Influence of composition and thermal treatment on the properties of Cu2+xTa4O12+δ

Polycrystalline samples of Cu_2+xTa₄O_12+δ were prepared by solid-state reactions. Copper tantalate shows a remarkable compositional flexibility with respect to both the copper and oxygen stoichiometry. Single phase compounds could be synthesised for 0.125 ≤ x ≤ 0.5. Slowly cooled samples are green and possess a pseudo-tetragonal unit cell, which changes to a pseudo-cubic symmetry for x ≥ 0.45. Rapidly cooled aliquots are brown and have a (pseudo-) cubic structure. For both the slow-cooled and quenched samples a linear increase of the oxygen content with x was observed, the values of δ for the latter being significantly smaller. Magnetic measurements reveal a ferrimagnetic transition at 12.5 K, the strength of which is strongly reduced both by increasing the copper content and by quenching.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Standard enthalpies of formation of Sr2CuO3 and Ca2CuO3

The enthalpies of reactions between alkaline-earth cuprates M₂CuO₃ (M = Ca, Sr) and hydrochloric acid were measured in a hermetic swinging calorimeter at 298.15 K. The M₂CuO₃ samples were prepared by solid-phase synthesis from calcium or strontium carbonate and copper oxide and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, EDX and wet analysis. The standard enthalpies of formation obtained for the cuprates, −1431 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹ for Ca₂CuO₃ and −1374 ± 3 kJ mol⁻¹ for Sr₂CuO₃, are discussed and compared with previous experimental and assessed values.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Structure and stability of closo-BnHn−2(CO)2 (n = 5–12)

Closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ (n = 5–12), isolobal analogues of closo-C₂B_n−2H_n, have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G^**density functional level of theory. The most stable isomers of closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ are similar to those of closo-C₂B_n−2H_n in geometric patterns apart from closo-B₆H₄(CO)₂, and closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ is much less strained than closo-C₂B_n−2H_n. Energetic analysis identifies closo-B₆H₄(CO)₂, closo-B₁₂H₁₀(CO)₂ and closo-B₁₀H₈(CO)₂ to be most stable, of which the latter two cages have been prepared experimentally. On the basis of the negative and rather large nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS), closo-B_nH_n−2(CO)₂ are aromatic. To aid further experimental study, the CO stretching frequencies have been computed.     

Preparation of epitaxial La0.6Ca0.4Mn1−xFexO3 (x = 0, 0.2) thin films: Variation of the oxygen content

Perovskite thin films with a nominal composition of La_0.6Ca_0.4Mn_1−xFe_xO₃ (x = 0, 0.2) were deposited by pulsed reactive crossed beam laser ablation. The film properties, such as electrical conductivity and magnetoresistance are studied as a function of the oxygen content and substrate type. The oxygen content of the thin films was determined by Rutherford Backscattering and controlled by varying the background gas pressure, pressure of the gas pulse and by using alternatively O₂ and N₂O as the gas pulse.

LaAlO₃ and SrTiO₃ were used as substrates at deposition temperature of 650 °C. The grown films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction in order to optimize the growth conditions, i.e. to obtain epitaxial thin films. Thin films doped with 20% Fe were grown under the same experimental conditions as the undoped LCMO films and the effect of the doping on the structural and transport properties of the thin films has been investigated.

The temperature of the metal–insulator transition was measured as a function of the oxygen content and substrate type.     

Global minima of (C60)nCa, (C60)nF and (C60)nI clusters

Likely candidates for the lowest potential energy minima of (C₆₀)_nCa²⁺, (C₆₀)_nF⁻ and (C₆₀)_nI⁻ clusters are located using basin-hopping global optimisation. In each case, the potential energy surface is constructed using the Girifalco form for the C₆₀ intermolecular interaction, an averaged Lennard–Jones C₆₀–ion interaction, and a polarisation potential, which depends on the first few non-vanishing C₆₀ multipole polarisabilities. We find that the ions generally occupy the interstitial sites of a (C₆₀)_n cluster, the coordination shell being tetrahedral for Ca²⁺ and F⁻. The I⁻ ion has an octahedral coordination shell in the global minimum for (C₆₀)₆I⁻, however for 12  n  8 the preferred coordination geometry is trigonal prismatic.     

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.     

