A-site ordered quadruple perovskite oxides AA'_3B_4O_(12)

The A-site ordered perovskite oxides with chemical formula AA'_3B_4O_(12)display many intriguing physical properties due to the introduction of transition metals at both A and B sites. Here, research on the recently discovered intermetallic charge transfer occurring between A-site Cu and B-site Fe ions in La Cu_3Fe_4O_(12) and its analogues is reviewed, along with work on the magnetoelectric multiferroicity observed in La Mn_3Cr_4O_(12) with cubic perovskite structure. The Cu–Fe intermetallic charge transfer(LaCu_3~(3+)Fe_4~(3+)O_(12)→ LaCu_3~(2+)Fe_4~(3.75+)O_(12)) leads to a first-order isostructural phase transition accompanied by drastic variations in magnetism and electrical transport properties. The La Mn_3Cr_4O_(12) is a novel spindriven multiferroic system with strong magnetoelectric coupling effects. The compound is the first example of cubic perovskite multiferroics to be found. It opens up a new arena for studying unexpected multiferroic mechanisms.     

Structure instability-induced high dielectric properties in[001]-oriented 0.68Pb(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_3–0.33PbTiO_3 crystals

The structure evolution and origin of ultrahigh dielectric properties have been investigated in the low temperature range from 300 K to 5 K for [001]-oriented 0.68 Pb(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_3–0.33PbTiO_3(PMN–33 PT) crystal. The experimental results reveal that a short-range ordered monoclinic MAis the dominant phase at ambient temperature. As the temperature drops below 270 K, the MAtransforms into monoclinic MC, and the MCremains stable until 5 K. Although no phase transition occurs from 5 K to 245 K, polar nanoregions(PNRs) display visible changes. The instability of PNRs is suggested as responsible for the low temperature relaxation. The ultrahigh dielectric constant at room temperature is associated with the instability of local structure and phase transition. Our research provides an insight into the design of high-performance ferroelectric materials.     

Effects of W~(6+) occupying Sc~(3+) on the structure,vibration, and thermal expansion properties of scandium tungstate

We experimentally investigate effects of W~(6+)occupying the sites of Sc~(3+)in the unit cell of Sc_2 W_3 O_(12)(Sc_8 W_(12) O_(48))on the structure, vibration and thermal expansion. The composition and structure of the doped sample(Sc_6 W_2)W_(12) O_(48±δ)(with two W~(6+)occupying two sites of Sc~(3+)in the unit cell of Sc_8 W_(12) O_(48)) are analyzed and identified by combining the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the synchronous x-ray diffraction with first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. Results show that the crystal with even W~(6+)occupying even Sc~(3+)in the unit cell is stable and maintains the orthorhombic structure at room temperature. The structure of the doped sample is similar to that of Sc_2 W_3 O_(12), and with even W occupying even positions of Sc in the unit cell and constituting the WO_6 octahedra. Raman analyses show that the doped sample possesses stronger W–O bonds and wider Raman linewidths than those of Sc_2 W_3 O_(12). The sample doped with W also exhibits intrinsic negative thermal expansion in the measured range of 150 K–650 K.     

Pressure-Induced Charge-Order Melting and Reentrant Charge Carrier Localization in the Mixed-Valent Pb_3Rh_7O_(15)

The mixed-valent Pb_3 Rh_7 O_(15) undergoes a Verwey-type transition at T_V≈180 K, below which the development of Rh~(3+)/Rh~(4+) charge order induces an abrupt conductor-to-insulator transition in resistivity.Here we investigate the effect of pressure on the Verwey-type transition of Pb_3 Rh_7 O_(15) by measuring its electrical resistivity under hydrostatic pressures up to 8 GPa with a cubic anvil cell apparatus. We find that the application of high pressure can suppress the Verwey-type transition around 3 GPa, above which a metallic state is realized at temperatures below~70 K, suggesting the melting of charge order by pressure. Interestingly, the low-temperature metallic region shrinks gradually upon further increasing pressure and disappears completely at P7 GPa, which indicates that the charge carriers in Pb_3 Rh_7 O_(15) undergo a reentrant localization under higher pressures. We have constructed a temperature-pressure phase diagram for Pb_3 Rh_7 O_(15) and compared to that of Fe_3 O_4, showing an archetype Verwey transition.     

