Structural Transformations and Disordering in Zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7) at High Pressure

High-Pressure X-ray Diffraction Study of Orthorhombic Ca2Zr5Ti2O16

The orthorhombic polymorph of Ca₂Zr₅Ti₂O₁₆ (space group Pbca) has been studied by powder X-ray diffraction under high pressures up to 30 GPa using synchrotron radiation. We have found evidence of a structural phase transition at 12-13 GPa. The phase transition causes an enhancement of the crystal symmetry. The high-pressure phase is tetragonal, being described by space group I4₁/acd. The space groups of the high- and low-pressure phases have a group/subgroup relationship. However, the phase transition is accompanied by a discontinuous change in the unit-cell volume, indicating that the phase transition can be classified as first order. We have also performed density functional theory calculations. These simulations support the occurrence of the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal transition. The pressure-volume equation of state and axial compressibilities have been determined for both polymorphs. The results are compared with previous studies in related oxides.

Phase Evolution in the CaZrTi2O7-Dy2Ti2O7 System: A Potential Host Phase for Minor Actinide Immobilization

Zirconolite is considered to be a suitable wasteform material for the immobilization of Pu and other minor actinide species produced through advanced nuclear separations. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation of Dy³⁺ incorporation within the self-charge balancing zirconolite Ca_1–xZr_1–xDy_2xTi₂O₇ solid solution, with the view to simulate trivalent minor actinide immobilization. Compositions in the substitution range 0.10 ≤ x ≤ 1.00 (Δx = 0.10) were fabricated by a conventional mixed oxide synthesis, with a two-step sintering regime at 1400 °C in air for 48 h. Three distinct coexisting phase fields were identified, with single-phase zirconolite-2M identified only for x = 0.10. A structural transformation from zirconolite-2M to zirconolite-4M occurred in the range 0.20 ≤ x ≤ 0.30, while a mixed-phase assemblage of zirconolite-4M and cubic pyrochlore was evident at Dy concentrations 0.40 ≤ x ≤ 0.50. Compositions for which x ≥ 0.60 were consistent with single-phase pyrochlore. The formation of zirconolite-4M and pyrochlore polytype phases, with increasing Dy content, was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, coupled with selected area electron diffraction. Analysis of the Dy L₃-edge XANES region confirmed that Dy was present uniformly as Dy³⁺, remaining analogous to Am³⁺. Fitting of the EXAFS region was consistent with Dy³⁺ cations distributed across both Ca²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ sites in both zirconolite-2M and 4M, in agreement with the targeted self-compensating substitution scheme, whereas Dy³⁺ was 8-fold coordinated in the pyrochlore structure. The observed phase fields were contextualized within the existing literature, demonstrating that phase transitions in CaZrTi₂O₇–REE³⁺Ti₂O₇ binary solid solutions are fundamentally controlled by the ratio of ionic radius of REE³⁺ cations.

Zirconolite (CaZrTi₂O₇) ceramics are candidate wasteform materials for Pu and other minor actinides. Herein, the Ca_1−xZr_1−xDy_2xTi₂O₇ solid solution was fabricated by a conventional mixed oxide synthesis, with Dy³⁺ included as a structural simulant for Am³⁺. A phase transformation from zirconolite-2M to zirconolite-4M was observed at low Dy concentrations (0.20 ≤ x ≤ 0.30) after which cubic pyrochlore was stabilized as the dominant phase. Observations and interpretations were supported by electron diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopic methods.

KIn0.33IIITe0.67VITe2IVO7: Zirconolite-like Mixed-Valent Metal Oxide with a 3D Framework

We provide the material synthesis method, crystal structure information, and characterization of a novel mixed-valent metal oxide KIn_0.33^IIITe_0.67^VITe₂^IVO₇, closely related to zirconolite (CaZrTi₂O₇), a radioactive waste immobilized material, having a 3D framework. The reported metal oxide containing an alkali-metal cation (K⁺), main-group cation (In³⁺), tellurate, and tellurite has been synthesized as both single crystals and a pure polycrystalline phase through a hydrothermal synthesis method. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicates that KIn_0.33Te_2.67O₇ crystallizing in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (No. 63) reveals a 3D framework structure with a 1D channel consisting of Te/InO₆ octahedra and TeO₄ polyhedra. An interesting transition reaction from KIn_0.33Te_2.67O₇ to KIn(TeO₃)₂ under hydrothermal conditions at 230 °C is discussed.

A Comparison of Order-Disorder in Several Families of Cubic Oxides

Order-disorder on both cation and oxygen sites is a hallmark of fluorite-derived structures, including pyrochlores. Ordering can occur on long- and short-range scales and can result in persistent metastable states. In various cubic oxide systems, different types of disorder are seen. The purpose of this paper is to review and compare the types and energetics of order-disorder phenomena in several families of cubic oxides having pyrochlore, weberite, defect fluorite, perovskite, rocksalt, and spinel structures. The goal is to better understand how structure, composition, and thermodynamic parameters (enthalpy and entropy) determine the feasibility of different competing ordering processes and structures in these diverse systems.

Pressure-Tuneable Visible-Range Band Gap in the Ionic Spinel Tin Nitride

The application of pressure allows systematic tuning of the charge density of a material cleanly, that is, without changes to the chemical composition via dopants, and exploratory high-pressure experiments can inform the design of bulk syntheses of materials that benefit from their properties under compression. The electronic and structural response of semiconducting tin nitride Sn3 N4 under compression is now reported. A continuous opening of the optical band gap was observed from 1.3 eV to 3.0 eV over a range of 100 GPa, a 540 nm blue-shift spanning the entire visible spectrum. The pressure-mediated band gap opening is general to this material across numerous high-density polymorphs, implicating the predominant ionic bonding in the material as the cause. The rate of decompression to ambient conditions permits access to recoverable metastable states with varying band gaps energies, opening the possibility of pressure-tuneable electronic properties for future applications.

Investigation of CeTi2O6- and CaZrTi2O7-containing glass–ceramic composite materials

Glass–ceramic composite materials are being investigated for numerous applications (i.e., textile, energy storage, nuclear waste immobilization applications, etc.) due to the chemical durability and flexibility of these materials. Borosilicate and Fe–Al–borosilicate glass–ceramic composites containing brannerite (CeTi2O6) or zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7) crystallites were synthesized at different annealing temperatures. The objective of this study was to understand the interaction of brannerite or zirconolite-type crystallites within the glass matrix and to investigate how the local structure of these composite materials changed with changing synthesis conditions. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Backscattered electron (BSE) microprobe images have been used to study how the ceramic crystallites dispersed in the glass matrix. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) spectra were also collected from all glass–ceramic composite materials. Examination of Ti K-, Ce L3-, Zr K-, Si L2,3-, Fe K-, and Al L2,3-edge XANES spectra from the glass–ceramic composites have shown that the annealing temperature, glass composition, and the loading of the ceramic crystallites in the glass matrix can affect the local environment of the glass–ceramic composite materials. A comparison of the glass–ceramic composites containing brannerite or zirconolite crystallites has shown that similar changes in the long range and local structure of these composite materials occur when the synthesis conditions to form these materials or the composition are changed.