Effective ionic charges in CdGa2Se4 and CdGa2S4

Available experimental data (Raman and Infrared) on the optic phonon spectra in defect chalcopyrite crystals CdGa₂Se₄ and CdGa₂S₄ are used to determine the dynamical ionic effective charges. The results are compared with those found in other ternary compounds as spinels and chalcopyrites. An emperical correlation between the normalized Szigeti charges and the optical dielectric constant is discussed.     

New Li+ ion conductors in the system Li4SiO4−Li3AsO4

In the system Li₄SiO₄-Li₃AsO₄, Li₄SiO₄ forms a short range of solid solutions containing up to 14 to 20% Li₃AsO ₄, depending on temperature, and γ-Li₃AsO₄ forms a more extensive range of solid solutions containing up to ≈55% Li₄SiO₄. The Li₄SiO₄-Li₃AsO₄ phase diagram has been determined and is of binary eutectic character. The ac conductivity of polycrystalline samples was measured over the range 0 to at least 300°C for nine different compositions. The two solid solution series have much higher conductivity than the pure end-members; maximum conductivity was observed in the γ-Li₃AsO₄ solid solutions containing ≈40 to 55% Li₄SiO₄, with values of $\text{≈2×10}{}^{\mathrm{?6}}\text{Ω}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{cm}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ at 20°C rising to ≈0.02 Ω^?1 cm^?1 at 300°C. These values are comparable to those found in the system Li₄SiO₄-Li₃PO₄. The variation with composition of the Arrhenius prefactor and activation energy has been interpreted in terms of the mechanisms of conduction. Li₃AsO₄ is a poor conductor essentially because the number of mobile Li⁺ ions is very small. This number, and hence the conductivity, increases dramatically on forming solid solutions with Li₄SiO₄, by the creation of interstitial Li⁺ ions. At ≈40 to 55% Li₄SiO₄, the number of mobile Li⁺ ions appears to be optimised. An explanation for the change in activation energy of conduction at ≈290°C in Li₄SiO₄ and at higher temperatures in Li₄SiO₄ solid solutions is given in terms of order-disorder of the Li⁺ ions.     

Ground state and lattice dynamical study of ionic conductors CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2 using density functional theory

The present paper reports a comprehensive and complementary study on structural, electronic and phonon properties of face centered cubic fluorites, namely CaF₂, BaF₂ and SrF₂, using first principles density functional calculations within the generalized gradient approximation. The calculated lattice constants and bulk modulus are in good agreement with available experimental data. The analysis of band structure and density of states confirms the ionic character for all the three fluorides. The phonon dispersion curves and corresponding phonon density of states obtained in the present work are consistent with the available experimental and other theoretical data. The LO-TO splitting is maximum for CaF₂, which confirms that the ionicity is maximum in the case of CaF₂. The phonon properties for SrF₂ have been calculated for the first time.     

Pressure dependent Raman,and conductivity studies of the fast ion conductors Cu2HgI4, Ag2HgI4 and Tl2ZnI4

High pressure Raman, electrical conductivity, and optical microscopic studies on the ternary fast ion conductor Cu₂HgI₄ were undertaken to delineate the pressure-temperature phase diagram. In addition, comparison of the pressure dependence of Raman shifts in Cu₂HgI₄ and Tl₂ZnI₄ was used to assist in making vibrational assignments whenever possible.     

EPR evidence of local lattice mode in K3H(SO4)2 and Rb3H(SO4)2 fast-proton conductors

The observation of an anomalous temperature dependence of Mn²⁺ EPR spectra linewidth and nonaxial crystal-field parameter in K₃H(SO₄)₂ and Rb₃H(SO₄)₂ allows one to suggest the presence of “local mode” predicted by Yamada (Ferroelectrics 170 (1995) 23). The activation energy for this kind of excitation was found and equals 11.3 (0.5) and 7.4 (0.3) meV for Mn²⁺ doped K₃H(SO₄)₂ and Rb₃H(SO₄)₂, respectively.     

