Structure determination, magnetic and optical properties of a new chromium(II) thioantimonate, [Cr((NH2CH2CH2)3N)]Sb4S7

The chromium(II) antimony(III) sulphide, [Cr((NH₂CH₂CH₂)₃N)]Sb₄S₇, was synthesised under solvothermal conditions from the reaction of Sb₂S₃, Cr and S dissolved in tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) at 438 K. The products were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, SQUID magnetometry and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The compound crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=7.9756(7), b=10.5191(9), c=25.880(2) Å and β=90.864(5)°. Alternating SbS₃³⁻ trigonal pyramids and Sb₃S₆³⁻ semi-cubes generate Sb₄S₇²⁻ chains which are directly bonded to Cr(tren)²⁺ pendant units. The effective magnetic moment of 4.94(6)μ_B shows a negligible orbital contribution, in agreement with expectations for Cr(II):d⁴ in a ⁵A ground state. The measured band gap of 2.14(3) eV is consistent with a correlation between optical band gap and framework density that is established from analysis of a wide range of antimony sulphides.     

Phase transitions and electrical properties of CsH(SO4)0.76(SeO4)0.24 mixed crystals

The study by X-ray diffraction, calorimetry, vibrational and impedance spectroscopy of CsH(SO₄)_0.76(SeO₄)_0.24 new solid solution is presented. Crystals of this composition undergo two phase transitions at T = 333 and 408 K. The last one at 408 K is a superionic-protonic transition (SPT) related to a rapid [HS(Se)O₄⁻] reorientation and fast H⁺ diffusion. A sudden jump in the conductivity plot confirms the presence of this transition. Above 408 K, this high temperature phase is characterized by high electrical conductivity (7 × 10^t-3 Ω⁻ cm⁻¹) and low activation energy (E_a < 0.3 eV).     

EPR evidence of local lattice mode in K3H(SO4)2 and Rb3H(SO4)2 fast-proton conductors

The observation of an anomalous temperature dependence of Mn²⁺ EPR spectra linewidth and nonaxial crystal-field parameter in K₃H(SO₄)₂ and Rb₃H(SO₄)₂ allows one to suggest the presence of “local mode” predicted by Yamada (Ferroelectrics 170 (1995) 23). The activation energy for this kind of excitation was found and equals 11.3 (0.5) and 7.4 (0.3) meV for Mn²⁺ doped K₃H(SO₄)₂ and Rb₃H(SO₄)₂, respectively.     

Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance studies of molecular motions of ClO3 and water diffusion in Ca(ClO3)2·2H2O

A ³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (³⁵Cl-NQR) investigation of polycrystalline Ca(ClO₃)₂·2H₂O is described. The ³⁵Cl-NQR frequencies (ν_Q) for two resonance lines (ν_Q1 and ν_Q2), the spin lattice relaxation time (T_1Q) for ν_Q2 only and the line width δν_Q2 were measured in the temperature range 292–345 K, except for the frequency measured up to 455 K. The observed decrease in the resonance frequencies with increasing temperature permitted the determination of the frequencies of librations of the ClO₃⁻ ion about two axes perpendicular to the three-fold axis of the ion mainly responsible for this effect. The temperature dependence of the relaxation time T_1Q proved the occurrence of water diffusion and hindered rotation of ClO₃⁻ ions. The activation energies of these two molecular motions were determined, and their effect on the electric field gradient at the site of a chlorine nucleus was discussed. Temperature measurements of the line width δν_Q2 confirmed the conclusions drawn from the analysis of T_1Q(T).     

Ionic conductivity of crystalline and glassy Mg4.5Na7(P2O7)4

In our work single crystals of Mg_4.5Na₇(P₂O₇)₄ were prepared, pulverized, pressed into pellets and sintered in order to measure the electrical conductivity of polycrystalline specimens. The conductivity was also measured on glassy specimens obtained by the melting of previously prepared crystals. The electrical conductivities at 25°C with values of the order of 10⁻¹⁶ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ for polycrystalline samples and a value of the order of 10⁻¹⁴ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ for glass, show that the glassy phase of Mg_4.5Na₇(P₂ because of its greater molar volume and loosely packed structure, is a better matrix for ionic motion.     

