EPR spectroscopic studies in (30 − x) Li2O-xK2O-10CdO-59B2O3-1MnO2 multi-component glass system

EPR studies were carried out in (30 - x) Li₂O-xK₂O-10CdO-59B₂O₃-1MnO₂ multi-component glass system to understand the effect of the variation in the alkali ratios on the EPR parameters. The observed EPR spectra of Mn²⁺ ion exhibits resonances at g = 2.0, 3.3 and 4.3. The resonance at g = 2.0 is due to Mn²⁺ ions in an environment close to the octahedral symmetry, where as the resonances at g = 3.3 & 4.3 are due to the rhombic surroundings of Mn²⁺ ions. Hyperfine splitting constant values at g = 2.0 and number of paramagnetic centers & paramagnetic susceptibility at different observed resonances were evaluated. These parameters show non linear variation with progressive substitution of Li⁺ ion with K⁺ ions may be due to the changes in cation field strengths and local structural variation due to the variation in mixed alkali ion ratios.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and Li ion conductivity of a new vanado-molybdate phase, LiMg3VMo2O12

A new vanado-molybdate LiMg₃VMo₂O₁₂ has been synthesized, the crystal structure determined an ionic conductivity measured. The solid solution Li_2−zMg_2+zV_zMo_3−zO₁₂ was investigated and the structures of the z=0.5 and 1.0 compositions were refined by Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray (XRD) and powder neutron diffraction (ND) data. The structures were refined in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a∼5.10, b∼10.4 and c∼17.6 Å, and are isostructural with the previously reported double molybdates Li₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=M²⁺, z=0). The structures comprise of two unique (Li/Mg)O₆ octahedra, (Li/Mg)O₆ trigonal prisms and two unique (Mo/V)O₄ tetrahedra. A well-defined 1:3 ratio of Li⁺:Mg²⁺ is observed in octahedral chains for LiMg₃VMo₂O₁₂. Li⁺ preferentially occupies trigonal prisms and Mg²⁺ favours octahedral sheets. Excess V⁵⁺ adjacent to the octahedral sheets may indicate short-range order. Ionic conductivity measured by impedance spectroscopy (IS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements show the presence of a phase transition, at 500-600 °C, depending on x. A decrease in activation energy for Li⁺ ion conductivity occurs at the phase transition and the high temperature structure is a good Li⁺ ion conductor, with σ=1×10⁻³-4×10⁻² S cm⁻¹ and E_a=0.6 to 0.8 eV.     

Mn environment in layered Li[Mg0.5−xNixMn0.5]O2 oxides monitored by EPR spectroscopy

X-band and high-frequency EPR spectroscopy were used for studying the manganese environment in layered Li[Mg_xNi_0.5−xMn_0.5]O₂, 0?x?0.5. Both layered LiMg_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ and monoclinic Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ oxides (containing Mn⁴⁺ ions only) were used as EPR standards. The EPR study was extended to the Ni-substituted analogues, where both Ni²⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ are paramagnetic. For LiMg_0.5−xNi_xMn_0.5O₂ and Li[Li_(1−2x)/3Ni_xMn_(2−x)/3]O₂, an EPR response from Mn⁴⁺ ions only was detected, while the Ni²⁺ ions remained EPR silent in the frequency range of 9.23-285 GHz. For the diamagnetically diluted oxides, LiMg_0.25Ni_0.25Mn_0.5O₂ and Li[Li_0.10Ni_0.35Mn_0.55]O₂, two types of Mn⁴⁺ ions located in a mixed (Mn-Ni-Li)-environment and in a Ni-Mn environment, respectively, were registered by high-field experiments. In the X-band, comparative analysis of the EPR line width of Mn⁴⁺ ions permits to extract the composition of the first coordination sphere of Mn in layered LiMg_0.5−xNi_xMn_0.5O₂ (0?x?0.5) and Li[Li_(1−2x)/3Ni_xMn_(2−x)/3]O₂ (x>0.2). It was shown that a fraction of Mn⁴⁺ are in an environment resembling the ordered “α,β”-type arrangement in Li_1−δ1Ni_δ1[Li_{(1−2x)/3+δ1}Ni_2x/3−δ1)_α(Mn_(2−x)/3Ni_x/3)_β]O₂ (where and δ₁=0.06 were calculated), while the rest of Mn⁴⁺ are in the Ni,Mn-environment corresponding to the Li_1−δ2Ni_δ2[Ni_1−yMn_y]O₂ () composition with a statistical Ni,Mn distribution. For Li[Li_(1−2x)/3Ni_xMn_(2−x)/3]O₂ with x?0.2, IR spectroscopy indicated that the ordered α,β-type arrangement is retained upon Ni introduction into monoclinic Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂.     

