Approaching compositional limits of perovskite – type oxides and oxynitrides by synthesis of Mg0.25Ca0.65Y0.1Ti(O,N)3, Ca1–xYxZr(O,N)3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.4), and Sr1–xLaxZr(O,N)3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.4)

Partial substitution of cations and anions in perovskite-type materials is a powerful way to tune the desired properties. The systematic variation of the cations size, the partial exchange of O²⁻ for N³⁻ and their effect on the size of the optical band gap and the thermal stability was investigated here. The anionic substitution resulted in the formation of the orthorhombic perovskite-type oxynitrides Mg_0.25Ca_0.65Y_0.1Ti(O,N)₃, Ca_1-xY_xZr(O,N)₃, and Sr_1–xLa_xZr(O,N)₃. A two-step synthesis protocol was applied: i) (nano-crystalline) oxide precursors were synthesized by a Pechini method followed by ii) ammonolysis in flowing NH₃ at T = 773 K (Ti) and T = 1273 K (Zr), respectively. High-temperature synthesis of such oxide precursors by solid–state reaction generally resulted in phase separation of the different A-site cations. Changes of the crystal structures were investigated by Rietveld refinements of the powder XRD data, thermal stability by DSC/TG measurements in oxygen atmosphere, oxygen and nitrogen contents by O/N analysis using hot gas extraction technique, and optical band gaps by photoluminescence spectroscopy. By moving from Mg_0.25Ca_0.65Y_0.1Ti(O,N)₃ via Ca_1–xY_xZr(O,N)₃ to Sr_1–xLa_xZr(O,N)₃, the degree of tilting of the octahedral network is reduced, as observed by an increase in the B–X–B angles caused by the simultaneously increasing effective ionic radius of the A-site cation(s). In general, increasing substitution levels on the A-site (Y³⁺ and La³⁺) are accompanied by an enhanced replacement of O²⁻ by N³⁻. In all three systems, this anionic substitution resulted in a reduction of the optical band gap by approximately 1 eV (Ti) and up to 2.1 eV (Zr) compared to the respective oxides. For Mg_0.25Ca_0.65Y_0.1Ti(O,N)₃ an optical band gap of 2.2 eV was observed, appropriate for a solar water splitting photocatalyst. The Zr-based oxynitrides required a by a factor of 2 higher nitrogen contents to significantly reduce the optical band gap and the measured values of 2.9 eV–3.2 eV are larger compared to the Ti-based oxynitride. Bulk thermal stability was revealed up to T = 881 K. In general, the thermal stability decreased with increasing substitution levels due to an increasing deviation from the ideal anionic composition as demonstrated by O/N analysis.     

Neutron diffraction and MAS NMR of Cesium Tungstate defect pyrochlores

Defect-pyrochlores based on the formulation CsM_0.5W_1.5O₆ (M=Ti, Ti/Zr, Zr and Hf) have been studied using neutron diffraction and magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). The results show that structural changes are linearly linked to the change in ionic-radius for the B-site, e.g. the unit cell changes from 10.2763 Å for CsTi_0.5W_1.5O₆ to 10.3820 Å for CsZr_0.4W_1.6O₆. Changes in the NMR chemical shift correlate with the change in electronegativity on the B-site, and show the presence of only one Cs crystal site.     

XAS study of murataite-based ceramics and crystalline film of ThO2

The local environment of thorium in murataite ceramics (Al,Ca,Ti,Mn,Fe,Zr,Th)O_x and ThO₂(001) crystalline film on Si(100) substrate as a reference was explored by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) for the first time. It was found that Th⁴⁺ is located in the center of a cube formed by 8 oxygen atoms [r(Th–O) = 2.37 ± 0.03 Å] in murataite ceramics and ThO₂ film. The Th⁴⁺ second coordination sphere [r(Th–M) ≈ 3.5 Å] in murataite is represented by 3d metals: titanium, iron or manganese     

Minerals from Macedonia: XVII. Vibrational spectra of some common appearing amphiboles

The vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy is used in order to identify and characterize the following amphibole minerals with general formula W_0–1X₂Y₅Z₈O₂₂(OH)₂ (W = Na, K; X = Na, Ca; Y = Mg, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al; Z = Si, Al) originating from the localities in the Republic of Macedonia: glaucophane, Na₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₃(Fe³⁺,Al)₂Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂; tremolite–actinolite, Ca₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂; hornblende (Na,K)_0–1Ca₂(Mg,Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺,Al)₅(Si,Al)₈ O₂₂(OH)₂ and arfvedsonite, NaNa₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₄(Fe³⁺,Al)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂. The chemical composition of these minerals is not necessarily fixed. It is due to the possibility to form solid solution series with other minerals being their end-members (for example, tremolite–ferro-actinolite series, Ca₂Mg₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂–Ca₂Fe²⁺₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂). In this context, it is shown that the intensity and especially the number of the IR bands in the ν(OH) region could serve as a tool for exact mineral identification. Namely, it is based on the presence of different Y cations in various octahedral sites (M1 and M3), which is manifested by different spectral view. On the other hand, the expressed similarities in the 1300–370 cm⁻¹ (IR) and 1200–100 cm⁻¹ regions (Raman) of the spectra are observed due to their common structural characteristics (double chains of SiO₄ tetrahedra). Thus, the bands in this region are tentatively prescribed mostly to the vibrations of the SiO₄ tetrahedra. The results of our study are compared with the corresponding literature data for the analogous mineral species originating all over the world.     

Solid-state Al and Si NMR characterization of hydrates formed in calcium aluminate-silica fume mixtures

Partially deuterated Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)_y(OH)_12−4y-Al(OH)₃ mixtures, prepared by hydration of Ca₃Al₂O₆ (C₃A), Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃ (C₁₂A₇) and CaAl₂O₄ (CA) phases in the presence of silica fume, have been characterized by ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al magic-angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopies. NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize anhydrous and fully hydrated samples. In hydrated compounds, Ca₃Al₂(OH)₁₂ and Al(OH)₃ phases were detected. From the quantitative analysis of ²⁷Al NMR signals, the Al(OH)₃/Ca₃Al₂(OH)₁₂ ratio was deduced. The incorporation of Si into the katoite structure, Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)_3−x(OH)_4x, was followed by ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopies. Si/OH ratios were determined from the quantitative analysis of ²⁷Al MAS-NMR components associated with Al(OH)₆ and Al(OSi)(OH)₅ environments. The ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy was also used to quantify the unreacted silica and amorphous calcium aluminosilicate hydrates formed, C-S-H and C-A-S-H for short. From ²⁹Si NMR spectra, the amount of Si incorporated into different phases was estimated. Si and Al concentrations, deduced by NMR, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and Rietveld analysis of both X-ray and neutron data, indicate that only a part of available Si is incorporated in katoite structures.     

Detection of nanocrystallinity by X-ray absorption spectroscopy in thin film transition metal/rare-earth atom,elemental and complex oxides

Nanocrystallinity has been detected in the X-ray absorption spectra of transition metal and rare-earth oxides by (i) removal of d-state degeneracies in the (a) Ti and Sc L₃ spectra of TiO₂ and LaScO₃, respectively, and (b) O K₁ spectra of Zr(Hf)O₂, Y₂O₃, LaScO₃ and LaAlO₃, and by the (ii) detection of the O-atom vacancy in the O K₁ edge ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ alloys. Spectroscopic detection is more sensitive than X-ray diffraction with a limit of ∼2 nm as compared to >5 mm. Other example includes detection of ZrO₂ nanocrystallinity in phase-separated Zr(Hf) silicate alloys.     

Determination of trace impurities in high-purity zirconium dioxide by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using microwave-assisted digestion and wavelet transform-based correction procedure

