The reciprocal CuInS2+2CdSe⇔CuInSe2+2CdS system—Part II: Liquid-solid equilibria in the system

The phase equlibria in the reciprocal system CuInSe₂+2CdS⇔CuInS₂+2CdSe were investigated by differential thermal and X-ray phase analysis. The phase diagrams of a series of vertical sections, a liquidus surface projection and a spatial phase diagram were constructed. It was established that the addition of cadmium chalcogenides leads to the stabilization of the cubic modifications of the ternary compounds, which form a continuous solid solution series, at the annealing temperatures. The boundaries of the solid solutions were determined by the change of the unit cell parameters; the isothermal sections at 620 and 870 K were constructed.     

Phase diagram for the system KVO3 + NH4HCO3 + NH4VO3 + KHCO3 + H2O at 303 K

Solubility data of the KVO₃ + NH₄HCO₃ + NH₄VO₃ + KHCO₃ + H₂O system at 303 K were determined under varying pressure conditions. The results were used to construct a phase diagram in the oblique projection according to Jänecke's method. At constant p and T this diagram includes two invariant points, five double saturated liquid curves, and four crystallization fields corresponding to KVO₃, NH₄HCO₃, NH₄VO₃, and KHCO₃. It has been found that ammonium meta-vanadate is a sparingly soluble salt. NH₄VO₃ and KHCO₃ compose the stable pair of salts, whereas KVO₃ and NH₄HCO₃ form the unstable salt-pair. A thorough knowledge of the solubility phase diagram for this reciprocal quaternary salt system is the theoretical basis of the carbonation process of the potassium meta-vanadate saturated ammonia solution.     

The La0.95Ni0.6Fe0.4O3-CeO2 system: Phase equilibria, crystal structure of components and transport properties

Phase equilibria, crystal structure, and transport properties in the (100−x) La_0.95Ni_0.6Fe_0.4O₃-xCeO₂ (LNFCx) system (x=2-75 mol%) were studied in air. Evolution of phase compositions and crystal structure of components was observed. The LNFCx (2≤x≤10) are three-phase and comprise the perovskite phase with rhombohedral symmetry (R3?c), the modified ceria with fluorite structure (Fm3?m), and NiO as a secondary phase. These multiphase compositions exhibit metallic-like conductivity above 300 °C. Their conductivity gradually decreases from 395.6 to 260.6 S/cm, whereas the activation energy remains the same (E_a=0.04-0.05 eV), implying the decrease in the concentration of charge carriers. Phase compositions in the LNFCx (25≤x≤75) are more complicated. A change from semiconducting to metallic-like conductivity behavior was observed in LNFC25 at about 550 °C. The conductivity of LNFCx (25≤x≤75) could be explained in terms of a modified simple mixture model.     

Phase diagram features and solidification behaviour of CoCu2O3 at elevated oxygen pressure

A unique behaviour of the phase CoCu₂O₃ was found both from CALPHAD calculations and directional solidification experiments. For elevated oxygen partial pressure the solidification mode changed from double-peritectic to a congruent melting behaviour with respect to the metals (Cu, Co) and to the oxygen content. This transition predicted by the phase diagram calculations was confirmed by microstructure and phase analyses of samples solidified at oxygen pressures up to 60 bar. A DTA analysis has verified basic features of the phase diagram at normal pressures.     

Density and phase diagram of the magnesium–lead system in the region of Mg2Pb intermetallic compound

The phase diagram of magnesium–lead system has been investigated by a new method for phase analysis on the basis of a strong penetrating radiation. The measurements have shown that the standard phase diagram of this system contains inaccuracy in the region of the Mg₂Pb intermetallic compound. New data on the temperature dependences of the solid and the melt densities have been obtained. The density change during the phase transitions has been directly measured.     

Phase formation in the systems Li2MoO4-K2MoO4-Ln2(MoO4)3 (Ln=La, Nd, Dy, Er) and properties of triple molybdates LiKLn2(MoO4)4

