Oxygen nonstoichiometry and the thermodynamic properties of manganites Ca1 ? x ? ySrxLayMnO3 ? δ

The content of oxygen in Ca_{0.6 − y} Sr_0.4La _y MnO_{3 − δ}, where y = 0 and 0.05, was determined by coulometric titration over the temperature range 650–950°C at oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase varied from 10⁻⁴ to 1 atm. The results were used to calculate the partial molar enthalpy, Δ$ \bar H $ \bar H _O(δ), and entropy, Δ$ \bar S $ \bar S _O(δ), of oxygen in manganites. Changes in the Δ$ \bar H $ \bar H _O(δ) and Δ$ \bar S $ \bar S _O(δ) dependences caused by the introduction of lanthanum are evidence of the formation of local clusters of the double perovskite type in the Ca_0.6Sr_0.4MnO_{3 − δ} matrix.     

Electrically driven oxygen separation through gadolinia-doped ceria using PrBaCo2O5?+?x and NdBaCo2O5?+?x electrodes

Oxygen gas can be electrochemically separated from ambient air with very high purity and compressed by using a solid-electrolyte ion-transport membrane. An electrolyte with high ionic conductivity such as gadolinium-doped ceria (CGO) and mixed conducting electrodes are used to construct the electrochemical cell. To achieve high oxygen flux, the electrodes must exhibit very fast electrode kinetics. Here, we report the performances of mixed conducting PrBaCo₂O_5 + x and NdBaCo₂O_5 + x electrodes in oxygen separation in a planar CGO electrolyte-supported cell. The properties of the electrode materials were evaluated using potentiostatic and potentiodynamic measurements and alternating current impedance spectroscopy. The oxygen flux was also measured using gas chromatography to confirm the absence of gas leaks. The electrodes demonstrated very low polarization resistances as a result of very high cathodic and anodic reaction rates at temperatures of 600–800 °C. High oxygen gas flow rates were observed on applying potentials up to 1 V with an almost linear relationship between the applied potential and the molar flow rate of oxygen gas.     

The structure, nonstoichiometry, and thermodynamic characteristics of oxygen in strontium ferrite doped with niobium, SrFe1 ? xNbxO3 ? δ

The influence of doping with niobium on the structure and oxygen nonstoichiometry of strontium ferrite SrFe_{1 − x} Nb _x O_{3 − δ} (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) was studied. The content of oxygen in the doped derivatives was determined by coulometric titration as a function of temperature (650–950°C) and oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase (10⁻⁴−1 atm). The partial molar enthalpies Δ(x, δ) and entropies Δ(x, δ) of oxygen in SrFe_{1 − x} Nb _x O_{3 − δ} were calculated. An analysis of Δ(x, δ) dependences showed that the model of a random distribution of ions and vacancies over accessible sites in the oxygen sublattice allowed the experimental data to be described satisfactorily. An increase in the partial enthalpy Δ(x, δ) as nonstoichiometry δ decreased was indicative of weak repulsive interactions between oxygen ions in the structure of SrFe_{1 − x} Nb _x O_{3 − δ}. Original Russian Text ? P.V. Anikina, A.A. Markov, M.V. Patrakeev, I.A. Leonidov, V.L. Kozhevnikov, 2009, published in Zhurnal Fizicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 811–817.     

Electrophysical properties of materials based on BaGdCo2O5 + δ

The phase composition, linear thermal expansion coefficient, electroconductivity (in the temperature interval 600–900°C and partial pressures of oxygen 10⁻⁵–0.21 atm) of solid-oxide materials based on gadolinium-barium cobaltite doped with 3d-elements BaGdCo_{2 − x} Me _x O_{5 + δ}, Me = Cu, Fe; x = 0.0, 0.2, …, 2.0 were investigated. The homogeneity regions of samples were established by means of X-ray phase analysis. It was shown that the linear thermal expansion coefficient of cobaltite decreases with an increase in the copper or iron concentration. It was established that the electroconductivity of BaGdCo_{2 − x} Me _x O_{5 + δ} decreases with an increase in x. We concluded that upon a decrease in p(O₂), the electroconductivity of samples first decreases and then reaches a horizontal plateau.     

