Crystal structure and electrical conductivity of lanthanum-calcium chromites-titanates La1−xCaxCr1−yTiyO3−δ (x=0-1, y=0-1)

Five series of perovskite-type compounds in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ with the nominal compositions y=0, x=0-0.5; y=0.2, x=0.2-0.8; y=0.5, x=0.5-1.0; y=0.8, x=0.6-1.0 and y=1, x=0.8-1 were synthesized by a ceramic technique in air (final heating 1350 °C). On the basis of the X-ray analysis of the samples with (Ca/Ti)?1, the phase diagram of the CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃-CaCr^IVO₃ quasi-ternary system was constructed. Extended solid solution with a wide homogeneity range is formed in the quasi-ternary system CaCr^IVO₃-CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃. The solid solution La_{(1−x′−y)}Ca_(x′+y)Cr^IV_x′Cr^III_{(1−x′−y)}Ti_yO₃ exists by up to 0.6-0.7 mol fractions of CaCr^IVO₃ (x^′<0.6-0.7) at the experimental conditions. The crystal structure of the compounds is orthorhombic in the space group Pbnm at room temperature. The lattice parameters and the average interatomic distances of the samples within the solid solution ranges decrease uniformly with increasing Ca content. Outside the quasi-ternary system, the nominal compositions La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃, La_0.2Ca_0.8TiO₃, La_0.4Ca_0.6Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ and La_0.3Ca_0.7Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ were found as single phases with an orthorhombic structure. In the temperature range between 850 and 1000 °C, the synthesized single-phase compositions are stable at pO₂=6×10⁻¹⁶-0.21×10⁵ Pa. Oxygen stoichiometry and electrical conductivity of the separate compounds were investigated as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The chemical stability of these oxides with respect to oxygen release during thermal dissociation decreases with increasing Ca-content. At 900 °C and oxygen partial pressure 1×10⁻¹⁵-0.21×10⁵ Pa, the compounds with x>y (acceptor doped) are p-type semiconductors and those with x<y (donor doped) and x=y are n-type semiconductors. The type and level of electrical conductivity are functions of the concentration ratios of cations occupying the B-sites of the perovskite structures: [Cr³⁺]/[Cr⁴⁺] and [Ti⁴⁺]/[Ti³⁺]. The maximum electrical conductivity at 900 °C and pO₂=10⁻¹⁵ Pa was found for the composition La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃ (near 50 S/cm) and in air at 900 °C for La_0.5Ca_0.5CrO₃ (close to 100 S/cm).     

Novel powellite-based red-emitting phosphors: CaLa1−xNbMoO8:xEu for white light emitting diodes

We report the photoluminescence properties of a novel powellite-based red-emitting phosphor material: CaLa_1−xNbMoO₈:xEu³⁺ (0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1) for the first time. The photoluminescence investigations indicated that CaLa_1−xNbMoO₈:xEu³⁺ emits strong red light at 615 nm originating from ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ (electric dipole transition) under excitation either into the ⁵L₀ state with 394 nm or the ⁵D₂ state with 464 nm, that correspond to the two popular emission lines from near-UV and blue LED chips, respectively. When compared with emission intensity from a CaMoO₄:Eu³⁺, the emission from CaLaNbMoO₈:Eu³⁺ showed greater intensity values under the same excitation wavelength (394 nm). The enhanced red emission is attributed to the enhanced f-f absorption of Eu³⁺. These materials could be promising red phosphors for use in generating white light in phosphor-converted white light emitting diodes (WLEDs).     

Visible light-sensitive yellow TiO2−xNx and Fe-N co-doped Ti1−yFeyO2−xNx anatase photocatalysts

