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Ferromagnetism in Pr-rich binary Pr 7 Ru 3 intermetallic compound

We present the synthesis and experimental characterization of the binary intermetallic compound Pr 7 Ru 3 . The polycrystalline sample was prepared by arc melting pure Pr and Ru, followed by homogenization at 500 °C and 600 °C for 48 and 89 h, respectively. Powder x-ray diffraction confirms that Pr 7 Ru 3 crystallizes in an orthorhombic crystal structure (Pnma, space group no. 62) with the lattice parameters: a = 7.3606(7) Å, b = 23.120(1) Å and c = 6.5959(5) Å. Magnetization, resistivity, and heat capacity measurements reveal a ferromagnetic transition in Pr 7 Ru 3 with the Curie temperature T C ~ 24.5 K. The bulk transition is confirmed by a large λ-shape anomaly observed in the specific heat measurement. The magnetic susceptibility above the transition obeys the modified Curie-Weiss law with a positive Curie-Weiss temperature $\ominus$ CW = 30(1) K and an effective magnetic moment of 3.39(1) μ B /Pr. Resistivity data for Pr 7 Ru 3 reveals metallic-like behavior with a clear anomaly at the transition temperature which is smeared by an applied magnetic field. We also synthesized high-quality nonmagnetic analog La 7 Ru 3 for which superconducting transition is observed with T c = 1.95 K, in agreement with the literature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Metastable formation and disordering kinetics of body-centered orthorhombic CrNi 2 laths in a Cr-Ni binary alloy

Chromium (Cr) alloys combine low density with high-temperature strength but suffer from brittleness and rapid softening. Body-centered orthorhombic (BCO) CrNi 2 laths have been shown to improve Cr-alloy high-temperature strength retention, yet their thermal stability and transformation behavior remain unclear. CrNi 2 conventionally forms through long-range ordering from a face-centered cubic (FCC) phase. Using multiscale microscopy and neutron diffraction, we show that CrNi 2 instead nucleates from a body-centered cubic (BCC) matrix, in a binary Cr 85 Ni 15 alloy. Despite aging above the equilibrium ordering temperature, CrNi 2 persists for ∼220 h at 760 °C before fully disordering, indicating sluggish transformation kinetics. The formation and decomposition follow differing transformation pathways (BCC → CrNi 2 → FCC), revealing kinetic asymmetry not captured by equilibrium Cr-Ni phase diagrams. In conclusion, these findings redefine the transformation behavior of CrNi 2 , establish its metastable kinetic window, and suggest alloying strategies to stabilize CrNi 2 for precipitation strengthening of high-temperature Cr-alloys.

CrNi2 transformation kinetics↗

Assessment of binary eutectic Ni alloys for high-temperature applications via laser remelting

It has been recently demonstrated that eutectic alloys processed by additive manufacturing have excellent high-temperature mechanical properties. We suggest that nickel-base eutectic alloys may enable new combinations of structural and functional properties. To this end, we investigate the processability, microstructure, and thermal stability of five, binary near-eutectic Ni-X (X = B, Ce, La, Y, and Zr) alloys processed via surface laser-remelting. The microstructure of all alloys contain a two-phase lamellar eutectic microstructure consisting of γ-Ni and intermetallic phases; this microstructure is significantly finer (100–200 nm lamellar spacing) in the laser-remelted alloys than in the cast substrate (0.5–1.0 µm lamellar spacing). The microhardness of the laser-remelted alloys (550–770 HV) is 35–50% higher than that of the cast alloys (370–570 HV) due to this finer eutectic spacing. An anomalous eutectic microstructure appears at the meltpool boundaries, containing globular and lamellar γ-Ni phases. The alloys contain a high volume fraction (>50 vol%) of intermetallic phase which forms a continuous network, causing brittleness. Following laser-remelting trials, the alloys showed a high density of solid-state cracks, except for the Ni-Zr alloy which processed well. During thermal exposure at 700 and 900°C for up to 500 h, the eutectic microstructure coarsens. Coarsening occurs heterogeneously and initiates at the meltpool boundaries. This process occurs more slowly in the Ni-Zr and Ni-Y alloys, and more rapidly in the remaining alloys, resulting in greater microhardness retention in the Ni-Zr and Ni-Y alloys following thermal exposure at 700°C. Thus, among the five alloys, the Ni-Zr system exhibits a good combination of high-temperature mechanical properties and processability. Here, we conclude with recommendations for future work on designing additively manufactured alloys based on these eutectic Ni systems.

