Growth and thermal studies on pure ADP,KDP and mixed K1‐x(NH4)xH2PO4 crystals

The investigations on the formation of mixed crystals of ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate (ADP) and potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP) i.e. potassium ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, K_1‐x(NH₄)_xH₂PO₄ have been presented in this paper. Pure and mixed crystals of ADP and KDP have been grown by slow evaporation technique from the supersaturated solution at an ambient temperature 26±1 °C for ammonium concentration x in the range 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0 in the case of mixed crystals. Crystal compositions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and chemical analysis. The results of the X‐ray analysis of the grown crystals are also reported. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to study the kinetic process of dehydration and the high temperature phase behaviour. DTA showed the distinct thermal events attributed to dehydration of ADP, KDP and K_1‐x(NH₄)_xH₂PO₄. The results of thermal analysis and chemical analysis are consistent with each other. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of K1‐x(NH4)xH2PO4 mixed crystals onto z‐cut point seeds

Mixed crystals of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were grown onto point seeds by the method of temperature reduction. It was found that the regeneration process of z‐cut point seeds became more and more difficult with increasing KH₂PO₄ concentration in the solution mixture. The interior stress and cracking of the mixed crystals were analyzed by synchrotron X‐ray topography. Large numbers of stress stripes were found at the seed and sectors boundaries. The lattice parameters of the pyramid and prismatic sectors of the prepared mixed crystal were calculated according to the X‐ray diffraction patterns. With solution containing 8 mol % KH₂PO₄, the lattice volumes of the prismatic sector of the mixed crystal were 1.3% larger than that of the pyramid sector of the crystal. Chemical etching revealed microcracks with length of hundreds of microns in the mixed crystals, which tended to spread and led to crystal cracking. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth of K(DxH1 − x )2PO4 single crystals from solutions in the K2O-P2O5-(D, H)2O system

Based on the analysis of the K₂O-P₂O₅-D₂O solubility phase diagram, the optimum conditions of KD₂PO₄ crystallization—the compositions of mother solutions and the temperature range of crystallization—in the KH₂PO₄-D₂O system have been determined. The technique of K(D_xH_{1 ? x} )₂PO₄ growth is developed. The DKDP single crystals with deuterium concentration up to 88 wt % are grown on DKDP seeds from KH₂PO₄ solutions in D₂O by the method of temperature decrease.     

Growth and Characterisation of (CuInTe2)1‐x(2 ZnTe)x Solid Solution Single Crystals

The crystal structure as well as the optical properties in the band gap region of (CuInTe₂)_1‐x(2 ZnTe)_x solid solution single crystals grown by directional freezing have been studied. The lattice constants exhibit a linear dependence on crystal composition. The chalcopyrite‐sphalerite phase transition was observed between x = 0.3 and x = 0.4°. The variation of the band gap with respect to crystal composition can be described by a quadratic expression.     

Growth and Optical Properties of NaY(WO4)2:Eu Crystals

NaY_0.99Eu_0.01(WO₄)₂ crystals were grown along <101> and <001> directions. Single crystals with high quality can be obtained when they were grown along <101> direction from a melt with a small deviation from stoichiometric composition. Eu ions exist in two valences in the as‐grown crystals, in one valence after annealing only. The fluorescence spectrum shows the Stark splitting of energy levels of Eu ions is in accordance with the site symmetry of S₄.     

Optical properties of non‐centrosymmetric mixed crystals K2(La1‐x Cex)(NO3)5 · 2 H2O (x = 0.0 – 1.0)

Large single crystals of optical quality of the non‐centrosymmetric orthorhombic potassium rare earth nitrate mixed crystals K₂(La_1–x Ce_x)(NO₃)₅ · 2 H₂O were grown at 38 °C from diluted HNO₃. For crystals with x = 0.0, 0.19, 0.38 and 0.66 refractive indices and their dispersion were determined with an error less than 1 · 10^–4 in the wavelength range 0.404 – 1.083 μm by the prism method. Phase matching conditions for collinear SHG frequency conversion were analysed in detail, including calculation of the effective nonlinear optical susceptibility. By an appropriate choice of the fraction x of cerium the mixed crystals K₂(La_1–x Ce_x)(NO₃)₅ · 2 H₂O allow an adjustment of non‐critical type I phase matching conditions to a desired wavelength of the fundamental wave within the range 1.055(4) – 1.107(6) μm. Non‐critical type II phase matching can be tuned in the wavelength range 0.949(2) – 0.931(2) μm. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural,optical and dielectric studies on K1‐x(NH4)xH2PO4 mixed crystals grown from z‐cut seeds

