Comments and reconciliation of the Ni–Bi‐system thermodynamic reassessments

The binary Ni‐Bi alloys as well as multicomponent materials comprising systems like Ni‐Bi‐Sn, Ni‐Bi‐Sb etc. are recently considered as prospective for design of lead‐free solders. For that reason various authors focused their attention to the Ni‐Bi system thermodynamics. The studies identified five phases in the above system. Two of them (i.e., (Ni) and liquid), were treated as disordered substitutional solutions. The phase NiBi₃ is stoichiometric and a standard two‐sublattice model was repeatedly applied to describe its Gibbs free energy, while for the nonstoichiometric NiBi phase, a three‐sublattice model was retained. The pure bismuth phase ((Bi)) is stoichiometric as well. The results are discussed and compared to literature thermochemical and topological data. In liquid state, strong repulsions between nickel and bismuth atoms are anticipated in the nickel rich‐side, but no data about a liquid phase miscibility gap is available yet. Therefore, the stability of the liquid phase has to be reassured, in spite of positive deviations from ideal behaviour. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural Studies on Ni75(SnSi)25 and Ni75(SnBi)25 Alloys

Ternary alloys on the quasi-binary system Ni₃Sn(r) in equilibrium condition. It has been observed that these phases undergo transformations at high temperatures but upto 500 °C room temperature modifications are stable. The two phases do not have any appreciable solid solubility in either of them. The phase Ni₃Si(r) crystallizes in to Cu₃Au (Li₂) structure where as Ni₃Sn(r) is based on c.p.h. structure with a = 5.305 A°, c = 4.254 A°. No new ternary phase has been detected in Ni₃Sn Ni₃Si section. The investigated alloys of the Ni Sn Bi system contain 75 at.% Ni. All the ternary alloys show simultaneous occurrence of three phases, namely Ni₃Sn(r), NiBi and Ni(Sn) in equilibrium state. The phase NiBi has NiAs(B8) type of structure. Due to non-existence of isostructural phases in the two binary systems (Ni Sn and Ni Bi), single solid solution phases are not formed. Widely differing atomic sizes of nickel and bismuth atoms restrict the formation of solid solution of bismuth in nickel in contrast to Ni(Sn) where atomic size factor is favourable.     

Effect of citric acid concentration as emulsifier on perovskite phase formation of nano‐sized SrMnO3 and SrCoO3 samples

In this study the effects of citric acid concentration, used as organic emulsifier, on the perovskite phase formation of the nano strontium manganite or cobaltite samples were studied. Stoichiometric perovskites in the absence and presence of citric acid were prepared by drying a solution containing molar ratio of Sr(NO₃)₂/Mn(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and Sr(NO₃)₂/Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O = 1 followed by calcination at 900 °C for 5 h. Citric acid concentration, selected to be 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 1.3, 2.5 and 5 times of the total number of moles of the nitrate ions. The results revealed that increase in the citric acid concentration, larger than number of moles of the nitrate ions equivalent, deteriorates the perovskite phase formation. Instead, a new phase of carbonates and metal oxides are appeared. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of Bi‐content on hardness and micro‐creep behavior of Sn‐3.5Ag rapidly solidified alloy

In the present paper, the influence of 1, 3, 5 and 10 % Bi (weight %) as ternary additions on structure, melting and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Sn‐3.5Ag alloy has been investigated. The effect of Bi was discussed based on the experimental results. The experimental results showed that the alloys of Sn‐3.5Ag, Sn‐3.5Ag‐1Bi and Sn‐3.5Ag‐3Bi are composed of two phases; Ag₃Sn IMC embedded in Sn matrix phase, which indicated that the solubility of Bi phase in Sn‐matrix was extended to 3 % as a result of rapid solidification. Bi precipitation in Sn matrix was only observed in Sn‐3.5Ag‐5Bi and Sn‐3.5Ag‐10Bi alloys. Also, addition of Bi decreased continuously the melting point of the eutectic Sn‐3.5Ag alloy to 202.6 °C at 10 % Bi. Vickers hardness of Sn‐3.5Ag rapidly solidified alloy increased with increasing Bi content up to 3 % due to supersaturated solid solution strengthening hardening mechanism of Bi phase in Sn matrix, while the alloys contain 5 and 10 % Bi exhibited lower values of Vickers hardness. The lower values can be attributed to the precipitation of Bi as a secondary phase which may form strained regions due to the embrittlement of Bi atom. In addition, the effect of Bi addition on the micro‐creep behavior of Sn‐3.5Ag alloy as well as the creep rate have been described and has been calculated at room temperature. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Room‐temperature synthesis and characterization of cross‐like Pr2(C2O4)3·10H2O micro‐particles

