Preparation,structure, and charge transport characteristics of BIFEVOX ultrafine powders

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters of ultrafine powders were studied in Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Fe _x O_{11 ? x} (BIFEVOX) solid solutions. The details of synthesis of the solid solutions via liquid precursors are analyzed comparatively. In general, BIFEVOX formation via liquid precursors is similar to phase formation in solid-phase synthesis. With low iron levels (x = 0.05–0.1), solid solutions are formed in the monoclinic α phase (space group C2/m) The compositions with x = 0.125 and 0.15 are mixtures of α- and β phases. In the range 0.2 < x < 0.7, the Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Fe _x O_{11 ? x} solid solution has the structure of the γ phase of Bi₄V₂O₁₁ (space group I4/mmm). The β phase in the system in question has a very narrow existence range in the vicinity of x = 0.175. The average particle sizes of the powders prepared by various methods are within 0.5–3 μm. In the powders prepared via liquid precursors, however, the distribution peak shifts toward smaller sizes, to 0.3–1 μm. Mechanical activation conserves the structure of the γ phase of BIFEVOX, and unit cell parameters change only insignificantly; however, the crystal lattice is slightly distorted. The electrical conductivity of BIFEVOX was studied as a function of temperature, preparation technology, and composition using impedance spectroscopy. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. The conductivity of samples prepared by solution technology is always higher than for samples prepared by the solid-phase process. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for various phases are noted. All transitions on the conductivity curves match the features of linear thermal expansion curves. Compositions with doping levels x= 0.1–0.3 have the highest total conductivities.     

Substituted bismuth vanadates and chromates: New aspects

The work is devoted to the synthesis and attestation of a number of substituted vanadates and chromates of bismuth. For bismuth vanadates of the BIMEVOX family, the homogeneity regions of the Bi₄V_{2 – x}Cr _x O_{11 ± d} solid solutions have been refined, the features of the structure change of the compounds with increasing chromium content and changing temperature have been noted, and the powders and ceramics have been studied by electron microscopy. For the first time, as an impurity, an individually substituted bismuth chromate of the composition Substituted bismuth chromate of the Bi₁₃Cr_{5 – y}V _y O_{34.5 – d} (y = 0.95 ± 0.05) composition has been detected for the first time as an impurity and synthesized as an individual compound, which has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, chemical analysis, and photoelectron spectroscopy data; its homogeneity range has been determined, and electroconductive characteristics have been studied.     

Synthesis,structure, and conduction of solid solutions BIMEVOX (Me = Cu,Ti)

Conditions for synthesizing single-phase solid solutions Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} and Bi_{4 ? x/2}V_{2 ? x/2}Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x/2} are studied. The sequence of phase transformations is determined. Possible domains of stability of polymorphic modifications and the overall conductivity as a function of temperature and composition are studied. The structure of the γ-modification is refined using Rietveld’s full-profile analysis.     

Structure and properties of solid solutions based on bismuth niobate Bi<Subscript>3</Subscript>NbO<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Solid solutions Bi₃Nb_1–yW_yO_{7 ± δ}, Bi₃Nb_1–yV_yO_{7 ± δ}, Bi₃Nb_1–yFe_yO_{7 ± δ} (y = 0.1–0.5; Δy = 0.1), and Bi_3–xY_xNb_1–yW_yO_{7 ± δ} (x = 0.05, 0.1; y = 0–0.3; Δy = 0.1) have been studied. The homogeneity ranges of the solid solutions and crystal-chemical parameters have been determined by means of X-ray powder diffraction. The electrical conductivity of sintered samples has been studied by impedance spectroscopy. The joint introduction of yttrium and tungsten into the niobium sublattice does not lead to an increase in the conductivity of solid solutions, and the change of the dopant type has no noticeable effect on this conductivity.     

