Preparation and Performance of Sm0.5Sr0.5CoOa-Ag Composite Cathode forIT-Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Metal silver (Ag) was added into Sm0.5 Sr0.5CoO3(SSC) by nitrate pyrolysis method to obtain porous cathode material (SSC-Agx) for SOFC. Thecomposite phases in the se materials of SSC-Agx were identified by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure ofan electrode on Ce0.sSm0.2O1.9 intermediatetempera-ture electrolyte by spray method, polarization curveand the imperaturepedance spectra at low and intermediate (500-800℃) were investigated. The results show that the material containing 20% Ag exhibits the best electrochemical properties, its total impedance of cathode is only 1/11 of SSC at 600℃,and a quarter of SSCs at 750℃. The composite tech-nique of cathode Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 added with Ag is an efficient method to improve the cathode performance of SOFCs operating in the range of intermediate tempera-ture.     

Preparation and Electrical Transport Properties of Perovskite Oxide Ln0.5Sr0.5CoO3

The superfine powders of Ln0.5 Sr0.5 CoO3 （Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu） were obtained by solid state reactions. The crystal structure and electrical transport properties of samples doped with different rare earth elements as well as the forming process of the Perovskite structure were studied. The result shows that when the temperature reaches 1200 ℃, the samples will become a steady and unitary Perovskite phase by solid state reactions. The conductive behavor at low temperature is consistent with small polaron mechanism （i. e., localized electronic carriers having a thermally activated mobility）. However, the maximum of conductivity appears at about 700 ℃, and the conductivity of La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 is the biggest in the intermediate-temperature （600 - 850 ℃ ）, so it is fit for cathode material of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.     

Influence of oxygen non-stoichiometry on physical properties of NdSr2Mn2O7±δ

Nd Sr2Mn2O7+δ compounds were synthesized by ceramic method under three different cooling conditions. The Nd Sr2Mn2O7+δ samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD). Oxygen non-stoichiometry data for the studied powders were determined by using gravimetric and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) methods. The correlation of cooling method and oxygen as non-stoichiometry was established. The electroconductivity in samples was studied by using four-point probe method, and the strong correlation with non-stoichiometry was found out. Magnetization measurements were carried out. It was found that the magnetic and transport properties of the samples were also influenced by oxygen non-stoichiometry. The evolution of the magnetic properties could be explained by the formation of magnetic clusters in the vicinity of oxygen vacancies(OV) and strong competition between the superexchange and double exchange interactions.     

Effects of manganese doping on magnetocaloric effect in Ge-rich Gd_5Ge_（2.05）Si_（1.95） alloy

The structure, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the Ge-rich Gd5Ge2.05-xSi1.95-xMn2x (x=0.01 and 0.03) alloys were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and magnetization measurements. The results of energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the composition and crystal structure of the alloys were desired. DSC measurements were performed to determine the transformation temperatures for each alloy. Both alloys exhibited the first order phase transition around room temperature. The alloys showed an anti-ferromagnetic transition around 60 K. The isothermal magnetic entropy changes of the alloys were determined from the isothermal magnetization measurements by using the Maxwell relation. The maximum values of isothermal magnetic entropy change of the Gd5Ge2.05-xSi1.95-xMn2x alloy with x=0.01 was found to be -12.1 and -19.8 J/(kg·K) using Maxwell equation around 268 K in applied fields of 2 and 5 T, respectively.     

XPS Studies on Rare Earth Oxide LSCO／YSZ Electrodes

The X-ray diffraction spectra and X-my photoelectron spectroscopy were measured for Sr-doped Lal-xSrx CoO3 materials with perovskite structure prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The influence of heat-treatment tempera-ture on the average crystal size of Lal-xSrx CoO3 was studied. The surface chemical states of Lal-xSrxCoO3 cathodes with different Sr-doped content were discussed. The experimental results show that average crystal size of Lal-xSrxCoO3 under the condition of heat-treatment in the range of 900- 1200℃ is larger than that at other temperatures, which is of benefit to forming porous electrodes. When La is replaced by Sr gradually, the oxygen vacancy concentration increases. It is of benefit to enhancing the transport property of oxygen ion.     

