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Synthesis and optical properties of polycrystalline Li{sub 2}Al{sub 2}B{sub 2}O{sub 7} (LABO)

A polycrystalline lithium aluminum borate (Li{sub 2}Al{sub 2}B{sub 2}O{sub 7}, LABO) has been synthesized by using simple solid-state technique. The obtained LABO polycrystalline was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction; Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency measurement. The functional groups were identified using the FT-IR spectroscopic data. The SHG efficiency of the polycrystalline material was obtained by the classic Kurtz powder technique using a fundamental wavelength 1064 nm of Nd:YAG laser and it is found to be 1.4 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Optical studies in Er{sup 3+} doped BaMoO{sub 4} downconverting phosphor for blue LEDs

Erbium ion (Er{sup 3+}) doped BaMoO{sub 4} phosphor has been synthesized via co-precipitation technique. Phase formation of the prepared phosphor has been recognized by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The photoluminescence emission spectrum has been recorded in 400-800nm wavelength range under 380nm excitation. The observed photoluminescence peaks are explained with the help of energy level structure. The prepared phosphor seems capable to produce efficient blue colour emission which can be useful for making blue light emitting diodes (LEDs).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of Particle Size and Specific Surface Area on the Determination of the Density of Nanocrystalline Silver Sulfide Ag{sub 2}S Powders

The effect of the particle size and specific surface area of silver sulfide powders on their density measured by the helium pycnometry method has been studied. Powders with different average particle sizes have been synthesized by hydrochemical deposition. The particle size of the silver sulfide powders has been determined by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method according to molecular nitrogen adsorption isotherms and, in the case of fine powders, by X-ray diffraction analysis according to diffraction reflection broadening. It has been shown that the density of the fine powders measured by helium pycnometry is underestimated compared with the true density, owing to the adsorption of helium by the highly developed surface of these powders.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Structural and electrical properties of T′-type Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd) ceramics

T′-type Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd) were successfully synthesized in phase pure form using conventional solid state reaction and sintering route. For all the Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} samples, the solid state reaction temperature was found to be 950 °C and pure phase was realized only after 2-3 intermediate milling and solid state reaction cycles, irrespective of the lanthanide ion radius. Effect of lanthanide ion contraction on the structural properties was clearly revealed by the powder X-ray diffraction, with the XRD peaks observed to be shifting towards higher 2θ values with the decrease in Ln ionic radii. The optimum sintering temperature of these solid state reacted Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} powder was found to be 1100 °C except for Pr{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} powder. The conductivity of these samples were tested over a wide temperature range (−100 to 150 °C), an anomaly was observed in the conductivity of all the Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} samples near the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of Cu (~ 30 °C), thus suggesting the bearing of ordering of magnetic moments on the electrical properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Morphologic and chemical characterization of products from hydrolysis of UF 6

Characterization of the chemical speciation and morphologies of products formed from hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride (UF 6 ) is important for predicting dispersion and contamination of released material, or health consequences from inhalation of air-borne particles. Here, we report products of hydrolysis of UF 6 in which the quantity of water was insufficient for complete formation of UO 2 F 2 . Material was deposited onto carbon tape and aluminum. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to characterize textures and particle sizes, and powder X-ray diffraction analysis and μ-Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy were used to characterize chemical speciation. These results revealed that the ratio of H 2 O to UF 6 , depository substrate composition, and storage conditions must be considered when evaluating chemical speciation, morphologic texture and particles size of UF 6 hydrolysis products. LA-UR-15-23846.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

PyFaults: A Python Toolkit for Stacking Fault Screening

PyFaults is an open-source Python library designed to model stacking fault disorder in crystalline materials and qualitatively assess the characteristic selective broadening effects in powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Here, the main capabilities of PyFaults are presented, including unit cell and supercell model construction, PXRD pattern calculation, assessment against experimental PXRD, and methods for rapid screening of candidate models within a set of possible stacking vectors and fault occurrence probabilities. This program aims to serve as a computationally inexpensive tool for identifying and screening potential stacking fault models in materials with planar disorder. Three diverse case studies, involving GaN, Li2MnO3 and Li3YCl6, are presented to illustrate the program functionality across a range of structure types and stacking fault modalities.

