Structure and Microtexture Changes in Phosphorous-Bearing Ca2SiO4 Solid Solutions

The crystal structure and microtexture of P-bearing Ca₂SiO₄solid solutions (C₂S( ss )) were studied as a function of x = P/(Si + P) ranging from 0.085 to 0.398. All the samples were prepared at the stable-temperature region of the α' _l -phase and quenched in air. The structures were described in terms of the orthohexagonal or hexagonal cell of the former α-phase. The crystal with x = 0.085 was composed entirely of the orthorhombic α' _l -phase, the modulation wavelength of which was N = 3 along the c -axis. With x = 0.118 and 0.156, the crystal grains were made up of both α' _l and incommensurate orthorhombic phases. The volume fraction of the α' _l -phase decreased with increasing x . With x = 0.197, the crystal was made up exclusively of the incommensurate phase, with the modulation wave vector k given by (1/ N ) a^*+ c^*. A good correlation N = 4.370 – 2.50 x was observed between N (3.75 ≤ N ≤ 4.09) and x (0.118 ≤ x ≤ 0.250). The crystal with x = 0.3.98 consisted of a single hexagonal phase. The modulation wavelength was N = 2 along the a-axis and N = 3 along the c -axis.     

Structure Change of Ca2SiO4 Solid Solutions with Ba Concentration

A series of Ba-bearing Ca₂SiO₄ solid solutions (C₂S( ss )), (Ba _x Ca_{1− x} )₂SiO₄ with 0.075 x 0.30, were prepared and examined by X-ray and electron beam diffraction. They are all made up of orthorhombic domains 120° different in orientation around the common c axis of the former α phase. The C₂S solid solution with x = 0.075 shows a superstructure incommensurate along the a axis with λ (modulation wavelength) = 3.5 and commensurate along the c axis with Δ= 3. With x = 0.15, modulation is observed only along the a axis and Δ= 3.4. No evidence of superstructure is found with x = 0.24; the space group and cell dimensions are comparable with those of pure α '_H-C₂S. The C₂S( ss ) with x = 0.30 gives a superlattice with the cell-edge length of 3 b . All the C₂S( ss ), when reheated at 1000°C for 24 h, produced lamellae of the trigonal phase T nearly in parallel with (001) of the host α '_L phase. The crystallographic orientation between the two phases is

This indicates that the above Ba-bearing C₂S( ss ) phases occur as precursors to the thermodynamically more stable two-phase mixtures.     

Phase Stability Study on the Remelting Reaction in Ca2SiO4 Solid Solutions

A pseudobinary phase equilibrium diagram has been established for the P₂O₅-bearing Ca₂SiO₄-CaFe₄O₇ system to confirm the occurrence of remelting reaction in α-Ca₂SiO₄ solid solutions (C₂S(ss)). The reaction started at 1290°C immediately after the α-to-α'_H transition and finished at 1145°C. The reaction products were made up of about 1 wt% of liquid and 99 wt% of solid α'_H-C₂S(ss). The liquid exsolved at 1290°C was rich in Fe₂O₃, consisting of about 30 wt% of Ca₂SiO₄ and 70 wt% of CaFe₄O₇. The liquid coexisting with α-C₂S(ss) precipitated new α'-phase crystals in association with the remelting reaction.     

Transitional Phase of Ca2SiO4 Solid Solution with Incommensurate Superstructure

Crystals of Ca₂SiO₄ doped with K, P, Al, and Fe were grown and examined by means of both X-ray and electronbeam diffraction. They are made up of domains 120° different in orientation around the c axis of the previous α phase. Each of the domains gives an orthorhombic superstructure whose cell is incommensurate with the underlying orthorhombic subcell with a=0.540, b=0.936, and c=0.681 nm. This orthorhombic phase, characterized by the cell edge length of 3.8a, is termed 3.8aC₂S(ss). Both the domain and the incommensurate structure strongly suggest that this is the precursor to a phase thermodynamically more advantageous at lower temperatures.     