Effects of Host Doping on Spectral and Long-Lasting Properties of Sm^3＋ -Doped Y2O2S

Gd- or Lu-doped long afterglow red phosphor Y2O2S：Sm^3＋ was synthesized using the high temperature flux fusion method. The obtained phosphors were analyzed using X-ray diffraction to determine the crystal structure, and the phase analyses show that the product is in single phase. The luminescence spectra and decay curve were measured on a Hitachi F-4500 fluorescence spectrophotometer. The decay time was determined on an ST-900PM weak light photometer. The analyses show that host doping of Lu improves both luminescence and decay time of the materials. The concentration of doped Lu and Sm was varied in order to determine the optimal condition and to synthesize the product with the best properties. The mechanism of the long afterglow was also briefly discussed.     

Growth and Spectral Properties of Crystal Er^3＋ ：Y0.5Gd0.5VO4

Er^3＋ ：Y0.5Gd0.5VO4 crystal with good optical quality was grown by Czochraski method. The structure of the crystal was determined by X-ray powder diffraction method. The segregation coefficient of Er^3 ＋ ions in the crystal was measured by the ICP method. The absorption and emission spectra were also measured. On the basis of the spectra, the absorption cross-sections, emission spectrum FWHM and fluorescence lifetime of the crystal were calculated. From the properties mentioned above.     

Magnetic Properties of La1-xSrxCoO3 （0 ≤ x ≤ 0. 5）

The measurements of temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of La1-xSrxCoO3 perovskite oxides at different Sr doping （0 ≤x ≤0.5） and annealing temperature were presented. For the sample with x = 0.1, a shoulder was observed around 150 K, and a peak which is one feature of spin glass appeared around 50 K in the curve of susceptibility versus temperature. The high-temperature （250 - 420 K）susceptibility fits well with Curie-Weiss law for all samples. Weiss constant and effective magnetic moment were determined and their variations with Sr doping and oxygen annealing condition were obtained. The Weiss constant increases monotonously with Sr content for x 〉 0.2. The values of effective moments were interpreted with the spin state of cobalt ions. Studies on the susceptibilities of the samples with x = 0.2 under different preparation temperatures and annealing temperatures show that the rising of sintering temperature and annealing temperature will increase the para-ferromagnetic transition temperature, and reduce the effective moment to normal value. Our result shows that both Co^3＋ and Co^4＋ ions should be in IS state after annealing and the oxygen annealing causes the transition of Co^3＋ spin state from HS to IS.     

Microstructure and properties of Sm-substituted BiFeO3 ceramics

Bi1-xSmxFeO3 （x=0.00-0.15） ceramics were synthesized by sol-gel technique with rapid liquid phase sintering process to study the effects of samarium （Sm） substitution on their microstructure and properties. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and Raman studies showed that the structure of BiFeO₃ was changed from rhombohedral to orthorhombic at the samarium substitution concentration about x=0.10. The SEM investigation suggested that the Sm substitution hindered the grain growth. Magnetic measurements showed that all the samples studied had a weak ferromagnetism, and the ferromagnetic property of BiFeO3 was improved by Sm substitution due to the suppressed or broken cycloid spin structure caused by the changes in the crystalline structure and size effect. The leakage current was found to be reduced with increasing Sm concentration. The dielectric and ferroelectric measurements showed that dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ferroelectric properties were strongly dependent on the Sm content, Sm substitution could significantly improve the dielectric constant, remnant polarization and decrease the dielectric loss due to the significant decrease of the electric leakage of the samples.     