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Growth, structural and optical characterization of L-histidine 4-nitrophenolate (LHPNP) single crystals for NLO applications

Using slow evaporation solution growth technique, single crystals of L-histidine-4-nitro phenolate has been grown from the solution. Structural analyses were carried out by powder x-ray diffraction, FT-Raman, Fourier Transform Infrared and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectral methods to conform the grown crystals. Thermal stability of the grown crystals was studied by thermo-gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). UV-Vis spectral analysis has been carried out to find the transparency of the grown crystal. Nonlinear optical property has been confirmed by Kurtz powder technique. The PL measurements were carried out in Perkin Elmer LS 55 Luminescence spectrometer using 410 nm as excitation wavelength. The observed properties have confirmed that the grown crystal is suitable for nonlinear optical applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Low-temperature route to metal titanate perovskite nanoparticles for photocatalytic applications

MTiO 3 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) nanoparticles were synthesized by a one-step room-temperature ultrasound synthesis in ionic liquid. The samples we gathered are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, UV–vis diffuse reflectance, Raman and IR spectroscopy and their capability in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and methylene blue degradation was tested. Powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic investigations revealed the products to crystallize in the cubic perovskite structure. SEM observations showed that the obtained CaTiO 3 consists of nanospheres, BaTiO 3 of raspberry-like shaped particles of 20 nm in diameter. SrTiO 3 particles have cubic-like morphology with an edge length varying from 100 to 300 nm. SrTiO 3 exhibited the highest catalytic activity for photocatalytic H 2 evolution using only 0.025 wt.% Rh as co-catalyst and for the degradation of methylene blue under UV irradiation. The influence of parameters such as synthesis method, calcination temperature, and doping with nitrogen on the morphology, crystallinity, chemical composition, and photocatalytic acivity of SrTiO 3 was studied. Heating the as-prepared SrTiO 3 to 700 °C for extended time leads to a decrease in surface area and catalytic activity. Ionothermal prepared SrTiO 3 exhibits a higher activity than sonochemically prepared one without co-catalyst due to a synergistic effect of anatase which is present in small amount as a by-phase. Furthermore, after photodeposition of Rh, however, the activity is lower than that of the sonochemically prepared SrTiO 3 . Nitrogen-doped SrTiO 3 showed photocatalytic acivity under visible light irradiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High Pressure Properties of a Ba-Cu-Zn-P Clathrate-I

Here, the high pressure properties of the novel tetrel-free clathrate, Ba 8 Cu 13.1 Zn 3.3 P 29.6 , were investigated using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. The pressure was applied using a diamond anvil cell. No structural transitions or decomposition were detected in the studied pressure range of 0.1–7 GPa. The calculated bulk modulus for Ba 8 Cu 13.1 Zn 3.3 P 29.6 using a third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state is 65(6) GPa at 300 K. This bulk modulus is comparable to the bulk moduli of Ge- and Sn-based clathrates, like A 8 Ga 16 Ge 30 (A = Sr, Ba) and Sn 19.3 Cu 4.7 P 22 I 8 , but lower than those for the transition metal-containing silicon-based clathrates, Ba 8 T x Si46–x, T = Ni, Cu; 3 ≤ x ≤ 5.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Bimetallic oxamato complexes synthesized into mesoporous matrix as precursor to tunable nanosized oxide

Highlights: • The bimetallic oxamato complexes as single-source precursor. • We prepared into a porous silica glass tunable nanosized oxide powders. • X-ray diffraction shows the formation of CeO{sub 2}/CuO and spinel cobaltite. • The different number of IDC allows control of the nanoparticle size. - Abstract: The bimetallic complexes were employed to prepare into a porous silica glass tunable nanosized oxide powders through the single source precursor (SSP) method. These materials were prepared by first anchoring of [Cu(opba)]{sup 2−} [opba = ortho-phenylenebis(oxamato)], second by reaction in situ with second metal [Co(II) or Ce(III)] and followed by a thermal treatment. The different number of impregnation–decomposition cycles (IDC) allows control of the nanoparticle size. X-ray diffraction shows the formation of mixture CeO{sub 2}–CuO and spinel copper cobaltite. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of such phases. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed that spinel cobaltite particles (8 IDC) present a mean size of about 9 nm, whereas for the CeO{sub 2}–CuO phase the particle diameters are 4 nm (2 IDC) and 8 nm (6 IDC). For CeO{sub 2}–CuO the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy indicates a consistent red shift in band gap from 3.41 to 2.87 eV with increasing of particle size due to quantum confinement effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structure-forming role of heterocyclic compounds in the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks based on cadmium(II)

The influence of heterocyclic compounds on the formation of coordination polymers in the system of cadmium(II) nitrate tetrahydrate and biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid is demonstrated. Two new coordination polymers [Cd(H{sub 2}O)(bpdc)(im){sub 2}] (1, bpdc{sup 2–} is biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylate, im is imidazole) and [(CH{sub 3}){sub 2}NH{sub 2}]{sub 4}[Cd{sub 6}(dmf)(bpdc){sub 8}]·10DMF (2) were obtained under solvothermal conditions in the presence of imidazole or benzimidazole, respectively. Product 1 has a chain structure, while compound 2 possesses a three-dimensional structure with the hex topology. The obtained compounds were characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, elemental analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural Competition and Reactivity of Rare-Earth Oxide Phases in Y x Pr 2– x O 3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.80)

