Fabrication and high-temperature thermoelectric properties of Ti-doped Sr0.9La0.1TiO3 ceramics

Ti-doped Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃ ceramics with high density were successfully prepared in argon atmosphere by conventional solid state reaction. The influences of titanium doping content on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties were investigated. The results showed that titanium was oxidized during the calcination procedure. TiO₂ phase survived and coexisted with Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃ phase in the sintered ceramics. The Seebeck coefficients were increased from −163 to −259 μV/K as the temperature increased from 350 K to 1073 K. The thermal conductivity can be significantly reduced by doping Ti. Thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) first decreased and then increased with increasing Ti doping content. Ceramics showed the best thermoelectric properties when Ti doping amount was 5 wt%, the maximum PF was 7.13 μW/K²/cm, and ZT value was 0.144 at 1073 K.     

Grain orientation evolution and multi-scale interfaces enhanced thermoelectric properties of textured Sr0.9La0.1TiO3 based ceramics

Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃ based textured ceramics (SLTT-S3T) with a texture fraction of 0.81 are successfully fabricated by the reactive template grain growth method, in which Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃/20 wt%Ti was used as matrix and 10 wt% plate-like Sr₃Ti₂O₇ template seeds were used as templates. The phase transition, microstructure evolution, and the anisotropic thermoelectric properties of SLTT-S3T ceramics were investigated. The results show that the ceramics are mainly composed of Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃ and rutile TiO₂ phases. Grains grow with a preferred orientation along (h00). A maximum ZT of 0.26 at 1073 K was achieved in the direction perpendicular to the tape casting direction. The low lattice thermal conductivity of 1.9 W/(m K) at 1073 K was obtained decreased by 34%, 40%, and 38% compared with non-textured, SrTiO₃ and Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃ ceramics prepared by the same process, can be attributed to the enhanced phonon scattering by the complex multi-scale boundaries and interfaces. This work provides a strategy of microstructural design for thermoelectric oxides to decrease intrinsic lattice thermal conductivity and further regulate thermoelectric properties via texture engineering.     

Optimization of room-temperature TCR of polycrystalline La0.9-xSrxK0.1MnO3 ceramics by Sr adjustment

High-density La_0.9-xSr_xK_0.1MnO₃ ceramics (LSKMO, A-site = La, Sr and K, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) are successfully fabricated by using facile sol-gel method. Electrical properties are performed by using combination of phenomenological percolation (PP) model, double exchange (DE) mechanism, and Jahn-Teller (JT) effect. Moreover, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are employed to analyze the structure and morphology of LSKMO ceramics. Valence states and ionic stoichiometry are assessed by using X-ray photoemission spectrometry. Results reveal that Sr²⁺ ions, substituting La³⁺ ions, significantly influenced DE mechanism and JT effect. In addition, Sr-doping plays essential role in improving electrical properties of LSKMO ceramics. At optimal doping content of x = 0.09, peak temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the resistivity is found to be 11.56% K^?1 at 297.15 K, which is optimal TCR for A-site K-occupied perovskite manganese oxides. These results confirm that polycrystalline LSKMO ceramics render high room-temperature TCR values due to Sr-doping.     

Enhanced high temperature microwave absorption of La0.9Sr0.1MnO3/MgAl2O4 composite ceramics based on controllable electrical conductivity

The high temperature microwave absorbing efficiency (HTMAE) of xLa_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃/(1 − x)MgAl₂O₄ composite ceramics was investigated by studying the crystal structure, electrical conductivity, and permittivity. The crystal structure of La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃ and MgAl₂O₄ were maintained, but the Mn³⁺ and Al³⁺ ions were exchanged with each other through doping. The conductivity and permittivity of the composite ceramics increased with the increase of La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃ content and test temperature. When x = 0.36, the electrical conductivity in La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃ significantly enhanced the microwave polarization of the composite ceramics at high temperature. According to transmission/reflection modelling, the composite ceramics with x = 0.24 showed excellent HTMAE near the optimal thickness of 1.8 mm. Although the optimal thickness of the composite with x = 0.36 was reduced to 1.1 mm, the HTMAE was seriously lessened due to an impedance mismatch. xLa_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃/(1 − x)MgAl₂O₄ are promising as thin and efficient microwave absorbing materials at high temperatures and the microwave permittivity can be further enhanced by adjusting the conductivity of La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃.     

