The oxycarbonates Sr4(Fe2−xMnx)1+y(CO3)1−3yO6(1+y): nano, micro and average structural approach

The possibility to synthesize layered oxycarbonates, with nominal composition Sr₄Fe_2−xMn_xO₆CO₃ involving trivalent manganese, with 0≤x≤1.5, is reported for the first time. The structural study of Sr₄FeMnO₆CO₃ using NPD, HREM, Mössbauer and XANES, shows that this phase is closely related to n=3 member of the Ruddlesden–Popper family. It derives from the latter by replacing the middle layer of transition metal octahedra by triangular CO₃ groups, with two different “flag” and “coat hanger” configurations. The magnetic order is antiferromagnetic and fundamentally different from the magnetic behavior of Sr₄Fe₂O₆CO₃.     

Pyrochlore phases in the system ZnOBi2O3Sb2O5: II. Crystal structures of Zn2Bi3.08Sb2.92O14+δ and Zn2+xBi2.96−(x−y)Sb3.04−yO14.04+δ

Rietveld refinement of combined X-ray and neutron diffraction data has, within errors, confirmed the stoichiometries of two, cubic pyrochlore phases in the ZnOBi₂O₃Sb₂O₅ system. Neither phase has the ‘ideal’ stoichiometry, Zn₂Bi₃Sb₃O₁₄. One phase, P₁, is a Zn-rich, Bi-deficient solid solution Zn_2+xBi_{2.96−(x−y)}Sb_3.04−yO_14.04+δ. The other, P₂, is a Bi-rich line phase, stoichiometry Zn₂Bi_3.08Sb_2.92O_14+δ. Both structures have a mixture of Bi, Zn on the A-sites and Zn, Sb on the B-sites. However, Zn is displaced off-centre in the A-sites to achieve lower co-ordination number with realistic ZnO bond lengths. Additional structural complexities arise from: displacement of O(2) atoms; partial occupancies of O(1) and O(2) sites; partial occupancy of a third, interstitial oxygen site, O(3). Since the multiplicities of the off-centre sites are much higher than those of the ideal positions, there is considerable possibility for correlated short range order throughout the structures.     

X-ray study of the PbCl2−xIx and PbBr2−xIx systems

Compounds from the systems PbCl₂/PbI₂ and PbBr₂/PbI₂ were examined by x-ray diffraction. The lattice parameters of these phases are presented and the refined crystal structures of the intermediate compounds PbClI and PbBr_1.2I_0.8 are reported. Both structures have Pbnm symmetry, are isostructural with PbCl₂, and have the different halogens ordered in the two Cl sites. Phase studies showed that PbCl₂ and PbClI have practically no mutual solubility, while PbBr₂ and PbBr_1.2I_0.8 have appreciable solubility ranges, particularly for PbBr₂-rich concentrations. At least 17% Br is present in the I site of PbBr_1.2I_0.8. Nevertheless, it is a distinct phase with miscibility gaps toward PbBr₂ and PbI₂. This behavior is explained by the size disparity between the halogens. The intermediate phases do not form solid solutions with hexagonal PbI₂.     

Influence of ceramic process and Eu content on the composite multiferroic properties of the Ba6−2xLn2xFe1+xNb9−xO30 TTB system

The present work reports the optimisation of the composition and elaboration process of Ba_6−2xLn_2xFe_1+xNb_9−xO₃₀ (0.6 < x < 1.0), a composite multiferroic below 440 K. Both firing and sintering conditions have been investigated in order to lower the two spurious phases content and to improve the ceramic quality. The Eu content has also been varied, with subsequent adjustment of cationic content to maintain charge compensation and site occupancies. The evolution of phase content, dielectric and magnetic properties has been evaluated with respect to these parameters. It was found that optimal processing parameters allow a significant improvement of dielectric properties but leave magnetic properties unaffected. Eu content modification impacts both the dielectric and magnetic properties of the TTB samples and changes their dielectric behaviour from ferroelectric to relaxor.     

Crystal chemistry, modulated structure, and electrical conductivity in the oxygen excess scheelite-based compounds La1−xThxNbO4+x/2 and LaNb1−xWxO4+x/2

For La_1−xTh_xNbO_4+x/2, three phases with broad homogeneity regions occur, for 0.075 ≤ x ≤ 0.37, 0.41 < x < 0.61, and 0.65 ≤ x ≤ 0.74. All are related to the scheelite structure type, with at least the first exhibiting an incommensurate structural modulation. An analogous structurally modulated phase was found for LaNb_1−xW_xO_4+x/2 for 0.11 ≤ x ≤ 0.22. Additional phases occur at La_0.2Th_0.8NbO_4.4 and LaNb_0.4W_0.6O_4.3. The electrical conductivity and the direction and wavelength of the structural modulation have been characterized for the La_1−xTh_xNbO_4+x/2 phase with 0.075 ≤ x ≤ 0.37.     

