Local crystal chemistry, structured diffuse scattering and the dielectric properties of (Bi1−xYx)2(MNb)O7 (M=Fe, In) Bi-pyrochlores

Electron diffraction is used to investigate the large amplitude displacive disorder characteristic of the Bi₂(M^IIINb^V)O₇ Bi-pyrochlores, Bi₂InNbO₇ and Bi₂FeNbO₇, as well as of their A site substituted Bi_1.5Y_0.5InNbO₇ and Bi_1.5Y_0.5FeNbO₇ variants. Highly structured diffuse distributions in the form of {110}* sheets of diffuse intensity perpendicular to the six 〈110〉 directions of real space along with 〈111〉* rods of diffuse intensity perpendicular to the four {111} real space planes are observed. The existence of this structured diffuse scattering is interpreted in terms of large amplitude, β-cristobalite-type tetrahedral rotations of the O′A₂ tetrahedral framework sub-structure of the ideal pyrochlore structure type. Bond valence sum calculations are used to understand the local crystal chemistry responsible for such displacive disorder. The frequency-dependent dielectric properties of Bi₂InNbO₇ and Bi₂FeNbO₇ are also investigated along with the effect upon them of A site doping with Y.     

Preparation and up-conversion fluorescence of rare earth (Er or Yb/Er)-doped TiO2 nanobelts

Anatase TiO₂ nanobelts doped with rare earth (RE) ions Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ or Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ have been prepared using layered titanate nanobelts (LTO NBs) with RE ions as the precursor obtained by ion-exchange between LTO NBs and RE ions under hydrothermal process. Various measurement results demonstrate that the RE ions have doped into the lattice of TiO₂, and the Er³⁺ or Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ doped nanobelts show strong visible up-conversion (UC) fluorescence under 980 nm excitation. The UC emission intensity of LTO NBs embedded with Er³⁺ or Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ is slightly higher than that of the corresponding TiO₂ nanobelts doped with RE ions, whereas higher RE doping content leads to the decrease of UC emission intensity due to the concentration-quenching effect.     

Rigid unit modes (RUMs) of distortion, local crystal chemistry and the inherent displacive flexibility of microporous AlPO4-11

Electron diffraction is used to investigate the average structure of microporous AlPO₄-11 as well as the zero-frequency rigid unit mode (RUM) modes of distortion of the ideal AlPO₄-11 tetrahedral framework. Direct experimental evidence (in the form of a highly structured, characteristic diffuse intensity distribution) has been found for the (presumably dynamic) excitation of numerous zero-frequency RUM modes of distortion. The lattice dynamic program CRUSH is used to confirm the existence of zero-frequency RUM modes of distortion with wave-vectors falling on the observed diffuse distribution. The simultaneous (presumably dynamic) excitation of such RUM modes of distortion needs to be taken into account in order for the local crystal chemistry of AlPO₄-11 to be understood.     

Structured diffuse scattering and polar nano-regions in the Ba(Ti1−xSnx)O3 relaxor ferroelectric system

The observation via electron diffraction of relatively sharp G±{001}* sheets of diffuse intensity arising from the large amplitude excitation of inherently polar, transverse optical modes of distortion in Ba(Ti_1−xSn_x)O₃ (BTS), 0.1?x?0.5, samples, both at room temperature as well as liquid nitrogen temperature, shows that the polar nano-regions (PNRs) in these relaxor ferroelectric materials correspond to the same highly anisotropic 〈001〉 chain dipoles as are characteristic of the normal ferroelectric end member BaTiO₃ itself. The correlation length along the chain of these 1-d PNRs can, in principle, be determined from the width of the observed {001}* diffuse sheets in reciprocal space and is estimated to be at least 5 nm even for the higher x samples. The distribution of the substitutional Sn ions thus appears to have only a minor effect upon the correlation length along the 〈001〉 chain dipole directions. It is suggested that the role of the dopant Sn ions is not to directly induce PNRs but rather to set up random local strain fields preventing the condensation of long wavelength homogeneous strain distortions of the unit cell thereby suppressing transverse correlations of the 〈001〉 chain dipoles and the development of long-range ordered ferroelectric state/s.     

