Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “solid solution”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Role of the chemical substitution on the luminescence properties of solid solutions Ca{sub (1−x)}Cd{sub (x)}WO{sub 4} (0 ≤ x ≤1)

Highlights: • Luminescence can be modified by chemical substitution in solid solutions Ca{sub 1−x}Cd{sub x}WO{sub 4}. • The various emission spectra (charge transfer) were obtained under X-ray excitation. • Scheelite or wolframite solid solutions presented two types of emission spectra. • A luminescence component depended on cadmium substitution in each solid solution. • A component was only characteristic of oxyanion symmetry in each solid solution. - Abstract: We have investigated the chemical substitution effects on the luminescence properties under X-ray excitation of the solid solutions Ca{sub (1−x)}Cd{sub (x)}WO{sub 4} with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Two types of wide spectral bands, associated with scheelite-type or wolframite-type solid solutions, have been observed at room temperature. We decomposed each spectral band into several spectral components characterized by energies and intensities varying with composition x. One Gaussian component was characterized by an energy decreasing regularly with the composition x, while the other Gaussian component was only related to the tetrahedral or octahedral configurations of tungstate groups WO{sub 4}{sup 2−} or WO{sub 6}{sup 6−}. The luminescence intensities exhibited minimum values in the composition range x < 0.5 corresponding to scheelite-type structures, then, they regularly increased for cadmium compositions x > 0.5 corresponding to wolframite-type structures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

On the formation mechanism of solid-solution Cu-to-Cu joints in the Cu/Ni/Ga/Ni/Cu system

Highlights: • The mechanism of Cu/(Ni,Cu,Ga)/Cu solid-solution joint formation is elaborated. • Ga is the dominant diffusion species in the Cu/Ni/Ga/Ni/Cu bonding system. • Loose and columnar Ni{sub 3}Ga{sub 7} layer is formed by the (001)-textured Ni/Ga reactions. • Cu significantly accelerates the growth of Ni{sub 3}Ga{sub 7} layer by enhancing Ga diffusion. • Supersaturated Cu in Ni{sub 2}Ga{sub 3} phase promotes the formation of the final fcc phase. - Abstract: Copper (Cu)-to-Cu interconnection is crucial in electronic packaging for applications ranging from three-dimensional integrated circuits to die-attachment in wide band-gap devices. Solid-solution phases are innate with better ductility and electrical and thermal conductivity over intermetallic compounds, which are brittle, electrical resistant, and unstable; yet are commonly seen in electronic joints. The desired solid-solution Cu-to-Cu joints have recently been demonstrated using transient-liquid-phase bonding with gallium (Ga) as the filler material to bond Cu substrates with electroplated nickel (Ni) as under-bump-metallurgy. The Cu/Ni/Ga/Ni/Cu couples can fully transform into the Cu/face-centered cubic (fcc)-(Ni,Cu,Ga)/Cu solid-solution joints. However, why and how the solid-solution joints were formed remains unclear. Here we proposed the formation mechanism of the fcc-(Ni,Cu,Ga) solid-solution joints based on five sets of Cu-Ni-Ga couples, namely the Ni/Ga, Ni/Cu/Ga, Ni/Ni/Ga, (Cu,Ni)/Ga, and Cu/Ni/Ni{sub 3}Ga{sub 7}/Ni{sub 3}Ga{sub 7}/Ni/Cu reactions. The roles of each element in the Cu-Ga-Ni interactions as well as the reaction progressions are elaborated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Acoustic anomalies in SrTiO{sub 3}−BiFeO{sub 3} solid solutions