Pillaring of Layered Perovskites, K1−xLaxCa2−xNb3O10, with Nanosized Fe2O3 Particles

Nanosized Fe₂O₃ clusters are pillared in the interlayer spaces of layered perovskites, H_1−xLa_xCa_2−xNb₃O₁₀ (0≤x≤0.75) by a guest-exchange reaction using the trinuclear acetato-hydroxo iron cation, [Fe₃(OCOCH₃)₇ OH·2H₂O]⁺. The interlayer spaces of niobate layers are pre-expanded with n-butylammonium cations (n-C₄H₉NH⁺₃), which are subsequently replaced by bulky iron pillaring species to form Fe(III) complex intercalated layer niobates. Upon heating at 380°C, the interlayered acetato-hydroxo iron complexes are converted into Fe₂O₃ nanoclusters with a thickness of ca. 3.5 Å irrespective of the interlayer charge density (x). The band-gap energy of the Fe₂O₃ pillars (E_g2.25 eV) is slightly larger than that of bulk Fe₂O₃ (E_g2.20 eV) but is smaller than that expected for such a small-sized semiconductor, which can be assigned to the pancake-shaped Fe₂O₃ pillars of 3.5 Å in height with comparatively large lateral dimension. X-ray absorption spectroscopic measurements at the Fe K-edge are carried out in order to obtain structural information on the Fe₂O₃ pillars stabilized between the niobate layers. XANES analysis reveals that the interlayer FeO₆ octahedra have coordination environments similar to that of bulk α-Fe₂O₃, but noncentrosymmetric distortion of interlayered FeO₆ is enhanced due to the asymmetric electric potential exerted by the negatively charged niobate layers. Scanning electron microscopic observation and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm measurement suggest that the pillared derivatives are nanoporous materials with the highest BET specific surface area of ca. 116 m²/g.     

Properties of the perovskites, SrMn1−xFexO3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3)

The SrMn_1−xFe_xO_3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3) phases have been prepared and are shown by powder X-ray and neutron (for x=1/2) diffraction to adopt an ideal cubic perovskite structure with a disordered distribution of transition-metal cations over the six-coordinate B-site. Due to synthesis in air, the phases are oxygen deficient and formally contain both Fe³⁺ and Fe⁴⁺. Magnetic susceptibility data show an antiferromagnetic transition at 180 and 140 K for x=1/3 and 1/2, respectively and a spin-glass transition at 5, 25, 45 K for x=1/3, 1/2 and 2/3, respectively. The magnetic properties are explained in terms of super-exchange interactions between Mn⁴⁺, Fe^(4+δ)+ and Fe⁽³⁺⁾⁺. The XAS results for the Mn-sites in these compounds indicate small Mn-valence changes, however, the Mn-pre-edge spectra indicate increased localization of the Mn-e_g orbitals with Fe substitution. The Mössbauer results show the distinct two-site Fe⁽³⁺⁾+/Fe^(4+δ)+ disproportionation in the Mn- substituted materials with strong covalency effects at both sites. This disproportionation is a very concrete reflection of a localization of the Fe-d states due to the Mn-substitution.     

Preparation and properties of La2−xAxCuO4−y, where A = Pb, Cd

The substitution of lead and cadmium for lanthanum in La₂CuO₄ was studied and the limits of solubility were established. Single-phase compositions were characterized and their physical properties were correlated with the substitution of bismuth and are interpreted on the basis of a model proposed by Goodenough.     

The metastable Ni7±xS6, and mixed Ni6±x(S1−ySey)5, phases

The closely related, narrowly non-stoichiometric, metastable as well as thermodynamically stable “phases” in the metal-rich part of the Ni–S phase diagram near the nominal composition Ni_7±xS₆ have been carefully re-investigated via electron diffraction and transmission electron microscope imaging. Two quite distinct polymorphs have been identified, a minority incommensurate interface-modulated polymorph and a (heavily twinned) majority I1a1, a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=−a_p+c_p superstructure (of an underlying Bmmb, a_p3.3, b_p16.4, c_p11.3 Å parent structure) polymorph. The incommensurate polymorph is shown to be very closely related to the only known polymorph of Ni_6±xSe₅ and is rapidly stabilized to room temperature upon doping of the sulfide compounds with selenium.     

