A New Elaboration Route by Sol-Gel Process for Cerium Doped SrHfO3 Films and Powders

We present for the first time the elaboration via sol gel route of cerium (1 mol%) doped SrHfO₃ powders and films. The sol is elaborated using hafnium and strontium ethoxides as precursors and cerium nitrate as dopant. The structure of powders and films are characterized by convergent methods: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and optical measurements conducted by the prism coupling method. The powder crystallises from amorphous to pure SrHfO₃ orthorhombic perovskite phase after a 800°C heat treatment. Nevertheless HfO₂ monoclinic phase coexists with orthorhombic perovskite phase after a 1000°C heat treatment. The film is amorphous for annealing temperatures lower than 700°C and presents good waveguiding performances. The film heat-treated at 700°C exhibits a refractive index of 1.810 ± 0.001 (λ = 543.5 nm) for a thickness around 375 nm. The attenuation coefficient obtained on the 400°C heat-treated film is α = 4.0 ± 0.5 dB/cm (λ = 632.8 nm). The film starts to crystallize at 750°C into the SrHfO₃ orthorhombic phase but HfO₂ monoclinic phase is also detected after a heat treatment at 1000°C. The potentiality of sol gel Ce³⁺:SrHfO₃ powders and films for scintillation applications are investigated.     

Erratum to: Sol–gel synthesis of mesoporous WO3–TiO2 composite thin films for photochromic devices

Mesoporous WO₃–TiO₂ composite films were prepared by a sol gel based two stage dip coating method and subsequent annealing at 450, 500 and 600 °C. An organically modified silicate based templating strategy was adopted in order to obtain a mesoporous structure. The composite films were prepared on ITO coated glass substrates. The porosity, morphology, and microstructures of the resultant products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements, μ-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Calcination of the films at 450, and 500 °C resulted in mixed hexagonal (h) plus monoclinic phases, and pure monoclinic (m) phase of WO₃, respectively. The degree of crystallization of TiO₂ present in these composite films was not evident. The composite films annealed at 600 °C, however, consist of orthorhombic (o) WO₃ and anatase TiO₂. It was found that the o-WO₃ phase was stabilized by nanocrystalline anatase TiO₂. The thus obtained mesoporous WO₃–TiO₂ composite films were dye sensitized and applied for the construction of photochromic devices. The device constructed using dye sensitized WO₃–TiO₂ composite layer heat treated at 600 °C showed an optical modulation of 51 % in the NIR region, whereas the devices based on the composite layers heat treated at 450, and 500 °C showed only a moderate optical modulation of 24.9, and 38 %, respectively. This remarkable difference in the transmittance response is attributed to nanocrystalline anatase TiO₂ embedded in the orthorhombic WO₃ matrix of the WO₃–TiO₂ composite layer annealed at 600 °C.     

A new ferroelastic transition in some A2(MO4)3 molybdates and tungstates

We have found for the first time a ferroelastic transition in many molybdates and tungstates with the Sc₂(MoO₄)₃-type structure. Below the transition these phases are monoclinic ($\text{P2}{}_1\text{a}$), and above the transition they are orthorhombic (Pnca). Observed transition temperatures are: Al₂(MoO₄)₃, 200°C; Al₂(WO₄)₃, ?6°C; Cr₂(MoO₄)₃, 385°C; Fe₂(MoO₄)₃, 499°C; In₂(MoO₄)₃, 335°C; In₂(WO₄)₃, 252°C; and Sc₂(MoO₄)₃, 9°C.     

Sol–gel synthesis of mesoporous WO3–TiO2 composite thin films for photochromic devices

