Solubility of AlPO4 in cryolite melts

The solubility of aluminium orthophosphate in cryolite melts was determined. Part of the binary phase diagram of the system Na₃AlF₆-AlPO₄ was investigated. The eutectic point was determined to be at 43.7 mass% (or 57.2 mol%) AlPO₄ and (696 ± 1) °C. It is suggested that in pure molten cryolite melts the orthophosphate ion dissociates partly into a metaphosphate ion and an oxide ion.     

Preparation of the cubic-type La2O3 phase by thermal decomposition of LaI3

Cubic lanthanum oxide was prepared by the oxidation of lanthanum iodide at 700 °C in air atmosphere. The oxide was characterized by X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. The cubic La₂O₃ is most likely a single lanthanum oxide phase containing periodate hydrate and hydroxycarbonate species. The cubic lanthanum oxide is found to be chemically stable even if they are dispersed in water because of the presence of hydroxycarbonate and periodate hydrate species which inhibit the bulk hydroxylation.     

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.     

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.     

Effect of sintering on the ionic conductivity of garnet-related structure Li5La3Nb2O12 and In- and K-doped Li5La3Nb2O12

Garnet-structure related metal oxides with the nominal chemical composition of Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂, In-substituted Li_5.5La₃Nb_1.75In_0.25O₁₂ and K-substituted Li_5.5La_2.75K_0.25Nb₂O₁₂ were prepared by solid-state reactions at 900, 950, and 1000 °C using appropriate amounts of corresponding metal oxides, nitrates and carbonates. The powder XRD data reveal that the In- and K-doped compounds are isostructural with the parent compound Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂. The variation in the cubic lattice parameter was found to change with the size of the dopant ions, for example, substitution of larger In³⁺(r_CN6: 0.79 Å) for smaller Nb⁵⁺ (r_CN6: 0.64 Å) shows an increase in the lattice parameter from 12.8005(9) to 12.826(1) Å at 1000 °C. Samples prepared at higher temperatures (950, 1000 °C) show mainly bulk lithium ion conductivity in contrast to those synthesized at lower temperatures (900 °C). The activation energies for the ionic conductivities are comparable for all samples. Partial substitution of K⁺ for La³⁺ and In³⁺ for Nb⁵⁺ in Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ exhibits slightly higher ionic conductivity than that of the parent compound over the investigated temperature regime 25-300 °C. Among the compounds investigated, the In-substituted Li_5.5La₃Nb_1.75In_0.25O₁₂ exhibits the highest bulk lithium ion conductivity of 1.8×10⁻⁴ S/cm at 50 °C with an activation energy of 0.51 eV. The diffusivity (“component diffusion coefficient”) obtained from the AC conductivity and powder XRD data falls in the range 10⁻¹⁰-10⁻⁷ cm²/s over the temperature regime 50-200 °C, which is extraordinarily high and comparable with liquids. Substitution of Al, Co, and Ni for Nb in Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ was found to be unsuccessful under the investigated conditions.     

Synthesis, characterization and dielectric properties of new unidimensional quaternary tellurites: LaTeNbO6, La4Te6Nb2O23, and La4Te6Ta2O23

Three new tellurites, LaTeNbO₆ and La₄Te₆M₂O₂₃ (M=Nb or Ta) have been synthesized, as bulk phase powders and crystals, by using La₂O₃, Nb₂O₅ (or Ta₂O₅), and TeO₂ as reagents. The structures of LaTeNbO₆ and La₄Te₆Ta₂O₂₃ were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. LaTeNbO₆ consists of one-dimensional corner-linked chains of NbO₆ octahedra that are connected by TeO₃ polyhedra. La₄Te₆M₂O₂₃ (M=Nb or Ta) is composed of corner-linked chains of MO₆ octahedra that are also connected by TeO₄ and two TeO₃ polyhedra. In all of the reported materials, Te⁴⁺ is in an asymmetric coordination environment attributable to its stereo-active lone-pair. Infrared, thermogravimetric, and dielectric analyses are also presented. Crystallographic information: LaTeNbO₆, triclinic, space group P−1, a=6.7842(6) Å, b=7.4473(6) Å, c=10.7519(9) Å, α=79.6490(10)°, β=76.920(2)°, γ=89.923(2)°, Z=4; La₄Te₆Ta₂O₂₃, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=23.4676(17) Å, b=12.1291(9) Å, c=7.6416(6) Å, β=101.2580(10)°, Z=4.     

