Compatibility evaluation between La2Mo2O9 fast oxide-ion conductor and Ni-based materials

The chemical reactivity of La₂NiO_4+δ and nickel metal or nickel oxide with fast oxide-ion conductor La₂Mo₂O₉ is investigated in the annealing temperature range between 600 and 1000 °C, using room temperature X-ray powder diffraction. Within the La₂NiO_4+δ/La₂Mo₂O₉ system, subsequent reaction is evidenced at relatively low annealing temperature (600 °C), with formation of La₂MoO₆ and NiO. The reaction is complete at 1000 °C. At reverse, no reaction occurs between Ni or NiO and La₂Mo₂O₉ up to 1000 °C. Together with a previous work [G. Corbel, S. Mestiri, P. Lacorre, Solid State Sci. 7 (2005) 1216], the current study shows that Ni-CGO cermets might be chemically and mechanically compatible anode materials to work with LAMOX electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells.     

Thermodynamic properties of complex oxides in the La-Ni-O system

Complex oxides La₂NiO_4+δ, La₃Ni₂O_7−δ, La₄Ni₃O_10−δ and LaNiO_3−δ, the members of Ruddlesden-Popper series La_n+1Ni_nO_3n+1, were prepared using citrate precursors. The stability range of LaNiO_3−δ in air as well as the oxygen nonstoichiometry of La₃Ni₂O_7−δ and La₄Ni₃O_10−δ as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure was determined by means of thermogravimetric technique. Decomposition temperatures of La₃Ni₂O_7−δ, La₄Ni₃O_10−δ and LaNiO_3−δ in air were determined by conductivity measurement method. The boundary of stability for La₄Ni₃O_10−δ was determined by EMF measurements of galvanic cell with oxygen conducting solid electrolyte. The isothermal (1400 K) projection of La-Ni-O system phase diagram to the plane “log(PO₂)-relative mole fraction of metal components” was suggested.     

Direct syntheses of Lan+1NinO3n+1 phases (n=1, 2, 3 and ∞) from nanosized co-crystallites

A new direct route for the “bottom up” syntheses of phases in the La_n+1Ni_nO_3n+1 series (n=1, 2, 3 and ∞) has been achieved via single-step heat treatments of nanosized co-crystallized precursors. The co-crystallized precursors were prepared using a continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis system that uses a superheated water flow at ca. 400 °C and 24.1 MPa to produce nanoparticulate slurries. Overall, a significant reduction in time and number of steps for the syntheses of La₃Ni₂O₇ and La₄Ni₃O₁₀ was achieved compared with more conventional synthesis methods, which typically require multiple homogenization and reheating steps over several days.     

Constitution of the Sr-Ni-O system

The constitution of the Sr-Ni-O system was studied experimentally for the first time. Samples were prepared either from SrCO₃ and NiO or from Sr(NO₃)₂ and Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and characterized by high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. In the SrO-NiO quasibinary system an eutectic reaction: liquid?SrO+NiO was found to occur at 1396±5 °C, while the homogeneity range of terminal solid solutions is negligible. Thermodynamic calculations using the regular solution model for the liquid and rocksalt-type phases were employed to predict liquidus and solidus curves. Three ternary compounds, SrNiO_2.5, Sr₅Ni₄O₁₁, and Sr₉Ni₇O₂₁ were observed in the samples prepared from nitrate solutions, but only Sr₉Ni₇O₂₁ was proved to be thermodynamically stable in air up to 1030±6 °C. When heating in air, SrNiO_2.5 and Sr₅Ni₄O₁₁ were found to transform irreversibly into a mixture of Sr₉Ni₇O₂₁ and NiO. Isothermal section of the SrO-NiO-O subsystem, which represents phase equilibria at 950-1030 °C as well as an isobaric section of the Sr-Ni-O system in air were constructed.     

