4+HCl⟶Ln2/3TiO3+H2O+(13)LnCl3During the leaching in HCl solution of varying concentrations, it was found that the right product can be obtained only under conditions. Ln2/3TiO3 dissolved at higher concentration and reaction does not have time to pass through at lower concentration. In case of Nd2/3TiO3 pure phase of the product was obtained, while for La2/3TiO3 the impurity of stable HLnTiO4*nH2O phase was observed [16] (Figure 2).X-ray powder patterns: (a) HNdTiO4; (b) HNdTiO4 (4 days, excess of 0.1 H HCl); (c) Nd2/3TiO3 (7 days, excess of 0.1 H HCl); (d) HLaTiO4,; (e) HLaTiO4*nH2O (star) + La2/3TiO3 (triangle) (7 days, excess of 0.1 H HCl).
(a)
(b)The SEM shows that the initial morphology is not preserved for defect perovskites Ln2/3TiO3 obtained by acid leaching. The resulting phase is characterized by irregularly shaped particles with dimensions less than 100 nm (Figure 3(c)).SEM images: (a) NaNdTiO4; (b) HNdTiO4; (c) Nd2/3TiO3.
(a)
(b)
(c)The process of acid leaching of Ln3+ cations was also observed in reaction of a perovskite-oxide K2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = La, Nd) with a solution of hydrochloric acid of different concentrations. Initial compound K2Ln2Ti3O10 was treated by 5.5x excess of 2 M hydrochloric acid for 5 days. In the process, K+ ions are replaced by H+, according to the following reaction:
(8)K2Ln2Ti3O10+2HCl⟶H2Ln2Ti3O10+2KClXRD analysis data showed that in case of the initial K2La2Ti3O10 the resulting compound contains a large number of impurity cation-deficient perovskite La2/3TiO3 (Figure 4, b). In case of the initial K2Nd2Ti3O10, an amount of the Nd2/3TiO3 is noticeably smaller (Figure 4, f). The main phase in both cases is partially hydrated compound H2Ln2Ti3O10*yH2O.X-ray powder patterns: (a) K2La2Ti3O10 + 10x excess of HCl (0.1 M), 24 h; (b) K2La2Ti3O10 + 5.5x excess of HCl (2 M), 5d (H2La2Ti3O10 (rhombus), La2/3TiO3 (star)); (c) K2La2Ti3O10 + 10x excess of HCl (0.1 M), 5d; (d) K2Nd2Ti3O10 + 10x excess of HCl (0.1 M), 24 h; (i) K2Nd2Ti3O10 + 5.5x excess of HCl (2 M), 5d, (H2Nd2Ti3O10 (rhombus), Nd2/3TiO3 (star)); (f) K2Nd2Ti3O10 + 10x excess of HCl (0.1 M), 5d.
(a)
(b)Further, it was proposed to reduce the concentration to 0.1 M solution of 10x excess HCl. This concentration was chosen by analogy with the reaction of a single-layer perovskite NaLnTiO4 with hydrochloric acid solution, where the result is a pure phase HLnTiO4. But in the case of three-layer perovskite oxides the desired product was also obtained with impurities of Ln2/3TiO3 (Figure 4, c). Only short time treatment (24 hours, 0.1 M solution of 10x excess HCl) leads to the product with satisfactory amount of impurity (Figure 4, a and d).The SEM images of samples show that the leaching results in the formation of square holes on the surface of the particles; the initial morphology of the layered oxide particles is preserved.


