Thermal expansion studies on Th(MoO4)2, Na2Th(MoO4)3 and Na4Th(MoO4)4

Thermal expansion behavior of Th(MoO₄)₂, Na₂Th(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄Th(MoO₄)₄ was studied under vacuum in the temperature range of 298–1123 K by high temperature X-ray diffractometer. Th(MoO₄)₂ was synthesized by reacting ThO₂ with 2 mol of MoO₃, at 1073 K in air and Na₂Th(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄Th(MoO₄)₄ were prepared by reacting Th(MoO₄)₂ with 1 and 2 mol of Na₂MoO₄, respectively at 873 K in air. The XRD data of Th(MoO₄)₂ was indexed on orthorhombic system where as XRD data of Na₂Th(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄Th(MoO₄)₄ were indexed on tetragonal system. The lattice parameters and cell volume of all the three compounds, fit into polynomial expression with respect to temperature, showed positive thermal expansion (PTE) up to 1123 K. The average value of thermal expansion coefficients for Th(MoO₄)₂, Na₂Th(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄Th(MoO₄)₄ were determined from the high temperature data.     

Structural and thermal studies on Na2U(MoO4)3 and Na4U(MoO4)4

In Na–U(IV)–Mo–O system, two quaternary compounds Na₂U(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄U(MoO₄)₄ were prepared by solid state reactions of Na₂MoO₄, UMoO₅ and MoO₃ in the required stoichiometric ratio at 500 °C in evacuated sealed quartz ampoules. The crystal structure of both the compounds were derived from X-ray powder diffraction data in the tetragonal system by Rietveld profile method. Na₂U(MoO₄)₃ has scheelite structure, whereas Na₄U(MoO₄)₄ has scheelite superlattice structure.

TG curves of Na₂U(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄U(MoO₄)₄ did not show any significant weight change up to 750 °C in an inert atmosphere. During the heating cycle in an inert atmosphere, DTA curves of Na₂U(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄U(MoO₄)₄ showed endothermic peaks due to the melting of the compounds at 740 °C and 730 °C, respectively. Na₂U(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄U(MoO₄)₄, when heated in air atmosphere at 1200 °C, decomposed to form Na₂U₂O₇ which was confirmed by weight loss calculation and XRD.     

Structural investigation of the alluaudite-like mixed-valence iron phosphate: Na1.25Mg1.10Fe1.90(PO4)3

A new mixed-valence iron phosphate Na_1.25Mg_1.10Fe_1.90(PO₄)₃ has been synthesized as single crystals by a flux technique and its structure has been refined from X-ray data to a residual R₁ = 0.032. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with the parameters: a = 11.7831(3) Å, b = 12.4740(3) Å, c = 6.3761(2) Å, β = 113.643(2)° and Z = 4. The structure belongs to the alluaudite structural type, and thus it obeys to the X(2)X(1)M(1)M(2)₂(PO₄)₃ general formula. The X(2) and X(1) sites are occupied by sodium while the M(1) and M(2) sites feature a statistical distribution of iron and magnesium.

Additional information about the cation distribution has been extracted from a Mössbauer spectroscopy study which confirmed the mixed valency of the compound. A magnetic susceptibility study has also been undertaken and has shown the compound to be antiferromagnetic with a Neel temperature of about 35 K.     

Effect of Sm2O3 content on microstructure and thermal conductivity of Spark Plasma Sintered AlN ceramics

Dense aluminum nitride ceramics were prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering at a lower sintering temperature of 1700 °C with Sm₂O₃ as sintering additives. The effect of Sm₂O₃ content on the density, phase composition, microstructure and thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics was investigated. The results showed that Spark Plasma Sintering could fabricate dense AlN ceramics with superior thermal properties in a very short time. Sm₂O₃ not only facilitated the densification via the liquid-phase sintering mechanism but also improved thermal conductivity by decreasing oxygen impurity. Thermal conductivity decreased with increasing amount of Sm₂O₃ and the highest thermal conductivity was obtained for the AlN ceramics with 2 wt.% Sm₂O₃ content. During Spark Plasma Sintering process, only 2–3 wt.% sintering additives was enough to fabricate dense AlN ceramics, and the microstructures played a key role in controlling the thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics.     

Strain enhancement in Bi1/2(Na0.82K0.18)1/2TiO3 lead-free electromechanical ceramics by co-doping with Li and Ta

The effects of co-doping with Ta- and Li-ions on the microstructure, crystal structure, ferroelectric, and electric field-induced strain properties of Bi_1/2(Na_0.82K_0.18)_1/2TiO₃ (BNKT) ceramics were investigated. Li substitution into Na-sites led to a ferroelectric-nonpolar phase transition and a large accompanying normalized strain (S_max/E_max) of 727 pm/V near the phase boundary, when 2.5 mol% Li and 2.5 mol% Ta were co-doped on A- and B-sites, respectively. The phase transition-related strain was thought to be induced by a decrease in the tolerance factor of the perovskite structure.     

