Pu在Gd2Zr2O7基质中的模拟固化: (Gd1-xCex)2Zr2O7+x的热物理性能研究

采用高温固相反应,以NaF作助熔剂,在1000 ℃的温度下合成了锕系元素Pu的模拟固化体(Gd_1-xCe_x)₂Zr₂O_7+x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.7).研究了模拟固化体的物相、热膨胀系数(TEC)、热导率(TC)随温度及组成的变化规律.粉末X射线衍射(XRD)测试结果表明: Gd₂Zr₂O₇基质本身呈弱有序烧绿石结构,而用Ce⁴⁺取代Gd³⁺的模拟固化体都呈缺陷萤石结构. (Gd_1-xCe_x)₂Zr₂O_7+x的Ce(3d) X射线光电子能谱(XPS)有六个峰,结合能分别位于881.7, 888.1, 897.8, 900.4, 907.1, 916.1 eV处,与CeO2的XPS图谱非常相似,说明Ce为四价.随着温度的升高,所有样品的热膨胀系数总体上呈增大趋势.在室温至750 ℃附近,大部分样品的热导率随温度的升高而降低,之后热导率又呈小幅上升.在相同温度下,固化体(Gd_1-xCe_x)₂Zr₂O_7+x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.7)的热膨胀系数及热导率随组成变化呈相同趋势:在0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1范围内随x的增大而增大,随后在x = 0.1-0.7时逐渐减小.     

Ab initio MRD-CI study of GaAs, GaAs2(±), Ga2As2(±) and As4 clusters

Using pseudopotentials and double zeta basis sets with s, p diffuse functions and two sets of d functions, MRD-CI calculations were performed on As₂^(±), As₄⁽⁺⁾, GaAs⁻, GaAs₂^(±) and Ga₂As₂^(±). This study complements previous theoretical investigations on Ga^(±) to Ga₄^(±) and GaAs⁽⁺⁾. For As₄ tetrahedral symmetry was assumed, and Re of X¹A₁ determined as 4.73a₀. Vertical ionization potentials to several states of As₄⁺ were calculated. For GaAs₂, GaAs₂⁺ and GaAs₂⁻, ground and one low-lying state were geometry-optimized, both in C_2v (Ga-As-As), and linear symmetry (GaAsAs, C_∞h and AsGaAs, D_∞h). The lowest state of GaAs₂ is ²B₂ in C_2v. For Ga₂As₂, the lowest state and low-lying excited states were optimized in various geometries. The most stable state has rhombic structure (¹A_g in D_2h), but T-form and other forms (C_2v, C_∞v, D_∞h) are only 1–2 eV less stable. In D_2h symmetry, several low-lying excited states of Ga₂As₂ were studied. The ground states of Ga₂As₂⁺ and Ga₂As₂⁻ were found to be ²B_2u, and ²B_2g, respectively. Trends in ionization potentials (IP), electron affinities (EA), atomization energies and fragmentation energies for the molecules Ga_xAs_y and the pure compounds Ga_n and As_n up to 4 atoms, were studied. Ga_xAs_y clusters, with x + y even, have higher IP's than odd-numbered clusters. An experimentally observed alternation of EA, whereby an odd number of atoms have higher EA than their even neighbors, is confirmed. The mixed compounds Ga_xAs_y have atomization energies between those of Ga_n and As_n (x + y = n), usually closer to those of Ga_n. Fragmentation of Ga_xAs_y occurs such that As----As bonds are retained, and if possible, also Ga----As bonds, since the dissociation energy of As₂ is higher than that of GaAs, which in turn is higher than that of Ga₂. Calculated fragmentation energies agree qualitatively with experimental observations about the composition of 3-atomic and 4-atomic clusters Ga_xAs_y.     

