Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “single crystal 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.

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

At least 1,603 records · Page 89
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Direct and real time probe of photoinduced structure transition in colossal magnetoresistive material

Here, we report a direct and real time measurement of photoinduced structure phase transition in single crystal La 0.84 Sr 0.16 MnO 3 using femtosecond electron diffraction. The melting of orthorhombic lattice ordering under femtosecond optical excitation is found involving two distinct processes with different time scales, an initial fast melting of orthorhombic phase in about 4 ps and a subsequent slower transformation in 90 ps and longer timescales. Furthermore, the fast process is designated as the initial melting of orthorhombic phase induced by the Mn-O bond change that is most likely driven by the quenching of the dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion following the photo-excitation. We attribute the slow process to the growing of newly formed structure domain from the photo-excited sites to the neighboring non-excited orthorhombic sites.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Accurate structural study of langasite-family Ca{sub 3}TaGa{sub 3}Si{sub 2}O{sub 14} crystal

An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Ca{sub 3}TaGa{sub 3}Si{sub 2}O{sub 14} single crystal has been performed using two datasets obtained on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector (a = 8.1056(2) Å, c = 4.9800(1) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.486/0.488%). A model structure is determined which is characterized by a high degree of reproducibility of structural parameters. Each site in Ca{sub 3}TaGa{sub 3}Si{sub 2}O{sub 14} is occupied by atoms of only one type. Nevertheless, its structural feature is asymmetric disordering of sites of Ca, Ta, Ga, and two out of three oxygen atoms occupying special and general sites. A transition of some part of Ca atoms (~3%) from 3e sites on the twofold symmetry axis to general 6g sites is revealed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Morphology and kinetics of polymorphic transformations in K{sub 0.965}Rb{sub 0.035}NO{sub 3} single crystals

Polymorphic transformations in K{sub 0.965}Rb{sub 0.035}NO{sub 3} single crystals have been investigated by optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The equilibrium temperature between modifications II and III of the crystal studied is determined to be T = 452 ± 0.5 K. It is found that polymorphic transformations are of the single crystal ↔ single crystal type and occur with the formation and growth of nuclei of new crystals in matrix ones at II ↔ III transformations. An empirical dependence of the growth rate of modification III on temperature is established in the form ϑ = ϑ = (–0.478ΔT + 0.712ΔT{sup 2}–0.00041ΔT{sup 3}) × 10{sup –2} cm/s (ΔT = T{sub tr}–T{sub 0}, where T{sub tr} is the transformation temperature and T{sub 0} is the equilibrium temperature)

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Investigating the limits of superconductivity in UTe 2

Abstract Spin-triplet bulk superconductors are a promising route to topological superconductivity, and UTe 2 is a recently discovered contender. The superconducting properties of UTe 2 , however, vary substantially as a function of the synthetic route, and even nonsuperconducting single crystals have been reported. To understand the driving mechanism suppressing superconductivity, we investigate UTe 2 single crystals grown close to the nonsuperconducting boundary (growth temperature ∼710 ∘ C) through a combination of thermodynamic and x-ray diffraction measurements. Specific heat measurements reveal a sharp decrease in the superconducting volume and a concomitant increase in the residual specific heat coefficient close to the nonsuperconducting boundary. Notably, these crystals are inhomogeneous and show an apparent double transition in specific heat measurements, similar to samples grown at much higher temperatures (∼1000 ∘ C). Our single crystal x-ray diffraction measurements reveal that there are two important tuning parameters: uranium vacancies and the atomic displacement along the c axis, which shows a twofold increase in samples with a reduced superconducting volume. Our results highlight the key role of local disorder along the uranium-uranium dimers and suggest that the apparent double superconducting transition is more likely to emerge close to the superconducting limits of UTe 2 .

