Phase equilibria in the Bi2O3-BaB2O4-B2O3 system in the subsolidus region

The phase equilibria in the concentration triangle Bi₂O₃-BaB₂O₄-B₂O₃ of the BaO-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and DTA. Barium bismuth borates of the composition BaBi₂B₄O₁₀ and BaBiB₁₁O₁₉ have been found to exist. These borates melt at 730 and 807°C, respectively. The quasi-binary sections have been determined. It has been shown that the isothermal section of the Bi₂O₃-BaB₂O₄-B₂O₃ in the subsolidus region at 600°C is characterized by 13 triangles of coexisting phases.     

Phase Relations in the Solidus Region of the SrO-Bi2O3-B2O3 System

Phase equilibria in the SrO-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction analysis and DTA. Ternary compounds SrBiBO₄ and Sr₇Bi₈B₁₈O₄₆ congruently melting at 820 ± 5°C and 760 ± 5°C have been found. Quasi-binary sections are determined and the isothermal section of the system in the region Bi₂O₃-Sr₂Bi₂O₆-Sr₃B₂O₆-B₂O₃ at 600°C has been constructed.     

Subsolidus phase equilibria in the SrO-Bi2O3-B2O3 system

Phase equilibria in the SrO-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ system were studied using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Quasi-binary sections were determined, and an isothermal section of the system in the subsolidus region at 600°C was constructed using the crossing spections method. A new ternary compound was found: SrBi₂B₄O₁₀. The existence of SrBi₂B₂O₇ was verified. Bi₂O₃-SrB₂O₄ and Bi₄B₂O₉-2SrO: 3B₂O₃ polytherms were constructed.     

Phase relations in the CaO-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system in the subsolidus region

Phase relations in the CaO-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and differential thermal analyses, and the isothermal section at 600°C has been constructed. The formation of ternary compounds at the component ratios 1CaO: 1Bi₂O₃: 1B₂O₃ (CaBi₂B₂O₇) and 1CaO: 1Bi₂O₃: 2B₂O₃ (CaBi₂B₄O₁₀) has been established X-ray diffraction characteristics of these phases are presented.     

Subsolidus phase relations in the BaTiO3TiO2 system

Ba₆Ti₁₇O₄₀, Ba₄Ti₁₃O₃₀, BaTi₄O₉, and Ba₂Ti₉O₂₀ are the only compounds which were found to have a stability range in the subsolidus of the BaTiO₃TiO₂ system. BaTi₂O₅ and BaTi₅O₁₁, reported in other studies, apparently are not stable. The compound reported as Ba₂Ti₅O₁₂ appears to have been mistaken for Ba₆Ti₁₇O₄₀. X-Ray diffraction powder data are given for this phase which is monoclinic with a = 9.890, b = 17.117, c = 18.933 Å and β=98°42.6′. The phase formulated previously as BaTi₃O₇ is shown to be Ba₄Ti₁₃O₃₀ based on structural and density considerations, phase equilibria, and single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data. This compound is orthorhombic with a = 17.072, b = 9.862, and c = 14.059 Å, probable space group, Cmca. An idealized structure for this phase is proposed. Ba₂Ti₉O₂₀ decomposes above 1300°C in the solid state to BaTi₄O₉ plus rutile. Single crystals were grown using BaF₂ as a mineralizer.     

Phase relations in the MgO-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

Phase relations in the MgO-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction analysis and DTA. No ternary compounds have been found in the system. Quasi-binary sections have been the 600°C determined and isothermal section of the system has been constructed.     

Solid-state reactions in Y2O3:3Al2O3:4B2O3 system studied by FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

In the Y₂O₃:3Al₂O₃:4B₂O₃ system infrared absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction have been used to study the solid-state reactions in the 600–1300°C temperature range. The expected YAl₃(BO₃)₄ formation (whose optimum temperature is at about 1150°C) was proceeded and accompanied by the appearance of YBO₃ and Al₄B₂O₉ intermediate phases. At higher temperatures the Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ phase was also identified with both methods. Based on these results, some chemical reactions were suggested.     

