SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “powder diffraction”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2016

Performance improvements of wavelength-shifting-fiber neutron detectors using high-resolution positioning algorithms

On the basis of FluoroBancroft linear-algebraic method [S.B. Andersson, Opt. Exp. 16, 18714 (2008)] three highly-resolved positioning methods were proposed for wavelength-shifting fiber (WLSF) neutron detectors. Using a Gaussian or exponential-decay light-response function (LRF), the non-linear relation of photon-number profiles vs. x-pixels was linearized and neutron positions were determined. The proposed algorithms give an average 0.03-0.08 pixel position error, much smaller than that (0.29 pixel) from a traditional maximum photon algorithm (MPA). The new algorithms result in better detector uniformity, less position misassignment (ghosting), better spatial resolution, and an equivalent or better instrument resolution in powder diffraction than the MPA. Moreover, these characters will facilitate broader applications of WLSF detectors at time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction beamlines, including single-crystal diffraction and texture analysis.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2015

Single crystal and magnetic structures of maricite-type AgMnVO{sub 4}

Single crystals of the ternary manganese vanadate AgMnVO{sub 4}, were grown using AgVO{sub 3} flux. The structure was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The magnetic structure and properties of AgMnVO{sub 4} were characterized by magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and low-temperature neutron powder diffraction measurements. AgMnVO{sub 4} crystallizes in the maricite-type structure with space group Pnma, a=9.5393(12), b=6.8132(9), c=5.3315(7) Å and Z=4. AgMnVO{sub 4} contains MnO{sub 4} chains made up of edge-sharing MnO{sub 6} octahedra, and these chains are interlinked by the VO{sub 4} and AgO{sub 4} tetrahedra. The specific heat measurements indicate a 3D-antiferromagnetic ordering at ∼12.1 K and the neutron powder diffraction measurements at 5 K show that the Mn{sup 2+}magnetic moments are antiferromagnetically coupled within the chains which are antiferromagnetically coupled to each other. - Graphical abstract: The AgMnVO{sub 4} crystals could be grown in AgVO{sub 3} flux and the magnetic structure was determined from neutron powder diffraction data. The spins in each MnO{sub 4} chain along [0 1 0] are antiferromagnetically coupled, while these antiferromagnetic chains are antiferromagnetically coupled along [0 0 1] but have a non-collinear arrangement along [1 0 1]. - Highlights: • We have been able to grow AgMnVO{sub 4} single crystals, using AgVO{sub 3} flux. • We solved its crystal structure using single crystal data. • We carried out magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements. • We solved the magnetic structure from low-temperature neutron powder diffraction data. • We compared the magnetic structure to that of NaFePO{sub 4}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2012

Structural studies of magnesium nitride fluorides by powder neutron diffraction

Samples of ternary nitride fluorides, Mg{sub 3}NF{sub 3} and Mg{sub 2}NF have been prepared by solid state reaction of Mg{sub 3}N{sub 2} and MgF{sub 2} at 1323-1423 K and investigated by powder X-ray and powder neutron diffraction techniques. Mg{sub 3}NF{sub 3} is cubic (space group: Pm3m) and has a structure related to rock-salt MgO, but with one cation site vacant. Mg{sub 2}NF is tetragonal (space group: I4{sub 1}/amd) and has an anti-LiFeO{sub 2} related structure. Both compounds are essentially ionic and form structures in which nitride and fluoride anions are crystallographically ordered. The nitride fluorides show temperature independent paramagnetic behaviour between 5 and 300 K. - Graphical abstract: Definitive structures of the ternary magnesium nitride fluorides Mg{sub 3}NF{sub 3} and the lower temperature polymorph of Mg{sub 2}NF have been determined from powder neutron diffraction data. The nitride halides are essentially ionic and exhibit weak temperature independent paramagnetic behaviour. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Definitive structures of Mg{sub 3}NF{sub 3} and Mg{sub 2}NF were determined by neutron diffraction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nitride and fluoride anions are crystallographically ordered in both structures. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Both compounds exhibit weak, temperature independent paramagnetic behaviour. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The compounds are essentially ionic with ionicity increasing with F{sup -} content.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2012