This paper describes a rapid, accurate and precise method for the determination of trace Fe, Hf, Mn, Na, Si and Ti in high-purity zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) powders by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The samples were dissolved by a microwave-assisted digestion system. Four different digestion programs with various reagents were tested. It was found that using a mixture of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄), the total sample dissolution time was 30 min, much shorter than that required for conventional digestion in an opening system. The determination of almost all of the target analytes suffered from spectral interferences, since Zr shows a line-rich atomic emission spectrometry. The wavelet transform (WT), a recently developed mathematical technique was applied to the correction of spectral interference, and more accurate and precise results were obtained, compared with traditional off-peak background correction procedure. Experimental work revealed that a high Zr concentration would result in a significant decrease in peak height of the analyte lines, which was corrected by standard addition method. The performance of the developed method was evaluated by using synthetic samples. The recoveries were in the range of 87-112% and relative standard deviation was within 1.1-3.4%. The detection limits (3σ) for Fe, Hf, Mn, Na, Si and Ti were found to be 1.2, 13.3, 1.0, 4.5, 5.8 and 2.0 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The results showed that with the microwave-assisted digestion and the WT correction, the detection limits have improved by a factor of about 5 for Fe, 4 for Mn and Ti, 3 for Si, and 2 for Hf and Na, respectively, in comparison with conventional open-system digestion and off-peak correction. The proposed technique was applied to the analysis of trace elements above-mentioned in three types of ZrO₂ powders.     

Direct multielement determination of trace elements in boron carbide powders by direct current arc atomic emission spectrometry using a CCD spectrometer

The use of direct current arc atomic emission spectrometry (DC-arc-AES) with a CCD spectrometer for the direct determination of the trace impurities Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Si, Ti, and Zr in three well characterized boron carbide powders is described. The detection limits obtained by the procedure were found to be between 0.2 (Mg) and 25 (Na) ??g?g^?1 for the above elements. Three boron carbide powder samples with trace element concentrations between 0.9 (Cu) and 934 (Si) ??g?g^?1 for Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Si, Ti, and Zr ?? including the standard reference material ERM?-ED102 ?? were analyzed by DC-arc-AES. The relative standard deviations for 9 measurements when using 5.0?±?0.3?mg of the respective samples were found to vary from 6.2 to 27% for Al and Cu, respectively. The trace elements Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Si, Ti and Zr could be determined in the standard reference material and their concentrations determined by DC-arc AES were found to be between 89 and 116% of the accepted values. Fe and Ti were determined by DC-arc AES in the three boron carbide samples as well as in Al₂O₃, BN, SiC, coal fly ash, graphite and obsidian rock. The correlation coefficients of the plots of the net intensities versus the accepted values over the concentration ranges from 18 to 1750 and from 6 to 8000???g?g^?1 are 0.999 and 0.990 for Fe and Ti, respectively.

New stage in living cationic polymerization: An array of effective Lewis acid catalysts and fast living polymerization in seconds

Our recent extensive research on Lewis acid catalysts with a weak base for the cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers led to unprecedented living reaction systems: fast living polymerization within 1–3 s; a wide choice of metal halides containing Al, Sn, Fe, Ti, Zr, Hf, Zn, Ga, In, Si, Ge, and Bi; and heterogeneously catalyzed living polymerization with Fe₂O₃. The use of added bases for the stabilization of the propagating carbocation and the appropriate selection of Lewis acid catalysts were crucial to the success of such new types of living polymerizations. In addition, the base‐stabilized living polymerization allowed the quantitative synthesis of star‐shaped polymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution via polymer‐linking reactions and the precision synthesis and self‐assembly of stimuli‐responsive block copolymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1801–1813, 2007.     

Reaction pathway and phase transitions in Al–Ti–Si system during differential thermal analysis

The present paper mainly studied the phase formation and reaction pathway of the Al–Ti–Si system in detail by thermal analysis combined with XRD and SEM observations. The phase formation sequence in Al–Ti–Si system from starting mixtures to final products with increasing temperature can be described as following: Al_(l) + Ti_(s) + Si_(s) → (Al–Si)_(l) + Ti_(s) + Si_(s) → Ti(Al,Si)_3(s) + Si_(s)Ti₅(Si,Al)₃ + Al_(l). More importantly, the solubility of Si in Ti(Al,Si)₃ decreased gradually while that of Al in Ti₅(Si,Al)₃ increased with temperature increasing, suggesting the transportation of Si atoms from intermediate aluminides Ti(Al,Si)₃ to final stable silicides Ti₅(Si,Al)₃ and hence further confirming the formation of Ti₅(Si,Al)₃ at the expense of Ti(Al,Si)₃.     

