Crystal structure and high-temperature properties of the Ruddlesden-Popper phases Sr3-xYx(Fe1.25Ni0.75)O7-δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.75)

Ruddlesden-Popper n=2 member phases Sr3-xYxFe1.25Ni0.75O7-delta, 0 <= x <= 0.75, have been investigated by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, thermogravimetry and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Both samples as-prepared at 1300 degrees C under N-2(g) flow and samples subsequently air-annealed at 900 degrees C were studied. The as-prepared x=0.75 phase is highly oxygen deficient with delta=1, the O1 atom site being vacant, and the Fe3+/Ni2+ ions having a square pyramidal coordination. For as-prepared phases with lower x values, the Mossbauer spectral data are in good agreement with the presence of both 5- and 4-coordinated Fe3+ ions, implying in addition a partial occupancy of the O3 atom sites that form the basal plane of the square pyramid. The air-annealed x=0.75 sample has a delta value of 0.61(1) and the structure has Fe/Ni ions in both square pyramids and octahedra. Mossbauer spectroscopy shows the phase to contain only Fe3+, implying that all Ni is present as Ni3+. Air-annealed phases with lower x values are found to contain both Fe3+ and Fe4+. For both the as-prepared and the air-annealed samples, the Y3+ cations are found to be mainly located in the perovskite block. The high-temperature thermal expansion of as-prepared and air-annealed x=0.75 phases were investigated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry and the linear thermal expansion coefficient determined to be 14.4 ppm K-1. Electrical conductivity measurements showed that the air-annealed samples have higher conductivity than the as-prepared ones. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.