Deposition of complex multielemental thin films

Modern condensed-matter physics is increasingly concerned with the design, synthesis, analysis, and exploitation of chemically complex materials and structures. Complex metal oxides and strongly correlated electron systems such as YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x and La_1−xSr_xMnO₃ are paradigmatic examples. Their production in the form of high-quality thin films is of both technological and fundamental importance and has stimulated a concerted effort in the last two decades to find and optimize efficient techniques to this end. This review discusses the physics behind and the requirements for synthesizing high-quality films of such materials and examines fundamental aspects of the growth processes associated with magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition, the two techniques which presently offer the best solutions in this burgeoning field.     

Sub-solidus phase equilibria in CeO2–SrO system

In this communication, we report on the synthesis and characterization of a series of compounds with the general composition Ce_1−xSr_xO_2−x (0.0≤x≤1.0), to establish a detailed phase relation in the CeO₂–SrO system. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the each product was refined to determine the solid solubility and the homogeneity range. The solid solubility limit of SrO in CeO₂ lattice, under the slow cooled conditions, is represented as Ce_0.91Sr_0.09O_1.91 (i.e. 9 mol% of SrO). A careful delineation of the phase boundary revealed that the stoichiometric SrCeO₃, in fact, contains a little amount of CeO₂ also. The mono-phasic compound could be obtained at the nominal composition Sr_0.55Ce_0.45O_1.45. The nominal composition Sr₂CeO₄, under the heat treatment used in the present investigation, was a bi-phasic mixture of SrCeO₃ and SrO. No new ordered phases were obtained in this system.     

Structure and redox properties of CexPr1−xO2−δ mixed oxides and their catalytic activities for CO, CH3OH and CH4 combustion

A series of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides were synthesized by a sol–gel method and characterized by Raman, XRD and TPR techniques. The oxidation activity for CO, CH₃OH and CH₄ on these mixed oxides was investigated. When the value x was changed from 1.0 to 0.8, only a cubic phase CeO₂ was observed. The samples were greatly crystallized in the range of the value x from 0.99 to 0.80, which is due to the formation of solid solutions caused by the complete insertion of Pr into the CeO₂ crystal lattices. Raman bands at 465 and 1150 cm⁻¹ in Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ samples are attributed to the Raman active F_2g mode of CeO₂. The broad band at around 570 cm⁻¹ in the region of 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.99 can be linked to oxygen vacancies. The new band at 195 cm⁻¹ may be ascribed to the asymmetric vibration caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies. The TPR profile of Pr₆O₁₁ shows two reduction peaks and the reduction process is followed: . The reduction temperature of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides is lower than those of Pr₆O₁₁ or CeO₂. TPR results indicate that Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides have higher redox properties because of the formation of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ solid solutions. The presence of the oxygen vacancies favors CO and CH₃OH oxidation, while the activity of CH₄ oxidation is mostly related to reduction temperatures and redox properties.     

Supported Pd-perovskite catalyst for CNG engines'' exhaust gas treatment

Perovskite-type oxides of the series La_1−xA_xMn_1−yB_yO₃ (A = Sr; B = Fe or Co) were prepared by solution combustion synthesis and characterized by X-ray diffraction, specific surface analysis, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques. Their activity towards the combustion of methane was evaluated in a temperature programmed combustion microreactor. The LaMn_0.9Fe_0.1O₃ catalyst was found to provide the best performance. The half-conversion temperature of methane over the LaMn_0.9Fe_0.1O₃ catalyst was 398 °C with a W/F = 0.12 g s/cm³ and a methane feed concentration of 0.4 vol% under oxygen excess. Via temperature programmed oxygen desorption (TPD) analysis as well as catalytic combustion runs, the prevalent activity of the LaMn_0.9Fe_0.1O₃ catalyst could be explained by its higher and increased capability to desorb suprafacial, weakly chemisorbed oxygen species. Further catalyst development allowed to maximise the catalytic activity of this compound by promoting it with CeO₂ (1:1 molar ratio) and with 1 wt% Pd. This promoted catalyst was lined on cordierite monoliths in a γ-Al₂O₃-supported form (catalyst weight percentage: 15 wt%) and then tested in a lab-scale test rig under realistic conditions for compressed natural gas-vehicles' exhaust gas treatment. Half methane conversion was achieved at 340 °C (gas high space velocity = 10 000 h⁻¹), nearly the same but with a fourfold lower amount of the expensive noble metal than that used in commercial 4wt%Pd–γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts.     

