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At least 397 records · Page 22

Mapping domain structures near a grain boundary in a lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric film using X-ray nanodiffraction

The effect of an electric field on local domain structure near a 24° tilt grain boundary in a 200 nm-thick Pb(Zr 0.2 Ti 0.8 )O 3 bi-crystal ferroelectric film was probed using synchrotron nanodiffraction. The bi-crystal film was grown epitaxially on SrRuO 3 -coated (001) SrTiO 3 24° tilt bi-crystal substrates. From the nanodiffraction data, real-space maps of the ferroelectric domain structure around the grain boundary prior to and during application of a 200 kV cm −1 electric field were reconstructed. In the vicinity of the tilt grain boundary, the distributions of densities of c -type tetragonal domains with the c axis aligned with the film normal were calculated on the basis of diffracted intensity ratios of c - and a -type domains and reference powder diffraction data. Diffracted intensity was averaged along the grain boundary, and it was shown that the density of c -type tetragonal domains dropped to ∼50% of that of the bulk of the film over a range ±150 nm from the grain boundary. This work complements previous results acquired by band excitation piezoresponse force microscopy, suggesting that reduced nonlinear piezoelectric response around grain boundaries may be related to the change in domain structure, as well as to the possibility of increased pinning of domain wall motion. The implications of the results and analysis in terms of understanding the role of grain boundaries in affecting the nonlinear piezoelectric and dielectric responses of ferroelectric materials are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High field X-ray diffraction measurements of Mn{sub 2}Sb{sub 0.95}Ge{sub 0.05}

Magnetization and high-field X-ray powder diffraction measurements were performed for Mn{sub 2}Sb{sub 0.95}Ge{sub 0.05} with a tetragonal structure in magnetic fields up to 5 T in the 10-300 K temperature range. For B = 0 T and 5 T, a first-order magnetic transition from a ferrimagnetic (FRI) to an antiferromagnetic (AFM) state occurred at T{sub t} ∼ 180 K and 150 K, respectively, and were accompanied by an iso-structural transformation. For this transition from the AFM to FRI state, the lattice parameters a and c changed by |Δa/a| = 0.15% and by |Δc/c| = 0.47% at 180 K. The compound showed both metamagnetic transition from the AFM to FRI state with a hysteresis at the temperature just below T{sub t} and magnetic field-induced iso-structural transformation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Structure and magnetism of AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy

We report on the investigation of magnetic and structural properties of AlCoCrCuFeNi, which is known to crystallize in a dual phase solid solution: the face-centred cubic (FCC) or the body-centred cubic (BCC). The results of neutron (NPD) and synchrotron powder diffraction (SXRD) allow to partially resolve magnetic information coming from BCC and FCC phases, which is impossible in the bulk magnetic measurements. Electron diffraction (PED) revealed that AlCoCrCuFeNi forms dendritic microstructure with the Cu-rich FCC phase and the Ni-rich BCC phase. Lattice parameters obtained from PED method are in good agreement with parameters obtained after refinement on the basis of powder X-ray diffraction measurements. The local crystal and electronic structure around Co was studied using Co K X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). The magnetic measurements show that AlCoCrCuFeNi reveal a ferromagnetic transition at about 330K and displays magnetic hysteresis loop at the room temperature. Results from NPD suggest that the magnetic moment is mostly located in the BCC subsystem. The alloy shows soft magnetic properties. Saturated magnetizations (M s ), remanence ratio (M r /M s ) and coercivity (H c ) of the cast are estimated to be 45.10emu/g, 5.1% and 56 Oe at 300K, respectively. Finally, the BCC-FCC phase transformation up to 673K (400°C) was investigated using temperature dependent NPD, where a possible second BCC phase was identified.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reaction of Pb(II) and Zn(II) with Ethyl Linoleate To Form Structured Hybrid Inorganic–Organic Complexes: A Model for Degradation in Historic Paint Films