The sodium conductivity paths in the superionic conductors Na5RESi4O12

From an extended single crystal analysis on the Y variant of a recently discovered new class of extraordinary ionic conductors, the crystallographic sites available to the Na⁺-ions were located. Part of the Na⁺-ions ($\text{7}\text{3}$ of a Na⁺-ion per formula unit) appear to be mobile and are located in the space between stacks of Si₁₂O₃₆ rings. The size of the channels containing the partly occupied Na⁺-sites was changed by substitution of the RE-ion. The highest conductivities and smallest activation energies were found for RE-ions having radii comparable to that of a Na⁺-ion.     

Electrodeposition of magnesium film from BMIMBF4 ionic liquid

In this paper, we reported for the first time magnesium electrodeposition and dissolution processes in the ionic liquid of BMIMBF₄ with 1 M Mg(CF₃SO₃)₂ at room temperature. Our study found that complete electrochemical reoxidation of the electrodeposited magnesium film was feasible only on Ag substrate, comparing with the Pt, Ni, and stainless-steel. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results showed that magnesium was found in the deposited film and the deposits were dense. The electrodeposition of magnesium on Ag substrate in the ionic liquid was considered to be a reversible process by cyclic voltammetry. Plots of peak current versus the square root of the scan rate were found to be linear, which indicates that the mass-transport process of electroactive species was mainly diffusion controlled. The diffusion coefficient D values of electroactive species were calculated from cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, respectively.     

The preparation and properties of the solid state ionic conductor,CuZr2(PO4)3

The compound CuZr₂(PO₃)₄ has been synthesised, the conductivity and lattice parameters measured. The material was used to measure the standard free energy of formation of Cu₂S.     

Thermoluminescence of rare earth activated CdSO4, SrSO4 and BaSO4

The thermoluminescence (TL) of rare earth (RE) activated sulfates of Cd, Sr and Ba was studied above room temperature. Many of the phosphors prepared exhibit an extremely bright TL following X-irradiation (most notably with Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy and Tm dopants), having an efficiency comparable to that of the highest sensitivity phosphors available for TL dosimetry, and exhibiting activator-induced glow peaks between 405 and 480°K. In a given lattice, the RE³⁺ ions produce a characteristic glow peak at the same temperature (independent of the particular RE ion), whereas Eu²⁺ produces a single glow peak at a different temperature. A decrease in glow peak temperature with increasing interatomic spacing was observed in the homologous SrSO₄-BaSO₄ system - this shift being most pronounced in the Eu²⁺ -doped materials. TL emission spectra were obtained for trivalent Sm, Tb, Dy and Tm and for divalent Eu in these sulfates (and also in CaSO₄).     

Characterization and electrochemical performance of the spinel LiMn2O4 prepared from -MnO2

The preparation and characterization of the spinel LiMn₂O₄ obtained by solid state reaction from quasi-amorphous -MnO₂ is reported. A well-defined highly pure spinel was characterized from X-ray diffractograms. The average manganese valence of -MnO₂ and spinel samples was found to be 3.89±0.01 and 3.59±0.01, respectively. The electrochemical performance of the spinel was evaluated through cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. The voltammetric profiles obtained at 1 mV/s for the LiMn₂O₄ electrode in 1 M LiClO₄ dissolved in a 2:1 mixture of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate showed typical peaks for the lithium insertion/extraction reactions. The charge capacity of this electrode was found to be 110 mA h g⁻¹ for the first charge/discharge cycles.     

