Phases of the K2TaF7–TaF5 binary system

The phase equilibria in the K₂TaF₇–TaF₅ binary system were determined up to x _TaF5 = 0.5 by means of differential scanning calorimetry. XRD diffraction analysis of solidified mixtures was performed. Besides the K₂TaF₇ and KTaF₆ phases, the presence of a third phase was observed, as well. It was suggested that the last phase melts incongruently. Correspondence: B. Kubikova, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava, 845 36, Slovakia.     

Phase analysis of the solidified KF–(LiF–NaF–UF4)–ZrF4 molten electrolytes for the electrowinning of uranium

The X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis of different solidified uranium-based fluoride systems ((LiF–NaF)_eut–UF₄; (KF–LiF–NaF)_eut–UF₄; (LiF–NaF)_eut–UF₄–ZrF₄ and (KF–LiF–NaF)_eut–UF₄–ZrF₄) were examined in order to provide the basis for pyro-electrochemical extraction of uranium in molten fluorides. Several uranium-based species (Na₂UF₆, Na₃UF₇, K₂UF₆, K₃UF₇, UO₂, K₃UO₂F₅) were identified in the solidified melts. The role of oxygen in argon atmosphere was found to be critical in the formation of uranium species during the melting and solidification. In order to reduce the accumulated level of free oxygen traces in our experiments, zirconium (in the form of ZrF₄) was used inside the melt as an oxygen buffer. It was found that ZrF₄ can really stabilize the uranium species by complexation and protects them against the oxygenation. The results of this work highlight the importance of oxygen removal for obtaining pure deposit in the electrorefinning of uranium.     

Phase diagram of the Sn–P system

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The T–x diagram of the Sn–P system was studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray phase analysis and local X-ray spectral...     

Phase diagram and dissolution studies of the fenofibrate–acetylsalicylic acid system

Enhancement of the dissolution rate of poorly soluble compounds through the formation of drug–drug eutectics was investigated using fenofibrate and acetylsalicylic acid. Solid–liquid equilibria in the system under study were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The phase diagram for the whole range of compositions was constructed. In addition, existence of a metastable polymorph of fenofibrate has been confirmed. The investigation has revealed that acetylsalicylic acid and fenofibrate form a simple eutectic mixture containing 0.958 mol fraction of fenofibrate at the eutectic point. Dissolution rate improvement of fenofibrate correlated with the phase diagram. The amount of fenofibrate released from the solid dispersions that contained fenofibrate as the eutectic mixture with acetylsalicylic acid was at least threefold higher compared to untreated fenofibrate.     

Phase diagram and crystal chemistry of the La–Ca–Co–O system

The phase diagram of the La–Ca–Co–O system at 885 °C in air has been determined. The system consists of two materials that have interesting thermoelectric properties, namely, the misfit layered thermoelectric oxide solid solution, (Ca,La)₃Co₄O₉, and Ca₃Co₂O₆ which consists of 1D chains of alternating CoO₆ trigonal prism and CoO₆ octahedra. The reported La₂CaO₄ and the Ca-doped (La,Ca)₂CoO_4−z phases were not found at 885 °C. As a result of the absence of these phases, the phase diagram is significantly different from that reported at 1100 °C. Small solid solution regions of (La_1−xCa_x)₂O_3−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08), (Ca_1−xLa_x)₃Co₄O₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.07), and (La_1−xCa_x)CoO_3−z (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) were established.     

Phase diagram of the eutectic benzoic acid-naphthalene system in the temperature range of 300–400 K

Liquid-solid phase equilibria are studied in the eutectic benzoic acid-naphthalene system by means of thermic analysis (DTA, CTA), on the basis of which the liquidus line and eutectic point (x _e ≈ 50 mol %, T _e ± 340 K) are determined and the phase diagram is constructed. Average precrystallization supercooling temperatures ΔT _L ^? of the liquid phase relative to liquidus temperature T _L are determined, allowing us to locate the region of solution metastability on the phase diagram. Excessive functions of the components in the liquid phase are found via thermodynamic modeling using the Margules equation and experimental data. The boundaries of the region of liquid solution metastability are estimated from the thermodynamic conditions of solution stability.     

Phase equilibria in the oxide system Nd2O3–K2O–P2O5

A phase equilibria diagram of the partial system NdPO₄–K₃PO₄–KPO₃ has been developed as part of the research aimed at determining the phase equilibrium relationships in the oxide system Nd₂O₃–K₂O–P₂O₅. The investigations were conducted using thermoanalytical techniques, X-ray powder diffraction analysis and reflected-light microscopy. Three isopleths existing between: K₃Nd(PO₄)₂–K₄P₂O₇, NdPO₄–K₅P₃O₁₀ and NdPO₄–K₄P₂O₇ have been identified in the partial NdPO₄–K₃PO₄–KPO₃ system. Previously unknown potassium-neodymium phosphate “K₄Nd₂P₄O₁₅” has been discovered in the latter isopleth section. This phosphate exists in the solid phase up to a temperature of 890 °C at which it decomposes into the parent phosphates NdPO₄ and K₄P₂O₇. Four invariant points: two quasi-ternary eutectics, E₁ (1057 °C) and E₂ (580 °C) and two quasi-ternary peritectics, P₁ (1078 °C) and P₂ (610 °C), occur in the NdPO₄–K₃PO₄–KPO₃ region.     