Additive manufacturing↗

On numerical energy conservation for an implicit particle-in-cell method coupled with a binary Monte-Carlo algorithm for Coulomb collisions

We report conventional particle-in-cell (PIC) methods suffer from enhanced numerical heating (explicit PIC) or cooling (semi-implicit PIC) when coupled with a binary Monte-Carlo algorithm for Coulomb collisions. In this work, a fully-implicit θ-PIC scheme (with adjustable time-biasing parameter 1/2 ≤ θ ≤) is considered. The discrete change in energy of a closed system after a time step for this scheme scales with (1/2 - θ)C θ , where C θ is a positive definite quantity that depends on the frequency spectrum of the energy in the fields. Collisions lead to additional energy in the field fluctuations associated with high-frequency light waves produced by a numerical Bremsstrahlung process, which can result in a large increase in the numerical cooling rate for θ > 1/2. However, for θ = 1/2, energy is exactly conserved. The energy in the field fluctuations on long time scales agrees with that calculated using the equipartition theorem for a classical system in thermodynamic equilibrium.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Recent trends in binary and ternary rare-earth fluoride nanophosphors: How structural and physical properties influence optical behaviour

Rare-earth (RE) doped binary and ternary fluoride nanomaterials are currently receiving the highest attention as phosphor materials due to their potential for a wide range of photonic and biophotonic applications. This review article aims providing and introduction to the field and giving a critical overview about the latest developments in this fast evolving field. First, the underlying photoluminescence mechanisms like up- and downconversion (UC and DC), charge transfer (CT) and energy transfer (ET) between optically active trivalent RE ions are explained. Then, the influence of particle size and surface, shape and lattice strain, as well as the crystal phase of the host materials on the optical properties of rare earth based nanomaterias are illustrated. In addition, the effect of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on the rare earth luminescence is discussed. In the following, different synthesis strategies which have been developed for tuning the crystal phase, shape, size, and morphology of the host nanomaterial are presented. The role of surface modification and functionalization for improving the luminescence intensity, stability, aqueous dispersity/dispersibility and biocompatibility of the materials is discussed. Lastly, photonic applications of RE-doped nanofluorides for energy efficient lighting, improved solar cells and biophotonic applications like photodynamic therapy, and biological detection techniques including in vivo and in vitro bioimaging are presented.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Compositional trends of γ-induced optical changes observed in chalcogenide glasses of binary As-S system

Compositional trends of γ-induced optical changes in chalcogenide glasses are studied with the binary As-S system. Effects of γ-irradiation and annealing are compared using the changes measured in the fundamental optical absorption edge region. It is shown that annealing near the glass transition temperature leads to bleaching of As-S glasses, while γ-irradiation leads to darkening; both depend on the glass composition and thermal history of the specimens. These results are explained in terms of competitive destruction–polymerization transformations and physical aging occurring in As-S chalcogenide glasses under the influence of γ-irradiation.

Chalcogenide glasses↗

Identification of NpO 2+x in the binary Np-O system

In contrast to UO 2 and PuO 2 , there is no consensus on the existence of mixed valence NpO 2+x , resulting in a gap between NpO 2 and Np 2 O 5 (the highest binary oxide of Np) in the Np-O phase diagram. We now show NpO 2+x via Np L III Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectra of three samples of NpO 2 that, analogous to U and Pu, exhibit multisite Np-O distributions with varying numbers of oxygen atoms at 1.87–1.91 Å. Furthermore this is supported by the diffraction pattern of the sample with the largest amount of this oxo-type species that can be refined with both the simple fluorite structure and a trigonal one related to α-U 4 O 9 . The implied Np(V)-bridging oxo moieties as well as possible indications of OH - found by detailed EXAFS analysis suggest that NpO 2+x more closely resembles PuO 2+x than UO 2+x . An additional common characteristic suggested by the EXAFS and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) is the phase separation into NpO 2 and what would be previously unreported Np 4 O 9(-δ) , indicative of O clustering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The effects of dose, dose rate, and irradiation type and their equivalence on radiation-induced segregation in binary alloy systems via phase-field simulations

