High-resolution X-ray Powder Diffraction Research Articles

Similarities and differences in the ordering at short and long ranges in a NaNbO3 based Pb-free smart system: a key to functional properties

In this study, we have investigated the crystal structure of the solid solution of antiferroelectric NaNbO3(NN) with ferroelectric Ba0.9Ca0.1TiO3(BCT), i.e. (1−x)NN- xBCT for 0⩽x⩽1.0 using High-resolution powder x-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) data, dielectric measurements in conjunction with Raman spectroscopic studies. The investigation of long-range structural phase transitions as a function of composition(x) using x-ray diffraction is complemented by short-range structural insights from Raman spectroscopy. The incorporation of BCT disrupts the delicate antiferroelectric ordering of NN and stabilizes various ferroelectric phases with increasing BCT content(x). At x = 0.10, the simultaneous presence of two ferroelectric phases viz., Pmc21 and Amm2, results in a threefold rise in remanent polarization compared to off-boundary compositions. The composition with higher BCT content (i.e. x⩾0.50 ) has shown the anomalous existence of two long-range cubic structures, both of which are characterized by Pm 3¯ m space group. In spite of having a two-phase long-range centrosymmetric structure, we have observed a slim Polarization vs. Electric field(P-E) hysteresis loop for 0.50⩽x⩽0.80 . This contrapositive behavior (i.e. hysteresis loop in a centrosymmetric structure) has been attributed to the correlations among local static polar distortions of rhombohedral type ascertained using Raman spectroscopy. The coexistence of two ferroelectric phases at room temperature(for x = 0.10) and a slim hysteresis loop (for 0.50⩽x⩽0.80 ) make these compositions potential ingredients for applications in ferroelectric memory and energy storage devices.

Synthesis and Physical Properties of the Misfit Layered Compound (EuS)1.13(NbSe2)2.

A new misfit layered compound with the stoichiometry (EuS)1+δ(NbSe2)2 (δ ≈ 0.13) has been successfully synthesized. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction confirm the misfit structure with (EuS)-(EuS) spacing of 18.30(1) Å. Magnetization, electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and thermal transport measurements show that the material is a heavily doped semiconductor or poor metal with a low thermal conductivity of ∼1 W/m K and an antiferromagnetic ordering transition at TN = 4.7 K. In contrast to the parent materials, the misfit is neither ferromagnetic nor superconducting down to T = 0.4 K. We find evidence of a field-driven transition to a ferromagnetic state due to reorientation of ferromagnetic EuS layers at μoH = 0.5 T at T = 2 K.

Temperature-dependent synchrotron XRD study and electrical properties of the (1-x)BZT-(x)BCT lead-free piezoceramics

In recent years, researchers have shown the feasibility of the BZT-xBCT lead-free piezoelectric ceramics for using in various applications such as actuator, energy harvester, high-frequency ultrasonic transducer, etc. However, little evidence of temperature-dependent electrical properties of the BZT-xBCT ceramic was found. Moreover, some researchers have utilized Raman spectroscopy to observe the phase transition of the BZT-xBCT ceramic, but the Raman spectra of ferroelectric polymorphic phases are almost identical and hard to distinguish. In contrast, synchrotron radiation exhibits a high degree of monochromatization and collimation with smaller wavelength than x-ray tubes, resulting in the improvement of resolution for identifying the overlapping peaks. Therefore, this work aims to determine phase coexistence of the BZT-xBCT ceramic near phase boundary region by using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction in comparison with the temperature-dependent electrical properties. This work found that the occurrence of thermally-induced polymorphic phase transformations for the BZT-xBCT ceramics plays a significant role in the observed temperature-dependent electrical properties. Moreover, this work observed a trace of surface damaged layer (the presence of low-angle shoulder in the synchrotron XRD profiles) from mechanical grinding during sample preparation for XRD measurement, which has not previously been found in the BZT-xBCT ceramics. These finding will help to better understand the temperature-dependent functional properties of the BZT-xBCT ceramic for transferring into practical applications.

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Schiff Base Metal Complexes, Biological Activity, and Molecular Docking Studies.

New cobalt(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) Schiff metal complexes were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 4-nitrobenzene-1,2-diamine with 3-4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible, electron paramagnetic resonance, and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and powder X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the synthesized H2L and its metal complexes. Conductance measurements, magnetic moment estimation, and metal estimation have all been determined and discussed. The electrochemical properties of the synthesized compounds have been determined and discussed using cyclic voltammetry. The molecular structures of H2L and its metal complexes have been optimized using the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G (d,p) basis set, and their parameters have been discussed. The quantum chemical properties of these synthesized compounds have been predicted through charge distribution and molecular orbital analysis. The biological properties of the synthesized compounds' antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial activity have been studied and discussed. Furthermore, H2L and its complexes have been docked with HER2-associated target proteins in breast cancer.