Synthesis and low temperature fluorination of the alkaline-earth palladates Ba2−xSrxPdO3 (x = 0–2)

Since the discovery of superconductivity in Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ there has been an increased interest in ternary oxide-fluorides. Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ is prepared via low temperature (T = 220 °C) reaction routes. Low temperature fluorination induces an interesting structural rearrangement in the parent compound Sr₂CuO₃, which is a one-dimensional material containing linear chains of vertex sharing CuO₄ squares along the crystallographic b axis. Upon fluorination, one oxide is substituted by two fluorides and Cu²⁺ becomes octahedrally coordinated by four oxides and two fluorides. The fluorinated compound Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ displays the T-type structure (La₂CuO₄). Insertion of excess fluorine, δ, also takes place and this fluorine occupies interstitial sites in the T structure. Although the starting material Ca₂CuO₃ is isostructural to Sr₂CuO₃, Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ displays the T′ (Nd₂CuO₄) structure due to the smaller radius of Ca²⁺ compared to that of Sr²⁺.

The alkaline-earth palladates with the general formula A₂PdO₃ (A = Ba, Sr) are isostructural with the A₂CuO₃(A = Ca, Sr) materials. We prepared the Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₃ (x = 0–2) series and performed low temperature fluorination, which led to the synthesis of the series Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₂F_2+δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.5). All the compounds in the Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₂F_2+δ series show T′ structure (Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ). Similarities and differences with Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ and Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ will be discussed.     

Synthesis and thermochemical study of 1 : 2 : 4 phases in the (Y,Gd)–Ba–Cu–O system

Synthesis of the Y_xGd_1−xBa₂Cu₄O₈ phases (x=1; 0.5; 0.75) by special method from nitrates is described in this paper. Dissolution enthalpies of YBa₂Cu₄O₈, Y_0.5Gd_0.5Ba₂Cu₄O₈, Y_0.75Gd_0.25Ba₂Cu₄O₈, Y₂O₃, Gd₂O₃, CuO, BaCO₃ were measured in 6 N HCl at 323 K. On the basis of obtained experimental data, the enthalpies of some reactions with Y_xGd_1−xBa₂Cu₄O₈ were determined. It was established that the above-mentioned 1 : 2 : 4 superconductors were thermodynamically more favourable than mixtures including CuO, YBa₂Cu₃O_x. It was also established that, according to the obtained data, these phases can react with CO₂.     

Single crystal growth of Bi1−xSrxMnO3—Thermodynamics and experiment

The primary crystallization field of a perovskite solid solution Bi_1−xSr_xMnO_3−δ was delimited by calculating the respective phase equilibria in the quaternary Bi–Sr–Mn–O system. The calculations are based on the recent assessment involving all three ternary subsystems, a quaternary liquid approximated as a mixture of Mn, MnO, Mn₂O₃, SrO and Bi₂O₃ species with binary Redlich–Kister coefficients and the perovskite phase described in terms of a point defect model allowing Sr²⁺ for Bi³⁺ substitution, oxygen vacancy formation and the related Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ mixing on Mn-sublattice. The crystallization path and the composition of the crystallized solid solution are compared with single crystal growth experiments performed by self-flux method from a Bi-rich melt. The crystallization path obtained for a selected feed composition for which the largest and high quality single crystal have been grown, turns out to end very close to the global eutectic point.     

Pure and doped lanthanum cobaltites obtained by combustion method

We report the synthesis of La_1−xSr_xCoO₃ nanopowders by solution combustion method using metal nitrates and -alanine (alanine method) or urea (urea method) as fuel. The influence of metal nitrates/organic substance molar ratio and the type of fuel was investigated. The isolated complex precursors were characterized by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), FT-IR spectra and DTA–TG analysis. The La_1−xSr_xCoO₃ (x = 0–0.3) powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDX), as well as by specific surface area measurements. XRD patterns indicate the formation of single-phase LaCoO₃ (rhombohedral) when as-synthesized powders were calcined at 873 K, 3 h in the case of the alanine method and at 1073 K, 3 h for urea-based system. Also, strontium doped lanthanum cobaltites obtained by both methods at 1273 K are single phase with rhombohedral perovskite-like structure as XRD data have proved. SEM investigation of pure and doped lanthanum cobaltites reveal that the samples prepared by both methods have fine particles with tendency of agglomerates formation with different shapes, spongy aspect and high porosity. La_1−xSr_xCoO₃ nanopowders obtained by alanine method have larger specific surface area values than those prepared by urea method.     

Spectroscopic and structural analysis of Ca substituted La orthoferrite

Samples of orthoferrites La_1−xCa_xFeO₃ (0.15≤x≤0.45) were synthesized by double sintering ceramic technique. X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy experiments were carried out and discussed for the investigated samples. The data showed the formation of single-phase orthorhombic structure of space group Pbnm. The FTIR spectra were performed in the region (1200–200 cm⁻¹). Four main absorption bands were present with some side bands and shoulders in the range (1200–400 cm⁻¹). Another four bands were appeared in the range (400–200 cm⁻¹). The positions, intensities and values of the absorptions bands vary depending on the Ca content in the samples. The first absorption band appeared at about 920 cm⁻¹ was assigned to the La–O stretching vibration.     

