A microcontact impedance study on NASICON-type Li 1+x_{1+x} Al x_{x} Ti 2−x_{2−x} (PO 4 ) 3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) single crystals

We successfully demonstrated the applicability of microcontact impedance spectroscopy (MC IS) on Li+ conducting solid electrolytes and measured the Li+ bulk conductivity (σb) of LiTi2(PO4)3 (LTP) and Li1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3 (LATP) single crystals independent of microstructural effects (e.g., grain boundaries, pores, and density). The crystals had a size of about 100 μm in each direction and crystallized with NASICON-type structure (R[3 with combining macron]c). Finite element calculations were performed to validate the impedance data analysis. A strong increase in σb in the order of three magnitudes (3.16 × 10−6 to 1.73 × 10−3 S cm−1) was found after incorporating 0.1 mol Al3+ per formula unit into LTP. Moreover, since the crystal structural changes are almost linear in the LATP system up to x = 0.5, the increase of σb is most probably related to additional Li+ sites at the M3 (36f) position. The additional Li+ leads to a displacement of Li+ occupying the M1 (6b) sites towards the nearest-neighboring M3 position, and therefore opens the fast-conducting pathway within the NASICON structure. A significant change in σb was also observed as the Al3+ content further increased (x = 0.1 to 0.5). The highest σb value of 5.63 × 10−3 S cm−1 was obtained for samples with x = 0.4

Fast Li Ion Conducting Garnet Related Li7 3xFexLa3Zr2O12 with Uncommon I43d Structure

[Image: see text] 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 Li(7)La(3)Zr(2)O(12) crystallizes in the acentric cubic space group I4̅3d. This structure can be derived by a symmetry reduction of the garnet-type Ia3̅d structure, which is the most commonly found space group of Li oxide garnets and garnets in general. In this study, single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms the presence of space group I4̅3d also for Li(7–3x)Fe(x)La(3)Zr(2)O(12). The crystal structure was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, neutron powder diffraction, and Mößbauer spectroscopy. The crystal–chemical behavior of Fe(3+) in Li(7)La(3)Zr(2)O(12) is very similar to that of Ga(3+). The symmetry reduction seems to be initiated by the ordering of Fe(3+) onto the tetrahedral Li1 (12a) site of space group I4̅3d. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements showed a Li-ion bulk conductivity of up to 1.38 × 10(–3) S cm(–1) at room temperature, which is among the highest values reported for this group of materials

Urinary oxidative stress biomarkers are associated with preterm birth: an Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes program study

BackgroundPreterm birth is the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Elevated levels of oxidative stress have been associated with an increased risk of delivering before term. However, most studies testing this hypothesis have been conducted in racially and demographically homogenous study populations, which do not reflect the diversity within the United States.ObjectiveWe leveraged 4 cohorts participating in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Program to conduct the largest study to date examining biomarkers of oxidative stress and preterm birth (N=1916). Furthermore, we hypothesized that elevated oxidative stress would be associated with higher odds of preterm birth, particularly preterm birth of spontaneous origin.Study designThis study was a pooled analysis and meta-analysis of 4 birth cohorts spanning multiple geographic regions in the mainland United States and Puerto Rico (208 preterm births and 1708 full-term births). Of note, 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α, 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α (F2-IsoP-M; the major 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α metabolite), and prostaglandin-F2α were measured in urine samples obtained during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations between averaged biomarker concentrations for each participant and all preterm births, spontaneous preterm births, nonspontaneous preterm births (births of medically indicated or unknown origin), and categories of preterm birth (early, moderate, and late). Individual oxidative stress biomarkers were examined in separate models.ResultsApproximately 11% of our analytical sample was born before term. Relative to full-term births, an interquartile range increase in averaged concentrations of F2-IsoP-M was associated with higher odds of all preterm births (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.51), with a stronger association observed for spontaneous preterm birth (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.90). An interquartile range increase in averaged concentrations of 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α was similarly associated with higher odds of all preterm births (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.50). The results from our meta-analysis were similar to those from the pooled combined cohort analysis.ConclusionHere, oxidative stress, as measured by 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α, F2-IsoP-M, and prostaglandin-F2α in urine, was associated with increased odds of preterm birth, particularly preterm birth of spontaneous origin and delivery before 34 completed weeks of gestation