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At least 91 records · Page 5

In situ synchrotron powder diffraction study of the setting reaction kinetics of magnesium-potassium phosphate cements

This work reports a kinetic study of the formation of magnesium-potassium phosphate cements accomplished using in-situ synchrotron powder diffraction. The reaction: MgO + KH{sub 2}PO{sub 4} + 5H{sub 2}O → MgKPO{sub 4} · 6H{sub 2}O was followed in situ in the attempt of contributing to explain the overall mechanism and assess the influence of periclase (MgO) grain size and calcination temperature (1400-1600 °C) on the reaction kinetics. Numerical kinetic parameters for the setting reaction have been provided for the first time. The best fit to the kinetic data was obtained using a weighted nonlinear model fitting method with two kinetic equations, representing two consecutive, partially overlapping processes. MgO decomposition could be described by a first order (F1) model followed by a Jander diffusion (D3) controlled model. Crystallization of the product of reaction was modelled using an Avrami model (A{sub n}) followed by a first order (F1) chemical reaction. A reaction mechanism accounting for such results has been proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Anti-site mixing and magnetic properties of Fe 3 Co 3 Nb 2 studied via neutron powder diffraction

Here, we studied the crystal structure and magnetic properties of the rare-earth-free intermetallic compound Fe 3 Co 3 Nb 2 , which has recently been demonstrated to have potentially high magnetic anisotropy, using temperature-dependent neutron powder diffraction. Furthermore, the temperature dependence of the diffraction spectra reveals a magnetic transition between 300 and 400 K, in agreement with the magnetometry measurements. According to the structural refinement of the paramagnetic state and the substantial magnetic contribution to the diffuse scattering in the ferromagnetic state, the Fe/Co anti-site mixing is so strong that the site occupation for Fe and Co is almost random. The projection of the magnetic moments turned out to be non-zero along the c axis and in the a–b plane of Fe 3 Co 3 Nb 2 , most likely because of the exchange interactions between the randomly orientated nanograins in the samples. These findings suggest that future studies on the magnetism of Fe 3 Co 3 Nb 2 need to take the Fe/Co anti-site mixing into account, and the exchange interactions need to be suppressed to obtain large remanence and coercivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Crystal Structure of (Lu{sub 1−x}Ca{sub x})Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−z} (x = 0, 0.2) Superconducting Compounds Studied by Neutron Powder Diffraction

The crystalline structures of two polycrystalline samples of (Lu{sub 1−x}Ca{sub x})Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−z} with x = 0 (pure sample) and x = 0.2 (Ca-doped sample) have been analyzed by using neutron powder diffraction techniques to address the structural mechanisms associated with changes in superconducting behavior induced by Ca doping. The pure and Ca-doped samples exhibit superconductivity around 87 and 32 K, respectively. The room-temperature thermoelectric power measurements indicate that both the x = 0 and 0.2 samples are in overdoped state. The Rietveld refinements of the neutron diffraction data collected at room temperature for the pure and Ca-doped samples show that the higher level of oxygen vacancies is located on both the CuO{sub 2} planes and the apical oxygen sites for the pure sample compared to those of the Ca-doped sample. The present results suggest that the decrease in T{sub c} observed in the Ca-doped sample is mainly caused by the hole overdoping effect rather than by oxygen vacancies in the CuO{sub 2} planes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Magnetic ground state of the two isostructual polymeric quantum magnets [ Cu ( HF 2 ) ( pyrazine ) 2 ] SbF 6 and [ Co ( HF 2 ) ( pyrazine ) 2 ] SbF 6 investigated with neutron powder diffraction