We report, for the first time, members of the Y x Pr 2–x O 3 system with non-bixbyite or defect fluorite structures. The synthesis, structure, phase transitions, and high temperature reactivity of the trigonal A-type and monoclinic B-type structures are reported along with those of the cubic C-type phase (bixbyite). Combined powder X-ray and neutron diffraction Rietveld refinements are used to report structural details of all three reported phases. Phase transitions are investigated, showing a clear dependence on average cation size. Using neutron diffraction, phase transitions are followed in situ, revealing that all high temperature phases are quenchable. In-situ powder X-ray diffraction experiments in flowing oxygen allow insights into mechanistic details of redox processes in the reported phases. In contrast to the C-type cubic bixbyite, the trigonal A-type and monoclinic B-type structures do not allow for topotactic oxygen uptake, displaying instead a phase transition to either the bixbyite C-type capable of accommodating additional oxide anions or the direct oxidation to the cubic defect fluorite structure. The findings reported here agree with the accepted lanthanide sesquioxide phase diagrams and provide exceptional control of phases. The work is important for the prediction of structures, and the synthetic control needed for rational design of functional materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A new form of Ca{sub 3}P{sub 2} with a ring of Dirac nodes

We report the synthesis and crystal structure of a new high-temperature form of Ca{sub 3}P{sub 2}. The crystal structure was determined through Rietveld refinements of synchrotron powder x-ray diffraction data. This form of Ca{sub 3}P{sub 2} has a crystal structure of the hexagonal Mn{sub 5}Si{sub 3} type, with a Ca ion deficiency compared to the ideal 5:3 stoichiometry. This yields a stable, charge-balanced compound of Ca{sup 2+} and P{sup 3−}. We also report the observation of a secondary hydride phase, Ca{sub 5}P{sub 3}H, which again is a charge-balanced compound. The calculated band structure of Ca{sub 3}P{sub 2} indicates that it is a three-dimensional Dirac semimetal with a highly unusual ring of Dirac nodes at the Fermi level. The Dirac states are protected against gap opening by a mirror plane in a manner analogous to what is seen for graphene.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Characterization of the host–guest complex of a curcumin analog with β-cyclodextrin and β-cyclodextrin–gemini surfactant and evaluation of its anticancer activity

Background: Curcumin analogs, including the novel compound NC 2067, are potent cytotoxic agents that suffer from poor solubility, and hence, low bioavailability. Cyclodextrin-based carriers can be used to encapsulate such agents. In order to understand the interaction between the two molecules, the physicochemical properties of the host–guest complexes of NC 2067 with β-cyclodextrin (CD) or β-cyclodextrin–gemini surfactant (CDgemini surfactant) were investigated for the first time. Moreover, possible supramolecular structures were examined in order to aid the development of new drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the in vitro anticancer activity of the complex of NC 2067 with CDgemini surfactant nanoparticles was demonstrated in the A375 melanoma cell line. Methods: Physicochemical properties of the complexes formed of NC 2067 with CD or CDgemini surfactant were investigated by synchrotron-based powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Synchrotron-based small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering and size measurements were employed to assess the supramolecular morphology of the complex formed by NC 2067 with CDgemini surfactant. Lastly, the in vitro cell toxicity of the formulations toward A375 melanoma cells at various drug-to-carrier mole ratios were measured by cell viability assay. Results: Physical mixtures of NC 2067 and CD or CDgemini surfactant showed characteristics of the individual components, whereas the complex of NC 2067 and CD or CDgemini surfactant presented new structural features, supporting the formation of the host–guest complexes. Complexes of NC 2067 with CDgemini surfactants formed nanoparticles having sizes of 100–200 nm. NC 2067 retained its anticancer activity in the complex with CDgemini surfactant for different drug-to-carrier mole ratios, with an IC 50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) value comparable to that for NC 2067 without the carrier. Conclusion: The formation of host–guest complexes of NC 2067 with CD or CDgemini surfactant has been confirmed and hence the CDgemini surfactant shows good potential to be used as a delivery system for anticancer agents.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Crystal Structure of an Anisotropic Pyrope Garnet That Contains Two Cubic Phases