Synthesis and performance of Li3V2(PO4)3/C composites as cathode materials

Carbon-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries were prepared by a carbon-thermal reduction (CTR) method using sucrose as carbon source. The Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite cathode materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical measurement. The results show that the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ samples synthesized using sucrose as carbon source have the same monoclinic structure as the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ sample synthesized using acetylene black as carbon source. SEM image exhibits that the particle size is about 1 μm together with homogenous distribution. Electrochemical test shows that the initial discharge capacity of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ powders is 122 mAh·g⁻¹ at the rate of 0.2C, and the capacity retains 111 mAh−g⁻¹ after 50 cycles.     

Preparation and characteristic of spherical Li3V2(PO4)3

Spherical Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ was synthesized by using N₂H₄ as reducer. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that single-phase, spherical and well-dispersed Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ has been successfully synthesized in our experimental process. Electrochemical behaviors have been characterized by charge/discharge measurements. The initial discharge capacities of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ were 123 mAh g⁻¹ in the voltage range of 3.0–4.3 V and 132 mAh g⁻¹ in the voltage range of 3.0–4.8 V.     

Thermal cycle behavior of plasma sprayed La2O3, Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 coatings

The effects of La₂O₃ addition on thermal conductivity, phase stability and thermal cycle life of Y₂O₃ stabilized ZrO₂ plasma sprayed coatings were investigated. Although low thermal conductivity as well as high resistance to sintering was achieved by La₂O₃ addition, it tended to also result in lower phase stability and thermal cycle life of the coatings. Optimization of the composition and structure of the coatings improved these properties, and the optimized coatings showed prolonged thermal cycle life.     

Scintillation and luminescence properties of Ce-activated K3Lu(PO4)2

K₃Lu(PO₄)₂:Ce single crystals have been studied under gamma, X-ray, VUV, and UV excitation. For all of the excitation forms, the luminescence of these materials is dominated by the d–f emission bands of Ce³⁺. The shape and position of these bands, however, depends on the form of the excitation and on temperature due to crystallographic structural phase changes and multiple types of Lu³⁺ ions sites in the which the Ce³⁺ ion can substitute for Lu. The highly efficient and fast scintillation of these materials is based on radiative recombination of electron-hole pairs via Ce ions, and the scintillation characteristics identify K₃Lu(PO₄)₂:Ce as a promising fast and efficient scintillator.     

Effect of addition of Ba(W0.5Cu0.5)O3 in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 ceramics on the sintering temperature, electrical properties and phase transition

In this work, we report on the Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PMN-PZN-PZT) ceramics with Ba(W_0.5Cu_0.5)O₃ as the sintering aid that was manufactured in order to develop the low-temperature sintering materials for piezoelectric device applications. The phase transition, microstructure, dielectric, piezoelectric properties, and the temperature stability of the ceramics were investigated. The results showed that the addition of Ba(W_0.5Cu_0.5)O₃ significantly improved the sintering temperature of PMN-PZN-PZT ceramics and could lower the sintering temperature from 1005 to 920 °C. Besides, the obtained Ba(W_0.5Cu_0.5)O₃-doped ceramics sintered at 920 °C have optimized electrical properties, which are listed as follows: (K_p = 0.63, Q_m = 1415 and d₃₃ = 351 pC/N), and high depolarization temperature above 320 °C. These results indicated that this material was a promising candidate for high-power multilayer piezoelectric device applications.     

Electrical properties of magnesium sodium hydrogen monophosphate: MgNa3H(PO4)2

Magnesium sodium hydrogen monophosphate, Na₃MgH(PO₄)₂, crystallizes in the triclinic cell . The crystal morphology is related to the synthesis temperature and the evaporation rate. Samples were characterized through X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis, examined by IR and Raman vibrational spectroscopy and impedance and modulus spectroscopy techniques. The conductivity relaxation parameters associated with some H^· conduction have been determined from an analysis of the M^″/M_max^″ spectrum measured in a wide temperature range. Transport properties in this material appear to be due to an H^· ion hopping mechanism.     

