Pressure-induced structural, magnetic, and transport transitions in the two-legged ladder Sr3Fe2O5

The layered compound SrFeO(2) with an FeO(4) square-planar motif exhibits an unprecedented pressure-induced spin state transition (S = 2 to 1), together with an insulator-to-metal (I-M) and an antiferromagnetic-to-ferromagnetic (AFM-FM) transition. In this work, we have studied the pressure effect on the structural, magnetic, and transport properties of the structurally related two-legged spin ladder Sr(3)Fe(2)O(5). When pressure was applied, this material first exhibited a structural transition from Immm to Ammm at P(s) = 30 ± 2 GPa. This transition involves a phase shift of the ladder blocks from (1/2,1/2,1/2) to (0,1/2,1/2), by which a rock-salt type SrO block with a 7-fold coordination around Sr changes into a CsCl-type block with 8-fold coordination, allowing a significant reduction of volume. However, the S = 2 antiferromagnetic state stays the same. Next, a spin state transition from S = 2 to S = 1, along with an AFM-FM transition, was observed at P(c) = 34 ± 2 GPa, similar to that of SrFeO(2). A sign of an I-M transition was also observed at pressure around P(c). These results suggest a generality of the spin state transition in square planar coordinated S = 2 irons of n-legged ladder series Sr(n+1)Fe(n)O(2n+1) (n = 1, 2, 3, ...). It appears that the structural transition independently occurs without respect to other transitions. The necessary conditions for a structural transition of this type and possible candidate materials are discussed.     

Suppression of magnetic order in Sr3Fe2O4Cl2 by Fe-site substitution by cobalt

The low-temperature topotactic reduction of Sr(3)Fe(2-x)Co(x)O(5)Cl(2) oxychloride phases with LiH allows the preparation of phases of composition Sr(3)Fe(2-x)Co(x)O(4)Cl(2) (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). The reduced phases adopt body-centered tetragonal structures which are isostructural with Sr(3)Fe(2)O(4)Cl(2) and contain square-planar (Fe/Co)O(4) centers connected into apex-linked sheets, analogous to the CuO(2) sheets present in superconducting cuprate phases. As the cobalt concentration in Sr(3)Fe(2-x)Co(x)O(4)Cl(2) is increased the antiferromagnetic order of the Sr(3)Fe(2)O(4)Cl(2) host phase is suppressed, ultimately leading to spin-glass behavior, at low temperature, in Sr(3)Fe(2-x)Co(x)O(4)Cl(2) phases with x ≥ 0.8. The limited influence of cobalt substitution on the reactions which form the Sr(3)Fe(2-x)Co(x)O(4)Cl(2) phases is discussed and contrasted to that of the related SrFeO(3-δ)-SrFeO(2) system.     

Lattice dynamics to trigger low temperature oxygen mobility in solid oxide ion conductors

SrFeO(2.5) and SrCoO(2.5) are able to intercalate oxygen in a reversible topotactic redox reaction already at room temperature to form the cubic perovskites Sr(Fe,Co)O(3), while CaFeO(2.5) can only be oxidized under extreme conditions. To explain this significant difference in low temperature oxygen mobility, we investigated the homologous SrFeO(2.5) and CaFeO(2.5) by temperature dependent oxygen isotope exchange as well as by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) studies, combined with ab initio (DFT) molecular dynamical calculations. From (18)O/(16)O isotope exchange experiments we proved free oxygen mobility to be realized in SrFeO(x) already below 600 K. We have also evidence that low temperature oxygen mobility relies on the existence of specific, low energy lattice modes, which trigger and amplify oxygen mobility in solids. We interpret the INS data together with the DFT-based molecular dynamical simulation results on SrFeO(2.5) and CaFeO(2.5) in terms of an enhanced, phonon-assisted, low temperature oxygen diffusion for SrFeO(3-x) as a result of the strongly reduced Fe-O-Fe bond strength of the apical oxygen atoms in the FeO(6) octahedra along the stacking axis. This dynamically triggered phenomenon leads to an easy migration of the oxide ions into the open vacancy channels and vice versa. The decisive impact of lattice dynamics, giving rise to structural instabilities in oxygen deficient perovskites, especially with brownmillerite-type structure, is demonstrated, opening new concepts for the design and tailoring of low temperature oxygen ion conductors.     