Synthesis of ferrocenyl-1,2-diketones and related compounds: Crystal and molecular structures of 1,2-diferrocenylethanedione and 1-ferrocenyl-2-(4-biphenylyl) ethanedione

Ferrocenyl-1,2-diketones FcCOCOR, 3, [Fc = (C₅H₅)Fe(C₅H₄)] can be prepared by oxidation of acylferrocenes FcCOCH₂R or, more efficiently, by oxidation of the isomeric ketones FcCH₂COR, 2. The ketones 2 are in turn readily synthesized from the salt (FcCH₂PPh₃)⁺I⁻ via the acylated salts [FcCH(COR)PPh₃]⁺I⁻. The haloacylferocenes FcCOCCl_x H_3−x (x = 1, 2, 3, of which the x = 2 example is synthetically equivalent to a diketone) are synthesized by Friedel—Crafts acylation of ferrocene using CCl_xH_3−xCOCl/AlCl₃, but the reaction proceeds via two parallel pathways, one giving the normal acyl derivatives FcCOCCl_xH_3−x and the other giving the reduced products FcCOCCl_x−1H_4−x. Two diketones FcCOCOFc 3b and FcCOCOC₆H₄Ph 3c have been structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Evidence of lanthanum–chromium mixed oxides formed in CrOx/La2O3 model catalysts

CrO_x/La₂O₃ mixed oxides, prepared by impregnating La₂O₃ with appropriate aqueous solutions of (NH₄)₂CrO₄ and calcining at 600 °C for 4 h, have been investigated by means of XRD, TPR, XPS, DRIFTS, and Raman spectroscopy (RS). The formation of the compounds La₂CrO₆, La(OH)CrO₄ and LaCrO₄ under these conditions was evidenced. Strong peaks at 864, 884, 913, and 921 cm⁻¹, as well as weak peaks at 136, 180, 354, 370, and 388 cm⁻¹ in the RS spectrum of CrO_x/La₂O₃ have been assigned to La₂CrO₆.     

Synthesis, structure and oxygen nonstoichiometry of La0.4Sr0.6Co1−yFeyO3−δ

The samples of La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_1−yFe_yO_3−δ (y = 0.2 and 0.4) were prepared using both conventional ceramic technique and nitrate–citrate precursors technique. The phase identification was made by X-ray diffraction method. The refinement of structural parameters from the XRD and neutron diffraction measurements was performed by full profile Rietveld analysis. Neutron diffraction showed that both samples possess distorted perovskite-type structure. Oxygen nonstoichiometry was measured by chemical analysis and thermogravimetry (TG) analysis in the range 20 ≤ T/°C ≤ 900 and 2E-5 ≤ pO₂/atm ≤ 4E-1. TG-experiments indicate a relatively fast and reversible oxygen exchange at pO₂ > 1E-2 atm. Mass saturation occurs at T < 300 °C upon cooling. The absolute value of oxygen nonstoichiometry was determined by iodometric titration measurements. It was found that both samples have practically stoichiometric composition at 300 °C in air and δ increases with increasing temperature and decreasing oxygen partial pressure.     

Phase equilibria and crystal structure of the solid solution LaFe1−xNixO3−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Phase equilibria in the LaFeO₃–“LaNiO₃” were studied at 1100 °C in air. The samples were synthesized by standard ceramic and/or solution route via nitrate or citrate precursors. According to the results of XRD it was found that the homogeneity ranges of LaFe_1−xNi_xO_3−δ solid solution lay within 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 (sp.gr. Pbnm) and 0.6 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 (sp.gr. ). The structural parameters (bond lengths, atom coordinates) for the single-phase samples were refined using Rietveld analysis. The unit cell parameters versus LaFe_1−xNi_xO_3−δ composition are presented.     

Thermogravimetric study on perovskite-like oxygen permeation ceramic membranes

The oxygen permeation properties of mixed-conducting ceramics SrFeCo_0.5O_3−δ (SFCO), Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCFO), La_0.2Sr_0.8Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (LSCFO) and Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BCCFO) were studied by thermogravimetric method in the temperature range 600–900 °C. The results show that the oxygen adsorption rate constants k_a of all material are larger than oxygen desorption rate constants k_d and both k_a and k_d are not strongly dependent on temperature in the studied temperature range. The oxygen vacancy contents δ(N₂) and δ(O₂) in nitrogen and oxygen and their difference Δδ = δ(N₂) − δ(O₂) play an important role in determining the temperature behavior of oxygen permeation flux J_O2.     

