NMR study of monomethylammonium cation in (CH3NH3)5Bi2Cl11 ferroelectric polycrystal

Spin-lattice relaxation times T₁ and T_1ρ are determined for protons in three polycrystals (CH₃NH₃)₅Bi₂Cl₁₁, (CD₃NH₃)₅Bi₂Cl₁₁ and (CH₃ND₃)₅Bi₂Cl₁₁. The temperature dependencies of the relaxation times obtained for (CH₃NH₃)₅Bi₂Cl₁₁ and (CD₃NH₃)₅Bi₂Cl₁₁ are interpreted as a result of correlated motions of the three-proton groups of the monomethylammonium cation. The minimum of the T_1ρ relaxation time is explained as a result of the oscillations of the symmetry axis of the whole cation.     

Effect of glycine substitution on the ferroelectric phase of betaine arsenate [(CH3)3NCH2COO·H3AsO4]

The present work reports an experimental investigation on the influence of glycine (NH₂CH₂COOH) substitution in the polar properties and the critical dynamics of the molecular ferroelectric betaine arsenate, (CH₃)₃NCH₂COO·H₃AsO₄. The dielectric dispersion (20 Hz<ν<3 MHz) and the thermally induced displacement currents are investigated in detail over the extended Curie region of the system (130 K<T<100 K). The results obtained for a single crystal with nominal glycine content of 20% are analyzed, compared with those obtained for pure betaine arsenate and discussed within the scope of a phenomenological Landau model previously used to describe a system with competing ferroelectric and structural instabilities.     

Electronic spectra and nature of transitions in [NH2(C2H5)2]2CuxZn1?xCl4 (x = 0.5, 1) crystals

The absorption spectra of the [NH₂(C₂H₅)₂]₂CuCl₄ crystals grown from a solution in ethyl alcohol and also of solid solutions of [NH₂(C₂H₅)₂]₂Zn_0.5Cu_0.5Cl₄ in the visible spectral region have been investigated in the vicinity of thermochromic phase transitions. It is shown that the phenomenon of thermochromism in these crystalline compounds is primarily related to the replacement of the square-planar geometry of the coordination surrounding of the Cu²⁺ ion by a tetrahedral one.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 71, No. 6, pp. 798–802, November–December, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Thermal and optical properties of the ferroelectric (C3N2H5)5Bi2Cl11 crystal

Thermal (specific heat) and optical (linear birefringence) studies were performed for a new ferroelectric crystal (C₃N₂H₅)₅Bi₂Cl₁₁. Two phase transitions were confirmed and described. The first-order paraelastic-ferroelastic phase transition at 360 K was studied with a polarizing microscope. The continuous second-order phase transition at 165 K to the ferroelectric phase is described by the Landau model using specific heat and linear birefringence data. The Landau expansion coefficients B and C are of an order of magnitude higher than the closely related ferroelectric crystal; MAPCB — (CH₃NH₃)₅Bi₂Cl₁₁. Thermal parameters (such as the excess enthalpy and the excess entropy ) of the continuous transition were estimated and discussed. The ‘two-site’ model describing the motion of three of the five imidazolium cations, which is proposed from the structural studies, is fully confirmed by the data from the ac-calorimetric measurements.     

Enhanced dielectric and ferroelectric properties of Pb1−3x/2Lax(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3 thin films with low lanthanum substitution

Effects of lanthanum (La) substitution (0.003 ≤ x ≤ 0.015) on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of Pb(Zr_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ thin films have been investigated. The films were synthesized on the Pt (1 1 1)/Ti/SiO₂/Si (1 0 0) substrates by a sol-gel method. Large dielectric constants of the films are obtained within range of 800-1600 which are almost comparable to those observed in bulk ceramics. The films also show improved remnant polarization values and reduced coercive field values with the increasing addition of La substitution. Our results suggest that low La substitution contributes to enhance film electric properties due to the improvement of non-180° domain wall mobility as well as the stabilization of tetragonal phase.     

