The structure of an Al-Fe-Ni decagonal quasicrystal with two quasiperiodic planes along the periodic axis in an Al_{72}Ni_{24}Fe_4 alloy has been examined by spherical aberration (Cs)-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy with high-angle annular dark-field and annular bright-field techniques. The transition-metal atoms and mixed sites (MSs) of Al and transition-metal atoms are represented as separated bright dots in the observed high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy images, and consequently the arrangements of transition-metal atoms and mixed sites on the two quasiperiodic planes can be directly determined. The transition-metal atoms are arranged on a pentagonal tiling of an edge-length of 0.76 nm. The close examination of observed annular bright-field- and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy images indicates the existence of large decagonal columnar clusters with 3.2 nm diameter, and their arrangement on pentagonal, thin rhombic and squashed hexagonal tiles with an edge-length of 3.2 nm. The arrangements of transition-metal atoms in these three tiles are placed on an ideal pentagonal tiling with an edge-length of 3.2 nm, which is generated by the projection of a five-dimensional hyper-cubic lattice. The vertices are denoted by 5D hyper-cubic indices and then they are projected on the occupation domains in perpendicular space. The arrangement of Al atoms as well as transition-metal atoms and mixed sites in the large decagonal atom cluster with about 3.2 nm diameter is interpreted from the observed high-angle annular dark-field- and annular bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy ABF-STEM images.
We theoretically study possible domain-type collective dimerizations of graphite induced by inter-layer charge transfer excitations in the visible region. Using the semiempirical Brenner theory, we have calculated the adiabatic energy along the path that starts from original two distant graphite layers, but finally reaches the dimerized domain which consists of about 100 carbons with inter-layer σ-bonds. The energy barrier between this new domain and the starting graphite is shown to be of the order of 1 eV, being easily overcome by applying a few visible photons. We have also shown the optimal path of transformation via step by step increase of the domain size.
The crystal structure of the (Bi_{0.02}Sr_{0.39}Ca_{0.59})_{10}Cu_{17}O_{29} spin-ladder compound was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The precursor powder was prepared from stoichiometric amounts of SrCO_{3}, CaCO_{3}, CuO, and Bi_{2}O_{3} by calcination at 820°C for 20 h and pressed to form a rod used for the crystal growth. The travelling-solvent-floating-zone method was applied in an image furnace to grow large single crystals. The composite commensurate structure was solved and refined in space group F222, Pearson symbol oF224, a = 11.340(2), b = 12.829(2), c = 19.441(3) Å, Z = 4. The composite incommensurate structure of the (Bi_{0.02}Sr_{0.39}Ca_{0.59})_{10}Cu_{17}O_{29} compound was solved and refined in the (3+1)-space group F222 (00γ), a = 11.340(2), b = 12.829(2), c_1 = 2.7773(4), c_2 = 3.8882(6) Å, q = 0.7143.
Recent experiments indicate that a photostimulated graphite with a femtosecond laser pulse results in the formation of a stable domain with sp^3 like interlayer bonds. By means of the energy barrier minimization and molecular dynamics using the empirical Brenner potential we study a geometrical structure of the new phase. We clarify proliferation of the initial domain and prove that the overall process is a multiphoton one. Furthermore, we present a model describing the initial transformation - an interlayer charge transfer resulting in the localization of an exciton-like state. The local density approximation electronic structure analysis reveals that the electronic state of the new phase is an insulator immersed in semimetal. We study by means of the long-range carbon bond order potential the effect of the existence of the new phase on the surrounding graphite and propose a new mid step structure on the path of a photoinduced graphite-diamond conversion.
The applicability of the Mössbauer spectrometry to the study of Fe_{91-x}Mo_8Cu_1B_x (x = 12, 15, 17) nanocrystalline alloys prepared by controlled annealing of ribbon-shaped amorphous precursors is demonstrated. Differences between both surfaces of the ribbons are pointed out to be due to preparation conditions. Conclusions from the Mössbauer spectrometry are supported by diffraction of synchrotron radiation, X-ray diffraction, and atomic field microscopy investigations.