Crystal structure and conduction of BICUTIVOX

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters were studied for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} solid solutions. Doping levels within x = 0.025–0.15 distort the C2/m crystal lattice (this lattice is characteristic of individual the Bi₄V₂O₁₁ phase) and lowers its symmetry to triclinic. The solid solutions with 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.30 crystallize in tetragonal space group I4/mmm. High-temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry measurements for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} (x ≤ 0.35) solid solutions verified the existence of three structural varieties within 298–1023 K. Electrical conductivity of BICUTIVOX was studied by impedance spectroscopy as a function of temperature, composition, and oxygen partial pressure. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for the structural varieties are noted. Above 873 K, the solid solutions samples with x = 0.05 have the highest conductivity. At lower temperatures, higher conductivities are in the solid solutions that retain the γ phase in the low-temperature region. The dominant oxygen-ion conduction mechanism was discovered in the solid solutions.     

Iridium–nickel composite oxide catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction in acidic water electrolysis

A series of Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) composite oxides have been prepared by a simple pyrolysis method in ethanol system and used as the electrocatalysts for OER in acidic medium. The materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical performances of these Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y composite catalysts are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and steady-state measurements. The resulting oxides with the Ni content (x) less than 0.3 have a complex nature of metal Ir and rutile structure IrO₂ which is similar to the Ir oxide prepared by the same approach and possess the contracted lattice resulted from the Ni-doping. Although the addition of Ni reduces the electroactive surface areas due to the coalescence of particles, the catalytic activity of the Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y (0 < x ≤ 0.3) catalysts is slightly higher than that of the pyrolyzed Ir oxide. Regardless of the surface area difference, the intrinsic activity first increases and then decreases with the Ni content in Ir_1–xNi_xO_2–y catalysts, and the intrinsic activity of Ir_0.7Ni_0.3O_2–y catalyst is about 1.4 times of the Ni-free Ir oxide mainly attributed to the enhancement of conductivity and a change of the binding energy as increasing amount of the incorporated Ni with respect to the pure IrO₂. The Ir_0.7Ni_0.3O_2–y catalyst shows a prospect of iridium-nickel oxide materials in reducing the demand of the expensive Ir oxide catalyst for OER in acidic water electrolysis.     

Preparation of mesoporous Ce<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> mixed oxides and their catalytic properties in methane combustion

Mesoporous Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ mixed oxide catalysts of different molar ratios (x = 0.1–0.5) were prepared by the citric acid sol-gel method and the microwave technique. The activities of Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ mixed oxides on methane combustion were investigated, and the structure and reductive properties were characterized by XRD, BET, DRS, and TPR. The data showed that Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ mixed oxides prepared were mesoporous material. When x ≤ 0.2, the transition metal Fe incorporated into the lattice of CeO₂ to form cubic Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ solid solutions, and mixed phases of cubic Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ solid solutions and α-Fe₂O₃ existed when x > 0.2. Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ solid solutions show higher activity for methane combustion than pure CeO₂, especially for Ce_0.9Fe_0.1O₂.     

Synthesis processes and transport properties of solid solutions in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-GeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> system

The results of studies of solid solutions with the overall composition of Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Ge _x O_{11 ? δ} and Bi₄Ge_{3 ? x} V _x O_{12 + δ} are presented. The process of phase formation are studied during the synthesis of solid solution using the ceramic method and through liquid precursors. Crystallochemical parameters of the obtained compounds are determined. The size distribution of the particles is studied. Conductivity of annealed of polycrystalline samples as a function of temperature and composition is studied using the impedance spectroscopy method. The shape of impedance complex plane plots of the samples obtained in different ways is studied and analyzed.     

Magnetic Investigation of Various NiFe<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Bi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Ferrite Nanostructures Synthesized by Ball Milling Technique

NiFe_2?x Bi _x O₄ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) nanoparticles with various grain sizes were synthesized via annealing treatment followed by ball milling of its bulk component materials. Commercially available bismuth, nickel and iron oxide powders were first mixed and then annealed at 1200 °C in an oxygen environment furnace for 4 h. The samples were then milled for 2 h by high-energy ball milling. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern indicated that in this stage the samples are single phase. The microstructure investigation was carried out by a scanning electron microscope with maximum magnification of 30,000. The average grain size for different samples was estimated by XRD technique and transmission electron microscopy. Magnetic behavior of the samples at room temperature was studied using an alternating gradient force magnetometry. The Néel temperature of the powders was measured by a Faraday balance. Based on magnetic studies, increase in bismuth content leads to a decrease in the saturation magnetization, coercive field and Néel temperature. This can be attributed to the substitution of Bi³⁺ ion in the ferrite system as a nonmagnetic cation.     

