Phase formation in the V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

Solid-phase interactions in the V₂O₅-Ta₂O₅-MoO₃ system were studied. The formation of com- pounds TaVO₅ and VTa₉O₂₅ in the V₂O₅-Ta₂O₅ binary system was verified. Tetragonal VTa₉O₂₅-base solid solutions of the general formula Ta_{5 + 4x} V_{5 − 4x} O₂₅ (x = 0.25–1) and TaVO₅-base solid solutions of the general formula Ta _x Mo_{1 − x} V_{2 − x} O_{8 − 3x} (x = 0.625–1) were found to form. Subsolidus phase equilibria in the V₂O₅-Ta₂O₅-MoO₃ were determined.     

Synthesis,structure and thermal decomposition of [Ni(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>][VO(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)]<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The compound [Ni(NH₃)₆][VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)]₂ was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis and vibrational spectra. The single crystal X-ray study revealed that the structure consists of [Ni(NH₃)₆]²⁺ and [VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)]⁻ ions. As a result of weak interionic interactions V′···O_p (O_p-peroxo oxygen), ([VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)]⁻)₂ dimers are formed in the solid-state. The thermal decomposition of [Ni(NH₃)₆][VO(O₂)₂(NH₃)]₂ is a multi-step process with overlapped individual steps; no defined intermediates were obtained. The final solid products of thermal decomposition up to 600°C were Ni₂V₂O₇ and V₂O₅.     

Preparation and characterization of superconducting YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Cu<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>x</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> oxides by thermal analysis

In this study the formation of chromium substituted YBa₂Cu₄O₈ (Y-124) superconductors has been investigated by TG/DTA measurements. The YBa₂(Cu_1−xCr_x)₄O₈ ceramics with nominal compositions of x=0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 have been prepared by an aqueous sol-gel method using aqueous mixtures of the corresponding metal acetates and nitrates. Homogeneous precursor gels were obtained by complexing metal ions with tartaric acid. To assist the interpretation of the results obtained the synthesis products were additionally characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and resistivity measurements. It was determined that doping the YBa₂Cu₄O₈ phase with chromium has a strong effect on the phase purity and superconducting properties of the synthesis products.     

Phase relations in the Zn<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>-Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> system from room temperature to melting

Phase relations in the Zn₂V₂O₇-Cu₂V₂O₇ system were studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. The major phase constituents of the system are solid solutions based on Zn₂V₂O₇ and Cu₂V₂O₇ polymorphs and their coexistence regions. The generation of α-Zn_{2 − 2x} Cu_2x V₂O₇ solid solution, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.30, leaves almost unchanged the stabilization temperature of the high-temperature zinc pyrovanadate phase. The α-Cu_{2 − 2x} Zn_2x V₂O₇ homogeneity range is 5 mol % Zn₂V₂O₇. In the range 0.050 ≤ x ≤ 0.09 from 20 to ∼ 620°C, there is the two-phase field of α-Cu₂V₂O₇ and β-Cu₂V₂O₇ base solid solutions. At still higher temperatures, β-Zn_{2 − 2x} Cu_2x V₂O₇ and α-Cu_{2 − 2x} Zn_2x V₂O₇ coexist in the mixed-phase region. β-Zn_{2 − 2x} Cu_2x V₂O₇ solid solution, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.30, exists above 610 ± 5°C. The extent of the β′-Cu₂V₂O₇-base solid solution is 9 to 65 mol % Zn₂V₂O₇ at 615 ± 5°C, expanding to 0 mol % Zn₂V₂O₇ with rising temperature. Original Russian Text ￠ T.I. Krasnenko, M.V. Rotermel’, S.A. Petrova, R.G. Zakharov, O.V. Sivtsova, A.N. Chvanova, 2008, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 10, pp. 1755–1762.     

NaBO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> quaternary system

This is the first study of the NaBO₂-Na₂CO₃-Na₂MoO₄-Na₂WO₄ quaternary system by differential thermal analysis. Na₂[MoO_4(x)WO_{4(1 − x)}] solid solutions in the quaternary system are found to not decompose.     