The magnetic ground state of two isostructural coordination polymers, (i) the quasi-two-dimensional S=1/2 square-lattice antiferromagnet [Cu(HF 2 )(pyrazine) 2 ]SbF 6 and (ii) a related compound [Co(HF 2 )(pyrazine)2]SbF6, was examined with neutron powder diffraction measurements. We find that the ordered moments of the Heisenberg S=1/2 Cu(II) ions in [Cu(HF 2 )(pyrazine) 2 ]SbF 6 are 0.6(1)μ b , while the ordered moments for the Co(II) ions in [Co(HF 2 )(pyrazine) 2 ]SbF 6 are 3.02(6)μ b . For Cu(II), this reduced moment indicates the presence of quantum fluctuations below the ordering temperature. We also show from heat capacity and electron spin resonance measurements that due to the crystal electric field splitting of the S=3/2 Co(II) ions in [Co(HF 2 )(pyrazine) 2 ]SbF 6 , this isostructual polymer also behaves as an effective spin-half magnet at low temperatures. Furthermore, the Co moments in [Co(HF 2 )(pyrazine) 2 ]SbF 6 show strong easy-axis anisotropy, neutron diffraction data, which do not support the presence of quantum fluctuations in the ground state, and heat capacity data, which are consistent with 2D or close to 3D spatial exchange anisotropy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Automated prediction of lattice parameters from X-ray powder diffraction patterns

A key step in the analysis of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data is the accurate determination of unit-cell lattice parameters. This step often requires significant human intervention and is a bottleneck that hinders efforts towards automated analysis. This work develops a series of one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNNs) trained to provide lattice parameter estimates for each crystal system. A mean absolute percentage error of approximately 10% is achieved for each crystal system, which corresponds to a 100- to 1000-fold reduction in lattice parameter search space volume. The models learn from nearly one million crystal structures contained within the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database and the Cambridge Structural Database and, due to the nature of these two complimentary databases, the models generalize well across chemistries. A key component of this work is a systematic analysis of the effect of different realistic experimental non-idealities on model performance. It is found that the addition of impurity phases, baseline noise and peak broadening present the greatest challenges to learning, while zero-offset error and random intensity modulations have little effect. However, appropriate data modification schemes can be used to bolster model performance and yield reasonable predictions, even for data which simulate realistic experimental non-idealities. In order to obtain accurate results, a new approach is introduced which uses the initial machine learning estimates with existing iterative whole-pattern refinement schemes to tackle automated unit-cell solution.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Powder diffraction and crystal structure prediction identify four new coumarin polymorphs

Coumarin, a simple, commodity chemical isolated from beans in 1820, has, to date, only yielded one solid state structure. Here, we report a rich polymorphism of coumarin grown from the melt. Four new metastable forms were identified and their crystal structures were solved using a combination of computational crystal structure prediction algorithms and X-ray powder diffraction. With five crystal structures, coumarin has become one of the few rigid molecules showing extensive polymorphism at ambient conditions. We demonstrate the crucial role of advanced electronic structure calculations including many-body dispersion effects for accurate ranking of the stability of coumarin polymorphs and the need to account for anharmonic vibrational contributions to their free energy. As such, coumarin is a model system for studying weak intermolecular interactions, crystallization mechanisms, and kinetic effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Kinetics of Methane Hydrate Decomposition Studied via in Situ Low Temperature X-ray Powder Diffraction

Gas hydrates are known to have a slowed decomposition rate at ambient pressure and temperatures below the melting point of ice termed self-preservation or anomalous preservation. As hydrate exothermically decomposes, gas is released and water of the clathrate cages transforms into ice. Two regions of slowed decomposition for methane hydrate, 180 200 K and 230 260 K, were observed, and the kinetics were studied by in situ low temperature x-ray powder diffraction. The kinetic constants for ice formation from methane hydrate were determined by the Avrami model within each region and activation energies, Ea, were determined by the Arrhenius plot. Ea determined from the data for 180 200 K was 42 kJ/mol and for 230 260 K was 22 kJ/mol. The higher Ea in the colder temperature range was attributed to a difference in the microstructure of ice between the two regions.

anomalous preservation↗

The Crystal Structures of two Anhydrous Magnesium Hydroxychloride Phases from in situ Synchrotron Powder Diffraction Data