Kinetic study on Li2.8(V0.9Ge0.1)2(PO4)3 by EIS measurement

Kinetics for lithium ion transfers in the fast ionic conductor Li_2.8(V_0.9Ge_0.1)₂(PO₄)₃ prepared by solid-state reaction method has been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at various temperatures and the results were correlated with observed cathodic behavior. The specific conductivities of Li_x(V_0.9Ge_0.1)₂(PO₄)₃ (x = 0.9–2.8) versus temperatures were analyzed from blocking-electrodes by Wagner's polarization method and the activation energy was calculated. It was observed that electronic conductivities of Li_x(V_0.9Ge_0.1)₂(PO₄)₃ increased with lithium contents in the materials. The compounds show a reversible capacity of 131 mAh g⁻¹ at low current density (13 mA g⁻¹). Modeling the EIS data with equivalent circuit approach enabled the determination of charge transfer and surface film resistances. The Li ion diffusion coefficient (D_Li⁺) versus voltage plot shows three valleys during the first charge cycle coinciding with the irreversible plateau of the voltage versus lithium content profiles reflecting the irreversible phase change in the compound. The obtained D_Li⁺ from EIS varies within 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁷ cm² s⁻¹, so Li_2.8(V_0.9Ge_0.1)₂(PO₄)₃ shows excellent chemical diffusion performance.     

固相-水热法制备LiFePO4-Li3V2（PO4）3复合材料及其电化学性能（英文）

分别采用固相-水热法和球磨法制备磷酸亚铁锂-磷酸钒锂复合正极材料(LiFePO4-Li3V2(PO4)3)。电化学性能测试表明,LiFePO4-Li3V2(PO4)3复合正极材料的电化学性能远远高于 LiFePO4和 Li3V2(PO4)3单独作为正极材料的性能,并且以固相-水热法制备的复合材料性能优于以球磨法制得的复合材料。研究发现 LiFePO4-Li3V2(PO4)3复合材料有 4 个氧化还原峰,相当于 LiFePO4 和 Li3V2(PO4)3 氧化还原峰的叠加。采用固相-水热法制备的LiFePO4-Li3V2(PO4)3 复合材料形貌较为规则,且有新相物质产生,这是导致其电化学性能较好的原因。     

New dielectric material system of La(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3–Ca0.6La0.8/3TiO3 for microwave applications

The microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of xLa(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃–(1 − x)Ca_0.6La_0.8/3TiO₃ ceramics system with ZnO additions (0.5 wt.%) investigated by the conventional solid-state route have been studied. Doping with ZnO (0.5 wt.%) can effectively promote the densification and the dielectric properties of xLa(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃–(1 − x)Ca_0.6La_0.8/3TiO₃ ceramics. 0.6La(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃–0.4Ca_0.6La_0.8/3TiO₃ ceramics with 0.5 wt.% ZnO addition possess a dielectric constant (_r) of 43.6, a Q × f value of 48,000 (at 8 GHz) and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of −1 ppm/°C sintering at 1475 °C. As the content of La(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃ increases, the highest Q × f value of 62,900 (GHz) for x = 0.8 is achieved at the sintering temperature 1475 °C. A parallel-coupled line band-pass filter is designed and simulated using the proposed dielectric to study its performance.     

Sintering effect on electrical properties of ZnO-V2O5-MnO2-Nb2O5 ceramics

The microstructure and electrical properties of quaternary ZnO-V₂O₅-MnO₂-Nb₂O₅ ceramics were investigated at different sintering temperature (875-950 °C). The average grain size increased from 4.4 μm to 9.6 μm with increasing sintering temperature. The breakdown field decreased from 6991 V/cm to 943 V/cm with increasing sintering temperature. Proper sintering for quaternary ZnO-V₂O₅-MnO₂-Nb₂O₅ ceramics led to surprisingly high nonlinear coefficient (50). The donor concentration increased from 3.33 × 10¹⁷ cm⁻³ to 7.64 × 10¹⁷ cm⁻³ with increasing sintering temperature and the barrier height exhibited the maximum value (1.07 eV) at 900 °C.     

Elastic behavior of La0.67Ca0.33MnO3:ZrO2 composites

A series of Colossal Magneto Resistance materials, with compositional formula (1 − x) La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ + xZrO₂ (where x = 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%) were prepared by sol–gel technique. When characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction they are found to have cubic structure. After measuring their bulk densities, the ultra sonic longitudinal (V_l) and shear velocities (V_s) were measured at room temperature using the pulse transmission technique. Using the ultrasonic data, the values of Young's and rigidity moduli along with Poisson's ratio and Debye temperatures have been calculated. As the materials are porous, zero porous elastic moduli have also been arrived at using a well-known model. The observed variation of elastic moduli with varying ZrO₂ concentration has been explained qualitatively.     