Preparation and electrical properties of Nd and Mn co-doped Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> thin films

Ferroelectric thin films of Nd and Mn co-doped bismuth titanate, Bi_3.15Nd_0.85Ti_3−x Mn _x O₁₂ (BNTM) (x = 0–0.1), were fabricated on Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates by a sol–gel technique. The BNTM films had a polycrystalline perovskite structure and uniform and dense surface morphologies. A lattice distortion was observed in the BNTM films due to Mn ion doping. The ferroelectric measurement of the films indicated that the values of coercive field (E _c ) decreased gradually with the increase of the Mn content (x), however, the remanent polarization (P _r ) increase firstly and then decrease with the increase of x. The sample with x = 0.05 had optimum electrical properties and a maximum 2P _r value. The 2P _r and 2E _c values of the film at a maximum applied electric field of 400 kV/cm were 38.3 μC/cm² and 180 kV/cm, respectively. Moreover, this BNTM capacitors did not show fatigue behaviors after 1.0 × 10¹⁰ switching cycles at a frequency of 1 MHz, suggesting a fatigue-free character. The main reason for the increase of the 2P _r and the decrease of the 2E _c might be attributed to the lattice distortion in BNTM films due to Mn ion doping.     

Multifunctional iron thiocarboxylate complexes: synthesis,reactivity and structure of CpFe(CO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SCO-3,5-C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>(COCl)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A controlled substitution reaction of the chlorine atoms of 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride by the organoiron fragment (CpFe(CO)₂S) has been achieved. The complexes CpFe(CO)₂SCO-3,5-C₆H₃(COCl)₂ (1), 1,3-[CpFe(CO)₂SCO]₂-5-C₆H₃COCl (2) and 1,3,5-[CpFe(CO)₂SCO]₃C₆H₃ (3) were prepared from the reaction of (μ-S _x )[CpFe(CO)₂]₂ (x = 3, 4) with 1,3,5-C₆H₃(COCl)₃ in a 1:1, 2:1, or 3:1 metal to ligand molar ratio. The reactions of (1) with amines, thiols, and carboxylic acids produce the trifunctional mono-iron complexes CpFe(CO)₂SCO-3,5-C₆H₃(COY)₂ [Y = NR₂ (4), SR (5), OCOR (4)]. The X-ray structure determination of (1) is reported.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>(XO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> (X = S,Se)

Compounds described as V₂O₃(XO₄)₂, where X = S or Se, were prepared from vanadium(V) oxide mixtures with concentrated sulfuric and selenic acids. The physicochemical properties of the products were studied; for V₂O₃(SeO₄)₂, the crystal structure was determined by powder X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction, and its key differences from the structure of V₂O₃(SO₄)₂ were identified. V₂O₃(SeO₄)₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the unit cell parameters a = 15.3831(2)Å, b = 5.54096(5)Å, c = 9.71644(7)Å, β = 111.886(1)°, V = 768.51ų, space group C2/c (no. 15).     

Structure of a new chelate complex MO<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>(dpm)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

A new Mo₂O₃(dpm)₄ compound (I) is synthesized by the interaction of Mo(CO)₆ with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptanedione-3,5 (dpm). The structure of complex I determined by the XRD method is as follows: triclinic crystal system, space group P–1, a = 10.1780(7) Å, b = 10.1817(6) Å, c = 13.3255(9) Å, α = 110.562(2)°, β = 102.233(2)°, γ = 93.9041(19)°, V = 1248.17(14) ų. The compound is characterized by IR spectroscopy, mass-spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

New phase in the system FeVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Cd<Subscript>4</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript>

A new phase Cd₄Fe_7+xV_9+xO_37+4x, where −0.5<x<1.5, has been obtained in the solid-state in the FeVO₄−Cd₄V₂O₉ system. The temperature of incongruent melting and the unit cell volume of this phase decrease with decreasing the content of cadmium. The IR spectrum and SEM image of the new phase are presented.     

Construction and characterization of alkoxy-derived (Y,Yb)MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/HfO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Si structures for FeRAM application

(Y,Yb)MnO₃ and HfO₂ films were prepared using alkoxy-derived precursor solutions, and (Y,Yb)MnO₃/HfO₂/Si structures were fabricated. The thickness, surface uniformity and crystallinity of the HfO₂ film affect the crystallization of Y_0.5Yb_0.5MnO₃ films. The degree of c-axis orientation and crystallinity of the Y_0.5Yb_0.5MnO₃ films were changed with preparation conditions of HfO₂ films. It was difficult to obtain Y_0.5Yb_0.5MnO₃ films with high crystallinity and high degree of c-axis orientation on the HfO₂ films thinner than 10 nm. The degree of c-axis orientation and crystallinity of the Y_0.5Yb_0.5MnO₃ films on HfO₂ films were improved by using diluted HfO₂ precursor solution in the case of 10 nm-thick HfO₂ film. Following this, the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics were improved.     

