The solid solutions of CdYFeWO7,which are cubic pyrochlores of the type A2B2O7,have been prepared and their structures were determined using Ab initio method.Rietveld refinement of the powder XRD data showed that CdYFeWO7 adopted cubic(Fd-3m) structure,while oxides crystallized in a defect-pyrochlore structure where both O(48f) and O'(8b) sites were partially occupied,and the frustrated cations sublattice precluded long range ordering of Fe/W in the pyrochlore structure.Charge distribution analysis also suggested incomplete occupation of different oxygen sites,thus the compound was non-stoichiometric,with the formula CdYFeW0.982O6.94.Magnetic measurements were carried out to find that Fe ions were in the high spin trivalent state.Curie Weiss paramagnetism down to～5 K and the characteristic superposition between FC and ZFC suggested spin liquid rather than spin glass state.
Zn1-xMgxO (x = 0, 0.18) thin films were fabricated on the copper substrates by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering using the high pure argon as a sputtering gas. The Zn1-xMgxO films were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and galvanostatic tests. The electrochemical test showed an improved electrochemical performance of Zn0.82Mg0.18O thin film as an anode material for lithium ion batteries.
A series of Li4Ti5O12 materials were prepared by three different methods: solvo- thermal, sol-gel, and solid-state reaction methods. Phase composition, morphology, and particle sizes of the samples were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical properties of the samples were investigated by charge-discharge tests. It is demonstrated that both sol-gel and solid-state reaction methods provided good control over the chemical composition and microstructure of the active material, in which sol-gel method yielded a fine Li4Ti5O12 spinel having an initial specific capacity of 146 mAh g-1 and low capacity fade during cycling. Comparatively, the solid-state method is simple and promising to prepare Li4Ti5O12 for commercial applications.
Three-dimensional(3-D)saucer-and rod-like WO3 microstructures have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal route using tartaric acid as the assistant agent.X-ray powder diffraction(XRD)patterns indicate that the as-prepared samples are the pure hexagonal phase WO3.The morphologies are characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM)and are found to be highly sensitized to the reaction temperature.A probable formation mechanism of the WO3 microstructures from saucer-like at low temperatures to rod-like at high temperatures is proposed.The optical properties of the novel WO3 microstructures are studied by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy(DRS).The mechanism of strong absorption at visible region and red shift of calcined sample is also discussed.
Phospho-olivine LiFePO 4 has been prepared using a facile hydrothermal method by optimizing the reaction temperatures.Structural and morphological properties of the as-prepared LiFePO 4 powders are systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM),infrared spectra,UV-vis spectra,and M ssbauer spectroscopy.It is demonstrated that the samples prepared in the temperature range from 160 to 200 ℃ crystallize in a single phase of phospho-olivine structure.All particles are rod-like,showing dimensions of approximately 150～200 nm in width and 500～600 nm in length with a preferential growth direction of [001].Within the lattice of LiFePO 4 rods,Fe 2+ ions partially disorderly occupy the Li + sites,which increases the cell volume.The electrochemical performance of LiFePO 4 is investigated by charge/discharge experiments.It is found that LiFePO 4 rods prepared at 200 ℃ deliver a specific discharge capacity of 147 mAh g-1,which is apparently superior to those prepared at lower reaction temperatures like 160 and 180 ℃.This observation is explained in terms of the thinner surface noncrystalline layer and lower level of Fe 2+ disorderly occupying the Li + sites.
A series of Bi2O3 were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method using NaOH and ammonia as the mineralizers. The products were characterized by XRD, IR, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, and photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye. Simply using NaOH to supply a strong base condition, single phase α-Bi2O3 was formed. When changing the amount of NaOH and ammonia, mixed phases of α-Bi2O3, (BiO)4CO3(OH)2 and Bi2O2CO3 were obtained. All samples were found to show photocatalytic activities towards the degradation of Rhodamine B dye under UV light irradiation, in which mixed phase samples showed higher activities than single phase α-Bi2O3 possibly owing to the synergistic effect of the mixed phases.
