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.     

Crystal chemical aspect of synthesis of laser crystals with garnet structure in Ln2O3−Sc2O3−M2O3 systems (Ln=Y,Gd; M=Ga,Al)

Regions of existence were determined for various types of poly- and monocrystalline solid solutions (Ln₃[Sc_yM_2−y]M₃O₁₂; {Ln_3−xSc_x}[Sc_yM_2−y]M₃O₁₂; Ln₃[Ln_zSc_yM_2−y−z] M₃O₁₂; Ln=Y, Gd; M=Ga, Al) by analyzing the diagrams r^VIII−r^VI (r^VI are weighted mean dodecahedral and octahedral radii, respectively). We found the position of congruently melting compositions in r^VIII−r^VI coordinates and optimal compositions for obtaining Nd³⁺- and Cr³⁺-doped crystals. The structure of the congruently melting composition was found to be formed of “equilibrium” polyhedra, which need not be stabilized. It is shown that a congruently melting composition, which is absent in the original matrix, may be achieved by isomorphous substitutions at certain positions of the structure. The most probable mechanisms of formation of poly- and monocrystalline solid solutions with garnet structure are suggested using the calculated binodal curves of decomposition. M. V. Lomonosov Moscow Academy of Fine Chemical Technology. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 23–33, September–October, 1994. Translated by O. Kharlamova     

Structural and electric properties of the Ce0.8(Sm1 ? xCax)0.2O2 ? δ system (x = 0.0–1.0)

CeO₂-based solid solutions with a fluorite structure are promising materials as electrolytes of medium-temperature electrochemical devices. This work presents the results of systematic studies of structural and electric properties and oxygen nonstoichiometry of the Ce_0.8(Sm_{1 − x} Ca _x )_0.2O_{2 − δ} system in a wide range of concentrations of 0 < x < 1 performed in order to establish the causes affecting the system conductivity and its behavior in a reducing medium. It is found that a single-phase solid solution of the fluorite type is formed in the whole concentration range. Parameters of its lattice cells decrease linearly at an increase in the concentration of Ca²⁺. Conductivity in air grows when calcium is added due to a decrease in the grain boundary resistance. The maximum conductivity in air was obtained for the composition of Ce_0.8(Sm_0.8Ca_0.2)_0.2O_{2 − δ} and is 13.71 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 873 K. Studies of the dependence of conductivity of the partial pressure of oxygen showed that electron conductivity is observed at a higher oxygen partial pressure at an increase in the temperature and calcium concentration. The critical partial pressure of oxygen ( p_O2 ^* )\left( {p_{O_2 }^* } \right) for the compositions of Ce_0.8(Sm_{1 − x} Ca _x )_0.2O_{2 − δ} with x = 0; 0.2, and 0.5 is 1.83 × 10⁻¹⁶, 1.73 × 10⁻¹³, and 3.63 × 10⁻¹³ atm at 1173 K, respectively, and 2.76 × 10⁻²¹, 5.05 × 10⁻¹⁸, and 1.31 × 10⁻¹⁸ atm at 1023 K.     

Cation mobility in modified Li1 + xTi2 ? xGax(PO4)3 lithium titanium NASICON phosphates

Li_{1 +x} Ti_{2 − x} Ga _x (PO₄)₃(x= 0−0.2) NASICON double phosphates are prepared and studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction, ⁷Li NMR spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy, and calorimetry. Doping with Ga³⁺ cations increases cation mobility in LiTi₂(PO₄)₃. Ion conductivity, NMR spectroscopy, and calorimetry data imply the occurrence of a phase transition in LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ and in products of partial gallium-for-titanium substitution. Original Russian Text ? I.Yu. Pinus, I.V. Arkhangel’skii, N.A. Zhuravlev, A.B. Yaroslavtsev, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 8, pp. 1235–1239.     

