Order-disorder transition in the Nd2−yYyZr2O7 system: Probed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy

A series of compositions having the general formula Nd_2−yY_yZr₂O₇ have been synthesized by heating of mixtures of oxides of the components cation and characterized by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Rietveld analysis on the XRD data of all the compositions has been performed which revealed a decrease in lattice parameter as a function of y in the series Nd_2−yY_yZr₂O₇ (y=0.0-0.8). Subsequently, a biphasic region starts which continues for y=1.2 and 1.6. The other end member, i.e. Y₂Zr₂O₇ is found to be defect fluorite. On the other hand, Nd³⁺ has been used as surrogate material for Am³⁺, which is a minor actinide found in spent nuclear fuel. In the pyrochlore range, the increasing trend of the x-parameter of 48f oxygen indicates the enhancement of disorder in the system. Raman spectroscopy has been employed to validate the data obtained from XRD. The involvement of 48f oxygen in disorder has also been verified by Raman spectroscopic investigation.     

Synthesis and structural study of stoichiometric Bi2Ti2O7 pyrochlore

Bi₂Ti₂O₇ has been synthesized using a co-precipitation route from H₂O₂/NH_3(aq) solutions of titanium with aqueous bismuth nitrate. The stoichiometric material crystallizes into a pale yellow cubic pyrochlore phase. A powder X-ray diffraction study showed this crystallization to be very temperature sensitive, the pure phase can only be obtained within a few degrees of 470°C. Time-of-flight powder neutron diffraction studies of Bi₂Ti₂O₇ (Space group , a=10.37949(4) Å at ambient temperature, Z=8, R_p=3.95%, R_wp=4.75%) revealed positional disorder in the bismuth site and in the O′ oxide site both at ambient temperature and at 2 K.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence of Eu-doped Y2Sn2O7 nanocrystals

A facile CTAB-assisted sol-gel route has been successfully established to synthesize Y₂Sn₂O₇ nanocrystals with pyrochlore structure. The route involves first the formation of CTAB-inorganics mesostructures as precursors and then their thermal decomposition to yield the final product. Well-crystallized and phase-pure Y₂Sn₂O₇ particles of ∼40 nm in size can be readily obtained at 600°C, a temperature much lower than that of the conventional solid-state method. Furthermore, photoluminescence characterization of the Y₂Sn₂O₇ nanocrystals doped with 5 mol% Eu³⁺ was carried out and the results show that the as-synthesized material display intense and prevailing emission at 589 nm belonging to the magnetic dipole transition.     

Li2Si3O7: Crystal structure and Raman spectroscopy

The crystal structure of metastable Li₂Si₃O₇ was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The orthorhombic crystals were found to adopt space group Pmca with unit cell parameters of , and . The content of the cell is Z=4. The obtained structural model was refined to a R-value of 0.035. The structure exhibits silicate sheets, which can be classified as [Si₆O₁₄] using the silicate nomenclature of Liebau. The layers are build up from zweier single chains running parallel to c. Raman spectra are presented and compared with other silicates. Furthermore, the structure is discussed versus Na₂Si₃O₇.     

Visible and infrared luminescence properties of Er-doped Y2Ti2O7 nanocrystals

Er³⁺-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals were fabricated by the sol-gel method. While the annealing temperature exceeds 757 °C, amorphous pyrochlore phase Er_xY_2−xTi₂O₇ transfers to well-crystallized nanocrystals, and the average crystal size increases from ∼70 to ∼180 nm under 800-1000 °C/1 h annealing. Er_xY_2−xTi₂O₇ nanocrystals absorbing 980 nm photons can produce the upconversion (526, 547, and 660 nm; ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2, respectively) and Stokes (1528 nm; ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2) photoluminescence (PL). The infrared PL decay curve is single-exponential for Er³⁺ (5 mol%)-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals but slightly nonexponential for Er³⁺ (10 mol%)-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals. For 5 and 10 mol% doping concentrations, the mechanism of up-converted green light is the two-photon excited-state absorption. Much stronger intensity of red light relative to green light was observed for the sample with 10 mol% dopant. This phenomenon can be attributed to the reduced distance between Er³⁺-Er³⁺ ions, resulting in the enhancement of the energy-transfer upconversion and cross-relaxation mechanisms.     