The influence of A-site rare-earth for barium substitution on the chemical structure and ferroelectric properties of BZT thin films

Rare-earth (RE) doped Ba(Zr,Ti)O₃ (BZT) thin films were prepared by rf-magnetron sputtering from a Ba_0.90Ln_0.067Zr_0.09Ti_0.91O₃ (Ln=La, Nd) target. The films were deposited at a substrate temperature of 600 °C in a high oxygen pressure atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of RE-BZT films revealed a 〈001〉 epitaxial crystal growth on Nb-doped SrTiO₃, 〈001〉 and 〈011〉 growth on single-crystal Si, and a 〈111〉-preferred orientation on Pt-coated Si substrates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed uniform growth of the films deposited, along with the presence of crystals of about half-micron size on the film's surface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) evidenced high crystalline films with thicknesses of about 100 nm for 30 min of sputtering. Electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) corroborated the growth rate (3.0-3.5 nm/min) of films deposited on Pt-coated Si substrates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in depth profile mode, showed variations in photoelectron Ti 2p doublet positions at lower energies with spin-orbital distances characteristic of BaTiO₃-based compounds. The XPS analysis revealed that lanthanide ions positioned onto the A-site of the BZT-perovskite structure increasing the MO₆-octahedra distortion (M=Ti, Zr) and, thereby, modifying the Ti-O binding length. Polarization-electric field hysteresis loops on Ag/RE-doped BZT/Pt capacitor showed good ferroelectric behavior and higher remanent polarization values than corresponding non-doped system.     

[Zr0.72Y0.28]Al4C4: A new member of the homologous series (MC)l(T4C3)m (M=Zr, Y and Hf, T=Al, Si and Ge)

A new layered carbide, [Zr_0.72(3)Y_0.28(3)]Al₄C₄, has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The atom ratios [Zr:Y] were determined by EDX, and the initial structure model was derived by the direct methods, and further refined by Rietveld method. The crystal is trigonal (space group , Z=1) with lattice dimensions of a=0.333990(5) nm, c=1.09942(1) nm and V=0.106209(2) nm³. This compound shows an intergrowth structure with [Zr_0.72Y_0.28C₂] thin slabs separated by Al₄C₃-type [Al₄C₄] layers. It is a new member with l=1 and m=1 of the homologous series, the general formula of which is (MC)_l(T₄C₃)_m (l=1, 2 and 3, m=1 and 2, M=Zr, Y and Hf, T=Al, Si and Ge).     

Room temperature metathesis of aryl isocyanates and aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by group(IV) metal alkoxides: An experimental and computational study

Aromatic aldehydes and aryl isocyanates do not react at room temperature. However, we have shown for the first time that in the presence of catalytic amounts of group(IV) n-butoxide, they undergo metathesis at room temperature to produce imines with the extrusion of carbon dioxide. The mechanism of action has been investigated by a study of stoichiometric reactions. The insertion of aryl isocyanates into the metal n-butoxide occurs very rapidly. Reaction of the insertion product with the aldehyde is responsible for the metathesis. Among the n-butoxides of group(IV) metals, Ti(OⁿBu)₄ (8aTi) was found to be more efficient than Zr(OⁿBu)₄ (8aZr) and Hf(OⁿBu)₄ (8aHf) in carrying out metathesis. The surprisingly large difference in the metathetic activity of these alkoxides has been probed computationally using model complexes Ti(OMe)₄ (8bTi), Zr(OMe)₄ (8bZr) and Hf(OMe)₄ (8bHf) at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. These studies indicate that the insertion product formed by Zr and Hf are extremely stable compared to that formed by Ti. This makes subsequent reaction of Zr and Hf complexes unfavorable.     

A study of conduction band edge states in complex oxides by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Conduction band edge d-states are compared for complex oxides: (i) mixed tetravalent–trivalent ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ alloys, (ii) tetravalent Zr(Hf)O₂–TiO₂ alloys, and (iii) trivalent La scandate and aluminate. Low Y₂O₃ content cubic ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ alloys display two crystal-field split 4d-features in O K₁ spectra. Alloys with higher Y₂O₃ content, as well as Zr(Hf)O₂–TiO₂ alloys display increased d-state multiplicity. O K₁ spectra of perovskite-structured LaScO₃ and LaAlO₃ indicate Jahn–Teller d-state term-splittings with contributions from both trivalent atomic species.     

