Synthesis Attempt and Structural Studies of Novel A2CeWO6 Double Perovskites (A2+ = Ba, Ca) in and outside of Ambient Conditions

Abstract

This comprehensive work showcases two novel, rock-salt-type minerals in the form of amphoteric cerium-tungstate double perovskite and ilmenite powders created via a high-temperature solid-state reaction in inert gases. The presented studies have fundamental meaning and will mainly focus on a detailed synthesis description of undoped structures, researching their possible polymorphism in various conditions and hinting at some nontrivial physicochemical properties like charge transfer for upcoming optical studies after eventual doping with selectively chosen rare-earth ions. The formerly mentioned, targeted A₂BB'X₆ group of compounds contains mainly divalent alkali cations in the form of ^XIIA = Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺ sharing, here, oxygen-arranged clusters (^IIX = O^2-) with purposely selected central ions from f-block ^VIB = Ce^4/3+ and d-block ^VIB' = W^4/5/6+ since together they often possess some exotic properties that could be tuned and implemented into futuristic equipment like sensors or energy converters. Techniques like powder XRD, XPS, XAS, EPR, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopies alongside DSC and TG were involved with an intent to thoroughly describe any possible changes within these materials. Mainly, to have a full prospect of any desirable or undesirable phenomena before diving into more complicated subjects like: energy or charge transfer in low temperatures; to reveal whether or not the huge angular tilting generates large enough dislocations within the material's unit cell to change its initial properties; or if temperature and pressure stimuli are responsible for any phase transitions and eventual, irreversible decomposition.