Nitrogen substituted yellow colored anatase TiO_2−xN_x and Fe-N co-doped Ti_1−yFe_yO_2−xN_x have been easily synthesized by novel hydrazine method. White anatase TiO_2−δ and N/Fe-N-doped samples are semiconducting and the presence of ESR signals at g ∼1.994-2.0025 supports the oxygen vacancy and g∼4.3 indicates Fe³⁺ in the lattice. TiO_2−xN_x has higher conductivity than TiO_2−x and Fe/Fe-N-doped anatase and the UV absorption edge of white TiO_2−x extends in the visible region in N, Fe and Fe-N co-doped TiO₂, which show, respectively, two band gaps at ∼3.25/2.63, ∼3.31/2.44 and 2.8/2.44 eV. An activation energy of ∼1.8 eV is observed in Arrhenius log resistivity vs. 1/T plots for all samples. All TiO₂ and Fe-doped TiO₂ show low 2-propanol photodegradation activity but have significant NO photodestruction capability, both in UV and visible regions, while standard Degussa P-25 is incapable in destroying NO in the visible region The mid-gap levels that these N and Fe-N-doped TiO₂ consist may cause this discrepancy in their photocatalytic activities.     

Thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline La1−xSrxCoO3

Thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline La_1−xSr_xCoO₃, where Sr²⁺ is substituted in La³⁺ site in perovskite-type LaCoO₃, have been investigated. Sr-doping increases the electrical conductivity (σ) of La_1−xSr_xCoO₃, and also decreases the Seebeck coefficient (S) for 0.01?x?0.40. A Hall coefficient measurement reveals that the increase in electrical conductivity arises from increases in both carrier concentration and the Hall mobility. The decrease in the Seebeck coefficient is caused by a decrease in carrier effective mass as well as increase in carrier concentration. The highest power factor (σS²) is 3.7×10⁻⁴ W m⁻¹ K⁻² at 250 K for x=0.10. The thermal conductivity (κ) is about 2 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 300 K for 0?x?0.04, and increases for x?0.05 because of an increase in heat transport by conductive carrier. The thermoelectric properties of La_1−xSr_xCoO₃ are improved by Sr-doping, and the figure of merit (Z=σS² κ⁻¹) reaches 1.6×10⁻⁴ K⁻¹ for x=0.06 at 300 K (ZT=0.048). For heavily Sr-doped samples, the thermoelectric properties diminish mainly because of the decrease in the Seebeck coefficient and the increase in thermal conductivity.     

Mixed conductivity and Mössbauer spectra of (La0.5Sr0.5)1−xFe1−yAlyO3−δ (x=0-0.05, y=0-0.30)

Aluminum incorporation in the rhombohedrally distorted perovskite lattice of (La_0.5Sr_0.5)_1−xFe_1−yAl_yO_3−δ (x=0-0.05, y=0-0.30) decreases the unit cell volume and partial ionic and p-type electronic conductivities, while the oxygen nonstoichiometry and thermal expansion at 900-1200 K increase on doping. The creation of A-site cation vacancies has an opposite effect on the transport properties of Al-substituted ceramics. The maximum A-site deficiency tolerated by the (La,Sr)(Fe,Al)O_3−δ structure is however limited, close to 3-4%. The Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed progressive localization of electron holes and a mixed charge-compensation mechanism, which results in higher average oxidation state of iron when Al³⁺ concentration increases. The average thermal expansion coefficients of (La_0.5Sr_0.5)_1−xFe_1−yAl_yO_3−δ are (12.2-13.0)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 300-900 K and (20.1-30.0)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 900-1200 K in air. The steady-state oxygen permeability (OP) of dense Al-containing membranes is determined mainly by the bulk ionic conductivity. The ion transference numbers at 973-1223 K in air, calculated from the oxygen permeation and faradaic efficiency (FE) data, vary in the range 1×10⁻⁴-3×10⁻³, increasing with temperature.     

Luminescent and structural properties of the series Ba6−xEuxTi2+xTa8−xO30 and Ba4−yKyEu2Ti4−yTa6+yO30

The series Ba_6−xEu_xTi_2+xTa_8−xO₃₀ and Ba_4−yK_yEu₂Ti_4−yTa_6+yO₃₀ have been synthesized at 1400°C in air. They exhibit efficient excitation at about 400 nm and typical emission of Eu³⁺ at about 580-620 nm, form solid solutions within 0.0?x?2.0 and 0?y?4 respectively, and crystallized in P4/mbm at room temperature with Eu atoms occupied at centrosymmetric site (0, 0, 0). Their conductivity is very low (2.8×10⁻⁶ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 740°C for Ba₆Ti₂Ta₈O₃₀).     

