Analysis of thermo-magnetic fluctuations above the glass-transition temperature in Bi1.6Pb0.5Sr2−xEuxCa1.1Cu2.1O8+δ (0.000 ≤ x ≤ 0.180) system

The resistivity of Bi_1.6Pb_0.5Sr_2−xEu_xCa_1.1Cu_2.1O_8+δ (0.000 ≤ x ≤ 0.180) superconductor has been measured as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The resistivity shows a glassy behavior even at higher temperatures and magnetic fields for the Eu-doped samples as compared with the Eu free sample. The values of glass-transition temperature [T_g], magnetic field dependent activation energy [U₀(B)] and the temperature and magnetic field dependent activation energy [U₀(B,T)] are found to be maximum for optimal doping levels (x = 0.135) which shows that the flux lines are effectively pinned in this sample. Also for temperatures below the superconducting transition temperature (T_C), a scaling of measured resistivity curves in magnetic field (B = 0.4 and 0.8 T) is obtained and this scaling is quite useful for better understanding of the behavior of the flux vortices in high temperature superconductors.     

Synthesis and ac susceptibility of YCa2Cu3O7−δ

The bulk superconducting YCa₂Cu₃O_7−δ compounds are prepared at an ordinary pressure of oxygen by conventional solid-state reaction method. The formation of sample is tested by means of XRD and is studied for their ac susceptibility below room temperature up to 77.5 K. The samples are found single-phase orthorhombic structure and found superconducting at 83.5 K. It is shown that the analysis is consistent with published data on YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ oxide superconductor.     

Preparation, characterization and the standard enthalpy of formation of La0.95MnO3+δ and Sm0.95MnO3+δ

Among the perovskites, the rare earth manganites find application in several electrochemical devices because of their enhanced thermodynamic stability. In this paper, we present the results obtained on the preparation and characterization of La_0.95MnO_3+δ and Sm_0.95MnO_3+δ which were prepared by the solid state and sol–gel methods. XRD characterization of the manganites indicated that the crystal structure depends on the method of preparation and heat treatments. The ratio of Mn³⁺ to Mn⁴⁺ in these samples also depended on the method of preparation and heat treatments, as indicated by thermogravimetric (TG) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) studies in Ar + 5% H₂ atmosphere. The standard molar enthalpy of formation, which is a measure of the thermodynamic stability of these compounds were determined using an isoperibol calorimeter.     

Properties of the perovskites, SrMn1−xFexO3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3)

The SrMn_1−xFe_xO_3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3) phases have been prepared and are shown by powder X-ray and neutron (for x=1/2) diffraction to adopt an ideal cubic perovskite structure with a disordered distribution of transition-metal cations over the six-coordinate B-site. Due to synthesis in air, the phases are oxygen deficient and formally contain both Fe³⁺ and Fe⁴⁺. Magnetic susceptibility data show an antiferromagnetic transition at 180 and 140 K for x=1/3 and 1/2, respectively and a spin-glass transition at 5, 25, 45 K for x=1/3, 1/2 and 2/3, respectively. The magnetic properties are explained in terms of super-exchange interactions between Mn⁴⁺, Fe^(4+δ)+ and Fe⁽³⁺⁾⁺. The XAS results for the Mn-sites in these compounds indicate small Mn-valence changes, however, the Mn-pre-edge spectra indicate increased localization of the Mn-e_g orbitals with Fe substitution. The Mössbauer results show the distinct two-site Fe⁽³⁺⁾+/Fe^(4+δ)+ disproportionation in the Mn- substituted materials with strong covalency effects at both sites. This disproportionation is a very concrete reflection of a localization of the Fe-d states due to the Mn-substitution.     