The results of acoustic investigations of solid solutions SrTiO{sub 3}−BiFeO{sub 3} in the temperature range from 100 to 650 K have been presented. The measurements of the velocity and attenuation of the longitudinal ultrasonic mode at a frequency of 10 MHz were carried out by the pulse-echo method. The observed anomalies in velocity and attenuation correlate with the maxima of the dielectric constant in the temperature range of the relaxor state. In addition, the attenuation peaks in the temperature range 400–600 K, which define Burns and T* temperatures, which are characteristic of relaxors, have been identified. The obtained results have allowed the clarifying of the phase diagram of the solid solution system SrTiO{sub 3}−BiFeO{sub 3}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Surface redox characters and synergetic catalytic properties of macroporous ceria-zirconia solid solutions

Macroporous CeO 2 -ZrO 2 (CZ) solid solutions with gradually changing ceria content were prepared through the EISA method. Pore sizes of the samples are about 100 nm- 1μm and pore walls are 100 nm- 1.5 μm. The surface and near surface reduction bands of Ce 4+ below 600 °C were maximized for the Ce 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2 sample (C5) according to the quantitative de-convolution to the acquired TPR curves. The area percentage of the O 2- -2p 6 → Ce 3+ 3d 9 4f 2 electronic transition band on XPS spectra, which related to the concentration of the Ce 3+ , was found to be a function of the ceria content. The oxygen storage capacity showed a positive relationship with the chemical compositions. Redox reactions below 600 °C play a key role in determining the reduction performances of ceria based TWCs. Three-way catalytic performances of the Pd + Rh + Pt /C5 sample showed an ignition temperature for CO and NOx at about 240 °C, and finished before 300 °C. The ignition of C 3 H 8 started at 270 °C while finished at differed samples. The maximum catalytic efficiencies of CO, NOx, and C 3 H 8 on C5 sample were revealed to 100%, 98%, 97% respectively. Here, the performances showed that porous CZ solid solutions are suitable for high performance catalytic applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

BaZn{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and the solid solution series BaZn{sub 2−x}Co{sub x}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} (0<x≤2) as high temperature seals for solid oxide fuel cells studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry

For sealing of solid oxide fuel cells, glasses from which crystalline phases with high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) can be crystallized are required. In this paper, a new solid solution series BaZn{sub 2−x}Co{sub x}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} (0<x≤2) is introduced which exhibit extremely high CTE. The prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and high-temperature X-ray diffraction (BaZn{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}). Sintered specimens were characterized by dilatometry. The introduction of Co{sup 2+} does not lead to a change in the space group. All compounds show a transition of a low to a high temperature modification. The attributed temperature increases from 300 °C for BaZn{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} to 850 °C for BaCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}. The volume expansion which runs parallel to the phase transition decreases with increasing cobalt concentration. The phase BaZn{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} shows the largest CTE and a steep volume effect during phase transition. For the compound BaZn{sub 0.25}Co{sub 1.75}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} the CTE is minimum (8.6×10{sup −6} K{sup −1} (50–900 °C)) and increases again until for the compound BaCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} a CTE of 16.6×10{sup −6} K{sup −1} (50–900 °C) is reached. In the cobalt rich composition range, the CTEs are in the right range for high temperature fuel cells and can be adjusted by the composition. - Graphical abstract: The composition of the solid solution BaZn{sub 2−x}Co{sub x}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} strongly affects the thermal expansion. Display Omitted - Highlights: • We examined the thermal expansion of solid solutions BaZn{sub 2−x}Co{sub x}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} (0<x≤2). • BaZn{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} exhibits the highest thermal expansion due to a phase transition. • Substitution of small amounts of Zn{sup 2+} against Co{sup 2+} lead to decreasing thermal expansion. • The thermal expansions re-increased with further increasing Co{sup 2+} concentrations. • Seals based on these solid solutions should be suitable for solid oxide fuel cells.

