Atomic Structure and Properties of the (310) Symmetrical Tilt Grain Boundary (STGB) in SrTiO3. Part I: Atomistic Simulations

The relaxed structure and energy of the (310) symmetrical tilt grain boundary (STGB) in SrTiO₃ have been calculated using static lattice energy minimization methods. In principle, the (310) GB plane can either be a cation-rich, positively charged SrTiO plane or a negatively charged oxygen plane, and both scenarios have been considered in this report. The effect of point-defect reconstruction at the GB core region, manifested either as completely missing columns or as half-filled columns of ions as suggested by experiments, has been analyzed. The results indicate that while Schottky defects are very strongly preferred energetically at the GB core, there is not significant gain in energy by having half-filled columns, as opposed to fully-dense and fully-empty columns, at the GB core. The simulation results have been analyzed in the context of Pauling's rules of crystal chemistry and bicrystallography. The results form the basis for an objective comparison with experimental studies in Part II of the paper.     

Photoluminescent properties of Y2O3:Eu phosphors prepared via urea precipitation in non-aqueous solution

Europium-doped yttrium oxide phosphors were obtained by firing precursors prepared by urea precipitation in ethanol and ethylenediamine. The precipitation in non-aqueous solution was carried out in an autoclave at 150°C to allow the decomposition of urea. The photoluminescent intensities of the phosphors prepared in ethanol and ethylenediamine increased by about 30% compared to that of the phosphor prepared by the conventional urea homogeneous precipitation in aqueous solution. Amorphous carbonates and amorphous hydroxides/carbonates mixtures were identified as precursors from ethanol and ethylenediamine, respectively. The morphology and particle size were studied by SEM and dynamic laser scattering method.     

Multi-scale theoretical study of support effect on sintering dynamics of Pt

The capability of theoretical durability studies to offer an efficient alternative methodology for predicting the potential performance of catalysts has improved in recent years. In this regard, multi-scale theoretical methods for predicting sintering behavior of Pt on various catalyst supports are being developed. Various types of Pt diffusions depending on support were confirmed by the micro-scale ultra accelerated quantum chemical molecular dynamics (UA-QCMD) method. Moreover, macro-scale sintering behavior of Pt/γ-Al₂O₃, Pt/ZrO₂ and Pt/CeO₂ catalysts were studied using a developed 3D sintering simulator. Experimental results were well reproduced. While Pt on γ-Al₂O₃ sintered significantly, Pt on ZrO₂ sintered slightly and Pt on CeO₂ demonstrated the highest stability against sintering.     

Synthesis of Y2Si2O7:Eu nanocrystal and its optical properties

Nanocrystalline Y₂Si₂O₇:Eu phosphor with an average size about 60 nm is easily prepared using silica aerogel as raw material under ultrasonic irradiation and annealing temperature at 300-600 °C and this nanocrystalline decomposes into Y₂O₃:Eu and silica by heat treatment at 700-900 °C. The excitation broad band centered at 283 and 254 nm results from Eu³⁺ substituting for Y³⁺ in Y₂Si₂O₇ and Y₂O₃/SiO₂, respectively. Compared with Y₂O₃:Eu/SiO₂ crystalline, the PL excitation and emission peaks of Y₂Si₂O₇:Eu nanocrystalline red-shift and lead to the enhance of its luminescence intensity due to the different chemical surroundings of Eu³⁺ in above nanocrystallines. The decrease of PL intensity may be ascribed to quenching effect resulting from more defects in Y₂O₃:Eu/SiO₂ crystalline.     

第2系列ZrO2(Y2O3)薄膜的慢正电子研究

用慢正电子技术研究了在溅射时不加偏压,衬底加热300℃,纯Ar气氛下制备的用Y_{2O3稳定的ZrO2薄膜材料(简称YSZ薄膜),发现了YSZ薄膜在不同 深度处的缺陷分布情况,退火温度对YSZ薄膜缺陷有影响.简要讨论了致密、优质YSZ薄膜的 制备方法.}     

Structural and optical properties of Er, Yb co-doped Y2O3 thin films

Thin Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ co-doped Y₂O₃ films were grown on (1 0 0) YAG substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Ceramic targets having different active ion concentration were used for ablation. The influence of the rare-earth content and oxygen pressure applied during the deposition on the structural, morphological and optical properties of the films were investigated. The films deposited at the lower pressure, 1 Pa, and at 1/10 Er to Yb doping ratio are highly textured along the (1 1 1) direction of the Y₂O₃ cubic phase. In addition to the crystalline structure, these films possess smoother surface compared to those prepared at the higher pressure, 10 Pa. All other films are polycrystalline, consisting of cubic and monoclinic phases of Y₂O₃. The rougher surface of the films produced at the higher-pressure leads to higher scattering losses and different behavior of the reflectivity spectra. Optical anisotropy in the films of less than 0.004 was measured regardless of the monoclinic structure obtained. Waveguide losses of about 1 dB/cm at 633 nm were obtained for the films produced at the lower oxygen pressure.     