Cation ordering and physicochemical characterization of the quaternary diamond-like semiconductor Ag[subscript 2]CdGeS[subscript 4]

The quaternary diamond-like semiconductor, Ag2CdGeS4, was synthesized via high-temperature solid-state synthesis as well as structurally and physicochemically characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction provided a model for Ag2CdGeS4 in the orthorhombic, noncentrosymmetric space group Pna21 with a=13.7415(8) {angstrom}, b=8.0367(5) {angstrom} and c=6.5907(4) {angstrom}, in contrast to a previously published model in Pmn21 from the Rietveld analysis of laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data. The Pna21 space group is supported by the Rietveld analysis of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. Differential thermal analysis suggests that Ag2CdGeS4 exists in two polymorphs. Optical diffuse reflectance UV/vis/NIR spectroscopy indicates that the orange compound is a semiconductor with a band gap of 2.32 eV. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy were used to further characterize the material.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2011

Helical Magnetism and Structural Anomalies in Triangular lattice alpha-SrCr2O4

{alpha}-SrCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} has a triangular planar lattice of d{sup 3} Cr{sup 3+} made from edge sharing CrO{sub 6} octahedra; the plane shows a very small orthorhombic distortion from hexagonal symmetry. With a Weiss temperature of -596 K and a three-dimensional magnetic ordering temperature of 43 K, the magnetic system is quasi-two-dimensional and frustrated. Neutron powder diffraction shows that the ordered state is an incommensurate helical magnet, with an in-plane propagation vector of k = (0, 0.3217(8), 0). Temperature dependent synchrotron powder diffraction characterization of the structure shows an increase in the inter-plane spacing on cooling below 100 K and an inflection in the cell parameters at the magnetic ordering temperature. These anomalies indicate the presence of a moderate degree of magnetostructural coupling.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2013

Investigation of an unusual low-temperature phase transformation in RbBH{sub 4} by neutron diffraction

To investigate the previously reported low-temperature phase transition in rubidium borohydride (RbBH{sub 4}) near 48.5 K, we carried out neutron powder diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy measurements both above and below this temperature on an isotopically-enriched sample of Rb{sup 11}BD{sub 4}. Our diffraction data reflected an average cubic Fm3{sup ¯}m structure with BD{sub 4}{sup −} anion orientational disorder at all temperatures, with no hint of extra Bragg peaks due to long-range orientational order below the transition temperature as reported by others. These structural results and careful analysis of torsional vibrations in RbBD{sub 4} corroborate the results of prior neutron vibrational spectroscopy measurements suggesting that the low-temperature RbBH{sub 4} structure indeed possesses some orientational ordering of the BH{sub 4}{sup −} anions, but of a shorter-ranged nature insensitive to powder diffraction methods. - The neutron powder diffraction pattern of RbBD{sub 4} below the phase transition temperature (shown here in black) is indistinguishable from that collected above the phase transition temperature. The inset depicts the cubic structure that fits the data at both temperatures. - Highlights: • We investigated the nature of the RbBD{sub 4} phase transition using NVS and NPD. • A change in shape of the RbBD{sub 4} torsion mode was observed across the transition. • The RbBD{sub 4} diffraction pattern across this phase transition was unchanged. • The phase transition in RbBD{sub 4} appears to produce only short-range ordering of BD{sub 4}{sup −}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Background optimization of powder electron diffraction for implementation of the e-PDF technique and study of the local structure of iron oxide nanocrystals

