Dielectric and impedance measurements on (1−x)Ba(Fe1/2Ta1/2)O3-xBa(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3 ceramics

In this work, ((1−x)Ba(Fe_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃-xBa(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃), ((1−x)BFT-xBZT) ceramics with x = 0.00–0.12 were synthesized by the solid–state reaction method. X-ray diffraction data revealed that both the powders and ceramics were of a pure-phase cubic perovskite structure. All ceramics showed large dielectric constants. For the x = 0.12 sample, a very high dielectric constant (>20,600) was observed. A lowering in the dielectric loss compared to pure BFT ceramics was observed with the BZT addition. The impedance measurements indicated that BZT has a strong effect on the bulk grain and grain boundary resistance of BFT ceramics. These results are in agreement with the measured dielectric properties. Based on dielectric and impedance results, (1−x)BFT-xBZT ceramics could be of great interest for high performance dielectric materials applications due their giant dielectric constant behavior.     

Improvement of photocatalytic behavior of chemical-vapor-synthesized TiO2 nanopowders by post-heat treatment

Anatase-type TiO₂ nanopowders less than 10 nm in average diameter were synthesized by a chemical vapor synthesis method. The TiO₂ nanopowders showed very poor photocatalytic properties, in spite of their large surface area. With subsequent heat treatment of the TiO₂ powders, their photocatalytic properties determined by measuring the degradation of 2-propanol were improved at temperatures up to 600 °C and then diminished along with formation of a rutile phase. This improvement in the photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ nanopowders was attributed to both a morphology change and a change in the electronic surface characteristics of TiO₂ particles during heat treatment.     

Effects of strontium on the characteristics of Pb(Zr1/2Ti1/2)O3--Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics

The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of pyrochlore-free lead zirconate titanate-lead zinc niobate ceramics were investigated systematically as a function of Sr doping. The powders of Pb_{(1? x )}Sr _x [0.7(Zr_{1 / 2}Ti_{1 / 2})–0.3(Zn_{1 / 3}Nb_{2 / 3})]O₃, where x?=?0–0.06 were prepared using the columbite-(wolframite) precursor method. The ceramic materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectra, hysteresis and electromechanical measurements. The phase-pure perovskite phase of Sr-doped PZN--PZT ceramics was obtained over a wide compositional range. The results showed that the optimized electrical properties were also achieved at composition x?=?0.0, which were K _P?=?0.69, d ₃₃?=?670?pC?N^?1, P _r?=?31.9?µC?cm^?2 and ε_rmax?=?18600. Maximum dielectric constant values of the systems decreased rapidly with increasing Sr concentration. Moreover, with increasing Sr concentration dielectric constant versus temperature curves become gradually broader. The diffuseness parameter increased significantly with Sr doping. Furthermore, Sr doping has been shown to produce a linear reduction in the transition temperature (T _m)?=?294.1–12.7x°C with concentration (x). Sr shifts the transition temperature of this system at a rate of 12.7°C?mol^?1%.     

ZrO2 coating of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

ZrO₂-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ materials were prepared by hydroxide precipitation. The structure and electrochemical properties of the ZrO₂-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and charge–discharge tests, indicating that the lattice structure of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ were unchanged after the coating but the cycling stability was improved. As the coating amount increased from 0.0 to 0.5 mol.%, the initial capacity of the coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ decreased slightly; however, the cycling stability increased remarkably over the cut-off voltages of 2.5~4.3 V and the capacity retention reached 99.5% after 30 cycles at the coating amount of 0.5 mol.%. ZrO₂ coating also improved the cycling stability of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ over wider cut-off voltage of 2.5~4.6 V.     

Study of the synthesis and Cl2 gas-sensing properties of nanometer HNO3-doped SnO2

We focused on the effects of the inorganic acid HNO₃ on the gas-sensing properties of nanometer SnO₂ and prepared the powders via a dissolution-pyrolysis method. Furthermore, the powders were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS). Several aspects were surveyed, including the calcining temperature, concentration of nitric acid and the working temperature. The results showed that the gas response of 3 wt% HNO₃-doped SnO₂ powders (calcined at 500 °C) to 10 ppm Cl₂ reached 316.5, at the working temperature 175 °C. Compared with pure SnO₂, appropriate HNO₃ could increase the gas sensitivity to Cl₂ gas more significantly.     