Phase equilibria in M2O-MgO-B2O3 (M=Na, Rb) systems

The Na₂O-MgO-B₂O₃ system (500-550°C) and Rb₂O-MgO-B₂O₃ system (550-700°C) were studied by the methods of powder X-ray diffraction and visual polythermal analysis, and their isothermal sections were constructed at 550 and 650-700°C, respectively. New ternary compounds were found to form: Na₂₄Mg₃B₁₀O₃₀, Na₄Mg₃B₂O₈, and Rb₂Mg₃B₂O₇.     

Phase equilibria in the Li2O-CdO-B2O3 system

Phase equilibria in the Li₂O-CdO-B₂O₃ ternary system were studied by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Quasi-binary sections of the system were identified by the method of intersecting sections. An isothermal section in the subsolidus region at 650°C was constructed. The formation of one ternary phase, LiCdBO₃, was confirmed, which melts incongruently at 862°C.     

Crystal structure of a new lithium indium borate Li3InB2O6

Single crystals of synthetic Li₃InB₂O₆ were obtained by heating a mixture of Li₂CO₃, In₂O₃ and B₂O₃; its formula was determined by the resolution of the structure from X-ray diffraction data. The compound is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n; the unit cell parameters are a=5.168(5) Å, b=8.899(9) Å, c=10.099(10) Å, β=91.112(17)°; Z=4. The crystal structure was solved from 669 reflections until R=0.0249; it exhibits a three-dimensional framework of vertex-sharing InO₅ trigonal bipyramids and BO₃ triangles, which isolates Li ions in channels. This structure is characterized by unusual oxygenated environments of In cations and of one of the three Li cations, which are forming more or less regular trigonal bipyramids. This compound melts incongruently at 827 °C; the powder may be obtained by annealing at 750 °C a mixture of Li₂CO₃, In₂O₃ and B₂O₃.     

High resolution electron microscopy studies of Ba4Nb14O23

The new compound, Ba₄Nb₁₄O₂₃, has been prepared by heating mixtures of Ba₅Nb₄O₁₅, Nb₂O₅ and Nb at 1 450°C under Ar. Ba₄Nb₁₄O₂₃ has been studied by means of high resolution electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. It has a C-centered orthorhombic unit cell with a=20.782(4), b=12.448(3), c=4.148(1) Å and Z=2. The structure of Ba₄Nb₁₄O₂₃ can be considered as being an intergrowth between BaNbO₃ and NbO. Characteristic building units are triple chains of corner sharing Nb₆ octahedra which are connected via columns of the perovskite type structure to a three dimensional network.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Zinc Borate Zn3B4O9

The new zinc borate Zn₃B₄O₉ was synthesized at high-pressure/high-temperature conditions of 10 GPa and 1173 K in a Walker-type multianvil pressure device. It crystallizes in the space group P (no. 2) with a=5.5028(2) Å, b=6.7150(3) Å, c=7.8887(3) Å, α=83.99(1)°, β=73.38(1)°, γ=74.75(1)°, V=269.35(2) ų, and two formula units (Z=2) per unit cell. The structure was confirmed via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Zn₃B₄O₉ can be synthesized phase pure, which is shown with a Rietveld refinement. IR-spectroscopic data of a powder sample were collected.     

Subsolidus equilibria in the system BaO.TiO2.Al2O3

The subsolidus phase equilibrium relations in the system BaO.TiO₂.Al₂O₃ have been investigated using conventional solid state reaction techniques and X-ray powder diffraction. The existence of three known ternary compounds, BaTi₅Al₂O₁₄, BaTiAl₆O₁₂, and Ba₃TiAl₁₀O₂₀, was confirmed and their stability relations were studied. Various tie-lines existing between the ternary compounds and the binary titanates and aluminates of barium were established and a subsolidus phase diagram showing the phase assemblages compatible at 1200°C is presented.     