Cross‐like Pr₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O micro‐particles were synthesized through a simple precipitation method at room temperature. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) and photoluminescence (PL). The possible formation mechanism of the cross‐like Pr₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O micro‐particles was discussed, and Pr₆O₁₁ with similar morphology was obtained by calcining the oxalate precursor. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

White light emission materials of self‐assembled rare earth molybdates NaRe(MoO4)2 micro‐particles: the controllable synthesis,growth mechanism and luminescent properties

The tetragonally double alkaline rare earth molybdates NaRe(MoO₄)₂ (Re = Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Er) micro‐particles in aqueous solution of Re(NO₃)₃ and Na₂MoO₄ were prepared hydrothermally by a facile and effective EDTA‐assisted method, and investigated by XRD, SEM, FE‐SEM, photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra. The results showed that the radii of Re ions, pH and the molar ratio of Re(NO₃)₃/Na₂MoO₄ in the synthesis solution play an important role in controlling sizes, morphologies and luminescent properties of the final products. And the possible formation mechanism for the bipyramid‐like structure and role of EDTA were discussed in detail. The microstructure and PL property of NaY_xLa_1‐x(MoO₄)₂:10%Eu³⁺ was investigated, and it showed that NaY_0.5La_0.5(MoO₄)₂ exhibited regular sphere‐like morphology and emitted the stronger red emission with better color purity than other products. When Tm³⁺, Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺ with appropriate concentrations were used as dopants to modify this bipyramid NaY(MoO₄)₂ material, the white light emission material of NaY(MoO₄)₂:1%Tm³⁺‐11%Dy³⁺‐0.6%Eu³⁺ was successfully synthesized and its CIE chromaticity coordinates is (0.33, 0.33), which is the standard white light point. These novel white‐light‐emitting NaY(MoO₄)₂:1%Tm³⁺‐11%Dy³⁺‐0.6%Eu³⁺ with single phase would be a promising material in the WLED field.     

Notes on some supposed transitions of the phase NiBi

X‐Ray, DSC and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed with NiBi specimens in the interval from room temperature to 700 K. The hypothesis of solid‐state transitions in this phase was not confirmed. Thermal and magnetic effects are observed, but they are due to the existence of small amount of phases others than NiBi (i.e. unreacted Ni and Bi). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization of PbxSr1‐x(NO3)2 Solid Solutions from Aqueous Solutions

A series of Pb_xSr_1‐x(NO₃)₂ crystals have been grown from aqueous solutions and characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction. All diffraction data were well indexed according to the simple cubic structure. The variation of lattice constants with the concentrations of Pb²⁺ in the crystals accorded quite well to the Vegard's Law. The composition of the Sr(NO₃)₂ crystal doped with Pb²⁺ was studied by electron microprobe and it was found that Pb²⁺ was enriched in the 111 sectors. Equilibrium behavior in the Pb(NO₃)₂‐Sr(NO₃)₂‐H₂O system was analyzed by Lippmann's phase diagram and the equilibrium distribution coefficient D_Pb=133.6. This large value of D indicates that Pb²⁺ ion is preferentially distributed to the solid phase.     

Calorimetric and phase equilibria studies of the Ni–Sn–Bi system

The phase equilibria at 1273 K were investigated and an isothermal section of the Ni‐Sn‐Bi phase diagram was constructed. The phase boundaries are inclined to the Bi‐rich region that is agreement with phase equilibria at lower temperatures. The molar enthalpies of formation of liquid ternary Ni–Sn–Bi alloys have been determined at 833, 873 and 933 K by direct reaction calorimetry using pellets of 325 mesh powders of pure Ni, Sn and Bi. Measurements were performed with alloys containing from 0.05 to 0.10 mole fractions of nickel, and at ratios of tin and bismuth mole fractions X_Sn/X_Bi = 2.8, 1.2 and 0.43. The experimental calorimetric data were used to calculate a regular solutions parameter of the ternary liquid phase by means of two different thermodynamic data files. It was found that the Ni–Sn–Bi ternary liquid phase could be described as temperature independent ternary regular solution. The assessed values of the ternary interaction parameter are ‐280 J·mol^–1 and 56 000 J·mol^–1, depending on the binary parameters used. Enthalpies of formation of solid binary phases were measured, too. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis of PbTe‐SnTe particles by thermal decomposition of salts to create nano‐structured thermoelectric materials

