Exploiting the Reactivity of Metal Trifluoroacetates to Access Alkali-Niobium(V) Oxyfluorides.

Motivated by the lack of facile routes to alkali-niobium(V) oxyfluorides KNb2O5F and CsNb2O5F, we investigated the reactivity of alkali trifluoroacetates KH(tfa)2 and CsH(tfa)2 (tfa = CF3COO-) toward Nb2O5 in the solid state. Tetragonal tungsten bronze KNb2O5F and pyrochlore CsNb2O5F were obtained by simply reacting the corresponding trifluoroacetate with Nb2O5 at 600 °C under air, without the need for specialized containers or a controlled atmosphere. Thermolysis of KH(tfa)2 in the presence of Nb2O5 yielded single-phase polycrystalline KNb2O5F. By contrast, the reaction between CsH(tfa)2 and Nb2O5 produced a mixture of CsNb2O5F and a new oxyfluoride of formula CsNb3O7F2, whose crystal structure was solved using powder X-ray and electron diffraction. CsNb3O7F2 (space group P6/mmm) belongs to the family of hexagonal tungsten bronzes and features an open-framework structure consisting of corner-sharing Nb(O,F)6 octahedra with hexagonal channels occupied by Cs+ ions. Isomorphous RbNb3O7F2 was obtained upon reacting RbH(tfa)2 with Nb2O5. Synthetic optimization enabled the preparation of RbNb3O7F2 and CsNb3O7F2 as single-phase polycrystalline solids at 500 °C under flowing synthetic air. Both oxyfluorides were found to be semiconductors with a band gap of ≈3.5 eV. The discovery of these two oxyfluorides highlights the importance of probing the reactivity of solids whose full potential as fluorinated precursors is yet to be realized.

Metal-to-Insulating Transition in the Perovskite System YSr2Cu2FeO8-δ (0 < δ < 1) Modeled by DFT Methods.

Progress in the design of functional perovskite oxides relies on advances in density functional theory (DFT) methods to efficiently and effectively model complex systems composed of several transition-metal ions. This work reports the application of DFT methods to investigate the electronic structure of the YSr2Cu2FeO8-δ (0 < δ < 1) family in which the insulating, metal, or superconducting behaviors and even anion conductivity can be tuned by modifying the oxygen content. In particular, we assess the performance of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), its Hubbard-U correction (GGA + U), and the strongly constrained and appropriately normed (SCAN) to model the metallic (idealized YSr2Cu2FeO8) and insulating (idealized YSr2Cu2FeO7) phases of the system. The analysis of the DFT results is supported by DC resistivity measurements that denote the metal character of the synthesized YSr2Cu2FeO7.86 and the semiconducting character of YSr2Cu2FeO7.08 prepared under reducing conditions. In addition, the band gap of YSr2Cu2FeO7.08, in the range of 0.73-1.2 eV, has been extracted from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). While the three methodologies (GGA, GGA + U, SCAN) permit the reproduction of the crystal structures of the synthetized oxides (determined here in the case of YSr2Cu2FeO7.08 by neutron powder diffraction (NPD)), the SCAN emerges as the only one capable to predict the basic electronic and magnetic properties across the YSr2Cu2FeO8-δ (0 < δ < 1) series. The picture that emerges for the metal (δ = 0) to insulating (δ = 1) transition is the one in which oxygen vacancies contribute electrons to the filling of the Cu/Fe-3dx2-y2 states of the conduction band. These results validate the SCAN functional for future DFT investigations of complex functional oxides that combine several transition metals.

Stability and Evolution of the Crystal Structure of TbBaCo2O6-δ During Thermal Oxygen Release/Uptake.

A-site ordered double perovskites with the general formula LnBaCo2O6-δ (where Ln is a lanthanide element) present electrical and electrocatalytic properties that make them attractive as possible ceramic electrode materials for solid oxide cells or alkaline electrolyzers. The properties are highly influenced by the anion vacancy concentration, which is strongly related to the Co-oxidation state, and their location in the structure. Awareness of the stable phases is essential to synthesize, evaluate, and optimize the properties of LnBaCo2O6-δ oxides at operating conditions in different applications. TbBaCo2O6-δ are representative oxides of these layered perovskite systems. The present article reports a study of TbBaCo2O6-δ by electron diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy, and powder neutron diffraction experiments at different temperatures. The synthesis of TbBaCo2O6-δ in air and slow cooling to room temperature (RT) at 5 °C h-1 leads to samples formed by distinct phases with different oxygen contents and crystal structures. The 122 and 112 phases (with ap × 2ap × 2ap and ap × ap × 2ap unit cells, respectively, with ap being the lattice parameter of the simple cubic perovskite structure) are predominant in quasi-equilibrium prepared samples (cooled at RT at 1 °C h-1) or prepared in Ar flow and quenched to RT. The evolution of the crystal structure of TbBaCo2O6-δ during thermal oxygen release/uptaking consists of modulation from the 122 phase to the 112 phase (or vice versa during uptaking) by creation/occupation of anion vacancies within the TbO1-δ planes. Anion vacancies are not detected in the oxygen crystallographic position different from those located within the TbO1-δ planes even at the highest temperatures, supporting the 2D character of the high anion conduction of the LnBaCo2O6-δ oxides.