Phase transitions and electrical properties of CsH(SO4)0.76(SeO4)0.24 mixed crystals

The study by X-ray diffraction, calorimetry, vibrational and impedance spectroscopy of CsH(SO₄)_0.76(SeO₄)_0.24 new solid solution is presented. Crystals of this composition undergo two phase transitions at T = 333 and 408 K. The last one at 408 K is a superionic-protonic transition (SPT) related to a rapid [HS(Se)O₄⁻] reorientation and fast H⁺ diffusion. A sudden jump in the conductivity plot confirms the presence of this transition. Above 408 K, this high temperature phase is characterized by high electrical conductivity (7 × 10^t-3 Ω⁻ cm⁻¹) and low activation energy (E_a < 0.3 eV).     

Dichroism of (CH3NH3)2CdCl4 in the farinfrared

The dielectric constant of (CH₃NH₃)₂ CdCl₄ has been measured as a function of temperature in the submillimeter range. Freshly grown samples with a wide domain structure at room temperature show a pronounced dichroism in this spectral range which is caused by the orientation of the molecules in the room temperature orthorhombic phase and their response to the electromagnetic wave.     

Dielectric, ferroelectric and pyroelectric properties of Pb[(Ni1/3Sb2/3)xTiyZrz]O3 ceramics

In the present study, various Pb[(Ni_1/3Sb_2/3)_xTi_yZr_z]O₃ where x+y+z=1, x=0.08 and y=0.44-0.49, ceramics in the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) range were studied by dielectric and pyroelectric methods. The results of the investigations revealed an MPB composition range of y≅0.46. The study of the dielectric properties of these compounds as a function of temperature suggests that with increase in y the permittivity maximum increases and transition temperature shifts towards higher temperature. Well-saturated polarization versus electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops were obtained and values of P_r were calculated. The samples revealed good pyroelectric properties for y=0.44 and y=0.45 at room temperature with large figures of merit F_v=0.019 m²/C and F_D=1.34×10^-5Pa^1/2.     

Pyroelectric properties in three phases coexistence Pb[(Mn0.33Nb0.67)0.5(Mn0.33Sb0.67)0.5]0.08(ZrxTi1−x)0.92O3 lead ceramics

The bulk dense Pb[(Mn_0.33Nb_0.67)_0.5(Mn_0.33Sb_0.67)_0.5]_0.08(Zr_xTi_1−x)_0.92O₃ pyroelectric ceramics have been successfully prepared by the conventional solid method. The effect of three phases coexistence in the ceramics is studied. When x = 0.95 and 0.85 in the ceramics, the maximum pyroelectric coefficient peaks appear at 23 °C and 45 °C, and the maximum values are 26.5 × 10⁻⁴ C/m² °C and 25.5 × 10⁻⁴ C/m² °C, respectively. The maximum pyroelectric coefficient appears large while the peaks widths are small. When the two kinds of ceramic powders mixed with the mol ratio of 2:1, the pyroelectric coefficient of the ceramics is above 10.0 × 10⁻⁴ C/m² °C in a broad temperature range from 20 °C to 55 °C. The possible physical mechanism of the temperature broadened phenomenon is briefly discussed.     

Crystal structure and thermal behavior of two new organic monosulfates NH3(CH2)5NH3SO4 1.5H2O and NH3(CH2)9NH3SO4 H2O

The chemical preparation, the calorimetric studies and the crystal structure are given for two new organic sulfates NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃SO₄ 1.5H₂O (DAP-S) and NH₃(CH₂)₉NH₃SO₄·H₂O (DAN-S). DAP-S is monoclinic P2₁/n with unit cell dimensions: a=11.9330(2) Å; b=10.9290(2) Å; c=17.5260(2) Å; β=101.873(1)°; V=2236.77(6) Å³; and Z=8. Its atomic arrangement is described as inorganic layers of units and water molecules separated by organic chains. DAN-S is monoclinic P2₁/c with unit cell parameters: a=5.768(2) Å; b=25.890(10) Å; c=11.177(5) Å; β=115.70(4)°; V=1504.0(11) Å³ and Z=4. Its structure exhibits infinite chains, parallel to the [100] direction where the organic cations are interconnected. In both structures a network of strong and weak hydrogen bonds connects the different components in the building of the crystal.     

