Thermal Stability and Non-Linear Optical and Dielectric Properties of Lead-Free K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 Ceramics.

Lead-free K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (KBT) ceramics with high density (~5.36 g/cm3, 90% of X-ray density) and compositional purity (up to 90%) were synthesized using a solid-state reaction method. Strongly condensed KBT ceramics revealed homogenous local microstructures. TG/DSC (Thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry) techniques characterized the thermal and structural stability of KBT. High mass stability (>0.4%) has proven no KBT thermal decomposition or other phase precipitation up to 1000 °C except for the co-existing K2Ti6O13 impurity. A strong influence of crystallites size and sintering conditions on improved dielectric and non-linear optical properties was reported. A significant increase (more than twice) in dielectric permittivity (εR), substantial for potential applications, was found in the KBT-24h specimen with extensive milling time. Moreover, it was observed that the second harmonic generation (λSHG = 532 nm) was activated at remarkably low fundamental beam intensity. Finally, spectroscopic experiments (Fourier transform Raman and far-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)) were supported by DFT (Density functional theory) calculations with a 2 × 2 × 2 supercell (P42mc symmetry and C4v point group). Moreover, the energy band gap was calculated (Eg = 2.46 eV), and a strong hybridization of the O-2p and Ti-3d orbitals at Eg explained the nature of band-gap transition (Γ â†’ Γ).

Structural, Thermal, and Vibrational Properties of N,N-Dimethylglycine-Chloranilic Acid-A New Co-Crystal Based on an Aliphatic Amino Acid.

The new complex of N,N-Dimethylglycine (DMG) with chloranilic acid (CLA) was synthesized and examined for thermal, structural, and dynamical properties. The structure of the reaction product between DMG and CLA was investigated in a deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO-d6) solution and in the solid state by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning-CPMAS NMR). The formation of the 1:1 complex of CLA and DMG in the DMSO solution was also confirmed by diffusion measurement. X-ray single crystal diffraction results revealed that the N,N-dimethylglycine-chloranilic acid (DMG+-CLA-) complex crystallizes in the centrosymmetric triclinic P-1 space group. The X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy show the presence of the protonated form of N,N-dimethylglycine and the deprotonated form of chloranilic acid molecules. The vibrational properties of the co-crystal were investigated by the use of neutron (INS), infrared (IR), and Raman (RS) spectroscopies, as well as the density functional theory (DFT) with periodic boundary conditions. From the band shape analysis of the N-CH3 bending vibration, we can conclude that the CH3 groups perform fast (τR ≈ 10-11 to 10‒13 s) reorientational motions down to a temperature of 140 K, with activation energy at ca. 6.7 kJ mol-1. X-ray diffraction and IR investigations confirm the presence of a strong N+-H···O- hydrogen bond in the studied co-crystal.

Phase transition, thermal dissociation and dynamics of NH3 ligands in [Cd(NH3)4](ReO4)2.

High temperature phase transition in [Cd(NH3)4](ReO4)2 at Tc=368.5K (on heating) was reported for the first time. Thermal stability was investigated by thermal analysis methods. The titled compound decomposes in three main stages. The first two are connected with deamination process whereas in the last step Re2O7 evaporates. The activation energy for NH3 lost processes was estimated from TG measurements. The dynamics of NH3 ligands in the low temperature phase was probed by various complementary techniques. Temperature dependent band shape analysis of properly chosen infrared and Raman scattering vibrational bands was performed. It was found that activation energy for NH3 reorientational motion (below 300K) is rather small and is equal to ca. 4kJmol(-1). The quasielastic neutron scattering measurements revealed that NH3 groups perform fast stochastic reorientational motion even in the low temperatures. The neutron and X-ray powder diffraction data do not revealed any drastic changes in the crystal structure in the wide temperature range.

Inelastic and elastic neutron scattering studies of the vibrational and reorientational dynamics, crystal structure and solid-solid phase transition in [Mn(OS(CH3)2)6](ClO4)2 supported by theoretical (DFT) calculations.

