Sol–gel preparation and characterization of Bi4(Si1−xGex)3O12 solid solutions

Micro-crystals of Bi₄(Ge_xSi_1?x)₃O₁₂ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) solid solution series were synthesized by a sol–gel method, using stoichiometric Si(OC₂H₅)₄, GeO₂, Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O as the starting materials. The as-prepared series were studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, differential thermal analysis, and fluorescence spectra. Experiments showed that single phase of Bi₄(Si_1?xGe_x)₃O₁₂ was obtained by the sol–gel method. For all the composition, Bi₄Si₃O₁₂ and Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ can completely dissolve into each other. The refined cell parameters were in proportion to the composition. Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ showed the strongest fluorescence emission while Bi₄Si₃O₁₂ showed the weakest fluorescence emission.     

Structure and electrical conductivity of multicomponent metal oxides having scheelite structure

The investigated bismuth vanadate, BiVO₄, bismuth vanadomolybdate, Bi_0.85V_0.55Mo_0.45O₄, and pure bismuth molybdate, Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂, oxides prepared by novel spray drying technique having the scheelite structure were found to be monoclinic in the case of BiVO₄ and Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂, whereas Bi_0.85V_0.55Mo_0.45O₄ is body-centered tetragonal. The distribution of intergranular porosity across polycrystalline samples is inhomogeneous, being larger parallel to the flat compression of the powder samples. The high polarizability of Bi³⁺ cations with their lone-pair electrons influences stability of the disordered oxygen sublattice. All as-prepared systems undergo a slight structural change of the oxygen arrangement during the sample heating in the temperature region of 340–390°C, probably due to an order ⇆ disorder transition, resulting in a decrease of lattice oxygen ion mobility and decrease of electrical conductivity. The total bulk electrical conductivity of both vanadate systems is essentially ionic at low temperatures and high oxygen partial pressures. Diffusion of the lattice oxygen ions in the Bi_1−x/3V_1−x Mo _x O₄ scheelite structure is indirectly related to the introduction of cation vacancies. The highest conductivity was observed in the multicomponent oxide Bi_0.85V_0.55Mo_0.45O₄, both as-prepared and thermally treated. Above 350°C the conductivity of BiVO₄ and partially also Bi_0.85V_0.55Mo_0.45O₄ oxides is affected by the n-type electron contribution. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2009, Vol. 45, No. 6, pp. 659–667. The article is published in the original. Published by report at IX Conference “Fundamental Problems of Solid State Ionics”, Chernogolovka, 2008.     

Reactions Invariantes Induisant La Densification Des Varistances ZnO

The electrical properties of ZnO varistors are induced by a sintering step. The phenomena occurring during this thermal treatment have been studied through model systems whose nature and composition are well defined. The pure BiSbO₄ and Bi₃ Zn₂ Sb₃ O₁₄ phases have been synthetised by Direct Oxidation of a Precursory Alloy (DOPA) and characterized using XRD method. Each one of these phases can react with zinc monoxide through an invariant isobaric reaction in the ZnO–Bi₂ O₃ –Sb₂ O₃ system: – at 998°C 17/3<ZnO>+2/3<Bi₃ Zn₂ Sb₃ O₁₄ > arrow <Zn₇ Sb₂ O₁₂ > + ((Bi₂ O₃ )) – at 1058°C 7<ZnO>+2<BiSbO₄ > arrow <Zn₇ Sb₂ O₁₂ >+((Bi₂ O₃ )) These thermodynamic considerations can explain the thermal domain of the sintering reaction described in the literature. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Experimental investigation of the Nd–Al–Si system

The isothermal section of the Nd–Al–Si ternary system at 500 °C has been investigated using differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and electron micro-probe analysis. Four ternary intermetallic compounds were confirmed: NdAl₂Si₂ (τ₁), hP5-CaLa₂O₂ structure type, Nd₂Al₃Si (τ₂), hP3-AlB₂ structure type, NdAl_1−x Si_1+x , 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 (τ₃), tI12-αThSi₂ structure type and Nd₂Al_1−x Si_1+x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2, (τ₅), oS8-CrB structure type. A new ternary intermetallic phase (τ₄) was found: Nd₄Al₃Si₃, orthorhombic oS20, isotypic with Pr₄Al₃Ge₃.     