Bismuth aluminoborate Bi<Subscript>0.96</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2.37</Subscript>(B<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>10</Subscript>)O: Synthesis and crystal structure

The crystal structure of a new bismuth aluminoborate Bi_0.96Al_2.37(B₄O₁₀)O is studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Bi_0.96Al_2.37(B₄O₁₀)O single crystals are hexagonal (space group \(P\bar 6\) 2m). The unit cell parameters are as follows: a = b = 4.587(4) Å, c = 2.253(9) Å, α = β = 90°, γ = 120°, V = 168.60 ų, Z = 1.     

Effects of base composition and dopants on the properties of hexagonal ferrites

The effects of the base composition and dopants on the saturation magnetization and coercivity of hexaferrites BaAl_xFe_12–xO₁₉, SrAl_xFe_12–xO₁₉, BaGa_xFe_12–xO₁₉, SrGa_xFe_12–xO₁₉, BaSc_xFe_12–xO₁₉ and SrSc_xFe_12–xO₁₉ have been studied. Isomorphic substitutions of Al₂O₃, Ga₂O₃, and Sc₂O₃ for Fe₂O₃ in barium and strontium ferrites are found to increase coercivity due to increasing crystallographic anisotropy constant and to reduce the saturation magnetization value. Processes controlling microstructure formation, specifically recrystallization processes, are shown to have a noticeable effect on the level of properties of the ferrites under study with the use of dopants. The most efficient dopants are boron, calcium, and silicon oxides, which provide the formation of relatively fine-grained structures. The increased coercivity upon doping with these dopants is also due to the formation of grain-boundary interlayers of a nonmagnetic glassy phase and the associated efficient retardation of moving domain walls.     

Mössbauer study of films produced by laser deposition of iron oxides

Iron oxides, magnetite Fe₃O₄ and hematite Fe₂O₃ were laser-deposited onto Al substrates at various temperatures, and the Mössbauer spectra of the films were measured. The compositions of the films changed depending on the formation temperature of the substrate, oxide deficiency in the lattice structures and the formation process of the iron oxides. The films were composed of Fe_3?x O₄ and Fe_1?x O independent of the laser-evaporation source (magnetite or hematite). Fe_3?x O₄ was seen to be dominant at higher temperatures and Fe_1?x O was dominant at lower temperatures. The compositions of the films were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and the surfaces of the deposited films were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Structure and electrical conductivity of cobalt-doped Bi<Subscript>26</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>10</Subscript>O<Subscript>69</Subscript>

The existence boundaries, structures, and transport parameters of Bi_{1 ? x} Co _x [Bi₁₂O₁₄]Mo₅O_{20 ± δ} and Bi[Bi₁₂O₁₄]Mo_{5 ? y} Co _y O_{20 ± δ} solid solutions, which have a unique columnar structure, were studied. Electrical conductivity in these solid solutions was studied by impedance spectroscopy.     

High-pressure defect phase Tm<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

Perovskite-related oxide Tm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ (space group Im \(\bar 3\), Z = 2, a = 7.262?7.273 Å) with vacancies in the cationic sublattice has been prepared for the first time under barothermal conditions (p = 7.0?9.0 GPa, T = 900?1100°C). Electric resistivity (10–300 K) and magnetic susceptibility (0–300 K) were studied as a function of temperature. Tm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ is shown to have a metallic conductivity and paramagnetism.     

Phase Equilibria in the BiO<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>–CaO–CoO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> System

Phase equilibria at subsolidus area of quasi-triple BiO_1.5–CaO–CoO_y system in air have been studied. The formation of triple oxide Bi₂Ca₂Co_1.7O_x and limited number of solid solutions (Ca,Bi)₃Co₄O_9+δ has been established. The triangulation of BiO_1.5–CaO–CoO_y system in air at 973 K has been carried out.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of substituted bismuth niobates Bi<Subscript>3</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Er<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>7–δ</Subscript>

Results are reported of a study of the structural and electrical characteristics of substituted bismuth niobates with composition Bi₃Nb_1–x Er _x O_7–δ, which are promising oxygen-ion conductors. The homogeneity regions of solid solutions were determined by X-ray phase analysis and electron microscopy with X-ray fluorescence microanalysis, and their crystal-chemical parameters were calculated. The electrical conductivity of sintered samples was examined by impedance spectroscopy.     

