High-temperature defect structure and electrical conduction in Ni1−xMgxO

The ionic transference number, the electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of Ni_1?xMg_xO (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) were measured as functions of temperature (900–1400°C) and oxygen partial pressure (10²–10⁵ Pa). The contribution of ionic conduction to the total conductivity of Ni_0.9Mg_0.1O was of the order of 10^?3?10^?2 at 900–1300°C, which led us to assume that the electronic conduction was predominating in Ni_1?xMg_xO (x ≤ 0.9). The electrical conductivities of both undoped and Al-doped Ni_1?xMg_xO depended on the $\text{1}\text{4}$ power of P_O2, which indicated a significant impurity effect on the defect equilibria and was interpreted as showing that doubly ionized cation vacancies were the dominant point defects at high temperatures. Analyses of the difference in the temperature dependences of conductivity and Seebeck coefficient showed that band-like conduction took place in the NiO-rich composition range (x ≤ 0.1), while thermally activated hopping of small polarons occurred in Ni_1?xMg_xO with x ≥ 0.3. The calculated drift mobility abruptly decreased in the composition region where the conduction mechanism changed.     

Phase transitions in a Cs2−xK1+xBiCl6 solid solution

A solid solution with a Cs_2?xK_1+xBiCl₆ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) formulation and an elpasolite-related structure was prepared. At room temperature the symmetry is cubic (Fm3m) for x = 0 and triclinic $\text{(P}\text{I}\text{)}$ for x ≠ 0. For 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, various techniques enabled us to detect a phase transition of the ferroelastic-paraelastic type at t_c (°C) temperature. The t_c and ΔH_tc values are correlated to the size of the alkali ions.     

Defect structure of anion-excess fluorite-related Ca1−xYxF2+x solid solutions

On the basis of the transformation of a cube within a fluorite-type matrix into an archimedean antiprism of the kind found in numerous ordered anion-excess fluorite-related superstructures, a new polyhedral cluster, labeled 4:4:3, [according to B. T. M. Willis, Proc. Br. Ceram. Soc.1, 9 (1964) and A. K. Cheetham, B. E. F. Fender, and M. J. Cooper, J. Phys. C4, 3107 (1971)], is proposed to explain the defect structure and short-range order in Ca_1?xY_xF_2+x solid solution. In agreement with the spectroscopic, dielectric, and electric experiments, this new structural model fits perfectly well the measured occupation numbers for normal F and interstitial F′ and F″ fluorine atoms for the whole range of compositions without requiring the too short F′F′ distances generated by the previously proposed 2:2:2 or 3:4:2 clusters. Such 4:4:3 clusters and nearly identical 4:4:4 or 4:4:5 ones, are probably present in the other highly and moderately doped Ca_1?xLn_xF_2+x solid solutions; they could be precursors for the largest clusters, i.e., ordered microdomains, observed for samples annealed for a long time.     

The crystal and magnetic structures of Ca2YRuO6 and the electronic properties of the series M2+2X3+Ru5+O6 (M = Ca,Sr, Ba; X = La,Y)

Profile analysis of constant-wavelength powder neutron diffraction data has been used to refine the crystal structure of the ordered perovskite Ca₂YRuO₆. The material is monoclinic (space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{n}$) with a disordered arrangement of calcium and yttrium on the A site and one of the B sites, such that the formula is best written as Ca_1.43Y_0.57[(Ca_0.57Y_0.43)Ru]O₆. Low-temperature neutron diffraction experiments showed that the material is a Type I antiferromagnet at 2.5 K with an ordered magnetic moment of 1.2(1)μ_B per Ru⁵⁺. It is suggested that the dominant factor in determining the electronic properties of the series M²⁺₂X³⁺Ru⁵⁺O₆ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = La, Y) is the Ru-Ru separation distance.     

Localized moments in the superconducting Li1+xTi2−xO4 spinel system

Electron spin resonance (ESR) and magnetic-susceptibility measurements on the Li_1+xTi_2?xO₄ spinel system ($\text{0 ≤ x ≤}\text{1}\text{3}$) indicate the presence of two types of localized moments in this material. In both cases, an unpaired electron is trapped as a Ti³⁺ ion in a crystal field that is predominantly octahedral, but with a strong tetragonal component. This type of crystal field cannot arise in the stoichiometric spinel. We propose two types of defect in the title spinel system: an oxygen vacancy and a hydroxyl ion. Unpaired electrons are trapped as Ti³⁺ ions adjacent to these defects, and it is argued that the strong tetragonal field is associated with the formation of a static (TiO)⁺ ion by a displacement of the titanium ion from the defect. Spin relaxation occurs via a thermal ionization of the trapped electron that appears to be associated with a static-dynamic transition in the titanium-ion displacement.     

