Doping studies of the magnetic cobaltocuprate CoSr2Y2−xCexCu2O9±δ

A structural, magnetic and electronic study of the cobaltocuprate CoSr₂Y_2−xCe_xCu₂O_9±δ (x=0.5-0.8) has been performed. All materials crystallise in the orthorhombic Cmcm symmetry space group in which chains of corner linked CoO₄ tetrahedra run parallel to the 1 1 0 direction. An antiferromagnetic transition is observed for x=0.5-0.8; T_M increases with x. A change in the dimensionality of the magnetic order occurs at x=0.8 as the interchain distance increases to a critical value. There is charge transfer between the cuprate planes and cobaltate layer as Ce doping increases, so that Co³⁺ is partially oxidised to Co⁴⁺ with a concomitant reduction in the valence of Cu. Superconductivity is not observed in any of the samples and a crossover from Mott to Efros and Shklovskii variable range hopping behaviour is evidenced as x increases from 0.5 to 0.8.     

Synthesis and properties of the Co7Se8−xSx and Ni7Se8−xSx solid solutions

We report the synthesis and elementary properties of the Co₇Se_8−xS_x (x=0-8) and Ni₇Se_8−xS_x (x=0-7) solid solutions. Both systems form a NiAs-type structure with metal vacancies. In general, the lattice parameters decrease with increasing x, but in the Ni₇Se_8−xS_x system c increases on going from x=5 to 7. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that all samples exhibit temperature-independent paramagnetism from 25-250 K. Samples within the Co₇Se_8−xS_x system, as well as Ni₇Se₈ and Ni₇SeS₇, were found to be poor metals with resistivities of ∼0.20 and ∼0.06 mΩ cm at 300 K, respectively. The Sommerfeld constant (γ) was determined from specific heat measurements to be ∼13 mJ/mol_CoK² and ∼7 mJ/mol_NiK² for Co₇Se_8−xS_x and Ni₇Se_8−xS_x, respectively.     

Charge compensation and oxidation in NaxCoO2−δ and LixCoO2−δ studied by XANES

A comparative study on the oxidation and charge compensation in the A_xCoO_2−δ systems, A=Na (x=0.75, 0.47, 0.36, 0.12) and Li (x=1, 0.49, 0.05), using X-ray absorption spectroscopy at O 1s and Co 2p edges is reported. Both the O 1s and Co 2p XANES results show that upon removal of alkali metal from A_xCoO_2−δ the valence of cobalt increases more in Li_xCoO_2−δ than in Na_xCoO_2−δ. In addition, the data of O 1s XANES indicate that charge compensation by oxygen is more pronounced in Na_xCoO_2−δ than in Li_xCoO_2−δ.     

Formation of crystalline TiO2−xNx and its photocatalytic activity

Amorphous precursors to nitrogen-doped TiO₂ (NTP) and pure TiO₂ (ATP) powders were synthesized by hydrolytic synthesis and sol-gel method (SGM), respectively. Corresponding crystalline phases were obtained by thermally induced transformation of these amorphous powders. From FT-IR and XPS data, it was concluded that a complex containing titanium and ammonia was formed in the precipitate stage while calcination drove weakly adsorbed ammonium species off the surface, decomposed ammonia bound on surface of precipitated powder and led to substitution of nitrogen atom into the lattice of TiO₂ during the crystallization. The activation energies required for grain growth in amorphous TiO_2−xN_x and TiO₂ samples were determined to be 1.6 and 1.7 kJ/mol, respectively. Those required for the phase transformation from amorphous to crystalline TiO_2−xN_x and TiO₂ were determined to be 129 and 142 kJ/mol, respectively. A relatively low temperature was required for the phase transformation in NTP sample than in ATP sample. The fabricated N-doped TiO₂ photocatalyst absorbed the visible light showing two absorption edges; one in UV range due to titanium oxide as the main edge and the other due to nitrogen doping as a small shoulder. TiO_2−xN_x photocatalyst demonstrated its photoactivity for photocurrent generation and decomposition of 2-propanol (IPA) under visible light irradiation ().     