Weiland, A. (ORCID:0000000171983559)↗
DOE OSTI2015

Pb{sub 5}Bi{sub 24}Se{sub 41}: A new member of the homologous series forming topological insulator heterostructures

We have synthesized Pb{sub 5}Bi{sub 24}Se{sub 41}, which is a new member of the (PbSe){sub 5}(Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}){sub 3m} homologous series with m=4. This series of compounds consist of alternating layers of the topological insulator Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} and the ordinary insulator PbSe. Such a naturally-formed heterostructure has recently been elucidated to give rise to peculiar quasi-two-dimensional topological states throughout the bulk, and the discovery of Pb{sub 5}Bi{sub 24}Se{sub 41} expands the tunability of the topological states in this interesting homologous series. The trend in the resistivity anisotropy in this homologous series suggests an important role of hybridization of the topological states in the out-of-plane transport. - Graphical abstract: X-ray diffraction profiles taken on cleaved surfaces of single-crystal samples of the (PbSe){sub 5}(Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}){sub 3m} homologous series with various m values up to 4, which realizes topological insulator heterostructures. Schematic crystal structure of the new phase, m=4, is also shown. - Highlights: • We have synthesized a new member of the homologous series related to topological insulators. • In this compound, a heterostructure of topological and ordinary insulators naturally forms. • Resistivity anisotropy suggests an important role of hybridization of the topological states. • This compound expands the tunability of the topological states via chemical means.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Growth, structure, and properties of GaAs-based (GaAs){sub 1–x–y}(Ge{sub 2}){sub x}(ZnSe){sub y} epitaxial films

The possibility of growing the (GaAs){sub 1–x–y}(Ge{sub 2}){sub x}(ZnSe){sub y} alloy on GaAs substrates by the method of liquid-phase epitaxy from a tin solution–melt is shown. X-ray diffraction shows that the grown film is single-crystal with the (100) orientation and has the sphalerite structure. The crystal-lattice parameter of the film is a{sub f} = 0.56697 nm. The features of the spectral dependence of the photosensitivity are caused by the formation of various complexes of charged components. It is established that the I–V characteristic of such structures is described by the exponential dependence I = I{sub 0}exp(qV/ckT) at low voltages (no higher than 0.4 V) and by the power dependence J ∼ V{sup α}, where the exponent α varies with increasing voltage at high voltages (V > 0.5 V). The results are treated within the framework of the theory of the drift mechanism of current transfer taking into account the possibility of the exchange of free carriers within the recombination complex.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Magnetocaloric properties of rapidly solidified Dy{sub 3}Co alloy ribbons

The magnetic and magnetocaloric (MC) properties of melt-spun ribbons of the Dy{sub 3}Co intermetallic compound were investigated. Samples were fabricated in an Ar environment using a homemade melt spinner system at a linear speed of the rotating copper wheel of 40 ms{sup −1}. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that ribbons crystallize into a single-phase with the Fe{sub 3}C-type orthorhombic crystal structure. The M(T) curve measured at 5 mT reveals the occurrence of a transition at 32 K from a first to a second antiferromagnetic (AFM) state and an AFM-to-paramagnetic transition at T{sub N} = 43 K. Furthermore, a metamagnetic transition is observed below T{sub N}, but the magnetization change ΔM is well below the one reported for bulk alloys. Below 12 K, large inverse MC effect and hysteresis losses are observed. This behavior is related to the metamagnetic transition. For a magnetic field change of 5 T (2 T) applied along the ribbon length, the produced ribbons show a peak value of the magnetic entropy change ΔS{sub M}{sup peak} of −6.5 (− 2.1) Jkg{sup −1}K{sup −1} occurring close to T{sub N} with a full-width at half-maximum δT{sub FWHM} of 53 (37) K, and refrigerant capacity RC = 364 (83) Jkg{sup −1} (estimated from the product |ΔS{sub M}{sup peak}| × δT{sub FWHM})

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Interplay Between Metastability and Mechanically Induced Structural Instability in CsPbBr 3 Photovoltaic Perovskite

