Synthesis and Structure of the Double-Layered Sillén-Aurivillius Perovskite Oxychloride LaBiTiOCl as a Potential Photocatalyst for Stable Visible Light Solar Water Splitting.

Exploring photocatalysts for solar water splitting is a relevant step toward sustainable hydrogen production. Sillén-Aurivillius-type compounds have proven to be a promising material class for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting with the advantage of visible light activity coupled to enhanced stability because of their unique electronic structure. Especially, double- and multilayered Sillén-Aurivillius compounds [ABO][BiO]X, with A and B being cations and X a halogen anion, offer a great variety in material composition and properties.

Resolving the structure of VO·HO and Mo-substituted VO·HO.

Vanadate compounds, such as VO·HO, are of high interest due to their versatile applications as electrode material for metal-ion batteries. In particular, VO·HO can insert different ions such as Li, Na, K, Mg and Zn. In that case, well resolved crystal structure data, such as crystal unit-cell parameters and atom positions, are needed in order to determine the structural information of the inserted ions in the VO·HO structure.

Nanoscale transformations of amphiboles within human alveolar epithelial cells.

Amphibole asbestos is related to lung fibrosis and several types of lung tumors. The disease-triggering mechanisms still challenge our diagnostic capabilities and are still far from being fully understood. The literature focuses primarily on the role and formation of asbestos bodies in lung tissues, but there is a distinct lack of studies on amphibole particles that have been internalized by alveolar epithelial cells (AECs).

Deep hydration of an LiLaZrMO solid-state electrolyte material: a case study on Al- and Ga-stabilized LLZO.

Single crystals of an Li-stuffed, Al- and Ga-stabilized garnet-type solid-state electrolyte material, LiLaZrO (LLZO), have been analysed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction to determine the pristine structural state immediately after synthesis via ceramic sintering techniques. Hydrothermal treatment at 150 °C for 28 d induces a phase transition in the Al-stabilized compound from the commonly observed cubic Ia-3d structure to the acentric I-43d subtype. Li ions at the interstitial octahedrally (4 + 2-fold) coordinated 48e site are most easily extracted and Al ions order onto the tetrahedral 12a site.

The best temperature range to acquire reliable thermal infrared spectra from orbit.

Solar System bodies undergo to daily and periodical variations of temperature that mainly depend on their closeness to the Sun. It is known that mineral expansion and contraction due to such variations modify the thermal infrared spectra acquired on solid surfaces. Therefore, it becomes crucial to know the best temperature range at which the acquisition itself should be carried out to get reliable information on the mineralogy of such bodies.

Multi-scale characterization of glaucophane from Chiavolino (Biella, Italy): implications for international regulations on elongate mineral particles.

In this paper, we present the results of a multi-analytical characterization of a glaucophane sample collected in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Investigation methods included optical microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, μ-Raman spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, environmental scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning/transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. In addition to the crystal-chemical characterization of the sample from the mesoscale to the near-atomic scale, we have also conducted an extended study on the morphology and dimensions of the mineral particles.

Wet-Environment-Induced Structural Alterations in Single- and Polycrystalline LLZTO Solid Electrolytes Studied by Diffraction Techniques.

LiLaZrO (LLZO) is one of the potential candidates for Li metal-based solid-state batteries owing to its high Li conductivity (≈10 S cm) at room temperature and large electrochemical stability window. However, LLZO undergoes protonation under the influence of moisture-forming LiCO layers, thereby affecting its structural and transport properties. Therefore, a detailed understanding on the impact of the exchange of H on Li sites on structural alteration and kinetics under the influence of wet environments is of great importance.

Modified H V O to Enhance the Electrochemical Performance for Li-ion Insertion: The Influence of Prelithiation and Mo-Substitution.

Nanostructured H V O is a promising high-capacity cathode material, suitable not only for Li but also for Na+, Mg , and Zn insertion. However, the full theoretical capacity for Li insertion has not been demonstrated experimentally so far. In addition, improvement of cycling stability is desirable.

2/ Postorthopyroxene γ-LiScGeO, a New Dense High-Pressure Polymorph and Its Direct Transformation from the Structure.

Orthorhombic β-LiScGeO single crystals were compressed hydrostatically up to 10.35 GPa using a diamond anvil cell and investigated in situ by means of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Crystal-structure investigations at ambient conditions and at high pressure show a structural transition from an orthopyroxene-type structure ( ≈ 18.

Highly Conductive Garnet-Type Electrolytes: Access to LiLaZrTaO Prepared by Molten Salt and Solid-State Methods.

Tantalum-doped garnet (LiLaZrTaO, LLZTO) is a promising candidate to act as a solid electrolyte in all-solid-state batteries owing to both its high Li conductivity and its relatively high robustness against the Li metal. Synthesizing LLZTO using conventional solid-state reaction (SSR) requires, however, high calcination temperature (>1000 °C) and long milling steps, thereby increasing the processing time. Here, we report on a facile synthesis route to prepare LLZTO using a molten salt method (MSS) at lower reaction temperatures and shorter durations (900 °C, 5 h).

The crystal structure of KScPO.