High-pressure preparation, crystal structure, and properties of the new rare-earth oxoborate β-Dy2B4O9

In this work we report about a new rare-earth oxoborate β-Dy₂B₄O₉ synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions from Dy₂O₃ and boron oxide B₂O₃ in a B₂O₃/Na₂O₂ flux with a walker-type multianvil apparatus at 8 GPa and 1000°C. Single crystal X-ray structure determination of β-Dy₂B₄O₉ revealed: , a=616.2(1) pm, b=642.8(1) pm, c=748.5(1) pm, α=102.54(1)°, β=97.08(1)°, γ=102.45(1)°, Z=2, R1=0.0151, wR₂=0.0475 (all data). The compound exhibits a new structure type which is built up from bands of linked BO₃- (Δ) and tetrahedral BO₄-groups (□). The Dy³⁺-cations are positioned in the voids between the bands. According to the conception of fundamental building blocks β-Dy₂B₄O₉ can be classified with the notation 2Δ6□:Δ3□=4□=3□Δ. Furthermore we report about temperature-resolved in situ powder diffraction measurements and IR-spectroscopic investigations on β-Dy₂B₄O₉.     

Synthesis, thermal stability and magnetic properties of the Lu1−xLaxMn2O5 solid solution

Polycrystalline samples of the Lu_1−xLa_xMn₂O₅ solid solution system were synthesized under moderate conditions for compositions with x up to 0.815. Due to the large difference in ionic size between Lu³⁺ and La³⁺, significant changes in lattice parameters and severe lattice strains are present in the solid solution. This in turn leads to the composition dependent thermal stability and magnetic properties. It is found that the solid solution samples with x≤0.487 decompose at a single well defined temperature, while those with x≥0.634 decompose over a temperature range with the formation of intermediate phases. For the samples with x≤0.487, the primary magnetic transition occurs below 40 K, similar to LuMn₂O₅ and other individual RMn₂O₅ (R=Bi, Y, and rare earth) compounds. In contrast, a magnetic phase with a 200 K onset transition temperature is dominant in the samples with x≥0.634.     

Structure, crystal chemistry and thermal evolution of the δ-Bi2O3-related phase Bi9ReO17

The thermal evolution and structural properties of fluorite-related δ-Bi₂O₃-type Bi₉ReO₁₇ were studied with variable temperature neutron powder diffraction, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and electron diffraction. The thermodynamically stable room-temperature crystal structure is monoclinic P2₁/c, a=9.89917(5), b=19.70356(10), c=11.61597(6) Å, β=125.302(2)° (R_p=3.51%, wR_p=3.60%) and features clusters of ReO₄ tetrahedra embedded in a distorted Bi–O fluorite-like network. This phase is stable up to 725 °C whereupon it transforms to a disordered δ-Bi₂O₃-like phase, which was modeled with δ-Bi₂O₃ in cubic Fm3¯m with a=5.7809(1) Å (R_p=2.49%, wR_p=2.44%) at 750 °C. Quenching from above 725 °C leads to a different phase, the structure of which has not been solved but appears on the basis of spectroscopic evidence to contain both ReO₄ tetrahedra and ReO₆ octahedra.     

Non-stoechiométrie dans le système FeF3---ZrF4

The FeF₃---ZrF₄ system has been investigated using X-ray diffraction, micro-DTA, magnetic measurements, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. At 850°C two solid solutions with formulas Fe_1−xZr_xF_3+x have been obtained, which are based on the VF₃ type for 0 ≤ x < 0.10 and on the ReO₃ type for 0.10 ≤ x ≤ 0.23, respectively. A phase transition occurs in the VF₃-type domain: the transition temperature decreases with increasing x. All phases exhibit an antiferromagnetic behavior. The thermal variation of Mössbauer parameters has been studied for x = 0.05 and x = 0.23 as well as their variation vs composition at 300 K. The magnetic behavior is discussed on the basis of the structural data presently available.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Physical Studies of the New β-LiVOAsO4 Compound

