Abstract: Topological superconductivity is of great contemporary interest and has been proposed in doped Bi₂Se₃, in which electron-donating atoms such as Cu, Sr or Nb have been intercalated into the Bi₂Se₃structure. For Nb_{<italic>x</italic>}Bi₂Se₃, with<italic>T</italic>_c ~ 3 K, it is assumed in the literature that Nb is inserted in the van der Waals gap. However, in this work an alternative origin for the superconductivity in Nb-doped Bi₂Se₃is established. In contrast to previous reports, it is deduced that Nb intercalation in Bi₂Se₃does not take place. Instead, the superconducting behaviour in samples of nominal composition Nb_{<italic>x</italic>}Bi₂Se₃results from the (BiSe)_1.10NbSe₂misfit phase that is present in the sample as an impurity phase for small<italic>x</italic>(0.01 ≤ <italic>x</italic> ≤ 0.10) and as a main phase for large<italic>x</italic>(<italic>x</italic> = 0.50). The structure of this misfit phase is studied in detail using a combination of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques.

Abstract: The development of sensor materials of which gas sensitivity activates under light illumination is of great importance for the design of portable gas analyzers with low power consumption. In the present work a ZnO/CsPbBr3 nanocomposite based on nanocrystalline ZnO and colloidal cubic-shaped perovskite CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) capped by oleic acide and oleylamine was synthesized. The individual materials and obtained nanocomposite are characterized by x-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive Xray spectroscopy mapping and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The spectral dependence of the photoconductivity of the ZnO/CsPbBr3 nanocomposite reveals a well-defined peak that strongly correlates with the its optical absorption spectrum. The nanocomposite ZnO/CsPbBr3 shows enhanced photoresponse under visible light illumination (lambda(max) = 470 nm, 8 mW/cm(2)) in air, oxygen and argone, compared with pure nanocrystalline ZnO. Under periodic illumination in the temperature range of 25-100 degrees C, the ZnO/CsPbBr3 nanocomposite shows a sensor response to 0.5-3.0 ppm NO2, unlike pure nanocrystalline ZnO matrix, which demonstrates sensor sensitivity to NO2 under the same conditions above 100 degrees C. The effects of humidity on the sensor signal and photoresponse are also discussed.

Abstract: In contrast to perfectly periodic crystals, materials with short-range order produce diffraction patterns that contain both Bragg reflections and diffuse scattering. To understand the influence of short-range order on material properties, current research focuses increasingly on the analysis of diffuse scattering. This article verifies the possibility to refine the short-range order parameters in submicrometre-sized crystals from diffuse scattering in single-crystal electron diffraction data. The approach was demonstrated on Li_1.2Ni_0.13Mn_0.54Co_0.13O₂, which is a state-of-the-art cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. The intensity distribution of the 1D diffuse scattering in the electron diffraction patterns of Li_1.2Ni_0.13Mn_0.54Co_0.13O₂depends on the number of stacking faults and twins in the crystal. A model of the disorder in Li_1.2Ni_0.13Mn_0.54Co_0.13O₂was developed and both the stacking fault probability and the percentage of the different twins in the crystal were refined using an evolutionary algorithm in<italic>DISCUS</italic>. The approach was applied on reciprocal space sections reconstructed from 3D electron diffraction data since they exhibit less dynamical effects compared with in-zone electron diffraction patterns. A good agreement was achieved between the calculated and the experimental intensity distribution of the diffuse scattering. The short-range order parameters in submicrometre-sized crystals can thus successfully be refined from the diffuse scattering in single-crystal electron diffraction data using an evolutionary algorithm in<italic>DISCUS</italic>.

Abstract: Layered Li-rich oxides, demonstrating both cationic and anionic redox chemistry being used as positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries,have raised interest due to their high specific discharge capacities exceeding 250 mAh/g. However, irreversible structural transformations triggered by anionic redox chemistry result in pronounced voltagefade (i.e., lowering the specific energy by a gradual decay of discharge potential) upon extended galvanostatic cycling. Activating or suppressing oxygen anionic redox through structural stabilization induced by redox-inactivecation substitution is a well-known strategy. However, less emphasishas been put on the correlation between substitution degree and theactivation/suppression of the anionic redox. In this work, Ti4+-substituted Li2MnO3 was synthesizedvia a facile solution-gel method. Ti4+ is selected as adopant as it contains no partially filled d-orbitals. Our study revealedthat the layered “honeycomb-ordered” C2/m structure is preserved when increasing the Ticontent to x = 0.2 in the Li2Mn1-x Ti (x) O-3 solidsolution, as shown by electron diffraction and aberration-correctedscanning transmission electron microscopy. Galvanostatic cycling hintsat a delayed oxygen release, due to an improved reversibility of theanionic redox, during the first 10 charge-discharge cyclesfor the x = 0.2 composition compared to the parentmaterial (x = 0), followed by pronounced oxygen redoxactivity afterward. The latter originates from a low activation energybarrier toward O-O dimer formation and Mn migration in Li2Mn0.8Ti0.2O3, as deducedfrom first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the“charged” state. Upon lowering the Ti substitution to x = 0.05, the structural stability was drastically improvedbased on our MD analysis, stressing the importance of carefully optimizingthe substitution degree to achieve the best electrochemical performance.

