The p–T phase diagram for ferroelectric bis-thiourea pyridinium nitrate

The effect of temperature and pressure on physical properties of the ferroelectric bis-thiourea pyridinium nitrate inclusion compound has been studied by dielectric spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). At ambient pressure the ferroparaelectric phase transition observed at T₂ = 216 K is continuous in contrast to the nonferroelectric phase transition observed at T₁ = 273 K. Under small pressures, the temperatures of the phase transitions T₁ and T₂ increase with increasing pressure. Starting from about 250 MPa, T₁ temperature decreases with increasing pressure, while T₂ temperature increases with increasing pressure. At 450 MPa and 245 K a triple point is observed. Bis-thiourea pyridinium nitrate undergoes a continuous phase transition from the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase under 450 MPa, while above this pressure the phase transition from the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase is discontinuous. The change in the phase transition character is related to the crystallographic change in the group–subgroup relation between the ferro- and paraelectric phases taking place with increasing pressure.     

First-principles comparative study of multiferroic compound PbVO3

We report a comprehensive first-principles investigation of the structural, electronic, magnetic and phase transition properties in multiferroic compound PbVO₃ with systematic comparisons of various exchange-correlation (XC) functionals. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulating ground state of tetragonal phase has been obtained in the framework of the band theory, which is characterized by C-type two-dimensional AFM magnetic ordering in the ab plane. A first-order structural transformation from tetragonal phase to idea cubic perovskite structure takes place at 1.75 GPa, corresponding to the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition. Electronic structure calculations suggest that the ground state of the cubic paraelectric phase is a nonmagnetic orbital-disorder metal.     

The crystal structure of δ-VOPO4 and its relationship to ω-VOPO4

The crystal structure of δ-VOPO₄ was determined from powder X-ray diffraction data in the tetragonal space group P4₂/mbc (No. 135) with a = 9.0547(7) Å and c = 8.6080(8) Å. The structure is found to be closely related to that of ω-VOPO₄, thus disproving two traditional structure hypotheses commonly found in the literature. The structural relationship between the two phases is discussed in the light of a recently observed fast phase transition from ω- to δ-VOPO₄.     

Crystal structure and phase transitions of sodium potassium niobate perovskites

This paper presents the crystal structure and the phase transitions of K_xNa_1?xNbO₃ (0.4 ≤ x ≤ 0.6). X-ray diffraction measurements were used to follow the change of the unit-cell parameters and the symmetry in the temperature range 100–800 K. At room temperature all the compositions exhibited a monoclinic metric of the unit cell with a small monoclinic distortion (90.32° ≤ β ≤ 90.34°). No major change of symmetry was evidenced in the investigated compositional range, which should be characteristic of the morphotropic phase-boundary region. With increasing temperature, the samples underwent first-order monoclinic–tetragonal and tetragonal–cubic transitions. Only the potassium-rich phases were rhombohedral at 100 K.     

Pressure–temperature phase diagram of SeO2. Characterization of new phases

We have investigated SeO₂ at high pressures and high temperatures. Two new phases (β-SeO₂ and γ-SeO₂) and the boundary separating them have been found, following experimental runs performed at pressures up to 15 GPa and temperatures up to 820°C. The two phases crystallize in the orthorhombic system in space group Pmc2₁ (no. 26) with a=5.0722(1) Å, b=4.4704(1) Å, c=7.5309(2) Å, V=170.760(9) Å³ and Z=4 for the β-phase, and with a=5.0710(2) Å, b=4.4832(2) Å, c=14.9672(6) Å, V=340.27(3) Å³ and Z=8 for the γ-phase. Both phases are stable at ambient pressure and temperature below −30°C. At ambient temperature the phases return to the starting phase (α-SeO₂) in a few days. We discuss our findings in relation to a previous report of in-situ measurements at high pressures and ambient temperature.     

Ferromagnetism vs. antiferromagnetism of the dimorphic HoCrO4 oxide

This paper reports the specific conditions used in the preparation of the dimorphic phases of HoCrO₄ oxide. The scheelite form has been obtained from the room pressure stable HoCrO₄–zircon heated at 823 K at 40 kbar. The structures of both the polytypes have been refined from X-ray powder diffraction data using the Rietveld method. The zircon type of HoCrO₄ oxide crystallizes with tetragonal symmetry, S.G. I4₁/amd and lattice parameters a = 7.119(10) and c = 6.2557(5) Å; while the scheelite–HoCrO₄ derivative shows tetragonal symmetry, S.G. I4₁/a and lattice parameters a = 5.0017(1) and c = 11.2664(2) Å. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that both zircon and scheelite forms of HoCrO₄ oxide present a very different magnetic behaviour at low temperatures. The zircon form behaves as a ferromagnet with a Curie temperature of 17.6 K, while the scheelite form is antiferromagnetic with a Néel temperature of 7.6 K. A metamagnetic transition for the scheelite form with a critical field of 1 T at 2 K has been also observed. The changes in the sign of the interactions have been also analyzed by considering the possible super-exchange mechanisms and the differences found in the Ho–O–Cr distances and bond angles in going from zircon to scheelite structural type.     

