Three Forms of the Misfit Layered Cobaltite [Ca2CoO3] [CoO2]1.62·A 4D Structural Investigation

Three misfit layer compounds with the same chemical formula Ca₃Co_4−xO_9+δ were isolated in the Ca–Co–O system. They exhibit either a monoclinic or an orthorhombic symmetry. These crystals are constituted of two interpenetrating C sublattices showing incommensurate periods along the b axis. The structure of the three crystals can be described as an alternate stacking along [001] of distorted rock-salt-type slabs [Ca₂CoO₃] and of [CoO₂] layers displaying a distorted CdI₂-type structure. Relating to the symmetry and the different observed c periods, different sequences are found for the [CoO₂] layers running along [001] within the three crystals. Two of them were determined by single X-ray diffraction using the 4D superspace formalism. A significant displacive modulation is implied, acting mainly on Ca and O atoms involved in the intersystem bonding scheme. This modulation leads to a noticeable distortion of the CoO₆ octahedra of the [CoO₂] layers. Strong interactions, via Ca–O bonds, are evidenced between the two sublattices. A systematic positional disorder is observed inside the [CoO] layer.     

Ca-for-Sr substitution in the thermoelectric [(Sr,Ca)2(O,OH)2]q[CoO2] misfit-layered cobalt-oxide system

Calcium-for-strontium substituted samples of the misfit-layered cobalt-oxide system, [(Sr_1−xCa_x)₂(O,OH)₂]_q[CoO₂], were successfully synthesized up to x=0.2 with a sample-encapsulation technique originally developed for the x=0 end phase. While the x=0 sample has a commensurate match between the two layer blocks (i.e. q=0.5), isovalent Ca-for-Sr substitution induces lattice misfit (i.e. q>0.5). At the same time the Seebeck coefficient gets increased, but the increase in resistivity results in suppressing the thermoelectric power factor. The magnetic anomaly in the x=0 sample gets released upon the Ca substitution for the x=0.2 sample to exhibit an almost Curie-Weiss behavior. It is concluded that with increasing x in [(Sr_1−xCa_x)₂(O,OH)₂]_q[CoO₂] the properties smoothly evolve towards those previously reported for the x=1.0 end member, [Ca_1.7O_2.1H_2.4]_0.58[CoO₂].     

Misfit‐Layered Bi1.85Sr2Co1.85O7.7−δ for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Beyond van der Waals Heterostructures

Recent research on stable 2D nanomaterials has led to the discovery of new materials for energy‐conversion and energy‐storage applications. A class of layered heterostructures known as misfit‐layered chalcogenides consists of well‐defined atomic layers and has previously been applied as thermoelectric materials for use as high‐temperature thermoelectric batteries. The performance of such misfit‐layered chalcogenides in electrochemical applications, specifically the hydrogen evolution reaction, is currently unexplored. Herein, a misfit‐layered chalcogenide consisting of CoO₂ layers interleaved with an SrO–BiO–BiO–SrO rock‐salt block and having the formula Bi_1.85Sr₂Co_1.85O_7.7?δ is synthesized and examined for its structural and electrochemical properties. The hydrogen‐evolution performance of misfit‐layered Bi_1.85Sr₂Co_1.85O_7.7?δ, which has an overpotential of 589 mV and a Tafel slope of 51 mV per decade, demonstrates the promising potential of misfit‐layered chalcogenides as electrocatalysts instead of classical carbon.     

Effects of Mn substitution on the structure and properties of chalcopyrite-type CuInSe2

Mn-doped CuInSe₂ compounds (CuIn_1−xMn_xSe₂, x=0.0125–0.20 and Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂, 2y=0.0125–0.60) were synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions. Single phase materials with chalcopyrite structure persist up to 0.10 and 0.20 doping for CuIn_1−xMn_xSe₂ and Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂, respectively. The chalcopyrite and sphalerite phases co-exist in the Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂ system for 2y=0.25–0.50. Attempts to introduce greater manganese content, x=0.15–0.20 for CuIn_1−xMn_xSe₂ and 2y=0.60 for Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂, result in partial phase segregation. For the single-phase samples, the lattice parameters of both systems increase linearly with manganese concentration and thus follow Vegard's law. The temperature of the chalcopyrite–sphalerite phase transition is decreased by manganese substitution for all single-phase samples. The bandgap of the materials remains around 0.9 eV. Additionally, the Mn-doped CuInSe₂ compounds display paramagnetic behavior, whereas pure CuInSe₂ is diamagnetic at 5–300 K. All the CuIn_1−xMn_xSe₂ and Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂ compounds with chalcopyrite structure show antiferromagnetic coupling and measured effective magnetic moments up to 5.8 μ_B/Mn.     

