High temperature phase transition in SOFC anodes based on Sr2MgMoO6−δ

The double perovskite Sr₂MgMoO_6−δ has been recently reported as an efficient anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In the present work, this material have been investigated by high temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and impedance spectroscopy to further characterise its properties as SOFC anode. DSC and XRD measurements indicate that Sr₂MgMoO_6−δ exhibits a reversible phase transition around 275 °C from triclinic () with an octahedral tilting distortion to cubic () without octahedral distortion. This phase transition is continuous with increasing temperature without any sudden cell volume change during the phase transformation. The main effect of the phase transformation is observed in the electrical conductivity with a change in the activation energy at low temperature. La³⁺ and Fe-substituted Sr₂MgMoO_6−δ phases were also investigated, however these materials are unstable under oxidising conditions due to phase segregations above 600 °C.     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and transport properties of strontium substituted lanthanum ferrite

This study presents an investigation of the properties of (La_0.6Sr_0.4)_0.99FeO_3-δ (LSF40) covering thermomechanical properties, oxygen nonstoichiometry and electronic and ionic conductivity. Finally, oxygen permeation experiments have been carried out and the oxygen flux has been determined as a function of temperature and driving force.The electrical conductivity was measured using a 4 probe method. It is shown that the electrical conductivity is a function of the charge carrier concentration only. The electron hole mobility is found to decrease with increasing charge carrier concentration in agreement with recent literature.Values of the chemical diffusion coefficient, D_Chem, and the surface exchange coefficient, k_Ex, have been determined using electrical conductivity relaxation. At D_Chem is determined to be with an activation energy of . The surface exchange coefficient is found to decrease with decreasing oxygen partial pressure.Oxygen permeation experiments were carried out. The flux through a membrane placed between air and wet hydrogen/nitrogen was (corresponding to an equivalent electrical current density of ). The oxygen permeation measurements are successfully interpreted based on the oxygen nonstoichiometry data and the determined transport parameters.     

Energetics of La1−xAxCrO3−δ perovskites (A=Ca or Sr)

A series of perovskites with the general formula La_1−xA_xCrO_3−δ (A=Ca or Sr) have been synthesized in the solid solution range 0.0<x?0.3 and 0.0?δ?0.5x with a variety of heat treatments. High-temperature drop solution calorimetry in molten 2PbO·B₂O₃ at 1080 K was performed to determine their enthalpies of formation from oxides at room temperature. The enthalpy of oxidation involved in the reaction is roughly independent of oxygen nonstoichiometry (δ) in each series with a given dopant composition, but varies with composition (x). The values change from −620±260 to −280±80 kJ/mol O₂ when x=0.1-0.3 for Ca-doped samples, and from −440±150 to −290±50 kJ/mol O₂ for Sr-doped ones. This dependence of enthalpy of oxidation on composition suggests oxygen vacancies are increasingly short-range ordered in reduced samples. The higher oxidation state of chromium is stabilized by the substitution of alkaline earth ions, but with increasing doping, the enthalpy of formation of the fully oxidized sample in both Ca and Sr-doped systems becomes more endothermic. This destabilization effect is attributed to the large endothermic enthalpy of oxygen vacancy formation (395±30 kJ/mol of ) for the reaction (A=Ca or Sr) that over-rides the exothermic enthalpies of oxidation. At a given composition, Sr-doped LaCrO₃ is more stable than its Ca-doped counterpart, which is consistent with basicity arguments.     

