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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Crystal Structure, Magnetic and Electrical Properties of Half-Doped Chromium Manganite La{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}Cr{sub 0.5}O{sub 3}

Polycrystalline sample La{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}Cr{sub 0.5}O{sub 3} (LSMCO) was prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method in the air, and its structure was determined by Rietveld refinement using consistent resolution time-of-flight X-ray diffraction. Different structural models have been used for analysis of X-ray diffraction data recorded at room temperature, but the best fits have been found using a mixture of rhombohedral and an orthorhombic structural phases (42(1)%/57(1)%). The rhombohedral, centro-symmetric space group R 3-bar c(No.167,a≈√2a{sub p},c≈2√3a{sub p},Z=6) with octahedral tilting scheme a{sup −}a{sup −}a{sup −} leading to a three identical out-of-phase tilt angle of (Mn/Cr)-O{sub 6} octahedron along three perovskite main directions: x, y, and z-axes. The orthorhombic space group Pbnm(No.62,a≈b≈√2a{sub p},c≈2a{sub p},Z=4) with octahedral tilting scheme a{sup −}a{sup −}c{sup +}, leads to an anti-phase tilts of the same magnitude about [100] and [010] directions of the elementary specimen cell and in-phase tilt of different magnitude about the [001] direction. At low temperature 10 K, Rietveld refinement of powder diffraction data revealed that the crystal structure of sample is distorted with a single orthorhombic symmetry (space group Pbnm). Magnetic measurements indicate that our investigated sample exhibits an overall anti-ferromagnetic behavior mainly attributed to the frustration induced by both competing AFM Cr{sup 3+}-O-Cr{sup 3+}, Mn{sup 4+}-O-Mn{sup 4+} networks, and the mixed one Mn{sup 4+}-O-Cr{sup 3+}exchange magnetic interactions. The temperature dependence of the resistivity measured under zero field shows a semi-conducting behavior in the whole temperature range, which probably could be described by the adiabatic small polaron hoping model with relatively high polaron activation energy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of titanium-based CuTi{sub 2−x}M{sub x}S{sub 4} and CuCr{sub 2−x}Ti{sub x}Se{sub 4} chalcospinels

CuTi{sub 2−x}M{sub x}S{sub 4} (M=Fe, Mn, Co; x=0.3, 0.5) and CuCr{sub 2−x}Ti{sub x}Se{sub 4} (x=0.3, 0.5, 0.7) chalcospinels were synthesized by conventional solid-state reactions. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All of the phases crystallized in cubic spinel-type structures (space group, Fd3{sup ¯}m). For all of the chalcospinel compounds, the edge-length distortion parameter (ELD) indicated that the most distorted polyhedron was Q[(Ti,M){sub 3}Cu], which displayed an ∼8% distortion from an ideal tetrahedron structure (Q=S or Se). The Mn-based thiospinel CuMn{sub 0.3}Ti{sub 1.7}S{sub 4} is paramagnetic, whereas the Fe-based thiospinels (CuTi{sub 2−x}Fe{sub x}S{sub 4}; x=0.3 and 0.7) are strongly antiferromagnetic due to their spin-glass states. The magnetic susceptibility measurements indicated ferromagnetic behavior for the selenospinels (CuCr{sub 2−x}Ti{sub x}Se{sub 4}; x=0.3, 0.5 and 0.7). - Graphical abstract: View along [1 0 0] of CuCr{sub 2−x}Ti{sub x}Se{sub 4} crystal structure showing tetrahedral and octahedral units. To the right, experimental X-ray powder diffraction pattern of CuCr{sub 1.7}Ti{sub 0.3}Se{sub 4} (top) in compared (in a like-mirror representation) to a simulated X-ray pattern from single-crystal data (bottom). - Highlights: • Chalcogenides belong to the family of compounds spinel-type. • Resolved single crystals of the solid solutions have space group Fd-3m. • The distortion of the tetrahedral and octahedral volume were calculated. • These solid solutions shows a ferromagnetic or spin-glass behavior.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Glycine phases formed from frozen aqueous solutions: Revisited