Transport properties and stability of Ni-containing mixed conductors with perovskite- and K2NiF4-type structure

The total conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of a series of Ni-containing phases, including La₂Ni_1−xM_xO_4+δ (M=Co, Cu; x=0.1-0.2) with K₂NiF₄-type structure and perovskite-like La_0.90Sr_0.10Ga_0.65Mg_0.15Ni_0.20O_3−δ and La_0.50Pr_0.50Ga_0.65Mg_0.15Ni_0.20O_3−δ, were studied in the oxygen partial pressure range from 10⁻¹⁸ Pa to 50 kPa at 973-1223 K. Within the phase stability domain, the conductivity of layered nickelates is predominantly p-type electronic and occurs via small-polaron mechanism, indicated by temperature-activated hole mobility and p(O₂) dependencies of electrical properties. In oxidizing conditions similar behavior is characteristic of Ni-containing perovskites, which exhibit, however, significant ionic contribution to the transport processes. The role of ionic conduction increases with decreasing p(O₂) and becomes dominant in reducing atmospheres. All nickelate-based phases decompose at oxygen pressures considerably lower with respect to Ni/NiO boundary. The partial substitution of nickel in La₂Ni(M)O_4+δ has minor effect on the stability limits, which are similar to that of La_0.90Sr_0.10Ga_0.65Mg_0.15Ni_0.20O_3−δ. On the contrary, praseodymium doping enhances the stability of La_0.50Pr_0.50Ga_0.65Mg_0.15Ni_0.20O_3−δ down to p(O₂) values as low as 10⁻¹⁷-10⁻¹⁰ Pa at 1023-1223 K.     

La3TaO7 derivatives with Weberite structure type: Possible electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells and high temperature electrolysers

In this study, with the aim to enhance the ionic conduction of known structures by defect chemistry, the La₂O₃-Ta₂O₅ system was considered with a focus on the La₃TaO₇ phase whose structure is of Weberite type. In order to predict possible preferential substitution sites and substitution elements, atomistic simulation was used as a first approach. A solid solution La_3−xSr_xTaO_7−x/2 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy; it extends for a substitution ratio up to x = 0.15. Whereas La₃TaO₇ is a poor oxide ion conductor (σ_700 °C = 2 × 10⁻⁵S.cm⁻¹), at 700 °C, its ionic conductivity is increased by more than one order of magnitude when 3.3% molar strontium is introduced in the structure (σ_700 °C = 2 × 10⁻⁴S.cm⁻¹).     

Comparative study of LaNiO3 and La2NiO4 catalysts for partial oxidation of methane

The catalytic activity and stability of LaNiO₃ and La₂NiO₄, prepared using a citric acid complex method, have been investigated for partial oxidation of methane (POM) to synthesis gas. The catalysts were characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TG), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD). The results show that the catalytic activity and stability of La₂NiO₄ are higher than those of LaNiO₃, due to the stronger interactions between Ni and La₂O₃ in La₂NiO₄ and to its lower acidity as demonstrated by TPR and NH₃-TPD. TG result indicates that carbon deposition occurs on both catalysts, and the carbon species deposited on La₂NiO₄ are mainly metal carbides, while on LaNiO₃ are mainly graphite.     

p(O2)-stability of LaFe1−xNixO3−δ solid solutions at 1100 °C

LaFe_1−xNi_xO_3−δ (x=0.1−1.0) perovskites were synthesized via citrate route. The p(O₂)-stability of the perovskite phases LaFe_1−xNi_xO_3−δ has been evaluated at 1100 °C based on the results of XRD analysis of powder samples annealed at various p(O₂) and quenched to room temperature. The isothermal LaFeO_3−δ-“LaNiO_3−δ” cross-section of the phase diagram of the La-Fe-Ni-O system has been proposed in the range of oxygen partial pressure −15<log p(O₂)/atm≤0.68. The unit cell parameters of orthorhombic perovskites O-LaFe_1−xNi_xO_3−δ increase with decrease in p(O₂) at fixed composition x. This behavior is explained on the basis of size factor. The decomposition temperatures of rhombohedral phases R-LaFe_1−xNi_xO_3−δ for x=0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0 in air were determined as 1137, 1086, 1060 and 995 °C, respectively.     

