Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Electronic Structure,and Magnetic Properties of the Zintl Phase Eu10Cd6Bi12

A new transition‐metal‐containing Zintl phase, Eu₁₀Cd₆Bi₁₂, was synthesized by combining the elements in excess molten Cd. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies indicated that this compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmmm (No. 65) with a=7.840(2), b=24.060(7), and c=4.7809(14) Å. The crystal structure of Eu₁₀Cd₆Bi₁₂ can be viewed as a stacking of a series of [Cd₆Bi₁₂] double layers, which are arranged alternately along the b axial direction. The layers are composed of corner‐ and edge‐shared CdBi₄ tetrahedra, a common feature in the crystal chemistry of many transition‐metal Zintl phases. Electronic‐band‐structure calculations confirm the closed‐shell configuration of all constituent elements and corroborate the electron count inferred by the Zintl formalism, that is, [Eu²⁺]₁₀[Cd²⁺]₆[Bi^3?]₈[Bi^2?]₄. Magnetic‐susceptibility measurements confirm the divalency of europium and show the existence of a long‐range antiferromagnetic order of the Eu spins below 12.3 K.     

Three-layer Aurivillius phases containing magnetic transition metal cations: Bi2−xSr2+x(Nb,Ta)2+xM1−xO12, M=Ru, Ir, Mn, x≈0.5

We report the synthesis of Aurivillius-type phases incorporating magnetic M⁴⁺ cations (M=Mn, Ru, Ir), based on the substitution of M⁴⁺ for Ti⁴⁺ in Bi₂Sr₂(Nb,Ta)₂TiO₁₂. The key to incorporating these magnetic transition metal cations appears to be the partial substitution of Sr²⁺ for Bi³⁺ in the α-PbO-type layer of the Aurivillius phase, leading to a concomitant decrease in the M⁴⁺ content; i.e., the composition of the prepared compounds was Bi_2−xSr_2+x(Nb,Ta)_2+xM_1−xO₁₂, x≈0.5. These compounds only exist over a narrow range of x, between an apparent minimum (x≈0.4) Sr²⁺ content in the α-PbO-type [Bi₂O₂] layer required for Aurivillius phases to form with magnetic M⁴⁺ cations, and an apparent maximum (x≈0.6) Sr²⁺ substitution in this [Bi₂O₂] layer. Rietveld-refinement of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data making use of anomalous dispersion at the Nb and Ru K edges show that the overwhelming majority of the incorporated M cations occupy the central of the three MO₆ octahedral layers in the perovskite-type block. Magnetic susceptibility measurements are presented and discussed in the context of the potential for multiferroic (magnetoelectric) properties in these materials.     

Chemical synthesis of nanoscale Aurivillius ceramics, Bi2A2TiM2O12 (A?=?Ca, Sr, Ba and M?=?Nb, Ta)

A group of three-layered Aurivillius compounds with composition Bi₂A₂TiM₂O₁₂, where A?=?Ca, Sr, Ba and M?=?Nb and Ta, have been synthesized as nanoscale powders using two variants of the complex polymerization method. A new modified method is presented that yields single phase powders using reaction temperatures as low as 700?°C and accommodates a wide range of chemical substitutions. The resulting crystallites have dimensions below 100?nm and surface area ~10?m²/g. In situ analysis of the decomposition of the polymeric precursor shows that the polymer yields a three-phase mixture consisting of Bi₂A₂TiM₂O₁₂ and the metastable ??- and ??-polymorphs of Bi₂O₃ upon heating under flowing air. Full kinetics analysis of a 2-step solid state synthesis method was used to demonstrate that the crystallization of ?? Bi₂O₃ in the sol?Cgel method greatly accelerates the conversion to the Aurivillius phase. The fluorite structure of ?? Bi₂O₃ is the same as that of the [Bi₂O₂]²⁺ layer in the Aurivillius phase, facilitating rapid and low-temperature crystallization of the Aurivillius phase from the ?? Bi₂O₃ template.     