Mesoporous WO₃–TiO₂ composite films were prepared by a sol gel based two stage dip coating method and subsequent annealing at 450, 500 and 600 °C. An organically modified silicate based templating strategy was adopted in order to obtain a mesoporous structure. The composite films were prepared on ITO coated glass substrates. The porosity, morphology, and microstructures of the resultant products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements, μ-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Calcination of the films at 450, and 500 °C resulted in mixed hexagonal (h) plus monoclinic phases, and pure monoclinic (m) phase of WO₃, respectively. The degree of crystallization of TiO₂ present in these composite films was not evident. The composite films annealed at 600 °C, however, consist of orthorhombic (o) WO₃ and anatase TiO₂. It was found that the o-WO₃ phase was stabilized by nanocrystalline anatase TiO₂. The thus obtained mesoporous WO₃–TiO₂ composite films were dye sensitized and applied for the construction of photochromic devices. The device constructed using dye sensitized WO₃–TiO₂ composite layer heat treated at 600 °C showed an optical modulation of 51 % in the NIR region, whereas the devices based on the composite layers heat treated at 450, and 500 °C showed only a moderate optical modulation of 24.9, and 38 %, respectively. This remarkable difference in the transmittance response is attributed to nanocrystalline anatase TiO₂ embedded in the orthorhombic WO₃ matrix of the WO₃–TiO₂ composite layer annealed at 600 °C.     

Spectroscopic ellipsometry study of CVD molybdenum oxide films: effect of temperature

The optical properties of CVD MoO₃ films were studied by ellipsometry in the spectral range 280–820 nm. The films were deposited on silicon substrates by pyrolytic decomposition at atmospheric pressure of Mo(CO)₆ at 150 and 200 °C. To optimize the film structure, annealing was performed at temperatures of 300 and 400 °C. The refractive index for as-deposited MoO₃ films varies within 1.8–2.2 and the optical band gap energies in the range 2.87–2.98 eV. After annealing, the latter values slightly increase to 2.85–3.05 eV, depending on the annealing temperature. The band gap energies are typical for a polycrystalline material. Peaks in the spectral dependence of the absorption coefficient were observed. Their position and intensity are found to be affected by the process temperature. Electronic Publication     

Preparation and characterization of the Ti/IrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> as supercapacitor electrode materials

WO₃ films have been prepared onto IrO₂-coated Ti substrate by electro-deposition, and as-deposited and annealed films have been characterized by using Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the asdeposited film consists of orthorhombic WO₃ · H₂O phase, which transforms to amorphous WO₃ by annealing at 250°C and to monoclinic phase by annealing at and above 350°C. All electrochemical experiments were carried on Ti/IrO₂/WO₃ annealed at 450°C. The open-circuit potential could change significantly due to the hydration of the coating film. However this process is fairly slow. Reproducible voltammograms could be obtained quickly, further revealing high electrochemical stability of the Ti/IrO₂/WO₃ electrode. And the shapes of CV show the approximate rectangular mirror image, showing the typical characteristic of capacitive behavior. The specific capacitance obtained at a scan rate of 50 mV s⁻¹ is 46 F g⁻¹.     

In situ UV-Vis and ex situ IR spectroelectrochemical investigations of amorphous and crystalline electrochromic Nb2O5 films in charged/discharged states

Niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅) films and powders have been obtained via the sol-gel route from an NbCl₅ precursor. XRD spectra revealed that films with pseudohexagonal (TT-phase) and orthorhombic (T-phase) structure were formed at 500  °C and 800  °C, respectively, while at 300  °C films were amorphous. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of powders and films of Nb₂O₅ in different polymorphic forms were detected, and vibrational band assignments were made. Electrochromic properties of amorphous films and films with the TT-phase were established from in situ ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroelectrochemical measurements and correlated with ex situ IR transmission spectra of charged films. Ex situ IR spectra revealed that charging of amorphous films is accompanied by variations of the Nb-O stretching mode intensity, while, for films with the TT- and T-phase, splitting of the Nb₃-O stretching modes and the appearance of polaron absorption were noted with Li⁺ ion insertion. Ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of charged films with the TT-phase showed changes of the unit cell dimensions with charging. The influence of the polaron absorption on the ex situ near-grazing incidence angle (NGIA) IR reflection-absorption spectra of charged/discharged films is discussed in detail. Received: 21 August 1997 / Accepted: 9 October 1997     

Synthesis,characterization, and dielectric properties of β-Gd<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films prepared by chemical solution deposition

A chemical solution was employed for deposition of gadolinium molybdate [β-Gd₂(MoO₄)₃] thin films. Gadolinium acetylacetonate hydrate {[CH₃COCH = C(O–)CH₃]₃Gd·xH₂O}, molybdenum isopropoxide {Mo[OCH(CH₃)₂]₅}, and acetylacetone were used in synthesis of this molybdate. Thermal gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry suggested that crystallization of β-Gd₂(MoO₄)₃ occurs at around 480 °C. Phase-pure, orthorhombic β-Gd₂(MoO₄)₃ films were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates. β-Gd₂(MoO₄)₃ films crystallized at 750 °C showed a strong (00l) preferred orientation. The film dielectric constant measured was 10~14 and the dielectric loss was less than 3%. There was no marked signature in the permittivity at the bulk Curie temperature, approximately 159 °C.     