Effect of CoO Addition on Electrochemical Properties of La0.7Mg0.3 （Ni0. 85 Co0. 15 ） 3.5 Hydrogen- Storage Alloy

In order to improve the cycling stability of La-Mg-Ni-Co hydrogen storage alloys, the La0.7Mg0.3 （Ni0.85Co0.15）3.5 alloy was prepared by inductive melting under argon atmosphere. The effect of additive CoO on electrochemical properties of La0.7Mg0.3（Ni0.85 Co0.15）3.5 alloy, which is used as an electrode material was studied. When the addition of CoO is 5 %, both the discharge capacity at high-, low- and room-tem- perature and charge-discharge cycling stability at room temperature can be significantly improved. Electro- chemical measurements and X-ray diffraction （XRD） analyses suggest that CoO improves the electrochemical properties of the La0.7Mg0.3（Ni0.85Co0.15）3.5 alloy by promoting the electrochemical reaction of another phase in the alloy and by self electrochemical reversible reaction occurring during the charge-discharge process.     

Magnetic Transition of La0.8Sr0.2Mn1-xCoxO3（x =0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0）

A series of rare earth compound oxides with the formula of La0.8Sr0.2Mn1-xCoxO3（ were prepared by the method of citric acid. Structures, figures and magnetic properties of the x=0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0） samples were analyzed by means of XRD, SEM and SQUID. Experiment results prove that all the samples are hexagonal, but their figures and magnetic properties are different. La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 is ferromagnetic. La0.8Sr0.2Mn0.7CO0.3O3 and La0.8Sr0.2Mn0.5Co0.5O3 are ferrimagnetic. La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 is antiferromagnetic. SEM results indicate that the structure of the first three are three-dimensional reticulations which are made up of some small ellipsoids which link up at the head and the end. The fourth sample looks like some dispersed small balls.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ce0.8Sm0.2–xPrxO2–δ（x=0.02–0.08）solid electrolyte materials

Solid electrolytes Ce0.8Sm0.2–xPrxO2–δ(x=0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) were prepared by citric-nitrate method. The microstructure and electrical properties of such materials were examined by X-ray diffraction(XRD), atomic force microscopy(AFM), Raman spectroscopy(Raman), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and impedance spectroscopy analyses. Specifically, results from XRD analysis showed that samples calcined at 800 oC for 4 h possessed single-phase cubic fluorite structure, and the average grain size was found to be 36–45 nm. Further Raman spectral analysis indicated that oxygen vacancies should be present in the cubic fluorite structure of Ce0.8Sm0.12Pr0.08O2–δ, and Pr-doping seemed to increase their concentration significantly. AFM images showed that the grain size grew with the increase of Pr substitution. XPS analysis confirmed the existence of oxygen vacancies in the lattice of Ce0.8Sm0.12Pr0.08O2–δ in which Pr3+ and Pr4+ co-existed. AC impedance spectra indicated that the conductivity of Ce0.8Sm0.2–xPrxO2–δincreased with the increase of Pr-doping but the conduction activation energy decreased. Notably, it appeared that sample Ce0.8Sm0.12Pr0.08O2–δ(σ600 oC=1.21×10–2 S/cm, Ea=0.77 e V) exhibited conductivity superior to Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9(σ600 oC=2.22×10–3 S/cm, Ea=1.02 e V) because it possessed higher conductivity and lower activation energy. At 600 oC, the conductivity of Ce0.8Sm0.12Pr0.08O2–δwas 4.45 times higher than that of the un-doped material.     

Effect of dispersed particles on microstructure evolved in iron under mechanical milling followed by consolidating rolling

The microstructure and the strength of an iron mechanically milled with various amounts of oxygen (i.e., 0.2, 0.6, and 1.5 mass pct) were studied. The samples were subjected to a mechanical milling in an argon atmosphere for 100 hours followed by consolidating bar rolling to a total reduction of about 86 pct at 700 °C. The microstructure of the steels sensitively changed depending on the oxygen content, i.e., on the volume fraction of the oxide particles. The average grain size decreased from about 0.7 to 0.2 μm with an increase in the amount of oxygen. Moreover, the misorientation distributions of the grain boundaries were different in the samples with various amounts of oxygen. A relatively large fraction of low-angle boundaries arranged crosswise to the rolling axis was registered in the samples with 0.2 and 0.6 pct oxygen, while the near random distribution of the boundary misorientations was obtained in the specimens with 1.5 pct oxygen. The effect of dispersed particles on the structure evolution and the relationship between microstructures and some mechanical properties are discussed.     