Measurement of the slope parameter for the neutral pion spectrum in KL → πππ decay

The π⁰ spectrum in the K_L⁰ → 3π decay was measured using a wire chambers magnetic spectrometer. In the usual approximation, the matrix element can be expressed as: M² ≈ 1 + 2a₀(M_K/M_π²)(2T_π⁰−T_π⁰max) + a₁(M_K²/M_π⁴)(2T_π⁰−T_π⁰max)². We obtained a₀ = −0.282 ± 0.011 and a₁ consistent with zero.     

Superconductivity due to charge transfer to the CuO2 sheet from the (Tl,Pb) O layer in Tl0.5Pb0.5Sr2−xNdxCuO5−δ

The superconductivity of Tl_0.5Pb_0.5Sr_2−xNd_xCuO_5−δ was observed for x ≥ 0.3, although the calculated Cu valence assuming Tl³⁺ and Pb⁴⁺ is slightly above or below 2.0. The binding energy of the Tl and Pb 4f core levels measured by XPS shifted to higher energy than those of Tl³⁺ and Pb⁴⁺ in the reference materials, showing that the Tl and Pb valences are lower than 3 + and 4 +, respectively. These observations strongly suggest that holes in the CuO₂ sheet are created by charge transfer from the (Tl,Pb)O layer, similar to the double-layered Tl---Ba cuprates.

In contrast, the temperature variation of electrical conductivity of Tl_0.5Pb_0.5Sr₂CuO_5−δ changed from metallic to semiconducting with increasing oxygen deficiency, δ, and no superconductivity was observed through any control of δ. Although XPS measurement also suggested that Tl and Pb valences lowered with increasing oxygen deficiency, δ, the reason why the system did not show superconductivity can be understood by the depletion of oxygen from the CuO₂ plane during deoxygenation.     

Phase formation and superconductivity in REBaSrCu3−x(PO4)xOy (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3)

Oxy-anion (PO₄³⁻) substituted phases of the composition REBaSrCu_2.8(PO₄)_0.2O_y have been synthesized. Single phase formation is achieved only for the larger rare earths (La → Ho and Y) and all the phases crystallize in the tetragonal 123 structure. IR studies confirm the presence of a phosphate group in the structure. The total oxygen content (including that associated with the oxy-anion PO₄³⁻) has been found to be in the range 7.01 to 7.10 per formula unit. Except for RE = La, Nd, Yb and Lu, all the phases exhibit superconductivity and the T_c,zero values vary from 18 to 38 K. The T_c,zero increases with decreasing size of RE³⁺. ErBaSrCu₃O₇ is multiphasic and single phase formation is achieved for the first time by phosphate substitution at the copper site. Single phase formation is encountered for x = 0.10 and 0.15 with T_c,zero values of 54 and 37 K respectively.     

Optical absorption of isotopically enriched Li2B4O7 single crystals irradiated by thermal neutrons

Induced absorption spectra in the range 200–900 nm at 77 and 290 K for Li₂B₄O₇ single crystals, isotopically Li and B enriched are presented after irradiation of these crystals by thermal neutrons with fluence 1.8×10¹⁶ cm⁻². The dependence of induced absorption spectra on the isotope composition was revealed: for ⁶Li₂¹⁰B₄O₇ and ⁷Li₂¹⁰B₄O₇ crystals intensive band in the region of 280–294 nm was observed. Under substitution of ⁷Li isotope by ⁶Li in the lithium tetraborate lattice no changes in the absorption spectra were observed. The nuclear reaction ¹⁰B(n,)⁷Li is proposed to be the main mechanism of formation of the radiation defects.     

Field induced flux pinning in Nd1+xBa2−xCu3O7−δ single crystal

The flux pinning behavior of a Nd_1+xBa_2−xCu₃O_7−δ (Nd123) single crystal, which exhibited a peak effect, has been studied by monitoring the time decay of the magnetic moment. The apparent pinning energy (U₀^*) was deduced from flux creep data on the basis of the Anderson-Kim model. The magnetic field dependence of U₀^* showed maxima at peak fields which depended on the temperatures, in a similar manner to those of critical current densities. In addition, the temperature dependence of U₀^* showed several features. To explain the increase in U₀^* with the field as well as its temperature and field dependence, we made a numerical calculation by introducing an additional pinning energy which increased with increasing field. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data, especially at temperatures above 60 K, where the contribution of field induced pinning centers is believed to be dominant.     