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

Strategy for stabilization of the antiferroelectric phase (Pbma) over the metastable ferroelectric phase (P2{sub 1}ma) to establish double loop hysteresis in lead-free (1−x)NaNbO{sub 3}-xSrZrO{sub 3} solid solution

A new lead-free antiferroelectric solid solution system, (1−x)NaNbO{sub 3}-xSrZrO{sub 3}, was rationalized through noting the crystal chemistry trend, of decreasing the tolerance factor and an increase in the average electronegativity of the system. The SrZrO{sub 3} doping was found to effectively stabilize the antiferroelectric (P) phase in NaNbO{sub 3} without changing its crystal symmetry. Preliminary electron diffraction and polarization measurements were presented which verified the enhanced antiferroelectricity. In view of our recent report of another lead-free antiferroelectric system (1−x)NaNbO{sub 3}-xCaZrO{sub 3} [H. Shimizu et al. “Lead-free antiferroelectric: xCaZrO{sub 3} - (1−x)NaNbO{sub 3} system (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10),” Dalton Trans. (published online)], the present results point to a general strategy of utilizing tolerance factor to develop a broad family of new lead-free antiferroelectrics with double polarization hysteresis loops. We also speculate on a broad family of possible solid solutions that could be identified and tested for this important type of dielectric.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Successful synthesis of single scheelite-structured CdW{sub 1-x}Mo{sub x}O{sub 4} continuous solid-solution and its composition-dependent optoelectronic properties

Highlights: • Scheelite structure CdW{sub 1-x}Mo{sub x}O{sub 4} solid-solution was prepared for the first time. • Lattice expanded while band gap narrowed with the substitution of W{sup 6+} by Mo{sup 6+}. • Luminescent and dielectric properties of the solid solution varied with composition. - Abstract: Rational design and construction of metastable structured materials is more and more attractive toward realizing novel functional devices. In this work, the synthesis of metastable scheelite-type CdW{sub 1-x}Mo{sub x}O{sub 4} solid solution in the entire compositional range (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) was achieved for the first time. XRD, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies confirmed that all the solvothermal prepared samples were pure tetragonal scheelite structure without wolframite phase. Structural refinement data revealed a lattice expansion with the substitution of W{sup 6+} by Mo{sup 6+} ions. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra indicated that band gap energy of the solid solutions reduced with the replacement of W{sup 6+} by Mo{sup 6+} ions. Moreover, SEM analyses found that morphologies of the solid solution changed with the compositions. Meanwhile, the influences of chemical composition on the photoluminescent and electrical properties of the scheelite-type CdW{sub 1-x}Mo{sub x}O{sub 4} solid solution were also investigated. The reported synthetic strategy may applied to other metastable structures while the results reported will help to understand the structure and structure-property relations of scheelite-type ABO{sub 4} compounds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Machine-learning informed prediction of high-entropy solid solution formation: Beyond the Hume-Rothery rules

The empirical rules for the prediction of solid solution formation proposed so far in the literature usually have very compromised predictability. Some rules with seemingly good predictability were, however, tested using small data sets. Based on an unprecedented large dataset containing 1252 multicomponent alloys, machine-learning methods showed that the formation of solid solutions can be very accurately predicted (93%). The machine-learning results help identify the most important features, such as molar volume, bulk modulus, and melting temperature. As such a new thermodynamics-based rule was developed to predict solid–solution alloys. The new rule is nonetheless slightly less accurate (73%) but has roots in the physical nature of the problem. The new rule is employed to predict solid solutions existing in the three blocks, each of which consists of 9 elements. The predictions encompass face-centered cubic (FCC), body-centered cubic (BCC), and hexagonal closest packed (HCP) structures in a high throughput manner. The validity of the prediction is further confirmed by CALculations of PHAse Diagram (CALPHAD) calculations with high consistency (94%). Since the new thermodynamics-based rule employs only elemental properties, applicability in screening for solid solution high-entropy alloys is straightforward and efficient.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Fe–Ni solid solutions in nano-size dimensions: Effect of hydrogen annealing