High resolution and in situ neutron powder diffraction study of the crystal structure and the stability of Ba4CaCu3O8+δ

The crystal structure and stability of Ba₄CaCu₃O_8+δ have been investigated by neutron powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry. It is found that the phase is not stable below 1065 K in p(O₂)=1 bar and decomposes according to the eutectoid reaction Ba₄CaCu₃O_8+δ+x O₂⇒Ba₂CuO_3.4+CaO+2BaCuO₂. However, the equilibrium with the outer gas is not reached for sintered ceramics so that Ba₄CaCu₃O_8+δ can be obtained in a metastable state after normal cooling conditions. In this case, the crystal structure is cubic (Im-3m, , δ=0.68, Z=2, R_wp=2.5%, R_Bragg=5.4%) as reported in the literature. In reduced oxygen partial pressure (p(O₂)<10⁻⁶ bar), Ba₄CaCu₃O_8+δ is stable down to room temperature and has a tetragonal structure with a significant lower oxygen content (P4/mmm, , , δ=-0.81, Z=2, R_wp=2.8%, R_Bragg=5.1%). The difference between the two crystal structures is discussed in terms of oxygen content, copper formal valence and cation coordination. The influence of the oxygen pressure on the stability of Ba₄CaCu₃O_8+δ is also discussed.     

Neutron diffraction and electrochemical studies on LiIrSn4

Large quantities of single phase, polycrystalline LiIrSn₄ have been synthesised from the elements by melting in sealed tantalum tubes and subsequent annealing. LiIrSn₄ crystallises with an ordered version of the PdGa₅ structure: I4/mcm, a=655.62(8), . The lithium atoms were clearly localised from a neutron powder diffraction study: R_P=0.147 and R_F=0.058. Time-dependent electrochemical polarisation techniques, i.e. coulometric titration, chronopotentiometry, chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry were used to study the kinetics of lithium ion diffusion in this stannide. The range of homogeneity (Li_1+ΔδIrSn₄, −0.091?δ?+0.012) without any structural change in the host structure and the chemical diffusion coefficient (∼10⁻⁷-10⁻⁹ cm²/s) point out that LiIrSn₄ is a first example of a large class of intermetallic compounds with lithium and electron mobility. Optimised materials from these ternary lithium alloys may be potential electrode material for rechargeable lithium batteries.     

High-pressure synthesis, crystal structures, and characterization of CdVO3−δ and solid solutions CdVO3-NaVO3

CdVO_3−δ and solid solutions of Cd_1−xNa_xVO₃ with the GdFeO₃-type perovskite structure were prepared using a high-pressure (6 GPa) and high-temperature technique. No significant oxygen and cation deficiency was found in CdVO₃. Cd_1−xNa_xVO₃ are formed in the compositional range of 0?x?0.2. CdVO₃ and Cd_1−xNa_xVO₃ demonstrate metallic conductivity and Pauli paramagnetism between 2 and 300 K. A large electronic contribution to the specific heat (γ=13.4 and ) for CdVO₃ and Cd_0.8Na_0.2VO₃, respectively) was observed at low temperatures due to the strongly correlated electrons. Crystal structures of CdVO₃ and Cd_0.8Na_0.2VO₃ were refined by X-ray powder diffraction: space group Pnma; Z=4; , , and for CdVO₃ and , , and for Cd_0.8Na_0.2VO₃.     

Synthesis and high-temperature thermoelectric properties of Ni and Ti substituted LaCoO3

The effect of Ti and Ni substitution in LaCoO_3−δ was investigated by means of electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient properties in a broad temperature range. The studied compounds crystallize in a rhombohedral crystal structure within the whole substitution range. The Seebeck coefficient of most of the studied compounds is positive indicating predominant hole-type charge carriers. The electrical resistivity decreases with increasing temperature for all compositions. Increasing the Ni content results in a decrease of the electrical resistivity, while the resistivity increases with increasing Ti content. The power factor, PF, for the Ni substituted samples is PF=1.42×10⁻⁴ W/m² K for x=0.10 at and decreases with temperature. The LaCo_1−xTi_xO_3±δ compounds reveal an enhancement of the power factor with increasing temperature. Ti substitution leads to a higher power factor compared to that of Ni substitution at .     