Influence of precipitant solution pH on the structural, morphological and upconversion luminescent properties of Lu2O3:2%Yb, 0.2%Tm nanopowders

Lutetium oxide nanopowders codoped with Tm³⁺ and Yb³⁺ were synthesized by the reverse-strike co-precipitation method. Effects of precipitant solution pH on the structural, morphological and upconversion luminescent properties of Lu₂O₃:2%Yb, 0.2%Tm nanopowders had been investigated. The results show that pH value of the precipitant (NH₄HCO₃) solution has a significant effect on the particle size, morphology and upconversion emission intensity of the Lu₂O₃:2%Yb, 0.2%Tm nanopowders. All the samples obtained from different pH value of precipitant solution can be readily indexed to pure cubic phase of Lu₂O₃, indicating good crystallinity. The upconversion emission intensity of Lu₂O₃:2%Yb, 0.2%Tm nanopowders obtained from the precipitant solution with pH=11 is the strongest. The enhancement of the upconversion luminescence is suggested to be the consequence of reducing the number of OH⁻ groups and the enlarged nanopowder size. The strong blue, weak red and near infrared emissions from the prepared nanopowders were observed under 980 nm laser excitation, and attributed to the ¹G₄→³H₆, ¹G₄→³F₄ and ³H₄→³H₆ transitions of Tm³⁺ ion, respectively.     

Structural and cathodoluminiscent properties of Zr0.95Ce0.05O2 nanopowders prepared by sol-gel and template methods

Nanopowders of Zr_0.95Ce_0.05O₂ composition have been prepared by a standard Pechini-type sol-gel process and by means of a colloidal crystal template approach. In the latter method, inverse opal Zr_0.95Ce_0.05O₂ powders were fabricated employing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) colloidal crystals as a template. The effects of the two different synthesis routes on the structure and microstructural characteristics of the prepared nanopowders were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. For both preparation routes, the X-ray diffraction analysis has shown that a tetragonal fluorite structure is formed with a crystallite size of ∼35-40 nm. The scanning electron microscopy measurements indicate that the powder obtained by the sol-gel Pechini-type process is comprised of nanoparticles that are arranged in agglomerates with shape and size relatively uniform whereas the inverse opal Zr_0.95Ce_0.05O₂ nanopowders exhibit the formation of macropores with a mean size of ∼100 nm. The cathodoluminescence spectra of the prepared Zr_0.95Ce_0.05O₂ nanomaterials have been measured in the 300-800 nm wavelength range. The powder prepared by sol-gel method yields a broad emission band centered at 482 nm whereas the emission from the inverse opal preparation is considerably less intense.     

Successive phase transitions in the highly ordered complex perovskite PbLu1/2Nb1/2O3

The structural phase transitions and the electrical behaviour of the complex perovskite PbLu_1/2Nb_1/2O₃ have been investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, dielectric constant measurements, differential scanning calorimetry and measurement of the polarisation as a function of applied electric field. The high-temperature paraelectric phase is highly ordered. A first-order paraelectric-antiferroelectric phase transition occurs at 270°C and an antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase transition, characterised by dispersion in the curves of dielectric constant as a function of temperature, occurs at ≈ 30°C. The antiferroelectric phase is isostructural with the orthorhombic form of PbYb1/₂Nb1/₂O₃. The low-temperature ferroelectric phase also has an orthorhombic crystal structure.     

TiO2 coating of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

TiO₂-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ materials were prepared by the hydrolyzation of Ti(OBu)₄. The impact of TiO₂ coating on the structure and electrochemical properties of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and charge–discharge tests. The results indicated that TiO₂ coating did not affect the lattice of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂, but exhibited obvious effects on its discharge capacity and cycling stability. As coated TiO₂ increased from 0.0 to 2.0 mol%, the initial capacity of samples decreased slightly, but the cycling stability over 2.5∼4.3 V increased remarkably. The capacity retention reached 99.5% at the 50th cycle at a coating amount of 2.0 mol%.     

Effect of BiFeO3 addition on Bi2O3–ZnO–Nb2O5 based ceramics

In this paper, low temperature sintering of the Bi₂(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)₂O₇ (β-BZN) dielectric ceramics was studied with the use of BiFeO₃ as a sintering aid. The effects of BiFeO₃ contents and the sintering temperature on the phase structure, density and dielectric properties were investigated. The results showed that the sintering temperature could be decreased and the dielectric properties could be retained by the addition of BiFeO₃. The structure of BiFeO₃ doped β-BZN was still the monoclinic pyrochlore phase. The sintering temperature of BiFeO₃ doped β-BZN ceramics was reduced from 1000 °C to 920 °C. In the case of 0.15 wt.% BiFeO₃ addition, the β-BZN ceramics sintered at 920 °C exhibited good dielectric properties, which were listed as follows: ε_r = 79 and tan δ = 0.00086 at a frequency of 1 MHz. The obtained properties make this composition to be a good candidate for the LTCC application.     

