Effects induced by chemical non‐stoichiometry and γ‐irradiation on the habit and unit cell parameters of ammonium tetrachlorozincate

The effect of chemical non‐stoichiometry and γ‐irradiation on the unit cell parameters of ammonium tetrachlorozincate (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄ (A₂ZC₄) has been studied. The unit cell parameters of crystal grown from solution with NH₄Cl/ZnCl₂ molar ratio 1:1, apparently non‐stoichiometrric, are nearly the same as those given for ammonium tetrachlorozincate in the literature. The 2:1 ratio is actually ‘pseudo‐stoichiometric’ due to the hygroscopic nature of ZnCl₂. The unit cell parameters of crystal grown from solution with molar ratio 2:1 match those of the structure (NH₄)₃ZnCl₅ (A₃ZC₅). The habit of the crystal grown in the former case, from solution with excess ZnCl₂, was different from that of the crystal grown in the later case, from solution with excess (NH₄)Cl. Between these two limits, a set of four samples were prepared from solutions with an excess of ZnCl₂ of 20, 30, 60 and 80 wt% in order to detect exact stoichiometric composition to grow A₂ZC₄. Analysis by X‐ray diffraction shows that the first two crystals out of this set are mixed from A₂ZC₄ and A₃ZC₅ The third and fourth crystals still contain traces of A₃ZC₅. Analysis of the X‐ray diffraction was then confirmed by DTA study. Irradiating A₂ZC₄ with γ‐dose of 250 kGy slightly increased the unit cell volume due to imperfections created by irradiation. Two computer programs were used to calculate the lattice constants and the results were compared. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Internal stress in doped NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl:Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> crystals

The relationship of the effect of impurity on crystal growth and morphology, along with the internal stress and anomalous birefringence arising upon impurity trapping by a growing crystal, is considered. The NH₄Cl-MnCl₂-H₂O-CONH₃ model system and the heterostructural NH₄Cl:Mn²⁺ crystals formed in it are experimentally studied. It is found that up to 6.63 wt % Mn²⁺ impurity is effectively captured by growing NH₄Cl crystals at an impurity trapping coefficient only slightly below unity. The effect of Mn impurity stabilizes the full-face growth of NH₄Cl crystals with a rhombododecahedral habit in aqueous solutions and a cubic habit in water-formamide solutions. The trapping of manganese impurity by ammonium chloride crystals causes high internal stress (up to 4 GPa) in them, which manifests itself in the form of anomalous birefringence and leads to splitting, twinning, and cracking in NH₄Cl crystals.     

Electron irradiation‐induced effects on optical spectra of (NH4)2ZnCl4: x Sr2+ single crystals

The effect of electron‐beam irradiation with different doses on optical constants of (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄: x Sr²⁺ crystals with x=0.000, 0.020, 0.039, 0.087 or 0.144 wt% has been studied. The optical transmission in the energy range 3.4‐6.4 eV was measured hence the absorption coefficient was computed as a frequency function. The absorption coefficient was also calculated as a function of electron‐beam dose. Irradiation with e‐beam did not affect the allowed indirect type of transition responsible for interband transitions of (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄: x Sr²⁺ crystals. Values of the optical energy gap E_g and optical moment E_p for electronic interband transition of unexposed and (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄: x Sr²⁺ crystals after e‐beam exposure were deduced. The area under the absorption band at 5.30 eV was used to evaluate the effect of e‐irradiation on optical parameters of samples with x=0.00, 0.020 or 0.039. A shift in the position and a nonmonotonic change in the intensity of this band with increasing e‐beam dose was observed. Changes in the E_g value were used to evaluate the effect of e‐beam exposure dose on (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄: x Sr²⁺ samples with x=0.087 or 0.144. The obtained results were compared with those obtained for the same crystals after irradiation with different γ‐doses.     

Characterization of ion beam sputtered ZrN coatings prepared at different substrate temperatures

Zirconium nitride (ZrN) coatings were prepared on Si (100) by single ion beam sputtering in N₂ and Ar mixture at different substrate temperatures. Structure and morphology of the ZrN coatings were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. Rutherford backscattering technique was utilized for the determination of composition and thickness of the coatings. Electrical properties of the ZrN coatings were determined by four point‐ probe and Hall test. The results showed that the growth of ZrN with a preferred (111) orientation was achieved. The coating thickness depended on the substrate temperature and coating surface roughly remained smooth. The resistivity of the coatings varied from 1× 10^‐3 to 14× 10^‐3 Ω cm depending on the substrate temperature. A correlation between resistivity and charge carrier density was established to explain the electrical behavior of the coatings. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A neutron diffraction investigation of the structure of vitreous zinc chloride

