Optical and crystallization behavior in Dy doped 40GeSe2–25Ga2Se3–35CsI glass

Dy³⁺ doped 40GeSe₂–25Ga₂Se₃–35CsI (GGC) glass was synthesized, and optical spectrum, such as infrared transmission and Vis-Nir absorption was measured. Base on the Judd–Ofelt theory, the three Judd–Ofelt parameters Ω_t (t = 2, 4, 6) were calculated and the results were compared with other chalcogenide glasses. The small Ω₂ in GGC glass is ascribed to the weak covalency of Se–Dy bond. The theory of crystallization kinetics under non-isothermal condition was developed, and was applied to analyze this Dy³⁺ doped GGC glass. From the heating-rate dependence of crystallization temperature, the activation energy for crystallization E = 148 kJ/mol is obtained, and this value is much smaller than that of the undoped glass host, indicating the introduction of Dy³⁺ ions into the GGC glass will get the host crystallized easily.     

Tunneled Intergrowth Structures in the Ga2O3–In2O3–SnO2 System

The structures of several Ga₂O₃–In₂O₃–SnO₂ phases were investigated using high-resolution electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Rietveld analysis of time-of-flight neutron diffraction data. The phases, expressed as Ga_4−4xIn_4xSn_n−4O_2n−2 (n=6 and 7–17, odd), are intergrowths between the β-gallia structure of (Ga,In)₂O₃ and the rutile structure of SnO₂. Samples prepared with n≥9 crystallize in C2/m and are isostructural with intergrowths in the Ga₂O₃–TiO₂ system. Samples prepared with n=6 and n=7 are members of an alternative intergrowth series that crystallizes in P2/m. Both intergrowth series are similar in that their members possess 1-D tunnels along the b axis. The difference between the two series is described in terms of different crystallographic shear plane operations (CSP) on the parent rutile structure.     

The Phase Relations in the System In2O3–TiO2–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C

The phase relations in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C are determined by a classical quenching method. In this system, there are four pseudobinary compounds, In₂TiO₅, MgTi₂O₅ (pseudobrookite type), MgTiO₃ (ilmenite type), and Mg₂TiO₄ (spinel type) at 1100°C. At 1350°C, in addition to these compounds there exist a spinel-type solid solution Mg_2−xIn_2xTi_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and a compound In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ with lattice constants a=5.9236(7) Å, b=3.3862(4) Å, c=6.3609(7) Å, β=108.15(1)°, and q=0.369, which is isostructural with the monoclinic In₃Ti₂FeO₁₀ in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO. The relation between the lattice constants of the spinel phase and the composition nearly satisfies Vegard's law. In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ extends a solid solution range to In₂₀Ti₁₇Mg₃O₆₇ with lattice constants of a=5.9230(5) Å, b=3.3823(3) Å, c=6.3698(6) Å, β=108.10(5)°, and q=0.360. The distributions of constituent cations in the solid solutions are discussed in terms of their ionic radius and site preference effect.     

Third- and second-order optical nonlinearity of Ge-Ga-S-PbI2 chalcohalide glasses

Two series of metal iodide doped chalcohalide glasses (100−2x)GeS₂·xGa₂S₃·xPbI₂ (0?x?20) and (100−x)(0.8GeS₂·0.2Ga₂S₃)·xPbI₂ (0?x?15) were prepared and characterized. The microstructure of these glasses has been studied by Raman scattering spectra. Utilizing femtosecond time-resolved optical Kerr effect (OKE) technique at the wavelength of 820 nm, a largest third-order nonlinearity χ⁽³⁾ of 2.07×10⁻¹³ esu was obtained for the 90GeS₂·5Ga₂S₃·5PbI₂ glass, and it decreases with the addition of PbI₂ in both two series. After thermally poled, second-harmonic generation (SHG) has been observed in these glasses according to Maker fringe method and a large second-order nonlinearity χ⁽²⁾ as well as 4 pm/V was obtained for the 70GeS₂·15Ga₂S₃·15PbI₂ glass. The variations of χ⁽²⁾ and χ⁽³⁾ on glass composition are ascribed to the evolution of micro-structural units in glass. These novel chalcohalide glasses would be expected to be the promising candidate materials for nonlinear optical devices.     

