Structural investigation in the TiB2-(Na2O·B2O3·Al2O3) system

Composites in the TiB₂-Na₂O·B₂O₃·Al₂O₃ systems, TiB₂-MBA (MB stands for sodium metaborate and A is Al₂O₃), were prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), in simultaneous mode. Selection of these compositions was ruled by the interesting properties of both TiB₂ and double borates of alkali metal and aluminum. The structure of the obtained materials was evaluated by micro-Raman spectroscopy, from room temperature up to 600 °C, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Formation of the TiB₂ and TiO_2−xB_x phases along with TiO₂ as rutile were identified as titanium speciation in the grain phase embedded in a sodium aluminum borate matrix. Integration of the Raman spectra of the grain phases revealed a TiB₂ content of 16.99% and 23.32% for the two composite investigated 2TiB₂·2MBA and 3TiB₂·5MBA. A constrained-width model for the spectral deconvolution of the high-frequency Raman band was forwarded to calculate the proportion of tetrahedral boron atoms (7.424%) in the blank borate matrix Na₂B₂O₄·Al₂O₃ in solid phase.     

Dependence of the mixed alkali effect on temperature and total alkali oxide content in y[xLi2O·(1−x)Na2O]·(1−y)B2O3 glasses

The complex conductivity spectra of mixed alkali borate glasses of compositions y [xLi₂O·(1−x)Na₂O]·(1−y)B₂O₃ (with x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0; y=0.1, 0.2, 0.3) in a frequency range between 10⁻² Hz and 3 MHz and at temperatures ranging from 298 to 573 K have been studied. For each glass composition the conductivities show a transition from the dc values into a dispersive regime where the conductivity is found to increase continuously with frequency, tending towards a linear frequency dependence at sufficiently low temperatures. Mixed alkali effects (MAEs) in the dc conductivity and activation energy are identified and discussed. It has been for the first time found that the strength of the MAE in the logarithm of the dc conductivity linearly increases with the total alkali oxide content, y, and the reciprocal temperature, 1/T.     

Approach to thermal properties and electronic polarizability from average single bond strength in ZnOBi2O3B2O3 glasses

The glass transition temperature (T_g), density, refractive index, Raman scattering spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) for xZnO-yBi₂O₃-zB₂O₃ glasses (x=10-65, y=10-50, z=25-60 mol%) are measured to clarify the bonding and structure features of the glasses with large amounts of ZnO. The average electronic polarizability of oxide ions (α_O2−) and optical basicity (Λ) of the glasses estimated using Lorentz-Lorenz equation increase with increasing ZnO or Bi₂O₃ content, giving the values of α_O2−=1.963 Å³ and Λ=0.819 for 60ZnO-10Bi₂O₃-30B₂O₃ glass. The formation of BOBi and BOZn bridging bonds in the glass structure is suggested from Raman and XPS spectra. The average single bond strength (B_MO) proposed by Dimitrov and Komatsu is applied to the glasses and is calculated using single bond strengths of 150.6 kJ/mol for ZnO bonds in ZnO₄ groups, 102.5 kJ/mol for BiO bonds in BiO₆ groups, 498 kJ/mol for BO bonds in BO₃ groups, and 373 kJ/mol for BO bonds in BO₄ groups. Good correlations are observed between T_g and B_MO, Λ and B_MO, and T_g and Λ, proposing that the average single bond strength is a good parameter for understanding thermal and optical properties of ZnOBi₂O₃B₂O₃ glasses.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of two new hydrated borates, Zn8[(BO3)3O2(OH)3] and Pb[B5O8(OH)]·1.5H2O

Two new hydrated borates, Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O, have been prepared by hydrothermal reactions at 170 °C. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses showed that Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric space group R32 with a=8.006(2) Å, c=17.751(2) Å, Z=3 and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=6.656(2) Å, b=6.714(2) Å, c=10.701(2) Å, α=99.07(2)°, β=93.67(2)°, γ=118.87(1)°, Z=2. Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] represents a new structure type in which Zn-centered tetrahedra are connected via common vertices leading to helical ribbons _∞¹[Zn₈O₁₅(OH)₃]¹⁷⁻ that pack side by side and are further condensed through sharing oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional _∞³[Zn₈O₁₁(OH)₃]⁹⁻ framework. The boron atoms are incorporated into the channels in the framework to complete the final structure. Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O is a layered compound containing double ring [B₅O₈(OH)]²⁻ building units that share exocyclic oxygen atoms to form a two-dimensional layer. Symmetry-center-related layers are stacked along the c-axis and held together by interlayer Pb²⁺ ions and water molecules via electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. The IR spectra further confirmed the existence of both triangular BO₃ and OH groups in Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃], and BO₃, BO₄, OH groups as well as guest water molecules in Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O.     

