Phase transitions of LiAlO2 at high pressure and high temperature

This work presents a comprehensive study on phase transitions in LiAlO₂ system at high pressures and temperatures (0.5-5.0 GPa and 300-1873 K, respectively), as well as the phase stability for polymeric phases of LiAlO₂ in the studied P-T space by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Besides the previously described polymorphic hexagonal α-phase, orthorhombic β-phase and tetragonal δ-phase, a possible new phase of LiAlO₂ was observed after the tetragonal γ-LiAlO₂ sample was treated at 5.0 GPa and 389 K. The stable regimes of these high-pressure phases were defined through the observation of coexistence points of the polymeric phases. Our results revealed that LiAlO₂ could experience structural phase transitions from γ-LiAlO₂ to its polymorphs at lower pressures and temperatures compared to the reported results. Hexagonal α-LiAlO₂ with highly (003) preferential orientation was prepared at 5.0 GPa and 1873 K.     

Ba4Si3Br2: a double salt of barium bromide and barium silicide containing a novel cyclotrisilicide unit

A new compound of the composition Ba4Si3Br2 was obtained by reacting BaSi with a melt of BaBr2. Ba4Si3Br2 may be described as a double salt between a Zintl phase and a halide. The structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (P21c, a= 1504.1(2), b = 884.5(1), c = 880.2(1) pm, beta = 101.93(2) degrees, R = 0.041 Rw = 0.079). The crystal structure contains isolated barium cations and bromide anions as well as novel singly bonded cyclotrisilicid units. The electronic structure has been studied by linear Muffin tin orbital (LMTO) band structure calculations, which reveal semiconducting behavior with a band gap of about 0.1 eV, and by an analysis of the electron localization function.     

Phase range of the type-I clathrate Sr8Al(x)Si(46-x) and crystal structure of Sr8Al10Si36

Samples of the type-I clathrate Sr(8)Al(x)Si(46-x) have been prepared by direct reaction of the elements. The type-I clathrate structure (cubic space group Pm3n) which has an Al-Si framework with Sr(2+) guest atoms forms with a narrow composition range of 9.54(6) ≤ x ≤ 10.30(8). Single crystals with composition A(8)Al(10)Si(36) (A = Sr, Ba) have been synthesized. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements provide evidence for a peritectic reaction and melting point at ～1268 and ～1421 K for Sr(8)Al(10)Si(36) and Ba(8)Al(10)Si(36), respectively. Comparison of the structures reveals a strong correlation between the 24k-24k framework sites distances and the size of the guest cation. Electronic structure calculation and bonding analysis were carried out for the ordered models with the compositions A(8)Al(6)Si(40) (6c site occupied completely by Al) and A(8)Al(16)Si(30) (16i site occupied completely with Al). Analysis of the distribution of the electron localizability indicator (ELI) confirms that the Si-Si bonds are covalent, the Al-Si bonds are polar covalent, and the guest and the framework bonds are ionic in nature. The Sr(8)Al(6)Si(40) phase has a very small band gap that is closed upon additional Al, as observed in Sr(8)Al(16)Si(30). An explanation for the absence of a semiconducting "Sr(8)Al(16)Si(30)" phase is suggested in light of these findings.     

Synthesis of the clathrate-I phase Ba(8-x)Si46 via redox reactions

The clathrate-I phase Ba(8-x)Si(46) (space group Pm3?n) was synthesized by oxidation of Ba(4)Li(2)Si(6) with gaseous HCl. Microcrystalline powders of the clathrate phase were obtained within a few minutes. The reaction temperature and the pressure of HCl were optimized to achieve good-quality crystalline products with a composition range of 1.3 < x < 1.9. The new preparation route presented here provides an alternative to the high-pressure synthesis applied so far.     

High-pressure synthesis of a new silicon clathrate superconductor, Ba8Si46

A new silicon clathrate compound with a composition of Ba8Si46 was prepared under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. The compound was isomorphous with Na8Si46 and became a superconductor with a transition temperature of 8.0 K. Barium atoms occupy all of the Si20 and Si24 cages of the clathrate structure. This is the first clathrate superconductor obtained as a bulk phase.     