Effect of TiO2 addition on the crystallization and tribological properties of MgO–CaO–SiO2–P2O5–F glasses

The kinetic parameters including the activation energy for crystallization (E), the Avrami parameter (n) and frequency factor (υ) of a glass in the MgO–CaO–SiO₂–P₂O₅–F system were studied using non-isothermal differential thermal analysis (DTA) with regard to small amount of TiO₂ additions. It has been shown that the role of TiO₂ changes from a glass network former to a glass network modifier with increasing TiO₂ content in this system. The kinetic parameters of the crystallizing phases, apatite and wollastonite, indicated changes accompanied with TiO₂ additions, implying that the TiO₂ is an effective nucleating agent for promoting the crystallization of apatite and wollastonite. The most effective addition is of about 4 wt% TiO₂ in this system. The wear rate and friction coefficient decreased from 1.8 ± 0.1 to 0.9 ± 0.2 and 0.87 to 0.77, respectively, when 4 wt% TiO₂ was incorporated to the base glass.     

Phase diagram of the In3As2Se6-In3As2S3Se3 system

The In₃As₂Se₆-In₃As₂S₃Se₃ system has been investigated by methods of physicochemical analysis (DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, MSA) and by microhardness and density measurements. The phase diagram of the system, which is the quasi-binary section of the As-In-S-Se quaternary system, has been constructed. The region of the In₃As₂Se₆-based solid solutions is extended to 7 mol %, and the In ₃As₂S₃Se₃-based region to 15 mol %. A new quaternary compound In₆As₄S₃Se₉ is found in the system. Original Russian Text ? I.I. Aliev, R.S. Magammedragimova, A.A. Farzaliev, Dzh. Veliev, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 4, pp. 691–694.     

Fabrication of mesoporous SiO2–C–Fe3O4/γ–Fe2O3 and SiO2–C–Fe magnetic composites

A synthetic method for the fabrication of silica-based mesoporous magnetic (Fe or iron oxide spinel) nanocomposites with enhanced adsorption and magnetic capabilities is presented. The successful in situ synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles is a consequence of the incorporation of a small amount of carbon into the pores of the silica, this step being essential for the generation of relatively large iron oxide magnetic nanocrystals (10 ± 3 nm) and for the formation of iron nanoparticles. These composites combine good magnetic properties (superparamagnetic behaviour in the case of SiO₂–C–Fe₃O₄/γ–Fe₂O₃ samples) with a large and accessible porosity made up of wide mesopores (>9 nm). In the present work, we have demonstrated the usefulness of this kind of composite for the adsorption of a globular protein (hemoglobin). The results obtained show that a significant amount of hemoglobin can be immobilized within the pores of these materials (up to 180 mg g⁻¹ for some of the samples). Moreover, we have proved that the composite loaded with hemoglobin can be easily manipulated by means of an external magnetic field.     

Phase Relations at 1500°C in the Ternary System ZrO2–Gd2O3–TiO2

Phase relations at 1500°C in the ternary system ZrO₂–Gd₂O₃–TiO₂ have been determined by the powder X-ray diffraction of samples prepared by standard solid state reaction. A large area of this ternary oxide system centered on the Gd₂Ti₂O₇–Gd₂Zr₂O₇ join was shown to exhibit the pyrochlore and defect fluorite structures. The pyrochlore structure was observed for stoichiometries as far from the ideal M₄O₇ as M₄O_6.7 and M₄O_7.4, although the degree of disorder seemed much higher at these stoichiometries. On further deviation from the ideal M₄O₇ stoichiometry a smooth transition to fluorite average structure was observed for Zr-rich compositions. None of the other binary phases were observed to show significant extent of solid solution into the ternary region.     