Grain size engineered Ba0.9Sr0.1Ti0.9Hf0.1O3-Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 relaxor ceramics with improved energy storage performance

Novel lead-free diphasic (1-x)Ba_0.9Sr_0.1Ti_0.9Hf_0.1O₃-xNa_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ (BSTH-NBT) ceramic nanocomposites were synthesized via an economically viable modified mechano-chemical activation technique. In the present investigation, we have developed an energy storage composite material by systematically optimizing the charge transport behavior and charge storage characteristics between the ferroelectric BSTH and piezoelectric NBT phase. The composite with x = 0.09 NBT concentration has shown the best energy storage properties with 1.61 J/cm³ discharge energy density along with 80.1% energy efficiency. The BSTH and NBT had a synergetic effect on the ferroelectric properties of the composites. The improvement in ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties along with excellent aging characteristics in composite materials is mainly attributed to enhancement in microstructural density, grain boundary interface, and stress effects. The improved dispersibility and excellent compatibility between BSTH and NBT phase have resulted in approximately 20% enhancement in breakdown strength of composite compared to pure BSTH ceramic.     

Microstructure and thermoelectric properties of La0.1Dy0.1SrxTiO3 ceramics

La_0.1Dy_0.1Sr_xTiO₃ (x=0.80, 0.78, 0.75, 0.70) powders were synthesized via a sol-gel method, followed by sintering at 1550 °C in a reducing atmosphere of 5 vol% hydrogen in nitrogen. The microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the Sr-deficient La and Dy co-doped SrTiO₃ were investigated. The result of XRD revealed that La_0.1Dy_0.1Sr_xTiO₃ consisted of SrTiO₃ with a cubic crystal structure as the main phase and of a small amount of Dy₂Ti₂O₇ as the second phase. All the Sr-deficient samples exhibited a step-like microstructure. As the nominal Sr deficient content increased, the electrical conductivity of the Sr-deficient La_0.1Dy_0.1Sr_xTiO₃ ceramics enhanced due to the increasing Sr and oxygen vacancies, the absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient increased a little, and the thermal conductivity decreased to ~3.0 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, leading to a high ZT value of 0.19 for La_0.1Dy_0.1Sr_0.75TiO₃ at 500 °C.     

Y2O3 doped Ba0.9Ca0.1Ti0.9Sn0.1O3 ceramics with improved piezoelectric properties

Lead-free Ba_0.90Ca_0.10Ti_0.90Sn_0.10O₃-xY₂O₃ (BCTSY, x = 0–0.09) ceramics were prepared by traditional solid-state sintering method. All the BCTSY samples showed pure perovskite structures without detectable impurity. Orthorhombic/tetragonal phase coexisted in the sample of x = 0.03 to 0.07. Remarkable enhancement of the electric properties were achieved at x = 0.03 with d₃₃ of 650 pC/N, K_p of 59.6%, and the remnant polarization P_r of 10.2 μC/cm². The strengthened temperature stability of piezoelectricity is beneficial to the application of the piezoceramics.     

Core-shell structure strategy and oxygen vacancy engineering of 0.1LaMnO3@0.9(Ba0.5Sr0.5)TiO3 ceramics towards tuning electrical properties

In recent years, core-shell structures have attracted much attention for their potential in tuning the functional properties of materials and have become an effective method for preparing high-performance materials. In this work, core-shell structured 0.1LaMnO₃@0.9(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)TiO₃ nanoparticles were fabricated by sol-gel method and dense ceramics were prepared at different sintering temperatures. The phase composition, morphology, chemical state and electrical properties were systematically investigated. Structural analysis confirmed the formation of 0.1LaMnO₃@0.9(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)TiO₃ core-shell nanostructures. The results show that the prepared samples exhibit typical negative temperature coefficient characteristics in the range of 50–1000 °C, which is derived from the effect of carrier pairs and oxygen vacancies on the electrical properties. This study provides new insights from structure to material into guiding the development and design of advanced thermistor materials for temperature sensing applications.     

Critical role of CuO doping on energy storage performance and electromechanical properties of Ba0.8Sr0.1Ca0.1Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramics

CuO doped Ba_0.8Sr_0.1Ca_0.1Ti_0.95Zr_0.05O₃ (BSCTZ) ceramics were prepared by a modified mechano-chemical activation technique with the aim of improving energy storage properties for ceramic capacitor applications. CuO can effectively improve the microstructural characteristics along with a transformation of BSCTZ from classical ferroelectric to relaxor, which is the prime requirement for obtaining high discharge energy density and energy efficiency. The effect of CuO doping on the microstructural, ferroelectric, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties have been systematically studied. The study reveals that an appropriate amount of CuO doping can significantly enhance the morphological properties along with improvement in material density, which is very beneficial in a material for attaining improved energy storage performance. The BSCTZ sample with 3 mol% CuO doping has shown a highly dense microstructure, high saturation polarization (33.01 μC/cm²), low remnant polarization (6.74 μC/cm²), ultrahigh discharge energy density (1.81 J/cm³) and high energy efficiency (81.9%). The CuO doping in BSCTZ has also led to a slight improvement in breakdown strength and electromechanical properties compared to pure BSCTZ ceramics, which is mainly attributed to excellent density and optimum grain size of the material.     

