Titanates de cuivre substitués à structure bixbyite: Les composés Cu1−xTi1−xFe2xO3 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.33)

A new bixbyite family, Cu_1?xTi_1?xFe_2xO₃ (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.33) has been synthesized and characterized. The unit cell is cubic: a ～ 9.40Å. The X-ray powder diffraction study shows up an isotypism with the (Fe, Mn)₂O₃ compounds. There is a disordered distribution of Cu^II, Ti^IV, and Fe^III over the two cyrstallographic sites: P_I and P_II. P_II is highly distorted (two long MO distances) by the Jahn-Teller effect of Cu^II. The bixbyite structure is described in terms of polyhedra arrangement, as a particular case of the CM₂O₃ family. The cation packing is discussed in relation with the existence of the bixbyite structure for the Cu_1?xTi_1?xFe_2xO₃ compounds. The electrical properties (σ ～ 10^?5(Ω cm)^?1 for x = 0.286 at room temperature) show an electron conduction with probably a hopping mechanism.     

Water photoelectrolysis using nickel titanate and niobate as photoanodes

Nickel titanate (NiTiO₃) and nickel niobate (NiNb₂O₆), both with a cationic valence and conduction band, were examined for their photoelectrochemical properties. Applied as photoanode in a photoelectrochemical cell for water electrolysis, reduced pellets of these oxides show a photoresponse when irradiated in the optical band gap. The corresponding absorption is due to Ni²⁺ → Ti⁴⁺ and Ni²⁺ → Nb⁵⁺ charge-transfer transitions, respectively. These are situated at lower energy than the O^2? → Ti⁴⁺ and O^2? → Nb⁵⁺ charge-transfer transitions. The flatband potentials of both compounds were determined from photocurrent versus applied potential measurements. During reduction both compounds showed superficial decomposition. The effect of this decomposition on the photocurrents is discussed.     

Features of phase formation and state of iron in the quasibinary system FeTe1.65-TiTe1.65

A series of tellurides Fe_xTi_1?x Te_1.65 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 …, 1.0) synthesized at 850°C were studied by X-ray phase and X-ray fluorescent analysis and Møssbauer spectroscopy on ⁵⁷Fe. In this series two solid solutions are formed: phases I and II with homogeneity regions within the limits of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 and 0.9 ≤ x ≤ 1.0, respectively. Iron in this series exists in two various states: Fe²⁺ _sym and Fe²⁺ _asym as differentiated from the series of tellurides Fe_xTi_1?x Te_1.45 where three states of iron Fe²⁺ _sym, Fe²⁺ _asym, and Fe⁰ were found. On passing from Fe_xTi_1?x Te_1.45 to Fe_xTi_1?x Te_1.65 the number of formed phases decreases, and phase relations become simpler. The absence of Fe⁰ from phase I of tellurides Fe_xTi_1?x Te_1.65 can point to the fact that TiTe_1.45 and TiTe_1.65 belong to different homogeneity regions.     

High-temperature properties of new perovskite-like oxides

New complex oxides of composition Pr_1–y Ca _y Fe_{0.5 + x} (Mg_0.25Mo_0.25)_0.5–x O₃, 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, 0.42 ≤ y ≤ 0.8 having an orthorhombically distorted perovskite structure have been prepared. The thermal expansion and electric conductivity of the new phases have been studied in the temperature range between 100–900°C. The results of our study imply that thin films of the oxides studied can be treated as electrode materials for symmetric solid-oxide fuel cells.     