The local structural characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles is explored using a total scattering analysis method known as pair distribution function (PDF) (also known as reduced density function) analysis. The PDF profiles are derived from background-corrected powder electron diffraction patterns (the e-PDF technique). Due to the strong Coulombic interaction between the electron beam and the sample, electron diffraction generally leads to multiple scattering, causing redistribution of intensities towards higher scattering angles and an increased background in the diffraction profile. In addition to this, the electron–specimen interaction gives rise to an undesirable inelastic scattering signal that contributes primarily to the background. The present work demonstrates the efficacy of a pre-treatment of the underlying complex background function, which is a combination of both incoherent multiple and inelastic scatterings that cannot be identical for different electron beam energies. Therefore, two different background subtraction approaches are proposed for the electron diffraction patterns acquired at 80 kV and 300 kV beam energies. From the least-square refinement (small-box modelling), both approaches are found to be very promising, leading to a successful implementation of the e-PDF technique to study the local structure of the considered nanomaterial.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2014

Structure and properties of α-NaFeO{sub 2}-type ternary sodium iridates

The synthesis, structure, and elementary magnetic and electronic properties are reported for layered compounds of the type Na{sub 3−x}MIr{sub 2}O{sub 6} and Na{sub 3−x}M{sub 2}IrO{sub 6}, where M is a transition metal from the 3d series (M=Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe and Mn). The rhombohedral structures, in space group R−3m, were determined by refinement of neutron and synchrotron powder diffraction data. No clear evidence for long range 2:1 or 1:2 honeycomb-like M/Ir ordering was found in the neutron powder diffraction patterns except in the case of M=Zn, and thus in general the compounds are best designated as sodium deficient α-NaFeO{sub 2}-type phases with formulas Na{sub 1−x}M{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} or Na{sub 1−x}M{sub 2/3}Ir{sub 1/3}O{sub 2}. Synchrotron powder diffraction patterns indicate that several of the compounds likely have honeycomb in-plane metal–iridium ordering with disordered stacking of the layers. All the compounds are sodium deficient under our synthetic conditions and are black and insulating. Weiss constants derived from magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that Na{sub 0.62}Mn{sub 0.61}Ir{sub 0.39}O{sub 2}, Na{sub 0.80}Fe{sub 2/3}Ir{sub 1/3}O{sub 2}, Na{sub 0.92}Ni{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}, Na{sub 0.86}Cu{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}, and Na{sub 0.89}Zn{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} display dominant antiferromagnetic interactions. For Na{sub 0.90}Co{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} the dominant magnetic interactions at low temperature are ferromagnetic while at high temperatures they are antiferromagnetic; there is also a change in the effective moment. Low temperature specific heat measurements (to 2 K) on Na{sub 0.92}Ni{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} indicate the presence of a broad magnetic ordering transition. X-ray absorption spectroscopy shows that iridium is at or close to the 4+ oxidation state in all compounds. {sup 23}Na nuclear magnetic resonance measurements comparing Na{sub 2}IrO{sub 3} to Na{sub 0.92}Ni{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} and Na{sub 0.89}Zn{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} provide strong indications that the electron spins are short-range ordered in the latter two materials. Na{sub 0.62}Mn{sub 0.61}Ir{sub 0.39}O{sub 2}, Na{sub 0.80}Fe{sub 2/3}Ir{sub 1/3}O{sub 2}, Na{sub 0.90}Co{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}, Na{sub 0.92}Ni{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}, Na{sub 0.86}Cu{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} and Na{sub 0.89}Zn{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} are spin glasses. (CSD-numbers: Na{sub 0.62}Mn{sub 0.61}Ir{sub 0.39}O{sub 2}: 426657, Na{sub 0.80}Fe{sub 2/3}Ir{sub 1/3}O{sub 2}: 426659, Na{sub 0.90}Co{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}: 426658, Na{sub 0.92}Ni{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}: 426656, Na{sub 0.86}Cu{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}: 426655, and Na{sub 2.8}ZnIr{sub 2}O{sub 6}: 426660.) - Graphical abstract: Diffraction patterns of Na{sub 0.92}Ni{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}, Na{sub 0.86}Cu{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2} and Na{sub 0.89}Zn{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}: neutron diffraction patterns in the main panel and synchrotron diffraction in the insets. The patterns show a small amount of ordering in the transition metal iridium layer. Display Omitted - Highlights: • We report six ternary sodium iridates with the α-NaFeO{sub 2} structure. • Compounds Na{sub 1−x}M{sub 1/3}Ir{sub 2/3}O{sub 2}, M=Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Na{sub 1−x}M{sub 2/3}Ir{sub 1/3}O{sub 2}, M=Mn, Fe. • Rietveld refinement of powder neutron diffraction data. • All compounds are spin glasses. • NMR comparison to Na{sub 2}IrO{sub 3}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2013