Li3PO4表面修饰提高球形LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4正极材料的性能

通过共沉淀法制备了球形LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄@Li₃PO₄复合材料,并采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、红外光谱(FT-IR)、循环伏安(CV)、电化学阻抗谱(EIS)及充放电测试研究了其结构与电化学性能。XRD和SEM表明,Li₃PO₄包覆影响了球形LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄的晶格常数。CV和EIS表明,质量百分数5% Li₃PO₄包覆的LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄具有比纯LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄更高的锂离子嵌脱可逆性,更大的锂离子扩散系数和更小的电荷转移电阻,说明在锂离子扩散过程中,质量百分数5%Li₃PO₄包覆的LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄具有更高的电子电导率。充放电测试表明,原位Li₃PO₄改性提高了材料的电子电导率、电化学活性,进而提高了高倍率放电容量。质量百分数5% Li₃PO₄包覆的LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄提高的电化学性能归因于Li₃PO₄的包覆、纳米颗粒组成球形的粒径引起的高的电子电导率和小的电化学极化。     

On AgRhO2, and the new quaternary delafossites AgLi1/3M2/3O2, syntheses and analyses of real structures

Two new quaternary delafossite type oxides with the general formula Ag(Li_1/3M_2/3)O₂, M=Rh, Ir, have been synthesized, and their structures characterized. Based on X-ray and electron diffraction analyses the structural similarity with AgRhO₂ delafossite, has been evidenced. The real structures of the quaternary delafossites have been revealed, which has allowed to fully explain the diffuse scattering as observed in X-ray powder diffraction. AgRhO₂ is thermally stable up to 1173 K, the behavior of the two quaternary compounds AgLi_1/3Rh_2/3O₂ and AgLi_1/3Ir_2/3O₂ is comparable, and they decompose above 950 and 800 K, respectively. AgRhO₂ shows temperature independent paramagnetism, while for the other two an effective magnetic moment of 1.77μ_B for Ir, and 1.70μ_B for Rh were determined, applying the Curie-Weiss law. All compounds are semiconducting with activation energies of 4.97 kJ mol⁻¹ (AgLi_1/3Rh_2/3O₂), 11.42 kJ mol⁻¹ (AgLi_1/3Ir_2/3O₂) and 17.58 kJ mol⁻¹ (AgRhO₂).     

Effect of sintering on the ionic conductivity of garnet-related structure Li5La3Nb2O12 and In- and K-doped Li5La3Nb2O12

Garnet-structure related metal oxides with the nominal chemical composition of Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂, In-substituted Li_5.5La₃Nb_1.75In_0.25O₁₂ and K-substituted Li_5.5La_2.75K_0.25Nb₂O₁₂ were prepared by solid-state reactions at 900, 950, and 1000 °C using appropriate amounts of corresponding metal oxides, nitrates and carbonates. The powder XRD data reveal that the In- and K-doped compounds are isostructural with the parent compound Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂. The variation in the cubic lattice parameter was found to change with the size of the dopant ions, for example, substitution of larger In³⁺(r_CN6: 0.79 Å) for smaller Nb⁵⁺ (r_CN6: 0.64 Å) shows an increase in the lattice parameter from 12.8005(9) to 12.826(1) Å at 1000 °C. Samples prepared at higher temperatures (950, 1000 °C) show mainly bulk lithium ion conductivity in contrast to those synthesized at lower temperatures (900 °C). The activation energies for the ionic conductivities are comparable for all samples. Partial substitution of K⁺ for La³⁺ and In³⁺ for Nb⁵⁺ in Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ exhibits slightly higher ionic conductivity than that of the parent compound over the investigated temperature regime 25-300 °C. Among the compounds investigated, the In-substituted Li_5.5La₃Nb_1.75In_0.25O₁₂ exhibits the highest bulk lithium ion conductivity of 1.8×10⁻⁴ S/cm at 50 °C with an activation energy of 0.51 eV. The diffusivity (“component diffusion coefficient”) obtained from the AC conductivity and powder XRD data falls in the range 10⁻¹⁰-10⁻⁷ cm²/s over the temperature regime 50-200 °C, which is extraordinarily high and comparable with liquids. Substitution of Al, Co, and Ni for Nb in Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ was found to be unsuccessful under the investigated conditions.     