Structural and surface analysis of unsupported and alumina-supported La(Mn,Fe,Mo)O3 perovskite oxides

A series of bulk and Al₂O₃-supported perovskite oxides of the type LaMn_1???x???y Fe _x Mo _y O₃ (x?=?0.00?0.90 and y?=?0.00–0.09) were synthesized by the citric acid complexation–gelation method followed by annealing in air at 800 °C. For all samples, the local environment and the chemical state and concentration of surface species were determined. Mössbauer spectra revealed the only presence of octahedral Fe³⁺ ions dispersed in the perovskite structure, however well-crystallized together with a poorly crystalline LaFeO₃ phases were detected for larger substitutions (x?=?0.90). A similar picture was obtained for Mo-loaded (y?=?0.02 and 0.05) samples but a new phase most likely related to Fe³⁺ ions dispersed aside from the perovskite structure was found for larger substitutions (y?=?0.09). Together with these structures, supported samples showed the presence of LaFeO₃ nanoparticles. Finally, photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the chemical state and composition of the samples in the surface region (2–3 nm) approaches that of the bulk. For the unsupported substituted samples, iron (and molybdenum) enters into the perovskite structure while manganese tends to be slightly segregated. Moreover, in supported perovskites, a fraction of Mo and La atoms interact with the alumina surface. All these oxides were active in methane combustion and best performance was recorded for the Fe-rich composition (x?=?0.9) in which both Mn³⁺ and Mo³⁺ ions were in the same proportion (y?=?0.05).     

Phase equilibria and crystal structures of complex oxides in systems La-M-Fe-O (M = Ca or Sr)

Phase equilibria in systems La-M-Fe-O (M = Ca or Sr) at 1100° in air were studied. The homogeneity ranges and structures of solid solutions La_{1 ? x} M _x FeO_{3 ? δ} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 for M = Ca and 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 for M = Sr), Sr_{2 ? y} La _y FeO_{4 ? δ} (0.8 ≤ y ≤ 1.0), and Sr_{3 ? z} La _z Fe₂O_{7 ? δ} (0 ≤ z ≤ 0.2) were determined using X-ray powder diffraction. The structural parameters of complex oxides were refined using the full-profile Rietveld technique. Correlations between the unit cell parameters and the compositions of solid solutions were derived. Isobaric/isothermal phase diagrams were constructed for systems La-M-Fe-O (M = Ca or Sr) at 1100°C in air.     

Electrochemical properties and state of paramagnetic centers in copper-modified complex vanadium and titanium oxides

Complex vanadium and titanium oxides modified by copper ions are studied by the electrochemical and ESR methods. Oxides Cu _x V_2?y Ti _y O_5?δ·nH₂O (0<y<1.33) have a layered structure and oxides Cu _x Ti_1?y V _y O_5+δ·nH₂O (0<y<0.25), an anatase structure. The intercalation of cations Cu²⁺ into the hydrates leads to oxidation of V⁴⁺. According to ESR data, V⁴⁺ exists in the oxides in the form of VO²⁺ and an octahedral surround of oxygen (V⁴⁺?O₆), respectively. The electroreduction of ions of d-elements and chemisorbed oxygen in the oxides is analyzed. The intercalation of cations Cu²⁺ alters the content of V⁴⁺ and the chemisorption ability of the oxides. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.     

The electrical,optical and photoconducting properties of Fe2−xCrxO3 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.47)

A study has been made of the electrical, optical and photoconducting properties of pure and reduced single crystals of composition Fe_2?xCr_xO₃ where 0 ? x ? 0.47. It has been found that pure α-Fe₂O₃ is not a photoconductor. When defect-free crystals of α-Fe₂O₃ are reduced a surface layer of Fe₃O₄ is formed and the crystals exhibit photoconductivity. Removal of this layer resulted in the disappearance of photocurrents and an increase in the sample resistivity. A necessary condition for the observation of photocurrents in n-type Fe₂O₃ is that some Fe₃O₄ be present. In addition, it has been found that the substitution of chromium for iron in α-Fe₂O₃ results in a monotonically decreasing optical band gap as the chromium concentration, x, increases.     

