Alloyed (ZnSe)(x)(CuInSe2)(1-x) and CuInSe(x)S(2-x) nanocrystals with a monophase zinc blende structure over the entire composition range

Metastable zinc blende CuInSe(2) nanocrystals were synthesized by a hot-injection approach. It was found that the lattice mismatches between zinc blende CuInSe(2) and ZnSe as well as CuInSe(2) and CuInS(2) are only 2.0% and 4.6%, respectively. Thus, alloyed (ZnSe)(x)(CuInSe(2))(1-x) and CuInSe(x)S(2-x) nanocrystals with a zinc blende structure have been successfully synthesized over the entire composition range, and the band gaps of alloys can be tuned in the range from 2.82 to 0.96 eV and 1.43 to 0.98 eV, respectively. These alloyed (ZnSe)(x)(CuInSe(2))(1-x) and CuInSe(x)S(2-x) nanocrystals with a broad tunable band gap have a high potential for photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications.     

Compositionally tunable Cu2ZnSn(S(1-x)Se(x))4 nanocrystals: probing the effect of Se-inclusion in mixed chalcogenide thin films

Nanocrystals of multicomponent chalcogenides, such as Cu(2)ZnSnS(4) (CZTS), are potential building blocks for low-cost thin-film photovoltaics (PVs). CZTS PV devices with modest efficiencies have been realized through postdeposition annealing at high temperatures in Se vapor. However, little is known about the precise role of Se in the CZTS system. We report the direct solution-phase synthesis and characterization of Cu(2)ZnSn(S(1-x)Se(x))(4) nanocrystals (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) with the aim of probing the role of Se incorporation into CZTS. Our results indicate that increasing the amount of Se increases the lattice parameters, slightly decreases the band gap, and most importantly increases the electrical conductivity of the nanocrystals without a need for annealing.     

Ba2(BO3)(1-x)(CO3)(x)Cl(1+x): a mixed borate and carbonate chloride crystallized from high-temperature solution

A mixed borate and carbonate chloride Ba(2)(BO(3))(1-x)(CO(3))(x)Cl(1+x) was obtained by spontaneous crystallization from a high-temperature melt in open air. It crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system with space group of P3m?1 and lattice constants of a = 5.4708(8) ? and c = 10.640(2) ?. The structure can be viewed as an intergrowth of trigonal Ba(2)Mg(BO(3))(2) (001) slab and (111) slab of the cubic fluorite BaCl(2). During Fourier analysis of the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, additional electron density was found locating at 1b (0, 0, 1/2) site and attributed to chlorine surplus, which was confirmed by chemical titration. Charge balance of the compound was found, unexpectedly in an acidic borate containing high-temperature melt, by partial CO(3)(2-) group substituting the BO(3)(3-) group. The existence of CO(3)(2-) anion in the crystal was detected by thermogravimetry-mass spectrum analysis and Raman spectrum. The transmittance spectrum shows that the crystal is transparent from ultraviolet to infrared with short-wavelength absorption edge at about 220 nm.     

Co(x)Cu(1-x)(DDOP)(OH2)(NO3)](NO3): hydrogen bond-driven distortion of cobalt(II) by solid solution 'network mismatch'

Late-first row transition metal nitrate complexes of the tetradentate N-donor ligand cis-3,5-bis[(2-pyridinyleneamino]-trans-hydroxycyclohexane (DDOP) adopt a mono-cationic [M(DDOP)(H(2)O)(NO(3))](+) structure (M = Co, 1; Cu, 2; Zn, 3) in which the DDOP ligand occupies the equatorial plane. The complexes are essentially isostructural and isomorphous, allowing the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes to co-crystallize in mixed-metal solid solutions with the formula [Co(x)Cu(1-x)(DDOP)(NO(3))(H(2)O)](NO(3)), where x = 0.4 (4), 0.1 (5), and 0.7 (6). For 4, structural and magnetochemical analysis indicate that the geometry of the octahedral Co(II) complex distorts to match that of the dominant Jahn-Teller distorted Cu(II) center. Magnetic susceptibility data of octahedral Co(II) are sensitive to ligand geometry distortions and have been analyzed accordingly, comparing 4 to the reference systems 1 and 2. Bond valence calculations have been used to estimate the relative stabilities of the six hydrogen bonded networks, suggesting that the stretching of the Co(II) coordination sphere 4 in is assisted by adoption of the most stable hydrogen bonded network; but that in 6 this is overcome by a higher loading of Co. This family of complexes therefore represent predictable metal-based tectons which can help probe the influence of secondary non-covalent interactions over metal coordination geometries and properties.     

