Etude par diffraction neutronique de la phase “Cs4−xYb12F40−x” (0 ≤ x ≤ 1): Hypothèse structurale

The structure of the phase Cs_4?xYb₁₂F_40?x(0 ≤ x ≤ 1) has been determined by a single-crystal neutron diffraction study. It has been solved in the space group P6₃mc and refined to the best R factor of 0.0535 for the formula Cs_3.4Yb₁₂F_39.4 (324 independent reflections). Three edge-sharing pentagonal bipyramids surrounding three ytterbium atoms form Yb₃F₁₆ groups and the structure is described as the superposition, according to the sequence A₁A₂B₁B₂A₁A₂…, of sheets of corner-sharing Yb₃F₁₆ groups with a possible transformation of bipyramids into octahedra in the A₂ and B₂ layers. These sheets are joined together by the axial fluorine atoms of the bipyramids or octahedra. Cesium atoms are located in the tunnels formed by their stacking. It is shown that the Cs_4?xYb₁₂F_40?x phase (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) is an intermediate step of the Cs_4?xYb₁₂F_40?x solid solution observed with 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 and corresponds to a superstructure of the high-temperature YbF₃ phase.     

X-ray induced defects and thermoluminescent properties of lanthanum hexaaluminates with magnetoplumbite-like structure

This work presents an electron spin resonance and optical study of the defects produced by X-ray irradiation of the lanthanum aluminate La(Mg_1−yMn_y)_xAl₁₁O_18+x (x, y ≤ 1). The thermal bleaching of these defects is responsible for an intense green thermoluminescence due to the ⁴T₁-⁶A₁ transition of Mn²⁺ ions of the lattice. The mechanism of this thermoluminescence and its variation with manganese concentration are discussed.     

Computer-assisted structure simulation, synthesis, and phase formation of molybdophosphates A1−x Zr2(PO4 3−x (MoO4)x (A is an alkali metal)

Structure simulation is performed for molybdophates of variable composition A_1?x Zr₂(PO₄)_3?x (MoO₄)_x, where A is Na (0≤x≤0.6), K (0≤x≤0.6), K (0≤x≤0.3), Rb (0≤x≤0.2), or Cs (0≤x≤0.1), using the minimization of the interatomic interaction energy; these molybdophosphates crystallize in the NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ (NZP) structure type. The results of the computer-assisted structure simulation are verified by the synthesis of the molybdophosphates and their characterization by X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The crystallization field of the NZP molybdophosphate shrinks as the alkali cation size increases. The key factors that govern the stability of the NZP structure in alkali zirconium molybdophosphates are determined.     

Homogeneity range of neodymium manganite in air

The solubility boundaries for Nd₂O₃ and manganese oxides in NdMnO_{3 ± δ} have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction analysis of homogeneous phases and heterogeneous compositions of the general formula Nd_{2 ? x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} (0.90 ≤ x ≤ 1.20; Δx = 0.02) prepared by ceramic technology from constituent oxides in air in the temperature range 900–1400°C. The results are presented in the form of a fragment of the Nd-Mn-O phase diagram in air. It is suggested that the Nd₂O₃ solubility in NdMnO_{3 ± δ} is due to crystal defects and the solubility of manganese oxides is in addition due to the disproportionation reaction 2Mn³⁺ = Mn²⁺ + Mn⁴⁺ and the subsequent partial substitution of divalent for tervalent manganese ions in the cuboctahedral positions of the perovskite-like crystal lattice. To verify this suggestion, it is necessary to systematically study the oxygen nonstoichiometry δ in Nd_{2 ? x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} as a function of x and synthesis temperature and structurally study this oxide with these parameters being varied.     

Homogeneity regions of neodymium,samarium, and europium manganites in air

XRD phase analysis of homogeneous phases and heterogeneous compositions of general formula Ln_2?x Mn_xO_3±δ (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu; 0.90 ≤ x ≤ 1.20; Δx = 0.22) prepared by ceramic synthesis from oxides in air at 900–1400°C was used to determine the solubility boundaries for Ln₂O₃ oxides and maganese oxides in LnMnO_3±δ. The results were represented as fragments of the phase diagrams for the Ln-Mn-O systems in air. It was assumed that the solubility of Ln₂O₃ oxides in LnMnO_3±δ is determined by lattice defects, while that of manganese oxides, in addition to above mechanism, by the disproportionation reaction 2Mn³⁺ = Mn²⁺ + Mn⁴⁺ followed by the partial substitution of divalent magnesium for Ln³⁺ at cuboctahedral positions of the perovskitelike crystal lattice.     

