Temperature-dependent electrical, elastic and magnetic properties of sol-gel synthesized Bi 0.9 Ln 0.1 FeO 3 (Ln = Nd, Sm)

This report details correlated electrical, mechanical and magnetic behaviour in BiFeO3 ceramics doped with 10% Ln (Ln=Sm, Nd) ions on the Bi, or perovskite A, site and synthesized by a solgel method. The ceramics exhibit bulk piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties and clear ferroelectric domain patterns through piezoresponse force microscopy. Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, dielectric spectroscopy and magnetometry studies show correlated magnetoelectromechanical behaviour and the existence of weak ferromagnetism for both compositions. An anomaly with simultaneous mechanical and magnetic signatures is discovered in both materials near room temperature, while previously reported transitions and anomalies are found to exhibit electro-and/or magnetomechanical coupling. Magnetism is significantly enhanced in the Sm doped sample, which is a promising multiferroic material

Te for two: ordering phenomena in doped Ni1+xMyTe2 (M = Ag, Cu, In)

A detailed TEM and XRD study has been carried out on B8 related ternary solid solution phases in the Ni1+xMyTe2 (M = Ag, Cu, In) systems. Despite previous reports of a large B8 ternary compositional homogeneity range in the Ni1+xMyTe2 (M = Ag) system, n

The pyrochlore to defect fluorite transition in the Y2(ZryTi1-y)2O7 system and its underlying crystal chemistry

A careful investigation of the previously reported single phase, pyrochlore structure type Y 2(Zr yTi 1-y) 2O 7, 0≤y≤0.9, (YZT) solid solution has been carried out. Given the known slow rate of diffusion of cations in fluorite-related stabilized zirc

Nonstoichiometric, rutile-type, solid solutions in the FeIIF2-FeIIIOF system

Solid solutions of the form Fe(1-x)IIFexIIIOxF2-x have been synthesized by the reaction of FeF2 with FeOF in a sealed platinum tube at 850°C. Careful electron probe microanalysis and X-ray powder diffraction have determined the existence of two distinc

Electron diffraction evidence for continuously variable, composition-dependent O/F ordering in the ReO3 type, NbV1-xNbIVxO2-xF1+x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.48, solid solution

A spread of compositions within the NbV1-xNb IVxO2-xF1+x solid solution have been successfully synthesized in the range 0≤x≤0.48. In each case electron diffraction has revealed the presence of strong planar diffuse scattering perpendicular to each o

Flexible phases, modulated structures and the transmission electron microscope

A review of the application of transmission electron microscopy to the study of interface, composite and displacively modulated structures is given. The distinctly different mechanisms underlying structural modulation in each case are emphasized as is the practical application of transmission electron microscopy to problems such as pseudo-symmetry and twinning, to indexation in (3+d)-dimensional superspace and to overall superspace symmetry and structural characterization

An electron diffraction and crystal chemical investigation of oxygen/fluorine ordering in niobium oxyfluoride, NbO2F

A careful electron diffraction study of the ReO3-type oxyfluoride NbO2F has revealed the presence of characteristic transverse polarized planes of diffuse intensity running through the G ± 〈hk1/3〉* regions of reciprocal space as well as continuous r

Where are the Sn atoms in LaSb2Snx, 0.1 ≤ x ≤ ~0.75?

The composition range and (composite modulated) structure of compounds within the wide range non-stoichiometric LaSb2Snx, 0.1≤x≤0.75, solid solution is carefully investigated via a combined electron diffraction, XRD and electron probe microanalysis s