Cation distribution and interatomic interactions in oxides with heterovalent isomorphism: XII. Gd2Sr1? x Ca x Al2O7 solid solutions

The area of existence of Gd₂Sr_1−x Ca _x Al₂O₇ solid solutions at x ≤ 0.5 was determined by the X-ray phase analysis. It was found by full-profile X-ray structural analysis that, in contrast to La₂Sr_1−x Ca _x Al₂O₇ solid solutions, the Ca²⁺ cations occupy not only AO₉ nine-vertex fragments, but also AO₁₂ oxygen cubooctahedra. Full ordering of Sr²⁺ cations in the perovskite layer is observed at the calcium content x 0.5. Original Russian Text ? I.A. Zvereva, A.G. Cherepova, Yu.E. Smirnov, 2007, published in Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, 2007, Vol. 77, No. 4, pp. 557–563. For communication XI, see [1].     

Synthesis and thermolysis of substitutional solid solutions (Cu1?yMy)2(OH)PO4·xH2O (x = 0.1?0.2; M = Zn, Co, Ni)

Substitutional solid solutions (Cu_1−y Zn _y )₂(OH)PO₄·xH₂O (0 ≤ y ⩽ 0.26, x = 0.1−0.2), (Cu_1−y Co _y )₂(OH)PO₄·xH₂O (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.10, x = 0.1−0.2), and (Cu_1−y Ni _y )₂(OH)PO₄·xH₂O (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.08, x = 0.1−0.2) were synthesized. The unit cell parameters of the resulting phosphates were determined, and their IR absorption spectra were measured. The reactants were H3PO4 and mixtures of hydrous carbonates of the appropriate metals. Thermolysis of the solid solutions was examined with (Cu_1−y Co _y )₂(OH)PO₄·xH₂O (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.10, x = 0.1−0.2) as an example.     

Solid Potassium-Conducting Electrolytes in the System K2 ? 2xAl2 ? xPxO4

New high-conductance potassium-cation solid electrolytes based on potassium aluminate are synthesized by means of partial substitution of five-charged phosphorus cations for three-charged aluminum cations and investigated. The maximum conductivity in the system K_{2 − 2x} Al_{2 − x} P _x O₄ is found to equal 5 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 200°C and ∼1 S cm⁻¹ at 700°C, which is one of the best values for potassium solid electrolytes. The principal factors responsible for the high conductance are the stabilization of a high-temperature form of potassium aluminate and the formation of additional vacancies in the potassium sublattice, which occurs during the substitution process Al³⁺ → P⁵⁺ + 2V _K ^′ . __________ Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 12, 2005, pp. 1501–1504. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2005 by Burmakin, Shekhtman.     

Heteropoly Complexes Na0.5Cs2 ? x[H0.5 ? xM

Crystals of novel heterepoly complexes (HPC) Na_0.5Cs_{2 − x} [H_{0.5 − x} M _x ^II X^III(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈] · 7−8H₂O (M^II = Fe, Mn; X^III = Cr, Al) are synthesized. Crystal structures of the complexes Na_0.5Cs_{2 − x} [H_{0.5 − x} Fe_xCr(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈] · 7H₂O (I) (x = 0.19) and Na_0.5Cs_{2 − x} [H_{0.5 − x} Mn_xAl(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈] · 8H₂O (II) (x = 0.22) are determined (space group Pbcn, Z = 8, a = 23.023(4) Å, b = 22.064(4) Å, c = 11.606(3) Å, V = 5895.66 ų for I and a = 22.972(9) Å, b = 22.002(8) Å, c = 11.543(5) Å, V = 5834.18 ų for II, respectively). The [X^III(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈]³⁻ ligands were found to be coordinated in monodentate fashion to M atoms due to the participation of a terminal O atom of the cis-MoO₂ group in coordination with the Fe and Mn atoms, which was confirmed by IR data. __________ Translated from Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 9, 2005, pp. 663–676. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2005 by Gavrilova, Molchanov.     

New solid electrolytes of the pyrochlore family

The class of oxygen-ion-conducting rare-earth pyrochlores has been considerably extended. New solid electrolytes, Ln₂Ti₂O₇ (Ln = Dy-Lu) and Ln₂Hf₂O₇ (Ln = Eu, Gd) pyrochlores, are intrinsic ionic conductors at elevated temperatures, as are the well known Ln₂Zr₂O₇ (Ln = Sm-Gd) zirconates, which suggests that oxygen ion conduction in the rare-earth pyrochlore family has a general character. The thermodynamic order-disorder transitions that yield a PII cation- and anion-disordered pyrochlore phase possessing high oxygen ion conductivity occur throughout the rare-earth pyrochlore family: Ln₂M₂O₇ (Ln = Sm-Lu; M = Ti, Zr, Hf). The composition-structure-oxygen-ionic conductivity relationship is analyzed for Ln₂(M_{2 − x} Ln _x )O_{7 − δ} (Ln = Sm-Lu; M = Ti, Zr, Hf) with x from 0 to 0.81.     