Mechanistically Guided Materials Chemistry: Synthesis of Ternary Nitrides, CaZrN2 and CaHfN2.

Recent computational studies have predicted many new ternary nitrides, revealing synthetic opportunities in this underexplored phase space. However, synthesizing new ternary nitrides is difficult, in part because intermediate and product phases often have high cohesive energies that inhibit diffusion. Here, we report the synthesis of two new phases, calcium zirconium nitride (CaZrN2) and calcium hafnium nitride (CaHfN2), by solid state metathesis reactions between Ca3N2 and MCl4 (M = Zr, Hf). Although the reaction nominally proceeds to the target phases in a 1:1 ratio of the precursors via Ca3N2 + MCl4 → CaMN2 + 2 CaCl2, reactions prepared this way result in Ca-poor materials (CaxM2-xN2, x < 1). A small excess of Ca3N2 (ca. 20 mol %) is needed to yield stoichiometric CaMN2, as confirmed by high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies reveal that nominally stoichiometric reactions produce Zr3+ intermediates early in the reaction pathway, and the excess Ca3N2 is needed to reoxidize Zr3+ intermediates back to the Zr4+ oxidation state of CaZrN2. Analysis of computationally derived chemical potential diagrams rationalizes this synthetic approach and its contrast from the synthesis of MgZrN2. These findings additionally highlight the utility of in situ diffraction studies and computational thermochemistry to provide mechanistic guidance for synthesis.

Using synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction for the structure determination of a new cocrystal formed by two active principle ingredients.

The crystal structure of a new 1:1 cocrystal of carbamazepine and S-naproxen (C15H12N2O·C14H14O3) was solved from powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The PXRD pattern was measured at the high-resolution beamline CRISTAL at synchrotron SOLEIL (France). The structure was solved using Monte Carlo simulated annealing, then refined with Rietveld refinement. The positions of the H atoms were obtained from density functional theory (DFT) ground-state calculations. The symmetry is orthorhombic with the space group P212121 (No. 19) and the following lattice parameters: a = 33.5486 (9), b = 26.4223 (6), c = 5.3651 (10) Å and V = 4755.83 (19) Å3.

Na2[Pd(saccharinate)4]: A new phosphine-free water-soluble catalyst with singular structure for modification of ribose nucleosides at room temperature

The easy synthesis of the anionic palladium catalyst containing saccharinate as only ligand Na2[Pd(saccharinate)4] (I), starting from either Na2[PdCl4] or Pd(AcO)2, is reported here, together with its complete characterization. It includes high resolution powder X-ray diffraction pattern obtained on a synchrotron source, subsequent elucidation of the crystal structure, and structural refinement using the Rietveld method. The structure consists of linear chains that are linked by non-covalent interactions, and results in a porous structure with channels. This air and light water-soluble complex has shown an outstanding performance for room temperature Pd-catalyzed Suzuki functionalization of the purine base in unprotected nucleosides, improving the best results reported to date.

A-Site Cation Disorder in SrxBa1-xNb2O6 (x = 0.25, 0.33, 0.50, 0.61) Studied by High-Resolution Resonant X-ray Powder Diffraction.

The dielectric and ferroelectric properties of SrxBa1-xNb2O6 (SBN, 0.2 < x < 0.8) are known to be affected by the Sr fraction and can be further controlled by various quenching schemes. Changes in A-site cation configuration are believed to be linked to these changes in properties. In this work, we study the A-site cation disorder in SBN by the use of high-resolution resonant X-ray powder diffraction. The experimental results show that the larger Ba2+ is found exclusively on the larger A2 site, while Sr2+ is found on both the A1 and A2 sites, with an increasing amount on A2 with an increasing Sr fraction. At elevated temperatures, a small migration of Sr2+ from A1 to A2 is observed for SBN50 and SBN61. Linking this change in occupancies to changes in the average cation size on the A1 and A2 sites allows for rationalization of the property changes observed for quenched samples. Furthermore, SBN25 is shown to deviate from the tetragonal P4bm structure and is found to be orthorhombic with a Cmm2 structure.

Phases study for AgNb(Ta,W)O3 lead-free antiferroelectric ceramics

Uncovering lead-free materials with an exceptionally high recoverable energy density is vital for the creation of future pulse power capacitors. This study determined that introducing Tungsten (W) and Tantalum (Ta) into the Nb-site of AgNbO3 lead-free antiferroelectric ceramics, while offsetting this with vacancies at the Ag-site, can effectively maintain the electrical homogeneity. Additionally, employing this co-doping approach can secure the antiferroelectric phases by lowering the necessary temperatures for M1-M2 and M2-M3 phase transitions. This may prove advantageous in the creation of novel AgNbO3-based energy storage ceramics. The use of in-situ high-resolution synchrotron powder x-ray diffraction (SPXD) at varying temperatures revealed for the first time that in 10 at% W doped AgNbO3, the M1 and M2 phases in the temperature range of −193 to ∼150 °C are more appropriately fitted as the non-polar Pbcm space group, whereas the M3 phase aligns with the mixed of non-polar Pbcm and polar Pmc21 space groups.