## 2.3. HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) Exfoliation Promoted by VOSO4

Treatment of NaLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) by aqueous solution of VOSO4 leads to partial substitution of Na+ by (VO)2+ as described in [17] with preservation of layered structure and only partial exfoliation (Figure 5(a)). A similar reaction is known for the K2La2Ti3O10, as described in [18]. In case of protonic compound, the reaction goes another way; VOSO4 causes exfoliation and reassembling of HLnTiO4 particles.SEM images: (a) NaNdTiO4 + VOSO4; (b) (VO)xH1−2xNdTiO4 *yH2O; (c) (VO)xH1−2xNdTiO4*yH2O, calcination 300°C, 30 min.
(a)
(b)
(c)Exfoliated HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd) were prepared by treatment of initial HLnTiO4 in a double excess of VOSO4 aqueous solution at 80°C for 3 days. As a result a dark green powder was obtained. The particles of the obtained samples consist of a number of interconnected flat crystallites less than 10 nm width (Figure 5(b)).The X-ray powder patterns (b) of obtained substances are close to the initial HLnTiO4 (Figure 6). Exfoliated compounds contain significant amounts of adsorbed VO2+ cations (more than 15% mass) according to the X-ray microanalysis.Figure 6
X-ray diffraction patterns: (a) HNdTiO4; (b) HNdTiO4 exfoliated; (c) HNdTiO4 exfoliated, calcinations at 300°C, 30 min; (d) Nd2□Ti2O7 by pyrolysis at 680°C.TGA shows that samples lose water during heating from 30 to 700°C, and in both La and Nd cases the mass loss is nearly the same, 12-13% of the total mass of the substance. The porous nature of the particles explains the continuous nature of mass loss on the TGA curves. This is in contrast with HNdTiO4 and HLaTiO4 dehydration from 250°C and 350°C, respectively (Figure 7).Figure 7
TGA analysis: (a) HNdTiO4; (b) HLaTiO4; (c) (VO)xH1−2xNdTiO4*yH2O; (d) (VO)xH1−2xLaTiO4*yH2O.XRD patterns of dehydrated (VO)xH1−2xLnTiO4*yH2O compounds are nearly the same for 150°C, 300°C, and 600°C temperatures. Total reduction of peaks intensity and 001 reflex displacement in small angle region to large angles (c) is natural because a new phase is formed, identified as Ln2□Ti2O7. It has cell parameters close to the obtained by pyrolysis of the HLnTiO4 substance, but less peak broadening on the XRD pattern. The SEM images of dehydrated phases are close to the images of corresponding hydrated (VO)xH1−2xLnTiO4*yH2O samples.


## 2.4. H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O Exfoliation Promoted by VOSO4

In case of protonic form of three-layer perovskite-like oxide H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O, we carried out the treatment in a double excess of VOSO4 aqueous solution at 80°C for 3 days. The resulting dark green powder was washed with distilled water and dried under CaCl2.XRD analysis showed that formation of new phases was not observed during the exfoliation synthesis; diffraction patterns of the initial hydrated and protonated H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O and the sample treated by VOSO4 are almost identical, both containing a small amount of Nd2/3TiO3 impurity (Figure 8).Figure 8
X-ray diffraction patterns: (a) H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O; (b) (VO)xH2−2xNd2Ti3O10*yH2O.TGA curve of H2Nd2Ti3O10 exfoliated by VOSO4 ((VO)H2−2xNd2Ti3O10*yH2O) has mass area during the heating from 30 to 100°C corresponding to the surface water, which is not observed in the case of initial protonated phase (Figure 9). In other (VO)xH2−2xNd2Ti3O10*yH2O decomposition behavior in general is similar to the initial H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O one.Figure 9
TGA analysis: (a) H2Nd2Ti3O10*yH2O; (b) (VO)xH2−2xNd2Ti3O10*yH2O.Surface analysis by SEM demonstrated that the compound in general keeps the particle size of the layered precursor, but there are significant amounts of particles with exfoliated surface layers (Figure10) similarly as in the case of single-layer perovskite-like oxides HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd). And in contrast with single-layered phases, the amount of adsorbed VO2+ cations is less than 5% mass according to the X-ray microanalysis. The mass ratio of Ti and Nd was not changed in contrast with initial protonated compound.SEM images: (a) H2Nd2Ti3O10; (b) (VO)xH2−2xNd2Ti3O10.
(a)
(b)


## 3. Conclusions

Cation-deficient perovskites Ln2/3TiO3 (Ln = La, Nd) were obtained for the first time by leaching of Ln3+ ions from HLnTiO4 in acid solution (10x excess of HCl solution (0.1 H) for 7 days) (Scheme 1). In case of Nd2/3TiO3 pure phase of the product was obtained, while for La2/3TiO3 the impurity of stable HLnTiO4*nH2O phase was observed.Scheme 1
Structural transformation of HLnTiO4 (Ln = La, Nd): (1) Ln2/3TiO3 by acid leaching; (2) (VO)xH1−2xLnTiO4*yH2O by ion-exchange reactions.Exfoliated (VO)xH1−2xLnTiO4*yH2O (Ln = La, Nd) have been prepared for the first time by the ion-exchange reaction of HLnTiO4 in aqueous VOSO4. They consist of a large number of interconnected flat crystallites less than 10 nm in size with large amount of surface adsorbed VO2+ and water molecules (Scheme 1).The process of acid leaching of Ln3+ cations was also observed in reaction of a perovskite-type layered oxide K2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln = La, Nd) with a solution of hydrochloric acid of different concentrations. Resulting compounds contain a large number of impurity cation-deficient perovskites Ln2/3TiO3.In case of three-layer perovskite-like oxide H2Nd2Ti3O10, the treatment with VOSO4 aqueous solution at 80∘C for 3 days leads to the compound with significant amount of exfoliated surface layers. But in general, it keeps the particle morphology of the precursor.



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*Source: 514781-2013-02-26.xml*