Structure and magnetic properties of oxychalcogenides A2F2Fe2OQ2 (A = Sr, Ba; Q = S, Se) with Fe2O square planar layers representing an antiferromagnetic checkerboard spin lattice

The oxychalcogenides A2F2Fe2OQ2 (A = Sr, Ba; Q = S, Se), which contain Fe2O square planar layers of the anti-CuO2 type, were predicted using a modular assembly of layered secondary building units and subsequently synthesized. The physical properties of these compounds were characterized using magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, specific heat, (57)Fe Mossbauer, and powder neutron diffraction measurements and also by estimating their exchange interactions on the basis of first-principles density functional theory electronic structure calculations. These compounds are magnetic semiconductors that undergo a long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 83.6-106.2 K, and their magnetic properties are well-described by a two-dimensional Ising model. The dominant antiferromagnetic spin exchange interaction between S = 2 Fe(2+) ions occurs through corner-sharing Fe-O-Fe bridges. Moreover, the calculated spin exchange interactions show that the A2F2Fe2OQ2 (A = Sr, Ba; Q = S, Se) compounds represent a rare example of a frustrated antiferromagnetic checkerboard lattice.     

Stability of the infinite layer structure with iron square planar coordination

The recently discovered SrFeO2 prepared by a soft chemical route from a precursor SrFeO3 has the "infinite layer" (IL) structure with an unprecedented FeO4 square-planar coordination. We show that the IL structure has significant solubility to yield Sr1-xCaxFeO2 (0 相似文献   

Structural tuning of charge,orbital, and spin ordering in double-cell perovskite series between NdBaFe(2)O(5) and HoBaFe(2)O(5)

Charge, orbital, and magnetic ordering of NdBaFe(2)O(5) and HoBaFe(2)O(5), the two end-members of the double-cell perovskite series RBaFe(2)O(5), have been characterized over the temperature range 2-450 K, using differential scanning calorimetry, neutron thermodiffractometry and high-resolution neutron powder diffraction. Upon cooling, both compounds transform from a class-III mixed valence (MV) compound, where all iron atoms exist as equivalent MV Fe(2.5+) ions, through a "premonitory" charge ordering into a class-II MV compound, and finally to a class-I MV phase at low-temperature. The latter phase is characterized by Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) charge ordering as well as orbital ordering of the doubly occupied Fe(2+) d(xz) orbitals. The relative simplicity of the crystal and magnetic structure of the low-temperature charge-ordered state provide an unusual opportunity to fully characterize the classical Verwey transition, first observed in magnetite, Fe(3)O(4). Despite isotypism of the title compounds at high temperature, neutron diffraction analysis reveals striking differences in their phase transitions. In HoBaFe(2)O(5), the Verwey transition is accompanied by a reversal of the direct Fe-Fe magnetic coupling across the rare earth layer, from ferromagnetic in the class-II and -III MV phases to antiferromagnetic in the low-temperature class-I MV phase. In NdBaFe(2)O(5), the larger Nd(3+) ion increases the Fe-Fe distance, thereby weakening the Fe-Fe magnetic interaction. This decouples the charge and magnetic ordering so that the Fe-Fe interaction remains ferromagnetic to low temperature. Furthermore, the symmetry of the charge-ordered class-I MV phase is reduced from Pmma to P2(1)()ma and the magnitude of the orbital ordering is diminished. These changes destabilize the charge-ordered state and suppress the temperature at which the Verwey transition occurs. A comparison of the magnetic and structural features of RBaFe(2)O(5) compounds is included in order to illustrate how structural tuning, via changes in the radius of the rare-earth ion, can be used to alter the physical properties of these double-cell perovskites.     