LiNi<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.2−x</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles: synthesis,structure, and evaluation of electrochemical properties for lithium ion cell application

Layered Ti-doped lithiated nickel cobaltate, LiNi_0.8Co_{0.2 − x}Ti_xO₂ (where x = 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05) nanopowders were prepared by wet-chemistry technique. The structural properties of synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermo-gravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The morphological changes brought about by the changes in composition of LiNi_0.8Co_{0.2 − x}Ti_xO₂ particles were examined through surface examination techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. Electrochemical studies were carried out using 2016-type coin cell in the voltage range of 3.0–4.5 V (vs carbon) using 1 M LiClO₄ in ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate as the electrolyte. Among the various concentrations of Ti-doped lithiated nickel cobaltate materials, C/LiNi_0.8Co_0.17Ti_0.03O₂ cell gives stable charge–discharge features.     

Oxygen ionic transport in Bi2O3-based oxides: The solid solutions Bi2O3–Nb2O5

The minimum concentration of niobium to stabilize the fluorite-type f.c.c. phase in the Bi₂O₃–Nb₂O₅ oxide system at temperatures below 996 K was ascertained to be about 10 mol%. Thermal expansion, electrical conductivity and crystal lattice parameters of the Bi(Nb)O_1.5+δ solid solutions decrease with increasing niobium content. Thermal expansion coefficients were calculated from the dilatometric data to be (10.314.5)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at temperatures in the range 300–700 K and (17.526.0)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 700–1100 K. The conductivity of the Bi_{1− x} Nb _x O_1.5+δ ceramics is predominantly ionic. The p-type electronic transference numbers of the Bi(Nb)O_1.5+δ solid solutions in air were determined to be less than 0.1. Annealing at temperatures below 900 K results in a sharp decrease in conductivity of the Bi_{1− x} Nb _x O_1.5+δ ceramics. Received: 18 August 1997 / Accepted: 20 October 1997     

Bi5Nb3O15 as a photocatalyst: photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical studies

Bi₅Nb₃O₁₅ was prepared from a stoichiometric mixture of Bi₂O₃ and Nb₂O₅ at 300–500 °C. The prepared photocatalyst was characterized by diffuse reflection spectrum (DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis. The band gap, crystal structure and average grain size were determined from the above methods to be 3.25 eV, distorted pyrochlore and 4–5 μm respectively. The photoelectrochemical behavior of hydrogen-reduced Bi₅Nb₃O₁₅ was investigated in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ and using the Fe(CN)₆ ^3−/4− redox couple for measuring the current-voltage characteristics. The cyclic voltammetric studies revealed that the onset potential for photocurrent generation existed at −0.45 V, which is more negative to water reduction level at pH 7.0, and that of the photocurrent at 1.0 V was observed as 0.58 mA/cm². Photocatalytic hydrogen production has been achieved by using Bi₅Nb₃O₁₅ as a photocatalyst in presence of methyl viologen. The quantum yield for hydrogen production for this system was found to be 0.83. All the studies clearly indicated that Bi₅Nb₃O₁₅ has potential in solar energy conversion. Received: 22 May 1997 / Accepted: 18 September 1997     

Synthesis,characterization and performance of nanosized Bi<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>–WPU organic–inorganic hybrid coatings

A series of organic–inorganic hybrid coatings consisting of organic waterborne polyurethane (WPU) and inorganic nanosized bismuth-doped tin dioxide were successfully synthesized by the in situ polymerization approach. Bi_0.1Sn_0.9O₂ nano-powders were prepared via a new route of sol–gel combustion hybrid method using acetylene black as the fuel. The formed nano-powders were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Bi_0.1Sn_0.9O₂–WPU was then fabricated with isophorone diisocyanate, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid and nano-Bi_0.1Sn_0.9O₂-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) as the starting materials. Organic–inorganic hybrid coatings are always achieved with adjustable contents of Bi_0.1Sn_0.9O₂. The hybrid coatings with Bi_0.1Sn_0.9O₂ loading on the glass substrate exhibited good heat insulation efficiency. The tensile strength and breaking extensibility of nanocomposite film containing 1.0% of the nano-Bi_0.1Sn_0.9O₂ were measured as 9.35 MPa and 248%, respectively. The transmittance of visible light was above 80%. The heat insulation of glass coated with nano-Bi_0.1Sn_0.9O₂–WPU hybrid was over 60 °C in contrast to the commercial blank glass.     