Thermodynamics of CoAl2O4-CoGa2O4 solid solutions

CoAl₂O₄, CoGa₂O₄, and their solid solution Co(Ga_zAl_1−z)₂O₄ have been studied using high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry in molten 2PbO·B₂O₃ at 973 K. There is an approximately linear correlation between lattice parameters, enthalpy of formation from oxides, and the Ga content. The experimental enthalpy of mixing is zero within experimental error. The cation distribution parameters are calculated using the O’Neill and Navrotsky thermodynamic model. The enthalpies of mixing calculated from these parameters are small and consistent with the calorimetric data. The entropies of mixing are calculated from site occupancies and compared to those for a random mixture of Ga and Al ions on octahedral site with all Co tetrahedral and for a completely random mixture of all cations on both sites. Despite a zero heat of mixing, the solid solution is not ideal in that activities do not obey Raoult's Law because of the more complex entropy of mixing.     

Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of BaTi(BO3)2 and Ba3Ti3O6(BO3)2 crystals in glasses with high TiO2 contents

The ternary BaO-TiO₂-B₂O₃ glasses containing a large amount of TiO₂ (20-40 mol%) are prepared, and their optical basicities (Λ), the formation, structural features and second-order optical nonlinearities of BaTi(BO₃)₂ and Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ crystals are examined to develop new nonlinear optical materials. It is found that the glasses with high TiO₂ contents of 30-40 mol% show large optical basicities of Λ=0.81-0.87, suggesting the high polarizabity of TiO_n polyhedra (n=4-6) in the glasses. BaTi(BO₃)₂ and Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ crystals are found to be formed as main crystalline phases in the glasses. It is found that BaTi(BO₃)₂ crystals tend to orient at the surface of crystallized glasses. The new XRD pattern for the Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ phase is proposed through Rietvelt analysis. The second harmonic intensities of crystallized glasses were found to be 0.8 times as large as α-quartz powders, i.e., I^2ω(sample)/I^2ω(α-quartz)=0.8, for the sample with BaTi(BO₃)₂ crystals and to be I^2ω(sample)/I^2ω(α-quartz)=68 for the sample with Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ crystals. The Raman scattering spectra for these two crystalline phases are measured for the first time and their structural features are discussed.     

Crystal-chemistry of mullite-type aluminoborates Al18B4O33 and Al5BO9: A stoichiometry puzzle

Orthorhombic Al₂O₃-rich aluminoborate is an important ceramic material for which two slightly different compositions have been assumed: Al₅BO₉ (5Al₂O₃:B₂O₃) and Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ (9Al₂O₃:2B₂O₃). The formula Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ (=Al_4.91B_1.09O₉) was derived from results of chemical analyses when crystal structure data were not yet available. Subsequent structural investigations indicated Al₅BO₉ composition. Nevertheless, Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ was still accepted as the correct stoichiometry assuming that additional B replaces 9% Al.Powder samples of both compositions and ones with excess boron were prepared by solid state reactions between α-Al₂O₃ and B₂O₃/H₃BO₃ at temperatures above 1100 °C and single-crystals were grown from flux at 1100 and 1550 °C. Products were investigated by single-crystal and powder XRD, ¹¹B and ²⁷Al solid-state MAS-NMR, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy as well as Laser-ablation ICP-MS. No indication of the predicted 9% B→Al substitution was found. LA ICP-MS indicated 12.36(27) wt% B₂O₃ corresponding to Al_4.97B_1.03O₉. Hence, the suggested Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ stoichiometry can be excluded for all synthesized samples. A very low amount of Al vacancies at a five-fold coordinated site are likely, charge balanced by an additional nearby three-fold coordinated B site. All evidences indicate that the title compound should be reported as Al_5−xB_1+xO₉ with x<0.038(6), which is close to Al₅BO₉.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and thermochemistry of Ca2[B2O4(OH)2]·0.5H2O