Structure and phase composition of nanocrystalline Ce1−xLuxO2−y

The microstructure and phase stability of nanocrystalline mixed oxide Lu_xCe_1−xO_2−y (x=0-1) are described. Nano-sized (3-4 nm) oxide particles were prepared by the reverse microemulsion method. Morphological and structural changes upon heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and Yb³⁺ emission spectroscopy, the latter ion being present as an impurity in the Lu₂O₃ starting material. Up to 950 °C, the samples were single phase, with structure changing smoothly with Lu content from fluorite type (F) to bixbyite type (C). For the samples heated at 1100 °C phase separation into coexisting F- and C-type structures was observed for 0.35<x<0.7. It was also found that addition of Lu strongly hinders the crystallite growth of ceria during heat treatment at 800 and 950 °C.     

Solution precursor synthesis and magnetic properties of Eu1−xCaxTiO3

Europium titanate, EuTiO₃, is a paraelectric/antiferromagnetic cubic perovskite with T_N=5.5 K. It is predicted that compressive strain could induce simultaneous ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism in this material, leading to multiferroic behavior. As an alternative to epitaxial strain, we explored lattice contraction via chemical substitution of Eu²⁺ with the smaller Ca²⁺ cation as a mechanism to tune the magnetic properties of EuTiO₃. A modified sol-gel process was used to form homogeneously mixed precursors containing Eu³⁺, Ca²⁺, and Ti⁴⁺, and reductive annealing was used to transform these precursors into crystalline powders of Eu_1−xCa_xTiO₃ with x=0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.80, and 1.00. Powder XRD data indicated that a continuous Eu_1−xCa_xTiO₃ solid solution was readily accessible, and the lattice constants agreed well with those predicted by Vegard's law. SEM imaging and EDS element mapping indicated a homogeneous distribution of Eu, Ca, and Ti throughout the polycrystalline sample, and the actual Eu:Ca ratio agreed well with the nominal stoichiometry. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility vs. temperature indicated antiferromagnetic ordering in samples with x≤0.60, with T_N decreasing from 5.4 K in EuTiO₃ to 2.6 K in Eu_0.40Ca_0.60TiO₃. No antiferromagnetic ordering above 1.8 K was detected in samples with x>0.60.     

Oxygen permeability, thermal expansion and mixed conductivity of GdxCe0.8−xPr0.2O2−δ, x=0, 0.15, 0.2

The non-linear thermal expansion behaviour observed in Ce_1−yPr_yO_2−δ materials can be substantially controlled by Gd substitution. Coulometric titration shows that the charge compensation mechanism changes with increasing x, in the system Gd_xCe_0.8−xPr_0.2O_2−δ. For x=0.15, charge compensation is by vacancy formation and destabilises the presence of Pr⁴⁺. At x=0.2, further Gd substitution is charge compensated by additionally raising the oxidation state of Pr rather than solely the creation of further oxygen ion vacancies. Oxygen concentration cell e.m.f. measurements in an oxygen/air potential gradient show that increasing Gd content decreases ionic and electronic conductivities. Ion transference numbers measured under these conditions show a positive temperature dependence, with typical values t_o=0.90,0.98 and 0.80 for x=0,0.15 and 0.2, respectively, at 950 °C. These observations are discussed in terms of defect association. Oxygen permeation fluxes are limited by both bulk ambipolar conductivity and surface exchange. However, the composition dependent trends in permeability are shown to be dominated by ambipolar conductivities, and limited by the level of electronic conductivity. At the highest temperatures, oxygen permeability of composition x=0.2 approaches that of composition x=0, Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O_2−δ, with specific oxygen permeability values approximately 2×10⁻⁹ mol s⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 950 °C, but offering much better thermal expansion properties.     