Study on humidity sensitive property of K2CO3-SBA-15 composites

K₂CO₃-SBA-15 with different K₂CO₃ content was prepared by thermal dispersion. The structures of resultant powders were characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption and IR. The humidity sensing properties of the powders were also investigated. Compared with pure SBA-15, K₂CO₃-SBA-15 shows improved humidity sensing properties and the introducing level of K₂CO₃ has a great influence on the humid sensitivity of K₂CO₃-SBA-15 composites. The optimal mixing ratio was K₂CO₃-SBA-15 (0.8 g/g), which exhibited excellent linearity in the whole range of 11–95%RH, a resistance variation of about five orders of magnitude, and a rapid response time and recovery time about 15 and 50 s, respectively. The mechanism of the humidity sensitive properties was also discussed.     

Study on the photocatalytic activity of K2La2Ti3O10 doped with zinc(Zn)

The layered perovskite type oxides, K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ and zinc(Zn)-doped K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ were prepared by sol-gel method and were characterized by power X-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity for water splitting of the catalyst powders was investigated with I⁻ as electron donor under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation respectively. The electronic structure of the powders has been analyzed by the first principles calculation, which reveals the photo responses in the visible region and the improvement of the photocatalytic activity of K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀. Conclusions were made that zinc(Zn)-doped K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ exhibited higher reactivity for hydrogen production. When I⁻ was used as electron donor, the optimum doping concentration of zinc(Zn) was found to be 0.015:1 (n_Zn:n_Ti). The average hydrogen production rates were 126.6 μmol/(gcat h) under ultraviolet irradiation and 55.5 μmol/(gcat h) under visible light irradiation which were raised by 131% and 251% compared with undoped K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ photocatalyst, respectively.     

Response improvement for In2O3-TiO2 thick film gas sensors

In₂O₃ is introduced into TiO₂ by sol-gel method to improve the response/recovery rate and expand the operating temperature, when the In₂O₃-TiO₂ mixed system is exposed to H₂/O₂. The sensor is fabricated by thick film technology. Influence of In₂O₃ on the film phase composition, microstructure and sensing characteristics is discussed. Dynamic response properties show that the operating temperature of the mixed system is at 500-800 °C, which is about 600-800 °C for pure TiO₂. Response time of the sensor is about 200-260 ms (millisecond) while recovery time is in a narrow range of 60-280 ms at 600-800 °C. The promoting mechanism is suggested to arise from the introduction of In₂O₃ and grain size effect of the sensing film. Then In₂O₃-TiO₂ thick films are surface-modified by Pt using chloroplatinic acid. The promoting effect of Pt dispersed on the mixed system is also investigated.     

Synthesis of spherical LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Spherical LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was successfully prepared by controlled crystallization. The preparation started with the spherical coprecipitate of Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3CO₃ from NiSO₄, CoSO₄, MnSO₄, NH₄HCO₃, and NH₃·H₂O, followed by pyrolysis of Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3CO₃ at 600°C for 3 h. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the homogeneous cubic (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)₃O₄ was obtained after the pyrolysis. Spherical LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was obtained by sintering of the mixture of as-obtained (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)₃O₄ and LiOH·H₂O at 900°C for 6 h in air. As-prepared spherical LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ presented initial discharge capacity of 162.9 mA h g⁻¹ and capacity retention of 98% at 50th cycle.     

Optical study of Sr2SnO4:Eu phosphor

This work presents the influence of europium dopant on optical properties of Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ powders fabricated by a facile low temperature method. Powders were obtained from the same amounts of Eu³⁺ doping into the different concentrations of Sr(NO₃)₂. Powders were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). SEM measurements different Eu concentrations in fabricated powders was determined to found different morphologies. XRD analysis revealed the existence of crystalline Sr₂SnO₄ in the form of tetragonal and the diffraction intensity was remarkably changed. PL studies showed a red luminescence of Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ powders. The intensity of luminescence increased with better crystallinity. This approach provides economically viable route for large-scale synthesis of this kind of nanopowders.     