Preparation, characterization and oxide ion conductivity in U-substituted Bi4V2O11

A Bi₂V_{1 − x − y}U_xBi_yO_{5.5 + 0.5x − y} solid solution derived from Bi₄V₂O₁₁ has been prepared and characterized with x up to 0.125 for y = 0. Partial substitution of U⁶⁺ for V⁵⁺ in Bi₄V₂O₁₁ leads to the stabilization at room temperature of the high-oxide ion conducting γ-phase, in contrast with other M⁶⁺ dopants which stabilize the β-phase. The lower conductivity in U substituted system compared with BICUVOX.10 is attributed to its higher activation energy. Conductivity values and activation energies of the U substituted phases compare well with Bi₂UO₆.     

Interaction of copper and NO2: Effect of joint presence of SO2, relative humidity and temperature

This paper reports laboratory tests involving the dry deposition on copper surfaces of NO₂, alone and in combination with SO₂, at different concentrations (200 and 800 μg m⁻³), temperatures (15, 25 and 35 °C) and relative humidities (50%, 70% and 90%). Gravimetric results and characterisation of the corrosion products by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) show that the corrosive effect of NO₂ acting alone depends greatly on the RH. At 90% RH copper behaves in the same way as in unpolluted atmospheres, while at lower RH localised attack is detected. Analysis reveals the presence of basic copper nitrate (gerhardtite, Cu₂(OH)₃NO₃). However, in SO₂-polluted atmospheres no differential behaviour with RH or temperature is observed. In these atmospheres copper corrosion is similar to that obtained in unpolluted or in NO₂-polluted atmospheres at high RH, although GIXD detects basic copper sulphate (posnjakite, Cu₄(OH)₆SO₄·2H₂O). In the case of mixed atmospheres (SO₂+NO₂) a significant accelerating effect is observed when [NO₂]>[SO₂]. Otherwise an inhibitive effect is detected. At high RH in the presence of SO₂, NO₂ favours SO₂ oxidation and finally sulphuric acid formation, which attacks the cuprite layer. S-containing compounds, especially basic copper sulphate, are easily detected by GIXD and XPS in the outermost corrosion product layer. However, at low RH, NO₂ reacts preferentially with adsorbed water to produce nitrous and nitric acids that attack the cuprite layer. In this case, an outer corrosion product layer containing copper nitrite (soluble) and basic copper nitrate is formed over an intermediate layer that contains significant amounts of basic copper sulphate from the previous interaction of sulphuric acid and cuprite.     

Sr-doped LaInO3 and its possible application in a single layer SOFC

The effects of dopants on the electrical conductivity of the perovskite-type oxide LaInO₃ have been investigated. Replacement of La by Sr is the most effective way to enhance the conductivity of LaInO₃, whereas Ca substitution for In is rather difficult due to the large difference in the ion radii. The optimum composition is La_0.9Sr_0.1InO_3−δ whose maximum conductivity is 7.6×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 900°C. The electrical conductivity of La_0.9Sr_0.1InO_3−δ has been measured over a wide range of oxygen partial pressure from pO₂=1 to 10⁻²⁵ atm. P-type and n-type behavior at high and low oxygen partial pressure have been observed, respectively, while at intermediate oxygen partial pressures, the electrical conductivity changes only slightly with the oxygen partial pressure. The concept of a single layer solid oxide fuel cell based on a La_0.9Sr_0.1InO_3−δ ceramic pellet has been tested. A maximum power density of 3 mW cm⁻² at 800°C was achieved when dilute H₂ and air were used as fuel and oxidizing agent, respectively.     