Partial substitution of rhodium for cobalt in the misfit [Pb0.7Co0.4Sr1.9O3][CoO2]1.8 oxide

The partial substitution of Co by Rh in the [Pb_0⋅7Co_0.4Sr_1.9O₃]^RS[CoO₂]_1.8 family has been investigated. By transmission electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction, it is shown that the substitution of Rh for Co takes place at the two cobalt sites of the structure but for the low enough Rh contents, this substitution is made preferentially at the level of the CdI₂-like layer. Thus, a generic formula [Pb_0.7(Co_0.4−zRh_z)Sr_1.9O₃]^RS[Co_1−yRh_yO₂]_b1/b2 (0?y?0.5 and 0?z?0.3) can be proposed for this new family of misfit phase. As observed for the pure misfit cobaltite, the thermoelectric power is also very large, close to +140 μV/K at room temperature. The Rh cation can adopt a mixed valency Rh³⁺/Rh⁴⁺ (4d⁶/4d⁵) with low spin states t_2g⁶/t_2g⁵ equivalent to the ones of low spin Co³⁺/Co⁴⁺ (3d⁶/3d⁵). The large thermopower observed in the Rh substituted compounds is therefore a direct proof that the coexistence of low spin states t_2g⁶/t_2g⁵ contributes to the thermoelectric power enhancement in these oxides.     

Thin films of Ln1−xSrxCoO3 (Ln=La, Nd and Gd) and SrRuO3 by nebulized spray pyrolysis

Thin films of La_1−xSr_xCoO₃, Nd_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃, Gd_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ and SrRuO₃ have been deposited on Si(100), LaAlO₃(100) and SrTiO₃(100) single crystal substrates by nebulized spray pyrolysis. The films deposited on Si are generally polycrystalline, but they are highly oriented on the oxide substrates. The cobaltate films are generally not metallic, but exhibit low resistivity specially when x=0.3 and 0.5, the latter also exhibiting ferromagnetic characteristics. Films of La_0.7Sr_0.3CoO₃ show negative magnetoresistance of 35% around 180 K. Films of SrRuO₃ are metallic on Si and LaAlO₃ substrates but show an insulator–metal transition on SrTiO₃ around 130 K, around which temperature negative magnetoresistance is observed.     

Crystal chemistry and phase equilibria of the CaO-½Eu2O3-CoOz system at 885 °C

The CaO-½Eu₂O₃-CoO_z system prepared at 885 °C in air consists of two calcium cobaltate compounds, namely, the 2D thermoelectric oxide solid solution, (Ca_3−xEu_x)Co₄O_9−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) which has a misfit layered structure, and the 1D Ca₃Co₂O₆ compound which consists of chains of alternating CoO₆ trigonal prisms and CoO₆ octahedra. Ca₃Co₂O₆ was found to be a point compound without the substitution of Eu on the Ca site when prepared at 885 °C. A solid solution region of distorted perovskite, (Eu_1−xCa_x)CoO_3−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.22, space group Pnma) was established. The (Eu_0.91(1)Ca_0.09(1))CoO_3−z perovskite member has a distorted structure with tilt angles θ (17.37°), ϕ (8.20°), and ω (19.16°) which represent rotations of an octahedron about the pseudo-cubic perovskite [110]_p, [001]_p and [111]_p axes. The reported Eu₂CoO₄ phase was not observed at 885 °C, but a ternary Ca-doped oxide, (Eu_1+xCa_1−x)CoO_4−z (Bmab) where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 was found to be stable at this temperature. In the peripheral binary systems, Eu was not present in the Ca site of CaO, while a small solid solution region was identified for (Eu_1−xCa_x)O_(3−z)/2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05). Seven solid solution tie-line regions and six three-phase regions were determined in the CaO-½Eu₂O₃-CoO_z system in air.     

