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.     

Thermodynamic quantities and defect equilibrium in La2−xSrxNiO4+δ

In order to elucidate the relation between thermodynamic quantities, the defect structure, and the defect equilibrium in La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ, statistical thermodynamic calculation is carried out and calculated results are compared to those obtained from experimental data. Partial molar enthalpy of oxygen and partial molar entropy of oxygen are obtained from δ-P(O₂)-T relation by using Gibbs-Helmholtz equation. Statistical thermodynamic model is derived from defect equilibrium models proposed before by authors, localized electron model and delocalized electron model which could well explain the variation of oxygen content of La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ. Although assumed defect species and their equilibrium are different, the results of thermodynamic calculation by localized electron model and delocalized electron model show minor difference. Calculated results by the both models agree with the thermodynamic quantities obtained from oxygen nonstoichiometry of La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ.     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry of Sr(Co,Fe)O3−δ-based perovskites: I. Coulometric titration of SrCo0.85Fe0.10Cr0.05O3−δ by the two-electrode technique

The p(O₂)–T–δ diagram of perovskite-type SrCo_0.85Fe_0.10Cr_0.05O_3−δ was determined by the coulometric titration technique in the temperature range 770–1250 K at oxygen partial pressures from 8 10⁻¹⁰ to 0.5 atm. Stability of the cubic perovskite phase of SrCo_0.85Fe_0.10Cr_0.05O_3−δ, existing down to the oxygen pressures of 10⁻³–10⁻⁵ atm, was found to be slightly higher than that of SrCo_0.80Fe_0.20O_3−δ, probably due to stabilization of oxygen octahedra neighboring Cr⁴⁺ cations. When the oxygen nonstoichiometry of the Cr-containing perovskite decreases from 0.47 to 0.38, the partial molar enthalpy and entropy for overall oxygen incorporation reaction vary in the ranges −165 to −60 kJ mol⁻¹ and 90 to 150 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. Within the stability limits of the single perovskite phase, the p(O₂)–T–δ diagram can be adequately described by equilibrium processes of oxygen incorporation, cobalt disproportionation and interaction of cobalt and iron cations, with the thermodynamic functions independent of defect concentrations. Increasing grain size in SrCo_0.85Fe_0.10Cr_0.05O_3−δ ceramics from submicron size to 100–200 μm has no effect on the oxygen thermodynamics. The two-electrode coulometric titration technique, based on the alternate use of electrodes for oxygen pumping and e.m.f. measurements, is described and verified by studying oxygen nonstoichiometry of La_0.3Sr_0.7CoO_3−δ and PrO_x.     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and phase transitions of the neodymium-rich Nd1+xBa2−xCu3Oz solid solution

On the basis of chemical, thermal analysis and Cu K-edge X-ray absorption measurements, oxygen content in the Nd_1+xBa_2−xCu₃O_z solid solution was determined between 1000°C in air and 400°C in oxygen for x=0.05–0.9 compositions. It has been observed that the oxygen nonstoichiometry Δz of the Nd_1+xBa_2−xCu₃O_7+x/2−Δz solid solution decreases 2–2.5 times for a large substitution (Δz≈0.3–0.33 for x=0.9), despite of the acclaimed higher total oxygen content. The difference in nonstoichiometry is explained by a higher average value of the copper oxidation state (ACV), which is vital for the solid solution with large x even at elevated temperatures (ACV≈2–2.05 for x>0.3 at 1000°C, PO₂=0.21 atm). On the contrary, the ACV after complete oxygenation is almost constant (about 2.25–2.3) for the whole series. The x-dependence of the oxygen content is not monotonous and structural phase transitions can be observed at x=0.3 and x=0.6, as confirmed by the X-ray diffraction and the Raman scattering spectroscopy. The first well-known transition is connected with the oxygen disorder due to the Nd substitution for Ba at random Ba-sites. In the present work, it is proved by the apical oxygen mode broadening in Raman spectra. Ordering of the Nd and Ba atoms with a subsequent orthorhombic distortion of the lattice may occur even at 1000°C in air due to the second transformation at x≈0.6. The invariable orthorhombicity of the Nd-rich solid solution with x>0.6 is not caused by the oxygen absorption as in the x=0.05 case. Existence of high- and low-temperature orthorhombic modifications of this solid solution has been observed for the first time. Finally, a tentative 3D (z–x–T) diagram is suggested for the Nd_1+xBa_2−xCu₃O_z solid solution up to 1000°C in air, including the new x=0.6–0.9 region.     

Anomalies in magnetic susceptibility of nonstoichiometric Nd2NiO4+δ (δ=0.049, 0.065, 0.077, 0.234)

We have investigated the influence of oxygen excess on structural and physical properties of the Nd₂NiO_4+δ compounds. Using the citrate method and subsequent annealing in air and in a reducing atmosphere a various oxygen-doped compounds were prepared. X-ray diffraction at room temperature shows that structure is strongly oxygen excess dependent. Thus, by increasing δ by up to 0.077, the compounds adopt a tetragonal structure gradually with a biphasic domain between orthorhombic and tetragonal structures. And at higher δ values, the structure becomes orthorhombic. Moreover, Rietveld analysis shows that for δ<0.077 the presence of two crystalline phases with different oxygen excess: it should be the signature of interstitial oxygen, which is distributed in heterogeneous way. The biphasic products are composed of a stoichiometric Nd₂NiO₄ phase (orthorhombic structure) and a tetragonal Nd₂NiO_4.077 phase. Magnetic susceptibility shows a deviation from Curie-Weiss law for lower oxygen excess (δ?0.077). Moreover, some anomalies in dc magnetic susceptibility curves was observed at 45, 95 and 130 K for δ<0.077. These transitions are connected to the tetragonal phase, and were attributed, respectively, to an antiferromagnetic transition, possible charge ordering and structural transition.     

