Thermal behavior of Co<Subscript>x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3−x</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposites obtained by a modified sol–gel method

The thermal behavior of Co_xFe_3?xO₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites obtained by direct synthesis starting from nonahydrate ferric nitrate and hexahydrate cobalt nitrate in different ratios with and without the addition of 1,4-butanediol was studied. For the synthesis of Co_xFe_3?xO₄ (x = 0.5–2.5) dispersed in the silica matrix a wide Co/Fe molar ratio was used. The decomposition processes, formation of crystalline phases, gases evolvement and mass changes during gels annealing at different temperatures were assessed by thermal analysis. The absence of succinate precursor and a low mass loss were observed in the case of the gel obtained in the absence of 1,4-butanediol. In case of gels obtained using a stoichiometric ratio of Co/Fe, no clear delimitation between Co and Fe succinates was observed, while for samples with a Fe or Co excess, the formation of the two succinates was observed. The evolution of the crystalline phase after annealing (673, 973 and 1273 K) investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry revealed that in samples with Fe excess, stoichiometric Fe/Co ratio or low Co excess, the cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) was obtained as a single phase, while in samples with higher cobalt excess, olivine (Co₂SiO₄) as a main phase, cobalt oxide and CoFe₂O₄ as secondary phases were obtained after annealing at 1273 K. The SEM images confirmed the nanoparticles embedding in the silica matrix, while the TEM and X-ray diffraction data showed that the obtained nanoparticles’ size was below 10 nm in most samples.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of nanocomposite Ni1?xCoxFe2O4–BaTiO3 fibers by organic gel-thermal decomposition process

Nanocomposites of ferrite and ferroelectric phases are attractive functional ceramic materials. In this work, the nanocomposite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄–BaTiO₃(x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) fibers with fine diameters of 3 ~ 7 μm and high aspect ratios were synthesized by the organic gel-thermal decomposition process from the raw materials of citric acid and metal salts. The structure, thermal decomposition process and morphologies of the gel precursors and the resultant fibers derived from thermal decomposition of the gel precursors were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of the nanocomposite fibers were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer. The nanocomposite fibers of ferrite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and perovskite BaTiO₃ are formed at the calcination temperature of 900 °C for 2 h. The average grain sizes of Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and BaTiO₃ in the nanocomposite fibers increase from about 15 nm to approximately 67 nm with the increasing calcination temperatures from 900 to 1,180 °C. The saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄–BaTiO₃(x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) fibers increases with the increase of grain sizes of Ni_1−x Co _x Fe₂O₄ and Co content, while the coercivity reaches a maximum value at the single-domain size of about 65 nm of Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ obtained at the calcination temperature of 1,100 °C.     

New Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of NiFe2O4/SiO2 and Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/SiO2 Nanocomposites Using Tetraglycolatosilane as Precursor

In this work the new synthesis and magnetic properties of NiFe₂O₄/SiO₂ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites using a water‐soluble silica precursor, tetraglycolatosilane (THEOS), by the sol‐gel method were reported. Nanocomposite were obtained by the thermal decomposition of the organic part at different annealing temperatures varying from 400 to 900 °C. Studies carried out using XRD, FT‐IR, TEM, STA (TG‐DTG‐DTA) and VSM techniques. XRD patterns show that NiFe₂O₄ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ have been formed in an amorphous silica matrix at annealing temperatures above 600 and 400 °C, respectively. It is found that when the annealing temperature is up to 900 °C NiFe₂O₄/SiO₂ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄/SiO₂ samples show almost superparamagnetic behavior with a magnetization 4.66 emu/g and ferromagnetic behavior with a magnetization 10.11 emu/g, respectively. The magnetization and coercivity values of nanocomposites using THEOS were considerably less than previous reports using TEOS. THEOS as a silica matrix network provides an ideal nucleation environment to disperse ferrite nanoparticles and thus to confine them to aggregate and coarsen. By using THEOS over the currently used TEOS and TMOS, organic solvents are not needed due to the entire solubility of THEOS in water. Synthesized nanocomposites with adjustable particle sizes and controllable magnetic properties make the applicability of ferrites even more versatile.     

