Weakly bound oxygen and its role in stability of solid solutions La1−x Sr x FeO3−δ

In the present study high-temperature X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and mass-spectrometry have been employed for investigation of samples in the La_1?x Sr _x FeO_3?δ family (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), the materials being solid solutions having perovskite structure. It has been shown that the loss of oxygen by the samples on heating to 1200°C in air (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) or in vacuum (x < 0.75) does not result in structural rearrangement of the solid solutions, but causes an increase in the lattice parameters. Heating of the compositions with x ≥ 0.75 in vacuum affords phases with ordered vacancies. The observed structural evolutions (growth of the unit cell parameter and vacancy ordering) are reversible, and on re-oxidation (on cooling in air or additional heating of the “vacuum” samples in air atmosphere) the original parameters of the oxides are recovered. The amount of oxygen evolved on heating increases in vacuum or in helium atmosphere, as compared to air, and also grows with rising strontium content, but under experimental conditions does not reach the maximum possible value (δ = x/2).     

Ab initio and empirical defect modeling of LaMnO(3±δ) for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

Sr doped LaMnO(3) is a perovskite widely used for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathodes. Therefore, there is significant interest in its defect chemistry. However, due to coupling of defect reactions and inadequate constraints of the defect reaction equilibrium constants obtained from thermogravimetry analysis, large discrepancies (up to 4 eV) exist in the literature for defect energetics for Sr doped LaMnO(3). In this work we demonstrate how ab initio energetics and empirical modelling can be combined to develop a defect model for LaMnO(3). Defect formation enthalpies, including concentration dependence due to defect interactions, are extracted from ab initio energies calculated at various defect concentrations. Defect formation entropies for the defect reactions in LaMnO(3) involving O(2-)(solid) ? ?O(2)(gas) + 2e(-) are shown to be accessible through combining the gas phase thermodynamics and simple models for the solid phase vibrational contributions. This simple treatment introduces a useful constraint on fitting defect formation entropies. The predicted defect concentrations from the model show good agreement with experimental oxygen nonstoichiometry vs. P(O(2)) for a wide range of temperatures (T = 873-1473 K), suggesting the effectiveness of the ab initio defect energetics in describing the defect chemistry of LaMnO(3). Further incorporating a temperature dependent charge disproportionation energy within 0.0-0.2 eV, the model is capable of describing both defect chemistry and oxygen tracer diffusivity of LaMnO(3). The model suggests an important role for defect interactions which are typically excluded from LaMnO(3) defect models, and sensitivity of the oxygen defect concentration to the charge disproportionation energy in the high P(O(2)) region. Similar approaches to those used here can be used to model the defect chemistry for other complex oxides.     

A study of the thermal analysis of the solid solution (AgxK1−xNO3

The effect of partial replacement of K⁺ by Ag⁺ in the mixed system of KNO₃ and AgNO₃ during a set of DSC heating cycles was studied by means of a modern computerized DSC system. Thermal analysis was performed in the vicinity of the phase transition II I for pure KNO₃. The results revealed a large change in enthalpy and the phase transition temperature close to the morphotropic boundary x=0.5–0.6. At this boundary, the transformation enthalpy reached the maximum value of 101 J g^–1. On the basis of the data obtained from this accurate thermal analysis work, a model is suggested for the energy barrier of rotation of the nitrate ion in the mixed nitrate system.     

Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of Sr0.95La0.05TiO3−δ-TiO2 solid solutions

Sr_0.95La_0.05TiO_3?δ solid solutions, combined with 10 mol% TiO₂, were prepared at different temperatures. When sintered at a suitable temperature, the Seebeck coefficient presents the same behavior at high temperatures as that of Sr_0.95La_0.05TiO_3?δ ceramic. Otherwise, the Seebeck coefficient would be smaller. After introducing TiO₂, both of the thermal and electrical conductivity are reduced. The sample sintered at 1350 °C exhibits the highest ZT of about 0.2, which slightly larger than that of Sr_0.95La_0.05TiO_3?δ ceramic.     

Synthesis and characterization of the ZnxCd1−xIn2S4 pseudoternary solid solution

We have synthesized several compounds of the Zn_xCd_1−xIn₂S₄ family by solid phase reactions and chemical transport reactions using iodine. The reaction products have been characterized as to composition, structure, and lattice dynamics. Here we discuss and compare the different results obtained by the two synthesis methods.     