The vibrational and reorientational dynamics of CH3 groups from (CH3)2SO ligands in the high- and low-temperature phases of [Mn(OS(CH3)2)6](ClO4)2 were investigated by quasielastic and inelastic incoherent neutron scattering (QENS and IINS) methods. The results show that above the phase transition temperature (detected earlier by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at TC5(c)=222.9K on cooling and at TC5(h)=225.4K on heating) the CH3 groups perform fast (τR≈10(-12)-10(-13)s) reorientational motions. These motions start to slow down below TC5(c) Neutron powder diffraction (NPD) measurements, performed simultaneously with QENS and IINS, indicated that this phase transition is associated with a change of the crystal structure, too. Theoretical infrared absorption, Raman and inelastic incoherent neutron scattering spectra were calculated using DFT method (B3LYP functional, LANL2DZ ECP basis set (on Mn atom) and 6-311+G(d,p) basis set (on C, H, S, O atoms) for the isolated equilibrium model (isolated [Mn(DMSO)6](2+) cation and ClO4(-) anion). Calculated spectra show a good agreement with the experimental spectra (FT-IR, RS and IINS). The comparison of the results obtained by these complementary methods was made.

The relationship between reorientational molecular motions and phase transitions in [Mg(H2O)6](BF4)2, studied with the use of (1)H and (19)F NMR and FT-MIR.

A (1)H and (19)F nuclear magnetic resonance study of [Mg(H2O)6](BF4)2 has confirmed the existence of two phase transitions at Tc1 ≈ 257 K and Tc2 ≈ 142 K, detected earlier by the DSC method. These transitions were reflected by changes in the temperature dependences of both proton and fluorine of second moments M2 (H) and M2 (F) and of spin-lattice relaxation times T1 (H) and T1 (F). The study revealed anisotropic reorientations of whole [Mg(H2O)6](2+) cations, reorientations by 180° jumps of H2O ligands, and aniso- and isotropic reorientations of BF4 (-) anions. The activation parameters for these motions were obtained. It was found that the phase transition at Tc1 is associated with the reorientation of the cation as a whole unit around the C3 axis and that at Tc2 with isotropic reorientation of the BF4 (-) anions. The temperature dependence of the full width at half maximum value of the infrared band of ρt(H2O) mode (at ∼596 cm(-1)) indicated that in phases I and II, all H2O ligands in [Mg(H2O)6](2+) perform fast reorientational motions (180° jumps) with a mean value of activation energy equal to ca 10 kJ mole(-1), what is fully consistent with NMR results. The phase transition at Tc1 is associated with a sudden change of speed of fast (τR ≈ 10(-12) s) reorientational motions of H2O ligands. Below Tc2 (in phase III), the reorientations of certain part of the H2O ligands significantly slow down, while others continue their fast reorientation with an activation energy of ca 2 kJ mole(-1). This fast reorientation cannot be evidenced in NMR relaxation experiments. Splitting of certain IR bands connected with H2O ligands at the observed phase transitions suggests a reduction of the symmetry of the octahedral [Mg(H2O)6](2+) complex cation.

Vibrations and reorientations of NH3 molecules in [Mn(NH3)6](ClO4)2 studied by infrared spectroscopy and theoretical (DFT) calculations.

The vibrational and reorientational motions of NH3 ligands and ClO4(-) anions were investigated by Fourier transform middle-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) in the high- and low-temperature phases of [Mn(NH3)6](ClO4)2. The temperature dependencies of full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the infrared bands at: 591 and 3385cm(-1), associated with: ρr(NH3) and νas(N-H) modes, respectively, indicate that there exist fast (correlation times τR≈10(-12)-10(-13)s) reorientational motions of NH3 ligands, with a mean values of activation energies: 7.8 and 4.5kJmol(-1), in the phase I and II, respectively. These reorientational motions of NH3 ligands are only slightly disturbed in the phase transition region and do not significantly contribute to the phase transition mechanism. Fourier transform far-infrared and middle-infrared spectra with decreasing of temperature indicated characteristic changes at the vicinity of PT at TC(c)=137.6K (on cooling), which suggested lowering of the crystal structure symmetry. Infrared spectra of [Mn(NH3)6](ClO4)2 were recorded and interpreted by comparison with respective theoretical spectra calculated using DFT method (B3LYP functional, LANL2DZ ECP basis set (on Mn atom) and 6-311+G(d,p) basis set (on H, N, Cl, O atoms) for the isolated equilibrium two models (Model 1 - separate isolated [Mn(NH3)6](2+) cation and ClO4(-) anion and Model 2 - [Mn(NH3)6(ClO4)2] complex system). Calculated optical spectra show a good agreement with the experimental infrared spectra (FT-FIR and FT-MIR) for the both models.

Vibrations and reorientations of H2O molecules in [Sr(H2O)6]Cl2 studied by Raman light scattering, incoherent inelastic neutron scattering and proton magnetic resonance.

