Effects of the Li-evaporation on the Czochralski growth of γ-LiAlO2

Two-inch-diameter γ-LiAlO₂ single crystals were grown from the melt by Czochralski method. The crystals were examined by optical methods, high-resolution X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to determine the Li/Al ratio in the residual melts. The Li-evaporation from both melt and grown crystal is the main problem in the γ-LiAlO₂ growth and has to be controlled by acting on the vertical temperature gradient. Shallow gradients increase the Li-evaporation from the crystal surface resulting in boules with a milky rim. On the other hand, steep gradients may induce cracks in the boule and enhance the Li₂O escape from melt with consequent variation of the composition. ICP-OES investigations reveal that melt compositions can vary in the range from 46.5 to 50 mol% Li₂O to obtain transparent LiAlO₂ crystals. Beyond this value, the formation of inclusions inside the crystals is probable. We have established an optimized growth assembly, which allows remaining the melt composition stoichiometric. The as-grown crystals exhibit defects like subgrains, twins and a core of voids and fine-grained inclusions. The latter could be characterized by TEM as submicron LiAl₅O₈ crystallites.     

Influence of crystallisation conditions on the microtexture of the directionally solidified eutectic of the MgF2?CaF2 system

The influence of high-frequency (HF) and resistive (R) heating of a vertical crystallizer furnace on the directional solidification process of the MgF₂ CaF₂ system eutectic has been compared. The turbulent flow induced by HF heating given rise to inhomogeneities in microtexture, which do not occur under R heating conditions. Variations in the growth rate (v) and temperature gradient (ΔT) lead to characteristic changes of the eutectic microstructure: from lamellar to rod-like. Quantitative analysis of these changes was advantageously performed using a digital image analysis of the area (AR), maximum cross-section (D-MAX), direction of the maximum cross-section (ANGLE D-MAX) of MgF₂ particles of the microtexture. This was recorded on SCAN images of transverse cuts through the given directionally solified samples as well as the analysis of the shape of MgF₂ particles.     

Peculiarities of the microstructure of a nanoscale modification of η-TiO2

Samples with nanoscale η-TiO₂ phase have been obtained by sulfate and modified sulfate methods and are characterized by a complex of techniques: X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray energy-dispersive analysis. The effect of sample formation conditions on the size and shape of crystallites, content of the amorphous component in the samples, and their elemental composition has been established. A significant change (depending on the synthesis conditions) in the parameters of the diffraction reflection with d ～ 17–21 Å (intensity and interplanar spacing d, Å), pronounced for η-TiO₂, is revealed. This change is most likely related to the variation in the content of water molecules in the interlayer space of η-TiO₂ structure and/or the change in crystallite shape.     

Correlation between the method of preparation and the properties of the sol–gel HfO2 thin films

This work describes the preparation of HfO₂ thin films by the sol–gel method, starting with different precursors such as hafnium ethoxide, hafnium 2,4-pentadionate and hafnium chloride. From the solution prepared as mentioned above, thin films on silicon wafer substrates have been realized by ‘dip-coating’ with a pulling out speed of 5 cm min^?1. The films densification was achieved by thermal treatment for 10 min at 100 °C and 30 min at 450 °C or 600 °C, with a heating rate of 1 °C min^?1. The structural and optical properties of the films are determined employing spectroellipsometric (SE) measurements in the visible range (0.4–0.7 μm), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The main objective of this paper was to establish a correlation between the method of preparation (precursor, annealing temperature) and the properties of the obtained films. The samples prepared from pentadionate and ethoxide precursors are homogenous and uniform in thickness. The samples prepared starting from chloride precursor are thicker and proved to be less uniform in thickness. Higher non-uniformity develops in multi-deposition films or in crystallized films. A nano-porosity is present in the quasi-amorphous films as well in the crystallized one. For the samples deposited on silicon wafer, the thermal treatment induced the formation of a SiO₂ layer at the coating–substrate interface.     