Mayenite, Ca_{12}Al_{14}O_{33}, has attracted enormous attention for novel technological applications after the discovery of its high oxygen ionic conductivity. The crystal structure consists of a calcium-aluminate framework, comprising 32 of the 33 oxygen anions. The remaining oxygen is distributed over 1/6 of large cages within the framework. The true structure is heavily disordered and usually non-stoichiometric due to the presence of extra anions and is presented for four samples: pure oxygen mayenite (O-mayenite), partly (O/N-mayenite) and fully (N-mayenite) exchanged by nitrogen and doped with iron (Fe-mayenite). All samples were investigated by neutron powder diffraction up to 1050°C. Data were analysed by the Rietveld method and by difference Fourier methods. As prepared O-mayenite contains O_{2}^{-} and OH^{-}, N- and O/N-mayenite also NH_{2}^{-}, NH^{2-} and N^{3-}, while Fe-mayenite was free of extra radicals. In O- and N-mayenite the extra species are lost under vacuum conditions above ca. 700°C, whereas O/N-mayenite retained NH_{2}^{-} up to high temperatures. Diffusion of oxygen proceeds via a jump-like interstitialcy process involving exchange of the "free" oxygen with framework oxygen, coupled to relaxations of Ca ions. In O/N-mayenite NH_{2}^{-} diffuses via interstitial process. In Fe-mayenite encaged oxygen is "invisible" due to extreme delocalisation or loss.
We present theoretical studies of the AlGaInN nitride quaternary alloys. The studies are based on ab initio calculations performed within the density functional theory and virtual crystal approximation. The equilibrium lattice constants, bulk moduli, and elastic constants were calculated for the whole possible range of concentrations of the alloy constituents. The theoretical values were then fitted with second- and third-order polynomials. For all properties studied, the considerable bowing was observed.
Three-dimensional electron diffraction tomography allows one to obtain structure information from nanocrystals. However, in order to get accurate results the dynamical theory must be used due to the strong dynamical interaction between electrons and matter. Full structure refinement using dynamical theory has been in use for some time, in spite of being hampered by the fact that the intensities are very sensitive to variations of thickness and of the orientation of the sample. A remedy to this problem is the technique called precession electron diffraction. The use of precession electron diffraction in combination with electron diffraction tomography results in more accurate structure parameters and lower figures of merit in the structure refinement. The principles of electron diffraction tomography, precession electron diffraction and dynamical refinement will be demonstrated on the structural analysis of a nanowire of Ni₃Si₂.
Boron-rich solids are good candidates to apply instead of diamond. Boron has a unique crystal structure and compounds of it are resistant to heat treatment. These structures have light density, high hardness, and chemically inertness. Also, boron compounds display thermal and electronic properties as a thermoelectric power at high temperatures. A boron, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen containing compound was synthesized for the first time by classical microwave method using elemental amorphous boron, active carbon, and urea with 1:1:1 molar ratio. The compound is crystallized in monoclinic system with unit cell parameters a=12.9575 Å, b=9.3264 Å, c=9.6529 Å, β =113.277° which are calculated by POWD indexing program. The X-ray diffraction, POWD, the Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy/energy X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and thermogravimetric/different thermal analysis were achieved.
The bond valence model was used to study the stability of the non-stoichiometric LaO_{1-x}F_{1+2x} phases, the solid solubility in the (La_{1-x}Gd_{x}) OCl system and the phase transformation in the REOCl (RE^{3+}=La^{3+} -Nd^{3+}, Sm^{3+}-Gd^{3+}, Ho^{3+}, and Y^{3+}) series. The stability of the non-stoichiometric LaO_{1-x}F_{1+2x} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) phase decreases with increasing excess fluoride. The global instability index values close to 0.2 indicate the instability of the non-stoichiometric phase. The relative stability of the (La_{1-x}Gd_{x})OCl (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) solid solutions achieved its minimum in the middle of the series. However, the X-ray powder diffraction results indicated complete solid solubility in the whole (La_{1-x}Gd_{x})OCl series and no phase separation was observed. The bond valence model was used to explain the structural transformation from the tetragonal oxychlorides, REOCl (RE = La-Er, and Y), to hexagonal beyond ErOCl. The calculated global instability index values did not show any clear trend across the REOCl series probably due to the inaccuracies and incoherencies in the original structural data.