Revisiting the structures and phase transitions of Ba2NaNb5O15.

The room-temperature and low-temperature structure(s) of Ba2NaNb5O15 (BNN) have been debated since the structure was proposed in the 1960s. This work revisits the structures and phase transitions of BNN, combining high-resolution X-ray and neutron powder diffraction with density functional theory calculations. Temperature-dependent high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction patterns are collected from 4 to 918 K, and sequential batch Rietveld refinement using a symmetry mode approach to describe the structure is used to extract the main structural changes as a function of temperature. The data show that the average structure of BNN is best described by the Ama2 space group, and no other structural phase transitions were observed below the ferroelastic transition. The symmetry mode analysis, combining results from diffraction and density functional theory, shows significant octahedral tilting and corrugations of both the A1 and A2 sites along the c direction. A strong correlation between the spontaneous strain and the octahedral tilting was observed, and a potential connection with emerging microstructure at low temperatures is proposed, all enabled by the symmetry mode approach used in this work.

Investigation of CO2 adsorption on a selection of zeolites by combining in situ high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction, isotherm modeling and simulation

Investigation of CO₂ adsorption on a selection of zeolites by combining <i>in situ</i> high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction, isotherm modeling and simulation

Mixed A-site occupancy in Sr x Ba1−x Nb2O6 studied by high-resolution resonant X-ray powder diffraction

Mixed <i>A</i>-site occupancy in Sr_<i>x</i>Ba_1−<i>x</i>Nb₂O₆ studied by high-resolution resonant X-ray powder diffraction

Structural analysis using both direct- and reciprocal-space data on TPS 19A high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction beamline

Structural analysis using both direct- and reciprocal-space data on TPS 19A high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction beamline

A robust ultra-microporous cationic aluminum-based metal-organic framework with a flexible tetra-carboxylate linker

Al-based cationic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are uncommon. Here, we report a cationic Al-MOF, MIP-213(Al) ([Al18(μ2-OH)24(OH2)12(mdip)6]6Cl·6H2O) constructed from flexible tetra-carboxylate ligand (5,5'-Methylenediisophthalic acid; H4mdip). Its crystal structure was determined by the combination of three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED) and high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction. The structure is built from infinite corner-sharing chains of AlO4(OH)2 and AlO2(OH)3(H2O) octahedra forming an 18-membered rings honeycomb lattice, similar to that of MIL-96(Al), a scarce Al-polycarboxylate defective MOF. Despite sharing these structural similarities, MIP-213(Al), unlike MIL-96(Al), lacks the isolated μ3-oxo-bridged Al-clusters. This leads to an ordered defective cationic framework whose charge is balanced by Cl- sandwiched between two Al-trimers at the corner of the honeycomb, showing strong interaction with terminal H2O coordinated to the Al-trimers. The overall structure is endowed by a narrow quasi-1D channel of dimension ~4.7 Å. The Cl- in the framework restrains the accessibility of the channels, while the MOF selectively adsorbs CO2 over N2 and possesses high hydrolytic stability.

Polymorphism of Carbamazepine Pharmaceutical Cocrystal: Structural Analysis and Solubility Performance.

Polymorphism is a common phenomenon among single- and multicomponent molecular crystals that has a significant impact on the contemporary drug development process. A new polymorphic form of the drug carbamazepine (CBZ) cocrystal with methylparaben (MePRB) in a 1:1 molar ratio as well as the drug's channel-like cocrystal containing highly disordered coformer molecules have been obtained and characterized in this work using various analytical methods, including thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and single-crystal and high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Structural analysis of the solid forms revealed a close resemblance between novel form II and previously reported form I of the [CBZ + MePRB] (1:1) cocrystal in terms of hydrogen bond networks and overall packing arrangements. The channel-like cocrystal was found to belong to a distinct family of isostructural CBZ cocrystals with coformers of similar size and shape. Form I and form II of the 1:1 cocrystal appeared to be related by a monotropic relationship, with form II being proven to be the thermodynamically more stable phase. The dissolution performance of both polymorphs in aqueous media was significantly enhanced when compared with parent CBZ. However, considering the superior thermodynamic stability and consistent dissolution profile, the discovered form II of the [CBZ + MePRB] (1:1) cocrystal seems a more promising and reliable solid form for further pharmaceutical development.