A comparative study of the Aurivillius phase ferroelectrics CaBi4Ti4O15 and BaBi4Ti4O15

The room temperature structures of the four-layer Aurivillius phase ferroelectrics CaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ and BaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ are determined by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction. Regarding the CaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ phase, in agreement with the tolerance factor, a significant deformation of the perovskite blocks is observed. The rotation system of the octahedra is typical from even layer Aurivillius phases and leads to the use of the space group A2₁am. For the BaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ phase, only a weak variation with respect to the F2mm space group can be suggested from single crystal X-ray diffraction. A significant presence of Ba atoms in the [M₂O₂] slabs is confirmed in agreement with the previous works but specific Ba²⁺ and Bi³⁺ sites have to be considered due to the large difference in bounding requirement of these cations. Possible origins for the ferroelectric relaxor behavior of the Ba-based compound are discussed in view of the presented structural analyses.     

Structural studies of five layer Aurivillius oxides: A2Bi4Ti5O18 (A=Ca, Sr, Ba and Pb)

The room temperature structures of the five layer Aurivillius phases A₂Bi₄Ti₅O₁₈ (A=Ca, Sr, Ba and Pb) have been refined from powder neutron diffraction data using the Rietveld method. The structures consist of [Bi₂O₂]²⁺ layers interleaved with perovskite-like [A₂Bi₂Ti₅O₁₆]²⁻ blocks. The structures were refined in the orthorhombic space group B2eb (SG. No. 41), Z=4, and the unit cell parameters of the oxides are a=5.4251(2), b=5.4034(1), c=48.486(1); a=5.4650(2), b=5.4625(3), c=48.852(1); a=5.4988(3), b=5.4980(4), c=50.352(1); a=5.4701(2), b=5.4577(2), c=49.643(1) for A=Ca, Sr, Ba and Pb, respectively. The structural features of the compounds were found similar to n=2-4 layers bismuth oxides. The strain caused by mismatch of cell parameter requirements for the [Bi₂O₂]²⁺ layers and perovskite-like [A₂Bi₂Ti₅O₁₆]²⁻ blocks were relieved by tilting of the TiO₆ octahedra. Variable temperature synchrotron X-ray studies for Ca and Pb compounds showed that the orthorhombic structure persisted up to 675 and 475 K, respectively. Raman spectra of the compounds are also presented.     

Defect and dopant properties of the Aurivillius phase Bi4Ti3O12

Computer modelling techniques have been used to investigate the defect and oxygen transport properties of the Aurivillius phase Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂. A range of cation dopant substitutions has been considered including the incorporation of trivalent ions (M³⁺=Al, Ga and In). The substitution of In³⁺ onto the Bi site in the [Bi₂O₂] layer is predicted to be the most favourable. The calculations suggest that lanthanide (Ln³⁺) doping at the dilute limit preferentially occurs in the [Bi₂O₂] layer, with probable distribution over both the [Bi₂O₂] and the perovskite A-site at higher dopant levels. It is predicted that the reduction process involving Ti³⁺ and oxygen vacancy formation is energetically favourable. The energetics of oxide vacancy migration between various oxygen sites in the structure have been investigated.     

Crystal structure and ionic conductivity of a new bismuth tungstate, Bi3W2O10.5

The compound Bi₃W₂O_10.5 was synthesized by the solid-state technique from Bi₂O₃ and WO₃ in stoichiometric quantities. Single crystals were grown by the melt-cooling technique and the crystal structure was solved in the tetragonalI4/m space group witha = 3.839 (1) ?,c = 16.382 (5) ?,V = 241.4 (1) ?³,Z = 4 and was refined to anR inde_x of 0.0672. The structure represents a modification of the Aurivillius phase and consists of [Bi₂O₂]²⁺ units separated by WO₈ polyhedra. a.c. impedance studies indicate oxide ion conductivity of 2.91 10⁻⁵ Scm⁻¹ at 600°C. Dedicated to Prof J Gopalakrishnan on his 62nd birthday.     