Structure and redox properties of CexPr1−xO2−δ mixed oxides and their catalytic activities for CO, CH3OH and CH4 combustion

A series of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides were synthesized by a sol–gel method and characterized by Raman, XRD and TPR techniques. The oxidation activity for CO, CH₃OH and CH₄ on these mixed oxides was investigated. When the value x was changed from 1.0 to 0.8, only a cubic phase CeO₂ was observed. The samples were greatly crystallized in the range of the value x from 0.99 to 0.80, which is due to the formation of solid solutions caused by the complete insertion of Pr into the CeO₂ crystal lattices. Raman bands at 465 and 1150 cm⁻¹ in Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ samples are attributed to the Raman active F_2g mode of CeO₂. The broad band at around 570 cm⁻¹ in the region of 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.99 can be linked to oxygen vacancies. The new band at 195 cm⁻¹ may be ascribed to the asymmetric vibration caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies. The TPR profile of Pr₆O₁₁ shows two reduction peaks and the reduction process is followed: . The reduction temperature of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides is lower than those of Pr₆O₁₁ or CeO₂. TPR results indicate that Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ mixed oxides have higher redox properties because of the formation of Ce_xPr_1−xO_2−δ solid solutions. The presence of the oxygen vacancies favors CO and CH₃OH oxidation, while the activity of CH₄ oxidation is mostly related to reduction temperatures and redox properties.     

PtNiSnO_2/C的制备、表征及其电催化氧化乙醇活性

采用改进的B?nnemann法成功制备了Pt/C、Pt-Ni_(1/3)/C、Pt-SnO_2/C、Pt-Ni_x-SnO_2/C(x=1/4,1/3,2/3,1)阳极电催化剂。利用X射线衍射(XRD)、高分辨透射电子显微镜(HR-TEM)以及X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对催化剂晶型结构、表面形貌和表面电子结构进行了表征。运用线性扫描伏安(LSV)和电流密度-时间(j-t)曲线进行电化学测试,研究了乙醇电催化氧化(EOR)活性。并用原位红外光谱(in situ FT-IR)研究了EOR过程中产物的分布。结果表明,Pt-Ni_(1/3)-SnO_2/C是由Pt-Ni合金和SnO_2两相组成。XPS结果表明,在Pt-SnO_2中添加微量的Ni,Pt表面电子结构发生了改变。电化学结果表明,三元催化剂的EOR活性均优于二元和纯Pt,其中Pt-Ni_(1/3)-SnO_2/C的EOR活性最佳。Ni和SnO_2的加入并没有显著提高乙醇C―C键的断裂能力,但是二者的协同作用在低电位(0.1 V)下加强了乙醛的进一步氧化,生成了乙酸。     

Dinuclear transition metal compounds of a decadentate pyrazole-containing chelating ligand. X-ray crystal structure of Co2(tthd)(ClO4)4(H2O)2(MeOH)1.75

A potentially decadentate ligand, 1,1,4,7,10,10-hexakis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazadecane (tthd), has been synthesized from the reaction of tri-ethylenetetramine with six equivalents of N-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole. The tthd ligand forms coordination compounds, M₂(tthd)(ClO₄)₄(H₂O)_x, when M is Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd and x = 4–8; and M₂(tthd)(A)₂(ClO₄)₂(H₂O)_x when M is Co and Ni, A is NCS or Cl, and x = 4–8. The cobalt compound, Co₂(tthd)(ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₂(MeOH)_1.75, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, a = 1.959(2), b = 1.5657(3), c = 2.1244(3) nm, = 105.5(1), β = 96.9(1), γ = 112.1(1). Due to severe disorder of the anions the structure could only be refined to an R_w, value of 0.099. The ligand acts as a decadentate, dinucleating ligand. The cobalt ions are distorted octahedrally surrounded by five N-atoms of the tthd ligand and an O-atom of water occupying the sixth coordination place. The other perchlorate compounds have very similar structures, as can be concluded from spectroscopic data.

In the thiocyanate and chloride compounds the anions have replaced the coordinated water molecules, resulting in octahedral Ni compounds. With Co thiocyanate, however, tthd acts as an octadentate ligand, resulting only in five-coordinated compounds.     

