Identification of the vapor phase species of (SN)x

A mass spectrometric study of the vapor phase species obtained by heating (SN)_x (polythiazyl), polymeric sulfur nitride, at 140°C utilizing direct (collision free) and indirect (multiple wall collisions) sampling is reported. The experiments show that depolymerization occurs and that the major neutral species in the vapor of (SN)_x is (SN)₄, possibly of bent chain structure. Evidence for a hydride impurity in the (SN)_x polymer has been obtained.     

Identification of the vapor phase species of brominated (SN)x

A mass spectrometric study of the vapor phase evolved from brominated (SN)_x is reported. This work identifies the major bromine-containing species in the vapor (SNBr_0.43)_x using electron impact and field ionization mass spectrometry.     

Electrical properties in the system (La1−xCax)CoO3 (0.1 ≦ x ≦ 0.5)

The electrical resistivity of (La_1?xCa_x)CoO₃ (0.1 ≦ x ≦ 0.5) was measured in the temperature range from 80 to 300K. Cobaltite with x ≦ 0.15 is a semiconductor, but the specimen with chemical composition 0.2 ≦ x ≦ 0.5 is metallic. The change of temperature dependence of electrical resistivity has a break point around T_c. The value of the logarithm of the specific electrical resistivity (log ?) at 300K has a minimum at x = 0.4, and this result is explained by the Zener double-exchange mechanism.     

Composition-controlled metal-insulator transitions and minimum metallic conductivity in the oxide systems LaNi1−xMxO3 (M = Cr,Mn, Fe,or Co)

The composition-controlled metal-insulator transition in the perovskite systems LaNi_1?xM_xO₃ (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co) has been investigated by transport measurements over the temperature range 12–300 K. These systems, which have critical electron densities (n_c) in the range (1–2) × 10²⁰ electrons cm^?3, exhibit sharp metal-insulator transitions at the base temperature. The corresponding minimum metallic conductivity (σ_min), separating the localized and itinerant electronic regimes, is of the order of 10² ohm^?1 cm^?1. Particular attention is paid to the idea of σ_min scaling with n_c, and our present results are compared with earlier studies of the metal-insulator transition in low (e.g., Ge:Sb) and high (e.g., metal-ammonia, supercritical Hg) electron-density systems. A link is established between the transport and magnetic properties of the title systems at the metal-insulator transition.     

Structure, Stoichiometry, and Properties of the Chimney-Ladder Phases Ru2Ge3+x (0<x<1)

The preparation and physical characterization of non-stoichiometric Ru₂Ge_3+x (0≤x≤1) are reported for the first time. The defect TiSi₂-type chimney-ladder structure is maintained for the full stoichiometry range. The resistivity of Ru₂Ge_3+x increases systematically with x from 300 mΩ cm, x=0 -3 Ω cm, x=1 at 300 K. The temperature dependence is consistent with a variable range-hopping mechanism for x≥0.6. The Seebeck coefficients of samples do not evolve simply with x. A low thermal conductivity (κ_{300 K}=0.03 W/K cm) suggests that Ru₂Ge₃ has some of the properties of a phonon-glass-electron-crystal. The low value of the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT=3.2×10⁻³ (T=300 K) calculated for Ru₂Ge₃ is due primarily to a low conductivity.     

Specific heat and phase diagram of nonstoichiometric ceria (CeO2−x)

The phase diagram for nonstoichiometric ceria, CeO_2?x, was determined from specific heat measurements in the temperature range 320–1200 K and composition range CeO₂CeO_1.72. Coexistence temperatures of three phases are found at 722, 736, 766, 913, and 1084 K. There is some indication for the existence of two other coexistence temperatures at 850 and at 880 K. The maximum of the miscibility gap occurs at T = 910 K and 2 ? x = 1.93. The phase diagram exhibits some phases in the homologous series Ce_nO_2n?2 with n = 7, 10, 11, and two phases at 2 ? x = 1.79 and 2 ? x = 1.808 not belonging to this series.     