Structural and electric properties of the Ce0.8(Sm1 ? xCax)0.2O2 ? δ system (x = 0.0–1.0)

CeO₂-based solid solutions with a fluorite structure are promising materials as electrolytes of medium-temperature electrochemical devices. This work presents the results of systematic studies of structural and electric properties and oxygen nonstoichiometry of the Ce_0.8(Sm_{1 − x} Ca _x )_0.2O_{2 − δ} system in a wide range of concentrations of 0 < x < 1 performed in order to establish the causes affecting the system conductivity and its behavior in a reducing medium. It is found that a single-phase solid solution of the fluorite type is formed in the whole concentration range. Parameters of its lattice cells decrease linearly at an increase in the concentration of Ca²⁺. Conductivity in air grows when calcium is added due to a decrease in the grain boundary resistance. The maximum conductivity in air was obtained for the composition of Ce_0.8(Sm_0.8Ca_0.2)_0.2O_{2 − δ} and is 13.71 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 873 K. Studies of the dependence of conductivity of the partial pressure of oxygen showed that electron conductivity is observed at a higher oxygen partial pressure at an increase in the temperature and calcium concentration. The critical partial pressure of oxygen ( p_O2 ^* )\left( {p_{O_2 }^* } \right) for the compositions of Ce_0.8(Sm_{1 − x} Ca _x )_0.2O_{2 − δ} with x = 0; 0.2, and 0.5 is 1.83 × 10⁻¹⁶, 1.73 × 10⁻¹³, and 3.63 × 10⁻¹³ atm at 1173 K, respectively, and 2.76 × 10⁻²¹, 5.05 × 10⁻¹⁸, and 1.31 × 10⁻¹⁸ atm at 1023 K.     

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of complex oxides of the Zn2 ? x(ZraSnb)1 ? xFe2xO4 composition

A multicomponent system of complex refractory oxides of the composition Zn_{2 − x} (Zr _a Sn _b )_{1 − x} Fe_2x O₄ (a + b = 1; a: b = 1: 5, 1: 4, 1: 3, 1: 2, 1: 1, 2: 1, 3: 1, 4: 1; x = 0−1.0; Δx = 0.05) was studied by X-ray diffraction. The samples were prepared from oxides of appropriate metals by low-temperature plasma synthesis (hydrogen-oxygen flame). Two phases with wide homogeneity ranges were identified: α phase crystallized in the crystal system of inverse cubic spinel and β phase with the structure of tetragonal spinel. The phase boundaries were found. Structural data are presented for about 100 solid solutions.     

Synthesis, crystal and electronic structures, and thermodynamic characteristics of BaCe1 ? xInxO3 ? x/2 solid solutions

New perovskite oxide phases BaCe_{1 − x} In _x O_{3 − x/2} (x = 0.1–0.8) (space group Pbnm) have been synthesized. The unit cell volume of the resulting solid solutions monotonically decreases with an increase in the degree of substitution of indium for cerium due to the contraction of octahedra in perovskite blocks. The thermodynamic stability of the compound BaCe_0.75In_0.25O_2.875 was studied by the solution calorimetry method, and barium cerates were shown to be thermodynamically stable with respect to binary oxides at room temperature. The structure of occupied and vacant states in BaCe_{1 − x} In _x O_{3 − x/2} was determined on the basis of X-ray emission, absorption, and photoelectron spectra, and the energy gap was estimated at ∼2 eV.     

Region of homogeneity for Lu2 ? xMnxO3 ± δ solid solution in air

The solubility boundaries for Lu₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ oxides and LuMn₂O₅ manganate in LuMnO_{3 ± δ} are determined on the basis of an X-ray phase analysis of homogeneous solid solutions and heterogeneous compositions with molecular formula Lu_{2 − x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} (0.90 ≤ x ≤ 1.16; Δx = 0.02) obtained by ceramic synthesis in air in a temperature range of 900–1400°C. It is found that the solubility of Lu₂O₃ in LuMnO_{3 ± δ} corresponds to the composition of Lu_1.03Mn_0.97O_{3 ± δ} and remains invariable over the investigated range of temperatures, while the solubility of Mn₃O₄ (which corresponds to the composition of Lu_0.91Mn_1.09O_{3 ± δ}) remains invariable in the temperature range of 995–1400°C. It is shown that lutetium manganate LuMn₂O₅ coexists with lutetium manganate LuMnO_{3 ± δ} at temperatures of less than 995°C in air, and its solubility in LuMnO_{3 ± δ} decreases as the temperature of 995°C (corresponding to the composition Lu_0.91Mn_1.09O_{3 ± δ}) falls to 900°C for Lu_0.97Mn_1.03O_{3 ± δ}.     

Rubidium-conducting solid electrolytes in Rb2 ? 2xFe2 ? xVxO4 system

New solid rubidium-conducting electrolytes based on rubidium monoferrite in the system of Rb_{2 − 2x} Fe_2−x V _x O₄ are synthesized and studied. It is found that introduction of V⁵⁺ ions causes a drastic decrease in the electronic conductivity component prevalent in pure RbFeO₂ with a simultaneous increase in the ionic conductivity. The latter becomes predominant at an increase in the concentration of vanadium. The optimum compositions of the studied electrolytes feature a very high cationic rubidium conductivity (∼1.8 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 200°C, more than 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹ at 700°C). The results are compared with the data obtained earlier for similar systems based on RbGaO₂ and RbAlO₂.     

