Mauro Coduri

Rare Earth doped ceria: a combined X-ray and neutron pair distribution function study

Abstract Rare Earth doped ceria materials (Ce1–xRExO2–x/2) are widely studied for their application in solid oxide fuel cell devices. In this work, RE(Yb, Y, Nd, La)-doped ceria samples at constant (x = 0.25) doping rate were subjected to a combined synchrotron radiation and neutron powder diffraction study. The dopants were chosen in order to cover a wide range of dopant-ionic radii. The effect of doping on the average structure is investigated using conventional Rietveld analysis, while the Pair Distribution Function technique is used to explore the spatial extent of disorder as well as the local structure. Two models for mapping the local structure, in terms of oxygen relaxation and nano-phase separation, are presented.

Percolating hierarchical defect structures drive phase transformation in Ce1−xGdxO2−x/2: a total scattering study

Pair distribution function analysis up to tens of nanometres allows probing of the structural changes in Ce1−xGdxO2−x/2 solid solutions at varying gadolinium concentrations. Dopant ions and oxygen vacancies form extended Gd2O3-like clusters (droplets) and nanodomains which, on increasing the Gd concentration, percolate and cause a long-range phase transformation. A general crystallographic rationale is presented which could be adopted to describe phase transformations in highly doped materials.

Local disorder in yttrium doped ceria (Ce1?xYxO2?x/2) probed by joint X-ray and Neutron Powder Diffraction

Yttrium doped ceria materials (Ce1−xYxO2−x/2) are widely studied for their application in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells devices. An anomalous decrease in the isothermal ionic conductivity at increasing Y3+ concentration above a critical value has been observed and attributed to the formation of defect clusters / domains at the nanometric scale, the crystallographic structure of which is still under debate. In this context we present a combined Synchrotron Radiation and Neutron Powder Diffraction study. In particular, neutrons allow to determine accurately oxygen related parameters, the contribution of which in terms of X-ray scattering power is almost negligible when compared to that of cations. The effect of doping on the average structure is investigated using conventional Rietveld analysis, while the Pair Distribution Function (PDF) technique is used to explore structural distortions and the spatial extent of disorder as well. The local structure observed in the real space is not consistent with the mean crystallographic one and is better modeled considering a biphasic model.

Electron Spin Resonance and Atomic Force Microscopy Study on Gadolinium Doped Ceria

A combined electron spin resonance (ESR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) study on Ce1−xGdxO2−x/2 samples is here presented, aimed at investigating the evolution of the ESR spectral shape as a function of in a wide composition range. At low , the spectrum is composed of features at ; 2.8; 6. With increasing , this pattern merges into a single broad ESR curve, which assumes a Dysonian-shaped profile at , whereas, at these values, AFM measurements show an increasing surface roughness. It is suggested that the last could cause the formation of surface polaritons at the origin of the particular ESR spectral profile observed at these high Gd doping levels.

Synergistic Effects of Active Sites’ Nature and Hydrophilicity on the Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity of Pt-Free Catalysts

This work highlights the importance of the hydrophilicity of a catalyst’s active sites on an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) through an electrochemical and physico-chemical study on catalysts based on nitrogen-modified carbon doped with different metals (Fe, Cu, and a mixture of them). BET, X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), micro-Raman, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), and hydrophilicity measurements were performed. All synthesized catalysts are characterized not only by a porous structure, with the porosity distribution centered in the mesoporosity range, but also by the presence of carbon nanostructures. In iron-doped materials, these nanostructures are bamboo-like structures typical of nitrogen carbon nanotubes, which are better organized, in a larger amount, and longer than those in the copper-doped material. Electrochemical ORR results highlight that the presence of iron and nitrogen carbon nanotubes is beneficial to the electroactivity of these materials, but also that the hydrophilicity of the active site is an important parameter affecting electrocatalytic properties. The most active material contains a mixture of Fe and Cu.

Phase Transformations in the CeO2–Sm2O3 System: A Multiscale Powder Diffraction Investigation

The structure evolution in the CeO2-Sm2O3 system is revisited by combining high resolution synchrotron powder diffraction with pair distribution function (PDF) to inquire about local, mesoscopic, and average structure. The CeO2 fluorite structure undergoes two phase transformations by Sm doping, first to a cubic (C-type) and then to a monoclinic (B-type) phase. Whereas the C to B-phase separation occurs completely and on a long-range scale, no miscibility gap is detected between fluorite and C-type phases. The transformation rather occurs by growth of C-type nanodomains embedded in the fluorite matrix, without any long-range phase separation. A side effect of this mechanism is the ordering of the oxygen vacancies, which is detrimental for the application of doped ceria as an electrolyte in fuel cells. The results are discussed in the framework of other Y and Gd dopants, and the relationship between nanostructuring and the above equilibria is also investigated.

Role of defectivity on the crystallography of martensitic transformations in Ti50Ni40Cu10: an XRD investigation

Abstract Martensitic transformations in Ni50Ti40Cu10 are well known to proceed with a two-step process, from B2 austenite to monoclinic B19′ with intermediate orthorhombic B19. These transformations can be readily followed by X-ray diffraction especially in solution heat-treated materials through split and distribution of the main diffraction lines, while peaks broadening and overlap make the transformations more difficult to be described in highly defective materials. The present study addresses the effect of defects and chemical inhomogeneities on the martensitic transformation, placing particular emphasis on the crystallography of the low temperature B19 to B19′ phase transition. Lattice strains proved to be a powerful tool to monitor the martensitic transformations: whereas a clear discontinuity is observed for the solution heat-treated sample, defects promote a continuous progressive distortion from B19 to B19′. Calorimetry and internal friction investigations were added as a reference to verify the occurrence of the transformations and define the corresponding temperatures.

Intermediate-Valence Ytterbium Compound Yb4Ga24Pt9: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Physical Properties

The title compound was synthesized by a reaction of the elemental educts in a corundum crucible at 1200 °C under an Ar atmosphere. The excess of Ga used in the initial mixture served as a flux for the subsequent crystal growth at 600 °C. The crystal structure of Yb4Ga24Pt9 was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: new prototype of crystal structure, space group C2/m, Pearson symbol mS74, a = 7.4809(1) Å, b = 12.9546(2) Å, c = 13.2479(2) Å, β = 100.879(1)°, V = 1260.82(6) Å3, RF = 0.039 for 1781 observed reflections and 107 variable parameters. The structure is described as an ABABB stacking of two slabs with trigonal symmetry and compositions Yb4Ga6 (A) and Ga12Pt6 (B). The hard X-ray photoelectron spectrum (HAXPES) of Yb4Ga24Pt9 shows both Yb2+ and Yb3+ contributions as evidence of an intermediate valence state of ytterbium. The evaluated Yb valence of ∼2.5 is in good agreement with the results obtained from the magnetic susceptibility measurements. The compound is a bad metallic conductor.

Structural characterisation of Fe2O3 nanoparticles

The structure of nano-crystalline Fe2O3 particles, synthesized using the microwave plasma technique, has been analysed using synchrotron based X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction, as well as transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, magnetic properties, the crystal structure, and the microstructures are compared and the potential model character of the samples for structure simulations is discussed.

Local apical oxygen disorder in oxygen rich La2NiO4.18, comparing neutron single crystal and n/X-PDF analysis from powder diffraction data

Oxygen uptake in La2NiO4+δ induces a strong disorder of the apical oxygen atoms. In this study we compare neutron single crystal data analyzed by the MEM algorithm with PDF analysis, obtained from neutron and x-ray powder diffraction data. The complementary aspects of the different methods are discussed.