Glycine phases formed when aqueous solutions were frozen and subsequently heated under different conditions were studied by Raman scattering, x-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Crystallization of ice I{sub h} was observed in all the cases. On cooling at the rates of 0.5 K/min and 5 K/min, glassy glycine was formed as an intermediate phase which lived about 1 min or less only, and then transformed into {beta}-polymorph of glycine. Quench cooling of glycine solutions (15% w/w) in liquid nitrogen resulted in the formation of a mixture of crystalline water ice I{sub h} and a glassy glycine, which could be preserved at cryogenic temperatures (80 K) for an indefinitely long time. This mixture remained also quite stable for some time after heating above the cryogenic temperature. Subsequent heating under various conditions resulted in the transformation of the glycine glass into an unknown crystalline phase (glycine 'X-phase') at 209-216 K, which at 218-226 K transformed into {beta}-polymorph of glycine. The 'X-phase' was characterized by Raman spectroscopy; it could be obtained in noticeable amounts using a special preparation technique and tentatively characterized by x-ray powder diffraction (P2, a= 6.648 A, b= 25.867 A, c= 5.610 A, {beta}= 113.12 Masculine-Ordinal-Indicator ); the formation of 'X-phase' from the glycine glassy phase and its transformation into {beta}-polymorph were followed by DSC. Raman scattering technique with its power for unambiguous identification of the crystalline and glassy polymorphs without limitation on the crystallite size helped us to follow the phase transformations during quenching, heating, and annealing. The experimental findings are considered in relation to the problem of control of glycine polymorphism on crystallization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Examples of X-Ray Characterization Techniques in Energy Storage Research

Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized the portable electronics and transportation sectors. Their performance is often critically dependent on the crystal structures of the anode and cathode electrode materials, which must enable the transport and reversible storage of lithium ions into and out of the lattice. Because lithium is a low-Z element, characterization of materials for lithium-ion batteries can be particularly challenging. Regardless, X-ray techniques enable analysis of material structures to better understand how battery materials perform and degrade, particularly when combined with other materials characterization and electrochemical characterization techniques. While X-ray techniques are most often used in battery research for phase identification of crystal structures, X-ray characterization techniques are also used for a wide variety of other purposes. I will discuss several examples from my research with various collaborators on several projects that highlight the impact that X-ray characterization techniques can have on battery research. The first example will focus on low-temperature microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis of vanadium-doped LiFePO4 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. (1,2) Through a combination of electrochemical and materials characterization, we determined that low temperature synthesis resulted in metastable phases that enabled incorporation of higher dopant levels than resulting from high-temperature synthesis of thermodynamically stable phases. Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction data enabled understanding of how lattice parameters changed with doping levels and synthesis temperature. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy enabled understanding of the vanadium and iron oxidation states to confirm how vacancies in the structure caused by doping were charge compensated. This was important to understand because the literature suggests doping can improve LiFePO4 electrical conductivity, which improves battery charge and discharge rates. The second example will focus on understanding residual strain in lithium metal anodes. Lithium-ion batteries typically use graphite anodes, but the charge-storage capacity can be theoretically improved ~10x by using lithium metal as the anode material instead. However, lithium anodes suffer from growth of high-aspect-ratio features, such as dendrites, that can pierce nanoporous polymer separators and lead to short circuits and fires. External pressure is commonly applied to cells to enable better morphological control. We hypothesized that applied pressure may promote strain and possibly work hardening during electrochemical cycling, which motivated us to look for evidence of residual strain in lithium metal cycled under applied pressure using X-ray diffraction and sin2(..psi..) analysis. We found that lithium electrodeposited under high pressure exhibited in-plane compressive strain and that that lithium electrodeposited under low pressure did not. (3) The residual strain that accompanies electrodeposition under high pressure may lead to work hardening, which may explain how a soft metal like lithium can puncture separators and why higher pressure does not always decrease short circuits. (4-6) References: 1) Harrison, K. L.; Manthiram, A. Microwave-Assisted Solvothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Metastable LiFe1- x (VO) x PO4 Cathodes. Inorganic chemistry 2011, 50(8), 3613-3620. 2) Harrison, K. L.; Bridges, C. A.; Paranthaman, M. P.; Segre, C. U.; Katsoudas, J.; Maroni, V. A.; Idrobo, J. C.; Goodenough, J. B.; Manthiram, A. Temperature Dependence of Aliovalent-Vanadium Doping in LiFePO4 Cathodes. Chemistry of Materials 2013, 25(5), 768-781. 3) Rodriguez, M. A.; Harrison, K. L.; Goriparti, S.; Griego, J. J.; Boyce, B. L.; Perdue, B. R. Use of a Be-Dome Holder for Texture and Strain Characterization of Li Metal Thin Films via Sin2 (..psi..) Methodology. Powder Diffraction 2020, 35(2), 89-97. 4) Jungjohann, K. L.; Gannon, R. N.; Goriparti, S.; Randolph, S. J.; Merrill, L. C.; Johnson, D. C.; Zavadil, K. R.; Harris, S. J.; Harrison, K. L. Cryogenic Laser Ablation Reveals Short-Circuit Mechanism in Lithium Metal Batteries. ACS Energy Letters 2021, 6(6), 2138-2144. 5) Harrison, K. L.; Merrill, L. C.; Long, D. M.; Randolph, S. J.; Goriparti, S.; Christian, J.; Warren, B.; Roberts, S. A.; Harris, S. J.; Perry, D. L. Cryogenic Electron Microscopy Reveals That Applied Pressure Promotes Short Circuits in Li Batteries. Iscience 2021, 24(12). 6) Harrison, K. L.; Goriparti, S.; Merrill, L. C.; Long, D. M.; Warren, B.; Roberts, S. A.; Perdue, B. R.; Casias, Z.; Cuillier, P.; Boyce, B. L. Effects of Applied Interfacial Pressure on Li-Metal Cycling Performance and Morphology in 4 M LiFSI in DME. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2021, 13(27), 31668-31679.

batteries↗
DOE OSTI2011

Structural Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Quasi-1D Quantum Magnets [Ni(HF2)(pyz)2]X (pyz = pyrazine; X = PF6- SbF6-) Exhibiting Ni-FHF-Ni and Ni-pyz-Ni Spin Interactions

