Growth and spectroscopic properties of Nd-doped Sr3Y2 (BO3)4 crystal

A new crystal of Nd³⁺:Sr₃Y₂ (BO₃)₄ with a dimension of Φ 15×30 mm³ was grown by the Czochralski method. The grown crystal was characterized using X-ray diffraction. The absorption and emission spectra of Nd³⁺:Sr₃Y₂ (BO₃)₄ were investigated. The absorption transition at 807 nm has an FWHM of 16 nm. The absorption and emission cross sections are 6.32×10⁻²⁰ cm² at 807 nm and 1.07×10⁻¹⁹ cm² at 1065 nm, respectively. The luminescence lifetime τ_f is 51.7 μs at room temperature.     

Growth and spectroscopic characterization of Nd:Sr6GdSc(BO3)6 crystal

A crystal of Nd³⁺:Sr₆GdSc(BO₃)₆ with the dimension of φ20×30 mm³ was grown by Czochralski method. The grown crystal was characterized by X-ray diffraction and DSC analysis. The DSC analysis showed that the crystal congruently melt at 1306.7°C. The absorption and emission spectra of Nd³⁺:Sr₆GdSc(BO₃)₆ were investigated. The absorption band at 806 nm has a FWHM of 13 nm. The absorption and emission cross-sections are 2.33×10⁻²⁰ cm² at 806 nm and 1.58×10⁻¹⁹ cm² at 1062 nm, respectively. The luminescence lifetime τ_f is 75 μs at room temperature.     

Growth and characterization of thin films of Y2O3, La2O3 and La2CuO4

Films of Y₂O₃, La₂O₃, and La₂CuO₄ were prepared by an ultrasonic nebulization and pyrolysis method using acetylacetonates of the corresponding metals in alcohol solvents as source materials. Homogeneous, uniform films with good adherence have been obtained using this simple technique. As-deposited yttrium and lanthanum oxide films were poorly crystallized. After postannealing in oxygen at higher temperature, they crystallized into cubic and hexagonal phases, respectively. Transparent yttrium and lanthanum oxide films have high electric breakdown voltages. Single phase polycrystalline La₂CuO₄ thin films were obtained from a source solution with a La:Cu ratio of 2:1.     

Zn(C3H3N2)2: a novel diamagnetic insulator

We have prepared polycrystalline samples of Zn(C₃H₃N₂)₂ by a liquid-mix technique. Characterization of the obtained samples has been performed with the aid of elemental, thermogravimetric, infrared spectra and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. We have measured electric permittivity (ε′, ε″), ac-conductivity (σ_ac), magnetic susceptibility (χ) and specific heat (C_p). The obtained data indicate that this material is a new diamagnetic insulator. A maximum around is found in C_pT⁻³, and it is suggested that in addition to the Debye lattice contribution, there exists a low-frequency mode assigned as an Einstein mode contribution to the total specific heat. As a main result of the study, we found ε′ to be constant in a wide temperature range and to have a small value of 2.3 at room temperature. This feature in combination with other properties like crystallization, good thermal stability (up to 400°C), weak moisture sensitivity and simple synthesis makes Zn(C₃H₃N₂)₂ to be a promising candidate for good insulating material in various applications.     

Magnetic behavior of spin-chain compounds, Sr3ZnRhO6 and Ca3NiMnO6, from heat capacity and AC susceptibility studies

Heat-capacity (C) and ac susceptibility measurements have been performed on the spin-chain compounds, Sr₃ZnRhO₆ and Ca₃NiMnO₆, to establish their magnetic behavior and to explore whether there are magnetic frustration effects due to antiferromagnetic coupling of the chains arranged in a triangular fashion. While the paramagnetic Curie temperatures have been known to be large with a negative sign, as though antiferromagnetic interaction is very strong, the results establish that (i) the former apparently undergoes inhomogeneous magnetic ordering only around 15 K, however without spin-glass anomalies, and (ii) the latter orders antiferromagnetically at a relatively low temperature (17 K). Thus, the magnetic frustration manifests differently in these compounds.     

Surface acidity of the La2O3/Al2O3 system

Surface acidity of aluminium oxide containing 5 wt. % lanthanum oxide has been determined by IR spectroscopy. Strength of Lewis sites of the La₂O₃/Al₂O₃ system was lower than that of pure aluminium oxide. However, the presence of La₂O₃ in aluminium oxide increased the thermostability of these sites in the mixed system.     