To investigate soap formation in drying oils in historic paints, the reaction between metal acetates (K + , Zn 2+ , Pb 2+ ) and ethyl linoleate (EL) was studied using optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and electron microscopy. Pb(II) and Zn(II) react rapidly with EL to form highly structured, spherulitic, luminescent crystallites that aggregate. Evidence from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis and high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction indicates that these are organic–inorganic hybrid complexes or coordination polymers. FTIR absorbance peaks at ca. 1540 cm –1 for Pb(II) and ca. 1580 cm –1 for Zn(II) are consistent with the formation of carboxylate complexes. The complexes formed offer insight into the degradation processes observed in oil paint films, suggesting that soap formation is rapid when metal ions are solubilized and can occur with unsaturated fatty acids that are present in fresh oils. These complexes may account for the atypical luminescence observed in lead-containing cured oil paint films.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Interaction of yttrium with nickel and phosphorus: Phase diagram and structural chemistry

The interaction between the components of the ternary Y–Ni–P system has been investigated by means of electron probe microanalysis, X-ray phase and structure analyses, and the isothermal section of the phase diagram at 1070 K has been constructed for the first time. Existence of the earlier reported eight ternary phosphides of yttrium and nickel was confirmed, among them seven ternaries are daltonide compounds: YNi{sub 4}P{sub 2} (ZrFe{sub 4}Si{sub 2}-type structure), Y{sub 2}Ni{sub 12}P{sub 7} (Zr{sub 2}Fe{sub 12}P{sub 7}-type structure), Y{sub 6}Ni{sub 20}P{sub 13} (Zr{sub 6}Ni{sub 20}P{sub 13}-type structure), Y{sub 6}Ni{sub 14.9}P{sub 10.18} (own structure type), Y{sub 20}Ni{sub 42}P{sub 30.34} (Sm{sub 20}Ni{sub 41.6}P{sub 30}-type structure), Y{sub 15}Ni{sub 28}P{sub 21} (Tb{sub 15}Ni{sub 28}P{sub 21}-type structure), and YNiP (Tb{sub 1−x}NiP-type structure), whereas YNi{sub 1.66−1.78}P{sub 2} (ThCr{sub 2}Si{sub 2}-type structure) is a berthollide compound with small homogeneity range. The crystal structures of the some ternary phosphides have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction (YNi{sub 4}P{sub 2} and YNi{sub 1.66−1.78}P{sub 2}) and single crystal diffraction (Y{sub 2}Ni{sub 12}P{sub 7}) techniques. - Graphical abstract: Structure block with the composition Ln{sub 10}M{sub 21}X{sub 15} of the homologous series of the compounds (Ln,M){sub ∼2}X. Display Omitted - Highlights: • The phase diagram of Y–Ni–P at 1070 K has been constructed. • Existence of the eight ternary phosphides of yttrium and nickel has been confirmed. • The crystal structures of YNi{sub 4}P{sub 2} and YNi{sub 1.66-1.78}P{sub 2} have been determined by powder X-ray diffraction. • The crystal structure of Y{sub 2}Ni{sub 12}P{sub 7} has been established by single crystal diffraction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

X-ray diffraction investigations of structural modifications in In-doped tin pyrophosphates

Laboratory and synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction were used to investigate the structural modifications that occur upon indium doping of tin pyrophosphate. The data collected under air, vacuum, and inert gas sample environments at temperatures (T) from 50 °C to 300 °C show that regardless of the In-doping level (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.18) all InxSn1-xP2O7 samples are isomorphic (have the same P a -3 cubic crystal structure) at all temperatures and under all the conditions investigated. The cubic lattice parameter (a) increases linearly with T at all doping levels, but the “a vs. x|T“ isotherms exhibit a robust peak at x = 0.1 when data are collected on samples measured in air. On the other hand, Rietveld refinements against data collected on InxSn1-xP2O7 samples yield values of OO bond lengths and POP bond angles that show no major changes at x = 0.1 at any temperature. This is significant, as the Sn0.9In0.1P2O7 (x = 0.1) compound is known to exhibit the highest proton conductivity within the series, but the microscopic details responsible for the increased proton conductivity are not understood. Finally, the peak observed in the “a vs. x|T“ curves vanishes if the measurements are taken on samples kept either under vacuum or in an inert gas environment. This is a remarkable behavior as it lends further support to our hypothesis that a key microscopic feature responsible for the large proton conductivity of the Sn0.9In0.1P2O7 compound is the enlargement of the lattice constant at x = 0.1.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hydration mechanisms of two polymorphs of synthetic ye'elimite