Synthesis crystal structure and ionic conductivity of Ca0.5Bi3V2O10 and Sr0.5Bi3V2O10

Two new compounds Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ have been synthesized in the ternary system: MO-Bi₂O₃-V₂O₅ system (M=M²⁺). The crystal structure of Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ has been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, space group and Z=2, with cell parameters a=7.1453(3) Å, b=7.8921(3) Å, c=9.3297(3) Å, α=106.444(2)°, β=94.088(2)°, γ=112.445(2)°, V=456.72(4) Å³. Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ is isostructural with Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, with, a=7.0810(2) Å, b=7.8447(2) Å, c=9.3607(2) Å, α=106.202(1)°, β=94.572(1)°, γ=112.659(1)°, V=450.38(2) Å³ and its structure has been refined by Rietveld method using powder X-ray data. The crystal structure consists of infinite chains of (Bi₂O₂) along c-axis formed by linkage of BiO₈ and BiO₆ polyhedra interconnected by MO₈ polyhedra forming 2D layers in ac plane. The vanadate tetrahedra are sandwiched between these layers. Conductivity measurements give a maximum conductivity value of 4.54×10⁻⁵ and 3.63×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ for Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, respectively at 725 °C.     

Li3PO4表面修饰提高球形LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4正极材料的性能

通过共沉淀法制备了球形LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄@Li₃PO₄复合材料,并采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、红外光谱(FT-IR)、循环伏安(CV)、电化学阻抗谱(EIS)及充放电测试研究了其结构与电化学性能.XRD和SEM表明,Li₃PO₄包覆影响了球形LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄的晶格常数.CV和EIS表明,质量百分数5% Li₃PO₄包覆的LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄具有比纯LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄更高的锂离子嵌脱可逆性,更大的锂离子扩散系数和更小的电荷转移电阻,说明在锂离子扩散过程中,质量百分数5%Li₃PO₄包覆的LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄具有更高的电子电导率.充放电测试表明,原位Li₃PO₄改性提高了材料的电子电导率、电化学活性,进而提高了高倍率放电容量.质量百分数5% Li₃PO₄包覆的LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄提高的电化学性能归因于Li₃PO₄的包覆、纳米颗粒组成球形的粒径引起的高的电子电导率和小的电化学极化.     

Synthesis and phase transition of Li-Mn-O spinels with high Li/Mn ratio by thermo-decomposition of LiMnC2O4(Ac)

LiMnC₂O₄(Ac) precursor in which Li⁺ and Mn²⁺ were amalgamated in one molecule was prepared by solid-state reaction at room-temperature using manganese acetate, lithium hydroxide and oxalic acid as raw materials. By thermo-decomposition of LiMnC₂O₄(Ac) at various temperatures, a series of Li_1+y[Mn_2−xLi_x]_16dO₄ spinels were prepared with Li₂MnO₃ as impurities. The structure and phase transition of these spinels were investigated by XRD, TG/DTA, average oxidation state of Mn and cyclic voltammeric techniques. Results revealed that the Li-Mn-O spinels with high Li/Mn ratio were unstable at high temperature, and the phase transition was associated with the transfer of Li⁺ from octahedral 16c sites to 16d sites. With the sintering temperature increasing from 450 to 850 °C, the phase structure varied from lithiated-spinel Li₂Mn₂O₄ to Li₄Mn₅O₁₂-like to LiMn₂O₄-like and finally to rock-salt LiMnO₂-like. A way of determining x with average oxidation state of Mn and the content of Li₂MnO₃ was also demonstrated.     