Unconventional Luminescent Centers in Metastable Phases Created by Topochemical Reduction Reactions

A low‐temperature topochemical reduction strategy is used herein to prepare unconventional phosphors with luminescence covering the biological and/or telecommunications optical windows. This approach is demonstrated by using Bi^III‐doped Y₂O₃ (Y_2?xBi_xO₃) as a model system. Experimental results suggest that topochemical treatment of Y_2?xBi_xO₃ using CaH₂ creates randomly distributed oxygen vacancies in the matrix, resulting in the change of the oxidation states of Bi to lower oxidation states. The change of the Bi coordination environments from the [BiO₆] octahedra in Y_2?xBi_xO₃ to the oxygen‐deficient [BiO_6?z] polyhedra in reduced phases leads to a shift of the emission maximum from the visible to the near‐infrared region. The generality of this approach was further demonstrated with other phosphors. Our findings suggest that this strategy can be used to explore Bi‐doped or other classes of luminescent systems, thus opening up new avenues to develop novel optical materials.     

Crystal structure of the ‘mixed-layer’ Aurivillius phase Bi5TiNbWO15

The crystal structure of the Aurivillius phase Bi₅TiNbWO₁₅ has been analyzed in detail using powder X-ray and neutron diffraction. The structure can be described as a regular intergrowth of alternating single and double perovskite-like layers sandwiched between fluorite-like bismuth oxide layers, such that the layer sequence is … [WO₄]-[Bi₂O₂]-[BiTiNbO₇]-[Bi₂O₂] …. There is complete ordering of tungsten within the B sites of the single perovskite layer, so that the structure can be described as a direct intergrowth of the ‘component’ Aurivillius phases Bi₂WO₆ and Bi₃TiNbO₉. At 25 °C the structure adopts the polar orthorhombic space group I2cm, , , .     

Vacuum Ultraviolet Excited Photoluminescence Properties of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ Phosphor

As an Hg-free lamp using phosphor, the Bi^3＋ and EH^3＋ co-doped Y2O2S phosphors were prepared and their luminescence properties under vacuum ultraviolet（VUV） excitation were investigated. The VUV photoluminescent intensity of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋ was weak, however, considerably stronger red emission at 626 nm with good color purity was observed in Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ systems. Investigation on the photoluminescence reveals that the strong VUV luminescence of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ at 147 nm is mainly because the Bi^3＋ acts as a medium and effectively performs the energy transfer process： Y^3＋-O^2-→Bi^3＋→Eu^3＋, while the intense emission band at 172 nm is attributed to the absorption of the characteristic ^1So-^1P1 transition of Bi^3＋ and the direct energy transfer from Bi^3＋ to Eu^3＋. The Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ shows excellent VUV optical properties compared with the commercial （Y,Gd）BO3：Eu^3＋. Thus, the Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ can be a potential red VUV-excited candidate applied in Hg-free lamps for backlight of liquid crystal display.     

Understanding the Impact of Bismuth Heterovalent Doping on the Structural and Photophysical Properties of CH3NH3PbBr3 Halide Perovskite Crystals with Near-IR Photoluminescence

A comprehensive study unveiling the impact of heterovalent doping with Bi³⁺ on the structural, semiconductive, and photoluminescent properties of a single crystal of lead halide perovskites (CH₃NH₃PbBr₃) is presented. As indicated by single-crystal XRD, a perfect cubic structure in Bi³⁺-doped CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ crystals is maintained in association with a slight lattice contraction. Time-resolved and power-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy illustrates a progressively quenched PL of visible emission, alongside the appearance of a new PL signal in the near-infrared (NIR) regime, which is likely to be due to energy transfer to the Bi sites. These optical characteristics indicate the role of Bi³⁺ dopants as nonradiative recombination centers, which explains the observed transition from bimolecular recombination in pristine CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ to a dominant trap-assisted monomolecular recombination with Bi³⁺ doping. Electrically, it is found that the mobility in pristine perovskite crystals can be boosted with a low Bi³⁺ concentration, which may be related to a trap-filling mechanism. Aided by temperature (T)-dependent measurements, two temperature regimes are observed in association with different activation energies (E_a) for electrical conductivity. The reduction of E_a at lower T may be ascribed to suppression of ionic conduction induced by doping. The modified electrical properties and NIR emission with the control of Bi³⁺ concentration shed light on the opportunity to apply heterovalent doping of perovskite single crystals for NIR optoelectronic applications.     