The crystal structure of two different samples of pyrope garnet, ideally Mg 3 Al 2 Si 3 O 12 , from South Africa was refined using the Rietveld method, space group Ia3¯d, and monochromatic synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (HRPXRD) data. Sample 1 from Wesselton Mine is a single cubic phase and is optically isotropic. Electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) provided an average composition {Mg 2.30 Fe 2+ 0.26 Ca 0.42 Mn 2+ 0.02 } Σ3 [Al 1.53 Fe 3+ 0.06 Cr 3+ 0.40 Ti 4+ 0.01 Fe 2+ 0.01 ] Σ2 Si 3 O 12 , which contains a significant amount of Cr cations. The unit-cell parameter (Å) and bond distances (Å) are a = 11.56197(1) Å, average = 2.2985, Al-O = 1.9101(4), and Si-O = 1.6343(3) Å. Sample 2 from De Beers Diamond Mine has an average composition {Mg 2.33 Fe 2+ 0.33 Ca 0.33 Mn 2+ 0.01 } Σ3 [Al 1.73 Fe 3+ 0.12 Cr 3+ 0.06 Ti 4+ 0.05 Fe 2+ 0.05 ] Σ2 Si 3 O 12 and is a fine-scale intergrowth of two cubic phases. The weight percentage, unit-cell parameter (Å), and bond distances (Å) for phase 2a are 62.2(1)%, a = 11.56185(1) Å, average = 2.3006, Al-O = 1.9080(4), Si-O = 1.6334(4) Å. The corresponding values for phase 2b are 37.8(1)%, a = 11.53896(1) Å, average = 2.2954, Al-O = 1.9020(6), Si-O = 1.6334(6) Å. The two cubic phases in sample 2 cause the crystal to be optically anisotropic because of strain induce birefringence. The unit-cell parameter and bond distances for sample 1 are similar to those in phase 2a.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Lead apatites: structural variations among Pb 5 ( B O 4 ) 3 Cl with B = P (pyromorphite), As (mimetite) and V (vanadinite)

The crystal structure of four Pb apatite samples, Pb 5 ( B O 4 ) 3 Cl, was refined with synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction data, Rietveld refinements, space group P 6 3 / m and Z = 2. For this isotypic series, B = P 5+ is pyromorphite, B = As 5+ is mimetite and B = V 5+ is vanadinite. The ionic radius for As 5+ (0.355 Å) is similar to that of V 5+ (0.335 Å), and this is twice as large as that for P 5+ (0.170 Å). However, the c unit-cell parameter for mimetite is surprisingly different from that of vanadinite, although their unit-cell volumes, V , are almost equal to each other. No explanation was available for this peculiar c -axis value for mimetite. Structural parameters such as average $\langle$ B —O$\rangle$ [4], $\langle$Pb1—O 9 $\rangle$ [9] and $\langle$Pb2—O 6 Cl 2 $\rangle$ [8] distances increase linearly with V (the coordination numbers for the cations are given in square brackets). Mimetite has a short Pb2—O1 distance, so the O1 oxygen atom interacts with the 6 s 2 lone-pair electrons of the Pb 2+ cation that causes the Cl—Cl distance (= c /2) to increase to the largest value in the series because of repulsion, which causes the c -axis to increase anomalously. Although Pb apatite minerals occur naturally in ore deposits, they are also formed as scaly deposits in lead water pipes that give rise to lead in tap water, as was found recently in Flint, Michigan, USA. It is important to identify Pb-containing phases in water-pipe deposits.

chemistry↗

Growth of Nd{sub 2}TiO{sub 5} single crystal using optical floating zone technique

Single crystals of Nd{sub 2}TiO{sub 5} were grown using Optical Floating zone technique in oxygen atmosphere by spontaneous nucleation. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the grown single crystal is of homogeneous composition. Laue diffraction was recorded in both transmission and backscattering geometries to check the crystal quality. Vibrational properties were analyzed using Raman measurements.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Undistorted linear Bi chains with hypervalent bonding in La 3 TiBi 5 from single-crystal X-ray diffraction

The crystal structure of the lanthanum titanium bis­muthide La 3 TiBi 5 (Pearson code hP18, Wyckoff sequence b d g2) has been established from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and analyzed in detail using first-principles calculations. There are no anomalies pertaining to the atomic displacement parameter of the Ti site, previously reported based on a powder X-ray diffraction analysis of this compound. The anionic substructure contains columns of face-sharing TiBi 6 octa­hedra and linear Bi chains. Due to a significant La(5d) and Bi(6p) orbital mixing, a perfectly one-dimensional character of the Bi chains is not realised, while a three-dimensional electronic structure is established instead. The latter fact explains the stability of the polyanionic pnictide units against Peierls distortions. The hypervalent bonding in the Bi chains is reflected in a rather long Bi—Bi distance of 3.2264 (4) Å and a typical pattern of bonding and anti­bonding inter­actions, as revealed by electronic structure calculations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