[Ni(HF{sub 2})(pyz){sub 2}]X {l_brace}pyz = pyrazine; X = PF{sub 6}{sup -} (1), SbF{sub 6}{sup -} (2){r_brace} were structurally characterized by synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and found to possess axially compressed NiN{sub 4}F{sub 2} octahedra. At 298 K, 1 is monoclinic (C2/c) with unit cell parameters, a = 9.9481(3), b = 9.9421(3), c = 12.5953(4) {angstrom}, and {beta} = 81.610(3){sup o} while 2 is tetragonal (P4/nmm) with a = b = 9.9359(3) and c = 6.4471(2) {angstrom} and is isomorphic with the Cu-analogue. Infinite one-dimensional (1D) Ni-FHF-Ni chains propagate along the c-axis which are linked via {mu}-pyz bridges in the ab-plane to afford three-dimensional polymeric frameworks with PF{sub 6}{sup -} and SbF{sub 6}{sup -} counterions occupying the interior sites. A major difference between 1 and 2 is that the Ni-F-H bonds are bent (157{sup o}) in 1 but are linear in 2. Ligand field calculations (LFT) based on an angular overlap model (AOM), with comparison to the electronic absorption spectra, indicate greater {pi}-donation of the HF{sub 2}{sup -} ligand in 1 owing to the bent Ni-F-H bonds. Magnetic susceptibility data for 1 and 2 exhibit broad maxima at 7.4 and 15 K, respectively, and {lambda}-like peaks in dxT/dT at 6.2 and 12.2 K that are ascribed to transitions to long-range antiferromagnetic order (TN). Muon-spin relaxation and specific heat studies confirm these TN's. A comparative analysis of x vs T to various 1D Heisenberg/Ising models suggests moderate antiferromagnetic interactions, with the primary interaction strength determined to be 3.05/3.42 K (1) and 5.65/6.37 K (2). However, high critical fields of 19 and 37.4 T obtained from low temperature pulsed-field magnetization data indicate that a single exchange constant (J1D) alone is insufficient to explain the data and that residual terms in the spin Hamiltonian, which could include interchain magnetic couplings (J), as mediated by Ni-pyz-Ni, and single-ion anisotropy (D), must be considered. While it is difficult to draw absolute conclusions regarding the magnitude (and sign) of J and D based solely on powder data, further support offered by related Ni(II)-pyz compounds and our LFT and density-functional theory (DFT) results lead us to a consistent quasi-1D magnetic description for 1 and 2.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Controlling Magnetism via Transition Metal Exchange in the Series of Intermetallics Eu( T 1, T 2)5In ( T = Cu, Ag, Au)

Three series of intermetallic compounds Eu( T 1, T 2) 5 In (T = Cu, Ag, Au) have been investigated in full compositional ranges. Single crystals of all compounds have been obtained by self-flux and were analyzed by single X-ray diffraction revealing the representatives to fall into two structure types: CeCu 6 ( oP 28, Pnma , a = 8.832(3)–9.121(2) Å, b = 5.306(2)–5.645(1) Å, c = 11.059(4)–11.437(3) Å, V = 518.3(3)–588.9(2) Å 3 ) and YbMo2Al4 ( t I 14, I 4/ mmm , a = 5.417(3)–5.508(1) Å, c = 7.139(2)– 7.199(2) Å, V = 276.1(2)–285.8(1) Å 3 ). The structural preference was found to depend on the cation/anion size ratio, while the positional preference within the CeCu 6 type structure shows an apparent correlation with the anion size. Chemical compression, hence, a change in cell volume, which occurs upon anion substitution appears to be the main driving force for the change of magnetic ordering. While EuAg 5 In shows antiferromagnetic behavior at low temperatures, mixing Cu and Au within the same type of structure results in considerable changes in the magnetism. The Eu(Cu,Au) 5 In alloys with CeCu 6 structure show complex magnetic behaviors and strong magnetic field-induced spin-reorientation transition with the critical field of the transition being dependent on Cu/Au ratio. The alloys adopting the YbMo 2 Al 4 type structure are ferromagnets exhibiting unusually high magnetic moments. The heat capacity of EuAu 2.66 Cu 2.34 In reveals a double-peak structure evolving with the magnetic field. Furthermore, low-temperature X-ray powder diffraction does not show a structural transition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Heat capacity and neutron diffraction studies on the frustrated magnetic Co{sub 2}(OH)(PO{sub 4}){sub 1-x}(AsO{sub 4}){sub x} [0{<=}x{<=}1] solid solution