Thermal relaxation of defects in nanosized mechanically activated МоО<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The regularities of the thermal relaxation of structural defects (paramagnetic centers and microdistortions), as well as the sizes of coherent-scattering regions and the external surface, of mechanically activated МоО₃ have been studied with the use of X-ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance, and adsorption/desorption methods. It has been revealed that heating of activated samples at temperatures below 450°C is accompanied by the death of paramagnetic centers, annealing of microdistortions, and liberation of molecular oxygen. It has been assumed that oxygen results from the rupture of deformed Mo–O–Mo bridge bonds formed by its atoms. Above 450°C, recrystallization processes occur, which are accompanied by an increase in the sizes of the coherent-scattering regions and the MoO₃ (monoclinic) → MoO₃ (orthorhombic) phase transition. The thermal stability of the external particle surface depends on mechanical activation conditions. For samples activated at early stages of activation (fracture regime), the specific surface area decreases by more than an order of magnitude, when a temperature of 450°C is reached. At higher activation doses (friction regime), the sample is not sintered in the same temperature range.     

Thermal and X-ray diffraction studies of the solid–solid interactions in CuO–MoO3/MgO system

The solid–solid interactions in pure and MoO₃-doped CuO/MgO system were investigated using TG, DTA and XRD. The composition of pure mixed solids were 0.1CuO/MgO, 0.2CuO/MgO and 0.3CuO/MgO and the concentrations of MoO₃ were 2.5 and 5 mol%. These solids were prepared by wet impregnation of finely powdered basic magnesium carbonate with solutions containing calculated amounts of copper nitrate and ammonium molybdate followed by heating at 400–1000°C. The results revealed that ammonium molybdate doping of the system investigated enhanced the thermal decomposition of copper nitrate and magnesium hydroxide which decomposed at temperatures lower than those observed in case of the undoped mixed solids by 70 and 100°C, respectively. A portion of CuO present dissolved in the lattice of MgO forming CuO–MgO solid solution with subsequent limited increase in its lattice parameter. The other portion interacted readily with a portion of MoO₃ at temperatures starting from 400°C yielding CuMoO₄ which remained stable up to 1000°C. The other portion of MoO₃ interacted with MgO producing MgMoO₄ at temperatures starting from 400°C and remained also stable at 1000°C. The diffraction peaks of Cu₂MgO₃ phase were detected in the diffractograms of pure and MoO₃-doped 0.3CuO/MgO precalcined at 1000°C. The formation of this phase was accompanied by an endothermic peak at 930°C.     

Structures,thermal expansion properties and phase transitions of ErxFe2−x(MoO4)3 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0)

Structures, thermal expansion properties and phase transitions of Er_xFe_2−x(MoO₄)₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0) have been investigated by X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. The partial substitution of Er³⁺ for Fe³⁺ induces pronounced decreases in the phase transition temperature from monoclinic to orthorhombic structure. Rietveld analysis of the XRD data shows that both the monoclinic and orthorhombic Fe₂(MoO₄)₃, as well as the orthorhombic Er_xFe_2−x(MoO₄)₃ (x ≤ 0.8) have positive thermal expansion coefficients. However, the linear thermal expansion coefficients of Er_xFe_2−x(MoO₄)₃ (x = 0.6–2.0) decrease with increasing content of Er³⁺ and for x ≥ 1.0, compounds Er_xFe_2−x(MoO₄)₃ show negative thermal expansion properties. Attempts for making zero thermal expansion coefficient materials result in that very low negative thermal expansion coefficient of −0.60 × 10⁻⁶/°C in Er_1.0Fe_1.0(MoO₄)₃ is observed in the temperature range of 180–400 °C, and zero thermal expansion is observed in Er_0.8Fe_1.2(MoO₄)₃ in the temperature range of 350–450 °C. In addition, anisotropic thermal expansions are found for all the orthorhombic Er_xFe_2−x(MoO₄)₃ compounds, with negative thermal expansion coefficients along the a axes.     

