Effect of Niobium Modifications to PZT (53/47) Thin Films Made by a Sol-Gel Route

Niobium-modified lead zirconate titanate thin films (PNZT) with nominal compositions, Pb_(1–0.5x) (Zr_0.53 Ti_0.47)_1–x Nb _x O₃:x = 0.02–0.07, have been prepared using a diol based sol-gel route. Single-layer (0.5 m) films were fabricated on platinised silicon substrates by spin-coating. The effect of niobium additions with regard to phase development, microstructure, and ferroelectric and dielectric properties were investigated for different annealing temperatures. For comparison, unmodified PZT films were also prepared. Niobium substitution increased the crystallisation temperatures for perovskite PNZT phase formation. The values of remanent polarisation P _r and dielectric constant _r were found to decrease with the introduction of Nb. For example, in films heated at 700°C for 15 min, the P _r value of an unmodified PZT film was 31 C cm^–2, compared to 17 C cm^–2 for an x = 0.05 PNZT film, whilst respective relative permittivity values fell from 1190 to 600. The highest Nb concentration film, x = 0.07, did not display any switchable polarisation characteristics, which is consistent with high levels of intermediate pyrochlore phase.     

Morphology, structure and constitution of metastable single-phase Ti1-xAlxN films grown by reactive MSIP

Metastable, single phase, polycrystalline Ti_1–x Al _x N hard layers were deposited on HSS-substrates with reactive magnetron sputtering ion plating (MSIP). The substrate temperature was 400 °C, the bias –60 V, the argon pressure 1.2 Pa and the sputter power 6 W cm^–2. Compound targets with a Ti:Al ratio of 75/25, 50/50 and 25/75, expressed in at-%, were sputtered. The nitrogen reactive gas pressure during sputtering was 8.4 × 10^–2 Pa for the 7525 target and 1.08 × 10^–1 Pa for the 5050 and 2575 targets. The Ti_1–x Al _x N layers grew with x=0.26, 0.54 and 0.75, as determined with EPMA. Thin film XRD and HEED structure analysis showed that the Ti_0.74Al_0.26N layer had grown as B1 structure (a₀0.4214 nm) with [211] texture, the Ti_0.46Al_0.54N layer likewise as B1 structure (a₀0.4154) with [111] texture, but the Ti_0.25Al_0.75N as B4 structure (a₀0.317 nm and c₀0.5014 nm) with [110] texture. Pronounced columnar growth was observed with HR-SEM in the fractured surface of the cubic layers. The mean grain size, and consequently the surface roughness, diminished with increasing Al-content of the layer.Dedicated to Professor Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Hubertus Nickel on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Effects of SiO2 Barrier and N2 Annealing on Sb-Doped SnO2 Transparent Conducting Film Prepared by Sol-Gel Dip Coating

Oxyfluoride glass-ceramic thin films of nominal 90SiO₂10(Ba_1–xEu_x)MgF₄ compositions were prepared by sol–gel method starting from mixtures of metal trifluoroacetates and silicon alkoxide precursor solutions. Films were deposited on silica glass substrates by spin-coating and heating at 750°C. Eu²⁺ ions were preferentially incorporated into BaMgF₄ nanoparticles, which were dispersed in the silica glass matrix. The films exhibited broad-band blue photoluminescence (PL) in response to the ultraviolet light excitation. Addition of N,N-dimethylformamide to starting coating solutions resulted in a porous microstructure of the heat-treated films. Efficient UV excitation was promoted due to the Rayleigh scattering in the porous films; thereby the PL emissions could be strongly enhanced.     