Abstract: A novel anion-deficient perovskite-based compound, Pb2.4Ba2.6Fe2Sc2TiO13, was synthesized via the citrate-based route. This compound is an n = 5 member of the A(n)B(n)O(3n-2) homologous series with unit-cell parameters related to the perovskite subcell a(p) approximate to 4.0 angstrom as a(p)root 2 x a(p) x 5a(p)root 2. The crystal structure of Pb2.4Ba2.6Fe2Sc2TiO13 consists of quasi-2D perovskite blocks with a thickness of three octahedral layers separated by the 1/2[110]((1) over bar 01)(p) crystallographic shear (CS) planes, which are parallel to the {110} plane of the perovskite subcell. The CS planes transform the corner-sharing octahedra into chains of edge-sharing distorted tetragonal pyramids. Using a combination of neutron powder diffraction, Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy and atomic resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy we demonstrate that the B-cations in Pb2.4Ba2.6Fe2Sc2TiO13 are ordered along the {110} perovskite layers with Fe3+ in distorted tetragonal pyramids along the CS planes, Ti4+ preferentially in the central octahedra of the perovskite blocks and Sc3+ in the outer octahedra of the perovskite blocks. Magnetic susceptibility and Mossbauer spectroscopy indicate a broadened magnetic transition around T-N similar to 45 K and the onset of local magnetic fields at low temperatures. The magnetic order is probably reminiscent of that in other A(n)B(n)O(3n-2) homologues, where G-type AFM order within the perovskite blocks has been observed.

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: The existence of the [SrF(0.8)O(0.1)](2.5)[Mn(6)O(12)] = Sr(2.5)Mn(6)O(12.5 – delta)F(2) compound was established in the SrO-Mn(2)O(3)-SrF(2) system at 900A degrees C and p(O(2)) = 1 atm. The crystal structure of strontium fluoromanganite was determined from the X-ray powder diffraction data, electron diffraction, and high-resolution electron microscopy. It can be described in the monoclynic system with four Miller hklm indices: hklm: H = h a* + k b* + l c (1) (*) + m q (1), q (1), q (1) = c (2) (*) = gamma c (1) (*) , gamma a parts per thousand 0.632, a a parts per thousand a a parts per thousand 9.72 , b a parts per thousand 9.55 , c (1) a parts per thousand 2.84 , c (2) a parts per thousand 4.49 , monoclinic angle gamma a parts per thousand 95.6A degrees. The electromotive force method with a solid fluorine ion electrolyte was used to refine the composition of fluoromanganite and determine the thermodynamic functions of its formation from phases neighboring in the phase diagram (SrMn(3)O(6), Mn(2)O(3), SrF(2), and oxygen), Delta GA degrees, kJ/mol = -(111.7 +/- 1.9) + (89.5 +/- 1.5) x 10(-3) T.

Abstract: Pd-C core–shell nanoparticles with independently controllable core size and shell thickness are grown by gas phase synthesis. First, the core size is selected by electrical mobility values of charged particles, and second, the shell thickness is controlled by the concentration of carbon precursor gas. The carbon shell grows by adsorption of carbon precursor gas molecules on the surface of nanoparticles, followed by sintering. The presence of a carbon shell on Pd nanoparticles is potentially important in hydrogen-related applications operating at high temperatures or in catalytic reactions in acidic/aqueous environments.

Abstract: The growth of MoS2 layer near the Mo/CZTS interface during sulphurization process can have an impact on back contact cell parameters (series resistance and fill factor) depending upon the thickness or quality of MoS2. This study reports the dependence of the thickness of interfacial MoS2 layer on the growth of graphene at the interface between molybdenum back contact and deposited CZTS layer. The graphene layer reduces the accumulation of Zn/ZnS, Sn/SnO2 and formation of pores near the MoS2-CZTS interface. The use of graphene as interface layer can be potentially useful for improving the quality of Mo/MoS2/CZTS interface.

