Crystal Structure of Pseudorhombohedral InFe1−xTixO3+x/2 (x=2/3)

The structure of pseudorhombohedral-type InFe_1−xTi_xO_3−x/2 (x=2/3) was refined by Rietveld profile fitting. The crystal is a commensurate member of a series in a solution range on InFeO₃-In₂Ti₂O₇ including incommensurate structures. The structure with the unit cell of a=5.9188(1), b=10.1112(2), and c=6.3896(1) Å, β=108.018(2)°, and a space group P2₁/a is the alternate stacking of an edge-shared InO₆ octahedral layer and an Fe/Ti-O plane along c^*. Metal sites on the Fe/Ti-O plane are surrounded by four oxygen atoms on the Fe/Ti-O plane and two axial ones. Electric conductivities of the order 10⁻⁴ S/cm were observed for the samples at 1000 K, while the oxide ion transport number is almost zero as no electromotive force was detected by an oxygen concentration cell.     

Vacancy ordering and oxygen dynamics in oxide ion conducting La1−xSrxGa1−xMgxO3−x ceramics: Ga, Mg and O NMR

The oxygen vacancies distribution in the rigid lattice and the thermally activated motion of oxygen atoms are studied in La_1−xSr_xGa_1−xMg_xO_3−x (x=0.00; 0.05; 0.10; 0.15 and 0.20) compounds. For that ⁷¹Ga, ²⁵Mg and ¹⁷O NMR was performed from 100 K up to 670 K, and ion conductivity measurements were carried out up to 1273 K. The comparison of the electric field gradients at the Ga- and Mg-sites evidences that oxygen vacancies appear exclusively near gallium cations as a species trapped below room temperature in local clusters, GaO_5/2-□-GaO_5/2. These clusters decay at higher temperature into mobile constituents of the structural octahedra Ga(O_5/6□_1/6)_6/2. At the same time, the nearest octahedral oxygen environment of magnesium cations persists at different doping levels. The case of two adjacent vacant anion sites is found highly unlikely within the studied doping range. The thermally activated oxygen motion starts to develop above room temperature as is observed from both the motional narrowing of ¹⁷O NMR spectra and the ¹⁷O nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate. The obtained results show that two types of motion exist, a slow motion and a fast one. The former is a long-range diffusion whereas the latter is a local back and forth oxygen jumps between two adjacent anion sites. These sites are strongly differentiated by the probability of the vacancy formation, like the vacant apical site and the occupied equatorial site in the orthorhombic compositions x <0.15.     

Defect clusters and precipitation/oxidation of MgO-Co1−xO solid solution

MgO and Co_1−xO powders in 9:1 and 1:9 molar ratio (denoted as M₉C₁ and M₁C₉, respectively) were sintered and homogenized at 1600°C followed by annealing at 850°C and 800°C, respectively to form defect clusters and precipitates. Analytical electron microscopic observations indicated the protoxide remained as rock salt structure with complicated planar diffraction contrast for M₉C₁ sample, however with spinel paracrystal precipitated from the M₁C₉ sample due to the assembly of charge- and volume-compensating defects of the 4:1 type, i.e., four octahedral vacant sites surrounding one Co³⁺-filled tetrahedral interstitial site. The spacing of such defect clusters is 4.5 times the lattice spacing of the average spinel structure of Mg-doped Co_3−δO₄, indicating a higher defect cluster concentration than undoped Co_3−δO₄. The {111} faulting of Mg-doped Co_3−δO₄/Co_1−xO in the annealed M₁C₉ sample implies the possible presence of zinc blend-type defect clusters with cation vacancies assembled along oxygen close packed (111) plane.     

