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At least 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and convergent beam electron diffraction studies on the cubic phase of MgV{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel

The A V{sub 2}O{sub 4} (A=Mg{sup 2+}, Zn{sup 2+}, Cd{sup 2+}) spinels are three-dimensional spin-1 frustrated systems with orbital degree of freedom, which have been known to possess intriguing orbital states causing releases of spin frustration at low temperatures. We have performed synchrotron X-ray and convergent beam electron diffraction measurements for one of these vanadates, MgV{sub 2}O{sub 4} in order to clarify its crystal structure in the high temperature cubic phase, which is regarded as an important starting point for understanding the details of the low temperature phase. We have successfully observed that the [001] zone axis convergent beam electron diffraction pattern exhibits 4mm symmetry, suggesting the space group of Fd3{sup ¯}m in the cubic MgV{sub 2}O{sub 4}. It has also been demonstrated that the crystal structure of the cubic MgV{sub 2}O{sub 4} contains VO{sub 6} octahedra elongated along the threefold rotation axis. Based on our results, we discuss the orbital states of MgV{sub 2}O{sub 4} as well as the other spinel vanadates. - Graphical abstract: Precise geometry of the VO{sub 6} octahedra in the cubic phase of MgV{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel determined with the synchrotron powder XRD data. - Highlights: • We examined the crystal structure of the cubic phase of MgV{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel. • We prepared the single crystal and powdered sample of MgV{sub 2}O{sub 4} with high quality. • The result of the CBED measurement agrees with the space group of Fd3{sup ¯}m in the phase. • The cubic phase has VO{sub 6} octahedra elongated along the threefold rotation axis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

DED Additively Manufactured HEAs Optimized via Parametric Study of Functionally Graded Materials

Complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) are a system of alloys composition of nearly equiatomic elements, creating a state of high configurational entropy in the material. These alloys are of interest for various industrial applications due to their high strength and hardness, wide operational temperature range, creep and diffusion resistance, and radiation resistance. In the current work CoCrFeNi-base CCAs are synthesize by combining three commonly industrial alloys: IN718, SS316L, and 70Co30Cr (commercially known as Stellite 21), in-situ utilizing directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing (AM). One bulk specimen is fabricated with a 1:1:1 ratio of IN718, SS316L, and 70Co30Cr where IN718 is a source of nickel and chrome, SS316 is a source of iron and chrome, and 70Co30Cr is a source of cobalt and supplemental chrome. Additionally, a functionally graded material (FGM) of the identified CCA system from SS316 was fabricated with 10 layers, where the initial five layers are the base material of SS316L and graded by steps of 20% to transition to the CCA system. Overall build quality, microstructure, compositional distribution, phases analysis, and microhardness were studied by laser optical microscopy, scanning election microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Vickers microhardness techniques. Overall build quality showed a successful bulk build with acceptable density, however unmelted particles are observed in the as-built alloy. Compositional results show that the system meets the Boltzmann’s hypothesis definition of an HEA, and that an FCC CCA was produced with increased hardness, small grain size, and superior hardness properties to the SS316L substrate. While initial XRD results show predominately FCC structure, EDS analysis of interdendritic regions show the existence of Laves phases in the material. The fabrication of an FGM CCA allowed for potential screening of additional alloy mixes which may be of interest to explore in future research, and the resulting composition is compared to predicted values. This novel method of CCA fabrication results in substantial cost savings of these CCA systems over traditional methods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Pd₂Cd 11–δ (0.21≤δ≤0.51)–a partly disordered γ-brass type phase and Pd₀.₂₃₈Cd₀.₇₆₂ -a γ-brass related incommensurate phase in the palladium–cadmium system

