Synthesis, Characterization and Humidity Sensitive Properties of Nanocrystalline LaCoxFe1-xO3

The nanocrystalline LaCo_xFe_1-xO₃ with different concentrations of Co was prepared by polyethylene glycol (PEG) sol-gel method and characterized by differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis (DTA-TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the crystal structure of perovskite-type could be obtained at 600 °C, and the concentration of Co had significant effects on the solid-state reaction and the average particle size of the obtained nanocrystals. Furthermore, the humidity-sensitive properties of nanocrystalline LaCo_xFe_1-xO₃ were investigated, and it was found that LaCo_0.3Fe_0.7O₃ exhibited higher sensitivity to humidity compared with other samples. The addition of Na₂CO₃ improved the humidity-sensitive properties of this sample, and made its response to humidity good in the whole humidity range of 11%-95% relative humidity (RH).     

Modulated structure of the composite crystal InCr1−xTixO3+x/2

Incommensurately modulated structure of the composite crystal InCr_1−xTi_xO_3+x/2 was refined by the profile fitting of powder X-ray diffraction based on the four-dimensional superspace group. The crystal consists of two monoclinic subsystems mutually incommensurate in b. The first subsystem is the alternate stacking of an edge-shared InO₆ octahedral layer and a Cr/Ti triangle-lattice plane along c^*. A sheet of oxygen atoms constructing the second subsystem is also extending on the Cr/Ti plane. The whole structure is the alternate stacking of an edge-shared InO₆ octahedral layer and a Cr/Ti-O plane, where displacive modulation of O ions is prominent. Metal ions on the Cr/Ti-O plane are surrounded by three or four oxygen ions on the plane and, in addition, two axial ones.     

Enzyme mimics of spinel-type CoxNi1−xFe2O4 magnetic nanomaterial for eletroctrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide

A series of spinel-type Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) magnetic nanomaterials were solvothermally synthesized as enzyme mimics for the eletroctrocatalytic oxidation of H₂O₂. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope were employed to characterize the composition, structure and morphology of the material. The electrochemical properties of spinel-type Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ with different (Co/Ni) molar ratio toward H₂O₂ oxidation were investigated, and the results demonstrated that Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ modified carbon paste electrode (Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE) possessed the best electrocatalytic activity for H₂O₂ oxidation. Under optimum conditions, the calibration curve for H₂O₂ determination on Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE was linear in a wide range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻³ M with low detection limit of 3.0 × 10⁻⁹ M (S/N = 3). The proposed Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄/CPE was also applied to the determination of H₂O₂ in commercial toothpastes with satisfactory results, indicating that Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ is a promising hydrogen peroxidase mimics for the detection of H₂O₂.     

Crystal Structure of Pseudorhombohedral InFe1−xTixO3+x/2 (x=2/3)

The structure of pseudorhombohedral-type InFe_1−xTi_xO_3−x/2 (x=2/3) was refined by Rietveld profile fitting. The crystal is a commensurate member of a series in a solution range on InFeO₃-In₂Ti₂O₇ including incommensurate structures. The structure with the unit cell of a=5.9188(1), b=10.1112(2), and c=6.3896(1) Å, β=108.018(2)°, and a space group P2₁/a is the alternate stacking of an edge-shared InO₆ octahedral layer and an Fe/Ti-O plane along c^*. Metal sites on the Fe/Ti-O plane are surrounded by four oxygen atoms on the Fe/Ti-O plane and two axial ones. Electric conductivities of the order 10⁻⁴ S/cm were observed for the samples at 1000 K, while the oxide ion transport number is almost zero as no electromotive force was detected by an oxygen concentration cell.     