Eu doping effects on structural and magnetic properties of (Sr2−xEux)FeMoO6 compounds

Double perovskite compounds (Sr_2−xEu_x)FeMoO₆ (0≤x≤0.3) were prepared by solid-state reaction at high temperature. Crystal structure, magnetic and transport properties of the compounds were investigated. The crystal structure of the compounds changes from an I4/m lattice to an Fm3¯m lattice around x=0.1. The unit-cell volume decreases with the doping level in both the I4/m lattice and the Fm3¯m lattice. The resistivity of the compounds shows a metal-semiconductor transition, and the transition temperature T_M-S increases with the doping level. However, Curie temperature (T_C) of the compounds exhibits a weak dependence on the doping level. The saturation magnetization (M_S) at 100 K varies almost linearly with the anti-site defect concentration and agrees well with the simple FIM model. In contrast to the Ce-, Pr-, Nd- and Sm-doped Sr₂FeMoO₆, the difference of M_S of (Sr_2−xEu_x)FeMoO₆ between 5 and 100 K indicates that the moment of Eu³⁺ is antiparellel to that of Fe³⁺ at low temperature.     

Correlation between structure and magnetic properties of Cd-substituted La0.7(Ca0.3−xCdx)MnO3 CMR manganites

Structural, electrical and magnetic properties of Cd-doped La_0.7(Ca_0.3−xCd_x)MnO₃ (0?x?0.3) manganites are presented. All compositions were indexed in the orthorhombic (Pnma) space group, except the Cd_0.3 sample, indexed as a combination of trigonal and orthorhombic (Pnma) space groups. Substitution of Ca by Cd has a strong influence on the magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of these compounds, continuously decreasing both the magnetic moment and the Curie temperature (from 3.5 μ_B and 270 K for the x=0 composition to 1.59 μ_B and 90 K for the fully doped x=0.3 one). Samples corresponding to x=0 and 0.1 show a semiconductor-metal transition at temperatures close to the Curie ones. The measured magnetoresistance change is about 49% at 270 K and 95% at 165 K for those samples, respectively. However, the x=0.2 and 0.3 compositions show insulating behaviour in the whole temperature range studied, with values of the magnetoresistance about 85% at 105 K and 74% at 90 K, respectively. The observed weakening of the double-exchange mechanism as the Cd doping level in these samples increases is discussed in terms of structural properties, cationic disorder and Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺content ratio.     

On the interchain interaction in the (SN)x polymer

The interchain interactions in the (SN)_x polymer are discussed on the basis of one-dimensional tight-binding SCF MO calculations of two chains of (SN)_x. We conclude that the interchain interaction in the (100) crystallographic plane is more significant than that in the ($\text{1}$02) plane in accordance with the previous result by Messmer and Salahub and that, from more quantitative analysis, these interactions are mainly caused by the shortest interchain SS coupling in both planes.     

Preparation and Mo¨ssbauer studies of (FeyNb1−y)1+xS2 compounds

The phase relations for iron niobium sulfides (Fe_yNb_1?y)_1+xS₂ have been examined by varying the partial pressure of sulfur at 950°C. While niobium is difficult to dissolve in iron sulfide, iron dissolves in niobium sulfide up to about 35% of the total metal sites. Iron niobium sulfide has the layered hexagonal type structure (2s-Nb_1+xS₂) with change in the lattice parameters depending on both the value of x and the amount of the iron dissolved. The Mo¨ssbauer spectra of sulfides with three different Fe/Nb ratios, 1/9(y =1/10), 1/4(y =1/5), and 1/2(y =1/3) were taken at 77 and 295 K. Each spectrum is composed of a quadrupole doublet which can be attributed to the Fe²⁺ ions in high spin state. The quadrupole splitting at 295 K decreases markedly with decrease in x which is related to change of the lattice parameters. Fe atoms cannot enter at random into all metal sites, and prefer to intercalate in the sites of partially filled layers. Possible models for the cation distribution in each metal layer are discussed.     

