Design and performance of a dedicated coherent X-ray scanning diffraction instrument at beamline NanoMAX of MAX IV.

The diffraction endstation of the NanoMAX beamline is designed to provide high-flux coherent X-ray nano-beams for experiments requiring many degrees of freedom for sample and detector. The endstation is equipped with high-efficiency Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror focusing optics and a two-circle goniometer supporting a positioning and scanning device, designed to carry a compact sample environment. A robot is used as a detector arm. The endstation, in continued development, has been in user operation since summer 2017.

Effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the synthesis, crystallization, thermal and dissolution behaviour of chloride-intercalated, co-precipitated CaFe-layered double hydroxide.

The output power (30-150 W) and the periodicity (20-100%) of ultrasound emission were varied in a wide range to regulate and improve the crystallization process in the commonly used co-precipitation technique of chloride-intercalated CaFe-layered double hydroxides. The influence of ultrasound irradiation on the as-prepared materials was studied by X-ray diffractometry, dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, specific surface area measurement, pore size analysis, ion-selective electrode potentiometric investigations and thermogravimetry. Additionally, structural alterations due to heat treatment at various temperatures were followed in detail by Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopies as well as scanning electron microscopy. The ultrasonic treatment was capable of controlling the sizes of primarily formed (from 19 nm to 30 nm) as well as the aggregated (secondary) particles (between 450 nm and 700 nm), and thus modifying their textural parameters and enhancing the incorporation of chloride anions into the interlamellar space. For the first time, the optical energy gap of CaFe-LDH was reported here depending on the nature of applied stirring (4.18-4.34 eV). The heat-treatment investigations revealed that the layered structure was stabile until 200 °C, even at the atomic level.

Ultrasonically-enhanced preparation, characterization of CaFe-layered double hydroxides with various interlayer halide, azide and oxo anions (CO32-, NO3-, ClO4-).

An ultrasonically-enhanced mechanochemical method was developed to synthesize CaFe-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with various interlayer anions (CO32-, NO3-, ClO4-, N3-, F-, Cl-, Br- and I-). The duration of pre-milling and ultrasonic irradiation and the variation of synthesis temperature in the wet chemical step were investigated to obtain the optimal parameters of preparation. The main method to characterize the products was X-ray diffractometry, but infrared and synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopies as well as thermogravimetric measurements were also used to learn about fine structural details. The synthesis method afforded successful intercalation of the anions, among others the azide anion, a rarely used counter ion providing a system, which enables safe handling the otherwise highly reactive anion. The X-ray absorption spectroscopic measurements revealed that the quality of the interlayered anions could modulate the spatial arrangement of the calcium ions around the iron(III) ions, but only in the second coordination sphere.

Correlating structure and electronic band-edge properties in organolead halide perovskites nanoparticles.

After having emerged as primary contenders in the race for highly efficient optoelectronics materials, organolead halide perovskites (OHLP) are now being investigated in the nanoscale regime as promising building blocks with unique properties. For example, unlike their bulk counterpart, quantum dots of OHLP are brightly luminescent, owing to large exciton binding energies that cannot be rationalized solely on the basis of quantum confinement. Here, we establish the direct correlation between the structure and the electronic band-edge properties of CH3NH3PbBr3 nanoparticles. Complementary structural and spectroscopic measurements probing long-range and local order reveal that lattice strain influences the nature of the valence band and modifies the subtle stereochemical activity of the Pb(2+) lone-pair. More generally, this work demonstrates that the stereochemical activity of the lone-pair at the metal site is a specific physicochemical parameter coupled to composition, size and strain, which can be employed to engineer novel functionalities in OHLP nanomaterials.

Synthesis of high-quality, well-characterized CaAlFe-layered triple hydroxide with the combination of dry-milling and ultrasonic irradiation in aqueous solution at elevated temperature.

The combination of mechanochemical and ultrasonic treatment was applied to synthesize CaAlFe-layered triple hydroxides with carbonate or chloride anions in the interlamellar space. The optimal parameters of the preparation were explored by altering the initial ratio of the metal ions and the temperature of ultrasonic irradiation. The resulting triple hydroxides were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The products were close-to-phase-pure CaAlFe-layered triple hydroxides. Elevation of the temperature transformed the CaAlFe-Cl(-)-layered triple hydroxide to rare oxyhalides (Ca2FeO3Cl and Ca12Al14O32Cl2).

