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The diffraction endstation of the NanoMAX beamline is designed to provide high-flux coherent X-ray nano-beams for experiments requiring many degrees of freedom for sample and detector. The endstation is equipped with high-efficiency Kirkpatrick–Baez mirror focusing optics and a two-circle goniometer supporting a positioning and scanning device, designed to carry a compact sample environment. A robot is used as a detector arm. The endstation, in continued development, has been in user operation since summer 2017.

The output power (30–150 W) and the periodicity (20–100%) of ultrasound emission were varied in a wide range to regulate and improve the crystallization process in the commonly used co-precipitation technique of chloride-intercalated CaFe-layered double hydroxides. The influence of ultrasound irradiation on the as-prepared materials was studied by X-ray diffractometry, dynamic light scattering, UV–Vis–NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, specific surface area measurement, pore size analysis, ion-selective electrode potentiometric investigations and thermogravimetry. Additionally, structural alterations due to heat treatment at various temperatures were followed in detail by Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopies as well as scanning electron microscopy. The ultrasonic treatment was capable of controlling the sizes of primarily formed (from 19 nm to 30 nm) as well as the aggregated (secondary) particles (between 450 nm and 700 nm), and thus modifying their textural parameters and enhancing the incorporation of chloride anions into the interlamellar space. For the first time, the optical energy gap of CaFe-LDH was reported here depending on the nature of applied stirring (4.18–4.34 eV). The heat-treatment investigations revealed that the layered structure was stabile until 200 °C, even at the atomic level.

The structures of Ruddlesden–Popper n = 2 member phases Sr3−xYxFe1.25Ni0.75O7−δ with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.75 have been investigated using neutron powder diffraction and K-edge Fe and Ni EXAFS/XANES spectroscopy in order to gain information about the evolution of the oxygen vacancy distribution and Fe/Ni oxidation state with x. Both samples prepared at 1300 °C under a flow of N2(g), with δ = 1.41–1.00, and samples subsequently annealed in air at 900 °C, with δ = 0.44–0.59, were characterized. The as-prepared x = 0.75 phase has δ = 1, the O1 atom site is vacant, and the Fe3+/Ni2+ ions have a square pyramidal coordination. With decreasing x the O3 occupancy decreases nearly linearly to 81% for x = 0, while the O1 occupancy increases from 0 for x = 0.4 to 33% for x = 0. The air-annealed x = 0.75 sample has a δ value of 0.59 and the Fe3+/Fe4+/Ni2+/Ni3+ ions have both square pyramidal and octahedral coordination. With decreasing x, the δ value decreases to 0.45 for x = 0, implying an increase in the oxidation states of Fe/Ni ions. EXAFS/XANES data show that for the as-prepared samples the coordination changes are predominantly for Ni2+ ions and that the air-annealed samples contain both Fe3+/Fe4+ and Ni2+/Ni3+ ions.

An ultrasonically-enhanced mechanochemical method was developed to synthesize CaFe-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with various interlayer anions (CO32−, NO3−, ClO4−, N3−, F−, Cl−, Br− and I−). The duration of pre-milling and ultrasonic irradiation and the variation of synthesis temperature in the wet chemical step were investigated to obtain the optimal parameters of preparation. The main method to characterize the products was X-ray diffractometry, but infrared and synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopies as well as thermogravimetric measurements were also used to learn about fine structural details. The synthesis method afforded successful intercalation of the anions, among others the azide anion, a rarely used counter ion providing a system, which enables safe handling the otherwise highly reactive anion. The X-ray absorption spectroscopic measurements revealed that the quality of the interlayered anions could modulate the spatial arrangement of the calcium ions around the iron(III) ions, but only in the second coordination sphere.

The dynamic interaction of methanol and its derivatives with Cu-exchanged ZSM-5 during methanol temperature-programmed desorption from 30 to 450 °C has been investigated using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. The results emphasize that defects in the framework structure of the zeolite and Bronsted acid sites constitute ion-exchange sites for Cu ions. The Cu sites introduced in ZSM-5 actively interact with methanol adsorbed at moderate temperature, i.e., below 250 °C, and take roles in further oxidation of the adsorbed species to formate and CO. Moreover, spectra recorded at higher temperatures, i.e., above 300 °C, after adsorption of methanol show strong interaction between methoxy groups and the zeolite framework, suggesting that, under mild conditions, proton extraction for methanol production during direct partial oxidation of methane to methanol over Cu-ZSM-5 is necessary.

Methane oxidation over Pd–Pt/$ \mathrm{Al}_2\text{ O}_3 $ model catalysts calcined at three different conditions is investigated using operando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy while cycling the feed gas stoichiometry between lean (net-oxidising) and rich (net-reducing) conditions. When calcined in air, alloy Pd–Pt nanoparticles are present only on catalysts subjected to elevated temperature ($ 800\,^{\circ }\mathrm{C} $) whereas calcination at lower temperature (500 $ ^{\circ }\mathrm{C} $) leads to segregated Pt and Pd nanoparticles on the support. Here, we show that the alloy Pd–Pt nanoparticles undergo reversible changes in surface structure and composition during transient methane oxidation exposing a PdO surface during lean conditions and a metallic Pd–Pt surface (Pd enriched) under rich conditions. Alloyed particles seem more active for methane oxidation than their monometallic counterparts and, furthermore, an increased activity for methane oxidation is clearly observed under lean conditions when PdO has developed on the surface, analogous to monometallic Pd catalysts. Upon introducing rich conditions, partial oxidation of methane dominates over total oxidation forming adsorbed carbonyls on the noble metal particles. The carbonyl spectra for the three samples show clear differences originating from different surfaces exposed by alloyed vs. non-alloyed particles. The kinetics of the noble metal oxidation and reduction processes as well as carbonyl formation during transient methane oxidation are discussed.