Highlights: • Fe–Ni solid solution with nano-size dimensions were prepared and characterized. • Both as prepared and hydrogenated solid solutions have FCC structure of Ni. • Paramagnetic and ferromagnetic domains coexist in these samples. - Abstract: Nanoparticles of Ni{sub 0.50}Fe{sub 0.50} and Ni{sub 0.75}Fe{sub 0.25} alloys were prepared by chemical reduction in ethylene glycol medium. XRD and {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer studies have confirmed the formation of Fe–Ni solid solution in nano-size dimensions with FCC structure. These samples consist of both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic domains which have been attributed to the coexistence of large and small particles as confirmed by atomic force microscopic (AFM) and {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic studies. Improved extent of Fe–Fe exchange interaction existing in Ni{sub 0.50}Fe{sub 0.50} alloy compared to Ni{sub 0.75}Fe{sub 0.25} alloy explains the observed increase in the relative extent of ferromagnetic domains compared to paramagnetic domains in the former sample. Increase in the relative extent of ferromagnetic domains for hydrogenated alloys is due to increase in particle size brought about by the high temperature activation prior to hydrogenation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Understanding the mechanism of hardness enhancement in tantalum-substituted tungsten monoboride solid solutions

The differential strain behavior of Ta x W 1-x B solid solutions has been studied as a function of composition using high-pressure radial X-ray diffraction in a diamond-anvil cell under non-hydrostatic pressure (up to ~65 GPa) to understand the hardening mechanisms in this family of materials. The hardness of tungsten monoboride (WB) can be increased by adding tantalum and reaches a maximum at a doping level of 50 at. % with a value of 42.8 ± 2.6 GPa under an applied load of 0.49 N. Plateaus were observed in the differential strain data for both the (020) and (002) directions, suggesting that this is the primary slip system in this material. These plateaus were modified by the addition of Ta, indicating that strengthening of the (002) and (020) planes by solid solution hardening was primarily responsible for the hardness enhancements in Ta x W 1-x B solid solutions. In contrast, the differential strain supported by the (200) plane linearly increases with pressure up to the highest pressures reached in this work (>60 GPa) and shows almost no change with metal composition. Because of the very different compression behavior in the (200) and (020) planes, change in the b/a ratio with pressure provides a unique way to visualize the onset of plastic behavior. This onset varies from ~15 GPa for samples with 5% Ta to more than 30 GPa for the sample with 50% Ta. Finally, the ambient bulk modulus of each solid-solution sample was determined using the second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation-of-state and found to be ~340 GPa for all phases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Thermodynamic modeling of solid solutions between monosulfate and monochromate 3CaO Bullet Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} Bullet Ca[(CrO{sub 4}){sub x}(SO{sub 4}){sub 1-x}] Bullet nH{sub 2}O

In hydrated cement paste AFm-phases are regarded to play an important role in the binding of the toxic contaminant chromate through isomorphic substitution with sulfate. Solid solutions formation can lower the solubility of the solids, thus reducing chromate leaching concentrations. Solid solutions between monosulfate and monochromate were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Based on the measured ion concentrations in solution total solubility products of the solid solution series were determined. For pure monochromate a logK = - 28.4 {+-} 0.7 was determined. Results from solid and solution analysis showed that limited solid solutions exist. Based on XRD diffractograms a solid solution with a miscibility gap 0.15 < Crx < 0.85 with a dimensionless Guggenheim parameter of 2.43 was proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

High figure of merit and thermoelectric properties of Bi-doped Mg{sub 2}Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6} solid solutions