A Large Family of Iron Ruddlesden‐Popper Relatives: from Oxides to Oxycarbonates and Oxyhydroxides

Iron oxides, oxyhydroxydes and oxycarbonates derived from the layered Ruddlesden‐Popper (RP) structure form a large family of layered compounds. Besides the classical RP oxides Sr_n+1Fe_nO_3n+1, single intergrowths with the generic formulation (A,Sr)_n+2Fe_nO_3n+2 and (A,Sr)_n+3Fe_nO_3n+3 (A = Tl, Pb, Bi…) can be generated by increasing the multiplicity of the rock salt layers, and multiple intergrowths of these single intergrowths can be synthesized. Starting from oxygen deficient RP oxides such as n = 3 member Sr₃NdFe₃O_9?δ, oxyhydroxydes hydrates and oxyhydroxydes such as Sr₃NdFe₃O_7.5(OH)₂·H₂O and Sr₃NdFe₃O_7.5(OH)₂ can be created topotactically. Carbonate groups can also replace FeO₆ octahedra in the n = 3 member Sr₄Fe₃O₁₀, leading to layered oxycarbonates Sr₄Fe_3?x(CO₃)_xO_10?4x with 0 < × ≤ 1. Shearing mechanism applied transversally to the layers allows collapsed structures to be generated such as the [Bi₂Sr₃Fe₂O₉]_n [Bi₄Sr₆Fe₂O₁₆] family and the ferrite Bi₁₃Ba₂Sr₂₅Fe₁₃O₆₆. Finally the replacement of rock salt SrO layers in the intergrowth Sr₂FeO₄ allows a new series of modulated structures [Sr₈Fe₁₂O₂₆]·[Sr₃Fe₂O₆]_n to be generated, built up of layers of FeO₅ bipyramids and tetragonal pyramids intergrown with perovskite layers.     

The first silver bismuth borate,AgBi2B5O11

The first silver bismuth borate, AgBi₂B₅O₁₁ (silver dibismuth pentaborate), has been prepared via glass crystallization in the Ag₂O–Bi₂O₃–B₂O₃ system and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Its structure is derived from that of centrosymmetric Bi₃B₅O₁₂ by ordered substitution of one Bi³⁺ ion for Ag⁺, which results in the disappearance of the mirror plane and inversion centre. Second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements confirm the acentric crystal structure. It is formed by [Bi₂B₅O₁₁]_∞ layers stretched along c and comprised of vertex‐sharing B₅O₁₀ and BiO₃ groups which incorporate the Ag⁺ cations. The new compound was characterized by thermal analysis, high‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction, and vibrational and UV–Vis–NIR (near infrared) spectroscopy. Its thermal expansion is strongly anisotropic due to the presence of rigid B₅O₁₀ groups aligned in a parallel manner. The minimal value is observed along their axis [parallel to c, α_c = 3.1 (1) × 10^?6 K^?1], while maximal values are observed in the ab plane [α_a = 20.4 (2) and α_b = 7.8 (2) × 10^?6 K^?1]. Upon heating, AgBi₂B₅O₁₁ starts to decay above 684 K due to partial reduction of silver; incongruent melting is observed at 861 K. According to density functional theory (DFT) band‐structure calculations, the new compound is a semiconductor with an indirect energy gap of 3.57 eV, which agrees with the experimental data (absorption onset at 380 nm).     