Radiation-induced segregation is a phenomenon commonly observed in many alloys which consists of the redistribution of elements (solute or interstitial impurities) under irradiation. The onset and development of radiation-induced segregation can only occur when a sufficient flux of defects is sustained and defect sinks are present. Irradiation dose, dose rate, and particle types all affect defect flux. In this work, we employ a phase-field model to examine the effects of dose, dose rate, and type of incident particles on radiation-induced segregation behavior in a model binary alloy. The phase-field model takes into account the formation and evolution of point defects as well as defect clusters, the diffusion and clustering of alloy species, the presence of additional extrinsic defect sinks in the form of dislocations, and two different methods of radiation-damage insertion, which are intended to simulate either light-ion/electron irradiation via Frenkel pairs or heavy-ion irradiation in the form of cascades. Our results show a dose-rate and particle-type dependence on the amount of solute segregation. We show that the material systems exposed to higher dose rates are less subjected to solute segregation at equivalent doses. We also show that such dose-rate-dependence behavior is due to a delay of the incubation dose at which radiation-induced segregation effectively starts. Particle type and the presence of dislocations can accentuate this behavior. Our model predictions correlate with many experimental observations made over the years on radiation-induced segregation providing credence to the simulation results. The methodology presented in this study allows for a first-order prediction of the dose rate at which proxy irradiation experiments could be performed to approximate radiation-induced segregation behaviors seen in targeted irradiation conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Gray and multigroup radiation transport models for two-dimensional binary stochastic media using effective opacities

One-dimensional models for the transport of radiation through binary stochastic media do not work in multi-dimensions. In addition, authors have attempted to modify or extend the 1D models to work in multidimensions without success. Analytic one-dimensional models are successful in 1D only when assuming greatly simplified physics. State of the art theories for stochastic media radiation transport do not address multi-dimensions and temperature-dependent physics coefficients. Here, the concept of effective opacities and effective heat capacities is found to well represent the ensemble averaged transport solutions in cases with gray or multigroup temperature-dependent opacities and constant or temperature-dependent heat capacities. In every case analyzed here, effective physics coefficients fit the transport solutions over a useful range of parameter space. The transport equation is solved with the spherical harmonics method with angle orders of n=1 and 5. Although the details depend on what order of solution is used, the general results are similar, independent of angular order.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

The binary tin-rich lanthanum stannides La{sub 2}Sn{sub 5} and La{sub 3}Sn{sub 7}-A structural and bond theoretical study

The three tin-rich lanthanum stannides LaSn{sub 3}, La{sub 2}Sn{sub 5} and La{sub 3}Sn{sub 7}, which were known only from indexed powder diagrams, have been synthesized from melts of the elements by slow cooling of sealed sample tubes or arc melting and quenching. Their crystal structures were refined from X-ray powder diffractometer data using the Rietveld method. LaSn{sub 3} (cubic, space group Pm3-bar m, a=477.77(1) pm, Z=1, R{sub F}{sup 2}=0.044) crystallizes with the common Cu{sub 3}Au structure type, which can be described either as an ordered close packing or as a network of [Sn{sub 6}] octahedra (closo clusters) connected via common vertices. The structures of La{sub 2}Sn{sub 5} (Ce{sub 2}Sn{sub 5} structure type, orthorhombic, space group Cmmm, a=463.85(3), b=3581.3(3), c=469.83(4) pm, Z=4, R{sub F}{sup 2}=0.075) and La{sub 3}Sn{sub 7} (Gd{sub 3}Sn{sub 7} structure type, orthorhombic, space group Cmmm, a=457.83(4), b=2628.40(2), c=467.99(4) pm, Z=2, R{sub F}{sup 2}=0.068), which retain some similarities to ordered close packings as well, show 2D blocks of corner-sharing [Sn{sub 6}] octahedra terminated by [Sn{sub 5}] square pyramids (nido clusters). In between these layers, isolated Sn zigzag chains similar to those observed in LaSn (CrB structure type) are interspersed. A simple v.e. count after Zintl and Wade/Jemmis for the polyanionic Sn building blocks resulting from these structure descriptions fits the observed v.e. numbers of the three compounds almost exactly. It is also possible to explain the minima of the tDOS close to E{sub F}, which have been calculated within the framework of the FP-LAPW DFT approach. However, the simple assumption of an exclusively Sn-p bonded polyanion would neglect the large Sn-La bonding contributions and the reduced amount of electron transfer from La to Sn when compared to related alkaline earth stannides. - Graphical Abstract: La{sub 2}Sn{sub 5} and La{sub 3}Sn{sub 7}, stacking variants of LaSn{sub 3} (Cu{sub 3}Au type, closo clusters) and LaSn (CrB type, zig-zag chains) Highlights: > Preparation of binary La stannides LaSn{sub 3}, La{sub 2}Sn{sub 5} and La{sub 3}Sn{sub 7}. > La{sub 2}Sn{sub 5} and La{sub 3}Sn{sub 7} do not appear in published phase diagrams. > Full pattern Rietveld refinements of the crystal structures of all compounds. > Revised description of the structure types emphasizes polyanionic Sn framework. > Structural motifs rationalized through DFT calculations and Zintl and Wade rules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Solubility and microstructure in the pseudo-binary PbTe-Ag{sub 2}Te system