DFT investigation of the tri(amino)amine N(NH(2))(3)(2+) and the tri(azido)amine N(N(3))(3)(2+) dications and related mixed amino(azido)ammonium ions (N(3))(x)N(NH(2))(4-x)(+) (x = 0-4)(1)

Structures of the tri(amino)amine N(NH(2))(3)(2+) and the tri(azido)amine N(N(3))(3)(2+) dications were calculated at the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-311+G level. The tri(amino)amine dication (NH(2))(3)N(2+) (1) was found to be highly resonance stabilized with a high kinetic barrier for deprotonation. The structures of diamino(azido)amine dication (NH(2))(2)N(N(3))(2+) (2), amino(diazido)amine dication (NH(2))N(N(3))(2)(2+) (3), and tri(azido)amine dication (N(3))(3)N(2+) (4) were also found to be highly resonance stabilized. The structures and energetics of the related mixed amino(azido)ammonium ions (N(3))(x)N(NH(2))(4-x)(+) (x = 0-4) were also calculated.     

Unusual physical and chemical properties of Cu in Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) oxides

The structural and electronic properties of Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) nano systems prepared by a reverse microemulsion method were characterized with synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and density functional calculations. The Cu atoms embedded in ceria had an oxidation state higher than those of the cations in Cu(2)O or CuO. The lattice of the Ce(1)(-x)Cu(x)O(2) systems still adopted a fluorite-type structure, but it was highly distorted with multiple cation-oxygen distances with respect to the single cation-oxygen bond distance seen in pure ceria. The doping of CeO(2) with copper introduced a large strain into the oxide lattice and favored the formation of O vacancies, leading to a Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2-y) stoichiometry for our materials. Cu approached the planar geometry characteristic of Cu(II) oxides, but with a strongly perturbed local order. The chemical activities of the Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) nanoparticles were tested using the reactions with H(2) and O(2) as probes. During the reduction in hydrogen, an induction time was observed and became shorter after raising the reaction temperature. The fraction of copper that could be reduced in the Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) oxides also depended strongly on the reaction temperature. A comparison with data for the reduction of pure copper oxides indicated that the copper embedded in ceria was much more difficult to reduce. The reduction of the Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) nanoparticles was rather reversible, without the generation of a significant amount of CuO or Cu(2)O phases during reoxidation. This reversible process demonstrates the unusual structural and chemical properties of the Cu-doped ceria materials.     

Thermal Properties of K（Y1-xYbx）（WO4）2（x=0.098,0.196,0.294） Crystal

Thermal properties of pure KY(WO4)2 and K(Y1-xYbx)(WO4)2(x=0.098,0.196,0.294) crystals were investigated.The specific heat and thermal diffusivity of crystals were calculated at a range of 50～300 ℃.The calculated result shows that the specific heat and thermal diffusivity of K(Y1-xYbx)(WO4)2(x=0.098,0.196,0.294) crystals were slightly affected by the Yb3+ concentration.The thermal expansion coefficient of K(Y0.804Yb0.196)(WO4)2 crystals along x,y and z axes were determined to be 13.51,4.474 and 16.60×10-6 K-1,respectively.These results suggest the K(Y1-xYbx)(WO4)2(x=0.098,0.196,0.294) crystal as a laser crystal of low-middle power.     

Soluble precursors for CuInSe2, CuIn(1-x)Ga(x)Se2, and Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 based on colloidal nanocrystals and molecular metal chalcogenide surface ligands

We report a new platform for design of soluble precursors for CuInSe(2) (CIS), Cu(In(1-x)Ga(x))Se(2) (CIGS), and Cu(2)ZnSn(S,Se)(4) (CZTS) phases for thin-film potovoltaics. To form these complex phases, we used colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) with metal chalcogenide complexes (MCCs) as surface ligands. The MCC ligands both provided colloidal stability and represented essential components of target phase. To obtain soluble precursors for CuInSe(2), we used Cu(2-x)Se NCs capped with In(2)Se(4)(2-) MCC surface ligands or CuInSe(2) NCs capped with {In(2)Cu(2)Se(4)S(3)}(3-) MCCs. A mixture of Cu(2-x)Se and ZnS NCs, both capped with Sn(2)S(6)(4-) or Sn(2)Se(6)(4-) ligands was used for solution deposition of CZTS films. Upon thermal annealing, the inorganic ligands reacted with NC cores forming well-crystallized pure ternary and quaternary phases. Solution-processed CIS and CZTS films featured large grain size and high phase purity, confirming the prospects of this approach for practical applications.     

