La(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3–La2/3TiO3 microwave dielectric ceramics

Structure and microwave dielectric properties were studied in the (1−x)La(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃–xLa_2/3TiO₃ system. Ceramics with this composition in the 0⩽x⩽0.5 range were processed from powders obtained by a citrate-based chemical route. Structure of these perovskite solid solutions changed from orthorhombic for x=0.1 and 0.3 to pseudocubic for x=0.5. Microwave and radio frequency measurements revealed increase in permittivity and temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency τ_f with increasing of La_2/3TiO₃ content. Close to zero τ_f value was found near to x=0.5 composition of (1−x)La(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃–x La_2/3TiO₃.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of Pb(Sc1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 ternary ceramic materials

The dielectric and electrical properties of xPb(Sc_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃–yPb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–zPbTiO₃ (PSNNT 100x/100y/100z) ternary ceramic materials near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) were investigated. The MPB follows on almost linear region between PSNNT 58/00/42 and PSNNT 00/68/32 of the binary systems. The maximum electromechanical coupling factor kp=70·7% was found at PSNNT 36/26/38, where ε₃₃^T/ε₀=3019 and Tc=210°C were obtained. These values are similar to those of the Pb(Sc_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃–Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–PbTiO₃ system and better than those of PZT.     

Densification behavior and electrical properties of CuO-doped Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 ternary ceramics

CuO modified Pb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃–Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–PbTiO₃ (PIN–PMN–PT) ternary relaxor based ferroelectrics with the composition near the morphotropic phase boundary were synthesized by two-step columbite precursor method. The introduction of CuO significantly improved the sinterability of PIN–PMN–PT ceramics, resulting in the full densification of samples at lower sintering temperatures. It also profoundly modified the crystal structure and fracture mode of the ceramics. Properly increasing CuO content led to the disappearance of rhombohedral-tetragonal phase transition, remarkably improved the Curie temperature (T_c), and made the ceramics more relaxorlike. The ternary ceramics doped with 0.25 wt% CuO possessed optimum piezoelectric properties (d₃₃=584 pC/N, d₃₃^*=948 pC/N, and k_p=0.68), high ferroelectric properties (E_c=9.9 kV/cm, and P_r=33.1 μC/cm²), low dielectric loss (tan δ=0.9%), and wider temperature usage range (T_c=225 °C). The obtained properties are much higher than those of previously reported PIN–PMN–PT based ceramics, indicating that CuO doped PIN–PMN–PT is a promising candidate for electromechanical applications with high performance and wide temperature/electric field usage ranges.     

Relaxation behavior in 0.24Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–0.49Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.27PbTiO3 ferroelectric single crystal

Dielectric relaxation properties of the ternary relaxor-based ferroelectric 0.24Pb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃–0.49Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.27PbTiO₃ single crystal have been investigated as a function of temperature (300–570 K) in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 100 kHz. It was found that the variation of the permittivity maximum temperature T_m with frequency obeys the Vogel–Fulcher relationship. The high-temperature (T>T_m) side of the dielectric permittivity deviated from the Curie–Weiss law, but can be described by the Lorenz-type relationship. The coercive field obtained from the polarization hysteresis loops gradually decreases with increasing temperature, and the remnant polarization persists above T_m due to the existence of polar nanoregions (PNRs).     

Large-strain 0.7Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3–0.1Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.2Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 piezoelectric ceramics for high-temperature application

0.7Pb(Zr_xTi_1−x)O₃–0.1Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.2Pb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (0.7PZT–0.1PZN–0.2PNN, x = 0.44–0.47) piezoelectric powders and ceramics have been prepared through conventional solid-state reaction method. Outstanding piezoelectric and dielectric properties occurred at the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), which was characterized by the X-ray diffraction spectrum. The MPB composition (x = 0.46) performed high d₃₃ value (641 pC/N), indicating that the system suited large-strain application. The field-induced strain reached 0.25% under a considerably low electric field (0.8 kV/mm) according to the bipolar strain *S–E loops. The effect of the grain size on the aging phenomenon and temperature stability has also been investigated. Due to higher Curie temperature and smaller grain size, the 0.7PZT–0.1PZN–0.2PNN ceramics maintained a high d₃₃ level after depoling treatment, revealing a superior strain capacity for high-temperature application.     