Coupled Compositional and Displacive Modulations in KLaMnWO6 Revealed by Atomic Resolution Imaging.

Complex compositional and displacive modulations of the crystal structure of KLaMnWO6 are imaged with atomic resolution by means of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). This oxide is stabilized by cation vacancies leading to a La1+x/3K1-xMnWO6 stoichiometry. Compositional modulation on both the K and La layers are revealed in the high-angle annular dark-field STEM (HAADF-STEM) images. The compositional modulation within the La layer is coupled with the modulation of the octahedral tilting, which is exposed by imaging of the anion sublattice in annular bright-field STEM (ABF-STEM) images. These complex modulations are accommodated in a 5√2ap × 5√2ap × 2ap perovskite-type structure.

3D to 2D Magnetic Ordering of Fe3+ Oxides Induced by Their Layered Perovskite Structure.

The antiferromagnetic behavior of Fe3+ oxides of composition RE1.2Ba1.2Ca0.6Fe3O8, RE2.2Ba3.2Ca2.6Fe8O21, and REBa2Ca2Fe5O13 (RE = Gd, Tb) is highly influenced by the type of oxygen polyhedron around the Fe3+ cations and their ordering, which is coupled with the layered RE/Ba/Ca arrangement within the perovskite-related structure. Determination of the magnetic structures reveals different magnetic moments associated with Fe3+ spins in the different oxygen polyhedra (octahedron, tetrahedron, and square pyramid). The structural aspects impact on the strength of the Fe-O-Fe superexchange interactions and, therefore, on the Néel temperature (TN) of the compounds. The oxides present an interesting transition from three-dimensional (3D) to two-dimensional (2D) magnetic behavior above TN. The 2D magnetic interactions are stronger within the FeO6 octahedra layers than in the FeO4 tetrahedra layers.

Structural Ordering Supremacy on the Oxygen Reduction Reaction of Layered Iron-Perovskites.

Layered perovskites of the Gd0.8-xBa0.8Ca0.4+xFe2O5+δ system show oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. The layered crystal structure of these oxides is established by the interplay of the Gd3+, Ba2+, and Ca2+ locations with the ordering of the coordination polyhedra of the Fe3+ cations. Substitution of Gd3+ by Ca2+ increases the oxygen deficiency that is accommodated by the formation of layers of FeO5-squared pyramids intercalated with A-O layers containing mainly Gd3+. The presence of FeO5-squared pyramids in the crystal structure promotes the oxygen diffusion and then the ORR activity. Therefore, GdBa2Ca2Fe5O13 is the oxide of the system which presents lower area specific resistance (ASR) values when it is applied as an electrode in symmetrical cells using Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-δ as an electrolyte.

Successive and Site-Selective Oxygen Release from B-Site-Layer-Ordered Double Perovskite Ca2FeMnO6 with Unusually High Valence Fe4.

B-site-layer-ordered double perovskite Ca2FeMnO6 with unusually high valence Fe4+ was found to exhibit unusual oxygen-release behaviors, contrasting with those of the B-site-disordered perovskite having the identical chemical composition. During heating, the B-site-layer-ordered compound shows a stepwise oxygen release with successive valence changes from Fe4+ to Fe3+ through an intermediate Fe3.5+, whereas the B-site-disordered compound releases oxygen in a single step. The oxygen in Ca2FeMnO6 is released only from the two-dimensional Fe layers, and this selective oxygen release stabilizes the intermediate Fe3.5+ phase with in-plane-oxygen-vacancy ordering. Therefore, the B-site order/disorder strongly affects the oxygen-release behaviors associated with the oxygen-vacancy ordering.

Expanding the Doubly Cation Ordered AA'BB'O6 Perovskite Family: Structural Complexity in NaLaInNbO6 and NaLaInTaO6.