Synthesis,composition, and magnetic properties of the ferrimagnetic NdCu3−xMn4+xO12 perovskite-like phases

A magnetic oxide with composition close of NdCu₃Mn₄O₁₂ with a perovskite-related cubic structure ($\text{a ? 7.30}$ Å, space group Im3, Z = 2) has been synthesized by using either the high-pressure or the hydrothermal technique. The composition is strongly dependent on the synthesis conditions. A partial reduction of Mn⁴⁺ in the octahedral sites, resulting in a partial substitution of Cu²⁺ by Mn³⁺ in the Jahn-Teller sites, leads to the actual formula Nd(Cu²⁺_3?xMn³⁺_x)(Mn⁴⁺_3?xMn³⁺_1+x)O₁₂. For the compound synthesized at 650°C/2 kbar, the value of the substitution parameter x, as determined by neutron diffraction, is 0.32. For samples synthesized at higher temperatures, larger values of x are obtained. The compound is ferrimagnetic with Néel temperature of 390 K and a spontaneous magnetization of 93 emu/g at 4 K (52 emu/g at room temperature). For larger x values, magnetizations up to 118 emu/g at 4 K are obtained.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Physical Properties of LixMg0.857−xCu2.143O3−y

Solid solutions of Li-doped Mg_0.857Cu_2.143O₃ (Li_xMg_0.857−xCu_2.143O_3−y) were prepared at 950°C for 12 h in air by the solid-state method using Li₂CO₃, MgO and CuO powders. The solid solutions were obtained as the single α phase with the güggenite structure in 0≦x≦0.06 region. With the increasing of the Li content x, the lattice parameters a, b and unit cell volume V decreased, while c increased. On the basis of the charge neutrality, hole carrier estimated by the oxygen content increased with the Li substitution. The Seebeck coefficient at room temperature of x = 0.03 sample was +400 μV/K. The electrical resistivity ρ at room temperature drastically decreased with the increasing x. Temperature dependences of ρ for x = 0.01, 0.03 and 0.06 samples were semi-conductive behavior from room temperature to about 12 K. Interaction between Cu²⁺ and Cu²⁺ through O²⁻ seems to be somewhat large antiferromagnetic one. Sperconducting transition was not detected in the temperature range.     

Anomalies in the properties of Hf(S2−xTex)1−y and Hf(Se2−xTex)1−y near the metal-insulator transition

The solid solutions Hf(S_2?xTe_x)_1?y and Hf(Se_2?xTe_x)_1?y were prepared to examine changes in the electronic structure in a narrow composition range near the metal-insulator transition. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis and resistivity measurements are presented. The x³ dependence of the hexagonal c parameter for the sulfur solutions is due to large packing mismatches in the layers. In the selenium solutions, anomalous behavior is observed in the composition dependence of the a and c hexagonal lattice parameters in the range 0.05 < x < 0.10, y ～ 0. Between these concentration limits, both lattice parameters show positive deviations from smooth behavior and the diffraction linewidths broaden. The temperature dependence of the resistivity suggests that the Hf(S_2?xTe_x)_1?y solutions have an energy of activation for conduction at room temperature for $\text{0 < x <}\text{7}\text{8}$; the sample of composition $\text{x =}\text{5}\text{8}$ has a metal-insulator transition as a function of temperature below room temperature. The band gap goes to zero with composition for Hf(Se_2?xTe_x)_1?y in the range x = 0.080 to x = 0.095. Nonstoichiometry, phase separation, and changes from covalent to metallic bonding explain the structural and electronic changes observed in the seleno-telluride system near the metal-insulator transition.     

Phase stability and chemical composition dependence of the thermoelectric properties of the type-I clathrate Ba8AlxSi46−x (8≤x≤15)

Phase stability of the type-I clathrate compound Ba₈Al_xSi_46−x and the thermoelectric property dependence on chemical composition are presented. Polycrystalline samples were prepared by argon arc melting and annealing. Results of powder X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis show that the type-I structure is formed without framework deficiency for 8≤x≤15. Lattice constant a increases linearly with the increase of x. Thermoelectric properties were measured for x=12, 14 and 15. The Seebeck coefficients are negative, with the absolute values increasing with x. The highest figure of merit zT=0.24 was observed for x=15 at T=1000 K, with carrier electron density n=3×10²¹ cm⁻³. A theoretical calculation based on the single parabolic band model reveals the optimum carrier concentration to be n∼4×10²⁰ cm⁻³, where zT∼0.7 at T=1000 K is predicted.     