A novel boron-rich quaternary scandium borocarbosilicide Sc3.67−xB41.4−y−zC0.67+zSi0.33−w

A novel quaternary scandium borocarbosilicide Sc_3.67−xB_41.4−y−zC_0.67+zSi_0.33−w was found. Single crystallites were obtained as an intergrowth phase in the float-zoned single crystal of Sc_0.83−xB_10.0−yC_0.17+ySi_0.083−z that has a face-centered cubic crystal structure. Single crystal structure analysis revealed that the compound has a hexagonal structure with lattice constants a = b = 1.43055(8) nm and c = 2.37477(13) nm and space group (No. 187). The crystal composition calculated from the structure analysis for the crystal with x = 0.52, y = 1.42, z = 1.17, and w = 0.02 was ScB_12.3C_0.58Si_0.10 and that agreed rather well with the composition of ScB_11.5C_0.61Si_0.04 measured by EPMA. In the crystal structure that is a new structure type of boron-rich borides, there are 79 structurally independent atomic sites, 69 boron and/or carbon sites, two silicon sites and eight scandium sites. Boron and carbon form seven structurally independent B₁₂ icosahedra, one B₉ polyhedron, one B₁₀ polyhedron, one irregularly shaped B₁₆ polyhedron in which only 10.7 boron atoms are available because of partial occupancies and 10 bridging sites. All polyhedron units and bridging site atoms interconnect each other forming a three-dimensional boron framework structure. Sc atoms reside in the open spaces in the boron framework structure.     

A Novel Boron-Rich Scandium Borocarbide; Sc4.5−xB57−y+zC3.5−z(x=0.27, y=1.1, z=0.2)

A novel ternary boron-rich scandium borocarbide Sc_4.5−xB_57−y+zC_3.5−z (x=0.27, y=1.1, z=0.2) was found. Single crystals were obtained by the floating zone method by adding a small amount of Si. Single-crystal structure analysis revealed that the compound has an orthorhombic structure with lattice constants of a=1.73040(6), b=1.60738(6) and c=1.44829(6) nm and space group Pbam (No. 55). The crystal composition ScB_13.3C_0.78Si_0.008 calculated from the structure analysis agreed with the measured composition of ScB_12.9C_0.72Si_0.004. The orthorhombic crystal structure is a new structure type of boron-rich borides and there are six structurally independent B₁₂ icosahedra I1—I6, one B₈/B₉ polyhedron and nine bridging sites all which interconnect each other to form a three-dimensional boron framework. The main structural feature of the boron framework structure can be understood as a layer structure where two kinds of boron icosahedron network layer L1 and L2 stack each other along the c-axis. There are seven structurally independent Sc sites in the open spaces between the boron icosahedron network layers.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal substituted AlxCr1−x(acetylacetonate)3 single-source precursors for their application to MOCVD of thin films

A detailed study, involving the synthesis of a single-source precursor containing two metal ions sharing the same crystallographic site, has been undertaken to elucidate the use of such a single-source precursor in a CVD process for growing thin films of oxides comprising these two metals, ensuring a uniform composition and distribution of metal ions. The substituted complexes Cr_1−xAl_x(acac)₃, where acac = acetylacetonate, have been prepared by a co-synthesis method, and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, TGA/DTA measurements, and single crystal X-ray diffraction at low temperature. All the studied compositions crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with Z = 4 in the unit cell. It was observed that the ratio (Al:Cr) of the site occupancy for the metal ions, obtained from single crystal refinement, is in agreement with the results obtained from complexometric titrations. All the solid state structures have the metal in an octahedral environment forming six-membered chelate rings. M–O acac bond lengths and disorder in the terminal carbon have been studied in detail for these substituted metal–organic complexes. One composition among these was chosen to evaluate their suitability as a single-source precursor in a LPMOCVD process (low-pressure metal–organic chemical vapour deposition) for the deposition of a substituted binary metal oxide thin film. The resulting thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy.     