Matrix-Inducing Synthesis of SrxY10?x(SiO4)y(PO4)6?yO2: Eu3+ Micron Crystalline Coral Like Phosphors by Sol-Gel Composition of Hybrid Precursors

In the context, Sr_xY_10−x(SiO₄)_y(PO₄)_6−yO₂ doped with 1 mol%Eu³⁺ (x = 2, y = 6; x = 4, y = 4; x = 5, y = 3; x = 8, y = 0) were synthesized by using 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APES) as the sources of the silicate network. X-ray diagrams confirm that Sr_xY_10−x(SiO₄) _y(PO₄)_6−yO₂: Eu³⁺ solid solutions are formed as a pure apatitic phase. The SEM picture shows that there exist some novel unexpected coral like morphological structures. The luminescent intensity is the strongest for the host composition of Sr₄Y₆(SiO₄)₄(PO₄)₂O₂ although the effect of the composition on the luminescent intensity is little.     

Oxygen species and their reactivity in the mechanochemically prepared substituted perovskites La1 ? xSrxCoO3 ? y (x = 0–1)

The oxygen species and their reactivity in the mechanochemically prepared substituted perovskites La_{1 − x} Sr _x CoO_{3 − y} were studied using temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) of the samples with hydrogen. The experimental data were compared with data on the catalytic activity of the series of La_{1 − x} Sr _x CoO_{3 − y} catalysts in the oxidation of CO, as well as with the real structures and surface compositions of the samples, which were studied in detail previously. As the strontium content was increased, the degree of reduction of the samples increased in the course of TPR and the TPR peaks shifted to the region of lower temperatures, except for the last sample containing no lanthanum (x = 1). An increase in the calcination temperature and time resulted in a decrease in TPR peak intensities and in a shift of the peaks to the region of higher temperatures. A reaction scheme was proposed for the reduction. In accordance with this reaction scheme, Co⁴⁺ in substituted cobaltites was reduced to Co⁰ at temperatures lower than 400°C. In the temperature region of 400–500°C, the Co³⁺ → Co²⁺ bulk reduction, as well as the deep reduction processes Co³⁺ → Co⁰ and Co⁴⁺ → Co⁰, occurred; substitution facilitated the above processes. At temperatures higher than 500°C, Co²⁺ → Co⁰ bulk reduction occurred. The observed reduction of the mechanochemically prepared samples depended on their microstructure, which was described previously. It was found that the activity of the samples in the oxidation of CO depends on the amount of the most weakly bound reactive surface oxygen species, which were removed in TPR with hydrogen to 150°C. No correlation between the amount of strongly bound (lattice) oxygen removed upon TPR and the activity of La_{1 − x} Sr _x CoO_{3 − y} samples in the oxidation of CO was found. Original Russian Text ? I.S. Yakovleva, L.A. Isupova, V.A. Rogov, 2009, published in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2009, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 290–299.     

Phase separation in the spin-state transition system of La1−xBaxCoO3

The magnetic and electric transport properties of La_1−xBa_xCoO₃ (0<x≤0.50) have been studied systematically. Two effects of substitution divalent ions on the spin-state transition of Co³⁺ have been differentiated for the substitution of Ba²⁺ for La³⁺ in La_1−xBa_xCoO₃. The first is the transition from low-spin state to high-spin state due to lattice expansion, and the second is the transition from low-spin state to intermediate-spin state caused by the strong hybridization between ligand (oxygen) 2p and Co 3d orbital with introduction of holes in the oxygen 2p orbital. Based on the two different spin-state transition mechanisms and experimental results, a phase separation model has been developed and a very detailed magnetic and electric phase diagram of La_1−xBa_xCoO₃ has been constructed.     

Phase Equilibria and Crystal Structure of Complex Oxides in the La–Sr–Co–Ni– System

Phase equilibria in the La–Sr–Co–Ni–O system were studied in air at 1100°. The samples for the study were synthesized by the standard ceramic and citrate processes. The limiting solubility and structure of La_1-xSr_xCo_1-yNi_yO_3- and (La_1-xSr_x)₂Co_1-yNi_yO₄ solid solutions were determined by Xray powder diffraction analysis. La_1-xSr_xCo_1-yNi_yO₃- solid solutions with 0 x 0.5 have a distorted rhombohedral perovskitelike structure (R c space group). An increase in the strontium concentration reduces the rhombohedral distortions, and the compounds with x < 0.5 have an ideal cubic structure (Pm3m space group). (La_1-xSr_x)₂Co_1-yNi_yO₄ crystals have a tetragonal K₂NiF₄ type unit cell (I4/mmm space group). The relationships between unit cell parameters and compositions were obtained for singlephase La_1-xSr_xCo_1-yNi_yO_3- and (La_1-xSr_x)₂Co_1-yNi_yO₄ samples. The existence regions of La_1-xSr_xCo_1-yNi_yO₃- and La_1-xSr_x)₂Co_1-yNi_yO₄ solid solutions were distinguished on P–T phase diagrams.     