(Mn1−xPbx)Pb10+ySb12−yS26−yCl4+yO, a new oxy-chloro-sulfide with ∼2 nm-spaced (Mn,Pb)Cl4 single chains within a waffle-type crystal structure

The new oxy-chloro-sulfide (Mn_1−xPb_x)Pb_10+ySb_12−yS_26−yCl_4+yO (x ∈ [0.2-0.3]; y ∈ [0.3-1.6]) was synthesized by dry way at 500-600 °C. A single crystal ∼Mn_0.7Pb_11.0Sb_11.3S_25.3Cl_4.7O indicates a monoclinic symmetry, space group C2/m, with a = 37.480(8), b = 4.1178(8), c = 18.167(4) Å, β = 106.37(3)°, V = 2690.2(9) Å³, Z = 2. Its crystal structure was determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, with a final R = 5.11%. Modular analysis of the crystal structure reveals a “waffle” architecture, where complex rods with lozenge section delimitate an internal channel filled by a single chain of (Mn_0.7Pb_0.3)Cl₆ octahedra connected by opposite edges. Minimal inter-chain distances are close to 18 Å. The rod wall, two-atom thick, presents, in alternation with S atoms, Pb or (Pb,Sb) cations with prismatic coordination in the internal atom layer, while the external atom layer is constituted exclusively by Sb cations with dissymmetric square pyramidal coordination. A (Pb,Sb)₂S₂ fragment connects two successive rods along (2 0 1) to form a waffle-type palissadic layer. The unique O position, half filled, presents the same environment than the isolated O positions in the oxy-sulfide Pb₁₄Sb₃₀S₅₄O₅, or oxy-chloro-sulfides Pb₁₈Sb₂₀S₄₆Cl₂O and (Cu,Ag)₂Pb₂₁Sb₂₃S₅₅ClO. This compound belongs to a pseudo-homologous series of chalcogenides with waffle structure, ordered according to the size of their lozenge shape channel. Such a complex senary compound of the oxy-chloro-sulfide type illustrates the structural competition between three cations, on one hand, and, on the other hand, three anions. This compound is of special interest regarding the 1D distribution of magnetic Mn²⁺ atoms at the ∼2 nm scale.     

Synthesis and properties of the Co7Se8−xSx and Ni7Se8−xSx solid solutions

We report the synthesis and elementary properties of the Co₇Se_8−xS_x (x=0-8) and Ni₇Se_8−xS_x (x=0-7) solid solutions. Both systems form a NiAs-type structure with metal vacancies. In general, the lattice parameters decrease with increasing x, but in the Ni₇Se_8−xS_x system c increases on going from x=5 to 7. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that all samples exhibit temperature-independent paramagnetism from 25-250 K. Samples within the Co₇Se_8−xS_x system, as well as Ni₇Se₈ and Ni₇SeS₇, were found to be poor metals with resistivities of ∼0.20 and ∼0.06 mΩ cm at 300 K, respectively. The Sommerfeld constant (γ) was determined from specific heat measurements to be ∼13 mJ/mol_CoK² and ∼7 mJ/mol_NiK² for Co₇Se_8−xS_x and Ni₇Se_8−xS_x, respectively.     

Structural and magnetic properties of pyrochlore solid solutions (Y,Lu)2Ti2−x(Nb,Ta)xO7±y

The synthesis and characterization of the pyrochlore solid solutions, Y₂Ti_2−xNb_xO_7−y, Lu₂Ti_2−xNb_xO_7−y, Y₂Ti_2−xTa_xO_7−y and Lu₂TiTaO_7−y (−0.4<y<0.5), is described. Synthesis at 1600 °C, and 10⁻⁵ Torr yields oxygen deficiency in all systems. All compounds are found to be paramagnetic and semiconducting, with the size of the local moments being less, in some cases substantially less, than the expected value for the number of nominally unpaired electrons present. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that all compounds can be fully oxidized while retaining the pyrochlore structure, yielding oxygen rich pyrochlores as white powders. Powder neutron diffraction of Y₂TiNbO₇-based samples was done. Refinement of the data for oxygen deficient Y₂TiNbO_6.76 indicates the presence of a distribution of oxygen over the 8b and 48f sites. Refinement of the data for oxygen rich Y₂TiNbO_7.5 shows these sites to be completely filled, with an additional half filling of the 8a site. The magnetic and TGA data strongly suggest a preference for a Ti³⁺/(Nb,Ta)⁵⁺ combination, as opposed to Ti⁴⁺/(Nb,Ta)⁴⁺, in this pyrochlore family. In addition, the evidence clearly points to Ti³⁺ as the source of the localized moments, with no evidence for localized Nb⁴⁺ moments.     