Hydrogen adsorption on two catalysts for the ortho- to parahydrogen conversion: Cr-doped silica and ferric oxide gel.

Molecular hydrogen exists in two spin-rotation coupled states: parahydrogen and orthohydrogen. Due to the variation of energy with rotational level, the occupation of ortho- and parahydrogen states is temperature dependent, with parahydrogen being the dominant species at low temperatures. The equilibrium at 20 K (99.8% parahydrogen) can be reached by natural conversion only after a lengthy process. With the use of a suitable catalyst, this process can be shortened significantly. Two types of commercial catalysts currently being used for ortho- to parahydrogen conversion are: iron(iii) oxide (Fe2O3, IONEX®), and chromium(ii) oxide doped silica catalyst (CrO·SiO2, OXISORB®). We investigate the interaction of ortho- and parahydrogen with the surfaces of these ortho-para conversion catalysts using neutron vibrational spectroscopy. The catalytic surfaces have been characterized using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray/neutron pair distribution function measurements.

The structure-function relationship for alumina supported platinum during the formation of ammonia from nitrogen oxide and hydrogen in the presence of oxygen.

We study the structure-function relationship of alumina supported platinum during the formation of ammonia from nitrogen oxide and dihydrogen by employing in situ X-ray absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Particular focus has been directed towards the effect of oxygen on the reaction as a model system for emerging technologies for passive selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides. The suppressed formation of ammonia observed as the feed becomes net-oxidizing is accompanied by a considerable increase in the oxidation state of platinum as well as the formation of surface nitrates and the loss of NH-containing surface species. In the presence of (excess) oxygen, the ammonia formation is proposed to be limited by weak interaction between nitrogen oxide and the oxidized platinum surface. This leads to a slow dissociation rate of nitrogen oxide and thus low abundance of the atomic nitrogen surface species that can react with the adsorbed hydrogen species. In this case the consumption of hydrogen through the competing water formation reaction and decomposition/oxidation of ammonia are of less importance for the net ammonia formation.

Sandwiched confinement of quantum dots in graphene matrix for efficient electron transfer and photocurrent production.

Quantum dots (QDs) and graphene are both promising materials for the development of new-generation optoelectronic devices. Towards this end, synergic assembly of these two building blocks is a key step but remains a challenge. Here, we show a one-step strategy for organizing QDs in a graphene matrix via interfacial self-assembly, leading to the formation of sandwiched hybrid QD-graphene nanofilms. We have explored structural features, electron transfer kinetics and photocurrent generation capacity of such hybrid nanofilms using a wide variety of advanced techniques. Graphene nanosheets interlink QDs and significantly improve electronic coupling, resulting in fast electron transfer from photoexcited QDs to graphene with a rate constant of 1.3 × 10(9) s(-1). Efficient electron transfer dramatically enhances photocurrent generation in a liquid-junction QD-sensitized solar cell where the hybrid nanofilm acts as a photoanode. We thereby demonstrate a cost-effective method to construct large-area QD-graphene hybrid nanofilms with straightforward scale-up potential for optoelectronic applications.

An in situ sample environment reaction cell for spatially resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies of powders and small structured reactors.

An easy-to-use sample environment reaction cell for X-ray based in situ studies of powders and small structured samples, e.g., powder, pellet, and monolith catalysts, is described. The design of the cell allows for flexible use of appropriate X-ray transparent windows, shielding the sample from ambient conditions, such that incident X-ray energies as low as 3 keV can be used. Thus, in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements in either transmission or fluorescence mode are facilitated. Total gas flows up to about 500 mln/min can be fed while the sample temperature is accurately controlled (at least) in the range of 25-500 °C. The gas feed is composed by a versatile gas-mixing system and the effluent gas flow composition is monitored with mass spectrometry (MS). These systems are described briefly. Results from simultaneous XAS/MS measurements during oxidation of carbon monoxide over a 4% Pt/Al2O3 powder catalyst are used to illustrate the system performance in terms of transmission XAS. Also, 2.2% Pd/Al2O3 and 2% Ag - Al2O3 powder catalysts have been used to demonstrate X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy in fluorescence mode. Further, a 2% Pt/Al2O3 monolith catalyst was used ex situ for transmission XANES. The reaction cell opens for facile studies of structure-function relationships for model as well as realistic catalysts both in the form of powders, small pellets, and coated or extruded monoliths at near realistic conditions. The applicability of the cell for X-ray diffraction measurements is discussed.