Two new perovskite compounds, NaLaInNbO6 and NaLaInTaO6, have been synthesized. Both compounds have a rock-salt ordering of the In/Nb or In/Ta cations and a layered ordering of the Na/La. They are unusual among this family of doubly cation ordered perovskites for having a +3/+5 combination of B/B' oxidation states instead of a divalent cation and W6+. Synchrotron powder diffraction and electron diffraction data show both compounds have tetragonal √2ap × âˆš2ap × 2ap unit cells. The octahedral tilt system of these compounds is complicated and seems to vary depending on the length scale considered. Bond valence considerations demonstrate that none of the tilt systems compatible with a tetragonal unit cell produce a stable structure. It is proposed that additional oxygen displacements are occurring on a local scale. The XRD data show that the B-site ordering is nearly complete in both cases, while the A-site cations show a lower degree of order. The tendency of the B'-cation to undergo a second order Jahn-Teller distortion is identified as having an influence over the degree of A-site ordering. Transmission electron microscopy shows fragmentation into nanosized domains with perpendicular orientations of the layered A-site cation ordering. Such structures may be polar over short length scales which could lead to interesting dielectric properties such as relaxor behavior. The prospects for finding new doubly cation ordered perovskites are also discussed.

Influence of Structural (Cation and Anion) Order in the Superconducting Properties of Ozone-Oxidized Mo0.3Cu0.7Sr2RECu2O y (RE = Yb, Tm, Gd, Nd, and Pr).

The influence of rare earth (RE) elements on superconducting properties of the transition element (TE)-substituted TE xCu1- xSr2RECu2O y cuprates has not been sufficiently emphasized so far. In the case of molibdo-cuprates with the general formula Mo0.3Cu0.3Sr2RECu2O y, all the RE element containing compounds except La, Ce, and Lu can be prepared at room pressure. The influence of the crystal structure on the superconducting properties after ozone oxidation of the present system is reported selecting three groups of RE elements attending to their different atom sizes: small (Yb and Tm), medium (Gd), and big (Nd and Pr). Advanced transmission electron microscopy, various diffraction techniques, and spectroscopic analysis have been used to demonstrate that the increase of structural disorder complemented with a decrease in the hole content play a major role in the vanishing of superconductivity within the present system.

Mixed-Valence Iron Dumortierite Fe13.52.22+(As5+O4- x)8(OH)6 and Its Intricate Topotactic Exsolution at Mild Temperatures.

The mixed-valent iron arsenate hydroxide Fe13.52.22+(AsO4- x)8(OH)6, x = 0.25, was prepared using the reaction of iron metal with arsenate in aqueous solution and autogenous pressure. Its crystal structure reveals a dumortierite-like framework with mixed-valent Fe2+/Fe3+ in double chains creating channel walls. Remarkably, hexagonal channels consist of chains of face-sharing Fe2+O6 octahedra, 3/4th occupied, whereas AsO4 tetrahedra occupy triangular ones with a single " up" orientation according to the polar P63 mc symmetry. We have analyzed the transformation of this phase upon heating, in which several chemical processes interact, including dehydroxylation, arsenate to arsenite reduction, and oxidative exsolution of a significant part of iron (ca. 15%) found at the surface as hematite and amorphous Fe-rich surficial layer. It leaves a strongly disordered composite structure between several Fe3+-based subunits, in which ∼80% of them is ordered in a complex supercell. Because of the high degree of disorder, the crystal chemistry of the individual subunits and their plausible imbrication were considered to unravel the most plausible ideal 3D model.

Crystal Structures at Atomic Resolution of the Perovskite-Related GdBaMnFeO5 and Its Oxidized GdBaMnFeO6.

Perovskite-related GdBaMnFeO5 and the corresponding oxidized phase GdBaMnFeO6, with long-range layered-type ordering of the Ba and Gd atoms have been synthesized. Oxidation retains the cation ordering but drives a modulation of the crystal structure associated with the incorporation of the oxygen atoms between the Gd layers. Oxidation of GdBaMnFeO5 increases the oxidation state of Mn from 2+ to 4+, while the oxidation state of Fe remains 3+. Determination of the crystal structure of both GdBaMnFeO5 and GdBaMnFeO6 is carried out at atomic resolution by means of a combination of advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques. Crystal structure refinements from synchrotron X-ray diffraction data support the structural models proposed from the TEM data. The oxidation states of the Mn and Fe atoms are evaluated by means of EELS and Mössbauer spectroscopy, which also reveals the different magnetic behavior of these oxides.

The incommensurately modulated structures of the perovskites NaCeMnWO6 and NaPrMnWO6.

The structures of the doubly ordered perovskites NaCeMnWO(6) and NaPrMnWO(6), with rock salt ordering of the Mn(2+) and W(6+)B-site cations and layered ordering of the Na(+) and (Ce(3+)/Pr(3+)) A-site cations, have been studied by transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, neutron and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. Both compounds possess incommensurately modulated crystal structures. In NaCeMnWO(6) the modulation vector (with reference to the ideal ABX(3) perovskite subcell) is q ≈ 0.067a* (∼58.7 Å) and in NaPrMnWO(6)q ≈ 0.046a* (∼85.3 Å). In both compounds the superstructures are primarily the two-dimensional chessboard type, although some crystals of NaCeMnWO(6) were found with one-dimensional stripes. In some crystals of NaPrMnWO(6) there is a coexistence of chessboards and stripes. Modeling of neutron diffraction data shows that octahedral tilting plays an important role in the structural modulation.

Reduction of Grain Boundary Resistance of La0.5Li0.5TiO3 by the Addition of Organic Polymers.

The organic solvents that are widely used as electrolytes in lithium ion batteries present safety challenges due to their volatile and flammable nature. The replacement of liquid organic electrolytes by non-volatile and intrinsically safe ceramic solid electrolytes is an effective approach to address the safety issue. However, the high total resistance (bulk and grain boundary) of such compounds, especially at low temperatures, makes those solid electrolyte systems unpractical for many applications where high power and low temperature performance are required. The addition of small quantities of a polymer is an efficient and low cost approach to reduce the grain boundary resistance of inorganic solid electrolytes. Therefore, in this work, we study the ionic conductivity of different composites based on non-sintered lithium lanthanum titanium oxide (La0.5Li0.5TiO3) as inorganic ceramic material and organic polymers with different characteristics, added in low percentage (<15 wt.%). The proposed cheap composite solid electrolytes double the ionic conductivity of the less cost-effective sintered La0.5Li0.5TiO3.

Octahedral tilt twinning and compositional modulation in NaLaMgWO(6).

A combination of selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) reveals a complex superstructure in the ordered perovskite NaLaMgWO(6). Through indexing of SAED patterns the unit-cell dimensions are found to be 46.8 x 7.8 x 7.9 A, which corresponds to a 12a(p) x 2a(p) x 2a(p) superstructure of the simple Pm3m perovskite unit cell. HRTEM images reveal the formation of an unmistakable stripe contrast that repeats with the same periodicity. Doubling of the b and c axes is brought about by a combination of layered ordering of Na and La, rock-salt ordering of Mg and W, and octahedral tilting. The a axis repeat distance results from a one-dimensional twinning of the octahedral tilts in combination with a compositional modulation. Modeling of the NPD pattern shows that the underlying tilt system is a(-)a(-)c(0) with tilt angles of approximately 8 degrees about the a and b axes. The octahedral tilt-twin boundaries run perpendicular to the a axis and are separated by 6a(p). Simulated HRTEM images show that octahedral tilt twinning alone cannot explain the stripes seen in the HRTEM images, rather a compositional modulation involving the A-site cations is necessary to explain the experimental images.

Transmission electron microscopy studies of NaLaMgWO6: spontaneous formation of compositionally modulated stripes.

Transmission electron microscopy studies of the perovskite NaLaMgWO 6 reveal the formation of a complex, compositionally modulated structure. Annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images and scanning transmission electron microscopy-electron energy-loss spectroscopy scans show that this modulation involves a repeating pattern of La-rich and La-poor stripes, each stripe 6 a p or approximately 24 A wide (where a p is the edge length of the simple cubic perovskite unit cell). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images clearly show, and electron diffraction patterns confirm, a periodicity of 12 a p along either the [100] p or [010] p direction. Available evidence suggests a spontaneous separation into stripes that possess the nominal stoichiometry, NaLaMgWO 6, alternating with Na-poor/La-rich stripes that have a stoichiometry of (La x Na 1-3 x )LaMgWO 6. X-ray powder diffraction measurements are insensitive to this intricate structural complexity, which may be a more widespread feature of (A (+)Ln (3+))MM'O 6 perovskites than previously appreciated.

Oxygen vacancy ordering in SrFe0.25Co0.75O2.63 perovskite material.

SrFe0.25Co0.75O2.63 was synthesized by a solid-state reaction. Its structural study at room temperature using conventional X-ray as well as neutron powder diffraction, electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy is presented. An oxygen-vacancy ordering related to the "314" model known for the Sr3Y1Co4O10.5 oxide is proposed despite neither an A-site ordering nor an A-site mismatch. By means of Mössbauer spectroscopy, Mohr salt titration and the difference in the neutron cross sections of Fe and Co, a cation distribution within the crystallographic sites as the following Sr4(Fe0.143+Co0.363+)48h(Fe0.114+Co0.144+Co0.253+)48fO10.52 is suggested, highlighting a natural layered structure with Fe and Co in higher oxidation states in the oxygen replete layers than in the oxygen deficient ones.

Defect Chemistry, Electrical Properties, and Evaluation of New Oxides Sr2 CoNb1-x Tix O6-δ (0≤x≤1) as Cathode Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

The perovskite series Sr2 CoNb1-x Tix O6-δ (0≤x≤1) was investigated in the full compositional range to assess its potential as cathode material for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The variation of transport properties and thus, the area specific resistances (ASR) are explained by a detailed investigation of the defect chemistry. Increasing the titanium content from x=0-1 produces both oxidation of Co3+ to Co4+ (from 0 up to 40 %) and oxygen vacancies (from 6.0 to 5.7 oxygen atom/formula unit), although each charge compensation mechanism predominates in different compositional ranges. Neutron diffraction reveals that samples with high Ti-contents lose a significant amount of oxygen upon heating above 600 K. Oxygen is partially recovered upon cooling as the oxygen release and uptake show noticeably different kinetics. The complex defect chemistry of these compounds, together with the compositional changes upon heating/cooling cycles and atmospheres, produce a complicated behavior of electrical conductivity. Cathodes containing Sr2 CoTiO6-δ display low ASR values, 0,13â€…Ω cm2 at 973 K, comparable to those of the best compounds reported so far, being a very promising cathode material for SOFC.

Ordering effects in the crystal structure and electrochemical properties of the Gd0.5Ba0.5Mn0.5Fe0.5O3-δ perovskite.

Layered-type ordering and oxygen vacancies ordering are revealed in GdBaMnFeO(6-δ) perovskite. Selected area electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy results indicate a modulation of the crystal structure. Ba and Gd ordering in (001)(p) layers is confirmed by high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. These techniques also revealed formation of layer-stacking defects in the crystals. Direct imaging of the oxygen sublattice is obtained by phase image reconstruction. Location of the oxygen vacancies in the (GdO)(x) layers is achieved by analysis of the intensity of the averaged phase image. Physical properties of the GdBaMnFeO(6-δ) perovskite, are likely to be strongly affected by its ordering effects and crystal microstructure. In this sense, layered-type GdBaMnFeO(6-δ) perovskite show better electrochemical properties as cathodes in SOFCs than ion disordered Gd(0.5)Ba(0.5)Mn(0.5)Fe(0.5)O(3-δ) perovskite.

Strontium superstoichiometry and defect structure of SrCeO3 perovskite.

Strontium cerate (SrCeO(3)) is the parent phase of a family of prototype proton-conducting perovskites with important potential applications as electrolytes in protonic ceramic fuel cells, hydrogen-separation membranes, and sensors for hydrogen and humidity. Apparent nonstoichiometric behavior and the microstructure of SrCeO(3) have been investigated. Phase analysis by X-ray diffraction indicates that single-phase material in the system Sr(1+x)CeO(3+)delta is obtained for compositions x = 0.02-0.03 and that nominally stoichiometric SrCeO(3) (x = 0) synthesized by either solid-state reaction or the citrate method is Sr-rich. Selected area electron diffraction confirms that the system crystallizes with the GdFeO(3)-type orthorhombic perovskite structure (space group Pnma). Structural defects characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy include twin domain boundaries and SrO-rich, Ruddlesden-Popper-type planar defects. Magnetic susceptibility measurements down to 2 K indicate that the Ce(3+) content is minor ( approximately 0.01 mol per formula unit for slow-cooled material) and does not influence the observed nonstoichiometry.

Beyond the structure-property relationship paradigm: influence of the crystal structure and microstructure on the Li+ conductivity of La2/3Li(x)Ti(1-x)Al(x)O3 Oxides.

The crystal structures of several oxides of the La(2/3)Li(x)Ti(1-x)Al(x)O(3) system have been studied by selected-area electron diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and powder neutron diffraction, and their lithium conductivity has been by complex impedance spectroscopy. The compounds have a perovskite-related structure with a unit cell radical2 a(p)x2 a(p)x radical2 a(p) (a(p)=perovskite lattice parameter) due to the tilting of the (Ti/Al)O(6) octahedra and the ordering of lanthanum and lithium ions and vacancies along the 2 a(p) axis. The Li(+) ions present a distorted square-planar coordination and are located in interstitial positions of the structure, which could explain the very high ionic conductivity of this type of material. The lithium conductivity depends on the oxide composition and its crystal microstructure, which varies with the thermal treatment of the sample. The microstructure of these titanates is complex due to formation of domains of ordering and other defects such as strains and compositional fluctuations.