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.     

Physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of Pr2 − x SrxCoO4 ± y mixed oxides for NO reduction by CO

Using the polyglycol gel method, a series of Pr_{2 − x} Sr_xCoO_{4 ± y} (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) mixed oxides were prepared, and their catalytic activities were studied in the test reaction of NO reduction by CO. The solid-state physicochemical properties, including crystal structure, defect structure, IR spectrum, valence state of B-site ions, nonstoichiometry oxygen (y), oxygen species, and redox properties, were characterized by means of XRD, IR, TPD, TPR, XPS, and chemical analysis. The results show that all mixed oxides display a K₂NiF₄ structure. When x = 0.2 and 1.0, the obtained samples still have little uncertain mixed oxides; however, the mixed oxides (x = 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) all represent a single A₂BO₄ phase. With the increase of x, lattice parameters, unit-cell volume, and average crystalline size decrease gradually, whereas microstrain density, the concentration of Co³⁺, the amounts of lattice oxygen released and the concentration of oxygen vacancy increase. The catalytic activities of Pr_{2 − x} Sr_xCoO_{4 ± y} catalysts for NO reduction by CO are closely correlated with oxygen vacancy and the concentration of Co³⁺. Published in Russian in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2006, Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 431–437. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Phase transformations in formation of five-layer perovskites Ca5?xSrxTiNb4O17 (x=0?5) from coprecipitated hydroxocarbonate systems

We have determined the characteristic features of the formation of five-layer perovskites Ca_{5– x} Sr_xTiNb₄O₁₇ (x=0–5) from systems of coprecipitated hydroxocarbonates. We have established that the sequence of formation for their crystal structure depends on the composition and nature of the products obtained, and is different for the individual compounds Ca₅TiNb₄O₁₇, Sr₅TiNb₄O₁₇, and the phases Ca_5–x Sr_xTiNb₄O₁₇ (x=1–4).__________Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimentalnaya Khimiya, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 50–54, January–February, 2005.     

Evidence for nickel-(I)-rich mixed oxide with a defect K2NiF4-type structure

Reduced phases obtained from lanthanum mixed nickel oxide, i.e., La_2−xSr_xNiO_4−y, K₂NiF₄ type, have been studied. Reduction under controlled conditions led to the composition LaSrNiO_3.1 containing formally more than 80% of Ni in the valence state (I). Structural calculations and local studies by X-ray adsorption spectroscopy provide evidence for a lowering of the Ni octahedral coordination configuration. V-square-pyramidal and IV-square configurations are obtained, depending on the reduction level. The oxygen vacancies are highly ordered along the b axis of the orthorhombic unit cell, in agreement with recent defect modeling of this structure     

Preferential crystallographic site substitution and oxygen migration in Bi2{Sr, Ca, Ln}3Cu2O8 related to rare earth ion size (Ln = La, Yb)

Substitution of rare earths of various size (i.e., La and Yb) in the superconducting 2212 phase Bi₂Sr₂Ca_1−yLn_yCu₂O_8+x+y/2 (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) shows: (i) the larger La atoms substitute preferentially on the Sr site while the small Yb atoms occupy the Ca site; (ii) the superconductive property disappears when y reaches 0.5; (iii) as the Yb-doped phase approaches y = 0.5 the oxygen layers sandwiched between the Bi layers rearrange; an effect which may be associated with the observed variation of the modulation vector of the superstructure and, subsequently, with the phenomenon of superconductivity. Various phases corresponding to y = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 have been identified as separate through powder and single crystal diffraction, X-ray techniques, and electron microscopy investigations and their superconductivity properties checked by four probe resistivity measurements.     

