Structural, Dielectric, Pyroelectric and Ferroelectric Properties of Glass Nano Composite: Lithium Borate-Strontium Bismuth Vanadium Niobate

Transparent glasses in the system (100 - x) (Li₂O - 2B₂O₃) - x (SrO - Bi₂O₃ - 0.7 Nb₂O₅ - 0.3 V₂O₅) (10 ≤ x ≤ 60, in molar ratio) were fabricated via the melt quenching technique. The as-quenched samples were X-ray amorphous. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) confirmed the glassy nature of the as-quenched samples. Strontium bismuth vanadium niobate nanorods were grown by controlled heat-treatment of the as-quenched glasses at 783 K for 6 h. The formation of nanorod layered perovskite SrBi₂(Nb_0.7V_0.3)₂O_9-δ (SBVN) phase via an intermediate fluorite phase was confirmed by both X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The dielectric constants of both the as-quenched and heat-treated samples (783 K/6 h) increased while the dielectric loss (D) decreased with increasing x (SBVN content). Interestingly, the dielectric constant of the glass nanocrystal composite (heat-treated at 783 K/6 h) exhibited an anomaly in the vicinity of the crystallization temperature of the host glass (Li₂B₄O₇) reaching a value as high as ≈10⁶ at 800 K. These glass nanocrystal composites were pyroelectric and ferroelectric at 300 K.

Communicated by George W. Taylor     

Phase transitions and domain structures in relaxor-based ferroelectric (PbZn1/3Nb2/3O3)0.915(PbTiO3)0.085 single crystal

Polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops and domain structures have been measured as a function of temperature in relaxor-based ferroelectric single crystal (PbZn_1/3Nb_2/3O₃)_0.915(PbTiO₃)_0.085 (PZN-8.5%PT). In order of increasing temperature, PZN-8.5%PT undergoes successive phase transitions: rhombohedra1 phase (below ∼375 K) → coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases (between ∼375 and ∼390 K) → tetragonal phase (between ∼390 and ∼420 K) → coexistence of tetragonal and cubic phases (between ∼420 and ∼460 K) → cubic phase (above ∼460 K). Phase coexistence suggests an inhomogeneous distribution of Ti⁴⁺ concentration in the PZN-8.5%PT crystal.     

Ferroelasticity and ferroelectricity in betaine arsenate

Single crystals of betaine arsenate, an addition compound of the amino acid betaine with H₃AsO₄, were investigated by dielectric, optical, caloric, and X-ray methods. At room temperature betaine arsenate is ferroelastic with two different monoclinic domains. This state seems to disappear at 411 K. Below T_c = 119 K the ferroelastic domains show a ferroelectric behaviour with a spontaneous polarization P_s = 2μC/cm² at T = T_c - 35 deg.     

Pyroelectric properties of the ferroelectric single crystal series (KxNa1-x)0.4 (SryBa1-y)0.8 Nb2O6

A ferroelectric single crystal series (K_xNa_1-x)0.4(Sr_y Ba_1-y)_0.8 Nb₂O₆(0.50≤x≤0.75, 0.30≤y≤0.90), with tungsten-bronze type structure in by the Czochralski technique. The changes of the dielectric behavior and the pyroelectric coefficient with different chemical compositions have been measured. The results of measurement show that some of the crystals (such as x=0.50, y=0.75) have good pyroelectric figures of merit FM_RN=10.2×10^-13 C·m/J and FM_RN=1.6×10^-11 C·m/J. These crystals should be useful as pyroelectric detector materials.     