Tysonite-type solid solutions in the BiF<Subscript>3</Subscript>-BiOF-BaF<Subscript>2</Subscript> system: Polymorphism and anionic conductivity

Tysonite solid solutions Bi_1−x Ba _x O _y F_3−x−2y in the BiF₃-BiOF-BaF₂ system were obtained by solid-phase synthesis in sealed copper tubes in an argon atmosphere at 873 K with subsequent quenching. The solid solutions were studied by X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, and impedance spectroscopy. On the basis of X-ray powder diffraction data, the homogeneity ranges of the tysonite solid solutions were determined and the scheme of their location in the BiF₃-BiOF-BaF₂ system at 873 K was suggested. Aliovalent substitutions in both the cation and anion sublattices Ba²⁺ → Bi³⁺ and O²⁻ → F⁻ made it possible to vary the concentration of anion vacancies. It was found that, at a high concentration of anion defects at 873 K, the hexagonal tysonite modification with space group P6₃/mmc is stable. With a decrease in the defect concentration, the trigonal tysonite modification with space group $ P\bar 3c1 $ P\bar 3c1 becomes stable. An ordered monoclinic tysonite-type modification BiO _y F_{3 − 2y} (0.13 < y < 0.23) was revealed. For the homogeneity ranges of all tysonite phases, dependences of the unit cell parameters and conductivity on the composition along the sections with a constant barium or oxygen content were reported. The most probable location of oxygen anions and anion vacancies in the tysonite structure is discussed.     

Specific heat on Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Summary Specific heats on the single crystals of Sr₂Nb₂O₇, Sr₂Ta₂O₇ and (Sr_1-xBa_x)₂Nb₂O₇ were measured in a wide temperature range of 2-600 K. Heat anomalies of a λ-type were observed at the incommensurate phase transition of T_INC (=495 K) on Sr₂Nb₂O₇ and at the super-lattice phase transition of T_SL (=443 K) on Sr₂Ta₂O₇; the transition enthalpies and the transition entropies were estimated. Furthermore, a small heat anomaly was observed at the low temperature ferroelectric phase transition of T_LOW (=95 K) on Sr₂Nb₂O₇. The transition temperature T_LOW decreases with increasing Ba content x and it vanishes for samples of x>2%.     

Electrical conductivity studies in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>1.33</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1.67</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Electrical conductivity in the monoclinic Li₂TiO₃, cubic Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄, and in their mixture has been studied by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 20–730 °C. Li₂TiO₃ shows low lithium ion conductivity, σ₃₀₀≈10^–6 S/cm at 300 °C, whereas Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄ has 3×10^–8 at 20 °C and 3×10^–4 S/cm at 300 °C. Structural properties are used to discuss the observed conductivity features. The conductivity dependences on temperature in the coordinates of 1000/T versus log_e(σT) are not linear, as the conductivity mechanism changes. Extrinsic and intrinsic conductivity regions are observed. The change in the conductivity mechanism in Li₂TiO₃ at around 500–600 °C is observed and considered as an effect of the first-order phase transition, not reported before. Formation of solid solutions of Li_{2– x} Ti_{1+ x} O₃ above 900 °C significantly increases the conductivity. Irradiation by high-energy (5 MeV) electrons causes defects and the conductivity in Li₂TiO₃ increases exponentially. A dose of 144 MGy yields an increase in conductivity of about 100 times at room temperature. Electronic Publication     

Electrochemical performance of rare-earth doped LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> spinel cathode materials for Li-ion rechargeable battery

Spinel powders of LiMn_2−x RE _x O₄ (RE = La, Ce, Nd, Sm; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) have been synthesized by solid-phase reaction. The structure and electrochemical properties of these electrode materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and charge–discharge experiment. The part substitution of rare-earth element RE for Mn in LiMn₂O₄ decreases the lattice parameter, resulting in the improvement of structural stability, and decreases the charge transfer resistance during the electrochemical process of LiMn₂O₄. As a result, the cycle ability, 55 °C high-temperature and high-rate performances of LiMn_2−x RE _x O₄ electrode materials are significantly improved with increasing RE addition, compared to the pristine LiMn₂O₄.     