A study of the perovskite solid solution series LaxSr1−xRuO3 and LaxCa1−xRuO3 by ruthenium-99 Mössbauer spectroscopy

The magnetic, electronic, and structural properties of the solid solutions La_xSr_1−xRuO₃ and La_xCa_1−xRuO₃ have been studied by ⁹⁹Ru Mössbauer spectroscopy and other techniques. The La_xCa_1−xRuO₃ phases are reported for the first time and have been shown by powder X-ray diffraction measurements to be orthorhombically distorted perovskites. Electrical resistivity measurements on compacted powders show that all the phases are metallic with p 10⁻³, ohm-cm. Progressive substitution of Sr²⁺ by La³⁺ in ferromagnetic SrRuO₃ leads to a rapid collapse of the magnetic hyper-fine splitting at 4.2°K. For x = 0.25 some ruthenium ions still experience a magnetic field but for 0.4 x 0.75 only single, narrow resonance lines are observed, consistent both with the complete removal of the ferromagnetism and with the presence of an averaged ruthenium oxidation state in each phase, i.e., La_x³⁺Sr_1−x²⁺Ru^(4−x)+O₃ rather than La_x³⁺Sr_1−x²⁺Ru_x³⁺Ru_1−x⁴⁺O₃. LaRuO₃ and CaRuO₃ both give essentially single-line spectra at 4.2°K, indicating that the ruthenium ions in these oxides are not involved in long-range antiferromagnetic order but are paramagnetic. The solid solutions La_xCa_1−xRuO₃ (0 < x 0.6) give sharp symmetrical singlets with chemical isomer shifts (relative to the Ru metal) which move progressively from the value characteristic of Ru⁴⁺ (−0.303 mm sec⁻¹) toward the value for Ru³⁺ (−0.557 mm sec⁻¹), consistent with the presence of intermediate ruthenium oxidation states in these phases also.     

Phase diagram and crystal chemistry of the La–Ca–Co–O system

The phase diagram of the La–Ca–Co–O system at 885 °C in air has been determined. The system consists of two materials that have interesting thermoelectric properties, namely, the misfit layered thermoelectric oxide solid solution, (Ca,La)₃Co₄O₉, and Ca₃Co₂O₆ which consists of 1D chains of alternating CoO₆ trigonal prism and CoO₆ octahedra. The reported La₂CaO₄ and the Ca-doped (La,Ca)₂CoO_4−z phases were not found at 885 °C. As a result of the absence of these phases, the phase diagram is significantly different from that reported at 1100 °C. Small solid solution regions of (La_1−xCa_x)₂O_3−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08), (Ca_1−xLa_x)₃Co₄O₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.07), and (La_1−xCa_x)CoO_3−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) were established.     

Behavior of Co4+ ion in K2NiF4-type (Ca1+xSm1−x)CoO4

Orthorhombic K₂NiF₄-type (Ca_1+xSm_1−x)CoO₄ (0.00 ≤ x ≤0.15) with space group Bmab has been synthesized by the polymerized complex route. The cell parameters (a and b) decrease, while the cell parameter (c) increases with increasing Co⁴⁺ ion content. The global instability index (GII) indicates that the crystal stability of (Ca_1+xSm_1−x)CoO₄ is not influenced by the Co⁴⁺ ion content. (Ca_1+xSm_1−x)CoO₄ is a p-type semiconductor and exhibits hopping conductivity in the small-polaron model at low temperatures. The magnetic measurement indicates that (Ca_1+xSm_1−x)CoO₄ shows paramagnetic behavior above 5 K, and that the spin state of both the Co³⁺ and Co⁴⁺ ions is low. The Co⁴⁺ ion acts as an acceptor, and the electron transfer becomes active through the Co³⁺–O–Co⁴⁺ path as the Co⁴⁺ ions increase.     

Sodium “stuffed” Ba2−xSrxFe4O8 ferrites: new cationic conductors

Sodium insertion in the tetrahedral layer structure of the ferrites Ba_2−xSr_xFe₄O₈ was performed by solid state reaction at 1220 K in air. Superstoichiometric oxides with the actual formula (Ba_2−xSr_x)_1−y/4Na_yFe₄O₈—y0.56; 0.60Ba/Sr1.67—were characterized by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. The hexagonal unit-cell volume shows an increasing dependence on the sodium insertion when the Ba/Sr ratio reaches the largest values. The marked expansion of the c parameter is the likely signature of the location of the inserted sodium cations within the interlayer space. One-half of the sodium cations partly sits on the Sr(Ba) sites in octahedral coordination and the other half occupies extra octahedral and tetrahedral sites. ac conductivity measurements point to a cationic conductivity whose thermally activated regime—E_a 0.7 eV—evidenced from 570 K, is unsensitive to the sodium content. The bottleneck of the 2D sodium mobility regards the crossing of the oxygen triangular faces shared by the different polyhedra within the interlayer space.