The Co{sub 2}(OH)(PO{sub 4}){sub 1-x}(AsO{sub 4}){sub x} [0{<=}x{<=}1] solid solution exhibits a complex magnetic behaviour due to the bond-frustration in its magnetic structure. Heat capacity measurements of the (x=0.1-0.5) phases show a three-dimensional magnetic ordering ({lambda} anomaly) that shifts to lower temperatures and becomes broader as the AsO{sub 4}{sup 3-} content increases. For x=0.75, no significant feature was observed whereas for higher arsenate ion content, x=0.9 and 1, a small maximum was detected. The magnetic structures of solid solution are consistent with the existence of predominant antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions through the |OH| and |XO{sub 4}| (X=P and As) groups between the Co{sup +2} ions. The substitution of PO{sub 4}{sup 3-} by AsO{sub 4}{sup 3-} anions by more than 90% substantially modifies the magnetic exchange pathways in the solid solution, leading to an incommensurate antiferromagnetic structure in Co{sub 2}(OH)(PO{sub 4}){sub 1-x}(AsO{sub 4}){sub x} [x=0.9 and 1] phases. - Graphical abstract: Magnetic structures of Co{sub 2}(OH)(PO{sub 4}){sub 1-x}(AsO{sub 4}){sub x} [0{<=}x{<=}1]. The ordering of the magnetic moments of Co{sup 2+} is in c direction for the two crystallographic positions (dimers and chains) in all compounds. The unit cell is surrounded by a red line. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Synthesis of a new adamite-type compounds, Co{sub 2}(OH)(PO{sub 4}){sub 1-x}(AsO{sub 4}){sub x} (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 0.9) phases. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Co{sub 2}(OH)(PO{sub 4}){sub 1-x}(AsO{sub 4}){sub x} (0-1) solid solution; magnetic frustrated system. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer High resolution neutron powder diffraction to determine the crystal structures. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Incommensurate magnetic structures at low temperature. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Magnetostructural correlations in cobalt-based Co{sub 2}(OH)XO{sub 4} (X=P and As) insulation compounds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Powder X-ray diffraction of fluorometholone, C 22 H 29 FO 4

Commercial fluorometholone, CAS #426-13-1, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2 1 (#4) with a = 6.40648(2), b = 13.43260(5), c = 11.00060(8) Å, β = 92.8203(5)°, V = 945.517(5) Å 3 , and Z = 2. A reduced cell search in the Cambridge Structural Database yielded one previous structure determination, using single-crystal data at 292 K. In this work, the sample was ordered from the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (Lot # R032K0) and analyzed as-received. The room temperature (295 K) crystal structure was refined using synchrotron ( λ = 0.412826 Å) powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional theory (DFT) techniques. Hydrogen positions were included as a part of the structure and were re-calculated during the refinement. The diffraction data were collected on beamline 11-BM at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, and the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the compound has been submitted to ICDD® for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™. The agreement of the Rietveld-refined and DFT-optimized structures is excellent; the root-mean-square Cartesian displacement is 0.060 Å. In addition to the O–H&ctdot;O hydrogen bonds observed by Park et al. (Park, Y. J., Lee, M. Y., and Cho, S. I. ( 1992 ). “Fluorometholone,” J. Korean Chem. Soc. 36 , 812–817), C–H&ctdot;O hydrogen bonds contribute to the crystal energy.

Gonzalez, Diana↗
DOE OSTI2024

ASb 3 Mn 9 O 19 (A = K or Rb): New Mn-Based 2D Magnetoplumbites with Geometric and Magnetic Frustration

Magnetoplumbites are one of the most broadly studied families of hexagonal ferrites, typically with high magnetic ordering temperatures, making them excellent candidates for permanent magnets. However, magnetic frustration is rarely observed in magnetoplumbites. Herein, the discovery, synthesis, and characterization of the first Mn-based magnetoplumbite, as well as the first magnetoplumbite involving pnictogens (Sb), ASb 3 Mn 9 O 19 (A = K or Rb) are reported. The Mn 3+ ( S = 2) cations, further confirmed by DC magnetic susceptibility and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, construct three geometrically frustrated sublattices, including Kagome, triangular, and puckered honeycomb lattices. Magnetic properties measurements revealed strong antiferromagnetic spin–spin coupling as well as multiple low-temperature magnetic features. Heat capacity data does not show any prominent λ-anomaly, suggesting minimal associated magnetic entropy. Moreover, neutron powder diffraction (NPD) implied the absence of long-range magnetic ordering in KSb 3 Mn 9 O 19 down to 3 K. However, several magnetic peaks are observed in RbSb 3 Mn 9 O 19 at 3 K, corresponding to an incommensurate magnetic structure. Interestingly, strong diffuse scattering is seen in the NPD patterns of both compounds at low angles and is analyzed by reverse Monte Carlo refinements, indicating short-range spin ordering related to frustrated magnetism as well as 2D magnetic correlations in ASb 3 Mn 9 O 19 (A = K or Rb).