The crystal structures of two members of the solid solution series Mg(OH){sub x}Cl{sub y}x+y = 2, Mg(OH){sub 1.7}Cl{sub 0.3} (P{sup {bar 3}}m1, a = 3.169(2) {angstrom}, c = 5.530(12), V = 48.1(1) {angstrom}{sup 3} at T = 365 C) and MgOHCl (R{sup {bar 3}}m, a = 3.3877(4) {angstrom}, c = 17.534(4) {angstrom}, V = 174.27(6) {angstrom}{sup 3} at T = 625 C) were determined from in situ synchrotron powder diffraction data at high temperature upon dehydration of 3Mg(OH){sub 2} {center_dot} MgCl{sub 2} {center_dot} 8H{sub 2}O (F3) and 5Mg(OH){sub 2} {center_dot} MgCl{sub 2} {center_dot} 8H{sub 2}O (F5) phases. The crystal structures of Mg(OH){sub 1.7}Cl{sub 0.3} (example of ss-type-OH) and MgOHCl (example of ss-type-Cl) can be related to the C19 (CdCl{sub 2}) and C6 (CdI{sub 2}) structure type, respectively, with the disordered chloride and hydroxide anions occupying the same crystallographic site in layers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

In Situ Experimental Capabilities and Results from the X-ray Powder Diffraction Beamline

The world-leading intensity and brightness of the NSLS-II at Brookhaven National Laboratory offers unique opportunities for studying materials for nuclear energy systems under prototypical operating conditions, i.e, in situ. Probing the microstructural evolution in situ is essential to understand both the fundamental material dynamics and to develop physically relent predictive material performance models for operation in the extreme environments of nuclear reactors. This presentation describes the unique opportunities for in situ experiments at the X-ray Powder Diffraction beamline (XPD) that are planned to be accessed through The Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF). Examples of recent in situ experiments at XPD are given for three different materials systems including; field assisted sintering of UO{sub 2}; phase evolution in high Ni-Cr alloys, and the corrosion of Zircaloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structure elucidation of 3-[1-(6-methoxy-2-naphtyl)ethyl]-6-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazine, C 23 H 18 Cl 2 N 4 OS from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction

The 3-[1-(6-methoxy-2-naphtyl)ethyl]-6-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-7 H -1,2,4-triazolo[3,4- b ]-1,3,4-thiadiazine, C 23 H 18 Cl 2 N 4 OS compound was synthesized, as a member of the family of novel potential anticancer agents. The structure of the title compound was characterized by IR, 1 H-NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, previously. In this study, the crystal structure of this compound has been determined from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. The crystal structure was solved by simulated annealing and the final structure was achieved by Rietveld refinement method using soft restrains on all interatomic bond lengths and angles. This compound crystallizes in space group P 21, Z = 2, with the unit-cell parameters a = 15.55645(11) Å, b = 8.61693(6) Å, c = 8.56702(6) Å, β = 104.3270(4)°, and V = 1112.68(1) Å 3 . In the crystal structure, strong C-H∙∙∙ π and weak intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions link the molecules into a three-dimensional network. The molecules are in a head-to-head arrangement in the unit cell.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Obtaining aluminas from the thermal decomposition of their different precursors: An {sup 27}Al MAS NMR and X-ray powder diffraction studies

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • We synthesized three precursors of alumina from different methods. • The calcination of the precursors generated several alumina polymorphs. • XRD and NMR were used for structural investigation of the polymorphs. • The synthesis route determines the structural and textural properties of the solids. - Abstract: A commercial sample of Boehmite was used as precursor of alumina polymorphs. For comparison, three other precursors were synthesized from different methods. Particularly, the use of excess of urea promoted a very crystalline form of basic aluminum carbonate. The characteristics of the four precursors were investigated by thermal, vibrational and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. Additionally, the nuclear magnetic resonance, with magic angle spinning ({sup 27}Al MAS NMR), was used to verify the coordination of aluminum cations. Each precursor was calcined at various temperatures generating alumina polymorphs, which were structurally analyzed by XRD and {sup 27}Al MAS NMR. Due to interest in catalysis supports, special attention was given to the γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} phase, which in addition to structural investigation was subjected to textural analysis. The results showed that, from different synthesis procedures and common route of calcination, one can obtain materials with the same composition but with different structural and textural properties, which in turn can significantly influence the performance of a supported catalyst.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Neutron and X-ray powder diffraction study of skutterudite thermoelectrics