Ionic conductivity, structural and thermal properties of pure and Sr doped Y2Ti2O7 pyrochlores for SOFC

In the present study, SrO doped Yttrium titanate pyrochlore was synthesized using solid state reaction technique. The sintering characteristics, crystal structure, thermal and conductivity behavior of doped and undoped pyrochlores have been studied to find their suitability in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and ac conductivity up to 900 °C. The results are discussed in light of oxygen vacancy formation and structural disordering. Undoped and doped yttrium titanate with SrO (x = 0.1) exhibits single Y₂Ti₂O₇ phase with relative density of 94%. It was observed that further doping of SrO (x = 0.2–0.4) leads to formation of Y₂Ti₂O₇ phase along with SrTiO₃ phase. Excessive SrO (x = 0.4) results in increase in ionic conductivity to 1.50 × 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹ whereas it impedes the densification process with relative density of 85%.     

Thermal properties of the pyrochlore, Y2Ti2O7

The thermal conductivity and heat capacity of high-purity single crystals of yttrium titanate, Y₂Ti₂O_7, have been determined over the temperature range 2 K?T?300 K. The experimental heat capacity is in very good agreement with an analysis based on three acoustic modes per unit cell (with the Debye characteristic temperature, θ_D, of ca. 970 K) and an assignment of the remaining 63 optic modes, as well as a correction for C_p−C_v. From the integrated heat capacity data, the enthalpy and entropy relative to absolute zero, are, respectively, H(T=298.15 K)−H₀=34.69 kJ mol⁻¹ and S(T=298.15 K)−S₀=211.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The thermal conductivity shows a peak at ca. θ_D/50, characteristic of a highly purified crystal in which the phonon mean free path is about 10 μm in the defect/boundary low-temperature limit. The room-temperature thermal conductivity of Y₂Ti₂O₇ is 2.8 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, close to the calculated theoretical thermal conductivity, κ_min, for fully coupled phonons at high temperatures.     

Raman, XRD and microscopic investigations on CeO2-Lu2O3 and CeO2-Sc2O3 systems: A sub-solidus phase evolution study

A sub-solidus phase evolution study was done in CeO₂-Sc₂O₃ and CeO₂-Lu₂O₃ systems under slow-cooled conditions from 1400 °C. Long-range order probing of X-ray diffraction technique is utilized in conjunction with the ability of Raman spectroscopy to detect the changes in local co-ordination. Lu₂O₃ showed solubility of 30 mol% in CeO₂, thus forming an anion deficient fluorite-type (F-type) solid solution, whereas Sc₂O₃ did not show any discernible solubility. A biphasic region (F+C) was unequivocally detected by Raman spectroscopy in Ce_1−xLu_xO_2−x/2 (0.4?x?0.9) and in Ce_1−xSc_xO_2−x/2 (0.1?x?0.9) systems. Raman spectroscopy was valuable in studying these systems since oxygen vacancies are created on doping RE₂O₃ into ceria and Raman spectroscopy is very much sensitive to oxygen polarizability and local coordination. Back scattered images collected on representative compositions support the above-mentioned results.     

Order-disorder transition in Nd2−yGdyZr2O7 pyrochlore solid solution: An X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic study

Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopic study of order-disorder-phase transition with increase in the content of Gd in Nd_2−yGd_yZr₂O₇ solid solution is being reported. It has been observed from Rietveld analysis that with increase in concentration of Gd in Nd_2−yGd_yZr₂O₇, the value of the x parameter of the 48f oxygen changes from 0.332(1) to 0.343(1) with a sudden change in the slope for y=1.8, which indicates that the structure is transforming from ordered pyrochlore to disordered pyrochlore. In addition to that a sudden and drastic change in the Raman spectra including changes in the position and width of several Raman modes beyond y?1.8 has also been observed which has been correlated with increasing disorder. Based on these studies, it is suggested that there is a discontinuous order-disorder transition from ‘perfect pyrochlore’ to ‘defect pyrochlore’ phase in Nd_2−yGd_yZr₂O₇ solid solution.     