A survey is presented of the AX₂ glasses and the corresponding crystalline polymorphs. The relationship between ZnCl₂ and the other members of the series is discussed and it is predicted that the number of shortest path seven and higher-membered rings in the non-chalcogenide AX₂ glasses is likely to be small. A neutron diffraction investigation of vitreous ZnCl₂ using the D4 diffractometer at ILL Grenoble shows that the structure of vitreous ZnCl₂ comprises a distorted random close packed array of Cl^? ions with the Zn²⁺ ions in tetrahedral holes, arranged in such a way as to maximise corner sharing of the resulting ZnCl₄^2? tetrahedra at the expense of edge and face sharing. The inability of molecular dynamics simulations, using purely ionic potentials, to predict the ZnZn component correlation function is taken as an indication of covalent character to the ZnCl bond. The crystalline polymorph formed on devitrification of dry ZnCl₂ glass is δ-ZnCl₂ and not the α-form as previously reported.     

Synthesis and thermal characterization of methylammonium tetrachloro zincate (II) monohydrate crystals

Single crystals of methylammonium tetrachloro zincate (II) monohydrate were grown by slow evaporation of saturated aqueous solutions at room temperature. The grown crystals were colourless, bright and transparent. The crystals were characterized through elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric (TG‐DTA) and low temperature differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques. While the powder XRD pattern shows the crystallinity of the compound, the elemental analysis and the TG‐DTA confirm the stoichiometry of the compound. The low temperature DSC indicates first order structural phase transition at ‐8°C during heating cycle. The FTIR and far IR spectra of the compound show characteristic vibrational frequencies due to CH₃NH₃ and ZnCl₄^2‐ ions and other chemical bonds. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth kinetics and micromorphology of NH4Cl:Mn2+ crystals formed in the NH4Cl-MnCl2-H2O-CONH3 system

The growth kinetics and elementary growth processes on the surface of NH₄Cl:Mn²⁺ heterogeneous crystals formed in the NH₄Cl-MnCl₂-H₂O-CONH₃ system are experimentally studied. It is found that a change in the composition of complexes in an NH₄Cl crystal from Mn(NH₄)₂Cl₄ · 2H₂O to MnCl₂ · 2CONH₃ leads to the occurrence of a local maximum in the kinetic curve and a change in the shape of dislocation growth centers from flat to conical. The growth kinetics of {100} faces of heterogeneous NH₄Cl:Mn²⁺ crystals is described within the Bliznakov model using the Fowler-Guggenheim adsorption isotherm, which takes into account the lateral interaction of adsorbed particles.     

Effect of different metal ions on structural,thermal, spectroscopic and optical properties of ATCC and ATMC single crystals

A novel metal‐organic coordination complex nonlinear optical crystals, tri‐allylthiourea cadmium chloride [(CdCl₂(AT)₃] and tri‐allylthiourea mercury chloride [(HgCl₂(AT)₃] abbreviated as ATCC, ATMC (AT is Allylthiourea i.e.,CH₂=CHCH₂NHCSNH₂) has been synthesized and grown as single crystals. It was synthesized in deionised water and further recrystallized to improve its purity. Single crystals of the allylthiourea co‐ordination complex nonlinear optical crystals tri allylthiourea cadmium chloride (ATCC) with dimensions of 14x14x10 mm³ and tri allylthiourea mercury chloride (ATMC) with dimensions of 15x15x12 mm³ were grown successfully from aqueous solution by solvent evaporation as well as by temperature lowering method. It exhibits powder SHG efficiencies higher than that of a well known organic NLO crystal Urea. The solubility of the as grown crystals was estimated from the aqueous solution and the effect of different metal ions on the grown crystals, structural, thermal, spectral and optical properties were analyzed. XRD studies the reveals the same structure of both materials. Influence of the different central metal (Cd and Hg) atoms, changing the thermal properties of the materials when NLO complexes formed with the common ligand allylthiourea. The metal co‐ordination was confirmed form the spectroscopic analysis. From the UV transmittance studies, red shift was from the transparency cut‐off wavelengths. The value is 285nm for ATCC is and is 335nm ATMC, Non‐linear an optical study confirms the suitabilities of the as grown crystals for the non linear optical applications. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal structure of the binary complex of cobalt and zinc chlorides with carbamide [Co(OCN<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)][ZnCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

Mixed single crystals of [Co(OCN₂H₄)₅(H₂O)][ZnCl₄] were grown by the isothermal evaporation of an aqueous solution. The crystal structure of this complex was established by X-ray diffraction (R = 0.052 based on 7003 reflections). The crystals consist of [Co(OCN₂H₄)₅(H₂O)]²⁺ cations containing Co atoms in an octahedral coordination and [ZnCl₄]²⁻] anions containing Zn atoms in a tetrahedral coordination. The carbamide molecules are involved in both intramolecular and interionic hydrogen bonds. The H₂O molecule forms hydrogen bonds with the anions.     