Thermodynamic quantities and defect equilibrium in La2−xSrxNiO4+δ

In order to elucidate the relation between thermodynamic quantities, the defect structure, and the defect equilibrium in La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ, statistical thermodynamic calculation is carried out and calculated results are compared to those obtained from experimental data. Partial molar enthalpy of oxygen and partial molar entropy of oxygen are obtained from δ-P(O₂)-T relation by using Gibbs-Helmholtz equation. Statistical thermodynamic model is derived from defect equilibrium models proposed before by authors, localized electron model and delocalized electron model which could well explain the variation of oxygen content of La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ. Although assumed defect species and their equilibrium are different, the results of thermodynamic calculation by localized electron model and delocalized electron model show minor difference. Calculated results by the both models agree with the thermodynamic quantities obtained from oxygen nonstoichiometry of La_2−xSr_xNiO_4+δ.     

Thermodynamic quantities for the ionization of nitric acid in aqueous solution from 250 to 319°C

The aqueous reaction, HNO₃(aq)=H⁺+NO ₃ ^– was studied as a function of ionic strength I at 250, 275, 300 and 319°C using a flow calorimeter and the equilibrium constant K and enthalpy change (H) at I=0 were determined. Using these experimental values, equations describing logK, H, the entropy change S and the heat capacity change C _p of reaction at I=0 and temperatures from 250 to 319°C were derived. The increasing importance of ion association as temperature rises was discussed. The use of an equation containing identical numbers of positive and identical numbers of negative charges on both sides of the equal sign (isocoulombic reaction principle) was applied to the logK values reported here and to those determined by others. The resulting plot of logK for the isocoulombic reaction vs. 1/T was fairly linear which supports the postulate that the principle is a useful technique for the extrapolation of logK values from low to high temperatures.Presented at the Second International Symposium on Chemistry in High Temperature Water, Provo, UT, August 1991.     

Thermodynamic quantities for the interaction of Cl− with Mg2+, Ca2+ and H+ in aqueous solution from 250 to 325°C

The aqueous reactions, Mg²⁺+Cl^–=MgCl⁺, Ca²⁺+Cl^–=CaCl⁺, and H⁺ +Cl^–=HCl(aq), were studied as a function of ionic strength at 250, 275, 300, and 325°C using a flow calorimetric technique. The logK, H, S and C_p values were determined from the fits of the calculated and experimental heast. The data were reduced assuming a known functionality of the activity coefficient. Hence, the logK, H, S and C_p values determined in this study are dependent on the activity coefficient model used. These thermodynamic values were compared with literature results. The logK values for the formation of MgCl⁺ agree reasonably well with those reported in the literature. The logK values for CaCl⁺ formation agree reasonably well with those reported in the literature at 300 and 325°C. At lower temperatures, the agreement is poorer. The logK values for the formation of HCl(aq) are generally lower than those reported in the literature. The logK, H, S and C_p values for all three ion association reactions are positive and increase with temperature over the temperature range studied. These values are the first determined calorimetrically for the formation of MgCl⁺ and CaCl⁺ in the temperature range 275–325°C.Presented at the Second International Symposium on Chemistry in High Temperature Water, Provo, UT, August 1991.     

Structure,nonstoichiometry and magnetic properties of the perovskites Sr1−xCaxMnO3−δ

The structural, thermal and magnetic properties of the perovskite-type alkaline-earth manganites of the series Sr_1−xCa_xMnO_3−δ (0⩽x⩽1) were investigated. SrMnO_3−δ forms a hexagonal perovskite lattice and shows a first-order transformation to a highly defective cubic high-temperature modification. By substituting Ca for Sr (x>0.25) the hexagonal perovskite is suppressed and a cubic (or orthorhombic) lattice becomes stabilized for all temperatures. For x=0.5 and 0.75 cubic perovskites with a large nonstoichiometry (e.g., δ=0.25 for x=0.5) are obtained at 1400 °C. The defective perovskites are prepared by either quenching from high temperature or by cooling in an inert atmosphere. The oxygen vacancies are easily filled by subsequent reoxidation at low temperature (400–600 °C) and stoichiometric samples are obtained. Orthorhombic perovskites are formed at T⩽1200 °C with the nonstoichiometry δ increasing with increasing temperature (e.g., δ=0.06 at 1000 °C and δ=0.14 at 1200 °C for x=0.5). Slow cooling in air results in almost complete reoxidation (δ=0). CaMnO_3−δ is an orthorhombic perovskite with a large range of nonstoichiometry (0⩽δ⩽0.30). The cubic to hexagonal phase transformation of the Sr-rich samples is accompanied by a large expansion of the lattice that is reduced by Ca substitution. The Ca/Sr-manganites are antiferromagnets with T_N of 170 K for x=0.5 and δ=0.02 and 120 K for x=1 and δ=0.05.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the hypophosphite and phosphite anions,H2PO2−2 and HPO2−3, and of their deuteriated analogues in the solid state and in aqueous solution

A full vibrational spectroscopic study of sodium hypophosphite, sodium phosphite and their deuteriated analogues has been made. The vibrations characteristic of the hypophosphite anion have been assigned and the presence of a previously unreported band has been established for the Raman spectrum of the aqueous solution. The first Raman study of deuteriated sodium phosphite has been undertaken and a full vibrational assignment is given.     