Defect generation of rutile-type SnO2 nanocondensates: Imperfect oriented attachment and phase transformation

The rutile-type SnO₂ nanocondensates as condensed by Nd-YAG laser ablation on Sn target under oxygen background gas were characterized by analytical electron microscopy to have {110}, {100} and {101} facets, which are beneficial for {∼hkl} vicinal attachment to form edge dislocations, faults and twinned bicrystals. The {011}-interface relaxation, by shearing along 〈011〉 directions, accounts for a rather high density of edge dislocations near the twin boundary thus formed. The rutile-type SnO₂ could be alternatively transformed from orthorhombic CaCl₂-type structure (denoted as o) following parallel crystallographic relationship, ()_r//()_o; [111]_r//[111]_o, and full of commensurate superstructures and twins parallel to (011) of both phases.     

Ba3Fe2WO9−δ: Effect of oxygen non-stoichiometry on structural and magnetic properties

The magnetic and structural properties of oxygen-deficient perovskites with composition Ba₃Fe₂WO_9−δ (BFWO) have been systematically studied for two different oxygen contents corresponding to δ=0.00 and 0.55 in the chemical formula in order to determine and correlate their chemical composition, structural and magnetic properties. The evolution of nuclear and magnetic structures with temperature has been investigated by neutron powder diffraction. It was shown that at room temperature the stoichiometric compound (δ=0.00) adopts a hexagonal 6H-perovskite structure (space group P6₃/mmc). This phase, when heated at high temperature under a stream of Ar gas, transforms to an oxygen-deficient phase δ=0.55), which is an ordered cubic perovskite structure (space group Fm-3m). The crystallographic and magnetic properties of the obtained phases are compared, and it is clear that the magnetic properties are significantly affected by oxygen non-stoichiometry. These changes of magnetic properties for such a slight decrease in oxygen content are interpreted as a result of structural transformations. Together with the experimental results based on neutron powder diffraction data a discussion of some aspects of the structural transformation () is presented.     

Ca6.3Mn3Ga4.4Al1.3O18—A novel complex oxide with 3D tetrahedral framework

A new Ca_6.3Mn₃Ga_4.4Al_1.3O₁₈ compound has been prepared by solid state reaction in a dynamic vacuum of 5×10⁻⁶ mbar at 1200 °C. The crystal structure of Ca_6.3Mn₃Ga_4.4Al_1.3O₁₈ was studied using X-ray powder diffraction (, SG F432, Z=8, R_I=0.031, R_P=0.068), electron diffraction and high resolution electron microscopy. The Ca_6.3Mn₃Ga_4.4Al_1.3O₁₈ structure can be described as a tetrahedral [(Ga_0.59Mn_0.24Al_0.17)₁₅O₃₀]^18.24− framework stabilized with embedded [(Ca_0.9Mn_0.1)₁₄MnO₆]^18.24+ polycations, which consists of an isolated MnO₆ octahedron surrounded by a capped cube of (Ca_0.9Mn_0.1) atoms. The Ca_6.3Mn₃Ga_4.4Al_1.3O₁₈ structure is related to the structure of Ca₇Zn₃Al₅O_17.5, but appears to be significantly disordered due to the presence of two orientations of oxygen tetrahedra around the cationic 0,0,0 and x,x,x () positions in a random way according to the F432 space symmetry. The analogy between the Ca_6.3Mn₃Ga_4.4Al_1.3O₁₈ crystal structure and the structure of the “fullerenoid” Sr₃₃Bi_24+δAl₄₈O_141+3δ/2 oxide is discussed. Ca_6.3Mn₃Ga_4.4Al_1.3O₁₈ adopts a Curie-Weiss behavior of χ(T) above with a Weiss temperature and per formula unit. At lower temperatures, the χ(T) deviates from the Curie-Weiss law indicating a strengthening of the ferromagnetic component of the exchange interaction.     