Transport Properties of Bi2−xInxSe3 Single Crystals

The paper reports on the temperature dependence of the electrical and thermal conductivity, Hall constant, and Seebeck coefficient of Bi_2−xIn_xSe₃ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4) single crystals measured over the temperature range from 2 to 300 K. One single-valley conduction band model is used to interpret relations among transport coefficients. The data analysis relies on the use of a mixed carrier scattering mechanism consisting of acoustic scattering and scattering on ionized impurities. The effect of In incorporation into the Bi₂Se₃ crystal lattice on the individual components of thermal conductivity is evaluated and discussed.     

The magnetic phase diagram of HoGe1−xSix studied by neutron diffraction and magnetic measurements

Several samples (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) of HoGe_1−xSi_x (CrB type) were studied over an extensive temperature range by neutron diffraction. The relative stability of the two existing magnetic structures with wave vectors and [q_x 0 q_z] depends on both the temperature and composition. The corresponding stability regions are shown in a magnetic phase diagram. The Néel temperature T_N and the transition temperature T_ic between the lock-in structure and the incommensurate structure increase with silicon content. At T_ic the wave vector jumps from the value to the incommensurate value [q_x 0 q_z]. With increasing temperature the q_x and q_z components show a linear decrease and increase, respectively. The transition at T_ic is most probably of first order. The magnetic moments of Ho are confined to a direction close to the c-axis (5–7°) over the whole temperature range and order with a pure sinus modulation between T_ic and T_N.     

Magnetic structure of the UCuxSi2−x system

Neutron powder diffraction experiments were performed on selected compositions of the UCu_xSi_2−x system exhibiting an interesting magnetic phase diagram towards the composition: spin fluctuation behaviour for x<0.49, ferromagnetism for 0.49≤x<0.80, spin glass state for 0.80<x<0.92 and finally antiferromagnetism for 0.92<x≤0.96. At 1.5 K, the compounds UCu_0.49Si_1.51 (hexagonal AlB₂ modification) and UCu_0.65Si_1.35 show a collinear ferromagnetic structure where the uranium magnetic moments equal to 1.1(1) and 2.5(1)μ_B, respectively, are aligned in the basal plane of the [U₆] trigonal prisms. On the contrary, UCu_0.96Si_1.04 adopts a non-collinear antiferromagnetic structure similar to that observed for UCuSn. Moreover, the study confirms the absence of long range magnetic order for UCu_0.90Si_1.10.     

Synthesis, Phase Diagram, and Conductivity Study in a La0.5+x+yLi0.5−3xTi1−3yMn3yO3System

The stoichiometry, polymorphysm, and electrical behaviour of solid solutions of La_0.5+y+xLi_0.5−3xTi_1−3yMn_3yO₃with perovskite-type structure have been studied. Data are given in the form of a solid solution triangle, phase diagrams, XRD patterns for the three polymorphs, A,β, and C, composition-dependence of their lattice parameters, and ionic and electronic conductivity plots. Microstruture and composition were studied by SEM/EDS and electron probe microanalysis. These compounds are mixed conductors. Ionic conductivity decreases when the amount of lithium diminishes and electronic conductivity increases with manganese content.     

Charge–orbital ordering above room temperature in the 2D Pr1−xCa1+xMnO4 manganites

The investigation of the n=1 member of the Ruddlesden Popper family, Pr_1−xCa_1+xMnO₄, using electron microscopy, transport and magnetic measurements shows that these 2D manganites exhibit long-range charge–orbital ordering over a wide composition range (0.50x0.80). These oxides show a remarkably high T_CO temperature depending on the x value, up to 330 K, the highest that has been observed to date in 2D manganites. They are characterized by the appearance of a smooth structural transition from P- to C-type inside the charge-ordered state. The high-resolution electron microscopy images of Pr_0.5Ca_1.5MnO₄ registered at room temperature evidence a system of double stripes similar to those observed for Bi_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃, suggesting that double stripes of one sort of manganese alternate with double or quadruple stripes of a second sort of manganese.     

Synthesis of visible-light reactive TiO2−xNy photocatalyst by mechanochemical doping

Yellowish TiO_2−xN_y was prepared by a novel mechanochemical nitrogen-doping method. The samples were prepared by a high-energy ball milling of P25 titania with different nitrogen sources such as hexamethylenetetramine, urea or ammonium carbonate, followed by calcination in air at 400 °C. The high mechanical energy accelerated the phase transformation of anatase to rutile, while the existence of the nitrogen reagents tended to block the transformation. The calcination treatment slightly increased the crystallinity of the prepared titania. The prepared powders possessed two absorption edges at around 400 and 540 nm and showed an excellent photocatalytic ability for the oxidation of nitrogen monoxide under visible light irradiation. Under the irradiation of visible light with wavelengths of >510 nm, nitrogen monoxide could be continuously removed by the nitrogen doped titania prepared from the P25 titania-hexamethylenetetramine mixture, while the powders prepared using urea and ammonium carbonate as nitrogen sources showed lower activities. This mechanochemical technique might be widely useful for doping oxides with nonmetallic elements.     