Preparation and properties of the systems Fe2−xCrxWO6, Fe2−xRhxWO6, and Cr2−xRhxWO6

Solid solutions of the end members Fe₂WO₆, Cr₂WO₆, and Rh₂WO₆ have been prepared and their crystallographic and magnetic properties studied. All solid solutions crystallize with the trirutile structure, and their magnetic behavior is characterized by the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions and effective molar Curie constants corresponding to those expected from contributions of the spinonly moments of high-spin Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, and diamagnetic low-spin Rh³⁺ ions. Fe₂WO₆ crystallizes with the tri-α-PbO₂ structure and is antiferromagnetic and conducting. The random rutile Rh₂WO₆ is conducting, and the difference between its magnetic and electric properties and those of the inverse trirutile Cr₂WO₆ are discussed in terms of possible interactions between Cr³⁺(3d) or Rh³⁺(4d) orbitals and W⁶⁺(5d) orbitals.     

Structural aspects of the metal-metal interactions in the Ti1+x S2 materials

Interlayer metallic interactions are shown to manifest themselves in both stacking correlations and titanium sublattice distortions. A quantitative study is reported through the structure refinement of one of the Ti_1.33 S₂ superstructures. The interactions seem to involve Coulomb repulsion forces and should be valid in a broad composition range. Lattice distortions are predicted for other structures including the nonstoichiometric 1T structure.     

Phases in the Ba3Fe1+xS5 series: The structure of β-Ba9Fe4S15 and its low-temperature α polymorph

The crystal structure of β-Ba₉Fe₄S₁₅ shows that it is a phase in the infinitely adaptive series of compounds Ba₃Fe_1+xS₅, 0 ? x ? 1. The material is synthesized by reacting a slightly sulfur-rich mixture at 900°C in a sealed quartz ampoule. Lattice constants are a = 25.212(3), Å, b = 9.594(1), Å, c = 12.575(1), Å, Pnma, z = 4. Three thousand thirty-three structure amplitudes were refined to R = 0.049. BaS₆ trigonal prisms share triangular faces to form infinite columns; the columns in turn share edges and create nearly hexagonal enclosures. Within these rings are additional Ba and S and tetrahedral interstices are created which can be occupied by Fe. The variation of the Fe occupancy from ring to ring gives rise to phases in which one dimension is an integral multiple of the 8.5-Å repeat observed in one end member of the series, Ba₃FeS₅. The other end member is Ba₃Fe₂S₅. At temperatures below 900°C a polymorphic phase is formed. Its lattice constants are a = b = 9.634(1), Å, c = 34.311(3)Å, $\text{I4}{}_1\text{a}\text{, z = 4}$. One thousand five hundred eighty-three structure amplitudes were refined to R = 0.0483. Trigonal prisms and bisdisphenoids articulate to form a complex three-dimensional structure. Two of the S atoms in the structure have statistical site occupancies.     

Synthesis of Ba(V1−xTix)S3 (0 ≦ x ≦ 1.0) compounds and their structural transitions

The two-layer hexagonal perovskites Ba(V_1?xTi_x)S₃ (0 ≦ x ≦ 1.0) are prepared in a H₂S stream. A in a H₂S stream. A structural phase transition from a hexagonal to an orthorhombic form takes place for the powder samples with 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.4 and their transition temperatures are determined to be 250 K for x = 0, 240 K for x = 0.1, 222 K for x = 0.2, 195 K for x = 0.3, and 160 K for x = 0.4, respectively. The phase transformation does not occur down to 90 K for the materials above x = 0.5.     

Magnetic resonance study of (GdxY1−x)Co2 compounds

The results of magnetic resonance studies on ferrimagnetic (Gd_xY_1?x)Co₂ compounds, both below and above the Curie points, are presented. The ferrimagnetic resonance measurements show that the effective g values can be described by using the Wangsness relation. The spectroscopic splitting factors of cobalt atoms are not composition dependent. In the paramagnetic range the thermal variation of the linewidth is not linear and the g values are a function of temperature. This behavior is analyzed in correlation with the magnetic data.     

A study of the Li1+xTi2−xO4 spinel system by diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy

The room-temperature diffuse-reflectance spectra of compositions within the Li_1+xTi_2?xO₄ spinel system ($\text{0 ≤ x ≤}\text{1}\text{3}$) show three absorption bands in the range 4000 to 48,000 cm^?1. Two high-energy absorption bands correspond to charge-transfer transitions from the oxygen-2p valence band to the titanium t_2g and σ1 conduction bands, where the σ1 band of e_g character has hybridized titanium-3d and titanium-4s parentage. The absorption band arising from promotion of electrons to the empty σ1 band does not alter with composition whereas the absorption band arising from promotion of electrons to the partially filled t_2g band narrows as the concentration of conduction electrons in the t_2g band decreases. These two high-energy absorption bands fall entirely within the ultraviolet spectral region, and the absorption edge in $\text{Li}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>4</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{Ti}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{O}{}_4\text{(x =}\text{1}\text{3}\text{)}$ occurs at 24,300 cm^?1 (3.02 eV). A low-energy absorption band is observed in compositions with $\text{x <}\text{1}\text{3}$ and in samples of $\text{Li}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>4</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{Ti}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{O}{}_4$ reduced in hydrogen at elevated temperatures. This band straddles the boundary between the visible and infrared spectral regions and shifts toward lower energy as the concentration of conduction electrons in the t_2g band decreases. The possible origins of the band are discussed; the argument is in favor of a d-d interband transition from states in the partially filled t_2g band to states in the empty σ1 band.     

Polarized crystal spectra of the mixed metal salt [(CH3)3NH]MnxCu1−xCl3·2H2O

The electronic absorption spectra in two polarizations are reported for crystals of the dichroic salt, TMAMn_xCu_1?xCl₃·2H₂O where TMA represents the trimethylammonium cation, (CH₃)₃NH⁺. Although TMACuCl₃·2H₂O is monoclinic, the mixed metal salts in which x ≥ 0.20 adopt the orthorhombic structure of TMAMnCl₃·2H₂O. The bands observed in the near ir region are adequately explained as d-d transitions of the Cu(II) ion in D_2h symmetry. Other polarized bands which occur in the visible region and are neither Mn(II) nor Cu(II) d-d transitions are discussed.     

The dehydration of CuSr2(HCOO)6 · 8H2O: A crystallographic study

The isothermal dehydration of CuSr₂(HCOO)₆ · 8H₂O single crystals as well as powdered material has been followed by several techniques, mainly X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. Evidence was found of a two-stage process, with an early appearance of an amorphous state (attributed to internal dissolution) and further recrystallization of the stable phases. One of these (CuSr(HCOO)₄, monoclinic, P_c, Z = 2, a = 7.345(10) Å, b = 8.692(15) Å, c = 6.702(10)Å, β = 97.25(5)°) has not been reported so far in the literature. When dehydration takes place near room temperature, the remaining product (Sr(HCOO)₂) bears a topotactic relationship to the parent matrix ((hk0)//(hk0)′; 〈0k0〉//〈0k0〉′). A striking metric match between both (hk0) sections, as well as the absence of any common structural motive, suggest an inner epitactic growth as the most probable mechanism for the transformation.     

Nonstoichiometry and defect structure of the perovskite-type oxides La1−xSrxFeO3−°

In order to elucidate the defect structure of the perovskite-type oxide solid solution La_1?xSr_xFeO_3?δ (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.4, and 0.6), the nonstoichiometry, δ, was measured as a function of oxygen partial pressure, P_O2, at temperatures up to 1200°C by means of the thermogravimetric method. Below 200°C and in an atmosphere of P_O2 ≥ 0.13 atm, δ in La_1?xSr_xFeO_3?δ was found to be close to 0. With decreasing log P_O2, δ increased and asymptotically reached $\text{x}\text{2}$. The value corresponding to $\text{δ =}\text{x}\text{2}$ was about ?10 at 1000°C. With further decrease in log P_O2, δ slightly increased. For LaFeO_3?δ, the observed δ values were as small as <0.015. It was found that the relation between δ and log P_O2 is interpreted on the basis of the defect equilibrium among Sr′_La (or V?_La for the case of LaFeO_3?δ), V^··_O, Fe′_Fe, and Fe^·_Fe. Calculations were made for the equilibrium constants K_ox of the reaction

$\text{1}\text{2}\text{O}{}_2\text{(g) + V}{}^{\mathrm{··}}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{+ 2Fe}{}^{\mathrm{x}}{}_{\mathrm{Fe}}\text{= O}{}^{\mathrm{x}}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{+ 2Fe}{}^{\mathrm{·}}{}_{\mathrm{Fe}}$

and K_i for the reaction

$\text{2Fe}{}^{\mathrm{x}}{}_{\mathrm{Fe}}\text{= Fe}{}^{\mathrm{\prime }}{}_{\mathrm{Fe}}\text{+ Fe}{}^{\mathrm{·}}{}_{\mathrm{Fe·}}$

Using these constants, the defect concentrations were calculated as functions of P_O2, temperature, and composition x. The present results are discussed with respect to previously reported results of conductivity measurements.     

Preparation and characterization of the system BaBrxCl2−x: The structure of BaBrCl

The variations in the lattice parameters in the BaBr_xCl_2?x system have been determined for the composition range 2.0 > x > 0.0. All phases exhibit the PbCl₂-type orthorhombic structure and are assignable to space group Pnma. The crystallographic parameters of BaBrCl were determined by the Rietveld method from a line profile analysis of a digitized powder X-ray diffraction pattern. The anions are ordered with the bromide ion occupying the square pyramidal hole, and the chloride ion the smaller tetrahedral hole. Atomic coordinates are presented.     