Dieletric and relaxation behaviors of (PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3)0.67(PbTiO3)0.33 single crystal

Dielectric permittivity along the [111] direction has been measured as a function of temperature for a relaxor ferroelectric single crystal (PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃)_0.67(PbTiO₃)_0.33 (PMN-33%PT). A sharp ferroelectric phase transition was observed near 425 K and 429 K for cooling and heating processes, respectively. As temperature decreases, a diffuse phase transition (which begins near 330 K upon cooling) was detected. In addition, the nature of the thermal hysteresis for the dielectric permittivity confirms that these transitions (near 330 and 425 K upon cooling) are diffuse first-order and first-order, respectively. The frequency-dependent dielectric data ε'₁₁₁ (ƒ, T) prove the existence of an electric dipolar relaxation process between 350 and 400 K. The activation energy, the Vogel-Fulcher temperature and attempt frequency corresponding to this relaxation process are also calculated.     

Structure and microwave dielectric properties of Nd(2−x)/3LixTiO3

The structure evolution, and microwave dielectric properties of Nd_(2−x)/3Li_xTiO₃ ceramics (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) were investigated in this paper. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results show that samples with x = 0.2–0.4 exhibit single phase. Multi-phases of Nd₂Ti₂O₇, Nd_2/3TiO₃ and Nd₂Ti₄O₁₁ were observed when x = 0 and 0.1. The concentration and ordering degree of A-site decrease with the increase of x value. The dielectric constant increases up to x = 0.2 and then decreases with the further increase of x value. The Qf value decreases with the increase of x value. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency exhibits negative value and the absolute value decreases greatly with the decrease of x value.     

Relationships between crystal structure and microwave dielectric properties of (Zn1/3B2/3)xTi1 − xO2 (B = Nb, Ta) ceramics

Dependence of microwave dielectric properties on the crystal structure of (Zn_1/3B_2/3⁵⁺)_xTi_1 − xO₂ (B⁵⁺ = Nb, Ta) ceramics was investigated as a function of Zn_1/3B_2/3⁵⁺O₂ (B⁵⁺ = Nb, Ta) content (0.4 ≤ x ≤ 0.7). Dielectric constant (K) and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF) of sintered specimens were strongly dependent on the structural characteristics of oxygen octahedra in rutile structure. Cation rattling and the distortion of oxygen octahedra were dependent on the bond length ratio of apical (d_apical)/equatorial (d_equatorial) of oxygen octahedra. The quality factor (Qf) was dependent on the reduction of Ti ion as well as the microstructure of the sintered specimens.     

Study of Ag/La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 catalysts for complete oxidation of methanol and ethanol at low concentrations

Ag-modified La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃-based catalysts with the perovskite-type structure were prepared by using a citric acid sol–gel method, and their catalytic performance for complete oxidation of methanol and ethanol was evaluated and compared with that of the γ-Al₂O₃-supported catalysts, Ag/γ-Al₂O₃, Pt/γ-Al₂O₃, and Pd/γ-Al₂O₃. The results showed that the Ag-modified La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃-based catalysts with the perovskite-type structure displayed the activity significantly higher than that of the supported precious metal catalysts, 0.1%Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ and 0.1%Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ in the temperature range of 370–573 K. Over a 6%Ag/20%La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, the T₉₅ temperature for methanol oxidation can be as low as 413 K. Even at such low reaction temperature, there were little HCHO and CO detected in the reaction exit-gas. However, for the 0.1%Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ and 0.1%Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts, the HCHO content in the reaction exit-gas reached 200 and 630 ppm at their T₉₅ temperatures. Over a 6%Ag/La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ catalyst, the T₉₅ temperature for ethanol oxidation can be as low as 453 K, with a corresponding content of CH₃CHO in the exit-gas at 782 ppm; when ethanol oxidation is performed at 493 K, the content of acetaldehyde in the exit-gas can be below 1 ppm. Characterization of the catalysts by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TEM, XPS, laser Raman spectra (LRS), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) and oxygen temperature-programmed desorption (O₂-TPD) methods revealed that both the surface and the bulk phase of the perovskite La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ played important roles in the catalytic oxidation of the alcohols, and that γ-Al₂O₃ as the bottom carrier could be beneficial in creating a large surface area of catalyst. Moreover, a small amount of Ag⁺ doped onto the surface of La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ was able to partially occupy the positions of La³⁺ and Sr²⁺ due to their similar ionic radii, and thus, became stabilized by the perovskite lattice, which would be in favor of preventing the aggregation of the Ag species on the surface and enhancing the stability of the catalyst. On the other hand, modification of the Ag⁺ to the surface of La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ resulted in an increase in relative content of the surface O₂²⁻/O⁻ species highly reactive toward the alcohols and aldehydes as well as CO. Besides, solution of low-valence metal oxides SrO and Ag₂O with proper amounts in the lattice of the trivalent metal perovskite-type oxide LaMnO₃ would also lead to an increase in the content of the reducible Mnⁿ⁺ and the formation of anionic vacancies, which would be favorable for the adsorption-activation of oxygen on the functioning catalyst and the transport of the lattice and surface oxygen species. All these factors would contribute to the pronounced improvement of the catalyst performance.     