Crystal structures and phase stability in pseudobinary CaAl2−xZnx

Samples in the pseudobinary system CaAl_2−xZn_x (0?x?2) were synthesised from the elements. Three different structure types, the C15 and C36 Laves phase structures and the KHg₂ (CeCu₂) structure, were observed. The structures and homogeneity ranges of the underlying phases were investigated by electron microscopy and thermal analysis as well as X-ray powder diffraction. The stability ranges for the different structure types were found to be 0?x?0.18, 0.28?x?0.68 and 0.93?x?2 for the C15, C36 and KHg₂ structure types, respectively.     

Visible light-sensitive yellow TiO2−xNx and Fe-N co-doped Ti1−yFeyO2−xNx anatase photocatalysts

Nitrogen substituted yellow colored anatase TiO_2−xN_x and Fe-N co-doped Ti_1−yFe_yO_2−xN_x have been easily synthesized by novel hydrazine method. White anatase TiO_2−δ and N/Fe-N-doped samples are semiconducting and the presence of ESR signals at g ∼1.994-2.0025 supports the oxygen vacancy and g∼4.3 indicates Fe³⁺ in the lattice. TiO_2−xN_x has higher conductivity than TiO_2−x and Fe/Fe-N-doped anatase and the UV absorption edge of white TiO_2−x extends in the visible region in N, Fe and Fe-N co-doped TiO₂, which show, respectively, two band gaps at ∼3.25/2.63, ∼3.31/2.44 and 2.8/2.44 eV. An activation energy of ∼1.8 eV is observed in Arrhenius log resistivity vs. 1/T plots for all samples. All TiO₂ and Fe-doped TiO₂ show low 2-propanol photodegradation activity but have significant NO photodestruction capability, both in UV and visible regions, while standard Degussa P-25 is incapable in destroying NO in the visible region The mid-gap levels that these N and Fe-N-doped TiO₂ consist may cause this discrepancy in their photocatalytic activities.     

Phase segregation in the Gd1−xSrxFeO3−δ series

Gd_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ ferrites have been studied by means of X-ray powder diffraction in the whole composition range. Single-phase solid solution is found for x<0.09 and for x>0.63. At intermediate Sr content, phase segregation takes place. Compounds with x?0.05 crystallize in the orthorhombic structure, space group Pbnm. Oxygen-deficient Gd_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ with x?2/3 are cubic or nearly cubic. The oxygen vacancies stabilize the cubic phase for x=2/3 whereas highly oxidized samples show an orthorhombic distortion, which has not been observed earlier. Magnetic and electrical properties have been measured for the single-phase solid solutions. Gd_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ compounds with x?2/3 order antiferromagnetically below ∼100 K. In the paramagnetic region, their susceptibility follows the Curie-Weiss law in all but SrFeO_2.96 compound. These ferrites show semiconducting behavior in the electrical transport likely related to atomic disorder. We find that the conductivity activation energy becomes larger by increasing either the Gd content or the oxygen vacancies.     

Electron-poor SrAuxIn4−x (0.5?x?1.2) and SrAuxSn4−x (1.3?x?2.2) phases with the BaAl4-type structure

Solid solutions SrAu_xIn_4−x (0.5?x?1.2) and SrAu_xSn_4−x (1.3?x?2.2) have been prepared at 700 °C and their structures characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They adopt the tetragonal BaAl₄-type structure (space group I4/mmm, Z=2; SrAu_1.1(1)In_2.9(1), a=4.5841(2) Å, c=12.3725(5) Å; SrAu_1.4(1)Sn_2.6(1), a=4.6447(7) Å, c=11.403(2) Å), with Au atoms preferentially substituting into the apical over basal sites within the anionic network. The phase width inherent in these solid solutions implies that the BaAl₄-type structure can be stabilized over a range of valence electron counts (vec), 13.0-11.6 for SrAu_xIn_4−x and 14.1-11.4 for SrAu_xSn_4−x. They represent new examples of electron-poor BaAl₄-type compounds, which generally have a vec of 14. Band structure calculations confirm that substitution of Au, with its smaller size and fewer number of valence electrons, for In or Sn atoms enables the BaAl₄-type structure to be stabilized in the parent binaries SrIn₄ and SrSn₄, which adopt different structure types.     