The influence of the cooling rate of A 2PbO · SiO2 melt on the constitution of silicate anions

The kinetics of crystallization in a 2Pbo · SiO₂ melt have been investigated. A TTT-diagram was constructed, which describes the kinetic parameters for the formation of crystalline phases in the system. By means of silicate anion analysis the relationship between the cooling rates of the melt and the structure of silicate units in solid 2PbO · SiO₂ has been studied. Substantial differences in the thermal treatment of the melt lead to alterations of the silicate anion constitution, which cause changes in the crystallization behavior of glassy 2PbO · SiO₂.     

Calculation of the parameters of the X-ray diffraction station with adaptive segmented optics on the side beam from the wiggler of the Sibir’-2 storage ring

The mounting of an X-ray diffraction station on the side beam of a 19-pole superconducting wiggler makes it possible not only to use the central synchrotron radiation beam with a wavelength of 0.5 ?, but also to solve problems requiring softer X rays at a synchrotron radiation (SR) intensity exceeding that for the beams from the bending magnet. A numerical simulation of the formation of photon beams from a source and their transmission through the elements of the station (and through the station as a whole) allows one to calculate the parameters of the station, compare it with the existing analogs, determine its potential and actual efficiency of its elements, and estimate the adjustment quality. A numerical simulation of the SR source on the side beam from the wiggler and the focusing channel (segmented condenser mirror, monochromator with sagittal focusing by the segmented second crystal, and segmented focusing mirror) has been performed. The sizes of the focus and the divergence of rays in it are determined with allowance for the finite sizes of segments. The intensity of radiation with a wavelength ?? = 1.0 ? in the focus is determined taking into account the loss in the SR extraction channel and in the focusing channel. The values of the critical wavelength for the side beam from the wiggler and the wavelength resolution are calculated. The intensities in the X-ray diffraction pattern and its angular resolution are found.     

Effect of V2O5 addition on the crystallisation of glasses belonging to the CaO–ZrO2–SiO2 system

The crystallisation of CaO–ZrO₂–SiO₂ glasses doped with V₂O₅ (0.1–5 mol%) has been investigated in terms of microstructure and thermal parameters. Results indicate that crystallisation is predominantly controlled by a surface nucleation mechanism, even though a partial bulk nucleation has been encountered in compositions containing more than 2 mol% of doping oxide. As detected from differential thermal analysis curves, glass transition temperature and crystallisation temperature, are strongly dependent upon V₂O₅ content varying from 0.0 to 2.0 mol%, while the crystallisation activation energy values decrease with a parabolic trend from B-glass (0.0 mol% V₂O₅ content, 495±7) to V-0.7 (0.7 mol% V₂O₅ content, 420±6) composition, increasing again to 442±5 kJ/mol K with higher amount of V₂O₅. The microstructure of the glass-ceramic materials clearly showed a marked dependence upon the amount of V₂O₅, also due to the presence of phase separation for content higher than 0.7 mol%. Wollastonite, CaO·SiO₂, and a calcia–zirconia–silicate, 2CaO·4SiO₂·ZrO₂, are the main crystalline phases whose ratio slightly varies with vanadium oxide content. The glass ceramics obtained from the studied materials are greenish and bluish coloured, so it is possible to use the studied glasses as coloured frits for tile glazes.     

Crystallization of mutant forms of the γ subunit of archaeal translation initiation factor 2

Archaeal translation initiation factor 2 (aIF2) is homologous to its eukaryotic counterpart (eIF2). It is a heterotrimeric protein consisting of α, β, and γ subunits. The protein e/aIF2 forms a ternary complex with guanosine 5′-triphosphate and the initiator methionyl-tRNA (Met-tRNA_i) and delivers the latter to the ribosome. In archaea, translation initiation factor 2 has an additional function. The γ subunit of aIF2 binds mRNAs with a triphosphate at the 5′-end and prevents 5′-to-3′ directional mRNA decay. To determine the mRNA-binding site on the surface of aIF2γ, mutations were introduced into the protein sequence at sites of possible interactions with mRNA. The crystals of the mutant forms of aIF2γ were obtained, and X-ray diffraction data sets suitable for structure determination at atomic resolution were collected.     