The solvus lines of the PbTe and Ag{sub 2}Te phases in the pseudo-binary PbTe-Ag{sub 2}Te system have been determined using diffusion couples and unidirectional solidification by the Bridgman method. The solubilities of both Ag{sub 2}Te in PbTe and PbTe in Ag{sub 2}Te decrease with decrease in temperature. For the former, this change is from 14.9 at% Ag (694 deg. C) to 0.5 at% Ag (375 deg. C), while for the latter it is from 12.4 at% Pb (650 deg. C) to 3.1 at% Pb (375 deg. C). The decrease in solubilities leads to the formation of precipitates of Ag{sub 2}Te in PbTe and PbTe in Ag{sub 2}Te. In particular, fast atomic diffusion in Ag{sub 2}Te results in the precipitation of PbTe even in quenched samples. From the temperature dependence of these solubilities, heats of solution have been determined. In the diffusion couple, the phase boundary moves toward PbTe. In the region between the phase boundary and the initial interface, PbTe transforms to {beta}-Ag{sub 2}Te (cubic) retaining the cube-on-cube orientation relationship. - Graphical abstract: The precipitation in the diffusion couple in fast cooling suggests high chemical diffusivity. The large heat of solution for the Ag{sub 2} Te dissolution in PbTe leads to fine microstructure. Highlights: > The solvus lines were determined by diffusion couples and unidirectional solidification. > The solubilities in both phases decrease with decrease in temperature. > Chemical diffusivity in Ag2Te phase is high. > Heat of solution is one of the key parameters to control the number density of precipitates. > The Ag2Te phase transformed from PbTe in diffusion couples holds the cube-on-cube relationship.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural variation and optical properties of ZnO-LiGaO{sub 2} pseudo-binary system

The structural variation in the x(LiGaO{sub 2}){sub 1/2}(1-x)ZnO alloy system was studied by powder XRD, TEM-SAD and Raman spectroscopy. It was elucidated that the phase varied upon increasing the alloying level was the wurtzite-type for 0{<=}x<0.2, the Zn{sub 2}LiGaO{sub 4}-type for 0.2{<=}x{<=}0.5 and the {beta}-LiGaO{sub 2}-type for 0.8{<=}x{<=}1, and the 0.5<x<0.8 region was the immiscible region of ZnO with LiGaO{sub 2}. The solubility limit of LiGaO{sub 2} in ZnO was explained by the c{sub 0}/a{sub 0} ratio based on the fact that there is no binary wurtzite phase for a c{sub 0}/a{sub 0} less than 1.6. The optical phonons of wurtzite and its derived phase were simply explained by the lattice shrinkage and reduced mass upon reduction the alloying of ZnO with LiGaO{sub 2}. The bowing parameter of the optical band gap of y(Zn{sub 2}LiGaO{sub 4}){sub 1/4}(1-y)ZnO was determined to be 0.67 eV. The value was very low, and it was related to the small lattice and chemical mismatches between the Zn{sub 2}LiGaO{sub 4} and ZnO. - Graphical abstract: The structure of ZnO varied upon alloying with LiGaO{sub 2}. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We studied structural variation in the x(LiGaO{sub 2}){sub 1/2}(1-x)ZnO alloy system. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The wurtzite- and its related Zn{sub 2}LiGaO{sub 4}-type phase appeared for 0{<=}x{<=}0.5. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The solubility limit of LiGaO{sub 2} in ZnO was related to the wurtzite c{sub 0}/a{sub 0} ratio. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The energy band gap of ZnO was widened up to 4.04 keV by the alloying with LiGaO{sub 2}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The bowing parameter of y(Zn{sub 2}LiGaO{sub 4}){sub 1/4}(1-y)ZnO was determined to be 0.67 eV.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis, crystal structure and electronic structure of the binary phase Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5}