Charge distribution and local structure and speciation in the UO2+x and PuO2+x binary oxides for x?0.25

The local structure and chemical speciation of the mixed valence, fluorite-based oxides UO_2+x (0.00?x?0.20) and PuO_2+x/PuO_2+x−y(OH)_2y·zH₂O have been determined by U/Pu L_III XAFS spectroscopy. The U spectra indicate (1) that the O atoms are incorporated as oxo groups at short (1.75 Å) U-O distances consistent with U(VI) concomitant with a large range of U displacements that reduce the apparent number of U neighbors and (2) that the UO₂ fraction remains intact implying that these O defects interact to form clusters and give the heterogeneous structure consistent with the diffraction patterns. The PuO_2+x system, which does not show a separate phase at its x=0.25 endpoint, also displays (1) oxo groups at longer 1.9 Å distances consistent with Pu(V+δ), (2) a multisite Pu-O distribution even when x is close to zero indicative of the formation of stable species with H₂O and its hydrolysis products with O²⁻, and (3) a highly disordered, spectroscopically invisible Pu-Pu component. The structure and bonding in AnO_2+x are therefore more complicated than have previously been assumed and show both similarities but also distinct differences among the different elements.     

Optical properties of (Y1−xTmx)3GaO6 and subsolidus phase relation of Y2O3-Ga2O3-Tm2O3

A serial of samples in Y₂O₃-Ga₂O₃-Tm₂O₃ pseudo-ternary system are prepared by solid-state chemical reaction method. The range of solid solution in (Y_1−xTm_x)₃GaO₆ is 0<x<0.384. Powder X-ray diffraction shows that the compounds crystallize in Gd₃GaO₆ (Cmc2₁)-type structure. The solid solubilities of Y_3+xGa_5−xO₁₂ (x=0-0.77) and Tm_3+xGa_5−xO₁₂ (x=0-0.62) are 37.5-47.11 at% Y₂O₃, and 37.5-45.26 at% Tm₂O₃, respectively. PL spectra of Tm-doped Y₃GaO₆ show that there is a sharp blue emission at ∼456 nm from the ¹D₂→³F₄ transition at room temperatures with two lifetimes (∼5 and ∼15 μs) and a narrow saturation range of PL intensity for the Tm³⁺ content from x=0.005 to 0.03. The sharp emission and long lifetime of (Y_1−xTm_x)₃GaO₆ indicate that Y₃GaO₆ is a potential phosphor and laser crystal host material.     

Composition-induced structural phase transitions in the (Ba1−xLax)2In2O5+x (0?x?0.6) system

Composition-induced structural phase changes across the high temperature, fast oxide ion conducting (Ba_1−xLa_x)₂In₂O_5+x, 0?x?0.6, system have been carefully analysed using hard mode infrared (IR) powder absorption spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and electron diffraction. An orthorhombic brownmillerite to three-dimensionally disordered cubic perovskite phase transition in this system is signalled by a drastic change in slope of both wavenumber and average line widths of IR spectra as a function of composition. Some evidence is found for the existence of an intermediate tetragonal phase (previously reported to exist from electron diffraction data) around x∼0.2. The new spectroscopic data have been used to compare microscopic and macroscopic strain parameters arising from variation in composition. The strain and spectroscopic data are consistent with first-order character for the tetragonal→orthorhombic transition, while the cubic→tetragonal transition could be continuous. Differences between the variation with composition of spectral parameters and of macroscopic strain parameters are consistent with a substantial order/disorder component for the transitions. There is also evidence for precursor effects within the cubic structure before symmetry is broken.     

Influence of hydrogen on the magnetic and electrical properties of GdI2Hx (0?x?1)

We have studied the effect of hydrogen insertion in GdI₂ on its magnetic and electrical properties. The ferromagnetic layered metal GdI₂ reversibly absorbs hydrogen with the formation of GdI₂H_x which exhibits a range of homogeneity 0?x?1. These phases crystallize with the hexagonal MoS₂-type heavy atom arrangement. Variation of the hydrogen content is accompanied by a monotonic change in the lattice parameters, and a decreases from 4.074(1) to 4.023(1) Å whereas c increases from 15.050(5) to 15.394(5) Å for x=0-0.97. The molar volume passes through a maximum at x≈0.35. Magnetization and resistance measurements reveal a substantial change in the physical properties of GdI₂H_x as a function of the hydrogen content, particularly as x approaches a critical value of ∼1/3. The Curie temperature rapidly decreases with increasing hydrogen content, and the long-range magnetic ordering is destroyed for x>0.33. The phases GdI₂H_x with 0.42?x?0.69 exhibit characteristics of a spin-glass below the magnetic freezing temperatures T_f=24 and 3 K for x=0.42 and 0.69, respectively. The hydride halides GdI₂H_x (x>0.19) show thermally activated conduction, accompanied by a steep increase of the activation energy at x≈0.33. The anomalies observed can be understood by assuming an ordering of the hydrogen atoms for x=1/3 within each layer.     