Surface properties and reactivity of Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for NO reduction by C3H6: Influences of calcination temperatures and additives

The influences of calcination temperatures and additives for 10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts on the surface properties and reactivity for NO reduction by C₃H₆ in the presence of excess oxygen were investigated. The results of XRD and XPS show that the 10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts calcined below 973 K possess highly dispersed surface and bulk CuO phases. The 10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ and 10 wt.% Mn–10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts calcined at 1073 K possess a CuAl₂O₄ phase with a spinel-type structure. In addition, the 10 wt.% La–10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst calcined at 1073 K possesses a bulk CuO phase. The result of NO reduction by C₃H₆ shows that the CuAl₂O₄ is a more active phase than the highly dispersed and bulk CuO phase. However, the 10 wt.% Mn–10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst calcined at 1073 K possesses significantly lower reactivity for NO reduction than the 10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst calcined at 1073 K, although these catalysts possess the same CuAl₂O₄ phase. The low reactivity for NO reduction for 10 wt.% Mn–10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst calcined at 1073 K is attributed to the formation of less active CuAl₂O₄ phase with high aggregation and preferential promotion of C₃H₆ combustion to CO_x by MnO₂. The engine dynamometer test for NO reduction shows that the C₃H₆ is a more effective reducing agent for NO reduction than the C₂H₅OH. The maximum reactivity for NO reduction by C₃H₆ is reached when the NO/C₃H₆ ratio is one.     

Quantification of the in situ DRIFT spectra of Pt/K/γ-A12O3 NOx adsorber catalysts

A method to quantify DRIFT spectral features associated with the in situ adsorption of gases on a NO_x adsorber catalyst, Pt/K/Al₂O₃, is described. To implement this method, the multicomponent catalyst is analysed with DRIFT and chemisorption to determine that under operating conditions the surface comprised a Pt phase, a pure γ-Al₂O₃ phase with associated hydroxyl groups at the surface, and an alkalized-Al₂O₃ phase where the surface –OH groups are replaced by –OK groups. Both DRIFTS and chemisorption experiments show that 93–97% of the potassium exists in this form. The phases have a fractional surface area of 1.1% for the 1.7 nm-sized Pt, 34% for pure Al₂O₃ and 65% for the alkalized-Al₂O₃. NO₂ and CO₂ chemisorption at 250 °C is implemented to determine the saturation uptake value, which is observed with DRIFTS at 250 °C. Pt/Al₂O₃ adsorbs 0.087 μmol CO₂/m²and 2.0 μmol NO₂/m², and Pt/K/Al₂O₃ adsorbs 2.0 μmol CO₂/m²and 6.4 μmol NO₂/m². This method can be implemented to quantitatively monitor the formation of carboxylates and nitrates on Pt/K/Al₂O₃ during both lean and rich periods of the NO_x adsorber catalyst cycle.     