Heat capacities,third-law entropies and thermodynamic functions of the negative thermal expansion material Zn2GeO4 from T=(0 to 400) K

The molar heat capacity of Zn₂GeO₄, a material which exhibits negative thermal expansion below ambient temperatures, has been measured in the temperature range 0.5⩽(T/K)⩽400. At T=298.15 K, the standard molar heat capacity is (131.86 ± 0.26) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹. Thermodynamic functions have been generated from smoothed fits of the experimental results. The standard molar entropy at T=298.15 K is (145.12 ± 0.29) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹. The existence of low-energy modes is supported by the excess heat capacity in Zn₂GeO₄ compared to the sums of the constituent binary oxides.     

Synthesis and structure of a new scorpionate-dithio carboxyl oxovanadium complex and an organic dithio carboxyl compound

A new complex of oxovanadium(IV), V₂O₂[(HB(pz)₃)₂(pyrro)₂ (1) and a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound (C₅H₈NS₂)₂ (2) have been synthesized by the reaction of VOSO₄·nH₂O with NaHB(pz)₃ and pyrrolidine dithio carboxylic acid ammonium salt. They were characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, UV–vis spectra and X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses of 1 and 2 gave the following parameters: 1, triclinic, P-1, a = 7.732(4) Å, b = 14.285(8) Å, c = 17.802(9) Å, α = 101.314(8)°, β = 92.682(9)°, γ = 92.228(9)°, V = 1923.6(18) Å³, and Z = 4; 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 13.857(2) Å, b = 10.4213(18) Å, c = 9.436(2) Å, β = 97.099(2), V = 1352.1(4) Å³, and Z = 4. In complex 1, vanadium atom adopts a distorted tetragonal bipyramid structure, which is typical for oxovanadium(IV) complexes. Compound 2 is a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound with S–S bond. In addition, thermal analysis was performed for analyzing the stabilization of the complexes.     

Phase transitions and thermodynamic properties of (NH4)3VO2F4 cryolite

Calorimetric measurements performed in a wide temperature range on (NH₄)₃VO₂F₄ have shown the presence of four heat capacity anomalies at T₁ = 438 K, T₂ = 244 K, T₃ = 210.2 K, T₄ = 205.1 K associated with the first order phase transitions. In accordance with the permittivity behavior, the structural transformations are of nonferroelectric nature. Pressure dependence of the phase transition temperatures has been studied by DTA under pressure. The entropy of phase transitions is analyzed mainly in the framework of the orientational disordering of NH₄⁺ and VO₂F₄^3? ions in a cubic phase.     

Pressure effects on a dimetallic ferrimagnet [Mn(en)]3[Cr(CN)6]2 · 4H2O

We have investigated pressure effects on a dimetallic ferrimagnet [Mn(en)]₃[Cr(CN)₆]₂ · 4H₂O (en; ethylenediamine) through the magnetic measurements using a diamond anvil cell in the pressure region up to P = 4.7 GPa. This ferrimagnetic compound has an eminent high transition temperature (Tc) of 69 K at ambient pressure in the structurally characterized molecule-based magnet system. Under hydrostatic pressure, Tc linearly increases against pressure, and exceeds 130 K at P = 4.7 GPa. The amount of the saturated moment hardly changes in the considered pressure region. This pressure experiment might become a prototype of artificial material control for the high-Tc molecule-based magnet.     

Doping effect of nonmagnetic impurity on the spin-Peierls-like transition in the quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) spin system of 1-(4′-nitrobenzyl)pyridinium bis(maleonitriledithiolato)nickelate

A nonmagnetic compound, [NO₂BzPy][Cu(mnt)₂] (mnt^2? = maleonitriledithiolate; NO₂BzPy⁺ = 1-(4′-nitrobenzyl)pyridinium), is isostructural with [NO₂BzPy][Ni(mnt)₂], which is a quasi-1D spin system and exhibits a spin-Peierls-like transition with J = 192 K in the gapless state and spin energy gap = 738 K in the dimerization state, respectively. Further, five nonmagnetic impurity doped compounds [NO₂BzPy][Cu_xNi_1?x(mnt)₂] (x = 0.04–0.74) were prepared, and their crystal structures as well as magnetic properties were investigated. The nonmagnetic doping causes the suppression of the spin transition with an average rate of 139(13) K/percentage of dopant concentration, and the transition collapse is estimated at around x > 0.5.     

