Hybrid Improper Ferroelectricity in Columnar (NaY)MnMnTi4O12

We show that cation ordering on A site columns, oppositely displaced via coupling to B site octahedral tilts, results in a polar phase of the columnar perovskite (NaY)MnMnTi₄O₁₂. This scheme is similar to hybrid improper ferroelectricity found in layered perovskites, and can be considered a realisation of hybrid improper ferroelectricity in columnar perovskites. The cation ordering is controlled by annealing temperature and when present it also polarises the local dipoles associated with pseudo-Jahn–Teller active Mn²⁺ ions to establish an additional ferroelectric order out of an otherwise disordered dipolar glass. Below T_N≈12 K, Mn²⁺ spins order, making the columnar perovskites rare systems in which ordered electric and magnetic dipoles may reside on the same transition metal sublattice.     

New nonstoichiometric molybdate,tungstate, and vanadate catalysts with the scheelite-type structure

Phases of the formula A_1?xфxMO₄ with the scheelite-type structure are described where ф represents a vacancy at the A cation site and M is Mo⁶⁺, W⁶⁺, and/or V⁵⁺. Many different univalent, divalent, and trivalent A cations were used in this study. The phases with no defects, i.e., x = 0, were known except for those of the type A¹⁺_.5A³⁺_.5MO₄ where A¹⁺ is Ag or Tl and M is Mo⁶⁺ or W⁶⁺. Phases with x > 0 are generally new and were prepared for catalytic studies. An excellent correlation between catalytic properties and defect concentration has been observed.     

The calculation of the molecular orbital parameters for the square coplanar Cu(NH3)2+4 cation in Cu(NH3)4PtCl4

The calculation of the molecular orbital parameters of the σ-bonding square-planar Cu(NH₃)²⁺₄ cation in Cu(NH₃)₄PtCl₄ is reported, involving metal—ligand and ligand—ligand overlap integrals. In order to obtain a reasonable correlation of the magnetic g- and A-values and the electronic transition energies it is necessary to use a Cu⁺ wavefunction to represent the radially expanded Cu²⁺ wavefunction in this complex.     

Alloying a single and a double perovskite: a Cu+/2+ mixed-valence layered halide perovskite with strong optical absorption

Introducing heterovalent cations at the octahedral sites of halide perovskites can substantially change their optoelectronic properties. Yet, in most cases, only small amounts of such metals can be incorporated as impurities into the three-dimensional lattice. Here, we exploit the greater structural flexibility of the two-dimensional (2D) perovskite framework to place three distinct stoichiometric cations in the octahedral sites. The new layered perovskites A^I₄[Cu^II(Cu^IIn^III)_0.5Cl₈] (1, A = organic cation) may be derived from a Cu^I–In^III double perovskite by replacing half of the octahedral metal sites with Cu²⁺. Electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirm the presence of Cu²⁺ in 1. Crystallographic studies demonstrate that 1 represents an averaging of the Cu^I–In^III double perovskite and Cu^II single perovskite structures. However, whereas the highly insulating Cu^I–In^III and Cu^II perovskites are colorless and yellow, respectively, 1 is black, with substantially higher electronic conductivity than that of either endmember. We trace these emergent properties in 1 to intervalence charge transfer between the mixed-valence Cu centers. We further propose a tiling model to describe how the Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, and In³⁺ coordination spheres can pack most favorably into a 2D perovskite lattice, which explains the unusual 1 : 2 : 1 ratio of these cations found in 1. Magnetic susceptibility data of 1 further corroborate this packing model. The emergence of enhanced visible light absorption and electronic conductivity in 1 demonstrates the importance of devising strategies for increasing the compositional complexity of halide perovskites.

A novel 2D halide perovskite with stoichiometric quantities of Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, and In³⁺ in the inorganic slabs shows emergent properties not seen in Cu^II or Cu^I–In^III perovskites, including enhanced visible-light absorption and electronic conductivity.     