Equation of state for Eu-doped SrSi2O2N2.

α-SrSi2O2N2 is one of the recently studied oxonitridosilicates applicable in optoelectronics, in particular in white LEDs. Its elastic properties remain unknown. A survey of literature shows that, up to now, nine oxonitridosilicate materials have been identified. For most of these compounds, doped with rare earths and manganese, a luminescence has been reported at a wavelength characteristic for the given material; all together cover a broad spectral range. The present study focuses on the elastic properties of one of these oxonitridosilicates, the Eu-doped triclinic α-SrSi2O2N2. High-pressure powder diffraction experiments are used in order to experimentally determine, for the first time, the equation of state of this compound. The in situ experiment was performed for pressures ranging up to 9.65 GPa, for Eu-doped α-SrSi2O2N2 sample mounted in a diamond anvil cell ascertaining the hydrostatic compression conditions. The obtained experimental variation of volume of the triclinic unit cell of α-SrSi2O2N2:Eu with rising pressure served for determination of the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. The determined above quoted bulk modulus is 103(5) GPa, its first derivative is 4.5(1.1). The above quoted bulk modulus value is found to be comparable to that of earlier reported oxynitrides of different composition.

Improved arsenic(III) adsorption by Al2O3 nanoparticles and H2O2: evidence of oxidation to arsenic(V) from X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

We have investigated the oxidation of inorganic As(III) with H2O2 catalysed by Al2O3, using X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The effects of different reaction conditions (pH, time and initial H2O2 concentration) were also studied as were the kinetics of the oxidation reaction. We demonstrated that As(III) was oxidized to As(V) in the presence of H2O2 and Al2O3. Furthermore, all arsenic species found on the Al2O3 surface were in the As(V) state. The presence of both Al2O3 and H2O2 was necessary for oxidation of As(III) to take place within the period of time studied. The oxidation kinetics indicate a mechanism where reversible As(III) binding to the alumina surface is followed by irreversible oxidation by H2O2 leading to strongly bound As(V). Results from this study indicate that there is a surface-catalysed oxidation of As(III) on Al2O3 by H2O2, a reaction that can take place in nature and can be of help in the development of novel treatment systems for As(III) removal.

A combined study of the equation of state of monazite-type lanthanum orthovanadate using in situ high-pressure diffraction and ab initio calculations.

Lanthanum orthovanadate (LaVO4) is the only stable monazite-type rare-earth orthovanadate. In the present paper the equation of state of LaVO4 is studied using in situ high-pressure powder diffraction at room temperature, and ab initio calculations within the framework of the density functional theory. The parameters of a second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, i.e. those fitted to the experimental and theoretical data, are found to be in perfect agreement - in particular, the bulk moduli are almost identical, with values of 106 (1) and 105.8 (5) GPa, respectively. In agreement with recent reported experimental data, the compression is shown to be anisotropic. Its nature is comparable to that of some other monazite-type compounds. The softest compression direction is determined.

XAFS experiments at beamline I811, MAX-lab synchrotron source, Sweden.

A description of a new facility for X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the materials science beamline, I811, at MAX-lab synchrotron source, Lund, Sweden, is given. The beamline is based on a superconducting multipole wiggler source inserted in a straight section of the 1.5 GeV MAX-II ring. X-rays in the energy range 2.4-12 keV are extracted by a standard optical scheme consisting of a vertical collimating first mirror, double-crystal monochromator, and a second vertically focusing mirror. The second monochromator crystal provides sagittal focusing. The total flux impinging on the sample at 9 keV is 5 x 10(11) photons s(-1), for a minimum beam spot of 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm. The beamline has facilities for experiments in transmission, fluorescence and total-electron-yield mode and experiments have been performed by international research groups on a wide range of materials, such as dilute systems with metal concentrations below 10 p.p.m.

Cis/trans isomers of PtX2L2 (X = halogen, L = neutral ligand); the crystal structure of trans-dichlorobis(dimethyl sulfide)platinum(II) and the pressure dependence of its unit-cell dimensions.

trans-PtCl(2)(dms)(2) (dms is dimethyl sulfide) crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/n and adopts the molecular point group C(i), which is the most frequently occurring point group for trans-PtX(2)L(2) complexes (78%), as observed in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD; 2005 release), followed by C(1) (16%). Density functional theory calculations show that the observed geometry for trans-PtCl(2)(dms)(2) has slightly higher energy than the most favorable geometry in the point group C(2h), but this geometry would require a space group that hampers close packing, thus showing that intermolecular forces determine the point group for the title compound. High-pressure powder diffraction studies of trans-PtCl(2)(dms)(2) show no phase transformation up to 8.0 GPa. The bulk modulus is 8.1 (6) GPa and the pressure derivative 8.1 (4). In the CSD, the number of cis- and trans-PtX(2)L(2) compounds are almost equal, viz. 156 cis and 160 trans compounds, showing no preference for either isomer in the solid state.

Shear strain in Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 at high pressures.

High-pressure x-ray powder diffraction has been measured on the half doped rare earth manganite Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 up to a pressure of 15 GPa. We report the presence of a quantifiable amount of shear distortion of the MnO6 octahedra in Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 at high pressures. The lattice strain of Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 is minimal at a crossover pressure of p* approximately 7 GPa, with the same lattice strain above and below this pressure achieved by shear and Jahn-Teller-type distortions, respectively. The increase in shear strain with increasing pressure provides a mechanism for the insulating behavior of manganites at high pressures that has not been considered before.

influence of the molecular structures on the high-pressure and low-temperature phase transitions of plastic crystals.

The crystal structures of tert-butyl-tris(trimethylsilyl)silane, Si[C(CH(3))(3)](1)[Si(CH(3))(3)](3) (Bu1), and di-tert-butyl-bis(trimethylsilyl)silane, Si[C(CH(3))(3)](2)[Si(CH(3))(3)](2) (Bu2), at room temperature and at 105 K have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction; the high-pressure behavior for pressures between 0 and 5 GPa is reported. The room-temperature structures have cubic Fm3m symmetry (Z = 4) with a = 13.2645 (2) A, V = 2333.87 (4) A(3) for Bu1 and a = 12.9673 (1) A, V = 2180.46 (3) A(3) for Bu2. The molecules are arranged in a cubic close packing (c.c.p.) and exhibit at least 48-fold orientational disorder. Upon cooling both compounds undergo a first-order phase transition at temperatures T(c) = 230 (5) K (Bu1) and T(c) = 250 (5) K (Bu2) into monoclinic structures with space group P2(1)/n. The structures at 105 K have a = 17.317 (1), b = 15.598 (1), c = 16.385 (1) A, gamma = 109.477 (4) degrees, V = 4172.7 (8) A(3) and Z = 8 for Bu1and a = 17.0089 (9), b = 15.3159 (8), c = 15.9325 (8) A, gamma = 110.343 (3) degrees, V = 3891.7 (5) A(3) and Z = 8 for Bu2. The severe disorder of the room-temperature phase is significantly decreased and only a two- or threefold rotational disorder of the molecules remains at 105 K. First-order phase transitions have been observed at pressures of 0.13-0.28 GPa for Bu1 and 0.20-0.24 GPa for Bu2. The high-pressure structures are isostructural to the low-temperature structures. The pressure dependencies of the unit-cell Volumes were fitted with Vinet equations of state and the bulk moduli were obtained. At still higher pressures further anomalies in the pressure dependencies of the lattice parameters were observed. These anomalies are explained as additional disorder-order phase transitions.