Ni系钙钛矿氧化物导电性及其CO氧化活性

本文考查了Ni系钙钛矿类希土复合氧化物在不同气氛条件下电导率随温度的变化情况，结合活性评价结果，初步探索了结构、活性及导电率之间的关系。研究结果表明：在测定温度范围内，LaNiO₃具有金属导电性，而La₂NiO₄和LaSrNiO₄为p型半导体；电导率与CO氧化活性之间存在相互对应的关系，其大小顺序均为LaNiO₃>LaSrNiO₄>La₂NiO₄。     

A new structure type of RE4B4O11F2: High-pressure synthesis and crystal structure of La4B4O11F2

The first lanthanum fluoride borate La₄B₄O₁₁F₂ was obtained in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus at 6 GPa and 1300 °C. La₄B₄O₁₁F₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with the lattice parameters a=778.1(2) pm, b=3573.3(7) pm, c=765.7(2) pm, β=113.92(3)° (Z=8), and represents a new structure type in the class of compounds with the composition RE₄B₄O₁₁F₂. The crystal structure contains BO₄-tetrahedra interconnected with two BO₃-groups via common vertices, B₂O₅-pyroborate units, and isolated BO₃-groups. The structure shows a wave-like modulation along the b-axis. The crystal structure and properties of La₄B₄O₁₁F₂ are discussed and compared to Gd₄B₄O₁₁F₂.     

Optimum conditions for intercalation of lacunary tungstophosphate(V) anions into layered Ni(II)-Zn(II) hydroxyacetate

Acetate containing nickel-zinc hydroxysalts (LHS-Ni-Zn) have been synthesized by coprecipitation and hydrothermal treatment. The acetate anions were exchanged with PW₁₂O₄₀³⁻ anions, and optimum conditions to attain the maximum level of W in the compound have been identified. The W intercalated compound was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The exchange of LHS-Ni-Zn with PW₁₂O₄₀³⁻ at pH=3 for 72 h leads to a solid with a basal spacing of 9.62 Å and a W content (weight) of 37%. The hydrothermal treatment at 90 °C for 24 h increases this value to 48% with a W/Zn molar ratio of 1.38, which corresponds to a layered compound with lacunary tungstophosphate anions in the interlayer space. The intercalated solid is stable up to 250 °C, the layer structure collapses on dehydroxylation and amorphous compounds were identified at 500 °C. Two crystalline phases, NiO (rock salt) and a solid solution (Zn_1−xNi_x)WO₄, were identified by powder X-ray diffraction at high temperature (ca. 1000 °C).     

Growth of La2CuO4 nanofibers under a mild condition by using single walled carbon nanotubes as templates

La₂CuO₄ nanofibers (ca. 30 nm in diameter and 3 μm in length) have been grown in situ by using single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs; ca. 2 nm in inner diameter; made via cracking CH₄ over the catalyst of Mg_0.8Mo_0.05Ni_0.10Co_0.05O_x at 800 °C) as templates under mild hydrothermal conditions and a temperature around 60 °C. During synthesis, the surfactant poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) and H₂O₂ were added to disperse SWNTs and oxidize the reactants, respectively. The structure of La₂CuO₄ nanofibers was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and their morphologies were observed with field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) at the hydrothermal synthesis lasting for 5, 20 and 40 h, respectively. The La₂CuO₄ crystals grew from needle-like (5 h) through stick-like (20 h) and finally to plate-like (40 h) fibers. Twenty hours is an optimum reaction time to obtain regular crystal fibers. The La₂CuO₄ nanofibers are probably cubic rather than round and may capsulate SWNTs.     

Long-term structural surface modifications of mixed conducting La2NiO4+δ at high temperatures

Abstract  

Long-term annealing of La₂NiO_4+δ single crystals at 1,273 K in air leads to the formation of nickel-rich Ruddlesden–Popper phases at the single-crystal surfaces. Both the composition and the morphology of these phases depend on the surface orientation; whereas only crystallites of La₄Ni₃O_10−δ were observed on (001) surfaces, both La₃Ni₂O_7−δ and La₄Ni₃O_10−δ were formed on (100) surfaces. The formation of the nickel-rich RP phases is believed to be due to surface segregation of nickel or evaporation of a volatile lanthanum species. The crystallographic (001) planes inside the La₃Ni₂O_7−δ and La₄Ni₃O_10−δ crystallites were found to be oriented in the direction of preferential crystallite growth, which indicates that the diffusion of lanthanum and nickel cations is faster along the crystallographic (001) planes than perpendicular to these planes.     