Non-stoichiometric 1:2 ordered perovskites in the Ba(Li1/4Nb3/4)O3-Ba(Li2/5W3/5)O3 system

Although both end members in the (1−x)Ba(Li_1/4Nb_3/4)O₃-xBa(Li_2/5W_3/5)O₃ (BLNW) system adopt a hexagonal perovskite structure, B-site ordered cubic perovskites are formed for the majority of their solid solutions (0.238?x?0.833). Within this range, single-phase 1:2 order (, , ) is stabilized for 0.238?x?0.385. In contrast to all known A(B_1/3^IB_2/3^II)O₃ perovskites, the 1:2 ordered BLNW solid solutions do not include any composition with a 1:2 cation distribution and the structure exhibits extensive non-stoichiometry. Structure refinements support a model where Li and W occupy different positions and Nb is distributed on both sites, i.e. Ba[(Li_3/4+y/2Nb_1/4−y/2)_1/3(Nb_1−yW_y)_2/3]O₃ (y=0.21-0.35, where y=0.9x). The stabilization of the non-stoichiometric order arises from the large charge/size site differences; the loss of 1:2 order for W-rich compositions is related to local charge imbalances on the A-site sub-lattice. The range of single-phase 1:1 order is confined to x=0.833, (Ba(Li_3/4Nb_1/4)_1/2(W)_1/2)O₃), where the site charge/size difference is maximized and the on-site mismatches are minimized. The microwave dielectric loss properties of the ordered BLNW solid solutions are significantly inferior as compared to their stoichiometric counterparts.     

Synthesis of vanadium spinels by hydrogen-reduction of oxide precursors

Two series of vanadium spinels, viz.AV₂O₄ and A_1.5O₄(A = Mg, Mn and Zn) have been prepared at significantly lower temperatures (700–850 K) by hydrogen-reduction of the corresponding oxide precursors, AV₂O₆ and A₂V₂O₇ respectively. The cation distribution in these phases have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction intensity analysis. The former vanadium(III) spinels have a cation distribution of (A²⁺)_t[V₂³⁺]_oO₄ while the latter mixed-valence vanadium spinels have a distribution of (A²⁺)_t[A_0.5²⁺V_1.0³⁺V_0.5⁴⁺]_oO₄.     

Effects of vacancy concentration on the magnetic and transport properties of (La1−xPbx)1−y□yMnO3

(La_1−xPb_x)_1−y□_yMnO₃ with x=0.05-0.5 and y=0, 0.05, 0.1 (where □ is a vacancy) was studied to evaluate the effects of A-site vacancies on the physical properties. In this system manganese perovskites form with tolerance factors close to 1 and low A-site cation size mismatch due to similarities in the effective ionic radii of La³⁺ and Pb²⁺. Increasing vacancy concentration indicates no significant effect on the lattice parameters or volume. However, the vacancies introduce a greater A-site cation size mismatch, which leads to a lowering of the ferromagnetic and metal-insulator transition temperatures, although the transitions are not broadened with increasing vacancy content. Due to the vacancies a distribution of Mn-O-Mn angles and Mn-O distances are created, and long range order in (La_1−xPb_x)_1−y□_yMnO₃ appears to be determined by Mn-O-Mn angles and Mn-O distances which most distort from 180° and are the longest, respectively, in the structure.     

Ordered perovskites in the A(Li1/4Nb3/4)O3-A(Li2/5W3/5)O3 (A=Sr, Ca) systems

Single-phase 1:2 B-site ordered perovskites are formed in the (1−x)A²⁺(Li_1/4Nb_3/4)O₃-(x)A²⁺(Li_2/5W_3/5)O₃ systems, A²⁺=Sr and Ca, within the range 0.238?x?0.333. The X-ray and electron diffraction patterns are consistent with a P2₁/c monoclinic supercell, , , , β≈125°, where the 1:2 order is combined with b⁻b⁻c⁺ octahedral tilting. Rietveld refinements of the ordered A(B^I_1/3B^II_2/3)O₃ structures give a good fit to a model with B^I occupied by Li and Nb, B^II by W and Nb, and a general stoichiometry (Sr,Ca)(Li_3/4+y/2Nb_1/4−y/2)_1/3(Nb_1−yW_y)_2/3O₃, y=0.9x=0.21-0.30. The Sr system also includes regions of stability of a 1:3 ordered phase for 0.0?x?0.111, and a 1:1 ordered double perovskite for 0.833?x?1.0. The formation of the non-stoichiometric 1:2 ordered phases is associated with the large site charge/size differences that can be accessed in these systems, and restricted by local charge imbalances at the A-sites for W-rich compositions. These concepts are used to generate stability maps to rationalize the formation of the known 1:2 ordered oxide perovskites.     

