Phase Relations in the System Cu-Gd-O and Gibbs Energy of Formation of CuGd204

The phase relations in the system Cu-Gd-O have been determined at 1273 K by X-ray diffrac- tion, optical microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis of samples equilibrated in quartz ampules and in pure oxygen. Only one ternary compound, CuGd2O4, was found to be stable. The Gibbs free energy of formation of this compound has been measured using the solid-state cell Pt, Cu2O + CuGd2O4 + Gd2O3 // (Y2O3) ZrO2 // CuO + Cu2O, Pt in the temperature range of 900 to 1350 K. For the formation of CuGd2O4 from its binary component oxides, CuO (s) + Gd2O3 (s) → CuGd2O4 (s) ΔG° = 8230 - 11.2T (±50) J mol-1 Since the formation is endothermic, CuGd2O4 becomes thermodynamically unstable with respect to CuO and Gd2O3 below 735 K. When the oxygen partial pressure over CuGd2O4 is lowered, it decomposes according to the reaction 4CuGd2O4 (s) → 4Gd2O3 (s) + 2Cu2O (s) + O2 (g) for which the equilibrium oxygen potential is given by Δμo 2 = −227,970 + 143.2T (±500) J mol−1 An oxygen potential diagram for the system Cu-Gd-O at 1273 K is presented.

Phase relations in the systems Cu–O–R2O3(R = Tm, Lu) and Gibbs energies of formation of Cu2R2O5 compounds

The phase relations in the systems Cu–O–R2O3(R = Tm, Lu) have been determined at 1273 K by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and electron probe microanalysis of samples equilibrated in evacuated quartz ampules and in pure oxygen. Only ternary compounds of the type Cu2R2O5 were found to be stable. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of the compounds have been measured using solid-state galvanic cells of the type, Pt|Cu2O + Cu2R2O5+ R2O3‖(Y2O3)ZrO2‖CuO + Cu2O‖Pt in the temperature range 950–1325 K. The standard Gibbs energy changes associated with the formation of Cu2R2O5 compounds from their binary component oxides are: 2CuO(s)+ Tm2O3(s)→Cu2Tm2O5(s), ΔG°=(10400 – 14.0 T/K)± 100 J mol–1, 2CuO(s)+ Lu2O3(s)→Cu2Lu2O5(s), ΔG°=(10210 – 14.4 T/K)± 100 J mol–1 Since the formation is endothermic, the compounds become thermodynamically unstable with respect to component oxides at low temperatures, Cu2Tm2O5 below 743 K and Cu2Lu2O5 below 709 K. When the chemical potential of oxygen over the Cu2R2O5 compounds is lowered, they decompose according to the reaction, 2Cu2R2O5(s)→2R2O3(s)+ 2Cu2O(s)+ O2(g) The equilibrium oxygen potential corresponding to this reaction is obtained from the emf. Oxygen potential diagrams for the Cu–O–R2O3 systems at 1273 K are presented.

Phase Transformation Introduced by Mechanical and Chemical Surface Preparations of Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystals

Cutting of Y2O3-doped TZP rods by a low-speed diamond saw introduces an unidentified, metastable phase X (x-ZrO2) coexisting with the tetragonal (t-ZrO2) and the monoclinic (m-ZrO2) phases initially present in the sample. Further mechanical deformation of the cut surface by indentation or polishing sustains the x-ZrO2. Chemical etching removes the x-ZrO2 and increases the m-ZrO2content.

Pressure-induced phase transitions in LiRbSO4: a Raman spectroscopic study

Room-temperature Raman spectra of LiRbSO4 were studied as a function of pressure up to 170 kbar for two different orientations of the crystal. Four pressure-induced phase transitions at about 2, 17, 32 and 57 kbar were observed. The transitions at 17 and 57 kbar have slow kinetics, taking about 4 h for their completion. These phase transitions are associated with the orientations of the SO4 ions in the unit cell.