Crystal structures and hydrogenation behavior of （Ca0.9Sr0.08（Al1-xZnx）3 alloys

The crystal structures and hydrogenation behavior of the （Ca0.9Sr0.1）8（Al1-xZnx）3 （x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4） alloys were investigated. The new phase （Ca,Sr）E（Al,Zn） was found whenx 〉 0.1. （Ca, Sr）E（Al,Zn） crystallizes in space group 14/mmm （A-139）. The lattice parameters were calculated to be a = b = 1.1616（2） nm, c = 1.6422（4） nm. Zn atoms occupy the 8h and 16n sites together with Al atoms. The （Ca0.9Sr0.1）8Al3 alloy only contains a single Ca8Al3 phase. The （Ca0.9Sr0.1）8（Al1-xZnx）3 alloys consist of Ca8Al3, CasZn3, Ca and （Ca,Sr）2（Al,Zn） phases when x is from 0.1 to 0.3. As x increasing to 0.4, the alloy consists of （Ca,Sr）E（Al,Zn）, Ca8Zn3 and Ca. The hydrogenated （Ca0.9Sr0.1）8Al3 and （Ca0.9Sr0.1）8（Al0.9Zn0.1）3 samples consist of CartE and Al. The （Ca0.9Sr0.1）8（Al1-xZnx）3 （x = 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4） samples can be hydrogenated into CaH2, Al and CaZnl3 under a hydrogen pressure of 5 MPa at 473 K.     

Synthesis and properties of lithium ion conductors Li3−2x(Sc1−xZrx)2(PO4)3

Lithium ion conductors, Li_3−2x(Sc_1−xZr_x)₂(PO₄)₃ (0 x 0.3), were prepared by a solid-state reaction. TG–DTA analysis indicated no phase transition in the samples with x superior to 0.05. X-ray powder diffraction analysis of these samples clearly showed the stabilization of a superionic conduction phase at room temperature with an orthorhombic system Pbcn. The highest conductivity was observed for the sample with x=0.05, and ascribed to the stabilization of the superionic conduction phase and the introduction of vacancies on the Li⁺ sites by substituting Zr⁴⁺ for Sc³.     

Influence of MnO2 on the sintering behavior and magnetic properties of NiFe2O4 ferrite ceramics

The samples with small amounts of MnO₂ (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 wt%, respectively) were prepared via ball-milling process and two-step sintering process from commercial powders (i.e. Fe₂O₃, NiO and MnO₂). Microstructural features, phase transformation, sintering behavior and magnetic properties of Mn-doped NiFe₂O₄ composite ceramics have been investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential thermal analyzer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal dilatometer and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) respectively. The XRD analysis and the result of differential thermal analysis indicate that the reduction of MnO₂ into Mn₂O₃ and the following reduction of Mn₂O₃ into MnO existed in sintering process. No new phases are detected in the ceramic matrix, the crystalline structure of the ceramic matrix is still NiFe₂O₄ spinel structure. Morphology and the detecting result of thermal dilatometer show that MnO₂ can promote the sintering process, the temperature for 1 wt% MnO₂-doped samples to reach the maximum shrinkage rate is 59 °C lower than that of un-doped samples. For 1 wt% MnO₂-doped samples, the value of the saturation magnetization (M_s) and coercivity (H_c) is 15.673 emu/g and 48.316 Oe respectively.     

Crystal structures and structural relationships of KFe2(SeO2OH)(SeO3)3 and SrCo2(SeO2OH)2(SeO3)2

The new phases KFe₂(SeO₂OH)(SeO₃)₃ and SrCo₂(SeO₂OH)₂(SeO₃)₂ have been synthesized under low-hydrothermal conditions and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray methods. Both compounds are monoclinic; KFe₂(SeO₂OH)(SeO₃)₃: space group P2, A = 9.983(4), B = 5.270(1), C = 10.614(4) Å, β = 97.42(2)°, V = 553.7 ų, Z = 2; SrCo₂(SeO₂OH)₂(SeO₃)₂: space group P2ln, A = 14.984(2), B = 5.286(1), C = 13.790(2) Å, β = 94.72(1)°, V = 1088.5 ų , Z = 4. The refinements converged to R-values of 2.9 and 3.6% respectively.

The atomic arrangement in KFe₂(SeO₂OH)(SeO₃)₃ and SrCo₂(SeO₂OH)₂(SeO₃)₂ is based on isolated MO₆ octahedra (M = Fe³⁺, Co²⁺), which are corner-linked via trigonal pyramidal selenite groups to a framework structure. Interstitials are occupied by potassium or strontium atoms in ten- or eight-coordination respectively, and by the lone-pair electrons of the Se⁴⁺ atoms. Both compounds are not isotypic but are closely related and may be interpreted as different distortions of an idealized structure type in space group P2/m, which was modelled for a theoretical compound SrFe₂(SeO₃)₄ by distance least squares refinement (program ).