Glycolate Ti1 − x Fe x (OCH2CH2O)2 − x/2 as a precursor for the preparation of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) solid solutions Ti1 − x Fe x O2 − 2x/2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1)

Quasi-one-dimensional (1D) solid solutions Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x (OCH₂CH₂O)_{2 ? x/2} (0 < x ≤ 0.1) with the structure of anatase were prepared by heating the glycolate Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x (OCH₂CH₂O)_{2 ? x/2} in an atmosphere of air at a temperature of >450°C. The conditions of formation and the properties of the new glycolate Ti₃Fe₂(OCH₂CH₂O)₉ were described. It was found that the synthesized Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x O_{2 ? 2x/2} solid solutions exhibit photocatalytic activity in the reaction of hydroquinone oxidation in an aqueous solution on irradiation with UV light. A correlation between the rate of oxidation of hydroquinone and the concentration of iron in the catalyst was established. A procedure for the preparation of titanium dioxide with the structure of anatase doped with iron and carbon (Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x O_{(2 ? x/2) ? yCy)} and also composites on its basis, which contain an excess amount of carbon, was proposed.     

Defects in doped perovskite-like lanthanum cobaltite crystals La1−x SrxCo1−y MeyO3−δ (Me = Cu and Mn)

The paper presents a thermodynamic analysis of the formation of equilibrium defects in perovskitelike La_1?x Sr_xCo_1?y Me_yO_3?δ oxides, where Me = Cu or Mn, x = 0.0 or 0.3, and y = 0.0, 0.25, or 0.3, at high temperatures (873 K ≤ T ≤ 1373 K) depending on the composition and oxygen pressure (10^?8 atm ≤ $p_{O_2 } $ ≤ 1 atm). The results were used to study the nature of charge transfer. Small-radius polarons were shown to be responsible for the electric properties of the cobaltites under consideration; their concentrations and mobilities were calculated.     

Investigations of vanadium oxide bronzes θ-(Fe1−yAly)xV2O5

The vanadium oxide bronzes θ-(Fe_1?yAl_y)_xV₂O₅ are Curie-Weiss paramagnets and hopping semiconductors. The samples studied were synthesized by direct solid-state reaction and investigated by the X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and Mössbauer techniques. The crystal lattice parameters, effective magnetic moments of Fe³⁺ cations, Curie-Weiss temperatures, and the values of ⁵⁷Fe hyperfine interaction parameters were determined. Endothermic effects were observed for some of the samples.     

Crystal structure and electrical conductivity of lanthanum-calcium chromites-titanates La1−xCaxCr1−yTiyO3−δ (x=0-1, y=0-1)

Five series of perovskite-type compounds in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ with the nominal compositions y=0, x=0-0.5; y=0.2, x=0.2-0.8; y=0.5, x=0.5-1.0; y=0.8, x=0.6-1.0 and y=1, x=0.8-1 were synthesized by a ceramic technique in air (final heating 1350 °C). On the basis of the X-ray analysis of the samples with (Ca/Ti)?1, the phase diagram of the CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃-CaCr^IVO₃ quasi-ternary system was constructed. Extended solid solution with a wide homogeneity range is formed in the quasi-ternary system CaCr^IVO₃-CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃. The solid solution La_{(1−x′−y)}Ca_(x′+y)Cr^IV_x′Cr^III_{(1−x′−y)}Ti_yO₃ exists by up to 0.6-0.7 mol fractions of CaCr^IVO₃ (x^′<0.6-0.7) at the experimental conditions. The crystal structure of the compounds is orthorhombic in the space group Pbnm at room temperature. The lattice parameters and the average interatomic distances of the samples within the solid solution ranges decrease uniformly with increasing Ca content. Outside the quasi-ternary system, the nominal compositions La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃, La_0.2Ca_0.8TiO₃, La_0.4Ca_0.6Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ and La_0.3Ca_0.7Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ were found as single phases with an orthorhombic structure. In the temperature range between 850 and 1000 °C, the synthesized single-phase compositions are stable at pO₂=6×10⁻¹⁶-0.21×10⁵ Pa. Oxygen stoichiometry and electrical conductivity of the separate compounds were investigated as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The chemical stability of these oxides with respect to oxygen release during thermal dissociation decreases with increasing Ca-content. At 900 °C and oxygen partial pressure 1×10⁻¹⁵-0.21×10⁵ Pa, the compounds with x>y (acceptor doped) are p-type semiconductors and those with x<y (donor doped) and x=y are n-type semiconductors. The type and level of electrical conductivity are functions of the concentration ratios of cations occupying the B-sites of the perovskite structures: [Cr³⁺]/[Cr⁴⁺] and [Ti⁴⁺]/[Ti³⁺]. The maximum electrical conductivity at 900 °C and pO₂=10⁻¹⁵ Pa was found for the composition La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃ (near 50 S/cm) and in air at 900 °C for La_0.5Ca_0.5CrO₃ (close to 100 S/cm).     