The Cd rich part of the Cd–Pd phase diagram was reassessed by means of synthesis and single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. The region contains two phases that have been reported to have substantial compositional widths, Cd₁₁Pd₂ and Cd₄Pd. The phase Cd₁₁Pd₂ that has previously been reported to be a disordered γ-brass crystallizing is space group P4-bar 3m is here shown to crystallize in I4-bar 3m and the mechanism for compositional variation is explained. The phase Pd₄Cd has previously been shown to constitute a phase field or a phase bundle of modulated structures and here we determine the structure of a compound Pd₀.₂₃₈Cd₀.₇₆₂ which crystallizes in the orthorhombic superspace group mm(α00)0s0 (F=[(½, ½, 0, 0); (½, 0, ½, 0 ); (0, ½, ½, 0 )] with the fundamental cell dimensions a=4.687(2) Å, b=10.000(1) Å, c=14.140(2) Å, q=0.6432(6)a⁎. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structures of the partly disordered γ-brass type Pd₂Cd 11–δ (0.21≤δ≤0.51) and γ-brass related Pd₀.₂₃₈Cd₀.₇₆₂ in the palladium–cadmium binary system. Highlights: • Partly disordered γ-brass type Pd₂Cd 11–δ (0.21≤δ≤0.51) and γ-brass related Pd₀.₂₃₈Cd₀.₇₆₂ have been synthesized. • The Pd₂Cd 11–δ structure have been described by cluster concept. • Incommensurately modulated Pd₀.₂₃₈Cd₀.₇₆₂ have been described by (3+1) D space description. • The structure of Pd₀.₂₃₈Cd₀.₇₆₂ has two different chains of atomic subunits, each with their own translational periodicities.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

X-ray diffraction and equation of state of the C–S–H room-temperature superconductor

X-ray diffraction indicates that the structure of the recently discovered carbonaceous sulfur hydride (C–S–H) room-temperature superconductor is derived from previously established van der Waals compounds found in the H 2 S–H 2 and CH 4 –H 2 systems. Crystals of the superconducting phase were produced by a photochemical synthesis technique, leading to the superconducting critical temperature T c of 288 K at 267 GPa. X-ray diffraction patterns measured from 124 to 178 GPa, within the pressure range of the superconducting phase, are consistent with an orthorhombic structure derived from the Al 2 Cu-type determined for (H 2 S) 2 H 2 and (CH 4 ) 2 H 2 that differs from those predicted and observed for the S–H system at these pressures. The formation and stability of the C–S–H compound can be understood in terms of the close similarity in effective volumes of the H 2 S and CH 4 components, and denser carbon-bearing S–H phases may form at higher pressures. Furthermore, the results are crucial for understanding the very high superconducting T c found in the C–S–H system at megabar pressures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

Room temperature mechanosynthesis of the La{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3{+-}{delta}} (0{<=}x{<=}1) system and microstructural study

Monophase nanocrystalline powders belonging to the La{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3{+-}{delta}} system (0{<=}x{<=}1) with a perovskite structure have been obtained by mechanochemistry synthesis using a planetary ball milling equipment from La{sub 2}O{sub 3}, SrO, and Mn{sub 2}O{sub 3} mixtures. The solid state reaction was complete after one hour of milling treatment. For all the compositional range, the diffraction domain was very small and the structure appeared as a pseudo cubic perovskite. After annealing at 1100 Degree-Sign C under static air, the symmetry evolution due to the La substitution by Sr was analyzed by X-ray and electron diffraction. Samples with x=0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 were assigned to R-3c space group (1 6 7) in the rhombohedral system and perovskite structure. However, the symmetry of the last term of the system (x=1), SrMnO{sub 3{+-}{delta}} sample, changed to P6{sub 3}/mmc space group (1 9 4) in the hexagonal system. The terms with x=0.8, 0.85, and 0.9 presented mainly rhombohedral symmetry. - Graphical abstract: SEM micrographs corresponding to milled (M) and Heated (H) samples: LaMnO{sub 3{+-}{delta}}(M1 and H1) La{sub 0.75}Sr{sub 0.25}MnO{sub 3{+-}{delta}}(M2 and H2,) and SrMnO{sub 3{+-}{delta}}(M8 and H8). Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Synthesis of La{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3{+-}{delta}} by mechanochemistry, a very simple and scalable method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer System with rhombohedral perovskite structure forming a solid solution till x=0.9. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Powder material with nanometer character that reduces the sinterization temperature. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Appropriate Microstructure for cathode electrodes to built SOFCs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Mapping the structural trends in zinc aluminosilicate glasses