Etude du diagramme ternaire CuInSe2ZnSeIn2Se3

The system CuInSe₂ZnSeIn₂Se₃ has been investigated. A large domain of thiogallate-type compounds was found with a number of cation vacancies less or equal to that of ZnIn₂Se₄ compound. A study with a least-squares method was performed on the experimental parameters a and c and relations with the compositions are given. The blende-structure model with cation vacancies was used for evaluation of the vacancy radius [r₁ = (0.97 ± 0.05) Å] in the thiogallate compounds.     

Photocatalysis of sprayed nitrogen-containing Fe2O3–ZnO and WO3–ZnO composite powders in gas-phase acetaldehyde decomposition

Two series of nano-sized N-containing MO_x–ZnO (M: Fe, W) composite powders were synthesized by spray pyrolysis. The nitrogen content was controlled from 500 to 2100 ppm by changing the powder ingredients and spray pyrolysis temperature. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra indicated that the N-containing MO_x–ZnO powders absorbed not only ultraviolet light (λ<387 nm) like pure ZnO powder, but also part of visible light (λ<650 nm). Acetaldehyde decomposition was used as a probe reaction to evaluate the photocatalysis of these composite powders. The photocatalytic activity of the N-containing ZnO powder was pronouncedly enhanced by the WO₃ addition under both UV and visible-light irradiation. However, that of the N-containing ZnO powder was suppressed by the Fe₂O₃ addition. A model of the semiconductor energy-band structure is proposed to explain the enhancement and suppression of photocatalytic activity.     

Phase relations in the system K2MoO4–KPO3–MoO3–Bi2O3: A new phosphate K3Bi5(PO4)6

Phase equilibrium in the pseudo-quaternary system K₂O–MoO₃–P₂O₅–Bi₂O₃ was studied as three-component solvent K₂MoO₄–KPO₃–MoO₃ containing 15 mol% Bi₂O₃ during slow cooling and spontaneous crystallization. The results of the investigation were shown on a composition diagram, which indicates the crystallization fields of K₂Bi(PO₄)(MoO₄), K₅Bi(MoO₄)₄, BiPO₄ and K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆. New phosphate K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆ was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (space group C2/c, a=17.680(4), b=6.9370(14), c=18.700(4) Å, β=113.79(3)°) and FTIR spectroscopy. The possibility of lone electron pair stereoactivity of bismuth was suggested using the calculations of characteristics of the Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra for K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆ and K₂Bi(PO₄)(MoO₄).     

Liquid–liquid and liquid–liquid–solid equilibrium in Na2CO3–PEG–H2O

The phase diagram was determined for the Na₂CO₃–PEG–H₂O system at 25°C using PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)) with a molecular weight of 4000. Compositions of the liquid–liquid and the liquid–liquid–solid equilibria were determined using calibration curves of density and index of refraction of the solutions, and atomic absorption (AA) and X-ray diffraction analyses were made on the solids. The solid phase in equilibrium with the biphasic region was Na₂CO₃·H₂O. Binodal curves were described using a three-parameter equation. Tie lines were described using the Othmer–Tobias and Bancroft correlation’s. Correlation coefficients for all equations exceeded 0.99. The effects of temperature (25 and 40°C) and the molecular weight of the PEG (2000, 3000, and 4000) on the binodal curve were also studied, and it was observed that the size of the biphasic region increased slightly with an increase in these variables.     

Structural investigation of the Cu2Se-In2Se3-Ga2Se3 phase diagram, X-ray photoemission and optical properties of the Cu1−z(In0.5Ga0.5)1+z/3Se2 compounds