2-D magnetic correlation↗
DOE OSTI2022

Insight into the Fast-Rechargeability of a Novel Mo 1.5 W 1.5 Nb 14 O 44 Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Wadsley–Roth phased niobates are promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, while their inherently low electrical conductivity still limits their rate-capability. Herein, a novel doped Mo 1.5 W 1.5 Nb 14 O 44 (MWNO) material is facilely prepared via an ionothermal-synthesis-assisted doping strategy. The detailed crystal structure of MWNO is characterized by neutron powder diffraction and aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope, unveiling the full occupation of Mo 6+ -dopant at the t1 tetrahedral site. In half-cells, MWNO exhibits enhanced fast-rechargeability. In this work, the origin of the improved performance is investigated by ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) computation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, revealing that bandgap narrowing improves the electrical conductivity of MWNO. Furthermore, operando X-ray diffraction elucidates that MWNO exhibits a typical solid-solution phase conversion-based lithium-ion insertion/extraction mechanism with reversible structural evolution during the electrochemical reaction. The boosted lithium-ion diffusivity of MWNO, due to the Mo 6+ /W 6+ doping effect, is confirmed by a galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and DFT. With the simultaneously enhanced electrical conductivity and lithium-ion diffusivity, MWNO successfully demonstrates its fast-rechargeability and practicality in the LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 -coupled full-cells. Therefore, this work illustrates the potential of ionothermal synthesis in energy storage materials and provides a mechanistic understanding of the doping effect on improving material's electrochemical performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Understanding the Formation and Evolution of Ceria Nanoparticles Under Hydrothermal Conditions

The formation and evolution of ceria nanoparticles during hydrothermal synthesis was investigated by in-situ total scattering and powder diffraction. The nucleation of pristine crystalline ceria nanoparticles originated from previously unknown cerium dimer complexes. The nanoparticle growth was highly accelerated under supercritical conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fast Li-Ion Conductivity in Superadamantanoid Lithium Thioborate Halides

Lithium thioborates are promising fast Li-ion conducting materials, with similar properties to their lithium thiophosphate counterparts that have enabled the development of solid-state Li-ion batteries. By comparison, thioborates have scarcely been developed, however, offering new space for materials discovery. In this work, we report a new class of lithium thioborate halides that adopt a so-called supertetrahedral adamantanoid structure that houses mobile lithium ions and halide anions within interconnected 3D structural channels. Investigation of the structure using single-crystal XRD, neutron powder diffraction, and neutron PDF reveals significant lithium and halide anion disorder. The phases are non-stoichiometric, adopting slightly varying halide contents within the materials. These new superadamantanoid materials exhibit high ionic conductivities up to 1.4 mS cm -1 , which can be effectively tuned by the polarizability of the halide anion within the channels.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

High‐Entropy Lithium Argyrodite Solid Electrolytes Enabling Stable All‐Solid‐State Batteries

