Production and properties of high purity TeO2− WO3−(La2O3, Bi2O3) and TeO2− ZnO−Na2O−Bi2O3 glasses

TeO₂–WO₃ (TW), TeO₂–WO₃–La₂O₃ (TWL), TeO₂–WO₃–La₂O₃–Bi₂O₃ (TWLB) and TeO₂–ZnO–Na₂O–Bi₂O₃ (TZNB) glasses were produced by high-purity oxide mixtures melting in platinum or gold crucible at 800 °C in the atmosphere of purified oxygen. The total content of Cu, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni impurities was not more than 0.1–0.5 ppm wt in the initial oxides and glasses. The stability of TZNB glasses to crystallization, characterized by (T_x ? T_g) value more than 150 °C, was demonstrated by DSC measurements at heating rate 10 K/min. In the case of La₂O₃-containing glasses the thermal effects of both crystallization and fusion of the crystallized phases were not observed. The hydroxyl groups absorption coefficients of pure tellurite glasses at the maximum of the absorption band (λ ~ 3 μm) were in the region of 0.012–0.001 cm^?1. The optical absorption losses, measured by the laser calorimetry method at λ = 1.56 and 1.97 μm, did not exceed 100 dB/km.     

Growth and characterization of lead-free Ba(1−x)CaxTi(1−y)ZryO3 single crystal

A lead-free Ba_(1?x)Ca_xTi_(1?y)Zr_yO₃ (BCZT) single crystal (x=0.08, y=0.26) was grown by the Czochralski (CZ) method in a mixed flux of TiO₂ and ZrO₂. The composition of as-grown BCZT was analyzed by electron probe micro-analysis. The structure, dielectric properties and phase transition were investigated at different temperatures. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed that the structure of the as-grown BCZT crystal was cubic both at 25 °C and 500 °C. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant and Raman spectra characterization revealed that there was a phase transition from cubic to tetragonal, which happened between 200 K and 250 K. With increasing frequency, the Curie temperature shifted towards high temperature.     

Electromechanical and electro-optic properties of xBiScO3–yBiGaO3–(1−x−y)PbTiO3 single crystals

Single crystals in the xBiScO₃–yBiGaO₃–(1−x−y)PbTiO₃ (BS–BG–PT) system were grown by the high temperature solution method using Pb₃O₄ and Bi₂O₃ as the flux. The dielectric permittivity (ε_r) at room temperature for unpoled tetragonal crystals was determined to be 500–600 with dielectric loss tangents less than 0.3%. The Curie temperature was found to be around ∼420–450°C, with a dielectric maximum, exhibiting relaxor behavior. The longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) was found to be ∼300 pC/N for 〈0 0 1〉 oriented tetragonal crystals with electromechanical coupling factor (k₃₃) of 75%, with a shear mode, d₁₅∼290 pC/N and k₁₅∼45%, lateral mode, d₃₁∼−55 pC/N and k₃₁∼−37%. The remnant polarization (P_r) was 46 μC/cm² with a coercive field (E_c) of 43 kV/cm at 1 Hz and DC field of 60 kV/cm. The linear electro-optic (E-O) coefficients of poled crystals determined using an automated scanning Mach–Zehnder interferometer method at room temperature and wavelength of 632.8 nm were r₃₃=36 and r₁₃=4 pm/V, respectively.     

Structure and properties of ceramic solid solutions Li x Na1 − x Ta y Nb 1 − y O3 (x = 0–0.05, y = 0–0.04)

The structure of Li_0.03Na_0.97Ta _y Nb_{1 ? y} O₃ ceramic solid solutions and the processes of its disordering with a change in composition and temperature have been studied by full-profile X-ray diffraction analysis and Raman spectroscopy. It was established that at room temperature the structure of Li_0.03Na_0.97Ta_0.05Nb_0.95O₃ solid solutions is close to the NaNbO₃ structure and has a space group P21ma with four formula units per unit cell. It was shown that the oxygen octahedra in the Li _x Na_1?x Ta_0.1Nb_0.9O₃ solid solutions (0, 0.15, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05) are slightly distorted and their geometry is identical to that of octahedra in the NaNbO₃ structure. The temperature dependence of the intensities of lines in the Raman spectrum of Li_0.03Na_0.97Ta_0.4Nb_0.6O₃ solid solutions corresponding to vibrations of Li⁺ and Na⁺ cations in the cuboctahedral structural voids revealed a strong disordering in the alkali metal sublattice at a temperature above 322°C. This may indicate the essential stepwise increase in the Li⁺ cation mobility and may result in a change in the kinetic and energetic characteristics of ion charge transport.     

