Themed collection Advances in Solid State Chemistry and its Applications

Guest Editors Caroline Kirk, Finlay Morrison, Jan Skakle, Derek Sinclair and John Irvine introduce this Journal of Materials Chemistry A themed issue on advances in solid state chemistry and its applications, in celebration of Professor Tony West’s 70th birthday.

We review the diversity of the electrical behaviour of NBT induced by various defect mechanisms, including A-site Na or Bi non-stoichiometry, isovalent-substitution, and acceptor- and donor-doping.

The Na_x[Ni_(x−y)/2Mn_{(2−x−y)/2}Fe_y]O₂ composition space was explored, and two compositions were identified as P2 compounds that can deliver high energy densities.

ADOR, an unconventional synthesis strategy based on a four-step mechanism: assembly, disassembly, organization, and reassembly, has opened new possibilities in zeolite chemistry.

Hierarchical CuCo₂S₄ hollow spheres are constructed by continual aggregation and growth of CuCo₂S₄ nanocrystals on the surface of gas bubbles.

A natural mineral, gaudefroyite, displays excellent low temperature magnetocaloric properties that are suitable for liquefying hydrogen.

The high pressure material MnFe₃O₅ displays a rich variety of magnetically ordered states on cooling through three separate phase transitions.

Bi_0.7Nd_0.3FeO₃ is a G_z-type antiferromagnet (space group Pn′ma′); competition between geometric effects and magnetic superexchange results negative thermal expansion below 200 K.

Bi³⁺ with a stereochemically active lone-pair of electrons induces severe lattice strain in BaTiO₃ as revealed by a significant Raman shift of the mode associated with the O–Ti–O bonds.

GdBaCo_2−xMn_xO_5+δ is a new system of layered perovskites displaying better electrochemical properties when a layered-type ordering of Gd and Ba cations is adopted.

The electrical response to RH% of a new La₂LiNbO₆ double perovskite as a sensing material in a humidity sensor.

All solid-state batteries based on NASICON-type LiM₂(PO₄)₃ electrolyte phases are highly promising owing to their high ionic conductivities and chemical stabilities.

The structure and key functional properties of a promising lead-free solid solution, BiFeO₃–BaTiO₃, have been optimised by controlling chemical homogeneity via La-substitution strategies and thermal treatment.

Total neutron scattering analysis reveals details of cation coordination and vacancy distribution in Bi₇WO_13.5.

Systematic evaluation of the effect that electric field application has on the structure, microstructure and piezo-ferroelectric properties of barium titanate-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics reveals a field-induced phase transition underlying its high sensibility.

A novel approach to carbon sequestering using hydroxyapatite to incorporate significant amounts of CO₂ with potential product applications as fertiliser.

Nanostructured, highly-insulating, single-phase BiFeO₃ is obtained by applying a small DC voltage to a mixture of Bi₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ at 625 °C in seconds.

High peak power density and slow performance degradation for Ni–Fe infiltrated LSCT_A− anode resulted from a favourable interaction between NiFe and the perovskite backbone due to the formation of a Fe-rich oxide interface layer.

Dextran biotemplating offers a novel, sustainable and fast reduced-temperature synthetic route for energy storage materials (e.g. P3-Na_2/3Ni_1/3Mn_2/3O₂) with fine control over particle size and morphology that offers a new route to optimizing electrochemical properties.

New transparent Ln_1+xSr_1−xGa₃O_7+δ (Eu/Gd/Tb) melilite ceramics, elaborated by full crystallization from glass, show anionic conductivity (>0.01 S cm⁻¹ at 700 °C).

Upon Sr-doping in GdBa_1−xSr_xCo₂O_6−δ, a shift of the valence band maximum VB_max towards the Fermi energy E_F was observed leading to better OER activity.

The crystal structure of the novel oxide ion conductor Ba₃WNbO_8.5.

Pr doping in BZCY72 induces symmetry changes and enhances mixed-conductivity for electrochemical applications, with Pr concentration influencing the charge-compensation mechanism.

Ruddlesden–Popper phases Sr_3−xY_x(Fe_1.25Ni_0.75)O_7−δ with x ≤ 0.75 have been characterised by neutron powder diffraction and EXAFS/XANES spectroscopy.

Oxygen conductivity of La_1.5Sr_0.5Ni_1−yFe_yO_4+δ membranes.