Electrical properties of Sb and Cr-doped PbZrO3–PbTiO3–PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 ceramics

The pyroelectric, dielectric and DC resistive properties of Sb and Cr-doped ceramics with a base composition of Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.025(Zr_0.825Ti_0.175)_0.975O₃ have been studied. Sb doping has been shown to produce a linear reduction in Curie temperature (T_C=−22z+294 °C) with concentration (z) and to give an increase in pyroelectric coefficient from 250 to 310 μCm⁻² K⁻¹ for z increasing from 0 to 3 at.%. It also produces first a reduction and then an increase in both dielectric constant and loss, so that the 33 Hz pyroelectric figures of merit (FOM's) are as follows: F_V peaks at 3.8×10⁻² m² C⁻¹ and F_D peaks at 1.2×10⁻⁵ Pa^−1/2. The resistivity is increased substantially from 1.1×10¹¹ to ca 6×10¹¹ Ωm with 1 at.% Sb, thereafter changing little. The behaviour has been explained in terms of Sb acting as a donor ion, reducing oxygen vacancy concentrations up to 1 at.%, with conductivity dominated by hole hopping between traps (E_a=0.59±0.05 eV) that are not changed by the Sb doping. It is concluded that additions of higher levels of Sb do not produce electron-mediated hopping conduction. The Cr additions have no effect upon T_C, but reduce dielectric constant and loss, pyroelectric coefficient and resistivity at doping levels up to 3 at.%. The FOM F_V peaks at 3.6×10⁻² m² C⁻¹ and F_D at 1.9×10⁻⁵ Pa^−1/2. The behaviour of the electrical resistivity as a function of dopant level is shown to produce a linear ln(σ_o) vs z^−1/3 dependence (σ_o=DC conductivity), as would be expected for hole hopping conduction between Cr³⁺ sites, with an E_a=0.38±0.03 eV.     

A new multiferroic ternary solid solution system: NdFeO3–Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3–PbTiO3

Ceramic materials were sintered from powders of the NdFeO₃–Pb(Fe_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃–PbTiO₃ (NF–PFN–PT) ternary system synthesized by the conventional solid reaction method and their multiferroic properties investigated. The structure, electric and magnetic properties of the ternary system have been investigated. The introduction of Pb(Fe_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃ into the NdFeO₃–PbTiO₃ binary system can effectively increase its electric properties. The ternary system exhibits enhanced piezoelectric property with optimal piezoelectric constants d₃₃=143 pC/N, reduced coercive fields E_C=5.78 kV/cm and remnant polarization P_r=12.8 μC/cm² for 0.10NF–0.56PFN–0.34PT, near tetragonal phase region. The Curie temperature (T_C) of the NdFeO₃–Pb(Fe_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃–PbTiO₃ ceramics varies in the range from 108.7 °C to 67.9 °C. The magnetic hysteresis loops show that the ternary system is paramagnetic originating from canting of paramagnetic sublattices in NF–PFN–PT, due to the rare earth ions Nd³⁺ influencing on the exchange interaction between Fe³⁺ ions at the octahedral sites.     

Structure–property relations in xCaTiO3–(1−x)SrMg1/3Nb2/3O3 based microwave dielectrics

Solid solutions of the system (x)CaTiO₃–(1−x)Sr(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (CTSMN) were prepared by the mixed oxide route. All compositions were found to be single phase by X-ray diffraction; pellets had densities >95% of the theoretical X-ray density. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed a homogeneous distribution of cations within instrument sensitivity in all samples except for pure SMN which showed evidence of some unreacted MgO. SMN is reported as a 1:2 ordered trigonal/hexagonal complex perovskite structure in the X-ray data files but electron diffraction revealed superlattice reflections characteristic of both in-phase and anti-phase rotations of octahedra arising from further structural phase transitions on cooling. These reflections were retained throughout the solid solution range but ±1/3{hkl} ordered superlattice reflections were absent in samples where x > 0.1. In general, the microwave quality factor (Q_u*f_o) decreased as x increased and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCf) was approximately linearly proportional to the permittivity; at x∼0.20: TCf∼0, ε_r ∼45 and Q_u*f_o ∼9000.     