UV-VUV-excited photoluminescence of RE-activated CaLaP3O10 (RE=Eu,Tb)

Monazite-type polyphosphate CaLaP₃O₁₀ was synthesized by solid-state reaction at 1000 °C and their photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in CaLaP₃O₁₀ under ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) excitation were evaluated for the first time. The emission spectra of CaLaP₃O₁₀:Eu³⁺showed that Eu³⁺ are in a site with inversion symmetry because the magnetic dipole transition ⁵D₀-⁷F₁ was the strongest both upon 254 and 147 nm excitation. Monitored at 621 nm the excitation spectra consisted of host absorption bands, charge transfer band of Eu-O and the intraconfiguration 4f⁶ transition of Eu³⁺. Green phosphor CaLaP₃O₁₀:Tb³⁺exhibited better color purity when excited by 147 nm than that excited by 254 nm. With monitored at 542 nm the host absorption bands of CaLaP₃O₁₀:Tb³⁺ were also observed. Besides the host absorption bands there were strong f-d and weak f-f transitions of Tb³⁺.     

Synthesis and characterization of rare-earth doped SrBi2Nb2O9 phase in lithium borate based nanocrystallized glasses

Glass composites comprising of un-doped and samarium-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ nanocrystallites are fabricated in the glass system 16.66SrO-16.66[(1−x)Bi₂O₃-xSm₂O₃]-16.66Nb₂O₅-50Li₂B₄O₇ (0?x?0.5, in mol%) via the melt quenching technique. The glassy nature of the as-quenched samples is established by differential thermal analyses. Transmission electron microscopic studies reveal the presence of about 15 nm sized spherical crystallites of the fluorite-like SrBi_1.9Sm_0.1Nb₂O₉ phase in the samples heat treated at 530 °C. The formation of layered perovskite-type un-doped and samarium-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ nanocrystallites with an orthorhombic structure through the intermediate fluorite phase is confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopic studies. The influence of samarium doping on the lattice parameters, lattice distortions, and the Raman peak positions of SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ perovskite phase is clarified. The dielectric constants of the perovskite SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ and SrBi_1.9Sm_0.1Nb₂O₉ nanocrystals are relatively larger than those of the corresponding fluorite-like phase and the precursor glass.     

First electrochemical growth of Tb16O30 single crystal

Single crystals of Tb₁₆O₃₀ (TbO_1.875) were successfully grown for the first time by DC electrolysis of the Tb³⁺ ion conducting Tb₂(MoO₄)₃ solid electrolyte at 11 V, 900 °C. The Tb₁₆O₃₀ phase is the intermediate phase of fluorite-related rare earth oxides and it is extremely difficult to grow in a single crystal form, because this intermediate phase is usually obtained as one of the mixture of the fluorite related TbO_x phases. Because there are many non-stoichiometric phases in the terbium oxide system, it is impossible to grow a specific intermediate phase in a single crystal form by the conventional methods via melt. Although single crystals of TbO_x have been recently obtained by anodic electrocrystallization from alkaline hydroxide melts containing TbCl₃, the composition has been confirmed to be TbO_x with 1.75<x<1.82. On the contrary, the presently developed DC electrolysis method can be simply applicable at moderate temperatures around 900 °C to artificially grow an intermediate phase of Tb₁₆O₃₀ (x=1.875) in a single crystal form, which was evidenced by the electron diffraction patterns for each particle.     

Solid solutions of perovskite in the LaO1.5-BaO-ScO1.5-ZrO2 system at 1600 °C

A partial pseudoternary phase diagram of the LaO_1.5-BaO-ScO_1.5 system was established at 1600 °C. According to the phase diagram, the solubility of barium into the cubic perovskite phase (LaScO₃) at 1600 °C is 0.24 in a mole fraction of barium oxide (X_BaO) on the composition line where the mole fraction of scandium oxide is 0.50. Another cubic perovskite phase (BaZrO₃) in the BaO-ZrO₂-ScO_1.5 system is also known. We investigated the phase relationships between the two cubic perovskites in the pseudoquaternary phase diagram of the LaO_1.5-BaO-ScO_1.5-ZrO₂ system. As a result, we found the existence of a wide solid solution region between the cubic perovskites at 1600 °C. The region was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis of samples with various compositions, and established the partial pseudoquaternary phase diagram.     

The structure Tl3SbS3, Tl3SbSe3, Tl3SbS3−xSex, and Tl3SbyAs1−ySe3

The space group symmetry and crystal structure of Tl₃SbS_3−xSe_x compounds in the composition range 0 < x < 3 have been determined by a combination of powder X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, and high-resolution electron microscopy. The incongruently melting compound Tl₃SbSe₃ has been shown to crystallize in cubic space group P2₁3 with a = 9.435Å in a structure related to that of Langbeinite. The convergent beam electron diffraction pattern of Tl₃SbS₃ is in accord with the space group R3m determined by X-ray diffraction. The cubic Langbeinite-type structure is found for Tl₃SbS_3−xSe_x for 0.5 < x < 3 and for Tl₃Sb_yAs_1−ySe₃ for 0.077 < y < 1.0. A five-component compound Tl₃Sb_0.5As_0.5Se_1.5S_1.5 was also found to be cubic.     