A pure calcium borate Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by XRD, FT-IR and TG as well as by chemical analysis. The molar enthalpy of solution of Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O in HC1·54.582H₂O was determined. From a combination of this result with measured enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in HC1·54.561H₂O and of CaO in (HCl + H₃BO₃) solution, together with the standard molar enthalpies of formation of CaO(s), H₃BO₃(s) and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(3172.5 ± 2.5) kJ mol⁻¹ of Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O was obtained.     

MAS-NMR studies of lithium aluminum silicate (LAS) glasses and glass-ceramics having different Li2O/Al2O3 ratio

Emergence of phases in lithium aluminum silicate (LAS) glasses of composition (wt%) xLi₂O-71.7SiO₂-(17.7−x)Al₂O₃-4.9K₂O-3.2B₂O₃-2.5P₂O₅ (5.1≤x≤12.6) upon heat treatment were studied. ²⁹Si, ²⁷Al, ³¹P and ¹¹B MAS-NMR were employed for structural characterization of both LAS glasses and glass-ceramics. In glass samples, Al is found in tetrahedral coordination, while P exists mainly in the form of orthophosphate units. B exists as BO₃ and BO₄ units. ²⁷Al NMR spectra show no change with crystallization, ruling out the presence of any Al containing phase. Contrary to X-ray diffraction studies carried out, ¹¹B (high field 18.8 T) and ²⁹Si NMR spectra clearly indicate the unexpected crystallization of a borosilicate phase (Li,K)BSi₂O₆, whose structure is similar to the aluminosilicate virgilite. Also, lithium disilicate (Li₂Si₂O₅), lithium metasilicate (Li₂SiO₃) and quartz (SiO₂) were identified in the ²⁹Si NMR spectra of the glass-ceramics. ³¹P NMR spectra of the glass-ceramics revealed the presence of Li₃PO₄ and a mixed phase (Li,K)₃PO₄ at low alkali concentrations.     

Synthesis and thermochemistry of MgO·3B2O3·3.5H2O

A new magnesium borate MgO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt and characterized by XRD, IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as by TG. The structural formula of this compound was Mg[B₆O₉(OH)₂]·2.5H₂O. The enthalpy of solution of MgO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5595.02±4.85) kJ mol⁻¹ of MgO·3B₂O₃3.5H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound was also calculated by group contribution method.     

The Ternary System Li2O-Al2O3-B2O3: Compounds and Phase Relations

The ternary system Li₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃ is reinvestigated with solid-state reaction and X-ray powder diffraction technique to clarify some long-standing uncertainties. The phase relations are constructed based on the phase identifications of 51 ternary samples. Six ternary compounds, Li₂AlB₅O₁₀, LiAlB₂O₅, Li₃AlB₂O₆, Li₂AlBO₄, LiAl₇B₄O₁₇ and a compound with a composition close to 0.66Li₂O·0.06Al₂O₃·0.28B₂O₃, are observed or confirmed in this system, and the thermal stability of these ternary compounds is also discussed on the basis of DTA experimental results.     

Evolution and characterization of fluorite-like nano-SrBi2Nb2O9 phase in the SrO-Bi2O3-Nb2O5-Li2B4O7 glass system

Transparent glasses of various compositions in the system (100−x)Li₂B₄O₇−x(SrO-Bi₂O₃-Nb₂O₅) (where x=10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60, in molar ratio) were fabricated via splat quenching technique. The glassy nature of the as-quenched samples was established by differential thermal analyses. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopic studies confirmed the amorphous nature of the as-quenched and crystallinity in the heat-treated samples. Fluorite phase formation prior to the perovskite SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ phase was analyzed by both the XRD and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Dielectric and the optical properties (transmission, optical band gap and Urbach energy) of these samples have been found to be compositional dependent. Refractive index was measured and compared with the values predicted by Wemple-Didomemenico and Gladstone-Dale relations. The glass nanocomposites comprising nanometer-sized crystallites of fluorite phase were found to be nonlinear optic active.     