The study of Mg{sub 2}Si{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x}-based thermoelectric materials has received widespread attention due to a potentially high thermoelectric performance, abundant raw materials, relatively low cost of modules, and non-toxic character of compounds. In this research, Mg{sub 2.16}(Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6}){sub 1−y}Bi{sub y} solid solutions with the nominal Bi content of 0≤y≤0.03 are prepared using a two-step solid state reaction followed by spark plasma sintering consolidation. Within this range of Bi concentrations, no evidence of second phase segregation was found. Bi is confirmed to occupy the Si/Sn sites in the crystal lattice and behaves as an efficient n-type dopant in Mg{sub 2}Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6}. Similar to the effect of Sb, Bi doping greatly increases the electron density and the power factor, and reduces the lattice thermal conductivity of Mg{sub 2.16}Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6} solid solutions. Overall, the thermoelectric figure of merit of Bi-doped Mg{sub 2.16}Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6} solid solutions is improved by about 10% in comparison to values obtained with Sb-doped materials of comparable dopant content. This improvement comes chiefly from a marginally higher Seebeck coefficient of Bi-doped solid solutions. The highest ZT∼1.4 is achieved for the y=0.03 composition at 800 K. - Graphical abstract: (a)The relationship between electrical conductivity and power factor for Sb/Bi-doped Mg{sub 2.16}(Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6}){sub 1−y}(Sb/Bi){sub y} (0<y≤0.03) solid solutions. (b)The correlation between temperature and the combination of the lattice and the bipolar terms of thermal conductivity of Mg{sub 2.16}(Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6}){sub 1−y}Bi{sub y} (0≤y≤0.03) solid solutions. (c)Temperature dependent dimensionless figure of merit ZT of Mg{sub 2.16}(Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6}){sub 1−y}Bi{sub y} (0≤y≤0.03) solid solutions. - Highlights: • Bi doped Mg{sub 2.16}Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6} showed 15% enhancement in the power factor as compared to Sb doped samples. • Bi doping reduced κ{sub ph} of Mg{sub 2.16}Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6} due to stronger point defect scattering. • The highest ZT=1.4 at 800 K was achieved for Mg{sub 2.16}(Si{sub 0.4}Sn{sub 0.6}){sub 0.97}Bi{sub 0.03}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fabrication of Al-Zn solid solution via friction stir processing

Highlights: • Thermomechanical nature of FSP was utilized for mechanical alloying. • Zn particles dissolved in Al during FSP to form solid solution. • Second pass of FSP lead to homogenization and partial decomposition of the solid solution. • Processed alloy exhibited improved hardness over base and FSPed metal. • The process can be adopted for site specific property enhancement. - Abstract: The present study demonstrates that friction stir processing (FSP) can be used as a mechanical alloying tool to process solid solution. Zn was incorporated in commercially pure aluminium by multi-pass FSP leading to its dissolution and formation of supersaturated solid solution which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The hardness across the stir zone matched with the distribution of Zn and was significantly improved compared to the base metal. The supersaturated solid solution that formed in the first pass, partially decomposed during the second pass, leading to the formation of fine Al-Zn precipitates. Thermal stability of the microstructure against abnormal grain growth was also improved after the second pass due to the pinning effect of the grain boundary precipitates. FSP also caused grain refinement of the alloy yielding fine equiaxed grains in the range of 4–6 μm with a high fraction (> 67%) of high angle grain boundaries. Such microstructure is conducive for isotropic properties and the fact that the microstructure is stable against thermal cycles make the process suitable for selective alloying for location specific property enhancement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

The magnetic properties of Bi{sub 0.9}Ba{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 0.81}M{sub 0.09}Ti{sub 0.1}O{sub 3} solid solutions (M = Co, Mn, Sc, Al)