The isotropic temperature factors of Sr(Co1−xMnx)O3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0)

The cubic perovskite Sr(Co_1?xMn_x)O₃ has a maximum value of a-axis at x = 0.3 and a change of spin state of Co⁴⁺ ion from low to high. To elucidate these properties, the isotropic temperature factor (B) of strontium, cobalt, manganese, and oxygen atoms for x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 0.8, and 0.1 have been derived from powder X-ray diffraction measurements. The isotropic temperature factor of oxygen for x = 0, 0.1, and 1.0 is small and that for x = 0.5 and 0.8 is large. This fact suggests that the oxygen ion deviates from the center of the CoOMn bond in the solid solutions with $\text{x ≧ 0.3}$. Larger CoO₆ octahedra and smaller MnO₆ octahedra, which are connected by corner sharing of oxygens of the octahedron, are distributed statistically.     

Preparation and characterization of compounds of the system Fe(Sb1−xTex)2 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1.0)

The complete solid solution of Fe(Sb_1?xTe_x)₂ with the marcasite structure was synthesized. Electrical and magnetic measurements showed that the substitution of tellurium for antimony in the diamagnetic semiconductor FeSb₂ resulted in metallic and paramagnetic behavior in the composition range 0.1 ? x ? 0.3, but in 0.4 ? x ? 0.6 the products belonged to the arsenopyrite structure and were diamagnetic and semiconductive. The samples whose compositions were in the range 0.7 ? x ? 1.0 were semiconductors. Mössbauer effect measurements showed that the isomer shift did not change, but the quadrupole splitting changed significantly from 1.28 mm/sec for FeSb₂ to 0.50 mm/sec for FeTe₂ in this solid solution.     

Preparation and photoelectronic properties of the system Cd2Ge1−xSixO4

Members of the system Cd₂Ge_1?xSi_xO₄ where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 have been prepared. These compounds were observed to crystallize with the olivine structure, space group Pbnm. The resistivity, Hall mobility, flat-band potential, band gaps, and stability were determined as functions of composition. The variation of these photoelectronic properties can be attributed to the reduction of the cell parameters with increasing silicon substitution. The substitution of silicon for germanium reduces the loss of photocurrent from 25% after 1 hr for x = 0.0 to only 6% after 22 hr for x = 0.4.     

Heat capacity measurements of MnxFe3−xO4

Heat capacities of Mn_xFe_3?xO₄ with the composition x = 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 were measured from 200 to 740 K. λ-type heat capacity anomalies due to the ferri-paramagnetic transition were observed for all the compositions. The transition temperatures were 577, 471, and 385 K for the composition x = 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0, respectively, which are in good agreement with the results of magnetic measurements. The difference in heat capacities between the different samples was small except for the temperature range of the transition. The magnetic contribution to the observed heat capacity was obtained by assuming that the heat capacity can be expressed by the sum of the lattice heat capacity C_v (l), the dilation contribution C(d), and the magnetic contribution C(m). Entropy changes due to the transition were obtained from C(m) as 55.5, 50.7 and 49.2 J K^?1 mole^?1 for the composition x = 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0, respectively. The entropy changes were also calculated by assuming the randomization of unpaired electron spins on each ion, but they were from 6 to 10 J K^?1 mole^?1 smaller than the observed ones. The difference between the experimental and the calculated values is roughly explained by taking into account the cation exchange reaction between the tetrahedral and the octahedral sites in the spinel structure.     

Heat capacity of iron-chromium spinels,Fe3−xCrxO4

The heat capacity of Fe_3?xCr_xO₄ with the composition x = 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 was measured from 200 to 850 K. A γ-type heat capacity anomaly due to the ferri-paramagnetic transition was observed for all compositions. The transition temperatures were 652, 563, and 451 K for the compositions x = 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0, respectively. The variation of transition temperature with composition is discussed in terms of cation distribution. The magnetic contribution to the observed heat capacity was obtained by assuming that the heat capacity is expressed by the sum of the lattice heat capacity C_v(1), the dilation contribution d(d), and the magnetic contribution C(m). Entropy changes due to the transition were calculated from C(m) as 52.6, 49.7, and 46.3 J K^?1 mole^?1 for the compositions x = 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0, respectively, which are from 7 to 12 J K^?1 mole^?1 higher than the calculated values based on the assumption of randomization of unpaired spins on each ion. The difference between the observed and the calculated values is roughly explained by taking into account the orbital contribution of Fe²⁺ ions on octahedral and tetrahedral sites.