Subsolidus phase relations in the systems Li₂MoO₄-K₂MoO₄-Ln₂(MoO₄)₃ (Ln=La, Nd, Dy, Er) were determined. Formation of LiKLn₂(MoO₄)₄ was confirmed in the systems with Ln=Nd, Dy, Er at the LiLn(MoO₄)₂-KLn(MoO₄)₂ joins. No intermediate phases of other compositions were found. No triple molybdates exist in the system Li₂MoO₄-K₂MoO₄-La₂(MoO₄)₃. The join LiLa(MoO₄)₂-KLa(MoO₄)₂ is characterized by formation of solid solutions.Triple molybdates LiKLn₂(MoO₄)₄ for Ln=Nd-Lu, Y were synthesized by solid state reactions (single phases with ytterbium and lutetium were not prepared). Crystal and thermal data for these molybdates were determined. Compounds LiKLn₂(MoO₄)₄ form isostructural series and crystallized in the monoclinic system with the unit cell parameters a=5.315-5.145 Å, b=12.857-12.437 Å, c=19.470-19.349 Å, β=92.26-92.98°. When heated, the compounds decompose in solid state to give corresponding double molybdates. The dome-shaped curve of the decomposition temperatures of LiMLn₂(MoO₄)₄ has the maximum in the Gd-Tb-Dy region.While studying the system Li₂MoO₄-K₂MoO₄-Dy₂(MoO₄)₃ we revealed a new low-temperature modification of KDy(MoO₄)₂ with the triclinic structure of α-KEu(MoO₄)₂¹ (a=11.177(2) Å, b=5.249(1) Å, c=6.859(1) Å, α=112.33(2)°, β=111.48(1)°, γ=91.30(2)°, space group , Z=2).     

Effects of Mn substitution on the structure and properties of chalcopyrite-type CuInSe2

Mn-doped CuInSe₂ compounds (CuIn_1−xMn_xSe₂, x=0.0125–0.20 and Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂, 2y=0.0125–0.60) were synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions. Single phase materials with chalcopyrite structure persist up to 0.10 and 0.20 doping for CuIn_1−xMn_xSe₂ and Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂, respectively. The chalcopyrite and sphalerite phases co-exist in the Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂ system for 2y=0.25–0.50. Attempts to introduce greater manganese content, x=0.15–0.20 for CuIn_1−xMn_xSe₂ and 2y=0.60 for Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂, result in partial phase segregation. For the single-phase samples, the lattice parameters of both systems increase linearly with manganese concentration and thus follow Vegard's law. The temperature of the chalcopyrite–sphalerite phase transition is decreased by manganese substitution for all single-phase samples. The bandgap of the materials remains around 0.9 eV. Additionally, the Mn-doped CuInSe₂ compounds display paramagnetic behavior, whereas pure CuInSe₂ is diamagnetic at 5–300 K. All the CuIn_1−xMn_xSe₂ and Cu_1−yIn_1−yMn_2ySe₂ compounds with chalcopyrite structure show antiferromagnetic coupling and measured effective magnetic moments up to 5.8 μ_B/Mn.     

CuInS2/CdS基掺杂纳米晶的晶体结构、光谱性质及性能调控研究

多功能纳米晶的制备、性能及其应用是材料、化学、能源、生物医学等领域十分关注的课题之一。基于掺杂调控纳米晶生长和性能的思想,发展了纳米晶修饰和复合的概念和技术,使用绿色安全的化学溶液法结合外延生长技术合成了巯基丙酸(MPA)包覆的掺杂CuInS₂/CdS基纳米晶材料。通过适当调整掺杂异价离子的种类,实现了对CuInS₂/CdS基纳米晶显微结构和性能的调控,获得了具有特定相结构、组分、尺度和光学性能(吸收性质、光学带隙、发光强度)的纳米晶。存在于基质晶体中不同金属掺杂离子,会造成半导体的禁带中间产生掺杂能级,导致二次跃迁,进而产物体现出不同的禁带宽度。掺杂Co ²⁺、Fe ²⁺、Er ³⁺离子的CuInS₂/CdS纳米晶光致发光(PL)峰强度降低明显,这是由于Co ²⁺、Fe ²⁺、Er ³⁺离子掺杂有效地抑制了空穴-电子对的复合,降低了纳米晶的光生电子-空穴复合几率,使得其光催化活性得到增强。这些半导体纳米材料在光催化、能量转换与储存方面具有良好的应用潜力。     

Synthesis, crystal structure, phase transition and thermal behaviour of a new dabcodiium hexaaquanickel(II) bis(sulphate), (C6H14N2)[Ni(H2O)6](SO4)2