Nanosized complex fluorides based on Eu3＋ doped Sr2LnF7 （Ln=La,Gd）

A simple co-precipitation approach taking place between Ln3+, Sr2+ cations and F– anions, led to the formation of nanocrystalline Eu3+ doped Sr2LnF7(Ln=La and Gd) complex fluorides. The reaction was carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol, PEG 6000 as a surfactant/surface modifier, providing small size and homogeneity of the products. The synthesized compounds were composed of small nanoparticles with an average size of 15 nm. All obtained Eu3+ doped compounds exhibited an intensive red luminescence. In the case of gadolinium based compounds, the energy transfer phenomena could be observed from Gd3+ ions to Eu3+ ions. In order to study the structure and morphology of the synthesized fluorides, powder X-ray diffraction(XRD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) measurements were performed. Also FT-IR spectra of the products were recorded, revealing the presence of PEG molecules on the nanoparticles surface. A spectrofluorometry technique was applied to examine optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. Excitation and emission spectra as well as luminescence decay curves were measured and analysed. The performed analysis revealed a red luminescence, typical for the Eu3+ ion situated in the inorganic, highly symmetric matrix. Concentration quenching phenomena and lifetimes shortening, together with an increasing of the Eu3+ doping level, were observed and discussed. Judd-Ofelt analysis was also performed for all doped samples, in order to support the registered spectroscopic data and examine in details structural and optoelectronic properties of the synthesized nanomaterials.     

Structural and Electrical Properties of Layered Pervoskite Manganites Nd2-2x Sr1＋2x Mn2O7 （x=0.25, 0.3, 0.4）

Tetragonally layered perovskite manganites of Nd2-2xSr1＋2xMn2O7（x =0.25, 0.3, 0.4） were fabricated by using solid-state reaction technique. Structural characterization of the compounds was investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and FT-IR absorption spectra. The XRD patterns revealed that all the samples were single phase. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy （XPS） was used to investigate their electronic structures. It was found that manganese was in mixed states of Mn^3＋ and Mn^4＋ whereas lattice oxygen and chemical absorbed oxygen were existed in all the samples. The high temperature electrical properties of Nd2-2xSr1＋2xMn2O7 （x = 0.3, 0.4） were measured by standard four-probe technique. The results showed that both compounds had semi-conductivity behavior in the temperature range of 300 - 1073 K, and the electrical conduction was dominated by thermally activated behavior above 500 K.     

Structure and oxygen storage capacity of Pr-doped Ce_（0.26）Zr_（0.74）O_2 mixed oxides

Binary Ce-Zr(CZ),Pr-Zr(PZ) and ternary Ce-Zr-Pr(CZP) mixed oxides were prepared by an ammonia-aided co-precipitation method,and were aged in a steam/air flow at 1050 °C.X-ray diffraction(XRD),Raman spectra,X-photon spectra(XPS) and CO temperature programmed reduction(TPR) were carried out to characterize the micro-structure and reducibility of catalysts.The oxygen storage capacity(OSC) was evaluated with CO serving as probe gas.The results showed that a pseudo cubic structure was formed for the Zr-rich ceria-zirconia mixed oxides with Pr doping.The insertion of Pr prevented the phase segregation of the mixed oxides during the hydrothermal ageing.The Pr doped samples showed better redox performances in comparison with CZ,and the sample doped with 5 wt.% Pr showed the most remarkably promoted dynamic oxygen storage capacity.This phenomenon was closely related to both the reducibility and oxygen mobility of the mixed oxides.The introduction of praseodymium into ceria-zirconia could accelerate the oxygen migration by increasing the amount of oxygen vacancies,although it was difficult for Pr3+ ions themselves to participate in the oxygen exchange process.     