N- and p-type filled-skutterudite materials prepared for thermoelectric power generation modules were analyzed by neutron diffraction at the POWGEN beam line of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The skutterudite powders were processed by melt spinning, followed by ball milling and annealing. The n-type material consists of Ba–Yb–Co–Sb and the p-type material consists of Di–Fe–Ni–Sb or Di–Fe–Co–Sb (Di = didymium, an alloy of Pr and Nd). Powders for prototype module fabrication from General Motors and Marlow Industries were analyzed in this study. XRD and neutron diffraction studies confirm that both the n- and p-type materials have cubic symmetry. Structural Rietveld refinements determined the lattice parameters and atomic parameters of the framework and filler atoms. The cage filling fraction was found to depend linearly on the lattice parameter, which in turn depends on the average framework atom size. Ultimately, this knowledge may allow the filling fraction of these skutterudite materials to be purposefully adjusted, thereby tuning the thermoelectric properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

X-ray powder diffraction, vibration and thermal studies of [A{sub 0.92}(NH{sub 4}){sub 0.08}]{sub 2}TeCl{sub 4}Br{sub 2} with A = Cs, Rb: Influence of mixed cationic and anionic substitutions

Graphical abstract: The structures of [A{sub 0.92}(NH{sub 4}){sub 0.08}]{sub 2}TeCl{sub 4}Br{sub 2} with A = Cs, Rb belong to the tetragonal {beta}-K{sub 2}SnCl{sub 6} structure type. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The two new compound crystallises in P4/mnc tetragonal space group. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The structure is considered as isolated octahedred TeCl{sub 4}Br{sup 2-}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The octahedra connected by ionic and hydrogen bonding through the Cs/Rb or N atoms. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A DTA/TGA experiment reveals one endothermic peak at 780 K for these compounds. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer One endothermic peak is detected at around 213 K by DSC experiment. -- Abstract: The crystal structures of [A{sub 0.92}(NH{sub 4}){sub 0.08}]{sub 2}TeCl{sub 4}Br{sub 2} with A = Cs, Rb have been determined using X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The two compounds crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/mnc, with the unit cell parameters: a = 7.452(1) Angstrom-Sign , c = 10.544(3) Angstrom-Sign , Z = 2 and a = 7.315(2) Angstrom-Sign , c = 10.354(4) Angstrom-Sign , Z = 2 in the presence of Cs and Rb, respectively. These two compounds have an antifluorite-type arrangement of NH{sub 4}{sup +}/Rb{sup +}/Cs{sup +} and octahedral TeCl{sub 4}Br{sub 2}{sup 2-} anions. The stability of these structure is by ionic and hydrogen bonding contacts: A Midline-Horizontal-Ellipsis Cl, A Midline-Horizontal-Ellipsis Br and N-H Midline-Horizontal-Ellipsis Cl, N-H Midline-Horizontal-Ellipsis Br. The different vibrational modes of these powders were analysed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopic studies. A DTA/TGA experiment reveals one endothermic peak at 780 K implicating the decomposition of the sample. At low temperature, one endothermic peak in thermal behavior is detected at around 213 K by DSC experiment. This transition was confirmed by dielectric measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural elucidation of b-(Y,Sc){sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} : combined use of {sub 89}Y MAS NMR and powder diffraction.

Although the structures of pure Sc{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and {beta}-Y{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} have been described in the literature using the C2/m space group, {sup 29}Si magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR measurements of the intermediate members of the Sc{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}-{beta}-Y{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} system indicate a lowering of the symmetry to the C2 space group. Indeed, these compositions exhibit a unique Si crystallographic site and an Si-O-Si angle lower than 180{sup o}, incompatible with the C2/m space group. C2 is the only possible alternative. Space group Cm can be discarded with regard to its two different Si sites per unit cell. Moreover, {sup 89}Y MAS NMR data have revealed the existence of two different Y sites in the structure of the intermediate members of the Sc{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}-{beta}-Y{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} system, confirming the lowering of the symmetry to the C2 space group. The viability of the C2 model has therefore been tested and confirmed by refinement of synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction data for the different members of the system. The structural evolutions across the Sc{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}-{beta}-Y{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} system are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Cation Adaptive Structures Based on Manganese Cyanide Prussian Blue Analogues: Application of Powder Diffraction Data to Solve Complex, Unprecedented Stoichiometries and New Structure Types