Abstract Superionic solid electrolytes (SEs) are essential for bulk‐type solid‐state battery (SSB) applications. Multicomponent SEs are recently attracting attention for their favorable charge‐transport properties, however a thorough understanding of how configurational entropy (ΔS conf ) affects ionic conductivity is lacking. Here, we successfully synthesized a series of halogen‐rich lithium argyrodites with the general formula Li 5.5 PS 4.5 Cl x Br 1.5‐x (0≤x≤1.5). Using neutron powder diffraction and 31 P magic‐angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the S 2− /Cl − /Br − occupancy on the anion sublattice was quantitatively analyzed. We show that disorder positively affects Li‐ion dynamics, leading to a room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 22.7 mS cm −1 (9.6 mS cm −1 in cold‐pressed state) for Li 5.5 PS 4.5 Cl 0.8 Br 0.7 (ΔS conf =1.98R). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence that configurational entropy of the anion sublattice correlates with ion mobility. Our results indicate the possibility of improving ionic conductivity in ceramic ion conductors by tailoring the degree of compositional complexity. Moreover, the Li 5.5 PS 4.5 Cl 0.8 Br 0.7 SE allowed for stable cycling of single‐crystal LiNi 0.9 Co 0.06 Mn 0.04 O 2 (s‐NCM90) composite cathodes in SSB cells, emphasizing that dual‐substituted lithium argyrodites hold great promise in enabling high‐performance electrochemical energy storage.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effect of Carbon Doping on CO 2 –Reduction Activity of Single Cobalt Sites in Graphitic Carbon Nitride

Single atom catalysts have demonstrated interesting activity in a variety of applications. In this study, we prepared single C o2+ sites on graphitic carbon nitride (C 3 N 4 ), which was doped with carbon for enhanced activity in visible-light CO 2 reduction. The synthesized materials were characterized with a variety of techniques, including microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Here, doping C 3 N 4 with carbon was found to have profound effect on the photocatalytic activity of the single Co 2+ sites. At relatively low levels, carbon doping enhanced the photoresponse of C 3 N 4 in the visible region and improved charge separation upon photoactivation, thereby enhancing the photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, high levels of carbon doping were found to be detrimental to the photocatalytic activity of the single Co 2+ sites by altering the structure of C 3 N 4 and generating defect sites responsible for charge recombination.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Gallium Pnictides of the Alkaline Earth Metals, Synthesized by Means of the Flux Method: Crystal Structures and Properties of CaGa[subscript 2]Pn[subscript 2], SrGa[subscript 2]As[subscript 2], Ba[subscript 2]Ga[subscript 5]As[subscript 5], and Ba[subscript 4]Ga[subscript 5]Pn[subscript 8] (Pn = P or As)

The focus of this paper is on the structural characterization of the new Zintl phases CaGa{sub 2}P{sub 2}, CaGa{sub 2}As{sub 2}, SrGa{sub 2}As{sub 2}, and Ba{sub 2}Ga{sub 5}As{sub 5}, and the solid solution (Ba{sub 0.85(1)}Sr{sub 0.15}){sub 2}Ga{sub 5}As{sub 5}, all of which were synthesized from molten metal fluxes.CaGa{sub 2}P{sub 2}, CaGa{sub 2}As{sub 2}, and SrGa{sub 2}As{sub 2} have layered structures with polyanionic layers made of ethane-like Ga{sub 2}P6 and Ga{sub 2}As6 motifs fused through common edges; the polyanionic substructure in Ba{sub 2}Ga{sub 5}As{sub 5} consists of condensed Ga{sub 2}As6 units and GaAs{sub 4} tetrahedra. Ba{sub 4}Ga{sub 5}P{sub 8} and Ba{sub 4}Ga{sub 5}As{sub 8}, another pair of new compounds with channel-like 3D structures, were also synthesized from metal fluxes, and their structures were established from single-crystal X-ray and synchrotron powder diffraction. They are based on GaP{sub 4} and GaAs{sub 4} tetrahedra, with parts of their structures being heavily disordered. The electronic structures computed with the linear muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) method are discussed as well, alongside the thermopower and the electrical conductivity, measured on single crystals of Ba{sub 2}Ga{sub 5}As{sub 5} and the solid solution (Ba{sub 0.85(1)}Sr{sub 0.15}){sub 2} Ga{sub 5}As{sub 5}. They demonstrate that such an approach would be an effective way to fine-tune the transport properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