The tolerance factor is a good criterion to understand the structural transitions in Ln_2−xCa_xScMO_7−δ (M = Nb, Ta).

Sm_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1) and Gd_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) mixed oxides in a pyrochlore–fluorite morphotropic phase region were prepared via the mechanical activation of oxide mixtures, followed by annealing at 1600 °C. The structure of the solid solutions was studied by X-ray diffraction and refined by the Rietveld method, water content was determined by thermogravimetry (TG), their bulk and grain-boundary conductivity was determined by impedance spectroscopy in dry and wet air (100–900 °C), and their total conductivity was measured as a function of oxygen partial pressure in the temperature range: 700–950 °C. The Sm_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) pyrochlore solid solutions, lying near the morphotropic phase boundary, have proton conductivity contribution both in the grain bulk and on grain boundaries below 600 °C, and pure oxygen–ion conductivity above 700 °C. The 500 °C proton conductivity contribution of Sm_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) is ~ 1 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm. The fluorite-like Gd_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (x = 0.1) solid solution has oxygen-ion bulk conductivity in entire temperature range studied, whereas proton transport contributes to its grain-boundary conductivity below 700 °C. As a result, of the morphotropic phase transition from pyrochlore Sm_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) to fluorite-like Gd_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1), the bulk proton conductivity disappears and oxygen-ion conductivity decreases. The loss of bulk proton conductivity of Gd_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) can be associated with the fluorite structure formation. It is important to note that the degree of Ca substitution in such solid solutions (Ln_2−xCa_x)Zr₂O_7−δ (Ln = Sm, Gd) is low, x < 0.1. In both series, grain-boundary conductivity usually exceeds bulk conductivity. The high grain-boundary proton conductivity of Ln_2−xCa_xZr₂O_7−x/2 (Ln = Sm, Gd; x = 0.1) is attributable to the formation of an intergranular CaZrO₃-based cubic perovskite phase doped with Sm or Gd in Zr sublattice.

Controlling traps and structural defects in perovskite absorber layers is crucial for enhancing both the device efficiency and long-term stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here we demonstrate the modification of perovskite films by introducing low-cost green polymers, polysuccinimide (PSI) and polyasparagine (PASP), into the perovskite layer. Structural, morphological and optoelectronic properties of polymer-modified perovskite films were probed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The incorporation of PSI triggers interactions between the polymer and perovskite, leading to the passivation of surface defects at the grain boundaries and improved morphology of perovskite films. This defect passivation boosted PSC performance, providing power conversion efficiency (PCE) values up to 20.1%. An optimal polymer concentration of 0.1 mg/mL in the perovskite precursor solution was identified for an improvement in the photovoltaic performance. It was shown that the primary factor leading to the observed enhancement in the power conversion efficiency for PSI-modified PSCs is the increase in the lifetime of charge carriers due to the efficient passivation of surface defects and suppression of recombination losses. Additionally, PSI-modified PSCs demonstrated enhanced stability, retaining over 80% of their initial efficiency after 40 days of storage under ambient conditions without encapsulation. The obtained results highlight the effectiveness of green polymer additives in passivating surface defects in perovskite films and provide a viable approach for improving the stability and performance of perovskite solar cells.

The product of ozonolysis, glycero-(9,10-trioxolane)-trioleate (ozonide of oleic acid triglyceride, [OTOA]), was incorporated into polylactic acid/polycaprolactone (PLA/PCL) blend films in the amount of 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40% w/w. The morphological, mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties of the biodegradable PLA/PCL films after the OTOA addition were studied. According to DSC and XRD data, the degree of crystallinity of the PLA/PCL + OTOA films showed a general decreasing trend with an increase in OTOA content. Thus, a significant decrease from 34.0% for the reference PLA/PCL film to 15.7% for the PLA/PCL + 40% OTOA film was established using DSC. Observed results could be explained by the plasticizing effect of OTOA. On the other hand, the PLA/PCL film with 20% OTOA does not follow this trend, showing an increase in crystallinity both via DSC (20.3%) and XRD (34.6%). OTOA molecules, acting as a plasticizer, reduce the entropic barrier for nuclei formation, leading to large number of PLA spherulites in the plasticized PLA/PCL matrix. In addition, OTOA molecules could decrease the local melt viscosity at the vicinity of the growing lamellae, leading to faster crystal growth. Morphological analysis showed that the structure of the films with an OTOA concentration above 20% drastically changed. Specifically, an interface between the PLA/PCL matrix and OTOA was formed, thereby forming a capsule with the embedded antibacterial agent. The moisture permeability of the resulting PLA/PCL + OTOA films decreased due to the formation of uniformly distributed hydrophobic amorphous zones that prevented water penetration. This architecture affects the tensile characteristics of the films: strength decreases to 5.6 MPa, elastic modulus E by 40%. The behavior of film elasticity is associated with the redistribution of amorphous regions in the matrix. Additionally, PLA/PCL + OTOA films with 20, 30 and 40% of OTOA showed good antibacterial properties on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Raoultella terrigena (Klebsiella terrigena) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, making the developed films potentially promising materials for wound-dressing applications.

