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In this work spinel series with the general formula Fe1-xMnxAl2O4 (where x = 0, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7) were synthesized and characterized with respect to their structure and microstructure. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) was used to identify the phase composition that revealed a single phase spinel material. Rietveld refinements of the XRD patterns were carried out in order to determine the lattice and oxygen positional parameters of the spinel compounds. Mössbauer effect measurements were performed at room temperature to determine the local chemical environment of the Fe ions, their valences, and degrees of spinels inversion. It was shown that an increase in the Mn content led to a decrease in the ratio of Fe2+ to Fe3+. The results obtained from Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS) were used to establish the chemical formulas of the synthesized spinels. Finally, the microstructure that was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a compact microstructure with an octahedral crystal habit.

Multiferroic 0.5BiFeO3-0.5Pb(Fe0.5Ta0.5)O3 solid solution is a material that exhibits ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic orderings in ambient temperature. The solid solution was obtained as a result of a conventional reaction in a solid state. The obtained material is a dense, fine-grained sinter whose surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and stoichiometry was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDS) analysis. According to the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements, the main phase is R3c space group with admixture of Pm-3m regular phase. Small contribution of pyrochlore-like phase was also observed. Mössbauer spectroscopy suggested random distribution of Fe3+/Ta5+ cations in the B sites of ABO3 compound. Reduction of the magnetic hyperfine field with an increase in the substitution of Ta5+ in Fe3+ neighbourhood was also observed.

60P2O5-40Fe2O3 glass was synthesized and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy study was presented. The main goal of the research was to investigate structural changes of local environment of iron ions during gradual crystallization of the glass. It was observed that some changes were evidenced at temperature of heat treatment higher than 400°C, above which content of tetrahedrally coordinated Fe3+ was increased in cost of octahedral sites. This led to formation of areas of nucleation of α-FePO4. Crystallization of α-Fe3(P2O7)2 and Fe2P2O7 was also observed.

The aim of the study was to characterize the 0.8CaZrO3-0.2CaFe2O4 composite structure with particular emphasis on the role and position of iron in the function of sintering temperature. The paper presents the results of 57Fe Mössbauer effect at room temperature. It was found that the increase of sintering temperature causes an increase in the amount of incorporated iron ions in the CaZrO3-crystal structure. Based on Mössbauer spectroscopy analysis, it was found that three different environments of Fe3+ ions were observed in the obtained materials. Two of them corresponded to CaFe2O4 phase and one was associated with the substitution of Zr4+ by Fe3+ in the CaZrO3 structure.

In this work the synthesis of hercynite from Fe2O3 and Al2O3 powders was carried out by arc-melting method under the protective argon atmosphere. The obtained material was characterized with the use of powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). A Mössbauer effect in hercynite obtained by the arc-melting method indicated the cations distribution in the spinel structure among the tetrahedral and octahedral interstices. The presence of Fe2+ ions was detected in both tetrahedral and octahedral sites while Fe3+ ions occupied only the octahedral interstices. The approximate formula of the obtained iron-aluminate spinel was as follows (Fe2+0.77Al3+0.23) (Fe3+0.07Fe2+0.05Al0.88)2O4.

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is one of the most important raw materials in many branches of industry. Magnesium oxide is a popular refractory raw material because of its high refractoriness and high resistance to basic slags and environment. In many cases, use of MgO is limited by its properties, especially the presence of secondary phases like iron oxides. The amount and distribution of iron oxides can strongly influence the technological properties of MgO and depend on the manufacturing method, particularly the heat-treatment process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the heat-treatment process on amount and distribution of iron ions in a magnesium oxide lattice. The 57Fe Mössbauer effect measurements of fused and sintered magnesium oxide samples doped by the iron oxide were conducted. Investigation reveals in both cases the presence of Fe2+ as well as Fe3+ ions. Fe2+ ions occupy Mg2+ octahedral sites in the MgO lattice, whereas the Fe3+ ions are located in highly distorted octahedral coordination. The amount of Fe2+ varies from around 66% for fused samples to 30% for sintered samples.