Remarkable dependence of electrochemical performance of SrCo0.8Fe0.2O(3-δ) on A-site nonstoichiometry

SrCo(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) is a controversial material whether it is used as an oxygen permeable membrane or as a cathode of solid oxide fuel cells. In this paper, carefully synthesized powders of perovskite-type Sr(x)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) (x = 0.80-1.20) oxides are utilized to investigate the effect of A-site nonstoichiometry on their electrochemical performance. The electrical conductivity, sintering property and stability in ambient air of Sr(x)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) are critically dependent on the A-site nonstoichiometry. Sr(1.00)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) has a single-phase cubic perovskite structure, but a cobalt-iron oxide impurity appears in A-site cation deficient samples and Sr(3)(Co, Fe)(2)O(7-δ) appears when there is an A-site cation excess. It was found that the presence of the cobalt-iron oxide improves the electrochemical performance. However, Sr(3)(Co, Fe)(2)O(7-δ) has a significant negative influence on the electrochemical activity for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The peak power densities with a single-layer Sr(1.00)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) cathode are 275, 475, 749 and 962 mW cm(-2) at 550, 600, 650 and 700 °C, respectively, values which are slightly lower than those for Sr(0.95)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) (e.g. 1025 mW cm(-2) at 700 °C) but much higher than those for Sr(1.05)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) (e.g. only 371 mW cm(-2) at 700 °C). This remarkable dependence of electrochemical performance of the Sr(x)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) cathode on the A-site nonstoichiometry reveals that lower values of electrochemical activity reported in the literature may be induced by an A-site cation excess. Therefore, to obtain a high performance of Sr(x)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ) cathode for IT-SOFCs, an A-site cation excess must be avoided.     

Thermochemistry of Sr2Ce(1-x)Pr(x)O4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1): variable-temperature and -atmosphere in-situ and ex-situ powder X-ray diffraction studies and their physical properties

A novel family of metal oxides with a chemical formula of Sr(2)Ce(1-x)Pr(x)O(4) (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1) was developed as mixed oxide ion and electronic conductors for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). All of the investigated samples were synthesized by the ceramic method at 1000 °C in air and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Ex-situ PXRD reveals that the Sr(2)PbO(4)-type Sr(2)CeO(4) decomposes readily into a mixture of perovskite-type SrCeO(3) and rock-salt-type SrO at 1400 °C in air. Surprisingly, the decomposed products are converted back to the original Sr(2)PbO(4)-type Sr(2)CeO(4) phase at 800 °C in air, as confirmed by in-situ PXRD. Thermal decomposition is highly suppressed in Sr(2)Ce(1-x)Pr(x)O(4) compounds for Pr > 0, suggesting that Pr improves the thermal stability of the compounds. Rietveld analysis of PXRD and SAED supported that both Pr and Ce ions are located on the 2a site in Pbam (space group no. 55). The electrical transport mechanism could be correlated to the reduction of Pr and/or Ce ions and subsequent loss of oxide ions at elevated temperatures, as shown by TGA and in-situ PXRD. Conductivity increases with Pr content in Sr(2)Ce(1-x)Pr(x)O(4). The highest total conductivity of 1.24 × 10(-1) S cm(-1) was observed for Sr(2)Ce(0.2)Pr(0.8)O(4) at 663 °C in air.     

Oxygen surface exchange kinetics of SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O(3-δ) mixed conducting oxides