An Electron Diffraction and Crystal Chemical Investigation of Oxygen/Fluorine Ordering in Niobium Oxyfluoride, NbO2F

A careful electron diffraction study of the ReO₃-type oxyfluoride NbO₂F has revealed the presence of characteristic transverse polarized planes of diffuse intensity running through the G±〈hk(1/3)〉^* regions of reciprocal space as well as continuous rods of diffuse intensity running through the G±〈(1/2)(1/2)ξ〉^* regions of reciprocal space. The continuous planes of diffuse intensity in reciprocal space (perpendicular to each of the major crystal directions a, b and c) imply the existence of one-dimensional, oxygen/fluorine-ordered columns of atoms along 〈001〉 in real space but with no lateral correlation in the ordering from such 〈001〉 column to the next. The continuous lines of diffuse intensity along the 〈(1/2)(1/2)ξ〉^* directions of reciprocal space are ascribed to Rigid Unit Mode (RUM) rotations of the constituent MX₆ octahedral framework. A combination of bond-valence arguments and simple structure factor calculations are used to support this argument.     

Oxygen/fluorine ordering, structured diffuse scattering and the local crystal chemistry of K3MoO3F3

Bond valence sum calculations are used to investigate the crystal chemistry of the elpasolite-related oxyfluoride K₃MoO₃F₃ in order to obtain insight into the type/s of structural distortion (away from an ideal, high symmetry, elpasolite type parent structure) responsible for a characteristic, highly structured, three-dimensional diffuse intensity distribution. The first required type of local structural distortion corresponds to large amplitude MoO₃F₃ octahedral rotations while the second is associated with O/F ordering and associated induced Mo ion shifts. Monte Carlo modelling is used to show how the latter when coupled with an appropriate local crystal chemical constraint can give rise to the observed structured diffuse scattering. The study is part of a wider search for diffraction evidence of oxygen/fluorine ordering in metal oxyfluoride systems.     

Crystal chemistry on a lattice: The case of BZN and BZN-related pyrochlores

This paper uses a diagnostic, highly structured diffuse intensity distribution to investigate the local crystal chemistry of (Bi_1.5Zn_0.5−δ)(Zn_0.5Nb_1.5)O_7−δ (BZN) as well as Sn⁴⁺ and Ti⁴⁺, B site substituted, BZN-related pyrochlore phases. The structured diffuse distribution of the B site substituted material is found to be remarkably similar to that observed for BZN itself. In the special case of (Bi_1.5Zn_0.5)(Ti_1.5Nb_0.5)O₇ (BZNT), the continuous G±〈10l〉* type diffuse streaking characteristic of BZN-related pyrochlores has virtually condensed out to give just G±〈001〉* “satellite reflections” and a P-centred, close to a superstructure phase of average pyrochlore unit cell dimensions. Bond valence sum considerations are used to investigate the local crystal chemistry of this BZNT phase and to derive a plausible model for this superstructure phase. Monte Carlo modelling is used to confirm the plausibility of the model proposed. The underlying crystal chemistry of BZN and BZN-related pyrochlores is shown to result from strong local Bi/Zn ordering rules and associated large amplitude structural relaxation.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Bi6.4Pb0.6P2O15.2: A new polymorph in the series Bi6+xM1−xP2O15+y

Bi_6.4Pb_0.6P₂O_15.2 is a polymorph of structures with the general stoichiometry Bi_6+xM_1−xP₂O_15+y. However, unlike previously published structures that consist of layers formed by edge sharing OBi₄ tetrahedra bridged by PO₄ and TO₆ (T=transition metal) tetrahedra and octahedra the title compound's structure is more complex. It is monoclinic, C2, a=19.4698(4) Å, b=11.3692(3) Å, c=16.3809(5) Å, β=101.167(1)°, Z=10. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were refined by least squares on F² converging to R₁=0.0387, wR₂=0.0836 for 7023 intensities. The crystal twins by mirror reflection across (001) as the twin plane and twin component 1 equals 0.74(1). Oxygen ions are in tetrahedral coordination to four metal ions and the O(BiPb)₄ units share corners to form layers that are part of the three-dimensional framework. Eight oxygen ions form a cube around the two crystallographically independent Pb ions. Pb-O bond lengths vary from 2.265(14) to 2.869(14) Å. Pairs of such cubes share an edge to form a Pb₃O₂₀ unit. The two oxygen ions from the unshared edges are part of irregular Bi polyhedra. Other oxygen ions of Bi polyhedra are part only of O(BiPb)₄ units, and some oxygen ions of the polyhedra are also part of PO₄ tetrahedra. One, two, three and or four PO₄ moieties are connected to the Bi polyhedra. Bi-O bond lengths ?3.1 Å vary from 2.090(12) to 3.07(3) Å. The articulations of Pb cubes, Bi polyhedra and PO₄ tetrahedra link into the three-dimensional structure.     