Fergusonite-type CeNbO{sub 4+δ}: Single crystal growth, symmetry revision and conductivity

Large fergusonite-type (ABO{sub 4}, A=Ce, B=Nb) oxide crystals, a prototype electrolyte composition for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), were prepared for the first time in a floating zone mirror furnace under air or argon atmospheres. While CeNbO{sub 4} grown in air contained CeNbO{sub 4.08} as a minor impurity that compromised structural analysis, the argon atmosphere yielded a single phase crystal of monoclinic CeNbO{sub 4}, as confirmed by selected area electron diffraction, powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure was determined in the standard space group setting C12/c1 (No. 15), rather than the commonly adopted I12/a1. AC impedance spectroscopy conducted under argon found that stoichiometric CeNbO{sub 4} single crystals showed lower conductivity compared to CeNbO{sub 4+δ} confirming interstitial oxygen can penetrate through fergusonite and is responsible for the higher conductivity associated with these oxides. - Graphical abstract: Large fergusonite-type CeNbO{sub 4} crystals were prepared for the first time in a floating zone mirror furnace. Crystal growth in an argon atmosphere yielded a single phase monoclinic CeNbO4, as confirmed by selected area electron diffraction, powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure was determined in the standard space group setting C12/c1 (No. 15), rather than the commonly adopted I12/a1. AC impedance spectroscopy found CeNbO{sub 4} single crystals showed lower conductivity compared to CeNbO{sub 4+δ} confirming interstitial oxygen can penetrate through fergusonite and is responsible for the higher conductivity associated with these oxides. Highlights: • Preparation of single crystals of CeNbO{sub 4} using a floating zone mirror furnace. • Correction to the crystal symmetry of the monoclinic form of CeNbO{sub 4}. • Report the conductivity of a single crystal of CeNbO{sub 4}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2013

Powder Neutron Diffraction Study of HoCoGa5

We have studied successive magnetic transitions of HoCoGa5 at TN1 = 9.6 K and TN2 = 7.5 K by using powder neutron diffraction. Apparent superlattice peaks were observed at temperatures below TN1. With further decreases temperature, the patterns exhibit a substantial change at temperatures below TN2. The observed magnetic peaks at 8 K (AntiFerromagnetic InCommensurate (AFIC) phase : TN2 < T < TN1) can be represented by the propagation vector qL = (1/2 0 ) with = 0.35(2). In contrast, the magnetic structure becomes commensurate with qC = (1/2 0 1/2) at 4 K (AntiFerromagnetic Commensurate (AFC) phase : T < TN2). The temperature dependence of magnetic intensity shows an apparent temperature hysteresis at TN2, indicates a first-order transition at TN2. Analysis of the integrated intensity at 4 K reveals that the Ho moment with a size of 8.6(2) B, oriented parallel to the c-axis in the AFC phase. While the successive transitions of HoCoGa5 are different from those of TbCoGa5, the magnetic structure in the AFC phase of HoCoGa5 is the same as the AFTb I of TbCoGa5, and may indicate an additional transition at a lower temperature in HoCoGa5.