Structure and Magnetism of Pr1−xSrxFeO3−δ

Crystal structure, redox, and magnetic properties for the Pr_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ solid-solution phase have been studied. Oxidized samples (prepared in air at 900°C) crystallize in the GdFeO₃-type structure for 0≤x≤0.80, and probably in the Sr₈Fe₈O₂₃-type (unpublished) structure for x=0.90. Reduced samples (containing virtually only Fe³⁺) crystallize as the perovskite aristotype for x=0.50 and 0.67 with randomly distributed vacancies. The Fe⁴⁺ content increases linearly in the oxidized samples up to x≈0.70, whereupon it stabilizes at around 55%. Antiferromagnetic ordering of the G type is observed for oxidized samples (0≤x≤0.90) which show decreasing Néel temperature and ordered magnetic moment with increasing x, while the Néel temperature is nearly constant at 700 K for reduced samples. Electronic transitions for iron from an average-valence state via charge-separated to disproportionated states are proposed from anomalies in magnetic susceptibility curves in the temperature ranges 500–600 K and 150–185 K.     

A TEM, XRD, and crystal chemical investigation of oxygen/vacancy ordering in (Ba1−xLax)2In2O5+x, 0x0.6

A careful TEM and XRD study of the (Ba_1−xLa_x)₂In₂O_5+x, 0x0.6, ‘defect-perovskite’-type solid solution has been carried out. A well-defined structural phase transition is shown to occur between x=0.1 and 0.2 from the orthorhombic brownmillerite structure type on the low x side to a multiple twinned, tetragonal 1×1×2 perovskite-related superstructure phase on the high x side at x=0.2. This phase transition correlates with an important phase transition previously observed in electrical conductivity versus temperature measurements. The existence of additional satellite reflections close to the regions of reciprocal space was found to be typical of all (Ba_1−xLa_x)₂In₂O_5+x specimens, although their intensity relative to the parent Bragg reflections systematically reduces as x increases. As x increases beyond 0.2, the -type satellite reflections initially become weaker and rather more diffuse for x=0.3 before splitting into pairs of rather weak and somewhat diffuse incommensurate satellite reflections for x=0.4 and beyond. An interpretation in terms of oxygen vacancy ordering and associated structural relaxation is given. Additional structured diffuse scattering is also observed and a tentative explanation in terms of Ba/La ordering and associated local strain distortions put forward.     

层状钙钛矿型Sm2-2xSr1+2x-2yCa2yMn2O7(x=0.2，0.3，0.4，0.5；y=0，0.2，0.3)的溶胶凝胶合成及电性能研究

Layered perovskite manganites with a nominal chemsitry of Sm_2-2xSr_1+2x-2_yCa_2yMn₂O₇(x=0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5; y=0, 0.2, 0.3) were prepared using sol-gel method. The crystal structures of these compounds were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR absorption spectra. The absorption peaks become weaker and move a little to higher frequency with increasing of Sm/Sr concentration. As the Sm doping increases to x=0.2 and x=0.3, the absorption peaks show a cubic structure character, reflecting that the samples suffer from a transition from tetragonal structure to cubic structure. This coincides with the X-ray diffraction results. The high temperature electrical properties were studied by conventional four-probe method. Although all samples exhibit the semiconductive behavior, lnρ-1 000/T curves are not linear and they obey the small polaron hopping mechanism. Moreover, the resistivity decreases with x reducing. This is due to that Sm doping increases the Jahn-Teller ion Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio, and decreases the e_g bandwidth.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties of Quasi-One-Dimensional Oxides Ca3CuMnO6 and Ca3Co1+xMn1−xO6

Synthesis conditions, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of quasi-one-dimensional complex oxides Ca₃CuMnO₆ (space group P-1, z=4, triclinic cell) and Ca₃Co_1+xMn_1−xO₆ with x=0, 0.25, 1.0 (structural type K₄CdCl₆, space group R-3c, z=6) are presented. The crystal structures of Ca₃CoMnO₆ and Ca₃CuMnO₆ were refined using neutron and combined X-ray and neutron diffraction analysis, respectively. The interatomic distances in oxygen polyhedra were found. In contrast to ferromagnetic Ca₃Co₂O₆ (T_c=24 K), manganese-containing phases Ca₃Co_1+xMn_1−xO₆ are characterized by antiferromagnetic interactions with Neel temperatures 18 K (x=0.25) and 13 K (x=0). For Ca₃CuMnO₆T_N was established to be 6 K.