Catalytic performance of NiFe2O4 and Ni0.3Zn0.7Fe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles during biodiesel production

In this study, catalytic performance of nanoferrites NiFe₂O₄ and Ni_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ is reported. Nickel–ferrite and mixed nickel–zinc ferrite were successfully synthesized by combustion reaction using a conical reactor with production of 10 g per batch. Crystallinity and purity or quantitative analysis of the catalyst were checked by using X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Surface chemistry was examined via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis; N₂ physisorption at 77 K was conducted to obtain textural properties of the catalyst; a thermogravimetric analysis, a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscopy were used to check the thermal stability and morphology of the catalyst, respectively. The catalysts were used to convert soybean oil into biodiesel in a batch mode and the reaction mixture was analyzed using a pre-calibrated gas chromatograph (GC). The presence of a single-phase spinel structure in the synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed by the XRD results. The Ni_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ had a lower surface area value of 71.5 m²g⁻¹ and higher saturation magnetization value of 31.50 emu/g than sample NiFe₂O₄ which had 87.6 m²g⁻¹ and 17.85 emu/g, respectively. Biodiesel yield of 94% was obtained with Ni_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ and 49% was obtained with NiFe₂O₄. Better performance of Ni_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ when compared to that of NiFe₂O₄ could be attributed to higher acidity of the former. Findings from this study suggest that the development of nickel-zinc ferrite nanoparticles as magnetic heterogeneous catalysts could provide an environmentally friendly platform for biodiesel production.     

Reactivity of metal oxides: Thermal and photochemical dissolution of MO and MFe2O4 (M=Ni, Co, Zn)

Dissolution rates of NiO, CoO, ZnO, α-Fe₂O₃ and the corresponding ferrites in 0.1 mol dm⁻³ oxalic acid at pH 3.5 were measured at 70 °C. The dissolution of simple oxides proceeds through the formation of surface metal oxalate complexes, followed by the transfer of surface complexes (rate-determining step). At constant pH, oxalate concentration and temperature, the trend in the first-order rate constant for the transfer of the surface complexes (k_Me; Me=Ni, Co, Zn, Fe) parallels that of water exchange in the dissolved metal ions (k_−w). Thus, the most important factor determining the rates of dissolution of metal oxides is the lability of Me-O bonds, which is in turn defined by the electronic structure of the metal ion and its charge/radius ratio. UV (384 nm) irradiation does not increase significantly the dissolution rates of NiO, CoO and ZnO, whereas hematite is highly sensitive to UV light. For ferrites, the reactivity order is ZnFe₂O₄>CoFe₂O₄?NiFe₂O₄. Dissolution is congruent, with rates intermediate between those of the constituent oxides, Fe₂O₃ and MO (M=Co, Ni, Zn), reflecting the behavior of very thin leached layers with little Zn and Co, but appreciable amounts of Ni. The more robust Ni²⁺ labilizes less the corresponding ferrite. The correlation between log k_M and log k_−w is somewhat blurred and displaced to lower k_M values. Fe(II), either photogenerated or added as salt, enhances the rate of Fe(III) phase transfer. A simple reaction mechanism is used to interpret the data.     

Synthesis and characterisation of cobaltite and ferrite spinels using thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray crystallography

The synthesis for a series of ferrite (M^IIFe₂O₄) and cobaltite (M^IICo₂O₄) spinels was investigated where M^II is Mg, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn. The ferrites were prepared at a calcination temperature of 800 °C; the cobaltites at 500 °C. TG–MS indicated that reduction of Co^III to Co^II occurs at ca. 800 °C, hence, the lower calcination temperature. For both the ferrites and the cobaltites, the evolution of water and CO₂ during the calcination suggests the presence of both species in the precipitates. The observed mass losses indicated that the precursor basic carbonate precipitates for the cobaltite synthesis were predominantly carbonate, while the precursor basic carbonate precipitates for ferrite synthesis were predominantly hydroxide in character. XRD data showed successful synthesis of the ferrites with minimal contamination from the parent oxides, while the cobaltites were observed to be predominantly of the spinel structure.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of octahedral ferrite Ni χ Co1−χ Fe2O4 nanocrystals

A series of Ni doped cobalt ferrite compounds with the formula Ni _χ Co_1−χ Fe₂O₄ where x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 were prepared using a hydrothermal method and subsequently sintered/annealed at 600 °C for 3 h. The influence of the Ni content on the lattice parameter, a, stretching vibration and the magnetization of specimens were subsequently studied. XRD and FTIR were used to investigate structure and composition variations. All samples were found to have a cubic spinel structure. SEM was used to study morphological variations. The results indicate that the average particle sizes are between 30–35 nm with a narrow size distribution along with nanocrystals forming of regular octahedrons. A decrease in the peak to peak line width and increase in resonance field with increasing Ni content were observed from ESR measurements. Based on ESR results, a core-shell type of formation was proposed where the core is made up of undoped CoFe₂O₄ and the shell is Ni²⁺ doped CoFe₂O₄.      