Electrochemical Characteristics of “Polyaniline” Cathodes and Anodes in Aqueous Electrolytes

The quinoid-benzenoid-diimine form, (=(C₆H₄)=N-(C₆H₄)-N=)_x of “polyaniline” shows excellent cathode characteristics including recyclability when used in conjunction with a zinc anode in an aqueous electrolyte of (l. 0M ZnCl₂ + 0. 5M NH₄Cl) having a pH of ～ 4. The reduced form of this material, (-(C₆H₄)-N(H)-(C₆H₄)-N(H)-)_x can be used as an anode in conjunction with a Pb0₂ cathode in an aqueous 0.5M Pb(BF₄)₂ electrolyte.     

Kinetically controlled synthesis of hollow Cu2O nanocubes under solvothermal condition

Hollow Cu₂O nanocubes have been fabricated under solvothermal condition using N,N ‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent at 120 °C for 12 h. The products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Series of experiment confirmed that the amount of water, the reaction time and temperature played important roles in the morphology evolution of hollow Cu₂O nanocubes. DMF is a relatively weak alkali solvent and could release a certain amount of OH^– under the given conditions. As the release speed of OH^– from DMF became substantially slow, the nucleation and growth of Cu₂O nanocubes turned into kinetically controlled process. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Preparation of CuO mesocrystals via antlerite intermediate for photocatalytic applications

CuO mesocrystals were synthesized by thermal decomposition of antlerite (Cu₃(OH)₄SO₄) formed as an intermediate by the reaction between CuSO₄.5H₂O and urea under specific experimental conditions. Antlerite possessing spindles of sea urchin‐like morphology was obtained via controlled hydrolysis process using ethylene glycol as a co‐solvent. Antlerite and CuO mesocrystals were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform‐infrared spectrum (FT‐IR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). A probable mechanism for formation of such morphologies has been proposed. The photocatalytic and optical properties of CuO mesocrystals were also evaluated.     

Transformation of a zinc inclusion complex to wurtzite ZnS microflowers under solvothermal conditions

Wurtzite zinc sulfide (ZnS) microflowers were synthesized successfully by a convenient solvothermal route in ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylenediamine (EN) using thiourea and zinc inclusion complex as starting materials. The inclusion complex {[Zn(bipy)₂(H₂O)₂](4‐Cl‐3‐NH₂‐C₆H₃SO₃)₂(bipy) (H₂O)₂}_n was achieved by the reaction of zinc oxide (ZnO) and 4‐Cl‐3‐NH₂‐C₆H₃SO₃ with the bridging ligand bipy under moderate conditions, in which bipy is 4,4′‐bipyridine and 4‐Cl‐3‐NH₂C₆H₃SO₃NH is 4‐Chloro‐3‐aminobenzene sulfonic acid. The phase purity of bulk products was confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction and element analysis. The factors that might affect the purity of the ZnS product during the synthesis were discussed in detail. It was found that the products were significantly affected by the mixed solvents and the starting materials. X‐ray single crystal diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the products. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Electron microscopic investigations of precipitates in doped NaCl crystals

Precipitation morphology of NaCl:CdCl₂ and NaCl:SrCl₂ crystals is investigated by high voltage transmission electron microscopy. The volume fraction of the precipitates and the content of CdCl₂ has been evaluated using the theory developed by Hillard. Selected area diffraction patterns of the precipitates and investigations of the misfit dislocations around the precipitates is presented.     

Solution growth and morphology of CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystals in different solvents

In this work, large‐sized CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ single crystals were successful grown using solution evaporation method with hydrohalic acid and N, N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent respectively. The lattice parameters of cubic CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ were estimated using XRD method. The solubility of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ in hydrobromic acid was determined at the temperature range between 20 °C–90 °C. A special micro‐solution crystallizer was designed to in‐situ study the morphology of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ crystal. The largest crystal face was indexed by the XRD patterns and it would be {110} for CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ grown from HBr solution and {100} from DMF solution. The results show that solvent would affect the morphology and crystal habit greatly during crystal growth from solution.     