The crystal structure of (η-C6Me6)Ti[(μ-Cl)2(AlClEt)]2 and the catalytic activity of the (C6Me6)TiAl2Cl8−xEtx(x = 0---4) complexes towards butadiene

The composition of (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl_8−xEt_x complexes in (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₈ + n Et₃Al (n = 0.5-6) systems was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the X-ray crystal structure of one of them, (η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ti[(μ-Cl)₂(AlClEt)]₂ (IIa-2), has been determined. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with Z = 4 and lattice parameters a 15.634(3), b 11.355(2), c 14.417(2) Å. The ethyl groups of IIa-2 reside in outer positions of aluminate ligands farther away from the C₆Me₆ ligand. The other part of the complex does not differ remarkably from structures of other (arene)Ti^II complexes. Negligible activity of (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₈ towards the butadiene cyclotrimerization is considerably increased by addition of 2.5–3.0 equivalents of Et₃Al. As follows from UV-Vis spectra, such systems contain mainly the (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₅Et₃ complex. It is suggested that the introduction of three Et substituents destabilizes the Ti-(η⁶-C₆Me₆) bond so that the replacement of hexamethylbenzene by butadiene in the first step of a catalytic cycle becomes more feasible.     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry VI: Phosphine substitution at CpMoIr3(μ-CO)3(CO)8; X-ray crystal structure of CpMoIr3(μ-CO)3(CO)7(PPh3)

Reactions of CpMoIr₃(μ-CO)₃(CO)₈ (1) with stoichiometric amounts of phosphines afford the substitution products CpMoIr₃(μ-CO)₃(CO)_8−x (L)_x (L = PPh₃, x = 1 (2), 2 (3); L = PMe₃, x = 1 (4), 2 (5), 3 (6)) in fair to good yields (23–54%); the yields of both 3 and 6 are increased on reacting 1 with excess phosphine. Products 2–5 are fluxional in solution, with the interconverting isomers resolvable at low temperatures. A structural study of one isomer of 2 reveals that the three edges of an MoIr₂ face of the tetrahedral core are spanned by bridging carbonyls, and that the iridium-bound triphenyiphosphine ligates radially and the molybdenum-bound cyclopentadienyl coordinates axially with respect to this Molr₂ face. Information from this crystal structure, ³¹P NMR data (both solution and solid-state), and results with analogous tungsten—triiridium and tetrairidium clusters have been employed to suggest coordination geometries for the isomeric derivatives.     

柠檬酸溶胶-凝胶法制备的Ce1-xZrxO2: 结构及其氧移动性

采用 XRF、XRD、Raman、XPS、H₂-TPR 以及与氩离子刻蚀相结合的XPS等表征技术对柠檬酸溶胶-凝胶法制备的Ce_1-xZr_xO₂ (0≤x≤1)样品的结构及其氧移动性进行了研究. 结果表明, Ce_1-xZr_xO₂ 样品的晶型结构对其中氧的移动性有明显影响. 当x≤0.15 时, Ce_1-xZr_xO₂ 以立方CeO₂相 Ce-Zr-O 固溶体存在, 随着Zr含量的逐渐增加, CeO₂晶胞体积减小、氧空位浓度增加, 氧移动性逐渐增强; 当x＞0.15时, 形成四方ZrO₂相和立方CeO₂相Ce-Zr-O固溶体的混合物, 随着Zr含量的逐渐增加, 四方ZrO₂相的含量增加、氧空位浓度减小, 氧移动性逐渐减弱. 因此, Ce_0.852Zr_0.152O₂样品具有最高的氧移动性.     

Thermodynamics of (1,4-difluorobenzene + an n-alkane) and of (hexafluorobenzene + an n-alkane)

Excess molar enthalpies H^E and excess molar volumes V^E have been measured, as a function of mole fraction x₁, at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure for the five liquid mixtures (x₁1,4-C₆H₄F₂ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2), l = 7, 8, 10, 12 and 16. In addition, H^E and excess molar heat capacities C_P^E at constant pressure have been determined for the two liquid mixtures (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2), l = 7 and 14, at the same temperature and pressure. The instruments used were flow microcalorimeters of the Picker design (the H^E version was equipped with separators) and a vibrating-tube densimeter, respectively.