Ba0.9Ca0.1TiO3: microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and piezoelectric properties

ABSTRACT

This communication reports the microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of the x?=?0.1 member of the solid solution Ba_1–xCa_xTiO₃ (BCT) materials, its structural and microstructural characterisation and the piezoelectric properties. Using this novel – ‘fast chemistry’ – synthetic procedure, this material can be obtained in much shorter periods of time in comparison with conventional solid-state methodologies: just a few minutes instead of days. Under microwave irradiation in aqueous basic solutions, the material produced is a polycrystalline and nanosized powder which was processed as a ceramic disc in order to measure piezoelectric properties. A maximum d₃₃ value of 118?pC/N is obtained for this sample with a poling electric field of 1.5?KV?mm^?1, a value similar to those reported for conventionally made BCT materials.     

A novel high-entropy perovskite ceramics Sr0.9La0.1(Zr0.25Sn0.25Ti0.25Hf0.25)O3 with low thermal conductivity and high Seebeck coefficient

In this work, a novel high-entropy n-type thermoelectric material Sr_0.9La_0.1(Zr_0.25Sn_0.25Ti_0.25Hf_0.25)O₃ with pure perovskite phase was prepared using a conventional solid state processing route. The results of TEM and XPS show that various types of crystal defects and lattice distortions, such as oxygen vacancies, edge dislocations, in-phase rotations of octahedron and antiparallel cation displacements coexist in this high-entropy ceramic. At 873 K, the high-entropy ceramics showed both a low thermal conductivity (1.89 W/m/K) and a high Seebeck coefficient (393 μV/K). This work highlights a way to obtain high-performance perovskite-type oxide thermoelectric materials through high-entropy composition design.     

Synthesis of La0.9Sr0.1Al0.85Mg0.1Co0.05O2.875 using a polymeric method

Nanocrystalline La_0.9Sr_0.1Al_0.85Mg_0.1Co_0.05O_2.875 (LSAMC) powders were synthesized via a polymeric method using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The effect of PVA content on the synthesized powders was studied. When the ratio of positively charged valences (Mⁿ⁺) to hydroxyl groups (OH) is 1.5:1, crystalline LaAlO₃ could be obtained at such a low calcination temperature as 700 °C. While at 900 °C the ratio is of less importance, since pure LaAlO₃ perovskite could be formed for all powders after calcination at 900 °C. Thermal analysis (TG/DTA) was utilized to characterize the thermal decomposition behaviour of precursor powders. The chemical structure of the calcined powder was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The powder morphology and microstructure were examined by SEM. Dense pellets with well-developed submicron microstructures could be formed after sintering at 1450 °C for 5 h. Compared with the solid-state reaction method, the sintering temperature is substantially lower for powder prepared by the PVA method. This is due to the ultrafine and highly reactive powder produced.     

Study on the Poisoning Mechanism of Sulfur Dioxide for Perovskite La0.9Sr0.1CoO3 Model Catalysts

The reaction and poisoning mechanism of SO₂ with La_0.9Sr_0.1CoO₃ model catalysts have been investigated. The structure and the chemical states of the model catalysts have been studied by using AES, XPS and XRD techniques. The results indicated that SO₂ diffused into the La_0.9Sr_0.1CoO₃ film during poisoning. La₂(SO₄)₃ species was formed on the surface of the film and La₂(SO₄)₃, La₂(SO₃)₃, La₂O₂SO₄ and CoO species were found in the interior. The perovskite structure of La_0.9Sr_0.1CoO₃ was destroyed by invasion of SO₂. The concentration of sulfur in the film layer was related to the reaction temperature and time. After the sample was poisoned for a fairly long time, the distribution of sulfur in the La_0.9Sr_0.1CoO₃ layer became homogeneous, suggesting that a dynamic equilibrium was achieved between the poisoning reaction and the decomposition of the sulfates. XRD and catalytic activity test results proved that the destruction of perovskite structure and the formation of sulfates were the main causes of deactivation.     