Kabayashi, Riki↗

DOE OSTI2013

Elimination of ghosting artifacts from wavelength-shifting fiber neutron detectors

Misassignment of neutron position (ghosting) produces artifacts, which have been observed in wavelength-shifting (WLS) fiber detectors developed for time-of-flight (TOF) neutron powder diffraction. In position-sensitive detectors (PSDs) with WLS fiber encoding, thermal and cold neutrons interact with a monolithic 6LiF/ZnS:Ag scintillator screen, and scintillation photons are generated and transported through the crossed fibers to photomultipliers (PMTs). The neutron position is determined by photon counts in PMTs within a preset time window. Ghosting occurs when neutrons hit the group boundaries of two neighboring PMTs for x-position multiplexing, which is modeled as resulting from a long travel length (about 3-5 mm) of a small number of scintillation photons. This model is supported by the change observed in aperture images when the threshold number for photon-pulses was adjusted for a neutron event determination. When the threshold number of photon-pulses was set above 10 for each PMT, the ghost peaks in the aperture images and TOF spectra of powder diffraction were strongly suppressed or completely eliminated, and the intrinsic background levels of the WLS detectors were significantly reduced. Our result indicates that WLS fiber detector is a promising alternative for 3He PSDs for neutron scattering.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2018

Crystal Structure and Coordination of B-Cations in the Ruddlesden–Popper Phases Sr3−xPrx(Fe1.25Ni0.75)O7−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4)

Compounds Sr3−xPrxFe1.25Ni0.75O7−δ with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 and Ruddlesden–Popper n = 2 type structures were synthesized and investigated by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Both samples, prepared at 1300 °C under N2(g) flow and samples subsequently air-annealed at 900 °C, were studied. The structures contained oxygen vacancies in the perovskite layers, and the Fe/Ni cations had an average coordination number less than six. The oxygen content was considerably higher for air-annealed samples than for samples prepared under N2, 7 − δ = ~6.6 and ~5.6 per formula unit, respectively. Mössbauer data collected at 7 K, below magnetic ordering temperatures, were consistent with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) results. The electrical conductivity was considerably higher for the air-annealed samples and was for x = 0.1~30 S·cm−1 at 500 °C. The thermal expansion coefficients were measured in air between room temperature and 900 °C and was found to be 20–24 ppm·K−1 overall.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Observation of ordered organic capping ligands on semiconducting quantum dots via powder X-ray diffraction

Abstract Powder X-ray diffraction is one of the key techniques used to characterize the inorganic structure of colloidal nanocrystals. The comparatively low scattering factor of nuclei of the organic capping ligands and their propensity to be disordered has led investigators to typically consider them effectively invisible to this technique. In this report, we demonstrate that a commonly observed powder X-ray diffraction peak around $$q=1.4{\AA}^{-1}$$ q = 1.4 Å − 1 observed in many small, colloidal quantum dots can be assigned to well-ordered aliphatic ligands bound to and capping the nanocrystals. This conclusion differs from a variety of explanations ascribed by previous sources, the majority of which propose an excess of organic material. Additionally, we demonstrate that the observed ligand peak is a sensitive probe of ligand shell ordering. Changes as a function of ligand length, geometry, and temperature can all be readily observed by X-ray diffraction and manipulated to achieve desired outcomes for the final colloidal system.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Artifact identification in X-ray diffraction data using machine learning methods

In situ synchrotron high-energy X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) is highly utilized by researchers to analyze the crystallographic structures of materials in functional devices ( e.g. battery materials) or in complex sample environments ( e.g. diamond anvil cells or syntheses reactors). An atomic structure of a material can be identified by its diffraction pattern along with a detailed analysis of the Rietveld refinement which yields rich information on the structure and the material, such as crystallite size, microstrain and defects. For in situ experiments, a series of XRD images is usually collected on the same sample under different conditions ( e.g. adiabatic conditions) yielding different states of matter, or is simply collected continuously as a function of time to track the change of a sample during a chemical or physical process. In situ experiments are usually performed with area detectors and collect images composed of diffraction patterns. For an ideal powder, the diffraction pattern should be a series of concentric Debye–Scherrer rings with evenly distributed intensities in each ring. For a realistic sample, one may observe different characteristics other than the typical ring pattern, such as textures or preferred orientations and single-crystal diffraction spots. Textures or preferred orientations usually have several parts of a ring that are more intense than the rest, whereas single-crystal diffraction spots are localized intense spots owing to diffraction of large crystals, typically >10 µm. In this work, an investigation of machine learning methods is presented for fast and reliable identification and separation of the single-crystal diffraction spots in XRD images. The exclusion of artifacts during an XRD image integration process allows a precise analysis of the powder diffraction rings of interest. When it is trained with small subsets of highly diverse datasets, the gradient boosting method can consistently produce high-accuracy results. The method dramatically decreases the amount of time spent identifying and separating single-crystal diffraction spots in comparison with the conventional method.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2012