Abstract A Mn(II) salt and A + CN − under anaerobic conditions react to form 2‐D and 3‐D extended structured compounds of A m Mn II n (CN) m+2n stoichiometry. Here, the creation and characterization of this large family of compounds, for example AMn II 3 (CN) 7 , A 2 Mn II 3 (CN) 8 , A 2 Mn II 5 (CN) 12 , A 3 Mn II 5 (CN) 13 , and A 2 Mn II [Mn II (CN) 6 ], where A represents alkali and tetraalkylammonium cations, is reviewed. Cs 2 Mn II [Mn II (CN) 6 ] has the typical Prussian blue face centered cubic unit cell. However, the other alkali salts are monoclinic or rhombohedral. This is in accord with smaller alkali cation radii creating void space that is minimized by increasing the van der Waals stabilization energy by reducing ∠Mn−N≡C, which, strengthens the magnetic coupling and increases the magnetic ordering temperatures. This is attributed to the non‐rigidity of the framework structure due the significant ionic character associated with the high‐spin Mn II sites. For larger tetraalkylammonium cations, the high‐spin Mn sites lack sufficient electrostatic A + ⋅⋅⋅NC stabilization and form unexpected 4‐ and 5‐coordinated Mn sites within a flexible, extended framework around the cation; hence, the size, shape, and charge of the cation dictate the unprecedented stoichio‐metry and unpredictable cation adaptive structures. Antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent Mn II sites leads to ferrimagnetic ordering, but in some cases antiferromagnetic coupling of ferrimagnetic layers are compensated and synthetic antiferromagnets are observed. The magnetic ordering temperatures for ferrimagnetic A 2 Mn II [Mn II (CN) 6 ] with both octahedral high‐ and low‐spin Mn II sites increase with decreasing ∠Mn−N≡C. The crystal structures for all of the extended structured materials were obtained by powder diffraction.

Chemistry↗

Towards a machine-readable literature: finding relevant papers based on an uploaded powder diffraction pattern

A prototype application for machine-readable literature is investigated. The program is called pyDataRecognition and serves as an example of a data-driven literature search, where the literature search query is an experimental data set provided by the user. The user uploads a powder pattern together with the radiation wavelength. The program compares the user data to a database of existing powder patterns associated with published papers and produces a rank ordered according to their similarity score. The program returns the digital object identifier and full reference of top-ranked papers together with a stack plot of the user data alongside the top-five database entries. The paper describes the approach and explores successes and challenges.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-energy X-ray powder diffraction and atomic-pair distribution-function studies of charged/discharged structures in carbon-hybridized Li2MnSiO4 nanoparticles as a cathode material for lithiumion batteries

The stable cycling performance with a high discharge capacity of similar to 190 mAh g(-1) in a carbon-hybridized Li2MnSiO4 nanostructured powder has prompted an experimental investigation of the charged/discharged structures using synchrotron-based and laboratory-based X-rays and atomic-pair distributionfunction (PDF) analyses. A novel method of in-situ spray pyrolysis of a precursor solution with glucose as a carbon source enabled the successful synthesis of the carbon-hybridized Li2(M)nSiO(4) nanoparticles. The XRD patters of the discharged (lithiated) samples exhibit a long-range ordered structure characteristic of the (beta) Li2MnSiO4 crystalline phase (space group Pmn2(1)) which dissipates in the charged (delithiated) samples. However, upon discharging the long-range ordered structure recovers in each cycle. The disordered structure, according to the PDF analysis, is mainly due to local distortions of the MnO4 tetrahedra which show a mean Mn-O nearest neighbor distance shorter than that of the long-range ordered phase. These results corroborate the notion of the smaller Mn3+/Mn4+ ionic radii in the Li extracted phase versus the larger Mn2+ ionic radius in Li inserted phase. Thus Li extraction/insertion drives the fluctuation between the disordered and the long-range ordered structures. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Atomic pair distribution function↗