Pr0.5Ca0.5Mn0.97Ga0.03O3, a strongly strained system due to the coexistence of two orbital ordered phases at low temperature

Combining low-temperature electron (ED) and synchrotron powder diffraction (SPD) techniques, we have precisely determined the phase-separated crystal structure of Pr_0.5Ca_0.5Mn_0.97Ga_0.03O₃. We demonstrate that the phase separation is associated with the onset of charge/orbital ordering at ∼230 K and that two ordered phases coexist at low temperature. In order to account for the significant anisotropic linewidth broadening observed in the SPD patterns, we had to include a specific strain model in the refinements. One of the phases, the most severely strained, is suggested to result from an imperfect charge ordering.     

The electronic structure of Ba1−xCaxTiO3 probed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

We report O K-, Ca K- and L_3,2-, and Ti L_3,2-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra of Ba_1−xCa_xTiO₃ (x=0, 0.01, 0.08, and 1) and the electronic properties inferred from these XANES spectra. The spectra of O K-, Ca L_3,2- and Ti L_3,2-edges show characteristic spectral features attributable to the t_2g and e_g bands. The Ti and Ca L_3,2-edge spectra contain two sets of L₃ and L₂ features with a L₃-L₂ separation of about 5.5 and 3.4 eV, respectively. We also observe a pre-edge feature in the Ca K-edge spectra and drastically reduced t_2g features in the Ca L_3,2-edge spectra. Our XANES spectra reveal that the Ca 3d bands are low-lying and the Ca 3d t_2g bands are partially occupied.     

An oxygen deficient fluorite with a tunnel structure: Bi8La10O27

A new lanthanum bismuth oxide, Bi₈La₁₀O₂₇, has been synthesized. It crystallizes in the Immm space group with the following parameters: a = 12.079 (2) Å, b = 16.348 (4) Å, c = 4.0988 (5) Å. Its structure was determined from powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data. It can be described as an oxygen deficient fluorite superstructure (a ≈ 3a_F/√2, b ≈ 3a_F, c ≈ a_F/√2) in which bismuth and lanthanum, as well as oxygen vacancies, are ordered. The structure consists of fully occupied (110) or lanthanum planes (La) which alternate with mixed planes and fully occupied oxygen planes (A) which alternate with two sorts of oxygen deficient (110) or planes (B and C) according to the sequence . The anionic distribution determines tunnels where the bismuth ions are located, forming diamond-shaped based tunnels. The coordination of bismuth and lanthanum is discussed. The high thermal factor of some oxygen atoms suggests that this oxide exhibits ionic conductivity.     

Chemical shifts of atomic core levels and structure of K1−xTi1−xSbxOPO4, x=0-0.23, solid solutions

Antimony-doped K_1−xTi_1−xSb_xOPO₄, x=0.23, crystals have been prepared by spontaneous nucleation from the flux in the quaternary system K₂O-TiO₂-P₂O₅-Sb₂O₅. Crystal structure observation with TEM method reveals the presence of superstructure ordering. Core level electronic parameters have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Strong effect of Sb doping has been detected for inner shells of Ti⁴⁺ ions. Prominent decreasing of the binding energy difference Δ(O 1s-Ti 2p_3/2) correlates with the shortening of mean oxide bond length L(Ti−O) at x=0.23 that suggests increased ionicity of Ti−O bonds in K_1−xTi_1−xSb_xOPO₄ solid solutions.     

The crystal structure of La3Ru3O11: A new cubic KSbO3 derivative oxide with no metal-metal bonding

La₃Ru₃O₁₁ was prepared by the reaction of La₂O₃, RuO₂, and NaClO₃ in a KCl flux under vacuum at 950°C. The crystal structure of this new cubic KSbO₃ derivative oxide was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected on an automated diffractometer with MoKα radiation. Principal crystallographic data: Cubic, space group Pn3; a = 9.451(2), Å; V = 844.2ų; d_X = 7.049 g cm^?3. Final discrepancy indices R = 0.036, R_w = 0.042. La₃Ru₃O₁₁ is isomorphous with Bi₃Ru₃O₁₁, but is notably different in showing no direct bonding between ruthenium atoms; the closest RuRu contact in this new oxide is 2.994(1) Å.     