The defect chemistry of La1−ΔMnO3+δ

The effects of oxygen reduction treatments on the magnetic properties of La-deficient manganites, La_1−ΔMnO_3+δ and Sr- and Ca-doped manganites, La_1−xM_xMnO_3+δ (M: Sr, Ca) have been investigated to confirm the contrasting oxygen reduction effects on the magnetization properties. It is found that oxygen reduction treatments in reduced oxygen pressures of 10³- for La_1−ΔMnO_3+δ result in a continuous change in the magnetization but the reduction treatments for La_1−xM_xMnO_3+δ result in a negligible change under the same reduction conditions. To interpret the contrasting behavior of the La-deficient manganites, several possible models have been discussed. Among the models, the most probable model is that vacancies generated by the La deficiency Δ are partially replaced by Δ₂(=Δ−Δ₁?Δ₁) Mn ions to give both La and Mn site vacancies according to the formula La_1−ΔV_ΔMnO_3+δ→{La_1−ΔMn_Δ2V_Δ1}{Mn_1−Δ2V_Δ2}O_3+δ. Details of thermodynamic basis of this model have been presented.     

Sr2/3Y1/3CoO8/3+δ: Transition from insulating antiferromagnet to metallic ferromagnet by control of the oxygen content

Magnetic and electronic properties of the oxygen deficient ordered perovskite, Sr_2/3Y_1/3CoO_8/3+δ, have been studied for two different oxygen contents corresponding to δ=0.00 and 0.04 in the chemical formula. For the former, at low temperature, the background state is antiferromagnetic insulating as expected from the presence of trivalent cobalt in the high spin-state. Remarkably, the more oxidized compound with a cobalt oxidation state of ≈3.08 is a ferromagnetic half-metal with Consistently, upon application of an external magnetic field, the spin-scattering reduction in the T_C vicinity is responsible for a weak negative magnetoresistance. These dramatic changes of the physical properties for such a slight increase of the cobalt oxidation state are interpreted as a result of the structural disordering created by the extra oxygens. The thermoelectric power measurements, showing a sign change of the Seebeck coefficient as the oxygen content increases, indicate that electrons moving in a metallic e_g band dominate the transport properties of the ferromagnetic and metallic compound. This suggests the existence of an orbital ordering in the pristine compound, related to an ordered array of CoO₄ tetrahedra, which can be collapsed by the presence of these extra oxygen anions.     

High pressure synthesis, crystal, magnetic structure and magnetotransport of SrFe0.5Co0.5O3−δ

A polycrystalline sample with SrFe_0.5Co_0.5O_3−δ stoichiometry has been prepared under moderate pressures of 2 GPa in the presence of KClO₄ as oxidizing agent. The crystallographic and magnetic structures have been studied from neutron powder diffraction (NPD), complemented with magnetotransport and magnetic susceptibility data. The study of the crystallographic structure confirms that this compound, with the actual stoichiometry SrFe_0.5Co_0.5O_2.88(3), is a simple cubic perovskite at 2 and 295 K, defined in the Pm-3m space group, where Fe and Co atoms are distributed at random over the B positions. The magnetic measurements show that SrFe_0.5Co_0.5O_2.88 is a ferromagnet with , which is also confirmed by neutron diffraction: the magnetic structure is collinear, characterized by a propagation vector k=0; the ordered magnetic moment values for the (Fe⁴⁺,Co⁴⁺) cations are 1.54(9) and 0.65(15) μ_B at T=2 and 295 K, respectively. Transport measurements show a semiconducting behaviour, and a negative magnetoresistance (MR) of −6.5% is observed at for .     

Crystal structure and characterization of Rb2Ca[B4O5(OH)4]2·8H2O

Dirubidium calcium tetraborate octahydrate, Rb₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O, was prepared by reaction of Rb-borate aqueous solution with CaCl₂ and it's structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell parameters, Z=4, The structure contains alternate layers of [B₄O₅(OH)₄]²⁻ polyanions separated by water molecules and Rb, Ca cations. The isolated [B₄O₅(OH)₄]²⁻ is constructed from two BO₃(OH) tetrahedron groups and two BO₂(OH) triangular groups joined at common oxygen atoms. The two BO₃(OH) tetrahedron groups are further linked by means of an oxygen bridge across the ring. The Ca²⁺ ion displays seven coordination, while the two non-equivalent Rb⁺ ions display nine and seven coordination, respectively. Infrared and Raman (4000-400 cm⁻¹) spectra of Rb₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O were recorded at room temperature and analyzed. Fundamental vibrational modes were identified and band assignments were made. The dehydration of this hydrated mixed borate occurs in one step and leads to an amorphous phase which undergoes a crystallization.     