Preparation of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-coated LiCo<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> by electrostatic self-assembly method and its properties

A precursor of TiO₂–LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was prepared by electrostatic self-assembly method. The final product was obtained by heating the precursor at 400–450 °C for 4–6 h in air. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical tests were used to examine the structural, morphology, elementary valence, and electrochemical characteristics. XRD indicated that the TiO₂-coated material can be indexed by α-NaFeO₂ layered structure, which belongs to hexagonal-type space group R3m. XPS results confirmed the existence of TiO₂ compound on the surface of the coated sample. The SEM image showed that the material had spherically porous morphology with the uniform size about 6 μm. The initial charge–discharge capacity of the TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ material was 168.8/160.0 mAh/g. After 60 cycles, the discharge capacity of the TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ sample was 147.0 mAh/g, and the coulombic efficiency was 94.0%. Compared with the uncoated sample, the electrochemical performance of TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was improved.     

等静压下0.75Pb（Mg1/3Nb2/3）O3-0.25PbTiO3陶瓷的介电性能研究

研究了等静压对0.75Pb（Mg_1/3Nb_2/3）O₃-0.25PbTiO₃（PMN-25PT）陶瓷介电温谱的影响,PMN-25PT剩余极化随等静压变化和等静压压致相变.结果表明,随着压力增加,PMN-25PT的介电峰值温度T_m降低,/+{dT_m}/-{dP}≈-4℃/kbar,极化弛豫增强;剩余极化随压力增加连续减小;介电常数对压力的依赖关系与对温度场的依赖相似,压力诱导PMN-25PT发生弛豫铁电—顺电相变,相变为宽化的渐变过程,频率色散和极化弛豫更加强烈和普遍. 关键词： 铌镁酸铅-钛酸铅 等静压 介电弛豫 压致相变     

Complex impedance spectroscopic studies of Ba(Pr1/2Ta1/2)O3 ceramic

The polycrystalline sample of Ba(Pr_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. The crystal symmetry, space group and unit cell dimensions were derived from the experimental results using FullProf software. XRD analysis of the compound indicated the formation of a single-phase tetragonal structure with the space group P4/mmm (1 2 3). Impedance and electric modulus analysis were used as tools to analyze the electrical behavior of the sample as a function of frequency at different temperatures. The impedance analysis of the compound indicated a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior, and dielectric relaxation was found to be of non-Debye type. The frequency dependent maximum of the imaginary part of the electric modulus follows the Arrhenius law with activation energy of 0.15 eV. The ac conductivity data obeys double power law.     

Ferroelectric properties of bilayer structured Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3/SrBi2Ta2O9 (PZT/SBT) thin films on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates

Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PZT) thin films with large remanent polarization and SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ (SBT) thin films with excellent fatigue-resisting characteristic have been widely studied for non-volatile random access memories, respectively. To combine these two advantages_, bilayered Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃/SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ (PZT/SBT) thin films were fabricated on Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/Si substrates by chemical solution deposition method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the diffraction peaks of PZT/SBT thin films were completely composed of PZT and SBT, and no other secondary phase was observed. The electrical properties of the bilayered structure PZT/SBT films have been investigated in comparison with pure PZT and SBT films. PZT/SBT bilayered thin films showed larger remanent polarization (2P_r) of 18.37 μC/cm² than pure SBT and less polarization fatigue up to 1 × 10⁹ switching cycles than pure PZT. These results indicated that this bilayered structure of PZT/SBT is a promising material combination for ferroelectric memory applications.     

Multiplication of electronic excitations in nanophosphors Lu2O3:Eu and Lu2O3:Tb

Luminescence properties of Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ and Lu₂O₃:Tb³⁺ nanocrystalline powders with the particle size varying from 46 to 6 nm were studied under excitation by synchrotron radiation in the photon energy range (up to ∼22.5 eV) covering the region where the processes of multiplication of electronic excitation occur. It was found that the excitation spectra of Tb³⁺ emission from all Lu₂O₃:Tb³⁺ nanopowders have similar behavior, whereas the shape of the excitation spectra of Eu³⁺ emission from Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanopowders strongly depends on the particle size. The difference in the behavior of Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ and Lu₂O₃:Tb³⁺ nanophosphor systems was explained by different mechanisms of the energy transfer from the host to Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ ions (either the hole or electron recombination mechanism, respectively), which are differently influenced by losses of electronic excitations near the particle surface.