Magnetic interactions in ternary cobalt oxides with cubic perovskite structure

Magnetic properties were measured on the cubic perovskite systems SrCoO_3?δ, (La_1?xSr_x)CoO₃ (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.0), and Sr(Co_1?xMn_x)O₃ (0 ≦ x ≦ 1.0). It is found that S²⁺ and La³⁺ ions strongly affect the spin state of the Co²⁺ ion and that the Mn⁴⁺ ion located at the octahedral site affects the spin state of Co⁴⁺ ion. The magnetic properties (T_c, T_θ, and σ) are explained by the magnetic interaction Co³⁺OCo³⁺, Co³⁺OCo⁴⁺, Co⁴⁺OCo⁴⁺, Mn⁴⁺OMn⁴⁺, and Mn⁴⁺OCo⁴⁺ in these systems.     

La doping of the Sr2CoWO6 double perovskite: A structural and magnetic study

La-doped Sr₂CoWO₆ double perovskites have been prepared in air in polycrystalline form by solid-state reaction. These materials have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetic susceptibility. The structural refinement was performed from combined XRPD and NPD data (D2B instrument, λ=1.594 Å). At room temperature, the replacement of Sr²⁺ by La³⁺ induces a change of the tetragonal structure, space group I4/m of the undoped Sr₂CoWO₆ into the distorted monoclinic crystal structure, space group P2₁/n, Z=2. The structure of La-doped phases contains alternating CoO₆ and (Co/W)O₆ octahedra, almost fully ordered. On the other hand, the replacement of Sr²⁺ by La³⁺ induces a partial replacement of W⁶⁺ by Co²⁺ into the B sites, i.e. Sr_2−xLa_xCoW_1−yCo_yO₆ (y=x/4) with segregation of SrWO₄. Magnetic and neutron diffraction measurements indicate an antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N=24 K independently of the La-substitution.     

Phase equilibria and crystal structure of the complex oxides in the Sr-Fe-Co-O system

Phase relations in the Sr-Fe-Co-O system have been investigated at 1100 °C in air by X-ray powder diffraction on quenched samples. Solid solutions of the form SrFe_1−xCo_xO_3−δ (0?x?0.7), Sr₃Fe_2−yCo_yO_7−δ (0?y?0.4) and Sr₄Fe_6−zCo_zO_13±δ (0?z?1.6) were prepared by solid-state reaction and by the sol-gel method. The structural parameters of single-phase samples were refined by the Rietveld profile method. The variation of the lattice parameters with composition has been determined for each solid solution and a cross-section of the phase diagram at 1100 °C in air for the entire Sr-Fe-Co-O system has been constructed.     

Control of Co content and SOFC cathode performance in Y1−ySr2+yCu3−xCoxO7+δ

The electrochemical performance of the layered perovskite YSr₂Cu_3−xCo_xO_7+δ, a potential solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode, is improved by increasing the Co content from x = 1.00 to a maximum of x = 1.30. Single phase samples with x > 1.00 are obtained by tuning the Y/Sr ratio, yielding the composition Y_1−ySr_2+yCu_3−xCo_xO_7+δ (where y ≤ 0.05). The high temperature structure of Y_0.95Sr_2.05Cu_1.7Co_1.3O_7+δ at 740 °C is characterised by powder neutron diffraction and the potential of this Co-enriched material as a SOFC cathode is investigated by combining AC impedance spectroscopy, four-probe DC conductivity and powder XRD measurements to determine its electrochemical properties along with its thermal stability and compatibility with a range of commercially available electrolytes. The material is shown to be compatible with doped ceria electrolytes at 900 °C.     

Synthesis and structural studies of Sr2Co2−xAlxO5, 0.3⩽x⩽0.5

Sr₂Co_2−xAl_xO₅, 0.3⩽x⩽0.5, with a perovskite related structure has been synthesized. The XRD powder patterns showed reflections from the basic cubic perovskite structure along with some additional weak superstructure reflections. Electron diffraction (ED) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies show that crystallites of Sr₂Co_2−xAl_xO₅ consist of small intergrown differently oriented domains, about 40 Å in diameter, with brownmillerite structure.     