Effect of excess Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> addition on the physical properties of melt processed YBCO bulks

The YBCO superconductors with Y₂O₃ addition were prepared by a modified melt textured process and the effects of excess Y₂O₃ addition on the physical properties of melt textured YBCO have been investigated. It is found that the melt temperature of YBCO samples decreases drastically with the increasing Y₂O₃, and the maximum levitation forces are drastically different for samples with different Y₂O₃ addition. It is also found that the optimal Y₂O₃ addition to YBCO is about 10wt%. Considering the microstructure and the starting composition, the results are well discussed and interpreted.     

YZr2OZr3:Er3+纳米晶anti-Stokes发光性质的研究

采用均相沉积法制备了不同Er³⁺离子浓度掺杂的Y₂O₃纳米晶, 应用XRD，SEM和PL光谱对该体系材料进行了表征.在Y₂O₃:Er³⁺纳米材料体系中, 观察和研究了Stokes及anti-Stokes PL谱强度与Er³⁺离子摩尔浓度变化的关系, 当Er³⁺离子浓度为2.0mol%时, anti-Stokes PL强度最强.粉末X 关键词： 氧化钇纳米晶 anti-Stokes PL 双光子吸收     

Investigation of up-conversion luminescence properties of RE/Yb co-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramic (RE=Er, Ho, Pr, and Tm)

RE/Yb co-doped Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics (RE=Er, Ho, Pr, Tm) were fabricated and characterized from the point of up-conversion luminescence. All the samples exhibit high transparence not only in near-infrared band (NIR) band but also in visible region, which ensures the output of the up-conversion luminescence. Under 980 nm excitation, green and red emissions were observed in Er, Yb:Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic, while green emission was detected in Ho, Yb and Pr, Yb co-doped Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics. In Tm, Yb co-doped Y₂O₃ ceramic, very intense blue up-conversion luminescence was detected. The dependence of up-conversion emission intensity on the pumping power was measured for each RE/Yb co-doped Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic, and the up-conversion mechanism was discussed in detail. Meanwhile, the energy transfer efficiency was calculated.     

Grain Size Effects in Sensor Response of Nanostructured SnO2- and In2O3-Based Conductometric Thin Film Gas Sensor

Based on the experimental results, obtained by studying both structural and gas-sensing properties of the SnO₂ and In₂O₃ films deposited by the spray pyrolysis method, we analyzed the influence of crystallite size on the parameters of the SnO₂- and In₂O₃-based thin film solid-state gas sensors. For comparison, the behavior of ceramic-type gas sensors was considered as well. In particular, we examined the correlation between the grain size and parameters of conductometric-type gas sensors such as the magnitude of sensor signal, the rate of sensor response, thermal stability, and the sensitivity of sensor signal to air humidity. Findings confirmed that that grain size is one of the most important parameters of metal oxides, controlling almost all operating characteristics of the solid state gas sensors fabricated using both the ceramic and thin film technologies. However, it was shown that there is no single universal requirement for the grain size, because changes in grain size could either improve, or worsen of operating characteristics of gas sensors. Therefore, the choice of optimal grain size should be based on the detailed consideration of all possible consequences of their influence on the parameters of sensors designed.     

Direct Observation of the Barrier Structure of a Praseodymium-Doped Grain Boundary in a Zinc Oxide Bicrystal by Charge Collection Microscopy

A zinc oxide bicrystal, in which the grain boundary was doped with praseodymium oxide, was prepared by hot pressing. The grain boundary showed characteristic varistor breakdown. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation revealed that the amount of visible praseodymium oxide along the interface was variable. Charge collection microscopy, using the remote electron beam induced current (REBIC) configuration, was carried out and the grain boundary was found to be electrically active in the praseodymium oxide rich regions, showing contrast consistent with the presence of a double Schottky barrier (DSB). In Pr poor regions the DSB contrast was lost. The observations are consistent with the idea of barrier enhancement with doping in varistors.     