Vibrational-reorientational dynamics of H2O ligands in the high- and low-temperature phases of [Sr(H2O)6]Cl2 was investigated by Raman Spectroscopy (RS), proton magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR), quasielastic and inelastic incoherent Neutron Scattering (QENS and IINS) methods. Neutron powder diffraction (NPD) measurements, performed simultaneously with QENS, did not indicated a change of the crystal structure at the phase transition (detected earlier by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at TC(h)=252.9 K (on heating) and at TC(c)=226.5K (on cooling)). Temperature dependence of the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of νs(OH) band at ca. 3248 cm(-1) in the RS spectra indicated small discontinuity in the vicinity of phase transition temperature, what suggests that the observed phase transition may be associated with a change of the H2O reorientational dynamics. However, an activation energy value (Ea) for the reorientational motions of H2O ligands in both phases is nearly the same and equals to ca. 8 kJ mol(-1). The QENS peaks, registered for low temperature phase do not show any broadening. However, in the high temperature phase a small QENS broadening is clearly visible, what implies that the reorientational dynamics of H2O ligands undergoes a change at the phase transition. (1)H NMR line is a superposition of two powder Pake doublets, differentiated by a dipolar broadening, suggesting that there are two types of the water molecules in the crystal lattice of [Sr(H2O)6]Cl2 which are structurally not equivalent average distances between the interacting protons are: 1.39 and 1.18 Å. However, their reorientational dynamics is very similar (τc=3.3⋅10(-10) s). Activation energies for the reorientational motion of these both kinds of H2O ligands have nearly the same values in an experimental error limit: and equal to ca. 40 kJ mole(-1). The phase transition is not seen in the (1)H NMR spectra temperature dependencies. Infrared (IR), Raman (RS) and inelastic incoherent neutron scattering (IINS) spectra were calculated by the DFT method and quite a good agreement with the experimental data was obtained.

Vibrational and reorientational motions of H2O ligands, phase transition and thermal properties of [Sr(H2O)6]Cl2.

One phase transition (PT) at TC(h)=252.9K (on heating) and at TC(c)=226.5K (on cooling) was detected by DSC for [Sr(H2O)6]Cl2 in 123-295K range. Thermal hysteresis of this PT equals to 26.4K. Entropy change (ΔS) value at this first-order type phase transition equals to ca. 1.5Jmol(-1)K(-1). The temperature dependences of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) values of the infrared bands associated with ρt(H2O)E and δas(HOH)E modes (at ca. 417 and 1628cm(-1), respectively) suggest that the observed phase transition is associated with a sudden change of a speed of the H2O reorientational motions. The H2O ligands in the high temperature phase reorientate quickly (correlation times 10(-11)-10(-13)s) with the activation energy of ca. 2kJmol(-1). Below TC(c) probably a part of the H2O ligands stop their reorientation, while the remainders continue their fast reorientation but with the activation energy of ca. 8kJmol(-1). Far and middle infrared spectra indicated characteristic changes at the vicinity of PT with decreasing of temperature, which suggested lowering of the crystal structure symmetry. Splitting of the band (at 3601cm(-1)) connected with vas(OH) mode near the TC(c) suggests lowering of the crystal lattice symmetry. All these facts suggest that the discovered PT is connected both with a change of the reorientational dynamics of the H2O ligands and with the change of the crystal structure.

Vibrations and reorientations of H2O molecules and NO3(-) anions in [Ca(H2O)4](NO3)2 studied by incoherent inelastic neutron scattering, Raman light scattering, and infrared absorption spectroscopy.

The vibrational and reorientational motions of H(2)O ligands and NO(3)(-) anions were investigated by Fourier transform middle-infrared Raman scattering (RS) spectroscopy and phonon density of states, calculated from incoherent inelastic neutron scattering, in the high- and low-temperature phases of [Ca(H(2)O)(4)](NO(3))(2). The theoretical IR and RS spectra were also calculated by means of the quantum chemistry method using density functional theory with PBE1PBE functional at 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set level. The temperature dependences of the full width at half maximum values of nu(s)(H(2)O) bands in both the infrared absorption and the RS spectroscopy suggest that the observed phase transitions (at T(C1) and T(C2)) are not connected with a drastic change in the speed of H(2)O reorientational motions. However, similar Raman nu(4)(NO(3)(-)) band shape measurements as a function of temperature revealed the existence of a fast NO(3)(-) reorientation in phase I, which is abruptly slowed at the phase transition at T(C1). Activation energy values for the reorientational motions of H(2)O ligands and NO(3)(-) anions were calculated.