Understanding the thermal properties of zeolites is crucial for their industrial applications. This study explores the thermal stability and dehydration process of clinoptilolite using high-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Clinoptilolite's thermal decomposition was monitored from 25 °C to 1200 °C, with results analyzed based on its crystal structure. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the DRIFT spectra indicated progressive water removal and dehydration upon heating, leading to the formation of hydrogen bonds. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed a two-step endothermic weight loss: initially, physically adsorbed water was lost up to 100 °C, followed by the removal of tightly bound water and hydroxyl groups until 800 °C. Clinoptilolite remained the dominant phase up to 800 °C, after which albite and cristobalite took over. Rietveld refinement showed that the sample initially contained 70% clinoptilolite, 24% albite, and 6% cristobalite. Above 800 °C, clinoptilolite disappeared, leaving 93% albite and 7% cristobalite. FT-IR spectra changes due to water loss were evident: drying of adsorbed water occurred up to 75 °C and minimal changes were observed from 75 °C to 135 °C, followed by further dehydration until 240 °C. Complete dehydration was confirmed by the disappearance of OH stretching vibration bands by 395 °C, consistent with TGA findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study complements the knowledge about organobentonites, which are intended to be new binders in foundry technology. In the developed materials, acrylic polymers act as mineral modifying compounds. Modification of montmorillonite in bentonite was carried out in order to obtain a composite containing a polymer as a lustrous carbon precursor. The polymer undergoes thermal degradation during the casting process, which results in the formation of this specific carbon form, ensuring the appropriate quality of the casting surface without negative environmental impact. The present paper reports the results of computational simulation studies (LAMMPS software) aimed at broadening the knowledge of interactions of organic molecules in the form of acrylic acid and acrylate anions (from sodium acrylate) near the montmorillonite surface, which is a simplified model of bentonite/acrylic polymer systems. It has been proven that the –COOH group promotes the adsorption of acrylic acid (AA) to the mineral surface, while acrylate ions tend to be unpredictably scattered, which may be related to the electrostatic repulsion between anions and negatively charged clay surfaces. The simulation results are consistent with the results of structural tests carried out for actual organobentonites. It has been proven that the polymer mainly adsorbs on the mineral surface, although it also partially intercalates into the interlayer spaces of the montmorillonite. This comprehensive research approach is innovative in the engineering of foundry materials. Computer simulation methods have not been used in the production of new binding materials in molding sand technology so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron phosphate glasses are materials that can have many applications like durable matrixes in waste immobilization techniques, biomaterials, optoelectronic devices, etc. Their possible usage is related to their glass network and thermal properties. The influence of Na2O content on thermal properties and crystallization ability of iron phosphate glass of base composition 30 Fe2O3–70 P2O5 mol% were studied. Increasing the content of Na2O causes a decrease in transformation temperature and increase in ΔCp. Characteristic temperatures, thermal stability and crystallizing phases were determined. Increasing content of sodium causes depolarization of iron phosphate glass network which causes a continuous change in ΔCp and glass transformation temperature. Discontinuous change in some glass properties suggests structure rebuilding about 30 mol% of Na2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiferroic 0.5BiFeO3-0.5Pb(Fe0.5Ta0.5)O3 solid solution is a material that exhibits ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic orderings in ambient temperature. The solid solution was obtained as a result of a conventional reaction in a solid state. The obtained material is a dense, fine-grained sinter whose surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and stoichiometry was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDS) analysis. According to the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements, the main phase is R3c space group with admixture of Pm-3m regular phase. Small contribution of pyrochlore-like phase was also observed. Mössbauer spectroscopy suggested random distribution of Fe3+/Ta5+ cations in the B sites of ABO3 compound. Reduction of the magnetic hyperfine field with an increase in the substitution of Ta5+ in Fe3+ neighbourhood was also observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitrification has been recognized as the best method of the neutralization and immobilization of the radioactive and toxic waste. Toxic elements are introduced into the structure of chemically durable glasses (waste glass). SiO2-B2O3-Al2O3-Na2O glass is one of the most commonly used waste glass. Radioactive 137Cs is often a dangerous contaminant of hospital and laboratory waste. Incineration of these waste and vitrification of ash by its co-melting with borosilicate glass is the perspective method of immobilization of this nuclide for safety waste storing. The influence of the partial substitution of Na by Cs and of the introduction of CaO as the main waste incineration ash component in the SiO2-B2O3-Al2O3-Na2O waste glass on the change of its structure, crystallization ability, and physical properties were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of terbium and thulium trivalent rare-earth (RE) ions co-doping on the luminescent properties enhancement of LiMgPO 4 (LMP) crystal host. The studied crystals were grown from the melt by micro-pulling-down (MPD) technique. Luminescent properties of the obtained crystals were investigated by thermoluminescence (TL) method. The most favorable properties and the highest luminescence enhancement were measured for Tb and Tm double doped crystals. A similar luminescence level can be also obtained for Tm, B co-doped samples. In this case, however, the low-temperature TL components have a significant contribution. The measured luminescent spectra showed a typical emission of Tb 3+ and Tm 3+ ions of an opposite trapping nature, namely the holes and electron-trapping sites, respectively. The most prominent transitions of 5 D 4 → 7 F 3 (550 nm for Tb 3+ ) and 1 D 2 → 3 F 4 (450 nm for Tm 3+ ) were observed. It was also found that Tb 3+ and Tm 3+ emissions show temperature dependence in the case of double doped LMP crystal sample, which was not visible in the case of the samples doped with a single RE dopant. At a low temperature range (up to around 290 °C) Tm 3+ emission was dominant. At higher temperatures, the electrons occupying Tm 3+ sites started to be released giving rise to emissions from Tb-related recombination centers, and emissions from Tm 3+ centers simultaneously decreased. At the highest temperatures, emission took place from Tb 3+ recombination centers, but only from deeper 5 D 4 level-related traps which had not been emptied at a lower temperature range.