An isolated, yet virtually intact contour feather (FUM-1980) from the lower Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark was analysed using multiple imaging and molecular techniques, including field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Additionally, synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) was employed in order to produce a digital reconstruction of the fossil. Under FEG-SEM, the proximal, plumulaceous part of the feather revealed masses of ovoid microstructures, about 1.7 μm long and 0.5 μm wide. Microbodies in the distal, pennaceous portion were substantially smaller (averaging 0.9 × 0.2 μm), highly elongate, and more densely packed. Generally, the microbodies in both the plumulaceous and pennaceous segments were aligned along the barbs and located within shallow depressions on the exposed surfaces. Biomarkers consistent with animal eumelanins were co-localized with the microstructures, to suggest that they represent remnant eumelanosomes (i.e. eumelanin-housing cellular organelles). Additionally, ToF-SIMS analysis revealed the presence of sulfur-containing organics – potentially indicative of pheomelanins – associated with eumelanin-like compounds. However, since there was no correlation between melanosome morphology and sulfur content, we conclude these molecular structures derive from diagenetically incorporated sulfur rather than pheomelanin. Melanosomes corresponding roughly in both size and morphology with those in the proximal part of FUM-1980 are known from contour feathers of extant parrots (Psittaciformes), an avian clade that has previously been reported from the Fur Formation.

Intercalated composite materials were prepared with CaAl-layered double hydroxide as host and Cu(II)-amino acid (L-cysteine, L-histidine and L-tyrosine) complex anions as guests. Two methods (intercalation of the ligand first followed by constructing the complex; preforming the complex first, then introducing it among the layers of the host) and optimization of the synthesis conditions were performed to obtain composites having the complex exclusively among the layers. The composite materials were structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry, mid infrared (IR) spectroscopy with ATR (attenuated total reflectance) or photoacoustic detections, transmission and scanning electron microscopies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Structural features of the intercalant (coordination number, coordination sites) were elucidated by classical chemical and energy dispersive X-ray analyses, EPR (electron paramagnetic spectroscopy), X-ray absorption and far IR spectroscopies. Structural models based on these methods are also given. Catalytic activities, selectivities and recycling abilities of the substances were studied in the oxidation reactions of cyclohexene with peracetic acid and in situ formed iodosylbenzene as oxidants in the liquid phase. The catalysts were active in the Ullmann coupling reaction as well. The intercalated substances were found to be efficient and highly selective catalysts with very good recycling abilities. (Less)

The combination of mechanochemical and ultrasonic treatment was applied to synthesize CaAlFe-layered triple hydroxides with carbonate or chloride anions in the interlamellar space. The optimal parameters of the preparation were explored by altering the initial ratio of the metal ions and the temperature of ultrasonic irradiation. The resulting triple hydroxides were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The products were close-to-phase-pure CaAlFe-layered triple hydroxides. Elevation of the temperature transformed the CaAlFe-Cl(-)-layered triple hydroxide to rare oxyhalides (Ca2FeO3Cl and Ca12Al14O32Cl2).

Intercalated composite materials were prepared with CaAl-layered double hydroxide as the host and Mn(II)-amino acid (l-cysteine, l-histidine and l-tyrosine) complex anions as the guest. Two methods (intercalation of the ligand first followed by constructing the complex; preforming the complex first, then introducing it among the layers of the host) and optimization of the auxiliary conditions were performed to arrive at composites having the complex exclusively among the layers. The obtained substances were structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry, mid IR spectroscopy in diffuse reflectance mode and with ATR or photoacoustic detections, and scanning electron microscopy. The structural features of the intercalant (coordination number, coordination sites) were elucidated by classical chemical and energy dispersive X-ray analyses, EPR, X-ray absorption and far IR spectroscopies. Structural models are also given. The catalytic activities, selectivities and recycling abilities of the substances were studied in the oxidation reactions of cyclohexene with peracetic acid and in situ formed iodosylbenzene as oxidants and allylic alcohol with peracetic acid, in the liquid phase. The intercalated substances proved to be efficient and highly selective (with peracetic acid: outstanding epoxide, with iodosylbenzene superior diol selectivities) catalysts with very good recycling abilities. (Less)

A mechanochemical method (grinding the components without added water – dry grinding, followed by further grinding in the presence of minute amount of water or NaOH solution – wet grinding) was used in this work for the preparation and intercalation of CaFe-layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Both the pristine LDHs and the amino acid anion (cystinate and tyrosinate) intercalated varieties were prepared by the two-step grinding procedure in a mixer mill. By systematically changing the conditions of the preparation method, a set of parameters could be determined, which led to the formation of close to phase-pure LDH. The optimisation procedure was also applied for the intercalation processes of the amino acid anions. The resulting materials were structurally characterised by a range of methods (X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, thermogravimetry, X-ray absorption and infra-red spectroscopies). It was proven that this simple mechanochemical procedure was able to produce complex organic–inorganic nanocomposites: LDHs intercalated with amino acid anions.