Crystallographic and hydriding properties of the system La1−xCexY2Ni9 (xCe=0, 0.5 and 1)

The structural properties of the system La_1−xCe_xY₂Ni₉ with x_Ce=0, 0.5 and 1 have been investigated by electron probe microanalysis, powder X-ray diffraction and absorption spectroscopy. The compound LaY₂Ni₉ adopts a rhombohedral structure of PuNi₃-type (R-3m space group, Z=3). It can be described as an intergrowth between RM₅ (Haücke phase) and RM₂ (Laves phase) type structures. Among the two available crystallographic sites for R atoms, lanthanum occupies preferentially the site 3a leading to a partially ordered ternary compound. Substitution by cerium involves anisotropic variations of the cell parameter with a decrease of a and an increase of c leading to an overall cell volume reduction. Increasing cerium content does not induce any symmetry change but leads to a statistical distribution of the rare earths over the two sites 3a and 6c involving an evolution toward a pseudo-binary compound. This behavior is related to the intermediate valence state of cerium observed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The hydriding properties of the two compounds LaY₂Ni₉ and CeY₂Ni₉ are described in relation with their crystallographic structure.     

Laser Ablation Deposition of CeO2−x Epitaxial Domains on Glass

Laser ablation of CeO₂ target in vacuum (5×10⁻⁴ Pa) was used to produce nanometer-size condensates, which deposited as yellowish top coating and whitish bottom coating on a soda-lime glass substrate. The top coating consists of optically anisotropic columnar domains conformable to monoclinic Ce₆O₁₁ phase coexisting with cubic (c) CeO_2−x, whereas the bottom coating is optically isotropic c-CeO_2−x due to oxygen uptake from the substrate. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the columnar domains are made up of defective fluorite-type nanoparticles, which tended to coalesce over (111) plane to form dislocations and (111)-preferred orientation, an artificial epitaxy owing to rotation-coalescence of (111) faceted CeO_2−x condensates on the amorphous substrate and/or within the coating.     

Fabrication and Optical Properties of Aligned Zn1-xMgxO Nanowire Arrays

Aligned Zn_1-xMg_xO nanowire arrays were successfully prepared on Si(111) substrates via the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method with a mixture of ZnO, Mg, and activated carbon powders as reactants. The microstructures and optical properties of the synthesized Zn_1-xMg_xO nanowire arrays were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis X-ray (EDAX), and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum analytic apparatus, respectively. While Mg content was achieved or less approximately 0.29 (x, atomic ratio) in ZnO lattice, the crystal lattice of the synthesized samples exhibited wurtzite structure. The Mg atoms were distributed into the ZnO crystal as the interstitial and displaced atoms, and there was no phase separation in preparing Zn_1-xMg_xO nanowire arrays. However, as the Mg content was up to 0.53 (x) in the fabricated Zn_1-xMg_xO samples, a clear phase separation phenomena appeared in the Zn_1-xMg_xO crystal. Compared with the PL spectrum of the pure ZnO nanowire arrays, the analytic results showed that a blue-shift of the near-band edge emission with increasing Mg content was observed in the Zn_1-xMg_xO arrays. And the relative intensities of green peak at ca 535 nm and UV emission peak at ca 376 nm were all restrained.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and density of (W1−xAlx)C

A new solid solution system of Al in WC, with the stoichiometry of (W_1−xAl_x)C (x=0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 0.86), has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction between W_1−xAl_x alloys and carbon at around 1673 K in vacuum. Environment scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma analyses are used to certify the formation of the products. The mechanism of the solid-state reaction is also discussed. (W_1−xAl_x)C is identified to crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6m2 (No. 187) and belongs to the WC structure type. The atoms of W and Al occupy the same lattice site (1a site) in the cell of (W_1−xAl_x)C. The cell parameters for each specimen in the phase of W-Al-C are quite close to that of WC, while their densities are far lower than that of WC.     