Crystal structure of α‴-(Zn1−x Cd x )3As2 (x = 0.26)

Single crystals of the α?-phase of (Zn_{1 ? x} Cd _x )₃As₂ solid solution (x = 0.26) have been prepared and investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The tetragonal unit-cell parameters are found to be a = b = 8.5377(2) Å, c = 24.0666(9) Å, sp. gr. I4₁/amd, Z = 16. Zn and Cd atoms in the crystal statistically occupy three symmetrically independent positions in the mirror planes and are tetrahedrally coordinated by arsenic atoms. (Zn,Cd) tetrahedra share edges to form a three-dimensional structure framework. The α?-phase is geometrically related to the fluorite structure. The character of arrangement of tetrahedral vacancies in fluorite-like unit cells is revealed. Chains of tetrahedral vacancies form microchannels oriented parallel the a and b axes, which pierce the three-dimensional structure framework at different levels along the c axis. The structure of α″-Cd₃As₂ crystals is found to be similar to that of α?-(Zn_0.74Cd_0.26)₃As₂.     

Investigation of the structure and properties of (K x (NH4)1 − x )3H(SO4)2 single crystals

The influence of isomorphous replacement in the cation sublattice on the kinetics of the phase transition in single crystals of the solid solutions (K _x (NH₄)_{1 ? x} ) _m H _n (SO₄)_{(m + n)/2} · yH₂O belonging to the K₃H(SO₄)₂-(NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂-H₂O salt system was studied. Superproton phase transitions for the end compositions of this system have been found earlier. The optical and thermal properties of crystals with the composition (K,NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ in the temperature range from 295 to 500 K were investigated, and the crystal structure was determined at 295 K. The results of the study and the comparison with the literature data show that the replacement of potassium atoms with ammonia leads to a fundamental change in the kinetics of the phase transition, the phase-transition temperature remaining virtually unchanged.     

The preparation and structural studies in the (80 − x)TeO2–20ZnO–(x)Er2O3 glass system

Er³⁺-doped tellurite glasses of the (80 ? x)TeO₂–20ZnO–(x)Er₂O₃ system (0.5 mol% ? x ? 2.5 mol%) have successfully been made by melt-quenching technique and their structure has been investigated by means of DTA and Raman spectroscopy. The DTA results show the thermal parameters; such as the glass transition temperature (T_g) and crystallization temperature (T_c) were determined. It is found that this system provides a stable and wide glass formation range in which the glass stability around 99–140 °C may be obtained. The Raman spectroscopy used the structural studies in the glass system. Two Raman shift peaks were observed around 640–670 cm^?1 and 720–740 cm^?1, which correspond to the stretching vibration mode of TeO₄ tbp and TeO₃ tp, respectively. It is found that the spectral shift in Raman spectra is depending on the Er₂O₃ content. This evolution is an indication of the changes in the basic unit of the glass structure.     

Optical properties and structure of amorphous films Agx(As0.33S0.67−ySey)100−x

As₃₃S_67−ySe_y, where y = 0, 16.75, 33.5, 50.25 and 67, amorphous thin films were prepared by a vacuum thermal evaporation technique. The films with known silver concentrations and good optical quality were prepared by thermal vacuum evaporation of a silver film on the top of As₃₃S_100−ySe_y films with sequential step-by-step optically- and thermally-induced diffusion and dissolution (OIDD) of silver. The range of silver content was x = 0–25 at.%. The kinetics of OIDD of silver were measured optically by monitoring the change of thickness of the undoped part of the chalcogenide during broadband illumination. Compositions of the reaction products have been determined by scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalyser EDS. Optical properties $(T\text{,}n\text{,}{E}_{\text{g}}^{\text{opt}})$ of thin films were measured and/or calculated by the Swanepoel method [R. Swanepoel, J. Phys. E: Sci. Instrum. 16 (1983) 1214]. The refractive index increase with increasing silver and selenium concentration has been shown. The difference of the refractive index (Δn) between undoped and silver doped films was ∼0.4 and between As₃₃S₆₇ and As₃₃Se₆₇ was films ∼0.42. Non-linear indices of refraction were estimated according to Tichy’s formula [H. Ticha, L. Tichy, J. Optoel, Adv. Mat. 4 (2002) 381]. The values of non-linear refractive index grew with increasing silver and selenium content. The difference of optical bandgap, $\mathrm{\Delta }{E}_{\text{g}}^{\text{opt}}$, between undoped As₃₃S₆₇ and fully doped films with Ag and Se was ∼1 eV. Raman spectroscopy showed a decrease in S–S or Se–Se bonds with increasing silver content.     