Ba5Ti12Sb19+x, a polar intermetallic compound with a stuffed γ-brass structure

The polar intermetallic compound Ba₅Ti₁₂Sb_19+x (x0.2) has been synthesized by reaction of the elements. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that it adopts a new structure type (Ba₅Ti₁₂Sb_19.102(6), space group , Z=2, a=12.4223(11) Å, V=1916.9(3) Å³). The set of Ba and Sb sites corresponds to the structure of Cu₉Al₄, a γ-brass type with a primitive cell. A complex three-dimensional framework of Ti atoms, in the form of linked planar Ti₉ clusters, is stuffed within the γ-brass-type Ba–Sb substructure. Notwithstanding its relationship to the γ-brass structure, the compound does not appear to conform to the Hume–Rothery electron concentration rules. Band structure calculations on an idealized Ba₅Ti₁₂Sb₁₉ model suggest that the availability of bonding states above the Fermi level is responsible for the partial occupation, but only to a limited degree, of an additional Sb site within the structure. Magnetic measurements indicated Pauli paramagnetic behaviour.     

Phase identification in Ti/TiN diffusion couples with the Kossel technique

A Ti/TiN diffusion couple, which had been prepared by isothermal annealing of a Ti sheet in nitrogen atmosphere at 1091 °C and quenched in water, was investigated by Kossel microdiffraction. Kossel patterns were obtained from all phases present in the diffusion couple (-Ti(N), -Ti₃N_2–x, -Ti₄N_3–x and -TiN_1-x)It could be shown that the Kossel technique has a superior lateral resolution (10 m) compared to commercially used X-ray microdiffraction methods, especially in the case of weak X-ray radiation.     

Quantitative determination of F:O ratios in rare earth oxide fluorides by energy dispersive X-ray analysis

The F:O ratio in homogeneous and inhomogeneous rare earth oxide fluoride systems of compositions RO_1+xF_1–2x with –0.1x0.1 can be determined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis with an accuracy of ±0.5% if an appropriate background modelling procedure is applied and if the EDX signals of the light elements are free of overlap from the accompanying rare earth element. The latter condition holds true for R=Tb–Lu and it is shown that the calibration of the method with well-defined samples of YbO_1+xF_1–2x can be transferred with only a moderate loss of accuracy to the determination of oxygen and fluorine in DyOF and ErOF. Increasing signal overlap in case of GdOF, EuOF, SmOF and especially PrOF necessitates the choice of different channels for background modelling, and the accuracy of the method is hence decreasing to ±4% for these systems.     

Effect of magnetostrictive phase on structural, dielectric and electrical properties of NiFe2O4 + Pb0.93La0.07(Zr0.60Ti0.40)O3 composites

Particulate composites of NiFe₂O₄ (NFO) and Pb_0.93La_0.07 (Zr_0.60Ti_0.40) O₃ (PLZT) were synthesized by solid-state reaction technique. Structure and surface morphological studies were carried out using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques, respectively. Frequency dependent variation of dielectric constant (), loss tangent (tan δ) and ac resistivity for (x) NFO + (1−x) PLZT composites in the range 100 Hz–5 MHz at room temperature were studied. The temperature dependence of dielectric constant (′), loss tangent (tan δ) was studied in wide temperature range of measurement at fixed frequencies. Also DC resistivity measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 300 K–923 K. Structural, dielectric and electrical properties show notable change due to presence of magnetostrictive NFO phase along with PLZT.     

Photocatalytic Activity and Characterization of the Sol-Gel Derived Pb-Doped TiO2 Thin Films

Photocatalytically active Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films were prepared on a soda-lime glass substrate by sol-gel dip-coating technique using TiO₂ sols containing lead(II) nitrate. The thin films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-VIS spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A shift of the UV-VIS absorption towards longer wavelengths was observed, which indicated a decrease in the band-gap of TiO₂ upon Pb doping. XRD results showed both pure and Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films were polycrystalline, anatase type, and oriented predominantly to the (101) plane. A slight shift in the d-spacing for the Pb-doped film indicated the incorporation of Pb into the TiO₂ lattice to form Pb _x Ti_1–x O₂ solid solution. AFM results showed Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films were composed of larger TiO₂ particles and had rougher surface, compared with un-doped TiO₂ thin films. XPS results showed that except for the enrichment of Pb near the surface, Pb exists in the forms of Pb _x Ti_1–x O₂ and PbO. Dimethyl-2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP) was efficiently degraded in the presence of the Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films by exposing the insecticide solution to sunlight. The mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement of the Pb-doped TiO₂ thin films was discussed.     