Structural and Electrical Properties of Sol–Gel-processed CdTiO3 Powders and Films

Cadmium titanate, CdTiO₃, was prepared by the sol–gel technique in bulk and in thin film form. The thermal evolution of the gels and the phase changes were studied by thermo- gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Raman and energy-dispersive (EDS) spectroscopies. The morphology of the samples was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gels heated to 800 °C gave rise to powders with only the ilmenite-like phase. The orthorhombic perovskite phase is the only crystalline phase observed after a 4 h heat-treatment at 1100 °C. With respect to the conventional preparation method by solid-state reaction, by the sol–gel method it is possible to prepare the ilmenite phase at lower temperatures and the perovskite phase in a shorter time. Clear, homogeneous thin films were obtained by the dip-coating method. The refraction index and the thickness of the films were measured using ellipsometry. The humidity-sensitive electrical properties were measured for thin films deposited on alumina substrates with comb-type gold electrodes, heated to 200 °C and 450 °C. The films heated to 200 °C, which still contained organics, showed a variation of the resistance of six orders of magnitude in the relative humidity (RH) range tested (4–87% RH). The films heated to 450 °C, made of ilmenite-type CdTiO₃, were nearly insensitive to RH. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Laser-induced thermal effects in hexagonal MoO3 nanorods

Laser-induced thermal effects on the hexagonal MoO₃ nanorods at different power density levels were studied using Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The structural features of the nanorods were accompanied by varying the incident laser power from 8.0 to 600 mW by using a gradual increasing rate and a sudden increasing incident laser power. It was shown that the photoeffects observed on the MoO₃ nanorods critically depends on the exposure rate. By gradually increasing the incident laser power up to 600 mW, morphology of the nanorods were completely preserved, and the observed thermal behavior was discussed on the basis of thermal contact at nanoscale. However, when the irradiation intensity was suddenly increased, it was observed that overheating of h-MoO₃ nanorods at relatively lower laser powers (80 mW) sublimate the nanorods around the laser spot region. The MoO₃ molecules on vapor-phase at high temperatures condense and crystallize next to the laser spot on the orthorhombic (α-MoO₃) and monoclinic (β-MoO₃) phases. Furthermore, the nanorods closest to the laser spot region undergo a structural phase (and morphological) transition from h-MoO₃ phase to α-MoO₃ phase.     

Structure of HfO2 films and binary oxides on its base

The chemical composition and structure of HfO₂ films and binary oxides formed by their doping with aluminum and scandium are analyzed. It is shown that aluminum doping of HfO₂ causes film amorphization: at the Al concentration above 30 at.% the film becomes amorphous. Scandium doping of HfO₂ modifies the monoclinic structure, and in the Sc concentration range from ??9 at.% to ??14 at.% Sc under non-equilibrium conditions of the CVD process at 600°C a solid solution film of the orthorhombic structure forms.     

核壳结构MoOx/C微球的制备及储锂性能

采用水热法合成了MoO_3/酚醛树脂前驱体,然后在空气中进行煅烧处理,成功制备了一种新型核壳MoOx/C微球。对材料的晶体结构、形貌和元素价态进行分析表明,该材料的主要成分是单斜相MoO_2、正交晶系MoO_3和碳。树脂在空气中的煅烧碳化将MoO_3/酚醛树脂前驱体中的六方晶系的MoO_3还原为单斜相MoO_2。其中少量的MoO_2会在空气中重新被氧化成正交晶系的MoO_3,形成了MoO_2/MoO_3异质结构。在这一系列反应的综合作用下,形成这种表面有裂纹的核壳MoOx/C微球复合材料。将该材料用作锂离子电池负极材料,表现出了循环稳定性高、倍率性能好等优异的电化学性能。在100 mA·g-1的电流密度下充放电循环100次之后,可逆容量达640.6 mAh·g-1。     