Band gap determination by absorption spectrum fitting method (ASF) and structural properties of different compositions of (60−x) V2O5–40TeO2–xSb2O3 glasses

Glasses with compositions (60?x) V₂O₅–40TeO₂–xSb₂O₃ with 0 ? x ? 10 (in mol%) have been prepared using usual melt quenching method. The position of the absorption edge and hence the values of the optical band gap was found to depend on the glass composition. Using the Tauc model, the absorption spectrum fitting method (ASF) was employed to obtain the optical band gap. This method requires only the measurement of the absorbance spectrum of the sample. For each sample, the width of the band tail was determined. Also, the density and glass transition temperature values indicate that the rigidity and packing of the samples increase with increase in Sb₂O₃ concentration.     

Selective dissolution of Agx(As0.33S0.67−ySey)100−x chalcogenide thin films

Thin films of As₃₃S₆₇, As₃₃S_33.5Se_33.5 and As₃₃Se₆₇ prepared by vacuum thermal evaporation were selectively etched in alkaline organic solutions of amines i.e. 1,2-diaminopropane, morpholine, aminoethanol, cyclohexylamine, hexylamine, butylamine and propylamine. Dissolution rates v, resolution coefficients γ and surface quality are discussed and compared to recently published results of etching process in inorganic solutions of NaOH, Na₂S and (NH₄)₂S. The resolution coefficients achieved in amine based solutions are by the order of magnitude higher than ones in inorganic etchants. Etching in organic solutions showed increase of the resolution coefficient and decrease of dissolution rate of exposed and unexposed film in the sequence of propylamine, butylamine, hexylamine and cyclohexylamine solution. The role of different type of amine on dissolution rate and resolution coefficient is discussed. The dissolution parameter γ is getting worse in the same type of solvent with increasing content of Se. The dissolution mechanism and relation between photo-structural change and dissolution behavior of films are proposed. New results of negative selective etching of Ag_x(As_0.33Se_0.67)_100?x in NaCN are presented and compared with selective etching curves of recently published Ag_x(As_0.33S_0.67)_100?x and Ag_x(As_0.33S_0.335Se_0.335)_100?x thin films. Potential application is shown in fabrication of ‘microlenses like’ motive into the Ag–As₃₃S₆₇ thin film.     

Growth and properties of mixed K2Ni x Co1−x (SO4)2 · 6H2O crystals

Optically homogeneous mixed K₂Ni _x Co_{(1 ? x)}(SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O crystals are grown from solutions of different compositions by the temperature-reduction technique in static and dynamic regimes. The optical characteristics of the grown crystals are measured: transmittance reaches 80% in the wavelength range of 240–290 nm and no more than 9% in the visible spectral range. The thermal stability of the crystals is studied. It is established that the thermal stability of mixed K₂Ni _x Co_{1 ? x} (SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O crystals is higher than that of K₂Co(SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O crystal. The defects of the mixed crystals grown in static and dynamic regimes are investigated by X-ray topography.     

Raman spectroscopy studies of xNa2S+(1−x)B2S3 glasses and polycrystals

The Raman spectra of binary xNa₂S+(1−x)B₂S₃ glasses and polycrystals have been measured for the first time and are used to develop a structural model of the sodium thioborate glasses. The Raman spectra confirm our previous infrared (IR) experimental conclusions that the structure of vitreous (ν-B₂S₃) is comprised of B3(0) groups and six-membered rings. It was also found that as sodium sulfide is added to the glass in the low alkali (x<0.35) glass forming region, the B4 groups are formed at the expense of the B3(0) groups first and then from the six-membered ring groups. The Raman spectra are also consistent with the presence of a pyramidal structural arrangement of B4 groups with trigonally coordinated sulfur atoms. This structure could explain the existence of the super-stoichiometric amounts of B4 groups found using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Glasses in the high alkali region (0.50<x<0.80) progressively change from being comprised of metathioborate rings to being comprised of B3(3) groups. The Raman spectra also confirms the IR spectra which saw no evidence of B3(2) groups in these sodium thioborate glasses.     