Ion diffusion in the high-temperature phases Li2SO4, LiNaSO4, LiAgSO4 and Li4Zn(SO4)3

Diffusion in the four high-temperature sulphate phases Li₂SO₄, LiNaSO₄, LiAgSO₄ and Li₄Zn(SO₄)₃ was studied extensively some 20–30 years ago. We have now carried out a re-evaluation where we include information obtained from a number of studies of other properties. The data are adjusted slightly due to the use of another type of regression analysis. It is characteristic of the four phases that they are both plastic crystals and solid electrolytes (superionic conductors). The cause of the high conductivity is that the mobility of the cations is strongly enhanced by the rotational motion of the translationally static sulphate ions. This is observed not only for the abundant cations, but also for other cations present (mono- as well as polyvalent) and for monovalent anions. Furthermore, both bulk diffusion and transfer along high diffusivity paths are affected. In addition, one can distinguish between different contributions to the bulk diffusion. The ionic radius is a very important parameter, since it determines the solid solubility and the distribution of the ions between the sites that are available in the lattice. All this affects the relative importance of several competing diffusion mechanisms. This gives a qualitative explanation of an anomalous correlation which has been observed in FCC Li₂SO₄ for monovalent ions (cations as well as anions), namely that both the diffusion coefficients D, and the activation energies Q, decrease when the radius is increased. This holds for hard-core cations (Li, Na, K, Rb), polarizable cations (Ag, Tl) and anions (F, Cl, Br). On the other hand, the situation is normal for divalent cations for which an increase in D corresponds to a decrease in Q. This is the case for hard-core ions (Mg, Ca) as well as for polarizable ones (Zn, Cd, Pb). Migration of the large ions Cs⁺ and SO²⁻₄ appears to be specially sensitive to how the experiment is prepared. Diffusion in BCC LiNaSO₄ and LiAgSO₄ has been studied for the two main cations as well as for some dopant ions. A general conclusion is that studies of diffusion of several ions in the same structure can give information that cannot be obtained by other types of experiments.     

Photoelectron spectra of As4S3, P4S3, P4Se3 and As4O6

The He(I) UV photoelectron spectra of As₄S₃, P₄S₃, P₄Se₃ and As₄O₆ are reported in this paper. The spectra of As₄S₃ and the isostructural molecules P₄S₃ and P₄Se₃ comprise seven broad but clearly defined peaks, whilst the spectrum of As₄O₆ consists of six peaks and two shoulders. By comparing the spectra with one another and with the photoelectron spectra of other arsenic and phosphorus compounds, the character and symmetry species of the highest-energy occupied molecular orbitals of the molecules have been assigned.     

Cation ordering and crystal structures in AGa2X4 compounds (CoGa2S4, CdGa2S4, CdGa2Se4, HgGa2Se4, HgGa2Te4)

Single crystals of some AGa₂X₄ compounds (CoGa₂S₄, CdGa₂S₄, CdGa₂Se₄, HgGa₂Se₄, HgGa₂Te₄) were prepared by chemical vapour deposition and flux method.The X-ray structural investigations indicated blende or defect chalcopyrite structures.A simple relationship is suggested between the c/a ratio and the cationic sublattice ordering.     

Studies of ionic conductivity and structural phase transitions of Na3H(SO4)2 crystal

The complex electrical impedance of Na₃H(SO₄)₂ along the b_m-axis has been measured from 25°C to 316°C in the frequency range 4 kHz–40 MHz. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity shows remarkable changes in the temperature range 160°C–260°C. The sample crystal becomes a fast ionic conductor above 260°C. The conduction mechanisms of proton and sodium ions in the different phases are analyzed in detail with respect to the structural features of the sample crystal.     