Pressure-Induced Metallization and Structural Phase Transition in the Quasi-One-Dimensional TlFeSe_2

We report a comprehensive high-pressure study on the monoclinic TIFeSe_2 single crystal,which is an antiferromagnetic jnsulator with quasi-one-dimensional crystal structure at ambient pressure.It is found that TIFeSe_2 undergoes a pressure-induced structural transformation from the monoclinic phase to an orthorhombic structure above P_c≈13 GPa,accompanied with a large volume collapse of ΔV/V_0=8.3%.In the low-pressure monoclinic phase,the insulating state is easily metallized at pressures above 2 GPa;while possible superconductivity with T_c~(onset)～2 K is found to emerge above 30 GPa in the high-pressure phase.Such a great tunability of TIFeSe_2 under pressure indicates that the ternary AFeSe_2 system(A=Tl,K,Cs,Rb) should be taken as an important platform for explorations of interesting phenomena such as insulator-metal transition,dimensionality crossover,and superconductivity.     

Formation of unusual Cr~(5+) charge state in CaCr_(0.5)Fe_(0.5)O_3 perovskite

A new oxide CaCr_(0.5)Fe_(0.5)O_3 was prepared under high pressure and temperature conditions. It crystallizes in a B-site disordered Pbnm perovskite structure. The charge combination is determined to be Cr~(5+)/Fe~(3+) with the presence of unusual Cr~(5+) state in octahedral coordination, although Cr~(4+) and Fe~(4+) occur in the related perovskites CaCrO_3 and CaFeO_3.The randomly distributed Cr~(5+) and Fe~(3+) spins lead to short-range ferromagnetic coupling, whereas an antiferromagnetic phase transition takes place near 50 K due to the Fe~(3+)–O–Fe~(3+) interaction. In spite of the B-site Cr~(5+)/Fe~(3+) disorder,the compound exhibits electrical insulating behavior. First-principles calculations further demonstrate the formation of CaCr_(0.5)~(5+)Fe_(0.5)~(3+)O_3 charge combination, and the electron correlation effect of Fe~(3+) plays an important role for the insulting ground state. CaCr_(0.5)Fe_(0.5)O_3 provides the first Cr~(5+) perovskite system with octahedral coordination, opening a new avenue to explore novel transition-metal oxides with exotic charge states.     

Contrasting Magnetism in Isovalent Layered LaSr_3NiRuO_4H_4 and LaSrNiRuO_4 due to Distinct Spin-Orbital States

The recently synthesized first 4d transition-metal oxide-hydride LaSr_3NiRuO_4H_4 with the unusual high H:O ratio surprisingly displays no magnetic order down to 1.8 K. This is in sharp contrast to the similar unusual low-valent Ni~+-Ru~(2+) layered oxide LaSrNiRuO_4 which has a rather high ferromagnetic(FM) ordering Curie temperature T_C～250 K. Using density functional calculations with the aid of crystal field level diagrams and superexchange pictures, we find that the contrasting magnetism is due to the distinct spin-orbital states of the Ru~(2+)ions(in addition to the common Ni~+S = 1/2 state but with a different orbital state): the Ru~(2+)S = 0 state in LaSr_3NiRuO_4H_4, but the Ru~(2+)S= 1 state in LaSrNiRuO_4. The Ru~(2+)S = 0 state has the(xy)~2(xz, yz)~4 occupation due to the RuH_4O_2 octahedral coordination, and then the nonmagnetic Ru~(2+)ions dilute the S= 1/2 Ni~+ sublattice which consequently has a very weak antiferromagnetic superexchange and thus accounts for the presence of no magnetic order down to 1.8 K in LaSr_3NiRuO_4H_4. In strong contrast, the Ru~(2+)S = 1 state in LaSrNiRuO_4 has the(3z~2-r~2)~2(xz, yz)~3(xy)~1 occupation due to the planar square RuO_4 coordination, and then the multi-orbital FM superexchange between the S= 1/2 Ni~+ and S= 1 Ru~(2+)ions gives rise to the high T_C in LaSrNiRuO_4. This work highlights the importance of spin-orbital states in determining the distinct magnetism.     

Physical properties and magnetic structure of a layered antiferromagnet PrPd_(0.82)Bi_2

We report the physical properties, crystalline and magnetic structures of singe crystals of a new layered antiferromagnetic(AFM) material PrPd_(0.82)Bi_2. The measurements of magnetic properties and heat capacity indicate an AFM phase transition at T_N～7K. A large Sommerfeld coefficient of 329.23 m J·mol~(-1)·K~(-2) is estimated based on the heat capacity data, implying a possible heavy-fermion behavior. The magnetic structure of this compound is investigated by a combined study of neutron powder and single-crystal diffraction. It is found that an A-type AFM structure with magnetic propagation wavevector k =(0 0 0) is formed below TN. The Pr~(3+) magnetic moment is aligned along the crystallographic c-axis with an ordered moment of 1.694(3) μBat 4K, which is smaller than the effective moment of the free Pr~(3+) ion of 3.58 μB.PrPd_(0.82)Bi_2 can be grown as large as 1 mm×1 cm in area with a layered shape, and is very easy to be cleaved, providing a unique opportunity to study the interplay between magnetism, possible heavy fermions, and superconductivity.     