Structures of compounds in the Cu₂Se-In₂Se₃-Ga₂Se₃ system have been investigated through X-ray diffraction. Single crystal structure studies for the so-called stoichiometric compounds Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGSe) confirm that the chalcopyrite structure (space group I4¯2d) is very flexible and can adapt itself to the substitution of Ga for In. On the other hand a structure modification is evidenced in the Cu_1−z(In_0.5Ga_0.5)_1+z/3Se₂ series when the copper vacancy ratio (z) increases; the chalcopyrite structure turns to a modified-stannite structure (I4¯2m) when z≥0.26. There is a continuous evolution of the structure from Cu_0.74(In_0.5Ga_0.5)_1.09Se₂ to Cu_0.25(In_0.5Ga_0.5)_1.25Se₂ ((i.e. Cu(In_0.5Ga_0.5)₅Se₈), including Cu_0.4(In_0.5Ga_0.5)_1.2Se₂ (i.e. Cu(In_0.5Ga_0.5)₃Se₅). From this single crystal structural investigation, it is definitively clear that no ordered vacancy compound exists in that series. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy study shows for the first time that the surface of powdered Cu_1−z(In_0.5Ga_0.5)_1+z/3Se₂ compounds (z≠0) is more copper-poor than the bulk. The same result has often been observed on CIGSe thin films material for photovoltaic applications. In addition, optical band gaps of these non-stoichiometric compounds increase from 1.2 to 1.4 eV when z varies from 0 to 0.75.     

Thermal transformation of quaternary compounds in NaF–CaF2–AlF3 system

Details of quaternary compounds formation in the system NaF–CaF₂–AlF₃ are specified. To achieve this aim, the samples of phases NaCaAlF₆ and Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄ have been obtained by high-temperature solid-phase synthesis. Their thermal behavior when heated up to 800 °C has been studied using the methods of high-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TA). The system under consideration can be regarded as a quasibinary section CaF₂–NaAlF₄, where at T=745–750 °C invariant equilibrium is implemented with the phases CaF₂–NaCaAlF₆–Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄–(liquid melt)–(NaAlF₄). The peculiarity of the equilibrium is NaAlF₄ metastability at normal pressure. Below the equilibrium temperature the quaternary phase Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄ is stable and NaCaAlF₆ above this temperature. The phase NaCaAlF₆ fixed by rapid quenching from high temperatures and when heated up to 640 °C decomposes, yielding Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄. Further heating in vacuum at temperature up to 740 °C results in decomposition of Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄ into CaF₂ and Na₃AlF₆. The expected reverse transformation of Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄ into NaCaAlF₆ has not been observed under experimental conditions. Transformations in bulk samples reveal direct and reverse transformation of quaternary phases.

Synopsis

Thermal transformation of the quaternary compounds in system (NaF–CaF₂–AlF₃) was investigated using high-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TA). In the system the invariant equilibrium is implemented with the phases CaF₂–NaCaAlF₆–Na₂Ca₃Al₂F₁₄–(liquid melt)–(NaAlF₄) at T=745–750 °C.     

Synthesis and characterization of P2O5–SiO2–X (X = phosphotungstic acid) glasses as electrolyte for low temperature H2/O2 fuel cell application

A new class of proton conducting glass membranes for hydrogen fuel cell applications are being developed using phosphotungstic acid. These glasses are being design to yield high proton conductivities could be potential substitutes for electrolytes in H₂/O₂ fuel cell. P₂O₅–SiO₂–PWA glasses have been non-crystalline phases confirmed by structural studies. The glass materials showed good mechanical and thermal stability, and also found a maximum proton conductivity of 9.1 × 10⁻² S/cm at 90 °C and 30% RH. The average pore size less than 5 nm was determined by Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) desorption method. The electrochemical activity was investigated by polarization curves and current–voltage profiles. A maximum power density value of 10.2 mW/cm² was obtained using 0.15 mg/cm² of Pt/C loaded on electrode and 5P₂O₅–87SiO₂–8PWA glasses at 30 °C and 30% humidity.     

