Synthesis and characterization of Th{sub 1−x}Ln{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} mixed-oxides
Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► Th{sub 1−x}Ln{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} (Ln = Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Yb) were produced from oxalates precursors. ► The isomorphic thermal conversion of oxalates to oxides were followed by HT-ESEM. ► The stabilization of the ThO{sub 2} fluorite structure up to x = 0.4 was evidenced by XRD. ► Neodymium incorporation limits in solid solutions were determined by XRD and μ-Raman. ► Lanthanide incorporation mechanism in ThO{sub 2} structure was formally determined by μ-Raman. -- Abstract: Several Th{sub 1−x}Ln{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} mixed-oxides (Ln = Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er or Yb) were prepared from oxalate precursors. Structural and microstructural investigations of both initial precursors and resulting oxides were undertaken by XRD, μ-Raman spectroscopy and SEM, with a particular attention paid to the Th{sub 1−x}Nd{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} series. For oxides, XRD and μ-Raman agreed well with the stabilization of the Fm3{sup ¯}m structure up to x{sub Nd} = 0.4, thanks to the concomitant creation of oxygen vacancies, as also confirmed by μ-Raman. Then, a structural transition to the Ia3{sup ¯} superstructure occurred. For x{sub Nd} ≥ 0.49, mixed-oxides with an additional hexagonal Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} phase were prepared. Besides, the unit cell parameter of the Th{sub 1−x}Ln{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} series followed a quadratic relation versus the x substitution rate as a result of the combination between modifications of cationic radius and cation coordination, and the decrease of O-O repulsion linked to the presence of oxygen vacancies.