Synthesis and characterization of Sr0.75Y0.25Co1−xMxO2.625+δ (M=Ga, 0.125?x?0.500 and M=Fe, 0.125?x?0.875)

The effect of replacing Co³⁺ by Ga³⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the perovskite-related tetragonal phase Sr_0.75Y_0.25CoO_2.625 with unit cell parameters: a=2a_p, and c=4a_p (314 phase) has been investigated. The 314 phase is formed by Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_1−xM_xO_2.625+δ, with x?0.375 for M=Ga and x?0.625 for M=Fe. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction revealed frequent microtwinning in the iron-containing compounds, in contrast to the Ga-substituted 314 phases. Diffraction experiments and electron microscope images indicated that at higher Fe contents, 0.75?x?0.875, a disordered cubic perovskite structure forms. The crystal structures of Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_0.75Ga_0.25O_2.625 and Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_2.625+δ were refined using neutron powder diffraction data. It was found that the oxygen content of Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_2.625+δ is higher than in Fe-free 314 phase, so that δ corresponds to 0.076, whereas δ=0 in Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_0.75Ga_0.25O_2.625+δ. Magnetization measurements on the unsubstituted Sr_0.7Y_0.3CoO_2.62 and Ga-substituted Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_0.75Ga_0.25O_2.625 compounds indicate the presence of a ferromagnetic-like contribution to the measured magnetization at 320 and 225 K, respectively, while replacing Co by Fe leads to the suppression of this contribution. A neutron diffraction study shows that the Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_2.625+δ compound is G-type antiferromagnetic at room temperature, whereas Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_0.75Ga_0.25O_2.625 does not exhibit magnetic ordering at room temperature.     

The formation of superconducting oxide phases in the (Bi,Pb)−Sr−Ca−Cu−O System

The crystallization mechanism of superconducting phases in the (Bi,Pb)?Sr?Ca?Cu?O system was determined on the basis of the results of DTA, DTG and TG studies, supplemented by X-ray examination of ceramic powders obtained by the sol-gel method. It has been demonstrated that the factor determining the formation of superconducting phases: Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x (low-T _c ) and Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x (high-T _c ) is the kinetics of reaction of calcium and strontium carbonates with molten CuBi₂O₄. As a result of the reaction of the bimetallic compound CuBi₂O₄ with SrCO₃ in the liquid phase the compound Bi₂Sr₂CuO₆ is formed. This compound, reacting with calcium and copper oxides, yields superconducting phases: the low-T _c and the high-T _c phase. It has been also observed that an increase in the volume fraction of high-T _c phase in powder subjected to thermal treatment takes place probably due to the repeated disproportionation of low-T _c phase and its repeated synthesis from Bi₂Sr₂CuO₆, CuO and CaO.     

Sur de nouveaux ferrites oxyfluorés d'yttrium ou de gadolinium à structure grenat

The oxyfluoride garnets of formula Y₃Fe_5?xM_xO_12?xF_x and Gd₃Fe_5?xM_xO_12?xF_x (M = 3d transition element) result from partial substitution of O^2? by F^? in Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ and Gd₃Fe₅O₁₂ oxides. The cationic charge compensation is obtained by replacing the Fe³⁺ ions by divalent ions as Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ or Zn²⁺ ions. The site occupied by some of these ions (Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺) is determined by magnetic or Mössbauer measurements.     

Reactions between YBa2Cu3O7−δ and La2O3 and SrCO3

Solid state reactions at 925°C between the high-T _c ceramic superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ and SrCO₃, respectively, mixed in various molar ratiosr=MeO_n/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ, were studied using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ yielded (La_1?xBa_x)₂CuO_4?δ, withx≈0.075?0.10. La_2?xBa_1+xCu₂O_6?δ, withx≈0.2?0.25 and La-doped (Y_1?xLa_x)₂BaCuO₅, withx≈0.10?0.15. Forr=3.0, Y-doped La₂BaCuO₅ resulted also. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and SrCO₃ yielded (Sr_1?zBa_z)₂CuO₃, withz≈0.1, Y₂(Ba_1?zSr_z)CuO₅, withz=0.1?0.15, and a nonsuperconducting compound with an approximate composition of Y(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)₅Cu_3.5O_10±δ. At values ofr≤2.0, unsubstituted YBa₂Cu₃O_7?delta was found in the reaction products.     