Structure and Thermal Stability of La0.10WO3+y; A Hexagonal Tungsten Bronze Related Phase Formed at High Pressure

The structure and thermal stability of a hexagonal tungsten bronze (HTB) related compound, La_xWO_3+y with x≈0.10 and y≈0.15, has been studied by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and electron microscopy. The structure was refined by the Rietveld method from X-ray powder diffractometer data of a La_0.10WO₃ sample prepared at T=1250°C and P=25 kbar, which consisted of two tungsten bronze related phases in 1:1 proportion. The unit cell dimensions are as follows: La_0.108WO_3+y (y≈0.16), a=7.40890(5), and c=3.79329(4) Å (HTB-related structure); La_0.091WO₃, a=3.82458(6) Å (cubic perovskite tungsten bronze (PTB) structure). The lanthanum atoms in La_0.108WO_3+y are located on the hexagonal axis and statistically distributed on two sites close to the tungsten atom plane. Thermal stability studies of the La_0.10WO₃ sample in an argon atmosphere under ambient pressure conditions revealed that the HTB-related compound is metastable, decomposing to the stable PTB-type structure and WO₃. It was also found from the TG experiments in argon and oxygen that additional oxygen atoms (y) are present in the structure, thus forming a lanthanum tungsten oxide of the above composition. The electron diffraction and microanalysis studies confirmed that crystals of the HTB- and PTB-type structures were formed, with a lanthanum content of x≈0.1.     

Mg2MTaO6 (M=Nd or La): a group of new pyrochlore oxides

Preparation of two novel mixed metal oxide ceramic materials, namely magnesium neodymium tantalum oxide (Mg₂NdTaO₆) and magnesium lanthanum tantalum oxide (Mg₂LaTaO₆) by conventional solid-state reaction method is reported in this paper. The crystal structure of these new compounds, were studied by indexing the X-ray diffraction patterns, powder pattern calculation and profile fitting. They were found to have a defective cubic pyrochlore structure, with the A site being randomly occupied by Mg and La/Nd, while, Ta and Mg are randomly distributed at the B site. The formula assigned were (MgNd)(MgTa)O₆ and (MgLa)(MgTa)O₆. The variation of dielectric constant, dielectric loss and conductivity of sintered pellets of these materials with applied frequencies in the range of 30 Hz-1 MHz were studied at room temperature. These room temperature studies at 1 MHz gave dielectric constant values of 24.8 and 25.35; conductivity values of 7.75×10⁻⁶ and 8.27×10⁻⁶ S/m as well as dielectric loss values of 0.0055 and 0.006 for Mg₂NdTaO₆ and Mg₂LaTaO₆, respectively. These new pyrochlore compounds were found to have dielectric constant, dielectric loss and conductivity values in the range suitable for possible electronic ceramic applications.     

Single-Crystal Neutron Structure Analysis of (NH4)21[H3Mo57V6(NO)6O183(H2O)18]·53 H2O

The crystal structure of (NH₄)₂₁[H₃Mo₅₇V₆(NO)₆O₁₈₃ (H₂O)₁₈]·53 H₂O a supramolecular heteropoly cluster compound (space group P6₃/mmcZ=2 final R1=0.1302 (I>2σ(I)) for 1745 unique reflections) was redetermined by single-crystal neutron diffraction studies at 20 K. The X-ray diffraction results reported in 1994 by Müller et al. (Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 620 599) are confirmed. Additionally we could localize many hydrogen positions not found so far and establish a phase transition near 240 K. Many of the ammonium ions the ligand and hydrate H₂O molecules and the hydroxy group are orientationally disordered even at 20 K. The central cavity of the structure is built up by two twelve-membered rings consisting of six O-H·sdot;·O hydrogen bonds each. These strong hydrogen bonds are obviously decisive for the stability of the cluster. The hydrate H₂O molecules are stronger-hydrogen-bond acceptor groups than the oxoligands of the cluster.     

Antiferromagnetism in MUO3 (M=Na,K,Rb) studied by neutron diffraction

Simultaneous refinements of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction patterns taken on the MUO₃ perovskite compounds with M=Na, K and Rb, were performed to reveal anisotropy in the temperature factors, mainly of oxygen. No anisotropic thermal motion was found.The magnetic ordering of the compounds has been investigated with low temperature neutron diffraction. It is found that all these compounds show G-type antiferromagnetic ordering with a similar, orthorhombic magnetic unit cell. The propagation vector could only be determined for the orthorombic NaUO₃ compound and was found to point in the z-direction. The refined magnetic moment for U⁵⁺ in these structures was found to be around .