Mixed crystals of K_1‐x(NH₄)_xH₂PO₄(KADP) were grown from KDP (KH₂PO₄) dominated mixed solutions with varying molar proportion of ADP (NH₄H₂PO₄) addition. It was found that, as the increase of ADP molar concentration, the growth rate along z‐axis of KADP crystal decreased rapidly. The structure of KADP crystals was investigated by powder XRD and the lattice parameter was calculated. The results showed that the lattice parameter c of KADP crystal increased with the molar concentration of ADP. The optical homogeneity of grown KADP crystals was determined with a differential phase‐shifting interferometry. Frequency dependences of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of KADP crystals were measured at room temperature (290 K). The dielectric constants of KADP crystals were almost invariant with the increase of frequency. In the region of 10²∼10⁴Hz, the values of the dielectric loss reduced with the increase of frequency. The piezo‐resonance coupling effect still exists in KADP crystals at room temperature, but shifted to low frequency band. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Compositional dependence of morphology and lattice parameters during growth of K1‐x(NH4)xH2PO4 mixed crystals

Mixed crystals of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate K_1‐x(NH₄)_x H₂PO₄ were grown from aqueous solutions with x = 0.06, 0.09, 0.15, 0.32, 0.42, 0.51, 0.63, 0.70, 0.76, 0.78, 0.84, 0.88, 0.89 and 0.91. The crystal composition that differs from solution was estimated by X‐ray method. Morphology of the crystals changes from tetragonal prism to needles when the incorporation of either of the two components into the other; which also affects the growth rate along the prominent growth directions significantly. Growth along the [001] decreases initially with composition and reached the maximum when x = 0.5; whereas growth along the [100] always showed a decreasing trend with composition and attained a minimum value when x = 0.5. Crystal length along the [001] and [100] and aspect ratio are also compositional dependent. Unit cell parameters determined by X‐ray powder and single crystal analyses revealed that the ‘a ’ parameter shows only a small and linear variation but the ‘c ’ parameter changes significantly with ADP incorporation because of the difference in the effective ionic radius of K⁺ and NH₄⁺ ions and also the possibility of NH₄⁺ ion to form two different kinds of hydrogen bonds in the system. The existence of a pseudo‐cubic cell at the mixing composition x = 0.78 was also revealed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization of MIGe2(PO4)3 (MI – Na,K, Ag) from molten phosphate media

A number of NASICON‐related M^IGe₂(PO₄)₃ (M^I – Na, K, Ag) have been prepared using a high‐temperature solution method in the molten system M^I‐Ge‐P‐O (M^I – Na, K) based on the solubility data for GeO₂ at 1123 K for the Na‐P‐O system and 1173 K for the K‐P‐O one. The single crystals of AgGe₂(PO₄)₃ were obtained after crystallization of a melt with Ag/P = 1.4. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, space group R‐3, cell parameters a = 8.06340(1) Å, c = 21.8385(4) Å, Z = 6. The framework is built up from two GeO₆ units that are isolated from each other by PO₄ tetrahedra to form the main building block of the structure [Ge₂(PO₄)₃]⁻. Two types of silver cations M1 and M2 are found to have different coordination requirements shown by the bond valence sum calculations.     

Effect of supersaturation on deuteration distribution in K(H1‐xDx)2PO4 crystals

The homogeneity of deuterium distribution in potassium dideuterium phosphate single crystals was studied by Raman and infrared spectroscopy analyses. Results indicated that the pyramidal section exhibited more homogeneous deuterium distribution than the prismatic section. Supersaturation slightly affected the deuterium homogeneity in the pyramidal section of crystals grown rapidly from 80% deuterated solution. Deuterium homogeneity in the prismatic section decreased with increasing supersaturation level of the growth solution.     