Single crystals of KScPO, potassium scandium diphosphate, were grown in a borate flux. The title compound crystallizes isotypically with KAlPO in space-group type 2/, = 4. The main building block is an {ScPO} unit, forming layers parallel to (001).

Particle Consolidation and Electron Transport in Anatase TiO Nanocrystal Films.

A sequence of chemical vapor synthesis and thermal annealing in defined gas atmospheres was used to prepare phase-pure anatase TiO nanocrystal powders featuring clean surfaces and a narrow particle size distribution with a median particle diameter of 14.5 ± 0.5 nm.

From Anhydrous Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Powders to Aqueous Colloids: Impact of Water Condensation and Organic Salt Adsorption on Free Exciton Emission.

Variations in the composition and structure of ZnO nanoparticle interfaces have a key influence on the materials' optoelectronic properties and are responsible for high number of discrepant results reported for ZnO-based nanomaterials. Here, we conduct a systematic study of the room-temperature photoluminescence of anhydrous ZnO nanocrystals, as synthesized in the gas phase and processed in water-free atmosphere, and of their colloidal derivatives in aqueous dispersions with varying amounts of organic salt admixtures. A free exciton band at hν = 3.

Arrhenius Behavior of the Bulk Na-Ion Conductivity in NaSc(PO) Single Crystals Observed by Microcontact Impedance Spectroscopy.

NASICON-based solid electrolytes with exceptionally high Na-ion conductivities are considered to enable future all solid-state Na-ion battery technologies. Despite 40 years of research the interrelation between crystal structure and Na-ion conduction is still controversially discussed and far from being fully understood. In this study, microcontact impedance spectroscopy combined with single crystal X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry is applied to tackle the question how bulk Na-ion conductivity σ of sub-mm-sized flux grown NaSc(PO) (NSP) single crystals is influenced by supposed phase changes (α, β, and γ phase) discussed in literature.

Structural and Raman spectroscopic characterization of pyroxene-type compounds in the CaCuZnGeO solid-solution series.

Pyroxene-type germanate compounds with the composition CaCuGeO-CaZnGeO have been synthesized via a solid-state ceramic sintering route. Phase-pure polycrystalline and small single-crystal material was obtained all over the series, representing a complete solid-solution series. Differential thermal analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize phase stability, phase changes and structural alterations induced by the substitution of Cu with Zn.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Stability of Cubic LiLaZrBiO.

Li oxide garnets are among the most promising candidates for solid-state electrolytes in novel Li ion and Li metal based battery concepts. Cubic LiLaZrO stabilized by a partial substitution of Zr by Bi has not been the focus of research yet, despite the fact that Bi would be a cost-effective alternative to other stabilizing cations such as Nb and Ta. In this study, LiLaZrBiO (x = 0.

Fast Li-Ion-Conducting Garnet-Related Li Fe LaZrO with Uncommon 4̅3 Structure.

Fast Li-ion-conducting Li oxide garnets receive a great deal of attention as they are suitable candidates for solid-state Li electrolytes. It was recently shown that Ga-stabilized LiLaZrO crystallizes in the acentric cubic space group 4̅3. This structure can be derived by a symmetry reduction of the garnet-type 3̅ structure, which is the most commonly found space group of Li oxide garnets and garnets in general.

Crystal structure of spinel-type Li0.64Fe2.15Ge0.21O4.

Spinel-type Li0.64Fe2.15Ge0.

Structural and Electrochemical Consequences of Al and Ga Cosubstitution in LiLaZrO Solid Electrolytes.

Several "Beyond Li-Ion Battery" concepts such as all solid-state batteries and hybrid liquid/solid systems envision the use of a solid electrolyte to protect Li-metal anodes. These configurations are very attractive due to the possibility of exceptionally high energy densities and high (dis)charge rates, but they are far from being realized practically due to a number of issues including high interfacial resistance and difficulties associated with fabrication. One of the most promising solid electrolyte systems for these applications is Al or Ga stabilized LiLaZrO (LLZO) based on high ionic conductivities and apparent stability against reduction by Li metal.

Crystal Structure of Garnet-Related Li-Ion Conductor Li Ga LaZrO: Fast Li-Ion Conduction Caused by a Different Cubic Modification?

Li-oxide garnets such as LiLaZrO (LLZO) are among the most promising candidates for solid-state electrolytes to be used in next-generation Li-ion batteries. The garnet-structured cubic modification of LLZO, showing space group -3, has to be stabilized with supervalent cations. LLZO stabilized with Ga shows superior properties compared to LLZO stabilized with similar cations; however, the reason for this behavior is still unknown.

Synthesis, Crystal Chemistry, and Electrochemical Properties of Li(7-2x)La3Zr(2-x)Mo(x)O12 (x = 0.1-0.4): Stabilization of the Cubic Garnet Polymorph via Substitution of Zr(4+) by Mo(6+).

Cubic Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) garnets are exceptionally well suited to be used as solid electrolytes or protecting layers in "Beyond Li-ion Battery" concepts. Unfortunately, cubic LLZO is not stable at room temperature (RT) and has to be stabilized by supervalent dopants. In this study we demonstrate a new possibility to stabilize the cubic phase at RT via substitution of Zr(4+) by Mo(6+).