La6Mo8O33: a new ordered defect scheelite superstructure

The structure of La₆Mo₈O₃₃ has been determined from a triple pattern powder diffraction analysis. Two high-resolution neutron diffraction patterns collected at 1.594 and 2.398 Å and one X-rays were used. This molybdate crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P2₁(N°4), Z=2,a=10.7411(3) Å, b=11.9678(3) Å, c=11.7722(3) Å, β=116.062 (1)°. La₆Mo₈O₃₃ is an unusual ordered defect Scheelite. Hence, it should be described with cation vacancies and an extra oxygen atom following the formula: La₆□₂Mo₈O₃₂₊₁. This extra oxygen atom leads to a pyramidal environment, whereas the other molybdenum atoms present tetrahedral environment. A molybdenum tetrahedral is connecting to the pyramid, forming an [Mo₂O₉] unit.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of the pillared perovskites La5Re3MO16(M=Mg, Fe, Co, Ni)

Four new compounds La₅Re₃MgO₁₆ La₅Re₃FeO₁₆ La₅Re₃CoO₁₆ La₅Re₃NiO₁₆ have been prepared by solid-state reaction and characterized by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction and SQUID magnetometry. Rietveld refinement revealed that the four compounds are isostructural with La₅Re₃MnO₁₆ and crystallize in space group with cell parameters a=7.9370(3), 7.9553(5), 7.9694(7), and 7.9383(4) Å; b=7.9998(3), 7.9960(6), 8.0071(8), and 7.9983(5) Å; c=10.1729(4), 10.1895(7), 10.182(1), and 10.1732(6) Å; α=90.190(3)°, 90.270(3)°, 90.248(4) °, 90.287(3)°; β=94.886(2)°, 95.082(3)°, 94.980(4)°, 94.864(3)°; γ=89.971(4)°, 90.001(5)°, 89.983(6)°, 89.968(4)° for Mg, Fe, Co, and Ni, respectively. The structures are related to a layered perovskite. The layers of corner-sharing octahedra Re⁵⁺M²⁺O₆ (M²⁺=Mg, Fe, Co, Ni) are pillared by diamagnetic edge-sharing octahedra dimers, Re₂O₁₀, involving a Re=Re double bond. Three crystallographically independent lanthanum atoms occupy the three-dimensional interstices. All compounds obey the Curie-Weiss law at sufficiently high temperatures with Curie constants or effective magnetic moments near the expected values for the combination of Re⁵⁺(S=1) and M²⁺(S=0, 2, 3/2, 1 for Mg, Fe, Co, and Ni, respectively). Weiss constants, θ_C, are negative (−575, −84, −71, and −217 K for Mg, Fe, Co, and Ni, respectively) indicating the predominance of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling. The phases for M=Fe, Co and Ni show long-range order at 155, 33, 36 and 14 K, respectively. Neutron diffraction discloses a magnetic structure for the Fe series member consisting of ferrimagnetic perovskite layers coupled antiparallel along the stacking c-axis, direction which is consistent with the magnetic structure found recently for La₅Re₃MnO₁₆.     

A comparison of the transport properties of lithium-stuffed garnets and the conventional phases Li3Ln3Te2O12

The structures of new phases Li₆CaLa₂Sb₂O₁₂ and Li_6.4Ca_1.4La₂Sb₂O₁₂ have been characterised using neutron powder diffraction. Rietveld analyses show that both compounds crystallise in the space group la3?d and contain the lithium cations in a complex arrangement with occupational disorder across oxide tetrahedra and distorted oxide octahedra, with considerable positional disorder in the latter. Variable temperature neutron diffraction experiments on Li_6.4Ca_1.4La₂Sb₂O₁₂ show the structure is largely invariant with only a small variation in the lithium distribution as a function of temperature. Impedance spectroscopy measurements show that the total conductivity of Li₆CaLa₂Sb₂O₁₂ is several orders of magnitude smaller than related lithium-stuffed garnets with σ=10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ at 95 °C and an activation energy of 0.82(3) eV. The transport properties of the conventional garnets Li₃Gd₃Te₂O₁₂, Li₃Tb₃Te₂O₁₂, Li₃Er₃Te₂O₁₂ and Li₃Lu₃Te₂O₁₂ have been evaluated and consistently show much lower values of conductivity, σ≤4.4×10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ at 285 °C and activation energies in the range 0.77(4)≤E_a/eV≤1.21(3).     

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.     