Neutron powder diffraction study of tetragonal Li7La3Hf2O12 with the garnet-related type structure

We have successfully synthesized a polycrystalline sample of tetragonal garnet-related Li-ion conductor Li₇La₃Hf₂O₁₂ by solid state reaction. The crystal structure is analyzed by the Rietveld method using neutron powder diffraction data. The structure analysis identifies that tetragonal Li₇La₃Hf₂O₁₂ has the garnet-related type structure with a space group of I4₁/acd (no. 142). The lattice constants are a=13.106(2) Å and c=12.630(2) Å with a cell ratio of c/a=0.9637. The crystal structure of tetragonal Li₇La₃Hf₂O₁₂ has the garnet-type framework structure composed of dodecahedral La(1)O₈, La(2)O₈ and octahedral HfO₆. Li atoms occupy three types of crystallographic site in the interstices of this framework structure, where Li(1) atom is located at the tetrahedral 8a site, and Li(2) and Li(3) atoms are located at the distorted octahedral 16f and 32g sites, respectively. These Li sites are filled with the Li atom. The present tetragonal Li₇La₃Hf₂O₁₂ sample exhibits bulk Li-ion conductivity of σ_b=9.85×10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ and grain-boundary Li-ion conductivity of σ_gb=4.45×10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ at 300 K. The activation energy is estimated to be E_a=0.53 eV in the temperature range of 300-580 K.     

A comparison of the transport properties of lithium-stuffed garnets and the conventional phases Li3Ln3Te2O12

The structures of new phases Li₆CaLa₂Sb₂O₁₂ and Li_6.4Ca_1.4La₂Sb₂O₁₂ have been characterised using neutron powder diffraction. Rietveld analyses show that both compounds crystallise in the space group la3?d and contain the lithium cations in a complex arrangement with occupational disorder across oxide tetrahedra and distorted oxide octahedra, with considerable positional disorder in the latter. Variable temperature neutron diffraction experiments on Li_6.4Ca_1.4La₂Sb₂O₁₂ show the structure is largely invariant with only a small variation in the lithium distribution as a function of temperature. Impedance spectroscopy measurements show that the total conductivity of Li₆CaLa₂Sb₂O₁₂ is several orders of magnitude smaller than related lithium-stuffed garnets with σ=10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ at 95 °C and an activation energy of 0.82(3) eV. The transport properties of the conventional garnets Li₃Gd₃Te₂O₁₂, Li₃Tb₃Te₂O₁₂, Li₃Er₃Te₂O₁₂ and Li₃Lu₃Te₂O₁₂ have been evaluated and consistently show much lower values of conductivity, σ≤4.4×10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ at 285 °C and activation energies in the range 0.77(4)≤E_a/eV≤1.21(3).     

A new lithium manganese phosphate with an original tunnel structure in the A2MP2O7 family

A new member of the A₂MP₂O₇ diphosphate family, Li₂MnP₂O₇, has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Li₂MnP₂O₇ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a (#14) with the cell parameters a=9.9158(6) Å, b=9.8289(6) Å, c=11.1800(7) Å, β=102.466(5)°, Z=8 and V=1063.9(1) Å³. Its mixed framework exhibits an original Mn₂O₉ unit, built up of one MnO₅ trigonal bipyramid sharing one edge with one MnO₆ octahedron. These Mn₂O₉ units are sharing corners with P₂O₇ diphosphate groups, forming the undulating [Mn₄P₈O₃₂]_∞ layers. The [MnP₂O₇]_∞ 3D framework, resulting from the interconnection of the undulating [Mn₄P₈O₃₂]_∞ layers, exhibits different kinds of intersecting tunnels containing the Li cations.     