A new phase in the Rh-Cd binary system - Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5} has been identified and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The stoichiometric compound Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5} crystallizes with a unit cell containing 14 atoms, in the orthorhombic space group Pbam (55). The crystal structure of Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5} can be described as a defect form of the In{sub 3}Pd{sub 5} structure with ordered vacancies, formed of two 2D atomic layers with the stacking sequence: ABAB. The A type layers consist of (3.6.3.6)-Kagomé nets of Cd atoms while the B type layers consist of (3{sup 5}) (3{sup 7})- nets of both Cd and Rh atoms. The stability of this line phase is investigated by first principle electronic structure calculations on the model of ordered Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5}. - Graphical abstract: (3.6.3.6)-Kagomé nets of cadmium atoms (top) and (3{sup 5}) (3{sup 7})- nets of both cadmium and rhodium atoms (bottom) in the structure of Rh{sub 2}Cd{sub 5}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Mobility of pinned twin boundaries during mechanical loading of extruded binary Mg-1Zn alloy

Highlights: • Intermediate heat treatment results in element segregation along twin boundaries. • Effect of pinned twin boundaries on their mobility was investigated. • Detwinning is realized by migration of twin boundaries or nucleation of new twins. • Pinning of twin boundaries does not completely disrupt their mobility. • Thermo-mechanical treatment compensates yield strength asymmetry. - Abstract: The influence of isothermal aging, i.e. solute segregation and precipitation, on the mobility of {10−12} twin boundaries during mechanical loading of a binary Mg-1wt.%Zn alloy was investigated. Segregation along twin boundaries leads to a pinning effect and therefore, twin growth and shrinkage based on twin boundary migration are restricted. The development of microstructure changes, especially the twinning activity, is tracked by using scanning electron microscopy. During reverse loading, a reduction of the twinned volume fraction (detwinning) is realized either by (i) nucleation of new twins inside already existing twin lamellae or by (ii) migration of pinned twin boundaries, similarly to the case, when no heat treatment is applied. No effect of the orientation of the grain with respect to the loading direction during detwinning was observed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Rapid grain refinement and compositional homogenization in a cast binary Cu50Ni alloy achieved by friction stir processing

Friction stir processing (FSP) has been increasingly adopted for joining and processing materials in automotive, aerospace and industrial construction. During FSP a dynamic competition between high-speed shear deformation and deformation-induced heating brings about a complex competition between multiple dynamic microstructural evolution mechanisms making it difficult to predict the microstructural evolution pathway. Hence, improved understanding of microstructural evolution mechanisms during FSP can be beneficial for continued growth in the adoption of FSP for demanding applications of future. Towards this goal, this study uses a model binary Cu – 50 at.% Ni alloy to clarify the effect of single and double pass FSP on the microstructural evolution of a coarse grained and compositionally heterogeneous cast microstructure. High energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, and nanoindentation are used to clarify the microstructural evolution due to FSP. The process of compositional homogenization of as-cast segregations is studied by energy dispersive spectroscopy and atom probe tomography. Our results show that a single fast FSP pass at 30 mm.s -1 produces a 100 µm deep layer of submicrometric and hall-petch hardened CuNi grains. The initial cast compositional heterogeneities in a micrometric scale is rapidly transformed to nano-sized domains, mainly confined at grain boundaries. Double pass FSP increases the penetration depth of the processed layer and leads to a 2.9 times grain growth relative to single pass FSP. Grain fragmentation, discontinuous dynamic recrystallization, grain growth, and twinning mechanisms are discussed. In conclusion, these results highlight the value of FSP for ultrafast grain refinement and compositional homogenization of cast alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Binary, ternary and quaternary silicates of CaO, BaO and ZnO in high thermal expansion seals for solid oxide fuel cells studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD)