Synthesis and phase transition of Li-Mn-O spinels with high Li/Mn ratio by thermo-decomposition of LiMnC2O4(Ac)

LiMnC₂O₄(Ac) precursor in which Li⁺ and Mn²⁺ were amalgamated in one molecule was prepared by solid-state reaction at room-temperature using manganese acetate, lithium hydroxide and oxalic acid as raw materials. By thermo-decomposition of LiMnC₂O₄(Ac) at various temperatures, a series of Li_1+y[Mn_2−xLi_x]_16dO₄ spinels were prepared with Li₂MnO₃ as impurities. The structure and phase transition of these spinels were investigated by XRD, TG/DTA, average oxidation state of Mn and cyclic voltammeric techniques. Results revealed that the Li-Mn-O spinels with high Li/Mn ratio were unstable at high temperature, and the phase transition was associated with the transfer of Li⁺ from octahedral 16c sites to 16d sites. With the sintering temperature increasing from 450 to 850 °C, the phase structure varied from lithiated-spinel Li₂Mn₂O₄ to Li₄Mn₅O₁₂-like to LiMn₂O₄-like and finally to rock-salt LiMnO₂-like. A way of determining x with average oxidation state of Mn and the content of Li₂MnO₃ was also demonstrated.     

Improvement of lithium-ion conductivity in A-site-disordered lithium lanthanum titanates by V5+/Nb5+ substitution

The V⁵⁺/Nb⁵⁺-substituted lithium lanthaum titanates are synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction method at high temperature in air. The structural and conductivity studies of the obtained perovskite oxide samples are investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and impedance spectroscopy. From the powder XRD patterns, it is clearly observed that the synthesized samples exhibit a well-defined cubic structure with the Pm3m (Z = 1) space group. The lattice parameter is decreased with increasing vanadium content in Li_0.5?x La_0.5Ti_1?x V _x O₃, but increased with the increasing niobium content in Li_0.5?x La_0.5Ti_1?x Nb _x O₃. The scanning electron microscope measurements confirmed that these materials consist of fairly ordered grains throughout the surface area. The conductivity variations with the substitution of vanadium/niobium are also reported. The bulk ionic conductivity measured in the temperature range from room temperature to 150 °C is about the same as reported earlier for the related lithium lanthanum titanate. However, the low activation energies for ionic conduction observed for these samples encourage further investigations for better conductors in this system.     

New representatives of the Raddlesden-Popper homologous series: Anion-deficient oxides Sr3Co2−x ZnxO6 + δ (x = 0.5, 0.75)

New complex oxides Sr₃Co_2?x Zn_xO_{6 + δ} with x = 0.50 and 0.75, which belong to the Raddlesden-Popper homologous series (A _n+1B_nO_3n+1; n=2), are synthesized. The structural and magnetic properties of these oxides are studied. The unit cell parameters a and c for the x = 0.5 and 0.75 compounds are 0.38541(2) and 0.38573(2) nm and 2.03543(1) and 2.03999(11) nm, respectively. The magnetic susceptibility of Sr₃Co_1.5Zn_0.5O_6.25 as a function of temperature obeys the Curie-Weiss law (x = C/(T ? η)) only within a narrow temperature range from 250 to 300 K. At low temperatures, this compound has spin-glass properties with a characteristic magnetic and temperature hystereses and a freezing temperature of T _g = 25?30 K.     