Dielectric and energy storage properties of Mn-doped Ba0.3Sr0.475 La0.12Ce0.03TiO3 dielectric ceramics

Microstructure, temperature and frequency dependent dielectric and energy storage properties of Ba_0.3Sr_0.475La_0.12Ce_0.03Ti_1−xMn_xO₃(x = 0 − 0.005) have been investigated with X-ray diffractometer, and scanning electron microscope, broad band dielectric spectrometer and ferroelectric analyzer. The doping of Mn substantially decreased the dielectric loss, but made some of Ce³⁺ be oxidized to Ce⁴⁺ entering into B-site, which resulted in the formation secondary phases. For the Mn-doped composition, extremely low dielectric loss (10⁻⁵ order of magnitude at 10 kHz) could be obtained at room temperature. The relaxation mechanism at low temperature is of the dipole type for the undoped composition and that at high temperature (>500 K) is governed by the trap controlled ac conduction, respectively. The energy storage properties were improved by the doping with Mn due to the increase of insulation. Maximum energy density of 0.953 J/cm³ could be obtained for x = 0.003 composition with the BDS of 247 kV/cm and efficiency of 93%.     

中温固体氧化物燃料阴极La0.7Sr0.3-xCaxCo0.9Fe0.1O3-δ粉体的柠檬酸盐法合成及性能

以金属硝酸盐为原料,柠檬酸盐法合成了用于中温固体氧化物燃料电池阴极材料La0.7Sr0.3-xCaxC0.9Fe0.1O3-δ(LSC-CF,x=0.05、0.10、0.15、0.20)的前驱体,TG-DSC、XRD和SEM研究了LSCCF的形成过程、晶体结构、粉体形貌、催化性能以及与电解质的化学相容性,并在空气气氛下用直流四极探针法测试经1 200℃烧结3 h后LSCCF样品从100℃到800℃的电导率.实验结果表明800℃处理3 h后的LSCCF前驱体可以形成粒度小于20μm钙钛矿结构的粉体,LSCCF样品的电导率随着Ca2+含量的减少而变大,且在500～800℃内均大于500 S/cm.LSCCF粉料可使碳粉的着火点降低14℃并加剧了碳粉的反应.LSCCF阴极与电解质Ce0.8Sm0.2O2具有好的化学相容性.     

High-performance 0.9Al2O3-0.1TiO2 microwave dielectric ceramics prepared by digital light processing

In this work, the 0.9Al₂O₃-0.1TiO₂ ceramic sample with good microwave dielectric properties and complex structures can be well fabricated by digital light processing (DLP). A relationship between dispersant content and rheological behavior of 0.9Al₂O₃-0.1TiO₂ slurry was explored. When dispersant content was 3.0 wt%, 0.9Al₂O₃-0.1TiO₂ slurry with high solid loading (50 vol%) and low viscosity (2.9 Pa s) could be obtained. 0.9Al₂O₃-0.1TiO₂ ceramic parts with high accuracy were fabricated successfully by adding 3.0 wt% photoinitiator under 600 mJ/cm² exposure energy. With the increase of sintering temperature from 1400 °C to 1600 °C, relative density, dielectric constant (ε_r), and quality factor (Q × f) of 0.9Al₂O₃-0.1TiO₂ ceramic sample increased first and then decreased, and all reached the maximum value at 1550 °C due to the uniformity and densification of microstructures. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) value showed an almost monotonous increase, changing from negative to positive, and near-zero τ_f value at 1550 °C. In addition, 0.9Al₂O₃-0.1TiO₂ ceramic samples sintered at 1550 °C fabricated by DLP method presented much better microwave dielectric properties: ε_r = 11.30 ± 0.02, Q × f = 35,345 ± 143 GHz (@～12 GHz), τ_f = 2.16 ± 0.21 ppm/°C than that of by dry pressing method: ε_r = 11.16 ± 0.11, Q × f = 30,195 ± 257 GHz (@～12 GHz), τ_f = 4.45 ± 0.13 ppm/°C, especially the Q × f value achieved a 17% increase. Accordingly, DLP technique, which has advantages of producing relatively high properties and complex geometry of microwave dielectric ceramics as well as without extra high-cost mold, greatly satisfies application requirements.     

