Study on optical and magnetic properties of FexNi1-xMn2O4 materials

In this study, we present the process of synthesis FexNi1-xMn2O4 (x = 0; 0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 0.7; 0.9; 1) by method sol-gel. Scanning electron microscope results shows that the particle size is about 50 nm. The X-ray diffraction diagram shows that the samples are single phase, changing structure clearly as the x ratio increases from 0 to 1. The lattice constant, the bond length also changes with x-value as shown on the Raman scattering spectrum. The results of the vibrating sample magnetometer show that the magnetism of the material FexNi1-xMn2O4 changes with the value of x and reaches a maximum in the range x from 0.5 to 0.7.

The atomic structure of the Bergman-type icosahedral quasicrystal based on the Ammann–Kramer–Neri tiling

In this study, the atomic structure of the ternary icosahedral ZnMgTm quasicrystal (QC) is investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure is found to be a member of the Bergman QC family, frequently found in Zn–Mg–rare-earth systems. The ab initio structure solution was obtained by the use of the Superflip software. The infinite structure model was founded on the atomic decoration of two golden rhombohedra, with an edge length of 21.7 Å, constituting the Ammann–Kramer–Neri tiling. The refined structure converged well with the experimental diffraction diagram, with the crystallographic R factor equal to 9.8%. The Bergman clusters were found to be bonded by four possible linkages. Only two linkages, b and c, are detected in approximant crystals and are employed to model the icosahedral QCs in the cluster approach known for the CdYb Tsai-type QC. Additional short b and a linkages are found in this study. Short interatomic distances are not generated by those linkages due to the systematic absence of atoms and the formation of split atomic positions. The presence of four linkages allows the structure to be pictured as a complete covering by rhombic triacontahedral clusters and consequently there is no need to define the interstitial part of the structure (i.e. that outside the cluster). The 6D embedding of the solved structure is discussed for the final verification of the model.

Hansesmarkite, Ca2Mn2Nb6O19·20H2O, a new hexaniobate from a syenite pegmatite in the Larvik Plutonic Complex, southern Norway

The new mineral hansesmarkite (IMA2015-067), Ca2Mn2Nb6O19·20H2O, was discovered at the AS Granit larvikite quarry in Tvedalen, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway. Hansesmarkite forms faintly yellow crystals up to 0.3 mm or thin coatingsin patches on gonnardite. Hansesmarkite is biaxial (+) with refractive indices (white light): α = 1.683(2), β = 1.698(2) and γ = 1.745(3); 2V(meas.) = 60.7(6)° and 2V(calc.) = 60.3°. The mineral exhibits moderate dispersion (r > v)and is pleochroic with X (almost colourless) < Y ( pale yellow) << Z (orangey yellow). The optical orientation is X ^ c = 20°, Y ^ b = 16° and Z ^ a = 5°. The empirical formula based on five electron probemicroanalyses and calculated based on Nb = 6 apfu is (Ca1.93Na0.02K0.01)∑1.96(Mn1.79Fe0.11)∑1.90Nb6O18.84·20H2O, with H2O determined from the structure solution.The mineral is triclinic, P1, with a = 9.081(4), b = 9.982(8), c = 10.60(1) Å, α = 111.07(8), β = 101.15(6), γ = 99.39(5)°, V = 850.8(13) Å3 and Z = 1. The structure was solved at 120 K because of thermalinstability of the mineral and refined to R1 = 2.50% for Fo > 4σ. The strongest reflections in the x-ray diffraction diagram are: [dobs. in Å (I)(hkl)] 9.282(36)(001), 8.610(100)(100, 011), 3.257(30)(031, 131)and 3.058(18)(130, 212). Hansesmarkite is the third naturally occurring hexaniobate in which six edge-sharing Nb-octahedra form the Lindqvist ion. These are linked via Mn-octahedra forming rods along [100] and Ca is located between the rods, creating a three dimensional structure via hydrogen bonds.

Oskarssonite, AlF3, a new fumarolic mineral from Eldfell volcano, Heimaey, Iceland

The new mineral oskarssonite (IMA2012-088), with ideal formula AlF3, was found in August 2009 at the surface of fumaroles on the Eldfell volcano, Heimaey Island, Iceland (GPS coordinates 63°25′58.9″N 20°14′50.3″W). It occurs as sub-micron-sized crystals forming a white powder in association with anhydrite, bassanite, gypsum, jarosite, anatase, hematite, opal, ralstonite, jakobssonite and meniaylovite. Chemical analyses by energy-dispersive spectrometry with a scanning electronmicroscope produced the following mean elemental composition: Al, 31.70; F, 58.41; O, 9.22; total 99.33 wt.%. The empirical chemical formula is AlF2.6(OH)0.5 which suggests partial substitution of F by OH. Oskarssonite is rhombohedral, space group Rc, with ah = 4.9817(4) Å, c = 12.387(1) Å, Vuc = 266.23(5) Å3, Z = 6. The five strongest lines in the powder diffraction diagram [d in Å(I) (hkl)] are as follows: 3.54 (100) (012), 2.131 (13) (113), 1.771 (20) (024), 1.59 (15) (116), 1.574 (10) (122). Rietveld refinement confirms the identity of oskarssonite with the synthetic rhombohedral form of AlF3. Its structure can be described as a rhombohedral deformation of the idealized cubic perovskitetype octahedral framework of corner-sharing AlF6 groups. Oskarssonite appears in the surface part of the fumaroles where fluorides are abundant. At greater depths (below 10 cm) sulfates dominate among the fumarolic minerals. In accordance with its occurrence, we surmise that oskarssonite forms in the later stages of the fumarolic activity in an environment poor in alkalies and Mg. Ralstonite (NaxMgxAl1−xF3(H2O)y), which, unlike oskarssonite, contains Na and Mg as important constituents, dominated in the first-formed fumaroles, but now, 41 years after the eruption of Eldfell, is only a minor phase. The new mineral is named after the Icelandic volcanologist Niels Oskarsson.