Structure and thermoelectric characterization of Ba8Al14Si31

A molten Al flux method was used to grow single crystals of the type I clathrate compound Ba8Al14Si31. Single-crystal neutron diffraction data for Ba8Al14Si31 were collected at room temperature using the SCD instrument at the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source, Argonne National Laboratory. Single-crystal neutron diffraction of Ba8Al14Si31 confirms that the Al partially occupies all of the framework sites (R1 = 0.0435, wR2 = 0.0687). Stoichiometry was determined by electron microprobe analysis, density measurements, and neutron diffraction analysis. Solid-state (27)Al NMR provides additional evidence for site preferences within the framework. This phase is best described as a framework-deficient solid solution Ba8Al14Si31, with the general formula, Ba(8)Al(x)Si(42-3/4x)[](4-1/4x) ([] indicates lattice defects). DSC measurements and powder X-ray diffraction data indicate that this is a congruently melting phase at 1416 K. Temperature-dependent resistivity reveals metallic behavior. The negative Seebeck coefficient indicates transport processes dominated by electrons as carriers.     

Type-I clathrate Ba8Ni(x)Si(46-x): phase relations, crystal chemistry and thermoelectric properties

The phase relations, crystal structure and thermoelectric properties of the type-I solid solution Ba(8)Ni(x)Si(46-x) were investigated. Based on X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and electron probe microanalysis data, a partial phase diagram was constructed for the Si-rich part of ternary system Ba-Ni-Si at 800 °C. The solubility range of Ni in the clathrate-I phase at 800 °C was determined (2.9 ≤x≤ 3.8) and thermoelectric properties, namely electrical resistivity, Seebeck-coefficient and thermal conductivity, were measured in the temperature range from 300 to 850 K. A shift of the thermoelectric properties from a predominantly metallic to a more semiconducting behavior was observed for an increasing Ni-content. Density functional calculations revealed a significant decrease of the gap width in the density of states induced by the incorporation of Ni. Electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficients for Ba(8)Ni(x)Si(46-x) with 3.3 ≤x≤ 3.8 have been modeled within the rigid band approximation.     

Structure and white luminescence of Eu-activated (Ba,Sr)(13-x)Al(22-2x)Si(10+2x)O66 materials

The optical properties of Eu-activated (Ba,Sr)(13-x)Al(22-2x)Si(10+2x)O66 materials have been determined after the structural reinvestigation of the hypothetical Ba 13Al 22Si 10O 66 material on the basis of the Gebert's model. The white fluorescence and phosphorescence of the (Ba,Sr)(13-x)Al(22-2x)Si(10+2x)O66:Eu series result from the existence of two broad emission bands associated with (8)H-4f(6)5d(1)-->(8)S-4f(7) transitions peaking at 534 and 438 nm, the intensities of which may be tuned at room temperature via the control of the europium concentration and the substitution of Sr for Ba. This suggests the possibility to adjust the emission of the material to white LED requisites.     

晶态Li12Si7锂离子电池负极材料的电化学性能研究

通过加热摩尔比为12:7的LiH/Si球磨混合物,避免了Li与Si之间巨大的熔点差异,成功制备了晶态Li₁₂Si₇合金,研究了其电化学性能和储锂机制. 发现Li₁₂Si₇在0.02 ~ 0.6 V的嵌脱锂过程中,只发生晶胞体积的变化,而不产生相变,呈现出明显的固溶储锂机制. 该固溶储锂机制的存在,有效抑制了Si基负极材料嵌脱锂过程中由于相变导致的体积效应,使得晶态Li₁₂Si₇在0.02 ~ 0.6 V电压范围内具有显著改善的电化学性能,其首次库伦效率高达100%,30次循环后的可逆容量保持率约为74%,分别优于相同条件下原始Si电极的55%和37%.     

HP-Ca2Si5N8--a new high-pressure nitridosilicate: synthesis, structure, luminescence, and DFT calculations

HP-Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) was obtained by means of high-pressure high-temperature synthesis utilizing the multianvil technique (6 to 12 GPa, 900 to 1200 degrees C) starting from the ambient-pressure phase Ca(2)Si(5)N(8). HP-Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (Pbca (no. 61), a=1058.4(2), b=965.2(2), c=1366.3(3) pm, V=1395.7(7)x10(6) pm(3), Z=8, R1=0.1191). The HP-Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) structure is built up by a three-dimensional, highly condensed nitridosilicate framework with N([2]) as well as N([3]) bridging. Corrugated layers of corner-sharing SiN(4) tetrahedra are interconnected by further SiN(4) units. The Ca(2+) ions are situated between these layers with coordination numbers 6+1 and 7+1, respectively. HP-Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) as well as hypothetical orthorhombic o-Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) (isostructural to the ambient-pressure modifications of Sr(2)Si(5)N(8) and Ba(2)Si(5)N(8)) were studied as high-pressure phases of Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) up to 100 GPa by using density functional calculations. The transition pressure into HP-Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) was calculated to 1.7 GPa, whereas o-Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) will not be adopted as a high-pressure phase. Two different decomposition pathways of Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) (into Ca(3)N(2) and Si(3)N(4) or into CaSiN(2) and Si(3)N(4)) and their pressure dependence were examined. It was found that a pressure-induced decomposition of Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) into CaSiN(2) and Si(3)N(4) is preferred and that Ca(2)Si(5)N(8) is no longer thermodynamically stable under pressures exceeding 15 GPa. Luminescence investigations (excitation at 365 nm) of HP-Ca(2)Si(5)N(8):Eu(2+) reveal a broadband emission peaking at 627 nm (FWHM=97 nm), similar to the ambient-pressure phase Ca(2)Si(5)N(8):Eu(2+).     

高温弱还原气氛下高硅铝比煤灰变化行为的研究

利用XRD和FT-IR考察了两种高硅铝比煤(小龙潭褐煤、府谷烟煤)灰中矿物质在高温(1 100~1 500 ℃)弱还原气氛下的演变行为。通过FACT sage对煤中矿物质主要组分在高温下的变化进行了计算,并与XRD和FT-IR结果进行了比较和验证。结果表明,两种高硅铝比煤中矿物质在高温下的演变行为具有很大的差异,高温下,氧化钙含量较高的煤灰主要生成钙镁黄长石和钙长石等长石类矿物质,氧化钙含量较低的煤灰主要生成铝硅酸盐和少量的钙长石、拉长石等。氧化铁对晶体组成影响不明显;二氧化硅的含量随着温度的升高逐渐减少;低温共熔体系的存在降低了高硅铝比煤灰的灰熔点,同时,增加了高温煤灰中非晶体的含量。FACT sage热力学计算结果与XRD、FT-IR分析结果一致。     

On the effects of high temperature and high pressure on the hydrogen solubility in rhenium

In situ x-ray diffraction experiments on rhenium hydride compressed up to 46 GPa reveal a hydrogen solubility (x) significantly larger than the previously assumed saturation limit of x ~ 0.38(4). In the layered anti-CdI(2)-type structure of rhenium hydride, the hydrogen solubility was found to increase to x ~ 0.5 at 15 GPa over time. When heated to temperatures above 420 K at pressures above 23 GPa, rhenium hydride undergoes an isomorphous phase transition into the NiAs-type structure accompanied by an increase in hydrogen solubility to x ~ 0.85. The formation of fully stoichiometric rhenium hydride is discussed.     

Structure and thermoelectric characterization of AxBa8-xAl14Si31 (A = Sr, Eu) single crystals

Single crystals of AxBa8-xAl14Si31 (A = Sr, Eu) were grown using a molten Al flux technique. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms that AxBa8-xAl14Si31 (A = Sr, Eu) crystallize with the type I clathrate structure, and phase purity was determined with powder X-ray diffraction. Stoichiometry was determined to be Sr0.7Ba7.3Al14Si31 and Eu0.3Ba7.7Al14Si31 by electron microprobe analysis. These AxBa8-xAl14Si31 phases can be described as framework-deficient clathrate type I structures with the general formula, AxBa8-xAlySi42-3y/4[]4-1/4y. DSC measurements indicate that these phases melt congruently at 1413 and 1415 K for Sr0.7Ba7.3Al14Si31 and Eu0.3Ba7.7Al14Si31, respectively. Temperature-dependent resistivity indicates metallic behavior, and the negative Seebeck coefficient indicates transport processes dominated by electrons as carriers. Thermal conductivity of these phases remains low with Sr0.7Ba7.3Al14Si31 having the lowest values.     

THE STABILITY OF LAIHUNITE——A THERMODYNAMIC RE-ANALYSIS

A topological analysis on the ternary 7-phase multisystem involving laihunite (FeO-Fe_2O_3-SiO_2; Q-H-M-W-L-Fa-fs) in P-T plane has resulted in an n+4 phase closed-net-diagram. The most possible straightline-net-diagram was derived by using the thermodynamic properties of the phases concerned. From the straight-line-net-diagram it is apparent that laihunite is not a phase stable only at high pressures. P-T-fo_2, analysis suggests that the formation and stabilization of laihunite are closely related to oxygen fugacity. However, laihunite shows different ways of formation at different pressures. At low pressures, it is formed via the oxidation of fayalite; with increasing pressures the contribution of ferrosilite to the formation of laihunite increases; at very high pressures laihunite can be formed only by the oxidation of ferrosilite.     

Electrochemical investigation of the anodic hydrogen evolution on MgZn2, Mg2Si,and Al4Cu2Mg8Si7 intermetallic phases

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The anodic hydrogen evolution (AHE) on Mg, MgZn2 (η-phase), Al4Cu2Mg8Si7 (Q-phase), and Mg2Si (β-phase) intermetallic compounds has been...     

Synthesis, structure, and high-temperature thermoelectric properties of boron-doped Ba8Al14Si31 clathrate I phases

Single crystals of boron-doped Ba8Al14Si31 clathrate I phase were prepared using Al flux growth. The structure and elemental composition of the samples were characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction; elemental analysis; and multinuclear (27)Al, (11)B, and (29)Si solid-state NMR. The samples' compositions of Ba8B0.17Al14Si31, Ba8B0.19Al15Si31, and Ba8B0.32Al14Si31 were consistent with the framework-deficient clathrate I structure Ba8Al(x)Si(42-3/4x)cube(4-1/4x) (x = 14, cube = lattice defect). Solid-state NMR provides further evidence for boron doped into the framework structure. Temperature-dependent resistivity indicates metallic behavior, and the negative Seebeck coefficient indicates that transport processes are dominated by electrons. Thermal conductivity is low, but not significantly lower than that observed in the undoped Ba8Al14Si31 prepared in the same manner.     

Measurements of (p,,T,x) for {x CS2 + (1-x) Si(CH3)4}(1) from 198 to 298 K and pressures up to 104 MPa. Experimental results and derived thermodynamic properties

Molar densities have been measured by using an expansion technique at pressures up to 104 MPa and temperatures from 198 to 298 K for the mixture {x CS₂ + (1-x) Si(CH₃)₄}(1) over the whole composition range. Several thennodynamic properties (isothermal compressibility, thermal expansivity, and molar internal energy, enthalpy and entropy increments relative to liquid at saturation) have been directly obtained from the experimental densities. The isothermal compressibility and the thermal expansivity are both smooth functions of pressure, temperature and composition, although the isotherms of the thermal expansivity exhibit a characteristic crossover at high pressures. The intersection of isotherms of thermal expansivity seems to occur at a single point of the (p,α_p) diagram, showing a nearly linear dependence with the composition.     

N-Myristoylated Phosphatidylethanolamine: Interfacial Behavior and Interaction with Cholesterol

The interfacial packing behavior of N-myristoyldimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (N-14:0 DMPE) and its interaction with cholesterol were characterized and compared to the behavior of dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) using an automated Langmuir type film balance. Surface pressure and surface potential were monitored as a function of lipid cross-sectional molecular area. N-14:0 DMPE exhibited two-dimensional (2D) phase transitions of a liquid-expanded to condensed nature at many temperatures in the 15-30 °C range, but isotherms showed only condensed behavior at 15 °C. The sharp decline in the surface compressional moduli upon entering the 2D-transition region is consistent with differences in the partial molar areas of coexisting liquid-expanded (chain-disordered) and condensed (chain-ordered) phases. Including Ca(2+) in the subphase beneath the negatively charged N-14:0 DMPE caused a downward shift in the 2D-transition onset pressure even in the presence of 100 mM NaCl. The average dipole moments perpendicular to the lipid-water interface for N-14:0 DMPE's liquid-expanded and condensed phases were higher than those of DMPE. At surface pressures sufficiently low (<10 mN/m) to produce liquid-expanded phase behavior in pure N-14:0 DMPE, mixing with cholesterol resulted in a classic "condensing effect". Maximal area condensation was observed near equimolar N-14:0 DMPE/cholesterol. Insights into mixing behavior at high surface pressures that mimic the lipid cross-sectional areas of biomembranes were provided by analyzing the surface compressional moduli as a function of cholesterol mole fraction. Complex mixing patterns were observed that deviated significantly from theoretical ideal mixing behavior suggesting the presence of lipid "complexes" and/or a liquid-ordered phase at high sterol mole fractions (>0.35) and low to intermediate surface pressures (<20 mN/m) as well as the possible coexistence of relatively immiscible solid phases at higher surface pressures (e.g., 35 mN/m).     

29Si and 17O NMR investigations on Si−O−Ti bonds in solutions of diphenylsilanediol and titanium-tetra-isopropoxide

The structural units in diphenylsilanediol/titanium-isopropoxide solutions with molar ratio Si:Ti between 1:0.1 and 1:5 were examined by means of ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O NMR. The main component in solutions with molar ratio Si/Ti=1:0.1 is the chain-like octaphenyltetrasiloxanediol. With increasing Ti-isopropoxide content (1:0.25–1:05) Si–O–Ti units of the spirocyclic titanosiloxane Ti[O₅Si₄(C₆H₅)₈]₂ prevail in the solutions accompanied by the chain-like tetrasiloxanediol. The ²⁹Si NMR spectra of 1:1 solutions indicate a lot of different Si containing building units with chemical shifts mainly between-40 and-46 ppm. The signals with a chemical shift between-40 and-46 ppm are probably caused by Si atoms which are connected via oxygen bridges directly (Si–O–Ti) or indirectly (Si–O–Si–O–Ti) with titanium. Contrary to the 1:1 solutions only one or two different species with Si–O–Ti units are present in high Ti-alkoxide containing solutions (1:5). ²⁹Si and ¹⁷O NMR results reveal a quick hydrolysis of the Ti–O–Si bonds to titanium-oxo-hydroxo-polymers and phenylsiloxanediols or their isopropyl esters after the addition of water to the solutions. This separation into species only containing either Ti–O–Ti or Si–O–Si bonds can entail a decreased homogeneity of the reaction products on a molecular level.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties of the type-I clathrate Ba(8-δ)Ni(x)□(y)Si(46-x-y)

Type-I clathrate phase Ba(8)Ni(x)□(y)Si(46-x-y) (□ = vacancy) was obtained from the elements at 1000 °C with the homogeneity range 2.4 ≤ x ≤ 3.8 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.9. In addition, samples with low Ni content (x = 1.4 and 1.6; y = 0) and small Ba deficiency were prepared from the melt by steel-quenching. Compositions were established by microprobe analysis and crystal structure determination. Ba(8-δ)Ni(x)□(y)Si(46-x-y) crystallizes in the space group Pm ?3n (No. 223) with lattice parameter ranging from a = 10.3088(1) ? for Ba(7.9(1))Ni(1.4(1))Si(44.6(1)) to a = 10.2896(1) ? for Ba(8.00(3))Ni(3.82(4))Si(41.33(6)). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data together with microprobe analysis indicate an increasing number of framework vacancies toward compositions with higher Ni content. For all compositions investigated, Ni K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements showed an electronic state close to that of elemental Ni. All samples exhibit metallic-like behavior with moderate thermopower and low thermal conductivity in the temperature range 300-773 K. Samples with compositions Ba(7.9(1))Ni(1.4(1))Si(44.6(1)) and Ba(7.9(1))Ni(1.6(1))Si(44.4(1)) are superconducting with T(c) values of 6.0 and 5.5 K, respectively.