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Molten-Salt Synthesis of Complex Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

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Published on: October 27, 2018

X-ray scattering studies of structural phase transitions in pyrochlore Cd2Nb2O7.

Makoto Tachibana¹, Katharina Fritsch, Bruce D Gaulin

¹Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4M1, Canada. National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan.

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal

|October 11, 2013

Summary

Structural phase transitions in cadmium niobium pyrochlore (Cd2Nb2O7) were investigated. X-ray scattering revealed smooth distortions and relaxor-like behavior, with a unique disparity in forbidden Bragg peak intensities.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Solid State Physics
Crystallography

Background:

Pyrochlore materials exhibit complex structural and electronic properties.
Cd2Nb2O7 is a pyrochlore compound known for its interesting dielectric and potential superconducting properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the structural phase transitions in Cd2Nb2O7 using single crystal X-ray scattering.
To understand the nature of distortions and anomalies observed during cooling.

Main Methods:

Single crystal X-ray scattering was employed to probe structural changes.
Analysis of Bragg peak broadening and intensity variations as a function of temperature.

Main Results:

A ferroelastic transition at 204 K indicated a weak orthorhombic distortion.
The distortion evolved smoothly through a ferroelectric transition at 196 K, explaining the lack of sharp anomalies.
Relaxor-like behavior was observed below 196 K, characterized by decreasing Bragg peak intensities.
A transition at 85 K was identified.
Disparate behaviors were noted for two forbidden Bragg peaks, one exhibiting mean-field characteristics and the other showing unconventional behavior.

Conclusions:

The structural phase transitions in Cd2Nb2O7 are characterized by smooth distortions and relaxor-like dynamics.
The observed disparity in forbidden Bragg peak intensities suggests complex underlying mechanisms, potentially linked to phenomena seen in related pyrochlores like Cd2Re2O7.