The effects of gamma radiation and different substitution on the spectro-mechanical properties of La-ferrite polycrystals

Various samples of different substituted La-ferrites (La_{1–x 1}A_{x 1} (Fe_{1–x 2}B_{x 2})O₃) have been prepared by the usual ceramic and high temperature sintering technique. On these specimens several measurements were carried out, namely, Cu–K X-ray analysis, true density, bulk density, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), IR absorption spectra, electronic absorption spectra and crushing strength before and after -radiation dose (4.5×10⁷ rad). Results reported were promising, interpreted and discussed in detail on the basis of the interaction of -radiation and different dopant cations with La-ferrite lattices. Finally, a suggested lattice structure symbol was put forward.     

Plasmon-enabled N2 photofixation on partially reduced Ti3C2 MXene

Benefiting from the superior conductivity, rich surface chemistry and tunable bandgap, Ti₃C₂ MXene has become a frontier cocatalyst material for boosting the efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts. It has been theoretically predicted to be an ideal material for N₂ fixation. However, the realization of N₂ photofixation with Ti₃C₂ as a host photocatalyst has so far remained experimentally challenging. Herein, we report on a sandwich-like plasmon- and an MXene-based photocatalyst made of Au nanospheres and layered Ti₃C₂, and demonstrate its efficient N₂ photofixation in pure water under ambient conditions. The abundant low-valence Ti (Ti^(4−x)+) sites in partially reduced Ti₃C₂ (r-Ti₃C₂) produced by surface engineering through H₂ thermal reduction effectively capture and activate N₂, while Au nanospheres offer plasmonic hot electrons to reduce the activated N₂ into NH₃. The Ti^(4−x)+ active sites and plasmon-generated hot electrons work in tandem to endow r-Ti₃C₂/Au with remarkably enhanced N₂ photofixation activity. Importantly, r-Ti₃C₂/Au exhibits ultrahigh selectivity without the occurrence of competing H₂ evolution. This work opens up a promising route for the rational design of efficient MXene-based photocatalysts.

N₂ photofixation in water is realized under ambient conditions using partially reduced Ti₃C₂ MXene that is interlaminated with Au nanospheres.     

Structural Order–Disorder Transitions in Ln2Ti2O7 (Ln = Lu,Gd)

The phase generation in the Lu(Gd)–Ti–O systems is studied at 20–1000° using a co-precipitation method. During a thermal treatment of co-precipitation products after a sublimation dehydration, for a composition with the Lu : Ti cation ratio of 1 : 1, an Lu₂Ti₂O₇ phase with a fluorite structure forms at 650°. At 730–750°C the phase undergoes a fluorite pyrochlore transition. Above 750°C its structure is that of disordered pyrochlore, in which antistructural defects occur in Lu and Ti positions (up to 18%). Above 900°C the structure of pyrochlore becomes ordered, and the number of defects in Lu and Ti positions decreases, which affects the temperature dependence of permittivity of Lu₂Ti₂O₇. In Gd–Ti–O system, Gd₂Ti₂O₇ is crystallized, which has a pyrochlore structure only at 740–900°. Electroconductivity and permittivity of Lu₂Ti₂O₇ and Gd₂Ti₂O₇ are measured.     