Alkali (alkaline-earth) metal,aluminum, and titanium complex orthophosphates: Synthesis and characterization

Phase formation in the A_{1 + x} Al _x Ti_{2 ? x} P₃O₁₂ (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs; 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0) and B_{0.5(l + x)}Al _x Ti_{2 ? x} P₃O₁₂ (B = Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba; 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0) systems was studied using X-ray powder diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, and IR spectroscopy. The following double and triple orthophosphates were found to exist: A_{1 + x} Al _x Ti_{2 ? x} (PO₄)₃ with A = Li (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3), Na (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0), K (x = 0, 1.0, or 2.0), Rb (x = 0, 1.0, or 2.0), or Cs (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) and B_{0.5(l + x)}Al _x Ti_{2 ? x} (PO₄)₃ with B = Mg and Ba (x = 0), Ca and Sr (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2). These orthophosphates crystallize in the structure types of kosnarite, langbeinite, cesium titanium arsenate, potassium aluminum phosphate, or rubidium aluminum phosphate. Their crystal parameters were calculated. For CsTi₂(PO₄)₃ (x = 0), Rietveld refinement was carried out: space group Ia \(\bar 3\) d, Z = 32, a = 19.909(5) Å, V = 7892(1) ų. This compound has a framework structure. The framework is built of TiO₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra; eight- and 12-coordinated Cs⁺ cations populate interstices.     

Preparation and properties of the systems Co1−xRhxS2, Co1−xRuxS2, and Rh1−xRuxS2

Members of the systems Co_1−xRh_xS₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) were prepared, and their crystallographic and magnetic properties studied. The observed ferromagnetic moments for compositions where x ≤ 0.2 indicate a ferromagnetic alignment between Co(3d⁷) and Rh(4d⁷) electrons. This is the first observation of localized behavior of 4d electrons in the pyrite structure. Members of the systems Co_1−xRu_xS₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) and Rh_1−xRu_xS₂ (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 1) were also prepared and their crystallographic and magnetic properties studied. From comparison with the Co_1−xRh_xS₂ system, it appears that the 4d electrons of Rh(4d⁷) are localized in the presence of Co(3d⁷) but are delocalized in the presence of Ru(4d⁶). The magnetic susceptibility of the Co_1−xRu_xS₂ system is sensitive to the homogeneity of the products and indicates that Ru(4d⁶) behaves as a diamagnetic ion.     

Defects in doped perovskite-like lanthanum cobaltite crystals La1−x SrxCo1−y MeyO3−δ (Me = Cu and Mn)

The paper presents a thermodynamic analysis of the formation of equilibrium defects in perovskitelike La_1?x Sr_xCo_1?y Me_yO_3?δ oxides, where Me = Cu or Mn, x = 0.0 or 0.3, and y = 0.0, 0.25, or 0.3, at high temperatures (873 K ≤ T ≤ 1373 K) depending on the composition and oxygen pressure (10^?8 atm ≤ $p_{O_2 } $ ≤ 1 atm). The results were used to study the nature of charge transfer. Small-radius polarons were shown to be responsible for the electric properties of the cobaltites under consideration; their concentrations and mobilities were calculated.     

High-temperature defect structure and electrical conduction in Ni1−xMgxO

The ionic transference number, the electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of Ni_1?xMg_xO (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) were measured as functions of temperature (900–1400°C) and oxygen partial pressure (10²–10⁵ Pa). The contribution of ionic conduction to the total conductivity of Ni_0.9Mg_0.1O was of the order of 10^?3?10^?2 at 900–1300°C, which led us to assume that the electronic conduction was predominating in Ni_1?xMg_xO (x ≤ 0.9). The electrical conductivities of both undoped and Al-doped Ni_1?xMg_xO depended on the $\text{1}\text{4}$ power of P_O2, which indicated a significant impurity effect on the defect equilibria and was interpreted as showing that doubly ionized cation vacancies were the dominant point defects at high temperatures. Analyses of the difference in the temperature dependences of conductivity and Seebeck coefficient showed that band-like conduction took place in the NiO-rich composition range (x ≤ 0.1), while thermally activated hopping of small polarons occurred in Ni_1?xMg_xO with x ≥ 0.3. The calculated drift mobility abruptly decreased in the composition region where the conduction mechanism changed.     