Anomalous behavior and phase transformation of α-GaOOH nanocrystals under static compression

The structural compression mechanism and compressibility of gallium oxyhydroxide, α-GaOOH, are investigated by in situ synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction at pressures up to 31.0 GPa by using the diamond anvil cell technique. Theα-GaOOH sustains its orthorhombic structure when the pressure is lower than 23.8 GPa. The compression is anisotropic under hydrostatic conditions, with the a-axis being most compressible. The compression proceeds mainly by shrinkage of the void channels formed by the coordination GaO_3(OH)_3 octahedra of the crystal structure. Anomaly is found in the compression behavior to occur at 14.6GPa, which is concomitant with the equatorial distortion of the GaO_3(OH)_3 octahedra. A kink occurs at 14.6 GPa in the plot of finite strain f versus normalized stress F, indicating the change in the bulk compression behavior. The fittings of a second order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state to the P–V data in different pressure ranges result in the bulk moduli B_0= 199(1) GPa for P 14.6 GPa and B_0= 167(2) GPa for P 14.6 GPa. As the pressure is increased to about 25.8 GPa, a first-order phase transformation takes place, which is evidenced by the abrupt decrease in the unit cell volume and b and c lattice parameters.     

Structures and phase transitions of ScH3 under high pressure

The structures and the phase transitions of ScH3 under high pressure are investigated using first-principles calculations. The calculated structural parameters at zero pressure agree well with the available experimental data. With increasing pressure, the transition sequence hcp (GdH3 -type)→ C2/m →fcc→hcp (YH3-type)→Cmcm of ScH3 is predicted first; the corresponding transition pressures at 0 K are 23 GPa, 25 GPa, 348 GPa, and 477 GPa, respectively. The C2/m symmetry structure is a possible candidate but not a good one as the intermediate state from hexagonal to cubic in ScH3 . On the other hand, via the analysis of the structures of hexagonal ScH2.9 , cubic ScH3 , and cubic ScH2 , we find that the repulsive interactions of H-H atoms must play an important role in the transition from hexagonal to cubic.     

Relationship between electronic and crystal structure in Cu–Ni–Co–Mn–O spinels: Part A: Temperature-induced structural transformation

Local atomic and crystal structures around Cu and Mn atoms in Mn_1.68Cu_0.6Ni_0.48Co_0.24O₄ spinel samples fabricated by metal–organic decomposition synthesis at different annealing temperatures were investigated by X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. There are two distinct copper cations, Cu¹⁺ and Cu²⁺, both of which maintain tetrahedral coordination. The bond-length distances are Cu¹⁺–O = 2.00 Å and Cu²⁺–O = 1.80 Å. The manganese cations are for the most part octahedral. The spinels prepared at low temperature (600 °C) contain smaller (Mn⁴⁺–O = 1.88 Å) undistorted MnO₆ octahedrons corresponding to Mn⁴⁺ valence, whereas the manganese octahedrons in high-temperature materials (800 °C and higher) were larger and had a pronounced tetragonal distortion pertaining to Mn³⁺ oxidation state (Mn³⁺–O = 1.93 Å and 2.11 Å). By rising the fabrication temperatures, relative concentration of the species of Mn⁴⁺ and Mn³⁺ varies as a result of the reaction represented by Cu¹⁺ + Mn⁴⁺  Cu²⁺ + Mn³⁺, implying irreversible temperature-induced structural transformation. Atomic coordinates in the low-temperature phase are similar to those found in the ideal cubic spinel with oxygen parameter u = 0.27, whereas local environments of the Cu and Mn atom correspond to the tetragonal CuMn₂O₄ phase (space group I4₁/amd). Unlike in CuMn₂O₄, orientation of the lattice distortions is random, however, the long-range cubic spinel structure is retained at all time.     