Solvothermal Synthesis of Superfine Li1−xMn2O4−σ Powders

Superfine Li_1−xMn₂O_4−σ powders were successfully synthesized by the alcohol-thermal method using 0.01 mol of MnO₂, 0.01mol of LiOH·H₂O, and 0.06mol of NaOH as starting materials at 160-200°C. The products are characterized by XRD, TEM, ED, BET, and ICP. Results show that the Li_0.74Mn₂O_3.74 powder prepared at 200°C has an average size of 180 nm with BET surface areas of 16.44 m²/g. A possible formation mechanism is proposed. It was concluded that the alcohol acts not only as the solvent but also as the reducing agent in the synthesis of Li_1−xMn₂O_4−σ powders. The effects of reaction temperature and the contents of NaOH and LiOH on the formation of single phase Li_1−xMn₂O_4−σ were investigated.     

Analysis of magnetic and structural phase transition behaviors of La1−xSrxCrO3 for preparation of phase diagram

The phase transition behavior of perovskite-type compounds, La_1−xSr_xCrO₃, was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dilatometry, dc magnetic susceptibility measurement and X-ray diffraction analysis. Both second-order magnetic phase transition from antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic and first-order structural phase transition from orthorhombic to rhombohedral were observed in the DSC or dilatometric curve of every specimen. The temperatures of both these magnetic and structural phase transitions decreased linearly with an increase in Sr content. The structural phase transition temperature of La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ with x less than 0.11 is higher than the magnetic phase transition temperature; however, a larger decrease in structural phase transition temperature than in magnetic phase transition temperature was observed with an increase in Sr content, resulting in a structural phase transition temperature lower than the magnetic phase transition temperature for La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ with x of more than 0.12. It was also observed that the heat of absorption of the structural phase transition decreased with an increase in x. In the dependence of dc magnetic susceptibility on temperature, variations by not only magnetic but also structural phase transitions were observed. It was also revealed that thermal expansion coefficient is affected not only by structural phase transition but also magnetic phase transition. Magnetic and structural phase diagram of La_1−xSr_xCrO₃, suggesting the existence of two Sr contents and temperatures at which triple phases coexist, was proposed.     

Chemical stability of La1−xSrxCrO3 in oxidizing atmospheres

The single-phase region of La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3) was precisely determined as a function of temperature, P_O2 and Sr content. The powders with the nominal composition of La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ were equilibrated under various conditions, and then identified by XRD analyses. To confirm the equilibration, two independent experiments were performed for each composition observing (i) the precipitation of the second phase from a single-phase solid solution, and (ii) the formation of the single phase from the constituent oxides. Two kinds of second phases, SrCrO₄ and an unknown phase, were observed depending on the conditions. The second phases tended to appear at low temperature, in high P_O2 and with a large Sr content. The single-phase regions obtained via the two equilibration routes were in good agreement with each other. The thermodynamic calculations on the supposition of ideality of the solid solution essentially reproduced the experimental results. When this material is used as the interconnects of solid oxide fuel cells, much attention should be paid to its relatively narrow solubility range of Sr; for example, the solubility limit is approximately 0.1 under a typical cathode-side condition (1273 K, air).     

A reagentless DNA biosensor based on cathodic electrochemiluminescence at a C/CxO1−x electrode

A reagentless signal-on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for DNA hybridization detection was developed based on the quenching effect of ferrocene (Fc) on intrinsic cathodic ECL at thin oxide covered glassy carbon (C/C_xO_1−x) electrodes. To construct the DNA biosensor, molecular beacon (MB) modified with ferrocene (3′-Fc) was attached to a C/C_xO_1−x electrode via the covalent bound between labeled amino (5′-NH₂) and surface functional groups. It was found that the immobilization of the probe on the electrode surface mainly depended on the fraction of surface carbonyl moiety. When a complementary target DNA (cDNA) was present, the stem-loop of MB on the electrode was converted into a linear double-helix configuration due to hybridization, resulting in the moving away of Fc from the electrode surface, and the restoring of the cathodic ECL signal. The restoration of the ECL intensity was linearly changed with the logarithm of cDNA concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, and the detection limit was ca. 5.0 pM (S/N = 3). Additionally, single-base mismatched DNA can be effectively discriminated from the cDNA. The great advantage of the biosensor lies in its simplicity and cost-effective with ECL generated from the electrode itself, and no adscititious luminophore is required.     