An atomic-level understanding of the underlying structural metastability is still absent in halide perovskite photovoltaic systems. Focusing on the model material CsPbBr 3 , the impact of mechanically induced atomic structure alteration is elucidated through structural modeling and X-ray diffraction measurements. Sudden Cs–Br bond breaking drives the system metastability, where the first-order transition arises from cation-halide bond strain relief by severing the corner connectivity of the PbBr 6 units. The pressure–volume and entropy terms govern the Gibbs free-energy landscape in halide perovskites. In conclusion, metastability is revealed as a critical factor limiting the performance of lead halide perovskites under extreme but natural environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Structural differences between single crystal and polycrystalline UBe 13

Here, we report on observations of structural and chemical differences between samples of UBe 13 that were synthesised using two different methods. Unexplained discrepancies in properties between samples with differing synthesis had previously been found in this heavy fermion superconductor. A polycrystalline UBe 13 sample was made by arc-melting the constituents. Single crystals were grown using an aluminium flux and had a consistently slightly larger lattice parameter than the polycrystals, which merited further study. Neutron diffraction data were collected at the Lujan Center at LANSCE on the HIPPO diffractometer. Aluminium was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the flux-grown single crystal (0.803 wt%), and small amounts (~0.2 wt%) of thorium were detected in the UBe 13 polycrystalline sample. In order to probe the implications of the presence of Al, calculations by spin-polarised DFT-GGA+U show that the incorporation of Al onto the 96i site (the lowest symmetry site in the structure) is energetically more favourable than on other sites. In general, the trends calculated by DFT for bond lengths and lattice parameter increases are consistent with bond lengths experimentally observed by neutron diffraction, but specific percentage changes with aluminium incorporation may be obscured by the unexpected thorium in the polycrystalline sample. The aggregate of our initial observations suggests that incorporation of aluminium from the flux into single crystal UBe 13 is significant.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

A {Ni 12 }-Wheel-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Coordinative Binding of Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

Air pollution by SO 2 and NO 2 has caused significant risks on the environment and human health. Understanding the mechanism of active sites within capture materials is of fundamental importance to the development of new clean-up technologies. We report the crystallographic observation of reversible coordinative binding of SO 2 and NO 2 on open Ni II sites in a metal-organic framework (NKU-100) incorporating unprecedented {Ni 12 }-wheels; each wheel exhibits six open Ni II sites on desolvation. Immobilised gas molecules are further stabilised by cooperative host-guest interactions comprised of hydrogen bonds, π∙∙∙π interactions and dipole interactions. At 298 K and 1.0 bar, NKU-100 shows adsorption uptakes of 6.21 and 5.80 mmol g -1 for SO 2 and NO 2 , respectively. Dynamic breakthrough experiments have confirmed the selective retention of SO 2 and NO 2 at low concentrations under dry conditions. This work will inspire the future design of efficient sorbents for the capture of SO 2 and NO 2 .

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

F{sup −}/OH{sup −} substitution in [H{sub 4}tren]{sup 4+} and [H{sub 3}tren]{sup 3+} hydroxyfluorotitanates(IV) and classification of tren cation configurations