After having emerged as primary contenders in the race for highly efficient optoelectronics materials, organolead halide perovskites (OHLP) are now being investigated in the nanoscale regime as promising building blocks with unique properties. For example, unlike their bulk counterpart, quantum dots of OHLP are brightly luminescent, owing to large exciton binding energies that cannot be rationalized solely on the basis of quantum confinement. Here, we establish the direct correlation between the structure and the electronic band-edge properties of CH3NH3PbBr3 nanoparticles. Complementary structural and spectroscopic measurements probing long-range and local order reveal that lattice strain influences the nature of the valence band and modifies the subtle stereochemical activity of the Pb2+ lone-pair. More generally, this work demonstrates that the stereochemical activity of the lone-pair at the metal site is a specific physicochemical parameter coupled to composition, size and strain, which can be employed to engineer novel functionalities in OHLP nanomaterials. 2016 the Owner Societies. The study was financially supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Swedish Research Council. Collaboration within the NanoLund consortium is acknowledged. Q. Z. and K. Z. acknowledge support from by NPRP grant # NPRP7-227-1-034 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). S. E. C. acknowledges funding from SFB 1073. The help from Dr Trudy Bolin at the 9-BM beamline of APS, USA is also greatfully acknowledged. Scopus

Structural and morphological characterizations of bimetallic Pd-Pt/Al2O3 model catalysts are performed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and CO chemisorption. Further, the catalysts were studied under oxidizing and reducing conditions using both X-ray absorption spectroscopy and low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy. For the as-prepared catalysts, the existence of alloyed bimetallic Pd-Pt particles and of (tetragonal) PdO was found for the samples calcined at 800 °C. PdO is present in the form of crystals at the surface of the Pd-Pt particles or as isolated PdO crystals on the support oxide. Bimetallic Pd-Pt nanoparticles were only formed on the Pd-Pt catalysts after calcination at 800 °C. The results show that the Pd-Pt nanoparticles undergo reversible changes in surface structure composition and chemical state in response to oxidizing or reducing conditions. Under oxidizing conditions Pd segregates to the shell and oxidizes forming PdO, while under reducing conditions regions with metallic Pd and Pd-Pt alloys were observed at the surface. No bimetallic Pd-Pt nanoparticles were observed for the sample initially calcined at 500 °C, but instead isolated monometallic particles, where small Pt particles are easily oxidized under O2 treatment. In the monometallic catalysts, the Pd is found to be completely oxidized already after calcination and to consist of metallic Pd after reductive treatment.

Structural, elastic and electronic properties of zircon-type and scheelite-type EuVO4 are investigated experimentally, by in-situ X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation, and theoretically within the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) and using the PBE prescription of the exchange-correlation energy. This study was motivated by the fact that the previous knowledge of the equation of state (EOS) was inconclusive due to a large scatter of the experimental and theoretical data, and by the lack of information on the dependence of the electronic structure with pressure. Under the applied experimental conditions, the zircon-type structure transforms to a scheelite-type one at 7.4(2) GPa, whereas the calculations yield a lower zircon-scheelite-coexistence pressure of 4.8 GPa. The experimental part of the study shows that the bulk modulus of the zircon-type phase is 119(3) GPa, perfectly supported by the DFT-calculated value, 119.1 GPa. The bulk modulus for the scheelite-type polymorph is higher, with an experimental value of 135(7) GPa and a theoretical one of 137.4 GPa. Compared to those reported in previous experimental and DFT or semiempirical works, the present values for the zircon-type phase are comparable or slightly lower, whereas those for the scheelite-type phase are markedly lower. Discrepancies between the present results and earlier reported ones are attributed to differences in details of the experimental method such as the pressure transmitting medium and the pressure calibration method. The calculated band structure confirms that zircon-type EuVO4 is a direct-gap semiconductor, with a bandgap energy at zero pressure of 2.88 eV. Under compression, the bandgap of the zircon phase increases with a coefficient of 10.3 meV/GPa up to the transition pressure, at which point the present calculations show a small drop of the bandgap energy. Above the transition pressure, the bandgap energy of the scheelite phase becomes almost constant, with a small pressure coefficient of just 1.5 meV/GPa. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (Less)

In this work the syntheses, structure, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the catalytic use in the oxidative transformations of cyclohexene of covalently grafted Mn(II)–complexes formed with various C-protected amino acid ( l -histidine, l -cysteine and l -cystine) ligands are presented. The structural features of the surface complexes were studied by EPR, X-ray absorption, and mid/far IR spectroscopies. The superoxide dismutase activities of the materials were determined in a biochemical test reaction. The obtained materials were used as catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexene with peracetic acid in acetone. Covalent grafting and building the complex onto the surface of the chloropropylated silica gel were successful in all cases. It was found that in many instances the structures obtained and the coordinating groups substantially varied upon changing the conditions of the syntheses. All the covalently immobilised Mn(II)–complexes displayed superoxide dismutase activity and could catalyse the oxidation of cyclohexene.

An ultrasonically-enhanced mechanochemical method was developed to synthesize CaFe-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with various interlayer anions (CO

Covalently anchored Ni(II)–C-protected amino acid ( l -histidine, l -cysteine, and l -cystine) complexes inspired by the active site of the Ni-superoxide dismutase enzyme were synthesised using chloropropylated silica gel as support. The structural features of the surface complexes were studied by the Kjeldahl method and ICP-MS, mid/far IR, UV–vis diffuse reflectance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. The enzyme-like activities of the materials were determined in a biochemical test reaction. Covalent grafting and building the complex onto the surface of the support were successful in all cases. It was found that in many instances the structures obtained and the coordinating groups substantially varied upon changing the conditions of the syntheses. All the covalently immobilised Ni(II)-complexes displayed enzyme-like activity. They also were active in the liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexene, providing the epoxide with high selectivity.