Abstract: New hybrid materials-photosensitized nanocomposites containing nanocrystal heterostructures with spatial charge separation, show high response for practically important sub-ppm level NO2 detection at room temperature. Nanocomposites ZnO/CdSe, ZnO/(CdS@CdSe), and ZnO/(ZnSe@CdS) were obtained by the immobilization of nanocrystals-colloidal quantum dots (QDs), on the matrix of nanocrystalline ZnO. The formation of crystalline core-shell structure of QDs was confirmed by HAADF-STEM coupled with EELS mapping. Optical properties of photosensitizers have been investigated by optical absorption and luminescence spectroscopy combined with spectral dependences of photoconductivity, which proved different charge localization regimes. Photoelectrical and gas sensor properties of nanocomposites have been studied at room temperature under green light (max = 535 nm) illumination in the presence of 0.12-2 ppm NO2 in air. It has been demonstrated that sensitization with type II heterostructure ZnSe@CdS with staggered gap provides the rapid growth of effective photoresponse with the increase in the NO2 concentration in air and the highest sensor sensitivity toward NO2. We believe that the use of core-shell QDs with spatial charge separation opens new possibilities in the development of light-activated gas sensors working without thermal heating.

Abstract: Understanding the electric dipole switching in multiferroic materials requires deep insight of the atomic-scale local structure evolution to reveal the ferroelectric mechanism, which remains unclear and lacks a solid experimental indicator in high-pressure prepared LiNbO3-type polar magnets. Here, we report the discovery of Zn-ion splitting in LiNbO3-type Zn2FeNbO6 established by multiple diffraction techniques. The coexistence of a high-temperature paraelectric-like phase in the polar Zn2FeNbO6 lattice motivated us to revisit other high-pressure prepared LiNbO3-type A(2)BB'O-6 compounds. The A-site atomic splitting (similar to 1.0-1.2 angstrom between the split-atom pair) in B/B'-mixed Zn2FeTaO6 and O/N-mixed ZnTaO2N is verified by both powder X-ray diffraction structural refinements and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images, but is absent in single-B-site ZnSnO3. Theoretical calculations are in good agreement with experimental results and suggest that this kind of A-site splitting also exists in the B-site mixed Mn-analogues, Mn2FeMO6 (M = Nb, Ta) and anion-mixed MnTaO2N, where the smaller A-site splitting (similar to 0.2 angstrom atomic displacement) is attributed to magnetic interactions and bonding between A and B cations. These findings reveal universal A-site splitting in LiNbO3-type structures with mixed multivalent B/B', or anionic sites, and the splitting-atomic displacement can be strongly suppressed by magnetic interactions and/or hybridization of valence bands between d electrons of the A- and B-site cations.

Abstract: La3.2Ba0.8Mn3O10, a representative of the rare n = 3 members of the Ruddlesden-Popper manganites A(n+1)Mn(n)O(3n+1), was synthesized in an evacuated sealed silica tube. Its crystal structure was refined from a combination of powder X-ray diffraction (PXD) and precession electron diffraction (PED) data, with the rotations of the MnO6 octahedra described within the symmetry-adapted mode approach (space group Cccm, a = 29.068(1) angstrom, b = 5.5504(5) angstrom, c = 5.5412(5) angstrom; PXD RF = 0.053, RP = 0.026; PED RF = 0.248). The perovskite block in La3.2Ba0.8Mn3O10 features an octahedral tilting distortion with out-of-phase rotations of the Mn06 octahedra according to the (Phi,Phi,0)(Phi,Phi,0) mode, observed for the first time in the n = 3 Ruddlesden-Popper structures. The Mn06 octahedra demonstrate a noticeable deformation with the elongation of two apical Mn-O bonds due to the Jahn-Teller effect in the Mn3+ cations. The relationships between the octahedral tilting distortion, the ionic radii of the cations at the A- and B-positions, and the mismatch between the perovslcite and rock-salt blocks of the Ruddlesden-Popper structure are discussed. At low temperatures, La3.2Ba0.8Mn3O10 reveals a sizable remnant magnetization of about 1.3 mu(B)/Mn at 2K, and shows signatures of spin freezing below 150 K.

