Valence Distributions of Iron and Manganese in Pure,Manganese‐doped and Calcium‐doped Yttrium Orthoferrite

The valence distributions of Fe and Mn in yttrium orthoferrite (YFeO,), YFe_0.6Mn0.4O3 and Y_0.9Ca_0.1Fe_0.6Mn_0.4O_3.8 were studied by the measurement of thermal power. Pure YFeO₃ shows the n‐type electrical conductivity associated with small polaron hopping between Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. Both YFe_0.4Mn_0.4‐O₃ and Y_0–9Ca_0–1.Fe_0–6Mn_0–4O_3–8 show n‐type and p‐type conductivities at high and low temperatures respectively associated with small polaron hopping between Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺, iron has only oxidation state of Fe³⁺ and does not have contribution to the electrical conductivity.     

正极材料Li_(0.99)Nb_(0.01)Fe_(1-x)Mg_xPO_4/C的制备及电化学性能的研究

采用两步固相反应合成了锂、铁双位掺杂的锂离子电池正极材料Li0.99Nb0.01Fe1-xMgxPO4/C(x=0,0.01,0.02,0.03,0.04)。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)以及恒电流充放电测试,研究了复合材料的晶体结构、形貌以及电化学性能。实验结果表明,制备的Li0.99Nb0.01Fe1-xMgxPO4/C(x=0,0.01,0.02,0.03,0.04)为纯相,掺杂适量的Nb5+、Mg2+离子可减小材料的晶粒尺寸,当Nb离子掺杂量为1mol%、Mg离子掺杂量为3mol%时,Li0.99Nb0.01Fe0.97Mg0.03PO4/C的电化学性能最佳。室温下,0.2C、1C、2C、4C(1C=170mA·g-1)倍率充放电其首次放电比容量分别为153.7、149.7、144.6、126.4mAh·g-1,即使在8C倍率下放电其放电比容量也有92.2mAh·g-1,并表现出良好的循环性能。     

Polaron morphologies in SrFe1−xTixO3−δ

The morphologies of the charge carriers in the perovskite system SrFe_1−xTi_xO_3−δ are explored by transport and magnetic measurements. Oxygen vacancies are present in all samples, but they do not trap out the Fe³⁺ ions they introduce. The x=0.05 composition was prepared with three different values of δ. They all show small-polaron conduction above 225 K; but where there is a ratio c=Fe⁴⁺/Fe<0.5, the polaron morphology appears to change progressively with decreasing temperature below 225 K to two-Fe polarons that become ferromagnetically coupled in an applied magnetic field at lower temperatures; With an applied field of 2500 Oe, divergence of the paramagnetic susceptibility for zero-field-cooled and field-cooled samples manifests a greater stabilization of ferromagnetic pairs on cooling in the applied field. With a c>0.5, the data are consistent with a disproportionation reaction 2Fe⁴⁺=Fe³⁺+Fe(V)O_6/2 that inhibits formation of two-Fe polarons and, on lowering the temperature, creates Fe³⁺-Fe(V)-Fe³⁺ superparamagnetic clusters.     

Preparation and Mo¨ssbauer studies of (FeyNb1−y)1+xS2 compounds

The phase relations for iron niobium sulfides (Fe_yNb_1?y)_1+xS₂ have been examined by varying the partial pressure of sulfur at 950°C. While niobium is difficult to dissolve in iron sulfide, iron dissolves in niobium sulfide up to about 35% of the total metal sites. Iron niobium sulfide has the layered hexagonal type structure (2s-Nb_1+xS₂) with change in the lattice parameters depending on both the value of x and the amount of the iron dissolved. The Mo¨ssbauer spectra of sulfides with three different Fe/Nb ratios, 1/9(y =1/10), 1/4(y =1/5), and 1/2(y =1/3) were taken at 77 and 295 K. Each spectrum is composed of a quadrupole doublet which can be attributed to the Fe²⁺ ions in high spin state. The quadrupole splitting at 295 K decreases markedly with decrease in x which is related to change of the lattice parameters. Fe atoms cannot enter at random into all metal sites, and prefer to intercalate in the sites of partially filled layers. Possible models for the cation distribution in each metal layer are discussed.     