Lanthanum pyrochlores and the effect of yttrium addition in the systems La2−xYxZr2O7 and La2−xYxHf2O7

The crystal structures of the compounds La_2−xY_xZr₂O₇ and La_2−xY_xHf₂O₇ with x=0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 have been studied using neutron powder diffraction and electron microscopy to determine the stability fields of the pyrochlore and fluorite solid solutions. The limits of pyrochlore stability in these solid solutions are found to be close to La_0.8Y_1.2Zr₂O₇ and La_0.4Y_1.6Hf₂O₇, respectively. In both systems the unit cell parameter is found to vary linearly with Y content across those compositions where the pyrochlore phase is stable, as does the x-coordinate of the oxygen atoms on the 48f (x,,) sites. In both systems, linear extrapolations of the pyrochlore data suggest that the disordering is accompanied by a small decrease in the lattice parameter of approximately 0.4%. After the pyrochlore solid solution limit is reached, a sharp change is observed from x∼0.41 to 0.375 as the disordered defect fluorite structure is favoured. Electron diffraction patterns illustrate that some short-range order remains in the disordered defect fluorite phases.     

Raman spectroscopic study of magnetite (FeFe2O4): a new assignment for the vibrational spectrum

A detailed Raman study on natural magnetite has been carried out. Raman spectra show four out of the five predicted Raman bands located at 668, 538, 306, and 193 rcm⁻¹. The location of the fifth, unobserved phonon mode, is inferred from spectra of other ferrites at 450-490 rcm⁻¹. Polarized experiments on an oriented single crystal provide a new interpretation of the Raman spectrum with the following assignment for symmetries of the observed modes: A_1g for 668 rcm⁻¹, E_g for 306 rcm⁻¹, and T_2g for 538, 193, and 450-490 rcm⁻¹. The results are compared with those of the earlier Raman studies and possible explanations for the discrepancies are suggested. Some of the inconsistencies can be resolved by considering the effect of oxidation of magnetite during the Raman experiments.     

Magnetic structure of pyrochlore-type Er2Ru2O7

Powder neutron diffraction measurements were carried out for the ruthenium pyrochlore oxide Er₂Ru₂O₇. The magnetic structure for this compound at 3.0 K has been solved using Rietveld analysis. The observed magnetic reflections suggest that the magnetic transitions are regarded as those to a long-range ordered state. It seems that the magnetic order of the Ru⁴⁺ and Er³⁺ magnetic moments occurs at 90 and 10 K, respectively.     

Low-temperature synthesis of SrAl2O4 by a modified sol-gel route: XRD and Raman characterization

Among other alkaline-earth aluminates, the monoclinic (M) polymorph of SrAl₂O₄ can be used as host material for Eu²⁺ luminescence based phosphors. With the aim of reducing the synthesis temperature of this polymorph, we have produced and characterized by XRD and Raman scattering solid solutions of the SrAl_2−xB_xO₄ system (x?0.3) obtained by two different methods, a ceramic route and a modified sol-gel synthesis. Though the addition of boron lowers the temperature of obtention of the M polymorph in both type of samples, lower B contents are needed to stabilize the M form as single phase for samples prepared by the sol-gel method than through the ceramic route. In the sol-gel method, the M polymorph can be obtained at temperatures as low as 1200 °C, with a Boron content of just 1%. Rietveld profile analysis allows us to conclude that coexistence of the monoclinic and hexagonal polymorphs of SrAl₂O₄ occurs for samples synthesized below an onset temperature of about 1000-1100 °C, that depends on the sample composition. Above those temperatures, only the monoclinic phase is formed.     