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We examined the thermal expansion of various silicates of CaO, BaO and ZnO. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Thermal expansions were determined by dilatometry and high-temperature X-ray diffraction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer High-temperature X-ray diffraction enabled to determine anisotropic thermal expansion. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer CaSiO{sub 3}, Ca{sub 3}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and BaCa{sub 2}Si{sub 3}O{sub 9} exhibit the highest thermal expansion. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer CaSiO{sub 3}, Ca{sub 3}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and BaCa{sub 2}Si{sub 3}O{sub 9} are suitable as components in high temperature seals. -- Abstract: Gas-tight seals based on glasses suitable for joining of materials with high thermal expansion coefficients are for example required for solid-oxide fuel cells. If these seals are to be used at high temperatures, they can only be fabricated from glasses which enable the crystallization of phases with high thermal expansion coefficients. This paper reports on some components from systems suitable for high thermal expansion seals: binary calcium silicates, CaSiO{sub 3}, Ca{sub 3}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Ca{sub 2}SiO{sub 4} zinc silicates, Zn{sub 2}SiO{sub 4}, ternary silicates of BaO, CaO and ZnO, BaCa{sub 2}Si{sub 3}O{sub 9}, Ca{sub 2}ZnSi{sub 2}O{sub 7}, and one quaternary silicate, Ba{sub 2}CaZn{sub 2}Si{sub 6}O{sub 17,} studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction. Only CaSiO{sub 3}, Ca{sub 3}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and BaCa{sub 2}Si{sub 3}O{sub 9} exhibit thermal expansion coefficients in the range suitable for high thermal expansion seals of 11.2-11.8 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -6} K{sup -1} (100-800 Degree-Sign C). The thermal expansions strongly depend on the respective crystallographic axis. The coefficient of thermal expansion of a sealing glass is not only affected by the thermal expansions of the crystalline phases, but also by that of the residual glassy phase as well as by the elastic properties. The phase formation should carefully be controlled also with respect to aging.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High dielectric constant observed in (1 − x)Ba(Zr{sub 0.07}Ti{sub 0.93})O{sub 3}–xBa(Fe{sub 0.5}Nb{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} binary solid-solution

Binary solid-solutions of the (1 − x)Ba(Zr{sub 0.07}Ti{sub 0.93})O{sub 3}–xBa(Fe{sub 0.5}Nb{sub 0.5}O{sub 3}) system, with 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9,were fabricated via a solid-state processing technique. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that all samples exhibited a single perovskite phase. The BaFe{sub 0.5}Nb{sub 0.5}O{sub 3} also promoted densification and grain growth of the system. Dielectric measurements showed that all samples displayed a relaxor like behavior. The x = 0.1 sample presented a dielectric-frequency and temperature with low loss tangent (<0.07 at 10 kHz). For x > 0.2 samples, the dielectric data showed a broad dielectric constant–temperature curve with a giant dielectric characteristic. In addition, a high dielectric constant > 50,000 (at 10 kHz and temperature > 150 °C) was observed for the x = 0.9 sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Enhanced charge separation ability and visible light photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride by binary S, B co-doping

Highlights: • S, B hertroatoms were successfully doped into g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} by thermal treatment. • S, B heteroatoms effectively change the intrinsic electronic structure of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}. • The SBCN shows much higher photocatalytic activity than CN, SCN and BCN. • The SBCN has high photocatalytic stability and reusability. - Abstract: As a metal-free visible light photocatalyst, the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}) is limited. To improve the activity of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}, we herein report a binary S, B co-doped g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} (SBCN) by thermally treating the precursor mixture of thiourea, melamine and boron oxide. Characterization results show the obtained SBCN has ultrathin sheet-like morphology and these doped heteroatoms are uniform distributed in the sample. Compared to the pristine g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}, the SBCN has a small band gap with additional absorption in visible light region, decreased photoluminescence emission and electric resistance and enhanced photocurrent response. These advantages endue SBCN with excellent photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic dyes, and its reaction rate is 6.5 times higher than that of the g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}. Moreover, the successive cycles demonstrate that this SBCN possesses a superior stability and reusability. Finally, we propose a possible photocatalytic mechanism based on the band structure and mainly active species.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