Structure and properties of titanium-zinc borophosphate glasses

The structure of 50ZnO-10B₂O₃-40P₂O₅+xTiO₂ glasses prepared by slow cooling (for x=0-24 mol% TiO₂) or by quenching (for x=28-64 mol% TiO₂) was studied by Raman, ³¹P and ¹¹B MAS NMR spectroscopy. TiO₂ incorporates into the glass structure, which results in a decrease in the molar volume and an increase in the glass transition temperature. According to Raman spectra Ti atoms form distorted TiO₆ octahedra and their incorporation into the structural network results in the depolymerization of phosphate chains. ¹¹B NMR spectra of the glasses with increasing TiO₂ content show gradual changes from one symmetrical signal of B(OP)₄ units to a broad complex signal which was separated into five signals ascribed to four different types of BO₄ units and one BO₃ unit. With increasing TiO₂ content a part of boron atoms changes from tetrahedral BO₄ to trigonal BO₃ units, which is ascribed to the formation of TiO₆ units in the glass structure.     

Enthalpy of mixing in 0.8[xB2O3-(1 − x)P2O5]-0.2Na2O glasses at 298 K

0.8[xB₂O₃-(1 − x)P₂O₅]-0.2Na₂O (with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) glasses have been characterized by solution calorimetry at 298 K in acid solvent. The experimental data showed a strong negative departure of the enthalpy of mixing from the ideality described by the equation (in kJ/mol): ΔH = x(1 − x)(−660.2 + 570x). The results were interpreted on the basis of the structural data. Enthalpies of mixing were consistent with sub-regular solution behaviour.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermochemistry of a new form of 2MgO·3B2O3·17H2O

A new magnesium borate, β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O, has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt and characterized by XRD, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as by TG. The structural formula of this compound was Mg[B₃O₃(OH)₅]·6H₂O. The enthalpy of solution of β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(10256.39±4.93) kJ mol⁻¹ of β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound was also calculated by group contribution method.     

Thermochemistry of NaRb[B4O5(OH)4]·4H2O

The enthalpies of solution of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ aqueous hydrochloric acid and of RbCl in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid + sodium chloride) were determined. From these results and the enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃ in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq) and of sodium chloride in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5128.02 ± 1.94) kJ mol⁻¹ for NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O was obtained from the standard molar enthalpies of formation of NaCl(s), RbCl(s), H₃BO₃(s) and H₂O(l). The standard molar entropy of formation of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O was calculated from the Gibbs free energy of formation of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O computed from a group contribution method.     

Studies on some ternary oxyborates of the Na2O-Me2O3-B2O3 (Me=rare earth or aluminum) systems: Synthesis, structure and crystal growth

Sodium rare-earth oxyborates Na₂RE₂O(BO₃)₂ (RE=Y, Nd, Er) were prepared for the first time in the present study. They were found to be isostructural with phases of the same composition containing Sm, Eu or Gd and reported by Corbel et al. [J. Solid State Chem.144 (1999) 35-44]. It was shown that the yttrium and erbium compounds could be synthesized at 900-1000 °C by a solid-state reaction between oxides in an equimolecular ratio. With both oxyborates melting led to decomposition into a mixture of Y(Er)BO₃, Y₂(Er₂)O₃ and Na₂B₄O₇. Just the opposite was observed during thermal treatment of the oxide mixture containing Nd₂O₃, from which a practically pure phase of Na₂Nd₂O(BO₃)₂ was only obtained after melting. The attempts to synthesize the oxyborate Na₂La₂O(BO₃)₂ showed it to be unstable, this leading to the formation of a mixture containing, in addition to Na₂La₂O(BO₃)₂, also other already known stable phases of the system Na₂O-La₂O₃-B₂O₃ along with an unknown ternary oxide phase. This phase was found to represent a new oxyborate of sodium and lanthanum with the formula Na₃La₉O₃(BO₃)₈, whose single crystals were obtained by flux growth. It was established that synthesis of a polycrystalline material with the same composition was also possible using solid-state interaction between Na₂CO₃, La₂O₃ and H₃BO₃ at 1000-1100 °C. X-ray diffraction experiments on single crystals were used to solve the structure of Na₃La₉O₃(BO₃)₈. The unit cell was found to be hexagonal, space group P62m (No. 189) with Z=1. The compound can be regarded as the forefather of a second group of oxyborates representing a new family of isostructural compounds, Na₃RE₉O₃(BO₃)₈. Such phases were obtained with RE=Nd, Sm and Eu whereas with RE=Y and Gd, the synthesis experiments failed.The concentration and temperature regions of crystallization of the double-oxyborate Na₂Al₂O(BO₃)₂ in the ternary system Na₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃ were determined. This compound was shown to melt incongruently at 970±3 °C, which made high-temperature solution growth most appropriate for obtaining its single crystals with NaBO₂ as the best solvent. On the basis of the data obtained, a composition of the initial solution was proposed, the validity of the choice being demonstrated by the growth of Na₂Al₂O(BO₃)₂ single crystals on a seed using the top-seeded solution growth (TSSG) technique and slow cooling of the solution.     