The Join Ca2SiO4-CaMgSiO4

New data obtained on the join Ca₂SiO₄-CaMgSiO₄ established a limit of crystalline solubility of Mg in α-Ca₂SiO₄ corresponding to the composition Ca_1.90Mg_0.10SiO₄ at 1575°C. The α-α'Ca₂SiO₄ inversion temperature is lowered from 1447° to 1400°C by Mg substitution in the lattice. α'-Ca₂SiO₄ takes Mg into its lattice up to the composition Ca_1.94Mg_0.06SiO₄ at 1400°C and to Ca_1.96Mg_0.04SiO₄ at 900°C. A new phase (T) reported previously by Gutt, with the approximate composition Ca_1.70Mg_0.30SiO₄, was stable between 979° and 1381°C, and should be stable at liquidus temperatures in multicomponent systems involving CaO–MgO–SiO₂.     

Further Consideration of Phases in the System Ba2SiO4–Ca2SiO4

The results of an investigation of the system Ba₂SiO₄–Ca₂SiO₄ by powder X-ray and electron diffraction suggest a greater complexity than supposed hitherto. The previously recognized phases α, α' h α' l , X, T, and the newly reported Y have room-temperature structures that are modulated distortions of hexagonal (or pseudohexagonal) parent structures. Each displays characteristic and distinctive modulations. The phases are more readily distinguished in this way than by their unit-cell dimensions and compositions which, for a given phase, can vary with bulk starting composition and thermal history.     

Activity-Composition Relations in Co2SiO4-Fe2SiO4 Solid Solutions at 1180°C

Activity-composition relations of cobalt orthosilicate in cobalt-iron-orthosilicate solid solutions were determined at 1180°C by studying the equilibrium between these solid solutions, silica, metallic cobalt, and a gas phase of known oxygen pressures. The solution shows a slight positive deviation from ideality.     

Kinetics of the α-to-α'H Polymorphic Phase Transition of Ca2SiO4 Solid Solutions

The α-to-α'_H transition of Ca₂SiO₄ solid solutions (C₂S(ss)) is a nucleation and growth process. This process was shown on time–temperature–transformation (TTT) diagrams for C₂S(ss) with different concentrations of foreign oxides (Na₂O, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃). The kinetic cutoff temperature and the activation energy for growth of the α'_H phase increase steadily with increasing concentration of impurities. The activation energy for nucleation also increases above 950°C. The α'_H phase, which exists in equilibrium with the α phase at 1280°C, is formed at a maximum rate at around 1100°C regardless of the chemical composition. The TTT diagrams enable us to predict, as a function of cooling rate, the phase constitution of C₂S(ss) at ambient temperature.     

Hydration in the System Ca2SiO4–Ca3(PO4)2 at 90°C

Compositions along the Ca₂SiO₄–Ca₃(PO₄)₂ join were hydrated at 90°C. Mixtures containing 15, 38, 50, 80, and 100 mol% Ca₃(PO₄)₂ were fired at 1500°C, forming nagelschmidtite + a ¹-CaSiO₄, A -phase and silicocarnotite and a -Ca₃(PO₄)₂, respectively. Hydration of these produces hydroxylapatite regardless of composition. Calcium silicate hydrate gel is produced when Ca₂SiO₄≠ 0 and portlandite when Ca₂SiO₄ is >50%. Relative hydration reactivities are a -Ca₃(PO₄)₂ > nagelschmidtite > α ¹-Ca₂SiO₄ > A -phase > silicocarnotite. Hydration in the presence of silica or lime influences the amount of portlandite produced. Hydration in NaOH solution produces 14-A tobermorite rather than calcium silicate hydrate gel.     

Phases in the System Ba2SiO4-Ca2SiO4

The system Ba₂SiO₄-Ca₂SiO₄ was studied by heating mixtures of Ba₂SiO₄ and Ca₂SiO₄ at 1723 K. Six distinct phases resulted; they were examined by both X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. The phases β -(Ba_0.05Ca_1.95)SiO₄ and α-(Ba_0.15Ca_1.85)SiO₄ are isostructural with corresponding high-temperature modifications of Ca₂SiO₄. The X phase (Ba_0.48Ca_1.52SiO₄) is orthorhombic, is a pure phase rather than a solid solution, and is defined for the first time in the present work. The T phase (Ba_1.31Ca_0.69SiO₄) is hexagonal and interpreted in terms of a unit cell with a doubled c parameter, in contrast with literature data.     