Suppression of Jahn–Teller term-split band edge states in the x-ray absorption spectra of non-crystalline Zr silicates and Si oxynitride alloys,and alloys of ZrO2 with Y2O3

Jahn–Teller (J–T) term-split states in nanocrystalline transition metal and trivalent rare earth elemental and complex oxides reduce the band gap, and tunnelling barrier height at interfaces with crystalline Si substrates. These states are identified by x-ray absorption spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Alloys for suppression of J–T d-state degeneracy removal are identified as: (i) non-crystalline Zr/Hf silicates and Si oxynitrides and (ii) ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ alloys with high concentrations of randomly distributed O-vacancies that promote cubic crystalline symmetry.     

Electron-doping through La-for-Sr substitution in (Sr1−xLax)2FeTaO6: Effects on the valences and ordering of the B-site cations, Fe and Ta

We have employed aliovalent A-site cation substitution, La^III-for-Sr^II, to dope the Sr(Fe_0.5Ta_0.5)O₃ perovskite oxide with electrons. Essentially single-phase samples of (Sr_1−xLa_x)(Fe_0.5Ta_0.5)O₃ were successfully synthesized up to x≈0.3 in a vacuum furnace at 1400 °C. The samples were found to crystallize (rather than with orthorhombic symmetry) in monoclinic space group P2₁/n that accounts for the partial ordering of the B-site cations, Fe and Ta. With increasing La-substitution level, x, the degree of Fe/Ta order was found to increase such that the La-richest compositions are best described by the B-site ordered double-perovskite formula, (Sr,La)₂FeTaO₆. From Fe L₃ and Ta L₃ XANES spectra it was revealed that upon electron doping the two B-site cations, Fe^III and Ta^V, are both prone to reduction. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed spin-glass type behaviour for all the samples with a transition temperature slightly increasing with increasing x.     

Synthesis and characterization of 2-hydroxy-pyridine modified Group 4 alkoxides

The reaction of Group 4 metal alkoxides ([M(OR)₄]) with the potentially bidentate ligand, 2-hydroxy-pyridine (2-HO-(NC₅H₄) or H-PyO), led to the isolation of a family of compounds. The products isolated from the reaction of [M(OR)₄] [where M = Ti, Zr, or Hf; OR = OPrⁱ (OCH(CH₃)₂), OBu^t (OC(CH₃)₃), or ONep (OCH₂C(CH₃)₃] under a variety of stoichiometries with H-PyO were identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction as [(OPrⁱ)₂(PyO-κ²(O,N))Ti(μ-OPrⁱ)]₂ (1), [(ONep)₂Ti(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ-ONep)Ti(ONep)₃] (2), [(ONep)₂Ti(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))(η¹(N),μ(O)-PyO)(μ-O)Ti(ONep)₂]₂ (2a), [H][(PyO-κ²(O,N))(η¹(O)-PyO)Ti(ONep)₃] (3), [(OR)₂Zr(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ-OR)Zr(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t (4), ONep (5)), [(OR)₂Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t (6), ONep (7)), [[(OBu^t)₂Zr(μ(O)-PyO-(κ²(N,O))(μ(O,N)-PyO)₂Zr(OBu^t)](μ₃-O)]₂ (6a), [[(ONep)(PyO-κ²(N,O))Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(N,O))Zr(ONep)](μ₃-O)]₂ (7a), [(OBu^t)(PyO-κ²(O,N))Zr(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂((μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OBu^t)₃] (8), [(OBu^t)₂Hf(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ-OBu^t)Hf(OBu^t)₃] (9), [(OR)₂ M(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ(O,N)-PyO)M(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t (10), ONep (11)), and [(ONep)₃Hf(μ-ONep)(η¹(N),μ(O)-PyO)]₂Hf(ONep)₂ (12)·tol. The structural diversity of the binding modes of the PyO led to a number of novel structure types in comparison to other pyridine alkoxy derivatives. The majority of compounds adopt a dinuclear arrangement (1, 2, 4–11) but oxo-based tetra- (2a and 7a), tri- (12), and monomers (3) were observed as well. Compounds 1–12 were further characterized using a variety of analytical techniques including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.     