We have investigated the oxidation of inorganic As(III) with H2O2 catalysed by Al2O3, using X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The effects of different reaction conditions (pH, time and initial H2O2 concentration) were also studied as were the kinetics of the oxidation reaction. We demonstrated that As(III) was oxidized to As(V) in the presence of H2O2 and Al2O3. Furthermore, all arsenic species found on the Al2O3 surface were in the As(V) state. The presence of both Al2O3 and H2O2 was necessary for oxidation of As(III) to take place within the period of time studied. The oxidation kinetics indicate a mechanism where reversible As(III) binding to the alumina surface is followed by irreversible oxidation by H2O2 leading to strongly bound As(V). Results from this study indicate that there is a surface-catalysed oxidation of As(III) on Al2O3 by H2O2, a reaction that can take place in nature and can be of help in the development of novel treatment systems for As(III) removal.

Lanthanum orthovanadate (LaVO4) is the only stable monazite-type rare-earth orthovanadate. In the present paper the equation of state of LaVO4is studied usingin situhigh-pressure powder diffraction at room temperature, andab initiocalculations within the framework of the density functional theory. The parameters of a second-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state,i.e.those fitted to the experimental and theoretical data, are found to be in perfect agreement – in particular, the bulk moduli are almost identical, with values of 106 (1) and 105.8 (5) GPa, respectively. In agreement with recent reported experimental data, the compression is shown to be anisotropic. Its nature is comparable to that of some other monazite-type compounds. The softest compression direction is determined.

Iron-mediated synthesis of alkali metal iodides was quite unexpectedly demonstrated to be able to serve as a cost-efficient and reliable source of spherical single crystalline near-stoichiometric magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles as revealed by TEM and XRD studies and also by XANES spectroscopic quantification of the Fe2+-content. Using the particles as nuclei for the Stoeber synthesis of silica nanoparticles, core-shell magnetic material has been produced. The nature of the magnetic component was probed by XANES spectroscopy. The size of the particles is dependent on the synthesis conditions and Si : Fe ratio but can be kept below 100 nm. It is the Si : Fe ratio that determines the stability of the particles in acidic medium. The latter was investigated spectrophotometrically as leaching of Fe3+-cations. Considerable stability was observed at Si : Fe > 10, while at Si : Fe >= 20 no measurable leaching could be observed in over 10 days. Magnetic nanoparticles with improved stability in acidic medium provide an attractive basis for creation of adsorbent materials for applications in harsh media.

We study the structure–function relationship of alumina supported platinum during the formation of ammonia from nitrogen oxide and dihydrogen by employing in situ X-ray absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Particular focus has been directed towards the effect of oxygen on the reaction as a model system for emerging technologies for passive selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides. The suppressed formation of ammonia observed as the feed becomes net-oxidizing is accompanied by a considerable increase in the oxidation state of platinum as well as the formation of surface nitrates and the loss of NH-containing surface species. In the presence of (excess) oxygen, the ammonia formation is proposed to be limited by weak interaction between nitrogen oxide and the oxidized platinum surface. This leads to a slow dissociation rate of nitrogen oxide and thus low abundance of the atomic nitrogen surface species that can react with the adsorbed hydrogen species. In this case the consumption of hydrogen through the competing water formation reaction and decomposition/oxidation of ammonia are of less importance for the net ammonia formation.

Powder materials containing copper ions supported on ZSM-5 (Cu-Zeolite Socony Mobil-5) and SSZ-13 (Cu-Standard Oil synthesised zeolite-13), and predominantly CuO nanoparticles on amorphous SiO 2 were synthesised, characterised, wash-coated onto ceramic monoliths and, for the first time, compared as catalysts for direct conversion of methane to methanol (DCMM) at ambient pressure (1 atm) using O 2 , N 2 O and NO as oxidants. Methanol production was monitored and quantified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Methanol is formed over all monolith samples, though the formation is considerably higher for the copper-exchanged zeolites. Hence, copper ions are the main active sites for DCMM. The minor amount of methanol produced over the Cu/SiO 2 sample, however, suggests that zeolites are not the sole substrate that can host those active copper sites but also silica. Further, we present the first ambient pressure in situ infrared spectroscopic measurements revealing the formation and consumption of surface methoxy species, which are considered to be key intermediates in the DCMM reaction.

Quantum dots (QDs) and graphene are both promising materials for the development of new-generation optoelectronic devices. Towards this end, synergic assembly of these two building blocks is a key step but remains a challenge. Here, we show a one-step strategy for organizing QDs in a graphene matrix via interfacial self-assembly, leading to the formation of sandwiched hybrid QD-graphene nanofilms. We have explored structural features, electron transfer kinetics and photocurrent generation capacity of such hybrid nanofilms using a wide variety of advanced techniques. Graphene nanosheets interlink QDs and significantly improve electronic coupling, resulting in fast electron transfer from photoexcited QDs to graphene with a rate constant of 1.3 × 109 s−1. Efficient electron transfer dramatically enhances photocurrent generation in a liquid-junction QD-sensitized solar cell where the hybrid nanofilm acts as a photoanode. We thereby demonstrate a cost-effective method to construct large-area QD-graphene hybrid nanofilms with straightforward scale-up potential for optoelectronic applications.