Thermal analysis of heat-treated silver fir wood and larval frass

Glasses having composition 5Li₂O–5ZnO– xBi₂O₃ –(90 ? x) P₂O₅ (x = 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mol%) were prepared by the normal melt quenching technique. Nanocomposite glass containing bismuth phosphate BiPO₄ nanocrystals was obtained, which can be attributed to homogeneous nucleation process. The formation of BiPO₄ nanocrystals was confirmed and characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry, optical absorption (UV–Vis) and micro-hardness studies. The morphological analysis by XRD and TEM microscopy showed the formation of hexagonal BiPO₄ nanocrystals, and its estimated nanocrystalline sizes were found to be varying from 5.35 to 11.53 nm depending on the Bi₂O₃ concentrations. The density (ρ) and molar volume (V _m) were also determined and found to be in compositional dependence. Glass transition temperature (T _g) and glass crystallization temperature (T _c) were obtained and found to be increased (from 240.0 to 337.2 °C) with increasing Bi₂O₃ up to 20 mol% and then decreased (from 337.2 to 331.8 °C) due to the structural changes in the glass network. Effect of BiPO₄ content on the optical properties had been investigated. From the UV–Vis spectra, it was observed that the fundamental absorption edge shifts toward lower wavelengths, i.e., blueshifts with increasing Bi₂O₃ mol% up to 20 mol%, and then shifts toward higher wavelengths, i.e., redshifts beyond 20 mol%. It was also observed that the obtained E _opt (for indirect and direct transitions) increases with gradual increase in Bi₂O₃ content up to 20 mol% and then decreases beyond 20 mol%. This may be due to the introduction of Bi cations into the glass network as a network former up to 20 mol% causing a decrease in ΔE values, beyond 20 mol%, the introduction of Bi ions into the glass network interstitially leads to increase the values of ΔE. The optical properties of the present nanocrystallized glasses showed a quantum size dependence, in which the optical band gap energy (E _opt) was changed as a function of BiPO₄ nanocrystalline sizes.     

Formation of solid solutions of multiferroics in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The sequence of phases appearance during the formation of Bi_1–xNd_xFeO₃ solid solutions in powder oxides mixtures of bismuth, neodymium, and iron has been determined. It has been shown that the closeness of the reaction mixture composition to that of the individual compound (BiFeO₃ or NdFeO₃) is essential for the realization of the series of phase transformations yielding solid solutions of multiferroics Bi_1–xNd_xFeO₃ as the final product, due to the prevalence of various interphase contacts in the starting reaction zone.     

Promising membrane materials based on strontium titanate

Electroconductivity of SrTi_1?x Fe _x O_3?δ(x = 0–0.5) specimens was studied by four-probe method. An opportunity was studied to produce hydrogen by high-temperature electrochemical conversion using SrTi_0.5Fe_0.5O_3?δ as the membrane material of the best conductivity. The effective ambipolar conductivity values calculated for SrTi_0.5Fe_0.5O_3?δ from the leakage experiment were found different from the ambipolar conductivity values calculated by the four-probe data processing because ambipolar conductivity corresponds to bulk transfer of complex oxide particles, taking no surface phenomena into account.     

Formation of Nd<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Bi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>FeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanocrystals under Conditions of Glycine-Nitrate Synthesis

Nd_1–xBi_xFeO₃ nanocrystals with crystallite size 30?60 nm have been prepared under conditions of glycine–nitrate burning. Single-phase Nd_1–xBi_xFeO₃ nanocrystals are formed over the entire studied concentrations range if the glycine–nitrate synthesis is performed in excess of the oxidizer. Under these conditions, a continuous range of the Nd_1–xBi_xFeO₃ solid solutions (0 ≤ х ≤ 0.75) crystallized in the rhombic system (space group Pbnm) are formed without crystallization of the burning intermediates. The Nd_1–xBi_xFeO₃ solid solutions (х = 0.775, 0.8) crystallize in the rhombic system (space group Pbаm).