The oxygen surface exchange kinetics of mixed conducting perovskite oxides SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O(3-δ) (x = 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.35, 0.5) has been investigated as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure using the pulse-response (18)O-(16)O isotope exchange (PIE) technique. Arrhenius activation energies range from 140 kJ mol(-1) for x = 0 to 86 kJ mol(-1) for x = 0.5. Extrapolating the temperature dependence to the intermediate temperature range, 500-600 °C, indicates that the rate of oxygen exchange, in air, increases with increasing iron mole fraction, but saturates at the highest iron mole fraction for the given series. The observed behavior is concomitant with corresponding increases in both electronic and ionic conductivity with increasing x in SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O(3-δ). Including literature data of related perovskite-type oxides Ba(0.5)Sr(0.5)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3-δ), La(0.6)Sr(0.4)Co(0.2)Fe(0.8)O(3-δ), La(0.6)Sr(0.4)CoO(3-δ), and Sm(0.5)Sr(0.5)CoO(3-δ), a linear relationship is observed in the log-log plot between oxygen exchange rate and oxide ionic conductivity with a slope fairly close to unity, suggesting that it is the magnitude of the oxide ionic conductivity that governs the rate of oxygen exchange in these solids. The distribution of oxygen isotopomers ((16)O(2), (16)O(18)O, (18)O(2)) in the effluent pulse can be interpreted on the basis of a two-step exchange mechanism for the isotopic exchange reaction. Accordingly, the observed power law dependence of the overall surface exchange rate on oxygen partial pressure turns out to be an apparent one, depending on the relative rates of both steps involved in the adopted two-step scheme. Supplementary research is, however, required to elucidate which of the two possible reaction schemes better reflects the actual kinetics of oxygen surface exchange on SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O(3-δ).     

Mixed valence in YBaFe(2)O(5)

YBaFe(2)O(5) has been synthesized by heating a nanoscale citrate precursor in a carefully controlled reducing environment. Successful synthesis of a single-phase sample can only be achieved in a narrow window of oxygen partial pressures and temperatures. YBaFe(2)O(5) adopts an oxygen-deficient perovskite-type structure, which contains double layers of corner sharing FeO(5) square pyramids separated by Y(3+) ions. At T(N) congruent with 430 K, tetragonal (P4/mmm) and paramagnetic YBaFe(2)O(5) orders antiferromagnetically (AFM) experiencing a slight orthorhombic distortion (Pmmm). Around this temperature, it can be characterized as a class-III mixed valence (MV) compound, where all iron atoms exist as equivalent MV Fe(2.5+) ions. The magnetic structure is characterized by AFM Fe-O-Fe superexchange coupling within the double layers and a ferromagnetic Fe-Fe direct-exchange coupling between neighboring double layers. Upon cooling below approximately 335 K, a premonitory charge ordering (2Fe(2.5+) --> Fe(2.5+delta) + Fe(2.5)(-delta)) into a class-II MV phase takes place. This transition is detected by differential scanning calorimetry, but powder diffraction techniques fail to detect any volume change or a long-range structural order. At approximately 308 K, a complete charge ordering (2Fe(2.5+) --> Fe(2+) + Fe(3+)) into a class-I MV compound takes place. This charge localization triggers a number of changes in the crystal, magnetic, and electronic structure of YBaFe(2)O(5). The magnetic structure rearranges to a G-type AFM structure, where both the Fe-O-Fe superexchange and the Fe-Fe direct-exchange couplings are antiferromagnetic. The crystal structure rearranges (Pmma) to accommodate alternating chains of Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) running along b and an unexpectedly large cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion about the high-spin Fe(2+) ions. This order of charges does not fulfill the Anderson condition, and it rather corresponds to an ordering of doubly occupied Fe(2+) d(xz) orbitals. Comparisons with YBaMn(2)O(5) and YBaCo(2)O(5) are made to highlight the impact of changing the d-electron count.     

Structural and magnetic studies on cyano-bridged rectangular Fe2M2 (M = Cu, Ni) clusters

Using the tricyano precursor, (Bu4N)[(Tp)Fe(CN)3] (Tp = Tris(pyrazolyl) hydroborate) (1), four new tetranuclear clusters, [(Tp)Fe(CN)3Cu(Tp)]2.2H2O (2), [(Tp)Fe(CN)3Cu(bpca)]2.4H2O (3) (bpca = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)amidate anion), [(Tp)Fe(CN)3Ni(tren)]2(ClO4)2.2H2O (4) (tren = tris(2-amino)ethylamine), and [(Tp)Fe(CN)3Ni(bipy)2]2[(Tp)Fe(CN)3]2.6H2O (5) (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The four clusters possess similar square structures, where FeIII and MII (M = CuII or NiII) ions alternate at the rectangle corners. There exist intermolecular - stacking interactions through pyrazolyl groups of Tp- ligands in complexes 2 and 4, which lead to 1D chain structures. Complex 5 shows a 3D network structure through the coexistence of - stacking effects and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Magnetic studies show intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions in all four clusters. The exchange parameters are +11.91 and +1.38 cm(-1) for clusters 2 and 3, respectively, while uniaxial molecular anisotropy can be detected in complex 3 due to the distorted core in its molecular structure. Complex 4 has a ground state of S = 3 and shows SMM behavior with an effective energy barrier of U = 18.9 cm(-1). Unusual spin-glass-like dynamic relaxations are observed for complex 5.     