Structure and high-temperature properties of the (Sr,Ca,Y)(Co, Mn)O{sub 3-y} perovskites - perspective cathode materials for IT-SOFC

Oxygen deficient perovskites Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 1-x}Mn{sub x}O{sub 3-y}, x=0.5 and 0.75, were prepared by using the citrate route at 1373-1573 K for 48 h. The cubic Pm-3m perovskite structure for x=0.5 was confirmed by electron diffraction study and refined using neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data. For x=0.75, the superstructure corresponding to a={radical}(2) Multiplication-Sign a{sub per}, b=2 Multiplication-Sign a{sub per}, c={radical}(2) Multiplication-Sign a{sub per} (a{sup 0}b{sup -}b{sup -} tilt system, space group Imma) was revealed by electron diffraction. The solid solution Sr{sub 0.75-x}Ca{sub x}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.75}O{sub 3-y}, 0.1{<=}x{<=}0.6 and compound Ca{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.85}Co{sub 0.15}O{sub 2.92} were prepared in air at 1573 K for 48 h. The crystal structure of Ca{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.85}Co{sub 0.15}O{sub 2.92} was refined using NPD data (S.G. Pnma, a=5.36595(4), b=7.5091(6), c=5.2992(4) A, R{sub p}=0.057, R{sub wp}=0.056, {chi}{sup 2}=4.26). High-temperature thermal expansion properties of the prepared compounds were studied in air using both dilatometry and high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction data (HTXRPD). They expanding non-linearly at 298-1073 K due to the loss of oxygen at high temperatures. Calculated average thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) for Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 1-x}Mn{sub x}O{sub 3-y}, x=0.5, 0.75 and Ca{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.85}Co{sub 0.15}O{sub 2.92(1)} are 15.5, 15.1, and 13.8 ppm K{sup -1}, respectively. Anisotropy of the thermal expansion along different unit cell axes was observed for Sr{sub 0.15}Ca{sub 0.6}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.75}O{sub 3-y} and Ca{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.85}Co{sub 0.15}O{sub 2.92}. Conductivity of Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 1-x}Mn{sub x}O{sub 3-y}, x=0.5 and 0.75 increases with the temperature reaching 110 S/cm for x=0.5 and 44 S/cm for x=0.75 at 1173 K. Samples of Sr{sub 0.75-x}Ca{sub x}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.75}O{sub 3-y}, 0.1{<=}y{<=}0.6 were found to be n-type conductors at room temperature with the similar temperature dependence of the conductivity and demonstrated the increase of the {sigma} value from {approx}1 to {approx}50 S/cm as the temperature increases from 300 to 1173 K. Their conductivity is described in terms of the small polaron charge transport with the activation energy (E{sub p}) increasing from 340 to 430 meV with an increase of the calcium content from x=0 to x=0.6. - Graphical abstract: The substitution of cobalt in the 314-phase Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}CoO{sub 2.62} by manganese leads to the formation of oxygen deficient compounds Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 1-x}Mn{sub x}O{sub 3-y}, x=0.5 and 0.75, with the cubic and orthorhombic perovskite structures. The conductivity of the x=0.5 sample (110 S/cm) at 1173 K is substantially higher in comparison with x=0.75 (44 S/cm). Together with comparable TEC values for x=0.5 (15.5 ppm K{sup -1}) and 0.75 (15.1 ppm K{sup -1}) samples this makes the former one a promising cathode material for IT-SOFC. Partial replacement of Sr by Ca in Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.75}O{sub 3-y} leads to the formation of the solid solution with the orthorhombic perovskite structure, Sr{sub 0.75-x}Ca{sub x}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.75}O{sub 3-y}, 0.1{<=}y{<=}0.6. Along with Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 3-y}, novel perovskite Ca{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.85}Co{sub 0.15}O{sub 3-y} represent promising cathode material for IT-SOFC due to low TEC value (13.8 ppm K{sup -1}) and high conductivity of 135 S/cm at 1173 K. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Mn-doped 314-phases Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 1-x}Mn{sub x}O{sub 3-y}, x=0.5, 0.75 were synthesized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Sr{sub 0.75-x}Ca{sub x}Y{sub 0.25}Co{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.75}O{sub 3-y}, x=0.1--0.6, Ca{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.85}Co{sub 0.15}O{sub 3-y} were made. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer High-temperature conductivity properties and crystal structure were studied. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer High-temperature thermal expansion behavior was investigated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2017