Stability and oxygen ionic conductivity of zircon-type Ce1−xAxVO4+δ (A=Ca, Sr)

Zircon-type Ce_1−xA_xVO_4+δ (A=Ca, Sr; x=0-0.2) are stable in air up to approximately 1300 K, whilst further heating or reducing oxygen partial pressure leads to formation of A-site deficient zircon and CeO_2−δ phases. The stability boundaries of Ce_1−xA_xVO_4+δ are comparable to those of vanadium dioxide and calcium orthovanadate. At oxygen pressures lower than 10⁻¹⁵ atm, perovskite-type CeVO_3−δ is formed. The oxygen ion transference numbers of Ce_1−xA_xVO_4+δ, determined by faradaic efficiency measurements in air, vary in the range from 2×10⁻⁴ to 6×10⁻³ at 973-1223 K, increasing with temperature. The oxygen ionic conductivity has activation energy of 87-112 kJ/mol and is essentially independent of A-site dopant content. Contrary to the ionic transport, p-type electronic conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of Ce_1−xA_xVO_4+δ are influenced by the divalent cation concentration. The average thermal expansion coefficients of Ce_1−xA_xVO_4+δ, calculated from high-temperature XRD and dilatometric data in air, are (4.7-6.1)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹.     

Phase equilibria in the system LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrCrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-LaCrO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A continuous solid solution LaMn_1?y Cr _y O₃ with an orthorhombic structure is found to exist in the range of 0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0. An orthorhombic solid solution La_1?x Sr _x CrO₃ exists in the range of 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1. The stability boundaries are determined for the perovskite phase La_1?x Sr _x Mn_1?y Cr _y O₃. An isobaric-isothermal section LaMnO₃-SrMnO₃-SrCrO₄-LaCrO₃ of the system La₂O₃-SrO-Mn₃O₄-Cr₂O₃ in air at 1100°C is designed.     

New nonstoichiometric molybdate,tungstate, and vanadate catalysts with the scheelite-type structure

Phases of the formula A_1?xфxMO₄ with the scheelite-type structure are described where ф represents a vacancy at the A cation site and M is Mo⁶⁺, W⁶⁺, and/or V⁵⁺. Many different univalent, divalent, and trivalent A cations were used in this study. The phases with no defects, i.e., x = 0, were known except for those of the type A¹⁺_.5A³⁺_.5MO₄ where A¹⁺ is Ag or Tl and M is Mo⁶⁺ or W⁶⁺. Phases with x > 0 are generally new and were prepared for catalytic studies. An excellent correlation between catalytic properties and defect concentration has been observed.     

Synthesis and structure of alkali metal zirconium vanadate phosphates

Mixed vanadate phosphates in the systems MZr₂(VO₄) _x (PO₄)_{3 ? x} , where M is an alkali metal, were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, and IR spectroscopy. Substitutional solid solutions with the structure of the mineral kosnarite (NZP) are formed at the compositions 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 for M = Li; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 for M = Na; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 for M = K; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 for M = Rb; and 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 for M = Cs. Apart from the high-temperature NZP modification, lithium vanadate phosphates LiZr₂(VO₄) _x (PO₄)_{3 ? x} with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 synthesized at temperatures not exceeding 840°C crystallize in the scandium tungstate type structure. The crystal structures of LiZr₂(VO₄)_0.8(PO₄)_2.2 (space group P2₁/n, a = 8.8447(6) Å, b = 8.9876(7) Å, c = 12.3976(7) Å, β = 90.821(4)○, V = 985.4(1) ų, Z = 4) and NaZr₂(VO₄)_0.4(PO₄)_2.6 (space group $R\bar 3c$ = 8.8182(3) Å, c = 22.7814(6) Å, V = 1534.14(1) ų, Z = 6) were refined by the Rietvield method. The framework of the vanadate phosphate structure is composed of tetrahedra (that are statistically occupied by vanadium and phosphorus atoms) and ZrO₆ octahedra. The alkali metal atoms occupy extra-framework sites.     

Crystal structure and conduction of BICUTIVOX

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters were studied for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} solid solutions. Doping levels within x = 0.025–0.15 distort the C2/m crystal lattice (this lattice is characteristic of individual the Bi₄V₂O₁₁ phase) and lowers its symmetry to triclinic. The solid solutions with 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.30 crystallize in tetragonal space group I4/mmm. High-temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry measurements for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} (x ≤ 0.35) solid solutions verified the existence of three structural varieties within 298–1023 K. Electrical conductivity of BICUTIVOX was studied by impedance spectroscopy as a function of temperature, composition, and oxygen partial pressure. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for the structural varieties are noted. Above 873 K, the solid solutions samples with x = 0.05 have the highest conductivity. At lower temperatures, higher conductivities are in the solid solutions that retain the γ phase in the low-temperature region. The dominant oxygen-ion conduction mechanism was discovered in the solid solutions.     