Local microstructural analysis for Y_2O_3/Eu~(3+)/Mg~(2+) nanorods by Raman and photoluminescence spectra under high pressure

In this paper, we investigate the Raman and photoluminescence spectra of Y_2O_3/Eu~(3+) and Y_2O_3/Eu~(3+)/Mg~(2+) nanorods under high pressures using 514-nm and 532-nm laser light excitation. We observe transitions from the initial cubic phase to amorphous at pressures higher than 24 GPa for both Y_2O_3/Eu~(3+) and Y_2O_3/Eu~(3+)/Mg~(2+) nanorods. In addition, Y_2O_3/Eu~(3+) and Y_2O_3/Eu~(3+)/Mg~(2+) nanorods exhibit different distorted states after the pressure has been raised to 8 GPa. The analyses of intensity ratios, I_(0-2)/I_(0-1) from ~5D_(0–)~7F2_to~5D_(0–)~7F_1and I_(0-2)A/B of ~5D_(0–)7F_2 transitions indicate that Y_2O_3/Eu~(3+)/Mg~(2+) nanorods exhibit stronger local micro-surrounding characteristics for Eu~(3+) ions in a pressuremodulated crystal field. The doped Mg2+ion results in reducing the crystal ionicity in the distorted lattice state under high pressures. The use of doped ions as an ion modifier can be applied to the study of small local microstructural changes through Eu~(3+) luminescence.     

CuCl2/γ-Al2O3催化剂的EPR研究

通过测定Cu含量不同的新鲜CuCl₂/γ-Al₂O₃催化剂的EPR谱,以及对EPR谱的线型及强度的计算机处理和理论拟合等,研究了催化剂中CuCl₂在载体表面的分散方式,和Cu含量对Cu²⁺配位形式的影响.EPR结果表明,催化剂表面的Cu²⁺至少有两种不同配位状态.新鲜催化剂中所存在的两种不同谱线的比例决定了EPR谱的线型和强度,而两种谱线的比例又取决于催化剂中的Cu含量.在低Cu催化剂中Cu²⁺相互离散,倾向于形成富氧配位,具有较高的EPR强度,只有在Cu含量较高时,Cu²⁺才能形成富氯配位.鉴于低Cu催化剂不能与乙烯反应,而高Cu催化剂则可以使乙烯转化为二氯乙烷的事实,认为富氧配位的Cu²⁺可能具有与乙烯反应的活性.     

Ni2O3掺杂对新固相源顶部籽晶熔渗生长法制备单畴GdBCO超导块材超导性能的影响

本文通过在新固相源中添加Ni₂O₃的方法, 采用顶部籽晶熔渗生长工艺(TSIG)制备出组分为(1-x) (Gd₂O₃+1.2BaCuO₂)+x Ni₂O₃、直径为20 mm的单畴GdBCO 超导块材(其中x = 0, 0.02, 0.06, 0.10, 0.14, 0.18, 0.30, 0.50 wt%), 并研究了Ni₂O₃的掺杂量x对样品的表面生长形貌、微观结构、临界温度T_c、磁悬浮力以及俘获磁通密度的影响. 研究结果表明, 当Ni₂O₃的掺杂量x在0–0.50 wt%的范围内时, 均可制备出单畴性良好的样品, 且Ni₂O₃的掺杂对样品中Gd211粒子的分布和粒径没有明显的影响. 在Ni₂O₃的掺杂量x从0增加到0.50 wt%的过程中, 样品的临界温度T_c呈现下降的趋势, 从x=0时的92.5 K下降到x=0.50 wt%时的86.5 K, 这是由于Ni^{3 +}替代GdBCO晶体中Cu^{2 +}所致; 样品磁悬浮力和俘获磁通密度均呈现先增大后减小的变化规律, x=0.14 wt%时, 磁悬浮力达到最大值34.2 N, x=0.10 wt%时, 俘获磁通密度达到最大值0.354 T. 样品磁悬浮力和俘获磁通密度的变化规律与Ni₂O₃的掺杂量x有密切关系, 只有当掺杂量x合适时, Ni³⁺对Cu^{2 +}的替代既不会造成T_c的明显下降, 但又能产生适量的Ni^{3 +}/Cu²⁺ 晶格畸变, 从而达到提高样品磁通钉扎能力和超导性能的效果.     