Magnetostructural correlations in the antiferromagnetic Co2−x Cux(OH)AsO4 (x=0 and 0.3) phases

The Co_2−xCu_x(OH)AsO₄ (x=0 and 0.3) compounds have been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and spectroscopic data. The hydroxi-arsenate phases crystallize in the Pnnm orthorhombic space group with Z=4 and the unit-cell parameters are a=8.277(2) Å, b=8.559(2) Å, c=6.039(1) Å and a=8.316(1) Å, b=8.523(2) Å, c=6.047(1) Å for x=0 and 0.3, respectively. The crystal structure consists of a three-dimensional framework in which M(1)O₅-trigonal bipyramid dimers and M(2)O₆-octahedral chains (M=Co and Cu) are present. Co₂(OH)AsO₄ shows an anomalous three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering influenced by the magnetic field below 21 K within the presence of a ferromagnetic component below the ordering temperature. When Co²⁺ is partially substituted by Cu²⁺ions, Co_1.7Cu_0.3(OH)AsO₄, the ferromagnetic component observed in Co₂(OH)AsO₄ disappears and the antiferromagnetic order is maintained in the entire temperature range. Heat capacity measurements show an unusual magnetic field dependence of the antiferromagnetic transitions. This λ-type anomaly associated to the three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering grows with the magnetic field and becomes better defined as observed in the non-substituted phase. These results are attributed to the presence of the unpaired electron in the dx²−y² orbital and the absence of overlap between neighbour ions.     

Electrical conductivity and phase transitions of the solid electrolyte system (Cs1−yRby)Cu4Cl3(I2−xClx)

Results of electrical conductivity measurements, thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction studies indicate the existence of four phases, between 295 K and the melting points, in the system (Cs_1?yRb_y)Cu₄Cl₃I₂. These phases are designated α, á β, γ in order of decreasing temperature. The α phase is isostructural with α-RbAg₄I₅; the á phase is also cubic and very likely belongs to space groupP2₁3, a subgroup ofP4₁32 andP4₃32 to which the α phase belongs. There is a high probability that the á → α transition is continuous. The á → α transition is not discernible in the conductivity measurements or thermal analysis; therefore the line of á-α transitions is presently unknown. The β phase transforms to the á and the γ phase transforms to the β phase wheny ≤ 0.36; the γ phase transforms to the α phase wheny ≥ 0.36. That is, there is a triple point aty = 0.36, T = 399K. The γ-β, β-α′, and γ-α transitions are all hysteretic and are therefore first order. The conductivities of the β phases are relatively low and the enthalpies of activation relatively high. The conductivity of the β phase decreases with increasingy. The β phase probably belongs to space groupR3, in which the Cu⁺ ions can be ordered. The α and á phases are the true solid electrolytes; the conductivities are high, >0.73 Ω^?1cm^?1 at 419 K, and the enthalpies of activation of motion of the Cu⁺ ions low, 0.11 eV.In the system CsCu₄Cl₃(I_2?xCl_x), 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25, the Cl^? for I^? substitutions affect the transitions to only a small extent relative to the stoichiometric compound. The β phase occurs for allx and transforms to á.     