Exfoliated nanoplatelets of an Aurivillius phase, Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12: Characterisation by X-ray diffraction and by high-resolution electron microscopy

Nanoparticles of the Aurivillius phase La-substituted BTO (Bi_4−xLa_xTi₃O₁₂, with x=0.75) were obtained through a chemical lithiation process. They have been characterised by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (diffraction and imaging at high resolution). The defect-free particles are platelet-shaped with the c large axis perpendicular to the plane. From high-resolution images, it is clear that the delamination process occurs at the level of the (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ intermediate layer and is destructive for this layer. The smallest thickness measured corresponds to one cell parameter (3.3 nm) but a large range of thicknesses have been observed: this suggests that the lithium insertion does not take place in all (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ layers, despite a large excess of lithium and a long reaction time. This is confirmed by ICP analysis, which leads to a formula Li_0.99Bi_3.25La_0.77Ti_3.00O₁₂ for the lithiated compound. This behaviour towards lithium intercalation differs from those observed with BTO in literature, where lithium insertion is reported as occurring in every (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ layer. Possible explanations for this difference are advanced based on microstructural and structural considerations.     

Ho3+/Yb3+共掺ZnO-Al2O3-GeO2-SiO2玻璃陶瓷的制备和上转换发光性质

综合ZnO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂系和锗酸盐玻璃陶瓷的优点,采用熔融-晶化法首次制备了Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺以ZnAl₂O₄为主晶相的ZnO-Al₂O₃-GeO₂-SiO₂系玻璃陶瓷。因[GeO₄]四面体和[SiO₄]四面体都是玻璃网络形成体,讨论了GeO₂取代SiO₂对玻璃陶瓷样品硬度及发光性能的影响,最终确定GeO₂的取代量为10.55%（w/w）时,玻璃陶瓷综合性能最佳。在980 nm泵浦光的激发下,发现强的绿色（546 nm）和弱的红色（650 nm）上转换发光,并研究了不同Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺掺杂比对样品上转换发光的影响,最终结果表明当Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺掺杂比为1：11（n/n）时样品荧光强度最强,在绿色上转换发光材料方面具有潜在的应用。     

Synthesis and Structure Analysis of Aurivillius Phases Pb1‐xBi4‐+Ti1‐xMnxO15

Synthesis Pb_1‐xBi_4+xTi_4‐xMn_xO₁₅ compounds (0 ≤ × ≤ 1) were carried out by molten salts method using eutectic mixture of Na₂SO₄/K₂SO₄ salts (1:1 molar ratio) as the flux. The samples were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction and refined by Le Bail method using Rietica program. The refinement results revealed that the compounds with the composition 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 formed Aurivillius phase with the space group A2₁am while the other composition (x ≥ 0.8) showed another phase beside A2₁am. The ratio b/a of the lattices constants for all the samples are larger than 1 indicating the direction of the orthorhombic along the b axis of their cells. The lattice parameters and volume of the unit cells decrease as the Mn content increasing from x = 0 to 0.6, for x ≥ 0.8 a second phase were observed. The morphologies of Pb_1‐xBi_4+xTi_4‐xMn_xO₁₅ samples were observed by SEM and show plate‐like aggregate crystals, typical of layered compounds belonging to the Aurivillius phase.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of layered oxyhalides BaPbBi3Nb2O11X (X = Cl, Br, I)

Three new bismuth oxyhalides BaPbBi₃Nb₂O₁₁X (X = Cl, Br, I), including the first perovskite bismuth oxyiodide, were prepared by ceramic route. Their crystal structure is formed by intergrowth of Sillén (PbBiO₂X) and Aurivillius (BaBi₂Nb₂O₉) phases. The results of Rietveld refinements show that the peculiarities of the building blocks (in particular, the distribution of Ba²⁺ and Bi³⁺) remain intact upon formation of the intergrowth structure. The Ba²⁺ cations prefer pure-oxygen to mixed oxygen-halogen environment which can be explained on the basis of bond valence method.     