Three [H{sub 3}tren]{sup 3+} or [H{sub 4}tren]{sup 4+} hydroxyfluorotitanates(IV) are solvothermally synthesized from TiO{sub 2}, tren amine, 40% HF aqueous solution and ethanol under microwave heating at 120 °C and 190 °C. [H{sub 4}tren]·(TiF{sub 4.6}(OH){sub 1.4}){sub 2}·2.7H{sub 2}O (I) and β-[H{sub 3}tren]·(TiF{sub 4.5}(OH){sub 1.5})·(F) (II) are described for the first time. The third compound, α-[H{sub 3}tren]·(TiF{sub 4.7}(OH){sub 1.3})·(F) (III), was previously reported as a pure fluorotitanate. The structure determinations are performed from single crystal (I) and powder (II) X-ray diffraction data. The F{sup −}/OH{sup −} substitution, expected from the presence of water in the reaction medium, is characterized by chemical analyses and {sup 19}F MAS solid state NMR experiments: all three structures are built up from Ti(F,OH){sub 6}{sup 2−} octahedra and “free” fluoride ions or water molecules. “Free” fluoride ions are not affected by F{sup −}/OH{sup −} substitution. The electroneutrality is ensured by triprotonated or tetraprotonated tren amines which adopt specific configurations. Additionally, based on the analysis of [H{sub 3}tren]{sup 3+} or [H{sub 4}tren]{sup 4+} hydroxo/oxo/fluorometalates, a classification of the configurations of tren cations is proposed. - Graphical abstract: The ratio of the relative intensities of the {sup 19}F NMR lines assigned to F atoms belonging to isolated TiF{sub 6−x}(OH){sub x} octahedra and to “free” fluoride ions shows that the F{sup −}/OH{sup −} substitution concerns only F atoms bonded to titanium. - Highlights: • Three tren templated hydroxyfluorotitanates(IV) have been solvothermally synthesized. • They are built up from Ti(F,OH){sub 6}{sup 2−} octahedra and “free” F{sup −} ions or H{sub 2}O molecules. • F{sup −}/OH{sup −} substitution does not affect “free” F{sup −} sites. • [H{sub 4}tren]{sup 4+} and [H{sub 3}tren]{sup 3+} cations adopt specific configurations. • A classification of the configurations of tren cations is proposed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Synthesis and characterization of the novel antiferromagnet LaNiB 3 O 7

Here, we present the synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of the novel borate LaNiB 3 O 7 - the first magnetically ordered compound reported in the CaAlB 3 O 7 structure type. This material is made of alternating sheets of corner-sharing borate tetrahedra and planes of La and Ni ions, with distorted nickel oxide [NiO 6 ] octahedra and lanthanum oxide [LaO 10 ] polyhedra. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility data reveal dominantly antiferromagnetic interactions and an antiferromagnetic transition with a Neel temperature of 19 K, confirmed by specific heat data. The magnetic moment per nickel ion is 3.06 μ B . This compound uncovers a new family of rare-earth transition-metal borates to probe for magnetic interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sn 0.24 WO 3 hexagonal tungsten bronze prepared via the metal chloride route

In this work, we report the synthesis of Sn 0.24 WO 3 single crystals via an alternative, less well-known, solid-state synthetic approach that involves the use of tin chloride as a starting material. The compound adopts an unusual variant of the hexagonal tungsten bronze structure in space group P6/mmm (a = 7.4264(7) Å and c = 3.7843(4) Å) with a previously unreported distribution of Sn cations, disordered over two distinct sites in the tunnels. Sn 0.24 WO 3 shows no signs of superconductivity down to 170 mK and exhibits weakly-metallic conducting behavior.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Transport properties and thermal behavior of YbMnSb 2 semimetal above room temperature

Single crystals of ytterbium manganese diantimonide, YbMnSb 2 have been grown from a high-temperature reaction of the elements, employing molten Sb as self-flux. This phase crystallizes in the tetragonal centrosymmetric space group P4/nmm (No. 129) and adopts the ZrCuSiAs structure type. Here, the structure consists of Sb-based square nets and PbO-type layers formed by fused [MnSb 4/4 ] tetrahedra. YbMnSb 2 is stable under ambient atmosphere and incongruently melts at a temperature of ca. 1120 K. In the temperature range from 300 K to 450 K, the electrical resistivity of the as-grown single-crystalline material is as low as 3.2 mΩ cm, while its thermopower is as high as 180 μV/K. As such, YbMnSb 2 shows promise for thermoelectric applications in the mid-temperature region, with an estimated power factor of 0.85–0.95 mW/(m K 2 ).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hydrogen bond network and bond valence analysis on uranyl sulfate compounds with organic-based interstitial cations