Local A‐Site Layering in Rare‐Earth Orthochromite Perovskites by Solution Synthesis

Cation size effects were examined in the mixed A‐site perovskites La_0.5Sm_0.5CrO₃ and La_0.5Tb_0.5CrO₃ prepared through both hydrothermal and solid‐state methods. Atomically resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the transmission electron microscope shows that while the La and Sm cations are randomly distributed, increased cation‐radius variance in La_0.5Tb_0.5CrO₃ results in regions of localised La and Tb layers, an atomic arrangement exclusive to the hydrothermally prepared material. Solid‐state preparation gives lower homogeneity resulting in separate nanoscale regions rich in La³⁺ and Tb³⁺. The A‐site layering in hydrothermal La_0.5Tb_0.5CrO₃ is randomised upon annealing at high temperature, resulting in magnetic behaviour that is dependent on synthesis route.     

Reasons for the line broadening in the epr spectra of copper ions in Li2-2x Zn2+x (MoO4)3 lithium-zinc molybdate crystals

An EPR study of Li_2?2x Zn_2+x (MoO₄)₃ crystals activated by copper ions shows that they occupy the M2 site, one of the three possible sites of both lithium and zinc. In the EPR spectra of Cu²⁺ copper a broadening of HFS lines and a nonequidistant splitting between them, which are unusual for the orientation H‖g _zz , A _zz , are observed. In this work possible reasons for such a broadening of HFS lines from copper ions are analyzed: a distortion of the oxygen octahedron due to the introduction of copper ions, second order perturbation theory corrections, superposition of HFS from ⁶³Cu and ⁶⁵Cu isotopes, and the effect of the charge redistribution in the oxygen octahedron because the cation vacancy providing charge compensation can be located at different distances from the copper ion. It is shown that the first three reasons do not explain the features observed in the EPR spectra. In the case of cation vacancies located in the M3 site and remote at different distances from the copper ion, the charge redistribution in the oxygen octahedron of copper should occur along with the dispersion of HFS parameters and the g-factor. The studies performed in X and Q bands confirm this assumption. The width of HFS lines from copper ions in the EPR spectra measured in the Q band is three times more compared to that measured in the X band.     

Crystal structures and dielectric properties of ordered double perovskites containing Mg and Ta

The ordered double perovskites ALaMgTaO₆ (A=Ba, Sr, Ca) and La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ have been prepared and characterized. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction analyses show that all four compounds exhibit a rock-salt type ordering of the B-site cations (Mg²⁺/Ta⁵⁺) and a random distribution of A-site cations (A²⁺/La³⁺). The space group symmetries are determined to be for BaLaMgTaO₆, and P2₁/n for SrLaMgTaO₆, CaLaMgTaO₆, and La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆. Diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy shows these ordered perovskites have optical band gaps in the range of 4.6−4.8 eV. These values are roughly 1 eV wider than the ternary perovskite oxides of Ta⁵⁺ such as KTaO₃, due to narrowing of the conduction bandwidth which results from Mg²⁺/Ta⁵⁺ ordering. These compounds are insulators with dielectric permittivities of κ=18-23, dielectric losses of tan δ=0.004-0.007, and small temperature coefficients of capacitance <100 ppm/K over the temperature range 20-150 °C. BaLaMgTaO₆ is of particular interest because it possesses a near-zero temperature dependence of capacitance.     

