Mechanical properties of mixed conducting La0.5Sr0.5Fe1−x Co x O3−δ (0≤x≤1) materials

Young’s modulus, strain–stress behavior, fracture strength, and fracture toughness of (0≤×≤1) materials have been investigated in the temperature range 20–1,000°C. Young’s moduli of and , measured by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, were 130±1 and 133±3 GPa, respectively. The nonlinear stress–strain relationship observed by four-point bending at room temperature was inferred as a signature of ferroelastic behavior of the materials. Above the ferroelastic to paraelastic transition temperature, the materials showed elastic behavior, but due to high-temperature creep, a nonelastic respond reappeared above ∼800°C. The room temperature fracture strength measured by four-point bending was in the range 107–128 MPa. The corresponding fracture toughness of , measured by single edge V-notch beam method, was 1.16±0.12 MPa·m^1/2. The measured fracture strength and fracture toughness were observed to increase with increasing temperature. The fracture mode changed from intragranular at low temperature to intergranular at high temperature. Tensile stress gradient at the surface of the materials caused by a frozen-in gradient in the oxygen content during cooling was proposed to explain the low ambient temperature fracture strength and toughness.     

Vibrational spectra and electrophysical properties of a NASICON phase of variable composition Na1 − x Co1 − x Sc1 + x (MoO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5)

Subsolidus phase ratios of the Na₂MoO₄-CoMoO₄-Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ system have been studied by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and vibrational spectroscopy. A phase of variable composition Na_{1 ? x} Co_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 having NASICON structure (space group \(R\bar 3c\) ) and triple molybdate NaCo₃Sc(MoO₄)₅ crystallizing in triclinic system (space group \(P\bar 1\) ) have been obtained. The high conductivity of Na_{1 ? x} Co_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ allows the phase of variable composition to be regarded as a promising sodium-ion conducting solid electrolyte.     

Nonstoichiometry and structural intergrowth in the CaFexMn1−xO3−y (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) system

An electron diffraction and microscopy study of the CaFe_xMn_1−xO_3−y system treated at 1100°C in air has been performed. An increase of y is accompanied by an increase of the cubic perovskite substructure parameter, the nonstoichiometry being accommodated in several ways. The system contains two solid solutions of the perovskite-type (P) and of the brownmillerite-type (B) and also an intermediate phase (x = 0.6) which makes disordered intergrowth with the B-type solid solution. These results are discussed in terms of multitwinning, randomly dispersed oxygen deficiency, and ordered and disordered intergrowth formation.     

Effect of hydration on conductivity of Ba4La x Ca2 − x Nb2O11 + 0.5x (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) phases

Substitution of Ca by La in initial cubic double perovskite Ba₄(Ca₂Nb₂)O₁₁[VO]₁ allowed obtaining phases with a similar structure with a lower content of structural oxygen vacancies, Ba₄(La _x Ca_{2 ? x} Nb₂)O_{11 + 0.5x} [VO]_{1 ? 0.5x} (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2). The impedance technique was used to measure the temperature dependences of conductivity in the atmosphere of dry and humid air. Transport numbers determined using the EMF method in an oxygen-air and water steam concentration cells point to the predominantly hole nature of conductivity in the high-temperature region (T > 600°C) and to predominance of proton conductivity in the low-temperature region. Activation energies of hole and proton conductivity were calculated. Thermogravimetric measurements were carried out under heating from 25 to 1000°C with simultaneous mass-spectrometric determination of evolved H₂O and CO₂. The properties of the studied Ba₄(La _x Ca_{2 ? x} Nb₂)O_{11 + 0.5x} (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) phases were compared with the earlier studied Ba_{4 ? x} La _x (Ca₂Nb₂)O_{11 + 0.5x} phases with similar lanthanum content.     