Synthesis and characterization of La1+xSr2−xCoMnO7−δ (x=0,0.2; δ=0,1)

The n=2 Ruddlesden-Popper phases LaSr₂CoMnO₇ and La_1.2Sr_1.8CoMnO₇ have been synthesized by a sol-gel method. The O6-type phases LaSr₂CoMnO₆ and La_1.2Sr_1.8CoMnO₆ were produced by reduction of the O7 phases under a hydrogen atmosphere. The materials crystallize in the tetragonal I4/mmm space group with no evidence of long-range cation order in the neutron and electron diffraction data. Oxygen vacancies in the reduced materials are located primarily at the common apex of the double perovskite layers giving rise to square pyramidal coordination around cobalt and manganese ions. The oxidation states Co³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ and Co²⁺/Mn³⁺ predominate in the as-prepared and reduced materials, respectively. The materials are spin glasses at low temperature and the dominant magnetic interactions change from ferro- to antiferromagnetic following reduction.     

LnSrScO4 (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm) systems and structure correlations for A2BO4 (K2NiF4) structure types

The compounds LnSrScO₄, where Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, have been synthesized. Rietveld profile analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data collected at room temperature reveal that the compounds possess a modified K₂NiF₄-type structure with orthorhombic cell symmetry formed by tilting of the ScO₆ octahedra. Variable temperature (25-1200 °C) powder X-ray diffraction data show that at the highest temperatures the structures of LaSrScO₄ and PrSrScO₄ transform to the regular tetragonal K₂NiF₄-structure type but the degree of orthorhombicity (c/a) in the unit cells initially increases on heating for all materials, reaching a maximum near 300 °C. This structural behavior is analyzed in terms of relative ionic radii of the various lanthanides and scandium. A general structural model based on tolerance factors has been developed for the family of materials A₂BO₄ with various A and B cation sizes.     

Phase transitions in A-site substituted perovskite compounds: The (Ca1-2xNaxLax)TiO3 (0?x?0.5) solid solution

The (Ca_1-2xNa_xLa_x)TiO₃ (0?x?0.5) A-site substituted perovskite compounds have been synthesized and characterized by XRD and Raman spectroscopy at room temperature. The XRD powder diffraction study suggests that the end-member Na_1/2La_1/2TiO₃ crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4/mcm. The phase transition from Pbnm to I4/mcm is located between x=0.34 and 0.39 and is driven by the variation of ionic radii at the A-site. The observed Raman modes are in agreement with group theory analysis, and the relationships between the behavior of structural parameters (e.g. Ti-O-Ti bond angle), indicated by long-range order, and the corresponding Raman frequency shifts and intensity evolution, indicated by short-range order, are established and discussed in terms of the radius effect and the mass effect.     

An Electron Diffraction and XRPD Study of Superlattice Ordering in the Elpasolite-Related Oxyfluoride K3MoO3F3

A detailed electron diffraction and XRPD study has been made of the room-temperature α polymorph of K₃MoO₃F₃. It is shown that the true symmetry of this polymorph is neither tetragonal, trigonal, nor triclinic as previously reported but rather monoclinic I1a1, a=2a_p−c_p, b=4b_p, c=a_p+2c_p when expressed in terms of the underlying elpasolite (ordered perovskite) parent structure type. A highly structured, three-dimensional, continuous diffuse intensity distribution (presumably arising from local O/F ordering and associated structural relaxation) is shown to coexist with the sharp satellite reflections characteristic of the monoclinic supercell.     

