TEM and DFT Study of Basal-plane Inversion Boundaries in SnO2-doped ZnO

In our recent study (Ribie et al. 2020) we reported the structure of inversion boundaries (IBs) in Sb2O3 -doped ZnO. Here, we focus on IBs that form in SnO2-doped ZnO. Using atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) methods we confirm that in SnO2-doped ZnO the IBs form in head-to-head configuration, where ZnO4 tetrahedra in both ZnO domains point towards the IB plane composed of a close packed layer of octahedrally coordinated Sn and Zn atoms. The in-plane composition is driven by the local charge balance, following Pauling's principle of electroneutrality for ionic crystals, according to which the average oxidation state of cations is 3+. To satisfy this condition, the cation ratio in the IB-layer is Sn4+ : Zn2+ =1:1. This was confirmed by concentric electron probe analysis employing energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showing that Sn atoms occupy 0.504 +/- 0.039 of the IB layer, while the rest of the octahedral sites are occupied by Zn. IBs in SnO2-doped ZnO occur in the lowest energy, IB3 translation state with the cation sublattice expansion of Delta IB(zn-zn) of +91 pm with corresponding O-sublattice contraction Delta IB(O-O) of -46 pm. Based on quantitative HRTEM and HAADF-STEM analysis of in-plane ordering of Sn and Zn atoms, we identified two types of short-range distributions, (i) zigzag and (ii) stripe. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the energy difference between the two arrangements is small (similar to 6 meV) giving rise to their alternation within the octahedral IB layer. As a result, cation ordering intermittently changes its type and the direction to maximize intrinsic entropy of the IB layer driven by the in-plane electroneutrality and 6-fold symmetry restrictions. A long-range in-plane disorder, as shown by our work would enhance quantum well effect to phonon scattering, while Zn2+ located in the IB octahedral sites, would modify the the bandgap, and enhance the in-plane conductivity and concentration of carriers

New inversion boundary structure in Sb-doped ZnO predicted by DFT calculations and confirmed by experimental HRTEM

Today, ab-initio calculations are becoming a powerful tool to perform virtual experiments that have the capacity to predict and to reproduce experimentally observed non-periodic features, such as interfaces, that are responsible for quantum properties of materials. In our paper we investigate 2D quantum-well structures, known as inversion boundaries OM. Combining atomistic modeling, DFT calculations and HRTEM analysis we provide a new fundamental insight into the structure and stability of Sb-rich basal-plane IBs in ZnO. DFT screening for potential IB model was based on the known stacking deviations in originating wurtzite structure. The results show that the model with A beta-B alpha-A beta C-gamma B-beta C sequence (IB3) is the most stable translation for Sb-doping, as opposed to previously accepted A beta-B alpha-A beta C-gamma A-alpha C (IB2) model. The key to the stability of IB structures has been found to lie in their cationic stacking. We show that the energies of constituting stacking segments can be used to predict the stability of new IB structures without the need of further ab-initio calculations. DFT optimized models of IBs accurately predict the experimentally observed IB structures with lateral relaxations down to a precision of similar to 1 pm. The newly determined cation sublattice expansions for experimentally confirmed IB2 and IB3 models, Delta(IB(zn-zn)) are +81 pm and +77 pm, whereas the corresponding O-sublattice contractions Delta(IB(0-0)) are -53 pm and -57 pm, respectively. The refined structures will help to solve open questions related to their role in electron transport, phonon scattering, p-type conductivity, affinity of dopants to generate IBs and the underlying formation mechanisms, whereas the excellent match between the calculations and experiment demonstrated in our study opens new perspectives for prediction of such properties from first principles

Thermal deamination kinetics of the nickel-containing chabazite-like aluminophosphate, Ni(NH2-CH2-CH2-NH2)(2)(AlPO4)(6)(OH)(2), deposition of nanocrystalline NiO particles

Thermogravimetrical analysis has been used to study the kinetics of thermal deamination of bis(ethylenediamine) nickel(II)-containing aluminophosphate (Ni-CHA) which is a precursor of nickel(II)-containing chabazite-like AlPO4-34. The deamination occurs as a single-step kinetic process which is best described by the contracting cylinder model. The obtained activation energy of 200 kJ/mol is mainly a reflection of the strong Ni-N coordination bond. The thermal decomposition of Ni-CHA results in the deposition of crystalline NiO particles homogeneously dispersed in the AlPO4-34 lattice. Average particle size was found to be about 5 nm. The study confirms that the thermal decomposition of amine complexes of Ni(II) encapsulated inside the microporous aluminophosphate host can be a suitable method for obtaining fine nano-oxide particles

Study of the iron(III)-modified clinoptilolite in the adsorption of phosphate from aqueous medium: mechanism and kinetics