Single-crystal growth of Tl2Ru2O7 pyrochlore using high-pressure and flux method

Single crystals of the thallium ruthenium pyrochlore have been grown by flux method under high oxygen pressure. The growth conditions were determined by direct observations using in situ powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) method under high pressure and high temperature. The crystals were grown using NaCl-KCl flux at 1350 °C and B₂O₃ flux at 1150 °C. High growth temperature of 1350 °C for the NaCl-KCl flux caused Pt contamination from the crucible and oxygen deficiency for the crystals obtained. The crystal growth using B₂O₃ flux proceeded at lower temperature by grain growth with material transfer through B₂O₃. The crystal obtained was characterized by single-crystal XRD method, and was found to have a stoichiometric composition, Tl₂Ru₂O_7−δ (δ=0), with a structural phase transition around 120 K. The grain growth technique with B₂O₃ is efficient for high-temperature single-crystal growth under high pressure.     

Cation distribution and particle size effect on Raman spectrum of CoFe2O4

Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopic studies were carried out on CoFe₂O₄ particles synthesized with size ranging from 6 to 500 nm (bulk). Cation distribution studies were carried out on the high temperature and room temperature phases of the microcrystalline CoFe₂O₄ by Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopic methods. The high temperature phase of CoFe₂O₄ showed a decreased inversion parameter of 0.69 as compared to the value of the room temperature phase of 0.95, indicating that the structure gradually transforms towards a normal spinel. Corresponding Raman spectra for these two phases of CoFe₂O₄ showed a change in relative peak intensity of the vibrational mode at 695 cm⁻¹(A_1g(1)) to 624 cm⁻¹ (A_1g(2)). The relative peak intensity ratio, I_v between the A_1g(1) and A_1g(2) vibrational mode was decreasing with lowering of inversion parameter of the CoFe₂O₄ spinel system. A variation of laser power on the sample surface was reflected in the cation distribution in ferrite phase. Superparamagnetic, single domain CoFe₂O₄ particles (6 nm) showed a 20 cm⁻¹ red shift and broadening of phonon modes when compared to the macro-crystalline CoFe₂O₄ (500 nm). Variation of Raman shift with particle size was studied by considering the bond polarization model. Raman spectroscopic studies clearly indicate the variation in the cation distribution in nano-sized particles and distribution tending to a normal spinel structural configuration.     

Thermal characteristics, Raman spectra and structural properties of new tellurite glasses within the Bi2O3-TiO2-TeO2 system

Within the Bi₂O₃-XO₂-TeO₂ (X=Ti, Zr) systems, a large glass-forming domain was found for X=Ti, but no glass formation was evidenced for X=Zr. Densities, glass transition (T_g), crystallization (T_c) temperatures and Raman spectra of the relevant glasses were studied as functions of the composition. The Raman spectra of the glasses were interpreted in terms of the structural transformations produced by the modifiers. It was established that the addition of Bi₂O₃ and TiO₂ content to TeO₂ glass influences the T_g temperature in a similar manner: this value progressively increases with the increase of the modifier concentration. However, the structural evolutions are different: (a) the addition of TiO₂ to TeO₂ glass keeps the polymerized framework structure in transforming a number of Te-O-Te bridges into the Te-O-Ti ones without producing any tellurite anions (i.e., the [TeO₃]²⁻ groups); (b) on the contrary, the addition of Bi₂O₃ destroys the glass framework by giving rise to the island-type [Te_nO_m]^2(m−2n)− complex tellurites anions, thus causing a depolymerization of the glass.     

O NMR studies of local structure and phase evolution for materials in the Y2Ti2O7-ZrTiO4 binary system