Microwave Synthesis of Co,Ni, Cu,Zn Ferrites

Solid-phase synthesis of cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc ferrites with spinel structure was performed from oxides of these metals and natural magnetite under the action of microwave radiation. The optimal conditions in which the corresponding ferrites can be formed were determined by varying the irradiation parameters affecting the reaction (magnetron power and reaction duration). It was found that the solid-phase interaction of oxides of Ni, Zn, Cu, Co(II) metals gives in practically acceptable yields metal-substituted ferrospinels (NiFe₂O₄, CoFe₂O₄, ZnFe₂O₄, CuFe₂O₄) constituting the main phase of the samples. A high capacity of the precursors and target synthesis products for absorption of the microwave radiation energy at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and its transformation into heat was demonstrated. This gives reason to use these compounds when preparing catalysts for microwave-stimulated reactions.     

Comparative study of the synthesis of CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> in silica through the polymerized complex route of the sol–gel method

In this work the synthesis of CoFe₂O₄-SiO₂ and NiFe₂O₄-SiO₂ nanocomposites was studied via the sol–gel method, using the polymerized complex route. The polymerized precursors obtained by the reaction of citric acid, ethylene glycol, tetraethylorthosilicate, ferric nitrate, and cobalt nitrate or nickel chloride were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. NMR and IR spectra of the precursors, without and with metallic ions, show the formation of polymeric chains with ester and ether groups and complexes of metal-polymeric precursor. The nanocomposites were obtained by the thermal decomposition of the organic fraction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD patterns show the formation of CoFe₂O₄ and NiFe₂O₄ in an amorphous silica matrix above 400 °C in both cases. When the calcination temperature was 800 °C the particle size of the crystalline phases, calculated using the Scherrer equation, reached ∼35 nm for the two oxides. VSM plots show the ferrimagnetic behavior that is expected for this type of magnetic material; the magnetization at 12.5 KOe of the CoFe₂O₄-SiO₂ and NiFe₂O₄-SiO₂ compounds was 29.5 and 17.4 emu/g, respectively, for samples treated at 800 °C.     

Impact of Gd3+ and Nd3+ ions substitution on structural and magnetic properties of Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 ferrite system

Co_0.5Ni_0.5(Gd/Nd)_xFe_2-xO₄ (x ?= ?0.0 and 0.06) ferrites were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. These materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy, and VSM techniques. The XRD analysis revealed the phase formation of all samples and their cubic spinel structure with the Fd-3m space group. Lattice constant was found to increase due to Gd and Nd ions substitution. However, the crystallite size was observed to decrease by the substitution effect. The FT-IR spectra showed the two vibrational frequency bands of the tetrahedral and octahedral sites. From the magnetic properties study, it was identified that the pure and Gd substituted Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite showed a ferromagnetic behaviour. While the Nd substituted Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite delivered a superparamagnetic behaviour. The substitution of Gd and Nd changed the values of the magnetic parameters of Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite. An increase in the saturation magnetization (M_s) value was observed due to substitution of Gd and Nd in Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite, indicating that Gd and Nd substitution strengthen the supermagnetic interactions in Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite. The highest value of M_s was observed in Gd doped sample.     

Magnetic properties of binary and ternary mixed metal oxides NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Zn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> doped with rare earths by sol—gel synthesis

The spinel-type ferrites NiFe₂O₄ and Zn_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ modified by lanthanide ions Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ were prepared by a sol—gel process with propylene oxide as a gelating agent. The phase homogeneity of the samples was tested by XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Transmission electronic microscopy used for characterisation of the morphology of the samples revealed nanosized powdered samples with a narrow distribution of particle sizes. It was noted that the presence of Ln³⁺ ions influenced the magnetic properties of nanosized NiFe₂O₄ and Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrites. The dependence of the magnetic properties of the samples on the rare-earth doping may be explained by the different grain sizes. The saturation magnetisation tends to decrease with increasing rare-earth doping and decreasing crystallite size. A similar trend was observed for the coercive field, with the exception of the Tb³⁺-doped Zn_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ where it remained the same as in the pure ferrite.     