Graphical abstract: In Bi{sub 0.9}Ba{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 0.9}Ti{sub 0.1}O{sub 3} solid solution, both magnetic ions (Co{sup 3+}, Mn{sup 3+}) and nonmagnetic ions (Sc{sup 3+}, Al{sup 3+}) were chosen to partially replace Fe{sup 3+}. Their magnetic properties were carefully investigated. Figures show M-H loops at RT of Co{sup 3+} doped sample (left) and Sc{sup 3+} substituted solid solution (right). Highlights: {yields} The electrical resistivity of BiFeO{sub 3} is enhanced by forming solid solution with BaTiO{sub 3}. {yields} We replace Fe{sup 3+} by both magnetic ions Co{sup 3+}, Mn{sup 4+} and nonmagnetic ions Sc{sup 3+}, Al{sup 3+} to investigate the magnetic properties. {yields} Structure-magnetic property relationship has been established by Rietveld refinement. -- Abstract: Solid solutions with general formula Bi{sub 0.9}Ba{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 0.81}M{sub 0.09}Ti{sub 0.1}O{sub 3} (M = Co, Mn, Sc, Al) together with parental Bi{sub 0.9}Ba{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 0.9}Ti{sub 0.1}O{sub 3} were prepared by the traditional solid state reaction method. Their structural, room temperature magnetic, and dielectric properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that all samples maintained original R3c space group. M-H hysteresis loop of Co{sup 3+} doped sample saturated at an applied field of 1 T with spontaneous magnetization of 1.735 emu/g, while Mn{sup 4+} substitution enhanced the magnetization of Bi{sub 0.9}Ba{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 0.9}Ti{sub 0.1}O{sub 3} less strongly; addition of Sc{sup 3+} helped decrease magnetic coercive field while Al{sup 3+} modified sample exhibited paramagnetic M-H hysteresis loop. Differential scanning calorimetry was applied to determine the Neel temperature (T{sub N}) and the T{sub N} for undoped, Co{sup 3+}, Mn{sup 4+}, Sc{sup 3+}, Al{sup 3+} doped solid solutions were 318.1, 324.3, 335.7, 293.9 and 295.8 respectively. Sc{sup 3+} substitution had little influence on the dielectric properties of Bi{sub 0.9}Ba{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 0.9}Ti{sub 0.1}O{sub 3} while Al{sup 3+} doping improved its dielectric constant. In contrast, Co{sup 3+}, Mn{sup 4+} doped samples showed decreased permittivity but inhibited tan {delta} at frequencies larger than 30 kHz.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

On Thermodynamic and Kinetic Mechanisms for Stabilizing Surface Solid Solutions

Many processes for energy storage rely on transformations between phases with strong separation tendencies. In these systems, performance limitations can arise from undesirable chemical and mechanical factors associated with the phase separation behavior. Solid solutions represent a desirable alternative, provided the conditions for their formation are known. In the present work, we invoke linear stability theory and diffuse-interface mesoscopic simulations to demonstrate that solid solutions can be stabilized near surface layers of phase-separating systems. Two factors are found to drive surface solid-solution formation: surface relaxation of solution self-strain energy and anisotropy of diffusion mobility. Using a strongly phase-separating LiXFePO4 particle as a model system, we show that the relaxation of the solution self-strain energy competes against the relaxation of the coherency strain energy to stabilize surface solid solutions. Our theoretical understanding also suggests that highly anisotropic diffusion mobility can provide an alternative kinetic route to achieve the same aim, with stabilizing behavior strongly dependent on the specific alignment of the surface orientation. Our findings provide fundamental guidance for manipulating solid-solution behavior in nanoscale structures, in which surface effects become especially significant. Beyond energy storage materials, our findings have important implications for understanding solid-solution formation in other phase-separating systems from metal alloys to ceramics.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Thickness-Independent Vibrational Thermal Conductance across Confined Solid-Solution Thin Films

In this study, we experimentally show that the thermal conductance across confined solid-solution crystalline thin films between parent materials does not necessarily lead to an increase in thermal resistances across the thin-film geometries with increasing film thicknesses, which is counterintuitive to the notion that adding a material serves to increase the total thermal resistance. Confined thin epitaxial Ca 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 solid-solution films with systematically varying thicknesses in between two parent perovskite materials of calcium titanate and (001)-oriented strontium titanate are grown, and thermoreflectance techniques are used to accurately measure the thermal boundary conductance across the confined solid-solution films, showing that the thermal resistance does not substantially increase with the addition of solid-solution films with increasing thicknesses from ~1 to ~10 nm. Contrary to the macroscopic understanding of thermal transport where adding more material along the heat propagation direction leads to larger thermal resistances, our results potentially offer experimental support to the computationally predicted concept of vibrational matching across interfaces. This concept is based on the fact that a better match in the available heat-carrying vibrations due to an interfacial layer can lead to lower thermal boundary resistances, thus leading to an enhancement in thermal boundary conductance across interfaces driven by the addition of a thin “vibrational bridge” layer between two solids.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 1-x}Co{sub x}SnS{sub 4}: Novel keesterite type solid solutions

