Crystal and molecular structure of phenanthrolinium peroxodisulfate dihydrate (C<Subscript>12</Subscript>H<Subscript>9</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> · 2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The crystal structure of (HPhen)₂S₂O₈ · 2H₂O is studied using X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 23.716(5) Å, b = 10.220(2) Å, c = 13.103(3) Å, β = 128.03(2)°, V = 2501.6(9) ų, Z = 4, space group C2/c, and R = 0.0745 for 1579 reflections with I > 2σ(I). The crystal is built of S₂O ₈ ^2? centrosymmetric anions, HPhen ⁺ cations, and molecules of crystallization water. Hydrogen bonds link the structural units into chains. Within a chain, stacking interactions are observed between the phenanthroline rings (the interplanar spacing between the rings is 3.8 Å, and the dihedral angle between their planes is 8°). The data of IR spectroscopy confirm the formation of the N(Phen)-H bond.     

Optical properties and refractive indices of Gd<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>:Се<Superscript>3+</Superscript> crystals

Crystals of cerium-doped gadolinium–gallium–aluminum garnet have been grown by the Czochralski method. The transmission and reflection spectra of these crystals in the wavelength range of 250–800 nm have been obtained by optical spectroscopy. Refractive indices are calculated based on the measured Brewster angles, the experimental results are approximated using the Cauchy equation, and a dispersion dependence is obtained.     

Crystal structure of the cubic β<Subscript>ms</Subscript>-phase of a La<Subscript>1.82</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>0.18</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> single crystal at 33 K

Single crystals of the cubic β_ms-phase of La_1.82Bi_0.18Mo₂O₉ have been characterized for the first time by precision X-ray diffraction at 33 K. The structure of a crystal determined at T = 33 K is identical to the structure studied at room temperature. It is confirmed that the La, Mo1, and O1 atoms deviate from their positions on the threefold axis in the high-temperature β-phase; part of lanthanum atoms is substituted by bismuth atoms, which are located on the threefold axis; part of the molybdenum atoms return to the position on the threefold axis.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [(C<Subscript>7</Subscript>H<Subscript>10</Subscript>N)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> [Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>8</Subscript>]<Superscript>2−1</Superscript>

The reaction of 2,6-dimethylpyridine with SbCl₃ and HCl affords the title compound, the structure of which is ascertained by X-ray diffraction. The unit cell consists of one bridged Sb₂Cl₈²⁻ anion and two 2,6-dimethylpyridinium cations. The trivalent antimony ion is bonded not only directly to chlorine anions, but also is coordinated with chlorine anions by secondary bonds. In the crystal, there exists infinite coordinated chains of [Sb₂Cl₈] _n ²ⁿ⁻ anions running along the a axis, which link 2,6-dimethylpyridinium cations by N-H…Cl hydrogen bonds.     

Molecular structure of [(<Superscript>t</Superscript>Bu)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Al(μ-OC<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>-2-Me)]<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The molecular structure of [(^tBu)₂Al(-OC₆H₅-2-Me)]₂ has been determined. Both the ortho-tolyl methyl groups are oriented towards Al(2). The intramolecular steric interaction between the ortho-methyl groups and the tert-butyl ligands results in the geometry about the bridging oxygen being significantly distorted while the geometries about the aluminum centers show a distortion from tetrahedral that is less than the sterically less hindered [(^tBu)₂Al(-OPh)]₂. Crystal data: group C2/c, a = 13.733(3) Å, b = 15.135(3) Å, c = 15.420(3) Å, = 104.24(3), V = 3106(1) ų, Z = 4, R = 0. 0612, wR₂ = 0.1787.     

Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–CaO–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glass containing nucleation agent P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Fe₂O₃–CaO–SiO₂ glass ceramics containing nucleation agent P₂O₅/TiO₂ were prepared by sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The activation energy and kinetic parameters for crystallization of the samples were calculated by the Johnson-Mehi-Avrami (JMA) model and Augis-Bennett method according to the results of DSC. The results showed that the crystallization mechanism of Fe₂O₃–CaO–SiO₂ glass, whose non-isothermal kinetic parameter n = 2.3, was consistent with surface crystallization of the JMA model. The kinetics model function of Fe₂O₃–CaO–SiO₂ glass, f(α) = 2.3(1–α)[–ln(1–α)]^0.57, was also obtained. The addition of nucleation agent P₂O₅/TiO₂ could reduce the activation energy, which made the crystal growth modes change from onedimensional to three-dimensional.     

Growth and dielectric properties of KTiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and K<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Rb<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>TiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

Methods of growth of KTiOPO₄ and K_{1 ? x} Rb _x TiOPO₄ crystals of high optical quality have been optimized. The dielectric properties (permittivity and conductivity) of the crystals grown have been investigated at frequencies from 10² to 10⁶ Hz in the temperature range from 100 to 350 K, along the [001] crystallographic direction. It is established that partial substitution of K⁺ ions with Rb⁺ ions leads to a decrease in the permittivity and conductivity.     