Electrical characteristics and low-temperature sintering of BiFeO3-modified Pb(Zr,Ti)O3–Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3–Pb(Mn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics with ZnO addition

Effects of ZnO addition on electrical properties and low-temperature sintering of BiFeO₃-modified Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃–Pb(Fe_2/3W_1/3)O₃–Pb(Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ were investigated. The investigations revealed that the sintering temperature can be decreased to 950 °C, and the favorable properties were obtained with 0.10 wt% ZnO added ceramics. The electrical properties were as follows: d₃₃ = 313 pC/N, K_p = 0.56, tan δ = 0.0053, ε_r = 1407 and T_c = 295 °C, which showed that this system was a promising material for the multilayer devices application.     

Dielectric and pyroelectric activities in Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3 ceramics: The role of the phase transition effects

Pure and Nb-doped Pb(Zr_1−xTi_x)O₃ (x = 0.47, 0.48, 0.50) ceramics were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction technique. Dielectric anomalies are observed in both kinds of samples near room temperature. The anomalies could be depressed by donor doping and prefer to be significant in ceramics with tetragonal crystallographic phase. Phase transition mechanism and domain wall pinning effect are proposed to explain this anomaly, and the former is considered as the dominated reason. Further results of the pyroelectric measurements confirm the existence of the ferroelectric–ferroelectric phase transition.     

Microwave dielectric properties of high quality factor La(Mg0.5−xCaxSn0.5)O3 ceramics

The microwave dielectric properties of La(Mg_0.5−xCa_xSn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were examined with a view to their exploitation for wireless communications. The La(Mg_0.5−xCa_xSn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state method with various sintering temperatures. The La(Mg_0.5−xCa_xSn_0.5)O₃ ceramics contained Ca₂SnO_4, CaSnO₃, and La₂O₃. The amount of Ca₂SnO₄ increased with increasing sintering temperature. However, the relative amount of CaSnO₃ decreased with increasing sintering temperature. An apparent density of 6.52 g/cm³, a dielectric constant (ε_r) of 20.2, a quality factor (Q×f) of 80,500 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of −79 ppm/°C were obtained for La(Mg_0.4Ca_0.1Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics that were sintered at 1500 °C for 4 h.     

Dielectric and AC ionic conductivity investigations in K3H(SeO4)2 single crystal

Optical observation under the polarizing microscope and DSC measurements on K₃H(SeO₄)₂ single crystal have been carried out in the temperature range 25-200 °C. It reveals a high-temperature structural phase transition at around 110 °C. The crystal system transformed from monoclinic to trigonal. Electrical impedance measurements of K₃H(SeO₄)₂ were performed as a function of both temperature and frequency. The electrical conduction and dielectric relaxation have been studied. The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity indicates that the sample crystal became a fast ionic conductor in the high-temperature phase. The frequency dependence of conductivity follows the Jonscher's universal dynamic law with the relation σ(ω)=σ(0)+Aωⁿ, where ω is the frequency of the AC field, and n is the exponent. The obtained n values decrease from 1.2 to 0.1 from the room temperature phase to fast ionic phase. The high ionic conductivity in the high-temperature phase is explained by the dynamical disordering of protons between the neighboring SeO₄ groups, which provide more vacant sites in the crystal.     

Anisotropic dielectric properties of PbYb1/2Ta1/2O3 single crystals

PbYb_1/2Ta_1/2O₃ single crystals were obtained for the first time. They were grown by the flux method. The PbOPbF₂B₂O₃ system was used as a solvent. Dielectric investigations were carried out in 1 0 0_c, 1 1 0_c and 1 1 1_c pseudocubic directions. These studies pointed to anisotropy of dielectric properties. Frequency-independent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima related to the antiferroelectric–paraelectric (AFE—PE) phase transition are observed for all directions at 562 K. The frequency-dependent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima near 400 K related to the ferroelectric (FE)–AFE phase transition are observed only in 1 1 1_c direction. The hysteresis loops were observed in this direction only. These results point that ferroelectric relaxor properties appear only in 1 1 1_c direction. We propose to consider the ferroelectric phase as ferrielectric one.     