A description of a new facility for X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the materials science beamline, I811, at MAX-lab synchrotron source, Lund, Sweden, is given. The beamline is based on a superconducting multipole wiggler source inserted in a straight section of the 1.5 GeV MAX-II ring. X-rays in the energy range 2.4-12 keV are extracted by a standard optical scheme consisting of a vertical collimating first mirror, double-crystal monochromator, and a second vertically focusing mirror. The second monochromator crystal provides sagittal focusing. The total flux impinging on the sample at 9 keV is 5 x 10(11) photons s(-1), for a minimum beam spot of 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm. The beamline has facilities for experiments in transmission, fluorescence and total-electron-yield mode and experiments have been performed by international research groups on a wide range of materials, such as dilute systems with metal concentrations below 10 p.p.m.

trans-PtCl2(dms)2 (dms is dimethyl sulfide) crystallizes in the space group P21/n and adopts the molecular point group C i , which is the most frequently occurring point group for trans-PtX 2 L 2 complexes (78%), as observed in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD; 2005 release), followed by C 1 (16%). Density functional theory calculations show that the observed geometry for trans-PtCl2(dms)2 has slightly higher energy than the most favorable geometry in the point group C 2h , but this geometry would require a space group that hampers close packing, thus showing that intermolecular forces determine the point group for the title compound. High-pressure powder diffraction studies of trans-PtCl2(dms)2 show no phase transformation up to 8.0 GPa. The bulk modulus is 8.1 (6) GPa and the pressure derivative 8.1 (4). In the CSD, the number of cis- and trans-PtX 2 L 2 compounds are almost equal, viz. 156 cis and 160 trans compounds, showing no preference for either isomer in the solid state.

We report the pressure dependence of the crystal structure of lead tetroxide (P less than or equal to 41.05 GPa, T 298 K) using high-resolution angle-dispersive X-ray powder diffraction. Pb3O4 shows two reversible phase transitions in the measured pressure range. The crystal structures of the modifications identified have in common frameworks of Pb+4O6 octahedra and irregular Pb+2O4+1 respectively Pb2+O6+1 polyhedra. At ambient conditions, Pb3O4 crystallizes in space group P4(2)/mbc (phase 1). Between 0.11 and 0.3 GPa it exhibits a displacive second order phase transition to a structure with space group Pbam (phase II). A second displacive phase transition occurs between 5.54 and 6.6 GPa to another structure with space group Pbam (phase 111) but halved c dimension. A non-linear compression behavior over the entire pressure range is observed, which can be described by two Vinet relations in the ranges from 0.28 to 5.54 GPa and from 6.6 to 41.05 GPa. The extrapolated bulk moduli of the high-pressure phases were determined to be K-0 = 21(2) GPa for phase 11 and K-0 = 91(3) GPa for phase III. The crystal structures of all phases were refined from X-ray diffraction powder data collected at several pressures between 0.06 and 41.05 GPa. Except for their cell dimensions, phases I and 11 were found to be isostructural to the corresponding phases at low temperatures, whereas phase III can be derived from the Sr2PbO4 aristotype. With increasing pressure, the lone pair which is localized at Pb2+ adopts increasingly pure s-character, which is reflected by the similar coordination polyhedra of Ph2+ in Pb3O4 (phase 111) and of Sr2+ in Sr2PbO4.

α-SrSi2O2N2 is one of the recently studied oxonitridosilicates applicable in optoelectronics, in particular in white LEDs. Its elastic properties remain unknown. A survey of literature shows that, up to now, nine oxonitridosilicate materials have been identified. For most of these compounds, doped with rare earths and manganese, a luminescence has been reported at a wavelength characteristic for the given material; all together cover a broad spectral range. The present study focuses on the elastic properties of one of these oxonitridosilicates, the Eu-doped triclinic α-SrSi2O2N2. High-pressure powder diffraction experiments are used in order to experimentally determine, for the first time, the equation of state of this compound. The in situ experiment was performed for pressures ranging up to 9.65 GPa, for Eu-doped α-SrSi2O2N2 sample mounted in a diamond anvil cell ascertaining the hydrostatic compression conditions. The obtained experimental variation of volume of the triclinic unit cell of α-SrSi2O2N2:Eu with rising pressure served for determination of the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. The determined above quoted bulk modulus is 103(5) GPa, its first derivative is 4.5(1.1). The above quoted bulk modulus value is found to be comparable to that of earlier reported oxynitrides of different composition.

The existence and effect of different rare earth (R2+/3+/IV) ions in SrAl2O4:Eu2+, R3+ and M2MgSi2O7:Eu2+, R3+ (M: Sr, Ba) persistent luminescence materials was studied with XANES (x-ray absorption near edge structure) measurements at HASYLAB/DESY (Hamburg, Germany) and MAX-lab (Lund, Sweden). The experiments were carried out at 298K for selected rare earth (co-) dopants (Eu2+; Ce3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Dy3+ and Yb3+). The co-existence of Eu2+ and Eu3+ was observed in all materials. The co-dopants were always in the trivalent form.

We report on the origin of the anomalous temperature dependence of coercivity observed in some soft ferromagnets by studying the magnetic and electronic properties of FeZr films doped using ion implantation by H, He, B, C, and N. The anomalous increase of the coercivity with temperature was observed only in the C- and B-doped samples. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we show that the anomalous behavior of the coercivity coincides with the occurrence of an electron charge transfer for those implanted samples. The origin of the anomaly is discussed in terms of (i) magnetic softness, (ii) nature of the Fe-C and -B covalent bonds, and (iii) large charge transfer.

The stability of KAISi3O8 hollandite-type structure is investigated in a series of synthesis experiments between 20 and 95 GPa at 650(±50) °C and between 1200 to 2300 °C, using electrically- and laser-heated diamond anvil cells, respectively. Potassium feldspar transformed to a hollandite-type structure in the experimental pressure range from 20 to 95 GPa at temperatures between 1200 to 2300 °C, whereas it remained amorphous at 65(±5) GPa and 650(±50) °C. KAISi3O8 hollandite is, therefore, a stable phase under the pressure and temperature conditions of at least 2200 km deep in the lower mantle and could be an important host for potassium in that region.