Influence of thermal treatment on the glass transition temperature of thermosetting epoxy laminate

The influence of accelerated thermal treatment of thermosetting epoxy laminate on its glass transition temperature was studied. Lamplex^® FR-4 glass fibre-reinforced epoxy laminate (used for printed circuit board manufacturing) was used in these experiments. The composite was exposed to thermal treatments at temperatures ranging from 170 °C to 200 °C for times ranging from 10 to 480 h. The glass transition temperature (T_g) was analysed via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). It has been proven that the glass transition temperature rapidly decreases in reaction to thermal stress. The obtained T_g data were used for Arrhenius plots for different critical temperatures (T_g-crit. = 105–120 °C). From their slopes (?E_a/R), the activation energy of the thermal degradation process was calculated as 75.5 kJ/mol. In addition to this main relaxation mechanism, DMA also recorded one smaller relaxation process in the most aged samples. Microscopic analysis of the sample structure showed the presence of pronounced small regions of degradation both on the surface and in the inner structure, which are probably the causes of microscopic delamination and the smaller relaxation process.     

Optical absorption and EPR studies on tenorite mineral

Optical absorption and EPR studies of the mineral tenorite, a cupric oxide which originated from Mexico and contains 54.40 wt% of CuO. EPR spectral results indicate two Cu(II) closely interacting ions to give a d² type structure. The calculated spin Hamiltonian at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature is g = 2.160 and D = 125 G. The intensity of resonance line is not the same in low and high field regions. The optical absorption spectrum is due to Cu(II) in which three sets of energies indicating Cu(II) in two independent tetragonal C_4v symmetry, in addition to d² structure of octahedral coordination. The octahedral and tetragonal field parameters are compared with those reported for several other copper containing minerals.     

Phase equilibria study of the binary systems (N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tosylate ionic liquid + an alcohol)

Isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data, (VLE) have been measured by an ebulliometric method for the binary mixtures of ionic liquid (IL) {N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tosylate (p-toluenesulfonate) [BMPy][TOS] + ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol} at T = 373.15 K over the pressure range from p = 0 kPa to p = 110 kPa. (Solid + liquid) phase equilibria (SLE) for the binary systems: ionic liquid (IL) {N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tosylate (p-toluenesulfonate) [BMPy][TOS] + ethanol and 1-propanol} have been determined at ambient pressure. A dynamic method was used over a broad range of mole fractions and temperatures from (320 to 390) K. For the binary systems containing alcohol, it was noticed that with increasing chain length of alcohol vapour pressure of the mixture and the solubility of the IL decreases. Well-known Wilson, NRTL, and UNIQUAC equations have been used to correlate simultaneously the experimental VLE and SLE data sets with the same parameters. The excess molar Gibbs free energy, G^E function in general was negative in all systems at high temperature (VLE) and positive at low temperatures (SLE).     

Temperature-induced phase transitions in BaTbO3

The crystal structures of BaTbO₃ have been investigated over a wide temperature range between 40 and 773 K using high-resolution time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. Two-phase transitions were observed. Below about 280 K, BaTbO₃ adopts an orthorhombic perovskite structure (space group Ibmm), which is characterized by rotation of TbO₆ octahedra about the pseudocubic two-fold axis. Above 280 K, BaTbO₃ undergoes a first-order phase transition to a tetragonal symmetry (space group I4/mcm), in which the tilting of the octahedra is around the pseudocubic four-fold axis. As the temperature is further increased, BaTbO₃ adopts the primitive cubic aristotype at about 623 K. This later phase transformation is characterized by a gradual decrease of the rotation angle, indicating a continuous phase transition, which is described by a critical exponent β=0.35.     

High-pressure synthesis and characterization of the alkaline earth borate β-BaB4O7

The new orthorhombic barium borate β-BaB₄O₇ was synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus at 7.5 GPa and 1100 °C, starting from stoichiometric mixtures of the binary oxides. β-BaB₄O₇ crystallizes in space group Pmnb with Z = 2 and lattice parameters a = 1099.4(2), b = 901.7(2), c = 430.73(9) pm, R1 = 0.0199, and wR2 = 0.0406 (all data). The network-structure is built up exclusively from BO₄-tetrahedra, linked via common corners. Its structural differences to the ambient-pressure phase α-BaB₄O₇ and structural agreements with the isotypic high-pressure phases β-MB₄O₇ (M = Ca, Hg, Sn) and the ambient-pressure phases MB₄O₇ (M = Sr, Pb, Eu) are discussed. β-BaB₄O₇ and a hypothetical BaB₄O₇ in the β-MB₄O₇ (M = Ca, Hg, Sn) structure were studied as high-pressure phases of α-BaB₄O₇, using density functional calculations. The transition pressure of α-BaB₄O₇ into the structure of β-BaB₄O₇ was calculated to 1.5 GPa; the transition pressure of β-BaB₄O₇ into BaB₄O₇ in the β-MB₄O₇ (M = Ca, Hg, Sn) structure to 7.5 GPa.     