Homogeneity Region Boundaries of Praseodymium Manganite Pr2 − x MnxO3 ± δ in Air

The solubility boundaries of simple praseodymium and manganese oxides and the PrMn₂O₅ double oxide in PrMnO₃ were determined using X-ray powder patterns of homogeneous phases and heterogeneous compositions of the general formula Pr_{2 ? x} Mn_xO_{3 ± δ} (0.90 <- x <- 1.20; Δx = 0.02) obtained by ceramic synthesis from oxides in air over the temperature range 900–1400°C. The results are presented in the form of a fragment of the phase diagram of the Pr-Mn-O system in air. The suggestion was made that the solubility of praseodymium oxide in PrMnO₃ was caused by crystal structure defects, and that of manganese oxides, by structure defects and the partial replacement of praseodymium cations by manganese ions in the cuboctahedral sites of the perovskite-like crystal lattice. The suggestions made can be verified by a systematic study of the oxygen nonstoichiometry of Pr_{2 ? x} Mn_xO_{3 ± δ} manganite depending on x and the temperature of synthesis.     

Quasi-one-dimensional oxides Sr4Co3 − x MnxO9 (0 ≤ x ≤ 3): Synthesis and magnetic properties

Sr₄Co_{3 ? x} Mn _x O₉ (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 2) solid solutions (ss), which belong to the family of quasi-one-dimensional oxides A_{3n + 3m} A′_nB_{3m + n} O_{9m + 6n} (where A is an alkaline-earth element, A′ is a 3d element, B is manganese), are prepared using citrate technology. The structures of the phases are described in terms of trigonal space group P321. A full-profile Rietveld analysis shows that the oxides are incommensurate. The structure is described as consisting of two subcells with identical a parameters but different c parameters. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the range from 2 to 300 K are interpreted on the assumption of the existence of a spin-glass state.     

Neutron powder diffraction investigations of hydrogenated Pd3P0.80 and Pd6P

The solid solutions Sr_3?xLa_xMn₂O₇ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.50) and Sr_3?xLn_xMn₂O₇ (Ln = Nd, Sm, Gd; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.40) with Sr₃Ti₂O₇-type structure have been prepared. Their cell parameters and $\text{c}\text{a}$ ratios are related to the size of the rare earths and to the Mn³⁺ ion concentration.     

Preparation and properties of substituted iron tungstates

Polycrystalline samples of members of the systems Fe_2?xCr_xWO₆ and Fe_1?xMn_xWO₄ were prepared and single crystals of Fe_1?xMn_xWO₄ were grown by chemical vapor transport. Their crystallographic parameters and electrical properties were characterized. Fe₂WO₆ crystallizes with the tri-α-PbO₂ structure and is an n-type semiconductor. For 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 2, the system Fe_2?xCr_xWO₆ crystallizes with the inverse trirutile structure and is nonconducting due to blocking of iron(II)-iron(III) conduction paths by chromium(III). For 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, the system Fe_1?xMn_xWO₄ crystallizes with the wolframite structure and shows p-type semiconducting behavior. The nature of the variation of resistivity with x of Fe_1?xMn_xWO₄ suggests that interchain electron transfer may occur in this structure.     

TEM observation of the high-temperature metal-insulator transition in Cr-doped V2O3

The high-temperature metal-insulator transition in Cr-doped V₂O₃, (V_1?xCr_x)₂O₃, was investigated by TEM at a composition x = 0.006. Boundaries between the metallic phase and the insulator phase were observed between room temperature and 150°C by both heating and cooling and their crystallographic features were investigated. Boundaries are low-index planes and their orientations are such that the change of dimension by the transition in the direction parallel to the specimen surface is zero. This indicates that the orientation of the boundary is determined by the condition of minimum strain energy. Misfit dislocations parallel to the specimen surface were found to exist under this condition. The motion of the boundaries is fast, but the boundaries can be trapped by defects or at those places where the area of boundaries becomes minimum. The observation is consistent with the existence of the temperature hysteresis of the transition and the discontinuous change of the resistivity-temperature curve of this transition.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of (Na,K)Ti2(PO4)3 solid solutions

Na_1?x K_xTi₂(PO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solutions are synthesized through ion exchange under hydrothermal conditions and a sol-gel process. The unit cell parameters are calculated for (Na,K) titanium phosphates. Cation-exchange reactions in the NaTi₂(PO₄)₃-KTi₂(PO₄)₃-NaCl-KCl-H₂O system are studied at T = 973 K and p = 200 MPa. The solid phase with compositions in the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.7 is enriched with sodium; in the range 0.7 ≤ x ≤ 1.0, it is enriched with potassium. The excess functions of mixing for the solid solutions are described in terms of the Margules model. Titanium phosphates Na_1?x K_xTi₂(PO₄)₃ show greater nonideality than zirconium phosphates Na_1?x K_xZr₂(PO₄)₃ and lower thermodynamic stability in decay into pure components at high pressures and temperatures.