Structure and Dynamics Investigations of Sr/Ca-Doped LaPO 4 Proton Conductors

Proton conductors loom out of the pool of candidate materials with great potential to boost hydrogen alternatives to fossil-based resources for energy. Acceptor doped lanthanum orthophosphates are considered for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for their potential stability and conductivity at high temperature. By exploring the crystal and defect structure of x% Sr/Ca-doped LaPO 4 with different nominal Sr/Ca concentrations (x = 0 – 10) with Neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), we confirm that Sr/Ca-doped LaPO 4 can exist as self-supported structures at high temperatures during solid oxide fuel cell operation. Thermal stability, surface topography, size distribution are also studied to better understand the proton conductivity for dry and wet compounds obtained at sintering temperatures ranging from 1200 to 1400 °C using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In conclusion, the results suggest that Sr doped samples exhibit the highest proton conductivity of our samples and illustrate the impact of material design and versatile characterization schemes on the development of proton conductors with superior functionality.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2017

Squeezing clathrate cages to host trivalent rare-earth guests

Strike difference of the trivalent rare-earth cations from their alkali and alkaline-earth peers is in the presence of localized 4f-electrons and strong spin-orbit coupling. Placing trivalent rare-earth cations inside the fullerene molecules or in between the blocks of itinerant magnetic intermetallics gave rise to plethora of fascinating properties and materials. A long-time missing but hardly desired piece is the semiconducting or metallic compound where rare-earth cations are situated inside the oversized polyhedral cages of three-dimensional framework. In this work we present a synthesis of such compounds, rare-earth containing clathrates Ba 8-x R x Cu 16 P 30 . The unambiguous proofs of their composition and crystal structure were achieved by a combination of synchrotron powder diffraction, time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction, scanning-transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Our quantum-mechanical calculations and experimental characterizations show that the incorporation of the rare-earth cations significantly enhances the hole mobility and concentration which results in the drastic increase in the thermoelectric performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2011

Addressing the Amorphous Content Issue in Quantitative Phase Analysis: The Certification of NIST Standard Reference Material 676a

A non-diffracting surface layer exists at any boundary of a crystal and can comprise a mass fraction of several percent in a finely divided solid. This has led to the long-standing issue of amorphous content in standards for quantitative phase analysis (QPA). NIST standard reference material (SRM) 676a is a corundum ({alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) powder, certified with respect to phase purity for use as an internal standard in powder diffraction QPA. The amorphous content of SRM 676a is determined by comparing diffraction data from mixtures with samples of silicon powders that were engineered to vary their specific surface area. Under the (supported) assumption that the thickness of an amorphous surface layer on Si was invariant, this provided a method to control the crystalline/amorphous ratio of the silicon components of 50/50 weight mixtures of SRM 676a with silicon. Powder diffraction experiments utilizing neutron time-of-flight and 25 keV and 67 keV X-ray energies quantified the crystalline phase fractions from a series of specimens. Results from Rietveld analyses, which included a model for extinction effects in the silicon, of these data were extrapolated to the limit of zero amorphous content of the Si powder. The certified phase purity of SRM 676a is 99.02% {+-} 1.11% (95% confidence interval). This novel certification method permits quantification of amorphous content for any sample of interest, by spiking with SRM 676a.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