Mossbauer Investigation of Fe-Doped Ni(III) Perovskites ANi0.98Fe0.02O3 (A=Pr, Nd, Sm, Y, Lu, Tl) versus Temperature

Nickelates ANiO₃ (A=Pr, Nd, Sm, Lu, Y, Tl) containing Mössbauer probe ⁵⁷Fe atoms were synthesized. In the case of nickelates with larger rare earth (A=Pr, Nd, Sm) the Mössbauer spectra confirm that ferric ions are located in single type of crystallographic positions. On the contrary, the spectra of ANi_0.98Fe_0.02O₃ with small cations (A=Lu, Y, Tl) can be described as a superposition of two sub-spectra which indicate that ⁵⁷Fe probe atoms are simultaneously stabilized in two non-equivalent crystallographic positions. These results have been interpreted in terms of partial charge disproportionation of Ni³⁺ cations associated with the electronic localization in monoclinic distorted Lu, Y, Tl nickelates. The modification of ⁵⁷Fe spectra for TlNi_0.98Fe_0.02O₃ as a function of temperature has shown that this charge disproportionation occurs in varying degrees, corresponding to the charge states Fe^(3+σ)+ and Fe^(3−σ′)+. On the contrary, the spectra for Lu and Y nickelates show that charge variation (σ,σ′) for dopant Fe(1) and Fe(2) cations does not depend on temperature.     

Effects of the A-site cation number on the properties of Ln5/8M3/8MnO3 manganites

The properties of manganites can be tuned by changing the doping level x in Ln_1−xM_xMnO₃. A second mechanism allows tuning of magnetic and electronic properties, for fixed x values, by varying the average A-cation radius, 〈r_A〉. Moreover, for fixed x and 〈r_A〉 values, the changes in the A-cation size variance, σ², also modify the ferromagnetic and metal-insulator transition temperatures. Here, we investigate the influence of the number of A-site cations on Ln_5/8M_3/8MnO₃ manganites, where x, 〈r_A〉 and σ² values are kept constant, and in the absence of phase separation phenomena. We have found that the number of cation species at the A site (N_A) has a strong influence on the width of the ferromagnetic and metal-insulator transitions, and a small influence on the average transition temperature. This behavior is opposite to that observed for increasing values of the variance σ² in manganites, with the same x and 〈r_A〉 values, where average transition temperatures are strongly reduced.     

Crystal structure refinements of the three-layer Aurivillius ceramics Bi2Sr2−xAxNb2TiO12 (A=Ca,Ba, x=0,0.5,1) using combined X-ray and neutron powder diffraction

Three-layer Aurivillius ceramics Bi₂SrCaNb₂TiO₁₂, Bi₂Sr_1.5Ca_0.5Nb₂TiO₁₂, Bi₂Sr₂Nb₂TiO₁₂, Bi₂Sr_1.5Ba_0.5Nb₂TiO₁₂, and Bi₂SrBaNb₂TiO₁₂ were formed via solid-state synthesis and their structures characterized by combined Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data. Static disorder was observed in the form of mixed cation occupancies between the Bi and the Sr, Ca, or Ba on the A sites in the perovskite block, as well as between the Nb and Ti sites. The degree of site mixing between the Bi site in the (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ layer and the perovskite-block A site increased with increasing average A site cation radius (ACR). Bi₂SrBaNb₂TiO₁₂ displayed the greatest degree of Bi-A site static disorder. Bond valence sum (BVS) calculations showed an increase in A site BVS with average A site cation radius. All compositions except Bi₂SrCaNb₂TiO₁₂ had overbonded A sites and the A site BVS increased nearly linearly with lattice parameter and ACR. A preference was observed for Ca²⁺ to remain on the A site while Ba²⁺ preferred to disorder to the Bi site, indicating that the cation site mixing occurs to reduce strain between the (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ layer and the perovskite block in the structure. Unusually large Ti site BVS and thermal parameter for the equatorial oxygen in the TiO₆ octahedra were observed in structural models that included full oxygen occupancy. However, excellent structure models and more reasonable BVS values were obtained by assuming oxygen vacancies in the TiO₆ octahedra. AC impedance spectroscopy performed on all samples indicate that the total electrical conductivity is on the order of at 900°C.     

Prediction and assignment of site occupation and energy levels for Pb ions in crystal hosts

The environmental factor h_e of the host was calculated quantitatively in Pb²⁺-doped 23 compounds based on the dielectric theory of chemical bond for complex crystals. The relationship between the A band energy E_A of Pb²⁺ and the environmental factor h_e was intensively studied. The results indicate that E_A of Pb²⁺ decreases linearly with increasing of h_e. A linear model was proposed which allows us to correctly predict and assign the site occupations and the position of A band for Pb²⁺-doped compounds if the crystal structure and the refraction index were known. Applied to SrGa₂O₄:Pb²⁺, CaAl₂B₂O₇:Pb²⁺ and SrAl₂B₂O₇:Pb²⁺, the theoretical predictions are in very good agreement with the experimental data. In SrGa₂O₄:Pb²⁺, the excitation spectrum of Pb²⁺ from two different cation sites was identified: the higher energy band of A (265 nm) from the site of Sr2, and the lower ones (280 nm) from the site of Sr1.     