Catalysis of H(2)/D(2) scrambling and other H/D exchange processes by [Fe]-hydrogenase model complexes

Protonation of the [Fe]-hydrogenase model complex (mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2) (pdt = SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)S) produces a species with a high field (1)H NMR resonance, isolated as the stable [(mu-H)(mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2)](+)[PF(6)](-) salt. Structural characterization found little difference in the 2Fe2S butterfly cores, with Fe.Fe distances of 2.555(2) and 2.578(1) A for the Fe-Fe bonded neutral species and the bridging hydride species, respectively (Zhao, X.; Georgakaki, I. P.; Miller, M. L.; Yarbrough, J. C.; Darensbourg, M. Y. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 9710). Both are similar to the average Fe.Fe distance found in structures of three Fe-only hydrogenase active site 2Fe2S clusters: 2.6 A. A series of similar complexes (mu-edt)-, (mu-o-xyldt)-, and (mu-SEt)(2)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2) (edt = SCH(2)CH(2)S; o-xyldt = SCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(2)S), (mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(2)Ph)](2), and their protonated derivatives likewise show uniformity in the Fe-Fe bond lengths of the neutral complexes and Fe.Fe distances in the cationic bridging hydrides. The positions of the PMe(3) and PMe(2)Ph ligands are dictated by the orientation of the S-C bonds in the (mu-SRS) or (mu-SR)(2) bridges and the subsequent steric hindrance of R. The Fe(II)(mu-H)Fe(II) complexes were compared for their ability to facilitate H/D exchange reactions, as have been used as assays of H(2)ase activity. In a reaction that is promoted by light but inhibited by CO, the [(mu-H)(mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2)](+) complex shows H/D exchange activity with D(2), producing [(mu-D)(mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2)](+) in CH(2)Cl(2) and in acetone, but not in CH(3)CN. In the presence of light, H/D scrambling between D(2)O and H(2) is also promoted by the Fe(II)(mu-H)Fe(II) catalyst. The requirement of an open site suggests that the key step in the reactions involves D(2) or H(2) binding to Fe(II) followed by deprotonation by the internal hydride base, or by external water. As indicated by similar catalytic efficiencies of members of the series, the nature of the bridging thiolates has little influence on the reactions. Comparison to [Fe]H(2)ase enzyme active site redox levels suggests that at least one Fe(II) must be available for H(2) uptake while a reduced or an electron-rich Fe(I)Fe(I) metal-metal bonded redox level is required for proton uptake.     

Preparation and oxygen permeation properties of SrFe（Cu）O3-δ dense ceramic membranes

Mixed oxygen-ionic and electronic conducting membranes of SrFe(Cu)O3−δ were prepared by solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure, oxygen nonstoichiometry, and phase stability of the materials were studied by TGA and XRD. Oxygen permeation fluxes through these membranes were studied at operating temperature ranging from 750 to 950 ℃. Results showed that doping Cu in SrFeO3−δ compound had a significant effect on the formation of single-phased perovskite structure. For SrFe1−xCuxO3−δ series materials, the oxygen nonstoichiometry and the oxygen permeation flux increased considerably with the increase of Cu-doping content (x = 0.1–0.3). The sintering property of the membrane decreased significantly when the Cu substitution amount reached 40%. SrFe0.7Cu0.3O3−δ showed high oxygen permeation flux, but SrCuO2 and Sr2Fe2O5 phases formed in the compound after oxygen permeation test induced cracks in the membrane.     