Employing sulfide-conductive solid electrolytes for the production of semiconducting sulfides with controlled composition and properties

Nonstoichiometry of sulfides of cadmium and lead is studied by the method of coulometric titration in electrochemical cells with sulfide-conductive solid electrolytes on the basis of MLn₂S₄. The range of the homogeneity region is estimated at temperatures 300 to 400°C. A feasible model for the formation of defects in nonstoichiometric sulfides of cadmium and lead is proposed.     

非化学计量组成Ba_(1.03)Ce_(0.5)Zr_(0.4)La_(0.1)O_(3-α)的化学稳定性和离子导电性

用高温固相反应法合成了非化学计量组成的Ba1.03Ce0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3-α质子导体.粉末X射线衍射(XRD)结果表明,该材料为单一钙钛矿型BaCeO3斜方晶结构,在高温下、CO2或水蒸气气氛中具有较高的稳定性.扫描电子显微镜(SEM)观察分析表明,材料经1550℃烧结20h非常致密.在500～900℃温度范围内,用交流阻抗谱技术测定了材料在湿润氢气和湿润空气气氛中的电导率;用气体浓差电池方法测定了材料在湿润氢气、湿润空气气氛中和氢-空气燃料电池条件下的离子迁移数,研究了材料的离子导电特性,并与化学计量组成的BaCe0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3-α材料进行了比较.结果表明,在500～900℃温度范围内、湿润氢气气氛中,Ba1.03Ce0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3-α材料的质子迁移数为1,是一个纯质子导体.在湿润空气气氛中,材料的氧离子迁移数为0.688～0.170,质子迁移数为0.218～0.017,是一个氧离子、质子和电子空穴的混合导体.在氢-空气燃料电池条件下,材料的离子(氧离子+质子)迁移数为0.990～0.796,是一个氧离子、质子和电子的混合导体.与化学计量组成的BaCe0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3-α材料相比较,在相同实验条件下非化学计量组成的Ba1.03Ce0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3-α材料具有较高的电导率和离子迁移数.     

非化学计量组成Ba1.03Ce0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3－α的化学稳定性和离子导电性

用高温固相反应法合成了非化学计量组成的Ba_1.03Ce_0.5Zr_0.4La_0.1O_{3－α质子导体. 粉末X射线衍射(XRD)结果表明, 该材料为单一钙钛矿型BaCeO3斜方晶结构, 在高温下、CO2或水蒸气气氛中具有较高的稳定性. 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)观察分析表明, 材料经1550 ℃烧结20 h非常致密. 在500～900 ℃温度范围内, 用交流阻抗谱技术测定了材料在湿润氢气和湿润空气气氛中的电导率; 用气体浓差电池方法测定了材料在湿润氢气、湿润空气气氛中和氢-空气燃料电池条件下的离子迁移数, 研究了材料的离子导电特性, 并与化学计量组成的BaCe0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3－α材料进行了比较. 结果表明, 在500～900 ℃温度范围内、湿润氢气气氛中, Ba1.03Ce0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3－α材料的质子迁移数为1, 是一个纯质子导体. 在湿润空气气氛中, 材料的氧离子迁移数为0.688～0.170, 质子迁移数为0.218～0.017, 是一个氧离子、质子和电子空穴的混合导体. 在氢-空气燃料电池条件下, 材料的离子(氧离子＋质子)迁移数为0.990～0.796, 是一个氧离子、质子和电子的混合导体. 与化学计量组成的BaCe0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3－α材料相比较, 在相同实验条件下非化学计量组成的Ba1.03Ce0.5Zr0.4La0.1O3－α材料具有较高的电导率和离子迁移数.}     

Crystal structure and properties of the Na1−x Ru2O4 phase

Sodium ruthenium(III,IV) oxide Na_1−x Ru₂O₄ was synthesized by the solid state reaction of Na₂CO₃ and RuO₂ in inert atmosphere and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The compound crystallizes in the CaFe₂O₄-type structure (space group Pnma, Z = 4, a = 9.2641(7) Å, b = 2.8249(3) Å, c = 11.1496(7) Å). Double rutile-like chains of the RuO₆ octahedra form a three-dimensional framework, whose tunnels contain sodium cations. The structure contains two crystallographically independent sites of ruthenium atoms randomly occupied by the Ru^III and Ru^IV cations. The superstructure with the doubled b parameter found for one of the samples under study using electron diffraction is caused, probably, by ordering of the Ru cations in the rutile-like chains. The Na_{1− x} Ru₂O₄ compound exhibits temperature-independent paramagnetism with χ₀ = 1.9·10⁻⁴ cm³ (mole of Ru⁻¹). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1655–1660, October, 2006.     

p-Type electron transport in La1−xSrxFeO3−δ at high temperatures

Electrical conductivity, thermopower and oxygen content were measured for La_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ (x=0.2, 0.5, 0.9) within the oxygen partial pressure range 10⁻⁴-0.5 atm and at temperatures 750-950 °C. The dominating charge carriers under these experimental conditions are electron holes. The results of oxygen nonstoichiometry measurements are used to estimate the concentration of holes and to analyze data on conductivity and thermopower. The changes in thermopower are described by the model assuming that the number of sites accessible for migration of holes is independent on oxygen content. The mobility of electron holes is calculated, and it is found to be virtually independent on temperature in the compositions with x<0.5 while compositions with x>0.5 exhibit thermally activated mobility and mobility values about 0.1 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ or smaller. It is suggested that the main contribution to the composition dependent variations in electron hole mobility are associated with Coulomb interactions at small x's, whereas at high degrees of doping the mobility of holes is most strongly affected by the increasing amount of oxygen vacancies.