Phase diagram study of CaBr2–CaHBr system

A study of binary, CaBr₂–CaHBr system was carried out by differential thermal analysis (DTA), covering the composition range from 100 % CaBr₂ to 100 % CaHBr between room temperature and 800 °C. From DTA results, the contour of solidus and liquidus temperatures with composition is plotted and the phase diagram of CaBr₂–CaHBr system is constructed. The system shows an eutectic reaction at 576 °C and the eutectic composition is 79.6 mol% CaBr₂. Co-existing phases in different phase fields are characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Phase equilibria in the solid state and colour properties of the CuO–In2O3 system

Phase equilibria up to solidus line in CuO?CIn₂O₃ system have been investigated using XRD and DTA/TG methods. According to the results, only one compound of the formula Cu₂In₂O₅ formed in the system studied. Its thermal stability was determined in the air and argon proving that the compound did not melt but underwent decomposition. The decomposition of Cu₂In₂O₅ in the air atmosphere began at 1080?°C, while in argon at 835?°C. Additional studies were undertaken to determine the hitherto unknown colour properties of samples representing the CuO?CIn₂O₃ system in the equilibrium state.     

Phase behavior and modeling of the poly(methyl methacrylate)–CO2–methyl methacrylate system

Cloud-point data for the system poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–CO₂–methyl methacrylate (MMA) are measured in the temperature range of 26 to 170°C, to pressures as high as 2500 bar, and with cosolvent concentrations of 10.4, 28.9, and 48.4 wt.%. PMMA does not dissolve in pure CO₂ to 255°C and 2550 bar. The cloud-point curve for the PMMA–CO₂–10.4 wt.% MMA system exhibits a negative slope that reaches 2500 bar at 105°C. With 28.9 wt.% MMA the cloud-point curve remains relatively flat at ∼900 bar for temperatures between 25 and 170°C. With 48.4 wt.% MMA the cloud-point curve exhibits a positive slope that extends to 20°C and ∼100 bar. Pressure-composition isotherms are also reported for the CO₂–MMA system at 40.0, 80.0, 105.5°C. This system exhibits type-I phase behavior with a continuous mixture–critical curve. The Peng–Robinson (PR) and SAFT equations of state model the CO₂–MMA data reasonably well without any binary interaction parameters, although the PR equation provides a better representation of the mixture-critical region. It is not possible to obtain even a qualitative fit of the PMMA–MMA–CO₂ data with the SAFT equation of state. The SAFT model qualitatively shows that the cloud-point pressure decreases with increasing MMA concentration and that the cloud-point curve exhibits a positive slope for very high concentrations of MMA in solution.     

Phase equilibria in the ErPO4–K3PO4 system

The phase equilibria occurring in the ErPO₄–K₃PO₄ system were investigated by the thermal analysis, FTIR, and X-ray powder diffraction methods. On the basis of obtained results, the related phase diagram is proposed. This system includes one intermediate compound, K₃Er(PO₄)₂; the double phosphate melts incongruently at 1355 °C and occurs in two polymorphic forms; transformation β/α-K₃Er(PO₄)₂ proceeds at 420 °C. The eutectic occurs at the composition of 58.5 wt% K₃PO₄, 41.5 wt% ErPO₄ at 1317 °C.     

Phase equilibria in the aluminium-rich side of the Al–Zr system

The Al-rich phase equilibria in the Al–Zr binary system were investigated experimentally. The phase diagram for compositions up to 40 at.% Zr was determined experimentally by differential thermal analysis and metallography. Three stable intermetallic compounds exist in this region of the diagram: Al₃Zr₂, Al₂Zr, and Al₃Zr. The peritectic melting of Al₃Zr₂ and the congruent melting of Al₂Zr were confirmed. Al₃Zr, the most Al-rich intermetallic compound, melts peritectically, which contradicts information available in the literature. In addition, the reaction between Al₃Zr and the (Al) solid solution seems to be of eutectic nature, in contradiction with previous results found in the literature. Based on these new experimental evidence, a revised phase diagram is drawn.     

Phase equilibria,crystal structure at 1373 K and properties of complex oxides in the Nd–Co–Fe–O system

Phase equilibria in the Nd–Co–Fe–O system were systematically studied at 1373 K in air. The homogeneity range and crystal structure of solid solution NdCo_1–xFe_xO₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) have been studied by the X-ray powder diffraction method. The structural parameters of complex oxides have been refined by the full-profile Rietveld method. It was shown that all oxides reveal practically stoichiometric oxygen composition within the entire temperature range under investigation. The values of thermal expansion coefficients for the cobaltites NdCo_1–xFe_xO₃ (x = 0.3, 0.7) have been calculated within the wide temperature range in air. Chemical stability of NdCo_1–xFe_xO₃ (x = 0.3, 0.7) in respect to the solid electrolyte materials (Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_2–δ and La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O3-δ) was examined. Electrical conductivity of NdCo_1–xFe_xO₃ (x = 0.3, 0.7) was measured as a function of temperature within the range 300–1373 K in air. It was shown that substitution of cobalt for iron leads to the decrease of conductivity. The isothermal-isobaric cross-section of the phase diagram for the Nd–Co–Fe–O system at 1373 K in air has been presented.     