Glycero-(9,10-trioxolane)-trioleate (ozonide of oleic acid triglyceride, OTOA) was introduced into polylactic acid (PLA) films in amounts of 5, 10, 30, 50, and 70% w/w. The morphological, mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties of PLA films after the OTOA addition were studied. The morphological analysis of the films showed that the addition of OTOA increased the diameter of PLA spherulites and, as a consequence, increased the proportion of amorphous regions in PLA films. A study of the thermodynamic properties of PLA films by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated a decrease in the glass transition temperature of the films with an increase in the OTOA content. According to DSC and XRD data, the degree of crystallinity of the PLA films showed a tendency to decrease with an increase in the OTOA content in the films, which could be accounted for the plasticizing effect of OTOA. The PLA film with 10% OTOA content was characterized by good smoothness, hydrophobicity, and optimal mechanical properties. Thus, while maintaining high tensile strength of 21 MPa, PLA film with 10% OTOA showed increased elasticity with 26% relative elongation at break, as compared to the 2.7% relative elongation for pristine PLA material. In addition, DMA method showed that PLA film with 10% OTOA exhibits increased strength characteristics in the dynamic load mode. The resulting film materials based on optimized PLA/OTOA compositions could be used in various packaging and biomedical applications.

Tm₂(Ti_2−xTm_x)O_7−x/2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.18, 0.28, 0.74) solid electrolytes have been investigated as potential electrolyte materials for solid oxygen fuel cells (SOFCs), operating in the medium temperature range (600–700 °C). The design of new oxygen-conducting materials is of importance for their possible utilization in the solid oxide fuel cells. The oxygen–ion conductivity of the Tm₂(Ti_2−xTm_x)O_7−x/2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.18, 0.28, 0.74) “stuffed” pyrochlores ceramics was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (two-probe AC) in dry and wet air. The synthesis of precursors via co-precipitation and the precipitate decomposition temperature have been shown to be of key importance for obtaining dense and highly conductive ceramics. At ~770 °C, the highest total conductivity, ~3.16 × 10⁻³ S/cm, is offered by Tm₂Ti₂O₇. The conductivity of the fluorite-like solid solution Tm₂(Ti_2−xTm_x)O_7−x/2 (x = 0.74) is an order of magnitude lower. However, for the first time a proton contribution of ~5 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm at 600 °C has been found in Tm₂(Ti_2−xTm_x)O_7−x/2 (x = 0.74) fluorite. Until now, compositions with proton conductivity were not known for the intermediate and heavy rare earth titanates Ln₂(Ti_2−xLn_x)O_7−x/2 (Ln = Ho − Lu) systems. The use of X-ray diffraction (structural analysis with Rietveld refinement), optical spectroscopy and dielectric permittivity data allowed us to follow structural disordering in the solid solution series with increasing thulium oxide content. High and low cooling rates have been shown to have different effects on the properties of the ceramics. Slow cooling initiates’ growth of fluorite nanodomains in a pyrochlore matrix. The fabrication of such nanostructured dense composites is a promising direction in the synthesis of highly conductive solid electrolytes for SOFCs. We assume that high-temperature firing of nanophase precursors helps to obtain lightly doped “stuffed” pyrochlores, which also provide the high oxygen–ion conductivity.