LiMg0.5Mn1.5O4的合成及对Li+的离子交换选择性

锂及其化合物在航空航天、化工、医药、空调、高能电池和热核反应等方面都有广泛应用，对锂及其化合物的需求与日俱增。我国液体锂资源非常丰富，开发利用其中的锂资源具有重要意义。从盐湖水、地下卤水、盐田母液、油气田水等咸水资源中提取锂的方法有碳酸盐沉淀法、离子交换法、萃取法等。离子     

Li ion diffusion in Li4Ti5O12 thin film electrode prepared by PVP sol-gel method

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin films for rechargeable lithium batteries were prepared by a sol-gel method with poly(vinylpyrrolidone). Interfacial properties of lithium insertion into Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin film were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiostatic intermittent titration technique (PITT). Redox peaks in CV were very sharp even at a fast scan rate of 50 mV s⁻¹, indicating that Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin film had a fast electrochemical response, and that an apparent chemical diffusion coefficient of Li⁺ ion was estimated to be 6.8×10⁻¹¹ cm² s⁻¹ from a dependence of peak current on sweep rates. From EIS, it can be seen that Li⁺ ions become more mobile at 1.55 V vs. Li/Li⁺, corresponding to a two-phase region, and the chemical diffusion coefficients of Li⁺ ion ranged from 10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻¹² cm² s⁻¹ at various potentials. The chemical diffusion coefficients of Li⁺ ion in Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ were also estimated from PITT. They were in a range of 10⁻¹¹-10⁻¹² cm² s⁻¹.     

Structure and high-temperature thermoelectric properties of SrAl2Si2

Single crystals of SrAl₂Si₂ were synthesized by reaction of the elements in an aluminum flux at 1000 °C. SrAl₂Si₂ is isostructural to CaAl₂Si₂ and crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P-3m1 (90 K, a=4.1834 (2), c=7.4104 (2) Å, Z=1, R1=0.0156, wR2=0.0308). Thermal analysis shows that the compound melts at ∼1020 °C. Low-temperature resistivity on single crystals along the c-axis shows metallic behavior with room temperature resistivity value of ∼7.5 mΩ cm. High-temperature Seebeck, resistivity, and thermal conductivity measurements were made on hot-pressed pellets. The Seebeck coefficient shows negative values in entire temperature range decreasing from ∼−78 μV K⁻¹ at room temperature to −34 μV K⁻¹ at 1173 K. Seebeck coefficients are negative indicating n-type behavior; however, the temperature dependence is consistent with contribution from minority p-type carriers as well. The lattice contribution to the thermal conductivity is higher than for clathrate structures containing Al and Si, approximately 50 mW cm⁻¹ K, and contributes to the overall low zT for this compound.     

Synthesis, structure, and ionic conductivity of Na5Li3Ti2S8

The compound Na₅Li₃Ti₂S₈ has been synthesized by the reaction of Ti with a Na/Li/S flux at 723 K. Na₅Li₃Ti₂S₈ crystallizes in a new structure type with four formula units in space group C2/c of the monoclinic system. The structure contains three crystallographically independent Na⁺ cations and two crystallographically independent Li⁺ cations. Na₅Li₃Ti₂S₈ possesses a channel structure that features two-dimensional layers built from Li(1)S₄ and TiS₄ tetrahedra. The layers, which are stacked along c, comprise eight-membered rings and sixteen-membered rings. Na(3)⁺ cations are located between the eight-membered rings and Na(1)⁺, Na(2)⁺, and Li(2)⁺ cations are located between the sixteen-membered rings. These cations are each octahedrally coordinated by six S²⁻ anions. The ionic conductivity σ_T of Na₅Li₃Ti₂S₈ ranges from 8.8×10⁻⁶ S/cm at 303 K to 3.8×10⁻⁴ S/cm at 483 K. The activation energy E_a is 0.40 eV.     