Synthesis and properties of fuel cell anodes based on (La0.5 + x Sr0.5 − x )1 − y Mn0.5Ti0.5O3 − δ (x = 0–0.25, y = 0–0.03)

Results are presented of studying electrochemical properties of perovskite-like solid solutions (La_{0.5 + x} Sr_{0.5 ? x} )_{1 ? y} Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} (x = 0–0.25, y = 0–0.03) synthesized using the citrate technique and studied as oxide anodic materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is used to establish that the materials are stable in a wide range of oxygen chemical potential, stable in the presence of 5 ppm H₂S in the range of intermediate temperatures, and also chemically compatible with the solid electrolyte of La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.15Co_0.05O_{3 ? δ} (LSGMC). It is shown that transition to a reducing atmosphere results in a decrease in electron conductivity that produced a significant effect on the electrochemical activity of porous electrodes. Model cells of planar SOFC on a supporting solid-electrolyte membrane (LSGMC) with anodes based on (La_0.6Sr_0.4)_0.97Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} and (La_0.75Sr_0.25)_0.97Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} and a cathode of Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_{3 ? δ} are manufactured and tested using the voltammetry technique.     

Phase formation features and magnetic properties of complex oxides in the systems Sr-Co-M-O (M = Zn, Cu)

It was shown that, in the systems Sr-Co-M-O (M=Zn, Cu), the first stage of the crystallization of solid solutions Sr₃Co_{2 ? x} M _x O₆ with a tetragonal structure of the Ruddlesden-Popper type is the formation of quasi-one-dimensional oxides of the family A_3m+3n A _n ′B_3m+n O_9m+6n . The magnetic properties of new compounds, Sr₃Co_1.35Cu_0.65O₆ and Sr₁₄Co_8.4Cu_2.6O₃₃, were measured, and a relationship between the structure and the existence of magnetic ordering at low temperatures was established.     

Synthesis and structural analysis of Bi2−ySryIr2O7, a new pyrochlore solid solution

This paper presents a study of the synthesis and structural properties of the new pyrochlore-type Bi_2−ySr_yIr₂O₇ series. Ten compositions with 0.0≤y≤0.9 were prepared by solid-state reaction with thermal treatments at 873, 1073 and 1323 K under atmospheric pressure conditions. Structural refinements from X-ray powder diffraction data by the Rietveld method show that all compounds of the Bi_2−ySr_yIr₂O₇ solid solution crystallize in a α-pyrochlore structure. The main structural difference when bismuth is substituted by strontium concerns the x position of the O1 (x, ?, ?). This substitution significantly increases the Bi/Sr-O1 distance and diminishes the Ir-O1 distance; this implies that the Ir-O1-Ir bond angle increases. With the Sr substitution, the IrO₆ local configuration goes from a flattened trigonal antiprism, y<0.5, to an elongated one, y>0.5, passing through an octahedral array, y∼0.5. The electrical consequences of these structural changes observed in this system are qualitatively explained with electronic structure calculations, this behavior agrees very well with those observed in other pyrochlore systems A₂M₂O₇ (A=rare earth cations or Tl⁺, Pb²⁺, or Bi³⁺, and M=Ru or Ir).     

Structural characterization, magnetic behavior and high-resolution EELS study of new perovskites Sr2Ru2−xCoxO6−δ (0.5?x?1.5)

New oxides of general formula Sr₂Ru_2−xCo_xO_6−δ (0.5?x?1.5) have been synthesized as polycrystalline materials and characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction. For 0.5?x<0.67 the orthorhombic, Pnma, perovskite structure of the end member, SrRuO₃, is found. At x=0.67 a phase separation into an Ru-rich Pnma phase and a Co-rich I2/c phase occurs. The I2/c form is also found for x=1.0 but another orthorhombic phase, Imma, obtains for x=1.33 and 1.5. Reductive weight losses indicate negligible oxygen non-stoichiometry, i.e., δ∼0, for all compositions even those rich in Co. High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) indicates that cobalt is high-spin Co³⁺ or high-spin Co⁴⁺ for all x. Appropriate combinations of Ru⁴⁺, Ru⁵⁺, HS Co³⁺ and HS Co⁴⁺ are proposed for each x which are consistent with the observed Ru(Co)-O distances. Significant amounts of Co⁴⁺ must be present for large x values to explain the short observed distances. Broad maxima in the d.c. susceptibilities are found between 78 and 97 K with increasing x, along with zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) divergences suggesting glassy magnetic freezing. A feature near 155 K for all samples indicates a residual amount of ferromagnetic SrRuO₃ not detected by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of a new tripodal ligand for the preparation of LSCF(6482) perovskite