The A-cluster in subunit beta of the acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase complex from Methanosarcina thermophila: Ni and Fe K-edge XANES and EXAFS analyses

The acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase (ACDS) complex catalyzes the cleavage of acetyl-CoA in methanogens that metabolize acetate to CO(2) and CH(4), and also carries out acetyl-CoA synthesis during growth on one-carbon substrates. The ACDS complex contains five subunits, among which beta possesses an Ni-Fe-S active-site metal cluster, the A-cluster, at which reaction with acetyl-CoA takes place, generating an acetyl-enzyme species poised for C-C bond cleavage. We have used Ni and Fe K fluorescence XANES and EXAFS analyses to characterize these metals in the ACDS beta subunit, expressed as a C-terminally shortened form. Fe XANES and EXAFS confirmed the presence of an [Fe(4)S(4)] cluster, with typical Fe-S and Fe-Fe distances of 2.3 and 2.7 A respectively. An Fe:Ni ratio of approximately 2:1 was found by Kalphabeta fluorescence analysis, indicating 2 Ni per [Fe(4)S(4)]. Ni XANES simulations were consistent with two distinct Ni sites in cluster A, and the observed spectrum could be modeled as the sum of separate square planar and tetrahedral Ni sites. Treatment of the beta subunit with Ti(3+) citrate resulted in shifts to lower energy, implying significant reduction of the [Fe(4)S(4)] center, along with conversion of a smaller fraction of Ni(II) to Ni(I). Reaction with CO in the presence of Ti(3+) citrate generated a unique Ni XANES spectrum, while effects on the Fe-edge were not very different from the reaction with Ti(3+) alone. Ni EXAFS revealed an average Ni coordination of 2.5 S at 2.19 A and 1.5 N/O at 1.89 A. A distinct feature at approximately 2.95 A most likely results from Ni-Ni interaction. The methanogen beta subunit A-cluster is proposed to consist of an [Fe(4)S(4)] cluster bridged to an Ni-Ni center with one Ni in square planar geometry coordinated by 2 S + 2 N and the other approximately tetrahedral with 3 S + 1 N/O ligands. The electronic consequences of two distinct Ni geometries are discussed.     

(Sr(1-x)Ba(x))FeO2 (0.4 ≤ x ≤ 1): a new oxygen-deficient perovskite structure

Topochemical reduction of (layered) perovskite iron oxides with metal hydrides has so far yielded stoichiometric compositions with ordered oxygen defects with iron solely in FeO(4) square planar coordination. Using this method, we have successfully obtained a new oxygen-deficient perovskite, (Sr(1-x)Ba(x))FeO(2) (0.4 ≤ x ≤ 1.0), revealing that square planar coordination can coexist with other 3-6-fold coordination geometries. This BaFeO(2) structure is analogous to the LaNiO(2.5) structure in that one-dimensional octahedral chains are linked by planar units, but differs in that one of the octahedral chains contains a significant amount of oxygen vacancies and that all the iron ions are exclusively divalent in the high-spin state. M?ssbauer spectroscopy demonstrates, despite the presence of partial oxygen occupations and structural disorders, that the planar-coordinate Fe(2+) ions are bonded highly covalently, which accounts for the formation of the unique structure. At the same time, a rigid 3D Fe-O-Fe framework contributes to structural stabilization. Powder neutron diffraction measurements revealed a G-type magnetic order with a drastic decrease of the Néel temperature compared to that of SrFeO(2), presumably due to the effect of oxygen disorder/defects. We also performed La substitution at the Ba site and found that the oxygen vacancies act as a flexible sink to accommodate heterovalent doping without changing the Fe oxidation and spin state, demonstrating the robustness of this new structure against cation substitution.     