Ye'elimite is the main phase in calcium sulfoaluminate cements and also a key phase in sulfobelite cements. However, its hydration mechanism is not well understood. Here we reported new data on the hydration behavior of ye'elimite using synchrotron and laboratory powder diffraction coupled to the Rietveld methodology. Both internal and external standard methodologies have been used to determine the overall amorphous contents. We have addressed the standard variables: water-to-ye'elimite ratio and additional sulfate sources of different solubilities. Moreover, we report a deep study of the role of the polymorphism of pure ye'elimites. The hydration behavior of orthorhombic stoichiometric and pseudo-cubic solid-solution ye'elimites is discussed. In the absence of additional sulfate sources, stoichiometric-ye'elimite reacts slower than solid-solution-ye'elimite, and AFm-type phases are the main hydrated crystalline phases, as expected. Moreover, solid-solution-ye'elimite produces higher amounts of ettringite than stoichiometric-ye'elimite. However, in the presence of additional sulfates, stoichiometric-ye'elimite reacts faster than solid-solution-ye'elimite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural analysis of highly porous γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Two highly porous γ-aluminas, a commercial catalyst obtained from the calcination of boehmite and a highly mesoporous product obtained from amorphous aluminum (oxy)hydroxide via a sol–gel-based process were investigated by {sup 27}Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of synchrotron powder diffraction data. NMR data showed for both materials a distribution of tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated Al at a 0.30:0.70 ratio, which is typical for γ-aluminas. TEM studies revealed that rod-shaped particles with about 5 nm in thickness are the building blocks of the porous structure in both materials. These particles often extend to a length of 50 nm in the commercial catalyst and are considerably shorter in the sol–gel-based material, which has a higher surface area. Refinement of PDFs revealed the presence of a ∼1 nm scale local structure and the validity of a tetragonal average structure for both materials. This tetragonal average structure contains a substantial fraction of non-spinel octahedral Al atoms. It is argued that the presence of local structure is a general feature of γ-alumina, independent of precursor and synthesis conditions. The concentration of “non-spinel” Al atoms seems to correlate with surface properties, and increases with increasing pore size/surface area. This should have implications to the catalytic properties of porous γ-alumina. - Graphical abstract: Boehmite-derived and sol–gel synthesized porous γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} possess identical structural properties, featuring a nm scale local structure and a tetragonal average structure. - Highlights: • Porous γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} generally possesses a nm-scale local structure. • The tetragonal average structure contains a substantial fraction of “non-spinel” Al atoms. • The concentration of “non-spinel” Al atoms correlates with surface properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Temperature-dependent structural property and power factor of n type thermoelectric Bi{sub 0.90}Sb{sub 0.10} and Bi{sub 0.86}Sb{sub 0.14} alloys

Thermal variation of structural property, linear thermal expansion coefficient (α), resistivity (ρ), thermopower (S), and power factor (PF) of polycrystalline Bi{sub 1-x}Sb{sub x} (x = 0.10 and 0.14) samples are reported. Temperature-dependent powder diffraction experiments indicate that samples do not undergo any structural phase transition. Rietveld refinement technique has been used to perform detailed structural analysis. Temperature dependence of α is found to be stronger for Bi{sub 0.90}Sb{sub 0.10}. Also, PF for direct band gap Bi{sub 0.90}Sb{sub 0.10} is higher as compared to that for indirect band gap Bi{sub 0.86}Sb{sub 0.14}. Role of electron-electron and electron-phonon scattering on ρ, S, and PF has been discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