Studies of potassium ferrite K1+xFe11O17. I. Electronic conductivity and defect structure

The electronic conductivity of the nonstoichiometric potassium ferrite phase (with the β-alumina structure) has been measured as a function of temperature and potassium ion concentration. The latter was varied by coulometric titration using the cell: K_11q/K-β-alumina/K_1+xFe₁₁O₁₇. At 523°K the conductivity increased nearly linearly as x was increased from 0.09 to 0.65 while the activation energy for conduction decreased from 0.1 to 0.07 eV. The cell emf was completely reversible. The results are consistent with the view that the excess potassium ions are charge compensated by reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺, and a comparison with results in the literature for some ironcontaining spinels suggests that a similar small polaron electron hopping mechanism operates.     

Improvement of lithium-ion conductivity in A-site-disordered lithium lanthanum titanates by V5+/Nb5+ substitution

The V⁵⁺/Nb⁵⁺-substituted lithium lanthaum titanates are synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction method at high temperature in air. The structural and conductivity studies of the obtained perovskite oxide samples are investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and impedance spectroscopy. From the powder XRD patterns, it is clearly observed that the synthesized samples exhibit a well-defined cubic structure with the Pm3m (Z = 1) space group. The lattice parameter is decreased with increasing vanadium content in Li_0.5?x La_0.5Ti_1?x V _x O₃, but increased with the increasing niobium content in Li_0.5?x La_0.5Ti_1?x Nb _x O₃. The scanning electron microscope measurements confirmed that these materials consist of fairly ordered grains throughout the surface area. The conductivity variations with the substitution of vanadium/niobium are also reported. The bulk ionic conductivity measured in the temperature range from room temperature to 150 °C is about the same as reported earlier for the related lithium lanthanum titanate. However, the low activation energies for ionic conduction observed for these samples encourage further investigations for better conductors in this system.     

Low temperature synthesis of Li5La3Nb2O12 with cubic garnet-type structure by sol–gel process

A cubic Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ phase with a garnet framework was synthesized by the sol–gel process, in which lithium hydroxide, niobium oxide and acetic lanthanum were used as starting materials, while water was used as solvent. Pure garnet-like Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ powders were obtained after heating the gel precursor at 700 °C for 6 h with 10 % excess lithium salt. The calcination temperature is nearly 250 °C lower than that by the solid state reaction. The phase transforms from cubic to tetragonal symmetry with loss of lithium at 717 °C, but the garnet framework remains stable to above 900 °C. A pellet annealed at 900 °C for 6 h had a room-temperature Li⁺-ion conductivity σ_Li (22 °C) = 1.0 × 10^?5 S cm^?1, a little higher than that attained by solid-state synthesis. The Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ compound was chemically stable against two commonly used cathode materials, LiMn₂O₄ and LiCoO₂, up to 900 °C and against metallic lithium.     

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.     

A study of the formation of LiNbO3 in the system Li2CO3Nb2O5

The formation process of LiNbO₃ in the system Li₂CO₃Nb₂O₅ was discussed from the results of non-isothermal or isothermal TG experiments and X-ray analysis. The mixture Li₂CO₃ and Nb₂O₅ in mole ratios of 1:3, 1:1 or 3:1 was heated at a rate of 5°C min^?1 or at various temperatures fixed in the range 475 to 677°C. If the system has a composition of Li₂CO₃ + 3Nb₂O₅ or 3Li₂CO₃ + Nb₂O₅, the reaction between Li₂CO₃ and Nb₂O₅ proceeds with CO₂ evolution to form LiNbO₃ at ca. 300–600°C, but Nb₂O₅ or Li₂CO₃ remains unreacted. A composition of Li₂CO₃ + Nb₂O₅ gives LiNbO₃ at 300–700°C. The diffusion of Li₂O through the layer of LiNbO₃ is rate-controlling with an activation energy of 51 kcal mol^?1. The reaction between LiNbO₃ and Nb₂O₅ gives LiNb₃O₈ at 600–700°C. At 700–800°C, a slight formation of Li₃NbO₄ occurs by the reaction between LiNbO₃ and Li₂O at the outer surface of LiNbO₃ and the Li₂O component of Li₃NbO₄ diffuses toward the boundary of the LiNb₃O₈ layer through the LiNbO₃ layer. The single phase of LiNbO₃ is formed above 850°C.     

Evidence for transition from polaron to bipolaron conduction in electroactive LixCr0.11V2O5.16 powders: A dynamic study from 10 to 10 Hz

This paper presents a study on the electrical transport properties of lithiated Cr_0.11V₂O_5.16, which can be used as a rechargeable cathodic material in lithium batteries. Dielectric and conductivity spectra of Li_xCr_0.11V₂O_5.16 powders (x=0, 0.05, 0.40 and 1.20) were recorded in a broad frequency range of 10-10¹⁰ Hz at temperature varying between 300 and 400 K. Complex resistivity diagrams have enabled to obtain thermal behaviors of bulk dc-conductivity. Dielectric relaxations were found, attributed to small polarons and (intersite) bipolarons hopping. The transport properties are shown to be consistent with small polaron and bipolaron conduction models. The change from polaronic to bipolaronic conduction has been evidenced with the increase of the lithium content x from 0.40 to 1.20. This work opens up new prospects for a more fundamental understanding of the electronic transport in relation with the electrochemical properties of Cr_0.11V₂O_5.16.     

Phase composition and magnetic properties of niobium-iron codoped TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized in Ar/O2 radio-frequency thermal plasma

Nanoparticles of Nb⁵⁺-Fe³⁺ codoped TiO₂ with various Nb⁵⁺ concentrations (Nb/(Ti+Fe+Nb)=0-10.0 at%) and Fe³⁺ (Fe/(Ti+Fe+Nb)=0-2.0 at%) were synthesized using Ar/O₂ thermal plasma. Dopant content, chemical valence, phase identification, morphology and magnetic properties were determined using several characterization techniques, including inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrometer, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and SQUID commercial instrument. The XRD revealed that all the plasma-synthesized powders were exclusively composed of anatase as major phase and rutile. The rutile weight fraction was increased by the substitution of Fe³⁺ for Ti⁴⁺ whereas it was reduced by the Nb⁵⁺ doping. The plasma-synthesized Nb⁵⁺-Fe³⁺ codoped TiO₂ powders had intrinsic magnetic properties of strongly paramagnetic and feebly ferromagnetic at room temperature. The ferromagnetic properties gradually deteriorated as the Fe³⁺ concentration was decreased, suggesting that the ferromagnetism was predominated by the phase composition as a carrier-mediated exchange.     

Zur Präparation und Struktur gemischtvalenter Niob-Wolframoxide der Zusammensetzung (Nb,W)17O47

Preparation and Structure of Niobium Tungsten Oxides (Nb,W)₁₇O₄₇ with Mixed Valency The formal substitution of 2Nb⁵⁺ by Nb⁴⁺ or W⁴⁺, respectively, and W⁶⁺ leads to tungsten niobium oxides (Nb,W)₁₇O₄₇ with mixed valency. The phases Nb_8-nW_9+nO₄₇ with n = 1 to 5 could be obtained by heating (1 250°) mixtures of NbO₂ or WO₂, respectively, with Nb₂O₅ and WO₃. The products crystallize with the structure of Nb₈W₉O₄₇. This is proved by X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. A further decrease of the Nb-content results in two-phase products.     