Physicochemical and Catalytic Properties of La1 – xCaxFeO3 – 0.5x Perovskites Prepared Using Mechanochemical Activation

The phase composition of La_{1 – x} Ca _x FeO_{3 – 0.5x} perovskites synthesized from preactivated oxides was studied by powder X-ray diffraction analysis and differential dissolution. The system does not form a continuous series of homogeneous solid solutions. No intermediate samples from this series are monophasic. It was found that the synthesis under nonequilibrium conditions (mechanical activation + calcination at 900° for 4 h) resulted in nonequilibrium microheterogeneous solid solutions with degrees of calcium substitution for lanthanum of no higher than 0.5. A longer calcination (for 16 h) or an increase in the calcination temperature of solutions up to 1100 ° decreased the calcium content of the samples down to x 0.2 because of the formation of a brownmillerite phase. The catalytic activity of the test samples in the oxidation of CO changed nonmonotonically with x, and it was maximum at x = 0.5–0.6, which correlates with the maximum density of interphase boundaries in these samples.     

Study of the fluorite–pyrochlore–fluorite phase transitions in Ln<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> (Ln=Lu,Yb, Tm)

The ordering processes in Ln₂Ti₂O₇ (Ln=Lu, Yb, Tm) are studied by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared absorption (IR) spectroscopy, and electrical conductivity measurements. The coprecipitation method followed by freeze-drying was used for Ln₂Ti₂O₇ synthesis. The region of low-temperature fluorite phase existence is 600 °C<T<740 °C. The low-temperature fluorite–pyrochlore phase transition in Ln₂Ti₂O₇ takes place at ~740–800 °C. Ln₂Ti₂O₇ (Ln=Lu, Yb, Tm) have the structure of disordered pyrochlore with antisite Ln–Ti defects at 800 °C<T<1,100 °C.The high-temperature pyrochlore–fluorite transformation takes place in Tm₂Ti₂O₇, Yb₂Ti₂O₇, and Lu₂Ti₂O₇ in air at T>1,600 °C. The conductivity values are 5·10^–3 S/cm for Tm₂Ti₂O₇, 6·10^–3 S/cm for Yb₂Ti₂O₇, and 10^–2 S/cm for Lu₂Ti₂O₇ at 740 °C. This order–disorder transition leads to a 2 orders of magnitude conductivity growth and a 10–30 times permittivity increase in Ln₂Ti₂O₇ samples obtained at 1,700 °C.Presented at the OSSEP Workshop Ionic and Mixed Conductors: Methods and Processes, Aveiro, Portugal, 10–12 April 2003     

XPS Analysis of Lead Zirconate Titanate Thin Films Prepared Via a Sol-Gel Process

The crystalline phase and composition of sol-gel-derived lead zirconate titanate (PbZr _x Ti_{1 – x} O₃, PZT) thin films were determined by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) data processing technique. As a result, it was proved that existence of the surface layer with several tens nm in thickness, of which the crystalline phase and composition were different from those of the inside of the thin films, was found. The newly developed XPS analytical technique is much applicable for the characterization of PZT thin film surface.     

Titanium(IV) polynuclear hydroxo complexes stabilized in solution by [PW11O39]7? heteropolyanion

[PW₁₁O₃₉]^7– heteropolyanion (HPA) stabilizes Ti(IV) in aqueous solution at Ti:PW₁₁ ratios from 1 to 12 and pH 1–3. Ti(IV) is completely precipitated under these conditions in the absence of HPA. Differential dissolution phase analysis, optical, IR,³¹P and¹⁷O NMR spectra show that one Ti(IV) ion is incorporated into the Keggin lattice. The other ions, most probably, are located on the HPA surface in the form of oligomeric hydroxo fragments: [PW₁₁Ti^IVO₄₀·Ti_n–1 ^IVO_xH_y]^k–. Both types of Ti(IV) ions bind peroxo groups on interaction of the complex with H₂O₂.     

