Microstructure and properties of Ga-modified 0.7BiFeO3-0.3BaTiO3 solid solution

Binary solid solutions 0.7Bi (GaxFe1-x)O3-0.3BaTiO3 (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1) ceramics were prepared by traditional ceramic process. All the ceramic samples showed single perovskite phase except the sam- ple with x = 0.1. The effects of gallium doping on microstructure, ferromagnetic, ferroelectric, dielectric properties and conductivity were investigated. The results indicated that Ga-dopant could improve the sintering ability of the solid solution when the Ga content x was below 0.05. When x was over 0.05, the sintering ability of the solid solution was weakened, and the phase structure of 0.7BiFeO3-0.3BaTiO3 solid solution changed from rhombohedral phase into tetragonal ferroelectric phase. The electrical resistivity increased with the Ga content increasing. Both ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism were observed in all the ceramic samples. With the Ga content increasing, the remanent magnetization Mr increased and the magnetic coercive field Hc decreased. However, the remanent polarization Pr fluctu- ated, increasing firstly and decreasing later.     

Synthesis of highly ordered SnO2／Fe2O3 composite nanowire arrays by electrophoretic deposition method

Highly ordered SnO2/Fe2O3 composite nanowire arrays have been synthesized by electrophoretic deposition method. The morphology and chemical composition of SnO2/Fe2O3 composite nanowire arrays are characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS, and XRD. The results show that the SnO2/Fe2O3 composite nanowires are about 180 nm in width and tens of microns in length, and they are composed of small nanoparticles of tetraganal SnO2 and rhombohedral α-Fe203 with diameters of 10-15nm. The SnO2/Fe2O3 composite nanowires are formed by a series of chemical reactions.     

Thermal expansion in lead zirconate titanate

The volume anomalies with temperature variations in tin-modified lead zirconate titanate ceramics are investigated. Experimental results show that the volume changes are related to the phase transitions induced with temperature. The magnitude and orientation of crystal volume changes are dependent on the particular phase transition. When antiferroelectrics is transformed to ferroelectrics or paraelectrics the volume expands. Oppositely when ferroelectrics is transformed to antiferroelectrics or paraelectrics the volume contracts. In the transition of antiferroelectric orthorhombic structure to tetragonal structure or ferroelectric low-temperature rhombohedral structure to high-temperature rhombohedral structure, there are also revealed apparent anomalies in the curves of thermal expansion. Among them, the volume strain caused by the transition between antiferroelectrics and ferroelectrics is the biggest in magnitude, and the linear expansion dL/L₀ and the expansion coefficient (dL/L ₀)/dT can reach 2.8 × 10⁻³ and 7.5 × 10⁻⁴ K⁻¹ respectively.     

Electrodeposition and characterization of thermoelectric Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films

Bi₂Se₃ thin films were electrochemically deposited on Ti and indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates, respectively, at room temperature, using Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O and SeO₂ as starting materials in diluted HNO₃ solution. A conventional three-electrode cell was used with a platinum sheet as a counter electrode, and a saturated calomel electrode was used as a reference electrode. The films were annealed in argon atmosphere. The influence of cold isostatic pressing before annealing on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the films was investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the film grown on the indium tin oxide-coated glass substrate is pure rhombohedral Bi₂Se₃, and the film grown on the Ti substrate consists of both rhombohedral and orthorhombic Bi₂Se₃.     

Preparation and upconversion luminescence of YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Er<Subscript>3+</Subscript>, Yb<Subscript>3+</Subscript>

YVO₄:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ with varying Yb³⁺ concentrations were prepared by a precipitation method. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) show that all the samples have a tetragonal zircon structure; the calculated average crystallite sizes are in the range of 14–22 nm. The lattice constants and cell volume of the samples decrease slightly with the increase in Yb³⁺ concentration. The upconversion luminescence spectra of all the samples were studied under 980 nm laser excitation. The strong green emission is observed, which is attributed to the ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, and the red emission peaks in 650–675 nm can be ignored. The emission intensity for the sample depends on the Yb³⁺ concentration. These results reveal that the upconversion processes of YVO₄:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ are related to the structure and the doping Yb³⁺ concentration of the sample.     

Research on effects of hydrostatic pressure on the dielectric property of Pb(Zn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3−</Subscript>BaTiO<Subscript>3−</Subscript> PbTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> relaxor ferroelectric ceramics

The dielectric properties of Pb(Zn1_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃₋ BaTiO₃₋PbTiO₃ relaxor ferroelectric ceramics near the rhombohedral and tetragonal phase boundary were investigated under hydrostatic pressure. It was found that hydrostatic pressure made their phase transition temperature T _c and the peak temperature T _m decreased, and the frequency dispersion and relaxor behavior enhanced. In these disorder systems of composite pervoskite structures, there appeared polar clusters or nanodomains. The unique physical characteristics, which made the relaxor behavior enhanced, is that the correlation length among these nanodomains decreases greatly with the pressure increasing.     

Effect of the synthesis route on the structural and dielectric properties of SrBi<Subscript>1.8</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> ceramics

This work is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of yttrium-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ ceramics prepared by three methods: solid state reaction, co-precipitation, and hydrothermal. Multiple characterizations, specifically scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), were used to validate the structural feature. The crystallite size was estimated by Scherrer’s formula and the Williamson–Hall plot. The effect of the process on the band intensities of the FTIR spectra was investigated. The crystallite size and microstructure of ceramics prepared from different synthesis processes were strongly influenced by the sinterability. SEM images revealed nanograin ceramics for materials prepared by co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods and micrograin ceramics prepared by the solid state method. The synthesized compounds underwent phase transitions at 480–465°C. The dielectric and electrical properties of these Y-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ ceramics appear to be dependent on the grain size.     

Microwave sintering of Ca<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>La<Subscript>0.2667</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> microwave dielectric ceramics

Ca_0.6La_0.2667TiO₃ ceramics were prepared by conventional and microwave sintering techniques and their sinterability, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties were investigated in detail for comparison. Densified Ca_0.6La_0.2667TiO₃ ceramics were obtained by microwave sintering at 1350°C for 30 min and by conventional sintering at 1450°C for 4 h. An unusual phenomenon was found that some larger grains (grain size range: 8–10 μm) inclined to assemble in one area but some smaller ones (grain size range: 2–4 μm) inclined to gather in another area in the microwave sintered ceramics. The microwave dielectric properties of Ca_0.6La_0.2667TiO₃ ceramics prepared by microwave sintering at 1350°C were as follows: dielectric constant (ɛ _r) = 119.6, quality factor (Qf) = 17858.5 GHz, and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ _f) = 155.5 ppm/°C. In contrast, the microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics prepared by conventional sintering at 1450°C were ɛ _r = 117.4, Qf = 13375 GHz, and τ _f = 217.2 ppm/°C.     

Preparation and luminescence characteristics of Sr3SiO5：Eu^2＋ phosphor for white LED

The Sr3SiO5：Eu^2＋ phosphor was synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction. The emission spectrum of Sr3SiO5：Eu^2＋ shows two bands centered at 487 and 575 nm, which well agree with the theoretic values of emission spectrum. The excitation spectrum for 575 nm emission center has several excitation bands at 365, 418, 458 and 473 nm. And the results show that the emission spectrum of Sr3SiO5：Eu^2＋ is influenced by the Eu^2＋ concentration. The relative emission spectra of the white-emitting InGaN-based YAG：Ce^3＋ LED and Sr3SiO5：Eu^2＋ LED were investigated. The results show that the color development of InGaN-based Sr3SiO5：Eu^2＋ is better than that of InGaN-based YAG：Ce^3＋, and the CIE chromaticity of InGaN-based Sr3SiO5：Eu^2＋ is （x=0.348, y=0.326）.     

超重力反应沉淀法制备的纳米钛酸钡粉体的烧结与介电性能研究

将超重力法制备的纳米钛酸钡粉体在不同温度(700～900℃ )下煅烧,以提高粉体的结晶度,粉体的粒径从40nm增大到80nm。煅烧后的粉体经过干压成型后,在1100℃下保温2h烧结得到的钛酸钡最高室温介电常数为2880,相对密度为90%,晶粒尺寸达到0.70 μm左右。讨论了煅烧温度对粉体的烧结性能、陶瓷的介电性能及微观结构的影响。     

Effect of SiO2 addition on the dielectric properties and microstructure of BaTiO3-based ceramics in reducing sintering

The effect of SiO₂ doping on the sintering behavior, microstructure, and dielectric properties of BaTiO₃-based ceramics has been investigated. Silica was added to the BaTiO₃-based powder prepared by the solid state method with 0.075mol%, 0.15mol%, and 0.3mol%, respectively. The SiO₂-doped BaTiO₃-based ceramic with high density and uniform grain size were obtained, which were sintered in reducing atmosphere. A scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and LCR meter were used to determine the microstructure as well as the dielectric properties. SiO₂ can form a liquid phase belonging to the ternary system of BaO-TiO₂-SiO₂, leading to the formation of BaTiO₃ ceramics with high density at a lower sintering temperature. The SiO₂-doped BaTiO₃-based ceramics can be sintered to a theoretical density higher than 95% at 1220℃ with a soaking time of 2 h. The dielectric constants of the sample with 0.15mol% SiO₂ addition sintered at 1220℃ is about 9000. Doping with a small amount of silica can improve the sintering and dielectric properties of BaTiO₃-based ceramics.     

Phase transformation and crystal growth behavior of 8mol% (SmO<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>, GdO<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>, and YO<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>) stabilized ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders

Nanocrystalline powders of ZrO₂-8mol%SmO_1.5(8SmSZ), ZrO₂-8mol%GdO_1.5 (8GdSZ), and ZrO₂-8mol%YO_1.5(8YSZ) were prepared by a simple reverse-coprecipitation technique. Differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to study the phase transformation and crystal growth behavior. The DTA results showed that the ZrO₂ freeze-dried precipitates crystallized at 529, 465, and 467℃ in the case of 8SmSZ, 8GdSZ, and 8YSZ, respectively. The XRD and Raman results confirmed the presence of tetragonal ZrO₂ when the dried precipitates were calcined in the temperature range from 600 to 1000℃ for 2 h. The crystallite size increased with increasing calcination temperature. The activation energies were calculated as 12.39, 12.45, and 16.59 kJ/mol for 8SmSZ, 8GdSZ, and 8YSZ respectively.     

Effect of Pd doping on the acetone-sensing properties of NdFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The acetone-sensing properties of the undoped and Pd doped perovskite-type oxides NdFeO₃ were investigated from room temperature to 400°C. The perovskite-type NdFeO₃ was synthesized by a sol-gel method, and the dopants Pd with the content from 1wt% to 5wt% were implanted into NdFeO₃ nanoparticles by thermal diffusion. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques show that NdFeO₃ is an orthorhombic structure with the average particle size of about 40 nm. A giant acetone-sensing response of 675.7 is observed when the Pd content in NdFeO₃ powders is about 3wt%. The response and recovery time of the sensor to the 5×10⁻⁴ acetone gas are 16 and 1 s, respectively. At the same time, it performs a good selectivity to acetone gas and may be a new promising material candidate for the acetone-sensor development.     

Theoretical investigations of ESR and optical spectra of crystalline KHSO4：Mn^2＋

Calculations of d-d transitions and the axial zero-field splitting parameter D in crystalline KHSO4:Mn2+ have been undertaken, with consideration of the ninth O2– ligand. Energy level values calculated in a tetragonal field are in good agreement with experimentally observed values. Occasionally degenerate energy levels of 4A1(4Eg(G)) and 4A1(4A1g(G)) were found in the tetragonal crystal field. The calculated value of D is in good agreement with experimental value for KHSO4:Mn2+.     

Synthesis and modification of well-ordered layered cathode oxide LiNi<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Oxalic-acid-based co-precipitation method was employed to prepare LiNi_2/3Mn_1/3O₂ sample with a high-ordered structure. Li⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ acetates were used as starting materials. The influence of the amount of lithium source in the starting materials on Li⁺ content, disorder of Li⁺-Ni²⁺ ions, and electrochemical performance has been investigated. Rietveld refinement shows that the sample prepared with 20% excess Li-source in the starting materials exhibits a perfect ordered structure. A specific discharge capacity is as high as 172 mAh/g at C/20 in the voltage range of 4.35–2.7 V. However, the cyclability is not satisfactory: about 25.3% fade in capacity was observed over 50 cycles. Chemically stable SiO2 was coated on the surface of LiNi_2/3Mn_1/3O₂ particles. A significant improvement in cyclability was attained with 3 wt% SiO2 coating, which is ascribable to the protection of LiNi_2/3Mn_1/3O₂ particles from being dissolved into the electrolyte.     

Preparation and characterization of porous ceramics prepared by kaolinite gangue and Al(OH)<Subscript>3</Subscript> with double addition of MgCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Porous ceramics were prepared from kaolinite gangue and Al(OH)₃ with double addition of MgCO₃ and CaCO₃ by the pore-forming in-situ technique. The characterizations of porous ceramics were investigated by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and mercury porosimetry measurements, etc. It is found that although the decomposition of MgCO₃ and CaCO₃ has little contribution to the porosity, the double addition of MgCO₃ and CaCO₃ strongly affects the formation of liquid phase, and then changes the phase compositions, pore characterization, and strength. The appropriate mode is the sample containing 1.17wt% MgCO₃ and 1.17wt% CaCO₃, which has high apparent porosity (41.0%), high crushing strength (53.5 MPa), high mullite content (76wt%), and small average pore size (3.24 μm).     

Effect of SrCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> addition on the dynamic compressive strength of ZTA

Ceramic parts usually experience dynamic load in armor applications. Therefore, studying the dynamic behaviors of ceramics is important. Limited data are available on the dynamic behaviors of ceramics; thus, it is helpful to predict the dynamic strength of ceramics on the basis of their mechanical properties. In this paper, the addition of SrCO₃ into zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) was demonstrated to improve the fracture toughness of ZTA due to the formation of the SrAl₁₂O₁₉ (SA6) phase. The porosity of ZTA was found to be increased by the addition of SrCO₃. These newly formed pores served as the nucleation sites of cracks under dynamic load; these cracks eventually coalesced to form damaged zones in the samples. Although the K IC values of the samples were improved, the dynamic strength was not enhanced because of the increase in porosity; in fact, the dynamic strength of ZTA ceramics decreased with the addition of SrCO₃.     

Investigation of the cross-reaction mechanism of C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>F-HNO<Subscript>2</Subscript> aqueous solution irradiated at 355 nm by transient absorbance spectrum technique

The transient absorption spectrum technique was employed to investigate the cross-reaction mechanism of C6H5F-HNO2 aqueous solution irradiated at 355 nm. The characteristic and the kinetic parameters of transient species were also detected. Hydroxyl radical derived from the photolysis of HNO2 was added to monofluorobenzene with a second-order rate constant of （5.83±0.17）×10^9 L·mol^-1·s^-1 to form an adduct, C6H5F…OH, which was able to react with HNO2 as the main reaction pathway with a rate constant of （8.3±0.1）×10^7 L·mol^-1·s^-1. The C6F6…OH adduct can also be decayed by elimination of H2O to yield monofluorophenyl radical C6H4F-. By GC-MS technique, the final products were identified to be monofluorophenol, nitro-monofluorobenzene, nitro-monofluorophenol and para-fluorobiphenyl.     

Influence of sintering temperature on the structure and piezoelectric properties of ZnO-modified (Li, Na, K)NbO3 lead-free ceramics

ZnO-modified (Li, Na, K)NbO₃ lead-free ceramics with a nominal composition of Li_0.06(Na_0.535K_0.48)_0.94NbO₃+0.7mol% ZnO (LNKN-Z₇) was synthesized normally at 930?C1000°C. The Zn ions incorporated into the A-site at a higher sintering temperature, which changed LNKN-Z₇ to soft piezoelectric ceramics with the mechanical quality factor decreasing from 228 to 192. A phase transition from tetragonal to orthorhombic symmetry was identified by XRD analysis, and the corresponding calculation of lattice parameters was conducted at 970?C980°C. Because of such transitional behavior and fine microstructure, the optimized values of piezoelectric coefficient, planar electromechanical coupling coefficient, and relative dielectric constant were obtained.     

Relaxor behavior of (1-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 ceramics

n the present work, the phase transitions and relaxor behavior of (1−x)Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-xPbTiO₃ (PMN-PT, x = 0.2―0.4) ferroelectric ceramics have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, di-electric spectroscopy, the P-E hysteresis loop measurements and Raman scattering techniques. Structural analysis revealed that with the increase of PbTiO₃ content, PMN-PT ceramics experienced a gradual phase transition process from rhombohedral to tetragonal. It is usually believed that such kinds of phase transitions resulted in the linear decrease of relaxation degree. Surprisingly, our analy-sis of the dielectric spectra revealed that the indicator of the degree of diffuseness γ reached the maximum value near morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) (x = 0.32), then decreased with the further increase of PbTiO₃ content. The large dielectric relaxor feature near MPB may be attributed to the for-mation of ordered nanodomains, resulting from complex coexisting nanostructures. Further, the P-E hysteresis loop measurements and Raman analysis of the B-site cation order correlated well with the dielectric measurement results. It was found that the hysteresis loop squareness R_sq received the minimum value while the inverse of the value of full wide of half maximum (FWHM) of A_1g mode reached the maximum value at MPB composition, which showed similar trends to γ.