High-pressure synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new cuprate (Nd,Ce)2+xCaCu2O6+y

New phase (Nd,Ce)_2+xCaCu₂O_6+y was prepared at a high-pressure/high-temperature condition of 6 GPa and 1300°C. It had a nonstoichiometric composition close to Nd_2.16Ce_0.225CaCu₂O_6+y. According to X-ray diffraction pattern, the Nd_2.16Ce_0.225CaCu₂O_6+y phase has a tetragonal lattice with a = 3.845(1) Å, c = 19.349(5) Å. However, electron microscopic observations revealed a complicated shear structure for this phase. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetic hysteresis measurements were performed for the Nd_2.16Ce_0.225CaCu₂O_6+y sample and it was found that the phase undergoes a weak ferromagnetic transition at 150 K. Below ≈40 K, complicated magnetic behavior was observed suggesting the presence of second weak ferromagnetic transition near 40 K.     

A novel boron-rich quaternary scandium borocarbosilicide Sc3.67−xB41.4−y−zC0.67+zSi0.33−w

A novel quaternary scandium borocarbosilicide Sc_3.67−xB_41.4−y−zC_0.67+zSi_0.33−w was found. Single crystallites were obtained as an intergrowth phase in the float-zoned single crystal of Sc_0.83−xB_10.0−yC_0.17+ySi_0.083−z that has a face-centered cubic crystal structure. Single crystal structure analysis revealed that the compound has a hexagonal structure with lattice constants a = b = 1.43055(8) nm and c = 2.37477(13) nm and space group (No. 187). The crystal composition calculated from the structure analysis for the crystal with x = 0.52, y = 1.42, z = 1.17, and w = 0.02 was ScB_12.3C_0.58Si_0.10 and that agreed rather well with the composition of ScB_11.5C_0.61Si_0.04 measured by EPMA. In the crystal structure that is a new structure type of boron-rich borides, there are 79 structurally independent atomic sites, 69 boron and/or carbon sites, two silicon sites and eight scandium sites. Boron and carbon form seven structurally independent B₁₂ icosahedra, one B₉ polyhedron, one B₁₀ polyhedron, one irregularly shaped B₁₆ polyhedron in which only 10.7 boron atoms are available because of partial occupancies and 10 bridging sites. All polyhedron units and bridging site atoms interconnect each other forming a three-dimensional boron framework structure. Sc atoms reside in the open spaces in the boron framework structure.     

Textural and catalytic properties of the FexOy/Fe-KClO4 system

Selected properties of commercial iron powders, standardised in the atmosphere of hydrogen, have been studied. The reactivity of iron oxides in the thermal decomposition of KClO₄ in the solid-state mechanical mixture of Fe and KClO₄ containing 9, 13, 17, 21 and 25 wt.% of KClO₄, respectively, has been tested by the differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). It has been established that the Fe₃O₄ phase on the surface of the iron powder act as an effective catalysts in the thermal decomposition of KClO₄.     

Structural and dielectric/ferroelectric properties of (La1−xNdx)2Ti2O7 synthesized by sol-gel route

A series of compounds with the general formula (La_1−xNd_x)₂Ti₂O₇ (0.0≤x≤1.0) has been prepared by the sol-gel method. The decomposition of the gel was characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis coupled to mass spectrometry, indicating the reaction is achieved above 850 °C. The lattice parameters versus x show an expected decrease in the a and b parameters while c and the β angle remain almost unchanged with respect to the monoclinic symmetry conserved for the full solid solution. Dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties were measured on the entire series.     