Solid-state synthesis, characterization and luminescent properties of Eu-doped gadolinium tungstate and molybdate phosphors: Gd(2−x)MO6:Eux (M=W, Mo)

Red phosphors gadolinium tungstate and molybdate with the formula Gd_(2−x)MO₆:Eu_x³⁺ (M=Mo, W) were successfully synthesized by the solid-state reaction at 900 and 1300 °C for 4 h, respectively. The products were characterized by an X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), TG-DSC, FT-IR, PL, UV-vis and SEM. Room-temperature photoluminescence indicated that the as-prepared Gd_(2−x)MO₆:Eu_x³⁺ (M=Mo, W) had a strong red emission, which is due to the characteristic transitions of Eu³⁺ (⁵D₀→⁷F_J, J=0, 1, 2, 3, 4) for these phosphors. Meanwhile, the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ is in the dominant position. The emission quantum efficiency of Eu³⁺ in the Gd_(2−x)MO₆:Eu_x³⁺ (M=Mo, W) system has been investigated. The XRD results indicate that both Gd₂WO₆ and Gd₂MoO₆ belong to the monoclinic system with space group C2/c [A. Bril, G. Blasse, J. Chem. Phys. 45 (1966) 2350-2356] and I2/a [A. Bril, G. Blasse, J. Chem. Phys. 45 (1966) 2350-2356], respectively. SEM images indicate that the shape of Gd_1.96WO₆:Eu_0.04³⁺ is aggregated small particles with a mean diameter of about 300 nm, and the shape of Gd_1.96MoO₆:Eu_0.04³⁺ is block-like structures.     

p-Type electron transport in La1−xSrxFeO3−δ at high temperatures

Electrical conductivity, thermopower and oxygen content were measured for La_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ (x=0.2, 0.5, 0.9) within the oxygen partial pressure range 10⁻⁴-0.5 atm and at temperatures 750-950 °C. The dominating charge carriers under these experimental conditions are electron holes. The results of oxygen nonstoichiometry measurements are used to estimate the concentration of holes and to analyze data on conductivity and thermopower. The changes in thermopower are described by the model assuming that the number of sites accessible for migration of holes is independent on oxygen content. The mobility of electron holes is calculated, and it is found to be virtually independent on temperature in the compositions with x<0.5 while compositions with x>0.5 exhibit thermally activated mobility and mobility values about 0.1 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ or smaller. It is suggested that the main contribution to the composition dependent variations in electron hole mobility are associated with Coulomb interactions at small x's, whereas at high degrees of doping the mobility of holes is most strongly affected by the increasing amount of oxygen vacancies.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of SrMn1−xGaxO3−δ (x=0-0.5) perovskites

We report the synthesis of SrMn_1−xGa_xO_3−δ perovskite compounds and describe the dependence of their phase stability and structural and physical properties over extended cation and oxygen composition ranges. Using special synthesis techniques derived from thermogravimetric measurements, we have extended the solubility limit of random substitution of Ga³⁺ for Mn in the cubic perovskite phase to x=0.5. In the cubic perovskite phase the maximum oxygen content is close to 3−x/2, which corresponds to 100% Mn⁴⁺. Maximally oxygenated solid solution compounds are found to order antiferromagnetically for x=0-0.4, with the transition temperature linearly decreasing as Ga content increases. Increasing the Ga content introduces frustration into the magnetic system and a spin-glass state is observed for SrMn_0.5Ga_0.5O_2.67(3) below 12 K. These properties are markedly different from the long-range antiferromagnetic order below 180 K observed for the layer-ordered compound Sr₂MnGaO_5.50 with nominally identical chemical composition.     

High-temperature neutron diffraction study of the cation ordered perovskites TbBaMn2O5+x and TbBaMn2O5.5−y

The miscibility of TbBaMn₂O_5+x and TbBaMn₂O_5.5−y has been investigated at 100-600 °C using in situ powder neutron diffraction. No miscibility is observed, and the two phases remain oxygen stoichiometric (x,y=0) at 600 °C. Structure refinement results show that neither material undergoes a phase transition in this temperature range. TbBaMn₂O₅ is Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ charge ordered and any charge melting transition is >600 °C. This symmetry-broken charge ordering is remarkably robust in comparison to that in other oxides.     