Chemical effects of Ne bombardment on the MoS2(0001) surface studied by high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy

The effect of 1 keV Ne⁺ bombardment on the clean MoS₂(0001)-1 × 1 surface with fluences between 4 × 10¹⁴ and 4 × 10¹⁶ Ne⁺/cm² was studied using high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy excited with synchrotron radiation. Spectra of the Mo 3d and S 2p core levels were measured with photon energies that ensured that the kinetic energy of the photoelectrons was the same, resulting in the same depth being probed for both core levels. For lower fluences (i.e., 2 × 10¹⁵ Ne⁺/cm²), S vacancy defect formation occurs in the MoS₂ lattice, with the concurrent formation of a small amount (< 10%) of dispersed elemental molybdenum [Mo(0)]. For fluences greater than l × 10¹⁶ Ne⁺/cm², the Mo(0) is the predominant species in the surface region, while the remaining species consist of amorphous MoS_2−x and polysulfide species. Valence band spectra taken with photon energies of 152 and 225 eV were consistent with the core level results. The movement of the valence band maximum toward the Fermi level indicated the formation of a metallic surface region. Annealing the sample to temperatures up to 1000 K resulted in the formation of metallic Mo coexisting, in approximately equal amounts, with reformed MoS₂ in a surface with no long-range order as determined by LEED. Finally, a qualitative depth distribution of the chemical species present after Ne⁺ bombardment was determined by varying the photon energies used for the core level spectra. The results indicate that the preferential sputtering of sulfur over molybdenum occurs predominantly through a mechanism involving chemical bonding effects, specifically, through the preferential emission of polysulfide ions over other species in the bombarded region.     

Realization and properties of ramp-type YBa2Cu3O7−δ/Au/Nb junctions

All-thin-film ramp type Josephson junctions between YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ and Nb have been fabricated. This procedure allows connections between high-T_c and low-T_c superconductors at different crystal sides of the high-T_c superconductor on one chip, which is of great interest for novel phase devices. A thin Au layer is incorporated as a chemical barrier to avoid oxygen transfer from the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ to the Nb. Critical current densities up to 600 A/cm² are obtained at T=4.2 K, with typical R_nA values of 0.8 μΩ cm². The variation of the magnetic field dependence of the critical current with the angle between the junction barrier and the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ crystal axes is explained by considering a predominant d_x²−y² order parameter symmetry of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ. The successful fabrication of these junctions allows the implementation of novel superconducting electronics, such as complementary Josephson circuitry or proposed qubit concepts, using the unconventional order parameter symmetry of the high-T_c superconductor.     

Tuning the multiferroic properties of Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 by cationic substitution

A series of substituted lead iron niobate compounds with the general formula Pb²⁺_(1−x)A^Z_x(Fe_{{(1−(2−Z)x)/2}}Nb_{{(1+(2−Z)x)/2}})O₃ (0<x<0.6 and A=La³⁺, K⁺ or Sr²⁺) were prepared by a modified solid-state synthesis. The relative concentrations of Fe³⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ were adjusted to compensate the charge imbalance due to the aliovalent substitution. The dielectric constant and magnetic susceptibilities were studied as a function of temperature. The temperature of the dielectric maximum, T_M, of the substituted compounds decreased linearly with increasing concentration of the substituent ions. The magnetic measurements showed an antiferromagnetic transition at temperatures T_N1 due to the superexchange interactions mediated by Fe–O–Fe and an additional antiferromagnetic-type transition at T_N2. T_N1 linearly increased with the increasing concentration of Fe³⁺ ion at the B-site of ABO₃-type substituted compounds. T_M is shown to be directly dependent on the concentration of the ferroactive Nb⁵⁺ ions at the B-site and Pb²⁺ ions at the A-site.     

Fast ion-conduction in CuBr---Cu2MoO4---CuPO3 glasses

Cuprous ion-conducting glasses were prepared in the pseudoternary system CuBr---Cu₂MoO₄---CuPO₃. These glasses showed high-ion conductivities in the range of 10⁰ to 10⁻² Sm⁻¹ at room temperature. The conductivities at room temperature, σ₂₉₈, of the glasses were increased with an increase in the CuBr content of the glasses and the activation energy for conduction, E_a, were decreased with an increase in the CuBr content. The σ₂₉₈ of the glasses containing CuBr were slightly larger than those of the glasses containing CuI.     