Atoms state and interatomic interactions in perovskite-like oxides: XXXII. Formation of paramagnetic clusters in the La1−0.33x Ca0.33x Fe x Al1−x O3 and La1−0.33x Sr0.33x Fe x Al1−x O3 solid solutions

Calcium- and strontium-containing lanthanum orthoferrites have been studied using magnetic dilution method. It has been shown that the iron-atom clusters with competing ferro- and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions can exist. By using Mossbauer spectroscopy, Fe(IV) atoms have been found in the La_1?0.33x Ca_0.33x Fe_xAl_1?x O₃ solid solutions and Fe(III) atoms in two different surroundings have been found in the La_1?0.33x Sr_0.33x Fe _x Al_1?x O₃ solid solutions. The compositions of paramagnetic clusters stable at the infinite dilution have been proposed basing of the magnetic susceptibility and Mossbauer spectroscopy data.     

Structural investigation of the Zn1−xCdxSb solid solution by density-functional theory approach

A peculiar behaviour was already reported in literature from experimental investigations in the Zn_1?xCd_xSb solid solution around x = 0.5. This behaviour was assumed to be linked to an ordering in the phase; however this assumption was never confirmed. The aim of this work was to understand this behaviour from a theoretical point of view. DFT calculations were performed to calculate the energy and the lattice parameters for all the possible structures of Zn_1?xCd_xSb with several compositions (x = 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5, 0.625, 0.75, 0.875, 1.0). The results show that an ordering appears in the most stable structure for x = 0.5. This ordering consists in stacked planes each containing only one chemical species.     

Poly(ethylene oxide) irradiated in the solid state,melt and aqueous solution—a DSC and WAXD study

Interactions of the aggregate state of poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, and γ-irradiation conditions (total dose, atmosphere) on its thermal and crystalline properties were investigated by DSC and WAXD taking into account sample molecular mass and form. In PEO irradiated in the solid state and in the presence of oxygen, chain scission dominated over concurrent crosslinking up to 200 kGy, particularly in PEO powders, due to a large surface being in contact with air. In solid samples the degree of crystallinity and crystallite size increased with the dose up to 50 kGy, probably not just due to partial crystallization upon degradation of amorphous phase, but to recrystallization of broken tie molecules. The least changes in crystallinity and phase transformation temperatures occurred in solid films. A substantial decrease in crystallinity and transformation temperatures without the initial crystallinity increase was achieved in samples that were amorphous on irradiation, at temperatures above the PEO melting temperature and in aqueous solutions. Radiation crosslinking of the PEO aqueous solution in an inert atmosphere is the most suitable way to obtain a lower degree of crystallinity and phase transformation temperatures while preserving mechanical properties.     

Spectroscopic properties and luminescence concentration quenching of the Pr3+ ion in La1−xPrxOCl

Luminescence spectra ofLa_1−xPr_xOCl(0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) were recorded at liquid helium and room temperature. From these spectra, the energy level diagram of Pr³⁺ in LaOCl was deduced. The decay times of the Pr³⁺ emission in La_1−xPr_xOCl were measured using a high-resolution dye laser system. The linear concentration quenching and exponential decay times are explained assuming cross relaxation and energy transfer between the Pr³⁺ ions.     

Thermodynamic characteristics and phase equilibria in the alloys of the Ge–La system

Mixing enthalpies of melts of the Ge–La system have been measured using isoperibolic calorimetry within two concentration ranges. For the first range (0 < x _La < 0.16 at 1520 K and 0.16 < x _La < 0.29 at 1570 K), agreement with the known literature data is observed within the experimental error. The second range (0.78 < x _La < 1 at 1470 K and 0.7 < x _La < 0.78 at 1580 K) has been studied for the first time. The melts are characterized by very strong exothermal effects of mixing, which have almost symmetrical concentration dependence: ΔH? _La ^∞ = ΔH? _Ge ^∞ = ?245 kJ/mol at 1470 K. A thermodynamic optimization of the activities of the components and the phase diagram of the system have been conducted based on the obtained experimental data, using an ideal associated solution (IAS) model.     