¹⁷O MAS NMR and XRD studies of precursor-derived Y_1.6Zr_0.4Ti₂O_7.2 and Y_1.2Zr_0.8Ti₂O_7.4 have been performed to investigate the development of local and long-range order in these materials as they evolve from a metastable amorphous state upon heating. Zirconium titanate (ZrTiO₄) was also investigated to help interpret the ¹⁷O NMR spectra of the ternary compositions. Consistent with earlier studies, crystallization was observed at 800 °C to form a fluorite structure and a small amount of rutile; weak broad reflections were also observed which were ascribed to the presence of small pyrochlore-like ordered domains or particles within the fluorite phase. As the temperature was increased further, the sizes of these domains grew along with the concentration of rutile. At the highest temperature studied (1300 °C), the reflections of the thermodynamic phases, pyrochlore and zirconium titanate (ZrTiO₄), dominated the XRD pattern. The ¹⁷O NMR spectra revealed a series of different peaks that were assigned to different 3- and 4-coordinate O local environments. The data were consistent with the formation of a metastable phase Y_2−xZr_xTi_2−yZr_yO_7+x with pyrochlore-like ordering but with Zr substitution on both cation sites of the pyrochlore structure. At low temperatures, doping on the A (Y³⁺) sites predominates (i.e., x>y), consistent with the fact that the pyrochlore develops out of a more disordered fluorite-like, phase. As the temperature is raised, the Zr doping on the A site decreases and the metastable phase at this temperature can now be written as Y_2−x′Zr_x′Ti_2−y′Zr_y′O_7+x′ (i.e., x′<y′); TiO₂ is also observed, consistent with this suggestion. At high temperatures, doping on the B site decreases and the resonances due to the stoichiometric pyrochlore yttrium titanate (Y₂Ti₂O₇) dominate the NMR spectra. Weaker ¹⁷O NMR resonances due zirconium titanate (ZrTiO₄) are also observed.     

Synthesis and characterization of sodium titanates Na2Ti3O7 and Na2Ti6O13

Na₂Ti₃O₇ and Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ were synthesized by sol-gel method in order to obtain pure phases. Different heat-treatments were applied on powders and pellets of these materials. The effects were studied by XRD, dilatometry, TGA-DTA, SEM and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Pure Na₂Ti₃O₇ was obtained at 973 K. Sintering at 1373 K caused a partial decomposition into Na₂Ti₆O₁₃. The Na₂Ti₃O₇ powder sintered at 1273 K showed polygonal microstructure. Na₂Ti₃O₇ pellets sintered at 1323 K for 10 h exhibited large structures. This latter microstructure decreased the electrical conductivity of Na₂Ti₃O₇. Pure Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ was obtained at 873 K. Sintering at 1073 K caused a partial decomposition into TiO₂ (rutile). Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ pellets sintered at 1323 K for 10 h exhibited common shrinkage behavior. This shrinkage process increased the electrical conductivity of this material. The presence of TiO₂ resulted in a oxygen partial pressure dependence of the electrical conductivity.     

Structural change of layered perovskite La2Ti2O7 at high pressures

The perovskite-related layered structure of La₂Ti₂O₇ has been studied at pressures up to 30 GPa using synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering. The XRD results indicate a pronounced anisotropy for the compressibility of the monoclinic unit cell. The ratio of the relative compressibilities along the [100], [010] and [001] directions is ∼1:3:5. The greatest compressibility is along the [001] direction, perpendicular to the interlayer. A pressure-induced phase transition occurs at 16.7 GPa. Both Raman and XRD measurements reveal that the pressure-induced phase transition is reversible. The high-pressure phase has a close structural relation to the low-pressure monoclinic phase and the phase transition may be due to the tilting of TiO₆ octahedra at high pressures.     

X-ray diffraction, Raman study and electrical properties of the new mixed compound [Rb0.44(NH4)0.56]2HgCl4 · H2O

Differential scanning calorimetry of [Rb_0.44(NH₄)_0.56]₂HgCl₄ · H₂O material showed three anomalies at 340, 355 and 424 K, respectively. The room temperature phase has space group Pcma (a=8.433(1) Å, b=9.1817(9) Å and c=11.954(1)). Phase II (T=350 K) is disordered and exhibits orthorhombic symmetry (a=8.456(13), b=9.202(9) and c=12.011(10) Å). Hydrogen bonding, the nature and the degree of structure (dis)order and the mechanisms of the transitions are discussed. The dielectric constant ^′ at different frequencies and temperature revealed a phase transition at T=340 K related to NH₄⁺ reorientation and H⁺ diffusion, and a characteristic increase above 355 K, which might be due to loss of water of crystallization. Transport properties in this compound appear to be due to an Rb⁺/NH₄⁺ and H⁺ ions hopping mechanism.