New Ion Conductor of (Ba1−xLax)2In2O5+x

The structural characterization, thermogravimetric analysis and electrical properties for solid solution system, (Ba_1–xLa_x)₂In₂O_5+x with perovskite-type structure were investigated. X-ray diffraction showed that the orthorhombic phase was in the range of 0.0<x0.3, the tetragonal phase 0.3<x0.5, and the cubic phase 0.5<x. The sharp transition of electrical conductivity shifted to a lower temperature with increasing x and disappeared at the phase boundary between the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases. This perovskite-related oxide exhibited a pure oxide-ion conduction over the oxygen partial pressure range of 1 atm to 10^–3.5 atm, and the electrical conductivity reached the value of 1.610^–1 (S cm^–1) at 1073 K, which was nearly equal to that of the yttria stabilized zirconia. These properties were successfully explained in terms of disordered oxygen ions.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nucleation of Titania Nanocrystals in Silica Titania Waveguides

SiO_{2(1 – x)}-TiO_2(x) monomode waveguides at 632.8 nm, with x in the range 0.07–0.2 and thickness of about 0.4 m, were deposited on silica substrates by a dip-coating technique. Nucleation of TiO₂ nanocrystals and the growth of their size by thermal annealing up to 1300°C were studied by waveguided Raman scattering in the SiO_2(0.8)-TiO_2(0.2) composition. In the low frequency region (5–50 cm^–1) of the VV and HV polarized Raman spectra the symmetric and quadrupolar acoustic vibrations are observed. The mean size of the titania particles are obtained from the frequencies of the Raman peaks. The results are compared with those obtained from the measure of the linewidths in the X-ray diffraction spectra. Nanocrystals with a mean size in the range 4–20 nm are obtained by thermal annealing in a corresponding range of 700–1300°C.     

Physikalisch-chemische Eigenschaften der Halbleiter im System GeS x Se1−x

Specimens of the system GeS _x Se_1–x were examined by means of X-ray and differential thermal analysis for 0x1. The activation energy of the specimens was calculated according to a semi-empirical method on the basis of the known thermodynamic parameters of the components.

     

UV-Visible and IR Spectroelectrochemical Properties of V2O5 Crystalline Films Charged/Discharged in Extended Potential Range

Electrochemical properties of amorphous and crystalline V₂O₅ films, dip-coated from V-oxoisopropoxide sols and thermally treated at various temperatures (100, 150, 200 and 300°C), have been studied in extended potential range, i.e. from 1.4 to –1.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl in 1M LiClO₄/propylen carbonate (PC) electrolyte. The formation of various lithiated (-, -, - and -Li _x V₂O₅) phases was correlated with the values of insertion coefficient x obtained from cyclic voltammograms (CV) of crystalline V₂O₅ films (300°C). Reversible charging was observed when films were cycled up to –1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl, while the extension of the potential to –1.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl change the CV of films irreversibly. Charging of crystalline V₂O₅ films was followed by the help of in-situ UV-visible spectroscopy, that revealed the intensity variations of the polaron absorption above 600 nm and the presence of the absorbing V³⁺ species between 550 and 650 nm. Ex-situ IR spectra of the crystalline films charged/discharged at –1.6V/1.4V vs. Ag/AgCl confirmed the amorphisation of the films' structure.     

Investigations in the ternary system Ti-Mo-N by means of EPMA and XRD

Arc-melted ternary Ti-Mo-N alloys were heat treated at 1423 K in order to evaluate the compositions of the equilibrium phases. The composition of the bcc phase-Ti _x Mo_1–x with respect to Mo and Ti was determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and lattice parameter measurements (XRD). In order to avoid the effects of plastic deformation caused by powdering the ductile-Ti _x Mo_1–x alloys, the lattice parameter measurements were carried out on small particles of the compact samples using Debye-Scherrer cameras. The EPMA and XRD results agree within the expected range of accuracy. Apparently the solubility of nitrogen in-Ti _x Mo_1–x is low and does not perceptibly affect EPMA and XRD results. The relationship between the lattice parameter and the nitrogen content of-TiN_1–x was applied to determine the composition of-TiN_1–x in equilibrium with-Ti_xMo_1-x No solid solubility of Mo in TiN_1–x could be detected. The tie lines at 1423 K between the two phases were established.