Structure analysis and the standard molar enthalpy of formation of a coordination polymer [Co(TO)2Cl2]n (TO = 1,2,4-triazole-5-one)

A coordination polymer was synthesized by the reaction of CoCl₂ with 1,2,4-triazole-5-one (TO) and charaterized by means of IR and TG–DTG. Single-crystal structure analysis showed that the complex crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c: a = 23.105(9) Å, b = 3.5683(2) Å, c = 13.589(6) Å,  = 90°, β = 124.038(4)°, γ = 90°, V = 928.4(7) Å³, Z = 4. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the complex was determined to be (−1034.28 ± 0.95) kJ mol⁻¹.     

The influence of coordination geometry and valency on the K-edge absorption near edge spectra of selected chromium compounds

X-ray absorption spectra at the chromium K-edge are reported for a number of selected chromium compounds of known chemical structure. The spectra were obtained with use of synchrotron radiation available at the ectron tretcher ccelerator ELSA in Bonn. The compounds studied include the tetrahedrally coordinated compounds Ca₂Ge_0.8Cr_0.2O₄, Ba₂Ge_0.1Cr_0.9O₄, Sr₂CrO₄, Ca₂(PO₄)_x(CrO₄)_1−xCl (x=0.25,0.5), Ca₅(CrO₄)₃Cl, CrO₃, the octahedrally coordinated compounds Cr(II)-acetate, CrCl₃, CrF₃, Cr₂O₃, KCr(SO₄)₂ · 12H₂O, CrO₂ and cubic coordinated metallic chromium. In these compounds chromium exhibits a wide range of formal oxidation states (0 to VI). The absorption features in the near edge region are shown to be characteristic of the spatial environment of the absorbing atom. The occurrence of a single pre-edge line easily allows one to distinguish between tetrahedral and octahedral coordination geometry, whereas the energy position of the absorption edge is found to be very sensitive to the valency of the excited chromium atom. Calculations of the ionisation potential of Cr in different oxidation states using the non-relativistic Hartree–Fock method (Froese–Fischer) confirm that the ionisation limit shifts to higher energy with increasing Cr valency. More detailed information on the electronic structure of the different compounds is gained by real-space full multiple scattering calculations using the FEFF8 code.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and intercalation behavior of a layered titanium phosphate Ti2(H2PO4)(HPO4)(PO4)2 · 0.5C6N2H16, with an extended γ-phase intercalated into organic amine

With a hydrothermal technique, a layered titanium phosphate with the formula Ti₂(H₂PO₄)(HPO₄)(PO₄)₂ · 0.5C₆N₂H₁₆ (denoted TP-J2) has been prepared by treating the Ti/H₃PO₄/H₂O/1-methylpiperazine system directly. The as-synthesized products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, CP-MAS solid-state ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG-DTA). The structure was solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and it presents an extended γ-phase intercalated with organic amine. Crystal data: triclinic, , a = 8.106 (2) Å, b = 8.197 (2) Å, c = 11.658 (2) Å.  = 78.32 (3)°, β = 80.85 (3)°, γ = 77.90 (3)°, Z = 2. Additionally, the intercalation behavior of TP-J2 with n-alkyl monoamine (n = 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) was investigated. Owing to the strong brønsted base, N,N′-dimethylpiperazine, resides in the interlayer, it presented unusual features of TP-J2 in contrast with that of γ-Tip.     

Zwitterionic titanoxanes {Cp[η-C5H4B(C6F5)3]Ti}2O and {(η-PrC5H4)[η-1,3-PrC5H3B(C6F5)3]Ti}2O as catalysts for cationic ring-opening polymerization

Zwitterionic titanoxanes {Cp[η⁵-C₅H₄B(C₆F₅)₃]Ti}₂O (I) and {(η⁵-ⁱPrC₅H₄)[η⁵-1,3-ⁱPrC₅H₃B(C₆F₅)₃]Ti}₂O (II), which contain two positively charged Ti(IV) centres in the molecule, are able to catalyse the ring-opening polymerization of -caprolactone (-CL) in toluene solution and in bulk. The process proceeds with a noticeable rate even at room temperature and accelerates strongly on raising the temperature to 60 °C. The best results have been obtained on carrying out the reaction in bulk. Under these conditions, the use of I as a catalyst (-CL:I = 1000:1) gives at 60 °C close to quantitative yield of poly--CL with the molecular mass of 197 000. An increase in the -CL:I ratio to 6000:1 increases the molecular mass of poly--CL to 530 000. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is also polymerized under the action of I albeit with a lesser rate. However, the molecular mass of the resulting poly-THF can reach rather big values under optimal conditions (up to 217 000 at 20 °C and the THF:I ratio of 770:1). A rise in the reaction temperature from 20 to 60 °C results here to a decrease in the efficiency of the process. Titanoxane II is close to I in its catalytic activity in the -CL polymerization but it is much less active in the polymerization of THF. Propylene oxide (PO), in contrast to -CL and THF, gives with I only liquid oligomers in wide temperature and PO:I molar ratio ranges (−30 to +20 °C, PO:I = 500–2000:1). γ-Butyrolactone and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone are not polymerized under the action of I at room temperature. The reactions found are the first examples of catalysis of the cationic ring-opening polymerization by zwitterionic metallocenes of the group IVB metals.     