Stability of ferrous oxide in molten liCl+KCl eutectic at 470°C

Studies of reactions between oxide and Fe²⁺ ions in molten LiCl+KCl eutectic have shown that ferrous oxide is stabilizedin the form of a solid solution FeOLiFeO₂. Potentiometric titrations with an yttria-stabilized zirconia electrode(indicator of pO^2?) and an iron electrode have first given for y, corresponding to the solid solution composition Fe_1-yLi_yO, a value between 0 and 0.1, and secondly shown the formation of non-stoichiometric ferrous oxide. We have alsosuggested a mechanism for the formation of the solid solution Fe_1-yLi_yO.     

Hydrolytic precipitation of calcium polyvanadates from vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) solutions

The effect of VO²⁺ ions on the composition and kinetics of calcium polyvanadate precipitation from solutions with 1.5 ≤ pH ≤ 9 at 80–90°C has been studied. For 1,5 ≤ pH < 3 and V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ = 0.11–9, the precipitated compounds have the general formula Ca _x V _y ⁴⁺ V _12?y ⁵⁺ O_31?δ · nH₂O (0.8 ≤ x ≤ 1.06, 2 ≤ y ≤ 3, 0.94 ≤ δ ≤ 1.5). The maximum vanadium(IV) proportion (y = 3) in the precipitates is achieved when V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ = 0.5?1.0 in the solution and pH is 3. Polyvanadate precipitation at pH 1.7 has a long induction period (up to 30 min), which is not observed for V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ > 0.1. Precipitation in solutions with pH 3 occurs only when VO²⁺ ions are added, with a maximum rate near V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ = 0.2 and in presence of chloride ions. The processes are controlled by a secondorder reaction on the polyvanadate surface.     

Composition and formation kinetics of sodium polyvanadates in vanadium(IV, V) solutions

We study how VO²⁺ ions affect the composition and formation kinetics of polyvanadate precipitates in solutions with 1 ≤ pH ≤ 3 at 80–90°C. The compounds have the general formula Na_2.1?x H_xV _y ⁴⁺ V _12?y ⁵⁺ O_31?δ. nH₂O (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.1, 0.2 ≤ y ≤ 2.3, 0.1 ≤ δ ≤ 1.4). The maximal vanadium(IV) concentration in the precipitates y = 2.2 and 2.3) is achieved for the V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ ratio in the solution equal to 0.5 and 0.3 and pH of 1.7 and 3.0, respectively. The polyvanadate precipitation at pH 1.7 has a long induction period, which is not observed when V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ > 0.02. In the solutions with pH 3.0, the precipitation occurs only when VO²⁺ are added. The processes are controlled by second-order reactions on the polyvanadate surface.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation of perovskites La1−x Sr x FeO3−y (0 ≤x < 1.0), prepared via a mechanochemical route

Perovskite-structure oxides La_1?x Sr _x FeO_3?y (x = 0, 0.2, 0.6, 1) were synthesized by the mechanochemical method. In order to refine the stoichiometric composition and the charge state of ions, these samples were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). An investigation of perovskites with x = 0, 0.2, and 0.6 in air at room temperature showed that these samples do not contain oxygen vacancies (y = 0), i.e., they are fully oxidized. Hence, to produce electrical neutrality, these samples should contain iron(4+) cations in an amount proportional to the degree of substitution (x) of strontium(2+) for lanthanum(3+). However, no Fe⁴⁺ cations were found in the oxides. All perovskites contain only Fe³⁺ cations, oxygen ions O^2? along with oxygen ions with reduced electron density (O^?). These data provid evidence of the possible electron density redistribution from oxygen ions to iron cations. The fact that the oxides contain oxygen ions with reduced electron density suggests that weakly bound lattice oxygen in substituted perovskites is represented by O^? ions.     