Micro‐ and nanocrystalline particles of Pb‐Sn‐Te mixed crystals were synthesized using thermal decomposition and chemical interaction of lead acetate, tin oxalate and tellurium powder mixture in H₂ atmosphere. For the process parameter optimization data of thermal gravimetry (TG), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), electronic microscopy (TEM, SEM) and measurements of the specific surface of particles were used. Additionally the influence of gas phases on the decomposition kinetics, crystal structure, size, specific surface of the particles, gains composition and the physical properties were analyzed. Seebeck coefficient values increased and conductivity decreased with decreasing tin concentration. The presented method for preparing PbTe‐SnTe polydisperse particles is developed to create nano‐structured thermoelectric materials with high figure of merit. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of laser‐induced nanocrystallisation on the properties of electroless Ni‐P/Ni‐W‐P duplex coatings

This paper presents a comparative study of nanocrystallisation and the wear resistance of electroless plated Ni‐P/Ni‐W‐P duplex coatings with a single Ni‐W‐P coating before and after high‐ power diode laser treatment. Effects of the laser operating parameters on microstructures, in terms of crystallisation, porosity formation, phase transformation and grain growth, were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and quantitatively X‐ray Diffraction (XRD). Microhardness and wear behaviour of the coatings before and after laser treatment were evaluated by measurement of coating surface and cross‐section hardness as well as un‐lubricated friction and wear tests. The results revealed that in the case of laser treatment, the Ni‐P/Ni‐W‐P duplex coatings offered better wear resistance than the single Ni‐W‐P coating, while the as‐plated, single Ni‐W‐P coating showed better wear resistance than the Ni‐P/Ni‐W‐P duplex coatings. Adhesive wear mechanism prevails in the laser‐treated coatings when subjected to wear test against hardened steel material. The effects of microstructural characteristics in the coatings, in particularly the grain size of Ni₃P phase and the degree of crystallisation, on the adhesive wear behaviour have been investigated and found to be dominant besides the effect of hardness.     

Synthesis of mercuric iodide and bismuth tri‐iodide nanoparticles for heavy metal iodide films nucleation

We synthesized mercuric iodide and bismuth tri‐iodide nanoparticles by suspension in octadecene, from Hg(NO₃)₂.H₂O and I₂, and from Bi(NO₃)₃.5H₂O and I₂, respectively. The best synthesis conditions were 2 h at 70‐80 °C, followed by 10 min at 110 °C for mercuric iodide nanoparticles, and 4 h at 80‐110 °C, followed by 10 min at 180‐210 °C for bismuth tri‐iodide ones. Nanoparticles were then washed and centrifuged with ether repeatedly. Compounds identity was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). We found shifts of the X‐ray diffraction maxima for nanoparticles of both compounds. We characterized the nanoparticles by transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy. We obtained disk‐like and squared mercuric iodide nanostructures, 80‐140 nm and 100‐125 nm in size respectively. We also obtained rounded and rod‐like bismuth tri‐iodide nanoparticles, 30‐500 nm in size. Acetonitrile and isopropanol suspensions of mercuric iodide nanoparticles, and acetonitrile suspension of bismuth tri‐iodide nanoparticles exhibited peak maxima shifts in their UV‐Vis spectra. We synthesized for the first time mercuric iodide and bismuth tri‐iodide nanoparticles by the suspension method, although we have not yet obtained uniform shape and size distributions. They offer interesting perspectives for crystalline film nucleation and for improving current applications of these materials, as well as for opening new ones. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influence of polymerizing agent on structure and spectroscopic properties of nano‐crystalline La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 powders

Strontium‐doped lanthanum manganite (La_1‐xSr_xMnO₃ or LSM) is the material most widely used on solid oxide fuel cells cathode. In this work, nano‐scale La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ powders have been synthesized by polymeric precursor‐based methods using different polymerizing agents with the aim of evaluating the influence of this change in the final powder. The powders calcined at 700 °C for 2 h have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in order to investigate the quality of both synthesis routes. It is shown that the crystal structure and morphology of the particles are significantly dependent on the preparation conditions. Single phase and La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ nano‐crystalline particles less than 30 nm were obtained using ethylene glycol as polymerizing agent. FTIR results have been indicated that only the powder obtained using gelatin presented small traces of hydroxyl groups on its surface. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal growth and electric‐property change by rubidium or cesium doping on potassium‐sodium‐niobate

Alkali metals (Na, Rb or Cs) co‐doped with fiber‐ and bulk‐shaped KNbO₃ single crystals were grown using two original methods by means of doping together of small ionic Na and large ionic Rb or Cs into KNbO₃. Single‐phase crystals could be grown with an orthorhombic system at room temperature as well as pure KNbO₃. Piezoelectric and ferroelectric property changes by the co‐doping of Rb or Cs with Na were estimated using d₃₃ values and a polarization‐electric field hysteresis curve in fiber‐ and bulk‐shaped crystals. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Diffusion couple studies of the Ti‐Bi‐Zn system