Structure of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> phases is studied by comparing neutron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy data

Considering the structural unit of the rhombohedral BaTiO₃ phase in the form of Ti(-O...Ti)₆ which was constructed by neutron diffraction data, we revealed an atomic group in the form of a pyramidal complex anion TiO₃²⁻. Inspection of the Raman spectra of this phase showed symmetry group C _s for this complex anion. From the similarity of the Raman spectra of all ferroelectric BaTiO₃ phases, we inferred that the orthorhombic phase and tetragonal phase are also built of TiO₃²⁻ complex anions. In the paraelectric cubic phase, TiO₃²⁻ complex anions decompose to oxygen ions O²⁻ and Ti²⁺(O⁻)₂ molecules, which are randomly oriented over 12 possible positions. Average Ti-O distances derived from neutron diffraction data were used to calculate Ti-O⁻ and Ti=O bond lengths in TiO₃²⁻ complex anions of the ferroelectric BaTiO₃ phases. Two types of Ti-O...Ti bridges were found to exist; they belong to weak and strong intermolecular bonds, which are similar to weak and strong hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) in ferroelectrics. Weak bonds exist in all of the three ferroelectric phases; strong bonds are only in the orthorhombic phase and the tetragonal phase. As a result of a low potential barrier height in strong bonds, an oxygen atom persistently hops from one potential well to an adjacent one, which is responsible for bands appearing below 100 cm⁻¹ in the Raman spectra of the tetragonal phase and orthorhombic phase. The data obtained on the structure of the ferroelectric BaTiO₃ phases were used to interpret their spontaneous polarization, repolarization, and permittivity.     

Direct hydrothermal synthesis of metal intercalated hexagonal molybdates, M + x Mo6? x /3O18? x (OH)x.yH2O (M = Li, Rb, Cs, NH4)

Here we report direct hydrothermal synthesis of a few hexagonal molybdates with composition, M _x ^/+ Mo _6−x ^{Emphasis>/3/6+} O_18−x (OH) _x .yH₂O (M = Li, Rb, Cs, NH₄). The molybdates crystallize in the space groupP6 ₃ /m with a r∼ 10.5 andc r∼ 3.7 ? . Unlike previous studies, our work suggests that hexagonal molybdates could be stabilized in the presence of monovalent cations with varying ionic size (smaller lithium to larger cesium) under hydrothermal condition. The phases showed exceptional thermal stability till 550°C. Dedicated to Professor C N R Rao on his 70th birthday     

Transport and structural properties of compounds (1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)CsHSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>KH<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The homogeneous substitution of cations (K⁺) and anions (H₂PO₄⁻) for CsHSO₄ is performed. The dependences of protonic conductivity and structure of (1 − x)CsHSO₄-xKH₂PO₄ (x = 0.05–0.9) compounds on the composition are studied. It is found that the introduction of KH₂PO₄ leads to the formation of a new highly conductive phase. At small amounts of introduced KH₂PO₄ (x = 0.05), a mixed salt forms; its low-temperature conductivity is by more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of the source salts. The thermal behavior of mixed salt (1 − x)CsHSO₄-xKH₂PO₄ of various compositions and the peculiarities of crystal structure are studied. The structural parameters of the salt at x = 0.05–0.5 are close to those of Cs₃(HSO₄)₂(H₂PO₄). At higher x, another phase forms, whose structure has yet to be determined. The thermal stability of the salt decreases with increasing fraction of KH₂PO₄ introduced. The conductivity of the composites based on the mixed salt and silicon dioxide (1 − y){xKH₂PO₄-(1 − x)CsHSO₄}-ySiO₂ (x = 0.05, 0.1; y = 0.1–0.7) is studied. It is shown that, in the low-temperature range, the conductivity of composite systems increases within an order of magnitude, passes through a maximum, and, then, decreases at y > 0.5 due to the percolation effect.     