Investigations of the magnetic properties and structures of the pillared perovskites, La5Re3MO16 (M=Co, Ni)

La₅Re₃CoO₁₆ and La₅Re₃NiO₁₆ were synthesized by solid-state reaction and studied by SQUID magnetometry, heat capacity and powder neutron diffraction measurements. These two compounds belong to a series of isostructural Re-based pillared perovskites [Chi et al. J. Solid State Chem. 170 (2003) 165]. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate apparent short-range ferri or ferromagnetic correlations and possible long-range antiferromagnetic order for La₅Re₃CoO₁₆ at 35 K, and at 38 and 14 K for La₅Re₃NiO₁₆. Heat capacity measurements of the Co compound show a lambda anomaly, typical of long-range magnetic order, at 32 K. In contrast, the Ni compound displays a broader, more symmetric feature at 12 K in the heat capacity data, indicative of short-range magnetic order. Low-temperature powder neutron diffraction revealed contrasting magnetic structures. While both show an ordering wave vector, k=(0,0,1/2), in La₅Re₃CoO₁₆, the Co²⁺ and Re⁵⁺ moments are ordered ferrimagnetically within the corner-shared octahedral layers, while the layers themselves are coupled antiferromagnetically along the c-axis, as also found in La₅Re₃MnO₁₆ and La₅Re₃FeO₁₆. In the case of the Ni material, the Re⁵⁺ and Ni²⁺ moments in the perovskite layers couple ferromagnetically and are canted 30° away from the c-axis, angled 45° in the ab-plane. The layers then couple antiferromagnetically at low temperature, a unique magnetic structure for this series. The properties of the La₅Re₃MO₁₆ series, with M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Mg are also reviewed.     

The direct decomposition of NO over the La2CuO4 nanofiber catalyst

The NO catalytic direct decomposition was studied over La₂CuO₄ nanofibers, which were synthesized by using single walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as templates under hydrothermal condition. The composition and BET specific surface area of the La₂CuO₄ nanofiber were La₂Cu_0.88²⁺Cu_0.12⁺O_3.94 and 105.0 m²/g, respectively. 100% NO conversion (turnover frequency-(TOF): 0.17 g_NO/g_catalyst s) was obtained over such nanofiber catalyst at temperatures above 300 °C with the products being only N₂ and O₂. In 60 h on stream testing, either at 300 °C or at 800 °C, the nanofiber catalyst still showed high NO conversion efficiency (at 300 °C, 98%, TOF: 0.17 g_NO/g_catalyst s; at 800 °C, 96%, TOF: 0.16 g_NO/g_catalyst s). The O₂ and NO temperature programmed desorption (TPD) results indicated that the desorption of oxygen over the nanofibers occurred at 80-190 and 720-900 °C; while NO desorption happened at temperatures of 210-330 °C. NO and O₂ did not competitively adsorb on the nanofiber catalyst. For outstanding the advantage of the nanostate catalyst, the usual La₂CuO₄ bulk powder was also prepared and studied for comparison.     

Low-Temperature Electronic Properties of the Lan+1NinO3n+1 (n = 2, 3, and ∞) System: Evidence for a Crossover from Fluctuating-Valence to Fermi-Liquid-like Behavior

Measurements of the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity ρ(T), magnetic susceptibility χ(T), and Seebeck coefficient S(T) have been carried out on the n = 2, 3, and ∞ members of the homologous lanthanum nickel oxide systems La_n+1Ni_nO_3n+1 that were annealed in air. With increasing n, a progressive decrease in the electrical resistivity and a gradual change from insulating to metallic behavior are observed. La₃Ni₂O₇ is nonmetallic, showing a gradual increase in ρ when T decreases (dp/dT < 0) from 300 to 4.2 K, whereas La₄Ni₃O₁₀ and LaNiO₃ exhibit metallic resistivity (dp/dT > 0). A minimum in ρ(T) near 140 K is observed for La₄Ni₃O₁₀, while LaNiO₃ exhibits a T² dependence for ρ(T) below 50 K. The magnetic susceptibility of LaNiO₃ is Pauli-like, but the χ(T) data for La₃Ni₂O₇ and La₄Ni₃O₁₀ below 350 K show a decrease with decreasing temperature. The Seebeck coefficient of all these compounds is negative at high temperatures; La₃Ni₂O₇ and La₄Ni₃O₁₀ exhibit a sign change in S at low temperatures. These results suggest a crossover from a fluctuating-valence to a Fermi-liquid-like behavior with increasing n.     