The Crystal Chemistry of Lithium in the Alluaudite Structure: A Study of the (Na1−xLix)CdIn2(PO4)3 Solid Solution (x=0 to 1)

Several compounds of the (Na_1−xLi_x)CdIn₂(PO₄)₃ solid solution were synthesized by a solid-state reaction in air, and pure alluaudite-like compounds were obtained for x=0.00, 0.25, and 0.50. X-ray Rietveld refinements indicate the occurrence of Cd²⁺ in the M(1) site, and of In³⁺ in the M(2) site of the alluaudite structure. This non-disordered cationic distribution is confirmed by the sharpness of the infrared absorption bands. The distribution of Na⁺ and Li⁺ on the A(1) and A(2)′ crystallographic sites cannot be accurately assessed by the Rietvled method, probably because the electronic densities involved in the Na⁺→Li⁺ substitution are very small. A comparison with the synthetic alluaudite-like compounds, (Na_1−xLi_x)MnFe₂(PO₄)₃, indicates the influence of the cations occupying the M(1) and M(2) sites on the coordination polyhedra morphologies of the A(1) and A(2)′ crystallographic sites.     

Effect of boron non-stoichiometry on B-site in perovskite type structure ScBxRh3 and CeBxRh3 on charges of atoms on A-site: study by X-ray photoelectron and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies

The solid solutions of ScBRh₃-ScRh₃ and CeBRh₃-CeRh₃ are synthesized by the arc melting method, where RBRh₃ and RRh₃ (R=rare earth element) have perovskite and AuCu₃ type structures, respectively. The binding energy of Sc 2p_3/2 for ScB_xRh₃ increases with the boron concentration. The Knight shift of ⁴⁵Sc observed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy decreases with increase of boron concentration. The decrement of the Knight shift corresponds the Sc 4s electron density at the Fermi level. The intensity ratio of f²: f¹: f⁰ of Ce 3d XPS spectrum changes with boron concentration of CeB_xRh₃. It is concluded that in both cases of ScB_xRh₃ and CeB_xRh₃ the charge on the atoms on A-site changes with the concentration of the atoms on B-site, where the atoms are not directly bound.     

Effects of Pressure and Temperature on the Formation of Tungsten-Bronze-Related Phases, RExWO3+y, with RE=La and Nd

The influence of pressure (P) and temperature (T) on the formation of tungsten-bronze-related phases containing lanthanum and neodymium was investigated. A large number of samples with bulk compositions RE_xWO₃, prepared by solid-state reaction in the pressure and temperature regions P= 10-80 kbar and T= 1170-1620 K were examined by X-ray powder diffraction and electron microscopy, and a (P-T) diagram showing the phase relations was drawn. Three tungsten-bronze-related phases with perovskite (PTB)-, hexagonal (HTB)- and intergrowth (ITB)-type structures were identified. The PTB bronze RE_xWO₃ with x≈ 0.10 was formed at p≤50 kbar. The HTB-related phase with x≈ 0.10 was observed in samples prepared at P≥20 kbar, whereas phases of (n)-ITB-type were observed only in the 25-50 kbar region. In the latter pressure region, the PTB and ITB phases were only seen in samples prepared at T > 1520 K, while the HTB-related phase was found in almost all samples. The HTB- and ITB-related compounds are metastable, probably fully oxidized, high-pressure phases of composition RE_xWO_3+3x/2 with x≤0.13. They transform to a cubic PTB bronze during annealing in inert atmosphere under ambient pressure conditions. According to microanalysis studies of individual crystals, less than 40% of the hexagonal tunnel sites in the HTB and ITB structures are occupied by RE³⁺ ions. A superstructure of HTB-type with ≈60% occupancy of the hexagonal tunnel sites (x≈0.20) was observed in a few crystals from the samples prepared at P= 80 kbar. Ordered, defect and intergrowth structures are presented.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and density of (W1−xAlx)C