Effect of metal substitution for cobalt on the oxygen adsorption properties of YBaCo<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

YBaCo₄O₇ compound is capable to intake and release a large amount of oxygen in the temperature range of 200–400°C. In the present study, the effect of Zn, Ga and Fe substitution for Co on the oxygen adsorption/desorption properties of YBaCo₄O₇ were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) method. Due to fixed oxidation state of Zn2+ ions, the substitution of Zn²⁺ for Co²⁺ suppresses the oxygen adsorption of YBaCo_4−xZn_xO₇. The substitution of Ga³⁺ for Co³⁺ also decreases the oxygen absorption capacity of YBaCo_4−xGa_xO₇. This can be explained by the strong affinity of Ga³⁺ ions towards the GaO₄ tetrahedron. Compared with Zn- and Ga-substituted samples, the drop of oxygen adsorption capacity is smallest for Fe-substituted samples because of the similar changeability of oxidation states of Co and Fe ions.     

The effect of calcium substitution on the afterglow of Eu2+/Dy3+ doped Sr4Al14O25

The effect of calcium substitution on the afterglow of tetrastrontium aluminate phosphors (Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺) was investigated. A series of (Sr₁-_xCa_x)O⊎nAl₂O₃:Eu²⁺(1%), Dy³⁺(0.5%), with variation of calcium content (x = 0 − 1), were synthesized by a high temperature solid state reaction in a reducing atmosphere. The photoluminescence, persistent luminescence (afterglow), and lumen equivalents of these materials were studied and compared. It turned out that the afterglow properties of the phosphors were strongly dependent on the Sr/Ca ratio. As the Ca content increased, a phase transition and blue shift in emission spectra were observed.      

Cation mobility in modified Li1 ? xTi2 ? xNbx(PO4)3 lithium titanium NASICON phosphates

Li_{1 − x} Ti_{2 − x} Nb _x (PO₄)₃ NASICON materials are prepared and studied by X-ray diffraction, ⁷Li and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. Vacancy mobility in Li_{1 − x} Ti_{2 − x} Nb _x (PO₄)₃ is lower than interstitial lithium mobility. Nb⁵⁺ cations with low doping levels increase cation mobility in LiTi₂(PO₄)₃. Original Russian Text ? I.Yu. Pinus, I.A. Stenina, A.I. Rebrov, N.A. Zhuravlev, A.B. Yaroslavtsev, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 8, pp. 1240–1244.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of Ti[1 ? x]VxO[2 ? y]Cy whiskers in hydroquinone oxidation in aqueous solutions

Ti_1−x V _x O_2−y C _y (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 and x = 0.50) whiskers having the anatase structure were synthesized via thermolysis of vanadium-doped titanium glycolate of composition Ti_1−x V _x (OCH₂CH₂O)₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 and x = 0.50). The starting reagents used to prepare Ti_1−x V _x (OCH₂CH₂O)₂ were mixtures of coprecipitated titanium and vanadyl hydroxides, which were heated in ethylene glycol at T ≤ 200°C: (1 − x)TiO(OH)₂ + xVO(OH)₂ + 2HOCH₂CH₂OH = Ti_1−x V _x (OCH₂CH₂O)₂ + 3H₂O↑. Thermolysis of vanadium-doped titanium glycolate in various gas media over a wide range of temperatures is useful to prepare titania samples doped with both vanadium and carbon to form a phase of the general composition Ti_{1 − x} V _x O_{2 − y} C _y whiskers prepared by thermolyzing Ti_{1 − x} V _x (OCH₂CH₂O)₂ in air at 450°C were found to have a high photocatalytic activity in hydroquinone oxidation in aqueous solutions irradiated in the UV spectral range; the photocatalyst’s activity increases with increasing vanadium concentration. When hydroquinone was irradiated in the blue, the maximal catalytic activity was discovered in a sample of composition Ti_0.50V_0.50O_2−y C _y . Quantum-chemical calculations support experimental data that the double doping of titania (Ti_1−x V _x O_2−y C _y ) enhances its photocatalytic activity compared to undoped anatase or anatase doped in one sublattice: Ti_1−x V _x O₂ and TiO_2−y C _y .     

