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## Meet the editor

Speranta Tanasescu, PhD, is Senior Researcher I and head of the Laboratory of Chemical Thermodynamics in the "Ilie Murgulescu" Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest. Dr. Tanasescu obtained a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the Romanian Academy in 1979 and has served as a supervisor in chemistry since 2002. She received the "Gh. Spacu" Award from the Romanian Academy in 1972. Her thematic

research focuses on activities with impact in the following domains: materials science, nanoscience and nanotechnologies, new sources of energies, nanosafety, and nanomedicine. Her research is significant for understanding processing-structure relationships as well as for finding key parameters in relation to bio-reactivity of the nanomaterials with impact in both nanosafety and nanomedicine research.

Contents

*by Speranta Tanasescu*

**Preface XI**

**Chapter 1 1**

**Chapter 2 11**

**Chapter 3 23**

**Chapter 4 39**

**Chapter 5 53**

**Chapter 6 71**

Thermodynamic Stability and Microscopic Behavior of BaxSr1-xCo1-yFeyO3-<sup>δ</sup>

Introductory Chapter: Structure-Processing-Properties Relationships

Role of Neutron Diffraction in Identifying Stoichiometry and

On Application of Hyperfree Energy for the Description of Thermodynamics of Mobile Components in Nonstoichiometric

*by Florentina Maxim, Alina Botea-Petcu, Florina Teodorescu,* 

Stoichiometric and Nonstoichiometric Compounds

Nonstoichiometry Role on the Properties of Quantum-Paraelectric

in Stoichiometric and Nonstoichiometric Oxides

Nonstoichiometry in the Compounds *by Som Datta Kaushik and Anil Kumar Singh*

Partially Open Ceramic Systems

*by Alexander Tkach and Paula M. Vilarinho*

*Ludwig J. Gauckler and Speranta Tanasescu*

*by Paras Dubey and Netram Kaurav*

*by Jaroslav Šesták*

Ceramics

Perovskites

## Contents


Preface

The interrelation among composition, microstructure, and properties of stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric compounds is a major field of research for both scientific and technological reasons. This book focuses on metal oxides, which present a large diversity of electrical, magnetic, optical, optoelectronic, thermal, electrochemical, and catalytic properties, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Searching for novel approaches and major breakthroughs in materials properties, researchers have conducted many studies on the synthesis, structure, and characterization of stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric (metal oxides) compounds. However, there are still questions regarding the relationships of all factors affecting the stability and reliability of these

Because a volume of this size could not cover all topics relevant for this major field of study, we have chosen in this book to concentrate on a limited number of chemical (oxide) systems that exemplify the complex bridging between material structure,

An introductory chapter presents an up-to-date view on some important issues whose tight integration should provide a better understanding of the complex phenomena determining the fundamental properties of a large range of oxide systems. The chapter also defines the critical requirements for advances in design and application of next-

Chapters describe various methods of synthesis (each of these methods leaving their own mark on the properties of the resulting materials) together with different advanced characterization methods. In addition, chapters present several advanced techniques for ascertaining stoichiometry. A special focus is on understanding the effect of conditions of synthesis on the degree of nonstoichiometry, as these aspects provide clues for controlling the evolution of properties. The book also emphasizes the role of thermodynamic parameters on the stabilization of the phase and physical

It is hoped that this book brings more awareness about the significance of the relationship among structure, processing, and properties in stoichiometric and nonstoichio-

"Ilie Murgulescu" Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Romanian Academy,

**Dr. Speranta Tanasescu**

Bucharest, Romania

Head of Labororatoy of Chemical Thermodynamics,

As the editor, I would like to thank all the chapter authors for their contributions. Without them, it would not have been possible to create such a quality book that brings together scientific contributions with special emphasis on the interrelations between

materials chemistry, processing, microstructures, and properties.

materials for specific applications.

synthesis, and properties.

generation materials.

properties in oxides.

metric compounds.
