Homogeneity regions of yttrium and ytterbium manganites in air

Homogeneous solid solutions and heterogeneous systems of the general formula R_{2 − x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} (0.90 ≤ x ≤] 1.10 for R = Y and 0.88 ≤ x ≤ 1.14 for R = Yb; Δx = 0.02) were produced by ceramic synthesis from oxides in air within the temperature range 900–1400°C. The solubility boundaries of simple oxides R₂O₃ (R = Y, Yb), Mn₃O₄, and binary oxide RMn₂O₅ in yttrium and ytterbium manganites RMnO_{3 ± δ} were determined X-ray powder diffraction of these solutions and systems. The results were presented as fragments of phase diagrams of the systems Y-Mn-O and Yb-Mn-O in air. The solubility of Y₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ in YMnO_{3 ± δ} was found to increase with increasing temperature, and the solubility of Yb₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ in YbMnO_{3 ± δ} to be insensitive to varying temperature. It was suggested that the solubility of Y₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ in YMnO_{3 ± δ} and of Yb₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ in YbMnO_{3 ± δ} is caused by crystal structure defects of yttrium and ytterbium manganites and their related oxygen nonstoichiometry. In dissolving RMn₂O₅ in RMnO_{3 ± δ} (R = Y, Yb) in air within a narrow (∼20°C) temperature range adjacent to the RMn₂O₅ = RMnO₃ + 1/3Mn₃O₄ + 1/3O₂ equilibrium temperature, the solubility of RMn₂O₅ in RMnO_{3 ± δ} ecreases abruptly until almost zero. Conclusion is made that structural studies are necessary necessary to determine the oxygen nonstoichiometry δ of R_{2 − x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} solid solutions as a function of x and synthesis temperature; together with the results of this work, these studies will allow one to construct unique crystal-chemical models of these solid solutions.