The structure of zinc aluminosilicate glasses with the composition (ZnO) x (Al 2 O 3 ) y (SiO 2 ) 1-x-y , where 0 ≤ x < 1, 0 ≤ y < 1, and x + y < 1, was investigated over a wide composition range by combining neutron and high-energy x-ray diffraction with 27 Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results were interpreted using an analytical model for the composition-dependent structure in which the zinc ions do not act as network formers. Four-coordinated aluminum atoms were found to be in the majority for all the investigated glasses, with five-coordinated aluminum atoms as the main minority species. Mean Al–O bond distances of 1.764(5) and 1.855(5) Å were obtained for the four- and five-coordinated aluminum atoms, respectively. The coordination environment of zinc was not observed to be invariant. Instead, it is dependent on whether zinc plays a predominantly network-modifying or charge-compensating role and, therefore, varies systematically with the glass composition. The Zn–O coordination number and bond distance were found to be 4.36(9) and 2.00(1) Å, respectively, for the network-modifying role vs 5.96(10) and 2.08(1) Å, respectively, for the charge-compensating role. The more open coordination environment of the charge-compensator is related to an enhanced probability of zinc finding bridging oxygen atoms as nearest-neighbors, reflecting a change in the connectivity of the glass network comprising four-coordinated silicon and aluminum atoms as the alumina content is increased.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Semiconductor-to-metallic flipping in a ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}–graphene based smart nano-system: Temperature/microwave magneto-dielectric spectroscopy

Zn-(FeO{sub 2}){sub 2}–graphene smart nano-composites were synthesized using a novel modified solvothermal synthesis with different percentages of graphene. The structure of the nanocomposite was confirmed through X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman scattering spectroscopy, Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The structural growth and morphological aspects were analyzed using scanning/transmission electron microscopy, revealing marvelous micro-structural features of the assembled nano-system resembling a maple leaf. To determine the composition, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used. Microwave magneto-dielectric spectroscopy revealed the improved dielectric properties of the nano-composite compared to those of the parent functional nanocrystals. Temperature gradient dielectric spectroscopy was used over the spectral range from 100 Hz to 5 MHz to reveal the phenomenological effect that the nanosystem flips from its usual semiconductor nature to a metallic nature with sensing temperature. Electrical conductivity and dielectric analysis indicated that the dielectric loss and the dielectric permittivity increased at room temperature. This extraordinary switching capability of the functionalized graphene nanosystem opens up a new dimension for engineering advanced and efficient smart composite materials. - Graphical abstract: Display Omitted - Highlights: • Zn-(FeO{sub 2}){sub 2}–graphene smart nano-composites were synthesized using a novel modified solvothermal synthesis. • The synthesized nano-system exhibits marvelous leaf like microstructure. • These nano-composites show improved magneto dielectric response. • This engineered smart nano-system shows phenomenological flipping from semiconductor like nature to metallic behavior.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Correlation between oxygen vacancies and sites of Mn ions in YMnO{sub 3}

In multiferroic hexagonal manganites (RMnO{sub 3}, R = Y, Sc, Ho-Lu), positions of Mn ions can affect both their in-plane and inter-plane exchange interactions, thus they are of utmost importance for the magneto-elastic coupling of rare-earth compounds. However, the reported in-plane positions of Mn ions by different groups are controversial and there is a lack of convenient method to identify the shift of Mn ions from the center of MnO{sub 5} bipyramids. Here, we demonstrate that the transmission electron microscopy is an efficient technique to characterize the positions of Mn ions and the shift of Mn ions can be directly recognized from the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns. Through systematic studies on the SAED patterns acquired from regions with stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric ratio, we conclude that the intensities of (11{sup ¯}0) and (22{sup ¯}0) diffraction spots are very sensitive to the in-plane positions of Mn ions. We ascribe the off-centered shift of Mn ions to the in-plane oxygen vacancies and this is verified by combined electron microscopy and electron diffraction pattern calculations. Our results indicate that SAED can be used to judge both local positions of Mn ions and local oxygen deficiency in RMnO{sub 3} systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Reconciling monolayer and bilayer Jeff = 1/2 square lattices in hybrid oxide superlattice