NMR spectra and the structure of the guest sublattice in the monocationic forms of clinoptilolite and heulandite

The¹H NMR spectra of the hydrated monocationic forms of clinoptilolite M₆[Al₆Si₃₀O₇₂]·nH₂O (M=Li, Na, K, Cs, NH₄; n=12–22) and M ₃ ^′ [Al₆Si₃₀O₇₂]·nH₂O (M′=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; n=20–24) and heulandite M₈[Al₈Si₂₈O₇₂]·21H₂O (M=Na, K) are divided into three types differing in the symmetry of tensors of magnetic dipole-dipole interactions of protons in zeolite water molecules. On the basis of model calculations it is shown that water molecules in the Cs, K, and Ba forms of clinoptilolite and the K form of heulandite are ordered in structural positions. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Zeorex Ltd., Sofia. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 891–900, September–October, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina     

Thermal stability and crystallization kinetics of Pb and Bi borate-based glasses

Glasses with compositions 60B₂O₃–40PbO, 60B₂O₃–40Bi₂O₃, and 60B₂O₃–30Bi₂O₃–10PbO have been prepared and studied by differential thermal analysis. The crystallization kinetics of the glasses was investigated under non-isothermal conditions. From dependence of the glass transition temperature (T _g) on the heating rate, the activation energy for the glass transition was derived. Similarly the activation energy of the crystallization process was determined. Thermal stability of these glasses were achieved in terms of the characteristic temperatures, such as the glass transition temperature, T _g, the onset temperature of crystallization, T _in , the temperature corresponding to the maximum crystallization rate, T _p, beside the kinetic parameters, K(T _g) and K(T _p). The results revealed that the 60B₂O₃–40PbO is more stable than the others. The crystallization mechanism is characterized for glasses. The phases at which the glass crystallizes after the thermal process have been identified by X-ray diffraction.     

Infrared absorption spectra of Er3+-doped Al2O3 nanopowders by the sol-gel method

The Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the sol-gel method, using the aluminium isopropoxide [Al(OC₃H₇)₃]-derived γ-AlOOH sols with addition of the erbium nitrate [Er(NO₃)₃·5H₂O]. The five phases of γ-(Al,Er)₂O₃, θ-(Al,Er)₂O₃, α-(Al,Er)₂O₃, ErAlO₃, and Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄ were detected with the 0–20 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the different sintering temperature of 600–1200°C. The average grain size was increased from about 5 to 62 nm for phase transformation of undoped γ-Al₂O₃→α-Al₂O₃ at the sintering temperature from 600 to 1200°C. At the same sintering temperature, average grain size was decreased with increase of the Er³⁺ doping concentration. Infrared absorption spectra of γ-Al₂O₃ and θ-Al₂O₃ nanopowders showed the two broad bands of 830–870 and 550–600 cm⁻¹, the three broad bands of 830–870, 750–760, and 550–600 cm⁻¹, respectively. The infrared absorption spectra for the α-Al₂O₃ nanopowder showed three characteristic bands, 640, 602, and 453 cm⁻¹. The two characteristic bands of 669 and 418 cm⁻¹ for Er₂O₃ clusters were observed for the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders when Er³⁺ doping concentration was increased up to 2 mol%. The 796, 788, 725, 692, 688, 669, 586, 509, 459, and 418 cm⁻¹ are the characteristic bands of Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄ phase.     

Ionic conductivity of sodium silicates with lovozerite-type structure

The ionic conductivity of Na,Zr and Na,Sn silicates of the lovozerite family (Na_{8 − x} H _x ZrSi₆O₁₈ structural type, space group R $ \bar 3 $ \bar 3 m) was studied in the temperature range of 293–800 K using the impedance spectroscopy method (5−5 × 10⁵ Hz). The compositions of the studied compounds were obtained using the method of hydrothermal synthesis in the MO₂-SiO₂-NaOH-H₂O and MO₂-SiO₂-CaO-NaOH-H₂O (M = Zr, Sn) systems at 573–823 K. The samples for electrophysical studies were prepared according to the ceramic technology. It was found that isovalent cation substitutions of Sn⁴⁺ → Zr⁴⁺ in Na₈M⁴⁺Si₆O₁₈ and Na₆CaM⁴⁺Si₆O₁₈ and H⁺ → Na⁺ in Na_{8 − x} H _x ZrSi₆O₁₈ result in an increase in the ionic conductivity by 2–3 orders of magnitude, without affecting the ionic transport activation energy (0.6–0.7 eV). The best electrolytic characteristics are typical for the Na₅H₃ZrSi₆O₁₈ compound, for which the ionic conductivity value is 5 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at 573 K.     

Phase states in the Bi4Ti3O12-BiFeO3 section in the Bi2O3-TiO2-Fe2O3 system

Specific features of the thermal behavior of Bi _{m + 1}Fe _m−3Ti₃O_{3m + 3} layered perovskite-like compounds (where m takes integer and some fractional values between 3 and 9) were considered, and the temperature limits of stability of these compounds were determined. The phase diagram of the Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂-BiFeO₃ section through the Bi₂O₃-TiO₂-Fe₂O₃ system was constructed.     

Structural and thermal stability of BIMEVOX oxygen semiconductors

The results on the structural and thermal stability of different modifications of solid solutions Bi₄V_{2 − x} Fe _x O_{11 − δ} (BIFEVOX), where x = 0.05–0.6, and Bi₄V_{2 − x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 − δ} (BICUTIVOX), where x = 0.025–0.50, are shown. The stability is assessed by varying the thermodynamic parameters of the medium and also the time parameters with the use of modern methods, namely, the high-temperature X-ray diffraction analysis, the differential scanning calorimetry, and the dilatometry. The γ-modification of BIFEVOX is shown to be stable in a wide range of temperatures and oxygen partial pressures.     

Fabrication and properties of xBiFeO3-(1 − x)Bi4Ti3O12 system by sol–gel process

The thin films of mixture of xBiFeO₃-(1 − x)Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (x = 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6) system were prepared by a sol–gel process. The thicknesses of the thin films were 540, 500, and 570 nm, respectively. The crystal structure of all thin films annealed at 650 °C was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. It was found that the thin films at x = 0.4 and 0.5 mainly consisted of a Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ phase while Bi₅Ti₃FeO₁₅ was the major phase of the thin film at x = 0.6. The thin film (x = 0.6) showed better ferroelectric properties in remnant polarization and polarization fatigue than those observed in the thin films (x = 0.4 and 0.5). The values of remnant polarization 2P _r and coercive field 2E c of the thin film at x = 0.6 were 36 μC/cm² and 192 kV/cm at an applied electric field of 260 kV/cm, respectively. There was almost no polarization fatigue up to 10¹⁰ switching cycles. Also weak ferromagnetism was observed in the thin film at x = 0.6.     

Structural characterization of amorphous and nanostructured bismuth silicate xerogels

Bismuth silicate xBi₂O₃·(1 − x)SiO₂ xerogels, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, doped with gadolinium have been synthesized by sol–gel method. The study aims to evidence by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) the structural changes in amorphous Bi₂O₃–SiO₂ xerogels, function of Bi₂O₃ content and heat treatment. As was proved by XRD, nanostructured samples were obtained after 30 min heat treatment at 400 °C of the as-prepared samples with x > 0, in the mainly amorphous matrices nanocrystals of Bi_5.6Si_0.5O_9.4 phase being developed. The dimension of the nanocrystallites are function of the bismuth content, and vary from few nanometers to 25 nm for samples with x = 0.14 and x = 0.5 respectively. The local order around silicon, reflected by 29Si MAS NMR spectra, is less dependent on both composition and thermal history of the samples, showing that an amorphous silicon rich phase is present in all samples. The changes in the local order around Gd³⁺ ions, as reflected by the EPR spectra dependence on composition and especially on the heat treatment, support the assumption that a part of these paramagnetic ions is incorporated in the bismuth rich phase.     