Synthesis and thermochemistry of SrB2O4·4H2O and SrB2O4

Two pure strontium borates SrB₂O₄·4H₂O and SrB₂O₄ have been synthesized and characterized by means of chemical analysis and XRD, FT-IR, DTA-TG techniques. The molar enthalpies of solution of SrB₂O₄·4H₂O and SrB₂O₄ in 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq) were measured to be −(9.92 ± 0.20) kJ mol⁻¹ and −(81.27 ± 0.30) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The molar enthalpy of solution of Sr(OH)₂·8H₂O in (HCl + H₃BO₃)(aq) were determined to be −(51.69 ± 0.15) kJ mol⁻¹. With the use of the enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃ in 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq), and the standard molar enthalpies of formation for Sr(OH)₂·8H₂O(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpies of formation of −(3253.1 ± 1.7) kJ mol⁻¹ for SrB₂O₄·4H₂O, and of −(2038.4 ± 1.7) kJ mol⁻¹ for SrB₂O₄ were obtained.     

Mechanochemical-thermal preparation and structural studies of mullite-type Bi2(GaxAl1−x)4O9 solid solutions

A series of Bi₂(Ga_xAl_1−x)₄O₉ solid solutions (0≤x≤1), prepared by mechanochemical processing of Bi₂O₃/Ga₂O₃/Al₂O₃ mixtures and subsequent annealing, was investigated by XRD, EDX, and ²⁷Al MAS NMR. The structure of the Bi₂(Ga_xAl_1−x)₄O₉ solid solutions is found to be orthorhombic, space group Pbam (No. 55). The lattice parameters of the Bi₂(Ga_xAl_1−x)₄O₉ series increase linearly with increasing gallium content. Rietveld refinement of the XRD data as well as the analysis of the ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectra show a preference of gallium cations for the tetrahedral sites in Bi₂(Ga_xAl_1−x)₄O₉. As a consequence, this leads to a far from random distribution of Al and Ga cations across the whole series of solid solutions.     

Mössbauer Spectroscopic Study of xNa2O·5Fe2O3·(95-x)B2O3 Glasses (x=10–35)

A study of xNa₂O·5Fe₂O₃·(95-x)B₂O₃ glasses(x = 10–35) by Mössbauer spectroscopy was carried out in order to elucidate the effect of non-bridging oxygen (NBO) on Mössbauer parameters for Fe³⁺ ions. From the change of the isomer shift and quadrupole splitting, it was found that the Fe³⁺ ions in these borate glasses constitute FeO₄ tetrahedra and play a role of network former. These Mössbauer parameters reflect well the formation of NBO when N₂O contents is larger than 20 mol%. From the measurements of absorption area at low temperature, the _D values for Fe³⁺ ions in 10Na₂O·5Fe₂O₃·85B₂O₃ and 35Na₂O·5Fe₂O₃·60B₂O₃ glasses were determined to be 320 and 289 K, respectively. The decrease of _D value from 320 to 289 K is ascribed to the NBO which was formed by the breaking of -B-O-B- bonds.