Synthesis and properties of fuel cell anodes based on (La0.5 + x Sr0.5 − x )1 − y Mn0.5Ti0.5O3 − δ (x = 0–0.25, y = 0–0.03)

Results are presented of studying electrochemical properties of perovskite-like solid solutions (La_{0.5 + x} Sr_{0.5 ? x} )_{1 ? y} Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} (x = 0–0.25, y = 0–0.03) synthesized using the citrate technique and studied as oxide anodic materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is used to establish that the materials are stable in a wide range of oxygen chemical potential, stable in the presence of 5 ppm H₂S in the range of intermediate temperatures, and also chemically compatible with the solid electrolyte of La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.15Co_0.05O_{3 ? δ} (LSGMC). It is shown that transition to a reducing atmosphere results in a decrease in electron conductivity that produced a significant effect on the electrochemical activity of porous electrodes. Model cells of planar SOFC on a supporting solid-electrolyte membrane (LSGMC) with anodes based on (La_0.6Sr_0.4)_0.97Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} and (La_0.75Sr_0.25)_0.97Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} and a cathode of Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_{3 ? δ} are manufactured and tested using the voltammetry technique.     

Synthesis and characterization of a NASICON phase of variable composition Na1 − x Ni1 − x Sc1 + x (MoO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5)

Subsolidus phase ratios in the Na₂MoO₄-NiMoO₄-Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ system have been studied using X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and vibrational spectroscopy. A phase of variable composition Na_{1 ? x} Ni_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) having NASICON structure (space group \(R\bar 3c\) ) and a triple molybdate crystallizing in triclinic system (space group \(P\bar 1\) ) have been obtained. The high conductivity of Na_{1 ? x} Ni_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ allows the phase of variable composition to be regarded as a promising sodiumion-conductive solid electrolyte.     

Thermal behaviour of chemically deintercalated Li1−1Ni1+xO2

The thermal behaviour of chemically deintercalated samples obtained by HCl treatment of non-stoichiometric Li/Ni mixed oxides is studied. A multi-step reduction of Ni with O₂ evolution is observed between room temperature and 800C. Two cation redistribution processes are shown by the exothermal occurrence of a spinel phase at 300C and the endothermal reduction to a rock-salt phase with random distribution of Li and Ni cations in octahedral sites at 800C.The authors wish to express their acknowledgement to CICYT and PFPI for financial support.     

Novel red-emitting phosphors, (Mg(1−x−y)MnxDyy)Al2Si2O8 and (Mg(1−x−y)MnxTmy)Al2Si2O8

Mn⁴⁺ doped and Dy³⁺, Tm³⁺ co-doped MgAl₂Si₂O₈-based phosphors were prepared by conventional solid state reaction at 1,300 °C. They were characterized by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy. The luminescence mechanism of the phosphors, which showed broad red emission bands in the range of 600–715 nm and had a different maximum intensity when activated by UV illumination, was discussed. Such a red emission can be attributed to the ²E → ⁴A₂ transitions of Mn⁴⁺.     

Electroconductivity and nature of ion transfer in La1 − x Sr x Sc1 − y Mg y O3 − α system (0.01 ≤ x = y ≤ 0.20) in dry and humid air

The conductivity and ion and proton transfer numbers were measured in La_{1 ? x} Sr _x Sc_{1 ? y} Mg _y O_{3 ? α} system (x = y = 0.10–0.20). The partial conductivities (total ion, proton, oxygen, hole) and their effective activation energies were calculated. The measurements were carried out in air with respect to humidity (pH₂O = 0.04?2.65 kPa) within the temperature range from 630 to 920°C.     

Bi7−xAs1+xMo3O21 (0⩽x⩽1) a new pillar structure type: synthesis,crystal structure and conductivity

An original structure of chemical formula Bi₁₃As₃Mo₆O₄₂ has been obtained in the system Bi₂O₃:MoO₃:As₂O₃ by chemical transport reaction in presence of As₂O₃. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n with a=12.7770(11) Å, b=5.5890(4) Å, c=27.971(2) Å and β=101.009(7)°. The structure exhibits infinite [Bi₁₃As₃Mo₆O₄₂]_n complex pillars with a quite different organization compared with original [Bi₁₂O₁₄]_n⁸ⁿ⁺ columns surrounded by (MoO₄) tetrahedra in the Bi_2/3[Bi₁₂O₁₄](MoO₄)₅ prototype structure. Nevertheless, the heavy atoms design almost perfect fluorite subnetwork—a common structural feature of these pillar structures. The conditions of synthesis via solid-state chemistry using basic oxides Bi₂O₃, As₂O₃ and MoO₃ have been established and the phase identified by X-ray powder pattern. The indexing fits single crystal data as well as the values of volumic mass, ρ_exp=7.04(4) g cm⁻³ for ρ_X=7.096 g cm⁻³ for Z=4. This Bi₁₃As₃Mo₆O₄₂ phase shows also an interesting anionic conductivity around σ=7.98×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 980 K and is compared with related phases.     