In situ UV-Vis and ex situ IR spectroelectrochemical investigations of amorphous and crystalline electrochromic Nb2O5 films in charged/discharged states

Niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅) films and powders have been obtained via the sol-gel route from an NbCl₅ precursor. XRD spectra revealed that films with pseudohexagonal (TT-phase) and orthorhombic (T-phase) structure were formed at 500  °C and 800  °C, respectively, while at 300  °C films were amorphous. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of powders and films of Nb₂O₅ in different polymorphic forms were detected, and vibrational band assignments were made. Electrochromic properties of amorphous films and films with the TT-phase were established from in situ ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroelectrochemical measurements and correlated with ex situ IR transmission spectra of charged films. Ex situ IR spectra revealed that charging of amorphous films is accompanied by variations of the Nb-O stretching mode intensity, while, for films with the TT- and T-phase, splitting of the Nb₃-O stretching modes and the appearance of polaron absorption were noted with Li⁺ ion insertion. Ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of charged films with the TT-phase showed changes of the unit cell dimensions with charging. The influence of the polaron absorption on the ex situ near-grazing incidence angle (NGIA) IR reflection-absorption spectra of charged/discharged films is discussed in detail. Received: 21 August 1997 / Accepted: 9 October 1997     

Lowervalent hexaniobate cluster in aqueous HCl: an equilibrium redox study

Summary It has been established⁽¹⁾ that hydrated niobium(V) oxide is, in fact, hexameric isopolyniobic acid, H₈Nb₆O₁₉·xH₂O, containing a protonated oxoniobate(V) cluster. It has also been shown^(2,3) that the stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric oxides as well as niobates, soluble or insoluble, formed under various conditions, are really derivatives of H₈Nb₆O₁₉. The amphoteric H₈Nb₆O₁₉ is soluble in conc. H₂SO₄ maintaining its hexanuclear structure⁽⁴⁾ and exists in the form of a SO₃ adduct of H₈Nb₆O₁₉. In the latest communication⁽⁵⁾ the hexameric cluster has been shown to exist even in the subnormal niobium oxidation states. The aqueous H₂SO₄ solution of niobium(V) when reduced with zinc forms various dark red-brown crystalline salts of the anion [Nb₆O₇(O·SO₃)₁₂]^16–. This cluster anion has niobium in an average nonintegral oxidation state of +3.67 and the Nb₆O₁₉ unit is coordinated to a maximum of twelve SO₃ groups. The present communication describes the potentiometric investigation of the reduced oxoniobate cluster in aqueous HCl. There are reports that strongly acidic niobium(V) solutions are reduced either electrolytically or by metals^(6–9). These workers proposed that niobium(III) was formed in solution although no detailed investigation on the species was made.     

Electronic Spectrum and Antiferromagnetic A-B Interactions between Tetrahedral 3d and 3d or 3d Octahedral Cations in Oxidic Lithium Spinels

The compounds chosen to illustrate the interpretation of ligand field spectra of inorganic solids with A-B antiferromagnetic coupling between Fe³⁺ tetrahedral and Fe³⁺ or Cr³⁺ octahedral cations belong to the Li_0.5Fe_xGa_2.5-xO₄ and Li_0.5(FeCr)_xGa_2.5-2xO₄ systems. New features, such as the interpretation of the iron(III) electronic spectrum in ferrimagnetic spinels, the influence of the nature of the superexchange interactions of the pair excitation processes, and the growth of an electronic transition assigned to Cr³⁺ + Fe³⁺ → Cr⁴⁺ + Fe²⁺ intervalence charge transfer at 1.8 eV are reported in this study.     

Charge Carrier Transport Mechanism in Ta2O5, TaON,and Ta3N5 Studied by Applying Polaron Hopping and Bandlike Models

TaON and Ta₃N₅ are considered promising materials for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting. In contrast, their counterpart Ta₂O₅ does not exhibit good photocatalytic performance. This may be explained with the different charge carrier transport mechanisms in these materials, which are not well understood yet. Herein, we investigate the charge transport properties in Ta₂O₅, TaON, and Ta₃N₅ by polaron hopping and bandlike models. First, the polaron binding energies were calculated to evaluate whether the small polaron occurs in these materials. Then we performed calculations to localize the excess carriers as small polarons using a hybrid density functional. We find that the small polaron hopping is the charge transfer mechanism in Ta₂O_5, whereas our calculations indicate that this mechanism may not occur in TaON and Ta₃N₅. We also investigated the bandlike model mechanism by calculating the charge carrier mobility of these materials using the effective mass approximation, but the calculated mobility is not consistent with experimental results. This study is a first step towards understanding charge transport in oxynitrides and nitrides and furthermore establishes a simple rule to determine whether a small polaron occurs in a material.     