The excess enthalpies of the five difluorobenzene mixtures are all positive and quite large; they increase with increasing chain length l of the n-alkane from H^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J mol⁻¹) = 1050 for l = 7 to 1359 for l = 16. The corresponding excess volumes V^E are all positive and also increase with increasing l: V^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(cm³ mol⁻¹) = 0.650 for l = 7 and 1.080 for l = 16. Interestingly, the excess enthalphies of the corresponding mixtures with hexafluorobenzene are only about 5% larger, whereas the excess volumes of (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2) are roughly twice as large as those of their counterparts in the series containing 1,4-C₆H₄F₂. Specifically, at 298.15 K H^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J mol⁻¹) = 1119 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₇H₁₆) and 1324 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀), and for the same mixtures V^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(cm³ mol⁻¹) = 1.882 and 2.093, respectively. The excess heat capacities for both systems are negative and of about the same magnitude as the excess heat capacities of mixtures of fluorobenzene with the same n-alkanes (Roux et al., 1984): C_P^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) = −1.18 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₇H₁₆), and −2.25 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀). The curve C_P^E vs. (x₁ for x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀) shows a sort of “hump” for x₁ 0.5, which is presumed to indicate emerging W-shape composition dependence at lower temperatures.     

Theoretical studies on the BN substituted fullerenes C70−2x(BN)x (x=1–3)—isoelectronic equivalents of C70

The equilibrium structures and relative stabilities of BN-doped fullerenes C_70−2x(BN)_x (x=1–3) have been studied at the AM1 and MNDO level. The most stable isomers of C_70−2x(BN)_x have been found out and their electronic properties have been predicted. The calculation results show that the BN substituted fullerenes C_70−2x(BN)_x have considerable stabilities, though they are less stable than their all carbon analog. For C₆₈BN, the isomers whose BN is located in the most chemically active bonds of C₇₀ (namely B and A) are among the most stable species, of which B is predicted to be the ground state. The stabilities of C₆₈BN decrease and the dipole moments increase with increasing the distance between the heteroatoms. For C₆₆(BN)₂, the lowest energy species is the isomer in which the B–N–B–N bond is formed; For C₆₄(BN)₃, the most stable species should have three BN units located in the same hexagon to form B–N–B–N–B–N ring. The ionization potentials and the affinity energies of the most stable species of BN-doped C₇₀ are almost the same as those of C₇₀ because of the isoelectronic relationship. The ionization potentials and affinity energies depend on the relative position of the heteroatoms in C₆₈BN, the chemical reactivities of the isomers whose heteroatoms are well separated should differ significantly from their all carbon analog.     

Influence of composition and thermal treatment on the properties of Cu2+xTa4O12+δ

Polycrystalline samples of Cu_2+xTa₄O_12+δ were prepared by solid-state reactions. Copper tantalate shows a remarkable compositional flexibility with respect to both the copper and oxygen stoichiometry. Single phase compounds could be synthesised for 0.125 ≤ x ≤ 0.5. Slowly cooled samples are green and possess a pseudo-tetragonal unit cell, which changes to a pseudo-cubic symmetry for x ≥ 0.45. Rapidly cooled aliquots are brown and have a (pseudo-) cubic structure. For both the slow-cooled and quenched samples a linear increase of the oxygen content with x was observed, the values of δ for the latter being significantly smaller. Magnetic measurements reveal a ferrimagnetic transition at 12.5 K, the strength of which is strongly reduced both by increasing the copper content and by quenching.     