Clinoptilolite-rich tuff (Z) enriched with Fe(III) was studied in the removal of phosphate ions present in aqueous medium at pH = 6.5. Fe(III) modification was performed by a simple wet impregnation giving the product (FeZ) with about 18 wt% Fe. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of a flaky Fe(III) amorphous precipitate on the clinoptilolite sheets and a preserved clinoptilolite crystallinity. The modification increased the specific surface area from 28.6 to 140.3 m(2) g(-1). FeZ effectively adsorbed phosphate, the removal rate at 298 K varying from 86% to 42.5% (for C-0 = 50 mg dm(-3) and C-0 = 400 mg dm(-3)). The sorption isotherms were in accord with the Langmuir model, giving for the Langmuir constant (R-L) values in the range 0-1 that are characteristic of a favourable adsorption. The data for adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model suggesting chemisorption as the phosphate sorption mechanism. Intra-particle diffusion was present in the adsorption, but it was not the rate-limiting step. A P-31 static spin-echo mapping nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement was performed for studying the phosphate-FeZ interaction. The results showed that the phosphate adsorption on FeZ proceeds through electrostatic interactions and covalent bonding, the latter being more pronounced

The formation of oxide nanoparticles on the surface of natural clinoptilolite

Nanoparticles of NiO, ZnO and Cu(2)O crystallize when the Ni-, Zn- and Cu-exchanged natural clinoptilolite, respectively, are dehydrated by heating in air at 550 degrees C. The dehydration of Mn-exchanged clinoptilolite does not lead to the crystallization of manganese oxide but affects the crystallinity of the host clinoptilolite lattice, which becomes amorphous. The NiO, ZnO and Cu(2)O nanoparticles are found to be randomly dispersed in the clinoptilolite matrix. The particle size varies from 2 to 5 nm and exceeds the aperture of the clinoptilolite channel (approximately 0.4 nm), suggesting that the crystallization of the oxide phases takes place on the surfaces of clinoptilolite microcrystals

Novel simple methods for the synthesis of single-phase valentinite Sb2O3

Several methods with solid and dissolved reactants were investigated as possible routes for synthesis of single-phase valentinite Sb2O3. The methods are based on simple chemical reaction between SbCl3 and NaOH. The method with solid state reactants was established on self-propagating room temperature reaction (SPRT), while wet syntheses were based on the same chemical reaction, and performed in either distilled water or absolute ethanol. The prepared powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. SPRT and aqueous solution syntheses resulted in single-phase valentinite Sb2O3, but with significantly different morphologies. In the case of SPRT method the obtained powder contains well crystallized prismatic shaped submicronic particles, with hexagonal or lozenge basis typical for valentinite crystal structure, while aqueous solution synthesis resulted in powder containing micronic agglomerates. The ethanolic solution synthesis product was Sb2O3 with cubic senarmontite as predominant phase and traces of orthorhombic valentinite. It was confirmed that not only the aggregate state, but also the choice of solvent has a great influence on the structural and optical characteristics of synthesized Sb2O3 powders

Preparation of ultrathin PZT films by a chemical solution deposition method from a polymeric citrate precursor

Ultrathin PZT film was prepared using a chemical solution deposition method from polymeric citrate precursors. The PZT solution was spin-coated on an amorphous silica layer formed on a Si(l 0 0) substrate. The films were thermally treated from the substrate side with a low heating rate (1 degrees/min) up to 700 degrees C and finally annealed for 10 h. Ultrathin PZT films without microstructural instability were prepared in spite of high temperature and long annealing time. AFM and HRTEM investigations revealed the formation of a well-developed dense microstructure consisting of spherical crystallites (4-7 nm). Low roughness (2.2 nm) of a similar to 26 nm thick layer was obtained for a two-layered PZT film. The grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) measurements confirmed the polycrystalline structure of ultrathin PZT films. Also, GIXRD and electron energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis showed that compositional variations were smaller than expected, in spite of the long annealing time

Use of Natural Clinoptilolite in the Preparation of an Efficient Adsorbent for Ciprofloxacin Removal from Aqueous Media

The adsorption of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) from an aqueous solution by natural zeolite, the calcium-rich clinoptilolite (CLI), and magnetite-coated CLI (MAG-CLI) was investigated. Both CLI and MAG-CLI showed a high adsorption affinity towards CIP at 283, 288 and 293 K at a pH of 5. Adsorption kinetics studied for the initial concentrations of 15-75 mg CIP dm(-3) follow Lagergren's pseudo-second order equation and the adsorption is best represented by the Langmuir model. The adsorption mechanism involves strong electrostatic interactions between negatively charged aluminosilicate lattice and the cationic form of CIP accompanied by an ion-exchange reaction. Magnetite coverage (approx. 12 wt.%) induces magnetism, which can facilitate the separation process. The coverage does not influence the adsorption activity of CLI. The leaching test showed that the MAG coating protects the adsorbent from CIP leaching. This is ascribed to interactions between the CIP carboxyl groups and magnetite nano-particles. Antibacterial tests showed strong antibacterial activity of the ciprofloxacin-containing adsorbents towards pathogenic E. coli and S. aureus