A new dabcodiium-templated nickel sulphate, (C₆H₁₄N₂)[Ni(H₂O)₆](SO₄)₂, has been synthesised and characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 20 and −173 °C, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and temperature-dependent X-ray powder diffraction (TDXD). The high temperature phase crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with the unit-cell parameters: a = 7.0000(1), b = 12.3342(2), c = 9.9940(2) Å; β = 90.661(1)°, V = 862.82(3) Å³ and Z = 2. The low temperature phase crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with the unit-cell parameters: a = 12.0216(1), b = 12.3559(1), c = 12.2193(1) Å; β = 109.989(1)°, V = 1705.69(2) Å³ and Z = 4. The crystal structure of the HT-phase consists of Ni²⁺ cations octahedrally coordinated by six water molecules, sulphate tetrahedra and disordered dabcodiium cations linked together by hydrogen bonds. It undergoes a reversible phase transition (PT) of the second order at −53.7/−54.6 °C on heating-cooling runs. Below the PT temperature, the structure is fully ordered. The thermal decomposition of the precursor proceeds through three stages giving rise to the nickel oxide.     

MGe(PO4)2 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba): Crystal structure, phase transitions and thermal expansion

Three earth alkali-germanium monophosphates M^IIGe(PO₄)₂ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) were prepared by solid state reaction and their structures, previously unknown, studied by Rietveld analysis. BaGe(PO₄)₂ and high-temperature β-SrGe(PO₄)₂ (space group C2/m, Z=2) are fully isotypic with yavapaiite, whereas CaGe(PO₄)₂ and low-temperature α-SrGe(PO₄)₂ (C2/c, Z=4) are distorted derivatives. The phase transition between the two forms is observed for the first time. The thermal expansion, resulting from several structural mechanisms, is very anisotropic.     

Equilibrium diagram of KPO3–Y(PO3)3 system, chemical preparation and characterization of KY(PO3)4

Microdifferential thermal analysis (μ-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy were used for the first time to investigate the liquidus and solidus relations in the KPO₃–Y(PO₃)₃ system. The only compound observed within the system was KY(PO₃)₄ melting incongruently at 1033 K. An eutectic appears at 13.5 mol% Y(PO₃)₃ at 935 K, the peritectic occurs at 1033 K and the phase transition for potassium polyphosphate KPO₃ was observed at 725 K. Three monoclinic allotropic phases of the single crystals were obtained. KY(PO₃)₄ polyphosphate has the P2₁ space group with lattice parameters: a=7.183(4) Å, b=8.351(6) Å, c=7.983(3) Å, β=91.75(3)° and Z=2 is isostructural with KNd(PO₃)₄. The second allotropic form of KY(PO₃)₄ belongs to the P2₁/n space group with lattice parameters: a=10.835(3) Å, b=9.003(2) Å, c=10.314(1) Å, β=106.09(7)° and Z=4 and is isostructural with TlNd(PO₃)₄. The IR absorption spectra of the two forms show a chain polyphosphates structure. The last modification of KYP₄O₁₂ crystallizes in the C2/c space group with lattice parameters: a=7.825(3) Å, b=12.537(4) Å, c=10.584(2) Å, β=110.22(7)° and Z=4 is isostructural with RbNdP₄O₁₂ and contains cyclic anions. The methods of chemical preparations, the determination of crystallographic data and IR spectra for these compounds are reported.     

Revised phase diagram of Li2MoO4-ZnMoO4 system, crystal structure and crystal growth of lithium zinc molybdate

Orthorhombic lithium zinc molybdate was first chosen and explored as a candidate for double beta decay experiments with ¹⁰⁰Mo. The phase equilibria in the system Li₂MoO₄-ZnMoO₄ were reinvestigated, the intermediate compound Li₂Zn₂(MoO₄)₃ of the α-Cu₃Fe₄(VO₄)₆ (lyonsite) type was found to be nonstoichiometric: Li_2−2xZn_2+x(MoO₄)₃ (0≤x≤0.28) at 600 °C. The eutectic point corresponds to 650 °C and 23 mol% ZnMoO₄, the peritectic point is at 885 °C and 67 mol% ZnMoO₄. Single crystals of the compound were prepared by spontaneous crystallization from the melts and fluxes. In the structures of four Li_2−2xZn_2+x(MoO₄)₃ crystals (x=0; 0.03; 0.21; 0.23), the cationic sites in the face-shared octahedral columns were found to be partially filled and responsible for the compound nonstoichiometry. It was first showed that with increasing the x value and the number of vacancies in M3 site, the average M3-O distance grows and the lithium content in this site decreases almost linearly. Using the low-thermal-gradient Czochralski technique, optically homogeneous large crystals of lithium zinc molybdate were grown and their optical, luminescent and scintillating properties were explored.     