Two new compounds of the A_xMOXO₄ family, β-LiVOAsO₄ and β-VOAsO₄, have been synthesized by solid state reaction and electrochemical lithium deintercalation from β-LiVOAsO₄, respectively. Both compounds are isostructural and are built like other β-VOXO₄ (X=S, P) by (VO₅)_∞ chains of distorted VO₆ octahedra connected via corner-shared AsO₄ tetrahedra. For β-LiVOAsO₄ the additional Li⁺ ions occupy chains of edge-shared octahedra running perpendicularly to the (VO₅)_∞ chains. The one-dimensional antiferromagnetic behavior suggested by the structure has been experimentaly confirmed. It is shown that lithium deintercalation occurs through a first-order transition at 4.02 V vs Li⁺/Li⁰. From chemical bond considerations it is shown why the redox potential of a given transition element M in a six-fold coordination involving (M=O)^m+ units lies between those observed in oxides and in M₂(XO₄)₃ compounds with (XO₄)ⁿ⁻ oxo anions (X=S, P, As).     

Self-powdering and nonlinear optical domain structures in ferroelastic β′-Gd2(MoO4)3 crystals formed in glass

Ferroelastic β′-Gd₂(MoO₄)₃, (GMO), crystals are formed through the crystallization of 21.25Gd₂O₃–63.75MoO₃–15B₂O₃ glass (mol%), and two scientific curious phenomena are observed. (1) GMO crystals formed in the crystallization break into small pieces with a triangular prism or pyramid shape having a length of 50–500 μm spontaneously during the crystallizations in the inside of an electric furnace, not during the cooling in air after the crystallization. This phenomenon is called “self-powdering phenomenon during crystallization” in this paper. (2) Each self-powdered GMO crystal grain shows a periodic domain structure with different refractive indices, and a spatially periodic second harmonic generation (SHG) depending on the domain structure is observed. It is proposed from polarized micro-Raman scattering spectra and the azimuthal dependence of second harmonic intensities that GMO crystals are oriented in each crystal grain and the orientation of (MoO₄)²⁻ tetrahedra in GMO crystals changes periodically due to spontaneous strains in ferroelastic GMO crystals.     

Vibrational spectra of α-Ge(HPO4)2·H2O compound

We have measured Raman and infrared spectra of α-Ge(HPO₄)₂·H₂O compound at room temperature. The analysis of vibrational modes indicated the presence of two non-equivalent HPO₄²⁻ units in agreement with ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. A tentative assignment of all the observed modes is proposed based on the previous works reported for other hydrogenphosphate-based compounds.     

The Phase Relations in the System In2O3–TiO2–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C

The phase relations in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C are determined by a classical quenching method. In this system, there are four pseudobinary compounds, In₂TiO₅, MgTi₂O₅ (pseudobrookite type), MgTiO₃ (ilmenite type), and Mg₂TiO₄ (spinel type) at 1100°C. At 1350°C, in addition to these compounds there exist a spinel-type solid solution Mg_2−xIn_2xTi_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and a compound In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ with lattice constants a=5.9236(7) Å, b=3.3862(4) Å, c=6.3609(7) Å, β=108.15(1)°, and q=0.369, which is isostructural with the monoclinic In₃Ti₂FeO₁₀ in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO. The relation between the lattice constants of the spinel phase and the composition nearly satisfies Vegard's law. In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ extends a solid solution range to In₂₀Ti₁₇Mg₃O₆₇ with lattice constants of a=5.9230(5) Å, b=3.3823(3) Å, c=6.3698(6) Å, β=108.10(5)°, and q=0.360. The distributions of constituent cations in the solid solutions are discussed in terms of their ionic radius and site preference effect.     

High performance protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) with Ba0.5Sr0.5Zn0.2Fe0.8O3−δ perovskite cathode

Protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) based on proton-conducting electrolytes have attracted much attention because of many advantages, such as low activation energy and high energy efficiency. BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3−δ (BZCY7) electrolyte based PCMFCs with stable Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Zn_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ (BSZF) perovskite cathode were investigated. Using thin membrane BZCY7 electrolyte (about 15 μm in thickness) synthesized by a modified Pechini method on NiO-BZCY7 anode support, PCMFCs were assembled and tested by selecting stable BSZF perovskite cathode. An open-circuit potential of 1.015 V, a maximum power density of 486 mW cm⁻², and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.08 Ω cm² was achieved at 700 °C. The results have indicated that BZCY7 proton-conducting electrolyte with BSZF cathode is a promising material system for the next generation solid oxide fuel cells.     