Preparation and characterisation of SrTi1−x−yZrxMnyO3 solid solution powders in relation to their use in combustion catalysis

Mixed oxides with compositions SrTi_1−x−yZr_xMn_yO₃, with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.2 have been prepared with a conventional coprecipitation method. Some of them are constituted by very pure perovskite-type solid solution phases, with tetravalent Zr and Mn substituting for Ti in the B site. The addition of Zr to SrTiO₃ tends to increase the surface areas, while the insertion of Mn tends to decrease it. Mn-containing materials are active in the catalytic combustion of 1% methane in air at temperatures higher than 700 K and can be competitive with pure manganite perovskites like LaMnO₃ in spite of the lower Mn content. Pyridine adsorption experiments show that medium strength Lewis acid sites are located at the surface of these materials, and could be involved in the hydrocarbon CH bond activation.     

An investigation of NO/CO reaction over perovskite-type oxide La0.8Ce0.2B0.4Mn0.6O3 (B = Cu or Ag) catalysts synthesized by reverse microemulsion

The perovskite-type oxides La_0.8Ce_0.2Cu_0.4Mn_0.6O₃ and La_0.8Ce_0.2Ag_0.4Mn_0.6O₃ prepared by reverse microemulsion and sol–gel methods (denoted as R and S, respectively), have been investigated on their catalytic performance for the (NO + CO) reaction, and characterized by means of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD measurements proved the presence of the perovskite phase with a considerable amount of CeO₂ phase and the formation of CeO₂ phase was restrained with the reverse microemulsion method. TEM investigations revealed that the La_0.8Ce_0.2Cu_0.4Mn_0.6O₃-R nanoparticles were uniform spheres in shape with diameters ranging from 40 to 50 nm, whereas an aggregation of particles was found for the La_0.8Ce_0.2Cu_0.4Mn_0.6O₃-S catalyst. The activity of NO reduction with CO decreased in the order of La_0.8Ce_0.2Cu_0.4Mn_0.6O₃-R > La_0.8Ce_0.2Cu_0.4Mn_0.6O₃-S > La_0.8Ce_0.2Ag_0.4Mn_0.6O₃-R > La_0.8Ce_0.2Ag_0.4Mn_0.6O₃-S. In NO-TPD experiments, the principal desorbed species detected in the effluent was NO with a trace amount of O₂ and N₂O, suggesting that the non-dissociated adsorption of NO on the surface of the perovskite-type oxides was dominant. The XPS results revealed that Ce⁴⁺ and Cu⁺ was the predominant oxidation state for Ce and Cu components in La_0.8Ce_0.2Cu_0.4Mn_0.6O₃ and La_0.8Ce_0.2Ag_0.4Mn_0.6O₃ catalysts. The existence of Cu⁺ ions and its redox reaction (Cu⁺ ↔ Cu²⁺) would benefit the NO adsorption and reduction by CO.     

Cation distribution between cristobalite, tridymite, and coexisting glass phase in used silica bricks

The chemical composition of cristobalite, tridymite, glass, and accessory phases of different zones of used silica bricks taken from the roof of a glass tank was studied with a high resolution microprobe. Tridymite and cristobalite contain as impurities TiO₂ (≤ 0.36 wt%), Al₂O₃ (≤ 0.37 wt%), and Na₂O (≤ 0.27 wt%). Main constituents of the glass phase coexisting with crystalline silica are: SiO₂ (74 to 60 wt%), TiO₂ (0.4 to 9 wt%), Al₂O₃ (1 to 5 wt%), Fe₂O₃ (0.3 to 3 wt%), CaO (5 to 20 wt%), and Na₂O (8 to 17 wt%). Temperature curves within the bricks during operation of the glass tank have been estimated using direct temperature measurement at the hot front of the bricks, and the transition temperatures of cristobalite to tridymite ( 1450°C), and of - to β-wollastonite ( 1200°C). Microchemical data and supposed temperatures were correlated with the Nernst distribution law. The applicability of the Nernst law shows that local equilibrium conditions were reached during the use of the bricks; they have been preserved during cooling of bricks. The results of the Nernst law cation distribution imply that structural saturation with Al₂O₃, TiO₂, and Na₂O was not reached in the investigated composition range. Al³⁺ is believed to substitute Si⁴⁺ at tetrahedral lattice sites. Al³⁺ substitution is favoured with decreasing temperature in relation to the Al₂O₃ content in the glass phase. Al³⁺ → Si⁴⁺ substitution produces charge deficiency, which is compensated by interstitial entry of Na⁺ into structural channels and voids of tridymite and cristobalite. Ti⁴⁺ incorporation into the cristobalite and tridymite structures is favoured at higher temperatures with respect to the TiO₂ content of the glass phase. The close reciprocal dependence between Al³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ in silica may indicate that Ti⁴⁺ is tetrahedrally incorporated as well.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity for NO–CO reaction of Pd–(La, Sr)2MnO4 system