Single crystals of Cs2CuCl4 and Cs2CoCl4 have been investigated at high pressures by X-ray diffraction techniques, using a diamond anvil cell. Increasing the pressure to just below 40 kbar caused the crystallinity of Cs2CuCl4 to deteriorate rapidly. This was accompanied by a color change from yellow/orange at lower pressures to deep red, suggesting, e.g., a major change of the coordination geometry around the Cu2+ ions. Decreasing the pressure to a few kilobars below the transition showed that the observed color change is reversible. No similar color change was observed for a Cs2CoCl4 specimen. Diffraction patterns collected at pressures further above the transition pressure do not indicate the formation of more crystalline new high-pressure phases. Single-crystal structure determinations of orthorhombic Cs2CuCl4, space group symmetry Puma, were performed just below the transition at 27, 33, and 36 kbar. Refinements, based on about 400 unique diffraction intensities to determine 41 structural parameters, converged to R values well below 0.10. The results show that the main features of the structure are rather unaffected at pressures close to the phase collapse. The main effect in the structure is a shortening of the Cs-Cl distances by 0.2 A. The flattening of the coordination tetrahedra around Cu2+ decreases slightly with pressure as reflected by a decrease of 4°for one of the Cl-Cu-Cl angles. The Cu-Cl distance decreases only by about 0.02 A from ambient to 36 kbar. Despite tire detailed structural information obtained the origin of the observed color change at the phase transition is still unresolved. However, the lack of any phase transition of Cs2CoCl4 in the investigated pressure range suggests that the transition depends on the presence of the highly distorted coordination tetrahedra in Cs2CuCl4. The structures of Cs2CuCl4 and CsCoCl4 both have very high compressibilites, with bulk moduli of 15.0(2) and 17(1) GPa, respectively. (C) 2000 Academic Press. (Less)

Crystalline Cs2KMnF6, when prepared below 500°C, adopts a tetragonal elpasolite structure type. Differential scanning calorimetric investigations indicated that Cs2KMnF6 undergoes a phase transition from the low-temperature tetragonal phase (LT) to a high-temperature phase (HT) at about 530°C. Single crystals of the new HT phase could be obtained by annealing a crystalline LT specimen at 600°C followed by rapid quenching to room temperature. In the present study the structures of both phases have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The LT phase has the tetragonal space group symmetry I4/mmm, with unit-cell parameters a = 6.319(1) (a· √2 = 8.936) and c = 9.257(2) A, and Z= 2. The HT phase has the cubic symmetry Fm3m, with the cell parameter a = 9.067 A and Z = 4. Structural models of the LT and HT phases have been refined vs collected single-crystal X-ray reflection data to R values of 0.034 and 0.022, respectively. The uneven Mn-F bond distance distribution in the LT form, four bonds of 1.860(6) two of 2.034(9) A, are typical for an octahedrally coordinated high-spin Mn3+ ion affected by Jahn-Teller effects. Due to symmetry constraints, all six octahedral Mn-F bonds in the HT form are equal to 1.931(5) A. However, the mean square atomic displacement parameters of the fluorine atoms increases significantly from about 0.022 A2 for the LT phase to 0.042 A2 for the HT phase. The increased displacement parameters indicate that the phase transition from the LT to the HT form is associated with a directional disorder of the Jahn-Teller distortions around the Mn3+ ions. (C) 2000 Academic Press. (Less)

The crystal structure of Na 3 ScF 6 was investigated by high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques in the range from ambient conditions to 68.2 kbar. Pressure was measured by the ruby fluorescence method. The single-crystal structure determination at 27.9 kbar resulted in the cell parameters a =5.484(1) A, b =5.732(1) A, c =7.948(2) A, and β =90.96(3)° and the same space group symmetry, P 2 1 / n (Z=2), as at ambient conditions. The 19 structural parameters needed to describe a model with isotropic displacement parameters were refined by least-squares techniques. For the 143 most significant observed unique reflection amplitudes, the R value became 0.047. When the pressure was increased from ambient to 27.9 kbar, the change in the geometry and the relative change in the volume of the coordination polyhedron around the six-coordinated Sc 3+ ion were negligible. Significant changes of the coordination volumes around the Na + ions were observed. The volume decreases for the six-coordinated and the eight-coordinated Na + ions were similar, viz., 7 and 8%. The layered stacking of the larger, low-charged F − and Na + ions along [103] offers an explanation for the pattern which determines the changes of the unit cell parameters with pressure. The relative change in unit cell volume versus pressure in the range from ambient to 68.2 kbar was fit to the Birch type equation of state. The isothermal bulk modulus at ambient pressure and its pressure derivative were determined to be B 0 =46.0(7) GPa and B ′ 0 =3.3(2), respectively.

The structural changes of crystalline WO3induced by the changes in pressure from ambient pressure up to 47 kbar have been studied with a diamond anvil cell. The investigations have been performed by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques using MoKαradiation. The results obtained show that triclinic WO3, considered to be the thermodynamically stable form at ambient pressure, undergoes a reversible phase transition already in the range 0.3–1.2 kbar to give a monoclinic high-pressure (HP) form with a halved unit cell volume. The pressure transition, is expected as a consequence of the fact that the pseudo-C-centered lattice of the triclinic phase becomes a true lattice symmetry when the pressure is increased. Atomic displacements of only a few tenths of an A are involved in the transition. These observations agree in general with the results previously obtained by E. Salje and G. Hoppmann from their studies of the Raman spectra of WO3at high pressure. (1980High Temp. High Pressure12, 213–216. The HP phase has the space group symmetryP21/c, witha=5.261(1),b=5.128(1),c=7.650(4) A, andβ=92.05(3)° at 5.7 kbar. The compressibility of the HP phase is largest along the [010] direction. The isothermal bulk modulus,B0=44.5(9) GPa, at ambient pressure and its derivative,B′0=2.5(4), were determined by least squares techniques using the Birch equation of state. Apart from the general decrease in the cell parameters when the pressure was increased to 47 kbar, no apparent symmetry changes were detected. Thus, the monoclinic HP form appears to be the stable form in the investigated pressure range. Single crystal diffraction data of the HP form at 5.7 kbar were collected and a derived structure model was refinedversus227 reflection amplitudes to anRvalue of 0.040. The 3+3 coordination around W is more pronounced in the HP structure (three shorter bonds of 1.78 to 1.84 A and three longer bonds of 2.02 to 2.14 A) than in that at ambient pressure. The phase transition involves a significant change of the W positions relative to the centroids of the coordination octahedra.