Electronic structure and properties of aurivillius phases

The electronic structure of compounds from the family of Aurivillius phases of the general formula Bi₂O₂[A_n−1B_nO_3n+1], where n is the number of perovskite layers, was calculated by the ab initio LMTO-ASA method. For compounds with B=Nb, Ti; A=Ca, Sr, Ba, Bi, and n=1, 2, variations of the electronic structure and properties depending on the number of perovskite units and on the varieties of A and B cations were studied. Effects of vacancy formation in the Bi₂O₂ layers and metal-oxygen planes are considered. The instability of Bi₂NbO₆ is explained, and favorable positions for oxygen replacement by fluorine are found. The possibility of superconductivity in these compounds is considered. Institute of Solid State Chemistry, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Struktumoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 471–478, May–June, 1996.     

123 Phases in Ce-La-Nd-2Cu-Mg-O and Ce-2Nd-2Cu-Mg-O samples

We show that the substitution of lanthanum by neodymium, whose oxide melts at a temperature 500°C lower than La₂O₃, appreciably facilitates the synthesis of 123 phases with their Cu(1) positions fully or selectively substituted by magnesium. 123 phases with unit cells doubled in plane ab (phases “336”) and with compositions close to Ce₂(La_1.4Nd₂Ba_0.6){ Cu _3.4 ²⁺ Cu _0.6 ³⁺ } [Mg₂]O₁₆ (a = b = 0.5498(5) nm, c = 1.6425(8) nm), and Ce₂(La_1.7Nd₂K_0.3){ Cu _3.4 ²⁺ Cu _0.6 ³⁺ } [Mg₂]O₁₆ (a = b = 0.5498(5) nm, c = 1.6488(8) nm), and Ce₂(Nd_3.4Ba_0.6){ Cu _3.4 ²⁺ Cu _0.6 ³⁺ } [Mg₂]O₁₆ (a = b = 0.5474(5) nm, c = 1.6425 nm), where the parentheses indicate the Ba positions, the braces indicate the Cu(2) positions, and the brackets indicate the Cu(1) positions, were synthesized using modified nitrate technology at 810°C in flowing oxygen. The existence of Cu³⁺ in the Cu(2) positions endows the phases with electrical conductivity. The conductivity versus temperature curves show the semiconductor trend. The samples do not experience superconducting transitions up to 60 K.     

Local environments and dynamics of hydrogen atoms in protonated forms of ion-exchangeable layered perovskites estimated by solid-state H NMR

The local environments and dynamics of hydrogen atoms in five samples of protonated forms of ion-exchangeable layered perovskites, Dion-Jacobson-type H[LaNb₂O₇] and H[LaTa₂O₇], Ruddlesden-Popper-type H₂[SrTa₂O₇] and H₂[La₂Ti₃O₁₀], and H_1.8[(Sr_0.8Bi_0.2)Ta₂O₇] derived from an Aurivillius phase, Bi₂Sr₂Ta₂O₉, have been investigated by solid-state ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Solid-state ¹H NMR with a magic-angle spinning technique conducted at room temperature reveals that the mean electron densities around the ¹H nuclei in these protonated forms are relatively low, and that they decrease in the following order: H_1.8[(Sr_0.8Bi_0.2)Ta₂O₇]>H[LaNb₂O₇]>H₂[SrTa₂O₇]>H[LaTa₂O₇]>H₂[La₂Ti₃O₁₀]. The temperature-dependent solid-state ¹H broad-line NMR spectra measured at 140-400 K reveal a decrease in the signal width for all of these five samples upon heating due to motional narrowing. The NMR spectra of H[LaNb₂O₇] and H[LaTa₂O₇] are different from the other three protonated forms due to the weaker dipole-dipole interactions at low temperatures and lower mobility of the hydrogen atoms at high temperatures.