X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy studies of LiFe0.5Ti1.5O4 – A new primitive cubic ordered spinel

LiFe_0.5Ti_1.5O₄ was synthesized by solid-state reaction carried out at 900 °C in flowing argon atmosphere, followed by rapid quenching of the reaction product to room temperature. The compound has been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effect spectroscopy (MES). It crystallizes in the space group P4₃32, a = 8.4048(1) Å. Results from Rietveld structural refinement indicated 1:3 cation ordering on the octahedral sites: Li occupies the octahedral (4b) sites, Ti occupies the octahedral (12d) sites, while the tetrahedral (8c) sites have mixed (Fe/Li) occupancy. A small, about 5%, inversion of Fe on the (4b) sites has been detected. The MES data is consistent with cation distribution and oxidation state of Fe, determined from the structural data.The title compound is thermally unstable in air atmosphere. At 800 °C it transforms to a mixture of two Fe³⁺ containing phases – a face centred cubic spinel Li_(1+y)/2Fe_(5−3y)/2Ti_yO₄ and a Li_(z−1)/2Fe_(7−3z)/2Ti_zO₅ – pseudobrookite. The major product of thermal treatment at 1000 °C is a ramsdellite type lithium titanium iron(III) oxide, accompanied by traces of rutile and pseudobrookite.     

Chromium(III) Hydroxide Solubility in The Aqueous Na+-OH?-H2PO?4-HPO2?4-PO3?4-H2O System: A Thermodynamic Model

Chromium(III)-phosphate reactions are expected to be important in managing high-level radioactive wastes stored in tanks at many DOE sites. Extensive studies on the solubility of amorphous Cr(III) solids in a wide range of pH (2.8–14) and phosphate concentrations (10^–4 to 1.0 m) at room temperature (22±2)°C were carried out to obtain reliable thermodynamic data for important Cr(III)-phosphate reactions. A combination of techniques (XRD, XANES, EXAFS, Raman spectroscopy, total chemical composition, and thermodynamic analyses of solubility data) was used to characterize solid and aqueous species. Contrary to the data recently reported in the literature,⁽¹⁾ only a limited number of aqueous species [Cr(OH)₃H₂PO^–₄, Cr(OH)₃(H₂PO₄)^2–₂), and Cr(OH)₃HPO^2–₄] with up to about four orders of magnitude lower values for the formation constants of these species are required to explain Cr(III)-phosphate reactions in a wide range of pH and phosphate concentrations. The log K^o values of reactions involving these species [Cr(OH)₃(aq)+H₂PO^–₄&#x21CC;Cr(OH)₃H₂PO^–₄; Cr(OH)₃(aq)+2H₂PO^–₄&#x21CC;Cr(OH)₃(H₂PO₄)^2–₂; Cr(OH)₃(aq)+HPO^2–₄&#x21CC;Cr(OH)₃HPO^2–₄] were found to be 2.78±0.3, 3.48±0.3, and 1.97±0.3, respectively.     

Neutron diffraction study of the β′ and γ phases of LiFeO2

The β, β′, γ and α phases of LiFeO₂, synthesized as powders, were annealed at different temperatures and characterized by X-ray measurements. The β′ and γ modifications were also studied by time-of-flight neutron diffraction (ISIS Facility, UK). The structure of the β′ phase was refined in the monoclinic C2/c space group (a=8.566(1), b=11.574(2), c=5.1970(5) Å, β=146.064(5)°) to wR_p=0.071–0.080 (data from four counter banks). Fe and Li atoms are ordered over two of the four independent sites, and partially disordered over the other two. The ordered Li has a distorted tetrahedral coordination. The γ structure was refined at RT (a=4.047(1), c=8.746(2) Å) and at 570 °C (a=4.082(3), c=8.822(6) Å) in the I4₁/amd symmetry, showing full order with Li in octahedral coordination at RT, and in a split-atom configuration at high temperature. On annealing, the β′ polymorph was found to transform to γ at 550 °C, thus suggesting that it is a metastable phase. Electrostatics is discussed as the driving force for the α→β′→γ ordering process of LiFeO₂.     