Raman microscopy of synthetic goudeyite (YCu6(AsO4)2(OH)6 x 3H2O)

Raman microscopy has been used to study the molecular structure of a synthetic goudeyite (YCu(6)(AsO(4))(3)(OH)(6) x 3H(2)O). These types of minerals have a porous framework similar to that of zeolites with a structure based upon (A(3+))(1-x)(A(2+))(x)Cu(6)(OH)(6)(AsO(4))(3-x)(AsO(3)OH)(x). Two sets of AsO stretching vibrations were found and assigned to the vibrational modes of AsO(4) and HAsO(4) units. Two Raman bands are observed in the region 885-915 and 867-870 cm(-1) region and are assigned to the AsO stretching vibrations of (HAsO(4))(2-) and (H(2)AsO(4))(-) units. The position of the bands indicates a C(2v) symmetry of the (H(2)AsO(4))(-) anion. Two bands are found at around 800 and 835 cm(-1) and are assigned to the stretching vibrations of uncomplexed (AsO(4))(3-) units. Bands are observed at around 435, 403 and 395 cm(-1) and are assigned to the nu(2) bending modes of the HAsO(4) (434 and 400 cm(-1)) and the AsO(4) groups (324 cm(-1)).     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(In(x)B(1-x))Se2 nanocrystals for low-cost thin film photovoltaics

Chalcopyrite quaternary semiconductor Cu(In(x)B(1-x))Se(2) nanocrystals have been successfully prepared via a relatively simple and convenient solvothermal route. The effect of different solvents on the formation of the product also indicates that diethylenetriamine is the optimal solvent for this reaction. The device parameters for a single junction Cu(In(x)B(1-x))Se(2) solar cell under AM1.5G are as follows: an open circuit voltage of 265 mV, a short-circuit current of 25.90 mA/cm(2), a fill factor of 34%, and a power conversion efficiency of 2.34%. Based on a series of comparative experiments under different reaction conditions, the probable formation mechanism of crystal Cu(In(x)B(1-x))Se(2) nanorods is proposed.     

Local structural distortion of BaZr(x)Ti(1-x)O3 nanocrystals synthesized at room temperature

Single crystalline, sub-15 nm BaZr(x)Ti(1-x)O(3) (0 ≤x≤ 1) nanocrystals were synthesized at room temperature via the vapor diffusion sol-gel method. As-prepared nanocrystals exhibit noncentrosymmetric regions whose volume fraction increases significantly upon substitution of small amounts of Zr(4+) for Ti(4+) and reaches a maximum for substitution levels ranging from 10 to 20 mol%.     

Photomagnetic studies on spin-crossover solid solutions containing two different metal complexes, [Fe(1-bpp)(2)](x)[M(terpy)2](1-x)[BF4]2 (M = Ru or Co)

The photomagnetic properties of two series of spin-crossover solid solutions, [Fe(1-bpp)(2)](x)[Ru(terpy)(2)](1-x)(BF(4))(2) and [Fe(1-bpp)(2)](x)[Co(terpy)(2)](1-x)(BF(4))(2) (1-bpp = 2,6-bis[pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine), have been investigated. For all the materials, the evolution of the T(LIESST) value, the high-spin → low-spin relaxation parameters and the LITH loops were thoroughly studied. Interestingly in the Fe:Co series, along the photo-excitation, cobalt ions are concomitantly converted from low-spin to high-spin states with the iron centres, and also fully relax after light excitation.     

Alloyed (ZnS)(x) (CuInS(2) )(1-x) Semiconductor Nanorods: Synthesis, Bandgap Tuning and Photocatalytic Properties

Rod-like nanocrystals of the semiconductor alloy (ZnS)(x) (CuInS(2) )(1-x) (ZCIS) have been colloidally prepared by using a one-pot non-injection-based synthetic strategy. The ZCIS nanorods crystallize in the hexagonal wurtzite structure and display preferential growth in the direction of the c axis. The bandgap of these quarternary alloyed nanorods can be conveniently tuned by varying the ratio of ZnS to CuInS(2) . A non-linear relationship between the bandgap and the alloy composition is observed. The ZCIS nanorods are found to exhibit promising photocatalytic behaviour in visible-light-driven degradation of Rhodamine?B.     

