Chemical bond characteristics, thermal expansion property and compressibility of AR(2)O(4) (A = Ca, Sr, Ba; R = rare earths)

Theoretical researches were performed on the CaFe2O4-type binary rare earth oxides AR(2)O(4) (A = Ca, Sr, Ba; R = rare earths) by using chemical bond theory of dielectric description. The chemical bond properties of these crystals were explored, and then the thermal expansion property and compressibility were studied. The theoretical values of linear thermal expansion coefficient (LTEC) and bulk modulus were presented. The calculations revealed that the LTECs and the bulk moduli do have linear relationship with the ionic radii of the rare earths. In the cases of Sc and Y, both the LTEC and bulk modulus values are larger than the lanthanide series. We attribute this to the difference in the electronic configuration between Sc (Y) and lanthanide series. For SrY2O4 and BaY2O4 crystals, the theoretical values of LTEC and bulk modulus agree well with experimental ones.

On improving the phase stability and thermal expansion coefficients of lanthanum cerium oxide solid solutions

The phase stability of lanthanum cerium oxide (La2Ce2O7), which is stable up to 1400 degrees C, and the thermal expansion coefficient of La2Ce2O7 doped with Ta2O5 or WO3 were studied. The thermal expansion coefficient of La2Ce2O7 below 400 degrees C was increased by adding more CeO2 or doping with either Ta2O5 or WO3.

Estimation thermal expansion coefficient from lattice energy for inorganic crystals

By using the study of the lattice energy and the structural parameters of binary inorganic crystals, a new parameter reflecting the thermal expansion property has been found, the relation between the linear expansion coefficient and new parameter has been established. A semiempirical method for evaluation of linear expansion coefficient from the lattice energy is presented, and developed to the complex crystals. The estimated values of the linear expansion coefficients of both simple and complex crystals are in good agreement with the experimental values.

Calculation of the thermal expansion coefficient for Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

An estimation method of thermal expansion coefficient in term of lattice energy which was developed earlier for simple materials is extended to a complex material of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi-2212). The calculation of the chemical bond property and thermal expansion coefficient of Bi-2212 has been carried out and the theoretical values were in good agreement with the corresponding experimental results. The dependence of the thermal expansion coefficient on the different structures and on the flexible oxidation states of Bi and Cu are investigated. The results indicate that the thermal expansion coefficients of Bi-2212 are insensitive to the low lattice distortion of the average structure and the changes of formal valences of Bi and Cu ions.