Dielectric and AC ionic conductivity investigations in K3H(SeO4)2 single crystal

Optical observation under the polarizing microscope and DSC measurements on K₃H(SeO₄)₂ single crystal have been carried out in the temperature range 25-200 °C. It reveals a high-temperature structural phase transition at around 110 °C. The crystal system transformed from monoclinic to trigonal. Electrical impedance measurements of K₃H(SeO₄)₂ were performed as a function of both temperature and frequency. The electrical conduction and dielectric relaxation have been studied. The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity indicates that the sample crystal became a fast ionic conductor in the high-temperature phase. The frequency dependence of conductivity follows the Jonscher's universal dynamic law with the relation σ(ω)=σ(0)+Aωⁿ, where ω is the frequency of the AC field, and n is the exponent. The obtained n values decrease from 1.2 to 0.1 from the room temperature phase to fast ionic phase. The high ionic conductivity in the high-temperature phase is explained by the dynamical disordering of protons between the neighboring SeO₄ groups, which provide more vacant sites in the crystal.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of Fe3O4 nanorods and nanowires in an ionic liquid

Without using inert gas to prevent the oxidation of Fe²⁺, Fe₃O₄ nanorods and nanowires have been successfully synthesized via a microwave-assisted ionic liquid method (MAIL). Compared to the traditional methods, the whole reaction process can be carried out more easily and faster. Our result shows that temperature and time of microwave heat played important roles in the formation of Fe₃O₄ with different morphologies. These products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and FT-IR spectra.     

The crystal structures of the ion conductors (NH+4)Zr2(PO4)3and (H3O+)Zr2(PO4)3

The crystal structures of (NH⁺₄)Zr₂(PO₄)₃ and (H₃O⁺)Zr₂(PO₄)₃ have been determined from neutron time-of-flight powder diffraction data obtained at 15 K. Both compounds are rhombohedral, $\text{R}\text{3}\text{c}$, with cell parameters a=8.7088(1) and c=24.2197(4) Å for the ammonium compound and a=8.7528(2), c=23.6833(11) Å for the hydronium compound. In both cases the ions are completely localized in the type I cavities and hydrogen bonded to lattice oxygens. The measured unit cell parameters are relatively large for this class of compounds but the entrance ways into the cavities are still too small to allow for unrestricted movement of the ions. Thus the low conductivity of the hydronium ion is related to this and other structural features.     

Heat capacity and phase transitions in NH4LiSO4, Csx(NH4)1?xLiSO4, and RbLiSO4

The heat capacity of NH₄LiSO₄, RbLiSO₄ and Cs_x(NH₄)_1−x LiSO₄ crystals and its behavior over a broad temperature range including the phase transition regions were studied. The entropy changes corresponding to structural transformations in these crystals were found not to be characteristic of straightforward ordering of structural blocks. The results obtained are discussed in terms of phenomenological theory and model concepts. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 47, No. 4, 2005, pp. 696–704. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2005 by Flerov, Kartashev, Grankina.     

The thermoelectric power of charge-density-wave conductors Rb0.3MoO3 and Rb0.15K0.15MoO3

The thermoelectric power (TEP) of the quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave (CDW) conductors rubidium blue bronze Rb_0.3MoO₃ and its alloy Rb_0.15K_0.15MoO₃ were measured in the temperature range 80-280 K. The result showed a sign change from a small positive value to a great negative value where the Peierls transition temperatures (T_p) are 183 and 180 K for Rb_0.3MoO₃ and Rb_0.15K_0.15MoO₃, respectively. Above T_p, the TEP for both samples can be described with the empirical relation S=AT+B; while below T_p, the TEP fits well the relation S=AT+B/T based on the experimental data. The Fermi energies ε_F for Rb_0.3MoO₃ and Rb_0.15K_0.15MoO₃ are estimated to be 1.55 and 0.53 eV, respectively.     

Mixed conductivity in SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3 protonic conductors

The results of electrical conductivity measurements on SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O₃ under controlled oxygen partial pressure and temperature are presented. A defect model consistent with experimental results is proposed which provides for P_O2^−1/4 dependent n-type, P_o2-independent oxygen ion and P_O2^+1/4 dependent p-type conductivity components. The band gap, reduction, oxidation and ion-migration energies are determined from an analysis of the data in terms of the proposed defect model. These results suggest that some earlier data interpreted in terms of protonic conduction may require re-evaluation.