Characterization and Stability of La0.5Sr0.5CoO2.91 Perovskite-Type Oxide

Compositely doped oxide La0.5Sr0.5CoO2.91 （LSC） was synthesized using solid state reaction and citric acid-nitrate low temperature self-propagating combustion methods. The crystal structure and the particle size micrograph of LSC powders synthesized by different methods were investigated with XRD and SEM. The experimental results show that the single perovskite phase of LSC can be synthesized by solid state reaction method, but LaSrCoO4 phase appears in LSC powder synthesized by citric acid-nitrate low temperature self-propagating combustion method. The LSC particle by citric acid-nitrate low temperature self- propagating combustion method has smaller size. To analyze the character of cathode material based on Ceo.gGdo.101.95（GDC） electrolyte, two types of cathode wafers were fabricated with the two kinds of LSC and GDC powders at the mass rate of 6：4, respectively. The electrical conductivity of the sintered samples was measured by four probe DC method from 300 to 800 ℃. The cathode with LSC particle by citric acid- nitrate low temperature self-propagating combustion method has higher electrical conductivity. In order to investigate the stability, the two samples were put into the muffle furnace to heat up in air at 800℃for 800 h. To analysis the reason for reduced electrical conductivity, the crystal structure and the particle micrograph of the cathode wafers before and after an exposure were investigated with XRD and SEM. The result shows that new crystal structure appears in both the two kinds of cathode wafers and crystal micrographs change a lot.     

Study on rare earth electrolyte of SDC-LSGM

Ce0.85Sm0.15O1.925 （SDC） and La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.5Mg0.2O2.85 （LSGM） were synthesized using Glycine-Nitrate Process （GNP）, and the composite electrolytes were prepared by mixing SDC and LSGM. An X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that the mixture of SDC and LSGM consisted of their original phases after heating at 1450 ℃ for 10 h. The electronic conductivity of SDC-LSGM composite electrolytes were measured by direct current polarization method using Hebb-Wagner ion blocking cell at 700-800 ℃ in the oxygen partial pressure range of 104-10-20 MPa and compared with the results of SDC. Typical polarization curves, which were theoretically predicted, were observed on all the samples. The slopes of lgσe-lgPo2 plot for all the composite electrolytes agreed with the theoretically predicted value of-1/4 at some intermediate oxygen partial pressures and -1/6 at low oxygen partial pressure. The electronic conductivity of SDC-LSGM composite electrolytes decreased with the increase in LSGM content, whereas the ionic transport number ti of all the samples increased with the increase in LSGM content.     

Investigation on luminescence properties of Ln^3＋ doped Sr3EuMgSi2O8 （Ln=Dy, Er, Ho）

The luminescent properties of Sr2.97MgSi2O8:Eu2+0.01 phosphors were investigated with different Ln3+0.02(Ln3+:Dy3+,Er3+,Ho3+) co-dopants. The co-dopants had no influence on both the structure of the lattice and the position of the emission peak. However, the afterglow properties of samples were enhanced with different co-dopants. The afterglow duration of the Dy3+ co-doped sample was longer than that of the others. Furthermore, the co-doping samples had stronger thermoluminescence (TL) intensity and therefore longer afterglow duration. At last, the self-reduction of Eu3+→Eu2+ was observed in an silicate compound of Sr3-xMgSi2O8:xEu phosphor in air condition. This is the first time to show a blue long afterglow phosphor synthesized avoiding reducing atmosphere.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over RE-NiO （RE=La, Nd, Sm, Gd） catalysts

RE-NiO(RE=La,Nd,Sm,Gd) catalysts were prepared by a modified sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),BET surface area analysis,H 2 temperature-programmed reduction(H 2-TPR),and O 2 temperature-programmed desorption(O 2-TPD).The oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane(ODHE) to ethylene was applied to evaluate catalytic performance of the samples.The results showed that the doping of RE affected the physicochemical properties of the catalysts.The strong interaction between Gd and NiO played an important role in the lessened reducibility and the distribution of adsorbed oxygen species,consequently influenced the catalytic performance.The best yield to ethylene of 29% was obtained over the Gd-NiO catalyst with an ethane conversion of 56%.