The influence of the transition metal and the heteroatomic-bridge on the action of metallocene/methyl aluminoxane catalysts in ethylene polymerization and on the properties of the polymer

This work reports a comparative study of the catalytic behaviour for a series of metallocenes derived from Ti, Zr, Hf and Nb, which after activation with methylaluminoxane can polymerize ethylene. Results show that the Zr metallocene with a  (CH₃)₂Si Bridge presents the highest activity, and the metallocenes based on Hf and Nb do not show any significant activity under the tested conditions.     

Synthesis and properties of titanomagnetite (Fe3−xTixO4) nanoparticles: A tunable solid-state Fe(II/III) redox system

Titanomagnetite (Fe_3−xTi_xO₄) nanoparticles were synthesized by room temperature aqueous precipitation, in which Ti(IV) replaces Fe(III) and is charge compensated by conversion of Fe(III) to Fe(II) in the unit cell. A comprehensive suite of tools was used to probe composition, structure, and magnetic properties down to site-occupancy level, emphasizing distribution and accessibility of Fe(II) as a function of x. Synthesis of nanoparticles in the range 0 ? x ? 0.6 was attempted; Ti, total Fe and Fe(II) content were verified by chemical analysis. TEM indicated homogeneous spherical 9-12 nm particles. μ-XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy on anoxic aqueous suspensions verified the inverse spinel structure and Ti(IV) incorporation in the unit cell up to x ? 0.38, based on Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio deduced from the unit cell edge and Mössbauer spectra. Nanoparticles with a higher value of x possessed a minor amorphous secondary Fe(II)/Ti(IV) phase. XANES/EXAFS indicated Ti(IV) incorporation in the octahedral sublattice (B-site) and proportional increases in Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio. XA/XMCD indicated that increases arise from increasing B-site Fe(II), and that these charge-balancing equivalents segregate to those B-sites near particle surfaces. Dissolution studies showed that this segregation persists after release of Fe(II) into solution, in amounts systematically proportional to x and thus the Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio. A mechanistic reaction model was developed entailing mobile B-site Fe(II) supplying a highly interactive surface phase that undergoes interfacial electron transfer with oxidants in solution, sustained by outward Fe(II) migration from particle interiors and concurrent inward migration of charge-balancing cationic vacancies in a ratio of 3:1.     

A structural study of the perovskite series Na0.75Ln0.25Ti0.5Nb0.5O3

The ternary stoichiometric perovskite compounds, Na_0.75Ln_0.25Ti_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) are intermediate members of the NaNbO₃-Na_0.5Ln_0.5TiO₃ solid solution series. The compounds were synthesized by standard ceramic methods at 1300 °C followed by annealing at 800 °C and quenching to ambient conditions. Rietveld analysis of the powder X-ray diffraction patterns shows that the compounds with Ln ranging from Pr to Tm adopt the orthorhombic space group Pbnm (a≈b≈√2a_p; c≈2a_p; Z=4) and the GdFeO₃ structure. In contrast, Na_0.75La_0.25Ti_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ adopts the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (a≈b≈c≈2a_p; Z=4). All cations located at the A- and B-sites are disordered in these compounds. The unit cell parameters and cell volumes of the compounds decrease regularly with increasing atomic number of the Ln cation. The Pbnm compounds with Ln from Sm to Tm have A-site cations in eight-fold coordination. A-site cations in the Pr and Nd compounds are considered to be in ten-fold coordination. Analysis of the crystal chemistry of the Pbnm compounds shows that B-site cations enter the second coordination sphere of the A-site cations for compounds with Ln from Tb to Tm as the A-B intercation distances are less than the maximum A-^IIO(2) bond lengths. The [111] tilt angles of the (Ti,Nb)O₆ polyhedra in the Pbnm compounds increase with increasing atomic number from 11.1° to 15.8° and are less than those observed in lanthanide orthoferrite and orthoscandate perovskites. These data are considered as relevant to the sequestration of lanthanide fission products in perovskite and the structure of lanthanide-bearing perovskite-structured minerals.