Stabilization of unusual electronic configurations of transition elements in elongated six-coordinated oxygen sites of a K2NiF4 structure

The A′_xA_2?xLi_0.5M_0.5O₄ matrix deriving from the K₂NiF₄ structure has an elongated MO₆ octahedron; it has been used to stabilize anisotropic electronic configurations such as high-spin Fe⁴⁺, low-spin Co⁴⁺, medium-spin Co³⁺, low-spin Ni³⁺, or low-spin Cu³⁺. The choice of ions to be stabilized was based on a simple model for predicting the electronic configuration of a dⁿ ion in a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment.     

Small‐Band‐Gap Halide Double Perovskites

Despite their compositional versatility, most halide double perovskites feature large band gaps. Herein, we describe a strategy for achieving small band gaps in this family of materials. The new double perovskites Cs₂AgTlX₆ (X=Cl ( 1 ) and Br ( 2 )) have direct band gaps of 2.0 and 0.95 eV, respectively, which are approximately 1 eV lower than those of analogous perovskites. To our knowledge, compound 2 displays the lowest band gap for any known halide perovskite. Unlike in A^IB^IIX₃ perovskites, the band‐gap transition in A^I₂BB′X₆ double perovskites can show substantial metal‐to‐metal charge‐transfer character. This band‐edge orbital composition is used to achieve small band gaps through the selection of energetically aligned B‐ and B′‐site metal frontier orbitals. Calculations reveal a shallow, symmetry‐forbidden region at the band edges for 1 , which results in long (μs) microwave conductivity lifetimes. We further describe a facile self‐doping reaction in 2 through Br₂ loss at ambient conditions.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation of perovskites La1−x Sr x FeO3−y (0 ≤x < 1.0), prepared via a mechanochemical route

Perovskite-structure oxides La_1?x Sr _x FeO_3?y (x = 0, 0.2, 0.6, 1) were synthesized by the mechanochemical method. In order to refine the stoichiometric composition and the charge state of ions, these samples were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). An investigation of perovskites with x = 0, 0.2, and 0.6 in air at room temperature showed that these samples do not contain oxygen vacancies (y = 0), i.e., they are fully oxidized. Hence, to produce electrical neutrality, these samples should contain iron(4+) cations in an amount proportional to the degree of substitution (x) of strontium(2+) for lanthanum(3+). However, no Fe⁴⁺ cations were found in the oxides. All perovskites contain only Fe³⁺ cations, oxygen ions O^2? along with oxygen ions with reduced electron density (O^?). These data provid evidence of the possible electron density redistribution from oxygen ions to iron cations. The fact that the oxides contain oxygen ions with reduced electron density suggests that weakly bound lattice oxygen in substituted perovskites is represented by O^? ions.     

Synthesis, phase transition and photoluminescence studies on Eu-substituted double perovskites—A novel orange-red phosphor for solid-state lighting

Photoluminescence studies on Eu³⁺-doped double perovskites with the formula A₂CaWO₆ (A=Sr, Ba) revealed that the forced electric dipole (ED) transition is present when Eu³⁺ is substituted at the non-centrosymmetric Sr-site vis-a-vis substitution at the centrosymmetric Ca-site shows both ED and magnetic dipole (MD) transition. A series of novel orange-red-emitting phosphor compositions Sr_1.9−xBa_xEu_0.05Li_0.05CaWO₆ (x=0-1.9) have also been synthesized and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence. XRD results reveal a phase transition from monoclinic to pseudo-cubic structure for x?0.2. All the compositions show broad charge transfer band and orange-red (MD and ED) emission. However, the relative intensity of the MD and ED depends on the Ba content present in the host lattice. Select compositions in this system of compounds could find potential application as orange-red phosphors for white light generation using blue/near-UV GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs).