The structure and ordering of ε-MnO2

The presence of ε-MnO₂ as a major component of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) has been demonstrated by a combined X-ray diffraction/transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study. ε-MnO₂ usually has a partially ordered defect NiAs structure containing 50% cation vacancies; these vacancies can be fully ordered by a low temperature (200 °C) heat treatment to form a pseudohexagonal but monoclinic superlattice.Numerous fine-scale anti-phase domain boundaries are present in ordered ε-MnO₂ and cause extensive peak broadening and a massive shift of a very intense, 0.37 nm superlattice peak. This suggests a radically different explanation of the ubiquitous, very broad ∼0.42 nm peak (∼21-22° 2θ, CuKα radiation) in EMDs, which heretofore has been attributed to Ramsdellite containing numerous planar defects. This work confirms the multi-phase model of equiaxed EMDs proposed by Heuer et al. [ITE Lett. 1(6) (2000) B50; Proc. Seventh Int. Symp. Adv. Phys. Fields 92 (2001)], rather than the defective single-phase model of Chabre and Pannetier [Prog. Solid State Chem. 23 (1995) 1] and Bowden et al. [ITE Lett. 4(1) (2003) B1].     

Structural, microstructural and surface properties of a specific CeO2-Bi2O3 multiphase system obtained at 600 °C

Polycrystalline samples of (1−x) CeO₂−x/2 Bi₂O₃ phases, where x is the atom fraction of bismuth have been synthesized by the precipitation process and after the thermal treatment at 600 °C, under air. Samples are first characterized by the X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. To determine the samples specific surface areas, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses have been performed. In the composition range 0≤x≤0.20, a cubic solid solution with fluorite structure is obtained. For compositions x comprised between 0.30 and 0.90, two types of T′ (or β′) and T (or β) tetragonal phases, similar to the well-known β′ or β Bi₂O₃ metastable structural varieties, are observed. However, the crystal cell volumes of these β′ or β Bi₂O₃ phases increase with the composition x in bismuth: this might be due to the presence of defects or substitution by cerium atoms, in the tetragonal lattices. Using X-ray diffraction profile analyses, correlations between bismuth composition x and crystal sizes or lattice distortions have been established. The solid-gas interactions between these polycrystalline materials and air-CH₄ and air-CO flows have been studied as a function of temperature and composition x, using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses of the conversions of CH₄ and CO gases into the CO₂ gas. The transformations of CH₄ and CO molecules as a function of time and temperature are determined through the intensities of FTIR CO₂ absorption bands. Using the specific surface areas determined from BET analyses, these FTIR intensities have been normalized and compared. For all bismuth compositions, a low catalytic reactivity is observed with air-CH₄ gas flows, while, for the highest bismuth compositions, a high catalytic reactivity is observed with air-CO gas flows.     

不同温度下合成的LiCoO2的晶体结构

研究了用Li₂CO₃和Co₃O₄固相合成锂离子电池正极材料钴酸锂(LiCoO₂)过程中，LiCoO₂的晶体结构随合成温度的变化。利用X射线衍射、扫描和透射电子显微技术等各种分析测试方法，对750～900 ℃范围内合成的LiCoO₂的形貌、晶体结构以及电化学性能进行了表征。实验证实，随着合成温度的增加，合成的LiCoO₂颗粒的形貌没有明显变化，但颗粒尺寸会增加；电子衍射结果表明，合成温度为800 ℃时可以合成Li、Co原子各自分层的六方晶体结构的LiCoO₂，随着合成温度的升高LiCoO₂中Li、Co原子层之间可能发生部分混合，合成温度为900 ℃时LiCoO₂为立方岩盐型晶体结构；800 ℃合成的LiCoO₂的充放电循环性能较好。     

Strained Structure in Ho0.5Sr0.5MnO3

The Ho_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ perovskite, synthesized in air, has been studied by combining neutron powder and electron diffraction techniques. The Pnma-type structure exhibits a strong tilting of the MnO₆ octahedra. This octahedra tilting and microtwinning involve a complex strained structure. No structural transition is observed down to 1.4 K, but short-range A-type antiferromagnetism running over only a few perovskite subcells is evidenced below ≈90 K. The different behavior of this perovskite compared to other Ln_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ perovskites is discussed in terms of A-site cationic mismatch.     

Structure and Phase Transitions of SnP2O7

SnP₂O₇ is a member of the ZrP₂O₇ family of materials, several of which show unusual thermal expansion behavior over certain temperature ranges and which show a number of displacive phase transitions on cooling from high temperature. Here we describe the structural properties of SnP₂O₇ from 100 to 1243 K as determined by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. These studies reveal that SnP₂O₇ shows two phase transitions in this temperature range. At room temperature the material has a pseudo-cubic 3×3×3× superstructure. Electron diffraction studies show that the symmetry of this structure is P2₁3 or lower. On warming to ∼560 K it undergoes a phase transition to a structure in which the subcell reflections show a triclinic distortion; above 830 K the subcell reflections show a rhombohedral distortion. Significant hysteresis in cell parameters is observed between heating and cooling. The structure of SnP₂O₇ is discussed with references to other members of the AM₂O₇ family of materials.     

Nanosized LiMn2O4 from mechanically activated solid-state synthesis

The synthesis of pure and Cr-doped nanosized LiMn₂O₄ particles has been carried out by solid-state process on high-energy ground mixtures. In situ X-ray analysis demonstrates the spinel forms as single phase at 623 K passing through the Mn₃O₄ precursor at temperatures as low as 573 K. In the doped high-energy ground mixture Li-rich spinel phase forms at 623 K and Cr ions insert in the spinel octahedral site only at 723 K.A mean particle size value of 60 Å, quite independent of the reaction time, is obtained for T<673 K. For higher temperature the growing of the particles as a function of time is observed, independent of doping. The mechanical grinding seems to be the most suitable way to obtain impurity-free spinel phases at lower temperature and with smaller particle size with respect to manually ground mixtures by solid-state reaction and via sol-gel synthesis.     

Pressure-Induced Structural Deformations in SeO2

The high-pressure behavior of low-dimensional selenium dioxide SeO₂ (P4₂/mbc, Z=8) is studied with Raman scattering and synchrotron angle-dispersive X-ray powder diffraction in a diamond anvil cell up to 23 GPa at room temperature. Pressure-induced transformations in this material involve a sequence of structural distortions of the chain structure. The transformation occuring above 7.0 GPa is due to symmetry lowering to space group Pbam (Z=8) without major changes of the crystal lattice dimensions and coordination around the Se atoms. Like in the ambient pressure polymorph, the structural unit is a SeO₃E polyhedron, where E is a Se non-bonded electron lone pair, or an irregular tetrahedron with the O atoms and Se lone pair at the vertices. Further structural transitions above 17 GPa are likely to be the result of additional distortions leading to monoclinic symmetry of the crystal structure. All transformations are reversible with little hysteresis.     

Structural phase transitions in Zn(CN)2 under high pressures

High pressure behavior of zinc cyanide (Zn(CN)₂) has been investigated with the help of synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction measurements. Our studies reveal that under pressure this compound undergoes phase transformations and the structures of the new phases depend on whether the pressure is hydrostatic or not. Under hydrostatic conditions, Zn(CN)₂ transforms from cubic to orthorhombic to cubic-II to amorphous phases. In contrast, the non-hydrostatic pressure conditions drive the ambient cubic phase to a partially disordered crystalline phase, which eventually evolves to a substantially disordered phase. The final disordered phase in the latter case is distinct from the amorphous phase observed under the hydrostatic pressures.     

锂空气电池空气电极LiCoO2电催化性能研究

自设计建立锂空气电池实验装置,研究以掺入LiCoO2作为电催化剂的空气正极的电化学性能及其放电前后催化剂结构的变化.循环伏安、XRD及充放电测试等表明,LiCoO2能够很大程度地改善空气电极的放电性能.尤其是在放电前,将掺有LiCoO2的空气正极充电至4.1 V,此时LiCoO2的Co元素呈现较高的价态（Co3＋/Co...     

Synthesis and spectral characterization of diorganodiaminosilanes [(ArNH)2SiPhMe] (Ar = 2,6-Pr2C6H3; 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) and lithium silylamide [(2,6-Et2C6H3NLi)(2,6-Et2C6H3NH)SiPh2]

Aminosilanes bearing bulky substituents on nitrogen centers, [(ArNH)₂SiPhMe] (Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃ (1), 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (2)) and half-sandwich lithium silylamide [(2,6-Et₂C₆H₃NLi)(2,6-Et₂C₆H₃NH)SiPh₂] (3) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, EI mass and NMR (¹H and ²⁹Si) spectroscopic studies. The solid state structures of 2 and 3 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The molecule 2 has a C₁ symmetry due to the steric crowding, and the two N-H protons are approximately trans to each other. The amido nitrogen atoms in 2 show significant deviation from trigonal-planar geometry, and as a result, the observed Si-N bonds are marginally longer than those observed in aminosilanes with planar nitrogen atoms. The molecule 3 exists as discrete dimer with an inversion center. The Li ion in 3 forms intramolecular π-complex with the neighboring aryl (2,6-Et₂C₆H₃) group, to form a half-sandwich lithium silylamide.     

Single-Crystal Neutron Structure Analysis of (NH4)21[H3Mo57V6(NO)6O183(H2O)18]·53 H2O

The crystal structure of (NH₄)₂₁[H₃Mo₅₇V₆(NO)₆O₁₈₃ (H₂O)₁₈]·53 H₂O a supramolecular heteropoly cluster compound (space group P6₃/mmcZ=2 final R1=0.1302 (I>2σ(I)) for 1745 unique reflections) was redetermined by single-crystal neutron diffraction studies at 20 K. The X-ray diffraction results reported in 1994 by Müller et al. (Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 620 599) are confirmed. Additionally we could localize many hydrogen positions not found so far and establish a phase transition near 240 K. Many of the ammonium ions the ligand and hydrate H₂O molecules and the hydroxy group are orientationally disordered even at 20 K. The central cavity of the structure is built up by two twelve-membered rings consisting of six O-H·sdot;·O hydrogen bonds each. These strong hydrogen bonds are obviously decisive for the stability of the cluster. The hydrate H₂O molecules are stronger-hydrogen-bond acceptor groups than the oxoligands of the cluster.     

Structural disorder in Ba0.6Sr0.4Al2O4

The structural disorder in Ba_0.6Sr_0.4Al₂O₄ (space group P6₃22) was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). The initial structural model was determined using direct methods, and it was further modified by the combined use of Rietveld method and maximum-entropy method (MEM). MEM-based pattern fitting method was subsequently applied, resulting in the final reliability indices of R_wp=9.61%, R_p=6.96%, R_B=1.40% and S=1.25. The electron density distribution was satisfactorily expressed by the split-atom model in which the strontium/barium and oxygen atoms were split to occupy the lower symmetry sites. The diffuse scattering in SAED was mainly attributable to the positional disorder of oxygen atoms.     

X-Ray and TEM Studies of CdTeMoO6 and CoTeMoO6: A New Superstructure of Fluorite Type with Cation and Anion Deficiencies (▪CoTeMo)(□2O6)

The crystal structures of two telluromolybdates CdTeMoO₆ and CoTeMoO₆ have been solved ab initio. CdTeMoO₆ crystallizes in a tetragonal cell (space group No. 113, P 2₁m, Z=2) with a=5.2840(1) Å, c=9.0595(2) Å whereas CoTeMoO₆ crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2 (No. 18) with two formula units in the unit cell of dimensions a=5.2545(1) Å, b=5.0653(1) Å, and c=8.8589(2) Å. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern data were refined by the Rietveld profile technique and led respectively to R_Bragg=0.07 for CdTeMoO₆ and R_Bragg=0.07 for CoTeMoO₆. The crystal structure of CdTeMoO₆ is built up from corner-sharing distorted CdO₄ tetrahedra which build a layer in the a,b plane, while in CoTeMoO₆ cobalt atoms exhibited an octahedral distorted surrounding. Both compounds are simultaneously cation- and anion-deficient 1.1.2 superstructures of fluorite in which the electron lone pairs of tellurium are stereo-chemically active. High-resolution electron microscopy images of CdTeMoO₆ showed well-ordered crystals fragments, but in some crystals defects have also been detected.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the Sr2Al0.78Mn1.22O5.2 anion-deficient layered perovskite

A new layered perovskite Sr₂Al_0.78Mn_1.22O_5.2 has been synthesized by solid state reaction in a sealed evacuated silica tube. The crystal structure has been determined using electron diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy, and high-angle annular dark field imaging and refined from X-ray powder diffraction data (space group P4/mmm, a=3.89023(5) Å, c=7.8034(1) Å, R_I=0.023, R_P=0.015). The structure is characterized by an alternation of MnO₂ and (Al_0.78Mn_0.22)O_1.2 layers. Oxygen atoms and vacancies, as well as the Al and Mn atoms in the (Al_0.78Mn_0.22)O_1.2 layers are disordered. The local atomic arrangement in these layers is suggested to consist of short fragments of brownmillerite-type tetrahedral chains of corner-sharing AlO₄ tetrahedra interrupted by MnO₆ octahedra, at which the chain fragments rotate over 90°. This results in an averaged tetragonal symmetry. This is confirmed by the valence state of Mn measured by EELS. The relationship between the Sr₂Al_0.78Mn_1.22O_5.2 tetragonal perovskite and the parent Sr₂Al_1.07Mn_0.93O₅ brownmillerite is discussed. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate spin glass behavior of Sr₂Al_0.78Mn_1.22O_5.2. The lack of long-range magnetic ordering contrasts with Mn-containing brownmillerites and is likely caused by the frustration of interlayer interactions due to presence of the Mn atoms in the (Al_0.78Mn_0.22)O_1.2 layers.     