Growth and properties of YAlO film synthesized by RF magnetron sputtering

YAlO films are synthesized on (1 0 0)-oriented Si substrates by RF magnetron sputtering method. Al₂O₃ wafer is used as a target material, and some small pieces of Y bulk material are put on the Al₂O₃ target to synthesize YAlO films. Y composition ratio is varied from 0 to 34%. Amorphous YAlO films are characterized. An electrical resistivity as high as 3.4 × 10¹⁴ Ω-cm is achieved for the YAlO film with Y composition ratio of 10%. The dielectric constant increases with increasing Y composition ratio, and the YAlO film with Y composition ratio of 34% has a dielectric constant of 10.2. The bandgap energy of the YAlO film is suggested to be wider than 6.5 eV. YAlO films with a surface roughness of 0.4-1.3 nm are obtained irrespective of the Y composition ratio.     

Influence of deposition conditions on the optical properties of erbium-doped yttrium oxide films grown by aerosol-UV assisted MOCVD

Erbium-doped Y₂O₃ films were prepared by aerosol-UV assisted metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) at 410 °C. The effects of humidity of carrier gas and UV-assistance on their structure and optical properties were investigated on the as-deposited and thermal annealed films using infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the as-deposited Er:Y₂O₃ films crystallise in the Y₂O₃ cubic structure and present a very low organic contamination when the deposition takes place under high air humidity and, even better, with UV-assistance. After annealing, two different structural phases are observed corresponding to the cubic and the monoclinic structures of Y₂O₃. The Er³⁺ luminescence analysed in the visible and IR regions, shows the classical green transitions. The best optical properties were obtained with as-deposited and annealed Er:Y₂O₃ films grown under high air humidity with UV-assistance. Under such deposition conditions, ⁴I_13/2 lifetimes was found to be 3.07 and 6.1 ms for films annealed at 800 and 1000 °C, respectively, and up-conversion phenomena were underlined. This indicates that the deposition conditions, in particular air humidity, play an important role in the luminescent properties even after annealing.     

Synthesis and ion conductivity of (Bi2O3)0.75(Dy2O3)0.25 ceramics with grain sizes from the nano to the micro scale

Using (Bi₂O₃)_0.75(Dy₂O₃)_0.25 nano-powder synthesized by reverse titration co-precipitation method as raw material, dense ceramics were sintered by both Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and pressureless sintering. According to the predominance area diagram of Bi-O binary system, the sintering conditions under SPS were optimized. (Bi₂O₃)_0.75(Dy₂O₃)_0.25 ceramics with relative density higher than 95% and an average grain size of 20 nm were sintered in only 10 min up to 500 °C. During the pressureless sintering process, the grain growth behavior of (Bi₂O₃)_0.75(Dy₂O₃)_0.25 followed a parabolic trend, expressed as D² − D₀² = Kt, and the apparent activation energy of grain growth was found to be 284 kJ mol^− 1. Dense (Bi₂O₃)_0.75(Dy₂O₃)_0.25 ceramics with different grain sizes were obtained, and the effect of grain size on ion conductivity was investigated by impedance spectroscopy. It was shown that the total ion conductivity was not affected by the grain size down to 100 nm, however lower conductivity was measured for the sample with the smallest grain size (20 nm). But, although only the δ phase was evidenced by X-ray diffraction for this sample, a closer inspection by Raman spectroscopy revealed traces of α-Bi₂O₃.     

Structure and surface properties of praseodymium modified alumina

Mixed PrO₂-Al₂O₃ oxides with different PrO₂ content (1-20 wt.%) were prepared by wetness impregnation of γ-alumina with aqueous solution of praseodymium nitrate. The samples were characterized by different techniques, using surface adsorption-desorption of N₂ (S_BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature-programmed desorption of CO₂ (TPD-CO₂). TGA and XRD showed the presence of small praseodymium oxide species on the alumina surface. XPS and DRS detected electron deficient interaction between deposited praseodymium oxide and alumina. It was observed a lower reduction temperature for supported Pr oxide species compared to that of the bulk Pr₆O₁₁. TPD-CO₂ studies suggested that the deposition of Pr oxide on alumina leaded to increase of the basicity of mixed oxides.     