Seven new uranyl sulfate compounds with organic charge-balancing cations have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The structural unit topologies of the two chains and five sheets have been previously reported in uranyl sulfate crystal chemistry, although they were synthesized using different organic molecules. With the inclusion of six of these structures to the 48 previously published uranyl sulfate compounds, a total of 54 known uranyl sulfate compounds with organic charge-balancing cations were compiled and analyzed. A graphical approach was used to compare the structural unit topologies, and a bond valence approach was used to quantify the hydrogen bond networks that exist between the interstitial cationic and solvent species to the uranyl sulfate anionic structural units. Finally, this analysis helped elucidate which oxygen atoms in the structural unit receive hydrogen bonds and how the organic cations stabilize the overall crystal structures in this subclass of U(VI) materials.

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

Relationship between morphologies and orientations of Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} grains in Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu solder joints on different Cu pads

The morphologies and orientations of Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} intermetallic compounds in the Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu solder joints both on polycrystalline and single crystal Cu pads under different peak reflow temperatures and times above liquids were investigated. The relationship between Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} grain orientations and morphologies was clarified. At the interface of Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/polycrystalline Cu pad, scalloped Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} intermetallic compounds formed at 250 °C and roof shape Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} formed at 300 °C. Both scalloped Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} and roof shape Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} had a preferred orientation of (0001) plane being parallel to polycrystalline Cu pad surface. Besides, the percentage of large angle grain boundaries increased as the peak reflow temperature rose. At the interface of Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/(111) single crystal Cu pad, the Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} intermetallic compounds were mainly scallop-type at 250 °C and were prism type at 300 °C. The prismatic Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} grains grew along the three preferred directions with the inter-angles of 60° on (111) single crystal Cu pad while along two perpendicular directions on (100) single crystal Cu pad. The orientation relationship between Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} grains and the single crystal Cu pads was investigated by electron backscatter diffraction technology. In addition, two types of hollowed Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} intermetallic compounds were found inside the joints of polycrystalline Cu pads. The long hexagonal Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} strips were observed in the joints reflowing at 250 °C while the hollowed Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} strips with the ‘▪’ shape cross-sections appeared at 300 °C, which was attributed to the different grain growth rates of different Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} crystal faces. - Highlights: • The orientation of interfacial Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} grains was obtained by EBSD technology. • Two types of hollowed Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} strips were found at different temperatures. • The formation mechanism of hollowed Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} was elaborated based on Bravais law. • The relationship between Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} grain orientations and morphologies was clarified.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

High temperature thermoelectric properties of the solid-solution zintl phase Eu₁₁Cd 6-x Zn x Sb₁₂

Solid-solution Zintl compounds with the formulaEu₁₁Cd 6-x Zn x Sb₁₂ have been synthesized from the elements as single crystals using a tin flux according to the stoichiometry Eu:Cd:Zn:Sb:Sn of 11:6–x p :x p :12:30 with x p = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, where x p is the preparative amount of Zn employed in the reaction. The crystal structures and the compositions were established by single-crystal as well as powder X-ray diffraction and wavelength-dispersive X-ray analysis measurements. The title solid-solution Zintl compounds crystallize isostructurally in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group C 2 /m (No. 12, Z = 2) as the Sr₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂ structure type (Pearson symbol mC 58). There is a miscibility gap at 3 ≤ x p ≤ 4 where the major product crystallizes in a disordered structure related to the Ca₉Mn₄Bi₉ structure type; otherwise, for all other compositions, the Sr₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂ structure is the majority phase. Eu₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂ shows lower lattice thermal conductivity relative to Eu₁₁Zn₆Sb₁₂ consistent with its higher mean atomic weight, and as anticipated, the solid-solution samples of Eu₁₁Cd 6–x Zn x Sb₁₂ have effectively reduced lattice thermal conductivities relative to the end member compounds. Eu₁₁̣̣₀ (1) Cd₄̣̣₅ (2) Zn₁̣̣₅ (2) Sb₁₂̣̣₀ (1) exhibits the highest z T value of >0.5 at around 800 K which is twice as large as the end member compounds.

Kazem, Nasrin↗