Laser-fused refractory oxides for optical coatings

Laser sintering was carried out using a high power continuous-wave CO2 laser to prepare pellets of zirconia (ZrO2), hafnia (HfO2) and yttria (Y2O3) mixed oxides as starting materials in the deposition of optical coatings. Hardened recrystallized pellets appeared to have been formed during laser treatment. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transformation in the binary system while the ternary system was found to have a mixture of two crystalline phases. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy showed two isothermal crystalline regions in the ternary system. The optical inhomogeneity was low in the films deposited from the laser-fused pellets, but the absorption at a wavelength of 351 nm increased with increasing HfO2 content. The films deposited from laser-fused pellets were analysed by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and found to be stoichiometric and homogeneous.

Reactivity with hydrogen of pure iron oxide and of iron oxides doped with oxides of Mn, Co, Ni and Cu

Using dynamic TG in H2, X-ray powder diffraction and Mössbauer Spectroscopy the reactivities fot hydrogen reduction of Fe2O3 prepared at different temperatures, Fe2O3 doped with oxides of Mn, Co, Ni and Cu prepared at 300DaggerC from nitrate precursors and intermediate spinels derived from above samples during reduction have been explored. The reactivity is higher for finely divided Fe2O3 prepared at 250DaggerC. The reduction is retarded by Mn, marginally affected by Co and accelerated by Ni and Cu, especially at higher (5 at.%) dopant concentration. These reactivities confirmed also by isothermal experiments, are ascribed to the nature of disorder in the metastable intermediate spinels and to hydrogen rsquospill overrsquo effects.

Polymer flame inhibition in presence of transition metal oxides

Transition metal oxides like Fe2O3, Ni2O3, Co2O3 and MnO2 suppress the combustion of polystyrene. The effect has been explained on the basis of condensed-phase and gas-phase reactions.

Pes study of spin-state transitions in d6 transition metal complexes and oxides

Transitions from the low-to the high-spin state in Fe2+ and Co3+ compounds have been examined by X-ray and UV photoelectron spectroscopy. It has been shown that the core-level bands in XPES, in particular the metal 3s band, as well as the valence bands, are diagnosis in the study of spin-state transitions.

Mechanism of gel-to-crystallite conversion process in the synthesis of nanocrystalline multinary oxides

Description of gel-to-crystallite conversion process is made towards the synthesis of nanocrystalline titanates and aluminates. Thermodynamic and kinetic factors governing the conversion of a gel to meta-stable and stable nanocrystalline products(s) are discussed. Correlations between these factors and the preparative conditions employed for the syntheses of titanates and aluminates are arrived at.

Thermodynamic Properties of Niobium Oxides

Thermodynamic properties of three oxides of niobium have been measured using solid state electrochemical cells incorporating yttria-doped thoria (YDT) as the electrolyte in the temperature range T = (1000 to 1300) K. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of NbO, NbO2, and NbO2.422 from the elements can be expressed as: Delta(f)G(NbO)(o) +/- 547/J . mol(-1) = -414 986 + 86.861(T/K) Delta(f)G(NbO2)(o) +/- 548/J . mol(-1) = -779 864 + 164.438(T/K) Delta(f)G(NbO2.422)(o) +/- 775/J . mol(-1) = -911 045 + 197.932(T/K) The results are discussed in comparison with thermodynamic data reported in the literature. The new results refine data for NbO and NbO2 presented in standard data compilations. There are no data in thermodynamic compilations for NbO2.422 (Nb12O29). In the absence of the heat capacity and enthalpy of formation measurements, only the Gibbs energy of formation of NbO2.422 can be assessed. The free energy of formation of stoichiometric Nb2O5 is evaluated on the basis of measurements on NbO2.422 and information available in the literature on phase boundary compositions and isothermal variation of nonstoichiometric parameter with oxygen potential for Nb2O5-x. The results suggest a minor revision of data for Nb2O5. A minimum in the Gibbs energy of mixing for the system Nb-O occurs in the nonstoichiometric domain of Nb2O5-x with x = 0.036.

XPES and UVPES studies of iron oxides

X-Ray and uv photoelectron spectra of FeO, Fe2O3, and Fe3O4 have been studied along with those of a few model compounds. It has been possible to assign distinct bands due to Fe2+ and Fe3+ in the 3d, 3p, 3s, and 2p bands of Fe3O4. The spectra of Fe3O4 do not show major changes through the Verwey transition.

Precursor Dependent Microstructure Evolution and Nonstoichiometry in Nanostructured Cerium Oxide Coatings Using the Solution Precursor Plasma Spray Technique

A solution precursor plasma spray (SPPS) technique has been used for direct deposition of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) from various cerium salt solutions as precursors. Solution precursors were injected into the hot zone of a plasma plume to deposit CNP coatings. A numerical study of the droplet injection model has been employed for microstructure development during SPPS. The decomposition of each precursor to cerium oxide was analyzed by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis and validated by thermodynamic calculations. The presence of the cerium oxide phase in the coatings was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. Transmission electron microscopy studies confirmed nanocrystalline (grain size <14 nm) characteristic of the coatings. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies indicated the presence of a high concentration of Ce3+ (up to 0.32) in the coating prepared by SPPS. The processing and microstructure evolution of cerium oxide coatings with high nonstoichiometry are reported.

On the evaluation of stability of rare earth oxides as face coats for investment casting of titanium

Attempts have been made to evaluate the thermal stability of rare earth oxide face coats against liquid titanium. Determination of microhardness profiles and concentration profiles of oxygen and metallic constituents of oxide in investment cast titanium rods has allowed grActation of relative stability of rare earth oxides. The relative stability of evaluated oxides in the order of increasing stability follows the sequence CeO2 — ZrO2 — Gd2O3 — didymium oxide — Sm2O3 —Nd2O3 — Y2O3. The grading does not follow the free energy data of the formation of these oxides. A better correlation with the experimental observations is obtained when the solubility of the metallic species in titanium is also taken into consideration.

Bridging the Ruddlesden–Popper and the Dion–Jacobson series of layered perovskites: synthesis of layered oxides, A2–xLa2Ti3–xNbxO10(A = K, Rb), exhibiting ion exchange

Solid solutions of the formula, A2–xLa2Ti3–xNbxO10(A = K, Rb), exist for the range 0[less-than-or-eq]x[less-than-or-eq]1.0, bridging n= 3 members of the Ruddlesden–Popper series (A2La2Ti3O10) and the Dion–Jacobson series (ALa2Ti2NbO10). For 0[less-than-or-eq]x[less-than-or-eq]0.75, the phases possess body-centred structures characteristic of the Ruddlesden–Popper phases, while the x= 1 members are isostructural with KCa2Nb3O10(A = K) and CsCa2Nb3O10(A = Rb). Protonated derivatives, H2–xLa2Ti3–xNbxO10, which are prepared by ion exchange, retain the structural difference of the parent phases. A difference in the Brønsted acidity of the protonated derivatives revealed by intercalation experiments with organic bases seems to be related to this structural difference.