The number of atomic layers confined in a two-dimensional structure is crucial for the electronic and magnetic properties. Single-layer and bilayer J eff = 1/2 square lattices are well-known examples where the presence of the extra layer turns the XY anisotropy to the c-axis anisotropy. We report on experimental realization of a hybrid SrIrO 3 /SrTiO 3 superlattice that integrates monolayer and bilayer square lattices in one layered structure. By synchrotron x-ray diffraction, resonant x-ray magnetic scattering, magnetization, and resistivity measurements, we found that the hybrid superlattice exhibits properties that are distinct from both the single-layer and bilayer systems and cannot be explained by a simple addition of them. In particular, the entire hybrid superlattice orders simultaneously through a single antiferromagnetic transition at temperatures similar to the bilayer system but with all the J eff = 1/2 moments mainly pointing in the ab plane similar to the single-layer system. The results show that bringing monolayer and bilayer with orthogonal properties in proximity to each other in a hybrid superlattice structure is a powerful way to stabilize a unique state not obtainable in a uniform structure.

2-dimensional systems↗
DOE OSTI2015

Real-time dynamic calibration of a tunable frequency laser source using a Fabry-Pérot interferometer

We report on a method for real-time dynamic calibration of a tunable external cavity diode laser by using a partially mode-matched plano-concave Fabry-Pérot interferometer in reflection geometry. Wide range laser frequency scanning is carried out by piezo-driven tilting of a diffractive grating playing the role of a frequency selective mirror in the laser cavity. The grating tilting system has a considerable mechanical inertness, so static laser frequency calibration leads to false results. The proposed real-time dynamic calibration based on the identification of primary- and Gouy-effect type secondary interference peaks with known frequency and temporal history can be used for a wide scanning range (from 0.2 GHz to more than 1 GHz). A concave spherical mirror with a radius of R = 100 cm and a plain 1% transmitting mirror was used as a Fabry-Pérot interferometer with various resonator lengths to investigate and demonstrate real-time calibration procedures for two kinds of laser frequency scanning functions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Boosted piezoelectricity with excellent thermal stability in tetragonal NaNbO 3 -based ceramics

The realization of high piezoelectric performance and excellent temperature stability simultaneously in Pb-free ceramics is the key for replacing Pb-containing perovskites in the industry. In this study, large piezoelectric performance (d 33 = 354 pC N –1 ) was achieved in a wide temperature sinterable potassium-free NaNbO 3 –BaTiO 3 –BaSnO 3 system, which is twice more than the piezoelectricity found in NaNbO 3 –BaTiO 3 binary ceramics. Structural refinement of high-energy synchrotron powder diffraction data suggests a single tetragonal structure with P4bm symmetry for the studied NaNbO 3 -based Pb-free ceramic. The results indicate that the small axial ratio favoring polarization reorientation benefits strong piezoelectricity, while the large oxygen octahedron tilt enhances the stability of the P4bm structure during the changing temperature according to the in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements and provides the foundation for the excellent thermal stability (20–100 °C) of the piezoelectric properties. Furthermore, a single tetragonal phase with a tiny axial ratio and large oxygen octahedron tilt effectively balances the piezoelectricity and thermal stability in Pb-free systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photometric study of single-shot energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction at a laser plasma facility