Local structure and disorder in crystalline Pb9Al8O21

Crystalline Pb₉Al₈O₂₁ is a model compound for the structure of non-linear optical glasses containing lone-pair ions, and its structure has been investigated by neutron powder diffraction and total scattering, and ²⁷Al magic angle spinning NMR. Rietveld analysis (space group (No. 205), a=13.25221(4) Å) shows that some of the Pb and O sites have partial occupancies, due to lead volatilisation during sample preparation, and the non-stoichiometric sample composition is Pb_9−δAl₈O_21−δ with δ=0.54. The NMR measurements show evidence for a correlation between the chemical shift and the variance of the bond angles at the aluminium sites. The neutron total correlation function shows that the true average Al-O bond length is 0.8% longer than the apparent bond length determined by Rietveld refinement. The thermal variation in bond length is much smaller than the thermal variation in longer interatomic distances determined by Rietveld refinement. The total correlation function is consistent with an interpretation in which AlO₃ groups with an Al-O bond length of 1.651 Å occur as a result of the oxygen vacancies in the structure. The width of the tetrahedral Al-O peak in the correlation function for the crystal is very similar to that for lead aluminate glass, indicating that the extent of static disorder is very similar in the two phases.     

Enthalpies of dilution of aqueous Li2B4O7 solutions at 298.15 K and application of ion-interaction model

The enthalpies of dilution have been measured for aqueous Li₂B₄O₇ solutions from 0.0212 to 2.1530 mol kg⁻¹ at 298.15 K. The relative apparent molar enthalpies, L_?, and relative partial molar enthalpies of the solvent and solute, and were calculated. The thermodynamic properties of the complex aqueous solutions were represented with a modified Pitzer ion-interaction model.     

Oxygen partial pressure dependence of electrical conductivity in γ′-Bi2MoO6

The electrical conductivity of γ′-Bi₂MoO₆ was surveyed between 450 and 750 °C as a function of oxygen partial pressure, in the range 0.01-1 atm. A − power law dependence, consistent with a Frenkel defect model of doubly ionized oxygen vacancies and interstitials, is evidence for an n-type semiconductive component, with an optical band gap of 2.9 eV. The absence of this dependence is used to map the onset of dominant ionic conduction.     

Synthesis and characterization of a Ruddlesden-Popper compound: Sr3FeMoO7

A powder sample of Sr₃FeMoO₇ was synthesized by solid-state reaction in reduced atmosphere (5% H₂/Ar). At room temperature, Sr₃FeMoO₇ crystallizes in a typical Ruddlesden-Popper (n=2) structure in the space group I4/mmm, and . The structure refinement indicates that the Fe and Mo ions are randomly distributed in a single B-site with small fraction of B-site and oxygen vacancies. At low temperature, long-range magnetic interaction was observed. The antiferromagnetic magnetic interaction can be described with a large unit cell, and c_m=c_n, in the magnetic space group An′.     

Evidence of local defects in the oxygen excess apatite La9.67(SiO4)6O2.5 from high resolution neutron powder diffraction

From neutron diffraction data collected at 3 K on a powder of La_9.67(SiO₄)₆O_2.5 composition and a careful examination of the average structure, a model was proposed to explain the oxygen over-stoichiometry in the apatite structure. This model leads to realistic distances to neighbouring atoms. Moreover, it accounts perfectly for the maximum oxygen content observed in these materials. Up to 0.5 oxygen atom located at the vicinity of the 2a site (0, 0, ) would be shifted to a new interstitial position in the channel at (−0.01, 0.04, 0.06), creating a Frenkel defect, with the possibility of a maximum occupancy in this site equal to twice the Frenkel defect numbers. This structural model is in good agreement with the oxygen diffusion pathways recently proposed by Bechade et al. (2009) using computer modeling techniques. It supports preferred oxygen diffusion pathways via interstitial oxygen atoms and vacant sites along [0 0 1], close to the centre of the La(2)-O channels.