Phase diagram of the La–Si binary system under high pressure and the structures of superconducting LaSi5 and LaSi10

The La–Si binary phase diagram under a high pressure of 13.5 GPa was experimentally constructed. New superconducting silicides LaSi₅ and LaSi₁₀ were found, which have peritectic decomposition temperatures at 1000 and 750 °C, respectively. The single crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed that there are two polymorphs in LaSi₅. The α-form obtained by heating a molar mixture of LaSi₂ and 3 Si at about 700 °C or by a rapid cooling from 1000 °C under pressure crystallizes with the space group C2/m and the lattice parameters a=15.11(3), b=4.032(6), c=8.26(1) Å, and β=109.11(1)°. The β-form obtained by a slow cooling from 800–950 °C to 600 °C under pressure has the same space group but with slightly different lattice parameters, a=14.922(7), b=3.906(2), c=8.807(4) Å, and β=107.19(1)°. The β-form is formed during the incomplete transformation of the α-form on cooling, and has always been obtained as a mixture with the α-form. The compound can be characterized as a Zintl phase with a polyanionic framework with large tunnels running along the b axis hosting lanthanum ions. In the β-form, three of the five Si sites are disordered. The two polymorphs contain one dimensional sila-polyacene ribbons, Si ladder polymer, running along the b axis. The α-form showed superconductivity with the transition temperature T_c of 11.5 K. LaSi₁₀ crystallizes with the space group 6₃/mmc and the lattice parameters a=9.623(4), c=4.723(3) Å. It is composed of La containing Si₁₈ polyhedra (La@Si₁₈) of hexagonal beer-barrel shape, which form straight columns by stacking along the c-axis via face sharing. One-dimensional columns of La@Si₁₈ barrels are edge-shared, and bundled with infinite Si trigonal bipyramid chains via corner sharing. The Si atoms in the straight chains have a five-fold coordination. LaSi₁₀ became a superconductor with T_c=6.7 K. The ab initio calculation of the electric band structures showed that α-LaSi₅ and LaSi₁₀ are metallic, and the conduction electrons mainly come from Si-3p orbitals.     

The system CePO4–K3PO4

The phase diagram of the system CePO₄–K₃PO₄ has been determined based on investigations by differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The system contains only one intermediate compound K₃Ce(PO₄)₂, which melts incongruently at (1500±20)°C. This compound is stable down to room temperature and exhibits a polymorphic transition at 1180°C. It was confirmed that the low-temperature form β-K₃Ce(PO₄)₂ crystallizes in a monoclinic system, space group P2₁/m with unit cell parameters a=9.579 (5), b=5.634 (6), c=7.468 (5) Å; =γ=90°, β=90.81 (3)°; V=403.083 Å³.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of U2Co6Al19

The new compound U₂Co₆Al₁₉ was prepared by reaction of the elemental components in an arc-melting furnace followed by a heat treatment at 1050°C for 500 h. Its chemical composition was checked by energy-dispersive X-ray analyses and its crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. It crystallizes with four formula units in the monoclinic space group C2/m in a unit cell of dimensions a=17.4617(3)Å, b=12.0474(2)Å, c=8.2003(1)Å, β=103.915(1)°. The crystal structure of U₂Co₆Al₁₉ can be regarded as a superstructure of NdCo_4−xGa₉ structure type. This complex structure consists of a three-dimensional Co-Al framework delimiting tunnels where the U atoms reside. The shortest U-U distances are found in the c direction with alternating values of 3.98(1) and 4.22(1) Å. Temperature-dependent magnetization shows a first peak at 12.5 K and a weak ferromagnetic character below the temperature T_C=8 K. Magnetization at 1.9 K reaches almost saturation in 5 T with the moment of 0.36 μ_B/U atom. The complex magnetic behavior of U₂Co₆Al₁₉ may be ascribed to a canted spin structure resulting from an antiparallel arrangement of the magnetic moments not fully compensated at low temperature. At higher temperature, the compound displays simple paramagnetic behavior.     

