Structure and magnetic properties of Gd3(Fe1−xTix)29 (x=0.011–0.034)

Single-phase compounds Gd₃(Fe_1−xTi_x)₂₉ (x=0.0110.034) have been synthesized. Gd₃(Fe_1−xTi_x)₂₉ crystallises in a monoclinic lattice with space group P2₁/c, and the crystal structure is refined by the Rietveld technique based on X-ray powder diffraction data. Thermomagnetic analysis indicates that the Curie temperature of the compounds ranges from 517 K to 538 K. The saturation magnetizations of the Gd₃(Fe_1−xTi_x)₂₉ (x=0.011, 0.022, 0.034) at 1.5 K are 103.6, 102.0 and 94.3 Am²/kg, and the anisotropy fields at 1.5 K are 6.0, 6.2 and 6.4T, respectively.     

Crystal structure, magnetic behaviour and valence state of ytterbium in the Yb4Ni10+xGa21−x phase

The ternary phase Yb₄Ni_10+xGa_21−x has been synthesised from the elements by high frequency melting in argon atmosphere. The homogeneity region has been established from X-ray powder data and confirmed by EDX analysis for 0.3≤x≤1. The crystal structure of Yb₄Ni_10+xGa_21−x has been estimated from X-ray single crystal data: space group C2/m (no. 12), Z=2, a=20.6815(9) Å, b=4.0560(4) Å, c=15.3520(7) Å, β=124.800(3)°, R(F)=0.023 for 1701 symmetry independent reflections with F(hkl)>4σ(F). A special feature of the structure is the local disorder within the gallium/nickel network. Neglecting atomic disorder in the region of the Ga9 and Ga11 positions, the Yb₄Ni_10+xGa_21−x structure is an occupation variant of the Ho₄Ni₁₀Ga₂₁ type with nickel atoms partially replacing the Ga atoms in the 2d sites at the centers of distorted icosahedra. From magnetic susceptibility and from L_III-XAS spectra, the valence state of ytterbium is near 3+.     

In situ observation of thermal expansion of tetragonal C11b phase in Zr2Cu(1−x)Pdx alloys

The C11b phase crystalline structure (structure type MoSi₂, space group I4/mmm) in the Zr₂Cu_(1−x)Pd_x (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) alloys was examined in situ using high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) and Rietveld refinement of the data obtained at a constant heating rate. While the cell volume increases with increasing Pd as expected by the larger atomic radii, the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) do not follow a uniform trend. The bonding in the basal plane is more elastically rigid than along the c-axis for all compositions. The CTE is more anisotropic for Zr₂Pd than for Zr₂Cu, which is consistent with the first-principles calculations that illustrate the rigidity of c-axis relatively to a-axis to be the less for Zr₂Pd. The CTE of the a-axis for Zr₂Pd is in fact negative over the temperature range measured.     

Ba4In2−x(CO3)1+xO6−2.5x and Ba4In0.8Cu1.6(CO3)0.6O6.2—new indium oxycarbonates closely related to n=3 Ruddlesden–Popper phases

Investigations of phase relations in the Ba-rich part of the In₂O₃–BaO(CO₂)–CuO pseudo-ternary system at 900 °C have revealed the existence of new indium–copper oxycarbonate – Ba₄In_0.8Cu_1.6(CO₃)_0.6O_6.2. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffraction data combined with infrared studies gives evidence that this phase is a oxycarbonate crystallising in the tetragonal structure (space group I4/mmm) with unit cell parameters: a=4.0349(1) Å and c=29.8408(15) Å. In the binary part of the In₂O₃–BaO(CO₂) system we have identified the occurrence of Ba₄In_2−x(CO₃)_1+xO_6−2.5x oxycarbonate solid solution showing a crystal structure also described by I4/mmm space group, but with the unit cell parameters: a=4.1669(1) Å and c=29.3841(11) Å for x=1. The existence range of this phase, −0.153<x<0.4, includes chemical compositions of earlier found phases: Ba₅In_2+xO_8+0.5x with 0≤x≤0.45 (known as the -solid solution), as well as the binary Ba₄In₂O₇ phase. The crystal structures of both new oxycarbonates are isomorphic and related to n=3 member of the Ruddlesden–Popper family.     

Crystal, electric transport properties and electronic structures of the Ti5Me1−xSb2+x series of compounds (MeCr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu)

The Ti₅Me_1−xSb_2+x compounds where MeCr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, were synthesized and their crystal structure was determined (W₅Si₃ structure type, space group I4/mcm). The transport properties were investigated by means of electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements in the temperature range 80–380 K. All the investigated compounds exhibit metallic-like type of conductivity confirmed by electronic structure calculations based on Density Functional Theory.     

On the crystal structure of new series of compounds, RPt2+xSb2−y (x = 0.125, y = 0.25; R = La, Ce, Pr)

A new compound CePt_2+xSb_2−y (x = 0.125, y = 0.25) was synthesized by arc-melting of the elements. The chemical and structural characterizations were carried out at room temperature on as-cast samples using X-ray diffractometry, metallographic analysis and EDS-microanalysis. According to the results of X-ray single crystal diffraction this antimonide crystallizes in I4cm space group (no. 108), Z = 32, ρ = 12.19 Mg/m³, μ = 89.05 mm⁻¹ (a = 12.5386(3) Å, c = 21.4692(6) Å (crystal I) and a = 12.5455(2) Å, c = 21.4791(5) Å (crystal II)). The structure and composition were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (a = 12.4901(2) Å, c = 21.3620(4) Å) and EDS-microanalysis respectively. Isotypic compounds were observed with La and Pr from X-ray powder diffraction of as-cast alloys at room temperature (a = 12.6266(4) Å, c = 21.4589(6) Å for LaPt_2+xSb_2−y and a = 12.5184(5) Å, c = 21.4178(7) Å for PrPt_2+xSb_2−y). The CePt_2+xSb_2−y structure is derived from CaBe₂Ge₂ (a = 2a₀ − 2b₀, b = 2a₀ + 2b₀, c = 2c₀) and comprises a new atomic arrangement with both vacancy on 4(b) pyramidal site and substitution of antimony atoms (X) by platinum (B) in the B–XX–B layers (referring to the subcell structure) forming two B––1/2B1/2XX–3/4B and two X–BB–X layers per cell. The structure of CePt_2+xSb_2−y is compared with those reported before for URh_1.6As_1.9 and CeNi_1.91As_1.94.     

Crystal structure analysis and thermoelectric properties of p-type pseudo-binary (Al2Te3)x–(Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3)1−x (x = 0 0.2) alloys prepared by spark plasma sintering

Sm³⁺-doped TiO₂ nanocrystalline has been successfully prepared by low temperature combustion synthesis (LCS). Results showed that the samarium doping was found to be able to significantly inhibit the anatase–rutile phase transformation. Photocatalytic degradation experiments indicated that doping samarium ions in TiO₂ could enhance photocatalytic activity in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. The increase in photocatalytic activity is probably due to prevention of electron–hole recombination and the existence of a synergistic effect between anatase and rutile. The highest enhancement in photoreactivity was obtained at 0.5 mol% samarium ions doping, which may be in favor of the most efficient separation of the charge carriers. It has been found that the photocatalytic activity is drastically increased under the presence of a small amount of anatase phase (only 5.9% anatase) compared to pure rutile, and the sample calcined at 600 °C with 51.61% rutile shows the highest photocatalytic activity, which suggests the existence of a synergistic effect between anatase and rutile powders in the Sm³⁺-doped TiO₂, which is similar to that of undoped TiO₂.