Pulsed NMR study of molecular motions and phase transitions in [N(CH3)4]PbX3 (X=Cl, Br, I)

Proton spin—lattice relaxation time (T1) is measured in [N(CH3)4]PbX3 (X=Cl, Br, I) from 300-77 K at 9.75 MHz. All the compounds show discontinuous changes in T1 values (at 256, 270 and 277 K, respectively), indicating phase transitions. Single T1 minimum is observed in all the cases and the T1 variation is explained in terms of [N(CH3)4] and CH3 group dynamics. The activation energy Eα decreases from chloride to iodide (from 4 to 2 kcal/mol). In bromide and iodide, T1 is found to decrease with increase in temperature at higher temperatures, indicating the presence of spin—rotation interaction.

Spectroscopic investigations of phase transitions in complex solids

Spectroscopic methods have provided information of seminal importance in understanding phase transitions in solids. After briefly examining some fundamental concept related to phase transitions, we shall discuss several case studies particularly involving the use of vibrational (IR and Raman) spectroscopy. Examples will include both order-disorder and displacive transitions. Under the former are included transitions in nitrates, ammonium halides, alkylammonium salts, plastic state of C60 and superionic conductors (specially CsHSO4). In addition, we shall discuss some aspects of incommensurate phase transitions, the glass transition and electronic phase transitions. Transitions of phosphonitrilic halide tetramers and alkane dicarboxylic acids are also examined

Novel approach to estimate fringe order in Moire profilometry

A novel approach to estimate fringe order in Moire topography is proposed. Along with the light source used to create shadow of the grating on the object (as in conventional moire), proposed method uses a second light source which illuminates the object with color bands from the side. Width of each colored band is set to match that height which leads to a 2 pi phase shift in moire fringes. This facilitates one to rule the object with colored bands, which can be used to estimate fringe order using a color camera with relatively low spatial resolution with out any compromise in height sensitivity. Current proposal facilitates one to extract 3D profile of objects with surface discontinuities. It also deals with the possible usage of moire topography (when combined with the proposed method) in extracting 3D surface profile of many objects with height discontinuities using a single 2D image. Present article deals with theory and simulations of this novel side illumination based approach.

The effect of progesterone replacement on gene expression in the corpus luteum during induced regression and late luteal phase in the bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

Background: In higher primates, although LH/CG play a critical role in the control of corpus luteum (CL) function, the direct effects of progesterone (P4) in the maintenance of CL structure and function are unclear. Several experiments were conducted in the bonnet monkey to examine direct effects of P4 on gene expression changes in the CL, during induced luteolysis and the late luteal phase of natural cycles. Methods: To identify differentially expressed genes encoding PR, PR binding factors, cofactors and PR downstream signaling target genes, the genome-wide analysis data generated in CL of monkeys after LH/P-4 depletion and LH replacement were mined and validated by real-time RT-PCR analysis. Initially, expression of these P4 related genes were determined in CL during different stages of luteal phase. The recently reported model system of induced luteolysis, yet capable of responsive to tropic support, afforded an ideal situation to examine direct effects of P4 on structure and function of CL. For this purpose, P4 was infused via ALZET pumps into monkeys 24 h after LH/P4 depletion to maintain mid luteal phase circulating P4 concentration (P4 replacement). In another experiment, exogenous P4 was supplemented during late luteal phase to mimic early pregnancy. Results: Based on the published microarray data, 45 genes were identified to be commonly regulated by LH and P4. From these 19 genes belonging to PR signaling were selected to determine their expression in LH/P-4 depletion and P4 replacement experiments. These 19 genes when analyzed revealed 8 genes to be directly responsive to P4, whereas the other genes to be regulated by both LH and P4. Progesterone supplementation for 24 h during the late luteal phase also showed changes in expression of 17 out of 19 genes examined. Conclusion: These results taken together suggest that P4 regulates, directly or indirectly, expression of a number of genes involved in the CL structure and function.

Thermodynamics and phase equilibria in the Ga---Sb system

The optimum values of the solution parameters of a multiparameter integral free-energy function have been determined using experimental data from the Ga-Sb system. The equation is represented as DELTAG(xs) = x(1 - x)[(1 - x)(a1 + a2T + a3T ln T) + x(a4 + a5T + a6T ln T) + x(1 - x)(a7 + a8T + a9xT)].The integral and the corresponding partial form of the free energy function have been found to be of use when interpreting the high temperature thermodynamic data, atomic interactions and phase equilibria in the Ga-Sb system.