The low repetition rates and possible shot-to-shot variations in laser-plasma studies place a high value on single-shot diagnostics. For example, white-beam scattering methods based on broadband backlighter x-ray sources are used to determine changes in the structure of laser-shocked crystalline materials by the evolution of coincidences of reciprocal lattice vectors and kinematically allowed momentum transfers. Here, we demonstrate that white-beam techniques can be extended to strongly disordered dense plasma and warm dense matter systems where reciprocal space is only weakly structured and spectroscopic detection is consequently needed to determine the static structure factor and thus, the ion-ion radial distribution function. Specifically, we report a photometric study of energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction (ED-XRD) for structural measurement of high energy density systems at large-scale laser facilities such as OMEGA and the National Ignition Facility. We find that structural information can be obtained in single-shot ED-XRD experiments using established backlighter and spectrometer technologies.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Growth, structure, defects and polarized absorption spectral properties of Er:Yb:YCa{sub 4}O(BO{sub 3}){sub 3} crystals

YCa{sub 4}O(BO{sub 3}){sub 3} (YCOB) crystals co-doped with 3 at% Er{sup 3+} and 20 at% Yb{sup 3+} were successfully grown by the Czochralski method. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) results show that the as-grown Er:Yb:YCOB crystal belongs to the monoclinic system with space group Cm. And the lattice parameters are a=8.076(8) Å, b=16.023(7) Å, c=3.528(4) Å and β=101.15(4)°. Crystal defects were revealed by chemical etching experiments. The density of etch pits, attributed to dislocations and observed on (010) planes, was found to be not uniform along the crystal diameter. The detailed polarized absorption spectra were measured. The polarized absorption cross sections at 977 nm are 1.01×10{sup −20}, 1.22×10{sup −20} and 1.05×10{sup −20} cm{sup 2} for E//X, E//Y and E//Z, respectively. And the polarized absorption cross sections at 1538 nm is about 1.86×10{sup −20} cm{sup 2} for both E//X and E//Z, but for E//Y the result is 1.03×10{sup −20} cm{sup 2}, which is much smaller. The relationship between the crystal structure and absorption spectra was discussed. - Graphical abstract: The as-grown bulk Er:Yb:YCOB crystal (the long axis is along the b-axis) and LeBail fit to the XRPD pattern of Er:Yb:YCOB (top) compared to the diffraction pattern of YCOB from the JCPDS data bank (bottom). Reflection markers indicate the calculated reflection positions. The middle trace gives the difference between observed and calculated intensity. Reflection indices corresponding to the strongest diffraction peaks are marked on the experimental pattern. - Highlights: • Er:Yb:YCOB crystal with a new composition was grown. • XRPD and FT-IR showed a certain degree of deformation in the crystal structure. • Detailed polarized absorption cross sections at 977 nm and 1538 nm were calculated. • Crystal defects were clearly revealed by chemical etching experiments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Deterministic nanoscale quantum spin-defect implantation and diffraction strain imaging

Abstract Local crystallographic features negatively affect quantum spin defects by changing the local electrostatic environment, often resulting in degraded or varied qubit optical and coherence properties. Few tools exist that enable the deterministic synthesis and study of such intricate systems on the nano-scale, making defect-to-defect strain environment quantification difficult. In this paper, we highlight state-of-the-art capabilities from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nanoscale Science Research Centers that directly address these shortcomings. Specifically, we demonstrate how complementary capabilities of nano-implantation and nano-diffraction can be used to demonstrate the quantum relevant, spatially deterministic creation of neutral divacancy centers in 4H silicon carbide, while investigating and characterizing these systems on the ≤ 25 nm scale with strain sensitivities on the order of 1 × 10 − 6 , relevant to defect formation dynamics. This work lays the foundation for ongoing studies into the dynamics and deterministic formation of low strain homogeneous quantum relevant spin defects in the solid state.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Operando Multi-modal Synchrotron Investigation for Structural and Chemical Evolution of Cupric Sulfide (CuS) Additive in Li-S battery