Synthesis and characterization of LiCo<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> powder by a novel CAM microwave-assisted sol–gel method for Li ion battery

LiMn₂O₄-based spinels are of great interest as positive electrode materials for lithium ion batteries. LiCo _x Mn_2−x O₄ (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) spinel phases have been synthesized by novel citric acid-modified microwave-assisted sol–gel method. The structural properties of the synthesized products have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. To improve the recharge capacity of Li/LiCo _x Mn_2−x O₄ cells, the electrochemical features of LiCo _x Mn_2−x O₄ compounds have been evaluated as positive electrode materials. The structural properties of Co-doped oxides are very similar to LiMn₂O₄ electrode. Techniques like cyclic voltammetry, charge–discharge and cycle life are also used to characterize the LiCo _x Mn_2−x O₄ (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) electrodes.     

Solid electrolytes based on CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for medium-temperature electrochemical devices

CeO₂-based solid solutions with a fluorite structure are promising materials as electrolytes of medium-temperature electrochemical devices: electrolytic cells, oxygen sensors, and solid oxide fuel cells. In this work, studies are presented of the effect of the dopant cation radius and its concentration on the physico-chemical properties of the Ce_{1 − x} Ln _x O_{2 − δ} solid solutions (x = 0–0.20; Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb) and also of multicomponent solid solutions of Ce_{1 − x} Ln _x/2Ln′ _x/2O_{2 − δ} (x = 0–0.20; Ln = Sm, La, Gd and Ln′ = Dy, Nd, Y) and Ce_{1 − x − y} Sm _x M _y O_{2 − δ} (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) obtained using the solid-phase synthesis technique. Electric properties of the samples were studied in the temperature range of 623–1173 K and in the oxygen partial pressure range of 0.01–10⁻²² MPa. The values of oxygen critical pressure ( p_O2 ^* )\left( {p_{O_2 }^* } \right) are presented, at which the ionic and electron conductivity values are equal. The values were calculated on the basis of experimental dependences at 1023 K at the assumption that the ionic conductivity value is determined only by the dopant concentration and its effective ionic radius and is independent of the oxygen partial pressure.     

Investigation into the formation of heteronuclear clusters of formula [{Ru<Subscript>6</Subscript>C(CO)<Subscript>16</Subscript>Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>X}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>2−</Superscript> (X = Cl,Br or I)

Reaction of [Ru₆C(CO)₁₆]²⁻ with an excess of AgX (X = Cl, Br or I) affords heteronuclear clusters of formula [{Ru₆C(CO)₁₆Ag₂X}₂]²⁻ in 80% yield, which for X = I and X = Br/Cl were crystallographically characterised. The formation of the cluster was followed in solution using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which revealed the presence of a wide range of clusters with the general formula [{Ru₆C(CO)₁₆} _x Ag _y X _z ]^{(2x−y+z)−} where x = 1 or 2, y = 1, 2, 3 or 4 and z = 0, 1 or 2. The high yield of the product despite the evident complicated solution speciation is attributed to selective crystallisation of the observed compound driving the equilibrium toward this product.     

Thermal synthesis of the (Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>1–x</Subscript>(Er<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>x</Subscript> pigments

The synthesis of new compounds based on Bi₂O₃ is investigated because they can be used as new environmentally friendly inorganic pigments. Chemical compounds of the (Bi₂O₃)_1–x(Er₂O₃)_x type were synthetized. The host lattice of these pigments is Bi2O3 that is doped by Er³⁺ ions. The incorporation of doped ions provides interesting colours and contributes to an increase in the thermal stability of these compounds. The simultaneous TG-DTA measurements were used for determination of the temperature region of the pigment formation and thermal stability of pigments.     

Thermal behaviour and properties of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> glasses

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) were used to study the thermal behaviour of (50-x)Na₂O-xTiO₂-50P₂O₅ and 45Na₂O-yTiO₂-(55-y)P₂O₅ glasses. The addition of TiO₂ to the starting glasses (x=0 and y=5 mol% TiO₂) resulted in a nonlinear increase of glass transition temperature and dilatation softening temperature, whereas the thermal expansion coefficient decreased. All prepared glasses crystallize under heating within the temperature range of 300–610°C. The contribution of the surface crystallization mechanism over the internal one increases with increasing TiO₂ content. With increasing TiO₂ content the temperature of maximum nucleation rate is also gradually shifted from a value close to the glass transition temperature towards the crystallization temperature. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the major compounds formed by glass crystallization were NaPO₃, TiP₂O₇ and NaTi₂(PO₄)₃. The chemical durability of the glasses without titanium oxide is very poor, but with the replacement of Na₂O or P₂O₅ by TiO₂, it increases sharply.