Thermodynamics and phase equilibria in the system Ga---In using multi-parameter functions

A four and a five-parameter functions are used to analyse and interpret the high and low temperature thermodynamic data and phase equilibria in the Ga-In system.

Grain size effect on the phase transformation temperature of nanostructured CuFe2O4

We report a large decrease in tetragonal to cubic phase transformation temperature when grain size of bulk CuFe2O4 is reduced by mechanical ball milling. The change in phase transformation temperature was inferred from in situ high temperature conductivity and x-ray diffraction measurements. The decrease in conductivity with grain size suggests that ball milling has not induced any oxygen vacancy while the role of cation distribution in the observed decrease in phase transformation temperature is ruled out from in-field Fe-57 Mossbauer and extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The reduction in the phase transformation temperature is attributed to the stability of structures with higher crystal symmetry at lower grain sizes due to negative pressure effect. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. doi: 10.1063/1.3493244]

Parallel Tempering Simulations of Liquid-Phase Adsorption of n-Alkane Mixtures in Zeolite LTA-5A

Adsorption of n-alkane mixtures in the zeolite LTA-5A under liquid-phase conditions has been studied using grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations combined with parallel tempering. Normal GCMC techniques fail for some of these systems due to the preference of linear molecules to coil within a single cage in the zeolite. The narrow zeolite windows severerly restrict interactions of the molecules, making it difficult to simulate cooperative rearrangements necessary to explore configuration space. Because of these reasons, normal GCMC simulations results show poor reproducibility in some cases. These problems were overcome with parallel tempering techniques. Even with parallel tempering, these are very challenging systems for molecular simulation. Similar problems may arise for other zeolites such as CHA, AFX, ERI, KFI, and RHO having cages connected by narrow windows. The simulations capture the complex selectivity behavior observed in experiments such as selectivity inversion and azeotrope formation.

Interdiffusion study on Co(W) solid solution and topological close-packed mu phase in Co-W system

An interdiffusion study is conducted on the Co-W system by a diffusion couple technique. The interdiffusion coefficient of the Co(W) solid solution and the Co7W6 mu phase is determined. The activation energy is found to increase with the W content of the Co(W) solid solution. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1H NMR study of molecular dynamics and phase transition in (NH4)2ZnBr4

The proton second moment (M2) and spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) have been measured in (NH4)2ZnBr4 in the range 77-300 K. The room-temperature spectrum shows a structure which disappears around 243 K. The signal is strong and narrow even at 77 K. Proton T1 shows a maximum at 263 K, caused by spin rotation interaction and decreases with decreasing temperature till 235 K, where it shows a sudden increase. Below 235 K, again it decreases and shows a slope change around 216.5 K (reported Tc). From 216.5 K, T1 decreases continuously without exhibiting any minimum down to 77 K. The narrow line at 77 K, and absence of a T1 minimum down to 77 K indicate the possibility of quantum mechanical tunnelling in this system. Motional parameters such as activation energy and pre-exponential factor have been evaluated for the reorientational motion of the NH+4 ion.

Structure evolution and phase change in Ag-5.1 at.% Bi alloy during mechanical alloying

In this paper we explore the enhancement of solubility in a mechanically driven immiscible system experimentally using a mixture of Ag and Bi powders corresponding to a composition of Ag-5.1 at.% Bi. Increase in solubility can be correlated with the combination of sizes of both Ag and Bi at the nanometric scale. It is shown that complete solid solution of Ag-5.1 at.% Bi forms when the respective sizes of :Bi and Ag exceed 13 and 8 nm respectively. We have carried out a thermodynamic analysis of the size- and strain-dependent free energy landscape and compared the results to the initial mixture of microsized particles to rationalize the evolution of Ag solid solution. The agreement indicates that the emerging driving force for the formation of solid solution is primarily due to size reduction rather than the enhanced kinetics of mass transport due to mechanical driving. (c) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.