X-band single crystal EPR, IR and UV-VIS data are used to deduce a molecular and crystal structure of a new compound with a chemical formula Cu(3,5-dimethylpyridine)_{3}(NO_{3})_{2}. EPR shows that four magnetically inequivalent molecules exist in the crystal unit cell of C_{4v} symmetry. IR spectra suggested that both monodentate and bidentate NO_{3}-groups exist in the crystal. A most probable Cu(II) complex geometry with d_{x²-y²} ground state is a square pyramid with three nitrogens from 3,5-dimethylpyridine molecules and one oxygen from monodentate nitrato group in a basal plane and an oxygen from NO_{3}-group in apical position. There exists a chemical contact between complexes as it is indicated by the exchange interaction with |J| ≤ 1 cm^{-1}. It suggests that square pyramid complexes are arranged in polymeric chains with semi-coordination of bidentate NO_{3}-group to the adjacent Cu(II) ion. An extended analysis of an exchange averaging effect between EPR lines from two and four Cu(II) sites is presented with equations relating molecular and crystal g-factors.
The structural stabilities, elastic properties and charge transfers of EuX (X = O, S, Se, Te) compounds as a function of pressure are investigated extensively using first-principles calculations. The ground-state parameters, such as lattice constants, bulk modulus are predicted and compared with the available data, our results are satisfactory. The calculated phase transition pressures from the NaCl-type (B1) structure to the CsCl-type (B2) structure for EuX (X = O, S, Se, Te) also accord with the experiments. Particularly, the elastic constants of EuX (X = O, S, Se, Te) under zero pressure and high pressure are simulated appropriately for the first time via density functional theory. The softening behaviors of the elastic shear modulus C_{44} under pressure for the B1 phase of EuX (X = O, S, Se, Te) are captured, which should be responsible for the pressure-induced structural phase transition in the EuX system. It is also suggested that the softening behavior might be induced partly by the p → d and f → d electron transfers of Eu atom under pressure. In addition, the aggregate elastic modulus (B, G, E), Poisson's ratio (σ), Debye temperature Θp_{D} are also successfully obtained for both B1 and B2 phases of EuX.
A theoretical study of the phase transition of samarium monochalcogenides using three-body interaction potential model is carried out at high pressure. The three-body interaction potential includes long range Coulombic, three-body interaction forces and short range overlap repulsive forces operative up to next nearest neighbor ions. We have investigated phase transition pressures, volume collapses, elastic behavior, stability criteria and various thermo physical properties at various high pressure. The results found are well suited with available experimental data. In this paper third order elastic constants are also reported for the first time which helps in understanding the nature of interionic forces in ionic solids which paved the experimentalist to work in specific direction.
Both (NbSe₄)₃I and (NbSe₄)_{10/3}I compounds are interesting system possessing quasi one-dimensional linear chain character and exhibiting nonlinear transport properties with a second order phase transition. The compounds are built of NbSe₄ antiprisms, stacked along the tetragonal c axis into chains in a screw-like arrangement. Performed X-ray low temperature single crystal diffraction measurements allowed to solve, refine and analyze crystal structures of both compounds at 14 K. While (NbSe₄)_{10/3}I compound undergoes structural phase transition to monoclinic phase, (NbSe₄)₃I remains in tetragonal symmetry. Iodine atoms are responsible for the differences in (NbSe₄)_{10/3}I and (NbSe₄)₃I structures causing different spacing in the infinite NbSe₄ chains.
First principles study of structural, elastic properties and anisotropy effect on the mechanical parameters of the zinc-blende boron nitride has been performed using the pseudopotential plane wave method based on density functional theory with the Teter and Pade exchange-correlation functional of the local density approximation. The equilibrium lattice constant, molecular and crystal densities, bond length, the independent elastic constants, bulk modulus and its pressure derivatives, compressibility, shear modulus, internal strain parameter, isotropy factor, compliance constants, the Debye temperature, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, the Lamé constants and sound velocity for directions within the important crystallographic planes of this compound are obtained and analyzed in comparison with the available theoretical data reported in the literature.
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