Crystal structure and physical properties of the new chalcogenides Ba3Cu(17-x)(S,Te)11 and Ba3Cu(17-x)(S,Te)11.5 with two different Cu clusters

The sulfide-tellurides Ba(3)Cu(17-x)(S,Te)(11) and Ba(3)Cu(17-x)(S,Te)(11.5) were synthesized from the elements in stoichiometric ratios heated to 1073 K, followed by slow cooling to 873 K over 100 h. Ba(3)Cu(17-x)(S,Te)(11) is isostructural to Ba(3)Cu(17-x)(Se,Te)(11) when [S] > [Te], space group R ?3m, with lattice dimensions of a = 12.009(1) ?, c = 27.764(2) ?, V = 3467.6(5) ?(3), for Ba(3)Cu(15.7(4))S(7.051(5))Te(3.949) (Z = 6). The structure is composed of Cu atoms forming paired hexagonal antiprisms, capped on the two outer hexagonal faces, where each Cu atom is tetrahedrally coordinated by four Q (= S, Te) atoms. The new variant is formed when [Te] > [S]; then Ba(3)Cu(17-x)(S,Te)(11.5) adopts space group Fm3?m with a = 17.2095(8) ?, V = 5096.9(4) ?(3), for Ba(3)Cu(15.6(2))S(5.33(4))Te(6.17) (Z = 8). This structure consists of eight Te-centered Cu(16) icosioctahedra per cell interconnected by cubic Cu(8) units centered by Q atoms. Electronic structure calculations and property measurements illustrate that these compounds behave as extrinsic p-type semiconductors-toward metallic behavior for the latter compound. With standard oxidation states Ba(2+), Cu(+), and Q(2-), the electron precise formulas are Ba(3)Cu(16)Q(11) and Ba(3)Cu(17)Q(11.5).     

Nanoporous Pt@Au(x)Cu(100-x) by hydrogen evolution assisted electrodeposition of Au(x)Cu(100-x) and galvanic replacement of Cu with Pt: electrocatalytic properties

Electrodeposition of high-surface-area nanoporous Au-Cu foams under conditions of hydrogen codeposition is studied. The honeycomb-like Au(x)Cu(100-x) foams with 0 ≤ x ≤ 100 are electrodeposited by controlling the amount of corresponding ions in the solution. The amount of metal ions in deposited films follows that in used electrolytes. Compared to monometallic foams, the Au(x)Cu(100-x) structures are characterized by smaller ligament or particle sizes (less than 10 nm) and improved stability. The addition of even a small amount of Cu to the Au matrix is found to dramatically improve the stability of the structure in air environment or an acidic medium. Pt@Au(x)Cu(100-x) structures are formed by the galvanic displacement of Cu from Au(x)Cu(100-x) templates. During the displacement of Cu by Pt, Au serves as a buffer, decreasing mechanical stresses and preventing the detachment of the foam from the substrate. The surface ratio of Pt to Au atoms is controlled by adjusting the amount of Cu in the template. Pt@Au(x)Cu(100-x) electrodes are investigated as novel electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation in alkaline media. The Au-enriched surfaces show higher catalytic activity toward methanol oxidation, while the electrodes with a higher amount of Pt are more stable.     

Microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis and characterization of metastable LiFe(1-x)(VO)(x)PO4 cathodes

Vanadyl ion substituted LiFePO(4) cathodes of the form LiFe(1-x)(VO)(x)PO(4) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25 have been synthesized by a rapid microwave-solvothermal process at <300 °C within 10 min. Clear evidence of vanadyl ion substitution is demonstrated, despite a large size difference between Fe(2+) and (VO)(2+), by characterizing the products structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically. The vanadyl ion substitution is accompanied by the formation of iron vacancies in the lattice and Fe(3)O(4) impurity phase, which increases with increasing (VO)(2+) substitution for Fe(2+) and could be removed with a magnetic stir bar. The formation of iron vacancies, along with the oxidation of some Fe(2+) to Fe(3+) to maintain charge neutrality, results in a decrease in the unit cell volume with increasing x despite the substitution of larger (VO)(2+) for Fe(2+). Charge-discharge data of the vanadyl ion substituted samples suggest suppression of the two-phase plateau behavior that is characteristic of LiFePO(4). Electrochemical data collected without any carbon coating reveal that the capacity and rate capability decreases, but the capacity retention improves with (VO)(2+) substitution.     