Structural behavior of CuxZr100−x metallic glass (x = 35−70)

The structural behavior of rapidly quenched amorphous Cu_xZr_100?x alloys was investigated in a wide composition range between 35 and 70 at.% Cu content. High-energy X-ray diffraction patterns, atomic pair correlation functions, mass density and the thermal stability behavior of the alloys all exhibit monotonic changes with composition. Partial pair correlation functions were determined assuming that they remain unchanged in the different amorphous Cu_xZr_100?x alloys and only the weight fractions become altered with changes in composition. The experimental results can be well described by a solid solution-like replacement of Cu and Zr atoms in the whole composition range. No indications are observed neither for the existence of a special atomic arrangement at a particular chemical composition nor for the presence of phase separation in the glassy state of the binary Cu–Zr system.     

Crystal structure of cesium sodium hexathiocyanatobismuthate Cs2Na[Bi(SCN)6] and characterization of Cs2Na[Bi(SCN)6−x Cl x ] and Cs2Na[Bi2(SCN)9−x Cl x ] complexes by X-ray powder diffraction

Cs₂Na[Bi(SCN)₆] crystallizes in the trigonal space group with one formal molecule per unit cell.M=846.25,a=7.189(1),c=10.580(2) ,V=473.5(1) ,D _x =2.967 g cm^–3, (MoK)=13.70 mm^–1,F(000)=378. FinalR=0.029 for 917 absorption-corrected reflections. The structure consists of infinite[Bi(SCN)₆Na] ^2– anionic chains along thec axis with slightly distorted octahedral Bi–6S and Na–6N coordination and Cs⁺ ions surrounded by three anionic chains with irregular coordination by six N and three S atoms. X-ray powder diffractograms of three complexes, Cs₂Na[Bi(SCN)_6–x Cl _x ] withx=2, 3 and 4, indicate that the mixed complexes are not isostructural and can be indexed in different orthorombic unit cells witha=14.617(8),b=12.32(1),c=10.769(6) forx=2;a=15.37(1),b=10.81(1),c=10.287(6) forx=3 anda=14.662(7),b=14.366(7),c=7.932(4) forx=4. The two dinuclear complexes Cs₂Na[Bi₂(SCN)_9–x Cl _x ] withx=2 and 3, despite the large similarity of their diffractograms, are not isostructural and can be indexed in different orthorombic unit cells witha=14.79(1),b=13.72(1),c=10.591(5) forx=2 anda=18.423(8),b=15.657(7),c=7.410(7) forx=3.     

Growth and structure of photosensitive Pb1−x Mn x Te(Ga) epitaxial films

The growth and structure of (1-1.5)-μm-thick Pb_1?x Mn _x Te(Ga)(x = 0.06) films with 0.4?0.9 at % of gallium, grown on BaF₂(111) and Pb_1?x Sn _x Te (x = 0.2) (100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy, have been investigated. It is established that the films are crystallized into an fcc structure, and their growth planes are (111) and (100), according to the substrate orientation. The optimal conditions for obtaining high-resistivity photosensitive p-and n-type films with a perfect crystal structure (W _1/2 = 80″?100″) have been determined.     

Nanostructured crystals of fluorite phases Sr1 − x R x F2 + x and their ordering: 9. The defect crystal and real structure of quenched fluorite phases Sr1 − x Ce x F2 + x (x = 0–0.5)

A Sr_0.7Ce_0.3F_2.3 crystal (CaF₂ type, sp. gr. $Fm\bar 3m$ ), obtained by quenching from melt, has been studied for the first time by X-ray diffraction. Fluorine vacancies and interstitial anions are found in the 8c and 32f sites, respectively. The defect ratio in the Sr_0.7Ce_0.3F_2.3 structure corresponds to the tetrahedral cluster configuration of defects {Sr_{4 ? n} Ce _n F₂₆}. The defect structure of quenched (at a rate of ～25 K/min) crystal differs from that of a crystal grown from melt (cooling at a rate of ～3 K/min) by the displacement of some cations (presumably Ce³⁺) along the threefold axis to the 32f site and the anisotropy of thermal vibrations of ions in the cluster core (F _int(32f)3). The concentration dependence of the lattice parameters of quenched Sr_{1 ? x} Ce _x F_{2 + x} phases (x = 0–0.5) is described by a third-order polynomial: a = 5.80009 + 1.166518 × 10^?3 x ? 1.124969 × 10^?5 x ² + 8.258155 × 10^?8 x ³. The compositional dependence of microdistortions is also nonlinear; maximum microdistortions are observed in the SrF₂ crystal. They decrease with an increase in the cerium concentration x to ～ 0.35. The minimum in the range x = 0.30–0.35 correlates with a composition corresponding to the peak (at x ～ 0.29) in the melting curves of the fluorite phase estimated from the phase diagram of the SrF₂-CeF₃ system (the method of thermal analysis).     