Ternary [Al2O3–electrolyte–Cu] species: EPR spectroscopy and surface complexation modeling

Cu²⁺ binding on γ-Al₂O₃ is modulated by common electrolyte ions such as Mg²⁺, , and in a complex manner: (a) At high concentrations of electrolyte ions, Cu²⁺ uptake by γ-Al₂O₃ is inhibited. This is partially due to bulk ionic strength effects and, mostly, due to direct competition between Mg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions for the SO⁻ surface sites of γ-Al₂O₃. (b) At low concentrations of electrolyte ions, Cu²⁺ uptake by γ-Al₂O₃ can be enhanced. This is due to synergistic coadsorption of Cu²⁺ and electrolyte anions, and _. This results in the formation of ternary surface species (SOH₂SO₄Cu)⁺, (SOH₂PO₄Cu), and (SOH₂HPO₄Cu)⁺ which enhance Cu²⁺ uptake at pH < 6. The effect of phosphate ions may be particularly strong resulting in a 100% Cu uptake by the oxide surface. (c) EPR spectroscopy shows that at pH  pH_PZC, Cu²⁺ coordinates to one SO⁻ group. Phosphate anions form stronger, binary or ternary, surface species than sulfate anions. At pH  pH_PZC Cu²⁺ may coordinate to two SO⁻ groups. At pH  pH_PZC electrolyte ions and are bridging one O-atom from the γ-Al₂O₃ surface and one Cu²⁺ ion forming ternary [γ-Al₂O₃/elecrolyte/Cu²⁺] species.     

Preparation and hydrogen permeation of SrCe0.95Y0.05O3−δ asymmetrical membranes

Asymmetrical thin membranes of SrCe_0.95Y_0.05O_3−δ (SCY) were prepared by a conventional and cost-effective dry pressing method. The substrate consisted of SCY, NiO and soluble starch (SS), and the top layer was the SCY. NiO was used as a pore former and soluble starch was used to control the shrinkage of the substrate to match that of the top layer. Crack-free asymmetrical thin membranes with thicknesses of about 50 μm and grain sizes of 5–10 μm were successfully pressed on to the substrates. Hydrogen permeation fluxes (J_H2) of these thin membranes were measured under different operating conditions. At 950 °C, J_H2 of the 50 μm SCY asymmetrical membrane towards a mixture of 80% H₂/He was as high as 7.6 × 10⁻⁸ mol/cm² s, which was about 7 times higher than that of the symmetrical membranes with a thickness of about 620 μm. The hydrogen permeation properties of SCY asymmetrical membranes were investigated and activation energies for hydrogen permeation fluxes were calculated. The slope of the relationship between the hydrogen permeation fluxes and the thickness of the membranes was −0.72, indicating that permeation in SCY asymmetric membranes was controlled by both bulk diffusion and surface reaction in the range investigated.     

Preparation and electrical properties of new oxide ion conductors Ce6−xDyxMoO15−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.8)

Ce_6−xDy_xMoO_15−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.8) were synthesized by modified sol–gel method. Structural and electrical properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The XRD patterns showed that the materials were single phase with a cubic fluorite structure. Impedance spectroscopy measurement in the temperature range between 350 °C and 800 °C indicated a sharp increase in conductivity for the system containing small amount of Dy₂O₃. The Ce_5.6Dy_0.4MoO_15−δ detected to be the best conducting phase with the highest conductivity (σ_t = 8.93 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) is higher than that of Ce_5.6Sm_0.4MoO_15−δ (σ_t = 2.93 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) at 800 °C, and the corresponding activation energy of Ce_5.6Dy_0.4MoO_15−δ (0.994 eV) is lower than that of Ce_5.6Sm_0.4MoO_15−δ (1.002 eV).