Two Step Chemical Vapor Deposition of In2Se3/MoSe2 van der Waals Heterostructures

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides heterostructures have stimulated wide interest not only for the fundamental research,but also for the application of next generation electronic and optoelectronic devices.Herein,we report a successful two-step chemical vapor deposition strategy to construct vertically stacked van der Waals epitaxial In₂Se₃/MoSe₂ heterostructures.Transmission electron microscopy characterization reveals clearly that the In₂Se₃ has well-aligned lattice orientation with the substrate of monolayer MoSe₂.Due to the interaction between the In₂Se₃ and MoSe₂ layers,the heterostructure shows the quenching and red-shift of photoluminescence.Moreover,the current rectification behavior and photovoltaic effect can be observed from the heterostructure,which is attributed to the unique band structure alignment of the heterostructure,and is further confirmed by Kevin probe force microscopy measurement.The synthesis approach via van der Waals epitaxy in this work can expand the way to fabricate a variety of two-dimensional heterostructures for potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices.     

Synthesis and characterization of quaternary chalcogenides InSn2Bi3Se8 and In0.2Sn6Bi1.8Se9

Quaternary chalcogenides InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ and In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉ were synthesized on direct combination of their elements in stoichiometric ratios at T>800 °C under vacuum. Their structures were determined with X-ray diffraction of single crystals. InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/m (No. 12) with a=13.557(3) Å, b=4.1299(8) Å, c=15.252(3) Å, β=115.73(3)°, V=769.3(3) Å³, Z=2, and R₁/wR₂/GOF=0.0206/0.0497/1.092; In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉ crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Cmc2₁ (No. 36) with a=4.1810(8) Å, b=13.799(3) Å, c=31.953(6) Å, V=1843.4(6) Å³, Z=4, and R₁/wR₂/GOF=0.0966/0.2327/1.12. InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ and In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉ are isostructural with CuBi₅S₈ and Bi₂Pb₆S₉ phases, respectively. The structures of InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ and In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉ feature a three-dimensional framework containing slabs of NaCl-(311) type with varied thicknesses. Calculations of the electronic structure and measurements of electrical conductivity indicate that these materials are semiconductors with narrow band gaps. Both compounds show n-type semiconducting properties with Seebeck coefficients −270 and −230 μV/K at 300 K for InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ and In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉, respectively.     

Thermal behavior of nitrided TiO2/In2O3 by TG–DSC–MS combined with PulseTA

TiO₂/InN (In/(Ti + In) = 6.5:100 mol) was prepared by nitridation of TiO₂/In₂O₃ by NH₃ at 580 °C for 8 h. Only the anatase TiO₂ phase was detected in the XRD measurements. The highly dispersed InN clusters on the surface of anatase TiO₂ nanocrystals were beyond the detection limit of XRD. In order to confirm the existence of InN in the products of nitridation, thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry–mass spectrometry (TG–DSC–MS) coupling techniques were used for a simultaneous characterizing study of the changes of mass, enthalpy and determination of the evolved gases during the thermal decomposition of the InN and the nitrided TiO₂/In₂O₃ samples. Moreover, pulse thermal analysis (PulseTA) was combined with TG–DSC–MS for the quantitative calibration of the evolved nitrogen formed during the thermal decomposition of the InN and the nitrided TiO₂/In₂O₃. The applied technique enabled identification and quantification of the InN in the products of the nitridation of TiO₂/In₂O_3.     

Survey of the quasi-ternary system La0.8Sr0.2MnO3–La0.8Sr0.2CoO3–La0.8Sr0.2FeO3

An overview on the variation of the thermal expansion, the electrical conductivity as well as non-stoichiometry of the oxide content as a function of composition within the quasi-ternary system La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3−δ–La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3−δ–La_0.8Sr_0.2FeO_3−δ in air is presented. The various powders were synthesized under identical conditions. The DC electrical conductivity values of the compositions at 800 °C in air vary in a wide range from 15 to 1338 S cm⁻¹. The magnitude of electrical conductivity of the perovskites is mainly determined by the percentage of cobalt in the compositions. A similar behaviour was observed for the measured thermal expansion coefficients between room temperature and 1000 °C in air, increasing from 10.9 to 19.4 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ as a function of cobalt content. Changes in the oxygen stoichiometry of the materials were characterized by temperature-programmed oxidation measurements.