Crystal Structure and Electrical Properties of Ruthenium-Substituted Calcium Copper Titanate.

This paper reports a detailed study of crystal structure and dielectric properties of ruthenium-substituted calcium-copper titanates (CaCu3Ti4-xRuxO12, CCTRO). A series of three samples with different stoichiometry was prepared: CaCu3Ti4-xRuxO12, x = 0, 1 and 4, abbreviated as CCTO, CCT3RO and CCRO, respectively. A detailed structural analysis of CCTRO samples was done by the Rietveld refinement of XRPD data. The results show that, regardless of whether Ti4+ or Ru4+ ions are placed in B crystallographic position in AA'3B4O12 (CaCu3Ti4-xRuxO12) unit cell, the crystal structure remains cubic with Im3¯ symmetry. Slight increases in the unit cell parameters, cell volume and interatomic distances indicate that Ru4+ ions with larger ionic radii (0.62 Å) than Ti4+ (0.605 Å) are incorporated in the CaCu3Ti4-xRuxO12 crystal lattice. The structural investigations were confirmed using TEM, HRTEM and ADF/STEM analyses, including EDXS elemental mapping. The effect of Ru atoms share in CaCu3Ti4-xRuxO12 samples on their electrical properties was determined by impedance and dielectric measurements. Results of dielectric measurements indicate that one atom of ruthenium per CaCu3Ti4-xRuxO12 unit cell transforms dielectric CCTO into conductive CCT3RO while preserving cubic crystal structure. Our findings about CCTO and CCT3RO ceramics promote them as ideal tandem to overcome the problem of stress on dielectric-electrode interfaces in capacitors.

Large scale combustion synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes and their characterization.

Since its invention in 1991, premixed combustion synthesis of fullerenic materials has been established as the major industrial process for manufacturing of these materials. Large-scale production of fullerenes such as C60, C70 and C84 has been implemented. More recently, combustion technology has been extended to the targeted synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). Addition of catalyst precursor and operation at well-controlled fuel-rich but non-sooting conditions are required. Extensive parametric studies have allowed for the optimization of the formation of high-quality SWCNT. Purification techniques previously reported in the literature have been adjusted and used successfully for the nearly complete removal of metal and metal oxide. Material has been characterized using Raman spectroscopy, scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Correlations between process conditions and nanotube properties such as length have been established. Product reproducibility and process scalability of the combustion process have been demonstrated. Sample preparation was found to affect significantly the apparent characteristics of nanotubes as seen in electron microscopy images.

Precipitate crystal structure determination in melt spun Mg-1.5wt%Ca-6wt%Zn alloy.

A melt-spun Mg-1.5%wtCa-6wt%Zn alloy was analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The as-solidified alloy exhibited both spherical matrix precipitates and elongated precipitates at the grain boundaries (grain-boundary films). After heat treatment, the alloy showed faceted precipitates (cuboidal shape), mostly on dislocations. It was found that the observed precipitates are the same compound, Ca2Mg6Zn3. As there was no crystallographic data for this compound in the literature, its crystal structure was investigated by comparison of experimental and simulated selected-area electron-diffraction patterns and high-resolution electron microscopy images. This study indicated that Ca2Mg6Zn3 is a trigonal compound with space group P 3 1c and lattice parameters a = 0.97 nm, c = 1.0 nm.