掺入Ni2+和V3+对α-Al2O3晶体光谱精细结构、晶体局域结构和零场分裂参量的影响

应用晶体场理论和不可约张量算符方法构造了3d2/3d8态离子在C3v对称晶场中包含自旋-轨道相互作用、自旋-自旋相互作用、自旋-其它轨道相互作用和其它轨道-其它轨道相互作用四种微观磁效应的45阶可完全对角化的能量哈密顿矩阵.利用该矩阵,计算了V³⁺∶α-Al₂O₃和Ni²⁺∶α-Al₂O₃晶体的光谱精细结构、晶体局域结构和零场分裂参量,研究了掺入两种互补态离子Ni²⁺和V³⁺对同种晶体的光谱精细结构、晶体局域结构和零场分裂参量的影响,理论计算值和实验值相符.研究发现：掺杂没有改变晶体的光谱精细结构和能级分裂条数,但改变了能级间距|掺杂也没有改变晶体的对称性,但使晶体局域结构发生了一定程度的畸变| Ni²⁺∶α-Al₂O₃晶体局域结构的伸长畸变量大于V³⁺∶α-Al₂O₃晶体,键角的变化量小于V³⁺∶α-Al₂O₃晶体.     

Crystal structure and photoluminescence of (Y1−xCex)2Si3O3N4

Oxonitridosilicate phosphors with compositions of (Y_1−xCe_x)₂Si₃O₃N₄ (x=0−0.2) have been synthesized by solid state reaction method. The structures and photoluminescence properties have been investigated. Ce³⁺ ions have substituted for Y³⁺ ions in the lattice. The emission and excitation spectra of these phosphors show the characteristic photoluminescence spectra of Ce³⁺ ions. Based on the analyses of the diffuse reflection spectra and the PL spectra, a systematic energy diagram of Ce³⁺ ion in the forbidden band of sample with x=0.02 is given. The best doping Ce content in these phosphors is ∼2 mol%. The quenching temperature is ∼405 K for the 2 mol% Ce content sample. The luminescence decay properties were investigated. The primary studies indicate that these phosphors are potential candidates for application in three-phosphor-converted white LEDs.     

Study of electrical conductivity changes and phase transitions in Co3O4 doped ZrO2

The electrical conductivity of ZrO₂ doped with Co₃O₄ has been measured at various temperatures for different molar ratios. The conductivity increases due to the migration of vacancies created by doping. The conductivity is also found to increase with rise in temperature up to 120°C, and after attaining a maximum the conductivity decreases due to a collapse of the lattice framework. A second rise in conductivity around 460°C in all the compositions confirms the phase transition in ZrO₂ from monoclinic to tetragonal symmetry. X-ray powder diffraction and DTA studies were carried out for confirming the doping effects and the transition in ZrO₂.     

Combustion synthesis of a nanoceramic and its transparent properties

La_0.1Nd_0.1Y_1.8O₃ transparent ceramics nanopowders were prepared using the combustion synthesis. To achieve such transparent ceramics, Y₂O₃ were used as matrix materials and La³⁺ and Nd³⁺ were used as dopants, polyethyleneglycol (PEG) as dispersants for the sintering under vacuum 10⁻³ Pa and 1600 °C for 6 h. The precursor and powders calcined at different temperatures were characterized using TG-DTA, XRD, BET and FESEM. The transmittance of the transparent ceramics was measured using the sub-photometer. Results showed that La³⁺ and Nd³⁺ were completely dissolved into the cubic lattice of Y₂O₃. The sizes of Y_1.8La_0.1Nd_0.1O₃ powders were uniform and spherical-like. The particle sizes of powders gradually increased with increasing the calcination temperature. The dispersant can effectively prevent the powders from the agglomeration, and the particle sizes of powders gradually increased with increasing citric acid. The transmittance of the Y_1.8La_0.1Nd_0.1O₃ transparent ceramics was close to its theoretical value (80%).     

Characterization of ultrafine zirconia and iron oxide powders prepared under hydrothermal conditions

Abstract

Nanocrystalline zirconia (6-20 nm) and iron oxide (20-80 nm) powders were produced by hydrothermal treatment of corresponding hydroxides and nitrate solutions. The synthesis parameters (temperature, duration, concentration) allow fabrication of ultrafine oxide powders with various particle size and morphology. The smallest particles were produced by short-time (4-7 s) treatment of nitrate solutions (PH ≈ 1). Prepared nanocrystalline powders exhibit high activity in model solid state reactions.