Abstract: Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13, a new n = 5 member of the oxygen-deficient perovskite-based A(n)B(n)O(3n-2) homologous series, was synthesized using a solid-state method. The crystal structure of Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 was investigated by a combination of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy. At 900 K, it crystallizes in the Ammm space group with the unit cell parameters a = 5.8459(1) angstrom, b = 4.0426(1) angstrom, and c=27.3435(1) angstrom. In the Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 structure, quasi-two-dimensional perovskite blocks are periodically interleaved with 1/2[1 1 0] ((1) over bar 0 1)(p) crystallographic shear (CS) planes. At the CS planes, the corner-sharing FeO6 octahedra are transformed into chains of edge-sharing FeO5 distorted tetragonal pyramids. B-positions of the perovskite blocks between the CS planes are jointly occupied by Fe3+ and Sc3+. The chains of the FeO5 pyramids and (Fe,Sc)O-6 octahedra delimit six-sided tunnels that are occupied by double columns of cations with a lone electron pair (Pb2+). The remaining A-cations (Bi3+, Ba2+) occupy positions in the perovskite block. According to the magnetic susceptibility measurements, Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 is antiferromagnetically ordered below T-N approximate to 350 K. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: A novel 6H-type hexagonal perovskite Ba-3(Cr0.97(1)Te0.03(1))(2)TeO9 was prepared at high pressure (6 GPa) and temperature (1773 K). Both transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data demonstrate that Ba-3(Cr0.97(1)Te0.03(1))(2)TeO9 crystallizes in P6(3)/mmc with face-shared (Cr0.97(1)Te0.03(1))O-6 octahedral pairs interconnected with TeO6 octahedra via corner-sharing. Structure analysis shows a mixed Cr2+/Cr3+ valence state with similar to 10% Cr2+. The existence of Cr2+ in Ba-3(Cr0.10(1)2+Cr0.87(1)3+Te0.036+)(2)TeO9 is further evidenced by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy. Magnetic properties measurements show a paramagnetic response down to 4 K and a small glassy-state curvature at low temperature. In this work, the octahedral Cr2+O6 component is stabilized in an oxide material for the first time; the expected Jahn-Teller distortion of high-spin (d(4)) Cr2+ is not found, which is attributed to the small proportion of Cr2+ (similar to 10%) and the face-sharing arrangement of CrO6 octahedral pairs, which structurally disfavor axial distortion.

Abstract: The Ca0.85-1.5xGdxEu0.1_0.05-0.5xWO4 (0 < x < 0.567) series of cation-deficient scheelites is investigated to unveil the influence of the cation vacancies on the crystal structure and luminescent properties. The concentration of the vacancies is varied by the heterovalent substitution of Gd3+ for Ca2+, keeping the concentration of the Eu3+ luminescent centers constant in all compounds of the series. The crystal structure of the materials is studied using a combination of transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. At low vacancy concentration (x = 0.1, 0.2), cations and cation vacancies are randomly distributed in the structure, and the materials preserve the I41/a symmetry of the parent scheelite structure [x = 0.1: a = 5.25151(1) Å, c = 11.39479(2) Å; x = 0.2: a = 5.25042(1) Å, c = 11.41335(2) Å]. At higher concentration, the cation-vacancy ordering gives rise to incommensurately modulated structures. The x = 0.3 structure has a (3 + 2)D tetragonal symmetry [superspace group I41/a(a,b,0)00(-b,a,0)00, a = 5.24700(1) Å, c = 11.45514(3) Å, q1 = 0.51637(14)a* + 0.80761(13)b*, q2 = -0.80761a* + 0.51637b*]. At x = 0.4, the scheelite basic cell undergoes a monoclinic distortion with the formation of the (3 + 1)D structure [superspace group I2/b(a,b,0)00, a = 5.23757(1) Å, b = 5.25035(1) Å, c = 11.45750(2) Å, g = 90.5120(2) o, q = 0.54206(8)a* + 0.79330(8)b*]. In both structures, the antiphase Ca and (Gd,Eu) occupancy modulations indicate that the ordering between the A cations and vacancies also induces partial Ca/(Gd,Eu) cation ordering. Further increase of the Gd3þ content up to x = 0.567 leads to the formation of a monoclinic phase (space group C2/c) with the Eu2/3WO4-type structure. Despite the difference in the cation-vacancy ordering patterns, all materials in the series demonstrate very similar quantum efficiency and luminescence decay lifetimes. However, the difference in the local coordination environment of the A cation species noticeably affects the line width and the multiplet splitting of the 4f6-4f6 transitions.