荧光粉Ba5-3x/2B4O11∶xEu3+的制备及发光性能

采用高温固相烧结法成功制备了Ba_5-3x/2B₄O₁₁∶xEu³⁺(x=0.02~0.22)荧光粉,利用XRD和SEM等对荧光粉进行了结构和形貌表征。 在激发波长为393 nm的条件下,发射峰(596、621、657和706 nm)与Eu³⁺的⁵D₀-⁷F_J(J=1,2,3,4)电子跃迁相对应,其中621 nm最强发射峰由Eu³⁺离子⁵D₀→⁷F₂电偶极跃迁造成。 文章还研究了Eu³⁺掺杂浓度对Ba_5-3x/2B₄O₁₁∶xEu³⁺发光性能的影响,结果表明,荧光粉的发光强度随着Eu³⁺掺杂量的增加呈现先增大后减小的趋势,Eu³⁺最佳掺杂量为0.16。     

Ab initio investigation of the magnetic states of Ca2MnO4 and Ca2MnO3.5

An analysis of the electronic and magnetic properties of Ca₂MnO₄ and Ca₂MnO_3.5 is carried out within local spin density functional theory using the augmented spherical wave method. From energy differences between the hypothetic magnetic configurations both systems are found to be insulating antiferromagnets in the ground state with a 1 eV gap. However we identify an intermediate half metallic ferromagnetic state with the Hund’s rule expected moments for Mn^IV (3 μ_B) and Mn^III (4 μ_B, high spin HS configuration), respectively. The latter result of moment magnitude finds support in recent experimental evidence of Mn^III bismuth oxide as a ferromagnet in its ground state. This is characterized by a small density of states (DOS) magnitude of itinerant states in spin (↑) channel pointing to a metallic-like behavior as it is experimentally evidenced. For both Ca₂MnO₄ and Ca₂MnO_3.5 the chemical bonding characteristics are resolved for the two spin channels. Relationship to colossal magnetoresistive compounds is proposed.     

Improved dielectric properties of BaxSr1−xTiO3-based composite ceramics derived from core–shell structured nanopowders

We performed a study on the dielectric properties of Ba_xSr_1−xTiO₃–Mg_0.9Zn_0.1O (BST–MZO) composite ceramics derived from core–shell structured nanopowders with the shell of zinc doped MgO and core of Ba_xSr_1−xTiO₃. It was found that the ceramics exhibit a significant improvement in dielectric response under a DC electric field. The Curie temperature decreases more significantly in the BST–MZO composite ceramics compared to that of pure BST ceramics. The tunability of Ba_0.75Sr_0.25TiO₃–40%MZO is 23.49% at 20 °C. The dielectric properties at high frequency also show low dielectric constant and great reduction in dielectric loss. These ceramics are expected to be useful in microwave devices.     

The pseudogap in LSCO-type high-temperature superconductors as seen by neutron crystal-field spectroscopy

We studied the isotope, pressure and doping effects on the pseudogap temperature T^* by neutron spectroscopic experiments of the relaxation rate of crystal-field excitations in La_1.96−xSr_xHo_0.04CuO₄ (x = 0.11, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) on the high-resolution time-of-flight spectrometer FOCUS at SINQ, PSI. We found clear evidence for the opening of a pseudogap in the underdoped regime at T^*(x = 0.11) = (82.2 ± 1.2) K as well as in the overdoped and the heavily overdoped compounds at T^*(x = 0.2) = (49.2 ± 0.7) K and at T^*(x = 0.25) = (46.5 ± 0.5) K, respectively. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of oxygen isotope substitution on the pseudogap, the experiments revealed ΔT^*(x = 0.11) = (21.3 ± 5.2) K and ΔT^*(x = 0.2) = (4.5 ± 1.3) K. The application of hydrostatic pressure (0.8 and 1.2 GPa) on the optimally doped compound (x = 0.15) results in a downward shift of dT^*/dp = (−5.9 ± 1.6) K/GPa.