Ion-beam irradiation of lanthanum compounds in the systems La2O3-Al2O3 and La2O3-TiO2

Thin crystals of La₂O₃, LaAlO₃, La_2/3TiO₃, La₂TiO₅, and La₂Ti₂O₇ have been irradiated in situ using 1 MeV Kr²⁺ ions at the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscope-Tandem User Facility (IVEM-Tandem), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). We observed that La₂O₃ remained crystalline to a fluence greater than 3.1×10¹⁶ ions cm⁻² at a temperature of 50 K. The four binary oxide compounds in the two systems were observed through the crystalline-amorphous transition as a function of ion fluence and temperature. Results from the ion irradiations give critical temperatures for amorphisation (T_c) of 647 K for LaAlO₃, 840 K for La₂Ti₂O₇, 865 K for La_2/3TiO₃, and 1027 K for La₂TiO₅. The T_c values observed in this study, together with previous data for Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, are discussed with reference to the melting points for the La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ and La₂O₃-TiO₂ systems and the different local environments within the four crystal structures. Results suggest that there is an observable inverse correlation between T_c and melting temperature (T_m) in the two systems. More complex relationships exist between T_c and crystal structure, with the stoichiometric perovskite LaAlO₃ being the most resistant to amorphisation.     

Untersuchungen in den Zweistoffsystemen La2O3—(CaO,SrO, BaO)

Zusammenfassung Der Einbau von Lanthanoxid in die Erdalkalioxide CaO, SrO und BaO wurde auf röntgenographischem Wege untersucht. Bei 1000°C geglühte Proben zeigen folgende Löslichkeiten für La₂O₃: 1 Mol% in BaO, 2,4 Mol% in SrO und praktisch keine Löslichkeit in CaO.

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The incorporation of lanthanum oxide into CaO, SrO and BaO was studied by X-ray methods. The incorporated quantities of La₂O₃ in samples decarbonized at 1000°C were found to be 1 mol% for BaO, 2.4 mol% for SrO and no solubility for CaO.

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Mit 2 Abbildungen     

La0.6Sr1.4MnO4 layered perovskite anode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

La_0.6Sr_1.4MnO₄ (LSMO₄) layered perovskite with K₂NiF₄ structure was prepared and evaluated as anode material for La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.83Mg_0.17O_3 − δ (LSGM) electrolyte supported intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). X-ray diffraction results show that LSMO₄ is redox stability. Thermal expansion coefficient of LSMO₄ is close to that of LSGM electrolyte. By adopting LSMO₄ as anode and La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.8Fe_0.2O₃ (LSCF) as cathode, maxium power densities of 146.6, 110.9 mW cm^− 2 with H₂ fuel at 850, 800 °C and 47.3 mW cm^− 2 with CH₄ fuel at 800 °C were obtained, respectively. Further, the cell demonstrated a reasonably stable performance under 180 mA cm^− 2 for over 40 h with H₂ fuel at 800 °C.     

Structural and conductivity studies of Y10−xLaxW2O21

The aim of this work was to determine structural parameters of the Y_10−xLa_xW₂O₂₁ (x=0-10) solid solution series and investigate their electric properties. Crystallographic data shows a gradual increase in symmetry with increasing La content, as the structure evolves from orthorhombic, Y₁₀W₂O₂₁, towards the pseudo-cubic structure of Y₅La₅W₂O₂₁. The solubility limit of La₂O₃ was found to be 50% (x=5). Above this level two phases were observed, La₆W₂O₁₅ and (La,Y)_10+xW_2−xO_21−δ. The conductivity of Y rich samples was very low, with σ of the order 2×10⁻⁵-5×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 1000 °C, whilst ionic conductivity was observed for most La rich doped samples. The highest conductivity was observed for La₁₀W₂O₂₁ and its doped analogues, at 1×10⁻³-5×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 1000 °C. Unit cell parameters were determined as a function of temperature from 0 to 1000°C, and thermal expansion of these materials was determined from temperature studies carried out at the Australian Synchrotron facility in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.     