I NQR and spectroscopic investigation of impurity-doped and mixed lithium iodate Li1−xHxIO3 crystals

The ¹²⁷I NQR, IR absorption and Raman spectra of impurity-doped and mixed lithium iodate Li_1−xH_xIO₃ crystals grown from water solutions with different LiIO₃/HIO₃ ratios were investigated depending on the content of the impurity hydrogen x. The NQR results suggested that, at small concentration of doping iodic acid x<0.22, the lattice dynamics of the crystal grown from water solution changes significantly though the crystal retains hexagonal symmetry. Spectroscopic studies are compatible with average hexagonal symmetry of the grown doped crystals. From the results of Raman studies at room temperature and 100 K, the concentration range of hydrogen dopant 0.22<x<0.36 was found where disordered solid solution crystals Li_1−xH_xIO₃ are formed.     

Surface charge and surface chemical characteristics of magnetites substituted with nickel, cobalt and chromium

Magnetite (MAG) and magnetites substituted with nickel, cobalt and chromium (NF, COF and CRF, respectively) have been prepared over the whole range of composition, Me_xFe_3−xO₄ (x=0–3, Me=Ni, Co or Cr) using the coprecipitation technique and have been characterized for their chemical composition, crystallinity and surface area. The types of sorption sites present in them were characterized by analysing the water sorption isotherms ultilizing the D'Arcy and Watt equation. Intrinsic dissociation constants, and point of zero charge, PZC, were evaluated by analysing the pH-titration curves in acid and alkaline media. A similarity in the trend was observed for the crystallinity, surface area, sorption sites and surface charge characteristics as a function of the composition of the substituted MAGs (i.e. x). The overall behaviour of the substituted MAGs could be grouped into two: mixed oxides having composition with x=0–1 and those in the composition region x=1–3. Those in the composition region x=0–1 were crystalline with a lower surface area, less hydrophilic in nature and have surface charge characteristics lower than that of MAG. Those mixed oxides in the composition region x=1–3 nearly had the opposite characteristics, with increasing value of x. The hydrophilicity of the substituted MAGs decreased in the sequence CRF>NFCOF, and the acidic nature decreased in the sequence NF>CRF>COF.     

Anisotropic quantum spin fluid and quantum spin glass in La cuprate-based catalyst

Evidence of quantum spin fluid and of quantum spin glass behaviour has been detected by extended EPR analysis in some La-cuprate catalysts of general formula La_2−xEu_xCuO_{4 + δ}. Some features of the EPR spectrum, appearing in a few cases, are also discussed and attributed to a pseudo Jahn-Teller effect due to a particular coordination of up to five oxygen ions around surface copper ions at low temperature.     

Synthesis and physical chemical properties of Ca-substituted LaTiO2N

Oxynitrides with the general formula La_1−xCa_xTiO_2+xN_1−x (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0) were synthesized by thermal ammonolysis of oxide precursors produced with a soft chemistry method. The crystallographic structure, optical properties and the thermal stability of the compounds were studied with X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy and thermal analysis.

All materials crystallize in perovskite-type pseudo-cubic unit cell. It was found that the lattice parameter decreases with increasing Ca content, while the optical band gap width increases with increasing x. Thermal reoxidation studies of the synthesized materials reveal the formation of nitrogen rich intermediates. The decomposition rate of the intermediates was correlated with the structure of the final products. TEM studies show a preferred insertion direction of the nitrogen into the crystal lattice of the starting oxides. Ammonolysis with flux significantly changed the microstructure of the obtained oxynitrides.     

Nanotubes of lepidocrocite titanates

Titanate nanotubes were synthesized in hydrothermal treatment of anatase titania powders and concentrated NaOH solution and their structure was investigated. It was suggested that the nanotubes might be constructed from lepidocrocite H_xTi_{2− x/4}□_x/4O₄ (x0.7, □: vacancy) sheets. The newly proposed lepidocrocite titanate nanotube model was supported by X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, and thermogravimetry studies.     

Fabrication of a thin palladium membrane supported in a porous ceramic substrate by chemical vapor deposition

A thin, gas-tight palladium (Pd) membrane was prepared by the counter-diffusion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process employing palladium chloride (PdCl₂) vapor and H₂ as Pd precursors. A disk-shaped, two-layer porous ceramic membrane consisting of a fine-pore γ-Al₂O₃ top layer and a coarse-pore -Al₂O₃ substrate was used as Pd membrane support. A 0.5–1 μm thick metallic membrane was deposited in the γ-Al₂O₃ top layer very close to its surface, as verified by XRD and SEM with a backscattered electron detector. The most important parameters that affected the CVD process were reaction temperature, reactants concentrations and top layer quality. Deposition of Pd in the γ-Al₂O₃ top layer resulted in a 100- to 1000-fold reduction in He permeance of the porous substrate. The H₂ permeation flux of these membranes was in the range 0.5–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ at 350–450°C. The H₂ permeation data suggest that surface reaction steps are rate-limiting for H₂ transport through such thin membranes in the temperature range studied.