Synthesis and characterization of the K2NiF4 phases La1+xSr1−xCo0.5Fe0.5O4−δ (x=0, 0.2)

The K₂NiF₄ phases LaSrCo_0.5Fe_0.5O₄ and La_1.2Sr_0.8Co_0.5Fe_0.5O₄, and their reduced forms LaSrCo_0.5Fe_0.5O_3.75 and La_1.2Sr_0.8Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_3.85, have been successfully prepared by solid-state reactions, followed by reduction in 10% H₂/N₂ in order to produce oxygen-deficient materials. All materials crystallize in a tetragonal K₂NiF₄ structure (space group I4/mmm) with Co and Fe randomly distributed over the B-sites of the structure. Mössbauer spectra have confirmed the trivalent state of Fe in these materials. In the reduced materials, oxide ion vacancies are confined to the equatorial planes of the K₂NiF₄ structure and the Co is present almost entirely as Co²⁺ ions; low-temperature neutron powder diffraction data reveal that these reduced phases are antiferromagnetically ordered with a tetragonal noncollinear arrangement of the moments. The Co³⁺ ions, present in stoichiometric LaSrCo_0.5Fe_0.5O₄ and La_1.2Sr_0.8Co_0.5Fe_0.5O₄, inhibit magnetic order and are assumed to be in the low-spin state.     

Are Ionic Stokes Radii of Any Use?

The derivation of ionic Stokes radii, r _iSt, from ion mobilities (conductivities ?? _i ^?? ) and their relation to the actual ionic radii, of the bare or the hydrated ions, is followed through the years. It is concluded that such quantities as r _iSt do not convey any useful information beyond what is already available in the ?? _i ^?? , and in particular that the r _iSt should not be used for the estimation of solvation numbers. The concept of a Stokes radius of ions that are smaller than or commensurate with molecules of the solvent should be scrapped altogether.     

Effect of intercalation of metal ions on the colloidal and solid properties of vanadium pentaoxide hydrate,V2O5 nH2O

The colloidal stability of V₂O₅ nH₂O was studied on the basis of the measurements of critical flocculation concentration (CFC) by metal ions, amount of ions exchanged (or intercalated), and -potential. In total, the CFC values obeyed the Schulze Hardy law and strong Hofmeister's series was found in the systems including alkaline ions. The sequence of colloidal stability of V₂O₅ nH₂O in the electrolyte solutions was related to the intercalation of metal ions in the interlayer spaces of the solid. The largest CFC value for Li⁺ (87 mmol dm^–3) was explained by smaller affinity of Li⁺ to be intercalated in V₂O₅ nH₂O as well as smaller Hamaker constant of the intercalated solid compared to the other systems.Effect of intercalation of metal ions on the crystalline properties of the materials was measured by use of XRD and electron microscope. Under highly dehydrated condition the ions whose radii are smaller than 0.1 nm are captured in the structure of V₂O₅ nH₂O without changing interlayer distances, while those larger than 0.1 nm increase the interlayer distance. In a saturated H₂O vapor interlayer distances increased with increasing charge of intercalated ions. However, when intercalated with ions carrying the same valency the interlayer distances of the sample decreased with decrease in the hydration property of ions. Hydrolyzable Cr³⁺ gave exceptionally larger interlayer distances, both in a vacuum and in H₂O vapor.     

Molybdenum Substitution for Improving the Charge Compensation and Activity of Li2MnO3

Lithium‐rich layer‐structured oxides xLi₂MnO₃? (1?x)LiMO₂ (0<x<1, M=Mn, Ni, Co, etc.) are interesting and potential cathode materials for high energy‐density lithium ion batteries. However, the characteristic charge compensation contributed by O^2? in Li₂MnO₃ leads to the evolution of oxygen during the initial Li⁺ ion extraction at high voltage and voltage fading in subsequent cycling, resulting in a safety hazard and poor cycling performance of the battery. Molybdenum substitution was performed in this work to provide another electron donor and to enhance the electrochemical activity of Li₂MnO₃‐based cathode materials. X‐ray diffraction and adsorption studies indicated that Mo⁵⁺ substitution expands the unit cell in the crystal lattice and weakens the Li?O and Mn?O bonds, as well as enhancing the activity of Li₂MnO₃ by lowering its delithiation potential and suppressing the release of oxygen. In addition, the chemical environment of O^2? ions in molybdenum‐substituted Li₂MnO₃ is more reversible than in the unsubstituted sample during cycling. Therefore molybdenum substitution is expected to improve the performances of the Li₂MnO₃‐based lithium‐rich cathode materials.     

