Structure and local structure of perovskite based materials

Perovskites, with general formula ABX3, where A and B are cations and X is an anion, form a very important class of inorganic crystals whose physical properties are extensively used in many technological applications. The basic, so-called aristotype structure, consists of an infinite array of corner-linked anion octahedra, with the A cations in the spaces between the octahedra and a B cation at the center of each octahedron. Interesting physical properties are often related to the flexibility of the perovskite structure to deform or to form non-stoichiometric compositions.;In this thesis, four perovskite-related systems are studied. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is of prime interest to analyze the influence of the structure and microstructure on the physical properties of these systems. (1) The anion-deficient Sr4Fe6O12+delta (delta < 1) derivatives. These materials are mixed conducting oxides with high oxygen and electronic conductivity. A complete characterization of the structure of these anion-deficient compounds is deduced from electron diffraction and high-resolution TEM. The presence of anion vacancies in the Sr4Fe6O12+delta (delta < 1) structure is suggested to have an influence on the transport properties. (2) The CaRMnSnO6 (R = La, Pr, Nd, Sm-Dy) double perovskites. A random distribution of the Ca and R cations over the A positions and Mn and Sn cations over the B positions is found. Due to a random distribution of the Mn 3+ and Sn4+ cations, a spin glass behavior was found for CaLaMnSnO6. (3) The K3AlF6 elpasolite-type (or ordered double perovskite) structure. This compound is of high technological importance since it is a basic component of the melts for low temperature electrolysis in aluminum smelting. A sequence of phase transitions at different temperatures in K3AlF6 along with the data on unit cell dimensions and space symmetry of three major polymorphs is reported. (4) Ca 2Fe2O5 brownmillerite-type thin films deposited on three different perovskite-type substrates. TEM allows to demonstrate that minor variations in the lattice mismatch of the Ca2Fe2O 5 film and the three different substrates strongly determine the growth direction of the films. Thus, misfit stress clearly influences the structure and the microstructure of epitaxial films.