The solid state reaction between lanthanum oxide and strontium carbonate

The reaction between lanthanum oxide and strontium carbonate was studied non-isothermally between 350 and 1150 °C at different heating rates, intermediates and the final solid product were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The reaction proceeds through formation of lanthanum oxycarbonate La₂O(CO₃)₂, lanthanum dioxycarbonate La₂O₂CO₃, and non-stoichiometric strontium lanthanum oxide La₂SrO_x (x = 4 + δ). La₄SrO₇ was found to be the final product which begins to form at ∼700 °C. Li⁺ doping enhances the formation of the final product as well as commencement of the reactions at lower temperatures.     

Direct synthesis of La-Mg-Ni-Co type hydrogen storage alloys from oxide mixtures

(La_(1-x)Mg_x)_2(Ni_(0.8)Co_(0.2))_7(x = 0.125, 0.25, 0.5) alloys were synthesized from the sintered mixture of La_2O_3+ Ni O + Co O + Mg O in the molten CaCl_2 electrolyte at 750 °C and the electrochemical hydrogen storage capacities of the synthesized alloys were measured. Non-hygroscopic LaNiO_3 phase formed during sintering(at 1200 °C for 2 h) as a result of the reaction of hygroscopic La_2O_3 with NiO. Another sinter product was Mg_(0.4)Ni_(0.6)O phase. Both mixed oxide sinter products facilitated the La-Ni and Mg-Ni phase formations. X-ray diffraction peaks indicated that the first stable phase appeared in the alloy structure was LaNi_5 which formed upon reduction of La_2NiO_4 phase. Increase in Mg content caused formation of La_(1.5)Mg_(0.5)Ni_7 phase in the alloy structure and the presence of this phase improved the hydrogen storage performance of the electrodes. It was observed that(La_(1-x)Mg_x)_2(Ni_(0.8)Co_(0.2))_7(x = 0.125, 0.25, 0.5) alloys have promising discharge capacities change between 319 m Ah/g and 379 m Ah/g depending on the alloy Mg content.     

Surface properties and performance for VOCs combustion of LaFe1−yNiyO3 perovskite oxides

LaFeO₃, LaNiO₃ and substituted LaFe_1−yNi_yO₃ (y=0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) perovskites were synthesized by the citrate method and used in the catalytic combustion of ethanol and acetyl acetate. Chemical composition was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and specific areas from nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Structural details and surface properties were evaluated by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), temperature-programmed desorption of oxygen (O₂-TPD) and photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Characterization data revealed that total insertion of nickel in the LaFeO₃ takes place for substitution y=0.1. However, NiO segregation occurs to some extent, specifically at higher substitutions (y>0.1). The catalytic performance of these perovskites was evaluated in the combustion of acetyl acetate and ethanol. Among these molecules, ethanol exhibited the lowest ignition temperature, and the catalytic activity expressed as intrinsic activity (mol m⁻² h⁻¹) was found to increase substantially with the nickel substitution. These results can be explained in terms of the cooperative effect of a LaFe_1−yNi_yO₃ and NiO phases, whose relative concentration determines the oxygen activation capability and hence their reactivity.     

Mixed conductivity, oxygen permeability and redox behavior of K2NiF4-type La2Ni0.9Fe0.1O4+δ

The total conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of La₂Ni_0.9Fe_0.1O_4+δ with K₂NiF₄-type structure, studied in the oxygen partial pressure range from 10⁻⁵ to 0.5 atm at 973-1223 K, were analyzed in combination with the steady-state oxygen permeability, oxygen non-stoichiometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy data in order to examine the electronic and ionic transport mechanisms. Doping of La₂NiO_4+δ with iron was found to promote hole localization on nickel cations due to the formation of stable Fe³⁺ states, although the electrical properties dominated by p-type electronic conduction under oxidizing conditions exhibit trends typical for both itinerant and localized behavior of the electronic sublattice. The segregation of metallic Ni on reduction, which occurs at oxygen chemical potentials close to the low-p(O₂) stability boundary of undoped lanthanum nickelate, is responsible for the high catalytic activity towards partial oxidation of methane by the lattice oxygen of La₂Ni_0.9Fe_0.1O_4+δ as revealed by thermogravimetry and temperature-programmed reduction in dry CH₄-He flow at 573-1173 K. A model for the oxygen permeation fluxes through dense La₂Ni_0.9Fe_0.1O_4+δ ceramics, limited by both bulk ionic conduction and surface exchange kinetics, was proposed and validated.