Influence of x‐irradiation on indentation size effect and formation of cracks for [Ky(NH4)1‐y]2ZnCl4 mixed crystals

The effects of x‐beam irradiation with different doses on microhardness and its related physical constants on [K_y(NH₄)_1‐y]₂ZnCl₄ mixed crystals with concentrations, y equals 0.000, 0.232, 0.644, 0.859 or 1.000 has been studied. The tests were performed for x‐doses from 0.2 kGy up to 1.6 kGy for loads from 20 to 160 g. The variation of hardness on (010) faces of orthorhombic [K_y(NH₄)_1‐y]₂ZnCl₄ mixed crystals with load were studied. The experimental results showed that, the hardness decreased as the x‐doses increased. Variation of the microhardness follows the normal ISE trend for low x‐doses and un‐irradiated crystals, then follows the reverse ISE trend for high x‐doses. Analysis of the experimental results revealed that: the radial cracks length, indentation size and applied indentation load are mutually related, and these dependences related with fracture mechanics are the basis of Meyer's empirical law. Indentation size effect (ISE) can be explained satisfactory by Hays‐Kendall's approach and proportional specimen resistance model. Brittleness of two cracks system are applicable for characterizing cracks around indentation impression (i.e. radial cracks) and another is (lateral cracks) for [K_y(NH₄)_1‐y]₂ZnCl₄ mixed crystals, crystals in the load range 60 – 160 g. It is shown that indentation induced microhardness decreases, whereas the length of radial cracks induced on indentation increases with the increase of x‐doses. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Low-temperature X-ray diffraction studies of [(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cd<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>11</Subscript> crystals

[(CH₃)₂NH₂]₅Cd₃Cl₁₁ crystals are grown by the method of isothermal evaporation from saturated aqueous solutions containing dimethylamine and cadmium chlorides, [(CH₃)2NH₂]Cl and CdCl_2.5H₂O. The crystal grown are studied by the X-ray diffraction method. It is established that the crystals are orthorhombic with the unit-cell parameters at room temperature a = 18.115 ± 0.004 Å, b = 11.432 ± 0.002 Å, and c = 15.821 ± 0.003 Å. The unit-cell parameters a, b, and c of the [(CH₃)₂NH₂]₅Cd₃Cl₁₁ crystals are measured as functions of temperature in the temperature range 100–320 K. The data obtained were used to determine the thermal expansion coefficients along the main crystallographic axes. The temperature curves of the unit-cell parameters and thermal expansion coefficients showed pronounced anomalies in the vicinity of the temperatures T ₁ = 120, T ₂ = 150, and T ₃ = 180 K corresponding to the phase transitions in the [(CH₃)₂NH₂]₅Cd₃Cl₁₁ crystals. The crystals are also characterized by a pronounced anisotropy of thermal expansion.     

Crystal chemistry of the salts Me+Cl · Me2+Cl2 · 2 H2O

The crystal chemistry of the double salts Me⁺Cl · Me²⁺Cl₂ · 2 H₂O (where (Me⁺ = K, Rb, Cs; Me²⁺ = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) is considered. It is concluded that these salts crystallize in three types of structures, the Me⁺ ion size being decisive for the structure type. Salts containing the large Cs⁺ ions crystallize in an orthorhombic structure in which [Me²⁺ (H₂O)₂Cl₄] octahedra form chains having common Cl⁻ corners. Salts with the smaller K⁺ ions crystallize in a tricline system, the [Me²⁺ (H₂O)₂Cl₄] octahedra being connected by a common Cl–Cl edge and forming dimers. When the intermediate in size Rb⁺ ions are present in the salts, either of the above structures is possible as well as a monoclinic structure which is intermediate in symmetry. The expected isostructure of the cesium salts was checked by studing the CsCl · NiCl₂ · 2 H₂O–CsCl · MnCl₂ · 2H₂O–H₂O system. A continuous series of mixed crystals is found.     

A novel growth method for ZnAl2O4 single crystals

ZnAl₂O₄ is a well‐known wide band gap compound semiconductor (E_g=3.8eV), ceramic, opto‐mechanical, anti‐thermal coating in aero‐space vehicles and UV optoelectronic devices. A novel method for the growth of single crystals of a ternary oxide material was developed as a fruit of a long term work. Material to be grown as metal incorporated single crystal was taken as precursor and put into a bath containing acid as reaction speed up reagent (catalyst) as well as solvent with a metal foil as cation scavenger. Using this method, ZnAl₂O₄ crystals having hexagonal facets are prepared from a single optimized bath. Structural and compositional properties of crystals were studied using Philips, Xpert ‐ MPD: X‐ray diffractometer and Philips, ESEM‐TMP + EDAX. Thus technique was found to be a new low cost and advantageous method for growth of single crystals of ternary oxide a material. We hope that these data be helpful either as a scientific or technical basis in material processing. Dedicated to Prof. P. Ramasamy © 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim     

Synthesis and characterization of strontium chloroborate whiskers

Single crystalline strontium chloroborate (Sr₂B₅O₉Cl) whiskers with uniform diameter have been synthesized by a facile route based on the calcination of precursor. The precursor was prepared by the sedimentation reaction between SrCl₂ and Na₂B₄O₇ aqueous solution. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT‐IR). An optimal synthesis temperature for preparing Sr₂B₅O₉Cl whiskers was obtained, and the possible formation process was also presented.