New crystals of the CsHSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–CsH<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

Cs₆H(HSO₄)₃(H₂PO₄)₄ crystals, grown for the first time based on an analysis of the phase diagram of the CsHSO₄–CsH₂PO₄–H₂O ternary system, have been investigated by structural analysis using synchrotron radiation. The atomic structure of the crystals is determined and its specific features are analyzed.     

Crystal structure of the solid solution NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>Al<Subscript>0.62</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>0.38</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 12H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The solid solution NH₄Al_0.62Cr_0.38(SO₄)₂ · 12H₂O was studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure was determined in a series of the maximal subgroups Pa3? > R3? > P1? > P1. Reflections forbidden in sp. gr. Pa3? are indicative of symmetry lower than cubic. In the centrosymmetric models under consideration, all sulfate groups are oppositely oriented with respect to each other. In non-centrosymmetric sp. gr. P1, four of the eight sulfate groups have the same orientation, whereas the other four groups are oriented in an opposite direction.     

X-ray diffraction study of Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> single crystal—a promising langasite-type multiferroic

Ba₃TaFe₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystals (sp. gr. P321, Z = 1), promising langasite-type multiferroics, have been grown by floating zone melting. An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Ba₃TaFe₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystal has been performed using two datasets, obtained independently for two different orientations of the same sample on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector at 295 K. Structure refinement is performed based on an averaged dataset: a = 8.5355(1) Å, c = 5.2332(1) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1; the R factors of model structure refinement were found to be R/wR = 1.02/1.23% for 4552 independent reflections. Disordering asymmetry is revealed for the magnetic Fe ion in the 3f site and the Ba cation in the 3e site.     

Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films on sapphire substrates: Synthesis and ultraviolet photoconductivity

The structure and electrical and optical properties of β-Ga₂O₃–In₂O₃ thin films on sapphire substrates with different orientations have been investigated. The samples have been prepared by annealing of gallium–indium metallic films on sapphire substrates in air at different gallium-to-indium ratios in the initial mixture. The photoconductivity of these structures in the solar-blind ultraviolet spectral region has been examined.     

Structural investigation of anion-deficient manganites La<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3 − δ</Subscript>

The crystal structure of the anion-deficient manganites La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_{3 ? δ} (δ = 0, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) is investigated using high-resolution neutron diffraction. At room temperature, the crystal structure of the stoichiometric manganite La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ and the anion-deficient manganite La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_2.9 is satisfactorily described in rhombohedral space group R \(\bar 3\) c. The anion-deficient manganite La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_2.85 is characterized by two perovskite phases with space groups R \(\bar 3\) c and 14/mcm. The crystal structure of the La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_2.8 manganite corresponds to the structure of a perovskite phase with space group I4/mcm. It is established that the phase separation in the crystal structure of the La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_{3 ? δ} manganites at a temperature of 293 K is associated with a nonuniform distribution of oxygen vacancies.     

Simulation of ion transport in layered cuprates La<Subscript>2 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>CuO<Subscript>4 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript>

The processes of oxygen diffusion in La_{2 ? x} Sr _x CuO_{4 ? δ} phases have been simulated for the first time by the molecular-dynamics method. Calculations were performed for the temperature range 300–2500 K. The behavior of the radial pair correlation functions, which characterize the degree of order of O1 ions in CuO₂ layers, indicates that O^2? anions form a weakly correlated subsystem within a CuO₂ layer. To quantitatively confirm the conclusions about the predominantly two-dimensional character of ion transport and different mobilities of O1 and O2 particles in the cuprates under study, the pair oxygen diffusion coefficients in the La_{2 ? x} Sr _x CuO_{4 ? δ} lattice were calculated. It is shown that oxygen diffusion occurs through the conventional hopping mechanism mainly in CuO₂ layers; correspondingly, the diffusion coefficient for equatorial ions (O1) exceeds that for apical oxygen anions (O2) by an order of magnitude. The motion of oxygen anions was traced at the microscopic level through analysis of the particle transport trajectories. It has been proven for the first time that diffusion of O1 ions in the ab plane in a nonstoichiometric LaSrCuO_3.61 sample occurs through jumps to the nearest position or along CuO₂ layers; in a more complicated way, it may occur through unoccupied O2 lattice sites.     

Structure and magnetism of low-doped monoclinic crystals of (Ga<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The influence that doping with Mn³⁺ ions has on the fine crystal structure of the monoclinic compound Ga₂Se₃ was studied by single-crystal neutron diffraction and the measurements of magnetic properties. It was found that the structural state of the crystals changes even at relatively low doping levels (x = 0.04). Local Jahn-Teller distortions were shown to be responsible for the formation of the fine structure and magnetism in this type of compounds.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>(C<Subscript>5</Subscript>NH<Subscript>5</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)]·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Crystals of UO₂CrO₄(C₅NH₅COO)₂(H₂O)] · 2H₂O are synthesized and their structure is studied by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system. The unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 7.0834(10) Å, b = 10.6358(14) Å, c = 12.9539(17) Å, α = 75.096(2)°, β = 74.490(2)°, and γ = 80.657(2)°; V = 904.1(2) ų, space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2, and R = 0.026. The structure is built of [UO₂CrO₄(C₅NH₅COO)₂(H₂O)]₂ centrosymmetric dimers, which are linked into a framework by a system of hydrogen bonds involving inner-sphere and outer-sphere water molecules. The coordination number of the U(VI) atom is seven, and the coordination polyhedron is a pentagonal bipyramid with the oxygen atoms of the uranyl group, two chromate groups, two molecules of isonicotinic acid, and a water molecule at the vertices. The crystal chemical formula of the [UO₂CrO₄(C₅NH₅COO)₂(H₂O)]₂ dimer is represented as AB ² M ₃ ¹ , where AB ² M ₃ ¹ , where A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B ² = CrO ₄ ^2? , and M ¹ = = C₅NH₄COOH and H₂O.     