Synthesis and low temperature fluorination of the alkaline-earth palladates Ba2−xSrxPdO3 (x = 0–2)

Since the discovery of superconductivity in Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ there has been an increased interest in ternary oxide-fluorides. Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ is prepared via low temperature (T = 220 °C) reaction routes. Low temperature fluorination induces an interesting structural rearrangement in the parent compound Sr₂CuO₃, which is a one-dimensional material containing linear chains of vertex sharing CuO₄ squares along the crystallographic b axis. Upon fluorination, one oxide is substituted by two fluorides and Cu²⁺ becomes octahedrally coordinated by four oxides and two fluorides. The fluorinated compound Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ displays the T-type structure (La₂CuO₄). Insertion of excess fluorine, δ, also takes place and this fluorine occupies interstitial sites in the T structure. Although the starting material Ca₂CuO₃ is isostructural to Sr₂CuO₃, Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ displays the T′ (Nd₂CuO₄) structure due to the smaller radius of Ca²⁺ compared to that of Sr²⁺.

The alkaline-earth palladates with the general formula A₂PdO₃ (A = Ba, Sr) are isostructural with the A₂CuO₃(A = Ca, Sr) materials. We prepared the Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₃ (x = 0–2) series and performed low temperature fluorination, which led to the synthesis of the series Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₂F_2+δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.5). All the compounds in the Ba_2−xSr_xPdO₂F_2+δ series show T′ structure (Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ). Similarities and differences with Sr₂CuO₂F_2+δ and Ca₂CuO₂F_2+δ will be discussed.     

Studies of sorption-desorption processes in the CexLa1−xNi5H2 system by DSC

The dependence of the integral enthalpy of hydrogenation (or dehydrogenation) of the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) Ce_xLa_1−xNi₅ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.3) on pressure in the range 0.5–6 MPa was studied by the method of differential scanning calorimetry. It has been shown that at x = 0 and x = 0.05 the absorption (or desorption) proceeds via the formation of a stable intermediate hydride phase.     

I NQR and spectroscopic investigation of impurity-doped and mixed lithium iodate Li1−xHxIO3 crystals

The ¹²⁷I NQR, IR absorption and Raman spectra of impurity-doped and mixed lithium iodate Li_1−xH_xIO₃ crystals grown from water solutions with different LiIO₃/HIO₃ ratios were investigated depending on the content of the impurity hydrogen x. The NQR results suggested that, at small concentration of doping iodic acid x<0.22, the lattice dynamics of the crystal grown from water solution changes significantly though the crystal retains hexagonal symmetry. Spectroscopic studies are compatible with average hexagonal symmetry of the grown doped crystals. From the results of Raman studies at room temperature and 100 K, the concentration range of hydrogen dopant 0.22<x<0.36 was found where disordered solid solution crystals Li_1−xH_xIO₃ are formed.     

TiCl4(THF)2 impregnation on a flat SiOx/Si(1 0 0) and on polycrystalline Au foil: determination of surface species using XPS

TiCl₄(THF)₂ was impregnated by spin-coating on a Si(1 0 0) wafer covered with a thin SiO_x layer and on a polycrystalline Au foil. The nature of the surface species was determined at room temperature and after annealing, by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). A mixed Si:O:Ti interfacial layer was formed on the silicon substrate while in the case of Au, TiOCl_x and TiO_x were the main surface species at room temperature. Annealing at 723 K leads to the total desorption of the Cl atoms, and in both cases a significant amount of Ti atoms was reduced to the Ti³⁺ state. AFM measurements revealed a homogenous distribution of nano-sized TiO_x clusters with semi-ellipsoid shape and increased contact area with the underlying silica.     