The two-phase region in 2(ZnSe)x(CuInSe2)1−x alloys and structural relation between the tetragonal and cubic phases

The two-phase region in the system 2(ZnSe)_x(CuInSe₂)_1−x covers the chemical composition range 0.10<x?0.36, in which a tetragonal and a cubic phase are coexisting. The structural relation between both phases was determined by selected area diffraction (SAD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both crystal structures are very similar and the extremely small mismatch of the lattice constants of the tetragonal phase and the embedding cubic matrix phase allows for the grain boundaries to be virtually strain-free and, therefore, without notable dislocations. The tetragonal phase forms grains of flat discus-like shape in the ambient cubic matrix, with the short discus axis parallel to the tetragonal c-axis. TEM experiments proved that the discus-shaped tetragonal particles are collinear with the (100)_cub, (010)_cub and (001)_cub planes of the cubic phase. Cooling and annealing experiments revealed a near-equilibrium state only to be realized for small cooling rates less than 2 K/h and/or for a long-time annealing with subsequent rapid quenching. Only then there will be no cation ordering in both, the tetragonal domains and the parental cubic matrix phase. If, however, the samples are kept in a state far away from the equilibrium condition both phases reveal Stannite-type cation ordering. Within the composition range of 0?x?0.10 only tetragonal 2(ZnSe)_x(CuInSe₂)_1−x-alloys exist. At concentration rates above 36 mol% 2(ZnSe) only cubic structured solid solutions of ZnSe and CuInSe₂ are found to be stable. However, in the range 36 mol% to about 60 mol% 2(ZnSe) tiny precipitates with Stannite-like structure exist, too.     

Oxygen-ion and electron conductivity in Sr2(Fe1−xGax)2O5

High-temperature electrical conductivity measurements, structural data from powder X-ray diffraction and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy were combined to study the interrelationship of oxygen ion transport and p- and n-type transport in Sr₂(Fe_1−xGa_x)₂O₅, where x=0, 0.1 and 0.2. Although gallium substitution generally decreases the total ion-electron transport, the transition of the orthorhombic brownmillerite structure to a cubic phase on heating results in the recurrence of the conductivity to the same high level as in the parent ferrite (x=0). The changes of the partial contributions to the total conductivity as a function of x are shown to reflect a complicated interplay of the disordering processes that develop in the oxygen sublattice on heating in response to replacement of iron with gallium.     

Structural characterization, magnetic behavior and high-resolution EELS study of new perovskites Sr2Ru2−xCoxO6−δ (0.5?x?1.5)

New oxides of general formula Sr₂Ru_2−xCo_xO_6−δ (0.5?x?1.5) have been synthesized as polycrystalline materials and characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction. For 0.5?x<0.67 the orthorhombic, Pnma, perovskite structure of the end member, SrRuO₃, is found. At x=0.67 a phase separation into an Ru-rich Pnma phase and a Co-rich I2/c phase occurs. The I2/c form is also found for x=1.0 but another orthorhombic phase, Imma, obtains for x=1.33 and 1.5. Reductive weight losses indicate negligible oxygen non-stoichiometry, i.e., δ∼0, for all compositions even those rich in Co. High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) indicates that cobalt is high-spin Co³⁺ or high-spin Co⁴⁺ for all x. Appropriate combinations of Ru⁴⁺, Ru⁵⁺, HS Co³⁺ and HS Co⁴⁺ are proposed for each x which are consistent with the observed Ru(Co)-O distances. Significant amounts of Co⁴⁺ must be present for large x values to explain the short observed distances. Broad maxima in the d.c. susceptibilities are found between 78 and 97 K with increasing x, along with zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) divergences suggesting glassy magnetic freezing. A feature near 155 K for all samples indicates a residual amount of ferromagnetic SrRuO₃ not detected by X-ray diffraction.     