Steam reforming of methane on LaNixFe1–xO3 (0≤x≤1) perovskites. Reactivity and characterisation after test

LaNi_xFe_1–xO₃ perovskites (0≤x≤1) are efficient catalysts in steam reforming of methane (optimum ratio H₂O/CH₄=1) for syngas production. For low x values (x≤0.4), the three-metal structure is partly maintained with a strong interaction between free nickel and the perovskite, the carbon formation is limited and the regeneration of the three-metal perovskite by recalcination is possible. For higher x values (x>0.4), only a bimetallic LaFeO₃ is maintained during the reaction and the catalysts perform as free nickel on LaFeO₃ and La₂O₃. Coke formation becomes important and the regeneration gives two distinct perovskites, LaFeO₃ and LaNiO₃. The increase in H₂O/CH₄ from 1 to 3 enhances the oxidating power, leads to a decrease in the activity and favours CO₂ formation.     

Preparation and crystal structure of members of the solid solution phase Ba5Ru2−xAl1+x−yCuyO11 with x=0.378, y=0.085 and x=0.5, y=0

Single crystals of the new phase Ba₅Ru_2−xAl_1+x−yCu_yO₁₁ (x=0.378, y=0.085) have been grown from a powder mixture of BaCO₃, RuO₂ and CuO in an alumina crucible. The new compound crystallizes isostructurally to Ba₅Ir₂AlO₁₁. The crystal structure was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction technique and refined to a composition of Ba₅Ru_1.622(8)Al_1.29(1)Cu_0.085(6)O₁₁ (orthorhombic, Pnma (No. 62), a=18.615(4) Å, b=5.771(1) Å, c=11.098(2) Å, Z=4, R₁=0.048, wR₂=0.075). The composition of the new compound obtained from crystal structure refinement is in good agreement with the result of electron probe microanalysis using wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Octahedra [RuO₆] are connected via faces forming pairs. The central positions of the octahedra pairs are statistically occupied by Ru and Al atoms. These octahedra pairs are interconnected to one-dimensional chains extending along [010] via tetrahedra [Al_1−yCu_yO₄]. Isotypic Ba₅Ru_1.5Al_1.5O₁₁ is a further member of the solid solution with the lattice parameters a=18.6654(5) Å, b=5.7736(1) Å, c=11.0693(3) Å according to Rietveld refinement on a microcrystalline sample.     

Li5SnP3 – a Member of the Series Li10+4xSn2−xP6 for x=0 Comprising the Fast Lithium-Ion Conductors Li8SnP4 (x=0.5) and Li14SnP6 (x=1)

The targeted search for suitable solid-state ionic conductors requires a certain understanding of the conduction mechanism and the correlation of the structures and the resulting properties of the material. Thus, the investigation of various ionic conductors with respect to their structural composition is crucial for the design of next-generation materials as demanded. We report here on Li₅SnP₃ which completes with x=0 the series Li_10+4xSn_2−xP₆ of the fast lithium-ion conductors α- and β-Li₈SnP₄ (x=0.5) and Li₁₄SnP₆ (x=1). Synthesis, crystal structure determination by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods, as well as ⁶Li, ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn MAS NMR and temperature-dependent ⁷Li NMR spectroscopy together with electrochemical impedance studies are reported. The correlation between the ionic conductivity and the occupation of octahedral and tetrahedral sites in a close-packed array of P atoms in the series of compounds is discussed. We conclude from this series that in order to receive fast ion conductors a partial occupation of the octahedral vacancies seems to be crucial.     

Characterization of superparamagnetic Mg x Zn1−x Fe2O4 powders

Structural and magnetic properties of Mg _x Zn_1−x Fe₂O₄ powders have been studied with respect to the application for thermal cancer therapy (magnetic hyperthermia). Mg _x Zn_1−x Fe₂O₄ (x=0.1–0.5) powders with particle sizes between 5 and 8 nm were produced by citrate method. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples correspond to a spinel phase. The lattice constant and the volume of the elementary cell increase when x changes from 0.1 to 0.5. The FTIR-spectra ascertain the spinel phase formation. The Mossbauer studies reveal the presence of extremely small particles, which undergo superparamagnetic relaxation at room temperature. The core-shell model has been applied to explain quadruple doublets. The quadruple splitting at “shells” is bigger than those at “cores” whereas the isomer shifts remain close. Magnetic studies confirm the presence of extremely small particles that behave as superparamagnetic ones.      