Dissolution De L'hydroxyapatite et Du Phosphate Tricalcique β Dans Les Solutions D'acide Nitrique

Using an isoperibol calorimeter for rapid reactions and a Calsol type microcalorimeter for slow processes, are applied to determine the enthalpies of solution of two synthetic phosphate products in nitric acid. Namely, β tricalcium phosphate Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and the calcium hydroxyapatite Ca₁₀ (PO₄)₆ (OH)₂ are measured by varying pH value of the solvent. Some dissolution mechanisms are proposed for various pH values. They are ensured by complementary reactions of solution of Ca(NO₃)₂, Ca(H₂ PO₄)₂ and H₃ PO₄ in the same solvents. An extrapolation of solution enthalpies to pH=7 leads to the enthalpy of solution of these products in the pure water. These values are Δ_sol H °=–138.3 kJ mol^–1 for Ca₃ (PO₄)₂ and –393.6 kJ mol^–1 for Ca₁₀ (PO₄)₆ (OH)₂ . This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Oxygen ionic and electronic transport in Gd<Subscript>2−x</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript><Subscript>−δ</Subscript> pyrochlores

Oxygen ion transference numbers for Gd_2−xCa_xTi₂O_{7 −δ} (x=0.10–0.14) pyrochlore ceramics were determined at 973–1223 K by the modified e.m.f. and faradaic efficiency techniques, taking into account electrode polarization, and from the results on oxygen permeation. The ion transference numbers vary in the range 0.95–0.98 in air, increasing when the temperature or oxygen partial pressure decreases. The activation energies for the ionic and p-type electronic transport in air are 74–77 and 87–91 kJ/mol, respectively. The p-type conductivity and oxygen permeability of Gd₂Ti₂O₇-based pyrochlores can be adequately described by relationships common for other solid electrolytes. At temperatures below 1273 K under a gradient of 10%H₂+90%N₂/air, average ion transference numbers for doped gadolinium titanate are not less than 0.97. Thermal expansion coefficients for Gd_2−xCa_xTi₂O_{7 −δ} ceramics, calculated from dilatometric data in air, are in the range (10.4–10.6)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 400–1300 K.     

Heat capacity,enthalpy and entropy of calcium niobates

Heat capacity and enthalpy increments of calcium niobates CaNb₂O₆ and Ca₂Nb₂O₇ were measured by the relaxation time method (2–300 K), DSC (260–360 K) and drop calorimetry (669–1421 K). Temperature dependencies of the molar heat capacity in the form C _pm=200.4+0.03432T−3.450·10⁶/T ² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for CaNb₂O₆ and C _pm=257.2+0.03621T−4.435·10⁶/T ² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Ca₂Nb₂O₇ were derived by the least-squares method from the experimental data. The molar entropies at 298.15 K, S _m⁰(CaNb₂O₆, 298.15 K)=167.3±0.9 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and S _m⁰(Ca₂Nb₂O₇, 298.15 K)=212.4±1.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, were evaluated from the low temperature heat capacity measurements. Standard enthalpies of formation at 298.15 K were derived using published values of Gibbs energy of formation and presented heat capacity and entropy data: Δ_f H ⁰(CaNb₂O₆, 298.15 K)= −2664.52 kJ mol^t-1 and Δ_f H ⁰(Ca₂Nb₂O₇, 298.15 K)= −3346.91 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Crystal-chemical aspects of the structural similarity of rare earth polychalcogenides LnX2−x (x=0–0.25)

The structures of rare earth dichalcogenides are investigated. The symmetry and unit cell parameters are considered, and their relationship with those of the PbFCl and anti-Cu₂Sb structural prototypes is analyzed. The interatomic distances in the Ln³⁺, X²⁻, and (X₂)²⁻ layers and the compatibility factors are examined. It is discussed how the degree of polymerization of the chalcogen ions in the (X₂)²⁻ layers and the compatibility of the latter with the Ln³⁺ and X²⁻ layers affect the symmetry and the twinning and polymorhism abilities of the compounds. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 6, pp. 1140–1170, November–December, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina