Abstract: The complex oxide Ca7Mn2.14Ga5.86O17.93 was synthesized by the solid-state reaction in a sealed evacuated quartz tube at 1000 °C. Its crystal structure was determined by electron diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction. The structure can be represented as a tetrahedral framework, viz., the polyanion [(Mn0.285Ga0.715)15O29.86]19- stabilized by the incorporated cation [Ca14GaO6]19+. The polycation consists of the GaO6 octahedra surrounded by the Ca atoms, which are arranged to form a cube capped at all places. The tetrahedral framework is partially disordered due to the presence of tetrahedra with two possible orientations in the positions (0, 0, 0) and (x, x, x) with x ≈ 0.15 and 0.17. The relationship between the Ca7Mn2.14Ga5.86O17.93 structures and related ordered phases with the symmetry F23, as well as the influence of the oxygen content on the ordering in the tetrahedral framework, are discussed.

Abstract: Co-containing fluoride-phosphates are of interest in sense of delivering high electrode potentials and attractive specific energy values as positive electrode materials for rechargeable batteries. In this paper we report on a new Co-based fluoride-phosphate, LiNaCoPO4F, with a layered structure (2D), which was Rietveld-refined based on X-ray powder diffraction data [P2(1)/c, a = 6.83881(4) angstrom, b = 11.23323(5) angstrom, c = 5.07654(2) angstrom, beta = 90.3517(5) degrees, V = 389.982(3) angstrom(3)] and validated by electron diffraction and high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. The differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that 2D-LiNaCoPO4F forms in a narrow temperature range of 520-530 degrees C and irreversibly converts to the known 3D-LiNaCoPO4F modification (Pnma) above 530 degrees C. The non-carbon-coated 2D-LiNaCoPO4F shows reversible electrochemical activity in Li-ion cell in the potential range of 3.0-4.9 V vs. Li/Li+ with an average potential of approximate to 4.5 V and in Na-ion cell in the range of 3.0-4.5 V vs. Na/Na+ exhibiting a plateau profile centered around 4.2 V, in agreement with the calculated potentials by density functional theory. The energy barriers for both Li+ and Na+ migration in 2D-LiNaCoPO4F amount to 0.15 eV along the [001] direction rendering 2D-LiNaCoPO4F as a viable electrode material for high-power Li- and Na-ion rechargeable batteries. The discovery and stabilization of the 2D-LiNaCoPO4F polymorph indicates that temperature influence on the synthesis of A(2)MPO(4)F fluoride-phosphates needs more careful examination with perspective to unveil new structures.

Abstract: Sodium-ion batteries are attracting great attention due to their low cost and abundance of sodium. The O3-type NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 layered oxide material is a promising candidate for positive electrodes (cathodes) in Na-ion batteries. However, its stable electrochemical performance is restricted by the upper voltage limit of 4.0 V (vs Na/Na+), which allows for reversibly removing 0.5-0.55 Na+ per formula unit, corresponding to the capacity of 120-130 mAh.g(-1). Further reduction of sodium content inevitably accelerates capacity degradation, and this issue calls for a detailed study of the redox reactions that accompany the electrochemical (de)intercalation of a large amount of sodium. Here, we present operando and ex situ studies using powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy. Our approach reveals the sequence of the redox transitions that occur during the charge and discharge of O3-NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2. Our data show that in addition to nickel and iron cations oxidizing to M+4, a part of iron transforms into the “3 + delta” state owing to the fast electron exchange Fe3+ + Fe4+ <-> Fe4+ + Fe3+. This process freezes upon cooling the material to 35 K, producing Fe4+ cations, some of which occupy tetrahedral positions.

Abstract: The electrochemical properties and phase transformations during (de)insertion of Li+ in LiFePO4, LiFe0.9Mn0.1PO4 and LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4 are studied by means of galvanostatic cycling, potential intermittent titration technique (PITT) and in situ X-ray powder diffraction. Different modes of switching between the solid solution and two-phase regimes are revealed which are influenced by the Mn content in Li1-xFe1-yMnyPO4. Additionally, an increase in electrochemical capacity with the Mn content is observed at high rates of galvanostatic cycling (10C, 20C), which is in good agreement with the numerically estimated contribution of the solid solution mechanism determined from PITT data. The observed asymmetric behavior of the phase transformations in Li1-xFe0.5Mn0.5PO4 during charge and discharge is discussed. For the first time, the crystal structures of electrochemically deintercalated Li1-xFe0.5Mn0.5PO4 with different Li content – LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4, Li0.5Fe0.5Mn0.5PO4 and Li0.1Fe0.5Mn0.5PO4 – are refined, including the occupancy factors of the Li position. This refinement is done using electron diffraction tomography data. The crystallographic analyses of Li1-xFe0.5Mn0.5PO4 reveal that at x = 0.5 and 0.9 the structure retains the Pnma symmetry and the main motif of the pristine x = 0 structure without noticeable short range order effects.

Abstract: Pr2−xCexCuO4 (x = 0.05; 0.1; 0.15) samples were synthesized and systematically characterized towards application as a cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). High-temperature electrical conductivity, thermal expansion, and electrocatalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were examined. The electrical conductivity of Pr2−xCexCuO4 oxides demonstrates semiconducting behavior up to 900 °C. Small Ce-doping (2.5 at%) allows an increase in electrical conductivity from 100 to 130 S cm−1 in air at 500–800 °C. DFT calculations revealed that the density of states directly below the Fermi level, comprised mainly of Cu 3d and O 2p states, is significantly affected by atoms in rare earth positions, which might give an indication of a correlation between calculated electronic structures and measured conducting properties. Ce-doping in Pr2−xCexCuO4 slightly increases TEC from 11.9 × 10−6 K−1 for x = 0 to 14.2 × 10−6 K−1 for x = 0.15. Substitution of 2.5% of Pr atoms in Pr2CuO4 by Ce is effective to enhance the electrochemical performance of the material as a SOFC cathode in the ORR (ASR of Pr1.95Ce0.05CuO4 electrode applied on Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 electrolyte is 0.39 Ω cm2 at 750 °C in air). The peak power density achieved for the electrolyte-supported fuel cell with the Pr1.95Ce0.05CuO4 cathode is 150 mW cm−2 at 800 °C

Abstract: The perfect as well as the defect structure of several members of the superconducting family HgBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+delta have been studied in detail by electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy Identification of the cation configuration is possible, even in the defect regions, with the help of computer simulations. The fine structure of several defects is analyzed in detail, the most common defect being the intergrowth of slabs corresponding to different n values in the title formula. In general, however, the crystals are of a high perfection, particularly for the lower n members. The occurrence of double (HgO)delta layers is seen occasionally, indicating the possible existence of a material with a double mercury layer. Some of these defects are possibly related to recently discovered anomalies at 250 K in these compounds.

Abstract: The crystal structure of a novel compound Pb13Mn9O25 has been determined through a direct space structure solution with a Monte-Carlo-based global optimization using precession electron diffraction data (a=14.177(3) Å, c=3.9320(7) Å, SG P4/m, RF=0.239) and compositional information obtained from energy dispersive X-ray analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy. This allowed to obtain a reliable structural model even despite the simultaneous presence of both heavy (Pb) and light (O) scattering elements and to validate the accuracy of the electron diffraction-based structure refinement. This provides an important benchmark for further studies of complex structural problems with electron diffraction techniques. Pb13Mn9O25 has an anion- and cation-deficient perovskite-based structure with the A-positions filled by the Pb atoms and 9/13 of the B positions filled by the Mn atoms in an ordered manner. MnO6 octahedra and MnO5 tetragonal pyramids form a network by sharing common corners. Tunnels are formed in the network due to an ordered arrangement of vacancies at the B-sublattice. These tunnels provide sufficient space for localization of the lone 6s2 electron pairs of the Pb2+ cations, suggested as the driving force for the structural difference between Pb13Mn9O25 and the manganites of alkali-earth elements with similar compositions.

Abstract: Superconducting Cu mixed oxyfluoride, Sr,Cu(O, F)(4+delta), was Obtained via fluorination of Sr2CuO3 by XeF2 in the 100-250 degrees C temperature range in a closed Ni container. The prepared samples exhibited a lower T-c in comparison with earlier reported values. Different samples in the Sr-Cu-O-F system were prepared by a solid-state reaction at 220-400 degrees C, but no formation of the oxyfluoride was detected even with an addition of xenon difluoride. These data allow one to draw conclusions on the metastability of the oxyfluoride under the conditions used, Electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction studies revealed large amounts of badly crystallized SrF2; this could be a reason for the small superconducting volume fraction as well as for the inhomogeneous distribution of the anions.

Abstract: Oxygen-deficient complex cobalt oxides BaCo1 − xYxO3 − y, = 0.15, 0.25 and 0.33, with a cubic perovskite structure have been synthesized in air at 1100 °C using a citrate route. Cation composition of the compounds was confirmed by energy-dispersed X-ray (EDX) microanalysis while oxygen content was determined by iodometric titration. An electron diffraction (ED) study of the x = 0.25 and 0.33 compositions show the presence of a diffuse intensity, indicating possible short-range ordering of the B cations. It was found that the treatment of BaCo0.75Y0.25O2.55 in a humid atmosphere leads to the absorption of water vapour at the first stage. Oxygen permeation studies of the ceramic membranes of BaCo0.75Y0.25O2.55 and BaCo0.67Y0.33O2.55 with variable thickness showed high oxygen fluxes of 0.170.32 µmol/cm2/s at 950 °C.