Structural Reconstruction of Hydrothermally Grown BaTiO3 Nanoparticles Based on High-Resolution Synchrotron Powder X-ray Diffraction

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) is a versatile material for industrial and research purposes owing to its various and excellent properties, including its ferroelectricity. The demand for ultrafine BaTiO3 nanoparticles via a robust synthesis route capable of mass production, such as hydrothermal reactions, has increased owing to the rapid advancement of highly integrated electronic components. In this study, BaTiO3 nanopowders smaller than 150 nm are synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method to obtain ultrafine and highly uniform nanoparticles. The synthesized nanopowders are analyzed via high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction experiments. Based on Rietveld refinement studies, a three-phase composite model is shown to be reasonable for investigating the nanopowders. The analytical results are summarized in detail for a set of BaTiO3 nanopowders. Nanoparticles are reconstructed based on the thicknesses obtained from the calculated phase weight fractions for each case.

Structural effects of Mn-substitution in β-FeSe

In the present work the structural and microstructural properties of Mn substituted β-FeSe are inspected by using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data collected between 10 K and 150 K. It is demonstrated that the thermal increase of the structural strain in the tetragonal phase progressively breaks the 4-fold symmetry at the local scale, qualitatively tracing the development of anisotropy measured in some physical properties, generally ascribed to nematicity. This result points to a close relationship and interplay between structural strain and physical properties; with this notion, the structural strain can be considered as the origin of the unexpected anisotropy observed in some physical properties. Remarkably, incommensurate satellite peaks are observed in the diffraction pattern collected in the low-temperature orthorhombic phase field, likely related to the occurrence of a charge-density-wave instability.

Effect of Nucleotides on the Phase and Crystal Structure of Synthetic Calcium Carbonate

The interactions of organic hereditary materials (i.e., DNA and RNA) with inorganic minerals are of key importance in many fields of research, from archeology and paleontology to medicine. It was previously shown that the building blocks of the main structural biomacromolecules, amino acids and monosaccharides, can be incorporated into the crystal lattice of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), the most abundant biomineral. Here, we continue this reductionist approach and study how the mineral host is affected when grown in the presence of mono- or triphosphate nucleotides─the building blocks of nucleic acids. We show that the nucleotides facilitate the stabilization of the amorphous polymorph of CaCO3, as well as promote the formation of vaterite, its least thermodynamically stable anhydrous crystalline phase. We use high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction, and a variety of chemical analysis tools, to demonstrate the mechanism by which nucleotides become incorporated within the vaterite lattice.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Duchesnea indica Extracts Using Different Solvents and Their Antibacterial Activity.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the whole plant of Duchesnea indica (DI) which was extracted in different solvents; the antimicrobial effects of the extract were investigated in this study. The extraction of DI was performed using three different solvents: water, pure ethanol (EtOH), and pure dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). AgNP formation was monitored by measuring the UV-Vis spectrum of each reaction solution. After synthesis for 48 h, the AgNPs were collected and the negative surface charge and size distribution of the synthesized AgNPs were measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The AgNP structure was determined by high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the AgNP morphology was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). AgNP antibacterial activities were evaluated against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the disc diffusion method. Additionally, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were also determined. Biosynthesized AgNPs showed enhanced antibacterial activity against B. cereus, S. aureus, E. coli, S. enteritidis, and P. aeruginosa compared with that of pristine solvent extract. These results suggest that AgNPs synthesized from extracts of DI are promising antibacterial agents against pathogenic bacteria and can be further applied in the food industry.

Anharmonicity effects and thermal expansion of thermoelectric (M,M’,M”)NiSn (M,M’,M”=Ti, Zr, Hf) half-Heusler alloys

High-resolution synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction was used for the structural characterization of half-Heusler alloys with compositions MNiSn, M0.5M′0.5NiSn, and M0.5M′0.25M”0.25NiSn ((M, M′, M”) = Ti, Zr, Hf). These alloys were synthesized by arc melting and subsequent thermal annealing. Rietveld refinements of the room temperature patterns revealed that the unit cell parameter is larger for ZrNiSn and smaller for TiNiSn, in accordance with the respective atomic radii. The site occupation of each atomic species exhibited similar trends to those reported in the literature. The values of the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (α) for all the investigated phases within the alloys are < 10−5 K−1. In addition, the value of the Debye temperature (θD) is estimated by analyzing the temperature dependence of the isotropic atomic displacement parameters. In the case of these half-Heusler alloys, it is observed that a lower θD corresponds to a lower α. The good agreement between the temperature dependence of the Debye temperature and the calculated values using the Thirring-Stern expansion enables us to demonstrate the significant role of anharmonicity: the lighter the compound, the lower the anharmonicity. Furthermore, we also discuss the implications of anharmonicity on the thermal conductivity of this family of half-Heusler compounds at room temperature.