Inclusion of Paracetamol into β-cyclodextrin nanocavities in solution and in the solid state

We report on steady-state UV-visible absorption and emission characteristics of Paracetamol, drug used as antipyretic agent, in water and within cyclodextrins (CDs): β-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HP-β-CD) and 2,6-dimethyl-β-CD (Me-β-CD). The results reveal that Paracetamol forms a 1:1 inclusion complex with CD. Upon encapsulation, the emission intensity enhances, indicating a confinement effect of the nanocages on the photophysical behavior of the drug. Due to its methyl groups, the Me-β-CD shows the largest effect for the drug. The observed binding constant showing the following trend: Me-β-CD>HP-β-CD>β-CD. The less complexing effectiveness of HP-β-CD is due to the steric effect of the hydroxypropyl-substituents, which can hamper the inclusion of the guest molecules. The solid state inclusion complex was prepared by co-precipitation method and its characterization was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR and X-ray diffractometry. These approaches indicated that Paracetamol was able to form an inclusion complex with CDs, and the inclusion compounds exhibited different spectroscopic features and properties from Paracetamol.     

Magnetic properties of quasi-two-dimensional La1−xSr1+xMnO4 and the evolution of itinerant electron ferromagnetism in the SrO · (La1−xSrxMnO3)n system

Quasi-two-dimensional oxides of the La_1−xSr_1+xMnO₄ system, possessing the K₂NiF₄ structure, show no evidence for ferromagnetic ordering in contrast to the corresponding three-dimensional La_1−xSr_xMnO₃ perovskites. Instead, there is an increasing tendency toward antiferromagnetic ordering with increasingx in La_1−xSr_1+xMnO₄. Furthermore, these oxides are relatively high-resistivity materials over the entire compositional range. Substitution of Ba for Sr in La_0.5Sr_1.5MnO₄ decreases the ferromagnetic interaction. Increasing the number of perovskite layers in SrO · (La_1−xSr_xMnO₃)_n causes an increase in electrical conductivity as well as ferromagnetic interaction. The oxide becomes a highly conducting ferromagnet whenn ≥ 2.     

Charge transfer instability in a mixed Ir/Rh honeycomb lattice in Li2Ir1−xRhxO3 solid solution

The solid solution series Li₂Ir_1-xRh_xO₃ is synthesized for several values of x between 0 and 1. The compounds possess a monoclinic layered structure (space group C2/m) throughout the solid solution range with the lattice constants following Vegard's relationship. Magnetization and resistivity data below room temperature are presented. The effective magnetic moment (μ_eff) is reduced below the value obtained by interpolating between the end-members, presumably due to nearest neighbor charge exchange leading to non-magnetic Ir⁵⁺/Rh³⁺ pairs. Surprisingly, the degree of reduction of μ_eff cannot be explained by a random mixture of Ir and Rh and, in particular, is strongly asymmetric around x = 0.5. This anomalous moment reduction possibly results from the difference in on-site Coulomb repulsion between Ir and Rh ions.     

Synthesis and characterization of A-site deficient rare-earth doped BaZrxTi1−xO3 perovskite-type compounds

A-site deficient rare-earth doped BaZr_xTi_1?xO₃ (BZT) ceramics were prepared from a soft-chemistry route and by solid-state reaction (SSR). Perovskite-like single-phase diagrams for the BaTiO₃–La_2/3TiO₃–BaZrO₃ system were constructed for each method of synthesis. Infrared spectroscopy on (Ba_1?yLa_2y/3)Zr_xTi_1?xO₃ solid solution revealed a dramatic stress on the M–O (M = Ti, Zr) bonds due to the combined effect of A-site vacancies and the lower ionic radius of La³⁺ than that of Ba²⁺. A relationship between the M–O stretching vibration (υ) and the tolerance factor (t) was determined. (Ba_1?yLn_2y/3)Zr_0.09Ti_0.91O₃ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd) samples synthesized by SSR were selected for detailed studies. X-ray diffraction data were refined by the Rietveld method. Scanning electron microscopy on sintered compacts detected abnormal crystal growth and grain sizes in the range of about 1 μm up to 10 μm when the dopant concentration is 6.7 at. %. Impedance measurements exhibited that ferroelectric to paraelectric phase-transition temperature shifted to lower values as increasing rare-earth content. (Ba_1?yLn_2y/3)Zr_0.09Ti_0.91O₃ system showed a diffuse phase transition with a relaxor-like ferroelectric behaviour. Furthermore, the dielectric constant was enhanced with respect to non-doped BZT system.