Origin of the irreversible plateau (4.5 V) of Li[Li0.182Ni0.182Co0.091Mn0.545]O2 layered material

Layered LiNi_0.4Co_0.2Mn_0.4O₂, Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂, Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ powder materials were prepared by rheological phase method. XRD characterization shows that these samples all have analogous structure to LiCoO₂. Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂ can be considered to be the solid solution of LiNi_0.4Co_0.2Mn_0.4O₂ and Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂. Detailed information from XRD, ex situ XPS measurement and electrochemical analysis of these three materials reveals the origin of the irreversible plateau (4.5 V) of Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂ electrode. The irreversible oxidation reaction occurred in the first charging above 4.5 V is ascribed to the contribution of Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ component, which maybe extract Li⁺ from the transition layer in Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ or Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂ through oxygen release. This step also activates Mn⁴⁺ of Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ or Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂, it can be reversibly reduced/oxidized between Mn⁴⁺ and Mn³⁺ in the subsequent cycles.     

Crystal structure, phase relations and electrochemical properties of monoclinic Li2MnSiO4

Phase relations in the MnO-SiO₂-Li₄SiO₄ subsystem have been investigated by X-ray diffraction after solid-state reactions in hydrogen at 950-1150 °C. Both cation-deficient and cation-excess solid solutions Li_2+2xMn_1−xSiO₄ (−0.2?x?0.2) based on Li₂MnSiO₄ have been found. According to Rietveld analysis, Li₂MnSiO₄ (monoclinic, P2₁/n, a=6.3368(1), b=10.9146(2), c=5.0730(1) Å, β=90.987(1)°) is isostructural with γ_II-Li₂ZnSiO₄ and low-temperature Li₂MgSiO₄. All components are in tetrahedral environment, (MnSiO₄)²⁻ framework is built of four-, six- and eight-member rings of tetrahedra. Testing Li₂MnSiO₄ in an electrochemical cell showed that only 4% Li could be extracted between 3.5 and 5 V against Li metal. These results are discussed in comparison with those for recently reported orthorhombic layered Li₂MnSiO₄ and other tetrahedral Li₂MXO₄ phases.     

Structure and magnetic order in the series BixRE1−xFe0.5Mn0.5O3 (RE=La,Nd)

The influence of Bi³⁺ on the structural and magnetic properties of the rare-earth-containing perovskites REFe_0.5Mn_0.5O₃ (RE=La,Nd) was studied, and the limit of bismuth substitution was determined to be x≤0.5 in Bi_xRE_1−xFe_0.5Mn_0.5O_3+δ (RE=La,Nd) at ambient pressure. Crystal structures in both La and Nd series were determined to be GdFeO₃-type Pnma with the exception of the Bi_0.3La_0.7Fe_0.5Mn_0.5O₃ sample, which is monoclinic I2/a in the a⁻b⁻b⁻ tilt scheme. The samples undergo a transition to G-type antiferromagnetic order along with a weak ferromagnetic component, mixed with cluster-glass type behavior. The substitution of bismuth into the lattice results in a drop in T_N relative to the lanthanide end-members. Long range ordering temperatures T_N in the range 240-255 K were observed, with a significantly lower ordered magnetic moment in the case of lanthanum (M∼1.7-1.9 μ_B) than in the case of neodymium (M∼2.1 μ_B).     

Preparation, structural study from neutron diffraction data and magnetism of the disordered perovskite Ca(Cr0.5Mo0.5)O3

We report on the preparation and characterization of the Ca(Cr_0.5Mo_0.5)O₃ perovskite, obtained in the search of the hypothetical double perovskite Ca₂CrMoO₆. This material was prepared in polycrystalline form by solid state reaction in H₂/Ar flow. It has been studied by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetic measurements. Ca(Cr_0.5Mo_0.5)O₃ crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pbnm (No. 62) space group, with the unit-cell parameters a=5.4110 (4) Å, b=5.4795 (5) Å, c=7.6938 (6) Å. There is a complete disordering of Cr³⁺ and Mo⁵⁺ over the B-site of the perovskite, and the (Cr,Mo)O₆ octahedra are tilted by 12.4° in order to optimize the Ca-O bond lengths. The magnetic susceptibility is characteristic of a ferrimagnetic behavior, with T_C=125 K, and a small saturation magnetization at T=5 K, of 0.05 μ_B/f.u.