SO2 Reactions over γ-Al2O3,Pt/γ-Al2O3,Sn/γ-Al2O3 and Pt–Sn/γ-Al2O3

Platinum and Platinum–tin bimetallic catalysts supported on alumina were prepared by co-impregnation of both metallic precursors on the support and used as catalysts for the oxidation of SO₂. Platinum dispersion was determined by means of H₂–O₂ titration. Tin addition (1 and 2 wt%) only slightly decreased the exposed platinum atoms suggesting that tin is mainly over the support. At temperatures lower than 300 °C, SO₂ did not react with oxygen. Nevertheless, when the temperature was increased, the SO₂ oxidation began. The ignition temperatures for SO₂ oxidation (taken at 50% conversion) were 345 °C for 1% Pt/Al₂O₃ and 520 °C for 1% Pt–2% Sn/Al₂O₃. The strong displacement on activity suggests that tin plays an important role as inhibitor of the SO₂ oxidation reaction.     

Dielectric Relaxation in CaO–Bi2O3–B2O3 Glasses

Glasses in the system CaO–Bi₂O₃–B₂O₃ (in molar ratio) have been prepared using melt-quenching route. Ion transport characteristics were investigated for this glass using electric modulus, ac conductivity and impedance measurements. The ac conductivity was rationalized using Almond–West power law. Dielectric relaxation has been analyzed based on the behavior of electric modulus behavior. The activation energy associated with the electrical relaxation determined from the electric modulus spectra was found to be 1.76 eV, close to that the activation energy for dc conductivity (1.71 eV) indicating that the same species took part in both the processes. The stretched exponent β (0.5–0.6) is invariant with temperature for the present glasses.     

Temperature–field phase diagrams in Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–4.5%PbTiO3 II

Temperature and field dependences of the dielectric constants under the DC biasing fields along the [011]- and [111]-directions in the cubic coordinate in Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–4.5%PbTiO₃ were investigated. The temperature–field phase diagrams were constructed in the field range below 10 kV/cm. It was confirmed that in Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–4.5%PbTiO₃ the intermediate tetragonal phase as a ground state of the system exists even without the DC field, and the tetragonal phase disappears in the external field above 4 and 3 kV/cm along the [011]- and [111]-directions, respectively. The field-induced orthorhombic-phase in the field along the [011]-direction was also found.     

Effects of microstructure on the microwave dielectric properties of Ba(Co1/3Nb2/3)O3 and (1−x)Ba(Co1/3Nb2/3)O3–xBa(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics

Ba(Co_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃(BCN) has a 1:2 ordered hexagonal structure. A large amount of the liquid phase, which contains high concentrations of Ba and Nb ions was found in the BCN ceramics. Q-values of BCN increased with increasing sintering temperature; however, it significantly decreased when the sintering temperature exceeded 1400 °C. The presence of a large amount of liquid phase could be responsible for the decrease of the Q-value. For (1−x)Ba(Co_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–xBa(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ [(1−x)BCN–xBZN] ceramics, the 1:2 ordered hexagonal structure was observed in the specimens with x⩽0.3 and the BaNb₆O₁₆ second phase was found in the specimens with x⩾0.6. Grain growth, which is related to the BaNb₆O₁₆ second phase occurred in the specimens with x⩾0.5. In this work, the excellent microwave dielectric properties of τ_f=0.0 ppm/°C, ε_r=34.5 and Q×f=97,000 GHz were obtained for the 0.7BCN–0.3BZN ceramics sintered at 1400 °C for 20 h.     