Thermolytic formation and microstructure of IrO2 + Ta2O5 mixed oxide anodes from chloride precursors

The thermolytic formation of IrO₂+Ta₂O₅ mixed oxides from chloride precursors is studied by thermogravimetry (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The structure and morphologies of the corresponding oxide films coated on titanium bases are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The experimental results showed that, as a result of the interaction between Ir and Ta components, especially, the formation of solid solution phases during the thermolysis processes, the oxidative dissociation of the H₂IrCl₆+TaCl₅ mixture is facilitated. The catalytic effect reached the maximum at a nominal IrO₂ content of 70 mol% in the expected product, i.e. IrO₂+Ta₂O₅ mixed oxides, accompanied by the highest solid solubility between the two oxides and the finest rutile-structured crystalline grains in the oxides. For the mixed precursors with a low iridium content (e.g. 10 mol% nominal IrO₂ in IrO₂+Ta₂O₅) or a low tantalum content (e.g. 80 mol% nominal IrO₂), however, the decomposition of the major component is inhibited by the minor one at high temperatures (610-800 °C). The results show that the solid solution at low Ir contents (<30 mol% IrO₂) is unstable since it decomposes at high temperatures (≥750 °C). Two or more IrO₂ based rutile-constructed solid solution phases are thermolytically formed from the mixed precursors with nominal IrO₂ contents ≥30 mol%. The rutile-structured phases stably exist only in the case of IrO₂ contents ≥60 mol%.     

Synthesis, crystal and band structures, and optical properties of a new lanthanide-alkaline earth tellurium(IV) oxide: La2Ba(Te3O8)(TeO3)2

A new quaternary lanthanide alkaline-earth tellurium(IV) oxide, La₂Ba(Te₃O₈)(TeO₃)₂, has been prepared by the solid-state reaction and structurally characterized. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/c with a=19.119(3), b=5.9923(5), c=13.2970(19) Å, β=107.646(8)°, V=1451.7(3) Å³ and Z=4. La₂Ba(Te₃O₈)(TeO₃)₂ features a 3D network structure in which the cationic [La₂Ba(TeO₃)₂]⁴⁺ layers are cross-linked by Te₃O₈⁴⁻ anions. Both band structure calculation by the DFT method and optical diffuse reflectance spectrum measurements indicate that La₂Ba(Te₃O₈)(TeO₃)₂ is a wide band-gap semiconductor.     

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.     

Formation of apatite oxynitrides by the reaction between apatite-type oxide ion conductors, La8+xSr2−x(Si/Ge)6O26+x/2, and ammonia

Following growing interest in the use of ammonia as a fuel in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), we have investigated the possible reaction between the apatite silicate/germanate electrolytes, La_8+xSr_2−x(Si/Ge)₆O_26+x/2, and NH₃ gas. We examine how the composition of the apatite phase affects the reaction with ammonia. For the silicate series, the results showed a small degree of N incorporation at 600 °C, while at higher temperatures (800 °C), substantial N incorporation was observed. For the germanate series, partial decomposition was observed after heating in ammonia at 800 °C, while at the lower temperature (600 °C), significant N incorporation was observed. For both series, the N content in the resulting apatite oxynitride was shown to increase with increasing interstitial oxide ion content (x/2) in the starting oxide. The results suggest that the driving force for the nitridation process is to remove the interstitial anion content, such that for the silicates the total anion (O+N) content in the oxynitrides approximates to 26.0, the value for an anion stoichiometric apatite. For the germanates, lower total anion contents are observed in some cases, consistent with the ability of the germanates to accommodate anion vacancies. The removal of the mobile interstitial oxide ions on nitridation suggests problems with the use of apatite-type electrolytes in SOFCs utilising NH₃ at elevated temperatures.     

NaAlF4: Preparation, crystal structure and thermal stability

The compound NaAlF₄ has been obtained in the form of thin fibrous crystals or fine colorless powder by condensation at 18 °C of vapors arising over chiolite Na₅Al₃F₁₄ or NaCaAlF₆, heated up to 800 °C. Thermal stability has been investigated by the methods of thermal analysis and high temperature X-ray diffraction. When heated in air, NaAlF₄ is stable up to 390-400 °C, then there is an exothermal solid state decay into Na₅Al₃F₁₄(s) and AlF₃(s). At higher temperature Na₅Al₃F₁₄(s) decays into Na₃AlF₆(s) and NaAlF₄(g). The crystal structure (space group Cmcm, a=3.6124(1) Å, b=14.9469(7) Å, c=5.2617(3) Å, V=284.10 Å³) has been determined by X-ray powder diffraction method. In the crystal structure of NaAlF₄ the octahedrons [AlF₆] are joined through vertices and form corrugated layers, sodium ion layers being located between them. The distances between the atoms of Al-F are in the range 1.791-1.814 Å, and those for Na…F are in the range 2.297-2.439 Å. In spite of limited thermal stability of the crystal form, the compound NaAlF₄ is the main component of the gas mixture over solid and molten salts in the ternary system NaF-AlF₃-CaF₂ and participates in chemical transformations between the phases at high temperature.     

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).