International audience; Elastic properties of CaMnO3 are of primary importance in the science and technology of CaMnO3-based perovskites. From X-ray diffraction experiments performed at pressures up to 100 kbar using a diamond-anvil cell to hydrostatically compress our sample, a bulk modulus, K 0, of 1734(96) kbar was obtained after fitting parameters to the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state. Mean field, semiclassical simulations predict, for the first time, the third-order equation-of-state parameters and show how the bulk modulus increases with pressure (the zero pressure value being 2062.1 kbar) and decreases with the extent of nonstoichiometry caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies. These trends are amplified for the shear modulus. A more accurate model that allows for the explicit reduction of Mn ions, or localization of excess electrons, yields qualitatively similar results. The experimental and calculated axial ratios show the same trends in their variation with rising pressure.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) includes well-established methods to study the local structure around the absorbing element - extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and the effective oxidation number or to quantitatively determine the speciation of an element in a complex matrix - X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). The increased brilliance and intensities available at the new generation of synchrotron light sources makes it possible to study, in-situ and in-operando, much more dilute systems with relevance for natural systems, as well as the micro-scale variability and dynamics of chemical reactions on the millisecond time-scale. The design of the BALDER beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory 3 GeV ring has focused on a high flux of photons in a wide energy range, 2.4-40 keV, where the K-edge is covered for the elements S to La, and the L 3-edge for all elements heavier than Sb. The overall design of the beamline will allow large flexibility in energy range, beam size and data collection time. The other focus of the beamline design is the possibility to perform multi-technique analyses on samples. Development of sample environment requires focus on implementation of auxiliary methods in such a way that techniques like Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and/or mass spectrometry can be performed simultaneously as the XAS study. It will be a flexible system where different instruments can be plugged in and out depending on the needs for the particular investigation. Many research areas will benefit from the properties of the wiggler based light source and the capabilities to perform in-situ and in-operando measurements, for example environmental and geochemical sciences, nuclear chemistry, catalysis, materials sciences, and cultural heritage.

In 1603, the Italian shoemaker Vincenzo Cascariolo found that a stone (baryte) from the outskirts of Bologna emitted light in the dark without any external excitation source. However, the calcination of the baryte was needed prior to this observation. The stone later named as the Bologna Stone was among the first luminescent materials and the first documented material to show persistent luminescence. The mechanism behind the persistent emission in this material has remained a mystery ever since. In this work, the Bologna Stone (BaS) was prepared from the natural baryte (Bologna, Italy) used by Cascariolo. Its properties, e. g. impurities (dopants) and their valences, luminescence, persistent luminescence and trap structure, were compared to those of the pure BaS materials doped with different (transition) metals (Cu, Ag, Pb) known to yield strong luminescence. The work was carried out by using different methods (XANES, TL, VUV-UV-vis luminescence, TGA-DTA, XPD). A plausible mechanism for the persistent luminescence from the Bologna Stone with Cu+ as the emitting species was constructed based on the results obtained. The puzzle of the Bologna Stone can thus be considered as resolved after some 400 years of studies. (Less)

Studies of the new type of alkaline earth copper(II) borates, represented by SrCu2(BO3)2, have been performed by high temperature techniques. In the parent structure of SrCu2(BO3)2, the strontium content can be partially substituted by calcium or barium. A series of such phases with the composition Sr1-xMxCu2(BO3)2 where M = Ca or Ba and 0 ≤ x

Seismological studies have revealed that a complex texture or heterogeneity exists in the Earth's inner core and at the boundary between core and mantle. These studies highlight the importance of understanding the properties of iron when modelling the composition and dynamics of the core and the interaction of the core with the lowermost mantle. One of the main problems in inferring the composition of the lowermost mantle is our lack of knowledge of the high-pressure and high-temperature chemical reactions that occur between iron and the complex Mg-Fe-Si-Al-oxides which are thought to form the bulk of the Earth's lower mantle. A number of studies have demonstrated that iron can react with MgSiO3-perovskite at high pressures and high temperatures, and it was proposed that the chemical nature of this process involves the reduction of silicon by the more electropositive iron. Here we present a study of the interaction between iron and corundum (Al(2)O3) in electrically- and laser-heated diamond anvil cells at 2,000-2,200 K and pressures up to 70 GPa, simulating conditions in the Earth's deep interior. We found that at pressures above 60 GPa and temperatures of 2,200 K, iron and corundum react to form iron oxide and an iron-aluminium alloy. Our results demonstrate that iron is able to reduce aluminium out of oxides at core-mantle boundary conditions, which could provide an additional source of light elements in the Earth's core and produce significant heterogeneity at the core-mantle boundary.