Influence of vacancy ordering on the percolative behavior of (Li(1)(-x)Na(x))(3y)La(2/3-y)TiO(3) perovskites

Influence of the vacancy concentration on the Li conductivity of the (Li(1-x)Na(x))(0.2)La(0.6)TiO(3) and (Li(1-x)Na(x)(0.5)La(0.5)TiO(3) perovskite series, with 0 < or = x < 1, has been investigated by neutron diffraction (ND), impedance spectroscopy (IS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Monte Carlo simulations. In both series, Li(+) ions occupy unit cell faces, but Na(+) ions are located at A sites of the perovskite. From this fact, the amount of vacant A sites that participate in Li conductivity is given by the expression n(v) = [Li] + square, where square is the nominal vacancy concentration. Substitution of Li by Na decreases the amount of vacancies, reducing drastically the Li conductivity when n(v) approaches the percolation threshold of the perovskite conduction network. In disordered (Li(1-x)Na(x))(0.5)La(0.5)TiO(3) perovskites, the percolation threshold is 0.31; however, in ordered (Li(1-x)Na(x))(0.2)La(0.6)TiO(3) perovskites, this parameter changes to 0.26. Near the percolation threshold, the amount of mobile Li species deduced by (7)Li NMR spectroscopy is lower than that derived from structural formulas but higher than deduced from dc conductivity measurements. Conductivity values have been explained by Monte Carlo simulations, which assume a random walk for Li ions in the conduction network of the perovskite. In these simulations, distribution of vacancies conforms to structural models deduced from ND experiments.     

The crystal chemistry of Ca(10-y)(SiO4)3(SO4)3Cl(2-x-2y)F(x) ellestadite

Fluor-chlorellestadite solid solutions Ca(10)(SiO(4))(3)(SO(4))(3)Cl(2-x)F(x), serving as prototype crystalline matrices for the fixation of hazardous fly ash, were synthesized and characterized by powder X-ray and neutron diffraction (PXRD and PND), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The lattice parameters of the ellestadites vary linearly with composition and show the expected shrinkage of unit cell volume as fluorine (IR = 1.33 ?) displaces chlorine (IR = 1.81 ?). FTIR spectra indicate little or no OH(-) in the solid solutions. All compositions conform to P6(3)/m symmetry where F(-) is located at the 2a (0, 0, (1)/(4)) position, while Cl(-) is displaced out of the 6h Ca(2) triangle plane and occupies 4e (0, 0, z) split positions with z ranging from 0.336(3) to 0.4315(3). Si/S randomly occupy the 6h tetrahedral site. Ellestadites rich in Cl (x ≤ 1.2) show an overall deficiency in halogens (<2 atom per formula unit), particularly Cl as a result of CaCl(2) volatilization, with charge balance achieved by the creation of Ca vacancies (Ca(2+) + 2Cl(-) →□(Ca) + 2□(Cl)) leading to the formula Ca(10-y)(SiO(4))(3)(SO(4))(3)Cl(2-x-2y)F(x). For F-rich compositions the vacancies are found at Ca(2), while for Cl-rich ellestadites, vacancies are at Ca(1). It is likely the loss of CaCl(2) which leads tunnel anion vacancies promotes intertunnel positional disorder, preventing the formation of a P2(1)/b monoclinic dimorph, analogous to that reported for Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)Cl(2). Trends in structure with composition were analyzed using crystal-chemical parameters, whose systematic variations served to validate the quality of the Rietveld refinements.     

XANES and XPS investigations of the local structure and final-state effects in amorphous metal silicates: (ZrO2)(x)(TiO2)(y)(SiO2)(1-x-y)

Amorphous quaternary [(ZrO(2))(x)(TiO(2))(y)(SiO(2))(1-x-y)] and ternary [(ZrO(2))(x)(SiO(2))(1-x)] silicates were synthesized using a sol-gel method and examined via XPS and XANES. Metal silicates are important industrial materials, though structural characterization is complicated because of their amorphous nature. Hard (Ti K- and Zr K-edge) and soft (Ti L(2,3)-edge) X-ray XANES spectra suggest the Ti and Zr coordination numbers in the quaternary silicates remain constant as the metal identity or total metal content (x, y, or x + y in the chemical formula) is varied. XPS core-line spectra from the quaternary silicates show large decreases in Ti 2p(3/2), Zr 3d(5/2), Si 2p(3/2), and O 1s binding energies due to increasing final-state relaxation with greater next-nearest neighbour substitution of Si for less-electronegative Ti/Zr, which was confirmed by analysis of the O Auger parameter. These decreases in binding energy occur without any changes in the ground-state energies (e.g., oxidation state) of these atoms, as examined by Ti L(2,3)-edge, Si L(2,3)-edge, and O K-edge XANES. Because most spectroscopic investigations are concerned with ground-state properties, knowledge of the contributions from final-state effects is important to understand the spectra from materials of interest.