Solid state reaction synthesis of filled skutterudite compounds (Ce or Y)yFexCo4-xSb12 and the effect of filling atoms Ce or Y on lattice thermal conductivity

The synthesis of filled skutterudite compounds (Ce or Y)yFexCo₄-xSb12, through a solid state reaction using chloride of Ce or Y, high purity powder of Co, Fe, and Sb as starting materials, was investigated. (Ce or Y)yFexCo₄-xSb12 (x = 0 1.0,y = 0 0.15) compounds were obtained at 850 1 123 K. The results of Rietveld analysis demonstrate that (Ce or Y)yFexCo₄-xSb12 synthesized by a solid state reaction possesses a filled skutterudite structure. The filling fraction of Ce or Y obtained by Rietveld analysis agrees well with the composition obtained by chemical analysis. The lattice constant of CeyFexCo₄-xSb12 increases with increasing substitution of Fe at Co sites, and with an increasing Ce filling fraction in the Sb-dodecahedron voids. The lattice thermal conductivity of (Ce or Y)yFexCo₄-xSb12 decreases significantly with an increasing Ce or Y filling fraction in the voids and with substitution of Fe at Co sites.     

Mo¨ssbauer studies of thiospinels. IV. The system FeCr2S4-Fe3S4

Spinel compounds of the composition Fe_1+xCr_2?xS₄, with 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.5, have been prepared in polycrystalline form. The ionic distribution Fe²⁺[Cr³⁺_2?xFe³⁺_x]S^2?₄ is derived from both X-ray and ⁵⁷Fe Mo¨ssbauer data. Room temperature Mo¨ssbauer spectra show the typical behavior of tetrahedral-site Fe²⁺ surrounded by different octahedral-site neighbors. Octahedral-site Fe³⁺ absorbs as a doublet with Δ ≈ 0.5 mm/s. Samples of overall composition FeCr₂S₄ consist mainly of a spinel Fe²⁺[Cr³⁺_2?yFe³⁺_y]S^2?₄, y ≈ 0.02.     

Room temperature photoluminescence of amorphous BaxSr1−xTiO3 doped with chromium

ABO₃ amorphous materials, such as BaTiO₃ (BT), SrTiO₃ (ST), PbTiO₃ (PT), and Ba_xSr_1−xTiO₃ (BST) have recently attracted a good deal of attention due to their ferroelectric and electro-optical properties. Intense photoluminescence at room temperature was observed in amorphous titanate doped with chromium (Ba_xSr_1−xTi_1−yCr_yO₃) prepared by the polymeric precursor method. Results indicated that substantial luminescence at room temperature was achieved with the addition of small Cr contents to amorphous Ba_xSr_1−xTi_1−yCr_yO₃. Further addition of Cr or crystallization were deleterious to the intensity of the luminescent peak obtained for excitation using λ=488.0 nm.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structure and property of nano-BaTiO3-based dielectric materials

A series of Ba_1-xSr_xTi_1-yZr_yO₃ (0≤x≤0.5, 0≤y≤0.4) and BA_1?xZn_xTi_1?ySn_yO₃ (0≤x≤0.3, 0≤y≤0.3) solid solutions were synthesized by low-temperature/low-pressure hydrothermal method below 170°C, 0.8 MPa. XRD pattern and cell parameters-composition figures of these prepared powders demonstrated that they are completely miscible solid solutions based on BaTiO₃. Furthermore, TEM showed that they have a shape of uniform, substantially spherical particles with an average particle size of 70 nm in diameter. The sintered ceramics of those powders doped by Sr²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ or Zn²⁺ and Sn⁴⁺ have dielectric constant twelve times higher than and dielectric loss 1/6 those of pure BaTiO₃ phase at room temperature.