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In this paper, we report on a high‐throughput (gram quantities) solvothermal method for the synthesis of copper terephthalate metal–organic frameworks in dmf. While the structure of MOF‐2 and some of the associated polymorphs are well known, we know of no equivalent structural studies for the isostructural copper terephthalate (Cu–tpa). The material we have made crystallizes in the C2/m space group. Cu–tpa also exhibits reversible solvent‐exchange properties. These properties make this material useful for potential applications in gas storage and catalysis applications. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)

The "grain-boundary effect," which leads to a greatly reduced dc ionic conductivity due to the presence of a blocking layer in the vicinity of the grain boundaries, is studied in detail for ceria ceramics doped with various trivalent dopants (particularly Y3+, Gd3+, and La3+). The effects of porosity, of sintering time, and of dopant size and dopant concentration are investigated. Finally, it is shown that the grain-boundary effect virtually disappears when nearly silicon-free starting materials are used.