The high-pressure structural behavior of the binary intermetallic compounds CoSn, FeSn, and NiIn with the peculiar void containing CoSn (B35)-type structure has been studied by means of room-temperature diamond anvil cell and high-temperature multianvil experiments, as well as by first-principles calculations. All three compounds remain structurally stable at pressures up to at least 25 GPa, whereas first-principles calculations predict high-pressure structural changes below 20 GPa. A plausible explanation for the discrepancy is that at room temperature, a sizable activation barrier inhibits kinetically the transformation into more close-packed polymorphs. It is supported by our experiments at temperatures around 1000 °C and a pressure of 10 GPa. At these conditions, NiIn transforms into the temperature-quenchable stoichiometric CsCl-type high-pressure phase, which has been predicted in our first-principles calculations. However, CoSn and FeSn decompose into a mixture of compounds richer and poorer in tin, respectively. Nevertheless, it might be possible that lower temperatures and higher pressures may afford theoretically predicted polymorphs. In particular, a phase transformation to the FeSi-type structure predicted for CoSn is of interest as materials with the FeSi-type structure are known for unusual thermal and transport properties. Original publication: Mikhaylushkin, A.S., Sato, T., Carlson, S., Simak, S.I., and Häussermann, U., High-pressure structural behavior of large-void CoSn-type intermetallics: Experiments and first-principles calculations, 2008, Physical Review B, (77), 014102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.014102. Copyright: American Physical Society, http://publish.aps.org/

An easy-to-use sample environment reaction cell for X-ray based in situ studies of powders and small structured samples, e.g., powder, pellet, and monolith catalysts, is described. The design of the cell allows for flexible use of appropriate X-ray transparent windows, shielding the sample from ambient conditions, such that incident X-ray energies as low as 3 keV can be used. Thus, in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements in either transmission or fluorescence mode are facilitated. Total gas flows up to about 500 mln/min can be fed while the sample temperature is accurately controlled (at least) in the range of 25-500 °C. The gas feed is composed by a versatile gas-mixing system and the effluent gas flow composition is monitored with mass spectrometry (MS). These systems are described briefly. Results from simultaneous XAS/MS measurements during oxidation of carbon monoxide over a 4% Pt/Al2O3 powder catalyst are used to illustrate the system performance in terms of transmission XAS. Also, 2.2% Pd/Al2O3 and 2% Ag - Al2O3 powder catalysts have been used to demonstrate X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy in fluorescence mode. Further, a 2% Pt/Al2O3 monolith catalyst was used ex situ for transmission XANES. The reaction cell opens for facile studies of structure-function relationships for model as well as realistic catalysts both in the form of powders, small pellets, and coated or extruded monoliths at near realistic conditions. The applicability of the cell for X-ray diffraction measurements is discussed.

The crystal structures of Sr 0.735 Ba 0.265 Cu 2 (BO 3 ) 2 and Sr 0.661 Ca 0.339 Cu 2 (BO 3 ) 2 , which are isostructural with SrCu 2 (BO 3 ) 2 , have been refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structures consist of slightly puckered layers with the composition [CuBO 3 ] − stacked along the c axes, with Sr, Ba or Ca atoms eight-coordinated between the layers. The interlayer separation is directly affected by the substitution of smaller Ca or larger Ba atoms in place of Sr. In both structures, each Cu atom is coordinated by four O atoms with Cu-O distances ranging from 1.91 to 1.94 A. The borate groups are distorted from D 3h to C 2v symmetry

The compressibility and thermal expansion of the cubic silicon nitride (c-Si3N4) phase have been investigated by performing in situ x-ray powder-diffraction measurements using synchrotron radiation, complemented with computer simulations by means of first-principles calculations. The bulk compressibility of the c-Si3N4 phase originates from the average of both Si-N tetrahedral and octahedral compressibilities where the octahedral polyhedra are less compressible than the tetrahedral ones. The origin of the unit cell expansion is revealed to be due to the increase of the octahedral Si-N and N-N bond lengths with temperature, while the lengths for the tetrahedral Si-N and N-N bonds remain almost unchanged in the temperature range 295-1075 K. (Less)

α-SrSi2O2N2 is one of the recently studied oxonitridosilicates applicable in optoelectronics, in particular in white LEDs. Its elastic properties remain unknown. A survey of literature shows that, up to now, nine oxonitridosilicate materials have been identified. For most of these compounds, doped with rare earths and manganese, a luminescence has been reported at a wavelength characteristic for the given material; all together cover a broad spectral range. The present study focuses on the elastic properties of one of these oxonitridosilicates, the Eu-doped triclinic α-SrSi2O2N2. High-pressure powder diffraction experiments are used in order to experimentally determine, for the first time, the equation of state of this compound. The in situ experiment was performed for pressures ranging up to 9.65 GPa, for Eu-doped α-SrSi2O2N2 sample mounted in a diamond anvil cell ascertaining the hydrostatic compression conditions. The obtained experimental variation of volume of the triclinic unit cell of α-SrSi2O2N2:Eu with rising pressure served for determination of the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. The determined above quoted bulk modulus is 103(5) GPa, its first derivative is 4.5(1.1). The above quoted bulk modulus value is found to be comparable to that of earlier reported oxynitrides of different composition.

The ReO3-type structure NbO2F, niobium dioxyfluoride, has been studied at high pressures using diamond anvil cells and synchrotron X-ray radiation. High-pressure powder diffraction measurements have been performed up to 40.1 GPa. A phase transition from the cubic (Pm3¯m) ambient pressure structure to a rhombohedral (R3¯c) structure at 0.47 GPa has been observed. Rietveld refinements at 1.38, 1.96, 3.20, 6.23, 9.00 and 10.5 GPa showed that the transition involves an a − a − a − tilting of the cation–anion coordination octahedra and a change of the anion–anion arrangement to approach hexagonal close packing. Compression and distortion of the Nb(O/F)6 octahedra is also revealed by the Rietveld refinements. At 17–18 GPa, the diffraction pattern disappears and the structure becomes X-ray amorphous.