Electroconductance of single-crystal Li2 + x Fe 2 − 2x 2+ Fe x 3+ (MoO4)3 (x = 0.22)

Electrophysical properties of single-crystal Li_{2 + x} Fe _{2 ? 2x} ²⁺ Fe _x ³⁺ (MoO₄)₃ (x = 0.22) are studied at 25–400°C. It is found that the conduction is of electronic nature and the conductivity equals 5 × 10^-2 S/cm at 300°C. The activation energy for the electron transport is 0.23 eV. The conductance in molybdate Li_2.22Fe _1.56 ²⁺ Fe _0.22 ³⁺ (MoO₄)₃ is markedly anisotropic.     

Kristallstrukturuntersuchungen an Verbindungen des Typs A3(M,Nb)8O21 (A  Tl,Ba; M  Fe,Ni)

Crystal Structure Investigations of Compounds with the A₃(M, Nb)₈O₂₁-Type (A ? Tl, Ba; M ? Fe, Ni) Tl₃Fe_0,5Nb_7,5O₂₁ (A), a hitherto unknown phase of the A₃(M, Nb)₈O₂₁-type, and Ba₃Fe₂Nb₆O₂₁ (B), Ba₃Ni_1.33Nb_6,66O₂₁ (C) were prepared and investigated by single crystal X-ray technique. ((A): a = 9.145(1), c = 11.942(1) Å; (B): a = 9.118(2), c = 11.870(1) Å; (C) a = 9.173(3), c = 11.923(1) Å, space group D? P6₃/mcm, Z = 2). There is a statistic occupation of the M-positions by Nb⁵⁺ and Fe³⁺ or Nb⁵⁺ and Ni²⁺, respectively. An other compound Ba₃Fe₂Ta₆O₂₁ is partially ordered in respect to Ta⁵⁺ and Fe³⁺. Calculations of the Coulomb-part of lattice energy are discussed.     

Comparative computational investigation of N and F substituted polyoxoanionic compounds: The case of Li2FeSiO4 electrode material

First principles calculations are used to anticipate the electrochemistry of polyoxoanionic materials consisting of XO_{4 − y}A_y (A = F, N) groups. As an illustrative case, this work focuses on the effect of either N or F for O substitution upon the electrochemical properties of Li₂FeSiO₄. Within the Pmn2₁–Li₂FeSiO₄ structure, virtual models of Li₂Fe₂^2.5+SiO_3.5N_0.5 and Li_1.5Fe²⁺SiO_3.5F_0.5 have been analyzed. We predict that the lithium deinsertion voltage associated to the Fe^3+/Fe⁴⁺ redox couple is decreased by both substituents. The high theoretical specific capacity of Li₂FeSiO₄ (330 mAh/g) could be retained in N-substituted silicates thanks to the oxidation of N³⁻ anions, whilst Li_1.5Fe²⁺SiO_3.5F_0.5 has a lower specific capacity inherent to the F substitution. Substitution of N/F for O will respectively improve/worsen the electrode characteristics of Li₂FeSiO₄.     

Niobium(V) oxide doped with Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> cations: Synthesis and structural studies

Methods for direct doping of niobium pentoxide with photovoltaically inactive Mg²⁺ and Gd³⁺ cations were developed for subsequent use in the synthesis of a stock for growing single crystals of lithium niobate with improved optical characteristics. The Raman spectra of doped pentoxides Nb₂O₅: Mg and Nb₂O₅: Gd revealed their island structures.