Successive phase transitions in tetra(isopropylamine)decachlorotricadmate (II) [(CH3)2CH NH3]4Cd3Cl10] crystal - Dielectric and dilatometric studies

Single crystal of a new [(CH₃)₂CHNH₃]₄Cd₃Cl₁₀ compound was grown and its properties have been characterized by dielectric and dilatometric investigations. Dielectric measurement evidenced the phase transitions at T₁ = 352.8 K, T₂ = 293.5 K and T₃ = 261.5 K on cooling run. Dilatometric measurement of thermal expansion showed clearly two successive phase transitions at T₁ and at T₂. No temperature hysteresis was observed for phase transitions at T₁ and T₂. Large temperature hysteresis was observed at T₃ in dielectric studies. Transitions at T₁ and T₃ are classified as a first order and at T₂ as a continuous one. Anomalies of electric permittivity and expansion connected with the transitions are observed at practically the same temperatures and close to those observed earlier in DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) studies. Results of dilatometric studies were applied to estimate critical coefficient β for continuous phase transition at T₁ which is equal to 0.40 ± 0.01.     

Magnetic resonances in (CH3NH3)2MnCl4

We have studied the magnetic excitations of (CH₃NH₃)₂MnCl₄ in the antiferromagnetic and in the spin-flop regimes by means of magnetic resonance in the millimeter range (60–100 GHz). Rather odd line shapes of the resonance absorption line for narrow lines are explained as interference effects between the resonant and the non-resonant circular wave in the sample. For the antiferromagnetic resonance (AFMR) and for the paramagnetic resonance (EPR, above the Néel temperature), we have also studied the line width as a function of temperature.     

Chlorine K X-ray absorption-edge structures of CIS-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2], trans-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2], trans-[Pd(NH3)2Cl2] and (NH4)2PdCl4

The K absorption-edge spectra of the ligand chlorine ion in square-planar complex compounds cis- and trans-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂], trans-[Pd(NH₃)₂Cl₂], and (NH₄)₂PdCl₄ are reported and discussed in connection with the chlorine K absorption spectra of K₂PtCl₄ and K₂PdCl₄, reported previously. The observed chemical shift of a white line at the absorption threshold is interpreted in terms of the difference of the ligand-field splitting of electronic states for metal ions. The white line is attributed to the electronic transition from the Cl^? ls level to the lowest unoccupied antibonding molecular orbital (MO), which is specified by a $\text{MO}\text{b}{}_{\mathrm{1g}}\text{(σ}{}^1\text{)}$ in the square-planar complex with D_4h symmetry. The other absorption structures are regarded as continuum “shape resonances” of the outgoing electron trapped by the cage of the surrounding atoms. The effect of geometrical isomerism is found in the chlorine K absorption spectra of cis- and trans-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂].     

Crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of Mn-doped ((Ka0.5Na0.5)0.935Li0.065)NbO3 lead-free ceramics

In this study, ceramics in Mn-doped ((Ka_0.5Na_0.5)_0.935Li_0.065)NbO₃ ceramics (Mn content = 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 1.50 mol%) were successfully prepared by the conventional mixed-oxide technique. The crystal structure was identified by XRD as a single-phase perovskite structure with tetragonal symmetry. The valence of Mn ions, characterized by the synchrotron XAS technique, was seen to change from Mn⁴⁺ to Mn³⁺ during the formation of the crystal. The valence state of Mn strongly affected the crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of the ceramics. The ferroelectric parameters show the decrease of remnant polarization and the increase of the coercive field with increasing MnO₂ content. The results confirm the Mn³⁺ in KNNL perovskite lattices, leading to the formation of oxygen vacancies and hardening effects.     

Crystal structure and phase transitions of [(C2H5)4N]6Bi8Cl30

A new [(C₂H₅)₄N]₆Bi₈Cl₃₀ crystal of the family of alkylammonium halogenobismuthates was grown. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the crystals are monoclinic, space group C2/m with a = 20.117(5), b = 12.682(3), c = 20.396(5) Å, β = 93.03(3), Z =2. The lattice consists of (C₂H₅)₄N⁺ cations and a new type of Bi₈Cl⁶⁻₃₀ anion. Dielectric studies revealed two closely-lying structural phase transitions around 241 K (on cooling). They were interpreted as due to a freezing of the rotational motions of tetraethylammonium cations.