助熔剂BaF2在制备BaSi2O5:Pb2+过程中的机理

采用高温固相合成法制备出BaSi₂O₅:Pb²⁺荧光体。考察了BaF₂的加入量对产物紫外发射强度的影响。用差示扫描量热分析,X射线衍射,光致发光光谱研究了掺入助熔剂BaF₂后BaSi₂O₅:Pb²⁺紫外发射强度显著增强的机理,并从热力学角度对实验结果作了分析。研究表明少量BaF₂的掺入加快了反应速度;降低了BaSi₂O₅:Pb²⁺形成温度,在高温下与SiO₂反应生成SiF₄气体,生成的SiF₄再与BaCO₃反应形成结晶良好的BaSi₂O₅:Pb²⁺荧光体。     

非晶锂离子导体B2O3-Li2O-LiCl一Al2O3中VO2+的电子自旋共振

两种非晶锂离子导体B₂O₃-0.7Li₂O-0.7LiCl-xAl₂O₃-0.1V₂O₅(x=0.05和0.15)的电子自旋共振谱研究表明:(i)ESR线型是高斯型,证实V₂O₅添加量适当;(ii)超精细结构来源于VO²⁺络离子,具有四角对称性,属C_4v群。越精细耦合张量的平行分量平均值A_//=0.0175cm^-1,垂直分量A_⊥=0.0063cm^-1。由g_//(g_⊥)求出其基态²B_2g与第一激发态²E_g的能级间距△₁=2.46×10⁴ cm^-1,基态与第二激发态²B_1g的能级间距△₂=3.03×10⁴ cm^-1;(iii)变温实验证实:Al₂O₃组分较少(x=0.05)的非晶ESR强度比x=0.15的非晶高3倍至2倍,而Al₂O₃组分越多则ESR强度随温升下降越小。     

Al~(3+)/Mo~(6+)双离子取代ZrV_2O_7中Zr~(4+)/V~(5+)实现近零膨胀

采用固相烧结法制备了Zri_(1-x)Al_(2-x)V_(2-x)Mo_xO_7(0≤x≤0.9),并通过调整Al~(3+)/Mo~(6+)对ZrV_2O_7中的Zr~(4+)/V~(5+)离子替代量来实现近零膨胀,对于较小的x值(x≤0.3),材料保持了与ZrV_2O_7相同的立方相结构.随着Al~(3+)/Mo~(6+)替代量的增加,(Al/Zr)~-和(Mo/V)~+之间的库仑相互作用逐渐加强,这种库仑相互作用导致材料中未发生畸变的立方相晶体结构逐渐减少.当x≥0.7时,材料中立方相晶体结构完全消失.在425-750 K温度区间内,Zr_(0.5)Al_(0.5)M_(0.6)O_7展示出近零膨胀性质(-0.39×l0~(-6)K~(-1)).Zr_(0.5)Al_(1.5)V_(1.5)Mo_(0.5)O_7的低热膨胀性能可能与Al~(3+)/Mo~(6+)对ZrV_2O_7中Zr~(4+)/V~(5+)部分替代引起部分晶体结构发生的畸变及其对未替代部分的晶格结构的影响有关.     

Structural modifications of dodecatungstophosphoric acid hexahydrate induced by temperature in the 10–358 K range. In situ high-resolution neutron powder diffraction investigation

Dodecatungstophosphoric acid hexahydrate H₃PW₁₂O₄₀·6H₂O crystal structure has been investigated by neutron powder diffraction (NPD) at different temperatures in the 10–358 K range. A nonconvergent reversible phase transition has been noticed at about 320 K. This transition is associated with a change in dynamic equilibrium of hydrate species and partial reduction/oxidation (redox) W⁶⁺↔W⁵⁺. Expressive structure changes lie in the P---O bonding inside Keggin's anion and the H₅O₂⁺ conformational angle.     

SrAl2O4∶Eu2+,Dy3+长余辉发光材料的喷雾热解制备及其表征

采用喷雾热解两段法制备了SrAl₂O₄∶Eu²⁺ ,Dy³⁺长余辉发光材料,并利用XRD、SEM、荧光长余辉亮度测试等方法分析了不同制备工艺条件下SrAl₂O₄∶Eu²⁺ ,Dy³⁺发光材料的结构、形貌以及发光性能的变化。结果表明:采用喷雾热解两段法可制备出球形SrAl₂O₄∶Eu²⁺ ,Dy³⁺长余辉发光材料,SrAl₂O₄∶Eu²⁺ ,Dy³⁺的晶体结构与α-SrAl₂O₄磷石英晶体结构相同。热解温度、还原温度、添加剂对产物的形貌、粒度分布、发光性能有较大影响。较之高温固相法,喷雾热解法制备的SrAl₂O₄∶Eu²⁺ ,Dy³⁺具有发光性能好、形貌好、粒度分布窄等优点。