Investigation of the phase diagram KCl?BaCl2 in the region of solid solutions with the base of KCl

This paper is concerned with the determination of the lines of maximum solubility of the phase diagram for the system KCl BaCl₂ in the region of solid solutions with the base of KCl by the method of light scattering. The results are discussed in terms of the theory of dilute solutions of solid electrolytes. The enthalpy of solution Ψ = 0.64 eV and the change of vibrational entropy ΔS/K = 1.9 are defined also.     

An analysis of the applicability of the Scheil equation in the determination of segregation in monocrystals of the manganese-zinc ferrites Mn1?xZnxFe2O4

Theoretical assumptions concerning the segregation phenomenon of alloying components during formation of monocrystals of the manganese-zinc ferrite Mn_{1 x}Zn_xFe₂O₄ have been presented. Taking into account the case of the unidirectional solidification of the above ferrite by means of the Bridgman furnace, which is working in:

• Closed system.
• Open system, with adding of the pure component (melting at an elevated temperature).
• Open system, with adding of ferrite of a nominal composition.
• The method for calculation of alloying components segregation has been analysed. A possibility of modelling the segregation by means of the choice of the size of the melting zone has been considered for a given monocrystal.

     

X-ray diffraction analysis on the structure of the glasses in the system PbOSiO2

The structures of PbO·SiO₂ and 2PbO·SiO₂ glasses have been analyzed by use of X-ray diffraction data and pair function method. For PbO·SiO₂ glass, a model consisting of chains of PbO₃ pyramids and silicate chains showed good agreement with the observed RDF. For 2PbO·SiO₂ glass, the present authors reported previously a model in which chains of PbO₃ pyramids are connected with SiO₄ tetrahedra, while the chromatographic analyses of silicate anions by Götz et al. and Smart et al. showed that silicate anions are distributed from monomer to polymer in the glass. We reexamined the structure of this glass referring to these results. Three representative models containing isolated SiO₄, Si₄O₁₂ rings and (SiO₃)_n chains respectively as well as PbO₃ chains were constructed and the RDFs were calculated with changing structure parameters. These three models showed satisfactory agreement with the observed data, showing that silicate anions are distributed from monomer to polymer in 2PbO·SiO₂ glass and an increase of SiO₂ content leads to polymerization of silicate anions to longer chains up to PbO·SiO₂ composition, while the chains of PbO₃ pyramids remain unchanged.     

Mechanosynthesis of Fluorite Solid Solution in the PbF2–CdF2 System

Crystallography Reports - Pb0.67Cd0.33F2 solid solution with a fluorite-type structure has been synthesized for the first time using high-energy grinding of the initial components, PbF2 and CdF2,...     

Adsorption inhibition of the growth of CaSO4 · 2H2O crystals in aqueous solutions

Crystallography Reports - The growth of gypsum CaSO4 · 2H2O crystals in aqueous solutions has been investigated, both on individual crystals and on crystals in a homogeneous suspension in the...     

Influence of Some Factors on the Stability of KH2РО4 Aqueous Solutions

Crystallography Reports - Some factors affecting the stability of KH2РО4 aqueous solutions have been investigated. The width of the metastable zone of KH2РО4 solutions...     

Thermodynamic analysis of the W-Al2O3 system near the melting temperature of Al2O3. I. Evolution of the system in the pressure range of 1 × 10−1−1 × 10−4 bar

The changes in the main chemical reactions occurring upon the interaction between tungsten and the evaporation products of Al₂O₃ melt are considered at a fixed temperature (2400 K). The concentrations of the components coexisting in equilibrium in a closed system under isobaric-isothermal conditions are determined by stochastic simulation for low (× 10⁻¹−1 × 10⁻³ bar) and high (1 × 10⁻⁴ bar) vacuum. It is shown that the gas-liquid-solid system is in heterogeneous equilibrium for the basic component ratio W: Al₂O₃ = 1: 1 in the entire pressure range under consideration. A detailed study of the chemistry of this system should facilitate the choice of the optimal conditions for growing leucosapphire crystals from melt.     