X-ray and Raman spectroscopic studies on Ru substituted LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}

Phase pure Ru substituted LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} charge frustrated spinel compounds have been synthesized. Ru substitution for Mn is possible only up to 7.5%. Powder diffraction measurements confirm sustenance of charge frustrated cubic phase with space group Fd3m upon substitution of Ru for Mn. An increase in lattice parameter has been observed indicating replacement of Mn as Ru{sup 3+} or Ru{sup 4+} rather than Ru{sup 5+}. Raman spectroscopic measurements show that the crystal structure is robust against an increase of laser power and the observed bands show an expected red shift. In the case of Ru substituted LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}, the A{sub 1g} symmetric stretching mode, the F{sup (1)}{sub 2g} and the F{sup (2)}{sub 2g} symmetric bending modes identified with the Mn-O octahedra show a red shift up to Ru 0.075 and at higher Ru concentrations, revert back to the frequency corresponding to the pristine LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Powder X-ray diffraction of altrenogest, C 21 H 26 O 2

The crystal structure of altrenogest has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Altrenogest crystallizes in space group P2 1 2 1 2 1 (#19) with a = 7.286 916(16), b = 10.580 333(19), c = 22.266 08(7) Å, V = 1716.671(6) Å 3 , and Z = 4 at 295 K. Thermal expansion between 113 and 295 K is anisotropic. An O–H···O hydrogen bond links the molecules into chains along the c-axis. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Eshelby twist and correlation effects in diffraction from nanocrystals

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to model the Eshelby dislocation inside Pd and Ir nanowires and to predict the powder diffraction pattern using the Debye scattering equation. We find that the ideal dislocation solution by Eshelby is in good agreement with the observed twist angle and deviatoric strain, even though it ignores both the splitting of the Eshelby dislocation into two partials and surface stress. Surface stress plays a significant role only for nanorods with small aspect ratio (∼1:1). We also find that Wilson's prediction on the diffraction peak broadening for the Eshelby dislocation is overestimated because it ignores the fact that the Eshelby twist relaxes the deviatoric strain. Moreover, the twist loosens the correlation along the nanorod, causing additional line profile broadening, which is read by diffraction as a decrease of coherent domain size when the total twist angle is bigger than 1.5°. Overall, our findings suggest a novel way to predict and analyze the dislocations as well as the resulting strain fields in the twisted nanocrystalline rods.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Thermal Evolution of Internal Strain in Doped PbTe

Recent improvements in the efficiency of heat-to-electricity energy conversion in lead chalcogenide thermoelectrics involve reducing the thermal conductivity by incorporating large amounts of internal strain. The extent to which typical lead chalcogenide processing techniques (such as doping, ball milling, and densification) increase internal strain and dislocation density must be quantified to improve materials design. In this study, neutron powder diffraction is leveraged to evaluate the internal strain introduced by ball milling in doped and undoped powders. Doping with Na and/or Eu increases internal strain beyond ball milling alone, with the greatest increase from combining the two dopants. Strain recovery occurs in each powder above 400 K but can be suppressed by co-doping, indicating a strong dopant–dislocation interaction in this system. Therefore, high-temperature processing of PbTe powders should be avoided if high internal strain is desired. Low-temperature densification and/or rapid pressing techniques may be key to maintaining internal strain in the final pressed pellet. The diffraction peak asymmetry and correlated elastic softening measured in pressed PbTe pellets in past studies were not observed in the precursor powders measured here, suggesting that measurements of the Debye temperature on final pressed pellets are required to examine the influence of defect-induced elastic softening on thermal conductivity. This work provides key guidance for defect engineering to maximize internal strain and thermoelectric performance in PbTe thermoelectrics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Neutron diffraction study of quadruple perovskite SrCu{sub 3}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 12}