Excellent cycling stability of spherical spinel LiMn2O4 by Y2O3 coating for lithium-ion batteries

The Y₂O₃ nano-film is coated on the surface of the spherical spinel LiMn₂O₄ by precipitation method and subsequent heat treatment at 550 °C for 5 h in air. The structure and performance of the bare LiMn₂O₄ and Y₂O₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis X-ray spectroscopy, galvanostatic charge–discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy. It has been found that the addition of Y₂O₃ does not change the bulk structure of LiMn₂O₄, and the thickness of the Y₂O₃ coating layer is approximate to 3.0 nm. The 1 wt% Y₂O₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ electrode reveals excellent cycling performance with 80.3 % capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 C at 25 °C. When cycling at elevated temperature 55 °C, the as-prepared sample still shows 76.7 % capacity retention after 500 cycles. These remarkable improvements indicate that thin Y₂O₃ coating on the surface of LiMn₂O₄ is an effective way to improve the electrochemistry performance. Besides, the suppression of Mn dissolution into the electrolyte via the Y₂O₃ coating layer can be accounted for the improved performances.     

Reactions between YBa2Cu3O7−δ and La2O3 and SrCO3

Solid state reactions at 925°C between the high-T _c ceramic superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ and SrCO₃, respectively, mixed in various molar ratiosr=MeO_n/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ, were studied using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ yielded (La_1?xBa_x)₂CuO_4?δ, withx≈0.075?0.10. La_2?xBa_1+xCu₂O_6?δ, withx≈0.2?0.25 and La-doped (Y_1?xLa_x)₂BaCuO₅, withx≈0.10?0.15. Forr=3.0, Y-doped La₂BaCuO₅ resulted also. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and SrCO₃ yielded (Sr_1?zBa_z)₂CuO₃, withz≈0.1, Y₂(Ba_1?zSr_z)CuO₅, withz=0.1?0.15, and a nonsuperconducting compound with an approximate composition of Y(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)₅Cu_3.5O_10±δ. At values ofr≤2.0, unsubstituted YBa₂Cu₃O_7?delta was found in the reaction products.     

Synthesis,characterization and thermal behaviour of Fe4(OH)11NO3·2H2O

A new iron basic salt, Fe₄(OH)₁₁NO₃·2H₂O, has been prepared by partially hydrolyzing a solution of Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O with urea. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern has been indexed within a monoclinic cella=9.99(3) ?,b=9.48(2) ?,c=3.074(3) ? andβ=90.57(1)°. Thermal decomposition reactions in still air and nitrogen flow have been studied by DTA and TG analysis, and the intermediate and final products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. When this material is thermally decomposed in an X-ray high temperature diffraction chamber, pure iron is formed at 900 °C together with Fe(III) and Fe(II) oxides.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels Hydrolyse einer L?sung von Fe(NO)₃)₃·9H₂O mit Karbamid wurde das neue basische Eisensalz Fe₄(OH)₁₁NO₃·2H₂O dargestellt. Aus einem R?ntgenpulververfahren resultierena=9,55(3) ?,b=9,48(2) ?,c=3,074(3) ? undβ=90,57(1)° für eine monozyklische Zelle. Mittels DTA- und TG-Untersuchungen wurden die thermischen Zersetzungsreaktionen an Luft und im Stickstoffflu? untersucht und die Zwischen- und Endprodukte mit r?ntgendiffraktionsverfahren und IR-Spectroskopie charakterisiert. Bei einer thermischen Zersetzung dieses Stoffes in einer Hochtemperatur-r?ntgendiffraktionskammer wird bei 900 °C elementares Eisen zusammen mit Fe(II)- und Fe(III)-oxiden gebildet.

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Резюме Частичным гидролизо м раствора соли Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O с мочевиной получен а новая основная соль Fe₄(OH)₁₁NO₃ · 2Н₂О, для которой методо м порошкового рентген оструктурного анализа была установ лена моноклинная стр уктура с параметрами ячейкиа=9,55(3) А,b=9,48(2) ?,c=3,074(3) ? иβ=90,57(1)°. Термиче ское разложение соли изучено методом ДТА и ТГ в динамическо й атмосфере воздуха и азота, а образующиеся промеж уточные и конечные продукты ре акции были охарактер изованы рентгенофазовым ана лизом и ИК спектроскопией. ˉПри термическом разложе нии соли в высокотемпературно й рентгено-диффракци онной камере при 900° образует ся чистое железо вмес те с оксидами двух- и трехвалентного желе за.