Oxygen ionic and electronic transport in apatite-type La10−x(Si,Al)6O26±δ

The main factor governing the oxygen ionic conductivity in apatite-type La_10−xSi_6−yAl_yO_{27−3x/2−y/2} (x=0-0.33; y=0.5-1.5) is the concentration of mobile interstitials determined by the total oxygen content. The ion transference numbers, measured by modified faradaic efficiency technique, vary in the range 0.9949-0.9997 in air and increase on reducing oxygen partial pressure due to decreasing p-type electronic conduction. The activation energies for ionic and hole transport are (56-67)±3 kJ/mol and (57-100)±8 kJ/mol, respectively. Increasing oxygen content leads to higher hole conduction in oxidizing atmospheres and promotes minor oxygen losses from the lattice when the oxygen pressure decreases, although the overall level of ionic conductivity is almost constant in the p(O₂) range from 50 kPa down to 10⁻¹⁶ Pa. Under reducing conditions at temperatures above 1100 K, silicon oxide volatilization from the surface layers of apatite ceramics results in a moderate decrease of the conductivity with time. This suggests that the operation of electrochemical cells with silicate-based solid electrolytes should be limited to the intermediate-temperature range, such as 800-1000 K, where the ionic transport in most-conductive apatite phases containing 26.50-26.75 oxygen atoms per unit formula is higher than that in stabilized zirconia. The average thermal expansion coefficients of apatite ceramics, calculated from dilatometric data in air, are (8.7-10.8)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 300-1300 K.     

Crystal structures of RPt3−xSi1−y(R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction

The crystal structures of ternary compounds RPt_3−xSi_1−y(R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) have been elucidated from X-ray single crystal CCD data. All compounds are isotypic and crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm. The general formula RPt_3−xSi_1−y arises from defects: x≈0.20, y≈0.14. The crystal structure of RPt_3−xSi_1−y can be considered as a packing of four types of building blocks which derive from the CePt₃B-type unit cell by various degrees of distortion and Pt, Si-defects.     

Phase segregation in the Gd1−xSrxFeO3−δ series

Gd_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ ferrites have been studied by means of X-ray powder diffraction in the whole composition range. Single-phase solid solution is found for x<0.09 and for x>0.63. At intermediate Sr content, phase segregation takes place. Compounds with x?0.05 crystallize in the orthorhombic structure, space group Pbnm. Oxygen-deficient Gd_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ with x?2/3 are cubic or nearly cubic. The oxygen vacancies stabilize the cubic phase for x=2/3 whereas highly oxidized samples show an orthorhombic distortion, which has not been observed earlier. Magnetic and electrical properties have been measured for the single-phase solid solutions. Gd_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ compounds with x?2/3 order antiferromagnetically below ∼100 K. In the paramagnetic region, their susceptibility follows the Curie-Weiss law in all but SrFeO_2.96 compound. These ferrites show semiconducting behavior in the electrical transport likely related to atomic disorder. We find that the conductivity activation energy becomes larger by increasing either the Gd content or the oxygen vacancies.     

Chemical shifts of atomic core levels and structure of K1−xTi1−xSbxOPO4, x=0-0.23, solid solutions

Antimony-doped K_1−xTi_1−xSb_xOPO₄, x=0.23, crystals have been prepared by spontaneous nucleation from the flux in the quaternary system K₂O-TiO₂-P₂O₅-Sb₂O₅. Crystal structure observation with TEM method reveals the presence of superstructure ordering. Core level electronic parameters have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Strong effect of Sb doping has been detected for inner shells of Ti⁴⁺ ions. Prominent decreasing of the binding energy difference Δ(O 1s-Ti 2p_3/2) correlates with the shortening of mean oxide bond length L(Ti−O) at x=0.23 that suggests increased ionicity of Ti−O bonds in K_1−xTi_1−xSb_xOPO₄ solid solutions.