Conductive metal sulfides are promising multi-functional additives for future lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. These can increase the sulfur cathode’s electrical conductivity to improve the battery’s power capability, as well as contribute to the overall cell-discharge capacity. This multi-functional electrode design showed initial promise; however, complicated interactions at the system level are accompanied by some detrimental side effects. The metal sulfide additives with a chemical conversion as the reaction mechanism, e.g., CuS and FeS 2 , can increase the theoretical capacity of the Li-S system. However, these additives may cause undesired parasitic reactions, such as the dissolution of the additive in the electrolyte. Studying such complex reactions presents a challenge because it requires experimental methods that can track the chemical and structural evolution of the system during an electrochemical process. To address the fundamental mechanisms in these systems, we employed an operando multimodal x-ray characterization approach to study the structural and chemical evolution of the metal sulfide—utilizing powder diffraction and fluorescence imaging to resolve the former and absorption spectroscopy the latter—during lithiation and de-lithiation of a Li-S battery with CuS as the multi-functional cathode additive. The resulting elucidation of the structural and chemical evolution of the system leads to a new description of the reaction mechanism.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Synthesis of polycrystalline Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires with excellent ammonium perchlorate catalytic decomposition property

Graphical abstract: Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires with excellent ammonium perchlorate catalytic decomposition property were synthesized via a methanamide-assisted hydrolysis and subsequent dissolution–recrystallization process in the presence of methanamide. - Abstract: Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires, with the length of tens of micrometers and the width of several hundred nanometers, were produced by a hydrothermal treatment and a post-anneal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) result showed that the Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires belong to cubic crystal system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis indicated that the Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires, composed by single crystalline nanoparticles, were of polycrystalline nature. On the basis of time-dependent experiments, methanamide-assisted hydrolysis and subsequent dissolution–recrystallization process were used to explain the precursors' formation process of the polycrystalline Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires. The TGA experiments showed that the as-obtained Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires can catalyze the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) effectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Time-dependent dynamical Bragg diffraction in deformed crystals by the beam propagation method

Herein, this paper describes how to efficiently solve time-dependent X-ray dynamic diffraction problems in distorted crystals with a fast Fourier transform based beam propagation method. Examples are given of using the technique to simulate the propagation of X-ray beams in deformed crystals in space and time domains relevant to the cavity-based X-ray free-electron lasers and X-ray free-electron laser self-seeding systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Lattice crossover and phase transitions in NdAlO{sub 3}-GdAlO{sub 3} system

Phase and structural behaviour in the (1-x)NdAlO{sub 3}-xGdAlO{sub 3} system in a whole concentration range has been studied by means of in situ high-resolution X-ray synchrotron powder diffraction technique and differential thermal analysis. Two kinds of solid solutions Nd{sub 1-x}Gd{sub x}AlO{sub 3} have been found at room temperature: one with rhombohedral (x<0.15) and one with orthorhombic (x{>=}0.20) symmetry. A morphotropic phase transition occurs at x Almost-Equal-To 0.15, where the co-existence of both phases was observed. Peculiarity of the orthorhombic solid solution is the lattice parameter crossover at the compositions with x=0.33, 0.49 and 0.62. First-order structural transition Pbnm{r_reversible}R3{sup Macron }c has been detected both from in situ powder diffraction and thermal analysis data. Continuous phase transformation R3{sup Macron }c{r_reversible}Pm3{sup Macron }m above 2140 K has been predicted for Nd-rich sample Nd{sub 0.85}Gd{sub 0.15}AlO{sub 3} from the extrapolation of high-temperature behaviour of the lattice parameter ratio of the rhombohedral phase. Based on the experimental data, the phase diagram of the pseudo-binary system NdAlO{sub 3}-GdAlO{sub 3} has been constructed. - Graphical abstract: Concentration dependencies of normalized lattice parameters of Nd{sub 1-x}Gd{sub x}AlO{sub 3} perovskite solid solutions. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Two kinds of solid solutions Nd{sub 1-x}Gd{sub x}AlO{sub 3} were found in the NdAlO{sub 3}-GdAlO{sub 3} system. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Morphotropic transition between both perovskite phases occurs at x Almost-Equal-To 0.15. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Lattice parameter crossover was found in orthorhombic solid solution. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Temperature driven first-order phase transition Pbnm{r_reversible}R3{sup Macron }c was found in Nd{sub 1-x}Gd{sub x}AlO{sub 3}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Phase diagram of the pseudo-binary system NdAlO{sub 3}-GdAlO{sub 3} has been constructed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