Synthesis and visible light photocatalysis of Fe-doped TiO2 mesoporous layers deposited on hollow glass microbeads

Nano-composite of Fe-doped anatase TiO₂ nanocrystals loaded on the hollow glass microbeads was prepared by co-thermal hydrolysis deposition and calcining treatment. The adherence of TiO₂ mesoporous layers to the surfaces of hollow glass microbeads prevented the aggregation of TiO₂ nanoparticles and benefited to their catalytic activity. The doping of Fe ions makes the absorption edge of the TiO₂ based nano-composite red-shifted into the visible region. An effective photodegradation of the methyl orange aqueous solution was achieved under visible light (λ>420 nm) irradiation, revealing the potential applicability of such nano-composite in some industry fields, such as air and water purifications.     

Studies of Sb and Bi cluster produced by laser desorption

Direct production of cations and anions of metal clusters of Sb and Bi by laser evaporation in a vacuum has been studied. Bulk sample substrates are irradiated by 1064, 532 and 355 nm beams at variable intensity, and the ions produced are accelerated and identified by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. At 1064 nm, the cation distributions show that Sb ₃ ⁺ and Bi ₃ ⁺ are the most abundant species, while the monomer and dimer cations are almost non-existent. The anion spectra indicate very low yields of Sb^? and Bi^? with dominant dimer anion species. These patterns persist with laser power variation within the stable operation domain. With lower incident laser wavelength, the mass distributions are modified, favouring the production of the light cluster ions. In no circumstances were Sb and Bi ions withn>5 observed. Many of the observed phenomena can be explained if one assumes that for these elements, clusters withn<6 are formed on the substrate surface. Cluster ions are produced via a prompt desorption process, and are subjected to photon induced reactions due to the same incident laser beam. However, more detailed investigation of the desorption properties will be necessary to confirm such a desorption mechanism.     

Isolated Cobalt Ions Embedded in Magnesium Oxide Nanostructures: Spectroscopic Properties and Redox Activity

Atomic dispersion of dopants and control over their defect chemistry are central goals in the development of oxide nanoparticles for functional materials with dedicated electronic, optical or magnetic properties. We produced highly dispersed oxide nanocubes with atomic distribution of cobalt ions in substitutional sites of the MgO host lattice via metal organic chemical vapor synthesis. Vacuum annealing of the nanoparticle powders up to 1173 K has no effect on the shape of the individual particles and only leads to moderate particle coarsening. Such materials processing, however, gives rise to the electronic reduction of particle surfaces, which—upon O₂ admission—stabilize anionic oxygen radicals that are accessible to UV/Vis diffuse reflectance and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Multi-reference quantum chemical calculations show that the optical bands observed mainly originate from transitions into ⁴A_2g (⁴F), ⁴T_1g (⁴P) states with a contribution of transitions into ²T_1g, ²T_2g (²G) states through spin-orbit coupling and gain intensity through vibrational motion of the MgO lattice or the asymmetric ion field. Related nanostructures are a promising material system for single atomic site catalysis. At the same time, it represents an extremely valuable model system for the study of interfacial electron transfer processes that are key to nanoparticle chemistry and photochemistry at room temperature, and in heterogeneous catalysis.     

Determination of NH(3) gas by combination of nanosized LaCoO(3) converter with chemiluminescence detector

Combination of a novel NH₃ converter based on nanosized materials with chemiluminescence (CL) detector for the determination of NH₃ gas was demonstrated in this paper. NH₃ gas is oxidized on different nanosized catalysts to produce NO_x, which can react with luminol to generate CL emission. Eight nanosized materials were investigated as catalyst, and CL was detected from seven of them. The nanosized LaCoO₃ was chosen as the catalyst for preparing the converter because of its higher activity than others. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range of CL intensity versus concentration of NH₃ gas is 0.04-10 ppm (r=0.9951, n=14) with the detection limit of 0.014 ppm. The method offers advantages of long lifetime of the converter, fast response and high selectivity to NH₃. There was no response while the foreign substances, such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, formaldehyde, acetone and gasoline passing through the CL detection system, and the interference of CCl₄, ethanol, ethylene and toluene was insignificant.