A new family of Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 1-x}Co{sub x}SnS{sub 4} chalcogenides has been synthesized by conventional solid-state reactions at 850 Degree-Sign C. The reactions products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility. The crystal structures of two members of the solid solution series Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 0.4}Co{sub 0.6}SnS{sub 4} and Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 0.2}Co{sub 0.8}SnS{sub 4} have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both phases crystallize in the tetragonal keesterite-type structure (space group I4{sup Macron }). The distortions of the tetrahedral volume of Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 0.4}Co{sub 0.6}SnS{sub 4} and Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 0.2}Co{sub 0.8}SnS{sub 4} were calculated and compared with the corresponding differences in the Cu{sub 2}MnSnS{sub 4} (stannite-type) end-member. The compounds show nearly the same Raman spectral features. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements (ZFC/FC) and high-temperature susceptibility indicate that these solid solutions are antiferromagnetic. - Graphical abstract: View along [100] of the Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 1-x}Co{sub x}SnS{sub 4} structure showing tetrahedral units and magnetic measurement ZFC-FC at 500 Oe. The insert shows the 1/{chi}-versus-temperature plot fitted by a Curie-Weiss law. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 1-x}Co{sub x}SnS{sub 4} solid solutions belong to the family of compounds adamantine. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Resolved single crystals of the solid solutions have space group I4{sup Macron }. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The distortion of the tetrahedral volume of Cu{sub 2}Mn{sub 1-x}Co{sub x}SnS{sub 4} were calculated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer These solid solutions are antiferromagnetic.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Roles of Bi, M and VO{sub 4} tetrahedron in photocatalytic properties of novel Bi{sub 0.5}M{sub 0.5}VO{sub 4} (M=La, Eu, Sm and Y) solid solutions for overall water splitting

Novel Bi{sub 0.5}M{sub 0.5}VO{sub 4} (BMV; M=La, Eu, Sm and Y) solid solutions were prepared and studied in this paper. All the samples were proved to produce H{sub 2} and O{sub 2} simultaneously from pure water under the irradiation of UV light. M-O bond lengths were proved to increase with M cations by refining cell parameters and atomic positions. Besides, band gaps, energy gaps and photocatalytic activities of BMV also changed with M cations. Both of M-O and V-O bond lengths were suggested to account for this phenomenon. Inactive A{sub 0.5}Y{sub 0.5}VO{sub 4} (A=La, Ce) for water splitting proved incorporation of Bi rather than distortion of VO{sub 4} tetrahedron was a critical factor for improving efficiency of overall water splitting by facilitating the generation of electron and hole with lighter effective masses. Replacement of Bi by M cations not only gave indirect effect on band structure but also raised position of conduction band minimum to meet requirement of H{sub 2} production. - Graphical abstract: Novel Bi{sub 0.5}M{sub 0.5}VO{sub 4} (M=La, Eu, Sm and Y) solid solutions showed the high and stable photocatalytic activities for overall water splitting with their crystal radii of M elements. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer BMV solid solutions were novel highly efficient V-based photocatalysts for overall water splitting. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Photocatalytic activity of BMV solid solution related to the effective ionic radii of M cations. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Incorporation of Bi is one of key factors for the highly efficient activity of BMV solid solution. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Incorporation of Y is dispensable for H{sub 2} production.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