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Transformation characteristics of LaV/sub x/Nb/sub 1-x/O/sub 4/ compounds

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5920245· OSTI ID:5920245
X-ray diffractometry measurements were made as a function of temperature on a series of polycrystalline LaV/sub x/Nb/sub 1-x/O/sub 4/ compounds (0 < x < 0.3) to determine the effect of V substitutions on the temperature of the monoclinic/tetragonal transformation. The purpose was to provide basic information relating to crystal lattice stability in ABO/sub 4/ compounds that are either candidates or are appropriate models for candidate materials for hosting nuclear-waste ions. Partial substitution of V/sup 5 +/ on the Nb/sup 5 +/ site significantly lowers the tetragonal scheelite (I4/sub 1//a) to monoclinic fergusonite (I2/c) transformation, from 770/sup 0/K in LaNbO/sub 4/ to approximately 215/sup 0/K for LaV/sub 0/ /sub 25/Nb/sub 0/ /sub 75/O/sub 4/ (the solubility limit is close to x = 0.35). The transformation is displacive, of second order, involving two coupled order parameters. Heat capacity measurements on LaV/sub 0/ /sub 25/Nb/sub 0/ /sub 75/O/sub 4/ showed that the specific heat anamoly at the transformation point is extremely small. It is concluded that the two polymorphic forms of LaV/sub x/Nb/sub 1-x/O/sub 4/ have very nearly the same free energies over a substantial range of temperature below the transformation.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
5920245
Report Number(s):
CONF-830375-3; ON: DE83014789
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English