Phase relations in NaxCrxTi8−xO16 at 1350 °C and crystal structure of hollandite-like Na2Cr2Ti6O16

Phase relations of rutile, freudenbergite, and hollandite structures were examined in the pseudobinary system NaCrO₂-TiO₂ (i.e., Na_xCr_xTi_8−xO₁₆) at 1350 °C. The hollandite structure was obtained in the composition range 1.7?x?2.0. The symmetry of the samples at room temperature was tetragonal for x=1.7 and 1.75, and monoclinic for x=1.8 and above. Single crystals of monoclinic hollandite Na₂Cr₂Ti₆O₁₆ were grown and the structure refinement has been carried out using an X-ray diffraction technique. The space group was I2/m and cell parameters were a=10.2385(11), b=2.9559(9), c=9.9097(11)Å, and β=90.545(9)° with Z=1. The Na ion distribution in the tunnel was markedly deformed from that in the tetragonal form. It was suggested that Cr/Ti ratios were different between the two framework metal sites.     

Oxygen permeability, thermal expansion and mixed conductivity of GdxCe0.8−xPr0.2O2−δ, x=0, 0.15, 0.2

The non-linear thermal expansion behaviour observed in Ce_1−yPr_yO_2−δ materials can be substantially controlled by Gd substitution. Coulometric titration shows that the charge compensation mechanism changes with increasing x, in the system Gd_xCe_0.8−xPr_0.2O_2−δ. For x=0.15, charge compensation is by vacancy formation and destabilises the presence of Pr⁴⁺. At x=0.2, further Gd substitution is charge compensated by additionally raising the oxidation state of Pr rather than solely the creation of further oxygen ion vacancies. Oxygen concentration cell e.m.f. measurements in an oxygen/air potential gradient show that increasing Gd content decreases ionic and electronic conductivities. Ion transference numbers measured under these conditions show a positive temperature dependence, with typical values t_o=0.90,0.98 and 0.80 for x=0,0.15 and 0.2, respectively, at 950 °C. These observations are discussed in terms of defect association. Oxygen permeation fluxes are limited by both bulk ambipolar conductivity and surface exchange. However, the composition dependent trends in permeability are shown to be dominated by ambipolar conductivities, and limited by the level of electronic conductivity. At the highest temperatures, oxygen permeability of composition x=0.2 approaches that of composition x=0, Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O_2−δ, with specific oxygen permeability values approximately 2×10⁻⁹ mol s⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 950 °C, but offering much better thermal expansion properties.     

Lanthanum pyrochlores and the effect of yttrium addition in the systems La2−xYxZr2O7 and La2−xYxHf2O7

The crystal structures of the compounds La_2−xY_xZr₂O₇ and La_2−xY_xHf₂O₇ with x=0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 have been studied using neutron powder diffraction and electron microscopy to determine the stability fields of the pyrochlore and fluorite solid solutions. The limits of pyrochlore stability in these solid solutions are found to be close to La_0.8Y_1.2Zr₂O₇ and La_0.4Y_1.6Hf₂O₇, respectively. In both systems the unit cell parameter is found to vary linearly with Y content across those compositions where the pyrochlore phase is stable, as does the x-coordinate of the oxygen atoms on the 48f (x,,) sites. In both systems, linear extrapolations of the pyrochlore data suggest that the disordering is accompanied by a small decrease in the lattice parameter of approximately 0.4%. After the pyrochlore solid solution limit is reached, a sharp change is observed from x∼0.41 to 0.375 as the disordered defect fluorite structure is favoured. Electron diffraction patterns illustrate that some short-range order remains in the disordered defect fluorite phases.     

High-temperature neutron diffraction study of the cation ordered perovskites TbBaMn2O5+x and TbBaMn2O5.5−y

The miscibility of TbBaMn₂O_5+x and TbBaMn₂O_5.5−y has been investigated at 100-600 °C using in situ powder neutron diffraction. No miscibility is observed, and the two phases remain oxygen stoichiometric (x,y=0) at 600 °C. Structure refinement results show that neither material undergoes a phase transition in this temperature range. TbBaMn₂O₅ is Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ charge ordered and any charge melting transition is >600 °C. This symmetry-broken charge ordering is remarkably robust in comparison to that in other oxides.