Enhanced sulfur‐resistant methanation performance over MoO3–ZrO2 catalyst prepared by solution combustion method

Sulfur‐resistant methanation of syngas was studied over MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalysts at 400°C. The MoO₃–ZrO₂ solid‐solution catalysts were prepared using the solution combustion method by varying MoO₃ content and temperature. The 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst achieved the highest methanation performance with CO conversion up to 80% at 400°C. The structure of ZrO₂ and dispersed MoO₃ species was characterized using X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The energy‐dispersive spectrum of the 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst showed that the solution combustion method gave well‐dispersed MoO₃ particles on the surface of ZrO₂. The structure of the catalysts depends on the Mo surface density. It was observed that in the 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst the Mo surface density of 4.2 Mo atoms nm^?2 approaches the theoretical monolayer capacity of 5 Mo atoms nm^?2. The addition of a small amount of MoO₃ to ZrO₂ led to higher tetragonal content of ZrO₂ along with a reduction of particle size. This leads to an efficient catalyst for the low‐temperature CO methanation process.     

Sol-gel processing of lead-free (Na,K)NbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ferroelectric films

The sol-gel processing of lead-free (Na,K) NbO₃ ferroelectric films was studied. Sodium ethoxide (NaOC₂H₅) and potassium ethoxide (KOC₂H₅) were prepared by reacting solid Na and K with ethanol (99.7%) in a solvent of 2-methoxyethanol. 0.5-μm-thick (Na,K)NbO₃ thin films with orthorhombic perovskite structure were obtained by pyrolyzing at 400°C and annealing at 800–900°C. The films had relatively dense and uniform microstructure with grain size of about 50 nm, whose ferroelectricity was proved by the P-E hysteresis loop measurement. It was found that excess K was effective to reduce the annealing temperature for the crystallization of sol-gel-derived (Na,K)NbO₃ thin films.     

Struktur und Eigenschaften von CuxMoO3

Structure and Properties of Cu_xMoO₃ Cu_0.185MoO₃ was found in the coexistence range MoO₃? Cu₄Mo₅O₁₇? MoO₂. The structure was determined by X-ray diffraction on selected monocrystals. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (a = 1 668.8(3), b = 932.2(3), c = 543.1(2) pm, β = 102,78(1)°, Z = 2).     

利用多酸在SBA-15孔道中制备组分可调的氧化钼-五氧化二钒纳米线

A new approach was developed to fabricate nanowires of mixed oxides MoO3-V2O5 inside the channels of mesoporous silica SBA-15. The method involves functionalization of the channel surface of SBA-15 with aminosilane groups, immobilization of Keggin-type molybdovanadophosphoric acids through an acid-base interaction, and heat treatment. The immobilization of the heteropolyacid containing mixed addenda makes the molar ratio of the loaded components controllable. The formation of the MoO3-V2O5 nanowires inside the channels was monitored by variable temperature in situ XRD. The materials obtained by heat treatment at 400℃ for 5 h were characterized by TEM, N2-sorption measurements, laser Raman spectra and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra. Further heat treatment of the MoO3-V2O5 nanowires inside the SBA-15 channels at higher temperature (700℃) destroys the framework integrity of SBA-15 by complete sublimation of MoO3 through the SBA-15 channel walls.     

Planar ZrO2 Waveguides Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process: Structural and Optical Properties

ZrO₂ waveguides are prepared by the sol-gel process from a solution containing zirconiumn-propoxide and acetylacetone in propanol-2. Structural characterizations are investigated for different annealing temperatures using suitable techniques including Waveguide Raman Spectroscopy, Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. Films are amorphous at 300°C and the pure ZrO₂ tetragonal crystalline phase appears beyond 400°C. Crystallized films present a dense, uniform and polycrystalline structure made up by randomly oriented nanocrystallites, the diameter of which increases from 38 Å at 400°C to 53 Å at 600°C. Waveguides are at least monomode TE₀ at 632.8 nm. At this wavelength, optical losses are about, 0.8±0.2dB/cm for amorphous layers and increase up to 2.5±0.4 dB/cm for 600°C heat-treated waveguides.