A new solid solution system of Al in WC, with the stoichiometry of (W_1−xAl_x)C (x=0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 0.86), has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction between W_1−xAl_x alloys and carbon at around 1673 K in vacuum. Environment scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma analyses are used to certify the formation of the products. The mechanism of the solid-state reaction is also discussed. (W_1−xAl_x)C is identified to crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6m2 (No. 187) and belongs to the WC structure type. The atoms of W and Al occupy the same lattice site (1a site) in the cell of (W_1−xAl_x)C. The cell parameters for each specimen in the phase of W-Al-C are quite close to that of WC, while their densities are far lower than that of WC.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal substituted AlxCr1−x(acetylacetonate)3 single-source precursors for their application to MOCVD of thin films

A detailed study, involving the synthesis of a single-source precursor containing two metal ions sharing the same crystallographic site, has been undertaken to elucidate the use of such a single-source precursor in a CVD process for growing thin films of oxides comprising these two metals, ensuring a uniform composition and distribution of metal ions. The substituted complexes Cr_1−xAl_x(acac)₃, where acac = acetylacetonate, have been prepared by a co-synthesis method, and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, TGA/DTA measurements, and single crystal X-ray diffraction at low temperature. All the studied compositions crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with Z = 4 in the unit cell. It was observed that the ratio (Al:Cr) of the site occupancy for the metal ions, obtained from single crystal refinement, is in agreement with the results obtained from complexometric titrations. All the solid state structures have the metal in an octahedral environment forming six-membered chelate rings. M–O acac bond lengths and disorder in the terminal carbon have been studied in detail for these substituted metal–organic complexes. One composition among these was chosen to evaluate their suitability as a single-source precursor in a LPMOCVD process (low-pressure metal–organic chemical vapour deposition) for the deposition of a substituted binary metal oxide thin film. The resulting thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy.     

Structural and magnetic characterization of BiFexMn2-xO5 oxides (x=0.5, 1.0)

The title compounds have been synthesized by a citrate technique followed by thermal treatments in air (BiFe_0.5Mn_1.5O₅) or under high oxygen pressure conditions (BiFeMnO₅), and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetization measurements. The crystal structures have been refined from NPD data in the space group Pbam at 295 K. These phases are isostructural with RMn₂O₅ oxides (R=rare earths) and contain infinite chains of Mn⁴⁺O₆ octahedra sharing edges, linked together by (Fe,Mn)³⁺O₅ pyramids and BiO₈ units. These units are strongly distorted with respect to those observed in other RFeMnO₅ compounds, due to the presence of the electronic lone pair on Bi³⁺. It is noteworthy the certain level of antisite disorder exhibited in both samples, where the octahedral positions are partially occupied by Fe cations, and vice versa. BiFe_xMn_2−xO₅ (x=0.5, 1.0) are short-range magnetically ordered below 20 K for x=0.5 and at 40 K for x=1.0. The main magnetic interactions seem to be antiferromagnetic (AFM); however, the presence of a small hysteresis in the magnetization cycles indicates the presence of some weak ferromagnetic (FM) interactions.     

Structure and magnetic order in the series BixRE1−xFe0.5Mn0.5O3 (RE=La,Nd)

The influence of Bi³⁺ on the structural and magnetic properties of the rare-earth-containing perovskites REFe_0.5Mn_0.5O₃ (RE=La,Nd) was studied, and the limit of bismuth substitution was determined to be x≤0.5 in Bi_xRE_1−xFe_0.5Mn_0.5O_3+δ (RE=La,Nd) at ambient pressure. Crystal structures in both La and Nd series were determined to be GdFeO₃-type Pnma with the exception of the Bi_0.3La_0.7Fe_0.5Mn_0.5O₃ sample, which is monoclinic I2/a in the a⁻b⁻b⁻ tilt scheme. The samples undergo a transition to G-type antiferromagnetic order along with a weak ferromagnetic component, mixed with cluster-glass type behavior. The substitution of bismuth into the lattice results in a drop in T_N relative to the lanthanide end-members. Long range ordering temperatures T_N in the range 240-255 K were observed, with a significantly lower ordered magnetic moment in the case of lanthanum (M∼1.7-1.9 μ_B) than in the case of neodymium (M∼2.1 μ_B).