Chemical stability of La1−xSrxCrO3 in oxidizing atmospheres

The single-phase region of La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3) was precisely determined as a function of temperature, P_O2 and Sr content. The powders with the nominal composition of La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ were equilibrated under various conditions, and then identified by XRD analyses. To confirm the equilibration, two independent experiments were performed for each composition observing (i) the precipitation of the second phase from a single-phase solid solution, and (ii) the formation of the single phase from the constituent oxides. Two kinds of second phases, SrCrO₄ and an unknown phase, were observed depending on the conditions. The second phases tended to appear at low temperature, in high P_O2 and with a large Sr content. The single-phase regions obtained via the two equilibration routes were in good agreement with each other. The thermodynamic calculations on the supposition of ideality of the solid solution essentially reproduced the experimental results. When this material is used as the interconnects of solid oxide fuel cells, much attention should be paid to its relatively narrow solubility range of Sr; for example, the solubility limit is approximately 0.1 under a typical cathode-side condition (1273 K, air).     

Structural and magnetic characterization of BiFexMn2-xO5 oxides (x=0.5, 1.0)

The title compounds have been synthesized by a citrate technique followed by thermal treatments in air (BiFe_0.5Mn_1.5O₅) or under high oxygen pressure conditions (BiFeMnO₅), and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetization measurements. The crystal structures have been refined from NPD data in the space group Pbam at 295 K. These phases are isostructural with RMn₂O₅ oxides (R=rare earths) and contain infinite chains of Mn⁴⁺O₆ octahedra sharing edges, linked together by (Fe,Mn)³⁺O₅ pyramids and BiO₈ units. These units are strongly distorted with respect to those observed in other RFeMnO₅ compounds, due to the presence of the electronic lone pair on Bi³⁺. It is noteworthy the certain level of antisite disorder exhibited in both samples, where the octahedral positions are partially occupied by Fe cations, and vice versa. BiFe_xMn_2−xO₅ (x=0.5, 1.0) are short-range magnetically ordered below 20 K for x=0.5 and at 40 K for x=1.0. The main magnetic interactions seem to be antiferromagnetic (AFM); however, the presence of a small hysteresis in the magnetization cycles indicates the presence of some weak ferromagnetic (FM) interactions.     

Carbonylation studies of Pd-methyl complexes modified with 1,4-Cs-symmetrical diphosphine ligands

Neutral palladium methyl chloride 2a-d [PdCH₃(PˆP′)Cl] and cationic palladium methyl acetonitrile mono-triflate 3a-d [PdCH₃(PˆP′)(CH₃CN)](CF₃SO₃) complexes were synthesized and fully characterized (PˆP′ = 1a-d). All the neutral and cationic complexes containing a C_s-symmetric diphosphine exist in solution as a mixture of geometric isomers. The carbonylation at atmospheric pressure of the neutral and cationic complexes revealed that migratory insertion of carbon monoxide is not stereospecific in these systems. The neutral and cationic acyl complexes were formed in situ as mixtures of stereoisomers, which were characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy.The crystal structures of [Pd(1a)Cl]₂(OTf)₂ and 2d are described.     

Effects of gold catalysts and thermal evaporation method modifications on the growth process of Zn1−xMgxO nanowires

In this paper, we investigate the roles of gold catalysts and thermal evaporation method modifications in the growth process of Zn_1−xMg_xO nanowires. Zn_1−xMg_xO nanowires are fabricated on silicon substrates with and without using a gold catalyst. Characterizations reveal that Mg acts in a self-catalyst role during the growth process of Zn_1−xMg_xO nanowires grown on catalyst-free substrate. The optical properties and crystalline quality of the Zn_1−xMg_xO nanowires are characterized by room temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The Raman and PL studies demonstrate that the Zn_1−xMg_xO nanowires grown using the catalyst-free method have good crystallinity with excellent optical properties and have a larger band-gap in comparison to those grown with the assistance of gold.     