Stoichiometry–structure correlation of epitaxial Ce1−xPrxO2−δ (x=0−1) thin films on Si(111)

Epitaxial oxide thin film layers are of interest for model catalytic studies. We report the growth of Ce_1?xPr_xO_2?δ mixed oxide layers of different stoichiometries (x=0–1) and oxygen deficiency (δ>0) on Si(111) by co-evaporating molecular beam epitaxy. The main objective is to identify the crystal phases and to investigate the correlation between compositions and crystal structures. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy was performed to quantify the stoichiometries. An extensive laboratory and synchrotron based X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to determine the vertical and lateral lattice orientations and the strain status of the layers. The study revealed that single crystalline Ce_1?xPr_xO_2?δ/Si(111) heterostructures can be epitaxially grown on Si(111) for model catalytic studies. In addition to the structure–stoichiometry relationship typical to mixed oxide bulk powders, we identified a hexagonal mixed Ce–Pr oxide thin film phase not yet reported in bulk studies.     

Luminescence of Dy3+-doped GexGa5Se(95−x) glasses

Dysprosium doped Ge_xGa₅Se_(95?x) (x = 15–30) chalcogenide glasses were synthesized in this present work. The Vis–NIR transmission spectra, photoluminescence spectra and lifetime were measured. Glasses (x = 27.5, 29.17 and 30) doped with 0.2 wt% dysprosium ions shows relatively strong emission bands at 1146 and 1343 nm when pumped at 808 nm. The emission lifetime ranged from 440 to 540 μs. The oscillator strengths and intensity parameters Ω_t (t = 2, 4 and 6) were calculated using Judd–Ofelt theory.     

Nanostructured crystals of fluorite phases Sr1 − x R x F2 + x (R are rare earth elements) and their ordering: 5. A study of the ionic conductivity of as-grown Sr1 − x R x F2 + x crystals

Crystallography Reports - The ionic conductivity σ of Sr1 ? x R x F2 + x crystals (R = Y, La-Lu) has been measured in the temperature range of 324–933 K. The isomorphic...     

Reaction of trimethylaluminum and trimethylgallium with bifunctional amines: Syntheses and molecular structures of [Me2Al−N(CH2CH2)2−C−(OCH2)2]2 and [Me2Ga−N(Si(H)Me2)2]2

The crystalline products [Me₂Al–N(CH₂CH₂)₂–C–(OCH₂)₂]₂ (I) and [Me₂Ga–N(Si(H)Me₂)₂]₂ (II) were prepared from reactions of trimethylaluminum and trimethylgallium with 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]-decane and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane, respectively, in toluene. The organoaluminum dimer crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP2₁/c with unit cell parametersa=8.970(2) ,b=9.683(2) ,c=12.833(3) , =103.18(2)°,V=1085.3(3) ³, andD _calcd=1.22 g cm^–3 forZ=2. Least-squares refinement based on 935 observed reflectionsI>3(I) in the range 3.5°<2<45.0° led to a finalR factor of 0.033 (R _w =0.041). The dimeric organosilazagallium crystallizes in the triclinic space group with unit cell parametersa=7.636(2) ,b=9.168(2) ,c=9.466(3), =72.81(2)°, =87.94(2)°, =69.90(2)°,V=593.0(3) ³, andD _calcd=1.30 g cm^–3 forZ=1. Least-squares refinement based on 1661 observed reflectionsI>3(I) in the range 3.5°<2<48.0° led to a finalR factor of 0.055 (R _w =0.070). Both compoundsI andII reside about a crystallographic center of symmetry and contain a planar M₂N₂ (M=Al forI, Ga forII) four-membered ring withI having an Al...Al contact of 2.801 .