Density,viscosity, isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium,excess molar volume,viscosity deviation,and their correlations for chloroform + methyl isobutyl ketone binary system

Density and viscosity measurements for pure chloroform and methyl isobutyl ketone at T = (283.15, 293.15, 303.15, and 313.15) K as well as for the binary system {x₁ chloroform + (1 − x₁) methyl isobutyl ketone} at the same temperatures were made over the whole concentration range. The experimental results were fitted to empirical equations, which permit the calculation of these properties over the whole concentration and temperature ranges studied. Data of the binary mixture were further used to calculate the excess molar volume and viscosity deviation. The (vapour + liquid) equilibrium (VLE) at T = 303.15 K for this binary system was also measured in order to calculate the activity coefficients and the excess molar Gibbs energy. This binary system shows no azeotrope and negative deviations from ideal behaviour. The excess or deviation properties were fitted to the Redlich–Kister polynomial relation to obtain their coefficients and standard deviations.     

Solubility of perfumery and fragrance raw materials based on cyclohexane in 1-octanol under ambient and high pressures up to 900 MPa

The (solid + liquid) phase equilibria (SLE) of binary mixtures containing 1-octanol and fragrance raw materials based on cyclohexane were investigated. The systems {1-octanol (1) + cyclohexyl carboxylic acid (CCA), or cyclohexyl acetic acid (CAA), or cyclohexyl acetate (CA), or 2-cyclohexyl ethyl acetate (2CEA), or 2-cyclohexyl ethanol (2CE)(2)} have been measured by a dynamic method in wide range of temperatures from (220 to 320) K and ambient pressure. For all systems SLE diagrams were detected as eutectic mixtures with complete miscibility in the liquid phase. The experimental data were correlated by means of the Wilson and NRTL equations, utilizing parameters derived from the (solid + liquid) equilibrium. The root-mean-square deviations of the solubility temperatures for all calculated data are dependent upon the particular system and the particular equation used.Additionally, the SLE in binary mixture that contain {1-octanol (1) + CCA (2)} has been measured under very high pressures up to about 900 MPa at the temperature range from T = (303.15 to 353.15) K. The thermostatted apparatus for the measurements of transition pressures from the (liquid + solid) state was used. The freezing and melting temperatures at a constant composition increase monotonously with pressure. The high pressure experimental results obtained at isothermal conditions (p–x) were interpolated to more convenient T–x diagram. Data of the (pressure + temperature) composition relation at the high pressure (solid + liquid) phase equilibria was correlated by the polynomial based on the Yang model.The basic thermodynamic properties of pure substances viz. the melting point, enthalpy of fusion, enthalpy of solid–solid phase transition, and glass transition, have been determined by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

The crystal structure of Rb2SeO4 at high temperature

The crystal structure of Rb₂SeO₄ in its high-temperature phase is reported for the first time. Powder diffraction data collected at T = 898 K show that it is hexagonal (a = 6.3428(1) Å, c = 8.5445(1) Å, V = 297.71(1) Å³, space group P6₃/mmc (194), Z = 2) and is isostructural to Tl₂SeO₄, thus belonging to the α-K₂SO₄ structure type. DSC measurements indicate that the phase transition occurs at T = 818 K.     

Low-temperature thermal properties of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol and its deuterated analogues

Heat capacities of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol(CH₃)₂C(CH₂OH)₂ were measured in the temperature range between T =  13 K and T =  350 K using an adiabatic calorimeter. The compound underwent a first-order phase transition at T =  (314.5  ±  0.1) K. The enthalpy and the entropy of transition were (12.52  ±  0.02)kJ · mol ^− 1and (39.81  ±  0.08)J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1, respectively. Measurement of the fusion peak by d.s.c. showed that the purity of the sample was 0.9999 mass fraction and the entropy of fusion was 9.9 J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1. Another first-order phase transition was observed at T =  (60.4  ±  0.1) K with the associated entropy change of (2.93  ±  0.05)J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1. Heat capacities of two deuterated samples,(CH₃)₂C(CH₂OD)₂ and(CD₃)₂C(CD₂OD)₂ , were also measured and the results were compared with those on the natural compound. Possible mechanisms of the transition have been discussed from the isotope effects on the thermodynamic quantities associated with the transition. Standard thermodynamic functions of the compounds are tabulated.