The main aim of this paper was to study the effect of a new tripodal chelating agent on La_1?x Sr _x Co_1?y Fe _y O_3?δ perovskite prepared by the complexation method. For this purpose, a phenolic derivative of glycine (L) was synthesized applying the Mannich reaction and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies as well as by elemental analysis. To evaluate the complexation capability of L, its formation constants with the perovskite cations were measured. Comparison of these results with those reported for the complexaion with glycine, introduced L as a good candidate for the complexation with Fe(III) and La(III) cations. Furthermore, the powder XRD observations confirmed an improvement in the perovskite formation in the presence of L.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis of Bi1−xSrxFeO3−δ perovskites

Bi_1?xSr_xFeO_3?δ perovskites synthesised by solid-state reaction in ambient atmosphere or in a closed vessel were analysed by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The evolution of the valence state of iron with both Bi/Sr ratio and oxygen content has been more particularly discussed. The samples are single phase and homogeneous for x ≤ 0.5 (Bi-rich) and x > 0.8 (Sr-rich). For intermediate Sr contents, the samples are less homogeneous and tend to contain both Bi-rich and Sr-rich phases. The appearance of Sr-rich phases for x > 0.5 corresponds to the appearance of Fe⁴⁺, to compensate for the lack of positive charges due to the replacement of Bi³⁺ by Sr²⁺.     

Electronic, Magnetic, and Magnetoresistance Properties of the n=2 Ruddlesden-Popper Phases Sr3Fe2−xCoxO7−δ (0.25≤x≤1.75)

A series of oxygen-deficient n=2 Ruddlesden-Popper phases, Sr₃Fe_2−xCo_xO_7−δ (0.25≤x≤1.75), were prepared by solid-state reactions. Temperature-dependent susceptibility and field-dependent magnetization data indicate that for x≥0.25 the dominant magnetic interactions are ferromagnetic. The onset of strong ferromagnetic interactions is evident at ∼200 K, and a transition to a cluster-glass state is observed for all compositions below ∼45 K. The temperature variation of resistivity for all the compounds shows variable-range hopping behavior with two different localization energy scales: one for T<40 K and another for T>80 K. Large negative magnetoresistance (the largest MR ∼−65% for x=0.25) is observed for all phases. The magnetic susceptibility, Mössbauer and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy data indicate that the formal oxidation state of Fe is close to 4+. The key role of d delocalization in the Sr₃Fe_2−xCo_xO_7−δ system is compared to the Sr₃Fe_2−xMn_xO_7−δ series, where d localization dominates the properties.     

Phase diagram of SrO-InO1.5-CoOx and a new compound Sr3In0.9Co1.1O6

Sr₃In_0.9Co_1.1O₆, isostructural to Ca₃Co₂O₆, is revealed by the study of the phase relations in the system SrO-InO_1.5-CoO_x (1000 °C). The structure of Sr₃In_0.9Co_1.1O₆ is refined by the combination of powder X-ray and neutron diffraction. Sr₃In_0.9Co_1.1O₆ crystallizes in a trigonal lattice with the cell parameters a=b=9.59438(3) Å, c=11.02172(4) Å with the space group R-3c. Its structure possesses 1D (In/Co)O₃ chains running along the c-axis constructed by alternating face-sharing CoO₆ octahedra and (In_0.9Co_0.1)O₆ trigonal prisms. The co-occupation of In³⁺ and Co³⁺ at the trigonal prismatic site is evidenced by elementary analysis and determined by the structure refinement. Sr₃In_0.9Co_1.1O₆ is paramagnetic, and the susceptibility is consistent with the occupation of Co³⁺ at 10% of the trigonal prismatic positions in a high spin state (HS, S=2). The HS Co³⁺ is well separated by diamagnetic CoO₆ octahedra and InO₆ trigonal prisms and shows a g factor of 2.0 in the magnetic measurements.