Piezoelectric properties of highly densified 0.01Pb (Mg1/2W1/2)O3–0.41Pb (Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.35PbTiO3–0.23PbZrO3+0.1 wt% Y2O3+1.5 wt% ZnO thick films on alumina substrate

This paper reports on the formation of highly densified piezoelectric thick films of 0.01Pb(Mg_1/2W_1/2)O₃–0.41Pb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.35PbTiO₃–0.23PbZrO₃+0.1 wt% Y₂O₃+1.5 wt% ZnO (PMW–PNN–PT–PZ+YZ) on alumina substrate by the screen-printing method. To increase the packing density of powder in screen-printing paste, attrition milled nano-scale powder was mixed with ball milled micro-scale powder, while the particle size distribution was properly controlled. Furthermore, the cold isostatic pressing process was used to improve the green density of the piezoelectric thick films. As a result of these processes, the PMW–PNN–PT–PZ+YZ thick film, sintered at 890 °C for 2 h, showed enhanced piezoelectric properties such as P_r=42 μC/cm², E_c=25 kV/cm, and d₃₃=100 pC/N, in comparison with other reports. Such prominent piezoelectric properties of PMW–PNN–PT–PZ+YZ thick films using bi-modal particle distribution and the CIP process can be applied to functional thick films in MEMS applications such as micro actuators and sensors.     

Epoxidation of Propylene by Molecular Oxygen Over the Ag–Y2O3–K2O/α-Al2O3 Catalyst

Abstract The Ag/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst modified with rare earth metal oxide (Y₂O₃) and alkali metal oxide (K₂O) for the epoxidation of propylene by molecular oxygen were prepared and characterized by TG-DTA, XRD and XPS. The results show that a small quantity of Y₂O₃ added plays a role of electron and structure-type promoters, and can change the binding energies of Ag3d and restrain the sintering of Ag crystallites during catalyst preparation. The effects of promoters loading, Ag loading, reaction temperature, and calcination atmosphere on the performance of Ag catalyst were investigated. The results show that the loadings of K₂O, Y₂O₃ and Ag, and reaction temperature affect obviously the catalytic performance of Ag–Y₂O₃–K₂O/α-Al₂O₃ for the epoxidation of propylene to propylene oxide. Under the reaction conditions of 0.1 MPa, 245 °C, GHSV of 2000 h⁻¹ and the feed gas of 20%C₃H₆/8%O₂/N₂, the conversion of propylene of 4% and the selectivity to propylene oxide of 46.8% were achieved over the 20%Ag–0.1%Y₂O₃–0.1%K₂O/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst. Graphical Abstract Y₂O₃ plays a role of electron and structure-type promoters in the Ag–Y₂O₃–K₂O/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst, which can change the binding energies of Ag3d and restrain the sintering of Ag crystallites, resulting in obvious improvement of the catalytic performance of Ag–Y₂O₃–K₂O/α-Al₂O₃ for the epoxidation of propylene to propylene oxide by molecular oxygen.      

Surface and bulk crystallization in Nd2O3–Al2O3–SiO2–TiO2 glasses

Neodymium aluminosilicate (Nd₂O₃–Al₂O₃–SiO₂; NdAS) glasses have been investigated for the effect of concentration of TiO₂ on the crystallization mechanism and for the effect of surface condition on crystal growth. NdAS glasses with 0–10 wt.% TiO₂ were heat-treated for nucleation and crystal growth and were examined for phase separation and morphology of surface crystals as well as for crystal growth rate. All the glasses exhibit surface crystallization, however, the glass having 8 wt.% TiO₂ also exhibits internal crystallization after a two-stage heat treatment. Surface crystallization was dependent on the condition of the glass surface and the amount of TiO₂. The crystal growth on the cut surface was faster than on the fractured surface and the growth rate in surface increased with increasing TiO₂. The phase separation found in NdAS glasses containing above 8 wt.% TiO₂, was confirmed to be an important factor controlling the internal crystallization process in Nd₂O₃–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–TiO₂ glasses.     