The magnetic structure of the quadruple perovskite SrCu{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}O{sub 12} is studied by means of neutron powder diffraction. The magnetic diffraction peaks are observed at low temperatures below 200 K. The Rietveld refinement result suggests an antiferromagnetic alignment of Fe spin magnetic moments for SrCu{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}O{sub 12} at low temperature. The refined magnetic moment at 4 K is ∼3.5 µ{sub B}, which is larger than that of that of CeCu{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}O{sub 12} (2.3 µ{sub B}). The increase in the magnetic moment is attributed to the larger Fe{sup 3+}:Fe{sup 5+} ratio for SrCu{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}O{sub 12} (∼4:1) compared with that of CeCu{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}O{sub 12} (∼3:1).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A neutron diffraction demonstration of long-range magnetic order in the quasicrystal approximant DyCd 6

We have used neutron powder diffraction to demonstrate the existence of long-range antiferromagnetic order of Ising-like Dy moments in the DyCd 6 quasicrystal approximant phase. This cubic compound undergoes a slight distortion to a monoclinic cell at low temperatures. The Néel temperature is 18.0(2) K and the magnetic order of the Dy sublattice may be described in the parent cubic Im 3¯ structure using a combination of two propagation vectors, k 1 = [0 0 0] and k 2 = [1/2 0 1/2], yielding ‘anti-I’ order. Furthermore, when referred to the monoclinic C 2/ c cell, the magnetic structure may be described by a single propagation vector: k = [1 0 0].

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Low-Frequency Phonon Driven Negative Thermal Expansion in Cubic GaFe(CN) 6 Prussian Blue Analogues

Here, the understanding of the negative thermal expansion (NTE) mechanism is vital not only for the development of new NTE compounds but also for effectively controlling thermal expansion. Here, we report an interesting isotropic NTE property in cubic GaFe(CN) 6 Prussian blue analogues (α l = –3.95 × 10 –6 K –1 , 100–475 K), which is a new example to understand the complex NTE mechanism. A combined study of synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray total scattering, X-ray absorption fine structure, neutron powder diffraction, and density functional theory calculations shows that the NTE of GaFe(CN)6 originates from the low-frequency phonons (< ~100 cm –1 ), which are directly related to the transverse vibrations of the atomic –Ga–N≡C–Fe– chains. Both the Ga–N and Fe–C chemical bonds are much softer to bend than to stretch. The direct evidence that transverse vibrational contribution to the NTE of GaFe(CN) 6 is dominated by N, instead of C atoms, is illustrated. It is interesting to find that the polyhedra of GaFe(CN) 6 are not rigid, which is a starting assumption in some models describing the NTE properties of other systems. The NTE mechanism can be vividly described by the “guitar-string” effect, which would be the common feature for the NTE property of many open-framework functional materials, such as Prussian blue analogues, oxides, cyanides, metal–organic frameworks, and zeolites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Magnetic structure of the mixed antiferromagnet NdMn 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3

The magnetic structure of the mixed antiferromagnet NdMn 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3 was resolved. Neutron powder diffraction data definitively resolve the Mn sublattice with a magnetic propagation vector k=(000) and with the magnetic structure (A x , F y , G z ) for 1.6 K N (≈ 59 K). The Nd sublattice has a (0, f y , 0) contribution in the same temperature interval. The Mn sublattice undergoes a spin-reorientation transition at T 1 ≈ 13 K while the Nd magnetic moment abruptly increases at this temperature. Powder x-ray diffraction shows a strong magnetoelastic effect at T N but no additional structural phase transitions from 3 to 300 K. Density functional theory calculations confirm the magnetic structure of the undoped NdMnO 3 as part of our analysis. Taken together, these results show that the magnetic structure of the Mn sublattice in NdMn 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3 is a combination of the Mn and Fe parent compounds, but the magnetic ordering of the Nd sublattice spans a broader temperature interval than in the case of NdMnO 3 and NdFeO 3 . Lastly, this result is a consequence of the fact that the Nd ions do not order independently, but via polarization from the Mn/Fe sublattice.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