Local environment in Ba2In2−xWxO5+3x/2 oxide ion conductors

The actual oxygen environment of the tungsten dopant in the Ba₂In_2−xW_xO_5+3x/2 solid solution was revealed by combining X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the tungsten L_I and L_III edges and at the indium L_I edge. Whatever the substitution ratio, the tungsten atoms exhibit a regular octahedral environment. When the substitution ratio increases, the oxygen vacancies are progressively filled until their total occupancy for x=2/3. For x?0.3, the perovskite structure is stabilised; the tungsten atoms are randomly distributed in the structure. Although X-ray diffraction revealed a cubic symmetry for these compositions, a local distortion of the indium environment is observed when a tungsten atom is in its surrounding.     

An X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and spectroscopic studies of Yb2−xCrxO3

Polycrystalline samples with general formula Yb_2−xCr_xO₃ (0<x<0.03), obtained by sol-gel method and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, formed solid solutions over all the mentioned range. Cr showed a maximum solubility of 2.8 mol% in Yb₂O₃ sesquioxide at 1000 °C. A preferential substitution of Cr³⁺ ions over two cationic sites, 8b and 24d in the space group Ia-3 was found. The lattice parameters a are found to vary linearly (10.4402(4) Å <a<10.4372(1) Å) with the composition x. The two independent atoms Yb/Cr have octahedral coordination; however, the degrees of distortion of their coordination polyhedron are different. Replacing Yb³⁺ by Cr³⁺ introduces slight changes in the atomic coordinates leading to an increase of the mean cation-anion distances. The ability of Raman spectroscopy to detect changes in local coordination is utilized. A pseudo-tetrahedral coordination for the Cr³⁺ in the 24d site was found. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of all samples were done in a temperature range of 2-50 K. For T<37 K, the inverse paramagnetic susceptibilities depend linearly on temperature. However, in the high-temperature region, for T>37 K, the inverse paramagnetic susceptibilities are non-linear versus temperature. This deviation from the Curie-Weiss behaviour was discussed.     

Analysis of magnetic and structural phase transition behaviors of La1−xSrxCrO3 for preparation of phase diagram

The phase transition behavior of perovskite-type compounds, La_1−xSr_xCrO₃, was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dilatometry, dc magnetic susceptibility measurement and X-ray diffraction analysis. Both second-order magnetic phase transition from antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic and first-order structural phase transition from orthorhombic to rhombohedral were observed in the DSC or dilatometric curve of every specimen. The temperatures of both these magnetic and structural phase transitions decreased linearly with an increase in Sr content. The structural phase transition temperature of La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ with x less than 0.11 is higher than the magnetic phase transition temperature; however, a larger decrease in structural phase transition temperature than in magnetic phase transition temperature was observed with an increase in Sr content, resulting in a structural phase transition temperature lower than the magnetic phase transition temperature for La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ with x of more than 0.12. It was also observed that the heat of absorption of the structural phase transition decreased with an increase in x. In the dependence of dc magnetic susceptibility on temperature, variations by not only magnetic but also structural phase transitions were observed. It was also revealed that thermal expansion coefficient is affected not only by structural phase transition but also magnetic phase transition. Magnetic and structural phase diagram of La_1−xSr_xCrO₃, suggesting the existence of two Sr contents and temperatures at which triple phases coexist, was proposed.     

Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)-orotate complexes with N-methylimidazole: Synthesis, crystal structures and antimicrobial activities

Three Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of orotate with the N-methylimidazole ligand were synthesized and characterized by means of elemental and thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibilities, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopic and antimicrobial activity studies. The crystal structures of [Co(HOr)(H₂O)₂(Nmeim)₂]₃·H₂O (1), [Ni(HOr)(H₂O)₂(Nmeim)₂] (2) and [Zn(HOr)(H₂O)(Nmeim)₂] (3) were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique (H₃Or = orotic acid and Nmeim = N-methylimidazole). In complexes 1 and 2, the Co(II) and Ni(II) ions have distorted octahedral geometries with two Nmeim, one orotate and two aqua ligands. Complex 3 has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry with two N-methylimidazole, one orotate and one aqua ligands. In the complexes, the orotate is coordinated to the metal(II) ions through the deprotonated nitrogen atom of the pyrimidine ring and the oxygen atom of the carboxylate group as a bidentate ligand. The complexes form a three-dimensional framework by hydrogen bonding, C-H?π and π?π stacking interactions. The MIC values of the complexes against selected microorganisms were determined to be in range 300-2400 μg/mL.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Humidity Sensitive Properties of Nanocrystalline LaCoxFe1-xO3