Effect of nano-transition metal oxides of Fe,Co and Ni and ferrites of Co and Ni on the multistage thermal decomposition of oxalates of Ce(III)

Semiconducting nano-metal oxides (Fe₃O₄, Co₃O₄, NiO, CoFe₂O₄ and NiFe₂O₄) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of their oxalate precursors. Using DSC technique, effect of nano-metal oxides [5 m m^?1 (%)] on the reaction pathway and mechanism of thermal decomposition of Ce₂ (C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O in flowing atmosphere of N₂ was investigated under linear non-isothermal condition. Performing the kinetic deconvolution method, physico-geometrical kinetic behavior of the two overlapping heat absorbing steps of both lower and higher temperature reactions was illustrated. Nano-Fe₃O₄ promoted the dehydration stages by lowering the Ea value to 35–36 kJ mol^?1. Nano-Co₃O₄, nano-CoFe₂O₄ and nano-NiFe₂O₄ promoted the dehydration as well as decomposition stages of cerium oxalate decahydrate by decreasing the Ea value. Nano-NiO has shown retarding effect on both dehydration and decomposition stages.

     

Enzyme mimics of spinel-type CoxNi1−xFe2O4 magnetic nanomaterial for eletroctrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide

A series of spinel-type Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) magnetic nanomaterials were solvothermally synthesized as enzyme mimics for the eletroctrocatalytic oxidation of H₂O₂. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope were employed to characterize the composition, structure and morphology of the material. The electrochemical properties of spinel-type Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ with different (Co/Ni) molar ratio toward H₂O₂ oxidation were investigated, and the results demonstrated that Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ modified carbon paste electrode (Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE) possessed the best electrocatalytic activity for H₂O₂ oxidation. Under optimum conditions, the calibration curve for H₂O₂ determination on Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE was linear in a wide range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻³ M with low detection limit of 3.0 × 10⁻⁹ M (S/N = 3). The proposed Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE was also applied to the determination of H₂O₂ in commercial toothpastes with satisfactory results, indicating that Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ is a promising hydrogen peroxidase mimics for the detection of H₂O₂.     

Ammonia gas sensor based on a spinel semiconductor,Co<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanomaterial

Thick film of nanocrystalline Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄ was obtained by sol–gel citrate method for gas sensing application. The synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. The XRD pattern shows spinel type structure of Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄. XRD of Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄ revels formation of solid solution with average grain size of about 30 nm. From gas sensing properties it observed that nickel doping improves the sensor response and selectivity towards ammonia gas and very low response to LPG, CO, and H₂S at 280 °C. Furthermore, incorporation of Pd improves the sensor response and stability of ammonia gas and reduced the operating temperature upto 210 °C. The sensor is a promising candidate for practical detector of ammonia.     

单分散NixZn1-xFe2O4纳米颗粒的制备及其磁热效应

以乙酰丙酮金属盐为前驱体,三乙二醇为溶剂,采用多元醇法制备了镍锌不同配比的Ni_xZn_(1-x)Fe_2O_4(x=0,0.3,0.5,0.7和1.0)铁氧体,并通过X射线衍射仪(XRD),透射电子显微镜(TEM)和振动样品磁强计(VSM)等对样品的结构、形貌、磁性能和磁热性能进行了表征。结果表明:Ni_xZn_(1-x)Fe_2O_4铁氧体分散性较好,尺寸均一,形状近似球形,平均粒径为4~5 nm。Ni_xZn_(1-x)Fe_2O_4纳米颗粒在室温下表现出亚铁磁性,饱和磁化强度随着镍含量的增加先增大后减小,当x=0.5时达到最大值29.38 emu·g~(-1)。在382k Hz交变磁场作用下,Ni_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)Fe_2O_4铁氧体温度可升温至313 K,表现出较好的磁热性能。     

Electrochemical performance of spindle-like Fe2Co-MOF and derived magnetic yolk-shell CoFe2O4 microspheres for supercapacitor applications

Nanostructured cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) has been synthesized by a two-step process, a facile ultrasonic-assisted solvothermal technique for Fe₂Co-MOF preparation and subsequent calcination. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirm the formation of MIL-88A(Fe) structure of Fe₂Co-MOF and the cubic spinel structure of CoFe₂O₄. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images reveal that calcination process converts the spindle-like morphology of Fe₂Co-MOF to yolk-shell CoFe₂O₄ microspheres. From Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, the specific surface areas of 36.0 and 29.2 m² g^?1 are measured for Fe₂Co-MOF and CoFe₂O₄, respectively. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis of CoFe₂O₄ displays high coercivity of 2500 Oe due to surface anisotropy. Conversion of Fe₂Co-MOF to CoFe₂O₄ reduces the optical band gap from 1.92 to 1.77 eV. Electrochemical performance of Fe₂Co-MOF and CoFe₂O₄ deposited on Ni foams (NFs) is examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests. Specific capacitances of 489.9 and 192.6 F g^?1 have been achieved from GCD curves at a current density of 1 A g^?1 for Fe₂Co-MOF/NF and CoFe₂O₄/NF electrodes, respectively. Fe₂Co-MOF/NF electrode exhibits more cyclic stability than CoFe₂O₄/NF electrode after 3000 cycles.