The system Ti‐Bi‐Zn has been investigated using diffusion couples consisting of solid Ti and liquid (Bi+Zn) phase. The diffusion paths at 400, 500, 700 and 800 °C have been traced by means of electron microprobe analyses. The growth constants of the diffusion layers are roughly assessed. The phase diagram data obtained in this investigation are compared with previous studies of equilibrated alloys. The existence of the ternary compound TiBiZn has been confirmed. The formation of another phase with approximate formulae Ti₄Bi₃Zn to Ti₉Bi₇Zn₄ has been observed at high temperatures. The latter compound as well as the ternary extension of the Ti_XBi_Y (X ≈ 5, Y ≈ 6) phase react easily with air. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal structure analysis of Bis{(N,N′‐dimethylformamide)‐[μ‐bis‐N,N′‐(2‐oxybenzyl)‐1,3‐propanediaminato](μ‐asetato) nickel(II)}nickel(II)

The title compound, a homotrinuclear Ni^II complex has been synthesized from ONNO type Schiff base reduced with the help of NaBH₄. The structure of the complex, [Ni{Ni(CH₃CO₂) (C₁₇H₂₀N₂O₂) (C₃H₇NO)}₂], was identified using elemental analysis, thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy and x‐ray diffraction techniques. It was established that although some bond lengths and angles changed with respect to previous complexes, the Ni…Ni distance was approximately the same.     

Crystal structures and spectroscopic characterization of chiral and racemic 4‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one

Crystal structures of (R)‐ and (rac)‐4‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one (4‐POO) have been determined by X‐ray diffraction and characterized by the solid state ¹³C NMR and IR spectra. Molecular geometries and intermolecular interactions in (R)‐ and (rac)‐4‐POO crystals are very similar to each other; 4‐POO molecules are linked via the N‐H…O intermolecular hydrogen bonds to form the chained structure. Chemical shifts of the solid state ¹³C NMR spectra are very similar to each other, whereas the ¹H spin‐lattice relaxation times (T_1H) value for (R)‐4‐POO is five times as large as that for (rac)‐4‐POO, reflecting the more restricted mobility of the (R)‐4‐POO chain. Although both crystals contain an unique molecule in the asymmetric unit, a doublet feature is observed for the C=O stretching mode in the IR spectra of (R)‐ and (rac)‐4‐POO crystals. The frequency gap of the C=O bands are correlated with the strength of the dipole‐dipole interactions between the neighboring C=O groups. © 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim     

Inorganic and organic templates‐assisted solvothermal synthesis of trigonal selenium microrods

A facile and environment‐friendly solvothermal method has been developed for the controlled growth of nano‐ and micro‐structured trigonal selenium (t‐Se) by using green templates. And, the morphology of trigonal selenium can be tuned by using different kinds of templates. The as‐obtained products were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Furthermore, the formation mechanism of trigonal selenium nano‐ and microcrystals was rationally suggested. This method will open a new avenue to synthesize other functional inorganic nano‐ and microcrystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal Structure of 5,6‐Dinitrobenzimidazole.monohydrate

The title compound (C₇H₆N₄O₅) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=8.566(1) Å, b=14.493(3) Å, c=7.583(1) Å, β=87.75(1)°, V=940.7(3) ų, Z=4, D_x=1.597 g.cm^‐3. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full‐matrix least‐squares method (R=0.0696). The title compound consists of an imidazole ring with the two NO₂ groups and one water molecule. The short inter‐ molecular N‐H^…N [2.03(5) Å] and O_water‐H^…O [1.98(5) Å] hydrogen bonds are highly effective in holding the molecule in a stable state as a whole.     

Contribution to the Ti‐Bi phase diagram

The system Ti‐Bi has been investigated by solid/liquid diffusion couples at 400, 500, 600 and 700 °C. Indication that the growth rate of the diffusion layers at 500 °C is linear has been found, with a growth constant of around 5 × 10^–11 m.s^–1. The existence of the Ti₂Bi phase has been confirmed. Some formerly unknown binary phases (TiBi, Ti₂Bi₃, TiBi₂) have been observed. The phase TiBi is, probably, identical with Ti₈Bi₉ reported previously. All intermediate phases suffer air corrosion, but in various degrees. A tentative variant of the Ti‐Bi phase diagram, including the newly found compounds, has been constructed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)