Formation and properties of the new Al8V10W16O85 and Fe8?xAlxV10W16O85 phases with the M–Nb2O5 structure

A new, previously unknown phase Al₈V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅ has been obtained from reaction taking place in the solid state. It forms continuous solid solution with Fe₈V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅ of the Fe_8−x Al _x V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅ general formula. All these phases are isostructural with M–Nb₂O₅ and (W_0.35V_0.65)₂O₅ and belong to a block structure phases with ReO₃ type blocks of 4 × 4×∞ dimensions. Al₈V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅ is tetragonal and has the lattice constants a = b = 1.9487(1) nm and c = 0.36706(4) nm. It melts incongruently at 1,183 K depositing Al₂(WO₄)₃ and WO₃. The increase of the Al³⁺ ions content in the crystal lattice of Fe₈V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅ causes the melting point increasing, and decreasing of a = b unit cell parameters with c being almost constant. IR spectra of Al₈V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅ and Fe_8−x Al _x V₁₀W₁₆O₈₅ phases have been recorded.     

Crystal structures of La1 ? xSr2 + x(GeO4)(V1 ? xMoxO4) (x= 0?0.4) solid solutions

The phase compositions of theLaVO₄-SrMoO₄(1) and Sr₂GeO₄-SrMoO₄ (2) binary systems, which bound the Sr₂GeO₄-LaVO₄-SrMoO₄ (3) ternary system, and the LaSr₂(VO₄)(GeO₄)-Sr₂GeO₄+SrMoO₄ section (4) of system 3 are studied at subsolidus temperatures. Systems 1 and 2 consist of a mixture of the initial compounds, and the La_{1 − x} Sr_{2 + x} (GeO₄)(V_{1 − x} Mo _x O₄) (where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) region of substitutional solid solutions with a palmierite structure is formed in system 3. The unit cell parameters of the solid solutions are determined. The distribution of the lanthanum and strontium cations over two positions of the cationic sublattice is described. Original Russian Text ? V.D. Zhuravlev, V.G. Zubkov, A.P. Tyutyunnik, Yu.A. Velikodnyi, N.D. Koryakin, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 1, pp. 135–137.     

A study of YBa2(Cu1?xMex)3O6 + δ (Me = Al, Co, Fe) electrophysical and electrochemical properties

The structure, thermal expansion coefficient, and electroconductivity of YBa₂(Cu_1−x Al _x )₃O_6+δ (x = 0.0–0.9) were studied at 20 to 900°C in air. The most conducting compositions of YBa₂(Cu_1−x Me _x )₃O_6+δ (Me = Al, Co, Fe) were determined. The electrochemical activity of electrodes with the most conducting compositions of YBa₂(Cu_1−x Me _x )₃O_6+δ (Me = Al, Co, Fe) was studied in a wide polarization range in the contact with 0.9ZrO₂ + 0.1Y₂O₃ solid electrolyte in air at the temperatures of 700 to 900°C. Original Russian Text ? V.K. Gil’derman, I.D. Remez, 2009, published in Elektrokhimiya, 2009, Vol. 45, No. 5, pp. 612–615. Published by report at IX Conference “Fundamental Problems of Solid State Ionics”, Chernogolovka, 2008.     

Solid solutions of Ba2(In1 ? xAlx)2O5: Structural evolution and hydration processes

Solid solutions of the composition Ba₂(In_{1 − x} Al _x )₂O₅[VO]₁ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) with an incomplete oxygen sublattice were obtained. It was established that, along with an increase in parameter x, there is disordering of oxygen vacant positions and a transition from the structure of brownmillerite to that of defect perovskite. It was demonstrated that the phases under study are characterized by an ability for reversible interaction with water vapors in the temperature range 150–450°C. During this process, proton defects, predominantly in the form of OH⁻ groups, are formed in the oxide structure. We conclude that in a number of solid solutions, the amount of intercalated water declines upon an increase in the aluminum content.     

The conditions of formation and physicochemical properties of Nd1 ? xBaxMn1 ? yFeyO3 phases

The homogeneity regions of Nd_{1 − x} Ba _x MnO₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) and NdMn_{1 − y} Fe _y O₃ (0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0) orthorhombic solid solutions in air at 1373 K were determined. The region of the existence of Nd_{1 − x} Ba _x Mn_{1 − y} Fe _y O₃ orthorhombic solid solutions in air at 1373 K was studied. A fragment of the phase diagram of the NdMnO₃-BaMnO₃-BaFeO_2.5-NdFeO₃ quasi-quaternary complex oxide system in air at 1373 K was suggested. The mechanothermal properties of Nd_0.75Ba_0.25MnO₃, Nd_0.8Ba_0.2Mn_0.9Fe_0.1O₃, Nd_0.8Ba_0.2Mn_0.7Fe_0.3O₃, and Nd_0.8Ba_0.2Mn_0.5Fe_0.5O₃ doped neodymium manganates were studied.     