Study of structural properties of In<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>As/In<Subscript>y</Subscript>Al<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>As heterosystems on InP substrates

The structural properties of In_xGa_1?xAs/In_yAl_1?yAs samples on InP substrates are studied as functions of growth conditions by the method of high-resolution diffractometry. The results obtained and the photoluminescence spectroscopy data are used to optimize the technology of preparation of high-quality heterostructures with sharp interfaces. The parameters of the two-dimensional electron gas of such heterostructures measured at 77 and 300 K are comparable with the best world standards in this field, so these heterostructures may be used to manufacture transistors and integral amplifiers operating at the frequency 40 GHz and even higher.     

Crystal structure of the metastable cubic β<Subscript>ms</Subscript> phase of La<Subscript>2</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> single crystal at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = 33 K

The structure of the cubic metastable β_ms phase of La₂Mo₂O₉ single crystal has been precisely investigated by X-ray diffraction at 33 K for the first time. The measurement of the unit-cell parameter of this crystal in the range from room temperature to 33 K showed that the unit-cell parameter and volume change continuously in this range. The crystal has a similar structure at T = 33 K and at room temperature. A local lowering of the symmetry for La and Mo atoms, caused by their displacement, is confirmed, and a similar displacement (which was not observed at room temperature) is revealed for O(1) atoms. The thermal parameters for O(2) and O(3) atoms do not change with a decrease in temperature, in contrast to the thermal parameters of Mo, La, and O(1) atoms. This fact indicates that the O(2) and O3 atoms in this crystal are statically disordered.     

Crystal nucleation of high-temperature Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ga<Subscript>2 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> multiferroics in bismuth trimolybdate-borate fluxes

Crystallization of the orthorhombic phase of variable Fe _x Ga_{2 − x} O₃ composition in fluxes based on the Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂-B₂O₃ system with monitoring of the Néel temperature of this phase has been investigated. The data obtained are used to choose the flux composition for growing single crystals with Néel temperatures T _N > 0°C in order to investigate their properties as multiferroics. The method of group growth of single crystals on seeds and the regime of their subsequent heat treatment (which increases T _N) are described.     

Refinement of the composition and structure of YBaCo<Subscript>4−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Al<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>7+δ</Subscript> crystals

YBa(Co_{4 ? x} Al _x )O_{7 + δ} (114Y) crystals have been grown in the Y-Ba-Co-O system by spontaneous crystallization from a slowly cooled nonstoichiometric melt. To change the oxygen content, the crystals were isothermally annealed in air in the range of 280–490°C. The crystals grown were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. According to the data of an X-ray spectroscopic quantitative microprobe analysis, the average compositions of “as-grown” and oxygen-saturated crystals were Y_1.04Ba₁Co_3.54Al_0.50O_7.8 and Y_1.02Ba₁Co_3.55Al_0.51O_8.4, respectively. The refinement of the crystal structure after saturation on an automatic Bruker X8APEX diffractometer with a CCD detector (MoKα radiation, graphite monochromator, θ_max = 32.54°, sp. gr. P6₃ mc, a = 6.2746(9), c = 10.257(3) Å, V = 349.71(13) ų, Z = 2, d _calcd = 5.220 g/cm³) reveals the location of Al in two independent positions of Co atoms and yields the general formula of the compound as YBaCo_3.26Al_0.74O₇. Problems related to the difference in the compositions obtained by different methods are discussed.     

Growth of ultrathin twin-free <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-oriented YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7 – <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> films

Twin-free b-oriented YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 – x} films with a thickness less than 40 nm have been epitaxially grown on (100)SrLaGaO₄ crystals. Based on the temperature dependence of resistance, the onset temperature of the transition to the superconducting state is found to be 90 K; the transition width is 4 K. The film growth has been performed in two stages. A (100)PrBa₂Cu₃O_{7 – x} buffer layer was previously grown on a (100)SrLaGaO₄ substrate by rf magnetron sputtering in an Ar–O₂ gas mixture at a continuous and monotonic increase in temperature from 660 to 830°C. The main YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 – x} film was grown on the buffer layer surface by pulsed laser deposition in an oxygen medium at a fixed temperature (800°C). The above processes were implemented in different chambers, which were connected by a vacuum channel for transporting samples. Both films were grown in situ, without contacting atmosphere in all growth stages. An X-ray diffraction study has shown that the YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 – x} films are single-crystal and free of precipitates of other phases and domains of other orientations.