Study on the superconducting composite material formation in the system Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x/Al-containing phases

Phase evolution in the Bi---Sr---Ca---Cu---Al---O system was studied. Two Al-containing phases BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z and (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ (x = 0.4 − 0.45) were determined to be chemically compatible with Bi_2.18Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+x (Bi-2212) at temperatures of the samples processing. The phase equilibria in the title system were investigated above the solidus temperature. The BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z was found to be in equilibrium only with the melt and the (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ phase. This latter aluminate equilibrated with Ca,Sr cuprates, CaO, the Cu-free phase, and the liquid. The melting and solidification in Bi-2212, doped with the aluminate, corresponded to the reversible reaction Bi-2212 + BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z ↔ (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ + liquid. Two sets of superconducting composite materials with initial compositions Bi-2212 + nBiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z and Bi-2212 + m(Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ were prepared by solidification from the partial melt. The former material was composed mostly of large Bi-2212 lamellas separated by the BiSr_1.5Ca_0.5Al₂O_z phase, which destroyed superconducting links between Bi-2212 grains. The latter material consisted of a Bi-2212 polycrystalline matrix with high concentration of small (ca. 3 μm) grains of (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ imbedded in Bi-2212 lamellas. The Bi-2212 + m(Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Al₂O₆ materials displayed a trend to enhance flux pinning at T = 60 K with the increase of aluminate phase content.     

Splitting of the near infrared absorption bands of Sm in POCl3:SnCl4, POCl3:ZrCl4 and POCl3:TiCl4

The near infrared absorption spectra of Sm³⁺ in POCl₃:SnCl₄, POCl₃:ZrCl₄ and POCl₃:TiCl₄ consist of a series of bands, attributed to the ⁶H_5/2 → ⁶F_J transitions. Each one of these absorption bands is split into three components. The extent of splitting differs slightly from state to state. For each component of the ⁶F-multiplet the splitting decreases gradually from POCl₃:SnCl₄ to POCl₃:ZrCl₄ and POCl₃:TiCl₄. Energy differences between adjacent components of the near infrared absorption bands vary from a maximum of 166 cm⁻¹ to a minimum of 123 cm⁻¹. The band half-widths of the corresponding components vary from 86 to 120 cm⁻¹. At lower temperatures the intensity of the high energy component increases whereas the intensity of the entire absorption band envelope, associated with each component of the ⁶F-multiplet, remains almost constant. The splitting observed is attributed to the Stark splitting of the ⁶H_5/2-state of Sm³⁺ into three components, in conjunction with appropriate Stark splitting of the states of the ⁶F-multiplet.     

Material design of new lithium ionic conductor, thio-LISICON, in the Li2S–P2S5 system

A new lithium ionic conductor of the thio-LISICON (LIthium SuperIonic CONductor) family was found in the binary Li₂S–P₂S₅ system; the new solid solution with the composition range 0.0≤x≤0.27 in Li_3+5xP_1−xS₄ was synthesized at 700 °C and characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements. Its electrical and electrochemical properties were studied by ac impedance and cyclic voltammetry measurements, respectively. The solid solution member at x=0.065 in Li_3+5xP_1−xS₄ showed the highest conductivity value of 1.5×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 27 °C with negligible electronic conductivity and the activation energy of 22 kJ mol⁻¹ which is characteristic of high ionic conduction state. The extra lithium ions in Li₃PS₄ created by partial substitution of P⁵⁺ for Li⁺ led to the large increase in ionic conductivity. In the solid solution range examined, the minimum conductivity was obtained for the compositions, Li₃PS₄ (x=0.0 in Li_3+5xP_1−xS₄) and Li₄P_0.8S₄ (x=0.2 in Li_3+5xP_1−xS₄); this conductivity behavior is similar to other thio-LISICON family with the general formula, Li_xM_1−yM_y′S₄ (M=Si, Ge, and M′=P, Al, Zn, Ga, Sb). Conduction mechanism and the material design concepts are discussed based on the conduction behavior and the structure considerations.