The nanocrystalline LaCo_xFe_1-xO₃ with different concentrations of Co was prepared by polyethylene glycol (PEG) sol-gel method and characterized by differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis (DTA-TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the crystal structure of perovskite-type could be obtained at 600 °C, and the concentration of Co had significant effects on the solid-state reaction and the average particle size of the obtained nanocrystals. Furthermore, the humidity-sensitive properties of nanocrystalline LaCo_xFe_1-xO₃ were investigated, and it was found that LaCo_0.3Fe_0.7O₃ exhibited higher sensitivity to humidity compared with other samples. The addition of Na₂CO₃ improved the humidity-sensitive properties of this sample, and made its response to humidity good in the whole humidity range of 11%-95% relative humidity (RH).     

The A1−xUNbO6−x/2 compounds (x=0, A=Li, Na, K, Cs and x=0.5, A=Rb, Cs): from layered to tunneled structure

Attempts to prepare alkaline metal uranyl niobates of composition A_1−xUNbO_6−x/2 by high-temperature solid-state reactions of A₂CO₃, U₃O₈ and Nb₂O₅ led to pure compounds for x=0 and A=Li (1), Na (2), K (3), Cs (4) and for x=0.5 and A=Rb (5), Cs (6). Single crystals were grown for 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and for the mixed Na_0.92Cs_0.08UNbO₆ (7) compound. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=10.3091(11), b=6.4414(10), c=7.5602(5) Å, β=100.65(1), Z=4, R₁=0.054 (wR₂=0.107); 3, 5 and 7 orthorhombic, Pnma, Z=8, with a=10.307(2), 10.272(4) and 10.432(3) Å, b=7.588(1), 7.628(3) and 7.681(2) Å, c=13.403(2), 13.451(5) and 13.853(4) Å, R₁=0.023, 0.046 and 0.036 (wR₂=0.058, 0.0106 and 0.088) for 3, 5 and 7, respectively; 6, orthorhombic, Cmcm, Z=8, and a=13.952(3), b=10.607(2) Å, c=7.748(2) Å, R₁=0.044 (wR₂=0.117).The crystal structure of 1 is characterized by layers of uranophane sheet anion topology parallel to the (100) plane. These layers are formed by the association by edge-sharing of chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and chains of corner-shared NbO₅ square pyramids alternating along the [010] direction. The Li⁺ ions are located between two consecutive layers and hold them together; the Li⁺ ions and two layers constitute a neutral “sandwich” {(UNbO₆)⁻-(Li)₂²⁺-(UNbO₆)⁻}. In this unusual structure, the neutral sandwiches are stacked one above another with no formal chemical bonds between the neutral sandwiches.The homeotypic compounds 3, 5, 6, 7 have open-framework structures built from the association by edge-sharing in two directions of parallel chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and ribbons of two edge-shared NbO₆ octahedra further linked by corners. In 3, 5 and 7, the mono-dimensional large tunnels created in the [001] direction by this arrangement can be considered as the association by rectangular faces of two columns of triangular face-shared trigonal prisms of uranyl oxygens. In 3 and 7, all the trigonal prisms are occupied by the alkaline metal, in 5, they are half-occupied. In 6, the polyhedral arrangement is more symmetric and the tunnels created in the [010] direction are built of face-sharing cubes of uranyl oxygens totally occupied by the Cs atoms. This last compound well illustrates the structure-directing effect of the conterion.