Sol-gel preparation of wavelength-selective reflecting coatings in the system ZrO2SiO2

Multilayer, wavelength-selective reflecting coatings were prepared by alternate stackings of amorphous zirconia and silica by the sol-gel spinning technique; alkoxide-derived, polymeric sols were used. A detuned, i.e. non-λ/4 stacking system was applied. The spectrum showed a transmission minimum (∼ 4%) at a wavelength of 430 nm, with a bandwidth of 72.5 nm after deposition of the 17th layer.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the glasses in the system K2OB2O3P2O5

B¹¹ NMR spectra have been used to study the structure of glasses in the system K₂OB₂O₃P₂O₅. The results indicate that the glasses do not contain an appreciable number of boron atoms in BO₃ units with one or two non-bridging oxygens. The fraction N₄ of boron atoms in BO₄ units is measured and analyzed according to a structural model containing the following elements. (1) If the binary borophosphate system forms glasses, they consist of a borophosphate (BPO₄) network and a borate network for K<1, or a borophosphate (BPO₄) network and a phosphate network for K>1, where K = mol.% P₂O₅/mol.% B₂O₃. (2) The conversion rates of BO₄ units (i.e. the rate of production or destruction by added oxygens) in the borate network and the borophosphate (BPO₄) network are given as (+2) and (?0.38), respectively. (3) K⁺¹ ions are proportionally shared between the two networks; (i.e. between the borate and borophosphate (BPO₄) networks for K<1, and between the phosphate and borophosphate (BPO₄) networks for K>1).     

Structure and conformation of the monohydrate of N-t-boctyrosyl-proline (Boc-Tyr-Pro·H2O)

The structure and conformation of the monohydrate of N-t-boc-tyrosyl-proline (Boc-Tyr-Pro·H₂O) (C₁₉H₂₆O₆N₂·H₂O) has been investigated with X-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic methods. Boc-Tyr-Pro crystallized in an extendedtrans conformation in the space group P2₁2₁2₁ with cell dimensionsa=8.566(1),b=9.996(1),c=24.734(1). The conformation of Boc-Tyr-Pro reflex -helix type prolines. Three intermolecular hydrogen bonds are observed. Crystal water is involved in two hydrogen bonds (to the hydroxyl group of the C-terminal of the proline residue; to the carbonyl group of the t-Boc functionality) while the hydroxyl group of the tyrosyl residue (to the carbonyl group of the amide bond) is involved in one hydrogen bond. The puckering mode of the pyrrolidine ring of the proline residue is similar to what has been previously observed for other proline-containing peptides.Cis-trans isomerism is observed in the NMR spectra of Boc-Tyr-Pro with a predominance for the extended side chain for the tyrosyl residue.     

Morphology prediction of crystals grown in the presence of impurities and solvents — An evaluation of the state of the art

Computational methods enable to calculate relative face growth rates and crystal shape from structural information alone. Even if these models are sufficient for the calculation of the habit of a vapor grown crystal, most of them fail to correctly reproduce the habit of crystal growth from solution. In recent years, new approaches have been proposed based on the substitution of additive molecules in the crystal lattice or on the surface of the crystal. The new computer-based approaches provide a fundamental understanding of processes of crystal growth from solution. The number of methods proposed in morphology prediction is enormous. Herein, an overview of these methods and approaches is provided.     

Effect of growth conditions on the functional properties of K2Co(SO4)2·6H2O crystals

K₂Co(SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O single crystals of optical quality have been grown and the effect of solution pH on their solubility and transmission spectra has been investigated. A kinetic growth curve is obtained for the (110) face and the onset temperature of dehydration is established for single-crystal samples. The structural quality of single crystals grown at different supersaturations is analyzed.