Fe掺杂对La0.9Sr0.1Co1-xFexO3催化剂同时净化NO和碳烟活性规律研究

采用柠檬酸-EDTA络合法制备了纳米钙钛矿催化剂La_0.9Sr_0.1Co_1-xFe_xO₃,催化剂具有较好的同时去除NO和碳烟(soot)催化活性,其中La_0.9Sr_0.1Co_0.7Fe_0.3O₃展现出最佳的催化活性,其在380.0℃时NO转化率为32.5%,soot最大燃烧速率温度(T_m)为368.5℃。H₂-程序升温还原(H₂-TPR)和NO-程序升温脱附(NO-TPD)结果表明, Fe掺杂能显著提高催化剂低温还原性能、表面氧物种活性及NO吸附性能,这有利于其改善催化活性。X射线光电子能谱(XPS)结果表明,Fe掺杂能增加催化剂表面吸附氧浓度和高价离子(Co⁴⁺),这对提高催化氧化能力至关重要。采用颗粒物捕集器(DPF)作为载体涂覆CeO₂涂层用于负载La_0.9Sr_0.1Co_0.7Fe_0.3O₃催化剂进行柴油机台架实验,结果表明该催化剂具有较好的同时去除NO_x和soot催化活性,最大NO转化率为23.0%,T_m为341.0℃,表明Fe掺杂对提高催化活性至关重要。     

The electrocaloric effect of Ba1-xLaxTi0.9Sn0.1O3 ceramics with excellent temperature stability near room temperature

The Ba_1-xLa_xTi_0.9Sn_0.1O₃ ceramics (x = 0, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008) were prepared by the traditional solid-state reaction method. The influence of La³⁺ on the phase, dielectric properties, ferroelectric properties, and electrocaloric effect (ECE) was analyzed in detail. The results of refinement show that all ceramics are multiphase coexistence at room temperature, including the cubic phase, the tetragonal phase, and the orthogonal phase. With the increase of La³⁺, the polar phases decrease but the non-polar phase increases, which is the main reason for the decline in adiabatic temperature change (ΔT). The analysis of dielectric properties and ferroelectric properties demonstrate that the diffuse phase transition is strengthened by introducing La³⁺. It also means that polar nanoregions (PNRs) might be formed. Therefore, the temperature stability of the Ba_1-xLa_xTi_0.9Sn_0.1O₃ ceramics in a wide temperature range near room temperature is improved. Simultaneously, the PNRs provide additional entropy to improve ECE. A higher ΔT = 0.88 K is obtained under 60 kV/cm for x = 0.007, which also possesses excellent temperature stability in the temperature range of 298 K–378 K. The doping of La³⁺ also improves the electric field threshold of the electrocaloric strength (ΔT_max/ΔE) and stabilizes the ΔT_max/ΔE under a higher electric field, which is conducive to improving ECE under a higher electric field and providing another possible solution for promoting the practical application of ECE.     

Influence of TiO2 additive on sintering temperature and microwave dielectric properties of Mg0.90Ni0.1SiO3 ceramics

(1-x)Mg_0.90Ni_0.1SiO₃-xTiO₂ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) ceramics were successfully formed by the conventional solid-state methods and characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and their microstructure and microwave dielectric properties systematically investigated. It was observed that when TiO₂ content increased from 0 to 5 wt%, the Q_uf_o of the sample decreased from 118,702 GHz to 101,307 GHz and increases the τ_f value from −10 ppm/°C to +3.14 ppm/°C accompanied by a notable lowering in the sintering temperature (125 °C). A good combination of microwave dielectric properties (ε_r ∼ 8.29, Q_uf_o ∼ 101,307 GHz and τ_f ∼ −2.98 ppm/°C) were achieved for Mg_0.90Ni_0.1SiO₃ containing 3 wt% of TiO₂ sintered at 1300 °C for 9 h which make this material of possible interest for millimeter wave applications.     

Fabrication of textured Sr2Na0.9K0.1Nb5O15 ceramics: Anisotropy in structures and electrical properties

Highly textured Sr₂Na_0.9K_0.1Nb₅O₁₅ (SKNN) ceramics were fabricated by reactive templated grain growth method using acicular Sr₂KNb₅O₁₅ (SKN) templates. CuO (1 wt.%) was used as sintering additive. SKN templates were aligned in matrix powders of SrNb₂O₆ and NaNbO₃ via tape casting and sintered at higher temperatures to obtain texture morphology. Through carefully controlling the processing conditions, a texture fraction of 86% was obtained. The structure evolution was explained by liquid-phase-assisted growth mechanism, in which the whole process was divided into 3 steps according to priority: phase formation stage, densification stage, and texture development stage. The textured ceramics exhibited anisotropic properties with the highest electrical properties obtained in c-axis direction: ?_r = 2212, ?_m = 4869, P_r = 15.92 μC cm^?2 and d₃₃ = 82 pC N^?1, showing that reactive templated grain growth method is very effective to improve the physical properties of SKNN ceramics.