Four polyanionic compounds in the K–Au–Ga system: a case study in exploratory synthesis and of the art of structural analysis

The K-Au-Ga system has been investigated at 350 °C for <50 at. % K. The potassium gold gallides K(0.55)Au(2)Ga(2), KAu(3)Ga(2), KAu(2)Ga(4) and the solid solution KAu(x)Ga(3-x) (x = 0-0.33) were synthesized directly from the elements via typical high-temperature reactions, and their crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction: K(0.55)Au(2)Ga(2) (I, I4/mcm, a = 8.860(3) ?, c = 4.834(2) ?, Z = 4), KAu(3)Ga(2) (II, Cmcm, a = 11.078(2) ?, b = 8.486(2) ?, c = 5.569(1) ?, Z = 4), KAu(2)Ga(4) (III, Immm, a = 4.4070(9) ?, b = 7.339(1) ?, c = 8.664(2) ?, Z = 2), KAu(0.33)Ga(2.67) (IV, I-4m2, a = 6.0900(9) ?, c = 15.450(3) ?, Z = 6). The first two compounds contain different kinds of tunnels built of puckered six- (II) or eight-membered (I) ordered Au/Ga rings with completely different cation placements: uniaxial in I and III but in novel 2D-zigzag chains in II. III contains only infinite chains of a potassium-centered 20-vertex polyhedron (K@Au(8)Ga(12)) built of ordered 6-8-6 planar Au/Ga rings. The main structural feature of IV is dodecahedral (Au/Ga)(8) clusters. Tight-binding electronic structure calculations by linear muffin-tin-orbital methods were performed for idealized models of I, II, and III to gain insights into their structure-bonding relationships. Density of states curves reveal metallic character for all compounds, and the overall crystal orbital Hamilton populations are dominated by polar covalent Au-Ga bonds. The relativistic effects of gold lead to formation of bonds of greater population with most post-transition elements or to itself, and these appear to be responsible for a variety of compounds, as in the K-Au-Ga system.     

Kinetic analysis of the crystallization processes in the glasses of the Bi–As–S system

Kinetic analysis of the crystallization process in Bi₄(As₂S₃)₉₆ and Bi₆(As₂S₃)₉₄ glasses was performed based on DSC curves recorded under non-isothermal measurement conditions. Samples were thermally treated at different heating rates in the temperature range 300?C770?K. The activation energy of crystallization E and the pre-exponential factor K ₀ are determined by the Kissinger method and the characteristic crystallization parameters m and n of investigated glasses by the Matusita method. For both crystallization processes the glass with 4 at.% of Bi is characterized by the mechanism of volume nucleation, which is manifested in the form of two-dimensional growth at the first crystallization process, and as three-dimensional at the second one. On the other hand, in the sample with 6 at.% Bi, the average value of the parameter m is close to one, which indicates one-dimensional crystal growth. Compatibility of the values of the parameters m and n suggests that this sample has a large number of crystallization centers, which do not increase significantly during the thermal treatment.     

Phase diagram study of CaBr2–LiBr system using DTA

The phase diagram of binary LiBr–CaBr₂ system was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA) between room temperature and 800 °C. From the DTA results obtained over the entire range of composition from pure LiBr to pure CaBr₂ in steps of ~5 mol%, the phase diagram was constructed and is reported here. The results indicated the possible existence of a compound at 50 mol% LiBr, namely, LiCaBr₃. The compound undergoes peritectic decomposition at 552 °C. The system shows a eutectic reaction at 532 °C between this compound and LiBr phase, and the eutectic composition is close to 80 mol% LiBr. The compound LiCaBr₃ decomposes into CaBr₂ and LiBr phases below 272 °C. Co-existing phases in different phase fields are characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Phase diagram of ZnAs2–MnAs system

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Calorimetric study and thermal analysis of Al–Sn system

The results of calorimetric study and thermal analysis of binary Al–Sn system are presented in this paper. The Oelsen calorimetry was used in thermodynamic analysis. Following thermodynamic properties were determined at 727 °C: activities, activity coefficients, partial/integral molar Gibbs excess, and mixing energies. The energetics of mixing in liquid Al–Sn alloys has been analyzed through the study of concentration fluctuation in the long-wavelength limit. Thermal analysis of selected alloys in Al–Sn system was done using differential thermal analysis. Defined characteristic phase transition temperatures were used for comparison with calculated phase diagram of investigated system. Good agreement with available literature data was obtained. Structural analysis of selected alloys was done using optic microscopy.