Lattice temperature and hyperfine interactions of Pb1−xSnxTe (0.21 ≤ x ≤ 0.75)

Thin (<15 μm) samples of lead tin telluride, Pb_1?xSn_xTe (x = 0.21, 0.25, 0.55, and 0.75) have been studied by temperature dependent Mössbauer spectroscopy using the 23.8 keV gamma radiation of ^119mSn. The tin atom occupies a lattice site having cubic symmetry (QS = 0 ± 0.020 mm sec^?1) over the temperature range 78 ≤ T ≤ 240 K, and there is no evidence for a rhombic (low temperature) to cubic (high temperature) phase transition such as that reported for SnTe in this temperature interval. The lattice temperature as probed by the Sn atom is independent of the compositional parameter x and is similar to that reported for SnTe from Mössbauer studies and for Pb_0.63Sn_0.37Te from X-ray powder diffraction data. Radiation damage produced by 2-MeV proton irradiation to a total fluence of ～10¹⁷ cm^?2 at liquid nitrogen temperature does not have any effect on the Mössbauer parameters, possibly because the major damage is annealed at temperatures below 150 K.     

High dielectric constant PrYxOy sensing films electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor pH-sensor for the detection of urea

In this paper, we describe the structural and sensing properties of high-k PrY_xO_y sensing films deposited on Si substrates through reactive co-sputtering. Secondary ion mass spectrometry and atomic force microscopy were employed to analyze the compositional and morphological features of these films after annealing at various temperatures. The electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) device incorporating a PrY_xO_y sensing membrane that had been annealed at 800 °C exhibited good sensing characteristics, including a high sensitivity (59.07 mV pH⁻¹ in solutions from pH 2 to 12), a low hysteresis voltage (2.4 mV in the pH loop 7 → 4 → 7 → 10 → 7), and a small drift rate (0.62 mV h⁻¹ in the buffer solution at pH 7). The PrY_xO_y EIS device also showed a high selective response towards H⁺. This improvement can be attributed to the small number of crystal defects and the large surface roughness. In addition, the enzymatic EIS-based urea biosensor incorporating a high-k PrY_xO_y sensing film annealed at 800 °C allowed the potentiometric analysis of urea, at concentrations ranging from 1 to 16 mM, with a sensitivity of 9.59 mV mM⁻¹.     

Heat capacity of iron-chromium spinels,Fe3−xCrxO4

The heat capacity of Fe_3?xCr_xO₄ with the composition x = 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 was measured from 200 to 850 K. A γ-type heat capacity anomaly due to the ferri-paramagnetic transition was observed for all compositions. The transition temperatures were 652, 563, and 451 K for the compositions x = 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0, respectively. The variation of transition temperature with composition is discussed in terms of cation distribution. The magnetic contribution to the observed heat capacity was obtained by assuming that the heat capacity is expressed by the sum of the lattice heat capacity C_v(1), the dilation contribution d(d), and the magnetic contribution C(m). Entropy changes due to the transition were calculated from C(m) as 52.6, 49.7, and 46.3 J K^?1 mole^?1 for the compositions x = 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0, respectively, which are from 7 to 12 J K^?1 mole^?1 higher than the calculated values based on the assumption of randomization of unpaired spins on each ion. The difference between the observed and the calculated values is roughly explained by taking into account the orbital contribution of Fe²⁺ ions on octahedral and tetrahedral sites.     

Untersuchung der magnetischen Suszeptibilität zum Studium des Bindungsverhaltens von Eisen in V1−xFexO2−xFx

An analysis of the magnetic susceptibility of V_1?xFe_xO_2?xF_x with 0.0026 ? x ? 0.015 in the semiconducting M₁-phase yields a magnetic moment of 5.03 μ per Fe³⁺ ion. Deviations from the Curie-Weiss behavior above T = 120°K are due to the existence of current carriers n, in the V⁴⁺-conduction band. The very high effective mass ($\text{m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>e</mtext>}}\text{? 100 m}{}_0$) of the carriers can be explained by the spin polarization cloud which they carry along. A comparison between the activation energy determined from the average slope of the log n vs T^?1 curve and from electric conductivity measurements implies an activated hopping mobility of the charge carriers.This hopping mobility is due to the onset of the Anderson localization resulting from disorder which is induced by the foreign (Fe³⁺, F^?)-ions. Mössbauer-spectroscopic measurements also confirm a reduction of the localized 3d-electrons of the Fe³⁺-cation in V_1?xFe_xO_2?xF_x above T = 120°K.