Crystal structures and phase transitions of SrZr(PO4)2-BaZr(PO4)2 solid solutions

A complete series of solid solutions was prepared in the SrZr(PO₄)₂-BaZr(PO₄)₂ system and examined by conventional X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The crystals of Sr_xBa_1−xZr(PO₄)₂ with x?0.1 were isomorphous with yavapaiite (KFe(SO₄)₂, space group C2/m). The solid solution with 0.2?x?0.7 has been composed of a new phase, showing a superstructure along the a-axis (c-axis of the yavapaiite substructure). The crystals with 0.8?x?0.9 were composed of both the new phase and the triclinic phase, the latter being isostructural with SrZr(PO₄)₂ (x=1). The crystal structure of the new phase has been determined using direct methods, and it has been further refined by the Rietveld method. The crystal of Sr_0.7Ba_0.3Zr(PO₄)₂ (x=0.7) is monoclinic (space group P2/c, Z=4 and D_x/Mg m⁻³=3.73) with a=1.53370(8) nm, b=0.52991(3) nm, c=0.84132(4) nm, β=92.278(1)° and V=0.68321(6) nm³. Final reliability indices are R_wp=7.32%, R_p=5.60% and R_B=3.22%. The powder specimen was also examined by high-temperature XRPD and differential thermal analysis (DTA) to reveal the occurrence of two phase transitions during heating; the space group changed from P2/c to C2/m at ∼400 K, followed by the monoclinic-to-hexagonal (or trigonal) transition at 1060 K. The P2/c-to-C2/m transition has been, for the first time, described in the yavapaiite-type compounds.     

Structures and crystal chemistry of the double perovskites Ba2LnB′O6 (Ln=lanthanide B′=Nb and Ta): Part I. Investigation of Ba2LnTaO6 using synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction

The structure of 14 compounds in the series Ba₂LnTaO₆ have been examined using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and found to undergo a sequence of phase transitions from I2/m monoclinic to I4/m tetragonal to cubic symmetry with decreasing ionic radii of the lanthanides. Ba₂LaTaO₆ is an exception to this with variable temperature neutron diffraction being used to establish that the full series of phases adopted over the range of 15-500 K is P2₁/n monoclinic to I2/m monoclinic to rhombohedral. The chemical environments of these compounds have also been investigated and the overbonding to the lanthanide cations is due to the unusually large size for the B-site in these perovskites.     

High temperature crystal structures and superionic properties of SrCl2, SrBr2, BaCl2 and BaBr2

The structural properties of the binary alkaline-earth halides SrCl₂, SrBr₂, BaCl₂ and BaBr₂ have been investigated from ambient temperature up to close to their melting points, using the neutron powder diffraction technique. Fluorite-structured SrCl₂ undergoes a gradual transition to a superionic phase at 900–1100 K, characterised by an increasing concentration of anion Frenkel defects. At a temperature of 920(3) K, the tetragonal phase of SrBr₂ undergoes a first-order transition to a cubic fluorite phase. This high temperature phase shows the presence of extensive disorder within the anion sublattice, which differs from that found in superionic SrCl₂. BaCl₂ and BaBr₂ both adopt the cotunnite crystal structure under ambient conditions. BaCl₂ undergoes a first-order structural transition at 917(5) K to a disordered fluorite-structured phase. The relationship between the (disordered) crystal structures and the ionic conductivity behaviour is discussed and the influence of the size of the mobile anion on the superionic behaviour is explored.     

Phase transition behavior for ZrW2−xMoxO8 compositions at elevated temperatures

A systematical study on cubic ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈ (x=0.73, 0.53, 0.33, 0.11) solid solutions reveals that their temperature-dependent phase transition behaviors are related to the Mo fraction x. A phase diagram of cubic ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈ solid solutions has been drawn over a wide temperature range (298–1473 K) on the basis of the temperature-dependent phase transition behaviors observed.     

Sm2NiSn4: The intermediate structure type between ZrSi2 and CeNiSi2

A new rare earth nickel stannide, Sm₂NiSn₄, has been prepared by reacting the pure elements at high temperature in welded tantalum tubes. Its crystal structure was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Sm₂NiSn₄ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with cell parameters of a=16.878(2) Å, b=4.4490(7) Å, c=8.915(1) Å, and Z=4. Its structure can be viewed as the intermediate type between ZrSi₂ and CeNiSi₂. Sm₂NiSn₄ features two-dimensional (2D) corrugated [NiSn₄]⁶⁻ layers in which the 1D Sn zigzag chains and the 2D Sn square sheets are bridged by Ni atoms. The Sm³⁺ cations are located at the interlayer space. Results of both resistivity measurements and extended-Hückel tight-binding band structure calculations indicate that Sm₂NiSn₄ is metallic.