Jakobssonite, CaAlF5, a new mineral from fumaroles at the Eldfell and Hekla volcanoes, Iceland

The new mineral jakobssonite, ideally CaAlF5, was first found in crusts collected in 1988 from a fumarole on the Eldfell volcano, Heimaey Island, Iceland. It was subsequently found in similar crusts collected in 1991 from a fumarole on the Hekla volcano, Iceland. It is associated with leonardsenite (IMA2011-059), ralstonite, heklaite, anhydrite, gypsum, jarosite, hematite, opal and several fluoride minerals that have not been fully characterized. Jakobssonite occurs as soft white fragile crusts of acicular crystals <50 μm long. Its calculated density is 2.89 g cm–3. Chemical analyses by energy-dispersive spectrometry on a scanning electron microscope produced a mean elemental composition as follows: Ca, 18.99; Al, 18.55; Mg, 1.33; Na, 0.33; F, 50.20; O, 10.39; total 99.79 wt.%. The empirical chemical formula, calculated on the basis of 7 atoms per formula unit with all of the oxygen as OH, is (Ca0.73Mg0.09Na0.02)Σ0.84Al1.06F4.09(OH)1.01. Jakobssonite is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a = 8.601(1), b = 6.2903(6), c = 7.2190(7) Å, β = 114.61(1)o, V = 355.09(8) Å3and Z = 4. The crystal structure contains chains of [AlF6] octahedra which run parallel to the c axis. These chains are interconnected by chains of [CaF7] pentagonal bipyramids. Jakobssonite is isostructural with several other CaMIIIF5 compounds. The eight strongest lines in the powder diffraction diagram [d in Å (I) (hkl)] are as follows: 4.91 (18) (110), 3.92 (76) (200), 3.15 (68) (020), 3.13 (100) (11̄2̄), 2.27 (22) (22̄2̄), 1.957 (21) (400), 1.814 (20) (13̄2̄), 1.805 (22) (204̄). The chemical and crystal-structure analyses of jakobssonite are similar to synthetic CaAlF5 with minor substitutions of light elements (e.g. Na) or vacancies for Ca, and OH for F.

Eldfellite, NaFe(SO4)2, a new fumarolic mineral from Eldfell volcano, Iceland

A new mineral, eldfellite, was found among fumarolic encrustations collected in 1990 on the Eldfell volcano, Heimaey Island, Iceland. Associated minerals are ralstonite, anhydrite, gypsum, bassanite, hematite, opal and tamarugite, as well as a presumably new mineral with the composition Na3Fe(SO4)3. Along with opal and tamarugite, eldfellite forms soft and fragile aggregates built of thin, platy crystals of micrometre size. The mineral is yellowish-green to greenish-white, with a white streak. The calculated density is 3.062 g/cm3. Eldfellite is monoclinic, C2/m, a 8.043(4) Å, b 5.139(2) Å, c 7.115(4) Å, β 92.13(2)º, Vuc 293.9(2) Å3, Z = 2 and is isostructural with yavapaiite[KFe (SO4)2]. The strongest lines in the powder diffraction diagram are [d (Å), I (relative to 10)]: 3.72, 8; 3.64, 5; 3.43, 5; 2.77, 10; 2.72, 6; 2.57, 3; 2.370, 6; 1.650, 3. Theche mical analysis and theX-ray diffraction data of eldfellite correspond to those of the synthetic compound NaFe(SO4)2.

Thermal Decomposition of Cellulose Crystallites in Wood

Summary Decomposition of cellulose crystallites in wood during pyrolysis was studied by X-ray diffraction using a tension wood of Populus maximowiczii (cottonwood), which contains highly crystalline cellulose. X-ray diffraction profiles were recorded at varied temperature up to 360°C. By one-hour isothermal treatments, the cellulose crystallites did not decompose at 300°C, but completely decomposed at 340°C. The change in equatorial diffraction profile was studied by temperature scan up to 360°C and by isothermal treatment at the critical temperature of 320°C. Along with the changes by thermal expansion, the changes in diffraction diagram revealed a characteristic discrepancy between the diminishment of crystalline order and the reduction in crystallite size; i.e., the intensity of crystalline reflections diminished steadily while the crystallite size decreased much more slowly. A model of highly heterogeneous decomposition is proposed to explain this behavior.