EPMA of interfaces applied to the solid oxide fuel cell

Chemical interactions at the phase boundaries of materials applied for the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) have been studied by EPMA. The chemical reactivity at the interface of La(y-x)Sr(x)MnO(3)/ZrO(2)-Y(2)O(3) is dependent on the stoichiometry (y) and the Sr content (x) of the perovskite. Typical reaction products (zirconates) and a diffusion zone in the ZrO(2)-Y(2)O(3) have been observed. The extension of cation release (Mn) is related to the increasing chemical activity of Mn oxide in the perovskite by the Sr substitution for La. The wettability of the metal/oxide interface in the anode cermet (Ni/ZrO(2)-Y(2)O(3)) has been found to be influenced by chemical reactions resulting from the applied reducing atmosphere with high carbon activity. The disintegration of ZrO(2)-Y(2)O(3) in contact with molten Ni or Ni-Ti and Ni-Cr alloys leads to the redeposition of Y(2)O(3)-enriched oxides and also to Zr-rich intermetallic compounds and eutectics.     

Synthesis, gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopic, and theoretical studies of stannylated dinuclear iron dithiolates

Stannylated dinuclear iron dithiolates (mu-SSnMe(2)CH(2)S)[Fe(CO)(3)](2), (mu-SCH(2)SnMe(2)CH(2)S) [Fe(CO)(3)](2), and (mu-SCH(2)SnMe(3))(2)[Fe(CO)(3)](2), which are structurally similar to the active site of iron-only hydrogenase, were synthesized and studied by gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy. The orbital origins of ionizations were assigned by comparison of He I and He II photoelectron spectra and with the aid of hybrid density functional electronic structure calculations. Stannylation lowers the ionization energy of sulfur lone pair orbitals in these systems owing to a geometry-dependent interaction. The Fe-Fe sigma bond, which is the HOMO in all these systems, is also substantially destabilized by stannylation due to a previously unrecognized geometry-dependent interaction between axial sulfur lone pair orbitals and the Fe-Fe sigma bond. Since cleaving the Fe-Fe sigma bond is a key step in the mechanism of action of iron-only hydrogenase, these newly recognized geometry-dependent interactions may be utilized in designing biologically inspired hydrogenase catalysts.     

An evaluation by density functional theory of M-M interactions in organometallic clusters with the [Fe(3)MoS(3)](2+) cores

Density functional theory calculations were carried out on the structurally characterized [(Cl(4)-cat)Mo(py)Fe(3)S(3) (CO)(4)(P(n)Pr(3))(3)], A, and (Cl(4)-cat)Mo(py)Fe(3)S(3)(CO)(6)(PEt(3))(2), B, and also on A(2)(-) and B(2+) clusters. The Fe-Fe distances in these molecules depend on the total number of valence electrons (60 e(-) in A and B(2)(+) and 62 e(-) in A(2)(-) and B) and undergo great structural changes upon addition or removal of electrons. The changes are consistent with known electron-counting rules in organometallic chemistry. The weak nature of the Fe-Fe bonding interactions in these clusters is apparent in the very similar energies of states with widely different Fe-Fe distances.     

Studies of an Fe9 tridiminished icosahedron

The synthesis and structural characterization of a nonanuclear FeIII cage complex is reported. The nine iron centers in [Fe9(mu3-O)4(O3PPh)3(O2CCMe3)13] lie on the vertices of an incomplete icosahedron, with the P atoms of triphenylphosphonate at the other three vertices. The paramagnetic core therefore describes a tridiminished icosahedron. Magnetic studies suggest an S=1/2 ground state for the molecule. Analysis of exchange paths and the susceptibility data point to the interpretation that the cluster can be divided into two nearly decoupled sections: an {Fe6O3} section, with an S=0 ground state, in which three oxo-centered triangles bound a central triangle that is not oxo-centered; and an {Fe3O} triangle with S=1/2. The analysis of the susceptibility data leads to a Heisenberg model based on three significant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, with values of 173.7 cm-1 in the {Fe3O} triangle, and 30.9 and 19.1 cm-1 within the {Fe6O3} section, while the exchange between them is <1 cm-1. With these assignments, the theoretical low-temperature differential susceptibility is also in very good agreement with measurements up to 50 T. Magnetic measurements in the milli-kelvin range reveal striking hysteresis loops and magnetization reversals associated with a Landau-Zener-Stückelberg (LZS) transition as enhanced by the occurrence of a phonon bottleneck.