Crystal structure and magnetism of the FexNi8-xSi3 materials, 0 ≤ x ≤ 8

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of the materials Fe_xNi_8-xSi₃ with 0 ≤ x ≤ 8 have been investigated to estimate any possible magnetocaloric effect and compare it to that in known magnetocalorics. Two structural ranges could be identified in this system by X-ray and neutron diffraction. The structure of the samples with 0 ≤ x ≤ 4 is related to the trigonal structure of Ni₃₁Si₁₂. Doubled c lattice parameters compared to the one in Ni₃₁Si₁₂ are observed in the samples with x = 2 and x = 3. The average structure of Fe₂Ni₆Si₃ has been determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The compounds with the compositions 5 ≤ x ≤ 8 crystallize in cubic Fe₃Si-type structure. Magnetic measurements have shown that the compound Fe₃Ni₅Si₃ displays a phase transition close to room temperature. However, its magnetocaloric effect is much smaller than the one in the promising magnetocaloric materials.     

Electronic Structure and Chemical Bonding in Monoclinic and Cubic Li2-xHxTiO3 (0≤ x ≤ 2)

The linear muffintin orbitals method in a tight binding approximation and extended Huckel theory are used to study the electronic structure and chemical bonding of lithium titanate (Li₂TiO₃) and its protonated analogs (Li_1.75H_0.25TiO₃ and H₂TiO₃). The effect of protons on electron spectrum characteristics and bond strength are investigated for the monoclinic and cubic phases of lithium titanate. Phase stability is evaluated by cohesion energy calculations.     

Synthesis and electrical properties of variable-composition phases Rb1 − x A1 − x R1 + x (MoO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2; A = Mg, Mn, Co, Ni; R = Sc, Yb, Lu)

Subsolidus region of the ternary systems Rb₂MoO₄-AMoO₄-R₂(MoO₄)₃, in which variable-composition phases Rb_{1 ? x} A_{1 ? x} R_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ crystallizing in the monoclinic system (space group C2) are formed, was studied. Their crystallographic parameters were calculated; temperature dependences of the electrical conductivity, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss tangent were analized.     

Glycolate Ti1 − x Fe x (OCH2CH2O)2 − x/2 as a precursor for the preparation of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) solid solutions Ti1 − x Fe x O2 − 2x/2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1)

Quasi-one-dimensional (1D) solid solutions Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x (OCH₂CH₂O)_{2 ? x/2} (0 < x ≤ 0.1) with the structure of anatase were prepared by heating the glycolate Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x (OCH₂CH₂O)_{2 ? x/2} in an atmosphere of air at a temperature of >450°C. The conditions of formation and the properties of the new glycolate Ti₃Fe₂(OCH₂CH₂O)₉ were described. It was found that the synthesized Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x O_{2 ? 2x/2} solid solutions exhibit photocatalytic activity in the reaction of hydroquinone oxidation in an aqueous solution on irradiation with UV light. A correlation between the rate of oxidation of hydroquinone and the concentration of iron in the catalyst was established. A procedure for the preparation of titanium dioxide with the structure of anatase doped with iron and carbon (Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x O_{(2 ? x/2) ? yCy)} and also composites on its basis, which contain an excess amount of carbon, was proposed.     

Synthesis and phase formation in M 0.5(1+x) 2+ FexTi2−x (PO4)3 phosphate series

New complex phosphates of titanium, iron, and alkaline-earth metals have been synthesized. X-ray powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis (DTA), and IR spectroscopy are used to study phase formation in the series of M_0.5(1+x)Fe_xTi_2?x (PO₄)₃ (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphates. Individual compounds and solid solutions are found to crystallize in the NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ and K₂Mg₂(SO₄)₃ structure types. Their crystal parameters are calculated. CaFeTi(PO₄)₃ is studied using Mössbauer spectroscopy. Its structure is refined by the Rietveld method: space group $R\bar 3$ c, Z = 6, a = 8.5172(1), Å, c = 21.7739(4) Å, V = 1367.91(4) ų.