二维M_2XO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)(M=Ti,V;X=C,N)析氢催化活性的第一性原理研究

MXene是一种新型的二维析氢催化材料,其表面容易被亲水基团O和OH混合覆盖。我们基于第一性原理计算的方法,研究了M_2XO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)(M=Ti,V;X=C,N)的析氢催化活性。计算结果显示,M_2XO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)的析氢催化活性与其表面OH覆盖率(X)密切相关。对Ti_2CO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)来说,OH覆盖率不超过1/3时,具有优异的析氢催化活性。对Ti_2NO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)、V_2CO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)和V_2NO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)来说,OH覆盖率分别达到4/9、1/3和5/9时,才具有最佳的析氢催化活性。接着,电荷分析显示OH覆盖率会显著影响M_2XO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)活性位点O基团的电荷量。最后,我们从态密度的角度揭示了析氢催化活性变化的原因,即活性位点O基团的氧化性随OH覆盖率的增大而被削弱。因此,本文提出了调节表面OH覆盖率来获取M_2XO_(2-2x)(OH)_(2x)最佳析氢催化活性状态的方法,这在工业制氢生产过程中具有重要的应用价值。     

Ti/TiO_2纳米管阵列/PbO_2-Pr电极制备及在电氧化有机废水中应用

以二氧化钛纳米管阵列(TiO_2NTs)为基体,利用脉冲电沉积的方法将Pr掺杂的PbO_2修饰到TiO_2NTs管中,制备出新型电极材料Ti/TiO_2NTs/nanoPbO_2-Pr用来降解有机废水。通过循环伏安测试(CV)和线性伏安法(LSV)等手段对电极性能进行评估,研究表明,新型电极材料Ti/TiO_2NTs/nanoPbO_2-Pr具有高的电催化活性。利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等对其进行表面形貌、晶形结构和元素组成进行研究。结果表明,通过脉冲电沉积成功将Pr-PbO_2沉积到TiO_2纳米管中,其中元素Pr是以Pr_2O_3形式存在。亚甲基蓝降解实验证明,Ti/TiO_2NTs/nanoPbO_2-Pr电极降解120min后亚甲基蓝的去除率高达99.8%。     

直接乙醇燃料电池阳极催化剂Pt-Ir-SnO2/C的制备与表征

采用改良的Bönnemann法合成了一系列Pt/C、Pt-Ir/C、Pt-SnO₂/C 和Pt-Ir-SnO₂/C 阳极电催化剂. 利用X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)以及X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对催化剂晶型结构、表面形貌、粒径尺寸和表面电子结构进行了表征. 运用线性扫描伏安(LSV)、循环伏安(CV)和电流密度-时间(j-t)曲线进行电化学测试, 研究了温度对乙醇电催化氧化活性的影响. XRD和TEM结果表明, Pt 纳米粒子均为面心立方结构且分散较均匀, 平均粒径为2-4 nm. 电化学结果表明, 上述催化剂随着温度的升高催化性能增强, 在相同条件下,Pt-Ir-SnO₂/C 催化剂的催化活性最佳. 通过阿仑尼乌斯公式计算结果得知, Ir 和Sn 的协同作用可以降低Pt-Ir-SnO₂/C 催化剂对乙醇氧化反应的活化能.     

Isoelectric point-controlled preferential photodeposition of platinum on Cu2O-TiO2 composite surfaces

Isoelectric point-controlled preferential adsorption of[PtCl₆]^2- on Cu₂O/TiO₂ composite surfaces is revealed to play a key role in the photodeposition process.     

Synthesis and physical chemical properties of Ca-substituted LaTiO2N

Oxynitrides with the general formula La_1−xCa_xTiO_2+xN_1−x (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0) were synthesized by thermal ammonolysis of oxide precursors produced with a soft chemistry method. The crystallographic structure, optical properties and the thermal stability of the compounds were studied with X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy and thermal analysis.

All materials crystallize in perovskite-type pseudo-cubic unit cell. It was found that the lattice parameter decreases with increasing Ca content, while the optical band gap width increases with increasing x. Thermal reoxidation studies of the synthesized materials reveal the formation of nitrogen rich intermediates. The decomposition rate of the intermediates was correlated with the structure of the final products. TEM studies show a preferred insertion direction of the nitrogen into the crystal lattice of the starting oxides. Ammonolysis with flux significantly changed the microstructure of the obtained oxynitrides.