Two color up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowders prepared by non-aqueous sol-gel method

Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol-gel method using the aluminum isopropoxide as precursor, acetylacetone as a chelating agent, nitric acid as a catalyzer, and hydrated erbium nitrate as a dopant under isopropanol environment. The different phase structure, including three crystalline types of (Al, Er)₂O₃ phases, α, γ, θ, and an Er–Al–O stoichiometric compound phase, Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄, was observed for the 0.01–0.5 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the sintering temperature of 1,000 °C. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978 nm semiconductor laser diodes excitation. With increasing Er³⁺ doping concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions increased with a decrease of the intensity ratio of the green to red emission. When the Er³⁺ doping concentration rose to 5 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions decreased with an increase of their intensity ratio. The maximum intensity of both the green and red emissions with the minimum of intensity ratio was obtained, respectively, for the 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders composed of a single α-(Al,Er)₂O₃ phase. The intensity ratio of the green emission at 523 and 545 nm increased monotonously for all Er³⁺ doping concentrations. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process was involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions of the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders.     

Phase equilibria of the Dy–Al–Si system at 500 °C

The isothermal section at 500 °C of the Dy–Al–Si system was studied in the whole concentration range. The alloys were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electron micro-probe analysis. A few samples were analysed by differential thermal analysis. The following intermetallic compounds, some of them showing variable composition, were found: DyAl₂Si₂ (τ₁), hP5-CaAl₂O₂ structure type, Dy₂Al₃Si₂ (τ₂) mS14-Y₂Al₃Si₂ structure type, Dy₂Al_1+x Si_2−x (τ₃), 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25, oI10-W₂CoB₂ structure type and Dy₆Al₃Si (τ₄), tI80-Tb₆Al₃Si structure type. A number of binary phases dissolve the third element forming ternary solid solutions: Dy(Al_1−x Si _x )₃, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, hP16-Ni₃Ti structure type, Dy(Al _x Si_1−x )₂, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, oI12-GdSi₂ structure type, Dy(Al _x Si_1−x )_1.67, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2, oI12-GdSi₂ structure type, DyAl _x Si_1−x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2, oC8-CrB, and Dy₅(Al _x Si_1−x )₃, 0 ≤ x ≤0.3, hP16-Mn₅Si₃ structure type. The melting point of Dy₆Al₃Si was determined.     

Research on the electrochemistry of oxygen ion conductors in the former Soviet Union

Following previous reviews of research results on oxygen ion-conducting materials obtained in the former USSR, this article addresses the case of Bi₂O₃-based compositions. Phase formation in oxide systems with Bi₂O₃, thermal expansion, stability, bulk transport properties and oxygen exchange of bismuth oxide solid electrolytes are briefly discussed. Primary attention is focused on oxides with high ionic and mixed conductivity, including stabilized fluorite-type (δ) and sillenite (γ) phases of Bi₂O₃, γ-Bi₄V₂O₁₁ and other compounds of the aurivillius series. Another major point being addressed is on the applicability of these materials in high-temperature electrochemical cells, which is limited by numerous specific disadvantages of Bi₂O₃-based ceramics. The electrochemical properties of various electrode systems with bismuth oxide electrolytes are also briefly analyzed. Electronic Publication     

Thermal analysis and structural characterization of Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>V<Subscript>2–x</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>11–1.5x</Subscript> (0.02≤<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>≤0.50)

This work reports the study of Bi₄V_2–xBa_xO_11–1.5x (0.02≤x≤0.50) series, which is a potential source of solid electrolytes to apply in oxygen sensors. X-ray powder diffraction was used to point out the formation of major ionic conductive phases and minor ones. The modifications of vanadate substructure were probed, at short range, by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry evidenced the formation of tetragonal γ phase, which can be ionic conductive, for x=0.14.