La_xSr_2−xMnO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) oxides were synthesized and single-phase K₂NiF₄-type oxides were obtained in the range of 0.1 ≤ x < 0.5. The catalytic activity of La_xSr_2−xMnO₄ for NO–CO reaction increased with increasing x in the range of solubility limit of La. La_0.5Sr_1.5MnO₄ showed the highest activity among La_xSr_2−xMnO₄ prepared in this study, but its activity was inferior to perovskite-type La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃. Among the Pd-loaded catalysts, however, Pd/La_0.8Sr_1.2MnO₄ showed the higher activity and the selectivity to N₂ than Pd/La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ and Pd/γ-Al₂O₃. The excellent catalytic performance of Pd/La_0.2Sr_1.2MnO₄ could be ascribable to the formation of SrPd₃O₄ which was detected by XRD in the catalyst but not in the other two catalysts.     

Drag on ensembles of fluid spheres translating in a power-law liquid at moderate Reynolds numbers

This work elucidates the role of power-law rheology on the sedimentation velocity of an ensemble of mono-size spherical Newtonian droplets (free from surfactants) translating in a power-law continuous phase numerically by solving the momentum equations of both phases. A simple sphere-in-sphere cell model has been used to account for inter-drop interactions. In particular, in this study, the effects of the Reynolds number (Re_o), the internal to external fluid characteristic viscosity ratio (k), the volume fraction of the dispersed phase (Φ) and the power-law index of the continuous phase (n_o) on the external flow field, pressure drag (C_dp), friction drag (C_df) and total drag (C_d) coefficients have been analyzed over wide ranges of parameters as follows: 1 ≤ Re_o ≤ 200, 0.1 ≤ k ≤ 50, 0.2 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.6 and 0.6 ≤ n_o ≤ 1.6. Based on the extensive numerical results obtained in this work, a simple predictive correlation has been proposed for the total drag coefficient, which can be used to predict the rate of sedimentation of ensembles of Newtonian fluid spheres in power-law liquids in a new application.     

Phase transition in Sol-Gel processed barium titanate ceramics

Ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO₃) ceramics have been prepared from barium acetate [Ba(CH₃COO)₂] and titanium isopropoxide [Ti(CH₃)₂CHO)₄] precursors by sol-gel technique The as-grown powder was found to be amorphous which crystallized to tetragonal phase after annealing at 700°C in air for one hour. The ceramics showed well saturated polarization-field (P-E) hysteresis loops at room temperature. The values of spontaneous polarization(P_s), remanent polarization (P_r) and coercive field (E_c) of the ceramics were found to be19.0, 12.66μC-cm^-2 and 30KVcm^-1 respectively. The room temperature dielectric constant (ε) and loss tangent (tanδ) of the ceramics were found to be 1135 and 0.012 respectively. The dielectric constant and tanδ showed anomaly peaks at 125°C showing ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition. The polarization parameters also vanish at 125°C confirming the phase transition.     

Influence of the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio on the synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of levyne-type zeolite

Levyne-type zeolites were synthesized from gels of initial compositions 4.5Na₂O-6MeQI-xAl₂O₃ 30SiO₂-500H₂O, with MeQ = methylquinuclidinium and 0.6 ≤ x ≥ 3 at 150 ≤ t ≥ 190 °C. The ²⁹Si NMR spectra show the presence of two crystallographically different sites in the structure. The ²⁷Al NMR spectra also suggest the presence of two different tetrahedral Al atoms incorporated in the structure. A rather high amount of defect groups SiOM and Si(OM)₂ with M = MeQ, Na and/or H are present in the precursor samples. The Si(OM)₂ groups are eliminated during calcination, and a certain amount of SiOM still persists after calcination. The combined ¹³C NMR and thermal analysis data allowed one to interpret the nature of the two different types of MeQ⁺ ions occluded in the levyne channels.     

Re-investigating the CO oxidation mechanism over unsupported MnO, Mn2O3 and MnO2 catalysts

Kinetic study of CO oxidation in combination with experiments of temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) and reduction (TPR) have been performed on various unsupported crystalline manganese oxides (MnO_x); while the reactivity shows an order of MnO ≤ MnO₂ < Mn₂O₃ in a mixture of unit ratio of O₂/CO at/below 523 K. We propose that under the current conditions the interaction of adsorbed CO and O is mainly responsible for CO₂ formation on Mn₂O₃ and MnO₂ catalysts, following either the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism or Eley–Rideal mechanism. Meanwhile, direct evidence from transient CO oxidation suggests that the Mars-van-Krevelen mechanism may occur for all catalysts simultaneously, especially, it is predominant for the MnO catalyst. The evidence of structural modifications during reaction was confirmed by Raman spectra obtained from used MnO.     

Effect of Microstructure on Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties of A-Site and B-Site Modified PLZT

Ba modified (Pb,La,Ag)(Zr,Ti)O₃ ceramics synthesized by conventional mixed-oxide method with chemical formula [Pb_{0.983 - z}La_0.012Ag_0.005Ba_z] [(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)_0.99825]O₃ were investigated for ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. XRD studies indicate that increment of Ba concentration resulted in strong tetragonality in the ceramics. Grain growth (3.08 μ m) inhibited and apparent density (7.54 gm/cm³) enhanced up to 1.5 mole% Ba respectively. As Ba content increased dielectric properties showed maximum values (ε_RT = 2347, ε_Tc = 23449) while T_c constantly decreased. The remanent (P_r = 34.72 μ C/cm²) and spontaneous polarization (P_s = 41.84 μ C/cm²) were optimum in 1 mole% Ba respectively while E_c showed increasing trend throughout the series. Piezoelectric properties attained maximum values of d₃₃ = 438 pC/N in 1.5 mole% Ba while k_p = 0.533 and k_t = 0.412 in 1 mole% Ba doped (Pb,La,Ag)(Zr,Ti)O₃ ceramics respectively.     

Novel route of synthesis of Mn---Mg---ferrites using stabilised MnO

Stoichiometric polycrystalline samples of Mn_xMg_1−xFe₂O₄ (0·5 ≤ x ≤ 0·66) have been synthesized by following a novel route using stabilized MnO and Fe₂O₃ at high temperatures. This route precludes the formation of large amounts of Mn³⁺ and Fe²⁺ and precipitation of MgO and -Fe₂O₃ which are generally observed during the usual route of preparation by conventional ceramic techniques. These samples have been characterized for their structural and magnetic properties using X-ray diffraction, Fe⁵⁷ Mössbauer spectroscopy and bulk magnetic properties such as initial permeability, loss factor, ferromagnetic transition temperature, remanance and coercivity. For X = 0·62, these ferrites exhibit the highest remanance ratio 0·96, suitable for square loop applications.