Specifics of pyrohydrolytic and solid-phase syntheses of solid solutions in the (MgGa2O4)x(MgFe2O4)1 ? x system

This work demonstrates the possibility of preparing solid solutions in the (MgGa₂O₄) _x (MgFe₂O₄)_{1 − x} system by pyrohydrolytic and solid-phase methods. It is shown that the products obtained have different specific surface areas depending on the ratio between metal nitrates and citric acid. The composition dependence of the unit cell parameter deviates considerably from the Vegard’s rule. The compounds obtained are found to be stable up to 300°C, which makes them candidate materials for electronics.     

Li-cycling properties of nano-crystalline (Ni1 ? xZnx)Fe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Sol–gel auto-combustion method is adopted to prepare solid solutions of nano-crystalline spinel oxides, (Ni_1 − x Zn _x )Fe₂O₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1).The phases are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area. The cubic lattice parameters, calculated by Rietveld refinement of XRD data by taking in to account the cationic distribution and affinity of Zn ions to tetrahedral sites, show almost Vegard’s law behavior. Galvanostatic cycling of the heat-treated electrodes of various compositions are carried in the voltage range 0.005–3 V vs. Li at 50 mAg⁻¹ up to 50 cycles. Phases with high Zn content x ≥ 0.6 showed initial two-phase Li-intercalation in to the structure. Second-cycle discharge capacities above 1,000 mAh g⁻¹ are observed for all x. However, drastic capacity fading occurs in all cases up to 10–15 cycles. The capacity fading between 10 and 50 cycles is found to be greater than 52% for x ≤ 0.4 and for x = 0.8. For x = 0.6 and x = 1, the respective values are 40% and 18% and a capacity of 570 and 835 mAh g⁻¹ is retained after 50 cycles. Cyclic voltammetry and ex situ transmission electron microscopy data elucidate the Li-cycling mechanism involving conversion reaction and Li–Zn alloying–dealloying reactions.     

Evaluation of specific heat and related thermodynamic properties of Ge1?xSnxSe2.5 (0?≤?x?≤?0.5) glasses

This paper presents the result of thermodynamic studies on Ge_1−x Sn _x Se_2.5 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) glasses using differential scanning calorimetry. The obtained experimental results on phase transformations have been employed to obtain thermodynamic parameters like entropy difference between metastable states in the glassy region, difference of Gibbs free energy, specific heat, entropy between the glassy and the crystalline phase and the enthalpy released during phase transformation (glassy to crystalline). The results yield that, Ge_0.7Sn_0.3Se_2.5 sample is least stable among all the samples. The stability increases on addition of Sn beyond 0.3 at. mass% upto 0.5 at. mass%.     

High-temperature electron-hole transport in PrBaCo2O5+δ

The oxygen content, conductivity and thermopower in the double perovskite-like cobaltite PrBaCo₂O_5+δ are reported in the oxygen partial pressure range 2×10⁻⁶-0.21 atm and temperatures between 650 and 950 °C. The electrical properties are shown to be continuous through the transition from δ>0.5 to δ<0.5. The variations of transport parameters with temperature and oxygen content reveal hole polaron hopping conduction within oxygen non-stoichiometry domain δ<0.5.     

Ionic conductivity in the BaZr1 ? xYxO3 ? δ system (x = 0.02–0.2) in H2/H2O and D2/D2O atmospheres

Proton and deuteron conductivities in the BaZr_{1 − x} Y _x O_{3 − δ} system (x = 0.02–0.2) are investigated experimentally over the temperature range 600–900°C in reducing H₂/H₂O and D₂/D₂O atmospheres with pH₂O = pD₂O = 3.15 kPa.     

Dehydrogenation of butyl alcohols on NASICON-type solid electrolytes of Na1 ? 2xCuxZr2(PO4)3 composition

Characteristics of the catalytic activity in the dehydration of butanols of copper-containing sodium-zirconium-phosphates (NZPs), in which Na⁺ ions substitute for Cu²⁺ ions are obtained. It was found that in the 100–370°C region, the action energy of the reaction falls upon the transition through temperature T* ∼ 300°C, above which the electrophysical and crystallographic properties of phosphates change. The observed dependences are explained by the center (which consists of copper with various positions in the phosphate network at T < T* and T > T*) taking part in the formation of carbonyl compounds. This indicates the presence of a ligand effect, i.e., to structural sensitivity of the dehydration reaction in the case of Cu-NZP catalysts.