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The authors are greateful to Dr. R. M. Rojas for his helpful suggestions.     

Low temperature structural phase transition of Ba3NaIr2O9

Single crystal X-ray and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction have been used to probe the structure of Ba₃NaIr₂O₉ from 300 K down to 20 K. Ba₃NaIr₂O₉ is found to undergo a structural transition from hexagonal symmetry, P6₃/mmc, at ambient temperature to monoclinic symmetry, C2/c, at low temperature. The evolution of the unit cell volume upon cooling is indicative of a higher order structural transition, and the symmetry breaking becomes apparent as the temperature is decreased. The low temperature monoclinic structure of Ba₃NaIr₂O₉ contains strongly distorted [NaO₆] and [IrO₆] octahedra in comparison to the room temperature hexagonal structure.     

Phase equilibria in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-MgO-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The subsolidus region of the Li₂O-MgO-B₂O₃ system has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Isothermal sections at 500–550 and 650–700°C have been designed. The following complex borates have been found to form: at 500–550°C, Li₂MgB₂O₅ and LiMgBO₃ are formed; at 650–700°C, a new phase Li₄MgB₂O₅ is formed along with LiMgBO₃; and at 5500–600°, Li₂MgB₂O₅ is formed.     

Die neuen Schichtsilicate Ba3Si6O9N4 und Eu3Si6O9N4

The New Layer‐Silicates Ba₃Si₆O₉N₄ and Eu₃Si₆O₉N₄ The new oxonitridosilicate Ba₃Si₆O₉N₄ has been synthesized in a radiofrequency furnace starting from BaCO₃, amorphous SiO₂ and Si₃N₄. The reaction temperature was at about 1370 °C. The structure of the colorless compound has been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis (Ba₃Si₆O₉N₄, space group P3 (no. 143), a = 724.9(1) pm, c = 678.4(2) pm, V = 308.69(9)· 10⁶ pm³, Z = 1, R1 = 0.0309, 1312 independent reflections, 68 refined parameters). The compound is built up of corner sharing SiO₂N₂ tetrahedra forming corrugated layers between which the Ba²⁺ ions are located. Substitution of barium by europium leads to the isotypic compound Eu₃Si₆O₉N₄. Because no single‐crystals could be obtained, a Rietveld refinement of the powder diffractogram was conducted for the structure refinement (Eu₃Si₆O₉N₄, space group P3 (no. 143), a = 711.49(1) pm, c = 656.64(2) pm, V = 287.866(8) ·10⁶ pm³, R_p = 0.0379, R_F² = 0.0638). The ²⁹Si MAS‐NMR spectrum of Ba₃Si₆O₉N₄ shows two resonances at ?64.1 and ?66.0 ppm confirming two different crystallographic Si sites.     

Preparation of YBa2Cu3O y crystals by electrolysis of YO1.5-BaO-CuO x melts

Mass transfer during the electrolysis of melts of Y_0.02Ba_0.30Cu_0.70O _y and Y_0.02Ba_0.25Cu_0.75O _y samples was studied at 950°C (for 0.5 h) and currents of 5–1050 mA. YBa₂Cu₃O_{6 + δ} (123) tetragonal oxide crystal boules were grown, and their cationic composition and structure were studied by X-ray powder diffraction and by electron diffraction and elemental analysis in a transmission electron microscope (ED/TEM and EA/TEM). The 123 oxide was found to have cationic off-stoichiometry and to have a domain structure with domain sizes of 20–50 Å. Magnetic susceptibility versus temperature curves measured in the crystals after oxygen annealing (450°C, 1 h) feature four kinks, which indicate the occurrence of four superconducting phases with T _c = 45, 52, 75, and 86 K. Electrolysis byproducts are platinum-containing oxides Ba₉Pt₄Cu₃O _y and Ba₅₀Pt₁₅Y₁₆Al₁₃Cu₇O _y unknown hitherto; we report structure data for them.