On the Iso‐Diameter Growth of β ‐BaB2O4 (BBO) Crystals by Flux Pulling Method

The iso‐diameter growth of β ‐BaB₂O₄ (BBO) crystals by the flux pulling method have been studied based on the phase equilibrium diagram in the BaB₂O₄‐Na₂O pseudo‐binary system and from the interface stability. The mathematical expressions for the cooling rate in the growth of the crystals with constant diameter under stable growth conditions are derived, the experimental phenomena such as diameter contraction and difficulty to grow a lengthy crystal by the flux pulling method are explained, the prerequisite for iso‐diameter BBO crystal growth from the flux is suggested; a new continuous charging flux pulling method is introduced to grow large‐sized high quality crystals with a relative high growth rate.     

Crystal Growth,Thermal and Linear Optical Properties of the Non‐Centrosymmetric Hydrated Tetraborates Na2[B4O5(OH)4] . 3H2O (Tincalconite) and K2[B4O5(OH)4] . 2H2O

Large single crystals of the non‐centrosymmetric hydrated tetraborates Na₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄] . 3H₂O (Tincalconite) (point group 32) and K₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄] . 2H₂O(point group 222) were grown from aqueous solutions and the linear optical properties (refractive indices between 365 nm and 1530 nm and unpolarized absorption spectra) as a basis for nonlinear optical investigations were determined. The uniaxial positive sodium salt is not phase matchable; in the orthorhombic potassium compound type I phase matching is possible in the near infrared region. Thermal investigations indicate a phase transition at ≈285 K for Na₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄] . 3H₂O.     

Optical characterization and crystal structure of the novel bronzetype CaxBa1‐xNb2O6 (x = 0.28; CBN‐28)

Calcium barium niobate (CBN), also like strontium barium niobate (SBN), belongs to the materials family of partially filled tetragonal tungsten bronzes, which show relaxor‐type ferroelectric phase transitions and large electro‐optic effects. For the first time, it was possible to grow large single crystals of Ca_0.25Ba_0.75Nb₂O₆ (CBN‐25) and CBN‐28 by using different growing techniques. The successful single crystal growth allowed to investigate several physical properties of the novel phase. Herein, we report on measurements of differential thermal analysis (DTA), wavelength dispersion of the refractive indices, temperature dependence of the birefringence and light absorption. Additionally, results of the single crystal X‐ray structure analysis are presented.     

Mn_4N固相合成反钙钛矿型Mn_3MN(M∶Cu,Ge)的机理研究

以Mn4N、Cu和Ge粉末为原料,在N2气氛下固相烧结合成了反钙钛矿结构的锰基氮化物Mn3MN(M:Cu, Ge).利用热重-差热分析(TG-DSC),X射线衍射(XRD),扫描电镜(SEM)等技术研究了合成Mn3MN(M:Cu, Ge)的固相反应机理及制备的工艺条件.固相反应的主要机理是Cu(或Ge)原子通过固溶扩散置换出Mn4N立方结构中顶点的Mn原子形成反钙钛矿结构;置换出来的Mn与多余的Cu反应形成Mn3Cu固溶相, 在N2气氛中氮化再次生成反钙钛矿Mn3CuN相.以Mn4N制备纯的反钙钛矿结构的Mn3MN需要严格控制原料的配比,且需要在高真空高纯N2保护气氛中进行烧结.     

Phase formation in molten system (Na/K)2O‐TiO2‐P2O5. Crystal structures of NASICON and langbeinite‐related phosphates (K/Na)1+xTi2(PO4)3 (x = 0 and 0.357)

Crystallization of high temperature self‐flux of system Na₂O‐K₂O‐TiO₂‐P₂O₅ was investigated at different molar ratios (Na+K)/P = 0.9; 1.0 or 1.2 and Na/K = 1.0 or 2.0 over the temperature range 1000–650°C. The conditions of formation of complex phosphates K_0.10Na_0.90Ti₂(PO₄)₃ (NASICON‐related) and K_0.877Na_0.48Ti^ІІІ_0.357Ti^ІV_1.643(PO₄)₃ (langbeinite‐related) have been established. The new obtained compounds were investigated using FTIR‐spectroscopy, powder and single crystal X‐ray diffraction and optical microscopy methods. The influence of alkaline metal nature on the structure formation of complex phosphates in the high temperature self‐fluxes is discussed.     

