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In this research paper, the thermal behaviour of the mixed valence iron oxides Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 is presented in both air and vacuum atmosphere. The structure, morphology and the magnetic properties of the iron phosphates samples obtained at selected temperatures were carefully investigated. The electrocatalytic properties of synthetic barbosalite Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 materials for the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER) were investigated in a wide pH range, using graphite electrodes modified with different compositions containing the catalyst. The best results were obtained for the compositions with 6 mg barbosalite. During the HER experiments, overpotentials of − 300 and − 350 mV were observed at the current density of − 10 mA cm−2 in strong alkaline and in strong acidic media, respectively. During the OER studies performed in strong acidic solution and in neutral environment, overpotentials of 320 and 690 mV were obtained at the current density of 10 mA cm−2. These findings complement the existing scientific literature relevant to the water splitting domain. Furthermore, the visible light absorption ability of synthetic Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 materials was also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag-doped LaMnO3 nanoparticles have been synthesized through sol–gel process using citric acid as a chelating agent. Silver effect on physicochemical properties was studied. The physicochemical properties and electrical performance of the obtained materials were also investigated, using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that for the studied materials a decomposition stage between 3.7% and 4.1% can be observed, and mass increases from the LMN-Ag1 to the LMN-Ag3 sample. Also, in all those three situations an endothermic process with a maximum around 600 °C is observed. The diffractograms of the perovskite materials showed single-phase crystalline with high purity and rhombohedral structure with R-3c space group. The electrical measurements show that the conductivity spectrum is formed by both the static component σDC corresponding to the low frequencies and the component σAC corresponding to high frequencies. The values of σDC of samples are significantly influenced by the silver ions concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the change in the structural and electrical behavior of partial substitution of manganese by palladium in LaMnO3 perovskite materials synthesized through sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that all the obtained materials crystallize in the orthorhombic perovskite structure (Pnma space group). Morphological investigations show the presence of fine nanometric particles of similar shape and high tendency to agglomerate, and the elemental analysis highlights the presence of palladium. Detailed study of complex impedance measurements in the frequency range 20 Hz–2 MHz and different temperatures between (30 and 120) °C indicate the presence of electrical relaxation in materials; the activation energy of relaxation decreases from 0.207 eV (0.05% Pd–LMO–Pd1) to 0.102 eV (0.15% Pd–LMO–Pd3) when the x concentration of Pd increases from 0.05 to 0.15. The electrical conductivity analyses indicate that the conduction mechanisms in the low-frequency range (f < 100 kHz) are activated thermally and were explained using the Mott's variable-range-hopping (VRH) model. In the high-frequency range (f > 100 kHz), the conduction mechanism is due to the charge carriers hopping between the nearest neighboring states, in agreement with the CBH model (correlated barrier hopping). Based on this model, the bandgap energy, Wm was determined. The results show that by increasing the Pd concentration, the value of Wm of the sample increases, from 0.229 eV (LMO–Pd1) to 0.298 eV (LMO–Pd3), in agreement with the decreasing of electrical conductivity of samples. Highlights: Partial substitution of Mn by palladium in LaMnO3 perovskite materials. Heat treatment was performed at low temperature. Detailed studies of impedance and electric conductivity have been performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound-assisted co-precipitation method is used for the first time to prepare F e 3 2 + (PO4)2·8H2O polycrystalline materials which crystallise at room temperature in a monoclinic structure (C2/m space group). The frequency and temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity σ of the Fe3(PO4)2·8H2O sample was determined, and they follow Jonscher's law. The results show that, in the low frequency range (below 10 kHz), the conduction mechanism can be explained by the Mott's variable-range-hopping model; a change of slope of the conductivity is observed at ≈ 110 °C, which may be associated with a change in the crystal structure, due to the loss of water molecules from the sample. Based on Mott's model, the density of localized states near the Fermi level, N(EF), the hopping distance, R, and the hopping energy, W, were computed. The results show that, at a constant frequency (below 10 kHz), N(EF) does not depend on temperature, while R decreases and W increases with the increase in temperature. Over 200 kHz, the correlated barrier hopping model is characteristic to the conductivity for this type of materials and the calculated band gap energy is 1.072 eV, in the (25–110) °C range and 0.821 eV, in the (110–220) °C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuMnO2 nanoparticles were obtained for the first time by sonochemical synthesis in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide containing soluble copper and manganese nitrate reactants without any further thermal treatment. Experiments were performed at different lengths of time (20 min, 30 and 40 min) and ultrasound amplitude of 80%. The materials present the expected crednerite structure (C2/m space group), and the nanoparticles average size and morphology for each sample are studied by nanoparticle tracking analysis method, respectively, by transmission electron microscopy. The as-obtained materials display p-type semiconductivity behavior at room temperature and the value for direct optical band gap EG is estimated to be approximately ~ 3.6 eV. The study of the magnetic properties for the nanocrystalline crednerite samples reveals 2D magnetic behavior below 110 K and a weak ferromagnetic component at ~ 20 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]