     

纳米镍钴铁氧体空心微球的制备与性能

以乙二醇为溶剂,氯化铁、氯化钴、氯化镍和醋酸铵为反应试剂,采用溶剂热法制备纳米Ni_xCo_1-xFe₂O₄(x=0、0.3、0.5、0.7、1)铁氧体空心微球,研究镍含量对铁氧体空心球的磁性与吸波性能的影响。借助X-射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、振动样品磁强计(VSM)和网络分析仪对试样的物相组成、微观形貌和电磁特性进行表征。结果表明制备的镍钴铁氧体为尖晶石结构,且形貌为空心球,粒径在200 nm左右。当x=0时,镍钴铁氧体空心球饱和磁化强度最大为81.7 emu·g^-1,反射损耗在1 658.8 MHz有最小值为-16.9 dB。     

Synthesis of cobalt nickel ferrite nanoparticles via autocatalytic decomposition of the precursor

The chemistry, structure, and properties of spinel ferrites are largely governed by the method of preparation. The metal carboxylato-hydrazinate precursors are known to yield nanosized oxides at a comparatively lower temperature. In this study, we are reporting the synthesis of one such precursor, cobalt nickel ferrous fumarato-hydrazinate which decomposes autocatalytically to give cobalt nickel ferrite nanoparticles. The XRD study of this decomposed product confirms the formation of single-phase spinel, i.e., Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄. The thermal decomposition of the precursor has been studied by isothermal, thermogravimetric (TG), and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis. The precursor has also been characterized by FTIR, EDX, and chemical analysis, and its chemical composition has been determined as Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂(C₄H₂O₄)₃·6N₂H₄.     

Crystal structure, microstructure and reducibility of LaNixCo1−xO3 and LaFexCo1−xO3 Perovskites (0<x≤0.5)

Nickel and iron substituted LaCoO₃ with rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure were obtained in the temperature range of 600-900 °C by thermal decomposition of freeze-dried citrates and by the Pechini method. The crystal structure, morphology and defective structure of LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ and LaCo_1−xFe_xO₃ were characterized by X-ray diffraction and neutron powder diffraction, TEM and SEM analyses and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The reducibility was tested by temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen. The products of the partial and complete reduction were determined by ex-situ XRD experiments. The replacement of Co by Ni and Fe led to lattice expansion of the perovskite structure. For perovskites annealed at 900 °C, there was a random Ni, Fe and Co distribution. The morphology of the perovskites does not depend on the Ni and Fe content, nor does it depend on the type of the precursor used. LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ perovskites (x>0.1) annealed at 900 °C are reduced to Co/Ni transition metal and La₂O₃ via the formation of oxygen deficient Brownmillerite-type compositions. For LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ annealed at 600 °C, Co/Ni metal, in addition to oxygen-deficient perovskites, was formed as an intermediate product at the initial stage of the reduction. The interaction of LaCo_1−xFe_xO₃ with H₂ occurs by reduction of Co³⁺ to Co²⁺ prior to the Fe³⁺ ions. The reducibility of Fe-substituted perovskites is less sensitive towards the synthesis procedure in comparison with that of Ni substituted perovskites.     

In situ X-ray absorption and diffraction studies of carbon coated LiFe1/4Mn1/4Co1/4Ni1/4PO4 cathode during first charge

Synchrotron based in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques are used to study electronic and crystal structure changes of the carbon coated LiFe_1/4Mn_1/4Co_1/4Ni_1/4PO₄ (LiFe_1/4Mn_1/4Co_1/4Ni_1/4PO₄/C) cathode material for Li-ion batteries during the first charge. In situ Fe, Mn, Co and Ni K-edge XAS results revealed that the three voltage plateaus at ～3.6, 4.2 and 4.7 V vs. Li/Li⁺ are attributed to the redox reactions of Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ and Co²⁺/Co³⁺, respectively, while the apparent capacities above 4.9 V is not originated from the Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ redox, but very likely from the electrolyte decomposition. Interesting phase transition behaviors of LiFe_1/4Mn_1/4Co_1/4Ni_1/4PO₄/C were observed with the formation of an intermediate phase and the solid solution regions. Combined in situ XAS and XRD techniques indicate fast electronic structural changes and slow bulk crystal structural changes.