Ionic Conductivity of Li4SiO4, Li4GeO4, and Their Solid Solutions

Conductivity was measured for Li₄SiO₄ and its solid solutions with Li₄GeO₄ over a wide frequency range to separate clearly the effects of electrode polarization, conductance relaxations, etc., and to obtain true "dc" conductivities. The conductivities of all the electrolytes are markedly temperature-dependent, ranging from 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹⁰Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 100°C to 10⁻² to 10¹⁰Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 700°C. For solid solutions with the Li₄GeO₄ structure, conductivities fit the Arrhenius equation over a wide temperature range, but at higher temperatures a change in activation energy occurs, corresponding to a first-order phase transition. In contrast, solid solutions with the Li₄SiO₄ structure show changes in activation energy which do not correspond to phase transitions, but which appear to indicate changes in the conduction mechanism.     

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Ca2SiO4–CaZrO3 Composites

Three types of dicalcium silicate (Ca₂SiO₄–calcium zirconate (CaZrO₃) composites were fabricated and their microstructures correlated with their mechanical properties. In the first type, Ca₂SiO₄ was added as a minor phase. The second type consisted of a 50 vol% Ca₂SiO₄-50 vol% CaZrO₃ mixture, while in the third type, CaZrO₃ constituted the minor phase. Pure CaZrO₃ was also studied as a control and found to have a toughness which depended on its grain size. In composites with Ca₂SiO₄ as the minor phase, a toughness increase was observed and found to be a function of matrix grain size. The composite with the second type of microstructure had the highest toughness of about 4.0 Mpa. m^1/2, which was about double that of the monolithic CaZrO₃. No evidence was found for transformation toughening by the orthorhombic (β) to monoclinic (γ) transformation in Ca₂SiO₄. The main toughening mechanisms identified were crack deflection and crack branching. Microstructural observations indicated the existence of weak grain boundaries in CaZrO₃ agglomerates as well as weak interfaces between the two phases.     

Hydration and Strength Development of T and X Phase Pastes (T = Ca0.69Ba1.31SiO4, X = Ca1.52Ba0.48SiO4)

T and X phases were investigated with respect to strength development, hydration rate, and composition of hydrated products. Samples of X phase without gypsum addition develop strength more rapidly than corresponding samples of T phase but begin to lose strength after 3 months. The optimal addition of gypsum to X and T phases is 4 wt%. Larger addition of gypsum to T phase samples causes a decrease of sterngth after 3 months hydration.     

Characterization of Ca2SiO4:Eu2+ Phosphors Synthesized by Polymeric Precursor Process

The green emitting Ca₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ (C₂S:Eu) phosphors were synthesized by the polymeric precursor process (Pechini-type), and the effects of calcination temperature and europium (Eu) doping concentration on the luminescent properties were investigated. The crystalline β-C₂S was obtained in the calcination temperature of 1100°–1400°C, and Eu was reduced into Eu²⁺ by annealing in 5% H₂/N₂ atmosphere. The obtained C₂S:Eu²⁺ phosphors exhibited a strong emission at 504 nm under the excitation of λ_exc=350 nm. The highest photoluminescence (PL) intensity was observed in the C₂S:Eu²⁺ phosphors either calcined at 1300°C or doped with 3 mol% Eu. The obtained PL properties were discussed in terms of crystal structure, particle size and shape, surface roughness, and effect of concentration quenching.     

A Reexamination of the Polymorphism of Ca3SiO5

Polymorphic transitions in CasSiO₆ have been investigated by precise high-temperature X-ray diffractometer measurements and by differential thermal analyses. In addition to change caused by normal thermal expansion, three principal crystallographic transformations take place: α-triclinic–β–triclinic (sluggish) in the range 550° to 700°C; 8-triclinic-monoclinic at 910°± 10°C; and monoclinic-trigonal at 970°± 10°C. The sluggish 550° to 700° C reaction alternatively may be interpreted as two separate triclinic-triclinic transitions, accompanied by broad endothermic heat effects at 575° and 675°C.     

Solid Solubility and Polymorphism in the System Sr2SiO4-Sr2GeO4-Ba2GeO4-Ba2SiO4

The reciprocal salt pair Sr₂SiO₄-Sr₂GeO₄-Ba₂GeO₄-Ba₂SiO₄ was investigated using X-ray powder diffraction and DTA. Unlimited solubility in the low-K₂SO₄ structure type (α') occurs throughout the system above 85°C. The nonlinear changes of some lattice constants of the solid solutions are discussed. A stable monoclinic low-temperature (β) form of Sr₂SiO₄ was found which converts reversibly to the high-temperature α'-modification at 85°C. The enthalpy of the β-α' transition is 51 cal/mol. In the reciprocal salt pair the β-form solid solutions occur in a very narrow region below 85°C.