Temperature-independent permittivity of xBaTiO3–(1−x)(0.5Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3–0.5BiScO3) ceramics

xBaTiO₃–(1−x)(0.5Bi(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃-0.5BiScO₃) or xBT–(1−x)(0.5BMT–0.5BS) (x=0.45–0.60) ceramics were prepared by using the conventional mixed oxide method. Perovskite structure with pseudo-cubic symmetry was observed in all the compositions. Dielectric measurement results indicated that all the samples showed dielectric relaxation behavior. As the content BaTiO₃ was decreased from 0.60 to 0.45, temperature coefficient of permittivity (TCε) in the range of 200–400 °C was improved from −706 to −152 ppm/°C, while the permittivity at 400 °C was increased from 1208 to 1613. The temperature stability of permittivity was further improved by using 2 mol% Ba-deficiency. It was found that lattice parameter and grain size of the 2 mol% Ba-deficient ceramics were smaller than those of their corresponding stoichiometric (S) counterparts, with TCε in the range of 200–400 °C to be improved noticeably. For example, TCε of the Ba-deficiency sample with x=0.45 was −75 ppm/°C in the temperature range of 200–400 °C and the permittivity was 1567 at 400 °C. The results obtained in this work indicated that xBT–(1−x)(0.5BMT–0.5BS) ceramics are very promising candidates for high temperature capacitor applications.     

Low-temperature sintering of 12Pb(Ni1/3Sb2/3)O3–40PbZrO3–48PbTiO3 with V2O5 and excess PbO additives

Low-temperature sintering of 12Pb(Ni_1/3Sb_2/3)O₃–40PbZrO₃–48PbTiO₃ (12PNS–40PZ–48PT) calcined powders with V₂O₅ and excess PbO additives has been investigated. Adding 0.20 to 0.40 wt.% V₂O₅ and 1.0 wt.% excess PbO to 12PNS–40PZ–48PT calcined powders and sintering at 950 °C for 4 h, the sintered samples only contain the perovskite structure. The calcined powders are doped with 3.0 wt.% excess PbO and 0.20 to 1.0 wt.% V₂O₅ and sintered at 950 °C for 4 h, the coexistence of both tetragonal and rhombohedral phases with the minor phase of pyrochlore is observed. During the calcined powders contain 1.0 wt.% excess PbO and are sintered at 950 to 975 °C for 2 h, the bulk density decreases with V₂O₅ addition greater than 0.6 wt.%. When the calcined powders with 3.0 wt.% excess PbO are sintered at 900 to 975 °C for 2 h, the bulk density decreases with added V₂O₅ content increased. The values of the planar coupling coefficient (K_p) approach the maxima, namely, 0.51 obtained for the compacts containing 0.40 wt.% V₂O₅ and 1.0 wt.% excess PbO and sintered at 950 °C. As the calcined powders are added with 3.0 wt.% excess PbO and 0.80 wt.% V₂O₅ and sintered at 975 °C for 2 h, the maximum Q_m value 1100 is obtained.     

Dielectric properties of (1−x)La(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3–xSrTiO3 ceramics

Powders of (1−x)La(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃–xSrTiO₃ series have been prepared by a non-conventional chemical route based on the Pechini method. Homogeneous solid solutions allowed the sintering of dense and single-phase ceramics for the full composition range (0⩽x<1). Crystal structure of the ceramics was investigated by XRD and several compositional driven structural transformations were observed. The dielectric function of the ceramics was measured at radio, microwave and far infrared (FIR) frequency ranges to help clarifying the relationship between dielectric properties and structure. The FIR data were found to reflect clearly the sequence of structural modifications observed. In order to evaluate the importance of intrinsic mechanisms in the dielectric response at the GHz and MHz ranges, the reflectivity spectra were fit to the Berreman–Unterwald form of dielectric function. The fits showed that the lower frequency dielectric response seems to be dominated by lattice phonons. Microwave permittivity and temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency were found to obey a hyperbolic-type law.     

锂离子电池正极材料LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2研究进展

层状结构材料LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2具有高比容量、高循环性能、低成本和环保等优点,有望取代LiCoO2成为新一代锂离子电池正极材料。在介绍LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2的结构特点和电化学反应特性的基础上,对其主要合成方法进行了详细评述,总结了该正极材料的阴阳离子掺杂、复合离子掺杂以及表面包覆改性等技术,指出国内外目前锂离子电池材料研究中存在的问题和未来的发展方向。