New La2/3TiO3 Derivatives: Structure and Impedance Spectroscopy

New phases which arise from inserting Na cations on the vacant A-sites of the compound La_2/3TiO₃ have been obtained, giving rise to the series La_4/3−xNa_3xTi₂O₆ (for x=0.16 and 0.28). These phases adopt a perovskite-type structure as deduced from their characterization by electron microscopy and neutron diffraction. Rietveld analyses show that the symmetry is orthorhombic (S.G. Ibmm). Electrical conductivity was determined by impedance spectroscopy, as a function of temperature. A similar behavior is observed for both samples, which behave as ionic conductors with activation energies of 0.92(3) and 0.92(5) eV, respectively.     

Structural and Magnetic Chemistry of NdBaCo2O5+δ

The crystallographic and magnetic structures of the oxygen-deficient perovskites NdBaCo₂O_5+δ (δ=0, 0.38, 0.5, 0.69) have been studied as a function of temperature by neutron powder diffraction. Long-range G-type antiferromagnetic order is realized for all samples apart from that with δ=0.5. The lack of magnetic order for δ=0.5 can be understood on the basis of a crystal-field-induced spin-state ordering between low-spin and high-spin Co³⁺. Contrary to studies of similar materials with smaller lanthanides, the δ=0 material exhibits no evidence of long-range charge ordering. No evidence of a spin-state transition as observed in YBaCo₂O₅ is found for any of our samples.     

In[NC5H3(CO2)2](OH2)F: A new layered indium-organic framework material (NC5H3(CO2)2=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate)

A new layered indium-organic framework material, In[NC₅H₃(CO₂)₂](OH₂)F has been synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction using In₂O₃, NH₄F, 2,6-NC₅H₃(CO₂H)₂ (2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid), HF, and water at 200 °C. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was used to determine the structure of the reported material. In[NC₅H₃(CO₂)₂](OH₂)F has a novel layered structure consisting of InO₅NF polyhedra and the pyridinedicarboxylate organic linker. Detailed structural analyses with full characterization including infrared spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, exchange reactions for the coordinated water molecule, and gas adsorption experiments are reported.     

Structural and vibrational studies of Li[Kx(NH4)1−x]SO4 and Li2KNH4(SO4)2 mixed crystals

Mixed crystals of Li[K_x(NH₄)_1−x]SO₄ have been obtained by evaporation from aqueous solution at 313 K using different molar ratios of mixtures of LiKSO₄ and LiNH₄SO₄. The crystals were characterized by Raman scattering and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Two types of compound were obtained: Li[K_x(NH₄)_1−x]SO₄ with x?0.94 and Li₂KNH₄(SO₄)₂. Different phases of Li[K_x(NH₄)_1−x]SO₄ were yielded according to the molar ratio used in the preparation. The first phase is isostructural to the room-temperature phase of LiKSO₄. The second phase is the enantiomorph of the first, which is not observed in pure LiKSO₄, and the last is a disordered phase, which was also observed in LiKSO₄, and can be assumed as a mixture of domains of two preceding phases. In the second type of compound with formula Li₂KNH₄(SO₄)₂, the room-temperature phase is hexagonal, symmetry space group P6₃ with cell-volume nine times that of LiKSO₄. In this phase, some cavities are occupied by K⁺ ions only, and others are occupied by either K⁺ or NH₄⁺ at random. Thermal analyses of both types of compounds were performed by DSC, ATD, TG and powder X-ray diffraction. The phase transition temperatures for Li[K_x(NH₄)_1−x]SO₄x?0.94 were affected by the random presence of the ammonium ion in this disordered system. The high-temperature phase of Li₂KNH₄(SO₄)₂ is also hexagonal, space group P6₃/mmc with the cell a-parameter double that of LiKSO₄. The phase transition is at 471.9 K.