Crystal structures of N1, N5‐dibenzoyltetrahydro‐4‐methyl‐1, 5‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one (DBTBO) and tetrahydro‐4‐methyl‐1, 5‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one (TBO)

Adducing structural analogies between the two fused systems, N1, N5‐Dibenzoyltetrahydro‐4‐methyl‐1,5‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one, C₂₄H₂₀N₂O₃ (DBTBO CCDC 200341) and Tetrahydro‐4‐methyl‐1,5‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one, C₁₀H₁₂ N₂O (TBO CCDC 200342) helps to find the pharmacological differences from the view point of variant hetero atom substitutions in the hetero cycle. Both the diazepines crystallized in identical monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 14.1134(1) Å, b = 9.2444(1) Å, c = 16.3812(1) Å; β = 107.11(1)º, V = 2042.7(3) ų for DBTBO and a = 9.3363(7) Å, b = 10.4895(8) Å, c = 9.9852(7) Å, β = 91.314(1)º, V = 977.62(1) ų for TBO, respectively. The two structures were solved by direct methods and refined by full‐matrix least‐squares procedure to final R‐values of R1 = 0.0575(DBTBO) and R1 = 0.0984(TBO). Structural differences include non‐identical boat conformations of these seven‐membered rings and the different non‐bonding interactions in the benzodiazepine pair.     

Synthesis and characterization of hexagonal ferrites BaFe12‐2xZnxTixO19 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) by thermal decomposition of freeze‐dried precursors

Substituted barium hexaferrites, BaFe_12‐2xZn_xTi_xO₁₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2), have been synthesized by thermal decomposition of freeze‐dried acetate precursors. Decomposition and phase formation were investigated by means of thermal analysis, XRD and IR spectroscopy. The initially amorphous decomposed precursor reacts to the substituted hexaferrite via a spinel‐like maghemite (γ‐Fe₂O₃) and Zn/Ti containing spinel ferrites. The synthesis method allows a decrease of the reaction temperature and time, necessary for producing a single phase hexaferrite. At relative low reaction temperatures, the substitution rate x shows remarkable differences at different iron sublattices. For x ≤ 0,8 this selective substitution results in an increase of magnetization as x grows. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal growth of the CdGa2(1‐x)Cr2xSe4 compounds by chemical transport method

Single crystals of CdGa_2(1‐x)Cr_2xSe₄ compounds for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 have been grown by using the chemical vapor transport technique in a closed system. The transporting agent was CdCl₂ in a proportion of 0.75 mg/cc of capsule. The starting material was previously synthetized. The structural characterization on the crystals were done by powder x‐ray diffraction studies. The results show three different phases for various Cr concentration ranges: spinel structure for x ≥ 0.7, rombohedral for 0.6 ≥ x ≥ 0.5 and tetragonal for 0.4 ≥ x ≥ 0. That is, the chromium dilution in the CdCr₂Se₄ compound by Ga atoms produces very significant changes in the structural atomic arrangement. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of large La1‐xPbxMnO3+δ (x=0.32–0.35) crystals

Large crystals of La_0.63Pb_0.37Mn O_3+δ with small La(Pb)‐ deficiency of about 0.005‐0.01 at.% were grown by high temperature solution growth method. The structure of the grown crystals was determined as rhombohedral with R‐3 space group by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The surface morphology of the crystals and the exact chemical composition was examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis methods, respectively. The IR‐transmission spectrum reveals the presence of Mn³⁺O₆‐ and Mn⁴⁺O₆‐ octahedra in the lattice of La_0.63Pb_0.37Mn O_3+δ crystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and properties of an organometallic nonlinear optical crystal: bis(isothiocyanato)‐bis(4‐methylpyridine)zinc(II) (Zn(SCN)2(C6H7N)2)

Bis(isothiocyanato)‐bis(4‐methylpyridine)zinc(II)(Zn(SCN)₂(C₆H₇N)₂), (abbreviated as ZBNC) single crystals of optical quality have been grown from acetone solution by the slow temperature‐lowering method. Its solubilities at different temperatures in acetone were measured. The X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD) spectroscopy of ZBNC crystal was performed at room temperature. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency was determined by powder technique of Kurtz and Perry using Nd:YAG laser, which is equivalent to KDP crystal. The thermal decomposition process was characterized by thermal gravity and differential thermal analysis (TG\DTA). The specific heat of the crystal is 1440.67 J/mol·K at 325 K. The IR spectrum was recorded in the 500∼3500 cm^–1 region, using KBr pellets on a Nicolet 170sx FT‐IR spectrometer. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)